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February 26th - March 12th, 2021
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In this Issue
Alameda County frequently updates this COVID19 Testing, Food, and Social Services interactive map.
 Oaklandside's COVID Q&A: Find timely information and ask questions!
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For the most up-to-date information from Health Care Services visit the front page of the Alameda County Health Department website: https://covid-19.acgov.org/index.page?
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An Update from Health Care Services: As of March 12, 2021
Alameda County advanced to the Red Tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy this week. This means restaurants, gyms, museums, and movie theatres can now operate indoors with capacity limits set by the state. More residents have been vaccinated and we received 9000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week. To reflect vaccine progress statewide, the State is making changes to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework that will allow counties to move through the tiers more quickly. This includes Thursday's announcement about limited opening for we breweries, wineries, and distilleries.
We remain hopeful for the days ahead and cautious given how quickly things can change. Please continue to practice the precautions that are known to prevent COVID-19. Wear a mask, wash your hands, watch your distance, wait to see loved ones, and when it's your turn get vaccinated. All three approved vaccines are highly effective against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death. The state is changing its vaccine allocation framework this week, and supplies remain limited.
This week's update to our Board of Supervisors and back issues of our newsletter may be found here.
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Pictured at right: Dr. Donna Carey, True Vine Ministries, and Colleen Chawla, Alameda County Health Care Services Agency Director.
As of March 11, over 505,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Alameda County, representing over 357,000 first and over 144,000-second doses:
- 27% of residents 16 and older have received at least one dose
- 11% of all residents are fully vaccinated
The state's new vaccine equity metric allocates 40% of the supply to the lowest Healthy Place Index (HPI) quartiles in California. This metric includes Alameda County zip codes 94601, 94621, 94603. Allocations will soon be adjusted for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the March 15 expansion to people ages 16-64 who are at the very highest risk for disease and death due to certain conditions and disabilities, and transition to Blue Shield, the state's new third-party administrator.
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The State Adds Vaccine Equity to the Safer Economy Blueprint
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Last Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state is adding a vaccine equity metric to help ensure communities in the lowest Healthy Places Index (HPI) quartile are provided the opportunity to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state will now dedicate 40% of all COVID-19 vaccines to the lowest HPI quartiles across California. The vaccine equity metric's initial goal is to deliver a minimum of 2 million doses to these zip codes and, when reached, the state will adjust the case rate thresholds to allow for modestly higher case rates in each tier. The Blueprint will be updated again once the state hits 4 million doses distributed. These changes to the Blueprint will allow counties to advance through the tiers more quickly while ensuring that communities in the lowest HPI quartiles receive access to vaccine.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Promotion Campaigns
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Two campaigns are underway to address vaccine acceptance and share information through trusted messengers. The first, entitled COVID-19 Community Voices, was developed by our agency and features faith leader testimonials that can be viewed on YouTube. Please share and let us know if you want to join the conversation.
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Youth Sports & Masking Guidance Update from CDPH
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The California Department of Public Health recently released an update on its outdoor and indoor youth and recreational adult sports guidance. The guidance update allows any youth or adult recreational sports team, including indoor sports, to begin practice with contact and competition if they adhere to specific requirements applicable to college sports under the state's industry guidance for Institutions of Higher Education. Additional information about the updated guidance, which went into effect on March 5, is available here.
CDPH also released updated guidance on the use of masks highlighting the importance of proper fit and filtration. The guidance includes details about when individuals may want to consider double masking, when wearing an effective mask is especially important and how to choose the most effective mask. This update provides useful information and serves as a reminder of the important role masks play in reducing the transmission of COVID-19.
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I will be delivering my annual State of the District on Wednesday, March 17th at 6:30pm via Facebook livestream and Zoom.
Topics from the previous year will include my efforts to offset social and economic effects of Covid19 in 2020; new work regarding racial justice, police reform, and community reparations; novel interventions addressing homelessness in District 4 and Alameda County; updates and highlights from sections of District 4 (Oakland, Pleasanton, Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview, Castro Valley); and my priorities for 2021.
I hope you join me!
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Reports about vaccine distribution in California cite numbers that are very positive. Governor Gavin Newsom's office tweeted on March 10th that over 11 million vaccines have been administered - 3 million more than any other state in the Country - with nearly 500,000 first doses in Alameda County. This is a huge success and will go a long way to ensuring Alameda County will safely open sooner rather than later.
