Special to The Dallas Examiner
Walgreens to open testing site in Southern Dallas
Mayor Eric Johnson recently announced that Walgreens would open two new 15-minute drive-thru #COVID19 testing sites – one Southern Dallas location and one Fort Worth location. The Dallas site is scheduled to open at 2060 S. Buckner Blvd. – within minutes of the 75227 ZIP code, which has been hit hardest by the coronavirus. The sites are scheduled to go live Friday. Additional details are pending.
COVID-19 Community Based Testing Sites open criteria
Both Community Based Testing Sites will open the criteria to include testing for no symptoms required for first responders, DART drivers, health care workers, grocery store and essential retail store workers, which began Monday.
The sites operate daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are located at:
- American Airlines Center, Parking Lot E, 2500 Victory Plaza
- Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 S Polk St.
Criteria for testing sites are as follows:
- Must have temperature of 99.6 or higher and shortness of breath or cough.
- Anyone 65-years-old or older.
- Anyone with chronic health issues (diabetes, asthma, heart issues, etc.).
- Any first responders, DART drivers, health care workers, grocery store and essential retail store workers.
For more information on the CBTS and City resources, visit dallascityhall.com/covid19.
Goldman Sachs to provide loans for small businesses
Gov. Greg Abbott and Goldman Sachs on Monday announced that the firm, in partnership with LiftFund, a nonprofit organization that helps finance new small business and startup companies, would provide $50 million in loans to small businesses in the state to help deal with the economic consequences of COVID-19. The program will dedicate $5 million of those loans to Dallas businesses.
“COVID-19 has caused massive disruptions and economic pain for small businesses, Mayor Eric Johnson said. “That is why I am thrilled that Goldman Sachs has continued its commitment to our local economy by providing Dallas businesses with $5 million in financing, which will help keep paychecks coming for their employees during this pandemic. The continued success of small businesses is vital to Dallas, and these loans will supply much-needed credit to sustain many of them during these difficult times.”
“Dallas will get through this, but it will take all of us working together. I thank Goldman Sachs and all those doing their part to help us respond to the unprecedented challenges caused by this pandemic.”
Dallas volunteer attorney program hosts virtual legal clinic
The Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program, a joint initiative of the Dallas Bar Association and Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP have partnered to hold a virtual clinic today between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Dallas County residents who would like to apply for free legal assistance should fill out the form found online at: https://tinyurl.com/DVAPClinic.
Once the form has been completed, expect an attorney’s call on April 16. Participants should watch for a call from an unknown number that should be labeled “No Caller ID” or something similar.
For more information, log on to http://dallasvolunteerattorneyprogram.org.
DART provides grocery store up for paratransit riders
While shelter-at-home orders remain in place, and as fewer customers take trains or buses, DART has found ways to branch out with other services to the community.
On Monday, Dallas Area Rapid Transit paratransit drivers added grocery pickup and delivery to its services for customers.
After paratransit riders place their orders directly with the grocery store and provide DART with pickup ID information, the agency’s drivers will pick up groceries from the store and deliver them directly to the customer for free.
Customers interested in signing up or learning more about the service can call DART Mobility Ambassadors weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 214-828-8588.
Recently, DART also partnered with Dallas Independent School District to deliver 4,500 meals to students each week and with the city of Dallas to distribute care packages to seniors who participate in the Dallas Park and Recreation Active Senior Adult Program.
Texas approved for program allowing online grocery orders for SNAP recipients
(The Texas Tribune) – Texas was approved Monday to be part of a pilot program that allows SNAP recipients to order groceries online, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday.
The start date has not been announced for the program. Currently Lone Star Cards — Texas’ electronic benefit transfer card which works like a debit card — can only be used to buy groceries in-store as deemed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While many Texans have turned to online grocery shopping and delivery services to limit exposure to the new coronavirus, these resources aren’t available to families who use SNAP.
In-person shopping has long been a concern for groups including the elderly, people with disabilities and people in food-insecure areas, whose access barriers have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. As of Tuesday, the pilot program, which launched in April, is only available through Amazon, Walmart and a few local grocery stores in Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, Oregon and Washington, according to the USDA. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram had reported about Texas’ request to join the pilot program.
U.S. Senate backs new round of economic aid
(The Texas Tribune) – The U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed another round of economic aid to sustain the country as the new coronavirus continues to ravage American commerce.
With a price tag of $484 billion, the new measure passed the chamber via a voice vote. Most senators were not present, in compliance with social distancing recommendations. The bill will replenish $380 billion into the small business forgivable loan fund and allot $75 billion for hospitals and another $25 billion for coronavirus testing.
“We knew this was a very popular program, and it seemed to be working the way we intended by keeping people connected to their employer,” said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in a statement immediately after the vote. “But there’s more demand than we prepared for, so that’s why it’s important we acted quickly.”
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz blamed Democrats for a delay in negotiations, as Republicans wanted a singular shot of money into small business funding. But Democrats held out, citing the need to add in other provisions — like local government and hospital funding.
“I’m glad Democrats finally came to their senses and stopped their mindless obstruction,” Cruz said in a statement. “But as we’ve seen – no amount of relief can fully counteract the devastating effects of this economic crisis.”
U.S. House members are in the process of returning to Washington for an anticipated Thursday vote on the legislation. President Donald Trump is expected to sign it into law.
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