After last week's appalling insurrection committed by domestic terrorists on our beloved nation's capitol, it is especially fitting and proper that on this solemn holiday weekend we take time to reflect on the words and remember the life and times of the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As such, on Monday, January 18, the County of Orange will observe a national holiday in his honor.

Dr. King challenged us to embrace love instead of hate, as he brought about positive change with regard to how we view and treat others, and he motivated us to remain resilient and steadfast in the face of adversity.

To that end, let us heed Dr. King’s words of wisdom that so enriched our country, not just this day, but each and every day. In doing so, I urge you to please consider three of his many profound and inspiring quotes:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

“History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, County of Orange offices will be closed this Monday. As such, please do take time to reflect on the many inspirational messages he preached of love, equality, perseverance, tolerance, and freedom.

Wishing you and yours a safe, healthy and happy holiday weekend, as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - a day of service and leadership!

I understand this is a very stressful time for people, as we try to figure out which phase and what tier we fall under for vaccine distribution. Please rest assured, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and anyone who wants a vaccine will get one. However, there are specific Federal and State protocols the County is mandated to follow. I recognize the distribution process and timeline has caused some confusion, and I hope this information will provide some clarity.

The State of California is utilizing a “phased approach” for vaccine distribution. Currently, within each “phase” there are “tiers” that determine who gets the vaccine and when. At this time, the tiers have been defined for all three phases. To see which phase you fall under and the process for distribution of the vaccine, click here.

If you fall into Phase 1A, please contact your employer or long-term care facility for vaccine instructions. If you are age 65+, you may register online.

The County and our health care providers will continue to work through the phases as quickly as supplies are available. To that end, I am committed to working toward greater efficiency and expediency at the local level as the state continues to develop each phase.

The County has also 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, based on the high demand for vaccines, these sites are being referred to as County Super PODs.

On Wednesday, we opened our first Super POD at Disneyland that, when fully operational, should have the capacity to distribute 7,000-8,000 doses per day. Appointments are required. Please be advised that anyone showing up without an appointment will not be seen, even if you fall within the eligible group. Appointments can be made through the Othena app.

At the opening of our Super POD at Disneyland.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the high demand for vaccines, users may experience a delay in getting an appointment, as the system is designed to only offer appointments when there are sufficient vaccines available, and this amount fluctuates daily. As such, I ask that people please be patient and revisit the site frequently for updated information and appointment availability. 

The County and our partners are continuing to work around the clock on these endeavors. We will be announcing more Super PODS, mini PODs and mobile sites in the coming days. Pleas rest assured that South County has not and will not be forgotten, as efforts are underway to establish appropriate regional sites within the 5th District.

For more information, please visit our OC COVID-19 Vaccine Website, call the COVID Hotline at 714-834-2000, or see the table below.

County Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau this week announced that all Orange County residents ages 65 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19.  

OC Emergency Medical Services polled 25 hospitals with emergency departments on January 10, 2021, and 13 of those hospitals responded with data based on age group of patients currently hospitalized, in the ICU, and dependent on ventilators. Additionally, they provided the County Health Officer with weekly survey data from the hospitals that received CARES Act funding from the County of Orange.

Findings include:

• Older adults have dramatically higher death rates in Orange County.
• Deaths to older adults from COVID-19 have increased dramatically since November, exceeding those in July and August.
• Currently, 54% of persons hospitalized for COVID-19 are over age 60; 72% of patients in the ICU and 72% of patients on ventilators are over age 60.
• Hospital cases are rising most rapidly among persons 65 to 84 years of age.
• Older adults from low Health Equity census tracts are almost twice as likely to die from COVID-19, as compared to seniors who live in more affluent areas. 

All residents are encouraged to register to be notified when the County of Orange’s vaccine and testing management app, Othena, has appointments available and is ready for their use by filling out the online form.

The success of the County’s phased, tiered vaccination plan depends on everyone being patient and allowing priority groups to be vaccinated first. Overwhelming the appointment system will make it even more challenging to dispense the limited supply of vaccine currently available. As vaccine becomes more plentiful, additional appointments will become available, and eligibility will open-up to other groups.

To learn more about the County’s Phased Distribution plan, please click here. 

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.

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.

As reported in my newsletter last week, the much anticipated Be Well OC, Orange Campus is completed and ready to serve our community, starting at the end of this month. To view a photo album of our recent Be Well OC tour with the Board of Supervisors, click here.

Touring the new Be Well OC, Orange Campus.

Mental health has always been a top priority of mine. and I am very proud of this project. When I was Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors in 2015, I created the Mental Health Ad-Hoc Committee with my colleague, Supervisor Andrew Do. The goal of the 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 in 2018 of Be Well OC – 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 services campus that will improve the quality of life for all those in Orange County struggling with mental health issues, regardless of ability to pay. The campus features a wide range of services and programs, such as psychiatric intake and referral, withdrawal management, residential treatment and an integrated support center, to name but a few.

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 celebrated this momentous occasion virtually. You can watch the virtual ribbon cutting for our Be Well OC mental health campus by tuning-in to Facebook or YouTube! To view a photo album of our recent tour and ribbon cutting, click here or on the image below.

Click the image above to view the photo album.

This week, I led efforts during our Board of Supervisors meeting to amend the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways and the County’s General Plan to include the Los Patrones Parkway Extension, commonly referred to as LPPE. To read the Board Agenda Staff Report, click here.

