March 2020 will forever be known as the month when the coronavirus changed the lives of all Americans, at least for a short period of time.
As we head into April, it remains to be seen how much the virus will continue to spread and how it will impact the education, business and social lives of Americans of all ages.
The city announced on Saturday it will provide a box of free food to residents on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon at 20 sites. Local sites are Keep the Faith Ministries, 1906 Harrison St.; Iglesia Cristiana Avivamiento, 5500 Tabor Road; and Mizpah SDA, 4355 Paul St.
This effort is a partnership with Philabundance and Share Food Program.
Deputy Mayor Cynthia Figueroa said, “Providing this service to Philadelphians is critical at a time when many so many people find themselves in a difficult situation. This partnership is another proud Philly moment, reflecting a committed, caring partnership that is dedicated to making sure our neighbors in every part of the city have access to food during these unprecedented times.”
Dr. Thomas Farley, commissioner of the city Department of Public Health, on Tuesday announced that there have been 1,315 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Philadelphia. Fourteen people have died. In all, 97 people are or have been hospitalized.
Of those 1,315 cases, 231 are confirmed to be in Northeast Philadelphia ZIP codes, accounting for approximately 17.57% of the total cases in the city.
Statewide, there are 4,087 confirmed cases in 59 counties, with 49 deaths.
The city and state have stay-at-home orders, prohibiting all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit.
The orders do not apply to activities related to essential businesses and activities or essential personal activities.
Federal guidelines stating all Americans should practice safe social distancing and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people have been extended to April 30.
All state residents must remain home or at their place of residence unless they are engaged in essential personal activities such as going out to purchase essential goods and food or seeking medical attention.
Other permitted activities under the new orders include caring for family members, friends or a pet in another household, delivering essential goods or obtaining emergency services and attention and reporting to jobs that are related to essential business.
Outdoor activities such as walking, running, cycling and operating a wheelchair are permitted under the orders.
Food trucks and ice cream trucks are prohibited.
The city and state consider the following as life-sustaining businesses or services: Laundromats, veterinary hospitals, pet stores, retail banks, cell phone repair stores and bicycle or motorcycle repair shops.
Extermination services are permitted for rodents and pests.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia and School District of Philadelphia schools, along with those across the state, are closed through at least Monday, April 6. All non-life-sustaining businesses in the state must stay closed through April 6.
Food establishments may accommodate only online and phone orders for delivery and pick up, and cannot allow dine-in service.
Non-essential City of Philadelphia government operations are halted, and all city government buildings are closed to the public.
Essential operations will include public safety, health and human services, utilities, sanitation and payroll.
All recreation centers and their athletic fields are closed. Fox Chase Farm, Pennypack Environmental Center and Tarken ice rink are closed, too.
The Northeast Older Adult Center, 8101 Bustleton Ave., will remain open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for meal service.
All Free Library locations will remain closed to the public until further notice. Relatedly, most programs and events scheduled through the end of April will be canceled or postponed.
The Delaware River Port Authority has initiated all-electronic (cashless) tolling until further notice. All motorists crossing the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Betsy Ross and Commodore Barry Bridges are instructed to travel through designated E-ZPass lanes.
Drivers with an E-ZPass account will not experience any change. Drivers without an E-ZPass account are instructed to drive through an E-ZPass lane. The equipment will capture a photograph of the vehicle’s license plate, and an invoice for the cost of the toll will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. The invoiced amount will be for the toll amount only and will not include any additional administration or violation fees.
Cash customers who do not want to be billed can open an E-ZPass account by calling the New JeÂrsey E-ZPass Customer Service Center at 888-AUTO-TOLL or by visiting www.ezpassnj.com.
Motorists are reminded to continue through the E-ZPass lanes without stopping while obeying the 5 mph posted speed limit.
SEPTA is projecting a $150 million loss for the fiscal year due to steep ridership losses. The agency has made dramatic service reductions.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority is not enforcing meters, kiosks and residential parking time limits. It is enforcing safety violations such as double-parking, loading zone violations, blocking wheelchair-accessible curb cuts and parking near fire hydrants and in bus zones.
The Philadelphia Water Department has turned water back on for customers who haven’t paid their bills.
Philadelphia Gas Works is suspending non-payment terminations and is waiving new late payment charges. This termination moratorium will remain in place until further notice. Regular billing will continue for all customers.
PECO Energy is suspending service disconnections and new late payment charges for all customers through May 1.
The city recommends using common-sense practices to avoid infection — washing hands, using hand sanitizer, avoiding touching other people and maintaining a safe social distance from others.
Philadelphians looking for the latest local information on the coronavirus can visit phila.gov/COVID-19.
Residents with questions can call a 24-hour helpline at 800-722-7112. The helpline is staffed by trained healthcare providers.
Or, text COVIDPHL to 888-777 to receive updates to your phone. ••
