Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How can I receive up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Merced County?
  2. What is a coronavirus?
  3. How are coronaviruses spread?
  4. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
  5. How is COVID-19 treated?
  6. How can I help protect myself?
  7. What can be done to slow the spread of COVID-19 infection?
  8. Should I wear a facemask?
  9. Can someone who has been quarantined for COVID-19 spread the illness to others?
  10. How is the County handling the testing process?
  11. What else can I do?
  12. ¿Cómo puedo recibir información actualizada sobre COVID-19 en el Condado de Merced?
  13. ¿Qué es un coronavirus?
  14. ¿Cómo se transmiten los coronavirus?
  15. ¿Cuáles son los síntomas de COVID-19?
  16. ¿Cómo se trata COVID-19?
  17. ¿Cómo puedo ayudar a protegerme?
  18. ¿Qué se puede hacer para retrasar la propagación de la infección por COVID-19?
  19. ¿Debo usar una mascarilla?
  20. ¿Puede alguien que ha sido puesto en cuarentena por COVID- 19 transmitir la enfermedad a otros?
  21. ¿Cómo está manejando el Condado el proceso de prueba?
  22. ¿Que más puedo hacer?
  23. Kuv yuav txais tau cov xov xwm tshiab txog tus kab mob COVID-19 hauv lus nroog Merced li cas?
  24. Tus kab mob Coronavirus yog dab tsis?
  25. Cov kab mob coronavirus kis tau rau lwm tus li cas?
  26. Cov tsos mob ntawm tus kab mob COVID-19 no yog li cas?
  27. Kev kho tus kab mob COVID-19 no yog li cas?
  28. Kuv yuav tiv thaiv kuv tus kheej li cas?
  29. Yuav ua li cas thiaj li pab tau kom txoj kev kis tus kab mob no kis qeeb zog?
  30. Kuv puas tha looj cov ntaub npog qhov ncauj qhov ntswg?
  31. Cov neeg uas muaj tus kab mob COVID-19 thiab tau raug muab cais mus nyob ib leeg kis puas tau tus kab mob no rau lwm tus neeg?
  32. Lub nroog tuav txoj kev kuaj mob li cas?
  33. Kuv yuav ua tau dab tsis ntxiv thiab?
  1. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
  2. How does the virus spread?
  3. Can Someone who has had COVID-19 spread the illness to others?
  4. What is community spread?
  5. What can be done to slow the spread of COVID-19 infection?
  6. How can I help protect myself?
  7. Should I be tested for COVID-19?
  8. How is the County handling the testing process?
  9. As a result of Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent announcement to add more than 80 community testing sites across the state, will Merced County add a new testing site?
  10. I have symptoms, but my Medical Provider won’t recommend testing. What should I do?
  11. Who do I call to receive test results for myself or a patient?
  12. I do not have symptoms but would like to test to check for immunity. Is there an antibody (convalescent plasma) test available?
  13. I was informed by my doctor/employer/dentist/etc... that I was exposed to COVID-19 and to self-quarantine and get tested. However, my doctor did not provide me with a test because they are limited.
  14. Where can I register for an appointment?
  15. Do I need a prescription from my medical provider to go to the new testing site?
  16. Will the community be notified of confirmed patient information as it becomes available to Merced County Department of Public Health (MCDPH)?
  17. ¿Cuáles son los síntomas de COVID-19?
  18. ¿Cómo se propaga/contagia el virus?
  19. ¿Puede que alguien que haya tenido COVID-19 pueda transmitir la enfermedad a otros?
  20. ¿Qué es la propagación comunitaria?
  21. ¿Qué se puede hacer para retrasar la propagación de la infección por COVID-19?
  22. ¿Debo hacerme la prueba de COVID-19?
  23. ¿Cómo está manejando el Condado el proceso de prueba?
  1. What does this Order do?
  2. When does the Order go into effect?
  3. How long does the Order last?
  4. Can the Order be changed?
  5. Where is the Order in effect?
  6. Who issued the Order?
  7. What happens if I don’t comply with this Order?
  8. Why is this Order in place?
  9. What is the difference between “stay at home” and “social distancing”?
  10. Can I leave home to visit friends or family members if there is no urgent need or I am not performing an essential activity (as defined under the Order)?
  11. Can I still get my mail and deliveries?
  12. Can I still order the things I need online and have them delivered to my residence?
  13. Can I go out to do my laundry or have my laundry done?
  14. Can I leave home to go to the pharmacy to get my prescription filled?
  15. What if I need to get healthcare from my medical provider?
  16. Can I still seek not yet authorized to reopen medical care like eye exams, teeth cleaning, elective procedures, etc.?
