Updates From Mayor Jim Kenney's of Public Engagement: Mandatory Mask Order

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:


Philadelphia is preparing to go green, but is wisely moving with caution, as other states appear to having a second rash of Coronavirus outbreaks.  I just received this update from community activist, Tamara Staley, and thought you'd like to know what the next steps are, and then cooperate by keeping yourself, your family and your community safe, well and healthy.
Stay Blessed

FAMILY, 

PLEASE SHARE

TAMARA

---

Mayor's Office of Public Engagement PHL:

      Mandatory Mask Order,

                  New PA Small Business Relief,

                               Submit Comment on Columbus Statue Removal 

 

#EngagingPHL: Weekly Updates June 29, 2020 As the City of Philadelphia has responded to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement has been sending weekly #EngagingPHL email updates.  Please know that we will be sending weekly updates on a permanent basis, and we hope you continue to find this information useful, relevant and actionable. Feel free to share this information with your networks.  For any questions about anything contained in this email, be sure to contact public.engagement@phila.gov. Follow the Mayor's Office of Public Engagement on Facebook @PublicEngagementPHL for more up-to-date information and resources. Share Tweet Forward Share New Mandatory Mask Order Mayor Kenney recently signed the Mandatory Mask Order, which requires masks to be worn in any indoor public spaces and outdoors if there is less than six feet between people from different households. There will be only a limited number of exceptions, including for children under 8-years-old. This order will not be enforced by the police. The goal is to send a clear message that mask usage cannot and should not be optional while cases continue to rise across the country. “As we’ve said throughout this pandemic, taking simple steps like wearing a mask, washing your hands, and maintaining six feet of distance between yourself and others can save lives,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This new Mandatory Mask Order is a signal to the public that we are serious about the need to follow critical public health guidance.” #MaskUpPHL Submit Public Input on Christopher Columbus Statue at Marconi Plaza Like many communities across the country, Philadelphia is experiencing a reckoning about the legacy of systemic racism and oppression in this country. Part of addressing that history is putting a spotlight on what historical figures deserve to be commemorated in our public spaces.  One figure that has come into question is Christopher Columbus and the statue erected in his honor that sits in Marconi Plaza on South Broad Street.  Christopher Columbus became a symbol of Italian communities’ contributions to U.S. history, but scholars and historians have uncovered first-hand documentation establishing that his arrival in the Americas also marked the beginning of the displacement and genocide of Indigenous people. On Wednesday, July 22, the City will ask the Philadelphia Art Commission to approve removal of the statue from Marconi Plaza. Prior to making its presentation to the Art Commission, the City will allow for public input through written submissions, due by Tuesday, July 21. The public will also have the opportunity to testify at the Art Commission meeting; more details on that process will be shared when available. Submit Your Comment Here Apply For New PA COVID-19 Small Business Assistance program The COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program is a new program from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by COVID-19.  More information about the program can be found on a new website set up for the grant program. The website includes important details for prospective applicants including:  Application period for first round of funding. Eligibility requirements for businesses, including priority criteria. Potential grant amount for your business. What business owners can prepare now for their application. Eligible businesses will be able to use the grants to cover operating expenses during the shutdown and transition to re-opening, and for technical assistance including training and guidance for business owners as they stabilize and relaunch their businesses. Learn more and find out how to apply below! Apply for Small Business Relief What Reopening Means for Childcare in Philadelphia Childcare providers play a vital role in Philadelphia—they provide children with a safe place to learn and play and their parents with a service that is critical to allowing them to work and carry out other daily activities. Keeping children safe during COVID-19 is the utmost priority. As the City starts to slowly and safely re-open the safety of children, staff and parents are especially important.  Take a look at the guidelines designed to help childcare and early education centers decrease the risk of COVID-19 for children and staff, below! Education Guidelines During COVID-19 Revised 2021 Budget Signed by Mayor Kenney Mayor Kenney signed a fiscal year 2021 city budget that reduces funding to the Police Department by $33 million, supports important reforms in policing, invests $20 million in affordable housing, and $25 million more to reduce poverty and address other disparities revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Philadelphia City Council approved a $4.8 billion operating budget in a remote Council Meeting held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic. The vote to approve the budget was 14-3. Learn more about budget and other significant police reform bills approved by City Council below! FY 2021 Budget Approval Join the MAC Tomorrow For Census Trivia! Join the Philadelphia Millennial Advisory Committee and Mayor's Office of Public Engagement on Tuesday, June 30 at 2:30 pm for a virtual census trivia game. The public is encouraged to attend and will have the opportunity to win: 1st: One (1) month of Unlimited Virtual Yoga from Priya Hot Yoga 2nd: Online Photography Workshop from the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center 3rd: $50 Amazon Gift Card Register Below! MAC Census Trivia Challenge Join Us for A Prayer Pause for Philadelphia Every Friday! For those who find grounding and hope in faith and spirituality, this unprecedented moment in history is an invitation to be encouraged through prayer and meditation. Join the Office of Public Engagement's Director of Faith-Based & Interfaith Affairs, Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart, on Facebook Live each Friday at 3 p.m. for Prayer Pauses for Philadelphia. Each week Rev. Naomi will be inviting Faith Leaders from all traditions to lead us in a prayer for peace, safety and wisdom. Like the Mayor's Office of Public Engagement on Facebook to stay up-to-date on each week's guests, and tune in live! Office of Public Engagement Facebook How You Can Help Your Community During COVID-19 While we are urging the general public to stay at home, there are many ways you can support our frontline healthcare workers, non-profit partners, and those who are in need of critical support during this outbreak. Donate to the PHL COVID-19 Fund Donate personal protective equipment (PPE) Donate food Volunteer Find out how you can support your community during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic below! How You Can Help! Stay Informed on COVID-19 in Philadelphia Below are some quick ways to stay informed: Get COVID-19 updates sent to your phone. Text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive free text alerts with info and updates from @PHLPublicHealth. Residents with questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus can use the 24/7 helpline to talk to a medical professional. Call 800-722-7112 For the latest updates and information on COVID-19 in Philadelphia please visit the Phila.gov webpage below. Phila.gov/COVID-19 Share Tweet Forward to Friend

NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed & 
ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria Dulan-Wilson