
2

"As part of Alameda County’s newly approved plan to resume outdoor activities, I note that the Oakland Zoo can reopen to visitors; this approval follows a roller-coaster of reopenings—outdoor dining resumed on June 19, was halted on July 13, and then reinstated after the state approved the county’s plan. Even so, indoor malls and church services must remain closed, and indoor dining and bars statewide won’t be allowed to reopen in July as officials work to curb surging COVID-19 cases. Alameda County remains on the state’s watchlist with 8,321 cases (a 345-case increase) and 152 deaths (a four-person uptick), underscoring continued risk even as outdoor venues like the zoo can operate again." - Eve Batey