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Arlington Residents and Friends,
Since you get so much to read, I wanted to give you information to watch, via a video on COVID 19: an update from our Director of Public Health from Monday's meeting. Click below to learn where we are health and life safety wise:
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Click here on the video of Monday's updates from the Public Health Director Dr. Reuben Varghese, Deputy County Manager Jim Schwartz, and Aaron Miller, Director of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management
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The other challenge that we must face and acknowledge is very, very serious: the economic one.
Some Information to Try to Start to Help You
This morning, the Post led with the 6.6 million people filed for unemployment insurance this week. That is pain for so many individuals and families, neighbors, friends, and community members. My heart breaks. A lot. And then thinks of what we can do to help Arlington residents who are impacted.
First, join the County Board for a facebook live town hall today at 12 noon. It will be a chance to ask questions, earn more, and be part of our community as we work through this #AloneTogether:
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Second, learn what you may be able to get in help via the federal bill--legislation summary from the best there is, as I see it:
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Third, this article from yesterday's Post on both rents and mortgages is helpful. Virginia is barring evictions through April but the practical help in the Federal bill is worth reading.
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Third, small businesses. If you own, work at, or know of a small business, this Q and A is really helpful. Sole proprietors and businesses who keep employees can get help, a difference from the past.
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Ok, Matt, that's Enough for Now on Getting Help;
I want to HELP Others.
Arlington County is working to channel your compassion. There are many efforts: I have shared with some of them, but want to highlight more. Today, Arlington County will be accepting certain donations from 10 to 12 at Central Library of key equipment:
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Second, go to the Care for Community site at https://volunteer.leadercenter.org/covid-19-care-community and look for opportunities for the best site with links to it all and ways to truly help.
Fourth, join one or both of two groups of neighbors helping each other: Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other through COVID 19 https://www.facebook.com/groups/212126776694852/ or Arlington Community Corps https://beaneighbor.vomo.org/org/arlington-community-corps Both are excellent ways to help very locally..
Fifth, go to the County's assistance site at https://health.arlingtonva.us/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/food-financial-and-medical-assistance/ and look for the ways you can get involved.
Sixth, help teachers feed kids through their go fund me https://www.gofundme.com/f/optin-one-pantry-at-a-time?fbclid=IwAR2NAC_03qLQq1DU1pcRvm4RUf179mbBAHoQIecNPYO7u1nZQg2ysoWRzFs or go to https://afac.org/campaign/fill-the-warehouse/ to help, because AFAC will be the key to our long term response and the need will be immense. The County provided $100K but there is and will be so much more of a need.
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Last, I want to highlight a need that I think has been underemphasized in our community to this point. The immediate needs of our County employees on the frontline through our Department of Health cannot be overemphasized. Those County workers and others who directly help the homeless and those in need must be honored and we are working on that, but I want us to contribute to help them who work at ASPAN, Bridges to Independence, Doorways for Women and Families, Phoenix House, New Hope Housing and other housing nonprofits directly serving the homeless.
The County has done and will do more, but you and I can also help in our individual capacities. I am starting with ASPAN this morning, but as I have the resources I will be pitching in what I can to each of these organization. Even $10 helps. Because serving those in need while you are worried about your own safety is the highest calling I can think of right now.
If you have other ways to serve I should highlight, email me.
How about something to make you smile? Give you Hope? Remind you of the Love that Will Get Us Through this?
Sure, please click on the link below. I promise you will be gald you did. Teachers and staff caring about kids with perhaps some of the funniest karaoke and dancing I've seen in a while!
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Barrett Elementary staff WILL make you smile in this 3 minute video.
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The video is just another reminder that the best way to handle this difficult moment may well be to think of what we can each do to safely help others.
Yours,
Matt
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