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The COVID-19 pandemic and the severe economic recession it induced are disasters unparalleled in recent generations and it will take years to fully recover from their human and financial tolls.

It’s now late May 2021 and it definitely feels like the tide is finally turning against the invisible beast that has held us hostage and changed our lives for over a year. Right now the County of Santa Clara is stating that 85.7% of Morgan...

The month of April has been designated as National Donate Life Month to encourage Americans to register as organ donors, educate our communities about the need for organ donations and celebrate those who have saved lives through the gift of donation.The need for organ, eye or tissue donors is ongoing and can potentially save someone’s life.  Unfortunately, while 95 percent of Americans have no issue with registering to be a donor, only 54 percent are actually registered to donate their organs. The gap between those willing to donate and those who are registered donors contributes to the 115,000-person waiting list for organs. Every day, 22 people die waiting on the list.Organ donation after death brings comfort and hope to families by turning a tragedy into renewed life. In 2016 alone, 33,600 patients were given the gift of life by transplants from willing donors.  Signing up to be an organ donor is as easy as marking a “Yes” box at the DMV when getting or renewing your driver’s license or ID card. You can also sign up online at donatelife.net/register/.   People of any age, background, or medical history can become donors after death, and there is absolutely no cost to donors or their families. The process to establish whether your remains are eligible for donations is thorough and done independently from the transplant process.  Also, becoming a donor does not impede or change funeral arrangements. Additionally, in some instances, you can even become a living donor and donate a portion of your liver, lung, pancreas or a kidney.This April, please reflect on the lives of those touched by donation and transplantation, and  join me as you register to become an organ donor. Learn more about National Donate Life month at donatelife.net or donatelifecalifornia.org/.  Sen. Bill Monning represents the 17th State Senate District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Monterey and Santa Clara counties.   

The theme for this year’s Morgan Hill Freedom Fest Independence Day festivities is “Let Freedom Ring,” and local students were asked to write about what that phrase means to them for the celebration’s annual essay contest. Participating students in two divisions—primary (grades 2 and3)...