Biweekly Third District Update

County of Riverside California - External sent this bulletin at 01/07/2021 04:58 PM PST
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Supervisor Washington

From the Desk of

Chuck Washington

Dear Third District Resident,

The Riverside County Third District Supervisor’s Office is working remotely to answer constituent questions about property taxes, COVID-19 restrictions and testing, social-service benefits and other County-related matters. Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call 951-955-1030 or send an email to d3email@rivco.org, and someone will be in touch with you promptly. You may also visit our Facebook and Instagram pages (@supervisorchuckwashington) and Twitter page (@SupWashington).

Our hospitals and healthcare workers are straining under the burden of rising COVID-19 cases. We still don’t know how many new cases will result from holiday gatherings, although if recent trends are any indication, the holidays will cause a significant spike in our COVID-19 case numbers.

I will continue to implore Riverside County residents to protect themselves and each other by staying home when possible, practicing social distancing and wearing face coverings. An action as small as washing your hands frequently or canceling a small social gathering can save lives. Out of kindness and consideration for our healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, older adults and medically vulnerable individuals, please be safe.

I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of our frontline workers, especially our healthcare workers. As husband to a former nurse, I know that your job is stressful in normal times. I can only imagine the toll that this pandemic has taken on you. My wife and I thank you for your service to the community.

Finally, I want to offer my deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one due to this pandemic. As we see our death count rise every day, we must acknowledge that behind each number is a face, a story and countless loved ones left behind whose lives will never be the same. My sincerest sympathies lie with those affected most by this pandemic.

Sincere regards,

Chuck Washington 

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California COVID-19 Update

Riverside County is currently under the State’s Regional Stay Home Order. The order took effect Dec. 6 after our region’s ICU availability fell to less than 15 percent. Southern California has 0 percent ICU availability at the moment; Riverside County’s availability is 0 percent.
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Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, there have been 204,327 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 2,189 deaths and 133,981 recoveries. For more detailed data on the County’s COVID-19 cases, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus. For state updates, visit www.cdph.ca.gov, and for national updates, visit www.cdc.gov.

Many have contacted the Third District office with questions about how to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The County of Riverside is committed to distributing the vaccines as quickly as possible. As of Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, Riverside County has received 25,310 COVID-19 vaccines and vaccinated 17,294 Riverside County residents. Our Public Health Department has released a detailed schedule which shows the order in which various groups will receive the vaccine. Currently, all healthcare workers included in Phase 1-A are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

These workers include the following: acute care; skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities (assisting medically vulnerable individuals); first responders (paramedics / EMTs); correctional hospitals; behavioral health (psychiatric workers); dialysis center staff; pharmacists and pharmacy staff; intermediate care facilities; home health and IHSS; public health (field workers) / DPSS; community health workers; primary care and community clinics; stand-alone urgent care centers; specialty clinics, laboratory workers; dental/oral health clinics and mortuary service industry workers. If you work in one of the listed fields but do not work in Riverside County, please contact the public health department in the county in which you work for information on receiving the vaccine. At this time, we do not have information on when the County of Riverside will begin vaccinating individuals in later phases.

For the latest updates on the County of Riverside’s vaccination campaign (including information about who is currently eligible to receive the vaccine), visit www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. If you still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, you can send an email to covidcallcenter@cdph.ca.gov and rivco.vaccines@ruhealth.org or call 833-422-4255.

 
COVID-19 vaccine schedule (current stages included in text)

 

Current Riverside County COVID-19 vaccine schedule (click on the picture above to see the image in larger print).

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Resources for Economic Impact Payment Questions

  • The federal government recently passed a $900 billion stimulus bill.
  • Many individuals have started receiving $600 economic impact payments (also referred to as “stimulus checks”).
  • If you have questions about your economic impact payment, please click on this link.
  • You may also contact your local congressperson with questions or concerns. To find out who that is, click on this link.
A graphic of a man receiving a nasal swab. Text reads, "COVID-19 testing."

New COVID-19 Testing Clinics in the Third District

  • Currently, there are regularly scheduled COVID-19 test sites in the cities of Hemet, Murrieta and Temecula. These test sites are open once per week. As new test sites are added, we will update this list.
    • Hemet - Walk-up testing is available every Monday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hemet Public Library (300 E. Latham Avenue). You can park and walk to the trailer located in the library’s parking lot. No appointment necessary. Please wear your mask and follow directions given by staff. You must not eat 20 minutes before taking your test!
    • Temecula - Walk-up testing is available every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park / Community Recreation Center (30875 Rancho Vista Road). Register online at http://bit.ly/CityofTemeculaTesting. Walk-ins can be accommodated upon registration. Please wear your mask and practice social distancing while waiting in the line.
    • Murrieta – Walk-up testing is available every Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Murrieta Community Center (41810 Juniper Street). Please use the following link to register: http://bit.ly/2MtDCRs. Please wear your mask and follow directions given by staff.
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Free Restaurant Recovery Webinar

  • Do you own or operate a restaurant and have questions about reopening or operating during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are invited to participate in a free webinar called “Restaurant Recovery – Running Your Restaurant in the COVID Age.”
  • Hosted by America’s SBDC California, this free webinar will provide information on the following subjects: mandates and limitations, cleaning and sanitation, social distancing strategies, adaptation, takeout and delivery, marketing creativity, financials and resources.
  • The webinar will take place Thursday, Jan. 14 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register using the following link: https://bit.ly/340UftL.
  • If you have questions, please direct them to Mary Takavorian by calling 909-983-5005 or sending an email to mtakavorian@iesmallbusiness.com.
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Application Open for California Competes Tax Credits

  • The State is now accepting applications for the California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC). There are $80 million in tax credits available during this application period for businesses that are expanding and adding quality, full-time jobs in California that might not otherwise be created by the business or any other business. 
  • Access the application at www.calcompetes.ca.gov.
  • The deadline to submit applications is Monday, Jan. 25, at 11:59 p.m. The online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed.
  • If you have any questions regarding the CCTC program or application process, please call 916-322-4051 or email CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov.
  • An updated application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), informational webinars and program regulations are available through the following link: http://bit.ly/392dCV3. 
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REMINDER: $500 Million Small Business Grant Application Closes Next Week!

  • The State is offering grants up to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.
  • To apply for a grant, visit CAReliefGrant.com.
  • The first round of applications closes Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 (the previous deadline was extended). If you do not receive funding after the first round of applications are processed, your application will automatically be considered during the second round of funding – you do NOT need to reapply. The application window for the second round of funding is still to be determined.
  • Do you have questions about the grant program? Visit the following link to register for an informational session hosted by America’s SBDC California: https://bit.ly/3aCwQ5X.