Bert Cooper, the director of the faith-based organizaton Community Seeds in Lone Oak, says they are helping about four times as many people than usual during the coronavirus crisis. Those in need of help with food, housing or other issues may call (903) 634-5673. The "incubator kitchen" that Community Seeds has been building for some time to allow people to prepare "homemade" food for sale is complete, but unable to open because of the virus situation.

Lori Cope, director of CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Hunt County , says CASA is conducting its visit of children in foster care by video conference calls while stay-at-home orders are in effect. Also, CASA is continuing to provide training of new volunteers via online programs. April is "Chila Abuse Prevention Month."

Hunt County Historical Commission chairman Carol Taylor discusses the existence in the 19th and earl 20th centuries of the "pest (for pestilence) house" in many communities, where people with highly contagious diseases were taken to be treated. In her blog , she writes about a pest house in Virginia where the mortality rate decreased from 50 percent to 5 percent. Greenville had a pest house where wealthy businessman Tom King went to recover from smallpox.

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says while many movies scheduled for release have been put on hold by the coronavirus threat, some are being released for online viewing. One she highly recommends that would have opened in theaters this weekend is the romance "Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always," although the cost will be a pricy $20. She also recommends "Blow the Man Down" and "Tramps." Among recent animated films available online, Alice recommends "Ralph Breaks the Internet" and "Klaus."

Commerce Mayor Wyman Williams says he is concerned that some young people, with school not in session because of the coronavirus threat, are congregating in groups and not observing the social-distancing recommendations to stop the spread of the virus. Also, the mayor says Commerce citizens are lagging behind the state average in completing the 2020 Census , and he's concerned that Commerce will again be underrepresented.

Cynthia Beacom, Hunt County Master Gardener , says gardening is an excellent activity for people who are forced to stay home because of the coronavirus. Gardening can burn up to 300 calories an hour. On another topic, Cynthia says crepe myrtle bark scale is becoming a problem. It is not fatal to the trees, but reduces their blooms and covers the trunks with a dark scaly substance. She explains the treatment for the disease.

Commerce Chamber of Commerce manager Paul Voss says the chamber has a Facebook page called "Commerce To Go" that provides information on take-out food services offered by Commerce restaurants. Paul says the city's businesses have risen to the occasion during the coronavirus crisis.

Commerce ISD superintendent Charlie Alderman says the cancellation of school due to the threat of the coronavirus was accompanied by the cancellation of many events involving students, including the Commerce High School robotics team, coached by Earvin Larry, going to Iowa to compete in a national contest. The superintendent says students will not be required to take the STAAR test this year because of the virus situation.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, discusses the effect of the coronavirus on the economy. Dr. Funderburk says its important not to mistake the stock market for the overall economy, in which many people are losing their jobs, at least for the time being. He says he believes the fundamentals of the economy and the stock market are strong, and should prevent a long-term crash as in 1929. The says the relief bill passed by Congress will be more of a Band-Aid than a

Kaylie Daniels, Texas A&M-Commerce Athletics nutitionist, says most of the tips she provides to Lion athletes would also be helpful to average people. Kaylie says it's important not to try to make too many changes at once. Making steady, gradual changes works best. March is National Nutrition Month .