March 13, 2020
We wanted to personally reach out to our donors, partners, volunteers and sponsors to address the current situation with COVID-19 and how United Way of Charlotte County is responding to this issue. Our hearts go out to those who've been impacted. The safety of our community is always our top priority.
Every day brings new developments related to the virus, and the uncertainty can be unsettling. Be assured that we are conducting daily briefings and closely monitoring the guidance of the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County, World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control regarding the spread of the virus.Our focus is to ensure we meet the needs of those struggling in Charlotte County while doing our part to keep you, our employees, and our communities safe. At this time our Free Tax Assistance program (VITA) has been suspended.
We are not taking this lightly but ALICE is still working. They have no choice because if they do take time off, they cannot make ends meet. What's worse is if they are unable to continue through this difficult time, they will most certainly struggle and be in a financial crisis. We approach a very scary time for our neighbor ALICE. She remains paycheck-to-paycheck and she needs you now, more than ever. What we are currently experiencing because of a health pandemic... fear, loss of connections, loss of resources and lack of security... that is what ALICE faces daily. Our current state can be measured in days and weeks. For ALICE, it is counted in years. Community is at the heart of everything we do. Let's take a deep breath, remember that we lift ourselves up, as we lift up others. Let's not close our doors or hearts on ALICE.
Please share your blessings and give today by clicking this link.
Click here to read more about ALICE
We encourage you if you are able to support local nonprofit organizations that work with the people and families who are most vulnerable in our community. Community health centers, homelss shelters, pre-school and after-school programs, food pantires, elder/senior care organizations, and others will be especially challenged. In times like this, philanthropy can shine.
We regret to inform you that at this time we have suspended all of our VITA Free tax preparation appointments until further notice.
With the uncertainty of the COVID -19 VIRUS we are constantly updating and taking precautions for the safety of our community and volunteers.
At this time we can offer these online alternatives:
IRS FREE File https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
MYFREETAXES.com for simple returns https://www.myfreetaxes.com/
Resources
Charlotte County Public Schools
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Follow Facts; Not Fear Florida Chamber of Commerce
When You Have Questions, Call 211
Education and precautions key to COVID-19 response
By Hector Flores, Charlotte County administrator
Charlotte County is monitoring Department of Health updates for local, regional and state COVID-19 cases, including the case reported in Charlotte County Saturday. Dr. Joe Pepe, the director of the Charlotte County office of the Department of Health and Scott Pritchard from the DOH Department of Epidemiology provided an update to the County Commission at its Tuesday meeting.
“This virus has shown a propensity to spread and is difficult to contain. The next phase of this is community mitigation. We need to do everything we can to take measures every day to contain the spread of the disease,” Pritchard said.
Pepe emphasized the need for people to be informed and calm.
“Many people with COVID-19 recover at home and they’re not hospitalized,” Pepe said, before listing precautions people should take in addition to good personal hygiene. “If you have travelled internationally in the last 14 days, work with your medical providers and self-isolate. We’re asking people to avoid contact with others if they’re sick. We’re asking people not to travel if they’re sick. Delay travel if at all possible. If you are well and you are not around someone who is sick it is not necessary to wear a mask. We’re trying to preserve those masks for those who need it.”
My administration colleagues and I met Tuesday afternoon with senior staff to discuss potential policy implications and responses to COVID-19. We’re committed to ensuring our employees and the public with whom we interact stay informed and stay safe as we navigate this situation.
Emergency Management staff are communicating regularly with the Department of Health and senior county leadership. The Emergency Operations Center is at a Level 3 status, which means we’re prepared to activate the EOC as required.
Charlotte County Community Services sanitized its recreation centers and libraries last week and has initiated daily end-of-day cleaning. Facilities staff is wiping down surfaces in the County Administration Center and the Justice Center every day. Information about COVID-19 has been shared with all county employees. We participate in weekly conference calls with other county leaders and the Division of Emergency Management through the Florida Association of Counties to stay current on best practices and evolving circumstances.
The county’s website and social media portals provide a link (http://charlotte.floridahealth.gov/) for the latest COVID-19 information and personal hygiene tips. Visit CharlotteCountyFL.gov and click the banner at the top of the page or click Coronavirus COVID-19 under Hot Topics.
The Tampa Bay Rays are following Centers for Disease Control guidance on Charlotte Sports Park cleaning protocols, including cleaning high-traffic areas with disinfectant several times per day – before, during, and after events; installing hand sanitizers stations; and displaying infection prevention messages throughout the stadium.
Keep in mind, the same hygiene precautions health professionals are advising are the same ones that protect us from getting the flu or other infectious diseases.
Hector Flores is the Charlotte County administrator. Readers may reach him at Hector.Flores@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.