Hey there, San Francisco. 

And good morning from beautiful (foggy) Sea Ranch. It’s my family’s last day here, and we’re sad to leave because it’s been so fun. 

The trip didn’t start how we planned, however. The rest of the crew that was supposed to join us came down with Covid and had to cancel at the last minute. 

Did Covid throw off your Fourth of July plans as well? 

On Sunday, UCSF’s Dr. Wachter posted a 25-part Twitter thread about the new Omicron subvariant, BA.5, which he’s calling “​​a different beast.” 

The reason? Wachter says that immunity from a prior vaccination or infection (including a recent Omicron infection) “doesn’t offer much protection.” 

• “Vax/boost remains hugely valuable in preventing a severe case that might lead to hospital/death,” Wachter says. “But its value in preventing a case of Covid, or preventing transmission, is now far less than it once was.” 

In San Francisco, the average number of new cases per day is 430. But Wachter says to multiply that by about five to get a more accurate number (since most people are testing at home, and those cases are not counted). 

Hospitalizations counts in the city are up to 124 people as of late June compared to around 20 at the start of April. 

And the figure Wachter’s watching to assess the “risk of maskless indoor gatherings” – 6.5%. That’s the recent percentage of people at UCSF who didn’t have Covid symptoms, but still tested positive. 

• As Wachter calculated: “If 6.5% of an asymptomatic population has Covid, in a crowd of 50 people, there’s a 96% probability that someone there is [positive].” 

Navigating Covid continues! Hoping, somehow, that the future summer plans for us all can go on without a hitch. 

With that… onto some more news… 

Quick bits: News to know 

🚔 The SFPD says 12 officers were injured during Fourth of July celebrations in the Mission resulting from “fireworks and glass bottles” being thrown at them. 

• Officers were responding to a “bonfire” in the middle of 24th and Harrison. (SFist / Mission Local) 

⏱ Chesa Boudin’s last official day as San Francisco’s District Attorney is July 8. And as the Chronicle reports, Mayor London Breed is expected to pick his replacement any day. 

• Names on the mayor’s shortlist include supervisor Catherine Stefani, recall advocate Brooke Jenkins, and prior DA candidate Nancy Tung. 

• Regardless, Breed’s appointee will have to run again in November’s special election to remain in office – potentially, against Boudin. (Chronicle) 

🏀 Damion Lee has signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns, adding to the list of departures from the Warriors’ championship team, which includes Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Nemanja Bjelica. 

• Last week, the Warriors signed guard Donte DiVincenzo to a two-year, $9.3 million deal. (Chronicle) 

What else I’m reading: Links to browse 

• S.F. voters may weigh in on ‘behested payments’ again (Examiner) 

• How the Sausage Gets Made in SF’s Budget: Nonprofits Jockey for ‘Add-Backs’ (SF Standard) 

• Cuff ’em and stuff ’em: Why SF will have trouble filling up its jail, even if it wants to (Mission Local) 

• Remembering Jimi Hendrix's psychedelic takeover of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park (SFGATE) 

And finally… Cliff House museum 

The Cliff House restaurant may be closed, but did you know the space is being used as a pop-up museum? 

On display through August 21 is a history of the Cliff House, Sutro Baths, and the public gardens of Sutro Heights. There’s also a Playland photo gallery to commemorate 50 years since the seaside amusement park closed in 1972. 

This video on Reddit got me wanting to go check it out. Tickets are free, but you’ll need to book them ahead of time here. 

That’s all for today! Have a wonderful rest of your day, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow! - Nick B. 🏊‍♂️