B18 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE SUNDAY• MAY 9, 2021

S TEVEN P. DINKIN A Path Forward FAUCI TO BE HONORED BY NCRC AS NATIONAL PEACEMAKER When I say the name “Dr. An- flict Resolution Center (NCRC) fast in his truth-telling, delivering to bait the good doctor, and failed. courage” during the pandemic. thony Fauci,” what persona comes will confer a new honor on Fauci: the same mantra, day after day: Fauci is accustomed to being in • Practice what you preach. to mind? A kind, plain-spoken National Peacemaker. We will Wear a mask. Wash your hands. the line of fire. In the 1980s, he The Washington Post ran a story public servant and medical pro- present the award to him at a Keep your distance. For many oversaw the government’s re- about Fauci’s Christmas Eve 2020: fessional, or a masked villain virtual ceremony on May 15, as Americans, Fauci’s unapologetic sponse to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Fauci broke a nearly half-century intent on controlling everyone and part of our 33rd annual Peace- admonitions have been a tonic of By his own account, it was slow tradition, staying home with his everything? maker Awards event. sorts, in part because he delivers and rigid. Many of the first AIDS wife rather than enjoying a tradi- Fauci wears several hats: phy- The reasons for selecting Fauci his sermon without fear. It all patients — gay men and intra- tional Italian meal with family. sician, scientist, national health may not be obvious. It’s hard to makes him seem trustworthy — a venous drug users — suspected • Never compromise your leader and more. Currently, he compare the work he does to rare commodity in Washington, the foot dragging was rooted in an integrity. Fauci has said that he juggles two jobs: director of the traditional peacemaking — some- D.C. ugly prejudice against them. doesn’t get any pleasure in being U.S. National Institute of Allergy thing akin to the Camp David Still, let’s be frank: The self- At the time, Fauci was de- the bearer of bad news. But the and Infectious Diseases and chief Accords. That’s when President described “skunk at the picnic” nounced as a monster and a mur- COVID crisis demands honesty medical adviser to President Joe Jimmy Carter brokered a peace inspires a lot of ire. derer. But in true peacemaker and transparency, even under Biden. treaty between Israeli Prime Last month, Fauci found him- fashion, he listened to the con- pressure to be positive. Fauci Since the onset of the Minister Menachem Begin and self engaged in a heated exchange cerns of the gay community, visit- delivers. COVID-19 pandemic in March Egyptian President Anwar Sadat with Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. In ing sick and dying patients at The pandemic tested us in a 2020, Fauci has also served as the — the first of its kind in the Middle a congressional hearing, Jordan their bedsides. million different ways. We need to public face and official voice of the East. In the 45 years since its asked a question designed to In an appearance on the pod- learn from the experience, and government’s war on the virus. signing, Israel and Egypt have provoke: “What measure, what cast “What it Takes,” Fauci de- emerge as better humans. Doc- During a long and storied remained at peace, saving count- standard, what objective outcome scribed the experience as a turn- tor’s orders. career, Fauci has received many less lives. do we have to reach before Ameri- ing point in his career. It’s when he prestigious awards, including the Fauci’s brand of peacemaking cans get their liberty and freedom became a “confrontative activist” Dinkin is president of the National Conflict Presidential Medal of Freedom, is different. He has worked in back?” against his own government. Resolution Center, a San Diego-based group the Public Welfare Medal of the seven administrations, for both Fauci calmly replied, “I don’t Whether or not you’re a Fauci working to create solutions to challenging National Academy of Sciences, Republican and Democratic pres- look at this as a liberty thing. I fan, he can teach us some impor- issues, including intolerance and incivility. and the National Humanism in idents. Yet he has managed to look at it as a public health mea- tant life lessons: To learn about NCRC’s programming, visit Medicine Medal. He’s also been remain consistently apolitical and sure to prevent people from dying • Be humble. Fauci doesn’t ncrconline.com given 46 honorary doctoral de- stayed above the fray, always and going to the hospital.” crave the limelight. At an awards NCRC’s 33rd annual Peacemaker Awards grees from colleges and universi- acting in the best interests of the The expression on Jordan’s presentation last fall, Fauci didn’t honoring Dr. Anthony Fauci will be held on ties in the United States and American people. face — even from behind a mask talk about his accomplishments. Saturday, May 15, at 6:50 p.m. For abroad. As the pandemic has worn on, — suggested that he wasn’t satis- Instead, he thanked the American information, or to register, visit This week, the National Con- Fauci has continued to be stead- fied with Fauci’s answer. He tried people for their “profound ncrconline.com.

