Author Archives: Robin McShaffry

City of Austin adds new Key Indicators COVID-19 dashboard

Austin Public Health released a dashboard that illustrates the key indicators for moving between risk stages and is now live at AustinTexas.gov/COVID19.

  • Stage 1 (Green): Zero (0) new COVID-19 hospital admissions in a 7-day period
  • Stage 2 (Blue): Average of less than 5 new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the MSA in 7-day period
  • Stage 3 (Yellow): Average of 5-19 new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the MSA in a 7-day period
  • Stage 4 (Light Orange): Average of 20-70 new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the MSA in a 7-day period
  • Stage 5 (Red): Average of 70 or more new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the MSA in a 7-day period 

The risk stages system created by Austin Public Health (APH) illustrates the regression and progress of several factors, including disease, healthcare, and public health on a seven day moving average. These key indicators will inform recommendations on the tightening or loosening of restrictions on physical distancing, mass gatherings, business operations, and other safety measures in the months ahead.
 
Austin-Travis County is currently in Level 3 – the yellow risk category. At this level, APH recommends individuals at high risk for serious illness shelter-in-place and telecommute or be reassigned to non-public facing roles. Individuals at lower risk for serious infections should minimize their interactions with individuals outside of their household.   
 
At all times and levels, APH continues to urge the community to continue: 

  • Practice social distancing 
  • Wear fabric face coverings in public 
  • Cover coughs and sneezes 
  • Wash hands often 
  • Avoid touching your face 
  • Clean commonly touched surfaces

FREE Training Opportunities to consider during Self-Isolation

Brother Joe Martin writes, “I hope this finds everyone safe and well. During these trying times, the downtime we have recently acquired is shocking. With a lack of public places to go, Im sure a lot of us are going a little bit stir crazy. While this crisis is keeping the public at home, many companies across the industry are offering their online training programs, free of charge!

“Lets all take advantage of these services, and make good use of the downtime we have. Included below is a link that lists all the free services available to entertainment professionals during COVID-19. Free and training aren’t two words you see together often, so lets jump on it! I hope the classes offered will be to the benefit of everyone, and we can come back stronger than ever once all this madness blows over.”

Link: http://www.magnumco.com/learning/every-free-event-technology-training-class-tutorial-and-workshop-being-offered-during-covid-19-updating/

Join the IATSE 205 Mutual Aid Discord Channel!

Brother Liam Dolan-Henderson writes, “Hello, everyone! We now have a Discord! This will be more of a space for socializing and simply keeping each other company during this time of social distancing.” The invite link is in the 205 Mutual Aid FB Group. If you do not have facebook you can request an invite via .

If you are unfamiliar with how Discord works, here is a how-to guide from wiki-how: https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Started-with-Discord. Discord was created to support gaming communities initially, but has expanded vastly from there with features such as multi-channel voice calls, video calling, and screen sharing. You don’t have to use those features. At its core, Discord is a chat room.

You can simply use Discord in the browser, but there are also client apps you can install on your device.

IOS app is here:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discord/id985746746
Android here:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.discord…
Desktop versions here:
https://discordapp.com/download

Delivery available for Members In Need

From the IA:

Sisters, Brothers, Kin—

As you know, the COVID-19 virus poses a significant risk to many of our members who are older, disabled, or immunocompromised. Additionally, many of our members are caretakers of others who fall into the at-risk category, and they simply cannot risk going to the store to get what they need.

If that sounds like you, we wanted to let you know that we’ve created a system to have trusted IATSE volunteers help get you what you need, like groceries or prescriptions.

The service is free, but is available on an as-needed, as available basis for members. That means that we need to confirm one of our 2,000 volunteers is in your area. Still, our goal is to successfully respond to each member in need request within 72 hours.

If you are a member in need, please click here to learn more about the IATSE C.A.R.E.S. delivery service.

Additionally, we encourage everyone to help make members who are less internet-savvy aware of this program, and even input requests for them on the iatsecares.org website IF ASKED TO DO SO.

In solidarity,
The IATSE C.A.R.E.S. Task Force

TO VOLUNTEER, click this link: https://iatsecares.org/volunteer/

Texas Workforce Commission CARES Act Flowchart

This is a flow chart published by the Texas Workforce Commission to help navigate what types of benefits you should be applying for and receiving.

Some new information from the TWC…
1. Call in windows are implemented to attempt to relieve strain on the phone system:
https://www.twc.texas.gov/twc-implement-staggered-access-unemployment-benefit-services-portal-ensure-more-texans-can-file-ui-claims

2. Some new information is posted regarding “non-traditional” applicants. It’s not entirely clear if they are “ready” for you, but the flow chart at least indicates what you should do when they are.
https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/covid-19-resources-job-seekers