Community News

The purpose of this language and messaging frameworks guide follows recent provocations of social stigma and discriminatory behaviors against people of certain ethnic backgrounds as well as anyone perceived to have been in contact with the virus. The intent of this guidance is to support Buncombe County’s commitment to equity and to aide in content development, which stands in alignment with Statewide COVID-19 response efforts guided by compassion and reason. Provided by Buncombe County Officials. 

Language/Messaging Frameworks to Avoid & Alternatives: 

DO – talk about the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

DON’T – attach locations or ethnicity to the disease, this is not a “Wuhan Virus”, “Chinese Virus” or “Asian Virus”

• The official name for the disease was deliberately chosen to avoid stigmatization – the “co” stands for Corona, “vi” for virus and “d” for disease, 19 is because the disease emerged in 2019.

DO – talk about “people who have COVID-19”, “people who are being treated for COVID-19”, “people who are recovering from COVID-19” or “people who died after contracting COVID19”

DON’T – refer to people with the disease as “COVID-19 cases” or “victims”. 

DO – talk about “people who may have COVID-19” or “people who are presumptive for COVID-19”

DON’T – talk about “COVID-19 suspects” or “suspected cases”.

DO – talk about people “acquiring” or “contracting” COVID-19

DON’T – talk about people “transmitting COVID-19” “infecting others” or “spreading the virus” as it implies intentional transmission and assigns blame. 

• Using criminalizing or dehumanizing terminology creates the impression that those with the disease have somehow done something wrong or are less human than therest of us, feeding stigma, undermining empathy, and potentially fueling wider reluctance to seek treatment or attend screening, testing and quarantine.

DO – speak accurately about the risk from COVID-19, based on scientific data and latest official health advice.

DON’T – repeat or share unconfirmed rumors, and avoid using hyperbolic language designed to generate fear like “plague”, “apocalypse” etc.

DO – talk positively and emphasize the effectiveness of treatment measures.

• For most people, this is a disease they can overcome. 
• There are simple steps we can all take to keep ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable safe.

DON’T – emphasize or dwell on the negative, or messages of threat. We need to work together to help keep those who are most vulnerable safe.

TERMS & LANGUAGE TO AVOID:

• “Wuhan Virus”
• “Chinese Virus” or “Asian Virus
• “COVID-19 cases” or “Victims”
• “Hot Zones”
• “Plague” or “Apocalypse”

ALTERNATIVES:

• COVID-19
• COVID-19 Level 2 or COVID-19 Level 3 w/ official Geographic Name
• “People who have COVID-19”; “People who are being treated for COVID-19”; “People who are recovering from COVID-19” or “People who died after contracting COVID19”

COVID-19 Terminology & Definitions – provided by Buncombe County officials:  

Active monitoring – means that the state or local public health authority assumes responsibility for establishing regular communication with potentially exposed people to assess for the presence of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. 

• For people with high-risk exposures, CDC recommends this communication occurs at least once each day. The mode of communication can be determined by the state or local public health authority and may include telephone calls or any electronic or internet-based means of communication.

Asymptomatic – presenting no symptoms (CDC). 

Close Contact – 

• Being within approximately 6 feet (2 meters) of a COVID-19 case for a prolonged period of time close contact can occur while caring for, living with, visiting, or sharing a health care waiting area or room with a COVID-19 case.
• Have had direct contact with infectious secretions of a COVID-19 case (e.g., being coughed on). 

Community Spread/Community Transmission/Community-Acquired Spread – Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected (CDC).

Confirmed – The patient meets all the criteria necessary to be considered a Patient Under Investigation (PUI), including signs, symptoms and travel history. 

• A lab sample was collected and tested by a CDC-qualified laboratory and the result is positive.

Congregate: The person has been relocated to any other congregate typesetting (e.g. long term care facility, public housing, university housing) administered by routine operating authorities. 

Congregate Settings – Crowded public places where close contact with others may occur, such as shopping centers, movie theaters, stadiums.

Coronavirus – A large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. 

• In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19 (WHO).

COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) – The infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. 

• This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 (WHO).

Delegated Supervision – The local public health authority has delegated oversight to an appropriate occupational health or infection control program at a trusted organization (e.g. healthcare, higher education, corporation). 

• The delegated supervisor maintains coordination with the public health department of local jurisdiction.

Direct Medical – the person is under the direct continuous clinical care of a healthcare provider in a clinical setting (e.g. inpatient at a hospital or isolated to a government facility) established by the CDC with regards to travel history and/or close contact with a confirmed case, but the individual is not exhibiting any additional signs or symptoms consistent with infection.

Exposed – The person meets the criteria established by the CDC with regards to travel history and/or close contact with a confirmed case, but the individual is not exhibiting any additional signs or symptoms consistent with infection.

Involuntary – The person has been compelled by a court order to abide by legally enforceable directives issued under the authority of a relevant federal, state or local entity that, when applied to a person or group, may place restrictions on the activities undertaken by that person or group, potentially including movement restrictions or a requirement for monitoring by a public health authority, for the purposes of protecting the public’s health.

Isolation – The separation of a person or group of people known or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease and potentially infectious from those who are not infected to prevent the spread of communicable disease. Isolation for public health purposes may be voluntary or compelled by federal, state, or local public health orders (CDC).

Laboratory Confirmed COVID-19 Case – Individuals with at least one respiratory specimen that tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 at a CDC laboratory (CDC).

Mitigation Strategies – Community actions designed to help keep people healthy, reduce exposures to COVID-19, and slow the spread of the disease such as social distancing (CDC).

Monitoring: A state or local public health authority establishes regular communication with a person or group of people who were potentially exposed to the virus by virtue of travel history to identified locations or close contact with confirmed cases. 

• The person is instructed to monitor for and report certain signs and symptoms of potential illness to the health authority. There are no movement restrictions applied to this individual.

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) – Actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking medicine, that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of illnesses like pandemic influenza (flu). 

• NPIs are also known as community mitigation strategies. When a new flu virus spreads among people, causing illness worldwide, it is called pandemic flu. 
• Because a pandemic flu virus is new, the human population has little or no immunity against it. This allows the virus to spread quickly from person to person worldwide. NPIs are among the best ways of controlling pandemic flu when vaccines are not yet available (CDC).

Non-legal – The person is not subject to any legally enforceable directives. The person voluntarily agrees to adhere to non-binding guidance provided by public health or healthcare officials.

Novel Coronavirus – A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. 

• The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold (CDC).

Person Under Investigation (PUI) – A person under investigation is an ill person with possible novel coronavirus infection. 

• The number of PUIs who test positive and negative will be reported on the CDC and DOH website.

Person Under Public Health Supervision – People who may have had a COVID- 19 exposure because they were a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case or because they traveled from an affected geographic area. 

• They are instructed to self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days from the time of their exposure, and to report to the local health department if they develop symptoms of fever, cough or difficulty breathing. The CDC may change this definition as the situation evolves. (CDC)

Presumptive Positive – A presumptive positive case has tested positive by a public health laboratory and is pending confirmatory testing at CDC. (CDC)

Public Health Supervision – the person is monitored directly by local public health authorities, in-person or remotely, on a regular basis (e.g. daily).

Quarantine – the separation of a person or group of people reasonably believed to have been exposed to a communicable disease but not yet symptomatic, from others who have not been so exposed, to prevent the possible spread of the communicable disease (CDC).

SARS-CoV-2 – The name of the virus that causes coronavirus disease, COVID-19. As the name indicates, the virus is related to the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that caused an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003, however, it is not the same virus (CDC).

Self-monitoring with Delegated Supervision – for certain occupational groups (e.g., some health care or laboratory personnel, airline crew members), self-monitoring with oversight by the appropriate occupational health or infection control program in coordination with the health department of jurisdiction. 

