Gov. Newsom comes to Arvin, speaks on more vaccines to Kern, recall efforts against him
ARVIN, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Governor Gavin Newsom came to Arvin Monday afternoon, to announce more vaccines coming to the Central Valley.
Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez, Arvin Mayor Olivia Trujillo, and Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh spoke about the vaccine needs in the Central Valley and welcomed Governor Newsom.
The Governor then announced how more vaccines are being allocated to the Central Valley and Kern County.
Monday at the Arvin Veteran's Hall, Governor Gavin Newsom announced this site is one of 11 in the Central Valley that will be open for COVID-19 vaccinations, this week.
"This site's a special site, this site is special for many different reasons, but fundamentally meets the criteria in terms of protecting vulnerable and valuable members of society," Governor Newsom, said.
He said there will be additional vaccines coming to the Central Valley and Kern County specifically.
"In Kern County, the increase is 78%. 58% valley wide, 78% here in Kern County. Just shy of 15,000 will arrive this week, 14,850 doses, representing a 78% increase."
Also, vaccines will be allocated.
"We are redirecting 34,000 doses that one of our large pharmacies had that were not being administrated as efficiently and effectively a I would like and we decided to bring those 34,000 doses here to the Central Valley," Governor Newsom, said.
"We're making history, our city is going to have their vaccines here, the fear is going to be taken away from them and they will be able to see first hand how much love and care our Governor of our beautiful state of California has shown, just by being here," Olivia Trujillo, Mayor of Arvin, said.
Recall organizers say they have over 1.7 million signatures so far to recall Governor Newsom and are continuing to work to turn those into the county registrars around the state for verification.
When asked what his message to Kern County residents working to recall him, Governor Newsom said he's not focused on that.
"I'm focused on vaccines, I'm focused on putting vaccines into people's arms," Governor Newsom, said. "I'm focused on getting our kids back to school, I'm focused on getting small businesses relieved."
Governor Newsom said he's also focused on a bill that should be signed Tuesday. This bill he says would bring nearly 2 billion dollars in small business grant money, not loan money, to underserved and underrepresented areas. He says he also expects a bill to be signed that would add another 3.8 billion dollars to that.
Governor Newsom says these grants would be $5,000 to $25,000 grants for 5.8 million Californians. He says a "huge" percentage of that will go towards the Central Valley.
Newsom said he will be returning to the Central Valley another day this week.
