This year, more than ever, Sierra County Arts Council needs your support. 
Please consider making a donation this Giving Tuesday
and support artists and arts programming across Sierra County.
Our mailing address is:
Sierra County Arts Council
P.O. Box 546
Downieville, CA 95936
The Yuba Theatre: 212 Main St.  
The Yuba Gallery: 208 Main St. Open Sat. 11-5, Sun. 11-3
Our phone: 530-289-9822
Email: info@sierracountyartscouncil.org
Reach Executive Director B.J. Jordan at home: 530-862-1241
​

Tips to help manage holiday stress during COVID-19
 
By Ann Marie O’Brien, R.N., national director of health engagement strategies, UnitedHealthcare located in Cypress
 
Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Stress levels are rising due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the numerous disruptions in our daily lives.
 
The American Psychological Association recently reported that “we are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.” And it’s not just adults who are feeling it. The report reveals that our children are “facing unprecedented uncertainty, are experiencing elevated stress, and are already reporting symptoms of depression.”
 
Although a modest amount of stress is normal, high levels of stress can be dangerous to your health and may contribute to serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression. Therefore, make sure to keep a close eye on your well-being and the well-being of your loved ones during the holidays.
 
It’s true, there is no magic bullet to make stress disappear forever, but we can take action to help reduce stress. Here is a list of tips that may reduce your stress and lead to a more enjoyable holiday season.
 

• Learn to recognize your holiday stress triggers and relievers. Financial pressures and personal demands are two common triggers. Also, beware of unhealthy stress relievers. Holiday stress may cause some people to fall into bad habits such as smoking, drinking or eating too much.

 

• Give yourself a break. While doing things for others, it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. If you feel stress building up, take a break for a few minutes. Listening to calming music, taking time to watch a movie, or just getting away to take a brief walk can give you time to unwind and recharge.

 

• Make time for your health. In the holiday rush, don’t let your well-being fall by the wayside. Try to stay on your normal sleep schedule, incorporate healthy foods and get regular exercise. If you can’t find a 30-minute chunk of time for exercise, break it up into three 10-minute sessions spread throughout the day.

 

• Check your health plan benefits. Some insurers, such as UnitedHealthcare, offer behavioral health care programs that can range from caring for your mental health to treatment for substance abuse, with a goal of helping improve your overall well-being. For example, Sanvello® offers clinically validated techniques and tools to reduce stress, anxiety and depression within a single app. Sanvello is free to download from the app stores and you can do an instant eligibility check in the app.
• Enjoy, even if it’s virtually. In the flurry of holiday activities, we sometimes forget what we’re celebrating, so remember to savor the time with people you love. If you or others you know are unable to meet in person, use a phone or set up a Zoom call to celebrate and spend time together. It’s important to minimize any feelings of isolation.

 

• Talk to your doctor.  If it feels like you’re not able to get a handle on your stress, talk to your doctor. She or he may recommend a counselor who could help you find other ways to help reduce or manage the unhealthy stress in your life.
•  
  For more health and wellness information, visit UHC.com.
  

On November 30, 2020, Sierra County Public Health received notification of a twenty-second and twenty-third positive COVID-19 test result for residents of Sierra County. Cases are isolating and outreach to close contacts is ongoing. All close contacts identified will be contacted by a member of Public Health. A close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.

If you believe you have been a close contact of somebody who has tested positive, stay home and monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days since your last contact with that individual. Consider being tested if symptoms develop. Options for testing are listed on the Sierra County Website, or you may call your health care provider.
For more information please visit www.sierracounty.ca.gov or send an email to covid19@sierra.ca.gov.
Celia Sutton-Pado, MD Public Health Officer Sierra County
For more information, please go to: http://sierracounty.ca.gov/COVID-19 Email: COVID19@sierracounty.ca.gov
P.O. Box 7, Loyalton, CA 96118(530) 993-6700www.sierracounty.ca.gov 

​

Subject: Plumas Sierra County Fair Presents Chipper’s Christmas Wonderland
Date: November 30, 2020
Contact: John Steffanic 530-283-6272
 
For Immediate Release
 
It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year! The long time mascot of the Plumas Sierra County Fair; Chipper, certainly thinks so! For this holiday season, he (or she, we don’t really know) has partnered with the non-profit foundation of the Fair to produce “Chipper’s Christmas Wonderland”. The PSCF Foundation, along with this loveable rodent, got dozens of volunteers to hand paint a variety of Christmas scenes that will be displayed along a drive-thru tour of the fairgrounds. Over 5000 lights will cover buildings and fill trees for this first annual event.
 
