Hilda Solis, Chair of the LA County Board of Supervisors, recently wrote a letter to President Joe Biden, congratulating him on his presidency, noting that “The days area already full of so much more hope for our better future ahead.” But the crux of the letter was to detail the coronavirus problem in the county.
“Since December 14, 2020, when we got our first shipment, we have received 853,650 does. However, we have over 10 million residents,” Solis wrote.
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the only way we will start to rebuild the overwhelming economic and personal losses felt by so many in Los Angeles County,” the letter said, noting that six mega-vaccine sites have been set up along with hundreds of smaller sites.
Solis mentioned the newest site in a Feb. 3 statement to the media:
“We are grateful to President Biden and Governor Newsom for marshaling federal and state resources to significantly increase our ability to vaccinate our residents in Los Angeles County. Our County and in particular our Latinx residents have been absolutely devastated by COVID-19. Establishing this large scale federal-state community vaccination center on the Cal State LA campus, in the heart of Los Angeles County and in a hard-hit community, is a welcome signal that we are ramping up at the federal, state and local level with the practical, boots-on-the-ground solutions we need to put an end to this deadly pandemic.”
“The COVID-19 vaccine is the only way we will start to rebuild the overwhelming economic and personal losses that so many of our residents have experienced during this crisis. By augmenting our five, large County-run sites and network of nearly 300 vaccination locations across the County, this new federal-state community vaccination center will increase capacity by thousands of vaccinations a day. We are also appreciative for the two mobile units that will be deployed – which can integrate with our public health teams to reach vulnerable residents throughout the County.
“I’d like to recognize Cal State LA, a long-standing institution in the First Supervisorial District, which has been such an important partner during this pandemic, serving as a testing site and a food distribution location and now stepping up to serve as a large vaccination center. It is this kind of civic-minded partnership that really makes a difference to our residents during this difficult period.
“Real solutions are in place, and hope is at hand.
“We must continue to work together to urgently increase our supply of vaccines and ensure that our most heavily impacted communities have access to live-saving vaccinations.
“That’s why I am also asking the Board of Supervisors at our meeting Tuesday to approve my plan to partner with transit agencies and also use the County’s own bus system to ensure our transit-dependent residents can fully access the vaccination sites, even if they do not have a car. I will continue to insist on equity in everything we do. The pandemic did not affect all equally, so the solutions must be targeted to those who need it most urgently—that is exactly what the President’s announcement today entails.
“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors, I once again thank President Biden and Governor Newsom for being our indispensable partners on this journey.”
