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"content": "\u003cp>On your mark, get set: the 2026 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a> Marathon is returning to the city later this month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you are a runner who wants to take on the challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. According to organizers, the full marathon and the 1st half marathon are \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/\">both totally sold out\u003c/a> as of the time of publication, but luckily, \u003ca href=\"#youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">you still have a few options for taking part in other races.\u003c/a> (If you really want to make sure this doesn’t happen next year, the SF Marathon is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2027-50th-anniversary/\">accepting registrations for the event \u003cem>next year\u003c/em>,\u003c/a> which will also be its 50th anniversary.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon tends to take over major portions of the city to create space for the runners and their fans — meaning that the weekend of July 25-26 will be tricky for both drivers and pedestrians to move around the city, with the multiple road closures and reroutes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYXzvyByRRE/\"> want to meet people\u003c/a>) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">Can I still sign up for the marathon?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">Where can I cheer on my friends in the SF Marathon (or just spectate)?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The 26.2-mile main event —\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\"> the full SF Marathon\u003c/a> — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\">a map of the entire course\u003c/a> on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11956032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11956032\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg\" alt=\"An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. \u003ccite>(Elena Popova/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">\u003c/a>Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, the full marathon — \u003cem>and \u003c/em>the popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/1st-half-marathon/\">1st half marathon\u003c/a> over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to officials, the spots went out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">“faster than ever”\u003c/a> this year. But you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">join the waitlist\u003c/a> and hope for the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You could join the main event by \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/ultramarathon/\">signing up for the ultramarathon\u003c/a>, which is the length of two marathons. As of publication, there were 36 places left, and the cost was $606.24.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">\u003c/a>What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2nd-half-marathon/\">\u003cstrong>The City Half Marathon\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $304.84\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/10k/\">\u003cstrong>The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This race is\u003ca href=\"https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/alexi-pappas-gets-a-race-named-after-her-at-san-francisco-marathon/\"> named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian\u003c/a> Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $164.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11795730\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1814px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11795730 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1814\" height=\"1361\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg 1814w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-632x474.jpg 632w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-536x402.jpg 536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1814px) 100vw, 1814px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. \u003ccite>(RichVintage/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/saturday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Saturday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $121.14\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sunday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Sunday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $120.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sebastians-1k-mad-dash/\">Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash\u003c/a> on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/virtual/\"> join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app\u003c/a>. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">\u003c/a>Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon website breaks down\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/traffic-advisory/\"> which city streets will be closed for races at what time\u003c/a>, along with some recommended detours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090690\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090690\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1303\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-1536x1001.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Many SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can follow SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/san-francisco-marathon\">thorough guidance on its official advisory page,\u003c/a> which will be the best place to find regular updates leading up to the event. SFMTA also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/san-francisco-marathon-family-run-5k-saturday-july-25-2026\">a page dedicated to Saturday events\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">\u003c/a>Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Are you a good friend cheering on a runner?\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/events-summary/\"> Make sure you know which race they are running in\u003c/a>, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/spectator-information-and-busing/\"> track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app\u003c/a> using a bib number.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199779478675-How-can-I-access-photos-of-myself-from-the-race\">the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[aside postID=news_12079285 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/IMG_2909_3-scaled.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/9410510855315-Can-I-defer-my-entry-to-next-year-?_gl=1*sii0x1*_gcl_au*MjA1OTc5MTE4LjE2ODk3MDQ0NTA.&_ga=2.182608742.1703521653.1689704450-11086041.1689704450\"> defer your registration to next year\u003c/a> for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199646007699-Can-I-convert-my-in-person-run-to-the-virtual-race-option\">your in-person race into a virtual one\u003c/a>, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199654448531-Can-I-transfer-my-entry-to-someone-else\">give or sell your bib to someone else.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">Check the weather forecast again\u003c/a> before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">National Weather Service forecasts\u003c/a> the weather a week out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website. As of publication, the weather on Sunday is \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">“mostly sunny, with a high near 68.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090696\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090696\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. \u003ccite>(Jason Doiy/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> be strategic about how to combat heat\u003c/a> by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199699746067-How-many-water-and-fuel-stops-are-on-course-\">The full marathon has 14 hydration stations\u003c/a>, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember:\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199725062675-Does-BART-run-on-race-morning-\"> BART service does not start early enough to get you there\u003c/a>, and you’ll miss your race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead,\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/hotel-and-travel-info/\"> the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations\u003c/a> to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Daly City at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero.\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/6470132568851-Can-I-purchase-a-Bart-Bus-ticket-if-I-m-already-registered-?_gl=1*ewaxuv*_gcl_au*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*FPAU*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*_ga*ODEyNTk2MjA4LjE3ODM2NDM1OTg.*_ga_49LDBFFZ2M*czE3ODM2NDM1OTckbzEkZzEkdDE3ODM2NDY0MTgkajI4JGwwJGg5MDc0OTMxODQ.*_fplc*ZWtrMXJoaXFVU3JqRWxPWXhXSjJoTyUyRmdGWTNGenF4ajNQSlVFOWlKYnYweTVsQ2dGUktlWDFsZ28zNGt2VVpaNHB4WkpwTkE1MlZvalpRY1dzV0RZUnBUT3JwZmcyWmxYVFJIdDlHd3NJd05tTEcwdDNJbmR4aFklMkY0UEtvUSUzRCUzRA..\"> You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Everything you need to know about the 2026 San Francisco Marathon weekend on July 25-26, including the route, the road closures and whether it's too late to sign up.",
