Montco launches COVID-19 hotline
NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County residents seeking general information about COVID-19 and vaccines now have a place to turn to for answers.
County health officials this week launched a COVID-19 phone hotline which residents can call to receive updates about vaccine supply and distribution.
“We know that many people, seniors in particular, lack access to the internet or have trouble navigating our web site. That’s why
I’m happy to announce our COVID-19 hotline is now live,” county Commissioners’ Chairwoman Dr. Valerie Arkoosh said during a news briefing on Wednesday.
The number to call is (833) 875-3967 and the hotline will be in operation Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Operators can answer general COVID-19 questions. Additionally, the hotline has Spanish speaking agents and language line support for more than 100 different languages.
Residents can also email general questions to covid19@montcopa.org
“We encourage people to call this number…with general questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine. Please note, the hotline cannot provide updates or timelines on vaccine pre-registration or troubleshoot issues with vaccine appointments. It is only for general information,” said Arkoosh, who was joined at the news briefing by fellow Commissioner Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr.
“In the near future, people will be able to pre-register for the vaccine through this hotline but that feature is not yet available. We expect it to be operational next week, so please stay tuned,” Arkoosh added.
Appointments are required to receive a vaccine.
Currently, all those eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1A of the state’s vaccination plan can pre-register only online to receive the vaccine through the county health department. The pre-registration link can be found at www.montcopa.org/COVID-19 under the vaccination information button.
As of Thursday, 153,502 people had pre-registered on the county site for an appointment.
“For those of you who have already pre-registered on our web site, we are working to communicate with you more regularly in order to give you information about where you are in the line of registrants,” Arkoosh explained. “Starting this week, if you pre-registered for a vaccine with Montgomery County, we will be sending you a weekly email to keep you updated on our vaccination progress and what you can expect when it’s your turn.
“At this time, and depending upon when you registered and depending upon how much vaccine we receive, it could easily take up to 12 weeks or longer before you hear back from us about actually scheduling an appointment,” Arkoosh added. “But we will have this weekly communication with you just to keep you up to date.”
On the county’s vaccine page, residents can now click on a blue “Status of Vaccine Registrants” button to access a link that shows the current number of people who have registered for a vaccine since Jan. 12, when pre-registration began. If a resident knows the date they registered, they can see how many people are ahead of them.
Officials are booking appointments to match the county’s supply of vaccine.
Last week, the Montgomery County Office of Public Health opened a vaccination clinic at Norristown High School to serve those who have appointments to receive their first dose of the vaccine.
Those receiving their second dose of the vaccine are being served at a clinic hosted by the Montgomery County Community College campus in Whitpain.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses to achieve optimum protection.
Some pharmacies also are distributing vaccines in the county, officials noted.
“The Montgomery County Office of Public Health does not distribute vaccine to pharmacies, nor do we have any control over how pharmacies use that vaccine. Thus, when you pre-register with the county you are only pre-registering for vaccines given out by the Montgomery County Office of Public Health. You are not being registered with the pharmacies,” Arkoosh explained, adding the state health department distributes vaccine directly to some independent and retail pharmacies.
“There is no centralized scheduling portal, so you must check with each pharmacy regarding their process to make an appointment,” Arkoosh said.
“We know that many people, seniors in particular, lack access to the internet or have trouble navigating our web site. That’s why I’m happy to announce our COVID-19 hotline is now live.” — Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Valerie Arkoosh
The Pioneer Athletic Conference is going 3-for-3.
The league announced Wednesday that it will delay the start of spring sports’ preseason until March 22 and compete in league-only competition during the regular season.
The decision to independently deviate from the PIAA’s opening date (March 8) and play exclusively in league is consistent with its handling of fall and winter sports.
“We’re being consistent by playing within the league with the safety protocols in place in the interest of the safety of our student-athletes,” said Pottsgrove athletic director Steve
Anspach, the head of the PAC ADs. “Within our league we have a great working relationship among all the member schools and the athletic directors. We like what we’re doing so we wanted to continue that within our conference.”
Anspach cited the conflicting timeline between the end of the delayed winter season and start of spring and lack of offseason workout opportunities as primary reasons for the date adjustment.
“A two-week delay will help the conflict between winter and spring sports and allow some preseason workouts to begin. And hopefully the weather will be improved to allow our programs to get outside,” he said.
April 7 will be the first compe
tition date for spring sports. Track and field, boys’ volleyball, lacrosse, baseball and softball require 15 days within three weeks for preseason. Tennis may begin earlier due to having less required preseason practices (5 days within one week).
The three-week delayed winter sports season – due to delayed preseason start in December followed by a state-mandated shutdown on all scholastic sports – created a potential logjam with the start of spring that has largely been alleviated.
A year ago, the District 1 basketball playoffs began on Feb. 14 in Class 6A, Feb. 18 in 5A.
This year, district basketball will not begin until March 6.
With the number of winter teams potentially still competing into the second week of March, there were concerns over facilities use with spring teams often being relegated indoors at the start of preseason.
Teams will play leagueonly games in the regular season and be allowed the schedule non-league games after completing its league commitment.
Consistent health and safety protocols, controlled network and the close contact between the PAC’s leadership has made staying within the league effective.
“At the end of the day it’s about our student-athletes and doing what’s best from a safety standpoint and gives us an opportunity to play,” Anspach said.
Coincidentally, March 22 was the first competition date the last time Pennsylvania held scholastic spring sports – in 2019. The 2020 season was cancelled at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aries (March 21-April 19): Like an actor, you fulfill a role and the better you do it, the more the outside world can see a living, breathing character instead of its creator, hard at work. Parts of the real you will shine through; they are irrepressible.
Taurus (April 20-May 20): Mutual comfort and confidence can be established just as soon as everyone relaxes. You may have to go first, as you are powerful in the situation and your chill attitude will be contagious.
Gemini (May 21-June 21): When you’re kind to people who are kind to you first, it raises your opinion of yourself not at all, because that’s just the baseline of decency. But when you’re kind first, it gives you confidence regardless of what happens next.
Cancer (June 22-July 22): “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” defines kenopsia as “the eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that’s usually bustling with people but is now abandoned and quiet.” You’ll know it again today.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): When you’re around people who constantly make you feel good, you want to be around them more often. You’ll make a connection with one such person today while avoiding less interesting prospects.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The idiom “drop your guard” may as well refer to the release of an actual shield. The accompanying psychological clank and clatter will be, on some level, audible today as someone decides they like you.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): The rule of thumb is to only compliment people on the things they can control, like their manner and style of doing things and their choices. You’ll understand the value of such a compliment when you receive one today.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): It will be tempting to worry over how your work will be received and the value judgments that go along with that. For now, just commit to a practice and do the work. Anything else you need to know, you’ll learn in good time.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Your reaction gives power to things. Sometimes, it’s the one and only power source. Therefore, if you want a situation to discontinue, consider choosing the reaction of nonreaction.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): How you talk to yourself matters more than you think it does. The kindness of your inside voice is reflected in your outside voice, and the same goes for any other tone you choose with yourself.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The minute you feel the need to impress, prove yourself or compete, pull back. In today’s instance, those who understand, value and need what you bring to the table won’t ask you to compete for your spot.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): The world isn’t ideal today, and it wasn’t totally great yesterday or 700years ago, or ever. Luckily, the conditions have little to do with the heartfelt thing you must deliver to the world now.
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