Contra Costa Herald

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Residents challenge John Muir CEO and Exec. VP over firing of Trauma Director for letter questioning county health orders

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Social media post asking for county residents to contact John Muir Health executives over the firing of Dr. deBoisblanc. Source: anonymous (Information redacted by the Herald)

See doctors’ letter to Dr. Chris Farnitano and Contra Costa County Supervisors; effort now challenges compensation of John Muir executives

Dr. Michael deBoisblanc. Photo: BASS Medical Group

By Allen Payton

Last Friday, Dec. 18, Dr. Michael deBoisblanc was fired as the Medical Director of Trauma and Regional Services for John Muir Health. One of the partners in his private practice, the Bay Area Surgical Specialists (BASS) Medical Group, Dr. Pete Mazolewski, who also works at John Muir, confirmed the firing and said it was done, “without explanation.”

However, according to an NBC Bay Area news report, deBoisblanc “was reassigned after questioning COVID-19 restrictions” and “in a phone call…the doctor said, ‘clearly the interpretation of my letter to the county … they felt the need to separate themselves and remove me from my position.’”

A phone call to John Muir Health’s Director of Corporate Communications, Ben Drew, on Friday, Dec. 18 was never responded to.

That Dec. 10th letter (see below), by deBoisblanc, Mazolewski and Dr. Brian Hopkins, also a member of the BASS Medical Group who works at their John Muir, was sent to Contra Costa Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano and county supervisors. It questioned the impacts of the health orders on the mental health, and the need for it when ICU beds are impacted every winter, as well as the impacts on businesses.

In response, a letter writing campaign was begun through social media to question both Cal Knight, John Muir’s President and CEO, and Jane Willemsen, the Executive Vice President and President of Hospital Operations for both John Muir’s Walnut Creek and Concord Campuses, as well as John Muir Behavioral Health.

Resident’s Letter to John Muir CEO & EVP

Calvin Knight, CEO & President, John Muir Health. Photo: JohnMuirHealth.com

As part of the campaign, the following letter was sent to Knight and Willemsen, and provided to the Herald anonymously:

“Dear Mr. Knight and Ms. Willemsen,

I am writing you as a very concerned Contra Costa County resident in order to address the recent news of what appears to be a retaliatory termination and/or reprimands directed towards three doctors at John Muir relating to a letter addressed to Contra County Health official – Dr. Chris Farnitano.  As has been reported on NBC Bay Area, KTVU, The California Globe and several other news agencies, it is incredibly concerning that it appears as if John
Muir took retaliatory measures against those doctors for what seems to be a very thoughtful and respectful letter addressed to Dr. Farnitano (California Globe posted the letter in its article).  Additionally, it does not appear as if any of the doctors listed any association with John Muir, or inferred that they were speaking on its behalf in the letter.  As a lifetime California and a 21+ year Contra Costa County resident I am very concerned that John Muir’s actions seem more focused on intimidation and retaliation rather than what is in the best interest of the hospital and our community. Please see three of my specific concerns below:

  1. This is a global pandemic and there are countless well respected views that differ on best practices and treatment.  These differing views are widely articulated by county health officials, mayors, governors, state politicians, research institutions, doctors, nurses, etc.  Based on the doctors letter, I (and many others) feel it was a very thoughtful, well written and respectful letter in both tone and content. The tone was in no way disrespectful nor was there any mention of John Muir.  Additionally, it did not seem in any way out of line with medical questions/comments made daily by many, many well respected health leaders across the country on how to best respond to the virus taking into consideration both short term and long term impacts.

    Jane A Willemsen, Executive VP, John Muir Health. Photo: JohnMuirHealth.com

  2. Recently there have been many doctors in print and on TV from Stanford, UCSF, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and many other well respected institutions who have very publicly voiced conflicting points of views/opinions and openly included the names of their institutions (not just that they were doctors).  Stanford even recently posted that they supported some of their doctors conflicting views given the amount unknowns regarding the virus.  I have not heard of any retaliatory actions taken on any of those individuals.
  3. Most concerning of all is that John Muir’s actions appears to be retaliatory/intimidating in nature and could seriously compromise staff at the hospital from speaking up in the future. If there is a culture of “don’t say anything or you risk termination”, then no one will ever speak up even when there are serious concerns regarding patient care, best practices or worse outright illegal/harmful activity. As a result, John Muir’s institutional credibility will significantly suffer even more over time and ultimately patient care will be compromised. This is not the type of environment that gives the community confidence in its hospital or its leadership.
    I fully understand that there are many differing points of view regarding best practices, treatment and long term impacts on all actions taken to address the pandemic.  That being said, based on all of the reporting and posted letter that I have seen it does not appear as if the doctors did anything wrong or disrespectful relating to their relationship with John Muir, the community and more importantly their Hippocratic oaths. To be honest, it really feels like the type of thoughtfulness and concern that you would encourage from everyone at the John Muir, including its administrators and executives.”

