El Plan de mejora de salud comunitaria tiene como objetivo orientar iniciativas e inversiones públicas y privadas con la finalidad de mejorar la salud general de la comunidad y las condiciones que fomentan la salud.
El departamento de salud del condado de San Mateo invita a los residentes a participar en una reunión en línea el miércoles 1 de noviembre, cuando dará inicio al desarrollo del primer Plan de mejora de la salud comunitaria.
El plan tiene como objetivo orientar iniciativas e inversiones públicas y privadas con la finalidad de mejorar la salud general de la comunidad y las condiciones que fomentan la salud.
Así, County Health busca la ayuda del público para identificar las principales prioridades que se incluirán en el plan y comenzar un marco para los esfuerzos continuos.
En la reunión del 1 de noviembre, County Health compartirá los resultados de una serie de foros comunitarios recientes sobre necesidades y prioridades de salud.
La reunión se llevará a cabo de 5 a 7 pm vía Zoom.
“Los foros comunitarios involucraron a más de 150 participantes y nos brindaron la oportunidad de escuchar de primera mano las necesidades expresadas por nuestros residentes”, señaló Tamarra Jones, directora interina de la división de Planificación, Políticas y Salud Pública del County Health.
Además de los foros, County Health encuestó a más de 3 mil residentes del condado, en la que se capturó datos sobre los factores que influyen en los resultados de salud, incluida la vivienda asequible, el cuidado infantil, la educación, el empleo, la calidad del aire y el agua, la participación cívica, la seguridad de los vecindarios, el acceso a los servicios de atención médica y la actividad física.
Developing the Community Health Improvement Plan is the next step.
De acuerdo con el County Health, un objetivo clave es involucrar al público y desarrollar asociaciones que crearán las condiciones que mejoren la salud de la comunidad.
Para participar en la reunión inicial a través de Zoom el 1 de noviembre, de Click here.
El Departamento de Salud Pública de California insta a los californianos a vacunarse contra una triple amenaza de virus, se espera que aumenten las tasas de COVID-19, influenza y virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) a fines del otoño.
El Departamento de Salud Pública de California insta a los californianos a la vacunación contra una triple amenaza de virus que se espera que aumente en los próximos meses.
Se espera que las tasas de COVID-19, influenza y virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) aumenten a fines del otoño y en los meses de invierno a medida que más personas se reúnen en el interior y menos personas se vacunan contra el COVID-19.
Pero la escasez de dosis de anticuerpos contra el VRS esta temporada ha hecho que los funcionarios de salud federales y estatales cambien sus directrices para incluir más vacunas para las mujeres embarazadas durante ciertos períodos de su gestación.
Las tasas de vacunación contra el COVID-19 son mucho más bajas en comparación con los últimos dos años. Anteriormente, las vacunas eran gratuitas para los pacientes y el costo lo pagaba el gobierno federal, pero ahora están en el mercado comercial. Aquellos que no tienen seguro médico aún pueden acceder a vacunas gratuitas a través de un programa estatal llamado My Turn, al que se puede acceder en myturn.ca.gov.
El doctor Tomás Aragón, funcionario de salud pública del estado, dijo durante una conferencia de prensa virtual el jueves que las tasas de vacunación han sido más bajas entre los californianos con ingresos más bajos y entre ciertos grupos raciales y étnicos.
Alrededor del 4.6 por ciento de la población del estado está al día con la vacuna COVID-19, en comparación con el 75 por ciento del estado que estaba completamente vacunado en el punto álgido de la pandemia. Los californianos blancos están actualmente vacunados a una tasa del 6.7 por ciento, mientras que los californianos negros tienen una tasa del 2.7 por ciento y los latinos tienen una tasa del 1.5 por ciento.
Las infecciones por COVID-19 han disminuido en el estado después de un breve aumento en el verano. En todo el estado, hubo 610 mil 381 personas recientemente hospitalizadas con coronavirus entre el 20 de agosto y el 14 de octubre, un promedio de 248 por día. El estado registró más de 104 mil muertes por COVID-19 del 1 de agosto al 25 de septiembre, un promedio de 19 por día, según el rastreador de COVID-19 del estado.
