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Hyde County schools to remain open for now with restrictions–updated

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Editor’s note: Soon after posting this news story, this followed: Cooper orders public schools closed for two weeks, bans gatherings of 100 or more

By Peter Vankevich

Amidst the escalating health crisis surrounding COVID-19, Hyde county schools–Ocracoke and Mattamuskeet–will not close, at least for now, according to Superintendent of Hyde County Schools Stephen Basnight in an announcement on Friday.

But he outlined major steps the district is taking to help protect the students and staff, such as encouraging frequent hand washing and restricting access to school buildings, .

Based on recommendations issued Friday by Gov. Roy Cooper, the Centers for Disease Control, state and local health departments, effective immediately, Hyde County Schools has implemented the following:

Hyde County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight. Photo: P. Vankevich

➢ Limit visitor access to schools. Visitors, including parents or guardians, will not be allowed access to cafeterias, hallways, restrooms or other areas of the school buildings other than the front office.

➢ Eliminate all non-essential out-of-district travel for students and staff.

➢ Cancel all school field trips through April 6.

➢ No longer hold school assemblies or large group gatherings and will practice social distancing to the highest degree possible.

These protocols will be in effect until at least April 6.

Included in the announcement, Basnight said students and staff should stay home if they are sick and two electrostatic disinfectant sprayer systems designed to kill a series of viruses, including COVID-19, have been ordered.

The schools have also prepared a virtual learning plan that would be implemented if the campuses are shut down.

Ocracoke’s County Commissioner Tom Pahl said today he has been part of several phone conferences to gather information and help formulate a unified response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The county staff is working on developing policy and implementing policies that are directed to the operation of our county government as well as recommendations to the people in Hyde County about what we should be doing now and and what we might be expecting in a couple of weeks, “ Pahl said

He said that Luana Gibbs, Hyde County health director, will be on the agenda of the OCBA meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday (March 18) in the Community Center.

“We’ve discussed the wisdom of even holding that meeting, “ he said.  “We think it’s okay. It’s fewer than 100 people and I think it’s actually an important meeting because it’ll be a chance for people to ask some questions and put some ideas out there and share their concerns.”

He said the meeting will be set up as a webcast with the link to be determined.

“(This is) so that anybody who is not comfortable going to a public meeting can still sit in on the meeting by a computer link,” Pahl said.

As of this morning, there are now 24 cases in North Carolina of people testing positive for COVID-19. Most of them are in the Triangle area, according to the Raleigh News&Observer.  There have not been any reported cases in in Hyde or Dare counties.

The fear of spreading the virus has caused thousands of public gatherings and events throughout the entire country to be canceled or postponed, including the canceling the NCAA basketball tournament, postponing the 2020 Masters golf tournament and the Major League Baseball season opening.

Many colleges and universities are closing their campuses and resorting to online classes, and workers in numerous governmental and private sectors are working  from home.

 

Part of school presentation on March 5 at NCCAT

 

 

 

Methodists suspend disaster recovery due to coronavirus

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The NC Conference United Methodist Church Disaster Response Team office on Ocracoke is on the United Methodist Church grounds. Photo: C. Leinbach

The North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church Disaster Ministries has suspended operations in all of its disaster ministries centers and satellite offices for the next two and a half weeks due to the coronavirus.

Operations on Ocracoke will be suspended from Sunday, March 15, through Tuesday, March 31.

“While operations are suspended, we will be using the time to thoroughly clean and disinfect all of our facilities,” Al Miller III, director of disaster ministries, said in a press release.  “We hope you understand we are doing this out of an abundance of caution for you and your family.”

As the situation continues to develop, the NCCUMC will monitor and evaluate its next steps for April and beyond.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause,” Miller said. “While we certainly understand the magnitude of the work of recovery that we are all involved in, the health and safety of our volunteers, staff, and clients is also of great importance to us.”

Updates will be posted on our website: https://nccumc.org/outreach/disaster-response/

For questions or concerns, please contact 888-440-9167 or email disaster@nccumc.org.

North Carolina recommends new steps to protect against coronavirus

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Locally, Hyde County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight explains Hyde’s COVID-19 plans. Photo by Richard Taylor

From our news sources

RALEIGH:  North Carolina is taking proactive steps to protect the health and well being of our state in the face of growing cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 around the nation and here in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper announced today. Included in today’s guidance is a recommendation to cancel or postpone gatherings over 100 people and telework if possible.

