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At today’s Board of Supervisors hearing, the Board received updated information on the outbreak at the Federal Prison in Lompoc, graphical presentation of Santa Barbara County COVID-19 By the Numbers, and a look ahead regarding Economic Reopening Plan development. As you can see from the graph above, although there is variability day-to-day, we are seeing a downward trend in the increase in total cases per day. The goal is to see some consistency in the downward trend and it seems we are headed down that path.
To date, the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Santa Barbara County is 429. Of these cases,178 are recovering at home, 42 are recovering in a hospital, 13 of which are in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 183 have fully recovered, and 21 are pending an update. Unfortunately, we have experienced 5 deaths in Santa Barbara County. To view a map of COVID-19 cases in California by County, click here.
The Santa Barbara Foundation (SBF) is working to connect resources across Santa Barbara County. In order to do so, SBF created an easy-to-use platform that allows community members to support nonprofit organizations in need of food, supplies, volunteers, and financial contributions. Not only can nonprofits submit their organizational needs on the platform, but individuals can also post services they are offering. Visit SBF’s Ways to Help page on their website to learn more about this tool.
We have also been successful in increasing our testing capacity. Originally, we had capacity for no more than 45 tests a day with a turnaround time of 1-2 days for results. Currently, that capacity is 90-105 tests per day with a 2-10 hour turnaround time for results. This week we expect to see a large increase in testing capability.
Yesterday, officials in Los Angeles County released preliminary results of a study that suggests roughly 4.1 percent of the County’s adult population has already had the coronavirus, which translates to between 221,000 and 442,000 people. That is a much higher number than confirmed case counts indicate. (As of early this morning, the county had 13,816 cases). A Stanford studysimilarly found that infection of Santa Clara County individuals was actually 50 to 85 times what County officials had recorded. If these studies are indeed accurate, the death and hospitalization rates are both much smaller than previously thought.
Support for Local Small Businesses:
As we continue “sheltering in place,” please keep in mind that this is an especially tough time for our local businesses. While many restaurants have closed their doors, others are offering a full or limited menu for takeout and/or delivery. Check out this guide compiled by Visit Santa Barbara to learn what’s available. Restaurant and grocery delivery services are available here. The U.S. Chamber has answers to the 10 Commonly Asked Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions and a summary of the recent CARES Act Webinar can be found here. A recording of the webinar can be found here.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is working to provide financial relief through the Save Small Business Fund and is providing $5,000 in short-term relief to employers across the United States. These one-time supplemental cash grants are for businesses that have between three and 20 employees and operate in an economically vulnerable community. The grant application went live on Monday, April 20 at 12:00 PM PT. To learn more about the Save Small Business Fund and to apply for a grant, click here.
The Small Business Administration is currently not accepting new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program due to a lapse in appropriations. The SBA is also not accepting new applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) COVID-19 related assistance program, including EIDL Advances, based on available appropriations funding. Applicants who already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. You need to reapply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance if you applied before March 30th, or mailed, faxed, uploaded, or emailed your EIDL application.
Additionally, below SCORE is an offering a series of one-hour webinars to dive into the specifics of COVID-19 crisis support options:
Register NOW: How to Email Market in Times of Business Downturn
April 23 | 4:00-5:00 pm
To generate positive outcomes, your business has to reach the right customers with targeted campaigns. Research says that for every $1 spent on e-mail marketing there is an average $44 return on investment. Join Patty Ross for this discussion of basic and advanced techniques to propel your email marketing efforts.
Register NOW: Marketing Advice to Combat an Economic Downturn
April 28 | 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Wondering how to market your business during the economic downturn related to coronavirus (COVID-19)? Consistent, clear communication with your customers is vital, so they understand when, how, and where they can still do business with you.
Mental Health Support:
For those of you seeking social and emotional support during this difficult and stressful time, the Santa Barbara County Community Wellness Team has a host of resources available for people struggling through this time and can be reached at (805) 364-2750.
Information about Individual Economic and Food Support:
For those with furry friends, C.A.R.E.4Paws is here to support low-income, senior, disabled and homeless community members in Santa Barbara County to prevent suffering and keep pets with their owners for life. They offer help with pet food and basic supplies, critical mobile veterinary care and urgent spays/neuters, and assistance for domestic violence victims and their pets. For more information, contact them at info@care4paws.org or 805-968-CARE (2273).
