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Update: Face Coverings & Masks

Both the CDC and State of California have said that face coverings can help slow the spread of COVID-19

Governor Gavin Newsom has repeatedly said face coverings can supplement but not replace such behaviors such as staying at home, maintaining physical distance and hand washing. State health officials have expressed concern the masks could lull people into a false sense of security and cause them to avoid more critical distancing behaviors. They also remain worried that residents may try to obtain N95 or surgical masks as hospitals struggle to find enough for their workers.

Newsom has repeated:

We have been very clear that if you are going into an environment where physical distancing is all but impossible — for example, into a grocery store with small aisles and a long queue — that we do believe it would be additive and beneficial to have a face cover”

A significant portion of individuals with Coronavirus lack symptoms (they are “asymptomatic”). Even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.

This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.

Therefore, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing is not feasible.

Face Coverings

Face Coverings are loose-fitting, disposable devices and can be home-made. Face coverings should be used in public settings where social distancing is not feasible.

N-95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators

A standard (non-surgical) N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirator (FFR) will filter out at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) airborne particles, including bacteria and viruses. (N means that the mask is not oil resistant). Photo below.

N95 Respirators are for first responders and health care providers who are caring for or contacting actual or suspected COVID-19 patients.

Additionally, the CDC has a page dedicated to question about PPE or Personal Protective Equipment

March CERT Basic Academy Postponed

Coronavirus Postpones March 2020 CERT Basic Academy — **Coronavirus Outbreak Postpones March 2020 CERT Basic Academy**

The Cities of Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, and Westminster had scheduled a 20-hour Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training academy at JFTB-Los Alamitos on March 20-28, 2020. Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing this academy to a future date, which is to be determined.

The CDC recommends that older adults and other high risk individuals “limit close contact” and “avoid crowds as much as possible” during the COVID-19 outbreak. By postponing this non-essential gathering, we can reduce the risk to CERT participants and allow cities and emergency agencies to focus on their primary response missions.

We sincerely thank the Joint Forces Training Base, along with all who had expressed interest in this course. We could not conduct this high quality training academy and exercise without the help of our sponsoring cities, response agencies, instructors, and the volunteer members and leaders of our CERT Team.

You can read the full notice from the Team Coordinators here.

We do not yet have new Academy dates but will keep you advised here and via emails to our members.

Additionally, the Seal Beach Run on 3/28, the City of Anaheim Police & Fire Departments event on 4/2, and the Westminster Spring Festival on 4/4 have also been canceled.

2020 Westminster TET Parade – Color and Fun

**Comms Team for the 2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon**

The early morning was cold and foggy as amateur radio volunteers from across the county checked in for duty, arriving by 6:30, with some arriving by 6:00 – and you know who you are! There were members from West County CERT, SORA, Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo RACES and OCHEART there to support Westminster RACES and provide “eyes and ears” and radio communications throughout the half mile 2020 TET Parade route in Westminster.

Mickey Mouse served as the Children’s Grand Marshall and lead the parade ushering the Lunar New Year, Year of the Rat. The parade route ran along Tran Hung Dao Blvd. (Bolsa Avenue) from Magnolia east to Bushard before turning south and ending at Bishop Place. The celebration takes place in the Little Saigon area of Westminster which has the largest concentration of Vietnamese living outside of Vietnam.

The event itself went very well and was well attended with an estimated 10,000 spectators joining in the festivities. There were more than 80 parade entries ranging from political candidates and city council members to marching bands and floats. Of course, there were plenty of Dragons and firecrackers to celebrate and ring in the New Year.

Westminster RACES Lead, Chi Nguyen, was able to get some good photos of the radio communications teams as they were deployed. Thanks to Hermie, Karla, Art, and Barbara for representing West County CERT at the event.

2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon
2020 Westminster TET Parade in Little Saigon

You can watch the full TET Parade below:

The City of Westminster appreciates the assistance of all the volunteers who helped to make the parade possible. West County CERT looks forward to being there again in 2021.