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Governor pulls 'emergency brake' on COVID-19 response, jumping San Mateo County to 'red' and Santa Clara County to 'purple' tiers

Santa Clara County skips past expected red level to most restrictive tier starting Tuesday

Two tables with two customers each enjoy sushi at Rumblefish in downtown Mountain View on March 12. Photo by Magali Gauthier.

In a rapid attempt to stanch the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday issued new orders to pull the "emergency brake" on the virus, pushing San Mateo County back into the red tier or substantial risk of infection, and Santa Clara County back two tiers from orange (moderate risk) to purple (widespread risk), the most restrictive. The change is effective starting Tuesday, Nov. 17.

“We are sounding the alarm. California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet -- faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic or even this summer. The spread of COVID-19, if left unchecked, could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes. That is why we are pulling an emergency brake in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy," Newsom said. "Now is the time to do all we can -- government at all levels and Californians across the state -- to flatten the curve again as we have done before.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces which California counties are moving to more restrictive tiers under the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy on Nov. 16. Courtesy California Governor Gavin Newsom's YouTube channel.

The return to a red tier will mean that San Mateo County restaurants must limit indoor dining to 25% of capacity and other businesses, such as fitness centers, will face additional restrictions.

Under the purple tier, restaurants can have outdoor service only and only outdoor gatherings in Santa Clara County are allowed for places of worship, museums, family entertainment centers, movies, and professional sports (without live audiences). All retail, including shopping malls, are restricted to 25% of capacity. A full list of what's regulated can be found here.

Santa Clara County officials had already announced on Nov. 13 that they would again ban indoor dining and add other yet-to-be determined restrictions to public gatherings in response to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

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It was the second time in a week that the county addressed the growth in coronavirus cases. Leaders said the new restrictions come as the infection rate and hospitalizations have continued to increase since Nov. 3. The increased infection rates within the county mirror trends seen across the Bay Area, the state and in many other parts of the country, county Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said at a press conference. Other health officers in most Bay Area counties are expected to announce similar restrictions, she said last Friday.

"Unfortunately, I'm here to deliver more sobering news," Cody said. "It is absolutely imperative that we take action now."

The local curve has been shooting "straight up" since about Nov. 3, she said. "The steepness of that curve required that we act swiftly."

On Nov. 16 during a press conference in San Jose, Cody reiterated the importance of adhering to state and county guidelines regarding social distancing, wearing masks and business compliance with restrictions.

Santa Clara County had 388 new confirmed cases on Nov. 16. Although she did not yet have a count of new hospitalizations, on Nov. 13 she said there were 110 hospitalizations, an increase from an average of 80 hospitalizations per day in October.

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She added an urgency on Monday: "We have done this before. We can do this again. We need every citizen and business in our county to take this extremely seriously," she said.

Santa Clara and San Mateo counties were in the less-restrictive orange tier, but rather than waiting 72 hours to implement the new restrictions, the state has moved up enforcement to Tuesday. Santa Clara County had expected a step backward into the red tier, but the state also shortened the lag in data, which is why the county was pushed into the purple tier, County Counsel James Williams said on Monday.

Schools that have not yet opened will be prohibited from reopening until at least two weeks after the county is removed from the purple-tier designation. Those schools having already reopened can continue without interruption, and those in phased reopening can continue to reopen under their phased schedules under the state's law, he said. Elementary schools can also seek waivers based on their individual safety plans, he added.

San Mateo County’s transition back to the red tier does not impact the operation of schools or the process for returning students to in-person instruction, according to a statement from the county Office of Education. "Education is considered an 'essential' activity by the state – not a gathering – and, therefore, is not impacted by the state’s recently updated guidance on gatherings," the statement said.

Erik Burmeister, superintendent of the Menlo Park City School District, said that the model that Menlo Park City School District and others have implemented to reopen schools has managed risks and allowed students and staff to experience the benefits of in-person learning. "As a society, if we sacrifice to keep anything open during a pandemic, it should be our schools. Districts throughout San Mateo County are showing how that can be done,” he said in a statement.

Santa Clara county is working on a plan for how to distribute COVID-19 vaccines when they become available, Cody said. Since there are many different types, they will likely fit different groups and will have different storage and handling requirements, complications that will make logistics complex, she said on Monday.

Williams and Cody reiterated statements they made last Friday about the effectiveness of stepping back with more restrictions as the number of cases rise.

