COVID-19 Resources for California Families, Employees and Small Businesses

Every American’s life changed – almost overnight – as a result of the novel coronavirus. Ever since COVID-19 was first discovered in the United States, the state and federal governments have been struggling to keep up with the rapid spread of the virus. While some states were slow to implement mitigation measures, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on March 4, 2020, making California one of the first states to do so. However, it was not until March 19, 2020 that the Governor signed an executive order requiring all residents stay at home unless they were leaving for an authorized reason.

The effect that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the lives of Californians cannot be overstated. From school and daycare closures to businesses being forced to closed their doors, everyone in the state has been affected by the virus in many ways. Across the United States, over 25 million workers have filed for unemployment after being laid off, and millions more are furloughed or working reduced hours. Those employees who are fortunate enough to have their job still must either adjust to working at home or, as is the case for California essential workers, face the dangers of going to work during the pandemic.

At the McCormack Law Firm, we are here to help you deal with the COVID-crisis however we can. We understand that not everyone is going to need a San Francisco employment lawyer during the pandemic, however, for those who have been laid off or furloughed and have questions about their employer’s actions, we can help. To help deal with the myriad other issues Californians are facing during this challenging time, we have compiled a list of resources related to COVID-19, and the state and federal resources that are available to Californians in need of a little guidance or assistance.

General Information
COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, is an infectious disease that is spread through the air. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, small droplets are released into the air. These droplets can transmit the virus. COVID-19 can also spread when someone touches an infected surface and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of the disease are similar to the flu, and include a dry cough, low-grade fever and difficulty breathing. Some patients have reported a loss of smell, general aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should reach isolate themselves from others and immediately reach out to a healthcare professional to determine whether they should be tested.

Who Is Most at Risk

Most of those who contract the novel coronavirus will recover within a few weeks. However, these individuals may need to be hospitalized, and possibly may need to be ventilated, although that is uncommon for healthy individuals. The major concern with COVID-19 is that it presents an increased risk of complications for those over 60 years of age as well as individuals with certain pre-existing health conditions, including:

Asthma
HIV
Serious heart conditions
Chronic lung conditions
Obesity
Diabetes
Liver disease
Kidney disease

Those who are immunocompromised – due to other conditions or medications – are also at a greater risk of suffering complications from COVID-19 if they become infected.

How to Stay Safe?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that, to combat the spread of the disease, everyone:

Stay at home and self-isolate if they are feeling unwell;
Cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing;
Wash their hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with liquid soap and water; and
Follow social distancing protocol by avoiding close contact (within six feet) with those who may have the virus.
Wear a mask to prevent the spread of the virus, even if you do not have symptoms

California’s Response to COVID-19
The decision of how to handle school and business closures was left up to the governors of each state. Governor Newsom has signed a series of executive orders relating to the COVID-19 crisis, which can be found here. Below is a list of links to various websites tracking COVID-19 and the state’s response:

COVID-19 Statistics in California
California has more than ten million more residents than any other state. For the country’s most populated state, some could say that California has done very well at limiting the spread of COVID-19. Below are the state’s most recent COVID-19 statistics:

Total number of cases: 45,471
Total number of deaths: 1,809
Total number of tests administered: 577,608

Approximate age breakdown:

0 to 17: 1,190 cases
18 to 49: 21,888 cases
50 to 64: 11,781 cases
65 and older: 10,086 cases

The counties with the most COVID-19 cases are:

Los Angeles County: 19,570 cases
Riverside County: 3,301 cases
San Diego County: 3,045 cases
Orange County: 2,124 cases
Santa Clara County: 2,097
San Bernardino County: 1,681

The counties with the most COVID-19 cases are:

Los Angeles County: 913 deaths
Riverside County: 131 deaths
San Diego County: 123 deaths
Santa Clara County: 102 deaths
San Bernardino County: 82 deaths
Alameda County: 56 deaths

Learn More about COVID-19
The COVID-19 in California crisis evolves daily, and so do the suggestions on how to best mitigate against its spread. This is especially important given the fact that many states are starting to open up. To stay on top of all updates, occasionally visit the following links:

General California Government Information
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many California government activities have been suspended. For the most part, California courts are not hearing non-emergency matters. The California Judicial Branch maintains a website dedicated to providing participants with updates on court closures, and what matters the court is currently hearing. For example, currently, courts are not hearing eviction or foreclosure proceedings, but will hear a petition for a restraining order. Below is a list of additional resources related to the California court system:

The state government has created various webpages to help Californians understand the pandemic, how to prevent its spread and how to comply with the state’s stay-at-home order. Below is a list of a few resources:

Resources for California Families:

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone across the state, even those who have not caught the virus or know someone who has. Yet, the effect the virus takes on a family is personal, and depends on that family’s individual circumstances. Regardless of the specific challenges you are facing, you are not alone. Below is a list of resources for families dealing with the coronavirus crisis:

Stimulus Check Information:
Starting in the middle of April, the United States Treasury began issuing stimulus checks to qualifying Americans. Each qualifying individual will receive $1,200, and those with children under 16 years of age will receive $500 per child. Couples can receive up to $2,400 plus $500 per child. However, there are income limits, and individuals and families that make over a certain amount may not qualify, or may qualify for a reduced stimulus check. To learn more about the stimulus checks, visit the I.R.S. website. On April 15, 2020, the I.R.S. created a website where individuals can check the status of their stimulus check.

