• Donate
  • Subscribe
  • logo
  • logo
  • REGIONS
    • North County
    • Central County
    • South County
  • NEWS
    • Economy
    • Education
    • Emergencies & Disasters
    • Government
    • Health & Wellness
    • Housing & Homelessness
    • Outdoors
    • Podcasts
    • Politics & Elections
    • Safety, Security & Justice
    • Transportation
    • Water, Power & Waste
    • Youth Media
  • ARTS & CULTURE
    • Culture
    • Dance
    • Food
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Visual Arts
  • COLUMNISTS
    • Norberto Santana, Jr.
    • Anne Marie Panoringan
    • Paul Hodgins
    • Julie Leopo
  • INVOLVEMENT
    • Community Opinion
    • Press Releases
  • ABOUT
    • Mission & Values
    • Civic Engagement
    • Impact & Honors
    • Inside the Newsroom
    • Staff & Contact Us
    • Support & Partnerships
    • Archives
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
We have been your lifeline during the pandemic, economic fallout, wildfires, protests and the election. Support us today with a tax-deductible donation.
Orange County Coronavirus

OC Adjusts After Triggering Confusion; New Order Says Businesses Should Keep Operating While Following State Guidance

Dr. Nichole Quick, the county health officer for Orange County, at a press conference the afternoon of Wednesday, March 18, 2020.

By Nick Gerda Nick Gerda | March 18, 2020
215 Shares
Share212
Tweet3
Reddit
Email

More than a day after issuing a health order that caused widespread confusion about whether it’s now illegal for people to go to work, Orange County officials replaced it with a new order saying businesses should generally keep operating but within state health guidelines that call for people staying physically separate as much as possible.


Editor’s Note: As Orange County’s only nonprofit & nonpartisan newsroom, Voice of OC brings you the best, most comprehensive local Coronavirus news absolutely free. No ads, no paywalls. We need your help. Please, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news.


The new order, issued at 5 p.m. Wednesday, says no businesses are required to close except bars and other alcohol-serving establishments, movie theaters, gyms and health clubs. Restaurants can operate, but only provide delivery pick up and drive-through service, not in-person dining.

The order asks all businesses and organizations to follow state health guidance, available at this link, specific to their type of business. As of Wednesday, that guidance was spread across 21 different PDF documents and links, but generally recommends six-foot separation from people as much as possible, with exceptions and other advice specific to particular industries.

“It is important for Orange County businesses to remain open while practicing social distancing consistent with the California Department of Public Health’s guidance,” said the county’s health officer, Dr. Nichole Quick, in a news release accompanying the new health order she issued.

“However, following State guidelines, all bars and other establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food shall close. All restaurants and other business establishments that serve food shall close all onsite dining. Pickup, delivery and drive thru services may remain open. All movie theatres, gyms, and health clubs shall close.”

County officials also encouraged businesses to have employees work from home where possible.

[Click here for a link to the state health guidelines, which Orange County is pointing to as its official advice.]

[Click here for Orange County’s new health order issued at 5 p.m. Wednesday, which replaced the initial order from Tuesday afternoon.]

Officials also announced the number of known coronavirus cases in OC had grown from 29 as of Tuesday to 42 cases as of Wednesday. The number of people who acquired coronavirus locally grew was 12 as of Wednesday, up from four the day before.

The number of known cases was expected to rise as more testing is conducted. The virus, which for seniors is more than 20 times more deadly than the flu, can double every few days but its spread slows significantly the more people keep physical distance from one another. Health officials recommend staying in touch with family, friends, and others through phone and video chat.

The county’s initial health order, issued just before 3 p.m. Tuesday, set off widespread confusion about whether people were being told not to work at work at private businesses.

It started with a ban on “All public and private gatherings of any number of people, including at places of work, occurring outside a single household or living unit,” and then listed a long list of exemptions for activities like food and health care services.

Soon after the order was issued around 3 p.m., Voice of OC sought answers from county spokeswoman Molly Nichelson – the official public information officer for the County’s Emergency Operations Center – about how the order would function in practice. She declined to explain the order after multiple phone and email requests.

Hours later, county officials acknowledged the confusion they created and said people should still work, as long as they follow the state guidelines.

“Unfortunately, the order as written caused wide-spread confusion,” county officials said in a news release at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, about four hours after they released the initial order.

In a rare county news conference Wednesday, county officials said the order is mostly health advice, and that the only closures are of bars, in-person restaurant dining, movie theaters, gyms and health clubs.

“We are not trying to shut down business in the county of Orange. If you have a business, even if it is not one of those defined by the state as essential, you’re still able to operate today,” said county supervisor Don Wagner at a rare county news conference Tuesday afternoon.

“We would like you to practice the responsible social distancing that we’re talking about. We’re asking you to avoid gatherings of large numbers of people. We’re asking, to the extent telecommunication is possible, do it,” Wagner added.

