Litter is always bad...but now it's worse! Gloves and masks all over streets and parking lots!

There’s a noticeable difference in the type of trash currently littering our streets and parking lots. It’s not just plastic bags, convenience food packaging, and cigarette butts – it’s latex gloves, masks, and wipes. These items are being used to protect people from possible COVID-19 contamination, but when they’re not disposed of properly there is a risk of spreading the virus. Proper trash disposal is even more important due to this possibility. According to Keep America Beautiful, this is happening all over the country. As with any type of trash you generate, it is your duty as a responsible citizen to dispose of it properly. Help keep Louisville’s streets and parking lots clean by not littering. There are typically trash receptacles in front of stores or even in their parking lots. And if not, keep a bag inside your vehicle to place the items in and then put in your trash container at home. This goes for all the other trash too!

Shawnee Park

As part of a partnership between the state, Kroger Health and Louisville Metro, mobile COVID-19 testing will be provided at Shawnee Park, beginning Monday through Friday, May 8.

To accommodate a safe and secure testing site, some pedestrian access and all motor vehicle access in the park will be restricted beginning today.

Shawnee Park will remain open to walkers, runners, and bicyclists who want to use the Paul Bather Sports Complex on the northwest side of the park and Paul Hornung Field on northeast corner of the park.

The south side of the park will be closed to pedestrians 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. All motor vehicles will be restricted 24/7 from the park and parking areas will be closed through Saturday, May 9.

The entire park will remain accessible to walkers, runners, and bicyclists on weekends beginning at 7 p.m. Friday.

MAP: www.louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/mayors_office/pdf_files/shawnee_testing_map.pdf

The state of Kentucky and Kroger Health are establishing a mobile COVID-19 testing site in the park to provide up to 330 tests per day over the next two weeks. 

Testing will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays through Friday, May 8. The tests are available to the general public, but you must register at www.thelittleclinic.com/drivethru-testing to be screened and scheduled. Kroger Health has filled all the scheduled appointments for April 27-May 1 but is working to make more slots available.

Mayor Greg Fischer said the site in Shawnee Park was chosen because West Louisville is a major African American population center, and African Americans have been disproportionately suffering and dying from COVID-19 in Kentucky.

Bashford Manor

Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new statewide partnership with Walmart on Friday, which will help Louisville test more people for COVID-19.

Testing will be available at Walmart's Bashford Manor location starting on Wednesday, April 29th. It will be open from from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Online registration is required.

The site will test up to 200 people each day. It will be open to first responders and healthcare workers, regardless of symptoms, plus anyone over 18 who is showing symptoms.

To sign up for the Walmart testing, click here.

After receiving guidance from Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky’s Interim Education Commissioner, JCPS will not have in-person classes for the remainder of the school year.  This means students will complete the rest of their coursework for this school year through Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI).

Here are some other items of interest regarding your child:

• The last day of school for JCPS students is now scheduled for May 27th. The Jefferson County Board of Education approved the change from June 3rd to May 27th at its meeting last night. Students will complete the remainder of the school year through NTI.  We will likely see many smaller school districts and private and parochial schools finish school before JCPS. Most began at-home schooling March 16th while JCPS needed two weeks to build its NTI system and make sure every student had access to a computer, a hurdle most other districts didn’t have to cross. We believe it was time well spent, providing an equitable education experience for ALL of our students.  
• Packets of Educational Materials: The packets with hard copies of educational materials will no longer be available at every Emergency Food Distribution site. Beginning Friday, April 24th the packets will be available at 14 sites: Blue Lick, Brandeis, Chancey, Crums Lane, Engelhard, Fern Creek, Frayser, Indian Trail, McFerran, St. Matthews and Wheatley Elementary Schools; Carrithers Middle School; and Valley High School and Americana Community Center. We have begun mailing more packets directly to students reducing the need for as many pick-up sites.
• Show off Your Child: Please show us how your child is doing NTI at home. You can  post short videos or photos on social media and include the hashtags #ThisIsHowINTI and #WeAreJCPSAtHome or you can send them to us at jcps.communications@jefferson.kyschools.us. 
• Grading: At the elementary and middle school level, student progress will be recorded as Met or Not Yet Met curriculum standards.  If a student has “not yet met” a standard, the teacher and family will work together to establish a plan to help the student meet their goals. In high school (and middle school courses offered for high school credit), students will receive letter grades. Participation in NTI can help improve a grade while non-participation will lead to an Incomplete. There will be plans for high school students to make-up work if they receive an “incomplete” in a course.
• Staying in Touch: There are still some students with which JCPS are struggling to get in touch. If you receive a call from a 313 number, that may be JCPS trying to reach out. And, if you know of families that are struggling to access our information or need to update their contact information, please have them call or email their teacher(s) or call 313-HELP.

If you believe you have been a target or victim of a scam or fraud, please report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov

Kentuckians wishing to report online scams and fraud can contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

To file a price gouging complaint, visit ag.ky.gov/pricegouging or call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-888-432-9257

Everything is unusual this year – and voting is going to be no exception.  The Primary Election has already been moved from May 19 to June 23.  The latest change is that everyone is being encouraged to vote by absentee ballot.  For the first time, you will not need an excuse to vote absentee.   