There has also been talk about additional stimulus checks; however, lawmakers are still debating the details. As of right now, no additional stimulus payments are forthcoming. But that may change. Here is an article discussing a few of the proposed plans.

Student Loan Information:
Under the recently-passed relief acts, many student loan borrowers will have their interest rate reduced to zero and some will have their loans placed into an emergency forbearance for the next few months. For those who qualify, payments will not need to be made. However, this only applies to federally-held loans, and not to those loans that are held by private institutions. That said, lenders may be willing to make concessions during the crisis, and borrowers are advised to reach out to the lender as early as possible to discuss their options. Learn more about student loan relief by the Federal Student Aid webpage or by contacting your loan provider.

For Victims of Domestic Violence
Incidents of domestic violence have dramatically increased as a result of families staying home. The California judiciary has a website dedicated to the victims of domestic violence, with guidance on how to find shelter and file a restraining order. The state’s domestic violence hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233. Those who are in immediate danger should not wait until the crisis passes, and should call 911 and report the abuse to the police immediately.

The California Partnership to End Domestic Violence has also set up a webpage to address a few frequently asked questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those leaving abusive relationships may find additional assistance in locating a shelter or additional services by visiting the Partnership’s map tool.

Public Benefits and Food-Security Information:
Most public assistance programs are still up and running, and accepting new applicants For example, the WIC program can now be accessed online and by phone and CalFresh benefits (food stamps) can also be applied for online. The Employment Development Department maintains a website with additional resources for low-income families and individuals.

The California Association of Food Banks remains open during the COVID-19 crisis, and provides food to those who need it. The organization has multiple locations across the state. Those in need of assistance can visit the Association’s website.

For those experiencing homelessness during the pandemic as well as those on the brink of homelessness, the California government has set up a website that can help needy individuals obtain food and shelter.

Resources for California Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of Californians being laid off, furloughed or having their hours reduced. Others are being required to work long hours or in dangerous conditions. Employment problems can easily turn into financial concerns and only add to the stress and anxiety many are already experiencing. Both state and federal lawmakers have implemented a series of measures to help employees through these employment challenges.

For example, the federal government passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which requires many employers offer paid leave to employees who are affected by COVID-19. The California Employment Development Department provides more information on the additional unemployment benefits that are made available through the CARES Act. The Department has a dedicated website to those seeking unemployment benefits during the pandemic. In addition, the Department has a list of FAQs for both employers and employers to help guide them through these unprecedented times.

It is also important to keep in mind that, while businesses large and small are facing difficult times, that is no excuse for a business to engage in illegal or unfair labor practices. For example, business must still pay overtime to qualifying essential, and employers who need to lay off employees must do so within the confines of the law and cannot discriminate when doing so.

Below are a few additional resources for employees, or those who have recently been laid off and are looking for employment:

Resources for California Small Businesses:

With most businesses being forced to close their doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, small business owners across California face some of the harshest business conditions the country has ever seen. Acknowledging this reality, lawmakers passed a series of bills to provide much-needed assistance to California business owners. Perhaps the most important assistance comes through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress in March 2020. The CARES Act has several components, a description of a few of the more important provisions are below:

Finding Help Paying Employees During the Crisis
It can be devastating for a business owner to tell loyal and hardworking employees that they will no longer have a job. Lay-offs can also jeopardize the future of a small business, as business owners may have a difficult time attracting the same caliber of employee. Thus, one of the most important part of the CARES Act for small businesses is the paycheck protection program (PPP). The PPP offers employers loans to cover payroll during the crisis. If employers are able to maintain payroll throughout the crisis, the loan may be forgiven. Learn more about the PPP here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Lawmakers understand that difficulty that the coronavirus pandemic has on small business owners due to no fault of their own. Under the CARES Act, Congress has loosened the restrictions to obtain an Economic injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). These low-interest loans can be up to $2 million, and may be forgiven, in part or in whole, depending on the circumstances. Most small business types are eligible, including sole proprietorships, limited liability corporations, independent contractors and cooperative or employee-owned businesses. To learn more about EIDLs, visit the Small Business Association’s website on EIDLs.

Other Support for Small Businesses
While the PPP and EIDL programs are perhaps the most helpful programs for many small businesses, the CARES Act provides additional help. To learn more about what options small business owners have, visit the SBA’s website on the CARES Act.

Additional Information for Small Business Owners:

A Compassionate California Employment Lawyer Here to Help Your Family During the COVID-19 Pandemic

At the McCormack Law Firm, we understand the difficulties facing California residents across the state, and want to do what we can to help. While employers are facing many challenges of their own during the pandemic, they still must follow state and federal law when they make crucial employment decisions that impact their workers. As experienced San Francisco employment law attorneys, we have a keen understanding of the legal principles involved in employers’ decisions, and we help employees and independent contractors who have been wronged by their employer. We handle all types of California employment law claims, including discrimination claims, wage and hour disputes, FMLA issues and wrongful terminations. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation to speak with an attorney about your situation, call (415) 925-5161.

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