skip to Main Content

Let’s Stay Safe and Keep Our
Faith in the Valley Strong

COVID-19 will not divide us as a community. Our faith in the Central Valley is strong and our faith in God is stronger. Together, we can make it through this pandemic and make sure everyone is receiving the necessary care and attention they need—no matter their race, faith or gender.

At Faith in the Valley, we believe in a society free of economic oppression, racism and discrimination in which everyone lives in a safe and healthy environment, everyone is respected and everyone is included and has agency over the decisions that shape their lives. That’s why it’s important that, during this COVID-19 pandemic, we make sure the people closest to the pain have a voice and get the help they need to weather this health crisis.

We also understand that as a faith community, we are what we need. Our collaboration, cooperation and co-creation during this moment will be the quickest way to prevent this virus from spreading in the Central Valley.

If you’re looking for help, use this website as your COVID-19 information and resource center for the Central Valley. If you’re looking to get involved in our coalition, we invite you to join us as we work to keep everyone safe and our faith in the Valley strong.

About the Disease

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has spread throughout the world. Symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness.

To reduce the spread of the virus, the FDA has now provided emergency use authorization for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines and full approval for the Pfizer vaccine. Research shows that FDA-authorized or approved vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19, but it is still recommended that you take steps to protect yourself and others from the coronavirus. The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and avoid close contact with others.

Wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth in public indoors settings. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Also, wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

What you need to know:

How COVID-19 is spread

You can become infected by coming into close contact (about 6 feet or two arm lengths) with a person who has COVID-19. COVID-19 is primarily spread from person to person.

Practice social distancing

If you must go in person to buy groceries and medicine, go to the doctor or complete banking activities, stay at least 6 feet away from others and disinfect items you must touch.

Prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care.

Know your risk for severe illness

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more severe illness.

Frequently asked questions

How California Is Responding to COVID-19

On June 15, the State of California fully reopened its economy, which means there are no county more tiers, capacity limits or physical distancing requirements. But COVID-19 has not gone away. That means we need to keep taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about the current safety measures and how you might be affected.

What's open?

Pretty much everything is open again and back to normal, especially if you’re vaccinated. There aren’t any required capacity limits, no more physical distancing and much looser mask mandates.

While all restrictions have been lifted throughout the state, counties, cities and local businesses still have the right to set their own capacity limits or other rules, as they see fit.

What restrictions are in place for large events like sports games and big concerts?

These sort of “mega events” are the only types of places that might have some COVID-19 restrictions still in place after June 15. These new state guidelines are going to be in place for conferences, conventions, concerts, sporting events and the like for the time being.

Do I still have to wear a mask?

Fully vaccinated people are allowed to do pretty much everything they were doing before the pandemic without needing to wear a mask. That includes grocery shopping, going to the gym, drinking at a bar, seeing a movie or going to church.

There are just a few places where vaccinated people still need to wear masks, including hospitals, prisons, homeless shelters, during travel (including air travel and mass transit) and while indoors at K-12 schools.

If you’re not vaccinated, you’ll still be required to wear a mask in all indoor public settings.

Are there travel restrictions in place?

California recommends people delay non-essential travel until they are fully vaccinated, but no travel restrictions are in effect. Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is required to enter the U.S. and your destination may still require proof of vaccination and/or a negative test result.

What if I need to visit the doctor?

If you are feeling sick with flu-like symptoms, please first call your doctor, a nurse hotline, or an urgent care center.

If you need to go to the hospital, call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival. If you need to call 911, tell the 911 operator the exact symptoms you are experiencing so the ambulance provider can prepare to treat you safely.

Latest News From the Valley

Faith and Facts: The Truth About the COVID-19 Vaccine

Faith and Facts: The Truth About the COVID-19 Vaccine

We recently held a special webinar with healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente to talk about the…

Read More
State Eviction Moratorium, COVID Relief Program Extended Through September

State Eviction Moratorium, COVID Relief Program Extended Through September

This summer, our volunteer grassroots leaders joined partners across the state in successfully urging decision…

Read More
Faith Organizations Hand Out Checks To Help Migrant Families During Pandemic

Faith Organizations Hand Out Checks to Help Migrant Families During Pandemic

One by one, names were called out. Reverend Nelson Gonzalez with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America out of Stockton handed out checks to 36 migrant families. “They’re people, they have families."
Read More

COVID-19 Conversations

Throughout the pandemic, our leaders have been holding talks to discuss how COVID-19 has affected our communities and how we can be strong in our response to this crisis. Check out the videos and join the discussion on our YouTube page.

Back to School, Back to COVID: Part 2
A follow-up conversation with elementary, high-school and college-aged students, who all gave their take on navigating through school during a global pandemic.
Back to School, Back to COVID
A candid conversation about the impacts that COVID-19 and the Delta variant are having on staff, students and family members.
COVID-19 and the Role of the Church
A Faith in the Valley Justice Interview conversation with Pastor B.T. Lewis of the Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Fresno.
Youth of Color Discuss the COVID-19 Vaccine
Facebook Live panel featuring members of Youth Coalition of California (YCC), Dr. Fabiola Ramos (Dentist and Masters in Public Health and Epidemiology), and Pastor Nelson Rabell (FIV's Covid Outreach and Education Coordinator).
COVID-19, the Church and an Ethic of Care
A dialogue with Pastor DJ Criner, of the Saints Rest Baptist Church in Fresno. We will be talking about the role of the church during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pregnant During A Pandemic
A live conversation with first-time parents who gave birth to and are now raising their child in the midst of a global pandemic. What was it like to carry a child while being at risk of COVID-19? How was the birth experience during this pandemic Join us as these parents share transparent answers to these questions and more.
Interview with Hmong Clergy on COVID-19
Hmong language interview with Rev. Wangki on Covid-19, the delta variant, and encouraging the community to get vaccinated. Produced with the Hmong TV Network.
Black Youth, COVID-19, Myths and Facts
A Black youth and young adult-led conversation with medical professionals to discuss myths and facts surrounding COVID-19, the Delta variant and the vaccine.
Back To Top