Voters will have to request mail-in ballots in a portal on the State Board of Elections website by June 16. We’ll post information about that in future editions of the eNews and on our social media pages.

After voting, ballots will be sent to the county clerk. Mail-in ballots will have to be postmarked by June 23 and be received within three days of Election Day. In-person voting, with the possibility of drive-through voting, will be allowed, in new ways, for those who need to vote in person. Post cards will be sent out to Kentucky voters explaining the changes.

The first step in voting is always registering to vote and that has not changed. Register, change your registration or just check to make sure you are still correctly registered at this site.  The deadline to register for the June 23 primary is May 26.  Get registered and vote!

To read Governor Andy Beshear’s entire executive order, please click here.

Most of us are stuck at home and many things have changed, but your grass is still growing. Why not take advantage of the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program and save up to $100 on a new, air-friendly, electric-powered mower? You can get rebates on electric string trimmers, electric blowers, and reel mowers too. (Make sure to practice social distancing when making your purchase, of course!)

Now is a great time to recycle that old, polluting equipment and save some cash on new gear that will make breathing a little easier for you and your community. You can also get larger rebates on more powerful equipment with our Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Professional program.

Please see our website, louisvilleky.gov/lawncare, or call (502)574-6000 if you have any questions.

Mowing to Begin after Final Paving

Crews will soon be mowing the medians, using “fine-turf” techniques with mulching mowers and weed-eaters. Once started, mowing will occur every two weeks during the mowing season. However, mowing will not occur during the ongoing final surfacing work, because it’s not safe for mowers to work in an active construction zone. Please be patient. We expect mowing to start by mid-May.

Signage along Dixie Hwy.

Now that the New Dixie Hwy Project is in its final stages, it is more important than ever to take pride in our roadways and keep them clean! 

The District 14 office has received several complaints regarding paper signs that are being hung along Dixie Hwy. If you are a small business owner, please DO NOT hang these signs on telephone poles or bus stops. If you notice any signs hung up, please consider taking them down and disposing of them in the nearest trash receptacle.

We can all do out part to keep Dixie Hwy clean!

Beshear gives outline of when certain businesses can reopen

Beginning on May 11, the governor says manufacturing, construction, vehicle or vessel dealerships, professional services (50%), horse racing (no fans), and dog grooming/boarding businesses can reopen.

On May 20, the governor says retail business can reopen. Houses of worship can also restart in-person services on May 20 but at a reduced capacity.

The governor says on May 25 the following can start again: 10-person social gatherings, barbers, salons, cosmetology businesses and similar services.

Every industry will be required to follow new guidelines when they reopen.

Mayor Fischer says expanded testing and contact tracing is key to city’s recovery from COVID-19 crisis

Mayor Greg Fischer today said the city must greatly strengthen its ability to test and quarantine people exposed to the COVID-19 virus before it can ease emergency restrictions and fully reopen the economy.

The city has already begun a major effort to ramp up testing of the public, including the establishment of testing sites at Shawnee Park and the Bashford Manor Walmart. But the next step is increased contact tracing, in which authorities track down anyone who may have been exposed to a person with a positive test.

The cost for this kind of major project is between $25 million and $100 million, the Mayor said. Although Congress has allocated $25 billion for coronavirus testing, the Mayor said local officials don’t know how much the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services is sending to Louisville. He also expressed doubt that the eventual amount will be enough to help the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness sufficiently increase its capacity to test, trace, and track anyone with COVID-19.

Dr. Sarah Moyer, the city’s chief health strategist, said Metro Public Health and Wellness has already expanded its Communicable Disease Team from nine people to 55, but did so by reassigning current staff members and utilizing student volunteers. Many more contact tracers will be needed for the city to maintain control of the current outbreak and prevent future ones.

The Mayor reiterated his demand that the federal government send more direct aid to Louisville as it continues to weather this public health crisis and resulting economic shutdown.

Meanwhile, the Mayor said he hopes the new public testing sites will help address the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on Louisville’s African American community. Although African Americans represent 23 to 24 percent of the city’s population, they make up almost a third – 32 percent – of Louisville’s COVID-19 fatalities.

The city has partnered with the University of Louisville, Family Health Centers and Park DuValle Community Health Center to ensure African Americans here have access to more testing and healthcare and is coordinating messages about the need for social distancing with media outlets like WLOU, WGZB-96 and The Louisville Defender.

T Gonzales, director of the Center for Health Equity at the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, is helping to direct this effort.

Daily COVID-19 data

As of Wednesday, there have been 37 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Louisville, bringing the total to 1,226 with 606 recoveries. There have been five additional deaths since Tuesday, bringing the Louisville total to 89.

Gender/Age data for today’s deaths:

• Unknown/90+
• Male/84
• Male/72
• Female/67
• Male/58

Currently, 45 members of LMPD, Louisville Fire, Metro EMS, Metro Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office are off-duty due to COVID-19:

• 7 are off with positive tests and in self-isolation.
• 5 are off and quarantined due to exposure to someone with a positive test.
• 33 are “screened off” with symptoms and tested, or due to be tested, but have not received test results.

