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APRIL 1, 2020
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
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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Food for students in need While wearing an N95 mask for her safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, Linda McCabe, of Dade City, confirms the amount of food bags needed for one of the cars that showed up for the Pasco County school district’s free lunch program, at the Pasco High School site on March 26. McCabe is the school’s registrar and volunteered for this program that is handing out hundreds of free food bags daily. The school district since has expanded the number of food distribution sites and changed its delivery strategy. See story, page 5B.
Zephyrhills extends local state of emergency
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By Kevin Weiss kweiss@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
With concerns mounting about coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), the Zephyrhills City Council found a unique solution to practice social distancing and still hold its March 23 regular city council meeting. With the power of technology, council members and city staff handled city business virtually, using a conference call to get through a slew of agenda items. Residents and media were able to listen in and comment on business items as necessary, just like typical council meetings held in person at Zephyrhills City Hall. To ensure safety from the coronavirus, the council unanimously passed a resolution extending the city’s local state of emergency declaration, which takes steps to implement protocols suggested by state and federal agencies. Because the resolution must be renewed or updated every seven days, or it expires, the council granted Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe the power to renew or update the resolution as necessary, without needing to hold a formal meeting each week. The updated resolution results in additional temporary changes in city services, including some cancellations and postponements, among other measures. Among latest changes from the city in response to the coronavirus: • Zephyrhills City Hall remains open to the public, however the Eighth Street entrance and second-floor lobby is closed. Citizens must enter the building through the Seventh Street entrance, where they’ll be directed into the utility billing and building departments. • The city ordered a glass partition for the building department, separating citizens, contractors and building department staff. • Zephyrhills Police Department closed its front lobby and records section to nonemergency traffic until further notice. Dial 911 for all emergencies. If you need to file a non-emergency police report or have any
See HELP, page 7A
See EMERGENCY, page 7A
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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
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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