For weeks, volunteers have filtered in and out of Serpilio Hall to cut figures from plywood and paint them to create scenes like a Gingerbread Village, busy elves and even Santas that wave! Penguins, reindeer and snowmen will fill nooks and crannies, waiting to delight kids of all ages.
 
Originally planned as a combination drive-thru and walking tour, COVID considerations, at least for this year, make this an exclusive drive-thru experience. The attraction will open Friday, December 4 at 6pm and operate until 8pm. It will be open again Saturday night, December 5, and every Friday and Saturday night through December 19, with the same hours. Visitors can come to the front gate where they will be greeted and spaced out to avoid cars getting too close to each other. As a special treat, the fabulous performers of Quircus will be fire dancing amongst the trees. The path will wind along the promenades, past brightly lit buildings, around the family gardens and finally by Santa’s Cabin. Santa will be there, on his front porch, waving and talking to families as they stay in their car. A helpful elf will be there with a basket on a stick to transfer wrapped candy canes from Santa to the kids, and even receive letters to Santa in return. All that is asked is that visitors remain in their cars the entire time. There will be no bathrooms available and no other services that would require leaving the vehicle. Maybe next year!
 
The PSCF Foundation is dedicated to anything that promotes the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds and makes it thrive. A major portion of that mission comes from fostering the communities of Plumas and Sierra Counties. This is a free event. There will be a donation barrel available as visitors leave and contributions will be used to make next year even bigger and better! Hopefully, visitors will have the opportunity to come visit Chipper’s Christmas Wonderland several times throughout December.
 

Plumas County COVID-19 Purple Tier Release
As you may be aware, California's Public Health Officer, Dr. Erica S. Pan, issued a Limited Stay at Home Order on November 19, 2020 which took effect at 10:00 PM on Saturday, November 21, 2020 and will remain in effect until 5:00 AM on December 21, 2020. In general terms, the order provides that ‘non-essential’ work, movement and gatherings are prohibited between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM in counties within the purple tier.

There has been considerable speculation and rumoring regarding the restrictions imposed by the order, including the extent to which the Sheriff’s Office will enforce this order.
As the Sheriff of Plumas County, I want to assure you that the basic laws which protect our freedoms are inviolable and this Office will not be formally involved in this order’s enforcement. Simply put, deputies will not be checking on homes and stopping vehicles to ensure compliance with this order.
I continue to ask that the members of our community take personal responsibility for their health and well-being and do all they can to help protect the same of other members of our community. I cannot overstate the importance of voluntary compliance with common-sense measures, such as social distancing, the use of face-coverings where appropriate, proper hygiene, staying at home when sick and other related health recommendations.
### 

​

Shovel buzzards are a creation of Raymond Giminez of Loyalton. Jean Myles of Reno was gifted one of the unique characters and has made it a bird feeder to attract feathered friends.

11/27/20: Six positive COVID-19 test results for one resident from the Southern Region (American Valley),  one from Northern Region (Indian Valley) and  four residents from Eastern Region (Portola/ Graeagle) for a total of 211. ​

As of November 25, 2020, Sierra County Public Health has received notification of two new positive COVID-19 cases in Sierra County. Due to a delay in receiving confirmation of positive cases, one case has completed isolation and is recovered. Investigation is ongoing with the second case.

Based on guidance from the CDC, close contacts will be notified by Sierra County Public Health if one of the following criteria are identified.

•   You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24 hour period. This definition applies whether masks were worn or not.
  
•   A person with COVID-19 sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
  
•   You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
  
•   You had direct physical contact with someone who has COVID-19 (hugged or kissed)
  
•   You shared eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19
  As you are aware, cases of COVID-19 continue to increase both locally and in neighboring counties and cities where many of our residents work and shop. Sierra County remains in the orange tier however, this is not a time to let down our guard. With the holiday season upon us, every person has a role to play in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
  

•   If you are around others who are not from your household, wear a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  
•   Avoid gatherings. You can enjoy your holidays and activities safely, without gathering.
  
•   Wear a face covering at all times when in businesses, at school, or unable to maintain 6 feet distance.
  
•   Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after you have been in a public place.
  
•   If you feel sick, stay home, except to receive medical care.
  
