STATE CAPITOL COMMITTEES P-O- BOX 942349 (A??BmhIlg CHAIR: BUDGET NO. 1 ON SACRAMENTO, CA 94243-0031 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (916) 319-2031 [If qr . 1 BUDGET FAX (916) 319-2131 I 11111151 CLBBIE afar? BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS DISTRICT OFFICE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AND TOXIC MATERIALS 2550 MARIPOSA MALL, ROOM 5031 FRESNO, CA 93721 (553) 445-5532 FAX (559) 445-6006 HIGHER EDUCATION HUMAN SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE REGIONAL APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING THE STATES WATER NEEDS JOINT COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET THIRTY-FIRST DISTRICT July 15, 2020 To the Fresno County Board of Supervisors: In recent weeks, as our region and state have seen an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, I have met with concerned leaders and community members, including essential workers who pick our crops, toil in our packing houses, and undertake other jobs needed to keep our economy going during this pandemic. As a doctor, I came away with one disturbing, singular message: we all need to address the current situation with more urgency. Therefore, I am asking for an emergency meeting to discuss what measures we can consider and take to be more effective in meeting this unprecedented challenge. I appreciate that you designated $5 million of federal CARES Act funds to help small businesses through this crisis, and that some other funds were allocated to the Fresno County Department of Public Health, which is doing everything it can to ?ght this dangerous virus. Together, we can do more. It would be helpful to understand how the balance of the $81.5 million in CARES ?mds are being allocated. Testing? Contact tracing? Safety equipment for essential workers? I am particularly worried about those who work high-risk indoor jobs and cannot physically distance themselves from their co-workers. I?ve also learned that the county is close to using the alternate care site at the Exhibit Hall in Fresno to handle the surge in patients. I would like to learn more. We also know many essential workers mostly Latino and other minorities must keep working to feed their families. If they fall victim to the virus, many are not aware that they can access health care to treat the illness, despite not having health insurance. I think we all agree that when people have factual information we can all make better personal and leadership decisions. I learned about the outbreak at the Harris Ranch Beef Company slaughterhouse and meat packing facility in Selma only because Tulare County has a transparency policy on workplace-related infections, and that generated a small news story. Fresno County should be committed to transparency and being inclusive so that the public has con?dence that elected of?cials are making decisions in the best interest of all people. Printed on Recycled Paper STATE CAPITOL PO. BOX 942849 SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0031 (916) 319-2031 Q'Lalifnrnia E?ngialature DISTRICT OFFICE 2550 MARIPOSA MALL, ROOM 5031 FRESNO, CA 93721 (559) 445?5532 FAX (559) 445-6006 DR. JOAQUIN ARAMBULA $312111 1% CHAIR: BUDGET No.1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUDGET BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AND TOXIC MATERIALS HIGHER EDUCATION HUMAN SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE REGIONAL APPROACHES TO ADDRESSING THE WATER NEEDS THIRTY-FIRST DISTRICT JOINT COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COVID-19 has cast an ugly spotlight on the inequities faced by our most disadvantaged communities. As a doctor, it pains me that people are suffering at a time when leadership and clear direction can save lives and slow the spread of this vicious virus. My of?ce and I stand ready to assist you in looking at what other counties have implemented to ?ght Let?s identify the best practices and put them to work in Fresno County. I have copied this letter to a number of organizations that I work with and can help us identify best practices that we can review together. We can meet this moment together. I?m ready to begin. Asse ti ember, 31St District Dr. Rais Vohra, Health Of?cer Building Healthy Communities Centro La Familia Central Valley Health Policy Institute California Farmworker Foundation Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative Assembly District 31 City Mayors Western Center for Law and Poverty California Health +Advocates California Hospital Association Clinica Sierra Vista akara Movement Fresno Barrios Unidos Youth Leadership Institute Health Access Faith in the Valley David Pomaville, Public Health Director United Health Centers Valley Health Team Adventist Health Community Regional Medical Centers Saint Agnes Medical Center Kaiser Pennanente Fresno Califomia Medical Association Fresno?Madera Medical Society Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability Asian Business Institute Resource Center Kaiser Family Foundation California Endowment Sierra Health Foundation California Immigrant Policy Center Planned Parenthood Central Valley Community Foundation Printed on Recycled Paper