www.tfhd.com


 (Tahoe/Truckee, Calif.) –  We want to offer our deepest and most sincere “thank you” to our community for supporting us every step of the way as we continue to navigate the pandemic crisis together. 
I’d like to provide you with a brief update as we begin planning for a phased re-opening to resume our hospital, clinic and outpatient services over the next 5-6 weeks. 
 
With so much information in the media about hospital restrictions, this is a good time to remind everyone that all aspects of your health are very important 24/7. Please don’t wait for treatment if you need urgent or emergency care, which can cause a condition to worsen or become a preventable emergency. 
 
It is SAFE to come to our emergency departments at Tahoe Forest Hospital and Incline Village Community Hospital for any health or injury emergency you or your family member has.
 
As we move into a thoughtful, careful and appropriate re-opening plan, our number one goal is your safety, as well as the safety of our staff members, physicians and advanced practice providers. 
 
This means we’ll be implementing an organized screening process for patients in all areas of service, with prompts for social distancing. All patients and hospital staff will wear masks for everyone’s protection, and regular hand-washing will be strongly encouraged. 
 
While we currently have a good supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), we’ll be evaluating our inventory on a daily basis to keep our levels high enough for both our staff members and patients. 
 
We’ll also continue to monitor and communicate directly with officials at the county and state level as we continue to evaluate our actions each week and adjust our plans as necessary. 
 
Above all, safety for everyone is our highest priority.  And while we work through the logistics of a carefully phased re-opening plan, please know that it’s safe to come and see us in our clinics, our emergency department or the hospital for all your healthcare needs.
 
It’s our honor to serve you and to work together with you to protect your total health!
 
With warm regards,
 

Harry Weis
President and CEO
Tahoe Forest Health System

For more information about TFHS services, and details about COVID-19, please visit tfhd.com.

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About Tahoe Forest Health System
Tahoe Forest Health System, which includes Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, CA, and Incline Village Community Hospital in Incline Village, NV, offers 24-hour emergency care, primary and specialty health care clinics including Tahoe Forest Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Commission on Cancer (COC) accredited cancer center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center, the Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care and the Tahoe Forest Primary Care Clinic with same-day appointments. With a strong focus on high quality patient care, community collaboration, clinical excellence and innovation, Tahoe Forest Health System is a UC Davis Rural Center of Excellence. For a complete list of physician specialties and services, visit www.tfhd.com.
 

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email, including attachments, may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his/her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any use, disclosure, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail, including attachments, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please IMMEDIATELY (1) Forward the email and all file attachments to compliance@tfhd.com to notify the Tahoe Forest Hospital District Compliance office AND (2) permanently delete the message and any file attachments. Questions may be directed to the Tahoe Forest Hospital District Compliance Hotline at 1(530)582-6655.

SPECIAL EVENTS were discussed at the Special Board of Supervisors’ meeting held through teleconferencing April 16th. Planning Director Tim Beals had already received word that a lot of cancellations have occurred, including the Brewfest in Downieville. He wanted to make sure there was Board support for special use permits, and felt they needed to be consistent through out the county. Supervisor Sharon Dryden said until they have further guidelines that all permits should be suspended until further notice, adding that Graeagle’s 4th of July was cancelled as well as Burning Man. She felt anything throughout the summer was not advisable. Supervisor Paul Roen wanted to be consistent with the Governor’s order. Supervisor Lee Adams suggested the permit be issued on the condition that the Governor’s order is amended or lifted. Beals stated any application before June 1 will not be issued and any permit for after June 1 could be revoked if the order is beyond June 1st. This topic will be agendized for the first meeting in June to reevaluate and up until June 2nd permits will not be issued.
Greg Carter, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship Board President wanted to provide a little context regarding the Downieville Classic held the last weekend in July. He stated they take the public’s health as their absolute priority, but needed to have a decision before June 1st and wanted to know if there was a feeling or a trend on whether they want 3,000 people in Downieville. Adams responded that It’s a decision they will have to make and it will be a big impact to the community, but didn’t think they were well positioned to say yes or no. Dryden stated she thinks in practicality and if Sierra County will be able to handle 3,000 this summer. She realized it’s difficult to cancel events like this, but felt if she were making the decision she would hold off this year. Supervisor Peter Huebner said the businesses depend on events like this, adding the “decision is not ours, it is the Governor’s.” Social Services and Public Health Director Vickie Clark wanted everyone to know that Public Health Officer Celia Sutton-Pado is listening daily on the public health crisis and things may be carried out much longer. She warned that what may work for bigger communities may not work for us. Sutton-Pado added that even though the Governor is looking at relaxing some of the measures, she’s sure big events wouldn’t be included with mass gatherings.