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"title": "Sold-Out SF Marathon 2026: The Races, Routes and Road Closures (Plus How to Watch It All) | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>On your mark, get set: the 2026 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/san-francisco\">San Francisco\u003c/a> Marathon is returning to the city later this month.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you are a runner who wants to take on the challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. According to organizers, the full marathon and the 1st half marathon are \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/\">both totally sold out\u003c/a> as of the time of publication, but luckily, \u003ca href=\"#youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">you still have a few options for taking part in other races.\u003c/a> (If you really want to make sure this doesn’t happen next year, the SF Marathon is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2027-50th-anniversary/\">accepting registrations for the event \u003cem>next year\u003c/em>,\u003c/a> which will also be its 50th anniversary.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon tends to take over major portions of the city to create space for the runners and their fans — meaning that the weekend of July 25-26 will be tricky for both drivers and pedestrians to move around the city, with the multiple road closures and reroutes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep reading for the 2026 SF Marathon route, which streets will be closed, where to find public transit changes and how to watch from the sidelines if you’re a spectator.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’ll also give an overview of all the weekend’s events and races themselves if you’re feeling spontaneously athletic (or\u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYXzvyByRRE/\"> want to meet people\u003c/a>) and decide to sign up for a race at short notice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And important to flag — several of these races now allow dogs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">Can I still sign up for the marathon?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">Where can I cheer on my friends in the SF Marathon (or just spectate)?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">What routes within San Francisco will be closed to cars and public transit?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>What is the SF Marathon route, and when are the races?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The 26.2-mile main event —\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\"> the full SF Marathon\u003c/a> — is on Sunday, July 26. The full marathon starts at 5:15 a.m. on Embarcadero Street at Market Street and finishes on Embarcadero Street at Howard Street.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can check out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/full-marathon/\">a map of the entire course\u003c/a> on SF Marathon’s Strava account, which also includes elevation levels and first aid/water stops.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11956032\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11956032\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg\" alt=\"An image of several people's legs photographed in a running motion.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-800x450.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1020x574.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-160x90.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/07/RS67105_GettyImages-1426678862-qut-1536x864.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Be aware of street closures and changes to Muni this weekend because of the SF Marathon. \u003ccite>(Elena Popova/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CanIstillsignupforthemarathon\">\u003c/a>Is it really too late to sign up for the full marathon and 1st half marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, the full marathon — \u003cem>and \u003c/em>the popular \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/1st-half-marathon/\">1st half marathon\u003c/a> over the Golden Gate Bridge — are both sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to officials, the spots went out \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">“faster than ever”\u003c/a> this year. But you can still \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2026waitlist/\">join the waitlist\u003c/a> and hope for the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Spots do open up,” the website reads. “Plans change, runners defer, and entries become available again. When they do, the right wait list is the best way to secure yours.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You could join the main event by \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/ultramarathon/\">signing up for the ultramarathon\u003c/a>, which is the length of two marathons. As of publication, there were 36 places left, and the cost was $606.24.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"youstillhaveafewoptionsfortakingpartinotherraces\">\u003c/a>What are my other options for races around the SF Marathon that weekend?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your other options for races during the SF Marathon weekend that are still accepting sign-ups include:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/2nd-half-marathon/\">\u003cstrong>The City Half Marathon\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This is the race where you get to run through San Francisco’s neighborhoods. It’s 13.1 miles with a 3.5-hour time limit and starts at 8:30 a.m. from MLK Jr. Drive at Golden Gate Park to Embarcadero at Howard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $304.84\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/10k/\">\u003cstrong>The Alexi Pappas SFM 10K\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> (Sunday)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This race is\u003ca href=\"https://runningmagazine.ca/the-scene/alexi-pappas-gets-a-race-named-after-her-at-san-francisco-marathon/\"> named after the Bay Area’s own Olympian\u003c/a> Pappas and is a flat 6.2 miles that starts at 7 a.m. from The Embarcadero at Market Street to the Embarcadero near Washington Street. Dogs are now welcome for this race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $164.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11795730\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1814px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11795730 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1814\" height=\"1361\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e.jpg 1814w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-632x474.jpg 632w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2020/01/running-marathon-74b1673fcab60bbc8e627ebd4486cacb8a390a3e-536x402.jpg 536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1814px) 100vw, 1814px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">And if you are a runner who wants to take on the SF Marathon challenge but hasn’t signed up yet, you’ll have to act fast — and be prepared to be flexible. \u003ccite>(RichVintage/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/saturday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Saturday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This 5k allows your dog to run with you along the Embarcadero waterfront. Starting at 8 a.m, this is a 3.1-mile course with an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $121.14\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sunday-5k/\">\u003cstrong>5K race\u003c/strong>\u003c/a> \u003cstrong>(Sunday option)\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Dogs are also allowed at this Embarcadero waterfront race, but the race isn’t a loop like the Saturday option, instead starting at The Embarcadero at Market St. and ending at Embarcadero at Washington Street. This 3.1-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and has an hour limit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Race fee: $120.04\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for something more family-friendly and chill? There is \u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/sebastians-1k-mad-dash/\">Sebastian’s 1K Mad Dash\u003c/a> on Saturday, which is a little under a mile. It starts at 9 a.m., starting and finishing at Embarcadero and Washington. The race fee is $28.75.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you can’t make it to San Francisco, you can\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/virtual/\"> join the race virtually by registering on the SF Marathon’s app\u003c/a>. It’s $110.15 to join, and you’ll need to download the SF Marathon tracking app to follow your progress.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WhatrouteswithinSanFranciscowillbeclosedtocarsandpublictransit\">\u003c/a>Which streets will be closed to cars and public transit for the SF Marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The SF Marathon website breaks down\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/traffic-advisory/\"> which city streets will be closed for races at what time\u003c/a>, along with some recommended detours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There will be closures along The Embarcadero, Fisherman’s Wharf and in the Marina District. However, rest assured that vehicle traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge, which is on the route, will remain open in both directions throughout the marathon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090690\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090690\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1303\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-160x104.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/2026-SF-MARATHON-1536x1001.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A map of traffic advisories during the 2026 San Francisco Marathon. \u003ccite>(Courtesy of the San Francisco Marathon)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Many SF Muni lines will also be rerouted due to marathon weekend events.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can follow SFMTA’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/project-updates/san-francisco-marathon\">thorough guidance on its official advisory page,\u003c/a> which will be the best place to find regular updates leading up to the event. SFMTA also has \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/travel-updates/san-francisco-marathon-family-run-5k-saturday-july-25-2026\">a page dedicated to Saturday events\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"WherecanIcheeronmyfriendsintheSFMarathonorjustspectate\">\u003c/a>Where can I cheer the SF Marathon runners on?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Are you a good friend cheering on a runner?