The HPCC will continue updating this list, so please check back for more useful links.
New posts will be added to the top of each section.
FEMA’s Coronavirus Rumor Control Site
https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/rumor-control
International infection & response data - with great graphics
https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid-19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/
City of Pittsburgh Covid-19 Updates
page updated daily: https://pittsburghpa.gov/mayor/covid-updates
The City announced further service changes 3/18/20
https://pittsburghpa.gov/press-releases/press-releases/3744
All City of Pittsburgh employees will continue to be paid, and their work schedules will be overseen by their department supervisors.
The following city services will remain operational:
UPDATE 03/19/20 - Port Authority Implementing “Social Distancing” operations
While curbside trash and recycling will still be collected, if the waste is not picked up on your normal collection day please leave it at the curb and do not call 311. It will be picked up later.
Please help protect the front line workers who are protecting you from spreading diseases by:
For a full list of impacted departments and changes, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/coronavirus.
Currently, outdoor areas and restrooms in all nine county parks are open to the public. However, park users should practice social distancing by staying at least six feet apart from each other. If residents choose to use restrooms, playground equipment, exercise equipment, park benches or other outdoor items with touch surfaces, proper handwashing and/or use of hand sanitizer is strongly encouraged before and afterward.
Hartwood Acres Mansion, Boyce Park Nature Center, North Park Golf Course, North Park Latodami Nature Center and South Park Golf Course are closed through April 6.. Park offices are open regular business hours with skeleton staffs to answer phones and email, but officials ask the public not to visit park offices in person. All park business may be conducted by emailing webmaster.parks@alleghenycounty.us or calling 412-350-2455, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:00 pm.
Under guidance from the Allegheny County Health Department, all facility rentals are being canceled through Monday, March 30, and all customers are receiving full refunds. All recreational programs, as well as park ranger and naturalist activities, are canceled through Monday, March 30, and all paid registrants are receiving full refunds. Cookies with Cottontail events are also canceled in South Park (March 22), Boyce Park (March 28), and North Park (March 29). In addition, star parties scheduled for April 3 and April 4 at Wagman Observatory in Deer Lakes Park are canceled.
Park users who wish to cancel facility rentals or paid program registrations beyond March 30 will receive full refunds. Customers should email name, permit/activity number and phone number to webmaster.parks@alleghenycounty.us or call 412-350-2455, Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:00 pm. This policy will remain in effect until further notice.
All sports programming scheduled to begin between April 1 and April 18 has been postponed by two weeks. This includes dek hockey, flag football, learn to ride a bike classes, mountain biking, soccer, softball, T-ball, ultimate frisbee and yoga. L.L. Bean programs in North Park are suspended through April 15. Tinkergarten classes have also been postponed until the week of April 20.
Confined areas at the Allegheny County Jail undoubtedly present challenges, but through experience and defined policies, jail staff are adept at taking precautions to mitigate and eliminate the spread of illness or disease. The jail faces hurdles each year in dealing with influenza and other infectious illnesses between inmates and staff, and, through infection control procedures, the facility has been able to curb these conditions.
With COVID-19, jail administration has taken additional steps, including:
The Allegheny County Law Library located in Room 921 of the City-County Building is closed until further notice.
The entire state is now under a Stay at Home Order through April 30. Essentially you are not to leave your home except to conduct essential tasks (such as obtaining food or health care or traveling to take care of someone) and engaging in outdoor activities at a safe distance. There are exemptions for those employed in essential industries. See the state's Stay-at-Home-Order-Guidance for details.
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) is implementing new federal unemployment compensation benefits provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The COVID-19 relief package temporarily provides an additional $600 per week, makes self-employed, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits and extends unemployment compensation (UC) benefits for an additional 13 weeks. For more information on eligibility and to apply, visit this page.
For individuals who are filing for UC benefits for the first time, once applications are approved by L&I they must be verified by the federal government as well before they are considered to be officially approved and the first payment can be made. It typically takes two to four weeks for new claimants to receive payment, but it is possible that delays may be occurring as the federal government works to process the historic numbers of claims it is receiving from the states.