The LPPE is a County of Orange project that will be built as a non-tolled arterial from Cow Camp Road to Avenida La Pata. These amendments are the foundation to kickstarting the project and lay the groundwork to receive grant money from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to design the roadway. 

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 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.

I'm pleased to report OC Public Libraries (OCPL) is recognizing a major milestone in 2021, as it reaches its 100th year of service. The OCPL centennial is being commemorated with the tagline "Celebrate the Past, Inspire the Future: 100 Years of Possibilities." The yearlong celebration will also include virtual and safe programs, highlighting the OCPL's commitment to the community over the last century. 

On August 1, 1921, Orange County Free Library began operations with a staff of three people, headquartered at 508 N. Main Street in Santa Ana in a rented room, shared with the County Farm Advisor. This day marked the beginning of a 100-year history that has now expanded to 32 community branches throughout Orange County. 

OC Public Libraries will offer a year full of programming and activities that celebrate its centennial, including a commemorative library card and logo, in addition to providing print, audiovisual and digital resources, internet access, and skilled staff assistance. Special storytimes, take-home crafts, and reading programs will also highlight the library’s history and advocacy. 

OC Public Libraries provides enduring connections to the past and future of our communities, county and state, in a world undergoing constant change. Over its 100-year history, OCPL has instituted services and programs that directly respond to community needs and reflect the changing climate across Orange County. A virtual timeline detailing the history of OC Public Libraries is available here. 

In addition, OCPL continues to offer Grab & Go service, which allows patrons to use self-service checkout of requested and limited popular items, as well as contactless curbside pickup. Library buildings remain open with metered access for Grab & Go checkout, along with physically distanced single patron internet stations available by reservation for thirty-minute sessions. 

Residents are invited to join the yearlong celebration on social media by following and tagging the hashtag #OCPL100. For more information about OC Public Libraries and the centennial, click here or on the image below.

Click image above for more info.

Artist Russell Pierce brings mixed media artwork to John Wayne Airport, featuring traditional art combined with digital design applications to create unique pieces in a new exhibit, fittingly called “Travelogue.” His work is on display in the Thomas F. Riley Terminal as part of the JWA Community Focus Space through February 16, 2021.

Artwork depicting pedestrians and food vendors on city streets, detailed architecture of buildings old and new, and well-known landmarks - such as Coney Island, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Disneyland Monorail, and Cabazon Dinosaurs - are some of the pieces featured in Pierce’s Travelogue exhibit.

Disneyland Monorail

Pierce was the recipient of a 2017 Laguna Beach Arts Alliance grant that provided him with an opportunity to feature his unique art in a one-person show called “Change Agents,” exhibited in Laguna Beach at the Seven-Degrees venue. The Community Arts Gallery in Laguna Beach also featured Pierce’s “Change Agents” showcase in 2018. Read a Stu News Laguna article about the gallery showing here. 

Pierce’s Travelogue exhibit may be viewed (pre-security) on the Departure (upper) Level near security screening areas in Terminals A, B, and C and on the Arrival (lower) Level adjacent to Baggage Carousels 1 and 4. To learn more about Russell Pierce and view additional pieces of his artwork, click here. For more information about the John Wayne Airport Arts Program, click here. 

Jessika Pollard: 5th District Intern Extraordinaire

Today, my office bid happy trails to our 5th District Public Policy Intern, Jessika Pollard. Jessika has done a phenomenal job assisting me and my staff since last August, and she will be greatly missed. Thank you so much, Jessika!

Below are Jessika's kind comments about her experience with our office: 

"If you have not already heard, today is my last day in the office, so let me start by letting you know how sad I am to be leaving. Each and every one of you has made such a positive impact on my life and for that, I am forever grateful!

I have learned so much in this short time being here and I feel blessed to have formed the relationships I have with all of you. You all tell me “thank you” for the work I help on, but I would like to say thank YOU for allowing me to learn from you and trusting me to do what you all do so well!

Thank you everyone for getting me to this point in my life and I sincerely hope our paths cross again because you are all some incredibly amazing people who I want to know forever!"

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 205,911 positive cumulative cases and 2,277 deaths, as well as 2,101 currently hospitalized with 534 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 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.

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, as 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 dives into the Latin rhythms of Miami with superstars Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Aloe Blacc, star of America’s Musical Journey. Hear how the musical styles from Cuba - from salsa, merengue, soka and more - have influenced the Miami scene and music all across the U.S. Watch here!

Click the image above for the Sounds of Miami with Gloria Estefan.

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.

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) hopes you are well and safe, they are working to offer art and inspiration online. We believe art has the power to connect us, and we hope that you will enjoy these new ways to stay connected with Laguna Art Museum.

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.

In their first self-produced virtual choir, Pacific Chorale sings a stirring performance of Bobby McFerrin's heartfelt setting of The 23rd Psalm, dedicated to his mother, Sara. Sara McFerrin was an accomplished singer, veteran music educator here in Orange County, and a longtime Board member of Pacific Chorale. Sara McFerrin passed away last December 2019.

Sara and Bobby McFerrin

Pacific Chorale dedicates this virtual performance of The 23rd Psalm (Dedicated to My Mother) to all who have suffered illness and loss due to COVID-19. To view the video, click on the image below.

Click the image above to view the video.

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, please 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 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!