All posts by Roger Straw

Editor, owner, publisher of The Benicia Independent
Coronavirus, Covid 19, Solano County CA

COVID kills two more in Solano County, one 18-49 years and another over 65

[Source: Solano County Coronavirus Dashboard.  For a complete archive of day by day data, see my Excel ARCHIVE.]

Monday, October 26: 98 new cases over the weekend, 2 new deaths, no new hospitalizations.  Since the outbreak began: 7,384 cases, 423 hospitalized, 76 deaths.Compare previous report, Friday, Oct. 23:Summary

  • Solano County reported 98 new cases over the weekend, total of 7,384 cases since the outbreak started.
  • Deaths – 2 new deaths today, one in the 18-49 age group and one in the 65+ age group.  Total of 76 Solano deaths since the pandemic began.
  • Active cases – Solano reported 43 fewer ACTIVE cases today, total of 263.  Over the previous two weeks, Solano reported over 300 active cases for the first time since September 4.  Note that only 25 of these 263 people are hospitalized, so there are a lot of infected folks out among us, hopefully quarantined.  Is the County equipped to contact trace so many infected persons?  Who knows?  To my knowledge, Solano County has offered no reports on contact tracing.
  • Hospitalizations – Solano reported the number of currently hospitalized persons rose by 8 over the weekend (!), total of 25.  Total hospitalized remained inexplicably at 423 today.  For manual calculation of total, see age group stats below.
  • ICU Beds – despite the reported increase in current hospitalizations, the County reported a sharp increase in ICU beds available today, up from 35% to 57%.  I have no idea how this is possible!  And I wish we had better reporting for you, but this seems all we have….  (Still no information about availability of ventilators.)
  • Testing – The County reports today that 1,707 more residents were tested over the weekend, new total of 102,933.  We still have a long way to go; only 23% of Solano County’s 447,643 residents (2019) have been tested.  (And even less, considering that some individuals have been tested more than once.)

Positive Test Rate

Solano County reported today that our 7-day average test rate fell today from 5.2% to 5.0%.  Average percent positive test rates are among the best metrics for measuring the spread of the virus.  The much more stable California 7-day test rate has been on the rise lately, rising today, from 2.9% to 3.2%.  (Note that Solano County displays past weeks and months in a 7-day test positivity line graph which also shows daily results.  However, the chart does not display an accurate number of cases for the most recent days, as there is a lag time in receiving test results.  The 7-day curve also lags behind current unknown results.) 

By Age Group

  • Youth 17 and under – 10 new cases over the weekend, total of 840 cases, representing 11.4% of the 7,384 total cases.  No new hospitalizations were reported among this age group today.  Thankfully, no deaths have ever been reported in Solano County in this age group.  But cases among Solano youth rose steadily over the summer, from 5.6% of total cases on June 8 to 11% on August 31 and has plateaued just over 11% since September 30, increasing to 11.4% for the first time last week.  Youth are 22% of Solano’s general population, so this 11.x% may seem low.  The significance is this: 1) youth numbers increased steadily and at a faster rate than the other age groups, and 2) youth are SERIOUSLY NOT IMMUNE (!) – in fact 7 youth have now been hospitalized.
  • Persons 18-49 years of age – 53 new cases over the weekend, total of 4,380 cases. This age group is 41% of the population in Solano, but represents just under 60% of the total cases, by far the highest percentage of all age groups.  The County reported no new hospitalizations in this age group today, total of 136 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  The County reported 1 new death in this young group today, total of 6 deaths.  Some in this group are surely ignoring public health orders, and many are providing essential services among us.  I expect this group is a major factor in the spread of the virus.
  • Persons 50-64 years of age – 24 new cases over the weekend, total of 1,422 cases.  This age group represents over 19% of the 7,384 total cases.  No new hospitalizations reported today, total of 116 hospitalized since the outbreak began.  No new deaths in this age group today, a total of 15 deaths.
  • Persons 65 years or older – 11 new cases today, total of 740, representing 10% of Solano’s 7,384 total cases.  No new hospitalizations were reported today, total of 164.  In this older age group, 22.5% of cases required hospitalization at one time.  The County reported 1 new death in this age group today, total of 55 of our elders who died of COVID.  This group accounts for 55 of the 76 total deaths, or 72%.

City Data

  • Benicia added 1 new case today, total of 187 cases since the outbreak began.
  • Dixon added 9 new cases today, total of 475 cases.
  • Fairfield added 21 new cases today, total of 2,385 cases.
  • Rio Vista added 1 new case today, total of 58 cases.
  • Suisun City added 9 new cases today, total of 541 cases.
  • Vacaville added 30 new cases today, total of 1,314 cases.
  • Vallejo added 27 new cases today, total of 2,401 cases.
  • Unincorporated areas remained steady today, total of 23 cases.

Race / Ethnicity

The County report on race / ethnicity includes case numbers, hospitalizations, deaths and Solano population statistics.  This information is discouragingly similar to national reports that indicate significantly worse outcomes among black and brown Americans.  Note that all of this data surely undercounts Latinx Americans, as there is a large group of “Multirace / Others” which likely is composed mostly of Latinx members of our communities.

  • Asian Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 10% of cases, 11% of hospitalizations, and 20% of deaths.
  • Black Americans are 14% of Solano’s population, and account for 11% of cases, but 18% of hospitalizations, and 25% of deaths.
  • Latinx Americans are 26% of Solano’s population, but account for 28% of cases, 29% of hospitalizations, and 17% of deaths.
  • White Americans are 39% of the population in Solano County, but only account for 22% of cases, 26% of hospitalizations and 29% of deaths.

