FA R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M AT I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
January 2021
FREE
Covid-19 Updates A FTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON, another resurgence of COVID-19 ensued. In the last few weeks, the U.S. reached new records for the most COVID-related deaths in one day and California is currently experiencing unprecedented rates of infection. Hospital capacity in the state is dwindling and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), where severely ill COVID patients are cared for, are completely full in some counties. Los Angeles County currently has the highest rates of
coronavirus infection in the world and they have zero availability in their ICUs. According to the state’s stay-athome order, counties have to surpass at least 15% ICU capacity to remove the order. In other words, hospitals have to have room for new COVID patients in order to reopen and have some restrictions removed. Many people are tired of this and understandably so. We miss being able to hug people, to share in close conversation, to carry out every day errands and our
New COVID Variant
don’t. Scientists have discovered that older people and/or those with preexisting health conditions are far more likely to have severe, life-threatening symptoms. However, there are also reports of young people with no preexisting health conditions who were unable to survive from this illness. All of this means that we really have no idea how COVID-19 will affect each one of us individually if we become infected. But, we can be prepared for what those symptoms may look like, and understand the difference between those that can be taken care of at home, and those that require emergency medical attention. After exposure to COVID-19, symptoms appear within 2-14 days and can range from mild to severe according to the CDC: n Fever or chills n Cough n Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing n Fatigue n Muscle or body aches n Headache n New loss of taste or smell n Sore throat n Congestion or runny nose n Nausea or vomiting n Diarrhea The CDC recommends seeking emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms: n Trouble breathing n Persistent pain or pressure in the chest n New confusion n Inability to wake or stay awake n Bluish lips or face To seek medical attention immediately, dial 9-1-1 and tell the operator that you or someone you know needs help and the symptoms they are experiencing. If you are driving yourself or someone you know to the hospital, call ahead to let them know you are coming and the reason so that they can be prepared for your arrival.
Recently, scientists and medical professionals discovered multiple new variants of COVID-19, and one of those variants has made its way to California. Viruses are known for their ability to mutate in order to survive and continue spreading. In many cases, these mutations strengthen the virus by making them easier to spread and more harmful to their hosts. Right now, there is no evidence that the new variant in California is more harmful to the people it infects, but health experts discovered that it does spread more easily and quickly. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is working closely with public health officials and scientists to monitor the spread of new variants. Experts who study these mutations hope to determine whether they are more harmful, more resistant to the COVID-19 vaccine, or require different medications than patients receiving treatment for the original virus. In the meantime, what we do know is that California has higher rates of the new variant compared to other states, and we all need to continue taking precautions to avoid becoming infected. Safeguard yourself and your loved ones by wearing a mask, social distancing, avoiding non-essential outings, and not gathering with those outside of your household. For more information and updates about the new COVID variants, visit the following link: English: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ transmission/variant.html Spanish: https://espanol.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/transmission/variant.html
Monitor Your Symptoms Keep in mind that everyone experiences COVID-19 differently. Some people report very mild symptoms while others report very severe symptoms, and some report none at all. Because this is a fairly new virus, scientists still don’t fully understand how it works or why some unhealthy people live through it and other perfectly healthy people
Volume 31, Number 1
jobs without the threat of illness. We miss being able to live without the constant reminder that ourselves or our loved ones might get sick or that we might lose financial stability because of the hardships it’s caused. Together, we can do simple things to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by staying informed and following health guidelines. For the latest updates and information on COVID-19 visit covid19.ca.gov.
For more information about COVID-19 symptoms, risks, and how to keep yourself and those you love safe, visit the following link: English: https://covid19.ca.gov/symptoms-and-risks/ Spanish: chttps://covid19.ca.gov/es/symptoms-and-risks/
Contact Tracing After nearly a year of dealing with coronavirus, California has implemented a contact tracing program called California Connected to help monitor the spread of infection. Contact tracing just means that when a person What is a close contact and why is it important? Close contact refers to a person who was within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer over a 24-hour period. Even if you both are in masks and practicing social distancing, it’s still possible to contract the virus under these circumstances. Those who care for loved ones with coronavirus or have physical contact with others are also close contacts if the person is positive for COVID-19. Many people do not begin showing symptoms for anywhere from 2-14 days so it’s important to maintain distance, practice health guidelines, and limit in-person interactions.
Wednesday 10am February 17 March17
tests positive for COVID-19, public health officials notify the individual who tested positive and any people who were exposed to them. They provide information about what to do next and how to keep yourself and those you love safe. The public health department will contact you by using call, text, or email if you tested positive for COVID-19 or came in close contact with someone who did. It’s important that you respond to their call for many reasons. Firstly, you will have a better idea about how to care for yourself or someone you know who’s positive for COVID-19, as well as information about how to quarantine, monitor your symptoms, etc. Also, people who were in close contact with a COVID-positive individual have a chance to take precautions, quarantine, and get tested before the virus spreads further. Lastly, the state has a better understanding of infection rates and spreads, and that means that California can recover quicker and reopen faster. Keep in mind that public health officials will NOT ask you about your immigration status or other very private information such as your social security number and payment information. All of your information is kept confidential and private. For more information about contact tracing in California, visit the following link: English: https://covid19.ca.gov/contact-tracing/ Spanish: https://covid19.ca.gov/contact-tracing/ Don’t forget to download or turn on CA Notify on your mobile phone. CA Notify automatically notifies you when you’ve come in close contact with someone who’s tested positive for COVID-19 and also allows you to report if you’ve tested positive. Your privacy, information, and location is never tracked by the app. iPhone users simply turn it on in their settings on the “General” list, and Android users can download the app in the Google Play Store.
