Happy Thursday, Fellow Democrats! We hope you are staying healthy and safe.
VIRTUAL PHONE BANKING
Next week, we begin rolling out virtual phone banking to encourage Democrats to vote by mail. We will need volunteers to help us make phone calls to our fellow Democrats who are not yet signed up. Please email Stacey if you are interested in participating at: [email protected]
SPANISH SPEAKERS NEEDED FOR
PHONE BANKING
As mentioned above, we will soon begin focusing on reaching out to voters through phone banking. It is imperative that we get fellow Democrats to sign up to Vote By Mail. To do that, we will be calling them and stressing the importance of signing up.
We are especially in need of Spanish speaking volunteers who are willing to help make phone calls. If you are interested, please email Stacey at [email protected]
ORGANIZING CORPS
Organizing Corps 2020 is offering Virtual Bootcamps to ensure that the future presidential nominee has the staff needed to take back the White House and put competent leaders in seats up and down the ballot. Now more than ever, campaigns will need smart, effective, and trained organizers who are ready to problem-solve, adapt best practices to a physically distanced world, and develop creative ways of connecting with volunteers and voters in order to bring new possibilities to life and make campaigns and elections truly accessible. Organizing Corps is looking for those interested in working in our community.
In May, Organizing Corps 2020 will host 1-week virtual organizer trainings for those with local connections to AZ, FL, GA, MI, NC, PA, & WI. Admitted corps members who complete the program will receive a $500 technology and supplies stipend as well as direct support in securing a full-time, salaried position on the presidential campaign through November 3, 2020. The deadline to apply is April 18th. Program details and the application can be found at organizingcorps2020.com.
DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS CLOSED
Per the Governor’s Executive Order to Stay At Home, 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 President Biden. 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 78 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The county knows you may have questions so they have activated the 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., 7 days a week.
MORE/NEW COVID-19 STATE RESOURCES
FEDERAL ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENTS – UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AND CHECK YOUR STATUS
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
FLORIDA COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS AND INDIVIDUALS
https://covid19.floridajobs.org/
FLORIDA REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE BENEFITS FAQ
http://floridajobs.org/docs/default-source/reemployment-assistance-center/ra-covid-19-faqs-eng.pdf?sfvrsn=805543b0_14
FEDERAL DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
In order to qualify for this benefit your employment or self-employment must have been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster declared by the President of the United States. You must have been determined not otherwise eligible for regular unemployment insurance benefits (under any state or Federal law).
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/597
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): SMALL BUSINESS GUIDANCE & LOAN RESOURCES
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN EMERGENCY ADVANCE
This loan advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance funds will be made available within days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid.
https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economic-injury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance#section-header-2
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
The following entities affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be eligible:
- Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based sized standard or the alternative size standard)
- Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of:
- 500 employees, or
- That meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500
- Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location
- Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons
FLORIDA REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) recently announced a new, mobile-friendly online application for Reemployment Assistance available at FloridaJobs.org/RAApplication.
“The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is committed to ensuring Floridians are able to receive the benefits owed to them during this global pandemic,” said Ken Lawson, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “The team is working around the clock to make the process for applying for Reemployment Assistance as easy as possible for Floridians.”
Those who have not filed a Reemployment Assistance claim should complete their application online or submit a paper application which is available for download here. All applicants will need to complete the following steps:
Step 1: Collect the following documents & information:
Social Security number
Driver’s License or State ID number
Employment information for the last 18 months for each employer
Employer ID - FEIN number (this is found on your W2 or 1099 tax form)
Employer name (name on pay stub), address, and phone number
First and last day of work
Gross earnings (before taxes are taken out) covering the last 18 months
Reason for separation
Step 2: Submit your Reemployment Assistance application online or by mail. CareerSource locations are available to assist with completing and submitting online applications. They are also providing paper applications at all CareerSource Centers. FedEx locations are also offering the option to print and mail applications for Reemployment Assistance free of charge.
Step 3: Receive your Reemployment Assistance application confirmation. If you mail your Reemployment Assistance application to DEO, a representative will contact you after your application is processed. A written determination will be provided electronically and/or by mail to explain if you are monetarily eligible, and if you are, what your weekly benefit amount will be.
