monica gandhi, don't go away. we have a lot more to talk about wi >> all right, coming back, thanks. >>> all right, we are back with ucsf infectious disease specialist, dr. monica ga over on facebook live, we were answering your questions. i want to go back to the strain of moving so thickly in india right now. devastating the country is 1.6.7.2, that is just one. you expect many more variance to come out of india, because the virus is so bad >> so it's true that the most productive factor of variance or mutations occurring is increased transmissibility with this virus. it doesn't actually mutate that fast if you keep pieces low, but if cases are going hi, that's where it can be taken. you are absolutely right, that it depends. all of us getting the epidemic under control in india is good for all of us, worldwide, which is why we are linked together to the coronavirus. we need to work with us all to be safe. >> given that there are many many, do you think one could breakthrough, that is, in terms of making vaccine

monica gandhi, if you can respond? practically, if you're lking on the street or if you're walking into a store -- i mean, you're talking about a worker at a store saying, "are you vaccinated?" to figure out if they should be wearing a mask, how this gets enforced? but start by responding to jean ross. >> sympathize with the position. there are biological inaccuracies in the statement that we just hea. number one, we do know how these vaccines work against the variants. a key point that many of us have been making. when i cited the qatar campaign, that was real-world data beyond a lot of work we have all been talking about that t cells, another symptom, never thought would work against the variants and now have a just from this week that theells and your immune system can evolve and produce antibodies to variants. the real-world story on how these vaccines work against variants is very, very heartening. an absolutely the vaccines work against the variants was up there is confusion around aerosol versus droplets. many o

monica gandhi says it's time for california to end mask mandates, because research shows vaccines work. >> so it blocks you from getting sick, it blocks others from getting the infection and putting that all together is what led the cdc to recommend that vaccinated people don't have to wear masks indoors or outdoors. >> reporter: dr. gandhi also says the opportunity to remove the mask might convince people to get vaccinated. >> there's some people who need that have incentive to get the vaccine, who are holding back. they're like, tell me when this mask thing will end. and if that will increase vaccine motivation and uptake, that is another reason the cdc did this. >> reporter: infectious disease doctor john swartzberg agrees the science supports the cdc guidance, but he has concerns about human nature. >> people who are not vaccinated need to wear masks. but frankly, i don't have enough trust that everybody is going to do that. rterg says a numbers and vaccination levels. >> the cdc should have said, let's set some metrics for percent positivity in terms of testing and the percentage

monica gandhi expects by that time vaccination rates will overpower transmission and the result will get us more freedom. >> this is the green tier that we're off restriction and he's going to have to open up more. and then we'll see the cases are not going up when enough is immune. >> it means that they through a combination of acquired infection from disease from people getting infected and vaccine immunity they're really seeing a turn down in people getting infected. >> reporter: san francisco and most of the bay area are leading the way. 17% of the 16 or older population is vaccinated with at least one dose. that percentage is54% for l.a. county. california ranks 11th in the u.s. for the percentage of the population that's received at least one dose. that's around 50%. new hampshire, vermont and massachusetts are ranked in the top three. but rutherford says we're on track to keep moving up. >> we will reach herd immunity midsummer probably something like that. >> reporter: great news, now dr. rutherford says any area that may have issues getting to herd immunity is california's c

monica gandhi says this is a power of san francisco's high vaccination rate. >> right now, if you arestill feeling anxious about covid, is exactly what vaccines do. we are going to be completely done. we are going to go back to real life. the vaccination right here in the city and county of sentences go, 76% of people have their first dose on board. that number will be much higher. multiple fully vaccinated by the time to 15th hits. live in san francisco, andria borba, kpix5. >> when the taurus show up, you know it is okay. and a few weeks from now, and an even bigger return to pre- pandemic life. today the state confirms on june 15th businesses can open a full capacity and it will no longer require social distancing. but after more than a year, with all these guidelines, we asked on twitter are you guys ready? our followers are almost evenly split. arce will lease the say no body camera footage showing what led up to the deadly police shooting at a motel 6 parking lot. this incident happened on march 16th, when police spotted a property suspects car at a motel 6 parking lot on indust

. >> neither does monica gandhi.er strategy, stay away from hotspots and only travel to places where covert cases are low. and vaccination rates are high like the united kingdoms. >> you are protected then by your vaccine. and anyone with you was not vaccinated is protected by the low case rates in the region. >> the cdc recommends you do not travel internationally until fully vaccinated. but they warned that even fully vaccinated you may be at an increased risk for getting and possibly spreading one of the new covid variants. dr. gandhi disagrees. >> if you are vaccinated i am not worried about the barron's. >> they generate not just antibodies but a more durable arm of the immune system. the t cells will protect you against variants. but if you are immunocompromised, take precautions. >> keep the distancing. >> and when it comes to masks, packed them. there is still a mandate in place anytime you are on board an aircraft, you must be wearing a race craft. as for vaccination credentials, sfo is testing a pilot progr

. >> reporter: monica gandhi says global leaders need to focus their attention on india and help with vaccines. today the first american planes arrived to india with supplies. >> that mean there's some difficult decisions for the u.s. to make about pattern which is they are now actively in discussions about leaving patents for vaccines to be made in -t country. >> reporter: as cases surged, today the u.s. announced a travel ban from india starting may 4th. >> as bad ass that, i think that's the right thing to do because it would be dangerous for the rest of the world if this were to spread far and wide. >> reporter: dr. survasteva president of the glass stone institute says the b 167 variant is a key contribute to the surge. >> are making it stickier to this receptor so that it bind more tightly. even a little bit of virus that comes in touch with our cells can stick better and then allow entry of the virus into the cells. >> reporter: the world health organization says india accounted for 28% of the world's covid-19 cases last week. so how long will it take india to get covid under c

monica gandhi was surprised but says it is scientifically the right call. >> i can completely see it by the biology and what i mean by that is vaccines are profoundly effective, they protect you as a vaccinated individual and importantly, they protect someone next to you. >> reporter: not everyone is ready to ditch their masks just yet. >> even though i'm fully vaccinated i will probably still wear it inside but you know, and easy mask like is. think it iswaso >> pfizer is any 5% efficacy, moderna is about the same so it okay. >> are those people who don't want to take that bit of a risk and there is nothing wrong with that and they should be criticized. >> reporter: while they have updated their guidance, the california department of public health has not. and businesses can still set their own rules. >> right now, businesses are asking for that, we have to be completely respectful of what businesses have established as their roles because no one in a business should be in the position of enforcing that. >> reporter: now at the moment, this does not apply to public transportation, b

all right, dr monica gandhi infectious disease expert there, ucsf.ng us tonight. thank you. well, some lawmakers are making a new push to hold china accountable for the coronavirus pandemic. republicans on the house judiciary oversight committees. launched an investigation today into early coronavirus research in wuhan, china, allegedly funded by u. s. taxpayers china has closed its doors now they're acting very suspicious. imagine that they don't want people to know that this is where the virus originated. house lawmakers are preparing to introduce two bipartisan bills related to the pandemic. the first is aimed at investigating the origins of the virus. the second bill would allow americans who lost a loved one to the virus to sue beijing. at the same time, president biden has directed the intel community to investigate and report their findings within 90 days. japan is extending its covid-19 state of emergency less than two months before the summer olympics are set to begin their the decision was triggered by escalating coronavirus cases in japan

monica gandhi says she was surprised by today's announcement, but calls the move prudent. >> i completely see by the biology and what i mean.is they are protected. they protect you and importantly, they protect someone who next to you. >> reporter: while the cdc has given the all clear the california department of public health has not. and neither have coes you are i just like no shirt, no shoes, no service, you still have to abide by their rules. >> right now, businesses are asking for that as we say and we have to be completely respectful of what businesses have established as their roles because no one in a business should be in a position of enforcing that. >> reporter: we asked folks on the dr. darrell if they are ready to drop their face coverings. >> advocates way too soon. >> 50 is 95, moderna is not the same, so it makes sense. >> even though i'm fully vaccinated i will probably still wear it inside but eamas >> reporter: now is not the moment to shame anyone for com to each other. never yell at anyone for wearing a mask and never yell at anyone for not wearing a mask. >> why is

she is doctor monica gandhi, doctor gandhi in your view, is it really necessary to wait another month. >> i don't think it's necessary by the dia in the sense that we have. what was key sweeten nation 0.9% test positivity rate. we have one of the highest vaccination rates nation and we're doing great. on the other >> there was there were, you know, a lot of people at work on stern aided by this or the last weekend. >> and it just helps people. it is doctor healy said have more time to prepare. so i think it's absolutely fine. kind of gives it a one day that we all can look forward to where everything opens and i think this is also fine, but it really was based on how great the data is about the vaccines. just to remember why the cdc did this really effective block transmission. >> you have a lot of the ed with california, you know, really cautious. this whole time. washington state, new york, a d c that have said if you're going inside and you're fully vaccinated. you don't need to wear a mask. you think california is being a little bit overly cautious and. and that's good. >> you kno

. >> reporter: monica gandhi says global leaders need to focus their attention on india and help with vaccines. today the first american planes arrived to india with supplies. >> that mean there's some difficult decisions for the u.s. to make about pattern which is they are now actively in discussions about leaving patents for vaccines to be made in -t country. >> reporter: as cases surged, today the u.s. announced a travel ban from india starting may 4th. >> as bad ass that, i think that's the right thing to do because it would be dangerous for the rest of the world if this were to spread far and wide. >> reporter: dr. survasteva president of the glass stone institute says the b 167 variant is a key contribute to the surge. >> are making it stickier to this receptor so that it bind more tightly. even a little bit of virus that comes in touch with our cells can stick better and then allow entry of the virus into the cells. >> reporter: the world health organization says india accounted for 28% of the world's covid-19 cases last week. so how long will it take india to get covid under c

monica gandhi says the cautious mask guidelines approached by california is warranted. >> you have a lot of concerns over the weekend from businesses i think they said let's give a little bit of time. we were going to open june 15th let's make it that day. >> reporter: ask californian what is they want and you will get all sorts of opinions. >> it has to start some where. i mean we can't just wear these for the rest of our lives. >> covid is a real thing. it could still come back around. i think we should all stay safe and wear a mask. even if you're vaccinated it's still proven you can catch covid. >> reporter: they will spend two weeks to decide how to implement the new guide lightbulbs and guidelines and show that people still need to show proof of vaccination. >>> dr. mark galley heads health and human services in california. he says using their masks. >>> 23 states including california still have some type of statewide mask rules. 18 states that had mask ordering covering the general public have fully lifted them now. and 11 states did not impose mask mandates at any point durin

monica gandhi says there are seven reasons, for starters, the proven efficacy of the vaccine against the virus and its variants read and the fact that the coronavirus does not mutate very fast. and while antibodies do decrease over time, vaccines are natural infection trigger prolonged t-cell immunity. and the memory b cells which can also stick around for a very long time. >> memory cells go into your lymph nodes and bone marrow and hideout in your body. the minute you see the virus again in the future, 10 or 20 years, they come roaring out to protect you. >>> taking out live look at san francisco, public school will still need to wear masks when they had back to school. the district announced that students will go back to in person learning five days a week while masking is a must. but they may drop health screenings and testing. >>> we want to give you a quick update on a very scary moment earlier in the broadcast. reporter betty yu was accosted just as she was beginning her live shot report. >> we want you to know that betty and her crew are both okay. police are on the scene try

monica gandhi. thank you so much, nice to see you. >> nice to see you, too. >> numbers are improving. people are moving into the yellow tier, but do you think california's being too cautious? >> you know, i think it's fine what they're doing in the sense that there was actually a lot of consternation over the weekend from businesses and others in the state that push back and say hey, we're not ready, just like the person that you interviewed. that also figures into people's recommendations. people don't feel ready in the state. that's partially why california did this. the cdc guidelines, though, are very sound, based on data. vaccines really block transmission. they prevent you from getting ill and you won't make someone sick if you're around them. but i think, you know, californians, there was some push back this weekend. i think that's why they did that. >> dr. gandhi, you make a good point. there's a difference between people feeling like they're not ready, and then there is the science, the dat

monica gandhi says the more accurate definition and goal is containment. firmly believes that will happen. >> we will get to that place with vaccines where we have such low cases, such low hospitalizations that we go back to normal life. >> reporter: dr. gandhi says california's high vaccination rates are already helping. here are the latest numbers of who has received at least one dose by age group. she believes doctors should start administering them in their offices to help the hesitant. >> that's kind of the next thing that people are calling for. let us doctors have them because we have relationships with our patients and we can have long conversations and not send them away to get their vaccines somewhere but get it there. >> reporter: the biden two-pronged strategy to reach groups reluctant to roll up their sleeves. >> trusted messages to give the message about why it's important to protect yourself, to protect your family, and to protect your community and make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated. that's what's going on. >> reporter

monica gandhi says california is being cautious but the data is clear. >> i think it's very safe becauseasks are a tool and vaccines are a solution. once you have the solution you don't need the tool. >> reporter: what concerns dr. gandhi now is people who have been fully vaccinated getting mentally prepared to remove their mask. in san francisco, luz pena. >> so far at least 18 states have adjusted their mask wearing rules to fall in line with the cdc updated guidance. other states including california, wisconsin, hawaii and massachusetts are keeping mask rules in place at least for the time being. >>> tonight major retailers are starting to make the decision on how to handle the mandate. apple, walgreens, target, home depot, cvs and starbucks all they will still require them. matt boone takes a closer look at how big box stores plan to enforce the policies. >> it's a question many shoppers haven't even had the chance to think about next. when will they be comfortable going inside a crowded store without a mask. >> it's so tough right. i want to say herd immunity. >> i think it's a tric

monica gandhi says the cautious mask guidelines approached by california is warranted. >> you have a of concerns over the weekend from businesses i think they said let's give a little bit of time. we were going to open june 15th let's make it that day. >> reporter: ask californian what is they want and you will get all sorts of opinions. >> it has to start some where. i mean we can't just wear these for the rest of our lives. >> covid is a real thing. it could still come back around. i think we should all stay safe and wear a mask. even if you're vaccinated it's still proven you can catch covid. >> reporter: they will spend two weeks to decide how to implement the new guide lightbulbs and guidelines and show that people still need to show proof of vaccination. >>> dr. mark galley heads health and human services in california. he says using their masks. >>> 23 states including california still have some type of statewide mask rules. 18 states that had mask ordering covering the general public have fully lifted them now. and 11 states did not impose mask mandates at any point during th

