One year ago today, North Carolina diagnosed the first case of Covid 19.  We pray for the families of the 11,288 in NC, and the 516,000 Americans, who have died from this Pandemic and to anyone who is suffering from Covid 19 or any illness.   

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157626999096360/?t=20

Details for Morrisville Carpenter Road: For the week of March 1, drivers should expect to see construction activities along Morrisville Carpenter Road between Church Street and Misty Groves Circle. Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Traffic patterns will remain the same near the Morrisville Carpenter Road and Town Hall Drive intersection.

For details visit: http://bit.ly/mcrcp1

Last evening, the Wake County Board of Education agreed to consider a plan that would return students in grades 4 and 5 to daily in-person instruction as early as Monday, March 15. The board is scheduled to take a final vote on the issue March 9.  The Decision would not apply to students enrolled in the Virtual Academy.

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. 

(See Wake County Athletics Section)

Rockets hit Airbase in Iraq hosting US Troops, no casualties reported yet. 

President Biden Says US will have enough Vaccine for all Adults by May, priority will be for Teachers.

Governor Roy Cooper announces that all frontline essential workers in Group 3 can sign up for their COVID-19 vaccinations as early as Wednesday, a full week before the originally scheduled start date of March 10..  

(Grocery Store, Pharmacy and Restaurant Staff, U.S. Postal Service, EMS and Firefighters, Veterinarians, College University Instructors, and Elected Officials) 

NC Senate failed to override Governor Cooper’s Veto of Senate Bill 37 (Return to In Person Instruction)  

Senate still looking for ways to bring life back to the Bill this week. 

The Johnston County Health Department has scheduled a drive-thru clinic for North Carolina residents only (please bring ID) on Wednesday, Mar. 3, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. or until supplies last at West Johnston High School located at 5935 Raleigh Road, Benson, NC ) 

Set up an Appointment for Vaccinations today at Cumberland County at https://www.co.cumberland.nc.us/covid19/2021/02/26/county-launches-new-appointment-system-for-covid-19-vaccine-clinics. 

Biden Proposed Changes to Paycheck Protection Program:  The changes include a 2-week window for businesses with fewer than 20 employees, which begins on Wednesday. The changes also emphasize equity, by approving $1 billion in loans for businesses owned by women and people of color. The program is not expected to be extended past March 31. 

  

If you are a Small Business, and in need of working capital and business assistance, please check out the Verizon Program at https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/small-business-relief-grants/verizon-small-business-recovery-fund/.

Monday 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.  

I would like to thank Liz Johnson for highlighting Kiran in her last Facebook Post.  

“Kiran, which means 'ray of light' in Hindi, is a non-profit organization that serves and empowers South Asian victims of domestic violence by helping them rebuild their lives and end their cycle of violence."  - Liz Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem   

A special thanks to all of the Volunteers and Leaders of Kiran, and to all Woman, who lead our communities, families, and manage careers.  I also would like to thank my hero, my wife, Komal, and everything she does for our family.  

Finally, I want to thank Mayor Pro Tem, Liz Johnson, Council Member Vicki Scroggins Johnson, and Council Members Donna Fender and Anne Robotti for their service and I am proud to serve on a Woman Majority Council!  

A woman is now Vice President!  One day, very soon, another ceiling will be broken!  

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!

View the Stream of the Retreat at https://www.townofmorrisville.org/government/live-video.

Our Council held its annual retreat February 26-28. The three days of meetings were conducted virtually and streamed on the Town’s website. Throughout the retreat the Town Council focused on strategic deliberations that will inform future policy decisions, shared budget priorities and initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year, and participated in discussions to enhance working relationships and resident engagement.

Important discussions were held on a variety of subjects. Highlights are below.

Council also received and considered information on tree preservation standards in the Unified Development Ordinance, including prioritization of location, retention standards and tradeoffs in lieu of other requirements. 

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157626867326360/?t=20 

Wake County will be offering Covid 19 Testing at Morrisville next week at Morrisville Community Park.

Testing will be “no appointment necessary” and will be managed by onsite Wake County staff.

Wake County will be conducting COVID testing at Morrisville Community Park (1520 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560), next week, March 1-7, on the following schedule:

TOWN OF MORRISVILLE OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE ORDER 195 COMPLIANCE

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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:

The FDA Advisory Committee has given the Green Light for emergency use authorization on Friday for the J & J Vaccine, which will only require one shot.

White House Officials expect to deliver 3 to 4 million doses of the J & J Vaccine next week. Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of Health and Human Services has confirmed that this could mean 50,000 to 60,000 doses for North Carolina if the State continues to receive about 3% of the allocation.  It is expected that we can expect to receive the Vaccine by mid next week.

The J & J Vaccine was tested using a single shot where both the Moderna and Pfizer Vaccines are two shots.  Those getting the Vaccine will only have to schedule one appointment and would only have to worry about getting to one vaccine site at a time.

In Clinical Trials, the J & J Vaccine was 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe cases of Covid 19.  Pfizer was 95 % effective and Moderna was 94.1% effective.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer BioNtech developed their vaccine using Messenger RNA, injecting a piece of Code that tells the body to make a piece of the Spike Protein that is a hallmark of the virus, that causes the Coronavirus. Once the protein is made, the body learns how to create anti bodies that it can use to fight the Virus, all without the threats posed by an active infection.

