Weekly Roundup for July 29, 2022

Today’s digest provides helpful and important updates on the following:

1. Latest news from County of Sonoma
2. Drought town halls and wildfire preparedness
3. Weekly update on COVID-19 in Sonoma County

Latest News from County of Sonoma

Sonoma County begins process of reopening Joe Rodota Trail 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/sonoma-county-begins-process-of-reopening-joe-rodota-trail 

Commission on the Status of Women, Sonoma County Spirit Award 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/commission-on-the-status-of-women-sonoma-county-spirit-award

Want to read more about what we're up to at the County of Sonoma?

Sign up for the SoCo Correspondent monthly newsletter here:
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Newsroom/SoCo-Correspondent/

Drought Town Halls & Wildfire Preparedness

Join Sonoma Water and the County of Sonoma for a series of monthly town halls to provide the latest information on drought conditions, answer questions and explore key topics, including the impact of the drought on groundwater, recreation, water quality, agriculture, and wildlife.

Drought town halls occur the first Thursday of every month at 4 p.m. and run through November on the following dates: Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6, and Nov. 3.

Register here to view the upcoming Aug. 4 town hall on Zoom and pose questions to panelists: https://sonomacounty.zoom.us/.../WN_l2UFucwXQmu5KHf7q4wEOw

Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available on Zoom. Questions may also be submitted in advance to publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org.

For more information, please visit: www.SoCoEmergency.org/drought 

Also, with fire season underway, make sure you subscribe to SoCoAlert and Nixle warning systems to receive alerts. Sign up here: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/sign-up/

Plus, make sure you know your official evacuation zone: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/evacuation-map/

Information on how to prevent equipment sparked fires due to lawn mowing, trailer chains, or driving on dry grass or brush, or with low tire pressure, is available here:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use/

Defensible space is an essential buffer between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. Learn more:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/

Weekly COVID-19 Update for Sonoma County

The latest variants of COVID-19 are highly contagious, though for most people it is not more harmful than previous versions of the virus. For those at risk, such as people who are older, obese, diabetic or have other serious health conditions, the virus can still make you very sick.

That is why it remains important for all of us to:

• VAX UP. Get vaccinated and boosted. It’s safe, effective, and free. Everyone ages 6 months and older can benefit from getting vaccinated. It can reduce your risk for the most serious health consequences associated with COVID-19, including hospitalizations and death. 
• MASK UP.  Regardless of vaccination status, it is recommended everyone ages 2 years and older wear a mask in all indoor public settings (like the grocery store). You should also consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings. Be sure to choose a good mask that fits well.
• TEST AND REST. If you're sick, stay home. Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, even if you are vaccinated and boosted.

For more information about the virus, including where to find COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinics, visit https://socoemergency.org/emergency/novel-coronavirus. 

As schools prepare to welcome students back to class next month, Sonoma County public health officials and the Sonoma County Office of Education will host joint webinars in English and Spanish at 4 p.m. on Aug. 10 and 11 to review the latest trends in COVID-19, share current guidelines for students and school staff, and discuss initiatives in local schools designed to keep students, staff, and their families healthy.

The California Department of Public Health has consolidated key resources and information related to COVID-19 and schools at its Safe Schools for All Hub: https://schools.covid19.ca.gov/.

Learn more about the COVID-19 mitigation strategies to keep students, staff, and communities safe in the 2022–23 K–12 Schools Guidance:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/K-12-Guidance-2022-23-School-Year.aspx. 

Information on changes to COVID-19 testing strategies for the 2022–23 school year is available in the 2022–23 K–12 Schools Testing Framework:
https://testing.covid19.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/332/2022/05/Preliminary_Testing_Framework_K-12Schools_2022-23.pdf.