Rep. Takano Statement On Riverside County Supervisors Board Meeting to Rescind Local COVID-19 Public Health Orders
Riverside, CA – Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) released this statement following a Riverside County Supervisors Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 5 where the Board was set to vote on rescinding county COVID-19 public health orders. The vote on this proposal was rescheduled to Friday, May 8. At this meeting, Dr. Cameron Kaiser made compelling arguments for why his public health orders should stand.
“Following yesterday’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, I want to reiterate how crucial it is for the Supervisors to listen to the expertise of Dr. Cameron Kaiser as they consider their proposal to lift the county’s COVID-19 public health orders.
“During yesterday’s meeting, Dr. Kaiser made important clarifications about the implications of the public health orders he issued, emphasizing that these orders are in place to enhance the county’s ability to protect the public and open businesses safely and responsibly. He specifically mentioned that his public health order mandating school closures contained specific language that allows school districts to plan properly and helps safeguard their funding so they can be ready to reopen when Governor Newsom lifts the stay-at-home orders. This order was put in place for the safety of students, teachers, and in consultation with Superintendents. Voting to rescind this order could jeopardize school funding and voting to rescind Dr. Kaiser’s other three orders threatens the health and safety of Riverside County residents. I urge the Supervisors to abandon their efforts to rescind these orders and to trust in the guidance being issued by Dr. Kaiser.
“The threat of COVID-19 is very much still present in our community. There must be a well-thought out, comprehensive, data-based approach to help our community return to work and daily life without risking the resurgence of this virus at a rate that will overwhelm our healthcare system and threaten people’s lives.
“On Thursday, we will learn more about Governor Newsom’s Phase 2 plans, which will require the county to meet specific metrics for gradual reopening. Riverside County must rely on data and science as officials move forward with plans to reopen. The Supervisors cannot substitute wishful thinking for honest data and expert analysis.”
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