‘To protect all of us’: County health leaders issue plea for people to help close the vaccination gap

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Medical leaders from around the county collaborated on a strong vaccination message Thursday — and provided updates on how everything from the Delta variant’s presence in Santa Cruz County to the probability of future economic shutdowns. Here’s an early look at what is being said:

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To read Grace Stetson’s full story from the presser — When to mask up, whether to fear a shutdown: What we learned from Thursday’s chat with county health leaders — please go here.

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For @LookoutSCruz: Major leaders from Santa Cruz County tell us more about #COVID19 updates for locals.

Masks are recommended but not required at this time, says Dr. Gail Newel. There are currently 11 documented #DeltaVariant cases in the county. — Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

Gail Newel: "I don't see closures of the economy a part of our future unless things get very dire. And I don't think we'll see things getting dire. The vast majority of us are fully vaccinated, more will get fully vaccinated. When we do see a surge it's should be smaller… — Mark Conley (@MarkConley) July 22, 2021

Medical leaders from around the county gathered on Thursday. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

… fewer hospitalizations, fewer deaths, less impact on the economy. So I don't think that we'll be seeing any closures of businesses or schools. — Mark Conley (@MarkConley) July 22, 2021

Dr. Gail Newel: Currently in California, 2% people getting infected with COVID-19 have been double vaccinated. "It's still really low," she said. — Mark Conley (@MarkConley) July 22, 2021

Everyone who’s currently hospitalized in the county is unvaccinated.

“Now is the time to be fully vaccinated and to get your vaccine,” Newel says.
— Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

Gail Newel speaks to the assembled media on Thursday. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Dr. Nan Mickiewicz of @DignityHealth Dominican Hospital reiterates that it’s “not too late to protect yourself and the people you care about.”

“I cannot urge you strongly brought to take away that worry and get vaccinated.” — Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

“We need support from the community to help our frontline workers,” says Steven Sayler of Watsonville Community Hospital.

“Community, please do your part.” — Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

From Dr. Catherine Martin of @SutterHealth: “To young adults, think about the risks of remaining unvaccinated in the community you live.”

Currently, over 60% of residents of #SantaCruzCounty are fully vaccinated. — Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

Dr. Joyce Orndorff of @aboutKP for Santa Cruz County is proud to stand together with these other county leaders to encourage everyone to get vaccinated.

“It’s so much more important now to close any gaps that may be there, to protect all of us,” she says. — Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

“We’re seeing the impact on how people have been effected by not being vaccinated,” he says.

“Now, it all depends on the people who have chosen not to get the #CovidVaccine — but you can turn it around.” — Grace Stetson is ✍️ (@grace_m_stetson) July 22, 2021

Check back for more later as we built out this breaking story.