February 2021 Newsletter

Greetings!

The month of February brings several celebrations – Presidents’ Day, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday this year, and of course Valentine’s Day. So it is fitting that San Mateo County has now moved to the Red Tier, after being in the Purple Tier for a long time. This is good news – perhaps great news – as we make progress towards a time where we can once again go back to normal.

This newsletter features just what it means for us to be in the “Red”, as well as an update on the vaccination rollout, and an introduction to the County’s new Chief Equity Officer.

I hope you enjoy – and please share!

Best,
Warren Slocum
WE'RE IN THE RED (TIER)!
For months now, as COVID-19 cases surged, San Mateo County has either been in the Purple Tier or been part of the statewide stay-at-home orders. Now, all of that has changed. This week, our County has entered the Red Tier because our COVID-19 positivity rate and case rate has significantly decreased – and that is very positive news!

What does this mean? Finally – after many months – restaurants can open for indoor dining at a maximum of 25% capacity. Also, retail and shopping centers can increase their indoor capacity to 50%; and museums, places of worship and indoor movie theaters are all allowed indoors with 25% capacity.

So, please support our small businesses under this new tier. But also stay diligent and continue to follow safety guidelines including social distancing, wearing your mask, quarantine if you have been exposed to the coronavirus, and get tested! Let’s keep this trend going so we can have more reopenings and return to normal!
SFO & VACCINATIONS FOR
SAN MATEO COUNTY RESIDENTS
Last week, I was among the thousands of eligible San Mateo County residents who received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the largest mass vaccination site between San Francisco and the South Bay – in the long-term parking garage at San Francisco International Airport. I’m happy to report that the process was well-organized, efficient, and pain-free.

What’s extraordinary is that with the work of 160 volunteers, this site was able to vaccinate some 3500 adults 65+ each day. These eligible residents were served regardless of their health care or insurance provider. We believe that SFO’s garage is now suitable as a future mass-vaccination site. 

This week – the County also started vaccinating those who are eligible in Phase 1(b) – teachers, education workforce and child care providers, first responders and food and agricultural workers, as supply allows.

We know that the COVID-19 vaccine supply still remains limited, particularly after the weather events across the country last week, but I encourage you to sign up for the County’s notification tool to receive notification when the state makes you eligible and information about how you make an appointment.

And remember - if you live or work here in San Mateo County and have questions regarding the vaccine rollout, email CovidVax@smcgov.org for answers in English and Spanish!

Finally – my office sponsored a Facebook Live event this week in Spanish: “COVID19 Vaccine: All the Facts You Need to Know”. You can watch it here
MEET OUR NEW CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER:
SHIREEN MALEKAFZALI
In January 2020, as I began my year as President of the Board, I set my priority and focus on equity – to filter all County activities through the lens of equity. Given all that 2020 illustrated to us, this work is timely and important for this moment. And as part of this paradigm shift, the County has hired our first Chief Equity Officer, Shireen Malekafzali.

This work is not new to Shireen – she has been doing it even before the importance of looking at the way government works through an equity lens was highlighted. Prior to serving in this position (which she will start in late March), Shireen was Health Equity Officer and Senior Manager for Health Policy, Planning and Equity for the Health Department. She brings over 20 years of experience advancing health and equity through multi-field partnerships, community leadership, policy advocacy, grant-making and research. She will help lead our County, looking at our processes through the lens of equity.

So – let’s welcome Shireen to her new position – as our first Chief Equity Officer – and in the words of the late Congressman John Lewis, watch her make some “good trouble”!
NORTH FAIR OAKS LIBRARY TRANSFER
The Fair Oaks Library has always been a jewel for our community – and now, with its transfer to the San Mateo County Library System – this will be even more true for families in North Fair Oaks and the nearby neighborhoods of Friendly Acres, Redwood Oaks and Redwood Village.

Beginning March 15, San Mateo County Libraries will assume operational responsibility for the Fair Oaks Branch Library from the City of Redwood City – and this move will increase hours of operation to the public and the expansion of programs. Soon, when libraries can reopen to the public, this library will be in operation 60 hours a week, an additional 10 hours from prior to the transfer. During the pandemic, curbside services will begin on Tuesday, March 16 and continue weekly Tuesday through Saturday, 11AM-4PM. Visit www.smcl.org/curbsideservices for more information or contact the Library’s Customer Care Team by calling 1-833-YES-SMCL (1-833-937-7625), texting at (650) 851-0147, or emailing through our Get in Touch form
RED TIER: SCHOOL REOPENINGS 
With the County’s move into the Red Tier, all schools with approved plans can now begin to reopen for in-person instruction in a phased-in approach. According to the San Mateo County Office of Education, schools serving students in grades 7-12 can open as early as Wednesday, February 24, as long as their COVID-19 Safety Plan is approved and has been posted on their website homepage for at least five days prior to providing in-person instruction. Schools have a three-week period to open, even if the county moves back to the Purple Tier during that time, to allow for a calm and safe return to campus. Schools are asked to prioritize students with the most urgent needs. For more information, click here.
This month brought positive moves to begin the recovery from this pandemic. But it’s still so important to follow safety protocols as we continue getting our community vaccinated. Remember to stay home, 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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