Spread kindness

During this trying time we find ourselves in with COVID-19, it is imperative that we all do our part to stop the spread of the virus. Wash your hands regularly, stay 6 feet apart, wear a face covering when in public and follow all health and safety guidelines.

One important element to stopping the spread of the virus is community-wide testing. People can carry the coronavirus and not know they have it. They could easily be spreading the virus around. It is important that as many people as possible get tested for the virus. If more people are tested, we will be able to identify more people who are positive for coronavirus, ask them to quarantine until the virus clears and track and trace who they have been in contact with to further reduce the spread of the virus.

Solano County has two testing sites. One at the Norman King Center in Vallejo and one at the Alan Witt Complex in Fairfield (recently opened and moved from Vacaville). I was tested at the Vallejo site in mid-June (the results were negative) and I was recently tested at the Fairfield site (awaiting results). I found the process to be very quick with only minimal discomfort. It took less than 5 minutes from when I walked in to when I was tested.

The governor has stated that the positivity rate (the percentage of people who test positive) is an important metric for the state to determine how effective we are at containing the virus.

It’s especially important to get tested if you are in a position that requires regular inperson contact with the public, if you have recently been to a large gathering (which one should avoid) or if you suspect you may have been exposed to the virus. If you are in any of those categories, I would strongly encourage you to get tested. If you are not in one of those categories, I would still encourage you to get tested.

Also, we are seeing some increases in youth age 17 and under testing positive. If you have children, I would suggest taking them to get tested as well.

To learn more about testing in Solano County and to schedule an appointment, please visit: www.solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus_links/faq___community_testing_ sites.asp.

Take care, spread kindness and stay safe. — Monica Brown/Solano County Supervisor, District 2