COVID-19 Updates: September 23, 2020 |
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COVID-19 Testing in Orange County |
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There will be a COVID-19 testing event Saturday, September 26th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be a testing event every 4th Saturday of the month at this same location.
Where: St. Thomas More Catholic Church
940 Carmichael Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
When: Saturday, September 26th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., reoccurring on the 4th Saturday of the month for the foreseeable future at this same location at the same time.
Anyone is welcome to come for a test. Registration is on site and COVID-19 tests are free.
Links to Flyers for the 4th Saturday of the month recurring testing events:
More information about COVID-19 testing: https://www.orangecountync.gov/2451/Testing |
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NCDHHS unveils COVID-19 exposure tracking app |
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services launched a free app Tuesday that alerts people when they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The app, called SlowCOVIDNC, uses Google and Apple's Exposure Notification System (ENS) to alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19.
According to the NCDHHS, the app is anonymous and does not collect, store or share personal information or location data.
“With SlowCOVIDNC App, North Carolinians have another powerful tool to help slow the spread of COVID-19 right in their pockets," said NCDHHS secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen. "Downloading SlowCOVIDNC is a practical step each of us can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our state."
SlowCOVIDNC can be downloaded to Apple and Android devices, but Bluetooth must be turned on for the app to work.
How it works - Users must download the app, enable Bluetooth and allow "exposure notifications" for the app to work.
- Once a user allows notifications, the app will generate a "token," or a strong of random letters, every 10-20 minutes to protect the user's identity, location and security.
- Using Bluetooth, phones with the SlowCOVIDNC app exchange the anonymous tokens every few minutes. Phones record how long they are near each other and the Bluetooth signal strength of their exchanges in order to estimate distance.
- If an app user tests positive for COVID-19, the individual may obtain a unique PIN through a web-based PIN Portal to submit in the app.
- By voluntary and anonymous reporting their status, others who have been in close contact with them in the last 14 days will receive an alert.
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How to Vote Safely During a Pandemic |
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September 15, 2020
Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS
Director of UNC Medical Center Infection Prevention |
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As Election Day nears, you may be wondering how to minimize your risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) while performing your civic duty. Here’s what you need to know on (or before) Nov. 3.
How to Vote by Mail
If you live in an area where virus transmission is high or you are at high risk for COVID-19 complications, you may want to consider obtaining an absentee ballot and voting by mail.
All states offer some form of voting by mail, and many are expanding their vote-by-mail options or automatically mailing all registered voters an absentee ballot for the general election. In other states, you may need to request an absentee ballot. (The terms “vote by mail” and “voting absentee” refer to the same process of submitting a ballot by mail rather than voting in person.)
Be sure to verify your state’s rules and deadlines for absentee voting.
To ensure your mail-in ballot arrives in time, you can deliver it in person to your local elections office or a designated drop-off location. Be sure to wear a mask and remain at least 6 feet from other people (if there is a line to drop off your ballot), and use hand sanitizer as soon as you get back inside your car. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you get home.
How to Vote Early in Person
If you can’t vote by mail or prefer not to, try to vote early. Most states have a period of early voting that allows you to cast your vote in person when there are smaller crowds and lines.
Again, be sure to wear a mask, practice physical distancing, use hand sanitizer and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get home.
How to Remain Safe When Voting in Person on
Election Day
If you vote on Election Day, be sure to plan ahead. Call your polling station to determine what safety measures will be in place. These should include 6-feet spacing markers, a mandatory mask requirement for both voters and poll workers, and frequent sanitizing of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles and voting booths.
Voting in person can be safe—just make sure that mask compliance is required and that you can achieve at least 6 feet of distancing from other people, says Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, director of UNC Medical Center Infection Prevention.
“Make sure there are options for hand hygiene (for example, a bottle of hand sanitizer) so you can go in with clean hands and also are able to clean your hands on your way out,” Dr. Sickbert-Bennett says.
