I'm saddened to report the passing of former Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, who died Monday, January 4, after a long battle with breast cancer.

Sandra Hutchens - a former 5th District constituent and resident of Dana Point - was appointed the first female Sheriff of Orange County in 2008 by the Board of Supervisors. She easily won election in 2010 and went on to run unopposed in 2014.

Prior to my current role as Orange County Supervisor, I served as Mayor of Dana Point and was blessed to be able to spend time getting to know Sandra and her husband, Larry. She will be greatly missed. To that end, the Board of Supervisors will adjourn our upcoming meeting in tribute to former OC Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

With Sheriff Sandra Hutchens at the Swallows Day Parade in San Juan Capistrano.

In accordance with Sheriff Hutchens’ wishes, there will not be a memorial service. Her family asks that donations be made in her name to Drug Use Is Life Abuse or the Susan G. Komen Foundation. To read current Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes' comments on the passing of his friend, mentor and predecessor, click here. 

Sheriff Sandra Hutchins - Rest in Peace

As California continues its health first approach to fight the COVID-19 pandemic amid an unprecedented surge, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) this week issued a new public health order to reduce pressure on strained hospital systems and redistribute the responsibility of medical care across the state so patients can continue to receive lifesaving care. 

To preserve services for the sickest patients, the public health order requires some nonessential and non-life-threatening surgeries to be delayed in counties with 10% or less of ICU capacity under the Regional Stay at Home Order where the regional ICU capacity is at 0%.

Examples of procedures that may be delayed include carpal tunnel release and non-urgent spine surgeries. Surgeries for patients who have serious and urgent medical conditions will continue. Examples of procedures that will continue include serious cancer removal and necessary heart surgeries. The order will remain in effect for at least three weeks and will continue until rescinded. For more information, click here.

Needless to say, this is a very stressful time for al of us, as we try to determine which phase and/or tier we fall under for the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Please be assured there is light at the end of the tunnel, and anyone who wants a vaccine will get one.

To that end, there are specific Federal and State protocols the County is mandated to follow. I realize the distribution process and timeline has caused some confusion, and I hope this information will help provide some clarity.

The State of California is utilizing a “phased approach” for vaccine distribution. Currently, it appears within each “phase” there will be “tiers” that determine who gets the vaccine and when. At this time, the tiers have only been defined for Phase 1A (see table below).

Please be advised that individuals who fall under any of the tiers in Phase 1A are currently eligible to receive the vaccine and should contact their employer or long-term care facility for further details on how to get vaccinated. Groups and employers have been contacted by the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) to schedule appointments to receive vaccine at designated Point-of-Dispensing sites (PODs) in Orange County. The locations are only open to frontline workers with appointments. Walk-ups will be turned away, and those with appointments must provide identification.

Once we have successfully vaccinated those included in Phase 1A, we will move on to the next phases. The criteria and tiers for the remaining phases will be determined by Federal, State, and County representatives to ensure those who have the highest risk of infection remain a priority. For information on the next phases, click here.

At this time, if you are interested in receiving the vaccine, please contact your primary care physician to inform them of your interest. In the upcoming weeks, the County will be launching a publicly available phone number and web application that will enable Orange County residents to express their interest in receiving the vaccine and obtain a general timeline as to when they will be eligible.

The County and our healthcare providers will continue to work through the phases as quickly as supplies are available. I am committed to working toward greater efficiency and expediency at the local level as the State continues to develop each phase.

In addition, the County has activated an Incident Management Team, which will be in charge of setting up regional vaccine points of dispensing (POD). Due to the scope and size of these PODs, as well as the high demand for vaccines, these sites are being referred to as County Super PODs. For more information, click here.

Please click here for the latest information on who is currently eligible to receive the vaccination, and learn the facts about the vaccines’ safety and efficacy. The County and our partners have engaged in annual POD exercises to ensure we are ready to quickly distribute vaccines throughout Orange County.

Again, thank you to all those who took the time to contact me about this issue. I respectfully ask for your patience and understanding as we work our way through the distribution process. For more information, please visit our OC COVID-19 Vaccine Website.

I'm pleased to report that a new Laguna Woods COVID-19 Testing Kiosk is now open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 AM to 3 PM.

Testing is prioritized for people with symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, workers and residents of congregate settings, and other essential workers. Appointments are needed and can be made by clicking here or on the image below.

Click the image above to make an appointment.

I have some exciting news to share! The much anticipated Be Well OC, Orange Campus, is now completed and ready to serve our community. As such, I was pleased to take a tour of the new facility this week, along with my current and former colleagues on the Board of Supervisors. To view a photo album of our Be Well OC tour, click here.

Touring the Be Well OC Orange Campus.

Mental health has been a top priority of mine and I am very proud of this project. When I was Chairwoman of the Board back in 2015, I created the Mental Health Ad-Hoc with my colleague Supervisor Andrew Do. The goal of this ad-hoc was to examine mental health services in Orange County and develop a plan to bring more of those services to our residents and provide a better overall System of Care.  

This led to the creation of Be Well OC in 2018 – a transformative public-private partnership, bringing together public, private, academic, and faith-based organizations, as well as others, to create a coordinated system of mental health care and support for all Orange County residents.

The Be Well OC Orange Campus is ready to serve!

The Be Well OC Orange Campus is a first-of-its-kind mental health service facility that will improve the quality of life for all those in Orange County struggling with mental health issues, regardless of ability to pay, and features a wide-range of services and programs, such as psychiatric intake and referral, withdrawal management, residential treatment and an integrated support center, and much more!

I'm very proud of the work our County and our many partners have been able to accomplish on behalf of all Orange County residents. As such, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be celebrating this momentous moment virtually for all of our residents and guests to celebrate with us. As such, I invite you to the virtual ribbon cutting for our first Be Well OC mental health campus January 13 at noon by tuning-in to Facebook or YouTube!

Click image above for more info.

I'm pleased to report the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) and Orange County Public Works have replaced a portion of Oso Parkway with a new bridge structure to provide motorists with a direct connection between Los Patrones Parkway (a new road connecting with Rancho Mission Viejo) and State Route 241.

The new bridge improves traffic flow and enhances safety on Oso Parkway and direct access to the 241 Toll Road supports traffic flow in the area. To that end, the Oso Parkway Bridge will open with a virtual celebration January 13, 2021. Tune-in to Facebook or YouTube at 10 AM and join us! For more information, click here the the Media Advisory below.

Click image above to enlarge.

As previously reported in my newsletter, the State has launched a package of assistance for small businesses affected by COVID-19, including $500 million in grants for small businesses and nonprofits that have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and the associated health & safety restrictions.

The Program is administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), with underserved micro and small businesses, as well as nonprofits, eligible for grants up to $25,000.

Applications run through Wednesday, January 13. Visit CAReliefGrant.com now to submit your documents today!

Moreover, the State has also announced additional available financial assistance, including Tax Relief as well as Recovery Loans through the California Rebuilding Fund. Don't delay!

The Board of Supervisors recently approved $10 Million for a countywide Small Business Economic Support Program, intended to provide much needed financial support to small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Funding will be allocated equally among the five supervisorial districts ($2M per district), which is in addition to the $75M CARES ACT Small Business Relief Program previously approved and allocated over the summer to small businesses and nonprofits throughout Orange County.  

Details of the Small Business Economic Support Program are currently under development and will be released soon. Please stay tuned to my newsletter for more information!

The City of Mission Viejo has launched its Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program, with grants up to $25,000 available for eligible businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Applications will continue to be accepted until the funding allocation is exhausted.

To be eligible for the Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program, a business or nonprofit must meet criteria established by the City of Mission Viejo. To qualify, a business or nonprofit applicant must prove their business has been affected by COVID-19. For more information, click here.

As previously reported in my newsletter, 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. We also have the nasal swab option available to accommodate individual preferences.

To that end, all those who live in Orange County may click here and register to receive a test kit shipped directly to their home at no cost. Ambry Genetics is able to process 4,000 tests each day with a 48 hour turnaround time for notification of results. 