Vaccines
65+ and agriculture workers up next Healthcare workers and long-term care residents are receiving the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine, but many other groups are next in line. According to the California COVID-19 website, more will receive the vaccine later this winter, including individuals 75 and older, and those who work in education, childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture. California also decided to move those 65 and older ahead in line. People in that age group can contact their healthcare provider or local clinic now for more information about where and how to get vaccinated. Only certain counties and providers have begun vaccinating those 65 and
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies
www.LaCooperativa.org
Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California
1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814 This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner. Content produced by ALZA Strategies, a full-service strategy firm that offers pertise into the growing Latino market.
older, but more are being added regularly. Keep checking in with your county, provider or local clinic to determine when you can get vaccinated. Important facts about the vaccine: n It’s free. n When your phase begins, you can get the vaccine by contacting your healthcare provider or local clinic. n Experts still recommend getting the vaccine even if you’ve already had COVID-19. Find your local health clinic using the following link: www.californiahealthplus.org For updates on the vaccine plan and who’s next in line, visit the following link: English: covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/ Spanish: covid19.ca.gov/es/vaccines/
Housing for Harvest
Housing for farmworkers needing to isolate from COVID-19 Medical experts and public health officials recommend isolating from individuals with COVID-19 in order to avoid contracting the virus yourself. But for most farmworkers, isolating can be near impossible for someone with COVID-19 or fellow workers that have been exposed, especially in co-housing settings where several people share the same space. Recently, California implemented a program called Housing for the Harvest to find a solution to this problem. How it works: The state books hotel rooms for individuals needing to self-isolate for up to 14 days in counties that participate in the program. Counties include many services along with the hotel room including free transportation, meals, and wellness checks. Some even include financial assistance and free laundry service. Your information is kept safe and you will not be asked about your immigration status. Who can participate: Individuals must be in the food processing or agriculture industry, have tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to someone with the virus, and also be unable to self-isolate in their home. How to participate: Contact the administrator for
your county using the list below. Right now, services are being prioritized in the areas most affected by COVID-19 outbreaks - Central Valley, Central Coast, and Imperial Valley. More counties may be added to the list in the future. FRESNO COUNTY: Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (559) 710-2000 thehealthyharvest.org or cosechasana.org IMPERIAL COUNTY: Vo Neighborhood Medical Clinic (442) 283-0198 KERN COUNTY: Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) Call 211 KINGS COUNTY: Kings Community Action Organization (559) 710-2000 thehealthyharvest.org or cosechasana.org MADERA COUNTY: Central Valley Opportunity Center (CVOC) (559) 710-2000 thehealthyharvest.org or cosechasana.org RIVERSIDE COUNTY: TODEC Legal Center (888) 863-3291 campo@todec.org SACRAMENTO COUNTY: La Familia Counseling Center (916) 452-3601 SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY: Catholic Charities / Community Foundation of San Joaquin (209) 469-1120 harvest@ccstockton.org SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY: (805) 781-1061 EOC-Lodging@co.slo.us SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: Family Service Agency (805) 325-5341 STANISLAUS COUNTY: (209) 558-7535 TULARE COUNTY: Proteus, Inc. (559) 710-2000 thehealthyharvest.org or cosechasana.org YOLO COUNTY: (833) 965-6268 Visit the link below to view the information flyer for each of the counties listed, which also includes their contact information, as well as services offered in addition to a hotel room: English: https://covid19.ca.gov/housing-for-agriculturalworkers/#where-the-program-is-available Spanish: covid19.ca.gov/es/housing-for-agriculturalworkers/
Benefits and Public Charge
I
MMIGRANTS MAY WORRY that applying or receiving benefits puts them at risk for being a public charge, and that it may hurt their chances of getting a green card. Keep in mind that there are many benefits available to immigrants that are NOT considered for public charge. According to the state’s own COVID-19 Guidance for Immigrant Californians, benefits not considered for public charge are: n Medi-Cal benefits used for treatment of an emergency condition n School-based services or benefits n Medi-Cal benefits received by a noncitizen under 21 years old n Medi-Cal benefits received by a woman during pregnancy and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of pregnancy. n Public health assistance for immunizations, and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable disease, and many more. For more information about safety guidelines, healthcare, public charge, jobs, wages and benefits, and so much more, view the COVID-19 Guidance for Immigrant Californians by visiting the following link: English: files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/wp/listos_covid_19_immigrant_guidance_en_daf.pdf Spanish: files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/wp/listos_covid_19_immigrant_guidance_es_daf.pdf