Survey found residents are prepared for emergencies, but many face barriers, conducted in East Palo Alto by San Mateo County Health and the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
A detailed survey conducted in East Palo Alto by San Mateo County Health and the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District revealed that residents are prepared for emergencies, but many face barriers.
Since climate change can increase the frequency of natural disasters and contribute to increased mosquitoes due to warm weather and increased rainfall, the survey sought feedback on the prevalence of mosquitoes and other pests, extreme heat, rising sea levels and flooding, wildfires and air quality.
Developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is used by epidemiologists and local governments to plan emergency response and assess community resources, needs, and perceptions.
Compared to the general population of San Mateo County, East Palo Alto residents have lower income levels, less access to health care, and higher rates of COVID-19 infection during the pandemic than other cities in the county.
Half of residents in the survey said they had an emergency kit with supplies to prepare for a power outage, earthquake or other disaster, while 58 percent had signed up for SMC Alert, the county's emergency alert system to warn the public about impending threats and evacuation notices.
The survey delved into the details of household emergency preparedness, asking whether residents kept copies of important documents (38.9 percent), identified an out-of-town emergency contact (34.2 percent) and had an emergency communication plan for family and friends to stay in touch (32 percent).
Other questions probed preferred ways to receive emergency alerts (text messages, 44.8 percent) and barriers to communication during an emergency. Seventy-five percent reported no barriers, while 16 percent of respondents cited difficulty with English as a challenge.
The report The survey notes the significantly lower median household income for East Palo Alto residents ($96,349), compared to the county as a whole ($136,837), contributing to greater vulnerability, especially when faced with climate change.
The analysis also notes that “Like surrounding regions, East Palo Alto is also experiencing an increased number of extreme heat days in a year, which can cause heat-related illnesses or exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions among vulnerable populations, including seniors and young children.”
While emergency preparedness indicators were relatively high, residents were largely unaware (74.5 percent) of utility assistance and reimbursement programs to help with air conditioning.
The share of adults without health insurance coverage in 2019 was 23.6 percent, compared with 12.1 percent in the county.
And despite data suggesting the need, few residents were aware of the free services of the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, which residents can call for help with mosquito, rodent, wasp and hornet problems.
“Our district’s work is data-driven,” said Brian Weber, district manager for Vector Control. “The data in this report will help us strategically strengthen our outreach efforts to make residents more aware of the taxpayer-funded services we provide to everyone living in the county.”
Conducted over three days in October 2022, trained field interviewers conducted a rapid needs assessment called CASPER in English and Spanish, following a methodology to ensure randomly selected and geographically representative households.
“The data is really valuable in helping local governments and community-based organizations identify gaps and opportunities for greater engagement,” said Karen Pfister, the county’s health epidemiology program manager and one of the CASPER project leaders.
*Starting in January 2024, undocumented people will be able to access full Medi-Cal services
By Pamela Cruz and Manuel Ortiz. Peninsula 360 Press.
Erica Morrison, a mother of two in Bakersfield, California, knows the importance of Medi-Cal, as it has helped her meet the medical needs of her two children, one whose formula cost her $500 a month and one with special needs who requires specialized care that she would be unable to meet by paying for herself.
“I wouldn’t have health coverage if it wasn’t for Medi-Cal. I also have a son who has special needs and he has many doctors who also receive Medi-Cal. If it weren’t for them, he wouldn’t be able to get the medications or services we need and ultimately I wouldn’t be able to pay for them on my own with my income, without Medi-Cal he wouldn’t survive,” Morrison said in an interview with Peninsula 360 Press.
For Erica Morrison, a mother of two in Bakersfield, California, Medi-Cal has helped cover the medical needs of her children, one of whom has special needs and requires specialized care that she would be unable to cover by paying for herself.
Morrison, who was once incarcerated and is now a specialist mentor for the organization Garden Paths, in Bakersfield, acknowledged that being able to count on Medi-Cal when leaving prison is very important, especially when you have someone waiting for you.
“A lot of times we are released with medications. People are released with medical needs that they were receiving while they were incarcerated and they don’t receive the same treatment when they are released. It’s like they just throw them out into the wild and say: go on your way. So, with Medi-Cal they can continue the coverage and continue the treatment or whatever medical needs they have,” he stressed.
For Sandy Close, executive director of Ethnic Media Services, an organization that held a press conference of Medi-Cal specialists with media from Kern County and others, learning that the flagship health program in the Golden State will be expanded as of January 1, 2024 to undocumented people aged 24 and older is great news.
“What’s going on with Medi-Cal? We’ve made a very rigorous effort to determine eligibility for medical beneficiaries, but that shouldn’t stop us from looking ahead to 2024 and hearing some very exciting news about the expansion of Medi-Cal and the amazing role that California is playing in the country, by developing a new way of delivering health care to communities through the expansion of medical services,” he said.
But what is Medi-Cal?
Measure‑Cal is California's version of the federal Medicaid program. Medi‑Cal offers no-cost or low-cost health coverage to eligible people who live in California.
And, starting in 2024, immigration status will not be an impediment to accessing the program, which since May 2022 has provided its services to undocumented people over 49 years of age below certain income thresholds.
This time, eligibility will depend on: being a California resident, being between 26 and 49 years old, and meeting the eligibility requirements for your income and family group.
