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Dear Community Members, Two weeks ago, the County of Orange issued an order to close bars, gyms, and more. Dr. Nichole Quick, our County Health Officer, also directed everyone to perform social distancing. Governor Newsom reinforced this policy with his Stay at Home order for the State a few days later. Social distancing and isolation are no longer a debate whether it is warranted. All over the world, this practice is put in place. The effectiveness in limiting the spread of COVID-19 can be found in how early the policy of shelter-in-place is implemented and how rigorously do people adhere to that policy. If we follow them, these measures will help us to avoid the worst. We won’t know for weeks or months if we succeeded, but we can do more than just hope for the best. Government alone cannot solve this COVID crisis. It’s up to each one of us to fight this disease. The longer that people don’t comply with our public health orders, the more people will die, and the longer our restaurants and other businesses will suffer from closures or reduced hours. Just because you don’t feel sick doesn’t mean you aren’t sick. And just because the virus may not kill you, it doesn’t mean you won’t kill someone else by spreading it around. We can all take more precautions. What medical experts and scientists throughout the country are telling us is the surge is starting in California, and it will severely strain our health system for the next 4-8 weeks. The surge of cases does not mean these new patients are getting infected today. What the surge means is that people are already infected and they are just now becoming symptomatic, so they are tested as part of their diagnosis. There are many who are infected who are yet symptomatic and they are out there. Again, just because you don’t feel sick doesn’t mean you aren’t sick. If you look across the country, many states saw their cases skyrocketed, while others saw only modest growth. The difference is because some took, if not state-wide, then local measures to reduce the spread of Coronavirus. We must protect the weakest among us – our elders, and those with chronic health conditions. While our medical-industrial complex mobilizes in the weeks and months ahead, we must all stand against needless death and suffering in Orange County. There is some evidence that the public should wear some sort of mask. Let our doctors and nurses get professionally made masks first. In the meantime, we can wear homemade masks, which are better than nothing, when we leave our homes for essential purposes. We are also hearing that people are avoiding essential medical treatment out of fear. Please, if you have a doctor’s appointment, consider taking your visit over your phone or computer. This is called “telemedicine” or “telehealth.” I have been working to ensure that we are allowing for the maximum use of this service. And if you have a medical emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911. I have been working with County CEO Frank Kim and his staff in the HCA to increase the update information we are providing to the public each day. As we all brace for the full impact of C19, we want the public to be aware that we have the capabilities at present, both in the public and private sectors, to deal with the coming surge when more C19 patients become symptomatic. If we all do our part, we can start going back to normal sooner. Best wishes, 
Andrew Do Supervisor, First District Vice Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors
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