The Delaware County Weekly
Bringing Delco news and information directly to our residents!
—— May 20, 2022 (17th edition) ——
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Delaware County Moves to High COVID-19 Community Transmission Levels | |
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On Thursday, May 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported Delaware County is currently experiencing High COVID-19 Community Level Transmissions. New COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population (7-day total) were calculated using data collected from Thursday, May 12 through Wednesday, May 18, 2022. New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population (7-day total) and percentage of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients (7-day average) were calculated using data from Wednesday, May 11 through Tuesday, May 17.
The Delaware County Health Department (DCHD) has been calculating similar weekly statistics in anticipation of a possible return to the High Community Level Transmission designation.
"When a county is designated as High Community Level Transmission, that is the highest warning signal that residents need to take additional precautions to prevent the spread of COVID -19," said DCHD Director Melissa Lyon. "This is especially true to protect individuals who are at high risk of COVID-19 disease complications and those who are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations"
The Delaware County Health Department strongly encourages the public to follow the CDC’s recommendations of universal masking indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Effective, Monday, May 23, County employees and people visiting any County Government Building will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status.
It is also important for individuals to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters and to get tested if they have symptoms. Individuals at risk for severe illness should consider taking additional precautions and speak to a healthcare provider about the most appropriate course of action for their situation.
Those who have a medical condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system may not be fully protected even if they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. They should talk to their healthcare providers about additional precautions that may be necessary.
Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the third round of free, at-home COVID-19 tests, currently available to every U.S. household. Orders can be placed at https://www.covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Delaware County residents can receive a COVID-19 vaccination or booster at the newly renovated Delaware County Wellness Center located at 125 Chester Ave. in Yeadon or at DCHD-Chester at 151 W. 5th St. in Chester.
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Delaware County Holds Successful Primary Election | |
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On Tuesday, May 17, Delaware County held a successful 2022 primary election with nearly 120,000 Delaware County registered voters participating across all 49 municipalities.
Republican and Democratic candidates vied for their party’s nomination for several state-wide races, including contests for the US Senate, Pennsylvania Governor and Lt. Governor, and hundreds of additional races at the local level, including Congressional Representatives, State Representatives, State Party Committee members, and, in the Democratic primary, local committee persons.
In all, approximately 30,000 vote-by-mail ballots have been processed, with approximately 90,000 Election Day ballots completed in-person at the polling places.
Delaware County Elections has tabulated all Election Day and mail-in ballots, which can be viewed on the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/results. The process will continue with small numbers of military and overseas ballots and provisional ballots scheduled to be added to the counts on May 26.
“We had good turnout, and we are extremely gratified by the overall performance of the staff, poll workers, and volunteers who worked together to make this a smooth experience for most all of our stakeholders, especially the voters,” said Delaware County Director of Elections Operations James Allen. “We prepared for months to deliver changes and upgrades based on the feedback we received from voters, our poll workers, the Board of Elections, and the political parties. That is how our election team strives every election to improve our ‘customer service.’ ”
Delaware County Elections will continue to post unofficial updates to the Delco Votes! website as the remaining ballots are adjudicated.
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Delaware County Recognizes May 15-21 as National Emergency Medical Services Week | |
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Delaware County Councilman Richard Womack was proud to formally recognize May 15-21 as National Emergency Medical Services Week at the Regional EMS Meeting held at the Delaware County Emergency Services building on May 18. The week is dedicated to recognizing EMS workers across the country who work to save the lives and improve the health of all residents.
Delaware County’s EMS community provides lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their work has always been vital, but it has been even more so over the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of EMS have been on the frontlines: responding to calls that increase their exposure to COVID-19, transporting and caring for COVID-19 patients, and staffing COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics. Each day, they risk their personal safety and health to ensure the safety and health of our community. They are true front-line heroes.
While we commend the heroic efforts of the County’s dedicated EMS workers every day, this week is set aside to pay tribute to them and shine a spotlight on their work. On behalf of the entire county, County Council thanks and applauds the entire EMS community in Delaware County.
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Delaware County Recognizes May 21 as “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development” | |
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During its May 18 Public Meeting, Delaware County Council recognized Saturday, May 21, as “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development” — a day first declared by the United Nations’ General Assembly in 2002, following the UN’s adoption of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which recognized the need to “enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and global peaceful coexistence.”
“World Day” celebrates not only the richness of the world’s diverse cultures, but also celebrates the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable development. The day also provides an opportunity to deepen the understanding of cultural diversity and help advance County Council’s goals of sustainability, and equity, as a County.
“Council is committed to continuing to learn more about the cultures represented within our diverse county,” said Delaware County Councilwoman Christine Reuther. “We are working to ensure all communities feel respected and reflected within our operations and encouraging a culture of respect and understanding among members of our County Team and the community.”
The County’s newly established Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office is one example of how County Council is working towards this objective. The new office aims to dismantle the historic and contemporary barriers that prevent members of the community from accessing opportunities and experiencing safe and healthy communities, through the cultivation of strategic partnerships and the education of internal and external stakeholders.
