The California Department of Public Health is encouraging Californians who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 to take actions to reduce their risk.
Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness.
This includes:
– Older adults; – Individuals with compromised immune systems; – Individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or health condition, it is important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.
Actions you can take to reduce your risk include
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. – Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. – Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay away from large gatherings and crowds. – Stay home as much as possible. Consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks.
It is also important that you listen to public health officials who may recommend community actions to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19, especially if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
COVID-19 in California by the numbers as of Monday, March 8
– 133: Positive cases (this does not include passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship currently off the coast of California). – 24: Cases of positive tests related to federal repatriation flights. – 109: Cases not related to repatriation flights. – 44: Travel-related. – 28: Person to person. – 19: Community transmission. – 18: Under investigation. – 10,300+: Number of people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LAX. – 49: Number of local health jurisdictions involved in self-monitoring. – 19: Labs with test kits, 17 of which are already testing.
How people can protect themselves
Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense:
– Wash hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. – Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands. – Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue. Wash your hands afterward. – Avoid close contact with people who are sick. – Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough. – Follow guidance from public health officials.
What to do if you think you're sick
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
School garden educators and local community gardeners at the soil and compost workshop at the School Garden Conference in Middletown, California, on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Wednesday, Feb. 26, educators from across Lake County gathered for a day-long School Garden Conference in Middletown.
The conference, organized by the NCO Gardens Project, was a professional development opportunity for those working to incorporate gardening into their students’ education.
Kelseyville Elementary School, Cobb Mountain Elementary School, Riviera Elementary School, Middletown Christian School, Middletown International Charter School and the Konocti School District all sent representatives to take back information to their respective sites.
Many attendees were part of the Lake County School Garden Collaborative, a group of teachers, parents and administrators who gather seasonally to exchange best practices and work together to address the challenges that face school garden programs.
The School Garden Conference was made possible by the fundraising efforts of Middletown International Charter School.
Attendees took part in a variety of learning opportunities where they exchanged ideas about maintaining their school gardens and using them as educational tools.
Barbara Howe, Health Services program coordinator of CalFresh Healthy Living, led an interactive activity about connecting the garden to curriculum standards.
She demonstrated that a school garden could be a living classroom for evidence-based curriculum on any subject, including math, science and language arts.
Cindy Leonard, the co-founder of the Lake County School Garden Collaborative, led the group in a discussion about fundraising in the afternoon.
Leonard has been involved with the Cobb Mountain Elementary school garden since her daughter attended the school.
“School gardens help our students educationally and emotionally, as well as helping them learn healthy eating habits. Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult for schools to fund these outdoor classrooms,” Leonard said. “By banding together to form the Lake County School Garden Collaborative, we can leverage resources and find ways to financially support these important gardens.”
Following the fundraising forum, the group visited the Middletown Community Garden for a workshop about soil fertility and compost. The workshop was led by the U.C. Master Gardeners of Lake County.
There, educators were joined by many local community gardeners who share a passion for growing fresh, healthy food and were happy to share their insights into gardening in Lake County.
At the end of the day, educators collaborated on a garden planning session.
As they looked forward to the upcoming planting season and school year, they developed a timeline of action steps for their gardens and how to continue to make the gardens engaging and educationally valuable for students.
While discussing action steps to make their goals a reality, the conversations hinged on fundraising and volunteer efforts.
School garden educators cannot accomplish the goal of bringing gardening to the classroom without the widespread support of their community.
If you would like to learn more about the School Garden Collaborative and how you can get involved, email Cindy Leonard at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
For more information about the NCO Gardens Project, visit www.gardensproject.org or follow us on Facebook at NCO Gardens Project.
Barbara Howe presents about connecting the school gardens to curriculum standards at the School Garden Conference in Middletown, California, on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. Courtesy photo.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will get an update from the county Public Health officer on COVID-19, discuss possible actions regarding work provisions in relation to the illness and consider whether or not to continue Friday closures of county offices to the public.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 9:10 a.m., Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace will go before the board to give an update on COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
In appearances last week before the city councils for Clearlake and Lakeport, Pace said there so far are no confirmed cases of the illness in Lake County, and he is urging community members to take basic precautions – such as washing hands, and avoiding work or school if sick – to stay healthy.
At 9:15 a.m., the board will consider a temporary policy for telework or additional leave provisions for employees due to COVID-19.
In an untimed item, the board will consider whether to continue alternative work hours to allow county offices in and around the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport to remain closed to the public on Fridays.
The board first approved the measure on Aug. 28, 2018, and has since amended the original resolution three times to continue the practice.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board said that vacancy rates – one of the issues cited for taking the action – remain high. At the time of the original resolution, vacancy was 20 percent countywide. It’s now 19 percent, with 198 permanent positions presently unfilled.
