COVID-19: Part 50

December 4, 2020 4:08 pm
  • Quarantine Day 263
  • Livermore cases: 1,433
  • Alameda County cases: 29,990; deaths: 513
  • U.S. cases: 14,041,000+; deaths: 275,000+

Well, sadly as expected, things are rapidly deteriorating around the country as people still refuse to follow basic medical advice. We'll only now be seeing the beginning of the surge from reckless Thanksgiving travel and congregating, but the public health situation across much of the country is already becoming quite alarming.

California just issued new, more restrictive shelter-at-home orders tied to regional ICU capacity (restrictions tighten when available ICU capacity falls below 15%). The SF Bay Area is projecting to hit that capacity within two weeks, but decided to act now and implement the new restrictions immediately.

So, beginning Monday, Alameda county will have new restrictions in place until Jan 4, 2021.

  • All gatherings with other households are prohibited.
  • All retailers operating indoors are restricted to 20% max capacity, must meter access and no food or beverage consumption allowed inside.
  • Campgrounds are closed.
  • No out-of-state, non-essential travelers allowed at hotels unless long enough to allow necessary quarantine and quarantine is followed.
  • All residents must remain at home unless engaged in "critical infrastructure" activities.

The following must close:

  • Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
  • Indoor recreational facilities
  • Hair salons and barbershops
  • Personal care services
  • Museums, zoos, and aquariums
  • Movie theaters
  • Wineries
  • Bars, breweries, and distilleries
  • Family entertainment centers
  • Cardrooms and satellite wagering
  • Limited services (services that operate without close customer contact such as laundromats, dry cleaners, landscapers, dog walkers, electricians, appliance repair, plumbers.) I believe/presume there is a continued exemption for emergency work necessary to maintain the habitability of a residence.
  • Live audience sports
  • Amusement parks

The Lab just started this week a pilot program of on-site COVID-19 testing for employees. It has also extended expected telecommuting through March.