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From the Council Office of Steve Rao
March 18, 2021
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My Message on Asian American Murders in Atlanta
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In line with Biden, Governor Cooper pledges that all North Carolinians will be eligible for Vaccination by May 1.
1.2 million North Carolinians Vaccinated = 16% of Population.
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Phase 4 Vaccination began on March 17th!
(See Phase 4 in Week in Review Section)
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Severe Storms on March 17th and March 18th
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Tornadoes and severe storms are expected in the Southeastern United States on March 17th and March 18th.
Wake County is under a level four risk for severe weather this Thursday afternoon. This afternoon’s briefing indicated the storm is expected to be in Wake County beginning mid-afternoon and continuing into the evening commute hours; it is expected to bring high winds, downed trees and power lines, and has the possibility of hail.
(See Town of Morrisville Storm Response Section)
Greensboro FEMA Vaccine Site will stop appointments at 11 am.
(See Week in Review Section for Details)
Wake County Changes Testing and Vaccination Appointments due to potential inclement weather.
(See Week in Review Section for Details)
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Covid 19 Vaccination Clinic
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Town of Morrisville hosts Covid 19 Vaccination Clinic on Friday, March 19 at Hindu Society of North Carolina from 9 am to 4 pm
All Slots are filled but thanks to Advance Health Care, HSNC and Council Satish Garimella for organizing this Clinic and both I and the Town will communicate more Vaccination Clinics as they continue.
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Wake County 4th and 5th Graders Returned to In Person Instruction Monday.
Wake County School Staff recommends return to in person instruction in April. Vote will be in a few weeks.
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All students return in Plan A on the following dates:
- April 5: Modified Calendar and Early College
- April 8: Traditional Calendar
- April 14: Year-Round
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11,757 North Carolinians have died since the Pandemic after first Covid 19 case diagnosed on March 3 2020.
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Morrisville Carpenter Road Project
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See Vaccination Section for details on where you can sign up for your shot!
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Town of Morrisville Storm Response
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The Town of Morrisville will be taking the following steps to safeguard staff, our facilities, and the community:
- All parks and greenways and all Parks facilities (CFCC, MAFC, Senior Center) will close at 1:00 pm and will tentatively re-open Friday morning.
- Staff will be directed to work remotely for Thursday afternoon if they do not have storm-related responsibilities.
- Fire, Police, and Public Works staff will be responding to storm-related incidents:
- Fire will have an additional engine company in service for an anticipated increase in calls for service
- Police will have admin and operational staff available
- Public Works will hold all staff over for the duration of the storm
As of now, we do not anticipate the storm impacting activities on Friday unless there are extended power outages.
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Womens Month Hero of the Week:
NC Secretary of Commerce Machelle Sanders
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Monday March 1st marked the start of Women’s Month! #WomensHistoryMonth, is a time to honor & recognize the contributions of women throughout history and those who are working tirelessly today to improve our communities. #WomenLead.
Every week this month, I will feature Women who are impacting our communities and State.
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This week I would like to recognize my friend, North Carolina Secretary Commerce Machelle Sanders.
Sanders, who has been serving in the Cooper administration as Secretary of the NC Department of Administration, becomes the first Black woman to lead the state’s Commerce Department. She replaces Tony Copeland, who stepped down from the helm of Commerce at the end of January.
A graduate of North Carolina State University, Sanders holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and a Master of Health Administration from Pfeiffer University. She was vice president of manufacturing and general manager of Biogen’s largest manufacturing facility in Research Triangle Park. She also held leadership positions overseeing manufacturing, global quality assurance and quality control functions at Biogen and Diosynth-Akzo Nobel. While at Biogen, Sanders created a Women’s Innovation Network.
She is a strong supporter of diversity and inclusion and serves as the chair of the North Carolina Commission on Inclusion, the North Carolina Complete Count Commission and the Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force. Additionally, she serves on the Interagency Council for Coordinating Homeless Programs, Commission of Indian Affairs and the NC State University Board of Visitors.
Congratulations to Machelle and I know she will, as always, excel in her service to the State of North Carolina in this role.
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Imagine Morrisville Listening Sessions/Focus Groups
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Over the next few weeks, I will be putting together listening sessions and Focus Groups across the Town with the Business Community, Neighborhoods, Technology Leaders/CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and HOAs to develop a Long Term Vision for the Town, as I consider how I will continue to serve the citizens of Morrisville, either running for the same At Large Seat, and based on many citizens’ request across the Town, am putting together an Exploratory Committee for Mayor as I explore at serving in another role on the Council.
