Biweekly Third District Update

CountyLogo
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).

I’d like to offer some sentiments on today’s presidential inauguration. In the months after the election, my office has received numerous messages questioning our electoral system. The County of Riverside’s Registrar of Voters has been open and transparent throughout each election, offering public inspections of voting machines, polling sites and election audits. Nevertheless, some have refused to accept the outcome of the election. Earlier this month, the world witnessed a violent, out-of-control mob breach the U.S. Capitol while Congress counted the votes of the Electoral College. The situation was senseless, preventable and unlawful.  As we transition to a new federal administration, I want to encourage everyone to limit their participation in heated rhetoric on social media; it only serves to increase divisiveness. We are facing a problem of epic and unprecedented proportions. The COVID-19 pandemic does not discriminate based on party lines or state lines. We need to set aside our differences and focus on our greatest problem right now – stopping COVID-19.

Sincere regards,

Chuck Washington 


CDPH Logo

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.


County of Riverside Seal

Riverside County COVID-19 Update

As of Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2021, there have been 251,000 cases of COVID-19 in Riverside County. There have been 2,676 deaths and 171,354 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.


A closeup of a microscopic viral organism.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

COVID-19 vaccine appointments will be available at noon tomorrow, Jan. 21. Eligible residents can make an appointment to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine. Residents over the age of 65 who need assistance making an appointment can call 2-1-1.

A 24-hour notice will be given before the next set of appointments becomes available.

Currently, the following individuals are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine: Phase 1A, Tier 1 of Phase 1B and those over the age of 65.

Phase 1A includes 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.

Tier 1 of Phase 1B includes individuals over the age of 65 and frontline workers such as education, law enforcement, food and agricultural workers and emergency services workers.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, Riverside County has received 157,775 vaccine doses. Of those vaccine doses, Public Health received 28,105 doses. The rest went to private providers, such as pharmacies, nonprofits, hospitals and healthcare clinics. Some private providers may have doses of COVID-19 vaccine available in your area. Ask your healthcare provider or local pharmacy if they can provide you with the COVID-19 vaccine.

You may also visit the following link to see a list of community partners who will offer vaccine clinics in the future: https://www.ruhealth.org/covid-19-vaccine-providers. Our private providers have three days to input data into the State’s system that tracks the number of individuals vaccinated. The County of Riverside is working with our private providers and the State to obtain more complete data on the number of people who have been vaccinated in Riverside County.

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  rivco.vaccines@ruhealth.org.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phases. Info in Text.

 

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


A graphic of a man receiving a nasal swab. Text reads, "COVID-19 testing."

New COVID-19 Testing Clinics in the Third District

  • The County has set up a number of new, no-cost COVID-19 test sites throughout the Third District. The sites do NOT offer testing every day. See below for updates. For additional COVID-19 test sites offered through the County of Riverside, visit https://gettested.ruhealth.org/home. You may also contact your health care provider to see if they offer testing.
    • Idyllwild – Walk-up testing will be available for one day in Idyllwild. The test site is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Idyllwild Library (54401 Village Center Dr.). Appointments can be made through http://bit.ly/IdyllwildTesting. Please wear your mask and follow directions given by staff.
    • Hemet - Walk-up testing is available Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hemet Public Library (300 E. Latham Avenue). You must make an appointment by visiting https://lhi.care. Please wear your mask, social distance 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. 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.

A roll of ones sitting on top of a pile of cash of various denominations.

PPP Loans and State Grants Available for Businesses

  • The federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application has reopened.
    • First Draw Loans are available to first-time program participants. There are also Second Draw Loans available to those who have previously received a PPP loan.
    • For information on the loans, loan forgiveness and participating lenders in your area, visit this website: http://bit.ly/2XXCJmW.
  • The State is still offering grants up to $25,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19.
    • The second round of the State’s COVID-19 Relief Grant Program applications opens Tuesday, Feb. 2 and closes Monday, Feb. 8.
    • To apply for a State grant, visit CAReliefGrant.com.

A note sitting among scrunched up balls of paper and a cup of coffee. The note says, "looking for a job!"

Riverside County Workforce Development Center Offers Assistance to Jobseekers

  • Have you recently experienced a job loss?
  • The Riverside County Workforce Development Center offers career coaches to assist with career planning, labor market information, resumes, interview skills and short-term vocational training.
  • For assistance, visit CalJobs.ca.gov and create a user account. Once you are registered, send an email to WorkforceHelp@rivco.org. You may also call the local Hemet office (951-791-3500), Riverside office (951-955-3100) or Indio office (760-863-2500).

A pen hovers over a blank check about to be filled in.

Reminder: 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, use the following link: http://bit.ly/3970IXf
  • You may also contact your local congressperson with questions or concerns. To find out who that is, use the following link: http://bit.ly/3qFkrDe