LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In partnership with Lake County Tribal Health, Adventist Health Clear Lake, and the city of Clearlake, the Lake County Chamber of Commerce announced the inaugural Move, Lake County! 5K Fun Run and Wellness Faire on Aug. 27.
The event will kick off that day at 8 a.m. with a 5K Fun Run that will start and end in Austin Park in Clearlake.
The carefully curated course will allow the runners to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the business district along the shores of Clear Lake, Redbud Park and some residential neighborhoods of the area.
Runners, their families and friends, and the local community will also be able to enjoy free fitness classes, health and wellness vendors, and other fun activities until 2 p.m.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is committed to elevating the economic vitality and prosperity of every region of our county.
The combination of an outdoor, active event that highlights a local business district is well-aligned with that mission.
The cost to participate in the 5K fun run is only $35 through June 15, which includes a special edition T-shirt.
Registrations are accepted until Aug. 25, with cost increasing incrementally as the event draws closer. T-shirts are guaranteed for runners that register by July 31.
Any business that is interested in having a booth at the Wellness Faire may inquire at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707.263.5092 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Proceeds from this event will benefit programs and activities that support the local economy such as the Youth Mentorship Program and the Certified Tourism Ambassador Program.
Matthew Dollosso of Lakeport, Calif. made his first solo flight on his sixteenth birthday, January 23, 2022. Father Frank Dollosso installed a GoPro camera in the aircraft to record the event and this photo is captured from that footage. Clear Lake can be seen in the background. LAKEPORT, Calif. — On Matthew Dollosso’s 16th birthday in January, before he could legally drive a vehicle, he took off in a Cessna 172 from Lampson Field in Lakeport on his first solo flight and realized a long-held dream.
Dollosso, who lives in Lakeport with his family, can’t remember a time when he wasn’t interested in planes and flying. He credits his father, Frank, as the inspiration behind his eagerness to pursue a pilot’s license.
“I remember my dad talking a lot about flying and how much he loves it,” Matthew Dollosso said.
The older Dollosso, in turn, points to his son as the reason he has a pilot’s license today.
Over two decades ago, before he had a family, Frank Dollosso pursued a private pilot’s license. He had completed all the required flight hours, had passed the written test, and had a flight exam scheduled. Then Sept. 11, 2001, happened, and everything was grounded for a time. Somehow, he just didn’t return to it after that.
While his son was learning to fly, Frank Dollosso became motivated to complete his own license requirements through a question from Matthew: “Dad, why don’t you get back into flying?”
Now both father and son are licensed and share together their passion for flight.
From the time he was young, Matthew Dollosso was fascinated by airplanes.
The Federal Express planes that take off from the Ukiah Municipal Airport fly directly over the Dollossos’ Lakeport home and provided fodder for this burgeoning interest. It wasn’t long before he had memorized their and other planes’ flight patterns, thanks in part to a phone app.
On Matthew Dollosso’s 15th birthday, his father gifted him with a “discovery flight,” which, simply put, is someone’s first experience in a private plane with the purpose of discerning an interest in flying.
The teenager and discovery flight’s pilot, who was Frank Dollosso’s flight instructor from 20 years before, took off from the airport in Ukiah and spent time soaring over the area. As is typical for a discovery flight, Matthew Dollosso spent time in the pilot’s seat to see what learning to fly would be like.
“That first flight is one of the best memories of my life,” he said. It cemented his desire to be a pilot.
With the teen ready to pursue a license, his family engaged Kenneth Henninger, an independent flight instructor working out of Lake County’s airport, Lampson Field, to teach him to fly. Henninger also helped father Frank complete the requirements for his license, which he accomplished 20 years to the week after he initially started the process.
Matthew Dollosso had to wait until age 16 to fly a plane solo per Federal Aviation Administration or FAA, rules, and he did this at the first opportunity, on his 16th birthday on Jan. 23.
This earned him a student license, which comes with some restrictions. He’s not allowed to take passengers and, though he can fly wherever he wishes, he must be signed off by his instructor before taking to the skies as a solo flyer.
According to Henninger, a student pilot isn’t allowed to go up unless the skies are clear and the wind is minimal. The FAA requires a minimum of five statute miles of visibility, but Henninger won’t give permission unless visibility is greater than this. He notes that Mt. Konocti isn’t visible from the airport without at least six statute miles of visibility.
While Matthew Dollosso is the youngest student Henninger has soloed, he’s not the youngest person he’s taught. There’s no minimum age to start logging flight hours, and Henninger has worked on and off with a 9-year-old enthusiast. His oldest student was 82, and every decade between 9 and 82 has been represented among his students.
