Berkeley tries grassroots methods to avoid ‘vaccine hunters,’ reach vulnerable groups
Churches and community organizations are helping with an equity-minded COVID-19 vaccine outreach.
Coronavirus
Top Stories
Pandemic closes popular kids’ camp Sarah’s Science after 34 years
Sarah Shaffer, the camp’s founder and director, described the painful decision to file for personal bankruptcy and close down.
In brief
Berkeley unanimously approves $5-per-hour hazard pay for grocery store workers
The law goes into effect immediately and applies to larger grocery stores with 300 or more employees.
Local home cooks make and deliver free lasagnas to neighbors in need
Lasagna Love is a grassroots campaign that matches volunteer home cooks with anyone struggling during the pandemic who could use a free, hot meal.
City
Berkeley grocery store workers, in-person teachers now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine
The city of Berkeley has been sharing public health news and recommendations about COVID-19 on its website. Berkeleyside is reprinting some of these items with permission.
COVID-19 has hit economy hard: tax revenue down 13.2%, 3,000+ jobs lost
But the news is not all bad, as a new economic report shows investors put $700 million into Berkeley’s biotech and clean-tech sectors.
When COVID-19 hit, their lives changed forever
Whether becoming sick, losing loved ones, or learning to live under quarantine, this past year has brought unprecedented challenges.
Berkeley mass vaccination site inoculates 323 people in ‘soft launch’
Vaccine appointments at Golden Gate Fields are currently hard to come by.
Schools
Berkeley Unified announces tentative plan to return to hybrid learning this spring
The union needs to ratify the agreement and teachers need to be vaccinated, but more in-person instruction could ramp up by late-March to mid-April.
Outdoor exercise ban lifted for Cal students amid strict self-quarantine
There have been over 200 COVID-19 cases in the last week alone.
Berkeley Unified is now offering free Wi-Fi for families. Here’s what you need to know.
The school district is pairing up with Sonic to provide free internet access during remote learning.
Berkeley teachers will return to school if vaccinated, union says
The move could speed up bringing kids back into classrooms if BUSD and BFT reach an agreement, but vaccines are still limited.
Nosh
Oakland approves $5 hazard pay for grocery workers; Berkeley considers it
Oakland grocery workers are getting a substantial hazard pay raise starting immediately.
Are people really drinking more at home during the pandemic?
We spoke to several East Bay specialty liquor retailers to find out how the pandemic has affected business.
In brief
Social bubbles and outdoor dining can resume in Berkeley, effective immediately
Counties will now return to tier assessments based on individual case data, as opposed to following a regional ICU model.
East Bay restaurant owners say the new stimulus package will help, but only if PPP loans are forgiven
Even if the new COVID-19 relief bill is signed into law, some restaurateurs say a new round of loans will only sustain them for a few more months.
Special delivery: HelpBerkeley brings affordable restaurant meals to seniors and others at-risk
The volunteer-run group works with local eateries to provide two meals for $10 to those over 60 or self-isolating. This holiday, it will deliver hundreds of free meals.
Berkeley diners, restaurant workers react to the latest outdoor dining ban
Alameda County restaurants have been ordered to close outdoor dining for the third time this year. Diners and restaurant workers are frustrated, resigned, but also understanding.
Golden Gate Fields
Update: ‘Mass vaccination site’ now open for residents age 75 or older
The North County Mass Vaccination Site is in the north parking lot of Golden Gate Fields. Appointments can be made online.
In brief
Live racing to resume at Golden Gate Fields following COVID-19 outbreak
“COVID-19 concerns on the campus have decreased to levels to allow the resumption of live racing,” Golden Gate Fields said Friday in a prepared statement.
‘Urgent’ changes at Golden Gate Fields amid 100 more COVID-19 cases
More than 300 people at Golden Gate Fields have now tested positive for COVID-19. The racetrack has approximately 540 workers, the state has said.
Golden Gate Fields horse trainer Bob Hess Sr. has died from COVID-19
Hess told Berkeleyside from his ICU bed recently he was looking forward to his next meal at his favorite restaurant, Bette’s Oceanview, where he had eaten more than 8,000 times.
How did 200 racetrack workers at Golden Gate Fields get COVID-19?
The track has said 95% of the people who tested positive had no symptoms and that this is likely what allowed the disease to spread so broadly.
In brief
In brief
Berkeley had 68 positive COVID-19 tests in one day — but the city won’t explain why
Last week, the city of Berkeley reported its highest number of positive COVID-19 test results on a single day since the coronavirus pandemic began.
In brief
UC Berkeley plans to resume classes in the fall of 2021 that are ‘primarily in-person’
The announcement comes amid an ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases throughout California and a slight uptick at Cal.
In brief
Alta Bates Hospital workers in Berkeley will begin receiving COVID-19 vaccine Saturday
Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Friday, following closely behind several Bay Area hospitals that have already begun inoculation.
Opinion
Opinion: Berkeley mayor says, do your part to address public health risks
The city of Berkeley will help businesses and artists impacted by the coronavirus and is taking steps to help the homeless, seniors, and single parents, among others.
Opinion: Change your behavior now to prevent spread of COVID-19, implores Berkeley native quarantined in Italy
The outbreak of COVID-19 is now a global pandemic. People should take it seriously, yet also be wary of alarmist panic.
Opinion: When Berkeley residents are there for each other, we are at our best
COVID-19 is also threatening a local economic crisis, which may affect the viability of Berkeley’s small businesses. Here are some steps we can take to help out.
Recent stories
Doors and murals: In Berkeley, creative expression helps process the pandemic
These Berkeleyans are crafting beautiful messages outside their homes — sharing information and offering hope.
Cal reports 184 COVID-19 cases in 1 week, tells students to quarantine
The number represents 25% of COVID-19 cases at the campus since its first reported case in April 2020.
