COVID PM: More California reopening guidance emerges — but so does some concern about the Delta variant

By Mark Conley

Source: Lookout Santa Cruz

Happy Thursday evening, everyone.

There is a growing curiosity about what next Tuesday will look like and in many ways it will just have to play itself out. But at least there are firmer guidelines developing related to where we will be with masking and how other protocols are likely to be interpreted.

Santa Cruz County health officials will talk about our specific situation next Monday, so Be On The Lookout for how to watch that.

Just to make all these scenarios less simple, more information is circulating about the Delta variant that originated in India — and, as usual, there are conflicting opinions about how concerned to be. The LA Times and CalMatters have insights on all of that and more.

To those headlines we go...

Who can stop wearing masks — and where?

California’s COVID reopening rules explained: Californians who are two weeks removed from their last vaccine dose will be allowed to go mask-free in nearly all settings, with some exceptions that include transit hubs or public transportation; in healthcare settings and long-term care facilities; indoors at K-12 schools, childcare facilities or other youth settings; in homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers; and in correctional facilities and detention centers. Those are the general rules. More from the Times here.

About that big California reopening

Carlos Hernandez holds his mask while getting a haircut

What changes — and what doesn’t — on June 15?: Gov. Gavin Newsom promised business as usual, but there could be exceptions to everyday life returning to normal. CalMatters has questions and answers to clear up confusion.

Kaiser launches vaccine trial for children 5-11 in NorCal

What does it mean? The COVID-19 vaccine could be approved for children in the age group by fall, if the trial taking place in Santa Clara, Oakland and Sacramento goes well, a Kaiser official said.

Santa Cruz County COVID vaccine updates

At least one shot for 73.5% of eligible residents: The county has rolled out a new vaccination dashboard, and it sorts vaccine progress by demographic, age and health equity metrics down to the ZIP code. Mallory Pickett has more here.

About the new coronavirus Delta variant

Why some are worried, and some are not: The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, was identified in India but has since been found in 60 countries. It’s thought to be more transmissible. More from the Times here.

More from here & elsewhere

➤ What we know about the Covid-19 Delta variant first found in India (CNN)
➤ Evidence grows stronger for Covid vaccine link to heart issue, CDC says (NBC News)
➤ Some Bitcoin conference attendees report testing positive for Covid after event (NBC News)
➤ Biden announces US to donate 500M vaccine doses in show of American leadership (ABC News)
➤ UK’s health minister denies lying amid pandemic (ABC News)
➤ Spring College Enrollment Dropped By Nearly 730,000 Students. And It’s Not Just About COVID (NPR)
➤ The Clock’s Ticking For 178 Hospital Workers Suspended For Not Getting Vaccinated (NPR)
➤ The California vaccine lottery is underway. Here’s how to find out if you won $50k (SF Gate)

SC Insiders: An exclusive tour of Ventana

Last month, we launched our Lookout membership perk, SC Insiders — a host of carefully curated experiences that you can only get through a Lookout membership. If you missed last month’s private concert by Santa Cruz’s own Taylor Rae, you can watch it here.

The next event, a tour of the Ventana Surfboard and Supplies workshop, will be held on Wednesday, June 16 at noon. We are reserving some seats for new members who sign up using the code VENTANA entered here. If you’re already a Lookout member and would like to join us for the event, you can email our Head of Events, Matthew Swinnerton at matthew@lookoutlocal.com.

TGIF tomorrow, everyone!

Mark Conley
Deputy Managing Editor