Coronavirus

SC Applies For Lost Wages Assistance Grant

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, recovery efforts to salvage the economic destruction are being made. The SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), alongside Governor McMaster, plans to apply for the FEMA’s Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. The grant will await federal approval.

“Our state should be proud of the economic recovery efforts and the progress we have made to date, but we know that some of our citizens are still struggling in the wake of this pandemic,” explains McMaster. “We’ve chosen to participate in this program in a way that will provide additional unemployment relief from the federal government while maintaining our strong record of fiscal responsibility and protecting the interests of South Carolinians.”

Gov. McMaster authorized DEW to apply toward the federal aid via a letter. The grant itself was originally made by President Donald Trump as a means of compensating those unemployed due to the ongoing pandemic. When a state’s application is accepted, an additional weekly $300 in benefits per person will be added.

“We know there are citizens who are still in great need,” explains DEW Executive Director Dan Ellzey. “DEW has been testing changes in its benefits portal based upon guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. If South Carolina is approved, we will work as quickly as possible with our vendor to get the application into the system.”

News

UofSC Starts New COVID-19 Testing

As the University of South Carolina campus prepares to reopen for hybrid classes, mandatory COVID-19 testing will take place. In a few short weeks, all residents living in University Housing this fall will complete a final checklist as well as proof of testing. Clearance will not be allowed without prior information sent to the Student Health Services.

Before students arrive on campus for the first day of classes, they will be required to upload their COVID-19 testing results to the Student Health Center’s portal. This information will tell UofSC whether or not a student has previously been infected by COVID-19, is currently affected, and whether or not the student has antibodies.

On-campus testing became available Wednesday, August 19. In order to test students, faculty, and staff, a saliva-based test will be delivered. This rapid and non-invasive test allows for quick delivering results, making it an ideal choice for the school board. These daily tests will be administered with no limit in an attempt to keep the UofSC community safe.

Alongside testing, face coverings are now required in all closed spaces. Social distancing also remains in place, plus handwashing and sanitizing as well. UofSC is the only SC university to approve saliva testing for diagnostic purposes. If all goes well, it’s likely surrounding colleges will follow suit.

News

The Second Round of Voluntary Layoffs Offered by Boeing Ensues

As an attempt to conserve the number of people furloughed, Boeing is now offering a second round of voluntary layoffs. This incentivized layoff offers a package to employees that opt to leave the company. Employees are said to receive payments as well as benefits.

Job cuts became necessary after Boeing discontinued the production of its best-selling jet in April of 2020. The 787 Dreamliner and 777 were both big cuts from the roster of Boeing’s jets.

The company released a statement explaining that “while we have seen signs of recovery from the pandemic, our industry and our customers continue to face significant challenges. We have taken proactive steps to adjust to the market realities and position our company for the recovery. As we continue to assess our workforce and in response to employee feedback, we will be offering a second voluntary layoff (VLO) opportunity for employees to depart the company voluntarily with a pay and benefits package.”

Back in May, Boeing furloughed 6,770 employees throughout the U.S. This decision came as a response to the mandated travel ban in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.

In reference to the second round of layoffs, CEO of Boeing Dave Calhoun told employees that it “will extend our overall workforce reductions beyond the initial 10% target and will allow more employees who want to depart the company to do so voluntarily with a pay and benefits package. Importantly, it also will help limit additional involuntary workforce actions.”

Uncategorized

SC Aquarium Offering Free Admission For Health Care Workers

In order to honor health care workers that have fought throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Carolina Aquarium has begun a “Healthcare Heroes Month”. Employees of Roper St. Francis, Trident Medical Center, East Cooper Medical Center, and MUSC will receive free admission from Aug. 17 – Sept. 13.

As a means of reserving your ticket, healthcare workers can call (843) 557-3474. Upon the arrival of your designated entry time, proof of employment must be provided at the admissions gate. Friends and family of healthcare workers do not apply for free entry. Those who do not can reserve a ticket here.

