California Chief Justice Remarks on Coronavirus Pandemic, 1 Year Later
California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye gave extensive remarks recently at a recent Judicial Council meeting reflecting on the past year and the unprecedented changes and challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Ellis Injury law firmly supports the Chief Justice’s comments and is inspired by her positive outlook moving forward. We are encouraged by her vision of the court system being able to “innovate more to enhance services and support our local communities” in 2021 and into the future. Like the Chief Justice, we hope that all of us who are involved in the legal system can take the lessons learned over the past year and develop them into “smart practices, options, and opportunities.”
In March, Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye indicated that it has been just over a year since California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in an effort to protect public health and safety amid concerns of the novel coronavirus. One week later, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a ‘pandemic,’ as cases quickly spread through more than 114 countries.
Some of the substance of the Chief Justice’s remarks are repeated below.
COVID-19 Outbreak – 1 Year Later
On March 19, 2020, over 40 million California residents were issued stay-at-home orders, as the global death tolls from COVID surpassed 10,000. In April, students were advised not to return for in-person classes for the remainder of the school year, non-essential businesses were shuttered, and by July 2020, California had topped New York in confirmed coronavirus cases.
This past year has been one marked by “unprecedented” events, as virtually every aspect of our daily lives has been uprooted. Amid the struggles and tremendous hardships, there have also been some silver linings.
How the Pandemic Has Changed Lives
Communities have shown greater interest in helping one another out. Folks have gone shopping for the elderly, looked out for the disadvantaged, and made masks for those in need.
The shelter in place orders have had benefits and drawbacks. While parents have certainly struggled with remote learning for children, being cooped up in close quarters has also helped forge stronger relationships. According to a survey commissioned by the Cleveland Clinic, more than half of households with children reported feeling like they have better connections with their loved ones.
Since the coronavirus is typically more dangerous in those with pre-existing conditions, the pandemic has brought about an increased health awareness. People of all ages have made major lifestyle changes, incorporating more exercise and healthy eating with home-cooked meals into their normal routines.
Cause for Optimism
There is finally a sense of cautious optimism after a long and challenging year marked by fear, uncertainty, heartache, and isolation. Families, employees, and business owners everywhere have sought ways to navigate a new normal and adapt to the realities of a pandemic society and economy.
Today, close to 23 percent of Californians have received one vaccine dose, and the state expects to have the majority of the population fully vaccinated by summer of 2021. The COVID vaccine is free and distributed irrespective of immigration or residency status.
The Los Angeles personal injury attorneys here at Ellis Injury Law join millions of others who remain hopeful and see a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. For expert legal guidance, please reach out to our El Segundo headquarters to arrange a free case review.