Tag Archives: Benicia CA

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

Covid-19 in Solano County, Mon. March 30 – NINE new cases since Friday

UPDATE: See today’s latest information

Solano County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Updates and Resources, March 30, 2020

Solano County reported NINE NEW POSITIVE CASES today – total is now 43.

The chart at bottom right, “Cumulative number of cases…” gives a clear picture of the infection’s trajectory in Solano County, including numbers from Saturday (0) and Sunday (3), previously unreported.  By subtraction then, we know that 6 new cases were reported today, Monday, March 30.

Check out basic information in the screenshot above.  Note the County’s new interactive page has more.  On the County website, you can click on “Number of cases” and then hover over the charts for detailed information.

Our coronavirus data curve is on a steeper upward trajectory.  Everyone stay home and be safe!

Note:

Solano staff refuses to divulge WHERE in the County the positive cases reside.

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicians gear up to make masks for local healthcare workers

Editor: We received the following email from Benicians Larnie and Bodil Fox.  They are organizing a strong effort in Benicia to sew medical masks for healthcare workers.  See their video at https://youtu.be/Uyh6iAKqrao. Reach out to them at larniefox at gmail dot com if you can help!  – R.S.

From: Larnie and Bodil Fox
Sent: Saturday, March 28, 2020 2:49 PM
Subject: Urgent need

Benicia Resisters ~

This is a call for help.

Bodil and some friends have started sewing medical masks for health care workers. We are fielding requests for hundreds of masks at this point. Currently we are distributing masks to Kaiser Vallejo, Kaiser Antioch, Oakland Children’s Hospital and Alta Bates Berkeley. We are going the un-official route ~ getting them to nurses that work at these facilities who distribute them to their co-workers. They report that the people who get them are really grateful, and our home-made masks are most definitely being used, and we believe, saving lives.

More are needed.

We are looking for people who can sew, donations of cotton fabric and 1/4 inch elastic, and we would like to hear from anyone who has a need. We have fabric and elastic available for anyone who will turn them into masks.

HERE is a short video we put together to show the mask style we have been using. This design, by Ruby Wallis, is quick and easy to make and fits over an N95 mask which extends its life. We know these masks are not ideal, but they are much better than the nothing that is currently available. Please share.

This is a photo of some nurses at Kaiser Vallejo wearing our masks.

Let us know if you can help.

Stay safe!

Bodil & Larnie
larniefox at gmail dot com

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19

City of Benicia COVID-19 Update 03.22.20 – Business Resources and Support

See March 23 update: COVID-19 in Solano County – sudden uptick in cases, now at 21

And on March 24:

And on March 25: Covid-19 in Solano – 7 more on Wed March 25

Original March 22 post: Business Resources & Support:

The City of Benicia issued the following press release on Business Resources and Support during the coronavirus emergency:

PRESS RELEASE

CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow, City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us

CITY OF BENICIA UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR MARCH 22, 2020
Business Resources and Support

Benicia, CA (March 22, 2020) — During the unprecedented and unexpected business closures and shelter-at-home orders, many Benicia business owners find themselves in dire need of help to weather the COVID-19 emergency. The City of Benicia’s Economic Development division is sharing business support information and resources.

“In the past week, our business community and their employees have grappled with changing guidelines and ever more stringent restrictions. We know that this has caused great uncertainty and anxiety,” said Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani. “The City’s Economic Development staff are focused to assist our businesses to learn about and apply for the programs developed by our State and Federal partners to support employers and employees during this emergency.”

Rapid Response Services for Businesses
Solano Small Business Development Center is standing by to help businesses facing potential layoffs or business closures. Start by filling out the client intake form at jotform.com/build/200757157479162 or reach out to Pamela Clemmons at 707.307.3986.

Aid with Loan Applications
The Northern CA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network produced multiple webinars last week to help small businesses weather the current storm and to specifically provide help with completing the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan application. The webinars are available at norcalsbdc.org/coping-covid-19-webinars-northern-california-sbdcnetwork. There is a place for businesses to enter their contact information so that they will be sent invitations and links to all upcoming webinars that will occur over the next few weeks.

SBDC and SBA Assistance Links
The SBDC and the SBA are there to help businesses with no-cost advising and assist with apply for SBA Economic Injury loans:
• One-on-One (no-cost) SBDC Advising at solanosbdc.org
• Download the COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide at norcalsbdc.org/sites/default/files/Covid-19-survivalguide_sbdc_updated32020.pdf
• SBA Disaster Loans at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Additional Links
• Information on State and Federal support, financing and FAQs at
norcalsbdc.org/covid-19
• Small Business Resource List attached
• State Go-Biz resources and assistance at business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019

Essential Business Definition
A key question many have been asking is about the Governor’s stay-at-home order and what is an essential business. This link provides helpful information to determine what is deemed an essential business: covid19.ca.gov/stayhome-except-for-essential-needs

Moratorium on Disconnections/Deferral of Fees/Extended Deadlines
The City has implemented a moratorium on utility service disconnections and late fees for non-payment for water and sewer service due to the COVID-19 emergency and the current closure of City Hall offices. Details are available at ci.benicia.ca.us/utilitybilling. The deadlines for business license tax renewals and transient occupancy tax payments have also been extended to June 15, 2020. The City is developing an emergency ordinance to prevent commercial and residential evictions.

For business questions or assistance, contact Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani at mgiuliani@ci.benicia.ca.us or call 707.746.4289.

###

Attachments:

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia covid-19 changes: utility disconnections, late fees and business tax payments

City of Benicia, March 20, 2020

PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow
City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us

CITY OF BENICIA UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR MARCH 20, 2020
Moratorium on Utility Disconnections and Late Fees;
Due Dates for Business Tax Payments Extended

Benicia, CA (March 20, 2020) — Effective March 17, 2020, the City of Benicia implemented a moratorium on utility service disconnections and late fees for nonpayment due to the COVID-19 emergency and the current closure of City Hall offices. The deadlines for business license tax and transient occupancy tax payments are also extended.

The utility-related changes will apply to both residential and commercial water and sewer customers and tax deadline extensions will apply to all businesses, until June 15, 2020.

“We know that the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 emergency and the current shelter-at-home order has created a financial strain on our residents and businesses,” said City Manager Lorie Tinfow. “We are extending due dates to relieve some of the stress in dealing with the current situation.”

To further support customers who may be impacted by the pandemic, the City will offer its most flexible payment plan to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. Simply fill out the Payment Arrangement Agreement found online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling and email it to utilitybilling@ci.benicia.ca.us.

Although the City’s offices are closed to the public, customers may still make payments in many ways:

  • Calling 1-866-344-1979
  • Paying online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling
  • Using the drop box located in front of City Hall, 250 East L Street (Do not leave cash in this depository.)

If you have questions about starting or stopping water services or other servicerelated issues, please go to www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling and fill out the appropriate form, then email it to utilitybilling@ci.benicia.ca.us.

More information on the City of Benicia’s response to the COVID-19 emergency can be found at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.

###