The Ripon City Council is looking to touch base with Congressman Josh Harder (D-Turlock).

Councilman Mike Restuccia initiated the plan to draft the letter to the U.S. Representative for California’s 10th congressional district at the Aug. 10 meeting.

His concern is that of people coming into country who are COVID-19 positive. Restuccia recommended sending a letter to Harder’s office about his position regarding “infected individuals coming across the southern borders.”

His concerns were focused on those infected with the coronavirus and not those entering the country illegally.

“The CDC is requiring unvaccinated Americans to quarantine for seven days when returning from Mexico. However, detained illegal immigrants are being shipped to cities all over the country immediately upon entry. This puts all Americans at risk for spiking COVID-19 cases and death,” Restuccia said.

He added: “Since we all care about the safety and welfare of the people we represent as elected individuals it is important to understand our congressman’s stance on this super spreader of a virus.”

While elected leaders agreed to draft a letter to send to Congressman Harder to inquire about his plan of action regarding COVID-19 people entering the U.S., Councilman Leo Zuber indicated that questions to his U.S. Representative should be pointed more towards problems in Ripon.

In particular, the infrastructure bill.

Restuccia said that there is local concern in drafting of the letter regarding “16,000 Ripon residents who may get COVID.”

He suggested perhaps drafting another letter regarding the infrastructure bill.