LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — On Friday, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and other officials held a coronavirus briefing.
Ricketts started things off by reminding people to practice proper social distancing and good hygiene to stop the spread. He also took time to reiterate, group sports are not allowed in the state through May.
In light of Memorial Day, the governor and Veterans' Affairs Director John Hilgert shared plans for Nebraska’s first virtual Memorial Day observance.
On Monday, May 25, a Gold Star family will light a candle on the Capitol rotunda. Throughout the day, guards from various branches of the military will take turns guarding the candle. After 12 hours, the candle will be extinguished by the same family who lit it.
The state also announced several initiatives it plans to carry out in an effort to help mothers transitioning back to work at government facilities. They include spaces for mothers to nurse or pump, a reduction in costs related to childbirth, preferred parking permits and a program that will allow parents to bring children to work with them.
3 News Now Anchor Jennifer Griswold is providing live updates via Twitter:
Gov. Ricketts talking Test Nebraska:
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
•1730 tested so far
•465 tested Thursday alone
•968 results back
•30 positive
4th site opens Monday. This one in Schuyler
As a whole (not just Test Nebraska), Nebraska has done 1,500 tests/day for last nine days
John Hilgert with NE Dept. of Veterans Affairs talking about virtual Memorial Day service that will be taking place from capitol rotunda.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
A flame will be lit to honor those we’ve lost. The observance will go all day. Veterans groups can send reps to watch over flame in shifts
State of NE announcing 4 initiatives ahead of Mother’s Day.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
Women make up 54% of workforce in state government.
1) nursing mothers’ rooms in all state buildings over 5,000 square feet.
•running water, comfy chair,
refrigerator included
Gov. Ricketts explaining why we don’t get info about specific companies, for example meat packing plants.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
He says companies are not part of process so they don’t know exact numbers to report them. They may be notified by health dept as part of contact tracing.
He essentially says leaving it up the individual to say where they work would allow too much room for error.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
Governor Ricketts says case numbers are not "really a very helpful thing" to look at when making determinations on restrictions. He, time time again, points to this. He says whether the healthcare system is overwhelmed is the key to these determinations.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
(Screen grab from state) pic.twitter.com/owuG34FY7g
Gov. Ricketts asked about this clip.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
He quickly brushed it off:
"She's just wrong."
"She's got her own agenda." https://t.co/7DKI4qaowk
•Dorms at UNO and UNK have been used by those needing/wanting to isolate.
— Jennifer Griswold (@griswoldkmtv) May 8, 2020
•Gov. Ricketts says UNL opened today.
•43 food processing workers are using the facilities.
You can watch the briefing below: