The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — Clifton Forge has issued a moratorium on water cutoffs during the Coronaviris pandemic.
Town council met Saturday and approved the moratorium by a 5-0 vote.
“This is in effect for as long as a local emergency remains in place,” Mayor Jeff Irvine said.
Alleghany County declared a local emergency March 17. The declaration covers the towns of Clifton Forge and Iron Gate.
“You still have to pay your bill. If you don’t, the bills are going to continue to build up and they will hit you all at once when this crisis eases. This is not a forgiveness of the bill. If you don’t pay, you still face having your water cut off when this thing is over if you haven’t paid,” Irvine said.
Water to households is being viewed as a necessity during the Coronavirus pandemic.
To prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing hands thoroughly and often, while also practicing “social distancing.”
While hand sanitizer can work in a pinch, experts say that soap and water is best for preventing the spread of diseases, because it helps break down the chemical structure of the virus.
As the crisis continues, supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizers remain in short supply at local stores.
Supply Donations
In an effort to assist homebound seniors 60 and older, the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism has established donation sites in the Highlands.
Donations of toilet paper, paper towels, soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes can be dropped off at the Clifton Forge Police Department, the Covington Police Department and the chamber of commerce and tourism visitor’s center, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Seniors should call the Local Office on aging at 960-1593 for information on eligibility.
Wi-Fi Access
The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is also providing the public with a list of free wi-fi access points.
The access points will help the community access the Internet and file online claims for unemployment benefits.
The public is being encouraged to use acess points at the following locations during daylight hours:
— Alleghany County Governmental Complex, 9212 Winterberry Ave., Low Moor.
— Alleghany Regional Library, 406 W. Riverside St., Covington.
— Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), 110 Mall Rd., Covington.
— Alleghany Highlands Drone Zone (former Edgemont School), 451 Park St., Covington.
— Clifton Forge Public Library, 535 Church St.
— Covington City Hall, 333 W. Locust St.
— Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, 1000 Dabney Dr., Clifton Forge.
Social Security
The U.S. Social Security Administration says benefit payments will not be disrupted by the Coronaviris outbreak.
“The first thing you should know is that we continue to pay benefits. Be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping your Social Security payments but that is not true. Don’t be fooled,” Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul said in a news release.
Social Security offices are closed to the public.
“Many services are available online at www.socialsecurity.gov. If you have a critical need that you cannot address online, we can help you over the phone,”?Saul said.
The telephone number is (800) 772-1213.
“Visit our COVID-19 web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/ to find out what services we are continuing and which ones we are suspending, how to contact us, and important information about deadlines we are extending to ease the burden on you and medical providers during this pandemic,” Saul said.
Fraud Task Force
In response to the increased threat of fraud presented by the coronavirus, federal and Virginia state law enforcement leaders announced Friday the formation of the Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force.
The Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force will be led by assistant U.S. attorneys from the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, in partnership with fraud investigators from the FBI and the Virginia State Police.
Some examples of coronavirus and COVID-19 scams include:
— Treatment scams: Scammers are offering to sell fake cures, vaccines, and advice on unproven treatments for COVID-19.
— Supply scams: Scammers are creating fake shops, websites, social media accounts, and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand, such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
— Provider scams: Scammers are also contacting people by phone and email, pretending to be doctors and hospitals that have treated a friend or relative for COVID-19, and demanding payment for that treatment.
— Charity scams: Scammers are soliciting donations for individuals, groups, and areas affected by COVID-19.
— Phishing scams: Scammers posing as national and global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are sending phishing emails designed to trick recipients into downloading malware or providing personal identifying and financial information.
— App scams: Scammers are also creating and manipulating mobile apps designed to track the spread of COVID-19 to insert malware that will compromise users’ devices and personal information.
— Investment scams: Scammers are offering online promotions on various platforms, including social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure COVID-19, and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
These promotions are often styled as “research reports,” make predictions of a specific “target price,” and relate to microcap stocks, or low-priced stocks issued by the smallest of companies with limited publicly available information.
— Price Gouging scams: Individuals and businesses may sell essential goods, like hand sanitizer, for significantly higher prices than in a non-emergency setting.
It is legally considered price gouging when the price of one of these products increases more than 20 percent its price one week prior to an emergency declaration by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia Department Of Transportation
The Virginia Department of Transportation has closed offices and other non-public facilities to walk-in visitors until further notice.
The closure includes all district offices, residencies, area headquarters and the agency’s central office in Richmond.
VDOT is implementing a visitor-by-appointment process to ensure essential services and operations continue.
Safety rest areas and ferry facilities remain open to the public, with enhanced cleaning and protective measures in place.
