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Easy ways to make DIY masks

Feature Image Source: CDC

The Center for Disease Control has urged all Americans to cover their faces while in public as the death toll for the coronavirus climbs higher. While health officials are in the most need of surgical masks, the CDC has urged the public to avoid those products and instead be more creative.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-xi-TOFyRp/

Time Magazine has published a comprehensive article detailing how to make masks at home, both with and without sewing. Those who can’t sew can make cloth face masks out of T-shirts and bandanas using this guide from the CDC.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-puwLolacE/

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Santee Cooper South Carolina Coronavirus Funding

Santee Cooper’s Actions Caused Certain Senators To Derail Emergency Coronavirus Funding Legislation

The South Carolina Legislature was called back earlier this week for what was supposed to be a quick one-day session to pass a piece of emergency legislation that would help prevent a government shutdown and provide emergency funding to address the coronavirus crisis. But a familiar roadblock caused that plan to crumble.

While this was expected to be a quick vote, a resolution in the legislation involving Santee Cooper prevented senators from coming to an agreement, while House members decried action taken by Santee Cooper in recent days to deceive the legislature into believing they had negotiated a deal with Central Electric cooperative.

The latest move by Santee Cooper has angered many including Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina CEO, Mike Couick and Speaker of the House Jay Lucas.

Couick was quoted as saying “I grew up watching ACC basketball and Dean Smith mastering the game of four corners. If Santee Cooper is an expert at nothing else, it is an expert at delay, and delay of reform and transformation…”

In a letter to Santee Cooper’s leadership, Speaker Lucas wrote, “If state law gave me or the House of Representatives the authority, I would seek the immediate unqualified removal of each member of the Santee Cooper Board and the dismissal, for cause, of the entire senior management. Unfortunately for the people of South Carolina, I do not have that authority. However, I do predict and will applaud your ultimate removal from your positions in the appropriate manner.”

You can read the full letter from Speaker Lucas here.

The proposed emergency legislation included plans for COVID-19 funding, education funding for teacher salaries, funding to ensure South Carolina primaries can still take place safely on June 9, and other necessary government-funded operations that would allow the state to continue to run in the case that a budget isn’t passed before the start of the next fiscal year.

It also included a provision to postpone the debate on Santee Cooper and prevent the utility from engaging in any long-term contracts of more than a year until the work on what should be done with the state-owned utility is fully explored.

As reported by the AP, Santee Cooper spokeswoman Mollie Gore apologized for their actions in an email calling the utility’s words ‘presumptive and premature’.

Moreover, Governor McMaster slammed Santee Cooper on Twitter, saying, “There appears to be no tactic or action too deceitful or reckless for the leaders of Santee Cooper to employ,” accusing the utility of exploiting the current pandemic to avoid a sale or any type of reform.

Senators, on the other hand, debated the resolution for over five hours only to come back with an amended resolution that sent it back to the House for review. Certain senators such as Senator Rankin and Senator Grooms refused to approve the emergency legislation needed to keep the state running because of their support for Santee Cooper and did not want to put any limitations on the utility despite their history of mismanagement and lack of transparency.

Currently, there are plans for either the House or Senate to return to take further action.

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South Carolina COVID-19 Update

Feature Image Source: SCDHEC

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control continues to respond to the global coronavirus pandemic as the death toll rises. As of Friday, April 3rd there have been 1,554 positive cases reported across the state and a total of 31 attributable deaths.

Since the first identified case on March 6th, the DHEC has continued to positive cases by county, and  estimates that the number of cases will increase in the coming weeks, but may briefly flatten as the weather gets warmer.

DHEC has launched a new heat map to visually represent the spread of the #COVID19 in the state.

Heat map as of April 2, 2020: https://t.co/uJ9tFZnMbS pic.twitter.com/6LRqkG03Hc

— SCDHEC (@scdhec) April 2, 2020

S.C. Governor Henry McMaster ordered that all all nonessential businesses be closed indefinitely on Tuesday, March 31st. Additionally, The State reports that McMaster has ordered restaurants to close dining rooms and closed access points to state beaches and waterways. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster has also just issued a mandatory stay at home order that will go in effect at 5pm on April 7th. This mean that everyone must stay home, unless they are working, obtaining essential goods, exercising or visiting family. Those who disobey this order can face a potential misdemeanor charge and fines.

For continued updates on safety information, please visit the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Center for Disease Control.

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7 Things to Do at Home while Social Distancing

Stuck at home? We know how you feel. Here’s a list of ways to beat the quarantine blues while staying productive, fit, and entertained.

Work

Those who have the ability to work from home should try to make remote employment a priority. If possible, make a designated space free of clutter and distractions, and use headphones in order to block out sound. Keeping a routine will help your daily life feel more normal. Just be sure to take little breaks!

Clean

The Center for Disease Control has lots of information on how to keep you and your family safe, recommending that frequently touched surfaces (think doorknobs, keyboards, toilet handles, and light switches) be cleaned and disinfected daily. Check their website for a detailed disinfection guide.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-LCXzol6S5/

Read

Bookworms now have extra free time to read something new. Check out the New York Times Best Seller list to see what your friends are talking about, or for lovers of local literature, click through to this amazing list of the best books about South Carolina (including several selections by beloved author Pat Conroy).

Exercise

Don’t let being at home stop you from being active! If possible, try to get out and take walks to get fresh air, whether on trails or simply around your neighborhood. If you want to stay indoors there are plenty of at-home workouts you can do to keep you feeling fit, no equipment necessary.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-JyVqzjnez/

Cook

With the ingredients you have at home, it’s important to try and eat healthy and creatively. Don’t make the same thing every day and don’t be afraid to get creative with what’s in the fridge. Try your hand at baking bread, cooking a new recipe, or making comfort food.

