Informational

Informational posts feature information and informational events that might be of interest to our membership.

2020 Census is Here

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Homes have begun receiving their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census . These official Census Bureau mailings will include detailed information and a Census ID for completing the Census online. R-UTN Fran LaDuca has a message to all our members concerning the census.

I urge all members to respond to the census questionnaire – – I am a dinosaur where computers are involved, but I filled in my questionnaire on line!!  and it took less than 10 minutes – – if you can’t do it on line – make sure you respond to the paper copy when it is mailed to you –  this is important – – stay well – Fran

Updated States Stay at Home Orders

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Updated as of April 14

States with a statewide order

Maine
Vermont
New Hampshire
Massachussets
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
West Virginia
Ohio
Indiana
Illinois
Missouri
Michigan
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Kentucky
Tennessee
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Kansas
Texas
New Mexico
Arizona
Nevada
Colorado
Montana
Idaho
Washington
Oregon
California
Hawaii
Alaska
District of Columbia

States with Orders in Parts of State

Oklahoma
Utah
Wyoming


Walmart Opens Early for Seniors

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To better support customers age 60 and up, Walmart stores will host a special shopping hour from 6 am to 7 am every Tuesday, Mar. 24 through Apr. 28. It will start one hour before stores open to the public, and pharmacies will be available during this time, as well. Vision centers will also be open to help with emergency and essential needs only. 

What do “Stay At Home” orders mean?

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The following is excerpted from a recent article in USA Today.

States and counties across the nation are cracking down on residents’ movements amid the continued spread of the coronavirus.

While some officials are instituting “shelter-in-place” orders, others are calling their directives “stay-at-home” orders. The directives differ by location but generally require residents to avoid all nonessential outings and stay inside as much as possible. 

Don’t panic, the orders are not “lockdowns.” They allow residents to continue performing tasks essential to the health and safety of family and pets. It’s still fine to buy groceries, go for a run, walk the dog, pick up medicine, visit a doctor or get supplies to work from home.

Federal guidelines give state and local authorities leeway in what they consider “essential” businesses during an emergency. But in general, those industries include grocery stores and food production, pharmacies, health care, utilities, shipping, banking, other governmental services, law enforcement, emergency personnel and journalists.

As of March 23 at 7 a.m. Stay at Home orders have been officially issued by the following states. Even if your state is not listed, medical experts urge everyone to limit their contact with everyone outside their immediate family group. 

California
Connecticut
Delaware
Indiana
Louisiana
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Wisconsin

Help for Seniors

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Stop & Shop Grocery Stores – Beginning Thursday, March 19, all stores will open from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily in order to service only customers who are age 60 and over. The company is taking the step to protect shoppers considered most vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19). 

Whole Foods – will open an hour earlier in the morning ( 8am) to accommodate seniors ( 60+) before regular store hours. 

Florida Retirees – A member in West Palm Beach, Florida recommends using PUBLIX and WALMART  INSTACART for ordering food to be delivered to your doorstep. CVS Pharmacy offers the the same service for ordering/delivery of pharmaceuticals.

Winn Dixie – The Winn Dixie Supermarket chain across the southern states will reserve shopping between 8am-9am for seniors and those most at risk of contracting COVID-19. This reserved hour for stores and pharmacies will be in effect Monday – Friday only.

Publix Supermarkets – Publix is another supermarket chain in the southeast. Publix stores and Publix Pharmacies will open early two mornings a week to allow seniors to shop ahead of the crowds. They invite customers age 65+ to shop 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.