Oklahoma AG partners with Amazon to combat coronavirus fraud online

Attorney General Hunter Partners with Amazon to Combat Coronavirus Fraud Online

OKLAHOMA CITY – Attorney General Mike Hunter today announced his office’s ongoing partnership with Amazon to combat fraud and price gouging related to the Coronavirus.

The partnership will involve representatives from the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit and Amazon working together and frequently communicating about complaints on the price of goods and other fraudulent sales practices on the company’s website. It also will foster better, more immediate investigations to shut scams down as quickly as possible.

'OK Back 2 Work' calls for more rallies across Oklahoma on April 20th

OK Back 2 Work Calls for More Rallies Across Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, OK – OK Back 2 Work recognizes the great efforts of the grassroots activists, small business owners, concerned citizens, and employees that joined us at the Drive by Rally at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Wednesday, April 8th in heart, spirit and in person. Our efforts sent a strong message to Governor Stitt that Oklahomans are ready to get back to work.

COVID-19 in Oklahoma: Tracking Charts Galore

I've been tracking the COVID-19 data relayed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health since they began publicly releasing statistics on confirmed cases and deaths. Below, I'll show several of the charts I've put together. There are some encouraging trends to be optimistic about.

After several weeks of limited public data, the OSDH has begun to publish a lot more in depth information on the COVID-19 pandemic here in Oklahoma. You can read about that here, and visit the newly-updated state clearinghouse on the novel coronavirus data here.

Here are the daily tracking charts I've compiled, in order of listing:

• Cumulative cases, deaths, and hospitalizations
• New cases, deaths, and hospitalization changes
• Daily hospitalizations, including 'Persons Under Investigation'
• Cumulative cases and death rate by age
• Cumulative cases by age
• Cumulative deaths by age
• Death rate by age 

Small: OK shutdown has achieved its goal -- it should end now

Shutdown has achieved its goal. It should end now

By Jonathan Small

Watching the devastation caused by the government response to COVID-19 calls to mind the Vietnam War-era line about destroying a town to “save” it. Amidst this economic carnage, it’s easy to forget the original point of the COVID shutdown.

But citizens must not forget the rationale cited as justification for government-ordered closing of businesses (and the indirect government-ordered firing of thousands) because the goal of the shutdown has now been achieved, meaning it is time to reopen and rebuild our society.

OSDH Releases COVID-19 Symptom Tracker, Data on Positive Cases by City

Finally, some in-depth details from the State Department of Health on COVID-19 cases and deaths by location. However, the site has been overwhelmed by traffic, and is experiencing frequent outages, so it might be a while until you get reliable access to view the data.

OSDH Releases COVID-19 Symptom Tracker, Data on Positive Cases by City

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), in partnership with Google and Looker, is launching the COVID-19 Symptom Tracker and COVID-19 Data Dashboard.

Gov. Stitt: OK's curve is flattening, can see light at end of the tunnel

I would have had this up yesterday, but I've been swamped with work over the past two weeks, ironically enough.

GOVERNOR STITT PROVIDES UPDATE ON STATE’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Issues Safer at Home extension and announces scheduled resumption of elective surgeries

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 15, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt today held a press conference to provide an update on the State’s response to COVID-19, including an extension of the Safer at Home order and the scheduled resumption of elective surgeries.

Governor Stitt amends Executive Order to allow for elective surgeries to resume

Governor Stitt amends Executive Order to allow for elective surgeries to resume

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16, 2020) – Governor Stitt today issued an amendment to Executive Order (EO) 2020-13, which sets guidelines for medical providers to determine which elective surgeries that can resume April 24.

Additionally, Gov. Stitt signed Executive Memorandum 2020-02 outlining an Elective Surgery Acuity Scale (ESAS) for medical providers to follow regarding when elective surgeries can be performed during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Citizen petition supports reopening state

Citizen petition supports reopening state 

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 16, 2020) — Now that Oklahoma’s health care system is prepared to handle the estimated “peak” in COVID-19 hospitalizations, a new petition allows citizens to call on state and local government officials to reopen the state while maintaining sensible health precautions.

The petition appears to fall in line with the recent goals announced by Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Erickson: why NYC's adjusted count now compares apples-to-apples on COVID-19 and flu deaths

[I'm sharing excerpts from this article by Erick Erickson because it addresses a common reaction I've seen online to the news that New York City is counting presumed cases in addition to confirmed cases in their COVID-19 death toll. Be sure to read his full article.]

Why NYC Adjusted Its Death Count for COVID-19

It allows an apples to apples comparison with flu now

by Erick-Woods Erickson

I hate to do a Vox style explainer on this, but I already see people on the right asserting some pretty wild claims about this New York Times story and I actually did pick up the phone, talk to people at the CDC, and have an accurate understanding of what is going on.

Congressman Hern hosts virtual town hall with 2,685 constituents

Rep. Hern hosts virtual town hall with 2,685 constituents

TULSA, OK – On Monday evening, Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) hosted a virtual town hall to address concerns about coronavirus.

“Amidst social distancing and working from home, it’s more important than ever to make myself available for my constituents,” said Rep. Hern. “Things look a little different than they used to, but I’m proud of the way our community has looked out for each other. The entire country is facing uncertainty and confusion. There’s never been a greater need for transparency and accountability with our elected leaders, which is why my staff and I are working hard to get people answers as quickly as possible.”

Reps. Ford, May ask governments to treat COVID-19 as line-of-duty injury for first responders

Ford, May Ask for Job Injury Pay for Public Safety First Responders

OKLAHOMA CITY - State Reps. Ross Ford and Stan May, both R-Broken Arrow, are asking state, county and municipal governments to cover public safety officers that contract COVID-19 in the same manner as a line-of-duty injury.

“Any public safety officer that contracts this illness should have it treated as a presumptive line-of-duty injury the same as any other injury,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.

Raleigh Police tear up 1st Amendment: "Protesting is a non-essential activity"

The longer the nation is shut down due to COVID-19, the more we are seeing tyrannical, unconstitutional actions being taken by state and local governments and law enforcement.

About 100 citizens gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, rallying to "#ReopenNC" and in opposition to Gov. Roy Cooper's executive order mandating the closure of "non-essential" businesses and activities.

Raleigh Police showed up to shut the rally down, and ended up arresting one individual. That led to the following exchange on Twitter: