New Covid Boosters Available; Cases Shrink

COMMUNITY NEWS

New Covid Boosters Available; Cases Shrink

On Sept. 7, the new Covid-19 vaccine boosters became available in Santa Cruz County, where active cases have fallen in the past month from 1,217 to 491.

While cases are down, three more deaths were reported involving people 65 and older with medical conditions; one was vaccinated and two were not.

The boosters from Pfizer and Moderna aim to protect against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, which is no longer circulating, and the current dominant omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

To expedite emergency use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, boosters were not tested in humans but mice. Pfizer submitted findings based on 8 mice. Human trials began in August.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommends a booster 2 months after the primary series or the last booster dose, as the protection wanes.

Moderna’s is authorized for those 18 and older and Pfizer’s is authorized for those 12 years and older. The original mRNA Covid-19 vaccines are no longer authorized as booster doses.

“Updating our booster vaccines to combat the circulating variants marks our transition to living with COVID,” said Dr. David Ghilarducci, deputy health officer for the County of Santa Cruz. “The COVID-19 virus continues to change and adapt and so must we. Staying up to date on your COVID vaccinations continues to be the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

To get a booster, contact your healthcare provider or book an appointment through MyTurn, Vaccine Finder or local pharmacies. For a list, see www.santacruzhealth.org/ coronavirusvaccine.

For local info, call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mon.– Fri. n •••

“Jaffe” from page 7

We need a new supply of water and that is not cheap. But the cost of letting seawater pollute our groundwater basins, which would change our lives and cripple our economy, is $1 billion or more.

To reduce cost to our customer for a new water supply, I have worked hard to secure grants from State and Federal agencies totaling more than $80 million. This equates to more than $2,000 savings for each customer.

We are on the path to securing safe, clean water for the future, which includes avoiding the economic catastrophe of contaminated aquifer that would be rendered useless. n

For more info, see www.facebook.com/ BruceJaffeforSoquelWaterBoard/ and https:// facebook.com/Elect Christensen, Jaffe, & Lather

Active COVID cases: 491

••• COVID Deaths: 273 As of Sept. 28 Age 85 and older: 120 • 75-84: 62 • 65-74: 49 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5

Underlying Conditions Yes: 223 • No: 50 Vaccinated Yes: 36 • No: 237 Race White 160 • Latinx 90 • Asian 16 Black 3 • Amer Indian 1 Hawaiian 1 • Another 2 Gender Men: 138 • Women: 135 Location At facility for aged: 117 Not at a facility: 156

“Kirby” from page 7

Even while we all conserve and pay attention to our water usage, our bills go up and up to pay for the project and give bonuses to management, etc. We need financial responsiblity.

The district seems to not care how they are putting people in financial peril while they spend and supposedly get grants and “free” money for this project. They have forgotten that Soquel Creek Water District is a municipality and they work for the rate payers. The Board meetings are still only on Zoom and they’ve reduced the public input time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes. They don’t seem to care about hearing from rate payers.

I’m running for the Board position to bring financial responsibility, honesty, common sense and safety to our local water district. n

See: https://scwdboard.com/

“Christensen” from page 7

Down the road, we will be able to share the pure water we produce with our neighboring communities to benefit all of us as the mega-drought continues.

The project’s cost has always been foremost in our planning. The State Water Resources Control Board, the federal Bureau of Reclamation and the Environmental Protection Agency have awarded us enough grants and low-interest loans to finance 100% of the project. We will be able to keep rates low.

While we always strive to improve our performance, the combination of a strongly scientific-minded and financially aware board and staff have brought us our first chance at water sustainability in many decades. The PureWater Soquel water purification plant merges scientific approach with community — based values. We must continue to work hard to complete this task, as affordably as possible. n

Best way to get in touch: ccchrist@aol. com. Facebook.com/Elect Christensen, Jaffe, & Lather

“Lather” from page 7

In addition, by using recycled water we are utilizing a resource that will be available even during extended drought periods. This means we will have a sustainable water supply even during times of drought.

We have a small but mighty staff that have given us 110% of their time and effort in order to obtain grant funding for the Pure Water Soquel project so our rate payers will have to pay less for the new water source.

Currently, we have secured over $80 million in grants for the project and are hoping to find more funding before the project is completed. We have the support and funding from both State and Federal agencies because this project is what is needed in order for drought impacted communities in the western states to flourish in the future. n

Facebook.com/Elect Christensen, Jaffe, & Lather • Email: rachellather@sbcglobal.net. Plenty of Free Customer Parking

Wilder Associates Inc.

Property Management Specialists 662-0291

Kumon Math & Reading Center

Learning for the Long Run 508-8200

Village Liquors

For All Your Beverage Needs 688-5691

Joy of Movement Pilates & Gyrotonic®

More Zest for Life 688-8077

Epicenter Cycling

Trek Bicycles for All Types of Riders 662-8100

Dentistry for Animals

Dr. Judy Force, DVM 768-7148

CQENS

International Inhalation Market www.cqens.com