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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Behavioral Health Services invites community members to join it in celebrating Mental Health Month this May.
Launched in 1949 by Mental Health America, this is the most recognized mental health awareness event in the United States.
Just last year, Mental Health Month media and materials were seen and used by nearly 250 million Americans.
When you or a loved one is grappling with a mental health concern, sometimes it can be a lot to handle. It is critical to keep in mind mental health is important to everyone’s overall health and well-being. Good mental health is a key contributor to good physical health.
This month, Lake County Behavioral Health Services is focusing on how a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, along with diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other chronic health issues.
Healthy lifestyle choices can also help folks successfully recover from these types of medical conditions. Managing stress, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising can go a long way in making one both mentally and physically healthy.
“It is important to take a really hard look at your overall health, both mentally and physically, in order to achieve wellness,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services. “Eating healthy foods that positively impact your gut health, getting the appropriate amount of exercise, getting enough rest and stress reduction — it’s all about achieving the right balance to benefit both body and mind.”
Lake County Behavioral Health Services wants everyone to know mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal. Living a healthy lifestyle may not always be easy, but taking a look at one’s overall health every day — both mentally and physically — goes a long way to ensure a focus on fitness.
The agency said this is especially critical during these unprecedented times, as we navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19.
Join Lake County Behavioral Health Services in celebrating Mental Health Month by spotlighting the importance of both healthy mind and body.
For assistance and more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
Launched in 1949 by Mental Health America, this is the most recognized mental health awareness event in the United States.
Just last year, Mental Health Month media and materials were seen and used by nearly 250 million Americans.
When you or a loved one is grappling with a mental health concern, sometimes it can be a lot to handle. It is critical to keep in mind mental health is important to everyone’s overall health and well-being. Good mental health is a key contributor to good physical health.
This month, Lake County Behavioral Health Services is focusing on how a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, along with diabetes, heart disease, obesity and other chronic health issues.
Healthy lifestyle choices can also help folks successfully recover from these types of medical conditions. Managing stress, eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercising can go a long way in making one both mentally and physically healthy.
“It is important to take a really hard look at your overall health, both mentally and physically, in order to achieve wellness,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services. “Eating healthy foods that positively impact your gut health, getting the appropriate amount of exercise, getting enough rest and stress reduction — it’s all about achieving the right balance to benefit both body and mind.”
Lake County Behavioral Health Services wants everyone to know mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal. Living a healthy lifestyle may not always be easy, but taking a look at one’s overall health every day — both mentally and physically — goes a long way to ensure a focus on fitness.
The agency said this is especially critical during these unprecedented times, as we navigate the uncharted waters of COVID-19.
Join Lake County Behavioral Health Services in celebrating Mental Health Month by spotlighting the importance of both healthy mind and body.
For assistance and more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
Earth’s climate is the product of many rich and complex systems.
It’s affected by water in its many forms; on land, in the air, in the oceans, and as ice. It feels influences from vegetation, from soil conditions, from the carbon cycle, from human impacts.
We study and observe our planet’s ever-changing conditions in many ways, from many locations. One location, in particular, provides a unique and powerful vantage point, allowing us to see our planet in high detail and on a broad scale. Space.
The International Space Station is home to many instruments that help with the study of our planet in a variety of ways. Each is an amazing resource for scientists and researchers, but together they paint a picture of Earth richer and more detailed than anyone instrument could provide.
From the vantage point of the orbiting laboratory, GEDI measures Earth’s surface vegetation, producing 3D views of forest height and structure, and the surface topography beneath.
Forests and other plant life respond to a variety of environmental stresses, and the ECOSTRESS instrument allows researchers to study plant temperature and provides insights into how life on Earth responds to changes in water availability. OCO-3 measures atmospheric CO2 with high accuracy, helping researchers better understand CO2 increases and decreases and the impacts of those changes.
And through the use of two cutting edge spectral imagers on the station, HISUI and DESIS, researchers have access to highly detailed information on materials across Earth’s surface, from identifying minerals and rock types to distinguishing between plant species.
