Wednesday - January 6, 2021

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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

as of January 2 *

Julian = 53 (+6) Ramona = 1,478 (+169) Ranchita = 9 (+0) Warner Springs = 43 (+12) Santa Ysabel = 40 (+12) Borrego Springs = 78 (+9) Descanso = 56(+5) Alpine = 740 (+75) Poway = 1,250 (+181) Lakeside = 1652 (+ 234) Total Confirmed cases in Unincorporated San Diego County = 22,934 a total rise of 6,571. Total New Cases In County over the past week: * case totals are cumlitave since Februry 14, 2020, when first case was identified (number of new cases in past week)

TESTING AVAILABLE Julian Library Friday, January 8 Friday, January 29 9am - 3pm Borrego Springs Library Monday, January 18 9am - 3pm If you believe you have symptoms please get tested. Most testing locations do not require an appointment. To find information on a testing location near you or call 2-11 (toll free) or on the web 211sandiego.org. The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is reporting yet another record number of COVID-19 cases. A total of 22,241 new lab-confirmed cases have been added in the region since last weekend, bringing the total to 168,020 County wide. Cases of the novel coronavirus have sharply increased since Thanksgiving and with the Christmas and New Year holidays around the corner, County health officials are concerned that no immediate end to the rise in cases is in sight. “The best gift you can give your loved ones and our frontline healthcare workers this holiday season is the gift of health,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “I urge San Diegans to follow the public health orders, avoid gatherings and wear a facial covering whenever they leave their residence so we can get this virus under control.”

Julian, CA.

Volume 36 — Issue 23 ISSN 1937-8416

www.JulianNews.com

New COVID-19 Variants

Back Country Covid-19 Cases

January 6, 2021

Information about the characteristics of these variants is rapidly emerging. Scientists are working to learn more about how easily they might spread, whether they could cause more severe illness, and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against them. Currently, there is no evidence that these variants cause more severe illness or increased risk of death. What we know Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and start infecting people. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, a large family of viruses. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surfaces. Scientists monitor changes in the virus, including changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus. These studies, including genetic analyses of the virus, are helping us understand how changes to the virus might affect how it spreads and what happens to people who are infected with it. Multiple COVID-19 variants are circulating globally. In the United Kingdom (UK), a new variant has emerged with an unusually large number of mutations. This variant seems to spread more easily and quickly than other variants. Currently, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. This variant was first detected in September 2020 and is now highly prevalent in London and southeast England. It has since been detected in numerous countries around the world, including the United States and Canada. In South Africa, another variant has emerged independently of the variant detected in the UK. This variant, originally detected in early October, shares some mutations with the variant detected in the UK. There have been cases caused by this variant outside of South Africa. This variant seems to spread more easily and quickly than other variants. Currently, there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or increased risk of death. In Nigeria, another distinct variant also has been detected. What we do not know Scientists are working to learn more about these variants, and more studies are needed to understand: How widely these new variants have spread How the new variants differ How the disease caused by these new variants differs from the disease caused by other variants that are currently circulating What it means Public health officials are studying these variants quickly to learn more so that they can control their spread. They want to understand whether the variants: Spread more easily from person to person Cause milder or more severe disease in people Are detected by currently available viral tests Respond to medicines currently being used to treat people for COVID-19 Change the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. There is no evidence that this is occurring, and most experts believe this is unlikely to occur because of the nature of the immune response to the virus. What CDC is doing CDC, in collaboration with other public health agencies, is monitoring the situation closely. CDC is working to detect and characterize emerging viral variants and expand its ability to look for COVID-19 and new variants. Furthermore, CDC has staff available on-theground support to investigate the characteristics of viral variants. As new information becomes available, CDC will provide updates.

County Fire Authority Starts New Year with New Name

by Donnie Ryan, County of San Diego Communications Office

The year 2021 will mean a new name for the San Diego County Fire Authority as the organization has been recently renamed the San Diego County Fire Protection District. The name change became official Dec. 7 when the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted 8-0 in favor of becoming a dependent special district under the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. LAFCO oversees the establishment and organization of special districts. “The San Diego County Fire Protection District has been a long time coming,” said Herman Reddick, the district’s director. “It is the natural progression of growth and provides the long-term stability of the organization.” According to Reddick, in the last five years San Diego County Fire has been able to make significant improvements by increasing permanent career staffing and the assignment of paramedics at all San Diego County Fire Protection District stations and increasing the level of services provided to county residents. CAL FIRE/San Diego Fire Chief Tony Mecham said the actions to create the new district help to correct a decision made in the 1970s when the County of San Diego terminated the contract with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for fire services. “Supervisor Dianne Jacob and LAFCO began working on this issue in 1993 and after 27 years the fire district has become a reality,” said Mecham. “Last year, the voters in San Diego voted in favor of adding fire protection services to the San Diego County Charter. These two actions will ensure that fire protection services will always be provided across our 1.7-million-acre service area.” The San Diego County Fire Protection District is comprised of elements from both the State of California and the County of San Diego working in unison as a single organization. More than 500 sworn personnel operate 35 fire stations to ensure San Diego County residents are living safely. The designation as a fire protection district is just one step in County Fire’s continuous efforts to achieve operational excellence in all programs and areas of responsibility.

