NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Thursday, May 7, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) will hold a coronavirus virtual town hall from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
This is the fourth in a series of virtual town halls in which Thompson and experts from across our district are answering questions on the response to the fallout from coronavirus.
All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.
For this week’s virtual town hall, Thompson will be joined by Contra Costa Health Services Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs Dr. William Walker and Martinez Police Chief Manjit Sappal.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people.
Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As Lake County and other jurisdictions around the state look toward trying to loosen COVID-19-related restrictions, new data is showing that while cases and testing numbers are continuing to rise, there is a promising trend in a decline in hospitalized COVID-19 patients across California.
New demographics data also is showing the impacts of the virus on the health care community and on certain ethnic groups.
Health departments across California reported more than 56,000 COVID-19 cases and 2,300 deaths as of Monday night.
On Monday, Lake County’s COVID-19 cases rose to eight, after test results confirmed that a Lake County Jail inmate had contracted the virus, as Lake County News has reported.
More than 600 county residents have been tested and there have been no COVID-19 deaths reported in Lake County.
The majority of Lake County’s cases so far have originated with out-of-county contacts that then spread to family members, according to previous public health reports.
Based on California Department of Public Health statistics, hospitalizations appeared to have peaked at just under 3,500 patients statewide last week, and since then have shown the first multiday decline since hospitalizations began to be tracked in March.
Local health officials planned for a surge at local hospitals, which hasn’t materialized. So far, only one of Lake County's confirmed cases has been hospitalized.
CDPH has launched a new data portal that tracks COVID-19 cases statewide and by county, gender, age and ethnicity. The portal also outlines statewide hospitalizations and testing efforts.
The new CDPH dashboard showed that there had been three suspected COVID-19 hospital patients and one suspected intensive care unit patient in Lake County; those are differentiated from confirmed patients. Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said he did not have information on those suspected cases.
While data released by the Centers for Disease Control last week showed the number of deaths from all causes is up statewide and nationwide – a fact attributed to COVID-19 – an initial look at coroner’s statistics in Lake County indicates an opposite trend.
For the period of Jan. 1 to April 24 of 2019, there were 109 coroner cases, while for the same time period this year the number of coroner cases has dropped to 95, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
In assessing cases of pneumonia, which in some parts of the nation have been flagged for a reported connection to COVID-19, in the first four months of 2019, Lake County had eight pneumonia-related deaths while it has had only two so far this year – in January and February, Paulich said.
Pace told the Board of Supervisors last week that Public Health staff have been working on conducting surveillance testing and increasing local testing capacity.
State officials said they also are working to expand access to COVID-19 testing.
More than 747,874 tests have been conducted in California and reported to CDPH. That total includes data from commercial, private and academic labs, including Quest, LabCorp, Kaiser, University of California and Stanford, and the 25 state and county health labs currently testing.
The state said laboratories have reduced the testing backlog.
Growing impacts for health care workers, certain ethnic groups
CDPH said that, as of Monday, local health departments across California have reported 6,103 confirmed positive cases in health care workers and 32 deaths statewide.
The state also has released an update on the racial demographics of COVID-19 in California, which CDPH reported is important to determine future action.
“Health outcomes are affected by forces including structural racism, poverty and the disproportionate prevalence of underlying conditions such as asthma and heart disease among Latinos and African American Californians. Only by looking at the full picture can we understand how to ensure the best outcomes for all Californians,” the agency said.
CDPH said the differences in health outcomes related to COVID-19 are most stark in COVID-19 deaths.
With nearly complete data on race and ethnicity for COVID-19 deaths, CDPH said that, overall, for adults 18 and older, Latinos, African Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are dying at disproportionately higher levels.
The proportion of COVID-19 deaths in African Americans is about double their population representation across all adult age categories, CDPH reported.
For Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, CDPH said overall numbers are low, but there is nearly a four-fold difference between the proportion of COVID-19 deaths and their population representation.
More males are dying from COVID-19 than females, in line with national trends, according to CDPH’s report.
On the local level, Pace has so far refused to release demographic information about Lake County’s patients.
This story has been updated to reflect that one of the previous COVID-19 cases in Lake County was hospitalized.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
When deadly tornadoes struck the Southeast in April, residents in Prentiss, Mississippi, struggled to keep up coronavirus precautions while salvaging what they could from their damaged properties. AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
The tornadoes that swept across the Southeast this spring were a warning to communities nationwide: Disasters can happen at any time, and the coronavirus pandemic is making them more difficult to manage and potentially more dangerous.
Each type of disaster could leave thousands of people homeless and many in need of rescue and emergency care.
Dealing with response and recovery from a disaster in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic raises new and unsettling questions. Who is available to respond? What medical assistance can be provided if hospitals are treating COVID-19 patients and there is already a shortage of supplies? Where do we shelter and house evacuees, given the need to keep large numbers of evacuees socially distant from one another? Moreover, the time frame for dealing with this dual challenge may not be measured in days or even weeks, but rather months and possibly years.
As a civil engineer specializing in risk management, I work with governments and businesses to assess enterprise risks, including extreme weather. There are no silver bullets to solving these dilemmas, but there are simple concepts and questions that planners should be addressing right now.
Planning is crucial
With the coronavirus pandemic adding a new layer of challenges and risks, community leaders should be planning in a structured way for how they will deal with worst-case scenarios.
That means asking: What can go wrong? How likely is it? What are the consequences? And what resources do we need to mitigate the risk?
Before this year, few communities seriously considered the need to deal with a pandemic on top of a natural disaster. Their playbooks for responding to a tornado or a hurricane likely didn’t include the need to consider social distancing in emergency shelters or how to get help from other states when a widespread health crisis is underway.
Officials should be asking the key questions again, casting the net wide enough to consider any plausible scenario. Importantly, they should be addressing where personnel, equipment, facilities and supplies can be found and how those resources should be allocated.
Schools are often used as emergency shelters during disasters, like this one was in Florida ahead of Hurricane Michael in 2018. They aren’t designed for social distancing.AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
With the likelihood that resources normally available from federal agencies and mutual aid agreements won’t be accessible this year, some local communities have started banding together to fill the void.
In New Orleans, Evacuteer, a nonprofit normally focused on helping residents evacuate during a hurricane, has shifted its operations to stockpiling food and supplies, recognizing that the pandemic response has depleted many of these resources.
The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a coalition of mayors and leaders, is procuring personal protective equipment for distribution to wherever severe flooding may occur.
Vacant hotel rooms and college dormitories are becoming important sheltering options. When tornadoes hit the Southeast in April, the Red Cross turned to a revised playbook and responded with social distancing in mind. Instead of opening shelters, where the coronavirus could easily spread, it worked with hotels to put hundreds of storm victims into rooms. Its volunteers, normally on the scene after disasters, jumped into emergency response coordination work from home.
The logistics challenge and federal leadership
Without careful, coordinated planning, desperately needed resources can be sent to the wrong locations, leaving the areas most in need of assistance without lifesaving capabilities.
The shortages of testing, face masks and ventilators in areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic show how logistical failures can threaten the quality of health care and the susceptibility of hospital workers to harm.
Ideally, disaster logistics management should be a federal role. The federal government has greater access to supplies and the authority to marshal resources. The most effective approach is centralized control of the supply chain and a unified command structure, much in the way the Defense Logistics Agency supports military operations. It requires total awareness of where to get supplies and where they are needed, and the ability to alter traditional supply chains when necessary.
Many case studies illustrate the success of this approach, and the risks of not using it. During the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, the Arlington County Fire Department quickly established a unified command with other agencies. The emergency crews on the scene knew who was in charge and could coordinate effectively. Conversely, the disorganized response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 left tens of thousands of people without basic supplies.
Changing how businesses operate
Inventory management is perhaps the most difficult challenge. In our global economy, companies have been overwhelmingly focused on cutting costs to remain competitive.
Businesses respond by keeping inventory as low as possible, relying on the supply chain to make just-in-time deliveries to meet production and service needs. There is little to no adaptive capacity in the system – the excess resources they could draw upon when a disaster strikes.
Creating this adaptive capacity will require a sea change in how businesses operate, with the strategy of cutting costs to the max replaced with a more reasoned approach of being cost-conscious while maintaining a sufficient inventory to meet societal needs.
Now is the time to recognize how to become resilient when confronting multiple disasters simultaneously. There is a famous oil filter commercial in which an auto mechanic, discussing the cost of replacing an oil filter as opposed to the cost of engine repair by deferring that decision, declares: “You can pay me now….or you can pay me later.” Later is no longer an option.
