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Friday, 29 March 2024

7 A Block 040220

Credit: WDEF CBS Chattanooga, TN
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7 A Block 040220
7 A Block 040220
7 A Block 040220

Both state and local leaders announce orders for residents to stay at home.

We'll look at some of the exceptions.

And, we'll show you how locally owned businesses are still reaching customers, despite being closed, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

"prime news at 7.

Your news starts now."

Good evening, i'm emily cassulo.

Welcome to prime news at 7.

We're practicing "social distancing," so john will be with you at 11.

Governor bill lee is signing an executive order requiring all tennessee residents to stay home, unless carrying out essential activities.

The republican governor said recent data shows an increase in "movement around the state."

That's forced him to order residents to avoid all non- essential travel until april 14th.

The governor had only "strongly urged" people to stay at home before.

But lee received thousands of pleas from doctors and other medical professionals that a stronger order would help curb the spread of the virus.

Outcue: "for every tennesseean."

Governor lee says the state has given local law enforcement guidance on enforcing the order.

He also said they plan to build a healthcare facility at the chattanooga convention center, to treat virus patients transferred from local hospitals.

Chattanooga mayor andy berke has also signed an executive order for residents to shelter in place.

It shuts down all non-essential businesses, and closes child care facilities not used by essential workers.

It also restricts all non-essential travel, and suspends access to public parks operated by the city, like coolidge park, stringer's ridge, and even the walnut street bridge.

"what we're trying to do is make sure that the 98% of the public, that is trying to obey the rules gets clear understanding of what we expect from them."

Georgia residents had one day to prepare for governor brian kemp's shelter- in-place order.

Today, hundreds of north georgians stocked up on supplies, creating huge rushes at grocery stores and gas stations.

The line to get inside costco in fort oglethorpe wrapped all the way to the gas station this morning.

The store put restrictions on how much of high demand items members could buy.

People also crowded other grocery stores like food city and rusty's meat market.

Misty lobrano: "i think people need to calm down.

Yeah, be prepared, but don't be freaking out.

There's no reason to freak out.

As long as we all remain calm, we'll be okay."

Georgia governor brian kemp's shelter-in-place mandate will go through april 13th.

You will be allowed to leave your house if you're essential personnel, need groceries or emergency medical care.

In washington, the food and drug administration has approved a test that could detect whether an asymptomatic person has been exposed to the coronavirus.

The president has also invoked the defense production act again, as democrats call on him to do more for medical personnel and the uninsured.

Skyler henry has the latest.

The f-d-a granted emergency use approval for a test that can detect whether a person has developed antibodies to covid-19.

"the peace of mind that would come from knowing that you already were infected, you have the antibody, you're safe from re-infection 99.9% of the time."

Meanwhile, the white house continues to discuss other measures to stop the spread, including a limited domestic travel ban... "we look at that literally everyday.

It really depends on what city you're talking about and from where you are coming.

"president trump says the national stockpile is nearly depleted of personal protective equipment, as state governors continue to plead for more supplies."

The president used the defense production act thursday, to help six domestic companies secure the components they need to build more ventilators.

And democrats are pressing the president to open a special enrollment period under the affordable care act exchanges -- which would allow those who've previously opted out.... to sign up for health insurance coverage.

New jersey) "we are the wealthiest country on the planet earth.

Every one here in a health crisis should have access to health care."

So far, the administration has refused.

Some state-run health care exchanges have opened up enrollment to allow the uninsured to obtain coverage during the coronavirus crisis.

Skyler henry, cbs news, the white house.

Someone has now tested positive for the virus in polk county.

County officials made the announcement today on facebook.

Polk is one of the last counties in tennessee that did not have a covid-19 case, until now.

A relative of that person says he is recovering.

In hamilton county, the health department is reporting 12 more cases today, and another person older than 70, has died from the virus.

This bring the total number of cases up to 63.

The health department is also starting drive-thru testing tomorrow at the emissions testing center on bonnyshire drive.

Only those with an appointment and doctor referral, will be tested.

Results will be available that same day.

"we have 26 appointments, we're starting small so we can work out the timing, see how long each station takes, but certainly we plan on doing more testing."

