March 28, 2020 Issue, Page 1 of 8

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rb, Serving Bs S&, Western Oklahoma Since 1901 Le al Weekend Edition School buildings to remain closed; distance learning to be implemented By Don Munsch, Editor when that device is at home or if that student is on their Schools in Oklahoma will prepare for distance learning as. own device?” Garrison said. “We've started that conversa- the State Board of Education voted 7-0 Wednesday to keep tion, We’re kind of in lockdown until the 6th [of April], so school buildings closed this academic year amid the corona- we have a week and a couple of days to hopefully get some Elkwood Assisted Living of Elk City. Photo virus spread. of those kinks worked out.” by Manda Smith. The board’s approval occurs as COVID-19 cases grow in If technology can’t be accessed by students or their family, Coronavirus the state. No confirmed cases have been found in Beckham County. then the district will do a paper and pencil packet of some sort to continue their education, Garrison said. precautions bring Just as learning activities in school buildings will not oc- “You know,I think there’s alarm, but at the same time, I cur for the rest of the year, extracurricular activities will kind of look at it as an opportunity,” Garrison said. “There’s cease, as well, according to a news release from the State not many professions or careers that won’t require our stu- big changes for Department of Education. School buildings were closed in mid-March and were set to be open on April 6. dents to do this type of learning and training anyway. It’s something that we were going to have to get to anyway.” Elk City’s oldest, Elk City Public Schools Superintendent Rick Garrison But he’s aware that educators are doing this distance learn- said the district is working on a distance learning plan. He ing under pretty unusual circumstances. Still, he is confident youngest residents said before educators left for spring break, they were advised going into this stage, as educators have responded well and a stoppage ofthe school year in campus buildings could hap- he has good vibes about the teaching side of it, but the dis- pen and they should prepare for it. trict has to determine what the capabilities are on the stu- Editor's note: This is the fourth story in a series on how “We've had a couple of weeks or at least a week to prepare dents’ side and go from there. Educators will communicate the coronavirus has affected Elk City. already,” Garrison said. with students to determine which ones do not have access By Manda Smith, Contributing writer The district has about 2,200 students and owns about 3,000 to the internet or a device. The district has the means to get Jennifer Hawthorn, the owner of Lil Angels Daycare in Elk City, has been taking care of children aged infant to iPads or chromebooks, Garrison said. Most teachers are con- computers to students. 12-years-old in Elk City since 2014. versant with the technology. Education resumes on April 6. Everything is moving fast now, and the district is working For weeks, she and her staff have been taking extra “The obstacle is going to be, how is that going to work See Distance learning page 2. precautions to ensure the coronavirus doesn’t make an Tyler Smith of Elk City appearance. donates blood during “We have been bleaching everything for a while,” a micro blood drive Hawthorn said. “If you are not a child, parent or staff, held at one of two you're not allowed in the building, and only children and blood mobiles set up staff are allowed past the front desk. We aren't allowing a Hutch's convenience any outside bags inside the facility; if a parent has to drop store parking at 201 off supplies for their child, we ask them to do so ina plas- E. 7th St. in Elk City tic sack where we can throw it away. “We have the kids take their shoes off before they come on Tuesday. Stand- into the building, and we are Lysoling and disinfecting everything,” she continued. “We also are taking temper- atures and doing quick health screenings at the door. I Hill with the Oklahoma know it’s hard because it’s allergy season, but if a child Blood Institute. The has a fever over 100.4 or any cough, they are not allowed drive accumulated 69 to stay.” donations, OBI said. Hawthorn understands that this is hard on parents, but Blood drives will be with the coronavirus symptoms showing coughing as a held at noon March 31 significant symptom, her business can’t take any chances, and April 7 at the same especially being a small facility. location. Staff photo by “We are licensed for 30 kids,” she said. “If we had | Don Munsch. See Residents page 2. Senate reaches deal on $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill — largest by far in U.S. history Editor's Note: The Elk City News went to press Thursday my colleagues in the U.S. Senate for passing this bold piece ries, creating a disincentive to work. afternoon, a day before the scheduled House vote. of legislation that will deliver much-needed relief to the But Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, who took part American people." in five days of tense, marathon negotiations between con- By Sarah D. Wire, Los Angeles Times Lucas added: “For those who have lost work, the CARES gressional Democrats and Senate Republicans, said most WASHINGTON — In an overwhelming bipartisan vote, Act offers direct and immediate assistance. For our nation’s Americans would opt to keep their jobs, adding that the pro- the Senate on Wednesday passed a $2-trillion economic small businesses, it offers emergency capital so small busi- vision was needed to streamline the process of getting aid to stimulus package — the largest ever — designed to pump nesses can provide stability for their workers during this workers nationwide. money directly into Americans’ pockets while also shoring disruption. For America’s agriculture producers, it provides The sweeping package will affect a broad swath of Ameri- up hospitals, businesses, and state and local governments crucial assistance by adequately funding the Commodity can society, with some elements potentially lasting longer struggling against the coronavirus pandemic. than the health crisis. The $2-trillion price tag is equal to more than half of the Credit Corporation. But most importantly it continues to in- “When there is a crisis of this magnitude, the private sec- crease our health care system’s resources needed to combat $3.5 trillion the federal government expects to collect in tax- tor cannot solve it. Individuals, even with bravery and valor, the virus itself. es this year, and is 9% of the nation’s gross domestic prod- uct. The Senate vote was 96-0. "While the crisis that has brought our economy to a near are not powerful enough to beat it back. Government is the only force large enough to staunch the bleeding and begin “It’s going to take care of people,” President Trump said of halt continues to impact the American way of life, I urge healing,” Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D- the legislation during a news conference, vowing to sign the my House colleagues to immediately consider and pass the N.Y.) said. “This is a time when the American people need bill immediately when it reaches his desk. CARES Act. Our workers cannot wait. Our small businesses their government.” The House is scheduled to vote on the Coronavirus Aid, cannot wait. And our healthcare professionals and their pa- Along with providing a one-time direct payout of up to Relief and Economic Security [CARES] Act bill Friday tients cannot wait.” $1,200 for most American adults, the bill includes $500 bil- morning. Congressman Frank Lucas, who represents Okla- A vote was initially delayed in part by concerns from Sen. lion in loans to struggling businesses, $377 billion in loans homa's District 3, said in a news release from his office in Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and a handful of Republican sena- and grants for small businesses, $150 billion for local, state ‘Washington, D.C., that the "Senate took additional steps to tors that laid-off low-wage earners in some states might be and tribal governments struggling with a drop in revenue ensure American workers, families, and business owners no able to temporarily collect more from the expanded unem- and $130 billion for hospitals. longer have to tackle this economic crisis alone. I applaud ployment insurance in the bill than from their original sala- The Elk City News contributed to this report. . | 48 Vol. 118, No. 24 Mail delivery View online «LEMME 75 cents, 8 pgs. 580.225.3000 elkcityoknews.com