County Update
With Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman
Supervisor Mike Wasserman was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 2010 , and re-elected in 2014 and 2018 . He represents District 1 , which includes Gilroy , San Martin , Morgan Hill , Los Gatos , Monte Sereno and portions of San Jose .
Disease . Death . Sheltering in place . Demonstrations . Distance with others . Destroyed businesses . Anger , confusion and distrust . Was it the right choice ? Did we wait too long or not act soon enough ?
While I could easily be describing recent events and sentiments , I am reflecting on the past . On another turbulent upheaval that took place 2,500 miles east of us and nearly 250 years ago . A revolt that began in 1765 and ended 18 years later with the birth of a nation . While it is easy to look back with certainty about what was right , who was right and the worthiness of the sacrifices made for the cause , American Independence was anything but certain at the time . And citizens on both sides of the fight experienced the destruction of their businesses , and the loss of their homes , fortunes and lives .
While observing the American colonial struggle for independence , Thomas Paine wrote on December 23 , 1776 that “ These are the times that try men ’ s souls .” The same could be said for us living through the COVID-19 crisis .
Since March 2020 , I have received and responded to thousands of messages about COVID-19 from the people I represent on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors . I read them -- seven days a week -- and respond to the pleas for help , demands for accountability , and the understandable expressions of anger , frustration and confusion .
The insidiousness of a viral enemy makes it frustrating to fight . We are left to wage a war of patience and vaccinations and plan for an uncertain but hopeful future and a return to normalcy . On April 24th of this year , the County hit the milestone of administering our 1 millionth first vaccine . Currently 82 % of residents aged 12 and older have received at least one dose . At the time of this publication , our goal is to completely vaccinate at least 85 % of eligible residents by August 2021 .
Hopefully , that goal has been reached by the time you read this , allowing our businesses and public spaces to continue to remain fully open , and you are enjoying the summer as life becomes much more normal .
My hope is that like after the American Revolution 250 years ago , we emerge stronger , more united and ready to face what lies ahead together . Happy 4th of July !
To Freedom and Independence ,
Mike
Mike Wasserman , President Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors www . supervisorwasserman . com e-mail : district1 @ bos . sccgov . org office : 408-299-5010
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