BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that gatherings of 250 plus people should be rescheduled or canceled at least through the end of March.
This is due to the spread of the coronavirus or COVID-19. The governor is urging the public to listen to public health officials' messages.
"We still can confirm that we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 here in Kern County," said Michelle Corson, spokesperson for Kern Public Health. "We have no detection of community spread at this time. However, the California Department of Public Health has reported 177 cases and three deaths in California.
Since those announcements, many events and agencies have called off several gatherings.
The Kern County Superintendent of Schools is declaring all non-essential gatherings, athletic competitions, performances, and travel plans postponed or canceled.
This is being done to slow the spread of COVID-19. Though so far, they have no plans to cancel classes.
Fans of JoJo Siwa will have to wait to see their idol at Mechanics Bank Arena.
Her concert scheduled for March 17 has been postponed to June 12 due to public health concerns.
Bakersfield College announced its first wave of online classes will begin. Most classes will continue on their regular schedules due to the coronavirus.
"This guidance does not apply to activities such as attendance at regular school classes work or essential services," said Corson.
California State University Bakersfield announced Thursday, it has been instructed to prepare to move classes online.
According to CSUB, all on-campus and in-person classes will be suspended for the rest of the spring semester.
Even the biggest attraction in Southern California shut down. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure will close starting Saturday morning and won't open again at least to April.
Kern County residents have mixed feelings when it comes to cancellations over coronavirus.
"I have to believe there has to be some sort of way to limit, monitor and test, without being invasive or completely shutting things down," said Cissy Clark, a resident.
While others agree with the move from officials.
"I don't think it's an overreaction, but I do think until we know they are the only precautions we can take," said Shanell Tyus, a resident.
"So I think taking no precautions as cancellations put us in jeopardy of more widespread of the disease."