Matthew Dollosso will legally be able to get his private pilot’s license at age 17. It comes as no surprise that, like with his student license, he plans to do that on his birthday next year. When certified, he’ll be able to take passengers and fly solo without an instructor’s permission.
Matthew Dollosso, center, earned his private pilot's license at age 16 before he could drive. On the left is his father, Frank Dollosso, a pilot himself. Also pictured is their flight instructor, Kenneth Henninger, and the tail cut from the shirt Matthew wore on the day he earned his license, a tradition in the piloting world. They're standing in front of the Cessna 172 in which the younger Dollosso made his first solo flight. Photo by Esther Oertel at Lampson Field, Lakeport, Calif. Henninger has high praise for his young student. “Matthew is a super good pilot, especially for 16 years old. If not for having to wait a year for his age, he would be able to get his private pilot’s license now.”
He stressed that student designation is because of age, not experience. “For as much as he’s flown and how well he flies, he could be a fully licensed pilot right now if not for the FAA requirement,” said Henninger.
Dollosso’s goal is to become a commercial pilot, perhaps eventually with a large legacy airline, and once he’s certified as a private pilot, he’ll work with Henninger to obtain his commercial pilot’s license at the minimum age of 18. According to Henninger, getting all his ratings at the minimum age puts him ahead of the game.
Henninger said that on a first flying lesson the student sits in the pilot seat in front of the instruments. He gives the student a broad overview of flying, so they get a feel for the aircraft. They learn how to throttle and brake, and how to ease up, turn, and stall.
After doing that for a flight or two, they practice landing, the hardest part of flying. As Henninger said, “We do landing after landing after landing until they’re able to do it by themselves.”
Henninger said he’s always nervous the first time a student flies solo, but not with Dollosso. “Matthew was the first and only person where I thought, ‘he’s got it.’ He’s a natural. It’s really amazing, especially at this age.”
Frank Dollosso added to that. “You’d think that as a parent you’d be nervous having your kid go up and fly on their own, but I’ve flown with him enough to know that his maneuvers were good and that he lands well. My wife and I weren’t nervous at all.”
Matthew, a high school sophomore, has been homeschooled throughout his life. He enjoys this arrangement, especially because it gives him freedom to pursue interests such as flying.
According to his father, aviation correlates well to homeschooling because reading, memorization of regulations and learning good communication skills are all part of it. In addition, “the history of aviation covers so much that it falls into just about every category of home school,” Frank Dollosso said.
He also noted that math skills are necessary for wing balance, ensuring that the plane isn’t overloaded and guaranteeing a correct center of gravity.
Henninger, smiling, added, “You have to be a meteorologist, a psychologist and a mathematician, and then at the end you get your pilot’s license.”
In addition to a private pilot’s license, Matthew Dollosso would like to get his instrument rating when he’s 17. His father is working on that now, and he’ll soon hunker down to begin those studies, too. This will enable him to fly through fog or when it’s cloudy.
Henninger noted that getting an instrument rating is difficult, as it’s all new information and one must know the mechanics of the instruments in depth. “It’s all about procedures, and the flying is more difficult because you can’t see outside. Ninety percent of our orientation is visual.”
In addition to the family’s Cessna 172 that Matthew Dollosso commandeered for this solo flight, he has experience with the Cherokee 140 owned by Henninger.
A passel of relatives came out to see Matthew Dollosso perform his first solo flight. Grandparents on both sides, aunts, uncles and others were there to share in his success. All, including flight instructor Henninger, signed the tail that was cut from his shirt, a tradition in the piloting world.
This unusual custom hails from the days when flight instructor and student sat tandem in an aircraft, rather than side-by-side. When the instructor needed to get the student's attention, he'd tug on their shirttail. Cutting it off represents the independence of the student once a pilot's license is earned.
Matthew Dollosso drove a car for the first time a few weeks after he earned his pilot’s license. He now has a driver’s license, but he prefers to fly. The open skies hold his interest more than the pavement below.
When asked what word best describes his feeling when in the air, Matthew Dollosso replied, “Amazing.”
Esther Oertel is a freelance writer in Middletown who's contributed to Lake County News since 2010. She especially enjoys writing about the people and places that make Lake County unique. For comments, questions and story suggestions, she may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
An illustration showing what exoplanet 55 Cancri e could look like, based on current understanding of the planet. 55 Cancri e is a rocky planet with a diameter almost twice that of Earth orbiting just 0.015 astronomical units from its Sun-like star. Because of its tight orbit, the planet is extremely hot, with dayside temperatures reaching 4,400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 2,400 degrees Celsius). Artwork Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Dani Player (STScI).
