Applications are still being accepted for the Small Business Grant Relief Program on a first come, first funded basis, as eligible businesses and nonprofits may still receive grants of up to $10,000 within the following 5th District cities:

• Aliso Viejo
• Laguna Niguel
• Laguna Woods
• Lake Forest
• Mission Viejo
• Rancho Santa Margarita
• San Juan Capistrano
• Unincorporated Communities (including Ladera Ranch and Rancho Mission Viejo) and a portion of Irvine.

The program will permanently close July 19 at 5:00 PM or when each city allocation is exhausted, whichever comes first. The application portal will continue to be updated with information regarding available funding.

I am very pleased to report that during Round 1 of the application process (June 22-28) 872 applications, totaling approximately $8.6 Million in grants were approved. Awardees were notified and funding was distributed this week. You can find a listing of awardees here.

Applications received during Round 2 (June 28 – July 5) are currently being screened. Funding of approved applications will be distributed beginning July 13.  

Program eligibility, criteria, and link to the application can be found at the dedicated webpage. For more information, please see the image below. 

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) continues to release the daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 22,650 positive cumulative cases (including 1,133 today) and 412 deaths, as well as 672 currently hospitalized with 227 in ICU.

Please be advised that the city data is reflective of where cases live, not necessarily where transmission occurred. Additionally, city numbers should not be interpreted to reflect where transmission is geographically focused or not, as COVID-19 is present in all communities in Orange County.

Case counts are also not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick. Asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.

Because transmission occurs throughout the County, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by the Governor and the Orange County Health Officer regardless of the case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospital and healthcare system, and protect those most vulnerable in our county.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently launched its new COVID-19 Data Dashboard, which uses a GIS mapping software platform to display data charts, graphs and maps. Specific data is available for viewing in both a Desktop Version as well as a Mobile Version by clicking the CDPH Data Monitoring tab located at the bottom of the page.

Key features of the new COVID-19 Data Dashboard include:

1. Utilizes data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for all 33 hospitals in Orange County, including those without emergency departments.

2. Confirmed cases will be reported based on the date of specimen collection to be more in line with the State and help reduce reporting time-lags.

3. Case maps at the city and ZIP code of residence are displayed. By clicking on the city or ZIP code area, a pop up box displays the number, rate, as well as skilled nursing facility (SNF) cases.

4. Deaths are reported and mapped by city and ZIP code of residence. By clicking on the city or ZIP code area, a pop up box displays the total number, as well as the number of SNF deaths.

5. A new tab reporting the CDPH's COVID-19 monitoring metrics has been added that reports the three main metrics: disease transmission, hospitalizations, and hospital/intensive care unit capacity trends.

Please visit our new COVID-19 Data Dashboard and select the Desktop Version or the Mobile Version to view additional information on Orange County COVID-19 cases; then click the CDPH Data Monitoring tab located at the bottom of the webpage to view specific data charts, graphs and maps.

Posing the question - “Could it be COVID?” - the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched a multifaceted community outreach and advertising initiative aimed at the County’s most vulnerable populations – people who can’t get COVID-19 testing from their health care providers or may not have insurance.

Partnering with community health centers that are performing FDA-approved PCR testing, HCA's COVID-19 testing network has now grown to nearly 20 locations throughout Orange County, where people with symptoms can get a FREE PCR test, the most reliable testing available to detect current infection. In addition, four Optum Serve test locations and more than 30 private providers now offer no-cost testing.

Orange County residents can click here or call the HCA Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448 to make an appointment at a nearby test site. Next day or same day appointments are available. Testing priority is given to people with symptoms, as well as asymptomatic individuals who are health care workers, first responders, social services employees, or those who are or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.  

Focusing on symptoms of COVID-19 - such as coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell - County ads feature images of people coughing, holding their head, and blowing their nose with the simple premise that you can get the answers you need with FREE COVID-19 testing.

To view our Board of Supervisors Toolkit, click here or below.

Click the image above for more info.

The State of California last week announced the closure of indoor operations for certain business sectors. The order applies to counties that have remained on the State’s Targeted Engagement list for three consecutive days, which included Orange County, and affects the following business sectors:

• Restaurants
• Wineries and Tasking Rooms
• Movie Theaters
• Family Entertainment Centers (bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades)
• Zoos and Museums
• Cardrooms

In addition, the State recently amended its guidance regarding youth sports practices, team drills and training, and will no longer allow these activities to occur throughout California.

