LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Severe weather in the east last week caused COVID-19 vaccine shipments to be delayed to Lake County, however, local officials said that shipments arrived on Monday, allowing them to resume vaccination clinics.
Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said first dose vaccination appointments will resume on Wednesday.
Pace thanked community members for their patience as Public Health works to get the vaccine out as quickly and safely as possible.
This week’s vaccination schedule is as follows:
• Wednesday, Feb. 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeport Auto Movies, 52 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport. • Thursday, Feb. 25: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lakeport Auto Movies, 52 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport. • Friday, Feb. 26: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake.
Pace said that on Monday, the county’s normal vaccination schedule is expected to resume.
That schedule includes clinics on Mondays and Tuesdays in Lakeport and Thursdays and Fridays in Clearlake.
He asked people to not come to either vaccine site without an appointment.
“We have limited vaccine supply, and all doses are spoken for by people with appointments,” Pace said.
To schedule an appointment:
• You must be 65 or older, or have been eligible in a previous group (we will be adding farmworkers and food service workers to those eligible in the near future).
• If you do not have internet access, or cannot navigate online scheduling, call 707-993-4644 for assistance. Do not call this number if appointments are filled up—they do not have extra slots
• For general questions, dial 211 or 844-987-0586 (toll-free), or text “covid19” to 211-211
• If general resources do not resolve your concern, call 707-263-8174, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pace said Public Health also is redistributing some vaccine doses to community partners, so county residents are encouraged to check with them regarding availability this week. Those partners include:
• North Lake Pharmacy; • Safeway Pharmacy; • Adventist Health; • Lakeview Health Center – MCHC Inc. (second doses); • Sutter Health (second doses).
Las clínicas de vacunación de COVID-19 en el condado de Lake continúan
Información, enlaces para programar citas en http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm
Lake County, CA (22 de febrero de 2021)— Con el clima grave de la semana pasada en otras partes del país, nuestros esfuerzos locales para vacunar a los residentes del condado fueron interrumpidos. Afortunadamente, tanto los envíos de la semana pasada como los de esta semana fueron recibidos hoy. Las citas para la primera dosis de vacunación se continúan el miércoles.
Aquí está el programa de esta semana:
• Miércoles 24 de febrero: de 10 a.m. a 4 p. m., en Lakeport Auto Movies (52 Soda Bay Rd, Lakeport) • Jueves 25 de febrero: de 10 a. m. a 4 p. m., en Lakeport Auto Movies (52 Soda Bay Rd, Lakeport) • Viernes 26 de febrero: de 10 a. m. a 4 p. m., en Redbud Park (14655 Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake).
El lunes 1 de marzo, se espera que se seguir nuestro horario normal: lunes / martes en Lakeport; jueves / viernes en Clearlake. No venga a ninguno de los sitios de vacunas sin una cita. Tenemos un suministro limitado de vacunas, y todas las dosis están reservadas para personas con citas.
Para programar una cita:
• Debe tener 65 años o más, o haber sido elegible en un grupo anterior (agregaremos trabajadores agrícolas y trabajadores de servicios de alimentos para que sean elegibles pronto).
• Visite http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus/Vaccines.htm para encontrar información y enlaces a citas disponibles, y completa el formulario en línea (si es elegible, verifique regularmente si hay nuevas citas).
• Si no tiene acceso al internet o no puede navegar la programación en línea, llame al 707-993-4644 para obtener ayuda. No llame a este número si las citas están llenas, no tienen espacios adicionales.
• Para preguntas generales, marque 211 o 844-987-0586 (llamada gratuita), o envíe un mensaje de texto con “covid19” al 211-211.
• Si los recursos generales no resuelven su asunto, llame al 707-263-8174 o envíe un correo electrónico a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
También estamos redistribuyendo algunas dosis de vacunas a los socios comunitarios, por lo que le recomendamos que consulte con ellos sobre la disponibilidad esta semana:
• Farmacia de North Lake; • Farmacia Safeway; • Adventist Health; • Lakeview Health Center - MCHC, Inc. (segundas dosis); • Sutter Health (segundas dosis);
Gracias por su paciencia mientras intentamos sacar esta vacuna de la manera más rápida y segura posible.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week, state Sen. Mike McGuire will host a discussion with leaders of California’s tourism and hospitality industry on the road to reopening.
The virtual meeting will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24.
California’s hospitality and tourism sectors are some of the largest economic drivers for the state.
