VOLUME 126 | March 12, 2020
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Update on City’s Efforts to Prevent a Coronavirus Outbreak in San Antonio
Yesterday morning, I joined my City Council colleagues for an emergency meeting to discuss safety precautions that the City is taking to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in San Antonio. You can watch the whole meeting at sanantonio.gov/tvsa, but there are a few things I want to share:
• The City has requested more testing kits from the federal government and requested that all individuals evacuated from The Grand Princess cruise ship be flown directly in and out of Lackland, as opposed to the airport, minimizing the risk of the virus spreading.
• 98 evacuees were flown into Lackland on Tuesday. None displayed any symptoms. A second group of about 120 evacuees arrived yesterday. However, the federal government did not test the evacuees prior to bringing them to Lackland.
• The Fire Dept. has visited all senior centers and will visit 160 elderly care homes to provide them with safety information and recommended practices.
• Councilman Treviño called on SAWS and CPS Energy to put a moratorium on utility disconnections to ensure residents have access to running water and basic hygiene during this time. I support this proposal. As of today, both utilities have agreed to do.
• I have called on City staff to expand flu vaccinations in the community, so that to the extent possible we can reduce the need for hospital and emergency services for flu, and these can be available in the event of community cases of COVID-19.
• At this point, there are no plans to cancel Fiesta. However, we are continuing to monitor the situation and weigh the potential risks to the community in light of public health best practices.
As the virus continues to spread across the country, I’ll continue to work alongside with my council colleagues and the Mayor to make sure we take every precaution necessary to protect San Antonio residents.
Should you have any questions, the Metro Health Dept. operates a hotline at 210-207-5779 from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in both English and Spanish.
You’re Invited: Special Community Health & Equity Community Meeting this Monday
The City Council Committee on Community Health & Equity will meet this Monday at Athens Elementary, 2707 W Gerald Ave, at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the public health measures San Antonio is taking with regard to coronavirus, the City’s Gun Violence Prevention Program, and the South San Care Zone’s Mental Health Pilot Program.
Normally, these meetings are held during the day in the Municipal Plaza Building downtown, but we’re taking a few of them out into the community to make it easier to participate and keep up with what your local government is doing.
You can participate in the meeting by signing up for public comment before 6:00 p.m. If you can’t make it, you can watch live at SanAntonio.gov/TVSA. The agenda is available at SanAntonio.Legistar.gov.
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The West Chamber of Commerce welcomed San Antonio's City Councilwomen for a discussion on gender, leadership, and some of the biggest challenges facing our city.
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City Council met Wednesday morning for an emergency meeting to discuss precautionary measures the City is taking in the face of COVID-19. You can catch video of the meeting
here.
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After a long hiatus, the driving range at O.P. Schnabel Park is open to the public! The District 7 Team stopped by this Monday to take a few swings and say hello to some of the golf enthusiasts in the community, including the young enthusiasts pictured above.
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SAPD SAFFE Officer Garcia practices social distancing at the Jefferson Neighborhood Association. SAPD, the District 7 Team, and a representative from San Antonio Oasis each spoke with residents.
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Thanks to an award from Impact SA, District 7's very own San Antonio Clubhouse is now the proud owner of a hydroponic farm. At peak production, the farm is expected to produce 500 heads of lettuce a week--enough to feed the clubhouse's patrons and more!
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The Thunderbird Hills Neighborhood Association welcomed a new Vice Preisdent and new Treasurer this week Welcome to the board, Alfred and Terri! Pictured above from left to right: Back row: President Dan Rossiter, Sgt. At Arms Phillip Hernandez, Vice President Alfred Palomares, former Vice President Charles Rodriguez, former Treasurer Karen Rodriguez. Front row: Yolanda Davila and Terri Payne.
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"The confirmed case in San Antonio was the 15th in the United States. There have now been over 60,000 cases worldwide with a death toll of at least 1,300 people."
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"What began as a handful of mysterious pneumonia-like illnesses in Wuhan, China, has spread across the globe, with more than 100,000 cases of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, confirmed worldwide and more than 3,400 deaths reported."
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"It’s what all of San Antonio wants to know: Will Fiesta be canceled because of the new coronavirus?"
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As SA2020 refocuses and rebrands its work tracking San Antonio’s progress toward its social and economic goals, it may start coordinating more closely with the City of San Antonio.
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"A group of people crowded around a shipping container in the parking lot of the San Antonio Clubhouse, a community and resource center for adults with mental illness."
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City of San Antonio Update on Novel Coronavirus preparedness and coordination
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The City of San Antonio has provided the following information for residents seeking information about preventing the spread of COVID-19. At this time, the risk to the general public continues to remain low.
Currently there are no community cases in Bexar County or the City of San Antonio.
The only confirmed cases are individuals who were brought to Lackland Air Force base under a federally mandated quarantine, and those individuals have been in isolation for treatment. Therefore, the risk of infection remains low.
