Voters could soon have a say on when to teach algebra in the citys Public Schools. A cultural Festival Tonight focuses on good fortune and a better future. Get to know a new Community Organization on a mission to help build a better bay area. But first, more than three years after the first covid case was reported in the us, much mystery remains about the virus. One unknown on that, researchers are focusing on is long covid. A new test may yield answers. Youre watching getting answers. Im kristin tsay. New Research Says impact of long covid can now be detected with 94 accuracy. Joining us live now to talk about it is pj utts, professor of medicine at Stanford University, to discuss this new development in detecting the post virus disease. Thank you so much for joining us, professor woods. Yeah, thank you so much for having me. So how do you define long covid and what percentage of people who get covid actually suffer from these prolonged symptoms . So long covid has its a very heterogeneous disorder with a complex, a complex way to describe it. Theres more than one definition in. So typically, you have to have symptoms for an extended period of time after having been infected with sarscov2. And there are protean manifestations, brain fog, myalgias and so forth. A large you know, theres a debate about how many people actually end up getting long covid, but its estimated to be somewhere between at least ten and 20 Million People in the united states. I see. Okay. Well, lets talk about in the Research Published monday in the journal nature science, scientists looked at blood samples and found differences that could lead to individual remedies. Talk to us about that. Yeah, its a wonderful study by a group at yale and mt. Sinai. Ive been following their work pretty passionately for a while. They collected samples from patients who had covid and then went on to develop long covid and compared them with people who did not develop long covid. They did some assays that were very, very specialized assays looking at the blood cells themselves. These are not the sort of things that a typical lab is going to be able to do. If you go to see your doctor. But many of the other assays that they did would be something that a typical lab could do. A clinical lab. And what they found is that they could identify markers that that identify patients who have covid with about, you know, over 90 accuracy. And moreover, theyve identified subsets of patients who have different subsets of covid, long covid. So for example, an inflammatory component or another component that might be unrelated to inflammation. Okay. So how did researchers determine a case of long covid . So in terms of the long covid, they they used definitions. Theres a variety of different definitions, some from nih, some from the world health organization. And then based on that, they were they were subsetting patients into various types of long covid. So, for example, those who had primarily fatigue or neurologic disorders or or other manifestations, and then correlated that with what they found with some of their biomarker assays. All right. So currently, as we all know, there is no treatment for long covid even after three years. How could this study lead to remedies possibly . Well, its a really great question. And there are a number of studies going on right now to look at treatments for long covid. Some of that is funded by nih through a program called recover. Its a very large 1. 15 billion initiative. And so the idea here is that long covid is so heterogeneous that we think that some people might suffer from an inflammatory type of long covid. Others may have reactivation of the virus or activation of viruses such as herpes viruses, epsteinbarr virus. And so that the tailoring would come from the markers you might find that a patient who has inflammation, youre going to treat with antiinflammatory drugs, whereas somebody who might have viral reactive asian or persistent sarscov2 infection, they may respond better to an antiviral. Can we expect a test in the near future for long covid . I do not expect a test in the near future. This study is a tremendous advance. They studied over 270 patients and i think that there are a lot of really good things that will come from this study. But to really diagnose this, they had to do multiple different types of assays that are very specialized. And i dont see in the near term where someones going to walk into their Doctors Office and have a test for long covid that will say, yeah, you have long covid and youre going to have this outcome or that outcome. Were getting there, but its going to take more time , right . I mean, the case rate for long covid has been at around 20 for a long time. Even with the current variants, the new variants, were not seeing a change really in that number. So i think most of the data would suggest that if youve been vaccinated or if youre infected with one of the less pathogen viruses, ironically, i got covid nine days ago on a trip to europe and i feel perfectly fine. Ive been vaccinated, probably got one of these less pathogenic viruses. I think the data would support getting vaccinated and that these newer variants are going to be less likely to lead patients to develop long covid. All right. Well, thats good to hear. Research published earlier this year in nature reviews microbial pg said more than 200 symptoms have been identified with long covid. What are some of those top symptoms . I think the top ones are things like fatigue, brain fog. These are the sorts of things that can be extremely debilitating, especially postexertional fatigue. So some people will do even minor exercise and are completely wiped out. The more worrisome things to me are the links now to development of future autoimmune diseases. There have been two epidemiologic studies published large ones one in germany, one in the united states, suggesting that theres an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases and then the cardiovascular risks and the stroke risks that were seeing from large studies, a large study in the u. K. Also showed this. So