Editor’s Letter

Vaccinating at least 70% of the world’s population is, to say the least, challenging. Especially when you consider the number of variables that must coalesce, like Federal, State, and local governments, private industries, varying political perspectives and trust levels, and, of course, sheer math. It’s a logistical bear. The confusion and inconsistencies that have plagued our national COVID response have trickled down to the granular level, to our State and local governments who scramble to keep up with the constantly changing stream of information and regulations, not to mention their own political pressures, multiple stakeholders and, of course, a shortage of actual vaccine supply. 

Never has our dependence on our local county officials’ ability to get something right been more evident and unnerving, given the enormous personal stakes for all of us. So naturally, we all have questions, concerns, perhaps some criticism, and a strong need to have some if not all of these items addressed. Now we will have the chance.

Please join us on February 19 at 10:30 am for a Montecito Journal sponsored Zoom Town Meeting designed to address your questions and concerns regarding Santa Barbara County’s COVID Vaccine Rollout Plan. During this hour-long Virtual Town Meeting, we will be joined by Congressman Salud Carbajal, County Supervisors Das Williams and Gregg Hart, County Director of Public Health Van Do-Reynoso, Public Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg, and State Senator Monique Limón for an update on the status of Santa Barbara’s vaccination rollout plan. 

In addition to bringing us all up to speed with the latest information regarding our Federal, State, and local vaccination rollout, the majority of this hour will be devoted to responding to the questions and concerns of community members. So please send your questions to letters@montecitojournal.net. There will also be an opportunity to submit questions during the Zoom.

And as if any of us needed more evidence for how critically important the ability to be vaccinated is, please read Michael Bowker’sstory about a local community member who continues to struggle with the painful and unpredictable fallout from his own bout with COVID-19.