Russia Invades Ukraine; Record Gas Prices, $400 Rebate?, By Jondi Gumz

COMMUNITY NEWS

Russia Invades Ukraine; Record Gas Prices, $400 Rebate?

By Jondi Gumz

Don’t expect a gas tax holiday to make filling up your tank less painful — $6 a gallon since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered his military forces to invade Ukraine on Feb. 24 — but Gov. Newsom has an $9 billion idea, a $400 rebate for car owners for up to two cars plus $750 million for free bus and train fare for three months. The Legislature must approve.

Monday’s vote on an initiative by Assembly member Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, was 40 in favor — one short of the 41 yes votes need — 18 opposed, and 18 did not vote. Democrats do not want to suspend the gas tax, which was increased in 2017 to fund road improvements statewide.

Russia reports 1,300 soldiers killed since the invasion began, while NATO estimates 7,000 to 15,000 have died. The U.N. Human Rights Office confirmed 925 civilians have been killed and 1,496 injured. And 3.6 million people have fled.

At Chevron in Capitola, the price of regular unleaded is $5.99 per gallon -- Aptos Safeway, $5.49, Arco Aptos, $6.05 and Chevron Aptos, $6.39.

“Gas Prices” page 10

“COVID Update” from page 7

This lowers the cost of immunizations, and the protection lasts until 2024.

Dr. Pamela Popper of Ohio has sued HHS, FDA and CDC concerning vaccines for kids under 16, and hopes to get discovery, the point at which both sides can get evidence. Updates are at https:// makeamericansfreeagain.com/

California reports 83.8% of residents age 5 and up have had at least one shot.

On the CDC Covid tracker, Santa Cruz County reports 90.3% of residents age 5 and up have at least one shot and 82% fully vaccinated.

Proposed Bills

To track the Covid-19 bills proposed by California lawmakers see https:// leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

AB 1993: To mandate vaccines for all employees and independent contractors — and require employers to verify their workers are immunized.

Senate Bill 1479: To mandate Covid testing plans and require the California Department of Public Health to help school districts develop them.

Senate Bill 871:To end a personal belief exemption in the state’s student vaccine mandate.

Senate Bill 866: To allow children 12 and older to get COVID vaccines without parental consent.

Omicron Less Deadly

The assumption is Omicron, the most easily transmissible variant of the Covid-19 coronavirus, quickly drove the increase in January and the decline in February and March.

The California Department of Public Health estimates Omicron comprises 91% of cases statewide but does not have a breakdown of Omicron hospitalizations or deaths.

Not all COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization are sequenced, and the proportion of cases due to the Omicron variant that die is still being determined.

Omicron is deadly than Delta, which raged in 2021.

Santa Cruz County reports 259 Covid deaths, up from 225 as of Dec. 15, before Omicron was confirmed on Dec. 16 and 17.

One statistic is similar: 79% to 81% of those who died had pre-existing conditions.

Why do people fear Omnicron?

They may have a pre-existing condition (diabetes, obesity, asthma, high blood pressure).

Half of Americans do, so they are at higher risk for severe Covid illness.

So are people 85 and older.

Some people who got Covid experience “long Covid,” with fatigue and brain fog months afterward. A 2022 study in the journal Cell by researchers following more than 200 patients found many acute Covid patients had low cortisol, which could be addressed.

Testing

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, with Inspire Diagnostic, has provided 385,800 tests.

Cases peaked at 4,407 on Jan. 27, dropping to 150 on March 24. The 14-day positivity rate, 12.25% on January, is down to 1.11%.

The County Office of Education offers drive-though testing for students, staff and families at these locations:

Cabrillo College, Aptos, Parking Lot K, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz, Monday to Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

School staff have rapid response antigen tests, courtesy of the County Office of Education, and schools are providing more for home use.

Directions are at https://drive. google.com/file/d/1U8AdsSyH14sD vrjD6T25krhvOFRFsuXs/view

For test options see: https://tinyurl. com/get-tested-santa-cruz.

Based on federal recommendations, the state shortened the isolation time for those testing positive from 10 days to five days.

Schedule booster shots at https:// myturn.ca.gov/ or by asking your local doctor and pharmacies. For local vaccine providers, visit www.santacruzhealth. org/coronavirusvaccine.

For help scheduling an appointment, call the Community Bridges Helpline at 831-219-8607 or 831-440-3556 (English, Spanish, Mixteco and Triqui).

For local information on COVID-19, go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus

or call (831) 454-4242 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n •••

Total COVID cases: 546

••• COVID Deaths: 259 As of March 24 Age 85 and older: 110 • 75-84: 61 • 65-74: 46 60-64: 15 • 55-59: 4 • 45-54: 10 35-44: 8 • 25-34: 5 Underlying Conditions Yes: 209 • No: 50 Race White 147 • Latinx 89 • Asian 16 Black 3 • Amer Indian 1 Hawaiian 1 • Another 2 Gender Men: 133 • Women: 126 Location At facility for aged: 115 Not at a facility: 144