MARC APRIL 22, 2020 H 26, 2020

Governor sheds some light on reopening

Governor Gavin Newsom compares reopening California to using a dimmer switch instead of turning on a light bulb - a process that will occur gradually and could be dialed back if the number of coronavirus infection cases begin to surge again. At his press conference today, Newsom

still is not offering a specific date when he might lift his stay-at-home order. However, he said that hospitals are now permitted to schedule elective surgeries because the number of coronavirus patients who are being hospitalized is stabilizing. A key factor to reopen Cailfornia is expanding coronavirus testing, Newsom said. At the beginning of March, 2,000 tests were conducted daily in California. That has now risen to 16,000 tests a day, and Newsom said his goal is at least 60,000 tests a day. In San Diego County, as the number of coronavirus cases increases, officials say they plan to continue the public health order at least until the end of the month. "We are asking everyone to stay the course until April 30," said county Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten. "Then we will re-evaluate and see where we are at that time." The district is closely monitoring all government orders to determine when to resume operations on the college campuses. Teams are being established to develop plans to ensure a smooth reopening.

Tip of the hat to company's donation to CAPS

Campus and Parking Services Director Nicole Conklin got a pleasant surprise in the form of donated face shields to protect her crew patrolling the Grossmont and Cuyamaca College campuses.   Barnacle Enforcement Solution, a plastics manufacturer that makes a device that immobilizes the vehicles of parking scofflaws, responded to the COVID-19 outbreak by retooling so it could make face shields for first responders and other essential workers.

When Conklin called the company asked for a price quote for 20 face shields, they offered to send them to the district free of charge. Conklin said the Grossmont College Administration of Justice program also donated some disposable face masks from its supplies to CAPS. She said they were shared with two local police agencies in need of the masks. "It's been nice to see how generous people have been during this pandemic," she said.

Raising butterflies Johnny Dollar's gift to Mother Earth

Today is Earth Day, a fitting time to feature a district employee’s fascination with the monarch butterfly, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has petitioned to be placed on the endangered species list. Without conservation measures, habitat loss leaves their fragile future in question.   For the past five years, District Warehouse Assistant Johnny Dollar and his wife, Suzie, have been raising monarch butterflies at their Flinn Springs home. They start at the caterpillar stage, when the insects feed on the leaves of milkweed plants in the couple’s yard.   The Dollars move the caterpillars into protective enclosures containing potted milkweed plants, where they advance to the chrysalis stage between three weeks to two months later, depending on the weather. When the butterflies emerge from their chrysalises, the couple waits 24 hours before releasing the butterflies.   “It’s an amazing evolution to witness,” Dollar said. “In these times, we all need some beauty and amazement in our lives.” 

In the Remote Report, you’ll see important updates, get your questions answered, and learn ways to help us all navigate this new world of mass telecommuting. Issues of the Remote Report will be archived on the District Remote Report page If you have news to share or discovered a tip that helps you work better remotely, pass it on. Please send your items to Anne Krueger , Christianne Penunuri (Cuyamaca College) or Lorena Ruggero (Grossmont College).