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The following dogs are ready for adoption or foster.
‘Bear’
“Bear” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short brown coat.
He is dog No. 3476.
‘Dorito’
“Dorito” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a short white and gray coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 4576.
‘Dusty’
“Dusty” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier with a tan and white coat.
He is dog No. 4750.
‘Hector’
“Hector” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short brindle coat.
He is dog No. 4697.
‘Inky’
“Inky” is a male German Shepherd mix with a long black coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 4324.
‘Juno’
“Juno” is a female German Shepherd mix with a brown and black coat.
She is dog No. 4742.
‘Lumpy’
“Lumpy” is a male American Bulldog with a white and brindle coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 4715.
‘Nandor’
“Nandor” is a male American Bulldog mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 4725.
‘Ranger’
“Ranger” is a 5-year-old male husky mix with a long red and white coat.
He has been neutered.
Ranger is dog No. 4443.
‘Tia’
“Tia” is a female American Bully with a short black with white markings.
She is dog No. 4602.
‘Toby’
“Toby” is a friendly senior male boxer mix.
He has a short tan and white coat.
He is dog No. 4389.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
A big question among parents and teachers as more schools reopen is when their kids will be vaccinated against COVID-19. Some have wondered whether the vaccine is even necessary for children. Dr. James Wood, a pediatrician and assistant professor of pediatric infectious diseases, explains what doctors know today about the risk children face of getting and spreading the coronavirus and when vaccines might be available.
Do kids really need to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The short answer is yes. A lot of studies have shown that COVID-19 isn’t as severe in children, particularly younger kids – but that doesn’t mean kids aren’t at risk of getting infected and potentially spreading the virus.
Children under 12 who get COVID-19 do tend to have mild illnesses or no symptoms, while teenagers seem to have responses somewhere between what adults and younger kids have experienced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that teens were about twice as likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 as children ages 5-11.
Researchers are still trying to understand why we’re seeing these differences between older and younger kids. Behavior probably plays a part. Teenagers are more likely to engage in social or group activities, and they may or may not be wearing masks. Immune differences and biologic factors may also play a role. Non-SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses are common in children, often resulting in upper respiratory infection. Is their frequent exposure to other coronaviruses helping protect them from severe COVID-19? That is one hypothesis. We know younger kids’ immune responses in general are different from adults, and likely play a role in protection.
It’s important to remember that while most children get only mild symptoms, they still face risks. At least 226 U.S. children with COVID-19 have died, and thousands have been hospitalized.
The key to minimizing the risk is to make sure kids eventually get vaccinated, follow social distancing recommendations and wear masks.
Are kids spreading the virus?
In a setting like a school where mask-wearing and social distancing are enforced, young kids seem to not spread the virus very much when the rules and guidelines are being followed. One CDC review found little difference in community cases in counties with elementary schools open and those with remote learning.
If precautions aren’t being taken, children infected with the coronavirus very well could spread it to adults. What isn’t clear yet is how great that risk is.
To keep schools as safe as possible, continuing schoolwide mask and social distancing policies will be important. With teenagers in particular, mask rules can’t hinge on whether the person has been vaccinated or not. Until herd immunity within the whole community is at a good level, social distancing and masking is still going to be the recommendation.
So, when can kids get vaccinated?
Right now, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one in the U.S. authorized for teenagers as young as 16. Before kids under 16 can be vaccinated, clinical trials need to be completed in thousands of young volunteers to assess the vaccines’ safety and efficacy.
Vaccine manufacturers Moderna and Pfizer both have trials underway with adolescents and expect to have data by late spring or early summer. If their vaccines are shown to be safe and effective, kids 12 and up could be vaccinated before school starts in the fall.
Realistically, young children probably won’t be eligible for the vaccine until late fall or winter at the earliest. Moderna just announced on March 16 that it has started testing the vaccine in children ages 6 months to 11 years. Pfizer hasn’t reached that stage yet, and these trials take time.
What’s different about the vaccines kids will get?
The composition of the COVID-19 vaccines for children is the same as used in adults – the difference is that children may require a different dose.
The first step in vaccine trials is to figure out the right dose. The companies want to find the lowest possible dose that is both safe and produces a target level of antibodies. For example, Moderna uses a 100-microgram dose in adults. It is testing three different doses for children under age 2 – 25, 50 and 100 micrograms – and two doses for children over age 2, at 50 and 100 micrograms.
Once the company determines the optimal dose, it will launch a placebo-controlled trial to test its effectiveness, in which some children will get a placebo and some will get the vaccine.
