| Dear Neighbors,
One of the things I care most about is making sure that my constituents and all Austin residents have reliable information to make good choices. I am writing this newsletter to assist your decision making.
At this time, we have 3 confirmed Coronavirus cases here in Travis County. We have activated our emergency response system and are focused on slowing down the spread of the virus so that our health system can assist those most in need.
Our health professionals have made it clear that following proper hygiene precautions are our best defense. Follow your mother’s advice and wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds), cough and sneeze into your sleeves, avoid touching your face, stay home if you are sick, disinfect frequently used surfaces, and look out for those most vulnerable.
In the last week, Governor Abbott and Mayor Adler have declared the state and city as disaster areas. These declarations help us to prepare and allow us to potentially access funding to cover the cost. It was only today that our first 3 cases were confirmed and we do not yet have indication of community spread.
Like you, I am frustrated with the lack of easily available testing and the constrained eligibility criteria. The governor and president indicated today that there are concerted efforts to increase access to testing with mobile testing hopefully coming to Austin shortly. In the meantime, our public health officials are doing what they are trained to do and channeling limited resources where they believe they are most needed.
There is no doubt that there will be economic consequences of the pandemic. The Austin City Council continues to work in conjunction with City officials to assist residents and businesses experiencing hardship due to COVID-19 and its economic impact. I would like to provide one example. The City of Austin is committed to the health and safety of the public and has suspended all utility disconnects for non-payment. As our community comes together to respond to the concerns of COVID-19, the City has taken steps to ensure customers have uninterrupted access to utility services.
In the rest of this newsletter, you will find the latest city Coronavirus update, a list of useful resources, and opportunities to help the broader community. Below, I also have included a hopeful video, taped by my husband for his UT students. I hope you find this information and resources useful.
Regards,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10 |
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| | Table of Contents - March 13th City Update
- Resources and Information from Government Agencies
- Coronavirus Information from Austin Public Health
- H-E-B Response to COVID-19
- Helping Those Who Need Food
- Support Local Businesses!
- Video: Health Crisis and the Need to Strengthen Our Democracy
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| | March 13th City Update
This information is current as of 6:15 p.m.:
The health of Austin and Travis County residents and visitors is our highest priority. Our public health officials are taking appropriate actions to ensure the health and safety of our community.
There are currently three active cases in the Austin-Travis County area. We continue to test individuals in accordance with CDC guidelines. The confirmation of these cases has elevated the Austin Public Health (APH) response to Phase 3 of our five-phase plan, adapted from our pandemic flu plans.
The City of Austin and Travis County will be evaluating additional protections for the community based on these positive cases. At this time, we have not made any additional changes to current regulations around mass gatherings or other public health standards but will keep the public updated if this information changes.
That being said, in response to the increasing concerns of COVID-19 across the nation, Austin-Travis County leaders have declared a “local state of disaster” to more proactively increase preventative measures and require mitigation plans for events in the region following recommendations from interim local health authority Dr. Mark Escott, who acted on advice from an independent panel of experts. The Spring Festival season runs from March 13-22.
Events with 2,500 or more people are prohibited unless organizers are able to assure Austin Public Health that mitigation plans for infectious diseases are in place.
Events and venues will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. City staff are proactively reaching out to impacted Event organizers and venue operators. Those with questions should refer to the “For Event Organizers/Venues” section of the City’s COVID19 website or the Austin Center for Events webpage: http://www.austintexas.gov/ace.
Despite the disaster declaration, the health authority still anticipates significant numbers of visitors to the Austin-Travis County area over the Spring Festival season. The planning and coordination efforts therefore continue. We continue to monitor and re-evaluate the situation daily and our health officials are prepared to respond as needed. We are in constant communication with other professionals in cities, counties, and states across the country, evaluating information and practices from around the world. If local public health officials report any change in their assessment or recommendations, immediate action will be taken.
Additionally, the Austin-Travis County Health Authority has issued a control order which requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care facilities to take a range of immediate actions to enhance protections against the spread of COVID-19. Measures include screening visitors, staff, and patients prior to entry, additional signage, access to hand sanitizer, and additional reporting requirements to Austin Public Health.
We have implemented a broad based community outreach plan to keep the public informed both about the current situation and actions you can personally take.
If people feel unwell they should contact their primary care provider before going to a clinic, urgent care or emergency department, to prevent any potential spread.
The elderly, immunocompromised, and those with underlying health issues are at a higher risk of severe symptoms for COVID-19. We are advising those people to take proactive steps to protect themselves including:
- Stock up on supplies
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible.
- Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
Everyone can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including flu and COVID-19, by following these measures: - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to cover it, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For the most up-to-date information, to include actions you can personally take, please visit www.austintexas.gov/covid19. |
| | Resources and Information from Government Agencies |
| | | Coronavirus Information from Austin Public Health
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| | | | | | | H-E-B Response to COVID-19
H-E-B is taking the necessary steps to ensure their locations can continue to replenish shelves. Please read the tweet below and visit the H-E-B news page for more information about things like modified store hours, product limits, and more. |
| | | | Helping Those Who Need Food
I believe it is important to take actions that reflect our values as we adjust to disruptions in our daily routines. I would like to call your attention to a specific need in our community that is always present, but particularly critical as we take steps to keep our community safe from COVID-19 - stocking our food banks.
Please read and share the following message from the Central Texas Food Bank on how you can help. Volunteers and donations are needed.
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation has created an even bigger strain for our Central Texas neighbors who face hunger and forced many who have never had to reach out for food assistance to do so.
The Central Texas Food Bank has a long history of responding to emergencies and is planning for several response scenarios. We have stepped up our stringent germ control protocols and are fully operational.
However, we need the public’s help to carry out our mission, now more than ever.
We’re short on volunteers, so we’ve boosted our disinfection procedures and capped the number of volunteer slots in order to increase social distance. If you feel comfortable doing so, please consider volunteering.
If that’s not your thing, you can help the Food Bank by making a monetary donation or raising funds with a virtual food drive.
Find out more about all of these ways to help at www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/get-involved and
www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update.
Thank you! |
| | | Support Local Businesses!
The spread of COVID-19 has led to the cancellation of many events, closure of many venues, and changes to many consumer behaviors. In light of the news of the cancellation of major events like SXSW, our local businesses and artists are in need of extra assistance.
Banding Together funds will go towards the Austin live music community to support the venues, artists, hospitality and production workers, businesses and organizations that rely on increased patronage during SXSW to survive. Your donations will help provide financial relief to those in the Austin live music community that have been negatively impacted by the cancellation of SXSW.
The Stand with Austin Fund was created by Austin Community Foundation and the Entrepreneurs Foundation to receive charitable donations to support nonprofits assisting individuals and small businesses most negatively impacted by the cancellation of SXSW and least able to recover on their own. |
| | Video: Health Crisis and the Need to Strengthen Our Democracy by Dr. Jeremi Suri |
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