To help keep doctors and patients safe during COVID-19, Dr. Athira Nair needed just one material — plastic! The pediatric cardiologist at UCSF Fresno was inspired by a Taiwanese anesthesiologist's internet video to create a two-foot plastic cube that fits around a patient's head. "We just call it the aerosol box," Nair said....
Merced County Moves 98 Homeless People Into Hotel Rooms
Ninety-eight homeless residents in Merced County are now sheltering in hotel rooms in an effort to protect the vulnerable and slow COVID-19's spread, county officials have announced. The effort is part of the statewide initiative known as "Project Room Key." 7,000 California Homeless People Now Sheltered It is estimated that...
Will Fresno County Reopen Under Newsom’s New Guidelines?
Two Fresno County supervisors said Monday afternoon they're hopeful the county can meet new guidelines to reopen announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom. "I think we'll be able to meet them," said board chairman Buddy Mendes. "I think we will be opening up — allowing restaurants, barbers and beauticians to get...
Video of Packed Flight Leaving Fresno for Dallas Goes Viral
An American Airlines flight out of Fresno to Dallas on Sunday is attracting international attention because of a video made by a passenger. Posting on Twitter, Tammy Gonzalez said, "I've never felt so unsafe in my life" because of the number of filled seats and a disregard of social-distancing guidelines...
Clovis Unified Superintendent Says Schools Should Stay Closed
Clovis Unified School District Superintendent Eimear O'Farrell is recommending that trustees extend school closings through the end of the school year on June 5 because of the continued health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. O'Farrell's recommendation will be considered by trustees at Wednesday's board meeting. While other area school...
Newsom Paves the Way for Most Counties to Reopen
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom relaxed county reopening criteria on Monday, a move he said will allow 53 of the state’s 58 counties to begin allowing dine-in restaurants and other services. “Bottom line is: People can go at their own pace, and we are empowering our local health directors and...
UC Davis Is Testing a COVID-19 Vaccine Patch
Many people know of the "patch" as a way to battle nicotine addiction. Now, UC Davis is testing a similar technique to deliver a vaccine for COVID-19. The Patch Verndari’s VaxiPatch is a single-dose vaccination kit that uses a dermal patch with a metal microneedle array to deliver vaccines. The...
Fresno County Gets Chance to Plead With State: Allow ‘Dine-in’ Food Service
Letter sent, letter received, and a Monday phone meeting is set. The subject: Allow Fresno County to open restaurants. Fresno County's interim health officer Vohra and health director David Pomaville got the immediate attention of state Health Director Dr. Sonia Angell with a two-page letter. "We are requesting to move further...
Table for Two on Sidewalk, Patio or Parking Lot? Fresno Explores Its Options.
Fresno is joining other cities in looking at using sidewalks, patios, and parking lots to help restaurants get back to serving food on tables again. Mayor Lee Brand is open to the idea and discussed the opportunity and challenges with his Recovery Advisory Committee on Thursday. The California Restaurant Association hosted...
State Center Says Online Classes Will Continue for Fall Semester
Most fall semester classes at State Center Community College District will be online and off-campus, continuing the distance learning mode of instruction that began this semester because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only classes that require face-to-face instruction will be offered on-campus, the district said Friday in an email. "Faculty, classified...