i worry much more about the very long term implications for people who right now might not have any symptoms at all. Right. And of course, you know, the long term cost on our Health Care System could be pretty great that we cant even begin to measure right now. Right . Oh absolutely. The economic costs of covid have been very high. The economic costs of long covid are going to be substantially higher than that. I think were going to see the impact on this for decades to come. And thats one of the reasons why we need to keep doing so Much Research in this area. Well, given what we know right now, whats the best advice you would give to people, patients, but even doctors, right, who are treating people to people who are dealing with this condition . Well, for patients, i would say i would still be very concerned about getting getting infected. You should do what you can to protect yourself, especially if youre elderly. You have risk factors. Youre immunocompromised. I wore a kn95 mask indoors the entire time i was in europe and i still ended up getting getting infected. So i would do that. I would absolutely get vaccinated. I would see your Health Care Provider as soon as possible to get paxlovid or other drugs that might be coming down the pike in terms of physicians, you know, this is a real challenge for us because theres just not enough people who are seeing patients with long covid to keep up with the demand. So for physicians, i would definitely counsel primary care doctors, rheumatologists, anyone whos taking care of patients, learn about long covid and try to get them tied into your clinic. And to some of these other initiatives that the government is developing. Uh all right. Professor pj woods, thank you so much. Really appreciate your time today. Great. Thanks so much for having me. High school math has become a battleground in the American Education system, and the fight focuses on algebra in San Francisco schools, with local government now getting involved. And next, supervisor Joel Engardio joins us to explain how he wants to get algebra back into middl thousands of women with Metastatic Breast Cancer, are living in the moment and taking ibrance. Ibrance with an aromatase inhibitor is for adults with hr her2 Metastatic Breast Cancer as the first hormonal based therapy. Ibrance plus letrozole significantly delayed disease progression versus letrozole. Ibrance may cause low white blood cell counts that may lead to serious infections. Ibrance may cause severe inflammation of the lungs. Both of these can lead to death. Tell your doctor if you have new or worsening chest pain, cough, or trouble breathing. Before taking ibrance, tell your doctor if you have fever, chills, or other signs of infection, liver or kidney problems, are or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. For more information about side effects talk to your doctor. Be in your moment. Ask your doctor about ibrance. Today, the education reporting collaborative, a coalition of eight newsrooms released an indepth look at the crisis. The most recent program for International Student assessment tests in math shows us students scored lower than their counterparts in 36 other countries. And the alarming trend comes as the bureau of labor statistics finds jobs requiring math will increase by more than 30,000 per year over the next decade. With that as the backdrop, San Francisco supervisors are putting a ballot measure on the march 2024 ballot aimed at improving Public School students math skills. Joining us live now is district four supervisor Joel Engardio, who introduced this measure to supervisor engardio. Thanks for your time today. Absolutely great to be here. Okay so tell us about the measure. What does it seek to change . We want to bring back eighth grade algebra to San FranciscoPublic Schools. People are surprised when they find out we banned the ability to take algebra in the eighth grade about nine years ago. Now, almost every city in the bay area offers ayers algebra. In eighth grade and sometimes seventh grade. If the kids are eager and have a good ability. But here in San Francisco, we make all the kids wait till ninth grade at and it gets them behind. They cant get to calculus by senior year and the kids who are really good at math, who excel at math, who love math, were punishing them by not letting them take algebra earlier. So its a its a policy that that is just needs to be changed. And so thats why were going to the ballot to tell the School District, you must bring algebra back to the eighth grade. Theres so much to unpack there. I guess well take a one by one. And that is youre right. I mean, for a long time, the standard was you could take eighth grade if you were fairly advanced in math. I took eighth grade, i think in algebra in eighth grade. But i think in the past ten years, theres been this progression towards not in the sense that with an eye on equity and ensuring kids didnt feel left behind really early on and therefore not feeling supported and then never getting to higher level math. There have been other cities, including here in the bay area and i think cambridge, massachusetts is a very progressive city. Also doing that or talking about doing that where they have dropped eighth grade algebra and saved it for ninth grade. Isnt there some good rationale behind that . Well, its a wellintended policy that absolutely did not bear out what it was supposed to do. So the idea was not every child is ready for algebra in the eighth grade, so we dont want to track kids who do have the ability. Lets bring everyone up to speed and then everyone can take it together. That was the intent or concept behind it, but a study by Stanford University of the San Francisco policy showed that it it did nothing to improve outcomes for anyone. All it did was punish the kids who were actually good at math and what would happen is that parents wouldnt put up with it and they would pull their kids from Public School and go to private school. And then we see a decline in Public School enrollment, which then hurts the schools because funding is based on enrollment