Letter From Three Doctors

Following is the text of the letter sent by the three John Muir doctors:

“December 10, 2020

Dr Farnitano and Contra Costa County supervisors,
We are writing to you with deep concern regarding more lockdown measures for our county. We feel the science is clear that more lockdowns lead to much more non covid morbidity and mortality as supported by the CDC.
We are confused as to why this is happening as we are often overcapacity in our hospitals and ICUs every winter and we have never done this previously. We also run our ICUs normally at a high rate of occupancy as this is most cost effective.
Here are the issues in a nutshell:
1. Excessive PCR testing is leading to numerous false positive results.  The specificity of PCR testing is really unknown but I have seen many authorities claim it is no higher than the low 90% range because of the attempt to be 100% sensitive using cycle threshold standards of 40. (sensitivity is inversely related to specificity)
2. For the sake of illustration, I will assume a 97-98% specificity which is likely far too high. Back in March when the county could only perform 300-400 tests per day, a 98% specificity would only lead to 6-8 false positive tests. Now we have reached up to 8000 tests per day. With a 98% specificity, that would lead to 160 false positive cases a day in our county. With a population of 1.1 million that would put us at 14.5 positive cases per 100,000 population and we would find ourselves in the worst possible tier based solely on false positive tests!!! This is absolutely a fact of epidemiology/science.
3. Again we have normal ICU and hospital winter surges that happen every winter and we never had any county lockdowns.  Our county figures on your website show essentially a stable ICU occupancy from July 1st to today. In addition on your website, we only have a minimal surge in hospitalized patients as compared to last year.
4. When you test like this for everyone that comes into your hospital, ‘hospital covid patient” numbers will rise simply because you are capturing more asymptomatic disease in patients who otherwise are visiting the hospital for other reasons.
5. Public policy is being based on these erroneous numbers and assumptions.
6. Public policy with shutdowns (various closures) leads to excessive non covid related deaths. Please see attached CDC article which shows clearly that these excessive deaths are most pronounced in the 25-44 year old age range with numerous weeks during this year that 40-50% excessive deaths are seen in this age group. When you measure in terms of life-years lost as compared to life-years lost with actual covid deaths, it is not even close. We are harming more people in our community who do not have nor are at risk of having significant covid disease with senseless closures of businesses and schools. This is data supported.
7. The CDC and pediatric societies across America have voiced their support of opening all schools. School age children are not significant vectors of the disease.
With this information above, can you answer the following questions:
1. How do you account for these high numbers of false positives with the county tiering system? Do you throw these numbers out so that only true positives are counted?
2. Why did you not intervene with any type of community closure in the past winters when our hospitals were at overcapacity? What is different now?
3. What data do you have that supports closures of businesses like gyms and outdoor dining while keeping other businesses open like walmart? What data do you have that supports that we stay indoors as opposed to outdoors? (all the science that we have reviewed supports a predominantly 99% indoor vehicle of transmission).
4. Why have you gone against the medical experts in not recommending the opening of our schools?
5. What about our county’s ICU figures caused you to trigger a closure? As you can see on Contra Costa County website, ICU occupancy has been stable between 75 and 80% since July 1st despite changing covid admissions. Please be specific here. When we run normally at 75% occupancy, why is 85% so terrible? We handle these surges every winter. It is expected.
We look forward to your reply.
Sincerely
Pete Mazolewski, MD, FACS, USAR
Brian Hopkins, MD,
Mike deBoisblanc, MD, FACS, USAR”

John Muir Responds to Letter

In what appears to be a response to the doctors’ letter, on Dec. 11, John Muir Health issued the following statement regarding Stay-at-Home Order and COVID-19 response

“John Muir Health continues to work closely with the Contra Costa County Public Health Officer and Contra Costa County Health Services in support of their efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. We fully support the health orders, including the most recent Stay-at-Home order, implemented by County Health Services to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have great trust in the County Health Department and appreciate all they have done to support the safety of our community under very difficult circumstances.

We realize there are a number of opinions on the Stay-At-Home order, including within our medical staff, but these views do not represent the views of John Muir Health. This is not a normal winter season. We have significantly expanded our ICU capacity to care for more COVID and non-COVID patients. Every day, we see the devastating effects of COVID-19 on patients and urge our community to wear a mask, not to gather with people outside their home and to limit any non-essential activities.

We will get through this pandemic, and it will take all of us working together. If you need health care, please do not delay seeking care. We are here to safely care for our patients and the community. Our courageous medical teams, who have displayed tremendous resiliency and compassion in the face of unrelenting challenges, appreciate the community’s support.”

Executive Compensation

In addition, the effort is also, now challenging the compensation of the non-profit healthcare organizations executives. According to John Muir Health’s 2018 tax return, Knight was paid nearly $4 million and Willemsen earns almost $1.9 million. (See page 85).

Pages from John Muir Health’s 2018 tax return.

No Response Yet from County Health Officer or Supervisors

As of Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020 the doctors have yet to receive a response to their letter. Efforts to reach Farnitano, county health communications staff and the five members of the Board of Supervisors, Thursday afternoon, were unsuccessful.

12/24/20 6:17 PM UPDATE: However, according to Kim McCarl, Communications Officer for Contra Costa Health Services, following “is the statement that the department released on Dec. 11.”

“Contra Costa County and all of California are in the grip of a deadly pandemic. The number of COVID-19 patients in our county’s hospitals has more than tripled in the past 30 days. The number of intensive care unit beds occupied by COVID-19 patients during the same period has more than doubled – and we do not believe the full effect of local transmission during the Thanksgiving holiday has reached our hospitals at this point. Also, flu season, which sends many people to the hospital, hasn’t peaked yet.

This wave is neither seasonal nor is it normal. It’s illogical to look at what happened at hospitals in prior years to predict what we can expect now. In years past, we weren’t dealing with a once-in-a-lifetime global pandemic.

We cannot afford to wait until our hospitals are actually full to make policy changes to reduce the spread of this deadly virus.

It would be irresponsible to suggest that universally accepted, proven-effective public health prevention measures to promote physical distancing are not in order at this time.

It would be dangerous at this moment to promote unfounded, unsupported theories about the efficacy of the standard test used to detect COVID-19, or to deny the reality that hospitals across California are rapidly filling with people who are very ill because of this virus.

We are now nearly a year into this pandemic. We have learned a few things along the way. We know from experience that stay-at-home orders, as challenging as they are for everyone, flatten the curve and save lives.”

Yet, when asked if the county staff had sent that letter to the three doctors, one of the three, Dr. Hopkins, replied, “No. They did not respond.”

“I saw this but it wasn’t sent to us directly,” he continued. “Lots of problems with this.  It all ‘sounds’ good and appeals to those not trained in science or medicine or statistics . They still haven’t been able to show that the ICU and/ or hospital numbers are different from prior years. Also “case” numbers are up compared to Spring, but the numbers don’t translate to the same numbers of deaths proportionally as the Spring wave for a ton of reasons.”

“Additionally, the data shows lockdowns have not been effective anywhere in the world at stopping the spread in areas where the virus is established,” Hopkins explained. “Finally, they missed the boat entirely on our message:  that the lockdowns are more destructive than the virus itself. This is an epidemiologic disaster from the standpoint of suicides, missed medical appointments and cancer screenings, depression, drug overdoses, etc.”

“So, they actually didn’t address anything in our letter. This response looks like it was written by a junior high school student.  Pathetic,” he concluded. “We are right about this just like we were in April and May when we said kids need to be back in school. Now, that is undisputed. The data backed that up back then, as well.”

“Ian Miller has some very nice graphics on lockdowns, mask mandates, and their lack of relationship to case numbers and deaths. See: https://rationalground.com/mask-charts/ or his Twitter feed is even better: Twitter@ianmSC,” Hopkins added.

From rationalground.com

 

Dr. Anthony Fauci’s special message to Lafayette in interview with Councilmember Cam Burks

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Dr. Anthony Fauci with Lafayette Councilmember Cam Burks during an online interview on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. Courtesy City of Lafayette.

Hello Lafayette:

On Tuesday, December 22, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, for a virtual one-on-one fireside chat to briefly discuss the state of the current virus situation and how well we, Lafayette as a community, have been doing.

I congratulated him as just a few hours before our chat, Dr. Fauci himself received his first vaccination shot!

He praised Lafayette and encouraged us to continue our measures, and to become vaccinated as soon as it becomes available to us. He provided valuable advice on how we can prevent transmission and was genuinely proud of our community for taking COVID-19 so seriously.

Dr. Fauci turns 80 on December 24. As a surprise, I sprang on him the idea that we, as a city, would proclaim December 24, 2020, as Dr. Anthony Fauci Day in Lafayette. He excitedly accepted!

Just another example of Love Lafayette!

You can watch Dr. Fauci’s message to Lafayette on the City’s YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/40xxtGLreA0

Happy holidays, happy New Year, and please be safe.

