News

The inequities of COVID-19 are complicated, but one trend stands out above all others – African-Americans in South Carolina are affected by – and dying from – the disease at much higher rates than Caucasians.

So what does that have to do with church? 

Well, the relationship between African-Americans and most public institutions is also complicated.

With personal protective equipment in short supply, researchers are figuring out how to fill in the gaps and stretch supplies. 

One researcher at Clemson University is developing new methods to clean and sanitize medical masks that healthcare providers use.

Dr. Mark Johson, professor of material science and engineering, and director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing at Clemson, joins Vince Kolb-Lugo to discuss ways to cleanse N95 masks as well as how the coronavirus has impacted manufacturers in South Carolina.

Both small businesses and individuals have enlisted in an effort to help hospitals, doctors' offices  and  employees of other institutions to protect themselves from the coronavirus by making reusable cloth masks, gowns or other protective equipment.

This year’s session of the SC General Assembly was interrupted by the coronavirus outbreak back in March before lawmakers were able to approve next year’s state operating budget.

So, they plan to return to Columbia for a couple of days this week to pass a resolution to continue the current year’s budget beyond the end of the state fiscal year on June 30th.

Legislative leaders hope to meet again in September to enact a new budget.  By then they should have a better idea of just how much of an impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the state’s economy.

51 year-old Chris Varner of Anderson found love late in life.  He's been married to Gay Stanley for nearly a year.  They've spent much of their time together, apart.  He worries he may never see her again.

"I honestly believe it would be the end of her if she catches it," says Varner.

His 48 year-old spouse is vulnerable to the coronavirus.  She has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD.  It's a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe.

The gutting of newsroom staffs, the rise of social media, the absence of solid answers during a pandemic ... All things that have made for an information environment that can be questionable at best, dangerous at worst.

So how does a media consumer become a savvy media consumer; one who can spot real information and solid journalism on news sites and equally spot bogus news, personal opinions, and general quackery on social media sites or even actual news outlets?

According to a recent survey by the South Carolina Community Loan fund, many nonprofits say they will run out of funding by June; 80 percent indicated they will be out money by September.

Elizabeth Houck works with Midlands Gives, an 18-hour online giving event powered by the Central Carolina Community Foundation. For the past six years, the event has raised almost 10 million dollars for local nonprofits. Houck said this year’s event, in the midst of a pandemic, the need to give organizations is even greater.

Food pantries in the Upstate and Pee Dee have had to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic on the fly, like everyone else. They’ve seen need for food increase with spikes in South Carolinians out of work, as much as they seem increased demands on their time, energy, resources, and budgets.

But they’re also learning a lot about themselves, about the people who visit, and about the ones who help them with their missions. Here are three pantries and what they’re facing in the pandemic.

In this day of spreading coronavirus, a new website has been developed to put health care providers, first responders and various companies in touch with South Carolina manufacturers who can produce essentially all of the supplies required by hospitals, plants or anyone in need of safety equipment.   

SCCOVID19.org was the result of a collaboration between the South Carolina Hospital Association, the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), the S.C. Dept. of Commerce and SC Bio.

While the state’s political and business leadership is focused on bringing South Carolina's economy back as soon as possible, it is becoming increasingly clear to them that restoring public trust that it’s safe to go back to work, travel and shop will be key to unlocking the economy. And the same holds true for re-opening schools.

College athletic directors are optimistic about the prospects of a 2020 college football season. According to a recent poll by Stadium Sports Network, 99% think there will be a season, though when it will begin is another question. The network polled 130 athletic directors. 114 responded. 

It's one of those warm days when a little free air conditioning would feel good strolling along King Street in Charleston.  But despite the governor's executive order allowing retailers to re-open during the coronavirus pandemic, many store doors remain padlocked.

"We've been through a few world wars and a couple of depressions," says Gary Flynn, part owner of M. Dumas and Sons.  "We'll get through this too."

The upscale men's clothing store at the corner of King and Society Streets is open, and that's not surprising.  The business has been around for 103 years.