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These are not the times for either panic or complacency. Please practice social distancing and respect Governor Newsome’s “shelter in place” order but also have compassion and understanding that many of our neighbors are still working and are required work for our society to function.
The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is confirming five (5) additional positive cases of COVID-19 in the county. This makes 18 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County at this time. We have now tested 493 individuals with the 18 positive results, 229 negative results and 245 pending.
At our Board meeting tomorrow, my colleague Gregg Hart and I are bringing forward an urgency ordinance to place a moratorium on evictions of residential tenants who live in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County during this local emergency period due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last thing we need in the midst of all this is for people to lose their shelter and increase everyone’s risk.
To avoid encouraging gatherings of people, as of Tuesday, we will be prohibiting in-person testimony at the Board of Supervisors hearing. Individuals can still give testimony by emailing prior or calling in. See more details and instructions here. Additionally, to access information on County of Santa Barbara temporary changes to programs and services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
The County of Santa Barbara will also be holding a press briefing every day at 4:30 pm, which can be viewed on the CSBTV Channel 20 or the CSBTV20 Youtube Page.
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. Additionally, the Santa Barbara Mental Wellness Center Fellowship Club is offering Social and Emotional support via telephone at (805) 845-3281. If someone doesn’t pick up, please leave a message and your call will be returned. And, as always, the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line at (888) 868-1649 is available for questions, crisis needs, or linkage to alcohol and drug or mental-health services.
Coping strategies include keeping oneself connected to both accurate information as well as to other people, while adjusting this interaction to minimize risk. Here are some strategies for coping with social isolation:
- Practicing mindfulness and relaxation exercises
- Stay connected by phone and electronically
- Keep current connections strong
- Stay informed through reliable sources
- Limit your screen time
- Eat healthy and drink plenty of water
- Call elderly and house-bound friends and neighbors to see how they are feeling. Bring them meals and special treats, being mindful of their vulnerability and susceptibility.
- Play board games with your kids
- Read to your children and have them read to you
- Take on a home project, paint that wall that you have been thinking about
- Work in the garden
- Have push-up contests or do yoga together
- Make special meals and involve the whole family, eat healthy!
- Order in meals from favorite restaurants that you don’t think normally do takeout
- Get outside – go for walks, runs, and hikes (maintain social distancing)
- Assign someone at work as your Morale Officer to focus on your team’s wellness
Keeping a positive and informed perspective that we will get through this, together, is critical to reducing the emotional impacts and continuing to create resiliency.
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.
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.
For information on how to support local businesses through this time, please visit Downtown Santa Barbara.
To donate to the United Way of Santa Barbara County’s COVID-19 Response Effort, please click here. To request information about individual financial assistance, please click here.
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 and Neighborhood Clinics are available to you. Again, CALL AHEAD.
Please take of yourselves and each other!
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