Local & Community
CDC recommends essential workers like teachers, farmers in next vaccine group
On Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control’s advisory panel voted on who will be included in group 1b for coronavirus vaccinations.
Their recommendation: people 75 and older and front-line essential workers.
Currently, the nation is administering the vaccine to people in phase 1a, that’s front-line healthcare workers and nursing home residents.
Essential workers in 1b include firefighters, police officers, teachers, grocery store workers, agriculture workers and postal workers to name a few.
After that is phase 1c, which includes people between the ages of 65 and 75, and people with high-risk medical conditions.
Other essential workers like people in food services, transportation, communications and construction workers will also be included.
In California, the state’s Community Vaccine Advisory Committee recently held its fourth meeting to discuss the local distribution order.
CVAC provides input and feedback to the planning efforts and tries to resolve barriers to vaccine implementation.
Diana Tellefson Torres, the executive director of UFW Foundations, was part of the state’s meeting.
She says she wants to shed light on the issues the vulnerable farming community faces when it comes to vaccinations.
“They’re a largely uninsured population, and 13 percent of workers who we surveyed said that they have never been to a doctor,’ said Tellefson Torres.
Widespread vaccinations among this group will be a challenge, and now that farm workers have been named a 1b priority by the CDC, Diana says the next step is to develop a distribution plan.
“They tend to be in rural, more isolated areas outside of urban areas, and so we need a mobile strategy where we work together with community based organizations and state public health officials to make sure that as many people as possible are able to have access,” said Tellefson Torres.
As case numbers continue to rise among the farming community, timing is critical.
“We’re certainly hoping that phase 1b is included within the winter time, potentially spring. So, the sooner the better,” said Tellefson Torres.
CVAC will meet next on Dec. 23 to further discuss vaccination orders, and how sectors may be prioritized further.
By: Olivia Sandusky
December 20, 2020
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Damian Durinzi’s Catch in Traffic, 2) Jaylen Turner Finding the End Zone with Pressure, 3) Aiden Pope’s 95 Yard Punt Return, 4) Colton LaCrone’s 40 Yard Rushing TD, or 5) Adam Tremper’s 30 Yard Rushing TD #fypage #fridaynightlights #top3 #hondaofthedesert
FIREFIGHTERS FACE A “FIRENADO” IN IDAHO Talk about a terrifying sight. While battling the Cave Fire near Kuna, Idaho, firefighters encountered a massive fire whirl — commonly called a “firenado.” The dramatic footage shows the powerful column of swirling fire as crews worked to battle the wildfire. Watch the video at NBCPalmSprings.com. #Firenado #Wildfire #Idaho #Firefighters #FireWeather #CaveFire #NBCPalmSprings
Are Coachella Valley roads designed more for cars than people? With 65 pedestrian deaths reported across the Valley’s nine cities in roughly five years, The Roggin Report takes a closer look at pedestrian safety, dark-sky rules, road design and who should be responsible for keeping people safe. Drivers? Cities? Or pedestrians themselves? Watch the full discussion on The Roggin Report at NBCPalmSprings.com/therogginreport
Erosion, rising tides and unstable bluffs are reshaping San Clemente’s iconic coastline — and officials are testing new ways to protect the beach, rail line and nearby infrastructure. The city is using a combination of sand, rock, plants, reinforcement and new walls to fight the impacts. The Orange County Transportation Authority has also built a catchment wall to help keep landslide debris off the coastal rail tracks. And there’s a Coachella Valley connection: San Clemente City Manager Andy Hall previously served as Cathedral City’s city manager. With sea levels rising and extreme tidal events putting more pressure on California’s coast, officials say the work in San Clemente could help other coastal communities prepare for what’s ahead. Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com. #SanClemente #CaliforniaCoast #CoastalErosion #CathedralCity #CoachellaValley NBCPalmSprings
80s pop icon Taylor Dayne is coming to the Coachella Valley, and you could be there! Taylor Dayne sits down with our entertainment contributor TOD Macofsky for a conversation about her legendary career, classic hits, Palm Springs, her upcoming Las Vegas residency and what fans can expect when she takes the stage at Spotlight 29. Taylor Dayne performs Friday, September 4 at 8 p.m. at Spotlight 29. Want to WIN tickets? Enter now at: nbcpalmsprings.com/promotions Watch the full interview with Taylor Dayne on Desert Entertainment with TOD at NBCPalmSprings.com. #TaylorDayne #Spotlight29 #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #80sMusic ConcertGiveaway TicketGiveaway DesertEntertainment
California is considering major penalties for hospitals and medical groups that exceed state healthcare spending targets. But could those fines actually lead to cuts in critical services like emergency rooms, mental health and obstetrics? Tammy and Stephanie weigh in on the potential impact—and why controlling healthcare costs may be a double-edged sword. Watch the full discussion and hear the panel’s take at NBCPalmSprings.com/therogginreport
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
Tonight the city of Coachella made history - becoming the first city in the Coachella Valley and Riverside County to enact a permanent data center ban. The unanimous decision comes after months of demands from hundreds of residents asking city council to shut down a massive data center project proposed in the east end of the city. Tonight at 11, our @newsbyalondra has the latest details.
Palm Springs City Council is taking a vote on whether or not to temporarily pause all applications and permits for a new data center in the city. Stay tuned on nbcpalmsprings.com for the results of that vote later #coachellavalley #palmsprings #datacenters #citycouncil #localnews
Tonight one vote stands between the city of Coachella and a permanent data center ban. Meanwhile, Palm Springs City Council is considering a temporary 45 day ordinance ban against data centers on their end. Make sure to tune in to our 6 and 11 p.m newscasts as our @newsbyalondra has the latest details on the final vote and reaction from the community.