LOCAL COVID-19 RESOURCES CENTER

LOCAL COVID-19 RESOURCE CENTER

Update: The San  Diego County and state of California COVID-19 emergency declarations are ending March 31, 2023, with the federal emergency ending May 11, 2023. This means an end to free federally funded vaccines and tests (unless states or counties step up with funding), and Medicaid recipients could lose benefits if they don't reenroll.   Learn more at this link.

East County Magazine's Local COVID-19 Resource Center is your comprehensive guide to official health information on the coronavirus and local healthcare services including vaccine locations, testing, and help for those in need.

FIND FREE VACCINATION SITES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY: CLICK HERE

Check back often! We are updating our local COVID-19 Resource Center regularly. If you have a suggested resource to add, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Our special section also has information on local businesses, restaurants and farms open or operating online. You can also learn where to get help for individuals, families, workers, immigrants,  businesses and organizations. Our guide lists help and resources through local cities, San Diego County, California tate and federal sources as well as private and philanthropic organizations.

Help includes grants, loans, stimulus funds,  emergency food distributions, rides, seminars for business owners, education resources, activities to do at home, working from home tips, financial relief for renters and homeowners, relief from utility and insurance bills, resources for crime victims, mental health, abuse and addiction services including virtual meetings, how to file for unemployment and other aid, scams to avoid, volunteer opporutnities, emergency alert services, and more.

We thank Grossmont Healthcare District for generously underwriting the creation of our Local Covid-19 Resource Center and the Facebook Journalism Project for funding expansion and updating of these vital resources.

To view our local COVID-19 resource center, click here or scroll down.

HEALTH

   GOVERNMENT HEALTH RESOURCES ON COVID-19, INCLUDING VACCINES AND TESTING

     COUNTY

• County of San Diego COVID-19 updates
• Testing: Find local COVID-19 testing locations
• Vaccine locations and reservations: San Diego County

     STATE

• California My Turn site to sign up for vaccines when eligible
• Calif. Dept. of Health COVID-19 updates and information
• Calif. COVID-19 case tracker

     FEDERAL

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 updates, information, and symptoms
• Federal coronavirus information at Coronavirus.gov

     GLOBAL

• World Health Organization COVID-19 information

LOCAL: GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT RESOURCES

• Grossmont Healthcare District COVID-19 safety updates: many helpful resources are listed
• Grossmont’s Herrick Library: links to reliable health information, medical and resource sites

      LOCAL CITY RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES   

• El Cajon has approved funds for 12 programs to help residents, businesses and the homeless. Check for updates at their COVID-19 webpage.
• La Mesa has a COVID-19 resources page for residents.
• Lemon Grove COVID-19 resource page has updates for residents.
• Poway has small business loans and commercial eviction moratorium
• San Diego city has an extensive COVID-19 page including information on an eviction moratorium for renters and businesses.
• Santee has a COVID-19 page with updates and resources for residents and a separate resource page for Santee businesses.

HEALTH CLINICS AND HOSPITALS

• Grossmont Healthcare District: local clinics and health centers directory
• Mountain Health (now part of San Ysidro Health) has 4 clinics in East County: Alpine, County, Escondido and Santee. Call their helpline at (619)205-6792.
• Sharp Grossmont Hospital
• Sharp Rees Stealy Medical Group
• Alvarado Hospital Medical Center
• Kaiser Permanente
• Scripps Health

HEALTH INSURANCE

• Covered California:  Health care signups extended to June 30

HEALTH SERVICES

• Addiction and rehabilitation : Alcohol and drug prevention and treatment through San Diego County
• Blood donations :  San Diego Blood Bank
• Children’s service and child welfare: Child welfare and children’s services from San Diego County
• Mental health: San Diego County Health & Human Services mental health referrals
• Seniors :San Diego County Aging and Independent Services
• Testing:  San DIego County list of testing sites, updated regularly
• Vaccines:  Free vaccination sites through county and private organizations

• Virtual Support Groups

  Alzheimer’s: https://www.alzsd.org/services/support-discussion-groups/
  

  Cancer: https://www.sharp.com/health-classes/category/cancer-support-groups-65

  Mental health: https://namisandiego.org/calendar/

• Call 2-1-1 for additional help and referrals.

VACCINE BOOSTER SHOTS

• East County Magazine interviewed Dr. William Tseng, Kaiser Permanent's vaccine expert, on booster shots for adults and vaccines for children (just before the CDC approved the latter):  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/interview-dr-william-tseng-kaiser-per...

VACCINE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN

• The County convened a panel of medical experts after the Pfizer vaccine was approved for children ages 5-11:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/local-doctors-address-covid-misinform...
• ECM interviewed Dr. Mark Sawyer at Rady Children's Hospital about the risks of COVID-19 and what parents should know about vaccines:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/dr-mark-sawyer-covid-expert-rady-chil...

