The COVID-19 pandemic will likely have lasting effects on the health and wellbeing of families for years to come. With 3,725 deaths and counting in San Diego County, that leaves many families struggling with the loss of a loved one. The good news is, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
With the increase in vaccine availability, more families are able to come together again.
“If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.”
– Center for Disease and Control
San Diego has done a great job of rolling out the vaccines in an efficient and equitable fashion. As of May 12th, over 58% of San Diegans have been vaccinated according to the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. That number is well above California’s overall rate of 36.2%. Yay us!
Home Start’s Housing Department East Team recently coordinated with the county to organize a vaccination outreach for the unsheltered population in El Cajon. Free, no-hassle vaccinations were offered to the public in front of our E. Main Street office. Along with the vaccine, gift cards and pizza were also provided, making the event an uplifting success.
Home Start views all of this progress as essential to keeping families strong.
Extended families are able to more closely support each other again. Grandchildren can safely visit with grandparents, providing positive support and often necessary childcare. Parents are able to return to work as children begin going back to school.
Families can finally get together again, in small groups and outdoors, for important celebrations like Mother’s Day, graduations and quinceañeras. These gatherings are so important to keeping family bonds strong and building a reliable support system for children who may be vulnerable.
Vaccinations are now available without an appointment at many locations around the county.
To support all of Home Start’s programs to strengthen families in order to protect children, please visit home-start.org today.