Transcripts For KGO ABC7 News 500PM 20240711

Were concerned. Good evening, im dan ashley. And im anna dates. Thank you for joining us. Concern over coronavirus has the city of San Francisco taking a surprising turn, backward. Mayor london breed says at the end of the day friday, the city will eliminate Indoor Dining, reduce capacity at gyms and movie theaters and pause reopening at high schools, elementary and middle schools can proceed. Heres the reason why. Three weeks ago, there were 3. 7 cases per 100,000 people in San Francisco, and now there are 9 per 100,000. San francisco is averaging 80 new cases a day. Thats up from 32 a day in early october. City Health Officials say that rate is increasing more quickly than the summer surge. It is entirely plausible that we will face a situation where our Health Care System could become overwhelmed and reverse the current progress that weve made. The hard choices that we make now will help make things better for us in the future. It will get our city open. It will get our businesses open. It will get our kids back in school faster. Health officials warn, there could be another shelterinplace order over the Holiday Season in San Francisco if residents dont flatten the curve again. Contra costa county is sliding backwards, today officially going from the orange tier into the more restrictive red tier because of this sharp spike in covid cases were seeing. Abc7 News Reporter Leslie Brinkley talked with churches, restaurant owners, and breweries about these new restrictions. Reporter after two weeks of life on the lessrestrictive orange tier, the state officially moved Contra Costa County back up to the red tier today. That means Indoor Dining restricted to 25 of capacity again, gyms must operate at only 10 . Indoor pools need to close. Indoor bowling alleys need to close. Offices need to be remote, except for essential staff. In the last two weeks, numbers have increased dramatically. Weve also seen hospital cases double in our county. So we need to act quickly. Yeah, its wearying. Its super wearying. But were pressing on because we want to make sure that we serve our people. Reporter north creek church is a sanctuary that can accommodate over 1,200 worshippers. Orange meant only 200 at a time. The red tier dials them back to only 100 people per service. Theyve adjusted to being flexible. Other churches dont have to change because they never cranked up to a higher capacity. At this walnut creek brewing company, Indoor Seating will now have to go back to 25 . And if you want to have a cold beer, you have to also order a meal. Weve also put in heaters recently so that we can improve the Comfort Level of our outdoor seating when it does get cold. And you know, just being grateful that were still in business. Reporter Contra Costa County Health Officials say there are lots of things conspiring against us colder weather, holiday travel, indoor gatherings, College Students coming home. They said, get used to being on the red tier, and unless we can reverse things, we could end up going into a more restrictive purple tier. In the east bay, im Leslie Brinkley, abc7 news. And then theres this. Today, the United States surpassed 1 million newly confirmed coronavirus cases in just the first ten days of november. This comes as stanford says its created a computer model that predicts how the virus spreads in cities. The University Says it studied 98 million americans in ten major cities using demographics, epidemiology and cell phone locations. The key risk factors were where people go, how long they stay, and how many other people were at the same place at the same time. Researchers found most infections occurred at restaurants, fitness centers, and cafes, where people were in close quarters for extended periods. And the study found that Grocery Stores actually had the lowest rate of spread in comparison to these other businesses, so those should stay at the same capacity, but that doesnt underscore the fact that its still really frustrating that we are still stuck right now. Researchers say this could serve as a tool for officials to help minimize the spread of covid19. And keep track of where your county stands at abc7news. Com. You can see which tier your county is in and what that means for local businesses. The Supreme Court today heard oral arguments on a case that will determine the future of the Affordable Care act, and president elect joe biden says a lot is at stake. This argument will determine whether Health Care Coverage of more than 20 million americans who acquired it under the Affordable Care act, will be ripped away in the middle of the nations worst pandemic in a century. Over 100 Million People with preexisting conditions, like asthma, diabetes, cancer, could once again be denied coverage. Now, this case seeks to invalidate the Landmark Health reform law. And as abc7 News Reporter chris nguyen explains, california has a big role in how it turns out. Reporter the fate of the Affordable Care act is once again in the hands of the Supreme Court as it considers california v. Texas, which aims to invalidate the entire law. Life is incredibly unpredictable, and the aca really is that safety net. Reporter Kayla Williams is a recent College Graduate who gets coverage through her Parents Health insurance, a provision that could go away if the aca is struck down. When you are able to stay in that health home that youve been in for as long as possible, you maintain quality care. Reporter more than 20 million americans could lose their Health Insurance if the current law isnt upheld and protections for nearly 54 Million People with preexisting conditions could also be eliminated. The case was brought forth by the Trump Administration and 18 republicanled states who argue that the law is unconstitutional, since