“North Carolina has more tough decisions ahead, and we will be ready to make them,” Cooper said in a press release. “We have the benefit of learning from other countries and other states about the best ways to fight this pandemic. We know that if we can slow the spread of this virus now, then fewer people will be infected or become seriously ill. And we can be more effective in avoiding an overload of our medical system. It will save lives.”

North Carolina currently has 15 positive cases reported with more expected. Events all over the state are being canceled daily.

NC Department of Health & Human Services is making the following recommendations for all North Carolinians to reduce the spread of infection while we are still in an early stage in order to protect lives and avoid strain on our health care system. NC DHHS is making these recommendations for the next 30 days and will re-assess at that point.

SYMPTOMATIC PERSONS
If you need medical care and have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspect you might have COVID-19, call ahead and tell your health care provider you have or may have COVID-19. This will allow them to take steps to keep other people from getting exposed. NC DHHS recommends that persons experiencing fever and cough should stay at home and not go out until their symptoms have completely resolved.

HIGH RISK PERSONS WITHOUT SYMPTOMS
NC DHHS recommends that people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should stay at home to the extent possible to decrease the chance of infection.

People at high risk include people:
Over 65 years of age, or
with underlying health conditions including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, or
with weakened immune systems.

CONGREGATE LIVING FACILITIES
NC DHHS recommends that all facilities that serve as residential establishments for high risk persons described above should restrict visitors. Exceptions should include end of life care or other emergent situations determined by the facility to necessitate a visit. If visitation is allowed, the visitor should be screened and restricted if they have a respiratory illness or potential exposure to COVID-19. Facilities are encouraged to implement social distancing measures and perform temperature and respiratory symptom screening of residents and staff. These establishments include settings such as nursing homes, independent and assisted living facilities, correction facilities and facilities that care for medically vulnerable children.

SCHOOLS
We do not recommend pre-emptive school closure at this time but do recommend that schools and childcare centers cancel or reduce large events and gatherings (e.g., assemblies) and field trips, limit inter-school interactions and consider distance or e-learning in some settings. Students at high risk should implement individual plans for distance or e-learning. School dismissals may be necessary when staff or student absenteeism impacts the ability to remain open. Short-term closures may also be necessary to facilitate public health investigation and/or cleaning if a case is diagnosed in a student or staff member.

WORKPLACE
NC DHHS recommends that employers and employees use teleworking technologies to the greatest extent possible, stagger work schedules, and consider canceling non-essential travel. Workplaces should hold larger meetings virtually, to the extent possible. Additionally, employers should arrange the work space to optimize distance between employees, ideally at least six feet apart. Employers should urge high risk employees to stay home and urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.

MASS GATHERINGS, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL EVENTS
NC DHHS recommends that organizers of events that draw more than 100 people should cancel, postpone, modify these events or offer online streaming services. These events include large gatherings where people are in close contact (less than six feet), for example, concerts, conferences, sporting events, faith-based events and other large gatherings.

MASS TRANSIT
Mass transit operators should maximize opportunities for cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces. People should avoid using use mass transit (e.g. buses, trains) while sick.

As the number of cases of COVID-19 rise in North Carolina and the United States, and with the designation of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the state is responding with a whole government response. COVID-19 is a new infection that is particularly severe in older persons and those with medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and weakened immune systems.

At this time there are no approved treatments and no vaccine to prevent it. However, there are known methods to reduce and slow the spread of infection. Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent hand washing, staying home when sick and covering coughs and sneezes.

Community-based interventions can also help slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes measures collectively known as “social distancing.” Social distancing measures aim to reduce the frequency of contact and increase physical distance between persons, thereby reducing the risks of person-to-person transmission. These measures are most effective when implemented early in an epidemic.

We are at a critical inflection point where we may have the opportunity to slow the spread of this epidemic by taking proactive steps now.

Because COVID-19 is most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, North Carolinians should take the same measures that health care providers recommend to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses, including washing your hands, avoiding touching your face, staying home if you are sick and covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow. 

It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS. For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and NCDHHS’ website at www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus, which will also include daily positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association has information for the hospitality industry here.

Outer Banks Community Foundation statement on coronavirus

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March 12, 2020
Like so many members of our community, the staff and board of the Outer Banks Community Foundation are closely monitoring COVID-19. Internally, we are taking necessary steps in our office and business affairs to limit the potential for spreading any illness and for protecting the health and safety of our employees, visitors and constituents.

Just as important, our thoughts turn to our neighbors, both here and afar.

Your community foundation is ready to support the Outer Banks if and when local needs arise. This is an uncertain time, and we are working to connect with our nonprofit partners to learn of their contingency plans, to encourage local readiness and to ascertain local needs as they begin to surface and evolve.

