In California: Health care workers receive COVID-19 Pfizer vaccinations

Plus: The chef behind one of San Francisco's ghost kitchens reveals himself, Tulare residents are proud of their formerly "janky" Christmas tree, and a viral photo inspires legislation.

What a Thursday! I hope this newsletter finds you well. If not, I hope it finds you well enough. I'm Kate Cimini, the housing, health and ag reporter for The Salinas Californian with a sticky space bar, bringing you the headlines of the day.

In California brings you top Golden State stories and commentary from across the Paste BN Network and beyond. Get it free, straight to your inbox.

Health care workers start COVID-19 vaccinations 

Health care workers around the state have begun to receive the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine as the surge in new cases has exhausted supplies of intensive care beds. 

More than 2.9 million doses are being shipped this week to hundreds of sites around the U.S. Because the supply of the vaccine is limited, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends prioritizing health care workers and nursing home residents.

The Pfizer vaccine comes in two doses, given three weeks apart. The second shot is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer against the virus, per the CDC. 

Hospitals in Riverside, Tulare and other counties have already gotten the vaccine, and in some cases begun to innoculate their staff against the deadly virus. Still more, however, are forced to wait a few more days before beginning distribution. 

Local health officials have applauded the vaccine's arrival and the impact it is likely to have in the fight against the pandemic that has upended millions of American lives.

In Southern California and the Central Valley, the vaccine arrives at a critical juncture with intensive care units across the region nearly full and many health care workers themselves infected and temporarily unable to work.

Meanwhile, in Monterey County, COVID-19 made the news for an unusual reason: a car crash. An elderly man picking someone up at the hospital was startled, and hit the gas instead of the brakes, crashing into a COVID-19 testing tent and striking an employee.

His license was taken away and his driving will be reevaluated by the DMV. 

Who's behind one of San Francisco's most popular ghost kitchens? Now we know

This story started over a month ago (at Eater) with an exploration of "ghost kitchens," or delivery-only restaurants. The story focused on Sunset Squares Pizza, a San Francisco-based ghost kitchen selling "neo-Detroit" sourdough pizza during the pandemic.

The initial article promised the eatery was the project of a well-known chef, but one who refused to identify himself. Now, the project that began with his two teenage daughters has morphed into a full-blown business.

Just days ago, the mystery chef revealed himself as Chef Dennis Lee of restaurant group Namu. Sunset Squares has done so well during its short life that Lee has brought additional chefs aboard and is looking for more. 

Viral photo illustrating income inequality inspires legislation

In Monterey County, a viral photo of two preteen girls sitting outside a Taco Bell and using its wifi to attend school remotely was a stark reminder that many students are on the wrong side of the digital divide.

Four months after the photo was taken, local and state legislators supported a multibillion-dollar bill called the Broadband for All Act of 2022, which would provide funding for statewide broadband infrastructure to provide access to high-speed internet for all Californians.

“It’s important for the community to know that as a result of this heartbreaking image... there is action taking place in Sacramento,"said Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo.

Shortly after the image went viral around the U.S., the girls in question were given hotspots by their school district, and are participating in the district’s learning “pods,” small groups of students learning in-person.  

Quick hits:

• Food insecurity has surged, more than doubling in some areas: Food insecurity in the Coachella Valley has more than doubled in the last year, thanks to the pandemic. About 40% of food bank clients have never visited a food bank before, estimates indicate.
• Started from punk and now we're here: L.A. Taco's weekly music column takes you on a little vacation with the easy, beautiful music of Chicano-soul artist Joey Quiñones. Make sure to hit 'play' on the videos embedded throughout the piece as you read — you'll thank me.
• Lettuce growers plagued by losses in the Salad Bowl of the World: In the Salinas Valley, Monterey County growers are losing lettuce — a top crop in the region — to various fly and mold pests, in some cases, sickening consumers thousands of miles away. What does that mean for farmers?
• Tulareans 'proud' of formerly 'janky' Christmas tree: After Tulare unveiled what residents called a "janky" Christmas tree in 2019, many are pleased to see the city pulled out all the stops when it came to decorating this year. 
• 'Inconsiderate:' Shasta County residents push back on virtual city council meetings, calling what councilmembers considered a routine procedure a violation of their rights.
• Strip away: Flying in the face of a "record number of new infections, deaths, and ICUs at capacity," San Diego County has suspended enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants and live entertainment establishments after a local judge ruled in favor of two strip clubs that defied a state shutdown order. Still, county officials urged people to avoid gathering, socially distance, wear face coverings and wash their hands.

In California is a roundup of news from across USA Today network newsrooms. Also contributing: Eater, L.A. Taco, Monterey County Weekly.

Kate Cimini is a journalist for The Californian covering ag, housing and health. Share your story at (831) 776-5137 or email kcimini@thecalifornian.com. Subscribe to support local journalism.