Medi-Cal services are free, and its entire system covers doctor visits, prescription drugs, immunizations, mental health services, substance use treatment, vision care/glasses, dental care, hearing aids, transportation, in-home support services, long-term care, emergency services, and specialist visits, among others.
It should be noted that the United States government does not consider obtaining health care, food and housing benefits as part of the public charge regulation, so those who are in the process or consider one day regulating their immigration status are not in danger and can apply for Medi-Cal without fear.
Additionally, if you already have limited Medi-Cal, you do not need to fill out a new application for full-scope Medi-Cal, as you will be automatically enrolled in it on January 1, 2024. However, you may receive a Medi-Cal renewal packet in the mail. Please complete and return it as soon as possible or you may lose your Medi-Cal.
Reyna Olaguez, who is part of the organization Building Healthy Communities Kern, told Peninsula 360 Press that the importance of having and making known this type of information is crucial, since many do not trust being able to obtain, without being a public burden, full Medi-Cal coverage.
Reyna Olaguez, from the organization Building Healthy Communities Kern, pointed out the importance of having and sharing this type of information, since many people do not trust that they will be able to obtain full Medi-Cal coverage.
“It is very important that the undocumented population throughout the state of California realize that Medi-Cal has been expanded; now it is a new expansion that will grant benefits to undocumented people between the ages of 26 and 49 years old if the person's income allows it,” he said.
And while it is true that many will not be able to access Medi-Cal because their household income is higher, she said, organizations like the one she belongs to are already working to raise the income limit and allow more and more people to access the state program.
“There is a struggle, things don’t just happen because they happen, they happen because people raise their voices, and we started to raise the voices of communities that sometimes don’t have access to health insurance and we realized that one of those populations is our undocumented community,” she said.
In Kern County, he said, 53 percent of the people who work in the fields are undocumented, “so it is very important that these people who do such hard and important work in our community have access to health insurance.”
Olaguez called on people to speak with all family members who are candidates for Medi-Cal, such as parents, grandparents, siblings or children, and help them register, “because it is very important to have access to health insurance and focus on prevention and not when it is already too late.”
She recalled that organizations such as Building Healthy Communities Kern will be, starting in January 2024, touring various communities in the county, helping to register people who wish to apply for Medi-Cal, in addition to answering questions they may have about accessing the program.
Dee Slade and Trista Carter, CEO and vice president of African-American Network of Kern, respectively, agreed that Medi-Cal has become one of the most important programs for the African-American community, not only for those born in the United States, but also immigrants, “the other black culture.”
Trista Carter (left) and Dee Slade (right), executive vice president and president of the African-American Network of Kern, respectively, agreed that Medi-Cal has become one of the most important programs for the African-American community.
“(Medi-Cal) is very important because a lot of African American communities still need the support and care that Medi-Cal offers. But the information and education for that is not as accessible, and that’s why it’s important that we have those trusted messengers that can give and pass on that information as well. That way they can get the care that they need as well,” said Trista Carter.
For Dee Slade, “many undocumented people, even if they know the information, fear retaliation if they give too much information, because in the past, they may have heard or experienced problems filling out a form and receiving medical assistance, and then perhaps they had a bad experience because of the language.”
She stressed that another barrier is language, as those who also belong to the black culture may speak Spanish or another language, not just English. “That’s why I’m very excited to see that this is now being expanded to be more inclusive. But again, trusted messages need to somehow identify with those groups that don’t trust.”
The expansion of Medi-Cal, he said, will allow the most vulnerable to “get the help they need.”
“I’m excited that we’re including mental health, which is a priority on the agenda right now, but they will also receive prenatal care. And hopefully we won’t lose so many mothers of African-American or black culture, those immigrants who have immigrated here.”
He added that it is now important that immigration status does not matter, as former foster youth and former inmates seeking rehabilitation for substance abuse can also be candidates for Medi-Cal.
“That is not demographic or ethnic specific, and often it is not age specific either and there are many people on different spectrums of racial ethnicity. It is important that all people receive the care and support necessary to live a viable, healthy and safe life. We have African American people, people of black descent, people of African descent or other Caribbean people, and they also come here for support and to contribute to society in order to reintegrate into it,” Dee Slade explained to Peninsula 360 Press.
Juan Ávila is the operations manager of Garden Pathways, a mentoring organization that works with people who have been involved in the justice system (formerly incarcerated), as well as those at high risk of violence or who have experienced a lot of trauma in their lives, and through mentoring, helps them find employment, get involved in education, and achieve their goals, with the goal of having a better quality of life.
Juan Ávila, operations manager of Garden Pathways, a mentoring organization that works with people who have been involved in the justice system.
In 2016, Garden Pathways did not consider it necessary to work on Medi-Cal, however, after receiving a person who had been released from prison and had a very good opportunity to receive a job that would pay him well, when doing the physical exam, the doctor told him that he would not be able to let him work because he had a serious health condition, and that if he had had Medi-Cal he would have been able to receive the treatment. It was then that the organization decided to help people receive access to health care and have access to Medi-Cal.
“Now with the expansion (of Medi-Cal), which will give us the opportunity to enter jails and prisons and begin the application process, it will be much faster. When people leave, they will already have Medi-Cal activated and can go to the doctor to receive their treatments, receive counseling, mental health or their medications, if necessary,” he stressed.