Ambry’s CARE for COVID Program was developed with the latest guidance from federal agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is an end-to-end screening, testing, and result-management solution, which includes:

• Ambry’s AVA™ virtual assistant supporting an online health questionnaire
• Online determination of essential worker status or medical necessity criteria (symptoms/exposure, etc.) that enables insurance billing or uninsured third-party billing for the test, ensuring there is no cost for the resident
• A HIPAA compliant software that enables users to register their test kit
• Medical provider ordered-testing and supervision (including return and review of results)
  Viral testing by Ambry’s RT-PCR test using saliva collection for a simpler and more convenient experience than nasopharyngeal swabs commonly used by other labs
• Most results reported directly through the CARE platform within 24 hours of receipt of the sample by the lab.

If an online order is placed for a kit by 1 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, the kit will arrive the next day. For orders placed after 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, or any time on Saturday or Sunday, the kit will arrive the following Tuesday. The Ambry Genetics lab receives kits every Monday through Saturday, runs testing, and reports out test results 7 days a week.

In our fight against COVID-19, we continue to leverage all available resources to provide convenient and reliable testing our residents. We anticipate the convenience of online test ordering and reporting, telehealth support, and at-home sample collection will provide greater support to OC residents as case counts continue to surge across the county. For more information, please click here.

I'm pleased to report that the OC Flex micro-transit pilot program has been extended through December 2021 in South County, where the OCTA service has been well used in its first two years.

OC Flex has been operating since October 2018 and allows passengers to request a ride on demand through the OC Flex mobile app within the service area, currently in portions of Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel.

The impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the OC Flex service have made it challenging to evaluate the performance of the pilot program. However, prior to March, ridership in South County had been steadily increasing and key metrics, such as subsidy per boarding, continued to improve.

The proposed 14-month extension of OC Flex will allow OCTA to better evaluate the program’s performance during and beyond the pandemic, as well as incorporate any future health and safety adjustments. For more information about OC Flex, click here.

This week, my office had the pleasure presenting commendations to the Rotary Club of Coto de Caza / Rancho Santa Margarita del Sol and the RSM Cares Food Pantry.

Early in fall 2020, the RSM Cares Food Pantry had their storage shed, located at Shepard of the Hills United Methodist Church, broken into again, as the thieves took-off with all the food and supplies the pantry stored there. 

To that end, the Rotary Club of Coto de Caza / Rancho Santa Margarita del Sol came to the rescue, taking this up as a personal challenge and collecting enough money to purchase a new, large, heavy duty storage container, complete with a locking system that is virtually bullet proof!

Presenting commendations to the Rotary and RSM Cares.

The ribbon cutting was held to commemorate the new storage container and bring awareness to the community about the Rotary and RSM Cares.

Last week, my office was pleased to present commendations to the Outgoing Members of the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce 2020 Board of Directors, including Vice President Sheri Feinberg, Secretary Lori Renaud, and Past President Clemente Pepe.

Presenting a commendation to Outgoing Vice President Sheri Feinberg and her dog, Ollie.

We all love our local restaurants in South County and want to see them succeed during these unprecedented and most challenging of times. Whether you order takeout, delivery, or purchase a gift certificate, thank you so much for supporting our local restaurants and businesses! 

With the latest additional restrictions from the State, I want to assist our 5th District residents in identifying and locating their local restaurants to support. To that end, many of our Chambers of Commerce in South County are also promoting the restaurants and businesses in their respective communities.

Please see the following alphabetical listing of our local Chamber of Commerce websites featuring their respective restaurant members:

• Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce
• Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce
• Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce
• Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce
• Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce
• Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce
• Rancho Santa Margarita Chamber of Commerce
• San Clemente Chamber of Commerce
• San Clemente Downtown Business Association
• San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce

Needless to say, 2020 was an incredibly challenging year for all of us, but this is especially true of small businesses and restaurants that have been forced to continuously modify their operations in order to adhere to changes in guidance and stay-at-home orders issued by the State.

As a result, we have seen some local businesses remain resilient by utilizing creative ways to continue operating. If you are a small business owner or restaurateur, or have simply seen one doing something creative and unique, I want to hear from you. Please share these innovative ideas with us so we can spread the word!

