Tag: updates

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CLASH offers brochure covering lead, nutrition to at risk Cleveland families

Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) is distributing a new brochure on Lead and Nutrition

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Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing (CLASH) is distributing a new brochure on Lead and Nutrition through local hunger centers this summer. The brochure gives simple, clear information on how a child’s diet can help mitigate the damage of lead exposure.

While there is no safe level of lead exposure, caregivers can select foods that are high
in calcium, iron and vitamin C to strengthen a child’s body against environmental lead
from paint dust or soil.

The brochure also reinforces the message that children under the age of six should be
tested for lead exposure on a regular basis. Routine testing during pediatric visits only
reaches about half of the “at risk” children in Cleveland. Caregivers are urged to ask
for lead testing at least by the first birthday and again at age 2 checkups.
Cleveland’s Lead Safe Certificate law won’t begin to require landlords to make rental
properties until March of 2021 and there’s no plan for enforcement of the law until 2023.

In the meantime, wise dietary choices can make a difference.

CLASH president Yvonka M. Hall expresses thanks to Northeast Ohio Coalition for the
Homeless (NEOCH) Mutual Aid Fund for paying for printing the brochure. NEOCH is a member of the CLASH coalition. CLASH also thanks the hundreds of volunteers who
are putting the brochure inside of emergency food bags being supplied around the Cleveland’s neighborhoods.

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The Cleveland Museum of Art Presents MIX: Viva

The Cleveland Museum of Art Presents MIX: Viva

Free virtual event celebrates Latin culture and features a digital dance fiesta

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Virtual MIX at CMA returns Friday, Aug. 7, from 8 to 9 p.m. Celebrate the diverse sights and sounds of Latin culture in honor of the current exhibition A Graphic Revolution: Prints and Drawings in Latin America.

DJ Cause&Effect will spin contemporary and classic Latin hits (salsa, bachata, merengue and reggaeton). Texas-based artist Michael Menchaca, whose work is on view in A Graphic Revolution, presents a selection of original party visuals. Menchaca’s video art combines imagery from video games with ancient Maya texts to explore Latinx identities in a contemporary landscape. The event also features salsa and Afro-Caribbean dance basics with dance group Caribe Conexión. The night begins with an original poetic response to artist Belkis Ayón’s print I Always Return, on view in the exhibition, by actor-poet Andrew Aaron Valdez, host of Voces Fuertes Open Mic, Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center.

Get ready for the event with a virtual MIX: Viva kit featuring a Spotify playlist created by DJ Cause&Effect, a list of local Latinx-owned restaurants, instructional dance videos from Caribe Conexión, artist bios and downloadable Zoom backgrounds.

Share your photos of your MIX vibe using #MIXatCMA and #museumfromhome.

About Graphic Revolution: Prints and Drawings in Latin America

This is the first exhibition to highlight the museum’s collection of works on paper produced in Latin America over the past century. Representing a wide range of countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba and Mexico, the works survey how artists have explored national and cultural identity during periods of political upheaval and dramatic social change. 

Curator Britany Salsbury discusses several works from the exhibition in the museum’s “On View Now” video series.

The CMA is a leader in the use of technology to enhance visitor experience both on-site and online.

MIX: Viva and “On View Now” are part of the museum’s free dynamic digital initiative Home Is Where the Art Is, which showcases the museum’s globally recognized digital resources and features a variety of newly created fun and engaging programs for people of all ages. With this initiative, the CMA has leveraged technology to bring works of art to people, responding to changing needs in new, enriching and innovative ways. These sustainable digital experiences will continue now that the museum has reopened. 

How to Join MIX: Viva:

Zoom (with “dance cam”) Join the party through Zoom for a chance to be featured in a live “dance cam” that will spontaneously occur throughout the hour. A link to join will be posted to cma.org/mix or on the museum’s Facebook page. You can also send an email (subject line: “MIX: Viva”) to mix@clevelandart.org to receive a link in your inbox.

Facebook Watch live on the CMA’s Facebook page from your smartphone, iPad or computer.

NOTE: Virtual MIX parties are both pet- and child-friendly.

