Featured - page 43

New restrictions have been imposed at San Mateo County beaches and parks in the wake of “record visitation last weekend” that officials say made it impossible for the public to practice adequate social distancing practices.

On Monday, parking lots at state beaches closed to vehicles with the aim of reducing crowds to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Effective today, a number of parking lots providing beach access in Pacifica and Half Moon Bay have also closed. San Mateo County Parks has closed restrooms, playgrounds, all picnic areas, and visitor centers at all county parks. Flood Park, Friendship Park, Memorial Park, Sanchez Adobe and Woodside Store are completely closed. A full list of guidelines, modifications and parking lot closures are posted at parks.smcgov.org. Information on state parks can be accessed here: parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.

Park visitors are meanwhile being asked to practice social distancing

“We need to make every possible effort to avoid contact with each other,” San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow said. “As for outdoor exercise, do this in your own immediate neighborhood, maintaining social distance from other people. Do not go into other neighborhoods, parks, or beaches for recreation. Do not drive except to provide or obtain an essential service.”

For more information related to COVID-19, visit the County website here.

Parking Lot Closures Effective Today, Pacifica and Half Moon Bay

• Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar Beach) north and south lots
• Parking lots in front of and behind the Pacifica Community Center
• Rockaway Beach north and south lots • Council Chambers lot on Beach Boulevard
• Beach Boulevard parking south of the Council Chambers
• Fisherman’s Lot in the 800 block of Palmetto Avenue
• Poplar Beach, Half Moon Bay
• Redondo Beach, Half Moon Bay
• 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay

Photo credit: County of San Mateo

The Peninsula Health Care District has donated $3 million to San Mateo County’s COVID-19 response, which will be used to purchase personal protective equipment and other critical needs such as those not covered by federal relief or other funds, according to the County.

The donation adds to contributions of personal protective equipment to the County by Bay Area companies including Facebook and Chimera Bioengineering.

Additional donations are sought. Community members can drop off donations at the County’s central collection center from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Maple Street Correctional Facility, 1300 Maple St. in Redwood City.

Supplies in demand are:

• Unused N95 respirators and surgical masks.
• Unopened packages of disposable gloves
• Unopened containers of hand sanitizer
• Unopened containers of disinfectants and disinfecting wipes
• Packaged, unused protective goggles

In addition, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors this week approved launching the San Mateo County Strong (website here) fundraising effort with a $3 million seed contribution. The large-scale fundraiser aims to use donations to directly support individuals, families, small businesses and nonprofits serving the most vulnerable residents during this difficult time.

“In these really uncertain times, organizations like Peninsula Health Care District that step up and respond to the community are key to our ability to persevere and come out stronger,” San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom said. “We at the County just can’t thank them enough. That money will be put to good use, helping people avoid contracting the virus and helping those who already have it.”

Dr. Lawrence W. Cappel, president of the Peninsula Healthcare District, called upon other organizations to contribute toward the crisis at home.

“There is no denying that our community and the world are facing an opponent that is requiring each and every one of us to stand up and do our part,” Dr. Cappel said. “In that spirit, I am proud to stand here to announce that the Peninsula Healthcare District has unanimously voted to provide San Mateo County’s health system with up to $3 million in support in the fight against COVID-19. It is our hope that through this investment; our community will get one step closer to containing COVID-19.”

For local resources and information related to COVID-19, visit www.smcgov.org.

Photo credit: County of San Mateo

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 5-0 to donate $3 million in seed funding to a new fund that aims to assist local individuals, families, small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown.

The San Mateo County Strong Fund is a partnership involving the County, San Mateo County Economic Development Association and Silicon Valley Community Foundation to build upon the $3 million investment with potentially sizeable community donations from large companies, philanthropic foundations, other entities and individuals.

The donations are 100 percent tax deductible and will be spent solely in San Mateo County to address immediate needs for the following groups: individuals and families, local small business, and nonprofit organizations assisting the most vulnerable residents.

“We know that many of our neighbors are being hit hard financially by layoffs, cutbacks in hours and shutdowns,” said Warren Slocum, president of the Board of Supervisors. “We ask that anyone who has the means to help today make a donation right away. We are all in this together and we are San Mateo County Strong.”

For more information on ways to give and for COVID-19 local resources, visit the San Mateo County Strong Fund website here, Facebook here. Instagram here, and Twitter here.

Photo credit: County of San Mateo

Despite the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, veterans can still access all services provided by San Mateo County.

Although the Veterans Services Office is currently closed and all in-office appointments are postponed, veterans are encouraged to contact the service office at (650) 802-6598. All regular services will still be provided over the phone.

The services include health coverage, financial assistance, food assistance, homelessness aid, children and family resources, child care, employment services, public assistant programs, and community resources.

For anyone who needs to drop off documents to the Veterans Service Office, call a representative to discuss further. The office is located at 550 Quarry Road in San Carlos.

For more information of veteran services, visit their website.

Photo credit: County of San Mateo

Instacart is set to hire an additional 54,000 full-service shoppers in California over the next three months, and 300,000 across North America, to meet the demand for online grocery delivery and pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has announced.

Order volume at Instacart has grown by more than 150 percent year-over-year in the last few weeks, with average customer basket size also increasing by 15 percent, the company said in a statement. Last week, nearly 40 percent of all orders leveraged Instacart’s new “Leave at My Door Delivery” drop-off option for safe delivery.

“The last few weeks have been the busiest in Instacart’s history and our teams are working around the clock to reliably and safely serve all members of our community,” said Apoorva Mehta, Instacart founder and CEO. “As more people look for immediate, flexible earnings opportunities during this time, we hope that Instacart can be an additional source of income for those looking to earn while also delivering for the communities in which they live.”

Instacart says it has implemented new shopper health and safety guidelines and benefits such as sick pay for in-store shoppers, up to 14 days of pay for part-time employees and full-service shoppers affected by COVID-19 or placed in mandatory quarantine, health and safety supplies and Leave at My Door Delivery.

For more information, visit https://shoppers.instacart.com/ or https://shoppers.instacart.com/apps to sign up.

SamTrans is set to begin implementing rear-door boarding on buses with multiple doors Wednesday to improve social distancing, per recommendations by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

ADA passengers and riders needing assistance will still be able to board through the front doors, the transit agency said. SamTrans is not charging fares to ride buses until further notice.

SamTrans asks riders to try to stay six feet apart from fellow passengers while riding the bus.

The transit agency has experienced a 65-70 percent average weekday ridership loss due to the COVID-19 response. SamTrans anticipates monthly revenue fare loss of $1.3 million.

Photo credit: Rafael Lima

San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow had strong words Monday for those who have been breaking the rules of proper social distancing and sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you decide you want to do your own thing and follow your own rules, you disrespect us all,” Dr. Morrow said in a charged statement posted to the San Mateo County Health website. “You spit in our face, and you will contribute to the death toll that will follow. For those of you who say: ‘nobody tells me what to do,’ now is a time to make an exception. You can go back to being ornery in the future.”

Dr. Morrow echoed the sentiment of other health officials and community members who saw images of people locally and across the country failing to practice social distancing at parks and beaches.

“…Many people just aren’t taking this seriously and going about their business as if nothing has changed,” Dr. Morrow said. “Unless everyone does their part and follows the County’s Shelter-in-Place order and the Governor’s Safer at Home order, we will be facing an Italy-type catastrophe very soon. These orders are not recommendations, they are rules to be followed.”

The doctor implored families in different households not to mix their households at this time. He encouraged people to get outside for exercise, but within their own immediate neighborhoods.

“Do not drive except to provide or obtain an essential service,” he said. “Do not go into other neighborhoods for recreation. This increases the risk of virus spread. Always maintain social distance. Wash your hands frequently and follow all the other recommended actions.”

The doctor also recommended that community members patronize small businesses that need help, volunteer in the community, and donate.

“Now more than ever, what I need for you to do is fully follow my recommendations’ advice and orders, unite as a community, come to each other’s aid, and let kindness, compassion, and gratitude guide your actions,” Dr. Morrow said.

For his full statement, go here.

Photo: Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health