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MAY 2020

Reopening Palm Beach County
VIDEO UPDATE
Video Message from Commissioner Weiss:
The next steps to reopen our community.
REOPENING PALM BEACH COUNTY

Palm Beach County has opened as of May 11, 2020, pursuant to the State of Florida Executive Order 20-112 as amended by order 20-120

Residents may provide or obtain services at the following establishments authorized to proceed to Phase 1:

· Restaurants and food establishments licensed under Chapters 500 or 509, Florida Statutes, may allow on-premises consumption of food and beverage, so long as they adopt appropriate social distancing measures and limit their indoor occupancy to no more than 25 percent of their building occupancy. In addition, outdoor seating is permissible with appropriate social distancing. Appropriate social distancing requires maintaining a minimum of 6 feet between parties, only seating parties of 10 or fewer people and keeping bar counters closed to seating.

· In-store retail sales establishments may open storefronts if they operate at no more than 25 percent of their building occupancy and abide by the safety guidelines issued by the CDC and OSHA.

· Barbershops, cosmetology salons, and cosmetology specialty salons that adopt appropriate social distancing and precautionary measures as outlined by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation click here:

· Museum and library facilities may open at no more than 25 percent of their building occupancy, however, at this time Palm Beach County will not be opening these establishments and County library services remain virtual.

· For up-to-date reopenings go to PBCGOV.com Reopening Plans click here.

SAFE BOATING VIDEO
Tips on how to correctly social distance while enjoying boating activities.
SOCIAL DISTANCING TIPS
Tips to social distance while enjoying the outdoors in PBC parks and natural areas.
VARIOUS HELPFUL RESOURCES

ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT RELIEF

Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments

Here is what you need to know about your Economic Impact Payment. For most taxpayers, payments are automatic, and no further action is needed. This includes taxpayers who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and most seniors and retirees.
Read more here

The Economic Impact Payments promised in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act began rolling out this week. The payments amount to $1,200 for individuals with salaries up to $75,000, and $2,400 for married couples with combined incomes of up to $150,000, plus $500 per dependent under the age of 17. Individuals with salaries less than $99,000 and joint filers less than $198,000 will receive reduced payments.

Check your status here

General info click here


WORK RELATED

As of April 16, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 20-104, which suspends the biweekly “actively seeking work” reporting requirement by claimants.

CareerSource Palm Beach County has closed its offices to the public until further notice. The organization will continue to provide services online and by email and phone to serve job seekers and employers at this critical time.

If you have lost your job due to the #COVID19 crisis, file a claim through the Reemployment Assistance Program with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Click here.

Career Source: 561.340.1060
https://www.careersourcepbc.com/

Temporary Layoff
An employee that is temporarily laid off from work may be eligible for Reemployment Assistance benefits.
Learn more here

Short Time Compensation
Short-Time Compensation (STC) permits pro-rated Reemployment Assistance (RA) benefits to employees whose work hours and earnings are reduced as part of a STC plan to avoid total layoff of some employees.
Learn more here

Unemployment Insurance Application  
Download the application for unemployment insurance: https://bit.ly/2JJYW0t
Fill it out and mail it to:
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
P.O. Box 5350
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5350


SMALL BUSINESSES

U.S. Chamber Foundation
The U.S. Chamber Foundation launches the Save Small Business Fund with Vistaprint to provide assistance to small business owners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. With contributions from corporate and philanthropic partners, the Chamber Foundation will distribute $5,000 grants to small employers in the U.S. and its territories.

The Save Small Business Fund is part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Save Small Business Initiative—a nationwide effort to address small business owners’ immediate needs, mitigate closures and job losses, and mobilize the long-term support the small business community needs for recovery.

Grant applications will open on April 20, 2020.

For information on eligibility, grant timeline, and more, visit: 
https://savesmallbusiness.com/


U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

For program questions or assistance in completing the application online, businesses can contact our Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Small Businesses are encouraged to visit Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Page in preparation for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Paycheck Protection Program

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance

SBA Debt Relief

Guidance for Businesses and Employers

SBA Products and Resources

Government Contracting

Local Assistance


COMMUNITY SERVICES

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Rent, utilities and other emergency services available.

