COVID PM: Mask, distancing rules at workplaces under discussion...teen hesitancy...Bay Area herd immunity

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There was plenty to talk about on the vaccine front this busy May 19. Here are the highlights…

On the vaccine front

Shot — Fernando Flores, 18, is vaccinated at Manual Arts High School on Monday in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

California considers dropping mask, distancing rules at workplaces if everyone vaccinated: California is considering dropping mask and physical distancing rules for employees at work sites if everyone there is fully vaccinated, another major step in moving back to normal as coronavirus cases continue to plummet. The discussions come as employers are considering plans to bring employees back into workplaces, especially those that went to remote work during the pandemic. It also underscores the growing optimism that the vaccine could bring major changes fairly soon. More from the LA Times here.

Covid 19 vaccine vocab_LA_thmb — Credit: File photo

Two-thirds of adults in California at least partially vaccinated: Two-thirds of adult Californians are now at least partially vaccinated for COVID-19 — a hopeful milestone as the state trudges toward the level of widespread community protection officials and experts believe is necessary to end the pandemic once and for all. To date, 67.3% of residents age 18 and older have gotten a vaccine dose, according to figures the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted Wednesday morning. More from the Times on that here.

Aragon Leep, 17, gets a Pfizer vaccine Monday at Manual Arts High School, one of 200 sites where the Los Angeles Unified School District has deployed mobile vaccination teams for students. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Some teens don’t think they need the COVID-19 vaccine. Officials say they are wrong: Health officials are urging that teenagers get vaccinated for COVID-19, warning that youths are not immune to severe complications or to “long COVID,” which can leave patients sick for months. Dr. Christina Ghaly, the L.A. County health services director, said she has heard from many families and teens who say they aren’t ready to be vaccinated, “largely because they think the risk of getting COVID is low” for adolescents in the newest eligible group, ages 12 to 15. More from the Times on that here.

People walk along the Venice Beach boardwalk on Monday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Seeking ‘community immunity’: Bay Area expected to be first region in California to reach herd immunity: Five months after COVID-19 vaccinations began, only two California counties are close to reaching “herd immunity” while most trail far behind with less than half of their eligible population vaccinated. A CalMatters analysis of state vaccination data found that in nine counties, less than a third of residents ages 16 and over were fully vaccinated as of last week. In 45 of the state’s 58 counties, less than half were vaccinated. More on this here.