Cam Burks, Lafayette City Council

Following death threat, protests Supervisor Mitchoff drops COVID-19 business fines hike proposal

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Reads unedited profanity laced email during Tuesday meeting

Unlikely radioactive material dumped at Keller Canyon Landfill in Pittsburg

Prioritize teachers for COVID-19 vaccine

By Daniel Borsuk

Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, choking back tears after receiving an emailed death threat and listening to an avalanche of protests to her proposal to boost county public health fines on small businesses violating COVID-19 orders, requested the idea be dropped at Tuesday’s Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Supervisors earlier heard from a number of anonymous callers, presumably restaurant owners largely hit by county health inspections and penalty fines.  Most of the speakers protested that the current fines of $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second offense and $1,000 for each additional violation within one year of the initial violation were too extreme.  If a violation continues for more than one day, each day is treated as a separate violation.

At the Board’s December 8 meeting, Mitchoff had proposed the county dramatically increase fines in order to send a message to businessowners thinking of violating county ordinances.  At that meeting the supervisor had said, “I would like to see, $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000 fines.  We have to do something different.  If they want to stay open and spread COVID they have to pay the price.”

Prior to receiving the threatening email or listening to anonymous businessowners torpedo her proposal Tuesday, Mitchoff said “If we do not do something, we’ll lose credibility.  I see many businesses in Concord and Pleasant Hill obey county orders and are closed, but restaurants in Danville are open.”

A group of Danville and San Ramon restaurant owners have stirred up most of the protests.

“We receive 13 complaints a day including customers not wearing masks or not social distancing,” Contra Costa County District Attorney Dianna Becton told the supervisors.  The DA has assigned two inspectors for health code violations.

“Small businesses are really suffering,” said Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, who said one small busines owner pleaded with her for help because he had difficulty paying his property taxes.  “I am not going to support higher fines.  I am not in support of higher taxes. It won’t work.”

Later, Mitchoff caved into the public protests and especially upon receiving a sort of “interesting”, profanity-laced message during the meeting that she received from Ricky Gunz and read verbatimm:

“F— you Bi—. Sleep lightly. There are some bad people out there.  Karma is a motherf—r.  Keep trying to fine business and see what happens.”

“We hear the pain and the frustration,” said Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond. “It is all about saving lives and slowing the spread of COVID-19 to the 15 percent intensive care unit (ICU) capacity level.  We’re trying to save ICU capacity.”

Earlier supervisors learned from Contra Costa County Public Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano that Contra Costa had 181 COVID-19 patients in local hospitals, but more crucially, 133 patients were occupying ICU beds.  There are a total of 183 ICU beds in the county.

“That’s a significant increase,” said Farnitano. “Our case rate is 36 cases per day.  December will be our deadliest month.  Of 500 patients, five will die of COVID19,” he warned.

Keller Canyon Landfill Probe: “Unlikely that radiological materials were disposed of at Keller Canyon”

Supervisors also voted 5-0 to accept a two-page report on an investigation whether any radioactive materials from the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard were transported to the Keller Canyon Landfill in Pittsburg.  The report, prepared by TRC Solutions, Inc. was initiated after news reports initially published on April 21, 2018 in the San Francisco Chronicle and later picked up by other news outlets including the Contra Costa Herald about allegations of improper dumping of radioactive materials had occurred in the landfill.

“TRC’s forensic audit started in October 2018 and concluded in May 2019.  Documents reviewed by TRC included special waste authorizations, soil analytical data reports, Hunters Point work plans and reports, Standard Operating Procedures, portal monitor calibration records, and landfill data to ascertain if radiologically contaminated materials were received by KCL from Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.  In addition, site visits were performed at both KCL and HPNS in April 2019,” the report stated.

“Based on this review, of data, reports, logs, interviews, and site visits, it is concluded that it is very unlikely that radiological materials of concern (i.e., radionuclides specific to Hunters Point contaminations and in exceedance of background) were disposed of at Keller Canyon. To obtain certainty that no radiologically contaminated material from Hunters Point was received at Keller Canyon, limited environmental field sampling could be performed at Keller Canyon.”  Republic Services of Contra Costa operates the landfill.

Pittsburg City Manager Garret Evans said the city will continue to monitor the landfill based on the history of landfill’s previous issues about allegedly poor inaccurate data about air monitors and lead.

“Keller Canyon has been very cooperative.  This has been an important and thorough study that has gone through several community meetings, “said Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, whose District 5 includes the landfill.

Resolution Prioritizes Private and Public Teacher Receive COVID-19 Vaccines

Supervisors passed a resolution urging Gov. Gavin Newsom, the California Department of Public Health and all other state health officials to ensure that all public, parochial and private classroom teachers and staff receive the COVID-19 vaccine at no cost in order to assist school officials to reopen schools when it becomes safe to do so.

