Coronavirus updates: New SLO County cases, farm produce boxes in high demand
San Luis Obispo County had 124 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Wednesday.
While the county is starting to prepare to phase out the shelter-at-home order, local beaches have enforced more restrictions and business owners are turning to grocery store jobs to stay afloat while their businesses are closed.
Meanwhile, jails across California, including San Luis Obispo County Jail, have released inmates on $0 bail to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Here are your local updates for Wednesday:
Farm produce boxes in high demand in SLO County
As San Luis Obispo County residents mark a month of sheltering at home, services that provide boxes of locally grown produce and meat are seeing high demand.
Talley Farms in Arroyo Grande has tripled the number of community-supported agriculture (CSA) boxes it packages. And The Larder Meat Co. in San Luis Obispo has increased its business by about 400% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SLO tech, manufacturing career training
The economic impact of coronavirus could lead to a career change for some and training for a new skill through the local nonprofit SLO Partners is available to help.
The Ticket into Tech program is a is a 30-week online program, in partnership with Cal Poly Extended Education, with training in computer science toward employment opportunities around the world. Ticket into Precision Manufacturing is a 10-week program.
Programs start June 15 and will have graduates ready to hire in December.
People can apply to the program and scholarships at slopartners.org/ticket-into-tech. Businesses interested in hiring graduates can contact Paula Fryer directly at pfryer@slopartners.org.
3 local beaches ban towels, umbrellas and chairs
Port San Luis Harbor District has decided to restrict beach use at Avila Beach, Fisherman’s Beach and Olde Port Beach, according to a district news release.
The district said continued crowding led to their decision. Towels, chairs and umbrellas will not be allowed, and visitors are asked to not loiter on the beach.
SLO County Jail inmates released on zero bail
Seven San Luis Obispo County Jail inmates were released on $0 bail in an emergency effort by the court to reduce local jail populations and prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office identified about 60 inmates who were eligible for so-called “zero bail.” Of those, 33 cases made it to court, and after two days of hearings seven people were released.
SLO grocery store employs business owners
Owners of a coffee shop, mobile draft beer truck and brewpub were hit hard financially when San Luis Obispo County instituted a shelter-at-home order in March.
The three business owners got jobs stocking shelves overnight at Vons supermarket in San Luis Obispo’s Marigold Center to help pay the bills.
Social distancing for bicyclists
With less cars on the road it may be easier for bicyclists to maintain distance, but Tom Parsons, president of the Slabtown Rollers cycling club in Cambria, said six feet is not enough.
He said his concerns result from the concept of “respiratory signature,” which is the footprint left in the atmosphere each time riders expel air from their lungs through the mouth and nose.
To stay safe, he said, bike riders should remain 10 to 15 feet away from one another.
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 10:06 AM.
