Allentown City Council

Along with a number of my colleagues, I spent a considerable amount of time today on the phone with medical experts from around the country. Here are the takea...ways from that discussion, but let me point out that I am not a medical expert, and I am only passing on what was said to me. As always, follow the advice of your own health care provider if it differs from what is set forth below: 1. KEEP SHELTERING IN PLACE. That does not mean going out for picnics, random shopping trips, taking kids to playgrounds, or meeting up with friends in someone's home for drinks (even at a safe distance). The physicians were so adamant about these points that I feel the need to raise them again. They have a significant concern that as people get bored with staying home, they will start pushing the boundaries. They've asked us to let our constituents know that the only way the curve will ever flatten is if everyone follows these guidelines. If at all possible, do not travel across state lines. 2. If you develop symptoms of low grade fever, dry cough, or upper respiratory symptoms of a mild nature, continue to stay home and monitor yourself. Do not panic. Do not rush to an ER or doctors' office. The vast majority of people will not get terribly sick. However, if your symptoms get worse, call one of the Hospital hotlines (numbers below), or your primary care doctor, immediately. 3. NOT EVERYONE NEEDS A TEST. The medical recommendation at this point is for everyone to assume they would test positive for coronavirus if tested, and to act in a manner that would inhibit further spread. In other words, social distancing, staying home, and if you have mild symptoms, don't panic, and treat them accordingly. See #2 above. LVHN Hotline: 1-888-402-LVHN, or complete an e-visit by visiting MyLVHN.org SLUHN Hotline: 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537), option 7, or visit coronavirus.sluhn.org

UPDATED APRIL 6th- PAVILION CLOSURES The city of Allentown is closing all park pavilions during the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency.On March 18, the city suspended ...all pavilion rentals at city facilities until May 1, 2020. UPDATED MARCH 27th- BASKETBALL COURT CLOSURES Allentown is closing all city basketball courts. Existing rims will be either locked or removed until further notice. EFFECTIVE MARCH 24th - PLAYGROUND, SKATE PARK & DOG PARK CLOSURES Allentown is closing its 21 city-maintained playgrounds during the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency effective Tuesday, March 24. Mayor Ray O’Connell said, We are trying to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I found in my travels this weekend that our playgrounds are magnets for our residents in contravention of Governor Wolf’s order for people to practice social distancing and not congregate in groups of 10 or more. The city’s Dog Park and the Skatepark at Keck Park are also covered by the directive. The city Parks Department posted signage with CDC Guidance in English and Spanish at all playgrounds ahead of this past weekend but did little to deter crowds. Playground equipment gates will be locked where possible and caution tape will be used at areas without gates. If we are not able to slow the spread in Allentown and Lehigh County, Governor Wolf is likely to extend the stay at home order he imposed in seven counties to our area, O’Connell added. Under the governor’s stay at home order residents of those seven effected counties; Allegheny, Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Monroe; are asked to stay indoors unless taking trips for life sustaining purchases like food and medicine.

Due to the current public health situation, the Warming Station will stop our nightly program after tonight, March 21st. From March 22nd-April 30th, the Warmin...g Station will transition into a Code Blue Shelter, opening any night the weather is forecasted under 32 degrees. The Y will still be offering grab-and-go dinner service to any Warming Station guest, Monday-Friday from 4:00-5:00pm at our Allentown Branch location. We appreciate your understanding during this unprecedented time. See more

LENARD BUCK BANQUET TO BE RESHEDULED TO A LATER DATE. WE WILL BE HAVING ITIN THE SUMMER. PLEASE, SHARE THIS POST. THANK YOU.LENARD BUCK BANQUET TO BE RESHEDULED TO A LATER DATE. WE WILL BE HAVING ITIN THE SUMMER. PLEASE, SHARE THIS POST. THANK YOU.

Help us spread only the word! CDC guidelines designed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases have been posted in English and Span...ish at various parks and playgrounds through the City of Allentown. If everyone does their part, we can all get through this together! We thank you in advance for doing your part! - Your City of Allentown Parks and Recreation Staff

In Episode #3 of "APD ON THE ROAD" Chief Glenn Granitz talks Covid-19 along with APD's relationship with the Allentown School District while visiting Central El...ementary School "Grab and Go Meal" initiative. We continue to ask the publc to be patient and if there is an emergency please call 911 or non emergency 610-437-7751. #APDOnTheRoad #AllentownPolice See more

Parts of the U.S. without large clusters of coronavirus cases could avoid the worst of the outbreak, estimates from Columbia University researchers say if con...trols are put in place immediately and everywhere. But even if the rate of transmission is cut in half, some 650,000 people could be infected in the next 2 months. Read more about how, without urgent action, the virus could overwhelm the U.S. https://nyti.ms/3dcqnxD

IMPORTANT MESSAGE shared on behalf of Miller-Keystone Blood Center: As schools and other organizations have modified or canceled their activities over the next... few weeks, Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s ability to collect and supply blood to our regional hospitals has already been seriously compromised. To date, our nation's blood supply has seen the cancellation of over 4,000 blood drives, resulting in the loss of more than 130,000 lifesaving blood donations. Locally, over 50 blood drives have been cancelled, resulting in the loss of nearly 1,500 lifesaving blood donations. Blood drives are not mass gatherings, and the risk of exposure by donating blood is exceedingly low. All eligible blood donors are encouraged to visit one of Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s Donor Centers or community Blood Drives to help ensure for the blood needs at our area hospitals as they care for cancer patients, accident victims, premature infants and others in need of lifesaving transfusions. Miller-Keystone Blood Center operates a donor center in Allentown, located at 1255 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard (Suite 1300), as well as locations in Bethlehem, Easton, Pittston and Reading. Additional information can be found on Miller-Keystone Blood Center’s website at: https://www.giveapint.org/covid19/

Without hope, people merely survive. Without hope, fear can get the best of us. When events beyond our control happen like COVID-19 makes it easy to lose faith.... I’ve witnessed it firsthand. There is nothing as heart-wrenching as looking into the eyes of a struggling person who has stopped hoping for a better tomorrow. Therefore, the City of Allentown municipal government buildings remain open for the general public to conduct business. However, the public is urged to perform as much of that business as possible online or through the mail. As the Mayor, I do not want you our citizens to lose hope. Our first-floor treasury windows in City Hall are open. However, the city strongly encourages people to use the Penn Street drop box or U.S. Mail for all city payments. Our EMS, Fire, and APD remain committee to ensure safety and comfort within our city. To make sure we recovery swiftly and in full operation, after the COVID-19 dissipates, we are exercising best practices within our facilities. Persons with business on other City Hall floors or at Bridgeworks are asked to drop-off permit applications and other documents at makeshift customer service areas. Our dedicated employees will get back to you promptly via email or phone to address concerns and make sure questions are answered to process your information. In this current situation, we are all facing; we’ve learned a lot and are still learning. But one thing for sure we learned is that hope and community still exist, and I see it practically every minute of the day as we get through COVID-19. Be well, and we work together to keep you informed.

Allentown AFD APD EMS Chief's address the public on COVID-19 emergency operations 2020. AFD Chief James Wehr APD Chief Glenn Grantiz EMS Chief Eric Gratz... Allentown Fire Department - Engine 13 Allentown Fire Department - Engine 6 & Truck 2 Allentown Fire Department - Engine 14 - Fearless Station East Allentown Fire Company Central Fire Station Allentown Ems Medic 2