The Daily Edition for Friday, March 27, 2020                                            To view this in your browser, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your daily Impact newsletter! As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you every afternoon, through emails like this one and on Facebook and Twitter, until the pandemic passes. We intend to provide you with the latest state and federal information, as well as highlighting the creativity and innovation that is occuring here in Maine during this unpredictable and rapidly changing time. To assist you in navigating the uncertainties ahead, we've created a diverse and comprehensive collection of web-based resources to help you take care of yourself and your family, your employees, your business, and your community. If there is anything you need, please reach out. We're here to help in any way we can!

 

 

Maine State Chamber of Commerce Releases Statement on Federal COVID-19 Stimulus Package

"The Maine State Chamber of Commerce greatly appreciates the work Maine's federal delegation, U.S. Congress and the White House have done to craft the bipartisan, $2 trillion Families First Coronavirus Response Act stimulus package," said Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting businesses in every sector, of every size and economies at every level. The rescue package passed today is critical to first helping ensure Maine's hospitals have the resources they need to care for our fellow Mainers. It also will help ensure that Maine businesses, employees, families, and our state and local economies endure the pandemic so Maine can get back to business as usual when this crisis passes."

 

 

Maine Records First Death of Individual Who Tested Positive for COVID-19
	On Friday, March 27, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) reported the first death of an individual who had tested positive for the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The individual was a man in his 80s from Cumberland County. Due to privacy laws, Maine CDC is limited in releasing further details.
"This is a sad day for the State of Maine. I know I join countless people in extending my condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," said Governor Janet Mills. "Our state is a family. And while we mourn the loss of a member of our Maine family today, I find strength and solace in knowing that we will support one another and that, together, we will get through this."   In response to this news, Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors shared this sentiment: "The Governor's words speak for all of us, as today Maine grieves the loss of a Maine man to this terrible virus. The chamber family extends our sincere condolences to his loved ones."
Daily CDC Briefing: The Maine CDC currently has recorded 168 positive tests, of which 30 are hospitalized and 24 have recovered and been released from isolation. Today's press conference indicated that positive cases have not been reported in any new counties. In the past 24-36 hours, Maine CDC has received more reagents and our state lab's total capacity to provide tests is at approximately 3,000 patients.   While Maine received its second shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) last week, the supply remains insufficient. Maine will need the federal government to release further supplies from national stockpile. Having adequate supplies of PPEs is critical in protecting our front line health workers. In addition, the state currently has 86 available ICU beds out of 164 and 247 available ventilators out of approximately 308.

 

 

Governor Mills Launches New Online Resource Outlining Ways Mainers Can Help Mainers During COVID-19 Pandemic

On Friday, March 27, in response to the extraordinary generosity of Maine people, businesses, and organizations looking to help during these challenging times, Governor Janet Mills launched a new online resource to outline ways in which Maine people can support efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.   "The kindness and generosity of Maine people during this challenging time is nothing short of inspiring. I want to thank all of you for stepping up with innovative solutions to ensure your neighbors and fellow citizens have what they need," said Governor Mills. "This resource will help those looking to lend a hand and encourage more Maine people to target their skills, resources, and time in the most effective and safe ways to do the most good for our state."   The new resource, which will be updated regularly, outlines four predominate ways Maine people can address immediate needs: 1) financial assistance; 2) health care and medical assistance; 3) small business assistance; and 4) connections with family, friends, and neighbors.

 

 

