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Orange County Coronavirus

OC Supervisors to Review Two Bailout Options for Local Businesses, Nonprofits as Coronavirus Cases Rise

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Downtown Santa Ana on March 18, 2020.

By Spencer Custodio Spencer Custodio | May 15, 2020
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Orange County Supervisors will debate two different bailout proposals next week, on the heels of the biggest increase in the novel coronavirus, which saw 229 new cases Thursday. 

Supervisors Michelle Steel and Don Wagner are proposing a $75 million fund to help small businesses.


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.


“This plan to allocate $75 million dollars of CARES Act money earmarked for assisting small businesses to our cities was a way to help out businesses that are struggling in the wake of the economic impact from coronavirus. Unfortunately, this motion did not pass,” Steel said in a joint news release. “I have faith that in next week’s meeting we will have another chance to have majority support to assist our small businesses in Orange County.”

“I look forward to the Board finally implementing this plan next week. I believe the cities are the most appropriate representatives of the people to distribute this much-needed support,” Wagner said in the release. 

The County got over half a billion dollars from part of the federal $1 trillion relief package passed in March. 

Supervisors Lisa Bartlett and Andrew Do have a separate $101 million proposal for small businesses, nonprofits and food assistance to those most devastated by the economic fallout from the virus-induced business shutdowns. 

“Our plan is consistent with the CARES Act and federal guidance while supporting Supervisor Doug Chaffee’s suggestion to distribute funds equally across districts. It provides a comprehensive, responsible approach to meet the most urgent needs facing Orange County,” reads a joint statement from Bartlett and Do. 

Meanwhile, the virus has now killed 84 people, out of 4,125 confirmed cases in OC, according to the County’s Friday numbers. There were 212 people hospitalized, including 78 in intensive care units. There’s been over 66,000 tests done throughout the county, which is home to over 3.1 million people. 

County Supervisors will consider the two separate proposals at their meeting next Tuesday, at a time when California is facing higher unemployment numbers than the Great Recession in 2010. 

At a Thursday news conference, Gov. Gavin Newsom said 4.6 million Californians have applied for unemployment insurance since March 12 — a week before the stay home orders were issued. That’s more than double the Great Recession numbers.

In comparison, nearly 360,000 people applied for unemployment insurance statewide and 16,000 in Orange County in February, according to the latest available data from the state employment department. 

Newsom also said he expects a nearly 25 percent unemployment rate at some point this year and the state is facing a $54 billion deficit. 

There were 1.5 million OC residents employed in March, before the pandemic began, according to state employment department numbers. It’s still unknown how many people in OC still have a job.  

The economic gut punch suffered by many in OC is straining the county Social Services Agency, which is helping residents get food stamps, general relief money and connected to health care at record numbers. 

Supervisors will also consider some suggestions from the OC Health Care Agency for business reopenings at their meeting. 

OC, along with San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties are teaming up to lobby Newsom in an effort  to ease some of the restrictions so more businesses can reopen. 

None of the four counties are able to meet the benchmarks in Newsom’s reopening plans and will petition him to lower some of the benchmarks. While the relaxed restrictions have allowed florists, books stores, toy stores, other retailers and the production and transportation industries behind them to open, it still leaves a host of businesses closed. 

If counties, like OC, want to open some restaurants and other businesses, they will have to show there isn’t more than one new virus case per 10,000 people for two weeks. And a minimum of 1.5 tests need to be conducted per 1,000 people daily. 

At a Thursday news conference, County CEO Frank Kim said Newsom’s reopening benchmarks are too much for the region. 

“We think that’s a very restrictive, difficult measure for us to overcome. What we believe is more appropriate is that we see a stable or declining number of deaths over a 14 day period.”  

The County’s regional and wilderness parks will reopen their parking lots again this weekend so more residents can get to the parks. 

Here’s the latest on the virus numbers across Orange County from county data:

Spencer Custodio is a Voice of OC staff reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.

Digital Editor Sonya Quick contributed to this story. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @sonyanews.

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.

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