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Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup: Mecklenburg Coronavirus Update; Unemployment Soars In NC

Friday, April 3, 2020

We adjust to the "new normal," sequestering at home, as cases of coronavirus surpass 1,900 in North Carolina.  About a third of those cases are in Mecklenburg County. We update the numbers and detail the impact, and see if people are complying with Governor Cooper's stay-at-home order.  Plus, the Board of Elections makes vote by mail recommendations. 

On the next Charlotte Talks local news roundup …

Residents in Charlotte and around the state are adjusting to the “new normal” during the coronavirus outbreak. Cases of coronavirus around the state are now over 1,900 with 530 of those in Mecklenburg county, and a statewide death total now at 18. We’ll give an update on the numbers and projections for how they may continue to grow as the outbreak progresses.  We’ll also talk about how the virus appears to be impacting the county’s black residents disproportionally.

The statewide stay-at-home directive issued by Gov. Roy Cooper began Monday, after counties like Mecklenburg implemented their own stay-at-home orders last week. Are people complying with the order?

The North Carolina Board of Education meet Thursday to talk about a path forward after long school closures, as this week schools around the state began online distance learning — and the CMS board hit technical difficulties holding their first remote board meeting.

With widespread closures of businesses here and around the state, many people have found themselves with reduced hours at work, or out of a job entirely (like more than 370,000 restaurant and hotel employees in NC), struggling to pay a mortgage or rent. But there are companies hiring here in the Queen City during the outbreak.

And because of the pandemic, the North Carolina Board of Elections made recommendations to make it easier to vote by mail, but one lawmaker opposes the move. We’ll talk about why.

Mike Collins and local journalist gather to discuss this week's latest news on the local news roundp.

Guests:

Glenn Burkins, founder and publisher of Qcitymetro.com

Katie Peralta, senior editor for Charlotte Agenda

Joe Bruno, WSOC-TV Reporter 

Ann Doss Helms, WFAE Education Reporter

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Charlotte Talks Executive Producer Wendy Herkey has been with WFAE since 1998, beginning in the membership department, and has been on the Charlotte Talks staff since 1999.