1040 Whitley Ave., Corcoran CA 93212   |   Phone: (559) 992-3115

Large gatherings are reportedly still being held amid the State of California’s Shelter in Place order issued by Governor Gavin Newsome. Last week, Kings County Supervisor Richard Valle led the Board of Supervisors in presenting a resolution ordering all residents to comply with the State’s stay at home orders.

The resolution, which was passed Tuesday morning, stated that since many residents disregard the stay at home orders and continue to leave their homes and places of business in violation of the Governor’s orders, despite the serious threat to public health.
“Over the last week I received feedback from my district and 99% of those comments were to support the board of supervisors’ decision to issue shelter in place guidelines and support law enforcement in their efforts to enforce and stop large social gatherings in our communities,” Supervisor Valle said. “I am confident in my YES vote to support the Governor’s existing directives to shelter in. Still there will be those who say I am wrong in my decision. To them I say that I hope I am wrong. In fact I pray that I am wrong in this decision. Because if I’m wrong it would mean that nobody dies from this virus in our county, your elderly mom or dad didn’t die, no young children or babies died, and we didn’t have a large amount of positive cases. If in four months from now, we can look back and see that none of this happened in our county then this is one decision I would gladly have egg on my face.”
To clarify the resolution and action being taken the Board of Supervisors posted a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which can be found at: https://www.countyofkings.com. (A complete list of the Supervisor’s FAQs can also be found on Page 3.)
Locally however, there are still many questions regarding the role of local law enforcement in enforcing the shelter-in-place order, specifically as it pertains to large gatherings. What should be done if Corcoran residents witness large parties or local businesses that are open and are not following the guidelines set by the state’s order?
According to Corcoran Police Chief Reuben Shortnacy you call the police department at 992-5151 when aware of large gatherings or gross violations of the stay-at-home order. He said that applies to local businesses as well. Call the police department and they will determine if the business is non-essential and take the appropriate action.
“Our goal is to get compliance through education and cooperation.  A violation of the order is enforceable however, our goal is not to seek prosecution unless we otherwise can’t get compliance,” Chief Shortnacy noted.  “We will respond to calls if there are large groups such as large parties.  We are counting on the public to follow the Governor’s Executive Order.  It is our best effort right now to get ahead of this and protect everyone around us.  Many who have the virus do not have symptoms and can spread it to others without knowing.  Think about your kids, parents, grandparents and those with health issues that would make them vulnerable if stricken with Covid19.  We have to protect them”.   
Also, Chief Shortnacy added that residents can sign up for Corcoran PD’s Nixle alerts and follow them on Instagram @corcoran.pd for updates and information with respect to the coronavirus.  To sign up for Nixle text 93212 to 888-777 on any smart phone to receive Nixle alerts. 
“We will get through this but it will take everyone’s cooperation,” Chief Shortnacy added.
Information on the fight against COVID-19 changes constantly. New guidelines to cover the face when out in public whether a person is healthy or ill has been recommended by the Kings County Health Department.
Kings County Health Officer Dr. Milton Teske says to cover your face in addition to the sheltering-in-place and social distancing measures which were already in place in Kings County.
“Throughout the Central Valley, COVID-19 is making its presence known and Public Health wants to ensure that Kings County stays ahead of it. By following the current guidelines of the sheltering-place, we will be able to slow the spread of the virus. However, for those times when you must leave your home, new guidance is available to keep your safe,” Dr. Teske noted.
Previously, it was stated that healthcare workers were the only people who should be wearing face masks. Fortunately, the U.S. has had the opportunity to research how other countries have limited the spread of the virus. New studies show that covering your face while in public is an effective way of limiting the spread of this virus. 
Many of those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 have experienced mild flu like symptoms and some have had no symptoms at all. Those who have experienced symptoms of COVID-19 sometimes do not develop symptoms until the end of the course of the disease.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) stated there may be a benefit to reducing asymptomatic transmission with the use of face coverings which would help reduce the release of infectious particles into the air, and on surfaces, when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes, including someone who has COVID-19 but feels well. That means, wearing a face mask at all times, while in public, may help limit the spread of the virus, especially if people have the virus and are not showing any signs or symptoms. 
“It is also important to remember that our healthcare workers, who provide direct medical care, are our frontline warriors in fighting this war and protecting us from this virus.  We want to ensure that they have adequate amounts of protective gear in order to properly protect themselves when they are treating the ill,” Dr. Teske added. “As we all know, the shortage of face masks is hindering the ability to obtain the recommended protective gear. Face masks will hopefully become more publicly available soon, but until then, we ask you to take these preventative measures, as best as you can. Kings County Department of Public Health will not be issuing face masks to the public. Simple homemade masks, bandanas, and scarfs can be used in place of face masks, until more facemasks become readily available”.  
Ways to obtain face masks, or other means to cover your face include but are not limited to:
–Online and local sources are selling handmade cloth masks. This is also a great way to support your local businesses that have been affected by this pandemic.  
–Local stores may have a limited supply of masks available.  
–Some fabric stores are selling and/or giving away kits to sew handmade masks, which you can sew for yourself and for others. There are instructions and examples that can be found on the internet. Some helpful links include https://www.joann.com/how-to-make-a-face-mask/042188731P321.html, or https://www.joann.com/make-to-give-response/https://thestitchingscientist.com/2020/03/how-to-sew-a-face-mask.html.
–Wear a bandana or scarf across your mouth and nose while out in public.  
–If you managed to purchase masks from your local stores before supplies were limited, now is the time to start wearing them and sharing with your neighbors if you have the ability to do so.  
CDPH reminds everyone that this preventative measure does not replace other evidence based measures such as social distancing, frequent hand washing, and remaining at home as much as possible. This recommendation is in addition to these recommendations and for those who must go out in public for one of the essential needs or activities listed in the shelter-in-place order.  Wearing a face mask or face covering does not guarantee that you won’t contract COVID-19. 
Recommendations and Guidelines already in place to help prevent the spread of the virus:
–Everyone is asked to stay home.  There are exceptions in place for critical and essential activities. Your voluntary compliance with these measures will slow the spread and save many people’s lives.
–Social distancing means to keep a six foot distance between you and others.  Many stores in our community have tape markings on the floors of their check-out lines to encourage social distancing while shopping for food, medicine, and other essential items. Please remember to maintain social distancing at all times when out in public in order to protect yourself, your family, and your community.  
–Wash your hands!  Washing our hands is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of COVID-19 as well as other viruses. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Try to avoid touching common surfaces when out in public. Wash your hands as soon as you enter your home, in order to avoid bringing in outside germs into your home. It is also important to disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home.
–When wearing a face mask, it is important to wash your hands before and after touching and adjusting your face mask or covering. Wash your face coverings daily with hot water and laundry detergent. Discard any face coverings that no longer cover the nose and mouth, have stretched or damaged ties or straps, cannot stay on the face, or have holes or tears in the fabric. 
“It is our job as a community to protect Kings County and help prevent the spread of the virus. Let’s remember that we are all in this together.  We can stay home, wash our hands, keep our distance, and cover our face to keep this virus under control within our community,” Dr. Teske said. 
For more information please visit the www.kingscovidinfo.com or  the California Department of Public Health website for Face Covering Guidance.

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