Weekly Update - March 5, 2021
Everything You Need To Know About
How to Get the Covid-19 Vaccination
The state announced late Wednesday that 40% of its vaccine supply would be reserved for people in the roughly 400 lowest-income zip codes in California.

About 8 million residents who are eligible for the vaccine live in those 400 ZIP codes. Many of the neighborhoods are concentrated in Los Angeles County and the Central Valley.
 
In the Bay Area, they include parts of Southeast San Francisco, Richmond and East Oakland. Officials also announced changes that will tie counties’ ability to reopen further to the state’s ability to get the lowest-income residents vaccinated. There are currently about 1.6 million vaccine doses that have been administered to residents in the lowest-income communities.

More information about the state’s efforts to end the pandemic through equitable vaccine administration is available via this fact sheet
Contra Costa has made incredible progress since vaccines became available in mid-December, with nearly 300,000 people – about 25% of our population – having already received at least one dose.

Our county’s weekly supply of vaccine from the state remains flat while the number of people on our waiting list for appointments is growing. The number of appointments available each week is small, and there are more than 33,000 people on the waiting list. For most who request appointments, it will take several weeks to receive an appointment. Please continue to encourage each other to sign up for the vaccine. 

There are several ways to find a vaccine appointment.
At this point in time, there is no wrong door. Sign up everywhere you can and when you get an appointment, cancel your requests elsewhere.

1. Register with the State of California at myturn.ca.gov to be notified when you are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccination.

2. Make an appointment with Contra Costa County.
Vaccine Appointments for Residents 65-74

3. Make an Appointment at a Partner site.
Healthcare systems, pharmacies and other providers have different eligibility requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations. You can find information about each of these providers by scrolling down on the CCHS Vaccine page: coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated


Vaccine Site Map
Up-To-Date Vaccine Data
When Will Contra Costa County Move to the Red Tier?
Contra Costa remains in the purple tier of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy this week, but may shift into the less-restrictive red tier later this month if COVID-19 transmission continues to drop.

On Tuesday March 2nd, the only data benchmark preventing the change in Contra Costa was the county’s average daily rate of new COVID-19 cases. Contra Costa’s adjusted per-capita rate is 8.9 today, but has been dropping rapidly in recent weeks. The threshold for movement into red tier is an average daily case rate of 7.0 or less.

Tier placement, which dictates state health order restrictions applied in a county, are based on the per-capita number of new COVID-19 cases and the percentage of a county’s COVID-19 tests that return positive, including in communities identified by the state’s Healthy Places Index (HPI).

The State announced this week that moving from tiers could happen faster as more people are vaccinated. As noted above, there are currently about 1.6 million vaccine doses that have been administered to residents in the lowest-income communities.  

  • Once that number hits 2 million statewide, the requirement for counties to move from the purple tier to red tier will be loosened — the case rate can be up to 10 cases per 100,000 people, instead of 4 to 7 cases per 100,000 people.  
  • Once 4 million doses have been administered to lowest-income residents, counties can move from the red tier to the orange tier by reporting 2 to 5.9 cases per 100,000 people, instead of 1 to 3.9 cases per 100,000 people.
  • The metrics of each tier must be met for two weeks before advancing to the next tier. Once in a tier, a County must remain there for three weeks before advancing to the next.

When Contra Costa does reach the red tier, notable changes will include:

  • Restaurants, gyms, dance studios and museums may resume indoor operation, following state health guidelines.
  • Indoor retail stores and shopping malls may increase their maximum occupancy and grocery stores may operate at fully capacity.
  • Small private gatherings may be held indoors, following state health guidance.
  • Colleges and other higher educational institutions may reopen indoor lectures, following state health guidance.
  • Elementary and secondary schools can reopen for in-person learning without submitting a safety plan to the health department. 
County Tier Metrics
The most recent 7 days are not used for calculation because that data is still being reported. Although our numbers continue to improve, the COVID virus is still very prevalent in our community. Please continue to be vigilant in following local health orders and recommendations.


Libraries Offer Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
Contra Costa County Libraries are making it easy to get online with their Wi-Fi Hotspot Kits. If you have a Library card, you can check out a hotspot for free and use it to connect your tablet, laptop or other Wi-Fi enabled device. You can borrow a hotspot for 21 days.

Free wireless internet access is available in all library buildings. Even though the buildings are currently closed to the public, free Wi-Fi internet access at some locations can be accessed from the parking lot or other outside areas.

To learn more go to Wi-Fi access.
Firewise Program, Being Phased In Across the ConFire District, Offers Neighbors Opportunity to Work Together to Protect Their Communities From Wildfire Dangers
Firewise is a national program helping neighbors work together with their local fire jurisdiction to protect their communities from wildfire danger. In the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, this program is administered by Con Fire’s Community Risk Reduction Unit of the Fire Prevention Bureau.
 
The Firewise USA ® recognition program provides a collaborative framework to help neighbors in a geographic area get organized, find direction, and take action to increase the fire resistance of their homes and community and to reduce wildfire risks at the local level. Any community that meets a set of voluntary criteria on an annual basis and retains an “In Good Standing Status” may identify itself as being a Firewise site.
 