Before the global pandemic hit, more than 1.2 million Californians earned their livelihoods in hospitality. Visitors spent $145 billion at California businesses in 2019, generating $12.3 billion in state and local taxes.
The impacts of COVID-19 have been absolutely devastating for hospitality workers and the thousands of small businesses who rely on a healthy tourism economy.
More than half of California’s 1.2 million hospitality workers have lost their jobs and the state has lost over $70 billion in visitor spending.
That’s why, since the first statewide shelter-in-place last spring, Sen. McGuire has been working with a broad coalition of advocates – including labor, tourism, hospitality, and local chambers of commerce – to address the incredible challenges they are facing and help get over 600,000 hard-working hospitality employees back to work safely and strategically.
On Wednesday, during the roundtable discussion, Sen. McGuire and hospitality and tourism industry leaders from across the state will discuss a strategic road map for safely reopening and the critical importance of getting California’s hospitality workers safely back to work when the California Department. of Public Health declares it is appropriate to resume travel.
Roundtable participants include Caroline Beteta, president and CEO, Visit California; John DiFlauro, Disneyland Resort castmember and chief shop steward, Teamsters Local 495; Horacio Cortés, Santa Clara County Convention Center team member, steward, Teamsters Local 853; Bharat Patel, president, Castle Inn & Suites; and Rhonda Salisbury, CEO/film commissioner, Visit Yosemite.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville Unified is the first Lake County school district to simulcast all school board meetings in Spanish, vastly improving accessibility for Spanish-speaking community members.
“In a community like ours where 40 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic, providing real-time Spanish translation of our board meeting proceedings allows us to reach more KVUSD families and more Kelseyville residents. Our goal is to make it easier for everyone’s voice to be heard,” said District Superintendent Dave McQueen.
For safety during the pandemic, school board meetings are currently held via Zoom video conferencing, using the Zoom function that allows meeting attendees to select which channel they wish to use: either the English-language channel or the Spanish-language channel where Kelseyville Unified School District translator Adriana Macias provides real-time translations.
When meetings return to an in-person format, meetings will be held in the Tom Aiken Student Center at Kelseyville High School at 5480 Main St. in Kelseyville. They will also be broadcast via a video conferencing option.
At that time, the district will offer headsets that allow on-site Spanish-speaking attendees to hear Macias’s translations in real-time, and the video broadcast will continue in both languages.
Kelseyville Unified anticipates resuming in-person school board meetings when Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Pace says it is advisable to meet in person based on the reduced spread and prevalence of COVID-19.
Racial disparities in the mortality impact of the pandemic vary widely across U.S. states and are even more pronounced when accounting for age, according to independent research by the U.S. Census Bureau.
A recent research paper also shows that the total reported death toll from COVID-19 actually undercounts mortality. That's because it does not take into account factors indirectly associated with the pandemic, including people who died because they delayed health care.
Measuring true impact of COVID-19 on mortality
Understanding the total death toll of the current pandemic requires measuring what’s called “excess all-cause mortality,” which provides an estimate of the additional number of deaths from any cause — not just from COVID-19 infections — beyond what is normally expected during a given period.
This measure includes people who died from COVID-19 and people who died for other reasons related to the pandemic.
For example, some may have died of heart attacks or uncontrolled diabetes because they delayed seeking health care for fear of catching the virus. Others may have suffered anxiety and depression from related job loss and financial uncertainty, which may have led them to take their own lives.
This measure also captures any reduction in mortality that can be attributed to the pandemic, such as decreased seasonal influenza (more people staying home and wearing masks) or improved air quality (less pollution as fewer drive to work).
Measuring both direct and indirect impacts on mortality paints a more complete picture of the devastation caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Excess all-cause mortality is calculated by taking the difference between expected (based on historical trends) and observed mortality during a given period.
Recent research indicates that excess all-cause mortality was 2.4 per 10,000 individuals in the United States in April 2020 – the first full month of the pandemic – which represents about 30% more deaths than the number of COVID deaths reported in that month (Figure 1).
Greater mortality impacts on older individuals
Excess all-cause mortality in April 2020 increased with age. Mortality from direct and indirect impact of the pandemic was highly concentrated in older age groups.
While individuals 85 years old and older accounted for only 3% of the U.S. population ages 25 years and older, they accounted for a disproportionate 34% of the overall excess mortality in the country during the first full month (Figure 2).
