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Historic Victory: Noelia Corzo Elected San Mateo County's First Latina Supervisor

Noah Braunstein

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2022.11.18

Historic Victory: Noelia Corzo Elected San Mateo County's First Latina Supervisor

Noelia Corzo, first Latina Supervisor in San Mateo County.

Just over a week after Election Day, Noelia Corzo, a trustee of the San Mateo-Foster City School Board, declared victory in the race for District 2 Supervisor for San Mateo County, beating out her opponent, Belmont City Councilman Charles Stone.

Corzo will be the first Latina to hold this position, and for at least two years, she will be the only woman on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.

Election night numbers were extremely close between the two, but daily counts over the past week saw the gap widen. After Corzo's lead grew to 51.1 percent to his opponent's 48.9, Stone conceded Thursday morning via email.

Corzo was thrilled.

“This victory sends a message to everyone in our community that we all belong. It’s a victory for the community and it’s a victory for the voters,” Corzo said.

The announcement culminates a race between two very different candidates.

While both are San Mateo natives, Stone, a two-term Belmont City Councilman, declared his run for County Supervisor three years ago, and fueled by endorsements from many public officials, raised significant amounts of money in his bid for the top office.

The daughter of immigrants from Guatemala, Corzo attended local schools, earned a degree in sociology from San Francisco State University, and is currently a social worker working with people with developmental disabilities. Inspired by her son, she ran for school board in 2017, hoping to make improvements in education, including improving equity and parent engagement.

After seeing the struggles of those recovering from the pandemic in the county, Corzo felt called again to represent the community members who needed to be represented the most, including women, children and essential workers. A little over a year ago, Corzo began filing for the Supervisor seat being vacated by Carole Groom.

Corzo's campaign drew on his life experiences and ability to connect with diverse groups in the county.

“Our district needs a Supervisor who has a deep understanding of the vital services our county provides, and as a social worker in this community, I have seen those services in action and recognize the diverse needs of our community firsthand,” Corzo said.

"I want to protect tenants, improve mental health services in our community, and improve the status of women in our county. And I want to improve educational and health outcomes," she said.

Noelia Corzo campaigned throughout San Mateo County during her bid for county supervisor. Photo: Noah Braunstein

The victory is the culmination of Corzo's grassroots campaign, which emphasized equity, inclusion and belonging, and stressed that everyone can make a difference.

«We don't have to live in a world where politics revolves around status quo candidates supporting each other, throwing huge amounts of money at each other, and keeping our system the same as it's always been.

“It’s about you, it’s about me, it’s about all of our lived experiences. It’s about how you can show up and belong, as yourself, in every space, as you are. A lot of people shy away from politics because they don’t feel part of it. And I’m here to tell you that we all belong. It’s our county. We can be part of transforming our community so that we don’t see cycles of division, of income inequality, or of racism,” Corzo said.

His campaign reached out to many long-ignored communities, including Mandarin and Spanish speakers, and made specific efforts to help first-time voters.

Corzo’s commitment to represent all people in San Mateo County is clear.

“As a woman, Latina, former community organizer, mother and social worker, I knew I had a perspective that was missing and needed on the Board of Supervisors.”

“My mother has been a nanny and a house cleaner in this county for decades and knowing that my mother can feel seen and that people like her feel seen embodies the best of our community where everyone belongs and everyone is worthy.”

"I hope to be an advocate for all immigrants. I hope to improve the quality of life for all people in the county," he said.

Corzo will be one of two new County Supervisors elected, joining Ray Mueller who won the District 3 seat over Laura Parmer-Lohan. They will take office in January.

You may be interested in: A necessary leader for our future: Noelia Corzo

Effort to expand access to parks in San Mateo County promoted

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.11.17

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parks in San Mateo County — The view from San Pedro Valley Park, which also offers picnic sites, a nature trail, hiking trails, a visitor center and a seasonal waterfall. Photo: County Executive's Office.

The Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to provide an annual park pass in San Mateo County to low-income individuals and families.

The 5-0 vote will ensure that all residents, regardless of means, have access to all county parks.

“All San Mateo County residents deserve the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful parks, regardless of income,” said Board Chairman Don Horsley. “The benefits of parks and simply being outdoors are well known. Time in nature is healing and contributes to overall health and well-being.”

The measure opens the county’s 16,000 acres of parks — a size larger than the cities of San Mateo and Daly City combined — to individuals and families who are eligible for certain economic self-sufficiency programs. These include CalFresh, health insurance coverage and similar programs.

