Weekly Update - June 17, 2021 |
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Contra Costa County Aligns with California’s
Grand Reopening
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Contra Costa County aligned with the state’s guidance - meaning there will be far fewer restrictions on business and social activity, although things still won’t be exactly like they were before the pandemic.
While there won’t be capacity limits on businesses in Contra Costa County, masking will still be required for everyone in several settings. Some businesses may choose to maintain masking or distancing requirements for their patrons in their facilities, which is their right. Also, no one can be denied service if they choose to wear a mask.
Here's a quick breakdown of the new rules for outdoor and indoor settings in Contra Costa and across the state:
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Capacity limitations: No restrictions
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Physical distancing: No restrictions for attendees, customers, and guests. Workers on the job must maintain physical distancing and schools should keep student desks at least 3 feet apart.
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Masking: Fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in most settings. Unvaccinated people must still wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses.
Places Where Everyone, Regardless of Vaccination Status Must Still Wear a Mask:
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Public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares)
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Workplace: Masks must continue to be worn on the job. Cal/OSHA will be reviewing its masking guidance for employers and workers on June 17.
- K-12 schools, childcare facilities, and other youth settings (indoors)
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Healthcare settings (including long-term care facilities)
- Homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers
- Correctional facilities and detention centers
- Businesses that choose to require masks for all customers
- Fully vaccinated people may also choose to continue to wear face coverings if that makes them more comfortable
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Travelers: follow CDC recommendations and CDPH Travel Advisory
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Vaccine verification/negative COVID-19 test: required for indoor mega-events (5000+ attendees) and recommended for outdoor mega-events (10,000+ attendees). The State of California is supposed to be coming out with a verification system soon.
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Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order Expediting Cal/OSHA’s Revised COVID-19 Regulations on Face Coverings and Physical Distancing for Workers |
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Cal/OSHA, the state regulatory agency for workplace safety, approved new workplace rules on June 17 that allows most fully vaccinated workers in many workplaces to stop wearing masks and ends physical distancing requirements for all workers.
Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order enabling the revisions to take effect without the normal 10-day review period by the Office of Administrative Law – providing clarity and consistency for employers and employees as California fully reopens its economy.
Employers may allow fully vaccinated employees not to wear face coverings indoors but must document their vaccination status. Workers may self-attest to having been vaccinated.
Unvaccinated employees still must wear masks indoors except when alone in a room or vehicle or when eating or drinking
Workplaces would be required to provide masks to workers who are not fully vaccinated and ensure that they wear them when they are indoors or in vehicles. Nothing prevents employers from implementing additional protective measures than are required, including the use of masks and physical distancing.
Contra Costa County will align and follow the Cal-OSHA guidance; the health officer will not be imposing and additional restrictions.
Businesses seeking assistance to provide N95 respirators for unvaccinated employees as required by the revised Emergency Temporary Standards can find distribution locations for state-provided N95 respirators here.
The full text of today’s executive order can be found here.
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Where Do You Still Need to Wear a
Mask if You're Fully Vaccinated?
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Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face-covering in these settings:
- Public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares)
- Workplace: Masks must continue to be worn on the job. Cal/OSHA will be reviewing its masking guidance for employers and workers on June 17.
- K-12 schools, childcare facilities, and other youth settings (indoors)
- Healthcare settings (including long-term care facilities)
- Homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers
- Correctional facilities and detention centers
- Businesses that choose to require masks for all customers
- Fully vaccinated people may also choose to continue to wear face coverings if that makes them more comfortable
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Contra Costa Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Service |
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Businesses and community organizations can now request visits from Contra Costa Health Services’ (CCHS) mobile COVID-19 vaccination van to workplaces, community centers and other locations where five or more members of a group want to receive vaccine.
The free mobile vaccination service began Monday June 14. Any business or organization can request a mobile vaccination clinic using an online form if they are in the county and CCHS will send a mobile health van to provide free vaccinations on site within one week after completing the request.
This service operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will only travel to locations within the county, though they will vaccinate anyone eligible regardless of where they live. There is no cap on the number of people who can be vaccinated during a visit.
The state’s pandemic health orders ended on June 15, allowing fully vaccinated people to visit businesses and enjoy communal activities without the need for face masks or physical distancing. Visit the CCHS Beyond the Blueprint page for details. But the health guidelines for people who are not vaccinated will remain largely unchanged – now is a great time to consider a safe, effective COVID-19 vaccine if you have not already gotten one.
