Newsom visits Vaccination Superstation

Gov. Gavin Newsom was in San Diego on Feb. 8 to tour the County’s COVID-19 Vaccination Super Station at Petco Park. The site was the first of its kind in the state and the governor lauded the County and its partners for their efforts in vaccinating more than 100,000 San Diegans at the site since it opened last month.

The governor said the Vaccination Super Station at Petco Park helped inspire jurisdictions across the state to initiate similar large-scale vaccination efforts.

Locally, the County has added three additional Vaccination Super Stations and more than a dozen vaccine PODS since Petco Park became operational as a vaccination site. Together, medical professionals at these sites have administered about a half million COVID-19 vaccines to San Diegans eligible to be vaccinated.

The operation in the Tailgate Lot at Petco Park is the result of a partnership between the County, UC San Diego Health, the San Diego Padres and the City of San Diego which owns the property. Speakers from all entities attended a press conference this morning to join the governor in talking about the region’s vaccination efforts.

Speakers included Newsom, County Board of Supervisors Chair Nathan Fletcher; Mayor Todd Gloria; Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H.; County public health officer; and Erik Greupner, CEO, San Diego Padres.

Supes call for $30 million for small businesses

Supervisors Terra Lawson-Remer and Joel Anderson held a press conference on Feb. 8 calling for the County to be prepared to implement $30 million in support for small business stimulus relief as soon as federal or state stimulus dollars are received.

“While Supervisor Lawson-Remer and I have different political philosophies and represent vastly different districts, we share the common goal of helping the tens of thousands of our fellow residents that are hurting,” said Supervisor Anderson. “Business owners are struggling to keep their doors open and their employees working. While this $30 million stimulus won’t solve all the problems, this is another step towards a better future, and I am committed to working together for common solutions that lift everyone in our community.”

“Our message to San Diego County’s small businesses is clear: we hear you, we’re with you, and more help is on the way,” said Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer.

Joining Supervisors Lawson-Remer and Anderson were Joe Paraiso, owner of Brew Coffee Sport in La Mesa, as well as Fernando Hoyos, owner of Club Pilates in Poway. Both hard-working business owners outlined how COVID has adversely affected their business and expressed their support for the Supervisors’ efforts to have additional stimulus grants available for San Diego’s qualified businesses.

“We’re thankful that there are people in our local government that are doing their best to help us, and we are truly appreciative,” said Mr. Paraiso. “Any help we can get would definitely allow us to stay in business.”

The bipartisan effort to further support the region’s economy is dependent upon Congress passing a federal stimulus package, as well as the Board approving a joint Board Letter being offered by Supervisors Lawson-Remer and Anderson tomorrow to prepare for the federal support.

State issues $45.5 million in rent relief for San Diego

On the heels of announcing federal rental assistance in late January, Mayor Todd Gloria announced on Feb. 5 that the state will provide more than $45.5 million in assistance for San Diego residents unable to pay rent due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Together, this week’s funding and the direct federal funding announced previously amounts to nearly $87.9 million in relief for families and individuals who’ve been devastated financially by the pandemic. This is on top of $13.75 million in emergency rental assistance that helped 3,717 San Diego households in 2020.

“Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tem Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and the California Legislature really came through for tenants and landlords in our city and across California who have had an incredibly hard time throughout this crisis,” Gloria said. “I will work to get these rent relief dollars out for the benefit of our renters as soon as possible.”

The funding comes as part of Senate Bill 91, which distributes to local agencies funds the state received from the federal government. SB 91 also extended a statewide moratorium on evictions of residential tenants unable to pay rent due to the effects of COVID-19. The moratorium is now effective through June 30.

On Jan. 26, the San Diego City Council approved Gloria’s proposal to extend pandemic-related ban on both residential and commercial evictions. The state’s law supersedes San Diego’s residential eviction moratorium. Because San Diego’s moratorium on residential evictions will last until 60 days after the City’s emergency declaration is lifted, it will become effective on July 1 if the City is still under a state of emergency.

The state legislation does not protect commercial tenants. San Diego’s ban on commercial evictions will last until June 30, or 60 days after the City’s emergency declaration is lifted, whichever comes first.

Gloria announced on Jan. 21 that the City had received more than $42.3 million in direct federal funding for rent and utility payment assistance.

An online portal is available now on the San Diego Housing Commission’s website for city residents interested in receiving information about the application process for the upcoming program. Those interested should visit bit.ly/3p8Hwgf

Signing up to receive information is not an application for the program and will not affect any determinations of eligibility for the program.

Vaccination station needs volunteers

UC San Diego Health is partnering with San Diego County and the San Diego Padres to operate the Vaccination Super Station near Petco Park. The partnership welcomes community support and volunteers. Details on the types of volunteers that are currently needed can be found at www.health.ucsd.edu/vaccine-volunteer.

Volunteer roles include:

• Licensed medical professionals who can perform vaccinations
• Administrative professionals familiar with EPIC and patient check-in
• Non-medical professionals who can assist with observing patients, answering general questions, restocking supplies, and other operational duties Shift times will vary, but in general, we will be asking for an 8-hour commitment per shift. Please note: Minimum age to volunteer is 18. UC San Diego Health Volunteer Services will perform a background check and verify medical certification, if applicable. Volunteers will also need to review and sign a form attesting that they are in good health without COVID-19 symptoms. A COVID-19 vaccination is not required. For more information and to register, go to www.health.ucsd.edu/vaccine-volunteer.