Category Archives: Coronavirus

Vagabond and Best Western Turned into Homeless Shelters During Covid-19 Crisis

by Richard Lieberman

The iconic Vagabond Motel has been transformed into a high risk shelter for the homeless population, and it’s next door neighbor Best Western motel have been contracted by the city to serve as homeless shelter during the duration of the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.

Chain-link fencing surrounds the sites and entrances are blocked and guarded by armed security services. Tents have been installed in the parking lots for overflow. Signs at all the entrances warn “For the privacy and safety of our residents, this facility is closed to the media.” Another sign posted at all entrances warns residents of the rules they must follow “ One client per room, No visitors permitted, no profanity, no drug use, no alcohol use, no violence, no foul language, no loud noise.” Currently the Vagabond is owned by Vista Investments which has owned the property since 1997. “We are in it for the long run,” said Zack Cohen, Special Projects Director. Although it appears that once the emergency is over extensive repairs and refurbishment will be needed. “Likely the Vagabond will not be the same when it reopens, but maybe just maybe it will come back stronger for generations yet to come,” added Cohen. The Vagabond Coffee Shop has remained shuttered for two or more years now and now it looks there will be an even longer wait for reopening if it ever occurs.

The County of Ventura and the California Department of Public Health has taken steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus among vulnerable populations in the county. The county secured housing options at the beginning of the emergency. Local motels in the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, and Newbury Park have been contracted to accommodate this population, including the Vagabond and Best Western both located on Main Street, Ventura. Transportation for “at risk” homeless individuals is being coordinated by the county. Medical care, and mental health care are being provided by various county agencies. The shelters are providing housing and care for those considered “high risk” homeless individuals 65+ years old and those having an underlying condition like heart disease, diabetes and other conditions putting those individuals in the “high- risk” category. Persons are medically evaluated before they are cleared for intake into one of the facilities.

“We are trying to place persons in a location near their home community when it is safe to do so,” said Tara Carruth, Program Manager with the Ventura Continuum of Care, and to commit to helping individuals reconnect with that community when it is safe to do so,” added Carruth.

The various county and city agencies have been able to place more than 255 people mostly in motels and continue to accept referrals for people that meet the high-risk category of 65+ years old and those with serious health conditions. Nonprofits throughout the region are providing food, showers, laundry and linkages to housing, shelter and motel placements.

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A message from the Ventura County Area Agency On Aging

The County of Ventura remains in a health emergency. Gov. Gavin Newsom recommended that all individuals 65 and older isolate themselves from the public in an effort to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This order makes VCAAA services and the services of our partnering agencies even more critical. Efforts have been heavily focused on ensuring that older adults in Ventura County have the food and supplies they need to stay healthy and safe. We have been promoting the Help Your Neighbors flyer and Have You Considered video, and encourage you to do the same via social media, e-mail, and in any public setting you deem fitting.

All operations at the County level will remain in place with some changes implemented to keep staff, clients, and the community as a whole as safe and healthy as possible. Those changes include:

Social distancing – asking all individuals to keep a 6-foot distance between themselves and others.
Requesting that all individuals experiencing any kind of illness stay home.
Canceling and/or postponing events that include 50 or more people.
Canceling and/or postponing any events, trainings, classes, etc. that are not time sensitive.
Identifying and establishing the option for staff to work remotely (when feasible) to lessen person-to-person contact.
Increasing the frequency of sanitization of offices.

The VCAAA is implementing all of the above-mentioned practices. Most VCAAA services remain operating at this time, with the exception of Fall Prevention Classes, SNAP-Ed classes, and in-person nutrition counseling. In addition, tax preparation services offered through AARP Tax Aide have been suspended indefinitely. Specific health and safety procedures for VCAAA programs include:

Fall Prevention Classes – all Fall Prevention Program classes have been canceled.

Senior Nutrition Counseling Services and Classes – In-person nutrition counseling and SNAP-Ed classes have been canceled, however counseling via telephone is available. For more information call (805) 477-7300.