"One of the lessons we have learned and demonstrated in March and July (when there were also steep rises in COVID-19 cases) is that acting quickly helps bring things under control faster," Williams said last Friday regarding the county's decision to move faster to implement the restrictions than state guidelines.

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez said on Friday that she realizes that people are growing weary of the restrictions.

"As a community we tried really hard to fight this back," she said. "So this is really bad news and it's really hard to hear. We've all got to dig in and really double down."

She noted that many schools plan to reopen in January or this spring, but that could be hampered by the growing virus rates.

"It is a call to action," she said, "to do a little more or to return to being more vigilant if people have been slacking."

Watch the full press conference:

Santa Clara County leaders discuss new local restrictions in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases at a press conference in San Jose on Nov. 13 Courtesy Santa Clara County Public Health Department.

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by Palo Alto Online, the Mountain View Voice and the Almanac here.

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Angela Swartz contributed to this report.

Sue Dremann
 
Sue Dremann is a veteran journalist who joined the Palo Alto Weekly in 2001. She is a breaking news and general assignment reporter who also covers the regional environmental, health and crime beats. Read more >>

Follow Mountain View Voice Online on Twitter @mvvoice, Facebook and on Instagram @mvvoice for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

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Governor pulls 'emergency brake' on COVID-19 response, jumping San Mateo County to 'red' and Santa Clara County to 'purple' tiers

Santa Clara County skips past expected red level to most restrictive tier starting Tuesday

by / Palo Alto Weekly

Uploaded: Fri, Nov 13, 2020, 2:49 pm
Updated: Tue, Nov 17, 2020, 11:53 am

In a rapid attempt to stanch the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday issued new orders to pull the "emergency brake" on the virus, pushing San Mateo County back into the red tier or substantial risk of infection, and Santa Clara County back two tiers from orange (moderate risk) to purple (widespread risk), the most restrictive. The change is effective starting Tuesday, Nov. 17.

“We are sounding the alarm. California is experiencing the fastest increase in cases we have seen yet -- faster than what we experienced at the outset of the pandemic or even this summer. The spread of COVID-19, if left unchecked, could quickly overwhelm our health care system and lead to catastrophic outcomes. That is why we are pulling an emergency brake in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy," Newsom said. "Now is the time to do all we can -- government at all levels and Californians across the state -- to flatten the curve again as we have done before.”

The return to a red tier will mean that San Mateo County restaurants must limit indoor dining to 25% of capacity and other businesses, such as fitness centers, will face additional restrictions.

Under the purple tier, restaurants can have outdoor service only and only outdoor gatherings in Santa Clara County are allowed for places of worship, museums, family entertainment centers, movies, and professional sports (without live audiences). All retail, including shopping malls, are restricted to 25% of capacity. A full list of what's regulated can be found here.

Santa Clara County officials had already announced on Nov. 13 that they would again ban indoor dining and add other yet-to-be determined restrictions to public gatherings in response to a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.

It was the second time in a week that the county addressed the growth in coronavirus cases. Leaders said the new restrictions come as the infection rate and hospitalizations have continued to increase since Nov. 3. The increased infection rates within the county mirror trends seen across the Bay Area, the state and in many other parts of the country, county Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said at a press conference. Other health officers in most Bay Area counties are expected to announce similar restrictions, she said last Friday.

"Unfortunately, I'm here to deliver more sobering news," Cody said. "It is absolutely imperative that we take action now."

The local curve has been shooting "straight up" since about Nov. 3, she said. "The steepness of that curve required that we act swiftly."

On Nov. 16 during a press conference in San Jose, Cody reiterated the importance of adhering to state and county guidelines regarding social distancing, wearing masks and business compliance with restrictions.

Santa Clara County had 388 new confirmed cases on Nov. 16. Although she did not yet have a count of new hospitalizations, on Nov. 13 she said there were 110 hospitalizations, an increase from an average of 80 hospitalizations per day in October.

She added an urgency on Monday: "We have done this before. We can do this again. We need every citizen and business in our county to take this extremely seriously," she said.

Santa Clara and San Mateo counties were in the less-restrictive orange tier, but rather than waiting 72 hours to implement the new restrictions, the state has moved up enforcement to Tuesday. Santa Clara County had expected a step backward into the red tier, but the state also shortened the lag in data, which is why the county was pushed into the purple tier, County Counsel James Williams said on Monday.

Schools that have not yet opened will be prohibited from reopening until at least two weeks after the county is removed from the purple-tier designation. Those schools having already reopened can continue without interruption, and those in phased reopening can continue to reopen under their phased schedules under the state's law, he said. Elementary schools can also seek waivers based on their individual safety plans, he added.

San Mateo County’s transition back to the red tier does not impact the operation of schools or the process for returning students to in-person instruction, according to a statement from the county Office of Education. "Education is considered an 'essential' activity by the state – not a gathering – and, therefore, is not impacted by the state’s recently updated guidance on gatherings," the statement said.

Erik Burmeister, superintendent of the Menlo Park City School District, said that the model that Menlo Park City School District and others have implemented to reopen schools has managed risks and allowed students and staff to experience the benefits of in-person learning. "As a society, if we sacrifice to keep anything open during a pandemic, it should be our schools. Districts throughout San Mateo County are showing how that can be done,” he said in a statement.

Santa Clara county is working on a plan for how to distribute COVID-19 vaccines when they become available, Cody said. Since there are many different types, they will likely fit different groups and will have different storage and handling requirements, complications that will make logistics complex, she said on Monday.

Williams and Cody reiterated statements they made last Friday about the effectiveness of stepping back with more restrictions as the number of cases rise.

"One of the lessons we have learned and demonstrated in March and July (when there were also steep rises in COVID-19 cases) is that acting quickly helps bring things under control faster," Williams said last Friday regarding the county's decision to move faster to implement the restrictions than state guidelines.

Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez said on Friday that she realizes that people are growing weary of the restrictions.

"As a community we tried really hard to fight this back," she said. "So this is really bad news and it's really hard to hear. We've all got to dig in and really double down."

She noted that many schools plan to reopen in January or this spring, but that could be hampered by the growing virus rates.

"It is a call to action," she said, "to do a little more or to return to being more vigilant if people have been slacking."

Watch the full press conference:

Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by Palo Alto Online, the Mountain View Voice and the Almanac here.

Angela Swartz contributed to this report.

Comments

A Talking Cat
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 13, 2020 at 4:22 pm
A Talking Cat, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 4:22 pm

Please enable Exposure Notifications on your smartphone! Help stop the spread!
More information here, including how to set it up, and why it’s both private and secure: Web Link


Victor Bishop
Registered user
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Nov 13, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Victor Bishop, Another Mountain View Neighborhood
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 4:44 pm

“ Red tier restrictions include limiting access to fitness centers to 10% of capacity, closing indoor family fun centers such as bowling alleys and theaters, and reducing general retail to 50% of capacity, he said.”

Mr Williams and Cody should become familiar with red tier restrictions. Theaters are allowed to be open in the red tier. San Mateo County is is the red tier and theaters are open.
What happened is that when we entered the red tier, Cody decided not to allow theaters to reopen.when we entered the orange theater, she reluctantly allowed them to open.
It would behoove these officials to present the actual facts.
IT would also help if Cody would not have allowed a local church to remain open for months, in defiance of county health orders, while telling us to follow the rules.


Y
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 13, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Y, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 5:22 pm

Who the hell thought it was a good idea to have indoor dining. Idiots like those who offered it and idiots who went are the reason that the covid numbers are spiking.


Victor Bishop
Registered user
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Nov 13, 2020 at 5:36 pm
Victor Bishop, Another Mountain View Neighborhood
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 5:36 pm

Y- dont blame it on indoor dining.

Web Link

"State and local health officials couldn’t point to any particular cause of the most recent cases. Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said some counties saw cases linked to restaurants, others to churches. But the only consistent thing mentioned statewide was gatherings of friends and family."

I think that the health officials are clueless as to the cause of the surge. They are just grasping at straws. So much for data based decisions


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 13, 2020 at 5:44 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 5:44 pm

In response to Victor Bishop you write:

““ Red tier restrictions include limiting access to fitness centers to 10% of capacity, closing indoor family fun centers such as bowling alleys and theaters, and reducing general retail to 50% of capacity, he said.”

Yes, BECAUSE the businesses AND the people going to them could not ON THEIR OWN manage to keep COVID from spreading VOLUNTARILY. Ad you know it You wrote:

‘Mr Williams and Cody should become familiar with red tier restrictions. Theaters are allowed to be open in the red tier. San Mateo County is is the red tier and theaters are open.”

“The state's action today adds these additional requirements, effective starting Friday, Nov. 13 in Contra Costa:

“Indoor family entertainment centers, such as bowling alleys, must close their indoor operations. Amusement parks cannot operate.”

This is what a “theater” is, it is an “indoor family entertainment center” You really need to be more careful in your claims, MAYBE San Mateo County mad a big mistake, which it WILL correct shortly. You wrote:

‘What happened is that when we entered the red tier, Cody decided not to allow theaters to reopen.when we entered the orange theater, she reluctantly allowed them to open.”

That is because under the Red tier a “family Entertainment center” or a “movie theater” was not allowed to open. Unfortunately the theaters themselves take time to reopen,(getting employees, and refreshing supplies, and getting NEW movies), that is not the fault or Dr. Cody. And you know it. You wrote:

“It would behoove these officials to present the actual facts.”

Please provide proof that your facts are accurate, or are you operating with “alternative” facts? You wrote:

“IT would also help if Cody would not have allowed a local church to remain open for months, in defiance of county health orders, while telling us to follow the rules.”

I do not think she did, in fact isn’t there a major fine being issued against a local church?

I hate to say I told you so…


Victor Bishop
Registered user
Another Mountain View Neighborhood
on Nov 13, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Victor Bishop, Another Mountain View Neighborhood
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 6:04 pm

Goldstein states:

"“The state's action today adds these additional requirements, effective starting Friday, Nov. 13 in Contra Costa:
“Indoor family entertainment centers, such as bowling alleys, must close their indoor operations. Amusement parks cannot operate.”
This is what a “theater” is, it is an “indoor family entertainment center” You really need to be more careful in your claims, MAYBE San Mateo County mad a big mistake, which it WILL correct shortly."

First of all, here is a NY Times story regarding the tiers:
Web Link
"Counties in the red tier have sustained a substantial spread of infections and are allowed to resume some indoor activities with limited capacities. There are 24 counties in this tier, including San Diego, Riverside and Sacramento. Counties in this tier can open gyms and movie theaters at limited capacity. They are also allowed to open schools for in-person instruction if they have been in the tier for at least two weeks in a row."

More specifically, here is a story regarding COntra COsta COunty
Web Link
"Earlier this week, the California Dept. of Public Health officially moved Contra Costa and ten other counties in the state to the "red tier, the second-most restrictive tier under state COVID-19 guidelines."
and
"Movie theaters and indoor worshipping services must also reduce capacity to 25 percent or fewer than 100 people."

Goldstein further states:
"That is because under the Red tier a “family Entertainment center” or a “movie theater” was not allowed to open. Unfortunately the theaters themselves take time to reopen,(getting employees, and refreshing supplies, and getting NEW movies), that is not the fault or Dr. Cody. And you know it."

I have already shown that movie theaters were allowed to open in the red tier.

More specifically here is a story stating that only when we came into the orange tier were theaters allowed to reopen
Web Link
"When Santa Clara County moved into the state’s Orange Tier on Tuesday, entertainment-starved movie fans may have been elated to hear that indoor movie theaters were among the businesses being allowed to open at a limited 25% capacity."

Goldstein says:
'Please provide proof that your facts are accurate, or are you operating with “alternative” facts? "
I think I provided facts regarding the red tier and theater openings/

Goldstein says:
"I do not think she did, in fact isn’t there a major fine being issued against a local church?"
There was fines, but the church remained open for 6 months. Cody knew that fact and did nothing.

Goldstein says:
"I hate to say I told you so…"
So don't. Because you didn't

End of discussion, from my point of view. As I and other have stated, no point in discussing it further with goldstein


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 13, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 6:49 pm

In response to Victor Bishop you write:

“"First of all, here is a NY Times story regarding the tiers:

Web Link

Your reliance on this story was inaccurate because in effect the California tiers are “guidelines” and not “requirements”. You can watch the report here describing this error (Web Link Please understand that means there are possible new facts that might require certain activities to be stopped because for example Movie Theaters, they have no atmospheric disinfection systems in the theaters. Granted they are restricted in the guidelines at 25% capacity. That means a theater that has 100 seats will allow 25 seats to be used. BUT since there is no airborne disinfection that means 1 person can infect another 24 per showing in that theater. THAT is why the County chose to take its action. You wrote:

"That is because under the Red tier a “family Entertainment center” or a “movie theater” was not allowed to open. Unfortunately the theaters themselves take time to reopen,(getting employees, and refreshing supplies, and getting NEW movies), that is not the fault or Dr. Cody. And you know it."

I have already shown that movie theaters were allowed to open in the red tier.”