monica gandhi says because covid case numbers and hospitalizations are dropping across the country. >cases have decreased in the last month by 56%. we're below 30,000 on average for quite a few days now. >> reporter: a week before memorial day, the pandemic rebound is under way, with festivities like precautions. nearly 50% of americans have received at least one vaccine dose. nearly 40% are fully vaccinated. hoping to keep those numbers climbing. >> it's not just but. it's about your obligation. >> reporter: president joe biden and dr. anthony fauci appeared with youtube stars today encouraging young people to get the shot. dr. gandhi says while she expects a summer of normalcy, there will be more covid cases. >> there could still be pockets of people truly decide not to get vaccinated, a whole community for example, if we see measles. >> reporter: long-term, covid-19 will be controlled but like many other viruses, it won't be eradicated. >> there have been many viruses which have been controlled through herd immunity, measles, mumps, diptheria, per successis, pertussis, rerubella. t

and let's bring in monica gandhi a professor of medicine at the university of california great to see you again since we spoke last time i don't know if things have really changed why why is there still so much to see. and resistance over this vaccine. you know i think there are 4 reasons and you just illustrated some of them one is in communities of color which additionally in the united states have had a mistrust of the medical system we have to work harder we have to work with communities to do the messaging church based messaging things that you just talked about the 2nd is distrust of the government and where a very polarized political country and right now this is being rolled out in the by an administration even though it was made in the trump administration and that i think it's the reason the c.d.c. said you don't wear masks after vaccination i think they're actually trying to motivate republicans right now that are not sure about it and then i think there are people who are just simply it's inconvenient they will get it when they get it the young is among them and then i thi

dr monica gandhi is an infectious diseases physician and professor of medicine at ucsf.ait" arguing vaccines would be better given to those in the world more vulnerable to covid—i9. i put to her that some parents may not like the idea of vaccines for their children being delayed. we wrote this article more as a theoretical point that children are much less a risk of symptomatic or severe covid than adults and certainly health care workers in countries that are hard—hit are as we speak, dying without access to vaccines so that they can't even take care of people who are getting sick. so yes, it is a theoretical argument, we are not actually saying you have to take your doses and give them elsewhere but it brings up the larger issue of global equity. in brings up the larger issue of global equity-— global equity. in terms of measures _ global equity. in terms of measures that _ global equity. in terms of measures that wealthier. measures that wealthier countries can do to help less well—off countries, what is the single biggest thing you think that could be done? you singl

dr monica gandhi, a ucsf professor of infectious diseases, says she is hearing daily from relatives in india, but says closing the border will not solve the problem. they are likely already here and closing the borders are gonna prevent that variant from being here, dr gandhi says. what is needed is more vaccinations in india. and here in the u. s what will prevent the us from from. having the same experience as india, which i'm so sorry about what's happening. india is our ongoing vaccination program and are developing immunity of the population for indian americans, such as mohammad nadeem from the muslim community center in the bay area. there is some hope i'm hoping and praying that you know, with the help from not just from the united states, but also from. neighboring countries, middle east and other countries who are stepping up to send oxygen and doctors and nurses to india. i'm hoping and praying that this will be just a few weeks or days, not months. get off on the biden administration says that they plan to keep a close eye and review the situation in india. make a decision

monica gandhi says california is being cautious but the data is clear. >> i think it's very safe becauseasks are a tool and vaccines are a solution. once you have the solution you don't need the tool. >> reporter: what concerns dr. gandhi now is people who have been fully vaccinated getting mentally prepared to remove their mask. in san francisco, luz pena. >> so far at least 18 states have adjusted their mask wearing rules to fall in line with the cdc updated guidance. other states including california, wisconsin, hawaii and massachusetts are keeping mask rules in place at least for the time being. >>> tonight major retailers are starting to make the decision on how to handle the mandate. apple, walgreens, target, home depot, cvs and starbucks all say they will still require them. matt boone takes a closer look at how big box stores plan to enforce the policies. >> it's a question many shoppers haven't even had the chance to think about next. when will they be comfortable going inside a crowded store without a mask. >> it's so tough right. i want to say herd immunity. >> i think it's a

monica gandhi says she supports the camp guidelines but hopes the cdc will change come fall. >> i hope school is no masks, no distancing, no cohorting, and normal in the fall. >> reporter: and that there are social consequences to masks. >> it's a lot about learning about how to form your vowels and learning about, when you're younger, how to form your ways of speech. >> reporter: the cdc currently recommends universal masking and social distancing in schools. georgia is the latest state to restrict school mask mandates following texas, iowa, and idaho. >> i think that the cdc guidance should specify a certain metric, again, clean metric, of when you lift indoor masking for children. that would be in school. that would be in a store. >> reporter: advocates for demasking point to cdc data that shows virus transmission rates among kids are lower. one california mom says her first grader hates wearing a mask. >> she has a hard time playing soccer, because she feels like a blanket is covering her mouth when she's trying to breathe. it was like literally the most heartbreaking thing. >> rep

