US Territories’ May 4-10, 2020 news week in tweets

PUERTO RICANS SEETHE ABOUT A $38M COVID-19 TEST KIT DEAL WHICH TURNED SOUR

Promedical, the Australian company which Puerto Rico made a $38 COVID-19 test kit deal with, has been proved obscure and unqualified. Puerto Ricans seethe about the deal as it is Puerto Rico’s single biggest expenditure on COVID-19 testing. 

MORE CARE FOR ELDERSIN PUERTO RICO DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS URGED

COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting communities of color and more care for elders in Puerto Rico is needed. Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, (D) of Florida, introduced legislation to help cover COVID-19 treatment costs for at least 600,000 in Puerto Rico. It is expected to be voted in the next two weeks.

HOME DEPOT DONATES MASKS AND FACE SHIELDS TO US VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT

The United States Virgin Islands Police Department posted a tweet on May 7 to thank The Home Depot for their donation of masks, face shields and hand sanitizer to US Virgin Islands police officers.

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS GOVERNOR TORRES ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL CARES ACT FUNDING FOR EDUCATION

On May 6, Northern Mariana Islands Governor Torres (R) announced an additional $5.58m for the CNMI under the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, as well as $22.35m for the Public School System and the CNMI’s state education agency, from the US Department of Education.

AMERICAN SAMOA REMAINS THE ONLY PART OF THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT A SINGLE COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASE

Although no COVID-19 case has been confirmed yet, tension over a sense of helplessness is building in American Samoa, due to the shortage of medical workers and the declined economy that the distancing measures bring.