MATR Newsletter – April 6, 2020
The state with the best education wins!

China Thought It Had Beaten Coronavirus, But New And Asymptomatic Cases Are Cropping Up

Mainland China, where the coronavirus outbreak was first detected in late 2019, has seen a rise in new infections as well as confirmed cases among people showing no outward symptoms of COVID-19, figures from local health authorities show.

On Facebook Live, Tester Answered Questions, Heard Feedback from Montanans on COVID-19 Crisis

Senator: “I am going to continue to hold Washington accountable,” make sure Montana isn’t left behind.” You can watch the recording of his discussion with Montana.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Corona Virus Information

China Thought It Had Beaten Coronavirus, But New And Asymptomatic Cases Are Cropping Up
Mainland China, where the coronavirus outbreak was first detected in late 2019, has seen a rise in new infections as well as confirmed cases among people showing no outward symptoms of COVID-19, figures from local health authorities show.
Spain To Roll Out Permanent Universal Basic Income ‘Soon’
Critically, the scheme is expected to be rolled out indefinitely.
Mapping How Cities Are Reclaiming Street Space
To help get essential workers around, cities are revising traffic patterns, suspending public transit fares, and making more room for bikes and pedestrians.
Webinar – Q&A on the CARES Act with U.S. Congressman Greg Gianforte – 4/7
In this free webinar, Congressman Greg Gianforte, will explain the many provisions in the nearly 900-page bill including tax deferrals, tax credit, commercial loan modifications, expanded unemployment, direct payments to individuals, 401k modifications, and more.
‘Virus Vacationers’ Whitefish Ordinance Restricts Reservations at Hotels, Short-term Rentals
The move was prompted by a Montana Free Press story citing data from AirDNA — a company that analyzes data about the short-term rental industry — showing the number of vacation rental reservations made in Montana had skyrocketed in recent weeks, especially in the Flathead Valley.
In Rural Towns and on Remote Farms, the Virus Creeps In
In Joseph, most businesses, except the hardware store and takeout restaurants, are closed. “It does feel kind of like a ghost town,” Mr. Hennes said.
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) seeking N95-equivalent masks/prototypes
Estimated Funding: $1,000,000
‘We could get wiped out’: American Indians have the highest rates of diseases that make covid-19 more lethal
Conditions in Indian Country — crowded small homes, poverty and the collapse of its source of meager income, casinos — are ripe for a rapid spread of disease.
Montana Leather Co. keeping busy in Billings during quarantine
“Even during the outbreak that’s occurred here, we’ve even seen an uptick slightly in online sales, ’cause people are on their phones at home, computers, tablets.”
Coronavirus Has Potential to Reshape Government Technology
The coronavirus crisis has made it clear that technology is essential to continuity of government. CIOs may see more of their wish lists fulfilled, but investing in IT will be tough with budgets heading south.
On Facebook Live, Tester Answered Questions, Heard Feedback from Montanans on COVID-19 Crisis
Senator: “I am going to continue to hold Washington accountable,” make sure Montana isn’t left behind. You can watch the recording of his discussion with Montana.
NIH has a site for submitting prototype 3D-printed PPE and masks for public access
If you have contact info the folks with the Montana Mask design, they should submit. Their design looked better than the ones I saw on this site.

Come Home Montana

Montana Career Opportunities – Community Development Engineer, Senior Community Development, Engineer and more… – City of Great Falls
Great Falls is located on the Rocky Mountain front on Interstate 15 between Calgary and Salt Lake City with 24/7 customs, foreign trade zone, and category 1 all-weather international airport. Our economy excels in food/bio/agricultural processing, steel fabrication, energy production and support, logistics, and back office/call center operations. We offer a new BNSF-certified rail…

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Dorsey Webinar – Labor and Employment 2020 Symposium – 4/22
Sessions will focus on practical advice for employers in these uncertain and rapidly-changing times, including topics on legislative developments, leaves and accommodations, business immigration, and tax and benefits challenges ahead.
Dorsey Webinars – Overview of the CARES Act: Stimulus Funding for Tribes 4/7 – Labor and Employment 2020 Symposium 4/22
The COVID-19 crisis and resulting CARES Act have many implications for Indian Country – including $8 billion in stimulus funding set aside for Tribes.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

The Greater Ravalli Foundation works to meet community needs
Since its formation in 2002, TGRF has filled needs for sustenance (food for students and senior citizens), winter wear and scholarships for students eager to learn a trade or attend college.
Chaos in the US oil patch as prices plummet
The global economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has devastated the oil industry in the United States.
Missoula, Montana’s Audience Awards is now AudPop
Why not run audience voting for video submissions?

The Creative and Cultural Economy

From Evel to Elouise Cobell: Montana-made documentaries to stream
Whether you want to revisit the life story of Butte native Evel Knievel or the story of the Milltown Dam’s removal, Montana filmmakers have crafted immersive stories of all kinds.

Privacy, Hacking and Virus Alerts

Thousands of private Zoom videos are online for anyone to watch
The exposed video calls include private business discussions, casual friend conversations, therapy sessions, and, yes, nudity, and many appear to have been made public by mistake.