INDIANAPOLIS — Wednesday's latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic.
State leaders weekly update
The Indiana State Department of Health is saying circumstances are different now than they were in March when schools were closed. The state said the March decision was based on trying to allow time to get enough resources to be able to handle a surge of cases with the pandemic. Because the state now has the resources it needs, ISDH said it is OK for schools to reopen as long as they follow steps including having students wear masks.
ISDH said there needs to be personal responsibility taken in that students and staff with symptoms or waiting on test results should be kept at home until cleared by a doctor to return to school.
The state is providing schools with additional resources of information including weekly meetings with schools.
Arts and Culture Support Grants
A $10 million grant program has been established for non-profit or for-profit organizations impacted by COVID-19. The goal is to protect events like annual festivals.
Those eligible include:
- Arts and cultural organizations
- Museums
- Theaters
- Community event organizations
- Festival organizations
- Destination marketing organizations
- Other eligible organizations
Rental Assistance Program
More than 24,000 Hoosiers have submitted an application for the state's $40 million Rental Assistance Program.
Counties with the most applications include: Lake, St. Joseph, Allen, Tippecanoe and Vanderburgh.
The program works by sending payments to landlords on the renter's behalf. Renters might be eligible if they are having trouble paying rent and face eviction if they have lost income as a result of the pandemic. (NOTE: Marion County has its own program)
Upcoming election
Governor Eric Holcomb seemed to cross-out any possibility of mail-in voting for Hoosiers. The governor said it is important we have in-person voting in Indiana and only absentee voting for those who qualify.
When asked about people concerned about their health with going to the polls on election day, the governor challenged anyone to find a case that came from going to the polls during the primary.
Election day is Nov. 3.
Delaware County prosecutor's office temporarily closed
The Delaware County Prosecutor's Office is temporarily closed due to COIVD-19.
The prosecutor's office announced Wednesday that several employees there have tested positive for COVID-19. The office says there is little to no risk of exposure by members of the public or county staff outside of their office.
Individuals who have been identified as close contacts have been notified.
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre temporary closure
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will be closing its doors on Aug. 10 and not reopening until Oct. 1
Management said Mayor Joe Hogsett restricting audiences to 25 percent made it so that productions can't be sustained.
Beef & Boards had made safety changes including plated meals, reduced audience sizes, spaced seating of parties, germicidal lighting in all air handlers, and mask requirements for all.
The theatre will reopen in October with a production of Smoke on the Mountain.Tickets already purchased for Newsies will be honored for Smoke on the Mountain. Current ticketholders will be contacted regarding their new performance date and time.
Beef & Boards’ productions of Phantom and Disney’s Aladdin Jr. will not take place as scheduled.
ISDH update
The Indiana State Department of Health reports 740 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 69,975. The state positivity average for COVID cases over the last seven days is now 7.4 percent.
The state also reported 12 more deaths for a total of 2,805.
Greenwood events canceled due to coronavirus pandemic
The City of Greenwood has canceled three popular end-of-summer events out of caution and to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Rock the Clock, a block party that draws thousands of visitors and residents, was scheduled for Sept. 26.
The annual Touch-A-Truck event, scheduled for Sept. 5, and the final Adult Night at Freedom Springs Aquatic Center, scheduled for Sept. 14, have also been canceled.
Latest US, world numbers
There have been 4.77 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. as of 3:30 a.m. ET Wednesday, according to Johns Hopkins University. There have been more than 156,000 deaths and 1.52 million people recovered.
Worldwide, there have been 18.54 million confirmed cases with more than 700,000 deaths and 11.14 million recoveries.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Drive-in experience 'Parking Lot Social' comes to Indianapolis Wednesday
"America's wildest drive-in" is coming to Indianapolis.
The Parking Lot Social will be coming to Indianapolis’ Waterman’s Farms, beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The modernized drive-in can host up to 250 cars and will offer "a blend of art and technology."
“The Parking Lot Social has been designed with a special emphasis on the event being immersive and interactive," the event creators said. "Given that people will be restricted to their cars, this aspect of the event becomes super important. Think of it like a mini-festival that takes place right inside your very own car."
It will last for five nights and will include of a fully covered stage, two 40-foot screens and a 52-foot tall "rainbow-shooting" fire hydrant.
Below is the schedule:
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Parking LOL Comedy Night
Thursday, Aug. 6: Neon '90s Movie Night
The movie shown will be "Back to the Future II."
Friday, Aug. 7-8: The Parking Lot Social
Friday, Aug. 7-8: Midnight Movies
The movie for Friday night is "The Fast and the Furious." Saturday night's movie will be "The Purge."
Saturday, Aug. 8-9: Social Kids
Sunday, Aug. 9: Family Movie Night
Sunday's movie night will be "Grease."
Tickets for the event start at $29.
Disney to release 'Mulan' on streaming service, for a price
“Mulan” is no longer headed for a major theatrical release.
The Walt Disney Co. said Tuesday that it will debut its live-action blockbuster on its subscription streaming service, Disney+, on Sept. 4.
But this is no “Hamilton.” Customers will have to pay an additional $29.99 on top of the cost of the monthly subscription to rent “Mulan.”
The company plans to release it in theaters in areas where Disney+ is not available.
“Mulan,” a live-action remake of the animated film, was one of the first films affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the closure of theaters. Originally set for a late March release, “Mulan” has been delayed four times since.