With everything happening with the coronavirus pandemic, we at BenitoLink want to provide a roundup of recent articles, as well as closures and cancellations happening in San Benito County.
As of 4:05 p.m. on May 27, 83 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in San Benito County since February. Sixteen are active, 65 have recovered and two have died. The new numbers are of note because when the county submitted documentation proving it met criteria required to accelerate to Stage Two earlier this month, it was based on having no more than one COVID-19 case per 10,000 people in 14 days.
For the most updated information, visit the San Benito County COVID-19 Dashboard.
Recent Articles
Weekend relief drive gathers goods for farmworkers—Donations pile high at San Juan and Hollister fire stations
Openings
On May 26, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced reopening guidance for hair salons and barbershops at his noon press conference. A copy of the guidance can be found here: Hair Salons and Barbershops.
As San Benito County transitions further down the state’s resilience roadmap, there will be more announcements in the coming days from the Governor’s Office. According to a recent release, San Benito County can move forward with opening hair salons and barbershops immediately because the county qualified on May 13 for the local variance for the expansion of Phase 2.
Permitted activities include services that can be provided with both the worker and customer wearing face coverings throughout the service. These include haircuts, hair coloring, blowouts, weaves and extensions, braiding, lock maintenance, wig maintenance and hair relaxing treatments.
See article for more info.
Business
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce will host a business webinar on May 28 at 10 a.m., followed by a live question and answer session. The webinar will focus on the following topics:
- assessing your business
- re-entry policies and logistics
- return/hire/train
- five mistakes to avoid
- temperature checks/masks
- CalOSHA/Safety
- wage and hour regulations
- ongoing COVID-19 leaves
- unemployment benefits
To register, vist https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9201895683269396750
For more information, contact Amber Allerton at [email protected]
Other
The San Benito County Free Library will begin an online summer reading program in June. Sign-ups begin June 1.
Up to 12 years: Tuesdays 2:23 p.m. June 16 to July 28
12-18 years: Thursdays 2:23 p.m. June 18 to July 30
Sign up online.
Resources
-The State has several hotlines for residents to call for suicide prevention, abuse, and mental health.
-The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, helps protect workers from health and safety hazards in almost every workplace in California.
Visit Cal/OSHA for information about workplace safety and health.
File a confidential workplace safety complaint.
File a whistleblower complaint if you suffer retaliation for reporting a workplace safety hazard
Obtain free consultation services
Contact Cal/OSHA at (844) 522-6734.
State and federal elected officials’ COVID-19 web pages:
- Jimmy Panetta
- Anna Caballero
- Robert Rivas
- Kamala Harris
- Diane Feinstein
- State of California: https://covid19.ca.gov/ https://covid19.ca.gov/es/
San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency/Coronavirus
Food Distribution Community Food Bank www.communityfoodbankofsbc.org
Drive-thru service at the marketplace Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1133 San Felipe Rd. Hollister.
Sign-ups for supplemental food are done by phone 831-637-0340
Food Distribution Salvation Army hollister.salvationarmy.org
Drive-thru service Tuesdays at 11 a.m. at 910 Buena Vista Rd. Hollister
Sign-ups not required
To schedule delivery call 310-753-6520
Public Assistance CalFresh/Medi-Cal/Cash Aid/GA
apply online at www.c4yourself.com
831-636-4180
Unemployment Insurance Benefits Employment Development Department
apply online at www.edd.ca.gov/ui_online
831-638-3306
Senior Services Delivery of essential items and food city of Hollister and Jovenes de Antano
831-636-4390
Disability/Paid Family Leave Employment Development Department
apply online at www.edd.ca.gov/sdi_online
831-638-3306
United Way of San Benito County 2-1-1 Text your Zip Code to 831-898-211 or call 211 Text COVID2019 to 211211
Tips for avoiding COVID-19
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Keep a minimum of a six feet physical distance from others.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Stay at home. Only leave to take care of essential errands.
- Cover your cough and sneeze.
- Cover your face (mouth and nose) with protective covering when in public
- Disinfect frequently touched objects.
- If you think you might be infected call your health care professional and follow their directions
BenitoLink is a nonprofit news website that reports on San Benito County. Our team is working around the clock during this time when accurate information is essential. It is expensive to produce local news and community support is what keeps the news flowing. Please consider supporting BenitoLink, San Benito County’s news.
