“While everyone is worried about family, friends, and cases in the community, we ignore a very high risk and vulnerable group,” says Jagdish Khubchandani, a Ball State University health science professor. “Studies have consistently shown that healthcare workers frequently work long hours, don’t practice self-care, lack on hygienic practices, and work while being sick. 

“Today, with coronavirus, there are additional challenges such as changing protocol, the greater number of emergencies, shortage of medical supplies, and lack of preventive testing and protective equipment. Healthcare workers are at the frontline and often neglected during such times.”

 Some key tips for healthcare workers:

1. Practice self-care with a good diet, daily exercise, enough sleep, and adding more protein and vitamins to the diet.
2. Buy your own protective equipment and sanitation supplies if not provided by workplace- masks, and sanitizers.
3. Practice frequent hand washing. Preferably, after each encounter with a client or patient.
4. Hand washing is better than hand sanitizers. Or, practice both. Relying on hand sanitizers where optimum quantity is not used, or quality of sanitizers can be questioned, is not a good practice. Soap and water are highly recommended compared to the casual use of sanitizers.
5. Try to avoid overworking, watch your shifts, and working hours- exhaustion can make you weak and vulnerable to regular flu as well (in addition to the risk of coronavirus).
6. Avoid personal contact with clients or patients as much as possible. Healthcare workers frequently shake hands, exchange greetings and hugs with clients who may do it out of affection or gratitude- a distant thank you is ok at this time.
7. Check your own symptoms and signs for any illness (especially, flu-like illness). Cough, runny nose, fever, headaches and body pains should not be ignored during this season.
8. Ensure that coworkers don’t have these signs and symptoms- stay vigilant and help coworkers get care and rest if they have such symptoms. Be firm with colleagues who don’t practice good hygiene such as regular handwashing.
9. Follow guidelines for clinical practice and personal protection from authentic sources such as CDC.
10. Ensure that your facility is following best practices for infection control. It is appropriate now to educate colleagues and your managers, even if they are superiors or higher in the chain of command (studies also show that most educated in healthcare professions could be least likely to practice personal hygiene).
11. Disinfect your office and personal space- even if it is not being done by facilities and janitors.
12. Call on facilities managers and ensure they are following protocols and daily cleaning and sanitation activities are ramping up.
13. Ensure that clients are not surrounded by too many friends or family members and educate clients on avoiding too many frequent visitors.
14. Pull up your training manuals and best practice guideline notebooks for infection control and review if needed.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced additional steps the state will take to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana. As of noon today, the state has 12 Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19.

“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus,” said Gov. Holcomb. “While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.”

Here are the actions Gov. Holcomb is initiating today.

• Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in one room or a single space at the same time, such as cafeterias, churches, stadiums, meeting and conference rooms, auditoriums and the like. This guidance applies to professional, social, community and similar other gatherings. Detailed guidance will be posted on the Indiana State Department of Health website by the end of the day.
• Effective immediately, school corporations will be provided with a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days for use as needed for the remainder of the academic year. The waived days do not need to be used consecutively and can be leveraged as needed.
  • If a school corporation has evidence of community spread or a confirmed positive test for coronavirus, officials should consult with the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana State Department of Health for additional steps. Schools should plan now for broader closures, including eLearning and remote classroom options.
  • The Department of Education will release additional guidance detailing the process for submitting waiver requests as early as Friday.
  • Schools should follow the guidelines for non-essential gatherings as they make decisions about non-essential extra-curricular or co-curricular activities.
• Child care and adult day care facilities should institute social distancing and minimize large gatherings. Temporary suspension of operations should be done in consultation with the Family and Social Services and ISDH in the instance of documented community spread.
• Nursing facilities and hospitals should restrict and screen visitors. Any individual who is allowed to visit is restricted to the patient’s room. Visitors are not allowed if they present with any of this criteria:
  • Display signs or symptoms of illness, especially respiratory illness
  • Have traveled internationally or been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness in the past 14 days
  • Reside in a community with a known COVID-19 case
  • Those who are less than 18 years of age
• The Indiana Department of Correction has suspended visitation at all facilities as a precaution for the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders.
• Individuals over 60 years of age or those with a known underlying health issue such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease should limit their public exposure. Whenever possible, friends and family should arrange to provide food and other essential items.
• Those who run senior centers and congregate meal services should consider suspending congregate meals services and arrange for home delivery
• Encourage businesses to utilize telework policies, if available

Governor Holcomb is also issuing guidance for state employee operations. The state will suspend all non-essential out-of-state and international travel beginning today and for the next 45 days. The state is also providing employees with guidance about the use of leave and remote work options for limited durations while ensuring the delivery of essential state services. The guidance is attached.

“I fully expect there will be additional actions warranted in the coming days,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Just as we have since the beginning of the year, we are working with partners at all levels to secure all necessary resources for any escalation of this virus.”

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus:

• Stay home unless you need to seek medical care.
• Avoid public areas and public transportation
• Stay away from others as much as possible, especially people who are the most at risk such as older adults with multiple medical problems and those with a weakened immune system
• Don’t shake hands
• Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening such as difficulty breathing and call your doctor or healthcare facility before you seek care.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak and the spread across Indiana, the Mitchell Opera House will be postponing a few of our upcoming shows. We appreciate all of our fans and all of your support!

Below is a list of shows that are currently being postponed. As soon as new dates are set, they will be posted as well, so please keep an eye out!

