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JACKSON, Miss. — Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, 2020. Now, during Mississippi’s Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 3-9, 2020, is the time to get ready. This year we must take extra precautions because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Consider additional supplies you may need to protect yourself and your family. Purchase Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) like masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectants and add them to your “Go Bag” in case you must evacuate because of a storm. Go Bag contents should also include the following: Cash: If the power goes out, credit cards won't work. Keep cash on hand for replenishing supplies. Medications: Pharmacies might be closed, and hospitals could be overwhelmed. It is imperative that you pack any necessary medications and assume you may not have access to refills for several days. A battery-powered radio: If electricity is out and cell towers are down, this is the best way to know what's happening. A gallon of water for every family member and pet: Widespread power outages could make tap water unsafe to drink. Important documents: Social Security cards, passports, birth certificates, driver's licenses and more could all be lost or destroyed in a flood, wildfire or any natural disaster. Keep copies of these documents in a waterproof container or digital image saved online. Include a copy of your insurance policies so you can quickly file a claim once the danger has passed. “As we continue to social distance because of COVID-19, consider where you would go if you had to evacuate because of a storm,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “Mississippi storm shelters are practicing social distancing. Find out where you could safely go, what you would need to bring with you, and create a communication plan with your family so everyone understands what to do.” Evacuations are more common than people realize. Make yourself familiar with your community’s evacuation zones, so you will know exactly where to go. If a hurricane threatens your community and local officials say it's time to evacuate, don't hesitate, go early. Don't forget to review your insurance coverage and make sure you are familiar with your policies. If you have questions, contact your insurance agent or insurer. Flood damage is generally not covered by a standard homeowners or renter's insurance policy. If you don't have flood insurance and are considering purchasing a policy, remember there is a 30-day waiting period if you buy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If you purchase a private flood policy, be sure and ask about the waiting period. If you need assistance with an insurance question or claim, call 601-359-3569, email consumer@mid.ms.gov or visit www.mid.ms.gov

PEARL, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency wants all Mississippians to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. May 3-9, 2020 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week. “Preparation is critical, especially since we are expecting an above-average season this year. With water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico at record highs we could potentially experience dangerous hurricanes in the 2020 hurricane season. With the added challenges of COVID-19, MEMA is addressing necessary considerations for response operations, sheltering and evacuation plans,” says MEMA Executive Director Greg Michel. There were 18 named storms during last year’s Atlantic hurricane season and five of those storms formed in the Gulf of Mexico. The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November 30. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will provide valuable preparedness information for Mississippians throughout the week. This information can be found on the MEMA website as well as the MEMA Facebook and Twitter pages. Throughout the week, MEMA will share information on the following topics: Sunday – Determining Your Risk Monday – Developing an Evacuation Plan Tuesday – Disaster Supplies Wednesday – Insurance Check-Ups Thursday – Strengthening Your Home Friday – Helping Your Neighbor Saturday – Completing a Written Plan MEMA’s 2020 Hurricane Preparedness Guide can be found here: https://www.msema.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/39779_MEMA-Hurrican-Preparedness.pdf

by Delbert Hosemann Since COVID-19 forced a temporary recess in the Legislative session, I have been video conferencing with Mississippi’s K-12 students. In one recent AP government class, a student asked: how many constitutional rights do we have to give up during a pandemic? That’s a poignant question for any State leader. In recent weeks, businesses have been shut down, Second Amendment rights limited, and Easter Sunday services halted. These decisions were made as the result of a delicate balance between health and safety, and economic rights and freedoms. Our office doesn’t envy decision makers like Governor Reeves who have had to make tough calls. He has done a good job in a year with unprecedented challenges. But every executive emergency power has its limits, and as we learned in grade school, these boundaries are set in our Constitution. Recently, the Mississippi Legislature reconvened briefly to begin appropriating federal funds sent to Mississippi for direct and indirect COVID-19 expenses. The Governor was provided almost $35 million in discretionary money. Another $800 million was designated to specific agencies and programs, and those funds are already available for agencies to use. A separate $1.25 billion, the Coronavirus Relief Fund, will be used for other related expenses like COVID-19 testing and equipment for hospitals, expansion of distance learning technology like broadband to help teacher and students, and grants for struggling small businesses. We are working quickly and responsibly to tackle these needs in our State, and we have provided the Governor with $100 million to use for emergencies until we return to session in two weeks. There are four primary reasons the Legislature began appropriating the $1.25 billion. First, the Constitution specifically assigns appropriation authority to the Legislature. Ceding a power solely delegated to one branch of government to another is not only unlawful—it’s unconstitutional. Second, the Legislature is required to act with transparency. Floor debate and committee meetings under the Capitol Dome are subject to the Open Meetings Act. The House and Senate floor proceedings are broadcast online for everyone to see and hear. That means money deposited from the federal government into the State Treasury isn’t distributed without the watchful eyes of your elected officeholders. Third, the Legislature is representative of the people. Our 52 Senators and the 122 Representatives across the hall come from every walk of life and every corner of the State. Together, they make up the will of our citizenry, and their policy decisions are more reflective of the State than the executive or judicial branch. Your local Senator and Representative literally represent you to make sure your voice is heard in this process. Finally, after this emergency is over, and some kind of normalcy returns, we will all be forced to live with the consequences of the precedents our elected leaders are setting. That means we need to ensure accountability to the public for our actions, and the best way to achieve that is to adhere to the constitutional duties as a legislative branch of government. So, how many constitutional rights do we have to give up? As Lieutenant Governor, the constitutional right of the Legislature to set policy, in a public setting and according to the will of the people of Mississippi, is one I believe we must keep. During times of crisis, following our Constitution is more important than ever.

