Safely reopening Marin County from COVID-19

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Health

Wear a mask. Stay 6-feet apart.

If you have to go outside:

  • Avoid groups
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a face covering such as a bandanna, scarf, or cloth covering, as outlined in the County Health Order
  • Keep 6 feet between you and everyone else at all times
  • Reduce the time you are around others outside the home
  • Minimize your exposure and your contact with people outside your household
  • Wipe any surfaces you need to touch with antibacterial wipes

Food

If you have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak and need food, you can get:

  • Groceries including fresh produce
  • Prepared meals
  • Other food related services

Find available food resources using the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank Food Locator to find food pantries, free groceries, and emergency food.

Signing up for public benefits

The CalFresh Program, formerly known as Food Stamps, can add to your food budget to put more nutritious food on the table.

The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many Farmers’ markets and grocery stores. The amount of the benefit is based on the size of your household, your income, and your housing expenses.

CalFresh benefits come on a debit card, called the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which you can use just like a bank card at most food stores.

Find out more on Marin HHS’s CalFresh – Snap page or apply online.

Getting food

If you are sick, have chronic health conditions, or are over 60, stay home. Ask a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up supplies for you. If no one else is available, call 415-473-7191 for help. Phone calls will be answered Monday-Friday, 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm.

You can also contact the County of Marin with questions.

You can still get food at:

  • Grocery stores
  • Corner stores and convenience stores
  • Liquor stores that sell food
  • Farmers’ markets
  • Food banks
  • Farm and produce stands
  • Supermarkets
  • Food retail establishments
  • Big box stores that sell groceries and essentials

You can pick up, take out or get delivery from local restaurants and some bars. And you can feel good about supporting local small businesses. All restaurants and food establishments are closed for eating and dining.

While out getting food, wear a mask and practice social distancing measures and stay 6 feet away from other people.

Seniors and adults with disabilities

If you are a senior or an adult with a disability and need assistance, you can get help with food delivery:

  • Home-delivered meals
  • Emergency food boxes
  • Support with online food delivery services
  • Grocery drop-off from volunteers

Marin County residents age 60 and older can call 415-457-INFO to access food services. The County’s home delivered meal program has been expanded to include those older adults who are now homebound as a result of the Coronavirus crisis and who do not feel safe going to the grocery store and may not have a friend, family member, or neighbor that can help purchase and deliver groceries.  Call Whistlestop at 415-456-9073 for information.

Take-away meals from community dining sites are also available.

Meal delivery services also exist for Marin residents of any age who have chronic medical conditions and need specialized menu items. Visit the SF – Marin Food Bank.

Meals for kids

San Rafael City Schools (SRCS) will be hosting a food pantry for SRCS families every Friday starting March 20th, 2020. Food distribution is being scheduled by school and families have been notified by San Rafael City Schools on scheduling and food distribution rules that follow guidelines for social distancing.

Information and updates are available at the SRCS website.

People experiencing homelessness

St. Vincent de Paul continues to serve free meals throughout this crisis
Free pre-packaged to-go meals:

  • 1 meal per person
  • Pick-up at 820 B Street, San Rafael
  • Breakfast is now available 6:30AM-8:00 AM
  • Lunch is now available  11 AM-1PM

Marin County WIC
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is a supplemental food and nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children under age five who have a nutritional risk.

Unemployment

Lost your job or work hours reduced?

If you lost your job or had your hours reduced, and meet eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to receive Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD).

Mental Health

Access to mental health and substance use services

If you have a medical or psychiatric emergency please call 911.

If you are unable to call 911, you can now text 911.

The following resources are available to help people who may be experiencing distress or heightened anxiety right now:

  • 24/7 Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Access Line: (888) 818-1115
  • 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Unit: (415) 473-6666
  • 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255
    Linea Nacional de Prevencion del Suicido: (888) 628-9454 (en Espanol)
  • If you are experiencing an emergency please call 911 immediately

CDC Resources

  • Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1-800-985-5990 (TTY 800-846-8517) or text TalkWithUs to 66746F for 24/7 support.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for 24/7 crisis support.
  • California Suicide & Crisis Hotlines: Find phone numbers and links to all the suicide and crisis hotlines by county in California.
  • California Peer-Run Warm Line: Call 1-855-845-7415 for 24/7 non-emergency support.
  • The Friendship Line is available 24/7 as a crisis helpline for older adults: 800-971-0016 or you can text HOME to 741741 if you are feeling depressed, sad, or going through any kind of emotional crisis. A crisis worker will text you back immediately if you prefer text over the phone, this is a free service.
  • Crisis Stabilization Unit: (415) 473-6666
  • Mobile Crisis Team: (415) 473-6392

Domestic Violence

Information and resources for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence.

In an emergency call 911. If it is not safe to call 911, you can text to 911.

Resources for those experiencing domestic violence

National domestic violence hotline

800-799-SAFE (7233)
www.thehotline.org

Marin Center For Domestic Peace

English: 415.924.6616
Spanish: 415.924.3456

Marin Youth Services Text Line: 415.526.2557 M-F, 9am-5pm

24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-7233 anytime.
Chat with advocates anytime.

