March 2020

East Cobb businesses providing meals for health care workers

March 31, 2020 6:54 PMMarch 31, 2020 3:56 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb businesses health care worker meals

On Monday Smita Daya delivered 45 meals she prepared for health care workers at the Wellstar East Cobb Health Park.

The owner of the Olea Oliva! gourmet shop at The Avenue East Cobb, is staying open for customers who want to shop for her variety of olive oils, vinegars, spices, teas and related artisanal products.

But she’s also donating her time and resources to give a boost to those who are working around the clock to tend to those sick with COVID-19.

Another East Cobb resident, Alison Estella, who runs Rua Marketing, a digital agency, is donating her services for a fundraising drive that also is helping to feed medical professionals, at Kennestone and elsewhere.

Her GoFundMe drive started last week with a goal of raising $5,000, and she told East Cobb News Monday the outreach has netted close to that.

On Tuesday, more than 40 meals were delivered to the Kennestone ICU.

East Cobb businesses health care worker meals — *Lunches provided by Smita Daya of Olea Oliva! to East Cobb Health Park workers.*

But she’s not stopping now.

“We’re just trying to get Cobb County residents to donate,” said Estella, who’s also coordinated efforts to feed workers at the Wellstar North Fulton emergency unit and the Northside Forsyth Women’s Center.

The donations are used to place orders with several local restaurants, including Paradise Grill, XenGo Fusion Sushi and WZ Tavern in East Cobb (see video below).

When the meals are ready, Estella coordinates their deliveries to the medical locations.

“There’s a dual purpose here,” she said. Medical workers are fed, and “it keeps small businesses afloat. They need the business.”

Proceeds from the GoFundMe drive are also used to provide a 20 percent tip to the restaurant staffers.

“These guys are still alive, and they want to be able to pay their staff.”

What Estella ideally is looking for is not necessarily a few major donors, but many donors offering a few dollars in smaller amounts.

“This is so easy,” she said.

You can also nominate local essential medical facilities to receive the meals, and restuarants to prepare them.

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has launched what it calls its Operation Meal Plan, which also solicits donations. Restaurants provide meals to be delivered to various non-profit organizations around the county associated with the Cobb Community Foundation.

The selected restaurants include Kouzina Christos in East Cobb. Here’s more from the Chamber about how to get involved in that effort:

For restaurants interested in participating in Operation Meal Plan, contact Nate Futrell, with the Cobb Chamber, at nfutrell@cobbchamber.org and include the following information: point of contact for the restaurant, contact information and what the restaurant’s capacity is per meal request.

For non-profits in need of food for their clients, contact Melanie Kagan, with the Center for Family Resources, at MelanieKagan@thecfr.org. After non-profits and restaurants sign up to participate, Kagan will coordinate orders between the groups, scheduling all orders the day prior.

For community members, groups or organizations that would like to contribute to Operation Meal Plan, all contributions are made through the Cobb Community Foundation and are tax deductible. Contribute here: https://bit.ly/2QNq6aB. Upon service delivery, restaurants provide an invoice so the Cobb Community Foundation can reimburse the at-unit cost.

Send us your news!

Let us know what you, your neighbors or others you know are doing to help one another and those in need as part of the Coronavirus response.

Just e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com with text, photos and other relevant information, and we’ll share it with the community.

Cobb launches COVID grocery store, restaurant public surveys

March 31, 2020 2:47 PMMarch 31, 2020 10:28 AM by Wendy Parker

Cobb County government is asking for the public’s help in collecting resources using its Geographic Information Service (GIS) mapping tools about grocery store inventories and open businesses during the Coronavirus crisis.

A message that’s been sent out explains the purpose, and asks that you submit what you see at grocery stores when you go shopping, or use an open restaurant for takeout/curbside/delivery service:

“We want to help as many Cobb businesses to survive as possible, and we’re using the power of the people to spread the word!

“Which restaurants are offering take out? Go to our special map and let others know which restaurants are cooking up take out orders. Visit it here.”

Here’s the link for the grocery stores and inventory survey.

Other links to be found there include what customers are noticing in their stores from the previous 24 hours in terms of paper products, breads/foods, produce, and crowds/social distancing.

Thus far more than 400 people have filled out the survey, and results obviously will change frequently.

Here’s the link to survey about to available restaurant options, with answers also to be folded into a countywide data source.

They’re the latest additions to the county’s COVID-19 Community Hub resource page.

No extension for Cobb April 1 homestead exemption deadline

March 31, 2020 7:07 AM by Wendy Parker

While deadlines have been extended for such things as income tax filings, the Cobb Tax Commissioner’s office is getting out word that the April 1 deadline for applying for a homestead exemption remains the same.

No fooling.

April 1 is Wednesday, and although the tax commissioners offices are closed due to a limited operations status in Cobb County, you can apply in the following ways:

Applying online for basic Homestead Exemption (only)
Downloading an application to apply for any and all Homestead Exemption types such as Age 62, State Senior, Veterans, etc.
Visiting one of our drop box locations to pick-up and complete a blank form
Visiting our East tag office to pick-up a blank form (available at the front door)

If you want to drop your application in the mail or at drop box locations around the county, here’s where and how to do that:

Mailing Address:

Cobb County Tax Commissioner
PO Box 100127
Marietta, GA 30061

Drop Box Locations:

WEST PARK GOV’T CENTER
736 Whitlock Ave
Marietta, GA 30068
Blank applications available at this location

SOUTH COBB GOV’T CENTER
4700 Austell Rd
Austell, GA 30106
Blank applications available at this location

If you need to conduct other business with the Tax Commissioner’s office (including car tag renewals and property tax transactions, staff is addressing calls, e-mails and social media communications. For online options:

Motor vehicle services can be completed at cobbtax.org/vehicles.
For property tax transactions, visit cobbtax.org/taxes. Processing fees may apply.

You can also get new car tag decals instantly at the following kiosks in Cobb County:

South Cobb Government Service Center
4700 Austell Road, Austell (6 a.m. – midnight, daily)
East Cobb Government Service Center
4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta (6 a.m. – midnight, daily)
Inside Kroger stores (check kroger.com for the most current store hours)
- 3240 South Cobb Drive SE, Smyrna
- 1000 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta
- 3162 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta
- 4400 Brownsville Road, Powder Springs

There are 24/7 drop boxes for all transaction types at:

West Park Government Center, 736 Whitlock Avenue, Marietta
South Cobb Government Service Center, 4700 Austell Road, Austell

A few more ways to get in touch, and when to do so:

The Tax Commissioner’s Customer Care team will continue providing assistance via phone and email, 8 a.m-5 p.m. on weekdays.
Property tax: For general inquiries, contact 770-528-8600 or tax@cobbtax.org. For payments, call 1-866-PAY-COBB (1-866-729-2622)
Motor vehicle: tags@cobbta.org or 770-528-8600
Mail: P.O. Box 100127, Marietta, GA 30061

Cobb commissioners to hold special COVID-19 meeting Wednesday

March 30, 2020 6:01 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb County government is getting out word this afternoon that the Board of Commissioners will be holding another special called meeting Wednesday for an update on the county’s response to COVID-19.

The meeting is at 2 p.m. in the second-floor board room of the Cobb government administration building (100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta), but the public is encouraged to watch via the following outlets:

YouTube: http://bit.ly/2FnEdhJ
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2SdD3Zx
Cobb Website: http://bit.ly/2FmINwz

Last week commissioners meet in a special called meeting (above, observing social distancing guidelines) at which Chairman Mike Boyce outlined his intent to declare a state of emergency.

He did so later in the day, through April 15.

Monday’s message about the Wednesday meeting wasn’t any more specific than a general update, and nothing further has been posted yet to the commission’s meeting agenda page.

Cobb also is adding information to its COVID-19 community hub with new links that include a survey about grocery store inventory, and a similar survey for public input on restaurant delivery and pickup experiences.

Sterling Estates in East Cobb reports case of Coronavirus

March 30, 2020 3:50 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Sterling Estates Coronavirus case

The Sterling Estates senior living community on Lower Roswell in East Cobb is reporting that it has a positive test for Coronavirus.

The Sterling Estates website posted a message Monday saying that a resident who reported abdominal pain on Thursday but did not have a fever was tested “out of an abundance of caution” and that the person’s test for COVID-19 came back positive on Sunday.

That individual remains hospitalized in stable condition, according to the Sterling Estates management, which continued:

“We are in regular contact with the resident’s family. It is critically important that we treat this situation with the utmost confidentiality. We must adhere to patient privacy laws but will be as transparent as laws allow. Please be assured that we can and will take the necessary steps to prevent any virus spread while also adhering to these laws.”

The posting also indicated that any staff members with known exposure to the infected person are being asked to self-isolate. That individual’s apartment is being cleaned and common areas of Sterling Estates also will be cleaned.

Residents have been ordered to stay in their apartments until further notice. Their temperatures will be taken twice a day and they will be provided in-room meal services.

Staff members will be wearing gloves and masks and will have symptom screenings three times a day, including a temperature check.

Numerous senior living facilities in Cobb and elsewhere have been taking measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 because older people are more vulnerable to the disease.

The Solana East Cobb on Johnson Ferry Road has moved into “full apartment quarantine,” according to a message posted on its website Saturday.

The facility is owned by The Arbor Company, which has imposed a company-wide policy that includes cancelling group activities and classes and delivering meals to each resident’s apartment.

Senior living communities in Marietta also have had positive test results.

As of noon Monday, 245 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Cobb County, with nine deaths.

In Georgia there are 2,809 confirmed cases and 87 deaths. Only Dougherty County (17) and Fulton County (14) have more deaths than Cobb.

Cobb Library System’s online TutorATL program expands hours

March 29, 2020 4:31 PM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

In response to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, the daily hours for availability of TutorATL’s online tutors expanded to 9 a.m.-11 p.m. TutorATL features personalized homework help and expert tutors in more than 50 subjects with bilingual offerings. On-demand access to tutors has doubled with morning and early afternoon sessions added.

Cobb County Public Library offers TutorATL for free to kindergarten-12th grade students with regular Cobb library cards or through Library Public Library Access for Student Success accounts. Library PASS accounts are offered to all Cobb County and Marietta City students. Student numbers are the keys to Library PASS access. For information, visit tutoratl.org.

Powered by Tutor.com, TutorATL is a service of ATL PBA and is made possible by the generous support of the Chick-fil-A Foundation.

Library PASS (Public Library Access for Student Success) accounts are offered to all Cobb County and Marietta City students. Student numbers are the keys to Library PASS access.

For information on TutorATL, visit www.tutoratl.org.

To explore the Cobb library’s student resources, visit www.cobbcat.org/students.

Send us your news!

Let us know what you, your neighbors or others you know are doing to help one another and those in need as part of the Coronavirus response.

Just e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com with text, photos and other relevant information, and we’ll share it with the community.

Wheeler student raising funds for N95 masks for hospital workers

March 29, 2020 1:26 PM by Wendy Parker

Wheeler student raising funds N95 masks

Kavita Kar, a sophomore at Wheeler High School, has gotten in touch to let the public now about a fundraising drive she’s started to purchase N95 masks for hospital workers in the Atlanta area treating those with COVID-19.

She’s set a fundraising goal of $6,300, and on Sunday morning told us she’s more than halfway there—with around $3,300 in pledges.

Kavita says the masks, which are coming from China, will be given to staffs at both Wellstar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta and Northside Hospital in Atlanta.

Here’s what she’s sharing on her GoFundMe page:

“We will be shipping the masks from the Guangzhou port. These masks will take 9 days to ship to our hospitals, and the sooner we can ship them, the sooner our doctors and nurses are able to use them.

Each mask costs $1.30 and $6,000 will help us provide for hospitals in our area. Each dollar that is raised will help a doctor or a nurse get through a day at work, a little bit safer than they were.”

Send us your news!

Let us know what you, your neighbors or others you know are doing to help one another and those in need as part of the Coronavirus response.

Just e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com with text, photos and other relevant information, and we’ll share it with the community.

All Georgia voters to be mailed absentee ballot applications

March 28, 2020 12:52 PM by Wendy Parker

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has announced that all 6.9 million registered voters in the state will be mailed absentee ballot applications in response to COVID-19.

In a release sent out this week, Raffensperger said this is a temporary measure that applies only to the now-delayed May 19 primaries. Voters aged 65 and older and those with disabilities can apply to vote absentee through the primary and general elections and any runoffs during the 2020 election cycle.

(Cobb Elections also said this week it’s mailing absentee requests to all voters 60 and older, and that the first absentee ballots are expected to be mailed out as soon as April 4.)

A few more items to note from the Secretary of State’s release:

Poll workers will receive additional resources to clean the equipment regularly. In-person voters who show up to vote in person will be instructed to maintain a safe distance when waiting to vote.

These measures will protect poll workers as well. Understanding the extra risk Georgia’s generally elderly poll workers face, Raffensperger is working to help counties hire more and younger poll workers. Extra staff will allow those who feel sick to be absent from the polls without significantly impacting continuity while a younger pool of workers will increase resiliency in the face of the COVID-19 threat.

On Friday, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston sent a letter to Raffensperger asking him to delay the primaries again, to a month or more, as the state grapples with a rising caseload of COVID-19 cases.

But Raffensperger has said the primary, which was to have taken place on Tuesday, will go on as rescheduled for May 19.

As of noon Saturday, Georgia had 2,366 confirmed positive tests and 69 deaths, with 617 hospitalizations.

Cobb County has 181 cases, and its death toll rose from five earlier this week to eight.

Cobb Chamber of Commerce to hold business recovery webinar

March 28, 2020 12:29 PMMarch 28, 2020 8:28 AM by Wendy Parker

Submitted information:

The Cobb Chamber of Commerce has started an Economic Recovery Taskforce to develop and implement a strategic approach to proactively drive our community’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Taskforce members will meet weekly via video conference starting on Monday, March 30th.

“Many businesses are struggling with the impact COVID-19 has had on their organizations and their employees,” said John Loud, 2020 Chairman of the Cobb Chamber’s Board of Directors and president of LOUD Security Systems. “We want to drive initiatives that will lead the recovery that this community needs.”

“The Cobb Chamber has been focused on providing resources, advocacy and support to help our businesses and community through this difficult time,” said Sharon Mason, Cobb Chamber President & CEO. “This taskforce will help us take additional steps for a proactive strategy for economic recovery.”

Cobb Chamber Chair-Elect Britt Fleck will serve as the Chair of the Cobb Chamber’s Economic Recovery Taskforce. “We have brought together a diverse group for this taskforce that represents different organizations and industries in our community, especially sectors most impacted by COVID-19,” said Britt Fleck, Cobb Chamber Chair-Elect and Regional Director for Georgia Power. “We look forward to working with this taskforce for a strategic and thoughtful approach for overcoming this.”

In addition its kick-off meeting on March 30th, the taskforce’s first program is a webinar, “How To: Business Recovery from COVID-19” on Tuesday, March 31st at 10:30 a.m. Any business is welcome to join this free webinar by registering through the Cobb Chamber’s website at cobbchamber.org/events. There are up to 500 attendee spots available.

The March 31st webinar will be moderated by 2020 Chairman John Loud and with participants, such as Georgia Small Business Development Center Area Director Drew Tonsmeire. The webinar will focus on walking businesses through the recovery resources available, including the Small Business Administration loan application process, the federal stimulus CARES act and more.

And here are the task force members:

·        John Loud, Cobb Chamber 2020 Chairman & LOUD Security Systems President

·        Britt Fleck, Taskforce Chair, Cobb Chamber Chair-Elect, Georgia Power Regional Director

·        Greg Teague, Cobb Chamber 2022 Chairman & Croy Engineering President

·        Sharon Mason, Cobb Chamber President & CEO

·        Dana Johnson, Cobb Chamber COO & SelectCobb Executive Director

·        Jim Allen, The Atlanta Braves SVP of Corporate Partnerships

·        Patrick Borderlon Sr., Cobb Municipal Association President

·        Gary Bottoms, The Bottoms Group CEO

·        Tammy Cohen, InfoMart President & Chair

·        Kim Gresh, S.A. White Oil Company President

Don’t forget to support local businesses in East Cobb that are remaining open. Many of those listed in our East Cobb Open for Business Directory are restaurants, and many are adapting on the fly to provide takeout/curbside services.

We’re constantly adding to this listing, so if you’d like to add yours please e-mail us the information: editor@eastcobbnews.com. Please include links to your website, social media platforms, etc.

NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity donates N95 masks

March 27, 2020 7:20 PMMarch 27, 2020 4:17 PM by Wendy Parker

NW Atlanta Metro Habitat N94 masks

Submitted information and photo:

NW Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity found a pallet of more than 1,000 N95 masks used in Habitat house construction in the affiliates’ Smyrna warehouse. Today, they were able to donate and deliver them to Cobb & Douglas Public Health today to help with their shortages!

Pictured is Bonnie Willis, from the affiliate’s construction team.

Send us your news!

Let us know what you, your neighbors or others you know are doing to help one another and those in need as part of the Coronavirus response.

Just e-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com with text, photos and other relevant information, and we’ll share it with the community.

Georgia Coronavirus cases top 2,000; 144 confirmed in Cobb

March 27, 2020 12:26 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Commissioners Coronavirus meeting

The number of positive Coronavirus cases in Georgia surpassed the 2,000 mark on Friday, or nearly one in five people who have been tested for COVID-19.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, as of noon Friday 2,001 people have tested positive, with 566 hospitalized. There have been 64 deaths in the state attributed to COVID-19.

The number of cases Thursday night was over 1,600. Currently 9,865 people have been tested across the state.

In a town hall meeting Thursday night, Gov. Brian Kemp the state is working with data that’s two weeks old, so the caseload is expected to continue to surge.

During the town hall, which was aired on radio and television outlets across Georgia, Kemp defended his decision not to impose a statewide lockdown, as has been the case in other states.

He has issued a shelter-in-place order for vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, and stressed that they should stay home. He referenced his own mother.

While there are high population areas and cities—especially Albany—where high numbers of cases are being reported, Kemp said “I have to balance that” with rural counties who don’t have any at all.

He said that “we’ve targeted areas that we need to target.”

In Friday’s update, 24 counties reported their first positive cases. In all, 103 of Georgia’s 159 counties now have positive test results.

Fulton County leads the way with 307, followed by Dougherty (where Albany is located) with 193, then DeKalb (181) and Cobb. Most of the other counties with the most cases are in metro Atlanta, as well as Athens, Gainesville and Rome:

Gwinnett	102
Bartow	98
Carroll	55
Cherokee	46
Clayton	46
Henry	40
Lee	35
Clarke	32
Douglas	27
Hall	24
Floyd	20

Friday’s update doesn’t have a county-by-county breakdown of deaths. Earlier this week, Dr. Janet Memark, director of Cobb and Douglas Public Health, told Cobb commissioners there had been five deaths in Cobb County.

Cobb County School District updates Coronavirus guidelines

March 27, 2020 10:53 AMMarch 27, 2020 10:23 AM by Wendy Parker

Following up yesterday’s news about public schools in Georgia remaining closed at least through April 24:

The Cobb County School District on Friday issued its own updated Coronavirus guidelines accordingly, to note that digital learning will continue through the extended closure period.

The exception is the regularly scheduled week of spring break (April 2-6), and here are a couple of bullet points the district is emphasizing for those digital learning days:

All students will be considered present (no students should be marked absent);

No permanent grades should be posted while Cobb Schools are closed. Ongoing feedback, monitoring, and assessment of student progress is encouraged and can be used once Cobb Schools are re-opened and have been provided for all students.

On Wednesday, the Cobb Schools Foundation announced a fundraising drive to purchase digital learning devices for around 1,000 students who need them.

More details can be found at the foundation’s Family Stabilization page.

On Thursday night during a town hall meeting aired across Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp said he’s extending the closure period because “we want people to be comfortable sending their kids back to school” and “we want teachers to be comfortable being in that environment.”

Georgia’s number of positive Coronavirus cases has exceed 1,600, with 546 deaths. Cobb County has 110 positive cases, as of Thursday night.

Several states have cancelled classes for the rest of the year, including Alabama. In his order Thursday, Kemp said he would be making a decision about the fate of the school year in Georgia before the April 24 closure period ends.

Also on Thursday, the Georgia Board of Education approved recommendations by state school superintendent Richard Woods for waivers for local school districts from a number of requirements, including testing, teacher evaluations and course curricula.

The state also has suspended assessment windows for the Georgia Milestones and other mandated tests until further notice.