• The occupational health or infection control personnel for the employing organization should establish points of contact between the organization, the self-monitoring personnel, and the local or state health departments with jurisdiction for the location where personnel will be during the self-monitoring period. 
• This communication should result in agreement on a plan for medical evaluation of personnel who develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing during the self-monitoring period. 
• The plan should include instructions for notifying occupational health and the local public health authority, and transportation arrangements to a pre-designated hospital, if medically necessary, with advance notice if fever, cough, or difficulty breathing occur. 
• The supervising organization should remain in contact with personnel through the self-monitoring period to oversee self-monitoring activities.

Self-monitoring – People should monitor themselves for fever by taking their temperature twice a day and remain alert for a cough or difficulty breathing. 

• If they feel feverish or develop measured fever, cough, or difficulty breathing during the self-monitoring period, they should self-isolate, limit contact with others, and seek advice by telephone from a health care provider or their local health department to determine whether medical evaluation is needed.

Self-observation – People should remain alert for subjective fever, cough, or difficulty breathing. 

• If they feel feverish or develop cough or difficulty breathing during the self-observation period, they should take their temperature, self-isolate, limit contact with others, and seek advice by telephone from a health care provider or their local health department to determine whether medical evaluation is needed.

Social distancing – remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding local public transportation (e.g., bus, subway, taxi, ride share), and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others.  

• If social distancing is recommended, presence in congregate settings or use of local public transportation should only occur with the approval of local or state health authorities (CDC).

Suspected – The patient meets all the criteria necessary to be considered a Patient Under Investigation, including signs, symptoms and travel history. 

• A lab sample was collected and sent to a CDC-qualified lab, but the results are still pending.

Treatment – A person is currently receiving active medical treatment for their COVID-19 symptoms and/or related complications.

Voluntary – The person has voluntarily agreed to comply with legally enforceable directives issued under the authority of a relevant federal, state, or local entity that, when applied to a person or group, may place restrictions on the activities undertaken by that person or group, potentially including movement restrictions or a requirement for monitoring by a public health authority, for the purposes of protecting the public’s health.

Source – World Health Organization – https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted 2020 Census operations to protect the health and safety of employees and the public and to ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities based on guidance from federal, state, and local health authorities. 

April 1 was Census day and households should have received a postcard in the mail from the Census Bureau with a 12-digit census ID that will allow them to log on to the website to complete the 2020 Census. Individuals can also complete the census online without the 12-digit ID using their address. To respond via phone, call (844) 330-2020.  Households can also complete the census by phone without the 12-digit census ID.

Self-reporting will continue through the end of May – If someone hasn’t responded by April 8, the Census Bureau will mail them a questionnaire.

The door-knocking that was scheduled to take place from April through July is on hold here due to the virus.

According to UNC Asheville Assistant Professor of Political Science, Ashley Moraguez…

“For every individual that’s counted in Buncombe County, that’s worth about $1,600 annually in federal funding for the state and local government, and over 10 years, that’s a lot of money,” she said. “So if we’re undercounted even by 1,000 or 2,000 people, we’re talking about big money that can affect funding for infrastructure – better roads, water system, education funding, affordable housing and food stamps. The census can even drive where hospitals are located based on population density. And the census determines how much representation we have in federal and state government.”

Moraguez reminds us that because the census only happens once a decade, the impact of undercounting any segment of our population will be felt for a full 10 years. RESPOND NOW

“It’s a way to bring your federal tax money back to our community, and to make sure you have the amount of representation you deserve in the Congress and state legislature,” said Moraguez.

In the coming weeks, look on Facebook for “Bulldogs Count for the 2020 Census,” and on Instagram, @bulldogscount.

https://www.unca.edu/events-and-news/stories/april-1-census-day-covid-endanger-complete-count/

Important Census Dates

March 12 – 20  –  Households received official Census Bureau mail with detailed information on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.

• It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker.

April 1 – Census Day – a key reference date for the 2020 Census – not a deadline. 

• When you respond, you’ll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020, and include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home. You can respond before or after that date. 

April 8 – if someone hasn’t responded by April 8, the Census Bureau will mail them a questionnaire.                                    

April 29 – May 1 – The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homelessness over these three days. 