Ávila explained that Kern County has a large population of immigrants and people who work in agriculture, “so in order for them to be able to do their jobs and feed the world, they have to be healthy too, so they can also help their own children and families. With the expansion for undocumented people from 26 to 49 years old, it is a good benefit, because it is the next generation that followed the one that already had Medi-Cal, but now it is complete, and they can receive vision, dental, and also mental health services, in addition to physical health.”
She also highlighted that, for organizations like Garden Pathways, Medi-Cal will provide funds that can help them continue with their services and not worry that there will be no resources in the future and continue working with communities that, “many times are forgotten and continue living on the margins, and with these expansions we will now be able to go work with them.”
During the press conference, Bill Wise of the Department of Kern County Human Services, issued an urgent appeal to those who have not renewed Medi-Cal in the last three years, as they could lose their coverage.
Bill Wise of the Kern County Department of Human Services issued an urgent appeal to those who have not renewed Medi-Cal in the past three years, as they could lose their coverage.
Although Medi-Cal renewals began in March and April of this year, many still haven't completed the necessary paperwork to keep their coverage, she said. As of September, Kern County had received 33,571 renewals, but more are expected to come, Wise said.
Medi-Cal has also been and is crucial for older adults. Barbara Carter Garcia, a 63-year-old former librarian who has lived in Bakersfield for a year, told Peninsula 360 Press that, as people age, it becomes increasingly important to have medical coverage, since illnesses are a constant.
Barbara Carter Garcia, 63, who has lived in Bakersfield for a year, told Peninsula 360 Press that, with age, it is increasingly important to have medical coverage, since illnesses are a constant.
“At my age we tend to have a lot more health problems as we get older. I have a pleural adhesion in my right lung that wasn’t managed properly, and since I’ve been on Medi-Cal it’s actually healing itself with medications that they gave me quickly. Right after I signed up, they set me up with an appointment right away. I also have my glasses now, which I can see really well with now, which helps me read, which I love to read,” Barbara said.
This avid reader said she can't imagine her life without Medi-Cal.
“I couldn’t, because I would be afraid to do so. Do you think that knowing that my health was such a nightmare when it came to work? Now that I know that I am a healthy woman, I am getting healthier. I feel that I can take care of myself properly and with great care.”
To learn more about the expansion of the Medi-Cal health program, as well as the requirements, and how to renew, please click here. Click here.
El Concejo Municipal de la Ciudad de East Palo Alto nombró como su nuevo alcalde a Antonio Lopez, mientras que como su vicealcaldesa fue electa Martha Barragán.
Tras la reunión fundamental el 12 de diciembre para emitir sus votos y determinar el liderazgo para el próximo mandato, después de una cuidadosa consideración y deliberación, el Concejo Municipal anunció a quienes ocuparían los cargos.
Asimismo, aprovechó la oportunidad para conmemorar a la alcaldesa saliente Lisa Gauthier por su servicio ejemplar en 2023.
La dedicación y el liderazgo de la alcaldesa Gauthier fueron reconocidos con un mazo conmemorativo como muestra de gratitud por su compromiso con la comunidad.
“El Concejo Municipal expresa su profundo agradecimiento por las contribuciones de la alcaldesa Gauthier y espera seguir construyendo sobre los cimientos establecidos durante su mandato”, dijo en un comunicado.
De igual manera, el Concejo reconoció la importancia de esta transición de liderazgo y dijo seguir comprometido a promover la transparencia, la inclusión y la toma de decisiones impulsada por la comunidad.
“Mientras el alcalde López y el vicealcalde Barragán asumen sus nuevos roles, la ciudad de East Palo Alto espera un futuro marcado por el progreso y la prosperidad continuos”, señaló en Concejo.
Antonio López es hijo de inmigrantes mexicanos, pero nació y creció en East Palo Alto, “una ciudad excepcional por su pobreza en relación con su proximidad a los gigantes tecnológicos del mundo: Facebook, Google y similares. Al mismo tiempo, también lo es para sus primos de las ciudades del interior de California, que están enclavados en comunidades ricas y, sin embargo, no pertenecen a ellas”, escribió en su cuenta de Linkedin.
López se desempeñó como vicealcalde durante la gestión de Lisa Gauthier, además es el concejal más joven de la ciudad de East Palo Alto.
“Como el concejal más nuevo y más joven de la ciudad de East Palo Alto, estoy entusiasmado con la oportunidad de llevar mi formación educativa al ámbito político. Estoy ansioso por trabajar con funcionarios electos en todo el condado y el estado, para diseñar estrategias en las que podamos invitar a estas nuevas voces políticas a la mesa como socios iguales”, escribió.
López es graduado de la Universidad de Duke y cuenta con un título en Estudios Afroaméricanos y Afrodescendientes, Además, cuenta con una maestría en Artes Finas por la Universidad Rutgers, una maestría en filosofía por la Universidad de Oxford, y actualmente cursa un doctorado en filosofía en la universidad de Stanford.
Kern County violated free speech rights by denying them a contract. Reyna Olaguez, executive director of South Kern Sol. Photo: Capture of video in interview with Manuel Ortiz
Community organizations in the Californian Central Valley have managed to set a precedent in terms of freedom of expression, after a demand in which the California Department of Justice (DOJ) ruled that Kern County violated their free speech rights by denying them contracts for expressing their opinions.
And on December 7, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the DOJ resolution, which states that after a two-year investigation, Kern County violated the free speech rights of a coalition of community organizations and a small business by refusing to enter into and sign contracts with them for engaging in free speech activities, specifically, for showing support for defunding certain police agencies in the context of the Black Lives Matters movement.