The health, safety, and economic well-being of Orange County residents remains my top priority. While I fully understand frustration over the State’s most recent closures, I am hopeful that by taking immediate and narrowly tailored action, we can get back to reopening as soon as possible. This virus is not going away anytime soon, so the best thing we can do is continue to exercise good judgment and take precautionary measures.

The State indicated that the above closures will remain in effect for approximately three weeks. For full details on the State’s instructions, click here.

New “Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings” was issued recently by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), which updated existing CDPH guidance for the use of cloth face coverings by the general public when outside the home.

The updated guidelines mandate that face coverings be worn statewide in the circumstances and with the exceptions outlined in the document below. It does not substitute for existing guidance about social distancing and handwashing. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to enlarge
and scroll down for more information.

As OC slowly starts to reopen, and in an effort to keep the public informed on all issues related to reopening process and COVID-19, the County recently launched a new website, Together OC. The site is designed to provide residents and businesses with a one-stop-shop for all COVID-19 related matters.

In addition, the site will be updated frequently and provide the latest information on business sector re-openings, county health orders, unemployment benefits, frequently asked questions, and much more. For more information, please visit Together OC.

Many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet. Unfortunately, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money. Now would be a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys used by scammers for COVID-19.

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or
friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters.    

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's website, 

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website. 

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

For general information about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (833) 426-6411, HCA website, or follow HCA on Facebook and Twitter.

Enjoy a FREE live-stream event Friday, July 10 at 6:00 PM on AlertTheGlobe.com. The show, taking place tonight at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, will feature Fan Halen. And Saturday, July 11 at 6:00 PM, The Coach House will live-stream Whitesnaked on AlertTheGlobe.com. 

Then on Sunday, July 12, Capistrano Live, with hosts Doug Starks and Jim Taylor, will be at The Coach House to introduce Jason Feddy, "2019 Laguna Beach Entertainer of the Year," at 7 PM on AlertTheGlobe.com, as well as a Special Pre-Show at 6 PM with comedian/entertainer Doug Starks.

With the City of Laguna Beach officially canceling many summer events due to COVID-19, the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association live-streamed the 2020 Laguna Beach Virtual Fête de la Musique held Saturday, June 20.

For the past several years, my office has been a proud sponsor of the annual Fête de la Musique in Laguna Beach. As such, I invite you to watch their 2020 Virtual Fête. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to watch the Fête again!

Experience great art from celebrated museums around the globe virtually through the magic of tableaux vivants, or living pictures, Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach has launched #TourDePageant, showcasing past Pageant re-creations with real people posing as works of art. This art-stopping online initiative offers a unique look into some of the most famous museums in the world, all from the comfort of your home.

With society practicing social distancing, the arts are needed more now than ever. Festival of Arts hopes this online initiative will enrich, entertain and inspire during this challenging time.

Laguna Playhouse brings you their "Play-at-Home" series, designed to keep you connected to the Playhouse artists you love, and some more fun stuff to pass the time while your at home. For more information, click here.

Sunset Serenades from your Sofa is a new virtual video series. The Laguna Beach Arts Commission has postponed the May and June concert series due to COVID-19, but the musicians want to give the community a personal message.

Even though Pacific Symphony has temporarily suspended live concerts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a public health precaution, the Symphony will stay in touch online, serving up culture and entertainment. Their Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all the Symphony’s offerings online!

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente is the historic home of Ole Hansen, the founder of the city of San Clemente, Casa Romantica invites you to Live Virtually @ the Casa and enjoy world-class arts and culture in your home with highlighted Casa virtual artists and activities. For more information, click here.

Mission San Juan Capistrano invites all to visit their Digital Resource Center (DRC) for continued ways to experience, learn, and interact with the Mission through many digital events and video tours. For more information, click here.

If you can’t come to Ocean Institute in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, we want to bring Ocean Institute to you! A variety of topics will be covered, including ocean science, ocean conservation, and maritime history. Lessons include a video resource and an educational activity for you to try at home. For more information, click here.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) recently announced its new Virtual Programs webpage, as OCPL staff worked hard to create some amazing digital content. To that end, OCPL has dozens of virtual programs published on social media (with dozens more in their backlog ready to be published!) and our communities are responding positively to the new way we are providing service.

This site is updated regularly. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.