Seeking Clarity on School Reopenings
And today,
Governor Abbott announced that schools can extend the first four weeks of remote learning by an additional four weeks with a vote of their school board and a waiver from the TEA. This extension will not affect school funding. If school districts wish to continue remote learning beyond the first eight weeks, they must request authorization from the Texas Education Agency, who will consider such requests on a case by case basis.
While distance learning has come with its challenges, returning to school at this moment is not safe.
There is significant spread of COVID-19 in our community, and the possibility of outbreaks occurring on a school campus are nearly certain. We must see a reduction in community spread, ensure all schools have safety plans and equipment, and we must be sure that the health department and local health system are prepared to assist in the event of an outbreak. Without all of these pieces in place, I do not believe it is safe to re-open.
Weak Point: Underfunded Health Department
Generally, crises have a way of exposing a community's weak points. This week, the Rivard Report offers a great take on yet another weak point the pandemic has exposed:
underfunded health departments
.
I've often said that there is no local health department in the country that had the staff and resources to handle a crisis of this nature. Yet Metro Health, along with many other local health departments, has been underfunded even in the best of times.
In my commentary last month
, I explained that residents deserve a properly-funded health department, one that can address problems up-stream before they become problems down-stream.
This coming week, City Council will review the proposed fiscal year 2021 City Budget. I will be paying close attention to our investment in health programs, as well as the COVID-19 response.
In case you missed it: "Building Back Better" on The Source
The pandemic has exposed several of our city's weak points. When we begin to recover, can we focus in on those weak points and fix them?
That was the question I discussed on The Source this week with Commissioner Tommy Calvert and Dr. Ana "Cha" Guzman, chair of the San Antonio Housing Authority.
We had a wide-ranging conversation with a focus on housing. You can listen
here
.
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City of San Antonio hosts its first all virtual meeting and offers eComment for City Council meetings!
This Thursday, August 6, will be the first fully virtual meeting of the San Antonio City Council. All council members and the mayor will participate and vote remotely. Members of the public will be able to submit and make comments remotely following the instructions below.
To access eComment, the public may visit
www.sanantonio.gov/agenda
, select the meeting they’d like to participate in and click eComment. The commenter will be prompted to setup a profile or sign in, select the item they’d like to comment on, type in their comment and position and then submit.
Residents can also register to speak from this platform or request a live callback. To participate by phone during a virtual meeting, include your phone number in your profile to request a callback.
Comments left on items are visible to the public.
Residents can also text COMMENT to 55000 to receive a link to submit a comment or register to speak.
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COVID-19 & Schools Town Hall
The City of San Antonio’s COVID-19 PreK-12 Consultation Group represented by City of San Antonio Medical Director Dr. Junda Woo and Bonham Academy School Principal David Nungaray, will hold a public meeting to discuss safely opening schools. The virtual public meeting will take place on
Wednesday, August 5th at 7 p.m.
The public is invited to watch live on the
City’s website
, the
City’s Facebook page
, channels AT&T 99, Grande 20, Spectrum 21 and digital antenna 16.1. Residents can also listen live by dialing 210-207-5555 and selecting option 1 for English or option 2 for Spanish. The meeting will feature live audience polling during the meeting.
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City Council and Council Committees to Reconvene This Week!
City Council and Council committees will reconvene for virtual meetings this week. Below is a schedule of the upcoming meetings and their agendas:
Monday, August 3 - Governance Committee at 10:00 AM (
Agenda)
Councilwoman Sandoval serves on this committee.
Monday, August 3 - Culture and Neighborhood Services Committee at 2:00 PM (
Agenda)
Tuesday, August 4 - Economic and Workforce Development Committee at 2:00 PM
Wednesday, August 5 - City Council B Session at 2:00 PM (Agenda To Be Posted)
Wednesday, August 5 - Public Comment at 5:00 PM (
Agenda)
Thursday, August 6 - City Council A Session and Zoning at 9:00 AM (
Agenda)
Friday, August 7 - Community Health and Equity Committee at 10:00 AM
Councilwoman Sandoval serves as chair of this committee.
(Agenda To Be Posted)
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Last Day to Speak Up On The City's Budget!
The City's budget is nearly finished and it's up to you to tell the City what services matter to you! COVID has significantly impacted our communities and the budget will affect every San Antonian this coming fiscal year.
Make your voice heard;
take the survey
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Learn Something New from the Comfort of Your Home.
Senior Planet helps connect and provide resources for older adults who want to learn new things such as protecting personal information, staying safe online, and learning messaging apps . Classes are provided twice a week and are held via Zoom.
For more information, call 210-504-4862 or email sanantonio@seniorplanet.org
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Now Hiring! Metro Health Alongside UT Health-San Antonio to recruit for Contact Tracers
Metro Health has partnered with UT Health School of Public Health in San Antonio to recruit Case Investigators and Contact Tracers. Individuals selected for the position will be responsible for connecting with COVID-19 patients.
Apply for full-time or part-time positions here:
https://sph.uth.edu/landing/contact-tracing-sa/
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Attention senior residents 60 years of age and older: stay cool this summer!
If you need or know a senior resident who needs a FREE 20-inch box fan to help with this summer heat,
call the United Way Helpline at 211
. Support Project Cool by donating a box fan. See more information below.
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Share the Streets Survey
The “Share the Streets” pilot project on Cincinnati Avenue was designed to limit automobile traffic and create more opportunities for neighbors to enjoy safe, physical activity in front of their residential homes. Now we want to hear from you and your experience during this time!
Click
here
to fill out the quick survey.
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If SA Health Department Calls, Answer!
Contact tracers are working hard to slow the spread of COVID-19. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, contact tracers will call to notify you and the
caller ID will read "SA Health Department."
Answer the call, self-quarantine at home, and follow the instructions.
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For more upcoming COVID testing sites click
here
.
The City of San Antonio has an online self-screening tool that can help a person determine if they should get tested for COVID-19. This helpful screening tool can be found at
https://covid19test.quacito.com/
. This tool does not replace medical care if a person is feeling ill
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Click any of the following buttons for reliable information about COVID-19. Additionally, you can text COSAGOV to 55000 to receive SMS text message updates.
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The following buttons link to community resources should you need any assistance. If you need a service that is not listed below, please contact our office at 210-207-0870 or by email at District7@SanAntonio.gov.
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See a full listing of resources
here.
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Looking for a way to help your neighbors during this time? Here are a few ideas:
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See more ideas on how to get involved
here.
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District 7 Council Office
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During this time, the District 7 Office is continuing to work for you. We are taking the following precautions to protect your health and ours:
- We are taking your phone calls and emails.
- We are calling into neighborhood association and HOA meetings. If you would like help hosting a video or conference call for your NA/HOA meeting, call us!
- We are postponing in-person office events for the time being.
We appreciate your understanding.
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