May 22 Update
Yesterday, I voted to implement a new policy requiring face coverings when people are in commercial and other public facilities - e.g. grocery stores or libraries. It's about saving lives and safely reopening. Wearing face coverings is a way to protect workers - and anyone we are in close contact with - and to make sure we can keep our economy open. This will help prevent second wave of infections. The full policy is being developed today and will be announced at today's 3 PM community briefing.
Research shows that people wearing face coverings is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The article posted here is a good rundown of this research. As we enter Phase 2, our local numbers are increasing in concerning ways - case count, positivity rate, number of deaths, and hospitalizations. Testing is also increasing and our case count remains lower than many other communities, both good pieces of news. But it's critical that we are as vigilant as ever about prevention as more parts of our community open. I am particularly concerned about people in our community who are most vulnerable - frontline workers, such as in grocery stores; health care workers; the elderly; communities of color; and those with chronic conditions.
Even though the science is clear, I wrestled with this decision a lot. In normal times, this would be a personal choice and I would not support a policy to mandate it. But these are not normal times - both symptomatic and asymptomatic people can transmit COVID-19 to others, without even knowing it. For weeks now, wearing a mask has been "strongly encouraged" and the reality is that many people do not wear them in stores and other places where close contact is happening.
The policy will require that individuals wear face coverings in these public settings. Each business can make a choice about how they handle this. Some have been very clear already that they will require masks for people to enter their business. Others may post signs. Others may remain silent on it. To answer a common question, yes, you can take your mask off to eat in a restaurant. To answer another question, this does not apply to church services; a federal judge ruled last week that churches are exempt from any restrictions.
Finally, the measure passed 4-3 and this divided County Commission vote is reflective of the feedback I'm getting. There are people who strongly support this, others who strongly oppose it, and many others who are somewhere in the middle. I'll do my best to respond to the messages I get, on whatever side of the issue you land. Finally, municipalities in Buncombe County will decide whether to join this policy or stick with the policy of "strongly encouraging" masks - I respect wherever they land on this.
The face covering policy is available here.
Click here for recent other updates.
RESOURCES
For testing: Buncombe County is launching Community Testing Sites to reach people who have challenges accessing testing (see May 12 and 14 locations and times above).
For people who have access to transportation, additional testing is available at:
* MAHEC Family Health Center
Please call the MAHEC Family Health Center for a telemedicine visit before you arrive.
Call (828) 257-4730
Sliding Scale may apply.
* Mercy Urgent Care
Visit www.mercyurgentcare.org to schedule a telemedicine appointment or a safe visit at one of our eight WNC locations.
* Range Urgent Care
Please go online or call before you arrive.
rangeurgentcare.com
Call (828) 412-0327
Email: info@rangeurgentcare.com
Self-Checker: If you live in Buncombe County and have COVID-19 symptoms, you can visit the new Self-Checker site to get guidance about next steps - including how to access testing. This helps people connect to testing and also helps the county get a clearer understanding of how many people are symptomatic in our community.
For Buncombe County updates: Visit the county's dedicated COVID-19 page for daily updates, including local case count and demographics, and information on resources.
For North Carolina updates: Visit the NCDHHS dedicated page for daily updates, including statewide statistics, and information on resources.
NCDHHS Dashboard: For daily updates on case count, deaths, hospitalizations, and breakdown by demographics, county and more.
Call 211 for resources: United Way's call center is the go to place for information about resources, including public programs you may be eligible for. Services available in multiple languages.
Call the Ready Team with other questions: Buncombe County and the City of Asheville are staffing a hotline (phone and email) to answer questions about local policies, resources, and programs. (828) 419-0095 or by email at ready@buncombecounty.org. The Ready Team is working with 211 to coordinate responses.
One Buncombe: The One Buncombe Fund is providing direct assistance to all residents of Buncombe County, regardless of citizenship status. Support is available for individuals who have lost their jobs and for local small businesses. Learn more and apply here.
Apply for Unemployment in NC: Visit the state website here or call 888-737-0259.
YMCA Mobile Food Markets: Find the monthly schedule of free mobile markets across the county: https://ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms/schedules. Available for free to all local residents, no questions asked.
Rapid Response Fund for Immigrant Workers in WNC: This fund is an important resource for immigrants in our region, who may not be eligible for some public programs.
