Due to the coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump has declared a national disaster, Gov. Kevin Stitt has declared a state of emergency and Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum is canceling or postponing events with 50 people or more at all city facilities.

President Trump and the CDC declared a state of emergency, which will release federal funding to address the health crisis. The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has not yet been informed what levels of funding will be allocated to Oklahoma.

Due to the potential spread of the coronavirus, President Trump on March 11 issued a temporary travel ban from Europe in an effort to slow down the spread of the virus.

The 30-day ban started March 13 at midnight and covers the 26 European countries in the Schengen Area: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, and now includes the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Tulsa crowds of 50

Bynum said he revised the crowd size restriction down from 250 to 50 based on recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bynum has issued a hiring and travel freeze for employees. City Human Resources is evaluating the sick leave policy and work at home policy in the event coronavirus spreads to the community and employees. The city has also been working on medical protocols for employees.

Bynum said apparently the virus can be spread by someone not showing symptoms.

Coronavirus cases in Tulsa

The Oklahoma and Tulsa Health Departments confirmed that three residents in Tulsa County have tested positive with – coronavirus from travel – one has already recovered. The virus is more severe in elderly populations and those with underlying medical conditions. Most healthy people are able to recover after having the virus, and most cases of the virus are mild. Symptoms include cough and fever, while severe cases have shortness of breath or impaired breathing.

Cases in Oklahoma

There are cases in Cleveland, Payne and Tulsa counties. There are 10 confirmed cases in Oklahoma.

The coronavirus hotline is 877-215-8336.

The Oklahoma coronavirus website is coronavirus.health.ok.gov.

One of confirmed cases is from a private lab and not the State Health Department. The first person to test positive in Oklahoma has made a full recovery.

Hospitals restricting visitors

Saint Francis Hospital and Hillcrest Medical Center and other Tulsa medical facilities are restricting visitors.

Saint Francis Hospital also began visitor restrictions on Saturday, with patients limited to two adult visitors who may be screened on entry, and any ill visitors will be asked to leave.

Hillcrest Medical Center started screening and triaging patients with respiratory symptoms. They temporarily ended student rotations based on travel and they asked volunteers age 60 or over to stay home.

Other visitor restrictions

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is authorizing the following facilities to restrict visitors as they deem necessary:

• Nursing facilities
• Assisted living centers
• Residential care facilities
• Adult day care centers
• Intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Hospitals
• Other medical facilities or congregate living settings which house or serve vulnerable populations
• City and county detention facilities

Tulsa County emergency plans

Tulsa County is developing business continuity plans with the support of the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency (TAEMA).

Tulsa Fire Department

Tulsa Fire personnel are working normal hours at all fire stations and headquarters. TFD facilities will have limited access to help reduce any spread of the virus.

A TFD internal coronavirus taskforce is working closely with the medical director to reduce exposure to responders. TFD will continually monitor EMS calls, inventory, and department status.

All 42 frontline apparatus have been reinforced with additional personal protective equipment (PPE) making certain that firefighters have the recommended exposure protection.

Tulsa Police Department

The Tulsa Police Department officers will continue to perform all essential duties including responding to calls for service. The Tulsa Police Department has a system in place to monitor essential employee absenteeism and so far have seen no notable differences from the normal staffing levels.

To make a police report and there is no suspect present, citizens can use the online reporting system or a TPD Telephone Reporting Officer. Both of these will start the investigative process the same as an officer responding to a home or business, for more information go to www.tulsapolice.org.

For immediate assistance, call 911 for police, fire or medical.

Air travel

Tulsa International Airport has increased sanitizing action over concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19). This week and next week, it is estimated that Tulsa International will have 75,000 passengers through the terminal.

Tulsa County District Court

Presiding District Judge William D. LaFortune approved the following temporary measures affecting the work of the Tulsa County District Court.

All Civil Division dockets will be suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, with the exception of forcible entry and detainer matters, civil mental health matters and emergency temporary restraining orders.

All Criminal Division dockets will continue to operate as scheduled.

All Family Division dockets will be suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, with the exception of emergency custody hearings and the protective order docket.

All Juvenile Division docket matters will continue to operate as scheduled.

All Probate Division docket matters will be suspended for the weeks of March 16 and March 23, with the exception of emergency guardianship matters and other emergency hearings.

All cases which were set on the suspended dockets will be reset for the same day of the week, at the same time, exactly two weeks later.