Reyna Olaguez, executive director of South Kern Sol, an organization in the Central Valley, recalled during an interview with Manuel Ortiz during the Peninsula 360 Radio program, in collaboration with Marcos Gutierrez of “Hecho en California,” that while the DOJ resolution is good, those who were really harmed by the lack of these contracts were the residents of Kern County themselves, especially the most vulnerable, among whom are farm and construction workers who do not speak English.
Olaguez, who is also a political scientist, said that in October 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was sweeping the world, organizations, including the one she represents, agreed that, since there are several communities in Kern County that neither speak English nor Spanish, it was very important to present the local public health director with a proposal for support, in which they could bring accurate information about the SARS-CoV-2 virus to those who needed it in a language they could understand.
“We proposed to the Kern County public health director that we could help provide information to the community about what was happening with the pandemic, because it was very new and this happened in October 2020,” he said.
The proposal was very well received and they were even asked to start immediately, for which it was necessary to generate a contract between the parties.
“They told us: 'Yes, please start the work. This came as a godsend because I didn't know I could count on you to help me do this important work. The Department of Public Health couldn't do it alone.' They were super grateful that we proposed this to them. The contract was going to be for a million dollars and we were going to hire six organizations to do the work,” she said.
Olaguez pointed out that the organizations were different, as some reached out to the Afro-descendant community, another to indigenous communities, and one to people from India.
Although the whole atmosphere between the organizations was very good and they were making progress on how to cover the information and everything related, the contract still needed to be signed.
“The collaboration with all the organizations was very nice, but the contract still needed to be signed by the Kern County supervisors, and the policy here is very conservative, the supervisors sometimes don't look favorably on the organizations that try to help the community that needs it the most,” she said.
The time came for the Board of Supervisors to vote in favor of the proposal, and that's when everything fell apart.
“One of the supervisors said that he had a problem with that contract because some of the organizations had shared messages during the time of the Black Lives Matter Movement, that the police did not need so much money, so that is why they took away the contract from us, and this caught the attention of the Attorney General of the State of California and the Department of Justice, and they launched an investigation that lasted two years,” he added.
“Just last Thursday they announced that Kern County did discriminate against our constitutional rights because we do have the right to share what we feel with our voice, but they punished us because we shared something that we felt and they took away our contract that was super important,” she added.
Reyna Olaguez highlighted that, by denying the contracts, “they also denied the most vulnerable community from receiving critical education about COVID at a very critical time regarding the pandemic. It was also when everything was just happening, everything was new for everyone and the community was not receiving the necessary information about the pandemic.”
It is worth noting that Kern County has cities like Bakersfield and Taft, where many indigenous people live who do not speak English.
The Durango, Mexico native also said that, although a contract had not been signed, the organizations were asked to begin work as soon as possible, so they began training 40 people who would act as promoters who would disseminate the information.
“We started working, but after 20 days they told us that they had cancelled the contract, that we should stop all work, that we were not going to continue with the contract.”
However, he pointed out that the work was carried out months later thanks to foundations that heard what happened and decided to help them, not with the million dollars, but with 50 thousand dollars for each organization in order to achieve the objective within six months.
Following the investigation and resolution, an agreement was reached with Kern County, which will not give money to the organizations, but will have to work with them so that situations like this do not happen again.
According to the resolution issued by DOJ, the parties worked together to negotiate and agree on a comprehensive plan; judgment The stipulation provides that the county will take corrective action over the course of a minimum three-year monitoring period, which will be overseen by the Department of Justice and an outside free speech expert jointly selected by the parties.
Under the stipulated judgment, Kern County will be required, among other things, to adopt and disseminate a countywide Free Speech Policy, designate a Grievance Coordinator, develop and provide annual training to members of the Board of Supervisors and other county staff on the Free Speech Policy.
Olaguez clarified that the organizations will request the creation of an equity fund for Kern County, so that organizations can apply when it is necessary to do community outreach in different languages.
Reyna was clear: “Of the residents who died from COVID in Kern County, there were 2,267, and I believe that if we had started this campaign earlier, perhaps we would have saved some of these lives, because of all of them, 1,370 were Latino, 151 were African-American, and 1,596 were men, and that's the thing, more men died than women. I think we could have saved some lives and that's why we're happy with the results of the investigation.”
The menorah was smashed into pieces that were thrown onto the sidewalk and into the water, and anti-Semitic graffiti was left on the base where it once stood. Photo: X @SFJCRC
The Oakland Police Department is investigating the destruction of an 11-foot-tall menorah in Lake Merritt early Wednesday morning as a hate crime.
According to police, officers were dispatched to the area of 12th Street and Lake Merritt Boulevard around 1:30 a.m. after someone alerted authorities about the vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to call Oakland police at (510) 238-3728. Police did not provide any additional information.
The vandalism comes during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and amid heightened tensions in the United States and internationally following Hamas's Oct. 7 invasion of Israel and Israel's subsequent and ongoing siege and invasion of the Gaza Strip, from where the Hamas attack was launched.
State Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, on Wednesday afternoon condemned the destruction of the menorah as an act of cowardice.
The Oakland Police Department is investigating the destruction of an 11-foot-tall menorah located in Lake Merritt early Wednesday morning, Dec. 13 as a hate crime. Photo: X @SFJCRC
“The menorah at Lake Merritt is a long-standing symbol and celebration of our East Bay Jewish community,” Skinner said. “Destroying a symbol of hope and light is a despicable act and is especially painful on this sixth day of Hanukkah.”
