COVID-19 and Fire Updates and Resources/Additional Information

By Zach Friend, Supervisor, Second District

(Editor’s Note: This is an updated version of Supervisor Friend’s most recent column)

With our community facing devastating fires and a pandemic, it’s important to ensure everyone is aware of resources available regarding both issues. While recently our County was taken off the state monitoring list for COVID-19 (the first in the state to come off of the list), we have a long way to go until we are back to pre-pandemic normal.

Our office has been receiving a lot of questions of what it means to be off of the monitoring list and with the fires, what resources are available to residents. Here is a list of places to get information on both issues. As always, you can reach out to me with any questions.

COVID-19

Santa Cruz County was recently removed from the state data monitoring list. Removal from the list is an indication of reduced spread of COVID-19 (the rate per 100,000 residents) and is the first step toward the lifting state-mandated closures and school restrictions.

The County anticipates having additional guidance from the state soon on what the next steps would be (and timeline) regarding businesses reopening.

Any future school openings are subject to decisions by local school boards and administrators and also require certain testing capacities to be met (and a minimum of 14 consecutive days of remaining off of the monitoring list).

Right now, the County, in partnership with UC Santa Cruz, is working to increase our testing capacity to meet these needs. It’s believed the new testing capabilities will be online in about a month.

Additionally, due to the challenges of COVID-19, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an extension for a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions until Sept. 30.

The Board is also exploring enacting a repayment period (as other jurisdictions have created) so that renters don’t face a large balloon payment at the end of the moratorium.

If you’re interested in more COVID-19 related updates, the best resource is the County Health Department’s page www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus — this page has the latest case counts, active cases, demographic breakdowns and resources for employers, providers and residents on how to get tested, receive care and much more.

Fires — Latest Info

With the ongoing fires, staying informed is one of the key ways to stay safe. Please consider signing up for alerts from CalFire and the Regional 9-1-1 center. Here are links to alerts sign-ups, websites and social media resources that may be helpful.

Alerts

Regional 911 — Register for reverse 911 calls via the The CodeRED notification system. The system sends important messages and updates to residents and businesses within our county in the event of emergency situations or critical community alerts.

Register at www.scr911.org

Websites

The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County — Community Foundation has a fire resource page that links to the latest evacuation orders, road closures, a map of the fires and zones and more updates.

Visit www.cfscc.org and click on the link Fire Response–How You Can Help. It also has links on ways you can donate tents, water or funds to shelters and places that are supporting those evacuated. Additionally, the County’s main website www.santacruzcounty.us provides links to resources.

Businesses and Residents

Low-interest Small Business Administration federal disaster loans are now available to California businesses and residents as a result of the wildfires.

The SBA has established a Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to help homeowners and renters.

Customer Service Representatives will be available to business owners and individuals to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each person complete their electronic loan application.

Virtual Business Recovery Center and Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
(916) 735-1500

These services are only available for the California disaster declaration as a result of the wildfires that began Aug. 14, and not for COVID-19 assistance.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 3 percent for businesses, 2.75 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.188 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (916) 735-1500 or email FOCWAssistance@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Social Media

I’m maintaining regular updates on COVID-19 and the fires at www.facebook.com/supervisorfriend — and the County is maintaining active information on its Twitter page at twitter.com/sccounty or @sccounty directly from Twitter. The County page will have the latest information both on COVID updates as well as the fires.

Lastly, during the shelter-in-place order I’m hosting tele-townhalls with County, state and community leaders.

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If you’re interested in the town halls or just want to connect on an issue you can always call me at 454-2200.

co.santa-cruz.ca.us/District2