Members,
Today’s update will focus on recent developments and issues regarding COVID-19 and are as follows:
COVID-19
- Globally, there are 332,930 cases (up 168,216 since my last update), 14,509 deaths (up 7,936 since last update) and 103,748 recoveries (up 17,763 since last update).
- Nationally, 46,285 cases (up 36,764), 588 deaths (up 429) and 295 (up 187) recoveries. Texas, 11,167 cases (up 9,260), 9 deaths (up 7) and 11,167 people tested (up 9,260).
- Bexar County, 57 confirmed cases (up 32) with 28 being travel-related (up 20), seven by close-contact (up by 3), 16 by community transmission (up by 16), 6 under investigation (down by 7) and one death.
- San Antonio, total tested by Metro Health Lab – 400 (up 265), 400 negatives (up 247) and 42 positives (up 18).
Listed below is information for the public per the City of San Antonio:
COVID-19 HOTLINE- 210.207.5779 OR EMAIL COVID-19@SANANTONIO.GOV
The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District has opened a COVID-19 hotline for residents to ask questions about the virus.
- The hotline is available in English and Spanish. Residents can call 210.207.5779.
- Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Email questions or requests for presentations to COVID-19@sanantonio.gov
CoSA Shelter in Place Order
Yesterday, Mayor Ron Nierenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued a “shelter in place” order and the CoSA Office of Emergency Management sent out an update at 10:30 pm last night. I am highlighting pertinent information that exempts manufacturers, especially those identified as critical in the CISA and those listed below in the update (see below):
Dear Business Leader,
This email is to inform you that Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff issued separate, but joint Stay Home, Work Safe orders today to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order is effective beginning at 11:59 p.m. on March 24, 2020 and if approved by City Council at this Thursday’s meeting, will last until 11:59 p.m. on April 9, or until it is either rescinded, superseded, or amended.
The Mayor and Judge ordered all businesses to close and stop operations other than allowing employees to work from home, maintaining security and maintenance of the business’ property and facilitating information technology services that allow employees to work from home.
Businesses and organizations that are providing products and services that are needed by the community during this crisis are exempted. The followed exempted businesses may continue operating, provided they exercise proper social distancing:
- Healthcare operations, including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmaceutical companies and veterinary offices
- Government functions to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, including first responders, military personnel; trash collection; and water and electric utilities
- Schools and education personnel supporting public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities who are facilitating distance learning
- Companies providing or maintaining infrastructure, such as the construction of public works, housing and other infrastructure that supports critical needs, such as water, sewer, gas and electricity, internet and telecommunications
- Businesses related to transportation, including gas stations, repair shops, car dealerships, manufacturers, public transportation, such as buses, taxis, rideshare companies, and the airport
- Information technology companies that provide and maintain internet and telecommunications systems
- Retail businesses that sell food, gas and household products, such as grocery stores, big box stores, farmers’ markets, liquor stores, laundromats, and dry cleaners
- Charitable organizations providing food, shelter, and services to economically disadvantaged or vulnerable populations, including animals
- Hotels and other temporary residence facilities
- Businesses that provide home maintenance and other services that individuals need to work from home, such as mail and shipping companies, building maintenance, plumbers, electricians, exterminators and professional services, such as legal or accounting services necessary to comply with legally required activities, such as filing taxes
- News media, including newspapers, television, radio, and other media outlets providing information to the public
- Financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, and title companies
- Childcare services
- Worship services, provided services are distributed by video, teleconference or other remote measures
- Funeral services
- Business and operations necessary to the 16 critical infrastructure sectors identified by the National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA.)
Only businesses and organizations that are providing these necessary products or services to the public during this public health crisis will be allowed to continue to operate. All other businesses shall close, but may allow employees to work from home.
To read the full City order, which includes a list of Exempted Businesses, click the button below.
We understand that these are difficult times for all businesses, and we are grateful for your cooperation and partnership in our collective efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For more information and continuing updates, please visit the City of San Antonio’s website, sanantonio.gov. We have recently updated it to include information for local businesses and individuals seeking employment, including the following:
I have talked with the county and city about manufacturers being critical and they passed that most likely, individuals will not be pulled over by authorities however, you never really know for sure. So, I talked with the Texas Association of Manufacturers yesterday and after a meeting with Texas business leaders to include manufacturers, the consensus for employees traveling to and from work, at a minimum, should carry their company identification cards on hand to show authorities, should they be asked. It may also be a good idea for the company’s management to provide employees that must work on-site a letter (on company letterhead) to show authorities that the company is exempted per U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (CISA) or any related local rules. Some local employers have already drafted and supplied their employees with such letters. So, for the time being, an ID card from the company along with a letter claiming exemption under CISA should be sufficient. Using verbiage from the update above, and the use of example letters (see attached) will work. Additionally, CoSA and Bexar County will be answering questions, to include exemptions tonight at 6:30 pm via AT&T channel 99, Grande channel 20, Spectrum channel 21, digital antenna 16, www.sanantonio.gov/TVSA and www.FaceBook.com/COSAGOV.
You may submit questions in advance to @COSAGOV on Facebook, Twitter, of Instagram. You can also call 311 or 210-207-6000 to ask you questions or email them to 311customerservice@sanantonio.gov
We will provide any updated information as soon as we hear.
CDC Phishing Emails – The CDC is working with law enforcement to track down a series of phishing emails claiming to be from the CDC that reference a flu pandemic. If you receive an email like this, please delete it. If opened, it could download malware on your computer – https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/s0322-phishing.html
Financial Assistance – As I have provided in past updates, there is a lot of information US SBA Guidance for Business and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 – https://www.sba.gov/page/guidance-businesses-employers-plan-respond-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 There is more information coming out from the City, County, State, and Federal levels and once I get them, I will provide to all
SAMA Trade Show – The May 6th trade show has been postponed. We will be looking to hold it in September. More information will be provided shortly.
Lastly, I know many have a lot of questions and may be overwhelmed. The key is faith, be composed and know this crisis will pass. Definitely an inconvenience but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Practice safe prevention methods, work from home if you can and if you are not essential at work as described above, stay home. Not allowing the virus to spread is going to dramatically reduce it. Be good mentors and comfort those in need. God bless and thank you for all that you do for our industry.
