Last updated 3 p.m. July 27
Latest News
- 15,003 cases in Kern County
- Economic relief talks ramp up as GOP releases bill; Democrats, White House officials sit down
- Two coronavirus vaccines begin the last phase of testing: 30,000-person trials
- California Democrats unveil $100 billion coronavirus stimulus plan. Here’s what’s in it
- Coronavirus updates: 453,000 Californians infected, six new deaths in Sacramento County
- Newsom to send coronavirus ‘strike teams’ to fight outbreak in hard-hit Central Valley
- 442 new COVID-19 cases reported Monday morning in Kern
- COVID-19 surge testing comes to the Kern County fairgrounds on Wednesday
- Around 865 CSUB students will be back on campus for in-person instruction this fall
- Disappearance of covid-19 data from CDC website spurs outcry
- U.S., Britain and Canada say Russian cyberspies are trying to steal coronavirus vaccine research
- Coronavirus updates: 356,000 Californians infected; public schools close for fall
- Kern County could see large increase in coronavirus cases over next few days, officials warn
- Kern County’s COVID-19 death count exceeds 100
- Gavin Newsom announces new wave of California closures as COVID-19 positive rate spikes
- Here’s what businesses are closed in each California county under new Newsom COVID-19 order
- More restrictions imposed on Kern businesses, Gov. announces; one death, 99 new COVID-19 cases reported locally Monday
- Coronavirus updates: Nationwide testing shortage deals setback to surging California
- California Governor Orders Second Shutdown of Restaurants and Indoor Businesses amid COVID-19
- 174 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths, reported by Kern County Public Health Tuesday
- Gavin Newsom gets power to withhold funds for counties that don’t follow COVID-19 rules
- Kern County reports 84 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, hospitalizations hit new high
- Businesses slow to adopt coronavirus expansion measures
- Gavin Newsom issues statewide mask order: Californians must wear face coverings in public
- Gavin Newsom signs law ordering mail-in ballots for November election
- Kern County Public Health announces 78 new COVID-19 cases, one additional death
- As special Covered California enrollment nears June 30 end, 155,000-plus have signed up
- ‘It’s precarious.’ How San Joaquin Valley became a worrisome COVID-19 hotspot in California
- California health officials are monitoring coronavirus spikes in these 9 counties
- Kern County meeting new state metrics for monitoring so far
- County sorts through large stack of loan program applications
- Kern County to consider distributing $20 million to cities for coronavirus relief
- Need a job? California’s unemployment agency has 1,800 of them. You can start right away
- Half of Calif. counties OK’d for reopening failed to meet at least 1 standard
- These groups have been hit especially hard by California’s unemployment surge
- Kern County health officials: Churches may reopen following state guidelines
- Kern supervisors move forward with small business relief program
- Kern Supervisors institute hiring freeze to forestall revenue shortfall
- New California coronavirus rules will let more counties reopen, Gavin Newsom says
- Kern County poised to begin loosening restrictions under governor’s new criteria
- Western governors join Gavin Newsom in $1 trillion appeal to Congress for coronavirus aid
- Kern County opening six new free coronavirus testing sites this week
- Gov. Newsom says he recognizes challenges of big counties, will work with Kern
- East Kern aerospace company joins with NASA to fight COVID-19
- ACLU petitions Newsom, Becerra to reduce jail populations, freeze ICE transfers amid pandemic
- Gov. Gavin Newsom expresses hope he can start loosening stay-at-home order soon
- California will employ restaurant workers to deliver meals to seniors, Gavin Newsom says
- California State Fair canceled to stem coronavirus spread. First closure since World War II
- New virus timeline: California had 2 deaths weeks earlier
- California is now in a recession that could last years, state fiscal experts say
- California gig workers, independent contractors to get unemployment help with new website
- Gavin Newsom listed 6 steps for re-opening California. Here they are
- You don’t have to go to the DMV: California extends license renewals for coronavirus outbreak
- IRS deposits first wave of stimulus checks
- 100 immigrant detainees hold hunger strike at Mesa Verde in response to COVID-19 measures
- Covered California, Dept. of Health offer insurance coverage to unemployed
- California to buy 200 million masks a month amid outbreak
- California judiciary panel delays evictions, foreclosures until summer due to COVID-19
- Coronavirus relief law gives California state workers with children 12 weeks paid leave
- Hotline for California seniors to stay connected amid COVID-19
- Trump signs historic $2 trillion stimulus after Congress passes it Friday
- California Gov. Newsom declares statewide moratorium on evictions for renters hit by coronavirus
