In previous years, my office was pleased to co-host the annual South County Disaster Preparedness Expo held in the City of Mission Viejo, which featured a wide-array of state-of-the-art emergency response vehicles and equipment, including exciting displays and demonstrations by our Orange County Fire Authority and Sheriff’s Department, plus interactive vendor booths from numerous participating organizations, as well as thousands of attendees from throughout the 5th District.

At the 2019 South County Disaster Preparedness Expo in Mission Viejo.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, as well as the State guidelines prohibiting mass gatherings, this year’s event was reimagined as the Virtual South County Emergency Preparedness Summit 2020, which aired twice daily from September 30 to October 21 on Cox Communications Channel 39 and is still available for viewing online.

This year has been the most destructive wildfire season in the history of California; and although Orange County has thus far avoided a catastrophic wildland fire in 2020, the fact is some of the most disastrous blazes in OC history have occurred during October and November, when Santa Ana winds are often prevalent, including the Freeway Complex Fire (2008), Santiago Fire (2007) and Laguna Beach Fire (1993). 

It's not a matter of whether another catastrophic wildfire will occur in OC, but when, especially in communities adjacent to wilderness areas and open space. Get Prepared. Learn How!

2007 Santiago Fire as seen from Lake Mission Viejo

In the South County Emergency Preparedness Summit, you will hear timely presentations from several of Orange County’s leading experts on emergency preparedness during the age of COVID-19, including:

• Dr. Clayton Chau, County Health Officer - "COVID-19 in the County of Orange"
• Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes - "County of Orange Emergency Response Efforts"
• Donna Boston, Director, Emergency Management Division, OCSD - "Personal Emergency Preparedness"
• Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, Orange County Fire Authority - “Wildland Fire Preparedness in Orange County”
• Caroline Choi, Senior Vice President, Southern California Edison - “Public Safety Power Shutoff Program”
• Doug Bauder, Vice President/Chief Nuclear Officer, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) - “SONGS Emergency Preparedness”

San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

I hope our program will help you to better understand some of the ways Orange County is working hard to protect our residents in the event of a major emergency during the age of COVID-19, as well as how you can also better prepare yourselves, your families and local businesses. To view the South County Emergency Preparedness Summit 2020, please click here.

OC Fire Watch volunteers are a dedicated group specially trained to deter arson activity, ensure early fire detection and provide public education about fire danger. Fire Watch volunteers are not trained as firefighters, but provide an important component to prevent destructive wildfires.

The OC Fire Watch network is activated during Red Flag conditions when there is a high fire risk. Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service during periods of high temperature, low humidity and high winds.

OC Fire Watch volunteers are deployed to high visibility areas posts, where ignition sources are likely, and widely distributed near wilderness open spaces throughout the OC Parks system. Posts are typically covered by two volunteers in four hour shifts. For more information, click here.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) encourages community members to drop-off expired, unused or unwanted prescription medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 24 at numerous locations throughout Orange County.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that are stored in home medicine cabinets are highly susceptible to misuse. Rates of prescription drug misuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

To help keep everyone safe, drop-off sites will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations. To locate a drop-off site near you, please visit the DEA’s website or call (800) 882-9539. Drop-off service is free and anonymous. For more information, click here.

There have been recent reports of groups promoting unofficial ballot drop boxes that are NOT affiliated with Orange County Elections. In some instances, they are promoting these ballot drop boxes as “official” or “secure.” The use of such unauthorized, non-official ballot drop boxes is prohibited by state law. 

Voters who want to return their ballot at a drop box should only use official county drop boxes. Official ballot drop boxes are clearly recognizable, designed to meet state standards for security, and bear the official Orange County Elections logo and County seal.

Image of an official Orange County ballot drop box.

Locations of Orange County’s official ballot drop boxes can be found here. For more information, including important tips for voters, please click here. 

Neal Kelley, Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV), has also released an important message for all Orange County voters. This message includes information on in-person voting options under COVID-19, election security, and our operational plans with the United States Postal Service. To read the message, click here. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

This week, the Orange County Human Relations Commission released the 2019 Hate Crime Report. It documents an alarming 5-year rise in hate crimes in Orange County. However, unlike the last four reports, it comes out in the middle of a national movement for racial equity. 

