COVID-19 Update and State News
Michelle Stennett
April 10, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE AND STATE NEWS
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Sharing Accurate and Timely Information with the Public
State of Idaho's website - current information about the coronavirus pandemic.
Idaho Department of Commerce - resources for employers and communities
Idaho Department of Commerce - resources for the travel industry
Idaho Department of Labor - information for impacted employers and workers. In addition, the CARES Act provides additional compensation, extensions and assistance for self-employed individuals.
Red Cross Blood Donations - Blood donations are needed due to shortage. Make an appointment to donate.
Idaho Food Bank - Donate to the Idaho Food Bank.
EBT/SNAP Programs - At this time, federal regulations require customers to use their EBT cards in a physical store. If you have questions, call the Idaho EBT Customer Service Line at 888-432-4328. Walmart, Albertsons and Safeway currently offer this services for these programs. Additional stores may allow this, and customers can contact their local store to ask if they offer this option. Meals on Wheels for Elderly Customers with SNAP benefits can call (208) 898-7060 for more information.
The virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity-for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing-even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
Idaho Office Of Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management is tasked with guiding the state in effectively preparing for, protecting against, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all hazards. Governor Little has tasked IOEM with helping in the coordination of Idaho's response to the coronavirus. The IOEM will have all the PPE it stores distributed by the end of this week as coordinated with Public Health districts. They are also working with FEMA on acquiring additional materials. Do check their website.
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Federal CARES Act
The CARES Act provides rebates to most U.S. taxpayers, putting cash in the hands of individuals and families to help ease the economic impact of COVID-19.
Eligibility:
Any individual who meets the following criteria is eligible for a full $1,200 rebate:
Reported no more than $75,000 annual adjusted gross income on last federal tax return.
Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer.
Has a work-eligible social security number.
Individuals filing jointly who meet the following criteria are eligible for a full $2,400 rebate:
Reported up to $150,000 joint annual adjusted gross income on last federal tax return.
Cannot be claimed as dependents by another taxpayer.
Have work-eligible social security numbers.
In addition, individuals filing a single tax return and those filing jointly are eligible for an additional $500 rebate for each child claimed on their last federal tax return. This is also true for those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from non-taxable, means-tested benefit programs such as SSI benefits.
Cap: The rebate amount will be reduced $5 for every $100 of taxpayer annual income that exceeds the phase-out threshold - which is $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for those filing a joint tax return.
Individuals making between $75,000 and $99,000 per year will receive a $1,200 rebate, minus $5 for every $100 they make over $75,000 up to $99,000.
Individuals filing jointly who make between $150,000 and $198,000 per year will receive a $2,400 rebate, minus $5 for every $100 they make over $150,000 up to $198,000.
Individuals making more than $99,000 per year and joint filers who make more than $198,000 per year do not qualify for a rebate.
Turnaround Time: The IRS will send rebate checks to eligible taxpayers via direct deposit or paper check within the next month or two.
Application: The IRS will use a taxpayer's 2019 tax return if it has been filed; if not, their 2018 tax return will be used. Low-income individuals who file tax returns in order to take advantage of the refundable Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit are included.
For more information, visit the IRS website.
FAQ on Federal Coronavirus Relief Bill (CARES Act):
Congress's latest coronavirus relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history and will allocate $2.2 trillion in support to individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. Many people have questions about how the new law impacts their families and businesses.
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Voting Has Changed
Governor Brad Little and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney announced Idaho's primary election will remain on May 19, but will be conducted by mail.
The election will be conducted by mail pursuant to the existing laws for absentee voting due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
The State has issued a timeline change. You can request a ballot THROUGH MAY 19, and the election results will be final June 2nd.
The new timeline looks like this:
APRIL 3
Absentee ballot request form available HERE
MAY 19
The deadline to register to vote HERE
Ballot Request must be received by your county clerk or submitted online by 8 PM
JUNE 2
Completed ballots must be received by the county clerk by 8 PM
Election is Final
Also, in order to stay up to speed on all elections information, the Secretary of State strongly suggest you like and follow their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IDSecOfState/ as well as follow them on twitter at https://twitter.com/IDSecOfState.
