Weekly Update - March 3, 2022 |
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State and County Enter New Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic |
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With case rates and hospitalizations falling, California made significant changes to its COVID-19 safety requirements on Monday. California will no longer require students, staff, or visitors to wear face masks on K-12 school campuses, beginning at the end of the day on March 11.
The state also ended its requirement that unvaccinated people wear masks in most indoor public spaces, effective immediately.
Now more than at any other point during the pandemic, protecting ourselves and our community is up to each of us making individual health decisions to reduce risk to ourselves and our loved ones. Health departments still strongly recommend masks, regardless of vaccination status, in schools and many indoor public spaces. Getting a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine when we are eligible is another healthy choice we can all make.
School districts can still choose to require indoor masking even though the state is no longer mandating it. School staff and students can also choose to continue wearing masks if they feel safer doing so. People at schools and childcare facilities should wear masks if they were exposed to someone with COVID for up to 10 days.
These updates come on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) no longer recommending masking in schools unless COVID levels in the community are high. COVID community levels in Contra Costa are currently low under the CDC’s criteria.
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Because so many people are now being diagnosed with home test kits, and those cases are seldom reported, these numbers are likely higher. |
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It is estimated by our Health Officer that approximately 50% of COVID hospitalizations are for patients who have been admitted for COVID, and the other half were admitted for something else and then found to be infected during intake screening. For more data and information about current COVID rates in California, please go to coronavirus.cchealth.org. |
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Free Expired N95 Masks Available for Pickup
During Select Hours at Our Danville Office
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We have a large supply of expired N95 masks. They can no longer be used for medical purposes per the FDA but can still be used in non-medical settings as regular disposable masks. We can distribute 10 masks per family.
They are available for pick-up from our Danville office, 309 Diablo Road, Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until the current supply is gone. No appointment or reservation is needed.
Please do not park in the spaces marked "Diablo Physical Therapy" and be courteous to our neighbor businesses.
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Free Covid-19 Home Test Kits |
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We have a small supply of Covid-19 home test kits. If you have a need for tests, please respond to this email, or email us here, and we will let you know by email when you can come to our Danville office to pick up two kits (four tests). They will be available as long as our supply lasts. Please include your first and last name and address in the email.
More reliable PCR testing continues to be available for free by appointment only at various County sites. More information about where to get tested can be found here: coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-tested. |
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Schedule Your Booster Today |
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Everyone should stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination by getting boosted when they are eligible. Boosters give critically important added protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.
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Updated Court Masking Policy Effective March 1, 2022 |
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Effective March 1, 2022, members of the public who are fully vaccinated will be permitted to enter and remain in all Court facilities without a mask. “Fully vaccinated” means a person has received their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals should bring proof of vaccination status with them and must provide it upon request by any Court staff.
Unvaccinated individuals must continue to mask in Court facilities. Compliant masks must be clean, completely cover the nose and mouth, and do not include neck gaiters (regardless of double layering), masks with valves or other holes, bandanas, or face shields. The Court will provide compliant masks upon request.
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Parent and Teen Communication Virtual Workshop |
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District 2 State of the City and Town Events |
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It's the time of year when your city and town leaders update their citizens on the important issues facing the community. Last month Supervisor Andersen attended the Lafayette Chamber-sponsored Virtual State of the City with Mayor Teresa Gerringer. You can watch the video online here.
On Wednesday, she attended Mayor Dave Hudson's State of San Ramon address at the San Ramon Marriott (photo on right), hosted by the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.
Also Wednesday, Orinda Mayor Dennis Fay presented his update virtually, hosted by the Rotary Club of Orinda and attended by District 2 team member Jill Ray.
On March 16th, the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce will host the State of the Town and Community Awards with Mayor Newell Arnerich at the Danville Veterans Memorial Building. Register online here. There are only a few seats left.
The Walnut Creek State of the City will be presented on March 29th by the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau in partnership with the City of Walnut Creek. Join them virtually to hear Mayor Matt Francois give the business community an update on Walnut Creek’s priorities for the upcoming year and beyond.
