By Kate Cimini, CalMatters

CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.

Photo:  James Gensaw, a Yurok language teacher and ceremonial practitioner, performs a Brush Dance demonstration. Photo courtesy of Yurok Tribe

March 4, 2021 (San Diego) - For years, Betty Sigala spoke to her family about her death: she didn’t want to be put on a machine and she didn’t want to die alone. 

By Mike Allen

Photo: needle exchange; CC by SA-NC

February 28, 2021 (Santee) -- Santee wants San Diego County to conduct comprehensive research about its recently resumed needle exchange program before the Santee City Council weighs in on supporting or opposing the formerly banned program.

By Rebecca Jefferis Williamson

Photo: Creative Commons image by SA

Feb. 23, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Law firms are soliciting former and current firefighters to file suits or share in settlements related to health issues caused by exposure to toxic PFAS/PFOS chemicals in the line of duty. Others impacted by these “forever” chemicals in firefighting foam or other products may also be eligible for compensation.  

This solicitation stems out of a settlement the Dupont Company and its spinoff business, Chemours, et al, that have agreed to cover legal disputes for pollution and environmental liabilities from man-made chemicals related to increased risks of cancer and other health problems, according to ABC News. For more information on the settlement visit https://firefoamsettlement.com/ 

PFAS/PFOS continue to be used in firefighting foams used to fight fires at airports, military bases and industrial sites, though not brush fires.  Some firefighting protective gear has also exposed firefighters to these dangerous chemicals. 

February 22, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• From airports to sporting events, dogs are being used to detect COVID-19 in humans (10 News)
• In-Depth: Why heart medication could help some COVID long haulers (10 News) 
• Biden administration asks Supreme Court to uphold health law (San Diego Union-Tribune) 
• COVID Deadlier for Native Americans Than Other Groups (WebMD
• PFAS exposure linked with worse COVID-19 outcomes (Harvard School of Public Health)
• One in eight recovered COVID patients die from illness complications within 5 months: UK study (New York Post)
• Imaging Reveals How COVID Can ‘Cause the Body to Attack Itself,' Study Shows (NBC San Diego)
• Instagram bans Robert F Kennedy over Coronavirus vaccine misinformation (Variety.com)
• COVID-19 has already cut U.S. life expectancy by a year. For Black Americans, it’s worse (PBS)
• How a powerful corporate consulting firm helped create the opioid epidemic (PBS)
• While ER visits were down last year, drug overdoses increased amid pandemic (USA Today)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• AT&T scrambles to install fiber for 90-year-old after his viral WSJ ad (Ars Technica)
• Study finds ‘forever chemicals’ can lead to severe COVID-19 cases (Daytona Daily News)
• Robinhood CEO admits communications shortcomings, ahead of House testimony (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Gov. Gavin Newsom watches as a teacher is vaccinated in Oakland. Courtesy of the Governor’s office

February 20, 2021 (San Diego) - Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that California health officials plan to set aside 10% of new first doses of COVID-19 vaccine for teachers starting March 1 to help schools reopen.

By David R. Shorey, East County Programs Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

David R. Shorey

February 16, 2021 (San Diego) -- San Diego Sheriff’s stations and headquarters have been available for more than a decade for disposal of unused prescription medication. There are 26 such drop-off locations throughout San Diego County and the program has collected over 100,000 pounds of prescriptions so far. For some, going to a law enforcement location to dispose of prescription drugs can be an uncomfortable experience. So the potential of medication being flushed down the drain or falling into the hands of those other than prescribed is heightened. This poses an environmental threat and a deadly threat, especially to youth.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: CC via Bing

February 12, 2021 (San Diego) – Seniors age 65 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, but many local seniors have found it difficult to get appointments due to lack of access to technology, or limited technical skills. Now, seniors can call Goodwill Employment Centers and speak with a career advisor, who will help set up a vaccine appointment with local health centers.

Seniors can contact any of these Goodwill centers Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for help to get a vaccine appointment:

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Supervisor Nathan Fletcher briefs the media on the coronavirus pandemic. Image from live stream

February 11, 2021 (San Diego) - San Diego County health officials said Thursday that vaccinations of teachers, law enforcement and other essential workers will likely begin within two to three weeks.

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Vaccinations for seniors age 65 and over will be provided in Alpine, Pine Valley, and Valley Center this week.  Appointments are available 1-2 days before each date.

Valley Center Elementary, Valley Center:  Feb.9-10

Joan MacQueen School, Alpine: Feb. 11-12

Mt. Empire High School, Pine Valley Feb. 13-14

For direct access to each site, click on the following links:

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  The COVID-19 vaccine is now available for health care professionals and people 65 and older at multiple sites in the region.

February 8, 2021 (San Diego) - The County’s expanding COVID-19 vaccination efforts now include the opening of a site at Tubman Chavez Community Center. Starting today, the site will offer COVID-19 vaccinations from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.

February 7, 2021 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• US children will 'hopefully' get vaccines in late spring or early summer, says Fauci (Guardian)
• The Differences Between the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson Coronavirus Vaccines Explained (KQED)
• Sociopathic traits linked to not wearing a mask or social distancing during pandemic: study (CNBC)
• J&J files COVID-19 vaccine application with U.S. FDA (Reuters)
  
  5 Hacks And Tips To Make Your Face Mask More Protective (NPR)
• Trump White House donated 8,700 ventilators to other nations. Officials now don’t know where many of them are, watchdog finds. (Washington Post)
• South African scientists discover new chemicals that kill malaria parasite (Reuters)
  
  While COVID is raging, flu cases remain unusually low (Healthline)
• Gut bacteria tied to disease severity, immune response; high mental health toll seen in ICUs )Reuters)
• Hackers leak "manipulated" Covid-19 vaccine data to undermine public trust (Techspoit)
• Three Most Dangerous Underlying Conditions for COVID-19 (AARP)
• In pandemic, more people choose to die at home (AP)

SCIENCE

• As Jeff Bezos steps down, Amazon stakes its future on the cloud (CNN)
• Exclusive: Suspected Chinese hackers used SolarWinds bug to spy on U.S. payroll agency – sources (Reuters)
• Fast-Growing Alternative To Facebook And Twitter Finds Post-Trump Surge 'Messy' (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

February 3, 2021 (San Diego) - CVS Health will begin giving COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible people Feb. 11 at 100 CVS Pharmacy locations across California, the company announced Tuesday.