coronavirus community

The governor has set the stage for the reopening of churches, as well as barber shops and hair salons on the Central and South Coasts

The ball is now in the court of Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties to decide if they are ready for the additional steps.

Masks have become a part of our lives, including artists on the Central Coast.  In fact, in Santa Barbara County, face coverings have become mandatory apparel in many cases as of Tuesday.

While we’re wearing them to try to protect ourselves and others, many people are trying to add a little style to them, with unique materials and colors.  A Central Coast museum is celebrating the art of masks with a new online exhibition.

As people staying home take on projects clearing brush and debris, a South Coast nonprofit has seen an increase in birds and small animal displaced from their nests.

The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, which focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating birds, reptiles, and terrestrial mammals, has seen a big uptick of cases.

Nick Ramirez is a chef at Loquita, an acclaimed Spanish style tapas restaurant in Santa Barbara.  The restaurant made USA Today’s top new restaurant list when it opened three years ago.  Like many restaurants on the Central and South Coasts, coronavirus led to its shutdown.

An improvised hospital is set to open at a federal prison complex on the Central Coast, which has been hard hit by coronavirus.

The Lompoc federal prison complex has had the largest concentration of coronavirus cases on the Central Coast, with more than 100 inmates and dozens of employees infected.

Without a vaccine to stop coronavirus, detecting and isolating those with it remains key to keeping the spread in check.  Ventura County is expanding its efforts to track down people who come in contact with those who have tested positive.

As the coronavirus crisis disrupts ordinary life, students at Santa Barbara City College are being offered help from the Santa Barbara City College Foundation.