Sacramento County Public Health COVID-10 Community Conversation

Sacramento County is hosting an online Zoom Q&A series with Sacramento County Health Officer, Dr. Olivia Kasirye, every other week. The forum allows the community to get updated on COVID 19 and provides an opportunity to ask questions. *Interpretation for American Sign Language, Chinese, Hmong, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese will be provided.

Register for Upcoming COVID-19 Community Conversations [1]: They will take place every other Tuesday from 6:00 – 7:30 PM

Listen-in as Dr. Pan Answers Questions

Dr. Pan is on “The Drive” with Carmichael Dave on KHTK 1140am to provide information and answer questions about COVID-19 most Friday mornings at 8:35am.  Listen on the radio KHTK 1140am or online at: https://khtk.com [2].

Sacramento County Guidance & Resources

 

1. If you have not already, visit the Sacramento County Public Health website [3] for various resources including information on the latest Public Health Order [4] (dated January 13, 2021), free COVID-19 testing [5] options, local vaccine distribution [6], resources available for individuals and businesses, and general COVID-19 health guidance.

 

2. Call the Sacramento County Public Health Hotline for COVID-19 information at: (916) 875-2400. If you have complaints about unsafe practices at businesses (e.g. face coverings, physical distancing) dial 3-1-1 in Sacramento County.

Yolo County Guidance & Resources

1. If you have not already, visit the Yolo County Coronavirus website [7] for various resources including information on the latest Public Health Order, free COVID-19 testing [8] options, local vaccine distribution [9], resources available for individuals and businesses, and general COVID-19 health guidance.

 

2. Call the Yolo County COVID-19 Public Hotline for COVID-19 information at: (833) 965-6268

State actions to protect our communities and prevent the spread of COVID-19

The State of California has a comprehensive COVID-19 information website [10] with resources and information for individuals and businesses - I encourage you to check the site frequently for updates. 

Californians can learn about ways to volunteer and sign-up to help our communities at: californiavolunteers.ca.gov [11]

School District Closures

Governor Newsom recently announced California’s Safe Schools for All Plan with the goal of reopening California’s schools safely. More information about the plan can be found online at: schools.covid19.ca.gov [12]. My office is in close communication with our school districts and are actively monitoring local and state guidance on school reopening. The health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff is most important. School funding is a top priority and I will strongly advocate for continued and increased funding during emergency closures and to prepare schools to safely reopen. This is a very rapidly changing situation and I recommend checking directly with your school district for updates.

You can also find the most current state-provided general information about schools at the California Department of Education: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/coronavirus.asp [13]

For information regarding school closures and reopening plans, free or reduced meal sites and more, please visit the links below:

• Sacramento City Unified School District [14]
• Washington Unified School District [15]
• Natomas Unified School District [16]
• Robla School District [17]
• Twin Rivers Unified School District [18]
• San Juan Unified School District [19]
• Elk Grove Unified School District [20]
• Visit the Sacramento County Office of Education website [21] for contact information for other school districts.

School Meal Programs (for children 18 years or younger)

• Sacramento City Unified School District meal access for students affected by school closures. Pickup times and locations are available here [22]. Call 916-395-5600 for more information.
• Washington Unified School District meals will continue to be provided at eight sites, as well as delivery to four off-campus sites [23] (view page 12), and the district is offering resources and activities for students when they pick up their meals.
• Natomas Unified School District is providing breakfast and lunch at 15 NUSD locations from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. 5 locations also offer Supper and Snacks. Go to natomasunified.org/distance-learning/ [24] and click “Free Meals to Anyone 18 and Under” for information and a list of locations.
• Robla School District’s Meals on Wheels program is available twice a week. School buses make assigned stops in area neighborhoods to provide breakfast and lunch to children under 18. Visit the Meals on Wheels page [25] or call 916-649-5248 for more information.
• Twin Rivers Unified School District is distributing multiple days of meals for pick-up on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM or 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM through the School Meals 2 Go program [26] (visit link for more information).
• San Juan Unified School District is offering breakfast and lunch for pick-up at more than 40 school sites Monday through Friday, excluding holidays and non-instruction days. Visit nutrition.sanjuan.edu [27] for more information including locations and pick-up times.
• Elk Grove Unified School District is providing curb-side meal services at over 40 school sites, most available for pick-up on Tuesdays and Fridays providing breakfast and lunch for multiple days. Visit egusdschoolmeals.com [28] for locations and times.

Food/Basic Needs

• The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services continues to work with more than 220 partner agencies to distribute food throughout the community. The Food Bank has a Frequently Asked Questions [29] page with links to its distribution sites and schedules [30], as well as other information.
• Yolo Food Bank has over 100 food distribution sites, as well as a free home-delivery food box program for low-income senior citizens among other programs. Individuals who are not low-income are urged to contact a for-profit grocery delivery service, so that Yolo Food Bank can prioritize the needs of low-income residents during this time. Learn more [31] about how to access these resources, or sign-up to help [32] if you can. 

Utilities

SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District) and PG&E are offering assistance to customers:

• SMUD will not disconnect your power due to non-payment through April 30, 2021, at the earliest. Customers who are behind on payment will still owe SMUD for service, but they will not lose power at this time.
• PG&E is suspending service disconnections for non-payment and waiving security deposits; implementing flexible payment plan options; and providing additional support for low-income and medical baseline customers.

Please visit the following links for additional guidance for SMUD [33] and PG&E [34] customers.

Unemployment Insurance

If you have become unemployed, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Utilize this flow chart [35] from EDD to determine which type of assistance you may be eligible for. Keep in mind, should you qualify for any unemployment insurance (UI) benefits your claim will be effective from the date you apply.

File a new claim online [36] with EDD. Paper applications can be submitted via fax and mail, but for fastest processing submit your application online.

On December 27, 2020, the President signed legislation extending federal unemployment benefits [37] that expired on December 26, 2020. View EDD’s COVID-19 frequently asked questions webpage [38] for additional information.

After reviewing the above information, if you need assistance with your unemployment insurance claim, contact my office [39].

What You Can Do To Stop the Spread of Germs

Residents should take these precautions to stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses:

1. Maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance between you and individuals you do not live with;
2. Wear a mask and ask others interacting with you to do so as well;
3. Stay home when you are sick;
4. Wash hands with liquid soap and water and rub for at least 20 seconds, before and after eating and when you arrive home from being out in public;
5. Use liquid hand sanitizer when not able to wash hands with soap and water;
6. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, your sleeve, or the crook of your arm (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing;
7. Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
8. Get a flu shot to protect yourself and others from the flu; and,
9. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using household cleaning supplies.

*If you think you may have COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider or local county health department first for an assessment. Going to the doctor’s office or hospital if you are positive could result in further transmissions of the virus.

Get Help
Having difficulties with government agencies? Let Senator Pan's office assist you. [39]

Get Our E-Alerts
Sign up today to ensure you get the latest news about legislation and the district. [40]