All posts by Roger Straw

Editor, owner, publisher of The Benicia Independent
#Masks4All, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Face coverings, Mandatory face coverings

Coronavirus: Here’s who has to wear a mask in California and when

Exceptions include kids under 2 and those exercising outdoors

Vallejo Times-Herald, by Fiona Kelliher, June 19, 2020

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a new order Thursday mandating that Californians wear masks in most public settings as the state sees an uptick in new coronavirus cases and businesses reopen.

The mandate calls for Californians to cover up while waiting in lines or indoors in public places, in various work settings and while in healthcare facilities. Here are the details:

You must wear a mask when …

  • You’re inside any public space or waiting in line to enter one
  • You’re in any healthcare setting, like a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic or blood bank
  • You’re waiting for or riding on public transportation or while in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle
  • You’re interacting with a member of the public at work, or working in any space visited by the public, even if you’re alone inside the workplace
  • You’re working in a setting where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution
  • You’re working in — or walking through — common areas like hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking lots
  • You’re in any room or enclosed area where other people, except for members of your own household, are present — and physical distancing is difficult
  • You’re driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle and other passengers are present
  • You’re outside in a public space and physical distancing isn’t possible

 You don’t have to wear a mask if …

  • You’re a child under the age of 2
  • You have a medical, mental health, or developmental disability that prevents wearing a mask
  • You’re hard of hearing or communicating with someone hard of hearing who needs to see your face
  • Wearing a face covering would create a risk related to your work — as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines
  • You’re obtaining a service involving the nose or face and need to take off the mask to do so
  • You’re eating at a restaurant, provided you’re at least six feet away from the nearest table
  • You’re swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running outside and able to maintain social distance
  • You’re incarcerated. Prisons and jails will have their own specific guidance on face masks, according to the state
#BlackLivesMatter, Alfred Zampa Bridge, Black Lives Matter, California Highway Patrol, Carquinez Bridge, Juneteenth, Public protest, Vallejo CA

Juneteenth protest on Carquinez Bridge leads to 3 arrests

Marchers arrested after Carquinez Bridge protest extends into traffic lanes

SFBAY.ca, by Bay City News, June 20, 2020

Three people were arrested Friday after protesters in a Juneteenth Black Lives Matter “March Across the Carquinez Bridge” that originated in Vallejo shut down motor traffic in westbound lanes of the Alfred Zampa Bridge.

About 55 protesters entered the pedestrian walkway of the Zampa Bridge about 1:30 p.m. and some went over the concrete barrier and onto the traffic shoulder about 10 minutes later and then into vehicle lanes, halting traffic, according to the Golden Gate Division of the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said it intermittently opened one lane to relieve the traffic backup before clearing the lanes about 3 p.m.

“One CHP officer was assaulted by a protester and the protester was later arrested,” officials said in a social media post. “The CHP officer sustained minor injuries.”

Facebook: CHP – Golden Gate Division

June 19, 2020 – THREE ARRESTED ON CARQUINEZ BRIDGE

This afternoon at approximately 1:29 PM, a group of approximately 55 protesters proceeded onto the Carquinez Bridge pedestrian walkway. At approximately 1:40 PM, protesters crossed over the concrete barrier between the pedestrian walkway and right hand shoulder of Westbound I-80. Protesters subsequently entered the Westbound I-80 lanes of traffic. Westbound I-80 was shutdown, with one lane of traffic intermittently open by CHP officers on scene to relieve congestion. At approximately 3:00 PM all lanes of traffic were opened.

Three arrests were made during this incident:

Princess Hodges (20 yrs) out of Benicia was arrested and booked for: 243(C) PC (Felony) – Battery on a Peace/Police Officer with Injury, 69 PC (Felony) – Resisting an Executive Officer, 148 (A)(1) PC (Misd) – Resist, Obstruct, Delay Peace Officer, and 21960A VC (Infraction) – Pedestrian On Freeway.

Jeremy Christian Smith-Batha (27 yrs) out of Sacramento was arrested and booked for: 69 PC (Felony) – Resisting an Executive Officer, 836.6(A) PC (Felony) – Escape or Attempt to Escape With Force/ETC, 243(B) PC (Misd) – Battery on a Peace/Police Officer, 148(A)(1) PC (Misd) – Resist, Obstruct, Delay Peace Officer, 148(B) PC (Misd) – Take Peace Officer’s Weapon, 22210 PC (Misd) – Manufacture/Possess Leaded Cane/ETC, and 21960A VC (Infraction) – Pedestrian On Freeway.

