Greetings!
I am proud to represent the bay side communities of East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City and the unincorporated area of North Fair Oaks. Also, I am also gratified to witness all the volunteers who staff our neighborhood vaccine clinics, those who continue to work hard to help their neighbors and families. We also have amazing non-profit organizations who have stepped up, pivoted and continue to help countless individuals and families.
While there is much good news, I am disheartened and saddened by the hate, racism and rising violence against segments of our community. We honor and stand with our Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islanders and those in our Armenian communities. We must recommit ourselves to ongoing and meaningful changes. Violence cannot be tolerated in San Mateo County.
And finally, I would encourage you to exercise your right to be heard. On alternating Tuesdays, the Board of Supervisors holds a regular meeting which the public is allowed to speak to the Board starting at 9:00 am. Agendas for meetings can be found here.
Best,
Warren Slocum
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COVID VACCINE UPDATE:
CLINICS IN OUR COMMUNITIES
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Last month, as a result of limited vaccine supply, our County changed the vaccination strategy to hold targeted vaccination clinics in our most vulnerable communities. And last week, the opening of eligibility to all individuals 16 and older and the news of the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine definitely adversely affected already limited supply.
I am happy to report that our strategy has seen progress and positive results. We have regularly held weekend clinics in my district in North Fair Oaks, Belle Haven, and East Palo Alto – and these targeted clinics have been well-organized and managed. Typically, because they are targeted to a specific community, the locations are not publicized on social media but rather our Office of Community Affairs does in-person door-to-door outreach in the community.
Last weekend, our vaccination numbers at our targeted clinics were: 294 first doses and 72 second doses in East Palo Alto; 926 first doses at the walk-up clinic at KIPP Excelencia & Connect Community Prep in Redwood City and 492 second doses in North Fair Oaks; and 198 second doses in Belle Haven.
As of April 20, overall County numbers reflect that 412,090 individuals have been vaccinated in our County, which is 64.2% of our total adult population. Diving deeper into the numbers: 113,651 residents 65 and older have been vaccinated so far which accounts for 87.4% of this group. Of residents 75 and over, we have vaccinated 49,515 or 90% of this age group. All of this is very good news!
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NEW BEGINNINGS –
RECOVERY, RESILIENCY AND REOPENING
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There is good news on the horizon. Governor Newsom announced last week that our state will fully reopen on June 15 if vaccine supply is sufficient for those 16+ to be vaccinated; and if hospitalizations remain low. If these goals are met, it means that the colored-tier system will no longer be used, and the entire state will reopen.
Governor Newsom also announced new guideline for gatherings which went into effect on April 15. San Mateo County is currently in the Orange Tier. Our updated guidelines for gatherings, including private events like receptions and conferences, and indoor seated live events (such as concerts and sporting events) are as follows: outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people, or 300 if everyone is tested or shows proof of full vaccination; and indoor activities are limited to 150 people if guests show full vaccination or are tested. There is definitely a benefit here to being fully vaccinated.
As for San Mateo County, we are very close to being in the Yellow Tier – likely by early May, which will mean more reopenings for our County. This would include: restaurants continuing indoor operations at 50% capacity; wineries, breweries and distilleries would open indoors with 50% capacity; bars where no food is provided would be able to open indoors at 25% capacity; retail and shopping centers will be fully open with modifications; and museums, places of worship and indoor movie theaters continue to be allowed indoors at 50% capacity. In short – it will be more welcome news!
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DISTRICT 4 EVENTS:
FACEBOOK LIVE CONVERSATIONS
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There has been a great deal of stress and anxiety built up during the last year as a result of this pandemic. Many families are facing financial struggles, loss of employment, isolation and more. And this impacts the entire family, particularly children. Too many children have had so much stress to deal with – parents out of work, worries about how the family will survive, and having distance learning.
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Meet your NFO Library Staff |
We are so proud of our newest library in the San Mateo County Library System – the North Fair Oaks Library. And as our libraries are set to reopen this month, including this one, please join my office in a Facebook Live conversation with the new North Fair Oaks librarians. Hear what programming is in the works, including for our children, and new items to encourage more visits to the library including a machine that dispenses laptops and hotspots to borrow.
Especially important is hearing from the community on what library services you want. Mark your calendar and join us.
Help us spread the word for this event!
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VOLUNTEERS APPLY!
SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICT LINES ADVISORY COMMISSION
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Every 10 years, based on the U.S. Census, we are asked to consider a revision to supervisorial district lines.
At our January 26th Board meeting, the Board of Supervisors discussed the outlines for this process to occur. There will be an 11-member independent Commission, selected by application, to look at district lines, with guidance from the League of Women Voters. As the process unfolds, there will be meetings for community input and other opportunities for the public to weigh in.
Right now, applications to serve on this important Commission are being accepted here. The work will go on thru the end of this year and you can help make a difference!
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MEASURE K - INVESTMENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY |
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At this week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board unanimously approved two of my district-discretionary Measure K funding requests – and both will do much to help those in need in our community. |
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Rebuilding Together Peninsula is a non-profit whose mission is to repair homes, revitalize communities, and rebuild lives. Their work, which is unique because it preserves single family homes in vulnerable communities, preserves affordable housing by bringing together skilled staff and volunteers to address critical health and safety-related repairs for vulnerable, low-income homeowners. Their projects help bring hope, dignity and build intergenerational housing equity to low-income families who might otherwise become displaced. RTP was given a Measure K grant of $135,000 to enable them to perform major repair projects (most often roof replacements) at six homes owned by low or extremely low-income individuals or non-profit community facilities in vulnerable communities within District 4 over the next year.
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Upward Scholars’ motto, “Empowering low-income adults to prosper through education” underscores their mission to provide adult immigrants from low-income households the boost they need to move up the economic ladder through education and career development support. The goal is to move their families out of poverty. Despite the obstacles they face, 208 Upward Scholars students are currently registered for community college this spring, and 20 participating students made Deans’ List in 2020. Upward Scholars was given a Measure K grant of $60,000 to provide funding for college textbooks and lab materials, transit passes, grocery gift cards for food, and graduation expenses for current Upward Scholars students, all whom reside in San Mateo County and attend community college in the San Mateo County Community College District.
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Meet 10-year old Citlaly Arroyo, a Thiebold Method student, who this week presented her social good project to help the homeless in East Palo Alto to the City Council. Thiebaut Method is a nonprofit founded in 2009 in East Palo Alto that empowers low-income and at-risk students to help others. Learn more about Citlaly’s project here.
According to the San Mateo County Office of Education, currently there are 150 public schools in all 23 school districts offering in-person learning to their students. At least 70 private and charter schools are also providing in-person learning. And the expectation is that fall semester will be in-person given the CDC guidelines of 3-foot distancing.
If you live in the North Fair Oaks area, please consider attending the North Fair Oaks Community Council meetings. They meet the fourth Thursday night of each month. For more information, contact our Office of Community Affairs at CommunityAffairs@smcgov.org.
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April continues to bring hope that we will reopen soon, and our recovery will begin . It’s always important to follow safety protocols as we continue getting our community vaccinated. Remember to stay safe, stay healthy, and continue to wear your mask when out in public!
If you want to get more insight into what my staff and I are working on, please connect with us on social media. It’s also a great way to interact with the office and to get notifications on upcoming events. Click the icons and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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Follow us on social media. |
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