SOCIAL DISTANCING/STAY AT HOME
Social distancing is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19. If you are around other people, keep 6 feet between you when possible. Avoid hugs, handshakes, large gatherings and close quarters. Be sure to follow ‘Stay at Home’ orders.
FLORIDA STAY-AT-HOME ORDER ANNOUNCED
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a 30-day ‘Stay at Home’ order for the State of Florida. The order tells residents to stay indoors unless they are pursuing “essential services or activities.”
According to the order:
- Seniors and people with significant underlying medical conditions “shall stay at home and take all measures to limit the risk for exposure to COVID-19.”
- All people “shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.”
For the purposes of the Governor’s order, the list of essential services can be found on the Department of Homeland Security web page at https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce.
The order is scheduled to go into effect at 12:00 a.m. on Friday.
MAYOR JAMES SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-04
West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James has signed an executive order mandating the closure of the plaza area of West Palm Beach City Center except for the limited purpose of providing a means of ingress and egress necessary to conduct business or access offices that are lawfully operating within City Center. This order is enforceable by the West Palm Beach Police Department to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
COVID-19 FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
West Palm Beach hospitality workers who have been laid-off due to COVID-19 mitigation are encouraged to claim their free, freshly prepared meal on behalf of Hospitality Helping Hands. Families can wait in their vehicles as volunteers process their requests, all while following social distancing guidelines. Additionally, Hospitality Helping Hands is delivering meals to low income seniors who are confined to their homes. Meal distribution is held daily from 1pm-6pm at Howley’s Restaurant: 4700 S. Dixie Highway. A second distribution site has been established at Hullabaloo: 517 Clematis St.
The City Commission recently approved an additional $18,000 for a COVID-19 Emergency Food Assistance program to benefit hospitality workers who have been impacted by the pandemic. These funds, combined with the $12,000 the City had previously approved and another $20,000 on behalf of the Downtown Development Authority, bring the total contribution to Hospitality Helping Hands, a local non-profit, to $50,000.
Mayor Keith A. James announced a challenge to the private sector to match or surpass these funds for Hospitality Helping Hands and other entities actively engaged in COVID-19 relief efforts. Details about this effort will be announced shortly.
Beware COVID-19 Fraud Schemes
Be alert for scams and email phishing schemes designed to exploit public fear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal authorities warn of a rise in emails claiming to be from phony health organizations offering information on the virus. Do not click links or open attachments in such emails. Criminals are using malicious websites to install ransomware. Phishing emails may also claim to be related to:
- Charitable contributions,
- General financial relief,
- Airline carrier refunds,
- Fake cures or vaccines,
- Fake testing kits,
- Fake personal protection equipment like masks and sanitizers (More information on faked goods can be found at www.cdc.gov/niosh) .
Do not open attachments or click links from senders you don’t recognize. Don’t provide usernames, passwords, dates of birth, Social Security numbers or any other sort of personal data in response to an email or robocall. Check for misspellings or wrong domains within a link before clicking on it.
U.S. Census
The U.S. Census is happening now. You can respond online, by phone, or by email. Click here to learn more: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond.html/