I will make my final decision by mid April of whether I will run again for the Council and if I do, for what Seat. I thank the many citizens across the Town who have expressed an interest in me continuing to serve.
Either way, I want to thank all of the citizens for allowing me to serve you or the past decade, both as an At Large Council Member and a former Mayor Pro Tem.
It is time to imagine what Morrisville can be, and to develop a Play Book so we can be the Number One Town to Live, Work, and Play in!
Please email me to sr@steverao.com to set up a Listening Session. Lets Imagine Morrisville Together and develop our playbook together. It is time to win Championships!
We can be the Champions of the World!
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8 Asian American killed in Atlanta Health Spas
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Moderna to start vaccine testing on Children.
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NC DEQ Secretary Michael Regan
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Former NC DEQ Secretary Michael Regan sworn in as 16th EPA Administrator!
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President Biden Signs Stimulus Deal and Checks on the Way! (See American Rescue Plan Section)
Biden sets goal for all Adults to be Vaccinated by May 1 and that we can gather in Small Groups by July 4th.
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March 15 - March 18 WEEK IN REVIEW in NC
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Phase 4 Vaccinations Begin on March 17
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Cooper announced that some members of Group 4 will be able to get vaccines starting March 17, a week earlier than previously planned.
People at higher-risk plus certain people living in congregate housing will be eligible first. Other members of Group 4 will be eligible April 7.
As with previous eligibility changes, some vaccine providers may not be ready to open to Group 4 on March 17 if they are still experiencing high demand for vaccines in Groups 1 through 3.
(See Vaccination Section for All Details)
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GREENSBORO FEMA VACCINE SITE OPEN
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Appointments can be rescheduled by calling the state's COVID-19 Help Center at (888) 675-4567. The clinic will administer 168,000 doses over the next eight weeks.
Because of the strong potential for severe weather Thursday, the federally-supported Greensboro Community Vaccination Center at Four Seasons will stop drive-through vaccination operations at 11 a.m. Thursday, and resume drive-through vaccinations on Friday morning at 8 a.m. Indoor vaccination operations will continue as scheduled.
People with a drive-through vaccine appointment for 11 a.m. or later on Thursday will have the option to get vaccinated at the indoor clinic at Four Seasons Town Centre at the same appointment time or to reschedule a drive-through appointment at a later date.
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Changes to Wake County COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
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All free COVID-19 testing has been canceled for Thursday, but normal testing hours will resume Friday.
All first and second dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments for Thursday have been moved to Friday - same time, same place. Anyone who already had Friday appointments can keep them.
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Governor Cooper Signs Reopen Our Schools Act
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North Carolina state lawmakers have agreed to a back-to-school plan for K-12 students across the state, which has since been signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper.
After a vote in the state House Thursday, Senate Bill 220 was passed with bipartisan support according to a statement released by House Speaker Tim Moore. Titled "The Reopen Our Schools Act of 2021", the bill requires schools with students enrolled from kindergarten through 5th grade to be back on campus full-time, five days per week. This goes further than a previously-rejected bill from the Senate that would have allowed schools to keep students in grades K-5 in Plan B if districts chose to do so.
Districts will still have a choice for older students, however; the bill allows districts to open for grades 6-12 under Plan A if they desire, or move to hybrid learning under Plan B. Districts can also open under a combination of both plans, but all schools would need to offer students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) full-time classroom access under Plan A.
Schools who do reopen under Plan A for grades 6-12 will be required to detail plans to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), but Moore's office notes DHHS will not be able to veto local district decisions. Those schools will also be required to partner with the ABC Science Collaborative to study data related to reopening classrooms, part of an initiative funded with $500,000 of federal funds sent to the Department of Public Instruction.
All schools in the state will have to meet these requirements and reopen within 21 days of the bill's ratification. There is flexibility to open sooner.
The bill also gives authority to Gov. Cooper to order school closures on a district-by-district basis, but prohibits statewide closures via executive order. Further, families are still allowed the option of virtual learning.
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WAKE COUNTY ADDS TO TEST SITES
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Wake County is expanding access to COVID-19 testing by partnering with the City of Raleigh, Town of Cary and Town of Garner to launch three temporary testing locations beginning Monday, March 15.
Based in local parks, these convenient sites will make it easy for people who live in these communities to get tested. All sites are free, and residents do not need an appointment, insurance or ID. All sites will offer walk up testing for anyone who does not have a car.