Mark Abkowitz, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Environmental Management Studies, Vanderbilt University
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Throughout May, National Bicycle Safety Month, the California Highway Patrol and the Office of Traffic Safety are joining forces to remind everyone to share the road safely and courteously.
Since the “stay-at-home” directive brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many people in California have taken to their bicycles for exercise and a change of scenery.
“In this uncertain time, more people are out on the streets biking for exercise, recreation, mental health, and affordable transportation,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists must stay alert to keep everyone safe.”
The events traditionally held throughout California by the CHP for Bicycle Safety Month may be somewhat curtailed in 2020.
However, many CHP Area offices will continue to give helmets to children who do not have them. Their parents or guardians are urged to call their closest CHP office for information on how to obtain one.
According to the National Safety Council, cyclists who wear a helmet reduce their risk of head injury by an estimated 60 percent. California law requires cyclists under 18 to wear a helmet, but it is a good idea for all who ride.
“If you are out riding a bicycle during the current pandemic, the same safety rules and habits still apply,” said OTS Directory Barbara Rooney. “To maximize safety, we encourage you to both be aware of your surroundings and practice physical distancing for the sake of you, your family, and others.”
Statistics from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System show that, during the past five years, 792 bicyclists were killed and more than 56,000 were injured in traffic crashes. The data also shows that riding on the wrong side of the roadway and right-of-way violations are the major causes of bicycle-involved crashes.
Motor vehicle drivers are reminded to give bicyclists extra room when passing – at least three feet is required by law. When turning right, drivers should look over their right shoulder to scan for bicyclists, especially when crossing into a designated bike lane. Before opening a car door, drivers should always look for passing bicyclists, especially when next to a bike lane.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security. The OTS administers traffic safety programs with the goal of reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will consider receiving a state cannabis business development grant and the purchase of a modular building for the Animal Control office.
The council will meet virtually for a closed session at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 7, to hold a performance evaluation for City Manager Alan Flora, discuss with legal counsel a case of potential litigation and existing litigation against PG&E Corp. and a conference with labor negotiators regarding Clearlake Management/Confidential Employees, Clearlake Police Officer Association, Clearlake Municipal Employees Association and Clearlake Middle Management Association before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on Lake County PEG TV’s YouTube Channel.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the city’s new town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/Issue_8734 . Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
On Thursday, the council will issue five proclamations declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, May 4 as Firefighter Appreciation Day, May 2020 as Military Appreciation Month, May 10 to 16 as Police Week and May 3 to 9 as Public Service Appreciation Week.
In council business, council members will consider a $98,890.43 Cannabis Equity Grant from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
A report to the council from Facilities Coordinator/Deputy City Clerk Tina Viramontes explained that the grant is designed to support equitable business development in the cannabis industry.
“The grant will assist in the creation of a cannabis business portal on the City of Clearlake website for cannabis businesses and the community, as well as provide funding to obtain a consulting group to help create and design the Equity Program. The grant will also provide funding to promote community events and meetings with cannabis businesses along with the community to help develop a cannabis equity program,” Viramontes reported.
The council also will consider amending the fiscal year 2019-20 budget to include the grant revenue.
In other business, the council is being asked to ratify and authorize Flora’s purchase of a modular office building for the Animal Control facility at an estimated cost of $37,427.15.
Also on Thursday, the council will consider approving a contract with R&R Pacific Construction for the Austin Park bathroom remodel project
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 240-2020, commercial cannabis regulatory permit suspension/revocation and appeal process and corrections to Ordinance No. 229-2019; annual rate increase notice from Clearlake Waste Solutions; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and Ratified by Council Action March 19, 2020.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Monday, the city of Clearlake reopened the City Hall and Police Department lobbies to the public, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.
City officials said providing essential services in a safe manner to citizens has been the priority and they continue to do so by putting new procedures in place to do business at City Hall.
A new plexiglass barrier has been installed at the City Hall public counter, as well as floor markers allowing a maximum of three citizens within the lobby area to assist in maintaining social distancing, and regular sanitization of surfaces.
The Clearlake Police Department lobby area is also open during regular business hours for a maximum of two citizens at a time.
City officials apologized for any wait times community members may encounter and appreciate their understanding and patience as the city navigates “these uncharted times.”
