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1. What stores have the supplies I need? (Paper goods, disinfectants, bread, produce, meat, etc.)

Cobb County Government has created a Grocery Store and Inventory Hub for those looking for essential supplies in local stores. You can find it here: https://cobb-covid-19-grocery-stores-and-inventory-cobbcountyga.hub.arcgis.com.

The site is for information only, and location hours/service may change daily. The survey results/maps are posted anonymously by shoppers. It is the user’s s responsibility to verify any information derived from the GIS data and maps before making any decisions or taking any actions based on this information.  

2. MUST Ministries, Cobb Schools offer food opportunities for families

MUST ministries and Cobb County Schools are  offering school breakfast and lunches. Also available are family groceries boxes and a network of neighborhood food pantries.

MUST Ministries distribution sites: https://www.mustministries.org/must-food-rapid-response

To volunteer: neighborhoodpantry@mustministries.org

To donate: https://www.facebook.com/mustministries/posts/10158220429709808

3. Assistance for Job Seekers

The Cobb Chamber has compiled a list of companies that are hiring: https://www.cobbchamber.org/business-resources/COVID-19_Hirings.aspx. Check back periodically for updates.

In response to economic impacts of COVID-19 on businesses and residents, WorkSource Cobb has launched a virtual talent recruitment and training assistance program.  As the workforce development agency for Cobb County and an essential service, the agency aims to ensure a continuity of services for both employers and residents.

Employers and residents are encouraged to call 770-528-4300 or email information@cobbworks.org for services.

4. Georgia Department of Labor Updates

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is updating its current systems to distribute federal unemployment funds as part of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) bringing relief to many Georgians currently not eligible for state unemployment benefits.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or PUA, is the program that will provide unemployment benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for them. This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, or those with limited work history who will not qualify for state unemployment benefits.  The GDOL is modifying its current online unemployment application adding new questions to better identify those individuals who may be eligible for PUA. This modified application is expected to be available on Monday, April 13, 2020, on the GDOL website.

Visit the Georgia Department of Labor website for more information.

5. Cobb COVID-19 Community Response Fund for Nonprofits

Cobb Community Foundation has established the Cobb COVID-19 Community Response Fund to support the non-profits helping individuals and families experiencing hardship because of the outbreak, related closures and disruptions. 

The fund is available now to receive contributions. Instructions to non-profits for grant requests will be posted shortly, so check the Cobb Community Foundation website for updates: https://cobbfoundation.org/coronavirus-information.

6. Free course on COVID-19 contact tracing

From Coursera.org:

The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across the country, requiring thousands of people to learn key skills quickly. The job qualifications for contact tracing positions differ throughout the country and the world, with some new positions open to individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent. 

In this introductory course, students will learn about the science of SARS-CoV-2 , including the infectious period, the clinical presentation of COVID-19, and the evidence for how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person-to-person and why contact tracing can be such an effective public health intervention. Students will learn about how contact tracing is done, including how to build rapport with cases, identify their contacts, and support both cases and their contacts to stop transmission in their communities. The course will also cover several important ethical considerations around contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. Finally, the course will identify some of the most common barriers to contact tracing efforts -- along with strategies to overcome them.

Course offered by Johns Hopkins University. The mission of The Johns Hopkins University is to educate its students and cultivate their capacity for life-long learning, to foster independent and original research, and to bring the benefits of discovery to the world.

Learn more: https://www.coursera.org/learn/covid-19-contact-tracing?edocomorp=covid-19-contact-tracing.

7. Vehicle cleaning & disinfecting guidance for COVID-19

From the U.S. General Services Administration (gsa.gov):

A question frequently asked is how to appropriately clean vehicles. The response below is a summary of information gathered from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), Consumer Reports, and Original Equipment Manufacturers.

We encourage all drivers to take additional precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19. The CDC and the WHO emphasize how important it is to frequently wash one’s hands and to regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in order to prevent COVID-19 spread. We recognize that vehicles represent a special challenge as they are most often used as shared resources. As with all other surfaces you come into contact with, it is impossible to be positive that COVID19 is not present and the potential for COVID19 exposure exists after each use.

Therefore, we believe it is in your best interest to frequently clean the vehicles you are using; especially after the vehicle has left your custody for use by others, for oil changes, for maintenance activities or other events.

What to Do:

• Sanitize frequently touched vehicle surfaces on a regular basis.
• Be mindful of the cleaning / disinfecting agents used on vehicles to avoid inadvertently damaging the interior or exterior.
  • Many of the same household cleaners (such as non-bleach, unscented, non-chlorinated disinfectant cleaners and wipes) that kill coronaviruses on hard surfaces at home can also clean most car interiors without causing damage.
  • Alcohol solutions that contain at least 70 percent alcohol are effective against coronavirus, according to the CDC. Nearly every interior surface of a vehicle can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.
  • Vigorous washing with soap and water can also destroy a coronavirus. Soap and water are safe for most car interiors. Be careful not to saturate the surfaces.
• Consult the cleaning directions provided in the Vehicle Owners’ Manual.
• Follow the cleaning agent manufacturer’s product label guidance for the recommended disinfecting procedure, as guidance varies by cleaning product. Read all instructions and precautions of the materials being utilized and follow all safety recommendations when utilizing cleaning products to ensure personal safety.
• When using wipes, remove excess liquid before wiping surfaces, especially electrical components and touch screens.
• Test selected cleaning agent in an inconspicuous location. 

What to Avoid:

• Don’t use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on the inside of your car.
• Don’t use scented wipes or wipes containing bleach.
• Don’t use ammonia-based cleaners on car touch screens or dashboards, as they can damage anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings.
•  Never combine cleaning chemicals as doing so may lead to toxicity.

Sample Vehicle High Touch Areas:

• Car keys and fobs
• Door handles, door latches and lock buttons
• Steering wheel
• Shift lever
• Any buttons or touch screens (radios, mirror adjusters, climate controls, etc)
• Wiper and turn signal stalks
• Center console and cup holders
• Driver and passenger armrests and seat belts, grab handles, and seat adjusters
• Headrests and seat pockets

Other Suggestions:

• Wash your hands before and after driving.
• Wear gloves when possible outside of your vehicle, especially when fueling. Pumps, keypads and other surfaces are frequently touched and may not have been sanitized.
• When possible use contactless payment methods to avoid touching keypads or pens.
• Consider using your knuckles rather than fingertips to touch common use contact areas.
• Compared to fingertips, knuckles will generally have less contact with other things throughout the day.
• When finished driving the vehicle for the day, thoroughly wipe down the vehicle with disinfectant wipes or other appropriate cleaning solutions.