Racial disparities
Racial disparities in the direct impact of the pandemic on mortality (number who died from the virus) have been widely reported. New research now focuses on mortality by race from any cause associated with COVID-19, which also shows significant racial disparities.
Research based on individual-level administrative data (that nearly covers the universe of the U.S. population) from January 2011 through April 2020, found a significant deviation in mortality from the historic trend for all race and ethnicity groups (Figure 3).
This research relied on death information from the U.S. Census Bureau’s version of the Social Security Administration’s Numerical Identification (Census Numident) database and additional individual-level demographic information, particularly self-reported race information from the 2010 Census.
Findings:
– Excess all-cause mortality was the lowest for Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic individuals at 1.3 excess deaths per 10,000 individuals, a 22% increase from the predicted rate in April 2020. – At the other end of the spectrum, Black, non-Hispanic individuals experienced the highest excess all-cause mortality of 6.1 excess deaths per 10,000 individuals, a 79% increase from their predicted rate. – The other five race and ethnicity groups experienced excess mortality between the two extremes. White, non-Hispanic individuals had 2.1 excess deaths (21% increase); Hispanics of any race had 2.7 excess deaths (64% increase); Asian, non-Hispanic individuals had 2.9 excess deaths (64% increase); American Indian and Alaska Native, non-Hispanic individuals had 1.9 excess deaths (22% increase); and those reporting other race or two or more races had 2.7 excess deaths (60% increase).
Age and race
Racial disparities were even larger after adjusting for differences in age distributions.
There are large differences in age distribution across race groups and it is important to account for age when comparing excess mortality across racial groups.
Age differences increase disparities in excess mortality for every racial group compared to White, non-Hispanic individuals.
Without adjusting for age differences, excess mortality overstates the impact of the pandemic on White, non-Hispanic individuals who are, on average, older relative to other racial groups, and it understates it for all other racial and ethnic groups.
Racial disparities in the mortality impact of the pandemic in April 2020 were more pronounced when controlling for other demographic characteristics and geographic location.
In addition to age, when sex and geographic differences are taken into account, White, non-Hispanic individuals had the lowest excess mortality of 1.5 deaths per 10,000. Black, non-Hispanic individuals had the highest excess mortality of 6.8 deaths per 10,000.
Pandemic’s racial disparities varied across states
Even when adjusting for sex and age differences across race and ethnicity, racial gaps in excess all-cause mortality during April 2020 were not uniform across all states.
Some states had similar rates of mortality among White, non-Hispanics but very different rates among Black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic individuals. Some states had no significant increase in mortality for White, non-Hispanics but significant excess mortality for the other groups.
This research shows the breadth of factors affecting the indirect impact of the virus.
More research is needed
These findings are limited to the impact of the pandemic in April 2020. Future research is needed to evaluate the trajectory of these impacts since then.
It is also important to study causes and consequences of racial disparities in the pandemic’s impact on mortality. For example: Why are there significant geographic differences in racial disparities? What role do social and environmental factors, such as income, education and occupation, play?
The Census Bureau’s existing data from surveys, decennial censuses, and administrative records, along with the ability to link data across all sources and over time, is invaluable in understanding health disparities during the ongoing pandemic and beyond.
Victoria Udalova is a senior economist and program manager of the Enhancing Health Data program at the U.S. Census Bureau.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is investigating an early Monday morning drive-by shooting.
The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. Monday, according to radio traffic.
A caller reported to authorities that someone had just driven by their home in the 800 block of 16th Street and had shot numerous times into the house, radio traffic indicated.
The vehicle associated with the shooting is described as a dark-colored sedan. Radio traffic said it was last seen heading toward Clearlake Avenue.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said no one in the home was injured.
Officers responded to the scene and began an investigation which Rasmussen said on Monday afternoon remained underway.
“At this point, we don’t believe it’s a random shooting,” Rasmussen said.
Late Monday morning, the police put a call out to the community for information.
Rasmussen said they’ve received messages from the community that they were following up on Monday afternoon.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lakeport Police Department.
Anonymous messages can be sent to the police department by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777. The agency also can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by sending a private Facebook message to @LakeportPoliceDepartment or calling 707-263-5491 and asking to speak with an officer.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With Lake County’s Public Health officer announcing his plans to resign, the Board of Supervisors this week will hold a discussion on recruiting his successor.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will be available to the public virtually only. The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link at 9 a.m. The meeting ID is 992 6246 9530, password 716806. The meeting also can be accessed via on tap mobile at +16699006833,,96861017739#,,,,*659362# US (San Jose).