The saying, “Shop and Dine Local,” has never been more appropriate, and I urge our Fifth District residents to please do so now and throughout 2021!

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 177,733 positive cumulative cases and 1,972 deaths, as well as 2,251 currently hospitalized with 502 in ICU.

Please be advised that city data is reflective of where cases live, not necessarily where transmission occurred. Additionally, city numbers should not be interpreted to reflect where transmission is geographically focused or not, as COVID-19 is present in all communities in Orange County.

Case counts are also not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick. Asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.

Because transmission occurs throughout the County, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by our County Health Officer, regardless of the case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospitals and healthcare system, as well as protect those most vulnerable in our county.

The Governor recently announced that California has opted-in to the federal COVID-19 Pharmacy Partnership. At no cost to the state or local government, CVS and Walgreens will administer the Pfizer vaccine to residents and staff in long-term care facilities.

CVS and Walgreens started last week with nursing homes, taking an estimated 3-4 weeks, and will then vaccinate staff and residents in assisted living, residential care, and other long-term care facilities. 

The program will enable counties to leverage CVS and Walgreens pharmacy staff to administer the vaccine more broadly, with pharmacy staff going directly to care facilities. 

Skilled Nursing Facilities will receive vaccine from staff of CVS and Walgreens. To that end, approximately 72 skilled nursing facilities and 900 residential care facilities for the elderly will be provided vaccine by CVS and Walgreens throughout Orange County.

The vaccines will be administered by pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses. Pharmacy technicians are participating under a recent waiver by the Board of Pharmacy that requires appropriate supervision under California law and specialized training.

Specifically, the program:

• Schedules and coordinates on-site vaccine clinic dates directly with each facility. Pharmacy staff will visit each facility several times to ensure that all residents and employees who wish to be vaccinated get the vaccine.
• Orders vaccines and associated supplies (e.g. syringes, needles, personal protective equipment).
  Ensures cold storage for the vaccine.
• Provides on-site administration of the vaccine to all residents and staff.

To learn more about this partnership, click here. For the latest information about COVID-19 vaccination in Orange County, please click here. 

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) recently conducted a survey of attitudes toward the vaccination for COVID-19 and wishes to thank the more than 25,000 people who completed the questionnaire.

How willing are different geographical, demographic and occupational groups in Orange County to be vaccinated, and what issues contribute to their willingness?

To examine vaccine hesitancy within Orange County by city, gender, age, race/ethnicity, education level and occupation, please read the report on the HCA Survey on COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy.

As previously reported in my newsletter, we've already received reports of scams showing up in Orange County, advertising the vaccine for a heavy cost. Please be advised that the vaccine will only be distributed by state-approved health care providers and is free to all our residents.

Please remember to stay vigilant during these times, and if you recognize suspicious behavior regarding the vaccine, please call the Orange County District Attorney’s COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-3482. For tips from the Federal Trade Commission on how to spot a COVID-19 scam, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

Many of you are at home working or self-isolating and spending more time on the internet. Unfortunately, thieves are taking advantage of this situation and coming up with new and innovative ways to separate you from your money. Now would be a good time to educate yourself on the various ploys used by scammers for COVID-19.

Be on the lookout for fake calls, texts, and emails
Scammers are pretending to be Social Security Agency employees. They may threaten you and demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. Do not be fooled!

Additionally, a large-scale coronavirus scam has erupted, as impostors are filing claims for unemployment benefits using names of people who have not filed claims. Victims learn about the fraud when they get a notice from their state unemployment benefits office or employer about their supposed application for benefits.

Sadly, people exploiting older adults are often family members or other trusted people who are handling the financial affairs of an incapacitated parent, relative or friend. As such, caregivers and assisted living and nursing facilities can also work together to help protect elderly residents from financial exploitation, both during the pandemic and after life returns to a new normal.

Lastly, if you’re having trouble paying your rent during the coronavirus pandemic, there are relief options and protections available for many renters.

As the spread and far reaching impacts of COVID-19 continue to dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

Here's what you can do...

1) Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the Orange County Health Care Agency's What You Feel is Real webpage. 

2) Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc., on the CDC's website. 

