April 7, 2020: Coronavirus Community Call

National and State Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates for Day 26 of the National Emergency of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state and local news sources:

Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain remained in ICU Tuesday after being admitted to ICU on Monday
New York officials are cautiously optimistic that the state and city may be reaching a turning point in the epidemic
Italy is reporting a lower daily death toll
China claims first day since January with no deaths
Los Angles has seen a 23% drop in crime due to stay at home order
President Trump announced that the saga with 3M has ended; 3M will produce 166.5 million masks
President Trump and congressional leaders converge on the need for a new economic package; small businesses
Los Angeles Mayor announced that all residents with symptoms can get tested
Stocks extend gains; rally 3.5%
After an intense political back and forth in Wisconsin, they are set to hold primary elections today
In Georgia, Governor Kemp receiving local backlash that has gained nation attention concerning his order to reopen state beaches
In Alabama, Governor Ivey on Monday announced the launch of altogetheralabama.org an online resource for the state’s response to the coronavirus

Columbus Area Updates

Department of Public Health (Columbus Health Department) Update-Natalie Mann

Jack Lockwood gave the following updates in Natalie’s absence:

Muscogee County has 47 cases; Sumter County 90; Dooley County 27; Crisp County 46; Randolph County 26
They are expecting a rise in cases because of the Community Wide Testing with MercyMed at Cascade Hills Church
The Columbus Health Department resumes testing today; people with symptoms can come over, get triaged and see a nurse for testing onsite

Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

They have paused with distribution of the printed packets due to safety concerns expressed by employees and changes in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines; they are working on a contingency plan to get packets to students who need them
They are finalizing graduation awarding of credits and grading procedures going forward; will be finalized by Friday

Alabama State Representative Update-Chris Blackshear

Representative Blackshear gave the following updates:

Governor Ivey on Monday announced the launch of altogetheralabama.org an online resource for the state’s response to the coronavirus
Alabama has a total of 2008 cases
Lee County has 118 cases; 2 deaths
Chambers County has 96 cases; 7 deaths
Russell County has 10 cases
A total of 15,000 individuals have been tested in the state of Alabama
A total of 272 individuals are hospitalized in the state
There have been 53 deaths reported in the state of Alabama and 39 of those have been confirmed

Columbus Area Vulnerable Population Update

Home for Good Update-Pat Frey

Pat gave the following updates:

Update and report call today at 11:00am with the Governor’s task force and subcommittees
WebEx Housing Navigation Meeting today at 3:00pm. If anyone would like to join, they can go the Home for Good website(homeforgoodcv.org) and click on the link to join the meeting

Crisis Fund Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

The grant panel met yesterday
Notify organizations today; announcing first round of grants awarded tomorrow on call; want to get funds out as quickly as possible; seeing a lot of needs on the front lines; everyone will be pleased with where the money is going tomorrow
Please continue to help make sure the fund is supported

Open Forum Updates

Phenix City Housing Authority Update-Mary Mayrose

Mary gave the following updates:

Offices remain closed
Sending out resident notices weekly; Staying in touch with residents by email and phone; Some residents concerned about their health
Mary asked where they can get testing in Russell County; Jennifer St John will send MercyMed phone number to Mary

Hope Harbour Update-Lindsey Reis

Lindsey gave the following updates:

According to the Governor, domestic violence is up 15%
Hope Harbour is seeing an increase in number of calls; Crisis line is always answered 24/7
Their main concern is that victims are not having an opportunity to call them or escape due to everyone being at home
The community can help; if you know someone check in on them
The shelter is open 24/7; fully staffed; still providing shelter and using hotels when the shelter is full
Still providing protective orders via phone
Serving the entire area including Russell County Alabama

Twin Cedars Update-Rosalind Alston

Rosalind gave the following updates:

Children’s Tree House Child Advocacy Center continues to do emergency forensic interviews and forensic medical exams referred by Department of Family and Children Services or law enforcement
Scheduled to do six this week
Limited staff in their building
Limiting participants of the forensic interview to one law enforcement officer, one Department of Family and Children Services officer, non-offending care giver and the child that needs to be interviewed in order to comply with social distancing and still have all the legally sound pieces in place
They continue on an emergency basis and they can be contacted if needed