Sex trafficking survivor turned advocate, Elixa Bleu, says the Coronavirus Shutdown is a  ‘Perfect Storm’ for Abuse.  According to Bleu, it is already starting.

“Pre-teens and teens at home alone with their parents for days on end due to school closures will be groomed by predators online…they will be promised a ‘better life’ if they run away,” said Bleu.  Statistics show that the  average runaway is trafficked within 48 hours of leaving home.

Bleu said parents and guardians need to be “extra vigilant” when monitoring their child’s online activity during the quarantine. She provides these safety tips that should be communicated to minors:

•  Never share pictures of yourself online that you wouldn’t want to be seen by your family.
• Set user profiles to private so only real friends can get access.
• Know who you’re chatting with.
• Don’t share personal information online such as your full name, school, address or phone number, or user passwords.
• Don’t meet up in person with anyone you met online.
• Report suspected abuse to law enforcement or a trusted adult.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline, which is always available is 1-888-373-7888.

On March 23, 2020, the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Shirley deSilva resigned her position.  The chamber has officially begun a search for a new CEO. The successful candidate will manage all aspects of the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, a 650 member non-profit organization.

For decades, the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce has played an active and vital role in Sarnia Lambton’s growth. But even before its official incorporation in 1905, the Chamber can trace its roots back to the late 1800s.  It all started on Feb. 26, 1860 with an informal meeting of prominent businessmen who wanted to increase economic trade and manufacturing within the town.

The CEO is the face of the organization and is required to sit on numerous local boards in addition to all Chamber committees and to attend all Chamber events. Interested candidates can send resumes in confidence to Mary Jean O’Donnell, Chair of the Board of Directors, by email (mjodonnell@slchamber.ca).  Closing date for applications is May 15, 2020.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Confirmed COVID-19 cases as of April 13th at 5:30 PM are as follows:

• State of Michigan: 25,635 confirmed cases; 1,602 deaths
• St. Clair County: 219 confirmed cases; 6 deaths
• Ontario: 7,470 confirmed cases; 291 deaths
• Sarnia-Lambton: 118 confirmed cases; 10 deaths

Governor Whitmer’s press conference today began with a focus on data about the curve of infection. While she said the curve looks like it is beginning to flatten, she also affirmed the need to continue social distancing measures to keep it headed in that direction. Whitmer acknowledged that many people are becoming restless with her executive orders for many reasons. She spent some time expressing concern regarding those frustrations, addressing false information circulating, and even accepting her role as a target for frustration. Acknowledging a planned protest of her orders, she encouraged protestors to exercise their free speech and asked that they protest in a safe manner that won’t put first responders at risk.

Several things have been put in place to increase healthcare options, access to testing, and PPE. On the issue of restarting the economy and opening things back up, four primary factors are being considered:

• Sustained reduction in case counts
• Enhanced ability to test and trace
• Sufficient health care capacity
• Best practices for the workplace

The City of Sarnia has received around 400 complaints of people not following social distancing directives. While they appreciate the tips due to the importance of the directives, they would like to remind residents that The Provincial Orders on social distancing do not include restrictions on walking through or using portions of park and recreational areas that are not otherwise closed and that do not contain outdoor recreational amenities including; sports fields, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog parks, beaches, skateboard and BMX parks, picnic areas, park shelters, outdoor exercise equipment, condo parks and community gardens.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Auto insurer Allstate is returning money to customers as widespread shutdowns across the U.S. from the coronavirus cut down on driving. Allstate expects to give back more than $600 million, with personal auto customers receiving 15% of their monthly premium in April and May.

Allstate Chief Executive Officer Tom Wilson said, “This is fair because less driving means fewer accidents because states across the U.S. have issued stay-at-home mandates to help slow the spread of coronavirus.” Meghan Cass, Allstate Spokesperson, told WGRT, “We have learned that the best response during a crisis is to act quickly and put people first. It’s at times like these, when communities across the country need us most, that we are here for them.”

Shelter-in-Place Payback payments will go to all US and Canadian customers with personal auto insurance. Allstate customers who are having financial problems because of a loss of income can inquire about delayed premium payments.  Local Allstate Agent Rusty Fournier told WGRT that if customers have any questions they can call his office at 810-982-2340.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Bluewater Health in Sarnia and Lambton College are preparing to change the school’s West and East Gymnasiums into a 150-bed field hospital as part of a provincial call to action for “next level” pandemic preparedness. This provides Bluewater Health with space should the hospital require additional capacity.

The hospital is currently running at 55% capacity. At this point, there are approximately 40 beds in use for COVID patients; the hospital has a capacity of over 300 beds, and can over-bed with an additional 84 beds.

Mike Lapaine, President & CEO, Bluewater Health said, “We are preparing for a possible patient influx and creating capacity to care for the residents of Sarnia-Lambton.” Bluewater Health has secured the Lambton College location to ensure that an offsite location is available should the unlikely event happen that the hospital is unable to deal with the volume of all ill patients, COVID and non-COVID.

Lambton College President and CEO Judy Morris said the college was “honored” to assist Bluewater Health in its “heroic battle” against this devastating virus.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

People all around the Blue Water Area are wondering when they can expect to start receiving the Covid-19 economic impact payments. The treasury department and the IRS have reported that payments will start going out in mid-April.

The Internal Revenue Service plans to make about $60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit, beginning April 13th. The first round of payments will go to taxpayers who used direct deposit to receive a tax refund in 2018 or 2019.  Also, Social Security beneficiaries who filed federal returns that included direct deposit information will see checks appearing in their account in mid-April.

The IRS then plans to make a second round of payments, hopefully in late April, to Social Security beneficiaries who didn’t file 2018 or 2019 tax returns but receive their benefits through direct deposit. It is estimated that about 99% of Social Security beneficiaries who don’t file taxes receive payments by direct deposit. About three weeks after the first payments, approximately the week of May 4th, paper checks will begin to go out to eligible citizens starting with those with the lowest income.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn