National Night Out, Kitten Adoptions, and More Berkeley News
988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline Launches
A new federal number is currently being rolled out across the country for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. 988, an alternative to 911, connects people who are suicidal or in a mental health crisis to a trained mental health professional. It went live in California earlier this month.
Many people who are having a mental health crisis have previously turned to 911. According to a July 2021 report from the City Auditor, approximately 12% of events that required a police response between 2015-2019, including over 40% of wellness checks, had a mental health component. This number is likely an undercount and has likely risen over the past three years. Calls that go to the centralized number will be screened and, if necessary, transferred to the local public safety call center for response.
Mental health issues, especially among youth and young adults, have risen considerably over recent years. In the FY 2023-24 budget approved last month, the City Council allocated its biggest investment yet in mental health services, including increasing mental health staffing positions and expanding mental health services at the Berkeley Unified School District.
COVID-19 and Monkeypox Updates
COVID-19
As of Monday, July 25, 2022, there have been 18,903 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Berkeley. Over the last 30 days, there were 1,172 cases, and we are currently averaging 21 cases over the last seven days. The case rate, which is based on last week’s numbers, is 24.9 cases per 100,000 residents per day. Test positivity is at 8.6%, which is down 36% over the last two weeks, but still higher than where we were this time over the last two years. There are currently two hospitalizations of Berkeley residents, and all recent hospitalizations have been residents older than 50, which is why getting a second booster shot is important for those eligible. 62 Berkeley residents have died from COVID-19, with 6 deaths recorded so far in 2022, the latest one occurring on March 2. 94% of Berkeley residents are fully vaccinated, with 88% of people who are vaccinated haven gotten at least one booster. 30% of children aged six months to five years are fully vaccinated, which is expected to climb over the next couple of weeks as their vaccine regimens are completed. Additional data can be found on the City's COVID-19 dashboard.
As of last week, 80% of cases in California were caused by the highly contagious and evasive BA.5 subvariant of Omicron, followed by the similarly contagious BA.4 subvariant at 12%. While these subvariants are the most contagious yet, vaccines are still effective at preventing severe illness. We are monitoring the Centaurus subvariant (BA.2.75), which is currently spreading across India and other countries. However, there are currently no Centaurus cases in California, and it appears to spread more easily in countries that have not had a high number of Omicron cases. This could change, and as we have seen throughout the course of this pandemic, variants are constantly evolving.
Monkeypox
The World Health Organization has declared Monkeypox a global health emergency. This comes as the virus, which is endemic to parts of Central and West Africa, has caused around 18,000 cases across 75 countries since May 2022. As of Monday, July 25, 3,846 cases have been reported in the United States, with 646 in California, most of which are in Los Angeles County and the Bay Area. In Alameda, there are 45 cases, and in Berkeley there are 8 cases (one confirmed, seven probable). When a person is exhibiting symptoms, they are given a test for orthopox, a genus of viruses that includes Monkeypox. If they test positive for orthopox, they are considered a probable case and given a test specifically for Monkeypox. More confirmed cases are expected in the coming weeks as testing capabilities expand. Vaccines remain limited, but 1,011 vaccines have been administered to Bay Area residents in Berkeley, and we are working to get more vaccine allocations.
Monkeypox remains a low risk to the general public, but certain activities significantly increase your chances of exposure. This includes having sex with multiple partners or being in crowded, indoor spaces with close skin-to-skin contact. While anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity can catch Monkeypox, many cases have been found within networks of self-identified gay and bisexual men, trans people, and men who have sex with men.
The key symptom of Monkeypox is rashes that look like a pimple or blister, which most commonly appears on the genital area and/or face, but can also appear on hands, feet, and/or chest. Other possible symptoms include a fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Symptoms typically last two to four weeks. For more details on symptoms, causes of spread, ways to protect yourself, and other resources, click here.