• The Census Bureau counts people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at unsheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.

April 16 – June 19 – Census takers will work with administrators at colleges, senior centers, prisons, and other facilities that house large groups of people to make sure everyone is counted.

May 27 – August 14 – Census takers will interview homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.

December – The Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the President and Congress as required by law.

March 31, 2021 – By this date, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to the states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.

RESPOND NOW

https://2020census.gov/en/important-dates.html

Throughout the wake of COVID-19 and practicing social distancing, information and resources will be posted here under “What You Need to Know: COVID-19 in Buncombe County”

Organizations and events around the country are taking measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Just Economics is in the process of creating a plan for all of our upcoming meetings and events. Stay tuned for regular updates.

Just Economics is in the process of creating a plan for all of their upcoming meetings and events. Visit their website for updates.

Temporary ART bus schedule reductions announced.

The health and safety of our community is the City of Asheville’s highest priority. The ART Transit system continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic so we can offer transportation to first responders, health-care workers, other essential workers, and our community for urgent needs.

The ART transit staffing levels are lower than usual and, as such, ART bus system will need to make adjustments to schedules and routes.

Starting on Saturday, April 4, the following service reductions will begin:

• Route 170 will be discontinued.
• Route S6 will be discontinued.
• Route WE1 will only provide service once per hour, leaving the station at 40 minutes past the hour.

Assessment of the transit system capacity will happen on a day-to-day basis, and be updated as the situation evolves. The City of Asheville and ART are continuing to follow the guidance of local public health officials and the CDC, including following social distancing and cleaning guidelines.

Please, if you are not traveling for work related to an essential business, or for an urgent personal need, such as to go to the grocery store, do not use the bus system. We need to keep our limited capacity available for people who must travel.

To keep up with any changes to ART services, riders can get the most up-to-date information here:

• Download the Transit app to any smartphone.
• Check real-time transit information on Google Maps.
• Dial 828-253-5691 and press #1.
• Subscribe to iRide Service Alert e-mails here.
• Go to RideTheART.com under “Service Alerts.”
• Follow the City of Asheville on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Find a copy of this press release on Asheville City Source.

Over the past few weeks, Buncombe County has received hundreds of inquiries from our community regarding COVID-19.  In a close partnership, Buncombe County and the City of Asheville have organized and launched the Ready Team call center, a resource to help answer your COVID-19-related questions and direct you to the best resources.  

This is an evolving situation and information is often changing. The Ready Team call center will answer COVID-19 questions from Buncombe County residents as well as questions related to the Buncombe County’s Stay Home. Stay Safe. Declaration.

You can reach the Ready Team call center at 828-419-0095 or at [email protected]. In a partnership with United Way’s 211, the call center will have options for Spanish, Russian and multiple other languages. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.

For resources on COVID-19 prevention, best practices and news updates, visit Buncombe Ready, NC Department of Health and Human Services, or the CDC.

Throughout the wake of COVID-19 and practicing social distancing, information and resources will be posted here under “What You Need to Know: COVID-19 in Buncombe County”

According to Governor Roy Cooper, although Buncombe County’s recently enacted stay-at-home order is set to expire Thursday, April 9, residents shouldn’t expect to resume business as usual once that date arrives. At a March 27 press conference, Cooper announced that throughout North Carolina the stay-at-home will stay in effect until Wednesday, April 29, in an effort to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

A violation of the state order is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

During a briefing on March 26, Fletcher Tove, Buncombe County’s emergency preparedness coordinator explained the definition of an essential business in the wake of a supplemental state of emergency declaration, that was signed by Board of Commissioners Chair Brownie Newman on March 25, ordering all nonessential operations closed as of 8 p.m. March 26 to combat the spread of COVID-19.

 He noted that the county had since received over 600 requests to be exempted from the order, most of them from business owners whose work was already listed as essential.

Tove encouraged all residents to read the order itself and the county’s interpretive guidance, but he singled out several specific businesses for clarification during the briefing. 