Senior Nutrition Program Meal Sites – Please see below for information related to the Senior Nutrition Program meal sites.

Care Management Programs – The VCAAA is working to identify clients who are facing isolation due to the health emergency to ensure that they have the food, supplies, and necessary support.
AARP Tax Services – AARP tax services have been suspended at the VCAAA at this time.
VACE Classes at VCAAA Campus – All VACE classes have been canceled at this time.
Please be sure to emphasize to clients that while many community and senior centers, as well as other service sites, are temporarily closing, the VCAAA’s office will remain open and the Information & Assistance team will be on hand to answer calls and assist clients as they navigate these difficult times.

The VCAAA is now seeking volunteers who are interested in making food deliveries and/or working at the Agency’s Senior Nutrition Garden to help harvest produce that will be given to area residents. Interested parties can contact the VCAAA directly by emailing [email protected]. Please include name, phone number, and cities in which the volunteer can deliver and/or volunteer.

A COVID-19 hotline has been established for immediate concerns. That number is: 805-465-6650. There is a vast amount of information available through VCEmergency.com, including print resources, videos, guidelines, and additional facts and resources related to closures.

If you haven’t already done so, be sure to follow the County of Ventura and Ventura County Area Agency on Aging on social media for updates that are shareable with the community. These updates are also accessible to the public at www.vcaaa.org/news-events/.

Ventura Avenue Active Adult Center:  Closed indefinitely. Home delivered meal services are operating as usual. Congregate meal participants have the option to pick-up a frozen meal daily.  For more information call (805) 648-3035.

Increase funding for services and programs older adults

by National council On Aging (NCOA)

Congress is trying to agree on the content of more legislation to relieve the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak. That means your voice matters more than ever.

To save lives and support older adults in crisis, Congress must include significant increases in funding for services and programs older adults and their caregivers depend on.

Contact your Representatives and Senators today and tell them these four things should be in any COVID-19 relief bills:

Give additional resources to Older Americans Act programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program so more older adults have food, in-home services, and caregiver support.

Make it easier to use Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services so vulnerable older adults can get the care they need at home.

Make essential health care and prescription drugs more affordable for low-income Medicare beneficiaries by increasing premium and cost-sharing assistance.

Help nonprofit charitable organizations maintain operations and meet rapidly growing demand by providing additional support.

Thank you for taking action! Please ask your friends and colleagues to join you. Every voice matters.

Grief Support during the Coronavirus Stay in Place Order

During this challenging time of COVID 19, Livingston Memorial’s Camarillo Hospice is committed to providing bereavement services to the community. Their highly skilled grief counselors and volunteer support group facilitators are providing tele-therapy during the stay in place order to those grieving the death of a loved one. If you, or someone you know is in need of grief support, please contact Stacia Sickle, Coordinator of Bereavement Counseling, at 805-389-6870 x452. For more information on Camarillo Hospice, visit LMVNA.org

Other support groups conducted through Tele-therapy at this time:

  • Young Widow and Widowers Support Group Tuesdays 5:30 to 7:00 pm
  • Widow and Widower’s Support Group Wednesdays 1:00 to 2:30 pm
  • Bereaved Mom’s Support Group: 2nd Thursday of every month 6-7:30 pm
  • Adult Loss of Parent Support Group: 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month 6:00 to 7:30 pm
  • General Bereavement and Good Grief Club TBA

Outbreaks can be stressful

Getting plenty of sleep can reduce stress.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.

Stress during an infectious disease outbreak can include

  • Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones
  • Changes in sleep or eating patterns
  • Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
  • Worsening of chronic health problems
  • Worsening of mental health conditions
  • Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations

How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in.

People who may respond more strongly to the stress of a crisis include

  • Older people and people with chronic diseases who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19
  • Children and teens
  • People who are helping with the response to COVID-19, like doctors, other health care providers, and first responders
  • People who have mental health conditions including problems with substance use

Take care of yourself and your community

Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.

