COVID-19/Shelter in Place
Q:
How is the Monterey County Food Bank doing during this crisis?
The Food Bank is doing yeoman's work, but it is struggling to meet the need. The primary issue is that food supply chains are delayed.
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Q:
Why can’t the Board of Supervisor tell the Health Officer to lift the SIP Order?
I, and my four colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, are regularly communicating with the Health Officer and all those involved in planning our response to this pandemic.
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Q:
Have there been early releases of prisoners at the Monterey County Jail and Salinas Valley State Prison?
Yes, some early releases have occurred. Per the Monterey County Sheriff, the early releases at the county jail are all due to COVID-19.
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Q:
Can’t we just open up on the Monterey Peninsula?
Shelter-in-Place orders are implemented to ensure our local health care system has capacity to serve all potentially ill persons in the County. The Monterey Peninsula is not isolated from other parts of the County and continues to share the risk of potential spread of this disease. There is significant travel between different areas of Monterey County. There would be significant legal issues with trying to open one area of the County and not another, and we need to have a comprehensive and coordinated approach countywide.
Q:
When can private events and weddings resume?
Governor Newsom has laid out six criteria for the lifting of shelter in place orders and four phases for re-opening. Monterey County is developing plans based on the State's guidance, and will be working with industry leaders locally to develop the appropriate protocols and timing for these kinds of activities.
Q:
When will the public have increased access to open space in the County Parks?
In consultation with the Health Officer, some
Monterey County Parks
are reopened with limited use in compliance with the Monterey County’s Shelter in Place Order and the State of California COVID-19 related orders.
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Q:
When will additional outdoor recreational activities such as tennis, swimming, and fishing be allowed?
At this time activities such as tennis and swimming continue to be deemed too high-risk regarding transmission of COVID-19. My office has shared community members’ requests for this determination to be reconsidered. We have similarly conveyed a number of requests for reopening of the boat launch ramps for recreational fishing.
Q:
Why have there been trails and roads closures in the Los Padres National Forest?
These roads, trails, and trailheads were drawing increasingly heavy vehicle traffic and large groups of people, creating circumstances where social distancing was not possible.
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Q:
I am a sole proprietor of an STR. What financial assistance is available to help me pay my mortgages and essential bills?
Q:
Can you provide more information on unemployment assistance?
We have spoken with the office teams of your State representatives - Senator Bill Monning, Assemblymembers Stone and Rivas - to let them know more information is needed.
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Q:
Why was the Monterey Fairgrounds selected to be an alternative housing site and what protections are in place for the surrounding neighborhoods?
To prepare for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases which may impact local hospitals and sicken vulnerable populations, Monterey County has implemented a multi-pronged approach to meeting both medical and housing needs for those impacted or threatened by COVID-19.
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Q:
I’m concerned about the Health Department’s modeling how many cases of COVID-19 are expected to occur in Monterey County.
In the presentation which the Board of Supervisors received on April 14th, it was made clear that there are limits to modeling. The models available are designed for larger populations with more cases.
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Q:
How is the County ensuring Agricultural Workers are adequately protected?
Monterey County has been a national leader in considering the needs of the agricultural industry, including this industry as essential since the outset.
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Q:
There seem to be inconsistencies in the protocols for Assisted Living and Long Term Care Facilities.
The Monterey County Health Department, California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and US Health and Human Services Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) have been working closely with long-term care facilities since mid-January to help them prepare for COVID-19.
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Q:
Could you please address the issue of 2nd Amendment rights being infringed upon with the exclusion of gun shops and sporting goods stores that sell ammunition from essential services?
Second Amendment rights are not being infringed upon under the SIP.
Q:
Where can Monterey Peninsula residents receive testing?
Monterey County will launch two testing sites, one in Salinas and one in Greenfield. The Salinas community testing site will be held at Alisal High School located at 777 Williams Road and will open on Wednesday, May 6 at 8 a.m.
My office is actively working to site an additional County affiliated testing location on the Monterey Peninsula.
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