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Contra Costa County Public Works Installing Shade Structures at Hemme Station Park in Alamo - Delayed to Mid-April |
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*Updated - Contra Costa County Public Works Department will be installing new shade structures at Hemme Station Park in Alamo. Work will now take place through Friday, April 15, 2022, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, weather permitting. The playground portion of the park will be fenced off and closed to users during the installation for safety. Restrooms and drinking fountains will remain open during this time. These shade structures are designed to improve visitor experience and safety for users of the park.
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The 2022 East Bay Innovation Awards returns in-person to the historic Fox Theater in Oakland on August 4, 2022. Starting today, you can nominate companies and organizations for the 10th annual ceremony.
The East Bay is a world-class leader when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship. Often referred to as the “Academy Awards of the East Bay,” the East Bay Innovation Awards is the premier program of its kind that celebrates and honors extraordinary companies and organizations that contribute to the region’s legacy of innovation. Here are a few helpful tips for nominations:
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Registration is required. If you nominated last year, your login is the same and you can reset your password.
- Nominations are accepted for any entity or individual with an HQ or operations in the East Bay (Alameda or Contra Costa County).
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You can preview application questions in advance of your online submission.
- Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged.
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Visit the FAQ for additional information.
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Survey - Help Shape the Contra Costa County Office of
Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ)
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Please fill out a survey to help inform the launch of the Contra Costa County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (ORESJ).
In November 2020, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized the development of ORESJ. The goal of ORESJ is to enact and sustain principles, policies, practices, and investments that are racially just and equitable across all County departments and divisions.
The implementation of the ORESJ is being informed through an engagement process with residents, organizations, and efforts across the County. After an initial phase that engaged over 400 people on their experiences, hopes, needs, concerns, and priorities, the next phase hopes to reach wider and deeper across all our diverse communities.
Your input will inform the recommendations on the structure, staffing, and priorities of the ORESJ. These recommendations will be presented to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors this summer. For your time and contribution, you will receive a $25 gift card for completing the survey. Details are provided in the survey. Please share with others who live or work in Contra Costa in your family, community, and networks.
At this time, you can access the English and Spanish versions of the survey. It is being translated into other languages that include Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese Tagalog, Arabic, Farsi, Punjabi, Hindi, and Russian.
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Community Invited to Attend Forum on March 4 to Discuss How Contra Costa Is Spending Over $50 Million in Mental Health Services Act Dollars |
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Seeking Nominations for Contra Costa Youth Hall of Fame
Nominations Due March 4
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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding Contra Costa County residents between the ages of 12 and 18.
Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of five categories:
- Good Samaritan: Goes out of their way to do for others without seeking recognition
- Volunteerism: Lends a helping hand for the good of the community; Gives their time and energy to a worthy cause or organization
- Teamwork: Works unselfishly for the good of the team
- Leadership and Civic Engagement: A natural leader who inspires others and works to make a difference in school and the community
- Perseverance: Has worked hard to overcome obstacles and achieve success
Submit your nomination by completing the form and sending it with your letter of recommendation by email to [email protected] or mail to Lia Bristol, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, 2151 Salvio Street, Ste. R, Concord, CA 94520.
Nominations must be received or postmarked by March 4, 2022. Recipients will be recognized at the March 29, 2022, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ Cesar E. Chavez Celebration.
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SPRING into the Cleaner Contra Costa CHALLENGE! |
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Sustainable Contra Costa needs your help to reach its goal to save 1,000 tons of C02 (currently at 840 tons) and 2,500 households participating (currently at 2,387) in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge by May 31st. Each NEW action you complete can earn you one entry into the monthly drawing. Take three new actions, get three entries into the drawing! Encourage a friend to sign up and get two entries! Actions can be as easy as Eating Lower Down the Carbon Chain or getting a Home Energy Check-Up. At the end of each month, five winners will be drawn to win a $20 Ace Hardware gift card*.
Bonus: Anyone who participates in the Spring Challenge can pick up a free yard of mulch at EcoMulch! Complete at least one new action and show your completed action picture to the EcoMulch staff. Get your garden in shape for the spring!
