Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes Benicia.

By Senator Bill Dodd and Mayor Elizabeth Patterson

Coronavirus has brought wrenching change to our community, forcing us to pause our normal lives.

Families are feeling economic uncertainty as businesses shut down and workers stay home to stop the spread. Parents face the challenge of home-schooling kids. And there is widespread fear about what infection could mean to loved ones. Sadly, our county has suffered its first coronavirus deaths.

Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson has served as mayor since 2007.

We need all levels of government working together to address the pandemic and its impact on public health and our economy. Through this collaboration – working as a team as “we” not “me” — people across our state are doing their part by social distancing and sheltering in place. Early indicators suggest California’s efforts to slow the spread of the virus in this way are working. We’re encouraged by what we see.

But we cannot let up. State and federal governments are working to help doctors and hospitals to deal with any surge in COVID-19 patients. We’re investing in more beds and equipment as well as testing to get a better handle on how the virus is being transmitted.

The city of Benicia is collaborating with Benicia Unified School District, Community Action Council and local groups providing assistance and encouraging continued social distancing and “shelter at home” to prevent more people from becoming ill. Donation drives have included making masks and generating supplies of much-needed personal protective equipment. People are donating blood. And school campuses, which are closed until at least summer, are transitioning to online instruction.

Fortunately, the state, city and county have been prudent in years past with their own finances and have set aside rainy day funds for emergencies like this. Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature are now devoting those resources to this crisis.

In addition to safeguarding public health, much attention is focused on the economic fallout. A federal stimulus program supported by our own Congressman Mike Thompson is expected to get checks into the hands of all working Americans. Unemployment benefits have been streamlined to help people who lost jobs including the self employed. A number of small business loans and grants are now available to help small companies weather closures.

Other welcome measures from Gov. Newsom include suspending all evictions of people who are out of work and cannot pay their rent as the result of COVID-19. The DMV is extending the deadline to renew licenses and registrations for 60 days. In addition, an extension is now in place for filing state income taxes and resources are available to help impacted businesses and workers. 

Local government is the backbone of emergency response. We’re heartened by the resilience of the city and county as agencies continues to provide services such as police and fire fighting — despite the enormous new financial burden. The state needs to continue to support local agencies, providing immediate assistance and resources on the long road to recovery.

Of course, we all must do our part though isolation and social distancing. Stay apart to stay together. This is especially important for older adults, 65 and up, or those who are medically vulnerable. Follow official health guidance including frequent handwashing. Because of limited testing capacity, If you become ill, call your doctor for advice before going to a hospital or medical office.

This is a time of profound hardship for our businesses and many residents and the city. And if we follow the advice of medical experts and limit public contact, we will get through it. Benicia has weathered fires, floods and earthquakes, and we’ll get through this too as we always have – together.

Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.

Mayor Elizabeth Patterson has served on the City Council since 2003 and as Mayor since 2007.

• For more information about the pandemic as well as state resources, go to https://covid19.ca.gov/ or call 2-1-1.
• Whether you’re in medicine or not, you can find ways to help at Serve.CA.Gov. 
• Small business assistance programs: https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/ 
• Unemployment benefits: www.edd.ca.gov
• Information on City services: https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/

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