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State mandates face coverings in public; local health officials stress the importance of following COVID-19 guidelines

  • Kern Sol News

    • Roberto Sandoval has been working construction recently in the Los Angeles area but was laid off. He believes it is because the employers are trying to have smaller crews so the workers are not so close together. He is hoping he will be called back to work soon. Asked about President Trump’s issue with latino immigrants he says, it’s a political issue, you haven’t heard much of that only this, (the current issue of the coronavirus.) Roberto’s main concern is that people want work. “We will see what happens going forward,” Roberto Sandoval says of the peoples need for work. As people in Bakersfield are told to observe isolation and distancing precautions because of the Coronavirus pandemic effecting the United States and the world, the streets in Bakersfield are much less crowded during peak hours. Some businesses can remain open if they provide essential needs of the population. While many have closed doors. Photos by Henry A. Barrios for Kern Sol News

    Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday a state-wide mandate that requires Californians to wear face coverings while in public.

    The Governor outlines in a press release that Californians must wear face coverings in high-risk areas, including in public spaces; when obtaining healthcare services; while waiting or riding in public transportation; while at work when interacting with other people; while driving or operating public transportation; and while outdoors in public spaces.

    According to the California Department of Public Health, there is scientific evidence to suggest the use of cloth face coverings by the public during a pandemic could help reduce disease transmission.

    “Their primary role is to reduce the release of infectious particles into the air when someone speaks, coughs, or sneezes, including someone who has COVID-19 but feels well,” reads a news release.

    During a press conference Thursday, Kern County officials stressed the importance of wearing masks, washing hands, social distancing and not touching one’s face.

    Ryan Alsop, Kern County’s Chief Administrative Officer, said taking these precautions can have a positive impact on Kern’s hospital capacity.

    “We can’t fall back in a cave for the next year,” Alsop said. “We have to find a way to begin to reopen businesses with adaptations under public health guidance…we need people to be vigilant and be aware.”

    Kern County is now seeing an average of 80 new COVID-19 cases a day. Health officials confirmed Thursday 78 news COVID-19 cases and one more COVID-19 related death.

    “We are really emphasizing those methods that have been proven to work,” said Matt Constantine, the director of Kern County Public Health.

    Public health has been emphasizing these methods through social media campaigns and is working on a new video project that promotes these methods, according to Constantine.

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