March 17 2020
Message from Lynda
Dear Friends,

One of our top goals is to keep you informed and safe with the most current information on the Coronavirus public health emergency. This is the first of our Daily Briefings in which we will send out County information, resources, and State/Federal news. We are also sharing timely information on my public facebook page here .

Below is information on today's Public Health Order that directs a "shelter in place" strategy to flatten the curve of infections locally. This order is expected to take effect at 12:01 Wednesday morning. Please review the order and details below and plan accordingly. This is an appropriately aggressive action to mitigate the impacts of the virus and to protect vulnerable members of our community. Santa Clara County instituted their shelter-in-place order two and a half weeks after their first community transmission. Sonoma County is poised to take this action 4 days after the first documentation of community transmission. These are some of the most aggressive measures being taken in the United States today.

I want to acknowledge the fact that early action WILL save lives. It will “flatten the curve,” which is a good thing — critical to maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system and its ability to care for patients. But “flattening the curve” also lengthens the curve, I want to acknowledge that many residents will experience economic impacts as a result of these orders. We are actively advocating for additional assistance from the state and federal government to support workers, families, small businesses, and the self-employed.

Join us for tonight's Virtual Town Hall from 7:00pm – 8:00 pm on several local radio and TV stations, and livestreamed online. Supervisor Gorin (Chair, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors), Chris Godley (Director, Sonoma County Emergency Management), and Dr. Sundari Mase (Sonoma County Interim Public Health Officer) will present information and answer questions in a one-hour live news special.
Tune into local radio, TV, or Livestream stations on Tuesday, March 17 from 7:00 – 8:00 PM.
Shelter In Place Health Order
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The Sonoma County Health Officer has issued a Health Order directing residents to shelter in place effective midnight on Wednesday March 18, 2020.

This recent Order comes after the County received two additional cases of local transmission from coronavirus (COVID-19) yesterday, and two cases over the past weekend.
All individuals currently living within the County are ordered to shelter at their homes. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence.




This Health Order will be in place for three weeks until April 7, 2020 . The Health Order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most basic and essential needs.
The guidance comes after substantial input from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and from international health experts.
Social distancing is scientifically-proven to be one of the most effective methods to slow the transmission of communicable disease, such as COVID-19.

“In light of the recent cases of local transmission of COVID-19 in the County, we are taking proactive action to curtail the spread of the virus,” said Dr. Sundari Mase, Sonoma County Interim Health Officer.
“We urge our residents not to panic, however, please take this Order seriously, as COVID-19 is a real threat to our community at this time. Please adhere to the social distancing of six feet from another person as well as continue to maintain good hygiene practices.”

Please Remember
  • Keep a distance of at least six feet away from another person
  • Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Refrain from touching your face
  • Use hand sanitizer
  • Covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands)
  • Regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands

This Order was issued in response to the six cases of COVID-19 in the County, as well as at least 258 confirmed cases and at least three deaths in the seven Bay Area jurisdictions who also jointly issued similar health orders yesterday.

This also comes in response to the significant and increasing number of suspected cases of community transmission and likely further significant increases in transmission. The order defines essential activities as necessary for the health and safety for individuals and their families.

Essential businesses are those that provide food, shelter, social services and homeless services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals; fresh and non-perishable food retailers (including convenience stores); pharmacies; child care facilities; gas stations; banks; laundry businesses and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence.

Health care operations are also essential businesses and include hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, licensed cannabis businesses, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home health care services providers, mental health providers, or any related and/or ancillary health care services. 

Health care operations also includes veterinary care and all health care services provided to animals. This does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities. Licensed cannabis retail facilities/dispensaries shall operate only for the purpose of providing medical cannabis, and only via curbside pickup or delivery.

Essential businesses also include: agriculture, food, and beverage cultivation, processing, and distribution, including but not limited to, farming, ranching, fishing, dairies, creameries, wineries and breweries in order to preserve inventory and production (not for retail business);

In addition, health care, law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action.

Campgrounds, hotels and motels are considered shelters and therefore an essential service and will remain open.

The goal is to limit groups congregating together in a way that could further spread the coronavirus.
This Order comes days after Governor Gavin Newsom ordered adults, age 65 and older, to remain at home.

The violation of any provision of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health and will be enforced by law enforcement.

The Health Officer will continue to assess the quickly evolving situation and may modify or extend this Order, or issue additional Orders, related to COVID-19.

Official information on the coronavirus can be found at  SoCoEmergency.org . For additional questions, call  2-1-1  to reach the 2-1-1 Sonoma Information & Resource Hotline.
Oficial de salud ordena a los residentes del condado refugio en el lugar

Santa Rosa,  CA  – March 17, 2020 at 3:58 PM
La Oficial de Salud del Condado de Sonoma emitió una orden de salud, efectiva a la media noche del miércoles 18 de marzo, dirigiendo a los residentes del Condado de Sonoma a resguardarse en casa.

La orden llega después de que el Condado recibiera reportes de dos casos adicionales de transmisión comunitaria del coronavirus (COVID-19) ayer, y dos casos durante el fin de semana.
A todas las personas actualmente viviendo en el condado se les ordena resguardarse en su casa. En la mediad en la que las personas necesiten usar espacios compartidos o exteriores deben en todo momento mantener una distancia social razonable de por lo menos seis pies de distancia entre ellos y otras personas cuando estén por fuera de su residencia.


