Bay Area counties block Newsom’s reopening plan

Gov. Gavin Newsom. AP photo.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attempt to allow some businesses to reopen was blocked on Thursday by health directors in six Bay Area counties — including San Mateo and Santa Clara — who want to slow things down.

Newsom yesterday released guidelines allowing more restaurants and retail stores to operate with curbside pickup and delivery starting today.

But the six county health officers said “no” to that and said they will continue to prohibit curbside pick-up at non-essential, non-outdoor businesses such as bookstores, clothing stores and florists.

“We need to continue to work together so those sacrifices don’t go to waste,” the county health officials said in a joint statement. “It is critical to maintain our gains.”

The decision by the county officials flies in the face of Newsom’s announcement earlier in the day. At a news conference with state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, the governor said he will allow manufacturing facilities, some retail stores and other “low-risk” businesses and industries to resume operating, provided that they enforce state health guidelines like physical distancing and test their employees for the coronavirus.

The announcement moves all of California, except for the Bay Area, into the second phase of a four-step process to full reopening. While retailers such as clothing and book stores and florists can reopen in places outside the Bay Area, higher risk businesses like hair salons, gyms and shopping malls will come later provided the state continues its progress.

Began at a nail salon

During his news conference yesterday, Newsom said the outbreak began in California at a nail salon.

Eating at restaurants will come later too, though some counties could start as soon as next week if they meet stringent requirements. Among them: No virus deaths and only one case per every 10,000 residents over 14 days, a minimum of 1.5 tests administered per 1,000 residents and 15 contact tracers per 100,000 residents.

Newsom said he expects counties to hire the tracers, who would track down anyone who has been in contact with an infected person so those people can self-quarantine. Santa Clara County plans to hire 1,000 virus tracers, some of whom will be enlisted from local government agencies and others who will apply for the job off the street.

Spectator sports

Newsom said he doesn’t think he’ll allow spectator sports like Major League Baseball or the NFL to resume until there is a vaccine, which could take six to 18 months. — From Post wire reports

15 Comments

  1. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors needs to intervene and change the order so that it matches the state’s latest order. The county should be following the state’s lead. Who elected Dr. Cody anyway?

  2. Look people stop bashing our govenor. He is looking out for CA, while being undeservingly critised by not only the dysfunctional fearless leaders in power right now but by his own people whom he is only trying to save. Case in point virus started in a salon, what would you have the govenor do. That’s what’s wrong with our country now. Have you heard the saying “A divided house can’t stand”? Let’s all show face to those that despise us enough to not forewarn us abouttheir purposeful creation of chemical weapons,and stand with governor Neesome as a country United so they see we are standing on god’s promise and beating covid 19. We got your back govenor right wrong or indifferent we are America land of the beautiful and free.

  3. Please site location and date of nail salon infection. Coincidence that beauty industry is suing state? Newsom likes to get revenge on people/groups who disagree with him. Huntington Beach, case in point.

  4. Please site location and date of salon infection. Coincidence that beauty industry is suing state? Newsom likes to take revenge on people/groups who disagree with him. Huntington Beach, case in point.

  5. Cee Mee. Newsome is not a vengeful person as you seem to think, And as for your request for location of salon? Why don’t you you call his office and ask, I’m sure they will without hesitation hand that info over to you, if they can legally. Gov. Newsome has done nothing wrong, and the salon industry is TRYING to sue because they are mad, and greedy, it isn’t newsome stopping them from openening, it’s the health department, you have a problem with him, vote for someone else on next election, all of this is not necessary, Nail salons are not the only ones not able to work, but yet they managed to put the spot light on them to grab the attention of the public to make them think it was wrong, and him that done it. He does have a guide lines to follow, just like the rest of us, and the nail salons as well. grow up, this isn’t a pitty party!!!!

  6. I think the Governor is doing a great job, but I’m sure he is being pushed also. Personally I think before it becomes worse, EVERYONE should be tested, whether it’s to see if u have it or do not, or have the antibodies??? Is that so hard??????

  7. I think the Governor is doing a great job, but I’m sure he is being pushed also. Personally I think before it becomes worse, EVERYONE should be tested, whether it’s to see if u have it or do not, or have the antibodies??? Is that so hard??????

  8. Great job by Governor Newsom. All of you that want to criticize need to run for public office and realize the immense responsibility that comes with being in charge of a state with 28 million people. Why the hell is everyone in such a hurry to reopen? The virus is here and not going anywhere. All opening will do is cause more infections and death. Nothing will be the same until theres a vaccine. End of story. For gods sake the virus is in the White House!

    • “Why the hell is everyone in such a hurry to reopen?” Gee, millions of people have lost their jobs, their businesses, their livelihoods. Mary, are you somebody who gets a government check every month and you don’t have to work for a living? This virus is turning out to be about as lethal as the annual flu outbreak. Gavin really overreacted. People want their lives back.

      • Exactly! Mary, I wonder if you have lost your job, are not able to feed your family, and unable to pay your bills. This virus has been wildly over-hyped with all kinds of deaths counted as Covid 19 whether the cause of death was Covid or a heart attack, cancer, etc. That’s what doctors are being told to do. Also the hospitals get huge reimbursements for a Covid 19 diagnoses. The media is pushing fear and it seems their tactics are very effective. If our economy doesn’t open soon, there will be no jobs to go back to. Small business are going bankrupt by the hour. “Why the hell is everyone in such a hurry to reopen?” Give me a break!

    • Gee, Mary. I wonder if you have lost your job, are not able to feed your family, and unable to pay your bills. This virus has been wildly over-hyped with all kinds of deaths counted as Covid 19 whether the cause of death was Covid or a heart attack, cancer, etc. That’s what doctors are being told to do. Also the hospitals get huge reimbursements for a Covid 19 diagnoses. The media is pushing fear and it seems their tactics are very effective. If our economy doesn’t open soon, there will be no jobs to go back to. Small business are going bankrupt by the hour. “Why the hell is everyone in such a hurry to reopen?” Give me a break!

  9. Here on the Eastside of San jose, the hardest hit area of the SC county, all the shopping centers are 2/3s full, looks like business almost as usual. Not everyone is wearing a mask either. I think the shoppers are being foolish, whistling in the dark. Just like usual flu? No, I’ve had 2 friends die and 2 cousins survive it.

  10. Newsome is a bad joke on california.he spent our hard earned money on secret deals with the country that is responsible for this mess,and he got burned.i know I didn’t OK him to give away my money.he needs to get the he’ll out of office.jerk.he has made a laughing joke out of my state.

  11. Support our Governor,stop belly aching, we are all in this together, be creative, help someone in need, keep healthy, stay home

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