If you are older than 65 or have a serious underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, consider one of the other voting options.
Finally, use hand sanitizer as soon as you get to your car, and wash your hands with soap as soon as you get home.
“Hand hygiene is very important,” Dr. Sickbert-Bennett says. “There will be items that you touch when you are voting—the pen and the table. So hand hygiene on the way in and hand hygiene on the way out is really the key.”
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Critical dates - Oct. 15 – Early voting begins at six locations in Orange County
- Oct. 27 – Requests for absentee ballots must be received by the Orange County Board of Elections by 5 p.m. (not postmarked, but received).
- Oct. 31 – Early voting ends at 3 p.m.
- Nov. 3 – Election Day polls are open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots can be hand-delivered to the Orange County Board of Elections until 5 p.m. Absentee ballots may not be returned to Election Day polling places. Absentee ballots returned via mail must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by Nov. 6 to be considered timely
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United States Census 2020 |
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Happy Fall!
Start off the new season right by completing the #2020Census today. Time is running out to respond, so don’t miss out. To learn more, visit 2020CENSUS.GOV.
The last day to respond to the Census is September 30th! |
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NC Black Alliance, Equality NC and Disability Rights NC Launch Voter Safety and Protection Campaign |
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As COVID-19 continues to impact vulnerable communities across our state, the North Carolina Black Alliance has partnered with Equality North Carolina and Disability Rights North Carolina to launch a Voter Safety and Protection Campaign. The campaign provides credible, up to date voter information and offers personal protective equipment for 250,000 North Carolinians in marginalized communities as they head to the polls.
The Voter Safety and Protection Campaign seeks to increase voter turnout, empower and protect voters, and encourage voters to develop a safe voting plan. Reports and studies indicate that Black and Brown, LGBTQ and individuals living with disabilities are the most disproportionate communities affected by COVID-19 and therefore have a critical need for PPE while navigating the voting process armed with trusted information and resource.
Regardless of the method voters cast their ballots, whether in-person, early, or on Election day, eligible voters will receive by mail a FREE single-use PPE Kit for voting. Voters can request a PPE kit on the SafeVoterNC.org website or by calling 888-WEVOTE2. Voters are encouraged to complete the PPE kit request form by October 28, 2020, for guaranteed delivery by November 3.
“In 2020, we will create a space for voters to feel protected and empowered during this election cycle,” said Marcus Bass, Deputy Director for North Carolina Black Alliance. “Our democracy is legitimized, only when everyone has a fair opportunity to cast their ballots. The constituents in our collective community of organizations face an unbelievable amount of opposition and suppression of their voting rights. That is why we have partnered with Equality NC and Disability Rights NC to help curb the issues that face those communities.”
Executive Director for Equality NC, Kendra Johnson noted, “LGBTQ people, especially Black and Brown folks, already experience numerous obstacles to safe and fair voting, including gerrymandering, voter suppression, and unjust voter ID laws. With the pandemic now adding a layer of health concerns for marginalized folks, we must all do our part to protect ourselves and other vulnerable Americans as we head to vote in the most important election of our lifetimes and fight for the soul of this nation.”
“All people need and deserve to exercise their right to vote,” writes Virginia Knowlton Marcus, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights North Carolina. “DRNC is proud to partner in this important work to break down barriers to voting and harness the strength of marginalized communities across North Carolina.”
“Voter suppression is not new. It has, however, taken on a more intense approach. Ongoing social unrest, along with racial injustice, now coupled with the COVID-19 global pandemic, has put us in a state of urgency like never before. We must, with vigor and intentionality, empower disenfranchised communities. This cohort of organizations is committed to ensuring that every citizen can safely and securely vote,” added Courtney Crowder, Executive Director of North Carolina Black Alliance.