People experiencing homelessness

Any person experiencing homelessness with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (fever, cough, or shortness of breath) should alert their service providers (such as case managers, shelter staff, and other care providers). These staff will help the individual understand how to isolate themselves and identify options for medical care as needed.

Who provides case management?

Ritter Center provides case management to those experiencing homelessness.

16 Ritter St. San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 457-8182

  • Financial assistance screenings will be provided over the phone
  • Public health/general information call 415.457.8182

Where can I go for health / medical needs?

Ritter Center

16 Ritter St. San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 457-8182

Hours of operation as of 03.25.2020:

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
10am-12:30pm and 1pm-3pm

Marin City Health and Wellness

Marin City Health and Wellness clinic staff are available by phone at 415-339-8813 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) to answer health questions, or call the Marin City HHS hotline at 415-349-3135.

Marin Community Clinics

Contact your primary care provider worker if you have symptoms; fever and a dry cough are most common. If you do not have a primary care provider call (415) 448-1500 to establish care.

 

Where can I go for designated meals/food locations?

St. Vincent de Paul continues to serve free meals throughout this crisis
Free pre-packaged to-go meals:

  • 1 meal per person
  • Pick-up at 820 B Street, San Rafael
  • Breakfast is now available 6:30AM-8:00 AM
  • Lunch is now available  11 AM-1PM

Marin County WIC
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is a supplemental food and nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women and children under age five who have a nutritional risk.

Where can I go for designated mobile showers?

Restrooms and phone charging are available when using the shower.

To verify current schedules, visit https://marinmobilecare.org/.

Call to schedule a shower: (415) 497-1318

  • Novato Downtown Streets Team
    • Monday / Wednesday, 6:00–8:40 am,
    • 816 State Access Road
    • Bus Route: 49
    • No appointment necessary this location only
  • San Rafael Health & Wellness Campus
    • Monday / Wednesday, 6:00pm – 8:40 pm
    • 3240 Kerner Blvd
    • Bus Routes: 29, 35, 36
  • San Rafael Community Center on B Street
    • Last Day of Service: July 16
    • Monday / Thursday, 11:00am – 1:40 pm
    • 618 B St
  • Sausalito Marinship Park
    • Tuesday / Friday, 8:00–10:40 am
    • Testa Street at Marinship Way
    • Bus Routes: 71X, 30, 92
  • Fairfax Community Church
    • Saturday, 9:00am – 11:40 am
    • 2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
    • Bus Routes: 23X, 23

Where can I go for designated hand washing stations?

NOTE: The parks listed below are open for these services, even if they are closed to other visitors.

  • San Rafael: St. Vincent de Paul Society
  • San Rafael: Boyd Park
  • San Rafael: Library
  • San Rafael: Circle K/Burger King at Francisco East & Bellam
  • San Rafael: Ritter Center
  • Novato: Binford Road
  • Novato: Taco Bell on Rowland

Childcare

Guidance Related to Childcare.

Are daycare facilities allowed to operate?

Yes, but only to allow children of owners, employees, volunteers, and contractors for essential businesses, essential governmental functions, or for carrying out minimum basic operations to work.  Children of other workers who are not exempt under the Order cannot attend daycare.

Also, any daycare facility operating to serve children of essential workers need to comply with these mandatory conditions in the Order to the extent possible:

  1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
  2. Children shall not change from one group to another.
  3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.
  4. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.

What do I do about my kids?  I have to work.

If you work for an essential business, as described in the Order, you can and should continue to work.  Certain employers, schools, and community organizations will be providing childcare for employees of essential businesses.  You may also employ a nanny or babysitter to provide home-based care for your kids.

Are nannies and babysitters permitted to continue watching my kids while this Order is in place?

Yes, the Order permits nannies and babysitters caring for a child in the child’s own home to continue working. If families opt to have playdates, they need to keep playdates as a singular cohort. Keep the same group together and do not introduce or rotate members. By rotating members of the group, it allows kids to “pollinate” another group, which goes against the social/physical distancing practices. Play dates should follow the same guidelines for childcare centers that was issued on March 13.

Emergency Childcare Offered for Essential Workers

The Marin County Emergency PopUp Childcare Program was created to support health care workers, first responders, disaster service workers, and all other essential workers working or living in Marin while classroom instruction has been suspended during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Age/GradeLocation
6 weeks to 36 mosNorth Bay Children’s Center
932 C St, NovatoHours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
3 to 5 yearsCommunity Action Marin / Old Gallinas Children’s Center
251 N San Pedro Rd, San RafaelHours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
TK – 5th gradeBacich Elementary School
699 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, KentfieldHours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
TK – 5th grade

Vallecito Elementary School

50 NovaAlbion Way #40, San Rafael

Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

TK – 5th grade

Rancho Elementary School

1430 Johnson St., Novato

Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.

6th – 12th gradeSouth Novato Library
931 C St., NovatoHours: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

 

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