City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 8/17

Monday, August 17, 2020 We continue to provide our residents and businesses with the latest updates from the City of Miami Beach during this pandemic. We urge you to wear a mask in public, practice social distancing and wash your hands regularly. 2020 Primary Election Tomorrow, August 18 is the Primary Election for Miami-Dade County. You must vote at your designated voting precinct, please make sure to give yourself ample time in case lines are long to vote. Find your assigned voting location and view your customized sample ballot here. For more information on this election, call 311 or visit: iamelectionready.org In case you missed it, the weekly Tuesday walk-up food distribution, conducted by Commissioner Richardson and Feeding South Florida, will not occur tomorrow, August 18 due to Election Day. This does not apply to distributions with the Community and Housing Department Special Commission Meeting A Special Commission meeting is being held Wednesday, August 19 at 1 p.m. and will be televised on MBTV and streamed live on Facebook. This meeting will discuss: (i) possible amendment to the Emergency Order regarding short-term rentals to conform with the recent County revision, (ii) the City’s response, if any, to the decision by the Miami-Dade County Public Schools to start the year with the on-line teaching only, and (iii) authority to execute interlocal agreement with Miami-Dade County for CARES Act Distribution. The Commission Chambers will be closed to the public, but you can watch the meeting via Zoom at https://miamibeachfl-gov.zoom.us/j/83715996963 How to provide spoken public comment during the City Commission Meeting: The public may provide spoken comment by dialing telephone 301.715.8592 or 877.853.5257 (Toll Free). The Webinar ID is 837 1599 6963#. Press *9 to raise a hand to be placed in queue to speak. Lottery for COVID-19 Assistance The City of Miami Beach has received Coronavirus Relief Funds from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) to provide emergency rent, mortgage, and maintenance/HOA fees assistance to households adversely impacted by COVID-19. Miami Beach households earning up to 120% Area Median Income ($58,440 for a household of one) can apply online via the City’s website for help with: Rental assistance (including rent arrears, deposits and utility payments) Mortgage payments (including principal and interest as well as insurance and property taxes paid via escrow only) and homeowner association fees. The assisted property may not have any current City liens and cannot be under any forbearance agreement in order to qualify for assistance Housing re-entry assistance such as security deposits, utility deposits and temporary storage of household furnishings Applications for the assistance lottery will be accepted beginning this Wednesday, August 19 at 9 a.m. and close on Wednesday, August 26 at 4 p.m. Click here to enter the lottery. A computerized lottery of submitted applications will be held on Monday, August 31 at 9 a.m. to establish a numerical order for processing these applicants. Inclusion in the lottery waitlist does not mean your application is confirmed eligible or that the applicant will receive assistance.  For more information, call the Office of Housing and Community Services at 305.673.7491. COVID-19 & Antibody Testing Walk-Up Testing The walk-up COVID-19 testing site located at 73 Street and Ocean Terrace has moved to the municipal parking lot on 21 Street and Collins Avenue and will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Once you check-in, there is no need to stand in a line, you will receive a text message advising when the nurse is ready for you. Miami Beach Convention Center Testing Site Both the COVID-19 active virus and antibody tests continue to be available at the Miami Beach Convention Center testing facility located on 17 Street and Convention Center Drive. The COVID-19 drive-thru and walk-up testing site is available daily, including weekends, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is available for ages 5 and up. Visit our 'Testing' tab to view detailed information on all testing locations, including testing at the Hard Rock Stadium and homebound testing and further details. Plasma Donation As the number of COVID-19 infections rise in Florida, hospitals are facing critical shortages of convalescent plasma for treatment. OneBlood is working with the public and physicians to coordinate the delivery of potential lifesaving COVID-19 convalescent plasma to those in need.   Transfusing the plasma that contains the antibodies into a person still fighting the virus can provide a boost to the patient’s immune system and potentially help them recover. Click here to learn more on how you can donate today. Mask Up Miami Beach We urge everyone to wear a mask, continue practicing social distancing and meticulously wash hands regularly. Reminder, Miami Beach Police and Code Compliance Officers are giving out $50 civil citations for anyone not wearing a facial covering while in a public place or space. Free masks are being provided at all Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Virtual Specialty Summer Camps The Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department continue to offer fun and new virtual camps for your kids to enjoy. Offerings include: Culinary Camp Magic Camp Lego Camp Coding CampDance Camp & more  For detailed scheduling information, click here. To register, visit register.miamibeachparks.com Stay Informed Now more than ever it's important to get counted! So call up your friends and neighbors and ask them to visit my2020census.gov and make sure our community gets counted. Visit our dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information, including important resources, impacts to city services and more. Our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489) is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. You can also email your questions to MBCovid@miamibeachfl.gov. Or connect with us through social media via email, Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and via text message (text MBAlert to 888777).