  17. Should I stock up on essential items such as food, toilet paper, and medicines?
  18. What should I do if I’m sick? If I or a family member need immediate medical attention, can I leave home to go to the doctor or hospital?
  19. Can I leave home to care for my elderly parents or friends who require assistance to care for themselves? Or a friend or family member who has disabilities?
  20. Can I visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or other residential care facility?
  21. Can I leave home to attend services at my church, synagogue, mosque or place of worship?
  22. I operate a funeral home. Are funeral services allowed?
  23. Can I host a memorial service or a traditional ceremony in my home and invite family and friends to attend?
  24. What if I can’t get out of the home? How can I get supplies and food?
  25. Can I leave home to exercise?
  26. I feel anxious being home, can I go to a park? Can I travel to a County park or open space if I social distance?
  27. Are Parks open and can I visit them?
  28. Can I take my kids to the playgrounds at the park?
  29. Can golf courses remain open, if i social distance myself from others?
  30. Can I go shopping for things other than food/groceries?
  31. Can I go to a bar/nightclub/theater?
  32. Can I go to a restaurant, café, coffee or tea shop, ice cream shop, or other foodservice locations?
  33. I don’t cook, can I leave my home to purchase meals?
  34. Can I walk my dog/pet?
  35. Can I take my pet to the vet, pet hospital, or groomer?
  36. How can I access free or reduced-price meals for myself or my family?
  37. Can I carry out a court-ordered visit with my kids?
  38. Will all business offices and stores be required to close?
  39. What are “Essential Businesses” required to do to operate?
  40. I run an essential business, as defined by the Order. Do I need to get an official letter of authorization from the County to operate?
  41. I work for an eligible business, as defined by the Order. Do I need to have a letter from my employer or other documentation to travel?
  42. I operate a farm, am I allowed to continue my operation and have employees report to work?
  43. What if my business is not yet authorized to reopen? Does this Order require that I close my business facility?
  44. I currently receive benefits through Merced County’s Human Services Agency. Will this order interrupt my benefits?
  45. Does this Order require that schools shut down?
  46. Will this order prevent companies working on vaccines and testing for COVID-19 from continuing to do that work?
  47. I am in the business of manufacturing food that I supply to grocery stores and other food retailers. Am I required to close?
  48. Does the Order require that businesses stop work that is necessary to our health care system?
  49. Can my company continue construction on a health care facility?
  50. What other construction is allowed to continue?
  51. My business principally manufactures, supplies, or repairs cell phones. Can it continue to operate?
  52. Are non-profit organizations allowed to continue operating?
  53. What if some of the work my business does at its facility is essential and some is not yet authorized to reopen?
  54. I operate a “big box store” that sells some clothing in addition to groceries, electronics, and hardware. Do I close off the part of my store that is not yet authorized to reopen?
  55. What if I have a cafeteria at my worksite. Can it continue to operate to serve workers who are carrying out work exempted in the Order?
  56. Is the local government shutting down?
  57. I work for the government, Can I continue to go to work?
  58. What do I do if my employer requires me to go to work?
  59. I work in a hospital or medical clinic, but I’m not sure I’m essential. Should I continue to work? What if I’m over 60?
  60. What do I do about my kids? I have to work.
  61. Can bike repair shops continue to operate?
  62. Can my company continue to provide janitorial services?
  63. Can grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers remain open?
  64. If my child’s school is providing food or meals, can I leave home to go to the school to pick up the food or meals?
  65. Can warehouses and distribution centers that supply businesses that ship and deliver stay open?
  66. I work for an essential infrastructure organization, can I leave home to go to work?
  67. What if I want to go to work at a physical location in the County and I’m not sick?
  68. Can I operate a business that sells things that can be delivered to people's homes? Can I shift more of my business to a delivery model?
  69. My business provides critical services and products for the federal government that we are required to provide on a time-certain basis- can we continue to manufacture these products?
  70. I work in a cemetery - can I go to work?
  71. Are daycare facilities allowed to operate?
  72. Can home service workers who clean homes continue to provide their services?
  73. I am a nanny. Will I get in trouble if I go to work?
  74. Can I get a ride in my favorite ride share/on demand service or a taxi?
  75. Can I take public transport (bus, subway, train)?
  76. Am I allowed to leave the areas covered by this Order to travel to/from a job outside the Bay Area? Does the Order allow me to leave the County?
  77. I am currently on vacation outside the County—does the Order allow me to return home?
  78. If I’m outside the County travelling for business-does this Order allow me to return home?
  79. I’m visiting and staying in a hotel, with family/friends, or in a short-term rental. What should I do? Can I go home?
