If the end of a calendar year ever seemed like an excellent cause for celebration, 2021 would certainly be it! The holidays are a wonderful time to embrace family, friends and loved ones, including New Year's Eve, when singing, dancing, and enjoying a few drinks and festive bites are all part of the celebration. However, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, such activities carry significant risk. Some of our most timeless New Year's traditions (kissing at midnight, sharing champagne flutes, etc.) should cause us to think twice about how we celebrate.

While many of us will avoid traditions that are obviously a risk for getting sick, there are other dangers for gathering on New Year's Eve that we should consider, as traditional celebrations can also be a prime breeding ground for COVID-19. The most pressing concern is that nearly all New Year's Eve parties take place indoors.

Unfortunately, pandemic life will not end when the clock strikes midnight December 31. Safety protocols will need to carry over into 2022 if there's going to be any hope of slowing the spread of the virus. Until most of us are vaccinated, wearing masks will still be necessary, as well as physical distancing, frequent handwashing and avoiding crowded indoor areas.

As such, let's make 2022 the year we stand united to end the virus, save lives, and restore our economy once again. If we all work together and practice the necessary safety protocols, in addition to getting vaccinated, it will get us much more quickly to our ultimate goal, which is to return to a normal life again!

For ways to celebrate the new year, please visit the Out & About Safely in South County section, located at the bottom of my newsletter. Wishing You a Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year! 

As previously reported, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance identifying new district boundaries for all five supervisorial districts. The ordinance was adopted following the Board’s action on November 22 to select Map 5A-1 as the preferred map for establishing new district boundaries. The ordinance will go into effect  January 6, 2022.

I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated in the process, as I truly believe Map 5A-1 was the best outcome for the County as a whole in that it minimizes division, creates fair and equitable representation, complies with the Federal Voting Rights Act, and keeps the majority of South County intact.

The new 5th District Map for Orange County.
Click the image above to enlarge.

Air travel during the winter holiday travel period is expected to be a busy one. Passengers traveling through John Wayne Airport (JWA) can expect to see increased passenger traffic and busier roadways.

To lessen the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday travel season, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and John Wayne Airport have collaborated to distribute no-cost, self-collection COVID-19 testing kits to travelers at JWA. Test kits are available pre-security in Terminals A & C Sunday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), all travelers arriving in and returning to California from other states or countries are recommended to test for COVID-19 from 3 to 5 days after arrival.

Hoag Health provides onsite urgent health care services, COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid testing, prescriptions, vital screenings and more at the Fly Well Clinic located in the Terminal. More information can be found online here or by calling 949-557-0667.

For guests looking for travel guidance during this time, the latest travel advisory information from CDPH can be found here and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance can be found here. For more travel tips and additional information about John Wayne Airport, click here.

In addition to serving you on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I'm also proud to serve you on the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors.

As such, I'm pleased to report this past year, OCTA, Caltrans District 12 and the cities of Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel have continued working together to deliver the I-5 Freeway Widening Project from SR-73 to El Toro Road, one of our region’s largest freeway improvement projects.

Approved by nearly 70% of Orange County voters, this $580 million project spans 6.5 miles and is being constructed in three segments. Today, the overall project is more than 1/3 finished, with Segment 1 from SR-73 to Oso Parkway and Segment 2 from Oso Parkway to Alicia Parkway each 50% complete.

For more information, including what's down the road ahead, please click here or on the image below.

Click the image above for more information.

As previously reported, Orange County residents can now enjoy more reliable and frequent trips on the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner®.

In late October, the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, implemented one of the largest schedule adjustments for the Pacific Surfliner in years. It included further restoration of service across the corridor as well as sweeping adjustments to existing train schedules.

The improvements enhance the reliability and connectivity of trains that travel between San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

Pacific Surfliner trains have been operating on a reduced schedule since March 2020 due to a pandemic-related drop in travel demand. The schedule change builds on the partial service restoration that was implemented in June 2021, and also moves towards pulsed schedules, which evenly distribute trains to provide maximum service coverage.

Changes include:

• One additional round-trip was added that travels the length of the corridor. 
• Most train departure and arrival times were shifted to evenly space them out across the day for more consistent frequencies. Many train numbers changed.
• The schedule is now consistent for both weekday and weekend travel.

Travelers now have predictable departure times between trains, and improved connections to other train services.

Passengers are encouraged to follow safety measures and any important public health orders in place during their trip and at their destination. Per federal law and Amtrak policy, face coverings must still be worn while onboard trains and in stations.

The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner passes through Orange County as part of its 351-mile coastal rail route from San Diego to San Luis Obispo. The LOSSAN Agency is managed by OCTA in an agreement with the state. For more information, click here. 

There’s a reason so many holiday stories feature trains. There’s something magical about sitting together in the comfortable seats and watching the world go by on the way to a special destination.

Below are some of our favorite Metrolink trips for the holidays or any time of year...

Everyone loves San Juan Capistrano, and for good reason. Within an easy walk from the station, there are one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops, and a petting zoo. The famous Mission San Juan Capistrano is a must-see and features amazing history.

San Juan Capistrano Train Station

Some of California’s best stretches of wide sandy beaches are within minutes of the Metrolink station in San Clemente. Bring your friends, your kids and a willingness to relax and explore. Take a side trip to beautiful Casa Romantica and view the coastline from a different perspective.

San Clemente Pier Station

Oceanside is an authentic beach town with quiet beaches, a quaint New England-style harbor, historic wooden pier, plenty of craft breweries and relaxing seaside dining. Take the day to chill out in this southern-most destination on the Metrolink line.

Metrolink Oceanside

Last but never least, Los Angeles is packed with fun places to visits like Chinatown, historic Olvera Street, museums and amazing restaurants.

L.A. Union Station

Discover more about these destinations and other Metrolink Daycations here. On weekends, adults ride throughout the Metrolink system for only $10 Saturday or Sunday and kids 17 and under ride free. Click here through December 31 to win two Metrolink tickets to holiday fun!

To help Orange County residents celebrate safely, OCTA is once again offering FREE rides on fixed-route buses on New Year’s Eve between Friday, December 31 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, January 1 at 2:30 a.m.

More than 162,000 boardings have been recorded since this special free bus service began almost 20 years ago. OC Bus is one the safest and most convenient ways to get around on New Year’s Eve or any other day of the year. Please remember to wear a face mask when waiting for or riding OC Bus. Face masks are also available onboard.

On New Year’s Day, OC Bus will operate on a Sunday/holiday schedule. For more information about free rides on New Year’s Eve, click here.

Last week, I had the great pleasure of attending the Lake Forest City Council meeting to present a proclamation in honor of the City's 30-year anniversary celebration. I also took the opportunity to express my deep regret in losing Lake Forest as a a 5th District city due to the recent redistricting process, effective January 6, 2022. 

Speaking to the Lake Forest City Council.

Founded by Don Jose Serrano, the City incorporated December 20, 1991 under the name "Lake Forest" with reverence to the eucalyptus forests and the community’s man-made lakes, and officially became Orange County’s 31st City.

Working with other south Orange County cities, the City of Lake Forest played a vital role in opposing and successfully stopping the redevelopment of the former Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro into a massive international airport, considered the single greatest threat to the quality of life in the City; and in 2002, Orange County voters rejected plans for the proposed El Toro Airport at the former Marine base.

L-R: With Lake Forest Councilman Doug Cirbo, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Pequeño, Mayor Scott Voigts, and Councilman Mark Tettemer, presenting the City's 30-year anniversary proclamation. 

As Lake Forest’s population continued to grow, new developments and subdivisions were added, and in 2000, the communities of Foothill Ranch and Portola Hills officially became part of the City. In 2006, Lake Forest celebrated completion of its largest capital improvement projects - the El Toro Road Traffic and Landscape Improvement Project and the Arbors at El Toro. And in 2014, the Lake Forest Sports Park and Recreation Center officially opened to the public.

The crowning achievement of the last 30 years came in December 2019 with completion of the $80 million Lake Forest Civic Center, which was built without debt and coined the City's 100-Year Home, boasting a state-of-the-art Senior Center, Community Center, Performing Arts Center / City Council Chamber, and new City Hall!

With current and past Lake Forest City Council Members, local Water District, City and County elected officials at the 30-year anniversary celebration. 

The City’s motto, “Remember the Past, Challenge the Future,” is the Lake Forest way of life and ensures it will always be an ideal place for businesses to prosper and people to live, work and play. Congratulations the the City of Lake Forest on celebrating 30 years of cityhood! For more information about the rich history of Lake Forest, click here.

