COVID PM: Sutter speaks, Boardwalk mum, indoor sports rules remain fuzzy

Hello, friends, and happy Friday. Before we dive into weekend mode, there were plenty of developments to unpack in the COVID/vaccine world today. Such as:

➤ Sutter gave props to the county for helping fill in supply chain gaps and said no second-dose appointments were canceled here — even though we continue to have patients tell us otherwise.
➤ The Boardwalk could open partially by April 1 but appears to be sizing up the situation before setting a plan.
➤ Indoor sports got a quasi-blessing by the state, but coaches, athletic directors and other school administrators are still trying to figure out what that means.

Before we dive into the headlines, if you don’t yet know about our cool book deal, you should. Our very own Kevin Painchaud and Wallace Baine worked alongside the Santa Cruz Sentinel’s Shmuel Thaler to produce a unique visual look at one of the strangest years of our lives. The product, ‘2020 Hindsight,’ is beautiful — and free to you if you become a Lookout member. Click here and use HINDSIGHT2020 as the promo code.

To the headlines …

Sutter says it got a nice assist from the county, missed doses avoided

VACCINE WATCH: After days of confusion among Sutter patients in Santa Cruz County, the health system finally said no second-dose vaccine appointments here were canceled in the county because the public health department stepped in to help. We have those details here. But we also continue to hear from some Sutter/PAMF patients who say they’ve been left in a second-dose bind by the situation and aren’t sure what to do. (See the question from Marsha B below)

Boardwalk will take its time sorting out re-opening path

COVID TODAY: The new guidance on amusement parks came out Friday, but that won’t be pushing the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk into immediate action. It appears that it could reopen at 15% capacity by April 1, but spokesperson Kris Reyes told Lookout they plan to study up on the new guidance before making any firm plans. Here’s an outline by our LA Times content partner on what this means for activities across the state.

➤ For a look at what the Boardwalk already has open, including some games, attractions and eateries, go here.

Indoor sports possible, but what’s in the fine print?

PANDEMIC LIFE: I heard from still-confused coaches and athletic directors on Friday about the new youth sports guidance handed down by the California Department of Public Health late Thursday. Whether it truly opens the gymnasium doors up for basketball and other indoor sports won’t be known immediately — but it’s clear that much testing would have to be involved. Confusion on the ever-changing is the norm statewide, though, as this story by our LA Times content partner spells out.

More from here & elsewhere

➤ A shot in the arm in the vaccine race: California administers 10 million COVID-19 doses (LA Times)
➤ California’s vaccine appointment website has glitches. No surprise? (Kaiser Health News)
➤ U.S. embraces COVID-19 vaccines, improving odds of herd immunity
(LA Times)
➤ How California plans to keep wealthy residents from taking COVID vaccines from the needy (LA Times)
➤ Singapore builds world’s first ‘bubble’ hotel for business travelers to skip quarantine (SF Gate)
➤ A vaccination at your door? J&J quickly spurs new ways to distribute shots (NBC News)
➤ For veterans with PTSD, pandemic ‘feels a lot like wartime’ (NBC News)
➤ Joe Manchin stalls Democrats’ Covid relief push for hours (CNN)

ASK LOOKOUT: We answer your questions . . .

Q: My second dose was scheduled for 2/23 and cancelled. I call Sutter’s number twice everyday and am told all Sutter sites are closed. I’m 79 with COPD. I have until next Tuesday to hit the six-week date. What do I do? — Marsha B

A: So sorry to hear this, Marsha. It must be very scary. The answer might be CVS, which will provide an option to schedule second doses only. Go here and please check back with us and let us know how it goes.

Q: Where in Santa Cruz county can I find the Johnson & Johnson vaccine? — Virginia E

A: There’s no way to go looking for a specific vaccine, unfortunately. You will just have to see where you can get an appointment and see which vaccine they are offering. We know 1,300 doses arrived to the county’s health department Thursday but we don’t know how doses — if any — arrived to the MCEs.

Q: I live in Santa Cruz County and provide child care to my grandchildren who live in Marin county. Am I eligible to receive the vaccine? — Christine B

A: The county is helping facilitate vaccines for all childcare providers. Call Diane Munoz, Childhood Advisory Council Coordinator at (831) 466-5822

Have a question for us to try and get answered? Submit it here or just reply to this email.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Mark Conley
Deputy Managing Editor