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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

Mask Mandate Not Yet Decided In NC

NC DHHS / RLH
DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen says it's important to remove a face covering using the ear straps and not touching the front of the mask.

  Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth when you’re out in public.  That’s the message from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and other state officials watching the steady increase of Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.  But there is not yet a statewide mandate.

 

Until there is a vaccine, people will have to learn to live with the virus.  And state officials say wearing a mask when in public is the best way to slow the spread while allowing the economy to recover. 

 

In fact, says Secretary Mandy Cohen of the Department of Health and Human Services, new studies are confirming the fact that mask-wearing is highly effective in slowing the spread.  

"Recent U.S. and international studies are showing us that face coverings, used by the public all the time, not just when symptoms first appear, could significantly reduce the rate of Covid-19 spread.  One study found that face coverings reduced the number of infections by over 78,000 in Italy, and by over 66,000 in New York City between April and May."

Other research, says Cohen, estimates that the daily growth rate of Covid-19 cases in Germany fell by around 40% due to wearing a mask.  

Governor Cooper says they’re monitoring trends and will make an announcement early next week about relaxing or retaining restrictions.  The current Executive Order expires on June 26th. 

 

Cooper also says he’ll consider making masks mandatory, but for now, they’re studying the issue.  

 

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.