During the meeting, I also presented a commendation to outgoing Mayor Scott Voigts upon completing a most successful term. 

Presenting a commendation to outgoing Mayor Scott Voigts.

The OC Health Care Agency continues to release daily COVID-19 case counts in Orange County. As of today, HCA is reporting 336,163 positive cumulative cases and 5,890 deaths to date, as well as 420 currently hospitalized with 86 in ICU.

To lessen the spread of COVID-19 during the holiday travel season, the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) and John Wayne Airport (JWA) have now begun no-cost, self-collection COVID-19 testing kits to be distributed to travelers at JWA.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, travelers arriving in the U.S. are advised to get a viral test 3-5 days after travel, regardless of vaccination status. 

As a County, we have conducted over 5.8 million COVID tests to date, which means many have done their part to support their loved ones and the community. This collaboration between HCA and JWA will help ensure that people continue to have the resources available to keep getting tested and prevent the spread of COVID.

The self-collection test kits continue to be available to order online at no cost by visiting here, come with a prepaid shipping label, and are able to be dropped off at any FedEx drop-off location or scheduled for a pickup by calling (800) 463-3339.

My Board colleagues and I approved the launch of the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Vaccine Equity Engagement Program in an effort to accelerate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, with a continued focus on the most vulnerable high-risk populations in Orange County.

The program provides an opportunity for community members to nominate collaboratives, volunteers and other organizations (especially smaller groups in hard-to-reach communities) for an opportunity to earn a coordination fee of $20 for every individual who receives either their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (with a preferred minimum of 50 individuals registered per event). The program’s $4.5 million in funding is made available from the State of California’s Government Operations Agency.

Through the Vaccine Equity Engagement Program, HCA will oversee the criteria for organizations to host clinics, provide them with public health messaging resources to help them promote their events and communicate the importance of the vaccine to their community members, and collaborate with them on innovative ideas to increase engagement with residents such as donation and gift matching opportunities.

Interested organizations will be able to sign up to participate in this program and host vaccine clinics in partnership with HCA through the Mobile Vaccine Service feature on the Othena platform. Additionally, the Othena platform now offers a new feature for any eligible individual who has scheduled a vaccination appointment to request free roundtrip rides to their appointment. They can now log in to Othena.com or the smartphone app to request a ride to their appointment (residents are encouraged to request rides 3 to 5 days in advance and rides are subject to availability).

To sign up for the Vaccine Engagement Program and host a community clinic, interested organizations can click here.

Individuals looking to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or complete their second dose can do so by visiting Othena.com or calling the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000. For additional information on free or discounted rides to vaccination appointments, please visit the Lyft or Uber websites. For more information and resources on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County, click here.

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) launched a feature on the Othena platform, which streamlines the process for any interested individuals, groups, employers and businesses to request an onsite, mobile COVID-19 vaccination service.

To begin the application process, individuals can visit the Mobile Vaccine Service section of the Othena website or smartphone app and provide the following intake details:

• Name of the organization or group 
• Primary point of contact 
• Estimated number of patients at event (at least 50 preferred)
• Ability to register patients ahead of time
• Ability to supply a climate-controlled location 
• Preferred day(s) of the week

Once the application has been submitted, HCA will assign a dedicated Community Liaison to work directly with the primary point of contact to engage in a collaborative planning process. 

Additionally, the Mobile Vaccine Service feature enables community members who are homebound and meet specific criteria (or their caretakers) to schedule at-home vaccinations. To learn more, please visit Othena.com, call the OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000, or see the flyer below.

Click the image above to enlarge.

Orange County parents and legal guardians of minors ages 12 to 15 can now schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or walk-in to County of Orange Point-of-Dispensing (POD) sites offering Pfizer. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12 to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.

Subsequently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended that the vaccine is safe and highly effective in protecting this age group against COVID-19. 

Individuals who would like to receive the Pfizer vaccine for themselves or their children ages 12 and older can do so through:

• A Primary Care provider or Pediatrician with whom your children or family is already familiar
• Pharmacies
• Visiting myturn.ca.gov
• Visiting othena.com - If further assistance is needed with selecting a site, scheduling, or arranging for transportation to and from the site, community members can call HCA’s OC COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000
• Walking-in to a County POD site that is administering the Pfizer vaccine

For more information, click here.