Cobb’s update Friday stated that “There are still many details regarding these issues that are unanswered at this time. The final resolution of some of those issues will likely need to wait until schools resume normal operation.”

Cobb schools also are continuing weekly student meal pick-up at eight of its campuses, including East Cobb Middle School.

Those pick-up times are Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and include five days of breakfast and lunch for students, who must be present tor receive the food.

Food distribution will continue the week of spring break.

Read Cobb’s updating guidelines by clicking here. The school district also has a resource page for helping families in need.

Launching the East Cobb Open for Business Directory

March 26, 2020 4:15 PM by Wendy Parker

East Cobb Open for Business While many businesses have closed during the response to COVID-19, we’re keeping an updated list of those that are staying open and have changed their hours and services to serve the public.

Our East Cobb Open for Business Directory can be found here, and we welcome your submissions. E-mail us at: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll add it to our directory.

We want East Cobb News readers to connect with local businesses that are working hard during this unprecedented time to keep their doors open.

Many of those businesses listed are restaurants, since they’ve had to adapt on the fly to the closure of dining rooms during the Cobb state of emergency.

But we’ll list all types of locally-run businesses as a community service to bring awareness for part of the vibrant backbone of our community during a time of great duress.

We’ll keep this going during the Cobb state of emergency and beyond, as this recovery will last for many weeks and months.

BREAKING NEWS: Georgia schools closed through April 24

March 26, 2020 1:38 PMMarch 26, 2020 1:07 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Commissioners Coronavirus meeting

Distance learning will continue for students in the Cobb County School District and elsewhere in the state.

Gov. Brian Kemp on Thursday extended his K-12 public school closure in Georgia through April 24.

He said in a release issued shortly before noon that while schools may be able to open on April 27, “we ask for continued patience and flexibility since circumstances may change, but we encourage families to stay strong and follow the guidance of federal, state, and local leaders in the weeks ahead.”

On March 12, Cobb schools announced they would be closing, the day after a positive Coronavirus test was reported at Kincaid Elementary School.

Kemp initially urged schools to closed without a mandate, but then declared a statewide shutdown through March 31.

Public colleges and universities in Georgia have closed for the rest of the spring semester.

The Georgia Department of Public Health totals of Coronavirus cases in Georgia was at 1,525 as of noon Thursday, with 48 deaths and 473 hospitalizations.

(You can read the daily status report here; it’s updated at 12 and 7 p.m.)

The number of positive cases of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is 115. Cobb trails only Fulton (211), Dougherty (156) and DeKalb (129).

Kemp is holding a televised town hall meeting at 8 p.m. Thursday. It can be seen on WSB, 11 Alive, CBS46, Fox 5 and Georgia Public Broadcasting.

East Cobb business and restaurant closings/changes 3.25.20

March 27, 2020 10:31 AMMarch 25, 2020 6:27 PM by Wendy Parker

Rosa's Pizza, East Cobb businesses alcohol compliance checks, East Cobb food scores

We’re keeping a running update on businesses—especially restaurants and retail—that are closing during the newly declared state of emergency in Cobb and/or are changing their hours and services.

Cobb County declares state of emergency through April 15

March 25, 2020 12:29 PMMarch 24, 2020 7:45 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb state of emergency — *Cobb commissioners practice social distancing while discussing an emergency declaration Tuesday.*

Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce on Tuesday declared a state of emergency in the county, limiting hours for non-essential businesses, barring restaurants from dining room service and ordering citizens to “shelter in place” for the next three weeks.

His executive order in response to the Coronavirus pandemic (you can read it here) takes effect at noon on Wednesday and continues through noon on April 15.

That means that public gatherings — inside and outdoors — of more than 10 people are prohibited anywhere in the unincorporated part of Cobb.

The hours for non-essential businesses are restricted from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Restaurants can offer only takeout delivery or curbside pickup services.

Restaurants that are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages can sell them unopened to takeout or curbside customers during the hours they’re allowed to do so on their pouring licenses.

Businesses that are open must maintain social distancing guidelines of having a minimum of six feet of distance between people while they’re in the establishment.

(A list of essential and non-essential businesses as well as the emergency declaration are being posted on the county website.)

The order does not include a curfew or mandatory quarantine, which Boyce has said he does not want to impose.

