Mayor Gordo Gives a ‘Backyard Chat’ on the Fight Against COVID-19 in Pasadena

In what might be called a “backyard chat” with the people of Pasadena, Mayor Victor Gordo on Sunday put out a brief videotaped update of where the city stands in its battle against COVID-19.

“Let me just say first and foremost that it’s very important that we all do our part to keep our community safe,” Gordo said. 

“That means continuing to use masks,” and “to stay safely and socially distanced,” the mayor said.

“I know it’s a tough time for all of us to stay away from one another and from family, but this is the time to do it, for all of our sake,” Gordo said in the roughly five-minute message.

With that, Gordo gave an outline of the various phases and tiers in which the coronavirus vaccine will be distributed, beginning with Phase 1a and the distribution of the vaccine to healthcare workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. 

Next is Phase 1b, Tier 1, which includes people who are 75 and older and those who are at work in education, child care, emergency services, and food and agriculture. 

After that, Phase 1b, Tier 2. will include people ages 65 to 74, and those who are at risk of exposure at work in the following sectors: transportation, logistics, industrial/commercial, residential and sheltering facilities, and services in the areas of manufacturing. It also includes congregant settings of outbreaks, such as incarcerated and homeless individuals.

From there, vaccines move into Phase 1c, which includes individuals 50 to 64 years of age and people 60 to 64 years of age that have an underlying condition or a disability.

“In my view, we should have the National Guard out. We should have all the resources that we need from the federal government, the state government, and county government to distribute this vaccine as quickly as possible,” Gordo said.

But, “in the absence of that, rest assured, as mayor, and together with my colleagues on the City Council, we are going to do everything we can to make sure the vaccine is distributed as quickly as possible within the city of Pasadena to the residents of Pasadena,” the mayor said.

Gordo then urged residents to stay in touch with the city’s website, cityofpasadena.net, for information and updates, and to contact him or their council representatives with questions about their situations.

But, above all, “Please be sure you’re staying safe. Let’s work together, wear a mask, and socially distance. I know this is a difficult time to be apart from one another, from our families, from Pasadena, our neighbors and friends,” But, he said, “This is the time for all of us to work together to stay safe.”