As COVID-19 cases surge in Southeastern Kentucky, public-health and local officials join forces

Like much of the nation, stopping the spread of the novel coronavirus in Appalachia isn’t just a public-health effort, but also involves convincing its citizens that it isn’t a political issue, Chris Kenning reports for the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Kenning went to Bell and Harlan counties in the southeast corner of Kentucky, which recently recorded some of the state’s highest increases...
Report says Kentucky should tighten limits on gatherings, close bars where positive tests are up

A report prepared for the White House Coronavirus Task Force recommended that Gov. Andy Beshear should close bars in all counties with rising percentages of positive tests for the coronavirus, limit social gatherings to no more than 10 people, decrease indoor restaurant capacity to 25 percent and “increase outdoor dining opportunities.”
The recommendations were in a previously unpublicized...
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers limiting work to in-state response to Easter storms

By Mark Maynard
Kentucky Today
In a phone meeting with Southern Baptist Disaster Relief directors about the Easter storms that ravaged the South, it was determined that in the midst of COVID-19, all states would handle their own needs to limit travel for teams.
Kentucky Baptist DR Director Coy Webb said chainsaw and roof tarping teams met needs from severe storms on Easter in the following counties:...
Beshear tours flooded areas in Southeastern Kentucky, provides briefing on response efforts

Gov. Andy Beshear and local leaders provided an update on the emergency management and relief response to flooding events in Southeastern Kentucky during a Thursday briefing at the London Joint Readiness Center.
Joined by Senate President Robert Stivers, of Manchester; Senator Johnny Ray Turner, of Prestonsburg; Rep. Adam Bowling, of Middlesboro; Michael Dossett, director of the Kentucky Division of...
Transportation problems, lack of confidentiality among barriers to accessing rural syringe exchanges

By Heather Chapman
Kentucky Health News
Rural residents who inject drugs say they are less likely to access syringe exchange programs because of transportation problems, inability to get to the service at times it’s open, and concerns about stigma, lack of confidentiality and law enforcement.
So says a newly published study examining barriers that can prevent people who inject drugs (PWIDs) from...
Gov. Bevin receives notification of Federal assistance for Eastern KY counties impacted by flooding
Governor Matt Bevin today received notification that President Donald Trump has authorized assistance for certain Kentucky counties that suffered significant damage as a result of the severe flooding event from Feb. 9 through Feb. 14.
Gov. Bevin
“We are grateful for this official declaration by the President, which will allow Eastern Kentucky counties to access federal assistance to repair local...