Upcoming Virtual Events

Desktop Dialogues

Wednesdays at noon

Instructions for Joining

Join CMA curators, educators and other invited guests in a live online discussion about works in the collection that address issues people are facing today. Participate in the conversation by making comments or asking questions.

Re-visioning Art and History 
Wednesday, Aug. 5 at noon

At this moment, engaged citizens across the world are questioning the systems, structures and values that museums are built upon. Join Andrew Cappetta and Key Jo Lee to discuss how these much-needed critiques will inform CMA programs like Desktop Dialogues and Close Looking at a Distance, explore objects that reshape what is known about art and museums including Fred Wilson’s To Die upon a Kiss, and learn the value of adopting multiple perspectives to understand works of art. 

Starting at 12:30 p.m., all participants are welcome to continue the conversation and interact in an informal, live Zoom video conference meeting. A link to join this additional discussion will be provided during the program. 

The Cleveland Museum of Art would like to thank Chase Private Client for their generous support of MIX: Viva.

Image by Michael Menchaca

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Free COVID-19 testing available in the City of Cleveland

COVID-19 Testing in the City of Cleveland now free

FROM THE CITY OF CLEVELAND NEWSLETTER

by Andrianna D. Peterson

Testing for those with COVID-19 symptoms or those who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 is available for free at the local federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) below:

Neighborhood Family Practice

  • W. 117 Community Health Center – 11709 Lorain Ave.
  • By appointment only
  • Tests are available regardless of one’s ability to pay
  • Call (216) 281-0872 for information or to schedule an appointment
  • Results are back in one to three days

Neon Hough

  • 8300 Hough Ave. (West Parking Lot)
  • By appointment only
  • Tests are free of charge to the patient
  • Testing done Mondays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • To schedule and learn more about COVID-19 testing, call (216) 231-7700

Signature Health

  • 21100 Southgate Park Blvd.
  • By appointment only
  • Tests are free of charge to the patient
  • Testing done Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • To schedule COVID-19 testing, call (440) 578-8203

Care Alliance

  • Central Clinic – 2916 Central Ave.
  • Drive-thru and walk-up testing, by appointment only
  • Tests are free of charge to the patient
  • Call the COVID-19 Nurse Line at (216) 535-9100 and press 6
  • Testing done Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Results are back in 24 to 48 hours

The Centers

  • East Office – 4400 Euclid Ave.
  • Drive-thru and walk-up testing, by appointment only
  • Tests are free of charge to the patient
  • Call (216) 325-WELL (9355) to talk with an access specialist, be triaged by a nurse, and schedule your telehealth visit with one of our providers for screening for a test
  • Testing takes place on Wednesdays, following a Tuesday telehealth visit (required)
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Unlike last the recession, Ohio leaders can meet the moment with bold and inclusive policies

Good policies can protect workers during pandemic

STORY COURTESY OF POLICY MATTERS OHIO

More than a decade later, 114,000 more Ohioans live in poverty compared to before the Great Recession of 2008. Now Ohioans, like the rest of the country, are not only living through a public health crisis, but also a recession. A new Policy Matters Ohio report offers a roadmap for state policymakers to ensure Ohio emerges stronger and more prosperous for everyone, no matter where they live or what they look like. 

“Government action is how we all come together to tackle big challenges,” said report author, Senior Project Director Wendy Patton. “In the 1930s, President Roosevelt’s New Deal helped Americans get back to work and buy homes. During the Great Recession, the federal stimulus supported state and local governments and federal loans saved thousands of jobs in the auto industry. In both cases, lawmakers made some policy choices that left people out: The New Deal excluded Black and Brown Americans from certain programs and the federal stimulus ended too soon, before recovery reached many small towns and rural areas. This time, our leaders can make different choices that will benefit everyone.”

To get through the recession, Ohio’s leaders must push the federal government for more flexible aid for state and local governments and increased funding for Medicaid that lasts through the pandemic and until unemployment subsides to pre-recession levels. State lawmakers must maintain or expand aid for programs that help people get enough to eat, make ends meet, and stay home if they get sick or to care for their loved ones, Patton said. Black and Brown Ohioans, who suffered most during the last recession, should receive targeted state support. 

