Dear Constituent,

With COVID here to stay, what are some practical ways to help ourselves and our families avoid serious illness?  This evening, Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 5:30 – 6:30, I'm hosting a virtual town hall, "COVID: What Now?" featuring these noted public health experts:

• Dr. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist, California Department of Public Health
• Dr. Robert Wachter, chair, UC San Francisco Department of Medicine

You can watch the virtual town hall on my Senate website.

Dr. Pan and Dr. Wachter will provide critical information about the new COVID subvariants along with suggestions for how to navigate this new normal — particularly as the flu season gets underway and we make plans to get together with family and friends during the holidays.

We'll also discuss some new trends, including the effectiveness of current treatments and the effectiveness of the new COVID bivalent booster shots. And they'll answer questions many of you sent in over the last few days.

Finally, we'll address some of the changes to expect in January and early next year, such as:

• Ending free distribution of tests, vaccines, and treatments
• Expiration of the state's COVID sick leave program
• Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to end California's COVID-19 State of Emergency on Feb. 28, 2023

So, please join our "COVID: What Now?" virtual town hall by logging onto my Senate website this evening, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Sincerely,

Nancy Skinner
State Senator, District