With its mirror segments beautifully aligned and its scientific instruments undergoing calibration, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is just weeks away from full operation. Soon after the first observations are revealed this summer, Webb’s in-depth science will begin.
Among the investigations planned for the first year are studies of two hot exoplanets classified as “super-Earths” for their size and rocky composition: the lava-covered 55 Cancri e and the airless LHS 3844 b.
Researchers will train Webb’s high-precision spectrographs on these planets with a view to understanding the geologic diversity of planets across the galaxy, and the evolution of rocky planets like Earth.
Super-hot super-Earth 55 Cancri e
55 Cancri e orbits less than 1.5 million miles from its Sun-like star (1/25th of the distance between Mercury and the Sun), completing one circuit in less than 18 hours. With surface temperatures far above the melting point of typical rock-forming minerals, the day side of the planet is thought to be covered in oceans of lava.
Planets that orbit this close to their star are assumed to be tidally locked, with one side facing the star at all times. As a result, the hottest spot on the planet should be the one that faces the star most directly, and the amount of heat coming from the day side should not change much over time.
But this doesn’t seem to be the case. Observations of 55 Cancri e from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope suggest that the hottest region is offset from the part that faces the star most directly, while the total amount of heat detected from the day side does vary.
Does 55 Cancri e have a thick atmosphere?
One explanation for these observations is that the planet has a dynamic atmosphere that moves heat around.
“55 Cancri e could have a thick atmosphere dominated by oxygen or nitrogen,” explained Renyu Hu of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, who leads a team that will use Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera, or NIRCam, and Mid-Infrared Instrument, or MIRI, to capture the thermal emission spectrum of the day side of the planet.
“If it has an atmosphere, [Webb] has the sensitivity and wavelength range to detect it and determine what it is made of,” Hu added.
Or is it raining lava in the evening on 55 Cancri e?
Another intriguing possibility, however, is that 55 Cancri e is not tidally locked. Instead, it may be like Mercury, rotating three times for every two orbits (what’s known as a 3:2 resonance). As a result, the planet would have a day-night cycle.
“That could explain why the hottest part of the planet is shifted,” explained Alexis Brandeker, a researcher from Stockholm University who leads another team studying the planet. “Just like on Earth, it would take time for the surface to heat up. The hottest time of the day would be in the afternoon, not right at noon.”
Brandeker’s team plans to test this hypothesis using NIRCam to measure the heat emitted from the lit side of 55 Cancri e during four different orbits. If the planet has a 3:2 resonance, they will observe each hemisphere twice and should be able to detect any difference between the hemispheres.
In this scenario, the surface would heat up, melt, and even vaporize during the day, forming a very thin atmosphere that Webb could detect. In the evening, the vapor would cool and condense to form droplets of lava that would rain back to the surface, turning solid again as night falls.
Somewhat cooler super-Earth LHS 3844 b
While 55 Cancri e will provide insight into the exotic geology of a world covered in lava, LHS 3844 b affords a unique opportunity to analyze the solid rock on an exoplanet surface.
Like 55 Cancri e, LHS 3844 b orbits extremely close to its star, completing one revolution in 11 hours. However, because its star is relatively small and cool, the planet is not hot enough for the surface to be molten. Additionally, Spitzer observations indicate that the planet is very unlikely to have a substantial atmosphere.
What is the surface of LHS 3844 b made of?
While we won’t be able to image the surface of LHS 3844 b directly with Webb, the lack of an obscuring atmosphere makes it possible to study the surface with spectroscopy.
“It turns out that different types of rock have different spectra,” explained Laura Kreidberg at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy. “You can see with your eyes that granite is lighter in color than basalt. There are similar differences in the infrared light that rocks give off.”
Kreidberg’s team will use MIRI to capture the thermal emission spectrum of the day side of LHS 3844 b, and then compare it to spectra of known rocks, like basalt and granite, to determine its composition. If the planet is volcanically active, the spectrum could also reveal the presence of trace amounts of volcanic gases.
The importance of these observations goes far beyond just two of the more than 5,000 confirmed exoplanets in the galaxy. “They will give us fantastic new perspectives on Earth-like planets in general, helping us learn what the early Earth might have been like when it was hot like these planets are today,” said Kreidberg.
