Monterey County asks Newsom to keep supplies coming
SALINAS, Calif. (KION)
Many store shelves sit empty, as essential supplies are quickly snatched up during this period of "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders.
On Thursday, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom asking his office and CalOES to "ensure the availability of adequate resources and commodities to local businesses so that necessary supplies, food and water are available to the community."
Monterey County Board of Supervisors Chairman Chris Lopez says stores have been running empty of toilet paper, water and hand santizer, among other crucial items.
"Especially here in Monterey County we have a lot of people who can't get to the story every single day. They then show up on the day that is their shopping day, perhaps using an IHSS worker, someone that helps them do that shopping, and there is no toilet paper that day, it means they are going to have to wait another week to get access," Lopez says. "So what we're doing with that letter is asking the Governor to do everything in his power to keep shelves stocked with basic needs."
Lopez tells KION the Governor can ease regulations and keep the supply chain moving - like allowing truck drivers to keep driving past their hours limitations if they feel up to it , and changing regulations at local water bottling plants.
Lopez also discusses the need to make sure that our agricultural workers stay safe and healthy, because without them there is no grocery store open. On Friday, Monterey County and local agricultural associations released a set of voluntary guidelines for the industry surrounding safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The people that are working every single day out in these fields, and working in the auxiliary serves to agriculture, are the ones keeping those shelves stocked. Without something to put into that supply chain, there is no grocery store open. So we need to make sure those stores stay open and the shelves stay stocked. And we have to make sure the employees doing that stay safe" Lopez said.
This is a developing story.
