Saturday, March 14, 2020

Why Social Distancing will Save Lives


San Rafael/Marinwood Fire Chief discusses Corona Virus Response


Marinwood's Acting Fire Chief Sinott explains the crisis preparation for the Covid 19 virus.  His serious professionalism is a stark contrast to the feckless Marinwood CSD manager who is simply waiting for instruction and has made NO CONTINGENCY PLANS.

Marinwood CSD has no contingency plans for Coronavirus Response



Eric Dreikosen, Marinwood CSD General Manager is taking a "wait and see" approach to the Corona Virus. Jeff Naylor "Hopes it will be a normal year without disruption" on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 despite dire warnings everywhere, Italy being quarentined, Schools closings, California declared Emergency, and the Marinwood Fire Department in crisis planning every day. The Marinwood CSD even refused to increase their sanitation regime in this meeting. By the end of the week, the President declared a National Emergency. Stupid complacency may kill people in our neighborhood. Be safe.

Why You needs to take precautions against Coronavirus NOW


Marinwood CSD Manager Dreikosen, "No Plan to Fix Fountains"



Residents have asked for timely maintenance of drinking fountains at our parks. Bill McNicholas, longtime Marinwood resident has made requests of both Luke Fretwell Parks Manager(and previously Shane DeMarta) and Eric Dreikosen, CSD General Manager for years. According to them, the drains cannot be fixed because the public clogs them with debris. Occasionally the staff will clear them but the problem always returns. "The REAL problem" according to CSD staff, " is that the public complains about fountains" Fretwell, Dreikosen and three maintenance staff earn combined income of at least $500k. They service a tiny park and 4 fountains. The taxpayers are the problem? This display of arrogance and indifference to the fundamental responsibility to maintain the park should be noted. A simple fountain design used by Muir Woods National Park will completely solve the problem. The staff have been given design info and a community member even has agreed to build it for the district. Dreikosen appears bored and angry with the public.


Thursday, March 12, 2020

Marinwood CSD Ignores Request for Better Sanitation despite Coronavirus



A simple request to improve sanitation- especially in the preschool room was IGNORED by the CSD Board on 3/10/2020.  The next day the President of the United States declared a national health emergency. The World Health Organization declared coronavirus a pandemic.

We have a large preschool and serve many children. Why not protect them?

Who are these "leaders" of our community to allow dangerous sanitary conditions to persist in light of a pandemic?


Marinwood CSD won't discuss Coronavirus response

Marinwood CSD meeting 3/10/20 Coronavirus (non) Response

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Marin County COVID-19 status update

Marin County COVID-19 status update

Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing new guidance designed to reduce the spread of the virus in our community. This updated guidance covers workplaces and businesses, large community gatherings, schools, higher risk and sick community members and guidance for the general public.
We recognize that our community as a whole is concerned regarding COVID-19. Going about our lives as normal in a social setting is vital for community well-being, and we do not take these steps lightly. With increased transmission of COVID-19 regionally, we have to prioritize health first. Know that this is a fluid situation and we are constantly reevaluating our recommendations as the situation unfolds here in Marin.
This is a critical moment in the growing concerns of COVID-19 in Marin County when such guidance measures can potentially slow the spread of the disease. The following guidance was created after significant deliberation. Marin HHS also weighed the potential benefits to our community’s health along with the significant disruptive effect that these recommendations could have.

In consultation with our local, state and federal partners, we developed these recommendations based on the increased spread of COVID-19.

Guidance for workplaces and businesses

Employers should take steps to make it more feasible for their employees to work in ways that minimize close contact with large numbers of people.

In addition, employers should:
  • Suspend nonessential employee travel.
  • Minimize the number of employees working within arm’s length of one another, including minimizing or canceling large in-person meetings and conferences.
  • Urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
  • Not require a doctor’s note for employees that are sick as healthcare offices may be very busy and unable to provide that documentation right away.
  • Consider use of telecommuting options for appropriate employees.
  • Consider staggering start and end times to reduce large numbers of people coming together at the same time.

Guidance for Persons Hosting Mass Gatherings and Large Community Events

As of March 9, Marin HHS is recommending the cancellation or postponement of nonessential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This recommendation is in place for two weeks and will be re-evaluated as new information becomes available. Marin HHS’ Public Health Division is not making the same recommendation for outdoor events at this time because the risk for transmission outdoors is low.

If you are still bringing smaller groups of people together:
  • Urge anyone who is sick to not attend.
  • Encourage those who are at higher risk for serious illness to not attend.
  • Try to find ways to give people more physical space so that they aren’t in close contact as much as possible.
  • Encourage attendees to follow increased hygiene, such as:
    • Washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
    • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
    • Avoid close contact with other people
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
    • Covering their cough or sneeze with a tissue - if available - or into their elbow
    • Clean surfaces with standard cleaners.

