Solano Supervisor Monica Brown – update on vaccines and more

[Editor: I highly recommend Supervisor Brown’s newsletter.  Go to solanocounty.com/depts/bos/members/brown/default.asp and click at top right on “Get e-mail updates when this information changes.”  – R.S.]

February 11, 2021

SUPERVISOR MONICA BROWN CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 42

Hello Benicia, Fairfield, and Vallejo,

Welcome to my most recent coronavirus update. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at mebrown@solanocounty.com or at 707-784-3031.

VACCINES

I know the vaccines are important to everyone. We have, as of February 8th, vaccinated 35,500 people in Solano County. We have had mass vaccination events in Vallejo and Benicia and are planning on more. The subject of vaccinating teachers to allow reopening schools is something I have received many emails about. I wrote a letter to the Governor asking that teachers be vaccinated with all deliberate speed.

I also requested that our school districts be given funding to operate a voluntary summer school program. I believe this is necessary to offer an opportunity to make up for lost time in the classroom. The Fairfield-Suisun School District has informed my office they are planning a summer school program.

I know we all want the vaccine rollout to move faster, but the hard truth continues to be that we simply do not have enough vaccines for all those eligible to receive the vaccine. We will hopefully be able to open vaccine eligibility to those 65 and over in the next couple of weeks. Please remember that eligibility for the vaccine does not necessarily equate to availability of the vaccine. Availability continues to be constrained by our supply.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will hopefully be approved soon on an emergency basis. Since this vaccine will only require one dose, its approval will dramatically increase the nation’s capacity to vaccinate. Also, the production of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines is also expected to increase.

The state has vaccinated about 10% of our population. Solano is at about 8%. I encourage everyone to sign up for the vaccine interest form. This list is where the county will pull names from when we have mass vaccination clinics.

CVS is offering vaccinations to those eligible and lists Vallejo as a participating pharmacy. Although the Vallejo site is listed as full at this time, please keep checking back here to see if they have availability. https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine

This weekend (Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th), the county will have a vaccination site at the fairgrounds. While the appointments have probably filled up by now, you can call or fill out the form to see if there is still availability.

For more information about vaccine numbers, tiers, signing up for the interest form, or seeing if there is still space this weekend, please visit: https://solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus_links/covid_19_vaccines.asp

COVID NUMBERS

While our coronavirus numbers are still too high, we have seen much improvement from the holiday surges. We will see in the next week or two whether we will have a surge from Super Bowl gatherings. For more information about our numbers and other coronavirus information, please visit: https://solanocounty.com/depts/ph/coronavirus.asp

EVICTION PROTECTIONS

I want to remind everyone that Solano County’s eviction protections extend until 90 days after the state lifts the emergency order. Evictions cannot happen until 90 days after the state order is lifted in Solano County.

The county has approved a plan to administer the funds we received for rental assistance at the February 9th Board meeting. We will be looking for an administrator to oversee the distribution of the funds. Once we have the administrator and the application process, I will be providing that information in an update.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH RESOLUTION

On Tuesday February 9th, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution recognizing February as Black History Month.

BENICIA CITY CEMETERY

The Benicia City Cemetery has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This honor recognizes Benicia’s historic character.

FAIRFIELD GENERAL PLAN UPDATE

The city of Fairfield is updating the General Plan. This will govern development in the city for decades to come. There will be zoom community workshops tonight (Thursday February 11th) at 6pm and Saturday Feb. 13th at 10am. For more information, please visit: https://www.fairfieldforward.com/

VALLEJO NATIVE PERFORMS AT SUPERBOLW

Vallejo native H.E.R. performed “America the Beautiful” at the Super Bowl. This was a major accomplishment. Solano County, and Vallejo specifically, is extremely proud. https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2021/02/08/photo-vallejos-h-e-r-performs-at-super-bowl/

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

As Valentine’s day approaches, please consider supporting our local businesses if you plan on doing something special.

Sailor Jack’s in downtown Benicia has outdoor dining and a wonderful menu. Bookshop Benicia on First Street has an excellent collection for that perfect gift.  The Napa Deli in Fairfield has a fine selection of foods available. Liled’s candy shop in Vallejo has amazing ice cream and incredibly tasty chocolates. Liled’s is located at 1318 Tennessee St in Vallejo. Liled’s has been in Vallejo since 1936 and is a local treasure.

Our local businesses are essential to our community and they need our support now more than ever.

The above businesses are examples of local businesses. There are many local businesses in Benicia, Fairfield, and Vallejo that need our support. For more information about local businesses for your special Valentine’s day treat, here are some links:

Thank you for reading my most recent update. Please continue to wear your masks, socially distance, follow all health guidelines, and spread kindness in our community.

Sincerely,

Monica Brown,
Solano County Supervisor, District 2

First elected in 2016, Monica represents District 2 on the Solano County Board of Supervisors. District 2 encompasses the city of Benicia, the portion of Vallejo south of Georgia Street, Mare Island, Cordelia, Green Valley and a portion of Fairfield.