All judges and judicial staff should go to work as normal, the release said.

Wal-Mart shortens hours

Wal-Mart stores that are normally open 24 hours a day will be open instead from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. so that employees have time to restock.

Show canceled Sunday

The Greater Tulsa Home & Garden Show was canceled on Sunday.

Free means for students

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on two requested waivers allowing meal service to continue during possible school closures.

Meals will be available at no cost to low-income children and they are not required to be served in a group setting to avoid possible exposure to coronavirus.

The two waivers approved March 14:

• Will allow for an alternative or “grab and go” meal service to limit interaction and proximity, reducing the risk of coronavirus exposure; this flexibility would allow possible meal deliveries away from school 
• Waive the requirement that school meal operations must be served at a school site during unanticipated school closure. This will allow food service staff to prepare the alternative or “grab and go” meals at school sites. 

The waivers are good through June 30 or until the federally declared public health emergency expires, whichever is earlier. They only apply to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program’s Seamless Summer Option (SSO) or the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Oklahoma State of Emergency

Stitt on Sunday issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for all 77 counties in Oklahoma due to the coronavirus virus.

“This emergency declaration allows us to continue to be proactive in our response to the spread of coronavirus,” said Stitt. “I want to encourage all Oklahomans to remain calm and make wise choices based on your health and risk level. Pay attention to how you are feeling and stay home if you are sick.”

By declaring an emergency, state agencies may make necessary emergency purchases or hires; small businesses are able to apply for low-interest federal loans; and certain restrictions are temporarily lifted on hospitals and other health care providers in order to treat patients effectively.

Return of cruise passengers

Stitt announced the safe return of all 26 Oklahomans who were quarantined aboard the Grand Princess cruise ship and at U.S. military bases.

“Safely bringing these 26 Oklahomans back home as quickly as possible has been my top priority, and we have been working on this day and night,” said Stitt. Upon departing the cruise ship, the 2,400 passengers were taken to military bases located in California, Georgia and Texas. The State of Oklahoma chartered planes as well as buses to bring them back from their various locations. The first passengers arrived in Oklahoma late Saturday night and the remainder arrived throughout the day Sunday.”

Emergency declaration in OKC

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt declared a state of emergency on Monday. Holt said a COVID-19 case announced Sunday was the result of “community spread.”

“Limiting close personal contact is our only real tool of mitigation, and on the advice of public health officials, and with the confirmation of local spread, we feel it is now time to do more,” said Holt. “I do not proclaim this state of emergency casually, and I am fully aware of the gravity of the moment. But this is a time to protect the people of Oklahoma City.”

The Oklahoma City state of emergency revokes special event permits from March 16 to April 12. Other events with 50 or more participants in city operated facilities will be suspended, water service will not be cut off for unpaid bills, and public transportation will require a three feet distance between riders. The number of cases in Oklahoma does not include players for the Utah Jazz, which will be counted by the Utah Department of Health.

The testing of the Utah Jazz players was a necessity by the CDC due to the close proximity of which the players engage and the number of people they expose themselves to through travel and fan engagement.

Testing kits

Materials necessary to complete a coronavirus test have been limited in Oklahoma. The OSDH recently received additional testing kits that will allow for slightly wider testing parameters. Additional testing kits have been ordered from the CDC, but the quantity received will depend on national supply.  Friday, Trump said he has enlisted the aid of private businesses to make more than a million testing kits available.

Help for small business

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Oklahoma small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (coronavirus). 

According to the SBA, these loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the impact of coronavirus. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere and 2.75% for nonprofits.

Businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible for this program.

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management has a form for businesses submit on its website (www.ok.gov/OEM).

Tulsa attraction closures

All major attractions in Tulsa County have agreed to close indefinitely. Attractions include; Philbrook, Gilcrease Museum, Discovery Lab, Tulsa Zoo, Oklahoma Aquarium, Gathering Place, River Parks, Botanical Gardens, Historical Society, AHHA Tulsa, Woody Guthrie Museum, and Tulsa Garden Center. Open space at River Parks and Gathering Place will stay open.

Tulsa libraries closed

As a preventative measure to limit exposure to the coronavirus and to follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations for social distancing, all Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) locations are closed to the public and remain closed for at least two weeks.  The library will also temporarily discontinue all outreach services including its bookmobile and reading roadshow services during this time.

The library will have digital services, e-books and audio-books, streaming movies, TV and music services and other options.