and let's bring in monica gandhi a professor of medicine at the university of california great to see you again since we spoke last time i don't know if things have really changed why why is there still so much as didn't see. resistance over this vexing you know i think there are 4 reasons and you just illustrated some of them one is in communities of color which additionally in the united states have had a mistrust of the medical system we have to work harder we have to work with communities to do the messaging church based messaging things that you just talked about the 2nd is distrust of the government and we're very polarized political country and right now this is being rolled out in the by administration even though it was made in the trump administration and that i think it's the reason the c.d.c. said you don't wear masks after vaccination i think they're actually trying to motivate republicans right now that are not sure about it and then i think there are people who are just simply it inconvenient they will get it when they get it the young is among them and then i think peo

monica gandhi, as always, thanks so much for your input and being with us tonight, we appreciate it.nk you. in washington today, the house passed the covert 19 hate crimes act. lawmakers say it's a win for the asian community are political reporter greg li tells us what the bill will do and why advocates say there's still more work to be done. two thirds. billy affirmative. the rules are suspended. the bill is passed with bipartisan vote, the house passed a bill to respond to a sharp rise in anti asian violence during the pandemic after a year. of the asian american community, crying out today, congress is taking historic action. congresswoman judy to co authored the covert 19 hate crimes act in march. days later, a gunman shot and killed eight people with three atlanta area spas, including six women of asian descent shows just how much. in their daily tragedies of anti asian violence have shocked our nation into action. in part, the legislation will direct the department of justice to expedite the review of covert 19 related hate crimes, expand support for local law enforcement, res

earlier today, ucsf infectious disease specialist dr monica gandhi he talked about how the coronavirusndia is affecting people here at home. it's impossible to be indian american in this country and not have your phone blow up at any moment of friends, family people who are affected. it is all that we're talking about. dr gandhi is urging wealthy nations including the us to donate excess doses of the vaccine to india and other countries in need. the european union commission has decided not to renew coronavirus vaccine contracts next year with astrazeneca and johnson and johnson, spokesperson for the eu commission said it was keeping all options open to be prepared for the next stages of the pandemic for 2022, beyond the eu has been in talks with fizer and biotech for new contract. for 1.8 billion doses. all of this comes as the u launched legal proceedings two weeks ago against astrazeneca for allegedly failing to respect the terms of their contract. san jose police are searching for suspects and a motive in the six cities 16th homicide of the year. the victim was one of three people

dr monica gandhi is an infectious diseases physician and professor of medicine at ucsf.se in the world more vulnerable to covid—i9. it is very good to have you with us. it is very good to have you with ve— it is very good to have you with us. . , ., . with us. parents of children who perhaps. _ with us. parents of children who perhaps, like - with us. parents of children who perhaps, like those - with us. parents of children who perhaps, like those in | with us. parents of children i who perhaps, like those in the european union, when regulators said the vaccine can be given to those over 12, some take issue with the idea that people elsewhere should take priority over their kids. you elsewhere should take priority over their kids.— over their kids. you know, we vote this _ over their kids. you know, we vote this article _ over their kids. you know, we vote this article more - over their kids. you know, we vote this article more as - over their kids. you know, we vote this article more as a - vote this article more as a theoretical point that children are much less a ris

monica gandhi expect by that time, vaccination rates will overpower transmission, and the result will get us more freedom. >> this is the green tier, we are off restrictions. all that will show us is that the cases aren't going up when you have enough population being immune. >> reporter: how do we know california is on track to meet that goal? >> mark my words. los angeles going to the yellow tier is huge in terms of disease control. >> reporter: the lead epidemiologist, dr. george rutherford says that moving to yellow is a signal. >> to a combination of naturally occurring five people getting infected, and vaccine, we are seeing a downturn. >> reporter: san francisco and most of the bay area are leading the way. 70% of the 16 and older population is of vaccinated with at least one dose. the percentage is around 54% for l.a. county. according to bloomberg's vaccine tracker, california rates 11th in the u.s. for the percentage of the population that has received at least one dose. that is around 50%. new hampshire, vermont, and massachusetts are ranked in the top three. rutherford say

monica gandhi. >> this was this stigma that we have in our society.t would be true in hollywood as well. as a black man and as someone who grew up in religion this is what we have to be combating. >> experts say people with hiv can go on to live normal and healthy lives as long as they continue proper treatment and medication. >>> happening tonight, the warriors take on the lakers in the nba play in tournament. the winner automatically advances to the playoffs. we have team coverage tonight. not 6:00 let's hear from j.r. stone outside of chase center in san francisco where watch parties are about to get going. there is some excitement in there, jr.'s >> reporter: the sun is out. the energy is building and quite frankly i don't think there is a better spot to watch warriors basketball than right here outside of the chase center with double nation. you look off here and i know the people aren't here but the game is at 7:00 but the size of that screen, it is big and it is going to be rocking outside of the chase center tonight. >> to be able to also be o