experienced a series of falls and local memory care facilities where VISITS worsening vascular dementia and older adults diagnosed with Alz- fibromyalgia while living alone at heimer’s disease and other forms of FROM B1 her apartment in downtown San dementia live. “It’s been a tough year and a Diego. At Stellar Care in the College half, I’ll tell you,” Raymond said. On Christmas, she had a really Area, Executive Director Linda Skilled nursing facilities were hard fall while feeding her cat, but Cho said the facility now allows in- some of the hardest hit areas in the she didn’t want to be in the hospital person visits and has expanded the county during the pandemic, with during the height of the pandemic. activities they offer in-house. Resi- 4,464 novel coronavirus cases She stayed with her daughter’s dents can also have more dining among residents and 3,038 staff family for a few days before eventu- options and can leave the facility to cases reported between the begin- ally being admitted to the hospital. visit loved ones without quarantin- ning of the pandemic and May 6, Because Potter was born with a ing upon their return, unless they county data shows. congenital heart disease that will encountered someone with As of Feb. 26, there were 5,911 someday lead to heart and liver COVID-19. residents living in skilled nursing transplants, she was unable to Looking ahead to June 15, Cho facilities throughout the county, move her mother into her home, so said in an email that the state’s re- the California Department of Pub- Bumbera was released to St. Paul’s opening will allow more normalcy lic Health reported. in January. within the facility. But since vaccination efforts At first, Potter was unable to “Currently, we must still ob- began in December, they’ve also visit Bumbera at all, and when she serve social distancing in our com- been some of the earliest sectors of eventually could, she was unable to munity, which is hard for resi- the community to see significant hold her mother’s hand. dents,” Cho said. “Our residents decreases in new cases and out- “The hardest part is that my SAM HODGSON U-T desire closer contact with their breaks. mom cannot talk, so we would have Jen Potter grasps her mother Rita Bumbera’s hands at St. Paul’s friends in the building whether it New outbreaks in skilled nurs- to write things down,” Potter said. Senior Services Nursing and Reabilitation Center. be sitting closer or perhaps holding ing facilities steadily dropped each “It’s not really conversational with hands. week starting in late January and my mom. It’s more about me telling This includes La Fuente Post will continue to require that unvac- “Even though all the residents have since stabilized, county data her what’s going on and then her re- Acute in Vista, which has an online cinated visitors sanitize their are fully vaccinated, because we show, as has the rate of new cases acting.” portal leading someone through a hands, wear masks and submit to a are a long-term care community, among nursing home residents With their family vaccinated, series of questions before allowing COVID-19 screening upon arrival. our state licensing guidelines re- and staff. they’re now enjoying regular visits them to select days and times for Come June 15, St. Paul’s may quire that residents still maintain As of May 6, there were only 13 together at the facility, and Potter potential visits. also be able to move away from the social distancing as much as pos- active outbreaks in skilled nursing can also bring her home to visit There are also facilities that state’s color-coded system that sible.” facilities, compared to the high of with her daughter and husband for have different visitation criteria moves residents into separate Although many California nurs- 63 outbreaks in mid-January. about four hours each weekend. geared toward indoor versus out- units based on whether they have ing homes have resumed visita- With the widespread vaccina- “It was obviously fantastic to door visits. According to its web- left the facility and potentially in- tions, California Advocates for tion of skilled nursing residents physically hold her hand or give her site, Aviara Healthcare Center in teracted with someone who is in- Nursing Home Reform advocate and staff, as well as the regional de- a hug,” Potter said through tears. Encinitas will allow two visitors at a fected with the virus. Michael Connors said others still crease in cases allowing San Diego “Me being a sick child, she was just time for half an hour outdoors, or In the current green, yellow and continue to restrict visitors. County to move to less restrictive the one who took care of me always, one visitor a day for a half-hour visit red unit system for nursing homes, With the majority of residents tiers, visitations have been allowed so I just feel like our roles have com- indoors as long as the resident has facilities must have separate and staff vaccinated, Connors said for the majority of residents in pletely reversed.” not been exposed to COVID-19 or spaces and staff for people who are restrictions on socialization and nursing homes. With skilled nursing residents has recovered from the virus. quarantined. These are used if visits should already be scaled On April 11, CDPH updated its and staff largely vaccinated against Other facilities, including Arbor someone may have interacted with back. visitation guidance for skilled the lethal virus, and with Califor- Hills Nursing Center in La Mesa, a COVID-positive person during a “We have concerns of course