While courts have generally been ordered closed to the public through April 30, there are essential court functions that are still being conducted. These essential functions include:
Senior-serving organizations available to help with legal assistance during this crisis include:
The deadline for filing federal, state, and City of Pittsburgh taxes has been extended from April 15 to July 15.
2020 PA Primary has been moved to June 2.
Voting by mail is now an option for everyone in Pennsylvania. It's an easy, convenient and secure way to cast your ballot. The last day to register is May 18. To learn more about registering and/or voting by mail, visit www.votespa.com.
Not sure if this number is still being staffed, but you can also try 1.877.VOTESPA (1.877.868.3772).
The best and worst of people come out in times of crisis. There are unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of the uncertainty and fear around Covid-19. Some examples of COVID-19 scams include:
The above information is from the US Attorney's Office Western PA Covid website. There is more info there on avoiding scams. To report fraud, email their COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, Senior Litigation Counsel Shaun Sweeney at USAPAW.COVID19@usdoj.gov or call 1-888-C19-WDPA.
WESA posted this list on March 24. You may want to call to confirm that they are still operating before going.
Free testing is available at the Monroeville Rite Aid; you must be at least 18 years old, non-symptomatic, and sign up in advance at https://www.riteaid.com/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/caring-for-sick-person.html
including number of cases (updated daily):
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
page updated daily: https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Resources/COVID-19/COVID-19.aspx
PCAR is a network that provides sexual assault crisis services. Those resources can be found at www.pcar.org or at 1-888-772-7227 for a 24-hour hotline to be connected to a local sexual assault center
PCADV provides domestic violence services 24-7 via PCADV.org/find-help and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.7233 or by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
There are 400,000 Pennsylvanians currently living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and they face additional hardships during this time of uncertainty. Listed below are two of the resources available through the Alzheimer’s Association for anyone impacted by this disease.
Alzheimer's Association - COVID 19 Tips for Dementia Caregivers
24/7 Helpline (800-272-2900)
UPMC Updates: https://www.upmc.com/coronavirus
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus. CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.
The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance. If you have N-95 respirators at home that you would like to donate to a healthcare worker, please post on the list serv of Highland Park Helping Hands Facebook page and someone who works in health care will reach out to you.
There are lots of websites with instructions on how to make masks:
Once you’re back home after wearing your spiffy new mask in public, remove it without touching the front and without touching your eyes, nose or mouth. You’ll want to clean it before wearing it again. You don’t need to wash your mask differently than other laundry because the soap in detergent should destroy any viruses.
Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing:
In addition to everyday steps to prevent COVID-19, keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to this virus and slowing its spread locally and across the country and world.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/615355/coronavirus-social-distancing-during-pandemic/
https://thewirecutter.com/blog/coronavirus-socializing-online/
Pittsburgh Public Theater. 7 p.m. every Thursday and Friday night, make a standing date with Pittsburgh Public Theater Artistic Director Marya Sea Kaminski, who will bring iconic plays and the work of extraordinary writers right to your living room. Don’t miss this week’s edition, when Kaminski is joined by special guests to reading Oscar Wilde’s quick-witted classic, “The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.”
Cry It Out with City Theatre Company (through April 4). If you missed the chance to see Molly Smith Metzler’s play, “Cry It Out” before it ended its run early due to COVID-19, then don’t miss the virtual performance available through April 5. Directed by Kim Weild, the new play chronicles Metzler’s real-life experiences with maternity leave. Thanks to the theater’s organization’s Pick Your Price initiative, virtual tickets start at just $10.
Heinz History Center. The Heinz History Center is presenting a rich array of virtual offerings available through its website and digital platforms. Through its “History At Home” portal, you can read 30o fascinating blog stories, check out thousands of collection artifacts and listen to The Cornerstone podcast exploring local Jewish historical sites. You can also take a virtual tours of the site’s most popular exhibitions.