Delaware County enjoys cultural diversity within the County, with rich histories and traditions, and dozens of languages spoken across its 49 municipalities, and recognition of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is just one way to help recognize and embrace the diversity already present in our community.
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Delaware County Holds Juneteenth Celebration on June 19 in Rose Tree Park | |
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Delaware County will hold a Juneteenth Celebration from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 19 at Rose Tree Park, located at 1671 N. Providence Rd, Media, PA. The celebration, hosted by Delaware County Council, the Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, and Taylor Made Vets will feature live music, artistic performances from local schools, vendors, food, and more.
“We are thrilled to be hosting the County’s first annual Juneteenth Celebration in Rose Tree Park,” said Delaware County Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor. “This free, family-friendly event gives our residents an opportunity to celebrate an important milestone in history. Juneteenth serves as a day for residents to celebrate the ending of slavery in the United States and an opportunity for our entire community to learn more about African American history, which will contribute to a deeper understanding of the experiences that have shaped African Americans and our Country.”
Delaware County’s Juneteenth Celebration will feature headline performances by Dell-P and the Children of Adam Band, as well as artistic performances from local students. The celebration will also showcase some of Delaware County’s local business owners selling artwork, jewelry, crafts and more, various food trucks, and resources from local organizations across the county. The event is free for residents of all ages and will be held rain or shine.
The County held a Juneteenth logo competition and invited students from across the county to submit original artwork to be included in the County’s official Juneteenth Celebration flyer. Congratulations to Zionna Stansbur from STEM Academy at Showalter located in Chester for being selected as the Juneteenth Celebration logo design winner!
Prior to the celebration in Rose Tree Park, The Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association and Taylor Made Vets will hold a Juneteenth Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. at The Delaware County Veterans Memorial located at 4599 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA.
More information for local Juneteenth events will be added to the County’s website.
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About Juneteenth: Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced the end of both the Civil War and slavery. General Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln, which had legally freed slaves on January 1, 1863, almost 2½ years earlier. Many slaves, particularly in Texas and other southwestern states were not informed of the Emancipation Proclamation until General Granger’s announcement.
The holiday received its name by combining June and 19. The day is also sometimes called “Juneteenth Independence Day,” “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day.”
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Public Workshop Series: Help Guide Delaware County's Path Toward Zero Waste | |
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Delaware County Stakeholders Urged to Participate in the May 26 Workshop
Delaware County recently launched a series of public workshops to gather community feedback as part of an effort to update the County’s 10-year Municipal Waste Management Plan, last updated in 2013. The plan will ensure that the County has sufficient processing and disposal capacity for its municipal waste for the next decade and will guide the County’s transition to sustainable methods of materials management using Zero Waste practices.
On April 28, the first of three public workshops was held at the Sellers Memorial Library in Upper Darby Township, with nearly 50 Delaware County residents and stakeholders focusing on the development of clear goals and guiding principles for the plan. At the conclusion of the workshop, the participants had successfully agreed upon a working draft inclusive of eight guiding principles:
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Center Environmental Justice - by keeping polluting solutions out of overburdened communities;
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Protect Public Health and the Environment - by reducing dependence on polluting solutions;
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Reduce Waste - by enacting policies, education, and technical assistance to County municipalities, businesses, residents, and institutions;
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Foster a Zero Waste Culture - through education and programs that reinforce the concept of Zero Waste and make it easier to take actions that follow the Zero Waste hierarchy;
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Strengthen Zero Waste Jobs in the Local Economy - by supporting existing local and regional Zero Waste businesses and attracting new ones, and spurring innovation;
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Improve Transparency, Communication, and Accountability between All Parties - as it relates to actions, roles, impacts, and costs;
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Support Municipalities - by providing more consolidated county-level zero waste resources and services;
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Hold Producers of Waste Responsible - by identifying problem products and materials and supporting policies to address them.
On Thursday, May 26, at the Norwood Public Library, the second of three public workshops will be held, with the focus on 20-30 potential Zero Waste initiatives under consideration by the County. These initiatives include: County-wide waste reduction education, universal recycling and composting collection for residents and businesses, every-other-week trash collection, construction debris recycling, and more.
To help ensure that the new plan continues to take shape reflective of the priorities of the residents, businesses and institutions within Delaware County, the public is strongly encouraged to participate. As with the first workshop, the May 26 workshop will be held both in-person and via Zoom. Participation in the first workshop is not a prerequisite for participation in the second or third workshops, and fresh voices are welcome.
Pre-registration is a requirement for participation (either in-person or via Zoom) in each workshop. For additional details and to register, visit delcopa.gov/workshops. The Zoom link for online participation will be provided upon the completion of the registration process.
PUBLIC WORKSHOP 2: ZERO WASTE INITIATIVES
May 26, 6:00 p.m.
Norwood Public Library
513 Welcome Ave., Norwood, PA 19074
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