Michael Joshua Alonso (22 yrs) out of Vallejo was arrested and booked for: 148(A)(1) PC (Misd) – Resist, Obstruct, Delay Peace Officer and 21960A VC (Infraction) – Pedestrian On Freeway.

One CHP officer was assaulted by a protester and the protester was later arrested. The CHP officer sustained minor injuries.

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Coronavirus, Covid 19, Economy, Solano County CA, Unemployment

Solano jobless rate in May: a little better than April, much worse than 2019

A combine harvester makes its way through a wheat field in Suisun Valley, Friday, June 19, 2020. Solano County added 200 farm jobs in May, according to the state Employment Development Department. (Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic)

Unemployment drops in May; 20,000 fewer Solano jobs than 2019

Fairfield Daily Republic, By Todd R. Hansen, June 20, 2020

FAIRFIELD — Solano County is slowly waking up from a hard Covid-19 sleep as unemployment fell from 15.2% in April to 14.2% in May, the Employment Development Department reported Friday.

The number of local jobs climbed to 125,400, a gain of 1,800 over April’s figure, the Labor Market Division of the EDD reported.

However, compared to May 2019, there are 20,200 fewer local jobs, the EDD reported.

One of the more promising figures was that construction added 1,000 jobs since April, now 12,400, though it is down 400 jobs compared to May 2019.

Restaurants also added 1,000 positions, to 8,000. The farm sector added 200 jobs, to 1,500.

The harder reality is being felt in retail, which dropped another 200 jobs to 14,000, the EDD reported.

The civilian labor force in Solano County was reported at 199,800, down from April’s total of 201,500. However, the number of residents employed went up 200 to 171,300, the EDD reported.

The number of residents seeking unemployment benefits in May was 28,400, which is 2,000 fewer than in April.

The state unemployment rate in May was 15.9%, down from 16.2% in April. The rate in May 2019 was 3.6%.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 13%, down from 14.4%. The jobless rate in May 2019 was 3.4%.

Unemployment numbers in Solano County, the state and across the nation saw these improvements as counties across the country began to lift business closures put in place in March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

Those businesses in Solano County that reopen must maintain health, safety, sanitation and social-distancing protocols designed to slow the spread of the virus. Residents must also comply with an order this week from the governor to wear face coverings in public spaces, businesses and offices – both indoors and outdoors – based on criteria established by the state. Continue reading Solano jobless rate in May: a little better than April, much worse than 2019 →

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

49 new coronavirus cases in Solano County, including 6 youths

Friday, June 19: 49 new positive cases, no new deaths. Total 860 cases, 23 deaths.

Solano County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates and Resources.  Check out basic information in this screenshot.  IMPORTANT: The County’s interactive page has more.  On the County website, you can hover your mouse over the charts at right for detailed information.

Previous report, Thursday, June 18

The County does not archive its dashboard.  Archives here: BenIndy’s Daily Count Archive.

Summary

  • Solano County reported 49 new positive cases today, total of 860 cases.
  • No new deaths today, total of 23, and no new hospitalizations, total of 98.
  • Solano reported 29 additional ACTIVE cases today, total 176.
  • Testing – Solano county reported 1,112 residents were tested since yesterday.  (Somewhat strange that NO new tests were reported yesterday – I’m guessing that 1,112 is a 2-day count.)
  • Youth – 6 new cases today among the 17 and under age group, total 63.  There have been 58 new cases among Solano youth in the last 5 weeks, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior. (More on Solano youth data below.)