There’s another, and often overlooked observational instrument on board the space station: crew members, equipped with digital cameras. Over 3,000,000 images have been collected by astronauts from the station, and those images can be put to a variety of uses.
William Stefanov is branch chief for the Exploration Science Office, a part of the Exploration Integration and Science Directorate at Johnson Space Center.
“Handheld cameras used by the crew act as a complement to the data gathered by the station’s various instruments. And that comes down to the ability of the crew to take pictures that are panoramic and oblique versus a straight-down look,” said Stefanov.
That panoramic view can be quite useful when observing natural disasters as they occur, such as wildfires or volcanic eruptions.
“A camera is an excellent tool for examining the plumes created by wildfires or volcanos because it gives you an immediate three-dimensional picture of what the plume looks like, what its structure is, and how far it’s extending,” Stefanov said.
The observational instruments aboard the space station provide science capabilities that are more than the sum of their parts. These instruments, along with photography from crew members, serve to keep a multifunctional eye on the condition of our home planet.
For more science from the International Space Station, go to www.nasa.gov/iss-science .
For more eye-opening information about space exploration visit http://science.nasa.gov .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Friday evening, Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace issued an update to his shelter in place order, extending it through the middle of May.
Pace had told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that he expected to extend the order – which went into effect on March 19 – until May 17, and on Friday he formally took that action.
The release of his updated order took place several hours after a group of protesters gathered in Lakeport and drove through town, demanding that Clear Lake be reopened to the community as part of reopening the county as a whole.
Pace said the shelter in place order will continue “largely unchanged,” until May 17.
In response to public input, the new order will permit fishing from nonmotorized boats, but Pace kept in place the prohibition against sailboats for now. He also offered clarification on golfing activities, which can be seen in the order below.
Pace said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay at home rule is the overriding rule, and the local order can be more – not less – restrictive. “Unfortunately, we have not been provided a clear timeline or indication of specific changes he intends to make.”
He said efforts are ongoing to prepare to open the economy back up in a “well-thought-out and safe manner,” with county leadership meeting with local business partners to sketch out safe ways for different sectors of the economy to reopen at the earliest responsible time.
Gov. Newsom has put forth several preconditions to loosening his stay at home order, including adequate testing, a manageable level of infections, good hospital surge capacity, adequate protections for workers and the public, and adequate sick time for workers to be able to stay home when not well, Pace said.
Pace said most of these factors are present to some extent in Lake County, where the seventh COVID-19 case was confirmed this week but the predicted hospital surge hasn’t taken place.
County officials are working to get adequate testing capacity in place, including drive-thru testing that is set to begin next week, Pace said.
He said the county’s economy will reopen with the lowest risk activities.
Large events such as weddings and festivals will not be allowed to resume until “much later on.” Pace is recommending the cancellation of this year’s Lake County Fair and also telling high schools that they should make plans for virtual graduation ceremonies.
“Unfortunately, these important events present too great a risk for viral transmission due to the mixing of large numbers of people,” Pace said.
New orders issued in neighboring counties
In neighboring counties, some officials were extending their shelter in place orders this week while others maintained existing orders.
Colusa County’s order will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. May 8; Glenn County continues to implement the state’s stay at home order, which has no expiration date; Mendocino County’s order is in effect until May 10; and Napa County’s latest order has no end date until rescinded by the health officer.
Yolo County extended its shelter in place order on Thursday from May 1 until May 31.
Under that order, as of May 4, Yolo’s order allows drive-in religious services and all construction to resume as long as they follow the county’s guidelines and social distancing protocols.
Like Lake’s order, Sonoma County’s order was due to expire on May 3. On Friday, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a new shelter in place order that has no specific end date.
While it continues masking requirements and directs people to stay home unless engaged in “essential activities” or “essential businesses,” the Sonoma County order also expands the definitions of what those essential activities and businesses are.