“As we slowly pulled out of the last recession, Ohio’s lawmakers cut taxes for the wealthy and corporations and slashed the budget for schools, human services and aid to local governments,” Patton said. “One clear bright spot was Gov. Kasich’s decision to expand Medicaid, which supported thousands of jobs and extended health care to thousands of Ohioans.” 

Federal lawmakers must expand and extend aid to state and local governments to ensure health care during the pandemic, keep public services intact and help struggling families. State lawmakers must ensure needs are met as well and can generate new revenue to do so by:

  • Using the $2.7 billion rainy day fund to close the state’s budget gap. 
  • Rebalancing Ohio’s upside-down tax system that favors the wealthy and starves schools, public transit and more.
  • Tapping unconventional resources like the privatized economic development agency JobsOhio to help close budget shortfalls and put people to work by creating job corps.

“During the last recession, state and federal leaders didn’t do enough for people who were hit the hardest,” Patton said. “This time they can do better.”

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Virtual visits now at Neighborhood Family Practice

PEXELS ROYALTY FREE PHOTO TELEMEDICINE stethoscope-2617700_1920

Telemedicine appointments are now available via Neighborhood Family Practice (NFP). 

A telemedicine appointment allows a patient to utilize video and/or audio to meet with an NFP provider virtually or remotely. 

Originally, say officials from NFP, restrictions made it difficult for urban providers to offer telemedicine. 

“A lot of focus has been expanding this broadband to rural areas,” says NFP’s Assistant Medical Director of Medical Informatics Chad Garven, MD. “It was originally used to get access to more rural patients…” 

However, in light of COVID-19, things have changed― and fast. 

“What happened in mid-March is, it became alarmingly clear that just about any in-person interaction is going to be not only unsafe for patients, but potentially for our staff.” 

As officials at NFP began looking at how a digital platform could work for them, laws in place regarding telemedicine changed as well. 

“The laws became a lot less restrictive. There was not a distance qualifier, as far as ‘could the provider be near a patient but on a virtual platform?’ That was one of the ones that made a lot of sense for our urban population, particularly where our clinics are located,” says Garven. 

“It was a combination of safety concerns but then sort of our mission, which is to care for this near-West Side that otherwise often goes uncared for or underappreciated. We said we have to do something. And by virtue of necessity, sort of jumped at that opportunity.” 

“We completed a strategic plan about six months ago,” says NFP President and CEO Jean Polster. “We looked at telemedicine and what we were really thinking about is that the laws were super restrictive in terms of being able to bill for telemedicine.” 

“We were thinking about it more as how are we going to get patients connected with specialty care? And maybe ways that they would be able to stay in our offices but still see a specialist because our patients are most comfortable in our location.” 

In July reimbursement opened up, says Polster, loosening some of those restrictions. But even then, she says, restrictions still remained when it came to urban vs. rural access. 

“I just have to give a shout out to the handling of the crisis by our Governor DeWine and his director of the Department of Health Dr. Amy Acton. One of the first things they did, when they saw this happening, is, not only did they open up the ability to do remote access for appointments― and not only for behavioral health, which is really where there had been the most telehealth in the state going on prior― but they just threw all the regulations aside and said go for it. Serve your patients in the best way that you can.”

It was about helping patients while maintaining their safety, which meant keeping them out of public spaces as much as possible. 

“Within a week we were able to develop these applications and teach folks how to use some of the applications,” says Polster. “But it was a pivot. It took us a week to make the pivot and it would have taken us months, if not years, to make that pivot in a non-crisis situation.” 

According to Garven, around 90-percent of NFP visits are now telemedicine based. 

“It is a video platform and it visually looks like what a Facetime or Skype or Zoom call would look like,” he says. 

Many of the telemedicine health processes are the same as an in-office visit. There is a registration process, and a medical assistant will talk to the patient about their medications and acute issues. 

It is also convenient, as there is no driving to the facility or hanging out in the waiting room. 

