| Covid-19 update | As of June 22 | As of June 29 |
|---|---|---|
| Total cases statewide | 5,558 | 5,760 |
| Total current infections statewide | 929 | 958 |
| Total deaths statewide | 339 | 367 |
| New cases | 233 (June 16 to June 22) | 212 (June 23 to June 30) |
| Current infections: Hillsborough County | 586 | 586 |
| Current infections: Merrimack County | 66 | 65 |
| Current infections: Rockingham County | 185 | 194 |
Governor’s updates
In the past week, Gov. Chris Sununu made multiple announcements in the state’s ongoing response to Covid-19.
In a June 23 press conference, Sununu announced that $5 million in CARES act funding will go toward youth-focused programs in the Granite State, while $6 million will be used for mental health and substance abuse-focused programs and $7 million will be used for veterans service organizations.
On June 25, in a press conference, Sununu announced that all hotels, inns and campgrounds in the state were able to operate at 100-percent capacity starting on June 29, though the 14-day self-quarantining rules for out-of-state visitors still apply. He also announced the establishment of the Self Employment Livelihood Fund, which will provide up to $50,000 in funding to self-employed businesses in New Hampshire. To qualify, a business must not be permanently closed or be in bankruptcy and must not be a nonprofit. Applications will be accepted from July 6 to July 17.
Also on June 25, Sununu issued Emergency Orders No. 54, No. 55 and No. 56. Emergency Order No. 54 gives refunds of road tolls to private school bus owners or school bus lines when their vehicles are being used to transport meals to students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Emergency Order No. 55 extends the funding of the Covid-19 Long Term Care Stabilization Program through July 31. The program had been established in April, providing temporary stabilization funding through Medicaid for frontline workers in the state. Stipends of $300 per week have been distributed to full-time qualifying frontline workers, and $150 per week to part-time workers. Emergency Order No. 56 authorizes municipalities in the state to enter into agreements with property taxpayers on an agreed schedule for the payment of property taxes.
On June 26, Sununu issued Executive Order 2020-14, extending the state of emergency in New Hampshire due to Covid-19 for another three weeks through at least July 17. It’s the fifth extension he has issued since originally declaring a state of emergency on March 13.
Also on June 26, Sununu issued Exhibit J to Emergency Order No. 29, which had been issued on April 9. Emergency Order No. 29 requires state agencies, boards and commissions to submit recommendations to Sununu if any regulatory deadlines should be adjusted in response to the state of emergency. Per Exhibit J, annual Department of Education fees, such as licensing, licensing renewals, new courses, new programs and transcript requests, have been waived for FY 2020-2021. Details of all Emergency and Executive Orders can be found at governor.nh.gov.
Race fans
Approximately 19,000 fans can attend the Aug. 2 Nascar Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, according to a June 25 story from WMUR. The rescheduled Foxwoods Resort Casino 301 will be the largest spectator event in New England since the Covid-19 pandemic started, WMUR reported. The speedway will be limited to 35 percent capacity, and social distancing requirements and safety protocols will be in place, based on an action plan that was approved by Gov. Sununu. Employees will have to wear face makes; fans will be encouraged to wear them, but not required. Other precautions include prohibiting fans from bringing standard-size coolers, and cash will not be accepted. “Being outdoors, having it being for a limited time, having a system where you can ensure the physical distancing for the vast majority of the event … gives us a lot of confidence” that the event will be safe, Sununu said, according to WMUR. There are about 7,000 tickets left; the credits that were given out for the approximately 12,000 tickets that had been purchased for the July 19 race date can be used Aug. 2.
Risk protection
On June 28, the New Hampshire Senate voted 14-10 in favor of HB 687, which establishes a procedure for issuing extreme risk protection orders to protect against persons who pose an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. The bill will now go to Gov. Sununu’s desk.
