SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento County Sheriff asks governor for vaccine ahead of protests
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to help make sure police and California Highway Patrol officers receive the COVID-19 vaccination before possible civil unrest at the State Capitol.
In an open letter posted on the sheriff's Facebook page, Jones says that in order to protect the Capitol and the people in the area, "several hundred" officers will be standing shoulder-to-shoulder. With officers standing so close together and facing potentially thousands of protesters, Jones says the officers are at risk of contracting COVID-19.
"Obviously the sheer numbers and proximity of these officers to each other and potentially thousands of protesters within spitting distance places officers at risk of catching the coronavirus," Jones said. "We do have the opportunity, however, to mitigate that risk."
Jones goes on to ask Newsom to help the officers get their COVID-19 vaccine before possible protests at the State Capitol ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
"I would humbly ask that all officers assigned to these protective and defensive functions be offered their first coronavirus vaccine," said Jones. "Specifically those Sacramento police officers and California Highway Patrol officers that will be engaged in these activities."
Read Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones full open letter below or on Facebook.
State releases latest COVID-19 statistics
On Thursday, the state of California announced the state total of COVID-19 cases is now at 2,816,969. There were also 552 deaths reported Wednesday to Thursday, bringing the state's death total to 31,654.
Line forms in Modesto for vaccine
A line of people wrapped around the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency Thursday morning waiting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. People started lining up as early as 3 a.m. to receive the vaccine and as of 10 a.m. there were hundreds of people standing in line.
Many were in good spirits and optimistic about receiving the vaccine.
Counties asking state for more vaccines
California counties begged for more coronavirus vaccine as the state added a potential 4 million people to those eligible for the sought-after doses.
State public health officials followed federal guidance Wednesday by announcing that people 65 and older could now get it. But Los Angeles County, the nation’s most populous with 10 million residents and an epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, says it can't do that before inoculating some 800,000 health care workers first.
California received more than 2.4 million vaccine doses but only a third of them have been used. The state aims to administer 1.5 million doses by Friday.
Sacramento City Unified School District employees get vaccine
Members of the Sac City Unified School District's health services team have received their COVID-19 vaccine. The team will also "assist and deliver the vaccine through SCUSD's vaccination program." Members of the health services team include credentialed school nurses, teachers, and staff.
Roseville High School temporarily suspends in-person learning due to staff members in quarantine
Just one week after returning to a full-time in-person learning model, Roseville High School is temporarily going back to distanced learning due to dozens of staffers under quarantine due to exposure to positive coronavirus cases on campus.
Between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10, 17 students and one staffer tested positive, according to the data from the Roseville Joint Union High School District. In a letter to parents Wednesday, administrators said 18 teachers, two support staff, seven custodial staff, two paraeducators, and one wellness intern are under quarantine. The school does not have the resources to provide in-person supervision, according to administrators. Students will be moving to a distance learning model through Jan. 22 and are scheduled to return to campus on Jan. 25.
CORONAVIRUS AND VACCINE RESOURCES AND ANSWERS:
- San Joaquin County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Yolo County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Stanislaus County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Sacramento County Help: A Resource Guide for Struggling Families and Individuals
- Q&A: Why wear a mask after you've been vaccinated?
- Can my employer require the COVID-19 vaccine? | Q&A with workers rights attorney
- El Dorado County Help: A resource guide for struggling families and individuals
- Northern California Help: A resource guide for struggling Families and individuals
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
Watch more: