• OC’s 34 mayors are united with the same message “Mask up to open OC!” As the county’s COVID-19 cases continue to decline and businesses reopen, OC's mayors are asking residents to continue wearing masks to help OC stay open. Watch video here!

• It is critical for OC that everyone participate in the 2020 Census. Every Census form completed equals $20,000 for 10 year for the community. Fill out your Census form TODAY to ensure funds for local schools, healthcare, daycares and critical programs. Help spread the word here!

• OCBC joins over 2,300 organizations in continuing to urge Congress to pass COVID relief funding that includes 501(c)6’s in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Local chambers and industry associations are working harder than ever with less resources to support their business members through the pandemic and strategically plan for economic recovery.

• As Disneyland Resort waits for reopen guidelines, Ken Potrock, president of the Disneyland Resort shares a hopeful message to the community. In addition, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World executives share an in-depth look into the theme park’s operational safety approaches and protocols through an interactive webcast. 

• CalOptima, Orange County’s public health plan for low-income residents, has provided over 150,000 tele-health services during the pandemic, compared with 30,000 at the start of 2020. To read more about the impact of tele-health and its emergence during the pandemic Click Here.

• CHOC Children's Hospital Top 5 PPE needs are listed below. To donate or identify sources, contact Jena Jensen or Rachel Rolnicki.

1. Hydrogen Peroxide Spray
2. Surgical Cap (24 inch Primary Blue Large Print)
3. Medistat Soap
4. Disinfecting Wipes (Purple Top)
5. N95 Small Masks

• The program no longer requires receipts uploads and the application takes less than 5 minutes! Help your favorite restaurant get a $5,000 grant!

• California State University, Fullerton’s Center for Leadership is the prevailing voice and resource for leadership development in Orange County. The Leadership Scholars Program provides leadership development, networking opportunities and merit-based scholarships from corporate partners. The Program helps students of all majors, most of whom come from low-income backgrounds, have a connection to the business workforce. The Program is entirely funded by the business community. Each Leadership Scholar averages 2.2 job offers upon graduation and they collectively contribute more than 1,300 community volunteer hours per semester.

• Governor Newsom vetoed OCBC-opposed AB 1066 (Gonzalez) on September 24. This bill could have penalized business acting in good faith by requiring the Employment Development Department to provide maximum unemployment insurance benefits to claimants whose employers did not respond within merely 10 days. It also would have created inappropriate, unnecessary enforcement from the Attorney General. While the Governor rejected the bill because of the costs it would bring to the State, OCBC still appreciates the veto of AB 1066.

• This week the Legacy Magnet Academy will open. Focused on Technology, Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship or TIDE, this academy will provide project based learning in multiple career pathways. We applaud the Tustin Unified School District for providing the talent Orange County’s businesses needs by equipping their students with 21^st Century skills and resources.  

• California manufacturers who produce PPE, including face masks and gloves, can advertise their wares on Safely Making California's website. The website is a joint effort by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association and the State of California. A manufacturer does not have to be a member of CMTA to participate. To apply, manufacturers should complete this form. 

• On Wednesday, October 7- November 4 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., join Vital Link for its Alteryx Data Analysis Professional Development Workshop series. These complementary workshops will feature hands-on demos and training to equip participants to pass the Alteryx’s certification test. Sign up here.

• Virtual Career Development Master Class, Saturday, October 10, 9:00 – 11:00 am. The Master Class will feature a presentation on virtual interviewing and provide two opportunities for Orange County job-seekers to participate in mock interviews and resume/LinkedIn review with professionals from different industries. Learn more! 

• Small Business Development Center
• SBDC Resources for Small Businesses
• Go-BIZ FAQ for Small Businesses
• UCI Free Small Business Toolkit

• “But you may find one that does better in an older population than another,” Fauci added. “It could be that you would recommend, that if you are an older person you get this vaccine versus that. That is something we wish for namely that we have enough vaccines that you can tailor the better one for each individual group.”

• In recently released guidelines, the CDC advises families to adapt a COVID-19 Thanksgiving that includes a virtual dinner, recipes shared with family and friends, and to shop online for Black Friday deals. 

• On Tuesday, October 6, join the County of Orange and Orange County Human Relations Commission for the virtual listening session, "Understanding Our Implicit Biases & Community Experiences" to discuss the fear-based aggression towards specific communities due to COVID-19. Register here.

• Join the Clean Air pledge and help keep California’s air clean! Individuals, businesses, local governments, and nonprofit organizations will make the commitment to use natural all-purpose cleaners, purchase local produce, plant indoor plants, and bike or walk to errands. Take your clean air pledge today and receive complimentary prizes. 

• On Saturday, October 3 in the Kershaw Garden at Mission Viejo City Hall, learn how to compost and transform food and yard waste into organic fertilizer. Registration is required. 

• Last week, Charter Communications announced a relaunch that provides free Spectrum Internet – with speeds up to 200 Mbps in most markets – and WiFi access for 60 days to households with K-12th graders, college students and/or educators. In addition, Charter is making high-speed broadband more accessible through Spectrum Internet Assist, its low-cost broadband program available to eligible low-income households and seniors.

• Pacific Symphony partners with KCET and PBS SoCal to bring a special four-part concert series to your living room. The Southland Sessions will feature the Virtual Violin Virtuosos, A Salute to the Heroes, and celebrate Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday. 

• In October for Vital Link’s Manufacturing Month, students interested in a manufacturing degree can join virtual school tours and hear from industry professionals. Each week students will explore a different community college and learn insider tips. Participants can register here!

• Anaheim Convention Center Test Site: Appointments Required.
• Testing Basics: COVID-19 Test Options.
• Free testing in OC: How to access.
• DO IT! Where to get tested in OC: Find a testing site near you. 
• OC Testing Sites: Appointment & walk-in resources.
• Public & private sector testing: Contact your provider today.
• COVID-19 Hotline: For general questions & information call: (714)-834-2000.
• OC Health Care Agency: Data Dashboard featuring confirmed COVID-19 cases.