July 15, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 8

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Communi ly Wednesday, July 15, 2020 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Page 5 Inhofe joins other senators in supporting COVID-19 Relief US Sens. Jim Inhofe (R- against emerging animal to introduce the Relief for defend against emerging ate Agriculture Committee, the United States,” the re- Okla.), Chuck Grassley (R- disease spread and give ad- Producers Act to provide a animal disease spread. in the release. “This bill is lease stated. “To ensure Towa), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), ditional authority to the U.S. framework for producers * Give additional author- another important step in animal welfare and protect Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Department of Agriculture and ease some of the burden ity to the U.S. Department that effort.” the integrity of their prod- Richard Burr (R-N.C.) on Secretary through the ex- brought on by the COV- of Agriculture Secretary “As our nation continues uct, producers cannot hold July 2 introduced S$. 4156, isting Commodity Credit ID-19 pandemic. This legis- through the existing Com- the fight against COVID-19, onto market-ready animals the Responding to Epidemic Corporation Charter to deal lation will help livestock and modity Credit Corporation our pork producers and poul- due to their fast growth rate Losses and Investing in the with removal and disposal poultry farmers more eas- Charter to deal with removal try farmers continue to deal — forcing them to euthanize Economic Future (RELIEF) of livestock for any public ily and efficiently navigate and disposal of livestock for with supply chain disrup- animals that they cannot for Producers Act of 2020, health emergency moving a path forward as we battle any public health emergency tions and backlogs,” Tillis get to processing facilities. legislation that would pro- forward, the release stated. this crisis.” moving forward. said in the release. “The RE- “While many of these facil- vide relief to livestock and “Farmers and ranchers Inhofe’s release _ stated What other senators are LIEF Act will provide much ities have been able to nor- poultry producers amid the across the country are work- that, for Oklahoma, the bill saying: needed additional resources “The coronavirus pan- malize processing capacity, Coronavirus pandemic, In- ing to operate in these un- would: that will allow them to offset hofe’s office said in a news precedented times,” Inhofe * Support producers that demic has impacted the losses related to COVID-19 producers are still faced with economy in unimaginable and continue feeding our na- making decisions on how to release. said in the release. “When I are faced with euthanizing ways,” Grassley said in the tion.” move forward that reflect The bill would support spoke with members of the their animals due to COV- the current state of markets producers who are faced Oklahoma Pork Council in ID-19. release. “It’s caused a ripple “North Caroli with euthanizing their be- May, we discussed the strain * Provide resources for effect throughout the agri- na’s pork and poultry in- as we know them. Many of cause of COVID-19, pro- COVID-19 has put on their animal health laboratories culture industry leading to dustry is one of the largest these farmers and ranchers vide resources for animal production cycles and their as they assist in COVID-19 meatpacking plant closures, in the nation,” Burr said in have experienced, and con- health laboratories as they need for relief moving for- efforts and further develop producers being forced to tinue to struggle with, lon- the release. “That’s why it’s develop solutions to defend ward, That is why I am glad preparedness solutions to depopulate their animals important we help support ger waiting periods, receiv- and many facing substan- the industry’s critical supply ing fewer animals to raise tial losses in revenue. Our chain as it faces interrup- and in some cases have been The Good House Guest farmers feed and fuel the world. During these difficult tions and uncertainty dur- ing an unprecedented pub- forced to depopulate their healthy livestock. As a re- utilities due to your stay, es- and ever-changing times, lic health emergency. I am About there. The friend arrived, sult of these circumstances, and stayed for months in her pecially if others came with we need to do all we can to proud to work with my col- producers have suffered sub- room or in front of the televi- you. They must do more support them. This bill will leagues on this legislation to stantial losses in revenues Life ... sion. There were no outings, there was no fun. She never helped with a single chore or housework and more laun- dry because you are there. provide much-needed assis- tance to farmers who had to bring emergency financial and continue to face chang- relief to producers and im- ing and uncertain demand. By Glynda Lomax Sometimes we are unable depopulate their livestock prove animal health surveil- The livelihood of farmers bill. That was the last friend Guests, like fish, begin Tever took in. to help with food and utili- through no fault of their lance as we continue to fight and ranchers is dependent to smell after three days. — ties when we first arrive, but own.” this pandemic.” Sometimes hard times fall on their ability to process Benjamin Franklin and we are forced to stay we should do even more of “Towa’s hardworking COVID-19 has caused and sell their livestock. Un- “T just need to stay for a with someone else. There are what we can do if that is the farmers and producers have substantial disruptions in fortunately, COVID-19 pan- week or two and I promise very few people in the entire case — help with housework, faced tough circumstances demand for products and and decisions during COV- forced many processing fa- demic has directly impacted T'll be gone,” my friend said. world who understand how cooking, shopping, laundry, their ability to do so.” She was leaving her hus- to be a good house guest, lawn care and child care. ID-19. Given the economic cilities across the country to but we can learn. When we There is always something impact plant closures have reduce or suspend produc- The bill would provide as- band, and she had no place do, and when we put those we can volunteer to help had on their livelihoods and tion, the release stated. sistance to producers who else for her and her child to go. Though I had a standing principles into action and with. production, we must ensure “These complications in had to euthanize livestock rule against it, I finally re- consider the feelings of our We should be kind and po- they are getting the support the supply chain have nega- due to lack of access to pro- hosts, we can be sure we and relief they need,” said tively impacted livestock cessing facilities, the release lented and told her to come. lite and pleasant