| | Dear Neighbors,
I have good news. Many of you who can are staying home and your efforts are working. Thank you!
This week the City of Austin and Travis County extended the Stay Home - Stay Safe order through to May 8, 2020. While these measures are difficult, they are necessary to protect public health. We need you to continue to do your part.
So far, we are seeing good results. But these steps will be effective only so long as we as a community are committed to them. That means staying home as much as possible and wearing face coverings when in public for essentials. By doing so, we keep each other safe and give our health care workers, first responders, and essential workers the space they need to do their jobs.
Austin, we can do this. Remember, staying home saves lives.
I invite you to find ways to encourage your neighbors to Stay Home, Stay Safe and to thank our essential workers. They put themselves on the front lines every day in our grocery stores, hospitals, and around the city. Last week, I made this video thanking our EMS, Fire, and Police workers. Yesterday, I shared the below photo to recognize City of Austin essential employees who keep the lights on, the water flowing, and our city clean. This week a beautiful billboard (not words I often associate with one another) appeared in District 10 saying “Austin Thanks You” featuring a medical professional and appropriately placed along Medical Parkway. |
| | Positive social reinforcement is a valuable tool. You can help us spread the word by sharing supportive videos and images, making your own, or finding your own special creative outlet to help us do what we need to do during this pandemic.
Below you will find updates on the COVID-19 epidemic, including efforts to mitigate its economic and health impacts on our community, as well as ways to get help and give help. As always, reach out to my office at District10@austintexas.gov with any questions or comments you have.
Take care,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10 |
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| | Table of Contents - Virtual Town Hall: Food Access Issues and Seniors Issues – April 21st
- Public COVID-19 Testing Enrollment
- Extended Stay at Home Order
- New Face Mask Guidelines
- Relief In a State of Emergency (RISE) Applications Now Open
- Helping Austin Restaurants Today (HART) Hotline
- Integral Care Virtual Mental Health Assistance
- Foundation Communities Health Coverage Program
- Frontline Childcare Program
- How to Get Help and Give Help
- Parks and Recreation Closures Update
- Coronavirus Information from Austin Public Health
- Movability Survey
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| | | Virtual Town Hall: Food Access Issues and Seniors Issues – April 21st
Please join me for a virtual town hall on April 21st. Using Microsoft Teams, we will be discussing both food access issues and seniors issues with local leaders from Randall's, the Central Texas Food Bank, Drive-A-Senior West Austin, Meals on Wheels, and the Aging Services Council of Central Texas.
Tuesday, April 21 5:30-6:30 p.m. |
| | | Public COVID-19 Testing Enrollment
In the next week, the City will roll out the Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form, which will allow the community to complete an online assessment for COVID-19 testing.
Created in partnership with NTT DATA, the application will also enable Austin Public Health to assess testing demand and identify those who pose a higher risk of serious symptoms.
Prior to the Public Testing Enrollment Form, testing in Austin-Travis County has been arranged via physicians, meaning people must meet with their primary care provider or telehealth and then be referred to a testing site. With the new form, a healthcare provider will no longer be needed to refer someone for a test.
Completion of the testing form will not guarantee a referral to a testing site. APH will continue to prioritize health care workers and first responders on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as people at higher risk for getting serious symptoms.
Drive-through tests will be by appointment only and scheduled through the Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form portal. Tests at the APH testing sites will be at no cost to the individual.
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| | | Extended Stay at Home Order
The Order requires residents to stay at home, except to conduct essential activities and operate essential businesses, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the Order requires the public to wear fabric face coverings when conducting essential activities or work. Find details on those guidelines and videos on how to make your own mask in the section below. |
| | | New Face Mask Guidelines
Check out the D10 team's face masks! A significant percentage of individuals with the COVID-19 virus lack symptoms. Because an infected person can transmit the virus to others before showing any symptoms, the covering of a person’s nose and mouth when outside your home or residence is necessary to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for maintaining 6-feet social distancing and hand washing, as these remain important steps to slowing the spread of the virus.
All persons over the age of ten must wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana or handkerchief, when:
- Entering into or inside of any building open to the public
- Using public transportation, taxis, or ride shares
- Pumping gas
- Outside and six feet of social distancing cannot be consistently maintained between the person and individuals outside of their household
Face coverings are not required when:
- Riding in a personal vehicle
- Alone in a separate single space
- In the presence only of other members of their household or residence
- Doing so poses a greater mental or physical health, safety or security risk such as anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance
- Eating
Parents and Guardians of children under 10 shall be responsible for appropriately masking children when outside their residence.
Medical grade (N95) and surgical masks should be reserved and used only by medical professionals and first responders.
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| | | Relief In a State of Emergency (RISE) Applications Now Open
In my last newsletter, I wrote to you about Council action to create the Relief In a State of Emergency (RISE) fund. At the April 9th Council meeting, Council approved the allocation of $15 million to provide immediate direct services and assistance to vulnerable Austinites impacted by COVID-19. This funding is available to social services agencies to expand existing services to provide immediate direct services and assistance that are equitably focused and for vulnerable populations. Eligible agencies can now apply for funding by visiting www.AustinTexas.gov/RISE.
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| | | Helping Austin Restaurants Today (HART) Hotline
Austin Public Health (APH) has launched a telephone hotline to assist Austin-Travis County restaurants with questions related to COVID-19. The hotline, Helping Austin Restaurants Today (HART), can be reached at 512-978-HART (4278).