the individual mandate is no longer in place. This is a very technical case about this question, the doctrine of severability and to what extent you can separate parts of a large act. Reporter Santa Clara University constitutional law professor deepgula sakurum says california, who is a codefendant in the case, has a great interest in making sure aca stays for emergency medicine and emergency care, among other services, due to its large population. I think we might get some indications of whether this Supreme Court is willing to allow congress to address the p. Reporter some say the potential cuts would be devastating for families across the state. Raymundo espinoza leads a Nonprofit Network of Health Clinics serving close to 36,000 people in Silicon Valley, the majority of whom are either uninsured or get their Health Insurance through obamacare. These challenges are just making it worse at a time where people are really, i think, tired as a result of the impact that covid has had and the stress of not having jobs. Reporter a decision from the Supreme Court is expected by next june. In san jose, chris nguyen, abc7 news. Coming up, will Joe Bidens Administration embrace big tech . Insiders reveal what they think about the future. And fitting in. How Kamala Harris will likely as the biden harris transition into office unfolds, Silicon Valley Technology Leaders see signs of better relations than they had under President Trump. That could boost the economy, which is one of the pillars supporting our efforts to build a better bay area, as you know. Abc7 News Reporter david louie sat down with two Key Executives about their hopes for change. They are dialed in. They always were. And i think were going to see big differences. Reporter tech entrepreneur john fisher cohosted two bay area fundraisers for joe biden last fall, tapping into a network of tech colleagues, many of them from startups and small companies. It was a small room. It was only 50, 60 of us. After his speech, he went around, he talked with everyone, he heard their ideas. It was remarkable to see him operate with such care. Reporter that gives him hope that the president elect will study the key issues that matter to tech and support them, issues such as immigration policy, which impacts the ability to attract top talent from overseas, privacy, and perhaps the thorniest of all, antitrust action initiated against google under the Trump Justice Department that could snarl other dominant companies. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group with wide Company Membership across the valley looks at Vice President elect Kamala Harris as an ally of longstanding. She could help as new ceo to tackle the persistent lack of blacks and women in Tech Leadership roles. Its about innovation and market share thats lost when our Leadership Teams dont reflect the communities that we serve. I know she gets it. I know she leads from a place of authenticity. Reporter thomas is also hopeful that bidens belief in science will also lead to a change in Climate Change policy, an important issue in the valley. And we truly hope that well be looking at data, looking at the climate and how its changing, seeing the threat, which is a real threat to our economy as well as our longterm livelihood. Reporter a reboot could be on the horizon. David louie, abc7 news. Well, just as every presidency is different, so is every vice presidency. As reporter brian todd explains, those who know Kamala Harris says she is well positioned to fill her role in the biden administration. You have to be willing to have someone with you who will tell you the truth if they think youre wrong. Reporter that means Kamala Harris could be the last voice in the room when the biggest decisions are made, a role biden had demanded that he be given with obama, and that could start during the transition. Given her experience as californias attorney general and as a highprofile u. S. Senator, analysts believe she could have a strong voice in the selections of the u. S. Attorney general and cabinet positions. I definitely think that harris will be the one in bidens ear letting him know who she thinks would be perfect for those roles. I mean, harris is going to be working with all of these cabinet members in tandem along with biden. Reporter harris experience on the Senate Intelligence and judiciary committees, observers say, could be something joe biden leans on. Maybe helping pick a future Supreme Court nominee, if democrats win control of the senate and there is a Supreme Court vacancy. Maybe she will be, in some ways, like Vice President biden was in the obama administration, sort of almost a second secretary of state, going abroad. Reporter but analysts believe Kamala Harris could also be a uniquely positioned leader for this extraordinary period, that shes the person in the next administration who can take the point on issues of Racial Justice and helping joe biden navigate through the next potentially devastating months of the coronavirus surge. That means coronavirus pandemic mitigation efforts. Perhaps shed be using that to communicate to black and brown communities, to places that she has focused heavily on as senator. Reporter analysts tell us that in addition to being joe bidens bridge to those minority communities in america, that its also likely that hell count on Kamala Harris at age 56 to be his bridge to younger americans, and that will also help position her for the office that she might seek after the biden administration. Brian todd, washington. Former giants outfielder Mac Williamson filed suit today against the owner and operator of oracle park. The case comes from the concussionrelated injuries williams suffered when he stumbled over the left field bullpen mound, then slammed right there into the padded wall