THE LATEST: Traffic counts sink; Chicago cases soar; state leaders work apart; Indiana deaths reach 31; casino laying off 407
Get the latest news on the coronavirus and COVID-19 in this ongoing series of updates available outside IBJ’s paywall.
Diseases
-
Banks say they’ll give commercial borrowers extra time
But the bankers also say it’s unclear how the pandemic might affect commercial customers—and the banks themselves—in the longer term.
Read More -
Career OB/GYN thrust into spotlight as state battles COVID-19 pandemic
As Indiana state health commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box finds herself in the spotlight as the highest-ranking public health official in the state during the pandemic, which threatens to overwhelm hospitals.
Read More -
Scooter companies pull out of cities worldwide amid pandemic
The appeal of sharing a high-touch vehicle with an unknown number of strangers has succumbed to the fear of viral transmission.
Read More -
Restaurants, breweries embracing more alcohol delivery, carryout
With revenue down because of banned dine-in services, some eateries are taking advantage of the governor’s order allowing more restaurants and breweries to temporarily offer carryout and delivery of alcohol.
Read More
Articles
‘From normal life to this hell in a week’—An Indianapolis man on losing his partner to COVID-19
Tony Sizemore, 62, of Indianapolis, shares the story of the death of his partner, Birdie Shelton, the first person to die of the COVID-19 virus in Indiana.
Coronavirus cases rise to 1,232 in state, 584 in Marion County
The department reported that 8,407 people have been tested so far, up from 6,936 people in the previous day’s report.
Abbott launching 5-minute COVID-19 test for use almost anywhere
The Chicago-based medical-device maker plans to supply 50,000 tests a day starting April 1.
Indiana still weeks away from COVID-19 peak, officials say; hospitals scramble to get ready
State officials again refused to say how many ventilators or intensive-care unit beds hospitals have, citing confidentiality agreements with hospitals and vendors. Some hospitals expect their supplies to run short in coming weeks.
NCAA weighs more eligibility for sports cut short by pandemic
The NCAA Division I Council is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to allow another year of eligibility for spring sport athletes such as baseball, softball and lacrosse players, who had their seasons wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic.
Restrictions put social-service not-for-profits to the test
A big challenge has been that some fundamental assistance—like providing food to low-income or aging individuals and families—doesn’t easily transition to a work-from-home model.
House passes $2.2T rescue package, rushes it to Trump
The House approved the sweeping measure by a voice vote, as strong majorities of both parties lined up behind the most colossal economic relief bill in the nation’s history.
Wondering if you qualify for unemployment? The answer is probably yes.
State and federal authorities have expanded the eligibility for unemployment benefits significantly, meaning if you’re out of work and didn’t qualify under the old rules, you likely will now.
State unemployment was 3.1% in February, before deluge of job losses
Indiana’s unemployment rate held steady in February, just before a wave of job losses and unemployment applications in March due to the coronavirus pandemic that threaten to send the rate much higher.
Coronavirus cases rise to 981 in state, 484 in Marion County
The Indiana State Department of Health reported that 6,936 people have been tested so far, up from 4,651 people in the previous day’s report.
State dips into reserves for coronavirus spending as pandemic cuts into revenue
Cris Johnston, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said agencies have been told to look for places where they can eliminate spending. But he said there are no plans to cut funding for schools, even though it’s the state’s largest expenditure.
The strain of isolation: Shift to telecommuting amplifies stressors
Hoosier company leaders are now warding off increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, burnout and depression with virtual water coolers and doughnut deliveries.
Washington, D.C., on track to deliver $2.2T rescue bill Friday
The House is set to pass the sprawling, $2.2 trillion measure Friday morning after an extraordinary 96-0 Senate vote late Wednesday. President Donald Trump marveled at the unanimity Thursday and is eager to sign the package into law.
Coronavirus deals one-two financial punch to state budgets
Cris Johnston, director of the Indiana Office of Management and Budget, said Thursday that the state has begun to use some of its $2.3 billion reserve fund. Indiana is far from alone.
Pharmacists say doctors hoarding unproven coronavirus medicine, creating shortages
The Indiana Pharmacists Association is among groups nationally that say pharmacists are reporting medication hoarding, inappropriate prescribing and limited prescriber availability of two drugs touted as possible treatments for COVID-19.
U.S. has 1.5M expired N95 masks sitting in Indianapolis warehouse
Although past their expiration date, the respirators are considered usable and fully capable. Federal officials have decided to offer them to the Transportation Security Administration, despite urgent need at hard-hit hospitals around the country.
Greenfield auto parts plant lays off 336 employees in temporary closure
BWI Group—also known as BeijingWest Industries Co.—said the layoffs are necessary because Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered all non-essential businesses closed and because the Ford plants it supplies have shut down their production lines.
Eight residents of Franklin nursing home hospitalized after positive COVID-19 tests
Officials at Otterbein Franklin SeniorLife Community say a nurse and therapist also tested positive and are recovering at home.
Stocks soar after Senate passes $2 trillion stimulus bill
A dismal unemployment report failed to pop Wall Street’s buoyant mood on Thursday, with stocks running to their third straight day of gains following the federal government’s pledge to shower trillions of dollars on U.S. citizens and commerce.