Binge

When all else fails, being stuck at home is one of the best excuses to watch a new series (or rewatch a beloved show for the millionth time). Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu have plenty of movies and shows to keep you busy, and USA Today has them all ranked for the ultimate binge-list. Popcorn not included.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PxS0alvFr/

Support

Those who are looking for ways to help others while at home have many options. Look for blood donation centers nearby to help local community members in need. Check to see which restaurants in your area have moved to take-out or curbside pickup to help their business. Together, we can all get through this safely.

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How to stay informed about COVID-19 in South Carolina

Featured Image Source: CDC Instagram

During this time it is important to remain up-to-date with current events, local and state information, and updates from health officials. Here are a few resources available to help you stay informed.

For basic virus information, protective measures, and other public advice from the World Health Organization, click here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-GI3hrj5_a/

For continuous updates on the number of reported cases in the US, broken down by state, from the Center for Disease Control, click here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-K21mhnZVL/

For South Carolina-specific information about positive cases by county and other data compiled by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, click here.  

For information about business closings and new restaurant services, be sure to check with your local news source (see the Charleston City Paper’s example with Holy City eateries here).

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News

Health Update: Continuing Coverage of the Coronavirus

As more information becomes available the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control continues to respond to the global coronavirus crisis. As of Monday, March 23rd there have been a total of 298 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of South Carolina and 5 related deaths.

The DHEC has reported positive cases by county and will continue to update the public on new developments. Listed below are the counties with the most COVID-19 cases.

Kershaw: 54 Positive

Richland: 43 Positive

Charleston: 31 Positive

Greenville: 31 Positive

Beaufort: 21 Positive

Lexington: 17 Positive

Horry: 16 Positive

Anderson: 16 Positive

Orangeburg: 8 Positive

Darlington: 7 Positive

Lancaster: 7 Positive

York: 7 Positive

While there is still no vaccine to prevent the disease from spreading, the CDC continues to urge people to take preventative measures to protect themselves from exposure. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid close contact with others, and clean and disinfect surfaces often. Employees are urged to stay home if sick, and consumers should try to remain home if possible.

For continued updates on safety information, please visit the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Center for Disease Control.

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Santee Cooper Sale Negotiations NextEra

Santee Cooper Sale Negotiations Still On

South Carolina House of Representative members discussed their three-part plan to protect ratepayers by working with the Senate to renegotiate with Florida-based NextEra Energy while reforming the debt-riddled utility. Meanwhile, senators started putting together their plan to reform state-owned Santee Cooper.

Critics are skeptical of any type of Santee Cooper real “reform” and want to see the utility sold to a company that can manage Santee Cooper into the future.

House Speaker Jay Lucas laid out this plan and a path towards a sale in an op-ed in the Post & Courier on March 2, 2020.

“With the speaker’s plan and well-articulated goals, we have a way forward. What is not known at this point is whether we can muster the courage and the creativity to put aside parochial concerns and do what is required,” state Rep. Weston Newton.

Both the House and Senate discussed wanting to fire the current Santee Cooper board for their role in approving Santee Cooper’s involvement in the V.C. Summer Project as well as providing additional oversight and protections for its ratepayers.

The South Carolina Department of Administration, in a report released to the legislature, found that “Santee Cooper does not have a history of effecting the kinds of changes contemplated by the reform plan, so its ability to achieve the benefits of the reform plan remains unclear.”

Reform is not a long term solution to this massive problem that the state of South Carolina is currently facing.

What are your thoughts on lawmakers creating a plan to reform Santee Cooper?

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South Carolina City Named Top City In U.S.

Things to Do in South Carolina This Spring

Spring is approaching, which means warmer weather and lots of opportunities for fun! South Carolina offers endless ways to beat the winter blues, and here is just a small sampling of fun activities to enjoy this spring!

Those looking to enjoy the great outdoors have a variety of ways to get outside. The state has miles of beautiful coastal beaches, with opportunities to dig your toes in the sand and soak in the ocean. See Hilton Head from a bird’s eye view by parasailing the 12 miles of beach and end the day with cocktails at one of the city’s many oceanside eateries. Meanwhile, at Myrtle Beach, known for its celebrity-designed golf courses, visitors can enjoy horseback riding, fine beachfront dining at countless restaurants, and lots of waterparks.

Those who aren’t big on the beach will also find no shortage of beautiful views and fun ways to explore. Many rivers and parks offer hiking trails, as well as opportunities to rent tubes, canoes and kayaks. Those who venture to Greenville’s Falls Park on the Reedy River can see gorgeous natural rock formations, see beautiful waterfalls, and walk across the famed Liberty Bridge, which seems to float in midair.

The other best way to celebrate a new spring is to see the blossoming of new plant life, and South Carolina has no shortage of gardens and historical estates with eye-catching blooms. Charleston’s Magnolia Plantations and Gardens is the oldest public garden in America, delighting visitors with thousands of beautiful flowers and plants since 1870. If the visit makes you thirsty, you can enjoy a ride on the free Charleston Brewery District Trolley that stops at nine local craft breweries, and then stay downtown and learn the Holy City’s history via a horse drawn carriage tour. Check out the local farmer’s market on Saturdays for fresh produce, locally made crafts, food trucks and more, then click here to see if there’s another great community-driven market in your home city.

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