Huchingson said department heads “have noted seeing great benefits from the protected time provided by reduced public hours.”
At the same time, Huchingson said the board heard during a recent economic development workshop that Friday closures have been inconvenient for some members of the public.
“We are in the business of providing services to the public, and addressing office hours at each six-month interval offers your Board the opportunity to receive public comment, and weigh whether providing uninterrupted time for staff on Fridays remains the best means to serve the public in a timely manner,” Huchingson wrote.
In another untimed item, the council also will consider an Ag Department ordinance for industrial hemp regulations.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve change in appointment of two supervisors to serve on a committee with two city council members from Clearlake and from Lakeport to develop, propose and demand solutions to PG&E-imposed public safety power shutoffs.
5.2: Approve geothermal consultant contract with Harold W. Bertholf, Inc. (Bertholf) and authorize chair to sign.
5.3: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Crestwood Behavioral Health for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2019-20 for an increase of $400,000.00 and a new contract amount of $1,200,000.00 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.4: Approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Bitfocus Inc. for Clarity/Decipher Housing Management Information System for fiscal year 2019-20 for a contract maximum of $25,930.25 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.5: Approve correction to a typographical error contained in the minutes from the Board of Supervisors meeting from April 16, 2019, revising the vote for Item 6.5 to 4 Ayes and 1 recused.
5.6: (a) Approve waiver of the 900-hour extra help limitation for extra help district attorney investigator aides Robert McPherson and Billy Newsom; (b) Approve waiver of the 900-hour extra help limitation for extra help information support tech I, Ryan Clair, and (c) approve waiver of the 900-hour extra help limitation for extra help legal secretary, Myriam Ivette Herrera.
5.7: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
5.8: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
5.9: Approve two late travel claims and authorize the auditor to process payment of $37.00 for social worker Celeste Feldman.
5.10: Adopt resolution authorizing the transfer of assets, liabilities and fund equity in Fund 282, CSA #22 Mt. Hannah Water to Cobb Area County Water District per LAFCO File #2017-0001.
5.11: Adopt resolution authorizing the transfer of assets, liabilities and fund equity in fund 278, Starview Water CSA #18 to Cobb Area County Water District Per LAFCO File #2017-0001.
5.12: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve agreement between the county of Lake and Bid4assets Inc. for the period of March 10, 2020, through March 10, 2025, for tax default public auction services for an amount not to exceed $262,500; and authorize the chair to sign.
5.13: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve agreement between county of Lake and Harmony Research, for FY 19/20 for professional research services related to tax default land sales in the amount of $35,875.
5.14: Approve to waive 900-hour limit for extra help quagga mussel coordinator Edward (Marty) Jones.
5.15: Approve letter of support to Senator Jim Nielsen for a $15 million one-time allocation in the 2020-21 California State Budget to fund a North State Public Safety Training Center in Yuba City, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris for the Mendocino Complex fire.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of update on the coronavirus.
6.4, 9:15 a.m.: Addendum, consideration of (a) temporary policy for telework, and (b) temporary additional leave provisions for employees due to COVID-19.
6.5, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, appeal to Board of Supervisors, AB 19-05 for Major Use Permit UP 18-39 (Smith/Hosfelt appeal).
6.6, 10 a.m.: Sitting as Lake County Housing Commission, approve administrative plan for 2020, authorize the chair to sign HUD Form HUD-50077-CR (Annual Civil Rights Certification and Board Resolution) to submit to HUD prior to April 17, 2020, deadline.
6.7, 10:15 a.m.: Discussion and Consideration of inspections done by the Building and Safety Division and by local fire departments.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of Ag Department ordinance for industrial hemp regulations.
7.3: Consideration of appointment of temporary representatives to meet for unrepresented management employees regarding salary and benefits.
7.4: Consideration of the following appointments: East Region Town Hall.
7.5: Consideration of Change Order No. 1 with Coleman Environmental Engineering, Inc. for FEMA FMAG Culvert Replacement No. 1 & No. 2, Federal Project No.'s FMAG DR 5093-1-1R & FMAG DR 5112-1-1R, Bid No. 19-01, for an increase of $6,750.00 and a revised contract amount of $656,247.50, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.6: Consideration of Change Order No. 2 with Coleman Environmental Engineering Inc. for FEMA FMAG Culvert Replacement No. 1 & No. 2, Federal Project No.'s FMAG DR 5093-1-1R & FMAG DR 5112-1-1R, Bid No. 19-01, For a decrease of $10,947.17 and a revised contract amount of $645,300.33, and authorize the chair to sign.
7.7: Consideration of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2018-118 establishing temporary alternative office hours for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse or alternative direction to staff.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Heart Consciousness Church v. County of Lake.
