Statement from Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas on Modifications of Stay-At-Home Order

“Governor Gavin Newson deserves our respect for taking the difficult but necessary steps of implementing the Safer at Home Order to prevent the disastrous spread of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, he has ensured our State unequivocally prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of our citizens.

“This is the just the beginning of what will be a long fight. We commend health departments for their hard work, but we must ask them to reach deeper and collect more robust data and expand their testing before resuming normal economic activity.

“We know long after this virus is gone, the economic damage will remain. I want to be clear; we must make sure small businesses and individuals are connected to the resources that they need to survive and rebuild to come out stronger.

“Finally, I want to express my appreciation and admiration for the diverse group of essential workers who are on the front lines fighting this pandemic – the doctors and nurses at our hospitals; the street outreach workers who care for our homeless neighbors; the workers in grocery stores, restaurants, and other essential establishments and vital infrastructure; and many more.

“I want to emphasize that despite the isolating element of our collective response, you are not alone. We are here for you. We are all in this together, and we will emerge stronger as a community.”