For residents and businesses struggling to keep up with expenses, Southern California Edison is also helping customers with their bills by suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees by request for business and residential customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. For a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding Santa Barbara County’s Temporary Eviction Moratorium due to COVID-19 in English click here, in Spanish click here.
Santa Barbara County Food Bank is hosting additional food distributions in order to meet the growing need in the community caused by COVID-19. All sites are implementing social distancing practices to ensure the food you receive is safe! Many locations offer a drive-thru option to minimize contact, and others are scheduling food pick-up appointments for individuals to prevent crowds. Check the website for the most current information about distribution sites.
We know that this is an incredibly difficult time if you’ve lost your job, income or work hours due to COVID-19. The way that you can access government economic relief available for workers is by completing an application for Unemployment Insurance. I recommend getting to know the new Economic Recovery page on the County’s COVID-19 Public Information Portal. The EDD will begin accepting online applications for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program on Tuesday, April 28th to help:
• independent contractors;
• business owners;
• self-employed; and
• people with a limited working history.
There are multiple ways to file for Unemployment Insurance:
Online: You can file a claim online here
By-phone: Representatives are available at the following toll-free numbers. Starting Monday, April 20, the new hours will be 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
· English 1-800-300-5616
· Spanish 1-800-326-8937
· Cantonese 1-800-547-3506
· Mandarin 1-866-303-0706
· Vietnamese 1-800-547-2058
· TTY 1-800-815-9387
By Mail or by Fax: File your UI claim by accessing the paper Unemployment Insurance Application. For faster and secure processing, fax the completed application to the number listed on the form. If you mail your application, use the address on the form and allow additional time for processing.
How to Apply for UI Benefits (File a Claim) (YouTube)
Some have already started receiving their individual $1,200 CARES Act direct stimulus payment. Congressman Salud Carbajal sent out an email with detailed information regarding direct payments including directions for non-tax filers. If you have a Social Security Number (SSN) and don’t usually file taxes, the IRS has set up a portal for non-filers in these categories to enter payment information. If you are a non-filer, you should use this website to be sure the IRS has the most up-to-date information so they can quickly get you your payment. In order to receive email updates from Salud’s office, click here.
Ways to Help:
For many, the best way to get away from the frustrations and stress of this crisis is to help others. If you are outside the at-risk population, you can volunteer for a partnership between Bucket Brigade and the County to staff Food Bank (help distribute food) and PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), which needs volunteers to help prepare food at the shelter. Sign up to volunteer here. You can also join Bucket Brigade’s Most Mask Maker Challenge to sew face masks for critical service workers. Bucket Brigade will bring you materials to make masks and will pick up masks and deliver them to those in need!
The 2020 Census is currently underway and it is absolutely critical that every single person who lives in the United States is counted – regardless of citizenship status, age, or any other factor that might limit their response. Census data will inform the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds across the United States to be used for schools, hospitals, roads, other public work projects, and other vital programs. It also determines how many seats in the House of Representatives a state gets and is used to draw legislative boundaries at every level of government to account for population shifts to keep districts relatively equal in population size. It is against the law for the Census Bureau to release your responses in any way that could identify you or your household and it is also against the law for your responses to be used against you. Completing the Census gives you power and says that you count!
The U.S. Census Bureau recently extended the self-response deadline to October 31st. Census takers will begin knocking on doors of households that have not completed the Census on June 1st. Responding to the Census on your own will save time and keep someone from knocking on your door! You can respond online, by mail, or by calling 844-330-2020. Please share this info with your networks as well to make sure the message gets to as many people as possible.
To donate to the United Way of Santa Barbara County’s COVID-19 Response Effort, please click here. You can also donate to 805 Undocufund, which serves immigrant families who are being impacted by the outbreak of COVID-19.
There has been a lot of misinformation circulating regarding COVID-19, which is why the World Health Organization has developed some “Myth Busters” to educate the public and provide facts.
We strongly urge people 65 and older to self-isolate completely. Either get a friend/family member to shop for you or use a grocery delivery service.
What do I do if I’m experiencing symptoms?
A: if you are experiencing any upper respiratory symptoms (cough, sore throat, sneezing, shortness of breath, or fever) the best thing for you to do is behave as if you have the virus and self-isolate until 72 hours after freedom of symptoms. If you want to see or talk to a doctor about your symptoms, please CALL AHEAD. Do you not go into any health care facility while experiencing these symptoms. If you do not have insurance, our County Health Clinics andNeighborhood Clinics are available to you. Again, CALL AHEAD.
Please take of yourselves and each other!
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