8.3: Conference with (a) temporary representatives designated to meet with county department heads regarding salary and benefits and (b) unrepresented management employees.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(3) threat of litigation – city of Clearlake.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The California Department of Public Health said Sunday that the state’s cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus, rose to 114.
That number includes passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship currently off the coast of California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with state and federal officials, said Sunday that the city of Oakland and the Port of Oakland have been asked to partner in the safe return of the Grand Princess passengers.
There are reported to be 1,000 Californians aboard the ship.
State officials said the Port of Oakland was selected as the best site for the ship to disembark, a process that could begin as early as Monday.
The state said the passengers will not be released into the general public.
Those who require acute medical treatment and hospitalization will be transported to health care facilities in California, officials said.
If passengers do not require acute medical care following health screenings, officials said those who are California residents will go to a federally run isolation facility within California for testing and isolation, while non-Californians will be transported by the federal government to facilities in other states.
The crew will be quarantined and treated aboard the ship. Officials said the ship will only stay in Port of Oakland for the duration of disembarkment. This ship will depart Oakland as soon as possible and will remain elsewhere for the duration of the crew’s quarantine.
Over the last two days, the California Department of Public Health released guidance to support elder care and congregate living facilities, large events, schools, colleges and universities, and employers and workers. That guidance can be found here.
COVID-19 in California by the numbers on Sunday, March 8:
– 114: Positive tests – 24: Cases of positive tests related to federal repatriation flights – 90: Cases not related to repatriation flights; 37, travel-related; 23, person to person; 14, community transmission, 16, under investigation – 10,250+: Number of people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LAX – 49: Number of local health jurisdictions involved in self-monitoring – 19: Labs with test kits, 15 of which are already testing
For more information on COVID-19 and California’s response visit the CDPH website.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has three adult cats waiting to meet you this week.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
“Shelby” is a male orange tabby in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13565. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Shelby’
“Shelby” is a male orange tabby with a long coat and green eyes.
He has been neutered.
He is in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13565.
This male domestic short hair cat is in cat room kennel No. 134, ID No. 13591. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic short hair
This male domestic short hair cat has a brown tabby and white coat and gold eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 134, ID No. 13591.
This female domestic short hair cat is in cat room kennel No. 138, ID No. 13560. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair cat has a gray tabby coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 138, ID No. 13560.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The forest sharp-tailed snake. Photo by Kathleen Scavone. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the daylight hours lengthen and plants drink in the critical rays of sunlight, it's easy to become almost transfixed by the contrast evident around us.
Spidery, bare limbs of flora are just now awakening to the gentleness of greenery that is set in motion.
Shoots, buds and vegetation have all taken in the light changes, with their incessant interactions.
On a balmy morning in southern Lake County I was observing all of this quiet frenzy while strolling and sneaking looks under rocks and downed limbs of bay and oak trees to see what I can see.
Leaf litter is also working its magic by undergoing the constant effort of the nutrient cycle, recycling and decomposing away, via light, heat and biological action, into tiny molecules that are free for use by any organism in the ecosystem.
Amidst the profusion of "action" I almost missed a quiet resident – the forest sharp-tailed snake.
This secretive, slim snake is non-poisonous and can be found in damp, forested areas throughout Northern California, southern Oregon, and as far north as British Columbia, mainly along the North Coast areas.
To identify this species and differentiate it from its cousin, the common sharp-tailed snake, www.CaliforniaHerps.com says it is helpful to view the caudal scales and length of the tail. The caudal scales are found on its tail, behind the cloaca.
The common sharp-tailed snake has between 24 and 43 caudal scales, while the forest sharp-tailed snake holds 43 to 58 scales and is around 20 percent of the snake's length.
Considered a small species of snake, the forest sharp-tailed snake averages 11 inches long. Their hatchlings average about 3 inches in length.
The snakes make use of their lengthy teeth to grip and consume a diet of fat slugs, slug eggs and tiny salamanders.
They prefer to come out of their leaf-litter or damp burrow-homes when the air temperature is at around 50 degrees, as well as after a nice rain.
According to a 2018 draft paper written by Christopher J. Evelyn and Samuel S. Sweet at the Institute for Computational and Earth System Science at the University of California Santa Barbara for the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region these snakes seem to be slow-growing as well as long-lived.
In one of their studies which took place in British Columbia, it was estimated that the snakes took five to six years to mature.
Like most small critters, these snakes have many predators, including birds, mammals and both amphibians and reptiles such as ring-necked snakes.
To deter predators these wily snakes can coil and 'musk' or emit a nasty-smelling liquid that is sure to make the enemy run for cover!
With the profusion of snake species in Lake County, this slithering serpent, or his relatives may just show themselves to you on a mild end-of-winter or early spring day.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.”
The forest sharp-tailed snake. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
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