Hometown News Since 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CIV, NO. XIV
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
ESSENTIAL HEROES
COUNTY COVID-19 NUMBERS CONTINUE RECENT TREND
County/State leaders eye a strategic and cautious recovery process By NICHOLAS MATTSON nic@atascaderonews.com AS OF TUESDAY, APRIL 14 SLO COUNTY STATISTICS:
• Confirmed Cases in SLO County: 120 • Recovering from Home: 15 • Hospitalized: 3 (2 in ICU) • Fully Recovered: 101 • Deaths: 1 DAY-OVER-DAY STATISTICS:
• Day-over-day Increase in positive tests: 3 • Day-over-day Increase in fully recovered: 6 • Day-over-day Increase in hospitalizations: 1 (0 change in ICU) • Day-over-day Increase in North SLO County cases: 0 NORTH SLO COUNTY:
• Confirmed cases in Paso Robles: 30 • C o n f i r m e d c a s e s i n Atascadero: 23 • Confirmed cases in Templeton: 6
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s the attention of the nation begins to shift toward reawakening of the community and the economy, San Luis Obispo County takes aim at local actions to participate. On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom scripted a roadmap without specific timelines that spoke to the loosening of shelter orders statewide, but also to the localization of control. San Luis Obispo County Administrative Officer Wade Horton reported the County is working to establish a panel to bring information to the public about a scheduled return to an open community. I’m proud of what our community is doing together,” Horton said. “We believe our county will be in a good position to begin a phased reopening in our CONTINUED ON PAGE A16
LOCAL NEWS
Supplies span the production process of Ellie Kelley’s mask-making effort to fill the gaps in need for personal protection equipment. Photo by Ellie Kelley
MASK MAKING BECOMES COTTAGE INDUSTRY Business owners collaborate and donate to fulfill healthcare and public needs By NICHOLAS MATTSON nic@atascaderonews.com
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s COVID-19 hit the Central Coast, frontline workers at hospitals were going face-to-face with the novel coronavirus and quickly called out to health officials about the need for personal protective equipment. The owner of Birch Fabrics, Cynthia Mann, saw a need for the masks locally, and immediately put her employees to work donating their time and fabric to the cause. “My store donated the fabric and the sewing groups made the masks and donated them,” Mann said. “Ellie Kelley delivered a bunch to Twin Cities.”
Mann was the lead supplier in getting the burgeoning industry up, and Kelley took it from there. Also joining the local ranks, Scissor Clothing owner Kate White fulfilled orders for local healthcare needs. “I jumped in on it and did some research with a friend’s husband who is a molecular biologist,” Kelley said. “We researched what kind of fabric to use and how to make the masks.” The knee-jerk reaction in defense against the spread of COVID-19 made personal protective equipment a family name, and people went DIY while waiting for orders for masks to ship. Everything from scarves to plastic cylinders were placed on heads. Kelley studied
tutorials to make sure she had the right fit. “If there is any gapping around the nose or the sides, it will not be as effective,” Kelley said. Local health officials encouraged the public not to purchase medical-grade N-95 masks, as those were needed by healthcare workers and in short supply. Local sewing experts filled the gap with expertise and industry to supply the general public with PPE as they battle community spread of COVID-19. The locally-made masks are not medical grade but provide necessary protection for patients or other essential workers — like grocery store or postal service workers — where physical distancing becomes a challenge.
CITY
For Mann and Kelley, the project began in the last week of March and involved a group of crafters helping from Paso Robles to Nipomo. Kelley, owner of The Breast Vest and mother of two small children, tasked herself with organizing the sewers and the effort to meet the local demand. “In the beginning, I just had my friends,” Kelley said. “I held some Zoom calls and made a PDF template. One particular family put out 60 masks, and some did five. But you add it all up, and it is really helpful.” Local demand for PPE at hospitals has reportedly waned, as SLO County CONTINUED ON PAGE A16
LOCAL BUSINESS
Atascadero Chamber offers Courtesy Restaurants Remake their Models from Scratch 3-months of Membership STAFF REPORT
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he Atascadero Chamber announced today the offering of free three (3) month memberships to local businesses that are not existing members. Members may opt out at no charge after their three (3) month courtesy membership. New members signing up for a standard membership (non-courtesy) in 2020 will receive 18 months for the price of 12. For existing members we will extend membership for six (6) months from the original renewal date. “This is about our community and the important businesses that serve it — the chamber feels strongly there should be no barriers to supporting each other in this time of crisis,” stated Tom Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Atascadero Chamber of Commerce. Vicki Lee, Director of Operations for the Chamber reminds the business community that “you are your business, so now is the time to get you and your business connected in your business community. For over 100 years, the Chamber has been the connection.” President/CEO for the Chamber, Emily Reneau encouraged people to sign up. “The
HOME & GARDEN
more the merrier! We are putting out a lot of pertinent information right now. Come join us!” All offers are good through September 30, 2020. The Chamber looks forward to welcoming new members. To sign up please go to www. atascaderochamber.org The Atascadero Chamber of Commerce exists to be the Catalyst for business growth, the Convener for leaders and influencers, and the Champion for a stronger community. Our aim is to create a community where no business can fail. Learn more at atascaderochamber.org.
COVID-19 NEWS
SPORTS
Shelter-at-home orders demand shifts from the food service industry By CONNOR ALLEN connor@atascaderonews.com
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uring this time in the COVID-19 crisis, while Governor Newsom has ordered that all nonessential businesses close their doors, many local restaurants are still working hard and adapting to the new work climate to continue bringing us all the meals we love. Some places have had to rearrange their menus, switch to delivery, and curbside pickup while others CONTINUED ON PAGE A16
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WEATHER
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TEMPLETON HIRES New Interim School District Superintendent | A3
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