I hope this note finds you well. Daylight Savings Time is over, which means autumn is (un)officially here! We have a lot going on at BCHD this fall that you should know about.
COVID-19 Vaccines
During the spring, our team of volunteers and BCHD staff were focused on helping people get vaccinated against COVID-19. Six months later, we are still focused on vaccines, but now it’s for children ages 5-11, who are now eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.
Monday, November 8, we hosted the first of many children’s vaccine clinics at Washington Elementary School in Redondo Beach. The response has been impressive, with many of the clinics already filled, as parents seek to give their children the protection that the vaccine provides, making their families – and our community—safer and healthier.
Once again, we are working with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the South Bay Consortium for School Vaccines, comprised of 11 public school districts in the South Bay. I would like to acknowledge the three Beach Cities School Districts for helping us host clinics at school sites – a big thank you goes out to Hermosa Beach City School District and Hermosa Valley School; Manhattan Beach Unified School District and Pacific Elementary School; and Redondo Beach Unified School District and Tulita and Washington Elementary Schools. We are grateful for the assistance provided by the Districts, school staffs and the many volunteers working to bring the vaccine to area children.
COVID-19 Testing
We are continuing to provide COVID-19 testing for Beach Cities students and school staff, too. Many of those being tested now are student-athletes, who are required to be tested in order to participate in their athletic activities. These tests are now being conducted at our campus at 514 N. Prospect Avenue in Redondo Beach.
Moais
Our Moai groups are beginning to meet again, albeit with COVID-19 restrictions in place for many of these groups. If you’re part of a Moai, or would like to join one, we have more information on these health-oriented groups on our website at bchd.org/moai.
Healthy Living Campus
In September, the BCHD Board of Directors voted to certify that the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the District’s Healthy Living Campus Master Plan complies with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The vote was taken during the Board Meeting Sept. 8 and was 5-0 in favor of certification, coming after two and a half hours of presentations, public comments and deliberations. More than 300 public comments and responses were included in the 1,778-page Final EIR.
At our next Board meeting on Wed., Nov. 17, the Board will consider selecting a project from the six alternatives analyzed in the EIR, an important step in the evolution of the project.
We will also take a step closer to getting back to “normal,” with our first hybrid Board Meeting. The public will be permitted to attend in-person or virtually via Zoom. Those attending in-person will need to provide proof of vaccination or of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the meeting, get their temperature checked on-site, sign in for contact tracing and wear a mask over their nose and mouth at all times while indoors.
In closing, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we have much to be thankful for even in the midst of this pandemic. I am thankful for the love and support of my family, and thankful for the people who do such great work on behalf of BCHD and our community, including our staff, our dedicated volunteers and the numerous partners who help make this community a great place to live. This includes the Cities, police and fire departments, school districts, chambers of commerce and many, many others. Thank you for all you do to support our healthy beach community.
In health,
Tom
