Officials with the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department spoke about what they've learned during the coronavirus pandemic, how they're preparing for future pandemics and what the health department is missing to complete this vital work in the community.
A panel discussion hosted by Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) on Monday, Aug. 26, included other state and national experts on public health and pandemic preparedness.
Garcia said the topic for discussion will be brought before the parliamentary special subcommittee on COVID-19, of which he is a member.
“My mother was a health care worker, and I know firsthand how important our health care workers and health care systems are to our nation's security,” Garcia said. “I am committed to implementing true pandemic prevention efforts at the local, state and federal levels. We must be prepared for the next pandemic. It's not a question of if there will be another health crisis, but when.”
The panel discussion, held at the main medical facility, included U.S. Health and Human Services Chief of Staff Sean McCluskey, California Surgeon General Tomas Aragon and Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis.
“The idea in the state is to immediately apply the lessons we learned today,” Aragon said. “We're not waiting for the next pandemic. We believe the best way to prepare for a major disaster is to prepare, train and improve for what's happening now.”
Also in attendance were Long Beach Health Commissioner Allison King, city Health Commissioner Dr. Anissa Davis and city Public Health and Emergency Management Director Sandy Wedgeworth.
Wedgeworth said the city's pandemic response includes setting up a rapid assessment clinic and drive-thru testing site at Long Beach City College where people can receive essential care while doctor's offices move to telehealth.
Wedgeworth added that the city has begun testing and vaccine distribution at large venues such as the Convention and Entertainment Center, which at its peak saw 6,000 people a day come through for vaccinations and nearly 10,000 people a day visit the testing site.
Wedgeworth said the city is stocking up on more supplies, such as masks and gloves, in preparation for future emergencies and is rotating supplies with suppliers. When some of these items near their expiration date, the city will return them to the suppliers for repairs at no charge, Wedgeworth said.
“We've been trying to find our own solutions locally,” Wedgeworth said, “and it's certainly just going to get us through the first few weeks, maybe a month or so, and then we're going to need additional resources.”
Davis said the city of Long Beach is prepared to apply what it has learned during the pandemic to other health emergencies, such as measles, measles, dengue fever and other communicable diseases.
King said ensuring sustainable funding for public health and health departments is key to carrying out this vital work not only in communities like Long Beach, but at the state and national levels.
“We're seeing funding disappear,” Davis said. “We're trying to find other sources of funding, but it's really difficult.”
King also said the health care workforce is shrinking due to age and a lack of capacity to prepare people for the roles that need to be filled.
“The uncertainty of being in an industry that's running on grants makes it really hard, especially for young people, to venture into a career where you don't know if there's going to be work after this year,” King said. “So we're really struggling and it's really, really tough to have to stand up something in an emergency. We need structural funding.”
The city of Long Beach has allocated more funding to its health department than ever before, but more money is needed as federal funding dries up, officials said.
Just over 70 jobs within the health department are at risk of being cut or laid off outright as the city grapples with an ongoing budget crisis and pandemic-era funding losses.
“We're going to need things like loan forgiveness and other incentives to bring talent into the industry so that we have the workforce to address these issues,” King said. “And it's absolutely necessary that we have structural funding to protect ourselves.”
Experts and leaders also discussed vaccine hesitancy, the importance of building community trust and engagement, increasing access to vaccines and information, and the importance of research.
First published: August 26, 2024, 6:06 PM
