Happy Thursday, Fellow Democrats!
STATEWIDE SHELTER AT HOME EXECUTIVE ORDER
On April 1, Governor DeSantis finally implemented statewide restrictions aimed at keeping more Floridians home until April 30th. It means people who work at businesses not deemed “essential" must stay home, closing down those businesses unless they can operate remotely. Essential services exempted from this order include health care providers, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, hardware stores, restaurants limited to serving takeout, childcare, landscape and pool care, pet supply stores, and what are considered critical service jobs. It also defines allowable essential activities as walking, biking, fishing, taking care of pets or loved ones and attending religious services.
FDP Chair, Terrie Rizzo noted of this very delayed Executive Order, “It is distressing that Gov. Ron DeSantis waited until the coronavirus had spread to so many Floridians before finally issuing a statewide stay-at-home order. I hope this will finally slow the rise in infections and that his actions are not too late.”
DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS CLOSED
Per the Governor’s Executive Order noted above, our office is officially closed to everyone. We will be checking for phone messages and mail only twice a week. If you are in need of anything, please do not come to the office. Instead you can email Stacey at [email protected]
Any and all in-person Democratic meetings that were previously scheduled are canceled.
We hope as we navigate this new stay at home order, that you all remain safe and healthy. While it is a scary and uncertain time, let’s try and focus on the fact that this will not last forever. And when life resumes to a new normalcy, we will have A LOT of work to do to elect a new President. In the meantime, stay home, catch up on projects, take an evening stroll around the neighborhood (while social distancing) and embrace the slower pace of life that is our new reality.
COVID-19 DATA TRACKER
To stay up-to-date on the cases of Covid-19 in Indian River County and the State of Florida, click on the link below. Updates are put up every day at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/96dd742462124fa0b38ddedb9b25e429
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ALERT INDIAN RIVER
Indian River County currently has 38 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. We know you may have questions so we have activated our Emergency Information Center. Operators are standing by to assist with your questions. Please dial 772-226-4000. The Emergency Information Center will be open from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. beginning today through Saturday and hours will be adjusted as needed.
COVID-19 STATE RESOURCES
Below are some resources that may assist or inform you, your family and neighbors during this uncertain time.
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital is now performing drive-through testing for COVID-19, by appointment only, to increase access for the number of people being tested in our community.
Testing will only be performed for individuals who meet Florida Department of Health criteria for COVID-19. If individuals do not meet criteria, testing will not be performed.
To receive an appointment, individuals who believe they may have symptoms of COVID-19 must first call their nurse triage hotline at #772-226-4846 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. Nurses will then discuss the individual’s symptoms, travel history and potential contact with others who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. If patients meet the criteria, they will be given an appointment time at the Drive Through Testing Location at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. Test results will take an estimated 4-7 days to complete. Individuals who receive testing will be asked to self-quarantine until the results are received.
The employee parking lot on the northwest side of Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital has been designated for drive-through testing and entrances from 36th Street and Dr. Hugh McCrystal Drive are clearly marked. Testing will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week.
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
The Covid-19 Virus outbreak is stressful for so many of us. If you need some resources to manage that stress, here are a couple of options:
The CDC has a website:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
Locally, the Mental Health Association Walk-In & Counseling Center continues to remain open during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for same-day mental health screenings, crisis intervention, emergency visits, and new patient evaluations. They have adopted using telehealth for follow-up therapy for current patients and psychiatric medication refills. They will also be available by phone at 772-569-9788 for triages. Current patients who are sick or have a fever need to stay home and MHA will treat them via the telehealth services described above.
SHOUT OUT TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
School has been out since March 13th and parents/guardians have now turned into teachers. It’s hard enough to be a parent when the kids are home 24/7, let alone trying to teach them too! We just want to give a HUGE shout out to those parents who have become teachers, stay-at-home mom/dad, and working from home mom/dad.
There are also many families out there that have children with special needs. Those families are facing a different kind of reality when their children can’t go to doctor appointments, much needed therapies, and school. Our Operations Coordinator Stacey Klim is one of those families. You can read more about her son Jackson and the challenges ahead for those ESE students in this TC Palm article:
https://www.tcpalm.com/story/news/education/2020/03/24/amid-coronavirus-outbreak-school-districts-support-ese-students/2880118001/?fbclid=IwAR3d0An3Sja_4rgprPR_au-IARBiPvuY2ztirEjV0F8A7k13_iM0ZhWxeW0
VOTE BY MAIL
Never before have we witnessed such a vital need to vote by mail. If you have not registered to vote by mail, go to the Indian River County Supervisor of Elections website: https://www.voteindianriver.com/Vote-By-Mail/Request-Absentee-Ballot where you can register directly.