The “guidelines” allow it, but if the risk is too high, given the trend of infection like what we are seeing, there are good cause to go stronger. Please understand that? You wrote:

“Goldstein says:

'Please provide proof that your facts are accurate, or are you operating with “alternative” facts? "

I think I provided facts regarding the red tier and theater openings/”

But you didn’t because the “guidelines” are not “requirements”, just like when the laws say “may” instead of “shall”. You are conflating requirements with guidelines. I just demonstrated that the situation does make it appropriate to go stronger than the guidelines. And you know it. You simply are trying to promote an “alternative” reality that doesn’t exist. You wrote:

“Goldstein says:

"I do not think she did, in fact isn’t there a major fine being issued against a local church?"

There was fines, but the church remained open for 6 months. Cody knew that fact and did nothing.”

Actually from what I have read, the church was issued multiple warnings please read the story found here (Web Link ):

“Santa Clara County counsel James Williams said that's the reason why the county felt the need to go to court.

"We tried to work with them for a long time, they've admitted to the violations and so we are seeking the help of the court in enforcing these really important orders," he said. "The reality is, almost every congregation, regardless of faith tradition has been safely in compliance with the public health directives."”

It was NO surprise and there was NO conset by the county to this action. And you know it. You wrote:

“Goldstein says:

"I hate to say I told you so…"

So don't. Because you didn't”

I said in multiple posts that we are returning to Red tier, we did, you are correct because I didn’t define the context. Here is what I wrote:

“Well it is about official.

Santa Clara County is back to the Red tier again.

The latest COVID Blueprint update for Nov. 9, 2020 is out regarding Santa Clara County, we are now back in the Code Red state.( Web Link)

The Unadjusted rate is getting very close to the Purple Tier. And we are not even close to Thanksgiving. This holiday season is in all likelihood going to be only online. The Health Professionals were trying to help us, trying to avoid this, but NO ONE BOTHERED TO BEHAVE. Its just a matter of time an announcement of the change will happen. The Adjusted rate went up .9 a relative change of 28% plus. It is just a matter of time."


Gary
Registered user
Sylvan Park
on Nov 13, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Gary, Sylvan Park
Registered user
on Nov 13, 2020 at 8:18 pm

There is hope on the horizon. Trump lost and might actually be replaced on January 20. Might. Tricks remain. And the other good news is that science has almost caught up with this virus. Almost. There is talk of vaccines administered starting about the time Trump pardons himself and his family and allies for every federal crime to date. What date? January 20. Can we all avoid Covid-19 in the meantime? Maybe until mid-2021? Let's try. Thanksgiving? Christmas? Online - not in-person.


Bill
Registered user
Rex Manor
on Nov 14, 2020 at 6:46 pm
Bill, Rex Manor
Registered user
on Nov 14, 2020 at 6:46 pm

When will this end? I know we are all getting super tired of this. I understand the science but wonder how society can keep it together? Fyi, you can find me at my kissing booth at the end of my driveway this weekend. Just kidding and stay safe out there folks! Happy bunker holiday.


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 14, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 14, 2020 at 9:21 pm

Bill,

Boy do I get you, I am really feeling the fatigue and the pain of not being unable to be in the company of others.

The frustration is compounded because I was warning the City in January and February about the length of time this was going to take. You can actually see me in the last meeting that occurred in the City Hall.

We never set up for the long term impact. This should have been started from the Trump Administration, followed up by the Newson Administration, then the Santa Clara County board of Supervisors, and then the City of Mountain View City Council.

All of the above HOPED the COVID issue would only take at most 6 months, and only planned for that length. This was a MAJOR mistake given that the 1918 Influenza event took more than 2 years.

All of the above needed to plan for both the physical and psychological impact of COVID, but didn't.

We are way behind in dealing with this disaster. Notice I am holding no punches, the people responsible for dealing this situation is in both he Republicans and the Democrats.


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 15, 2020 at 4:58 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 15, 2020 at 4:58 pm

I am still very frustrated.

All these people trying to attack our Public Health Officials and the State and County governments that have been trying to avoid a massive outbreak in the county.

So far they have been achieving better results than most of the state and the country.

We have managed to KEEP COVID from spreading beyond 30,000 people and so far less than 500 deaths.

And these critics want to in effect let the virus run free and kill as many people it can.

Instead the Department of Public Health deserves to be congratulated. Our county is outperforming most of the nation. It is NOT time to get complacent, until the COVID threat is NEUTRALIZED we are going to have to keep fighting it.

