COVID PM: Vaccine delivery to those in need, California setting the bar, and an important read for us all

By Mark Conley

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Happy Monday, everyone — here’s a glance around the COVID-19/vaccine landscape as we eye a first-time foray into the yellow tier on Wednesday.

➤ VACCINE DELIVERY: The county announced a plan to get the vaccine out to those who may not be able to get to it themselves.
➤ IN SANTA CRUZ? For many who think better of this community, the threats and abuse absorbed by our county health officers this past year is as stunning as it is appalling. Read and absorb it yourself.
➤ STATE OF THE STATE: While places like Michigan face a sobering step backward, California is now setting the national bar for COVID case rates.

If you can’t get to the vaccine, the county has a plan for that

VACCINE WATCH: If you’re a homebound Santa Cruz County resident and haven’t yet gotten a COVID-19 vaccination, the county’s public health department wants to help you get inoculated by sending a medical professional your way. There is a place on the county’s website to fill out a survey to get the process started. Go here for more on how it works.

ICYMI: How not to treat your health officers

Santa Cruz County health services director Mimi Hall

PANDEMIC LIFE: Local health officials have become the face of government authority as they work to stem the pandemic. That has made them targets for chilling threats from some of the same militia groups that stormed the U.S. Capitol. Santa Cruz leaders are among those whose daily routines now incorporate security patrols, surveillance cameras and, in some cases, firearms. Go here for more on the scary plights of Mimi Hall (above) and Dr. Gail Newel.

➤ YOUR THOUGHTS: Is there something that can be done to buffer public servants from such abuse? Hit reply and let me know if you have ideas.

About California’s dramatic COVID-19 turnaround

PANDEMIC LIFE: Months after a coronavirus surge sickened hundreds of thousands of people, left thousands dead and pushed hospitals to their breaking point, California’s virus case rate is now the lowest of any state in the nation, federal figures show. Although the distinction doesn’t lessen the heavy toll exacted by the fall-and-winter wave, it does demonstrate the tremendous strides the state has made in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic — progress that, to this point, has not been interrupted even as the state more widely reopens its economy. More on that from the LA Times here.

➤ VACCINE WATCH: Vaccinating children, vigilance next phase of California’s COVID-19 battle (LA Times)

➤ COVID K-12: California is offering no-cost rapid Covid testing and staff training to schools (EdSource)

➤ COVID K-12: Students who returned are leaving again. We need to do something new to get them back (Chalkbeat)

More from here & elsewhere

➤ U.S. Pledges Medical Aid To India, Where COVID-19 Is Overwhelming Hospitals (NPR)
➤ How the U.S. went from having one of the worst COVID responses to being a global leader (CNN)
➤ Biden expected to announce new CDC mask guidance Tuesday (CNN)
➤ Airline bans Alaska lawmaker for her ‘continued refusal to comply’ with mask mandate (CNN)
➤ Even after being fully vaccinated, many still wrestle with a fear of catching Covid (NBC News)
➤ Some health insurers ending waivers for COVID treatment fees (MSNBC)
➤ How Faith Leaders In Israel And The U.K. Are Fighting Vaccine Hesitancy (NPR)
➤ Why Black And Latino People Still Lag On COVID Vaccines — And How To Fix It (NPR)
➤ Outcry after anti-mask California politician compares herself to Rosa Parks (SF Gate)

Have May 4 on your calendar?

“Santa Cruz Eats!” is part of Lookout’s COVID 2021 series, a special initiative to do deep reporting and community engagement on the pandemic — and economic recovery.

Damani Thomas, owner and chef at Oswald; Brad Briske, co-owner and chef of HOME in Soquel; and Gema Cruz, chef at Gabriella Cafe, will join us for a virtual conversation at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, hosted by Lookout food contributor Amber Turpin and Me.

Click here to register for this awesome, FREE event.

We’ll do it again tomorrow.

Mark Conley
Deputy Managing Editor