How Your Family Can Adopt Healthier Digital Habits in 2021

What The Federal Stimulus Package Means For California

by Laurel Rosenhall (CalMatters.org)

The federal stimulus package that lawmakers in Washington have agreed to is “very encouraging news” for California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday(December 21)as he outlined how much of the $900 billion federal package is likely to flow to the Golden State. “While it’s a lower number than we had hoped for, it is nonetheless significant,” the governor said. The package did not include aid for state and local governments that Newsom spent months lobbying for. He said Congress “will need to do more in the future.” But he didn’t dwell on that Monday, instead focusing on how a cash infusion estimated at about $50 billion — most of it for unemployment and direct stimulus checks — will help struggling Californians: “It’s money directly in your pocket,” he said. While he cautioned that the figures are initial estimates, Newsom said California expects to receive: $20 billion in unemployment assistance (based on payments of $300/week for 11 weeks) $17 billion in direct stimulus checks of $600 each to lower-income Californians $2 billion in rental assistance $1.3 billion for COVID-19 testing, tracing and vaccines $8.5 billion for schools, community colleges and universities $1 billion for childcare $2 billion for transportation California businesses will also receive relief from the $325 billion allotted to help small businesses nationwide, though Newsom did not provide an estimate of how much would flow to the state. The federal aid was announced as Newsom prepares to present his budget proposal to state lawmakers in early January. Though many Californians lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic, state tax revenue came in above expectations and the legislative analyst expects the state budget will be padded by a $26 billion windfall in the coming year. Newsom said the budget he’ll propose will include more support for small and medium businesses as well as assistance for people continued on page 8

(StatePoint) As we head into 2021, adults and kids alike may still be enjoying the excitement of digital devices received as gifts over the holidays. However, the new year is always a great time for a reset, so alongside those new devices, consider adopting some new digital habits. Here are some great ideas for helping your family build healthier relationships with their digital devices: • Get healthy: Not all screen time is wasted time. You can use your device in positive, productive ways that help your family work toward improved physical health. For example, a steps counter might encourage your family to move more or even take up running, while a yoga app can help guide your family through quick routines you can practice from the comfort of home. • Get smart: Likewise, the members of your family can use their devices to exercise their minds. Encourage everyone to let their smartphones and tablets double function as e-readers, and to download apps that teach new skills and build knowledge. You can even try setting a goal as a family, such as learning a new language using the same app. • Schedule digital downtime: Too much screen time is associated with poor quality sleep, increased anxiety and a range of other physical and mental health concerns, so be sure each day includes digital downtime. This is especially important if your family is working and learning from home right now. Make the most of these screenfree blocks by engaging in active play, moving, getting fresh air or spending quality time together. • Get assistance: Making sure every member of the family is using their device only in safe and healthy ways is easier said than done, however, a parental guidance app can help. Using OurPact for example, the most comprehensive parental control app, you can remotely establish automated schedules for when internet, apps and the device itself are unavailable. Features include URL whitelisting and blacklisting, daily screen time allowances and iMessage/SMS blocking, helping ensure device usage passes your approval. Available at the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, parents can also sign up for an account at www.ourpact.com. For better overall health and wellness, make 2021 the year your family adopts great digital habits.

Happy 2021 to All !

Your Chamber is Here to Support the Community

Basic Sales And Use Tax Webinars The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has Free seminars available for those in business or interested in starting a new business. Dates/Times: Thursday, January 7, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1159 Monday, January 11, 2021 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1166 Thursday, January 14, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1118 Friday, January 15, 2021 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1143 Basic Sales and Use Tax Webinar for Food Industry A special overview of sales and use tax as it applies to your specific industry. Q&A session included. Date/Time: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1149 Tax Return Preparation Webinars Get step-by-step instruction on filing a CDTFA sales and use tax return electronically. Dates/Times: Thursday, January 7, 2021 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1164 Friday, January 8, 2021 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1158 Monday, January 11, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1136 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1142 Thursday, January 14, 2021 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1121 Friday, January 15, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1137 Tuesday, January 19, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1145 Thursday, January 21, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1130 Friday, January 22, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1131 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ seminar.aspx?flag=1144 Basic Recordkeeping Discover what you need to know when starting a new business. Q&A session included. Dates/Times: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. To register for this webinar, visit: www.cdtfa.ca.gov/seminar/ continued on page 8 ESTABLISHED

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