Ward 3 Quick Update: April 15, 2020

Ward 3 Resident,

I hope everyone had a good Easter given the current Stay at Home Order still in place. As your City Councilman, I am doing all I can to help you and your families through this COVID-19 emergency. Hopefully you have received my ward-wide mailer with helpful information regarding COVID-19 last week. I have also stepped up my efforts to #MaskUpNRWard3 to help prevent further community spread of COVID-19. Yesterday, Governor Mike DeWine reported that state-wide there are 7,153 confirmed cases, 309 confirmed deaths, and 1,239 confirmed cases here in Cuyahoga County of COVID-19. Click Here to view full stats.

I am still getting complaints from residents about people in our community and even here in Ward 3 not following the Stay at Home Order by the State of Ohio and being large groups or not practicing social distancing. If you see a large group of folks not complying with the Stay at Home Order, please contact the North Royalton Police Department when it happens at 440-237-8686. They can politely remind them of the order and get them to disburse.

Please, Please, Please take COVID-19 seriously! Like everyone else I want things to go back to normal. ANYONE can get COVID-19 including beautiful Baby Eli and his father here in North Royalton! Thank you Eli’s parents Dawn and Sean for sharing their families story! Click Here to learn more. In speaking with them they wanted me to stress we ALL need to do out part to #FlattenTheCurve! Prayers for the Clancy Family and all those in our community battling COVID-19. #InThisTogetherNR #BeatCOVID19

Reminder the Stay at Home Order Remains in Effect here in Ohio
Just a reminder that the Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Amy Acton’s Stay At Home order remains in effect till May 1, 2020 for the entire state of Ohio in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Director’s Stay at Home Order Amended (PDF)

Director’s Stay at Home Order (PDF)

Stay at Home Information

Top 4 places to get accurate and 24/7 situational information you need to know in staying safe throughout this emergency are the following resources:

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Some additional things to update you on since my last update below:

Reminder Federal, State, and Local Tax Filing Deadlines Extended due to COVID-19
The filing deadline for Federal and State of Ohio Income Taxes has been moved from April 15 to July 15 2020. All taxpayers and businesses will now have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties. Also Ohio’s Municipal Income Tax returns and payments for tax year 2019 with a due date of April 15, 2020 have been extended to July 15, 2020 as well. Estimated payments for the first and second quarters of tax year 2020 have also been extended to July 15, 2020. No request for extension or other filing is required to receive these extensions. No late filing or late payment penalties, or interest, will be imposed for the period of April 15, 2020 through July 15, 2020 for these extended filings and payments. Read More. Please continue to check the Internal Revenue Service Website at www.IRS.gov for updates. You can also check for updates on state and local taxes from Ohio Department of Taxation on their website at tax.ohio.gov.

How the CARES Act Economic Impact Payments Work?
The CARES Act provides a full credit amount of $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for couples, and an additional $500 per child. If you have already filed your Tax Year 2019 tax return, the IRS will use your income data to calculate your eligibility for this rebate check. If you have not already filed your Tax Year 2019 return, IRS will look back to your Tax Year 2018 return for eligibility data.

Who is eligible for an economic impact payment?
Persons with income at or below $75,000 (for individuals)/$112,500 head of household or $150,000 for couples filing jointly. The economic impact payment phases out above these thresholds and will be phased out completely for single taxpayers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers.

If your income falls below these amounts and you have a valid Social Security Number, you are likely eligible to receive a payment under the provisions of the CARES Act.

Will I need to fill out any other forms to get the stimulus check?
In most cases, no. The federal government will automatically send you a direct deposit or check using the information on your tax return or that you have provided to the Social Security Administration if you currently are receiving benefits. However, if you are not receiving Social Security benefits and did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 yet, you will need to file a 2019 return to get the stimulus money.

If you are receiving Social Security benefits but didn’t file taxes in 2018 or 2019, you will be eligible to receive a stimulus check without a tax return based on data available to the IRS from your annual Social Security benefits statement. The government will send you a direct deposit or check using the information from your Form SSA-1099 Social Security Benefit Statement or your Form RRB-1099 Social Security Equivalent Benefit Statement. You will not have to file a 2019 tax return to get a stimulus check.

Individuals who receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits and who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019 and who have qualifying children under age 17 should now go to the IRS’s webpage at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments to enter their information to ensure you also receive the $500 per dependent child payment in addition to the $1,200 individual payment.

When do I get an economic impact payment check?
Payments are expected to be processed by the U.S. Treasury and sent out sometime in late April or early May. However, there may be reasons for your individual rebate to take longer to process.

Reminder on March 17, 2020 Presidential Primary Changes due to COVID-19
The Ohio General Assembly extended the period for all Ohioans to continue voting by mail until April 28, 2020 for the March 17, 2020 Presidential Primary due to COVID-19. Don’t lose your voice! Vote! Read More. Some key things to note are: No in-person voting at polling location; Only those registered to vote by the primary deadline of February 18, 2020 are eligible to vote; Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Noon, Saturday, April 25, 2020; Ballots must be postmarked by: Monday, April 27, 2020; All votes already submitted by mail or in-person will be counted; and Click Here to request a Vote by Mail Application.

Help for Families Impacted by COVID-19
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has made Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds available to assist families affected by COVID-19. Eligible families should apply to Cuyahoga Job and Family Services immediately funds are limited. Visit https://bit.ly/2yaM2X0 for details. 

