The County of Santa Clara announced earlier this week that it is expanding access to COVID-19 testing by launching or expanding several testing locations (press release and press conference video).  The locations were chosen based on data showing a higher rate of recent cases in these areas compared to nearby areas.  All people getting tested at these sites pay nothing for the test.  Please help us spread the word that testing is available and that it is free, easy, and safe.
 
With the addition of these sites, there are now at least 46 sites throughout the county offering COVID-19 viral detection testing. All of the sites are mapped on the County’s website at sccfreetest.org, which is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1.
 
The County Health System is now offering drive-thru testing available to the public at four locations in Milpitas, Morgan Hill, and San Jose:
 
● 1325 East Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035 (location subject to change)
● 18550 De Paul Dr., Morgan Hill, CA 95037
● 777 E Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95112
● 1993 McKee Road, San Jose, CA 95116
 
Testing is available 7 days a week. Appointments are required for this drive-thru testing and these can be made online through a link at sccfreetest.org or by calling 888-334-1000.
 
Essential workers with regular interaction with the public should get tested now and once every month going forward.  This includes grocery store clerks, food delivery workers, retail associates, first responders, and many other types of workers.  The County recommends that these front-line workers get tested even if they have no symptoms at all.  Testing can identify the infection before a person feels unwell or before they spread it to another person with potentially deadly consequences.  People can get a test through their regular doctor, or from one of these new or expanded sites around the county.
 
Board of Supervisors Vote to Extend Eviction Moratorium
 
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted to extend the urgency ordinance establishing a temporary moratorium on evictions. However, it is currently unclear what shape it will take.  The original ordinance was in line with and empowered by an Executive Order issued by Gavin Newsom that expires on May 31.  To date, that Executive Order has not been extended.
 
The issue will come back to the Board of Supervisors at its June 2^nd meeting.  If there is no extension of the Executive Order by that time, County staff will present options the Board can enact that are not preempted by the State.  The Board will also consider extending the payback period from 120 days to one year and allow for quarterly rent payments.  The Board also asked staff to explore whether the County could stem judicial requirements of payment, such as wage garnishments.
 
You can watch a video of the discussion by the Board of Supervisors (starting at 32:50). You can also read the guidance and an FAQ provided for landlords and tenants about the current moratorium.
 
Sunnyvale Small Business Assistance Program Goes Live
 
The City of Sunnyvale has launched the Sunnyvale Cares Small Business Assistance Grant Program which is now offering grants of up to $15,000 for qualified small businesses to cover payroll, rent, inventory, or certain other expenses.  Generally, to be eligible, businesses must have between 1 and 50 full-time employees; restaurants can have up to 100 employees.  Funds come from the City of Sunnyvale as well as several private companies and foundations.  In total, $1.3M is available for Sunnyvale businesses through this program.
 
Promoting Community Resources for Youth, Families, and Individuals
 
The Santa Clara County Office of Public Affairs has created a website dedicated to community resources for youth, families and individuals impacted by COVID-19. Resources include food assistance, health services, financial help, legal assistance, and other support. Many services are available to all members of our community, regardless of ability to pay or immigration status.
 
There are now multilingual graphics that you can share on Facebook (English, Chinese, and Spanish) and Twitter (English, Chinese, and Spanish).
 
Pandemic EBT Card Applications Now Being Accepted
 
The California Departments of Education and Social Services are issuing one-time food stamp credits of up to $365 per child to help qualifying families get through the coronavirus outbreak. Families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at their schools—regardless of immigration status—can apply for the Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer card (P-EBT).
 
Families receiving a P-EBT card can buy groceries at most grocery stores and farmer's markets as well as online through Amazon and Walmart. Children may continue to receive "grab n go" meals or emergency food at COVID-19 emergency feeding sites offered by schools and community locations, even if they are receiving P-EBT benefits.
 
Most families with children who receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply online. They will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. Families with children who applied for CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits after their school closed will get their P-EBT card in the mail before June 30, 2020. Families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and who do not currently get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits must apply online before June 30, 2020.
 
More information and an application can be found at https://ca.p-ebt.org/. The application takes about five minutes. Families can apply regardless of immigration status, and the benefits will not count towards public charge.
 
Additional Funding Available for COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program
 
Additional funding is now available through the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Program administered by Sacred Heart Community Service and Destination: Home. Because there is a limited amount of funding available, this round of assistance will focus on serving those in our community who are most in need of assistance.
 
To qualify for assistance, residents must meet all 5 criteria outlined below:
 
1. Be a resident of Santa Clara County.
2. Have household income less than 30% of the Area’s Median Income prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
3. Can demonstrate a loss of income related to the COVID-19 crisis.
4. Are ineligible for unemployment benefits or recent federal stimulus payments.
5. Did not already receive assistance from our COVID-19 relief fund.
 