•   If you think or know that you may have been exposed, stay home.
  For more information, please visit http://sierracounty.ca.gov/582/Coronavirus-COVID-19 or email COVID19@sierracounty.ca.gov
  Celia Sutton-Pado, MD Public Health Officer Sierra County
  

P.O. Box 7, Loyalton, CA 96118  (530) 993-6700  www.sierracounty.ca.gov 

​

by Rebecca Weber, CEO of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC]

Don’t let the COVID crisis put a damper on your Thanksgiving Day. Several years ago the founder of the Association of Mature American Citizens, the late Dan Weber, my dad, issued a Thanksgiving Day message at a another particularly trying time in our nation’s history. The threats we faced then were disruptive but definitely less threatening than the pandemic that has us safe-distancing, self-isolating and watching too many of our fellow citizens fall ill and perish. 

Nonetheless the message my father had then is appropriate this year. As he put it: “Pessimists might suggest that we have a lot to be fearful of these days and not a lot to be thankful for. They’ll say that the threats of terror attacks have cast a dark shadow over the country. And they’ll argue that the country is divided politically and that unrest is widespread. But the truth is that every day is Thanksgiving Day. Challenges abound, they always have. But we have much more for which to be grateful than we have to be afraid of. As Psychologist Robert L. Leahy put it: ‘giving thanks may be the best gift that you can give to others—and to yourself. And, like the best things in life, it’s free’.”

Top of the list of optimistic news for which we can be grateful is the promising progress being made on the development of a COVID killer vaccine. At least seven trials of vaccines are underway by respected pharmaceutical firms. They are working feverishly to make an effective serum available for distribution as soon as possible. In fact, bearing in mind that annual routine flu shots are 40 to 60 percent effective, according to the Centers for Disease Control, three of the COVID trials are reported to have shown impressive efficacy results in the 92 to 95 percent range. 

Meanwhile, Just days ago Pfizer and its partner BioNTech announced that they are petitioning the FDA for approval for “emergency usage” of their vaccines.  And several other drug companies whose trials have shown their COVID shots are highly effective are expected to file their own requests for early usage.

If these developments don’t make you grateful, there are plenty of other reasons to be thankful. Keep in mind the armies of caregivers and first responders who risk their lives day after day to help the victims of the coronavirus.

And then there are our friends and neighbors who aren’t afraid to offer help when needed, like Lauren Laborde who lost her job due to the pandemic. Instead of feeling sorry for herself she decided to do chores, including lawn work, for locked down senior citizens and veterans in her community in Houston, TX. She’s not alone. Across the country there are thousands of citizen volunteers who go out of their way to help friends, families and strangers during these trying times.

My hope is that this message gives you a reason to have a Happy Thanksgiving.

###

The 2.3 million member Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC] www.amac.us is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. AMAC Action is a non-profit, non-partisan organization representing the membership in our nation’s capital and in local Congressional Districts throughout the country. And the AMAC Foundation (www.AmacFoundation.org) is the Association’s non-profit organization, dedicated to supporting and educating America’s Seniors. Together, we act and speak on the Association members’ behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at www.amac.us/join-amac.

In my district, Gavin Newsom's curfew is a dead letter. All three Sheriffs are not enforcing it, trusting people to make their own decisions. The same is true of many Sheriffs across California.


Collective action at the local level can be a powerful counterweight against Newsom’s one-man rule. That’s why I’ve written the Healthy Communities Resolution, which is now being considered by the Board of Supervisors in 15 counties.


The Resolution comes out of the Conference of North State Representatives we convened in Red Bluff. I worked with James Gallagher and other legislators to crystallize the points of agreement from the Conference into a Resolution for each county’s Board of Supervisors to consider and adapt as they see fit. Here are a few of the introductory clauses:

• WHEREAS, California has struggled as much as any state during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the third highest unemployment rate in the country, the largest backlog of unpaid jobless claims, and the fifth worst excess death rate west of the Mississippi; and

 

• WHEREAS, California’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” provides a one-size-fits-all approach to reopening communities that fails to allow the flexibility to respond in a data-driven way to what is occurring in our county; and

 

• WHEREAS, Our county has seen increases in drug abuse, delayed medical care, depression among our youth, and the overall need for mental health services

The Resolution concludes that “these facts demonstrate a need for collective and unified action from our county and surrounding communities,” including:

• That our county is best served by an ability to respond locally to the COVID-19 virus in accordance with our local data and circumstances

• That school districts in our jurisdiction are urged to safely open all schools as soon as possible

While we’ve sent the Healthy Communities Resolution to the 15 Northern California counties at the Conference, any county can pass it. So you can get in touch with your Board of Supervisors to have it considered no matter where you live. A copy of the sample Resolution along with our letter to county leaders is here.


