BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Sheriff Donny Youngblood responded to the governor's stay-at-home order in video message saying, "Let us control our county."

"We can open some of our businesses and still have the protocols of the CDC and public health in place," Sheriff Youngblood said, explaining that he believes opening while practicing social distancing guidelines is not too different from staying at home.

The sheriff went on to say he will have a more definitive answer next Friday on how the county will move forward. He said the County Board of Supervisors are also gearing up to address the stay-at-home orders.

On Thursday several Kern County supervisors signed a letter alongside local Senator Shannon Grove asking the governor to adjust the stay-at-home order and allow greater flexibility.

Sheriff Youngblood also addressed the status of COVID-19 among the Kern County Sheriff's Office.

According to Sheriff Youngblood, the number of KCSO employees who tested positive for COVID-19 remains at 20, with 12 still in recover and eight now back at work.

He said as far as inmates in Kern County, 11 have tested positive and three are recovering. Sheriff Youngblood said eight inmates are in a "step-down program," meaning they've had the virus for two weeks.