These observations of 55 Cancri e and LHS 3844 b will be conducted as part of Webb’s Cycle 1 General Observers program. General Observers programs were competitively selected using a dual-anonymous review system, the same system used to allocate time on Hubble.
The James Webb Space Telescope is the world's premier space science observatory. Webb will solve mysteries in our solar system, look beyond to distant worlds around other stars, and probe the mysterious structures and origins of our universe and our place in it.
Webb is an international program led by NASA with its partners, European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
Margaret W. Carruthers works for the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.
Both 55 Cancri e and LHS 3844 b are between Earth and Neptune in terms of size and mass, but they are more similar to Earth in terms of composition. The planets are arranged from left to right in order of increasing radius. Credits: ILLUSTRATION: NASA, ESA, CSA, Dani Player (STScI).
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The East Region Town Hall, or ERTH, will meet on Wednesday, June 1.
The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 Moose Lodge Lane in Clearlake Oaks.
The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom; the meeting ID is 935 8339 6020, the pass code is 448228.
Agenda items include a commercial cannabis cultivation update, a discussion about the consolidated lighting district in Clearlake Oaks and Spring Valley street lighting, the Lake County geothermal project watchlist and the EPA mercury mine Superfund site.
There also will be updates on Spring Valley and the Northshore Fire Protection District, and a report from Supervisor EJ Crandell and new business.
ERTH will next meet on Wednesday, July 6.
ERTH’s members are Denise Loustalot, Jim Burton, Tony Morris and Pamela Kicenski.
For more information visit the group’s Facebook page.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed that on Saturday morning he tested positive for COVID-19 after exhibiting mild symptoms.
The positive test came the day after Newsom had met in San Francisco with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to sign a new climate partnership agreement.
The Governor’s Office said he will continue to work remotely.
In accordance with local and state health guidelines, Newsom will remain in isolation at least through Thursday, June 2, and until he tests negative.
As outlined in California's SMARTER Plan, which focuses on testing and treatment, the governor will test prior to leaving isolation.
He also has received a prescription for Paxlovid, the antiviral that has been proven effective against COVID-19, and will begin his five-day regimen immediately.
Gov. Newsom is vaccinated and has received two booster shots, including as recently as May 18.
The Governor’s Office said vaccinations and boosters remain the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19.
California was the first state in the nation to announce a comprehensive plan to deal with COVID-19 going forward, the SMARTER plan, that focuses on testing and treating patients to avoid serious disease.
By following the guidelines outlined in the SMARTER plan, individuals can help protect themselves and others, and public officials can prepare for surges in COVID-19 transmission, like the one currently occurring across the country, Newsom’s office reported.
The plates that were created by the Kelseyville High School culinary arts team. Courtesy photo. KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — After qualifying at their Spring Regional Leadership Conference in late February, seven students from the Kelseyville High School Advanced Culinary Arts class joined about 700 other attendees at the 75th annual California Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference held April 23 to 26 in Riverside.
All KHS students received either gold, silver or bronze seals in recognition of their scores, and KHS senior Karina Sonato placed third in state for her charcuterie board.
The Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference, or FCCLA, is a career technical student organization for students in grades sixth through 12th who are enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences education programs in California public schools and the KHS Culinary Arts class is associated with the organization.
The Kelseyville High School culinary arts team. Courtesy photo. This was the first year KHS competed, and teacher Tami Cramer said she was “thrilled with the results” and looking forward to her students participating again next year.
This year’s participants included Karina Sonata, Sarahi Sonato and Estefani Ramirez Reyes, who) competed in culinary display: appetizers; as well as Delayna Dothage, Emily Jimenez, Briseyda Cacho and Anthony Ruiz Matias, who competed in salad preparation.
The theme of the conference, “Make it Count,” was intended to inspire members to get out of their comfort zone and get involved in all the activities and events.
In addition to competing, students attended statewide and regional meetings, workshops, industry visits, a formal banquet and a dance.
The Kelseyville High School culinary arts team at the 75th annual California Family, Careers and Community Leaders of America State Leadership Conference held April 23 to 26, 2022, in Riverside, California. Courtesy photo. Approximately 70 FCCLA chapters from across the state competed for more than $1.6 million dollars in cash and scholarships in leadership and career development competition events.
This year, the following colleges provided FCCLA scholarships: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Culinary Institute of America, FIDM, Johnson and Wales University, and Sullivan University.
Instructional programs, career education, and competitive events relate to one or more of nine industry sector pathways that are included in FCS education programs, including: child development; education; consumer services; family and human services; fashion design and merchandising; interior design; food science, dietetics, and nutrition; hospitality, tourism and recreation; and food service and hospitality.
The Kelseyville High School culinary arts team participating in the competition. Courtesy photo. The Kelseyville High School culinary arts team’s culinary board. Courtesy photo.
There are 20.6 million people who identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander alone (not in combination with another race), making up 6.2% of the nation’s population, according to the 2020 Census.
But it’s not until these numbers are broken down that the incredible diversity of this population becomes clear.
Using recently released data from both the 2020 Census and the American Community Survey’s (ACS) 5-year estimates, we detail the diversity of the racial and ethnic composition of this population and its geographic distribution.
Race
The 2020 Census shows:
• 19.9 million people identified as Asian alone and 4.1 million people identified as Asian in combination with another race. • Roughly 690,000 people identified as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHPI) alone but almost 900,000 identified as NHPI in combination with another race. • Race and Hispanic origin are measured separately by the Census Bureau: 267,330 identified as both Asian alone (race) and Hispanic, and 67,948 people identified as both NHPI alone (race) and Hispanic.
Diversity
The Asian diaspora is extremely diverse. Using data from the 2016-2020 5-year ACS, the Census Bureau published data for 21 different detailed groups in the United States under the umbrella of Asian alone, including 4.2 million people reporting Chinese (excluding Taiwanese) and 3,526 people reporting Okinawan.
Among NHPI (alone or in combination) individuals, there were roughly 620,000 who identified as Native Hawaiian, 212,000 as Samoan, 156,000 as Chamorro, 65,000 as Tongan, and roughly 50,000 as Fijian.
In acknowledgment of the diversity of languages spoken in the United States, the Census Bureau disseminated materials for the 2020 Census in 59 different languages other than English, including 23 languages that originated in Asia: Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, Khmer, Gujarati, Hindi, Hmong, Ilocano, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Lao, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Sinhala, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Where they were born
The U.S. Asian and Pacific Islander populations have diverse backgrounds, according to the ACS’s most recent 5-year estimates:
• 73.2% of those who identified as Asian alone were U.S. citizens, by birth or naturalization. • 85.9% of those who identified as NHPI alone were U.S. citizens, by birth or naturalization. • 31.3% of the roughly 44 million foreign-born people in the United States were born in Asia.
Where they live
The Asian and NHPI population was not evenly distributed across the United States, according to the 2020 Census:
• Only three states — Hawaii, California, and New Jersey — had 10% or more of their population identify as Asian alone. • Hawaii, Alaska, and Utah were the only states where at least 1% of the population identified as Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone. • Hawaii, Washington, and Nevada are the three states with the highest percentage of the population who identify as Asian in combination with another race. • Hawaii, Nevada, and Alaska are the three states with the highest percentage of the population who identify as NHPI in combination with another race.
Race and ethnicity in the United States: 2010 Census and 2020 Census
The population profiles of major Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“metro areas”) across the country reflect the geographic dispersion of the Asian and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander population. The 2016-2020 ACS 5-year shows:
• The largest Asian alone population in the Chicago and Atlanta metro areas is Asian Indians (229,003 in the Chicago metro area and 136,931 in the Atlanta metro area). • One of the largest Asian groups in the Houston metro area was Vietnamese (136,813). • The Los Angeles metro area is home to roughly 35,000 NHPI alone individuals, including 11,752 Samoans and 4,569 people who identify as Chamorro. • The largest Asian alone population in the Minneapolis metro area was Hmong (83,132). • The largest Asian alone population in the Seattle (124,204) and Boston (152,274) metro areas was Chinese, except Taiwanese. • The largest Asian alone population in the San Diego metro area was Filipino (155,522). • In the Salt Lake City metro area, the NHPI alone population (18,291) was significantly larger than any detailed Asian alone group. • More data on detailed Asian and NHPI groups from the 2020 Census will be released in summer 2023.
About the data
The 2020 Census counted every person living in the United States and the five U.S. territories on April 1, 2020. The 2020 Census Data Quality website provides information about 2020 census data quality.
The ACS is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation, allowing for more frequent data on America’s communities than the decennial census. ACS 5-year estimates are period estimates that represent data collected within a 60-month period.
Because the ACS is a survey based on a sample of the population rather than a census of the entire population, the ACS estimates presented here are subject to sampling and non-sampling error. Technical documentation and more information about ACS data quality are available on the ACS Technical Documentation website.
Readers should note that the Census Bureau measures race and Hispanic ethnicity separately in accordance with the 1997 Office of Management and Budget’s Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity.
Additional information about the Census Bureau’s coding of race alone or in combination can be found in this recent America Counts story and in this technical paper.
Lindsay M. Monte and Hyon B. Shin are researchers in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division.
Imagine inhaling just a few drops of liquid or mist to get protected from COVID-19. That is the idea behind nasal COVID-19 vaccines, and they have been getting a lot of attention recently as a spray or liquid. These nasal vaccines would be based on the same technology as normal vaccines given by injection. But as Mayuresh Abhyankar, a University of Virginia researcher who studies infectious diseases and works on nasal vaccines, explains, vaccinating someone right where the coronavirus is likely to start its attack comes with many immunological benefits.
1. What are nasal vaccines?
Nasal vaccines are administered, as the name suggests, through the nose. More accurately called intranasal vaccines, these vaccines are liquids that can be given as a spray or through a dropper or syringe. The most common nasal vaccine is FluMist, a nasal spray that uses inactivated flu virus to protect against influenza. An intranasal vaccine could be a weakened live virus similar to FluMist, a nucleic acid vaccine like mRNA coronavirus vaccines or a protein vaccine like Hepatitis B vaccines or the CorbeVax coronavirus vaccine.
Intranasal vaccines are best suited to protect against pathogens that enter through the nose, like the flu or the coronavirus. By mimicking the first step of natural exposure to an airborne pathogen, these vaccines help train a person’s immune system at the potential place of infection. Scientists have shown that the first immune response in the respiratory tract after a person is exposed to an airborne virus can influence how sick a person gets. So in theory, intranasal vaccines could provide better protection than vaccines given through a shot in the arm.
2. How does the coronavirus infect people?
Nasal vaccines differ from intramuscular vaccines because they mimic the mechanism of infection and trigger a stronger immune response in the throat and nose specifically.7activestudio/iStock via Getty Images
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, usually enters the body through the nose and lands on the mucus membrane at the back of the nasal passage and in the throat. The virus then enters the cells it touches, replicates and spreads.
Just underneath these cells of the mucus membrane are many types of immune cells that form what is called the mucosal immune system. Cells of the mucosal immune system are the first to identify invading coronavirus particles and start mounting a protective response.
Nasal vaccines follow a lot of the same steps. When you inhale a nasal vaccine, the particles land on the mucus membrane in your nasal cavity or the back of your throat, enter the cells in those places and trigger an immune response. This process teaches the body about the coronavirus and allows it to deal with any future real infections.
3. How are nasal and intramuscular vaccines different?
When you get a COVID-19 shot in your arm, the vaccine triggers a strong immune response in the cells near where you got the shot. It also causes your immune system to produce some coronavirus-specific antibodies and other immune cells in other locations throughout your body.
When the coronavirus begins infecting cells in a person’s respiratory tract, the immune cells nearby will start mounting a defense. Your body will also send anti-viral immune cells and antibodies from other locations to the site of infection. But by the time enough coronavirus-specific immune cells gather around the infection site to stop the virus from replicating, the virus has likely already begun to spread throughout the body, making it difficult for the immune system to keep up.
Nasal vaccines mimic the virus in order to prepare the immune system against a virus, just like any other vaccine. But importantly, they mimic the process of infection, too, and boost protective response within the mucosal immune system of the nose and throat. In simple terms, intranasal vaccines are like knowing there is going to be a break-in and putting your guards in the right location before the trouble even starts.
Nasal vaccination could also be used in concert with intramuscular immunization. In a recent study, my colleagues and I gave some mice both a nasal and intramuscular vaccine and exposed them to a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2 – 100% of these mixed-vaccinated mice survived, compared to only 10% of the unvaccinated mice. We are now testing if this mixed approach is superior to just intranasal or just intramuscular approaches on their own.
Finally, intranasal vaccines are painless, noninvasive and do not require specialized training to use.
Nasal vaccines, like the liquid flu vaccine the nurse is giving to a patient here, are easier to administer and don’t require needles, but it can be harder to make sure the full dose is absorbed.CDC/Douglas Jordan via Wikimedia Commons
4. What are the risks of nasal vaccines?
Getting the dosage correct can be harder with nasal vaccines than a shot, especially with young children. If someone has a stuffy nose or sneezes out a part of the vaccine before it’s completely absorbed, this can result in a lower-than-desired dose.