Eligible households will receive $1,000 for every individual who meets the eligibility criteria up to $2,000 per household. More information and the application can be found here.
 
work2future Virtual Career Fair and Online Skills Program
 
work2future offers an easy-to-access online learning service to brush up on skills or pick up new ones for residents who’ve been sheltering at home and are contemplating a return to places of work as the economy begins to reopen in phases. work2future offers the SkillUp America program from Metrix Learning at no cost to learners. Interested individuals can learn more and register for the program at bit.ly/skillupsanjose. Enrollment in work2future is not needed to access the 5,000 courses available for free. However, enrolling does open doors to many other career-oriented resources for residents. A full range of information can be found at www.work2future.org. 
 
work2future is also hosting their second virtual career fair via Zoom Webinar on June 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  A dozen employers from government, business, technology, manufacturing, construction, and other industries will be actively recruiting for essential and remote work positions available right now. Free online pre-registration is required. A complete list of participating employers, open positions, and registration information can be found at bit.ly/June-Job-Fair. 
 
Planning Advice and Guidance from State and Federal Agencies
 
Though we don’t know the timing of when some industries will reopen, the following State and Federal agencies have shared advice and guidance to help with planning efforts for future phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As always, state and local health orders and guidance should be followed.
 
CDPH:  Homeless Shelters with Suspected/Confirmed COVID-19 Cases  
CDPH: Dental Practitioners
 
Cal OSHA:  COVID-19 Infection Prevention Guidance for Agricultural Workers
Cal OSHA:  General Industry
Cal OSHA:  Construction
Cal OSHA:  Logistics Employers and Employees
 
CDC:  Considerations for Institute of Higher Educations
CDC:  Considerations for Public Pools, Hot Tubs, and Water Playgrounds 
CDC:  Considerations for Restaurants and Bars
CDC:  Considerations for Schools
CDC:  Considerations for Youth and Summer Camps
CDC:  Considerations for Youth Sports
CDC:  General Population Disaster Shelters
CDC:  K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs - FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents
CDC:  Homeless Service Providers
CDC:  Managing Workplace Fatigue
CDC:  Manufacturing Workers and Employers
CDC:  Memory Care Units in Long-term Care Facilities
CDC:  Protect Yourself When Using Transportation
CDC:  What Long-haul Truck Drivers Need to Know about COVID-19
 
EPA:  Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
EPA:  Restoring Water Quality in Buildings with Low to No Use
EPA:  Restoring Water Quality in Buildings for Reopening Checklist
 
FDA:  Best Practices for Re-Opening Retail Food
FDA:  Recommendations for Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers
 
OSHA:  Construction Work
OSHA:  Retail Pharmacies
OSHA:  Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Workers
OSHA:  Rideshare, Taxi, and Car Service Workers
 
National Safety Council:  Return-to-Work Guidance for Open Industrial Operations
 
California Resilience Roadmap State Guidance: Although the local Public Health Order will be relaxed at a pace in line with epidemiological data over at least one incubation period, the State has produced industry guidance for reducing risk across multiple sectors, once those sectors can be reopened. Sectors covered includes Agriculture, Auto Dealerships, Barbershops and Hair Salons, Childcare, Communications Infrastructure, Construction, Delivery Services, Packing, Places of Worship, Life Sciences, Limited Services, Lodging, Logistics, Manufacturing, Office Workspaces, Public Transit, Real Estate, Retail, and Utilities.
 
U.S. Census Bureau Workers in Neighborhoods
 
Starting this week, U.S. Census Bureau workers began visiting neighborhoods with P.O. boxes that do not receive mail at a physical address to verify addresses and deliver 2020 Census paper questionnaires on doorsteps.  Census Bureau workers will not ring doorbells or knock on doors, ask to be allowed inside homes, or request personal information (social security number, credit card or bank account information, donations).
 
This operation is being conducted in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions and the Census Bureau is taking measures to keep staff and communities safe, including providing staff with safety training on social distancing protocols, and outfitting them with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like cloth masks and hand sanitizer.
 
Census workers will have a valid ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date.  Census workers may also carry a Census Bureau bag and other equipment with the Census Bureau logo. For questions about this operation or to verify the identity of a Census worker, please contact the U.S. Census Bureau at 213-314-6500.
 
For local Census 2020 information, visit the Santa Clara County Office of the Census.
 
FAQs about the Local Health Officer Shelter in Place Order
 
We make regular updates to the FAQ documents for our local Public Health Order as new information becomes available, and they are available in the following languages:
 
Shelter in Place FAQ-English
Shelter in Place FAQ-Chinese
Shelter in Place FAQ-Spanish
Shelter in Place FAQ-Tagalog
Shelter in Place FAQ-Vietnamese
 
Please continue to monitor this situation closely. More information and regular updates can be found on the County website and the CDC website.
 
Any business, faith, nonprofit, or community leader with questions should contact cboliaison@eoc.sccgov.org.
 
Any school-related questions should be sent to schools@eoc.sccgov.org. 
 
Thank you for your essential leadership during this challenging time for our community,
 
CBO/Business Liaison
County of Santa Clara Emergency Operations Center
Website: http://sccphd.org/coronavirus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sccpublichealth/
Instagram: @scc_publichealth
Twitter: @HealthySCC
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Shelter in Place Order can be found here.