The menorah was smashed into pieces, thrown onto the sidewalk and into the water, and anti-Semitic graffiti was left at the base where it once stood.
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Bay Area, via its X (formerly Twitter) account, noted that “The malicious destruction of a public menorah at Lake Merritt #Oakland, accompanied by hate-filled graffiti, is just the latest example of rampant anti-Semitism tearing apart the Bay Area. There is no room for debate; this cruel act unequivocally deserves condemnation.”
“This is devastating for the local Jewish community, which lights the Hanukkah menorahs as a public celebration of this holiday that commemorates Jewish survival,” he added, accompanied by a video showing what was left of the menorah.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao issued a statement condemning the act.
“I am outraged by this desecration and act of vandalism. The Lake Merritt menorah is an ancient and important symbol for Oakland’s Jewish community and it breaks my heart that it has been vandalized,” he said.
“I want to make it very clear that what happened is not just an attack on the Jewish community of Oakland, but on our entire city and our shared values. We stand together against hate, against anti-Semitism and against intolerance in all its forms. And when someone commits a crime like this, they are attacking the foundation of our city,” he continued.
“As Mayor, I know I speak for all Oaklanders when I say we condemn these acts. I have asked Interim Chief Allison to investigate this incident as a hate crime. My office is in close contact with Rabbi Labkowski and the Police Department, and we will continue to work collaboratively to hold those responsible and support our fellow Oaklanders,” she concluded.
By Wednesday evening, after the sun had set, hundreds of people of all backgrounds and religions gathered at the site and relit the menorah as a sign of unity.
En una reciente sesión de las Naciones Unidas, Estados Unidos utilizó su derecho de veto para bloquear una resolución que pedía un alto el fuego humanitario inmediato en Gaza, medida apoyada por la mayoría de los miembros del Consejo. El resultado final de la votación fue de 13 votos a favor, una abstención del Reino Unido y un voto en contra de Estados Unidos.
La decisión suscitó duras críticas de otros miembros del Consejo, que la calificaron de lamentable. Se expresó preocupación por la escalada de víctimas civiles y destrucción en Gaza, consecuencia del bombardeo sostenido de Israel durante más de dos meses.
El embajador adjunto de Estados Unidos, Robert A. Wood, impulsor del voto negativo, justificó la decisión por considerar la resolución “desequilibrada”. Wood acusó al Consejo de no condenar el ataque del 7 de octubre de Hamás contra Israel, que se cobró unas 1.200 vidas, en su mayoría civiles. Además, subrayó el descuido del Consejo al reconocer el derecho de Israel a defenderse. Wood argumentó que detener la acción militar facultaría a Hamás para mantener el control en Gaza, afirmando que “sólo plantaría las semillas para la próxima guerra”.
Wood expresó su escepticismo sobre el compromiso de Hamás con una paz duradera y una solución de dos Estados en el debate previo a la votación. Afirmó que, aunque Estados Unidos apoya una paz duradera para israelíes y palestinos, no respalda los llamamientos a un alto el fuego inmediato.
Reconociendo el trágico ataque del 7 de octubre de Hamás contra civiles israelíes, es crucial señalar que la resolución de la ONU se centraba en detener los bombardeos contra civiles en Gaza. La caracterización de la resolución como desequilibrada por parte del embajador Wood plantea interrogantes, especialmente en relación con la actual crisis humanitaria en Gaza.
A diferencia de los trágicos acontecimientos del 7 de octubre, en los dos meses siguientes se produjeron más de 17.000 muertes en Gaza, principalmente entre mujeres y niños que no tenían ninguna relación con Hamás. Más allá de la pérdida de vidas, los bombardeos han devastado recursos esenciales en Gaza, como el agua potable, la electricidad y numerosos hospitales.
La abundancia de las redes sociales ha puesto en primer plano imágenes desgarradoras: niños heridos que intentan rescatar a sus padres de entre los escombros e historias desgarradoras de profesionales sanitarios obligados a abandonar a recién nacidos tras los bombardeos de hospitales.
Abogar por un alto el fuego y el fin de los ataques contra civiles no niega la búsqueda de justicia por el atentado del 7 de octubre. Es crucial separar a los culpables de los inocentes, garantizando que los no implicados en la tragedia no carguen injustamente con sus consecuencias. En estos tiempos difíciles, es esencial adoptar un enfoque equilibrado y compasivo para atender las urgentes necesidades humanitarias de Gaza, al tiempo que se busca una solución justa al conflicto en general.
En 2024 muchos jóvenes tendrá la oportunidad de votar por primera vez, con un aproximado de 22 por ciento de latinos que podrán ejercer su voto, mientras que un 38 por ciento del electorado latino es nuevo a la esfera política desde el 2016.
El fenómeno del voto en Estados Unidos ha cambiado al paso de los años, modificándose por la llegada de inmigrantes al país, por lo que considerarlos para las próximas elecciones será determinante en los resultados de los comicios de 2024.
Para Karthick Ramakrishnan, catedrático de políticas públicas de la Universidad de California en Riverside, fundador de AAPI Data y cofundador de California 100, Joseph Biden y Kamala Harris son considerados aliados favorables para los adultos de la comunidad AAPI, así lo dijo durante una conferencia con medios realizada por Ethnic Media Services.
