Be Alert for COVID and Rain-Triggered Debris Flow, By Bruce

FEATURED COLUMNIST Be Alert for COVID and Rain-Triggered Debris Flow

It’s an understandable instinct at the end of each calendar year to wrap up undone business and start the new year fresh. Unfortunately, 2020 will not afford us that opportunity as two big issues will carry over into 2021 and demand our collective attention and energy.

The current status of COVID-19 spread in our community is reaching a critical point just as many of us would ordinarily be looking forward to gathering with family and friends for the holiday season. The infection rate, which has tripled in recent weeks to about 23 per day per 100,000 residents, is below the statewide average but nonetheless highly concerning.

Especially troubling is the increase in current hospitalizations, up to 47 as of Dec. 1. That represents a 17 percent spike in hospitalizations in just one day. Just as we did at the start of the pandemic in the spring, the County is looking at alternative care sites in the event our hospitals are overwhelmed by this surge or future surges. As of Dec. 1, Santa Cruz County has had 4,620 known cases, 1,108 of them which are active.

Seventy-one percent of Santa Cruz County’s infections are believed to have been spread through person-toperson contact in households. This indicates to me that we have to double down on reducing contact with people outside of our immediate households.

Although we want to reclaim some sense of normalcy and celebrate holidays together like in years past, public health officials are warning us to avoid gatherings as these represent a major way, as seen in the spike after Halloween, the disease is spread.

With Santa Cruz and 51 other California counties placed in the “widespread” Purple Tier, which covers 99 percent of the state’s population, the Governor’s Office may tighten restrictions in coming days.

While we keep a close eye on COVID-19, my office is very much involved in the early stages of the recovery and rebuilding processes related to the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that started in mid-August and burned more than 400 homes in the San Lorenzo Valley.

With the Phase 1 removal of hazardous waste having been completed on nearly 99 percent of parcels impacted by the fire, we are now moving swiftly into Phase 2, with the government-funded clean-up of nonhazardous debris already underway.

To be eligible for the government program, property owners must sign a right-of-entry form no later than Dec. 15. However, as of Dec. 1, there were a total of only 385 applications for the public program, about half from District 5.

Those who have signed up are encouraged to urge neighbors to do the same soonest to promote an earlier clean-up for a larger number of properties. Owners can fill out the form on the County’s fire recovery site at santacruzcounty.us/firerecovery under the heading of Debris Removal. Supervisor Ryan Coonerty and I hosted a virtual Town Hall in November about debris removal featuring state partners and local leaders. You can watch the video on YouTube by visiting this link: https://tinyurl.com/y5phw8lc. Although the weather has been sunny recently, we know rain will visit us again this winter. We continue to spread the message that debris flows in the burn scar,

By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District

as well as some areas below the impacted Questions about fire recovery can be areas, are likely if rainfall is intense. We sent directly to our County team through a urge residents to heed form at the following evacuation warnings, which will be issued As of Dec. 1, there link: https://tinyurl. com/y67kl4ty. as soon as forecasts were only 385 Lastly, I wish you indicate that weather happy and healthy conditions are likely applications for the holiday season, and to produce flows. Out of an abundance [government-funded I look forward to serving District 5 in of caution, residents debris cleanup] 2021 as the beginning should brace them- of my third term in selves for multiple program, about this office. There is evacuations this winter. half from District 5 much work to do together to promote

More infor- … The deadline to an improved public mation about debris flow risk can be found apply is Dec. 15. health outlook, support our local at santacruzcounty. businesses and help us/firerecovery under the heading Debris our fire survivors recover and rebuild. n Flow. And you can also watch the YouTube ••• video of our District 5 Town Hall on the As always, you can contact me via e-mail topic of debris flow in November at this at bruce.mcpherson@santacruzcounty.us or link: https://tinyurl.com/y36qgws9. call 831-454-2200.

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Ava!

Hiya, I’m Ava (A225666), a female kitty loaf that loves to relax and cuddle! I’m 11 years old, but don’t let my age fool you, I still love to play when the mood hits me.

I’m an all around love-bug that just wants warm laps and good scratches. Today would be the purrrfect day for me to get adopted! So if you can’t resist these lovable green eyes, come meet me at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter today; 1001 Rodriguez St, open 10am – 6pm daily.

The Shelter is at CATpacity so come meet your new best friend.

We are having a Winter Whiskerland adoption event. With this Pay it Forward cat adoption special, you can adopt a cat or kitten for only $25!

We are asking that when you adopt a cat or kitten with this special you also make a donation of at least $25 to one of the following funds: Planned Pethood (funds free spay/neuter surgeries), Extra Mile Fund (allows medical rehabilitation for animals beyond what our Shelter budget permits) or the General Program Donation Fund (supports animal adoption, animal enrichment, and public outreach and education programs).

Adoptions are first come, first served! Please view available animals on our website and then visit the Shelter to turn in your application. All adoptions require proof of home ownership or landlord approval. Please have this information prepared. If an animal is in Foster Care, please bring in your adoption application and schedule an appointment to meet the animal. Call 831-454-7200 x0 during business hours or visit www.scanimalshelter.org for more information! n •••

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter:

Santa Cruz Location (Public Entrance): 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062

Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Watsonville Location: CURRENTLY CLOSED 580 Airport Blvd, Watsonville, CA 95076

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

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Experts recommend that we practice self-care, take the time to be kind to ourselves, and eat, sleep, and exercise safely. Caring for our mental health is a must.

As an essential service provider, Suicide Prevention Service provides a reliable, highstandard crisis response to serve those at risk of suicide or in a crisis, those concerned about someone experiencing a crisis, those providing services and needing triage assistance, support, or debriefing, and those needing help in accessing crisis level resources.

Given the rapidly evolving situation, and as the current crisis exacerbates existing mental health concerns and limited access to in-person service providers, knowing the risks and warning signs of suicide and how to access help is critical.

All age groups and all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups can experience depression.

An estimated 25 million American adults are affected by major depression in a given year, but only one-half ever receives treatment.

Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents are similar to those in other age groups, but depending on age, will vary. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among children ages 15-19, following accidents and homicides.

If you feel suicidal or in crisis, the Suicide Crisis Line number is 1-877-6635433 and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK.

If seeking assistance or information on Bereavement Support Services, please call the Administrative Line for Suicide Prevention Service at 1-831-459-9373.

Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health 1-800-952-2335 is available 24/7, and walk-in crisis services are available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. It is recommended you call for the latest COVID 19 recommendations.

The presence of resources or lack of resources can play a substantial role in a personal crisis; therefore, Suicide Prevention Service has a long history of working closely with other programs and resources throughout the Central Coast communities we serve.

Thankfully, there is a rich network of supportive services available to support individuals and families in navigating many of life’s toughest challenges.

For those not suffering an emotional crisis, another valuable source of information is available by dialing 2-1-1, where you will reach a free, 24-hour emergency hotline linking you to thousands of local health and human services resources. n •••

Nancy Fash is assistant program director, development and operations at Suicide Prevention Service.

Campbell 408-378-4921 900 DELL AVE.

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