The J & J Vaccine works by infecting someone with an Adenovirus that is Carrying information about the Spike Protein. Once the Vaccine has been injected, the Adenovirus enters cell and makes the Coronavirus Spike Protein, allowing the body to learn how to fight off a potential infection.

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157609043776360/?t=28

Tomorrow, evening, we plan to Vote on the Land Use Plan.  I will be sharing a Position Paper next week on my Vision for Morrisville, and how the Land Use Plan can help us execute on that Vision.

First, I want to thank the staff for their hard work, and to the citizens and businesses across all of Morrisville, who have shared their input.  Over the past few months, I have read many emails, and received calls, where there is repeated concerns about upzoning.

Please remember that adopting a Land Use Plan and rezoning are different issues, and we can deny rezonings on a case by case by case basis to make sure that we can catch up with the demands on our school and transportation infrastructure. We can also place conditions on developers and partner with them to invest more in transportation, parks, and also control the quality of development.

My goal is to be a true LIVE, WORK AND PLAY Community, where all of us can Live Connected and Live Well.

We continue to recruit and grow the top Tech and Life Science companies to the Town.  10 percent of all Public Companies in North Carolina are headquartered in Morrisville, including Lenovo, Cisco, Channel Advisor, and Syneos Health, and of course, we landed Microsoft last year.  Employees can not only work in Morrisville, but also Live here, and walk to transit, and experience the connection to beautiful greenways.

One Shared Vision for One Morrisville is how we will continue to be the best place to Live, Work, and Play in Country and World.

Thanks to all of you for being so engaged, and let us continue to ensure that the Mosaic of Morrisville can be all that she can be.

February 26: The House will vote on the bill, called the American Rescue Plan.

March 2 to 5: The Senate takes up the legislation and possibly amends it before a vote.

March 8 to 12: The House votes on the rescue package again if the Senate makes legislative changes.

The $1.9 trillion Stimulus Package is expected to pass the Democratic- controlled House of Representatives, but faces several Hurdles.  Over the next week, it must clear several panels in the House before it can pass the full House with a simple majority vote.  The Bill is up for consideration in the House Budget Committee today and the House Rules Committee takes it up later in the week.  Neither panel is expected to alter the bill.

If the Bill passes the House, it goes to the Senate, where the Chamber could amend the Bill and would send it back to the House for another Vote.  Republicans supported a $618 billion and oppose billions of aid to state and local governments.  Senator Joe Manchin opposes the $15.00 minimum wage and also opposed the confirmation of Neera Tanden for Director, Office of Management and Budget.

Democrats plan to pass the package by mid March when a federal boost to unemployment benefits expires.

President Biden reopened the country for many aspiring immigrants, rescinding the ban on legal immigration that former President Trump instituted last spring. This is a big win for communities, businesses, and the American economy. As we fight to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, research shows that immigrants are going to be an integral part of that rebound. Immigrants help fill shortages in essential sectors like healthcare and agriculture, and NAE’s research shows that immigrants create jobs for all Americans.

This is the latest in a series of steps that the Biden Administration has taken to correct the unproductive immigration policies enacted in the Trump years. But it’s up to Congress to truly reform our immigration system so that it supports all Americans. So we need your help.

My Message on US Citizenship Act of 2021: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157600655231360/?t=22

Today, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 in the Senate and the House, a comprehensive immigration reform bill that includes reforms to our legal immigration system and a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants.

As a Member of the New American Economy, I support this bill because I am convinced that this kind of legislation will provide much needed relief and certainty for Dreamers, TPS holders, farmworkers, and so many other undocumented immigrants who have already spent years as contributing members of their communities and drive economic growth.

But Congress needs to hear from you: Please email and call your Congressional and Senate Representatives to support this Bill!  It is time for a better, smarter, and more human immigration system that strengthens our economy through jobs and innovation!

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 (19) 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.

Wake County Public Health is collaborating with UNC Health, Duke, and Wake Med to launch a mass vaccination site starting Feb. 11. 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.  Visit https://covid19.wakegov.com/pnc-arena-to-host-third-wake-county-mass-vaccination-site-thanks-to-public-private-partnership/

(See Wake County Mass Vaccination Information Below)

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.

In addition to the more than 2,000 appointments available at the new appointment only drive-thru site next week:

My Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/10157577343161360

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a bill from state lawmakers that will distribute money approved by Congress for reopening schools, improving vaccine distribution and helping people pay their rent. Many parts of the proposal mirror that of a supplemental request of Cooper.

The COVID relief package Cooper signed includes another opportunity for parents to get $335 checks to help offset costs they’ve incurred associated with childcare and remote learning. Parents who missed the initial deadline will have another chance to apply for the check.

Cooper is also recommending a $695 million investment to address the state’s immediate needs for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cooper is recommending this as emergency recovery and resilience investments. The governor broke it down into three parts: defeating COVID, building back the economy and looking forward to building a more educated, skilled workforce.

In addition to the federal allocation plan, the governor recommends investing $695 million from the state’s General Fund to address other immediate needs.

Among the needs facing North Carolina businesses and people, the governor recommends addressing:

March 8 1- 2;30 pm RIOT Tour Reality Challenge Kick Off Event

For these meetings, stream them live at Town of Morrisville Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TownOfMorrisville/.  

Send Public Comments via email to publiccomments@townofmorrisville.org by 3 pm!

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.