State of California – County of Santa Barbara

Apr 2, 2020

California Public Health Officials Release Guidance on Use of Cloth Face Coverings

Date: April 1, 2020
Number: NR20-040
Contact: CDPHpress@cdph.ca.gov

Social distancing and hand washing are still best actions
Californians can take to fight COVID-19

SACRAMENTO – California’s public health officials today released guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against COVID-19 for Californians who must leave their homes to conduct essential activities. The guidance does not require people to wear face coverings – and is not a substitute for the state’s current guidance regarding social distancing and hand washing. The state also does not recommend Californians use N-95 or surgical masks, which are needed for our health care workers and first responders who will be there for when our lives at risk.

“Face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing or frequent hand washing, which we know are amongst the most effective ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Health Officer. “Wearing a cloth face covering could provide some additional benefit by acting as a reminder for other people to keep their distance, and it could help reduce the spread of infectious particles from those who could be infected but don’t have symptoms.”

“Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19, but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them. Make sure you’re also staying 6 feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

The new guidance reminds Californians that the best defense against COVID-19 continues to be:

Staying at home and physical distancing
Washing hands frequently
Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoiding being around sick people

The use of cloth face coverings could reduce the transmission of COVID-19 by individuals who do not have symptoms and may reinforce physical distancing. Public health officials also caution that face coverings may increase risk if users reduce their use of strong defenses such as physical distancing and frequent hand washing.

For more information, please see the Face Coverings Guidance.

Mar 20, 2020

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ISSUES STAY AT HOME EXECUTIVE ORDER

(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) On Thursday, March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain operations of the 16 federal critical infrastructure sectors. The Stay at Home Executive Order is an effort to preserve the public health and safety and to ensure the healthcare delivery system is capable of serving all while prioritizing those at the highest risk and vulnerability.

Californians working in these critical sectors may continue their work due to the importance of these sectors to California’s health and well-being. This is in effect until further notice. Below are key points in the Governor’s Executive Order:

Everyone is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, go to an essential job, or for outdoor recreation.
Going outside for fresh air or recreation, such as walking, hiking, biking are allowed and beneficial to one’s wellbeing.
If you go outside, keep at least 6 feet of distance between persons at all times.
Essential services will remain open, such as:
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Grocery stores
- Farmers markets
- Food banks
- Convenience stores
- Takeout and delivery at food serving facilities, such as restaurants
- Banks
- Laundromats/laundry facilities

California Governor Gavin Newsom reiterated, “Our goal is simple, we need to bend the curve and disrupt the spread of the virus.”

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Stay Connected:

County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
County Information Line: (833) 688-5551, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the area, call (800) 400-1572
Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line: (888) 868-1649

Mar 18, 2020

Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Protect Ongoing Safety Net Services for Most Vulnerable Californians During COVID-19 Outbreak

SACRAMENTO – Taking action to ensure that California’s most vulnerable residents can continue to receive health care, food assistance and in-home supportive services in a timely manner during the COVID-19 outbreak, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order today to extend the eligibility period for important safety net services.

“These social safety net programs are so important for families — especially during this crisis,” said Governor Newsom. “We don’t want Californians who rely on these services to lose them.”

The order waives eligibility re-determinations for 90 days for Californians who participate in:

Medi-Cal health coverage
CalFresh food assistance
CalWORKS
Cash Assistance for Immigrants; and
In-Home Supportive Services

The change will allow current recipients of these safety net programs to continue receiving them without interruption.

The executive order also waives certain provisions of the Bagley-Keene Act.

The Governor’s full executive order can be found here.

Mar 17, 2020

California Issues Directive to Fight COVID-19

SACRAMENTO — Following the announcement that older adults and those at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should isolate, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to protect the health and safety of Californians most vulnerable to COVID-19 residing at health care, residential and non-residential facilities licensed by the state. The order directs state health and social services agencies to redirect resources and staff to the facilities, focusing on providing technical assistance and supporting compliance with core health and safety requirements for caregivers and the cared for.

The Governor’s order also directs the Health and Human Services Agency to develop alternatives to leverage in home supportive services programs, adult protective services programs, area agencies on aging and regional centers, and other programs to support the home isolation of vulnerable Californians, including seniors and those with serious chronic conditions.

“These will be challenging times and California is mobilizing every part of government to protect and isolate residents most vulnerable to COVID-19. Those who are over the age of 65, Californians with underlying health issues, residential care patients and all those who care for these individuals are uniquely at risk. In the coming weeks, our state must rally behind these Californians and work aggressively to ensure their needs are safely met.”

The order directs the following:

The state must focus on protecting the health and safety of the most vulnerable in licensed facilities.
The state shall immediately identify health, community care facilities, and other sites that house populations that are most vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes, but is not limited to seniors and individual who require assisted-living services due to chronic health conditions.
The state shall redirect resources and provide technical and compliance support to protect caregivers and those they care for.
Enforcement activities shall focus where there are allegations of the most serious violations impacting health and safety.
The Health and Human Services Agency, in consultation with counties and labor organization and consumers, shall leverage existing services and programs to support home isolation of vulnerable Californians, including seniors and those with serious chronic underlying health conditions.
To address the increased demand for healthcare workers and first responders, state Departments shall authorize first responders, care providers, and workers who are asymptomatic and taking precautions to prevent the transmission of COVID-19, to continue working during the period of this emergency.

“It is also important that older adults and those at elevated risk of serious illness from COVID-19 take immediate steps to reduce their risk. This includes staying at home as much as possible and practicing social distancing,” said Governor Newsom.

Based on the Governor’s announcement yesterday, older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems, and individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease should take the following steps:

Remain at home until order is rescinded, or until further guidance is issued.
- Cancel any non-essential travel, appointments, etc.
- For routine medical care, contact your health care provider to discuss rescheduling.

Continue with outdoor activities.
- As long as you practice social distancing, we encourage you to continue your outdoor activities such as walks, runs and yardwork, to the extent your health allows it.

The full executive order can be viewed here.