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PERMIT NO. 30 JULIAN, CA
ESTABLISHED
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Serving the Backcountry Communities of Julian, Cuyamaca, Santa Ysabel, Shelter Valley, Mt. Laguna, Ranchita, Canebreak, Sunshine Summit, Warner Springs and Wynola.
Julian News
PO Box 639 Julian, CA 92036
1985
Change Service requested
DATED MATERIAL
The Newspaper of Record.
For the Community, by the Community.
Wednesday
July 22, 2020
Volume 35 — Issue 51
www.JulianNews.com
ISSN 1937-8416
Schools May Have To Start On-Line
ESTABLISHED
1870
YEARS
Available Testing In Back County You can schedule a test through the County's website <coronavirus-sd.com> or by calling 2-1-1 and making an appointment for one of these locations: Wednesday - July 22 Borrego Springs, County Fire - Borrego Springs Library 2580 Country Club Rd, 92004 9 AM - 2 PM Friday - July 24 Warner Springs, County Fire Warner Springs Fire Station 52 31049 Highway 79, 92086 9 AM - 2 PM Friday - July 31 Julian, County Fire - Julian Library 3407 CA-78, 92036 9 AM - 2 PM
More Young San Diegans Getting Sick, Hospitalized Due to COVID-19
by José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
The number of younger San Diegans getting infected with the novel coronavirus has been increasing in recent weeks, and more of them are landing in the hospital, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) announced today. Of the nearly 21,500 COVID-19 cases reported in the region, San Diegans between 20 and 39 years of age represent nearly 44% of all cases. A closer look at the HHSA data shows that after restaurants, bars, wineries, breweries, hotels and other businesses reopened, the number of people between 20 and 39 years of age getting sick with COVID-19 began to rise rapidly. During the second week of June, 510 San Diegans in that age bracket got sick with COVID-19. Another 1,144 got sick the following week, and during the last week of June the number jumped to 1,595. The figures began to decrease again when indoor activities at those same were closed again. The total was down to 1,028 by the week ending July 11. “Some young people think they’re invincible and won’t get sick, but that’s not the case,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Not only are they getting sick, but they are also ending up at emergency rooms and needing hospitalization.” During the second week of June 10, a total of 16 San Diegans between 20 and 39 years of age were hospitalized. The figured dropped to 12 the following week and jumped to 27 the last week of June. Again, the number began to decrease when continued on page 4 ESTABLISHED
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Julian, CA.
On Friday Governor Newsome announced the State’s plan to reopen schools for the fall. If things don’t change in the County, back county schools will have to start with on-line (distance) learning. The plan is tied to the status of San Diego County and whether or not it remains on the State’s “Watch List” of covid-19 impacted counties. The plan centers on rigorous instruction for students even when schools are physically closed. Decisions to open in-person learning will be determined by local data that the public can track on a daily basis. Schools open for in-person instruction will implement precautions, including a requirement that students in 3rd grade and above wear masks. “In California, health data will determine when a school can be physically open – and when it must close – but learning should never stop” - Governor Newsome Announcing his plan for learning and safe schools ahead of the 2020–2021 school year, as the California Department of Public Health issued a framework for when and how schools should reopen for in-person instruction. “Learning is non-negotiable,” said Governor Newsom. “The virus will be with us for a year or more, and school districts must provide meaningful instruction in the midst of this pandemic. In California, health data will determine when a school can be physically open – and when it must close – but learning should never stop. Students, staff, and parents all prefer in-classroom instruction, but only if it can be done safely.”
Mom and Dad may have to brush up on their teaching skills - again! The Governor’s plan centers on five key areas: 1) Safe in-person school based on local health data The California Department of Public Health(CDPH) today issued updated schools guidance that includes using existing epidemiological metrics to determine if school districts can start in-person instruction. CDPH currently uses six indicators to track the level of COVID-19 infection in each California county as well as the preparedness of the county health care system – data that includes the number of new infections per 100,000 residents, the test positivity rate, and the change in hospitalization rate, among others. Any county that does not meet the state’s benchmarks is put on the County Monitoring List. Schools located in counties that are on the Monitoring List must not physically open for in-person instruction until their county has come off the Monitoring List for 14 consecutive days. Schools in counties that have not been on the Monitoring List for the prior 14 days may begin in-person instruction, following public health guidelines. School community members – including parents, teachers, staff and students – can track daily data on whether and why their county is on the Monitoring List at https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/#trackdata. * There is a single exception. Local health officers may grant a waiver to allow elementary schools to reopen inperson instruction if the waiver is requested by the district superintendent, in consultation with labor, parents and community-based organizations. When considering a waiver request, the local health officer must consider local data and consult with the California Department of Public Health. This could be a way forward for the back county, as the number of cases reported is small and to our knowledge there have not been any “community outbreaks” in Julian, Warner Springs or other back county areas. It will be the decision of the Superintentants and School boards if they with to persue a waiver. The Department also issued updated guidance for when schools must physically close and revert to distance learning because of COVID-19 infections. Following a confirmed case of a student who was at school during his or her infectious period, other exposed students and staff should be quarantined for 14 days. The school should revert to distance learning when multiple cohorts have cases or 5 percent of students and staff test positive within a 14-day period. The district should revert to distance learning when 25 percent or more of its schools have been physically closed due to COVID-19 within 14 days. Closure decisions should be made in consultation with local health officers. After 14 days, school districts may return to in-person instruction with the approval of the local public health officer. 2) Strong mask requirements for anyone in the school In the updated guidance, all staff and students in 3rd grade and above will be required to wear a mask or face covering. Students in 2nd grade and below are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering. Students should be provided a face covering if they do not have one. The state has delivered over 18 million face coverings to schools to support them to reopen and ensure all students can participate in learning. 3) Physical distancing requirements & other adaptations In the updated guidance, CDPH requires that all adults stay 6 feet from one another and 6 feet away from children, while students should maintain 6 feet of distance from one another as practicable. Anyone entering the school must do a health screen, and any student or staff exhibiting a fever or other symptoms will be immediately sent home. The guidance also provides that if anyone in a student or staff member’s household is sick, they too should stay home. 4) Regular testing and dedicated contact tracing for outbreaks
