NH State Representative Steven Smith

Someone asked me why there is a coin shortage. The answer is deceptively simple.

1. The US Mint slowed coin production because of COVID factory safety measures.
2. You are keeping your coins at home.

From Fortune:

“Because of coronavirus fears, many people have switched to using credit cards and mobile payments to avoid handling money. Meanwhile, the shutdown also forced some businesses to close that would normally help keep coins moving. With establishments like retail shops, bank branches, transit authorities, and laundromats closed, the typical places where coin enters our society have slowed or even stopped the normal circulation of coin,” Michael White, a spokesman for the U.S. Mint, said in a statement. ” https://fortune.com/2020/07/18/why-is-there-a-coin-shortage-in-us-nationwide-how-did-it-happen-when-will-it-end-what-to-know-kroger-walmart-cvs/

In a nutshell, we just aren’t going out and giving people coins. Living here, I see a lot of cash only businesses and this is really hurting them. If you are a small business in District 11, I can help get you set up for electronic payments. ~ Steve

Will the next stimulus bill include an extension of the extra $600 unemployment benefit?

“At the end of this month more than 18 million Americans receiving unemployment benefits could see their weekly benefits cut by $600 as the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance expires.

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the debate for another round of stimulus funding will begin next week. That includes debating a replacement for the extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits, on top of their state benefits, that jobless are Americans are currently receiving through the CARES Act.”

https://fortune.com/2020/07/15/extra-600-unemployment-extension-next-stimulus-will-it-continue-extended-coronavirus-benefits-each-week-cares-act/

Click to access covid-19-update-07182020.pdf

A lot of people in NH are self employed in an organization of one person. Realtors, contractors, etc. all can fall into this category. Today is the very last day for people who are in this category to apply for business assistance grants. No applications will be accepted late, so if you even suspect you qualify, apply today by 4PM. ~ Steve

New Hampshire Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF) Frequently Asked Questions

New Hampshire Self Employed Livelihood Fund (SELF) – Apply Here

Deadline is Today for NH self-employed businesses to apply for coronavirus relief money

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-self-employed-businesses-can-now-apply-for-coronavirus-relief-money/33232390

Questions to state health officials focus on children as school year nears

https://www.wmur.com/article/questions-to-state-health-officials-focus-on-children-as-school-year-nears/33340980

Sununu doles out more COVID-19 aid for college students, foster kids

https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/coronavirus/sununu-doles-out-more-covid-19-aid-for-college-students-foster-kids/article_844023e0-8e17-5763-af66-e99d7f971cdf.html

New funding for businesses, colleges announced as NH COVID-19 numbers remain low

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-coronavirus-update-july-16-2020/33335721

Bill may cement telehealth coverage

https://www.concordmonitor.com/Access-to-Telemedicine-35193766

Sununu says schools must be in charge of reopening decisions

https://www.wmur.com/article/sununu-says-schools-must-be-in-charge-of-reopening-decisions/33341043

School districts put together transportation plans

https://www.wmur.com/article/school-districts-put-together-transportation-plans/33340829

New funds for businesses, public universities, foster care

https://apnews.com/46ef312b97cf7f35206039faee6ca25e

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – July 16th, 2020

On Thursday, July 16, 2020, DHHS announced 27 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,139 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are two individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 65% being female and 35% being male. The new cases reside Rockingham (7), Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (4), Belknap (2), Cheshire (1), Grafton (1), Merrimack (1), and Strafford (1) counties, and in the city of Manchester (10).

Hospitalizations

No new hospitalized cases were identified for a total of 668 (11%) of 6,139 cases.

Community Based Transmission

Five of the new cases had no identified risk factors.

Deaths

DHHS has also announced one additional death related to COVID-19.

• 1 female resident of Merrimack County, 60 years of age and older

Cumulative Positive Tests by County

• Belknap 95
• Carroll 69
• Cheshire 79
• Coos 11
• Grafton 97
• Hillsborough – Other 1,165
• Hillsborough – Manchester 1622
• Hillsborough – Nashua 681
• Merrimack 435
• Rockingham 1541
• Strafford 307
• Sullivan 37

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(data updated July 16, 2020, 9:00 AM)

• NH Persons with COVID-191 6,139
• Recovered 5,136 (84%)
• Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 395 (6%)
• Total Current COVID-19 Cases 608
• Persons Who Have Been Hospitalized for COVID-19 668 (11%)
• Current Hospitalizations 22

Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories,

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 140,220
• Total Persons Tested at Selected Laboratories, Antibody
• Laboratory Tests 24,868
• Persons with Specimens Submitted to NH PHL 34,099
• Persons with Test Pending at NH PHL 790
• Persons Being Monitored in NH (approximate point in time) 3,575
  

Number of Specimens Tested by Date of Report to NH DHHS

Information above, and archived daily updates are available here: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/news/updates.htm

Regional Information (total positive test results, deaths)

Look-back period is 1 week.

NH: 6,139 positive test results 395 deaths  (1 week ago: 5,973 positive test results 387 deaths) (+161/+8)

MA: 112,581  positive test results 8380 deaths (1 week ago: 110,897  positive test results 8268 deaths) (+1745/+125)

ME: 3,598 positive test results 114 deaths (1 week ago: 3,486 positive test results 111 deaths)

VT: 1,325 positive test results 56 deaths (1 week ago: 1,272 positive test results 56 deaths)

CT:  47,750  positive test results 4,389 deaths (1 week ago: 47,209  positive test results 4,348 deaths)

RI: 17,711 positive test results 988 deaths (1 week ago: 17,243 positive test results 974 deaths)

NY:  409,476 positive test results 32,133 deaths (1 week ago: 404,207 positive test results 31,979 deaths) (+5,090/+170)