Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed an urgency to protect essential workers, specifically those in minority communities who are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus pandemic, as a key step in stopping the spread of the virus.
Members of the Latinx community are especially hard hit by coronavirus, Newsom said, referencing a chart that highlighted the race and ethnic backgrounds of the different sectors of essential workers in the state. The governor revealed several ideas to protect those workers, including expanding Project Room Key to include essential workers who need to quarantine because they are sick or because they were exposed to COVID-19.
Newsom also spoke about the need for expanding current executive orders to include preventative measures aimed at protecting for essential workers. Bullet points from a slide from the governor’s press conference outlined the following expanded protections:
- COVID paid sick leave
- Workers compensation for at-risk workers
- Strategic enforcement of labor laws
- Strengthen employee reporting of outbreaks
Newsom said there will also be stepped up enforcement of the state’s labor laws for those violating rules set in response to the pandemic. California will continue an "open hand, not a closed fist approach" on enforcement, Newsom said.
Newsom also discussed the idea of elementary school waivers, which would allow students to attend school in counties on the state's watch list.
The state placed Mono County on its coronavirus watch list due to a surge in cases in Mammoth Lakes, a center for tourism and outdoor recreation in the eastern Sierra Nevada. The list now totals 34 counties and represents more than 90% of the total population.
The Los Angeles Times reports the surge is largely linked to the town’s restaurants.
California is closely monitoring case numbers and places counties on the watch list of infections are too high, triggering increased restrictions in an effort to prevent local health systems from being overwhelmed.
Mono County has had 40 people test positive over the last two weeks. Restaurants have been connected to 65% of the new confirmed cases.
Read more from ABC10
- California Alcohol Beverage Control agents enforce coronavirus orders
- El Dorado County restaurant gets warning after alleged noncompliance with state guidelines
- Sleep Train field hospital remains in 'Warm Shutdown' but can reactivate if needed
- Coronavirus Latest
- Maps: Coronavirus cases across the Sacramento region
CORONAVIRUS CONTEXT
According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Currently, there is no vaccine. The CDC suggests the following precautions, along with any other respiratory illness:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds.
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