nursing facilities, but visitors of all nia’s planned reopening date on are continuing to rely primarily on hospital visit (yellow) or because that there should be more of a re- vaccination statuses must still be June 15, what further changes may outdoor visitations to continue they tested positive for the virus turn to normalcy already in nurs- screened for fever and other novel happen on June 15 are still up in the protecting residents. (red). ing homes for residents than is oc- coronavirus symptoms, and wear air, a CDPH spokesperson said in St. Paul’s Senior Services CEO This separation is difficult for curring,” Connors said. “Our sense appropriate personal protective an email. and President Cheryl Wilson said the staff, Wilson said, and it is that a lot of nursing homes in Cal- equipment. “Throughout this pandemic, over the past few months, the fear changes the care residents can re- ifornia are paying little to no atten- Although Valerie cannot visit CDPH’s primary goal has been fo- factor of interactions between staff ceive. tion to the orders from both Cali- Raymond in his apartment, they’re cused on ensuring the health and and residents has significantly de- “It’s very difficult for rehabilita- fornia and from the federal govern- now both vaccinated and back to safety of residents at skilled nurs- creased as all residents and 93 per- tion to provide the same level of re- ment to allow visitations in facili- visiting each other at least twice a ing facilities,” the spokesperson cent of staff across St. Paul’s facili- habilitation to the yellow and red ties.” day. wrote. “Accordingly, we are looking ties have now been vaccinated. zones as they do to the green zone,” Loneliness caused by a lack of While listening to a live mariachi into any policy updates that may Vaccinated visitors are allowed Wilson said. activities and visits can cause se- band under strings of colorful pa- be necessary and applicable at to not only come into the facilities, As a registered nurse, Wilson vere impacts on the physical and pel picado decorations on Wednes- those facilities in relation to the but also to hug and hold hands with said infection control has always mental health of older adults, in- day, Raymond was filled with joy as state’s planned reopening.” their loved ones. been pretty tight at the St. Paul’s cluding nursing home residents. it was the second time he’d seen his While visitations at skilled nurs- “That has been just an amazing facilities. In the past, St. Paul’s staff Given the dangers of isolation, wife that day. “I steal every mo- ing facilities have once again been improvement in the quality of life who hadn’t received flu vaccina- Connors said facilities should face ment I can get.” allowed by both the California De- for the people that we serve,” Wil- tions were required to wear masks consequences if they continue de- “We couldn’t sit this close to- partment of Public Health and the son said. “And it’s an improvement at work, which will likely continue nying residents access to visitors. gether six months ago, or even two Centers for Medicare and Medicaid for our staff, too, because they see going forward when it comes to “It’s outrageous that so many months ago. We enjoy this,” he said. services, facilities have different the difference in our seniors, how anyone who isn’t vaccinated people living in nursing homes are For El Cajon resident Jennifer policies depending on whether the much happier they are.” against COVID-19. still being separated from their Potter, the reopening of facilities residents and guests have been Although some visits have been There are also some changes loved ones,” he said. “Many nursing means not only being able to regu- vaccinated. able to resume this year, she pre- the facility has made over the past home residents remain completely larly visit her mother Rita Bum- Some facilities allow visitations dicts the June 15 reopening and year that will continue indefinitely isolated from their loved one be- bera at St. Paul’s Nursing, she can by appointment for those who are more widespread vaccination as extra precautions, such as using cause California and the federal now also bring her home to visit not displaying COVID-19 symp- throughout the region will mean air purifiers and UV light sanitizing government are not enforcing their with the family for a few hours at a toms, who have neither traveled even unvaccinated guests will once devices in addition to wiping down directives to allow visitors.” time. nor been knowingly exposed to again be allowed to see their loved surfaces with sanitizing wipes. Last year, 71-year-old Bumbera COVID-19 over the past two weeks. ones. To keep residents safe, they Changes have also been made in [email protected]