“The no show rate has rapidly declined,” says Garven. 

“We are excited to accept new patients,” says Polster. “We definitely want to serve more people in the community. We do have the capacity to serve more people, and we are able to do appointments on a same-day basis. We welcome new patients and hope that we can keep more community members healthy and safe at this time.”

“We do have some face-to-face visits available when it’s urgent,” Polster adds. “If we are very concerned about something we are seeing, we are bringing you in the office. Or if there’s care that you need that can only be delivered in person, like a shot, like a birth control monthly shot, we’ve created an environment that’s safe for folks to come in― widely spaced; only certain hours. We’re giving people access to the care that they need. Most of it is delivered while you’re still in your home but if things are needed, we do have the ability to see you safely in six locations.” 

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Current coronavirus cases in Ohio

Coronavirus in Ohio increases by 837 in 24 hours, Ohio, Cleveland, Coronavirus

UPDATE:

(FOR CURRENT CORONAVIRUS CASES VISIT: https://westparktimes.com/coronavirus-24-hour-case-updates/

05/16: Today’s 24-hour increase= 487. Today’s total= 25,836. Yesterday’s total= 25,349.


05/15: Today’s 24-hour increase= 549. Today’s total= 25,349. Yesterday’s total= 24,800.

05/14: Today’s 24-hour increase= 555. Today’s total= 24,800. Yesterday’s total= 24,245.

05/13: Today’s 24-hour increase= 436. Today’s total= 24,245. Yesterday’s total= 23,809.

05/12: Today’s 24-hour increase= 409. Today’s total= 23,809. Yesterday’s total= 23,400.

05/11: Today’s 24-hour increase= 509. Today’s total= 23,400. Yesterday’s total= 22,891.

05/10: Today’s 24-hour increase= 331. Today’s total= 22,891. Yesterday’s total= 22,560.

05/09: Today’s 24-hour increase= 591. Today’s total= 22,560. Yesterday’s total= 21,969.

05/08: Today’s 24-hour increase= 837. Today’s total= 21,969. Yesterday’s total= 21,132.

05/07: Today’s 24-hour increase= 507. Today’s total= 21,132. Yesterday’s total= 20,625.

05/06: Today’s 24-hour increase= 553. Today’s total= 20,625. Yesterday’s total= 20,072.

5/05: Today’s 24-hour increase= 463. Today’s total= 20,072. Yesterday’s total= 19,609.

5/04: Today’s 24-hour increase= 515. Today’s total= 19,609. Yesterday’s total= 19,094.

5/03: Today’s 24-hour increase= 557. Today’s total= 19,094. Yesterday’s total= 18,537.

5/02: Today’s 24-hour increase= 575. Today’s total= 18,537. Yesterday’s total= 17,962.

5/01: Today’s 24-hour increase= 677. Today’s total= 17,962. Yesterday’s total= 17,285.

4/30: Today’s 24-hour increase= 684. Today’s total= 17,285. Yesterday’s total= 16,601.

4/29: Today’s 24-hour increase= 473. Today’s total= 16,601. Yesterday’s total= 16,128.

4/28: Today’s 24-hour increase= 429. Today’s total= 16,128. Yesterday’s total= 15,699.

4/27:Today’s 24-hour increase= 339. Today’s total= 15,699. Yesterday’s total= 15,360.

4/26: Today’s 24-hour increase= 377. Today’s total= 15,360. Yesterday’s total= 14,983.

4/25: Today’s 24-hour increase= 402. Today’s total= 14,983 . Yesterday’s total= 14,581.

4/24: Today’s 24-hour increase= 439. Today’s total= 14,581 . Yesterday’s total= 14,142.

4/23: Today’s 24-hour increase= 533. Today’s total= 14,142 . Yesterday’s total= 13,609.

4/22: Today’s 24-hour increase= 359. Today’s total= 13,609 . Yesterday’s total= 13,250.

4/21: Today’s 24-hour increase= 734. Today’s total= 13,250 . Yesterday’s total= 12,516.

4/20: Today’s 24-hour increase= 1,224. Today’s total= 12,516. Yesterday’s total= 11,292.

