COVID-19 Status Update for 01/14/2021

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for January 14 includes answers to top vaccination questions; new rental assistance options for those impacted by the pandemic; a new eviction moratorium; and updated COVID-19 data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if due to our family/friends group size, our social bubble is 13 members? Is this ok?

Three weeks relates to the incubation period for the COVID-19 virus.

How can I make sure the other people in my bubble are following the rules?

No, social bubbles can only be a maximum of 12 individuals.

Do we have to wear face masks while hanging out with our social bubble?

The success and failure of the social bubble concept depends not only on your personal actions but also everybody else. It’s about solidarity. Keeping our bubbles small and consistent is really important to prevent an increase in the number of infections and a stress on our health care providers and hospitals.  It’s best to be upfront about what levels of contact you expect to be having.  Set ground rules together, since your idea of proper contact may not be the same as someone else in your bubble.  Remember: their behavior impacts your health and vice versa.  

Aside from a social bubble of extended relatives and family, can I also be a part of other social bubbles (religious/faith/worship groups, exercise groups, hobby/activity groups)?

Depending on the activity that you and your social bubble are participating in, make sure you are in compliance with the California State guidelines for masks and face coverings. When in doubt, wear a face covering.

We suggest that you figure out what level of risk each social bubble member is comfortable with before agreeing to be in each other’s bubble. Make sure you are creating a social bubble with people you really trust so that everyone feels comfortable and safe. 

RESOURCES

If one family leaves during that three-week period, do we have to wait until the end of the three-week period to add someone else?

No. One social bubble and one childcare or camp bubble only.

Teenagers are interacting without their families, can they form a bubble without counting parents and siblings who have no interaction with the teenagers (other than their immediate family)?

You can’t keep adding new people to the bubble or swapping in others. It’s important to keep the bubble small and make sure everyone is on the same page about health guidelines for the three-week timeframe. Therefore, you would have to wait until the end of the three-week period to add another family to the social bubble.

I had three adults in my backyard, we sat 6 feet apart and wore masks coming and going, are they all now part of the bubble?

No, all members of a household must be part of the same social bubble.

Do shared office work colleagues come into the social bubble?

Social bubbles are meant for groups who want to socialize on a regular basis for a three-week period of time. You can’t keep adding new people to the bubble or swapping in others. It’s important to keep the bubble small and make sure everyone is on the same page about health guidelines and the protective actions (e.g., physically distance, wear face coverings, etc.) the group will take together.

We are interacting with a couple of kids, but not their families. Do we have to take in the whole family as part of our social bubble?

Maybe. Office colleagues should be following the guidelines for a safe office space work environment. If you want to regularly socialize after work with your colleagues and add them to your bubble, you may do so, but you must keep the same bubble members for three weeks.

Can we do indoor activities and projects together with our social bubble members?

Yes, all members of a household must be counted towards the same social bubble.

Please explain the significance of three weeks for social bubbles and childcare/camp cohorts.

At this point, social bubble activities should be outdoors only.

Do we have to stick with the same social bubble all summer or can we add/remove people?

Social bubbles are groups of people that must be consistent for three weeks, not interacting with others outside the bubble closer than Social Distancing rules require. After three weeks, people may regroup in new bubbles as long as they are healthy. There is no break required between bubble periods.

If I have four people in my family and we have been social distancing, can we add 12 people to our social bubble?

No. The total number of people for one bubble should be 12 people. Therefore, a family of four should only add eight people.

Does my housekeeper need to be part of my social bubble?

No, housekeepers do not need to be part of your social bubble. Currently, the rules state that you should not be at home while your housekeeper is working so you should not have direct contact with him/her. Also, social bubbles are meant for outdoor activities at this point.

I am single, don’t have children, and live alone. Does this mean I can participate in activities with 11 of my closest friends as part of a social bubble?

It depends on the household situation of those 11 friends. For example, if one of the friends belongs to a household of four people, then the entire household (all four people) would need to join your bubble, not just the individual friend. Remember, social bubble membership is exclusive. So, in the off chance you’re “bubbling” with 11 other single (no children, live alone) adults, all of you would need to remain committed to stick with that same group for a minimum of three weeks.