Granite Solutions: Coronavirus — Granite State News Collaborative

New COVID-19 Variant, Case Increases, As Vaccine Rollout Moves Ahead

New COVID-19 Variant, Case Increases, As Vaccine Rollout Moves Ahead

Even as New Hampshire’s COVID-19 vaccination program shifts into high gear, a highly contagious variant of the virus is spreading, overall case numbers are increasing and a significant segment of the population doesn’t want to be inoculated.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 72 people in New Hampshire and more than 11,000 across the country have contracted the so-called U.K. variant, which was first documented in the state in February. Two members of the University of New Hampshire Durham community are among those who have contracted it.

Loan Relief For Granite State Nurses Could Be On The Horizon

Loan Relief For Granite State Nurses Could Be On The Horizon

New Hampshire has long grappled with a shortage of qualified nursing professionals, an issue that has been laid bare by the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the health crisis, Gov. Chris Sununu has issued several orders aimed at helping shore up the gap, including one that made some nursing students eligible for temporary licenses to aid with the state's COVID-19 response, and another that provided $300 per week stipends to health care workers.

Now, the governor is trying to provide another incentive to bring health care professionals to the state and encourage local graduates to stay: Expanded student loan repayment.

Granite State AAPI Communities stand up and speak out to Stop Asian Hate

Granite State AAPI Communities stand up and speak out to Stop Asian Hate

The recent shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, that killed eight people, six of whom were Asian women, has sparked a national conversation about Asian American discrimination and agression.

That conversation has made its way to New Hampshire, where Asian Americans make up 3% of the population, making them the second largest minority in the state. On NH PBS’ The State We’re In, Dr. Monica Chiu, who teaches Asian American studies and English at the University of New Hampshire, said blaming Asian Americans for national hardship or illness has been seen before in American history.

Organization Feeds People In Need, While Supporting Restaurants

Organization Feeds People In Need, While Supporting Restaurants

Last month Evan Mallett, owner and chef at Black Trumpet restaurant in Portsmouth, received an email that made him teary-eyed. It was from a local, who had picked up a free meal that Mallett and his staff had made for people who are experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic.

“With my current employment status, buying food from a restaurant is not an option...I am a foodie, former server, laid off retail manager now,” wrote the person, who asked that Mallett keep them anonymous. “I really cannot explain how… happy my mouth and tummy are right now. So again, THANK YOU for satiating my foodie taste buds and warming my soul.”

For Mallett, the email summed up what he describes as a “calling” to help feed the hungry during the pandemic.

Business Leaders Fear Extended Unemployment Could Exacerbate State Labor Shortage.

Business Leaders Fear Extended Unemployment Could Exacerbate State Labor Shortage.

There has been strong tourist trade in the 1,600-person White Mountains town, near Loon Mountain Resort and not far from Cannon Mountain, Waterville Valley Resort and other attractions. Lincoln has approved plans for four new hotels and building permits for 20 new houses.

The only potential bump in the road, as Burbank sees it, is a shortage of workers to wait tables, tend bar and clean rooms. He wonders whether federal supplemental unemployment benefits dissuade people from joining the workforce.

New Hampshire families continue to fight food insecurity made worse by pandemic

New Hampshire families continue to fight food insecurity made worse by pandemic

In January, more than one in four Granite Staters reported that it was at least somewhat more difficult than usual to pay for typical household expenses, including food. And yet, New Hampshire ranks among the lowest in the nation for people making use of food assistance programs.

Igloos Pop Up Across New Hampshire As Diners Seek Outdoor Options

Igloos Pop Up Across New Hampshire As Diners Seek Outdoor Options

Like most everyone else in the Granite State, the McBees need to get out of their house every once in a while. But the Merrimack residents tended to follow the safe practices suggested by the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and were hesitant to venture to an indoor option, even though wineries are operating at half-capacity, per state guidelines.

One on One with Gov. Chris Sununu - The State We're In

One on One with Gov. Chris Sununu - The State We're In

Despite teachers asking to be moved up in the vaccination cue, it will be seniors and a few others with April appointments for first shots invited to a mass vaccination event at NH Motorspeedway in Loudon this weekend, said Gov. Chris Sununu.

Sununu explained his reasoning on this and a variety of other issues-- including a controversial bill aiming to ban “divisive” training on sex and race and division at the statehouse-- during a recent interview on NH PBS’ digital public affairs show, The State We’re In.

Pandemic Complicates Grieving Process

Pandemic Complicates Grieving Process

Victoria Austin and her husband Brent were on their screened-in porch, having a nightmare conversation. Their son, Clyde, died unexpectedly at home at just 16-months. Because of the pandemic, they couldn’t talk about arrangements in the warmth of their Derry home, so to keep everyone safe they were meeting with a funeral home director in the cool October breeze.

Business Booms For Contractors, Despite COVID Cases Rising

Business Booms For Contractors, Despite COVID Cases Rising

The majority of clients who had committed to projects opted to back out due to uncertainty about having someone else in their house. But unlike many other professions -- most anything indoors comes to mind -- the lull for contractors was only a blip in the grand scheme of things.

Greg Baier, owner of Knollstone Contracting in Concord, saw business plummet early on during the pandemic, but it quickly sprang back.