Aragón recomendó que cualquier persona mayor de 6 meses se vacune contra el COVID y la gripe.
Las vacunas actuales contra el COVID-19 solo requieren una dosis, en lugar de necesitar un refuerzo, con la excepción de la vacuna Novavax, que recibió autorización de uso de emergencia de la Administración de Alimentos y Medicamentos de EE. UU. este mes.
Existe una guía revisada sobre la vacuna contra la gripe para personas con alergia al huevo a quienes previamente se les advirtió contra la vacuna. Ahora, se anima a las personas con alergia al huevo a que se vacunen como todos los demás, a menos que hayan tenido una reacción adversa en el pasado, dijo Aragón.
Más de 4 mil 600 californianos murieron a causa de la gripe en 2021, el último año completo para el que los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades federales publicaron datos.
“Octubre es un momento perfecto para vacunarse contra la influenza, de modo que tenga suficiente tiempo para desarrollar inmunidad, de modo que cuando la influenza aumente, estará protegido”, dijo Aragon.
La protección contra el VSR puede venir en forma de vacuna para adultos mayores y mujeres embarazadas, e inmunización mediante anticuerpos para bebés y niños. Actualmente hay escasez de un tratamiento con anticuerpos recientemente desarrollado por Sanofi y AstraZeneca, Beyfortus (nirsevimab-alip), en todo el país, lo que llevó a los CDC a emitir un aviso de salud el lunes recomendando racionar el suministro.
El departamento de salud pública del estado está alentando a las mujeres que tienen entre 32 y 36 semanas de embarazo a recibir la vacuna como una forma de transmitir inmunidad al feto que dura aproximadamente seis meses después del nacimiento.
Los recién nacidos y los niños pequeños entre el nacimiento y los 19 meses tienen el mayor riesgo de sufrir VRS grave, junto con los adultos mayores de 65 años.
Aragón recomendó usar mascarillas, lavarse las manos y quedarse en casa cuando se esté enfermo como métodos de prevención.
Puede encontrar más información sobre las diferencias y la disponibilidad de las vacunas en vacunas.org.
El gobernador Newsom, el alcalde de San Francisco, London Breed, la fiscal de distrito Brooke Jenkins y el jefe de policía Bill Scott, anunciaron la formación de una nueva fuerza para investigar muertes e intoxicaciones relacionadas con opioides.
The Governor Gavin Newsom y los líderes de San Francisco están estableciendo un nuevo grupo de trabajo para investigar muertes y envenenamientos relacionados con opioides para responsabilizar aún más a los narcotraficantes.
Aprovechando la asociación del estado con la ciudad de San Francisco para abordar la crisis del fentanilo, este viernes, Newsom, el alcalde de San Francisco, London Breed, la fiscal de distrito Brooke Jenkins y el jefe de policía Bill Scott, anunciaron la formación de una nueva fuerza para investigar muertes e intoxicaciones relacionadas con opioides en la ciudad.
El nuevo grupo de trabajo incluirá personal del Departamento de Policía de San Francisco (SFPD), la Oficina del Fiscal de Distrito de San Francisco (SFDA), la Patrulla de Caminos de California (CHP) y la Guardia Nacional de California (CalGuard).
Este grupo, tratará las muertes por opioides en San Francisco de manera similar a los casos de homicidio, pues empleará procedimientos operativos estándar para documentar las muertes, reunir evidencia relevante, procesar inteligencia para mapear aún más el suministro de fentanilo y los grandes sindicatos criminales, además de responsabilizar a los narcotraficantes.
“La crisis de los opioides se ha cobrado demasiadas personas y los traficantes de fentanilo deben rendir cuentas, incluso, según corresponda, por asesinato. Este grupo de trabajo lucha por los afectados por esta crisis: por las víctimas y sus seres queridos que merecen paz. Trabajando juntos, continuaremos brindando tratamiento y recursos para ayudar a quienes luchan contra el uso de sustancias y garantizaremos justicia para las familias que han perdido a sus seres queridos”, señaló Newsom.