While the county is home to expensive real estate and high-paying tech jobs and other careers, one in five people, or more than 150,000 people, will be eligible for a free annual Parks pass under what is called the Mariposa Program. Supervisors said the unanimous vote is part of a broader package of actions to improve equitable access to all county programs and services.

“The real beneficiaries will be the young people who will be able to enjoy our parks that offer so many adventures and fun activities,” said Supervisor Carole Groom. “Our goal is to prepare them for a lifetime of outdoor experiences.”

San Mateo County Human Services Agency will work with County Parks to enroll those who meet eligibility criteria for qualifying programs and desire a pass.

Those interested in learning more about economic self-sufficiency programs in San Mateo County can visit the website https://www.smcgov.org/hsa/public-assistance-programs.

Of note, during the same Board meeting, a 5-0 vote was taken to increase the cost of an annual pass from $60 to $72. The price increase, equivalent to two additional park visits per year – daily parking fees are $6 per vehicle – will help offset the cost of the Mariposa Program and provide new funding for youth programs.

The increase in the fee for a park pass would take effect from January 2023.

The Board also voted to “streamline” its self-proclaimed camping fees at Memorial County Park and develop separate fees for residents and non-residents.

Going forward, tent camping will cost $40 for residents and $45 for non-residents, while RV camping will cost $45 for residents and $50 for non-residents. The new camping fees would apply to the 2023 season starting in May.

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San Mateo County approves minimum wage increase in unincorporated areas

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.11.17

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San Mateo County approves minimum wage increase in unincorporated areas

In a victory for workers, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to raise the minimum wage to $16.50 an hour, effective in spring 2023.

The measure approved 5-0 will apply to unincorporated areas including North Fair Oaks and its Middlefield Road commercial corridor and agricultural land stretching from Pacifica to Pescadero.

The chairman of the board, Don Horsley, who proposed the increase along with Supervisor Dave Pine, said the boost in paychecks will help stimulate the economy and serve as a support for families and individuals living in an increasingly expensive area.

“The pandemic has deliberately demonstrated that we have workers who are considered essential in a variety of industries, but who must choose between food, housing and other necessities just to make ends meet,” Horsley said.

“A vital, but often invisible, section of our workforce is the farmworkers who help put food on our tables. While some farmworkers earn more than minimum wage, this increase will ensure they have more money in their pockets each week,” she added.

Eleven of the county's 20 cities, representing more than 70 percent of the population, have already raised the minimum wage within their borders to a rate higher than the state's base wage.

The average minimum wage within cities that have instituted their own ordinances is just over $16.50 per hour as of 2023. Raising the minimum wage in unincorporated areas will create more consistency across jurisdictions.

“This ordinance will improve the lives of workers and their families,” Pine said. “When we improve the lives of local residents, we improve the stability and vitality of entire communities.”

Officials said they understand concerns that raising the base wage could pose challenges for small businesses already affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs of doing business.

However, they explained that raising the minimum wage countywide levels the playing field for all businesses, while improving the purchasing power of workers.

The increase approved Nov. 15 will take effect April 1, 2023, allowing time to educate the public and allow local businesses to adjust to the new requirement, the county said in a statement.

Wages in unincorporated communities would increase at the same rate as the state minimum wage each January 1.

In California, the minimum wage for all employers, regardless of size, will increase to $15.50 per hour on January 1, 2023, while at the federal level, the minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees is $7.25 per hour.

In cases where an employee is subject to both state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

You may be interested in: San Mateo County Community Colleges Eliminate Registration Fees

Domestic violence suspect killed by Redwood City police identified

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.11.17

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Domestic violence suspect killed by Redwood City police identified

Bay City News

Authorities have identified a domestic violence suspect who was fatally shot by Redwood City police while attempting to use children as a shield Tuesday afternoon.

The San Mateo County Coroner's Office said Wednesday that the suspect's name was Abran Gutierrez, 36, of San Carlos.

The incident began around 3:20 p.m. Tuesday with a 911 call from a person who did not speak, but a dispatcher heard a child screaming in the background before the caller hung up, according to police. A call back to the number was forwarded to voicemail.

A cell tower helped direct officers to the phone's location in the 1500 block of El Camino Real.

When police arrived, they found Gutierrez, a woman and three children. A police spokesman said that when officers arrived, the suspect armed himself with a handgun and attempted to use the children as a shield.