“We’ve done our best to have informal social distancing,” Boyce said during a special Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning. “And as we saw this weekend it’s simply not working.”

Boyce said the declaration could be advised, depending on recommendations from public health officials monitoring the spread of the virus.

“If we need to consider closing all non-essential businesses and tighten other provisions we will do that to protect the residents of this County,” he said in a statement issued by the county.

As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, Cobb had 90 confirmed Coronavirus cases and five of Georgia’s 38 deaths. Statewide, the number of cases has grown to 1,092. Of those confirmed cases, nearly 33 percent have been hospitalized, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Cobb public health officials urged commissioners Tuesday to order a shelter-in-place to slow the spread of the virus in Cobb, which has had one of the highest totals of Coronavirus cases in Georgia, since there’s no vaccine or medication.

They also said medical and health-care capacity needs to be alleviated as the number of cases has grown.

The full declaration also will be posted on the county’s website; once we have it we’ll also link to it here.

Georgia Coronavirus cases top 1,000, Cobb with 86; 32 deaths statewide

March 24, 2020 5:54 PMMarch 24, 2020 12:40 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb Commissioners Coronavirus meeting

The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Georgia continues to rise dramatically. As of noon Tuesday, there were 1,026 positive test results across the state, after more than 800 were reported Monday night.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the death toll also has risen, to 32 on Tuesday, up from 25 on Monday.

Cobb County had 86 confirmed Coronavirus cases as of noon Tuesday, and at least five deaths.

The latter figure is according to Dr. Janet Memark, director of Cobb and Douglas Public Health, in a briefing before Cobb commissioners Tuesday morning.

They held a special meeting to discuss a state of emergency declaration. Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce has drafted an order that he was expected to formalize Tuesday afternoon.

Boyce didn’t need to get a vote from his colleagues, but wanted them to have a public discussion of the matter.

Memark is calling on Boyce to issue a shelter-in-place order that’s similar to what is in effect in the city of Atlanta.

Under shelter-in-place, most businesses would close, except those deemed essential, and citizens would be ordered to stay at home, except to shop for necessities.

On Monday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a shelter-in-place for certain at-risk populations and ordered bars and nightclubs closed. But he declined to issue a broader shelter-in-place statewide.

Boyce’s draft order was distributed to commissioners before Tuesday’s meeting but was not made public beforehand.

Food drive update: Piedmont Church; Lassiter PTSA; Senior Services

March 24, 2020 11:17 AM by Wendy Parker

Food drive, Piedmont Church

We’ve noted the student meal services being provided by the Cobb County School District and MUST Ministries, as well as a joint food drive by Mt. Bethel UMC and Johnson Ferry Baptist Church that is ongoing.

MUST reports than in three days its Food Rapid Response served family food boxes to more than 3,500 families.

A few other food drive efforts—including one related to MUST—are noted below. If you know of any other food drive activities going on, let us know and we’ll pass it along. E-mail us: editor@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll share it with the community.

On Tuesday afternoons, you can help MUST Ministries with its Food Rapid Response program. Donations can be dropped off between 3-7 p.m. at Piedmont Church (570 Piedmont Road).

As the flyer notes above, this is a joint project with the church as well as the Sprayberry PTSA and the Sprayberry Foundation, and they’ve listed the foods (all non-perishable) that are most needed, as well as where to drop off your donations.

Food pickup is also at the Piedmont Church between 4-6 p.m. Wednesday.

Lassiter Food Pantry

The Lassiter PTSA says its food bank is empty, and it’s one that serves around 60 families in its cluster—including Davis, Garrison Mill and Rocky Mount elementaries and Mabry Middle School.

They’re asking that anyone who wants to donate food drop those items on the porch at 2124 Lassiter Field Drive—it’s a weekly collection for now. The link to make a donation can be found here.

For questions contact Tammy Andress or Shannon Frank at lassiterptsa@gmail.com.

Cobb Senior Services

The Cobb Senior Services agency also is collecting food. If you want to make a donation, you’re asked to call Merline Tippens at 770-528-5355 to to arrange a delivery.

