COVID-19 Community response group meeting notes:                                       

                                          4/27/20

20^th Congressional District, Cal State Parks, US Forest Service, Parks Management Company, Ventana Wilderness Alliance, Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Monterey County 5^th District Supervisor, Monterey County Sheriff, Big Sur Health Center, Big Sur Fire, Big Sur CERT, Esalen and the Community Association of Big Sur met once again to continue coordinated efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each organization provided an update on their current operations and preparations for continuing to shelter in place. 

It is important to note that as of this moment, there continues to be no known cases of COVID-19 in the Big Sur planning area. 

Big Sur Health Center:

Executive Director Sharen Carey continues to provide critical and timely medical updates as the scientific community continues to improve its knowledge base of COVID-19. These updates are available via CABS and the Chamber server lists and at the Big Sur Health Center Face Book home page.

Some takeaways from Monday’s call.:• Never ingest disinfectants or other cleaning products.  Store them in a manner that is inaccessible to children and vulnerable adults.• If you are prescribed Statin or Steroid medications, continue taking, as directed by your Physician.• There is currently no medicine approved by the FDA or CDC to treat COVID-19, although there is a medication undergoing clinical trials, with results due soon.• As yet, it is unknown whether having COVID-19 antibodies confers immunity.• A local Lab, ARCPoint, in Monterey, is offering an antibody test for $175.  The test is FDA approved and they claim it is 90% sensitive for the COVID-19 antibodies.  You can schedule an appointment online for the blood-draw and it does not require a doctor’s order.  Results will be available on-line, usually within 72 hours.• ER visits are down.  The ER physicians at Chomp have indicated that people are deferring needed medical care out of fear of contracting COVID-19 at the Hospital. This is dangerous and is a baseless concern as protocols are in place isolating COVID-19 patients from all others., along with good sanitation procedures.• CDC has added additional symptoms to the list used to determine who gets a test.  Those include chills, chills with shaking, muscle aches, headache, sore throat and loss of taste and smell.

Sharen wants people to know if you believe you have COVID-19 symptoms (Fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) to first call the HC at, (831-667-2580).  The Medical Staff will ask a series of questions that may lead to coming to the Health Center for a COVID-

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19 evaluation utilizing the interview tent set up in front of the building, to evaluate your condition. Currently, results are coming back within 48 – 72 hours.

The Information below has been provided by Sharen and is still pertinent and worth reposting:

There is a significant amount of disinformation regarding factors affecting the severity of sickness in individuals. • Contrary to anecdotal observations coming from France, there is no clinical support for the contention that Ibuprofen use worsens outcomes for those testing positive for COVID-19.• No studies support the contention that anti-malarial drugs are helpful in treating COVID-19.• Currently, there are no drugs or treatments to prevent transmission of the COVID-19 beyond self-isolation, social distancing and meticulous disinfection of surfaces that others use.  • Mask use in public is now recommended and a short video to make your own is below. 
https://wpde.com/news/nation-world/video-us-surgeon-general-makes-a-face-mask-in-a-few-easy-steps• Best mask making material instructional video is below:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-homemade-mask-material-DIY-face-mask-ppe.html• Bottom line defense against contracting the virus: Assume it is in Big Sur and take every precaution recommended above.

Big Sur Fire:

Chief Matt Harris reports:• Big Sur Fire is operationally prepared for an increase in call volume when the SIP order is lifted.• The organization is preparing for fire season.• In person, live training sessions are currently suspended.• The annual “Muster” at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is scheduled but dependent on the status of the SIP order and Park status.• Big Sur Fire again offers to respond to illegal campfires in the Big Sur planning area. They cannot cite illegal activity but can offer education as a deterrence.• Burn season will conclude on April 30^th.

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Big Sur Chamber of Commerce:

Kirk Gafill reports:• The Chamber focus continues to be on interfacing with Monterey County government, hospitality promotional organizations and city COC’s in making the pivot from SIP to opening up business.• They are looking internationally at lessons learned from countries that are reopening post COVID-19.• Working on a collaborative approach to creating guidelines and best practices for the hospitality industry to operate under, with County and State Health Departments. • The restaurant business has social distancing challenges that begin in the kitchen and extend to the dining room. • Screening both employees and guests for contagion is a key component to opening.• Food to go will be phase 1 of a multi-phase process to normalcy.• Safety of employees and guests the top priority.• Is continuing to use the Chamber email distribution list to push out relevant informational resources to assist employees and employers.

