Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 2 Natural Resources Drive Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Food Safety Regulations Keep Take-out & Delivery Safe from Coronavirus
Fayetteville, Ark. — Food safety regulations protect take-out and delivered food from COVID-19, but precautions remain important when interacting with food service personnel, said a University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture researcher.
“There are specific requirements for sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces in the food preparation environment that would inactivate the virus,” said Kristen Gibson, associate professor of food safety and microbiology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.
Also, Gibson said, food service workers are supposed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with 10-15 seconds of vigorous scrubbing before and after performing specific job duties. Also, employees who are sick, especially with gastrointestinal symptoms, are not supposed to work for at least 48-72 hours.
“The key here is that the food is kept safe,” Gibson said.
Be Cautious
But precautions remain necessary when people meet people, she said.
“People still have to interact with the delivery people or folks at the restaurant and COVID-19 can still be transmitted that way before people have symptoms or if they are asymptomatic,” Gibson said.
The cleaning of surfaces is critical, Gibson said, because they are a key point for transfer of the virus that causes COVID-19 from one person to another. Similar to other viruses, such as those that cause the flu, the novel coronavirus can be deposited on surfaces through aerosol droplets when someone sneezes or coughs. It can also be deposited if someone sneezes or coughs into their hand and then touches a surface.
Gibson said there’s a possibility that the virus can be transmitted through feces, but that possibility is not well understood. Some reports out of China and anecdotal evidence from people who have been confirmed positive for the virus suggests that perhaps 50 percent of cases present with some sort of gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhea or nausea, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms.
“However, the amount of virus expelled in the feces is reportedly quite low,” Gibson said, “maybe 1,000 viral particles per milliliter versus millions that are excreted in respiratory secretions.”
In any case, once the virus is on a surface, susceptible persons may touch that surface and then touch their mouths or noses, Gibson said. If the virus can then enter the respiratory tract, a person may become infected.
A University of California, Los Angeles, study published March 20 suggested the COVID-19 virus survives on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on hard surfaces like plastic and stainless steel for two to three days.
Gibson thinks the apparent difference in the virus’ survival time on different surfaces may result from the sampling methods. To detect an infectious virus particle, she said, it first must be recovered from the suspect surface.
“Recovery of viruses from soft surfaces is inherently more difficult than from non-porous surfaces,” Gibson said, “so the difference in reported survival could be due to limitations in the methodology.”
Wash Your Hands
Washing hands is the easiest and most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19, and Gibson said it is effective because of the structure of the virus.
“This is an enveloped virus which means it has an outer lipid layer surrounding the protein capsid,” Gibson said. “Soap breaks down the lipid layer making the viruses more susceptible to inactivation.
“The act of physically rubbing hands will remove the virus as well,” Gibson said. “If you wash correctly, you should be able to remove hundreds to thousands of virus particles.”
Antibacterial agents alone are not helpful, Gibson said, because they are specific to bacterial pathogens and not viruses.
When selecting hand sanitizers, people should look for those labeled “antimicrobial,” Gibson said. These will target more than just bacteria. These are not helpful against all viruses, but they are effective against respiratory viruses like the COVID-19 virus, and for the same reason that soap works.
Isopropyl alcohol breaks down that lipid layer that protects the virus, rendering it inactive. For that reason, Gibson said, alcohol-based hand sanitizers with more than 60 or 70 percent alcohol help protect against COVID-19.
Stay Vigilant
Gibson said people who are isolating themselves at home and observing social separation practices should remain vigilant about washing their hands, even though they are avoiding other people and public places.
“Many infectious diseases can be transmitted by poor hand hygiene so it is always good practice,” Gibson said. “Additionally, why not make handwashing a habit and work toward true behavior change while isolated at home? This way when you do have to go out, it will be second nature.”
To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch and Instagram at ArkAgResearch.
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station |
The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station is the state's premier research agency for agriculture, food and natural resources. We are the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, one of the 20 institutions in the University of Arkansas System.
