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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 06 March 2020

New Hampshire voters have a unique opportunity in Kelly Boyer. The 4th District Executive Council candidate offers voters the opportunity to elect a fierce advocate for working families, children and seniors.

“Kelly Boyer is exactly the kind of leader we need on the Executive Council. Her passion for public service is as evident as her commitment of improving the lives of Granite Staters. More importantly, Kelly’s energy, youth, and on-the-ground experience will give the Executive Council just the kick in the pants it needs.” State Senator Lou D’Allesandro.

Kelly currently serves on the Goffstown Select Board. She is the youngest and first openly LGBTQ member of the Select Board, as well as the first woman to serve on the Board in 10 years. Kelly has worked in the non-profit world for most of her adult life, including efforts with AmeriCorps, the YWCA, and PlusTime NH.

“I have spent the last decade working to give back to New Hampshire. While working for AmeriCorps, I worked with New Hampshire’s at-risk children, and advocated for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Both as a volunteer and an elected official, I have worked with many of NH’s non-profits to help our less fortunate families build a stronger future.“ Kelly Boyer

On the Goffstown Select Board, Kelly has successfully spearheaded efforts to improve public safety, expand senior services at the local library, keep local taxes and spending in check and expand local volunteerism.

“Executive Council District #4 deserves a leader willing to put people before politics…someone who reflects the values of our communities and isn’t just a rubber stamp. Anyone who has met Kelly will tell you; she’s smart, confident and tenacious. Moreover, Kelly’s work on the Goffstown Select Board is an example of the bipartisan, get-the-job-done approach we need at every level of New Hampshire government.” NH Senate President Donna Soucy.

Kelly believes the Executive Council must work harder to embrace its critical role of providing checks and balances to the Governor’s office, regardless of which political party occupies the Governor’s Office. As she has done on the Goffstown Select Board, Kelly is committed to transparency in government at all levels; she is committed to prioritizing NH families and businesses over politics and she is committed to empowering the marginalized segments of our society.

Kelly lives in Goffstown with her wife, three dogs and a flock of chickens.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 05 March 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today is issuing the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19. DHHS will continue to issue COVID-19 updates each day to provide media and the public with current information about the State’s efforts.

What’s New

·  DHHS Provides Update on Results of COVID-19 Testing at State Public Health Lab

The State Public Health Laboratories (PHL) continues to test specimens from individuals who present with symptoms of COVID-19 and are determined to potentially be at risk for COVID-19. The PHL has now conducted 22 COVID-19 tests; 16 were negative and four are pending. The CDC is currently conducting confirmatory testing on the two presumptive positive tests announced earlier this week. DHHS will provide an update once the results of the CDC’s confirmatory testing is available. More testing and potential additional positive results are expected as DHHS conducts its public health contact investigation.

·  Travelers from China, Italy, Iran and South Korea to Self-Quarantine after Returning to the U.S.

On March 4, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued updated guidance for individuals traveling from all countries with a Level 3 Health Travel Notice (currently China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea) to self-quarantine at home for 14 days after returning to the United States. Prior to the new guidance, the self-quarantine restriction applies only to China. The new restrictions are due to the widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in all four countries.

Monitor the CDC’s COVID-19 Situation Summary for future updates to the CDC’s travel guidance.

·  U.S. House of Representatives Approves $8.3 Funding Bill for COVID-19 Response

On March 4, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation to appropriate $8.3 billion in federal funding to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The legislation heads to the U.S. Senate for its consideration. New Hampshire is expected to receive $4.9 million in funding should the legislation be approved. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will notify states when funding is available. DHHS will provide additional funding updates when they are available.

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report (updated March 5, 2020, 9:00 a.m.)

Number of Confirmed Case(s) 1	0
Number of Persons Being Tested (current, test pending) 2	4
Number of Persons Tested (current, presumptive positive) 3	2
Number of PersonsTested (closed, tested negative)	16

1 Includes specimens confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.
2 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL).
3 Includes specimens that have tested presumptive positive at NH PHL and are en route to CDC for confirmatory testing.

DHHS continues to test for COVID-19 in the NH Public Health Laboratories. DHHS is updating its website every morning around 9:00 am to include a current summary of testing actions.

Previous Updates

·  CDC Issues Self-Isolation Guidance for Travelers from Countries with a Level 2 and Level 3 Travel Alert

·  DHHS Issues Public Health Incident Declaration to Allow Volunteers to Participate in the COVID-19 Response.

·  Possible Exposures during Private Event on Friday, February 28

NH DHHS Daily Update on COVID-19 Archive

Because COVID-19, and all respiratory illnesses, are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, residents should take the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of influenza:

·  Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)

·  Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

·  Wash hands frequently

·  Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick

·  Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva

·  Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm.

