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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.

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

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. 

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour

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/

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour