April 20, 2020 — The Board of Supervisors discussed cautious plans to begin easing some of the shelter in place restrictions this morning, though CEO Carmel Angelo warned that she expects the economic recovery to take at least five years. Deputy CEO Darcie Antil reported that she expects a four and a half million dollar decrease in revenue this fiscal year, which is almost over. That includes a $400,000 hit to prop 172 public safety funds. FEMA has reimbursed the county for $750,000 for one project, and Antil said she has already submitted two more projects for reimbursement, including the alternative care site in Ukiah for people who don’t have anywhere else to quarantine or isolate. That has a price tag of $672,000, three-quarters of which is eligible for funds from FEMA.
Public Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan presented her plans for the next revised shelter in place order, when Mendocino County will join Sonoma County in the requirement to wear facial coverings in “any indoor facility besides their residence, any enclosed open space, or while outdoors when the person is unable to maintain a six-foot distance from another person at all times.” If you’re outside exercising, you should have your mask with you.
The gates to public parks are not going to be thrown open to festivities anytime soon, but
Karen Horner, head of the Cultural Services Agency, which includes parks, libraries, and museums, said the county is planning a soft opening of Faulkner Park in Boonville and Bauer Park in Gualala, to locals only, for outdoor exercise. Restrooms will remain closed.
While the calls for opening up outdoor recreation have been vigorous, this week, several members of the public wrote letters to the board claiming that their religious liberties were being infringed upon. Doohan said the banning of large gatherings, including worship services, was the governor’s doing, not hers. Still, she tried to soften the impact by allowing events with four people present to be livestreamed, in time for the season’s religious holidays. She had banned singing and any wind instruments, including harmonicas. Now, though, she says if the people who are together livestreaming the event can come up with a way to mitigate the droplets from singing, such as standing behind a plate of Plexiglass, they will be permitted to sing.
There was also a great deal of discussion about how to phase in the re-opening of the economy, though, without a timeline, it was difficult to be precise. Senator Mike McGuire, who called into the meeting in the morning, noted that “the best thing for public health is the worst thing for the economy.”
Chair of the Board Supervisor John Haschak appointed Supervisors Dan Gjerde and Ted Williams to an ad hoc committee to work with the West Business Development Center and Economic Development and Finance Corporation on small businesses, and Supervisor John McCowen expressed a frustration familiar to many of us: “Honestly, I would like to get a haircut before three months from now.”
McCowen also pointed out that he can pick up a book or a pair of pants in any number of large chain stores that also happen to sell food, while small businesses specializing in these non-essential items are shuttered for the foreseeable future. Doohan’s next order strives to alleviate some of that pain, though, like the timeline, widespread testing that would provide useful information is just not available anywhere in the country.
Doohan did say that she expects a limited reopening to start in early May, but it would have to be gradual and safe. One measure she is considering is allowing non-essential businesses to deliver existing inventory to customers in their area. She is also inviting businesses, churches, and schools to help craft strategies to carry out their activities in ways that prevent the spread of the virus.
You can provide feedback to the next revision of the order or ask questions by emailing callcenter@mendocinocounty-org or by calling 234-6052, between 8am and 8pm seven days a week.