Jackson, Miss. – Secretary of State Michael Watson will honor graduates across Mississippi during a virtual commencement address via Facebook Live on Monday, May 4, at 4 p.m. The commencement address is a part of Salute to Seniors, the Secretary of State’s Office’s digital celebration for 2020 graduates. Mississippi seniors were scheduled to walk across the stage and receive their cap and gown this month. Unfortunately, coronavirus-related concerns prompted schools to alter, postpone, or cancel in-person commencement ceremonies for the class of 2020. “I am incredibly proud of our seniors for not only achieving, but excelling in the face of uncertainty,” said Secretary Watson. “Challenging circumstances surfaced, but the class of 2020 stayed focused on the end goal. I look forward to bragging on all of their accomplishments and helping them celebrate this special milestone.” In addition to the commencement address, Secretary Watson will spotlight a group of high-achieving seniors who went above and beyond during their academic career. We encourage all Mississippians to join us on Facebook Live (@MississippiSecretaryofState) at 4 p.m. Monday, May, 4, for this joyous occasion.

Secretary of State Michael Watson will honor graduates across Mississippi during a virtual commencement address via Facebook Live on Monday, May 4, at 4 p.m. The commencement address is a part of Salute to Seniors, the Secretary of State’s Office’s digital celebration for 2020 graduates. Mississippi seniors were scheduled to walk across the stage and receive their cap and gown this month. Unfortunately, coronavirus-related concerns prompted schools to alter, postpone, or cancel in-person commencement ceremonies for the class of 2020. “I am incredibly proud of our seniors for not only achieving, but excelling in the face of uncertainty,” said Secretary Watson. “Challenging circumstances surfaced, but the class of 2020 stayed focused on the end goal. I look forward to bragging on all of their accomplishments and helping them celebrate this special milestone.” In addition to the commencement address, Secretary Watson will spotlight a group of high-achieving seniors who went above and beyond during their academic career. We encourage all Mississippians to join us on Facebook Live (@MississippiSecretaryofState) at 4 p.m. Monday, May, 4, for this joyous occasion.

Special to Wesson News Social distancing to protect yourself from COVID-19 probably means making fewer trips to the grocery store, cooking at home and using freezers -- also a safety concern. Natasha Haynes, a family and consumer science agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, says freezing meats and other items is a great way to keep a supply of perishable foods on hand. However, she reminds people to follow U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for safe thawing when it comes time to use the items. “Don’t thaw meats and poultry on the counter or in hot water,” says Haynes, who is also host of The Food Factor, a digital platform she uses to share recipes, tips and other information about food and nutrition on the Extension for Real Life blog. “Put these items in the refrigerator a day or two before you plan to use them,” she counsels. “If you need to thaw items more quickly, you can put them in a sealed plastic bag and submerge the bagged item in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes to maintain a safe temperature. You can also use the microwave’s defrost feature. Be sure to cook the items immediately after thawing if you use the cold water or microwave method.” Meats and poultry also can be cooked from a frozen state, but plan to cook them for about 50 percent longer than normal. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the item has reached a safe temperature, Haynes says. UDSA guidelines on these temperatures can be found on the agency’s website at https://bit.ly/2QsEjtA.

