California is sheltering in place
Day 5
Mandated Shelter In Place For All of California
In the strictest response to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States so far, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered California’s 40 million people to shelter in place until further notice.
The order directs Californians to stay in their homes unless they are accessing essential services such as pharmacies, grocery stores and banks. The governor emphasized that people will still be able to go outside, go to the grocery store and walk their dog — as long as they practice social distancing and keep 6 feet apart from people they don’t already live with.
Although the order carries the force of law and breaking it could result in a misdemeanor, Newsom didn’t seem to think enforcement would be necessary. Instead, he underscored the “social contract” binding Californians together and the “social pressure” that would help people “self-regulate their behavior.”
Newsom said a statewide shelter-in-place could “bend the curve” of coronavirus and reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19. Some models project that around 19,500 Californians will need to be hospitalized, which is above the state’s current hospital capacity.
More information about school and conference week will come later today or tomorrow.
What Are Essential Services?
How long will we stay home?
This goes into effect on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The order is in place until further notice.
What can I do? What’s open?
Essential services will remain open such as:
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants
- Banks
- Laundromats/laundry services
Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.
What’s closed?
- Dine-in restaurants
- Bars and nightclubs
- Entertainment venues
- Gyms and fitness studios
- Public events and gatherings
- Convention Centers
Where does this apply?
This is in effect throughout the State of California.
What Should I Do If I Can't Work?
What should I do if I am unable to work after being exposed to COVID-19?
Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.
Disability Insurance provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 - $1,300 a week.
Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.
Paid Family Leave provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligibile workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
For more information related to resources for California's Employers and Workers, please visit this Labor and Workforce Development Agency webpage.
Tips on Homeschooling from Rai King, an experienced homeschooler and lifelong educator:
DO Try hard to maintain a schedule. Take your time in the mornings. Not having to rush out of the door at 7am is a gift during this time. Take advantage by letting the kids sleep in a little later, have a more complete breakfast, and generally take their time getting into the swing of their day, but detail a schedule that works best for your family, and keep the kids on a regular routine. Let the household ease into this new adjustment.
DON’T STRESS! The kids will be alright. Don’t feel pressured to recreate the classroom, or to give your kids their school environment. Don’t feel pressure that the kids are going to fall behind. Kids are resilient.
“Most of the school day is spent shuffling kids room to room, activity to activity, lunch, P.E, recess, behavioral management, and bathroom breaks,” said King. “Only a few hours of the day is instructional time, and even with that you have to think about what your student was even taking in and retaining. It’s certainly not 7 hours of instructional time. Don’t stress about duplicating the environment your child came from. It’s not possible, and it’s not necessary.”