numbers. So this was a cycle to the bottom and we need to actually raise every body up by allowing kids who love math to take math in the eighth grade. Its common sense. So supervisors dont control the School District, right. And so is this why its going on the ballot measure for the voters to be able to influence district policy . Right. This is why its so important to understand who youre voting for school board. The school board is its own authority. I have no authority as a city supervisor over the school board. But this ballot measure is giving a voice to the parents, to the residents who have been frustrated the last nine years to say there is a mandate for this and it will put pressure on the School District and the school board to make the change that parents have been clamoring for years. Simultaneously. Isnt there also a recent lawsuit, too, against the district to bring algebra back in eighth grade . Yes. Parent advocates have have done a lawsuit, but my role in this is to just give a voice to all parents and all voters. And i think youll see this win in a landslide because its just common sense. And we just we just need to give people the opportunity to tell the School District that we need to be like all the other cities in the bay area where you can take algebra as early as seventh grade in a number of cities. I dont know if its all because i know a few have moved away from that. But youre right, most but in terms of your concern right. In terms of your concern, you mentioned that families who can afford it have taken their kids out of the Public School system. What percentage of families here in San Francisco actually attend private school . So thats a really good question. We have one of the highest percentages of students in private school among major cities about 25 of our School Aged Children are in private school. Now, statewide, its only about 9. So it just shows. In San Francisco, we have a tale of two Different School systems. And if were talking about equity, this is not equity in the sense that those with the resources are getting their algebra in private school and those who cant are stuck in Public School. And if their child is good at math and wants math, youre not allowed to take it. So to me, the equity, the equitable thing to do is to allow the algebra for everyone and at the same time prepare for all students. So every one can take algebra by the eighth grade. So its two things we need to work on the early end to make sure kids are up to speed with math. Thats important. And if the kid is good at math, do not punish them. Lets encourage kids who love math. You mentioned some fleeing to private schools, but i think arent there also those who remain in the system but get their math through other means . Yes. So theres workarounds again, if you have resources, you can hire a tutor, you can pay for private math classes. So your kid can advance and skip something and get to calculus by 12th grade. But again, you have to have the resource and wherewithal to do that. And if you dont, then youre stuck with the system we have. And so i think its more fair that we just offer the algebra to any child who is able to do it well , look, this what started the conversation in 2014 and the policy at the root of it was equity, ensuring good results for all the kids across the board, no matter their Socio Economic and racial background. What is your solution . I get that you dont make School District policy in terms of making an actual change so that they are across the board prepared for algebra. They wanted to take it in an eighth grade. Right . What is wrong with or what are they not getting currently in their elementary and middle School Education as well . I believe that wellrun Public Schools are essential for a city to thrive and survive like we really need to support our Public Schools. And that means the Public Schools need to partner with parents and offer the programs that parents want. So we can keep parents within the Public School system and they do not leave for private school. And so that comes down to funding. But the more enrollment we have, the more funding we get and we can smartly spend that money on bringing children up to speed and, you know, and hiring more teachers and paying teachers more. All the things that we need to do with Public Schools, with the focus on academic excellence. And you think that will help close the racial gap that has existed in math . I believe. I mean, the more that we can prepare every child for success , thats a good thing. And many students have a love of math and we want to encourage that regardless of their background. Real quickly, you know, just to be fair, the district says theyve reduced the algebra failure, repeat rate since the policy was implement started in 2014. You know, what do you say to that . Is that accepted as fact . Well, theres been this gets pretty complicated, but a parent advocates and others have have are questioning some of the statistics. But lets just go to the superintendent is quoted in the San Francisco chronicle saying that the Current System doesnt work. And there is a committee set up by the School District to look at bringing algebra back to the eighth grade. And thats a great thing. We all know that committees can veer in Different Directions and go off the rails. So the parents are saying, we hope the district brings it back, but we want this ballot measure. So we have a voice and we can say theres a mandate for it and put pressure on the committee and the district to actually do what what theyre saying they want to do. All right. Well, its going on the ballot measure because you got you and i think for other supervisors to sign on. So, supervisor engardio, thanks for your time. Thank you. A new Community Led movement is taking on the challenge to help solve San Franciscos problems. Tonight, that effort focuses on celebrating culture and community. Well get details from the cofounder of why San Francisco tesco, another new one is making a splash this week. Its called we San Francisco and its holding a unique event at the foundry. Sf tonight both