My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157765571141360/?t=26

President Biden Pledges $100 million to India to fight Covid Surge. https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/heartbreaking-situation-in-india-kamala-harris-101620436007289.html. 

US Jobs Reports reported only 260,000 jobs, short of the 1 million expected.  States are pushing the unemployed to return to work.

President Biden says low jobs report is all the more reason to support his American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan. 

Amazon to bring 500 new jobs to Johnston County with Call Processing Center.  

https://abc11.com/amazon-smithfield-johnston-county-jobs-nc/10608198/

Pfizer/BioNTech has initiated its application to the US Food and Drug Administration for full FDA approval of its Covid-19 vaccine for people ages 16 and older, the companies said Friday. This is the first Covid-19 vaccine in the United States to be assessed for full approval from the FDA.

Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency for Gas Shortages/ Halts Vehicle Regulations. 

Colonial Pipeline cyber-attack will leave some local gas stations without gas and mean higher prices. Be Prepared. 

Hindu Society of North Carolina is teaming up with Eastern Carolina Medical Center and Avance Care Pharmacy to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic, offering Pfizer vaccines to anyone 12 years and older. 

The clinic will be held Saturday, May 15th from 8am to 5pm at HSNC, 309 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville. A team of trained pharmacists, physicians, and nurses will be administering the vaccines and all are welcome. 

Please see the link below to register:

Fifty-two years ago, Congress started the process of recognizing May as the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In 1990 George H. W. Bush signed the bill to designate May as AAPI heritage month for recognizing the contributions and influence of AAPIs to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.

Join the Mid-Atlantic AAPI Coalitions’ first joint celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month on Saturday, May 15 at 6-8 p.m. Our theme for the celebration: “We are proud Americans, our home since the 16th century”.

Register at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7gQGyIbKQa-wFkb2tCImgg?fbclid=IwAR1nBRASBWBbe2BmkC2ZPECZOU6VoZbx_DLnsLwMrXWCCo5t3N6arlrP_V

Weekly Update: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157761176646360/?t=19

Please Send Comments to publiccomments@townofmorrisville.org. Streamed Live on https://www.facebook.com/TownOfMorrisville/ and www.townofmorrisville.org.

Fire Station 1

Town Hall 100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville NC

Senior Center

Effective May 1, 2021 all Morrisville Advisory Committees will return to in-person meetings. Committee members indicating an inability to return in-person will be provided the option to attend virtually through June. Guidelines related to capacity and social distancing will be followed with masks required by all attendees for the duration of the meeting

Morrisville Carpenter Road Project: Update for the week of May 10. 

Work on the south side of Morrisville-Carpenter Road (between Church Street and Misty Groves Circle) in connection with the road widening operations will continue. Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations in this area between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.Northbound traffic for Town Hall Drive continues to be redirected along the southbound side of the median.  Pedestrians are advised not to walk on either side of Morrisville Carpenter Road between Town Hall Drive and Misty Groves Circle. This section of the road is an active construction zone area and does not have a sidewalk and is not safe for pedestrians. Please observe the posted sidewalk closed signs.

For current project details visit: https://bit.ly/mcrcp1

Fiscal Year 2022 Budget and CIP Portal Now Accepting Public Input The Town of Morrisville has developed a Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Operating Budget and Capital Investment Program (CIP) recommendation. The recommendation outlines the Town’s plan to Relaunch Morrisville! The budget outlines how your tax dollars will be put to work for our growing community to meet core services, provide program and service improvements, and plan for long-term needs.

Public input is welcome through the FY2022 Budget & CIP Portal forum until May 25 at noon. Input received will be provided to Town Council as they deliberate and prepare the budget and CIP for adoption.

Morrisville residents, we want to hear from you about the 2021 Morrisville Bond Referendum! Citizens can access the bond comment portal to share their feedback on the Town’s website: https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/2021-general-obligation-bond-referendum .

On November 2, 2021, the Morrisville Town Council will provide voters the opportunity to vote on financing up to $37 million in proposed future capital projects – Public Safety, Parks, Recreation and Amenities, and Streets, Sidewalks and Connectivity improvements – that can be impactful for our growing community for years to come.

View the Fast Facts and Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the bond referendum process and potential property tax impacts. Click here to view this short video from Communications & Outreach Director Wil Glenn for more information.

May 15 is National Kids to Parks Day, and to honor the spirit of the day the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department has scheduled a scavenger hunt before the Movies in the Park event on May 14. The scavenger hunt will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Morrisville Community Park, with five signs posted throughout the park for kids to find, and an information desk at the park by the playground. Kids who find at least three of the five signs and take selfies with them will receive a prize of free items like water bottles and other goodies! For details click here.