BY AGE GROUP

  • 6 new cases today among those 17 and under, total of 63 cases, including one hospitalization. A week ago, there were only 39 cases among this age group – we’ve seen 2 dozen new cases in a week!  Our concern is reaching the alarm stage: there have been 52 new cases among those age 17 and under in the last 5 weeks, with only 6 new cases over the 5 weeks prior!  Cases among Solano youth have increased in recent weeks to 7.3% of the 860 total confirmed cases.  According to the SF Chronicle, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the figure of coronavirus-infected kids younger than 18 at around 4% of those with the disease.”  We are nearly double the national rate!
  • 32 new cases today among persons 18-49 years of age, total of 452 cases.  The County adjusted its count of hospitalizations among this group, reporting 1 fewer hospitalization today.  No new deaths.  Total of 26 hospitalized at one time and 2 deaths.  This age group now represents 52.6% of the 860 total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups.   26 of the 452 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 5.8% of total cases in the age group.
  • 8 new cases among persons 50-64 years of age, total of 194 cases.  No new hospitalizations, no new deaths, total of 31 hospitalized at one time and 3 deaths.  This age group represents 22.6% of the 860 total cases.   31 of the 194 cases in this age group have been hospitalized at one time, 16% of total cases in the age group.
  • 3 new cases among persons 65 years or older, total 151 cases, including no new hospitalizations and no new deaths, total of 39 hospitalized at one time and 18 deaths.  This age group represents 17.6% of the 860 total cases.  39 of the 151 cases in this age group, 25.8% were hospitalized at one time, a substantially higher percentage than in the lower age groups.  And… this group counts for 18 of the 23 deaths, or 78%.

CITY DATA

  • Vallejo added 17 new cases today, total of 395.
  • Fairfield added 18 new cases today, total of 244.
  • Vacaville added 9 new cases today, total of 109 cases.
  • Suisun City added 5 new cases today, total of 56 cases.
  • Benicia remained at 25 cases.
  • Dixon is reported at 1 fewer case today (??), total of 18 cases.
  • Rio Vista and “Unincorporated” are still not assigned numerical data: today both remain at <10 (less than 10).  The total numbers for other cities add up to 747, leaving 13 cases somewhere among the 2 locations in this “<10” category (one more than last reported).  Residents and city officials have pressured County officials for city case counts.  Today’s data is welcome, but still incomplete.

TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS:  98 of Solano’s 860 cases resulted in hospitalizations since the outbreak started, same as yesterday.  Cumulative hospitalizations is a most important stat to watch.  On May 1 there were 51 hospitalizations, and the daily increase was relatively steady, adding 2 or less each day.  But on May 22, the County reported 4 new hospitalizations, 9 more on May 29, and 3 more on June 2.  We are mostly back to 1 or 2 a day lately or even remaining steady.  We need to keep our eyes on these numbers.

ACTIVE CASES:  176 of the 860 cases are currently active, an increase of 29 over yesterday’s total.  Again, this is a something of a mystery to me, given that the County is reporting 49 NEW cases today.  49 NEW cases but only 29 additional ACTIVE cases?  I’m sure there’s an explanation, but….  Note that active cases had been trending lower until a steep increase last week and a huge jump this week.  (See Solano Health Officer’s explanation for yesterday’s spike.)  We were at 72 active cases on May 28; down to 42 on June 8, and bouncing back up to 88 on Friday June 12.  Now we’ve seen a 3-day jump to 176….  Below you will see that only 13 of the active cases are currently hospitalized, which leaves 163 of these 176 active cases out in our communities somewhere, and hopefully quarantined.

HOSPITAL IMPACT: The County shows 13 of the 98 hospitalized cases are CURRENTLY hospitalized, same as yesterday.  This is perhaps the most important stat to monitor – keep watching this one.  The County’s count of ICU beds available and ventilator supply remains at “GOOD” at 31-100%. (No information is given on our supply of test kits, PPE and staff.)
TESTING: The County reports that 19,474 residents have been tested as of today, an increase of 1,112 residents tested since yesterday.  Yesterday’s increase was reportedly zero – maybe today’s number is actually a 2-day total?  Testing has increased by a large degree over the last 2 weeks, and will continue to be a very important way of limiting and tracking outbreaks – please go get a test if you can!  Testing sites in Vallejo and Vacaville are open to anyone – see locations below.  We still have a long way to go: only 3.1% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.

TESTING SITE LOCATIONS:
Vacaville – 1681 E Monte Vista Ave, Vacaville, CA 95688 (entrance at the end of Nut Tree Road)
Vallejo – 1121 Whitney Ave, Vallejo, CA (North Vallejo Community Center)

Solano’s curve – sharp upturn in cumulative cases as of June 19

This chart shows the infection’s steady upward trajectory in Solano County with a sudden jump this week.  Our nursing homes, long-term care facilities and jails bear watching, and social distancing is still incredibly important: everyone stay home if you don’t need to go out, wear masks when you do go out (especially in enclosed spaces), wash hands, and be safe!