to celebrate the upcoming autumn moon festival and to solutions for better San Francisco. Joining us live now to talk about it is the cofounder of why San Francisco brandon owl. Brandon, thanks for joining us. Thank you for having me, kristen. Okay, so why San Francisco is a pretty new group. Tell us about it. So were a collective group of volunteers trying to make San Francisco better. I think that what we really want to do is we want to create a movement. Theres a lot of us that are like minded that want to see a change. They want to fix some of the problems in San Francisco. I understand that theres a lot of different opinions on it, but some of the main things that were concerned about is public safety. We want clean streets and we want to do it now. We want to do it a little bit quicker than the traditional ways of kind of navigating through politics. So were hoping that if we can actually gain some momentum, we can try to make a difference. Okay. And when you say we like who makes up the core team, i know you are the managing partner of a Financial Planning firm. Youre also a social influencer. And but when i look at the bios, you all seem to have multiracial backgrounds and different skills, different sectors, i guess, if you will. Yes. Yeah. Yeah we have a were building the volunteers. Actually, this started probably about two months ago. Its all very new, but we just got up and running. My partner, nonpartisan. Yes. Yeah, nonpartisan, actually. So i think that the overall theme that were trying to go for is that we want to really bring people together. We is greater than me. And so some of my partners, for example, ben kaplan, he owns a Marketing Agency and which he focuses on getting things to go viral. And i think that with his help and with his team, its been great to be able to get things going. Symmetry shes been involved within the east cut Community Also and that has been able to be thats been great to be able to connect some of the political friends of ours and volunteers. So youre kind of trying a different tactic, right . And maybe you can talk about tonights event, right . Maybe thatll help people get a sense for how youre trying to bring people together. Yes, totally. So what we want to do is we really want to bring the Asian Community together. Thats partly why were doing this event. We think that with San Francisco having 30 asians and a lot of them dont vote or dont want to get involved with speaking up, we thought that if we could actually bring the community together, that would help. Theres a lot of great organizations that are out there, so were not trying to do double work. Were trying to bring people together. All right. And of course, not just for asian americans, because these are issues that you mentioned affect everybody. We have some video, by the way, and pictures from your website of tonights event and how it might look like. Is that based on a previous event or is that just what you envision . That looks amazing, like the lantern festival . Yeah, it is. Thats the theme. So i guess youll have to see that tonight when we actually put it together. Okay. It looks very social and i wonder if you think there is that social component that is necessary in that, especially to engage maybe young business professionals. I take it thats who you think needs to get more civically involved . Its a mix. So what we plan to do is we want to get involved with a lot of different communities. I think the biggest thing is that we want to make it a little bit more fun, which is why we do a lot of social events to be able to bring people together and a lot of people that dont want to get political, they dont want to go to all the traditional political events. And so what we want to do is we want to create a safe area that people want to come to and then hopefully get more involved. Okay. Well, your Big Initiative right now initially seems to be a census. Yes. What are you trying to do . What are you doing there . Yeah, sure. Thats a great question. So what we want to do is we want to bring together a lot of facts from what people want to see change within San Francisco and come the elections next year, were hoping that some of these facts that were going to be able to place with the volunteer group that were going to put together is going to be helpful for deciding who would be the right candidate or not. So does that mean you will be endorsing candidates or doing fundraising for candidates . Thats a great question. We havent we havent gone there so far. What we really want to do right now is we want to gain the momentum to try to figure out what thats going to be. I think that figuring this the reason why the census is so important is that we want to get facts of what residents really feel about it, and then we can decide who its going to be. But we have not decided that yet. Okay. So tonights autumn moon festival. Tell us about how do people register . Do they just show up . Is it free . Yes, its completely free. Anybody can come. You can go on our website we San Francisco. Org and sign up. Okay and therell be talks or chats or just conversations. We will have a short panel of the we San Francisco team, the Leadership Group and all of our volunteers will be there and then we want to just share a little bit about it. And then a lot of it will be fun and performance. Rs all right. Brandon oh, with with San Francisco, the event tonight you can access at the San Francisco org website. Thank you so much for coming in. Thank you, kristin. I appreciate it. Thank you. All right, folks, a reminder, you can get our live newscasts. Breaking news, weather and more with our abc7 bay area streaming tv app. Its available on apple tv, google tv , fire tv and roku. Just search abc7 bay area and download it right now. Well take a short bay area world news tonight with david muir is coming up next. And ill see you back here at. Tonight, several breaking stories as we come on the air. The u. S. Army soldier who willingly crossed into north korea, tonight in u. S. Custody. What happens to him now . Also, in philadelphia, police say the coordinated ot