Gulfport Mayor Same Henderson Reminds Us to Enjoy the Little Things

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City of Gulfport Mayor Sam Henderson reminds us to enjoying the little things here in Pinellas County during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Check http://mygulfport.us/ for Gulfport, Florida Coronavirus Updates.

CITY OF GULFPORT RESOURCES 

The City of Gulfport continues to closely monitor the coronavirus, COVID-19. The health and safety of our residents is our top priority. The following resources are guidance measures and communication tools for our community.  

Gulfport Mayor Henderson Public Address Announcement on 3.25.2020

Alert Pinellas: Community Notification System. This system enables the City to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of delivery methods. It’s easy to sign up for this FREE service. Visit mygulfport.us/alertpinellas for more information. 

Email News Signup: Receive the City of Gulfport official COVID-19 announcements electronically in your email inbox. Visit, mygulfport.us and click on the email news signup green button on the homepage and follow the prompts to register your email address with the City. All City of Gulfport official COVID-19 announcements are posted on the City of Gulfport 

COVID-19 webpage at mygulfport.us/covid-19. This page also includes links to official sources such as announcements from Mayor Henderson, the CDC, the Florida Department of Health, and Pinellas County Government.  In addition, follow the City of Gulfport, Florida Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mygulfport. Followers will receive timely information, guidance, and resources necessary on COVID-19.  

Our highest responsibility to you is the delivery of reliable City Services. As a precautionary measure and in the best interest of our customers and staff, the City of Gulfport has suspended customer walk-in service activities in municipal buildings, please follow the website for the most up to date information at www.mygulfport.us/covid-19. Below is important contact information to remain in contact with the City of Gulfport staff.

In addition, the following are CITY OBJECTIVES and PRIORITIES:

  • Protect the safety of all City of Gulfport citizens and employees.
  • Utilize high quality practices to support mitigation and response activities.
  • Ensure that essential city services remain intact and highly functional.
  • Coordinate with partners on situational awareness and planning measures
  • Continue unified messaging to include prevention efforts and social distancing

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

  • Practice social distancing whenever possible when dealing with the public or in any group setting.
  • Maintain good personal hygiene and handwashing practices.
  • Utilize virtual meeting practices whenever possible.

The City is dedicated to do its part to help plan, prepare, and respond to this emerging public health concern and will remain in close contact with Pinellas County Emergency Management and the Florida Department of Health in Pinellas (DOH). Additional contact information can be found on mygulfport.us. Any changes or updates will be posted on www.mygulfport.us/covid-19.   

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

Small Business Loans: The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is currently available to small business owners located in all Florida counties statewide that experienced economic damage as a result of COVID-19. Visit https://floridadisasterloan.org/. 

Re-Employment Assistance: Reemployment Assistance (also called reemployment assistance insurance) provides temporary wage replacement benefits to qualified individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. If you need assistance, contact the Reemployment Assistance Contact Center at 1-800-204-2418 during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday. Visit http://www.floridajobs.org/

Reporting Losses: Business can report economic losses related to COVID-19 online at www.pced.org/damage. The survey, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy so actions to implement economic relief programs for businesses can begin. For more information and COVID-19 helpful links, please visit www.pced.org/disaster. Florida businesses can also visit http://floridadisaster.biz for more information. 

Crisis Hotline: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine has prepared an in-depth guide with tips and resources for people who are experiencing anxiety, loneliness, and other hardships due to the spread of COVID-19. Please review it and share with friends that may be experiencing these symptoms. FIND HELP IN A CRISIS and text “NAMI” TO 741741. 

Tampa Bay Cares: In Pinellas County, 2-1-1 Tampa Bay Cares provides immediate, round-the-clock information for those needing assistance. Learn more at http://www.211tampabay.org. Those in need of food or other social support services can call 2-1-1 for the latest information on resources and help in the local community.

Public Transportation Service: PSTA has already suspended certain transit services due to cancellations. Starting Monday March 30th, 2020 until further notice, PSTA is allowing bus drivers to limit the number of riders on their bus to no more than 10 people at any given time, require patrons to use the rear door of the buses, and is planning to scale back overall service levels by approximately 40%. 