However, there is still inequity between those who are receiving doses and those who are not, despite earnest attempts to address service gaps and intervene on behalf of areas where Covid case rates are highest.
While I applaud our State and thank FEMA for their ongoing service to our communities, I echo Oakland Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan and Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid's recommendations that modifications to the State's vaccine distribution approach and the MyTurn appointment site must be made to ensure that privilege does not supersede priority.
I want to share the letter I wrote (below) on February 25th as my show of support for Vice Mayor Kaplan and Councilmember Reid's recommendations, and bring particular attention to the ask for the State to work more collaboratively with our incredible array of community based organizations. From day one, they have been at the forefront of this pandemic serving the very people the State endeavors to reach. As the proverb goes, if we want to go far, we must go together.
 
After patiently waiting my turn in the Ib Vaccination Tier, my health provider Kaiser recently notified me that it was my turn to get my first vaccine dose!
This card represents the end of the pandemic, and I also want to take this opportunity to humbly thank every health care worker and volunteer for bringing us all one step closer with each shot.
I was especially pleased that my appointment kept a dose available for someone without health insurance or easy access to healthcare. For those with private health insurance, please utilize your provider as long as your circumstances safely and reasonably allow you to - your consideration helps support vaccine equity within our County!
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Don't miss the latest installment of The People's Health Briefing. In it, Roots Community Health Center CEO and founder Dr. Noha Aboelata breaks down the impact of COVID19 on Alameda County, Oakland and East Oakland in particular.
This week's episode features a vaccine updates: how Johnson & Johnson vaccine stack up? What about asymptomatic transmission - will the vaccine prevent it? How concerned should we be about variants?
Please take a moment to watch and learn!
View all installments of "The People's Health Briefing" here in the "All Videos" section.
To learn more about Roots Community Health Center, visit their website.
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OAKLAND
Acts Full Gospel Church
1034 66th Avenue., Oakland, CA 94621
Tuesday and Saturday: 9am - 4pm
Drive Thru or Walk up accepted
No appointment necessary
Pre-register here
(510)567-1300
CORE and Allen Temple Baptist Church
8501 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94621
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Register here
Lifelong Medical Care
Foothill Square
10700 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland
Wednesdays: 9:30am - 3pm
Closed on Monday, January 18th and Monday, February 15th
By appointment only
Register here
Lifelong Medical Care
Eastmont Mall
7200 Bancroft Ave, Oakland
Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9:30am – 3pm
Closed on Monday, January 18th and Monday, February 15th
By appointment only
Register here
Native American Health Center
Parking Lot
3050 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94601
Monday, Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday, Thursday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday: Closed
Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
- Walk-ups are accepted until capacity has been met
- Identification is required for all adults 18 years and older
- Legal parent or guardian must accompany children between the ages of 1-12 years old
- Test results take 48-72 hours to return
Register here
Language assistance available at 211
Roots Community Health Center
9925 International Blvd., Oakland, CA 94603
Mondays & Wednesdays: 9:30am – 4:00pm
Fridays: 9:30am – 1:00pm
Appointments are preferred but not required!
Register here or email admin@rootsclinic.org
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UNINCORPORATED AREA: Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Fairview & Hayward Acres
La Familia
Cherryland Testing Center
20095 Mission Blvd. Hayward, CA 94541
Monday-Friday: 9am - 3pm
Testing will be closed February 15
Register here
Call (510) 571-9191 for assistance
La Familia and Eden United Church of Christ
21455 Birch St, Hayward, CA 94541
Thursdays: 1pm - 6pm;
Fridays: 3:00pm – 7:00pm;
Saturdays: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Testing will be closed on February 4, 5 and 6
Register here
Call (510) 571-9191 for assistance
PLEASANTON
Alameda County Fairgrounds – Gate 12
Road 12, Valley Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Monday–Friday: 9:00am–12:00pm, or while supplies last. No appointment required!Visit here
Axis Community Health
4361 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton, CA 94566
Tuesday/Thursday/Friday: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Register here
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Elder Justice Lunch & Learn brought to you by the Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda Counties
There's one week left to register for the next Elder Justice Lunch & Learn session!