Yesterday, I voted to implement a new policy requiring face coverings when people are in commercial and other public facilities - e.g. grocery stores or libraries. It's about saving lives and safely reopening. Wearing face coverings is a way to protect workers - and anyone we are in close contact with - and to make sure we can keep our economy open. This will help prevent second wave of infections. The full policy is being developed today and will be announced at today's 3 PM community briefing.
Research shows that people wearing face coverings is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The article posted here is a good rundown of this research. As we enter Phase 2, our local numbers are increasing in concerning ways - case count, positivity rate, number of deaths, and hospitalizations. Testing is also increasing and our case count remains lower than many other communities, both good pieces of news. But it's critical that we are as vigilant as ever about prevention as more parts of our community open. I am particularly concerned about people in our community who are most vulnerable - frontline workers, such as in grocery stores; health care workers; the elderly; communities of color; and those with chronic conditions.
Even though the science is clear, I wrestled with this decision a lot. In normal times, this would be a personal choice and I would not support a policy to mandate it. But these are not normal times - both symptomatic and asymptomatic people can transmit COVID-19 to others, without even knowing it. For weeks now, wearing a mask has been "strongly encouraged" and the reality is that many people do not wear them in stores and other places where close contact is happening.
The policy will require that individuals wear face coverings in these public settings. Each business can make a choice about how they handle this. Some have been very clear already that they will require masks for people to enter their business. Others may post signs. Others may remain silent on it. To answer a common question, yes, you can take your mask off to eat in a restaurant. To answer another question, this does not apply to church services; a federal judge ruled last week that churches are exempt from any restrictions.
Finally, the measure passed 4-3 and this divided County Commission vote is reflective of the feedback I'm getting. There are people who strongly support this, others who strongly oppose it, and many others who are somewhere in the middle. I'll do my best to respond to the messages I get, on whatever side of the issue you land. Finally, municipalities in Buncombe County will decide whether to join this policy or stick with the policy of "strongly encouraging" masks - I respect wherever they land on this.
The face covering policy is available here.
Click here for recent other updates.
RESOURCES
For testing: Buncombe County is launching Community Testing Sites to reach people who have challenges accessing testing (see May 12 and 14 locations and times above).
For people who have access to transportation, additional testing is available at:
* MAHEC Family Health Center
Please call the MAHEC Family Health Center for a telemedicine visit before you arrive.
Call (828) 257-4730
Sliding Scale may apply.
* Mercy Urgent Care
Visit www.mercyurgentcare.org to schedule a telemedicine appointment or a safe visit at one of our eight WNC locations.
* Range Urgent Care
Please go online or call before you arrive.
rangeurgentcare.com
Call (828) 412-0327
Email: info@rangeurgentcare.com
Self-Checker: If you live in Buncombe County and have COVID-19 symptoms, you can visit the new Self-Checker site to get guidance about next steps - including how to access testing. This helps people connect to testing and also helps the county get a clearer understanding of how many people are symptomatic in our community.
For Buncombe County updates: Visit the county's dedicated COVID-19 page for daily updates, including local case count and demographics, and information on resources.
For North Carolina updates: Visit the NCDHHS dedicated page for daily updates, including statewide statistics, and information on resources.
NCDHHS Dashboard: For daily updates on case count, deaths, hospitalizations, and breakdown by demographics, county and more.
Call 211 for resources: United Way's call center is the go to place for information about resources, including public programs you may be eligible for. Services available in multiple languages.
Call the Ready Team with other questions: Buncombe County and the City of Asheville are staffing a hotline (phone and email) to answer questions about local policies, resources, and programs. (828) 419-0095 or by email at ready@buncombecounty.org. The Ready Team is working with 211 to coordinate responses.
One Buncombe: The One Buncombe Fund is providing direct assistance to all residents of Buncombe County, regardless of citizenship status. Support is available for individuals who have lost their jobs and for local small businesses. Learn more and apply here.
Apply for Unemployment in NC: Visit the state website here or call 888-737-0259.
YMCA Mobile Food Markets: Find the monthly schedule of free mobile markets across the county: https://ymcawnc.org/nutritionprograms/schedules. Available for free to all local residents, no questions asked.
Rapid Response Fund for Immigrant Workers in WNC: This fund is an important resource for immigrants in our region, who may not be eligible for some public programs.