- Trump to postpone Real ID deadline because of coronavirus, giving relief to California DMV
- Trump issues major disaster declaration for California as coronavirus pandemic intensifies
- Tax Day just got pushed back amid the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s what to know
- Gov. Gavin Newsom orders all Californians to stay at home
- State Department to tell Americans don’t travel abroad, come home if overseas
- Whether it’s curbside pickup, takeout or delivery, local restaurants taking action
- Kern County declares Emergency: https://www.ridgecrestca.com/news/20200317/townhall-kern-county-declares-emergency-update-one-positive-covid-19-test-for-non-resident
- Kern High School District sites closed beginning Wednesday, March 18: https://www.kernhigh.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1692908&type=d&pREC_ID=1849931
Resources
Official Public Health Organizations:
- World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2Findex.html
- California Public Health Department: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
- Kern County of Public Health: https://kernpublichealth.com/
- Bakersfield Resources: http://bakersfield.com
Assistance with Utility Bills/Rent:
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Community Action Partnership of Kern: Appointments can be made by calling 2-1-1 or 661-336-5203. Low-income home energy assistance program throughout Kern County. All utility companies also have Home Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP).
- Love in the Name of Christ: 661-325-8838
- Salvation Army: 4417 Wilson Road Bakersfield, CA 93309; 661-836-8487
- LAKE ISABELLA Family Resource Center: 9 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA 93240; 760-379-2556. Case managed only – Heap Application.
- TAFT Taft Needs Center: 518 Main, Taft, CA 93268; 661-763-4888. Utility and rent assistance for low income families. Only if funds are available.
- PG&E won’t shut off your power if you can’t pay, as of March 12th. Flexible pay plans will be available for people who are able to show they have been impacted by COVID-19.
- Eviction info: https://bit.ly/cairsvccevictionhelp
BUSINESS/EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE:
- Job loss help in CA: https://onwardca.org/?fbclid=IwAR1kf7F4fkO7qMNiUm2hL-B1A8qE2lki0zRN3hb1o20wAx0Ye_6YCvJzl0A
- Governor’s Office of Business & Workforce Development: https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/
- California Employment Development Department: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
- Labor & Workforce Development Agency coronavirus info: https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/
- U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan assistance: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
- CAIR-CA resource guide for small businesses and nonprofits: https://bit.ly/smallbiznonprofithelp
- CAIR-CA resource guide for employers: https://bit.ly/covid19workerhelp
Food & Funds Assistance:
- Kern High School District’s Nutrition Services Department is providing free breakfast and lunch to all children ages 2 to 18 during the school closures. Students can receive meals from any school, regardless of the district they attend. All KHSD schools will have “grab and go” sites between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Arvin High School
- Independence High School
- West High School
- Bakersfield High School
- Kern Valley High School
- Stockdale High School
- Centennial High School
- Liberty High School
- East Bakersfield High School
- Mira Monte High School
- East Belle Terrace
- Foothill High School
- North High School
- Nueva
- Frontier High School
- Ridgeview High School
- Vista
- Golden Valley High School
- Shafter High School
- Vista West
- Highland High School
- South High School
- Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank: The Food Bank distributes millions of pounds of food annually to hungry individuals, families, nonprofits, churches, community centers, homeless shelters and poverty-fighting agencies throughout Kern County. Fifty-four percent of those served by the Food Bank are children. The Food Bank office business hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The warehouse accepts food donations and drop-offs between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The CAPK Food Bank is located at 1807 Feliz Drive in Bakersfield.
- Ridgecrest Salvation Army: is 151 North Downs St., Ridgecrest, CA 93555; 760-375-7219. Offers emergency food from Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The site not only has a food pantry, but case managers can refer families living in poverty to CalFresh food stamp application sites. There may also be financial aid, as well as shelter and vouchers for school supplies.
- Salvation Army for the California City/Boron/Mojave region: 2230 Shasta St. (corner Of K Street), Mojave, CA 93501; 661-824-2100. Offers basic needs such as clothing/shoes and a food pantry. Also administers a Fresh Rescue food program.
