Office of Council President Pro Tem Barbara Bry
San Diego City Council
District 1

May 8, 2020
Contact: Moriah Gaynor
mgaynor@sandiego.gov
C: (619) 207-8616

May 8, 2020: COVID-19 News Update

Dear Neighbors,    
 
Tough times create an opportunity for positive change.  City Councilmembers must submit our Fiscal Year 2021 budget priorities to the Independent Budget Analyst by May 22.  Mine are what you have communicated so clearly to me over the past few weeks.  

They include protecting basic neighborhood services including public safety, libraries, parks and recreation, tree trimming, and code enforcement; providing financial relief to local small businesses and non-profits hurt by COVID-19; offering Citywide broadband internet access;  and leasing hotel rooms that can be turned into affordable housing for homeless and corona virus-infected residents.  

I have identified several ways that we can continue to pay for city services.

These include:
--Finalizing the SDSU stadium site deal
--Extricating the City from the 101 Ash Street lease
--Ending the Smart Streetlight program
--Eliminating all Public Information Officer positions earning more than $100,000 per year
--Freezing the salaries of elected officials through June 30, 2021.

For a full list of my budget priorities, see my memo here.

San Diego is resilient, and I am optimistic about our future.  I am inspired by your actions during this pandemic-- adhering to social distancing guidelines, volunteering at food banks, donating blood and delivering food to a neighbor who is quarantined.  

With gratitude,  

Council President Pro Tem  

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City News
5/6 - Mayor Highlights Home Caregivers on Front lines, Invites Seniors to Join Check-in Program
Mayor Faulconer outlined resources for seniors, who continue to be one of the groups most vulnerable to contracting COVID-19. The Mayor highlighted in-home caregivers, represented by Domestic Workers Local 3930, and encouraged seniors to sign up for the City’s free Social Calls program.

Press release here.

5/5 -  Mayor, Illumina Announce $1 Million Donation for San Diego Schools and Frontline Workers
Mayor Faulconer was joined by local leaders to announce a $1 million donation for underrepresented students and workers on the frontlines during the coronavirus pandemic. The Illumina Corporate Foundation has directed the generous gift to The San Diego Foundation COVID-19 Community Fund.  

Illumina’s donation directs $700,000 to the San Diego Unified School District to help K-12 distance learning and $300,000 to support frontline healthcare workers, food security and small business programs.  

Press release here.

County News
5/7 - More San Diego County Businesses Can Reopen
Starting May 8, retail and related manufacturing businesses in San Diego County can begin opening, but only for delivery or curbside pickup. Retail and manufacturing businesses include shops that sell books, shoes, clothing, music, jewelry and sporting goods among others.

Article here.

5/6 - No Customers Inside When Businesses Reopen
As more San Diego County businesses prepare to reopen, it is important to remember that only curbside pick-up will be allowed, and no customers should be inside the premises.

Also, before businesses can reopen, they will need to create a Safe Reopening Plan.  

Here is a template that businesses will need to complete, print and post at their entrance.  

Article here.

Current Cases in San Diego County
As of 5 p.m. 5/8:  

• Total Cases in San Diego County: 4,662
  
• 0-9 years: 54 cases  
• 10-19 years: 148 case  
• 20-29 years: 729 cases  
• 30-39 years: 878 cases  
• 40-49 years: 770 cases  
• 50-59 years: 865 cases  
• 60-69 years: 555 cases  
• 70-79 years: 339 cases  
• 80+ years: 317 cases  
• Age unknown: 7  
• Hospitalized Cases: 919
• Intensive Care Cases: 289
• Deaths: 169

Source here.  

State News
5/8 - Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order on Extending Deadlines Impacted by COVID-19
Governor Newsom issued an executive order that extends some critical deadlines that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order:

• extends deadlines for certification requirements for public school project inspectors who previously passed an initial evaluation, as well as Certified Access Specialists who ensure compliance with disability access in properties and businesses
• gives the State Fire Marshal 60 days to publish lists of building materials requirements and registration renewals for flame-retardant fabrics and applications
• extends the expiration dates for notaries public whose commissions are set to expire for 60 days
• makes it clear that notaries public can use an expired Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license or identification card to confirm identification
• allows retired peace officers to temporarily be reemployed for up to a year if they left the agency in good standing
• authorizes remote reporting under the Sex Offender Registration Act consistent with state public health guidance
• extends by 60 days certain procedural deadlines of the Department of Industrial Relations, including the deadline for workers to file wage claims with the Labor Commissioner; the deadline for employers to appeal Cal/OSHA citations; and the deadline for Workers’ Compensation Administrative Law Judges to issue decisions

Press release here.

5/8 - Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Protect Public Health by Mailing Every Registered Voter a Ballot Ahead of the November General Election
Governor Newsom signed an executive order to ensure that Californians can exercise their right to vote in a safe and accessible manner during the General Election this November. The order requires that each county’s elections officials send vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election to all registered voters.  

Californians who may need access to in-person voting opportunities – including individuals with disabilities, individuals who speak languages other than English, individuals experiencing homelessness, and others – will still be able to access in-person voting opportunities.

Press release here.

5/7 - Governor Newsom Releases Updated Industry Guidance
Governor Newsom released updated industry guidance – including for retail, manufacturing and logistics – to begin reopening with modifications that reduce risk and establish a safer environment for workers and customers.

Updated guidance can be found here. Press release here.

5/6 - Governor Newsom Announces Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Workers who Contract COVID-19 During Stay at Home Order
Governor Newsom announced that workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation. The Governor signed an executive order that creates a time-limited rebuttable presumption for accessing workers’ compensation benefits applicable to Californians who must work outside of their homes during the stay at home order.

Press release here.

Local Resources
La Jolla Car Parade for Healthcare Heroes
Several San Diego Healthcare companies will team up to show appreciation for La Jolla area Hospital and Eldercare workers. To coincide with National Nurses Week, the group decided that a parade would be a great way to show their appreciation for the front-line staff and healthcare workers in the La Jolla area who go beyond the call of duty every day and especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.

The parade route will cover The Vi, Scripps La Jolla, UCSD Thornton, Scripps Green, La Jolla Nursing & Rehab, Monarch Cottages, Casa de Manana, Chateau La Jolla, White Sands and The Cove.

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Upcoming Events

5/11 at 6 p.m.
City Council

5/12 at 11 a.m.
City Council

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Government Resources

CA Dept. of Public Health

CDC

City of San Diego

Council District 1 Guide

County of San Diego

Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

State of California COVID-19 Resource

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Testing Information

County Testing Sites
Physician referral and appointment via 2-1-1 required.

Live Well Center at Chula Vista, 690 Oxford Street, Chula Vista, CA 91911  

SDCCU Stadium

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State Managed Sites
Appointment needed via https://lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m..

Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Dr., El Cajon, CA 92020  

Former Sears in Chula Vista, 565 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910  

North Inland Live Well Center in Escondido, 649 W Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025

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211 San Diego
https://211sandiego.org/  

For County updates about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our community, text COSD COVID19 to 468311.

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Kaiser Permanente
Call 1-833-KP4CARE (1-833-574-2273) (TTY 711) to talk to a licensed care provider 24/7

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Scripps Health Nurses Line
888-261-8431

7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Mon - Fri, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat - Sun

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SHARP Healthcare Nurses Line
1-800-827-4277

Mon - Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat - Sun

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UCSD Health COVID-19 Nurses Line  
800-926-8273

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day