A rigorous system for pediatric vaccine trials is well established in the U.S. These trials are key to assessing the safety and efficacy of vaccines in children, which can differ from adults.
I am optimistic that a safe and effective vaccine will be available for children. Thus far, there have not been any safety signals from either the adult or adolescent studies that have been worrying to me as a pediatrician, but the studies still need to be done in children.
How can parents create safe playdates for kids?
When I talk to parents, I explain that it’s a risk-versus-benefit question. Each family has a different tolerance.
From a medical standpoint, the mental health of kids and having them play with other kids is an important part of childhood.
[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversation’s newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.]
I would say that unvaccinated kids playing indoors without masks on is still not a great idea. The risk is just too high at this point. As weather warms up, I would encourage kids to play outside. Ride bikes, play and socialize – just do it in a safe manner.
We all have pandemic fatigue, including medical professionals. As the weather gets warmer, I think everyone just wants to get back to normal. The worst thing we can do, right as we start to see a light at the end, is fall backward again – because that would just make it that much longer for everyone.
James B. Wood, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Across Lake County for the month of February, inventory was at record lows and prices were up.
This results in lower days on the market and sales prices being closer to the list price.
The active listings throughout the county for the month of February totaled 120, which is down 57.6 percent from last year.
Active listings totaled 18 in Lakeport, which is down 40 percent from last year; Kelseyville, 21, down 67.7 percent; Clearlake, 20, down 63.6 percent; and Hidden Valley Lake at low of nine listings, which is down 79.5 percent in a year-over comparison.
Prices up over last year
The median price for single family dwellings for the county is $327,000, which is up 38.9 percent from last year.
Median prices around the lake are as follows:
– Lakeport: $375,000, up 49.1 percent from last year;
– Kelseyville: $320,000, up 8.5 percent;
– Clearlake: $212,000, up 3.2 percent; and
– Hidden Valley Lake: $352,000, up 18.4 percent.
The median days on market for the county is 36 days.
In Lakeport, homes are staying on the market for a median 31 days; Kelseyville, 55; Clearlake, 14; and Hidden Valley Lake, 25.
Throughout the county the sales to list price was 99 percent. This means homes are selling very close to list price.
Lakeport homes are selling on average for 98.4 percent of list price; Kelseyville, 98.6 percent; Clearlake, 100 percent; and Hidden Valley Lake at 99.5 percent.
The bottom line is, if you are thinking of selling based on these stats, it couldn’t be a better time.
Tama Prokopowich of Century 21 North Bay Alliance is president-elect of the Lake County Association of Realtors.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, as a drive-thru dropoff on the west side of the police station at 2025 S. Main St.
Physical distancing and face masks will be required. Persons arriving at the event will be directed to remain in their vehicles until receiving instructions by police staff.
During the event, the police department will accept all over-the-counter or prescription medication in pill, tablet or capsule form including schedule II-V controlled and non-controlled substances.
Pills need to be emptied out of their containers and placed in a plastic bag – not paper, so they can easily see the contents to make sure there is nothing in the bag they can't take.
The police department said it will collect vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers only after the batteries are removed from the devices. The agency stressed that it will not be responsible for removing the batteries from the devices.
Items that will not be accepted are illegal drugs, needles, inhalers and aerosol cans.
Since the Lakeport Police Department started participating with the prescription Take Back Program in January of 2019, it has collected 634 pounds of prescription drugs, many of which were dangerous narcotics including opioids.
“This protects our community by keeping these drugs from being diverted to illegal use and keeps it out of our environment and water,” the department reported.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will submit to the State Legislature the nomination of Alameda Assemblymember Rob Bonta as the next California attorney general, filling the seat vacated by Xavier Becerra, who was recently sworn in as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The nomination is subject to confirmation by the California State Assembly and Senate within 90 days.
Bonta will become the first Filipino American to serve as California attorney general.
The Latino Caucus of California Counties welcomed Bonta’s nomination, calling him “incredibly intelligent, tenacious and determined.
Caucus Vice President Debra Lucero said the group “could not be more excited” for Bonta’s nomination. “At a time where divide and hate are perpetuated daily in this country, California continues to be the nation’s gold standard of inclusion and diversity. As the first Filipino Attorney General, Rob Bonta will undoubtedly work to protect all Californians and ensure that there is no community left behind.”
Throughout his career in public service, Assemblymember Bonta has taken on big fights to reverse historic injustice – many affecting communities of color. He has been a leader in the fight to reform our justice system and stand up to the forces of hate.