CENSUS 2020
As you may know, April 1st was CENSUS DAY! While there were events scheduled around the nation to promote and celebrate the Census, those have had to be canceled due to COVID-19. Please share Census messaging and encourage your family, friends, neighborhoods, coworkers, customers and clients to respond to the Census. Below, please find several suggestions on how you can take a few minutes to help make a lasting impact on our county. Feel free to think outside of the box!
Five Things YOU Can do to Help Promote the Census:
1. Email Signature: Ask followers and constituents to add a Census reminder to your email signature and encourage your colleagues to do the same: Have you been counted? Complete your 2020 Census Form NOW to ensure our communities have what they need.
2. Ask residents to Post a photo on social media of you completing your Census: Encourage your networks to be counted, tag @-------- on IG and on Facebook, and use #2020Census, #MSCounts
3. Share Census social media posts and/or post your own content - https://2020census.gov/en/search-results.html?q=social+media&contenttype=2020census%3Acontenttype%2Foutreach-materials&offset=0
4. Facebook frame: If you are on Facebook, add a 2020 Census Facebook frame to your profile picture! Here are the Steps:
· Click on the camera icon on your profile picture
· Select "Add Frame"
· Search for 2020 Census
5. Each One Reach One: Every person agrees to ask 10 people each day if they completed their Census.
But the most important thing you can do is participate in the Census. You should have received a letter in the mail with your access code. So please go online and make sure YOU count!
PRECINCT ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
The Democratic Executive Committee and the Precinct Action Committee (PAC) remain committed to our mission of reaching out to all IRC Democrats, even in this difficult time.
IRC Democrats will be following the lead of the Democratic National Party and the Florida Democratic Party, in creating new and innovative ways to be in touch with Democratic voters in our area. We intend to motivate ALL Democrats to VOTE on August 18 (Primary Election) and on November 3 (Presidential General Election).
Encouraging Democrats to enroll with the Supervisor of Elections to VOTE BY MAIL remains our number one priority.
Voter out-reach will include phone calls, text messages, and digital letter-writing. The calls, texts, and e-mails will begin next week; over the next month, we will be expanding our trainings to include all interested volunteers. Precinct Captains, Neighborhood Leaders, and Volunteers will have the opportunity to take part in video conferencing training sessions to learn and implement the new methods.
If you are interested in helping with this important work, contact the office: [email protected]
DEFEAT TRUMP
The Defeat Trump website is the place for voters to get facts about what's at stake in our 2020 election, grab tips for taking the fight to social media, find volunteer opportunities, and add their stories of why they're fighting to defeat Trump. Trump has left Florida’s families with nothing but empty promises and toxic policies, and we are telling that story. Our first ever storytelling website encourages Floridians to use their voice to defeat Trump in 2020. The link to the website is: www.defeattrumpfl.com
DEMOCRATIC CLUB UPDATE
Stay Safe...Stay Connected...Stay Energized
The Democratic Club membership list is now at 160 members strong! Thank you all so much for helping the Club grow in its inaugural year. We all wish we were not on hiatus from our meetings and events but staying home and staying well is our top priority now.
Just a reminder we will not have a general membership meeting in April and we will decide on future meetings on a month-by-month basis. If anyone has any questions, comments, or suggestions about meeting speakers or presentations, you can email Claudia Martino [email protected] or call her at 954-290-5661.
Please keep checking Facebook and your emails for updates on events and GOTV activities you can do from home. If you know anyone who is not receiving these emails or the weekly Democrats of Indian River newsletter, you can contact Claudia.
PLEDGE TO BE A HEALTH CARE VOTER
Pledge to be a health care voter in November! We need you to help us protect the Affordable Care Act!
The White House is doubling down on Trump’s campaign promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, despite the current public health crisis. This unethical move would strip 20 million Americans from their coverage when they need it most.
Our health care is on the line and the GOP envisions a future where the rich get richer and the sick get sicker. We need you to pledge that when November 2020 comes, you'll vote as if our health care depends on it -- because it does.
Sign the petition here: https://floridadems.4degreesclients.com/beta/petition/2003-fdp-medicare
That’s all folks! Stay healthy! Stay inside!
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