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Atlanta Public Schools plans to hold virtual graduation celebrations for the Class of 2020 in May due to social distancing restrictions in place for COVID-19. However, APS said it plans to hold traditional ceremonies for the graduates this summer or a later safe date that adheres to Georgia Department of Health guidance.

For the traditional ceremonies, APS is considering dates in late July using Lakewood and Grady stadiums as possible venues. If ceremonies must be delayed further, the district is considering other venues or ticketed ceremonies at each school, possibly scheduling them during the Thanksgiving or winter breaks to maximize attendance of graduates and their families.

The district reached this decision based on input from graduating seniors across all 14 high schools.

Of the more than 1,650 APS seniors surveyed, an overwhelming percentage expressed interest for a delayed open-air (78 percent) or fall (71 percent) ceremony, while fewer did so for a virtual ceremony from home (19 precent) or a local drive-in theater (27 percent) in May. Seniors originated #WorthTheWait, emphasizing their desires to walk on stage in their caps and gowns, even if delayed.

Virtual graduation ceremonies will be held between May 18 and 21, and APS said it would coordinate creative efforts for families to celebrate at home and would send diplomas through the mail or some other safe distribution method.

The post Atlanta Public Schools to hold virtual graduation ceremonies, traditional walk later appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

The Georgia Department of Public Health has issued the evening figures on coronavirus with 22,491 confirmed cases and 899 deaths.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said he would investigate a racist text message sent to Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, which called her in the n-word while telling her to “just shut up and re-open Atlanta.” The message was sent Wednesday night not only to Bottom’s cell phone, but also to her 12-year-old son.

The Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation received a  donation this week specifically in response to COVID-19 thanks to the commitment of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and its Coronavirus Community Response Program. The donation will support the purchase of personal protective equipment, decontamination and cleaning supplies for fire stations and fire apparatus, and meals for firefighters on shift. To donate to the emergency response program, visit https://www.atlfrf.org/donations  and select COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

The post Coronavirus Update – April 24: Cases near 22.5k; AG investigating racist text; donation for firefighters appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

With the current challenges posed to the city’s food service industry, Open Hand is turning the tables on its annual Dining Out For Life fundraiser by encouraging locals to “Dine In” with restaurant take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery from April 27 – May 3.

The change is not only to support Open Hand, but also a step to help support restaurant partners as they navigate the changes necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To see a list of participating restaurants, visit www.diningoutforoh.org.

“We find ourselves in uncertain and unprecedented times. Open Hand started 30 years ago serving those affected with HIV/AIDS, and we once again find ourselves advocating for the most vulnerable in our community. Our priority is to ensure our clients continue to receive meals they heavily rely on,” said Executive Director Matt Peiper. “A virtual Dining Out for Life event will provide Open Hand with vital funds to help sustain service to our clients while simultaneously supporting the restaurant partners who have remained steadfast proponents of the Open Hand mission over the years. Our current community crisis reminds us of the earliest days of the HIV/AIDS crisis when so little was known about the disease. Open Hand was a comforting force for our clients then – just as we must be now.”

Open Hand depends on funds raised by its signature events, such as Dining Out for Life, to continue to operate as one of the nation’s largest community-based providers of home-delivered meals and nutrition education. Open Hand staff and supporters will utilize online peer-to-peer fundraising to encourage their social networks to donate to their mission that Atlanta chefs and restaurant owners had hoped to help fulfill.

The organization has refocused its efforts on a virtual event in hopes to join the community together to “Dine In” and do good for the generous restaurant partners that have supported Open Hand over the last three decades. Many of the restaurants are currently open – offering take-out, curbside pick-up and delivery in various metro-Atlanta neighborhoods. Locals can find a full list of restaurant partners here. Open Hand encourages the community to support local restaurants by also purchasing gift cards or donating to online “tip jars” that support staff members and employee relief programs.

Open Hand continues to serve the community during this crisis by preparing, packing and delivering nutritious meals to the most vulnerable in our community empower neighbors to live healthier, more independent lives.

Ways to Support Open Hand:

• Make a donation to Open Hand online at openhandatlanta.org/donate.
• Connect with Open Hand via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share posts, information and more.
• Enjoy restaurant take-out, curbside pick-up or delivery and “Dine In” from April 27 – May 3. Post about the experience using #dininginforoh.
• For more information on Dining Out for Life and Open Hand, as well as to stay up-to-date on events and volunteer opportunities, visit the Dining Out for Life website at www.diningoutforoh.org and www.openhandatlanta.org or connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The post ‘Dine In for Life’ April 27 – May 3 will support Open Hand, food service industry appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

Fulton County is expanding the availability of COVID-19 testing with the addition of new testing sites and collaboration with public and private partners.

“Through a coordinated response, there is now the capacity to test 50,000 Fulton County residents in the coming month,” said County Manager Dick Anderson. “That number will grow with additional testing locations coming online, and mobile outreach to high risk populations.”

Fulton County is operating three sites offers free drive-through testing by appointment only.

·       Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Rd SW, College Park, GA 30349

·       Fulton County Airport, 3900 Aviation Cir NW, Atlanta, GA 30336

·       4700 North Point Parkway (opening Tuesday, April 27)

To schedule an appointment for any of these sites, residents should call (404) 613-8150 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. During the call, patients will speak with a trained staff member and receive a referral number and appointment time. Testing is offered free of charge.

Other COVID-19 testing locations in Fulton County include:

·       Walgreen’s drive-through testing site in Alpharetta. Click for registration.

·       CVS Health drive-through testing site at Georgia Tech.  Click for registration.

·       The Georgia National Guard has announced plans for new testing sites at Georgia State University and Greenbriar Mall. For an appointment at these sites, call (706) 721-1852 or download the Augusta Health virtual screening app.

For the latest information about COVID-19 testing, response and assistance resources, log on to www.fultoncountyga.gov/covid-19

The post Fulton County announces expansion of COVID-19 testing sites appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.