Yesterday, the County of Orange launched its first regional COVID-19 Super POD at the Disneyland Resort, a travel destination for people around the world.

This marks an important step in combatting COVID-19 and reclaiming our lives and livelihoods from grip of the pandemic here in Orange County. While we still face difficult months ahead, with these vaccines, and more coming online in the near future, we will triumph and overcome the biggest challenge of our generation.

Referred to as a “Super POD,” which is a Point of Dispensing, we will ramp up our operation to vaccinate over 7,000 people each day just at this location. As more vaccines arrive in the future, Orange County will open more super PODs in order to vaccinate as many as quickly as possible. 

The County is not the only entity that can provide COVID vaccines. In fact, 80% of all doses allocated to Orange County by the State were provided directly to the healthcare system to distribute.

I want to thank our nurses, doctors, and public health workers as well as the Disney Resort, the City of Anaheim, and the Orange County Fire Authority for stepping up and marshaling their resources to help us set up and operate this wonderful facility.

It is an incredible honor to serve on the Orange County Board of Supervisors, representing the First District – which includes the cities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley, and Midway City.

I consider it an extreme privilege to have earned the trust of the people of the First District for the next four years.

Watch my swearing-in video for statements on our accomplishments thus far and the hard work that lies ahead.

On Tuesday, I was elected Chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors by my colleagues, alongside Supervisor Doug Chaffee, who was elected Vice Chairman.

I look forward to working closely with Supervisor Chaffee to continue our fight against COVID-19 and begin the monumental effort of vaccine distribution. There is hope for the future, and we will work hard to make sure we deliver on that hope for the people of Orange County.

I’m honored to be elected as the Chairman of the OCTA Board of Directors this year.

I look forward to working to provide a balanced, sustainable, and innovative transportation system to keep Orange County moving. Considering the challenges of the past year, I recognize how essential public transit and improvement projects are to ensuring our communities are safe, healthy, and financially sound.

Yesterday, we unveiled the virtual ribbon-cutting for the Be Well OC Orange Campus.

I am deeply honored to be part of the ongoing endeavor to help ensure Orange County provides vital care to those who need it most.

From preventative mental health and substance use treatments to diversion services and programs.

Together, we will lead Orange County in providing optimal mental health and wellness for all.

Click here to view the virtual ribbon cutting.

Last week, we witnessed an unacceptable assault on our institution of government in the Nation’s Capitol. The fact that this was cheered on, if not fomented by some, was shameful.

A line was crossed; we cannot treat the events of today as just another political clash in a divided nation. This behavior is undemocratic, un-American, and must never be allowed to happen again.

I believe that the will of the people will prevail, and our Democracy will prove stronger than any mob.

God Bless these United States.

Our communities are still struggling from the impacts of COVID-19. Last week,

Saddleback Church and the First District Team hosted a food distribution at the French Park Plaza Apartments, serving families with nutritious food.

Thank you to Mr. Venancio Chavez, VP of the French Park Plaza Hoa, our volunteers, and all who made this possible.

At-home COVID-19 test kits are available at no cost to OC residents. Orange County offers saliva-based and nasal swab test kit options. Visit occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/covid-19-testing to get your test.