|
Dear Friends –
What a week! On Tuesday, February 16th, a new mass vaccination site became available at Cal State LA through a partnership with Governor Newsom and President Joe Biden's administration. I am so grateful for the leadership of our state and federal partners in supporting our efforts for an equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine among our communities in the First District most impacted by the virus.
This community vaccination site is a glimmer of hope in our fight against the pandemic, but it is not over yet. We must continue to do our part by abiding to the Health Officer Order as we patiently await additional vaccine supply to arrive.
I am confident that by each one of us doing our part, we will close out this dark chapter.
Sincerely,
Chair Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
 As I mentioned, our biggest news this week is the launch of a mass community vaccination site at Cal State LA!
Some key highlights of the site:
- The site is open daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm.
- This site will be able to administer up to 6,000 vaccines a day for eligible community members: healthcare workers, residents and workers of long-term care and skilled nursing facilities, and individuals 65 years of age and older.
- There is on-site staff available to direct traffic and assist with questions and translation requests.
- Just like our County-operated vaccine sites, you don't need a car to access the site. It is conveniently located next to transportation lines as well.
To learn more about vaccine eligibility, sign up for notifications, or schedule appointments please visit the VaccinateALL58 and MyTurn websites.
You can also call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-833-422-4255. Help is available in other languages.
 With the launch of the Cal State LA mass vaccination site came two mobile vaccination units that can travel to communities outside of the campus. I am thrilled to share that at my direction, the first stop for these mobile units was Southeast LA in the City of Bell – a community that has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Staff with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), along with several volunteers from LA County, distributed a total of 500 vaccines yesterday and today to residents from Southeast LA that are 65 years of age and older, and other eligible populations.
The data is clear: the COVID-19 crisis has been most severe in areas such as Southeast LA where residents serve as essential workers, live in overcrowded housing conditions, and have little to no access to healthcare. All these factors have put families living in this region at greater risk of exposure and infection.
My office is continuing to work with our federal and state partners, and stakeholders in the First District, to assess feasible locations such as senior apartments, local schools and businesses that can serve as points of distribution for the vaccine.
 Vaccinations are our best defense against COVID-19. LA County residents 65 years and older are eligible for a free COVID-19 vaccination. Supply is limited and appointments fill up fast. To make your appointment, visit MyTurn.
Those without computer access or with disabilities can call 833-540-0473 for assistance between 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM.
 Thanks to the hard work of our residents, cases in Los Angeles County have dropped significantly and we have now reached the State’s threshold needed to reopen grades TK through 6. These lower case rates, along with the fact that the COVID-19 vaccine will soon be made available to teachers, school staff, and other essential workers, are critical for creating a safe environment for a return for in-person instruction.
Although this new threshold does not require schools to reopen, each district now has the option to reintroduce in-person learning, and I stand ready to assist any that elect to do so. It is important that we move forward in partnership with our districts to ensure that students and staff are returning to a safe environment, which is why I have been working with LA County's Department of Public Health and our school districts to create vaccination sites at our schools to provide vaccines to school staff and administrators and the communities they serve.
To learn more about the re-opening guidelines, visit:
publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
 Are you or someone you know facing food insecurity? Join #TeamSolis, Bassett Unified School District, and the City of La Puente at Bassett High School on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for a regional food distribution!
|
