|
|
Below is guidance from the CDC on how to protect yourself from catching the novel coronavirus, the virus that is causing coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19). *Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html)
|
|
|
Know How It Spreads
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
|
|
|
Take steps to protect yourself--Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
|
|
|
Avoid close contact
|
|
|
Take steps to protect others- Stay home if you’re sick
|
|
|
Cover coughs and sneezes
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
|
|
|
Wear a facemask if you are sick
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
- If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
|
|
|
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
|
|
|
Local healthcare systems each have coronavirus information up on their websites. Some healthcare systems are postponing elective procedures and other appointments and limiting visitors, so check in with your providers before heading to the hospital .
Links to local systems are provided below for your convenience:
|
|
|
If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, follow the steps below to help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html)
Stay home except to get medical care
You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
People: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
Animals: Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
Wear a facemask
You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid sharing personal household items
You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Clean your hands often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day
High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
Monitor your symptoms
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing). Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19. Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.
Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
Discontinuing home isolation
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and local health departments.
|
|
|
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains a very thorough website regarding COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Georgia Hotline:
(844) 442-2681
The State of Georgia has a new COVID-19 hotline. If you believe that you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, please contact your primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or your local federally qualified healthcare center. Please do not show up unannounced at an emergency room or health care facility.
Georgia Statistics
GDPH is updating statewide confirmed cases every day at noon. You can find that information here. Remember, there is limited testing being done at the time, so these figures are not representational of the spread of the disease in the state.
|
|
Beginning Monday, March 16, 2020, City facilities, including City Hall and the Municipal Court, will be closed to the public. City employees, including Council staff, will work remotely.
City Services:
Essential City services, including emergency services and trash pickup, will remain operational.
City Council Meetings:
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Atlanta City Council will be held on Tuesday, March 17, at 10:00 a.m. through remote access. Media and the public can access the live meeting using the conference bridge by dialing 877-579-6743 and entering ID number 8315991256. For more on the meeting, including the agenda and how to submit public comments, visit the Atlanta City Council website.
Planning and Permitting Operations
For March 16, 2020:
✓ Intake of new permits that require paper plans submitted to the Office of Zoning & Development or the Office of Buildings will be suspended temporarily. We will get submittal of new plans operational as quickly as possible.
✓ Submittal of plans that are done online will continue as normal.
✓ Review of plans already submitted will proceed. Applicants will continue to hear from staff on these active submittals via email and phone.
✓ Inspection services will continue although there will intermittently be delays in service as we equip all inspectors with critical protective gear. For all other City Planning related inquiries please continue communication with our staff via email and phone.
Here is our website which will be updated soon and continually as conditions change. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this challenging period.
NPUs and Civic Associations
With gatherings being discouraged and many public facilities and schools closed, most NPUs are not meeting this month. Below is a message from NPU-F:
The NPU-F meeting on Monday night [3/16] has been cancelled. Hillside Center is limiting all unnecessary campus access and visitation until further notice to protect their clients and staff. They asked that we cancel our meeting. Before hearing from Hillside, a quick survey of members of the NPU-F Executive Committee also opted for cancellation.
Planning is looking at technology options that will facilitate virtual NPU meetings. Hopefully, something will be in place before our next meeting in April. - Debbie Skopczynski, Chair, NPU F
All City Events Cancelled & Large Gatherings Discouraged
All City-sponsored events have been cancelled and by Executive Order, all large gatherings over 250 people have been barred through March 31, 2020. As the CDC has now recommended avoiding gatherings of over 10 people, the Executive Order is likely to be updated.
Assistance to Individuals and Businesses
The City recognizes that this crisis is having an impact on all of our residents and businesses. We are working with the State and counties, as well as Invest Atlanta, to determine what further steps we will take to help our residents. I will update you as these plans are developed.
|
|
Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is closed starting March 16 for at least 2 weeks and is transitioning to virtual education. Click here to read letter from Superintendent Meria Carstarphen. Virtually all private schools and colleges have done the same.
Emergency Food Distribution for APS Students
APS has received approval to open more sites for distribution of emergency student meals and run some food routes using our buses. More information on this is coming soon. For now, beginning Monday, March 16, all children and families throughout the community can receive free-bagged meals at our five APS school sites (breakfast and lunch) Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the District closure to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Bunche Middle School - 1925 Niskey Lake Rd., SW
- Cleveland Avenue Elementary School - 2672 Old Hapeville Rd., SW
- Douglass High School - 225 Hamilton E Holmes Dr., NW
- Phoenix Academy (formerly Alonzo Crim High School) - 256 Clifton St., SE
- Sylvan Hills Middle School - 1461 Sylvan Rd., SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
In addition, ready-to-eat meals are available through APS partner, GOODR, at Hosea Williams Feed The Hungry at 4779 Mindy St., and at Loaves and Fishes at St. John the Wonderworker Parish at 543 Cherokee Ave. Further, GOODR will be at the five APS school sites with fresh produce for pick up as well.
Thanks to APS partner, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, beginning March 23, all children and their families throughout the community can also receive shelf-stable groceries at the five APS food distribution sites. In addition, the Atlanta Community Food Bank has more than 50 sites for food distribution. (As a reminder, APS does not manage the hours or service at these food distribution sites. Contact the food distribution sites directly for information about their hours, service, and any other requirements for food. Click here to see the full list of food distribution sites).
How to Help APS Families
APS has a page on their website of resources that are set up to help APS families during this time.
|
|
March 24 Election Postponed Until May 19
The Georgia Secretary of State has announced that the election set for March 24 (Presidential primary and MOST referendum) has been postponed until May 19 (state primaries).
If you have already voted either by absentee or in person early voting, your ballot will be counted. If you have not yet voted on the March 24 ballot, you will be able to vote on May 19. More information can be found here.
|
|
|
If you've been forwarded this email and would like to subscribe to the District 6 eNewsletter, click:
|
|
|
If you've been forwarded this email and would like to subscribe to the District 6 eNewsletter, click:
|
|
|
Do you know someone who might be interested in this email? Forward to a friend:
|
|
|
|
|