For anyone who has borrowed library materials, the library is extending loan periods. They will stop charging overdue fines and waive all existing overdue fines.

During this time, the Starbucks at Central Library will remain open and will be operating as a quick service, to-go space. Customers will be encouraged to order normally and then take their items to go.

Prophecy Conference canceled

The Mid-America Prophecy Conference, scheduled to run here Thursday through Saturday, has been canceled, said Philip Goodman of BibleProphecyaswritten.com.

Goodman said this is the first time a prophecy conference in Tulsa has been canceled in 26 years.

Noah canceled in Branson

In Branson, Missouri, Sight & Sound Theatre canceled the showing of Noah through March 31.

Reservation agents are calling people with tickets to reschedule, get a future gift card or a full refund. For help, call 800-377-1277.

No presidential rallies

The presidential campaigns of Trump, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders have suspended public rallies.

“The Trump campaign’s data and technology operation is the most sophisticated in history, so we’re better positioned to virtually engage voters than any other campaign,” said Brad Parscale, Trump campaign manager.

“With our field organization largely built out and over half a million volunteers already engaged, we are in an incredibly strong position to activate an aggressive digital and virtual political operation,” said Ronna McDaniel, RNC Chairwoman.

Prison visits canceled

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections has canceled all visitation and all volunteer access to facilities This decision is necessary to keep staff, inmates and volunteers safe from the spread of coronavirus inside a facility.

Each week, the agency director will reassess the need to keep visitors and volunteers from entering facilities. For the most up-to-date information, the public can call 405-425-2556 to hear a recorded message. The public can also follow ODOC’s website and social media platforms for updates.

Public schools closed until April 6

The Oklahoma State Board of Education has mandated school closings until April 6. Public schools, charter schools and virtual charter schools must suspend all instructional services including grading, extracurricular activities for students and staff development and other training or conferences.

Tulsa District office buildings, beginning on March 18, will be closed until Friday, April 3.

TU online classes

On March 10, the University of Tulsa announced it was moving to virtual instruction at least until April 5. Students were asked to go home and stay off the campus until April.

ORU classes go online

Oral Roberts University will hold classes  online beginning March 23 in an effort to curb potential spread of the coronavirus.

OSU online

Oklahoma State University will move its in-person classes on their Stillwater and Tulsa campuses due to coronavirus concerns.   According to Oklahoma State’s statement, the online classes will be conducted for “the two weeks following spring break, beginning Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3.”

Oklahoma University online

The University of Oklahoma will transition “all in-person classes on the Norman campus to an online learning environment for the two-week period following Spring Break, beginning Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3.”

Online learning at OBU

Oklahoma Baptist University has moved to online learning for a minimum of two weeks in response to the coronavirus (coronavirus) outbreak. The university was on Spring Break from March 16-20 and will then deliver all courses online from March 23-April 3, with a decision coming by March 27 on whether to extend that period of time.

TCC extends Spring Break

Tulsa Community College is extending spring break. Classes were already out for the week of March 16 – 21. TCC is cancelling in-person/face-to-face classes for the week of March 23–29 so that TCC’s faculty and staff can prepare should the situation warrant a decision to change how the college delivers classes. Fully online classes will continue as normally scheduled.

First Methodist is closed

First United Methodist Church Tulsa was closed for the week after a staff member got news she tested positive for the coronavirus. The church staff was asked to self-quarantine for at least a week and attendees who sat in the first three rows on the center-right side of the sanctuary in either service on Sunday, March 8, should look for symptoms.

Financial advice

Financial expert Dave Ramsey is cautionary investors to avoid panic even though the stock market is experiencing dramatic losses (with some recovery.)

As a guest on Fox and Friends, Ramsey said, “I think you do not play the stock market on the short-term. It will give you a heart attack,” he advised.

Ramsey said he thinks that by this fall the market ups and downs “will be a complete memory.” “I sat here in 2008 yelling over and over and over again. Please don’t take your money out of the market. It will be OK,” Ramsey said. “The Dow went down to 6,300 from 13,000. It went in half. Not just down a little bit.”

Circle Cinema closes temporarily

As of March 16, Circle Cinema is  temporarily closed. This will be for at least two weeks, but there is no reopening date. They canceled screenings and postponed scheduled film events and new film openings.

For tickets that have been purchased, they offer a refund, or you can exchange the ticket for a film in the future, or  give as a donation to Circle Cinema Foundation.

Call 918-585-3456 or go to www.circlecinema.org