• The Paycheck Protection Plan has been a historic success, distributing almost $350 billion in loans to more than 1.6 million small businesses in just 14 days. Just in North Carolina, small businesses have received nearly 40,000 loans for more than $8 billion.  Congress is still working on an agreement for additional funding for the program. A deal is in the works that will provide more than $300 billion in additional funding for the program. I anticipate that it will pass and be signed into law this week. 

• Last week, it was reported that 5.2 million more Americans filed unemployment claims, meaning that 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment since the coronavirus began spreading in the United States. This makes additional funding for the PPP all the more critical as our small businesses seek to keep employees on payroll and off unemployment.

• The Town of Wrightsville Beach is opening ocean and sound side beach access points, effective noon today. However, there are several limitations, including:
• With the exception of East Salisbury Street, all access points and beaches will be opened for individual, non-stationary exercise activities to include only walking, jogging, swimming, and surfing/water sports.
• Individuals participating in such exercise activities must follow strict social distancing measures.
• No exercise group shall have more than 10 people.
• Lifeguards will not be on duty.
• Sunbathing, sitting, fishing, games and all other activities will not be permitted on the beaches at this time.
• All beach equipment such as towels, blankets, chairs, tents, coolers, and umbrellas will not be allowed on the beaches at this time.
• For more information, including details about parking, visit this page.

• The Town of Surf City has also lessened restrictions on beach access, though public parking is not available. More details available here.

• The Department of Homeland Security announced that the US, Mexico, and Canada have each agreed to extend restrictions on non-essential travel across their shared borders for 30 additional days. 

• FEMA has a Coronavirus Rumor Control page that seeks to rebut a lot of the false rumors that have been flying around regarding the outbreak. There is a lot of misinformation out there, particularly on social media, so it's good to use this page and other official sources for reliable information.

• The Sampson County Health Department has established a direct line for Sampson County residents with COVID-19 health questions. Residents can call (910) 490-1056 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. More info here.

• The Trump Administration has launched a new effort to improve transparency about the COVID-19 outbreak at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. New rules will require nursing homes to inform residents and their families of COVID-19 cases in their facilities. Learn more here.

• Nationwide, as of Friday, FEMA, HHS, and the private sector combined have coordinated the delivery of nearly 56 million N95 respirators, over 77 million surgical masks, roughly 6 million face shields, more than 11 million surgical gowns, over 560 million gloves, close to 11,000 ventilators, and 8,450 federal medical station beds. It's an unprecedented mobilization of our public and private sectors to combat a public health emergency.