Masks

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The Board of Supervisors held a meeting on Thursday to discuss the current situation of positive cases of COVID-19 in the county, especially in South Lake Tahoe where numbers are starting to grow.

After almost four hours of discussion, both amongst themselves and during public comment, the Board made the following action items but didn't vote on any county-wide orders:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The first cannabis dispensary to operate under the new City of South Lake Tahoe rules and regulations is now open.

Embarc Tahoe has opened its doors and held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday with Mayor Jason Collin, Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace, members of the Embarc Tahoe team and the South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce.

Owner Christy Wilson moved into what was once Tahoe Teriyaki and has since been several different businesses.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Angel of Tahoe, Lisa Maloff, officially got things rolling at the new Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe’s (BGCLT) clubhouse on Tuesday afternoon during an official groundbreaking ceremony.

Masks or face coverings are now required to be worn in the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) terminal’s public areas, by order of Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. The face coverings order was announced Wednesday.

Due to the change, signage describing the new rules is in place and highly visible.

STATELINE, Nev. - Harrah's Tahoe, Harveys, and all other Caesars Entertainment properties now require masks to be worn by everyone indoors at its properties across the Caesars network. This includes all employees, vendors, contractors, guests, and passersby in their properties.

In a statement today, Caesars Entertainment said the new universal mask requirement began at noon on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Masks are not required when eating and guests will be allowed to smoke or drink by moving the mask, then recovering their mouth and nose when done.

STATELINE, Nev. - Harveys Lake Tahoe announced Monday that they will be resume their operations as a hotel and casino on Tuesday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m.

Upon reopening, the property will comply with directives from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and public health authorities. Subject to and in accordance with such directives, other amenities on-property, including ticketed live events, will reopen as appropriate based on customer demand.

Across the street, Harrah's Tahoe opened along with the other Stateline casinos on June 4.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In response to Governor Sisolak’s announcement of the State entering Phase 2 of COVID-19 recovery, Douglas County Community Services has announced the reopening of child care programming, Lake Day Camp, at Kahle Community Center starting on Tuesday June 23, 2020.

Procedures will be implemented at the Kahle Community Center as outlined below based on Directive 21 – Roadmap to Recovery for Nevada for Phase 2.

Safety Guidelines for entering the Kahle Community Center building include:

It’s difficult to find the right words. Even now, a week after the on-camera murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by police officers, and all of the fallout felt nationwide, I’m still trying to understand the world, how to respond as a community leader, and how to explain it to my kids. All of the frustration, sadness, and outrage — it all seems so familiar since we’ve all been witness to these acts before, all seen and read and heard about cases of unarmed black people and other people of color killed in police custody when it was clearly avoidable.

These are odd times. We are told the best thing we can do is avoid each other and stay home if at all possible. Meanwhile, our local businesses are reopening while tourism continues to be discouraged. Whether you agree with these decisions or not, whether you believe the virus is real or not, our local businesses are struggling to get enough customers to make it worth the effort. I happen to be on the side of approaching reopening with a cautionary approach but I am also very concerned about our local businesses.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The El Dorado County Certified Farmer's Market is starting late this year due to uncertainties created by COVID-19.

Starting June 2, and every Tuesday through October 13, the Farmer's Market will be held in South Lake Tahoe at the American Legion located at 2732 Lake Tahoe Boulevard from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

This will be the county-wide market in 2020.

Other communities in El Dorado County that have a market are Cameron Park on Wednesdays, Placerville on Saturdays, and El Dorado Hills on Sunday.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Two different crimes in South Lake Tahoe on Wednesday turned out to be related and the alleged suspects were arrested near Fresh Pond, California.

On May 20 at approximately 2:50 p.m., officers from South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to the 7-11 at 2620 Lake Tahoe Boulevard after receiving a call of a robbery. Upon arrival, the clerk told officers a man and a woman had walked into the store with black masks on, approached the counter where the female demanded money.

All passengers on Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) buses will be required to wear a face covering while on transit buses and in transit facilities starting Monday, May 18.

This new requirement is to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain and in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The following is a letter sent to El Dorado County and City of South Lake Tahoe. It is published here in its entirety at the request of the author.

