Connecting You With City Information, News, and Resources
All Things COVID-19!
Councilmember Cara Mendelsohn


Please check out these important resources for COVID-19:

(comprehensive listing of resources)

(this includes rental assistance, how to file for unemployment, job resources, food assistance, help paying utilities, mental health resources, business loan information and other important resources)

(this includes business resources and jobs for displaced workers)

(this includes unemployment insurance, workers' comp, resources for job seekers, financial resources, paying utilities, internet access, paying rent and mortgage, evictions, food assistance, tax filing, and student loan information)





Hello District 12,

The world has changed so much in just a few short weeks. I hope you and your family are doing well.

In my family, I am recovering from Flu B, my husband, a banker, has been involved with starting up the new SBA loans, my youngest son has adapted to online high school classes, my middle son is working remotely from his apartment, and my oldest son is like many, with his office closed down and work projects suspended while we are under emergency orders.

It is important to realize the magnitude of the changes in our economy and way of life in response to COVID-19. Every person and every sector of our economy has been impacted.

The information in this enews is centered on everything happening with the city regarding COVID-19. The situation, orders, and information are changing quickly and up to date detailed information is posted on my facebook account daily.

I wish you well through these difficult times. May we all come through this with health and resume our lives as quickly as possible. If I, or my staff, can assist you in any way, please reach out to us by email.

As Easter and Passover approach, many will be celebrating differently this year. May you each be blessed with a meaningful holiday experienced in unique and creative ways.
Cara
City of Dallas Temporary COVID-19 Changes
The Mayor issued a state of emergency resolution in response to COVID-19. The city council has extended the order through midnight on April 29th. With the order, which have been amended several times, the Mayor and City Manager have placed various temporary restrictions, changes, and structures in place. A copy of the orders is on the city website listed above. To be clear, it is only the Mayor who can declare an emergency and execute the emergency resolution, only the council that can extend or end the state of emergency. Dallas County is our designated health authority.

The Mayor has created two new ad hoc committees on COVID-19 to help ensure the actions of city government appropriately address the needs of our residents and businesses as they arise. One is Economic Recovery and Assistance, which is charged with developing and recommending strategies to a) mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on business and workers in the City of Dallas and b) minimize the negative impact of COVID on the city's tax revenue and budget. The other is the Human and Social Recovery and Assistance, which is charged with developing and recommending strategies to a) minimize the negative impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life for residents of the City of Dallas, particularly the homeless, seniors, and other vulnerable populations and b) monitor compliance with the City's emergency regulations. Additionally, the Mayor has taken the lead in the legislative efforts to advocate for Dallas receiving the needed funding and support from the state and federal government for recovery efforts. I have been assigned to the Human and Social Recovery ad hoc committee and am focused on housing, homelessness, and technology efforts.

While operating in emergency mode, the city has suspended regular council committee meetings, as well as boards and commission meetings that are not required for continued operations. Regular city council briefing and agenda meetings continue by videoconference and ad hoc meetings by teleconference or videoconference.

City staff has also shifted in roles, work locations, and hours. Some staff are working from home, some have been asked to help essential departments, and some are deemed essential and continuing to report to City Hall, police and fire stations, the water treatment plants, parks, or other locations. City Hall is closed, as are many city facilities including libraries, recreation centers, and waste transfer stations.

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This is the daily update provided by the City of Dallas. I post these reports daily on Facebook.

The following is an update on the City’s planning and preparedness efforts regarding COVID-19, as of April 6, 2020.
 