The city said larger group meetings, including city council and planning commission meetings will continue to be held virtually via Zoom with opportunities for public participation through Open Town Hall and email.
The city continues to provide normal business through phone calls, email and video conferencing by appointment.
Please call 707-994-8201 for questions or accommodations in conducting city business.
On Tuesday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02), Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13), Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) joined Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen in introducing the FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries, or FEED, Act.
This bill allows the federal government to pay 100 percent of the cost to states and localities so that they can partner with restaurants and nonprofits to prepare nutritious meals for vulnerable populations, such as seniors and underprivileged children.
These partnerships will support businesses and small farmers as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
“So many of our most vulnerable people are going without enough food and so many of our local restaurants and small farmers are struggling to get by as this crisis goes on. The FEED Act we introduced today will facilitate partnerships between small restaurants and states and local governments to provide nutritious meals to those who need them most,” said Thompson. “I’m deeply honored to have the support of world-renowned humanitarian and Chef José Andrés as we fight to support those in our communities who most need our help.”
“Too many families are going hungry during this pandemic, and it’s not because America is running low on food,” said McGovern. “This hunger crisis is a political problem, and we need to think outside the box to solve it. As millions of restaurants and their employees struggle to get by, the FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries Act will give states more flexibility to provide meals for vulnerable populations while supporting local businesses at the same time. I’m proud to introduce this bill alongside Representatives Thompson and Davis and Senators Harris and Scott.”
“If this pandemic has shown us anything, it’s the need to innovate and that’s exactly what the FEED Act does,” said Davis. “This bill helps utilize our restaurant industry, which has been hit hard during this pandemic, in a way that’s never been done before. By creating these partnerships between local governments and local restaurants, we can help get meals to people in need more quickly and help the food industry, which is a major employer and a critical part of our economy, during this difficult time.”
“Americans are experiencing greater levels of food insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, restaurants, their workers, and their suppliers are struggling,” said Harris. “I’m proud to introduce the FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries Act with Representatives Thompson and McGovern. This legislation will help states feed people in need while supporting local restaurants and their suppliers. We need to ensure that states have maximum flexibility so that no one goes hungry during this pandemic.”
“By supporting both families in need and our struggling restaurants, small farms and their workers, the FEED Act is truly a win-win,” said Scott. “This legislation will help our food producers and preparers partner with their states to feed families in need of a meal, and in turn ease some of the economic and personal anxiety they are all facing during this pandemic. I want to thank Chef José Andrés and our bipartisan, bicameral team for coming together to find a solution that can help millions of folks across the country.”
“Our work providing nourishment and hope in the wake of disaster has taught us an important lesson,” said Chef Andrés, founder of the relief organization World Central Kitchen. “When we empower neighbors to care for one another, and restaurants and non-profits to ensure food and nutrition are not forgotten, we give our communities an opportunity to combine response with recovery to create the possibility of a better tomorrow. I am proud to join Representatives Thompson, McGovern, and Davis and Senators Harris and Scott in this effort to make sure we reach every American in need of a humble plate of food.”
The FEMA Empowering Essential Deliveries Act aims to provide nutritious meals to people in need in response to the Coronavirus crisis. The bill waives section 403(b) and 503(a) of the Stafford Act, which allows for FEMA to cover the cost of emergency and disaster related expenses.
Under this legislation, the federal government would cover 100 percent of the cost of disaster-related expenses, instead of the typical 75 percent. This would eliminate any state costs during the COVID-19 crisis and allow more states to take a proactive approach to distributing meals and providing more financial relief to restaurants.
You can click here to read the text of the FEED Act.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week marks California’s annual “Wildfire Preparedness Week,” and Cal Fire is raising awareness and encouraging families and communities to take a proactive approach in personal wildfire preparedness.
Over the last three years, California has experienced five of the deadliest wildfires and seven of the most destructive wildfires in state history, with more than 3.7 million acres burned, some 34,000 structures destroyed, and more than 145 lives tragically lost.
This year, dry and warm conditions can lead to an increased potential of fire activity.
Since last year, California has been amplifying resources to protect public safety, including the completion of 35 high priority fuel reduction projects. The 35 projects resulted in protecting 90,000 acres by directly treating 12,000 acres.
