October 23, 2020 (Photo Credit: POW*MIA Awareness Association Facebook Page)
Pocatello’s POW*MIA Awareness Association has announced that it will be holding a Halloween night ‘Trunk or Treat’ event combined with a toy drive for the Toys for Tots program.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, in the Golden Corral parking lot, 850 Yellowstone Avenue, in Pocatello, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to, “bring your little goblins” to do their trick or treating, and to bring a new, unwrapped toy, or cash donation, to go toward the Toys for Tots program.
(Idaho Governor’s Office Press Release, October 21, 2020)
Governor Brad Little (Official Photo)
Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced the membership of the Idaho COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee, which will have its first meeting Friday.
“The availability of a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine is one of the biggest hurdles in getting our lives closer to normal. Here in Idaho, we have been planning for months for the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, and our COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee will stay focused on making sure Idaho is ready when the initial supply becomes available,” Governor Little said.
Committee members represent stakeholders from across Idaho, including the tribes, priority populations, healthcare systems and providers, and immunization organizations. They will lend their broad expertise to best enhance Idaho’s vaccine distribution plan in adherence with federal guidance and requirements.
The initial supply of vaccine is expected to be limited. Although the federal government has not made the final decision yet, it is expected the vaccine likely will be offered first to healthcare workers. Vaccinating healthcare workers will protect them and their patients.
While Idaho has experience in prioritizing scarce medical supplies, developing prioritization plans for the H1N1 swine flu vaccine in 2009, and for the antiviral remdesivir to treat COVID-19 earlier this year, the level of vaccine distribution amid this pandemic will be unprecedented.
“We want to assure Idahoans that vaccine safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, state public health officer and executive secretary for the committee. “The committee will advise Governor Little and the Department of Health and Welfare on vaccine implementation strategies to ensure broad vaccination coverage throughout the state.”
The advisory committee’s timely creation will ensure a coordinated approach with Idaho’s COVID-19 interim vaccine distribution plan, which was submitted to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention by the Oct. 16 deadline.
Meetings of the COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee are open to the public and meeting dates and details will be made available at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/.
(City of Pocatello Press Release, October 22, 2020)
Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad (photo credit: City of Pocatello website)
If you’ve noticed a little spring in Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad’s step, it’s because he’s been walking for a good cause.
Thursday, Mayor Blad donated $1,000 to the Hitting Hearts Foundation. The money comes from his completing the 2019 Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health’s Mayor’s Walking Challenge. The donation will be used to purchase fitness trackers for senior students with special needs at Highland High School and adaptive physical education equipment for students in the Living in the New Community transition program.
“All students deserve the opportunity to live a fit and healthy life,” said Mayor Brian Blad. “The trackers and equipment will help students achieve their fitness goals.”
“Mayor Blad believes in the same goals I have for kids,” said Christian Colonel with the Hitting Hearts Foundation. “This donation helps us fill the gap between kids with unique challenges and living a healthy life.”
Previously, Mayor Blad donated the $1,000 he earned in 2017 and 2018 to Hitting Hearts to purchase adaptive physical education equipment for students at Pocatello and Highland High Schools.
Currently, Mayor Blad is wrapping up his participation in the 2020 edition of the Mayor’s Walking Challenge. So far, he’s walked over 261,000 steps during the month of October. More than 75 mayors across the state are participating in the challenge.
“I’m constantly walking anyway so I’m happy to know each step is going to a good cause,” Mayor Blad said.
Idaho VFW Commander Melanie A. Foster (Photo Credit: Melanie A. Foster Facebook Page)
Pocatello’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #735 heard from a special guest last night at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Idaho VFW Commander Melanie Foster of Buhl, the first female state commander for the VFW in Idaho history, attended their regularly scheduled meeting and spoke to those assembled. Buhl served three years in the Army and was deployed to Iraq, serving as a combat engineer during Operation Iraqi Freedom. She is also a cancer survivor.
Buhl, after being introduced by Post Commander Richard M. Hollingsworth, updated the group on meeting changes that have been implemented because of the coronavirus, and encouraged members to reach out to younger veterans, such as herself (Buhl is in her 30’s) and encourage them to join the VFW.
As stated on the VFW website, “The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard and reserve forces.
We trace our roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War (1898) and the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service.”
Today, the VFW offers many programs and services benefitting “veterans, service members and their families, as well as communities worldwide.”
(U.S. Senator Jim Risch Press Release, October 20, 2020)
(U.S. Senator James Risch, Official Photo)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), former Chairman and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, along with Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), introduced the Small Business Access to Recovery Capital Act. The legislation would provide expanded relief measures to the 7(a) loan program for one year to help businesses cope with challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Until Congress can pass comprehensive COVID-19 relief, small businesses need access to capital to keep their doors open and their employees compensated,” said Risch. “This common-sense legislation will make low-interest loans available to Idaho’s small businesses who are unable to access lines of credit until additional relief is available.”
“The SBA’s 7(a) loan program is critical in providing flexible working capital to small businesses,” said Rubio. “These relief measures would ensure that firms can access long-term loans that provide much needed financial stability as they recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic. I am proud to partner with my colleagues to make this program meet the needs of today’s small businesses.”
“Small businesses are the engine of our economy, but the COVID-19 pandemic is tragically forcing many families to close the doors to their small businesses that they have spent years or even generations to build,” said Collins. “As the co-author of the Paycheck Protection Program, I have worked to help small businesses stay afloat and continue paying their employees. This bipartisan bill would provide additional assistance for small businesses to weather this public health and economic crisis.”
