We're continuing our weekly update on the local response to COVID-19. W e'll be live on the air with Lisa Sgarlata , Chief Patient Care Officer for Lee Health; and Jon Kling, Chief Nursing Officer at NCH Healthcare System .

Normally on Thursdays we focus on the local arts scene, but with most of it on hold, and with the entire WGCU radio team working from home, for now we’re broadcasting episodes of the WGCU podcast Three Song Stories . This week we’re going back to episode 36 which originally aired in November of 2018. Our guest was Al Holland . Al passed away last month at just 63 years old.

The Florida Office of Economic Opportunity ’s online and phone systems have been overwhelmed by the recent spike in the number of people who are applying for unemployment benefits. Last week it started reaching out for help handling one aspect of the problem that involves people who have applied for benefits in the past, but cannot remember their four digit PIN number. We learn more about the problem, and what help is being offered, with Joe Paterno, executive director of Career Source Southwest

As the economy has ground to a halt because of the COVID-19 outbreak the number of people who are food insecure has increased at an unprecedented rate. The Harry Chapin Food Bank in Fort Myers is the largest hunger-relief network in Southwest Florida, serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties.

This is Wildfire Awareness Week, and counties are considering instituting burn bans. Hendry County has already done so . And, as last week’s massive fire near Southwest Florida International Airport clearly demonstrated a small spark can quickly lead to massive destruction when it’s as dry as it is right now.

As the need for ventilators continues to grow around the world, manufacturers are ramping up production and some industries are shifting to ventilator production. But, there are also out-of-the-box approaches being worked on. A team of researchers around the world have developed a basic ventilator design that can be built using parts from the hardware store. It’s called the Open Source Ventilator Project .

We're continuing our weekly update on the local response to COVID-19. W e'll be live on the air with Lisa Sgarlata , Chief Patient Care Officer for Lee Health; and Jon Kling, Chief Nursing Officer at NCH Healthcare System . We're also checking in with Florida Gulf Coast University molecular virologist, Dr. Sharon Isern , to explore the what researchers are learning as the new coronavirus continues to spread. Check out our Facebook page for a post where you can add your questions before or during

Normally on Thursdays we focus on the local arts scene, but with most of it on hold, and with the entire WGCU radio team working from home, for now we’re going to start broadcasting episodes of the WGCU podcast Three Song Stories .

As the new coronavirus continues to spread, and many businesses are shutting down as social distancing guidelines are extended, one part of the local economy that’s been hard hit is the nonprofit arts sector.

As the coronavirus introduces unwanted stresses in our lives, we’re turning our attention to how the situation is affecting the mental well being of children. We’re joined by Dr. Paul Simeone , he is vice president of mental and behavioral health for Lee Health; and Lori Brooks , she is Director of School Counseling and Mental Health Services at the School District of Lee County.