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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE: UPDATES, RESOURCES, AND CONTEXT
Gathered at the bottom of this page is WHQR's ongoing reporting and coverage on COVID-19. In addition, below is a list of other resources pertaining to the virus.For questions/concerns about COVID-19, call the NC Coronavirus Helpline at 1-866-462-3821. To find out about the availability of community resources, call 211 or visit nc211.orgFor Brunswick County, the COVID-19 Helpline is 910-253-2339. The email is coronavirus@brunswickcountync.gov. New Hanover County's Helpline is 910-798-6800. National Resources Basic Protective Measures from the Coronavirus Coronavirus Myth Busters Coronavirus FAQs and Answers National Coronavirus Case Tracker Protecting Yourself and Your Family Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities International Travel Advisories Local ResourcesTesting in North Carolina State Case Count New Hanover County Updates and Info Brunswick County Updates and Info Pender County Updates and Info New Hanover Regional Medical Center Updates New Hanover Disaster Coalition Novant HealthDosher Memorial HospitalWAVE TransitWilmington HealthUNCWWHQR's Community Resources

Utilities Barred From Cutting Off Service In NC For Those Who Can't Pay

RLH / WHQR
A DOT electronic sign in Brunswick County flashes STAY HOME.

Help is on the way for small businesses and families – from the state and from federal stimulus checks.  But there’s more.  North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has issued a new Executive Order to help people worried about paying bills on April 1st

People who can’t afford to pay their electric or gas bill or water or wastewater bill now have six months of breathing room.  Governor Cooper’s Executive Order prohibits utilities from shutting off service. 

"Telecommunications companies that provide phone, cable, internet services are strongly urged to follow these same rules.  also urge banks not to charge overdraft fees.  The order is in effect for 60 days."

Eviction actions have already been delayed.

All the Executive Orders he’s issued, says Cooper, are about enhancing the ability of North Carolinians to engage in prevention – which he calls the single most important thing.

"It means maintaining physical distance from each other, washing hands, coughing into the elbow.  Those simple things, they’re simple, they can save lives – including your own."

Rachel hosts and produces CoastLine, an award-winning hourlong conversation featuring artists, humanitarians, scholars, and innovators in North Carolina. The show airs Wednesdays at noon and Sundays at 4 pm on 91.3 FM WHQR Public Media. It's also available as a podcast; just search CoastLine WHQR. You can reach her at rachellh@whqr.org.