Ways to cope with stress

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body.
  • Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
  • Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
  • Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
  • Avoid alcohol.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.

Older Adults

Non-essential air travel should be avoided.

Older adults, 65 years and older, are at higher risk for severe illness. We are learning more about COVID-19 every day.

What you can do

If you have a serious underlying medical condition:

  • Stay home if possible.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid close contact (6 feet, which is about two arm lengths) with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • Avoid all cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
  • Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and your underlying condition or if you are sick.

For more information on steps you can take to protect yourself, see CDC’s How to Protect Yourself

Stress and coping

Older people are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 which may result in increased stress during a crisis.

Fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions.

Things you can do to support yourself

  • Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories and social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
  • Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
  • Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
  • Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
  • Call your healthcare provider if stress gets in the way of your daily activities for several days in a row.

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call 911

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)

Student run non-profit, STEMbassadors, unites with community to make face shields

Maia Wulff and Alex Wulff working on face shields.

by Thea Wulff- Foothill Technology High School

Through STEMbassadors, middle and high school students from the Ventura Unified School District have been working closely with the community to manufacture and donate hundreds of 3D printed face shields to local hospitals. Under the guidance of Alex Wulff, a middle school teacher at DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts, this project has taken off, with capacity increasing steadily to over 100 units per day. ER doctors and nurses are thrilled by the shields and have already put them to use.

This is a grassroots effort supported by students, teachers, community members and several local businesses. The naval base and CSUCI have played key roles in supporting the massive 3D printing effort. Every day, supporters numbering in the hundreds make donations, 3D printed parts, and help to assemble shields for our hospital staff.

Local businesses have worked selflessly, contributing supplies, materials and expertise. Hundreds of donations from the community have been pouring in to www.stembassadors.net which has been set up to fund the COVID-19 fight. American Plastics, owned by Robert Washington has donated materials to make thousands of face shields. Fastsigns of Ventura has helped to procure additional materials, and Dave’s Signs has dedicated their CNC router to cutting polycarbonate lenses. The level of selflessness and support among community members has been an inspiration to everyone involved.

The STEMbassadors network of makers now extends from Santa Barbara in the North, and down to Los Angeles and inland to Ojai and Simi Valley.

“A week ago, I never would have dreamed we’d have kids making protective gear for hospital workers,” Wulff said. “Now here we are, an entire community has stepped up to help protect the heroes on the frontline of the COVID-19 fight.”

“We are proud of the work that Mr. Wulff and our students are doing to help our community. This project highlights our need for Career and Technical Education to solve immediate problems in our community. I am happy that our District is dedicated to the growth of this area as we move forward together,” stated Dr. Roger Rice, VUSD Superintendent.

STEMbassadors will continue to work with community members to maximize face shield donations to hospitals. They are open for donations on their website, stembassadors.net and are looking for more makers with 3D printers to join the project.

If people would like to contribute to STEMbassadors, they can visit our website at stembassadors.net. Here they can contact us, read more about our vision, and donate.

 

From Steve Bennett

Steve Bennett “The outpouring of generosity in our community has been inspiring.”

Dear fellow Ventura County residents

Today, we stand on the verge of a monumental challenge. Will we as a community effectively implement the Stay Well at Home order? Will we keep our local hospitals from becoming overloaded? Will our collective efforts be relentless enough to save the lives of many of our family members and/or neighbors?

Our medical care providers and essential service workers courageously stand on the front lines and deserve our utmost support. We need to honor their efforts by decreasing the risks they are taking every day. We do that by doing all we can to slow the spread of this virus.

Each of us needs to put the health of our community ahead of our own comfort and desires.

Some of us must do better at following the Stay Well at Home order, and all of us must avoid letting our guard down early. That could reverse the benefits of our sacrifices to date right when we are at a critical stage in this battle.

This is our time to shine and readily make our personal sacrifices, show extra kindness to each other, help where we safely can, and overall make our maximum individual contribution to this great community struggle.