There are some unique health risks too. All vaccines go through rigorous safety testing and clinical trials, but these processes are especially important for nasal vaccines due to the simple fact that the nose is close to the brain. In 2000, 27.7% of people who received an inactivated intranasal influenza vaccine in Switzerland developed transient facial paralysis – also known as Bell’s palsy. Later, researchers found that a bacterial toxin added to the vaccine to enhance the immune response was the culprit.
This is the only reported instance of neurological issues stemming from intranasal vaccines, but it is something to consider.
5. How long until intranasal COVID-19 vaccines are ready?
As of late May 2022, there are no approved COVID-19 intranasal vaccines for human use. There are currently seven in clinical trials, and three of them – manufactured by Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, Bharat Biotech, and Codagenix and Serum Institute of India – are in phase-3 human trials.
In the coming months, the results of these trials will not only show how safe these promising new vaccines are, but also if they perform better than the vaccines in use today.
Invasive mussels on a boat propeller. Photo courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. As Californians gear up for another beautiful summer full of outdoor recreation, boaters are being asked to remember the importance of cleaning, draining and drying their watercraft to combat the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels.
Quagga and zebra mussels are invasive freshwater mussels native to Europe and Asia. They multiply quickly, alter water quality and the aquatic food web, and ultimately impact native and sport fish communities. These mussels spread from one waterbody to another by attaching to watercraft, equipment and nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody.
Invisible to the naked eye, microscopic juveniles are spread from infested waterbodies by water that is entrapped in boat engines, ballasts, bilges, live-wells and buckets.
Quagga mussels have infested 34 waters in Southern California and zebra mussels have infested two waters in San Benito County, 13 of which are boatable by the public.
To prevent the spread of these mussels and other aquatic invasive species, people launching vessels at any waterbody are subject to watercraft inspections and should clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft and any equipment that contacts the water, before and after use.
“The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) operates border protection stations that inspect trailered watercraft entering the state,” said California Department of Fish and Wildlife Invasive Species Program Manager Martha Volkoff. “Early this year, the stations marked their two-millionth watercraft inspected, a milestone that represents a monumental contribution in preventing further introductions of mussels into the state. In addition to the border protection stations, water managers throughout the state continue to implement inspections at their waterbodies. Memorial Day is a great opportunity to spread the word to boaters about the simple actions they should take in preparation for their next outing.”
“Boaters need to conduct the ‘Clean, Drain and Dry’ practice each time they enjoy recreating on waterbodies,” said California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Acting Deputy Director Ramona Fernandez. “This responsible boating practice will help keep our water bodies free from invasive species, such as freshwater quagga and zebra mussels.”
Quagga and zebra mussels can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:
• Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat; • Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk; • Require frequent scraping and repainting of boat hulls; • Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces, causing them to require constant cleaning; • Impose large expenses to owners.
CDFW advises boaters to take the following steps before leaving a waterbody to prevent spreading invasive mussels, improve the efficiency of their inspection experience and safeguard California waterways:
• CLEAN — inspect exposed surfaces and remove all plants and organisms, • DRAIN — all water, including water contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and • DRY — allow the watercraft to thoroughly dry between launches. Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather.
Please visit websites for CDFW and California State Parks for extensive information on invasive species, the harm they can produce, and how California boaters can provide crucial assistance in the fight against invasive mussels.
Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at CDFA border protection stations. Inspections, which can also be conducted by CDFW and California State Parks, include a check of boats and personal watercraft, as well as trailers and all onboard items.
Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to decontamination, rejection, quarantine or impoundment.
CDFW, CDFA, State Parks and the California Department of Water Resources thank boaters for their continued and valuable cooperation in joining the fight against invasive quagga and zebra mussels.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has new cats including several new kittens available for adoption this week.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm for information on visiting or adopting.
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
This 1-year-old male domestic shorthair cat is in cat room kennel No. 66, ID No. LCAC-A-3309. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic shorthair
This 1-year-old male domestic shorthair cat has an all-black coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 66, ID No. LCAC-A-3309.
This 3-month-old male orange tabby kitten is in cat room kennel No. 84a, ID No. LCAC-A-3390. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Orange tabby kitten
This 3-month-old male orange tabby kitten has a short coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 84a, ID No. LCAC-A-3390.
This 3-month-old male orange tabby kitten is in cat room kennel No. 84c, ID No. LCAC-A-3392. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Orange tabby kitten
This 3-month-old male orange tabby kitten has a short coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 84c, ID No. LCAC-A-3392.
