Michelle Steel will be retiring from her seat on the Orange County Board of Supervisors on January 3^rd to take office as the Representative for California’s 48^th Congressional District. In her tenure representing the 2^nd district at the Board of Supervisors, Chairwoman Steel has faced a number of challenges and implemented measures to better the lives of the people of the Orange County. The following is a farewell statement from Chairwoman Steel:   

It has been an honor to serve the people of the Second District for the last 6 years on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. In that time, I have had the privilege of serving as Chairwoman in 2017 and 2020. In my six years on the board, I have been faced with many challenges and have always looked to seek solutions for the people of Orange County.   

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic was likely the biggest challenge I had to face during my time on the board, but my colleagues and I realized the severity of this crisis early and declared a state of emergency in February, before the state did. We quickly and effectively distributed CARES Act funding to cities so that small businesses could be assisted and worked closely with the Orange County Health Care Agency to make sure that Orange County’s healthcare system had everything it needed to face the health crisis. I am proud to know that in my last weeks as Chairwoman, the first COVID-19 vaccines were distributed to Orange County’s frontline healthcare workers.    

I have been dedicated to easing the burden for taxpayers, especially since we live in such a high tax state. One of my proudest moments was introducing a County charter amendment that would require a two thirds majority for any future special tax proposals.    

Modernization of our infrastructure was also a top priority of mine. In my first year on the board, I was happy that my colleagues joined me in expanding the permit process to allow ridesharing services like Uber, Lyft and Wingz to operate at John Wayne Airport, offering passengers more free market options.    

Ensuring that our senior citizens are always well taken care of was another major issue I wanted to focus on. Among other measures, I joined my colleagues in implementing the Senior Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Program, which provides transpiration to senior citizens for medical appointments and other health related trips.    

I also made it a priority to address the homelessness crisis in Orange County and voted for homeless assistance centers, such as the Yale Transitional Center in Santa Ana and the Cameron Lane Navigation Center in Huntington Beach.   

During my time on the board, I have also stood by law enforcement and opposing legislation that harms the safety of our communities. I led the county’s opposition to SB54, California’s “Sanctuary” law, and proposed a resolution to direct county counsel to take legal action against the state.  During the anti-police riots in 2020, I introduced a law enforcement appreciation day and visited every police department in the second district to let them know that I stand with law enforcement, not violent looters.   

In the area of public health, I have always looked for ways to help the people of Orange County. One major accomplishment by the county that I was proud to be a part of was the Be Well OC mental services hub, which provides mental health support services to all Orange County residents.    

Veterans issues have also been a major priority of mine and I am proud to have been a part of expanding the Veteran’s Service Office, introduced the Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise and expanded the Veteran’s hiring preference policy, making Orange County the most veteran friendly hiring county in California.    

I want to thank my colleagues, all the county departments, federal, state and local partners and of course, my hardworking staff, who, without them, I would not have been able to accomplish as much as I did. Thank you for these 6 wonderful years. I will miss the Board of Supervisors dearly, but my advocacy for the people of Orange County will continue to be my top priority as a Congresswoman. I wish you all a very Happy New Year.  

I ask the residents and visitors of Orange County to please wear a face covering when you are in a public place and unable to properly social distance, as well as following hygiene and social distancing guidance. This is of the utmost importance to stop the spread of the virus.

We must also remember that we must protect public health while allowing people to go to work safely and responsibly, so they can pay their bills and feed their families. We don’t have to sacrifice public health for the economy, or vice versa, when we can focus on ensuring both are protected.

As Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, it is my number one priority to ensure the safety and security of the people of Orange County. This reckless order to release 50% of the jail population, over 1,800 inmates, onto the streets of Orange County, many of whom are pre-trial or have been convicted of violent crimes, threatens our safety and endangers our communities.

Orange County has been implementing proper safety measures to protect our inmates from the virus. Under Sheriff Barnes leadership, there have been zero deaths in OC jails and only three hospitalizations. This move is unnecessary and does more harm than good.

At the Tuesday December 8th board meeting, Michelle Steel, Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted alongside her colleagues to adopt the Healthy Communities Resolution, which recognizes that California is geographically diverse and ill-suited to region-wide restrictions and that Orange County is best suited to respond locally to the COVID-19 virus. 

The resolution would also commit to the principle that school districts be able to safely open and that in person instruction be allowed to the greatest extent possible without further delay.

“Governor Newsom keeps moving the goalpost. The lumping of more than 22 million people out of the state’s population of 40 million in one region, from San Luis Obispo and Mono Counties in Central California down to the border makes no sense,” said Chairwoman Steel. “The Governor’s top down actions have been an inconsistent mess. He started with deaths and hospitalizations, then positivity rates, then moved the bar to the to the colored tier system, then added health equity and now another lockdown. These moves haven’t stopped the spread of the virus but have severely harmed families ability to make a living.”

“Young, healthy people need to go back to work while we take care of our vulnerable population,” added Chairwoman Steel. “Instead of these top-down orders, I support local control. We know our county better than the Governor. We must be able to protect the most vulnerable and keep residents safe, while also protecting residents’ ability to work and feed their families.”

Michelle Steel, Chairwoman of the ​Orange County Board of Supervisors, has provided the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s implementation of a new COVID-19 regional stay at home order on December 3rd:

Governor Newsom's lockdown order is not based on science, or any clear standards. Lumping together California's diverse Counties into five regions fails to account for differences in population, hospital capacity, and the rate of COVID-19 spread in each County. The Governor has been clamping down on our residents' ability to provide for themselves and their families for weeks, with no evidence it has slowed the spread. The evidence we have seen is more depression, more closed businesses, and less work for those who need it most. The Governor, and State health officials should focus on protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and stop these sweeping orders that harm all of us.

On the evening of December 1st, the City of Fountain Valley held their annual reorganization meeting. Staff was on hand along with Vice Chairman Supervisor Andrew Do, who shares the city with me, to congratulate outgoing Mayor Cheryl Brothers, as well as say goodbye to her and Councilman Steve Nagel after 14 and 11 years respectively on the City Council. Both of them were excellent leaders who did a great job on behalf of the residents.

We also welcomed to the Council recently elected Members Glen Grandis and Ted Bui.

On Tuesday December 8th, the City of Huntington Beach held their annual reorganization meeting. Staff was on hand via zoom in the adjoining room to congratulate outgoing Mayor Lyn Semeta as well as say goodbye to her, and Councilman Patrick Brenden, who both decided not to run again. Staff also said congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Jill Hardy, who termed out after a combined 16 years on the City Council. All of them were excellent leaders who did a great job on behalf of the residents.

I also want to welcome newly elected Council Members Kalmack, Mouser, and Ortiz, as well as congratulate both Mayor Kim Carr and Mayor Pro Tem Tito Ortiz on selection to their respective positions for 2021.

Congratulations to Sean Lipton-Smith on the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for his third location of Electric Bike Company, this one in the City of Costa Mesa. I’m proud to have all three in my Second District.

Staff was on hand to offer congratulatory remarks and present Sean with a certificate of recognition on my behalf.

I’m so grateful to have joined We Give Thanks, Inc., CAPOC/OC Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Waste Not OC to distribute thanksgiving meals this morning at the Honda Center. More than 7,000 cars will pass through for this much needed help for a Happy Thanksgiving!

"December 7th, 1941-A Day That will live in infamy-the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

These famous words by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the devastating attacks on Pearl Harbor 79 years ago continue to echo this day. We will never forget the 2,335 killed and 1,143 who were injured as well as the countless others who bravely attempted to fight off the unexpected assault by the military forces of the Empire of Japan.

Hanukkah, or the "festival of lights" which celebrates with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods for eight days.

Hanukkah commemorates the victory by the Jewish people over the Seleucids' attempts to force Greek culture on them and the reclamation of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Upon reclaiming the temple, and attempting to light the temple's Menorah, the victorious Jews found only a single cruse of olive oil. The one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days and to this day Jews all over the world commemorate this miraculous achievement by their people. I want to wish everyone a very Happy Hanukkah!

As we close in on the end of a very difficult year, we should still remember the many accomplishments we have made as a community. With Christmas and the New Year just around the corner, it is a time to rejoice and spend time with our loved ones. 

This year has been challenging for the 2nd District, but with every challenge, there is always a solution. I am so blessed to have had the privilege of representing the great people of the 2nd District, and while I will be moving on from the Board of Supervisors to serve in Congress, I will always cherish the 6 years that I have had the honor of serving in this position. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sunday, December 14th was the 384th anniversary of the United States National Guard.

To all the men and women who have served in the Army and Air National Guard to defend our nation, thank you for your continued dedication to the safety and security of the people of the United States.

December 15th is the 229th anniversary of the ratification of the United States Bill of Rights. Our Founders fought a bloody war of independence to guarantee the rights that we have to this day. Those God-Given rights are enshrined in this document and we must never forget or take for grant all that was sacrificed to forge the great nation that we live in today. 

On December 1st, OC Public Libraries launched a second WiFi on Wheels vehicle, part of the Internet Access Initiative: Bridging the Digital Divide. The WiFi on Wheels vehicle are now operating in five new locations, two servicing the residents of the Second District.

Now more than ever, Operation Santa Claus and Senior Santa and Friends is looking to our local volunteers and donors to help make the holidays special and hopeful for Orange County children, elderly and disabled adults.

In past years we have seen an amazing outpouring of support from County staff and from the community to bring joy to our vulnerable populations during the holidays. We are hopeful the same tradition of giving will continue this season.

To donate online to Operation Santa Claus, please visit: http://ssa.ocgov.com/ssa_volunteer/donations/osc_donation

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has launched phase 2 of its at-home, saliva-based COVID-19 testing program with Ambry Genetics for all Orange County residents. 

County of Orange health officials were notified by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on December 1, 2020 that the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) should make preparations to receive 25,350 doses of Pfizer-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine on December 15, 2020. The HCA will distribute this initial supply to Orange County (OC) hospitals for prioritization of their high-risk health care workers as part of Phase 1a of a multi-phased plan developed through the CDPH Community Vaccine Advisory Committee. 

“COVID-19 isn’t over yet,” said Chairwoman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors Michelle Steel, Second District, “but this first batch of vaccines will help stop the spread of the virus.”

Though Phase 1a prioritizes health care workers, local hospitals will need to determine which segments of their employee population are at higher risk for contracting the virus due to this limited quantity. This may include those who work in emergency departments or intensive care units. The HCA will provide the first shipment to Orange County (OC) hospitals that are prepared and ready to administer the vaccines. 

“The vaccines are pivotal in our efforts to defeat COVID-19,” said Vice Chairman Andrew Do, First District. “Healthcare professionals, being on the frontline caring for the sick, will receive the first round of the vaccines. Further distribution, as directed by the State, will be by priorities based on risk, role, and equity. We will also work with local hospitals and clinics to distribute the vaccines to the general public.”

The HCA is currently assessing readiness, which includes enrollment in the State of California’s COVIDReadi system and ability to safely store, transport and administer the vaccines in compliance with the vaccine manufacturer’s recommendations. Additionally, hospitals must attest that they have a plan to distribute all vaccine doses within 5 days of receipt.

“It is important the public stay informed to make the right decision,” said Supervisor Don Wagner, Third District. “With education, we hope to give our community all the resources they need to move forward in fighting COVID-19.”

This first shipment is one of several in a planned allotment of Phase 1a doses from the CDPH if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves an Emergency Use Authorization for the vaccines. The additional doses, which are expected to be a combination of Pfizer and Moderna-manufactured vaccines, are slated to arrive by the end of the month if this approval is granted.

“The first phase of vaccine distribution will protect our healthcare workers, so they may safely care for others,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee, Fourth District.

As more doses of vaccine become available, a greater portion of the Phase 1a population can anticipate vaccine availability in late December into early 2021. This includes residents of long-term care facilities, which includes skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, who will coordinate obtaining doses through national retail pharmacies being supplied by the CDC. COVID-19 vaccine is likely to become more readily accessible to the general public in the spring of 2021.

“Our goal is to get the vaccine distributed to local hospitals, in accordance with State directives, as quickly as possible,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District. “Distribution of the vaccine is going to require significant coordination with our hospitals in terms of logistics, and I am pleased to see that efforts are already underway to ensure a smooth and secure distribution process.” 

• For more information, please visit CovidVaccineFacts.com. 
• To view the CDPH Community Vaccine Advisory Committee’s Phase 1a Guidelines for California Local Health Departments, please visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Community-Vaccine-Advisory-Committee-presentation_11-30-2020v6.pdf. 

The OC Health Care Agency will deploy mobile field hospitals (MFHs) to local hospitals this week to support the Orange County (OC) health care system as it responds to a surge in COVID-19 patients. OC hospitals may receive emergency waivers from the California Department of Public Health to request the use of the MFH facilities. 

As posted today on the HCA’s website, ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, Orange County currently has 10.4 percent (unadjusted) of adult intensive care unit beds available in our local hospital system and reported an additional 2,173 cases of COVID-19 today.

MFHs are capable of expanding current hospital capacity by adding additional beds to existing grounds. They are housed in large, semi-type trailers and contain heavy duty canvas tents with hard flooring and temperature-controlled units equipped with running water, toilets and showers, generators and lighting, as well as air purifiers. MFHs can be configured in a myriad of footprints and sizes, and the HCA has a total of 8 trailers to support at minimum, 200 patient beds. 

The MFHs can be used for numerous COVID-19 mitigation activities such as expanding emergency department capacity and med-surge or specialty care unit beds, mass vaccination facilities, and more. Each identified hospital is charged with using the MFH in a manner that best suits their facility. The following OC hospitals have requested this resource from the HCA and have already activated their surge plans: 

• Fountain Valley Regional Hospital — 50 beds
• St. Jude Medical Center, Fullerton — 25 beds
• University of California, Irvine — 50 beds

Planning is currently underway with additional hospitals to encourage an equitable countywide distribution of the HCA’s available mobile beds. 

“Our team is working around the clock with our hospital partners to distribute and operationalize these critical resources, but the community must do its part and practice non-medical preventative measures like mask wearing, physical distancing and frequent hand-washing to help stop the surge,” said Dr. Clayton Chau, County Health Officer and Director of the HCA.