Por su parte, la alcaldesa London Breed, recordó que el fentanilo es más mortífero que cualquier droga que se haya visto en las calles de San Francisco, por lo que se debe tratar el tráfico y la venta de esa droga con más severidad y se debe advertir a la gente que la vende que podría dar enfrentar cargos de homicidio.
En su oportunidad, la fiscal de distrito Brooke Jenkins, destacó que el nuevo grupo de trabajo dotará a la ciudad y al condado de San Francisco de una capacidad de investigación profundamente necesaria.
“Tradicionalmente, las sobredosis no han sido investigadas como asesinatos. Ahora, trabajando juntos podremos investigar sobredosis fatales de fentanilo donde se podrán recolectar pruebas para establecer una conexión con la persona que proporcionó las drogas que mataron a alguien para que posiblemente pueda ser acusado de asesinato”, precisó.
“Los traficantes y traficantes de drogas han causado la muerte de demasiadas personas en nuestra comunidad y esta nueva herramienta nos dará una mejor oportunidad de responsabilizarlos por la verdadera peligrosidad de su conducta”, agregó.
El jefe de policía de San Francisco, Bill Scott, dijo estar orgulloso de apoyar a los socios municipales y estatales para responsabilizar mejor a los traficantes y hacer que San Francisco sea un lugar seguro para todos.
“Nos negamos a quedarnos de brazos cruzados mientras los traficantes de fentanilo continúan beneficiándose de las trágicas muertes que están causando en nuestra ciudad”, subrayó.
A través de esfuerzos de investigación, recopilación de evidencia y análisis de datos, el grupo de trabajo buscará identificar e interrumpir las redes de distribución de opioides en San Francisco que son responsables de sobredosis e intoxicaciones fatales.
Esfuerzos similares han tenido éxito en otras ciudades, incluidas San Diego y Fresno, donde los analistas de CalGuard contribuyen con el apoyo a las investigaciones de muertes relacionadas con los opioides. Se espera que el grupo de trabajo de San Francisco esté en pleno funcionamiento a principios del próximo año.
This new task force comes after San Francisco has seen an alarming increase in fentanyl-related deaths.
Desde que el estado comenzó a incrementar sus esfuerzos de aplicación de la ley en San Francisco el 1 de mayo de 2023, el CHP ha incautado 18.5 kilos de fentanilo y ha realizado 364 arrestos por delitos graves y menores en Tenderloin y sus alrededores.
For the Mayans, death was not the end of life, but the beginning of a new stage; and with colors, smells, flavors and textures, this culture continues to celebrate Hanal Pixán (food for the souls).
U NÁAJIL A PIXÁN / THE HOUSE OF YOUR SOUL
A t'aane' u náajil a pixán / Your language is the house of your soul.
Tumen ti' kuxa'an a laats'ilo'ob / Your parents and grandparents live there.
You're welcome to the festival / In that ancient house,
u k'aasal a kajtalil / home of your memories,
you're the one who's here / your word remains.
The béetike' / That's why,
ma' wóok'tik u kíimil a wínklil / do not cry the death of your body,
mix a wóok'tik u kíimil a pixán / nor mourn the death of your soul;
a winklil / your body,
máantats ku p'aatal ichil u yich a páalal / remains in the faces of your children;
to pixane / your soul,
máantats ku léembak ich u yich xuxil éek'ob / eternalizes in the brilliance of the stars.
-Jorge Miguel Cocom Pech, Mayan Poet
For the Mayans, death was not the end of life, but the beginning of a new stage; and with colors, smells, flavors and textures, this ancient culture celebrates Hanal Pixán (food for the souls), a celebration of its dead who return every year to visit their loved ones.
The Mayan culture was a Mesoamerican civilization considered one of the most influential of antiquity, which is recognized for its traditions and magnificent constructions, in addition to its art, agriculture, architecture, mythology, and its numbering system.