Positive cases of COVID-19
  • 1,155 in Dallas County – 43 are new
  • 287 in Collin County
  • 418 in Tarrant County
  • 304 in Denton County
  • 10 in Kaufman County
  • 11 in Rockwall County
  • 32 in Ellis County

Hospital Reports
Twenty-one hospitals reported ventilator and bed capacity numbers to Mayor Eric Johnson's office.
  • Total beds: 5,236, Beds occupied: 2,571
  • Total ICU beds: 778, ICU beds occupied: 476
  • Total ventilators: 887, Ventilators in use: 309
 
Lab Reports
As of 5:00 p.m. the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management has received a report from five labs. Below are the numbers for today, Monday, April 6, 2020:
356 COVID-19 tests
39 positive
312 negative
 
Below are testing numbers from labs to date:
 
Total tests to date private labs* - 4,670
Total negative tests to date* - 4,480
Total active cases - 1,155
Total deaths - 18
Total recovered - 2
*Numbers as of March 13, 2020 to date, since the Mayor’s order went into effect.

311 COVID-19 calls and SR data:
-19 Call
New 311 COVID-19 Calls Received Today - 82
Total 311 COVID-19 Calls Received to Date - 3,349
Since March 13, 2020
New Emergency Regulations SRs Received Today (General) - 693
Total Emergency Regulations SRs Received to Date (General) - 7,661
Since March 17, 2020

New Emergency Regulations SRs Received Today (Parks only) - 24
Total Emergency Regulations SRs Received to Date (Parks only) - 243
Since March 20, 2020

Community Based Testing Sites – The numbers reported from the two community based testing sites for April 5 are as follows:

American Airlines Center
Total number of visitors: 148
Total tested: 131

Ellis Davis Field House
Total number of visitors: 108
Total tested: 80
Federal Medical Station (FMS)
  • The US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) has delivered a 250 bed Federal Medical Station (FMS) to the City of Dallas.
  • The FMS will serve as relief for Dallas County hospitals by serving as a step-down facility for COVID-19 patients as they transition from the hospital to home.
  • The operational date of the FMS is yet to be determined, and the opening will be guided by the demand capacity and need for hospital relief.
  • Texas National Guardsmen have completed the initial setup of the FMS in Exhibit Hall F at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. 
  • At this time, the US Navy is confirmed to provide the medical personnel to operate the FMS.
  • Should the Navy redeploy to another critical need, HHS as agreed to work with the Dallas medical community to identify additional medical staffing to operate the FMS.
  • Dallas County has entered a contract with AECOM to assess the wrap around services such as food, cleaning, pharmacy and other logistical needs for the FMS.
  • Dallas County Commissioners will consider approval AECOM contract for FMS wrap-around services at their April 7, 2020 meeting.
 
City Operations
  • Each federally supported Community Based Test Sites (CBTS) will be required to close or transition by April 10. Dallas Command is currently working with a vendor to provide turn-key laboratory services for its two sites. Status reports will be provided as the transition progresses. 
  • Since March 17 Code Compliance services has investigated 7,070 potential violations to the amended emergency regulations, issued 2,461 warnings and five citations. 
  • The Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) continues their operations of a temporary, overnight shelter at the (KBHCCD).
  • OHS is also utilizing hotel rooms to house persons in need of quarantine or persons on the “priority housing” list.
 
Updates from Dallas County
  • Today Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) reported 43 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total case count in Dallas County to 1,155.
  • Of cases requiring hospitalization, about three-quarters (71%) have been either over 60 years of age or have had at least one known high-risk chronic health condition.
  • Diabetes has been an underlying high-risk health condition reported in over a quarter (28%) of all hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
 
Food Assistance Needed
North Texas Food Bank have announced they are launching a virtual food bank. Financial donations are being encouraged at http://ntfb.org/give
Small Business Association Loans
If you own a small business, including if you are self-employed, or run a non-profit, please consider applying for the new SBA loan program called the Paycheck Protection Plan. It was created by the federal CARES Act and is a stimulus bill passed that provides $349 billion that can be 100% forgivable to cover payroll, rent, mortgage interest, etc..