Apply for utility or rent assistance at www.pbcgov.com/OSCARSS
Visit website at www.pbcgov.org/communityservices  and
click on "Contact Us" to:  Ask how to apply for services
Schedule a callback over-the-phone appointment
Request an application to be sent to you via email or regular mail (a prepaid envelope will be sent with application)

2-1-1 HOTLINE
211 is a helpline and crisis hotline that provides suicide prevention, crisis intervention, information, assessment and referral to community services for people of all ages. 
https://211palmbeach.org/

FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES OR OVER 60 YRS OF AGE
The Coalition for Independent Living Options (CILO) is currently accepting applications for individuals living with disabilities to receive emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities and (for recipients over 60) moving expenses.
Contact Amber Lott at 561-966-4288 Extension 101 for more information: https://www.cilo.org/

SUICIDE PREVENTION 
For resources to help cope during the coronavirus pandemic please follow this link: Suicide Prevention and Covid-19.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
FREE Mental health services provided by the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department’s Residential Treatment and Family Counseling (RTFC) Division are now available to residents of Palm Beach County via Telemental Health.
 
Education & Training Center – psychologists and doctoral trainees offer family therapy, individual therapy, and parent training services through Zoom Video Telemental Health. Bilingual therapists (Spanish & Creole) are available. To schedule an intake appointment, please call 561-233-4460. The Education & Training Center also provides free weekly remote trainings on a variety of mental health topics.
 
Highridge Family Center – currently accepting applications for future residents. Intake appointments and weekly family counseling sessions, in addition to virtual individual therapy and parental support, are ongoing via Telemental Health. To schedule an appointment, please call 561-625-2540.
 
Family Violence Intervention (FVIP) – court diversion program is accepting cases referred from the State Attorney’s Office. FVIP team of master and bachelor-level staff provide case management, case planning, referral advocacy and mediation telehealth services via Zoom Video.
 
Youth and Family Counseling (YFC) – currently providing assessments, family and individual therapy, parent education and school-based behavioral health services via Zoom Video. Telemental Health services are offered in English, Spanish, French and Creole. To schedule an appointment, please call (561) 242-5714.
 
http://discover.pbcgov.org/youthservices/Pages/default.aspx

FOOD PICKUP LOCATIONS

LIST OF FOOD CROPS: DIRECT TO CONSUMER SALES

Below there is a list of known growers or entities that are offering Direct-to-Consumer sales of food crops and nursery crops. The actual food products that are available on any given day are not perfectly predictable or guaranteed.  But the list does show who is doing Direct-to-Consumer sales.
Link to list here

VARIOUS FOOD BANKS AND PANTRIES
Hunger Relief for United Way of PBC has been coordinating food distribution with PBC Food Bank, Feeding South Florida, Area Agency on Aging and approximately 80 food pantries that are still operating throughout the county.
 
The list of all food pantries, food banks and other food entities is included in the link below 
2-1-1 keeps the information updated on a regular basis.
For a summary of food sites: https://211palmbeach.org/emergency-palmbeach
(when you click this link, please scroll down for links to information about Food Sites/Pantry Information/Food Distribution information.)
 
FEEDING SOUTH FLORIDA
CALENDAR OF FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
These sites provide groceries in a "drive-thru" style. 

The list is updated daily, dates, times and locations may change.

APRIL 18, 2020
West Palm Beach PAL  
720 N. Tamarind Avenue            
West Palm Beach, FL 33431             
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

APRIL 20, 2020
City of West Palm Beach             
1751 Palm Lakes Boulevard       
West Palm Beach, FL 33401           
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

For more information visit Feeding South Florida here

SUMMER BREAKSPOT SITES
These sites provide one "grab & go" breakfast and lunch meal to children age 0-18 during each distribution day. They do not provide groceries.

Orange Grove Mobile Park    
2600 6 Avenue S.    
Lake Worth, FL  33641    
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Police Athletic League of West Palm Beach    
720 N. Tamarind Avenue 
West Palm Beach, FL 33401    
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Royal Park Mobile Home    
2781 2 Avenue N.  
Lake Worth, FL  33461  
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Casa del Monte Clubhouse     
6151 Forest Hill Boulevard  
West Palm Beach, FL  33415    
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Boynton Strong Community Outreach and Training    
1050 NW 4 Street    
Boynton Beach, FL  33435  
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

CROS MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY
CROS Ministries Food Pantries remain open in Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Indiantown, and mobile food pantry locations. These sites are distributing pre-made bags of food during normal hours and days of operation. Sites in Lighthouse, Belle Glades, and West Palm Beach are closed until further notice
https://www.crosministries.org/food-pantries/
 
FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Children and families can access free meals for kids 18 and under at nearly 60 BreakSpot Grab ‘n Go sites around the County. Hunger Relief is working with the School District of Palm Beach County, FLIPANY, Feeding South Florida, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County sites.  Boxes of food from Feeding South Florida are also being distributed at the school sites, one day per week.