while trying to catch a foul back in april of 2018. Williamson says his life hasnt been the same since suffering the injury, which he claims ended his career. Everybodys career ends at some point, but to have it taken from me because of the mounds, the bullpen mounds were unnecessarily placed on the field is very hard to cope with. The giants moved the bullpens from foul territory to behind the center field wall before this past season. The team issued a statement, saying williamsons claims shouldnt be resolved through court but through, quote, the collectively bargained grievance process and the Workers Compensation system. New signs of progress for San Franciscos massive project to improve transit along van ness avenue. Crews were putting down red concrete in the center lanes where muni buses will run. There will also be platforms for riders built along the new medians. The 309 million project started in 2016. It was originally scheduled to be completed last year. Thats now been pushed back to 2021. All right, another cold night lies ahead, but what about the rest of the week . California phones offers free specialized phones. Like cordless phones. phone ringing big button, and volumeenhanced phones. Get details on this state program. Visit right now or call during business hours. Cgrand openinge flooin san leandro safely shop our wide aisles and be amazed with our even wider selection. Discover the perfect floor at the perfect price in whatever way is perfect for you. Floor and decors newest location is now open. Also open in milpitas and burlingame. I felt gross. It was kind of a shock after i started cosentyx. Four years clear. Real people with psoriasis look and feel better with cosentyx. Dont use if youre allergic to cosentyx. Before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. An increased risk of infections and lowered ability to fight them may occur. Tell your doctor about an infection or symptoms, if your inflammatory bowel disease symptoms develop or worsen, or if youve had a vaccine or plan to. Serious allergic reactions may occur. Learn more at cosentyx. Com. And accessoriesphones for your mobile phone. Like this device to increase volume on your cell phone. phone ringing get details on this state Program Visit right now or call during business hours. Oh, my god oh that was insane wow kayakers and paddle boarders couldnt believe humpback whales swam so close to them last sunday off the coast of San Luis Obispo county. Later that same day, the same photographer watched two of the other kayakers get capsized by a whale. So its incredible and beautiful, but a little scary, dan. Thats crazy wow yeah. Well, take a look at this raccoon invasion speaking of crazy caught on cell phone video today. Three raccoons are digging through the trash at San Francisco and embarcadero center. While raccoon sightings are not rare, they are rarely seen in daylight. They are nighttime creatures. Of course, this area is not as busy with foot traffic as it used to be. But of course, the raccoons were wearing their masks. Time now for the accuweather forecast. Abc news meteorologist sandhya patel is here. Hey, sandhya. I like that, the raccoons are wearing their masks. Lets look at live doppler 7. This morning it was just freezing cold mid and upper 20s in our coldest inland valleys. Its not going to be as cold because of the cloud cover that youre looking at on live doppler 7. Dont get me wrong, its still going to be chilly, chilly enough to warrant a frost advisory for the north bay valleys, 3 00 a. M. To 9 00 a. M. Tomorrow. So, if you have any trender plants, definitely cover them up, protect those sensitive plants, because temperatures will fall to the low 30s with some patchy frost in the morning. Emeryville camera showing you a little peek of sun there. San francisco 53 degrees. It is 60 in oakland right now and also in san jose. It was a warmer day today. Most areas were between the mid50s to the upper 60s. 52 degrees in gilroy and the clouds are stacked up from our kgo roof camera. Not much of a wind there. 58 in santa rosa, napa, 63 concord, 58 in livermore. A lovely view from our san jose camera as we look at the shark tank there. Chilly overnight, frosty in the north bay. Showers return at the end of the week, and we are looking at milder weather early next week, if youre just really tired of the cool afternoons, or if youre enjoying it, then you still have a few days to do that. Hour by hour we go. 5 00 a. M. Tomorrow, youre going it see some fog and high clouds as well. Might even see a little drizzle out there. Increasing clouds as we go into the afternoon and evening tomorrow. And those temperatures will fall as a result for the afternoon hours. Tomorrow morning, down to 31 at lakeport, 33 in santa rosa, some of our colder spots. But you will notice most areas around the bay and along the coast will be in the 40s. Its still going to be chilly enough, too, where youll need a sweater or jacket. Tomorrow, 56 in half moon bay, 62 santa rosa, 60 in a narrow range of temperatures. A level one system coming in for fridaysaturday, scattered showers. Highest totals in the north bay and breezy conditions at times with this system. So, the best opportunity for rain will be friday going into saturday. As you will notice, this will produce some snow showers in the sierra, mixing in with the rain. Now, as far as rainfall totals go, could see up to a third of an inch in our wettest locations, like clear lake, cloverdale area, santa rosa 0. 27, but looking at san jose, only 0. 