While SC continues to fight against Coronavirus, the South Carolina Aquarium will be working at limited capacity. Tickets must be purchased online (or via phone). Face masks are also required for all those entering the building ages 3 and up. Safety is a top priority at the Aquarium, as the staff wants to offer assurance to all guests. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the building, and elevator access is limited to one family at a time. For more specific guidelines, please visit the SC website.

Uncategorized

The State Will Offer Free Virtual Teaching Instruction To Teachers

The Department of Education in SC recently decided to extend to teachers a free virtual teaching training program. This allows teachers to focus on course material rather than struggle with online technology. The effective virtual instruction seminar is being offered to over 6,000 teachers in the SC area.

As the 2020-2021 school year begins, 1,700 teachers have already signed up for the course. It will remain to be offered throughout the school year. Funding for such a program comes directly from the federal CARES Act.

As for the content of the training seminar, teachers can expect to learn a range of topics. From planning instruction to the actual delivery, the course covers all things necessary for a smooth-running virtual classroom. Each live 90-minute session is available during the evening and weekend so that teachers have all opportunity to attend.

If you’re looking to attend, sign-ups are first-come, first-serve. Registration is open for the fall of 2020, and spring semester dates are still awaiting the announcement.

Uncategorized

MUSC To Begin Trials For Possible COVID-19 Antibody Treatment

The Medical University of South Carolina is welcoming volunteers to join their study in creating a COVID-19 antibody treatment. Their ideal test subjects are folks who have previously tested positive for Coronavirus, while not needing to be hospitalized. This SC study is solely available by the providers at MUSC.

As for details of the research itself, some participants will receive a supplement of SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies, while others will receive a placebo. Trial manager Amanda Cameron believes they won’t have any trouble finding volunteers for such a study. “Our previous COVID inpatient studies all enrolled much faster than anticipated because the spread has been so significant.”

As SC case numbers climb to over 91,788, it’s likely they’ll have a large pool of people to select from. The funding for the MUSC research comes directly from the federal government’s $450 million contract with Regeneron. If successful, the Food and Drug Administration has given the okay for its future treatment.

MUSC plans to carefully select their participants in order to achieve the most accurate results. The screening process will be quite selective as the search for a COVID-19 treatment continues.

Uncategorized

SC State Fair Will Be a “Drive-Thru” This Year

This year is “a year like no other,” as that’s the theme for the SC State Fair. Instead of your regular free-for-all fling, this year will commence as a drive-thru experience. The event beings Tuesday, October 20th and ends Wednesday, October 21st. The original fair will no longer take place.

The SC fair is known for being the largest event across the state, making it necessary to enforce social distancing and healthy safety precautions regarding COVID-19. Though there won’t be any rides, the free-to-enter event will be a twist on drive-thru restaurants. From the comfort of your car, fair-goers can purchase their favorite local bites. There will also be a drive-thru cattle exhibit.

It’s important to keep the fair going as a means of giving back to the local SC community. “Our fair industry has really been devastated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of (the fairs) have already been held or were supposed to already have been held and have been canceled. We’re all looking for a genius way to do things and they started with the food drive aspect,” said South Carolina State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith.

While things may look a little bit different, there will still be plenty of food, fun, and family time at this year’s beloved state fair. As for 2021, the team running the show hopes to return in full swing.

News

McMaster’s SAFE Grants Have Been Temporarily Blocked

On Wednesday last week, an Orangeburg County circuit court judge signed a restraining order, temporarily blocking Gov. Henry McMaster’s SAFE Grants. The stipend was originally in place in order to subsidize private and parochial school tuition for lower-income students. Now, it’s unsure as of when those will return.

McMaster’s SAFE Grant stands for Safe Access to Flexible Education. With $32 Million allocated toward funding the program, qualifying households can receive up to $6,500 on an as-needed basis. Though, the circuit court judge claims the grant program is in violation of the South Carolina Constitution.

“These funds could be better used by ensuring our public schools have as many resources as possible to ensure a safe return to in-person instruction when public health conditions make it possible to do so,” a member of the Palmetto State Teachers Association stated on the topic.

With Coronavirus impacting this coming school year, it’s no secret that educators need all the help they can get in these difficult times. As of now, the grant remains temporarily blocked, just weeks before the academic calendar is set to begin.