By Bruce McPherson, Fifth District Supervisor
The County of Santa Cruz’s response to the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, outbreak has been swift and developing by the minute.
First, let me say I appreciate everyone’s cooperation with the state and county’s shelter-in-place orders and social distancing requirements, which are the most effective tools, along with strong hand-washing hygiene, in slowing community spread of the virus. While the county’s order was originally set to expire April 7, the state order is still in effect for Santa Cruz County and is open-ended.
While effective in reducing risk, the order for people to remain at home except for essential errands, work and outdoor exercise has put an enormous strain on our local businesses, workforce, and families as companies large and small close their doors and residents get laid off. Even though federal relief is expected soon, the county stands to lose a huge amount of tax and fee revenue that fund core services — a problem the Board of Supervisors will need to address in future budget sessions.
On March 24, the Board received an update from our County leadership regarding our response to COVID-19 and its impacts on the community. Since that meeting, the number of confirmed cases has risen from the 24 to 49 cases as of March 31, with one death of a county resident resulting from the virus. The number of confirmed cases is expected to increase as testing becomes more frequent. But as testing increases, so does the already-existing need for more personal protection equipment, or PPE, for healthcare workers and other frontline personnel.
The county has released nearly all its stockpile of N95 protective masks to critical healthcare facilities. While the state and federal government work to acquire more supplies of masks, surgical gowns, face shields and gloves, the county has established an online donation form for community members and businesses willing to contribute supplies. The address is www.santacruzhealth.org/ppedonate.
On March 24, the Board also voted unanimously to enact protections through May 31 against residential and commercial evictions in the unincorporated areas for those who have negatively been impacted by COVID-19. We want to ensure those who have lost wages, are caring for a sick family member, or are facing other challenges as a result of the emergency not be forced from their homes or businesses. Renters must be able to demonstrate a COVID-related hardship to qualify under the moratorium, and they still have the responsibility to pay rent at some point. Landlords and renters are encouraged to negotiate in the interim as landlords also have bills to pay, including in many cases mortgages on their rental properties.
The County’s Treasurer-Tax Collector is providing some leniency on late fees and interest related to the April 10 property tax deadline, which is set by state law. The form to request a special COVID-19 Penalty Waiver Form for late fees and interest due on property taxes is at www.co.santacruz.ca.us/Departments/TaxCollector.aspx.
The county is also working with the cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville to create emergency shelter and triage for people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 response. While we will not be able to shelter every un-housed person in the county during the shelter-in-place order, we are setting up temporary shelters and renting motel rooms for those who require isolation due to infection or exposure, as well as those whose ages or medical vulnerability necessitate extra precaution.
For more local information on the COVID-19 response, visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211, text COVID-19 to 211211, or call the County’s COVID-19 call center at 831-454-4242 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. everyday. If you would like to sign up for my newsletter, please send an email to [email protected] with the subject line: Newsletter.
Thank you and be well.