July 28, 2021

Hi Gang,

Ugh. Things flared up in the Bay Area this week, and businesses are taking it upon themselves to require masks. (RRA just announced masks are once again required in all US offices.) I’d characterize the mood out there as FURIOUS. Just when we had a taste of real life… ☹

It is nonetheless heartening to see communities banning together in powerful ways. In San Francisco, 300 bars and clubs are requiring proof of vaccination to enter. Even in ‘fringe areas’ like my neck of the woods (if you’ve ever been to Guerneville, you know what I mean), locals got word of breakthrough cases last weekend and rallied. Restaurants and resorts now require proof of vaccination or are closed altogether. Hairdressers are back in the parking lot. Free COVID testing is available and actively encouraged in the town square every evening. Masks are a thing again.

Today, Google and Facebook set the tone for the tech sector, requiring in-office employees to be vaccinated. We had an active debate about the legalities of this on a private thread (please DM me if you want to be added). Where do you fall? Have you changed your mind? (Btw, recent US government guidance says yes, employers can require vaccination.)

As much as I enjoyed seeing your recipes, I REALLY hope we don’t have to resort to that again!!!

Be smart,

Jackie