Older adults and people with underlying medical conditions, such as lung or heart disease, diabetes seem to be particularly susceptible to COVID-19. Older adults should take the following precautions:
- Make a plan to prepare yourself if you get sick
- Know who will take care of you if your caregiver gets sick
- Talk to your doctor to have enough medication on hand if you get sick
- Have groceries and personal items in stock in case you get sick and need to stay home for a period of time
- Stay informed on what is happening locally and avoid crowds
- Call your doctor immediately if you develop warning signs such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, or blueness of the lips or face.
Social Distancing: what is it and who should practice it?
Social distancing
is a practice in which people maintain safe distances from each other and avoid direct contact with high touch items in the community. Here are six ways to practice social distancing:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places like elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand if you must touch something
- Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places and avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc
- Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick
- Clean and disinfect your home regularly, including routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces
- Maintain a six-foot distance from others in public settings
Local COVID-19 testing
On Tuesday, March 3, 2020 the San Antonio Metro Health Laboratory received tests from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The laboratory has completed the validation study and reporting verification and is capable of running tests as of Monday, March 9, 2020. At this time, Metro Health Laboratory has the capacity to test 500 individuals.
In addition to public health laboratory testing, commercial laboratory testing is also now available from Quest and LabCorp, but are limited in supply in Bexar County/San Antonio. Both laboratories, per Texas Department of State Health Services, are first rolling out testing strategy and supplies in California and Washington, followed by the remainder of the country. Both laboratories are requesting providers to collaborate with their public health departments to determine which individuals should be tested. The turnaround time for these test results is 24-48 hours. Both commercial laboratories and ordering physician would be required to notify Metro Health immediately with any positive results.
Texas Governor Abbott asked Texas health insurance providers to waive costs associated with COVID-19, including deductibles on testing and telemedicine visits, penalties and restrictions for necessary out-of-network services and referral requirements. Additionally, insurers were asked to cover costs for necessary medical equipment, allow extra time to file claims and authorize payment to pharmacies for up to a 90-day supply of any prescription medication for individuals, regardless of when the prescription was filled.
COVID-19 Hotline
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has opened a COVID-19 hotline for residents to ask questions about the virus. The hotline is available in English and Spanish.
Residents can call 210-207-5779.
(Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Information for the public is also available at:
www.sanantonio.gov/health/2019ncoronavirus
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Six practical COVID-19 prevention tips:
The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. CDC always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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Applications Sought for City Boards & Commissions
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The District 7 Office is looking for applicants for the following Boards & Commissions:
You can apply or view a full list of the boards and commissions
here. Have any questions? Call the District 7 Office at 210-207-0870.
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Applications Sought for City's Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee
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Applications are being accepted for the City of San Antonio’s Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC) for 8 positions. Candidates representing the following areas of interest are sought:
- Environmental/Historic category – 1 Alternate
- Planning Professional – 1 Primary & 1 Alternate
- Registered Professional Engineer – 1 Primary
- Development/Real Estate Professional – 1 Primary
- Community – 2 Primaries & 1 Alternate
Those interested in applying may do so by visiting
here. The deadline to submit applications is
Friday, March 20, 2020.
What is the Planning Commission Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC)?
The PCTAC advises the Planning Commission on the Major Thoroughfare Plan and Unified Development Code amendments and meets as often as necessary. These voluntary committee members are appointed by Planning Commission for overlapping two-year terms. PCTAC members will be involved in the 2020 UDC Amendment Process.
When do they meet?
As often as necessary. During the 2020 UDC Amendment Process meetings will be more frequent as PCTAC is integral to the UDC amendment process. The
PCTAC 2020 Calendar is also available for viewing online.
How do I apply?
You can complete the fillable application attached and return it by email, mail, or submit in person according to the instructions on page 5 of the application.
For more information on PCTAC, visit
here.
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March 19: Seeling Channel Public Art -- Artist Meet and Greet
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The Department of Arts & Culture’s Public Art Division will be hosting an Artist Meet and Greet to introduce artists selected for the Seeling Channel Public Art Project in District 7. The event will focus on reviewing the SA Speak Up community engagement done in 2019 along with introducing the artists. The artists were selected by an Artist Selection Panel composed of members of the San Antonio Arts Commission and the District 7 community and approved by the Public Art Committee and San Antonio Arts Commission.
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Come out March 21 to Deco Days, a community festival in the Deco District. Deco Days will feature music, dancers, and crafts from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Norris Street. Bring your own picnic chair and enjoy the day!
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The Ambassador Summer Internship Program is an internship program for currently enrolled college students sponsored by the City of San Antonio. The program exposes students to professional opportunities and innovative career paths through paid internships, Peer-to-Peer networking sessions, and community service projects.
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Animal Care Services Seeking Feedback on Changes to Pet Sale Laws
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Animal Care Services is looking for feedback on proposed ordinances regulating pet sales in San Antonio aimed at reducing our local animal overpopulation issues.
The survey runs through March 23.
