What's new

Connect with your community each week with the following updates on COVID-19, City services, events and programs, wellness opportunities, and family resources.

Coronavirus Report
Palo Alto Police Department Halloween Safety Tips
Provide Input on the Future of Palo Alto Housing
Simple Tips to Prepare for an Earthquake
Weekly City Manager Community Update: October 24, 2022

Coronavirus Report

As of October 19, the CDC reported 260,808 weekly cases*. On October 27, California reported a 7-day daily average of 2,456 cases. On October 26, Santa Clara County reported a 7-day rolling average of 173 new cases.

*The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) transitioned their reporting cadence of COVID-19 aggregate cases from daily to a weekly cadence beginning the week of October 18, 2022.

Biden Administration Urges COVID-19 Vaccination & Booster

This week, President Biden shared that new COVID-19 variants are emerging in the United States and around the world. Cases and hospitalizations are rising in Europe. He called on all Americans to get their free, updated COVID-19 vaccine. It’s important to be vaccinated and boosted to ensure a safe and healthy winter and holiday season. Talk with your healthcare provider about what’s best for you. If you don’t have a health provider or are having issues scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine/booster appointment, visit sccfreevax.org.

Fight Flu & COVID-19 with Vaccine Coadministration

According to the CDC, getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time is an option if you are due for both vaccines. Coadministration, or getting more than one vaccine during a visit, is a common medical practice and is recommended by the CDC. This helps ensure that you’re up to date on all your vaccines in case you aren’t able to return for additional vaccinations at a later time.

Halloween Safety & COVID-19

With Halloween festivities fast approaching (Halloween is this coming Monday, October 31!), the CDC continues their mantra of “outside is always safer” for holiday gatherings. Stay COVID safe this Halloween with simple tips and reminders from the CDC such as stay home if you are sick, get tested if you have symptoms, get boosted if you are eligible, consider making a mask a part of your costume, and more! Have a spooky good time and be safe this Halloween, Palo Alto! Learn more here.

Community Recovery and City Updates

Palo Alto Police Department Halloween Safety Tips

Palo Alto Police Department recommends the following tips to stay spooky and be safe this Halloween. Be sure to tell your kids they should never enter a stranger's home while trick-or-treating and to carry a flashlight or glow stick. Since many will be out walking along and across streets, be sure to slow down and be extra attentive while driving. When crossing a street, cross at well-lit intersections and not from between parked cars. If possible, choose a safe costume that is easily visible in low-light areas and avoid trick-or-treating alone. Make sure your kids know your cell phone number and home address and inspect all treats before allowing kids to eat them. If you’re bringing your pet with you, make sure they’re wearing their ID tag and/or microchip. Pets can get spooked by trick-or-treaters and run away, so having proper identification will help ensure they’re returned home to you quickly and safely. Keep candy out of reach of your pets and if you aren’t bringing them with you, be sure your pet is inside your home on Halloween night in a safe and quiet room since doorbells and knocks on the door may trigger their anxiety. Still planning your Halloween weekend? Find Palo Alto events here and have a happy Halloween!

Provide Input on the Future of Palo Alto Housing

A Housing Element is the City’s strategic plan for housing the City’s present and future residents. A new Housing Element is currently being updated for 2023-2031 and a draft is expected to be released around November 7 for a 30-day public comment period. Staff is seeking community input at a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, November 16 at 6 p.m. A joint Council/Planning & Transportation Commission study session is tentatively scheduled on November 28. For more information, go here.

Simple Tips to Prepare for an Earthquake

Did you feel Tuesday’s earthquake? The earthquake that occurred at 11:42 a.m. was recorded at 5.1 magnitude and the epicenter was located near East San Jose. The City’s Office of Emergency Services coordinated with the Santa Clara County Emergency Operations Center to check on any potential disruptions and thankfully the City and our neighboring jurisdictions did not have any damage. This is a great reminder that being prepared for all natural disaster events is important. When an earthquake happens, if you’re in a car, pull over and stop, and set your parking brake. If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow. If you are outdoors, stay outdoors and away from buildings. If you are inside, stay put, do not run outside, and avoid doorways. Set yourself up for success by practicing earthquake drills, signing up for emergency alerts, following the Palo Alto Police on Nixle, preparing an emergency kit, and exploring retrofit options. Find more tips and resources here.

Weekly City Manager Community Update: October 24, 2022

Each Council meeting, City Manager Ed Shikada shares community updates to inform the community on upcoming events, services and program changes and enhancements, and council discussions planned. This week’s updates from the October 24 Council meeting include recent COVID-19 news, Palo Alto election details, Halloween events for the whole family, new online water usage tools, and notable tentative council discussions on economic development, the City’s Housing Element, and a check-in with the City’s Independent Police Auditor. Read the community update to catch up on the latest community news.

Be Well

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: What is a domestic violence class and what happens in one? Those struggling to control their anger in their relationship, resulting in emotional or physical violence, are candidates to seek domestic violence classes. The quicker one finds help, the faster the cycle of violence can end. Read more and how to find a class here.

Palo Alto Mediation Program: Palo Alto Mediation Program (PAMP) provides mediation, counseling and referrals and tenant/landlord resources for all Palo Altans. Services are free, voluntary, and confidential. Learn more and connect with a case manager here.

Recipe of the Week: This sturdy butternut squash and chickpea stew with lamb makes a comforting recipe for the shorter winter nights. Replace the stewing meat with minced meat or a meatless version of choice to turn this into a butternut squash and meatball recipe.

Family Resources

Lawn Conversion 101: Mitigating water usage, especially during extreme drought years, can easily be done by upgrading landscaping. Learn how to convert your existing landscape to be more efficient and drought tolerant at a workshop on Tuesday, November 1 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. and enhance your surrounding environment for bees and butterflies. The workshop shares how to convert a high-water use lawn to a low water use landscape that is rich in California biodiversity. Retrofitting irrigation equipment with more efficient options and available rebates will also be covered. Learn more and register here.

Chess with FM Austin: Chess is a game of sport, art, and science. Kids can significantly benefit from Chess for learning and character development. Join FIDE Master Austin on Saturday, October 29 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Rinconada Library for a program that caters to all skill levels. Activities are for everyone including free-play, lessons, simuls, and tournaments. We will begin with an introduction for those new to the game. Learn more and register for this session or another upcoming date here.

Writers' Drop-In: Join other writers at the Rinconada Library in the Embarcadero Room Thursdays, November 3 and November 10 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and all day Saturday, November 19. This will be a chance to discuss creating a weekly writing group at the Rinconada Library. Free to attend, no registration is required. Learn more here.

Sign Up for Palo Alto Fire Med

Did you know that an emergency ambulance ride can cost between $250-700, even with medical insurance? Save money and get peace of mind during an emergency that you are doing all you can to protect your family, visitors to your home, or employees. A new program for Palo Alto residents and businesses makes sure you are not stuck with a bill during an emergency. Palo Alto FireMed is convenient and cost-effective, covering unlimited ambulance rides within the Palo Alto city limits for a low cost of $8 per household per month. The membership fee is easily added to your monthly City of Palo Alto Utilities bill. Sign up today at www.cityofpaloalto.org/FireMed.