May 15, 2020 Update from Supervisor Connolly

In This Issue Marin Recovery Efforts and a New Park's Order   New Public Health Indicator Dashboard FIRESafe MARIN "Zone Zero" #RideWithDamon Office Hours: Businesses and Schools

Dear Friends,

Our storefronts in Marin are opening as we move forward with phase 2, sequential reopening, of the Marin Recovery Plan. This Monday, May 18^th, the new Shelter In Place Order will be in effect. Curbside retail, manufacturing, warehousing, and additional access to parks are addressed under the new Order. Sixteen industry sector workgroups composed of industry leaders and public health advisors are setting guidelines for a safe recovery through Marin Recovers, with reopening instructions already posted for some sectors and industry leads identified across the board. Marin Recovers has released a template for Site-Specific Protection Plans (SPP) to provide each business with clear guidance for reopening in a safe, clean environment. The new Parks Order allows motorized vehicles to access some local parks, with more information available in this news release.  Thanks to your patience, resilience, and our ability to monitor key indicators, we are rapidly and responsibly moving forward.

I have received many questions about how well prepared Marin is for a resurgence of the virus. This week, in response, Public Health released a new webpage dedicated to monitoring our progress. Five indicators: cases and hospitalization, hospital capacity, testing, case investigation and contact tracing, and personal protective equipment share the spotlight to help us monitor and respond to this viral threat. Dr. Willis, Public Health Officer, explains in this video.  Information is changing by the day, if not the week, go to Marin Recovers for the latest information regarding businesses and Marin HHS for the most up to date news about Shelter In Place and health indicators. Marin residents have done a fantastic job, merchants are reopening, and even more will soon open. As our eyes focus on the task at hand, namely the COVID response, we cannot forget the seasonal threat of wildfires and public safety power shutoffs (PSPS).

Zone Zero – FIRESafe MARIN:

It's time to think about fire safety and defensible space. For 30 years, FIRESafe MARIN has worked to provide valuable wildfire safety information and tools to Marin residents and homeowners. Zone Zero, the noncombustible zone from 0' to 5' around your home, is an essential component in protecting your property and family from wildfire embers. This area is the most vulnerable zone in your home's defensible space, and requires proper planning and frequent maintenance.  FIRESafe MARIN can help you understand your home's vulnerabilities, and teach you simple and inexpensive techniques that may save your home from wildfire. Watch their latest video here. Visit FIRESafe MARIN's Defensible Space webpage, and start preparing for seasonal fires today!

#RideWithDamon:

We have spent the last two months indoors, with a significant mental and emotional toll. To me, cycling has offered much needed time for reflection and time to enjoy the outdoors. The short trips during the pandemic to the Civic Center, Emergency Operations Center, errands, and weekend rides have highlighted the value of cycling to our community. Bikes have played a crucial role in making local parks more accessible as a much-needed outlet from staying indoors. I started #RideWithDamon five years ago, taking one month a year car-free to put our transit systems and bike infrastructure to the test. To date, I have biked thousands of miles crossing city and county lines, going to all types of meetings and enjoying the natural beauty of Marin.  A bike on the road means fewer greenhouse gases, less traffic, and healthier communities. I invite you to get on a bike and join me for a ride.

Office Hours:

Thank you for tuning in this week with Kate Colin, Vice Mayor of San Rafael, and Daniel Indelicato of Gaspare's Pizzeria. Danny shared his experience as a small business owner able to keep his doors open, staff on payroll, and adapt to the new economic landscape with the help of an SBA-backed Paycheck Protection Program loan and quick thinking. If you did not join, don't worry. You can check out Office Hours through this video.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with government students at two Marin high schools via Zoom to discuss real-world responses to COVID by our different levels of government. I've heard from parents wondering about summer camps and what the school year will look like in the fall. Next Office Hours, I'm inviting leaders from our schools and recreation departments to talk about the challenges they are facing and the future of education. We will post more information about the next Office Hours on Facebook and Twitter.

Let's keep talking.  

Sincerely,

 

Marin County Board of Supervisors, District 1
3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 329, San Rafael, CA 94903
Direct Tel: (415) 473-7331

Newsletter: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/bs/district-1/newsletters
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SupConnolly
Twitter: https://twitter.com/damon_connolly?lang=en