Wake County will offer testing from Monday, March 15, through Sunday, March 21, at the following parks:
Biltmore Hills Park, 2615 Fitzgerald Drive, Raleigh; White Deer Park, 2400 Aversboro Road, Garner; Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Road, Cary
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE ORDER 195 COMPLIANCE
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE ORDER 195 COMPLIANCE
- Effective on Tuesday, March 2 and continuing until at least March 26 – Department Heads may elect to return up to 50% of their office staff each day.
- Staff will continue to:
- Wear a face covering anytime they are not alone in their assigned work space,
- Adhere to the 3 Ws, and
- Wipe down any shared space before and after use.
- Staff meetings / external meetings will continue to be held virtually with limited exceptions as approved by Department Heads.
- Town administrative offices will remain closed to the public through at least March 26.
- All public meetings will be held virtually again in March (March 23 Council Meeting).
- CFCC and MAFC will continue to operate following guidance provided by the CDC and the most recent Governor’s Executive Order (EO195).
- We will re-evaluate this guidance following the next update from the Governor, expected to be the week of March 22.
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Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 195 that will “ease but not lift” restrictions related to COVID-19 across the state. The Town of Morrisville Administration is working on how our Town Operations, Meetings, and Facilities will be affected by this Order and I will update you next week when I receive more information.
The new order goes into effect at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26.
The major changes under this order are below:
- The night-time public closure period for certain businesses and facilities is lifted. These establishments are no longer ordered to close to the public between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- The Modified Stay at Home Order for individuals is lifted. Individuals no longer must stay at home between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Indoor areas of bars may reopen, subject to reduced capacity limits and other requirements.
- The curfew on alcohol sales remains in place but is modified to take effect at 11 p.m. The sale and service of alcoholic beverages is prohibited for on-site consumption between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
- Indoor areas of amusement parks may reopen, subject to reduced capacity limits and other requirements.
- Capacity limitations on certain businesses are increased, as detailed below.
- The mass gathering limit increases to 25 people indoors (and remains 50 people outdoors).
Executive Order 195 has two general categories of occupancy restrictions: 30 percent capacity and 50 percent capacity. Officials say that because indoor spaces have a higher risk for spread of COVID-19, those facilities in the 30 percent-occupancy category may not exceed 250 people per indoor room or indoor space.
The 30% Capacity Limit (which may not exceed 250-persons in indoor spaces) includes:
- Bars
- Meeting, Reception, and Conference Spaces
- Lounges (including tobacco) and Night Clubs
- Indoor areas of Amusement Parks
- Movie Theatres
- Entertainment facilities (e.g., bingo parlors, gaming establishments)
- Sports Arenas and Fields*
- Venues*
Indoor event venues with more than 5,000 seats may be excepted from the 250 person limit if they follow additional safety measures up to 15 percent capacity.
The 50% Capacity Limit includes:
- Restaurants
- Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries
- Fitness and Physical Activity Facilities (e.g., gyms, bowling alleys, rock climbing facilities)
- Pools
- Museums and Aquariums
- Retailers
- Outdoor areas of Amusement Parks
- Salons, Personal Care, Tattoo Parlors
Some businesses that were limited to operating outdoors at 30 percent capacity will still have that percentage but will no longer have a 100-person cap. That includes sports fields and venues, stadiums, outdoor bars, outdoor amusement parks and other outdoor businesses. The new order will also allow some indoor businesses to open at 30 percent capacity with a cap of 250 people. These businesses include bars and taverns, indoor amusement parks, movie theaters, indoor sports arenas and others.
On-site alcohol sales will have to end at 11 p.m.
An exception for larger indoor arenas with a capacity of more than 5,000 people will allow up to 15% capacity “if more safety protocols are followed,” Cooper said, adding that most college and professional indoor sports, such as basketball or hockey, can have fans at 15 percent capacity with certain protocols.
Mass gathering limits will be increased to 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors.
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WAKE COUNTY ATHLETICS SPECTATOR GUIDELINES
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In alignment with Executive Order No. 195, indoor and outdoor high school athletics facilities may now allow spectators up to 30 percent of capacity while ensuring that all groups maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
The new guidelines go into effect immediately. Individual schools will communicate with their families when they will be prepared to begin allowing up to 30 percent capacity.
Here are some key components of the new spectator guidelines:
- Spectator attendance is open to immediate family members of home and away participants and members of the home student body. If all available tickets are not purchased after being made available to home family members and student body, tickets may be offered to community members.