- Gods Storehouse: 20021 Hwy. 178, Weldon, CA 93283; 760-378-2321. Along with the regular pantry for the Kern County area, senior citizens and elderly can get additional food assistance, and clothing may be provided.
- Food Pantry – Lake Isabella: 760-379-4825. Provides free emergency food to those in need. Also baby food and formula is offered when available, and twice a year.
- Cornucopia Services: 600 Fairfax Road, Bakersfield, CA 93306. An emergency food bank open once a month. The charity has canned groceries (such as soup and cereal) as well as fresh fruits, Ensure for the elderly, and perishable goods.
- Vanguard Community Center: 1701 Niles St.,Bakersfield, CA 93305; 661-323-3338. There’s a pantry, and services are also offered in Spanish.
- Catholic Social Services: 825 Chester Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301; 661-281-2130. Clothing and food pantry are available. Also hold food drives and partner with Kern County stores to feed the hungry.
- Flood Bakersfield Ministries: 3509 Union Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301; 661-323-5663. Baby formula, food, among other resources, may be provided to the needy, seniors and families in the community.
- Saturday Night Outreach: 999 E. California Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93301; 661-323-5663. The homeless, immigrants and farmworkers can get hot meals. They also feed students during the summer months, and volunteers can refer seniors to Meals on Wheels.
- McFarland Care and Share: 410 E. Perkins Ave., McFarland, CA 93250; 661-792-1883. Resources range from a food pantry to meals and clothing. Apply for government aid, too, such as HEAP or CalFresh. They can also refer working poor and unemployed families to USDA commodities.
- Griffith Avenue Baptist Church in Wasco: 661-758-2516. Church can provide meals to the homeless, information on shelter, guidance, and support.
- Community Action Partnership of Kern operates a monthly food assistance program. The nonprofit partners with churches, charities and social services at distribution sites on this mobile pantry. There are also vouchers for discounted prescription medications, applications to WIC or CalFresh, and other support. 661-725-9049, 661-845-6833 or 661-327-3074.
- Bakersfield Family Church – His House of Refuge: Pantry address is 106 Wilson Ave., Bakersfield, CA 93308; call 661-387-1778.
- Grace Assembly of God: 1510 McCray Street, Bakersfield, CA 93308; 661-393-0997. A free food pantry for the vulnerable, disabled and ill. Groceries, dairy, fruits and more are passed out by volunteers.
- Laborers of the Harvest: 201 1/2 Harrison Street, Taft, CA 93268; 661-763-1886
- Food Delivery
- League of Dreams and Brooklyn’s BBQ teamed up to feed those who might not be able to leave their home because of COVID-19 concerns. The family pack meal includes enough food for six people including a rack of ribs, an entire chicken, a half pound of whatever meat and three sides of your choice. If you would like a family pack, call 829-7427 a day in advance. Orders must be paid in full at the time of the order using a credit card. Family packs will be $50 each.
Mental Health:
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus
- Adult Outpatient Services will be available at both 5121 Stockdale Highway and 2525 N. Chester Ave., both in Bakersfield, CA
- Children’s Services will be available at 3300 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA
- Immediate behavioral health services are available at the Mary K. Shell Health Center, 2151 College Ave., Bakersfield, CA or at the Ridgecrest CSU, 1141 Chelsea St., Ridgecrest, CA.
INTERNET ACCESS:
- Internet Essentials: Free service for two months for new customers (low-income) – https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
- Spectrum: Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. To enroll call 844-488-8395. More info.
Undocumented/Immigrant/Refugee Community Help:
- REDA (for refugees): https://redacenter.org/refugee/index.php/home/
- COVID-19 Resources for Undocumented Communities
- CIYJA (for undocumented): https://ciyja.org/covid19/
- CAIR-Sacramento Valley/Central California- https://ca.cair.com/sacval/
Domestic Violence:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- Alliance Against Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline: 661-327-1091
Overall aid:
- Find assistance programs here: https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/kern_county_assistance_program.html
How to Help
- Find overall ways to help here: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/get-involved/covid-19/
- Donate/Volunteer at CAPK Food Bank: http://www.capk.org/programs/food-bank/
- Donate to CSU Bakersfield Food Pantry: https://www.csub.edu/sustainability/foodpantry/index.html