\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/events-summary/\"> Make sure you know which race they are running in\u003c/a>, and then look at the above section to check out the times and routes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/spectator-information-and-busing/\"> track a runner’s progress using the SF Marathon app\u003c/a> using a bib number.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I find my pictures and results after the race?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Participants will have their pictures emailed to them a few days after the event — or on \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199779478675-How-can-I-access-photos-of-myself-from-the-race\">the race results and photos page on the SF Marathon website\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I need to bail. Can I defer my SF Marathon registration until next year?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Bailing? The people on the waitlist will thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/9410510855315-Can-I-defer-my-entry-to-next-year-?_gl=1*sii0x1*_gcl_au*MjA1OTc5MTE4LjE2ODk3MDQ0NTA.&_ga=2.182608742.1703521653.1689704450-11086041.1689704450\"> defer your registration to next year\u003c/a> for a $39 fee, and the last day to do so is July 24. (That’s also the last day to convert \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199646007699-Can-I-convert-my-in-person-run-to-the-virtual-race-option\">your in-person race into a virtual one\u003c/a>, if your plans have unexpectedly changed.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that registration is nontransferable, and you cannot \u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199654448531-Can-I-transfer-my-entry-to-someone-else\">give or sell your bib to someone else.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What will the weather be like in San Francisco for the marathon?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">Check the weather forecast again\u003c/a> before you head out, as San Francisco weather can turn on a dime — and keep in mind that the \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">National Weather Service forecasts\u003c/a> the weather a week out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Historically, the temperature around the courses is usually around 64°F, according to the SF Marathon website. As of publication, the weather on Sunday is \u003ca href=\"https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.7771&lon=-122.4196\">“mostly sunny, with a high near 68.”\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning to participate in a race or just spectate, be sure to drink plenty of water well before going out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12090696\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12090696\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/MarathonRunnersSFGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The 49th Annual San Francisco Marathon returns July 25-26, 2026, offering distances from a 5K, 10K and half-marathon, to the full marathon and an ultramarathon. \u003ccite>(Jason Doiy/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>You can also\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> be strategic about how to combat heat\u003c/a> by cooling your body’s pulse points, such as your neck, inside your elbows, and behind your knees, to bring quick relief. In case things get toasty, KQED has\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11878134/bay-area-heat-wave-how-to-stay-safe-during-dangerously-hot-weather\"> a thorough guide on how to stay safe during a heat wave\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199699746067-How-many-water-and-fuel-stops-are-on-course-\">The full marathon has 14 hydration stations\u003c/a>, which include water, electrolytes, medical assistance, and toilets. The SF Marathon encourages runners to bring refillable water bottles that are 50 gallons or less.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What’s the best way of traveling to the SF Marathon starting line that morning?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you’re trying to get to the race for the full marathon’s 5:15 a.m. start time on Sunday, remember:\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/5199725062675-Does-BART-run-on-race-morning-\"> BART service does not start early enough to get you there\u003c/a>, and you’ll miss your race.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Instead,\u003ca href=\"https://www.thesfmarathon.com/race-weekend/hotel-and-travel-info/\"> the SF Marathon will have shuttles from six BART stations\u003c/a> to get you to the starting line. There is free parking at BART stations, and buses will run very early in the morning. Times are subject to change, but the list of BART stations with shuttles is currently:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Bay Fair (San Leandro) at 3:50 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Daly City at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>El Cerrito Plaza at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>MacArthur at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Millbrae at 4:05 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Walnut Creek at 3:55 a.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Buses aim to arrive by 4:30 a.m. at the Main Start Line on the Embarcadero.\u003ca href=\"https://support.thesfmarathon.com/hc/en-us/articles/6470132568851-Can-I-purchase-a-Bart-Bus-ticket-if-I-m-already-registered-?_gl=1*ewaxuv*_gcl_au*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*FPAU*MTQyMDM0ODIwMi4xNzgzNjQzNTk3*_ga*ODEyNTk2MjA4LjE3ODM2NDM1OTg.*_ga_49LDBFFZ2M*czE3ODM2NDM1OTckbzEkZzEkdDE3ODM2NDY0MTgkajI4JGwwJGg5MDc0OTMxODQ.*_fplc*ZWtrMXJoaXFVU3JqRWxPWXhXSjJoTyUyRmdGWTNGenF4ajNQSlVFOWlKYnYweTVsQ2dGUktlWDFsZ28zNGt2VVpaNHB4WkpwTkE1MlZvalpRY1dzV0RZUnBUT3JwZmcyWmxYVFJIdDlHd3NJd05tTEcwdDNJbmR4aFklMkY0UEtvUSUzRCUzRA..\"> You’ll need to purchase your bus ticket ahead of time, though.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "these-8-camping-fears-are-real-let-us-solve-them-for-you",
"title": "These 8 Camping Fears Are Real. Let Us Solve Them for You",
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"content": "\u003cp>Taking off on your first-ever \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">camping\u003c/a> or backpacking trip can be intimidating. You might be worried about spending the night in the woods, about wildlife or \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086178/campsites-are-hard-to-get-in-california-try-dispersed-camping-instead\">other factors\u003c/a> outside your control. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These emotions are super common, said Richard Bothwell, owner of Outdoor Adventure Club, a San Francisco-based guiding company that leads beginner trips all year long.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Your concerns and fears are legitimate,” Bothwell said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His biggest advice? “Start small and give yourself the grace to be a beginner.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That could mean planning a short, easy trip to start, or hopping onto a guided trip if you’d like the hands-on help of experts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Regardless, start by trying to home in on your actual concern: \u003ca href=\"#bad-weather\">Is it the unpredictability of the weather?\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"#equipment\">The gear that’s intimidating?\u003c/a> Or maybe you don’t know where to go or \u003ca href=\"#anyone-to-go-with\">who to go with?\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If any of those concerns ring true to you, keep reading, as we’ll break down eight common first-timer (or haven’t-been-since-I-was-a-kid) concerns and address them directly. Remember: No worry is too small or insignificant.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, yes, you might mess up, make decisions you regret and have more questions than answers after your first trip out. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Or, as Bothwell puts it, “experience is a cruel teacher who gives the exam before the lesson.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But once you break the ice and get out there, you’ll quickly learn what you’d change for next time. And you also might have more drive than ever to get back out and push your comfort level a bit more to get a bit farther into nature. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. I don’t want to be dirty and am worried about hygiene\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first thing Bothwell does on his guided trips is address the three Ps: peeing, pooping and periods. Yes, talking about any of these three realities of spending a night outdoors may be uncomfortable at first, but he said “There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the first person to go do this and you’re not the first to have this concern.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That includes teaching students these \u003ca href=\"https://lnt.org/\">Leave No Trace\u003c/a> principles:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Peeing at least 200 feet from trails, campsites and water sources\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Burying your poop in a cathole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter and packing out your toilet paper\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Packing out tampons or pads in a sealed plastic bag or emptying menstrual cups into catholes.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069168\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A public campground near Camp Richardson is shown on Aug. 4, 2013, in South Lake Tahoe, California. (George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kirk McLaughlin, \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">UCSF’s outdoor program manager\u003c/a>, said he teaches his students that you can still have good hygiene in the outdoors. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On their camping trips, McLaughlin said he provides handwashing stations and, while backpacking, shows people how to take advantage of fresh water in any form. He said he even has fun teaching people how to use a “\u003ca href=\"https://thetrek.co/how-to-poop-in-a-wag-bag-the-wilderness-hygiene-guide-you-never-knew-you-needed/\">wag bag\u003c/a>” to pack out their waste. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We can make the bathroom parts comfortable, too,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If the idea of being or looking dirty is a concern, Bothwell said he sometimes challenges his participants not to bring a change of clothes — and instead, focus on the bits of hygiene that are safety- rather than comfort-oriented.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The clothes are going to get dirty, but when I’m cooking up pad thai for dinner tonight, you’re gonna see me wash my hands like four or five times through that process,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Hiking with all my stuff sounds difficult\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaughlin said the No. 1 thing first-timers on his trips are surprised by is “how they feel after one of our backpacking trips.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Outdoor gear has come a long way in recent years, with new lightweight options for sleeping bags, tents and other gear that might have weighed twice as much when his students were kids. He said people often underestimate how reasonable and comfortable their backpacks can be. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With the nice backpacks they find, ‘Wow, this is not nearly as painful as I thought it was gonna be,’” McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/IMG_1993-scaled-e1784577012119.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047594\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two hikers look out on a lake on the way up Bishop Pass in the Eastern Sierra on June 14, 2025. (Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Weight is a top concern that Bothwell fields, too. Lots of first-timers feel alone in their discomfort as compared to experienced hikers, he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The difference may simply be that that person next to you knows that in an hour you’re gonna be at camp and everything is gonna be better and you’re gonna kick your shoes off and take your backpack off and just relax,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the end, you’re gonna remember the time by the campfire more than the aching feet,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sleeping on the ground is uncomfortable\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The same goes for sleeping on the ground, McLaughlin said. For camping trips, he’s switched from mattresses to cots to bring even more comfort to camp. And for backpackers, participants carry down sleeping bags that are lightweight and warm. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I tell folks, ‘In my youth, I suffered plenty so that they don’t have to,’” he said. “I used a boot for a pillow and slept in some really uncomfortable locations.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>High-quality sleeping gear, in particular, is getting more and more affordable and accessible, he said. (We can attest: Check out our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082396/cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad\">guide to cheap camping\u003c/a> in the Bay Area here for ideas.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. I am afraid of wildlife\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some first-timers are excited to see wildlife, and others are more afraid. Regardless, McLaughlin said he teaches people that it’s really the small mammals like raccoons, squirrels and ravens that tend to get into camp and raid people’s belongings far more often than big mammals like bears. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bothwell said while fears about animals are legitimate, he likes to remind his participants that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057419/bears-coyotes-moutain-lions-oh-my-what-to-do-when-you-encounter-wildlife-in-the-bay-area\">California bears\u003c/a> aren’t very dangerous. On the off-chance you do encounter a bear in the wilderness in California, you’ll quickly realize that all it takes to scare them off is to get big and yell. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They want to eat your food,” he said. “They have really no interest in attacking you.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"anyone-to-go-with\">5. I don’t know where to go and don’t have anyone to go with\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If where to go is your main concern, we’ve got a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052990/summer-camping-california-bay-area-weather-heat-wave-campsites\">couple \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12083697/how-to-find-dispersed-camping-california-near-san-francisco-bay-area-free-campsites-public-lands-national-forests-blm\">of \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">guides\u003c/a> for you. But if even after reading up on various options, you’re still nervous about striking out on your own, going with a guided trip can help. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That includes guide companies like the one Bothwell runs. Or you can check out your local university clubs, like \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">the one at UCSF\u003c/a> that McLaughlin manages, or other community organizations to see if they run trips. Here in the Bay Area, we have many \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12087471/a-moment-under-the-sun-queer-led-groups-are-getting-outside-this-pride\">affinity groups\u003c/a> that organize outdoors-oriented trips all year round, most of which try to keep costs affordable for participants.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Part of my role, like any outdoor coordinator, is securing campsites and lodging reservations a year in advance, the kind of thing that most people who are new to the outdoors wouldn’t even know where to start,” McLaughlin said. “Or by the time they figure it out, everything’s sold out, especially in California.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-566347731-scaled-e1784577412389.jpg\" alt=\"Tents in a big green meadow.\" class=\"wp-image-11973194\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tents in the early morning, on a hill near the Point Reyes National Seashore, California. (Angelo DeSantis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His expertise allows him to secure highly in-demand spots like Curry Village in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086272/yosemite-national-park-visitor-congestion-crowding-camping-reservations-where-to-visit-outside-yosemite-valley-yarts\">Yosemite\u003c/a> or the Steep Ravine Cabins in Marin County. One of his favorites is a quick overnight trip to Mendocino County for an unforgettable coastal kayaking trip. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning your own itinerary or joining a group, just don’t bite off more than you can chew, McLaughlin said. He curates his UCSF trips with his clientele — busy, stressed graduate students — in mind. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The main thing is creating an itinerary so that they don’t feel like they have to take a vacation from their vacation when they’re done,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That means taking care to design an itinerary that’s not too intense (and most importantly, is rewarded with a good meal and cozy camp setup — more on that below).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The same goes for backpacking, McLaughlin said. He takes first-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">backpackers to places like Point Reyes\u003c/a>, where the mileage and elevation are low, but the views are rewarding. Those trips, he said, are most likely to leave participants more interested in the hobby than when they set out. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. I don’t want to eat gross camping food\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If the image you have in your head of camping or backpacking is eating freeze-dried meals and protein bars all day, think again, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085516\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">KQED Outdoors Engagement Reporter Sarah Wright prepares a campsite meal at D.L. Bliss State Park on May 25, 2026, in the Lake Tahoe Basin. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Eating fresh, filling and comforting meals while out camping isn’t as hard as it seems: On his guided trips, all it takes is bringing a box of pancake mix and a carton of blueberries, McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’ve never had so many people be so excited for blueberry pancakes,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"equipment\">7. I don’t know how to use my equipment\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re going on a guided trip, don’t worry: someone will be there to help teach you how to use everything you need. If you’re going solo, be sure to test your gear ahead of time and only bring equipment that you have practiced using. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The reality of camping and backpacking, Bothwell said, is that you’re not going to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">your packing list\u003c/a> right the first time — and that’s OK. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The first time you do it, your system is going to be rough,” he said. That’ll be true for the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth time, he said. But eventually, your changes will get smaller and smaller, and you’ll get more and more comfortable and confident. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do decide to go with a guided trip, use the opportunity to ask lots of questions, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Ask about the gear, ask about destinations and utilize the amazing amount of knowledge that everybody who works in the business has,” McLaughlin said. “It’s really the best resource.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And once you get home, Bothwell said, do a quick debrief, and ask yourself some simple questions: What equipment did you not use? What equipment did you not like and why? In what ways were you uncomfortable and how can you address that on your next trip?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bad-weather\">8. What if there is bad weather or an emergency?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Going with a guided group can help allay fears about emergencies, Bothwell said. His company’s guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and they check in with someone not on the trip twice per day using satellite communications in case the group encounters any issues.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That person can also relay information back to the group in the backcountry about weather conditions or any other issues that might arise. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re organizing a trip yourself, Bothwell suggested creating your own risk-mitigation plan that includes telling someone about where you’re planning on going and making sure you have some way to check in with them. It’s also not a bad idea to get some first aid training and make sure everyone on the trip is aligned on safety precautions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It cuts down on a lot of friction once you’re out in the woods,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bothwell said some participants on his trips even use them as an opportunity to test out a self-sustaining kit of gear and their ability level before embarking on a solo trip. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So if you figure out on day two of a four-day trip that you miscalculated or you don’t know how to repair your stove, you have support there,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaughlin, too, suggested planning your first few trips not too far from help or home. One of his favorites is camping on Mt. Diablo. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s right in our backyard, and some of the campsites have the most amazing views on the planet,” he said. “Our activity is to get up and watch sunrise from the summit, and then ‘poof, 45 minutes later, you’re home.’”\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Taking off on your first-ever \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">camping\u003c/a> or backpacking trip can be intimidating. You might be worried about spending the night in the woods, about wildlife or \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086178/campsites-are-hard-to-get-in-california-try-dispersed-camping-instead\">other factors\u003c/a> outside your control. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Taking off on your first-ever \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">camping\u003c/a> or backpacking trip can be intimidating. You might be worried about spending the night in the woods, about wildlife or \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086178/campsites-are-hard-to-get-in-california-try-dispersed-camping-instead\">other factors\u003c/a> outside your control. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>These emotions are super common, said Richard Bothwell, owner of Outdoor Adventure Club, a San Francisco-based guiding company that leads beginner trips all year long.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>These emotions are super common, said Richard Bothwell, owner of Outdoor Adventure Club, a San Francisco-based guiding company that leads beginner trips all year long.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Your concerns and fears are legitimate,” Bothwell said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Your concerns and fears are legitimate,” Bothwell said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>His biggest advice? “Start small and give yourself the grace to be a beginner.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>His biggest advice? “Start small and give yourself the grace to be a beginner.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That could mean planning a short, easy trip to start, or hopping onto a guided trip if you’d like the hands-on help of experts. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That could mean planning a short, easy trip to start, or hopping onto a guided trip if you’d like the hands-on help of experts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Regardless, start by trying to home in on your actual concern: \u003ca href=\"#bad-weather\">Is it the unpredictability of the weather?\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"#equipment\">The gear that’s intimidating?\u003c/a> Or maybe you don’t know where to go or \u003ca href=\"#anyone-to-go-with\">who to go with?\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Regardless, start by trying to home in on your actual concern: \u003ca href=\"#bad-weather\">Is it the unpredictability of the weather?\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"#equipment\">The gear that’s intimidating?\u003c/a> Or maybe you don’t know where to go or \u003ca href=\"#anyone-to-go-with\">who to go with?\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If any of those concerns ring true to you, keep reading, as we’ll break down eight common first-timer (or haven’t-been-since-I-was-a-kid) concerns and address them directly. Remember: No worry is too small or insignificant.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If any of those concerns ring true to you, keep reading, as we’ll break down eight common first-timer (or haven’t-been-since-I-was-a-kid) concerns and address them directly. Remember: No worry is too small or insignificant.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So, yes, you might mess up, make decisions you regret and have more questions than answers after your first trip out. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>So, yes, you might mess up, make decisions you regret and have more questions than answers after your first trip out. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Or, as Bothwell puts it, “experience is a cruel teacher who gives the exam before the lesson.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Or, as Bothwell puts it, “experience is a cruel teacher who gives the exam before the lesson.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But once you break the ice and get out there, you’ll quickly learn what you’d change for next time. And you also might have more drive than ever to get back out and push your comfort level a bit more to get a bit farther into nature. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But once you break the ice and get out there, you’ll quickly learn what you’d change for next time. And you also might have more drive than ever to get back out and push your comfort level a bit more to get a bit farther into nature. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "1. I don’t want to be dirty and am worried about hygiene",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. I don’t want to be dirty and am worried about hygiene\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The first thing Bothwell does on his guided trips is address the three Ps: peeing, pooping and periods. Yes, talking about any of these three realities of spending a night outdoors may be uncomfortable at first, but he said “There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the first person to go do this and you’re not the first to have this concern.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The first thing Bothwell does on his guided trips is address the three Ps: peeing, pooping and periods. Yes, talking about any of these three realities of spending a night outdoors may be uncomfortable at first, but he said “There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the first person to go do this and you’re not the first to have this concern.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That includes teaching students these \u003ca href=\"https://lnt.org/\">Leave No Trace\u003c/a> principles:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That includes teaching students these \u003ca href=\"https://lnt.org/\">Leave No Trace\u003c/a> principles:\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Peeing at least 200 feet from trails, campsites and water sources\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Burying your poop in a cathole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter and packing out your toilet paper\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Packing out tampons or pads in a sealed plastic bag or emptying menstrual cups into catholes.\u003c/li>\n",
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069168\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A public campground near Camp Richardson is shown on Aug. 4, 2013, in South Lake Tahoe, California. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069168\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A public campground near Camp Richardson is shown on Aug. 4, 2013, in South Lake Tahoe, California. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Kirk McLaughlin, \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">UCSF’s outdoor program manager\u003c/a>, said he teaches his students that you can still have good hygiene in the outdoors. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Kirk McLaughlin, \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">UCSF’s outdoor program manager\u003c/a>, said he teaches his students that you can still have good hygiene in the outdoors. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On their camping trips, McLaughlin said he provides handwashing stations and, while backpacking, shows people how to take advantage of fresh water in any form. He said he even has fun teaching people how to use a “\u003ca href=\"https://thetrek.co/how-to-poop-in-a-wag-bag-the-wilderness-hygiene-guide-you-never-knew-you-needed/\">wag bag\u003c/a>” to pack out their waste. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>On their camping trips, McLaughlin said he provides handwashing stations and, while backpacking, shows people how to take advantage of fresh water in any form. He said he even has fun teaching people how to use a “\u003ca href=\"https://thetrek.co/how-to-poop-in-a-wag-bag-the-wilderness-hygiene-guide-you-never-knew-you-needed/\">wag bag\u003c/a>” to pack out their waste. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We can make the bathroom parts comfortable, too,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We can make the bathroom parts comfortable, too,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If the idea of being or looking dirty is a concern, Bothwell said he sometimes challenges his participants not to bring a change of clothes — and instead, focus on the bits of hygiene that are safety- rather than comfort-oriented.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If the idea of being or looking dirty is a concern, Bothwell said he sometimes challenges his participants not to bring a change of clothes — and instead, focus on the bits of hygiene that are safety- rather than comfort-oriented.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The clothes are going to get dirty, but when I’m cooking up pad thai for dinner tonight, you’re gonna see me wash my hands like four or five times through that process,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The clothes are going to get dirty, but when I’m cooking up pad thai for dinner tonight, you’re gonna see me wash my hands like four or five times through that process,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "2. Hiking with all my stuff sounds difficult",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Hiking with all my stuff sounds difficult\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Hiking with all my stuff sounds difficult\u003c/h2>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>McLaughlin said the No. 1 thing first-timers on his trips are surprised by is “how they feel after one of our backpacking trips.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>McLaughlin said the No. 1 thing first-timers on his trips are surprised by is “how they feel after one of our backpacking trips.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Outdoor gear has come a long way in recent years, with new lightweight options for sleeping bags, tents and other gear that might have weighed twice as much when his students were kids. He said people often underestimate how reasonable and comfortable their backpacks can be. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Outdoor gear has come a long way in recent years, with new lightweight options for sleeping bags, tents and other gear that might have weighed twice as much when his students were kids. He said people often underestimate how reasonable and comfortable their backpacks can be. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“With the nice backpacks they find, ‘Wow, this is not nearly as painful as I thought it was gonna be,’” McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“With the nice backpacks they find, ‘Wow, this is not nearly as painful as I thought it was gonna be,’” McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/IMG_1993-scaled-e1784577012119.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047594\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two hikers look out on a lake on the way up Bishop Pass in the Eastern Sierra on June 14, 2025.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/IMG_1993-scaled-e1784577012119.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047594\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two hikers look out on a lake on the way up Bishop Pass in the Eastern Sierra on June 14, 2025.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Weight is a top concern that Bothwell fields, too. Lots of first-timers feel alone in their discomfort as compared to experienced hikers, he said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Weight is a top concern that Bothwell fields, too. Lots of first-timers feel alone in their discomfort as compared to experienced hikers, he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The difference may simply be that that person next to you knows that in an hour you’re gonna be at camp and everything is gonna be better and you’re gonna kick your shoes off and take your backpack off and just relax,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The difference may simply be that that person next to you knows that in an hour you’re gonna be at camp and everything is gonna be better and you’re gonna kick your shoes off and take your backpack off and just relax,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“In the end, you’re gonna remember the time by the campfire more than the aching feet,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“In the end, you’re gonna remember the time by the campfire more than the aching feet,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "3. Sleeping on the ground is uncomfortable",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sleeping on the ground is uncomfortable\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sleeping on the ground is uncomfortable\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The same goes for sleeping on the ground, McLaughlin said. For camping trips, he’s switched from mattresses to cots to bring even more comfort to camp. And for backpackers, participants carry down sleeping bags that are lightweight and warm. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The same goes for sleeping on the ground, McLaughlin said. For camping trips, he’s switched from mattresses to cots to bring even more comfort to camp. And for backpackers, participants carry down sleeping bags that are lightweight and warm. \u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I tell folks, ‘In my youth, I suffered plenty so that they don’t have to,’” he said. “I used a boot for a pillow and slept in some really uncomfortable locations.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I tell folks, ‘In my youth, I suffered plenty so that they don’t have to,’” he said. “I used a boot for a pillow and slept in some really uncomfortable locations.”\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>High-quality sleeping gear, in particular, is getting more and more affordable and accessible, he said. (We can attest: Check out our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082396/cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad\">guide to cheap camping\u003c/a> in the Bay Area here for ideas.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>High-quality sleeping gear, in particular, is getting more and more affordable and accessible, he said. (We can attest: Check out our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082396/cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad\">guide to cheap camping\u003c/a> in the Bay Area here for ideas.)\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "4. I am afraid of wildlife",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. I am afraid of wildlife\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. I am afraid of wildlife\u003c/h2>\n"
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{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Some first-timers are excited to see wildlife, and others are more afraid. Regardless, McLaughlin said he teaches people that it’s really the small mammals like raccoons, squirrels and ravens that tend to get into camp and raid people’s belongings far more often than big mammals like bears. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Some first-timers are excited to see wildlife, and others are more afraid. Regardless, McLaughlin said he teaches people that it’s really the small mammals like raccoons, squirrels and ravens that tend to get into camp and raid people’s belongings far more often than big mammals like bears. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bothwell said while fears about animals are legitimate, he likes to remind his participants that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057419/bears-coyotes-moutain-lions-oh-my-what-to-do-when-you-encounter-wildlife-in-the-bay-area\">California bears\u003c/a> aren’t very dangerous. On the off-chance you do encounter a bear in the wilderness in California, you’ll quickly realize that all it takes to scare them off is to get big and yell. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Bothwell said while fears about animals are legitimate, he likes to remind his participants that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057419/bears-coyotes-moutain-lions-oh-my-what-to-do-when-you-encounter-wildlife-in-the-bay-area\">California bears\u003c/a> aren’t very dangerous. On the off-chance you do encounter a bear in the wilderness in California, you’ll quickly realize that all it takes to scare them off is to get big and yell. \u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“They want to eat your food,” he said. “They have really no interest in attacking you.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“They want to eat your food,” he said. “They have really no interest in attacking you.”\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "5. I don’t know where to go and don’t have anyone to go with",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"anyone-to-go-with\">5. I don’t know where to go and don’t have anyone to go with\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"anyone-to-go-with\">5. I don’t know where to go and don’t have anyone to go with\u003c/h2>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If where to go is your main concern, we’ve got a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052990/summer-camping-california-bay-area-weather-heat-wave-campsites\">couple \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12083697/how-to-find-dispersed-camping-california-near-san-francisco-bay-area-free-campsites-public-lands-national-forests-blm\">of \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">guides\u003c/a> for you. But if even after reading up on various options, you’re still nervous about striking out on your own, going with a guided trip can help. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If where to go is your main concern, we’ve got a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052990/summer-camping-california-bay-area-weather-heat-wave-campsites\">couple \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12083697/how-to-find-dispersed-camping-california-near-san-francisco-bay-area-free-campsites-public-lands-national-forests-blm\">of \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">guides\u003c/a> for you. But if even after reading up on various options, you’re still nervous about striking out on your own, going with a guided trip can help. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That includes guide companies like the one Bothwell runs. Or you can check out your local university clubs, like \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">the one at UCSF\u003c/a> that McLaughlin manages, or other community organizations to see if they run trips. Here in the Bay Area, we have many \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12087471/a-moment-under-the-sun-queer-led-groups-are-getting-outside-this-pride\">affinity groups\u003c/a> that organize outdoors-oriented trips all year round, most of which try to keep costs affordable for participants.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That includes guide companies like the one Bothwell runs. Or you can check out your local university clubs, like \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">the one at UCSF\u003c/a> that McLaughlin manages, or other community organizations to see if they run trips. Here in the Bay Area, we have many \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12087471/a-moment-under-the-sun-queer-led-groups-are-getting-outside-this-pride\">affinity groups\u003c/a> that organize outdoors-oriented trips all year round, most of which try to keep costs affordable for participants.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Part of my role, like any outdoor coordinator, is securing campsites and lodging reservations a year in advance, the kind of thing that most people who are new to the outdoors wouldn’t even know where to start,” McLaughlin said. “Or by the time they figure it out, everything’s sold out, especially in California.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Part of my role, like any outdoor coordinator, is securing campsites and lodging reservations a year in advance, the kind of thing that most people who are new to the outdoors wouldn’t even know where to start,” McLaughlin said. “Or by the time they figure it out, everything’s sold out, especially in California.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-566347731-scaled-e1784577412389.jpg\" alt=\"Tents in a big green meadow.\" class=\"wp-image-11973194\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tents in the early morning, on a hill near the Point Reyes National Seashore, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-566347731-scaled-e1784577412389.jpg\" alt=\"Tents in a big green meadow.\" class=\"wp-image-11973194\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tents in the early morning, on a hill near the Point Reyes National Seashore, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>His expertise allows him to secure highly in-demand spots like Curry Village in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086272/yosemite-national-park-visitor-congestion-crowding-camping-reservations-where-to-visit-outside-yosemite-valley-yarts\">Yosemite\u003c/a> or the Steep Ravine Cabins in Marin County. One of his favorites is a quick overnight trip to Mendocino County for an unforgettable coastal kayaking trip. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>His expertise allows him to secure highly in-demand spots like Curry Village in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086272/yosemite-national-park-visitor-congestion-crowding-camping-reservations-where-to-visit-outside-yosemite-valley-yarts\">Yosemite\u003c/a> or the Steep Ravine Cabins in Marin County. One of his favorites is a quick overnight trip to Mendocino County for an unforgettable coastal kayaking trip. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning your own itinerary or joining a group, just don’t bite off more than you can chew, McLaughlin said. He curates his UCSF trips with his clientele — busy, stressed graduate students — in mind. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning your own itinerary or joining a group, just don’t bite off more than you can chew, McLaughlin said. He curates his UCSF trips with his clientele — busy, stressed graduate students — in mind. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The main thing is creating an itinerary so that they don’t feel like they have to take a vacation from their vacation when they’re done,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“The main thing is creating an itinerary so that they don’t feel like they have to take a vacation from their vacation when they’re done,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That means taking care to design an itinerary that’s not too intense (and most importantly, is rewarded with a good meal and cozy camp setup — more on that below).\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That means taking care to design an itinerary that’s not too intense (and most importantly, is rewarded with a good meal and cozy camp setup — more on that below).\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The same goes for backpacking, McLaughlin said. He takes first-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">backpackers to places like Point Reyes\u003c/a>, where the mileage and elevation are low, but the views are rewarding. Those trips, he said, are most likely to leave participants more interested in the hobby than when they set out. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The same goes for backpacking, McLaughlin said. He takes first-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">backpackers to places like Point Reyes\u003c/a>, where the mileage and elevation are low, but the views are rewarding. Those trips, he said, are most likely to leave participants more interested in the hobby than when they set out. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "6. I don’t want to eat gross camping food",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. I don’t want to eat gross camping food\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. I don’t want to eat gross camping food\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If the image you have in your head of camping or backpacking is eating freeze-dried meals and protein bars all day, think again, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If the image you have in your head of camping or backpacking is eating freeze-dried meals and protein bars all day, think again, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085516\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">KQED Outdoors Engagement Reporter Sarah Wright prepares a campsite meal at D.L. Bliss State Park on May 25, 2026, in the Lake Tahoe Basin.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085516\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">KQED Outdoors Engagement Reporter Sarah Wright prepares a campsite meal at D.L. Bliss State Park on May 25, 2026, in the Lake Tahoe Basin.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Eating fresh, filling and comforting meals while out camping isn’t as hard as it seems: On his guided trips, all it takes is bringing a box of pancake mix and a carton of blueberries, McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Eating fresh, filling and comforting meals while out camping isn’t as hard as it seems: On his guided trips, all it takes is bringing a box of pancake mix and a carton of blueberries, McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I’ve never had so many people be so excited for blueberry pancakes,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I’ve never had so many people be so excited for blueberry pancakes,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "7. I don’t know how to use my equipment",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"equipment\">7. I don’t know how to use my equipment\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re going on a guided trip, don’t worry: someone will be there to help teach you how to use everything you need. If you’re going solo, be sure to test your gear ahead of time and only bring equipment that you have practiced using. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re going on a guided trip, don’t worry: someone will be there to help teach you how to use everything you need. If you’re going solo, be sure to test your gear ahead of time and only bring equipment that you have practiced using. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The reality of camping and backpacking, Bothwell said, is that you’re not going to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">your packing list\u003c/a> right the first time — and that’s OK. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The reality of camping and backpacking, Bothwell said, is that you’re not going to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">your packing list\u003c/a> right the first time — and that’s OK. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The first time you do it, your system is going to be rough,” he said. That’ll be true for the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth time, he said. But eventually, your changes will get smaller and smaller, and you’ll get more and more comfortable and confident. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“The first time you do it, your system is going to be rough,” he said. That’ll be true for the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth time, he said. But eventually, your changes will get smaller and smaller, and you’ll get more and more comfortable and confident. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you do decide to go with a guided trip, use the opportunity to ask lots of questions, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Ask about the gear, ask about destinations and utilize the amazing amount of knowledge that everybody who works in the business has,” McLaughlin said. “It’s really the best resource.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Ask about the gear, ask about destinations and utilize the amazing amount of knowledge that everybody who works in the business has,” McLaughlin said. “It’s really the best resource.