SACRAMENTO, CA – California Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) issued the following statement on COVID-19 and Senate District 14:

“I remain concerned about the public health and safety issues that COVID- 19 is creating and support the Governor and President pro tempore in adopting public health guidelines to protect the wellbeing of my constituents. We encourage you to stay calm and keep informed about what to do during this time. Everyone is under a strong advisory to adhere to social distancing and do our part to help keep everyone healthy during this time. My offices are open, assisting the community, and providing regular updates through things like social media and press releases.

Please refer to credible resources to stay informed, such as the California Department of Public Health, for the most up to date information.

We are in close contact with local leaders, elected officials, and our community and are actively monitoring these ever-changing issues. We are hyper vigilant regarding issues like our access to water, price gouging, a robust healthcare network, how to assist displaced workers, and food insecurity. Senate District 14 is the breadbasket for the state and many parts of the word. I will continue to be vigilant to protect the supply chain of food that my district helps provide.

I remain concerned about our most vulnerable and am asking that we consider our neighbors during this difficult time. Please keep others in mind when shopping and only take what you need during this time because everyone suffers when people stockpile.

The effects that this will have on our economy are still to be seen, but I encourage you to continue to support our local businesses during this time in new and creative ways. Curbside pickups and buying gift cards will help small businesses and protect jobs. I am working with larger employers at the state level to help mitigate the financial effects of this event.

As the chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services I am closely monitoring the efforts to reduce impacts on recipients of essential safety net benefits that serve our most vulnerable populations. These are programs that impact older adults and their caregivers, child care providers, families with low incomes, and people with developmental disabilities.  Government leaders and advocates are exploring ways to take advantage of the flexibility given to these safety net programs thru the executive orders issued at the state and federal level. My office will share updates on CalFresh, CalWORKs and the like as they become available.

The situation is changing quickly and it is essential that we all do our part to support and protect our constituents, our colleagues and our families by complying with the guidance issued by our leaders”

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) represents the 14th Senate district in California, which includes cities in Fresno, Kern, Kings and Tulare counties. Senator Hurtado was born in Fresno, California and raised in the City of Sanger.

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