Additionally, in 2020 Cal Fire plans to directly treat 50,000 acres. Cal Fire is partnering with the California National Guard and other agencies to provide early detection to wildfires throughout California to minimize reaction times and monitor fire affected areas to augment responses if necessary.
Also, Cal Fire will be amplifying resources with the use of technology through the Innovation Procurement Sprint that will help predict potential fire behavior and impact.
Finally, Cal Fire has focused on the procurement of new Blackhawk helicopters that can carry and deliver more water to impacted areas.
“As we continue to deal with challenging times, we want to make sure Californians know we are prepared for this year’s fire season, and also, the importance of them knowing what they can do to prepare themselves,” said Cal Fire Chief Thom Porter.
More importantly, Cal Fire is also ensuring residents know about the importance of educating and preparing themselves and their communities.
For instance, safeguarding their homes through the creation of defensible space by clearing vegetation 100-feet or more away, as well as using fire resistant landscaping to help stop the spread of wildfire, is strongly advised. This is especially important since approximately 25 percent of the state’s population, or 11 million Californians, live in a high-risk fire zone.
Thousands of communities, from small mountain towns to suburbs to large urbanized cities, depend on smart planning and prevention tools such as protective fuel breaks, defensible space around homes and home hardening for their safety and survival. These tools work together to build more fire-resilient communities.
“Preparedness is key to California residents reducing their exposure and risks to destructive wildfires, especially during this pandemic period,” said Anthony Scardina, deputy regional forester for Region 5. “We stand shoulder to shoulder with our wildland fire service partners at the state and local levels to protect our fellow Californians in 2020 and beyond.”
Additionally, Cal Fire is encouraging Californians to access the revamped “Ready for Wildfire” web-based app, which is a helpful resource to use in year-round preparation.
The “Ready for Wildfire” web-based app now takes a personalized approach that includes local alerts, checklists for preparedness, including evacuation plans, and other kits.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported Monday that a Lake County Jail inmate has tested positive for COVID-19.
Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace confirmed to Lake County News that the inmate is Lake County’s eighth COVID-19 case.
Sheriff Brian Martin said his agency got the inmate’s test results on Monday morning.
Lt. Corey Paulich said the specimen that identified the infected inmate was collected on Tuesday, April 19.
Paulich said the inmate is not displaying any symptoms of illness. When the positive test result was received the inmate was placed in isolation to avoid spreading the virus.
The sheriff’s office would not provide further information, citing medical privacy laws.
That includes not releasing information in response to questions from Lake County News about how long the inmate has been in custody and whether that individual came in sick or was infected while in the jail.
Paulich said the sheriff’s office is working with Public Health to determine the source of the infection.
One of Lake County’s previous seven confirmed COVID-19 cases was in a former state prison inmate released back to the county early in April, as Lake County News has reported.
Paulich said the test of the COVID-19 positive inmate was part of a 100-test survey conducted in the jail to determine if the virus could be detected in the inmate population or sheriff’s office staff.
He said all participants were asymptomatic so lab testing was not prioritized, causing the delay in receiving the results.
As of Monday, Paulich said the results of 91 tests have been received and this is the only positive case. Four test results are still pending.
Paulich said the sheriff's office has identified all inmates and staff who may have come into close contact with this inmate.
Following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in consultation with the Lake County Public Health officer, 17 inmates who had direct contact with the infected inmate are currently in medical isolation, Paulich said.
On March 12, the sheriff's office instituted enhanced measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the jail.
Those measures include suspending jail programs and visitation, screening all staff prior to entry to the facility, placing inmates who are in custody for minor offenses on home detention, enhanced medical screening at booking, wearing of face masks by staff, designating bed spaces for isolation and quarantine, among others, Paulich said.
Paulich said the jail continues to undergo comprehensive regular cleaning and disinfecting.
Due to Judicial Council of California rules issued in April that put in place a no-bail rule statewide for misdemeanors and lower-level felonies during the COVID-19 pandemic – which it said was meant to “safely reduce jail populations” – the jail census has dropped.
The jail is licensed for 286 inmates and currently has about 172 inmates, which Paulich said changes daily.
Paulich said the sheriff’s office has implemented safeguards to improve the health and well-being of inmates and employees.
Officials are providing comprehensive education to the jail population and staff on how to reduce chances of exposure and infection, he said.
“We have implemented social distancing, virtual meetings, working from home, as well as paused non-essential meetings, travel and training. We have hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes, face masks and disposable gloves readily available to employees,” Paulich said.