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 05 March 2020

DURHAM, N.H.—The number of child sexual abuse cases known to authorities increased by 6% from 2017 to 2018, the first jump in more than 15 years, according to a new analysis of national data by the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. The uptick was broadly distributed, with 38 states reporting an increase in cases of child sexual abuse.

Using data collected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the researchers found that overall, the number of sexual abuse cases known to authorities have been declining since the early 1990s, down to about 59,400 cases nationwide in 2017. In 2018, that number spiked to nearly 63,000. Despite the increase in the past year, the sexual abuse rate declined 62% from 1992 to 2018.

“It is too soon to say that the trend is in reverse,” said David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes against Children Research Center. “Single-year changes are not necessarily indicative of a new trend but large changes bear watching.” He urged caution until another year of data is available.

The numbers showing the increase reflect cases reported to and substantiated by state child protection authorities. These numbers can sometimes rise because of highly publicized cases like the USA Gymnastics scandal.

Finkelhor also pointed to the greater adoption of prevention programs in schools and youth-serving organizations. “There is a new level of mobilization nationwide to try to raise awareness, protect children and promote disclosures. It may be that one of the first things that happen is an increase in reporting.”

The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation, and world. More than 16,000 students from all 50 states and 71 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. As one of the nation’s highest-performing research universities, UNH partners with NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH, and receives more than $110 million in competitive external funding every year to further explore and define the frontiers of land, sea, and space. 

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Written by Patrick R. McElhiney

Category: Articles

Published: 04 March 2020

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today is issuing the following update on the new coronavirus, COVID-19. DHHS will continue to issue COVID-19 updates each day to provide media and the public with current information about the State’s efforts.

What’s New

·  CDC Issues Self-Isolation Guidance for Travelers from Countries with a Level 2 and Level 3 Travel Alert

On March 4, 2020, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that travelers from countries with a Level 3 travel alert (currently China, Iran, Italy and South Korea) are advised to stay home and monitor their health (i.e., self-quarantine) for 14 days after returning to the United States. Travelers from countries with a Level 2 level travel alert (currently Japan) are advised to monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning to the United States.

Anybody with travel to one of these countries who develops symptoms of fever or respiratory illness within 14 days of travel should limit contact with others and contact their primary care provider by phone to discuss their travel and symptoms in order to assess whether testing for COVID-19 might be warranted. Healthcare providers should discuss with the DHHS Division of Public Health Services the testing of anybody suspected with COVID-19.

·  DHHS Issues Public Health Incident Declaration to Allow Volunteers to Participate in the COVID-19 Response.

DHHS Commissioner Lori Shibinette has signed a Declaration of Public Health Incident, which allows the State to use trained volunteers to assist in the ongoing response. With the declaration, DHHS is operationalizing a plan to coordinate with our volunteer corps, hospitals and healthcare providers to develop a robust response in case there is a future need to increase capacity for testing and surveillance efforts throughout the State.

·  Possible Exposures during Private Event on Friday, February 28

On March 3, DHHS announced the first COVID-19 patient attended an invitation-only private function on Friday, February 28. People who attended the private event at The Engine Room in White River Junction, VT on the evening of Friday February 28, 2020, and were identified to be a close contact to the person who had a presumptive positive test for COVID-19, have been contacted and asked to self-quarantine and monitor for development of symptoms of infection.

Any other patrons of The Engine Room have been determined to be low risk for COVID-19 and are not being asked to quarantine or have testing for COVID-19. The majority of people who attended this private function should monitor themselves for symptoms of fever or respiratory illness, and contact their healthcare providers if they do develop symptoms. If you have questions or concerns about this event, please contact the Vermont Health Department 802-863-7240.

Current Situation in NH

New Hampshire 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Summary Report

(updated March 4, 2020, 9:00 a.m.)

Number of Confirmed Case(s) 1	0
Number of Persons Being Tested (current, test pending) 2	7
Number of Persons Tested (current, presumptive positive) 3	2
Number of PersonsTested (closed, tested negative)	10

1 Includes specimens confirmed by CDC confirmatory testing.

2 Includes specimens received and awaiting testing at NH Public Health Laboratories (PHL).

3 Includes specimens that have tested presumptive positive at NH PHL and are en route to CDC for confirmatory testing.

DHHS continues to test for COVID-19 in the NH Public Health Laboratories. DHHS is updating its website every morning by 9:00 a.m. to include a current summary of testing actions.

Because COVID-19, and all respiratory illnesses, are most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, residents should take the same precautions as those recommended to prevent the spread of influenza:

·  Stay home and avoid public places when sick (i.e. social distancing)

·  Cover mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing

·  Wash hands frequently

·  Avoid being within 6 feet (close contact) of a person who is sick

·  Avoid sharing drinks, smoking/vaping devices, or other utensils or objects that may transmit saliva

·  Disinfect frequently touched surfaces

For more information, please visit the DHHS COVID-19 webpage at https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/2019-ncov.htm.