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Earthquake InformationAt 5:52 pm local time (MDT) on March 31, 2020, a magnitude (M) 6.5 earthquake occurred approximately 19 miles northwest of Stanley, Idaho. Shaking lasted approximately 10 seconds and was felt over a very large area.
Over 38,000 felt reports were received by the USGS. So far no injuries and only minor damage has been reported:
Lemhi County residents reported some damage to windows and pictures falling off walls. Critical infrastructure, such as the courthouse, post office, and some propane lines, is being inspected for structural damage.
ITD is not reporting any major issues. There were several rock slides on Highway 21, but crews are working to clear them. ITD crews are checking bridges and roads in districts 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Boise County did not report any major damage and all roads are open. Initial assessments of our historic brick and mortar buildings in Idaho City show very minor damage. Initial assessment of other critical infrastructure shows no damage. The Sheriff's office sustained some minor damage that will need to be professionally inspected. Some residents report broken windows.
No major damage reported in the town of Stanley or Custer County.
There have been 10 earthquake aftershocks reported from USGS of M3.0 or greater in Central Idaho
See the IGS Stanley Earthquake webpage for more information.
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Governor Little COVID-19 Statewide Stay Home Order and Update
Governor Little issued a state-wide Stay-Home Order on March 25, 2020, in effect, until at least April 15, 2020. The order was not issued lightly and he is confident with the legality of the order. Essential services, including hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies may remain open. Legal authority for the stay at home order is as follows:
Article Iv, Section 5 of the Idaho Constitution (supreme executive power vested in Governor);
Title 46, Chapters 6 and 10 Idaho Code (pandemics);
Title 56, Idaho Code (powers of IDHW Director include issuing isolation orders);
Idaho Code Section 56-1003(7) (violation of isolation order is a misdemeanor); and
Title 39, Idaho Code (pertaining to public health districts).
The order is statewide and applies to counties where no cases are reported because people in counties with stay at home orders have been known to leave them for counties with no such orders, and because rural hospitals have very limited capacities.
Governor Brad Little signed an executive order, forming his new Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) to oversee the approximately $1.25 billion in federal funds that Idaho will receive to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this distribution will go to local governments and taxing districts as well as tribes. The funds are expected to be available on or around April 24.
In addition, State Controller Brandon Woolf is partnering with Governor Little report the use of funds on Transparent.Idaho.Gov, giving all Idahoans the opportunity to see how the federal funds are used.
Governor Little will answer questions about COVID-19 during Idaho LIVE on Idaho Public Television Thursdays @ 8:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
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Region-Specific COVID-19 Resources
**Please note that if you need a physical address-you may use the post office address as a physical address and use your box number as a unit number.Region IV Development Association (Southern Idaho/Magic Valley)
Southeast Idaho Council of Governments (Southeast Idaho)
East-Central Idaho Planning and Development Association (Eastern Idaho)
Southern Idaho Economic Development - a list of resources for businesses, communities, and families in the Twin Falls region
Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Idaho Innovation Center in Idaho Falls - hosting weekly teleconferences on Business Survival in a Challenging Economy on April 2nd, 9th, and 16th. 2 sessions will be held each Thursday-AM Session from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm & PM Session from 1:30-3:00 pm. Pre-registration is required to reserve your virtual seat each week (Select REGION VI). Presenters will include the Idaho Small Business Administration (SBA), Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Idaho Innovation Center.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR BLAINE COUNTYBlaine County COVID-19 Information Hotline - 208-788-5504 - The hotline is being staffed from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily and messages can be left after hours.
South Central Public Health District has a hotline available for the public to call to ask questions and obtain reliable information about the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19. The hotline number is (208) 737-1138. For those Spanish-speaking residents with questions, please call (208) 737-5965.
South Central Public Health District - Most accurate and up-to-date count of COVID-19 cases in Blaine County
Idaho COVID-19 Dashboard - Most accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Idaho
If your business is shut down and you have a supply of PPE you would like to donate, contact SVED at David@SunValleyEconomy.org and Harry@SunValleyEconomy.org and they will help coordinate drop-off or pick-up points with the organizations in need.
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Stay healthy, safe and we will get through this pandemic.
WE ARE STRONGER THAN COVID-19!
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Sincerely,
Michelle