Should the coronavirus spread to the Outer Banks, our nonprofit community will doubtless be on the front lines of the outbreak, providing medical services, nutritional assistance, financial support to people in need and critical care for our most vulnerable neighbors. As ever, your Community Foundation will be here to help.

If your nonprofit has special needs related to the outbreak, contingency plans to share, or concerns for our community, please call our executive director, Lorelei Costa, at 252-261-8839. We want to hear from you.

Our prayers are with our friends across North Carolina, the United States and the World.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore seeks volunteers for Ocracoke roadside cleanup

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This area of N.C. 12 north of the pony pens will be the area of a volunteer cleanup from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26. Photo: C. Leinbach

To catch up on Ocracoke news and much more, click here

Cape Hatteras National Seashore is seeking volunteers to help beautify the seashore at a drop-in roadside cleanup event on Ocracoke Island from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 26.

National Park Service staff and volunteers will work together to clean a two-mile section of NC-12 containing debris left behind by Hurricane Dorian.

Volunteers should meet at the Ocracoke pony pen parking area to check in and can join at any time during the event. Bring leather gloves, sunscreen, lunch, and snacks. Wear appropriate clothing, including closed-toe shoes. Trash bags will be provided. Children under the age of 18 must have their parent or legal guardian with them to sign the proper paperwork.

For additional information on volunteer opportunities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, visit www.volunteer.gov.

Dorian’s cost to Ferry Division tops $4 million

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Vehicles responding to Ocracoke Village following Hurricane Dorian in 2019 queue at the ferry terminal. Photo: NCDOT

Reprinted courtesy of the Coastal Review Online 

By Kirk Ross

Ferry service employees had to work quickly after Hurricane Dorian to adapt in order to keep the response moving to a devastated Ocracoke Village, North Carolina Department of Transportation officials told a legislative panel last week.

The House Transportation Oversight Committee met Thursday to hear an update on the NCDOT Ferry Division’s hurricane response as part of an overall departmental review going into this year’s short session of the legislature.

Although damage was not as widespread as that from hurricanes Michael and Florence nearly two years ago, the financial hit to the ferry system from Hurricane Dorian was more than twice the $1.7 million cost of those storms combined.

As of Feb. 16, spending on Dorian preparation and recovery and repairs to damaged facilities had topped $4 million, according to the division’s latest estimates.

The bulk of the cost highlighted the role the division played in recovery for Ocracoke Island, where ferry service provides the only transportation link.

Immediately after the storm, ferry crews worked with the Coast Guard to test routes and reestablish service to the island. Limited service was restored Sept. 7, the day after Hurricane Dorian swamped the village, to move emergency supplies and personnel from the National Guard and Red Cross.

But Ferry Division Deputy Director Jed Dixon said that given the scope of the impact in the village and the extensive repairs needed to reopen N.C. 12, division officials decided to open a direct run between Hatteras and Silver Lake using a Pamlico Sound route similar to the one transited by division’s passenger ferry service, which started last summer.

With the larger, sound class vessels being used for the runs from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter, smaller vessels that are usually restricted to more protected river and sound crossings were employed.

Jed Dixon

“There was an urgency,” Dixon said. “These runs were challenging for us. We were only able to make those runs when weather permitted.”

Crews also had to work with ramps that were designed for larger ferries and were too steep to use for some vehicles.

Dixon said the extra run helped in the recovery at a critical time and provided additional ferry space for removing the massive amount of debris that followed the storm.

The division estimates it hauled off 26,861 stoves, refrigerators and other white goods and 6,780 tons of debris.

Dixon said the additional ferry runs were also important after a major setback on work to fully reopen N.C. 12 from South Dock to Ocracoke Village in November when a nor’easter struck the island.

“We had our challenges along the way. It seemed like at times Mother Nature just wouldn’t let up,” Dixon said, adding that, fortunately, NCDOT crews were positioned to move back into the work zone quickly. “As soon as the weather subsided, we were right back at it. We had sandbags going in and were working to restore that road. Once the road was repaired, that took a lot of pressure off our sound routes to supply some more service.”

Work to repair damage to the stacking lanes for the South Dock station continues, Dixon said, including a shoreline stabilization project on areas that have seen repeated damage. He said that work is expected to be completed before the summer visitor season starts.

Costs tallied

Repairs made up $577,000 of the Ferry Division’s Dorian costs, so far, most of it on work to Ocracoke Island dorms and other infrastructure, which were flooded at the height of the storm.

