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. What does the recent announcement about possible person-to-person transmission mean?
  13. ¿Cómo puedo recibir información actualizada sobre COVID-19 en el Condado de Merced?
  14. ¿Qué es un coronavirus?
  15. ¿Cómo se transmiten los coronavirus?
  16. ¿Cuáles son los síntomas de COVID-19?
  17. ¿Cómo se trata COVID-19?
  18. ¿Cómo puedo ayudar a protegerme?
  19. ¿Qué se puede hacer para retrasar la propagación de la infección por COVID-19?
  20. ¿Debo usar una mascarilla?
  21. ¿Puede alguien que ha sido puesto en cuarentena por COVID- 19 transmitir la enfermedad a otros?
  22. ¿Cómo está manejando el Condado el proceso de prueba?
  23. ¿Que más puedo hacer?
  24. ¿Qué significa el reciente anuncio sobre la posible transmisión de persona a persona?
  25. Kuv yuav txais tau cov xov xwm tshiab txog tus kab mob COVID-19 hauv lus nroog Merced li cas?
  26. Tus kab mob Coronavirus yog dab tsis?
  27. Cov kab mob coronavirus kis tau rau lwm tus li cas?
  28. Cov tsos mob ntawm tus kab mob COVID-19 no yog li cas?
  29. Kev kho tus kab mob COVID-19 no yog li cas?
  30. Kuv yuav tiv thaiv kuv tus kheej li cas?
  31. Yuav ua li cas thiaj li pab tau kom txoj kev kis tus kab mob no kis qeeb zog?
  32. Kuv puas tha looj cov ntaub npog qhov ncauj qhov ntswg?
  33. 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?
  34. Lub nroog tuav txoj kev kuaj mob li cas?
  35. Kuv yuav ua tau dab tsis ntxiv thiab?
  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. Do I need to get an official letter of authorization from the County to operate?
  8. Do I need to have a letter from my employer or other documentation to travel?
  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?
  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 laundry or have my laundry done?
  14. Can I get my prescriptions or other health care needs? 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 non-essential medical care like eye exams, teeth cleaning, elective procedures, etc.?
  17. Should I stock up on food, necessities like toilet paper, and on 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. What if I can’t get out of the home?
  22. Can I leave home to go to my church, synagogue, or mosque?
  23. The Order prohibits non-essential travel on foot or bike -- does that mean that I can’t go on a walk or take a bike ride?
  24. Can I leave home to exercise?
  25. Can golf courses remain open?
  26. Am I allowed to go to a park or on a hike? Can I travel to a County park or open space?
  27. Can I go shopping for things other than food/groceries?
  28. Can I go to a bar/nightclub/theater?
  29. Can I go to a restaurant, café, coffee or tea shop, ice cream shop, or other foodservice location?
  30. Can I walk my dog/pet?
  31. Can I go to a vet or pet hospital if my pet is sick?
  32. I don’t cook, how can I purchase meals?
  33. How can I access free or reduced-price meals for myself or my family?
  34. Can I take my kids to the park and can we use playgrounds?
  35. Will all business offices and stores be required to close?
  36. What are “Essential Businesses”?
  37. I operate a farm, am I allowed to continue my operation and have employees report to work?
  38. What if my business is not considered an Essential Business? Does this Order require that I shut down my business facility?
  39. I currently receive benefits through Merced County’s Human Services Agency. Will this order interrupt my benefits?
  40. Does this Order require that schools shut down?
  41. Will this order prevent companies working on vaccines and testing for COVID-19 from continuing to do that work?
  42. Am I required to shut down?
  43. Does the Order require that businesses stop work that is necessary to our health care system?
  44. Can my company continue construction on a health care facility?
  45. My business principally manufactures, supplies, or repairs cell phones. Can it operate?
  46. Are non-profit organizations allowed to continue operating?
  47. What if some of the work my business does at its facility is essential and some is nonessential?
  48. 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?
  49. Is the local government shutting down?
  50. I work for the government, Can I continue to go to work?
  51. What do I do if my employer requires me to go to work?
  52. 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?
  53. What do I do about my kids? I have to work.
  54. Can bike repair shops continue to operate?
  55. Can my company continue to provide janitorial services?
  56. Can grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers remain open?
  57. 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?
  58. Can warehouses and distribution centers that supply businesses that ship and deliver stay open?
  59. I work for an essential infrastructure organization, can I leave home to go to work?
  60. What construction is allowed to continue?
  61. 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?
  62. 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?
  63. I work in a cemetery - can I go to work?
  64. Are daycare facilities allowed to operate?
  65. Can home service workers who clean homes continue to provide their services?
  66. I am a nanny. Will I get in trouble if I go to work?
  67. Can I get a ride in my favorite ride share/on demand service or a taxi?
  68. Can I take public transport (bus, subway, train)?
  69. 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?
  70. I am currently on vacation outside the County—Does the Order allow me to return home?
  71. If I’m outside the county travelling for vacation or business, am I allowed to come home?
  72. 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?
  73. What if I’m in a line and there isn’t six feet between me and others?
  74. 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?
  75. What do I do about my loved one who needs care from me?
  76. What happens if I don’t comply with this Order?
  77. Why is this Order in place?
  78. ¿Qué hace esta orden?
  79. ¿Cuándo entra en vigencia la Orden?
  80. ¿Cuánto dura la Orden?
  81. ¿Se puede cambiar la Orden?
  82. ¿Dónde está la Orden vigente?
  83. ¿Quién emitió la Orden?
  84. Dirijo un negocio esencial, según lo definido por la Orden ¿Necesito obtener una carta de autorización oficial del Condado para operar?
  85. Trabajo para un negocio esencial, según lo definido por la Orden¿Necesito una carta de mi empleador u otra documentación para viajar?
  86. ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre "quedarse en casa" y "distanciamiento social"?
  87. ¿Puedo salir de casa para visitar amigos o familiares si no hay una necesidad urgente o si no estoy realizando una actividad esencial?
  88. ¿Puedo recibir mi correo y entregas?
  89. ¿Puedo pedir las cosas que necesito en la Internet y que me las entreguen en mi residencia?
  90. ¿Puedo salir a lavar la ropa o mandarla lavar?
  91. ¿Puedo obtener mis recetas u otras necesidades de atención médica? Puedo salir de casa para ir a la farmacia para que me surtan la receta?
  92. ¿Qué sucede si necesito recibir atención médica de mi proveedor médico?
  93. ¿Puedo seguir buscando atención médica no esencial como exámenes de la vista, limpieza de dientes, procedimientos electivos, etc.?
  94. ¿Debo surtirme de alimentos, artículos como papel higiénico y medicamentos?
  95. ¿Qué debo hacer si estoy enfermo? Si yo o un miembro de mi familia necesitamos atención médica inmediata, ¿Puedo salir de casa para ir al médico o al hospital?
  96. ¿Puedo salir de casa para cuidar a mis padres o amigos mayores que requieren asistencia para cuidarse a sí mismos? ¿O un amigo o familiar con discapacidad?
  97. ¿Puedo visitar a seres queridos en el hospital, hogar de ancianos, centro de enfermería especializada u otro centro de atención residencial?
  98. ¿Qué pasa si no puedo salir de la casa? Cómo puedo obtener suministros y comida?
  99. ¿Puedo salir de casa para ir a mi iglesia, sinagoga o templo de oración?
  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?