Author Archives: Ben Christopher
Ben covers California politics and elections. Prior to that, he was a contributing writer for CalMatters reporting on the state's economy and budget. Based out of the San Francisco Bay Area, he has written for San Francisco magazine, California magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Priceonomics. Ben also has a past life as an aspiring beancounter: He has worked as a summer associate at the Congressional Budget Office and has a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of California, Berkeley.
![Carlos Hernandez holds his mask while getting a haircut from Sarah Cordiey at Spiros Barber Shop in Long Beach, on June 9, 2021. "During the pandemic, I got depression and anxiety," said Hernandez, who saw his family last week for the first time in more than a year. "But then when I got [fully] vaccinated I felt a lot better." Pablo Unzueta for CalMatters](https://i0.wp.com/calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0692021_ReopeningJune15_PU_Sized_15.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
![Carlos Hernández sostiene su máscara mientras Sarah Cordiey le corta el pelo en Spiros Barber Shop en Long Beach, el 9 de junio de 2021. "Durante la pandemia, tuve depresión y ansiedad", dijo Hernández, quien vio a su familia por primera vez la semana pasada después de más de un año. "Pero luego, cuando me vacuné [completamente] me sentí mucho mejor". Foto de Pablo Unzueta para CalMatters](https://i0.wp.com/calmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/0692021_ReopeningJune15_PU_Sized_15-Spanish-Article-Use-Only.jpeg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