Governor Hutchinson Announces Proposal to Protect and Support Health Care Professionals, Public, and Providers
LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is submitting a Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration Project (“waiver”) to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide support to Arkansans in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced at a news conference today.
The waiver will provide $116 million in additional Medicaid funding to support a number of initiatives to protect Arkansas health care workers and their patients and to support health care providers. Additional funding is aimed at helping the Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS) sector to ensure Arkansas’s vulnerable populations continue to receive care whether they reside in facilities or in their homes. The initiatives also provide additional support to rural hospitals, independent physician practices, and other Medicaid providers struggling as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
This new waiver is just one piece of federal and state efforts to help our hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians. Regulatory relief and additional payments to providers will also be provided through federal legislation.
To accomplish the specific goals of this waiver, the state is requesting approval for federal funding to support the care continuity initiatives which include:
Environmental modifications payments to eligible hospitals, independent physicians, rural health clinics, and behavioral health agencies to modify their facilities to add protective features such as drive-through testing or to reconfigure patient intake areas to allow for adequate social distancing or the purchase or lease of specialized equipment.
New flexibility and financial support to allow health care providers to adjust operations that are unique to their clinic so that they can continue to safely provide face-to-face services. This may include extending clinic hours or shifting schedules to accommodate sick visits versus healthy visits.
Payments to expand and upgrade telemedicine and to provide non-emergency transportation so that patients may continue to connect with health care providers.
Additional pay for health care workers who provide direct long-term services and supports (LTSS) in institutions as well as in homes. This would be an additional $250 per week for non-physician direct-care workers and $500 per week for non-physician direct-care workers who are employed in a facility that treats COVID-19 patients.
Additional payments to nursing facilities that treat a disproportionate share of COVID-19 patients.
With this additional funding, providers will have the flexibility to continue efficiently responding to the needs of Arkansans in ways that Medicaid does not typically finance. This method of structuring payments also ensures program integrity, as DHS must approve the request for funding in advance.
To help prevent negative impacts to the physical and mental health of a Medicaid-eligible child in foster care, DHS would also provide an additional monthly payment of $500 to all foster families during the emergency period.
“Health care today cannot be delivered as it was just two weeks ago,” Governor Hutchinson said at the news conference. “Hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, residential facilities, other licensed practitioners must now re-engineer their practice patterns to protect the lives of their patients and their employees. This proposal places a particular emphasis on Arkansas’s rural providers who face even greater challenges due to distance and less infrastructure compared to more populous areas.”
Cindy Gillespie, Secretary of DHS, joined the Governor at the news conference.
“This is designed to address COVID-19 related expenses that are hitting small hospitals, independent physicians, community providers,” Gillespie said. “These are things that Medicaid normally can’t pay for, and will help ensure continuity of care at a very critical time for Arkansans.”
Governor Hutchinson Appoints Alan McClain as Insurance Commissioner
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today announced that he has appointed Alan McClain as the state’s new insurance commissioner.
McClain, who will assume the position on April 3, replaces Allen Kerr, who was appointed to the job in January 2015. Kerr, whose last day is March 27, 2020, resigned to pursue opportunities in the private sector.
McClain has served as commissioner of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Commerce since 2015.
“Alan has been a stalwart leader within Workforce Services and Rehabilitation Services, and he will be equally vigorous and steadfast as insurance commissioner,” Governor Hutchinson said.
The Governor appointed McClain in consultation with Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. McClain is taking the job at a time of change in the insurance industry, Secretary Preston said.
“I’ve been privileged to work more closely with Workforce Services and its programs in recent months,” Secretary Preston said. “I know firsthand Alan has the experience and a perspective that will benefit the Insurance Commission during a time when the changes in the industry will require steady leadership.”
The Insurance Department was one of 42 executive-level state agencies that was realigned as part of Governor Hutchinson’s transformation plan, which reduced the number of cabinet-level agencies to 15. Under the initiative, the Insurance Department became part of the Department of Commerce.
“By folding the insurance department into the Department of Commerce, we have demonstrated that sister agencies can function better as a group than independently,” Governor Hutchinson said.
