Who's lifting the indoor Bay Area mask mandate? A county by county breakdown
California will end its indoor mask requirement for some people in a week, meaning that people who are vaccinated will no longer be required by the state to wear a mask indoors. But that's not a sure bet that you can whip off your KN95 on Feb. 15.
LA County Supervisors move to take COVID vaccine enforcement out of Villanueva's hands
Villanueva estimates the LASD could lose up to 4,000 deputies if this is enforced. It goes up for a vote in March.
LAPD officer fired over COVID vaccine mandate, 7 more to come
About 83% of LAPD employees are currently fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Millions who are unvaccinated provide virus new opportunity for variants, expert says
An infectious disease expert from UC Berkeley says with millions in the U.S., who remain unvaccinated, there are no assurances there won't be future COVID variants. He says easing the mask mandate can be done safely as cases plummet.
Too soon? Reactions to California's lifting of mask mandate
California's indoor masking requirement is set to expire February 15. Monday afternoon, state officials announced they will not extend it. But this move doesn't mean face coverings are a thing of the past.
School administrators seek vaccine mandate exemption over prom
It’s a rite of passage for high school students – Junior prom. But some students at Monte Vista High School in Danville are not allowed to go because they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Food bank says one in four Alameda County residents need help getting groceries
Even with the pandemic entering its third year, new people keep coming to the Alameda County Community Food Bank, many who never needed this kind of help before.
California will end mask mandate on Feb. 15, LA County will not align with state's changes
California's indoor masking requirement will end next week for vaccinated people but masks still are the rule for schoolchildren. However, local health officials can continue their own requirements.
Donors needed: Breast milk in short supply amid COVID-19 surge, winter weather woes
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America said it is in urgent need of donor breast milk which is essential to “saving the most vulnerable babies’ lives.”
Ottawa declares state of emergency as ‘freedom convoy’ protest enters 2nd week
Residents of Ottawa are furious at the nonstop blaring of horns, traffic disruption and harassment as the so-called “freedom truck convoy” protest enters its second week.
Jobs increase by large amount in U.S. last month, surprising experts
Many experts expected job numbers to fall last month. Instead, they increased, suggesting a lot more hiring is likely to come.
Sonoma County to lift capacity caps on indoor, outdoor gatherings
Sonoma County will lift its restrictions on large gatherings next week as the county's COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline, county Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase said Friday.
California tops 80,000 COVID deaths as virus cases tumble
Coronavirus deaths in California have topped 80,000 and another 3,000 people are projected to die by month’s end even as infections, hospitalizations and intensive care cases are falling.
Oakland First Fridays returns as omicron recedes, U.S. COVID deaths hit 900k
The COVID-19 death toll has reached 900,000 people in the U.S., with the most recent 100,000 lives lost in a short period since mid-December.
Starbucks blames store closures, reduced hours on staff shortages from COVID
The coffee chain says it will continue to pay workers who take time off for COVID related reasons, but that means that some locations will be restricting hours or in some cases temporarily closing down to provide enough time for workers to recover.
Contra Costa County not requiring proof of vaccination at some indoor businesses
Contra Costa County announced Friday that it will lift its requirement that patrons of indoor businesses like restaurants and gyms verify their full vaccination status.
US job growth soars past expectations with 467,000 added, shaking off omicron surge
U.S. job growth blew past expectations in January, as the economy brushed off a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide that threatened to sideline millions of workers and kept many consumers at home.
COVID falling in 49 of 50 states as deaths near 900,000
With the brutal omicron wave rapidly loosening its grip, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are falling in 49 of 50 states, even as the nation's death toll closes in on another bleak round number: 900,000.
Spain to drop masks outdoors as omicron surge decelerates
Spain will end a mandate to wear masks outdoors next week, reversing a late December order against an unprecedented surge of coronavirus infections fueled by a highly contagious mutation, Health Minister Carolina Darias said.
San Francisco updates mask guidance for youth sports, quarantine guidelines for childcare programs
San Francisco children in youth sports programs who have received all COVID-19 vaccine doses for which they are eligible will be allowed to remove their masks during indoor practices under new guidance from the San Francisco Department of Public Health.