Como parte de los datos que se han obtenido de su informe, compartió que 86 por ciento de los entrevistados considera que el racismo es un problema serio, 51 por ciento dice que es algo muy serio y, cuando se trata crímenes de odio, un 34 por ciento reportó haber sido víctima de un incidente de odio y el 23 por ciento de acoso verbal.
Karthick Ramakrishnan added: "hemos visto variaciones entre la población China-americana, que están más cerca de los demócratas”, al hacer referencia de las elecciones.
Claudia Sandoval, profesora adjunta de Ciencias Políticas y Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Loyola Marymount, comentó que en 2024 muchos jóvenes tendrá la oportunidad de votar por primera vez, con un aproximado de 22 por ciento de latinos que podrán ejercer su voto, mientras que un 38 por ciento del electorado latino es nuevo a la esfera política desde el 2016.
Y es que, el número de votantes latinos ha ido en aumento y se espera que conforme avancen las elecciones, más personas de esta comunidad puedan tener la oportunidad de votar. La edad promedio para todos los votantes elegibles es más cercana a 50 años, en tanto que la edad media para votantes latinos que son elegibles es de 39 años.
"Las personas latinas nacidas y criadas en Estados Unidos, son los que realmente están cambiando el panorama político y democrático, asi podemos pensar en votos decisivos como es en Nevada y California, que son los estados donde estamos viendo un incremento en los jóvenes latinos que votan” agregó Claudia Sandoval.
En Nevada del 2016 a 2020, Biden perdió apoyo con 4 por ciento del voto latino, mientras que Trump ganó una ventaja de 8 por ciento.
"Hemos visto que los hombres jóvenes latinos tienen más empatía por Trump que otros candidatos republicanos, aunque esto no significa necesariamente un voto latino para Trump”, he commented Sandoval.
La experta consideró que el partido demócrata aún no puede “cantar victoria” por parecer tener un favoritismo con los latinos, pues 37 por ciento de los votantes latinos creen que Biden y el partido demócrata no necesariamente les importa la comunidad latina, por lo que se puede esperar cualquier cosa.
"Yo diría que los candidatos tienen que despertarse y saber que tienen que usar el poder que tiene el voto latino; si los partidos invierten, van a ver un número de votantes que nunca se había visto desde Obama”, he concluded Sandoval.
Ta’jin Pérez, directora adjunta de Western Native Voices, dijo que de las mujeres afrodescendientes votantes han preferido a Biden, con 95 por ciento de ellas apoyándolo y 87 por ciento de los hombres.
La conversación de quedarse en casa para no salir a votar es un discurso muy común entre la comunidad afrodescendiente, dijo, pues estas sienten que no son consideradas verdaderamente, ya que no se perciben representados en su totalidad, creen que hace falta trabajar por más leyes que les favorezcan para tener un cambio verdadero.
"El 2024, las personas afrodescendiente ven un momento que necesitaban para presentarse hacia la democracia o están cansados de presentarse una y otra vez sin ver los beneficios en cuanto a las políticas”, he commented Ta’jin Pérez.
En ese sentido, apuntó que los partidos no están llegando a las comunidades vulnerables. Hay mucho más que hacer, explicó, es por ello que se piensa que la comunidad afrodescendiente no cambiará su voto, pero si se encuentra pensando en que es mejor no ir a votar tomando en cuenta que la situación económica no es tan favorable para ellos.
Jessica Siles, vicesecretaria de prensa de Votantes del Mañana, una organización fundada desde el 2019 que busca ser representante de la generación Z en la política, dijo que los jóvenes deben ser más considerados para este proceso, ya que serán el futuro del país, por lo que su organización acerca a este grupo de la población a los asuntos políticos.
"Nuestro trabajo va más allá de la elección, involucramos a los políticos para que se comprometan y representen a la generación Z", he added. Siles.
Algunas de las cosas que han hecho en la organización recientemente, fue en la elección del 2022, donde contactaron a millones de jóvenes a través de redes sociales, pero también en persona en más de 20 estados.
En Virginia por ejemplo, se realizaron más de 300 mil llamadas y buscaron acercarse a más jóvenes para que se involucraran, explicándoles porqué es importante que sean parte de la esfera política.
En 2022 la gente joven votó por el partido demócrata, sin embargo, no es un fenómeno de moda o desinterés, en realidad, detalló, buscan identificarse en las propuestas que llegan, lo que realmente determinará su voto.
En el 2018, el bloque de jóvenes fue un poco más alto que en el 2022, ahora el voto de estos sufre por falta de participación y de información, por lo que muchos jóvenes no son contactados y esto los desanima a formar parte de las elecciones.
Finalmente, los expertos coincidieron en que los candidatos deben buscar la manera de acercarse a los jóvenes e involucrarlos, buscar llegar a las escuelas donde se encuentran, pero también a las comunidades vulnerables donde casi nadie voltea, los latinos y afrodescendientes así como la comunidad AAPI (Asiático-americana e Isleños del Pacífico) que son los que ahora estarán marcando las elecciones en el 2024.
Migrants, victims of armed violence and human rights violations, Afro-descendants and indigenous communities reported that there are more than 11 thousand missing people in Mexico, and more than 35 thousand people have been murdered in the United States. Photo: Manuel Ortiz P360
In the context of December 10, International Human Rights Day, around 70 social organizations from Mexico and the United States expressed their concern about the situation faced by the most vulnerable sectors in both countries.