Special to Wesson News No visitations. To protect its patients and staff from COVID-19, Copiah County Medical Center (CCMC) has ended hospital visitation based on guidance of the Mississippi State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CCMC is encouraging people with hospitalized friends and loved ones to communicate with them by telephone at (601)-5747000. All patient rooms have phones. Unemployment claims rules. New Mississippi unemployment regulations implemented by an executive order issued by Governor Reeves waive work search requirements and eliminate the one-week waiting period for benefits. The changes recognize the difficult time small businesses and their employees are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new rules apply to people unable to work because of a quarantine order from a medical professional or government agency, those who were laid off or sent home without pay because of the virus, those diagnosed with COVID-19 or caring for immediate family members with COVID-19. People can file unemployment claims at www.mdes.ms.gov or via telephone (888-844-3577). Small funerals. Area funeral homes are finding new ways to help grieving families and friends. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional funeral service with public visitations and services packed with mourners is no longer considered a safe option. Funeral homes are now handling arrangements by phone, limiting visitations to family or no more than ten people for up to an hour, conducting graveside services for a few and live streaming services via the internet to reach greater numbers. Mobile screening. King's Daughters Medical Center (KDMC) is now providing mobile screening for persons age 12 and older who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms. People drive into the screening site, which is behind the KDMC emergency room, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week and do not have to leave their vehicles. Call (601)-835-9455 before visiting the screening site. Call the KDMC Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic at (601)-823-5204 about screening patients under 12 years old. Pets & animals okay. Although canine respiratory and enteric coronaviruses can cause illnesses in pets, they are not related to the human coronavirus infection. “No animals in the United States have been identified with COVID-19,” contrary to widely-circulating misinformation, says Dr. Kent Hoblet, dean of the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Another misconception is that there is a cattle vaccine for COVID-19. In fact, there is a vaccine for bovine coronavirus, but it will neither infect nor protect humans. Hoblet encourages animal owners to look to American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines as their primary resource on vaccines and animal illnesses related to COVID-19. The AVMA webpage dedicated to answering questions regarding coronavirus in animals can be found at https://www.avma.org/blog/ what-do-you-need-knowabout-coronavirus. Vaccine progress. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, which is experienced in vaccine development and did extensive research on MERS in 2014 and SARS in 2003 -both coronaviruses similar in structure to COVID-19, has announced progress on a COVID-19 vaccine. There are now 254 clinical trials exploring vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, with many more in the pipeline. Unprecedented activity in the private sector and academia is currently focused on developing a therapy, supporting testing, or finding a vaccine to manage the effects of COVID-19 the world over.

Residents of Copiah county and surrounding communities can be tested for COVID-19 this week as the University of Mississippi Medical Center and Mississippi State Department of Health continue efforts to stem virus transmission by setting up one-day, drive-through collection sites. This site joins others that were scheduled for this week, previously announced in Madison, Hinds, Leflore, Walthall, Clay, Lee, Leake and Pike counties. Anyone can be tested who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat. The Mississippi State Department of Health has expanded its guidelines and is now recommending testing for anyone with a known or potential exposure to someone confirmed with the virus. Those who want to be tested must first get an appointment by going through a free screening from a UMMC clinician, either through the C Spire Health telehealth smartphone app or by phone. The fastest and easiest way to get screened and tested is with the C Spire Health app. It’s available daily from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The newest testing sites for Friday, May 1: Copiah County: Multipurpose Building, 2040 W. Gallman Road, Hazlehurst Previously announced testing sites for Wednesday, April 29: Pike County: Pike County Health Department, 114 E. Presley Boulevard, McComb Leake County: Carthage Coliseum, 729 E. Main St., Carthage Previously announced testing sites for Thursday, April 30: Hinds County: Bolton Edwards Elementary Middle School, 9700 I-20 Frontage Road, Bolton Leflore County: Greenwood-Leflore County Civic Center, 200 Mississippi Highway 7, Greenwood Testing hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday. Effective Thursday, April 30, hours of testing will be noon-4 p.m. Only those with appointments will be tested. Hundreds of people in Mississippi communities have taken advantage of the UMMC/MSDH drive-through collection sites. Those numbers include, as of the end of the day April 28, a total 1,053 people at 37 one-day testing states statewide, plus another 3,067 at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, for a total of 4,120 tested. The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi National Guard are partnering with UMMC and MSDH to coordinate mobile testing sites. UMMC and C Spire have partnered to make the screening free to all Mississippians. Those without smartphones who want to be screened for testing can call (601) 496-7200. During drive-through testing, health care professionals will collect specimen samples via a nose swab. Those being tested will not exit their vehicle. For more information about testing, click here.

