Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
Black Churches Fill a Unique Role in Combating Vaccine Fears
Churches are the keystone of a major campaign to bring good information about covid vaccines to Black communities. But pastors are finding that scarce supplies and a clumsy rollout are complicating efforts to urge vaccination. (Anna Almendrala, )
As Covid Surged, Vaccines Came Too Late for at Least 400 Medical Workers
A Guardian/KHN analysis of deaths nationwide indicates that at least 1 in 8 health workers lost in the pandemic died after the vaccine became available, narrowly missing the protection that might have saved their lives. (Erin McCormick, The Guardian, )
State Gives More Details On Teacher Vaccinations: California public health officials offered details Thursday on the vaccination effort for K-12 employees, with the priority being teachers and employees already working on-site at schools and those who serve students in disadvantaged communities. Read more from the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, AP and Politico.
Judge Rules In Favor Of ‘Hero Pay’ Lawsuit: A federal judge on Thursday denied a bid by the California Grocers Association to temporarily overturn a Long Beach ordinance requiring an additional $4 in hourly “hero pay” for supermarket workers who face greater risk performing their jobs during the pandemic. Read more from the Orange County Register, Sacramento Bee and San Francisco Chronicle.
Below, check out the roundup of California Healthline’s coverage. For today's national health news, read KHN's Morning Briefing.
More News From Across The State
San Francisco Chronicle:
Bay Area COVID Vaccinations Now Outpace California And U.S. Here's Where Each County Stands
At the beginning of the coronavirus vaccination rollout, California lagged behind most of the U.S. But as of this week, the state was all caught up. California as a whole had administered about 19,933 vaccines per 100,000 people as of Thursday, close to the overall U.S. rate of 20,250 doses per 100,000, according to the state’s and the CDC’s coronavirus trackers and 2019 U.S. census population estimates. California was No. 21 for percentage of people receiving at least one dose by state, according to The Chronicle’s Vaccine Tracker. (Neilson, 2/26)
Los Angeles Times:
Your Place In The COVID-19 Vaccine Line Depends On Where You Live
“We’ve got to take care of the most vulnerable,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a recent news briefing when asked about priority for individuals with disabilities and underlying conditions. “I’m committed to do that, but I fear that whatever we do won’t be enough until supply is adequate.” Desperate attempts to fairly distribute the scant supply have created 48 different vaccine eligibility lists across 50 states, with some giving early access to incarcerated people, hospitalized psychiatric patients or people living in multi-generational households, according to data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In California, there are as many as 61 more vaccine priority lists, as local health departments are allowed to deviate from Newsom’s rules as they deem appropriate. (Karlamangla and Shalby, 2/26)
Bay Area News Group:
COVID-19: One Medical Controversy Raises Question: Who Is Monitoring Vaccine Providers?
When a San Francisco-based health care company came under fire this month over claims it didn’t properly screen the people it was vaccinating to be sure they were eligible, it set off a backlash and a question: Once vaccines are distributed, is anybody watching to be sure medical providers are following the rules? Surprisingly, though, it’s also prompting caution from some health care experts who worry that cracking down too hard on bad actors could slow down the rollout as new variants of the deadly disease are gaining steam. “It’s a balance,” said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access, a Sacramento-based consumer advocacy group. (DeRuy, 2/26)
The Bakersfield Californian:
COVID-19 Vaccination Sites Open In Arvin, Rosamond And Wasco
COVID-19 vaccination appointments can now be made on myturn.ca.gov for three new clinics in Arvin, Rosamond and Wasco. Each site will be open Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., this week. Next week, the sites will be open on the following days and at the following locations:
(2/25)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Dedicated Dose Supply Gives UC Workers A Vaccination Advantage
Essential workers at UC San Diego are not waiting in the same vaccination lines as their off-campus peers, university officials confirmed this week. County officials announced Wednesday that teachers, law enforcement officers, farmers and others — a group estimated to exceed 500,000 people throughout the region — can start signing up for vaccination appointments through state or county-operated scheduling systems Saturday. But similar opportunities have already been afforded to UCSD employees. (Sisson, 2/25)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Latino COVID-19 Task Force Launches Project Abuelita To Assist Elderly, Disabled, Limited-English Speakers Get Tested And Vaccinated
The Kern County Latino COVID-19 Task Force has yet another mission in mind, this time assisting the community’s most vulnerable in the continued fight against COVID-19. According to a news release, the task force announced the launch of Project Abuelita, a free service in which bilingual volunteers will reach out to elderly, disabled and limited-English to non-English speakers in Kern County to help facilitate coronavirus testing and vaccination appointments. (2/25)
Capital & Main:
Missteps In L.A.'s Pandemic Response Left Disadvantaged Communities Behind
As Los Angeles’ COVID-19 winter surge hit its deadly peak last December, the county government launched a new initiative meant to tap trusted community leaders to slow the virus’s spread through information campaigns and distribution of vaccines in hard-hit neighborhoods. Community organizers told Capital & Main that they’re grateful for the support. But many say the slow rollout of the government-community partnership, which started after the recent surge was waning, is illustrative of both the missteps that have led to lives lost and the change of course needed ahead. (Albaladejo, 2/25)