Unemployment due to COVID-19
Ohioans can apply for unemployment benefits online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at unemployment.ohio.gov. It is also possible to file by phone at 877-644-6562 or TTY at 888- 642-8203, Monday through Friday 7:00am to 7:00pm, Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm, and Sunday 9:00am to 1:00pm. When applying online try non-peak hours like early in the morning. Click Here to view additional Economic Resources for Individuals and Families.

COVID-19 Scams
Beaware of COVID-19 Scams that going around. Click Here to view a Scam Alert from Cuyahoga County Consumer Affairs.

North Royalton City Government Important Updates Regarding COVID-19

Click Here to View Current Updates from the City of North Royalton.

North Royalton Food Bank
During these difficult times, the North Royalton Food Bank is reaching out to the community to assist in its efforts to serve those in need. Anyone who would like to give, by donating food or monetary donations, can contact the food bank directly at 440-237-7958 EXT 200. The North Royalton Food Bank is located at 11680 Royalton Road (entrance is off Abbey Road). Non-perishable items sought include: spaghetti noodles and sauce, canned fruit, dry cereal, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, tuna, canned chicken, beef stew, chunky soups, saltine crackers, Jell-O and pudding, rice and complete pancake mix, as well as hygiene products. Also if you are a resident who needs assistance with food due to job loss as a result of COVID-19 or other reasons, please also contact the North Royalton Food Bank for help at 440-237-7958 EXT 200 too.

#MaskUpNRWard3 to help #FlattenTheCurve of COVID-19 Community Spread
Again a reminder the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended that Americans wear cloth face coverings (masks) in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation is being made based on studies that show a significant proportion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and can transmit the virus to others in close proximity, through speaking, coughing, sneezing or other means. Ohio Department of Health Director Amy Acton, M.D., MPH, strongly also recommends that Ohioans take the following actions: Use coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and public parks. Maintain 6-feet social distancing whenever possible, even if you are wearing a face covering. DO NOT place cloth face coverings on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. DO NOT use medical supply masks, which must be reserved for healthcare workers, first responders, and people who are known to be sick. Make cloth face coverings from household items or common materials. Use multiple layers of a fabric that does not damage or lose shape when laundered or machine dried. Support small businesses selling fabric masks at a reasonable price, but watch out for scammers offering high-priced or so-called superior masks. Use coverings that fit snugly but comfortably and allow for breathing without restriction. Secure with ties or ear loops. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth when removing the face covering and wash your hands immediately after removing. Launder coverings after each use. Avoid wearing when wet from laundering or from spit or mucus. Again please start wearing a mask when all possible in public. If you listen to Dr. Acton daily like I do it really sounds like we may need to get used to wearing a mask in public. Read More.

Click Here to view CDC Cloth Mask Guidance

Click Here to view CDC Cloth Mask DIY Mask tips

Click Here to view ODH Cloth Mask COVID-19 Check List

North Royalton Ward 3 Neighborhood Buddy Program for COVID-19 
If you are Ward 3 resident who is elderly, lives alone, has a pre-existing condition please consider signing up TODAY to participate in the #NRWard3Buddy Program. The purpose of this program is to establish a “buddy” system in North Royalton Ward 3 to ensure vulnerable and hard-to-reach community members stay connected to COVID-19 related news, food, services, and help keep positive morale to get through the COVID-19 emergency safely. While supplies last every person in the program gets a FREE cloth mask. If you are interested in having a buddy contact me Ward 3 Councilman Dan Langshaw via email at ward3@northroyalton.org, or online at http://www.danlangshaw.com/contact or by phone at 440-785-4240.  Also you can learn more about the program by Clicking Here. Also Click Here to view a recent The Post Newspapers story highlighting the program too. (Note: Residents not living in Ward 3 who want a buddy will not be turned away).

North Royalton Ward 3 Zoom/Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting on COVID-19
My apologies that I was not able to have my Town Hall Meeting last week as planned. I had some unexpected technology issues. This week I invite North Royalton Ward 3 residents to join me this Friday April 17th at 7:30pm for a Zoom/Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting regarding COVID-19. I want to continue to listen to resident concerns, questions, and feedback to better understand how to best serve you all through this crisis. Join Zoom Meeting at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9168411434 or join by phone at 312-626-6799 and enter Meeting ID: 916 841 1434 or on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DanLangshawNR Also if you have any advance questions that you like for me to answer in advance email them to me at ward3@northroyalton.org and I will answer them during the meeting online.

North Royalton Ward 3 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Website
North Royalton Ward 3 Residents Click Here to view the COVID-19 Ward 3 Updates and helpful information.

Ward 3 Residents & Businesses Needing Help Due to COVID-19
I apologize for any delay to anyone’s phone calls or emails. I am starting to get caught up. Please if it is an Urgent Issue call or text me at 440-785-4240. All other issues email is the easiest for me to catch up. My email address is Ward3@northroyalton.org. Again if you need food, connection to vital services, and more don’t hesitate to contact me.

#StayHome, Use #SocialDistancing, & Help Save Lives!

Dan Langshaw
Ward 3 Councilman
North Royalton City Council

PS: Due to the large volume of phone calls. I ask residents and business needing assistance, please email me at Ward3@northroyalton.org so it will be easier for me to prioritize who I need to help or direct to the appropriate resources.

#NorthRoyaltonCOVID19