[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates: Support for Businesses; Guidance for Childcare; Avoiding Scams

[Ian]

City of Alexandria Provides COVID-19 Updates: Support for Businesses;
Guidance for Childcare; Avoiding Scams

­­*For Immediate Release: March 19, 2020*

As of March 19, 2020, public health officials have noted evidence of
community transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus in parts of Northern
Virginia. There have been no new positive cases of COVID-19 in Alexandria
since the four cases previously announced. The Alexandria Health Department
(AHD) strongly urges all community members to change their daily behavior
now to reduce risk from COVID-19, particularly to protect our most
vulnerable populations.

*Support for Local Businesses and Food Access*

Effective March 19 until further notice, the City has suspended enforcement
of certain regulations
<https://www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus#enforcement> and special use
permit conditions that limit hours of operation, deliveries, off-premises
alcohol sales, and outdoor sales and dining. The suspended enforcement is
intended to support local businesses and access to food. The order
<https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Order-of-the-Governor-and-State-Health-Commissioner-Declaration-of-Public-Health-Emergency.pdf>
from
the Governor and the State Health Commissioner issued on March 17, which
prohibits restaurants, fitness centers, and theaters from operating with
more than 10 customers present, remains in effect. Violation of the order
is a criminal offense. Visit Alexandria has a list of local restaurants and
shops <https://www.visitalexandriava.com/alxathome> with options available,
including carryout, delivery, gift cards, and virtual tours.

*Financial Relief for Small Businesses*

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will work directly with state
governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and
nonprofits that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses
with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital
economic support to small businesses for help with overcoming the temporary
loss of revenue they are experiencing. Alexandria businesses can begin applying
for loans <https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/> now.

*Shopping Hours to Reduce COVID-19 Complication Risks*

Some Alexandria grocery stores
<https://wtop.com/local/2020/03/dc-area-grocery-stores-adjust-hours-set-purchase-limits-to-soothe-coronavirus-pandemic-pains/>
have
started hosting separate shopping hours for customers at higher risk for
COVID-19 infection complications. AHD applauds local businesses for
implementing these types of measures. All residents should continue
practicing social distancing while in public and avoid unnecessary trips.
AHD's Environmental Health staff will be conducting outreach to grocery
stores with these types of policies to support proper sanitization efforts.
Grocery stores or restaurants who are interested in beginning similar
measures can reach out for technical assistance and guidance at
703.746.4910.

*AHD Service Changes Under Continuity of Operations*

As COVID-19 response efforts have been in effect, AHD services have changed
to refocus staff on contact investigation and surveillance. Reduced
services include: tuberculosis screening, immunization, sexual and
reproductive health, and the babycare home visitation program. AHD has
maintained service levels at the Teen Wellness Center in T.C. Williams High
School, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC), and vital records. These levels of service are subject to
change based on COVID-19 response.

*Guidance for Childcare*

On March 18, the Virginia Department of Social Services issued guidance
<https://www.dss.virginia.gov/cc/covid-19-docs/3.18.20%20VDSS%20Child%20Care%20Guidance.pdf>
that
classroom childcare centers should limit capacity to 10 individuals per
room to include staff. Parents looking for child care that remains open
should call 866-KIDS-TLC.

*King Street Trolley Encouraging Social Distancing*
The King Street Trolley <https://www.dashbus.com/trolley> has started
running mostly non-trolley DASH buses. Due to their single door for
boarding, smaller passenger compartments, and high number of passengers per
trip, trolleys require passengers to sit closer together than they would on
a typical transit bus. Larger buses will provide more opportunity for
social distancing.

*Help Requested for Housing and Human Services*
Mayor Wilson joined the mayors and chairs of Northern Virginia localities
in a letter to Governor Northam urging him to use his emergency powers to
suspend foreclosures and evictions, waive late fees and penalties for rent,
and reduce restrictions on human services programs.

*Avoiding Scams and Misinformation*

Phone and email scams are on the rise. You may receive fake phone calls or
emails that will try to trick you into revealing sensitive information or
donating to fraudulent charities or causes, or malicious attachments or
links to fraudulent websites. Exercise caution with any email that includes
a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of
social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19. Obtain information
directly from official sources such as alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus
<https://www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus>, vdh.virginia.gov, and cdc.gov.

*If You Have Symptoms of COVID-19*

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are coughing, fever of over 100.4 F,
and shortness of breath. If you are concerned you may have COVID-19, call
your primary care physician to ask whether you should come for an exam or
test before visiting in person. Most people who get COVID-19 recover on
their own at home and do not need testing or treatment. Anyone with
symptoms of respiratory illness should isolate themselves; avoid contact
with other people; wash their hands frequently; and disinfect surfaces
regularly.

*Protect Yourself and Others, Especially Vulnerable Community Members*

   -

   *Wash Your Hands.* Rub hands together with soap and water for at least
   20 seconds.
   -

   *Use Hand* *Sanitizer.* If you can’t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer
   that contains at least 60% alcohol as you would wash your hands, rubbing
   them together for 20 seconds.
   -

   *Don’t Touch Your Face.* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with
   unwashed hands.
   -

   *Stay Home. *If you are feeling sick, stay home. If you are well, avoid
   close contact with people who are sick.
   -

   *Use Your Elbow.* Cough and sneeze into your elbow, not your hand.
   Alternatively, cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue in the
   trash, and wash your hands.
   -

   *Disinfect Surfaces. *Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and
   surfaces.
   -

   *Manage Stress. *The CDC recommends taking breaks from exposure to the
   news; take deep breaths or meditate; try to eat healthy; get sleep or rest;
   make time to do activities you enjoy; and connect with others to share your
   feelings.

*For more information about the COVID-19 coronavirus and how you can help
protect yourself and those around you, visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus
<https://www.alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus>. For questions about COVID-19,
call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703.746.4988, weekdays
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Virginia residents can also call the Virginia
Department of Health public information line, 877-ASK-VDH3, for questions
about the novel coronavirus situation. If you have chest pain or shortness
of breath, call or text 911.*

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Craig Fifer, Director of
Communications and Public Information, at craig.fifer at alexandriava.gov or
703.746.3965.

# # #

This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/114280
<https://www.alexandriava.gov/114280>.