Select Coastal State Parks Closed Due to Overcrowding
Bureau of Parks and Lands announces steps to help slow the spread of coronavirus   On Thursday, March 26, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) announced that, with the support of Governor Janet Mills, it is taking additional proactive measures to protect the health and safety of Maine people from the threat of COVID-19. Effective Friday, March 27 at 12:01 am, the following Midcoast and Southern Maine coastal State Parks and beaches are closed until April 8: Reid State Park, Popham Beach State Park, Fort Popham, Fort Baldwin, Kettle Cove State Park, Two Lights State Park, Crescent Beach State Park, Scarborough Beach State Park, Ferry Beach State Park, and Mackworth Island. (Note that the closure could be extended depending on the spread of the potentially deadly virus.)
The BPL is calling on visitors to be mindful of crowding and to seek alternate close-to-home spots to get outside, including back yards and neighborhoods, land trust trails, wildlife management areas, and public lands. The department will work closely with local, county, and state public safety officials as it modifies park operations. Other measures taken to date by the BPL include canceling all park events and closing all playgrounds and public restrooms. Additional steps under consideration for this weekend involve restricting vehicular traffic and parking at some parks to reduce the concentration of visitors. The BPL has set up a webpage with a list of park closures and descriptions of curtailed services. During the closures, BPL staff will continue patrolling parks and will work with local and state law enforcement to enforce all coronavirus guidelines and park regulations. With working together in mind, here are a few reminders developed by the Departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and Inland Fish and Wildlife on how to get fresh air while staying safe, including tips to avoid crowds, what to know before you go, and answers to questions about Maine State Park closures.

 

 

Maine Chamber Staff working with National Association of Manufacturers to Prepare For Passage of CARES Act

While the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has passed Congress and is awaiting President Trump's signature, companies are urged to visit the SBA website early to prepare for programs that will be available.   The Maine Chamber staff was on several conference calls today with the National Association of Manufacturers to learn about these proposed programs and the impacts this pandemic has had on small and medium sized manufacturers. The proposed federal CARES Act, which is awaiting the President's approval, contains several programs for small- and medium-sized businesses to access to obtain a direct cash infusion to be able to continue operations and maintain their workforce during this pandemic.   Companies that are seeking financial assistance from the federal government are being urged to go to the Small Business Administration website early to find out what information they will need to compile in order to apply for programs like the proposed paycheck protection plan (Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act), sponsored by Maine's Senator Susan Collins. The CARES Act contains $349 billion in funding for this program. It is available to companies that have 500 or less employees. Small businesses can apply for up to $10 million in loans. The amount for which each company qualifies is based on their payroll amount. The purpose is to cover payroll costs, paid leave, interest payments, mortgage payments, etc.   If companies use the loans for these purposes then they are potentially forgiven. Loan forgiveness can be decreased depending on if the company decreases its payroll or cuts salaries by more than 25%. Also of note is that apparently there are provisions in the CARES Act which prohibit so called "double dipping" with respect to multiple programs, so companies will need to examine all available programs to make sure they are applying for the ones that will ultimately help them the most.   DISCLAIMER: Since Congress just passed the CARES Act, this will start the 15-day clock for the SBA to write regulations implementing the statute. SBA is expected to move as quickly as possible, so the new regs could be out in a week or so. All companies should keep checking the website and are urged ultimately to consult with legal counsel before applying for any assistance under this program or any other program.

 

 

Building Connections While Social Distancing: Happy Hour and "Quarantine Karaoke"

Since it's Friday, we thought we'd share a few light and innovative stories about connecting during social distancing...   Missing your weekly karaoke? To inspire others to sing songs on video while practicing social distancing, Mainer Joe Meyers created the "Quarantine Karaoke" Facebook page after he recording his own video inside the basement of his home. The page has now seen over 325,000 followers in just over a week. From covers, to originals, to sing-a-longs, Meyers says his page allows others to come together in a time when smiles are hard to come by. In fact, you'll want to make sure you see Dr. Regan Thibodeau's karaoke videos! Dr. Thibodeau is the certified deaf interpreter who has been conveying vital information given in the Maine CDC press conference to the deaf. Watching a popular song performed in American Sign Language by Regan is amazing. The feeling and expression you see in the press conferences caries over to music, even though she can't hear it.   Feeling lost without happy hour? In this current situation, many folks are instituting a virtual happy hour to stay connected during this seclusion. You can easily set one up yourself with your friends on Facebook, Google Chat, or even Zoom this weekend. Or check to see if there are some organized in your community - like the one at Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick (Friday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. for the first 100 people on their Zoom party). So grab your beverage at home and get ready to meet new people at happy hour, virtually!

 

 

Updates and Resources:

*  Overnight, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce updated its detailed 12-page summary of what is included in the federal stimulus package. *  The U.S. Small Business Administration is experiencing significant traffic to their Disaster Loan website. To serve more business owners, they have revised their application process. *  The Maine CDC has a Coronavirus Self Checker among its arsenal of resources. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

 

 

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