“This is a developing situation and we will provide updates as information becomes available,” Paulich said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Today, no matter how well-intentioned, there’s a risk that those helping hands could have the unfortunate consequence of causing more people to get COVID-19. And sadly, those most in need of help are often those who would be hit the hardest should they become infected because low-income people tend to have more health problems than others.
Many social-service nonprofits are experiencing a dramatic increase in demand. This includes everything from community clinics to youth centers, food pantries and agencies addressing domestic violence to groups that care for the homeless. At the same time, history suggests that many of these same nonprofits are likely to see their donations plummet due to the economic downturn underway, making any dollar you can spare count more than ever.
You need not ignore the general guidance to avoid extra trips to the grocery store or needlessly getting too close to strangers to do your share. That’s because cash donations to food pantries go further than directly donated items such as canned beans or boxed noodles.
Funds you provide to community organizations will help ensure they have the cash to meet their burgeoning needs now, or to reopen their doors later – depending on the situation. Theaters, operas and dance companies have had to cancel performances. Museums and zoos will be spending weeks closed. Shutting down is choking off revenue streams from ticket sales, gift shop proceeds and cafeteria operations they usually rely on. If you previously paid for upcoming performances or visits, you can do your share to support those institutions by not seeking refunds. Once this pandemic ends, won’t you want to be able to explore your favorite local zoo or museum or to experience live performances again?
2. Volunteer virtually
Many organizations use virtual volunteers. Depending on your skills, you could pitch in by helping boost an organization’s profile through Facebook and other social media platforms, upgrading their website, organizing an online fundraiser, coordinating the shipment of supplies directly to the nonprofit, and more.
But be sure to reach out before you act. Managing volunteers requires staff time, which many organizations lack. Other organizations may be ready and waiting for your help.
Likewise, it’s best to call or email your neighbors before you drop by to see how they are doing. Ask what, if anything, they need in advance. If they’re running low on toilet paper, soap, rice or other basic supplies, consider placing an online order to be delivered to their door. You do not have to be the only one caring for the people in your life. The “mutual aid” groups popping up all over the country for this purpose can be both a great resource for those in need and a great way to channel the desire to help.
If you realize that someone needs a hot meal, don’t just make them a casserole – even if that thoughtful gesture is one you might have made during ordinary times. If you can afford it, consider placing an order with their favorite restaurant when delivery service is available because you will be both protecting the neighbor from unnecessary contact and, also, supporting local businesses. If they need in-person help, take care to respect all social-distancing protocols.
Volunteers from the group Neighbors in Need are dropping off needed items for people like this man in Lawrence, Massachusetts.AP Photo/Elise Amendola
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State Sen. Mike McGuire will hold a critical telephone town hall this Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. for Mendocino and Lake County residents to hear the latest updates on the local and state coronavirus response.
“We’re grateful to partner with Lake and Mendocino counties on this critical coronavirus telephone town Hall,” McGuire said.
“We’ll have the latest, most accurate information from the medical professionals on the front lines on the virus response, stay-at-home orders and what a safe and strategic opening of our local economy would look like. We hope folks can join us for this informative community event,” McGuire said.
McGuire will host the public health officers from Lake and Mendocino counties, the superintendents of schools for the two counties and a University of California physician focused on infectious diseases.
To attend, dial 844-721-7241, enter code 6666128 and follow the prompts. You will be connected to the live town hall via telephone and you will be able to listen to the doctors providing critical updates. The town hall will be limited to the first 1,000 participants.
Email your questions and comments in advance and in real-time during the telephone town hall to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
A student uses art supplies provided by the Lake County Office of Education's QRIS program at Miss Jacqui's Childcare in Lake County, which is still able to provide child care during the pandemic. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – When the governor of California issued the statewide shelter in place order in mid-March, and nearly all of the state’s public schools dismissed their students for the remainder of the school year, child care providers were placed in a difficult situation.
Considered essential businesses, they were allowed to remain open as long as they followed social distancing precautions and increased cleaning procedures.
The concern was that essential workers in other industries would still need care for their children in order to continue their jobs to support this health crisis.
But it hasn’t been easy for Lake County’s early learning teachers, providers and staff.
