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June 12, 2020

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Serving Neighborhoods Bulletin

TaKasha Francis Message

PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 – MASK UP!

Mask Up Graphic

Let’s help stop the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face covering, washing our hands frequently, sanitizing home and work surfaces, and practicing social distancing. With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, stay home to stay safe as much as possible.

To read about the Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19, click on the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention webpage link:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

COVID-19 INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

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COVID-19 LATEST UPDATES
For official City of Houston COVID-19 updates, news, test sites and recovery resources, go to HoustonEmergency.org/covid19.

HOW TO GET HELP

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To view a list of COVID-19 recovery services and resources offered by local agencies and nonprofits, such as food assistance, legal advice, counseling and financial help, click on the following link: https://houstonrecovers.org/covid19/

MULTILINGUAL FLYERS
Multilingual COVID-19 informational flyers are available in the following languages:
|
አማርኛ | Español | عربى | 中文 | دری | فارسی | Français | ဗမာ | پښتو | Kiswahili | ትግርኛ | Tiếng Việt

To access the flyers, click on the following link: https://houstonemergency.org/covid19translated/

Houston Health Scope Graphic

For COVID-19 updates from the Houston Health Department, sign up to receive Houston HealthScope.  The latest issue of the weekly newsletter is now available.  
Houston HealthScopeSign Up

FREE COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE TO ALL
Getting tested empowers you protect others. Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is offered by the City of Houston at its Community Drive-Thru Sites.  Testing is also offered by community partners at numerous locations throughout the city.

HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY DRIVE-THRU TEST SITES

Free Testing Graphic

Anyone, regardless of symptoms, may receive a FREE COVID-19 test at drive-thru testing sites operated by the Houston Health Department.  Call 832-393-4220 for an access code and directions to nearest site.

Test Results: A FEMA contractor calls with test results, also made available through the LabCorp or in this document.

CITYWIDE TEST SITES
To find a COVID test site near you, click on the following link: https://houstonemergency.org/covid-19-testing/

COVID-19 CALL CENTER – NEW HOURS

Call Center Graphic

The Houston Health Department COVID-19 call center provides access codes for testing at its community drive-thru sites.  The center also helps the public find other test site options.

Call Center – After Hours
If you reach our call center after hours, are requesting a test for you or someone else, and plan to come in the following day, please complete a  pre-screening application.  Prescreening space is limited and will close once capacity is reached. Unique IDs are valid for 24 hours.

Pre-screening application link:https://houstonhealth.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Pv3Fu6vh0BmQE5

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE -- BE PREPARED!

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HOW TO PREPARE FOR HURRICANE SEASON
Houstonians are urged to be prepared for the hurricane season, which started June 1 and runs through November 30.  The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides instructions on how to prepare for a hurricane emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Getting ready for a hurricane emergency calls for the following steps:  Make an Emergency Plan, Have an Emergency Supply Kit, Stay Informed, and Know Your Neighbors.

For hurricane readiness instructions, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/hurricanecovidprep.

Additional information about how to be prepared for this year’s hurricane season is available here.

REGISTER FOR ALERTHOUSTON

Alert Houston

Sign up for AlertHouston, the city’s official emergency alert system. Subscribers receive real-time weather alerts and post-storm recovery information via email, text message, voice call or mobile app push notification.

REQUEST PREPAREDNESS MATERIALS

Disaster Prep Guide

The City of Houston Disaster Preparedness Guide provides information about emergency planning to Houston residents.  The guide is available in six languages for download via the following link: https://www.houstonoem.org/request-preparedness-materials/.

Ready Houston provides information in video format on a variety of safety topics, including hurricane readiness for adults and children with access and functional needs.

To order copies of the Disaster Preparedness Guide or Are You Ready? DVD, call 3-1-1 (713.837.0311) or click on the following link:  https://www.houstonoem.org/request-preparedness-materials/.

STEAR EMERGENCY EVACUATION REGISTRY
In the event of an emergency, some individuals may need additional assistance leaving their homes, or responding to emergency conditions by themselves.  The State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) allows residents to provide information on their specific situation to emergency management officials who will work to help them evacuate safely or provide them with the appropriate life-sustaining help they need in a disaster.

Facilities who care for the most vulnerable of our population can also register their facilities with emergency management agencies to help in the planning for and response to an emergency.

Please note that registration with STEAR does not guarantee any delivery of services by responders and should not replace developing your own emergency plan.

Register today by calling 2-1-1 or visiting https://stear.tdem.texas.gov.

STAY SAFE FROM THE SUMMER HEAT

Extreme Heat Graphic

It’s summertime, and for Houstonians that means very hot, humid sunny days.  For tips on how to stay cool and safe during periods of extreme heat, click of the Office of Emergency Management webpage links below:  

Extreme Heat – Tips to Stay Cool:
https://houstonemergency.org/extreme-heat-tips-to-stay-cool/

Calor extremo – Consejos para mantenerse fresco:

https://houstonemergency.org/calor-extremo-consejos-para-mantenerse-fresco/

Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:

Signs of Heat Stroke - English Signs of Heat Stroke - Spanish

THE “CENSUS SLIDE” – COME ON, HOUSTON!

Say Yes to the Census

Check out this music video produced by City Planning and Development Department’s very own, planner Eriq Glenn. Inspired by Drake’s “Tootsie Slide,” Eriq’s “Yes to the Census 2020” song urges everyone to fill out and submit the census form.  It’s easy and it means a lot resounds.

The census count will determine the level of federal funds the city will receive to support basic services such as healthcare, education and housing. For more information, visit www.my2020census.gov.

Yes to the Census 2020 (Census Slide)
– Music Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAuWwycJU6A&app=desktop

ONLINE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & SERVICES
A MONTH OF SERVICE  – Online Community Workshop Series

The Department of Neighborhoods and community partners sponsor A Month of Service, a series of workshops and classes on topics such as estate planning, taxes, legal issues and more! To continue to serve neighbors while adhering to social distancing to flatten the curve on COVID-19, we have taken our popular community classes online!  For a list of classes scheduled for June and links to register, click on the link below.

A Month of Service: [Flyer]

HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY'S DIGITAL OVERDRIVE

Library at Home Overdrive

The Houston Public Library invites you to experience its new OverDrive website for an extensive selection of e-books and e-audiobooks, Including bestsellers and new releases on a full range of interests for readers of all ages. Browse through the collection ranging from mystery and romance to business, children’s selections and more.  Also check out the library’s movies, music, TV shows and comics!

Click link to view the collection: OverDrive

CELEBRATE WORLD REFUGEE DAY HOUSTON THE MONTH OF JUNE!

World Refugee Day Houston is June 20, but this year the celebration has gone virtual and will be extended through the entire month.  The Alliance and Refugee Services of Texas invite the public to join the festivities on Facebook and Instagram. The online celebration will focus on art and education, refugee stories and advocacy for refugees.

Join World Refugee Day Houston online festivities:
www.facebook.com/WRDHouston
www.instagram.com/houston4refugees

Farmers Market

Farmers Market

The World Refugee Day Houston celebration will also feature a farmer’s market sponsored by Plant It Forward Farms, an organization that supports refugee farmers. The market will be held every Friday in June, 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the offices of The Alliance, 6440 Hillcroft, Houston, TX 77081.  For more information call 713-776-4700.

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