Connect with your community each week with the following updates on COVID-19, City services, events and programs, wellness opportunities, and family resources. 

-Coronavirus Report

-Go Electric at Home & Connect on Climate Action with New Online Tools 

-City Council & UAC Joint Study Session on Fiber Internet Services Effort

-Recent Power Outage Details & Utilities Follow-up Actions Planned

-Weekly City Manager Blog Series: September 12, 2022

Coronavirus Report

As of September 14, the CDC reported a 7-day moving average of 59,855 new cases. On September 15, California reported a 7-day daily average of 4,854 cases. On September 14, Santa Clara County reported a 7-day rolling average of 255 new cases.

County Rescinds Health Orders, Urges Continued Vigilance Against COVID-19

This week the Santa Clara County Public Health Officer rescinded the few remaining local public health orders related to COVID-19. The announcement also urged continued vigilance against COVID-19, noting the community should get vaccinated and boosted if it’s been at least two months since your previous shot, continue wearing face coverings indoors and around other people, and regardless of vaccination status, continue to test immediately and avoid others if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

COVID-19 Testing Dates Continue in Palo Alto

Through a City of Palo Alto and Santa Clara County partnership, COVID-19 testing opportunities continue at the Palo Alto Art Center on September 23 and October 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment only. In addition, Curative continues to provide testing opportunities in Palo Alto with a testing Kiosk at Mitchell Park Mondays — Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and at City Hall on the Ramona Street side every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Find more testing opportunities at www.cityofpaloalto.org/testing.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Self-Checker

The CDC hosts an interactive clinical assessment tool, the Coronavirus Self-Checker, to help people decide when to seek testing or medical care. If you or someone you know contracted COVID-19 or come into close contact with someone who has, use this tool to help determine your next steps. The Self-Checker is also mobile-friendly and asks a series of questions covering topics such as isolation and quarantine, vaccination status, symptoms, test results, exposure, and more. Based on the responses, the tool provides information about interpreting test results and when to quarantine and isolate, as well as recommended actions and resources. Use the Coronavirus Self-Checker tool here.

Community Recovery and City Updates

Go Electric at Home & Connect on Climate Action with New Online Tools 

The City just made it easier to have a global impact by acting locally. Two new online resources give the community tools to go electric, share sustainable steps you are taking or have made, and connect on climate action best practices. Visit the Sustainability Hub, a new addition to the City’s Palo Alto Digital Forum, to track the ways you are taking climate action now on an interactive map, see what your neighbors are doing to be more sustainable and connect with other community members leading climate action locally. In related climate action news-- Switching to an all-electric household is better for your health, for your wallet and for the environment. To help you go electric, the City has launched a new web resource for those thinking about making better choices in your home. Consider your options, get answers to your questions, and take action today: www.cityofpaloalto.org/goelectric.

City Council & UAC Joint Study Session on Fiber Internet Services Effort

The City is currently assessing the feasibility of providing locally owned and controlled fiber internet services to all residents and businesses. Over the past year the community may have heard about the fiber/local internet services effort underway or taken a recent market survey about your internet service preferences. The next step in this effort is a joint study session on September 19, where the City Council and Utilities Advisory Commission (UAC) will discuss a variety of items related to providing internet services to all resident and businesses including engineering design details, construction cost estimates, market analysis results, financial models and organizational structure options, and more. Read the full staff report here, beginning on page 54. Join the conversation in person or virtually or by emailing the City Council. Learn more here.

Recent Power Outage Details & Utilities Follow-up Actions Planned

Since the beginning of the calendar year, there have been 19 unplanned power outages in Palo Alto, with eight considered major based on total customer impact (500 customers or greater). Of the eight major power outages, four have occurred over the last week. A new article on our medium.com site provides details on the recent power outages, answers community questions, and shares ways the Utilities Department is working to restore community confidence through increased power outage communications. Read more here.