to be around will always be welcome in so we do not drag down the Emst, a member of the Sen- and poultry producers across stated, An hour later she was at another’s home. my front door with no job, atmosphere of our friend or Red Cross offers T once had a friend whose no money, her clothes and sister-in-law came to stay relative’s home. As soon as her 5-year-old son in tow. with her during a breakup. we are able, we should be A month later she was still While she was there, the helping to pay for food and tips for water safety there. Two months ... I tried woman helped with clean- whatever bills we can, even if that means taking slightly to be patient and give her ing and cooking every day time to get her own place. longer to move out, because and did everything in her that is the right thing to do. One day, picking up my power to be useful. She was We should leave the room(s) mail at the post office, I dis- so friendly, I was even sad we stayed in immaculately OKLAHOMA CITY — sure you have enough en- ask permission to go near covered from a high electric when she left. She cleaned clean, and we should ask for Warmer weather means lots ergy to swim back to shore. water. bill that each day when I house like no one I had ever that list of chores we can do of people are spending time Protect your neck — don’t Avoid distractions when left for work, she had been seen before and my friend as soon as we arrive and then in a pool, at the beach or dive in headfirst. Walk supervising children around cranking up the AC. The bill was also sorry to see her work on them every single visiting a water park, so the carefully into open waters. water. If a child is missing, was so high, my knees buck- American Red Cross said Watch out for and avoid led as I realized I had no idea leave. day while we are there. check the water first. Sec- Last year, I saw a televi- When we care about our people need to take some aquatic life. onds count in preventing how I was going to pay it on steps people can follow to Tf you are caught in a rip my meager salary. sion program about a man host’s feelings as much as death or disability. My then friend never who became disabled and he we do our own, and we put enjoy fun in the water. current, try not to panic. Sig- WATERPARK SAFETY helped with a single chore or and his wife had to move in these principles into action, “Tt’s important to be ‘wa- nal to those on shore that you Make sure lifeguards are bill. That was the last straw. temporarily with a relative.I doing for others as we would ter smart’ which includes need assistance. Swim par- on duty before you go in the My children and I always was so impressed when the want them to do for us, we having swimming skills and allel to the shore until you water and follow all their in- kept the AC on a reasonable first thing he did upon arrival will always be the house knowing how to help oth- are out of the current. Once structions. setting to keep the bill low was ask the lady of the house guest everyone hates to see ers,” said Brittney Rochell, you are free, swim toward Read the attraction signs. where I could pay it without fora list of chores, honey-dos go. Regional Chief Communi- shore. If you can’t swim to Obey the rules. Follow age taking a second job. I drove and yard work that needed to - Never enter the home of cations Officer for the Kan- the shore, float or tread wa- and height requirements. home and threw her out of be done. He then embarked another with dust on your sas and Oklahoma Region ter until you are free of the Parents — keep an eye on my house forever and I’ve on that list and worked on it shoes and selfish expecta- of the American Red Cross, rip current and then head to- the kids. If they can’t swim never spoken to her since. A every single day they stayed tions in your heart. - Stewart in a news release. “The first ward shore. real friend would never do or are less than four feet tall, there until all the chores had Stafford. step should be to make sure POOL SAFETY something so selfish and un- have them wear a U.S. Coast been completed. Glynda Lomax is a Chris- everyone is ‘water compe- Prevent unsupervised ac- Guard approved life jacket. derhanded. When you are a guest in tian author and podcaster tent’ — meaning that they cess to water. If you have a Another time I took a Signal a lifeguard if you someone else’s home, real- who resides in the Ozark are able to enter the water, pool, secure it with appro- friend in need in, thinking see someone is in trouble. what fun we could have ize they are giving up pri- Mountains of Northern Ar- get a breath, stay afloat, find priate barriers. Many chil- Yell if you need to grab at- shopping and going out for vacy and extra space or kansas with her two very an exit, swim a distance and dren who drown in home tention, but don’t go in after coffee together. I had moved conveniences to help you by bossy dogs. She wrote her then get out of the water pools were out of sight for the person yourself. to a town where I knew having you there. They must (first About Life... column safely.” less than five minutes and in Set up a meeting place in no one and I had been ex- buy more food, more paper in 2003 for a newspaper in Red Cross tips: the care of one or both par- case someone gets separated tremely lonely and isolated products and pay for more Dallas. BEACH SAFETY ents at the time, roars a ae ere ee If you plan to swim in Have young children or from your group. Use the » GUN SHOW, the ocean, a lake or river, inexperienced swimmers buddy system to make sure | these environments is differ- Coast Guard-approved life Water safetyare courses and be aware that swimming in wear properly fitted U.S. no child is alone. > Elk City,OK ent than swimming in a pool. jackets around water, but do | Be sure you have the skills not rely on life jackets alone. atsafety. Actively supervise chil- resources _www.redcross.org/water- For an aquatic facil- available Sat 9-5 for these environments. Sun 9-4 | Swim only at a beach dren and stay within arm’s ity that offers Red Cross Civic Center ADMISSION with a lifeguard, within the reach of young children and programs for the entire July 18 & 19 $7.00 | designated swimming area. new swimmers. Designate family, access at www.red- Obey all instructions and or- a ‘Water Watcher’ to keep a cross.org/learntos wimpro- 2.00 off admission for Active | ders from lifeguards and ask close eye and constant atten- viders. Download the free uty & Retired Military w/ ID ad and get them about local conditions. Red Cross Swim app. Pool tion on children and weaker $1.00 off Make sure you swim so- swimmers in and around the and spa owners can take the gandsgunshows.com admission! | ber and that you always water until the next Water course at www.homepool- Home Pool Essentials online G&S Promotions 918-659-2201 swim with a buddy. Know your limitations and make Watcher takes over. Teach children to always essentials.org.