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and passcode information above.
Chromebook devices are also available at the Lakeport and Clearlake Library branches, which will open early on Tuesday. Chromebooks can be checked out for three hours for use on the library premises and contactless pickup is available. The Lakeport Library Branch can be reached at 707-263-8817, and Clearlake at 707-994-5115.
WiFi is accessible in the parking lot of each County Library Branch, so residents can park at these locations to use WiFi on borrowed or personal devices, by connecting to the “Lake County Library” network (no password) anytime from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
While the board chambers remain closed, outdoor viewing and participation is also available during each meeting on the Third Street side of the courthouse building. To submit a written comment on any agenda item please visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during the meeting but will become a part of the record.
In an untimed item, the board will discuss a recruitment strategy for the Public Health officer position.
Dr. Gary Pace, who has held the job for the past 16 months, announced his resignation last week, as Lake County News has reported.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingon’s report to the board said that Pace’s resignation is effective April 16, although he has indicated he may be able to continue on here for a short time thereafter, under contract, to support the county’s transition with a new Public Health officer.
Huchingson said staff is requesting an opportunity to discuss recruitment strategies with the board.
In another untimed item, the board will consider updating its resolution authorizing temporary reduction of in-person delivery of county services to the public due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions, with the county’s return to the red tier on the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy to trigger reopening.
At 9:15 a.m, the board will hold a public hearing on the next rounds of CARES Act funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program, with the board to consider a resolution to pursue grant funding for in the amount of $738,187 for a Small Business Assistance Loan Fund Program.
At 9:45 a.m., Dr. Pace will give the board an update on COVID-19.
At 11 a.m., the board will present a proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.
5.2: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 20-SD17 with the State of California, Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Seed Service Program for Period July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, in the amount of $100.
5.3: Approve reissuance of tax refund check from FY 16/17 in the amount of $1,403.52 issued to Teddy C. & Deanna M. Hingst.
5.4: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2020-21 to reflect adjustment to service rates and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.5: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No 2020-134 amending the position allocation for year 2020-2021, Budget unit No. 2112 Child Support Services.
5.6: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings on Oct. 6, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9.
5.7: Approve the cost sharing agreement between the county of Lake and the city of Lakeport for phase one of the Lake County Recreation Center Feasibility Study and authorize the chair to sign the agreement.
5.8: Approve second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 25 – Floodplain Management of the Lake County Code.
5.9: Adopt resolution of intent to vacate a roadway known as Arabian Lane (CR#148D) in the Hidden Valley Lake area.
5.10: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education for differential response services in the amount of $70,000 per Fiscal Year from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2023, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.11: Approve memorandum of understanding between Social Services and Behavioral Health Services for residential treatment room and board payments for welfare-to-work linkages clients in the amount of $50,000 per fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration to (a) waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; (b) approve agreement for provision of satellite imagery services by Planet Labs to the county of Lake, authorizing the chair to sign.
6.3, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, Community Development Block Grant Program - CARES Act Round 2 and 3, presentation and consideration of resolution approving an application for CDBG CARES Act Round 2 and 3 funding and the execution of grant agreement and any amendments for funds in the amount of $738,187 for a Small Business Assistance Loan Fund Program
6.4, 9:45 a.m.: Consideration of Update on COVID-19.
6.5, 10:15 a.m.: Sitting as the Lake County Housing Commission Board of Directors, consideration of the Lake County Housing Commission Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan for 2021 and authorize the chair to sign the annual Civil Rights Certification (HUD Form HUD-50077-CR).
6.6, 11 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.
6.7, 11:30 a.m.: Consideration of the Everbridge Mass Notification User Agreement in the amount of $18,207.95 from March 20, 2021, to March 19, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: (a) Consideration of a review of Resolution No. 2021-11 authorizing temporary reduction of in-person delivery of county services to the public due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions; and (b) consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 2021-11 authorizing temporary reduction of in-person delivery of county services to the public due to COVID-19 pandemic conditions.
7.3: Consideration of recruitment strategy for Public Health officer.
7.4: Consideration of addition of special meeting to the board’s annual meeting calendar for 2021.
7.5: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Agriculture Advisory Committee, Spring Valley CSA#2 Advisory Board, Lake County Public Authority Advisory Committee, Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council, Western Region Town Hall.