“Rob represents what makes California great – our desire to take on righteous fights and reverse systematic injustices,” said Gov. Newsom. “Growing up with parents steeped in social justice movements, Rob has become a national leader in the fight to repair our justice system and defend the rights of every Californian. And most importantly, at this moment when so many communities are under attack for who they are and who they love, Rob has fought to strengthen hate crime laws and protect our communities from the forces of hate. He will be a phenomenal attorney general, and I can’t wait to see him get to work.”
Bonta was elected to the California State Assembly's 18th District in 2012, where he represents the cities of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro.
He became the first Filipino American state legislator in California’s then 160-plus-year history.
Bonta thanked the governor for nominating him.
“I am humbled by the confidence you have placed in me,” said Bonta. “I became a lawyer because I saw the law as the best way to make a positive difference for the most people, and it would be an honor of a lifetime to serve as the attorney for the people of this great state. As California’s attorney general, I will work tirelessly every day to ensure that every Californian who has been wronged can find justice and that every person is treated fairly under the law.”
Gov. Newsom made the announcement at the historic International Hotel in San Francisco, a site where Asian and Pacific Islander Californians famously rallied in 1977 to save homes of elderly residents and preserve their community. The protests helped fuel a rise in AAPI political activism.
Bonta’s mother, who helped organize the protest at the International Hotel, was on hand today to witness the governor making his selection.
A child of social justice movements, Bonta’s fight for justice is hardwired in his DNA.
Bonta grew up the son of activists. His mother, Cynthia, a proud Filipina, immigrated to California in the 1960s by a three-week boat ride.
His father, Warren, who grew up in Ventura County, was committed to service and social justice from a young age. As a student, Warren Bonta joined Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights organizing in Alabama to pass the Voting Rights Act.
Warren and Cynthia Bonta were working as missionaries in the Philippines when their son was born, training young people to serve the needs of rural Philippine villages through service, community organizing and ministry.
Shortly after leaving the Philippines, the Bontas moved to a trailer in La Paz, in the Tehachapi Mountains outside Bakersfield and served in the headquarters for the United Farm Workers movement.
Rob Bonta’s parents worked alongside Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta and Philip Veracruz, organizing Latino and Filipino farmworkers for racial, economic and civil rights. His dad worked in the front office and helped set up health clinics for the farmworkers, while his mother worked at the daycare, Casa de Nana, to support farmworker organizer families.
Rob Bonta’s padrino, or godfather, Jose Gomez, was the executive assistant to Cesar Chavez.
It was in La Paz, surrounded by other UFW families, that Rob Bonta’s parents gave him his first lessons in right and wrong and taught him that everyone had an obligation to speak out when another person is treated unfairly.
Growing up, Bonta had been inspired by characters like Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird” to pursue justice through the law, and reflecting on the stories of the farmworkers his family had known only strengthened that resolve. Throughout college and in his community work, he saw injustice and the power to right wrongs through the law, and after college, he was accepted to Yale Law School. It was also at Yale that he met his wife Mia, who he calls “his partner in life and in service.”
After law school, Bonta moved back to California and went into private practice, working pro-bono to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling. A few years later, Bonta decided to pursue his passion for public service and put his legal experience to work to help his community full-time.
Bonta served nine years as a deputy city attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, representing the city and its employees, before running for local office in Alameda County.
At the State Capitol, Bonta passed major reforms that reversed long-standing injustices.
In 2012, Bonta became the first Filipino American in California history to win election to the Legislature, representing Assembly District 18 in the cities of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro. He quickly became a statewide leader in the fights for racial, economic and environmental justice, advancing reforms that put California on the cutting edge.
In the Legislature, Bonta authored legislation that made California the first in the nation to ban for-profit prisons and immigration detention centers and, following statewide marijuana legalization, he authored the California law to automatically expunge and modify criminal records for people convicted of minor marijuana charges.
He authored major environmental justice legislation and has been a leader in the fight against climate change and to ensure every community equitably benefits from our green economy.
Bonta also led the fight to pass statewide protections for renters, ultimately resulting in the nation’s strongest protections against wrongful evictions.
He introduced a number of bills to improve hate crime statutes, support victims of hate violence, and build bridges between law enforcement and targeted communities, authored first-of-its-kind legislation requiring immigrants to be informed of their rights before speaking to ICE agents, sought to end predatory bail laws and co-authored the law that required an independent investigation when there is a death of an unarmed civilian by law enforcement.
The Bontas live in the East Bay with their three children and dog Lego.
The documents come from government litigation against pharmaceutical companies, including opioid manufacturers and distributors related to their contributions to the deadly epidemic, as well as litigation taking place in federal court on behalf of thousands of cities and counties in the United States.