Hate crime has a unique and devastating effect because it targets whole communities through the violence and terror against one of its members. Let’s push back against the fear and rhetoric that would have us believe that so many of our neighbors are really our enemies. We can be an inclusive county where the people who live here feel safe and good about staying here. To view the 2019 Hate Crime Report, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to read the Report.

As Californians prepare to celebrate Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released Guidance for Safer Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations during COVID-19.

The guidance strongly discourages traditional trick-or-treating and encourages families to plan safer alternatives.

Suggestions include a candy scavenger hunt at home, scheduling online activities like pumpkin carving and costume contests, and car-based tours of Halloween displays.

The guidance also covers Día de los Muertos, a Mexican tradition celebrated in the Latino community honoring the deceased. Día de los Muertos celebrations often include gatherings of extended family as well as cemetery visits. Families are encouraged to place traditional indoor alters outside so others can view them from a safe distance, create virtual altars online and keep cemetery visits short in duration and limited to people within the same household.

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting a press conference at Outlets in San Clemente to announce the official launch of my Fifth District COVID-19 Nutrition Gap Program.

At Outlets at San Clemente for the Nutrition Gap Program press conference.

Needless to say, COVID-19 has had a tremendously negative impact on our communities over the past several months, making it extremely difficult for our seniors, veterans, and disabled residents to keep food on the table. The virus has instilled a lot anxiety in people, especially our elderly. Some are afraid to go to the grocery store for fear of catching COVID, or simply don’t have the means necessary to get there.

While programs such as CalFresh, congregate and home delivered meals, along with the Great Plates program, are fulfilling some of the need, there are gaps and instances where people just don’t have enough food to get by. That’s where the Nutrition Gap Program comes in.

The Nutrition Gap Program was designed to fill those gaps and help our seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals have enough food so they don’t go hungry nor are counting the days until their next meal. The program provides eligible participants with a food box containing enough food to last two weeks. Each box contains groceries, fresh produce, and prepared meals from Ruby’s Diner, delivered directly to the individual’s home.

Nutrition Gap Program food box display

I'm pleased to be able to bring this program to our most vulnerable residents with the hope it will provide some sustenance and peace of mind during these difficult times.

I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to 211 OC, Second Harvest Foodbank and Ruby’s Diner for participating in this program. Our nonprofits and local businesses, especially restaurants, have experienced many demands and challenges during this pandemic. As such, I'm happy to offer a program that not only helps our residents, but also supports our struggling economy.

For more information or to sign up, please visit 211oc.org or simply call by dialing 211. You can also text your zip code to 898211.

Los Patrones Parkway extension

This week, my fellow Supervisors and I approved the submittal of a County grant application to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), requesting $1.875 million in Measure M2 funds for a project I have been very involved in for many years, the Los Patrones Parkway extension.

The thoroughfare will be a non-tolled extension of Los Patrones Parkway from Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata and will provide significant traffic relief, regional mobility and enhanced public safety in South County. If the County’s application is selected, there will be a local funding match of 25%, which will officially kickoff funding for this much needed project! To view the Agenda Staff Report, click here.

As a member of the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors, I'm pleased to report we are conducting a transportation study that will consider transportation needs of residents, commuters, and visitors in south Orange County.

During the next 25 years, the population in South County is anticipated to grow by 16 percent (about 170,000 residents), and employment is expected to grow by 18 percent (about 130,000 jobs). This growth will result in more people traveling throughout south Orange County.

To that end, OCTA is conducting a strategic transportation study that will consider the future transportation needs of residents, commuters, and visitors. Through collaboration with local stakeholders, the study will identify a broad range of improvement recommendations for all modes of transportation, including streets, transit, freeways and bikeways.

The area covered by the study encompasses about 40 percent of Orange County, generally south of State Route 55 to the San Diego County line, and from the coast to the foothills.

Your input is extremely valuable as we address South County’s mobility needs through the year 2045. Please take this brief 12-question online survey or call 833-711-8070 until October 30. 

