Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Halloween and COVID-19

Respond to the Census:

• Online: 2020census.gov until 2:59am PST in the morning on Friday, October 16th

• Phone: Call 844-330-2020 (English speakers) and 844-468-2020 (Spanish) between 10am and 11pm (Phone numbers for other languages can be found here: https://2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html)

• Paper: Use the questionnaire you were sent in the mail and fill it out in blue or black ink. Return the questionnaire in the return envelope provided or send to U.S. Census Bureau, National Processing Center, 1201 E. 10th Street, Jeffersonville, IN 47132. Must be postmarked by October 15th

1) Since Santa Barbara County has remained in the Red Tier for two consecutive weeks, schools are allowed to reopen for in-person learning with modifications if they choose to do so.

2) Gatherings of all sizes remain prohibited in Santa Barbara County, unless an exemption applies. This guidance is more restrictive than the State guidance on gatherings and will be reconsidered every two weeks based on current, local health metrics. We have made such significant strides in reducing our cases locally that our Health Officer wants to do everything we can to maintain this success. The prohibition on gatherings does not apply to:

• Outdoor recreational activities when physical distancing of six feet can be maintained.
• Congregate living situations, including dormitories, and homeless encampments.
• Outdoor worship services, outdoor wedding ceremonies, outdoor cultural ceremonies (religious and non-religious), outdoor protests, or outdoor political speech, when physical distancing of six feet can be maintained.

Our 7-day average case rate is 4.44 per 100,000 residents, we have a 2.2% test positivity rate, and a 5% health equity metric. To move to the “Orange Tier,” our case rate needs to go down to 3.9 per 100,000 residents. Our test positivity and health equity metric are already in the range required for Orange Tier.

Our decision to continue to restrict gatherings is critical for us to keep our kids in school and help our local businesses. It is imperative that you follow these guidelines and do not gather with people you do not live with except for the exemptions listed: for businesses and outdoor recreational activities where distance can be maintained, such as walking or jogging. You can further do your part by getting tested, regardless of symptoms. Find out more information about getting tested here: https://publichealthsbc.org/testing/

Watch Halloween movies at home

Watch parties can use online video and chat options so attendees can interact with each other.

Halloween movie night at drive-in theaters

Halloween movie nights must comply with State Guidance for Movie Theatres and Family Entertainment Centers 

Have a virtual costume party

Best costume contests and make your own costume contests are both fun!

Virtual craft projects and contests

Ideas may include pumpkin carving, painting, mask decorating contests, home decorating contest. Or, consider a candy scavenger hunt in the house or yard with your household. And of course, don’t forget the tradition of carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household.

Car parades

Car parades must comply with Drive-In Event Guidance including:

• Drive by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and drive by judges that are appropriately physically distanced.
• Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween displays.
• Drive through event where individuals can receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle
• Children can stay in their yards in costume and neighbors will drive by and gently toss candy out of the windows as they pass by.

Plan a social distanced costume parade

Place treats where kids can pick them up along the parade route (daytime activity). Alternatively, provide a bag of treats at the end of the parade. Be careful not to allow spectators or crowds to gather at these types of activities.

1)   Mail it in! Our Elections office and USPS recommend people mail in their ballot EARLY. Be sure to SIGN and date the back of the return envelope. Ballot return envelopes DO NOT require postage! Track your ballot at: https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/

2)   Drop it off! Secure ballot drop boxes are located throughout the county 24 hours a day until 8 p.m., November 3.

Each Drop Box has been identified as a Drive-Up, Walk-Up, or both, and whether the box is accessible, please see below for details at each location.

County of Santa Barbara Administration Building – Accessible/Walk-Up

105 E. Anapamu St. (Anacapa Street Entrance)

County of Santa Barbara Elections Main Office – Accessible/Drive-Up/Walk-Up – 4440-A Calle Real

Eastside Branch Library – Accessible/Walk-Up – 1102 E. Montecito St.

MacKenzie Park – Accessible/Drive-Up/Walk-Up – 3111 State St. (corner of State and Las Positas)

San Andres Hardware – Accessible/Walk-Up – 635 W. Micheltorena St. (Corner of San Andres and Micheltorena)

Santa Barbara City College (West Campus Drop-Off) – Accessible/Drive-Up – 721 Cliff Dr.

3)     In-person options! For those who prefer in-person voting or for additional services including language assistance or a replacement ballot, 35 polling places will be open Saturday, October 31 through Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Facial coverings are required, and there may be a socially distanced waiting line. A list of all polling places and drop boxes are printed in the County Voter Information Guide and on the website at www.sbcvote.com.

Remember, every registered voter in California is receiving a ballot in the mail this year. If you haven’t received yours call 1-800-SBC-VOTE.

Take care,

Das