VFW to host food drive for veterans, Middle GA libraries to reopen and more COVID-19 updates

Macon Telegraph - 4/28/2020

Apr. 28--VFW to hold food drive for veterans

On May 2, VFW Post 658 at 4864 Harrison Road in Macon will host a food drive to support veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drive is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon.

The VFW is collecting food items like canned goods, bread, rice, pasta, cereal, soup, canned tuna and pre-packaged meals, as well as household items like cleaning supplies, toilet paper, pet food, laundry detergent, toiletries and diapers.

The event is drive-through: participants will drive up and volunteers will unload donations from their car. Donations are also accepted. For more information, call Tracy Burkholder at 478-335-0655.

Middle Georgia Regional Library to restart in-person services

Middle Georgia Regional Library locations are preparing to resume "in-person services," with staff returning to physical locations on May 1. Here's more:

"White House guidelines rely on stable or decreasing community diagnosis over a 14 day period, with increased services staged over a period of weeks or months. The next step in service resumption is one-way curbside service for book pickup, followed by research by appointment, and then limited reopening to the public.

Virtual library services will also continue during this time- both previously-available resources like e-books and new offerings like virtual storytime and digital library card creation. Those who need assistance with digital services or who have questions can email help@bibblib.org. Library materials checked out before the buildings were closed will not be due until the libraries fully reopen, and late fees will not be charged."

Navicent appropriate care

Navicent Health is encouraging Middle Georgia residents to seek "appropriate medical care" for illnesses and injuries during the new coronavirus pandemic. Many "non-essential and elective" procedures have been postponed. Navicent noted that emergency care should never be delayed, while urgent care and telemedicine options are available for non-emergency situations.

According to Navicent, emergency care is necessary for conditions including but not limited to, the following life-threatening situations:

* Blurred vision or sudden vision loss

* Chest pain

* Difficulty breathing

* Fainting or passing out

* Head injuries

* Heart attack

* Severe bleeding

* Stroke

* Trauma

Urgent care centers can provide care for the following conditions:

* Allergic reactions that are not life threatening

* Animal bites

* Broken bones

* Coughs, colds and sore throats

* Ear infections

* Mild asthma

* Rashes and skin irritations

Virtual health visits are available as well.

Georgia Power launches Learning Power app

Georgia Power released a mobile app with "interactive" science, technology, engineering and math lessons for parents, teachers and students to use while learning and teaching from home. Here's more:

"The recently launched mobile game app supports Learning Power's STEM-based classroom energy lessons, all aligned with the Georgia Standards of Excellence. On the app, you will find seven grade-appropriate games, ranging from Pre-K through high school. Students can repair "Goldibot" in a robot circuitry experiment, harness solar power for a cell phone battery boost, or solve "Electri-City's" smart power grid puzzle.

The free app is available for download from the Apple Store and Google Play."

Middle Georgia coronavirus cases breakdown

The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 1,047 positive COVID-19 cases in Middle Georgia in its noon Tuesday update, up by 21 from 7 p.m. Monday.

Bibb County had the largest jump in cases with eight additional cases plus one additional death as a result of COVID-19. Baldwin County had six new cases in the latest update. Peach, Houston, Jones and Monroe each had at least one new case.

As of Tuesday's report, Houston County had the most deaths in Middle Georgia with 13 reported deaths from COVID-19. Bibb has eight while Baldwin has six reported deaths. Macon County has three reported deaths while Peach County and Wilkinson County have two. Laurens, Washington, Pulaski and Monroe each have one reported death.