Positive test numbers for first responders/public safety since the incident began:

• 18 positive tests.
• 11 have fully recovered and returned to duty.

Metro Corrections inmate data for April 29:

• 108 inmates have been tested.
• 0 positive tests.
• 1 test is pending.

Louisville Metro has a website with updated information about COVID-19, including information from Mayor Greg Fischer’s briefings about City services.  You can access it here.

Also check out Lift Up Lou, with activities to keep our spirits up, including a new song featured in national news coverage this week. Watch and listen here.

Civil legal aid is a critical resource in our community's efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic impact due to the virus.  While Legal Aid Society's physical office is closed to the public, their staff remains committed to pursuing justice using the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and health of staff and clients.  

Legal Aid Society continues to accept new applications for service. To apply for our services, call (502) 584-1254 or (800) 292-1862 or apply online.

Their page will be updated regularly over the coming days and weeks with more information about community resources and legal information about issues that may be impacting our client due to the pandemic.

If you have questions regarding legal resources for renters, survivors, unemployment, or stimulus payments, visit their website here.

With schools closed, Junior Achievement is providing free online resources to families and teachers. We are doing this so our kids can spend more time planning for and dreaming about tomorrow, and less time worrying about today. Junior Achievement is ready to support families and teachers during this period of uncertainty.

The resources are on-line, ready-to-use, include everything needed and are offered for all grade levels. Students can do the lessons on their own, with a parent or guardian, or with their teacher. Access Junior Achievement’s free resources HERE.

Check back often as JA continues to add resources.

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) is opening up a pet food bank to assist pet owners who are experiencing job loss or financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic. The pet food bank is made possible by a donation from GreaterGood.org and Eukanuba Nutrition, as well as donations from local citizens.

Distribution will be done alphabetically by last name. Pick up will be each day from 9-11am, and clients are asked to remain in their cars for curbside assistance. Assistance will be available while supplies last.

Pick up is 9-11am weekdays, by last names beginning with:

• A-E: Monday
• F-J: Tuesday
• K-O: Wednesday
• P-T: Thursday
• U-Z: Friday

Kentucky Humane Society’s Sam Swope Pet Treatment & Lifesaving Center, 241 Steedly Dr. 40214

Donations Welcome

Want to help? KHS welcomes pet food donations – especially cat food – for the COVID-19 Pet Food Bank through Amazon or from local pet supply stores. View our overall Wish List and our Amazon wish list at http://tinyurl.com/wishlistkhs (items are not in order on Amazon, so please scroll to find dry cat and dog food options). Deliveries are accepted at 241 Steedly Drive, Louisville KY 40214.

Effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Mayor Greg Fischer announced a temporary closure and modified service delivery at all seven Neighborhood Place locations.  LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) in-person services have also been suspended at all six locations and a mail-in service has been implemented.

 In an effort to help stem the spread of COVID-19, these facilities are temporarily closed to the public, by declaration of the Louisville Department of Public Health and Wellness.  Residents can still access Louisville Metro Government services by following the processes described below.

Neighborhood Places, administered by Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS), will close to walk-in clients, but will remain open for staff to work. Clients will be scheduled by telephone appointment and will have access to document drop off locations.

Neighborhood Place Modified Service
Effective Wednesday, March 18, all seven Neighborhood place locations will be temporarily closed to walk-in clients.

Neighborhood Place partner agencies are offering modified service delivery via virtual and telephonic communication services including:

• Financial assistance administered by RCS (includes rental assistance, food, transportation, childcare)
• SNAP Food Benefits (Food Stamps), Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (KTAP/TANF), and Child Protective Services administered by the State’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ (CHFS) Department of Community Based Services (DCBS)
• Home Visitation administered by Heathy Start
• Truancy Diversion administered by Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS)

Contact numbers to access services

• To find a Neighborhood Place in their area, residents may call Metro311 at 311 or 574-5000, or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/neighborhood-place.
• CHFS’ Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) SNAP and KTAP Services at 1-855-306-8959
• JCPS, 313-HELP
• Healthy Start, 574-6661

As coronavirus (COVID-19) developments change hour by hour, AARP Foundation is doing its part to flatten the curve of transmission. A top priority for us is ensuring we are protecting those most at risk, including our volunteers and taxpayers. Therefore, we are suspending AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services beginning March 16, 2020 until further notice.
We will continue to assess whether we can open again in some or all sites for the remainder of the tax season and if the tax season is extended. Please visit our website http://www.aarp-tax-aide-lou.org/Sites/sites.html or call 502-394-3443 for updated info.

Today, the average life expectancy is at a record high of 79 years, As we get older, even the most independent among us may experience physical declines or financial hardship that strips away their independence. Add to that an increase in geographic mobility of our families, and the result is millions of seniors left behind, hungry and alone.

9 out of 10 say Meals on Wheels helps them live independently!

How can you help? Volunteers are always needed! Call (502) 935-0310 to learn more. They serve seniors in 40258, 40272, and 40117.