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San Diego Food Bank hosts drive-thru food distribution for 1,000 families at Del Mar Fairgrounds

The distribution is first come, first served. The Food Bank will have enough food supplies to serve 1,000 vehicles starting at 10 a.m. until all the food is gone.

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Food Bank and the Del Mar Fairgrounds hosted a large-scale “drive-thru” food distribution Friday, April 3, for low-income families and those affected by the COVID-19 crisis. In order to follow social distancing guidelines, the food distribution was “touchless.” Attendees did not leave their cars. Instead, food was placed directly in the truck.

The distribution was first come, first served. The Food Bank had enough food supplies to serve 1,000 vehicles starting at 10 a.m. The Food Bank said the number of people needing their help is likely doubling thanks to the coronavirus crisis. 

For health and safety reasons, no one was allowed to “walk up” or receive food on foot. 

For more information click here.

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BACKGROUND:  

According to the CDC, coronavirus (COVID-19) is a family of viruses that is spreadable from person to person. Coronavirus is believed to have been first detected in a seafood market in Wuhan, China in December 2019. If someone is sick with coronavirus, the symptoms they may show include mild to severe respiratory illness, cough, and difficulty breathing.  

Currently, there is no vaccine, however, the CDC suggests the following precautions, as with any other respiratory illness:  

Know how it spreads:  

  • There is no vaccine  

  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus 

  • It is thought to spread mainly from person-person between people in close contact 

  • And believed to be spread by respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes 

Protect yourself 

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  • If soap and water aren't available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol 

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth 

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick 

  • Put distance between yourselves and others 

Protect others 

  • Stay home when you are sick 

  • Wear a facemask if you are sick 

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash 

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You can find information on disinfecting and cleaning on the CDC's How to Protect Yourself page. 

The California Department of Public Health has issued guidance on the use of cloth face coverings to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.  

The County of San Diego has made face coverings mandatory for those working with the public including grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, convenience stores, and similar businesses. 

While officials say these face coverings are not a substitute for practices like social distancing and handwashing, there is evidence to suggest that the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission. Officials do not recommend the public use N-95 or surgical masks which are needed by health care workers and first responders. 

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