2021 Predictions by Hometown Heroes

Say goodbye and good riddance to 2020.

We asked our 2020 Hometown Heroes for their 2021 predictions. The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train.

Jeremy Sandford

Professor Molecular Cellular & Development Biology UCSC

I’m optimistic in my 2021 Prediction: RNA saves the day! In the wake of stunning safety and efficacy reports, the USA sees record vaccination rates! RNA is declared the National molecule! Nationwide interest in molecular genetics soars, ushering in a golden age scientific discovery as a diverse array of young scientists are drawn into the field. Schools and Universities re-open in Fall 2021. UCSC Rugby returns to the Lower East Field and sports of all kinds get back to normal. To help mitigate future risks to our economy and way of life, Biden and Harris reduce the Space Force Budget and launch the Pandemic Defense Force - an army of scientists, logistics, technologists and physicians ready to answer the call.

Susan Nemitz

Santa Cruz County Libraries

1. It will be a great summer - the grand reopening. Residents will flock to community gathering spaces and libraries will be swamped. Folks will love the new Capitola and La Selva Beach Branch libraries.

2. Zoom will remain a part of our lives, expanding programs and services to new audiences.

3. Community led learning programs will harness the knowledge of our residents and expand exponentially.

4. Equity will drive decision making.

5. Print materials will still remain popular!

Susan True

Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County

In 2021, our community will revisit its newly energized twin super powers - generosity and care. We will use these powers to help our neighbors rebuild from the fires, support local businesses and their employees, and put our dollars and our hearts behind the call for racial justice. Our care for each other will build connections with people who are different than us, will create love and healing, and will sustain people who need a boost to keep going. In 2021, we will keep giving of ourselves, even when we don't think we have much left to give. We got this, Santa Cruz County!

Ruby Vasquez

Watsonville Campesino Appreciation Caravan

Given that wages, medical & housing safety and the overall status of fieldworkers will not change, I predict that there will unfortunately still be a need for community action, like that of the Watsonville Campesino Appreciation Caravan, in our society and local community. That the need to go out to the agricultural work sites to show appreciation and distribute important information and resources will continue.

Valentina Velasquez

I hope that in a year from now I will have formed new relationships with members of our community and that I will continue to do work that will support our community in whatever way possible.

Greg Wimp

Togo’s Scotts Valley, Capitola, Watsonville

Early 2021 there will continue to be major financial stress on restaurant and tourism industry. As the year progresses and vaccine becomes more widely available and we move out of flu season we will see more areas of the economy open up. Once we get people back into the office and open up tourism parts of the economy will come roaring back. Some parts of the economy will continue to be depressed because of changing habits. Rapid virus testing will be a major growth and investment opportunity for the near and long term.

Cindy Larive

Chancellor UCSC

After all the challenges of 2020, I predict that we will be more inclusive, innovative and collaborative in 2021 as we join together to foster progress for our region.

Isabel Bjork

Executive Director, UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute

COVID-19 testing will continue - but as part of a suite of health tests and will lose its emergency and unique status - as the vaccine takes hold and returns us to a socially, economically thriving community by the end of 2021. Genomic research will advance the understanding and the defeat of diseases.

John Lingemann

Smith Grade Bald Mountain Fire Crew

It's pretty clear that global warming is going to continue to increase, and each year we are getting fewer and fewer foggy days, as the summer grows hotter. Combining that with a mild, low-rainfall winter, we are likely to have more fire incidents. We need to prepare continuously now to meet the challenges which 2021 is likely to present.

Bonnie Lipscomb

Santa Cruz Economic Development

We will have at least 500 units of housing under construction downtown by the end of 2021.

Jacob Martinez

CEO, Digital NEST

By the end of 2021, we will see a new group of diverse leaders emerge in Watsonville and prepare to run for office in 2022.

Ryan Coonerty

County Supervisor Santa Cruz

2021 will be the year of resiliency. Our community will demonstrate to the world how being caring, innovative and community-oriented is the only way to more from recovery to renaissance.

Nada Miljkovic

GetVirtual

2021 is going to start like a whimper and end with a roar. The first half of the year will continue to have economic devastation from COVID-19. Many small businesses including the top 500 will be gone. The field will be wiped clean for new enterprises to be planted. The second half of the year will have a massive up swell of new businesses from those that were able to save their capital and pivot. It will resemble the roaring 20s after WWI. People will be raring to get out and celebrate. Ripe nascent companies for investment will be restaurants, event planning and experiential tourism.

Bryan Largay

PPE for the Central Coast

A year from now we will be in the midst of celebrating long deferred reunions with friends and family, with herd immunity finally granted by a chaotic mix of vaccination and exposure. These reunions will be bittersweet in respect for the half-million no longer with us, and the ragged spirits of our essential workers and small business owners. Togetherness will reteach us the meaning of life.

Rex Harris

Ride Out the Wave

Time spent "doom scrolling" will soon be replaced by a mysterious, new, built in Santa Cruz service that makes doing good deeds for others simple, convenient, and addictive :).

Drew Meyer

Amazon Santa Cruz

Continued disruption in last mile delivery driven by lifestyle changes, cheaper labor, and tech like drones, satellite navigation, and electric vehicles.

Dr. Gail Newel

Health Officer at County of Santa Cruz Economic Development

I predict that a year from now we will be celebrating the holidays with our family and friends, traveling to gather, sharing our favorite food and drink, and hugging our loved ones, young and old. The holidays will be all the more precious after all that we've learned during this pandemic -- that what we truly value is time together with those we love; relationships, family and community; healthy bodies, minds and spirits. In the meantime, wishing everyone a safe and happy 2020 holiday season!

Paulina Moreno

Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc.

Immigration justice will happen with big and bold policies that must pass in the first two years. Such reform includes an end to immigrant detention and deportation, taking immigrants into account in rebuilding our democracy, advancing the welfare of immigrant workers, and including immigrants in COVID-19 relief legislation. Our immigrant community is ready: yes to honoring family unity; yes to a stable future; yes to fair legislation; yes to freedom from fear; yes to just relief during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Peter Newton

PPE 4 Central Coast

Micromobility Upheaval: bicycle ridership will continue to explode as an important form of transportation in small cities such as Watsonville and Santa Cruz due to the combination of reasonably priced e-bikes, lower use of public transportation due to Covid-19 and the continued build out of safer, car-free routes such as the Santa Cruz County Rail-Trail, Slow Streets and pedestrian / bike bridges over Highway 1.