For all of California government’s shortcomings, it nevertheless contains a rich institutional tapestry interwoven with 170 years of history. These institutions provide distinct reserves of power, sites for organizing, and vehicles for opposition.


Gavin Newsom can only turn California into a full-fledged autocracy if we let him. So let’s not let him.


Support My Efforts to End Newsom’s One-Man Rule


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Kevin Kiley,
California Legislator

Paid for by Kevin Kiley for Assembly, FPPC ID #1414222

Two New Cases of COVID-19, One Hospitalized in Sierra County
As of November 23, 2020, Sierra County Public Health has confirmed two new positive COVID-19 cases in Sierra County and is reporting its first hospitalization due to COVID-19. Cases are isolating and outreach to close contacts is ongoing; all close contacts identified will be contacted by a member of Public Health. Based on guidance from the CDC, you will be considered a close contact if you fall into one of these categories:

•   You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24 hour period. This definition applies whether masks were worn or not.
  
•   A person with COVID-19 sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
  
•   You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
  
•   You had direct physical contact with someone who has COVID-19 (hugged or kissed)
  
•   You shared eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19
  If you believe you fit into at least one of the categories above, please stay home and monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days since last contact. Consider being tested if symptoms develop. Options for testing are listed on the Sierra County Website, or call your health care provider.
  As you are aware, cases of COVID-19 continue to increase both locally and in neighboring counties and cities where many of our residents work and shop. This is not a time to let down our guard. With the holiday season upon us, every person has a role to play in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
  
  •   If you are around others who are not from your household, wear a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
    
  •   Avoid gatherings. You can enjoy your holidays and activities safely, without gathering.
    
  •   Wear a face covering at all times when in businesses, at school, or unable to maintain 6 feet
    distance.
    
  •   Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after you have been in a public place.
    
  •   If you feel sick, stay home, except to receive medical care.
    
  •   If you think or know that you may have been exposed, stay home.
    For more information, please visit http://sierracounty.ca.gov/582/Coronavirus-COVID-19 or email
    COVID19@sierracounty.ca.gov
    

Celia Sutton-Pado, MD Public Health Officer Sierra County 

​

 
Sparks, NV, November 23, 2020- The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is maximizing Giving Tuesday donations with a match offer to help to fund their Child Nutrition programs, which support children who face hunger through a variety of programs.  With the support of John Anderson Construction, and their generous matching donation, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada is able to triple Giving Tuesday donations to help with this vital initiative.  The Food Bank of Northern Nevada supports children through programs like school based food pantries, Kids Cafe, which feeds kids when they are out of school, Back-Pack Kids program and Mobile Harvest.  Their goal for the Giving Tuesday Campaign is to raise an additional 45,000 meals to help children who face hunger throughout northern Nevada and the eastern slope of the Sierra in California.  
 
"Child Hunger is a problem in that we must address in order to have a healthy community,” said Nicole Lamboley, president & CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.  “This year has been tough for everyone, and especially for families with children in the household.  We want to make sure that we are prepared to meet these significant increases that we are seeing so that all children have access to the food they need to be healthy.” 
 
Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, December 1 and those who would like to support the effort can do so at fbnn.org.  
 
A study by Feeding America that was updated in October 2020, The Impact of the CoronavIrus on Food Insecurity, projects that the rate of child food insecurity will reach 32.3% in Nevada by the end of this year, which will tie us (with Louisiana) for the highest food insecurity rate in the nation.  This represents a 65% increase in child food insecurity in two years moving us from 9th in the nation to 1st. 
 

 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As Californians plan for the Thanksgiving holiday during the ongoing pandemic, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reminds everyone the rules of driving safety are just as crucial as ever.
 
To encourage safe travel, the CHP will enact a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 29.  During the MEP, CHP officers will be actively looking for unsafe driving practices as well as helping motorists in need. 
 
“This year has presented us with many unforeseen challenges, but safety is still our priority,” CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said.  “If you choose to travel this Thanksgiving weekend, our goal is to help motorists arrive at their destination without incident.” 
 
Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel times of the year.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, traffic may be a bit lighter, but this is not an invitation to speed to your destination.  The rules of the road still apply, and motorists should avoid driving tired, impaired, or distracted.  Additionally, in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission, Governor Gavin Newsom has instituted a limited stay at home order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and a travel advisory, encouraging people to only go about essential activities during those hours and to self-quarantine for 14 days if they are arriving from another state or country.
 