Migrants, victims of armed violence, Afro-descendants and indigenous communities reported that there are more than 11,000 missing people in Mexico, more than 35,000 people have been murdered in the United States, and that authorities in both countries have unleashed violence against migrants, who are detained in xenophobic raids in Tapachula, Mexico City or New York.
The organizations, grouped together in the People's Movement for Peace and Justice (MPPJ), an organization that was created in Mexico City during the Peace Summit held in February 2023, denounced that Human Rights and those who defend them seem to have become the target of the State.
“In the face of these overwhelming facts, we at the People's Movement for Peace and Justice say that the path is not greater militarization, and we call on the broadest sectors of society to promote solutions that put peace, justice, and human rights at the center of the relationship between Mexico and the United States,” said Camilo Pérez Bustillo, president of the San Francisco, United States chapter of the Bar Association, during a joint press conference.
In addition, the MPPJ, which also brings together organizations from Honduras, Colombia, Guatemala and Canada, reiterated the 10 proposals for joint actions to be carried out between the governments of Mexico and the United States with the aim of improving the binational situation around problems such as armed violence, racism and discrimination.
The points include, among other things, the creation of a binational mechanism to control the sale of arms from the United States to Mexico, binational campaigns to change the punitive paradigm on drugs to put life, rights and health at the center, regional monitoring of the human rights situation and the creation of a Latin American and Caribbean citizenship to improve the immigration and labor situation of the Latino community.
A few months before the presidential elections in Mexico and the United States, the MPPJ issued a broad call for the presidential candidates of both countries to take into account and incorporate the demands of these sectors in their government programs to ensure that, regardless of who ends up in the National Palace and the White House, Human Rights are guaranteed.
Present at the press conference were Marco Castillo, co-director of Global Exchange; Norma Mendieta from the Center for Assistance to the Migrant and Indigenous Family; Mildred Malud from the Center for Afro-Mexican Studies Temebmé and from the Black Co-Networks for Peace and Justice; Grisel Bello from Cultures of the Past from Voices of the Present and part of the Platform of Indigenous Peoples and Native Americans; José Ugalde from the Disappeared Justice of Querétaro and part of the Mexico-US Group against Armed Violence; and María Elena Valdivia from the Migrant and Minorities Alliance and member of the Regional Roundtable on Migration and Human Rights.
Also present were Camilo Pérez Bustillo, from the National Lawyers Guild, San Francisco chapter and member of the Regional Migration and Human Rights Roundtable; Jorge Lule from the Mexican Commission for the Defense and Promotion of Human Rights and the Mexico-US Group against Armed Violence; Kathleen Murrain, member of the Black Co-Networks for Peace and Justice; Gabriela Hernández, director of the Tochan Shelter and member of the Regional Migration and Human Rights Roundtable; and Patricia de la Cruz, member of the Black Co-Networks for Peace and Justice.
Solo en 2023, la aplicación móvil ha gestionado 94 solicitudes de respuesta rápida. Crédito: Oficina del Ejecutivo del condado de San Mateo
El condado de San Mateo recibió un premio estatal por su innovadora aplicación móvil que ayuda a los trabajadores comunitarios a mejorar el servicio a los residentes sin vivienda, una herramienta que busca brindar refugio a todos aquellos que lo necesiten.
In this regard, the Asociación de Condados del Estado de California (CSAC) otorgó el Premio Challenge al condado de San Mateo por la aplicación SMC HOME (Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement/Ayuda a personas sin hogar y participación móvil), un esfuerzo de colaboración entre el Centro para personas sin hogar de la Agencia de Servicios Humanos y el Equipo GIS del Departamento de Servicios de Información.
The county was one of 14 honorees chosen from a group of 389 in the state's 58 counties.
Los premios Challenge destacan programas innovadores y únicos desarrollados por los condados de California.
De acuerdo con un comunicado del condado, quienes participan en el desarrollo de la aplicación premiada, dijeron que ya muestra beneficios.
“La aplicación HOME es una poderosa herramienta de comunicación que agiliza el proceso de respuesta rápida del condado para ayudar a las personas sin hogar en el condado de San Mateo”, señaló Claire Cunningham, directora de la Agencia de Servicios Humanos.
“A medida que recopilamos datos, desarrollamos mapas que muestran dónde se congregan las personas sin hogar para que podamos orientar nuestros esfuerzos de divulgación”, agregó
Si bien la aplicación es para uso interno y no para el público, el condado precisó que es una pieza de tecnología novedosa que permite a los equipos de extensión responder rápidamente a informes de personas necesitadas sin refugio.
En ese sentido, explicó que los equipos aprenden el tipo de ubicación, la cantidad de personas y cualquier preocupación de seguridad para que los trabajadores puedan ser desplegados con los recursos adecuados, como artículos de emergencia o kits de higiene.
As a result, workers can optimize and accelerate their responses to those in need.
La aplicación también ayuda al condado a capturar información en tiempo real sobre la ubicación precisa de las solicitudes de extensión para personas sin hogar, lo que la hace más eficiente ante informes anteriores que se hacían mediante llamadas telefónicas o correo electrónico.
Solo en 2023, la aplicación ha gestionado 94 solicitudes de respuesta rápida: 63 por ciento para campamentos; 25 por ciento para personas que viven en las calles fuera de los campamentos; y 12 por ciento para quienes viven en vehículos, puntualizó el condado.