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Cooling Tips to Survive Summer Heat |
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Don’t wait to call your doctor or 9-1-1 if you experience any of these WARNING SIGNS of heat related conditions, such as heat exhaustion or a heat stroke:
Headache - Nausea/Vomiting - Dim/Blurred Vision - Profuse Sweating - Exhaustion - Dizziness - Hot Dry Skin - Cold Damp Skin - Muscle Cramps - Fainting
Heat Strokes can be life-threatening and can come on quickly
TIPS TO PREVENT heat-related symptoms
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Drink water: Sip all day; don’t wait until you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages, sugary soft drinks and full-strength fruit juices.
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Limit physical activity and wear a hat outside, preferably with a wide brim.
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Keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but windows should be slightly open.
- Open windows to cooling breezes in the evening
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Keep electric items turned off, lights low and avoid using your oven or clothes dryer.
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Do not just rely on fans; if the temperature is 90 degrees or above, fans alone usually cannot protect against heat-related illness.
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Take baths, showers, or find a pool to swim in; bathe in tepid water, use cool towels.
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Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing that is light-colored and lightweight.
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Use a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when outside
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Eat light foods high in water content: fruits, salads, and soups.
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Don’t wait in or leave infants, pets, elderly or disabled persons unattended in cars or other vehicles for any length of time, even with windows cracked. Within minutes the temperature will become dangerously high and serious injury and/or death will result.
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Bring pets indoors or ensure they have shady spots to protect them all day.
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Make sure pets have plenty of fresh water that will stay cool all day
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Develop a “buddy” system; keep in contact with your family & friends at least twice a day
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Talk to your doctor about medications; you may need to alter medications or dosages, but under no circumstances should you change your medication on your own.
- Use air conditioning & be prepared for power outages
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Visit California's New Site for School-Related
COVID-19 Information
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Governor Gavin Newsom’s office has created the Safe Schools for All Hub, which provides COVID-related information and resources for both the public and schools and health departments.
Current data dashboards on the hub include statewide information about reopening status and summer instruction for public, private and charter schools.
- 89% of school districts that submitted data to the state are offering summer learning.
- 99% of public school districts that submitted data plan to fully reopen for in-person instruction this fall.
The hub also includes current state health guidance for schools on topics such as contact tracing, outbreak reporting, COVID-19 testing resources, cleaning, ventilation, reopening grant information, sports and extracurricular activities
The new site also allows schools and local health departments to request technical assistance from state health experts, and a COVID-19 School Hotline for parents and school staff to report COVID-related concerns at local schools to the state.
Additionally, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is planning a summer-long campaign funded through AB 86 (school reopening funds) aimed at building confidence in school safety, particularly focused on people of color with school-age children who live in communities hardest hit by the pandemic.
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There are Still Many Opportunities to Get Your Questions Answered about Vaccines and to Get Vaccinated
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County’s Two Largest Private Healthcare Providers to Offer Vaccine Answers
Now that California has opened up, the county's two largest private healthcare providers, John Muir Health and Kaiser Permanente, have teamed up on a campaign to help the community find answers to their concerns about the vaccine.
The “Get Answers” campaign, launched by Kaiser Permanente and John Muir Health provides free information about the COVID-19 vaccines directly from medical experts. The website, GetAnswersContraCosta, includes answers to the most common vaccine questions and issues as well as an online portal where questions can be submitted and answered. Social media posts will be shared to help inform the public.
The GetAnswersContraCosta.org website is open to anyone, regardless of where they get their medical care and will be updated daily. In addition to posting their own questions, people can view previously answered questions and video testimonials from John Muir Health and Kaiser Permanente physicians.
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Free COVID-19 Vaccines Being Offered at
Local School Campuses
Contra Costa Offers Required School Immunizations at
Some of its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
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Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with the Contra Costa Office of Education and several school districts, are operating mobile vaccine clinics across the county. Everyone 12 and older who needs a vaccine is welcome – students from any school, their family members, and the whole community.
No appointment is necessary, but appointments are also available through the county’s scheduling page or by calling 1-833-829-2626.
People younger than 18 need permission from a parent – send in the consent form for your child, located here, or come in person, especially if you need a vaccine too!