Those who must be on the road, remember to buckle up.  Proper seat belt use is the single most effective way to save a life in the event of a crash.  When you are traveling for the holiday, or any time of the year, make sure everyone in the vehicle is safely secured before even starting the car, and that includes children being in the correct child safety seats. 
 
During the 2019 Thanksgiving MEP, 42 people died on California roadways.  Of the 27 who died within CHP jurisdiction, 11 were not wearing seat belts.  The CHP also made 867 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
 
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
 

Sacramento, Calif. — With most of the state under a new California Department of Public Health Limited Stay at Home order, the California Dental Association reminds the public that dental care is an essential health care service and dental practices remain open.

Under guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental practices adhere to strict infection control guidelines and office protocols to safely provide oral health care during the pandemic.
“Oral health is essential to overall health and we want Californians to know that dentists are prepared to safely provide care and meet their patients’ oral health care needs,” said Dr. Richard Nagy, president of the California Dental Association.

To minimize the risk of infection, dental practices follow very strict infection control guidelines to protect patients and staff, including:

• Staggered appointment times to ensure social distancing.
• Prescreening questions by phone/text before appointments and additionally when you arrive.
• Fewer people in the waiting room.
• Virtual check-in before entering the office to reduce traffic flow.
• Temperature taken upon arrival.
• Masks worn by everyone throughout appointments, including patients (except during treatment).
• Dentist and dental team wearing more protective clothing and face protection than previously worn.
• Other precautions, such as no magazines or toys in the waiting room and a sneeze guard at the front desk, for example.

To keep teeth and gums healthy, CDA urges Californians to brush two minutes, twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss regularly, avoid sugary drinks and visit a dentist for regular checkups to diagnose dental problems early when they are easier to treat. To help keep children out of dental pain, parents should provide each family member with his or her own toothbrush, spoon, fork or cup; wipe infants’ gums twice a day with a washcloth; clean pacifiers and bottles with soap and water, not spit; put only water in a baby’s bottle at bedtime; and help children brush and floss until they have mastered the skill — usually around age 7.

About the California Dental Association
The California Dental Association is the non-profit organization representing organized dentistry in California. Founded in 1870, CDA is committed to the success of our members in service to their patients and the public. CDA also contributes to the oral health of Californians through various comprehensive programs and advocacy. CDA’s membership consists of more than 27,000 dentists, making it the largest constituent of the American Dental Association. For more information, visit cda.org. # # #



If you would rather

 
Dr. Glenn Mollette
 
Now is the time to develop your plan for avoiding a blue holiday season and having a merry holiday season. I love Elvis' song Blue Christmas, but I don't want to have one. However, In the best of times holiday blues strike most people.
 
If you are missing a significant person in your life the blues are inevitable. You miss them sitting at your table. You miss them coming in your home. You are reminded of how much that person meant to you. Holiday shows don't often help. While some are festive, they often remind us of the voids we have in our lives. We don't always enjoy songs like I'll be home for Christmas because we know that often home is a past memory. Being reminded of the past is not always warm and fuzzy. 
 
Social isolation will only make this year tougher. The best in life are the friends, family and positive relationships we have. Talking on the telephone, video chats, and good human relationship connections are important for your spirit. 
 
Churches, groups, fraternal organizations etc. need to think about reaching out to people this season. Real, actual communication is the key. People don't need more Robocalls, more Facebook videos or mail to read. People need real human interaction and this may be the toughest December in our modern history to have this. 
 
Sunday school classes, senior adult organizations, school organizations, classes, teams, should coordinate efforts to reach out to each other and to others. Letting others know you are thinking about them with positive reinforcement will be critical this holiday season. 
 
Suicide happens too much during the holiday season. With Covid-19, unemployment and so many issues facing our planet, the environment for an upsurge of suicide is ripe. People can be saved from this by us all helping each other. 
 
Make a holiday telephone list of people you are going to call often between now and January 1. You may call them every week. Or, it may be someone who needs a call every two or three days. Keep the calls brief. Often five or ten minutes will be a boost to someone. If you text message or video chat then commit to connecting with others with occasional chats and brief hellos. 
 