01 inches. So a wide variety in terms of showers. And i will tell you, another computer model is actually wetter for friday than this computer model, so well have to see how they align. The accuweather sevenday forecast, a little cooler tomorrow, mid50s to mid60s. Thursday night theres a slight possibility of a shower in the north bay, but i wouldnt bank on that. Its really friday into saturday, level one system, mid50s to mid60s. We are expecting some showers. And then going into sunday, the second half of your weekend is going to be dry with sunshine. Milder weather will follow on monday, as you will notice. 70s showing back up in the accuweather sevenday forecast and another opportunity for showers on tuesday. We need every drop we can get, but i will have to tell you, every time we get closer to the event, models start drying things out, so, stay tuned. For now, its a one on friday and saturday. Not a done deal quite yet, but looking that way. Not yet. Thanks very much. New administration, new plans on coronavirus. Local experts talk about their wish list, when abc7 news at 5 00 returns. Superior accuracy in the palm of your hand. The new accuweather app from abc7 news. Minutebyminute forecasts, plus realtime radar and alerts, keeping you safe. Search accuweather in your app store and download now. Coming up on abc7 news at 6 00, if you want to quarantine before seeing family for thanksgiving, now is the time to start. And if youre hoping the coronavirus test will clear you to get together, you may already be too late. Were hoping you plan ahead safely. And when it comes to christmas, speaking of planning ahead, will you find the gifts you want in stock . 7 on your sides Michael Finney looked into that. Hes either bringing good news or being the grinch. Youll see for yourself coming up in a half hour on abc7 news at 6 00. Finally here tonight, for month experts, the new administration reflects a fresh start and an opportunity to make needed changes in the battle against covid19. To gauge what theyre thinking, abc7 News Reporter stephanie sierra asked a single question what would you like to see the biden team do first . Reporter we directed our question to four of the top medical and Infectious Disease experts in the bay area, dr. Yvonne maldonado of stanford and doctors george rutherford, bob waechter and Monica Gandhi of ucsf. You know, i think my first one or two things would be to consider a National Mask mandate or really work hard on getting facial masking out of politics and into science, and how i think its an incredibly important pillar. Reporter ucsf colleague dr. George rutherford agreed and added to the wish list. The other two things that would be right at the top of my list are expanded access to testing basically, testing on demand, with the right kinds of tests. And then the other is how were going to distribute the vaccine. Reporter to streamline that response, stanfords dr. Yvonne maldonado argues, the new administration should have tighter coordination between federal agencies and individual states. Well, the first thing i would do is create a National Strategy that is uniform and not mandatory but highly recommended and supported for all the states to follow. So, it integrates cdc, nih, fda, and then pull together a national response. Reporter finally, ucsf dr. Bob waechter believes new messaging is critical to winning back public support needed for widespread Vaccine Distribution and other critical measures. We have a lot of work to do to rebuild the trust of the American Public and rebuild our institutions so that people believe that the governments doing the right thing and is paying attention to the science and the evidence and being honest with all of us about what we need to do. Reporter an aggressive todo list for a new administration. In san francisco, stephanie sierra, abc7 news. And by the way, both stanford and ucsf are currently running Covid Vaccine trials and three members of ucsf have just been appointed to the biden advisory team, so a lot going on, dan. Absolutely. All right, world news tonight with david muir is coming up next. Thanks for joining us. Im anna dates. And im dan ashley with sandhya patel. Appreciate your time and well see you again tonight at 6 00. We are the thrivers. Women with metastatic breast cancer. Our time. For more time. Has come. Living longer is possible and proven in postmenopausal women taking kisqali plus fulvestrant. In a clinical trial, kisqali plus fulvestrant helped women live longer with hr , her2 metastatic breast cancer. And it significantly delayed disease progression. Kisqali can cause lung problems or an abnormal heartbeat, which can lead to death. It can cause serious skin reactions, liver problems, and low white blood cell counts that may result in severe infections. Tell your doctor right away if you have new or worsening symptoms, including breathing problems, cough, chest pain, a change in your heartbeat, dizziness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, tiredness, loss of appetite, abdomen pain, bleeding, bruising, fever, chills, or other symptoms of an infection, a severe or worsening rash, are or plan to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Avoid grapefruit during treatment. Ask your doctor about living longer with kisqali. Tonight, several developing headlines as we come on the air. The numbers just in. 165,000 new cases of coronavirus in just 24 hours. And tonight, the news, cases are now on the rise in all 50 states. By one estimate, 74 americans diagnosed every minute. Tonight, the refrigerated trucks we have not seen since the spring. The hospitals in the Heartland Running out of beds. And news on that Pfizer Vaccine tonight. When could it be widely available and what dr. Fauci just said about when americans will likely get this. And how theyll have to transport it. I needs to be kept at 94 degrees below zero. Also tonight, the other breaking headline. 24 hours after President Trump fired his defense secretary in a tweet, tonight, three more top pentagon officials out. Martha raddatz standing by