This culture developed in Guatemala and Mexico (Yucatan, Campeche, Quintana Roo, Chiapas) and El Salvador. Among the most important Mayan cities were: Palenque, Chichen Itza, Tikal, Copan and Calakmul.
The Mayans saw life and death as cyclical, so dying was not the end of everything, but a new way of being born, since life was a time without end. They believed that the dead, the living and the gods were connected by paths of snakes along which souls traveled to the corresponding heaven and to resurrection in the womb of women.
For them, human life was constituted by the soul or spirit called pixan, this determined the vigor and energy of people, being the element that would travel to the underworld when physical death occurred.
With the arrival of the Spanish, customs changed, ceremonies and rituals were banned, so the cyclical return to life was lost, leaving aside the idea of reincarnation. In the new cosmology, all souls returned once a year to stay a few days with their family and friends.
This change gave way to the celebration of the faithful departed, where loved ones are awaited with altars representative of pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs.
Currently, Hanal Pixan is experienced as a moment of closeness to the Mayan roots as a way of continuity, permanence and renewal as the Mayan culture in the cyclical process, giving way to a new beginning, since without the death of our ancestors, life would not exist now.
Hanal Pixan, the Mayan tradition that celebrates the Day of the Dead
Communities celebrate their Mayan roots during Hanal Pixán. In Mexico, it is customary to serve typical dishes such as Pib, which is a type of tamale cooked in a stone oven. The offerings are filled with flowers, fruit, bread, candles, and sweets.
Hanal Pixán or “food of souls” is the celebration of the faithful deceased in Mayan culture.
Mayan communities and villages prepare to welcome their loved ones who have passed away; from October 31 to November 2, the souls return to visit their relatives.
The first day of the celebration is dedicated to children and they call it U Hanal PalalThe second day, November 1, is dedicated to adults and is called U Hanal Nucuch UinicoobThe third day is dedicated to all the saints, so a special ceremony is prepared, it is called U Hanal Pixanoob, called in some places Pixán Mass.
For this celebration, it is customary to visit the graves of the deceased and decorate them with flowers, clean them, and spend a pleasant time in the cemetery. It is also part of the tradition to place an altar with typical food, flowers, candles, bread, water, a photograph of loved ones, and Mayan crafts.
Unlike other regions, in Mayan altars it is customary to place only one level of offering, seeing the earth on a single level; the table must have a white tablecloth with embroidered figures, and it is also customary to burn incense to help guide the souls to their homes.
In Mexico, in the Yucatan state celebrates Hanal Pixán remembering their ancestors with rituals of Mayan culture, they offer typical food and fruit from the region, they prepare traditional Yucatecan dishes, in this region of the country they see life and death as part of a new cycle, it is not the end, it is the perpetual beginning.
All Saints' Day: Celebration in Guatemala
In Guatemala, the celebration of All Saints' Day is very representative; it is customary to visit cemeteries to decorate them, listen to music and celebrate the day in the company of loved ones.
It is very common to bring cold meat to eat when visiting cemeteries. This is a typical food for the celebration. Its origins are from the Mayan culture. They commemorated their deceased by gathering at the graves of their deceased and eating cold dishes.
This is how fiambre came about, being a mixture of sausages and meats, accompanied by vegetables from Guatemala.
In some parts of Guatemala it is customary to eat güisquiles and corn on the cob as a family. It is established that in the early hours of November 1st, people go out in search of vegetables, then they are cooked on a bonfire where family members gather to spend time while eating. On other occasions, they are taken to the cemetery to eat them when they visit the graves of their loved ones.
Another tradition in Guatemala is the race of souls, where several riders race on horseback. It is a spiritual ritual that is done in honor of the deceased. This race takes place on an improvised track. The riders wear a suit decorated with ribbons and feathers on their hats.
The “Giant Kite Festival” is a traditional cultural event held in the town of Sumpango, located in the department of Sacatepéquez. This annual festival usually takes place on November 1st. Kites are believed to serve as a means of communication between the living and the deceased. The act of flying the kites is a way of sending messages to loved ones who have passed away, and the wind is thought to carry these messages to the spirit world.
