LET’S STAY IN, ORDER OUT, AND TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER”

Fellow Oaklanders,

As we move through this unprecedented public health order to shelter in place, I want to reach out with a few key reminders about what we can do until April 7.

The essential parts of our lives will continue, and we will continue to move through this pandemic with resilience and grace. Let’s stay in, order out, and take care of each other.
If you have more questions about the public health order, here’s an FAQ. To read the order in full, click here.

On Monday afternoon we stood as one City to explain how leaders will approach the next three weeks to address the concerns of our renters, senior residents, immigrant families, and families in West and East Oakland.

We emphasized that our food supply is well stocked – and there is no need to hoard items – and that our law enforcement will serve to educate the public about the order and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Click here to watch the entire press conference that features Councilmembers Nikki Fortunato Bas, Dan Kalb, Noel Gallo, Lynette Gibson McElhaney, and Loren Taylor.

Even though our schools remain closed, OUSD will continue to provide meals for all children. Parents looking for sites to pick up free grab n’ go meals on Mondays and Thursdays, here’s a list of locations and times for pick ups. BTW: Children do not have to be OUSD students. Food is free to any child under 18.

To assist our small local businesses and non profits, we’ve set up a one-stop website where both employers and workers can find updated information on resources – from sick pay laws to emergency loan information.

Additionally, our partners at kiva.org have agreed to increase loans and delay repayment schedules in response to COVID-19.

Kiva is a low-barrier, NO INTEREST, micro-lending platform. It can literally save your business during this time, and it is also a great place for lenders to support our local businesses. 

On Monday night, we also held a virtual town hall live on homelessness and COVID-19 – and I want to thank every resident who submitted questions to our panel of experts.

If you joined the discussion (or want to watch it here), you heard about a survey that will help our City Council consider some basic policy questions about homeless encampments and encampment engagement.

We want to hear from you, and this is your chance to help guide the process. Click here to take the survey.

Finally, we want to keep you updated regularly, so please follow our social media channels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Stay home and stay healthy,
Mayor Libby Schaaf

“SHELTER-AT-HOME ORDERED FOR ALAMEDA COUNTY”

The Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan joined six other Bay Area public health jurisdictions to issue an order for all Alameda County residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and preserve critical health care capacity across the region.

Alameda County joined Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties with the City of Berkeley on a legal order directing their respective residents to shelter at home for three weeks beginning today, March 17, 2020. The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. The guidance comes after substantial input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and best practices from other health officials around the world. This order is in effect until April 7, 2020, and may be amended, shortened, or extended.

Scientific evidence shows social distancing is one of the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable disease. The shelter-at-home order follows new data of increasing local transmission of COVID-19, including 258 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 4 deaths shared by the seven jurisdictions, as of March 15. The Bay Area’s collected confirmed cases is more than half of California’s case count. This does not account for the rapidly increasing number of assumed cases of community transmission. As testing capacity increases, the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases is expected to increase markedly.

The order defines essential activities as necessary for the health and safety for individuals and their families. Essential businesses allowed to operate during the recommended action include health care operations; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals; fresh and non-perishable food retailers (including convenience stores); pharmacies; child care facilities; gas stations; banks; laundry businesses and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence. In addition, health care, law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action. For the full list, please see section 10 of the Order.
Click here to read the Order.

The CDC continues to provide and update guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities. For additional information visit the CDC’s website.For general inquiries, please email ncov@acgov.org or call (510) 268-2101

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Alameda County Public Health Department has put together an extensive document addressing many questions you may have regarding the order to shelter-at-home. Questions addressed include:

• Am I allowed to leave my home while this Order is in effect?
• What are “Essential Businesses”?
• What do I do about my loved one who needs care from me?
• Can I take my kids to the park and can we use playgrounds?
• Can I get my prescriptions or other health care needs?
• What should I do if I’m sick?
• Is the local government shutting down?

Get answers to these and many more questions by clicking HERE.

Note that these FAQs will continue to be updated. Please check back for updates and clarifications.

District 5 Office | 1221 Oak Street, Suite 536, Oakland, CA 9461Supervisor.Carson@acgov.org | (510) 272-6695