Guidance for People at Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19 Illness

Marin HHS is recommending that persons at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from crowded social gatherings of people as much as possible such as parades, conferences, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.

Those at higher risk include:
  • People over 65 years of age. The risk increases significantly thereafter and escalates with age, with persons over age 80 in the highest risk category.
  • People, regardless of age, with underlying health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or chronic lung diseases like COPD, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems.

Guidance for Schools

Marin HHS is not recommending closing schools at this time. We encourage all school officials to carefully review and follow the CDC’s guidance for K-12 schools and childcare centers, as well as our recommendations for mass gatherings and large events. We are aware that schools in our community may need to make decisions about postponement or cancelation of specific activities.

If a staff member or student in a specific school confirmed to have COVID-19, Marin HHS will consider, based on the specific facts and circumstances of that case, whether closure of that school is warranted. The reason we are not recommending school closures at this time is because children have not been shown to be a high-risk group for serious illness from this virus. As much as possible, children should be allowed to carry on with their education and normal activities.

Some children have underlying health conditions, such as weakened immune systems, that put them at higher risk. Caregivers of children with underlying health conditions should consult with healthcare providers about whether their children should stay home.

Guidance for people who are sick

Stay home when you are sick. We are not recommending COVID-19 testing for people who have mild to moderate respiratory illness unless they have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case or have a history of travel to an affected geographic area within 14 days of symptom onset.  Do not go out in public when you are sick. Avoid medical settings in general unless necessary. If you are experiencing cough or fever, and if it is not an emergency, call your doctor's office before going in. They will help guide any decisions regarding testing.  

Guidance for the general public

  • Even if you are not ill, avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible. If you do need to visit one of these facilities, limit your time there and keep 6 feet away from patients and employees of the facility. We recommend only immediate family and essential visitors have contact with residents of elder care facilities.
  • Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
  • Stay home when sick and away from others in your household.
  • Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including washing your hands with soap and water frequently, coughing into a tissue or your elbow, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are at higher risk for serious illness.
  • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects (like doorknobs and light switches). Regular household cleaners are effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth unless you’ve just washed your hands.
  • Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
  • CDC does notrecommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility).
  • Stay informed. Information is changing frequently.

Where to get the latest information:

Visit the official Marin County Coronavirus webpage (MarinHHS.org/coronavirus) to review answers to frequently asked questions or subscribe to receive email updates. Individuals can contact Marin Health and Human Services with non-medical questions about the coronavirus by calling (415) 473-7191 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 12-noon and 1pm to 5pm) or emailing COVID-19@marincounty.org.

In addition, you look for updates on FacebookTwitter & Nextdoor.

 

COVID-19 activity in Marin:

We are changing the structure of the daily case status updates. Due to increased testing capacity at multiple locations, we will no longer be reporting the number of tests performed. We will report the number of confirmed cases, and whether these cases represent known exposures or community transmission. 
  • There is one case of COVID-19 in Marin County (affecting a Marin County Resident), related to the Grand Princess Cruise ship.
  • As of March 10, there are no confirmed cases of local transmission in Marin County.
  • To date, Marin health officials are awaiting confirmation from CDC and CDPH on whether there are any Marin County residents on the Grand Princess Cruise – Hawaiian voyage at the Port of Oakland.
  • As of March 10, there are 168 cases and two deaths in California, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Three Photos that PROVE the Maintenance Shed project won't work


The Marinwood Maintenance Facility Site Plan. The protected California Coastal Oak is seen in the center of the drawing as a reference to the three photos below.




The front of the truck is positioned at the edge of the proposed Maintenance Building. It occupies all of the space where the walking path is supposed to be.  It is also the minimum distance required for a three point turn (hammerhead turn) that will be on top of the current horseshoe pit.
The Marinwood CSD ignores sound environmental practice and allows parking on top of the roots of a protected California Coastal Oak.  Compressed soil will kill the roots and the tree.

The Marinwood CSD truck is approximately 44' long which is longer than the outside courtyard of the Maintenance Structure.  It will be very difficult to move vehicles within the facility and the daily practice of moving material and equipment will need to take place on the walking path.  This activity IS NOT IN THE CSD Site Plan but will obviously be necessary.  The Marin County Planning Commission ignored this FUNDAMENTAL activity that will damage the park unnecessarily.  An efficient "side access garage" design will drastically lessen the impact to the park, Miller Creek watershed and recreation opportunities on this small piece of land.