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Atlanta's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Atlanta’s parks bustled with walkers and runners over the weekend. At a time when we’re being told to ‘socially distance’ ourselves  --- I prefer, ‘physically distance, but stay in touch’ --- our parks provide a safe haven we all can use right now. 

We’re in uncharted waters. None of us knows how severe the impact of the COVID-19 virus will be, how long it will last, or how it will change our lives. The unknown can paralyze us or, if handled correctly, can help define us and allow us to look back with pride. 

Here's an example. Reilly O’Neill, who lives in the Chastain Park neighborhood, posted the following on the Nextdoor web site:

‘I just want to reach out to offer assistance to anyone who might be at risk with COVID-19. I’m happy to be your arms and legs over the next couple weeks until it settles down. That way you can stay safe in your home. I can run errands, get groceries, or anything else you might need, just let me know! And obviously free of charge, I’m just trying to help out. Thank you!’

Reilly’s spirit should set a standard for all of us    

Meanwhile, facts are the best antidote to fear. Thus, this special edition of our monthly District 8 newsletter. I want to share with you what I know, with the caveat that all things are subject to change in these turbulent times. 

And, please, do not hesitate to email me or staffers Katie Howard and Jim Elgar with any questions, concerns or ideas you may have. Our contact information is at the end of this newsletter.  If you want to review the Center For Disease Control’s website concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please click here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Safety, First. 


Here is What the Atlanta Police Department is Saying:

‘We keenly understand the need for police and first responders to remain healthy during a public health crisis. We have been monitoring the COVID-19 situation daily for several weeks now and making plans to adjust our operations, if and when that is needed.

‘At present, there has been no impact on our ability to respond to calls for service and no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in our department.

‘However, we have a detailed contingency plan in place that assumes some of our personnel will either become sick or be required to quarantine. In that event, our primary mission will be to ensure that other personnel are redirected to ensure our ability to receive and respond to 9-1-1 calls is not impacted. Ensuring we have the ability to respond to crises and emergency calls for service will be our priority.

‘Our Contingency Operations Division is taking the lead on helping us stay informed of developments with regard to COVID-19. Commanders in COD are in close contact with the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Preparedness, The Mayor’s Pandemic Coordination team, as well as public health officials.

‘Our main focus has been on making sure our personnel remain healthy so that we may continue to serve the public with no disruptions. We are taking several steps to assist in containing the spread of the virus among officers and support staff.
  • We have, since the virus hit the United States, been encouraging our officers to practice good hygiene – hand sanitizing and washing, coughing into tissues, minimizing handshakes and touching of the face and similar advice dispensed by the CDC and other medical professionals.
  • We have suspended outside travel and training for the entire department as a precautionary measure, in order to reduce potential exposure to the virus.
  • We are asking EMS personnel to carefully assess and evaluate medical calls to determine if police officers are needed to assist. If it is a situation that does not require a police officer, we will not respond.
  • We are rescheduling and postponing our participation in certain public gatherings that are non-essential.
  • We are working to ensure that our workspaces and patrol vehicles are properly sanitized.
  • Our “non-essential” civilian personnel will be teleworking, at least through the end of March.
  • All sworn personnel will continue to report to work.’

City Hall is Closed. Essential Services Continue.


Although City Hall and Atlanta Municipal Court are closed to all but ‘non-essential’ personnel (all Council members’ offices are closed, so I guess that tells you where we rank!), city services such as trash pickup will go on as normal.  Remember, 311 is the place to go to register routine concerns.

The Council meeting that was scheduled for Monday, March 16, took place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, through remote access. Council members cast votes electronically while communicating through a phone bridge.

Until further notice, Council meetings will be conducted remotely. The public will be able to access the conference through a phone number and access coed provided before the meeting begins.

The public will be able to email public comments to epc@atlantaga.gov.  Messages received via email for public comment will be acknowledged as received during the Full Council meeting, distributed to Council members, and included in the meeting minutes. Email messages will be received for public comment up until 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

Supporting Atlanta families in need during COVID-19


COVID-19 will obviously be a major disruption for many of us, but it will also put tremendous financial stress on families that have food insecurity and are already struggling to pay for housing and utilities. APS and the Mayor’s Office--through the Centers of Hope--are taking action to get food and support to families in need during this time.

Below are some of the organizations that are partnering with APS and information on food assistance being provided through Centers of Hope, where food will be available for pick-up at multiple locations. Although many of us cannot, and probably should not, physically volunteer, we can donate to organizations that are doing even more good work during this time.

Information on food assistance being provided through the City’s Centers of Hope:
https://www.atlantaga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/13290/672

Organizations partnering with APS to provide food for families and ways to help:

Contribute goods to Atlanta Community Food Bank Atlanta Community Food Bank logo
 
Donate food or time to Hosea Feed the Hungry Hosea Feed the Hungry Logo
 
Donate to help provide meals with Loaves & Fishes Loaves and Fishes graphic
 
Make a financial donation to help provide meal deliveries with GOODR  GOODR Logo

District 8 Contacts

 

J.P. Matzigkeit    

jpmatzigkeit@atlantaga.gov

404.330.6051

 

Katie Howard

jpmatzigkeit@atlantaga.gov

404.330.6051

 

Jim Elgar

jqelgar@atlantaga.gov

404.546.4911
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