There was another beautiful Benicia moment last week as we hosted our fourth vaccination event. The clinic was open to everyone 16 and above, and this time our outreach focused on getting our younger, future generation in and vaccinated. Publication after publication is pointing to just how critically important vaccination is to us getting back to ‘normal’. Our hope is to have our youth set the example and help send a message about the importance of getting vaccinated.

I am so proud of our community! We had no less than 120 sign-ups for our pizza coupon give-away (targeting youth 16-24). Everyone had a great attitude, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Thank you again to our City staff and our community members for stepping up to lead the way.

I’m also very proud of the work we have been doing regarding vaccine equity. Our new Equity Manager has been working diligently to insure we get the word out to our underrepresented populations regarding our clinics by providing communication, information, and opportunity to those who may not similarly have access to get vaccinated. Having attended every Benicia vaccination clinic thus far, I feel the outreach efforts have been effective, and have positively impacted the demographics of those fully vaccinated in our County.

We are second in the County for highest level of vaccination at 73.9% (just behind Rio Vista at 74.8%) and have the lowest incident rate at at .035 (Solano County average is double that at .07). There are many factors that go into those numbers, but I believe part of it is our City’s approach to making it our top priority and our community’s willingness to step forward and set the example. Great job Benicia! If you're looking for a vaccine, click here to find upcoming clinics.

Related to this issue, May is Mental Health Month. The pandemic has had a profound impact on people’s mental health, especially our youth. In addition to the pandemic, there has been so much uncertainty, even in how we fundamentally understand our identity as a nation. The uncertainty creates fear. Fear can often manifest itself in some very sad and ugly ways. Let's take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of acknowledging the experiences of others, and reach out and help lift up those around us. Empathize and heal. Find common ground, communicate, and if you need to…walk away. As Marcus Aurelius said, “The best response to anger is silence”. True love of humanity and community is the best solution to fear. Understand that as a community, we need to find ways to come together - there is strength in unity.

Please consider that many around you are suffering, and some will not manifest any outward signs. Check in with those you love and those around you. If you need help, there are resources available. The Kyle Hyland Foundation is offering a series of Zoom presentations this week (see website for details), as well as a “Chalk for Hope” event at the Benicia Teen Center on Tuesday, May 11 at 3 p.m. at 1135 Church Street. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities, especially for those of you with teenage children. Solano County is also providing a special community forum in Spanish on Tuesday, May 25 from 5 - 7 p.m. as part of their efforts to address focus groups that have been identified to be at more risk for suicide. Please share all of these fliers through your networks. You may touch the one person who needs support now more than ever.

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