For COVID-19, also known as the “novel coronavirus,” it was a very successful week, with lots of new infections and widespread influence on events, theme parks, government organizations, and stock markets. For everyone else, not so much. This President’s Message provides the latest information, both in terms of what we know and what we are planning and doing here in Oakmont.

The White House today declared a national emergency, made $50 billion in emergency funding available, lifted restrictions on doctors and hospitals and waived interest on student loans. Every state has been urged to immediately establish emergency operations centers.

Meanwhile, Congress and the White House agreed on a sweeping coronavirus package to assist people impacted by the outbreak. The measure includes two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave, enhanced unemployment benefits, free virus testing including for those who lack insurance, additional food aid and federal funds for Medicaid.

The state of California is issuing daily updates on COVID-19 here. Today’s update, among other things, said that yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a new executive order further enhancing California’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor’s order waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19, delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings, directs residents to follow public health directives and guidance, including canceling large non-essential gatherings that do not meet state criteria, readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals, allows local or state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference and to make meetings accessible electronically and allows local and state emergency administrators to act quickly to protect public health.

The state’s public health experts have determined that gatherings should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines.

Today, the Sonoma County Health Officer reinforced the state’s guidelines, issuing an Order canceling mass gatherings of 250 individuals or more, specifying that gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 must be limited to no more than 10 people, except for family gatherings and specifying that smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled. This Order does not apply to activities such as attendance at regular school classes, work, courthouses, detention facilities, or essential services. For the county’s purposes, a gathering is any event or convening that brings together people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.

I mention these not only to summarize the latest national, state and local news on this virus, but to portend and frame Oakmont’s response. We wish to adhere to guidelines suggested by experts.

Several days ago, we asked our clubs and committees to report to us the hardships they would experience if OVA shuttered its facilities. We’ve been gathering that data and it will help us mitigate, if possible, the impact of such a shutdown. The board will vote in Tuesday’s open meeting on the actions we will take.

We’ve installed hand sanitizer dispensers across our campus and will check and refill them regularly, even after the virus passes. We will continue to provide regular updates. We’ve asked staff to quickly establish webinar technology that will permit groups to meet electronically. Assuming a test this weekend goes well, we’ll be live-streaming Tuesday’s open board meeting. The live stream should allow residents watching on their home computers to comment as if they were in the Berger Center.

I’ve previously written about actions such as frequent, thorough hand washing we can all use to help protect ourselves and others from contracting the virus. By now, these suggestions are widespread, so I won’t repeat them here. But I will reiterate that these suggestions, coming from a recognized expert in the field, are critical to controlling the virus.

Seniors are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. OVA Directors and staff urge you to take appropriate precautions and watch future OVA communications for more information.