Democratic Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., calling on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to immediately reverse is decision to rescind public health safety measures and reinstate its order to wear masks in public.

Ruiz is also calling on Supervisors to transparently communicate their social distancing and stay-at -home surge intervention plans and enforcement mechanisms.

“Wearing masks and social distancing are the most effective ways to reduce the spread of coronavirus,” said in a statement. “It will take at least two weeks to see the results of any action taken today, so these measures must be put in place immediately. Any delay will only prolong the surge and cause many more people to become infected, sick, and possibly die.

“Therefore, in the absence of County action, I urge everyone to wear a mask in public when near others, wash your hands frequently, stay at home and when in public for essential errands, stay 6 feet apart. Together with compassion, responsibility, and love for our neighbor, we will protect each other, save lives, and get through this pandemic.”

Ruiz’s call comes in the wake of  Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordering all bars and nightlife to close in seven counties, including Los Angeles County, and recommended that eight other counties close their nightlife as well on Sunday due to the rising spread of coronavirus.

The eight other counties included Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Newsom tweeted the message Sunday afternoon.

Bars and restaurants are closing in Palm Springs because employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

To date, Riverside County has taken no action.

The California Department of Public Health on Sunday announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California’s positivity rate – a key indicator of community spread – is trending modestly upward in the 14-day average.

Hospitalization rates over the long-term are showing a slight uptick in the 14-day average. California has 211,243 confirmed cases to date. Numbers may not represent true day-over-day change as reporting of test results can be delayed. There have been 3,955,952 tests conducted in California. As testing capacity continues to increase across the state, an increase in the number of positive cases has been expected – increasing the importance of positivity rates to find signs of community spread. There have been 5,905 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.“

ICU beds in Riverside County are 99% full and hospitals have initiated their surge capacity expansion plans.

 

 

Image Sources

  • face mask: Pixaby