by Michael Hart
If schools do get to return students to classroom most will be required to wear face covering and practice social distancing. at schools The public health guidance recommends staff in every California school be tested for COVID-19 periodically based on local disease trends and as testing capacity allows. The Governor also announced today that the state will provide resources and technical assistance for COVID-19 investigations in school settings. 5) Rigorous distance learning Over the course of the pandemic, most schools will likely face physical closure at some point due to COVID-19. The Legislature and Governor Newsom enacted a budget that provided $5.3 billion in additional funding to support learning, and set requirements to ensure schools provide rigorous and gradeappropriate instruction. Under newly enacted state law, school districts are required to provide: • Devices and connectivity so that every child can participate in distance learning. • Daily live interaction for every child with teachers and other students. • Class assignments that are challenging and equivalent to inperson instruction. • Targeted supports and interventions for English learners and special education students. Although we contacted all of the local school districts after the Governors announcement, we did not hear back from either Julian district. Both have been getting their plans finalize, the high school alread having announced initial plans to return to in-school learning, with the fall back on distance learning. The elementary district had not yet annonced their plans, but had been working on a hybrid model of in-school and at-home as well as full return and distance learning. Julie Weaver at Spencer Valley School: “If County Health conditions are met, Spencer Valley would offer school on campus instruction for all students, as was explained at our parent meeting on July 14th. If students cannot return to campus, Spencer will offer a distance learning model with live synchronous instruction as was recommended at Governor Newsom’s briefing today.” David MacLeod Superintendent/Principal at Warner: “Warner decided yesterday to have a two plan option, 100% back to school, or a 100% online option for parents to choose from. This announcement will delay that choice for parents until the county meets the requirements to get off the watchlist. We will shift gears to focus on opening at 100% online option.” The County Office of Education released a statement: “The San Diego County Office of Education will carefully review the new order issued today and work with local public health and our region’s schools to implement the guidance set forth. Public schools perform a vital role in California; our schools are the foundation of the success of both the next generation and the economy. We recognize that continuing distance learning poses challenges and hardship for many families. Local schools are doing everything they can to craft plans for the 2020-21 school year that have the academic, social, and emotional well-being of students and families at the center. By being thoughtful now, we can find effective solutions that keep our students and staff safe. Our approach has been to encourage schools to plan for a full spectrum of requirements around symptom screening, physical distancing, facial coverings, and limits on gathering sizes, recognizing that conditions may call for full or partial implementation of these measures based on state guidance. The new order clarifies some of the state-level expectations, which will help schools hone plans for when students do return to campuses.” All schools are set to return in early August, which may be enough time for the rest of the County to get its’ act together and be removed from the “Watch List.” Parents in the mean time are being asked to be paitent while everyone the State, County and districts themselves work out just what will transpire this school year. At this time the only thing that seems certain is there will be no high school sports and all extra caricular activities would move on-line. Once again the request was made to wear a face covering in public, stay physically distanced. Wash your hands. And beaware of any symtoms you may have. If you feel the need to be tested take advantage of the available testing in you area or see your personal physician and request one.
Strengthen Mental Health By Embracing Culture (Family Features) One in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and adult African Americans are 20% more likely to experience mental health issues compared to the general population. Native American and Hispanic men don’t fair any better. "The factors that cause or exacerbate mental illness are often found in higher numbers among minorities," said Dr. Rufus Spann, chief clinical officer with Henry Health, a culturally sensitive mental health organization. "Tackling this problem requires a unique understanding of cultural differences." Organizations like Henry Health make access to mental health care accessible and convenient for minorities, removing barriers to seeking treatment. The organization offers culturally intentional care delivered by practitioners equipped to treat any population dealing with emotional and mental health issues, and believes effective care follows three essential principles: it puts culture first, is evidence based and is built on best practices. This means culture and life experiences are at the center of therapy. Patients can expect their narratives will be not only heard and acknowledged, but also put into perspective to help gain a greater understanding of their experiences. Research shows therapists whose patients perceive them as having cultural humility deliver improved therapy outcomes. That's why Henry Health therapists complete training that equips them with the skills needed to effectively address issues of race, ethnicity, class and culture. A scientifically validated tool measures therapists' cultural responsiveness and provides education and coaching to improve their cultural humility. In addition to cultural considerations, therapy involves the noted clinical best practices of cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care. Cognitive behavior therapy is a widely used therapeutic technique that has lasting impacts on mental health outcomes while traumainformed care ensures patients have access to safe spaces to examine, process and transcend trauma. Getting Started It's normal to be unsure or hesitant about trying therapy. Some organizations even offer free 15-minute consultations so you can speak with a therapist before officially registering. When you are ready to start therapy, the process is usually simple. For example, through Henry Health, you begin with an online registration form, receive an email matching you with a therapist, login to the member portal to schedule an appointment and join your session from the convenience of a phone, tablet or computer. Visit henry-health.com for more information or to register. Common Stressors Culturally responsive care can help improve a variety of stressors, including: * Anger * Trauma * Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder * Domestic violence continued on page 11
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER JULIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE