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Government responds to COVID-19
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
A $2 trillion relief package — the largest in U.S. history — has been passed in an attempt to stabilize the economy, in the wake of an economic and medical crisis posed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). The package includes help for individuals, extended unemployment benefits, loans for small businesses, help for large industries and other types of assistance. The stimulus includes a $1,200 check per person, or $2,400 married jointly, with
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an additional $500 per child, for those earning $75,000 or less, according to reporting by national news outlets. There’s also $350 billion of loans for small businesses. The package also includes increased unemployment payments, and unemployment benefits extended to self-employed workers and contractors, the reports say. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis issued a statement after the passage of the CARES Act. In part, he noted the relief act will “help keep us safe, protect jobs and prevent financial devastation for millions of Americans.
“We must get people working again, as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said, adding the stimulus checks will provide immediate relief to individual taxpayers who need it most. He also noted “the expanded unemployment benefits will provide support for those who have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced through no fault of their own.” And,“the bill provides loan programs to help every type and size of business, including: sole proprietors, independent See GOVERNMENT, page 7A
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Birthday wishes from afar Kynlee Kuberski, center, who lives in Connerton, reacts, after Pasco County Fire Rescue truck, drives by her Land O’ Lakes home to wish her a happy 11th birthday on March 26. Kynlee’s mother, Jessi, is on the left, and older sister Kalyn is on the right. No one could get closer because of social distancing, due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). More on this story, page 3A.
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When experience matters to you!
By B.C. Manion bc.manion@lakerlutznews.com
Chapel, created youth activity and coloring books and adult coloring pages, as a way of giving back to the community — during these stressful times.They leave them outside for people to pick them up, and post pages to social media so people can print them, to avoid personal contact. At AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, a group of “prayer warriors” arrived by caravan, to pray for the hospital’s care team and community. There were two mobile digital boards with scriptures, and the group honked their horns and flashed their lights before parking to pray, according to a news release from the West Florida Division of AdventHealth. The group’s next planned stop was on March 28, at Regional Medical Center
It was a gorgeous day on March 7, as patrons streamed into the annual Fabulous Flea Market hosted by the GFWC Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, at the Old Lutz School. Crowds were lined up on both sides of the school, on U.S. 41, waiting for the sale to start. Elaine Pittman, affectionately known as “The Plant Lady,” said she sold more plants in a single day than on all but one other day during numerous years she’s sold plants at the market. But, her plans to sell additional plants at the Spring Market, hosted by Citizens for the Old Lutz School, were dashed when the event was canceled because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Like a switch had been flipped, cancellations started happening all over. The Taste of North Tampa Bay,The Land O’ Lakes Music Festival,The Jelly Bean Fling and numerous other events have been called off. In the words of Pat Serio, who sits on the board of directors for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club: “Everything has completely shut down. “I’m co-editor of the newsletter, and we cancelled our newsletter because frankly we had nothing to report because all of our calendar events for the next month would have to be listed as TBD (to be determined).” Besides erasing opportunities for family fun and giving vendors a chance to make money — the cancellations have ripple effects. Proceeds from Pittman’s plant sales, for instance, help to support Christian Social Services.That organization operates a food pantry within its thrift store, at 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club and scores of other civic groups rely on fundraising efforts to help others. The woman’s club supports roughly 100 local
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Thomas Promise Foundation board member Amanda Burns, of Dade City, left, and foundation driver Peyton Yowell, of Land O’ Lakes, watch as cars begin to pour into the parking lot of Pasco County High School, 36850 State Road 52 in Dade City. The Thomas Promise Foundation and Pasco County Schools were both distributing food, to help children who do not have access to food while schools are closed. Thomas Promise normally provides food to help feed children over the weekend, as part of its Operation Backpack program.
Stepping up to help in the time of COVID-19 By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Whether it’s sewing protective masks, printing free coloring books, holding prayer services, giving away pizzas or providing pallets of food — people across The Laker/Lutz News are stepping up to help others, in response to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Linda Mitchell, of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, has organized a group of seamstresses who are using their skills to make protective masks. Mitchell delivers the 100% cotton fabric and ¼-inch elastic needed to make the masks to the volunteer seamstresses, then beeps her horn when she drops off the materials in the volunteer’s driveways. The staff at RP&G Printing, in Wesley