Amy Graff

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced new restrictions for 19 counties on the state’s watch list due to the increased spread of COVID-19 and “increased concern.” Newsom ordered the counties — which include Contra Costa, Santa Clara and Solano in the Bay Area — to halt, or not reopen, indoor operations at restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums and card rooms. “This doesn’t mean restaurants shut down,” Newsom said. “It means we try to take as many activities as we can, these concentrated activities, and move them outdoors, which is a way of mitigating […]

LATEST May 19, 10 a.m. The federal government is sending $700 million in funds to several transportation organizations in the Bay Area, helping to keep vital transit options open and running. In a tweet Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the money would be given to San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco Muni and BART “to aid in economic recovery.” May 19, 9:35 a.m. Here’s a look at new cases and deaths reported in Bay Area counties Tuesday. As more counties release numbers, this list will be updated. —San Mateo County reported nine deaths and 16 new cases Tuesday to increase its death […]

In Napa County, customers can swing past a bookstore for a curbside purchase. A few dozen miles south in San Francisco, such activities are forbidden. In Amador County, restaurants are opening for in-dining service, but they’re only open for takeout in Sonoma County.  The state of affairs in California is difficult to parse. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is reopening the state’s economy on a four-stage plan that’s based on science and data and promotes social distancing. The state is currently moving from stage one, with all residents except essential workers staying at home, into stage two, when businesses with a […]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a four-stage plan this week for reopening the state’s economy “with a phased and thoughtful approach” to modifying the shelter-in-place order that promotes social distancing. Newsom didn’t present a specific timeline for implementing his plan, but said the state is currently in Stage 1, with all residents except essential workers staying at home. He said moving to Stage 2, when businesses with a lower risk of spreading COVID-19 will reopen, is weeks away. Stage 4, with the return of large gathering at concert venues and convention centers, is months away, Newsom said. The governor’s outlook […]

A UCSF doctor did some math to estimate the number of lives the San Francisco Bay Area may have saved by jurisdictions acting quickly and residents following strict shelter-in-place orders. Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology and the head of the division of infectious disease and global epidemiology, believes some 34,000 to 44,000 lives have been saved partially through the region’s early action, such as San Francisco Mayor London Breed issuing a state of emergency on February 28. Rutherford pointed out that Breed’s declaration nudged people to start staying home nearly three weeks before the shelter-in-place order was issued, […]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was a guest on KCBS Radio Thursday morning and discussed the first modification to the state’s stay-at-home order that was issued last month to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Newsom said “essential surgeries” are now allowed “because we believe we have appropriate capacity within our hospitals and alternative care sites to allow scheduled surgeries to go back and be conducted.” Newsom added: “That’s a very positive thing. It’s the first sign of progress — an indicator light that went green, not red. I hope to be making subsequent announcements over the next days and weeks so that […]

Five Bay Area counties will begin enforcing face coverings in essential businesses and on public transit Wednesday to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. In the following counties, you could be hit with a citation and/or a fine if you’re not following the order asking people to cover their noses and mouths with cloth. Alameda Contra Costa Marin San Francisco San Mateo Sonoma began enforcing its order last Friday. The cities of Berkeley and Fremont issued their own mandates. Santa Clara County is “strongly urging all individuals” to wear face coverings when out of their homes to perform essential activities, but has […]