Here to serve in troubled times
Dear Friends of District 8,

Next week marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day .

In normal times, we would be celebrating this milestone a little differently. But if the past few months have shown us anything, it's how deeply interconnected life on our planet really is. It's more important than ever to take time to reflect on Earth Day and the work that remains to build a healthier, more sustainable planet.

Earth Week Challenge is a series of daily activities that you can participate in at home from April 20 - 26. I'll be joining in all week! Learn more, and share & follow along on social media with the hashtag #earthweekchallenge2020.

Next Wednesday I'm hosting a special Earth Day-themed Our Community Cares conversation to discuss lessons learned from the pandemic. I'm proud to be joined by an amazing line-up of panelists including Joe Goffman, Executive Director of the Harvard University Environmental & Energy Law Program, Caroline Lewis, Founding Director of the Cleo Institute, and more. (Plus, we'll have a live musical guest!) Register here.

Questions or feedback? Please send an email to [email protected] . 

Yours in community,

Daniella
New and Updated COVID-19 Resources
FOOD RESOURCES


ONLINE SUPPORT

  • Axis South Florida is a one-stop portal to help connect families, individuals and businesses impacted by coronavirus with the resources they need.
  • Bizhelp.Miami, a new portal put together by the Beacon Council, helps small business owners understand and access resources available to them under the CARES Act.
  • Check CareerSource South Florida's Facebook page for updated lists of the top job openings in Miami-Dade.

FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECKS


UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

  • You can now pick up and drop off paper unemployment application forms (in English, Spanish and Creole) from 26 libraries countywide.

GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AT HOME
Going stir crazy at home? There are lots of great resources to explore our community, and support our local artists, online:

  • Explore some of our museums, beaches, parks and more with Virtual Miami, a new resource from the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
  • Unleash your own creativity, watch Miami actors perform monologues from your favorite shows and musicals, and more with the Arsht@Home video arts series.
  • This year, you can enjoy the Miami-Dade Youth Fair "Fair from Home" with their online resources and activities.
#OurCommunityCares and More Virtual Events
Tele-Town Hall with Congresswoman Donna Shalala, Thursday April 16 from 6:30 - 7:30 pm: I'm joining Representative Shalala and others to discuss COVID-19 and the federal CARES Act stimulus package. More details

Our Community Cares about Pet Adoption, Friday April 17 at 4 pm: Yolanda Berkowitz, Founder & President of Friends of Miami Animals Foundation, and Melanie Ochoa, Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Humane Society of Greater Miami, will join me to discuss how to help our community's animals throughout this crisis.

SAVE Speaker Series, Monday April 20 at 2 pm: I'm participating in SAVE's ongoing speaker series along with State Representative Javier Fernandez to share COVID-19 updates. RSVP here
Our Community Cares: Earth Day Edition, Wednesday April 22 at 4 pm: We'll talk about lessons learned from the pandemic with a great panel including Joe Goffman, Executive Director of the Harvard University Environmental & Energy Law Program, Caroline Lewis, Founding Director of the Cleo Institute, and more. Register here

Tune in on Facebook Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4 pm for Our Community Cares, and follow me on Facebook to get updates about the latest speakers and topics. You can also watch our past conversations on YouTube.
Key Information on COVID-19
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL SICK

If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19, call the local Florida Department of Health at 305-324-2400 or call your medical provider directly. If traveling to a medical office or facility, call ahead.

COVID-19 TESTING

The following testing sites are now available, and I'm especially glad that my call to bring testing to South Dade and West Kendall was successful.

  • South Dade Government Center: Testing available to those 18 or older showing symptoms associated with COVID-19; call the County hotline at 305-499-8767 to schedule.
  • Miami Dade County Fairgrounds: Testing available to those 18 or older showing symptoms associated with COVID-19; call 305-499-8767.
  • Marlins Park: Testing available for those 18 and older showing symptoms. By appointment only; call 305-499-8767.
  • Hard Rock Stadium: Testing available for those 65 and older who are symptomatic as well as healthcare workers and first responders. Call 305-499-8767 to schedule.
  • Community Health of South Florida: Testing available in two locations for patients who have symptoms and either a recent history of travel to an affected country or contact with someone who has contracted COVID-19.
  • Doris Ison Health Center – 10300 SW 216 St. Miami: Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 am to 12 pm.
  • Florida City (new location) – 450 W. Davis Parkway, Florida City, FL 33034: Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm.
  • Miami Beach (46th & Collins): Testing available to those with symptoms; call 305-735-3909 to schedule an appointment.
  • Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah: Testing available to residents 65 and older with symptoms; call 305-268-4319 to schedule.
  • Miami-Dade will launch home testing for the homebound this week and the City of Miami has also launched a testing service for homebound seniors. Learn more.

JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM

Any patient experiencing serious symptoms of COVID-19 can seek emergency treatment at any hospital emergency room, including any Jackson facility. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitation is suspended for most patients at most facilities, and Jackson encourages the use of phone calls, electronic messages, and videoconference. Watch a video from Jackson's leadership.

OTHER RESOURCES