In addition, a recording of a virtual meeting conducted earlier in October is available on the website. For more information about the South Orange County Multimodal Transportation Study, click here.

Travel patterns and transportation needs have continued to evolve since OCTA’s last major transportation study of the area in 2008. The projects from that study have resulted in a more than $1.5 billion investment in the area, including the I-5 carpool lane project between San Juan Creek Road and Avenida Pico, and the I-5 widening between SR-73 and El Toro Road now under construction.

Since the 2008 study, other significant changes have occurred, including the elimination of the SR-241 Toll Road extension in favor of a non-tolled extension of Los Patrones Parkway, a decline in traditional transit ridership, the introduction of mobile transportation apps and on-demand services such as Uber and Lyft, as well as the introduction of community transit options like shuttles and trolleys.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 58,010 positive cumulative cases and 1,440 deaths, as well as 162 currently hospitalized with 58 in ICU.

Please be advised that 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 hospitals and healthcare system, as well as protect those most vulnerable in our county.

The Orange County COVID-19 Data Dashboard 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.

Please visit the 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 tabs at the bottom of the webpage to view specific data charts, graphs and maps.

If you thought wearing masks wasn’t cool in Orange County, think again! All of Orange County’s 34 mayors have teamed up to send a message to residents, businesses and visitors: “Mask Up to Open Up OC!”

The message comes in a video featuring Orange County’s mayors socially distant and masked up at iconic locations across Orange County, including Laguna Beach’s Festival of the Arts / Pageant of the Masters. The video drives home the point that across diverse Orange County, we are all in this together and must work together to keep fighting coronavirus in our communities.

As Orange County’s COVID-19 case numbers and testing positivity rates continue a dramatic decline, we’re moving toward gradual reopening of more businesses and activities. But as we do so, wearing masks will be more important than ever to ensure we maintain our progress, keep our cases low and prevent another shutdown. To view the video, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

With flu season now upon us, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is already anticipating the potentially devastating effects of a double whammy of influenza and COVID-19 cases hitting in the fall and winter months and urges everyone to get a flu shot.

Recognizing all of the things that people are worried about, such as paying bills and dealing with the stress of social isolation due to COVID-19, the County is launching a flu vaccine campaign designed to encourage people to get their flu shot so they have one less thing to think about. The tag line is “Don’t worry about the flu, too!”

According to a Centers for Disease Control study of the 2018-19 flu season, of people 19 years of age and older,
48.7% of White people received flu shots, while only 39.4% of Black people and 37.1% of Hispanics received the vaccine. 44% of Asian people were vaccinated. A study conducted in Orange County of the 2015-16 flu season produced very similar breakdowns in people vaccinated.

The flu vaccine will be available as a shot or mist form at the Family Health Clinics by appointment only, 8 AM - 11:30 AM and 1 PM - 4 PM, Monday - Friday. Clinics are closed 11:30 AM - 1 PM. People who live in the County should call 1-800-914-4887 for an appointment. There will also be flu pop-up clinics throughout the community that will be listed here.

The similarities in symptoms between the flu and COVID-19 are startling. Our website features a lot of important resources about the similarities and differences between the two illnesses, as well as treatment and prevention. In order to mitigate the spread of the flu, I urge people to read these materials and get the shot as soon as possible!

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 continue to 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 What You Feel is Real webpage. 

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’

MacGillivray Freeman Films, based in Laguna Beach, has the inspiration you need for your next adventure! 

In episode three of their Trails & Trailblazers series, Ariel Tweto meets up with Navajo native Shaun Martin to run the Ultra Marathon in Arizona's Canyon de Chelly, an event that celebrates Navajo culture and heritage. Ariel's adventure next takes her to ancient Antelope Canyon and Utah's Pando Aspen Grove, the largest living organism on Earth. Time to start exploring! 

Click above to watch Trails & Trailblazers: Arizona & Utah

Council on Aging - Southern California recently presented An Evening of Comedy, featuring hilarious comedic performances by Frances Dilorinzo (a 5th District constituent), Fritz Coleman and Craig Shoemaker! If you were not able to watch the event live or want to relive the fun of the evening, the video of the event is available now on their YouTube channel!

