CLAYTON (CBS SF) – Clayton City Council will discuss next week a motion from the city police union for a COVID-19-related “hero payment” for officials funded by the city’s share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding will.

The idea came about during the council meeting on December 7th when council members expressed interest in the police union idea and possible expansion to other city employees.

CONTINUE READING: Some critics are still skeptical of the revised, scaled-down plan to repair the Millennium Tower

An employee report for Tuesday’s meeting said, “One of the identified spending categories for ARPA funding is the premium payment for key workers, defined as those who work in critical infrastructure areas. In the case of local governments, since all of our employees are considered disaster relief workers and therefore essential employees, the premium payment would be a reimbursable expense for all employees in the city.

“In addition, most of the city’s employees offered some or all of the services in person earlier than many others in other jurisdictions, as Clayton was ahead of many other cities in the county in terms of opening up to the public,” the report said.

The report suggests that if the council decides to move forward, lump-sum payments be made to staff employed by the city before March 3, 2021. Up to 18 full-time employees and two part-time employees could be eligible.

Clayton has received $ 1.45 million in ARPA funding, less than $ 200,000 of which has been spent, the majority of which has been spent on Clayton Cares grants for pandemic-hit households, nonprofits, and small businesses.

CONTINUE READING: COVID surge: San Francisco, Alameda, and Marin Counties require masks in all indoor public spaces

In a December 2 letter, Rich Enea, president of the Clayton Police Officers Association, called for “hero pay” for police officers.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic, every police officer stayed on track and kept coming to work to protect this wonderful city,” wrote Enea. “While other city workers could work from home, our police officers didn’t have that choice. During the pandemic, nobody knew what it could bring. Like everyone else in the country, our police officers were concerned about getting sick or worse, but bringing the disease to loved ones. Unfortunately, one of our police officers got infected with COVID last year. “

Enea pointed out that other cities, including Concord, are also compensating first responders.

Clayton City Council meets practically at 7 p.m. Tuesday. To join the meeting, people can go to https://bit.ly/3Juxa5Z.

MORE NEWS: A person injured after falling onto a car in Oakland Hills

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The post Clayton Metropolis Council to Focus on Hero Pay Program for First Responders – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (CBS SF) – Citing the Omicron variant, Contra Costa County officials are requiring first responders and homeless shelters to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster or undergo weekly tests.

The order, which comes into effect January 10, applies to law enforcement agencies, firefighters, emergency medical personnel who work or respond to calls in “high-risk facilities” such as hospitals, prisons, care or community facilities. Workers in homeless shelters are also covered by the requirement, as are rescue workers who transport patients in the facilities mentioned above.

CONTINUE READING: 3 sharks enter COVID-19 logs as the team returns to the ice after an unplanned week’s break

Workers who have not received a booster by the deadline must undergo a weekly PCR or antigen test.

Contra Costa County’s new booster need comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases believed to be driven by the fast-spreading variant. Health officials said the average daily number of new cases discovered in the county rose about 156% over the past week to 313 new cases per day.

The first cases of the variant in the district were only confirmed by health authorities a week ago.

CONTINUE READING: Sierra Storm: Avalanche Closes Highway 89; I-80, Highway 50 will remain closed; Search for missing Northstar skiers

Meanwhile, many residents of the county have not yet received their booster vaccinations, with only 36% of people aged 16 and over receiving the third vaccination.

“The Omicron variant is much more contagious than previous COVID-19 strains,” said Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano on Monday in a statement. “Boosting is necessary for the best protection against Omicron infection and transmission. Our hospitals run the risk of being overwhelmed when a large number of our vulnerable residents fall ill. “

Last week the state required all healthcare workers, home care workers, and community care and detention center workers to receive their vaccinations.

MORE NEWS: Pedestrians seriously injured in collision on the Almaden Expressway in San Jose

For more information about the booster and upcoming vaccination clinics, visit the Contra Costa Health Services website or call 1-833-829-2626.

The post Contra Costa Requiring Boosters Or Weekly Testing For First Responders, Homeless Shelter Staff Due To Omicron Considerations – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.