The Firewise program is being phased in across the fire district community-by-community. The initial launch was conducted in Lafayette on February 10th beginning with a community assessment on Glen Road. Other communities will be phased in in the months leading up to the typical arrival of fire weather.

Community members interested in the Firewise program can find information at Firewise USA.

To begin the process, neighbor groups should email info@cccfpd.org to request to begin the application process.
Street Smarts Video Contest
Are you a middle or high school student who is interested in filmmaking and wants to win a chance at winning a $25 gift card? If so, the San Ramon Valley Street Smarts Annual Street Smarts “Be Reel!” Video Contest is for you!
 
Students create 60-second public service announcement videos on this year’s traffic safety theme: “Biking Safely with Family and Friends!” Visit street-smarts.com for entry rules, forms and guidelines. Contest ends Thursday, April 22, 2021.
Would You Like to Serve on the Measure X
Community Advisory Board?
The Measure X Community Advisory Board was established on February 2, 2021 following passage of Measure X – a countywide sales tax measure providing general purpose revenue for County programs estimated to generate at least $81 million annually.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking individuals that represent broad and diverse voices, perspectives and expertise, including but not exclusive to: budget justice advocacy, children’s services, community health, consumer advocacy, faith leadership, senior services, fire and public safety protection, housing and homelessness, labor union representation, legal advocacy, local businesses, mental health services, non-partisan civic organizations, policy organizations, public health, racial justice and equity, safety net services, substance abuse services, taxpayers, and youth services, to serve on the newly established Measure X Community Advisory Board.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board is composed of 10 Supervisorial District seats and 7 At-Large seats, for a total of 17 seats and is responsible for the following:

• Overseeing an annual assessment of community needs, focusing primarily on the priority areas identified in the Measure X Needs Assessment, including emergency response (fire/medical), health care, safety net services, preventative care, affordable housing, and support for early childhood, youth, families, and seniors;
• Creating a detailed priority list of the top service gaps based on the results from the Needs Assessment;
• Using the Needs Assessment to make funding priority recommendations to the Board of Supervisors annually;
• Providing an Annual Report on the outcomes and impact of allocated funds.

To be considered, candidates must either live or work in Contra Costa County. The Community Advisory Board will initially meet as needed to develop recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, then shall meet at least quarterly. During COVID-19, Committee members will meet via online conferencing as permitted by ty the Governor’s Executive Order N29-20 issued on March 17, 2020.

Members of the Community Advisory Board will receive no compensation for their service and must complete State required ethics training as well as County training on the open meeting laws, including the Ralph M. Brown Act and Better Government Ordinance. Initial members of the Committee shall serve staggered terms of two or three years, with subsequent appointments serving three-year terms, with a maximum of six years served consecutively by any member. Currently elected or appointed public officials, including, but not limited to, Mayors, City Council Members, City Managers and Fire Chiefs are not eligible for appointment. Candidate interviews will take place during the month of March and the Board of Supervisors plans to make final appointments in late March or April 2021.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2200 or by clicking on the following link on the County website, use this form and return to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by email ClerkofTheBoard@cob.cccounty.us, or mail to County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than 5pm on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
Contra Costa County Juvenile Justice Commission
Are you interested in being involved in your community by providing citizen oversight for youth who are caught up in the juvenile justice system or placed in congregate care (i.e., group homes)? Joining the all-volunteer Contra Costa County Justice Commission is a rewarding opportunity for you to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth!

The Commission reports to the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court for the county and makes recommendations to the Probation Department related to public policy regarding in-custody and at-risk youth. Our primary responsibility is to provide citizen oversight of the juvenile justice system, which includes inspecting juvenile hall, police departments holding youth, and group homes in the county.

The Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 PM at the Walnut Creek Superior Court, Department 38, 640 Ygnacio Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek, CA. Feel free to come and observe the public meetings.

To read the full description go to JJC general information

Applications are always accepted for Commissioner vacancies. To apply, please visit Juvenile-Justice-Commission. Following a successful interview with members of the Commission, qualified candidates will be reviewed by the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge for an appointment to the Commission.
Save the Date! Cesar Chavez Virtual Celebration
Consider Becoming a Red Cross Volunteer
Go to resources for providers to learn more.
District 2 Volunteer Opportunities

Now is a great time to consider ways you might want to give back to your community. 2020 saw our advisory bodies pivot to virtual meeting, which will likely continue well into 2021. The benefit of these meeting platforms is that more people are able to participate than ever before.

If you are interested in participating in government, then perhaps one of these volunteer opportunities are of interest to you:

Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B/APSAC)
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.

Assessment Appeals Board - co.contra-costa.ca.us/2924/Assessment-Appeals
Alternate Seat Available
The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.

County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only)
The P-5 Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.

In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee (IHSS) https://ehsd.org/elderly-disabled/public-authority/ihss-public-authority-advisory-committee/
 
Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418 . To apply online go to www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/.