Health

The new budget removes the asset rule that restricted eligibility for older and disabled Californians.

Around 1,000 Californians are still newly infected every day, hospitalizations have hit a new low, people of color remain at high risk and almost half of eligible people aren’t fully vaccinated.

As the governor and lawmakers wrangle over the budget, local public health departments are underfunded and overwhelmed. Outdated equipment and insufficient staff hamper handling of everything from asthma to syphilis.

Gov. Gavin Newsom promised business as usual, but there could be exceptions to everyday life returning to normal. Here are questions and answers to clear up confusion.

Facing a recall election, Gov. Newsom announces a $116.5 million COVID-19 vaccine incentive program, including a $15 million lottery with 10 winners. Californians who get a shot by June 15 and those already vaccinated can win the big prize.

California authorized paying OptumServe up to $221 million. But the company has helped with only 1% of the state’s vaccinations since January.

More than 251,000 Californians signed up on MyTurn to volunteer at vaccine clinics. But only 379 people have been able to book shifts through the state’s problem-plagued website.

Less than half of eligible people in 45 of the state’s 58 counties have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Marin and Alpine rank at the top with 69%, while Lassen, Mariposa and Kings are at the bottom with 25% or less.

Although most state prison workers are refusing vaccines, Gov. Gavin Newsom says he won’t make them mandatory.

In 30 of 35 California prisons, fewer than half of workers are COVID vaccinated. Some advocates urge the state to mandate staff shots.