Some Key Points: 

• Lawn care companies and in-person real estate showings are not considered essential,
• Credit unions, construction, housecleaning and babysitting are all allowed.
• Workers at essential businesses will not be required to show any documentation of their employment as they travel to and from their jobs. Those employed outside of Buncombe will also be allowed to go to work. 
• The county is not setting up checkpoints or roadblocks.
• Following Buncombe County’s declaration, Haywood County issued its own stay-home order to go into effect at 5 p.m. March 26. The declaration is valid through Thursday, April 16, making its duration a week longer than that of Buncombe’s mandate.
• After previously restricting visitors to its gardens and grounds on March 18, the Biltmore Estate announced that it would close entirely at 5 p.m. on March 26 and remain closed until further notice. “In this unprecedented and unsettling time, we must make unprecedented decisions,” said Bill Cecil Jr., president and CEO of The Biltmore Co.
• Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, using her recently granted emergency powers for the first time, relaxed city regulations on food truck locations and restaurant signage. According to a city press release, the move aimed “to increase access to safe dining options during the course of this COVID-19 public health emergency.”

To review other important points of the order, click here.

In a briefing on March 31, Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order that prohibits utilities from disconnecting customers who are unable to pay for the next 60 days. Under the order, electric, gas, water and wastewater services can not be shut off. The order directs utilities to give residential customers at least six months to pay outstanding bills and prohibits them from collecting fees, penalties or interest for late payment. 

While the order is legally binding for utility companies, the governor also included provisions that “urge” telecommunications companies including phone, cable and internet services to follow the same rules. 

“Additionally, the order encourages banks not to charge customers for overdraft fees, late fees and other penalties,” the press release said. “Landlords are strongly encouraged in the Order to follow the spirit of Chief Justice Cheri Beasley’s Order and delay any evictions that are already entered in the court system.”

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/31/coronavirus-governor-cooper-prohibits-utility-disconnections/5098070002/

FAQs for Housing during Coronavirus (provided by Pisgah Legal)

To learn more about your rights if you are concerned about not being able to pay your rent, call Pisgah Legal Services at (828) 253-0406. 

Can rent be deferred during the COVID-19 pandemic?

No.

At this time, landlords can still require that rent be paid each month, even if you have had to stop working because of business closures or shelter in place orders. There may be some relief available through local agencies such as Eblen Charities or the Salvation Army. If you are worried that you will not be able to pay your rent because of a recent job loss, you should contact your landlord as soon as possible. Your landlord may be willing to defer some of your rent or set up a payment plan. 

What happens if I can’t pay my rent? Can I still be evicted during the COVID-19 pandemic?

At this time, North Carolina courthouses are still open to accept new filings and hear some select cases. However, the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court has ordered that almost all nonemergency court cases be postponed until at least April 17. That means that your landlord could still go to the courthouse and file an eviction against you. However, your court hearing will not be scheduled until after the postponement period has ended.

I thought the court was closed, why did I get served with a summary ejectment?

Though your hearing date will be delayed, you may still be served with summary ejectment or eviction papers by the Sheriff. 

If you are served with eviction papers, please contact Pisgah Legal Services right away. Even though your court hearing will be delayed, you have the same rights and defenses you may otherwise have under North Carolina law.

My landlord locked me out without filing for eviction, what do I do?

Call law enforcement immediately, then call Pisgah Legal Services. Even if you are behind on your rent, your landlord must still give you proper notice, file for an eviction in court, and be granted possession of the unit before you can be removed. If your landlord does anything to force you to leave your unit (changing the locks, turning off the water or electricity, etc.) without going through the court process, that is an unlawful “self-help” eviction and you should call local law enforcement immediately. Pisgah Legal Services may also be able to help get you back into your unit.

My case is pending appeal to the District Court, how do I pay my rent bond each month?

At this time, the courthouse and clerk’s offices are still open to accept filings and other payments. If you currently pay a rent bond each month, you can pay that rent bond in the clerk’s office as you normally would. Some clerk’s offices will also accept payment by mail if you are paying with a certified check. Be sure to call your county’s civil clerk’s office ahead of time to ensure they will accept payment for your rent bond by mail.

