On March 19, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom and the State Public Health Officer ordered all individuals to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. The order also dictated individuals employ social distancing practices by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.
Author Archives: Theresa Sears
Theresa Sears is Involvement Editor for Voice of OC and works with active residents throughout Orange County helping to lift their voices by facilitating the publication of daily Op-eds from a broad array of perspectives.
Theresa also handles office administration and works to help organize Voice of OC civic training programs and policy events.
With an intimate knowledge of Orange County civic issues, Theresa has worked as an active grassroots community leader on a host of public land use and regional public-benefit issues across the region for the past three decades.
As a solutions oriented activist, she has taken a leadership role in grass roots efforts supporting the public’s right to know and petition their government, community engagement, legal remedies and direct democracy.
Her efforts have preserved Orange County’s fairgrounds, Barham Ranch which is now part of Santiago Oak Regional Park, as well critical open space in East Orange. She’s also led efforts to protect Orange County’s regional park system as a leader with the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
Languages spoken: English and some Spanish
Areas of expertise: Community organizing, direct democracy, open government – public oversight, land use, civic engagement and protecting public assets.
Posted inPress Releases
County Releases City Data of Reported COVID-19 Cases
Starting today, the County of Orange is posting reported novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases by city on a daily basis on the OC Health Care website http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus. The total case counts and city counts will be updated every afternoon.
Posted inPress Releases
Orange County Residents Can Call Toll-Free Hotline for COVID-19 County Resources
Effective immediately, residents can now call 1(833)426-6411 for inquiries related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Orange County, California. This hotline will provide resources specific to the Orange County COVID-19 response.
Posted inPress Releases
OC Health Care Agency Cautions Against Use of COVID-19 Tests Not Approved By The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick today warned residents against the use of testing kits that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnosis of COVID-19.
Posted inPress Releases
Orange County Health Officials Report Increase in COVID-19 Cases
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has observed a significant increase in COVID-19 cases throughout Orange County with the current reported cases at 256, an increase of 69 cases since 3/25/20. The total number of people tested by HCA Public Health Lab (PHL) and by commercial labs is 3,605.
Posted inPress Releases
Mental Resilience During a Public Health Emergency
As the spread and far-reaching impacts of Covid-19 dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.
Posted inPress Releases
Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich Will Grant Penalty Relief for Taxpayers As Allowed by Existing State Law
Treasurer-Tax Collector Freidenrich announces her full support for waiver of penalties, costs or other charges as allowed by existing state law for taxpayers that fail to make a timely payment. The impact of the COVID- 19 has been financially devastating for many Orange County taxpayers.
Posted inPress Releases
Governor Gavin Newsom Announces Major Financial Relief Package: 90-Day Mortgage Payment Relief During COVID-19 Crisis
Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that financial institutions will provide major financial relief for millions of Californians suffering financially as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Posted inPress Releases
Orange County Community Services Extends Call Center Hours
Effective today, Orange County Community Services will expand call center hours to meet the needs of seniors, veterans, business owners and the unemployed affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Posted inPress Releases
The 2020 Census Count Goes On In Orange County Despite COVID-19
Charitable Ventures, the State-designated Administrative Community-Based Organization (ACBO) focused on 2020 Census outreach in Orange County, is partnering with 77 local community-based organizations to reach and support our Hard-to-Count communities and ensure a fair and accurate count in our region.