Current School Campus Vaccine Clinics Schedule
The following school-based vaccine clinics are currently scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Clinic dates and locations are subject to change.
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June 15-June 19: Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon), Edna Hill Middle (Brentwood), Pinole Valley High (Pinole), Pittsburg High, Ygnacio Valley High (Concord)
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June 22-June 26: Acalanes High (Lafayette), Dallas Ranch Middle (Antioch), Freedom High (Oakley) no clinic on 6/26, San Ramon Valley High (Danville), Mt. Diablo High (Concord), Kennedy High (Richmond)
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June 29-July 3: De Anza High (Richmond), California High (San Ramon), Las Lomas High (Walnut Creek), Liberty High (Brentwood)
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July 6-10: Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon), Helms Middle School (San Pablo)
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July 13-17: San Ramon Valley High School (Danville)
Contra Costa Offers Required School Immunizations at its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics:
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) school-based COVID vaccination clinics will also offer children Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio vaccine) immunizations. Tdap is available at Acalanes High School (Lafayette), Dallas Ranch Middle School (Antioch), and Kennedy High School (Richmond). Tdap is a required immunization for students entering 7th grade in California.
It’s recommended that children ages 7 and older get the Tdap immunization. Everyone ages 7+ can get a Tdap vaccine at select school clinics – even if they do not receive a COVID vaccine.
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Contra Costa County
Emphasizes Public Safety and Wildfire Prevention
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The Board of Supervisors amended Contra Costa County's fireworks law.
The new ordinance strengthens regulations on the possession, manufacture, sale, use, and discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County.
Violating the ordinance may result in a fine of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second violation within one year, and a fine of $500 for each additional violation of the ordinance within one year.
It covers both "dangerous" fireworks and those labeled "safe and sane."
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Wildfire & Public Safety Power Shutoff Season
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We are officially in the 2021 wildfire and PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) season. It’s time to get prepared and be on alert for whatever emergencies may arise. The California Office of Emergency Services is preparing for a heavy wildfire season and PG&E is prepared to increase the number of PSPS events in order to prevent more wildfires as well.
What does this mean for us? This means that we need to:
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Sign up for Contra Costa’s Community Warning System - cwsalerts.com.
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If you live in another county, sign up for your county’s alert system – calalerts.org/signup, GET AND STAY INFORMED.
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Sign up for PG&E PSPS Address Alert - PGE.com/addressalerts.
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Pack your emergency supply kits/go bags and have them in accessible locations in the event that we will need to evacuate.
The Contra Costa Fire Protection District advises mowing your lawn before noon as every year there are several fires that start by mowing in the afternoon during the summer months.
If you live within a tier 2/3 fire threat district, it is not a matter of if you will need to evacuate, it is a matter of when. Please get prepared now, do not wait. Visit readyforwildfire.org to view CalFire's Get Ready website, where you can access a variety of home and personal emergency preparedness resources.
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Lower Walnut Creek Restoration Update |
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The LWC Restoration project is starting construction! This restoration phase restores and enhances over 300 acres of habitat, 200 acres of which are tidal and other types of wetlands at the mouth, or lowest, portion of Walnut Creek.
The District’s Board recently awarded the contract to 4 M Contracting, and now that all the paperwork is in place, 4 M is mobilizing and starting the first phases of construction.
This summer’s work (constructing setback levees and a network of new tidal channels) will last until November, at which time the installation of over 31,000 custom-grown plants will begin.
John Muir Land Trust is working hard on its next phase of work, which will install the necessary public access amenities and open the site to the public.
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BART Overnight Construction Work |
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BART is repairing electrical lines and a substation in Lafayette that are critical for maintaining train service in that part of the system. BART has already been replacing traction power cables at different locations across the system.
This work will be underway soon here in Orinda and BART has sent a notice regarding the work to those who live within ¼ mile from the trackway. Below is a map of the current project that will continue through December 2021.
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Explore Your Town by Bike |
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Looking for a free summertime activity that’s fun for the whole family? The Summer Bike Challenge runs now through August, providing adventure, prizes, and healthy outdoor exercise for riders of all ages.
How to play: Register free, download your hometown gameboard, then bike to destination squares anytime this summer. Try to clear the board!