County government has worked hard with federal, state, and other local governments as well as many non-profit organizations to respond to the crisis. County resources are being used to meet the challenge as we procure supplies and materials, assist the most vulnerable, and improve our medical capabilities. You can visit vcemergency.com for overall information and guidance.

Our public and private health care providers are heroically dealing directly with contagious COVID-19 patients. They are ramping up their care capabilities with speed and ingenuity. Nevertheless, their ability to absorb seriously ill patients is not unlimited. We must each do our part to slow the spread and avoid overwhelming our health care system. If that happens, we will face needless deaths in Ventura County.

The outpouring of generosity in our community has been inspiring and heartwarming. People are donating from their own supplies of protective equipment and making generous financial contributions. College students are organizing online tutoring and volunteers are delivering food to homebound seniors. There is help and kindness pouring forth in Ventura County.

Anne Frank and 7 others hid in a 450 square foot attic for 761 days. We can do this folks!

Thank you,

Steve Bennett Ventura County Supervisor

City of Ventura closes parks and beaches in response to COVID-19

In support of the “Stay Well at Home” order, issued by the Ventura County Public Health Officer, all parks and beaches in the City of Ventura will be closed until further notice in order to support the urgent need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 emergency period. This includes the Promenade, Pier, and Wastewater Treatment Plant wildlife ponds.

The County’s modified Stay Well at Home order asks community members to stay inside their homes, limiting all outside movement beyond what is necessary to take care of essential needs and ordering all non-essential businesses to close. Those orders also include restrictions against non-essential travel and gatherings.

“Closures like this are difficult to hear and hard to share as we navigate through significant changes brought on by COVID-19. Our beaches and parks are an integral part of our community and provide many resources for healthy activities,” said City Manager Alex McIntyre. “As a City, we need to take extra precautionary steps to help protect the health and safety of our community members, first responders, and public health workers. The efforts and sacrifices we make now will help save the lives of people we know and love in the future.”

In response to recent public health orders, the City of Ventura has taken a series of emergency actions in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, including proclaiming a “State of Emergency” on March 15, 2020. This proclamation included social distancing practices, cancellations of public events, closures of City facilities, and restrictions placed on bars, nightclubs, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, and fitness centers.

Community members are reminded to follow the advice of County Public Health officials and stay home, wash your hands frequently, and practice social and physical distancing of 6-feet or more when conducting essential tasks.

For the latest updates on impacts to the City of Ventura, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/COVID19.

For public health information and updates happening in Ventura County, visit www.VCEmergency.com.

Community Memorial Health System seeks donations of COVID-19 medical supplies

As Community Memorial Health System prepares for the challenges treating a growing number of patients with Coronavirus (COVID-19), increasing demands on the health system may eventually lead to shortages of supplies and important personal protective equipment needed to protect patients, physicians, and staff. Based on current supply, projected usage, and market demand and supply availability, Community Memorial Hospital anticipates it may face supply shortages of protective masks, protective gowns, face shields, and medical goggles.

For those who would like to donate to Community Memorial Health System, CMHS is accepting donations of the following items only: face and/or eye shields (single use or non-disposable), N95 masks, N99 masks, P95 masks, Standard Procedure masks, isolation gowns, Standard Procedure gowns, coveralls, respirator hoods or hazmat hoods, and reusable P100/N95 respirators and cartridges/filters.

CMHS is not accepting cloth masks. Supplies in original, unopened packaging are particularly useful and appreciated.

The CMHS Donation Drop-Off Center opened on Wednesday, March 25, at the park in front of the new Community Memorial Hospital. Please look for the white tent adjacent to the grass area to bring your donations. Community Memorial Hospital is located at 147 N. Brent Street.

The Donation Drop-Off Center will be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

CMHS appreciates the support of the individuals and organizations who have reached out wanting to support CMHS with donations of medical supplies.

For more information and updates on Coronavirus at Community Memorial Health System, visit cmhshealth.org.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Centers for Family Health, and various outpatient centers serving communities located within Ventura County, California.