REVISED: Weston eNewsletter | Newsday Tuesday | 03/24/2020 - 8 a.m.

NEWS FROM THE CITY OF WESTON March 24, 2020 - Revised 8 a.m. Coronavirus | Ongoing Updates We continue to monitor and share information from the Florida Department of Health and the CDC regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Facts, links to professional guidance and resources on this serious health threat are posted on an ongoing basis on WestonFL.org/Coronavirus. Click the link below. Learn More » Closed: City Offices, Parks, and Non-Essential Businesses In recent days, the City of Weston and Broward County have issued emergency orders in an effort to urge social distancing to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. All City parks are now closed. All City offices are closed and staff are working remotely to continue City operations. You can contact the City of Weston Monday through Friday, 8 a.m until 8 p.m. at the City Hall main phone line: 954-385-2000. The main lines for the Building Code Services, Public Works and Parks and Recreation Department will also be answered during their normal operating hours. Additionally, Broward County has mandated the closure of all non-essential businesses throughout the county. Read more to learn which businesses are affected. Restaurants are still able to operate take out, delivery and drive-thru only, as on-site dining is prohibited. We encourage Weston residents to support our local restaurants during this difficult time. Read more below for more details. Read More» So far, our upcoming events have been canceled through April 4. The Puppet Show and Moonlight Movie in the Park schedule for that date are cancelled due to the Coronavirus public health threat. We will advise once we resume scheduling events and they will also be posted to our calendar linked below. City Calendar of Events and Meetings » Watch Us Rise! Weston's Census 2020 Response Rate is Climbing The current Coronavirus outbreak puts the need for responding to Census 2020 at the forefront as healthcare, social services and emergency preparedness needs for the NEXT 10 YEARS will be funded. Currently, as one of the highest self-response rates in the County - we urge Weston residents to put us over the top and watch us rise! Click below to visit our Census 2020 page and to view the real-time U.S. Self Response Map.  ...And if you have not yet done so, please complete your Census 2020 form online at My2020Census.gov. Read more» A Way to Give Back in the Time of Need Over the past week, blood centers throughout the country have canceled nearly 4,500 blood drives, which has resulted in 150,000 fewer blood donations. The American Red Cross and OneBlood need our help. They have partnered to stress the need for eligible blood donors and encourage the public to give blood to help maintain sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages. The Red Cross will be hosting a OneBlood blood drive at 1170 Weston Road on Thursday, March 26 from 1 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Although walk-ins are acceptable, online appointments are encouraged to assist with social distancing efforts. Click below to register or to view other sites and dates available. Book Now » Free Meal Delivery for Broward Seniors Broward seniors over the age of 60 who are in need of food resources can request frozen meal delivery, at no cost, midst the COVID-19 pandemic by calling the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County at 954-745-9779. Learn More » Designated Shopping Hours Take Effect Seniors and individuals with underlying health concerns are the most vulnerable to COVID-19. It is not ideal for seniors to go to crowded grocery stores, so stores have dedicated certain hours of shopping time for seniors. Check out a listing of stores and their information on our Coronavirus page linked below (scroll down to "Shopping Hours for Seniors") - please note information is subject to change. Read more» Vulnerable Population Registry For Now and Hurricane Season If you or a loved one is at risk due to a disability, frailty, or other health issue, regardless of age, register for the Vulnerable Population Registry. Registration does not guarantee that you will be provided assistance but is a great tool to take into account during the planning of an emergency. The County keeps the list updated shares the information with appropriate City staff and resources that may be available to you during times like these.  Read More » BSO is Here for You, Call Us! The Broward Sheriff’s Office Weston District, in its commitment to protect the safety, health and well-being of the community, is encouraging residents to report non-emergency and delayed crimes via phone.  Please call the Weston District at 954-389-2010 instead of visiting the office’s front desk. Your report will be taken over the phone and you will be issued a case number. Please also note the front desk is suspending fingerprinting services until further notice.

Message from the Mayor Miami Beach: COVID-19 Update - March 23

Click here or on the video preview below for my March 23 coronavirus (COVID-19) update.

Que ofrecemos a nuestros clientes?: Tesoro, IRS y Depto. del Trabajo anuncian plan par...

Que ofrecemos a nuestros clientes?: Tesoro, IRS y Depto. del Trabajo anuncian plan par...: Tesoro, IRS y Depto. del Trabajo anuncian plan para implementar licencias relacionadas con COVID-19 para trabajadores y créditos para peque...

Latin People News LPN: City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 3/22

Latin People News LPN: City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 3/22: Sunday, March 22, 2020  To help keep you informed on the latest details of this ever evolving COVID-19...

City of Miami Beach Update on COVID-19, 3/22

Sunday, March 22, 2020

To help keep you informed on the latest details of this ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the city has created a dedicated, city-related coronavirus webpage. We encourage you to continuously visit www.miamibeachfl.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information, including a list of frequently asked questions, important resources, impacts to city services and more. Should you have additional questions, please call our city hotline at 305.604.CITY (2489), open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. or email your questions to MBCovid@miamibeachfl.gov.

City Clerk

The City of Miami Beach remains committed to ensuring the safety and public health of our residents, visitors and local businesses. As the information is changing rapidly pertaining to COVID-19, the administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of novel coronavirus COVID-19 to ensure that we stay informed and prepared to respond if needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health (FDOH).  Below is an ongoing summary of updates from the City of Miami Beach. Sanitary Measures We are continuing to ensure our spaces, including city facilities and beachfront restrooms are being thoroughly cleaned. This includes the daily effort of wiping down every touch surface such as door handles, elevator push buttons, handrails and recreation equipment. Cleaning contractors are also providing additional training to staff to ensure proper cleaning techniques are utilized. Miami Beach Trolley In addition to standard daily cleaning practices, the City of Miami Beach and its trolley operator, Limousines of South Florida (LSF), have partnered in increasing the frequency of cleaning to help protect passengers from the spread of coronavirus. In particular, “high touch” areas, including buttons, handholds, pull cords, and rails are being cleaned more frequently. Moreover, every Miami Beach trolley vehicle is being deep-cleaned after every other route. Based on availability, trolleys may be equipped with hand sanitizing gel or wipes. When there is an unsanitary condition reported, it is standard practice for LSF to take the vehicle out of service immediately for cleaning and disinfecting. Seniors are encouraged to limit their trolley usage to adhere to the CDC's recommendations to practice social distancing. Miami-Dade Transit Update Miami-Dade Transit’s Metrobus system will continue to run weekday routes across Miami-Dade County with reduced frequencies.   The following Miami Beach routes may experience reduced frequency on weekdays: 79, 103, 110, 112, 113, 119, 120 and 150.   Metrobus weekend services will remain operating as published and will be monitored closely. Customers are encouraged to use contactless, online and mobile payment methods to ride transit and the County’s online services and mobile application (Go Miami-Dade Transit) to stay connected. For Miami-Dade County transit updates, please click here. Parks & Recreational Facilities All parks, beaches, recreation centers and programs are closed until further notice. For detailed information regarding facilities and summer camps, visit our dedicated COVID-19 webpage and view the tab pertaining to Parks & Rec: Programs and Class Updates.   Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 305.673.7730. Impacted City Services For a full list of impacted city services, including the Building Department, Code Compliance and more, select the Impacted City Services tab on our COVID-19 webpage. Parkmobile Payments Only at Curbside Parking Spaces To help minimize the use of touch surfaces to further prevent the transmittal of COVID-19, payment for curbside parking spaces is now being accepted through the Parkmobile app only. The Parkmobile app is a free download on iOS and Android. It provides a simple and convenient way to pay for parking while avoiding touch surfaces and observing social distancing. For details, click here. Business Assistance & Resources View some helpful tools and resources for businesses expected to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including information on Governor DeSantis' Florida Small Business Emergency Loan Program, on the Business Assistance & Resource tab of our COVID-19 webpage. Miami-Dade County Special Transportation Service (STS) For elderly and those with special needs, the County offers an alternative mode of transportation that offers door-to-door transportation service from the main entrance of pick-up to the main entrance of drop-off locations. Please note that you MUST be eligible for these services in order to utilize them. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be used throughout Miami-Dade County ONLY for those that are eligible. Visit the County's website and learn more about the eligibility requirements. Resident Parking Rate Registration: COVID-19 Temporary Relief We understand the challenges brought on by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused some level of inconvenience for us all. In order to alleviate some of those challenges, residents may park and will be honored in all municipal parking lots. For more detailed information related to the Miami Beach Resident Parking Rate Program, please click here. Seniors and Special Needs Community All senior centers are closed effective Monday, March 16. Any seniors that are currently registered in a senior meals program will be served meals by their respective providers based on their specific plans. View additional information under the Senior/Special Needs Update tab on our COVID-19 webpage. Prevention Starts With You The CDC urges everyone to do their part to help during this emerging public health threat, this includes: Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Avoid close contact with people who are sick Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe Take personal responsibility. If you are sick with a fever, cough or viral symptoms, please stay away from others, including the work environment and crowded areas If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease such as: Stock up on supplies Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often. Avoid crowds as much as possible    During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible. There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, you can learn more about prevention and treatment by visiting the CDC website. Stay Informed For updated information on the city’s efforts, please visit: www.MiamiBeachFl.gov/coronavirus. We will also be posting updated messages via email, Nextdoor, Facebook or Twitter.

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Que ofrecemos a nuestros clientes?: Tax Day now July 15: Treasury, IRS extend filing d...

Que ofrecemos a nuestros clientes?: Tax Day now July 15: Treasury, IRS extend filing d...: Tax Day now July 15: Treasury, IRS extend filing deadline and federal tax payments regardless of amount owed WASHINGTON – The Treasury De...

Tax Day now July 15: Treasury, IRS extend filing deadline and federal tax payments regardless of amount owed

WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.

Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, trusts and estates, corporations and other non-corporate tax filers as well as those who pay self-employment tax.

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief.  Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline, can request a filing extension by filing Form 4868 through their tax professional, tax software or using the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses who need additional time must file Form 7004.

The IRS urges taxpayers who are due a refund to file as soon as possible. Most tax refunds are still being issued within 21 days. 

“Even with the filing deadline extended, we urge taxpayers who are owed refunds to file as soon as possible and file electronically,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Filing electronically with direct deposit is the quickest way to get refunds. Although we are curtailing some operations during this period, the IRS is continuing with mission-critical operations to support the nation, and that includes accepting tax returns and sending refunds. As a federal agency vital to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding – and your patience. I’m incredibly proud of our employees as we navigate through numerous different challenges in this very rapidly changing environment.”

The IRS will continue to monitor issues related to the COVID-19 virus, and updated information will be posted on a special coronavirus page on IRS.gov.

This announcement comes following the President’s emergency declaration last week pursuant to the Stafford Act. The Stafford Act is a federal law designed to bring an orderly and systematic means of federal natural disaster and emergency assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens. It was enacted in 1988.

Treasury and IRS will issue additional guidance as needed and continue working with Congress, on a bipartisan basis, on legislation to provide further relief to the American people.

The City of Sunny Isles Beach. Message from the Mayor: Coronavirus Update March 19, 2020