La asociación estatal elogió al condado por su trabajo.
“Todos los condados aplauden al condado de San Mateo por su innovación y dedicación. Felicitaciones por ganar el prestigioso Premio Desafío 2023”, dijo Graham Knaus, director ejecutivo de CSAC.
En mayo de 2023, la aplicación recibió un premio similar con un Premio al Logro otorgado por la Asociación Nacional de Condados.
“Si bien estoy orgulloso de mi equipo y de HSA por construir colectivamente este programa, lo que me enorgullece aún más es la cantidad de personas a las que ahora podemos ayudar de manera más oportuna”, dijo el director de ISD, Mike Wentworth. “Creamos la infraestructura, pero el verdadero éxito está en ayudar a nuestros vecinos”.
California has experienced more than a dozen atmospheric rivers, affecting nearly every community in the state, but a 75 percent chance of a strong El Niño is forecast for the 2023-2024 rainy season.
Temperatures have begun to drop in California and winter weather conditions are beginning to set in, leading communities to face the challenges of snow, extreme rainfall, strong winds and flooding. In light of this, experts are calling for all available tools to stay informed and prevent disasters.
Between 2022 and 2023, California experienced more than a dozen atmospheric rivers, affecting nearly every community in the state, but for the 2023-2024 rainy season, there is a 75 percent chance of a strong El Niño occurring.
This is why it is necessary to stay informed in order to prevent and know how to act in the face of a risk caused by a natural phenomenon, having a specific plan that can make a difference in these cases, said Diana Crofts-Pelayo, Deputy Director of Crisis Communication and Affairs, during a conference held by Ethnic Media Services.
To prepare for this season, he recommended registering on the website https://www.listoscalifornia.org/alerts/ where people will be able to receive alert information, depending on their county, regarding a risk of rain, flooding or strong winds.
Diana Crofts-Pelayo explained that if a storm, rain or a specific phenomenon occurs, through this system, those registered will receive a notification on their cell phone by text message or phone call, letting them know that there is a weather alert.
She also recommended having a family emergency plan, for example: establishing a meeting point for when you are away from home, as well as important things that must be on hand, whether it be documents, medicines, food or water.
"Being able to depend on each other will help us overcome any climate catastrophe.”, added Diana Crofts-Pelayo.
Bianca Feldkircher of the National Weather Service spoke about the La Niña and El Niño weather phenomena, which are affecting the climate, making it colder and wetter.
El Niño is a climatic phenomenon related to global warming, specifically in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, which manifests itself cyclically. It consists of the warm phase of the climatic pattern of the equatorial Pacific, where the cooling phase is called La Niña.
El Niño warms the atmosphere, causing common patterns circulating around the world to shift, especially the jet stream over the Pacific, dumping more intense storms especially in the western U.S., with California being the hardest hit state.
This phenomenon has caused severe flooding in eastern parts of Africa, as well as causing water-borne diseases and, in some other parts, severe droughts causing food shortages, and it also influences cyclone seasons around the world.
Heavy rain is expected in California, but it is not possible to pinpoint the exact amount of rain. Therefore, we are asking to be vigilant, as there is also a brief risk of strong winds and a lot of snow in the western area, specifically between December 14 and 17, although there is an 80 percent certainty, so there is also a risk that it will not occur.
Jazmin Ortega, deputy press secretary for the California Department of Insurance, said that many people feel bad about seeing their homes damaged, but not all is lost, as the Department of Insurance can help families with unforeseen events that often occur due to the weather.
Ortega recommended having all the necessary information on hand in case of such unforeseen events, as well as your policy number (even digitally) to be able to review the coverage and restrictions.
If you have any questions about your type of policy and its coverage, it is recommended to contact insurance agents, as it is not good to wait until you have a problem and trust without having complete information; for this you can access www.insurace.ca.gov or call 800 927 4357.
"Generally, a home insurance policy does not cover landslides when branches or things fall, nor flood damage, which is why they are asked to access a program for weather cases.”, added Jasmine Ortega.
People are expected to be prepared to take care of their homes and cars in case of an accident, since these can be protected against storms, wind or floods, although everything depends on the type of policy purchased.
For the immigrant community, it is important to highlight that they are not asked for documents proving nationality, nor anything that could put their stay in the country at risk, said Ortega, while clarifying that whoever needs it can come to request information and support without fear of being deported, since their privacy is respected.
Work is being done to ensure that more people stay informed and manage to prevent natural disasters that can reach California in time. For more information, those interested can visit the site https://www.listoscalifornia.org/stormseason/, with information before and after a natural phenomenon in 13 different languages.
To access the available information, you must scan the QR code.
A basic course has also been implemented to keep informed about possible floods, through text messages for mobile phones, a tool that is accessible to anyone and very easy to access.
Alf LaMont, CEO and chief digital strategist at LaMont Digital, said a comprehensive social media information kit has been created to make it accessible to everyone, and is currently working on flooding and storms.
"The goal is to encourage the community to be the messengers themselves, and all of these things will be available in multiple languages such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and much more.”, commented Alf LaMont.
The available material is freely accessible to the entire community; the goal is for the information to reach everyone.
He highlighted that Cal OES has a wide variety of kits designed for 2023, however, those from other years can be consulted, “the objective is to have a greater reach among the community to have more people prepared and to be able to avoid regrettable consequences.”
This publication was supported in whole or part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the 