7.6: Consideration of Change Order No. Two, Supplement No. 1 for Clayton Creek Road at Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(077); Bid No. 20-10.
7.7: Consideration of Change Order No. Three for Clayton Creek Road at Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project, Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(077); Bid No. 20-10.
7.8: Consideration of request of Kelseyville Unified School District that the county of Lake provide notification to the district that the county will not authorize the issuance of tax and revenue anticipation notes on the district’s behalf.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluation: Agriculture Commissioner Steve Hajik.
8.2: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) Chief negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(1): One potential case.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2)(e)(3): Claim of Earthways Inc.
8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2) (e)(3): Claim of McQueen.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
“Mantle Memories” has been added to the Lake County Quilt Trail at Totorica Plumbing Inc. on 4230 Main St. in Kelseyville, California. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Quilt Trail said one new quilt block has been added and another has been relocated.
The new block is “Mantle Memories,” a 4-foot by 4-foot block that has been installed on the Totorica Plumbing Inc. building at 4230 Main St. in Kelseyville.
This block was purchased at auction for Operation Tango Mike by Vicki Totorica.
This location for “Mantle Memories” was the home of Vicki Totorica’s grandparents, Don and Hulda Mantle.
Hulda Mantle had a beautiful backyard flower garden that featured several varieties of roses and pink lilies known as Pink Ladies.
“Courthouse Steps,” an 8-foot by 8-foot block which originally was placed on the historic Lunas Building at the corner of Third and Main streets in Lakeport, has been relocated just down Main Street to the Skylark Shores Resort, 1120 N. Main St.
Skylark Shores Resort is open to all recreational/vacationing guests. They are following CDC guidelines for COVID 19 to ensure the safety and peace of mind for their guests. There are no restrictions for bookings. For more information visit https://www.skylarkshoresresort.com.
The Lake County Quilt Trail is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride. The quilt blocks were drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team.
The Lake County Quilt Trail has the distinction of being the first quilt trail in California. It was started by Marilyn Holdenried in 2010.
Applications for new quilt blocks are no longer being accepted for the Lake County Quilt Trail.
The Urban Indian Health Institute has released a report that graded all 50 states on the quality, collection and reporting of COVID-19 data as it relates to American Indian and Alaska Native people.
The report states that poor data collection standards implemented by states has resulted in a substantial gap in understanding the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people of color across the U.S., specifically American Indians and Alaska Natives.
“This is a data genocide on native people,” said Abigail Echo-Hawk, director or UIHI. “American Indians and Alaska Natives are dying at disproportionate rates and decision makers don’t even have accurate data to ensure we are properly funded and resourced.”
The UIHI report graded states based on four categories: if American Indian and Alaska Native populations were included on state dashboards; the percentage of cases with complete racial information on state dashboards; the percentage of confirmed cases reported from states to the CDC; and the percentage of confirmed cases with complete racial information on the CDC database.
The poorest score came from Texas, followed by New York, New Hampshire, Maryland, and West Virginia, respectively. They all received an overall grade of “F.” Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, and Arkansas were the only states that received an overall “A” grade.
California received an overall C grade.
The accumulative grade of all 50 states was a D+.
“It is unacceptable for states to exclude us from the data, including my home state of Maryland,” said Kerry Hawk Lessard, executive director of Native American Lifelines. “States need to be held accountable for their actions. Indigenous communities are working day and night to address the pandemic, but some of the largest barriers are the ones out of our control.”
It is required by the CARES Act that states across the country collect race and ethnicity in COVID-19 data, but many states have not collected or reported it accurately.
In February, the CDC reported that 48 percent of race and ethnicity was missing from COVID-19 vaccination data.
Echo-Hawk provided a briefing on Friday to the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis about the current state of COVID-19 and vaccinations in native communities, as well as the data issues that have continued throughout the pandemic.
Mary G. Findling, Harvard University; John M. Benson, Harvard University, and Robert J. Blendon, Harvard University
We are public opinion scholars at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In cooperation with our partners at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and National Public Radio, we conducted a survey in July and August of last year to try to understand how the first round of aid had affected American families in need. What we found shocked us then and feels relevant now as the government negotiates its next steps.
Despite trillions of dollars in government assistance, about two-thirds of families that suffered job losses or reduced wages during the pandemic still reported facing serious financial hardship.
Many people were struggling – and still are – just to pay for basic necessities, like food and rent.
