WASHINGTON – President Trump extended federal stay-at-home guidelines and recommended for people to stay away from others for another 30 days through April 30. This, as the president had been optimistic about ending social distancing and opening up the economy by Easter, in just a couple weeks, despite warnings from health officials. 

The extended guidelines means thousands of businesses will stay closed, at least through the next month. It comes after Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the death toll surpassed 100,000, even up to 200,000.

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As of Monday morning that number eclipsed 2,500.

California is among the top three states with the most cases and deaths, after New York and New Jersey, according to the latest tracker polls. With devastating numbers, Sherman Oaks Democrat Brad Sherman responded on Twitter to President Trump’s extended guidelines to the end of April saying: “I’m sure it will last longer than that, at least in Los Angeles.”

For now, people and businesses have the latest $2 trillion stimulus package, also known as the CARES Act to look forward to, passed by Congress and signed into law by the president on Friday. 

Not all lawmakers made it back to DC to vote on that bill last week, due to safety precautions, but Representative Salud Carbajal of San Luis Obispo, said he made sure to fly back and cast his vote, to ensure a quorum, and said he’s been hearing more concerns from his constituents. 

“I’ve been hearing from so many constituents, individuals, workers, families, small businesses, that are going through displacement or have already been displaced, the hardships that they are going through, paying rent, paying mortgages,” said Carbajal. “I’m glad that Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to put forth this important historic bill during this most uncertain historic times.”

Last week, the U.S. Labor Department released unemployment numbers which skyrocketed from a few hundred thousand one week, to over 3 million the next. With the extended stay-at-home guidelines, that number is likely to go up.

The CARES Act includes loans and grants to small and large businesses, boosted federal unemployment benefits, and direct payments to people of up to $1,200, and $500 more for children. 

Carbajal said he’s working on other bills now with colleagues to ensure more assistance for the people. 

“We can always do more; I’m looking forward to working with my Democrat and Republican colleagues to put forward yet another economic relief package," Carbajal said. "To ensure that we continue to shore up where support is needed for workers, families, small businesses, for our front-line workers, and public health workers, first responders to ensure that we are providing the support that is needed during this most difficult time.”

California lawmakers said people can expect the checks or direct deposits soon, likely within the next three to four weeks.