Mono County COVID-19 News and Updates: March 15
Mammoth and June mountains are closed, Gov. Newsom orders bars to close, restaurants to reduce capacity and seniors to isolate
Mammoth and June mountains are closed, Gov. Newsom orders bars to close, restaurants to reduce capacity, and seniors to isolate
By Monica Prelle
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA — Due to growing concerns of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) Alterra Mountain Company announced that it is closing all of its 15 North American ski resorts including Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain, effective Sunday, March 15, and until further notice.
Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol will continue with avalanche control work, however, uphill skiing is not allowed. With fresh snow and significant wind loading, avalanche danger is currently considered HIGH, according to the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
“There are no rescue services available on the mountain,” Mammoth Mountain Director of Operations Steve McCabe wrote in an employee email. “If you hurt yourself you will be waiting a long time for help. Please spread the word, we do not want a tragedy to compound our troubles.”
In a press conference this afternoon, California Governor Gavin Newsom directed all bars, night clubs, brew pubs, wineries, and the like to close. Yes, Mammoth, the governor is asking us to shut down bars and nightlife as he considers it a non-essential operation.
Restaurants are being asked to reduce capacity by half. He says this could change, but for now, the governor considers restaurants an essential service for those who cannot cook for themselves. He encouraged to-go food only and emphasized “deep social distancing” when eating in restaurants.
“I have all the expectation that these guidelines will be followed,” Gov. Newsom said. “We have the capacity to enforce if necessary.”
Last week the governor directed the cancellation of gatherings and events of 250 people or more. He was encouraged by compliance and expects the same response from bars and restaurants.
Additionally, seniors, 65 and older, and those with chronic illnesses are being directed to self-isolate. Others are being asked to practice social distancing.
According to the Center for Disease Control:
Isolation means the separation of a person or group of people known or reasonably believed to be infected with a communicable disease and potentially infectious from those who are not infected to prevent spread of the communicable disease.
Social distancing means remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.
Mammoth Unified School District schools have closed March 16 to March 27. Please check the MUSD website for updates. Mammoth Christian Fellowship is providing sack lunches to students who are in need weekdays during the next two weeks from 12–1 p.m. (549 Old Mammoth Rd.) The state will issue detailed guidelines for schools on Tuesday, Gov. Newsom said.
Some relatively good news: According to the governor, the state is negotiating to increase hospital capacity. New hospital sites have been identified and information will be released as soon as contracts are secured. Newsom says there will be an additional 750 hospital beds in what he called world class settings.
“Not every community has an adequate number of beds, so we are looking to increase capacity in those communities that need it the most on a regional basis,” he said.
California has 335 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, which is a 14% increase since the day prior. There are now six reported deaths. California has conducted 8,316 tests, Newsom said.
At this time there are no confirmed cases in Mono County. The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County have created a webpage with regularly updated COVID-19 information.
“Our community has pulled together in the face of crisis before, and we will do that with COVID-19,” Mono County Supervisor Stacy Corless and Mammoth Mayor Bill Sauser wrote in a statement. “It’s going to take all of us. We ask everyone to do their part toward the well-being of our community by following best practices for hygiene and social distancing.”
Monica Prelle is a Mammoth Lakes-based freelance journalist.