Folks,

I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a safe and healthy holiday.

I know this holiday season is difficult for many of us. Countless lives have been forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic that our nation continues to grapple with. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those we lost this year.

Our celebrations look much different -- I know it’s tough being apart from our families and friends during the holidays, but we must continue to practice social distancing so that we can get this virus under control and be able to spend future holidays together.

This year has been nothing short of challenging -- but as it comes to a close, I’m so incredibly grateful for all of you. For your strength and resilience, for always lending a helping hand, for showing the nation what it means to be a Californian.

I'm grateful for our health care workers who have put their own health at risk to keep families across our state healthy and safe. For the firefighters who battled historic fires to keep our homes safe. For the teachers who worked tirelessly to continue educating our children. For the grocery store workers who kept our families fed. And for every essential worker who has been on the frontlines of this pandemic.

Moving forward, I’m hopeful we will have a better year in 2021. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel with more doses of COVID-19 vaccines arriving in our state every week. We just have to keep protecting ourselves and each other, and we’ll make it through together.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and a safe, healthy 2021.

Gavin