Hello. I’m Mayor Susan Seaman. As I’ve mentioned in previous addresses, the City of Eureka is continuing to work tirelessly in support of the health and well-being of our citizens, our community, and our economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There’s a lot of energy around vaccine distribution right now, but the truth is, it could be months before some of us are slated to receive our shots. One way we know we will be notified when it’s time for our vaccine is to complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Interest Form for Individuals. You can find that form at humboldtgov.org. Once you submit it, a confirmation email will be sent saying that it’s been received.
Then you wait. When a clinic is scheduled for your priority group – and those groups are laid out by the California Department of Public Health – you will be contacted. Filling out the form does not place a resident ahead of someone in a higher priority group, but it will help make sure citizens are contacted when it’s their turn. It’s especially important to complete it if you do not have a primary care physician. Please encourage those you know to fill out the form, as well.
While waiting for the vaccine, it’s important to stay vigilant about the spread of COVID-19. One of the best things you can do for the community is to get tested. Some people with the virus are asymptomatic, or have very mild symptoms. Testing allows those cases to be caught and limit the spread. The test is free and easy. You can make an appointment at the OptumServe testing site at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds seven days a week. Appointments can be made at ihi.care/covidtesting. You can also call (888) 634-1123.
For those of us at the City of Eureka, today marks the first day of our Strategic Visioning Sessions, which will consist of four, four-hour meetings on Fridays in February. The last visioning session took place in 2019. This year, the meetings will require participants, including the City Council and Department Heads, to consider a world that looks quite a bit different than only two years ago.
At the last strategic visioning session, equity came up as a priority for the Council. The events of the past year have reiterated the importance of bringing that perspective to all of our planning. At the Council meeting earlier this week, Fogbreak presented some of the first findings of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan they’re developing with the City. The information shared in that report will inform our discussions.
We will also look at the lessons and impacts from this past year of running a city during a pandemic. These visioning sessions have always been a favored activity by Council who have few opportunities to sit together for general, but structured, conversation about their vision for the City.
If you are interested in providing public comment or participating, you can e-mail [email protected] or leave a message at (707) 441-4175. You are also welcomed to email me or any council member to advocate for things you would like to see us consider. Our emails are the first letter of our name plus our last name followed by ci.eureka.ca.gov. For example, I can be reached at [email protected].
Again, I’m Mayor Susan Seaman, and I appreciate everybody’s commitment to listening to this message. Please continue to keep Eureka healthy by practicing good habits. Wash your hands, wear a mask, practice social distancing, and avoid social gatherings. Be patient with yourself and kind to your neighbors and family. We’ll talk again soon.
