Governor Calls for Senior Quarantine and Closure of Bars
By edhat staff
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for people over 65 years of age to self-quarantine and for bars to close due to the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Newsom held a press conference on Sunday afternoon to address the growing concerns of COVID-19 as the numbers of confirmed cases grow in the state.
"As we manage this disease and the dynamic nature of this moment, we need to anticipate spread but we also need to prioritize our focus. The purpose of today's announcement is to focus on specifically what we mean by that. The most important thing, again, is to protect the most vulnerable, protect our seniors," said Newsom.
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, Newsom stated they must prioritize the safety of an estimated 5.3 million people age 65 years of age or older and request these people stay home. He also stated those with underlying or chronic health conditions should also self-isolate.
In addition, it was suggested that all bars, nightclubs, wineries, and brewpubs in the state close for the time being. Newsome described these businesses as a non-essential function and feels its appropriate under these circumstances to move in that direction.
Restaurants are now required to provide social distancing between patrons and the state is reducing every establishment's current occupancy by half.
Another population that Newsom highlighted is the approximately 108,000 homeless living in the state. He stated several task forces are currently working to move those who are unsheltered out of encampments and into environments to properly address the growing health concern.
Newsom stated hotels and motels are being procured to convert into appropriate sites for homeless, as well as approximately 450 trailers.
There are approximately 74,000 hospital beds including 11,500 intensive care unit (ICU) beds with over 7,500 ventilators available in the state. The number of positive COVID-19 cases has increased to 335, a 14% increase from yesterday, as well as six deaths, Newsom said.
"We need to meet this moment head-on and lean in," said Newsom.
Santa Barbara County confirmed its first positive case on Sunday. The United States has over 3,200 positive COVID-19 cases and 62 deaths as of Sunday afternoon.
The full video of the press conference is available below:
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40 Comments
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Mar 16, 2020 04:28 PMThis just in- zoo is closed
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Mar 16, 2020 12:58 PMA sweeping statement for seniors to self-quarantine doesn't cover all the bases. There are people younger than 65 who are immunocompromised or who have respiratory issues.
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Mar 16, 2020 01:37 PMI was just notified by phone from my Doctors office that my appointment for tomorrow 3/17 has been rescheduled for 5/17. :)
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Mar 16, 2020 12:47 PMI understand social distancing and agree with the concept. But a general statement for people over 65 years old "self-quarantine" is very outdated. Just because someone is 66 or 71 doesn't mean they automatically have compromised immune systems. Many people in their 60s and older are: healthier than their younger counterparts; still working; more diligent than the teens and 20's about following guidelines.
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Mar 16, 2020 11:01 AMI 'm 81, spouse 86 and recovering from heart surgery. Our son living out of town has arranged for us home grocery delivery. When we need fresh meat and/or fruit and veggies we hope to continue going to our favorite stores. Choosing early a.m. visits, Apart from staying indoors, washing hands and wiping everything that does not move, with disinfectant , there's not much else one can do. For entertainment, drives in the country, books, computering, and keeping in touch with loved ones, Netflix etc. are a few good choices. Good luck to us all, those in distress and most vulnerable. One's thoughts go especially to the plight of the homeless, wandering the streets in this biting cold wet weather. Hopefully the authorities will go ahead fast with plans for these sad souls.
o
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Mar 16, 2020 12:57 PMEarly am visits are no longer a good option if you are looking to avoid the crowds. People are lining up early (I'm talking hours before a store opens) so they can be first in line to buy toilet paper.
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Mar 16, 2020 09:25 AMThis is the PERFECT to connect with one's space and all the projects we never get to do in the home, with family moments, to write, garden, stay safe. There is lots to shred, remove, finish.
And these are called in my work on stress resililence--"grinding halts" a phrase coined years ago when you make this choice to just enjoy that you are not ill or fearful of it. Drink water, laugh, and pray this time passes well for all--keep the kids learning things they don't learn in school!
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Mar 16, 2020 05:57 AMWhat about the folks who are quarantined in nursing homes? Many of them are there for short term rehab. Insurance only pays for so many days. How will they pay for the extra days they are kept there?
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Mar 16, 2020 01:07 AMPer friends in Seattle, all restaurants in WA are going to be shut down starting Monday. They can still provide takeout and delivery services however.
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Mar 16, 2020 08:28 AMNYC just did the same thing.
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Mar 15, 2020 11:26 PMREI just announced they're closing all 162 of their stores nationwide for the next two weeks. During this period their employees will be paid.
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Mar 15, 2020 08:31 PMrestaraunts are having to down size tables, seating etc, however they are also going to focus on home deliveries of hot meals .
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Mar 15, 2020 08:30 PMMoving homeless out of individual tents and cramming them into congregate shelters sounds like a recipe for disaster.
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Mar 16, 2020 04:00 PMIf the homeless are moved into shelters, it would be the ideal time to get all the encampments cleaned out. Period.
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Mar 16, 2020 10:27 AM@MY HONOR STUDENT... thats why they're procuring hotels, motels, and trailers for them.
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Mar 15, 2020 10:35 PMYes, for symptomatic folks. Immediately housing the entire California homeless population in hotels, commandeered without regard to the owners' and neighbors' concerns, does not seem sustainable, particularly since tax revenues are going to be challenging. I don't think that is what they have in mind. Maybe the National Guard building, but even with cots six feet apart there will be spread of disease, don't you think? And if China is holding US debt, and its' own economy is in recesson, does that pencil out?
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Mar 15, 2020 10:06 PMnot all the homeless even have tents...nice warm hotel or motel room sounds pretty good...
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Mar 15, 2020 07:58 PMI have autism and I’m extremely anxious in this uncertain time. What can I do?
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Mar 15, 2020 10:34 PMUnderstand that you are likely not at risk. Understand that this process is going to take place over a lengthy period of time and nothing is going to happen quickly, so there is no need for you to react in a way that is panicked or about adrenaline. Take care of yourself every day by going outside, getting fresh air, exercise, watch your diet. Beyond that, look t help other people, it will take your mind off of your own fears. Take care of yourself and enjoy the moments that you have in your life right now, the future will take care of itself.
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Mar 15, 2020 08:27 PMThank you.
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Mar 15, 2020 08:05 PMbe careful, in the uncertain time there will be information and hysteria. please, take the time to slow down and get information from accurate sources and dont allow yourself to get overwhelmed. Please seek assistance from organizations that can help someone with your condition. Make sure you are self sufficient in any way you can. and in the end, stay safe.
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Mar 15, 2020 07:26 PMWe all need to do our part. It's the only way to flatten the curve and slow down this virus. The viral load is heavier in folks that are young and carry the virus. Very dangerous for spreading to older and vulnerable population. A few weeks folks. Let's all help please
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Mar 15, 2020 07:39 PMI don't know how long this will last, I can only provide links to what other people say: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/03/why-do-dozens-diseases-wax-and-wane-seasons-and-will-covid-19 "what’s known about other diseases doesn’t offer much support for the idea that COVID-19 will suddenly disappear over the next few weeks" -- as always, read the whole article, and don't take it as the final word.
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Mar 15, 2020 07:03 PMI realize this is voluntary right now, but I’m unclear on what he means by self-quarantine. Can we still go out to buy necessities? I do wish the grocery stores would set up systems to limit congestion in their stores as well as outside if people are waiting in line. In Italy they have systems to keep customers from getting close to each other, and to move people through the stores efficiently. Let’s do that now, before things get worse.