Two Cannabis Community Benefit Agreements Approved

Supervisors approved the community benefit agreements with two cannabis retail outlets – The Artist Tree V storefront commercial cannabis dispensary in El Sobrante and the Authentic 925 in Pacheco.  The two items acted on consent items.

The actions mean applicants for the two businesses are nearing approval of use permits whereby the owners will be required to pay the county community benefit taxes based on prospective retail sales.  In the case of SGI Pacheco, doing business as Authentic 925, the county will receive on an annual basis, $150,000 or 1.5 percent of the business’s gross profits, whichever is greater.

In the case of The Artist Tree V, the community benefit is based on percentages of annual gross sales of 2 percent or 3 percent depending on whatever will be gross sales during the operating year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed first to frontline health workers in county

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Then will follow federal, state framework

Joint Statement of the Bay Area Health Officers

As Bay Area nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 patients receive the first, small batches of a rigorously tested vaccine, the region’s Health Officers see hope: we now have a critical tool to help fight this pandemic.

These vaccinations in acute care hospital settings follow a federal and state framework adopted locally that will also soon protect those living in skilled nursing facilities, settings where elderly, vulnerable members of our communities are more likely to have severe illness and die from COVID-19.

As vaccine supplies grow to eventually include other groups, the Bay Area’s Health Officers and federal officials believe these safe and effective vaccines will work in tandem with the daily habits and essential public health work that will ultimately end the pandemic.

Those key steps to fight the pandemic include public health work to protect high-risk groups and health care workers, identifying and isolating cases, and also tracing and quarantining contacts. For the public that means wearing face coverings, avoiding gatherings, postponing travel, and staying home whenever possible.

“This first batch of vaccines will protect our front-line healthcare workers so they can help our hospitals withstand the current winter COVID-19 wave and save as many lives as possible,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County’s health officer. “Now is the time to double down on our efforts to slow the spread of the pandemic so that we can all stay alive and healthy until there is enough vaccine for everyone.”

The 12 health officers for the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma and the City of Berkeley support the state’s vaccine distribution guidelines, which now prioritize healthcare workers in acute care facilities. Each jurisdiction will use that roadmap to implement the distribution of vaccines in this first phase, which may take several months as supplies increase. Vaccines for the general public may be available by early summer.

All of the region’s health officers plan to take the vaccine when the opportunity comes.

These early doses of COVID-19 vaccine come amidst an unprecedented surge of cases regionally and statewide. As hospitals’ intensive care units near capacity, stay at home orders are either in place or anticipated soon throughout the region.

Staying home saves lives.

“In this darkest hour, the vaccine gives us a beacon to show the direction we’re headed,” said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, Health Officer for the City of Berkeley. “The actions and daily habits we each take increase the light on that path and improve safety for all.”

Learn more about the state’s guidelines for the first phase:

California Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 1A distribution guidelines

 

Contra Costa Health Officer shortens quarantine period to 10 days

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Today, Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Contra Costa Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano, shortened the time for quarantines from 14 days to 10.

Following is the updated Mass Quarantine Order:

Date of Order: 12/10/2020

This order supersedes HO-COVID19-32 (October 8), the order requiring the quarantine of persons exposed to a person diagnosed with COVID-19. Quarantine separates individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 from others until it is determined that they are not at risk for spreading the disease.

Based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this order shortens the quarantine period for most individuals from 14 to 10 days. This order also prohibits employees of detention facilities and long-term care facilities from returning to work for four days after completion of the 10-day quarantine requirement.

See the complete order, here.

 

Kaiser Permanente awarding $1.1 million in grants to non-profits to improve community health

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Grants increase access to health care, improve economic security and address mental health and wellness

By Kerri Leedy, PR and Media Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Dec. 7, 2020 – To address the health needs of the community, Kaiser Permanente in the Diablo Area has awarded $1.1 million in grants focused on increasing access to health care and coverage, improving economic security and addressing mental health and wellness.

The Kaiser Permanente funding to 28 non-profit organizations will help low-income, at-risk communities in Central and East Contra Costa County, and the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County.

The 28 grants are aligned with Kaiser Permanente’s mission of improving the health of our members and the communities we serve. Kaiser Permanente recognizes that many factors impact health including social, economic and environmental conditions in the community. Through support of local non-profit organizations, Kaiser Permanente is working toward improving health for all.

“Our communities are facing significant and unprecedented challenges,” said Marty Ardron, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area. “These organizations are committed to helping by providing vital health and mental health care, housing, and food assistance. We are proud to support them.”

