COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 information updated at  https://www.healdsburg.com/covid19/
A Recovery News Update from the Healdsburg Recovery Task Force a partnership between the City of Healdsburg & the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce.
Let's start by reminding everyone that mental health help is available if you're struggling through these moments. And we all have our moments. The Sonoma County Behavioral Health Division has a "Warm Line" to talk you through it - the number is 707-565-2652. More information is here.

A Less Restrictive Public Health Order is likely coming, allowing more curbside retail . It could be by this Friday (May 8), but that's not assured as we write this. The County Public Health Officer, Dr. Mase, told the Press-Democrat that she will review Governor Newsom's order as it comes out Thursday May 7, and see if she can quickly update the Sonoma County order based on what the Governor releases. The order is likely to allow certain retail (bookstores, bike shops, clothing shops, sporting goods stores and flower shops) to have curbside pick-up from storefronts "as long as ... they make changes in their operations, such as having (store) workers wear masks." (From the SF Gate)

Remember that the State's public health orders are like a base layer to the counties' orders . Counties can adopt orders that are MORE restrictive than the State's orders, but counties cannot loosen restrictions beyond what the State orders say. Governor Newsom is following a four-phase reopening, which are described here. Basically, we're in Phase I and headed towards a modest Phase II. Phase IV is the last phase, and involves large gatherings. 

​You can see updated public health orders as we see them on the County's web page . You can also subscribe to Nixle to get them as they are released. Nixle is great for knowing anything about any emergency and comes as a text to your phone (yes, sometimes in the middle of the night - but not often).

Preparing for a more robust Phase II reopening - and even Phase III . The order noted above takes some steps forward to opening up more retail. But it's a fairly small step. Larger steps may come soon, though. What can you do today to prepare?  First, watch this space - we will soon distribute some updated guidance by industry as to what may be expected from each business to reopen in a broader Phase II reopening. Second, think now about ways that your store or office can:

  • Socially-distance workers and customers - where is the best place to queue people? Can I put markers on the floor as guidance (stop by Garrett Hardware to see this in action);
  • Keep high-touch surfaces and other public spaces extra clean - do you have a good supply of convenient cleaning products like wipes? What about hand sanitizer?
  • Operate well with facial coverings - where might you get a good supply for your staff and for customers is they don't have one?
  • Screen employees (focus on employees versus customers right now) - this may become a really big deal in the coming days. It is likely to mean brief daily screening questionnaires and a way to safely check temperatures (such as with a thermal thermometer). To learn more, the City did a short video of how City Hall employees are screened in anticipation of possible pending requirements - you can view the video here. Supplies of thermal thermometers may become the weak link in getting us all opened.     
Update on the City's Small Business Sustainability Loans.  A number of folks on our email list applied for these loans. The first application review period ended Thursday, April 30.  Ninety-eight (98) small businesses applied for some of the $600,000 allocated. Many of the loans (up to $5,000) are reserved for micro-businesses with 5 or fewer employees (set in terms of full-time equivalents).  

If you applied, please know that we are reviewing all of the submissions for completeness, as well as following up with many owners who noted that a PPP loan was pending (or not). If you applied for a PPP Loan as well as a SBS Loan, we would like to know if you ended up getting the PPP Loan's funding or approval.   It doesn't disqualify you from an SBS Loan, but it is a factor in our allocation process. Thanks for letting us know, and for helping these scarce dollars go even further.  Please send an email back here if you have PPP information for us, or if you have further questions. We hope to make funding decisions within a few days and get funds out the door by May 15.

​More information about COVID-19 related matters is on the City's website here and the Chamber's website here .

