News

With the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases and the resulting shelter-in-place order, everyday life has changed substantially and that can be challenging and stressful. With that in mind, Sonoma West Times & News spoke with two local therapists to get their opinions on how to cope during this difficult time.

Sonoma County schools tackle the challenge of online education

An update in COVID-19 cases for Sonoma County on Friday night, March 27, saw the county’s cumulative cases rising to 54 cases, with 40 classified as active and 13 as recovered. One person in Sonoma County has also died from the virus. With Friday’s case update came demographic information from the Sonoma County Department of Health Services — something that County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase said would be released following the county’s 50th case.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday afternoon, March 24, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved an urgency ordinance that suspends the eviction of tenants for failing to pay rent. The ordinance applies to cases in which a tenant’s failure to pay rent is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in that they’ve lost income or have had to pay for substantial medical needs as a result of the outbreak.

According to a statement on March 25, in response to increasing risks of exposure to the coronavirus (COVID-19), the upcoming town council meetings will include the option to view and participate via Zoom.

Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) on Wednesday recommended that Sonoma County school districts plan to continue distance learning through at least May 1. This guidance was based on consultation with the Sonoma County Health Officer and was made in consultation with the county superintendents in Napa, Marin, and Solano counties. These counties will also be advising schools to plan for in-person classes to be canceled through May 1.

Local senior centers are stepping up and rolling out several different programs to help ensure that seniors are getting access to fresh food, prescriptions and other necessities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated statewide shelter-in-place mandate.

With the recent shelter-in place orders from county and state officials, and the rise in cases of COVID-19 throughout the state, regular everyday life has changed substantially and that can be challenging and stressful for many people.

Local community groups tend to highlight how they’re preparing for the emergencies that are more frequent in Sonoma County — namely, fires and floods. However, struck with a different kind of emergency with COVID-19, the county’s local Citizens Organized to Prepare for Emergencies (COPE) and Map Your Neighborhood groups, as well as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), are leaning into the core of their preparedness measures and training.

The Healdsburg Unified School District (HUSD) announced Wednesday afternoon, March 25, that it would be suspending in-person classes through May 1.