Business Roundtable – 4/13/2021 - 10:00am
MISSION: Success in two stages during the Coronavirus threat:
1) Response to the immediate threat
2) Economic recovery when the threat diminishes.
Recap
Response to immediate threat
1. City of Monterey. Mentioned the Business Roundtable has been meeting over one year and has strengthened relationships across many organizations. California Department of Public Health suspended use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Data on the vaccine will be evaluated on whether they will be allowed to use it moving forward. Dennis the Menace to open on April 20 and Sports Center pool on April 19.
2. General Conversation: John Touchton: Virus Geeks: The 117 UK variant is now the leading variant in the US and is on the rise again. Testing is really how we are going to stay in front of the curve. The percent efficacy of the vaccine is based on not being hospitalized, not that you will not get Covid. Getting your vaccine helps everyone, but no one is “covered” if you get the vaccine. It’s a common misconception. Each county has slightly different rules on student travel between counties or other states for college visits and sports.
3. Hospitality & Tourism. Aquarium beginning to rehire, stressed testing as a tool for prevention and analysis now that we are reopening as part of the Orange Tier.
4. Retail.
5. Health Care. News from the hospital is good. Only 6 patients in house, and 1 in isolation with the other 5 recovering and heading towards discharge. Hit 35,000 vaccination marker at clinics. Only giving Pfizer and Moderna, not part of the J&J standdown. Marina Wellness Center will reopen soon and possibly Ryan Ranch, potential to expand vaccination sites.
6. State of California. State legislature dealing with school re-opening issues. Budget trailer bill includes Right to Recall. Chamber is opposing it and nobody has been able to produce specific cases of abuse. Chamber leadership says this could be a problem for some businesses if class action lawsuits become the vehicle for settling financial disputes.
7. Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Shuttered venue grant application portal open a few hours on April 8, closed due to portal issues, SBA is working on solution. Watch the sba.gov website. PPP deadline extended to May 31st, however $746B have been allocated- if you need a PPP loan apply ASAP. Restaurant Revitalization Fund – still awaiting guidance on how to apply.
8. Non-Profit Sector. Rent relief program received 2700 applications and an additional 520 through online portal at mcrenthelp.com-Property owners please spread the word to your tenants. They can possibly get relief for 25% of rent up to 3 months duration.
9. Education. MPUSD has reopened in limited capacity and will have graduation ceremony in vehicle at Laguna Seca.
10.Construction. GraniteRock reporting home improvement sector very busy. Lots of infrastructure work briefly stalled during winter no going full tilt.
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday April 27 at 10:00am.