More…

The County’s new and improved Coronavirus Dashboard is full of much more information, too extensive to cover here on a daily basis.  The Benicia Independent will continue to summarize daily and highlight a report or two.  Check out the Dashboard at https://doitgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=055f81e9fe154da5860257e3f2489d67.

#VOTE, 2020 elections, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Steve Young

Steve Young: It is time to make a Choice

Email from Steve Young, October 26, 2020

Dear (Name);

As this campaign draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to those who have stood with me and supported me through what has been a very difficult period.

No one likes to be attacked so mercilessly. It bothered me to be accused of “living off the taxpayers” because I have a pension; or to have my $379 monthly stipend and health care benefits described as “taking thousands of dollars a month from the City” in an effort to attack my integrity and character. But, I realize that seeking elected office in a small community means having to put myself out there and expose myself to all forms of public scrutiny, real or imagined.

As challenging as running for office can be, the real work begins when I take office, assuming I win on November 3rd.  In order to accomplish the things that need to be done, there will need to be compromises on the part of the Council. The Mayor’s powers are limited and it will still take three votes for us to effect change or enact solutions. I commit to work with the entire Council regardless of past disagreements or oppositions in order to move our City forward.

Throughout my campaign, I’ve made a variety of pledges to the people of Benicia. I will carry those pledges with me into the Mayor’s office. To recap, I pledge to:

    • Maintain as much transparency as possible.
    • Stay active on social media as a means to stay in touch with my constituents.
    • Respect the outcome of Measure D and honor the people’s vote
    • Refuse to accept corporate or union contributions.

I intend to be a conscientious Mayor for all Benicians; representing seniors, families, youth, longtime residents, and new arrivals. And in spite of their determination to defeat me, I will do my part to repair the discord with Valero and request their leadership meet with me on a monthly basis to improve our understanding and communication.

We have many challenges in front of us: economic recovery from the pandemic for both businesses and residents; improving efficiencies at City Hall; and dealing with our underfunded pensions, roads and utility infrastructure.

None of this will be easy. But all of it is necessary.

I ask for your vote and help, elect me as your next mayor on or before November 3rd.

Stay healthy, Benicia.

Steve Young for Mayor of Benicia
Website SteveYoungforMayor.org
Facebook @SteveYoungforMayor2020
YouTube @SteveYoungforMayor2020
Instagram SteveYoungforMayor

#VOTE, 2020 elections, 2020 Presidential campaigns, Benicia, Benicia elections, Solano County CA, Solano County Registrar of Voters

In Benicia and Solano County new voters can REGISTER TO VOTE now or anytime, even at your polling place on Nov. 3

From “City of Benicia This Week” newsletter, October 26, 2020

Latest info from Solano County Registrar of Voters

The Solano County Registrar of Voters (ROV) is reminding residents that Tuesday, October 27 is the last day the ROV can mail ballots to voters for the November 3 General Election. Voters who have not yet received a ballot for this election should contact the ROV by or before Tuesday.

“Starting back on Monday, October 5, we’ve been busy mailing out ballots to the more than 258,000 registered voters here in Solano County,” said Tim Flanagan, Solano County Chief Information Officer and Registrar of Voters. “I want to remind everyone that after next Tuesday, October 27, all ballots must be picked up in-person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at a polling place on Election Day.”

The ROV has extended its office hours on Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, October 31 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. to give voters additional time to register to vote. Voters who are still not registered by Election Day can visit any polling location for same-day registration, giving them the option to participate in the General Election.

The ROV encourages voters to take advantage of NO-CONTACT VOTING OPTIONS by using one of 16 secure ballot boxes located throughout the County. Starting on Thursday, October 29, an additional 10 curbside ballot drop-off locations will open, allowing voters a convenient and safe way to drop off their ballots. For more information, including ballot box and curbside drop-off locations, visit the ROV website at www.SolanoCounty.com/Elections and click the “Ballot Drop-Off Sites” and Curbside Drop-Off Sites links.

Early Voting is available at the Registrar of Voter’s Office, located at the Solano County Administration Center, 675 Texas St, Suite 2600, in Fairfield.

Details on voting options, polling locations and key election dates are all available on the Registrar of Voter’s website, www.SolanoCounty.com/Elections, by email at Elections@SolanoCounty.com and by phone at 707.784.6675.

2020 elections, Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Benicia Open Government Commission, Local elections, Negative ads, Negative campaigning, Take Action, Valero Benicia Refinery, Valero PAC

Benicia Final Forum – Candidates to discuss negative campaigning on Saturday, Oct. 31, 10am

By Roger Straw, October 25, 2020

Send your questions to the candidates now!

Important for readers of the Benicia Independent: The deadline to submit your questions to candidates on the Valero PAC’s attempt to buy our Mayor’s seat and other “hit pieces” is close of business (5pm) on Thursday, October 29.  Send by email to Benicia’s City Attorney Benjamin Stock, at bstock@ci.benicia.ca.us.
City of Benicia announcement on Nextdoor, October 24, 2020
City of Benicia Communications
Office of Economic Development, Teri Davena

Candidates’ Forum Scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 10 a.m.

Candidates for the Benicia City Council will have the opportunity to participate in a Candidates’ Forum on Saturday, October 31 at 10 a.m.

All candidates running for Council Member and Mayor in the November 3 election have been invited to attend.

The forum, sponsored by the City of Benicia Open Government Commission, will be broadcasted live on Zoom and on local government Channel 27.

At the forum, voters will have an opportunity to hear candidates discuss any ‘hit pieces’ distributed before the election.

Members of the public are encouraged to send questions relating to ‘hit pieces’ for candidates to answer at the forum to the City Attorney Benjamin Stock, at bstock@ci.benicia.ca.us by close of business on Thursday, October 29.

Please note that the candidates’ forum may be canceled by unanimous decision of the candidates.