The Woodlands Township COVID-19 Update, April 5, 2020

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Woodlands Township has launched a program to collect Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and essential supplies needed for first responders and medical service providers in the community. Please consider donating these materials if you have them on-hand. Your help is greatly appreciated!

Collection Days and Location

Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Central Fire Station, located at 9951 Grogan’s Mill Rd., The Woodlands, TX 77380
Please email pbuck@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov if you can help.

Supplies Needed
Isolation gowns
Gloves
Masks – N95s, surgical, procedure, etc.
Hair Covers
Full Face Shields
PAPR Hoods – Typically only used when doing an aerosolizing procedure.
Eyewear – Face shields, reusable goggles or disposable glasses
Boot Covers / Shoe Covers
Germicidal Wipes
Disinfectant Spray / Paper Towels

Need some help thinking about all of this? COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has launched a statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or other emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resource offers support for all Texans and can be reached any time day or night at 833-986-1919.
The line is operated by the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, and offers trauma-informed support and psychological first aid to those experiencing mental health symptoms related to COVID-19. Counseling services are confidential and free of charge.
More information on mental health resources and your local mental health authority can be found on HHSC’s website. View the full release.

View additional state and national mental health resources and contact information.

Today’s County News
Montgomery County Public Health District, in conjunction with Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management, can confirm there are now 149 positive cases of COVID-19, up 7 cases from yesterday. According to the CDC, recent studies show the virus can spread by people who do not show symptoms. The CDC recently updated its guidance for the general public to include wearing a cloth face mask:

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.

You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
It’s also important to keep up the efforts of social distancing, staying home unless going out is necessary, washing your hands and disinfecting surfaces in and around your home.

Details on Montgomery County cases can be found here: https://mcphd-tx.org/coronavirus-covid-19/confirmed-cases/.

Harris County COVID-19 Case Count
As of Sunday, April 5, 2020 (5:00 p.m.), Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has 58 new cases of COVID-19, which brings the total to 652 positive cases. HCPH is also confirming that 152 of its patients have recovered. There have been 7 deaths in the NW Quadrant of Harris County. There have been 10 total deaths of COVID-19 in Harris County and 10 in the city limits of Houston. A full description of the numbers can be found here: https://harriscounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/cd54e50984b94690b1d6093e0df651c5

Hotlines for health questions and COVID-19
Montgomery County: 936-523-5040 Harris County: 713-634-1110

Free Self-Screening Tool for COVID-19
Visit the self-screening tool on the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Tracking COVID-19: Local, Regionally, Nationally, Internationally
Below are the widgets for tracking COVID19.

Montgomery County
Texas Counties Statewide
Texas Department of Health and Human Services Case Counts
Global Cases

Township News
The Woodlands Express Park and Ride Service Changes
Effective tomorrow, April 6, 2020: Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Woodlands Express Park and Ride schedule has been revised. The revisions are in response to continuing reductions seen in ridership levels to the Downtown and Greenway Plaza locations. This reduced schedule will help to manage the cost of service while still providing adequate space for social distancing and seat spacing on board the buses. Please view the revised schedule here.

The Woodlands Township Community Gardens to Re-open with Limited Access
On Thursday, April 2, 2020, The Woodlands Township’s Board of Directors approved a process to re-open the community gardens and the Veggie Village donation garden following national, state and Montgomery County guidelines for social distancing. Our community gardens have been identified as an essential service—farm/food production - according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Until further notice, community gardens are restricted to those who currently lease a plot or who volunteer through the Veggie Village project. Access to garden plots is limited to a specific time and day: gardeners must register for one two-hour time slot per week. Restrictions on access help ensure that social distancing guidelines are followed. The Township is reaching out directly to all current gardeners by email with additional information and instructions on how to sign up for their time slot.

Guidelines for Social Distancing on the Pathways--Please Stay Safe!
For pedestrians using the pathways, please remain a minimum of 6 feet apart. Be sure to stay to the right, watch for other pathway users, be especially alert when running and listen for audible signals and allow faster pathway users to pass freely.

For bicyclists using the pathways, please give audible warnings when passing pathway users, ride at a safe speed, helmets are recommended and be sure to ride straight ahead.

For rollerbladers on pathways, blade at a safe speed, helmets and protective gear are recommended, blade straight ahead and listen for audible warnings and allow faster pathway users to pass freely.