The following nonprofit organizations received support from Kaiser Permanente:

Increasing Access to Care:

Axis Community Health Supporting Complex Patients with Case Management Services
Brighter Beginnings Increasing Access to Healthcare in Antioch
Contra Costa County COVID-19 Ambassadors Project
District Council Contra Costa County Society of St. Vincent de Paul RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul
La Clinica de La Raza, Inc. Connecting Families to Health Care
Planned Parenthood: Shasta Diablo Inc., DBA Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) Promotores: Increasing Access to Health Care
RotaCare Bay Area Provision of Healthcare to Contra Costa County’s Uninsured Population

Improving Economic Security:

Alameda County Community Food Bank Farm Fresh Produce Program
Contra Costa Crisis Center Thrive Local Contra Costa: Follow up services for homeless 211 callers
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Food Distribution in Contra Costa County
FRESH APPROACH Access to Nutritious Foods in East Contra Costa County
Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc.) Key steps: Path to Permanent Housing and Healing
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa Nourishing Lives Through Food
Monument Crisis Center Ingredients for a Healthy 2020-21
Open Heart Kitchen of Livermore Inc Hot Meals Program
Opportunity Junction, Inc. Administrative Careers Training to Improve Economic Security for Low Income Adults
SHELTER, Inc. Supporting the Behavioral Health of Homeless Families
Trinity Center Walnut Creek Youth Wellness Advocacy

 Addressing Mental Health and Wellness:

Family Justice Center of Contra Costa Thrive Local Contra Costa
Antioch Unified School District Mental Health & Wellness Initiative
Counseling Options & Parent Education, (C.O.P.E.) Road to Recovery
Fred Finch Youth Center Contra Costa County School Based Services
Lincoln Trauma-Informed Care
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Parent Outreach Coordinator
Mindful Life Project Countering ACE’s with Innovative Mindfulness Programming in East Contra Costa County
Monument Impact Mentes Positivas En Acción
Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa Educating the ARC of ACEs within out LGBTQ+ Communities through and Intersectional Lens
Rubicon Programs Inc. Wellness, Work, and Mobility

About Kaiser Permanente

For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org.

 

East Bay Regional Park District facilities closing Dec. 6 due to rise in COVID-19 cases

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Photos by EBRPD.

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

Effective 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2020, all campgrounds, outdoor museums (visitor centers), and children’s playgrounds at East Bay Regional Park District locations will be closed until further notice as mandated by the six Bay Area county regional health officers’ order announced yesterday.

Facility Closures Include:

  • Ardenwood Historic Farm
  • Regional Parks Botanic Garden
  • Regional Park visitor centers remain closed, including Black Diamond, Big Break, Coyote Hills, Crab Cove, Sunol and Tilden

Campgrounds Closures Include:

  • Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore)
  • Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Oakland)
  • Robert Sibley Regional Preserve Backpack Campground (Oakland)

Future camp reservations through made through January 4 will be cancelled, including for the Sibley backpack camp, and customers will receive full refunds.

Outdoor activity is encouraged by health officials during the new Regional Stay Home Order. The Park District reminds visitors that spending time in nature is important for mental and physical health and wellbeing. To keep yourselves and Park District staff safe when visiting regional parks and trails, please wear masks when within six feet of others and recreate responsibly. Please keep parks safe for everyone by following all COVID-19 safety requirements.

The California sector closures and restrictions on activity under the State’s Regional Stay Home Order are described here.

Limited Contra Costa Superior Court closure beginning Monday, Dec. 7

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By Matt Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County

COVID-19 cases have spiked, resulting in a new stay-at-home order for the county effective this weekend. To limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the Court will enact a LIMITED COURT CLOSURE effective Monday, December 7, 2020, and until further notice.

THE COURT WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Exceptions are criminal preliminary hearing witnesses, attorneys, and defendants in matters with time not waived. Masks are required for entry.

JURY TRIALS ARE SUSPENDED. Criminal preliminary hearings with time not waived will proceed.

JURY SERVICE. Jurors summonsed to report on or before January 11, 2021: Your service has been completed. You do not need to call or report for jury duty.

THE COURT WILL NOTIFY YOU OF RESET HEARINGS. If your matter is to be reset, the Court will notify you of the new date, with hearings to be by Zoom or CourtCall. Instructions and links for Zoom/CourtCall, public access to audio streaming where available, and court calendars may be found on our Court Calendar webpage.

ALL CLERK’S OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. FILINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL OR DROP BOX ONLY. The limited closure is NOT a Court holiday for filing deadlines. Drop boxes will be available from 8 A.M. – 4 P.M at the following locations:

Civil: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. o Criminal: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.