HOW TO REPORT A VIOLATION OF COUNTY'S HEALTH ORRDER

The County of San Diego has set up a phone line and email address for the public to report businesses or organizations that are violating the county’s public health order. This includes businesses that are open despite closure orders due to COVID-19, as well as those violating other orders, such as not following masking and social distancing requirements.  To report violations  you can call (858) 694-2900 or email SafeReopeningComplianceTeam@sdcounty.ca.gov.

HELP

ARTS

• San Diego Arts + Culture Challenge Fund plans to offer $1.25 million to local arts nonprofit organizations challenged by the coronavirus. Applications will be available in late April at https://www.sandiegoracc.org/. 
• ArtistRelief.org is a coalition of national arts grant makers offering $5,000 grants to individuals in the arts facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19.
• Microgrants for artists: https://www.annuityfreedom.net/financial-literacy/artists/

BUSINESS AID

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Save Small Business initiative has may resources to help small businesses at https://www.uschamber.com/save-small-business
• Microgrants for women who own businesses (https://www.annuityfreedom.net/financial-literacy/women-grant/).
• Microgrants fir Black or Minority business owners (https://www.annuityfreedom.net/financial-literacy/black-grants/),
• New! Biden administration opens 2-week application period starting Feb. 24, 2021 for small buisnesses with less than 20 workers and self-employed people to get forgiveable PPP loans: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/biden-opens-new-funding-round-small-b...
• California Relief grants for businesses: applications accepted Dec. 30, 2020 through Jan. 8, 2021
• County's Business Revitalization and Assistance Grants: Applications accepted in early October for these grants for improving facades or moving outdoors for businesses in the unincroporated areas: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/BRAP.html.
• County establishishes Small Business Relief Fund
•  El Cajon extends El Cajon Business Grant Program for COVID-19 relief through late July
•  Lemon Grove in July approved COVID-19 relief for small businesses. Contact the city for details; no application link has yet been publicized.
•  La Mesa Disaster Recovery Fund (for those impacted by looting during protests amid the pandemic. Link has info on how businesses can register and how community members can donate)
• Report an employee with COVID:  Employers are required to notify the County if any employee tests positive for COVID by calling (888) 950-9905. You will need the worker’s name, birth date, and contact information for contact tracing.  
• Small Business Association federal business loans and grants
• San Diego Foundation loans for small businesses and nonprofits in the San Diego County region
• Calif. Coronavirus response:  What business categories are open and closed?
• Essential critical infrastructure workers (full list)
• East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) free webinar on disaster funding
• ECEDC website has many resources for local small businesses
• Next Door’s Small Business Guide for Coronavirus Relief and Next Door new features to help local businesses market online during the pandemic
• Main  Street Relief , founded in May, provides volunteers nationwide to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 with recovery. 
• Commercial eviction freezes: Check local city resource pages (see above)
• New! San Diego and Imperial Small Business Development Center Network's reopening guide for businesses has free one-on-one training, counseling, access to county resources, and daily updates on government regulations, health guides and opportunities to access capital.

BUSINESSES AND SHOPPING SERVICES OPEN LOCALLY

Local Businesses open as essential services or offering online sales, shipping, curbside service, takeout or delivery:

• Alpine Chamber of Commerce lists its member businesses still in operation during the shutdown.
• Borrego Chamber of Commerce lists businesses that are open or closed on its site.
• Grossmont Center in La Mesa has listed its restaurants with takeout or delivery, as wellas childcare options from The Playground and a virtual Education Lab from San Diego Oasis.
• Julian Chamber of Commerce is encouraging people to buy gift certificates or order items online form local merchants.
• La Mesa Village Association’s COVID-19 webpage lists which retailers, restaurants, and other businesses are still in operation. Scroll down to view them.
• La Mesa Chamber of Commerce lists members that are open with takeout/delivery.
• Lakeside Chamber of Commerce lists restaurants with takeout, curbside service or delivery.
• Restaurants in East County open during COVID for takeout, curbside service or delivery:  East County Magazine has compiled a guide.   
• San Diego East County Chamber list of busineses operating during COVID shutdowns across East County.
• Santee Chamber of Commerce has a list of restaurants, grocers and food service companies that are operating.
• The City of Santee has a list of Santee businesses that are open.

State and federal mandates: what’s open and closed?