March 21 st – Lick Creek Band
March 27 th – JoAnna Kai Cobb
March 28 th – Kirby Stailey
April 3 rd – Dave Dugan
April 11 th – Big Steel Train

They are still planning for the Avalon’s show this weekend, March 14 th to go on as planned as well as the Trolls event on March 20 th.

Visit www.mitchelloperahouse.com for our most up to date list of events.

At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance.

These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race.

“We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” according to NASCAR

The races will be broadcast on WSLM 97.9 FM this weekend. 

Cheerleaders, mascots, pep bands, fans, friends and extended families will not be able to attend the Boy’s High School Basketball Regional live games this Saturday due to a new policy from the Indiana High School Athletic Association. 

Commissioner Bobby Cox announced at a press conference at noon that the remaining games in the IHSAA boys basketball state tournament will continue as scheduled but with limited spectators in attendance as Indiana seeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Each school’s team will be limited to 75 passes to enter the game for staff and immediate families.

Those passes will be free. 

The IHSAA continues to monitor the impact of COV-19 around our state.

“Our primary focus has been and will continue to be the health and safety of our students and supporters attending our events,” Cox said. “Given the recent and ongoing spread of the coronavirus and available information surrounding the pandemic, the IHSAA will conclude all winter tournament series events as scheduled with limited to no spectators in attendance.”

Individuals who are at higher risk for the disease as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are strongly encouraged to refrain from attendance.

This includes older adults and people who have serious chronic
medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

The Association acknowledges these are unprecedented measures and is sympathetic to the loyal fans of education-based athletics in Indiana.

“Your understanding and support during these challenging times is appreciated,” said Cox. “Using the Center for Disease Control’s guidance regarding large gatherings, the IHSAA will limit games/events to approximately 250 individuals.”

Boys Basketball Regionals

The boys basketball regional games are scheduled for Saturday (March 14) at 16 sites around the state.

Semistates are Saturday, March 21 and the state finals are Saturday, March 28.

For the remaining games, each participating school will be allotted only 75 complimentary tickets aside from the 12 dressed players and to include only essential personnel, coaches, administrative staff and immediate family of players.

“We regret that non-varsity boys basketball participants, cheerleaders, dance teams, school mascots and pep bands may not attend the games. This measure is to protect the health and safety of the student athletes, their families and the public at large.”

Anyone holding a regional ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase. Individuals must present the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.

A very limited number of news media will be approved for covering the Saturday’s regional games.

All print and broadcast news media must request credentials via email through the IHSAA staff from a recognized business
account, not the host school.

A final list of approved news media will be shared with each host school to allow admittance on Saturday.

Regional games will continue to be streamed at IHSAAtv.org and its affiliates as well as previously approved broadcast stations.

Guidelines for the boys semi-states and state championship games have yet to be determined and will be
announced at a later date.

Gymnastics State Finals

The girls gymnastics state finals will be contested this Saturday (March 14) beginning at 1 pm ET at Worthen
Arena.

Due to the number of participants and essential workers, coaches, spotters, and medical personnel at the gymnastics state finals, there will be no spectators allowed at the event and thus no tickets on sale at Worthen Arena.

Anyone holding a state finals ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase.

Individuals must present the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.

An informational teleconference with host schools and 64 participating teams has been scheduled for today at
2 pm ET / 1 pm CT.

Saturday’s events will continue to be streamed live at IHSAAtv.org and previously-received news media
credential requests will still be honored.

This morning at approximately 12:18, Trooper Fulton was patrolling SR 66 near Big Cynthiana Road when he stopped the driver of a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck for driving 104 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Arrested and Charged was Andrew J. Goebel, 49, New Harmony, IN

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

Goebel displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .12%.

He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police Bloomington Post initiated a criminal investigation in January of this year, after receiving information from a Bedford couple that they were being stalked and harassed by a local man.  

Arrested and Charged was  Samuel Shaw, 80, Bedford, IN

• Stalking, Level 6 Felony
• Harassment, Class B Misdemeanor 

The investigation revealed that Shaw had allegedly been stalking and harassing a Bedford couple since March of 2019. 

Shaw had made repeated phone calls to the couple’s business and pursued them by driving past their residence and business on several occasions. 

The investigation also revealed that Shaw had violated a cease and desist order.

After reviewing the investigation, the Lawrence County Prosecutor requested a warrant for Shaw’s arrest. 

Shaw was arrested at his residence on March 11, 2020, by Trooper Chance Humphrey, and is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail on a $7,500 bond.

Investigating Officer:  Trooper Chance Humphrey of the Bloomington State Police Post.

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A traffic stop for an infraction ended with the arrest of both the driver and passenger from New Albany on multiple charges.  

Arrested and Charged was 

Mergen Batchuluun, 20, New Albany, IN

• Dealing in Marijuana – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor 

Chinguun Bishrel, 21, New Albany, IN

• False Identity – A Misdemeanor  

On March 7, 2020, Senior Trooper Mark LaMaster stopped a black 2012 Mercedes-Benz on I-65 southbound for following too closely behind a semi-truck.

He also observed that the car had a large crack in the windshield directly in front of the driver. As Trooper LaMaster spoke with the driver and passenger, he observed criminal indicators and also discovered the passenger had falsely identified himself.

Senior Trooper Nathan Abbott also arrived to assist a short time later. During the investigation, the Troopers discovered approximately five pounds of marijuana packaged in several plastic bags.  

Both subjects were taken to the Clark County Jail without further incident.