- To maintain the six feet of social distancing required as part of Executive Order No. 195, it may not always be possible to safely accommodate the maximum of 30 percent capacity.
- Because indoor spaces have a higher risk of spread for COVID-19, indoor spectators will also be capped at 250, even if 250 is less than 30 percent capacity.
- Student event participants (athletes, cheer teams, band members, coaches, and participating school staff) will not count toward the 30 percent capacity limits.
- All spectators must follow COVID-19 protocols as established by WCPSS. This includes but is not limited to:
- Wearing face coverings at all times.
- Waiting the appropriate six feet in distance.
- Washing/sanitizing hands when necessary.
- Failure to abide by these policies will result in removal from the site and may inhibit the spectator’s privilege to attend future events.
- For outdoor events, guests will be expected to self-screen prior to entry. Digital ticketing will include an attestation that the purchaser is free of COVID-19 symptoms and will follow established protocols.
- Because indoor spaces have a higher risk of spread for COVID-19, on-site health screenings, including temperature checks, will be conducted for all guests prior to entry into the facility.
- When viewing the contest, family members are allowed to group together while maintaining six feet of social distancing from others. Spectators who are not immediate family members will practice six feet of social distancing from one another.
- At the conclusion of the contest, spectators must leave within 5 minutes.
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2021 Economic Impact Payment Status is Available
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan contains a wide range of proposals to help Americans still struggling with the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Here is a Summary of the Plan:
Relief Payments
- One-time $1,400 check per person with check values phasing out beginning at at $75,000 for a single adult and $150,000 for a married couple; no benefits will be sent to single filers earning more than $80,000 and joint filers earning more than $160,000
Small Business Relief
- $15 billion grants
- $35 billion loan guarantees which will allow $175 billion in lending
- Support to restaurants, bars, and other business through Community Credit Corporation
Testing and Vaccination
- $50 billion testing expansion
- $20 billion national vaccination program
- 100,000 person public health corps
Funding for community health centers and tribal health services
- Investments in COVID-19 treatment and new strain research
- 100% FAMP for vaccine administration
Unemployment Insurance
- $300/week unemployment supplement through September 6, 2021 with tax forgiveness on up to $10,000 in benefits.
Paid Leave
- Emergency paid leave through September 2021 with max benefit of $1,400 per week for workers making up to $73,000/year
State and Local Government
- $350 billion for state, local, and territorial governments
- $20 billion for tribal governments
- $3 billion for Economic Development Administration
- $20 billion public transportation
Families
- Expanded EITC eligibility with increased maximum crest of $1,500 for 1 year
- Fully refundable CTC $3,600 per child under 6, $3,000 for children 17 and under
- $1 billion TANF
- $40 billion in grants for child care providers
Food Security
- Extend 15% increase to SNAP benefits through September 2021 and removes state matching requirements
- $3 billion for WIC
- Restaurant partnership via FEMA
- $1 billion to territories
Housing
- Extended federal eviction and foreclosure moratorium until September 2021
- $25 billion in emergency rental assistance
- $5 billion in utility assistance
- $5 billion in emergency assistance for homelessness
Healthcare Access
- COBRA subsidies that cover 100% of costs
- Cap ACA premiums at 8.5%
- $20 billion for veterans’ health
Essential Workers
- Calls for employers to provide hazard pay
- OSHA funding
Mental Health
- $4 billion for SAMHSA
- Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
- $800 million to combat increased risk of gender-based violence
Global Health
- $11 billion for global health and humanitarian response
- Prisons
- Mitigation, vaccination, and safety measures for incarcerated people
- Safe re-entry for formerly incarcerated people
Cybersecurity
- $9 billion to the Technology Modernization Fund
- $200 million IT oversight and reform
- $300 million Technology Transformation Services at GSA
- $690 million DHS’s CISA
Student Loan Relief
- Makes all COVID-19 student loan relief tax-free.
Local governments will receive $130 billion in assistance from the American Rescue Plan. Another $500 million is dedicated to water security grants, an essential aspect of COVID-19 relief that DMO has been calling for in our own water security initiative.
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Please note that Wake County has changed Testing and Vaccination. All free COVID-19 testing has been canceled for Thursday, but normal testing hours will resume Friday.
All first and second dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments for Thursday have been moved to Friday - same time, same place. Anyone who already had Friday appointments can keep them.
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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!