I live in subsidized housing, am I protected if I can’t pay my rent?

If you live in subsidized housing, you should report any change in income to your landlord right away. Because your rent is based on your income, you are obligated to tell your landlord any time your income changes, either up or down. If you lose your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you should notify your landlord immediately and ask that your rent be recalculated.

At this time, there is not a federal moratorium on evictions in public housing.

I have already been evicted, can the Sheriff lock me out?

At this time, the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court has issued an order stating,

“I order that all pleadings, motions, notices, and other documents and papers that were or are due to be filed in any county of this state on or after 16 March 2020 and before the close of business on 17 April 2020 in civil actions, criminal actions, estates, and special proceedings shall be deemed to be timely filed if they are filed before the close of business on 17 April 2020.” This order extends the deadline for filing summary ejectment appeals or other filings until April 17, 2020. Many clerk’s offices have interpreted that order to mean that landlords cannot apply for writs of possession during this time, unless they were eligible to apply for the writ before March 16, 2020. 

If you have questions about how to file an appeal or your specific legal issue, please contact Pisgah Legal Services.

What about my utility bills?

Duke Energy has currently put a moratorium on electricity shut offs. Additionally, some water utility companies have done the same. Duke Energy is also waiving late payment, return payment, and other fees for its customers. If you are having trouble paying your utility bills, you should contact your utility provider immediately. You may also be eligible for assistance through your local Department of Social Services and other agencies.

Funds: 

• On March 25, The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina awarded $286,800 in emergency grants to WNC nonprofits responding to COVID-19. A total of 38 organizations, including BeLoved Asheville, the Vecinos Farmworker Health Program and Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, received up to $10,000 in funding each.
• New Belgium Brewing has established a relief fund for laid-off and furloughed employees of restaurants, bars, nightclubs, music halls and stadiums in its main markets of Asheville and Fort Collins, Colo. The company has donated $50,000 and will match an additional $50,000 of community contributions; sidelined service workers can apply for grants of $350.
• The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association launched a relief fund to provide cash support for restaurant and hotel employees experiencing financial difficulty as the industry cuts back on staffing due to COVID-19. Qualified applicants can apply for up for $500 in direct assistance to help with immediate expenses.

As of late March 25, the U.S. government considers the entire state of North Carolina to be under a major disaster due to COVID-19. Mike Sprayberry, the state’s director of emergency management, shared the news during a March 26 press briefing.

Both state and local governments, Sprayberry explained, will now be able to seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for up to 75% of their expenses related to COVID-19 response.

He noted that federal disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling, disaster case management and additional assistance from the Small Business Administration remain under review but could be approved as the situation changes.

The rapid relief fund approved on March 24 by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is now open for business. Tim Love, the county’s director of intergovernmental relations, announced during a March 27 press conference that OneBuncombe.org was available online to accept community donations to and requests for assistance from the One Buncombe Fund.

Love said the fund, overseen by a seven-member board of directors with representatives from the government, business, banking and philanthropic communities, would begin disbursing money next week. 

Individuals can apply for direct assistance grants to cover needs such as rent and utilities, while businesses can apply for low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to serve as “bridge” financing until federal and state resources become available.

Kit Cramer, president and CEO of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and chair of the new fund, said its balance currently sat at just over $500,000.

https://mountainx.com/news/state-stay-at-home-order-to-last-until-april-29/

The third disbursement from the federal Strategic National Stockpile of medical personal protective equipment that was supposed to arrive on March 30 and 31 has not yet found their way into the hands of local health care workers.

North Carolina has requested “half a million” each of N-95 masks, procedure masks, gowns, gloves, face shields and coveralls, Sprayberry said.

The Strategic National Stockpile — an approximately $8 billion trove of medical supplies, including critical items such as masks and gowns, overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — is meant to help local governments stay equipped during public health emergencies. 

During a press question and answer session on April 1, Tove said he wasn’t aware of any deliveries from the stockpile within Buncombe County.