That includes allowing more construction and construction support services; arborists, landscapers, gardeners, pool maintenance and environmental site remediation services, permits retail sales at gas stations and auto supply, auto repair and automotive dealerships; bicycle shops for sales and repairs; nurseries for retail sales; professional services, such as legal, notary or accounting services; allows golf courses and driving ranges to operate; and clarifies that facial coverings are encouraged (but not required) for children in childcare facilities.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Pace had told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that he expected to extend the order – which went into effect on March 19 – until May 17, and on Friday he formally took that action.
The release of his updated order took place several hours after a group of protesters gathered in Lakeport and drove through town, demanding that Clear Lake be reopened to the community as part of reopening the county as a whole.
Pace said the shelter in place order will continue “largely unchanged,” until May 17.
In response to public input, the new order will permit fishing from nonmotorized boats, but Pace kept in place the prohibition against sailboats for now. He also offered clarification on golfing activities, which can be seen in the order below.
Pace said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay at home rule is the overriding rule, and the local order can be more – not less – restrictive. “Unfortunately, we have not been provided a clear timeline or indication of specific changes he intends to make.”
He said efforts are ongoing to prepare to open the economy back up in a “well-thought-out and safe manner,” with county leadership meeting with local business partners to sketch out safe ways for different sectors of the economy to reopen at the earliest responsible time.
Gov. Newsom has put forth several preconditions to loosening his stay at home order, including adequate testing, a manageable level of infections, good hospital surge capacity, adequate protections for workers and the public, and adequate sick time for workers to be able to stay home when not well, Pace said.
Pace said most of these factors are present to some extent in Lake County, where the seventh COVID-19 case was confirmed this week but the predicted hospital surge hasn’t taken place.
County officials are working to get adequate testing capacity in place, including drive-thru testing that is set to begin next week, Pace said.
He said the county’s economy will reopen with the lowest risk activities.
Large events such as weddings and festivals will not be allowed to resume until “much later on.” Pace is recommending the cancellation of this year’s Lake County Fair and also telling high schools that they should make plans for virtual graduation ceremonies.
“Unfortunately, these important events present too great a risk for viral transmission due to the mixing of large numbers of people,” Pace said.
New orders issued in neighboring counties
In neighboring counties, some officials were extending their shelter in place orders this week while others maintained existing orders.
Colusa County’s order will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. May 8; Glenn County continues to implement the state’s stay at home order, which has no expiration date; Mendocino County’s order is in effect until May 10; and Napa County’s latest order has no end date until rescinded by the health officer.
Yolo County extended its shelter in place order on Thursday from May 1 until May 31.
Under that order, as of May 4, Yolo’s order allows drive-in religious services and all construction to resume as long as they follow the county’s guidelines and social distancing protocols.
Like Lake’s order, Sonoma County’s order was due to expire on May 3. On Friday, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a new shelter in place order that has no specific end date.
While it continues masking requirements and directs people to stay home unless engaged in “essential activities” or “essential businesses,” the Sonoma County order also expands the definitions of what those essential activities and businesses are.
That includes allowing more construction and construction support services; arborists, landscapers, gardeners, pool maintenance and environmental site remediation services, permits retail sales at gas stations and auto supply, auto repair and automotive dealerships; bicycle shops for sales and repairs; nurseries for retail sales; professional services, such as legal, notary or accounting services; allows golf courses and driving ranges to operate; and clarifies that facial coverings are encouraged (but not required) for children in childcare facilities.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
COVID Health Order No C20-0... by LakeCoNews on Scribd
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Latest raw sewage testing at Special Districts facilities does not detect virus that causes COVID-19
Special Districts Administrator Jan Coppinger reported Friday that she received the latest test results from Biobot, a Massachusetts firm that is offering the testing as part of a pro bono program it’s conducting along with MIT, Harvard and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The tests are used to detect the presence of SARS-Cov-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The virus is shed in the stools of infected people.