The first round of pandemic aid
Congress passed most of the initial relief in March, including direct payments to qualifying families, expanded unemployment benefits and loans to small businesses that turned into grants if they kept workers on their payroll.
By July 1, when we began our survey, most Americans entitled to a direct check should have received it, and unemployed adults were still receiving supplemental aid of $600 a week on top of state benefits.
We wanted to understand the financial burdens experienced by American families that were economically harmed by the coronavirus pandemic. And we wanted to see whether the government aid was helping the people who needed it most.
Using a nationally representative, randomized survey design, we contacted 3,454 adults and asked them about the financial problems facing their households. We focused on the 46% who said they or other adults in their household either lost a job, had to close a business, were furloughed or had their wages or hours reduced since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. We published our findings in the economic affairs journal Challenge in January.
Serious financial problems
While it seems like a no-brainer that Americans weren’t ready for the unexpected employment disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was surprising to us that federal aid and charitable assistance seemed to be doing so little to support the people it was intended to help.
We found that the aid didn’t put much of a dent in the financial problems faced by families earning less than $100,000, whether because relief was delayed or wasn’t spent, the amount wasn’t adequate or the funds never made it to the intended recipients.
Among households with employment or wage losses during the pandemic, 87% of those earning less than $30,000 a year and 68% of those earning $30,000 to $99,999 told us they were still facing serious financial problems. And more than half of households in these income brackets reported they had already used up all or most of their savings – or they didn’t have savings to begin with. That share jumped to over three-quarters for people with incomes under $30,000.
Savings take years or decades to accumulate, so it’s likely these households are in even worse trouble now. What’s more, significantly less aid has been provided from the federal government since we conducted our survey.
Many Americans still need a lifeboat
Our findings suggest there is a definite need for further government aid on a large scale for tens of millions of families.
A useful way to think about this is how the government provides relief after a natural disaster. In disasters, cash payments are often sent directly to those in need, like lifeboats launched to rescue people at risk of drowning.
Tea is more than an ancient and ubiquitous drink. It can add interest and unique flavor to a variety of foods, both sweet and savory. Photo by Esther Oertel. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – There is just something so comforting about a cup of tea, and February, with its occasional formidable weather, is a perfect month to indulge.
I’m absolutely fascinated by tea, whether white, green, fermented, smoked or otherwise. When herbal and floral tisanes are factored in, imbibing becomes a multi-faceted journey, one that can – for me – border on an obsession.
Tea has long been a pleasure of mine, but perhaps my stronger interest in it was birthed when, once upon a time, I taught a culinary class at a local tea shop, one that specialized in floral teas and flowery herbal tisanes.
Creating recipes with their inspired selection of brews stretched my awareness of what tea can be to cuisine. It doesn’t have to be relegated to the role of accompaniment; it can be the star of a meal, with flavor combinations limited only by your imagination.
All types of tea, however packaged, can be used in this way – loose leaves, tea in bags, powdered teas such as matcha, tea leaves ground at home (a dedicated coffee grinder or mortar and pestle are good for this), specialty teas like genmaicha (which includes puffed grains), smoked teas, tea blends and all manner of herbal tisanes can be fodder for your experimentation.
A favorite tea of mine is the floral blend sold at the Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga. While making a purchase there some years ago, I heard for the first time the term tea docent (as in, “our tea docent creates these blends”). I was immediately struck by the thought of such a blissful career.
Perhaps, if only for today, I can consider myself your tea-in-cuisine docent by providing some ideas as a starting point for you. Please read on, be inspired, and make your kitchen a place of experimentation for your own brand of tea-infused creations.
Today’s recipe is also below, a vegetable stir-fry with green tea layered throughout via infusion into the sauce as well as the rice served with it.
A Chinese proverb says, “Drinking a daily cup of tea will surely starve the apothecary.” Perhaps that’s also true if we eat our daily cup.
Bake with tea
Floral and fruity Earl Grey or warm chai spices marry well with baked goods like pound cake, shortbread, or sugar cookies. Their mild sweetness provides a perfect backdrop for the flavor of tea. Other teas work well, too, such as green matcha, black tea, or tea flavored with flowers, like rose, jasmine or lavender.
Powdered tea, whether purchased in that form like matcha or ground at home, is perfect for this purpose. You can forego the vanilla and replace with the tea or, if using a strongly flavored tea, keep the vanilla for added flavor.
