Merced, Atwater and local governments looking at ways to protect workers from coronavirus

The Merced City Council voted unanimously Monday night to formally declare an emergency in response to the growing threat of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, officials in Merced and other local governments are discussing ways to protect their workers amid the ever-evolving situation. Questions remain over how many workers will be able to do their jobs away from the office.

Merced, Merced County and the city of Atwater have all declared emergencies as precautions. As of Monday, there were no confirmed reports of coronavirus in Merced County.

One UC Merced student was showing symptoms consistent with the virus on Tuesday, but the campus said they were still awaiting the outcome of test results.

Schools in all 20 of Merced County.s school districts will close Thursday and reopen April 20.

County Public Health Director Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp on Monday said it’s possible someone in Merced County could already have the virus, but without increased laboratory testing capability, the county cannot be sure.

Monday’s decision by the council ratified an emergency proclamation first announced Friday. Much like Merced County’s emergency declaration, supported by the Board of Supervisors Monday, the city’s emergency proclamation provides increased access to dollars for aid, personnel, equipment and facilities at the city level.

It also allows local provisions and regulations to speed up emergency response.

“Under this declaration, the essential operations of the city will continue,” said City Manager Steve Carrigan. “In addition, city departments are looking for ways to limit the number of individuals in common areas to ensure that any interaction with the public is safe for all people.”

Possible impacts to government workers

Although Merced County employees continue their day-to-day work, face-to-face meetings are becoming more limited and non-mandatory meetings are being postponed or canceled, county officials said.

Human resources is looking into how employees may be able to work from home, County Public Information Officer Mike North said.

In the interest of social distancing, Monday’s Merced City Council meeting included a set up in a separate room with chairs spaced 6 feet apart and a live stream of the council meeting as an alternative viewing option for the public

Attendees were greeted at the council chambers by a video reminding them to maintain social distance from others when choosing where to sit.

Council members sat spaced apart with an empty chair in between each other.

Carrigan said the city continues to function normally internally, while limiting personal interactions and meetings. Changes for the coming week or two are being discussed, however.

“Staff will continue to evaluate the continuity of services to the community, should staffing levels need to be reduced due to shelter in place recommendations,” Carrigan said.

Atwater, first city in the county to declare an emergency situation, is looking into precautions to protect employees,especially those who are at-risk for COVID-19.

Atwater City Manager Lori Waterman said the city is seeking to move those employees out of contact with the public.

Waterman said that while some city positions facilitate working from home, others logistically cannot, such as public works. The city is looking at flexing schedules and is discussing leave options with employees.

“We have essential services we need to provide to the public, and those are not going to change,” she said.

The next Atwater City Council meeting will operate as it typically does, except with an emphasis on social distancing between attendees. The city is working on ways for the public to submit questions or comments by phone, text or email without being physically present.

Possible impacts to first responders

With the growing coronavirus concerns, city officials have urged law enforcement and other first responders to use caution, particularly by treating all human blood and certain human body fluids as if they are known to be infectious.

“We do have a heightened awareness with this,” said Jeremy Rahn, Merced County Fire Department/Cal Fire Division Chief and Office of Emergency Services Deputy Director.

Plus, all dispatchers are asking extra screening questions to vet and prepare for potential coronavirus-related calls and situations.

Limiting unnecessary exposure between first responders and the public is a priority, officials say.

“We’ve modified our daily operations a little bit,” said Atwater City Fire Battalion Chief and City OES Coordinator John Slate. “Fire, as well as police, help with doing a lot of annual inspections, (but) we’ve pushed it off a little bit.”

Merced Fire Chief Billy Alcorn, who oversees the city’s Emergency Operations Center, noted several emergency plans while speaking at the Merced City Council meeting.

The plans included an outline of the most critical city operations and services, how to operate in the event of reduced staffing, and planning for infection control between city employees.

Atwater police have stepped up cleaning efforts at the department, and stocked up on adequate supplies and protective gear, said Police Chief Michael Salvador.

Merced Interim Police Chief Tom Cavallero said the public is encouraged to call ahead if they want to make a non-emergency police report in person. Otherwise, reports can be made from their residence. “We’re happy to go to them,” he said.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 8:10 AM with the headline "Merced, Atwater and local governments looking at ways to protect workers from coronavirus."