Most repairs for the system are expected to be completed by May, except for work on the heavily damaged Ocracoke living quarters for crew and terminal, which could take 18 to 24 months to complete.

Major damage estimates include the following:

  • $125,000 for Hatteras crew dorms.
  • $30,000 for Hatteras grounds repair.
  • $25,000 for Mann’s Harbor shipyard.
  • $1.4 million for Ocracoke dorm rebuild.
  • $175,000 for Ocracoke terminal.
  • $75,000 for Ocracoke ticket booth.
  • $50,000 Ocracoke grounds.
  • $30,000 for Cedar Island terminal repairs.
As of Feb. 16, more than $4 million had been spent related to Hurricane Dorian, including preparation, recovery efforts and damage, the most the Ferry Division says it has spent on any disaster. Graphic: NCDOT

Damage to employee dorms affects operations

catherine Peele
Catherine Peele

Catherine Peele, planning and development manager for the division, said the damage to the dorms on Ocracoke and the lack of available housing after the storm made it more difficult to keep service operating.

She said it finally took a combination of hotel rooms and Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers to be able to keep ferry crews on the island.

“The main concern for the residents is that they wanted an early departure from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter so they could get over to the mainland and back in the same day,” Peele told legislators. “So being able to house those employees on Ocracoke, we were able to make that early morning run.”

The department purchased four FEMA trailers for employees and is seeking funds for another six. Peele said the trailers are not a long-term solution and once repairs to the dorms are completed, the division plans to keep some for temporary housing and disaster response in future emergencies.

Peele said the storm also had an impact on maintenance to the sound class vessels, but previously scheduled work was completed this winter.

She had some good news to report on tram service on the island. The original trams put into service last year with the debut of the passenger ferry were destroyed, along with most of the other vehicles on the island when floodwater swept across parking areas that usually remain high and dry during storms.

Peele said that Hyde County was able to obtain a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation to replace the trams and that three trams will be available when passenger ferry service resumes this summer, with two more shortly after.

 

Cooper declares state of emergency to respond to COVID-19

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Editor’s note: For comprehensive information on COVID-19 and North Carolina health and policy issues, go to NC Health News.

From our news sources

With five new cases of COVID-19 in Wake County, bringing the statewide number to seven, Gov. Roy today issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency.

The declaration activates the Emergency Operations Center to help agencies coordinate from one location and makes it easier to purchase needed medical supplies, protect consumers from price gouging, and increase county health departments’ access to state funds.
In addition to Cooper’s emergency declaration, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) is making several recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the number of people infected.
“The health and safety of North Carolinians is our top priority,” he said in a press release. “We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that North Carolina is prepared and responding to this virus, and this order helps us do that.  Though we are still in the early stages in North Carolina, time is a valuable resource and we must work together to slow the spread while we can.”

Key provisions in the order are similar to those enacted in a natural disaster. The order will help with the cost burdens and supplies that may be difficult for providers and public health to access due to increased demand.

It also increases the state public health department’s role in supporting local health departments, which have been tasked with monitoring quarantines, tracing exposure and administering testing.

Today’s updated NC DHHS recommendations are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), current actions by other states and the most up-to-date epidemiologic information available to protect the public’s health. Many of the recommendations are targeted at protecting people at high risk of severe illness, which includes adults over 65 years, those with underlying health conditions including  heart disease, lung disease or diabetes or with weakened immune systems.

“We all play a role in keeping our communities safe and healthy,“ said DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, M.D. “Let’s be guided by compassion and reason and work to support each other as a community. These precautions can help us slow the spread of this virus and protect our more vulnerable neighbors.”