The South Tahoe Chamber of Commerce would like to offer encouragement and support of a revival of the local economy, while continuing to keep the health and safety of our residents in mind. Cases of COVID-19 have remained low in our region when compared to other more populated areas around the State and Nation. We applaud the quick action taken by the County and City that has helped us keep the case count low.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The generosity of a former South Lake Tahoe resident is keeping nurses and other members of the medical team at Barton Health safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brian Gignoux, who spent grades K-10 and early adult life in South Lake Tahoe, heard how medical personnel across the globe were having problems obtaining life-saving protection items like surgical and N95 masks. His medical field friends in South Lake Tahoe were no different.

He talked to Barton RNs Siobhan Keller and Rachelle Pakes, friends of his from childhood, and asked what they needed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Hospital is prepared to handle a surge in COVID-19 patients with an extra 150 beds identified for use if needed, and if that supply is used, more space is ready to be used through the help of community partners.

This was from Dr. Clint Purvance, CEO & president of Barton Health who participated in a virtual Town Hall meeting on Friday, hosted by the Tahoe Chamber.

RENO, Nev. – Peter Lucas, 35, of Reno, was arrested yesterday and appeared in court today for allegedly stealing hundreds of surgical masks from a supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (VA Medical Center) in Reno.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Hospital would like 1000 face shields for staff during the coronavirus pandemic, and a South Lake Tahoe couple has taken on the challenge. With about 100 masks a week they are in search of help from the community in their 3D printing efforts.

Keith and Linda Cloutier, owners of Rudy's Plumbing and Heating, are currently in production of the masks. Since a 3D printer takes about 3.5 hours to print one face shield, Keith is asking for community members who have a 3D printer to join him so they can get more shields to Barton.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health continues to adapt and respond to the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in the community. The health and safety of patients and care providers is the top priority, and operational changes continue to evolve at Barton Memorial Hospital and across Barton’s coordinated network of medical offices in preparation for any potential surge in patient care.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County has announced three new COVID-19 cases. As of 4:45 p.m. Friday, March 27, 12 people have tested positive for the virus. Health officials said the virus has been identified in both the West Slope and South Lake Tahoe areas.

There have been no numbers released on how many confirmed cases are in each area.

The best way to prevent the spread is to stay inside, and if going to an essential service such as the grocery store, maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Operational changes, including hospital visitation, screening protocols and testing facilities, continue to be made in the wake of El Dorado County’s first reported cases of coronavirus COVID-19. The health and safety of patients and care providers is Barton’s top priority, and community spread of COVID-19 is a concern. Regardless of confirmed cases in South Lake Tahoe, the advice of Barton Health medical experts is to assume COVID-19 is in the community and stay home unless absolutely necessary, keeping a distance of 6 feet from others if you must leave the home.

Heath Ledger would've been proud. Joaquin Phoenix's take on the iconic character is nothing short of amazing if not brilliant in the "Joker." I had been wanting to see this film since it first started shooting knowing the cast involved but Joaquin's performance surpassed even my expectations.

Prescribed fire operations in both the Eldorado National Forest and Tahoe National Forest Truckee Ranger District are sending smoke into the Lake Tahoe Basin Thursday.

If you have low tolerance for smoke, please take the following precautions to reduce your exposure.
· Stay indoors as much as possible especially seniors and children. Avoid physical exertion.
· Close windows, doors, and outside vents when it is smoky. Use a fan or air conditioner to re-circulate the air. Ventilate your home and work place during periods when it is least smoky.

For the Halloween season, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is reminding parents and children of some lifesaving hints when planning costumes and a special day of trick-or-treating.

When buying costumes for Halloween:

Check the labels and make sure they are made of flame retardant materials.

Materials made of 100% Polyester are best suited for a Halloween costume.

The use of commercial flame retardant sprays is not recommended.

Avoid Halloween costumes that are loose or baggy to prevent fabric from coming in contact with any open flames.

On Halloween:

Simba, Mufasa, Scar, Nala and Rafiki and their friends have shown up in South Lake Tahoe along with dozens of other characters from the Lion King.

Tahoe Valley Elementary School's elaborate musical stage production of Disney's Lion King Kids opens Wednesday night for a two-night run, but they have already treated classmates and visiting students to early performances.