To apply, contact your bank or visit their website. The dollars will be spent first come, first served. Apply early!
Mental Health Phone Line
The Texas Health and Human Services department has launched a statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(833) 986-1919

The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

District 12 Public School Districts & Private Schools -
Making Rapid Changes to Serve Students
Each school district and school is publishing regular updates on changes to education services for students and families. You can find important information on the following sites:

Plano ISD: www.pisd.edu
Richardson ISD: www.risd.org
Denton ISD: www.dentonisd.org
Harmony School: www.hsidallas.harmonytx.org
Shelton School: www.shelton.org
Fairhill School: www.fairhill.org
Levine Academy: www.levineacademy.org
Torah Day School: www.tdsd.org
Spanish Schoolhouse: www.spanishschoolhouse.com
Dallas International School: www.dallasinternationalschool.org
Campbell Christian Academy: www.campbellchristianacademy.com

The complete transformation of our education system in 3 weeks to accommodate at-home learning has been an incredible inspiration and show of commitment to student learning by all levels of school staff.

Each district has creatively worked out a way to continue serving meals to low-income students. The information on how to access student meals is on the website for each district and listed below.
Richardson ISD
Free to-go meals for students at RISD school and apartment delivery sites will combine breakfast and lunch between the hours of 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Any child up to the age of 18 and younger can receive a to-go breakfast and a to-go lunch at the same time, eliminating the need for two separate trips to a meal site. Parents picking up meals without a child should bring a student ID.

School pick up locations:
Audelia Creek Elementary, 12600 Audelia Road, Dallas, TX 75243
Bukhair Elementary, 13900 Esperanza Road, Dallas, TX 75240
Forest Lane Academy, 9663 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75243
Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet, 8301 Towns Lane, Dallas, TX 75243
Mark Twain Elementary, 1200 Larkspur Drive, Richardson, TX 75081
Merriman Park Elementary, 7101 Winedale Drive, Dallas, TX 75231
Northrich Elementary, 1301 Custer Road, Richardson, TX 75080
O. Henry Elementary, 4100 Tynes Drive, Garland, TX 75042
Richardson High School, 1250 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson TX 75080
RISD Academy, 13630 Coit Road, Dallas, TX 75240
Stults Road Elementary, 8700 Stults Road, Dallas, TX 75243
Thurgood Marshall Elementary, 9666 Ferris Branch Blvd., Dallas, TX 75243
Wallace Elementary, 9921 Kirkhaven Drive, Dallas, TX 75238
Westwood Junior High, 7630 Arapaho Road, Dallas, TX 75248

To-go meals will also be available Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the following apartment complexes:

Bosque Estates Apartments, 9655 Chimney Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75243
La Mirada Apartments, 901 S. Coit, Richardson, TX 75080
Lavera at Lake Highlands, 9842 Audelia, Dallas, TX 75238
Linear on Esperanza Apartments, 13450 Esperanza, Dallas, TX 75240
Newport Landing Apartments,10850 Walnut Hill, Dallas, TX 75238
Northgate Village Apartments, 12303 Plano Road, Dallas, TX 75243
Sienna Springs Apartments, 9455 Skillman, Dallas, TX 75243
St. Croix Apartments, 12250 Abrams Road, Dallas TX 75243
Sun Colony Apartments, 10075 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75238
The Link, 9450 Forest, Springs, Dallas, TX 75243
The Vineyards at the Ranch, 9350 Skillman, Dallas, TX 75243
Census 2020
Census 2020 is here! Please take a few minutes to fill it out online. The US Constitution mandates EVERYONE in the US participate every 10 years. Please log in today. There are 10 questions and it takes 10 minutes or less.
Things to do at Home
Dallas Public Libraries
The libraries are closed, but librarians are still working and can help you get a card by phone. Library cards are free to Dallas residents. Using your library card number and pin, you can access books, podcasts, and many online entertainment and education resources. The libraries are offering Zoom classes, story times, and more. Visit  www.dallaslibrary.org  or call 214-670-1400.

