Weekly Update - September 17, 2021
New COVID-19 Health Order: COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination or Test Required for Some Contra Costa Businesses
Our county is just now recovering from a severe, summerlong surge in new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths caused by the highly infectious delta variant.

To save lives, prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, and keep businesses and schools open, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) issued a new health order requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test result to enter high-risk businesses.

As of Sept. 22, everyone 12 years and older must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID result to enter restaurants, gyms, and other indoor businesses where there’s an increased risk of spreading COVID-19.

The risk of transmission is highest in these spaces because people remove face coverings to eat or drink or breathe heavily because of physical exertion.

Here are easy ways to show proof of vaccination:
  • A CDC vaccination record card or a copy or photo of the card.
  • A digital vaccine record issued by the State of California.
  • Documentation from a healthcare provider stating you’re vaccinated.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 test result received in the past three days will also work. An at-home test will not be accepted for this purpose.

Workers at these businesses must show proof of vaccination or test weekly beginning November 1.

Masks are still required indoors, even if you show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

County Health created a toolkit for businesses that includes a window poster, flyers to help customers download their vaccination records, and information on how businesses can verify a vaccination status or test result. You can find this on the CCHealth website.
Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record
To get your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, you just need to go to the State of California Vaccine portal. By entering a few details, you can get a link to a QR code and digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record. If you want to share your proof of vaccination, you can use either the electronic version you’ll get from the portal or the card you were given at time of vaccination.

If you are a parent or guardian and have multiple vaccine records associated with a single mobile phone number or email address, enter each digital vaccine record request separately.

The portal provides only a digital copy of your vaccine record. If you received your vaccinations from a federal agency (e.g., Department of Defense, Indian Health Services, or Veterans Affairs), you will need to reach out to those agencies for assistance with your vaccination record.

Go to myvaccinerecord to get your vaccine record.

If you have questions about your Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record, visit our FAQ.
It’s Not Just Public Health Officers Asking People to Get Vaccinated, It’s Your Own Local Doctor
Over four hundred East Bay doctors have signed a letter pleading with the community to get vaccinated against COVID-19. If you or someone you know and love has still not gotten vaccinated, please read this letter. Doctors want you to know that vaccines are well tested, very safe, and highly effective. They also want you to know that they are tired - tired of the suffering and pain and death that can be avoided by getting vaccinated. We all need to do our part and get vaccinated to end the pandemic. Please read the letter: www.accma.org/News/getvaxxed.
COVID-19 Booster Vaccines Are Available for Some Immunocompromised People
Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) is offering COVID-19 booster vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people, following new state and federal health guidelines.

An additional dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine may be a healthy choice for people with certain health conditions, such as patients receiving cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, people with advanced HIV or severe primary immunodeficiency, or people using medicines that suppress the immune system. We ask anyone seeking a booster in Contra Costa to attest that they have a qualifying medical condition.

People with one of the health conditions listed above seeking booster doses can schedule online or phone 1-833-829-2626 for an appointment. Click here for more information about vaccination and appointments.
COVID Status of Contra Costa County
Cases per day per 100,000 for unvaccinated is
approximately 26
Case Rate for Fully Vaccinated vs Unvaccinated Populations
For more data and information about current COVID rates in California, please go to coronavirus.cchealth.org
Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services
Presents Emergency and Evacuation Information to Alamo Residents 
Join the Alamo Improvement Association on September 22, 2021, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. via Zoom for an informative presentation by the Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services on "What the Office of Emergency Services (OES) is and our role."
 
The respective roles of fire, law agencies, and Community Warning System (CWS) during an evacuation:
  • How you should prepare for an evacuation
  • How your community should prepare for an evacuation

After the short presentation, the floor will be open to attendees for a question-and-answer session.
 
Join Zoom Meeting by clicking here
Meeting ID: 833 7962 6761 Passcode: 502123

Brought to you by the Alamo Improvement Association (AIA).  Visit their website for more information: www.alamoca.org.
Public Works Repair Project - Canyon Area
Pinehurst Road Culvert and Sinkhole 
Construction of the Pinehurst Road Sinkhole and Culvert Repair Project began on Monday, August 30, 2021. The project is located approximately 2.5 miles northwest of Canyon Road, at the first hairpin turn. Work includes replacing a portion of drainage pipe under Pinehurst Road, as well as improvements to aid in fish passage upstream. Work will also include temporary water diversion and dewatering, stabilizing the embankment using rock slope protection, roadway excavation, and reconstruction, establishing a roadside ditch, traffic control, and roadway striping and signing. Restrictions are in place to minimize impacts during commute hours. Drivers should expect delays.

