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COVID-19 UPDATE
This newsletter is to give you an update on issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. My office has been contacted by many constituents on many aspects impacting day to day life  and I am trying to keep you updated with the best information. Remember to visit the special County website about COVID-19 by clicking here.
 
  • To assist residents struggling with financial hardship during the novel coronavirus pandemic, Santa Cruz County is offering a special COVID-19 Penalty Waiver Form for late fees and interest due on property taxes. The form and instructions are located on the Treasurer-Tax Collector's website by clicking here. Tax due dates including the April 10, 2020 installment date are established under State law and cannot be changed by local governments, including local tax collectors or Boards of Supervisors. However, existing State law does allow for late fee and penalty waivers to be considered for "situations beyond the taxpayer's control."
  • The County will be opening an Alternative Care Site at Simpkins Swim Center for up to 40 people if local emergency rooms are filled. Additional sites will be set up soon.
  • The County has issued an order restricting access at local Residential Health Facilities. This is meant to limit the spread of the virus to the most vulnerable members of our community. Read more here.
  • Access to testing remains a challenge. The County has ordered all entities that are testing to report both their positive and their negative results so we can be sure what the most accurate numbers are for our county. You can read the order here.
  • Due to extraordinary impacts to residents and businesses from the COVID-19 pandemic, and in alignment with communities throughout California, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions. The eviction moratorium will remain in place through May 31, 2020. Commercial and residential tenants are still obligated for rent due, and the eviction moratorium does not absolve tenants of any financial obligation under ongoing leases or other tenancy agreements. The Governor also secured 90-day grace periods for most mortgages in the state. You should contact your lender for specific details.
  • To help protect the health and safety of local health care workers, the County of Santa Cruz has established a safe, online system for donating personal protective equipment, or PPE. Organizations, businesses or individuals with surplus personal protective equipment are encouraged to visit here and fill out a brief online form. The County dispersed all its PPE to local hospitals and clinics last week.
  • The County's Economic Development Office hosted a second webinar for local businesses to assist them with resources. You can view it here.

Meet You Online
Emergency Operations Center in action
I am still holding weekly constituent meetings on Facebook Live. This week I will be joined by Rosemary Anderson, the County's Emergency Services Manager. She will share what preparations are taking place as we continue to address the COVID-19 crisis. Please tune in this Wednesday from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. We are working on a possible telephone town hall format for next week. Stay tuned.  If you don't have  Facebook, you can still watch the meeting.
Facebook Live Constituent Meeting
Every Wednesday
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Join The Great 2020 Couch-To-Virtual-Run Challenge
Families across Santa Cruz County are invited to participate in the first ever, FREE "Great 2020 Couch-To-Virtual-Run Challenge!" This effort is a collaboration between two local non-profit organizations, County Park Friends and Live Like Coco.
 
Launched on March 28, the Challenge invites kids across our community to move their bodies, have fun and build together towards a virtual fun run on April 25. The Virtual Run Challenge includes weekly activity sheets, weekly Friday drawings to win pizza or book delivery, training videos from Coach Laura Chiorello of Santa Cruz Track Club's Youth Track and Field Program and a culminating Virtual Fun Run, hosted by Live Like Coco.
 
What does it mean to do a virtual fun run? "It just means you can join from wherever you are, and walk, run or hike at a pace and distance that feels right for you," said Kate Pavao of Live Like Coco. "Hopefully kids and families will have fun doing healthy activities over the next four weeks -- and then be part of this great virtual event celebrating our foundation's values: Nature, Literacy, Health, Kids, Community, and Love!"
 
Information about the Challenge, virtual storytimes and safe practices for being outdoors can be found at countyparkfriends.org. County Parks also has a Virtual Rec Center online at scparks.com.

Where Can I Get Some Food?
Although we are asking people to shelter in place, some of us may need to eat something other than a home prepared meal. To help you know what is available for takeout, here are two websites to check out:
 
 Santa Cruz Foodie - A foodie site offering information about restaurants still open for business during the Shelter in Place order
What's Open Santa Cruz - A countywide listing of restaurants and businesses open during the Shelter in Place order
STAFF
831-454-2200
Not paid for with County funds