Sidewalk Chalk
If you have it on hand, it's a great way to leave messages for your neighbors, create a fitness path with hopscotch, silly lines to walk on, lunge stations, and zig zags. Let your creativity show!
COVID-19 Scams
Please beware of scams with a Corona virus theme. Text messages saying you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive with COVID-19, phony test kits, along with many scams described below.
Utilities during the Emergency Orders
The City of Dallas will not turn off the water for any customers during the crisis due to non-payment. Additionally, here are a list of utilities working with customers to ensure they retain service at this time.

TXU, Ambit, Tri-Eagle will waive late fees, extend payment due dates with no down payment required, reduce down payments and defer balances over five equal installments.

TXU is also providing additional bill payment assistance to customers in need through its TXU Energy Aid program.

Reliant, Green Mountain, Cirro, Stream, XOOM, and Discount Power are suspending disconnections for non-payment for a specific time period.

Additional information and resources can be found at the websites listed at the top of this email.
Do You Live in a Camden Apartment Community?
There are 11 Camden apartment communities in D12. They have set up a $5 million dollar fund to help their residents impacted by income loss due to COVID-19. It is first come, first served. Please call or email your property manager for more information. Additional information can be found on the Camden website.
District 12 Restaurants
Neighbor Helping Neighbor in District 12
More than 1000 people have joined the District 12 Facebook group D12 Neighbor Helping Neighbor. It's been an inspiration to see people willing to share everything from toilet paper to hand sanitizer, along with leads on what shops have grocery items or how to make face masks.

Thank you for generously stepping up to help your neighbor. If you are not part of the group and wish to be, please send a request to join.

The photo above shows a D12 neighbor's house who has put out holiday decorations - for every single holiday! The goal is to bring a smile to neighbors during tough times. If you have a way to help a neighbor, bring a smile to someone (from a distance!), please know these small acts of kindness from caring people are what make our community a wonderful place to live.
Child Abuse & Family Violence
Did you know that more than 25% of the reports of child abuse in Texas come from teachers, child care workers, and professionals from community-based organizations? Every adult in Texas is a mandatory reporter of abuse. If you suspect a child is in danger, please call 1-800-252-5400.

If you are facing family violence in your home, please know there are resources to help. For immediate issues, call 911. To talk directly to professional staff, call The Family Place at (214) 941-1991.
Parks and Trails
You are asked to stay at home except for essential activities. You can exercise by walking in your neighborhood or along city trails or in the open space of parks. Please maintain your distance (6 feet or more) from people outside your household.

If you go to a park or trail and find it is already well populated and difficult to maintain your physical distance, please go to a different park or trail. Dallas has so many great underutilized parks and trails waiting for you to discover. Find these great resources at www.dallasparks.org.

To report a possible park violation, call (214) 671-7000. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 7 pm and weekends 10 am - 8 pm. You can also report violations through the 311 app called "OurDallas" available in the app store.

HILLCREST VILLAGE UPDATE
Park construction is approximately 40% complete. Some trees were planted, but the rest have been postponed. With record setting rainfall, the construction site is very muddy. There may be delays in construction to meet the end of summer/early fall completion. The covered walkway on the west building is nearly complete and the east walkway should begin soon.
Dallas Volunteers Sewing Hundreds of Masks
Right here in District 12, we have the coordinator of a huge operation of Dallas volunteers making sewn masks. So far they have dropped off hundreds of masks to the North Central police station and many other locations. They are working on hundreds more masks for the City of Dallas homeless shelter at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. I look forward to sharing the full story with you in the next edition of the enews. For now, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Map of Confirmed COVID-19 cases by Zip Code
Maps of confirmed cases are published twice a week. I post them twice a week on my Facebook pages. Note: I have asked Dallas County to include the rest of 75252 and 75287 in the map.

Also, I post daily data on COVID-19 from the City of Dallas and other sources on my Facebook and frequent updates on Twitter.
Data on COVID-19 in our Community
Need help, got a question, or want to give input?

Email: Cara.Mendelsohn@DallasCityHall.com
Office phone: (214) 670-4067
Text phone: (214) 490-1036