This week of May 13th newsletter is to give you the latest update on local issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember to visit the County website about COVID-19 by clicking here which will be updated when anything NEW is announced.
UPDATES:
As part of a recently announced partnership between the state of California, the COVID-19 Testing Task Force and OptumServe, we were chosen to participate along with 80 other sites to provide additional COVID-19 testing opportunities. Located at Ramsey Park in Watsonville, this new testing site will have an eventual capacity of 132 specimens per day to be sent to commercial labs for processing. The site is being coordinated by SAVE Lives Santa Cruz County. Access is now being given to all, so anyone can get a test even if you do not have health coverage which will be provided for you by the state. Tests will be given at this location from Wednesday to Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm. To find out more click here. You can also call 1-888-634-1123 to schedule an appointment if you do not have email.
The County is working to establish a temporary housing site for Transition Aged Youth (TAY) at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) site on Old San Jose Road in Soquel. The program will be ten trailers acquired through the state. At the request of neighbors in Soquel, we are forming a Community Advisory Group to help with oversight of this temporary housing program for TAY at the SDA site on Old San Jose Road. The group will meet directly with program managers, County staff, and church representatives as we set up and operate this program during the time when Shelter In Place order remains in effect. Neighbors with backgrounds in public administration, business, education, public health or public safety, and/or have served on other boards are encouraged to apply. For an application please
click here. Applications are due no later than Monday, May 19th by 10:00 am. If you accept the appointment to this group, please be available for your initial meeting to review material on Thursday, May 21st at 2:00 pm. A meeting with the County, program staff and the Advisory Group will be set with the community the following week.
Starting Friday, May 8th, many local retail businesses began providing curbside pick-up services to customers. Examples of such businesses include bookstores, clothing stores, florists, sporting goods stores, and other over-the-counter retailers. In addition, manufacturing and supply chain workplaces supporting these businesses could open. Social Distancing Protocols must be followed in all these settings. We are working to have contact tracing and other opening requirements and tools in place to allow other businesses to open as soon as the Governor allows us to do so safely. I encourage you to safely patron our local businesses as they need our support during this time.
A new Economic Recovery Council has been formed to help facilitate a safe, phased and enduring reopening of the local economy. Composed of business leaders across sectors that are expected to open as the Shelter In Place orders change in the coming months, the Council will align with Gov. Gavin Newsom's Resilience Road-map and public health subject matter experts. Member expertise will support local businesses to prepare for reopening. The Council will work directly with both Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel and SAVE Lives Santa Cruz County Director of Community Recovery Margaret Lapiz. For a list of participating business leader on the Economic Recovery Council, please click here.
Last Wednesday I held a Telephone Town Hall with Congressman Jimmy Panetta about federal efforts to support our community and country during the COVID-19 crisis. You can listen to it here.
There is a weekly press conference with County health officials on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. You can watch it on the County's Facebook site by clickinghere.
Telephone Town Hall at 6 pm Wednesday
Assembly member Mark Stonewill be joining me for a tele-town hall from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, May 13. Assembly member Stone will discuss state actions to address the COVID-19 pandemic and assistance for Santa Cruz County residents.
Wednesday, May 13th
6 pm - 7 pm
To listen in or ask questions at the Telephone Town Hall Meeting
Call
831-454-2222 / Use Collaboration ID Number: 855976
If You Need Help
The County is partnering with local restaurants, caterers and other food business in preparing and delivering meals to older Santa Cruz County residents who face an elevated COVID-19, under the new Great Plates Delivered program. A federal program designed to support adults 65 and older as well as adults 60-64 who are at high-risk from COVID-19 and are sheltering in place without access to food support, the program delivers up to three meals per day delivered from local restaurants. To see if you are eligible to receive meals through this program click here.
