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ALERT: 7 new coronavirus cases and Solano County’s FIRST DEATH
UPDATE: See today’s latest information
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Yesterday:
Summary:
Solano County reported 7 NEW POSITIVE CASES today – total is now 61. Today Solano County reported its FIRST DEATH.
As of today, 69 percent of positive cases were individuals between the ages of 19 and 64, and 31 percent were 65 were older. 23 of these are active cases (4 more than yesterday), and 22 of the total cases have resulted in hospitalizations (4 more than yesterday). The first reported case in Solano County was in Vacaville in February, which was also the first reported case in the United States of someone contracting the virus without having traveled abroad or knowingly come into contact with someone who tested positive.
Check out basic information in the screenshots here on Benicia Independent. IMPORTANT: Note the County’s interactive page has more. On the County website, you can click on “Number of cases” and then hover over the charts for detailed information.
The chart at right, “Cumulative number of cases…” gives a clear picture of the infection’s trajectory in Solano County. Our coronavirus data curve is on a steep upward trajectory. Everyone stay home and be safe!
Note:
Solano staff refuses to divulge WHERE in the County the positive cases reside.
Benicia schools – out for the duration
Benicia Unified School District – Distance learning, but no school, no sports, no performing arts, no prom, no graduation ceremonies…
IMPORTANT COVID-19 Update
In alignment with the recent guidance from Governor Newsom, State Superintendent of Instruction Tony Thurman, and supported by the Solano County Health Department, the Benicia Unified School District will continue with the distance learning model we started on March 18, 2020, for the duration of this school year. Learning will continue but unfortunately, students and staff will not be returning to campuses during this school year.
We are living in unprecedented and anxious times. With that being said, we want to do everything we can as a school district to protect our students and staff as we fully participate in the effort, of which we are now enlisted, to help flatten the curve of COVID-19. We are deeply appreciative, inspired, and strengthened by the impressive efforts of all staff members in our amazing school district. I want to thank our parent community for their continued support, generosity of spirit and understanding, knowing they are making sacrifices in their daily lives as they balance their many roles.
I also want to acknowledge our brilliant and talented student body. As your superintendent, I’m so sorry to let you know we are closing schools for the remainder of the year. I know you miss your friends, teachers and staff members. We miss you too! Teachers are doing their very best to stay in close contact with you and assure your learning and development continues. We care for you deeply.
As the remainder of the year progresses, we will undoubtedly need to work through challenges as they present themselves. We are enthusiastic about our progress to date and confident our amazing teaching and support staff will continue to engage our students to support their ongoing learning and development.
We recognize that with school closure through the end of the school year many of our most special traditions and memorable events are affected. Student athletics and performing arts will not be held for the remainder of the school year. We also understand this greatly affects our Seniors, the Class of 2020, who have been looking forward to events such as prom and graduation. Please know we are working on alternate plans for the senior activities as well as the transition events for our fifth and eighth graders and will get those details to you in the coming weeks.
We are providing Additional Resources for Home that you can choose to use with your students. Please know the activities on the additional resources document will not be assigned, collected, or graded by teachers, but are optional opportunities. We will continue to update this document as we gather more resources.
Our Food Service Department will continue to provide meals to students, at the same locations and designated times found here until the end of the school year, including Spring Break.
In closing, I sincerely hope all is well in your households. Although this whole experience seems so surreal and trying, I have an overwhelming feeling we are going to get through this united as a society. For me, I know I will have, and already do, an even deeper sense of gratitude and appreciation for all of the many blessings in my life, including getting to serve and work with all of you.
Please be well and know we will continue to update you regularly.
Sincerely,
Dr. Charles Young
Superintendent
Local poets and authors on social distancing – “Going the Distance” (001)
Going the Distance
Local writers offer strength, hope, and solidarity in a time of social distancing
Appearing in the print edition of the Benicia Herald, April 1, 2020Corona
Corona,
halo of death—
a crown
no one wants to wear.
We isolate ourselves in fear—
give up trains and planes—
the touch of a hand,
the embrace of a friend.
We hide under blankets
in unmarked tents,
in the last room
that has a view of the sunset.
The natural world continues—
a hummingbird quivers in the air,
a tree blossoms into luscious green,
a warm breeze rustles the butterflies awake.
Standing 6 feet away
from someone else,
I watch the sun
disappear behind the trees—
each of us crowned
with its light.
Two Weeks Ago
my windows were pass-throughs,
outside inviting play in faithful
light of freedom
undistracted frolic
splendor in little fragments
costs nothing to sing in this space
now each day comes with a price
virus unfolding like a crumbled map
roads to new paths uncertain
powerful pivotal ploughs
drops into the unknown
stops any hope.
Stay in social distance
masks to conceal gloves to ensure
eyes reveal hesitation to look
beyond the fear
my mind wants to block
locked like my windows are now
grief begins to cover
as I huddle underneath a fleece blanket.
Two weeks ago
my world now memorized by my heart
must remember must not forget
this is where faith begins.
Send your poems or short prose to Mary Susan Gast for possible inclusion in this column as we support one another during the coronavirus pandemic. Email to msgast45 at gmail dot com. |
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