Berkeley’s next hyper-local news outlet is here, and it’s made by kids
These kids are delivering good news and fostering community in the “DelCalMcGee” neighborhood just when people need it most.
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Coronavirus
With all Cal classes online, many students won’t be returning to Berkeley
Students are choosing to live at home or withdraw for the semester. Some are still deciding. Of those who stay enrolled, only 3,200 will be able to stay in on-campus housing.
City protections, support for renters struggling due to COVID-19
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.
City
COVID-19 is to blame for under-staffed and closed Berkeley post offices
Postal workers said that only two of their colleagues got the virus but they may have exposed others, leading some to self-quarantine. A driver in Oakland has died of COVID-19.
More commercial businesses, ‘pop-ups’ can operate outdoors with expanded rule
More businesses will now be able to set on sidewalks and in parking lots after the City Council expanded a law.
Berkeley to set up popup COVID-19 testing site in San Pablo Park
For two days, on July 29 and July 30, people will be able do their own oral tests and drop the results in a receptacle. Results are expected in 24 to 48 hours.
What to do if an employee tests positive for COVID-19
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.
Schools
Berkeley Unified releases proposed school schedules, distance learning timeline for fall
BUSD is continually updating its plans, but the five new schedules offer a broad view of the upcoming school year.
UC Berkeley imposes strict guidelines on students living in dorms, including getting tested twice for COVID-19
Students will be assigned to social bubbles and will have to sign a pledge agreeing to wear masks and to social distance.
UC Berkeley cancels in-person classes for the start of the fall semester because of increase in COVID-19 cases
The university is still working on hybrid learning models if health conditions improve, but it will begin fall semester remotely.
In brief
UC Berkeley reports 25 new COVID-19 cases among students
Another 25 UC Berkeley students have tested positive for COVID-19, the university reported this week.
Nosh
Oakland’s Town Fridge is creating food access, one refrigerator at a time
Organizers say “scarcity is a myth,” and they’ve already set up four fridges of free food around the city. More are in the works.
Whole Foods workers sue grocery chain for not being allowed to wear Black Lives Matter attire
One of the plaintiffs worked at the Telegraph Avenue store and left after she was told to take off her Black Lives Matter pin.
Hundreds in Berkeley protest Whole Foods’ ban on wearing clothing branded ‘Black Lives Matter’
Protesters came to support a former employee who quit after she was told to remove a face mask that had “Black Lives Matter” printed on it.
Rumors, fear, miscommunication: Berkeley Bowl workers react to COVID-19 outbreak
Several employees say they feel unsafe due to lack of communication and a breakdown in social distancing protocols. Management says it is following city and CDC guidelines.
In brief
In brief
The pandemic has people stressed, scared and anxious. Tell the city of Berkeley how it can help
In a community survey, 56% of respondents said mental health was their biggest worry about the pandemic. The city wants to know what people need.
In brief
Indoor religious services once again prohibited in Berkeley because of rise in COVID-19 cases
New state rules go into effect today prohibiting indoor worship services.
In brief
UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley will reopen July 14
Beginning July 14, members of the garden will have exclusive access for one week, from noon to 5 p.m., followed by a general reopening to the public on July 22.
Opinion
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT, March 18, 2020: Berkeleyside will not be accepting submissions of opinion pieces, or publishing them, while we devote our resources to covering the coronavirus outbreak and providing information and resources for our community. Op-eds are on hiatus indefinitely but we will re-instate them as soon as we can. Thank you for your understanding.
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
‘We’re ready to re-open’: For Berkeley hair stylists, it’s been 4 long, hard months of forced closure
Along with nail technicians and massage therapists, hair stylists are among the last group excluded from re-opening during the pandemic.
What’s it like to get tested for COVID-19 in Berkeley right now?
With some community members complaining of long waits both to get a test appointment and to receive the results, we surveyed the options offered by the city and how they are working.
Berkeley is now reporting 3 COVID-19 fatalities, up from 1
There have been three COVID-19 fatalities in Berkeley since April 8, new data from the city and county showed Tuesday. As of Monday, only one death had been reported.
‘It was very sudden’: Berkeley locals talk about losing their jobs due to COVID-19
Young and old, from all walks of life, nine people — including a rabbi, a sound engineer and a student — share how they are coping since being made unemployed.
