==Just when I thought we were on our way towards regaining a sense of normalcy in our lives, the Delta variant arrived with a vengeance, infecting both the unvaccinated and vaccinated alike. As a result of infection rates and hospitalizations surging, the City of Berkeley and many neighboring jurisdictions have issued a new indoor mask mandate. (see below)

==In light of the recent data and new mask mandate, I have decided that the risk of participating in the many neighborhood National Night Out gatherings is too great for me personally, and so I will not be attending on Tuesday evening. Members of our Police and Fire Departments will be visiting the neighborhood events.

==If any of you would like to schedule a zoom call with me, please call my office at 510-981-7160. I am happy to meet with you and your neighbors to discuss whatever concerns you may have. Happy National Night Out.

==Take care and stay safe,

==Vaccination continues to protect against severe COVID-19 illness, but with the COVID-19 Delta variant now infecting a small percentage of vaccinated people as well as many unvaccinated people, eight Bay Area health officers have issued Health Orders requiring masks indoors in public places.

==The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited exceptions, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3.

==Vaccines remain the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Nonetheless, the Delta variant is infecting a small percentage of the vaccinated - who still remain strongly protected against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In those instances of infection in a vaccinated person, a face covering prevents further spread.

==Bay Area health officials urge all unvaccinated residents 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

=="We are deeply fortunate to have vaccines that so profoundly reduce the risk of severe illness and death from the newest, more dangerous variant," said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, City of Berkeley Health Officer. "Adding a face covering when indoors with others, gives us all an easy, familiar and powerful tool."

==These Health Orders aim to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and protect everyone. Health officials are very concerned by the substantial levels of community transmission now found across the Bay Area, especially among unvaccinated people. In part, this is due to the widespread COVID-19 Delta variant, which is substantially more transmissible than previous forms of the virus.

==Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicates that even fully vaccinated individuals can spread the Delta variant to others, and so indoor use of face coverings provides an important added layer of protection.

==The new Health Orders require wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in all public settings. Indoor settings, whether public or private, are higher risk for COVID-19 transmission, especially when you are with people you do not live with.

==Health officials also recommend that all employers make face coverings available to individuals entering their businesses, and businesses are required to implement the indoor face covering order.

==You can read the full health order here.

==Berkeleyside has just published a very comprehensive guide to information about all aspects of wildfire safety and preparation. Take your time going through the guide. There is a tremendous amount of information and if you follow it, you will be well prepared to handle an emergency. Thank you Berkeleyside editors and staff for this terrific public service! 

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 | 6:30-8:30 PM 

==In 2019, the City of Berkeley and San Francisco Bay Ferry (WETA) partnered to study a potential dual-purpose pier for public recreation and commuter ferry operations at the Berkeley Municipal Pier.

==On January 21, 2021, the City hosted the Community Workshop #1 to seek public feedback on a variety of project components such as the community's use and travel patterns at the Marina. Example locations and shapes of the potential dual-purpose pier were presented and discussed during that workshop.

==The meeting material can be found on the project webpage.

==At this workshop on August 10, 2021, the project team will present conceptual alternatives and facilitate group discussions on the shape of the pier, the siting of the ferry terminal, land-side parking/mobility considerations, and community recreation needs.

==The goal of this workshop is to receive input from the community. Your suggestions and feedback will be considered as the project team develops the final round conceptual designs for the Pier-Ferry Planning Study. Please join us and help shape the future of the Berkeley Marina.

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/99422879717

Meeting ID: 994 2287 9717

Phone: 669 900-6833,,99422879717#

==Many of you have called or written with stories about your fire insurance not being renewed. This is happening throughout the state in ZIP Codes where fire risk is high.

==This article, published in the San Francisco Business Times, gives a good picture of the situation some Berkeley Hills residents are dealing with.

==Receive emergency notifications through ACAlert.

==Sign up here.