Weekly City Manager Blog Series: September 12, 2022

Each Council meeting, City Manager Ed Shikada provides “City Manager Comments” sharing recent City news, and updates for the community to stay informed on important issues. Learn more about scheduling your appointment in Santa Clara County for the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine and the CDC’s isolation and exposure calculator. Plus, the future of the 340 Portage Ave site, notable tentative upcoming Council items, connect as a community at upcoming Artlift project workshops and attend a Super Family Sunday at the JMZ. Read the recent article here.

Be Well

Suicide Prevention Month: September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, and a good time to resurface the new 988 hotline. Every year, more than 703,000 people die by suicide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is one person every 40 seconds. In 2016, suicide ranked as the 10th leading cause of death among Americans. It is the second leading cause of death for those under the age of 35. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately. If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.

Voices of Suicide Prevention: Katharine Chan, author and healthcare professional, shares the experience of her upbringing, the struggles with suicide ideation, the crucial years of her development, and the light in her tunnel that helped her get to today. Despite cultural differences, many people still face the challenges in her story; it is one of many to bring awareness to a national and global issue. 

Recipe of the Week: Beans, a tiny powerhouse packed with protein, antioxidants, and a slew of interesting facts, makes a return this week in a chili recipe. This black bean and mushroom chili can simmer in the slow cooker all day, which makes it perfect for a healthy dinner when the end of your day is rushed. Not a fan of tangy tomatillos in this version? Omit them and opt for fire roasted tomatoes instead to create your own spin on this base recipe.

Family Resources

Caltrain Overnight Upcoming Lane Closures: As part of its Electrification project, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. on September 22-23 a northbound and southbound lane of Alma Street at Churchill Avenue will temporarily be closed to vehicle and bicycle traffic. Find more information about this lane closure here.

National Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrate September 15 to October 15 and enjoy free streaming videos available from PBS on a wide array of cultures and topics.

Constitution Day Celebration: September 17 marks the anniversary of the day the Constitution was ratified in 1787. Brush up on your constitutional history with these resources from the National Constitution Center.

One Water Plan Workshop: Palo Alto is assessing key regional water uncertainties and water supply risks such as projected shortages under multi-year droughts. Join us for a public meeting to better understand community water supply needs and priorities on Wednesday, September 28 from 6 – 7 p.m. The community meeting will be held at City Hall and via Zoom. Learn more and register at www.cityofpaloalto.org/onewater.

Rain Barrel Workshop: Join us for an informational workshop on Saturday, October 1 at 10 a.m. to learn all about the benefits of rain barrels for your home and the environment. Watch an installation demonstration by an expert and have a chance to win a free 50-gallon rain barrel. This workshop is free and will be held at SummerWinds Nursery. Learn more and register today, space is limited.

Sign Up for Palo Alto FireMed

Did you know that an emergency ambulance ride can cost between $250-700, even with medical insurance? Save money and get peace of mind during an emergency that you are doing all you can to protect your family, visitors to your home, or employees. A new program for Palo Alto residents and businesses makes sure you are not stuck with a bill during an emergency. Palo Alto FireMed is convenient and cost-effective, covering unlimited ambulance rides within the Palo Alto city limits for a low cost of $8 per household per month. The membership fee is easily added to your monthly City of Palo Alto Utilities bill. Sign up today at www.cityofpaloalto.org/FireMed.

Stay Informed

View all upcoming community events on the City Calendar.

Read the latest Weekly City Manager Blog series. 

Online COVID-19 Resources: 

California's Website for COVID-19 - covid19.ca.gov? 

California Department of Public Health

Santa Clara County Public Health Department

Find a free vaccine clinic near you

Find free COVID-19 testing near you

Resources for those in need of help and support:

Palo Alto FireMed Ambulance Subscription Program 

Looking for a job? The City is hiring! 

Employees working for businesses that are struggling or closed

People who are stressed, anxious, or seeking mental support