Experiment with strength when adding to the dough. Start with a teaspoon and increase – or not – to taste. Powdered tea sugar can be made to roll cookies in prior to baking; use ½ teaspoon tea powder to ½ cup sugar for this.
Infuse tea in dairy
Tea can be infused into milk or cream for a variety of applications. Add the tea (there’s no need to grind as whole leaves can be used) to the liquid and slowly heat to just below boiling. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool, then strain before using.
All manner of desserts can be made with tea-infused dairy, from panna cotta to bread pudding to cheesecake.
Sencha, a Japanese steamed green tea with vegetal, grassy notes, can add savory earthiness to a cream sauce, black tea can add unexpected bold flavor to crème brulee, and floral tisanes are lovely in ice cream or whipped cream toppings.
Flavor a stir-fry with tea
Green tea, black tea and ginger tea are popular additions to Asian-inspired stir fry dishes. Brewed tea can be used as a component in a sauce, or dry tea can be added like a spice directly to the pan.
Genmaicha, a Japanese green tea with the addition of puffed rice and corn, can add a nutty, earthy component to stir-fries.
To use, add to the pan first so the leaves and grains have a chance to get toasty; set aside and add back later when things are almost cooked through. For layering of flavors, try serving your stir-fry over rice or another grain cooked in tea.
Add tea to a rub for meat
Strongly flavored black tea leaves can be added to regular rub components like salt, brown sugar, and garlic. It adds a mystery flavor – a sort of “mmmmm, that’s good but what is it?” factor to the meat. Smoky lapsang souchong (a favorite tea of mine) is perfect for this.
Flavor and color pasta with tea
Adding green tea powder to pasta dough gives it a pretty pale green color and an earthy, herbaceous flavor.
Add to noodle soups – whether Asian-inspired or otherwise – or make a green-themed pasta dish with it by adding pesto and green vegetables.
Make tea butter
Add tea to room temperature butter (it needs to be soft and pliable) and mix until well blended. Roll the butter into a log and wrap well with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge (or freeze for long-term storage).
Butter medallions cut from the log can be used to baste meat, flavor vegetables (try adding to veggies when roasting) or to slather on toast.
For those of us who prefer plant-based eating, this can also be done with coconut oil.
Tea-infused butter or coconut oil can be used for cooking, too. (Note that powdered tea will change the color of the butter, while whole leaves will add streaky designs.)
Substitute tea for stock
Tea can be subbed wherever stock is used, such as in soups or stews or for cooking grains.
It was summertime when I taught the culinary class at the tea shop, so I created a cold peach soup using hibiscus tea.
Try rooibos tea with pumpkin soup or barley cooked in green tea. Adding black tea to a mushroom-wild rice soup adds an intensely interesting flavor.
Use tea as a marinade
Tea can be used alone as a marinade or added to other ingredients. I ran across a recipe for a chicken-eggplant stir-fry where the chicken was first marinated in black tea. If other flavors are used in the dish – such as hoisin sauce and soy sauce in this one – it’s important that the tea is strong enough to stand up to them and shine through.
I once tried a recipe for grilled green beans tossed with cocoa nibs – and now I’m envisioning how wonderful the flavor combination of cocoa and tea would be if the beans were marinated with black tea and balsamic vinegar first.
Use tea straight from the bag in place of spice
I made blueberry pancakes this morning, and in hindsight I realize that adding a light floral tea to the batter would have added an interesting complementary flavor.
Mint tea from the bag sprinkled into yogurt can make a quick and easy condiment for Indian or Middle Eastern dishes.
Chai tea would be wonderful sprinkled on roasted butternut squash or into a winter fruit salad.
Use tea as a poaching liquid
This can be used in sweet or savory ways – think pears poached in rooibos or chai tea or green tea poached fish or chicken.
Make simple syrup with tea
Flavorful simple syrup can be made by mixing equal parts brewed tea and sugar and reducing it on the stove to a syrupy consistency. Imagine the delight of lemonade sweetened with ginger tea-infused simple syrup or iced green tea with a fruity tea syrup like peach or raspberry.
A few months back I visited the Calistoga Farmers’ Market and happened upon a booth stacked high with locally made teas by the Napa Valley Tea Co.
I fell in love with their Divinitea, a naturally sweet blend of white and green teas with eight different fruits, making it perfect for this application. I’m looking forward to trying a bubbly tea soda with Divinitea syrup and sparkling water.