Special to Wesson News You’re not sounding the alarm to friends and family just yet, but you’re down to a six-pack of toilet paper, and you’re kicking yourself for not stocking up when it was on shelves two weeks ago. It’s just one more stress to juggle during the cur- rent COVID-19 outbreak, with health experts advising Mississippians to hole up at home, and fears about contracting the highly contagious virus a great motivator for seclusion. Take a step back and focus on what’s in your power, not what isn’t, experts at the University of Mississippi Medical Center say. Dr. Daniel Williams, division chief in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior and associate director in the Office of Well-being, offers this advice on how to cope with a very unwelcome new normal and, quite frankly, just to get through your day: • Try not to fixate on worrisome things, no matter how big or small, that you can’t change. You don’t have control over whether your loved ones will stay well, but you do have control over whether you practice social distancing around them, or wash hands around them. • Focus on reality. A trip to the grocery store can be scary for those who look at empty shelves, or pictures of them on Facebook. But every day, almost all grocery stores are being restocked, Williams points out. The supply chain is working. We shouldn’t hoard food. • Avoid information overload. Each new COVID-19 development in Italy or New York City leaves us sleepless and glued to our phone at 3 a.m. “Limit your amount of news consumption,” Williams says. “It’s tempting to stay connected to every development and update and tweet, but that creates a very stressful and anxious way of living. • Find safe ways to get around social distancing, if contact with others is important to you. Keep up co-worker contact via email, Face Time, Zoom, Skype and old-fashioned phone calls, and keep meetings going electronically. “Just because we’re doing social distancing doesn’t mean we have to do emotional distancing,” Williams says. “Use it as a chance to reconnect with old friends. Really reach out to each other for sup- port.” • Reduce anxiety about contracting the virus or spreading it by taking healthy actions that make you feel safe. That ranges from frequent hand washing to cleaning and disinfecting your desk or other surfaces you may encounter that can carry germs. • Create structure in your day, whether you are stuck at home or in a work twilight zone. Set an alarm and wake up at the same time you usually do. Go to bed when you usually do. Make a list of what you want to accomplish that day. • Good deeds and meaningful action can help you de-stress. Research shows if you are experiencing a high level of stress, serving others helps to diminish it. • Talk about it. Some- times, if you talk about it, it comes back into perspective. “Talk it out, and process how you are feeling," says Williams. "You might find that you built some of it up in your mind to be more catastrophic than it is because you were stuck in your feelings.” “We can adjust," summarizes Williams. "Life will go on, and the sun will come up."

Special to Wesson News What special precautions must expectant mothers heed during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis? The good news is that com- pared to other viral infections, COVID-19 does not appear to cause an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects, says Dr. Marty Tuck- er, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). “Addition- ally, if a pregnant woman or her newborn baby contracts COVID-19, it appears that the chance of severe illness is low,” Tucker says. At the same time, she adds, we all need to follow the recommendations given to us by public health agencies, our government authorities and our employers -- social distancing, avoiding travel, avoiding contact with people who are or may be infected, and being vigilant of symptoms of COVID-19 infection, such as fever, shortness of breath, sore throat and cough. Based on guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Tucker answered these questions that concern expectant mothers: I am pregnant. Am I at higher risk of contracting COVID-19? Pregnancy changes your immune system, making you more susceptible to some viral respiratory infections. But data so far indicates pregnancy does not make someone more susceptible to COVID-19. How might coronavirus affect my pregnancy? Although data from the pres- ent COVID-19 pandemic is limited, other coronavirus infections do not show increased rates of miscarriage or still- birth. Other viral infections during pregnancy, such as influenza, have been associated with low birth weight and preterm birth. Having a high fever early in pregnancy may also increase the risk of certain birth defects. Can I transmit COVID-19 to my baby during pregnancy or delivery? The few case studies of babies born to mothers with COVID-19 published in peer-reviewed literature showed that none of the infants tested positive for COVID-19, although a mother may trans- mit infection to her infant through close contact after birth. Is it safe for me to deliver at a hospital where there have been COVID-19 cases? Hospitals are taking great precautions to keep patients and health care providers safe. I am a health care worker. Should my doctor excuse me from work since I am pregnant? You may continue to work in a clinical setting and should ad- here to standard precautions, limiting exposure to patients who are or may be infected with COVID-19, particularly through aerosol-generating procedures -- intubation, air- way suctioning, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and sputum collection. If you are exposed to COVID-19, self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. If you develop a fever of 100.4° F or greater, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or gastrointestinal symptoms, stay home from work and call your obstetrician to arrange a follow-up if symptoms worsen. I work in a school, the travel industry or other high-risk setting. Should I stay home from work? Ask your employer about what is being done to protect employees and minimize the risk of infection. Wash your hands often. Practice social distancing with six feet of space between you and others, if possible. Should we delay trying to conceive during the COVID-19 pandemic? We do not know if the virus lives in semen or can be sexually transmitted. We plan to travel during the pregnancy or shortly after our baby is born. Is this OK? Avoid places where large numbers of people gather -- airports, for example. Even traveling by car in the United States increases your risk to exposure. Will the hospital separate me from my newborn and keep my baby in quarantine? If you do not have COVID-19 and have not been exposed to the virus, the hospital will not separate you from your baby. Can I breastfeed or pump for my child if I have COVID-19? It does not appear that COVID-19 can be passed though breast milk. With proper washing techniques of pumping parts, milk can be effectively pumped and stored. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for the newborn as it has natural immune boosting properties.