The Insurance Department enforces state insurance law and regulations, conducts examinations and prosecutes insurance fraud while protecting consumers.
McClain began his career in state government in 1992 with the Arkansas Insurance Department after working with Sedgwick Insurance Group. He worked for the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission for 13 years and was the CEO of that Commission for almost nine years.
Most recently, McClain served as Commissioner of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services (ARS). In this role, which he assumed in 2015, he administered the day-to-day operations of ARS, which administers the Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act.
McClain has also served on the Arkansas Workforce Development Board and the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. He is a past president of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards & Commissions and the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation.
He holds an undergraduate degree from Hendrix College and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Governor Issues Call for Special Legislative Session of the 92nd General Assembly
LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson today issued the official call to legislators for an Extraordinary Session of the 92nd General Assembly to convene at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
“I have called this special session of the General Assembly to ask legislators to cover the projected loss in state revenue," Governor Hutchinson said. "I made this decision after days of intense study and discussion with legislators and with leadership at the Department of Finance and Administration."
“Many Arkansans have lost their job or had their pay cut as COVID-19 has swept through Arkansas,” the Governor said. “Extending the deadline for individuals to file and pay state income taxes will cost the state millions of dollars, but it is a cost the state must shoulder in order to do the right thing for taxpayers. I will ask all agencies to cut expenses where possible without cutting essential services. We will further tighten the state’s spending in order to lighten the load for Arkansans.”
Latest Arkansas COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
Sevier County Community Prayer Walk
Latest Arkansas COVID-19 Update from the AR Department of Health
Janelle Barnes in the Ed 88 Studio on Thursday about COVID-19
Janelle Barnes of Dr. Walker's office discusses anxiety and depression that can be triggered by the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 situation.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson gives updates on Arkansas' Coronavirus Response Thursday
Sevier County Extension Service Office Temporarily Closed
The Sevier County Extension Service, located in the Adams Building on the UA Cossatot Campus, has closed it’s doors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You may still contact us via email at:
Rex Herring – County Extension Agent-Agriculture-Staff Chair at rherring@uaex.edu
Janet Cantrell – County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Science at jcantrell@uaex.edu
Dana Stringfellow – Administrative Specialist III at dstringfellow@uaex.edu
Kim Frachiseur – 4-H Program Assistant at kfrachiseur@uaex.edu
Or, you can contact us at these cell phone numbers:
Rex Herring (870) 584-6550
Dana Stringfellow (870) 582-3056
We are required to practice social distancing like everyone else but we are still dedicated to do everything we can to assist you with your Extension Service needs during this time.
Dana Stringfellow
Administrative Specialist III
Ouachita District Director – Chi Epsilon Sigma
Sevier County Extension Service
P O Box 990
De Queen, AR 71832
Email: dstringfellow@uaex.edu
Phone: (870) 584-3013
From the Office of the Chancellor
The COVID-19 epidemic has created one of the most perilous times in Arkansas history. UA Cossatot stands ready to adapt to these new times and while we are dealing with these changes, we will always respect the health and well-being of our students, employees, and the public we serve.
Effective immediately, UA Cossatot students in lecture courses will complete their entire spring semester using the Blackboard Online Learning Platform. While we understand this presents a unique way of learning to some students, it is the best and safest method we have in helping students complete their semester. As for our students who are enrolled in technical courses (Medical Professions, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Agriculture, etc.), we will be making a determination next week on how we will best serve these students. Our faculty, student services staff, Educational Resource Center, and our administration stand ready to assist students in any way possible to help them achieve their desired learning goals during these tough times.
Also effective immediately, UA Cossatot will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors at least through April 3rd and our employees will be working either on campus or by their remote work schedules. While on our campuses, our employees will be strictly observing the rules of social distancing and cleanliness as we continue to fight the battle against COVID-19.
You can always find more UA Cossatot information on Facebook (ED88 and UAC) and on our CCCUA.EDU website.
Thank You,
Dr. Steve Cole
Chancellor, UA Cossatot
To UA Cossatot Students
Hello UA Cossatot Student!