“But don’t turn away your business. Don’t say, ‘I’m closed down and worried that the Sheriff’s Department is gonna come and arrest you for going to work in the morning.’ ”

Sheriff Don Barnes, answering questions from the press, said that bars were cooperative with the health order when deputies spoke with them Tuesday night during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

“There’s no better time to test that procedure than on St. Patricks’ Day. So we were out last night, we were asking for voluntary compliance. We received it. We didn’t have any issues with any of the businesses that were operating…maybe without [being] informed of the order,” Barnes said.

“They were completely cooperative with us. We are asking for the public’s voluntary compliance,” he added. “We need everybody to buy in unilaterally across the county on the recommendations that are being made and being recommended.”

“I think even the patrons there, even though they wanted to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, realize this is much bigger than one day of a year. And when you express the risk [to health]…that’s the important part.”

Coronavirus continues to present a risk to frontline first responders like paramedics, nurses, police and firefighters, officials noted.

About 20 firefighters with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) have been physically present with members of the public who potentially had coronavirus, with most still in self-isolation until test results come in, which can take 72 to 96 hours, said OC Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy.

One OCFA firefighter came in contact with a person who later tested positive for coronavirus.

Dispatchers with OCFA and the Sheriff’s Department have also started asking more questions of 9-1-1 callers to identify potential coronavirus cases before any first responders are sent out, officials said.

After the confusion the county caused over their initial health order, officials were privately expressing concern about their own county government’s ability to communicate clearly to the public.

Just before Wednesday’s news conference, emergency officials announced that their public information hotline had gone down. It reportedly was back up by the evening.

And people watching the news conference live on Facebook expressed frustration and yet more confusion.

“You can’t just say one thing and mean another. The lack of clarity is terrible,” wrote one person

“What the HELL WAS THAT!! I didn’t understand really none of it !!!” said another.

And at a time the county was telling people to practice social distancing, county officials initially had no plans to live stream the news conference.

They made plans to add a Facebook Live stream after Voice of OC inquired why there wouldn’t be a livestream of the news conference, which was held at the county’s new $300 million administration building.

Among the confusion about the initial order, officials said, were concerns from hair and nail salons about whether they can still operate, given the close proximity between staff and customers. County officials say people should rely on state health guidelines, which did not seem to have guidance specifically for salons as of Wednesday evening.

“It’s so stupid they are not shutting everything down. Are they going to wait till we look like Italy to actually force shut down??? I’ve closed my salon for two weeks to help flatten the curve,” read one Facebook comment on the county’s news conference live stream.

“If this order mimics the state order, why issue your own order, and create this massive confusion? Why not just simply refer to the state guidelines?” read another.

Another person wrote: “They have miscommunicated and failed giving answers to very important questions for a week at least.”

Meanwhile, court workers and attorneys have expressed concerns that at least one judge in Orange County Superior Court was forcing them to go to work Thursday, despite the courts closing to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The court’s lead spokesman did not immediately return a call to his cell phone Wednesday evening.

Court workers, their labor representatives, and attorneys expressed deep concerns about the implications for worker safety.

Voice of OC reporting fellow Brandon Pho and publisher Norberto Santana Jr. contributed reporting.

Nick Gerda covers county government for Voice of OC. You can contact him at [email protected].

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

Since you've made it this far,

You are obviously connected to your community and value good journalism. As an independent and local nonprofit, our news is accessible to all, regardless of what they can afford. Our newsroom centers on Orange County’s civic and cultural life, not ad-driven clickbait. Our reporters hold powerful interests accountable to protect your quality of life. But it’s not free to produce. It depends on donors like you.
Become a Supporter

DISCUSSION:

Have an opinion on this story? Join the conversation... In lieu of comments, we encourage readers to engage with us across a variety of mediums. Join the open conversation on our Facebook page. Message us via our website form or staff page. Send us a secure news tip. Share your thoughts in a community opinion piece.

ABOUT US: Mission | Editorial Policies | Contact Us | Funding | Privacy Policy

CORONAVIRUS: The latest Orange County news and information.

SUBTOPICS:
  • Countywide
  • Emergencies & Disasters
  • Top Stories
  • Orange County Coronavirus
  • Orange County Health Department
  • Public Health

RELATED STORIES:

  • Huntington Beach City Council Eases Penalty on Public Space Law Targeting Homeless Activity

    Violations of the specific municipal code will instead result in an infraction rather than a criminal charge.

  • Huntington Beach Officials to Crack Down on Homeless Activity With New Public Space Restrictions

    Council members will consider an ordinance Tuesday forbidding people from storing their belongings on public property.

Orange County's Nonprofit & Nonpartisan Newsroom

 

© Copyright 2021, Voice of OC

Voice of OC is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