By Thomas Wong, Staff Writer
Anyone age 16 and up can schedule a vaccine appointment starting April 15, as Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility with increased vaccine production and allocation.
Previously, anyone age 50 and older were eligible for vaccine appointments.
40% of the vaccines are reserved for communities in the lowest Healthy Places Index quartile, places with disproportionately low incomes and high infection rates, such as South El Monte and parts of San Gabriel.
In addition to the federal vaccination center at CSULA, there are locally run clinics to schedule a vaccine appointment at. Nearby places include CVS Pharmacy on Naomi Ave. as well as the Rosemead Community Recreation Center.
People can schedule a vaccine appointment on the L.A. County Department of Public Health’s website, publichealth.lacounty.gov, and the California Department of Public Health’s website, myturn.ca.gov.
The increased vaccine eligibility comes as much of L.A. County eases restrictions. The county moved into the orange tier of the COVID-19 monitoring system on March 31 with declining infection rates.
Regulations loosened on April 5, allowing restaurants, movie theaters, places of worship, museums, zoos and aquariums to operate at 50% capacity. Grocery stores and other retail centers can operate at 75% capacity, though the county encourages staying at 50%. Amusement parks can open at 25% capacity, and outdoor sports events and live performances can increase to 33%.
“I’m excited for life to return to normal,” junior Ivan Rim said. “However, I feel like L.A. moving into the orange tier may be premature, considering the potential for a spring infection surge. That being said, with increased vaccine rollout in the state, I think our progress toward normalcy is justified.”
The CDC updated its TK-12 school guidelines by recommending that schools enforce three feet of social distancing between students with universal mask use. Six feet is still recommended between students and adults and in common or crowded areas.
TCHS’s return to in-person instruction includes morning classes, which are dedicated to students who struggled with virtual learning. Each morning class will have less than 14 students to ensure their safety.
To remain cautious, TCUSD schools will continue to follow the six feet guideline for student cohorts, sports activities and afternoon social-emotional learning sessions. The district does not currently have plans to require student vaccinations.
“In an abundance of caution, we’re going to maintain six feet of social distancing,” Principal Richard Lohman said. “Students being safe and healthy is what motivates me to do my job, so I’m not going to allow students to be placed in an unsafe situation.”