Long Beach Pushes for Mass Vaccination of Restaurant Workers Next Week

Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced that the city will begin to vaccinate food service and grocery store workers at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center starting March 5. Over 3,000 appointments are available for eligible workers who are employed at corner stores, markets, restaurants, or elsewhere within the food service industry throughout Long Beach. Garcia noted via Twitter that city officials will contact restaurants directly to sign up for appointments.

In other Long Beach news, a judge denied a preliminary injunction by the California Grocers Association that would have temporarily overturned Long Beach’s mandated hero pay raise during the coronavirus pandemic. In January, the Long Beach City Council and Garcia passed the ordinance, where essential grocery store workers will receive the extra compensation until the end of June. The CGA filed similar lawsuits against West Hollywood and Montebello last month after passing similar measures. LA County approved a $5 per hour hero pay increase this week. Garcia shared the news via Twitter:

In other news:

• Thrillist editor Danielle Dorsey penned an Ice Cube-inspired adventure in South LA. There’s a bit of Black history throughout, with a nice mention of the South LA Cafe and Post & Beam.
• Orange County restaurant owners hope the region can move towards indoor dining as COVID-19 case numbers continue to drop, reports CBS-2.
• Why yes, that actually was a giant donut being installed on top of the forthcoming Randy’s Donuts in Costa Mesa on Thursday afternoon. A spokesperson says its first Orange County location will likely open on March 9.

• West Covina voted to create its own independent health department, after the city council approved its formation on Wednesday. The council alleges the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health was ineffective throughout the pandemic, reports the LA Times.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 94 on Tuesday, writes LAist. The bill will provides some relief to bars, clubs, and restaurants which no longer have to pay licensing and regulatory fees to the state until the end of 2024.
• L.A. Taco interviewed a descendant of the first Mayans in the Americas — who also happens to be a chef making some of the city’s best food from the Yucatan. The restaurant is called Ek’Balam, and is run by chef Juan Chan.

• LA County Restaurant Workers Prioritized For Vaccines, Can Receive Within Weeks [ELA}