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and it is vital Congress pass legislation to provide relief to them and working families who have suffered thanks to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Hawley. “This legislation will expand access to working capital for small businesses through the 7(a) lending program to help keep businesses afloat and secure wages for their employees.”
The Small Business Access to Recovery Capital Act would expand small business’ access to the 7(a) Loan Guaranty program for one year by:
Waiving borrower and lender fees;
Increasing the government guarantee to 95%;
Increasing the maximum loan value from $5 million to $10 million; and
Waiving debt repayment of principal, interest, and fees for any new loans made under the 7(a) program for one year.
October 21, 2020 (Reprinted from HSLDA email announcement)
On Thursday, October 22, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) will be hosting a free virtual workshop, as follows:
Homeschooling Now? What Are Pods and Co-ops?
Free Live 45-Minute Virtual Workshop
October 22, 7:00 p.m. ET
“My cousin’s neighbor is starting a homeschool pod. What’s the difference between a homeschool pod and a homeschool co-op?”
“Could my kids benefit from joining a pod or co-op?”
“So what kinds of pods and co-ops are there? What does a day in ‘pod-life’ look like?”
If any of these questions resonate with you, join our panelists as they come alongside former public school mom, Sandra Kim, who is diving into homeschooling this fall with her three kids, ages 7, 9, and 12.
Sandra just joined a pod and is continuing to explore her kids’ options in their new educational adventure.
Together, these speakers and Sandra will walk through the wide variety of choices available to homeschooling families and help answer your questions about homeschool learning groups!
Some Questions We’ll Answer:
How do pods and co-ops work:
What subjects or skills get covered?
What age ranges?
When and where do they meet?
What about parents who work full-time?
Where do I find a pod or co-op?
I just can’t locate any pod or co-op near me: how do I start one?
Are homeschool pods and co-ops legal in my state—and are there any other legal issues to be aware of?
Workshop will be aired live on October 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
ABOUT THIS WEBINAR SERIES
This pandemic has many parents searching for educational alternatives that can work for the entire family this fall. If you think homeschooling might be your family’s best option right now, our LIVE webinars are for you!
HSLDA is the largest homeschooling organization in the US. We have worked to advance and protect homeschooling freedom in all 50 states and territories since 1983.
Let us show you the ropes and what to expect if you’re making the transition from public school to homeschooling this fall. You can do it, and we’re here to help!
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their website with the post, “8 Things to Know about Vaccine Planning.”
The post reads:
“In the United States, there is currently no authorized or approved vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Operation Warp Speedexternal icon has been working since the pandemic started to make a COVID-19 vaccine(s) available as soon as possible. CDC is focused on vaccine planning, working closely with health departments and partners to get ready for when a vaccine is available. CDC does not have a role in developing COVID-19 vaccines.
With the possibility of one or more COVID-19 vaccines becoming available before the end of the year, here are 8 things you need to know about where those plans currently stand.
1. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority.
The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. Learn how federal partners are working together to ensure the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
2. Many vaccines are being developed and tested, but some might be ready before others—CDC is planning for many possibilities.
CDC is working with partners at all levels of government to plan for different vaccines and scenarios. CDC is in contact with your state public health department to begin planning. State, tribal, local, and territorial health departments are critical to making sure vaccines are available to communities.
3. At least at first, COVID-19 vaccines might be used under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
4. There may be a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines before the end of 2020, but supply will continually increase in the weeks and months that follow.
The goal is for everyone to be able to easily get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as large quantities are available. The plan is to have several thousand vaccination providers available so no one will have to travel far to be vaccinated, whether it’s at your doctor’s office, retail pharmacy, hospital, or federally qualified health center.
5. If there is limited supply, some groups may be recommended to get a COVID-19 vaccine first.
Experts are working on how to distribute these limited vaccines in a fair, ethical, and transparent way. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) gave inputexternal icon to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which will make recommendations to the CDC director once a vaccine(s) is authorized or approved for use.
Making COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations
CDC makes vaccination recommendations, including those for COVID-19 vaccines, based on input from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Learn more
6. At first, COVID-19 vaccines may not be recommended for children.
In early clinical trialsexternal icon for various COVID-19 vaccines, only non-pregnant adults participated. However, clinical trials continue to expand those recruited to participate. The groups recommended to receive the vaccines could change in the future.
7. Cost will not be an obstacle to getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
The federal government is committed to providing free or low-cost COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine doses purchased with U.S. taxpayer dollars will be given to the American people at no cost. However, vaccine providers will be able to charge administration fees for giving or administering the shot to someone. Most public and private insurance companies will cover that fee so there is no cost for the person getting vaccinated. In addition, people without health insurance can get COVID-19 vaccines at no cost.
8. COVID-19 vaccine planning is being updated as new information becomes available.
CDC will continue to update this website as plans develop.”
Faith Lutheran Church, 856 W. Eldredge Road in Pocatello, will be holding their annual “Trunk or Treat” event on Halloween. The event will run from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
The event, which, last year, was attended by about 200 people, features lines of cars decorated for Halloween at which children can stop to get a treat. At the end, each person can vote on their favorite decorated car.
In addition to candy and other treats for the children, church members will be cooking hot dogs for both parents and children to enjoy.
(Idaho Freedom Foundation Video Release, October 20, 2020)
Idaho is poised to expand education choice in the state next year, so all public school students, including low-income kids, have options to leave the public school system and find the education that better suits them.
IFF’s Anna K. Miller and Reason Foundation’s Corey DeAngelis talked all things education choice. Click below to watch their chat and hear what lawmakers should do to empower kids and families here in the Gem State.
