Congrats to our Dallas ISD cafeteria heroes who made the cover of TIME Magazine for their grace and courage in working to ensure Dallas ISD schoolkids in need continue to be served. The Dallas ISD team already has served over 1 million meals, and their work continues … We thank them.
Congrats to our Dallas ISD cafeteria heroes who made the cover of TIME Magazine for their grace and courage in working to ensure Dallas ISD schoolkids in need continue to be served. The Dallas ISD team already has served over 1 million meals, and their work continues … We thank them.In honor of these heroes, our family is making a donation to the Dallas Education Foundation which supports Dallas ISD schools and families. We encourage you to support our schools and kids by donating here if you can:
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE
April 10, 2020
Dear Friends,
We hope you and your family are doing well. Like you, the Meyers are facing this challenge day-by-day. Each day, this crisis highlights the resilience of our community and how we always come together to help friends, neighbors and strangers in times of need. To those who’ve donated to food pantries, written a driveway chalk note for people to see, called to check-in with someone, or have simply done whatever they’re able to right now, thank you.
Here are some new developments since our last update.
LOCAL RESPONSE & RESTRICTIONS
The Dallas County Stay at Home order was extended until April 30th. That means that the current direction to stay at home except for essential activities will remain in effect until April 30th unless the Commissioners Court has a majority vote to amend or extend it. For the most updated information and updates on designated essential businesses and activities, please read the order online.
The Dallas County order designating a local disaster for a public health emergency has been extended until May 20th. Having the disaster order in place allows for the County Judge and other authorities to activate emergency plans and resources as part of the COVID-19 response.
The City of Dallas announced that their federal support for COVID-19 testing sites was extended through May 30th. This extension will allow Dallas to continue receiving resources from the federal government for testing at the two locations. As a reminder, the criteria for testing is now: shortness of breath, cough, temperature above 99.6 or higher.
All 397 Dallas parks will be closed to the public Easter weekend. This in an effort to avoid large crowds over the holiday weekend. Trails will remain open, but users must adhere to proper social distancing guidelines. The parks will re-open at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 13th.
SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES & WORKERS
There are updated guidelines and helpful information for those who qualify for the Small Business Emergency Loan program. The loans are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic. The Paycheck Protection Program provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward. The application process for small businesses and sole proprietors began on April 3rd. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply beginning on April 10th. For more information, visit the SBA website.
The Texas Workforce Commission has made changes to reflect the increase in claims for unemployment. In addition to extending their hours and bringing on more staff, they’ve issued guidelines for users intended to expedite the process of submitting a claim. This will help those seeking benefits submit their application sooner. Claims for individuals affected by COVID-19 are eligible to be backdated. Governor Abbott had previously waived the 10-day investigation period for unemployment claims
HEALTHCARE SECTOR
As of noon on April 9th, more than 105,000 people had been tested for COVID-19 in Texas, with over 10,200 confirmed cases in 170 of our 254 counties.
Governor Abbott has waived several regulations to expand the healthcare workforce and healthcare capabilities of our state, most recently, allowing healthcare professionals like physician assistants and those licensed for respiratory care to more easily assist with the statewide COVID-19 response.
On April 6th, Governor Abbott announced that Texas had received 2.5 million masks in 24 hours and would receive 3 million more by April 11th. Masks and other PPE are critical to keeping frontline healthcare employees safe as they fight on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak.
EDUCATION RESPONSE
Per the Texas Education Agency, schools in Texas will remain closed until at least April 30th. In a press conference earlier this week, Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa stated that it was unlikely that students would return to classroom learning this school year. He stated that the district was making several contingency plans and would determine the best course of action within the next few weeks.
We know that COVID-19 has raised several questions about how your children’s educational future will be impacted.
Our team is working alongside Dallas ISD and Highland Park ISD principals, school board members and superintendents as well as statewide education leaders to provide you more information and to be here to listen to your concerns and answer your questions.
As a reminder, we’ve set up a COVID-19 webpage in coordination with the United Way. We encourage you visit the page to submit your questions, requests for assistance or to learn more about how to help those in our community who are deeply impacted by this crisis.
I’ll send further updates and information as needed. In the meantime, should you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reply to this email or call us at (469) 554-0428.
Sincerely,