Many local facilities watched their enrollment dwindle as working parents lost jobs or were furloughed, and no longer had the need or finances to send their children to child care.
Some parents kept their children at home because they were concerned that their child would contract the virus in a group setting.
More stringent cleaning protocols required implementation, yet owners encountered difficulties in getting basic goods to run their businesses, such as cleaning products and food.
Many facilities had to close.
Carla Ritz, executive director of First 5 Lake, explains, “When COVID-19 social distancing precautions were ordered, 30 out of 31 child care centers in the county closed their doors along with 21 out of 70 licensed family child care homes.”
Support was available in Lake County through a partnership of local agencies dedicated to increasing the quality of child care providers in Lake County.
The Lake County Child Care Planning Council, or LPC, a consortium of agencies and nonprofits, works to build partnerships with individuals and organizations in our community to help meet the child care needs of our communities.
Angela Cuellar-Marroquin of the Lake County Office of Education is the coordinator of the LPC. “We truly are all in this together. Multiple local agencies are working hand-in-hand together during this health crisis.”
Carla Ritz, executive director of First 5 Lake, explained, “First 5 California invests in California's child care system by funding the IMPACT (Improve and Maximize Programs so All Children Thrive) approach to quality improvement throughout the state.”
Ritz added, “In Lake County, First 5 Lake has served as the lead agency overseeing the use of the $853,110 in IMPACT funding that has been invested in Lake County over the past five years, and Lake County Office of Education staff have implemented the program.”
The Lake County Office of Education typically uses IMPACT dollars to fund Quality Rating and Improvement System, otherwise known as QRIS, also headed by Cuellar-Marroquin.
But during this health crisis, QRIS was allowed to repurpose their IMPACT grant funding. This includes incentive stipends for providers remaining open to serve essential workers, materials for programs that are serving new age groups, and materials for sites to distribute to parents to use with children while sheltering in place.
“I think some of the most heart-warming things I’ve seen in this pandemic are those providers who have had to close, yet they are still taking care of their students from a distance,” said Cuellar-Marroquin. “The providers might be closed, yet every week, and sometimes every day, they are on Zoom with their children, or doing circle times via Facebook Live. I’ve even had providers who are closed reaching out to us for take-home materials, because they know their students at home are in need of supplies to keep on track with their early childhood learning.”
The reality though is that providers are still grappling with getting the basic supplies they need to follow protocols.
"Providers in Lake County have been diligent in following all Community Care Licensing rules and regulations related to social distancing and cleaning procedures to best protect the children and themselves. They are finding it difficult to secure cleaning materials, sometimes specific food items and other essential items for their operations," said Jamie Castaldo, resource & referral manager, Rural Communities Child Care, A program of North Coast Opportunities.
Ritz says, “Help is on the way!”
She explains that recently, the First 5 California Commission held an emergency meeting and authorized funding to contract with www.SupplyBank.org to provide relief to providers in need of essential supplies for babies and young children, such as diapers, wipes and gloves, in addition to much-needed sanitation items.
Lake County is expecting multiple shipments from SupplyBank over the next 60 days to meet that need locally.
Quality child care is now becoming an important issue in the reopening of the economy.
In Gov. Newsom’s April 28, 2020 press conference, he said, “Child care is foundational to getting people back to work. If they cannot get the kind of quality child care that they deserve they are less likely to get back to work and jump-start this economy."
Brock Falkenberg, Lake County superintendent of schools and a commissioner on the First 5 Lake Board said, “We know that quality child care is more important than ever now, and organizations such as First 5 Lake, North Coast Opportunities, and the Lake County Office of Education will continue committing time and energy towards helping our parents get back to work, by making quality child care available here in Lake County.”
There are open local child care slots available. Lake County families seeking child care can call the referral message line at North Coast Opportunities at 707-467-3211. Calls are returned within 24 hours.
For families who need financial assistance to help pay for child care, there are a limited number of subsidized child care slots available for essential workers. To find out if you qualify, visit ncoinc.org and complete the waitlist application.
For child care providers interested in becoming a part of QRIS, please contact Angela Cuellar at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For more information about QRIS, please visit www.lakecoe.org/QRIS .
The QRIS program through the Lake County Office of Education is providing materials to child care facilities who are still open during the pandemic. This box of art supplies was sent to Danelle's Daycare in Lake County, who is still able to provide care practicing proper social distancing.