I hope we all can agree to this?


Get out in Front
Registered user
Cuernavaca
on Nov 15, 2020 at 8:38 pm
Get out in Front, Cuernavaca
Registered user
on Nov 15, 2020 at 8:38 pm

On Tuesday, it's expected Santa Clara County will re-enter the Red Tier.

However, the positive case numbers (unadjusted for the testing volume credit) are already well into the Purple Tier range. Even with the volume credit, Santa Clara County may already have reached Purple Tier numbers.

With exponential growth and every day being critical, rather than wait another week or two for Gavin Newsom to officially place Santa Clara County in the Purple, I hope our County Health officials preemptively take action to enact changes to dampen the trendline, before it gets even more pronounced and difficult to control/reverse.

A big thank you to our County Health officials and their actions to date.


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 15, 2020 at 9:15 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 15, 2020 at 9:15 pm

In response Get out in Front you wrote:

“However, the positive case numbers (unadjusted for the testing volume credit) are already well into the Purple Tier range. Even with the volume credit, Santa Clara County may already have reached Purple Tier numbers.”

I hate to disagree with you only partly here. We have not yet gotten into the Purple Tier yet on both unadjusted and adjusted. But I will agree that given the “momentum” that is already started, it is hardly likely we can’t stop getting into purple very soon. You wrote:

“With exponential growth and every day being critical, rather than wait another week or two for Gavin Newsom to officially place Santa Clara County in the Purple, I hope our County Health officials preemptively take action to enact changes to dampen the trendline, before it gets even more pronounced and difficult to control/reverse.”

Here is a complete agreement and even going on to say by us trying to thread the needle like we do here we are in no place to really stop the spread of COVID and we are in fact accepting more deaths instead of preventing them. Unlike others, I do not subscribe that ANY death is acceptable. We lost 4 more people in the last 3 days. However, given the rules that were made, our local Department of Health are NOT provided the ability to be PROActive but REactive. They are doing their best given the rules they are being subjected to. So when you wrote:

“A big thank you to our County Health officials and their actions to date.”

I think you are correct on that, even though they are working with one hand tied behind their back.


Miguel Sanchez
Registered user
North Whisman
on Nov 16, 2020 at 3:29 pm
Miguel Sanchez, North Whisman
Registered user
on Nov 16, 2020 at 3:29 pm

For the past month, it's been very clear that there is so much more activity all around the city. City streets have had more traffic, parking lots more full, and even when I've done pick up of food (not indoor dining) there are more people getting stuff. This is all wonderful for the economy, of course, but I always wondered how this was all going to play out in terms of future infections. I guess we now have our answer.


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 16, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 16, 2020 at 4:53 pm

Well it is official.

Governor Newsom declared us a Purple tier today.


mikepat
Registered user
Monta Loma
on Nov 16, 2020 at 8:34 pm
mikepat, Monta Loma
Registered user
on Nov 16, 2020 at 8:34 pm

"insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results" - Albert Einstein. Walking the Steven Creeks trail today we saw half oy the people without masks, with no penalty.


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 16, 2020 at 8:50 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 16, 2020 at 8:50 pm

mikepat,

I agree that not wearing masks is a bad idea.

But the general rule is that if your farther than 6 feet from each other outdoors it is ok. But I also think it should be more like 12 feet.

This is what one source says (Web Link

"Individuals are exempt from wearing face coverings in the following specific settings:

Persons in a car alone or solely with members of their own household.

Persons who are working in an office or in a room alone.

Persons who are actively eating or drinking provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.

Persons who are outdoors and maintaining at least 6 feet of social distancing from others not in their household. Such persons must have a face covering with them at all times and must put it on if they are within 6 feet of others who are not in their household.

Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.

Workers who are required to wear respiratory protection.

Persons who are specifically exempted from wearing face coverings by other CDPH guidance."

Did they at least have masks with them?

But thank you for your community services, we need to owrk together on COVID


Steven Goldstein
Registered user
Old Mountain View
on Nov 20, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Steven Goldstein, Old Mountain View
Registered user
on Nov 20, 2020 at 1:16 pm

The Hospitals report they will be overrun in 3 weeks if this keeps up in the Merc.

The story is here (Web Link)

“SEE WHAT YOU MADE US DO”

We could have PREVENTED this.

But NO, you all had to be selfish, and wanted to hurt or kill as many people you could.

You ALL that wanted to open up and not take preventative steps should be identified and ARRESTED for attempted murder.


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