As we head into the Fourth of July weekend, I would like to start by thanking you yet again for helping get us to this point, where most of the health restrictions have been lifted, vaccines are widely available, and we can enjoy traditional celebrations with friends and family. If you think of where we were this time last year, it’s remarkable how far we have come!
COVID updates
Most of the COVID-19 news over the past week has included headlines that sound scary at first, but less so once you dig into the details.
The first topic making headlines relates to so called “breakthrough” cases of COVID. This refers to COVID-19 cases among people who are fully vaccinated. This can happen, but the likelihood of serious illness or death is very rare.
The other news that’s been making headlines is the spread of the Delta variant (previously referred to as the India variant). All along health officials have said variants are common and will continue to emerge. Some variants, including the Delta variant, are more easily spread, but all evidence shows current vaccines are effective.
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Health experts say getting as many people as possible fully vaccinated continues to be the best solution to reducing spread, serious illness and new variants emerging.
Mask guidance not changing in San Diego County
The World Health Organization last week urged the continued use of masks indoors, even among those who are vaccinated, due to concerns about the Delta variant spreading. Los Angeles County health officials on Monday echoed the WHO guidance, recommending everyone wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. The Delta variant makes up about half of the variant cases tested there.
The CDC is not following suit, noting that U.S. vaccination rates are much higher than in other parts of the world. The California Department of Public Health has not changed its health guidance, nor has the County of San Diego.
Emergency rental assistance extended
Yesterday, the governor signed legislation to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through the end of September and pay back rent to help low-income residents and small landlords who have suffered economic hardship due to the pandemic. Protections were set to expire today.
The action doubles the funding of the state’s rent relief program, allowing payment of 100% of low-income tenants’ past-due rent back to April 2020 and until the expiration of the eviction protections or until the money runs out. Landlords and tenants can apply immediately for the expanded rent relief. In addition to prohibiting eviction of tenants who pay at least 25% of their rent for another three months, the new measure blocks landlords from getting a court order for eviction before giving tenants a chance to apply for rent relief through March 2022.
Here is a link to the county’s website with information about how renters and landlords can apply for assistance.
Vaccination centers scaling back
Now that the initial rush to get vaccinated is subsiding, the county is scaling back its mass vaccination centers, but stresses there are still plenty of options available. For a complete list of county vaccination locations and more vaccine information, visit coronavirus-sd.com. The city has a list of other places to get vaccinated that aren’t run by the county, such as pharmacies and health care providers.
Attn Safari Park visitors
The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is looking for anybody that may have come into contact with a live bat that tested positive for rabies and was found at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on June 25, 2021. The county is not aware of anyone coming into contact with the bat, but it was in the Mombasa Island Pavilion, where many of the park’s visitors pass by. It was not part of the park’s animal collection.
If you or someone in your family or group had contact with the bat, you are urged to contact the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency as soon as possible at 619-692-8499. Only those who had direct contact with the bat, such as touching or holding the animal, would be at risk of contracting rabies, according to the county’s public health officer.
Urban Corps partnership provides real world experience
The City of Carlsbad is proud to partner with the Urban Corps of San Diego to help provide real world work experience to high school students interested in public works fields. We pair the students with city crews and most recently focused on power washing sidewalks along the beach and in the Village and removing graffiti. The photo below is of Ashley Macias and Vanessa Rojas, two participants who are graduating from Urban Corps Charter School this week as part of the class of 2021.
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Quick work on North Beach
Sometimes lifeguards need saving too, or at least their towers do. Recent king tides and high surf had eroded the sand under one of the city’s lifeguard towers at the far north end of the city. Fortunately, our public works crews were able to deploy equipment to help lifeguards reposition the tower to a safer and more stable location.
As you may know, California State Parks manages most of Carlsbad’s beaches. The city recently created a lifeguard program for the area we refer to as North Beach, which is not part of the State Parks system. It starts just north of Pine Avenue and continues to the city’s northern border.
Preserving Carlsbad’s history
Called Leo Carrillo Ranch Then & Now, the project provides a virtual interactive experience that shows rarely seen archival photos of Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park alongside modern photos. Leo Carrillo was a famous actor during the golden era of Hollywood who starred in plays and was in over 90 films but may be most famous for his role as “Pancho” on the Cisco Kid television series that was hugely popular in the 1950s.
In 1937, he purchased land in Carlsbad, and began to build a ranch that was inspired by historic ranchos. The result was a rambling adobe hacienda, rustic outbuildings and beautiful grounds. The site is now a city park, and the staff who manage it, along with an active group of volunteers and fundraisers, have done a tremendous job preserving and sharing this unique piece of old California.
If you haven’t been, I highly recommend a visit. It’s located right off Melrose, south of Palomar Airport Road.
Green is good
Did you know the city has a team of scientists dedicated to keeping our oceans clean? Recently, they were out monitoring water quality coming from the drainage outfall near the Batiquitos Lagoon. The photo below shows Lauren Ornelas, a new part-time Technical Assistant and recent UCLA graduate, testing the water.
We are happy to report that the water coming from the outfall is actually quite clear, the green color in the photo is from algae present on the bottom of the discharge area. This is perfectly normal and a comfy habitat for tadpoles and baby frogs, who we saw thriving in the water and surrounding area.
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You can help keep our lagoons and ocean clean by making sure you don’t cause run off from irrigation, car washing or hosing down your driveway. Water picks up pollutants in gardens, sidewalks and gutters and carries them directly to the ocean. Limiting the use of pesticides and fertilizers and picking up after your dog also help.
Safe holiday tips
This week’s city newsletter will feature a variety of holiday-specific tips, including beach safety, pet safety and fireworks reminders (personal use of fireworks is not allowed in Carlsbad, we will be patrolling the usual locations to enforce these laws).
Also, just before the holiday weekend, the city’s Police Department is hosting an e-bike webinar specifically tailored to parents of kids who use e-bikes. This has become a growing concern, and our police officers are asking parents to help enforce safe and legal riding behaviors. You can sign up for the one-hour session on the city’s website or watch a recording later.
Thursday, July 1, 6 p.m.
I will return next week with more updates. Remember, because of your actions, we have turned the corner on COVID and can once again enjoy these national holidays with friends and loved ones close by. Thank you for continuing to #Care4Carlsbad.
Scott Chadwick
City Manager
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