Benicia High School, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Rep. Mike Thompson

COVID-19: Extended deadline, new guidelines for area high school art competition

Rep. Mike Thompson pushes back art competition because of COVID-19

Submissions still being accepted

By VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD, April 8, 2020

Rep. Mike Thompson, California 5th District

Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena announced this week that he has pushed back the deadline and changed the guidelines for high schoolers to submit artwork as part of his 2020 Fifth Congressional District Art Competition.

These changes reflect the shelter-at-home and social distancing guidance issued by local and state authorities, according to a news release from his office. Students will now have until May 28 to submit their work, which they can do electronically.

“Our incredible local artists continue to create despite the uncertain times we are now facing, which is why I’ve updated the deadline and guidelines for high schoolers to participate in my Congressional Art Competition this year,” Thompson said in a statement. “This will allow students for extra time to submit amid the many changes they are facing with this year’s school calendar and allow them to comply with important public health guidelines…I can’t wait to see our great local art again this year!”

Students who wish to participate must submit a high-quality photograph of their art along with scanned or photographed copies of submission paperwork, which can be found by visiting house.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/2020-Student-Release-Form-Fillable.pdf

Submissions can be emailed to CA05Art@mail.house.gov. This is in place of the usual physical submission.

The winning art piece from the district will be sent to Washington D.C. to hang in the United States Capitol for a year. To be considered for the grand prize, students must follow the official rules, which they can read by visiting www.house.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/2020-Rules-for-Students-and-Teachers.pdf

California’s 5th Congressional District includes the cities of Vallejo and Benicia in Solano County, all of Napa and parts of Contra Costa, Lake, and Sonoma counties.

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Solano County Library launches survey seeking info on online services during coronavirus

[NOTE: The Benicia Library is independent, not part of the Solano County Library system.  See Benicia Library Director David Dodd’s April 1 Pandemic Update.   – R.S.]

By VALLEJO TIMES-HERALD, April 8, 2020

Solano County LibraryThe Solano County Library wants to know what type of online programming that is responsive and reflective of the community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic and has launched a survey, seeking community input.

“We’d love your input and suggestions on the types of topics and programs that resonate with you most during this period of physical distancing,” library officials said in a press release.

The survey can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/digitalscl

For more information, call 1-866-57-ASKUS or visit solanolibrary.com.

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Social Distancing

COVID-19 – California likely soon to allow food stamps for online grocery purchases

Feds: California could allow food stamp recipients to shop online during COVID-19 pandemic

Currently, CalFresh requires an in-person purchase at the grocery store, increasing virus exposure risk

Vallejo Times-Herald, By RUTH SCHNEIDER, Eureka Times-Standard, April 8, 2020
CalFresh recipients cannot currently shop online for groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the USDA said that could happen by the end of the month. (The Associated Press file)

California residents who receive CalFresh benefits to help pay for groceries are not able to buy food online. That forces the recipients to buy food in person at grocery stores — something that increases the risk of contracting COVID-19.

But through acceptance into a pilot program, California is close to changing that.

“Enabling people to purchase food online will go a long way in helping Americans follow CDC social distancing guidelines and help slow the spread of the coronavirus,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in a statement.

Six other states, including Washington and Oregon, already have the pilot program up and running that allows for the purchase of groceries from participating retailers including Amazon and Walmart.

Safeway, which has Humboldt County locations, is also authorized to work through the program, but a release from the USDA stated it’s not currently operational.

It’s unclear when the state will make the program operational. The USDA release stated “later this month” without providing a specific date.

The press office for Gov. Gavin Newsom did not respond to a request for comment on the situation on Wednesday.

Limited options

There are limited options for those who are confined to their homes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Right now, what’s available is to reach out to friends, families and neighbors,” said Heidi McHugh, the community education and outreach coordinator for Food For People.

Those folks can help individuals purchase groceries.

The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, which helps individuals sign up for the benefits and tracks local enrollees, said people can be designated to use an Electronic Benefit Transfer card, also called an EBT card, that holds an individuals benefits.

“Recipients of CalFresh benefits, who are recommended to stay home and refrain from grocery shopping during the COVID-19 outbreak, can contact the call center at 877-410-8809 to designate an alternate cardholder and that person can grocery shop on the cardholder’s behalf,” DHHS spokesperson Meriah Miracle said in an email to the Times-Standard.

Emergency relief

McHugh said some CalFresh recipients will be eligible for boosts in benefits for March and April. She said those will be distributed on April 10 (for March) and May 10 (for April).

But not everyone will receive the boost. People who receive CalFresh benefits receive between $16 and $194 each month. Those who receive less than the full amount will receive the remainder they would receive if they were eligible for the full amount. For example, someone who receives $16 per month would receive an additional $178 but someone who receives $194 each month would not receive any additional funds.

“The emergency allotment is specific to COVID-19 issues,” McHugh said.

Food distribution

Food for People will be distributing food through an emergency drive-through on Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the parking lot north of Sears at the Bayshore Mall. For more information, call 707-407-0447.

Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA, Testing

Coronavirus: 30 show up as Solano County begins COVID-19 testing at Fairgrounds

Testing site is for first responders, healthcare, essential service workers

Vallejo Times Herald, by Thomas Gase, April 8, 2020
Workers with the Solano Public Health Office collect samples for testing during the county’s first drive-thru testing facility for first responders and essential job employees at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

The mood was quiet, eerie and extremely cautious at the Solano County Fairgrounds on Wednesday at a drive-through coronavirus testing site made available to first responders, health care and essential workers who live or work in Solano County.

Approximately 30 people showed up by appointment only on the first day at the testing site, organized by the Solano County Health and & Social Services-Public Health division.

The testing is prioritized for those working on the front lines during the pandemic crisis, and to help ensure that the health care system continues to have the capacity to serve the community.

Public Health Administrator, Health and Social Services Department Jayleen Richards,  said that although there were only 10 people at the 9 a.m. to noon shift, they had 20 more who signed up for the 1 to 4 p.m. shift on Wednesday. The site remains open on Thursday and Friday, with only a morning shift available on Friday. The site will run again next week from Tuesday through Friday.

“We’ve had a lot of firefighters and some hospital workers show up today,” Richards said. “Not many essential workers have shown up so far. We’re thinking we’ve had enough signups for tomorrow that we’ll reach our maximum, which is 40 a day.”

Those patients showing from 2 to 3 p.m. declined to talk with the Times-Herald about the process, deciding instead to remain anonymous.

Workers with the Solano County Public Health Office prepare biohazard bags to collect samples for testing during the county’s first drive-thru testing facility for first responders and essential job employees on Wednesday in Vallejo. (Chris Riley/ Times-Herald)

Richards said that after making an appointment by calling (707) 784-8655, the people with an appointment drive up for a process that takes about five to 10 minutes, depending on how many other cars are in front of them. The site is filled with health officials wearing masks and plenty of parking cones, the tall ones symbolizing a hot zone.

“For the most part the people who come up to get tested are pretty calm,” Solano County Public Health employee Elizabeth Gallardo said. “We just verify their appointment here at the front. They don’t ask too many questions, except when they will get results.”

The patients must show signs of either fever, cough, chills or body aches.