  • Family: Main entrance of Family Law building in Martinez.
  • Juvenile: Main entrance of the Walnut Creek Courthouse.
  • Probate: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
  • Pittsburg and Richmond courthouses: These drop boxes are available only for filings in case types heard at those locations.

ALL COURT RECORDS OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED. See the Criminal Records and Civil Records webpages for the process for records requests by mail.

This public health situation is urgent and constantly changing. Accordingly, the Court anticipates further press releases providing more details on Court operations over the next 30-60 days. Please visit the Court website for updated information.

Contra Costa, Bay Area Health Officers implement Newsom’s new regional Stay-At-Home order starting Sunday

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Not waiting until local hospitals are near crisis to act

By Contra Costa Health Services

Public Safety Alert text sent Friday afternoon, Dec.. 4, 2020.

Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced that all sectors other than retail and essential operations would be closed in regions of the State where less than 15 percent of ICU beds are available under a new Regional Stay-At-Home Order. Although health officials throughout the Bay Area are glad to see the State take action in light of the rapidly escalating surge in hospitalizations statewide, many believe even more aggressive action is necessary in the Bay Area to slow the surge and prevent our local hospitals from being overwhelmed. (See related article)

Rather than waiting until Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability reaches critical levels and delaying closures that are inevitable, the Health Officers for the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara as well as the City of Berkeley are jointly announcing that they will implement the State’s Regional Stay Home Order now.

“It takes several weeks for new restrictions to slow rising hospitalizations and waiting until only 15 percent of a region’s ICU beds are available is just too late,” said San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragon. “Many heavily impacted parts of our region already have less than 15 percent of ICU beds available, and the time to act is now.”

“We are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations here in Contra Costa County and across our region,” said Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Farnitano. “The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our county has doubled in just the past couple of weeks, and we are at risk of exceeding our hospital capacity later this month if current trends continue.”

“We cannot wait until after we have driven off the cliff to pull the emergency break,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. “We understand that the closures under the State order will have a profound impact on our local businesses. However, if we act quickly, we can both save lives and reduce the amount of time these restrictions have to stay in place, allowing businesses and activities to reopen much sooner.”

“Rising hospitalization rates across the region threaten not only our community members with severe COVID-19, but anyone who may need care because of a heart attack, stroke, accident, or other critical health need,” said Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss. “By acting together now we will have the greatest impact on the surge and save more lives.”

“Each of us can fight the spread,” said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, the City of Berkeley Health Officer. “Keep your family safe by avoiding even small gatherings outside of your household and not traveling. We don’t want holiday gatherings and travel to create a spike of cases on top of the surge we’re already seeing.”

“Although Marin has fared better than some other counties in our region over the last few weeks, we know it is only a matter of time before rising case and hospitalization put pressure on our hospitals too,” said Marin County Health Officer Dr. Matthew Willis. “We must act now, and must act together to ensure all hospitals in the Bay Area have the capacity they need to care for our residents.”

Consistent with the State framework, the six jurisdictions are working to ensure that all sectors have at least 48-hour notice of these closures. Most of the Bay Area Health Officers will implement the State’s Regional Stay At Home Order as of Sunday December 6, 2020. In Alameda County, it is scheduled to take effect on Monday, December 7, 2020, and Marin County’s order will take effect Tuesday, December 8. The new restrictions will remain in place until January 4, 2021.

The sector closures and restrictions on activity under the State’s Regional Stay Home Order are described here.

 

U.S. Supreme Court sides with California church overturns Newsom’s ban on indoor services, Bible studies

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Pastor Ché Ahn speaks at Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, California in 2019 (left) and on Feb. 28, 2020. Photos: Harvest Rock Church Facebook page.

“This order frees up churches in all of California to have indoor services, again.” – Liberty Counsel

By Allen Payton

In the lawsuit by Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry against Governor Gavin Newsom over his ban on all worship services and Bible studies in California, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, yesterday, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in favor of the church. The decision vacates the September 2 order by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and directs that court to the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision in favor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn in their lawsuit against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

The U.S. Supreme Court granted cert and vacated the lower court orders involving the emergency petition of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry. The Court stated in its order:

“The application for injunctive relief, presented to Justice Kagan and by her referred to the Court, is treated as a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment, and the petition is granted. The September 2 order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with instructions to remand to the District Court for further consideration in light of Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, 592 U. S. ___ (2020).”

Tuesday, Liberty Counsel filed the final reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding its request for an injunction pending appeal in the churches’ federal lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional worship ban and discriminatory treatment. The emergency petition also requested the extraordinary relief that the Court alternatively consider it as a petition for writ of cert before judgment. Today, the Supreme Court granted the petition, vacated the lower court orders, and remanded the case for further consideration in light of its ruling last week that granted an injunction pending appeal for churches and synagogues in New York.

