Hometown Hero Featured in County’s ‘Our Shot for Hope’
TV Commercial
Minnesota Vikings running back and San Bernardino High School graduate Alexander Mattison is helping San Bernardino County in the fight against COVID-19.
Mattison, a former football, wrestling, and track and field star at San Bernardino HS, is serving as a spokesperson for the County’s vaccination effort. The bilingual athlete has filmed public service announcements in both English and Spanish encouraging residents to get vaccinated.
“As football players, we protect one another on the field,” Mattison says in the 30 second commercial. “Off the field, as neighbors, we need to protect our community. Don’t stay on the sidelines. Get the vaccine to help you and our community stay healthy and win the battle against COVID. Stay healthy, San Bernardino County.”
The PSAs will run on Spectrum, Frontier and Verizon Fios cable systems throughout San Bernardino County for the next several weeks, as well as through streaming platforms for these and many other online viewing platforms. Mattison recorded the PSAs in both English and Spanish.
“It is a strong message for our community when someone like Alexander Mattison takes the time to share a message of hope,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “We’ve long been proud of his achievements in the classroom and on the field, and now he is raising his game by helping us encourage vaccinations.”
Mattison was a star running back for the San Bernardino High Cardinals, but he was also a wrestler and a high-profile track star. Following high school, he played for the Boise State University Broncos before being drafted by the Vikings.
“Alexander is not merely a superb athlete; he also was an outstanding, straight-A student who mastered both English and Spanish in his school’s Dual Immersion program,” said Hagman. “He is an impressive role model in his hometown community and elsewhere, and we are grateful for his assistance in this effort.”
Disabled and High-Risk Patients Now Eligible for Vaccinations
Individuals aged 16 to 64 whose medical condition puts them at high risk should they contract COVID-19 are now eligible for vaccination in San Bernardino County.
Per state guidelines, people qualify if they are likely to develop severe life-threatening illness or die from COVID-19, or if getting adequate and timely COVID-19 care will be particularly challenging as a result of their disability.
Those with disabilities and underlying health conditions should work directly with their primary health care provider to get a vaccination. Those for whom this is not an option should make an appointment at a county or state public health site, local pharmacy, physician’s office, or hospital. Appointments can be made on the County’s vaccination website or by calling the County COVID hotline at 909-387-3911.
Those who can get vaccinated by their primary health care provider won’t need to worry about providing proof of eligibility because their providers have their health records. Those being vaccinated at a County-operated site will have to sign a form acknowledging they are eligible, and they will be asked to show proof of eligibility such as a doctor’s note or health record.
For detailed information about eligibility of people with a disability and/or medical condition, please visit the state website at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/vaccine-high-risk-factsheet.aspx. Just a few of the health conditions listed include cancer (current with debilitated or immunocompromised state), chronic kidney disease (stage 4 or above), chronic pulmonary disease, Down syndrome, pregnancy, and several others.
This video shares an overview of Red Tier openings in the county.
County Now in Red Tier; Sets Sights on Orange
County residents can now enjoy indoor dining, a visit to the San Bernardino County Museum (when it reopens on Thursday) or even taking in a movie since San Bernardino County moved into the State’s Red Tier this past Sunday.
In addition to restaurants, museums and theaters, county residents can also enjoy gyms, all with limited capacity and enforced safety protocol. Retailers can also increase indoor capacity, and effective April 1, outdoor live events can resume at 20% capacity. Further details on activity and business tiers can be found here.
“It is a great feeling, and a sign of hope, for all of us to see our restaurants and others reopening their doors,” said Board of Supervisor’s Chairman Curt Hagman. “But as we’re seeing in Europe right now, this can all change in an instant if we let down our diligence following public health protocols. Still, with more and more people getting the vaccine, an end to this pandemic is finally in sight.”
Latest Stats
288,932 Confirmed Cases (up 0% from the previous day)
3,531 Deaths (up 0.5% from the previous day)
2,597,417 Tests (up 0.1% from the previous day)
For more statistics from the COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard, click the desktop or mobile tab on the County’s sbcovid19.com website.
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