Many experts say the evidence doesn’t justify widespread booster shots for adults. “We just sent a message out there that people who consider themselves fully vaccinated were not fully vaccinated,” one doctor said. “And that’s the wrong message, because you are protected against serious illness.”
Vaccine Watch
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Delta variant likely to bring a fall and winter of masks, vaccine mandates, anxiety
Many health experts believe mask mandates and tougher vaccine requirements will be needed in the coming months to avoid more serious coronavirus surges. “The vaccines themselves are not going to likely be sufficient,” one epidemiologist says. “And during times of increased transmission, we’ll need other tools available to protect all of us — and particularly those who, at this time, can’t be vaccinated, like our children.”
Posted inCOVID Today
Why Gail Newel reversed course on a mask mandate, and how the ‘infectious variant’ factors in
After weeks of saying a mask mandate would not be effective, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Gail Newel reversed course and issued the reinstated order to go into effect at midnight tonight. Why the change — and what could this mean about Delta’s future in Santa Cruz?
Posted inVaccine Watch
California megachurch pastor offers exemption letters for COVID vaccination resisters
The Sacramento-area pastor says he fears that hospital, government and education workers are ‘going to lose their jobs because of a mandate.’
Posted inCOVID 2022
Many more Californians getting coronavirus tests amid Delta spike. What will they reveal?
Testing is expected to drastically ramp up as schools around the state reopen and government and private employers impose requirements for workers.
Posted inCOVID Today
Masks officially back in style in Santa Cruz: Newest indoor order will take effect on Friday
County Health Officer Gail Newel announced a mask mandate beginning Friday, Aug. 20 at 11:59 p.m. That puts Santa Cruz County in line with most other neighboring counties of the Bay Area.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
As Blue Shield steps back from controversial vaccine role, critics question results
The company’s reduced role announced last month closes a fraught chapter in the state’s ongoing efforts to combat COVID-19.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Biden administration OKs COVID booster shots; here’s what to know
The Biden administration says it will offer booster shots to many people who are already fully inoculated against COVID-19. Health officials believe the best time to get such a booster is eight months after the second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and rollout is slated for September.
Posted inCOVID Today
Santa Cruz County COVID watch: The latest from Newel about Delta, at-home testing, booster shots and more
Though COVID cases have slowed countywide, they are slightly up statewide, almost all coming from the highly contagious Delta variant, said public health officer Gail Newel. Since Santa Cruz stats have historically lagged three weeks behind the state data, local health officials are urging continuing caution and vigilance.
Posted inCOVID 2022
California sees signs Delta surge is slowing. New challenge looms
The number of people being infected and falling seriously ill with COVID-19 is no longer accelerating at dramatic rates and even beginning to flatten in some areas.