Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Halloween 2020! Please visit the Out & About Safely in South County section of my newsletter for safe ways to enjoy the holiday weekend!

As Californians prepare to celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has 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.

We can all start enjoying an extra hour of sleep once again, as Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday. Don't forget to set your clocks back one hour beginning 2 AM, November 1!

While your phones and computers will automatically "fall back" one hour, you'll still have to check your ovens, microwaves and, most importantly, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors!

When you go around your house Sunday, please be sure to replace the batteries in each detector, as doing it now will also prevent the purposefully annoying "chirping" reminder later on, as well as help you, your family and/or business to be better prepared in the event of a fire!

Although the Silverado Fire is now mostly contained, thanks to the heroic efforts by our outstanding Orange County firefighting and law enforcement personnel, South County communities must still remain vigilant and be prepared for the event of another disastrous wildfire in our area, which unfortunately is inevitable.  

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; however, 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 our 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 Shutoffs”
• 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.

Testing a representative sample of Orange County residents for a wide range of coronavirus antibodies, University of California, Irvine researchers found that 11.5 percent of them have antibodies for COVID-19, in contrast to previous estimates of less than 2 percent.

Latino and low-income residents had the highest prevalence of SARS-CoV-02 antibodies with rates of 17 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

UCI researchers led the actOC project in partnership with the OC Health Care Agency, which provided funding, testing sites and input on the study’s survey methods and scripts.

UCI researchers initiated the study because they had a hunch that the prevalence of COVID-19 had been underestimated, since individuals with few to no symptoms were rarely tested. Additionally, researchers are following up every two weeks for four months with a subset of 200 people who tested positive so that they can see how the immune response changes over time.

It’s the first study in California to employ both a truly representative sample and tests for a wide array of viral antibodies, producing an accurate picture of the disease’s prevalence in Orange County. 

It is not yet clear what levels of antibodies indicate near- or long-term immunity for people who have had COVID-19, but continued follow-up with those who tested positive will provide further data over time. For more information, click here.

Vote Centers across the Orange County are now open for in-person voting and ballot drop off, including those previously affected by the Silverado and Blue Ridge Fires.  All layouts at vote centers comply with public health guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To find the nearest location to cast your vote, click here. 

Vote Center Hours:

• Friday, Oct. 30, 8 AM - 8 PM
• Saturday, Oct. 30,  8 AM - 8 PM
• Sunday, Nov. 1,  8 AM - 8 PM
• Monday, Nov. 2, 8 AM - 8 PM
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 AM - 8 PM

While Vote Centers across Orange County have opened and provide an in-person option, you still have the opportunity to simply drop your ballot off in a Secure Ballot Drop Box or utilize the US Postal Service to return you ballot. To find OC Ballot Drop Box Locations, click here or use the interactive mapping tool.

Click the image above for more info.

Please be advised that 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.

Last 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.

Artist rendering of The Groves Senior Apartments.

This week, I had the pleasure of participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for The Groves Senior Apartments in San Juan Capistrano, which will provide 75 units of affordable housing for seniors 62 and older.

I'm proud the County approved and contributed over $1.8 Million in Special Needs Housing Program funding and eight Project-Based Vouchers for development of this outstanding project.

L-R: With Todd & Barry Cottle of C&C Development at the groundbreaking.

Geody & Richard Deffenbaugh

The Dana Point Historical Society’s Founders Day Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the history of Dana Point; and this year’s winners, Geody & Richard Deffenbaugh, have also generously contributed to the Society directly. In honor of the occasion, DPHS held a ceremony this week at their place of business, Dana Point Auto Service.

My Community Relation Advisor, Sergio Prince, presents a proclamation to Geody & Richard Deffenbaugh.

To that end, my Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, presented a proclamation on my behalf, congratulating Geody & Richard Deffenbaugh on being named winners of the Dana Point Historical Society’s Founders Day Award 2020 and commending them for their many outstanding contributions to the history of Dana Point and the community at large. For more information, click here.

This week, my office had the pleasure of presenting commendations at 5th District Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremonies held in Laguna Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita.

My Community Relations Advisor, Sergio Prince, in Laguna Beach presenting a commendation to Lauren Fischer, owner of My Laguna Office.

At the ribbon cutting for RSM Christion School in Rancho Santa Margarita.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 59,718 positive cumulative cases and 1,475 deaths, as well as 182 currently hospitalized with 61 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.

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 has launched 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!

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.

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’

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.

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.

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

In episode four of MFF's Trails &Trailblazers series, Ariel Tweto heads to Colorado, where she goes horseback riding at Molas Lake, visits small-town Silverton for a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, then heads to Mesa Verde to explore ancestral pueblos before a final stop at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, as she gets an entirely new perspective on this colorful state while ziplining 1,000 feet in the air. Watch here!

Click above to watch Trails & Trailblazers: Colorado

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!

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.

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.

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.