Author: Nafis Nichols

The Chester County Health Department has issued guidance for Halloween activities this year. Residents can find some fun ways to celebrate Halloween this year that also keep little trick or treaters safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please consider the following recommendations when celebrating Halloween this year. Talk with children about different ways to celebrate Halloween, and about staying safe while participating in your household’s chosen activities.

Continue to follow COVID-19 precautions at all times:

• If you are sick, stay home.
• If you have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19, or has symptoms of COVID-19, stay home.
• Wear a face covering (over both mouth and nose) to prevent disease spread when outside of your home and around others who are not part of your household. Keep activities outdoors.
• Avoid close contact with others outside of your household. Stay at least 6 feet apart.
• Wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and items regularly.

View the entire set of guidelines.

Delaware County Council, in partnership with Delaware County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Visit Delco, PA is excited to announce Drive-In Movie Weekend this fall. Residents can enjoy a family-friendly movie in the safety and comfort of their vehicle on October 9, 10 and 11 in Rose Tree Park.

Residents are invited to bring their own food and drinks and tune in to an FM radio station in their car as they watch the movie on the big screen located in the middle of the park. Bathrooms will be open for use.

This is a fun and safe activity for residents of all age. We’re excited to offer our residents a fun night out while still keeping them safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a chance for families to enjoy time together and also continue to stay safe!

Tickets and More Information

One month prior the 2020 General Election, the Delaware County Bureau of Elections has begun sending ballots to voters who requested either a mail-in or absentee ballot.

Over 100,000 vote-by-mail ballots were released on October 3 and an additional 9,000 vote-by-mail ballots are scheduled to be released later this week. This includes all vote-by-mail ballot applications received by September 20 and all ballots for voters who selected to receive a vote-by-ballot for the November General Election when they applied to vote by mail prior to the June Primary Election.

A total of 111,000 vote-by-ballots have or will be mailed by the County and the Bureau of Elections will continue to process vote-by-mail applications received until the October 27 deadline.

Voters may begin receiving their ballot materials as early as today and are reminded to carefully review and follow the enclosed vote-by-mail instructions enclosed with the ballot. There are two envelopes in the packet: a smaller secrecy envelope marked “OFFICIAL ELECTION BALLOT” and a larger mailing envelope that has “VOTER’S DECLARATION” printed on the back side and is addressed to the County Bureau of Elections. Voters must use both envelopes. Any ballot that arrives at the Bureau of Elections without the inner “secrecy envelopes” (also called a “naked ballot”) will not be counted.

Voters can return their voted ballot* via the United States Post Office (USPS) in the postage-paid mailing envelope or via any private mail carrier of their choice (though these carriers may charge for delivery and voters are advised to check the carrier’s website for details).

Voters can also return their voted ballot* at any Delaware County Voter Service Center, located in Media, Upper Darby, and Chester. Locations and times can be found here: www.delcopa.gov/publicrelations/releases/2020/voterservicecentersopening.html

Voters who are concerned about delivery or want to confirm the status of their vote-by-mail ballot can use the Pennsylvania Department of State’s “Election Ballot Status” lookup tool: www.pavoterservices.pa.gov/Pages/BallotTracking.aspx.

After the voter enters their name and birthdate, the status will either say “pending” (if their application has been approved and the ballot is being prepped for release to the voter) or will show an error message (that reads “We are unable to match your information with our records”) until the application has been processed by the County.

Election Resources:

• The Delaware County Election Hotline (610-891-VOTE) is now available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – noon. Hotline staff can answer calls related to the upcoming election, provide information about voter registration, mail-in ballots, vote-by-mail applications, polling place locations, ballot boxes, deadlines, and more.
• Delaware County’s New Election Website – Delco Votes! – is also now available. Users will find up-to-date forms and applications, deadlines, and the latest news regarding the 2020 General Election. Delco Votes! can be found here: delcopa.gov/vote

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Convenient and safe drive-through clinics in Essington, Broomall, and Media

Delaware County Council and the Department of Intercommunity Health are announcing multiple free public flu shot clinics:

Wednesday, October 7 and Thursday, October 8
Tinicum Township Fire Company
99 Wanamaker Ave, Essington, PA 19029.

Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17
Broomall Fire Company
1 N. Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008.

Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23
Middletown Fire Company
425 S. New Middletown Road, Media, PA 19063.

All clinics take place 10 AM – 3 PM

Flu shots are available to all residents of Delaware County, 3 years of age or older. High dose vaccines for residents 65 years of age and older are not available. For more information or questions regarding the clinics please contact the Intercommunity Health Office at 610-891-6129

No insurance is required.

The clinic will be staffed by members of the Delaware County Medical Reserve Corps, and Delaware County Department of Intercommunity Health.

County Council and the County’s Department of Intercommunity Health are working to make it as safe and convenient as possible for residents to get vaccinated. The drive-through format is intended to make it safer and more convenient for older residents, those with disabilities, and parents with small children, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All residents are urged to get a flu shot. The intensity and severity of flu seasons are difficult to predict, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is dependent on many variables. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found immunization reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60 percent during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine.

Receiving a flu shot is the first and most important step in preventing the flu and decreasing the risk of severe flu-related illnesses. Each year, 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to complications from the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older should get vaccinated against the flu.

Please note that residents must wear a mask/face covering to the flu clinic. In the event of inclement weather, please be aware that the flu clinic may be canceled.

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