Message from Mayor George "Bud" Scholl Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) (Thursday, March 19, 2020) - Today the beach in Sunny Isles Beach closed to the public by issue of Miami-Dade County’s Emergency Order 06-20. I have received many inquiries from residents as to why the beach stayed open as long as it did. We had been requesting that the County close the beach since last weekend when we saw a large influx of beach goers. Unfortunately, the beach is controlled by the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County, and although we provide the Ocean Rescue lifeguards as a public service, we do not have the jurisdiction to close the beach. Furthermore, if we had even taken it upon ourselves to restrict access to the beach, and our neighboring coastal cities did not, then they would have seen a disproportionate share of beach goers regionally, defeating the purpose of our city closure. Today I have also received inquiries as to why the beach cannot stay open. Simply stated it does not promote social distancing. All branches of government are encouraging citizens to stay home whenever possible. With the above in mind, and in spite of how quickly information is moving and changing, we are trying our best to keep our efforts coordinated with the State, County and our neighboring municipalities. If one city closes certain venues and another leaves them open, this creates confusion and a disparate burden on the open venue. This was the case when Miami Beach closed their beach last weekend and all other County beaches were left open. The County currently allows gyms, pool decks, and common areas within hotels and condominiums to remain open to serve residents of that complex. Personally, I disagree with that position; without those amenities being constantly disinfected, one resident could spread the virus to many others, as in the case of the gym or pool deck chair. The City of Sunny Isles Beach is abiding by the County’s rules and we know that each building makes their own decision as to whether to keep these amenities open or not, but we strongly recommend closing all common areas or limiting the maximum number of individuals in a space to 10. The reality is that even if we were to enforce the closure of internal amenities, at this time we do not have sufficient enforcement personnel to administer this order. This being said, we ask each building to take every measure possible to ensure the health and safety of their residents. Though some may feel inconvenienced, I want you all to know that the City is doing everything in our power to put the health and safety of our community first. We knew that declaring a local emergency was imperative, which was why we acted promptly. We closed our parks, canceled all programs and events, and moved several services to appointments only. Now we are obliged to follow the lead of the County with the closure of the beach, non-essential retail stores, gyms, and bars, and allowing restaurants to only offer take-out, delivery, or pick-up service. Now it is up to you to do your part. For the last week, we have been publishing links to the State of Florida and CDC resource pages that provide you with the best practices for staying healthy and preventing exposure to the coronavirus. It is prudent to proceed under the assumption that everyone around us has the virus and we have it ourselves. So please exercise appropriate social distancing, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and stay at home whenever possible. We will only get through this if we take personal responsibility, practice kindness, and have respect for each other and ourselves. Be prepared, and also be considerate of others. These are unprecedented times, but we are here for you. As a community and a country, we will get through this and come out stronger and more resilient. We will continue to provide the latest City updates and resources on COVID-19 (coronavirus) on sibfl.net/coronavirus. Resources Individuals in Miami-Dade County who believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should call the Florida Department of Health at 305-470-5660. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has set up a 24-hour hotline for questions concerning the Coronavirus: 1-866-779-6121. Miami-Dade County coronavirus webpage These sites may have options to sign up for direct emails and alerts. Be proactive and sign up to receive information from these credible sources delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device. Stay Informed Stay up to date on the latest news, closures and updates from the City of Sunny Isles Beach. We will continue to post updates and answers to frequently asked questions at sibfl.net/coronavirus. Sign up for SIBAlert emergency notifications Subscribe to eSIBi email notifications Follow us on social media: Facebook and Twitter If you have any additional questions, please email info@sibfl.net or call 305.792.1759.

FTC: Las estafas relacionadas con el coronavirus

20 de marzo de 2020

por 

Colleen Tressler

Especialista en Educación del Consumidor, FTC

El mes pasado, te alertamos acerca de las estafas relacionadas con el coronavirus que estábamos viendo en ese momento. A principio de este mes, enviamos cartas de advertencia a siete vendedores de tratamientos fraudulentos para el coronavirus. Hasta el momento, todas las compañías han hecho grandes cambios a sus publicidades para eliminar las declaraciones infundadas. Pero los estafadores no descansan nunca. Te actualizamos sobre más estafas que estamos observando, y los pasos que puedes seguir para protegerte y proteger tu información personal y tu bolsillo. 

Mercaderías no entregadas: Vendedores que operan en línea dicen que tienen productos de alta demanda, como productos de limpieza, para el hogar y materiales de uso médico y para la salud. Haces tu pedido, pero tu envío nunca llega. Cualquier persona puede establecer una tienda en línea bajo casi cualquier nombre, incluidos los estafadores.

