| With more holidays fast approaching, it is crucial that we remember that gatherings of all sizes remain prohibited in Santa Barbara County, unless an exemption applies. The State of California has issued a travel advisory and guidance but if you are still going to a family gathering, you should isolate yourself and work from home for as long as possible BEFORE and AFTER these interactions, so celebrations aren’t spoiled by transmissions. If you must travel, it is important to know the risks involved.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the holidays it is important to keep the following in mind:
- Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and around others that are not part of your household.
- Avoid confined spaces – Actively stay away from indoor spaces that don’t allow for easy distancing of at least 6ft between you and others.
- Avoid close contact – Stay at least 6 feet away from all other people who are not part of your own household, especially while talking, eating and drinking.
- Remain outdoors as much as possible when socializing with people not in your household – beach walks or present exchanges in a park, for example.
- Wash or sanitize your hands often.
- Clean frequently touched items regularly.
- If you are sick, or you have been in contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19 or has symptoms of COVID-19 stay home, away from others, and get tested.
We are anticipating the delivery of 3,900 Pfizer doses within the next few days, which will be delivered to Cottage Hospital and Marian Regional Medical Centers. There will also be a delivery of 6,600 Moderna doses as early as next week, which will be allocated to hospitals and other high priority medical workers. An additional 2925 Pfizer doses are then anticipated as early as next week as well. We are awaiting the prioritization list of essential workers for the following phase of vaccinations, which will be determined by the CA Department of Public Health.
While the arrival of vaccines brings hope, we have so many businesses and employees in Santa Barbara County in dire straights who need assistance now. Please shop locally for the holidays and support our local restaurants by ordering takeout.
State Financial Assistance for Businesses:
Businesses and employers – Coronavirus COVID-19 Response (ca.gov)
- Small Business Hiring Tax Credit, a $1,000 tax credit for each new employee hired by small businesses (up to $100,000 per business)
- Interest-free deferral of sales/use tax up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales
- California Rebuilding Fund small business loans
- Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program and Small Business Loan Guarantee Program via IBank
- Small Business Debt Relief
Local Resources for Businesses:
Workforce Special Projects for Job Seekers: Home-2020 (sbcwdb.org)
Over 500 positions in various workforce programs available for youth and adult job seekers with an emphasis on COVID-19 laid off workers. Services include:
- Immediate employment opportunities
- Occupational skills training opportunities
- Financial assistance for workforce participants. Up to $800 in supportive services to pay for rent, utility bills, or technology (computers, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots) necessary to telework.
Services available through other Workforce Partners:
- Partnership with community colleges to offer training and employment services.
- Special workforce initiative with Lompoc Adult School and Career Center to start February 2021 aimed at training and putting workers back to work.
- Other workforce programs available through Transitioning Mental Health and Vision y Compromiso.
No matter whether you agree 100% or 0% with the State’s framework, or like many Californians are somewhere in the middle, we all can do our part. Even if you do not comply with all the order, please practice harm reduction strategies, the most important of which is mask wearing, but also includes social distancing, remaining outside, and quarantining for periods as a preventative measure.
Stay safe and healthy,
Das |