revenues and staffing than woman Marni von Wilpert fense, $120,000 for a fourth city.” TODAY IN FINES AMR was, he said. expressed skepticism that and $250,000 for a fifth. Stowell added that includ- “Our nose is going to be in the contract is written well Stowell said city officials ing eight zones in the request HISTORY FROM B1 their business,” the chief enough for the city to have considered increasing those for proposals the city issued lances, with its sprawling said. “We have a vested inter- leverage over Falck for non- fines but decided against it. last year would have elicited suburban neighborhoods, est in their sustainability compliance. “There’s a balance there, proposals much less finan- Today is Sunday, May 9, the meandering canyons and and their success, so we are Stowell agreed this week because these are partners of cially favorable to the city. 129th day of 2021. There are traffic congestion, but city asking for a lot more docu- that Falck’s commitment to ours in public safety,” he said. “We saw the headaches 236 days left in the year. This officials say excessively long mentation.” provide 1,008 hours could be “Although we want these to that the eight zones would is Mother’s Day. response times are still un- Unlike the city’s deal with relatively difficult to enforce. be enforceable and some- bring, and we knew that the acceptable. AMR, the new contract re- “There is not a dollar fig- thing that motivates them to price to bid that would be as- Today’s highlight The main motivation for quires frequent and detailed ure associated with that, so continue staffing so they can tronomical,” he said. “With the switch from Falck to reports from Falck on such that will be left to interpreta- respond in a timely manner, the traffic congestion our city On May 9, 1994, South Africa’s AMR was the prospect of a things as staff turnover, tion,” he said. “But that is we also don’t want to bank- sees, it would be very hard to newly elected parliament boost in quality, especially re- hours worked, vehicle mile- another enforceable area rupt them or cause problems keep that up. It just was not a chose Nelson Mandela to be sponse times in diverse and ages, billing collection rates, where we can call them out, for us because they’re not fi- sustainable model.” the country’s first Black presi- low-income neighborhoods patient charges, cash flow for either a breach of con- nancially stable.” Fewer excessively long dent. south of Route 94. But the and related information. tract or plan to cure, and im- Others have suggested emergency response times new penalty for excessively Stowell and Falck offi- pose penalties.” San Diego return to a re- would also improve fire serv- On this date long responses applies in all cials say this type of over- Stowell said he is confi- sponse-time model that di- ice in San Diego, because a neighborhoods. sight will allow city officials dent Falck will be a great vides the city into eight fire engine and an ambu- In 1914, President Woodrow The new contract, which to see potential problems partner because the reputa- zones instead of four, which lance respond to most emer- Wilson, acting on a joint con- the City Council approved before they materialize and tion of the company, which reduced the chances some gencies. “Those are my folks gressional resolution, signed a last month after more than a possibly make constructive wants to become the domi- neighborhoods would get sitting there at the scene of a proclamation designating the year of analysis, also re- suggestions to make service nant ambulance provider in neglected. The larger the traffic accident or with a second Sunday in May as quires Falck to quickly de- better and more efficient. California, is on the line. compliance zones, the easier medical patient awaiting an Mother’s Day. termine what caused any ex- AMR officials, who lob- Some other critics say it is for an ambulance com- ambulance, so the quicker cessively slow response, ex- bied aggressively to retain the new contract should in- pany to achieve response- that ambulance gets there, In 1962, scientists at the plain it to city officials and the city contract, declined to crease penalties for failing to time goals by making up for my fire engine can go back to Massachusetts Institute of propose a solution. comment. meet aggregate response- poor times in some neigh- providing other services,” Technology succeeded in “We also added a little The new five-year con- time goals, which require borhoods with great times Stowell said. reflecting a laser beam off the more teeth to the language tract requires Falck to pro- ambulances to arrive within elsewhere in the zone. The city is now in the mid- surface of the moon. in what we call the ‘plan to vide 1,008 hours of daily am- 12 minutes to at least 90 per- San Diego experimented dle of a six-month transition cure,’” said Stowell, explain- bulance service. That’s a 20 cent of the emergencies with eight smaller zones for from AMR to Falck that is Today’s birthdays ing that Falck must provide percent increase from the across the city and within 12 a few years but then reverted scheduled to conclude on a written improvement plan 840 hours now provided by minutes to at least 90 per- to four larger zones in 2017 af- Thanksgiving weekend. Actor and politician Glenda within 15 days. “We got a lit- AMR, which had proposed a cent of emergencies in each ter complaints from AMR. Stowell said some growing Jackson is 85. Actor Candice tle more defined in what is more modest increase to 888 of the four geographic quad- “It was very hard for an pains are probably inevi- Bergen is 75. Singer Clint actually required.” hours in its effort to keep the rants of the city. ambulance company to have table, but that he expects Holmes is 75. Singer Billy Joel The contract with Falck contract. The penalties remain a a deployment model that things to be running is 72. Actor John Corbett is 60. also requires the company to While the City Council warning for a first offense, covered those small areas,” smoothly by next spring. Actor Rosario Dawson is 42. be significantly more trans- unanimously approved the $30,000 fine for a second of- Stowell said. “Gaps would parent regarding expenses, switch to Falck, Council- fense, $60,000 for a third of- start popping up all over the david [email protected] ASSOCIATED PRESS