Delta Variant Surge Challenges Vaccines

A study published in medRxiv indicates mRNA vaccines’ efficacy against infection—particularly the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine—has dropped significantly since the delta variant became widespread in July.  The hospitalized patients reported in the study were in the Mayo system and affiliated hospitals in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Specifically, the researchers found that during July, the Moderna vaccine appeared to have an estimated efficacy of 76% against infection, while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had an estimated efficacy of 42% against infection.

Both vaccines had similar 21-day hospitalization rates, 21-day ICU admission rates, and 28-day mortality rates.

Venky Soundararajan, a lead author on the study, said based on the data compiled so far, the vaccines’ reduced efficacy likely stems from “a combination” of both reduced efficacy over time and reduced efficacy against the delta variant. “The Moderna vaccine is likely—very likely—more effective than the Pfizer vaccine in areas where delta is the dominant strain, and the Pfizer vaccine appears to have a lower durability of effectiveness.”

medRxiv Advisory Board Daily Briefing 8/11/21

Read the complete announcement here.

See July 29 PCA vaccine article here

Alameda County Information and August 3, 2021 Order:

Strong recommendations for everyone – 

Everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a mask in outdoor crowded settings and in non-public indoor settings, like a private residence, when you are with people you do not live with.

While fully vaccinated people are less likely to require hospitalization and less likely to die from variants, they may be asymptomatic or get infections.  

While COVID-19 cases are increasing and the Delta variant is spreading, everyone is asked to wear masks to help slow the spread of the virus. 

Eligible, unvaccinated persons are encouraged to get vaccinated to help prevent a future, even more virulent mutant.

We appreciate, applaud and encourage the School Board’s and District Administration’s consideration of a requirement that all PUSD teachers and staff to be vaccinated, subject to valid medical and religious exemptions. This will further reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections in our schools, particularly for students under 12 years old, for whom vaccination is not yet available, and staff who cannot be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons.

The University of California, the California State University, and some community colleges already have adopted such a policy for faculty, staff and students.That’s common sense as more children are getting sick with COVID-19, and more of them are being hospitalized or suffering from “long COVID” symptoms.

Although California law currently requires K-12 students to be immunized against a variety of diseases, it currently does not require public school teachers and staff to be immunized against the same diseases. A possible explanation is that the Legislature has not addressed this issue because (a) students must be immunized absent a medical or religious exemption, and so are less likely to get sick if exposed to an infected staff member; and (b) most staff members themselves were immunized when they were children. Neither rationale applies to COVID-19, for which vaccines have just become available and which are not yet available to children under 12 years old.

We suspect and hope that many, if not all, PUSD teachers and staff already are immunized against COVID-19. A PUSD vaccination requirement will encourage any who have not yet gotten the shots to do so. Just as no one wants to be infected with COVID-19, no one wants to be responsible for infecting anyone else with COVID-19. Those who cannot be vaccinated, and even the vaccinated at risk of “breakthrough” infections, will appreciate a vaccination requirement for all PUSD teachers and staff.

Rick Raushenbush, Former Member of the Piedmont School Board

Barbara Giuffre

Masking Even for Vaccinated Individuals

California Department of Public Health and CDC on Masking by Vaccinated people

Note: This guidance is effective July 28, 2021 and supersedes all prior face coverings guidance.

With the emergence of the more contagious Delta variant in California which now accounts for over 80% of cases sequenced, cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19 are rising throughout the state, especially amongst those that remain unvaccinated.

To achieve universal masking in indoor public settings, we are recommending that fully vaccinated people also mask in indoor public settings across California. This adds an extra precautionary measure for all to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, especially in communities currently seeing the highest transmission rates. Local health jurisdictions may be more restrictive than this guidance.

Masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:

• On public transit[1] (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)

• Indoors in K-12 schools[2], childcare[3]

• Emergency shelters[4] and cooling centers[5]

Masks are required for all individuals, in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status (and surgical masks are recommended):

• Healthcare settings[6]

• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers[7]

• Homeless shelters[8]

• Long Term Care Settings[9] & Adult and Senior Care Facilities[10]

Additionally, masks are required* for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).

Read the complete California Department of Public Health July 28, 2021 order here.

300% Increase in New Covid Cases in US

Newest Covid 19 advisory from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

June 19–July 23, 2021, COVID-19 cases increased approximately 300% nationally, followed by increases in hospitalizations and deaths, driven by the highly transmissible B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant* of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

CDC recommends all unvaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor settings. Based on emerging evidence on the Delta variant (2), CDC also recommends that fully vaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission. Fully vaccinated persons might consider wearing a mask in public indoor settings, regardless of transmission level, if they or someone in their household is immuno compromised or is at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated (including children aged <12 years who are currently ineligible for vaccination).  July 27, 2021

Read the complete CDC July 27, 2021 report here

July 29, 2021 – According to the Washington Post, internal CDC analysis indicates that vaccinated people infected with the delta version, even if they are asymptomatic,  carry high viral loads.  They are able to transmit the virus to others, including unvaccinated children.   This CDC report may be made public at some point, but nevertheless was the basis for the CDC’s July 27 reversal of its advise on masking of vaccinated people.  Read the article here.

Pfizer’s Vaccine Effectiveness Declines to 84% after Six Months

Some Piedmonters were fully vaccinated more than 6 months ago.

The effectiveness of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine steadily declines over time, dropping to about 84% for vaccinated people about four to six months after getting their second dose, according to CEO Albert Bourla.