Police attempted to negotiate with him, but before communication could be established, officers determined the suspect was attempting to shoot the woman or the children, authorities said. Officers immediately responded “with deadly force” and the suspect was incapacitated, police said.

After the suspect was shot, police pulled out the loaded gun and gave him CPR as paramedics rushed to the scene, authorities said.

The suspect was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The woman suffered injuries unrelated to the shooting and was also hospitalized. The children were not harmed.

There was no information available about the relationship between Gutierrez and the woman and children.

The officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave. The San Mateo County District Attorney's Office is investigating the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Redwood City Police Department tip line at (650) 780-7110.

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3 hospitalized after crash in parking lot in San Mateo

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.11.17

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3 hospitalized after crash in parking lot in San Mateo

Bay City News

Tres personas fueron hospitalizadas después de un choque en un estacionamiento en una tienda Target en San Mateo que involucró a varios vehículos el miércoles por la tarde, según la policía.

The collision was reported shortly after noon at the store located at 2220 Fashion Island Blvd., where officers found multiple victims and three vehicles involved.

Police did not provide details on the conditions of the three people taken to a hospital and said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

La entrada oeste del centro comercial Bridgepointe que contiene la tienda Target permaneció cerrada este miércoles por la tarde.

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California reports first death from influenza and RSV in a child under 5 years of age

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.11.17

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California reports first death from influenza and RSV in a child under 5 years of age

The California Department of Public Health ‒CDPH, por sus siglas en inglés‒ informó esta semana la primera muerte por influenza y RSV ‒Virus Sincitial Respiratorio‒ de esta temporada de invierno de un niño menor de 5 años.

Y es que, los niños pequeños son más vulnerables a las complicaciones graves del RSV y la influenza, especialmente si tienen afecciones médicas subyacentes o si nacieron prematuros.

El CDPH resguardó la confidencialidad del paciente fallecido, así como información adicional, incluido el lugar donde ocurrió la muerte.

«Nuestros corazones están con la familia de este niño pequeño», dijo el doctor Tomás Aragón, Oficial de Salud Pública del Estado y Director del CDPH. «Este trágico evento sirve como un claro recordatorio de que los virus respiratorios pueden ser mortales, especialmente en niños muy pequeños y bebés».

Aragón precisó que el estado está entrando en una ajetreada temporada de virus de invierno, con la propagación del RSV, influenza y la COVID-19.

«Instamos a los padres y tutores a vacunar a sus hijos contra la gripe y el COVID-19 lo antes posible. También es importante seguir los consejos básicos de prevención, como lavarse las manos con frecuencia, usar una mascarilla y quedarse en casa cuando se está enfermo para frenar la propagación de gérmenes», puntualizó.

Para ayudar a abordar el aumento actual y anticipado de hospitalizaciones de una temporada de virus de invierno temprana, el CDPH emitió una nueva Guía para la respuesta al aumento de virus respiratorios entre pacientes pediátricos, la cual, en parte, permite que los centros de salud reconfiguren el espacio según sea necesario para acomodar el aumento de pacientes.

Además, el CDPH recomienda que todos los establecimientos de atención médica, incluidos aquellos para pacientes hospitalizados y ambulatorios sin servicios pediátricos existentes, exploren medidas a corto plazo para ampliar la capacidad de evaluación y tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos.

A través de un comunicado, la autoridad sanitaria detalló que las vacunas siguen siendo la herramienta más eficaz para limitar el riesgo de enfermedad grave y muerte a causa de los virus invernales circulantes. Vaccinating an entire family against the flu and COVID-19 helps boost immunity and reduces the risk of serious outcomes from these viruses.

De igual manera, precisó que se mantendrán abiertas las camas de hospital en todo el estado para quienes necesiten atención médica urgente.

Cabe destacar que la temporada 2022-2023 de RSV comenzó antes de lo habitual y la actividad aumentó rápidamente durante todo octubre, señalaron las autoridades.

Por lo general, precisaron, la actividad aumenta en diciembre y alcanza su punto máximo en febrero. El 3 de octubre, el CDPH publicó un aviso de salud que aborda tanto esta actividad temprana como el uso del tratamiento preventivo con anticuerpos palivizumab en bebés elegibles de alto riesgo.

Así, el 12 de noviembre se envió un aviso actualizado a los centros de salud precisando que la actividad general de influenza y COVID-19 está aumentando en todo el estado.

