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I hope you and your family are well and finding ways to manage the various difficulties caused by the novel coronavirus. It seems every day brings new information to help guide our activities and interactions.
Food/Meals - Yesterday, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order restricting food and beverage sales to carry-out, delivery, and drive-thru only. This directive is in place until March 30, 2020, though it could be modified at any time. If you are interested in supporting our local establishments and their employees during this time, the Louisville Independent Business Alliance is a great resource.
JCPS began this week distributing free breakfast and lunch to all children 18 and under as well as all JCPS students over the age of 18. There are 45 sites where families can get meals between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each weekday while schools are closed. Each child can get a breakfast and lunch. For more information on this or other JCPS responses to the coronavirus, click here.
If you or someone you know is 60 or older and in need of assistance, the March for Meals program will offer prepared meals at the East Government Center from 10 a.m. until noon beginning tomorrow. This service will be offered every Wednesday through April 1. Each eligible adult may receive one box (five meals) of frozen meals a week. Call 574-5223 for more information.
Utilities - LG&E and KU announced yesterday that they will suspend disconnects until May 1 for residential customers having difficulty paying their bill due to impacts from COVID-19. They will also waive new late fees incurred during this time. Louisville Water has also made the decision to suspend turn offs for non-payment. This is a temporary measure and customers are still responsible for paying their water bill.
Louisville MSD will continue to provide services. If you have a sanitary sewer or drainage need, MSD Customer Relations at 587-0603 will be staffed to take your request. As a reminder, please do not flush wipes down the toilet as they can clog pipes or sewers and impact your street and neighborhood.
Metro Government - Earlier this afternoon, Mayor Fischer announced several updates to city operations in the interest of public health. Some specific examples include:
- Effective immediately, all first responders will be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 upon reporting to work.
- The way in which first responders are dispatched will be modified to limit face-to-face exposure.
- The Louisville Zoo is temporarily closed.
- The main library and all other branches are closed. Patrons should not try to return borrowed materials.
- The seven Neighborhood Place locations will close to walk-in traffic starting tomorrow.
- All public meetings (Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustment, Development Review Committee, etc.) regarding land use are canceled through April 5.
For more information on these items and those involving many other metro government departments with which citizens interact regularly, please click here.
State Government - For the latest on the novel coronavirus in Kentucky, please visit the COVID-19 page set up by the Kentucky Department for Public Health.
Volunteering - Looking for a way to help those in our community who are at high-risk for COVID-19? COVID-19 Match seeks to pair such people with lower-risk neighbors who can pick up prescriptions, get groceries, or simply check in on them once in a while. Visit the website above or call 791-7930 for more information.
Hopefully, these resources will provide answers to most of your current questions. If not, particularly those of you who are 60 years of age or older, please call my office. I will be glad to get you the information you need. Finally, please remember to continue these safe habits:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, preferably for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Remain at home if possible. If you do venture out, stay at least six feet away from others.
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