Virus cases still on the rise

The number of new cases of the coronavirus are still on the rise, despite an effort to have residents wear face masks when downtown or shopping.

The City of Shafter and a group of community members have been working on the face mask campaign. Digital signs can be seen throughout town encouraging residents to wear a mask to stop the spread of the virus.

City buildings remain closed to the public, with service being conducted in the back of the building, with a window serving the community. The majority of the services in the city remain by appointment only, including the Shafter Animal Control office. Adoptions are still suspended until it is deemed safe to resume, but other services are operating, including officers available to respond to emergencies, as well as picking up strays and helping residents with licensing needs.

Local eateries are offering take-out service, as well as outdoor dining. To help local businesses, City Manager Gabriel Gonzales used his executive privilege and waived the fees that are associated with the Outdoor Dining Permits that are given to businesses who are operating dining areas in their parking lots and patio areas.

City officials say that residents need to protect themselves, their families and the community by continuing to wear a mask, practice social distancing and washing your hands frequently.

The Wear to Care Mask campaign is being deployed. This is a community collaboration effort involving Shafter High School, Richland School District, Grimmway Academy of Shafter, Shafter Learning Center and the Shafter Recreation and Park District.

Officials also are encouraging those residents who are recovered covid-19 patients to donate plasma to help save others. In Kern County, recovered patients have donated their plasma and it has been very beneficial to those suffering from the virus. A large number of the patients, once they receive the donated plasma, are off ventilators within days of the donation. Convalescent plasma is the liquid portion of your blood that is collected from recovered patients. Covid-19 patients develop antibodies that help fight against the virus, which can be found in their plasma. This form of treatment is being used to help critically ill patients that are suffering from the virus. Those interested in donation must be symptom-free for at least 14 consecutive days and meet the regular blood donation requirements.