Tax Assistance: The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. Visit www.irs.gov/coronavirus.

School Closures Update: Pinellas County Schools are temporarily closed, but learning continues! Governor DeSantis and the Department of Education extended a directive requiring all school districts in the State of Florida to close for students until April 15. Prepare now for online learning at www.pcsb.org.

Free Meals for Kids & Teens: The Pinellas County School Food & Nutrition team is distributing free meals from March 23-March 27 for Pinellas County School students 18 years of age and younger at various locations. If you are not able to go to one of the school sites listed here, www.pcsb.org/coronavirus, other local food providers throughout the county are offering free, nutritious meals. A complete list of sites throughout our community can be found at www.211tampabay.org/home/food-and-meals. 

Please contact one of the three non-profit organizations below directly to donate pantry items or to volunteer: 

Food Stamps: Food Assistance is available through the Florida Department of Children and Families Automated Community Connection to Economic Self Sufficiency (ACCESS). The ACCESS Florida system allows customers to connect with their public assistance information 24/7, through the online application at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida.

Communications: Charter Communications will offer free Spectrum broadband at any service level up to 100 Mbps and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. A free self-installation kit will be provided to new student households. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Get Access to FREE Spectrum WiFi Hotspots at www.spectrum.com/wifi-hotspots. In addition, Charter Communications has temporarily opened its live stream free to the public. Citizens can go to www.baynews9.com on their laptop or desktop computers and click “Watch Live” in the top right corner.

Check on your vulnerable neighbors: While taking care to maintain proper social distancing of six feet, check in with neighbors, especially the elderly who may be especially vulnerable to the virus. Help those that are self-isolating at home by bringing them groceries and other supplies.  

Senior shopping hours: Many large grocery stores have set aside specific days or hours exclusively for seniors to shop in order to minimize their risk of exposure to the virus. Call your local grocer or check online for more details.  

Rumors: Distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Always go to trusted sources of information such as:

 Prevention: There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. 

Protection Measures: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick. 

What to do if you are sick? Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately. Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick: Stay home, except to get medical care:

  • Avoid public areas
  • Avoid public transportation
  • Limit contact with others, especially shared surfaces
  • Wear a facemask, if available
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Clean your hands often

 For more detailed information on what to do if you get sick, follow the CDC’s recommendations at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html. The Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 by calling 1(866)779-6121 or emailing COVID-19@FLHEATH.GOV.

Call your doctor:  If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Self-Check Tool: The CDC has developed a COVID19 Self-Checker. The online guide helps individuals make decisions and seek appropriate medical care regarding COVID19. To use the Self-Checker visit, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/testing.html.

Travelers returning from an area with widespread, ongoing community spread (Level 3 Travel Health Notice) should stay at home or otherwise self-isolate in one location for 14 days from the time you left. The latest travel health notices are available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html

What should I do if I experience price gouging? Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline. If you experience price gouging or scams related to masks or cleaning products, call 1-(866)-9NO-SCAM, or 1-866-966-7226 to file a report.

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program:https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap

Official Actions: H.R.6201 – Families First Coronavirus Response Act, this bill responds to the coronavirus outbreak by providing paid sick leave and free coronavirus testing, expanding food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requiring employers to provide additional protections for health care workers. www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6201

Governor’s Executive Orders: All Executive Orders issued by the Governor related to COVID-19 are found at www.flgov.com/covid-19.

Pinellas County Government Executive Orders: All Pinellas County Emergency Operations Center Executive Orders are located at https://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/declarations.htm

Lastly, while taking care to maintain proper social distancing of six feet, check in with neighbors, especially the elderly who may be especially vulnerable to the virus. Advise what communication tools/resources are available and help those that are in need while self-isolating at home. Should you need to speak with a City Staff member, please call (727) 893-1000. We will get through this together! 

Information courtesy of the City of Gulfport.

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