Special Board of Directors meeting
The Woodlands Township Board of Directors held a special meeting via videoconference at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, 2020 to discuss the Township’s response to COVID-19.
View the meeting video. Read the press release. The Board will meet again on April 9, 2020, at 6 p.m. Visit the Township website to tune in.

Shopping
Grocery Store Special Hours
Many grocery stores have special hours either for re-stocking or for seniors and others to have a quieter shopping experience. Please visit our community resource list to view hours at different stores.

Staying Safe While Grocery Shopping
Whether you are grocery shopping for your family in person or utilizing curbside pick-up/delivery options, there are still important safety practices that can help to limit your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Follow federal guidelines regarding social distancing and prevention. Maintain 6 feet of distance between yourself and other shoppers/grocery store employees. Pay particular attention when standing in line and continue to observe the 6-foot rule at all times.
Disinfect high-touch surfaces such as grocery carts handles with a disinfectant wipe, if possible.

If you use a debit or credit card, keep in mind that those machines are high-touch surfaces. Wash your hands after touching those surfaces and wipe down your cards with disinfectant wipes or an alcohol-based sanitizer. The EPA has created a list of known disinfectants that are effective against COVID-19 on surfaces.
If possible, go to the store during off-peak hours when the store is less crowded. If you are a senior, try to shop during the Senior Hours that are offered at grocery stores in the community.

Discard any disposable grocery bags upon unpacking your groceries and disinfect counters and surfaces where bags may have been placed for unpacking.
Always wash your hands after handling food packaging and before eating.
Please keep in mind, the FDA has stated that there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted via food. It is a respiratory-borne virus and therefore the risk of contracting it through food or food packaging is extremely low. The main risk to an individual is thought to be from exposure to another person with COVID-19, who is symptomatic or asymptomatic, and touching one’s face or mouth after coming into contact with an infected surface. Social distancing and washing your hands frequently remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Community Resource Information

The following items were received from the agencies noted.

United Way of Greater Houston Helpline and COVID-19 Recovery Fund
United Way of Greater Houston’s 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is our community’s go-to resource in times of disaster and every day. The 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE is available 24/7 to connect people with food, childcare, transportation, and other critical information and resources. If you or someone you know needs help, dial 211.

United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation have launched the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund to serve our region’s most vulnerable neighbors impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and donate to the fund at greaterhoustonrecovery.org.

YMCA Operating as an Essential Personnel Child Care Site
Located at 6145 Shadowbend Place, The Y is providing a full day of programming, snack and meals for the children of 'essential personnel,' including medical workers; first responders; select government staff; and grocery store, pharmacy and food distributor employees.

Children, ages 1 - 12 years old are eligible to register. The program runs Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. and features games, arts and crafts, STEAM and literacy activities. Register online. Financial assistance is available.

Food Banks—How You Can Help
Local food banks are inventorying their resources to ascertain what will be needed in the days to come. Many Township residents have expressed a desire to volunteer or donate; please see the information below regarding those needs.

Interfaith of The Woodlands remains open to meet the basic needs in South Montgomery County, including Senior Grocery Delivery, Crisis Assistance Services and Food Pantry Assistance. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Curbside services are by phone at 281-367-1230. Donations are being accepted. Please read on to learn how you can lend support to Interfaith.

Montgomery County Food Bank is conducting a virtual food drive. Please read on to learn how you can help.

Meals on Wheels has coordinated a food drive to stock the shelves. A system in place to deliver supplies to the most at-risk neighbors, but they need your help to provide the food… because no one deserves to have an empty pantry, especially at times like this.
During these times of uncertainty, food insecurity is at an all-time high. An increasing number of seniors are becoming homebound, as the fear of going out and being exposed to COVID-19 continues. Join the virtual food drive.

Community Assistance Center Serving Montgomery County is currently providing assistance to residents of Montgomery County with financial assistance for utilities, pre-packaged bags of groceries during Wednesday Markets and is accepting donations. For more information view the flyer.

The Township’s Coronavirus page
The Woodlands Township’s special COVID-19 information page can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covid19. This page now features Montgomery and Harris county Hubs, community resources and updated COVID-19 news from the Federal Government and the CDC. This page also includes the latest news from The Township, updates from partner agencies, social distancing strategies, important links, frequently asked questions, live Twitter feeds and more. Please check back often as it is updated frequently.

Stay Connected
Please stay connected to The Woodlands Township through our many communications channels. Learn more and sign up at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/stayinformed.