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National and/or State News Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates concerning the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 from national, state, and local news sources:

New York Times: 

• At least 720 new coronavirus deaths and 42,449 new cases were reported in the United States on October 6. Over the past week, there have been an average of 44,101 cases per day, an increase of 6 percent from the average two weeks earlier.
• As of Wednesday morning, more than 7,529,300 people in the United States have been infected with the coronavirus and at least 210,700 have died, according to a New York Times database.
• In 23 states and territories, including Alabama, cases are higher and staying high
• In 14 states and territories cases are lower but going up
• In 17 states and territories, including Georgia, cases are lower and staying low

Elevated Issue of Local Concern or Awareness-Ben Moser

• An article from the NPR:
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now says the coronavirus can be spread through airborne particles that can linger in the air “for minutes or even hours” — even among people who are more than 6 feet apart.
• The CDC still says that SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is most frequently spread among people in close contact with one another, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. But in new guidance published Monday on its website, the agency also acknowledged that under certain circumstances, people have become infected by smaller particles that can linger in the air in enclosed spaces that are poorly ventilated.
• “Sometimes the infected person was breathing heavily, for example while singing or exercising,” the CDC said. In such cases, the CDC said, there’s evidence that the amount of smaller infectious droplets and particles that a contagious person produces “became concentrated enough to spread the virus to other people” – even if they were more than 6 feet away. In some cases, the CDC said, transmission occurred “shortly after the person with COVID-19 had left” the room.

Economic Sector and Impact Area Updates 

Public:
Columbus Consolidated Government Update-Mayor Skip Henderson

Mayor Henderson gave the following updates:

• Thank United Way and the Community Foundation again for sponsoring the Coronavirus Response Update Call.
• The number of positive COVID-19 cases and the hospitalization rate in our community are declining.
• Down to 13 new cases on the 7-day rolling average.
• Unfortunately, there have been 171 deaths in Muscogee County due to the virus. The good news is that number has not changed over the last week.
• Number of cases per 100,000 individuals is down from as high as 400 to 115-120.
• Only three new hospitalizations over the last week per the Columbus Health Department numbers.
• The hospitalization rate has remained manageable, down to 30-33. This gives the hospitals the capacity to treat people needing non COVID-19 related services.
• The natatorium has reopened. Swim teams and citizens are back in the water. The city continues to monitor. If the number of positive cases remains low, they may increase the number of people allowed in the facility.
• Halloween is not being canceled in Muscogee County.
• However, the city will hand out the CDC guidelines and make some strong recommendations. They include:
  • House to House Trick or Treat where candy is set out on a table to avoid person to person contact instead of Door to Door Trick or Treat.
  • Avoid hayrides and suggest families participate in activities only with people in their household.
• The city is planning a city-wide drive thru Halloween complete with scenery in the Civic Center parking lot. Vendors will have tables set up. Children can wear costumes, remain in their vehicle and individually bagged treats will be placed in their trunk. The city pictures this becoming an annual event.

Muscogee County School District Update-Dr. David Lewis

Dr. Lewis gave the following updates:

• Thanked everyone for their continued support.
• Exceptions to the Choice Model Declaration are due from parents to their child’s school by the close of business today.
• The school district is continuing to issue their weekly COVID-19 report each Monday. 

Non-Profit:

Food
Feeding the Valley Update-Frank Sheppard

Frank gave the following updates:

• Demand remains high for food. On average, one in three individuals is experiencing food insecurity in the coverage area.
• Finished the 3^rd quarter having distributed 1.1 million pounds more food than the same time last year.
• Food distribution today in Clay County.
• Food distribution at four sites in Meriwether County tomorrow.
• Food distribution at four sites in Troup County tomorrow.
• Food distribution in Muscogee County on the 3^rd Saturday of each month. Next distribution will be on October 17, 2020.

Housing
Home for Good/United Way Update-Pat Frey

Pat gave the following updates:

• Monthly Housing Navigation and COVID-19 Response Meeting was held yesterday.
• Reminder to service providers that the ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant) CARES application for funding is due at 5:00pm today.

Grants/Projects Update-Betsy Covington

Betsy gave the following updates:

• No new grants to report this week. Working on a few and will provide an update on next week.
• Continuing to monitor situations and the stimulus status.
• Today marks the 70^th day of the Coronavirus Response Update Call. Averaging 60.29 people per call. There are 46 people on the call today.
• Appreciate everyone on the calls and please continue to let Betsy or Ben know what is needed from the calls.
• Ben thanked everyone for their support and contributions to the call.

Making Connections (Open Forum) Updates:

211 Update-Candace Muncy

Candace gave the following updates:

• Grateful for the marketing grant.
• Starting next week 211 will begin advertising on various platforms to include WTVM, WRBL, CTV Beam, Davis Broadcasting, PMB, social media, East Alabama Citizen, etc.
• 211 will also be promoting Healthy Homes Healthy Families in conjunction with Emory University.

United Way for the Chattahoochee Valley Update-Ben Moser

Ben gave the following updates:

• Reminded everyone that the 2020 United Way campaign kicked-off in August.
• Asked workplaces and individuals to give to support our community by supporting our agency partners.
• Additional information on giving can be found on the United Way website(unitedwayofthecv.org) or if you would like to start a workplace campaign email Ben at bmoser@unitedwayofthecv.org.
• Thanked everyone for their support.