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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 22, No. 21
Businesses see eased restrictions
May 22, 2020
With Cruisin’ down the boulevard Singing The Choir
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Driven by a series of positive COVID-19 disease metrics, Contra Costa County health officials loosened operating restrictions on nonessential retailers and their suppliers this week. County retailers may now reopen for curbside sales and other outdoor pickups, provided they implement a series of coronaviruscontrolling measures. Retail goods manufacturers, as well as retail warehousing and logistical support operations, were also allowed to restart — with their own disease-controlling safeguards in place. “We are counting on businesses to consistently follow social-distancing protocols and our public health guidance so they can operate safely and protect both their employees and their customers as these activities resume,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County see Restrictions page 22
Liberty High School Choir comes together as one in virtual performance. Page 4
Food Trucks Roll Into Town Photo by Tony Kukulich
J
ulie and Kevin Kameny drove their ‘56 Ford Thunderbird through Brentwood in a parade of classic cars, Friday, May 15. Organizer Dave Hays said the event, known as Brentwood Community Cruise, was created to support downtown restaurants where many participants dined after the ride. The next downtown event is scheduled for Friday, May 22. To view a video and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
Kaiser nurses protest hospital policies by Tony Kukulich
“ We are prudently managing our resources
Last week, nurses at Kaiser Permanente Antioch organized a rally in the hospital parking lot to protest hospital policies restricting nurses’ access to personal protective equipment (PPE) — policies they say result in delays in patient care and increased risk to the health of hospital staff. As cars circled the lot with their horns blaring, Monica Rizo, a registered nurse at the facility with 18 years of experience, expressed her concerns. “Management keeps saying that we are going to get the PPE; we’re going to get the respirator masks,” she said. “They
to ensure this equipment is available for our health care workforce for the duration of this pandemic.
Staff Writer
say that, but when we really get to work, they don’t have them. We’re just frustrated. We just don’t know really what else to do.” The N95 respiratory mask is at the center of nurses’ complaints. Shortages of N95 masks have been widely re-
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tional Safety and Health (Cal/ OSHA) states, “In nonemergency conditions, covered employers must provide and ensure use of NIOSH certified respirators to all employees occupationally exposed to novel pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2.” However, in light of supply shortages and anticipated patient surges, Cal/OSHA allows surgical masks to be substituted for N95 respirators during lowhazard patient contact. It’s unclear who decides when emergency conditions exist and when those conditions have passed. A spokesperson for Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) said in an email to The Press see Nurses page 22
Host Students www.thepress.net/news/webextras
ASSE Student Exchange Programs is looking for families to host high school students.
Food Trucks on Your Street drives into Discovery Bay and area neighborhoods. Page 10
Liberty Lions Honored
Liberty High softball team caravanned around town in support of senior players. Page 16 Adopt-A-Pet............................7 Classifieds.............................20 Cop Logs................................19 Food........................................10 Milestones............................18 Opinion..................................14 Sports.....................................16
Water Park Closed www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
The Antioch Recreation Department is postponing all activity at the water park.