monica gandhi has advised the biden administration on what to lift national mask rules.we asked her. you feel like california could follow the cdc's mask guidance today? >> they could based on vaccination rates however, people aren't ready. we will find that, too it is hard for businesses to decide how to enforce things. >> marin county health officer is glad they have a four week offer. >> i'm relieved the state has recognized that. we of marin county have some of the highest vaccination rates in the state and we ourselves don't feel ready. >>> here is why dr. willis says that timeline is essential. >> now we are midday and the only people -- vaccinated at the end of march. >>> the state is getting ready to change the vaccine strategy. what will san francisco do during these four weeks. >> some of the things being done is to provide door-to-door invitations to get vaccines where we know there is a lower rate of vaccination. >> i also asked dr. phillips based on the san francisco data whether she felt confidence following the cdc's mask guidance and she said it could hel

monica gandhi understands some people might be nervous, but agrees it is the right time to make the moveare now at a 61% first vaccination rate in the state of california. that is the point at which other places that were vaccinating faster, like israel and the uk, opened to this degree, opened with these same rules, and did not see increases in transmission. >> i'm looking forward to the next tier, so we can really break that barrier to where everyone's back to everyday life, living normal life again. >> reporter: gabriel is owner of san jose restaurant foundation restaurant, and says it makes him happy because the industry took a big hit when the shutdowns first began. and now he's much less worried about his business and his employees' well-being. >> i'm super grateful that we got to where we are now, to have customers as well as our staff back. >> reporter: in san jose, anoushah rasta, nbc bay area news. >>> family day at a drop-in vaccine clinic in san francisco. it was in the bayview neighborhood. in addition to vaccines, this clinic provided free snacks, entertainment, and even ra

quote keep schools open, then we were going to do everything in our power to keep schools closed, monica gandhis left of left but has alienated her peers because she advocated for policies such as reopening schools an establishing a clear time line for the end of mask mandates. so at some point do democrats, self-described liberals, need to take a deep breath and realize the science is changing and the reality may need to change for them too in terms of precautions. >> well they're not facing a lot of political pressure to face cheese changes and it has been since trump cannonballed into the school reopening pool a little less than a year ago. because the republicans never articulated a message of responsible reopening sh they could have been the party that was saying when your vaccinated, you could do everything. they have a legitimate case to make saying that this administration is doing too much to model cautiousness, whether it is in the messaging from the cdc, or in the administration in the way that they conducted the state of the union with everybody masked and distanced even though they

but what i did notice and what was really interesting talking to scientists like monica gandhi who'stor at university of california-san francisco, is certain people like dr. anthony fauci is preaching over what their agency has recommended. for example, in april he said he wasn't going to go to a restaurant or travel even though the cdc has put out guidelines that people can do that safely if they take certain precautions. so i think there's frustration among certain doctors and epidemiologists that the communication is a little bit patchy in terms of what's safe and also really telling people these vaccines are great, they're very effective, and hopefully they're going to enable us to get back some of that community loof and family life that so many americans have been sorely missing this year. >> yeah. there does seem to be a renaissance forto be catching u. emma green, thank you so much. >> thanks so much for having me on. >>> leading conservatives love to rail on cancel culture despite having a mouthpiece to millions. we will roll the tape. >>> plus, ethics concerns over presiden

monica gandhi. >> have an internalized stigma. he said it would be true in hollywood as well. up with someone in religion this is what we have to be combating. >> experts say people with hiv can go on to live normal and healthy lives as long as they continue proper treatment and medication. >>>, a writer and actor paul mooney died in his home in oakland. he was a writer for the late comedian richard pryor. he appeared on the chapelle show and played sam cooke in the buddy holly story. family called him the godfather of comedy. mooney was 79 years old. >>> wildlife officials are on the lookout for the mountain lion roaming around san francisco. people think they have seen it. the supervisor says there were two unconfirmed sightings last night. we have sky 7 on the prowl trying to get a birds eye view of the big cat from above. this was over the bernal heights neighborhood where another viewer sent us some surveillance video early yesterday morning. they were showing the animal strolled right down gavin street. this is south of interstate 280. there are no warning signs for poss

