Inauguration: Biden and Harris smoothly sworn in
As President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris take office, Yolo County officials express hope for the next four years.
Wednesday’s inauguration comes as over 400,000 people have died of COVID-19 in America alone, and just two weeks ago, supporters of then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in the first attack on the building since 1814.
“The inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris is an historic moment — and a return to civility and reason,” stated Sen. Bill Dodd, who represents Yolo County in the California Senate. “It’s a turning point for our nation after four years of dangerous and counterproductive actions by the outgoing president that have threatened our democracy. I’m confident our new leaders will get us back on track as we face this unprecedented pandemic, build back our economy and heal our deep political division.”
The surge of coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths is critical throughout all of California. Yolo County only has two non-ICU beds left, and zero ICU beds. The vaccine, what many view as the only way out of the pandemic, has seen an extremely slow rollout.
“The Biden administration has indicated that it is committed to distributing large numbers of COVID vaccine quickly, pushing for the administration of 100 million doses in 100 days,” stated Dr. Aimee Sisson, the county’s public health officer. “I am hopeful that this will bring more doses into Yolo County so that we can rapidly vaccinate our health care workers and older adults.”
The state allowed increased vaccine eligibility to include those over 65, however, Sisson has admitted that the county cannot vaccinate all those eligible until more vaccine is available.
“Our vaccination efforts to date have been hampered by not having enough vaccine,” she stated. “The safe and highly effective vaccines for COVID-19 will save lives and are our path back to pre-pandemic normalcy, but supply is nowhere near demand right now.”
Gary Sandy, the representative for the 3rd Supervisorial District in Yolo County, echoed the hope that Biden’s presidency can help contain the pandemic.
“Joe Biden’s election to President of the United States signifies a resurgence of hope in our great nation,” Sandy stated. “I hope it will mark a steadfast focus on containing this pandemic, on restoring clean water and air standards and in providing a stimulus to restore our beleaguered small businesses. We need to return to true bipartisanship, a resumption of collegiality and brotherhood in our public discourse and respect for the role education, science and rationality play in a modern society. We must return to being one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all.”
In a time when the nation is extremely divided, Biden has highlighted the importance of building unity, as did Yolo County Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Angel Barajas.
“It was a time to reflect, a time to heal and a time to unite,” Barajas said of the inauguration. “This is our moment to stand tall as a country, accept our differences through civil discourse and move forward as one nation.”
Congressman John Garamendi, who represents California’s 3rd District which includes Yolo County, was on his way to the Capitol building when he was notified of the insurrection, and noted that he sees the inauguration as a way to heal the country.
“Make no mistake: this is a defining moment in American history. On the eve of President Biden’s inauguration, America was more divided than it’s been at any point in our lifetimes. Our nation is still reeling from a violent insurrection, incited by President Trump, that left six people dead,” Garamendi said. “More Americans are dying of COVID-19 now than ever before, and we are living through the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. President Biden is exactly who we need to unite our country, dig us out of these historic challenges and usher in a new era of American prosperity.”