But the most representative celebration in Guatemala is that of the giant kites, which are a kind of colorful kites that are flown for this holiday.
The first kites were made in the 19th century by the Chinese, but they were made in a small size. When Justo Rufino Barrios (1873-1885) was president, he created cemeteries in several communities and that is when they began to use these items as part of the celebration, taking advantage of the air currents.
When flying kites over graves, it is believed that the air and kites form an element to communicate with deceased loved ones.
On the initiative of former President Jorge Ubico Castañeda, the inhabitants of Santiago Sacatepéquez made the giant kites that are now known as the most representative element of this festivity.
Dos hombres que muerieron en casos distintos en el Centro Correccional de Maguire en Redwood City fueron identificadoso como Peter Edward McLaughlin, un residente de Pacifica de 64 años, y Ronald Simmons, de 34 años de San Bruno.
Dos hombres encarcelados en el Centro Correccional de Maguire en Redwood City que fueron encontrados muertos en casos separados con un día de diferencia fueron identificados el miércoles por la Oficina Forense del Condado de San Mateo como Peter Edward McLaughlin, un residente de Pacifica de 64 años, y Ronald Simmons, de 34 años de San Bruno.
McLaughlin fue encontrado muerto en su celda el viernes por la mañana temprano, durante un control que se realiza cada hora, según la Oficina del Sheriff del condado de San Mateo.
Una declaración inicial de la Oficina del Sheriff dijo que McLaughlin probablemente murió por causas naturales, pero se está llevando a cabo una investigación sobre la muerte.
Según la oficina forense, el informe sobre la causa de la muerte podría tardar hasta 12 semanas en completarse.
Por su parte, Simmons fue encontrado inconsciente al día siguiente, el sábado, en otra celda de la unidad de salud conductual de la cárcel, donde estaba alojado solo, según la Oficina del Sheriff.
Despite life-saving measures, Simmons could not be revived. His death was initially believed to be a suicide and remains under investigation by the county coroner's office.
Having good mental health benefits all areas of life, it makes better people who contribute to building a better society, something quite contrary to the stigma that has been created, it is important to consider that we all have emotional problems, therefore, we all need help and psychological support.
The issue of mental health has been stigmatized by society by believing that only sick or weak people are the ones who need psychological or psychiatric support. However, specialists assure that psychological therapy is for everyone, helping to improve the quality of life. of any person.
Unfortunately, there is a stigma regarding psychological and psychiatric care, understanding stigma as that negative belief that leads to devaluing or discrediting those people with mental illnesses and also the treatments in this area of health such as therapy, said psychologist Gloria Sánchez in an interview with Manuel Ortiz during the program Península 360 Radio, in collaboration with Marcos Gutiérrez of “Hecho en California“.
Mental health is a state of mental well-being that allows people to cope with life's stressful moments, develop all their skills, be able to learn and work properly, as well as contribute to the improvement of their community, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Having good mental health benefits all areas of life, making people better people who contribute to building a better society, something that is quite the opposite of the stigma that has been created around psychological care.
“It is believed that people who seek this therapy are crazy, and that makes people reluctant to seek emotional support in therapy, and it is even worse when seeking help from a psychiatrist,” said the therapist.
It is important to distinguish between a psychologist and a psychiatrist to avoid falling into stigma; the psychiatrist is a doctor and the psychologist has a different training; in case medical studies or medication are required, the psychiatrist is the only one who can carry out this request, he said.
Sánchez stressed that it is important to consider that we all have emotional problems, therefore, we all need help and psychological support.
“For example, people who have suffered a loss in their lives develop an emotional disorder; when talking about loss, we can say that this can be physical or emotional, such as losing youth, health, work, a friend, and even pets,” said Gloria Sánchez.
And, she stressed, all human beings have emotional situations that disrupt our lives, "if life were an eternal treat, then no one would go through painful things, but that is not the case, life has ups and downs," she said.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, people faced difficult situations. Many lost their jobs, their routine, the freedom to go out, and as their living arrangements changed, new situations arose, which led to an increase in domestic violence, since they were not used to being with the same people 24 hours a day.