Qué hacer: Verifica la confiabilidad del vendedor haciendo una búsqueda en internet ingresando el nombre, número de teléfono y domicilio de email de la persona o de la compañía junto con palabras tales como “review”, “complaint” o “scam”; si haces la búsqueda en español, ingresa palabras como "comentario", "queja" o "estafa". Si puedes verificar que todos los datos son correctos, paga con tarjeta de crédito y guarda el registro de la transacción. Si te preocupa la remarcación de precios en tu área, comunicante con los funcionarios de protección del consumidor de tu estado. Para consultar una lista completa de los Fiscales Generales, visita naag.org.

Entidades de caridad falsas: Cuando ocurre un gran evento realcionado con la salud — como el coronavirus — es posible que estés buscando maneras de ayudar. Los estafadores usan los mismos eventos para aprovecharse de tu generosidad. Algunos estafadores usan nombres que se parecen mucho a los nombres de las organizaciones de caridad auténticas. Esa es una de las razones por las que vale la pena investigar un poco antes de donar. El dinero perdido en manos de falsas organizaciones de caridad significa menos dinero en donaciones para ayudar a aquellos que las necesitan.

Qué hacer: Estas organizaciones te pueden ayudar a investigar a las entidades de caridad. Cuando hagas una donación, paga de manera segura con una tarjeta de crédito — nunca lo hagas por medio de una tarjeta de regalo o transferencia de dinero.

Emails y mensajes de texto falsos y phishing: Los estafadores usan emails o mensajes de texto falsos para conseguir que tú compartas información personal valiosa — como números de cuentas, número de Seguro Social o tus identificadores de inicio de sesión y contraseñas. Los estafadores usan tu información para robarte tu dinero, tu identidad o ambas cosas. También usan emails de tipo phishing para obtener acceso a tu computadora o tu red. Si haces clic en un enlace, los estafadores pueden instalar un programa de rescate o ransomware u otros programas que pueden bloquear tus datos impidiéndote el acceso a ellos. A menudo, los estafadores usan nombres de compañías que suenan familiares o se hacen pasar por alguien que conoces. A continuación, un ejemplo de la vida real de una estafa en la que los phishers se hacen pasar por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).

Un email falso con el logotipo de la Organización Mundial de la Salud. (Sophos Ltd.)

Otros estafadores han usado información real para infectar computadoras con programas maliciosos. Por ejemplo, en sitios web maliciosos se ha usado un tablero interactivo auténtico de casos de infecciones y muertes por coronavirus de la Universidad Johns Hopkins para diseminar un programa malicioso para robar contraseñas.

Qué hacer: Protege tu computadora manteniendo actualizado tu software y usando un programa de seguridad, configura tu teléfono celular para que el software se actualice automáticamente, protege tus cuentas usando un sistema de autenticación de múltiples factores y tus datos haciendo copias de seguridad.

Llamadas automáticas pregrabadas: Los estafadores están usando llamadas automáticas pregrabadas ilegales para promocionar de todo, desde tratamientos fraudulentos para el coronavirus hasta esquemas de trabajo en casa.

Qué hacer: Cuelga el teléfono. No presiones ningún número, La grabación podría decir que al presionar un número podrás hablar con un operador en directo o eliminar tu número de la lista de llamadas, pero en lugar de eso, podrías generar más llamadas automáticas pregrabadas.

Información errónea y rumores: Los estafadores, y a veces la gente con malas intenciones, comparten información que no ha sido verificada.

Qué hacer: Antes de pasar cualquier mensaje, y ciertamente antes de pagarle a alguien o compartir tu información personal, verifica los datos estableciendo contacto con fuentes confiables. Para consultar información sobre lo que está haciendo el gobierno sobre el coronavirus, visita el sitio web What the U.S. Government is Doing. Allí encontrarás enlaces con agencias gubernamentales federales, estatales y locales.

Para más información, visita:

Estafas relacionadas con el coronavirus: Qué está haciendo la FTC en ftc.gov/coronavirus/es

Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

¿Deseas más información acerca de las últimas estafas que hemos visto? Suscríbete para recibir nuestras alertas para consumidores. Si encuentras alguna estafa o declaración sospechosa, repórtalas a la FTC en ftc.gov/queja