One of the ways to boost your spirit to be helpful. Who can you help this holiday? How can you help your local school? How can you help someone who is hurting more than you? How can you help a local human aid group or senior citizen's group? You may know people who have lost loved ones. If you do, it helps to talk to others and say, "I know how you feel and what you are going through." There are people all around who may not be suffering as much as you. When you take your mind off yourself to help someone else, then you will find your load will be a little lighter and your spirit brighter. 
 
The blues may sneak up on us this season. However, begin making your game plan now for overcoming and moving beyond them.  

On November 19, 2020, Sierra County Public Health received notification of a sixteenth and seventeenth positive COVID-19 test result for residents of Sierra County. Cases are isolating and outreach to close contacts is ongoing; all close contacts identified will be contacted by a member of Public Health. Based on guidance from the CDC, you will be considered a close contact if you fall into one of these categories:

•   You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more within a 24 hour period. This definition applies whether masks were worn or not.
•   A person with COVID-19 sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
•   You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
•   You had direct physical contact with someone who has COVID-19 (hugged or kissed)
•   You shared eating or drinking utensils with someone who has COVID-19
  If you believe you fit into at least one of the categories above, please stay home and monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days since last contact. Consider being tested if symptoms develop. Options for testing are listed on the Sierra County Website, or call your health care provider.
  As you are aware, cases of COVID-19 continue to increase both locally and in neighboring counties and cities where many of our residents work and shop. This is not a time to let down our guard. With the holiday season upon us, every person has a role to play in limiting the spread of COVID-19.
  •   If you are around others who are not from your household, wear a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
  •   Avoid gatherings. You can enjoy your holidays and activities safely, without gathering.
  •   Wear a face covering at all times when in businesses, at school, or unable to maintain 6 feet
    distance.
  •   Wash your hands with soap and water often, especially after you have been in a public place.
  •   If you feel sick, stay home, except to receive medical care.
  •   If you think or know that you may have been exposed, stay home.
    For more information, please visit http://sierracounty.ca.gov/582/Coronavirus-COVID-19 or email
    COVID19@sierracounty.ca.gov

Celia Sutton-Pado, MD Public Health Officer Sierra County
P.O. Box 7, Loyalton, CA 96118(530) 993-6700www.sierracounty.ca.gov 

​
 

 
“The health and safety of our employees and the public we serve is our highest priority. In an effort to preserve public health and safety of all Californians and stop the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Governor has instituted a limited stay at home order from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. with the goal that people will self-regulate their behavior, protect themselves, and go about only the “essential” activities during those hours.
 
“The mission of the CHP is unchanged.  CHP officers will continue to patrol throughout California and use their sound professional judgment to conduct enforcement stops for violations of the law based upon probable cause.  The CHP does not make arrests based on race, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or for any reason other than violations of the law based on probable cause.  As always, CHP officers will have the discretion to take appropriate action when a violation is observed.”

​

Drivers Should Prepare for Reduced Visibility during Morning Commutes
 
MARYSVILLE — Motorists are reminded to plan for extra travel time and remember safe driving tips for foggy conditions.
Throughout the fall, winter and early spring, the greater Sacramento region often finds itself shrouded in thick ground fog, better known as Tule fog, which emerges after the rains saturate soil.
Nearly three in four fog-related traffic collisions are connected to motorists driving too fast, statistics indicate. These collisions also result in the highest fatality rates.
To help motorists navigate safely through foggy conditions, Caltrans offers these driving tips:

• Reduce your speed to ensure a safe stopping distance.
• Drive with headlights on low beam. Never drive with only the parking lights or fog lights on and avoid using high beams in fog.
• Use extra caution when crossing traffic or busy intersections, especially in dense fog. Lower your window and listen for traffic you can't see.
• Use windshield wipers and your defroster to improve visibility.
• Be patient and don't pass long lines of traffic.
• Use the “fog line” on your right shoulder as a guide.
• Avoid stopping along the freeway or highway shoulders.

When looking to exit, the solid white line on the shoulder will veer to the right, breaks for a few feet and then resumes along the ramp. Also, highways prone to fog will have markers that follow a 3-2-1 dot countdown pattern to let motorists know there is an exit ahead. On the right shoulder, drivers will see three reflective markers 2,100 feet before the exit, two markers at 1,400 feet and one marker at 700 feet.
 
Caltrans District 3 maintains more than 4,385 lanes miles of state highway in 11 Sacramento Valley and Northern Sierra counties.Caltrans issues updates about road conditions on Twitter @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans’ QuickMap quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or download the QuickMap app from the App Store or Google Play.
 
 
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