• Calif. Coronavirus response:  What business categories are open and closed?
• Essential critical infrastructure workers (full list)

    DIAPERS

• Diaper bank program through San Diego Food Bank

     DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CRIME VICTIMS

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-7233
• Local Resources:  Women's Resource Center,  Community Resource Center, and North County Lifeline.
• San Diego County District Attorney Victims and Survivors COVID-19 Community Resource List has many helpful links for women and crime victims.

     EDUCATION AND STUDENTS 

• AP online classes and testing
• Calif. Dept. of Education Coronavirus resources for parents, teachers and students
• EBT  food assistance for children during pandemic
• Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District COVID-19 updates
• Grossmont Union High School District: homepage has links to distance learning and COVID-19 resources
• Mountain Empire Unified School District homepage has COVID-19 updates
• San Diego State University COVID-19 updates and resources
• San Diego County Office of Education COVID-19 updates
• Student loans: federal coronavirus forbearance
• UC San Diego COVID-19 information
• CSU AND UC college admission changes due to COVID
• Local schools and districts directory:  The County Office of Education has a directory to find your child’s school district and individual schools.

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS:  UMEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND OTHER HELP

• Unemployment insurance: apply here
• Calif Employment Development Dept. webpage on coronavirus benefits for workers impacted by COVID
• California Fair Employment & Housing
• State of California Employment Development Department
• United Way of San Diego County Worker Assistance Initiative
• Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund
• Unemployment provisions in the CARES Act

      FOOD   

• Feeding San Diego (Emergency food distribution sites countywide)
• San Diego Food Bank
• Food pantries countywide
• Apply for Cal-Fresh (food stamps)
• Great Plates:  County program provides 3 meals a day prepared by restaurants and delivered to adults with disabilities or health conditions
• Restaurants in East County with curbside takeout/delivery (East County Magazine’s guide)
• Restaurants/chains countywide operating during COVID (San Diego Restaurant Association’s list)
• Farms open to the public or offering curbside service or delivery: East County Magazine's directory includes farms, ranches, nurseries, wineries, farmer's markets and produce stands countywide
• La Mesa Farmer’s Market On-The Go
• Local farmers and ranchers find new business models during pandemic (includes resources to find meat, poultry, wool and fiber products, plants,seeds, produce, soaps, cider, jams, and other farming or ranching products.
• Meals on Wheels 
• Food safety, nutrition and wellness tips during COVID from Harvard School of Public Health
• Easy, affordable and healthy eating at home during COVID from UNICEF
• Students' EBT during pandemic

      FUNERAL COSTS

• Funeral assistance: The federal government, through FEMA, will pay up to $9,000 per person for funeral costs for anyone who died in the U.S. since January 20, 2020 of COVID-19, or where COVID-19 was the likely cause of death.

      HOME ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• El Cajon Virtual Recreation and Resources site has virtual classes ranging from fitness blenders for all ages to cosmic yoga for kids, as well as many other activities, entertainment and educational resources for families.
• Santee Virtual Activities and Resources site has options ranging from fitness to arts and crafts, cooking, gardening, and links to virtual options ranging from exploring zoos and museums to watching Broadway shows online.
• San Diego County Virtual Recreation Center has indoor and outdoor activities plus virtual video tours of county parks and trails.
• San Diego City  Parks Virtual Recreation Center has a 30-day fitness challenge you can do at home.
• Virtual tours of museums and national parks
• Creative at-home options:  free online classes in art, music, writing, crafts
• County libraries online
• Gardening: 
• Plant your Coronavirus Victory Garden (Mother Earth News)
• How to Jump Start your COVID-19 Victory Garden (Modern  Farmer)
• Square Foot Gardening (books for gardening in limited space)

      HOME OFFICES

• Working from home tips from Healthline
• Home office online security tips from the Federal Trade Commission

      HOMELESS

• Homeless and housing help in San Diego County
• Ending homelessness: overview of  San Diego County services

      HOMEOWNERS (For rental housing help, see "RENTERS")

• Mortgage relief and resources for homeowners

• Property tax relief: request penalty cancellation for late payments by June 30

IMMIGRANTS

Immigrant Relief Fund from San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium California’s guide for immigrants during COVID-19

California Immigrants Resilience Fund (donate to help immigrants)

INSURANCE RELIEF

• Vehicle insurance reductions: Calif Insurance Commissioner orders insurers to lower rates for drivers and businesses affected by COVID-19

       MORTGAGE RELIEF

• California Mortgage Relief:  California homeowners are eligible for help to cover back mortgage payments missed due to COVID-19. 

       NONPROFITS

• Loans for nonprofits through San Diego Foundation
• New! County establishes Small Business Relief Fund -- nonprofits with or without employees are eligible to apply

       RATEPAYERS’ RELIEF ON UTILITY BILLS

• SDG&E has several programs to help ratepayers save money during the COVID-19 emergency, and has temporarily suspended shut-offs
• Cox Cable is offering two months of free service during the COVID-19 emergency and other programs to help families in need.
• The Calif Public Utilities consumer protections during COVID page has a list of what other utility companies are doing to help customers, including water districts, phone companies, wireless utilities and more.

