• Any COVID-19 vaccine sponsored by the U.S. government will be free or affordable for Americans, per U.S. Health and Human Services.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Defense announced an agreement with Pfizer for large-scale production and nationwide delivery of 100 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.

• As back-to-school fast approaches, Cox has announced new customers that qualify will receive Connect2Compete, the company’s low-cost internet, for two months at no cost. New customers must sign up between July 21 and September 30 for free service, which also includes free technical support.

• Hint: Shame and yelling don’t work. Gary Noesner, former chief of the FBI crisis negotiation advises people to encourage anti-maskers to #MaskUP with personal appeal and the use of an “I message.” The “I message” transfers the blame away from the non-mask wearer and onto you when vulnerability is shown.

• Reports of second infections may be cases of drawn-out illness. A decline in antibodies is normal after a few weeks, and people are protected from the virus in other ways.

• Doctors at Children’s Hospital of Orange County say they’ve seen COVID-19 cases over the last couple of months double every two weeks. CHOC hospitals and clinics have logged 638 positive cases since mid-March, and the majority are school-aged children.

• For many employers, COVID-19 changed the way employees commute to work. Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) asks YOU to take a brief survey on behalf of your organization and help plan the future of transportation in OC.

• Mission Viejo Library and Cultural Arts department is capturing the county’s pandemic response. Submit photographs, images, artwork or other visual records that distinguish the impact of the pandemic here.

• When health advice changes, “We rarely admit that we are pulling a 180,” one expert said. “We don’t apologize. Instead, we cast judgments and say, ‘OK, you’re not wearing a mask now and you are irresponsible and a bad person.’ That destroys credibility, creates confusion, and it alienates people.”

• Choose tightly woven cotton, avoid bandannas and add extra layers with filters for more protection, experts suggest.

• Join Christopher Schwarz, UC Irvine Associate Professor of Finance and Faculty Director of the Center for Investment and Wealth Management, for the latest data, Q2 earnings, stimulus checks, and COVID-19 increases. Register today! Co-sponsored by OCBC.

• As OC schools go virtual in the Fall, working parents may enroll their Kindergarten through 8th grade children at the YMCA of OC for childcare, learning support, and physical education. Safety plans closely follow CDC and state guidelines for child care programs. The Fall childcare program is fee based with grants available to families in need of financial assistance. Register here.

• Tustin Parks and Recreation Department’s Virtual Recreation Center has a robust collection of summer activities for all ages. Adults and teens can enjoy free virtual yoga, fitness, Nike training, and jazzercise classes. Along with family outdoor activities and online learning activities for children. Plan your summer fun!

• United Way’s mission is to have an Orange County where every kid receives a quality education. This mission is met with an Amazon wish list for remote learning tools and elementary and high school supplies. Donate here.

• Local cities and counties can apply for Homekey funds, the largest project in CA’s history to house the homeless population. Funds will be available for the purchase and refurbishment of hotels, motels, and vacant apartment buildings. View application details.

• Destination Irvine has prepared a list of restaurants in Irvine that are open for outdoor dining. View the list and make a reservation today!

• Anaheim Convention Center Test Site: Appointments Required.
• 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.

• President Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to exclude undocumented immigrants from being included in census results. This could undercount up to two million undocumented immigrants in California, resulting in a substantial reduction in federal dollars allocated to the state and the potential loss of a congressional seat. A census undercount threatens California’s competitive advantage. This policy will be challenged in court. Find your Representative here to let them know that you support a full and accurate census count.

• Tustin launches its Temporary Outdoor Expansion Grant Program that provides restaurants, retailers, and gyms up to $2,000 grants for outdoor expansion. Funds may be used for decor, fence/barriers, shade structures, furniture, lighting, landscaping, and PPE. All businesses must have an approved and active Temporary Use Permit to apply. Apply here with a filled out W-9 form. 

• If you operate a business in Costa Mesa and would like to start outdoor operations, click here to learn more!

• All Census results determine how federal funds will be distributed into the states and communities, along with how many seats in Congress each state is allotted. In your response, count every person who lives in your household. Respond today!

• Orange County Register is partnering with local business leaders to honor outstanding workplaces in Orange County for the 13th year in a row. This years theme is "Celebrate the Good," and "Extraordinary Times. Extraordinary Effort." The nomination period has been extended through Friday, August 7. Nominate an organization today!

• Join the California Entrepreneurship Task Force for COVID-19 Rapid Response Virtual Sessions. Local businesses have the opportunity to seek resources for business growth and engage with fellow business leaders. Click here to apply for your partnership.

• Nicole Suydam, President & CEO, of Goodwill of Orange County hosts Jeff McBride, President & CEO, of YMCA of Orange County on the podcast, “Sharing Goodwill” to discuss YMCA of Orange County’s leadership throughout the current pandemic. McBride shares his inspiration and vision for the future of YMCA of Orange County. Listen here. 

• ChalChamber hosts a diversity and inclusion panel with top business leaders Cassandra Pye, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Lucas Public Affairs; Jonathan Mayes, ChalChamber Board Member & Senior Vice President of External Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer, Albertsons; Audra Bohannon, Senior Client Partner, Korn Ferry; and Leland Jourdan, Chief Diversity Officer, Chevron Corporation. Learn the best practices on how to handle racism in the workplace, promotions, and education & management training resources. View recap.

• CalChamber Executive Vice President and General Counsel Erika Frank host employment law experts Bianca Saad and Matthew Roberts on CalChamber’s The Workplace podcast, “COVID-19: Planning for School Closures” to discuss how schools can prepare for fall school closures and available leave options by affected school employees. Listen and view a written recap here.

• Is your workforce in need of training? Rancho Santiago Community College District and Saddleback college can provide customized and subsidized training opportunities to upskill or reskill your employees. For more information, contact Jesse Ben-Ron, OCBC VP of Workforce and Economic Development.

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

• All six lanes – three in each direction – of Oso Parkway at the 241 Toll Road are open to drivers, marking a significant construction milestone for the Oso Parkway Bridge Project. Sidewalks and dedicated bike lanes on both sides are also open. Read more!

• Charter Communications is one of the first TV providers to offer Black News Channel, the nation’s only 24/7 African American-focused news network. Black News Channel will be available in early September for Spectrum’s TV subscribers in its 41-state footprint. Black News Channel will be available at no additional cost for Spectrum TV Silver, Digital Tier Package 1, or Spectrum Lifestyle TV subscribers. 

• As the largest CSU and home to 40,000 students, Cal State Fullerton’s masterplan has been approved through a unanimous vote by the CSU Board of Trustees. The approval includes the expansion of the Student Housing Phase 4 Project and to rename the research center in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics to the Nicholas and Lee Begovich Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy. The campus master plan’s mission is to build a future of increased opportunities for growth and shared resources throughout the campus.