The Town of Morrisville’s SpringFest will take place on Saturday, May 15, from 2-6 p.m. In keeping with the spirit of SpringFest's past, the Town will shut down Town Hall Drive and offer food trucks and entertainment. The event is free but be sure to bring money for the food trucks. All activities will be modified and socially-distanced to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions. For details visit http://www.townofmorrisville.org/springfest.

The Town is introducing a new element to this year's SpringFest celebration. Residents can take part in either a virtual 5k or virtual 7-mile race.

Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Morrisville/SpringFestRun to sign up for the race. Runners will have four days to complete the race of their choice. For $20 runners will receive a T-shirt, medal and race bib in the mail. The races are virtual and can be done anywhere runners choose.

The Town is pleased to announce the launch of Morrisville’s "pop-up" dog park at Morrisville Community Park! Participating dog owners must register in ActiveNet and fill out a waiver prior to participating. Registration is now open. The first pop-up dog park date is May 16. For additional information, future dates, rules, requirements, and forms click here to visit the Town’s webpage.

Engage Morrisville is a place for residents and businesses to get involved by sharing ideas and feedback on a variety of projects and topics affecting the Morrisville community.

Click here to watch this introductory video from Community Relations Liaison Brianne Gill on how to register and participate on Engage Morrisville!

Active projects that have already launched on the new platform include:

Visit https://engagemorrisville.com/ and start engaging in your community today!

Click here for more information

My Thoughts on Reach out to Tech Community to Help Raise Money for India: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157749635611360/?t=21

As we kick off Asian American Heritage Month, I am saddened to see so many Morrisville and Cary families affected by the Covid Crisis in India with over 3600 deaths a day in a nation where only 2% are vaccinated.

My play of the week is that we need to work closely with the Tech CEOs and companies to help raise money for local charities, that are sending supplies, and resources directly to India.  Many Indian Americans work in the Tech industry and companies here, like Cisco, IBM, Infosys, Lenovo, SAS, HCL and a number of other these companies also have offices in India.  We need their to help India get through this crisis and rebuild a strong, vibrant Indian economy, which will result in increased trade and investment between North Carolina and India.  In addition, India is also the pharmacy of the world, so we also ask our market leading Pharma and Life Science companies to help us in these efforts.

I am working to organize an event in the next few days with CEOs of our Tech Companies for a fundraising event to raise money for India.

I am working with the local temples, BAPS and Hindu Society of NC and leaders across the nation to help in raising funds for India.

As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, countries and communities are facing unforeseen challenges. Beginning in April 2021, the situation in India has become very dire, stressing hospital systems in many parts of the country to the brink of collapse. India currently has the largest number of confirmed cases in Asia, and, as of April 2021, has the second-highest number of confirmed cases in the world. The daily case count as well as death count continue to rise. There is a dire need for medical supplies as well as support for livelihood.

Through its affiliated centers and hospitals in India, BAPS Charities has already supported many activities including medical equipment and supplies, temporary hospital beds and food to those in need. But the need now is much more than ever.

SEWA India Covid Relief Program  https://www.sewausa.org/.

Sewa International’s Help India Defeat COVID-19 Campaign and is seeking your support. They are raising funds for buying supplies, and ensuring that the much-needed lifesaving medical equipment like oxygen-concentrators and ventilators are acquired and shipped to hospitals across Bharat.

Cost:

Please donate at https://friendsoflfwb.org/cov/

West Bengal is one of the hardest hit States in India from the Covid Pandemic as hundreds are dying every day.    Given very limited Oxygen supply in West Bengal– community leaders ARE PUTTING A PROGRAM OF OXYGEN ON WHEELS.  This is a critical and dire situation in many of the rural villages in India, particularly in West Bengal.  Providing a steady supply of Oxygen will cost at least $700 per concentrator and we are planning to send 100 to India.

Funds raised will go directly to purchase Oxygen Concentrators in ambulances, which will then get to rural villages in West Bengal and to develop field COVID CARE Facilities in rural villages… Each of these could be having 30 -50 beds and will be manned by TRAINED HEALTH WORKERS, controlled by TELE GUIDANCE (Doctors availability is sparse).

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157735105346360/?t-20

India reports 250,000 deaths and 24 million cases. 4000 Indian Citizens are dying daily (150 per hour), and last week, the government reported 4 million cases in one day.  This situation is affecting many Indian American Families in Morrisville, Cary and throughout the state.  On May 13th, I am hosting a Town Hall with Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on the US Response to the India Covid Crisis.

The situation is particularly dire in the capital New Delhi, which is under lockdown until May 3. The city is facing severe oxygen shortages. Delhi does not produce its own oxygen and relies on resources supplied by the central government, according to Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Several Delhi hospitals tweeted SOS messages over the weekend appealing for oxygen supplies. On Saturday, at least 20 critically ill patients died after oxygen supply was delayed at one Delhi hospital.

In a tweet Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his administration will set up 551 oxygen generation plants "in every district to ensure adequate oxygen availability."

The central government has come under fierce criticism within the country for its handling of the outbreak, which has seen overwhelmed hospitals and residents post pleas on social media for more supplies from state and federal officials. Many have turned to the black market in a desperate attempt to save their loved ones.

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157765599036360/?t=18

The United States is delivering supplies worth more than $100 million in the coming days to provide urgent relief to our partners in India. In addition, U.S. state governments, private companies, non-government organizations, and thousands of Americans from across the country have mobilized to deliver vital oxygen, related equipment, and essential supplies for Indian hospitals to support frontline health care workers and the people of India most affected during the current outbreak. U.S. Government assistance flights will start arriving in India on Thursday, April 29 and will continue into next week.

Just as India sent assistance to the United States when our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need.

The United States and India have closely worked together to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. COVID-19 assistance has reached more than 9.7 million Indians across more than 20 states and union territories, providing life-saving treatments, disseminating public health messages to local communities; strengthening case-finding and surveillance; and mobilizing innovative financing mechanisms to bolster emergency preparedness:

To Secure an appointment, please visit https://myspot.nc.gov/, https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine/

Find a County Vaccination site at https://www.wral.com/coronavirus/where-can-I-get-the-covid-19-vaccine-in-my-county/19466004/

Find a Wake County Testing Site: https://covid19.wakegov.com/testing/

Wake County: Wake County Public Health Vaccine Hotline 919-250-1515.  It is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit website at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine!

Durham County: 919-635-8150 or email at DCoCOVIDvaccines@dconc.gov. 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162.

Duke Raleigh Hospital at (919) 620- 5167.

Process is to Call or visit website, join the waiting list, receive notification, and get your Vaccination Appointment!

To set up an Appointment with any County Department, please visit covid19.ncdhhs.gov/findyourspot

Walgreens will offer Covid 19 Vaccine in 300 Stores (31,200 doses) in North Carolina starting on Feb 12 as a distributor under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and is planning to distribute 1 million doses of the Moderna Vaccine.  For more information, sign up at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19.

NCCU is offering Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education Complex.

Appointments are no longer required to get a free shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in Wake County. All vaccination locations will allow walk-ins and drive-ins.

Appointments are still encouraged, but no longer necessary.

The locations accepting walk-ins include Wake County Public Health Center, Wake County Northern Regional Center, Wake County Human Services Center at Departure and Green Road Park.

Find Days and Times at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine/.

Make appointments at https://takemyshot.nc.gov/  Walk Ins will be taken.

The Johnston County Public Health Department has scheduled the following first and second dose clinics:

The COVID-19 vaccine is free. The Health Department will use Moderna (age 18+), Pfizer (age 16 +) and Johnson & Johnson (age 18+) vaccines.

Beginning Monday, the Durham County Department of Public Health will open its vaccination clinic for walk-in appointments.

Walk-in hours will be Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9 to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays 9 to 6 p.m.

Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available but the choice of vaccine will depend on supply.

Pfizer will be used for all people under age 18.

Listen to my May 5th BuzzSports Radio at 8 am to hear my update in the India Covid Crisis and impact on NC Indian Community!

Check them out every am on 99.5FM, 99.3 FM and 99.9 HD2

https://megaphone.link/CAPITOL3079687503​

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157710980351360/?t=20

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our in-person Lobby day in Raleigh NC Legislature building to advocate for better data collection of bias-motivated incidents and crimes, facilitated by the mandatory reporting requirement of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. (Currently sponsored by Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Senator Mujtaba Muhammed and Senator Valerie Foushee)

Tune in May 9th to Black Issues Forum at 7 pm on Friday & Sunday, at 4 PM on PBS NC.  Biden’s Expansive Infrastructure Plan, Covid-19, and Indoctrination in Education.

May 12- May 13  NC Tech Association Virtual State of Technology Conference:

THE INTERSECTION OF CUSTOMER, EMPLOYEE AND USER EXPERIENCES  9am to 12pm

May 19th Fundraising Reception for Senator Wiley Nickel 6 pm

RSVP to ryan@wileynickelforcongress.com and 631-278-1298.  Zoom information will be sent.

Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.

99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!

Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.