Sexual abuse also increased, and online psychological care increased, becoming a very favorable alternative that allowed people to begin their psychological process without having to leave their areas.
Gloria Sánchez explained that, during psychological therapy, she can refer the patient to a psychiatrist if required, the important thing is to have a follow-up and a process.
And the idea is that, she said, a psychiatrist prescribes an antidepressant because the patient has a major illness, and people have the stigma that by taking these medications they will become addicted or dependent, but that is not the case, the psychologist stressed, while recalling that this is just another stigma that society carries, since the processes of depression take time.
Likewise, she pointed out that if someone in the family has a mental health problem, it is very important to show support and eliminate the thought that they are crazy or that they will never be able to have a healthy coexistence, since this becomes a form of violence towards those with emotional health problems.
He also stressed that therapy is always accompanied by other sports or artistic activities that allow the patient to feel fulfilled, as it is part of a healthier way of life.
The psychologist also explained the benefits of mindfulness, which is focusing attention on the present moment, a method to achieve full attention on what is happening now, since this is the only moment that can be determined.
In this sense, she explained that thinking only about the past generates sadness and focusing on the future generates anxiety when doubting the ability to face it, so it is important to focus on the present and enjoy the current moment, which allows us to be more fulfilled and aware of what we are experiencing and ultimately generate a better quality of life.
For those interested in starting their emotional support process, you can visit Insight Meditation Center at 108 Birch Street, Redwood City, CA 94062, where they have different programs; or call (650) 599-3456.
To contact psychologist Gloria Sánchez, interested parties can call 6508509381.
Investing in mental health will never be a bad investment.
San Mateo police arrested two men on Saturday, October 21, 2023 for allegedly stealing two motorcycles in the city. The suspects allegedly used a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that was caught on video transporting the stolen motorcycles. (SMPD via BCN)
According to police, San Mateo officers arrested two suspected motorcycle thieves over the weekend after using a tracker attached to one of the motorcycles they allegedly stole.
On Saturday morning, officers were alerted to a report of a man who said his two motorcycles were stolen from his private parking lot in the 400 block of East Hillsdale Boulevard, the San Mateo Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.
Officers spoke to witnesses and obtained video footage showing a red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck pulling up to the garage and leaving with the stolen motorcycles.
San Mateo police arrested two men on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, after they allegedly stole two motorcycles from an apartment garage in the city. (San Mateo Police Department via Bay City News)
Officers later learned that the victim had placed a tracking device on one of the stolen motorcycles.
Using the tracker, they located the stolen motorcycles in the 1300 block of Veterans Boulevard in South San Francisco around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, police said.
Working with South San Francisco police, San Mateo officers located the suspects, Matthew McGettigan and Floyd Cooper, and the red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck allegedly used in the crime.
McGettigan, 32, and Cooper, 37, were arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle and vehicle theft. The stolen motorcycles were returned to the victim, police said.
The people have risen up, and according to Alida Vicente, a Pokomam leader from Palín, a municipality in the department of Escuintla, Guatemala, will not take “even one step back.”
The major news networks are ignoring or minimizing the scale of the uprising of the indigenous and mestizo people, despite the fact that the mobilization in towns and popular neighborhoods is growing every day, demanding the removal of corrupt officials and confronting the most rotten of the business elite and narcopolitics, which is determined to prevent the inauguration of the elected president Bernardo Arévalo.
What began as a citizen's repudiation of malicious litigation and in favor of the result of the vote at the polls, is becoming a historic claim against the corrupt and abusive minority.
“Guatemala is not their farm,” says Alida Vicente, and unlike the urban and middle-class leadership of the October 1944 Revolution, the current uprising is led by indigenous women and men, subject to the mandate of their bases and their assemblies.
This is an important indication that the old model of regressive modernization known as La Patria del Criollo, according to the title of the book by historian Severo Martínez Peláez, is coming to an end.
