• Shots at the Shop is a collaborative initiative to support barbershops and beauty salons nationwide with funding, training and resources to build confidence in re-opening with low COVID-19 rates in their communities. By providing $1,000 stipends and COVID-19 vaccine site training, the initiative aims to equip hard-hit communities with accurate vaccine information and resources to achieve COVID-19 immunity. Learn more.

• The European Union’s groundbreaking digital health certificate permits vaccinated individuals to travel freely within the bloc without the need to quarantine or test negative for COVID-19 upon arrival. The documents show whether a passenger has received a vaccination, had a recent negative COVID-19 test, or has proof of antibodies. Read more. 

• OCBC and SoCal business partners convinced Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to hold a public meeting on SoCal Greenprint, an online regional mapping tool impacting land use planning and threatening future development. SCAG voted 25-24 to give stakeholders more input on Greenprint and ensure it does not unintentionally restrict housing and infrastructure projects. Read the coalition letter. 

• OCHCA is conducting a survey on the impact of COVID-19. Let the County know how they can help by taking this ten-minute survey. Responses are confidential. 

• Stuck on how to encourage loved ones to get vaccinated? Check out these tips from the CDC! With new variant strains it is crucial that individuals who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, receive both doses of the same vaccine to have full protection against COVID-19. Visit Othena to schedule a vaccine.  

• On July 1, the House approved a $715B surface transportation and water infrastructure bill. The bill authorizes $547B in spending for surface transportation programs, including $334B for highways and $109B for transit. Stay tuned for more info on the Senate’s version of the bill, which has garnered more bipartisan support. OCBC urges Congress to not put the full tax burden on businesses to finance infrastructure investments. Read U.S. Chamber’s suggestions for strengthening the bill. 

• AB 1395 (Muratsuchi) aims to achieve carbon neutrality statewide by 2045. While OCBC recognizes the need to address climate change in an economically sensible way, this bill would actually limit tools for achieving carbon neutrality and lacks analysis on its policies’ feasibility, costs and cost-effectiveness. Climate change policies must be reasonable and based on science. Read the opposition letter from OCBC and partners.

• OCBC and 196 business community leaders nationwide urged Congress to prioritize digital infrastructure investment when considering infrastructure legislation. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how critical digital tools are for healthcare providers, students, government and others —but has also exposed gaps in America’s connectivity. Read more about the steps needed to modernize digital infrastructure, including leveraging private sector investment and addressing affordability.  

• OCBC member Human Options recently co-signed an amicus brief ("friend of the court") with California Women’s Law Center’s in support of domestic violence survivor’s challenges to unfair mutual restraining orders and concurrent joint custody orders. This appeal challenges the ongoing problem of judges granting mutual restraining orders against domestic violence victims and their abusers, and the trauma victims endure. Does your business have policies in place to assist a domestic violence victim within the workforce? Learn how you can help prevent, protect and empower employees. 

• On July 11, the Employment Development Department (EDD) will require CA residents receiving unemployment benefits to look for work to maintain eligibility. During the pandemic, CA suspended the work search requirement but has brought it back as the state reopens. Resources for job seekers and employers are available through EDD. OCBC advocated for this change, but it is not the only solution businesses need to consider to incentivize employees who receive substantial unemployment benefits to go back to work.

• Cox Charities will accept applications from nonprofit organizations as a part of their annual Community Grants program until July 31. Cox will award over $180K in grants to nonprofits statewide. Learn more or apply! 

• As of now researchers believe mix and matching COVID-19 vaccines will work, but until it is officially confirmed to be safe and effective individuals who received one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine should continue to get the same vaccine for their second dose. Read more.

• Verizon aims to bridge the digital divide by providing eligible households with a $50 monthly discount through the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program. Learn more. 

• Mesa Water District (MWD) will help improve water supply reliability in the region through the support of CA Department of Water Resources' $55M multiyear grant. The grant program includes collaborative groundwater banking that will prepare agencies for extended dry periods. Read more. 

• MemorialCare Medical Group has been recognized by SCAN Health Plan as one of the Top-Performing Medical Groups in CA based on SCAN’s internal quality metrics for preventive screenings, treatment of chronic conditions and appropriate documentation to ensure members get the care they need to remain healthy and independent. Congratulations! 

• City of Hope has identified how cancer cells in patients with early-stage breast cancer change and become resistant to hormone or combination therapies. City of Hope’s research team used single-cell RNA sequencing to identify resistant traits cancer cells acquire; these cancer cells are able to persist despite therapy. Read more.