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. Face it, some days the only thing that can lift our spirits is an adorable animal. Bring the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium right to your living room with live webcams, a podcast series and educational activities for your entire brood. Go wild watching resident penguins and cheetahs play, see Danny the rabbit get a tooth exam and download the zoo app to play games, check out 360-degree videos and collect digital stickers.
The Frick. Virtual resources including kids activities, exhibitions, and tours: https://www.thefrickpittsburgh.org/virtual
Virtual City Scavenger Hunt. Make your way all around town — and learn about the people and places of Pittsburgh — all from the safety of home. Search for the clues, use Google street view and guess the answers you’ll need to move on to the next stop. Designed by the Pittsburgh-based tour and concierge business, Street Lark, the virtual scavenger features visual, prompts, fractionating facts and more.
Assorted things to do in Pittsburgh, all on-line, including reading hours for kids, taking classes (painting, wine tasting, yoga, cartonning, and more), concerts, museum tours, and more: https://www.nextpittsburgh.com/events/things-to-do-in-pittsburgh-this-month-when-all-the-events-are-canceled/
Play games with friends or strangers (just one site of man): http://www.vassalengine.org/
Georgia Aquarium live cam: https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Cincinnati Home Safari: http://cincinnatizoo.org/home-safari-resources/
Scholastic releases free daily courses for kids stuck at home: https://www.wavy.com/news/health/coronavirus/scholastic-releases-free-daily-courses-for-kids-stuck-home-amid-coronavirus-school-closures/?fbclid=IwAR01ImGnzRGIPvYZI8MBkLwa2imrcC1jy-79iMM3S2ov106ODhag1t3aHfI
30 Virtual Field Trips:
Virtual Friend Movie Night: If you want to still have movie night with friends without risking COVID-19 spread, Chrome has an extension called Netflix Party that allows you to simultaneously stream Netflix with friends. It has a chat window & play/pauses for everyone in the group so you stay synced.
Use the library: Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Libraries have ebooks, streaming services, and read alouds: Carnegie Library, or check out other libraries’ free collections such as the New York Public Library https://www.nypl.org/books-music-movies/ebookcentral/simplye
Broadway Plays: https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home
Virtual tour of the Louvre: https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
More free virtual tours:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2020/03/16/social-distancing-free-virtual-tours/5060244002/
Many companies are making their subscriptions free during this time:
Also look for resources under Social Distancing / Online Resources and Assistance / Community Resources
All schools in Pennsylvania are closed indefinitely per order of Governor Wolf.
Mandatory lessons in a variety of formats will start April 14. According to the district's Chief Academic Officer, "We’re doing our best to address as much as the current instructional day that students have in all grade levels.” They will also be evaluating what changes, if any, will need to be made to ensure that seniors can graduate. The district has been assessing the technology needs of students over the past week and it asked parents to fill out a survey that is available online (https://pghboe.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_803PDJabeIJpH2R) and at grab and go meal locations. They are developing online materials, physical packets, and materials for students who are English-learners.
Grab and Go meals are available Mon, Wed, and Fri from 11 am - 1 pm. Obama IB School (515 N. Highland Ave.) and the Homewood Salvation Army (8020 Frankstown Ave.) are the two closest locations. A full list of locations is here: https://www.pghschools.org/Page/5356
Resources compiled by PPS parents: https://pghleaf.org/covid-closure-resources?fbclid=IwAR0Ot4CSG2-1k8CKixs8tslHp_SJPpttOazEIPYEeL4WK8Pv3oOU3mmlgTg
Complete PPS updates can be found here: https://www.pghschools.org
https://pghboe.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_803PDJabeIJpH2R
In addition to the grab-and-go meals available at many public schools from 11 am to 1 pm, four city recreation centers and Salvation Army sites around Pittsburgh are also offering grab-and-go meals for school kids. The centers are: Paulson Rec Center, 1201 Paulson Ave.; Warrington Rec Center, 329 E. Warrington Ave.; Salvation Army Homewood, 8020 Frankstown Ave. (closest to Highland Park) and the Salvation Army West End, 1821 Broadhead Fording Rd. All meal locations will operate weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pittsburgh Public Schools is providing 100 lunches for each site.