Community Emergency Response Team:

Martha Karstens reports:• That the residents SIP survey is still waiting on Clear Ridge and South Coast numbers.• CERT has gone to a “Zoom” format for upcoming trainings.• Radio check reveals that repeater at Buzzards Roost not optimal. Jess Mason to make repairs, adjustments, as necessary.

Esalen Institute:

Lacy Shannon reports:• Esalen will now remain closed through June 7th. Will extend the closure based on Local and State Health Officer guidance.• The Institute continues to follow the SIP guidance provided by Governor Newsom and looks to the recommendations of other officials.

USFS:

LPNF Monterey District Ranger Tim Short reports:• The Forest Order closing the Monterey District is set to expire on April 30^th. Extending the Order is a probability.• USFS is considering the timing of lifting the Forest Order relative to what other agencies have planned. Ie. City, County and State Parks.• A key to implementing the Forest Order has been the mutual aid proffered by Monterey County Public Works, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol and the Department of Fish and Game. • Acknowledged the traffic data sets provided by Anneliese Agren showing nearly 4K car trips in the month of April on Plasket Ridge, despite the closure. 

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Ca. State Parks:

Superintendent Brent Marshall reports:• Hard closure of all State Parks will continue, at a minimum, through this weekend.                                                            • Due to a lack of resources, Carmel River Beach and Monastery Beach were left open last weekend. Verbal warnings to maintain social distancing outpaced citations 25 to 1.• Commented that like other agencies, Parks is trying to thread the needle in implementing the SIP order. Can they effectively close an area? Can they maintain enforcement of the closure? And what are the impacts at other locations of a closure?• Although Parks are agile and capable of pivoting from closed to open, any lead time in a change in SIP status is critical in order to coordinate with other agencies within Monterey Parks large jurisdiction.• Parks sending consistent social media and traditional media messaging regarding closure.• Considering a phased approach to reopening (Day Use areas first then Campgrounds).

Parks Management Company:

Brian Cushman, CEO. Reports:• All Campgrounds and Day Use Areas remain closed.• Issues with trespassing have decreased thanks to increased law enforcement.• Looking for whatever advanced notice is available prior to reopening.• Employees are here and ready to open once the SIP order is lifted.

Ventana Wilderness Alliance:

Mike Splain, Executive Director reports:• Is working on a prototype for self-registration to access the Pine Ridge Trail, once it opens again.• The Back-Country Ranger training event planned for June at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park has been canceled.• Has received push back from constituents regarding the closure of the trails in the Monterey District.  VWA in favor of a safely executed phased reopening of the trails.

Monterey County Sheriff:

Deputy Jesse Villasenor reports:• Barricades at the dispersed camping access points are key to helping enforce the Forest Closure Order.• Mutual Aid between LE agencies is working to increase effectiveness of enforcement of the Forest Order.• Jesse is reaching out to USFS LE Daryl Scott to coordinate efforts.• Ongoing enforcement of the County, no overnight camping ordinance.

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Community Association of Big Sur:

Executive Director Butch Kronlund reports:• Working with Big Sur business Human Resource departments, CABS has identified 36 Big Sur Families in need of emergency financial assistance.  Those families received checks                                                                • ranging from $600 to $1100 each, depending on the number of family members impacted by loss of work.• A survey, polling community members on their interest in Broad Band internet availability in Big Sur, was recently distributed via email to the CABS server list. 136 people responded overwhelmingly in favor of learning more details on the potential opportunity for true high-speed internet in Big Sur.  Those details coming soon.• CABS is continuing to work to help facilitate and support a consistent interpretation of the Local and State SIP orders across jurisdictional boundaries.  • In light of the delay inherent with the national state of emergency created by COVID-19, Monterey County, MCCVB, Beyond Green Travel and CABS have amended the completion date for the Big Sur Destination Stewardship Plan for up to 3 months. Target date for completion is now July 31, 2020.

20^th Congressional District:

Katie Moon on behalf of Congressman Jimmy Panetta reports:• Congressman Panetta extends his thanks and appreciation for our groups efforts to coordinate the Big Sur Community’s health and safety during the global emergency.• Panetta understands the limitations in resources available to the Monterey District of the LPNF, both COVID and non COVID related, and is working to rectify.• Congress passed a $484 Billion package that reloads the PPP with $310 Billion in additional funding, $60 Billion set aside for smaller community banks and credit unions.