4/19: Today’s 24-hour increase= 1,353 Today’s total= 11,292. Yesterday’s total= 9,939.

4/18: Today’s 24-hour increase= 1,081 Today’s total= 9,939. Yesterday’s total= 8,858.

4/17: Today’s 24-hour increase= 619. Today’s total= 8,858. Yesterday’s total= 8,239.

4/16: Today’s 24-hour increase= 611. Today’s total= 8,239. Yesterday’s total= 7,628.

4/15: Today’s 24-hour increase= 475. Today’s total= 7,628. Yesterday’s total= 7,153.

4/14: Today’s 24-hour increase= 272. Today’s total= 7,153. Yesterday’s total= 6,881.

4/13: Today’s 24-hour increase= 363. Today’s total= 6,881. Yesterday’s total= 6,518.

4/12: Today’s 24-hour increase= 331. Today’s total= 6,518. Yesterday’s total= 6,187.

4/11:Today’s 24-hour increase= 351. Today’s total=6,187. Yesterday’s total= 5,836.

4/10: Today’s 24-hour increase= 324. Today’s total=5,836. Yesterday’s total= 5,512.

4/9: Today’s 24-hour increase= 364. Today’s total=5,512. Yesterday’s total= 5,148.

4/8: Today’s 24-hour increase= 366. Today’s total= 5,148. Yesterday’s total= 4,782.

4/7: Today’s daily increase for #Ohio is 332 confirmed cases. This is up from 4,450 reported yesterday, for a total of 4,782 cases.

4/6: Today’s 24-hour increase is 407; numbers of coronavirus cases in Ohio have increased from 4,043 to 4,450.

4/5: Since yesterday, #coronavirus cases in Ohio have increased by 304; from 3,739 to 4,043.

4/4: Confirmed #coronavirus cases in Ohio have jumped to 3,739, according to numbers released by the Ohio Department of Health.

4/3: Since last reported on March 31, the total #Coronavirus count for #Ohio has risen to 2,902, according to information released by the Ohio Department of Health. The average daily rate of infection is on the rise statewide. (Avg. 323 per-day).

3/31: In 12 days, the total #Coronavirus count for those in #Ohio has risen from 119 to 1933. That means there are an average of 151 new cases developing throughout the state, per day. In retrospect, states like New York are reporting increases per-day by the thousands.
If you have a story to share concerning how the virus has impacted you, email the West Park Times​ at westparktimes@gmail.com, or feel free to send us a direct message.

*All data extracted from the Ohio Department of Health.

If you currently live in the West Park neighborhood of Cleveland, OH, we’d love for you to contact us. Tell us how you’re making it through the coronavirus, closures, and more by emailing westparktimes@gmail.com.

Whether your wedding has been cancelled or you are temporarily out of work, your story matters and we want to hear it from you!

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2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Induction Week postponed, facility temporary closed to public

2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2020 Postponed Cleveland, OH, Coronavirus Cancellations

Pixabay Photo

As of March 13, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is temporarily closed to the public.

The 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Induction Week festivities have also been postponed until later this year, at a date that is to be determined.

According to the Rock Hall’s web site:

“Given this temporary closure, we have postponed the following events:

  • Wednesday, March 18 – Spotlight: Janis Joplin
  • Wednesday, March 25 – Film Series: Linda Ronstadt

If you have purchased a ticket for a postponed event, we will issue a full refund and alert you via email of the opportunity to purchase when the event is rescheduled.  If you have purchased a ticket for general admission, it will be honored at our Box Office upon your future visit or refunded.

We look forward to welcoming fans back to our Museum in the near future.

Meanwhile, we encourage teachers working to create plans for distance learning to explore our free online resources that help you engage students through the power of rock & roll.  Visit Rock Hall EDU (edu.rockhall.com), our new digital learning platform, to create a free account and access professionally developed lesson plans, activities, presentations, videos, playlists and other digitized primary source materials from our Library & Archives.  Our resources meet national and state learning standards in a variety of subject areas, including music, social studies, English and more.”