LA Daily News:
LA County Hospitalizations For COVID-19 Reach Lowest Levels Since Before Winter Surge
Less than 2,000 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in Los Angeles as of Thursday, Feb. 25, reaching the lowest levels since before the winter surge that began with Thanksgiving gatherings three months ago. As of Thursday, there were 1,886 people in L.A. County hospitals that tested positive for the coronavirus, based on a state database. Roughly 30% of the patients were in intensive care units. (Rosenfeld, 2/25)
Los Angeles Times:
L.A. County COVID-19 Hospitalizations Hit Three-Month Low While MIS-C Cases Climb
COVID-19 hospitalizations in Los Angeles County are at their lowest point since Thanksgiving, authorities said Thursday. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the county as of Wednesday was 1,886, according to state figures released Thursday. Over the last week, COVID-19 hospitalizations have been falling an average of roughly 5% a day, and on Tuesday, L.A. County tallied 1,988 COVID-19 hospitalizations — the first time the number dipped below 2,000 since Nov. 26. At the worst point in the pandemic, 8,098 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 in L.A. County, a number recorded on Jan. 5. (Smith and Lin II, 2/25)
Bay Area News Group:
Santa Clara County Relaxes COVID-19 Health Directives
After months of having some of the strictest COVID-19 shutdown rules in the state, Santa Clara County appears to be dropping its go-it-alone approach. Officials on Thursday said they are loosening restrictions on outdoor activities, including youth sports, and when the county is moved to the state’s Red Tier, possibly as soon as Wednesday, indoor gatherings and indoor dining will be allowed again. The changes are a result of a wider rollout of vaccinations as well as declining case rates and hospitalizations, officials said, but they also signal the county is adopting the state’s coronavirus recommendations. Some critics have railed against the county and its health officer, Dr. Sara Cody, for implementing more stringent rules than other counties. (Green and Miedema, 2/25)
Sacramento Bee:
The Largest School District In The Sacramento Region Is Returning To Campus
The Elk Grove Unified School District, the largest public school district in Northern California, has set several target dates to bring its more than 60,000 students back into classrooms in March and April. The school board voted 6-1 Tuesday on an agreement it signed with its teachers union to implement in-person instruction after its 67 campuses have been closed for nearly a year. Students will return in a staggered schedule, with the youngest students returning sooner than older students. (Morrar, 2/25)
Bay Area News Group:
COVID & Preps: Santa Clara County Allows Kids To Play Multiple Sports, But Not Before More Confusion
Santa Clara County public health officers have agreed to let student-athletes participate in high school and club sports simultaneously this spring as part of loosening COVID-19 restrictions. But they seemed to send mixed messages this week about what is allowed, leading to more confusion Thursday night for the youth athletics community lobbying to get kids back on the field. “There is a lack of follow-through on what is said and what is done,” said Mike Wharton, a Santa Clara youth sports parent. “Families are making decisions on what is coming out. Without that clearly stated, it makes it difficult to understand what you can do.” (Almond and Sabedra, 2/26)
The Bakersfield Californian:
BC Hosting Orientation For Those Interested Health-Science Career Field
Bakersfield College is hosting a Health Science Pathways Virtual Orientation for those interested in a career in the respective field. The orientation is scheduled for Feb. 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Participants will hear from faculty and staff about each program, classes being offered, application requirements, career opportunities, late start options and more. (2/25)
Sacramento Bee:
Sacramento County Delays Plan For Mental Health Teams
A long-awaited plan to replace law enforcement with a team of counselors to address mental health calls in Sacramento County will be delayed for at least a month while officials discuss the plan with local law enforcement and consider expanding the pilot project. The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed late Wednesday to delay voting on the program, which would have created four, two-person teams that would respond to mental health and substance abuse calls fielded into an emergency phone number separate from 911. The alternative to 911 project was first advanced by Supervisor Patrick Kennedy after the wave of protests over racial injustice last summer and widespread criticism of the outsize share of county money funneled into the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. (Finch II, 2/25)
Capital Public Radio/KXJZ:
Sacramento County Proposes Taking Some Emergency Calls Away From Law Enforcement
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is considering taking some emergency calls away from armed law enforcement officers. The tricky questions are: exactly which calls are better solved with social workers and how big to begin this pilot program. The proposal — discussed Wednesday by the board — was for a $1.6 million pilot program operating during weekdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. The plan faced strong opposition from area police chiefs who argued lives may be lost when police don’t respond. Citrus Heights Police Chief Ron Lawrence said he and other chiefs weren’t consulted. (Fletcher, 2/25)
LAist:
LA Makes (Slow) Progress On Getting Police Out Of The Mental Health Business