The comments, made on Wednesday on CNBC’s “The Exchange,” are based on the findings of a new company-funded study that has yet to be peer reviewed. It comes as the drug-maker clashes with U.S. health officials over the need for a third Covid vaccine dose to boost immunity protection.

The study found the vaccine’s effectiveness was strongest, at 96.2%, between one week and two months after receiving the second dose. It declined an average of 6% every two months, according to the study, which signed up more than 44,000 people across the U.S. and other countries.

CNBC July 28 20213:36 PM EDT

City of Piedmont
Public Safety Committee Agenda
Thursday, July 22, 2021

5:30 p.m.
Via Teleconference

COVID 19 ADVISORY NOTICE

Consistent with Executive Orders No. N-25-20 and No. N-29-20 from the Executive Department of the State of California and the Alameda County Health Official’s Shelter in Place Order, the Public Safety Committee meeting will not be physically open to the public and committee members will be teleconferencing into the meeting via ZOOM Teleconference.To maximize public safety while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can participate in the meeting in several ways:
 Computer or smart phone: Click https://piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/83460292749
 Telephone: Dial (669) 900-9128 and enter webinar/meeting number 834-6029-2749
To participate in the meeting by providing public comment, members of the public may use the ZOOM platform to make live, verbal public comments. To speak to the committee, click the “Raise Your Hand” button when the item on which you would like to comment is called. If you are connected to the meeting by phone, please dial *9. When it is your turn to speak, the City Clerk will call your name and unmute your line, at which point you will have three minutes to address the Committee. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted. Instructions of how to “Raise Your Hand” is available at https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/205566129%0D-Raise-Hand-In-Webinar

Any member of the public who needs accommodations should email the City Clerk at
cityclerk@piedmont.ca.gov or call (510) 420-3040 who will make their best efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to provide as much accessibility as possible while also maintaining public safety in accordance with the City procedure for resolving reasonable accommodation requests. Information about reasonable accommodations is available on the City website at https://piedmont.ca.gov.

Call to Order  – Roll Call

Public Forum This is an opportunity for members of the audience to speak on an item not on the agenda. The 10 minute period will be divided evenly between those wishing to address the Committee.

Regular Agenda
1. Approval of Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes for 5/27/2021
2. Update on PPD Strategic Plan
3. Update on Racial Identity Profiling Act (RIPA)
4. Update on Data Analysis of PPD Calls for Service
5. Update on ALPR & Public Safety Cameras
6. Update on Community Policing Events

7. Update on School Liaison Activities
8. Update on COVID-19 and Discussion on Related Public Safety Initiatives

Announcements, old business and consideration of future agenda items

Adjourn

Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Public Safety Committee are available for public inspection in the Police Department during normal business hours.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (510) 420-3040. Notification at least two business days preceding the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II]. 

Typically a July 4th Pancake Breakfast has been served in the Piedmont Veterans Hall; however, this July 4th, 2021, the Piedmont Community Service Crew (PCSC) will serve pancakes to the community on:

Waldo Avenue between 9 a.m. and 12 noon on Sunday, July 4th.

Children’s games, generous full breakfasts, arts and crafts will be a part of the “block party” open to the public.  Servers will be fully vaccinated and wear masks and gloves.

Tickets are $15 for people age 14 and older.  Younger children are $10 each.

Funds raised will be used by the PCSC toward community efforts. 

– Parade Caravan –

Note:  There is no parade this year on Highland Avenue due to Covid complications.  A caravan of a select group of vehicles and a band will snake around Piedmont streets starting at noon.  

4th OF JULY EVENTS CHANGED FOR 2021

Unfortunately in 2021, the City of Piedmont will not hold the annual 4th of July parade and party in the park due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As disappointing as this is, the City recognizes that the most important thing right now is to keep the community safe and healthy. Because of the nature of the parade and party in the park, the determination has been made that hosting a large group event in Piedmont is still not a good idea, even with the progress we’ve made fighting COVID-19.

Bringing the Parade to the Community

While we can’t gather together on Highland Avenue, there will be a small flotilla of vehicles that brings the parade to you (or nearby)! A small group of vehicles as well as a flatbed truck carrying the venerable Barrelhouse Jazz Band will slowly make its way around town to bring a little bit of parade spirit to the community.

Keep a look out for the caravan driving down your street (or close by) between at 12:00-1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th.

4th of July House and Car Decorating Contest

Decorate your house, yard, or car to show our Independence Day Spirit, with the theme to be announced soon. The following awards will be given:
• The Highland Cup (Best Entry)
• Highland Saucer (Most Patriotic)
• Highland Spoon (Best Team Entry)
• Best Car in Place

• Most Artistic Award
• Best Spirit Award
• Best Theme Award

Judges will visit each entry on Saturday, July 3rd between 5:00–7:00 p.m. and winners will be announced on Sunday, July 4th.

To enter, email Carla Betts (carlabetts@hotmail.com) the following information by Thursday, July 1st at 5:00 p.m.
• Name
• Address
• Cell Phone

• Email
• Yard or car description

4th of July Block Parties Are Back

Coming back this year in 2021, 4th of July block parties will once again be permitted this year.

If you would like to host a 4th of July block party, please fill out the form on the City’s web page at
https://piedmont.ca.gov and submit by Friday, June 25th at 5:00 p.m.

Please make sure to follow current State COVID Safety guidelines. City of Piedmont Public Works staff will deliver barricades by Friday, July 2nd.

If you need more information about 4th of July block parties please call (510) 420-3040.

Press Release > 2021-05-25 2021 4th of July Events Changed