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DKMS: Get Swabbed to Save a Life
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On October 7, 2019, Harrison started the school day with his annual pediatric check-up. By bedtime he had a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. Boom! His life is forever changed. Instead of spending his days with his 3rd grade class learning multiplication or on the ice with his hockey team, he is fighting for his life with chemotherapy treatments, dozens of daily medications and most recently the search for a life-saving bone marrow transplant donor.
If you are between 18 - 55, all it takes is six minute and a swab of the cheek to get in the game and potentially save a life. You just might be the one person who can help Harrison and other patients in need win the fight against cancer!
For more information, go to dkms.org.
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March 9-13: City Hosts Spring Break Camp
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March 12-21: Airport Seeks Feedback on Strategic Development Plan
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We are hosting a series of community pop-up events this month in popular locations around San Antonio, and hope you can join us at one of these informal meet-ups!
The goal of these Pop-Ups is to provide information about the Strategic Development Plan and receive input from community members. The plan will determine what facilities the airport will need, such as gates and airfield improvements, where they should go, and how to pay for them.
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Join us for our first Donuts & DIY event of 2020! Wood windows are still a HUGE focus for historic homeowners and DIYers, and we'll focus on the basics of wood window repair. This FREE workshop will be a crash-course on window terminology, condition assessments, and essential tools for DIY repair. This course is best for novices, those looking to brush up on their knowledge, or those looking to obtain basic information on tools needed to get started.
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Saturday, March 14
9:30am - 12:00pm at Beethoven Maennerchor
422 Pereida St, San Antonio
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March 14, 17: San Pedro Creek Culture Park Gathering Public Input Meetings for Upcoming Art Installation
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A hub of public art, San Pedro Creek Culture Park is seeking input on a planned art installation for Phase 1.2 – a five-panel mural that will be located behind the Spanish Governor’s Palace between Commerce and Dolorosa Street. The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) will host two public meetings – on March 14 and 17 – to provide citizens with an opportunity to learn about and provide feedback on the mural’s conceptual design.
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- Saturday, March 14
- 10:00 am – 11:30 am
- Christopher Columbus Italian Society
- Free Parking
- 201 Piazza Italia, San Antonio, TX 78207
- Optional tour of San Pedro Creek Culture Park following the meeting
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- Tuesday, March 17
- 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
- San Antonio River Authority Main Office, Boardroom
- Free Parking
- 100 E. Guenther St. San Antonio, TX 78204
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During the public input sessions, Cortes and his team will listen to citizens’ stories, personal experiences, and research recommendations to help build a robust foundation for the murals conceptual design.
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March 17: Graffiti Wipeout Annual
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Join the City's No Graffiti SA for the 17th Annual Graffiti Wipeout on
Saturday, April 4, 2020
from
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
at anyone of the four locations below:
- Gilbert Garza Community Center (1450 Mira Vista, San Antonio Texas 78228(
- Hays Street Bridge (803 N. Cherry St., San Antonio Texas 78202
- Harry Wurzbach Drainage Channel (106 Dalewood Place, San Antonio Texas 78209)
- Kennedy Park (3299 SW 28th St., San Antonio Texas 78226)
To sign up for this event:
A confirmation will be emailed prior to the event, along with any special instructions.
All registered volunteers will receive a “No Graffiti SA” Fiesta Medal at the event!
General Questions? Contact:
- Melissa.Escamilla@sanantonio.gov or 210-207-8178
- Lisa.McKenzie-Villanueva@sanantonio.gov or 210-207-5430
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March 28: Alternatives to Guardianship Legal Clinic
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Wonder where your District 7 Team is headed next? Join Councilwoman Sandoval and/or District 7 staff at any of the following events! Call us for more information.
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French Creek Village HOA Meeting
Date: March 12
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Call for location
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Girls Empowerment Summit
Date: March 13
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Palo Alto College, 1400 W Villaret Blvd.
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CANCELLED: American Organization for Immigrants Citizenship Workshop
Date: March 14
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 702 Donaldson Ave.
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Special City Council Community Health & Equity Committee Meeting
Date: March 16
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Athens Elementary,
2707 W Gerald Ave
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Culebra Park Neighborhood Meeting
Date: March 17
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Call for location
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Braun Station East Community Improvement Association Board Meeting
Date: March 18
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Location: Call for location
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Community Meeting on Public Art for Seeling Channel
Date: March 19
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Woodlawn Lake Island House, 1103 Cincinnati Ave
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Pheasant Creek HOA Board Meeting
Date: March 19
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Call for location
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Deco Days
Date: March 21
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Norris Street, next to Deco Pizza, 1915 Fredericksburg Road
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Sunshine Estates
Neighborhood Meeting
Date: March 23
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Joe Ward Community Center,
435 E Sunshine Dr
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Woodlawn Hills Neighborhood Meeting
Date: March 25
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Call for location
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Cesar Chavez March
Date: March 28
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Guadalupe & S. Brazos
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Brass Professional Center
4414 Centerview Dr, Ste #160
Monday - Friday:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Closed for Lunch:
12:00 pm- 1:00 pm
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Plaza de Armas
100 Military Plaza
Monday - Friday:
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Please call for an appointment.
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