As previously reported, everyone ages 16 and over in Orange County is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Parental consent is required for youth under 18; however, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. If you have not already done so, be sure to get register with Othena ahead of time to ensure your place in the virtual waiting queue.  

People within the eligible groups are strongly encouraged to register now with Othena to receive a vaccination from the County. Once registered, they will be placed in the virtual waiting room with other individuals who are already eligible within the State’s guidelines. Appointments are dependent on vaccine supply. As the County receives more vaccines, more appointments will open in Othena. 

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine resources in Orange County, including this weekend's POD schedule, click here. 

Please be aware that there are more channels of distribution other than the County where people can get a vaccine. For more information on where you can find appointments through other medical providers and local pharmacies, visit vaccinefinder.org.   

Testing continues to be a main priority of our COVID-19 efforts. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or if your employer is requiring testing as a part of their business reopening plan, the County offers FREE testing to all of our residents. 

There are many options for testing, including our County Super Sites, testing kiosks located at various locations throughout the County (including Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, and Mission Viejo in the 5th District), and even at home tests that can be delivered to you and mailed to the lab for processing.

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

If you lost a loved one to COVID-19, you may be eligible for a government program that pays for funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay up to $9,000 for funeral expenses for loved ones who died of COVID-19. Survivors can apply for benefits by contacting FEMA, toll-free, at 844-684-6333. To find out if you qualify, read FEMA’s Funeral Assistance FAQs.

Unfortunately, FEMA reports that scammers are contacting people and pretending to offer to register them for assistance. To avoid those scams, here are some tips:

• FEMA will not contact you until you call or apply for assistance.
• The government won’t ask you to pay anything to get this benefit. 
• Don’t give your own or your deceased loved one’s personal or financial information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue.

If you think you got a scam call, hang up and report it to the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A recorded webinar on financial protection of older adults during the COVID pandemic was recently held and is available for on-demand viewing. The webinar included a panel discussion of experts from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and Health and Human Services (HHS).

If you are behind on your mortgage, beware of mortgage relief scams. There is free foreclosure help. If anyone tries to charge you in advance for help or guarantees they can stop your foreclosure, they’re not legitimate. The CFPB has information on how you can avoid foreclosure and tips for working with your mortgage servicer. For more information on COVID housing protections and important deadlines, click here.

Challenges COVID-19 has brought include a higher risk of identity theft. In 2020, the FTC received about 1.4 million reports of identity theft, double the number from 2019. Repeatedly, identity thieves targeted government funds earmarked to help people hard hit financially by the pandemic. 

During the pandemic, we’re doing more online – working, connecting with family and friends, shopping, and banking. If something goes wrong with your device, you want to fix it right away. Scammers are preying on this, offering phony tech support services. Here’s what you should know about tech support scams.

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. Additionally, through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, both income-eligible renters who experienced pandemic related financial hardships, or landlords who experienced income loss due to unpaid rent, are eligible for financial assistance.

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’

‘Tis the season for family fun and holiday cheer at the Great Park. Enjoy Holidayz at the Park through January 2, 2022, as the park will be transformed into a winterscape featuring holiday-themed events, displays, and lights. For more information, click here.

As previously reported, I'm pleased to have relaunched the Nutrition Gap Program. Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge for many residents, as people struggle to get back on their feet and keep food on the table. The goal is to satisfy the continued demand for nutritious food and bridge the gap between hunger and the next meal.

The $2 million dollar program is being funded by the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and is available to residents living in my district. Priority will be given to those experiencing food insecurity due to age/disability, economic status, lack of familial or community support, lack of access to available resources, and those who have military service.

Enrollment is now open and, to make it as easy as possible for people to enroll in the program, we have three options by which they can enroll.

• Online by visiting: https://fdngp.211oc.org/
• Call 2-1-1
• Text their Zip Code to 898211

Program Details:

• Coordinated through the Office on Aging in partnership with 2-1-1 Orange County.
• Provides twice-weekly deliveries, via DoorDash, of restaurant-quality meals directly to participant’s homes.
• Each Monday, participants receive three fresh lunches and three fresh dinners.
• Each Thursday, they receive three fresh lunches, three fresh dinners, one frozen lunch, and one frozen dinner.

Restaurants participating in the program include:

• Ruby’s Diner
• Bella Collina
• Villa Roma
• Bamboo Bistro

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