PerkSpot: Deals for When You’re Home

PerkSpot has gathered a number of the most relevant and useful discounts to help you get through the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’re looking for discounts on food delivery, household essentials, home entertainment, electronics, or more, be sure to check out the deals on PerkSpot.

The website offers benefits and discounts through more than 400 service providers and retailers. Go to SDCounty.PerkSpot.com and shop. If you are new, click on “Create an Account” to register.

Update for April 29

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

Beaches are open! Some of them at least, and with limitations. Still, it’s one of the most recognizable things about life in San Diego, so it’s encouraging to see. And honestly, it makes me smile to see people living a bit of San Diego life again!

We have another reason to smile. Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients are trending slightly downward, and discussions about reopening our communities are ramping up. Again, great signs that we might be slowly turning the corner on this dreadful pandemic.

I long for the email when I can tell you we’re back to normal! Unfortunately, we are weeks, perhaps months, away from returning to regular work locations and duties. And when we do, things won’t be the same. We’ll be wearing face coverings, having our temperatures checked when we enter, and figuring out how to do our jobs with social distancing, Zoom, Teams, teleworking and various other new practices. 

That’s how it’s going to be, and what we need to prepare ourselves for. Some things will get a little easier, but other things will be different. It’s what we all are learning as we hear news outlets talk about a “new normal.” What this means will continue to take shape as we go.

One thing I can tell you it will mean – we’ll continue to rely on the flexibility you’ve shown since we entered this crisis. That’s hard to do over time, and we recognize this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. But I know you are all strong and resilient. We’re doing this together.

Please remember to take care of yourself and each other. Stay in contact with your colleagues and reach out to connect with friends. Share some photos and maybe even get out and enjoy a walk on the beach again!

Thank you for all you’re doing and for hanging tough.

TED Talks: How to Create Meaningful Connections While Apart

The Diversity and Inclusion team recently shared a TED Talks video on coming together while we are physically apart. Watch author Priya Parker speak about tools for creating meaningful connections with friends, family and coworkers during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We don’t necessarily need to gather more,” she said. “We need to gather better.”

The video was featured in the most recent D&I Digest. The quarterly newsletter that is sent to D&I Champions, also features mental health resources, virtual events, good news stories, physical fitness opportunities and a list of boredom busters to help keep children entertained.

Friday Photo: Virtual Team Meeting

Four Department of Environmental Health Food and Housing Division employees recently shared their pledges to each other in a virtual team meeting.

Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every Friday.

See the Friday Photo gallery.

Update for April 23

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

You’re no doubt aware the whole country, and much of the world for that matter, has been scrambling for a limited amount of protective supplies. So it’s really impressive what our purchasing and medical operations center staff have been able to get ahold of and put at our disposal.

That’s to protect San Diegans in general, but also supplies specifically for County employees. Your safety continues to be a top priority as we work together to protect the public’s health. Here’s a little “by the numbers” of items they’ve gotten just for our staff.

• N95 respirator 25,215

• Face mask 36,150

• Bandana 23,316

• Face shield 760

• Goggles/Glasses 2,123

• Gowns 4,096

• Gloves (pairs) 104,960

• Hand sanitizer, 1-12-oz bottles 2,381

• Sanitizer refill (gallons) 482

• Disinfecting wipes (tubs) 12,665

• Disinfectant spray (bottles) 420

That’s over 200,000 individual items!

First responders deserve our gratitude (check out our tribute lighting at the CAC). But today I also want to single out the folks who have been working tirelessly to keep us supplied with safety gear. Great job!

We really are all in this together. My thanks to everyone for their part in this fight to protect the public.

'Thanks' on Display for COVID-19 First Responders

The County Administration Center will be lit up in red, white and blue as a thank you and tribute to COVID-19 first responders through April 30.

Update for April 20

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

We began April by calling it a critical month. As we quickly approach the end, I’m proud of your tremendous dedication and efforts in helping us toward our goal of “flattening the curve.” We are seeing progress – enough in fact that we can start preparing to dial back some of our public health restrictions. First steps we’re looking at include beaches, passive recreation in parks and on trails, as well as a phased-in plans for water sports, golf, boating, tennis and basketball. 

I’ll repeat preparing. During today’s press conference, our health and policy leaders explained the planning that will need to go into cautious reopening of some recreational areas of the county. But they stressed – we’re not there just yet. For now, we are asking everyone to continue staying home, except for essential needs, with the goal of re-opening recreational activities by the end of the month. What a joyous day that will be!

