Asheville has not seen a year like 2020 in a hundred years — literally.

 On March 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Not since the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919 has the world — including our corner of it — experienced this kind of public health challenge.

Working with Buncombe County health officials, City of Asheville employees rolled up their sleeves, crafted creative solutions and showed up to serve this community.

The year was also marked by national and local social unrest
following the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis.

But that’s not all that happened. The City made strides in solar energy, social and environmental justice and completed a massive dam improvement project.

Voters elected an all-woman City Council.

Here’s a look back at your City government in 2020.Asheville 2020 in review: Response to pandemic, protests and more | The City of Asheville (ashevillenc.gov)

How are we doing, as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with the Polco/National Community Survey company to find out.

The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety and mobility.

Some residents were randomly selected to participate in the scientifically significant survey in December and were notified by mail. If you were notified by mail, please do not complete the online survey as well.

The survey is now open to all residents at the following links:

English: https://polco.us/sx4rw7

Spanish: https://polco.us/scyssm

Russian: https://polco.us/s6fvuf

The survey will be open through Jan. 21. The survey will take about 17 minutes to complete.

When this survey closes, results will be presented online in interactive charts and tables. Asheville’s last resident survey was conducted in 2018. You can find the results here as well as results from 2015 and 2008.

What will the City do with the results? National Community Survey will compare and analyze the 2021 results with the 2018 results and provide the metrics comparison. As the city enters budget planning season for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the results will help guide the City’s operational planning and help to determine project prioritization and resource allocation.

BMC harp faculty Allegra Lilly performs
as part of her living room concert, recorded on July 20, 2020. Allegra is the Principal Harpist
of the St. Louis Symphony.

Digital BMC

Selected past performances by BMC orchestras, faculty, and guest artists on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Open Air Brevard.

BRAHMS Intermezzo in A Major, Op. 118, No. 2
Craig Nies, piano
Recorded on July 22, 2019,
at Ingram Auditorium at Brevard College.

Digital BMC

Selected past performances by BMC orchestras, faculty, and guest artists on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Open Air Brevard.

SIBELIUS Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
I. Allegro moderato
Brevard Sinfonia • Ken Lam, conductor
SooBeen Lee, violin
Recorded live on August 3, 2019,
at the Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium at the Brevard Music Center.

All online vaccine appointments are currently filled.
More appointments will become available when vaccine allotments are announced from the state.

Buncombe County’s Current Vaccination Phase: 1B

Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine, quantity of 700 doses, on December 21. Within 24 hours of receiving the shipment, BCHHS began vaccinating individuals in the Phase 1A group. Buncombe County HHS has received two subsequent weekly shipments of vaccine of 975 doses each on December 30 and January 5. BC HHS continues to vaccinate Phase 1a population in the week of January 4. As of time of release, over 1,200 individuals in total have been vaccinated by Buncombe County HHS and Emergency Services.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will open Phase 1B in small groups due to the limited vaccine supply. Phase 1B Group 1 will begin with persons 75 years and older in order to best manage vaccine dose availability.  BCHHS will begin vaccinating this population the week of January 11, 2021.

Important Details for Week of January 11, 2021:

• People who fall into Phase 1B (those 75 and over) can call BCHHS starting Thursday, January 7, 2021 to schedule their COVID-19 immunization.
• Appointments can be made by calling (828) 250-5000, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. As long as vaccine supply is available, appointments will be available for this population.
• Vaccine supply is extremely limited during the first phases of the vaccination effort. For this reason, you must have an appointment to get a COVID-19 vaccination in Buncombe County at this time.
• When making your appointment, you will receive information on where and when to arrive for your vaccine. In order to maintain a steady flow of appointments and a safe environment, please arrive at your scheduled time.
• Remember, two COVID-19 shots are necessary to build up immunity and we have a plan to help everyone get both doses. The second shot will come 3-4 weeks after the first. It is important to get two doses of the same vaccine.
• The vaccine is free to everyone, even if you don’t have health insurance. While there is a small administrative fee covered by insurance, cost will not be a barrier to your COVID-19 immunization.
• Your ability to get a vaccine is not impacted by your citizenship status and there is not an ID requirement. You (or a legal guardian) will need to sign a consent form to get the vaccine when you arrive. Language services will be available on site.
• Please plan for safe transportation to the immunization site. Drivers and riders should wear masks and social distance to the extent possible. Please wear a mask to the immunization site.

Phased Vaccination Groups:

To see all the groups for Phases 1b and Phase 2 please review this Infographic of Vaccine Phases. As we move through new phases of vaccine distribution, BCHHS will provide information by phone, website, and via media partners. We will also coordinate closely with our community partners and networks to ensure that frontline workers have a clear path to immunizations in the later subgroups of 1B.2 and 1B.3.

The vaccination effort continues to be a fluid situation and will require patience and diligence from our community as this process depends on the vaccine supplies received each week. Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County Public Health Director, emphasizes the bigger picture of the pandemic response and says, “It is important for everyone in Buncombe County to continue following the public health guidance as we move through the subsequent phases of the vaccination plan. Full implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine plan is expected to take months, so we encourage residents to continue to follow all protective measures like wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance from others and avoiding gatherings. We are working as hard as we can given vaccine supply limitations to get vaccine into our community.”

For more information:

BCHHS will provide information on the Buncombe Ready website, social media, and through our call center in the coming days, weeks, and months. We will continue to work closely with partner organizations, community messengers, and local media outlets to provide information throughout the phased vaccination process.

Click here to see the outline of the state’s current phased approach. 

Amid the arrival of the long awaited COVID-19 vaccine, the demand for a well-known treatment for those battling the virus, convalescent plasma, has skyrocketed.

The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, has seen the demand for this life-saving product triple in the past few months because of its effectiveness.
However, the need for convalescent plasma continues to far outrun the supply.
The release of the COVID-19 vaccine has created a challenge for TBC, as it reduces the number
of people who are eligible to give convalescent plasma. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA)
has recommended that donors who have received the vaccine should not donate convalescent
plasma but can donate whole blood (a regular blood donation). To give convalescent plasma,
donors must be symptom free for at least 14 days and must have proof of a positive COVID-19
test or positive COVID-19 antibody test.

Visit web site or call to schedule your donation appointment:
Hendersonville
825 Spartanburg Highway
Hendersonville, NC 28792

Greenville
435 Woodruff Rd.
Greenville, SC 29607

Spartanburg
270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr.
Spartanburg, SC 29303

Asheville
225 Airport Rd.
Arden, NC 28704

Kaufman Music Center:
Bach Yard Playdates
Enjoy short interactive and exploratory episodes curated by acclaimed pianist Orli Shaham.

Nonprofit organizations wishing to apply for the 2021 Charitable Giving Program can access applications
online at www.horizonheatac.com/hha-community-fund. Applications will be accepted through Monday,
February 1, 2021. Last year, $24,000 was awarded to 14 nonprofits whose programs range from food
assistance to medical care and after-school education.