Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a sobering forecast on Thursday March 19, projecting that over half of all California residents will contract COVID-19 in the coming weeks.
The most important thing for you to do right now is comply with shelter-in-place and social distancing directives. Remain in your home whenever possible. The State of California has launched a website as a daily resource for updates and guidance: https://covid19.ca.gov/
It is vitally important we comply, because there is confirmed community spread in our county. It is likely that many of us are already infected, even if we are not showing symptoms. We have many vulnerable residents in our community, and you can protect their lives by:
- Knowing the symptoms of COVID-19 and self-quarantining if you show those symptoms
- If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Use the CDC’s self-checker tool
- Testing in Santa Clara county through Project Baseline
- California’s COVID-19 site links to unemployment, disability, and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department is posting daily updates
- Practicing excellent hygiene, particularly when interacting with local shops
- Read the CDC’s guide on how to protect yourself and others
- Clean your hands often, avoid close contact with people who don’t live with you, stay home and wear a face mask if you are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
- If you are able, donating to food banks and other support services, and patronize local businesses, to help your neighbors through this difficult time
- Silicon Valley Strong provides ways you can get involved and support our community
- The Japantown Business Association is continually updating its website on which Japantown businesses are affected and how you may support them
- Consider volunteering to assist quarantined neighbors with grocery runs
Stay safe, try to stay healthy, and be especially kind to heath care and essential services employees you meet.
Japantown Prepared! 