Friday, April 17
From Mutual Aid Tompkins
If you have an immediate need, call (607) 288-3252
As always, community members looking for more information on local health resources and resources related to COVID-19 can contact 2-1-1 by calling 1-877-211-8667 or visiting 211tompkins.org
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Page
Mutual Aid Tompkins Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Immediate Needs Facebook Group
Mutual Aid Tompkins Food Systems Facebook Group
Find Help & Give Help
Donations: We are neighbors concerned about our communities and helping to make sure those most vulnerable and affected by COVID-19 get the support they need. We are volunteer run, with no paid staff, and our aid comes directly from the community. We have created a PayPal & Venmo account and the money donated is going directly to people who have made requests through our immediate needs page. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fundraiser that is in partnership with Tompkins County Worker's Center, You can also make donations through PayPal here and our Venmo here. Thank you!
Need Help Finding Help? Contact 2-1-1 Tompkins Cortland : Callers are referred to service providers according to their needs. 2-1-1 may follow up with callers, when appropriate, to ensure that contact was made and to offer further assistance if needed. Some common questions include locations to find food, legal issues with housing, how to access healthcare, and finding employment. 2-1-1 is active 24 hours a day 365 days of the year. To access 2-1-1 by text, message your zip code to TXT211 or 898211. Texting service is available Mon-Fri 9:00 am – 4:00 pm). You can also access 2-1-1 services by email (iandr@hsctc.org) or by visiting their website.
Community Volunteer & Request Aid Form : Fill out this form if you would like to request aid (petty cash assistance, groceries, supplies, medicine, delivery), AND/OR if you would like to volunteer to give aid. THIS IS A NEW VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM - please fill this out even if you had previously signed up to volunteer.
Older Adult Support Form : Read info here and fill out this form if you would like to provide assistance to older adults in Tompkins County.
Local
Health
COVID-19 Cases in Tompkins County as of 4/17 at 7:15 pm -
Total Tested: 2,785
Pending Results: 240
Positive Test Results: 121
Recovered: 94
Currently Hospitalized: 7
Total Deaths: 2 (both not from Tompkins County but transfers from downstate hospitals)
Additional Information about the COVID-19 cases in Tompkins County, Cortland County and Broome County : click HERE.
The CH Sampling Site is open Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. To pre-register, call Cayuga Health Registration Line at 607-319-5708, or go online to cayugahealthsystem.org.
Status of Tompkins County Health Department Services
Tompkins County is temporarily reducing its onsite workforce in compliance with the NYS on PAUSE executive order, requiring local governments to reduce their workforce. These measures will reduce, temporarily, the County’s onsite workforce by 60%. Read full county press release here.
The Health Department building will be closed to the public as of 4/20/20.
The following Health Department programs are still operating by phone or appointment only (updated 4/17/20):
Environmental Health: operating on a limited basis. Click here for additional information, or call 607-274-6688 for inquiries and/ or an appointment.
WIC: is taking appointments via phone call at 607-274-6630. WIC will continue to provide benefits remotely. Click here for more details.
Early Intervention: providing services through teletherapy.
Preschool Special Education Services: providing services through teletherapy.
Vital Records: via mail or by phone for appointment only, 607-274-6642.
Deliveries and mail: will be received at the main entrance maintaining appropriate social distance (directions are posted at the front door).
The following Health Department programs have been suspended:
Healthy Neighborhoods Program
Immunizations
MOMS
SafeCare
Health inquiries in Tompkins County: 607-274-6604
Most recent data can always be found on the Tompkins County Health Department website.
Call for Volunteers
The Food Bank is looking for volunteers on Monday and Friday of next week.
Monday is packing boxes of food at The Space to be handed out Friday of next week. Friday is the Drive-Thru Community Food Distribution at TC3. There are specifications for who can and cannot volunteer; please read carefully before signing up.
Monday volunteer info & sign up: Click HERE
Friday volunteer info & sign up: Click HERE
Resources
Shortage Scout is a WebApp designed to help you find where you can get your needed supplies near your areas. Please check out their website HERE.
The National Intercollegiate COVID-19 Coalition
In response to the nationwide instability caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Intercollegiate COVID-19 Coalition was created by students in higher education institutions across the United States to advocate on behalf of university students as we face the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Coalition’s mission is to urge higher education institutions across the country to implement policies protecting and supporting all collegiate level students who are facing various degrees of hardships while dealing with the pandemic. Please check out their website for more information about available resources for students.
Are You an ‘Essential’ Worker Not Feeling Protected in Your Workplace?
Although filing an online complaint is the best way to file a formal complaint at this time, another approach could be more practical. Workplace health and safety advocates can advise you about the best approach to take to resolve your particular workplace issue. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Tom Joyce at the Midstate Council for Occupational Safety and Health, (607) 275-9560 or midstatecosh@gmail.com; or the Tompkins County Workers’ Center, (607) 269-0409 or TCWRH@tcworkerscenter.org. You can file an online complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) here. For more information, please visit the Tompkins County Workers’ website.
Food
Ithaca Free Food Resources : Click HERE.
News
Ithaca area outreach workers collaborate (Report from We Are Ithaca)
"All different organizations are coming together as a coalition and working more unified than ever before" says volunteer Keith Payne. From the kitchen and church pews of Loaves & Fishes to the Ithaca Commons and the Jungle, We Are Ithaca tagged along with members of local community outreach groups who are working together in an unprecedented effort to provide critical services in a time of pandemic. Watch the video and view full report HERE.
State
Executive Order Requires All People in NYS to Wear Masks or Face Coverings in Public, effective Friday, April 17.
“Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced he will issue an Executive Order requiring all people in New York to wear a mask or a face covering when out in public and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained, such as on public transportation. The Executive Order will go into effect on Friday, April 17th.”
Governor's press update here
National
USDA Announces Coronavirus Food Assistance Program: (Washington, D.C., April 17, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. Please read the full announcement on the USDA Website.
