>> julian: thank you for joining us for getting answers, where we speak with experts about the issues that are important to you in the bay area and get the answers in real time. today we will be talking about the water rate hike. how much will it cost you? and the bay area's asian american film festival is underway. it is happening in san francisco and oakland in bringing you

film, food, and music and the organization will talk with us to talk about the excitin events that started today. the fda is overturning a blanket ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. this is a hangover from the hysteria during the aids crisis. joining us is kevin adler thank you for joining us. >> thank you. julian: let's talk impact that will have on the region's blood supply with the fda finally lifting this rule. >> immediately i do not know what the impact will be but i do know the policy is a major step forward in the ongoing bring equality and fairness to the blood donation process. julian: we hope with the

expanding pool of donators, let's talk about the specifics of how perspective donors will be screened. >> we applaud the changes the fda announced and that is the goal, to have more eligible donors who were able to give in a fair, equal way. every two seconds, someone in the u.s. needs blood. there is a constant need. the more we have to donate, the better and with the changes announced today, hopefully those who were unable to donate before now can. julian: and how will the screening process go? you are currently reviewing guidelines and trying to implement them in the facilities you work with. this could potentially allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood

and also women who have men who have sex with men. >> this policy brings more equality to the blood questionnaire. everyone will be asked the same questions, regardless of sexuality or gender. everyone will go through the same process. there is an individual donor assessment. now those who who have sex with other men will be able to donate right away instead of being deferred another three months. julian: there is a great need for blood transfusions. how soon could we expect

man who wants to donate blood will be able to do so? >> i cannot put a specific timeline on it. right now we just received the fda guidance today and we are already hard at work going to the process and trying to implement things as soon as possible. we realize this is an important step for a lot of people who want to donate blood. and we want as many eligible donors as possible. so we are working as hard as we can to implement this but it will be several months, not just locally, but every donation center in the country. julian: that is good to know. this guidance from the fda just came down today. there was an advisory that came out in january letting folks know this was currently under consideration and people could voice concerns or support but that it would take a few months

before we actually see the expanded population of folks now being able to go to the blood bank sent donate. why'd tela partnered with the fda -- vitality the fda. how did the research informed the decision-makers? >> vitalant study and partnered with other agencies and the fda used that data and other sources to help educate themselves and think -- and bring about the change. julian: we should point out there is new criticism as it states of those taking medication to treat or prevent hiv will still be blocked from donating blood. are you hopeful that new research will help lift the ban for them?

we have seen a groundswell of support around prep when it comes to preventing hiv and a huge uptick in gay and bisexual men. >> we continue to provide data and do research based on the insight and we are an advocate for that and we worked to provide the fda with data that continues to provide an equally fair donation process. julian: do you know what the next phase of research could look like, or a timeline when it comes to how soon those who take preventative medication could potentially donate blood? >> there is no timeline on that we just continue advocating for it and doing research for it and i'm sure the fda continues examining it as well. i cannot speak for the fda but we continue to research on our end. julian: the big headline here is

more will be eligible to donate blood in the u.s., putting us in line with other countries like canada who have had a similar policy on the books for quite some time. i want to talk about how important it is for eligible donors to go out and give blood. every two seconds a patient is in need of blood. put a plea out there to those watching to give blood. >> blood donations save lives. as soon as you donate the blood will be tested and shipped as soon as possible to a hospital and a patient in need. there are countless hospital procedures that are often taken for granted that simply would not be possible without donated blood. every two seconds, someone in the u.s. needs blood. it is shipped out to hospitals

as fast as it comes in and the overall donor base is decreasing year after year. we are going into the summer when a lot of people take vacations, school is out and students are not able to give so those who are eligible to donate, it is really important to make an appointment in the weeks of -- the weeks ahead to boost up the supply. that blood saves lives. with everyone doing outside activities, the risk of an accident or injury increases so we need people to donate blood and help patients in the hospital. julian: do you have any suspicions as to why the donor plate -- donor base is decreasing each year? >> there are a lot of reasons. one, a lot of the loyal eligible donors are older and aging out of the systems and not be replaced by younger donors. and then the pandemic. we saw a 20% decrease

business related blood drives that happen at a place of work. employees aren't there were companies aren't holding as many blood drives as they used to. so we are receiving fewer people who come to donate for the first time through their place of business. julian: so there is a call of action to step up and donate for businesses that more folks into the offices to plan more blood drives so we can build the base of donors. an excellent opportunity to any local drives or events happening around here to get people out and roll up their sleeves and donate blood. >> go to search by zip code.

there are six donation centers. one is probably convenient for you. it takes an hour and it makes a lifetime of difference for a patient who is relying on your donation. julian: it is so important. kevin, we appreciate your time. thank you for joining us. coming up, a wet winter was great for the drop but it might not be good for your water bill if you land -- if you live in san

julian: walking -- welcome back to getting answers. winter was for the record books. we saw so many atmospheric

rivers. and that meant the snowpack is the largest we've seen in decades. bettel seems like good news but it might not be enough to save some san franciscans from's -- from a higher water bills. a commission will vote on a yearly increase nearing 9%. why now and how much will it cost you? we crunched the numbers. ida joins us now. let's talk about the timing. your article reports reservoirs are full. so why is the utility commission raising rates now? >> they are deciding to raise rates now if the increase goes through in order to build back the systems that are nearly 100 years old.