Sewage testing also has successfully tracked the poliovirus and consumption of drugs such as opioids, according to Dr. Mariana Matus, chief executive officer and cofounder of Biobot.
Biobot is seeking to use wastewater testing to proactively detect outbreaks and help governments and communities to get ahead of public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Special Districts is conducting the tests at its four sewage treatment plants – Kelseyville, Middletown, Northwest Regional in north Lakeport and Southeast Regional in Clearlake and Lower Lake – on a weekly basis.
Coppinger said the latest results were for samples taken on April 14 and 21.
For April 14, SARS-CoV-2 was found only in the Southeast Regional plant, while the April 21 testing found no presence of the virus at any of the four plants.
Special Districts began doing the sampling in late March. While initial detections didn’t find the virus, samples taken on April 7 found it at all four treatment plants, as Lake County News has reported.
Coppinger told Lake County News that Biobot estimated that the virus was less than 1 percent of catchment in those April 7 tests.
“We did not try to equate that to cases due to the inconsistent way it is shed in the stools,” Coppinger said.
The samples with confirmed traces of SARS-CoV-2 were collected at the Special Districts plants in the same week in April that the first local cases of COVID-19 were confirmed.
Information on SARS-CoV-2 in the stool suggests some people shed much larger amounts of the virus than others.
Additionally, Biobot’s published research so far on its sampling protocols have shown daily variability in the amount of virus found in the same areas and facilities.
Wastewater testing in other areas reveals more potential cases
Coppinger called the latest test results “excellent news,” but cautioned that no detection of the virus at the plants doesn’t necessarily mean there are no cases in those districts. “This data does suggest there are not enough cases to be detected in the samples.”
Biobot’s research has found that wastewater testing results are pointing to much larger numbers of cases than have been confirmed in testing. That’s the situation in one Massachusetts community, where 446 cases were reported but Biobot’s methodology estimated that as many as 115,000 people were infected.
Coppinger said that when COVID-19 is detected in raw sewage, it is diluted with chlorine, detergents and disinfectants that kill the virus. Non-toxic levels of chlorine are present in many public water systems, and household and commercial laundry, cleaning and disinfecting products also end up in sewage.
While raw sewage is toxic at all times, the presence of COVID-19 does not make it any more dangerous than it has always been, Coppinger said.
In a wastewater epidemiology webcast published April 24 by the Water Environment Federation, Biobot’s Dr. Matus said that, when testing for the virus, they destroy it through a process that includes pasteurization.
While evidence suggests that the virus already is inactive by the time it’s captured for testing in wastewater, Matus said the pasteurization process is an extra precaution Biobot takes to further guarantee safe handling of test samples.
The detection of COVID-19 in raw sewage has no effect on local water supplies, whatsoever, Coppinger said. Delivery of tap water and management of wastewater are completely separate processes, and the water provided by Lake County Special Districts is safe to drink.
Coppinger said Special Districts intends to continue to conduct weekly testing through the month of May.
“Biobot has been working to increase their capacity, and they are hopeful results will be available in a more timely manner in the future. We will continue to report the results, as they come in,” Coppinger said.
At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Coppinger had told the board that Biobot was working to get caught up after more than 160 agencies nationwide had joined its testing program.
The city of Lakeport separately confirmed to Lake County News that it is on a waiting list to join the testing, and has installed the necessary equipment to take samples at its sewer treatment plant.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department has assigned a new homeless outreach officer to further our efforts to help those experiencing homelessness in our community.
Police Officer Melissa Bedford is now assigned to this duty and will work with the police administration to coordinate the agency’s efforts to address this very complex societal problem.
“As the public should be aware, the police cannot singlehandedly solve this problem. If the problem is ever to be solved there must be a coordinated effort which includes law enforcement, social services, behavioral health services, alcohol and drug counseling services, community organizations and numerous others,” the department said in a Friday statement.
The Lakeport Police Department has long been a community-oriented policing service agency; as such, it essentially works with the entire community to solve and mitigate problems which include homelessness.
