Why We Need to be Careful About Social Gatherings
The State recently announced that outdoor gatherings of as many as three households are now compliant with its health orders, but health officials are stressing the need to limit social gatherings as much as possible. We thought it would be helpful to explain the reasoning and science behind what we’re hearing from the experts.
COVID-19 clearly continues to pose a considerable risk to people throughout the state. In response, the State has required residents to modify their behavior to mitigate spread of the disease. A significant example of this has been an order limiting gatherings to people in the same household, or to gather virtually via video conferencing.
We know what increases the risk of COVID-19 infection. We know that the longer people from different households gather together and the closer they are in proximity, the more the risk increases if someone in the group is infected.
We also know that the risk of transmission is significantly more substantial in indoor spaces, particularly when the location lacks appropriate ventilation. Wind and fresh air in outdoor spaces can help reduce spread of the virus.
The numbers behind a spread
Planning scenarios published by the CDC estimate that, on average, a person with COVID-19 goes on to infect between two and four people (with a best estimate of 2.5) when there are no preventive measures. In other words, each infected person might pass the virus to two other people, who each in turn spread it to two others, followed by those four spreading it to eight others, and those eight people spreading it to 16, and so on.
As a result, after 10 transmission cycles, a single individual could be responsible for 1,024 other people contracting the virus!
Additionally, there is broad agreement that people who are not experiencing symptoms can still spread COVID-19. The fact that COVID-19 can be spread by people who don't have symptoms is one of the factors that make the disease so difficult to control.
All gatherings pose a higher risk of transmission and spread of COVID-19 when people mix from different households and communities. The likelihood of transmission and spreadincreases with laughing, loud talking and difficulty maintaining physical distance. Limiting attendance at gatherings is a way to reduce the risk of spread, as it reduces the number of different people who are interacting.
In addition, limiting attendance improves our ability to perform effective contact tracing when a positive case is discovered, which in turn can help to slow the spread of the disease.People who do choose to attend gatherings should discuss and agree upon the specific group rules before convening together.
“It is critical that people follow the same rules they would be taking in public when they gather with people outside of their household,” said Dr. Troy Pennington, emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. “This means masking, physical distancing and maintaining hand washing. Most people we see being infected are younger people who feel strong and fine, but they’re passing it on to mom, dad, grandma or grandpa.”
We hope this helps clarify the guidance offered by public health officials. None of these guidelines are arbitrary; all are designed to prevent people from becoming sick and getting our lives back to normal as soon as possible.
Inland Empire Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications through Nov. 11
County Nonprofits Can Receive up to $20,000 in COVID-Relief Grants
Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) is currently accepting grant applications to give nonprofits a boost in funding and help curb the impacts of COVID-19 on their operations. Nonprofits could receive up to $20,000 in aid and must provide services in San Bernardino County to be eligible for funding.
The Board of Supervisors has partnered with IECF to establish this San Bernardino County Nonprofit Assistance Fund. This month, the supervisors approved $5 million in financial support to the nonprofit community using CARES Act funding. IECF, which is managing the grant program, will oversee the application and review process, in collaboration with the Inland Empire Funders Alliance. Grant awards will be dispersed directly by San Bernardino County to IECF-approved nonprofits.
“Nonprofit organizations are playing a critical role keeping our county moving during this crisis,” said Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Curt Hagman. “Many families rely on assistance from nonprofits during these difficult times. This grant will reimburse the expenses nonprofits are incurring due to the pandemic and help these organizations continue to make a positive impact. We appreciate the partnership with Inland Empire Community Foundation to move this program forward."
With over 5,500 organizations countywide, the new program will assist nonprofits headquartered in or who have an office in San Bernardino County who have experienced a loss of revenue or increased expenses following the COVID-19 crisis.
The grant program is open and accepting applications through November 11, 2020.
Under the new program, grants will be made in the amounts of $2,500 - $20,000 and awarded to nonprofits that demonstrate reimbursable COVID-19 expenses that were incurred in response to the pandemic or to mitigate the effects of COVID on their operations.
Nonprofits interested in applying for a grant are encouraged to review the grant guidelines and application process at www.iegives.org/sbconpaf. Organizations with a 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 status are encouraged to apply.
For help with applying, register for our online information sessions: October 20, October 27, or November 4. If you cannot attend, all sessions will be recorded and uploaded on the website.
“We appreciate the partnership with San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in support of the nonprofits who are showing up every day to care for vulnerable people and communities,” said Michelle Decker, IECF CEO. “This is terrific support at just the right time.”
Questions about the fund can be emailed to sbconpaf@iegives.org, as the IECF physical office is closed at this time.
Voter Education Livestream for County Residents
As part of ongoing voter education outreach efforts for the 2020 Presidential General Election, the County of San Bernardino Registrar of Voters will be hosting a Facebook Live community presentation on Friday, Oct. 23 at 1 p.m.
The presentation will be hosted on the County of San Bernardino Facebook page and will provide a high-level overview of changes for this election caused in-part by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the session, participants will learn about the 2020 voting process within the County with details such as:
- Voting options – How to vote
- Voting locations – Where to vote
- Voting period – When to vote
- Safety – Precautions for poll workers and voters
- Security – Protecting the election process and votes
Registrar of Voters Bob Page will be the presenter during the Facebook Live event and the meeting will be available to view on the County Facebook page after its conclusion. Residents are encouraged to share the presentation to friends, family and anyone they feel may benefit from up to date voter information.
Live questions will not be addressed during the livestream, but ROV staff will work to answer any relevant questions posted on the stream about the voting process before and after the meeting.
Voters will have until Tuesday, Nov. 3 to visit a polling place, an early vote site, send their mail-in ballots or use a drop-off box for their ballot. Ballots postmarked after Election Day will not be processed or tallied.
Upcoming Webinars Address Social Media Marketing and More
San Bernardino County in conjunction with other partners both regionally and throughout the state are pleased to bring business owners and interested residents ongoing webinars on a variety of important topics. We aim to do everything we can to help businesses succeed during this difficult time. To see all upcoming webinars, visit the Workforce Development Board events page.
Social Media Marketing 101
New to social media for your business? Not sure how you can use social media to grow your business? Attend this workshop to learn why you should be using social media, how to use it effectively and how you can use it to grow your business. Presenter Zeb Welborn will discuss the different social media channels, how to use social media channels appropriately and answer any questions you have about growing your business using social media.
Thursday, October 29, 10 a.m. to noon
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/social-media-marketing-101-tickets-118085869013
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
2020-2021 “Virtual Business Matchmaking & Education” series
The Center for Global Management (CGM) at California State University, San Bernardino is holding its 2020-2021 Virtual Business Matchmaking & Education Series. Now in its seventh year, the no-cost virtual program includes monthly sessions focused on specific industry sectors and how to do business in Singapore, South Korea and the Philippines. Participants interested in expanding their business can connect with key resources, industry networks and gain valuable preliminary research for their business venture at no cost. Interested parties are invited to register for one or more sessions.
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. – Agriculture/food/beverage products & services/business in South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines
Future sessions on February 12, 2021, March 12, 2021 and April 9, 2021
Register for all sessions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAYe23IxuTi6vQ7AoHtGWzDMmw9aKPd-_tRoyhJRu0aZA-Lw/viewform
Latest Stats
61,550 Confirmed Cases (up 1.0% from the previous day)
1,070 Deaths (up 0.5% from the previous day)
750,343 Tests (up 1.0% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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