Participate in National Night Out 2022
National Night Out is an annual nationwide event on the first Tuesday in August (August 2, 2022) where neighborhoods come together to strengthen relationships and create safer, more resilient neighborhoods. Typically, dozens of events are scheduled in Berkeley, with gatherings taking place between 5pm-9pm. If you are interested in hosting an event, register here by July 30th. If you want to close your street for a block party, you must complete a block party permit by July 27th. Permits are free for National Night Out. You can also choose to invite City staff, officials, police officers, and/or firefighters to your event, however due to demand there is no guarantee of attendance.
For more information about National Night Out, click here.
Kittens Seeking Adoption
Dozens of cats, including Smith & Tilley, are available for adoption. Source: Friends of Berkeley Animal Care Services
The City’s animal shelter has seen a surge in kittens over the summer and needs your help in giving them homes. Berkeley Animal Care Services, which operates the shelter, provides comprehensive veterinary care, socialization, and training to ensure that their dogs, cats, and other animals are ready for their new homes. But with such a large surge of kittens, it has become difficult to provide them adequate space and socialization.
To help promote adoption of these kittens, the shelter has waived adoption fees for kittens through August. All you need to adopt is be at least 21 years old and have proof that your home is pet friendly, like a lease or a mortgage statement. All shelter cats are neutered or spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped before going to their forever home. If the kitty you’re interested in still needs these procedures done, the adoption process may take a week. No appointments necessary, you can drop in at the shelter at 1 Bolivar Drive, Mondays - Satrudays from 10am-4pm (Wednesdays until 7pm), and Sundays 11am-3pm. You can contact them at animalservices@cityofberkeley.info, or call 510-981-6600. For more details, click here.
John Hinkel Park Reopens
Residents enjoy a jazz orchestra performance at the park reopening. Source: Office of Councilmember Sophie Hahn
Earlier this month, the grand reopening of North Berkeley’s John Hinkel Park took place, celebrating the $1 million restoration of the park. Major highlights include the refurbishing of the historic stonework at the amphitheater and fireplace, creation of a new playground and picnic area with salvaged redwood from the original clubhouse that was built in 1918 and destroyed in a 2015 fire, ADA improvements, and storm drainage improvements. Planting and irrigation improvements are ongoing.
Funding for the renovations was made possible by Measure F, a 2014 special parks tax, and Measure T1, a 2016 infrastructure bond.
Tool Lending Library Provides Free Services to Berkeley Residents
The Tool Lending Library is located at South Berkeley's Tarea Hall Pittman Library.
Working on a home DIY project? Does your bike have a flat tire? Maybe you want to make homemade ice cream on a hot summer day. Berkeley’s Tool Lending Library, a service from the Berkeley Public Library, provides free lending of a wide range of tools for Berkeley residents and property owners aged 18 and over.
First launched in 1979 from a portable shed with 500 tools, the Tool Lending Library has expanded over the past 40 years, and now is based at the Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library which was reconstructed in 2013. Originally starting with home improvement tools, over the decades it has expanded to include bike repair, smartphone and tablet repair, and in 2021 it expanded to include kitchen tools. Today, it is home to thousands of tools covering a wide array of needs. It is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10am-6pm, located at 1701 Russell St (entrance on MLK Jr Way). For more information, and to reserve tools, visit the Tool Lending Library webpage.
AC Transit Increases Services on Berkeley Lines
Beginning on August 7, AC Transit will be restoring several lines to their pre-pandemic levels of service. Multiple Berkeley lines will be included in this increase of service, including the 12, 18, 72R, 79, and 88. Line 65, which serves the Berkeley Hills, will have service restored to the Senior Avenue loop. A full list of changes can be found here.
Council Summer Recess
The Berkeley City Council is entering recess after the last regular meeting of this session on July 26. The next regular meeting of the City Council will take place on September 13. Special meetings may still take place. The Mayor’s office will remain open during the summer recess. We are happy to assist you.