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| | Dear Neighbors,
In this time of crisis, all Austinites must come together to embrace the challenge that COVID-19 poses to our community. We must use this moment of crisis to rededicate ourselves to the values that are important to us.
We all need to recognize that, no matter how inconvenient, the stay in place orders that have become our daily routine in recent weeks are vital to protecting our community and serving our values of compassion, cooperation, and equity. Staying home is an act of love.
We are now under stay in place orders which require us to stay home except to carry out essential functions. If you need to leave home, we ask that you maintain six feet of physical ‘social’ distance. You can go for a walk, get fresh air and exercise. But we need you to maintain the six feet of social distance and stay off playground equipment, basketball courts, and other structures that many people would touch.
As illustrated in the city’s new COVID-19 dashboard highlighted below, this virus affects all parts of our community. This virus is infecting young and old alike. Many infected young people may be asymptomatic, yet they shed the virus, infecting others who are much more vulnerable. Please be sure to talk with your friends and children about Stay Home, Stay Safe and the true risks to our community when they congregate. This video featuring Matthew McConaughey and related press release serves as a powerful call to action for young people.
In addition, our essential workers – whether medical professionals, public safety officials, grocery clerks, utility staff, etc. – need us to do our part so they can safely do their jobs. Thank you to the many unrecognized heroes who are selflessly doing their part to save lives.
I am committed to providing you with valuable information and creating ways for us to connect so that I can best represent you at City Hall. During this pandemic, my newsletter is an invaluable resource to communicate with you about how you can help Austin navigate this crisis.
Last week, my team and I had the opportunity to connect virtually with my city commissioners and some neighborhood leaders. These conversations with neighbors gave me a better understanding of what’s happening on the ground throughout District 10 and allowed us to share resources and information with one another. |
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| One of the things that I heard was a desire for more communication from my office. As you may have noticed, I’ve been sending newsletters out more frequently than usual. To keep you informed of the ever-changing situation, I will continue to send out newsletters regularly and include important government updates as well as community resources and positive stories. We also are active on Facebook and Twitter. We will continue to experiment with new ways to connect and invite you to share your ideas.
In this newsletter, we cover many topics including how to get help if you are sick, recent federal and state actions, an update on how to speak at our April 9th Council Meeting, and more.
My staff and I appreciate the positive feedback we have heard about our newsletter and we hope you will find this installment useful as you try to make sense of our current situation.
Stay safe.
With gratitude,
Alison Alter
Council Member, District 10 |
| | Table of Contents - How to Get Help
- COVID-19 Public Dashboard
- Update on State Efforts to Combat COVID-19
- Federal CARES Act Explainer
- Expanding Digital Access
- Thanking our First Responders
- Report Break-ins! Public Safety Reminder
- Parks and Recreation Closures
- Citizen Communications for April 9th Council Meeting
- Call for Submissions – The COVID-19 Files: Austin Responds to a Pandemic
- Share Your Stories with ATX for ATX
- Places to Donate
- Complete the 2020 Census
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| | | How to Get Help
Your emotional needs are important, too. If you are worried or upset, there is help. Call 512-472-HELP.
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| | | COVID-19 Public Dashboard
The City of Austin has created a new dashboard that displays frequently updated information on case counts at the city, state, national, and global levels. This dashboard allows viewers to see the Travis County case count broken down by age and gender and also provides a map by ZIP code. Check out the dashboard on the City’s COVID-19 website. |
| | | Update on State Efforts to Combat COVID-19
Letter to the Governor on Childcare
We are working closely with our state partners to stop the spread of COVID-19. At the last Council meeting, I included direction to work to expand the definition of an emergency worker to allow more people to obtain childcare assistance. Following the passage of that item, several of my colleagues joined me in sending a letter to Texas Governor Greg Abbott applauding him for creating new options for frontline workers combating the COVID-19 pandemic to qualify for subsidized child care, including grocery workers. The letter also provided recommendations for additional state child care assistance and was shared with the Director of the Child Care & Early Learning Division with the Texas Workforce Commission. You may read the full letter here.