Come network with fellow professionals on March 18th at Noon!
This month's session is Reflections on COVID: One Year into the Pandemic, an interactive discussion on serving older adults and their families throughout COVID-19. Our presenting experts include Sharon Nevins, Director of Aging and Adult Services in San Bernadino County, and Rigo Saborio, President and CEO of St. Barnabas Senior Services.
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We look forward to hearing their insights on the rapid changes, challenges, and service solutions from our industry over the past year. Visit our registration page for more information and to register now.
Lunch & Learn FAQs
1. If I register for one of the webinars, am I signed up to attend the rest?
No, you must register for each webinar individually through Eventbrite. You can find links to the most recent registration page on our website, through our social media – Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram, and we will send out weekly registration emails.
2. When registering for the Lunch and Learn event, do I need to answer all the survey questions?
Answering these survey questions helps us ensure that we continue to deliver content that you want and need most. It also helps to tailor future events and activities.
3. What if I register for a session and miss a portion or was unable to attend? Can I access a recording?
To help you get the most out of each session, whether you could attend the full webinar or not, we will be sending out a full replay to all registered guests within one week after the taping.
4. How do I join the webinar?
You should receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with Zoom Access information once you register. We will send out reminder emails the week of the event with the Zoom links as well.
5. What do I do if I experience technical difficulties or have issues with the Zoom link?
Although we have a hardworking team of webinar gurus assisting with production, sometimes technical issues may occur outside of our control. If you are experiencing any issues, please email us at info@ccombudsman.org and we will respond as soon as possible to help solve.
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Caring for Our Senior LGBTQ Partners/Friends and Ourselves
A 10 session group serving the full spectrum of senior LGBTQ+ community members caring for LGBTQ partners/friends and ourselves as we age. The group will focus on facing medical conditions and issues of aging through personal exploration, group support, and education.
This is a no-fee group limited to 10 individuals therefore we request a commitment to attend the entire series.
Group facilitator is Dr. Melinda Ginne. She is a clinical psychologist with a 35 year career specializing in geriatrics and the treatment of the psychological aspects of acute chronic and life-threatening medical illness. She is one of the founding instructors in the Professional Program in Aging and Mental Health at UC Berkeley Extension. In the past two decades she has taught a number of classes and workshops in aging as well as in the psychological aspects of medical illness. She has been active in the LGBTQ+ community since 1975.
Sessions are held via Zoom with HIPPA certification. Sessions will be held Mondays, starting April 26 and ending June 28, 2021.
For sign-up, Call: 1-510-736-5428 and leave your phone number, e-mail address, and name. Someone will call you back for a short interview.
For program information: Barbara Jue, 1-510-736-5428 leave phone, e-mail and name. We will return your call.
Sponsored by:
- Darby Betts Fund
- Horizons Foundation
- Lavender Seniors of the East Bay
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I'm pleased to announce that the Illegal Dumping Taskforce and I will host the Inaugural Statewide Illegal Dumping Conference virtually on the mornings of April 21st, 22nd, and 23rd - and best of all it's FREE!
Representatives from all sectors of the waste economy are invited including elected officials, District Attorneys, Code Enforcement, Law Enforcement and Public Works personnel, community based organizations, waste haulers and any individuals working to address illegal dumping!
This virtual conference will take place over three days between April 21-23, 2021 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM.
More information can be found on the Eventbrite page including registration and contact information.
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Most Tuesdays, the Board of Supervisors holds a Regular Meeting during which the public is allowed to speak to the Board on items not on the agenda starting at or around 9:30am for the time being. (Please note that the BOS meetings do not start at a set time! More information appears closer to the meeting date and time, but be prepared to wait for it to begin.)
Agenda items in particular represent decisions made about our communities, and while we might not always agree on the best path forward, I am fond of saying that reasonable people will disagree and also that I get some of my best ideas from my constituency base. I am honored to serve on the Board as a County Supervisor and take the ideas, concerns, and feedback of the public very seriously.
Please, consider tuning into these meeting and encouraging your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. We are stronger as a County when we are connected to one another, and engaged with the civic process.
The meeting calendar, including links to the agenda when it is available, can be found here.
The links to the livestream broadcast of the meetings, including a Zoom link in the event that Granicus is experiencing technical difficulties, can be found here.
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