Tag: covid

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City of Cleveland Announces Vaccination Campaign with Support from Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA

City of Cleveland Announces Vaccination Campaign with Support from Cleveland Cavaliers and NBA

By Office of the Mayor

Community Support and COVID-19 Protocols for NBA All-Star Ticketed Guests Unveiled; NBA All-Star Expected to Generate More Than $100 Million in Economic Impact to Cleveland 

Today, Mayor Justin M. Bibb announced a vaccination campaign developed in partnership with the recently announced citywide COVID-19 Taskforce, that will receive support from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the National Basketball Association (NBA) ahead of NBA All-Star 2022 on February 18-20, which is expected to generate more than $100 million in economic impact, according to the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

The efforts to encourage vaccination, boosters and health education include:

  • The city’s public education campaign featuring NBA and Cavs personalities;
  • Special incentives when residents receive a vaccine/booster, including NBA All-Star tickets, merchandise and special autographed items, tickets to Cavs games and more; 
  • Additional financial donations, resources and support to aid citywide testing and vaccine efforts, including:
    • A donation of 10,000 rapid antigen tests and 100,000 N95 masks or similar to the COVID-19 Taskforce for distribution to schools and community-based organizations.
    • Cleveland Foundation’s Funders Collaborative for COVID Recovery.
  • The creation of additional pop-up vaccine sites in partnership with the COVID-19 Taskforce.

In addition, in anticipation of thousands of visitors coming to Cleveland to enjoy NBA All-Star events, the City of Cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, NBA and health officials worked in partnership to develop health & safety protocols for all ticketed guests attending NBA All-Star events. The protocols are guided by the most recent recommendations from the CDC and Cleveland Department of Public Health and are as follows:  

  • Before participating in any ticketed events, all guests aged five and up must show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or of having a negative COVID-19 test. Fulfilling the testing option requires either a negative PCR test 48 hours before their first event or a negative antigen test the day of their first event.  
  • Full vaccination is defined by the CDC as one dose of the J&J vaccine or two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The city’s mask advisory is expected to remain in place through the weekend.

“The health and safety of our residents and visitors is a top priority,” said Mayor Bibb. “We are excited to bring this global event to Cleveland and want to ensure that everyone involved in NBA All-Star has a great experience while following necessary precautions to minimize the spread of COVID-19.”

Beyond the health and safety measures and contributions, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) have committed to provide additional support to the city throughout the year, including more than $3 million in social and community impact. Those details will be announced in the coming weeks.  

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Moderna COVID-19 vaccine update

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Update Cleveland, OH

From the City of Cleveland newsletter, Straight from City Hall

On Dec. 24, 2020, the City of Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH) began strategically and thoughtfully administering doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to individuals identified within Phase 1a of its distribution plan. This includes individuals at the greatest risk in conjunction with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH). Phase 1a individuals include: healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents/staff and other congregate facilities- staff and residents.

1.     Vaccine Distributions to Date

The City has received a total of 6,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the State of Ohio. On Dec. 24 –Dec. 29, 2020, a total of 660 vaccines were administered to Phase 1a individuals as well as some essential City of Cleveland workers:

  • 115 – EMS
  • 280 – Fire
  • 26 – Airport Fire Dept.
  • 18 – Cleveland Police Department Officers
  • 150 – Target Phase 1 Population (Non-City of Cleveland Staff)
  • 71—POD support staff

This week, the City reopened its Point of Distribution (POD) at Public Auditorium to vaccinate additional Phase 1a individuals.  Those scheduled to receive the vaccine this week include healthcare staff from Federally Qualified Health Centers, other healthcare providers, medical students, EMTs and paramedics who would like to receive the vaccine.    As of today, an additional 580 people were vaccinated.   The City anticipates vaccinating an additional 400+ individuals by the end of this week.

2.     Vaccine Storage and Viability

The City of Cleveland has not and will not discard any of the doses we’ve received or will receive. It is important to note the following about the Moderna vaccine:

o   Once the vaccine is transported in a refrigerated state, the vaccine is viable for up to 12  hours

o   Once the vaccine is punctured, the vaccine is viable for up to 6 hours

Because of this, CDPH works closely with City departments/divisions and external organizations to create a schedule of the individuals that are expected to receive the vaccine on a given day.  This allows CDPH the ability to plan for the number of doses that need to be prepped for administration.   In the event, however, that individuals scheduled do not report to receive the vaccine on the date assigned, CDPH works with other City departments to identify essential workers who are able and available to receive the vaccine that day.   Those essential workers are vaccinated using the remaining doses.

3.     Next steps

  1. Over the next few weeks, the City will continue to provide initial vaccinations to phase 1a individuals.  Beginning January 21st, the City will also begin to provide the 2nd dose of the vaccine to those individuals who received their first dose 28 days prior.

o   Next week, the City will also begin our efforts to vaccinate individuals that reside and work in congregate living facilities. The City will also activate a mobile POD that will be sent to congregate living facilities to vaccinate individuals who have mobility challenges.  

  • The City is currently taking the necessary steps to prepare for vaccinating phase 1b individuals.

Photo property of Unsplash

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Childcare centers struggle to survive during the pandemic

Triskett CHILD CARE CENTER SUBMITTED

By Jerry Masek
   

“If Ohio is going back to work, we need child care.”   

That opinion, shared by many, is painfully clear to Horizon Education Centers Executive Director David Smith.

Horizon operates 12 facilities, including one next to the Triskett Rapid Station in West Park.   

Horizon spent $2.7 million to build that center. It opened in May 2019, with a full capacity of 210 students. Within a year, it served 160 students each day. The site is popular with commuters who can drop off their children before riding the Rapid to jobs Downtown and in University Circle.

When COVID-19 hit…    

Like much of Ohio, the center closed in mid-March. When it reopened in June, the daily capacity was capped at 68 children via state restrictions.

The children are there but the revenue is not enough to cover expenses. 

“It’s like we are selling $5 bills for $4 each,” Smith said. “We are losing about $10,00 each month. The challenge is the same for all 12 facilities. We may have to temporarily shut down the Triskett center again.”

Where did the other students go?   

Smith said many parents found alternative care, such as high school students or older siblings home for the summer. A survey found that 70-percent of parents are single heads of their household. The survey also showed that 80-percent of parents who continue to use Horizon are “essential workers,” with jobs in grocery stores, transportation and health care.   

Even if state restrictions are lifted, the classrooms may be hard to fill right away, Smith says. Many parents have a fear of COVID and most already have made alternative plans for the summer. When schools re-open, the need for Horizon centers will increase. 

More state aid would help Horizon stay open until fall. Horizon has received some federal aid, but not nearly enough.   

“If Ohio could lift its group size restrictions, it would give us a fighting chance, “Smith said.  “If Ohio is going back to work, we need child care.”