Monterey County Health Officer Issues Mandatory Face Covering Order

Post Date:04/28/2020

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the Monterey County Health Officer is requiring residents to wear a face covering when going out into the public to perform essential activities, effective 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Combined with sheltering in place, social distancing, and frequent hand hygiene, facial coverings  are shown to help slow transmission of COVID-19. 

These changes reflect the serious nature of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and increased understanding about how the virus spreads. We now know from recent studies that people infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms or without ever showing symptoms.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, we are continuously reassessing our policies and procedures to protect Monterey County residents. Due to continued community spread of COVID-19 across our region, I have issued a new Order requiring facial coverings for everyone going out into the public to perform essential activities,” said Dr. Edward Moreno, Monterey County Health Officer.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of others who are nearby. When properly worn by the user, facial coverings have the potential to slow the spread of the virus by reducing the release of these droplets into the air. Even a small reduction in community transmission could make a major difference to the demand on the healthcare system.

“Many people can have COVID-19 and do not feel sick or have any symptoms (asymptomatic), in addition people can be infectious for 48 hours before they have any symptoms of COVID-19,” stated Dr. Moreno. “ To further protect the general public from asymptomatic infectious people, the requirement for all of us wear a face covering will help keep our germs to ourselves, so we aren’t spreading COVID-19 to others.”

The use of medical masks, such as N-95 respirators and surgical masks, are strongly discouraged for general use. Due to the global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), there is a severe shortage of PPE across the state. Those supplies should be reserved for health care workers and first responders. Monterey County Health Department asks residents to refrain from purchasing PPE for their own use and to utilize homemade face coverings instead.

Businesses must take reasonable measures, such as posting signs, to remind patrons about face coverings, and may not serve customers who do not observe the order. Workers do not need to wear face coverings if they are alone in a personal office but must put them on when others are present.

The order also includes customers of public transit (including while waiting at transit stops), rideshare services, and passengers in private automobiles who are not members of the same household. 

The order does not require children 12 and younger to wear face coverings or anyone who has trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Children two years old or younger must not wear them due to risk of suffocation.

The California Department of Public Health has these guidelines for cloth masks/face coverings:

• Face coverings can be made from cloth, be factory-made or hand-sewn, or improvised using bandannas, scarves, T-shirts, sweatshirts or towels. 
• The material should cover the nose and mouth. 
• Ideally, face coverings should be washed after each use. Dirty masks should be placed in a dedicated laundry bag or bin. 
• Use detergent and hot water when washing cloth masks and dry them on a hot cycle. 
• Be sure your mask is comfortable; you don’t want to have to keep adjusting the mask because that means touching your face. 
• Wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer, before and after touching your face or face coverings. 
• If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing it, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face. 

Jurisdictions around the Central Coast are unified in the recognition that face coverings are a very important tool in reducing the spread of the virus.

“We appreciate the sacrifices that Monterey County residents have made to stop the spread of  the virus.   By following guidance and orders provided by Monterey County Health Officer, residents have made a difference in the spread of COVID-19 and saved lives, “ said Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health Services for Monterey County.  “We must all intensify our efforts to abide by the safety precautions and inhibit the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to be vigilant about keeping a safe distance from others, washing your hands, wearing a facial covering when going out in public and staying home if you are sick.”

For guides on homemade face coverings, please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Frequently Asked Questions available here English  Spanish coming soon.

A copy of the order is available here Health officer order covid face covering 200427 signed 

Here is my most recent article for Voices of Monterey Bay:

Like many popular remote communities that serve as gateways to wilderness areas, Big Sur residents feel the strain of people who need a natural experience after being cooped up in their homes during the pandemic.

So the decision last week by the U.S. Forest Service to shut down trails and roads in the Los Padres National Park stirred up an outcry on social media.

The order to shut it down came April 16 and is set to expire on June 1 unless reissued. On April 17, the USFS, the local California Highway Patrol and a sheriff’s deputy put out signs, cones and closure notices for the trailheads and roads.

Only hours after putting up the sign and cones at the bottom of Willow Creek, someone came along and tossed all of them into the poison oak, presumably to make retrieval more difficult.

The next day law enforcement was busy on all the roads and trailheads, ticketing for violation of the forest closure order. According to the federal code, violations of the order are punishable by fines of up to $5,000 per person (or $10,000 for an organization) and/or imprisonment for up to six months.

To read the rest of the article, see: https://voicesofmontereybay.org/2020/04/21/closing-down-nature/