This has been one of the most challenging semesters in our history. I know it has certainly been challenging for you. I wish we could just make COVID-19 go away, but for right now, that doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon. When we make decisions at UA Cossatot, we make them with YOU in mind. We want YOU to be successful. We also want YOU to be safe. To make sure you can keep learning, and at the same time be safe, effective immediately, if you are a UA Cossatot student enrolled in a lecture course, you will complete your entire spring semester using the Blackboard Online Learning Platform. While we understand this presents a unique way of learning to some students, it is the best and safest method we have in helping you complete your semester. If you are a student enrolled in a technical course (Medical Professions, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Agriculture, etc.), we will be making a determination next week on how we will best serve you.
Our faculty, student services staff, Educational Resource Center, and our administration stand ready to assist you in any way possible to help you achieve your desired learning goals during these tough times. If you are having trouble with internet connectivity or have a computer or laptop that isn’t getting the job done, please call us and we will do our best to help get you through the rest of the semester.
Also effective immediately, UA Cossatot will continue to keep our campuses closed to students and visitors at least through April 3rd and our employees will be working either on campus or by their remote work schedules.
This semester is certainly a challenge but I wanted to personally let you know, we are all in this together and we want the very best for you, and that includes your safety! If there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to email me at: scole@cccua.edu and I will be happy to respond to you.
Thank you and please stay safe!
Dr. Cole
AMI Packets Ready to be picked up at De Queen Middle School
De Queen Middle School 6th-7th grade AMI packets will be available anytime at the north entry door of the middle school building. The packets are located in the filing cabinet (see photo below). Each drawer is labeled by grade. These packets contain work for March 30 - April 17. Students will bring work back when school resumes. Please email any questions or concerns to one of your teachers. We miss you all and hope to see you soon.
These packets can also be printed on our webpage
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson Live Press Conference 1:30 p.m. Today
Governor Asa Hutchinson’s Press Conference is scheduled for 1:30 Wednesday afternoon. Watch here!
Blood Drives Across the Area
Want to help your community during these uncertain times? Give blood! Blood drives are scheduled across the area over the next 30 days. Your help is needed!
Howard Memorial Hospital Remains in Lock Down
Howard Memorial Hospital will be further locked down in order to protect you, your family and our staff. Effective immediately, you will be required to enter through the Emergency Room entrance. A screening station is set-up outside the ER and after triage/screening, you will be directed by the nurse where to enter. We realize this may be a little inconvenient; however, it is for everyone's protection. Always remember to cover your cough, sneeze, wash hands frequently and practice social distancing. Don't go out in public unless it is absolutely necessary.
Sevier County Farmers Co-op Selling Plants from UA Cossatot
First, I want to say how much I appreciate the Sevier County Farmers Co-op! I talked to them today and they are going to purchase tomatoes and peppers from our greenhouse to sell at their store. So, those of you who usually get your plants from us, or if you know someone who gets plants from us, please visit the Sevier County Farmers Co-op. I will be making our first delivery by this Friday and plan to drop off plants regularly at the De Queen location.
I will be advertising this information on social media and will also hang a sign on our greenhouse door. If you know someone at the Sevier County Farmers Co-op, please thank them for supporting us during these challenging times! My students have been very concerned about the greenhouse sale and they are sad they won’t be able to take part in that event this year.
Kelli Harris
Agriculture Instructor
183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1218 / kharris@cccua.edu
Business Closures and Layoffs During COVID-19 in Sevier County
Business closures and layoffs mark the new normal in Sevier County
For the complete story, visit:
Business closures and layoffs mark the new normal in Sevier County
Business, for many, has come to a virtual standstill in De Queen, Sevier County and the state, with Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson ordering all restaurants, bars and gyms closed last week, due to the insuppressible spread of the novel coronavirus and covid-19.
Video Press Release From Sevier County Health Officer Dr. Jason Lofton
Amanda Hundley about COVID-19
Amanda Hundley of Dr. Randy Walker's office visited our De Queen studio this morning to talk about the added safety measures that clinics are putting in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.