Volunteers Needed for M.B. Advisory Boards
If readers want to be involved in the government aspect of the community, the City of Morro Bay is looking for volunteers for the Citizens Oversight/Finance Advisory Committee (1), Harbor Advisory Board, Public Works Advisory Board and Recreation and Parks Commission (one each).
The deadline for application submission is Friday, May 13 by 5 p.m. Application and eligibility information is available on the City Clerk’s webpage at morrobayca.gov/advisorybody.
Completed applications can be emailed, mailed or returned at the drop box located at City Hall at 595 Harbor St.
New Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines
Following CA State Public Health, the SLO County issued new orders for isolation and quarantine for those who are exposed to COVID-19 but do not experience symptoms and do not test positive.
These changes mean many people who have been exposed to COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms are no longer required to quarantine at home. However, they should get tested five days after the exposure, wear a well-fitted mask around others for 10 days following the exposure, and monitor for symptoms. Anyone who tests positive or develops symptoms must immediately isolate.
“The bottom line is still, stay home if you’re sick or test positive for COVID-19,” said County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein. “If you’re exposed to COVID-19, please be vigilant about masking, testing, and monitoring for symptoms—and be honest with yourself and others if you start to experience even mild symptoms like a headache or sore throat.”
Quarantine is still required in high-risk residential settings (such as shelters, corrections, health care and long-term care) and is recommended for people who either had a high-risk exposure (such as to someone in their household) or are at higher risk of infection because they are immune compromised or haven’t been vaccinated. Specific State guidelines apply to child care, schools, health care settings, and other workplaces.
SLO County, like most California counties, is no longer carrying out individual contact tracing to notify residents that they have been exposed to COVID-19. Instead, those who test positive will receive a text message or email notification with detailed instructions to isolate and direction to inform their close contacts.
“If you are exposed and do not quarantine, please remember you must be extremely diligent in masking until after day ten,” said Dr. Borenstein. “That means avoiding situations where you might take off your mask, like eating at a restaurant.”
Detailed isolation and quarantine guidance and copies of the new Health Officer Orders are available online at www.slopublichealth.org/quarantine-iso.
Cal Poly to Open New Latinx Center in Fall 2022
Cal Poly plans to open a new Latinx Center during fall quarter 2022, with a tentative grand opening ceremony and celebration slated as part of Latinx Heritage Month in September.
The new center is intended to create an environment that fosters belonging, empowers Latinx students to thrive, and provide them holistic support. In turn, the center will offer these students the opportunity to gather and build community while exploring their cultures, histories and traditions. Open to all students, the center will feature an accessible computer lab, lounge space and culturally relevant workshops and collaborative programming.
The Latinx Center will be the newest addition to Student Diversity and Belonging (SDAB), a collective of campus resource centers within Student Affairs that aim to provide a home away from home for underrepresented students at Cal Poly.
In addition to the new Latinx Center, SDAB’s Pride Center and the Men and Masculinity Program will transition to expanded spaces in the University Union this summer.
For more information about Student Diversity and Belonging centers and programs, visit https://culture.calpoly.edu/.
Central Coast Clean Campaign Targets Tobacco Waste
A new county collaboration will target trash, litter, and harms of tobacco waste. The County of San Luis Obispo Tobacco Control Program (TCP) has joined the Central Coast Clean campaign, expanding the campaign’s focus to address the harms of tobacco waste.
The Central Coast Clean campaign aims to decrease the amount of litter that makes its way into waterways and affects water quality on the Central Coast. Organizers say, addressing tobacco waste can go a long way to achieving that goal. A recent report by the Ocean Conservancy shows that in 2020, 22.6% of items collected during California trash cleanups were cigarette butts.
With TCP’s support, the campaign will increase social media messaging on the issue of toxic tobacco waste and encourage quitting the use of tobacco products.
The partnership will also place new tobacco waste receptacles at public locations in the cities of Grover Beach and Morro Bay. Messaging on the receptacles encourages smokers to dispose of tobacco waste properly and provides a QR link to free tobacco quitting services through Kick It California.
“Nobody enjoys cigarette butts on our beaches, in our streets, or in our waterways,” said Amy Gilman, Tobacco Control Program. “This campaign helps keep harmful waste out of our water and is a natural complement to our work supporting people who want to stop using tobacco.”
Learn more about the County of San Luis Obispo Tobacco Control Program by visiting www.slocounty.ca.gov/Tobacco. Learn more about the Central Coast Clean Campaign by searching the hashtag #CentralCoastClean or following @slostormwater on social media.
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