Coronavirus updates: SLO County extends shelter-at-home; Cuesta summer classes online
San Luis Obispo County had 127 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Friday, with 107 recovered COVD-19 patients and three in the hospital.
To protect customers and help curb the spread of the virus, some local grocery stores are requiring shoppers wear face coverings while they pick up food and essentials.
Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County public health officer, demonstrated the proper way to wear such face masks at a news conference Wednesday.
Here are your local updates for Friday:
‘I found toilet paper!’ SLO County bakery has hilarious response to coronavirus shortage
Arroyo Grande Bakery is selling cakes shaped liked toilet paper as a humorous response to the shortages caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
The bakery is selling small cakes for $14.99 and “megarolls” for $49.99, along with cupcakes, quarantine cookie trays and more elaborate cakes.
SLO County extends shelter-at-home order
The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department announced Friday that the emergency shelter-at-home order will be extended another 14 days, to May 16.
The county’s order, issued March 19, remains in effect until then while officials works to develop a clear plan for safely reopening, a news release said.
SLO County grocery stores urge shoppers to wear masks
Many local grocery stores are encouraging customers to wear face masks, and some are limiting the number of people allowed into shops at one time.
Albertsons supermarket in Paso Robles is not allowing customers to enter the store unless they’re wearing face coverings.
Customers said they’re on board with the requirements, as they want to protect themselves and their families.
Here’s how to wear a face mask, keep it clean
San Luis Obispo County public health official Dr. Penny Borenstein demonstrated how to handle face coverings to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
On Wednesday, Borenstein encouraged those wearing masks to avoid touching the front of masks and to store them in a brown paper bag when they’re not in use.
SLO County airport receives $20 million grant as travel plummets
The San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport has seen a 90% drop in passengers since state and county shelter-at-home orders were put in place in mid-March.
To help it recover from lost revenues, the airport has received a $20 million stimulus grant as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (C.A.R.E.S.) Act Airport Grant Program.
Cal Poly tomato plant sale goes online
The annual Cal Poly Tomato Spectacular sale was originally planned for the first week of April, but it was postponed and moved online because of coronavirus concerns, the San Luis Obispo university said.
The virtual tomato plant sale will start Friday and last until all plants — more than 3,000 in all — are sold out, according to a news release.
Cuesta College summer classes to be taught online
Cuesta College lecture classes for summer will be delivered entirely online, according to a Cuesta news release Friday afternoon. Courses that have a laboratory component will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
“Some lab courses may continue to meet face-to-face, provided proper social distancing and hygiene can be maintained,” Cuesta College Assistant Superintendent Jason Curtis said in the release. “Cuesta College will follow all state and county guidelines to protect the safety of faculty and students, and these in-person meetings may be subject to modification or moved online as the coronavirus pandemic develops.”
The summer term starts June 15.
Cuesta College is also evaluating what it wants to do about its commencement ceremony scheduled for May 22.
Student Services surveyed more than 1,000 graduating students for their preference on how to proceed with the ceremony, according to the release. A decision based on the survey results will be announced at a later date.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 9:46 AM.