For more information about site locations click here. 
Meals are FREE to anyone under 18 years of age (under 22 for ESE students), regardless of financial need. To find a Grab ‘n Go site near you, please visit the website, text Text FLKIDSMEALS to 211-211 or call 2-1-1.

FOR SENIORS
Seniors who are in need of food should contact the Elder Helpline at 866-684-5885. The PBC Senior Centers are still being used as distribution sites and Palm Tran continues to deliver food to the homes of seniors. For seniors who are confused or don't remember that number, they can call 2-1-1 who will direct them.

TESTING CENTERS
MONEY FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

$60 Million Available to Restart Business in Palm Beach County

The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved the CARES Restart Business Grants Program on May 15, 2020 to accelerate the reopening of businesses hardest hit by COVID-19. 

The $60 million Business Restart Program uses a portion of the county’s $261 million allocation from the Federal CARES Act approved by Congress.  The BCC has dedicated $50 million toward businesses with 25 or fewer employees and $10 million towards businesses with greater than 25 employees.

The program guidelines, including eligibility criteria, are currently posted on the County’s website.  The BCC gave approval for individual grants up to $25,000 to help Palm Beach County businesses forced to close or limit operations and are now planning to “restart” based on the county’s phased opening process.

Required documents will include a fully executed application from the county’s online portal, certifications, affirmations and acknowledgements, tax returns, payroll reports, an active Palm Beach County Business Tax Receipt and an active registration on SunBiz.org. These documents will be required to be uploaded into the system by the applicant.

Interested businesses are encouraged to prepare for the Restart Program Application as they will be processed on a first come, first eligible basis.

The online application 
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 8:00 A.M.

The criteria for the grant can be found at: 
http://pbcgov.com/hes

PALM BEACH STATE COLLEGE
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous companies to suspend or reduce their operations. As a result, many individuals have either been furloughed or lost their jobs.

To date, more than 30 million across the country and over 1 million in Florida have filed for unemployment due to the tragic times we’re experiencing in the economy.

Palm Beach State College would like to serve those who have been impacted, so they composed some opportunities for those who are stuck at home and are looking for options on how to get back to work quickly.

The Summer term begins June 1st and courses will be offered remotely, as the safety of the students, faculty and staff is a top priority.

The College has short-term certificate programs available across all their academic areas such as STEM, the Arts, Business, Education, Health Science, Public Safety and Computer Science.

PBSC also has free self-paced tutorials available
https://www.palmbeachstate.edu/CCE/default.aspx

 
Their Financial Aid Advisors are ready to assist all current and prospective students to identify grants and scholarships to assist with education expenses.

For those students who don’t have access to technological devices and Internet access, the College is loaning laptops and working to secure hotspots for those students in need.

Additionally, PBSC will soon begin distributing more than $9.4 million in emergency cash grants directly to students whose lives and education have been impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The grants are from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and are intended for students to use for COVID-19 related expenses such as food, housing, health care, childcare and technology.

These funds are available for students who were enrolled in the Spring and those who are enrolled/enrolling for classes in the Summer.
TEMPORARY INTERSECTION CLOSURE
There will be a temporary closing of the Banyan Boulevard/Tamarind Ave intersection beginning with the evening hours of next Thursday, May 21 thru approximately 5:00 AM on Tuesday, May 26.  

During this time, traffic on Australian Avenue would be precluded from using Banyan to access the downtown, and Australian would not be accessible to departing traffic via Banyan.  

Alternative routes have been identified as Okeechobee Boulevard, Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, and other local streets in the downtown.

This closure is proposed in order to consolidate all work on the intersection (both underground infrastructure and the roadway surface itself) to this single instance, as opposed to multiple weekend closures. 

Any comment or concern can also be issued to the City project team at banyanblvd@hotmail.com.
MAY BCC BRIEFS

At the May 5 and 15, 2020, Board of County Commissioners meetings, the board took the following action:

COVID-19 – received an update from Dr. Alina Alonso, director of the Florida Dept. of Health-Palm Beach County on local COVID-19 testing efforts. To date, 47,103 county residents have been tested with 4,278 positive cases, 9.1 percent. The statewide positivity rate is 7.1 percent. Testing for antibodies, thus far, has a very low positivity rate in Palm Beach County.