The documents in the archive include emails, memos, presentations, sales reports, budgets, audit reports, Drug Enforcement Administration briefings, meeting agendas and minutes, expert witness reports, and depositions of drug company executives.
The Opioid Industry Documents Archive leverages extraordinary expertise within UCSF and Johns Hopkins University in library science, information technology, and digital archiving. It also relies on scholarship focused on many dimensions of the opioid epidemic, ranging from the history of medicine to pharmaceutical policy to clinical care.
Key organizations at UCSF involved include the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies; Department of Clinical Pharmacy; Department of Humanities and Social Sciences; Department of Family and Community Medicine; and Library. From Johns Hopkins University, the project involves the Bloomberg School of Public Health’s Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness; Welch Medical Library; Institute of the History of Medicine; and Sheridan Libraries’ Digital Research and Curation Center.
The new archive will provide free public access to anyone who is interested in investigating the activities that have led to the devastating epidemic, which has now contributed to the deaths of nearly 500,000 people.
The archive will promptly include new documents as they become available through resolution of legal action against companies that contributed to the deadly opioid crisis.
The launch coincides with the universities’ efforts to house more than 250,000 documents produced by opioid manufacturer Insys in the course of its bankruptcy proceedings following opioid litigation.
Provide information to experts, policymakers
The archive is similar to the groundbreaking Truth Tobacco Industry Documents archive at UCSF, which has fostered scientific and public health discoveries shaping tobacco policy in the U.S. and around the world. This new archive from two top research universities will deliver a wealth of information that experts can analyze to help policymakers prevent another disaster like this from happening again.
“This archive serves a vital public health purpose. Thanks to the efforts of the many parties involved, including the leaders of our communities and states nationwide, private lawyers working on their behalf, state attorneys general, and the Multidistrict Litigation Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, the archive will shine the bright light of day on previously private documents that help explain the background of how the epidemic arose,” said G. Caleb Alexander, MD, MS, professor of Epidemiology and Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and founding director of its Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness.
Alexander, who has provided expert testimony on behalf of plaintiffs in opioid-related litigation, added, “Johns Hopkins University and its Bloomberg School of Public Health bring remarkable expertise and scholarship directly related to the opioid crisis that are vital to this project’s success.”
Michael Steinman, MD, professor of medicine at UCSF, said, “UCSF’s ongoing work, through its Industry Documents Library, to provide public access to millions of documents about the tobacco industry has supported significant scientific and investigative research that have facilitated efforts to reduce smoking and related diseases, saving millions of lives worldwide. This new archive will similarly reflect on the opioid industry, whose actions have led to an extraordinary level of suffering and death across the country.”
The archive will be guided by an external advisory committee that will include individuals who have lost loved ones to the opioid epidemic and others who have been directly affected by it.
Transparency into opioid epidemic
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the first wave of the rise in opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. began with increased opioid prescriptions in the 1990s, with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increasing since at least 1999.
From 1999 to 2018, nearly 500,000 people in the U.S. died from an overdose involving opioids, including prescription and illicit opioids.
According to the White House Council of Economic Advisors’ most recent analysis, the opioid epidemic cost $696 billion in 2018 and more than $2.5 trillion between 2015 and 2018.
“This project will provide much-needed transparency into some of the origins of our recent opioid epidemic, informing policies and practices to prevent another such catastrophe,” said Joshua Sharfstein, MD, the Bloomberg School’s vice dean for Public Health Practice and Community Engagement and director of the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.
In response to the crisis across the U.S., counties, cities, states, and thousands of municipalities have filed lawsuits against various opioid manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies, and consulting firms.
The lawsuits and document discovery from the litigation – such as the recent settlement by states attorneys general with McKinsey & Co. – have exposed how opioid defendants pursued strategies to increase sales of addictive and deadly products, including producing manipulative and misleading marketing, casting doubt on the addictiveness of these products, ignoring or downplaying health risks, or otherwise overlooking signals of opioid oversupply and unsafe use.
“Public archives promote transparency and accountability,” said Kate Tasker, MLIS, UCSF Industry Documents Library Managing Archivist. “With the creation of the Opioid Industry Documents Archive, UCSF and Johns Hopkins University commit to preserving these materials – and future documents – in a centralized and full-text searchable database, to make this information freely and openly available to the public.”
The archive currently contains 3,300 documents (more than 131,000 pages) in six collections:
– Washington Post Opioid Collection;
– KHN OxyContin Collection;
– Oklahoma Opioid Litigation Documents;
– Kentucky Opioid Litigation Documents;
– National Prescription Opiate Litigation Documents;
– Insys Litigation Documents.