Many restaurants have closed their dining rooms, but are offering take-out meals. Pittsburgh Magazine is updating this list daily. And don’t forget our Highland Park restaurants! They are part of our community and we want them to still be in business once this crisis is over:
Applewood Smoke Burger Company (Burgers)
@Applewoodsmokeburgercompany (Facebook)
5721 Bryant St. (Inside Park Place Pub)
(412) 522-4592
Bryant Street Market (Groceries, Household products, Deli)
5901 Bryant St.
M-F 6:30 am - 8 pm
Sat 8 am - 8 pm
Sun 8 am - 7 pm
412-661-8720
Casa Brasil (Brazilian)
@casabrasilpgh (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
casa-brasil.com
5904 Bryant St.
412-404-7573
Food Glorious Food (Bakery)
@foodgloriousfoodPGH (Facebook, Instagram)
5906 Bryant St.
412-363-5330
Joseph Tambellini Restaurant (Italian)
@josephtambellinirestaurant (Facebook, Instagram)
5701 Bryant St.
412-665-9000
LaScola’s Italian Ice & Custard
@lascolaspgh (Facebook)
lascolas_pgh (Instagram)
@LaScolas_Ice (Twitter)
1218 N. Euclid Ave.
724-766-1515
Smiling Banana Leaf (Thai)
5901 Bryant St.
412-362-3200
Teppanyaki Kyoto Restaurant (Japanese)
@teppanyakikyoto (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
5808 Bryant St.
412- 441-1610
Highland Park’s Bryant Street Market will provide curbside pickup if you call in your order. Please call early in the day (not at lunchtime when they are swamped!) and have your list ready.
412-661-8720
Monday-Friday: 6:30AM-8PM
Saturday: 8AM-8PM
Sunday: 8AM-7PM
Many of the local grocery stores (Giant Eagle, Whole Foods through Amazon Prime, Costco, others?) offer home delivery for free or a small fee. Waits after ordering can be up to a week.
Additional delivery options - thank you to the neighbor who posted this list on the list serv!:
Even during closures, the PA Department of Human Services will continue to process SNAP and other benefits applications. Pennsylvanians can apply online at: www.compass.state.pa.us.
For individuals who are filing for UC benefits for the first time, once applications are approved by L&I they must be verified by the federal government as well before they are considered to be officially approved and the first payment can be made. It typically takes two to four weeks for new claimants to receive payment, but it is possible that delays may be occurring as the federal government works to process the historic numbers of claims it is receiving from the states.
Tenants cannot be evicted for missing a payment in April. There is currently an eviction and mortgage foreclosure moratorium throughout the state of Pennsylvania. If your landlord tries to evict you by either shutting off utilities, by locking your doors, by removing your stuff from your house, you should call 911. Landlords also can't go through the process to evict tenants because the courts are closed. There is a tenant hotline for all the legal services agencies in the city if you are facing what you believe is an illegal eviction: 267-443-2500
If you can’t cover your mortgage payment or rent, contact your lender or landlord immediately. Do not wait until you’re behind on payments. Some lenders may work out an agreement with you to waive late fees, set up a repayment plan or offer loan forbearance.
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman signed an emergency order prohibiting terminations by utilities that are under the PUC’s jurisdiction, including:
This memorandum is in place for as long as Governor Tom Wolf’s Proclamation of Disaster is in effect. If you are struggling to pay your utility bills, contact your service provider for possible emergency assistance programs.
United Way is operating a free helpline for housing and other emergencies serving 14 Southwestern Pennsylvania counties. The PA 2‑1‑1 Southwest line is part of the national 2‑1‑1 Call Centers initiative providing an easy-to-remember telephone number and web resource for finding health and human services and meeting everyday needs and in crisis. The public can also search United Way’s vast database of services and providers to find the help that’s needed today.