Today, Governor Tate Reeves announced that President Trump approved his request for federal public assistance for counties and municipalities impacted by the Pearl River flooding. "It was just two months ago that our state experienced historic flooding, and Mississippians are still struggling to recover and rebuild their lives. With this federal assistance, we can show people that they are not alone in this. I'm grateful for President Trump's continued support and commitment to taking care of Mississippi. Together, we can lend a helping hand and bolster recovery efforts for this historic devastation," said Governor Tate Reeves. The federal disaster declaration for the Pearl River flooding, which hit February 10-18, 2020, covers the following 11 counties: Attala, Carroll, Claiborne, Clay, Copiah, Grenada, Hinds, Holmes, Leflore, Warren, and Yazoo. These counties sustained significant damage to public buildings, highways, roads. Public Assistance also covers the reimbursement to local governments for emergency work performed during this disaster. Federal Public Assistance is available through FEMA. The purpose of the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program is to support communities’ recovery from major disasters by providing them with grant assistance for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and restoring public infrastructure. Local governments, states, tribes, territories and certain private nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply.

By Guest Columnist Gary R. Bachman I speak with new gardeners who seem to think that the idea of having a home garden is a brand-new idea. In reality, it is a new idea for them, but it is not new at all for many others. When you look at the development of human civilization, having a garden was a pretty big deal. In fact, it was one of the main reasons that humans became civilized. I don’t have the exact date, but it’s generally recognized that about 12,000 years ago, humans were hunter/gathers constantly searching for their next meal. In this time period, Atouk, who was portrayed by Ringo Starr in the 1981 comedy documentary film, Caveman, discovered that, with the domestication of plants and animals, he and his family could live in one place. Agriculture was “discovered,” and it would provide a consistent food source, putting an end to constant wandering. I’m sure that gardeners bragging about who grew the best tasting tomato started shortly after that. Evidence of gardening dates back to the Egyptian pharaohs, who documented the gardens of their various kingdoms in elaborate tomb paintings. Among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. These gardens were said to have been built on terraces and were probably the first raised garden beds, a style of gardening we still practice. The story goes that King Nebuchadnezzar had the gardens built for his wife. Many modern gardeners, myself included, grow flowers and vegetables because our spouses like them. Let’s fast forward to gardening today. Many of my gardening friends know that I have quite the home vegetable garden. I really enjoy the taste of homegrown vegetables, and I go all the way back to starting my own seeds. I’m poring over the catalogs that are stacking up, and selecting new varieties to try in 2020. With all the selection of seeds and plants we have available today, I'd kind of feel sorry for Atouk if he were still gardening. There is satisfaction in knowing that the home garden can produce good, nutritious food. One crop I grow for my wife is fresh heirloom tomatoes. She loves them, and she loves me for growing them for her, even though I really don’t like fresh tomatoes. So, I’m encouraged when I talk to homeowners who are starting their first gardens or Master Gardeners expanding their landscapes and gardens. While we don’t have to rely on our gardens for survival anymore, I’m encouraged that the human species is still practicing and benefitting from this eons-old tradition that was a leading force in stabilizing our society. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Gary Bachman is an Extension and research professor of horticulture at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi. He is also the host of the popular Southern Gardening television and radio programs. Contact him at southerngardening@ms-state.edu. Locate Southern Gardening products online at http://extension.msstate.edu/shows/southern-gardening.