New 'business as usual' in crisis times

“The extension of the governor’s order through the end of April doesn’t change much in terms of the city’s operations,” City Manage Daniel Ortiz said last weekend. “Our public offices such as finance/utilities, planning, City Hall, public works office and animal control are closed to the public. Local governments are exempt and must continue to provide essential services.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom had issued another executive order banning the eviction of renters who are affected by COVID-19 on Friday.

On that same day, the Kern County Department of Public Health identified a Delano woman as the first person in Kern County to die of the Coronavirus COVID-19.

AT&T users received a message stating that customers will not have internet or wifi disconnected during the quarantine period for nonpayment after May 14.

WUESD still hopes to reopen schools by May 4, while WHS and WIHS staff and students are set to restart by May 5.

St. John's Catholic Church will not be holding mass for an undetermined amount of time.

Most restaurants are offering takeout only.

Wasco resident Niki Espinoza initiated a campaign to have everyone in Wasco put their Christmas house lights up. "This is to bring light into this dark time," she said on Facebook. "Let's Light Up the Night!"

Checking out Walmart on Sunday, the parking lot had plenty of empty spaces and carts were lined up to the side of the entrance.

The method of disinfecting hands by using a disinfectant wipe as you enter the store has been changed to an automatic foamy disinfectant squirting into the palm of the customer's hand, the customer is to rub the hands together as if washing them, and use the paper towel provided to dry off the hands.

Disinfectant wipes for purchase were nowhere to be found; no Lysol either. Several of the shelves looked as if they had finally been restocked. The dry cereal shelves remain bare except for a box or package of cereals scattered on the shelves.

In an interview with NorthKernNews.com, Mayor Tilo Cortez commented on a local supermarket price-gouging customers.

Cortez responded that while he doesn't condone price gouging, he stated that he checked out the market for prices on water. "The store was charging $5.99 for a case of water and the owner let me look at his books, where he paid $4.99 for each case of water." he said. "That's not price gouging when he is only making $1 from each case sold."

Cortez then added that it could be the store was being taken advantage of when it purchased the water, but he also gave an example of a woman who went to Fiesta Market to buy a dozen eggs, and he was selling them for $4.99 a dozen. She complained, then left the store heading across the street to get gas at Faststrip. She found a dozen and half for $2.99, and bought them.

Cortez stated that if anyone feels they are being gouged and are paying too much for a particular item, they are encouraged to call the District Attorney's office at 661-868-2340.

A couple of noticeable items of interest to local shoppers: Gas prices have risen. On March 12 gas was $2.98 a gallon at some gas stations in Bakersfield, and the Wasco Faststrip was down to $3.05 a gallon. It's now back up to $3.59 a gallon at Faststrip.

And, Walmart has Easter cards, candy, baskets and gifts on display in the store. Perhaps a holiday miracle for April 12?