New State Orders
Impact of State Orders on Austin
My office has received many questions regarding how the statewide order supersedes local public health orders issued by Mayor Adler. The City has issued new guidance to help persons and businesses understand what falls under the expanded scope of permitted commercial and private activities. This document replaces the City’s previous construction guidance documents. Please note, all construction work permitted in the Governor’s March 31, 2020 Executive Order can proceed. Because the statewide order supersedes ours, the City will no longer prohibit commercial or residential construction projects. You can find the City's guidance for construction workers here.
Travel Quarantine |
| | | Federal CARES Act Explainer
Last Friday, the U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion stimulus package comprising loans and grant funding to businesses and governments, expanded unemployment assistance, and direct cash payments to individuals, among many other items.
Here are some topics that may impact you: - COVID-19 testing and medical care: Commercial health plans are now required to cover testing for COVID-19 without a deductible or cost-sharing. Insurance companies will also cover preventive measures against COVID-19, including the eventual vaccine. The bill includes provisions to expand telehealth.
- Cash payments: Most individuals making under $75,000 will receive a one-time payment of $1,200. Married couples will receive $2,400, and families will receive an additional $500 per child. Payment amounts phase down for those with higher incomes, and phase out completely for individuals making $99,000 or more, and married couples making $198,000 or more. You will receive your payment more quickly if you’ve already provided the IRS your direct deposit information.
- Expanded unemployment assistance: $260 billion is estimated to be paid through state unemployment programs, adding an extra $600 per week to the base amount an individual will receive, for up to four months. The CARES Act also expands who qualifies for unemployment insurance, to include independent contractors and gig workers.
- Mortgage forbearance and foreclosure moratoriums: Those with mortgages backed by federal loans (single family and multifamily) may request forbearance for 180 days, which may be extended for another 180 days at the borrower’s request. The CARES act also institutes a temporary moratorium on foreclosures. More guidance is available here.
- Student loans: Federal student loans will automatically suspend payments (interest free) for borrowers for the next six months
- Small businesses: The Paycheck Protection Program allocates nearly $350 billion in small business loans to cover payroll and immediate operating costs. If a small business can demonstrate that the loans were used for payroll and to retain employees, the loans can be forgiven. CARES also expands SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program for small businesses who have suffered economic injury as a result of a disaster such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The city’s EIDL bridge loan program is intended to work in conjunction with the federal version.
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| | | Expanding Digital Access
My office has been working closely with the City’s digital equity team and the Digital Empowerment Community of Austin (DECA) to coordinate efforts throughout the city to ensure all Austinites have access to home internet, devices, and the necessary skills to conduct day-to-day life while we are under the Stay Home, Work Safe order.
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| | Thanking our First Responders
Our EMS, Fire, and Police workers put their lives on the line every day under normal circumstances. Of course, nothing is normal right now. Here in Austin and across the world, we’re in the midst of an unprecedented public health challenge. Each day, first responders report for duty on the front lines of the COVID-19 response, attending to the sick and in need, and helping those facing everyday crises as well.
Click my short video below thanking our first responders. I invite you to share your own thank you messages (videos, thank you notes, photos) to support Austin’s first responders, and send them to president@austinemsa.org to be shared with the community. This is a great activity to try with your kids! |
| | | | Report Break-ins! Public Safety Reminder
During this global pandemic, I've been heartened to see so many neighbors come together to support one another. Unfortunately, my office has received several calls and emails about car break-ins while folks are staying home and practicing social distancing. The #1 ask from our Austin Police Department officers is to REPORT any and all crime in your neighborhood. No matter how small the crime, your report could help investigators track and solve cases across the city.
Below, you'll find suggestions from the Austin Police Department for protecting your property from break-ins and theft. Let's keep looking out for one another.
Auto Theft Prevention
- Never leave your car running while unattended. It takes seconds to steal a car when it is left running. Always roll up the windows, turn off your car, lock the doors, and take the keys with you.