A shared public spreadsheet for Pittsburghers to ask for and give assistance to one another.
Vintage Senior Center
Vintage is a nationally accredited, non-profit senior center located in East Liberty (across from the Home Depot). They have served east end older adults for 46 years, with an average daily attendance of 130 seniors. Their normal programs and services are disrupted under the current social distancing recommendations. They are planning alternative ways to support those seniors who depend on the hot lunch program, and this is where you can help. They are in need of shelf-stable food items, frozen meals, and dry goods.
Examples:
Most of the seniors receiving these boxes live alone, so keep that in mind in terms of sizes.
Staff will be in the building this week during business hours, but feel free to call to make sure they are on-site to accept delivery (412-361-5003). You can also leave donations on the porch at 1315 N. Sheridan Ave. - - we will be taking donations down once a week indefinitely. To learn more about Vintage, visit www.vintagepittsburgh.org
Little Free Pantry - The Little Free Library at 5543 Black Street has been converted to a Little Free Pantry. Please take if needed and give if able.
Neighbors in Need
Neighbors in Need is a not-for-profit program based in Pittsburgh, PA and fiscally sponsored by Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation. NIN strives to provide grants to those in the community who are going through crisis or are in need of services, but are not eligible to receive help from existing nonprofits. Currently NIN fulfills its mission by giving small, one-time grants to residents in crisis and by providing SAT Prep Scholarships to high-achieving students. For more information, contact info@ninpittsburgh.org, visit www.ninpittsburgh.org or call 412-441-1272.
Casa San Jose
Casa San Jose is the go-to place for persons who need help. Many immigrants living and working in Pittsburgh have been laid off, or otherwise found themselves without work. Monica Ruiz, the Executive Director of Casa San Jose said that their immediate needs are:
Diapers
Rice
Beans
Cleaning supplies
Feminine pads
Of course, donations would also be greatly welcomed. Donations can be made at https://casasanjose.org/donate/ or by sending a check to:
Casa San Jose
2116 Broadway Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA. 15216
412.343.3111
412 Food Rescue
To volunteer for 412 Food Rescue, go here. To donate, click here.
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
To volunteer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, go here. To donate, click here.
https://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/2020/03/12/coronavirus/
Pittsburgh Virtual Tip Jar
Another industry hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic is the service industry, as the State has ordered all bars, restaurants and other non-essential businesses to close. While we are practicing social distancing, we can help support the bars, salons, restaurants and businesses we regularly patronize and that help to make our region thrive. Send a tip to your favorite bartender, server, stylist or aesthetician today using this online form and do your part to help our region’s vital service industry workers make ends meet. And if you don’t see your favorite service industry folks listed, encourage them to visit the website to join.
Donate Blood
(March 19) Fears of coronavirus are severely affecting blood donations. Vitalant, formerly the Central Blood Bank, is struggling to maintain inventories to avoid a critical blood shortage and is looking for donors. Due to school and business closures, blood collections have dropped dramatically. Donations are needed to help patients recovering from cancer, trauma, obstetrics, surgery and other medical issues. Make an appointment to donate blood with Vitalant by calling 877-258-4825 or going online to vitalant.org. Vitalant in Pittsburgh has expanded the hours at its donation centers, listed here. The Red Cross is also seeking donors: American Red Cross.
Help for LGBTQIA+ community
Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ community is holding a fund drive in an effort to create an emergency relief fund for its members, particularly those of color. Organizers say they fear they will be disproportionately affected by the coronavirus crisis. The group notes that many in the community are self-employed or in the service economy and many are living with disabilities, chronic illness or compromised immune systems. To donate or to get more information, go here.
Make-a-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has indefinitely postponed all wish travel and other activities and events that involve large gatherings. Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia has delayed 61 of 400 pending wishes and many other events have been canceled. The organization is making a plea for support. To make a donation go here.
East End Cooperative Ministry
Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh
https://www.wcspittsburgh.org/how-to-help/