“Many in our community have serious concerns about homelessness in Lakeport and going forward we hope to address all of those concerns and assist those in need, but remember we cannot do this alone,” police said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has made the homeless problem even more difficult for police to address. The department said each of its police officers have always been part social worker and part mental health counselor but that’s the case now more than ever, and they need more help.
Unless a person is over 65, is sick or has serious medical issues, is willing to self-isolate alone in a room during the shelter in place and be able to get into the special state-funded Roomkey project, the only homeless shelter in Lake County is the Hope Harbor COVID-19 temporary shelter in the city of Lakeport.
“At capacity, this shelter will not accommodate all of the homeless individuals we are aware of just in the city of Lakeport. We hope to direct those in need of services to the appropriate agencies and work with the community in our ongoing efforts,” the department said.
“Success isn’t measured by how many people you arrest but how many people you can get directed to help themselves. Over the past few weeks, we have seen success stories. A few weeks ago Rose was homeless in Lakeport and we were able to get her into the Hope Harbor COVID-19 temporary shelter. Rose is off the streets and doing remarkably well and making positive changes in her life,” police said.
On Thursday, the Lakeport Police Department was able to work with another homeless woman who had been on the Lakeport streets for the past two months. “We were able to get her into temporary housing where hopefully she can get back on her feet, back to work and back into permanent housing and a better life.”
The department said it has a strong partnership with Hope Harbor and its officers have been doing considerable work with getting people into the shelter. “However, this shelter is temporary during the shelter in place and we do not yet know how it will look in the future.”
Anyone wishing to provide police with thoughts or suggestions regarding homelessness in the community or how police can help those in need can email Officer Bedford at
The California Highway Patrol announced that it is beginning to distribute 100,000 face coverings supplied by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to truck drivers in California.
“The California Highway Patrol is honored to be a part of the distribution of these protective face coverings for truck drivers,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “The Department recognizes the essential task these drivers are providing to keep critical goods and supplies available.”
“The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and trucking stakeholders to coordinate and ship 800,000 protective masks to State Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program law enforcement agencies throughout the country for distribution to truckers all over the country,” said Collin B. Mooney, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
State and local partners, in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, continue to assist in the distribution of the masks in order to ensure that the masks are supplied directly to truckers who maintain the nation’s supply chain during this crisis, Mooney said.
“The agency is appreciative of FEMA for supplying these masks, and for our state partners who have worked together to ensure they reach America’s truck drivers,” Mooney said.
The CHP will distribute the face coverings to its 17 commercial vehicle enforcement facilities in each of its eight field divisions throughout the state based on known truck volume.
Truck drivers will be provided coverings at the front counter of the enforcement facilities and during other contacts by departmental commercial vehicle personnel.
To find the locations of CHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities by CHP Division, go to https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office , scroll down and click on a specific geographic Division or call 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247).
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security.
“The California Highway Patrol is honored to be a part of the distribution of these protective face coverings for truck drivers,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “The Department recognizes the essential task these drivers are providing to keep critical goods and supplies available.”
“The Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and trucking stakeholders to coordinate and ship 800,000 protective masks to State Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program law enforcement agencies throughout the country for distribution to truckers all over the country,” said Collin B. Mooney, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
State and local partners, in conjunction with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, continue to assist in the distribution of the masks in order to ensure that the masks are supplied directly to truckers who maintain the nation’s supply chain during this crisis, Mooney said.
“The agency is appreciative of FEMA for supplying these masks, and for our state partners who have worked together to ensure they reach America’s truck drivers,” Mooney said.
The CHP will distribute the face coverings to its 17 commercial vehicle enforcement facilities in each of its eight field divisions throughout the state based on known truck volume.
Truck drivers will be provided coverings at the front counter of the enforcement facilities and during other contacts by departmental commercial vehicle personnel.
To find the locations of CHP Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facilities by CHP Division, go to https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office , scroll down and click on a specific geographic Division or call 1-800-TELL-CHP (1-800-835-5247).
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security.