- Take valuables out of your vehicle. Leaving valuables visible in your car is an open invitation for a thief to steal from you. Take your belongings or place them in the trunk before arriving at your final destination.
- Record serial numbers. This makes it easier to recover property in the event it is found or turned in.
- See something, say something. If you notice suspicious activity, call 9-1-1.
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| | | Parks and Recreation Closures
In an effort to promote social distancing and comply with the recent Stay Home- Work Safe Order, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department has closed all park amenities with the exception of restrooms and water fountains. This closure is in addition to the previously closed PARD facilities.
This decision was made after deliberation and consultation with the Austin Public Health department and City leadership. While in ordinary times park amenities provide countless benefits, these amenities under current circumstances hinder the ability for individuals to practice physical social distancing.
The closure applies to amenities such as, but are not limited to:
- Basketball courts
- Tennis courts
- Skate parks
- Playgrounds (which were already closed last week)
- Exercise equipment (which were already closed last week)
- Pavilions
Park green space, trails and golf course green spaces–where social distancing can still be maintained–remain open.
PARD encourages individuals to continue practice social distancing and proper hygiene if they use park green space, trails or golf course green space.
The permanent restroom structures that are operational are cleaned and sanitized multiple times a day. The restrooms that are closed were closed prior to COVID-19 for construction or repair. PARD staff is installing signage to remind the community of the closures. |
| | | Citizen Communications for April 9th Council Meeting
Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Wednesday, April 8 by Noon).
For all items on the consent agenda, Austin Housing Finance Corporation agenda, Public Hearings and all non-consent items other than Zoning, public comment will be taken at 10 a.m.
For all zoning items, public comment will be taken at 2 p.m.
To speak remotely at the April 9, 2020 Council Meeting, residents must:
- Once the registration form is received, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on Thursday.
- Speakers must call in at least 45 minutes prior the time associated with the agenda item.
- Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak.
- Handouts or other information may be emailed to City.Clerk@austintexas.gov by noon on Wednesday. This information will be provided to Mayor and Council in advance of the meeting.
- Any speaker who speaks prior to being called upon by the Mayor will be disconnected and will not be able to rejoin the call.
As always, residents can email all council members with their comments as well.
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| | | Call for Submissions – The COVID-19 Files: Austin Responds to a Pandemic
The Austin History Center, Austin Public Library (AHC) is seeking donations for its new collection, COVID-19 Files: Austin Responds to a Pandemic, documenting life in Austin during the COVID-19 crisis. AHC is looking for community documentation of home and work life, life while social distancing and/or in quarantine, scenes from neighborhoods and other communities, and life for small business owners and other industry workers affected by the crisis. Submit your stories in the form of photographs, documents, audio or video recordings, art, writing, and more. We are living through a historic moment, and as the city’s archives, the Austin History Center seeks to share and preserve your stories of life during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about how to be part of this projects by visiting the Austin History Center's website. |
| | | Share Your Stories with ATX for ATX
The City of Austin and Travis County have launched a campaign called ATX for ATX to highlight Central Texans' efforts to connect, unite, support, and keep one another safe while the local health authority and community fight the spread of COVID-19. Residents are invited to share their stories over social media and via Speak Up Austin, an online community engagement tool.
The initiative will serve to help connect individuals and families in need with information and resources from both City departments and community organizations. You can join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using #ATXforATX. |
| | | Coronavirus Information from Austin Public Health
NEW: To help answer your questions, the City has added a chat bot to respond to virtual questions. You'll find the chat bot in the bottom right of the City's COVID-19 web page.
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| | | | | | | | | | Places to Donate
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 help. |
| | | Complete the 2020 Census
Don't forget to participate in the 2020 Census! For the first time, the census is allowing residents to respond online, making it easier than ever to participate! In just 10 minutes, you can fill out the questionnaire at https://my2020census.gov/.
Census counts will impact our community's funding for things like schools, hospitals, transportation infrastructure, emergency services and more. Austin has a ways to go!
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