The elite continues to behave like the occupier, ruthlessly crushing any attempt at social reform and citizen democracy.
It is clear that beyond malicious litigation and the removal of corrupt officials, Guatemalan narco-feudalism is facing a coalition of poor people from the city and the countryside, as well as people from the middle classes, professionals and university students, who yearn to return to the path of the nationalist revolution of 1944.
That of course includes many of the two million Guatemalan workers in the United States who are prevented from voting and whose remittances sustain the national economy.
The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has awarded a $207,400 grant to increase traffic safety in San Mateo County that will support ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on the roads. Photo: Manuel Ortiz P360P
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office received a grant from the California Office of Highway Safety (OTS) for the Traffic Enforcement Program to Increase Highway Safety.
The $207,400 OTS grant will support ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on county roads.
This support will provide additional programs and resources, including: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoints and saturation patrols focused on stopping drivers suspected of driving under the influence.
Additionally, highly visible distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers who violate California's hands-free cell phone law; and enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that endanger the safety of people on bicycles and on foot.
It will also serve to include control operations focused on the main violations that cause accidents: speeding, failing to yield, running stop signs and/or red lights, and improper turns or lane changes.
Also, for community presentations on traffic safety issues such as distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and bicycle and pedestrian safety; and law enforcement collaboration with neighboring agencies.
Added to this is the training and/or recertification of officers: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Enforcement of Driving Under the Influence (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).
Finally, the money will allow for highly publicized motorcycle safety, pedestrian safety, and/or bicycle safety operations in areas or during events with a high number of motorcycle incidents or collisions due to unsafe speed, drunk driving, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, improper turns, and other major crash factor violations.
The grant program will be in effect until September 2024.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc. and its affiliates (Meta) for harm to the mental health of young people, alleging that Meta, among other things, designed and implemented harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that addicted children and teens to physical and mental harm.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a bipartisan coalition of 33 attorneys general to file a federal lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc. and its affiliates (Meta), for damage to the mental health of young people.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the lawsuit alleges that Meta, among other things, designed and implemented harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that addicted children and teens to physical and mental harm.
The attorneys general are seeking injunctive and monetary relief to address Meta's misconduct.
Eight attorneys general announced that they will file lawsuits against Meta in their respective state courts today.
The federal and state charges are the result of a nationwide investigation that Bonta announced on November 18, 2021.
“Our bipartisan investigation has reached a solemn conclusion: Meta has been harming our children and teens, cultivating addiction to increase corporate profits,” said U.S. Attorney Rob Bonta.
“We must protect our children and we will not back down in this fight. I am grateful for the collaboration of my fellow state attorneys general in defending our children and holding Meta accountable,” he stressed.
In today's lawsuit, Bonta alleges that Meta violated federal and state laws, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), California's False Advertising Law (FAL), and California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL).
It should be noted that COPPA is a federal law that protects the online privacy of children under the age of 13, while the California FAL prohibits false and misleading advertising, and the California UCL prohibits illegal, unfair and fraudulent business practices.
According to the federal complaint, Meta’s misconduct includes creating a business model focused on maximizing young users’ time on its platforms; employing harmful and psychologically manipulative platform features while deceiving the public about the safety of those features; and publishing reports that purport to show deceptively low rates of harm to users.
While much of the complaint includes information conditionally sealed as part of the attorneys general’s investigation, publicly available sources — including evidence disclosed by former Meta employees — also detail the company’s efforts to attract young users and make its platforms addictive to children and teens.
The Wall Street Journal published an internal Facebook document in 2021 that said of young users: “They are a valuable, but untapped, audience.”
In addition to the lawsuit filed today against Meta, Attorney General Bonta has an ongoing investigation into TikTok for harm to young people associated with the use of its platform. On March 5, 2023, he filed a brief amicus curiae supporting efforts to compel TikTok to produce subpoenaed materials and evidence. The investigation is ongoing.
The states joining today's federal lawsuit against Meta are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Florida is filing its own federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
They are joined by the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Vermont, which have filed related actions in state courts.