The HART hotline will be staffed 7:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Restaurants calling outside those hours have the option of leaving a voicemail message or forwarding their question via email to EHSD.Service@AustinTexas.gov.
Additionally, Austin Transportation Department has installed temporary food pick-up zones in support of local restaurants that transitioned to take-out and delivery only service. Restaurants can request an evaluation for a temporary food pick-up zone by filling out the online contact form.
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| | | Integral Care Virtual Mental Health Assistance
Taking care of our mental health during the COVID-19 crisis is equally as important as caring for our physical health. To help keep Austin safe and healthy, Integral Care is continuing to provide services via telephone and telehealth.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call Integral Care’s 24/7 Crisis Helpline at 512-472-HELP (4357). Their team provides around-the-clock crisis care. You also can text TX to 741741 to connect to the Crisis Text Line, which provides free, 24/7 crisis support via text.
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| | | | Foundation Communities Health Coverage Program
Have you lost your health insurance? If you recently lost or will lose health insurance due to job loss, spouse's job loss, or otherwise, you do not have to opt for COBRA. Foundation Communities' Health Coverage program can help you learn if you qualify for a special enrollment period to register for a federally-subsidized Marketplace health insurance plan. Foundation Communities is certified to assist any Texas resident and have phone appointments available. |
| | | | Child Care for Frontline Workers
The State of Texas has launched a Frontline Child Care portal to help frontline workers in Texas find information on child care options. Child care assistance and access is available for infants and children up to age 13. Find childcare near you, register as a childcare provider, and more at frontlinechildcare.texas.gov.
Essential workers and businesses include the following:
- Pharmacy and health care workers
- First responders
- Critical local and state government staff
- Mail and delivery service staff
- Nursing home, child care, home health care, and other direct care providers
- Grocery store staff
- Gas station staff
- Bank staff
- Restaurant (with drive-through and delivery) staff
- Military personnel
- Any other workers deemed essential by the Texas Workforce Commission or Local Workforce Development Boards
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| | | How to Get Help and Give Help
In previous newsletters I've highlighted several local ways to donate time, money or other resources to help those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below, you'll find a list we've compiled of opportunities to get help or give help. We will continue to update and add to these resources in each newsletter.
Food Access
City of Austin Utility Bill Relief
These measures are in effect from now until September 30, 2020:
- All utility disconnects for non-payment are suspended and all late fees are waived.
- All customers in need will be placed on payment arrangements.
- Regulatory electric charges are reduced by 32% for residential and commercial customers, which will result in about a 4% reduction of the total bill. This change for residential customers is in effect immediately and on May 1, 2020 for commercial customers.
- Rates for all residential electric customers are set at 7.814 cents/kWh for usage above 1,000 kWh.
- Residential water rates (Tiers 1-3) and wastewater (Tiers 1-2) volume are reduced by 10%.
- Customer Assistance Program (CAP) Utility Bill Discounts on electric charges are increased from 10% to 15%. Customers with household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level may receive the CAP discount.
- The Plus 1 Financial Aid Program has received additional funding to assist Austin residents unable to pay their utility bills due to unexpected emergencies such as job loss or medical situations. Customers who experience financial hardship due to the effects of COVID-19 are now eligible for the Plus 1 Program. If you aren't in need of assistance, you can help! Add a one-time donation or a monthly recurring donation to the CAP Contribution line item on your utility bill payment. Donate online at coautilities.com or add money to your paper utility bill.
Personal Protective Equipment Drives
Homelessness Assistance - LifeWorks provides free/affordable mental health support for individuals and families who are struggling with issues such as family conflict, abuse, trauma, anxiety, depression, and the stress of everyday life. Call (512) 735-2100 to get more information and schedule an appointment.
Mental Health Assistance - Vida Clinic – Austin ISD's school-based mental health partner is now offering teletherapy services to the entire Austin ISD community. These services will allow adults and students to access quality mental health services right from their own homes. To schedule an appointment, visit https://vidaclinic.org/virtualvida or contact the Vida Clinic Care Team at 512-518-2209 or by email at vidacare@vidaclinic.org.
Domestic Violence Help
At-Home Education and Activities - AISD Learning at Home – Even though campuses remain closed and not accessible, learning is still happening. The AISD At-Home Learning site allows students, teachers, and caregivers to access resources, learn how to navigate online tools, and stay informed about our Wednesday distribution of hands-on materials and school supplies.
Other Places to Donate - All Together ATX Fund – This fund provides flexible resources to nonprofit organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. These funds will help cover immediate needs including food insecurity, basic needs, medical needs, employment and child care.
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| | | Parks and Recreation Closures Update
In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) decreased parking access for downtown parks, district parks, and neighborhood parks. The decreased parking access is to discourage crowding at parks and on trails. In addition, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake will convert to a “one-way” trail to increase physical distancing.
Parks within bounds of MoPac, Barton Springs Rd., I-35, and 15th St. will all have reduced parking in addition to all District parks and Neighborhood parks with parking lots. Residents can view the PARD parkviewer app to identify parks within these areas.
Signage, gate closure, barricades, and regular patrols will remind the community of the parking closures. Park Rangers will continue to educate and push for compliance by the public.
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| | | Coronavirus Information from Austin Public Health
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| | | | | | | | | | Movability Survey
Movability is inviting all Austinites to take their telework survey and be entered for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card! This survey will help Movability understand what's working and what's not when it comes to telework so they can help employers that may want to expand or establish telework policies longer term. All answers and data will remain anonymous. |
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