Five Things to Know Today
Good morning! Elsewhere, you will see the article pointing out that testing and contact tracing are the keys to moving to our “new normal” without causing a new spike in COVID-19 cases. Governor Beshear is basically pleading with everyone to get tested.
So, I’m answering the call. I’m getting tested on Wednesday.
It was pretty easy to set up. After clicking through a number of links on the Kroger Health web site, I got to the assessment page. I answered some questions, chose a location, chose a date and time, and voila! My test was set up.
Does it make me nervous? Sure! It’s a little disconcerting to realize you could have a potentially life-threatening virus and not know it, AND possibly be passing it on to people you love.
But, it’s the same advice we give for other situations: “Better to know for sure.” So, Wednesday I will know for sure.
You need to do the same. Find a testing location near you and sign up. It’s another of the things we do, along with wearing our masks and social distancing and all the rest, to be good neighbors and good adults.
It’s how we get through this, together. #TeamKentucky
Bruce Maples, publisher
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“We only have one shot at this” – 5/15 update
Gov. Beshear reminded his listeners that we all know what to do to prevent a second spike as we gradually reopen. Now, we have to do it. (Forward Kentucky)
Testing, contact tracing are critical; Beshear says public needs to ‘buy in,’ get tested
As Kentucky begins to reopen its economy, increased testing and contact tracing are the primary lines of defense to suppress a resurgence of the coronavirus and its COVID-19 disease. (Forward Kentucky)
Amy McGrath ‘strongly’ stands by ad despite Republican governors’ objections
Kentucky Senate candidate Amy McGrath is standing by a television advertisement that debuted Saturday despite a rebuke by two of the governors featured in the new spot. McGrath, a Democrat, who is vying for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell’s seat, speaks directly to the camera in the 60-second ad. The retired Marine fighter pilot says that American governors from both parties are the ones showing real leadership amid the coronavirus pandemic. McGrath then spotlights a group of bipartisan governors including Kentucky’s Andy Beshear. It also features Ohio’s Mike DeWine and Maryland’s Larry Hogan, both Republicans, before taking a swipe at McConnell. DeWine and Hogan later complained about the ad. (Courier-Journal)
Unity water tower gets final design approval
It looks like the big Confederate flag on Interstate 24 east of Paducah is in for a challenge. The design for a racial unity mural to be placed on a neighboring water tower has been finalized. (Forward Kentucky)
Kentucky garbage man hadn’t seen elderly woman’s trash can out, rightly felt something was amiss
Jake Bland noticed that an elderly single woman hadn’t put out her trash for two weeks. He felt … he KNEW … that something just wasn’t right. So instead of just moving along without a second thought, he called his dispatcher, Bernice Arthur, and voiced his concerns. (Forward Kentucky)
Did you miss any of these?
Featured Content on Forward Kentucky
([new] indicates new since last Forward Five; 🔥 indicates lots of reads)
— News —
[new] KY officials want probe of price-fixing cattle prices – Two of Kentucky’s Constitutional officers are banding together in asking for the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate possible anticompetitive practices in the beef packing sector. (read)
[new] 🔥 We have a debate! – After calls from various quarters for a final debate in the Dem campaign for U.S. Senate, all three major campaigns agreed to a June 1 appearance on KET. (read)
Friday before Memorial Day: groups of 10 or less, travel ban dropped – 5/14 update – Also, applications are open for assistance from the Team Kentucky Fund, and testing continues to expand. (read)
🔥 Legislative leaders give Beshear high marks for handling of coronavirus – Legislative leaders of both parties offered fairly high marks in their assessments of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. (read)
—Commentary—
🔥 So, you’re willing to kill for the “economy.” – If you have a family member / friend / online troll who keeps yelling “FREEDOM! I don’t need a mask — I’m not a coward! This is government overreach! Its my life — if I want to take my chances and die that’s my right!” – then feel free to tell them “So, you’re willing to kill for the economy.” (read)
🔥 Dear LMPD and Mayor Fischer – Two months? Really? – Why is the investigation of Breonna Taylor’s killing still “ongoing” after two months? And would it still be if it hadn’t gotten national attention? (read)
—Policy—
Those COVID models? They’re tools, not destiny. – Each day we are deluged with new predictions of what lies ahead in the pandemic. So where do these models come from? And, how should we think about them? (read)
— Cartoon —
Your post office in peril – In case you hadn’t heard, Republicans in Washington are threatening to abandon the Post Office, because it isn’t making as much money as they want it to. But never fear – there’s a new Postmaster General, and he’s definitely going to make things better. (view)
— Media —
[podcast] COVID lawsuits, Breonna Taylor killed by LMPD, and interview with Will Barnett – Discussion about state efforts on COVID, incl a rundown of all the lawsuits; the killing of Breonna Taylor by LMPD; and an Interview of Will Barnett. (listen)
Posts with Most Social Media Shares in Past Fourteen Days
(🔥 indicates post with surge of recent shares)
- 🔥 We have a debate! (765 shares)
- Legislative leaders give Beshear high marks for handling of coronavirus (755 shares)
- 🔥 Kentucky garbage man hadn’t seen elderly woman’s trash can out, rightly felt something was amiss. (599 shares)
- So, you’re willing to kill for the “economy.” (348 shares)
The Forward 5 is published Monday to Friday by Forward Kentucky, an independent media organization focused on progressive news and issues in Kentucky, and is re-posted with permission. You can sign up for the email version of the newsletter on their website.
