On Thursday, February 18th, 2021, 7:00 PM PST, the office of Berkeley City Councilman Ben Bartlett will be holding a ZOOM Virtual Town Hall with School Board Director Laura Babitt to have a School Reopening Conversation with Community Members, Parents, Teachers, and YOU!
The Town Hall will start at 7pm and end around 8:30pm. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
Click for the LIVE link for Thursday, 2/18/2021 7:00 PM Town Hall Here
Affordable Housing Win for South Berkeley
The Berkeley City Council adopted a resolution reserving $560,000 from the Housing Trust Fund to the South Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation for urgently needed housing rehabilitation at two low-income housing complexes: Rosewood Manor and Lorin Station Apartments.
Click here to find out more about our affordable housing Win!
Update on Higher Cost of PG&E Bill
From Oakland News Now:
PG&E customers can expect an increase in their monthly bills during January, partly to help finance wide-ranging upgrades to PG&E’s electricity system, according to the utility.
“Monthly bills for the typical PG&E customer who receives both electricity and gas services from the utility are rising by an average of $5.15 a month, effective Jan. 1,” the company said.
Electricity bills are rising by an average of $6.13 a month for the typical customer, while gas bills will decrease by 98 cents a month for the typical ratepayer, according to estimates provided to this news organization by PG&E. You can read more about this HERE.
COVID-19 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE AGE 65 AND OVER: FEB. 11,13*
Drive-through site coordinated by City of Berkeley
From the City of Berkeley:
Berkeley and Alameda County residents who are at least 65 years old can sign up for one of 2,000 drive-through COVID-19 vaccination appointments on Thursday, Feb. 11 and Saturday, Feb. 13.
This limited set of first-dose vaccinations, coordinated by the City of Berkeley at a site at the foot of Buchanan Street in Albany, targets an age group significantly more vulnerable to hospitalization and death as a result of COVID-19 disease.
These City-coordinated vaccinations are just one of several ways people can get vaccines, though national supply remains severely constrained. Everyone should sign up wherever they can, especially with their health care provider but also with City, County and state notification lists.
Make your appointment online:
*COVID-19 Vaccination Appointment Form, Thursday Feb. 11, Saturday Feb. 13. – *https://curative.com/sites
This form will ask you for basic demographic information to confirm your eligibility for an appointment. While vaccines are free to all, those with insurance will need to upload photos of the front and back of their insurance cards. You will receive a confirmation email with the date and time of your appointment. You will not be asked about immigration status. We will verify appointments with identification at the site.
Questions? Call 888-702-9042 to reach the call center for the vendor, Curative Inc. For second doses, expect to receive an email to schedule your second dose at least two weeks after receiving your first dose.
Depending on vaccine availability, more time slots may be added in the evenings. Check back periodically.
Transport option for Berkeley seniors, disabled
For Berkeley residents who need physical assistance with mobility to get to the site, a ride service supported by the City can help some people get to their appointments for a $15 fee.
After you’ve scheduled your vaccination appointment, call Easy Does It at 510-704-2111 to check your eligibility, register for services, and schedule a ride.
Easy Does It will ask health screening questions to ensure the rider safety and the safety of the driver. Personal protective equipment is worn by drivers, and face coverings are required of riders.
With vaccine supply limited, sign up for notification lists
The very limited national supply means that it will take many months for vaccines to reach the general population.
No matter what your age, you can prepare by understanding what your health care provider’s process is and signing up for general notification lists.
City of Berkeley Email Notification List
Alameda County Resident Notification List
Alameda County Employer List
State of California Notification List
The City of Berkeley’s list will be used to notify people when new vaccination opportunities are made available by Berkeley Public Health.
Large health care providers, such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, receive their own limited supply of vaccine through the state and are beginning to schedule appointments for members 75 or older:
Sutter Health patients who are healthcare workers or age 75 and older can schedule appointments through their website or by calling (844) 987-6115.
Kaiser Permanente has stated they will contact members who are 75 or older directly when appointments are available. Kaiser Permanente members who are health care workers, emergency medical service providers, or long term care patients can schedule an e-visit to request a vaccine appointment.
The limited supply of vaccines is also being distributed through other channels, such as a federal program for long-term care facilities and the health service for UC Berkeley.
No matter what list you are on, keep tabs on your email and take immediate action when you receive a notification that you are eligible to make an appointment.
Everyone will get the vaccine eventually, but it will take time.
These safe, highly effective vaccines are free to the public. As federal supplies eventually increase, COVID-19 vaccines will also be available to all.
The two currently approved vaccines — Moderna and Pfizer – are for adults and each require two doses to have roughly 95 percent efficacy.
All tools needed to end the pandemic
Each vaccination helps build up our resilience to the virus, even as it still kills thousands across the nation.
The vaccine is not a panacea. We need to use all the tools the CDC has identified to fight this pandemic. Everyone – even those who are vaccinated – need to wear masks and avoid gatherings. Many people remain vulnerable.
Each time someone wears a mask, avoids a gathering, keeps distance from other households or gets a vaccine, they help protect our community.
Learn from your health care provider how they are scheduling vaccinations. If you would like to receive information from the City of Berkeley as appointments become available, sign up for our notification list. For more information:
Vaccines(ca.gov)
COVID-19 Vaccines(California Department of Public Health)
COVID-19 Vaccine fact sheet(California Department of Public Health)
About the COVID-19 Vaccine(CDC)
COVID-19 Vaccine dose shipped(California Department of Public Health)
*Currently, spots are limited, but please bookmark this website and check back consistently to sign up for appointments as they become more available
-If you know a senior that is struggling to to sign up, please have them call our office at (415) 527-7765