This 3-month-old female domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 84d, ID No. LCAC-A-3393. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Female domestic shorthair kitten
This 3-month-old female domestic shorthair kitten has a white coat and blue eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 84d, ID No. LCAC-A-3393.
This 3-month old male domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 84e, ID No. LCAC-A-3394. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male domestic shorthair kitten
This 3-month old male domestic shorthair kitten has a white coat and blue eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 84e, ID No. LCAC-A-3394.
“Dave” is a young male brown tabby in cat room kennel No. 96, ID No. LCAC-A-3299. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Dave’
“Dave” is a young male brown tabby with a short coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 96, ID No. LCAC-A-3299.
“Delilah” is a 2-year-old female domestic longhair cat in cat room kennel No. 103, ID No. LCAC-A-3070. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Delilah’
“Delilah” is a 2-year-old female domestic longhair cat with a gray coat with white markings.
She is in cat room kennel No. 103, ID No. LCAC-A-3070.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has four dogs ready to be adopted this week.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Labrador retriever, pit bull and wire-haired terrier.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
This young male chocolate Labrador is in kennel No. 3, ID No. LCAC-A-3385. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Chocolate lab mix
This young male chocolate Labrador, who is under a year old, has a short coat.
He is in kennel No. 3, ID No. LCAC-A-3385.
“Rooster” is a 5-year-old male mountain cur in kennel No. 4, ID No. LCAC-A-3384. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Rooster’
“Rooster” is a 5-year-old male mountain cur with a brown brindle coat.
He is in kennel No. 4, ID No. LCAC-A-3384.
“Willie” is a 1-year-old male pit bull terrier in kennel No. 20, ID No. LCAC-A-3301. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. ‘Willie’
“Willie” is a 1-year-old male pit bull terrier with a short brown and white coat.
He is in kennel No. 20, ID No. LCAC-A-3301.
This 2-year-old male wire-haired terrier is in kennel No. 22, ID No. LCAC-A-3399. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control. Male wire-haired terrier
This 2-year-old male wire-haired terrier has a cream-colored coat.
He is in kennel No. 22, ID No. LCAC-A-3399.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have established a new climate partnership. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office. Expanding California’s global climate leadership, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday established a new international climate partnership with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
California and New Zealand signed a memorandum of cooperation, or MOC, to tackle the climate crisis, reduce pollution, and bolster the clean economy, while emphasizing community resilience and partnership with indigenous leaders.
In the New Zealand Garden at the San Francisco Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park, California and New Zealand outlined common objectives to achieve carbon-neutrality by mid-century, as well as their shared world-leading policies for zero-emission transportation, climate innovation, clean power generation, nature-based solutions, and zero waste initiatives.
The MOC furthers these common objectives through sharing information and best practices. A copy of the MOC signed today can be read below.
“Later is too late to address climate change, and California is taking aggressive steps to bolster the clean economy while reducing pollution in our communities – but we can’t do it alone,” said Gov. Newsom. “This partnership with New Zealand, another global climate leader, will strengthen ties between our two governments to deploy critical solutions that are essential to addressing this existential crisis.”
“No country is immune from the impacts of climate changes, so it’s just common sense to collaborate with like-minded partners to meet our mutual goals,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. “We both aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century. This agreement means we’ll work together to share expertise and experience and collaborate on projects that help meet each other’s targets.”
California’s world-leading climate policies have led the state to exceed its 2020 climate target four years ahead of schedule, and created partnerships across the U.S. and around the world.
Gov. Newsom has committed $47.1 billion to tackle pollution, build climate-resilient water supplies, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, ensure grid reliability and accelerate clean energy solutions, and protect communities from extreme heat.
California’s ZEV market is leading the nation in every category and the state is ending the sale of new gas cars by 2035, reducing demand for oil and spurring partnerships across the nation and around the world.
Responding to the governor’s nature-based solutions executive order, which identified California’s lands as a critical yet underutilized sector in the fight against climate change, California last month released the Pathways to 30x30: Accelerating Conservation of California’s Nature strategy and Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.
Earlier this year, California signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan to advance cooperation on climate and clean energy priorities, and strengthen trade relations.
Gov. Newsom also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China to accelerate ongoing initiatives to protect the environment, reduce carbon and air pollution, and promote clean technology development.
Last year, Gov. Newsom and 24 governors from the bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance committed to collectively achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050.
Gov. Newsom and other Under2 Coalition partners announced the transition to become a net zero coalition, raising ambition for member states and regions.
California also joined the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance, which brings together national and subnational governments committed to advancing a just transition away from oil and gas production.