public health to get - to be where people need infectious disease expert and ucsf professor doctor monica gandhi. >> says the decrease demand for vaccines is a strong sign that the pandemic. >> is nearing the end. >> so this is the right approach. those the vaccination sites. get out with super immediate for people and they can trickle >> well, more than a million and a half doses of the vaccine have been administered in alameda county and more than 75% of the county's population has at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine reporting live in san francisco. dan thorn kron 4 news, thank you so much. dan. and the white house is hoping that young people will swipe right on vaccines. the covid response team will start partnering. >> with dating apps to encourage people to get vaccinated tinder hi e, ok, cupid and bumble. well, now let users show their vaccine status and if users are vaccinated, they'll get access to premium content. and we'll also make it easier for them to find a date. >> we have finally found. the one thing that makes us all more vaccination will get free. you get free super lakes

people infectious disease expert and ucsf professor doctor monica gandhi. >> says the decrease demand for vaccines is a strong sign that the pandemic. >> is nearing the end. >> so this is the righ approach. those the vaccination sites. get out with super immediate for people and they can trickle in. >> well, more than a million and a half doses of the covid-19 vaccine have been administered across alameda county and more than 75% of the county has gotten at least one dose of the vaccine reporting live in san francisco. dan thorn kron 4 news. >> thanks so much dan. now new at 10 as more people get vaccinated agai we saw, it's still not clear whether we will all need to get booster shots. doctor anthony fauci saying there's a plan to administer those extra shots, although again, it's still not clear whether that covid boosters will be needed in 6 months, a year or even longer. doctor fauci says that the timeline could depend on how covid variants even as cases and deaths continue to drop. >> we planning for the eventuality that we might need to boost people. we don't know whether we wil

i expect that they will follow this titans tell you csf infectious disease expert monica gandhi sayste department of public healthm isy indicating his willingness to accept effectiveness of the vaccines and has been going fourth accordingly, with the june 15th opening date, so i believe the new guidance allows for anyone fully vaccinated to go about their lives without a mask, regardless of your indoors or out. i've reached out to area health departments for reaction. san francisco gave us this statement as we've recently did with the new guidance on outdoor masking for fully vaccinated people. we must wait for the state to adopt the updated guidelines before making changes to the local health order that we consider safe nationwide. it's for receiving mixed reactions. i personally will probably still were mine can't wait to take this off fully. i'm tired of it. don't think it's a good idea. i mean, you know this the coronavirus, is it. it's still active out there. it's ingrained and you know, and a lot of people are afraid to take it off. most other local health agencies say they're

doctor monica gandhi says she supports the camp guidelines, but hopes the cdc will change come fall. masks, no distancing, no courting. and normal in the fall. >> and that there are social consequences to masks. >> it's a lot about learning about how to form your vowels. and when you're younger, how to form your ways of speech. and it is covering up the. mouth >> the cdc currently recommends universal masking and social distancing in schools. georgia is the latest state to restrict school mask mandates, following texas, iowa and idaho. >> i think that the cdc guidance should specify a certain metric, again clean metric, of when you lift indoor mask for children. that would be in school and -- >> advocates for the masking point to cdc data that shows virus trend mission rates around kids are lower. one california mom says her first grader he's wearing a mask. >> she has a hard time playing soccer because she feels like messy her mouth is being covered when she's trying to breathe. and it was literally the most heartbreaking. think >> currently only one vaccine is cleared for use on ki

monica gandhi explained that should allow governor newsom the free green light to fully reopen. >> you will have to open up more without masks, and all of that will show us, as we mingle, that the cases aren't going up. we have enough of the population being immune. >> speed health officials are now trying to ramp up vaccination efforts in the central valley. that the people don't seem as ready to get their shot. if you have a question about the vaccine, thu abc7 news vacc team. just visit abc7news.com/vaccine and click on the big blue blocks . >>> there are worries this morning about a new housing crisis. a judge just rolled that the cdc does not have the authority to enact a national ban on evictions during the pandemic. this decision is on hold to allow for appeals. this morning, many people struggling to pay rent here in the bay area are worried about their future. >> translator: my sadness is because i spent all my savings i had for my daughters to continue their studies. >> ernest tina lives in redwood city. she lost her job during the pandemic and that her landlord wants her and

dr monica gandhi, a ucsf professor of infectious diseases, says she is hearing daily from relatives in india, but says closing the border will not solve the problem. they are likely already here and closing the borders are gonna prevent that variant from being here, dr gandhi says. what is needed is more vaccinations in india. and here in the u. s. what will prevent the us from from. having the same experience as india, which i'm so sorry about what's happening. india is our ongoing vaccination program and are developing immunity of the population. again. the restrictions begin on tuesday, and the secretary of health and human services is expected to provide a recommendation within 30 days as to whether this restriction should continue. we'll see what happens. trainer frank you so much and staying in india now as if the covid crisis wasn't bad enough, a fire broke out of the hospital treating patients infected with the virus. 18 people were killed at the facility in the western part of the country, authorities say 31 other patients were rescued by hospital workers and fire fighters, th

