When citizens hit the streets to call for change, it’s usually worth paying attention to as a journalist.

As the state capital, Sacramento sees protests on a routine basis. Most are not confrontational, but some lead to the destruction of property and even violence.

It’s essential to bear witness and inform the community when demonstrations go awry. But it’s also dangerous business for journalists. The racial justice protests over the summer were mostly non-violent, though there were a few nights of substantial property damage in the central city. In those instances, police repeatedly fired projectile weapons into the crowd when protesters didn’t disperse. I was hit in the leg with part of a flash-bang grenade, and I considered myself lucky to walk away with only a bruise. However, multiple protesters were hospitalized after police shot them in the face with projectile rounds.

The recurring protests at the Capitol following the election were a different situation — and in some ways, more dangerous. Nearly every week, hundreds of Trump supporters turned out to advance the unfounded conspiracy theory that Democrats stole the election from former-president Donald Trump. Far-right militia groups, primarily the Proud Boys, roamed the protests, ostensibly providing “security” for the demonstrations.

The Proud Boys would eventually leave the protest area to instigate fights with counter-demonstrators. Over time, the antifa-aligned counter-protesters grew in numbers and would readily engage in these street brawls.

ICYMI:

California’s Capitol On Guard: Inauguration Day Demonstrations End Peacefully

Weekly Protest Violence In Sacramento: Officials Struggle To Balance Freedom Of Speech, Accountability

It’s not every day you have to purchase bulletproof Kevlar vests for reporters. But that was the reality at CapRadio — and newsrooms across the country.

I’d known for a while we’d need to take an even more serious look at how to keep reporters safe while covering rallies and actions involving supporters of former President Donald Trump. Two reporters on my team already told me about the threats: Proud Boys who didn’t like their reporting, not-so-subtle overtures by counter-protesters, many aligned with antifa, who said they’d need to watch their backs. Some of them arrived as social media messages. Others came in-person while working in the streets of Sacramento and Nevada during demonstrations and clashes after Election Day.

Even before the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, CapRadio took threats very seriously. We required reporters to work in pairs on these assignments, which often turned violent. I even joined our state government reporter Scott Rodd, who’d been one of the lone reporters in the state hustling this story every Saturday. We brought with us KN95 and respirator masks, plus eye goggles. We were strategic about clothing so as not to be mistaken as demonstrators from either group. We carefully snapped pictures with our phones, knowing full well that some activists would try to snatch them from our hands.

Today, CapRadio’s personal protective equipment collection for reporters includes bump caps, to prevent head injury from thrown bottles and bops on the head; plus helmets, first aid kits, anti-fog goggles and, of course, stab and bulletproof vests.

CapRadio now helps train and educate other NPR stations across the country on field safety, as many have turned to us for advice on how to prepare for these situations. Scott and I sat on panels with lead experts from the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, which is part of the Columbia School of Journalism, and NPR. Our visual journalist Andrew Nixon has learned from photographers and videographers who have been on assignment in wartime situations.

Thankfully, the events in California and Nevada around inauguration day did not result in violence. In fact, those protests were shockingly calm, especially compared to the events in Sacramento in November and December.

But our team realizes that the threat of extremist and militia groups is not going away.

We will continue our reporting, and we will be prepared — in no small part due to your support.

Nick Miller
Managing Editor of News

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's COVID vaccines are here, and the rollout has been a bit bumpy, complicated and confusing. There have been supply chain issues, changes in eligibility requirements and new variants. CapRadio's health reporter Sammy Caiola took a look at some of your most asked questions to shed some light on these issues for you.

Who is eligible to get vaccinated right now?

During the month of January, local health departments and hospital systems worked on vaccinating health workers and residents and staff in long-term care facilities — identified as the first priority group. You can find what priority group you fall into on our website.

State health officials said on January 25 that people 65 and older should be prioritized in the next priority group, Phase 1B Tier 1. Certain frontline workers such as teachers, food and agricultural workers, law enforcement and emergency services workers are also in that tier.

The state health department says California is currently on Phase 1B Tier 1, but what tier your county is vaccinating depends heavily on how many doses they have on hand. Many health systems and county health departments say they’re still only vaccinating health workers or have moved on to people 75 and older only.