Beaches – agreed to reopen all public, municipal and private beaches, including beach parks, in Palm Beach County, effective Monday, May 18, with the following conditions and restrictions:
• Beaches will be open between sunrise and sunset only.
• Parties accessing the beaches shall follow CDC guidelines by limiting gatherings to no more than 10 persons and distancing themselves from other parties by six feet.
• Beach operations at the county-owned South Inlet Park will follow restrictions for Boca Raton municipal beaches.

Hotels – discussed reopening hotel, motel and commercial lodging establishments in Palm Beach County and directed the Executive Policy Group to amend Emergency Order 2020-002A lifting the restriction that precludes these businesses from accepting new reservations for persons other than critical/essential lodgers.

CARES Act -– received and filed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Relief Fund certification, which includes receipt of $261,174,823 received on April 23, 2020. The county has until December 30, 2020, to expend these funds, which must be used only to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, COVID-19. The board discussed several proposed allocations, including $60 million for small business grants and $3 million for childcare assistance. Financial Management and Budget was authorized to administratively process budget transfers within the General Government Expenses activity category with a maximum of $35 million to properly account for expenses by department and object.

Mobile testing – approved funding for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to provide mobile COVID-19 testing in underserved neighborhoods and communities in Palm Beach County where additional testing opportunities are needed.

Restart – discussed fiscal and logistical strategies for a coordinated  restart for businesses, beaches and other facilities and activities in Palm Beach County. The board agreed to hold a special meeting on Friday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m. to review a plan for reopening local beaches, and authorized a letter from the mayor asking the governor’s office to allow a Phase 1 reopening of businesses in Palm Beach County.

Emergency funding – approved the allocation of $3,935,468 in Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Program funding and $1,941,176 in Emergency Solutions Grant Coronavirus (ESG-CV) Program funding to assist lower-income persons and businesses adversely impacted by COVID-19. This includes rental assistance, foreclosure prevention, housing counseling, feeding programs, small business assistance and program administration. These are federal CDBG-CV and ESG-CV funds and require no local match.

Airports – adopted a resolution authorizing the Director of Airports to negotiate and execute certain agreement modifications or amendments to provide temporary relief related to COVID-19 impacts.

Fire Rescue – adopted a resolution authorizing the donation of an engine and a rescue vehicle to 25 United Inc. to aid Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas. These assets are from Fire Rescue’s reserve fleet and inventory and are not needed for county purposes. The total estimated value of the assets is $22,500. The board also authorized acceptance of $769,966 in CARES Act Provider Relief funding.

CareerSource – adopted a resolution approving the CareerSource Palm Beach County FY 2020-2021 budget in the amount of $16.029 million for its programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The budget includes the following revenue sources: $12.944 million from the US Department of Labor; $2.357 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; $544,580 from the US Department of Agriculture for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and $183,000 from private grants and local government.

ACTS – adopted a resolution authorizing the issuance of Palm Beach County Health Facilities Retirement Communities revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25 million for ACTS Retirements-Life Communities, Inc. in order for the company to refinance all or a portion of its revolving lines of credit issued by Bank of America and Branch Banking and Trust Company. ACTS operates four communities in Florida including two in Boca Raton. No county funds nor its taxing power, faith or credit shall be pledged to pay the principal, premium or interest on the bonds.

Tellus Products – approved an ad valorem tax exemption in an amount not to exceed $850,000 over a 10-year period for Tellus Products, LLC. The Belle Glade company has met its obligation to make a minimum $40 million capital investment, create 71 new jobs over a five-year period at an annualized average wage of $50,000, and maintain them for five years. The project's estimated economic impact over a five-year period is $162 million.

Delray Trails – accepted a civic site cash-out payment of $1,103,500 in lieu of an off-site civic dedication from 13FH Palm Beach, LP (13th Floor), the developer of the Delray Trails at Villa Del Ray development.

441 Partners – approved the sale of a 15.68-acre county-owned parcel of land to 441 Partners, Inc. for $750,000. The property is located west of U.S. 441/State Road 7, north of Forest Hill Blvd. and south of Southern Blvd. The company has indicated the property will be used as a buffer to the existing Black Diamond community by transferring development density to the adjacent parcel it currently owns.

Green Cay – authorized a fifth amendment to the lease agreement with Theodore and Gertrude Winsberg extending the term for one year at an annual rental rate of $1. In 1996, the county purchased 175 acres of property from the Winsbergs for the development of the Green Cay Wetlands Water Reclamation project, and the Winsbergs currently lease approximately 60 acres.

Transit Village – approved an amendment to the agreement for purchase and sale with Transit Village, LLC providing for the temporary relocation of the Intermodal Transit Center to the train station property in West Palm Beach and extending the closing date to August 13, 2022. It also provides for the parties to consider a permanent relocation if the county ultimately concludes that a permanent relocation is advisable.

