SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Monday, April 13, Governor Gavin Newsom gave a COVID-19 update from Sacramento. You can watch the entire conference here.
“[COVID-19] knows no borders. It knows no walls,” said Newsom.
Newsom announced a new $42 million effort to "invest in building supports all throughout the state of California" to address "the persistent issue of our childcare, particularly children in our welfare system,” said Newsom.
“It is so important to address vulnerable communities,” said Newsom.
According to Newsom, Child Protective Services (CPS) can currently make less in-person visits, and with schools closed, there are less referrals and points of contact if a child needs help.
This plan includes a $313,00 investment to give laptops and cell phones to foster children, according to California Department of Social Services Director Kimberley Johnson. According to Newsom, 86,500 children are within this statewide system and 59,000 of those children are in foster care.
An additional $200 per month will go to "families most at risk." This will help with essentials like food during this time of “deep, deep need.” The package goes into effect immediately.
Newsom announced that at noon on Tuesday, California, Oregon, and Washington will debut a “bottom-up” framework plan that’s “scientifically-based” for the process of reopening the three western states and their economies.
Newsom thanked Governor Brown and Governor Inslee for this partnership, which Newsom called a "spirited collaboration.”
According to Newsom, 3,015 Californians are in the hospital as of Monday. 22,348 Californians have tested positive for COVID-19. 687 people have died from COVID-19 statewide.
“Sadly, 687 families will not be going back to normalcy,” said Newsom. “Our heart goes out to each and every one of those family members.”
Previous coverage:
Governor Gavin Newsom previously addressed Californians again on Friday at noon about the state’s response to COVID-19.
On Friday, the biggest issue that the governor touched on was the new way the USNS Mercy will be used. Newsom said the ship will prioritize seniors from nursing homes that are not infected with COVID-19. He says the ship will be used to get the healthy people away from those who are infected trying to reduce hot spots.
Newsom also said an idea that was brought about via NBA star Steph Curry and his wife, Ayesha. FEMA will now help support local restaurants to deliver meals to seniors who are isolated at home. Newsom said Meals on Wheels is a fantastic organization, but it is unable to supply all the meals that are needed.
Newsom said it's a crucial week for public health in California.
Data from the IHME shows there’s no shortage of PPE in California for the expected peak of resource use. There are more than 26,000 beds available and almost 2,000 ICU beds available. The organization is also projecting that 668 ventilators will be needed.
The IHME also projects 66 coronavirus-related deaths in the state on Wednesday, April 15.
Additionally, Californians on food stamps might be seeing some extra funds on their EBT card pretty soon, according to the California Association of Food Banks.
The organization said people on CalFresh not getting the maximum benefit amount for their household could see a benefit boost on April 12 or May 10.
The boost comes from the Families First Act passed by Congress and signed into law on March 18.