Less than a third of the requested gloves, and less than 1% of the requested coveralls, have been received.

Closing schools and curtailing public services has put a strain on many in our community, especially those living at or below the poverty line. Hands On Asheville has provided the following links of urgent volunteer needs in our community:

• 4/1/ Food Packaging Volunteers
• 4/2/ Drive-up Emergency Market
• Meals on Wheels Drivers
• MANNA support

Opportunities are updated on the Hands On Asheville website daily, please check out all COVID-19 volunteer opportunities here. If you are looking to support in-kind donations needs, please click here. 

Before you even begin thinking about volunteering, ask yourself – Am I well enough to volunteer? Please click this link to connect with some health and safety guidelines when it comes to volunteering. 

Throughout the wake of COVID-19 and practicing social distancing, information and resources will be posted here under “What You Need to Know: COVID-19 in Buncombe County”

On March 29, Buncombe County Health and Human Services reported the first COVID-19 associated death in a Buncombe County resident.

According to a state posted on the county’s website, on March 28 at Mission Hospital an elderly individual died from complications associated with the virus. To protect the privacy of the family, no further information about this patient will be released by BCHHS.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) people at high risk for severe medical consequences, including death, include anyone who: 

• Is 65 years of age or older 
• Has a high-risk condition that includes:
  • Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
  • Heart disease with complications 
  • Weakened immune system 
  • Severe obesity – body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher 
  • Other underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver disease
• Pregnant women should be followed closely by their healthcare providers since they are known to be at risk for severe viral illness.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/29/coronavirus-buncombe-announces-first-covid-19-death-county-resident/2935518001/

Governor Roy Cooper issued a statement on March 29, saying that the first coronavirus-related unemployment payments will be paid starting this week. 

According to officials, the state has received approximately 270,000 claims in the past two weeks, most of them related to COVID-19 as businesses close or scale back. By comparison, the state received about 7,500 claims in the first two weeks of March.

In order to receive unemployment insurance payments workers must complete their weekly certifications. The weekly certification is a series of ‘yes or no’ questions that helps to determine a person’s eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits each week. If a person does not complete a weekly certification, they will not receive a payment for that week. 

The weekly certification must be completed through the individual’s online account at https://des.nc.gov/.

As of March 29, North Carolina health officials have reported that there were around 1,000 positive cases statewide as of Sunday morning, including five deaths and about 90 hospitalizations.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/29/coronavirus-nc-covid-19-unemployment-payments-starting-go-out/2936442001/

Due to large crowds of hikers continuing to congregate on the Appalachian Trail, the U.S. Forest Service has temporarily shut down trailhead facilities and other access points in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in North Carolina, and the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee to protect public health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

The following popular access sites are affected by these changes:

• Max Patch – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
• Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap – Cherokee and Pisgah National Forests
• Lovers Leap – Pisgah National Forest
• Wayah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
• Cheoah Bald – Nantahala National Forest
• Hampton and Dennis Cove Trailheads (Laurel Falls) – Cherokee National Forest
• Osborne Farm – Cherokee National Forest

Forest Service managers remind visitors to recreate responsibly by maintaining a distance of 6 feet from others, avoiding gathering in groups of more than 10 people and not engaging in high-risk activities, like rock climbing, that increase the chance of injury or distress.

Law enforcement and search and rescue operations may be limited due to COVID-19.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2020/03/28/coronavirus-leads-forest-service-close-appalachian-trail-wnc/2933872001/

As COVID-19 cases rise, local health care experts anticipate a surge of patients to Western North Carolina hospitals. Antony Chiang, CEO at Dogwood Health Trust, estimated that more than 1,000 confirmed positive cases in Western North Carolina would “push our health system into stress.”

Mission, Pardee, AdventHealth and Charles George VA Medical Center are each developing contingency plans to increase capacity if and when cases spike. 