Esta orden de salud estará vigente durante tres semanas hasta el 7 de abril de 2020.  La orden de salud limita las actividades, los viajes y las funciones comerciales a las necesidades más básicas y esenciales.
La directriz llega después de recibir sugerencias de parte del Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) y el Departamento de Salud Pública de California (CDPH), además, de ver las prácticas de expertos de salud internacionales en efecto. 
Mantener la distancia social ha sido probado científicamente como uno de los métodos más efectivos para disminuir el ritmo de transmisión de enfermedades contagiosas como COVID-19.
“A la luz de los casos recientes de transmisión local de COVID-19 en el país, estamos tomando acciones para reducir el contagio del virus con métodos que han funcionado”, dijo la Doctora Sundari Mase, Oficial de Salud Interina del Condado de Sonoma.

“Urgimos a nuestros residentes a no entrar en pánico, sin embargo, les pedimos que tomen esta Orden seriamente pues el coronavirus (COVID-19) es una amenaza real para nuestra comunidad en estos momentos. Por favor mantenga una distancia social de seis pies de distancia entre ustedes y otra persona y también continúen manteniendo las prácticas de buen higiene”.

Por favor recuerde:
  • Mantenga una distancia de por lo menos seis pies de distancia con otras personas
  • Lávese las manos con agua y jabón por lo menos por 20 segundos
  • No se toque la cara
  • Use desinfectante para manos
  • Cubra la tos y estornudos (estornude en el codo, no en las manos)
  • Limpie regularmente superficies que se toquen con frecuencia y no de saludos de mano

Esta Orden se emitió en respuesta a los cinco casos de COVID-19 en el Condado, además de los por lo menos 258 casos confirmados y por lo menos 3 muertes en las siete jurisdicciones del área de la bahía que también emitieron ordenes similares ayer. 
Esto también es en respuesta al significativo y creciente número de presuntos casos de contagio comunitario y el posible aumento significativo en transmisión. La orden define actividades esenciales como tales necesarias para la salud y seguridad de personas y sus familias.
Negocios esenciales a los que se les permitirá operar bajo la acción recomendada incluyen servicios de salud; negocios que provean comida, albergue y servicios sociales, y otras necesidades diarias de vida para aquellos en desventaja económica o individuos necesitados; vendedores de comida fresca y no perecedera (incluyendo tiendas de conveniencia); farmacias, negocios de cuidado infantil; estaciones de gasolina; bancos; negocios de lavandería y servicios necesarios para mantener la seguridad e higiene y operaciones esenciales de una residencia.

Operaciones de servicios médicos también son servicios esenciales e incluyen hospitales, clínicas, dentistas, farmacias, negocios de cannabis con licencia, compañías farmacéuticas y de biotecnología, otras instalaciones de atención médica, proveedores de servicios a proveedores de atención médica, proveedores de servicios de atención médica a domicilio, proveedores de servicios de salud mental, o cualquier servicio de salud relacionado y / o auxiliar.
Operaciones de salud también incluyen cuidado veterinario y todos los servicios médicos provistos a animales. Esto no incluye facilidades como, o similares, a gimnasios para mantenerse en forma o hacer ejercicio. Las instalaciones de venta de cannabis/dispensarios deben operar con el solo propósito de proveer cannabis medicinal, y solamente realizando domicilios o entregando el producto afuera del lugar.
Negocios adicionales también incluyen: cultivación, procesamiento y distribución de agricultura, comida y bebidas, incluyendo, pero no limitado a cultivaciones, agricultura, pesca, producción de productos lácteos, viñedos y cervecería con el fin de preservar inventario y producción (no para la venta).
Adicionalmente, las funciones esenciales de gobierno, salud, ley y seguridad se mantendrán en efecto bajo la acción recomendada.  

Espacios para acampar, hoteles y moteles son considerados lugares de albergue y por ende son un servicio esencial y permanecerán abiertos. 
La meta es limitar la congregación de grupos en maneras que pudieran contribuir al contagio del coronavirus.

Esta orden legal colectiva llega un día después de que el Gobernador Gavin Newsom ordenara a los adultos mayores, de 65 años en adelante, a quedarse en casa.
La violación de cualquier provisión en esta Orden constituye un peligro inminente para la seguridad pública y será aplicada por las autoridades.

La Oficial de Salud continuará evaluando la situación que se desarrolla rápidamente y podría modificar o extender esta Orden, o emitir Ordenes adiciones con relación al coronavirus.
Encuentre más información oficial sobre el coronavirus en español en  www.socoemergency.org . Para hacer preguntas adicionales llame al  2-1-1  la Línea de Información y Recursos de 2-1-1 Sonoma.

Resources
If you have resources to share, please send them to district5@sonoma-county.org


SBA Business Support:
Federal low-interest disaster loans available for California businesses: The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering California businesses that have suffered from coronavirus up to $2 million in loans, according to San Francisco’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available and 2.75% for nonprofits. Businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The program also covers a dozen other states. Businesses can apply  here.

Our local Sonoma Napa SBDC has free, skilled advisers that have helped businesses complete their applications in prior disasters. Call them for assistance if needed.

Resources for Seniors

Russian River Senior Resource Center: providing meals on a limity basis and the mobility program will be providing rides to medical appointment only. The Food Bank Programs will continue as scheduled. 

Council On Aging services they offer. https://www.councilonaging.com/in-the-news

Local grocery support:

Pharmacy:
Tuttle’s Pharmacy - Deliveries
  • Hoen Ave., Santa Rosa 707-528-4511
  • Doyle Park, Santa Rosa 707-9090
Walgreen’s – Drive-Thru
  • Marlow Road, Santa Rosa
  • Sonoma Hwy, Santa Rosa
  • Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati
CVS Pharmacy – home deliveries from most locations

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Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins | County of Sonoma | 707-565-2241
Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org