For more information about the Voter Safety and Protection Campaign, visit www.SafeVoterNC.org. |
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Systemic Racism, Disparities & COVID-19:
Impacts on Latino Health |
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The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the cumulative effects of systemic racism and other risk factors on the health of Latinos in the United States. For Latino Americans, a diverse group of individuals encompassing nearly 20% of the US population, long-standing social and economic inequities have led to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Latinos are 4 times as likely to be hospitalized than White Americans and Latinas currently account for over 40% of COVID-19 cases in pregnant women.
The National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) has put together an infographic in English and Spanish to bring awareness and serve as an educational resource highlighting the impact systemic racism and other risk factors has on the health of Latinos in the United States.
The infographic identifies risk factors - including disproportionate employment as essential workers, lower rates of health insurance coverage, and language and cultural barriers - and provides actionable solutions to improve the health of Latino Americans. |
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To view the full interactive infographics in English and Spanish, please visit the links below: |
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Food Distribution Sites in Orange County |
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Orange County Arts Commission Updates |
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Funding updates for organizations:
- On September 1, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved $50k for a new Operations Support Grant Program for independent 501(c)3 organizations with an arts-based mission. The application is open now and closes Friday, October 2nd at midnight.
- On September 3, the NC General Assembly passed coronavirus relief legislation (H1105) that provided $9.4 MILLION in emergency aid to the arts, the largest arts allocation in the State’s history. We're meeting with the N.C. Arts Council this Friday to learn more about how these funds will be made available. This funding is thanks to the tireless work of Arts NC and is proof of how their advocacy directly impacts arts organizations here in our community. If you haven't already, please join Arts NC and thank our legislators for their unwavering support of the arts.
- Nonprofit arts groups that have received a direct grant from the N.C. Arts Council within the past five fiscal years are eligible to apply for an Organization Support Grant. Funding may be used for job retention and ongoing operational support. SARs and SSOs are not eligible.
Funding updates for individuals:- Our Arts Educator microgrant program for public school arts teachers is open now through the end of September.
- The new Artist Support Grant and the Emerging Artist Grant Programs are open now and close October 14 and November 13, respectively.
- The next cycle of the nationwide Artist Relief Fund closes TODAY. To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers have come together to distribute $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19.
- Unemployment Update (from Arts NC): The NC Department of Employment Security began to issue Lost Wages Assistance payments of $300 per week to those who had filed for unemployment for the three weeks ending August 1st, 8th, and 15th, 2020. The program is funded by FEMA and there are currently only enough funds for three weeks of benefits. The NC General Assembly has authorized an additional $100 per week to be added to those benefits for a total of $400 per week for those unemployed between July 26th and August 15th. Also included in the bill passed by the NC General Assembly and signed by the Governor was an increase in North Carolina’s maximum weekly unemployment benefit, raising it from $350 to $400 until the end of 2020.
State/Federal updates:Other updates:- (Reminder) The NC Pro Bono Resource Center is offering free legal consultations for nonprofits and businesses with less than 25 employees who are having difficulties related to COVID-19.
- Performers and performing arts groups will want to pay attention to the ongoing Performing Arts Aerosol Study, which has been showing encouraging data for vocalists and musicians. You can watch a webinar about the study here.
- As more venues begin to reopen, the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro has PPE for sale at reasonable prices.
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North Carolina COVID-19 Cases
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reports 196,501 COVID-19 cases, 3,316 deaths, and 912 hospitalizations, as of September 23, 2020. For more information regarding live updates (NCDHHS updates the site every day at noon), please visit the NCDHHS website.
Orange County Health Department also has a COVID-19 dashboard webpage, with information on COVID-19 data in the county. The dashboard will be updated every Tuesday and Thursday.
There are currently 2,603 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Orange County, and 55 deaths.
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COVID-19 Community Resources
For more information on COVID-19 community resources in the county, please visit our webpage. Resources on specific topic areas, such as food access, education, housing, and others, are all accessible on our website, or at the links below. |
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