FISHING – Supervisor Lee Adams reported during the regular teleconference Board of Supervisors’ meeting held April 21st about a discussion with the Department of Fish and Game on April 20th regarding fishing season and gave options of doing nothing, closing it or suspending the opener.  Fish and Game wanted to know as soon as possible what the Board decided. Board Chair Jim Beard stated if the County does not oppose the postponement or cancellation whatever the action Fish and Game decides to take will take effect that night, one minute after midnight. Beard said it was also stated it would be hard to split the county and allow fishing on the east side and not the west side. Supervisor Paul Roen stated there were definitely two sides of the county, adding the eastside had a lot more room to allow adequate spacing. Sheriff Mike Fisher who is also a big fisherman, recommended a narrow surgical approach and strongly encouraged the Board to leave the lakes open and remote watersheds for those diehard fishermen. He added the idea was to limit the visitors but not trample their rights, and concentrate on problem areas. Adams felt they should close the North Yuba River north of Good Year’s Bar for its length up to the Yuba Pass and include the Downie River for its entire length to delay indefinitely or revise when the Governor starts lifting orders. Considering all national forest land is open and this activity is sacred to many, Adams was comfortable with it, adding it would reduce the overall impact pretty minimally and protect the westside communities that would be greatly affected. This action was to be added to the letter to Fish and Game and was approved unanimously

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Responds to Request from Sierra County About FishingApril 22, 2020by kmacinty, posted in covid-19, Fishing (Sport), Public Participation, Public Safety, Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Director Charlton H. Bonham took two specific and limited steps today for fishing in Sierra County. As requested by county officials, CDFW suspended fishing on the mainstem of the North Fork Yuba River and delayed the trout opener on the entire Downie River mainstem in the county. Sierra County officials requested these actions last week along with requests from Alpine, Inyo and Mono counties; however; the tailored request required additional discussion with the county. The director made this decision in consultation with California Fish and Game Commission President Eric Sklar.
Fishing was already open on the mainstem of the North Fork Yuba River. Trout fishing was scheduled to open on the Downie River this Saturday, April 25. Trout is the only fishable species on the Downie River. The closure and delay in Sierra County will expire May 31, 2020.
Specifically, this means fishing is now suspended on the North Fork Yuba River from Yuba Pass downstream to the confluence with Goodyears Creek and the trout opener on the entire mainstem of the Downie River is delayed, both through May 31, 2020. Pursuant to the emergency regulation approved by the Commission, CDFW will provide current information for the angling public online or by phone at (916) 445-7600.
Today’s decision does not affect the trout season in any other county.
For information on the delay in Alpine, Inyo and Mono counties, please see this press release issued yesterday. A comprehensive summary and description of impacted regulations is available on CDFW’s website.
At the request of counties or tribes, CDFW will consider action to address needs regarding fishing seasons amongst the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a county or tribal representative with questions or would like to provide input on potential angling related delays or restrictions, please contact Roger Bloom, Acting Branch Chief, Fisheries Branch, by email at Roger.Bloom@wildlife.ca.gov.
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California will administer benefits, including additional $600 per week made available in coronavirus legislation
 
Benefits are retroactive to date of job loss, not filing date
 
            Washington--Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following information explaining how self-employed, part-time, independent contractors and gig workers in California can apply for new unemployment insurance benefits (including an additional $600 per week beyond usual state benefits) made available through the CARES Act:
 
            “With unemployment rates skyrocketing due to the coronavirus pandemic, many Californians are applying for unemployment benefits for the first time. In order to receive benefits as quickly as possible, Californians should apply through the California Employment Development Department’s website.
 
            “Applying through the state will make you eligible for a range of unemployment benefits. In the coronavirus recovery legislation signed into law last month, Congress included an additional $600 a week until July 31 and extended the period you can receive benefits by 13 weeks.
 
            “Congress also made self-employed, part-time, independent contractors and gig workers eligible for benefits for the first time. In short, if you lost your job due to the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment benefits will likely be available even if you weren’t eligible in the past.”

How self-employed, part-time, independent contractors and gig workers can file an unemployment insurance claim in California:


(Source: EDD website)
 
As part of the federal CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. The provisions of the program include:
 

• Up to 39 weeks of benefits starting with weeks of unemployment beginning February 2, 2020, through the week ending December 26, 2020*, depending on when you became directly impacted by the pandemic.
  
  
• An additional $600 to each PUA weekly benefit amount you may be eligible to receive, as part of the separate CARES Act Pandemic Additional Compensation program. Only the weeks of a claim between March 29 and July 25* are eligible for the extra $600 payments.
  
  
• A new 13-week federal extension for those who run out of their regular state-provided UI benefits (maximum 26 weeks). File a PUA claim and you may be converted to the federal extension once it is available.

 
* Under the CARES Act, the $600 additional benefits are available through July 31, 2020. However, the US Department of Labor has issued guidance to clarify that, for most Californians, the last full week of benefits will end on July 25, 2020. Similarly, the PUA program has a legislative end date of December 31, 2020, but for Californians, the last full week of benefits will end on December 26, 2020.
 
Benefits can be retroactive to weeks starting on or after February 2, 2020, depending on your last day of work due to COVID-19 and regardless of when you submitted your claim application. The effective date of your claim will begin the Sunday of the week when you last worked and became unemployed due to reasons directly related to COVID-19.
 
Eligibility
 
The PUA benefits are payable if you don’t qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in California or another state and also do not qualify for state Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave benefits. This includes:
 

• Business owners
• Self-employed individuals
• Independent contractors

 
Please visit the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance website for more information.
 
The fastest way to apply for benefits is through UI Online. You can also apply for PUA by phone, mail, or fax.
 
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-Antelope Lake Road (#29N43) remains closed-

QUINCY, Calif. – Plumas National Forest officials have reduced the size of the Walker Fire area closure. Antelope Lake Road (FS #29N43 / Forest Route 172) remains temporarily closed due to hazard tree removal activities, and subsequent road repairs.
The closed segment of Antelope Road begins at the eastern end of Genesee Valley, north to the Antelope Lake dam. A portion of Forest Service Road #28N03 on the southwest side of the lake is also closed. The road, trail and area closure will be in place 24-hours per day due to unsafe conditions including log decks on roads, active heavy equipment operations, and other road hazards during and after hazard tree removal & reconstruction operations.
Alternate routes to Antelope Lake include:

1. Taylorsville: Plumas County Road 213 (Diamond Mtn.) through the North Arm of Indian Valley (north of Taylorsville) and east on Forest Service (FS) Road (Rd) #28N03
2. Milford: Lassen County Rd 336 (Milford Grade) south, continuing on (turns into) FS Rd. #26N70 and then northwest on FS Rd. #28N03
3. Janesville: Lassen County Road 208 (Janesville Grade), south to Forest Service Road #26N70, and then northwest to FS Rd #28N03.
4. Susanville: Lassen County Rd 204 (Gold Run), south to Plumas County Rd 213 (Diamond Mtn.), and then east on FS Rd #28N03.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
For more information about alternate routes, route conditions, and other information about the closure area, please call the Mt. Hough Ranger District at (530) 283-0555 or the Beckwourth Ranger District at (530) 836-2575.
Federal, state and local officers and members of organized rescue or firefighting forces in performance of official duty and those with specific permits or contract language allowing them use of the roads may access the Antelope Lake Road and other areas within the closure following coordination with the applicable Forest Service staff.
While officials will continue to monitor area activities and adjust the closure where possible, Antelope Lake Road is likely to be closed through this fall as a function of proposed salvage timber operations.
A map of the closure area and other Plumas National Forest information is available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/plumas .
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Many community hands came together to deliver nearly 450 school supply packets from The Sierra Schools Foundation to students in the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District this week.
Shortly after the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were put in place, SSF board members realized that many students might not have the supplies at home that they would need to complete their studies. So they put together a list of several items, including a composition book, pencil packet, colored pencils, pencil sharpener, and just for fun, colored sidewalk chalk.
SSF president, Jenna Holland said, “While we thought students might have a need for basic items, we also wanted to say, ‘We see you. We care about you.’”
While the supplies project was quickly approved, it took some time to actually get the items, because of availability and shipping issues. Students who haven’t yet received theirs can contact their school for more information.
SSF treasurer, Victoria Fisher, and her daughters took responsibility for putting together the hundreds of packets while using sanitary handling methods.
However, she said many helped to make sure the materials were delivered in a timely and safe manner. Specifically, she wanted to acknowledge help from the following: Rachel Hale, Jenny Wilkinson, and others from Leonard’s; Sierra Valley Home Center; and the SPJUSD teachers and administration, as well as many others from the community.