The replacement pipe installation and road reconstruction require a full-time closure of Pinehurst Road – only emergency vehicles will be provided access through the work zone during this closure. Other site work will continue after the full closure ends, with intermittent two-way, flagged traffic control for performing the remaining work. Message boards providing notice of the upcoming road closure will be placed near the project site prior to road closure. Road users should expect 10-15 minute delays near the project site due to the need to use alternate routes.

The full-time closure of Pinehurst Road began on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, and will re-open by Wednesday, September 29, 2021. NO PUBLIC TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED THROUGH THE WORK ZONE during this closure. The project is scheduled to be fully completed by 10/31.

Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1) funds and Emergency Relief (Federal Highway Administration) Funds. For more information on this project visit:  www.cccounty.us/pwprojects.
Clear The Shelters 2021 Adopt & Donate Campaign
The month-long “Adopt & Donate” effort will feature virtual pet adoptions and make it easy for people to donate online to participating shelters and rescues. The campaign runs through Sept.19, 2021.

To learn more go to adopt donate campaign.
Start Walking, Rolling or Running
for the 38th Annual Run for Education!
The Health & Wellness Expo will be in person on October 9-10, 2021!

The Health & Wellness Expo will be Saturday, October 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The Expo welcomes back local exhibitors and business owners, as well as our community! There will be entertainment, a Kid Zone, and more. Watch for more information coming in the Fall!

Benefits of this Virtual Run?
To earn money for YOUR school! This event will be a fundraiser for the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation and each school; with 30% of your registration net proceeds going directly to the school of your choice. Additionally, the Run for Education is setting up pledge pages for every participant that will allow schools to raise even more money with 70% of those donations going directly to the school. 

When should I sign up for this Virtual Run?
NOW at www.srvef.org/the-run. The low registration price of $25 includes a mask! You can still order a shirt to keep your collection up to date - just order a t-shirt in your registration form.

This is a healthy and fun family activity we can all enjoy while observing local guidelines AND raising funds to support school programs. For questions, contact Karen Robman at karen@srvef.org.
Contra Costa County Redistricting Workshops
Redistricting is the once-a-decade process of redrawing the boundaries for Supervisorial districts after the U.S. Census.

The Board of Supervisors is seeking input about Communities of Interest. State law defines a “Community of Interest" as "a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single supervisorial district for purposes of its effective and fair representation. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates."
One of the guidelines for drawing district boundaries is to learn about communities across the County. To the extent practicable, the County will aim to keep each community of interest together in a district. Learn more about Communities of Interest.

A series of Online Mapping Workshops will be held to assist residents in drawing and submitting Communities of Interest to be considered in the County’s Supervisorial Redistricting Process. The workshops will be hosted by DistrictR, the online mapping tool the County is making available to provide an easy way to draw and submit maps and comments.

The next Online Mapping Workshop is October 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.

Date and Time Coming Soon – Spanish Language Online Mapping Workshop

The County’s second Redistricting Public Hearing will be held on October 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. It will be available via Zoom, online, and on Contra Costa Television channels. Learn more, including how you can provide input, at www.CoCoRedistricting.org.

Save the Date! A District 2 Forum is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. at San Ramon City Hall.
East Bay Economic Development Alliance Fall Membership Meeting - East Bay Forward
For the past six months, East Bay EDA has engaged in a process to develop East Bay Forward, a regional economic assessment and roadmap to best position the East Bay for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable economic future. Their research process has been led by their Leadership, Strategic Advisory Committee, and Strategic Economics. The findings of their publication will be presented at the meeting.
 
The meeting will feature Keynote Speaker, Dr. Manuel Pastor, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Equity Research Institute at USC. Dr. Pastor will offer his views on how we take this moment of tremendous disruption and change and generate a new shared vision of economic prosperity.
 
Register today to be entered to win roundtrip travel vouchers from Southwest Airlines! This event will be broadcast live and is open to both members and non members.
Join the Community Advisory Board on
Public Safety Realignment
Learn How To Reduce the Risks of Falls
Contra Costa County Seeks Nominations for
Humanitarian of the Year
Student and Adult Humanitarians to be Recognized at 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony

Contra Costa County will commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 44th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. In the spirit of Dr. King’s work, this year’s theme is, “One People, One Nation, One Dream.” The County now seeks nominations for a Student and Adult Humanitarian of the Year.

Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors will recognize two individuals, (1) a community member and (2) a student leader, as individuals whose dedication to others embodies the spirit and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the January event.

We welcome your nominations of a community member or student whose accomplishments and actions go above and beyond to positively impact Contra Costa County, its residents and communities. Please nominate candidates who demonstrate leadership, commitment to community, and personal integrity.

The deadline to submit candidates for consideration is Friday, November 5, 2021. To submit online nominations and learn more about the County’s celebration, including previous ceremonies and winners, visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony website.
Council on Homelessness (COH) Seeking
Applicants for Open Council Seats
The Contra Costa Council on Homelessness is seeking applicants for specific seats that will be opening at the end of the year!
 
All Council members must reside or be employed in Contra Costa County and be willing to sign and abide by the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy upon being seated as a Council member and annually thereafter.
 
The following seats are seeking applicants: 
 
CoC/ESG Program Grantee Representative: Candidates must work with an agency receiving Continuum of Care and/or Emergency Solutions Grant funding in Contra Costa. In their role on the Council on Homelessness, the CoC/ESG Representative must be able to represent the perspective of CoC/ESG-funded providers in decision-making processes, as well as communicate essential information from the Council on Homelessness with individuals in this field in Contra Costa.

Community Member Representative: Candidates for this seat must live or work in Contra Costa.
 
Employment and Human Services (EHSD) Representative: Candidates must be employed by Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD). In their role on the Council on Homelessness, the EHSD Representative must be able to represent the perspective of EHSD in decision-making processes, as well as communicate essential information from the Council on Homelessness with individuals in this field in Contra Costa.
 
Faith Community Representative: Candidates must have a deep connection with the Contra Costa faith community as an employee, volunteer, or congregant in Contra Costa. In their role on the Council on Homelessness, the Faith Community Representative must be able to represent the perspective of faith communities in decision-making processes, as well as communicate essential information from the Council on Homelessness with individuals affiliated with the faith community in Contra Costa. 
 
Public Housing Authority Representative: Candidates must be an employee of a Housing Authority of Contra Costa County. In their role on the Council on Homelessness, the Public Housing Authority Representative must be able to represent the perspective of housing authorities in decision-making processes, as well as communicate essential information from the Council on Homelessness with individuals affiliated with housing authorities in Contra Costa. 
 
Public Safety #2 Representative: Candidates must have a deep connection to the public safety field (specifically, law enforcement, probation, jails, prisons, etc.) in Contra Costa. In their role on the Council on Homelessness, the Public Safety Representative must be able to represent the perspective of public safety providers in decision-making processes, as well as communicate essential information from the Council on Homelessness with individuals in this field in Contra Costa.
 
Reentry Services Representative: Candidates must have a deep connection to the re-entry field (specifically, services providers and/or correctional staff supporting individuals re-entering the community after involvement with the criminal legal system) in Contra Costa. In their role on the Council on Homelessness, the Reentry Services Representative must be able to represent the perspective of reentry services providers in decision-making processes, as well as communicate essential information from the Council on Homelessness with individuals in this field in Contra Costa. 
 
For more information, including how to apply, click here
 
Applications must be received by Friday, October 15, 2021. 
Arts and Culture Commission Seeks Applications to
Youth Advisor Seat
Contra Costa County is seeking an individual to serve on the Arts & Culture Commission in a Youth Advisor seat. The Arts & Culture Commission was established to advise the Board of Supervisors on matters related to promoting arts and culture as a vital aspect of community engagement. The Arts & Culture Commission is dedicated to advancing the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation, and collaboration throughout Contra Costa County so that we may grow creatively as a community that preserves and celebrates our diverse cultural expression.

Applicants will be interviewed and recommended by the Commission for appointment by the Board of Supervisors for a one-year term. The Youth Advisor appointee will perform a Commission-approved service project during their term and will be expected to attend all Commission meetings and other Commission activities as needed.

  • 1 Position Available: Youth Advisor (non-voting)
  • Qualifications: Applicants can be a high school or college students and must reside in Contra Costa County.
  • Meeting Information: Meetings of the Arts & Culture Commission are held on the second Monday of every month at 6:00 PM.
  • How to Apply: Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418, calling (925) 655-2000, or emailing ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

Deadline for Application: October 1, 2021 For further information about the Arts & Culture Commission, please visit www.contracosta.ca.gov or contact Jenny Balisle, Managing Director at (925) 646-2278 or staff@ac5.cccounty.us.
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 meetings, which is continuing 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)
Alternate Seat
To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.

County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only. one alternate seat available)

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/.