earlier today, you csf infectious disease specialist dr monica gandhi. he talked about how the coronavirus crisis in india is affecting people here at home. it's impossible to be indian american in this country and not have your phone blow up at any moment of friends, family people who are affected. it is all that we're talking about. marin yesterday reported its highest daily death toll of the pandemic 4187 more than 240,000 people have now died from covid-19 across india. the winner of the kentucky derby might be stripped of the title. that's because the horse failed a drug test. fox news charles watson has more on the horse and the reaction from its famous trainer. there's no one here. medina spirits. kentucky derby victory is now in jeopardy on sunday hall of fame trainer bob baffert revealed his horse tested positive for more than twice the legal amount of beta methods own a steroid used to treat pain and inflammation. churchill down suspended baffert indefinitely, releasing a statement saying, in part quote, failure to comply with the rules and med

monica gandhi says it's time for california to end mask mandates, because research shows vaccines works. even after the state issues its new guidance, each county still has to decide what to do and those are the rules you will need to follow. >>> if you're still looking for a place to get your vaccine or the latest on the mask mandate, head to nbcbayarea.com for tips and the easiest ways to gets a vaccine appointment. >>> happening today, muni is bringing back its historic street cars, and that's not all. all light rail stations are back in action for the first time since being closed last august. at the time of the closure, the plan was to shut down service for just three days. also, new bus routes are debuting, as well as upgraded wi-fi service. >>> it is 5:28 right now. coming up this morning on "today in the bay", if you've received your two shots, as we just said, the cdc says no more masks for you. some major retailers are following suit. we'll tell you about the places allowing you to go maskless if you are fully vaccinated. >>> we will have that plus all your top stories and via

and let's bring in monica gandhi, a professor of medicine at the university of california. monica great to see you again. since we spoke last time, i don't know if things have really changed. why, why is this still so much i didn't see and resistance over this back thing? you know, i think there are 4 readings and you just illustrated some of them. one is in communities of color, which traditionally in the united states have had a mistress of the medical system. we have to work harder. we have to work with communities to do the messaging, church based messaging, things that you just talked about, the 2nd to distrust of the government. and we're a very polarized political country. and right now, this is being rolled out in the vine and ministration, even though it was made in the trumpet administration. and that i think it's the reason the cdc said you don't have to wear masks after vaccination. i think they're actually trying to motivate republicans right now that are not sure about it. and then i think there are people who are just simply inconvenient. they will get it when they get it

monica gandhi, a professor who has written extensively about the coronavirus, as "very, very troubling." she is referring to the emails back and forth between the cdc and the aft. she says, this is not how science-based guidance should work or be put together. my second example is from a new york times story that appeared today. it talks about cdc guidelines on mask wearing, and where the cdc announced that less than 10% of covid-19 transmission was occurring outdoors, the article points out that this is "almost certainly misleading and goes on to say, there is not a single documented covid infection anywhere in the world, from casual outdoor interactions, such as walking past someone on a street or eating at a nearby table. the third example has to do with new guidance the cdc has issued for summer camps. here are the reactions of two experts. one is a pediatric immunologist at columbia, who referred to the recommendations as "senseless." the editor-in-chief of the journal of the american medical association pediatrics calls the guidance "unfairly draconian." so, here we have unnecess

monica gandhi brought up a few things in her grand rounds about using masks early on, studies showingt the inoculum from small doses, if you take it exposed with the mask, you would get a small inoculum, meaning a symptom -- host: mike question mark hawaii, you still there? sorry about that -- mike, hawaii? are you still there? sorry about that, we lost the line. chris says this in a tweet, "if one is vaccinated and wants to play basketball with 10 others who are vaccinated, is there any reason for each of the 11 people to wear masks, isn't it removing the need for masks if you are in a group of other vaccinated people? guest: first of all, i want to say that monica caller was referring to, i was a co-author on that paper. it is absolutely right. what we put forward is that the amount of virus that you are exposed to has a big impact on whether you have a cinematic or a serious case of covid. massacring dexter where in addition to others. the cdc guns is clear, that people who are fully immunized, that means two weeks after either the j&j or your second dose of pfizer and moderna can

in my piece cowritten with super amazing physician scientist tracy hope, monica gandhi, and allison crew being hospitalized from covid-19 is somewhere between 0.1 and 1.9%. you also then take the fact that even over the past four weeks in the united states, as more shots have gone into american arms, the incidence of covid-19 in kids has gone down 50%. so one of the ways we protect children is by vaccinating wide swaths of the population. kids are indirectly protected as adults are vaccinated, and therefore do not likely transmit the virus to others. next, we see the emotional toll of kids in re -- restricted from their normal lives. suicide rates are going up. in colorado just this week, we saw a pediatric state of emergency declared because of the number of suicides in that state. in other words, when the risk of covid-19 to children is relatively low, and the benefits of them resuming normal life are enormous, then it's time to really shift the public narrative and shift our policies towards ones that are based in fact and not fear. >> the mental health piece of this is so important.