they have a lot to weather with all of the climate change and whiplash and climate conditions so they want to invest more in replacing pipes and upgrading sewer systems and investing more in clean power so the big capital investments they plan to make. julian: the commission brags that a gallon of their water costs less than a bottle of water. but what does that translate to a customers bill? >> 8.3% it is not a one time 8%. it's at least three years. they are voting for the first three years and you might i have access to my own bill and it was a rough increase to see

what it would be but the san francisco public utilities commission estimates it will be $12 to $13 per average single-family household per month increase. julian: so this would not be a one-time increase for one year, it would potentially be locked in for the next three years? >> yes. that is what they are voting for on on tuesday for the next three year and in their 10 year capital plan they have roughly baked in the numbers for planning purposes so it is unclear if they intend to keep that price. julian: so there is the potential if the vote goes through that folks could pay more on their water bill, potentially a significant amount in the next three years. can you give detail on what the money will be used for? you mentioned infrastructure improvements for the 100-year-old water pipes. >> and the 10 year capital

they have some other broken down plans to invest in but they are not the greatest about the specifics. there is a project in sonoma valley, for example, there is other systems they have in the city, pipes and things, they have a lot of ground to cover. it crosses two fault they have to make seismic upgrades. there are just a lot of infrastructure investments they plan on making and have added the extra cost. if they do not do that rate increase they estimate they will run out of cash, essentially, if they do make the investments. julian: and the year they could run out of cash is 2025. do you have any sense of what could happen at that point if the rate increase does not go

through next week and they run out of money in a couple of years? >> they have not taken out some of the other loans they planned to do so it has not been, the debt is not there yet but they plan on doing it so if the rate increases don't go through they will have to adjust their plans to make sure the system lasts another 100 years. julian: next week they are voting on it and then there is the ability for folks to weigh in. >> yes. they will weigh in on tuesda 1:30 p.m. and if you want your protest to be formally counted, it has to be hand delivered or mailed in. actually written, not emailed. julian: took your water bill and tried to plug in the information online to see what your future

rate could look like and you were not able to do it. is there a best estimate folks can do aside from pulling out they are calculator and trying to figure out that way? >> yes there is a bill calculator attached to the information they have about the rate increases on their website. you can find it through their main website pretty easily. julian: we appreciate your time. thank you so much for joining us. check out the san francisco standards original reporting on their website and we will continue bringing you more segments featuring here to tell you about life insurance through the colonial penn program. if you're age 50 to 85, and looking to buy life insurance on a fixed budget, remember the three ps. the three what? the three ps?

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events is back. they are celebrating their 41st year. the mission is to present stories that convey the diversity of the asian american experience. joining us is the cam fest and exhibitions director. thank you so much for direct -- for joining us. we appreciate you taking some time on your big day. everything is kicking off in a matter of hours. congrats on 41 years. that is huge. >> thank you so much. we are so excited about opening night. julian: talk to us about the excitement and why this event has had such longevity in the bay area. >> tonight is the opening night and the film is joyride. it is the directorial debut the person who cowrote crazy rich asians. it is for friends going on a wild adventure.

it is raunchy and hilarious and stars four incredible actors, ashley park, sherri coale law -- cola, stephanie hsu will -- sabrina wu. in terms of cam fest and longevity, we have been going on for 41 years and it is truly a testament to the power, resiliency, and determination of our community and our desire to see our stories portrayed in such an authentic way and we are so driven to see more representation of asian-american narratives in this space and for such a long time we had very few resources that supported our creative community in this way and only now are we seeing more asian-americans in powerful creative leadership positions. julian: it is so excited to see

this as a society. films like crazy rich asians, everything everywhere all at once, some of my favorite movies in the last five or six years. and obviously we are seeing folks like stephanie hsu, who i think is hollywood royalty. what movie is she not in right now? and she is in joyride. why is it so important for everyone to be able to take in movies with asian americans in the leads and showing such nuance in stories and portrayal? >> the public has a very view of what asian-american identity, history, and culture is because of what we see representative -- repre historically. for a long time asian-american actors weren't even playing asian characters.

we have come such a long way and i think it really helps expand the public view to provide these stories told by our community that centers our experience and it is so important for our own community to see this representation so that we cannot only see ourselves represented but also the possibility of who we can be our endless. julian: there is so much excitement with joyride, premiering at cam fest tonight. but cam fest is about more than just movies. it is also music, food, what else can folks expect? >> we have a lot of film screenings. this weekend we have a special advanced screening of american chinese which also features stephanie hsu. she is everywhere. [laughter] she will not be at the screening this weekend but we will h the show runner, the graphic

novelist, actor danny the actors who play the parents. that movie is about a high school boy who tries to fit in. another film called land of about a south asian struck -- truck driver who finds a stowaway girl in his truck and forms a friendship. we also have a food and program. music we will screening and live concert with the first all-female rock to land a record deal back in the 1970's.

we will screen their documentary and have a live free concert with them in collaboration with the festival. that is saturday, may 20. we also have an expensive food program. meal gatherings at calabash, a new restaurant. julian: i love that place. uptown oakland. i was there last night. [laughter] >> so that is a joint project chef nigel jones it is international food. kingston 11 dining was closed but some of the favorite menu items are moving over to calabash. julian: can you tell people where to get tickets?

because we only have 13 seconds left. >>camfest.com julian: thank you. we appreciate you so much. you have one of the coolest jobs. we cannot wait to see your event. a quick reminder. you can always get our live newscast, breaking news, weather and more with our tv up.

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the latest on the teachers strike. world news tonight is next. >> tonight, breaking news in new york city after the deadly choke hold on the subway and what's now expected. change is coming to the border title 42 are expiring in hours. major development of a case that gripped the nation. first tonight a deadly choke hold on the subway, a former marine scene using the choke hold now except acted to surrender to face a manslaughter charge as early as tomorrow. we've learned tonight, stephanie ramos standing by it. live on the border, title 42 expires at midnight. new roles for asylum-seekers about to take effect making it more difficult to remain in the country. matt rivers at the border of the arco tracking severe storms at this hour, tornado watches rino across