Add tea to smoothies
Add liquid or powdered tea to your morning smoothie for added antioxidants and flavor.
As mentioned, below is today’s recipe, a hearty and healthy vegetable stir-fry with tofu as the protein. If preferred, chicken may be substituted. Beef or pork might overshadow the subtle flavor of green tea.
Garlic and Ginger Green Tea Stir Fry
Ingredients:
4 green tea bags, brewed with 4 cups water 1 ½ cups jasmine rice 1 package extra firm tofu 1 yellow or purple onion 1 red pepper 1 carrot 3 stalks broccoli ½ pound mushrooms ½ cup soy sauce ¼ cup rice vinegar ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons freshly grated ginger 2 tablespoons brown sugar (honey or agave nectar also work well) 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Instructions:
Prepare vegetables: Dice the onion, slice the pepper into strips, cut the carrot into matchsticks, cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and slice mushrooms.
Prepare the sauce: Combine ¼ cup of the brewed green tea, soy sauce, vinegar, ¼ cup of the vegetable oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl.
Cook the rice according to package directions, substituting three cups of green tea for the water. Add ½ teaspoon salt, if desired.
Cut tofu into bite-sized cubes and heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown tofu cubes on each side and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil and add the onions and carrots and cook for two minutes. Add the red pepper, broccoli, and mushrooms and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional five minutes. Vegetables should be barely tender.
Whisk the sauce and pour over vegetables. Add browned tofu to the pan and cook all, stirring constantly, another two to three minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and the sauce has thickened slightly.
Serve over the green tea-infused jasmine rice. Makes six average or four large servings.
Recipe inspired by Jamie of “Love Bakes Good Cakes” and adapted by Esther Oertel.
Esther Oertel is a writer and passionate home cook from a family of chefs. She grew up in a restaurant, where she began creating recipes from a young age. She’s taught culinary classes in a variety of venues in Lake County and previously wrote “The Veggie Girl” column for Lake County News. Most recently she’s taught culinary classes at Sur La Table in Santa Rosa. She lives in Middletown.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – During its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23, the Lake County Board of Supervisors will read a Proclamation, “Promoting Tolerance, Respect, Equity and Inclusion in Lake County.”
The proclamation is timed for 11 a.m.
The presentation will be broadcast live on the county of Lake’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
Members of the public interested in commenting on this item are encouraged to participate via Zoom. The link and other details are available at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Tuesday’s proclamation was proposed as one of numerous actions in response to the widely publicized and horrific deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020.
An effort to form a local response self-organized into a group called A Community Call to Action: A loving response to systemic racism in America, or CCA. The group met monthly and meetings included a series of guest speakers, prioritization of areas for response and learning more about efforts in other communities across the nation.
The final proclamation is the result of a collaborative effort that began with a survey of CCA participants. The language was then refined through feedback from various community members, including members of the Board of Supervisors and county staff.
This historic proclamation notes in part: the duties, protections and laws of varying levels of government; the acknowledgment that protections are not afforded everyone equally; and a declaration that now is the time to answer these calls of reckoning together as a community.
Also included in the proclamation is an action commitment by the Board of Supervisors to host a community visioning session with the intention of developing recommendations for various related issues, including: meaningful actions and activities that foster tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion; and directing resources toward underlying causes and conditions that lead to inequitable distribution of resources and carriage of justice.
“Each one of us can contribute to ushering in the tolerant, respectful, equitable and inclusive Lake County we wish to see,” said District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott. “Showing up, and voicing your support for Tuesday’s proclamation is a great way to start.”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has five dogs waiting to be adopted this week.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of border collie, pit bull and Rottweiler.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
“Jack” is a young male Rottweiler mix in kennel No. 22, ID No. 14328. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Jack’
“Jack” is a young male Rottweiler mix.
He has a short red and black coat and a docked tail.
He is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 14328.
This male border collie mix is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 14355. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Border collie mix
This male border collie mix has a medium-length black coat with white markings.
He is in kennel No. 25, ID No. 14355.
This male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 14339. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull terrier
This male pit bull terrier has a short brindle and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 14339.
“Sargent Chunk” is a young male Rottweiler in kennel No. 28, ID No. 14303. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Sargent Chunk’
“Sargent Chunk” is a young male Rottweiler with a short red and black coat.
He is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 14303.
This male pit bull terrier mix is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 14338. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male pit bull terrier
This male pit bull terrier mix has a short black and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 14338.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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