Ante ello, el CDPH ha alentado a todos los californianos a seguir cinco consejos para protegerse a sí mismos y a los demás de enfermedades graves y hospitalizaciones: vacunarse contra la influenza y el COVID-19; quedarse en casa si se está enfermo, especialmente de influenza, RSV y/o COVID-19, que pueden provocar enfermedades más graves; continuar con el uso de mascarillas en lugares públicos cerrados; lavarse las manos con frecuencia, con jabón y agua tibia, durante al menos 20 segundos, es una manera de prevenir enfermedades; y cubrirse boca y nariz al toser o estornudar.

You may be interested in: San Mateo County calls to prevent "double epidemic" and get vaccinated against seasonal flu

Climate change and COP27: what do young people say?

Ingrid Sanchez

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2022.11.17

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Climate change and COP27: what do young people say?

World leaders have gathered at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to discuss climate change, but what have young voices had to say about the problems inherited by older generations?

Complaints, indignation and concern have been the common denominator not only at COP27 but in everyday life. Young activists gathered at the Summit to demand that consistent action be taken to stop climate change.

Vanessa Nakate, for example, an activist originally from Uganda, denounced the climate crisis in Africa, which has led to the worsening of the conditions of Africans in relation to problems such as access to drinking water or food.

“Loss and damage is like what I explained is happening, what I have seen, in Turkana, in northwestern Kenya. Children, women, suffering, without access to water, without access to food; doctors talk about the many cases of children in hospitals with serious malnutrition problems,” Nakate explained in an interview with Democracy Now!

The concept of "loss and damage" has been one of the most repeated throughout the Summit; it is the way in which industrialized countries, and especially large polluting companies, have been denounced and demanded to compensate countries that are experiencing the serious consequences of the exploitation of natural resources.

The term covers both economic losses – homes, land, farms or businesses – and non-economic losses – the death of people, cultural sites or biodiversity.

"We see loss and damage in Pakistan, with floods that have caused more than a thousand deaths and millions of displaced people. This is what is happening in Nigeria with the floods, this is what is happening across the African continent with cyclones. It is very clear that climate change is putting communities beyond the ability to adapt," the Ugandan activist denounced.

For her part, environmental activist Sophia Kianni and one of the youngest councilors of the UN, denounced that those responsible for climate change say one thing and do another, and demanded that they stop lying.

“They say one thing and do another. Simply put, they are lying. These are not my words or the words of other young activists. No. These are the words of UN Secretary General António Guterres,” Kianni explained when she took the stage at the COP27 podium.

The young woman challenged the audience and ironically asked what language they should use to explain the situation around the world so that they understand the seriousness of the problem.

“In what language do we have to translate the climate data so that you take action? Please tell us. Is there a secret language between world leaders that we don’t know about? Because I want to believe that the only reason why you are not taking the required measures regarding the climate is because you do not have the information. Because if you have had the information and you are just pretending to take action, it would be unforgivable,” the young woman asked seriously.

In several languages, Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish and English, Kianni demanded firmly: “Stop lying.”

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San Mateo County calls to prevent "double epidemic" and get vaccinated against seasonal flu

Pamela Cruz

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2022.11.17

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San Mateo County calls to prevent "double epidemic" and get vaccinated against seasonal flu

To prevent a “double epidemic” of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, the San Mateo County Health Department SMCHealth has urged everyone 6 months or older to get vaccinated against influenza to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Influenza vaccination is part of a comprehensive public health strategy not only to reduce the burden of seasonal disease but also to preserve health care resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

Local health authorities have reminded that it takes a couple of weeks after vaccination for the body to develop immunity, so it is best not to delay vaccination.

Older adults, pregnant women, young adults, children, and people with other underlying health conditions are at higher risk for influenza, but everyone six months of age and older should get vaccinated.

It is important to note that the vaccine only keeps the person who has received it fully protected for about a year, so it is important to get vaccinated every year.

Symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Other viruses can cause these symptoms, but a high fever and bad cough are usually a sign that you have contracted the illness.

Those interested in getting a flu vaccine can visit their primary care provider, retail pharmacies and stores, with information and appointments available on MyTurn, or they can go to County Health's free, walk-in flu clinic, which does not require an appointment.

Learn the locations and times of free flu vaccination clinics in San Mateo County by clicking here. Or if you prefer to check other places in the area that have the vaccine available free click here.

Everyone 6 months or older should get vaccinated. No appointment, ID or health insurance is needed. Everyone 2 years or older will be asked to wear masks at flu clinics.

