February may be the shortest month of the year, but it's going to be a busy one. At the top of the list, of course, are the ongoing efforts to address COVID-19. Having passed the sad milestone of losing 400,000 Americans in this pandemic, we must redouble our efforts, even if we are all weary and frustrated from this fight. There is hope, and there is progress. One thing we should all applaud is the collaboration we're seeing between UCSD, the County of San Diego, the San Diego Padres, and Petco Park. That work helped our region build the Petco Park Vaccination Super Station, one of the first of its kind, in just four days, with the ability to vaccinate 5,000 people a day. This model is being used throughout the region, including the South Bay. Because this is a constantly changing situation, vaccine information is being continually updated and the County COVID-19 vaccine website is a great place to make sure you get the most up-to-date information. If you don't have computer access, you can make appointments or get information by calling 2-1-1. Volunteers are needed to administer vaccinations in our county and throughout the state, so if you or someone you know have a medical background your help would be greatly appreciated. You can find out more from the County of San Diego Medical Reserve Corps website.

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By Nadine Lamberski, DVM, DACZM, DECZM (ZHM)
Board Certified Specialist in Zoological Medicine^TM
Chief Conservation and Wildlife Health Officer
San Diego Zoo Global

On January 11, we announced our gorilla troop tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Transmission to this troop occurred despite us taking all recommended precautions. The transmission is emblematic of what is occurring in our community and around the world as the spread of COVID-19 intensifies.

We are happy to report that all of our gorillas are recovering. This is thanks to the efforts of our veterinary team and our partnerships with local, state and national colleagues to provide the best possible care for our troop.

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Since the start of the pandemic, my district staff hasn't stopped working for you and with you, despite our transition to remote offices. We are aware of the challenges you have endured this past year, especially with unemployment insurance. Our district office has worked to close more than 1,200 cases – each case representing a fellow member of our community. We are committed to helping you navigate the ever-changing environment related to the Employment Development Department's processes. You can find a list of helpful EDD links and resources, including an FAQ, on my website, and, of course, my staff and I will continue to be here to assist you in your time of need. Please feel free to contact us online or call my office directly at (619) 645-3133.

I was proud to participate—albeit virtually—at the groundbreaking of a new, affordable housing community in Linda Vista. Community HousingWorks' new Ulric Street Apartments will be a unique affordable housing project that transforms an underutilized, aging property—with deferred maintenance and just 20 units—into 96 homes for working families, veterans, and transitional age youth. Located close to transit stops, shopping centers, a park, a library, schools, and a full-service grocery, it is an example of the good that can happen when we use innovation to guide our approach to creating more housing solutions in California.

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Each February, our nation celebrates Black History Month, collectively honoring the innumerable contributions made by the Black community throughout our country's history and recognizing that we must continue to work on racial and social justice, and ensure equity for all. This year, I am proud to highlight San Diego's own Dr. Shirley Weber, who has made history as California's first Black Secretary of State. A close family friend and legislative colleague of many years, I have seen first-hand her brilliant leadership, unwavering determination, and principled dedication to her constituents and all of California. Undoubtedly she will serve Californians well and perform the duties of this important office with the same grace and dignity that made her such an accomplished and respected legislator. Congratulations, Dr. Weber!

Tax season officially begins for individual filers on February 12 and closes on April 15. As you prepare to file, take a moment to see if you are one of the millions of Californians who qualifies for the California Earned Income Tax Credit. The CalEITC, which I'm proud to have created and expanded, helps working families keep more of their hard-earned money. If you have a lower income, work, and are at least 18 years old or have a qualifying child, you may be eligible. If you don't have a social security number, don't worry—taxpayers with an ITIN (Individual Tax Identification Number) are eligible, too. Don't miss out on the opportunity to keep more of your money in your wallet. Learn more about the credit and see if you're eligible by visiting CalEITC4Me.

The coronavirus cases and deaths have risen significantly in the last few months. In his inaugural address on January 20, President Biden said that we may be entering the toughest and deadliest period of our fight against this virus. It's important to keep an eye on our local and statewide COVID-19 numbers to best understand the situation at hand and to best make informed decisions. The state's COVID-19 website provides daily updates on the number of coronavirus cases, deaths, testing, and hospitalizations on the statewide dashboard. The site also has a county status page with information on San Diego county's current risk level and the metrics that determine that level. Another important resource is the County's coronavirus page, which has daily updates on local case numbers, hospitalizations, testing sites, and much more.