March 20, 2020 - After finding three additional cases this evening, there are five confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Virus in West Virginia and all the public schools, several universities, restaurants, bars, gyms, recreational facilities, beauty/nail salons and barbershops were closed as official precautions against the threat of the Virus.  In addition, today at noon, the Greenbrier announced it was closing so as to better protect their guests and team members against the Virus.  The plan is to reopen on April 17, 2020.  The Governor has daily updates on the status of the Covid-19 Virus program in West Virginia.   Also, the Governor announced at today’s briefing the State had purchased 100,000 N95 surgical masks and several thousand “highly protected suits”  in cooperation with the National Guard so as to provide needed protection to the first responders and emergency room and testing personnel.
 

Because of the Covid-19 Virus State of Emergency Secretary of State Mac Warner announced that all West Virginians will qualify to vote an absentee ballot for the May 12, 2020 Primary Election.  The application is available by clicking on this webpage https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/GoVoteWV.aspx .  Your application will be processed through your county of residence and we understand the ballots will begin to be mailed back to you in the next few weeks.  This will allow West Virginians to vote more than two months earlier than usual which will likely have an impact on campaigns, as we currently know them.  We’ll provide more specific directions in the next few days.
 

In conjunction with the State Chamber there will be a tele-town-hall-call today, March 20, 2020, at 11:30 a.m. being hosted by Senator Joe Manchin to discuss the Coronavirus pandemic and what can be done to help in West Virginia.  As mentioned, the call will begin at 11:30am tomorrow and can be accessed by dialing (800) 791-2345, participation code 75306.  As a reminder, PLEASE MUTE YOUR PHONE while on the call so that any personal conversations or background noise are not able to be heard by others.  If you have problems connecting or questions, please call 304-545-8226.  

More coal-related postponements/cancellations:

 

Fundraising Reception for Commissioner of Agriculture Kent Leonhardt

Charleston, WV

Originally scheduled:  Monday, March 30, 2020

CANCELLED

Contributions may be mailed to:  Kent for WV; P.O. Box 18; Morgantown, WV 26507

 

Kanawha Valley Mining Institute

Spring Skeet for Scholarships

Originally scheduled: April 4, 2020

POSTPONED – Alternate date to be announced

 

Kanawha Valley Mining Institute

April Business / Dinner Meeting

South Charleston, WV

Originally scheduled: April 9, 2020

POSTPONED – Alternate date to be announced