The mass movement for police reform that exploded in the wake of the killing of George Floyd also led to a renewed push to re-think our reliance on law enforcement to handle thousands of mental health crisis calls every year. The numbers make the case: People with untreated serious mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during an encounter with the cops than other civilians, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center. And 25% of people shot at by the LAPD from 2015-19 were perceived to have a mental illness. Since last summer, we've seen a flurry of initiatives in the city and county of Los Angeles aimed at alternatives to crisis response. But several months in, where do they stand? (Garrova, 2/26)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Becerra Lacks Public Health Experience
Even some progressives were perplexed when President Joe Biden nominated California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be secretary of Health and Human Services. “I would have liked to see the HHS secretary have public health experience,” Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, told Politico. (Ramesh Ponnuru, 2/25)
Los Angeles Times:
My Wife Is Vaccinated. I'm Not. The Difference Feels Huge
In my house, we have a problem. My wife has been vaccinated; I haven’t. Am I envious? Of course I am. Resentful? Yeah, some of that too. When she came home all cheerful after her second COVID-19 vaccine shot last week, I couldn’t help feel that she had crossed safely to the other side of a giant chasm, while I remained at the edge of the cliff. (Nicholas Goldberg, 2/26)
Sacramento Bee:
Address Injustices In Black Healthcare With COVID-19 Vaccine
Our Black and brown neighbors take a significant risk working the frontline and living in small, crowded spaces that render the notion of social distancing all but impossible. This is a population in despair that is feeling the brunt of a deadly pandemic. We owe them. At Alameda Health System, we care for these essential workers. We are here in Alameda, San Leandro, Oakland, Hayward, Newark and Eastmont — the cities that are home to Black, Brown and underserved communities. We lead in extending care, wellness and prevention to all. As we ramp up vaccine distribution beyond essential healthcare workers, we need to put the Black and brown communities at the front of the line, not in the back as the healthcare system has historically done. Let’s not create or overlook gaps in vaccination efforts and attempt to address them after the damage is done. (James Jackson, 2/26)
San Diego Union-Tribune:
Experts Discuss How To Boost COVID-19 Vaccinations Among San Diego's Black Residents
San Diego health experts who serve some of the communities hit hardest by COVID-19 participated in a discussion Thursday evening on vaccine safety in an effort to boost vaccination rates among Black residents. According to county data, less than 2 percent of people who have been vaccinated are Black. Experts say that percentage is alarming given the pandemic’s impact on the population. Black residents account for 3.6 percent of COVID-19 cases in the county, and make up nearly 5 percent of the population. (Andrea Lopez-Villafana, 2/25)
Bay Area News Group:
Why One Medical Shouldn’t Be Offering Bay Area Vaccinations
Equity in administering COVID-19 vaccinations means not only considering vaccine locations, the demographics of those receiving the vaccine, but also who is operating vaccination sites. It has been thoroughly reported that we have not had enough vaccine supply to meet demand. Adequate vaccine supply is expected to be a challenge for weeks to come. Bay Area county governments and nonprofit health systems can all administer many more vaccines than they have at present. One Medical is administering COVID-19 vaccines and recently announced plans to set up additional vaccination sites in the Bay Area. One Medical is a for-profit, concierge medicine corporation that recently went public and is now listed on Nasdaq. Its website home page includes a link to “Investor Relations,” with information about quarterly earnings results. Equity has a different definition for One Medical. (Darcie Green and Malinda Markowitz, 2/26)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Take It From Me, Kids Need To Be Back In School
This is guaranteed: Many kids locked out of classrooms by the pandemic will suffer academically from being forced to learn at home. It doesn’t matter what the politicians say — the governor, legislators, superintendents, school board members and teachers union leaders. They must not fully grasp the (George Skelton, 2/24)
Fresno Bee:
Limit Smoke Pollution And Support A Healthy Ag Future. It’s Time To Ban Field Burning
San Joaquin Valley old-timers can recall that scent of wood-fire smoke in the fall, wafting over the region where farmers lit fires to harvested fields, piles of old trees and uprooted vines, and other ag waste. It was a time-tested way to get rid of diseased material and pests. But those days of field burning have been steadily disappearing, and now a new proposal by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District would end the practice entirely by 2025. The California Air Resources Board will take up the district’s plan at its meeting Thursday, and as much as a ban on ag burning would impose higher costs on agriculture — the Valley’s leading economic force — such a proposal should be approved. The impacts of smoke pollution in the Valley extract an even higher price on human health. (2/23)
Los Angeles Times:
Treating Mentally Ill Accused Felons Will Save Money, And Prevent New Crimes
The Los Angeles County jail is filled with hundreds of inmates accused of crimes but too mentally ill to understand the charges against them or assist in their own defense. Being incompetent to stand trial, they burn through county taxpayers’ money as they wait in jail. Wait for what? Not to get completely and sustainably well, but just well enough to be fit for trial. The improvement won’t happen by itself. Jail is a poor place for psychiatric treatment, and even though county clinicians do their best, the inmates’ condition often deteriorates, making future treatment even more difficult. Somewhat better results are achieved at the two treatment centers in San Bernardino and Kern counties and at state mental hospitals, and L.A. sends its mentally incompetent inmates to those places whenever beds open up. But the wait for those treatment slots can be a year or longer. (2/26)