3) Get your emotional support system in place:

• Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies; rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food and engage in physical activity.
• Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.
• Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4) Take control, incorporate preventative measures:

• See the CDC’s list of preventative measures.
• The constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.
• Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can also reach out to these resources for support:

• Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit the OC Links website Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM to talk or chat with a trained clinical navigator.
• The NAMI Warmline is also here to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from from 9 AM to 3 AM, and Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 3 AM. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Download the NAMI HelpLine Coronavirus Information and Resources Guide
• American Psychological Association (APA) ‘Building Your Resilience’

The Disneyland Resort recently kicked-off a public service awareness campaign across Orange County to encourage all residents to adhere to current health and safety guidelines to help protect local communities.

The campaign, Together We Can Be Incredible, features characters from Disney and Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” sharing tips and reminders of important health and safety measures. As such, the PSA reiterates current health and safety measures based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies, including our OC Health Care Agency (HCA).

The scope of the campaign was made possible in part by existing relationships across Orange County, including with the Los Angeles Angels, Anaheim Ducks and more. In addition, the Disneyland Resort is working with local school districts to provide tools and resources to share with students.

For more information, click here. To watch the “Together We Can Be Incredible” video, click the image below.

Click the image above to watch the video.

Soka University in Aliso Viejo is excited to share a their new Signature Encore Series to help you experience some of their wonderful past performances! For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

MacGillivray Freeman Films (MFF) based in Laguna Beach, has the inspiration you need for your next adventure! 

This week, MFF journeys to New Orleans with Aloe Blacc, star of America’s Musical Journey, to get a closer look at the rich musical history of this great city. Film director Greg MacGillivray and composer Steve Wood share how musical greats like Louis Armstrong captured the spirit of the city and why music brings us together. Watch here!

Click the image above to watch the video.

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in San Clemente is the historic home of Ole Hansen, the founder of the city of San Clemente, Casa Romantica invites you to Live Virtually @ the Casa and enjoy world-class arts and culture in your home with highlighted Casa virtual artists and activities. For more information, click here.

Mission San Juan Capistrano invites all to visit their Digital Resource Center (DRC) for continued ways to experience, learn, and interact with the Mission through many digital events and video tours. For more information, click here.

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) provides links to various websites to enjoy At Home Learning opportunities supporting the goals and mission of DSBIA and the California State Parks. These sites offer enrichment of subjects and provide information in a topic of personal interest for both children and adults. For more information, click here.

Although Pacific Symphony has suspended live concerts in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall as a public health precaution, Pacific Symphony will stay in touch online, serving up culture and entertainment.

Their Watch+Listen page provides you with a central overview for all of the Symphony’s offerings online! Check back regularly as new musical experiences are always being added!

Pacific Symphony performing with Pacific Chorale.

Cirque du Soleil is proud to present CirqueConnect, offering an escape from everyday life through the delight and whimsy of their shows. Now more than ever, they want to do their little part to spread joy, even from afar, directly to your safe spaces. Let them welcome you into their world, where awe-inspiring show footage and fan favorite videos will transport you. Click the image below and enjoy the show!

Click the image above to enjoy Cirque du Soleil!

For over 130 years, National Geographic has hosted some of the leading scientists, conservationists, photographers, and storytellers to share their stories live at their headquarters in Washington, D.C. Now you can watch their inspiring and thought-provoking stories from anywhere in 2021! 

Watch on-demand stories from top National Geographic Explorers about their fascinating adventures and discoveries and spark your inner Explorer without leaving home. For more more info, click here or on the image below to Be Inspired in 2021!

Click the image above to Be Inspired in 2021!

OC Public Libraries (OCPL) has a Virtual Programs webpage, as OCPL staff worked hard to create some amazing digital content. To that end, OCPL has dozens of virtual programs published on social media (with dozens more in their backlog ready to be published!) and our communities are responding positively to the way we are providing service. This site is updated regularly. For more information, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more info.

For those of you who may have missed any of my previous Fifth District Dispatch newsletters, featuring up-to-date COVID-19 facts and other information pertinent to South County, click here. 

Thank you for your outstanding and continuing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, as we're all in this together!

Wishing You & Yours a Safe, Healthy & Happy New Year!