July 29, 2021
Dear Friend,

This week, Alameda County counted its one millionth vaccine dose administered, an incredible accomplishment. Also this week, the California Department of Health joined the CDC in recommending mask use indoors regardless of vaccination status. In Oakland, we will continue beating this drum: get vaccinated, get vaccinated, get vaccinated.

Those most affected by this trend continue to be the members of our community who are still unvaccinated. Please encourage your friends, neighbors, and family to get their shot, and please share these resources:
To get a vaccine, Oaklanders can visit this site or call 510-208-4VAX. Residents who need an in-home vaccination can call 1-833-422-4255 or visit www.myturn.ca.gov

Welcome to the Mayor’s Weekly Briefing, your weekly Oakland news roundup. Please forward this to a friend. They may subscribe here.

Oakland Love,
—Libby
MAYOR LIBBY SCHAAF
New Vax Mandate: Healthcare and State Workers
On Monday, we were proud to host Governor Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, State Senator Nancy Skinner, and health leaders at Kaiser Permanente here in Oakland to announce that all healthcare and state workers will be required to show proof of vaccination, or agree to testing once a week. I applaud this bold, values driven decision by Governor Newsom to ensure the health and safety of California's employees and the public they serve. As a testament to California's leadership, today—three days after our announcement—President Biden will announce similar vaccination requirements for federal workers. We recognize that people are tired and have sacrificed so much during the course of this pandemic, but our work is not done.
Mayors Call for Pathways to Citizenship
Last week, I joined 83 mayors across the nation to send a clear message to Congress: make our undocumented workers and families citizens. We strongly urge the White House and Congressional leaders to prioritize the inclusion of a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, essential workers, and their families in any economic recovery legislation.

As mayors, we see every day the devastation that immigration uncertainty has on the entire family unit. We have seen the hesitancy of taking children to their doctor's appointments, and this last year, hesitancy to get tested or vaccinated for COVID-19. Now is the moment to fix our broken immigration system.
Money for Business Owners in Low-Income Areas
This week and next, the City will be holding free workshops to help Oakland businesses apply for federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advances. The Targeted EIDL Advance provides funds of up to $10,000 to businesses and nonprofits located in a low-income area that suffered a reduction in revenue of greater than 30 percent and have 300 or fewer employees. These advances are like grants, they do not need to be repaid, and you do not have to qualify for or accept a loan to receive them. Much of Oakland below I-580 qualifies as a low-income area. If you have not previously applied for EIDL, apply below.
Working with Oakland's Blue Shield to Fight Homelessness
On Saturday, I published an op-ed with Blue Shield of California CEO Paul Markovich discussing past failures and potential solutions to the years of rising homelessness that we've seen in the Bay Area and across California. The causes of homelessness are manifold and complex, but they are not unknown to us. The Bay Area's homelessness crisis was decades in the making, but we can end it with scaled up funding, policy solutions, and coordination among government and non-governmental organizations. With an unprecedented level of funding for homelessness on its way from Sacramento, and the potential for even more to come from Washington, now is the time for us to bring this tragic chapter in our history to a close. As a city, a region, a state, and as a nation, we are all in it together.
Join Us On Tuesday for National Night Out!
Organize your block party for National Night Out! Tuesday, August 3 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, City of Oakland staff, Oakland Fire Department and Police Department personnel, and elected officials will be visiting neighborhood block parties to boost community spirit and emergency preparedness. Keep it small, wear your mask, and take the time to reconnect with your neighbor and friends!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“So it's OK sometimes to even sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself, because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are, rather than just battle through it.”

PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Skaters on the basketball court at Smith Park. Read a weekly roundup of Oakland happenings by the Oaklandside's Azucena Rasilla, including the weekly roller skate party at Smith Park, here.
BONUS PHOTO OF THE WEEK
A beautiful shot of the Town at sunrise.