Duke Raleigh Hospital at (19) 620- 5167.
Process is to Call or visit website, join the waiting list, receive notification, and get your Vaccination Appointment!
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.
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Morrisville Walgreens is taking appointments at 3601 Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560 and call (919) 468-6880.
The Lee County Government Health Department announced that it will expand vaccine registration to include individuals in Group 4 beginning Monday. Beginning Monday, the county vaccine registration call center will register anyone in Groups 1, 2, 3, or 4 for the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine registration call center may be reached at (919) 352-3360 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. To register in Spanish, please call (919) 718-4640 and select option 8.
(See Wake County Mass Vaccination Information Below)
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Wake County Mass Vaccination AT PNC Arena
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Alert: Mass Vaccination at PNC Arena will be closed Feb 18th due to the Winter Ice Storm
Wake County Public Health is collaborating with UNC Health, Duke, and Wake Med to launch a mass vaccination site starting Feb. 11. And the site will be open six days per week. at PNC Arena, the home of the Carolina Hurricanes and NC State University Men’s Basketball, agreed to turn its 8,000-space parking lot into an appointment only drive-thru vaccine clinic.
The site will begin with two days of vaccinations next week, with the goal of inviting more than 2,100 health care workers and those 65 and older from the county’s growing COVID-19 vaccine waitlist.
Appointments are required to receive a vaccination, and vaccinations will not be available without confirmation of a spot. Starting Friday, health care workers and those over 65 years of age, will be notified by email, phone and text.
- First link is to Enroll and sign up at https://covid-vaccine-portal.ncdhhs.gov/s/
- The second link is to make an appointment to receive the vaccine. Printing out appointment information or taking a screenshot on a smartphone will speed up the check-in process at the site.
In addition to the more than 2,000 appointments available at the new appointment only drive-thru site next week:
- 3,500 appointments will be made at the county’s two indoor locations (Wake County Public Health Center and the Wake County Commons Building).
- 200 vaccines will be administered by Wake County strike teams dispatched to long-term residents and staff.
- 800 vaccines will be delivered to historically marginalized populations by mobile strike teams heading out into the community.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
- Take Edwards Mill Bus 26 to the stop at Edwards Mill Road at Trinity Road Northbound; or
- Take Blue Ridge Bus 27 to the stop at Blue Ridge Road at Westchase Boulevard Southbound
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Town of Morrisville Virtual Meeting Schedule
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Diversity and Inclusion in Tech Summit
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March 24 and March 24th NC Tech Diversity and Inclusion in Tech Summit.
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April 7, 2021,6 p.m. - Panel discussion on U.S.-India relations under a Biden administration
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U.S.-INDIA RELATIONS UNDER A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
A PANEL DISCUSSION FEATURING AMBASSADORS TARANJIT SINGH SANDHU AND RICHARD VERMA
The Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in collaboration with Carolina’s Modern Indian Studies initiative, will host a panel discussion on U.S.-India relations under a Biden administration via livestream at 6 p.m. EDT on April 7, 2021.
The panel will feature Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s ambassador to the U.S., and Ambassador Richard Verma, former U.S. ambassador to India. Anusha Chari, director of the Modern Indian Studies initiative and professor of economics and finance at UNC-Chapel Hill, will provide opening remarks. Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, vice provost for global affairs and chief global officer at UNC-Chapel Hill, will give welcoming remarks and moderate the discussion. The panel will allow the diplomats to share their thoughts on how relations between the United States and India, two of the world’s largest democracies, are likely to unfold under the Biden administration.
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Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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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.
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- For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.
- Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.
- For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.
- 1,457,750 NC citizens have applied for UI Benefits, 969,260 have been paid benefits, and $10.3 billion of benefits have been issued. Appeals of denied jobless benefits are taking many months.
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Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/.
North Carolina health officials are reporting 1,999 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 889,310.
Throughout the state, 19 fewer patients are being hospitalized for the virus. Currently, there are 1,002 North Carolinians hospitalized with COVID-19.
There have been 35 more deaths due to the virus, bringing the total to 11,757.
The state is reporting a 5.6% test rate.
CASES:
1,999 Newly Reported Cases
+ N.C. = 889,310 Cases (Deaths = 11,757)
+ 5.6 %Positive Rate
+ 1,002 Hospitalized
+ Wake County = 81,730 Cases (Deaths = 576)
+ US = 29.6 million Cases/538,000 deaths
+ Worldwide = 121 million/2.68 million deaths
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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