Among other hospitals Mission Hospital shared their plans on bed space, personnel and ventilators with the Citizen-Times: 

• Current Capacity: 1,091 beds across campuses, 84 ventilators.
• Plans to meet demand: 
  • Bed space: Should the need arise, Mission will also open access to unused space in its St. Joseph building in Asheville, which includes a 14-bed intensive care unit and an old Emergency Department. Mission will also convert general hospital beds into ICU beds as needed.
  • Mission spokeswoman Nancy Lindell said Mission Health would consider directing less ill patients to its five secondary hospitals across Western North Carolina, leaving Mission Hospital in Asheville with more space to treat any critically ill patients. 
  • Personnel: According to Lindell, hospitals will consider “emergency credentialing” of nurses and physicians who are not currently employed by Mission. The hospital will continue to hire traveling staff as well. 
  • Ventilators: Mission anticipates increased demand for ventilators, and Lindell says the company will continue to try to secure more to meet this potential demand.

Other hospitals plans can be found at: 

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/03/28/coronavirus-mission-pardee-adventhealth-nc-share-covid-19-plans/2917842001/

North Carolina will be under a “stay-at-home” order beginning 5 p.m. March 30. Gov. Roy Cooper made the announcement days before in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

The order will be in place for 30 days. There are at least 20 other states that have similar orders in place, affecting millions of Americans. 

The executive order instructs residents to stay at home and travel outside their residence only for a handful of reasons. They include going out to obtain medical supplies or services, picking up groceries or other necessary products, and going out to public spaces to engage in activities.

What you can do:

• Seeking emergency services
• Obtaining medical supplies or medication
• Visiting health care professional or veterinarians
• To assist others
• Going to weddings and funerals
• Going to pick up groceries or food
• Buy auto supplies or other products to maintain safety, sanitation and essential operations of homes or businesses
• Going out to walk, hike, run, golf or bike 
• Going to parks or other outdoor recreation areas (some playgrounds remain closed)
• Going to places of worship
• Volunteering with organizations that provide charitable or social services
• Going to work that is authorized to remain open

Essential Businesses: 

• Non-profits working in CISA sectors
• Health care operations
• Human services operations (nursing home, child care centers, etc)
• Food and beverage production and distribution, farmers
• Construction and public transportation sectors
• Building and ground management and maintenance
• Utility operations
• Cybersecurity operations
• Grocery stores and pharmacies
• Trash and recycling collection
• Telecommunication systems
• Media
• First responders, emergency management, law enforcement and courts and judges
• Gas stations
• Religious facilities
• Banks and other financial instructions
• Hardware supply stores
• Post offices, other shipping, delivery services
• Liquor stores
• Pet stores
• Schools (for the purposes of providing remote learning)
• Laundry services
• Restaurants that provide delivery or takeout options
• Office supply stores
• Transportation services
• Legal, accounting and insurance services
• Manufacturing
• Hotels

If you disregard the order, law enforcement has the right to prosecute those who violate the order. Such a violation could result in a Class 2 misdemeanor which could lead to 60 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/2020/03/27/nc-coronavirus-stay-home-order-essential-businesses-lockdown/2929942001/

Several community organizations are reaching out to help those in need during the pandemic.

• Food Connection is redirecting surplus food from area restaurants to local distribution sites.
• Haywood Street Congregation, First Baptist Church, ABCCM, WNC Rescue Mission and Church of the Advocate continue to offer bagged lunches and hot to-go meals on alternating days.
• The Humane Society is offering dog and cat food and flea treatments.
• Dale Fell Community Health Center staff are at AHOPE each week to perform wellness checks and to provide continuing support for individuals who have chronic health conditions 
• Homeward Bound’s greatest supply needs continue to be: masks, hand sanitizer, sleeping bags, blankets, tents, socks, underwear (men and women sizes M-XL) and heavy duty waterproof tarps that are at least 8 feet.

It is encouraging and heartwarming to see our community come together to help our neighbors in need. 

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/opinion/2020/03/29/coronavirus-homeless-asheville-community-helpers-our-heroes-opinion/2917696001/

Here is an interactive coronavirus map created by Citizen Times – https://data.citizen-times.com/coronavirus/