“The NH Extreme Risk Protective Order bill is designed to put a speed bump in front of a person who has access to the most lethal means available to do themselves or others harm,” the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Debra Altschiller (D-Stratham), said in a statement after the vote. “It creates a tool for the people closest to someone suffering to prevent tragedy and get them help.” The bill’s co-sponsor, Senate Judiciary Chair Martha Hennessey (D-Hanover), said in a statement following the vote that New Hampshire’s suicide rate has risen 48.3 percent between 1999 and 2016, according to a report from the CDC. “In people under the age of 24, it is the second leading cause of death — it is clear that we must take action to address this crisis,” Hennessey said. “This bill creates a pathway for concerned family members and law enforcement to request assistance from our courts in protecting someone who may be a danger to themselves and others.”
Assault bill
On June 29, the New Hampshire Senate voted to move forward with HB 1240, relative to the grounds for sexual assault and related offenses, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office. “Ensuring there is proper justice for victims of sexual assault is paramount, and this will close a critical loophole and protect students from sexual assault at the hands of those in a position of authority over the victim,” Gov. Sununu said in a statement. According to the release, HB 1240 “amends the definition of sexual contact in the criminal sexual assault statutes. The bill also expands the elements of the crime of felonious sexual assault and aggravated sexual assault to include sexual contact between school employees and students, and to include circumstances when the actor is in a position of authority over a victim who is between 13 and 18 years of age.”
Diversity training
The City of Manchester has received a $20,000 grant to implement a Diversity and Cultural Competency Program for representatives from all city departments, according to a June 28 press release. Mayor Joyce Craig announced the City of Manchester applied for the grant from the Norwin S. and Elizabeth N. Bean Foundation. “Our city employees serve one of the most diverse communities in the state, and it is critical that all our staff is equipped with the tools to assist individuals of all backgrounds,” Craig said in the release. “This program will create a network of city employees able to design and deliver quality cultural competency programs for all city staff.” The Mayor’s Multicultural Advisory Council — formed this year after Craig announced its creation at her State of the City Address — suggested this competency training, which will be facilitated by New Hampshire Health and Equity Partnership and the Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center. “I am very excited to see that the Council is already making an impact and bringing the positive changes we need to see happening in our city,” Arnold Mikolo, chair of the Mayor’s Multicultural Advisory Council, said in the release.
Health kits
Health and Wellness Kits will be distributed to 25,000 families across New Hampshire, according to a press release, after the New Hampshire National Guard packs them up and delivers them to participating schools and pick-up sites in the coming days. The kits include dental supplies, Deterra pouches to safely dispose of prescription medications, and several flyers that promote well-being. The Choose Love At Home program is also free for parents this summer at jesselewischooselove.org. “While we are all working hard to protect the physical health of our children, social and emotional well-being remains of the utmost importance,” Gov. Sununu said in the release.
The public is invited to a free virtual tradeshow as the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce presents its 29th annual Business Showcase on Thursday, July 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. via Zoom. According to a press release from the Chamber, this event is for anyone who wants to connect with local businesses and community leaders, whether you’re looking for a job, need help from a professional to plan a wedding or renovate your home, or you could use advice for growing your business or investments. Visit.ConcordNHChamber.com/business-showcase.
The Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner opened July 1 and is offering self-guided tours and limited hours to practice social distancing guidelines, according to a press release. Temporary hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. and reservations are requested by calling 456-2600 or emailing [email protected]. The Medicine Woods Trail and Arboretum are free and open to the public each day, according to the release.
Construction for the new 18,000-square-foot, three-story headquarters of Manchester-based Members First Credit Union will begin this month at the corner of Elm and Salmon streets, according to a press release. The building will include full-service banking, a two-lane drive-up and offices for the credit union’s executive management and back-office support teams.
Nashua is getting a new yoga studio: On Sunday, July 5, Vibe Yoga will open at 182 Main St. and will feature vinyasa-based yoga paired with “invigorating music,” according to a press release from owner Melissa Coppola. All of the classes will have “awesome playlists of all different types of music, with some classes specifically offering hip hop,” plus monthly classes with live musicians and DJs. Follow VibeYoga603 on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
