April 1, 2022 Update

In Today's Update:

• Second booster vaccines for 50-plus and immunocompromised approved by FDA

• U.S. Education Secretary visits InTech in San Bernardino County

• Call for art for Mental Health Month

• Arrowhead Regional Medical Center honors physicians on Doctor’s Day

• Be sure to DUMP and DRAIN for mosquitoes after recent rains

• Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector receives multiple awards for excellence in financial reporting

• Calico is hoppin' with Easter fun

• Probation Department celebrates Women’s History Month

• Havon is the Pet of the Week

• Jobs of the week

Second Booster Vaccines for 50-plus and Immunocompromised Approved by FDA

This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people 50 and older and certain immunocompromised individuals. The FDA’s authorization was followed by a recommendation and updated booster guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, as well as local clinics and pharmacies, are offering second booster doses. If you are eligible, make an appointment for a second booster dose at myturn.ca.gov or vaccines.gov.

The FDA’s latest amended emergency use authorization applies to the following groups:

A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine may be administered to people 50 years and older at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. A second booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be administered to people 12 and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise at least 4 months after receipt of a first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. These are people who have undergone solid organ transplantation, or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise. A second booster dose of the Moderna vaccine may be administered at least 4 months after the first booster dose of any authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine to individuals 18 and older with the same certain kinds of immunocompromise. The CDC also recommends an additional booster for anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for their first shot and have already received a booster dose at least 4 months prior. COVID-19 continues to decline in San Bernardino County from a high of 31 percent in January to 1.2 percent this week. Let’s keep those numbers dropping.

“In order to maintain the highest level of protection from COVID-19 infection, I encourage anyone who is eligible for the next round of booster shots to get it,” said Dr. Michael Sequeira, San Bernardino County Public Health Officer. “We know that vaccine effectiveness drops over time, so get the shot. It will help protect you, your family and the community." In addition to second boosters, the federal government launched a new website with information about vaccines, testing, masks, and the level of COVID-19 spread in communities. Visit covid.gov for more information. If you or someone you know has questions about COVID-19 in San Bernardino County or are interested in learning more about the free COVID-19 testing or vaccine services that may be available to you, please visit the county’s website at sbcovid19.com or call the county’s COVID-19 hotline at 909-387-3911.

U.S. Education Secretary visits InTech in San Bernardino County

The U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Congresswoman Norma Torres and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond toured the Chaffey College InTech Center in Fontana on Tuesday, March 29. 

“This is community development at its best,” Cardona said. He expressed that this visit demonstrated that this type of programming and commitment need to be the rule across the nation. He lauded the investment commitment by industry partners and the adaptability by the community college.

Thurmond also emphasized the importance of students earning while they learn because that can be the opportunity they need to enroll in programs like the ones offered at InTech.

The County’s Workforce Development Department is a proud supporter of the InTech Center, which has been heralded as a model for the nation in terms of the public/private collaborative efforts to build programs that prepare our workforce for skilled trades.

For more information about InTech, visit intechcenter.org.

Call for Art for Mental Health Month

The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) is collecting artwork now through May 31 that highlights mental health and wellness in honor of Mental Health Month in May! Send DBH your artwork for a chance to be featured on DBH’s Mental Health Month website, social media and the in-person Meet the Artist event on May 4 at the San Bernardino County Museum Fisk Gallery.

Accepted artwork includes paintings, digital art, sketches, sculptures, comics and written art such as poems and spoken word that are 500 words or less.

Note: Artists interested in showcasing their artwork at the Meet the Artist event must submit their artwork by Friday, April 15.

To submit your artwork and learn more, visit CelebrateMHM.com or call (909) 386-9720.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Celebrates National Doctor’s Day

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) recognized its roughly 400 attending physicians and 200 resident physicians and clinical fellows on National Doctor’s Day with a special grab-and-go breakfast in honor of National Doctors’ Day on Thursday, March 30. In addition, the hospital’s Medical Staff Office and Graduate Medical Education program distributed mugs to physicians throughout the hospital.