In-person, outdoor prize events are back, so mark your calendar to pick up free prizes on select dates. Plus, receive Weekly Bonus Challenges on Mondays which give you the chance to win one of five $35 Amazon gift cards every week, all summer long.
Registered participants will also be entered in their city's iPad Grand Prize Drawing. Let’s roll!
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All Aboard as Totally Trains Returns to the
Museum of the San Ramon Valley
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The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is happy to announce that model trains will be returning for their ninth year. This always-popular event will open on June 19 at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley located at 205 Railroad Ave. Danville.
The main layout will feature a village scene with models of Danville and San Ramon's present and past buildings. The newest addition is the Danville Presbyterian Church which was located on Front Street from 1876 to 1932. The trains will travels over trestles, bridges, and through a mountain.
Totally Trains is one of the most popular exhibits. They will again be offering the Totally Train's Family pass which for $15.00 allows you to visit the exhibit as many times as you like.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Ave Danville CA 94526. The hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-1, and, Sunday 12-3. You can contact the museum at museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
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Contra Costa Library Sponsoring Summer Reading Program |
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Summer Reading runs through Saturday, July 31. Visit ccclib.org/summer for all the details or to sign up.
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Affordable Internet and Computer Offers for
Eligible County Residents
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Red Cross Sponsored Blood Drives Near You |
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2021 Stand Down on the Delta Seeks Volunteers |
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Stand Down on the Delta 2021 Volunteer Registration is open. This year's theme for the event taking place September 10-13 is "Unity". In addition, the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, will be recognized with a special ceremony. Homeless Veterans will be housed for four days at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch. Veterans will receive a variety of services. Sign up to volunteer here.
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Measure X Community Advisory Board Seeks Public Input |
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Measure X, Contra Costa’s new countywide, half-cent sales tax, is expected to raise $112 million for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.
The Measure X Community Advisory Board was formed to identify unmet community needs and recommend spending priorities to the county Board of Supervisors.
Each meeting features a panel of presenters who have expertise in the need or issue being discussed. Panel members include county staff, community-based organizations, and residents.
Community members are welcome to provide public comments verbally after each panel presentation. Comments can also be submitted in writing to Lisa.Driscoll@cao.cccounty.us. If you submit written testimony by noon on Friday prior to the following week’s meeting, it will be included in the agenda packet that is published for Advisory Board members and the public.
Schedule of issues and needs to be discussed:
June 16 - Healthcare
June 23 - Mental health and behavioral health
June 30 - Housing & homelessness
July 7 - Community safety: Justice systems
July 14 - Safety net (jobs, public benefits, economic security)
July 21 - Immigration, racial equity across systems
July 28 - Library, arts & culture, agriculture, environment, transportation
August 4 - Develop draft priorities & recommendations
August 11 - Finalize recommendations to submit to Board of Supervisors
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Mental Health Commission Family Member Seat Opening |
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The primary purpose of the Contra Costa Mental Health Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and to the Mental Health Division and its staff.
Commissioners are appointed by members of the County Board of Supervisors from each of the five districts for a term of three years. Each district has a consumer of mental health services, family member, and an at-large representative on the Commission, for a total of 15 members plus a representative from the Board of Supervisors.
The Family Member Seat is for parents, spouses, domestic partners, siblings, or adult children of consumers who are receiving or have received mental health services, preferably in Contra Costa County.
The Mental Health Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Please see the meeting schedule for a list of meeting locations, as well as the dates and times for committee meetings.
In addition to the monthly Mental Health Commission meetings, committees, workgroups, and task forces are formed as needed.
If you are eligible for the Family Member seat, click here to apply.
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Arts and Culture Commission Alternate Seat Opening |
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Do you live in Contra Costa County? The Arts and Culture Commission has an Alternate Seat opening.
Alternates participate in the Arts and Culture Commission meetings and assist with the achievement of quorum. The alternate may sit and vote for any absent member or a vacant seat. Apply here.
The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County is dedicated to advancing the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation, and collaboration throughout Contra Costa County so that we may grow creatively as a community that preserves and celebrates our diverse cultural expression.
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Other District 2 Volunteer Opportunities |
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Now is a great time to consider ways you might want to give back to your community. 2020 saw our advisory bodies pivot to virtual meetings, which is continuing well into 2021. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people are able to participate than ever before.
If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
Alternate Seat
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
Alternate Seat Available
The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determines the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only. one alternate seat available)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
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