March 30, 2020

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Release Date: 3/31/2020

Supervisor's Message

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Hello,

We are hoping you are well in this most unprecedented of times. On March 16, 2020, the Alameda County Health Officer, in conjunction with the Health Officers of 5 other Bay Area counties and the Public Health Department of City of Berkeley, took an unprecedented step issuing a Shelter in Place Order until April 7, 2020. Then on March 19 Governor Gavin Newsom extended this order in terms of scope to include the entire State and until further notice. Since then, we have extended such order until May 3, 2020

We understand that these are trying times and compliance with this order, while stringent, will prove to be the necessary step in our fight against coronavirus.

Congress has passed an aid package in excess of $2 trillion for individuals and businesses alike. Our Board is also trying to do the same, finding the best options to support those that have been affected by the municipal and state government’s order. As of March 25, 2020, the County has placed a moratorium on evictions in Unincorporated County for renters and homeowners as a result of the Shelter in Place order. Due to the magnitude of the government’s response to coronavirus, there are many items that our Board would like to get to. However, due to the ever-changing information about coronavirus, we must have priorities in what we handle first.

This newsletter is geared towards bringing the best available information our office has in connecting resources to you. Please use the table of contents above to navigate to specific articles, and links to external websites are hyperlinked for your easy access.

If you receive services from community based organizations, please call your provider to check if they have suspended or modified services to accommodate the shelter in place order or call 211 for the County's social services help line. 

Together, we will overcome this crisis and be back stronger.

For continuously updated information, visit the Alameda County Public Health Department website here.

COVID-19 Testing Center in Hayward

The Hayward Fire Department has opened a coronavirus testing center at Hayward Fire Station #7, 28270 Huntwood Ave, Hayward, CA 94544.

It is open from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. everyday.

There will be a check-in point to screen those that are suitable for testing.

Details from the City of Hayward are linked here.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding the Stay in Place order

For commonly asked questions relating to the County's Shelter in Place order click here for the Alameda County Public Health Department's list of responses.

AC Transit Schedule Changes

AC Transit has various changes to their services that are effective starting March 29, 2020.

Click here for the designated changes. Changes are listed in English, Spanish, and Chinese.

Federal Aid Package

Congress has passed a $2 trillion dollar aid package to support those affected by coronavirus.

The highlights of this bill are as follows

  • Direct payments to lower- and middle-income Americans, $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child. Full amount is eligible for those making up to$75,000 and $150,000 for a joint  taxreturn.
  • ​Four months of unemployment benefit payment of $600 per week from the federal government. This would extend to part-time and gig economy workers.
  • $350 billion in loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and nonprofits to maintain existing workforce and help pay for other expenses like rent, mortgage, and utilities. $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 to provide immediate relief for small business operating costs. $17 billion for SBA to cover 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans.

Food Pick Up Sites during School Closures

Food pick up sites for children's breakfasts and lunches in District 2, during school closures. Each school district has specific instructions as to who can pick up these lunches.

Fremont:

Fremont Unified School District will provide grab and go complimentary breakfast and lunches for pick up from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Mondays thru Fridays in the following school parking lots:

  • Irvington High
  • Kennedy High
  • Washington High

The student must be present to pick up a meal.

Hayward:

Hayward Unified School District will provide grab and go complimentary breakfast and lunches for pick up from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Mondays thru Fridays at the following schools:

  • Cherryland Elementary
  • Fairview Elementary
  • Longwood Elementary
  • Park Elementary
  • Schafer Park Elementary
  • Treeview Elementary
  • Tyrrell Elementary
  • Hayward High
  • Tennyson High
  • Mt. Eden High

Children under 18 must be present to receive meals, no identification is required.

Union City/New Haven Unified:

New Haven Unified School District will be giving out multiple meals. Students will be given breakfast and lunch for two days on Monday and given breakfast and lunch for three days on Wednesday. The School District suggests bringing a cooler or grocery bag. These meals will have to be refrigerated until used. Pick up will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday and Wednesday at the following schools:

  • Alvarado Elementary 
  • Hillview Crest Elementary
  • Cesar Chavez Middle
  • James Logan High

Newark:

Newark Unified School District will provide grab and go lunches. Pick up will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday and Wednesday at the following locations:

  • Newark Junior High
  • Central Kitchen - 37370 Birch Street

The student must be present to pick up a meal.

How to track Board proceedings from home!

In order to facilitate the shelter in place order, the Board will now be making public comment through teleconference.

For details click here for procedures to make public comment and view Board meetings.

 

County Moratorium on Evictions

On Tuesday March 24, 2020 the Alameda County ​Board of Supervisors unanimously ​passed an emergency ​ordinance suspending evictions in the Unincorporated County for renters and homeowners ​who are experiencing loss of income, significant out-of-pocket medical expenses or childcare needs as a result of the County COVID-19 shelter mandate.  The Ordinance took effect immediately upon passage and will be in effect until April 23, 2020 ​unless extended by the Board. 

Unincorporated County residents who are served a Notice of Termination ​while the ordinance is in effect ​will need to provide documentation of loss of income, substantial medical expenses or child care impacts.

Violators are subject to a $1000 fine per violation and may be subject to civil proceedings. 

Given these extraordinary circumstances, as well as the homelessness crisis our County has already been facing, we must take every appropriate step to ensure that County residents remain housed and secure throughout this pandemic.

​The ordinance and associated staff report are available here.

The county will continue to explore ways to support our residents and businesses through this period.

Mental Health Summit Postponement

Due to the Shelter in Place order, the Mental Health Summit that was due to take place on May 1 - 2, has been postponed. 

MHS Postponed

Resources for Small Businesses

The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EBEDA) and Alameda County Small Business Development Center (ACSBDC) have put together resources for small businesses.

Both organizations are offering resources such as capital to cover the cost of retaining employees or operations and small business loans.

EBEDA also has past webinars that business owners can access for more information

Click here for the ACSBDC website's resource for COVID-19.

Click here for EBEDA's document of resources.

Park Closures in the East Bay

East Bay Regional Park District has closed some additional parks.

The following parks in District 2 are completely closed:

  • Adenwood Historic Farm
  • Sunol Regional Wilderness Preserve

The following parks have specific closures:

  • Coyote Hills
    • Main Parking Lots CLOSED
    • Visitor Center CLOSED
  • Garin Regional Park
    • Meyer's Garden CLOSED
  • Quarry Lakes
    • Boat Ramp CLOSED
      • No Boating/No Quagga Inspection

Click here for the full list of complete and partial park closures.

Court Services during Order

The Superior Court of Alameda County will resume self-help services by telephone Monday thru Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Court also plans to deploy a Live Chat service beginning the week of March 30, 2020.

For additional information and court updates click here for the Court's press release or their website here for ongoing updates.

Price Gouging in Alameda County

The Alameda County District Attorney's office is actively following up on complaints of price gouging, which is defined as an increase in price of a good by more than 10% after a disaster has been declared by the Federal, State, or local government.

Click here for the District Attorney's office's newsletter regarding price gouging

Call (510) 383-8600 to report suspected price gouging offences.