CLEVELAND CLINIC COVID-19 UPDATE
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital continues to perform drive-through testing for COVID-19, by appointment only. To receive an appointment, individuals who believe they may have symptoms of COVID-19 must first call (772) 226-4846.
Drive-through testing is located in 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 is taking place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week.
While the Cleveland Clinic has adequate supplies and medical equipment, they are asking for the community to help source the following supplies to be even better prepared for any potential surge in patients:
N95 Masks
Surgical masks
Isolation gowns
Eye protection
Face shields
Gloves (NO latex)
Hand sanitizer
Disinfecting wipes
Donations may be dropped off curb-side at Cleveland Clinic Indian River 1000 36th Street, Vero Beach.
SALVATION ARMY SENIOR RESOURCE
In response to Covid-19, the Salvation Army will offer additional food services for seniors and high risk individuals.
Individuals can call the Salvation Army at 772-978-0265 Ext. 101 during Food Pantry hours (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9-12 & 1-3) and request a “No Contact Pick Up.” They can provide their information over the phone and we will load their car without them getting out.
Or -
In collaboration with the Senior Resource Association, MRE’s can be delivered to their homes by calling the Salvation Army at 772-978-0265 Ext. 101.
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.
OP ED BY CARL HIAASEN
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.
If you aren’t registered to vote yet, you can register at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home
JOE BIDEN GEAR
We’ve received a lot of calls and emails about buying Joe Biden yard signs, bumper stickers, etc. Our office doesn’t have any Joe Biden gear, but you can order online at his website: https://store.joebiden.com/
However, due to the Covid-19, his printing and shipping is on hold. You can order now, and when they are back up and running, they will get it to you.
Our office does intend to have supplies of Joe Biden swag. However, until the Biden Campaign begins printing again and until our office is back open, we have to wait like the rest of you.
Amazon and Ebay have some Joe Biden items, so you might try their websites. Let’s all begin supporting the presumptive nominee by showing our support in yard signs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. Let’s show Indian River County that it is time for a change!
PRECINCT ACTION COMMITTEE NEWS
The Precinct Action Committee (PAC), under the leadership of chair Rita Milelli—the volunteer of the month, has been meeting regularly each week via Zoom to plan the various ways we can reach out to all IRC Democrats. Encouraging Democrats to enroll with the Supervisor of Elections to VOTE BY MAIL remains our number one priority.
Voter outreach will include phone calls, text messages, and letter-writing. Many Precinct Captains have already been hard at work sending letters to fellow Democrats in their precinct. The PAC is currently developing scripts for phone calls and texting that we hope to implement in the next week or two. Additionally, the PAC is developing video conferencing training for phone calling and texting. Stay tuned for details.
If you are interested in helping with this important work, contact the office: [email protected]
SHOUT OUT TO THE DATA TEAM
Under the leadership of Jim St. Martin (our November 2019 Volunteer of the Month), the Data Team has been busy cranking out our VBM forms by precincts and our Virtual Phone Bank (VPB) call lists for Open Phone Bank. Thank you to all the Data Team for their monumental efforts to keep us working virtually in spite of the Pandemic!
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 Club will not have a general membership meeting in May and 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.
STAY UP-TO-DATE ON OUR
DEMOCRATIC NEWS
Don’t forget to stay up-to-date with our Democrats of Indian River news on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/indianriverdemocraticparty/
Please be sure to both “Like” us and “Follow” us!
The Democratic Women’s Club of Indian River also has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Democratic-Womens-Club-of-Indian-River-County-168345873316234/
The Florida Young Democrats of Indian River are on Facebook, too! Their link is: https://www.facebook.com/fydirc/
Finally, you can also visit our website for calendar events and blogposts from our local Communications Committee and the Florida Democratic Party at: www.democratsofindianriver.org
ONE LAST WORD FROM NANCY
“If you don’t vote, you don’t count.” ~ Nancy Pelosi
That’s all folks! Stay healthy! Stay home!
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