Thanks for reading this far. Stay well, safe, and take good care of yourself and your families.  
The Healdsburg Recovery Task Force is an informal partnership between the City of Healdsburg and the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce to help us all navigate through the COVID-19 crisis of 2020.  Members include Vice-Mayor Evelyn Mitchell, Council Member David Hagele, William Seppi (Costeaux Bakery), Alan Baker (Cartograph Wines), Dan Maraviglia (Passalacqua, Mazzoni, Gladden, Lopez & Maraviglia, LLP), Jason Liles (Senator McGuire's office), Shelley Anderson (HUSD), and David Mickaelian (Healdsburg City Manager).  Tallia Hart of the Chamber and Dave Kiff of the City help write and revise this document. Nothing in this document is a specific endorsement by the Chamber or the City of any action, financial path, or business practice.
VIRTUAL MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS
RSVP Required
Good Morning Healdsburg
Thursday, May 7th
8:00 am
Free. RSVP required to access meeting.

Have you wondered where to get the latest information on what's going on around town and how it may affect your business? Did you know there is a monthly meeting that does just that?

Join us the first Thursday of every month (except July) to get caught up on all the happenings in Healdsburg. The City and Chamber report on hot topics and representatives from various business industries provide updates.
Navigating Through the Impacts of COVID-19
Thursday, May 7th
9:00 am
Free. RSVP required to access this meeting.

As Sonoma County works towards recovery and re-opening, join us for a complimentary webinar with updates on the current mitigation plan being developed by the Economic Development Board, followed by a local Economic Update with Dr. Robert Eyler.
Join the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce every Friday at 9:00 am with a virtual check in. Each Friday we will have a guest speaker and special topic geared towards businesses. Please submit question ahead of time to aleena@healdsburg.com .
Healdsburg Recovery Task Force
with Dave Kiff, Interim Assistant City Manager, City of Healdsburg

Friday, May 8th 
9:00 am

Registration required to access Check In.
County Update
with 4th District Supervisor Jame Gore,
County of Sonoma

Friday, May 15th 
9:00 am

Registration required to access Check In.
MOTHER'S DAY GIFT GUIDE
There is still time to get the perfect gift for Mother;s Day! And what better way to honor the Mother in your life than gifting her with the gift of Healdsburg. Healdsburg merchants, restaurateurs, wineries, and lodging owners have created exclusive Mother's Day gifts, menus, and deals! 

By shopping locally, you are supporting Healdsburg's local and independently owned businesses, a featured characteristic of Healdsburg's small town charm.

Last Friday, Healdsburg stores, restaurants, and hotels gathered for a first ever live Healdsburg shopping extravaganza, Mother's Day Bazaar. Watch last Friday's Mother's Day Bazaar on the Healdsburg Chamber Facebook page here .

Go to www.healdsburg.com/MothersDay to find to perfect Mother's Day gift!
"50 WAYS TO GET YOUR WINE NOW"
By Wine Road
May we present to you a Wine Road original, "50 Ways to Get Your Wine Now." As Shelter In Place orders continue, our Sonoma County wineries have stepped up to make getting your wine easy and contact free. If you are local, check out free delivery options or curbside pick up being offered at many locations. If you are just out of reach, take advantage of the #SipSonoma $5 shipping with your purchase of wines. Click here to view #SipSonoma delivery, curbside, shipping, and wine deals.
501(C)(6) PROTECTION ACT
On May 5th, 2020 Reps. Pappas (NH-1), Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Cisneros (CA-39), and Steube (FL-17) introduced the Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)6 Protection Act – H.R. 6697 – which would enable chambers and other nonprofits to be eligible for federal assistance.

We encourage you to urge your member of Congress to support this bipartisan bill. 

Additionally, click here to view the coalition letter signed by over 3,700 non-profit organizations urging Congress to make this change, which would be helpful for you to share when contacting your members of Congress.
THANK YOU
From our COVID-19 Resources web page, to advocacy for our members and community, the Chamber is committed to helping with this shared journey. We want to thank the following businesses for renewing their membership and continued support the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce efforts.
SUPPORT BUSINESS NOW
During these critical times we are asking that you support the local business community in any way you can. Consider all the times they have been there to provide a dinner, gift card, donation, or support for your organization or company party.
 
Skip cooking tonight, send grandma a thank you, or just check out the many ways you can help your local businesses now.
 
A healthy economy impacts all of us in the months to come.
COVID-19 information updated at https://www.healdsburg.com/covid19/