Doctors' Day highlights the contributions made by physicians to individual lives and communities throughout the United States. In 1990, President George Bush signed into law a Joint Resolution of Congress establishing March 30 as National Doctors' Day, setting aside a special day to express gratitude to physicians for their compassion in ministering to the sick, promoting good health and the advancement of medical knowledge. The date chosen was the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery on March 30, 1842.

ARMC would like to thank its doctors, residents, fellows and advanced practice professionals for their hard work and continued dedication to San Bernardino County.

Be Sure to Dump and Drain After Recent Rains

Mosquitoes need very little standing water to lay eggs that can hatch in a day or two depending on the temperature outside. Recent rains combined with warm weather act as a perfect environment for mosquito breeding.

Please remember to DUMP & DRAIN standing water after the rain to reduce breeding habitats for mosquitoes. To learn more about how to prevent mosquito bites, visit the San Bernardino County Mosquito and Vector Control Program.

San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Ensen Mason

Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Receives Multiple Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Ensen Mason, the County’s Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (ATC), was presented with three major financial reporting awards on Tuesday during the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting.

“I am honored to once again receive this recognition for financial reporting excellence,” Mason said. “The Controller Division staff, under the leadership of Chief Deputy Controller Vanessa Doyle, works very hard every year on these reports. Their dedication and professionalism reflect very well on my department, San Bernardino County government in general, and reflect the highest standards of public service.”Ensen Mason, the County’s Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (ATC), was presented with three major financial reporting awards on Tuesday during the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting.Ensen Mason, the County’s Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (ATC), was presented with three major financial reporting awards on Tuesday during the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting.

• The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program in 1945. The certificate has gained widespread recognition as the premier indicator of excellence in governmental accounting and financial reporting. This marks the 33rd consecutive year that ATC has received this program’s award.
• The Popular Annual Financial Reporting Awards Program was established in 1991 by GFOA. This is the 15th consecutive year that ATC has received this program’s award, recognizing ATC’s efforts to develop a high-quality popular annual report that is designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the public.
• California State Controller Betty T. Yee awarded ATC with the State Controller’s Award for Counties Financial Transactions Reporting for achieving the highest quality in California governmental accounting and financial reporting. This is the 15th consecutive year ATC has won this award, and the 16th year overall.

ATC has made both reports accessible to the public online at www.sbcounty.gov/atc.

Calico is Hoppin' with Easter Fun

Regional Parks' Easter Celebration event is back at Calico Ghost Town. Join us on Sunday, April 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for family-friendly fun. Take a photo with the Easter Bunny or eat a special pancake breakfast with eggs and bacon at the Calico House Restaurant from 8 to 11 a.m. There is something for the entire family to enjoy.

Probation Department Celebrates Women’s History Month

The San Bernardino County Probation Department celebrates Women's History Month with women who have paved the way in Probation. We recognize all the women who serve our community and those who continue to uphold the standard of excellence. 

Havon is the Pet of the Week

Havon is a 7-year-old male pit bull terrier mix awaiting a loving home. His ID number is A758084. He is at the San Bernardino County Animal Shelter in Devore.

For more information, visit www.sbcounty.gov/acc or call (909) 386-9820. The Devore Animal Shelter is located at 19777 Shelter Way in Devore.

Job Openings and Hiring Events in San Bernardino County

San Bernardino County has jobs that will be opening on Saturday, April 2.

We encourage you to apply and share these job openings with those who may be interested in them. Recruitments listed are subject to final department approval. Check sbcounty.gov/jobs for the most up- to -date recruitments.

For all COVID-19 related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines, and resources, visit the County’s COVID-19 webpage at http://sbcovid19.com/. Residents of San Bernardino County may also call the COVID-19 helpline at (909) 387-3911 for general information and resources about the virus. The phone line is NOT for medical calls and is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions about social services, please call 211.