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Mar 15, 2020 10:11 PMUnfortunately, "The numbers from around the world suggest that 80% of those who get sick from COVID-19 will have a mild cold" and "the vast majority of people who catch COVID-19 will get mild cold symptoms " is not correct. The correct statement is that 80% of cases are categorized as "mild", but "mild" is anything short of hospitalization, including non-severe pneumonia. The major COVID-19 symptoms are fever (90%), dry cough (80%), and shortness of breath (30%) -- none of those is a cold symptom. 4% of cases have a runny nose, but that could be due to a coincident cold. And as for "amazing stories to share with our grandkids about the Pandemic of 2020, just like our grandparents told us about what it was like to live through a World War" -- as a Jew, as well as someone in a high risk group, that seems quite cavalier. In addition to the Holocaust, both my parents served in WWII and other than how they met they did not tell stories about it, and the same is true of many who fought and later struggled to forget.
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Mar 15, 2020 07:31 PMIn regards to self-quarantining, this may help: https://www.noozhawk.com/article/dr._dan_brennan_what_you_need_to_know_about_social_distancing_and_flattenin/
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Mar 15, 2020 07:08 PMLet's hope Newsom just means "don't go out any more than necessary and observe precautions". A senior in good health who observes precautions is less hazardous than a twenty something who coughs spits touches things shares cups. A senior in their own car is less hazardous than anyone on the bus.
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Mar 15, 2020 06:32 PMCity Council will push back on this. They don't want to be seen as anti business. Instead they want to be anti- residents. They just approved a huge marketing budget trying to bring tourists TO Santa Barbara when any idiot knew the Coronavirus was on the march to Santa Barbara and across the nation. Sad to say that we have such LOW IQ Councilmembers who are beholden to the special interents of businesses, commercial property owners, developers and architects that want to destroy what everyone loves about Santa Barbara. They really don't have residents best interest at heart. It's past time we get rid of all of them.
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Mar 15, 2020 07:26 PMHave you looked bat the news today? Tanks on the freeways on the outside of Madrid to keep the people from fleeing. I hope you are joking. This is beyond politics. The 5 freeway was empty today with Amber alert signs telling drivers to avoid gatherings. The whole ball game has changed so your argument doesn't fly.
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Mar 15, 2020 05:47 PMSo they are going to check ID's at 7-11?
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Mar 15, 2020 05:40 PMAlways trying to find new ways to kill small business. WTG. No restaurant will last long with half the tables.
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Mar 15, 2020 09:40 PMWhat makes you post such nonsense?
If you look at the economic data, they're (note proper spelling) not:
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https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca.htm
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https://ajed.assembly.ca.gov/reports
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https://www.recordnet.com/news/20200124/job-growth-in-california-accelerates-even-as-it-slows-nationally
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Mar 15, 2020 09:00 PMNo, you're all right, my bad. CA is super supportive of business. That's why their all leaving CA. This should help.
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Mar 15, 2020 06:55 PMThe restaurants also won’t survive if the whole state is shut down. Better to have half the clientele than none. Individual restaurants can decide if they want to try to keep open at half capacity.
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Mar 15, 2020 06:00 PMCouldn't be vaguer. Both are true, please explain.
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Mar 15, 2020 05:44 PMYour comment is highly inappropriate
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Mar 15, 2020 05:31 PMLOL
Procuring Hotels for the homeless... I this guy Peter Pan or what...????
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Mar 15, 2020 04:43 PMI take care of seniors...was very careful on short outings...last week
There are a lot still vibrant, in their own homes...would go stir crazy without a short trip...it should be based on the individual...
I am avoiding crowds, stores...
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Mar 15, 2020 08:36 PMDr. Fauci is in his seventies so would Newsom have him quarantined?
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Mar 15, 2020 04:27 PMI think it’s a great idea to have 65 and older elderly quarantine. I’m not quite there yet but the elderly I see are almost oblivious to what’s going on. I reside in a residence with senior living and there is no social distancing, there still are community meals, salad bars are still open and unprotected and even though it’s stated that additional sanitation practices are occurring, I’ve yet to see an staff member wipe down banisters, counters, railings, elevator buttons, handles.
For their own sake, let them be sequestered as they (we) are the most vulnerable group.