Once we do re-open, we will experience a “new normal.” We will still need to exercise caution and follow the new guidelines as they are announced and not get ahead of them.

Until then, please continue to lead our community in protecting the public’s health by practicing all the measures that have gotten us this far. Thank you, and stay strong.

Update for April 17: Help Fellow Employees in Need

Message from Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Administrative Officer

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only changed the way we do business as a County, it’s had a great impact on County employees and their families. Some have been affected more than others. That is why today I am asking, for those of you who are able, if you can help our colleagues that need it most.

Since 1956, the San Diego County Employees' Charitable Organization has been the charitable arm of the County of San Diego. Over the years, it’s taken your generous contributions and given out $6.9 million, most of it going to local nonprofits. Perhaps less noticed is that a portion of the dollars raised go to an Employee Crisis Fund.

CECO has now created a COVID-19 Relief Initiative to boost that fund and help eligible County employees and their households experiencing a one-time financial crisis. The organization had a similar campaign after the 2007 wildfires to help our colleagues affected by that disaster.

I invite anyone who can to contribute to this relief effort and boost the Employee Crisis Fund. You can use this PayPal CECO site or email Sdceco@sdcounty.ca.gov for alternate ways to donate. Funds collected and not granted during the Health Order will be returned to CECO's general fund. I’ll take the opportunity to also encourage you to become a biweekly contributor to CECO. To learn more, please visit sdceco.org.

Thank you for everything you’re doing and for the support, in whatever form, you offer your fellow County employees as we help each other through this difficult time.

Friday Photo: It's Wise to Stay Home

An El Monte County Park visitor recently found an owlet that had fallen off its nest and got stranded. Typically, park rangers leave owlets alone, but rangers felt she should not be near the public. They felt it was essential that she #StayHomeSD until she was ready to leave the nest.

Share your fabulous photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it. Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. One image will be posted to InSite every Friday.

See the Friday Photo gallery.

(Photos by Sam Sun)

Stitching Our Community Together

Amid the recommendation to wear face coverings while social distancing, some of our colleagues have us covered. Numerous employees are using their free time to sew masks.

One employee is Human Resources Analyst Barbara Auckland-Bartleet. She’s sewn more than 350 face coverings and has given them away to local medical professionals, law enforcement, friends, family and fellow County employees. (See her in action to the right.)

She started sewing face coverings after work in February and has been busy with requests ever since.

“When there is a crisis, I ask ‘what can I do?’” said Auckland-Bartleet.

Are you going above and beyond during this difficult time? Tell us about your good deed or the good deed of a fellow employee in the comment section below or email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Sandra Mentel-Brooks, HHS with North Coastal Family Resource CEnter, has made more that 160 face coverings for her Neighbors, friends, family, nurses, hairdresser, County employees and other essential employees. She’s Also donated fabric to other sewers.

Tracey Hazel, Program Specialist II, Eligibility Operations, has been busy sewing face coverings for family, friends and neighbors. “Whatever I can do to help!” she said.

Jennifer Campos, with Eligibility Operations, has been making face coverings for friends and family who are essential workers.

“I’m an avid, but sporadic, sewing enthusiast, so I have lots of fabric to use!” said Campos.

Yunice Danque, HHSA, is sewing face coverings for her sister, a doctor, and Her sister’s colleagues.

Virginia Exner, Senior HR Analyst in Talent Development, is busy making masks for family, coworkers, friends, neighbors and donating to seniors and first responders.

Human Resources Analyst Barbara Auckland-Bartleet Has made face coverings for fellow employees and others.

Human Services Specialist Janan Yousif (right) has been making face coverings and face shields. She even makes face coverings in Disney prints for children.

“This is my way to say thank you to my colleagues who are working directly with clients,” Yousif said.

Senior Protective Services Worker Lori Ross has been making face coverings on her Vacation. She started a Facebook group with a friend to make and distribute face coverings to medical staff, other essential employees including County workers, and family.

“Keeping medical and essential workers safe, helps keep all of us safe,” she said.

Occupational Therapist Patty Noerbaek has been making face coverings for the Edgemoor residents.

X. Carolina Poblano has been making face coverings for County employees at the Mills Building, family, friends and neighbors.

Chris Lee, Program Coordinator for HHSA’s Medical Care Services Division, has been making face coverings.

Sherry Brideau, Corrective Action Specialist, has been making pet-themed face coverings for the staff at the Humane Society.