Upon request, County Health is offering COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinics at congregate care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities, shelters, and senior living facilities.

You may be interested in: California Health Officials Urge Preventive Measures for Influenza, COVID and RSV

Communities of color voted for better representation

Peninsula 360 Press

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2022.11.17

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Communities of color voted for better representation

El pasado martes 8 de noviembre se llevaron a cabo las elecciones intermedias de Estados Unidos, en las que millones de personas emitieron su voto para elegir los cargos públicos del país y sus respectivos estados, en estas elecciones las comunidades de color votaron para lograr una mejor representación.

Fue esta participación de las comunidades de color, que evitó que ocurriera la «ola roja» –republicana– que los expertos predijeron que habría en las elecciones de la semana pasada.

«Lo que no esperaban los expertos es que las personas tenían otras preocupaciones y parece ser que los votantes de color estaban más preocupados por el estado de sus vidas más allá de la economía», señaló Sergio I. García Ríos, profesor adjunto de la Universidad de Texas en Austin y ex director de Encuestas y Datos en Univision Noticias, en una rueda de prensa organizada por Ethnic Media Services in which experts met to discuss the elections held last week.

García apuntó que «los votantes –demócratas– estaban enviando un mensaje de que están desilusionados con los partidos, pero tienen que frenar el extremismo», lo que evitó la «ola roja».

«Lo que vemos es que los latinos tienen distintas características, pero continúan siendo más que nada demócratas, el problema es que cada vez más sienten que sus necesidades no están siendo escuchadas», puntualizó.

Por su parte, Christine Chen, directora ejecutiva de Asian Pacific Islander American Vote –APIAVote, por sus siglas en inglés–, señaló que «los demócratas todavía tienen la mayor parte del apoyo» y comentó que «hay un número creciente de votantes independientes entre el electorado asiático-americano, un 35 por ciento en total, y los chinos son los que tienen el mayor porcentaje con un 47 por ciento».

African American women seek to be taken into account

Karma Cottman, directora ejecutiva del National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, puntualizó que las elecciones intermedias subrayaron que las mujeres afroamericanas son «un grupo de constituyentes importantes sin importar el partido» y que se preocupan por su seguridad y por la de sus familias.

«La seguridad para nosotras como mujeres, como miembros de la comunidad negra, superpuesta a lo que es la seguridad en términos de seguridad física y financiera para que podamos cuidar de nuestras familias», dijo.

Asimismo, señaló que es importante que se considere a las mujeres afroamericanas como un grupo específico, pues en ocasiones, tanto el partido demócrata como el republicano, se refieren a la comunidad afroamericana como un todo y no toman en cuenta las necesidades particulares de cada grupo de la comunidad.

Reportan que no hubo intimidación a trabajadores electorales

Finalmente, Gowri Ramachandran, consejera del programa de Democracia del Centro Brennan para la Democracia, comentó que a pesar de los miedos infundados sobre la intimidación a los votantes, esta no fue un problema en las elecciones del pasado 8 de noviembre. «En algunas comunidades, los líderes de las fuerzas del orden salieron a decir que no se iba a tolerar la intimidación de los votantes y de los trabajadores electorales».

You may be interested in: Experts say California's electoral system is "fair and transparent"

Stop Guns in Redwood City

Opinion

Manuel Ortiz

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2022.11.16

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Another gun incident in Redwood City. On the evening of November 15, a man was shot dead by police in this city after he allegedly threatened to use three children as a shield and shoot a woman with whom he was traveling in a vehicle on El Camino Real.

Gun ownership, supported and promoted by some members of the Republican Party, as well as businessmen allied to them, is a very lethal American epidemic that is spreading rapidly in Redwood City, East Palo Alto and other cities in San Mateo County.

It is urgent to put a stop to the purchase and sale of firearms in the United States. We in Redwood City, and surrounding cities, need to speak up even louder to demand a strong rejection of firearms.

The shadowy firearms industry in the United States is valued at $19.5 billion, according to the consulting firm IBIS World.

That is why it is an epidemic that is difficult to eradicate, because there are politicians who place more value on money and power than on life itself.

But what is more valuable than the lives of our children, our loved ones, our neighbors, our entire community? Nothing, which is why we must firmly reject the possession of weapons in our cities.

We don't want any more shootings, we don't want any more deaths, we don't want to live in fear, we don't want the gun industry to continue to put its disgusting tentacles into our communities.

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