Gov. Pete Ricketts is discussing the lack of shelter-at-home order in Nebraska. Instead, the state has opted for a regional approach, designating counties as Designated Health Measures on a case-by-case basis. 56 counties have that designation now.

Ricketts says the 10-person gathering rule, promoting social distancing and DHMs were more appropriate for where we are in the curve than states that have gone to shelter-at-home. Nebraska =/= New York or Florida.

"These things aren't all apples to apples," he says.

This plan was developed in conjunction with the experts at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Ricketts says.

There are still recommendations in place for people to stay at home to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.

Re: Testing, Ricketts says Nebraska is ramping up.

April 1: 690
March 31: 404

He says Nebraska is continuing to look at expanding further.

The University of Nebraska has agreed to use its residence halls in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney for additional quarantine space, if it's hard for folks to do that at home.

There are 2,100 beds available, which will also unclog the hospitals -- if needed.

Ricketts says the governor's office has heard about Nebraskans quitting their jobs to collect unemployment.

That's not how it works, he says. "Unemployment benefits are for people who are laid off due to no fault of their own."

If you're laid off and get called back to work but do not go back, you'll lose your unemployment benefits, governor adds.

"Do not quit your jobs. Bad idea."

Labor Commissioner John Albin says federal UI benefits for self-employed people out of work are in a holding pattern. Federal guidance is being worked on and is expected in the next 7-10 days, he says.

Those people should still file a claim, Albin says.

Albin says it could be 3-4 weeks before claims get processed. Nebraska typically gets 80% of claims filed in the first 21 days.

There was a huge dip in initial payment rate late last year after the switch to a new system. Let me know your experiences.

Albin repeats the anecdote Nebraskans have called NDOL telling them they were going to quit to get unemployment, which would be disqualifying under the law.

Nebraska's economy has been a little more resilient than the rest of the country, Albin says. While unemployment claims doubled in the U.S., Nebraska's went up 56%.

Still way higher than the Great Recession.

Next up is First Lady Suzanne Shore, who is talking about the Nebraska Impact COVID-19 Relief Fund, which will provide money to community collaboratives.

"It's about communities, it's about the collaborations within those communities," Shore says.

The fund is also looking to procure or refurbish computers for students in need so they can continue their education this spring/summer, Shore says.

Want to give or volunteer? Shore says there are plenty of opportunities available at http://neimpact.org .

"I know this is a hard time and we're all stepping up and this makes me so proud to be a Nebraskan," Shore says, her voice quivering.

She also mentions people should give blood! Ricketts says he was screened twice before he gave blood a few days ago.

Also, if you received the governor's blood, I have so many questions!

After a long list of attaboys and waytogos, Ricketts repeats the social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

Husker volleyball coach John Cook told him if people want to watch volleyball this fall, they need to do these things, Ricketts says.

Re: rapid tests capable of producing results in 15 minutes.

Ricketts says Nebraska has been told it will get them, but no timeline for when.

Q about the process for getting unemployment claims paid.

Ricketts says the state has done what it can (waive waiting period, waive job search reqs) but it just takes time.

Albin says staff has doubled working on claims, other agencies have reassigned people to help.

Ricketts says he's not aware of any other instances like this one, but asks people to be patient and understand everyone is doing their best to respond: https://www.omaha.com/news/crime/omahan-accused-of-threatening-health-director-allegedly-referenced-1919-lynching-said-she-was-next/article_c4ad0062-946d-5a7e-985c-e3fc30bf2454.html

Federal gov't has not provided Nebraska any tests, Ricketts said. The testing is done by the public health lab (~400/day) Nebraska Medicine (~300/day), CHI (~300/day) and commercial labs (~200/day).

Summer sports aren't out of the question yet, Ricketts says. The NSAA called off spring sports today. Governor says restrictions could be relaxed over time (go from 10 to 20 people, for example) depending on the spread of the disease.

"If you want to see football, make sure you're practicing good social distancing," governor says.

About shelter-at-home: "The name of the game here folks is really those large public gatherings...our plan limits the number of people getting together."

Briefed on virus Mar. 3, developed plan Mar. 6, implemented March 19.

"We don't have a shelter-in-place as part of our plan. When we worked with UNMC, it was very much about limiting the size of groups," Ricketts says.

Staying at home is a good idea, he adds. "We have no plans to do a shelter in place here in Nebraska."

Re: Quarantine at NU, state signed contract today and is working out the details of staffing, food service, janitorial service, medical care, etc. Details to come.

Ricketts says the state will work collaboratively with counties if they want to issue a shelter-in-place order, but he would rather public health directors work to enforce the social distancing guidlines.

But it's not clear if municipalities have the authority to issue their own orders.

Wouldn't the easiest way to enforce guidelines be to order people to stay home?

Ricketts again points to the plan developed with UNMC.

"What might be right for Omaha right now, might not be right for McCook," Ricketts says. Virus isn't going to spread at the same rate everywhere.

Plan is designed to be tailored, so people don't get fatigued with stay-at-home and begin to violate it.

"The goal is not to shut down businesses, the goal is to keep people from gathering in 10 people of less. Shutting down businesses doesn't stop the spread of the virus," Ricketts says upon pressing from @PaulHammelOWH.

Don Walton ( @LJSdon) asks if Nebraska has received PPE or ventilators from the feds.

Nebraska received about 1/2 of its allocation from the Strategic National Stockpile that has been distributed to public health departments. State is pursuing reagents, other stuff on its own.

Back to unemployment...claims are processed in the order they are received. There is some expedition for COVID-19 related claims, Albin says.

Ricketts asks him to start providing reports on number of payments made each week.