According to the complaint by the church and ministry, referred to as the plaintiffs, “On July 17, 2020, Plaintiffs filed their complaint against Defendant California Governor Gavin Newsom. (“Complaint,” Dkt. No. 1.) The Complaint alleges six causes of action: (1) Violation of Free Exercise Clause of First Amendment to U.S. Constitution; (2) Violation of First Amendment Freedom of Assembly Clause; (3) Violation of Free Speech Clause of First Amendment to U.S. Constitution; (4) Violation of Establishment Clause of First Amendment to U.S. Constitution; (5) Violation of Equal Protection Clause of Fourteenth Amendment to U.S. Constitution; and (6) Violation of the Guarantee Clause of the U.S. Constitution.”

Then, “On July 18, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction.”

According to Liberty Counsel, the firm representing the church and ministry, they then appealed the case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional orders. The governor’s orders prohibit all indoor worship, including home Bible studies and fellowship with anyone who does not live in the home. Yet, Gov. Newsom continues to encourage mass gatherings of protestors throughout the state.

Following the argument on August 12, Judge Jesus G. Bernal orally denied the request for a preliminary injunction. However, he waited until September 2 to release the written order. The appeal was filed, but it could not be effective until a written order was issued.

Once the order had been issued, the appeal was able to proceed. Liberty Counsel also filed for an injunction pending appeal. That is what the Supreme Court granted.

Background

On August 13, the Pasadena Assistant Prosecutor in the Criminal Division sent Harvest Rock Church and Pastor Che’ Ahn a letter demanding that all, indoor, in-person worship services cease. The letter threatens daily criminal charges and fines to Pastor Ahn, the church, staff, and parishioners. The letter states that each criminal charge is punishable by up to one year in prison.”

The lawsuit challenges both the total ban on indoor, in-person worship (including in private homes) in the counties on the “County Monitoring List,” and the ban on singing and chanting in the remaining counties. In addition to in-person worship at Harvest Rock Church, the church also has many “Life Groups,” which are home Bible studies and fellowship groups. These too are prohibited under Gov. Newsom’s July 6 (no singing and chanting) and July 13 (no worship) orders. Yet while he discriminates against churches, home Bible studies and fellowship meetings, the governor continues to encourage thousands of protestors to gather throughout the state. Like Gov. Newsom, Pasadena has allowed hundreds and thousands of protestors. Neither the Pasadena Public Health Department nor the Pasadena Prosecutor have attempted to stop the protests in which people are crowded together, many of them not wearing masks.

In Governor Newsom’s response to the motion for the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, he argues that churches are not “essential.” Regarding feeding, counseling and housing people in the same building where worship services occur, Newsom argues that only the worship services should be prohibited while the other non-religious services should be allowed.

Concerning home Bible studies, Newsom argues that he has authority to prohibit home fellowship groups. As to protests, Newsom publicly encourages them, saying “God bless you. Keep doing it.”

The restrictions against places of worship in California are more severe than those in New York. Governor Gavin Newsom’s orders ban all indoor, in-person worship for 99.1 percent of Californians.

Harvest Rock Church has multiple campuses in California, including in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Irvine and Corona. Harvest International Ministries (HIM) has 162 member churches throughout the state. Irreparable harm is being suffered every day as the churches remain subject to the unconstitutional restrictions, coupled with daily criminal threats, fines, and closure.

The Code Enforcement Division for the City of Pasadena and the Criminal Prosecutor have threatened criminal charges, fines, and closure for being open for worship against the governor’s orders and local health orders. The letters threaten up to one year in prison, daily criminal charges and $1,000 fines against the pastors, staff, and parishioners.

The discrimination has become more obvious and severe in Gov. Newsom’s new “Blueprint” issued on August 28, 2020, which established a system of four Tiers. The “Blueprint” discriminates against religious meetings in churches and places of worship in every Tier. The chart attached to the petition makes this discrimination very clear. For example, the consequence of the sea of purple in the “color-coded executive edict” is that indoor worship services are completely prohibited for 99.1 percent of Californians, including most of Harvest Rock and HIM churches. However, warehouses, big box centers, shopping malls, liquors stores, family entertainment and destination centers, gyms, fitness centers, and museums receive preferential treatment with either no capacity limits or no numerical limits.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court provides great relief for churches and places of worship. The handwriting is now on the wall. The final days of Governor Gavin Newsom’s ‘color-coded executive edicts’ banning worship are numbered and coming to an end. It is past time to end these unconstitutional restrictions on places of worship.”

This order frees up churches in all of California to have indoor services, again.