Congress passed a historic economic rescue package early Friday morning as the number of COVID-19 cases hit 100,000 in the U.S. While the Senate approved the money earlier this week, the House battled over specifics until passing it. President Trump then signed it later Friday afternoon. Roughly $2 trillion will now be pumped into various sectors of the economy, including the airline industry, medical help, various businesses and mass transportation. Checks from the package that will go to many working Americans under a certain income level will be sent in about three weeks.
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Second Harvest Food Bank staged a massive drive-thru food distribution Friday at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Suzanne Willis of Second Harvest said they were expecting 3,000 families to each receive 40 pounds of produce and 15 pounds of dried food, among other foods. Second Harvest was being assisted by 23 California National Guard volunteers from Merced. The line of cars at the start of the day was reportedly from the fairgrounds all the way down East Lake Avenue to the Quik Stop on Holohan Road.
“The amount of outpouring help, the people that donated food, — all of it is simply incredible,” Willis said. “It’s going very smoothly, thanks to these wonderful volunteers and staff.”
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I stopped by Gizdich Ranch and ran into owner Nita Gizdich. She said her pie shop was still open for takeout orders of pies or pie slices.
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Area schools are now said to be closed until May 6 in Santa Cruz County, May 4 in Monterey County and April in 10 San Benito County.
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Santa Cruz County has now confirmed 32 cases of COVID-19. None are 17 or younger. Twenty-one are between 18-65. The remaining are 65 and older.
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China’s President Xi Jinping said China is ready to step forward to help the U.S. in combating the virus. China’s cases are declining.
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I also stopped by the Watsonville Certified Farmer’s Market today. Coordinator Jesus Madrigal said there were five produce stands and five prepared food stands up and running. There will be no flowers, jump houses or live music. Madrigal said organizers were helping people maintain the six-foot social distancing measure.