The following recommendations pertain to persons and establishments statewide:
HIGH-RISK PERSONS
NC DHHS recommends that people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 avoid large groups of people as much as possible. This includes gatherings such as concert venues, conventions, church services, sporting events, and crowded social events. People at high risk should also avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
ADULT CONGREGATE LIVING FACILITIES
NC DHHS recommends that all facilities that serve as residential establishments for high-risk persons described above should restrict visitors. These establishments include nursing homes, independent and assisted living facilities, correctional facilities, and facilities that care for medically vulnerable children.
MASS GATHERING EVENTS
NC DHHS recommends that event organizers:
• Urge anyone who is sick to not attend.
• Encourage those who are at high risk, described above, to not attend.
• Adopt lenient refund policies for people who are high risk.
• Find ways to give people more physical space to limit close contact as much as possible.
• Encourage attendees to wash hands frequently.
• Clean surfaces with standard cleaners.
ALL TRAVELERS
NC DHHS recommends that all travelers returning from countries and US states impacted by COVID-19 follow DHHS guidance on self-monitoring: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina/coronavirus
The following recommendations pertain to persons and establishments in the Triangle area:
WORKPLACE SETTINGS
NC DHHS recommends that employers and employees use teleworking technologies to the greatest extent possible. Additionally, employers should:
• Urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
• Consider staggering start and end times to reduce large numbers of people coming together at the same time.
MASS GATHERINGS, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL EVENTS
NC DHHS recommends that organizers of mass gathering events that primarily draw high-risk persons, including those that attract older adults, should consider cancelling or postponing these events.
Currently, NC DHHS is not recommending preemptive school closures.
The recommendations should begin immediately and extend through March 31. NC DHHS will monitor the situation closely to determine whether to extend the recommendations beyond March 31.
These measures were announced at a press conference today with Cooper and members of the state’s Coronavirus Task Force. The full executive order is available here.
It is important to make sure the information you are getting about COVID-19 is coming directly from reliable sources like the CDC and NCDHHS.

For more information, please visit the CDC’s website at and NCDHHS’ website which will also include future positive COVID-19 test results in North Carolina.

Village Craftsmen reopens after Dorian

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Some of the Village Craftsmen’s first customers are, from left, Alan Reece, Chris Warnasch, Jill Mozier and Sue Warnasch. Photo: P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich

Six months out from Hurricane Dorian, Ocracoke continues to move forward as another business reopened its doors.

One of the oldest fine crafts galleries on the Outer Banks, the venerable Village Craftsmen on Howard Street on Monday

Village Craftsmen manager Amy Howard chats with founder (and her dad) Philip Howard. Photo: P. Vankevich

began receiving customers.  It was shut down by Hurricane Dorian and, like most businesses on the island, needed extensive repairs, including a new floor.

“We got 10 inches of water causing damage to the floor, displays and some of the merchandise,” said manager Amy Howard.

While open, they will still work on completing the renovations.

The craft gallery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Although it took a hit and the free books were ruined, the historic “cool house” on display in the front yard has been restored and is back in business.

For the next few weeks, Village Craftsmen will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and in April will extend its hours 10 a.m. to  6 p.m.

Photo: P. Vankevich

 

 

Oral history workshop at NCCAT Thursday/Taller de historia oral en el jueves en NCCAT

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Professor Hannah Gill, associate director, Institute for the Study of the Americas at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, will be on the island with a team of students and colleagues to conduct an oral history workshop at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) at 6 p.m. Thursday.

Details are in the flyer below.

This workshop is in conjunction with the Language and Life Project at N.C. State and Ocracoke School.

La profesora Hannah Gill, directora asociada del Instituto para el Estudio de las Américas de la Universidad de Carolina del Norte -Chapel Hill, estará en la isla con un equipo de estudiantes y colegas para llevar a cabo un taller de historia oral en el Centro de Carolina del Norte para el Avance de Docencia (NCCAT) 6 pm jueves.

Los detalles están en el volante a continuación. Este taller es en conjunto con el Proyecto de Lenguaje y Vida en NC State y Ocracoke School.

Ocracoke events March 9 to 15

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Girl Scout Troop 2603 from Kill Devil Hills will be on the island Saturday selling cookies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ocracoke Oyster Company (former O’Bar)

To catch up on Ocracoke news and much more, click here

Tuesday, March 10
Ocracoke Liaison Office: Teresa Adams, Ocracoke Liaison, has regular office hours every Tuesday and Thursday in the Hyde County office located in the Community Center. 9 a.m. to noon.

Post-Dorian support group: 4:30 p.m. Ocracoke Lightship Realty.

Preparing for College Information Session for 9th to 11th graders and families, NCCAT, 6 p.m.  
Preparándose para la universidad.  Sesión informativa para estudiantes y sus familias de los grados 9 a 11, NCCAT, 6 p.m.
Thursday, March 12
Ocracoke Liaison Office: Teresa Adams, Ocracoke Liaison, has regular office hours every Tuesday and Thursday in the Hyde County office located in the Community Center. 9 a.m. to noon.

Oral History Night. Learn how to record your family and community history,
Noche de Historia Oral. Aprende a grabar tu historia familiar y comunitaria, NCCAT,  6 p.m.
Saturday, March 14
Girl Scout Troop 2603 from Kill Devil Hills will be on the island selling cookies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ocracoke Oyster Company (former O’Bar).

Warm hangout at the United Methodist Church rec hall, noon to 5 p.m.

 

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