Sheriff’s Office – approved agreements with the South Florida Water Management District and Oxbridge Academy to lease 19,692 and 31,500 square feet of office space, respectively, for the temporarily relocation of Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office employees while the Gun Club Road headquarters is undergoing renovations.

Gould House – adopted a resolution approving the issuance of $35 million Housing Finance Authority of Palm Beach County multifamily housing revenue bonds to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, renovating and equipping Gould House, a multifamily rental housing facility for the elderly or disabled containing approximately 101 units. The project is located at 21000 Ruth and Baron Coleman Boulevard in unincorporated Palm Beach County. No county funds nor its taxing power, faith or credit shall be pledged to pay the principal, premium or interest on the bonds.

Malibu Bay - adopted a resolution approving the issuance of $40 million in Housing Finance Authority of Palm Beach County multifamily housing revenue bonds to finance the costs of acquiring, constructing, renovating and equipping Malibu Bay Apartments. The multifamily rental housing facility contains approximately 264 units and is located at 750 Malibu Bay Drive in West Palm Beach. No county funds nor its taxing power, faith or credit shall be pledged to pay the principal, premium or interest on the bonds.

Palm Tran – ratified a labor management agreement between Palm Tran, Inc. and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1577 covering Palm Tran bus operators, mechanics, utility workers and storekeepers for the three-year period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2022.

Communications – approved an amended and restated interlocal agreement with the city of West Palm Beach through May 4, 2025, allowing for interoperable communications through the countywide common talk groups of the county’s Public Safety Radio System.

Morikami – approved an agreement with The Morikami, Inc. defining and clarifying roles pertaining to the funding, management, operation and use of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

Water Utilities – approved on first reading and to advertise for public hearing on June 16 an ordinance adding Section 27-81, “Requirements for Dental Facilities that Remove or Place Amalgam Fillings” and amending sections 27-65, “Definitions” and 27-69, “Prohibitions and Limitations of Discharge” of Chapter 27, Article IV of the Palm Beach County Code. These changes reflect requirements set forth by the EPA in the updated Clean Water Act requiring dentists who handle dental amalgam (tooth fillings) to pretreat their wastewater to remove dental amalgam before it enters the public treatment works system.

Retirement – recognized and thanked  Water Utilities Deputy Director Hassan Hadjimiry who is retiring after 38 years of service with the county.

RESPOND TO THE CENSUS

We need you now more than ever!

Our State, country and the entire world is suffering due to this horrific pandemic. Our lives have been affected very drastically. Cities, counties and states cannot do it alone, the Federal government  is stepping in to support our needs and they are doing it based on population count.  They will pull the numbers from the 2010 Census and determine how much money each affected county and city need. 

The numbers collected from the 2020 Census will be used for the next 10 years. We need a complete count of our entire population so we can serve each one appropriately! 

Palm Beach County residents should have received their invitation to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire. All residents are urged to complete the questionnaire as soon as they can.
 
It's fast, safe, secure, and confidential. Information and privacy are protected.

Responding to the Census helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.

Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and political representation at all levels of government. You Count In Palm Beach County!


Respond to the 2020 Census online here.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Questions related to the coronavirus?
Call the Florida Department of Health's Coronavirus Call Center at 1-866-779-6121 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week or  email COVID-19@flhealth.gov.

Also visit http://pbchd.org for the latest health information. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the latest information and updates from Palm Beach County, visit http://pbcgov.com/coronavirus.

Executive Orders link here

Have any ideas, suggestions, concerns?

Contact Us!

We are here to help you!
Administrative Assistants to Commissioner Gregg K. Weiss:

Niels Heimeriks
Constituent Issues
NHeimeriks@pbcgov.org

Office: 561-355-4966   Cell: 561-371-1089

Virginia Savietto 
Constituent Issues
VSavietto@pbcgov.org

Office: 561-355-2209   Cell: 561-324-9621

Paul Razza 
Scheduling & Constituent Issues
PRazza@pbcgov.org

Office: 561-355-2202  

Website: www.pbcgov.com/D2
Email us as a group: district2@pbcgov.org


Contact PBC Commissioner Gregg Weiss, District 2 at:
301 N. Olive Avenue, 12th Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel: 561-355-2202
Email: district2@pbcgov.org
Website: www.pbcgov.com/D2
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: @CountyCommissionerGreggWeiss
Twitter: @GreggPBC

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