They need “shelf stable foods” than can be heated in a microwave or not at all, and include but are not limited to the following:

Peanut butter, instant oatmeal/grits, dried fruit, chewy granola bars, breakfast bars, applesauce/fruit cocktail, juice boxes, cereal-small, individual boxes, shelf stable milk, chicken/tuna/other canned meats, microwave rice, crackers, canned Soup, canned vegetables, fruit cups, canned fruit, macaroni and cheese cups, dried mashed potatoes (flakes), Spaghetti-Os/ Ravioli.

Also:

Toilet paper, Baby wipes, travel-size toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc)

Kemp limits public gatherings; closes bars and nightclubs

March 23, 2020 6:05 PM by Wendy Parker

Kemp executive order

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday ordered a number of restrictions on public activity across the state, but did not mandate a full “shelter in place” for the overall population that some of his counterparts have enacted.

In a briefing late Monday afternoon, Kemp said he was issuing an executive order limiting public gatherings to 10 or fewer people (unless they meet social distancing guidelines), ordering bars and nightclubs to be closed, and requiring medically fragile people to be quarantined for 14 days.

His latest executive order to combat Coronavirus, or COVID-19, begins at noon Tuesday and continues until noon on April 6.

The “shelter in place” order is for people who live in long-term care homes, those who are being treated for cancer, those with compromised immune systems and individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.

The new measures, he said, are “intended to ensure the health and safety of Georgians across the state,” he said, reading from prepared remarks. “This fight is not over, but we are in this fight together.”

Kemp also announced that the state income tax filing deadline would be pushed back to July 15 to coincide with the delayed deadline to file federal returns.

No broad ‘shelter in place’

A number of states and localities across the country have imposed “shelter in place” mandates that close all non-essential businesses, and allow citizens to go out only to buy food or in the case of an emergency.

Last week, Kemp said he didn’t want to that, or to order a broad mandate to quarantine or impose curfew.

On Monday, Democratic leaders in the Georgia House sent a letter urging him to issue a 14-day statewide shelter in place order (you can read it here), a request also made by Republican House Speaker David Ralston.

In his Monday briefing, Kemp didn’t refer to those requests.

In his new order, establishments or events with more than 10 people will be allowed only if they practice social distancing requirements of having at least six feet of space between individuals (supermarkets are not included in the order).

His order also gives the Georgia Department of Public Health the power to shut down any businesses, organizations or gathering places—including churches and other houses of worship—that don’t comply with the new restrictions.

“We are all part of the solution,” Kemp said. “If your friends, neighbors or local organizations are not complying, call them out. Or report them to us.”

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Cobb County reverses course, closes parks due to Coronavirus

March 23, 2020 4:07 PMMarch 23, 2020 3:20 PM by Wendy Parker

Cobb parks closed Coronavirus

After saying over the weekend that public parks would stay open to give citizens a place to escape cabin fever due to Coronavirus, Cobb County government is closing them down.

The closures—which include all outdoor and indoor parks and recreational facilities—are effective immediately and until further notice. They’re being done in the “interest of public health and to encourage social distancing,” according to a message issued Monday afternoon.

Cobb government spokesman Ross Cavitt told East Cobb News that park crews were starting the process Monday afternoon, and that “it may take the rest of today and much of tomorrow to post signage” and take other measures to keep the parks closed.

A number of nearby jurisdictions have been closing parks in recent days, including Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Kennesaw.

The National Park Service also has closed the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which straddles the river in East Cobb and Sandy Springs.

On Saturday, East Cobb Park (photo above) was as busy as a typical early spring weekend day, with people walking (many with dogs), playing in open areas and on playgrounds.

On Friday, Cobb Commission Chairman Mike Boyce explained keeping parks open by saying that citizens “want to go somewhere, at least for a little while, where they can have some comfort.”

There was a posting to that effect on Cobb government’s Facebook page over the weekend, although it engendered some critical comments about the wisdom of keeping parks open. That posting has been removed.

The number of confirmed Coronavirus in Cobb rose to 79 on Monday, up from 55 over the weekend, and 772 cases have been confirmed in Georgia. Thus far, 25 people in Georgia have died from the virus, including one at Kennestone Hospital.

Cobb commissioners will meet tomorrow morning in a special called meeting over the Coronavirus situation, and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will be providing a briefing at 5 p.m. Monday, and it can be seen live on the governor’s Facebook page or at the Georgia Public Broadcasting site.

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Cobb Senior Services

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