🌱 Mask Mandate Returns + Virtual Opioid Summit

San Diego CA

16 December, 2021

9:22 AM

Description

Happy Thursday, San Diego! Here's everything you need to know to get this day started. First, today's weather: Partly sunny and cool. High: 59 Low: 47. Here are the top stories in San Diego today: All San Diego residents must wear masks indoors for the next month, regardless of vaccination status, under a new statewide mask mandate that kicked in Wednesday ahead of Christmas and the new year. Masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces through Jan. 15 as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surged post-Thanksgiving, the California Department of Public Health said. (San Diego Patch) An online summit to address the dangers of fentanyl for local middle and high school students is set for Thursday, following an uptick in fentanyl-related overdose deaths across San Diego County. Schools countywide have been invited to take part in the summit, which will feature testimonials from overdose survivors and a keynote speech from former NBA player Chris Herren, who struggled with an opioid addiction for much of his career. (City News Service)Defense expert witnesses in the case of a Navy sailor accused of setting last year's fire that ravaged the USS Bonhomme Richard testified Wednesday that more analysis of the fire scene should have been completed before investigators ruled out possible accidental causes of the blaze. Ryan Sawyer Mays, 20, is charged with aggravated arson and willful hazarding of a vessel for allegedly setting the July 12, 2020, fire, which burned for several days while the warship was docked at Naval Base San Diego. (City News Service)The San Diego Unified School District will provide two COVID-19 rapid tests for all of its students to self-test at home prior to returning to campus after winter break in January, it was announced Wednesday. The iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests were provided by the California Department of Public Health and will be distributed to the more than 98,000 students in San Diego Unified this week, according to the district. (City News Service) An additional four cases of the Omicron variant were reported in San Diego County in the most recent data, as the state reinstated a mask mandate for Californians at least 2 years old when they enter indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status. The two previously reported cases of the variant were fully vaccinated and received their booster shots, while the four cases reported Wednesday were fully vaccinated but had not received booster shots, according to county records. (City News Service) From our sponsor: Hey San Diego, are you looking to buy a house, refinance or just explore your options? Check out the new Patch Mortgage Center for all your home financing needs! Today in San Diego: Holiday Movie Night and Pajama Party: "Elf." (6:30 p.m.) From my notebook: City of San Diego: "San Diegans will soon have more reliable access to internet connectivity, thanks to a faster 5G installation process. Plus, the city is offering incentives to developers to build more child care centers. These are just two code updates to our Land Development Code that the City Council approved this week." (Facebook) San Diego Central Library: "Special delivery! Today's the last day to drop off your letters to Santa in the Denny Sanford Children's Library. It's a long way to the North Pole and we want to make sure your letters reach Santa in plenty of time." (Facebook)San Diego Unified School District: "The San Diego Unified School District board announced Tuesday that the two finalists for superintendent are interim head Dr. Lamont A. Jackson and Dr. Susan Enfield of the Highline district in suburban Seattle." (Facebook) More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news! Featured businesses: CBD Philman .com — (Visit website) Episcopal Community Services — (Visit Website) Add your business here Events: Cheez Whiz Band Ultimate 80's Holiday Music & Ugly Sweater Party (December 17) Bible-Based Webinar: Is Being a "Good Person" Enough to Go To Heaven? (December 17) Spray Allen ft. Eric Wilson (Sublime) and Wade Youman (Unwritten Law) At Ebullition Brew Works (December 18) Skateboard and Longboard Warehouse Sale (December 19) Ecumenical Christmas Concert podcast (December 19) Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 20) Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD's Sunniest Blooms (December 21) Taxes In Retirement Webinar (December 28) Add your event Announcements: Usborne Books & More --Books kids love to read. (Details) Add your announcement Loving the San Diego Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved: Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe Get your local business listed in front of readers Send me a news tip or suggestion at [email protected] Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. — Kristina Houck