Many people have also had to postpone their weddings because of covid-19.

But what about those who are looking to get their marriage license?

The hamilton county clerk says his office has received more than 700 online marriage license applications.

If you go to the office in person, you have to check in, wait in your car for a text message, and then get your temperature taken before you enter.

They're still, however, asking people to apply on their website.

"couples must go on our county clerk anytime.

Com and pull up the marriage license app and submit it to us and then call us at 209-6500 for an appointment."

You can also renew your tag online.

Marriott announces a big data breach this week.

The hospitality giant says more than five-million of its customers may have been affected.

The incident involves names, addresses and phone numbers, plus information from marriott's loyalty program.

Account numbers associated with third-party loyalty programs, such as airline frequent flier accounts, may have also been compromised.

Marriott said in a statement on its website no passwords appear to have been lost.

The company is sending emails to guests involved.

The department of labor says a record more than 6 million people filed for unemployment last week.

In tonight's consumer watch report, we hear from some of those americans suddenly out of work, about when they think they'll realistically be back on the job.

That's tonight on news 12 now at 11.

With so many places having to close, businesses are having to get creative to stay afloat.

News 12's joeli poole spoke with one local business owner, who says technology and every single sale, is keeping her small business alive.

Christel hudgins/owner of simply chic boutique "honestly, i'm just taking it day by day."

Owner of simply chic boutique, a clothing store in cleveland, tn says she's afraid for the future of her small business.

Christel hudgins/owner of simply chic boutique " i'm scared for my business and the future of my business, but for a small business like me, every sale is crucial and no matter how much money i have coming in, my bills are still the same."

Hudgins says she's thankful for the community's support but understands she isn't the only one struggling.

Christel hudgins/owner of simply chic boutique " it's hard to ask for people to support you when we are all struggling .

As a community it's affecting us all.

Since having to lock her doors, hudgins has turned to social media to promote her business.

Hudgins- "we are just trying to amp up our social media, our advertising.

You can always shop online 24/7 .

We have always had that available but something exciting that we are doing is our live videos on facebook."

Three to four times a week ,hudgins showcases her new inventory on facebook live .

This allows women to see the clothing being worn and lets them interact..

Hudgins says that through the live videos, she can still connect with her customers, just like she would inside the store.

Hudgins- " we still get to be social.

It's fun!

They get to ask questions.

I wear everything.

So we just have a good time.

So it's good for our soul too."

Simply chic also offers curbside pickup and shipping.

In cleveland, this is joeli poole, news 12 now.

The chattanooga stem school is helping to make protective gear for healthcare workers.

Other schools from around the area have donated close to 20, 3-d printers.

They're at a printer farm running nonstop to print face masks and headbands for area hospitals.

The stem school hopes they will add another line of defense against the virus.

We know that this is not gonna stop covid 19 cause it is a virus but its another layer of protection our healthcare workers, the folks that are on the front line.

But to ease some of the trouble so that people feel safe and that they can do their job.

Their goal is to make 200 masks a day.

They'lll be delivered to several area hospitals and doctors offices.

A tennessee logistics company is making sure erlanger nurses have something to look forward to.

K-c-h transportation collected more than 700 dollars to feed 50 nurses treating covid-19 patients today.

The company bought moes for nurses on four floors.

Outcue: "during the dark part of it."

K-c-h transportation will use the leftover money to buy starbucks gift cards for as many nurses as possible.

The humane educational society of chattanooga is getting creative to raise money for their animals during this difficult time.

They're asking residents to adopt a celebrity.

My coanchor john mercer, along with news 12's kay blevins and taylor bishop, are all up for adoption to help the shelter.

When you donate, you help get your celebrity pet vaccinated, buy them a bed, and pay for other expenses.

Each celebrity has set their own goal and most of them have set anywhere from one thousand to five thousand dollars and it's really fun because anyone can contribute at any level and every penny really makes a difference.

If you'd like to adopt a celebrity, go to the humane society's website for more information.

The nice weather continued today, with lots of sunshine.

Let's head over to chief meteorologist patrick core with a first look at your

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