John, I hope you are having a safe and healthy holiday season.

I wanted you to hear directly from me that I tested positive for COVID-19 — a story all too similar for many of us as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly throughout the country.

Let me start by saying that I will be okay. I am vaccinated, boosted, and following all of the CDC guidelines, including self-isolation for 10 days. It’ll be a bittersweet Christmas away from my family but I must do what I can to protect those that I love, my staff, and my community. This is what we must do if we want to beat back this pandemic for good.

To those who lost someone to COVID-19 or are currently grappling with the fallout from the emergence of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, my thoughts are with you.

We’re staying vigilant and responsible with our celebrations this December, and I hope you are doing the same. From the Lee family and Team Lee to you and yours, we wish you peace and joy this holiday season.

Through it all, I thank you for standing by my side, and I hope you know I’m in your corner too. Together, we will move forward in pursuit of a better future.

Happy Holidays,

Barbara Lee