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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 21
May 22, 2020
Nurses protest hospital policies
Singing With The Choir
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
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 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 reported since the COVID-19 pandemic reached the U.S. The shortage has influenced policies on the use of N95 masks for the treatment of patients with either a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. Guidance provided by the California Division see Nurses page 22
Liberty High School Choir comes together as one in virtual performance. Page 4
Food Trucks Roll Into Town Photo by Tony Kukulich
Oakley resident Sue Higgins joins other nurses at Kaiser Permanente Antioch May 12 in protesting hospital policies regarding the distribution of personal protective equipment.
Businesses see eased restrictions 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 coronavirus-controlling 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
“ We are hoping (these new regulations) are something that protects the community’s health and also tries to avoid the worst impacts on the economy.
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District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis 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 public health officer. The new regulations are a stark contrast to the county’s recent business landscape. Since mid-March, only essential businesses, like grocery
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stores and pharmacies, had been allowed to open — a drastic step to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The new stipulations dictate that customers may not enter reopened retailers. Merchants may not display for-sale goods on tables or outside their stores. And businesses must employ reasonable measures to ensure that customers comply with so-
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cial-distancing requirements at pickup areas, including marking locations at 6-foot intervals for customers waiting in line. “We are hoping (these new regulations) are something that protects the community’s health and also tries to avoid the worst impacts on the economy,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis. Many East County businesses started to re-emerge early this week, but area leaders conceded that store location, available merchandise, staffing levels, the ability to conduct transactions and other factors would guide their reopening timetables. Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery said he believed
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
see Restrictions page 22
Adopt-A-Pet............................7 Classifieds.............................20 Cop Logs................................19 Food........................................10 Milestones............................18 Opinion..................................14 Sports.....................................16
Host Students
Water Park Closed
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ASSE Student Exchange Programs is looking for families to host high school students.
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The Antioch Recreation Department is postponing all activity at the water park.
