December 3, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       

Contact: Sara Floor, Communications Manager
916-926-8769; email: sfloor@counties.org 

SACRAMENTO – The California State Association of Counties (CSAC), which represents all 58 California Counties, issues the following reaction to the latest Regional Stay Home Order.

California is immersed in a critical stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Newsom’s new Regional Stay Home framework, based on adult ICU bed capacity, utilizes data and what we know about coronavirus transmission, but also leaves many questions unanswered for county-administered health departments, the public, and businesses required to implement the order with little notice and limited detail.

“Today’s order includes data-driven triggers and limitations rather than blanket closures, which differentiates this Order from the previous March event,” said CSAC President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. “While this demonstrates the progress that has been made in understanding the coronavirus and its spread, counties continue to struggle with building community confidence with this ‘on-again, off-again’ iterative approach to restricting activity to protect public health. Counties urge the Governor to authorize immediate additional assistance for impacted workers, families, and business owners.”

“Success of this regional framework hinges on close coordination between California’s Counties, communities and the Administration to convince individuals to further restrict activities based on science to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “Counties require additional clarity on how each of the state’s orders interacts with the facts on the ground and in our communities.”

The public’s health and wellbeing remains a top county priority, but other actions are also needed. Each individual can make a difference by ceasing to gather, wearing a mask, and following all public health guidance. Congress can also make a difference by passing an economic stimulus package now. And counties will continue to focus on our communities, health systems, and businesses to ensure their viability while protecting the health of the residents we serve. 

California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level.                                                                                 # # #