Can I sign up anywhere to get a vaccine or to be notified when one is available?

California has a statewide website where residents can sign up for notifications of when they can get a vaccine in a number of counties.

The pilot site, called MyTurn, is a work in progress and hasn’t yet been promoted by the state. For now, it only offers appointment scheduling in Los Angeles and San Diego counties for health care workers and those 65 and older.

The site is expected to improve as more counties get connected to the platform. Meanwhile, some counties such as Sacramento County, Yolo County and El Dorado County are asking people to fill out a form if they want to be notified about vaccine availability.

When vaccines are more widely available, people will also be able to go to doctors’ offices and pharmacies to get immunized. If you are eligible now, your county health department or medical provider will likely reach out once they have enough vaccine doses to immunize you.

Do you have to get vaccinated in the same county and state you live in?

There is currently no statewide guidance on this. Each county is making its own decisions on who to vaccinate and whether to factor in what county someone lives in. In Sacramento County, people are offered the vaccine based on where they work, or where they are a patient. For example, if you live in Yolo County but work or are a resident at a Sacramento County long-term care facility, you can still get vaccinated in Sacramento.

Should you get the vaccine at the same time as your partner or spouse?

Research on the available COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech shows that the double-dose shot is effective at preventing people from getting sick from COVID-19. So if your partner is vaccinated and you bring the virus home to them, they’re protected from you.

What’s not clear right now is whether the vaccine prevents asymptomatic infections. Meaning, it’s possible that someone who has received both doses can still become infected with the virus, have no symptoms, and pass it on to someone else.

For this reason, it’s safer for both partners to be vaccinated if both are eligible and supply is available. Even after you’ve been vaccinated, public health officials recommend that you wear a mask in public and stay six feet away from others.

Can people who get the vaccine still infect others?

The vaccine trials for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech did not investigate whether the vaccine prevents asymptomatic COVID-19 infections, so it’s possible that people who have received the vaccine can still contract the virus and pass it on to others.

There likely won’t be a scientifically backed answer to this question for several months. Still, some vaccine experts believe the current shots should at least reduce the chance of asymptomatic infection.

January marked Gavin Newsom's midterm of his first term as Governor of California. This month editor Nick Miller sat down with politics reporter Nicole Nixon, our lead reporter on Newsom, to discuss covering him during the pandemic and the recent recall efforts.

Deeper Dive

Newsom's Priorities, Two Years Later

Photos: Sacramento Region Surveys Damage From Powerful Winter Storm

High-Speed Rail In California Moves Along, But Slowly

Unhoused Residents Died As A Storm Ravaged Sacramento And Officials Debated Homelessness Solutions

California Lawmakers Will Decide Whether Candidates For Sheriff Need Law Enforcement Background

Here’s What California Lawmakers Want To Do To Take Action On Climate Change

Fact-Checking Claims About Hank Aaron And COVID-19 Vaccines

Join CapRadio Reads host Donna Apidone and Vietnamese-American novelist Lan Cao to discuss her dual first-person memoir — Family In Six Tones.

Cao and her thoroughly American teenage daughter explore their complicated relationship, touching on war and past tragedy, culture clash, bullying and growing up as individuals and as a family.

You can purchase the book or audiobook online.

Latest CapRadio Reads Podcasts

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Nothing says Minnesota like beer. And pie. Both play prominently in J. Ryan Stradal’s latest novel, The Lager Queen of Minnesota. Two sisters and a granddaughter find their way through the brewing industry with equal parts laughter and tragedy.

Celebrating The Gift Of Reading

CapRadio Reads finds inspiration in Jolabokaflod, an Icelandic holiday tradition that celebrates books. In this episode, you'll hear from CapRadio Reads authors and CapRadio staff members on their favorite books to share.

On February 19, join Capital Storytelling virtually for an evening of true stories told live. Five storytellers will share a 5-15 minute story on the theme “A Different Kind of Love.”

CapRadio and NPR are accessible any time you want through your Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Homepod smart speaker. To help you out, our digital products team put together a guide so you can easily stream the news and music you love.

In order to better serve our listeners, we now have a web page where you can check the status of our broadcast signals across our coverage areas. You can also report problems you're having and easily access other listening options through our online streaming, mobile app and more.