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Community Invited to Lend-A-Hand
Spend a day helping Danville seniors with home projects
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Community volunteers are being sought for the 18th annual Lend-A-Hand Day on Saturday, April 23, 2022. This event is designed to help local Danville seniors with basic yard clean-up, such as mowing, raking, and weeding.
The Town of Danville, along with an estimated 150 volunteers, will join forces to provide this service and help neighbors in need. Volunteers ages 13 years and older are encouraged to register at www.danville.ca.gov/volunteer.
Community members not able to volunteer on Lend-A-Hand Day can still get involved with other upcoming volunteer opportunities. The Town is also seeking volunteers for upcoming special events, including Eggstravaganza, May 4 Be with You, Kids Night Out, or ongoing programs at the Danville Senior Center or the Village Theatre & Art Gallery. It’s a great chance to serve your community and get involved.
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Contra Costa County
Hazardous Materials Commission Seeks Applicants
Do Hazardous Materials Policy Issues Interest You?
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The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission is seeking applicants to fill a General Public Alternate Seat.
You may apply if you …
- live or work in Contra Costa County;
- have demonstrated interest in hazardous materials issues;
- have an awareness of, and interest in, the principles of Environmental Justice as defined in County policy;
- can periodically attend regular Commission meetings and a monthly Committee meeting when needed.
The Commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Board of Supervisors and makes policy recommendations to the Board and County staff on issues concerning hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
The Commission’s 14 members and alternates serve four-year terms and include representatives of industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the general public, and the Mayors Conference.
To obtain an application form, or for further information, contact Michael Kent, Executive Assistant to the Commission, at (925) 250-3227 or [email protected]. Applications may also be obtained from the Clerk of the Board located at 1025 Escobar Street 1st Floor, Martinez CA 94553.
You may also submit an application by mail, e-mail, or online:
Applications must be received by May 1, 2022, and if mailed, mailed to the Clerk of the Board.
Interviews for qualified applicants will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on May 13, 2022, via Zoom unless otherwise notified.
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Opportunity to Serve on the In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority Advisory Committee
IHSS Public Authority Poised to Fill Several Vacancies
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The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Public Authority Advisory Committee currently has four (4) volunteer vacancies for individuals who are current or past users of IHSS or Personal Attendant Services. Individuals who are in the following categories can fill the vacancies:
- Consumer 60 or Older - Two (2) vacancies
- Consumer Any Age - Two (2) vacancies
Additionally, there are two (2) District volunteer vacancies representing Districts II (Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville, and Canyon), and District V (Hercules, Martinez Pittsburg, Antioch). Individuals residing or working in either of these two (2) Districts, with professional experience in the following categories, may apply:
- Senior Advocate
- Advocate for Younger Persons with Disabilities
- Representative from the Developmental Disability Community
- Social Worker
- Nurse
- Representative from a Community Based Organization
- Representative from a Home Health Agency
- Current or Previous IHSS Provider
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors established the IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee in March 1999. The IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee provides advice and assistance to the Board of Supervisors and the staff of the IHSS Public Authority regarding the IHSS program and policies of the IHSS Public Authority. The Public Authority recruits and screens home care providers, maintains a registry of providers, refers providers to consumers and enrolls all IHSS providers on the State Payroll.
The Advisory Committee is comprised of eleven (11) members, six (6) who use, or have used, IHSS or Personnel Attendant Services, and five (5) who have professional experience in the health and human services fields.
Individuals who reside or work in Contra Costa County who are interested in applying for these Volunteer Vacancies on the IHSS Public Authority Committee can obtain an application from Monique Rodriguez by calling (925) 363-6670 or emailing [email protected].
Applications should be returned to the IHSS Public Authority as soon as possible. All applicants will receive acknowledgement in writing. Following the review of applications, the review committee will forward recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for appointment.
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The Economic Opportunity Council is Currently
Seeking Applicants
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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 has continued throughout 2021 and into 2022. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people can 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)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
2 Alternate Seats
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo community for police services.
In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee (IHSS)
1 Seat
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