  80. What if I’m in a line and there isn’t six feet between me and others?
  81. What if my plumbing gets stopped up or there is another problem with necessary equipment at my home? How will I access those sorts of services?
  82. What do I do about my loved one who needs care from me?
  83. What are the guidelines for staying at home under the Health Officers latest Health Order dated May 8th, 2020?
  84. ¿Cuáles son las pautas para quedarse en casa bajo la última Orden de Salud de los Oficiales de Salud con la fecha del 8 de mayo de 2020?
  85. Cov cai ua raws/taug nyob hauv txojcai nyob twb ywm haus tsev ntawm Tus Tswj Saib Xyuas Noj Qab Haus Huv txojcai Noj Qab Haus Huv tshiab tawm lub 5 hli tim 8, 2020, zoo li cas?
  86. Are baptism services allowed?
  87. What businesses are authorized to open under stage 2.5?
  88. What are the specific guidelines that businesses must follow in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19?
  89. Child Care Facilities
  90. Child Care Centers
  1. Do I need to boil my drinking water?
  2. Do I need to buy bottled water or store drinking water?
  3. Is drinking tap water safe?
  4. Is tap water safe to use for hand washing?
  5. What is EPA's role in ensuring drinking water remains safe?
  6. What should I do if I'm concerned about my drinking water?
  7. Is the COVID-19 virus found in feces?
  8. Can the COVID-19 virus spread through sewage systems?
  9. Should wastewater workers take extra precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus?
  10. Can I get COVID-19 from wastewater or sewage?
  11. Do wastewater treatment plants treat COVID-19?
  12. Will my septic system treat COVID-19?
  13. ¿Se puede propagar el virus COVID-19 a través del agua potable?
  14. ¿Es seguro bebero agua del grifo?
  15. ¿Necesito hervir mi agua potable?
  16. ¿Es seguro usar el agua del grifo para lavarse las manos?
  17. ¿Qué debo hacer si estoy preocupado/a por mi agua potable?
  18. ¿Necesito comprar agua embotellada o almacenar agua potable?
  19. ¿Cuál es el papel de la EPA para garantizar que el agua potable permanezca segura?
  20. ¿Se encuentra el virus COVID-19 en los excrementos?
  21. ¿Puede el virus COVID-19 propagarse a través de sistemas de alcantarillado?
  22. ¿Deberían los trabajadores de las aguas residuales tomar precuaciones adicioneales para protegerse del virus COVID-19?
  23. ¿Puedo obtener COVID-19 de aguas residuales?
  24. ¿Las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales tratan COVID-19?
  25. ¿Mi sistema séptico tratará COVID-19?
  1. How are CDCR and CCHCS preparing for a potential COVID-19 exposure?
  2. How can custodial and health care workers stay protected?
  3. Should I or should I not come to work?
  4. Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency, should I be concerned?
  5. Are there enough supplies to protect inmates and staff?
  6. Is CDCR considering halting visiting at the institutions?
  7. What precautions or screenings are in place for inmates arriving at or leaving from state prison?
  8. Are events or tours being canceled or postponed?
  9. ¿Cómo se están preparando CDCR y CCHCS para una posible exposición de COVID-19?
  10. Cómo pueden mantenerse protegidos los trabajadores de custodia y atención médica?
  11. ¿Debería o no debería ir a trabajar?
  12. El gobernador Newsom declaró estado de emergencia, ¿debería preocuparme?
  13. ¿Hay suficientes suministros para proteger a los reclusos/presos y al personal?
  14. ¿El CDCR está considerando suspender las visitas a las instituciones?
  15. ¿Qué precauciones o evaluaciónes de detección existen para los internos que llegan o salen de la prisión estatal?
  16. ¿Se cancelan o posponen los eventos o giras?
  1. How can I protect myself when I travel?
  2. What actions are being taken by the Federal Government regarding travelers from mainland China and Iran?
  3. What actions are being taken by the Federal Government regarding travelers from other affected countries?
  4. How will Public Health monitor travelers who are self-isolated?
  5. What should we do if a child, student, or staff member has recently traveled to an area with COVID-19 or has a family member who has traveled to an area with COVID-19?
  6. ¿Cómo puedo protegerme cuando viajo?
  7. ¿Qué medidas está tomando el Gobierno Federal con respecto a los viajeros de China continental e Irán?
  8. ¿Qué medidas está tomando el Gobierno Federal con respecto a los viajeros de otros países afectados?
  9. ¿Cómo monitoreará la Salud Pública a los viajeros que están aislados?
  10. ¿Qué debemos hacer si un niño, estudiante o empleado ha viajado recientemente a una área con COVID-19 o tiene un miembro de la familia que ha viajado a una área con COVID-19?