     RENTERS

• County opens new round of rent and utility assistance:  3-week applicaton period starting March 2, 2021: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/county-opens-emergency-rental-and-uti...
• Rent eviction moratorium issued by Governor Newsom
• The Legal Aid Society of San Diego has a fact sheet for tenants and landlords about local and statewide eviction moratoriums.
• Your rights as a renter during the pandemic, from the Courage Campaign.
• Evictions during COVID-19 and housing discrimination: know your rights and get help:  http://c4sa.org/  (619) 444-5700
• The City of San Diego provides up to $4,000 in rental payments per qualifying low-income household through its new COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

  RESTAURANTS

• Local restaurants open during COVID for outdoor dining, takeout, curbside service or delivery:  East County Magazine has compiled a guide.  

     RIDES  

• Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation (FACT): FACT gives free rides in San Diego County for seniors age 60+, persons with disabilities, students, veterans, and other residents who need assistance to make essential trips for medical needs or grocery needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call (888) 924-3228
• Jewish Family Services has a list of several transportation options for older adults in San Diego County.
• La Mesa’s Rides4Neighbors offers rides for seniors and disabled people who are no long able to drive, for medical visits and grocery trips.
• Metropolitan Transit Service (MTS) has a revised scheduled for trolleys and busses.

     RURAL COMMUNITIES

• Rural communities funding resources are available at the Alchemy Communities website.

SCAMS

• Coronavirus scam alerts from Federal Trade Commission on bogus cures and treatments
• Coronavirus financial scams info from U.S. Treasury Dept.
• San Diego District attorney’s warning on COVID scams
• Scams targeting seniors regarding COVID-19
• Avoiding COVID-19 financial scams

     SENIORS

• New! People's Alliance for Justice has deliveries of free holiday turkeys, food and supplies to homebound seniors
• Project Care helps seniors living alone avoid being isolated.
• San Diego County Aging and Independent Services
• Sharp Senior Resource Centers
• Scams targeting seniors regarding COVID-19

     STIMULUS FUNDS

• How to get stimulus funds even if you did not file a tax return last year
• Individuals
• Small businesses and nonprofits loans and grants through the Small Business Association

     STUDENTS (See Education above)

     WOMEN

• Grants for single moms in all 50 states

SHOPPING AND LOCAL BUSINESS SERVICES

Local Businesses: open as essential services or offering online sales, shipping, curbside service, takeout or delivery:

• Alpine Chamber of Commerce lists its member businesses still in operation during the shutdown.
• Borrego Chamber of Commerce lists businesses that are open or closed on its site.
• Julian Chamber of Commerce is encouraging people to buy gift certificates or order items online form local merchants.
• La Mesa Village Association’s COVID-19 webpage lists which retailers, restaurants, and other businesses are still in operation. Scroll down to view them.
• La Mesa Chamber of Commerce lists members that are open with takeout/delivery.
• Lakeside Chamber of Commerce lists restaurants with takeout, curbside service or delivery.
• Restaurants in East County open during COVID for takeout, curbside service or delivery:  East County Magazine has compiled a guide.   
• San Diego East County Chamber lists businesses still in operation around the inland region.
• Santee Chamber of Commerce has a list of restaurants, grocers and food service companies that are operating.
• The City of Santee has a list of Santee businesses that are open.

VOLUNTEERING AND GIVING BACK

• Californians All: The State of California's site with volunteer opportunites statewide
• Donate medical supplies to Sharp Grossmont Hospital
• Donate medical supplies to Family Health Centers of San Diego
• Donate blood at the San Diego Blood Bank (by appointment only)
• Donate food to San Diego Food Bank or Feeding San Diego (virtual food drives available)
• Donate to provide rent relief to families in San Diego County
• Support fellow San Diegans through the San Diego Foundation COVID-19 Community Response Fund
• Donate to the United Way of San Diego County Worker Assistance Initiative

WILDFIRE AND EMERGENCY ALERTS

• East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts” sign up for free e-mailed alerts (sponsored by Grossmont Healthcare District)

Also follow our EastCountyAlert on Twitter

• Cal-Fire alerts on Twitter
• Ready San Diego County emergency alerts
• County COVID-19 alerts: Text COSD COVID19 to 468-311 to get text alert updates

East County Magazine gratefully ackowledges the Grossmont Healthcare District and #FacebookJournalismProject for their generous support of our local COVID-19 Resources Center.