Get in the spirit of Halloween by joining the San Juan Capistrano Historical Society for their annual Ghost & Legends Tour with an updated 2020 socially distant safe tour, taking place through October 31 on Historic Los Rios Street! For more info, click here.

OC Parks proudly presents OC Parks Spooky Series, a frightfully fun week of virtual Halloween offerings happening on social media October 26-31.
 
Tune-in to OC Parks’ Facebook and Instagram for a daily series, including Halloween-themed highlights from Orange County parks and the OC Zoo, along with a bewitching Shakespearean scene filmed at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens.

The week of virtual programming will culminate with a rock-and-ghoul performance from local cover band, Past Action Heroes on Saturday, October 31 at 4 PM. For more information, click here.

For your listening pleasure through November 8, South Coast Repertory (SCR) proudly presents It Can’t Happen Here, a new radio play from Berkeley Repertory Theatre. SCR is one of more than 100 theatres across the country to support this YouTube event. To listen to the full radio play, plus the live Q&A that follows, click here. 

For your convenience, you may also listen to each of the individual episodes that make up the full radio play: Introduction, Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, and the Q&A. To read the Program, click here.

Click the image above for more info.

Cirque du Soleil is proud to present CirqueConnect, offering an escape from everyday life through the delight and whimsy of their shows. Now more than ever, they want to do their little part to spread joy, even from afar, directly to your safe spaces. Let them welcome you into their world, where awe-inspiring show footage and fan favorite videos will transport you. Click the image below and enjoy the show!

Click the image above to enjoy Cirque du Soleil!

Although Pacific Symphony has suspended live concerts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a public health precaution, Pacific Symphony will stay in touch online, serving up culture and entertainment.

Their Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all of the Symphony’s offerings online! Check back regularly as new musical experiences are continuously being added!

Pacific Symphony performing with Pacific Chorale.

In their first self-produced virtual choir, Pacific Chorale sings a stirring performance of Bobby McFerrin's heart-felt setting of The 23rd Psalm, dedicated to his mother, Sara. Sara McFerrin was an accomplished singer, veteran music educator here in Orange County, and a longtime Board member of Pacific Chorale. She passed away last December.

Sara and Bobby McFerrin

Pacific Chorale dedicates this virtual performance of "The 23rd Psalm (Dedicated to My Mother)" to all who have suffered illness and loss due to COVID-19. To view the video, click on the image below.

Click on the image above to the video.

Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach recently launched its first digital exhibit, foaVIRTUAL, featuring a wide variety of media, including paintings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, handcrafted wood and furniture, ceramics, glass and more. Enjoy reading the artists' bios and learn more about their careers in art!

Festival of Arts has also launched foaTV, an online library of videos created for the fans of the Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters to help the community stay connected while also encouraging the appreciation, study and performance of the arts.

Lastly, you can experience great art from celebrated museums around the globe virtually through the magic of tableaux vivants (or living pictures), as Festival of Arts previously launched #TourDePageant, showcasing past Pageant of the Masters 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 masking-up and practicing social distancing, the arts are needed now more than ever. To that end, Festival of Arts hopes their online initiatives, including foaVIRTUAL, foaTV and #TourDePageant will enrich, entertain and inspire you during this challenging time.

The Ocean Institute, located in beautiful Dana Point Harbor, in September concluded its first Virtual Maritime Festival, a multi-layered interactive and educational event. 

Replacing the annual Tall Ships Festival, Ocean Institute sees their new virtual event as an annual festival moving forward. The inaugural Ocean Institute Maritime Festival was complimentary to all participants, with the goal to further education in all things maritime.

Click here to view all of the live interviews and content from the amazing weekend! To view the Festival's YouTube Playlist, click here.

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.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) hopes you are well and safe, they are working to offer art and inspiration online. We believe art has the power to connect us, and we hope that you will enjoy these new ways to stay connected with Laguna Art Museum.

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

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) provides links to various websites to enjoy At Home Learning opportunities supporting the goals and mission of DSBIA and the California State Parks. These sites offer enrichment of subjects and provide information in a topic of personal interest for both children and adults. 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.

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) has a 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 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.