Antioch Press 04.17.2020

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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

Vol. 20, No. 16

Nurses call labor conditions unsafe in fight against virus

April 17, 2020

Fostering Furry Friends

by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer

Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) have been a hallmark of the novel coronavirus pandemic since the SARS-CoV-2 virus took hold in the United States, and nowhere has the impact of that shortage been felt more acutely than in the hospitals on the front line of treating patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections and those suspected of being infected, referred to as a person under investigation (PUI). Several nurses from a Contra Costa County hospital spoke to The Press about an inability to obtain PPE, specifically N95 respirators, from their employer. Fearing reprisal, the nurses have asked that their employer not be named. “It’s been a total disregard for our health and safety,” said Monica Rizo, a registered nurse. “Their attitude has been one of, ‘shut up and do it.’ Certain managers have been very condescending and not very compassionate toward our feelings. We’re not about to be guinea pigs. I see Nurses page 18

Foster families come to the rescue of local animal shelters in their time of need. Page 6

Local Goods Still Thriving

Photo by Tony Kukulich

Monica Rizo, a registered nurse at a Contra Costa County hospital, has expressed concern about the lack of appropriate personal protective equipment for nurses on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Real estate industry deemed essential by Aly Brown Staff Writer

With the power to make or break an economy, real estate was deemed an essential business late last month, though agents are still strapped with strict guidelines. On March 28, the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) published an advisory memorandum on identifying essential workers while shelter-inplace order remains in effect. Noted in the memorandum were government employees who perform title searches, no-

“ To many, a move is a necessity — it’s not something they necessarily want to do sometimes, but the property needs to go.

Bryan Hogge Intero Real Estate owner, broker tary services and recording in support of mortgage and real estate services and transactions. Also indicated on the list were residential and commercial real estate services. CISA Director Christopher Krebs, who published the report, said the list was advisory in nature and should not be taken as a

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federal directive or standard. In East County, local agencies have been watching the daily changes with bated breath and adjusting as needed. “At the point of when we were nonessential, the effect it could have had just on the economy was going to be catastrophic,” said Bryan Hogge,

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Intero Real Estate owner and broker. “People have to move — it’s not like people are buying a house like they would a car. To many, a move is a necessity — it’s not something they necessarily want to do sometimes, but the property needs to go.” While real estate agents were given the green light to work during the pandemic, it comes with strict regulations that inhibit certain aspects of the trade. Only vacant properties can be shown in person, and only two people are alsee Essential page 18

COVID-19 Plan

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Bipartisan senate committee oversees California’s emergency response plan.

Local food producers see demands soar as stay-at-home orders remains in place. Page 12

Cheer Team Looks Ahead

Antioch-based cheer team is gearing up for a return to competition. Page 14 Classifieds.............................17 Cop Logs................................13 Education..............................10 Food........................................12 Milestones............................16 Sports.....................................14

Rapid Response

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Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation creates Rapid Response fund.


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