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And once you get home, Bothwell said, do a quick debrief, and ask yourself some simple questions: What equipment did you not use? What equipment did you not like and why? In what ways were you uncomfortable and how can you address that on your next trip?\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And once you get home, Bothwell said, do a quick debrief, and ask yourself some simple questions: What equipment did you not use? What equipment did you not like and why? In what ways were you uncomfortable and how can you address that on your next trip?\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "8. What if there is bad weather or an emergency?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Going with a guided group can help allay fears about emergencies, Bothwell said. His company’s guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and they check in with someone not on the trip twice per day using satellite communications in case the group encounters any issues.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Going with a guided group can help allay fears about emergencies, Bothwell said. His company’s guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and they check in with someone not on the trip twice per day using satellite communications in case the group encounters any issues.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That person can also relay information back to the group in the backcountry about weather conditions or any other issues that might arise. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That person can also relay information back to the group in the backcountry about weather conditions or any other issues that might arise. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re organizing a trip yourself, Bothwell suggested creating your own risk-mitigation plan that includes telling someone about where you’re planning on going and making sure you have some way to check in with them. It’s also not a bad idea to get some first aid training and make sure everyone on the trip is aligned on safety precautions.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re organizing a trip yourself, Bothwell suggested creating your own risk-mitigation plan that includes telling someone about where you’re planning on going and making sure you have some way to check in with them. It’s also not a bad idea to get some first aid training and make sure everyone on the trip is aligned on safety precautions.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It cuts down on a lot of friction once you’re out in the woods,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bothwell said some participants on his trips even use them as an opportunity to test out a self-sustaining kit of gear and their ability level before embarking on a solo trip. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“So if you figure out on day two of a four-day trip that you miscalculated or you don’t know how to repair your stove, you have support there,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“So if you figure out on day two of a four-day trip that you miscalculated or you don’t know how to repair your stove, you have support there,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>McLaughlin, too, suggested planning your first few trips not too far from help or home. One of his favorites is camping on Mt. Diablo. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>McLaughlin, too, suggested planning your first few trips not too far from help or home. One of his favorites is camping on Mt. Diablo. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s right in our backyard, and some of the campsites have the most amazing views on the planet,” he said. “Our activity is to get up and watch sunrise from the summit, and then ‘poof, 45 minutes later, you’re home.’”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s right in our backyard, and some of the campsites have the most amazing views on the planet,” he said. “Our activity is to get up and watch sunrise from the summit, and then ‘poof, 45 minutes later, you’re home.’”\u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "No matter what’s keeping you from taking the next step into exploring the outdoors, we’ll break it down for you.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Taking off on your first-ever \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">camping\u003c/a> or backpacking trip can be intimidating. You might be worried about spending the night in the woods, about wildlife or \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086178/campsites-are-hard-to-get-in-california-try-dispersed-camping-instead\">other factors\u003c/a> outside your control. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These emotions are super common, said Richard Bothwell, owner of Outdoor Adventure Club, a San Francisco-based guiding company that leads beginner trips all year long.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Your concerns and fears are legitimate,” Bothwell said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His biggest advice? “Start small and give yourself the grace to be a beginner.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That could mean planning a short, easy trip to start, or hopping onto a guided trip if you’d like the hands-on help of experts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12079261\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/040526CheapCamping_GH_017_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Josh Dillen and reporter Sarah Wright begin setting up a tent at a campsite at Anthony Chabot Family Campground on April 5, 2026, in Castro Valley, California. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Regardless, start by trying to home in on your actual concern: \u003ca href=\"#bad-weather\">Is it the unpredictability of the weather?\u003c/a> \u003ca href=\"#equipment\">The gear that’s intimidating?\u003c/a> Or maybe you don’t know where to go or \u003ca href=\"#anyone-to-go-with\">who to go with?\u003c/a> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If any of those concerns ring true to you, keep reading, as we’ll break down eight common first-timer (or haven’t-been-since-I-was-a-kid) concerns and address them directly. Remember: No worry is too small or insignificant.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, yes, you might mess up, make decisions you regret and have more questions than answers after your first trip out. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Or, as Bothwell puts it, “experience is a cruel teacher who gives the exam before the lesson.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But once you break the ice and get out there, you’ll quickly learn what you’d change for next time. And you also might have more drive than ever to get back out and push your comfort level a bit more to get a bit farther into nature. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. I don’t want to be dirty and am worried about hygiene\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The first thing Bothwell does on his guided trips is address the three Ps: peeing, pooping and periods. Yes, talking about any of these three realities of spending a night outdoors may be uncomfortable at first, but he said “There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the first person to go do this and you’re not the first to have this concern.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That includes teaching students these \u003ca href=\"https://lnt.org/\">Leave No Trace\u003c/a> principles:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Peeing at least 200 feet from trails, campsites and water sources\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Burying your poop in a cathole 6-8 inches deep and 4-6 inches in diameter and packing out your toilet paper\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Packing out tampons or pads in a sealed plastic bag or emptying menstrual cups into catholes.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12069168\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/01/CampingGetty1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A public campground near Camp Richardson is shown on Aug. 4, 2013, in South Lake Tahoe, California. (George Rose/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Kirk McLaughlin, \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">UCSF’s outdoor program manager\u003c/a>, said he teaches his students that you can still have good hygiene in the outdoors. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On their camping trips, McLaughlin said he provides handwashing stations and, while backpacking, shows people how to take advantage of fresh water in any form. He said he even has fun teaching people how to use a “\u003ca href=\"https://thetrek.co/how-to-poop-in-a-wag-bag-the-wilderness-hygiene-guide-you-never-knew-you-needed/\">wag bag\u003c/a>” to pack out their waste. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We can make the bathroom parts comfortable, too,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If the idea of being or looking dirty is a concern, Bothwell said he sometimes challenges his participants not to bring a change of clothes — and instead, focus on the bits of hygiene that are safety- rather than comfort-oriented.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The clothes are going to get dirty, but when I’m cooking up pad thai for dinner tonight, you’re gonna see me wash my hands like four or five times through that process,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Hiking with all my stuff sounds difficult\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaughlin said the No. 1 thing first-timers on his trips are surprised by is “how they feel after one of our backpacking trips.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Outdoor gear has come a long way in recent years, with new lightweight options for sleeping bags, tents and other gear that might have weighed twice as much when his students were kids. He said people often underestimate how reasonable and comfortable their backpacks can be. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“With the nice backpacks they find, ‘Wow, this is not nearly as painful as I thought it was gonna be,’” McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/IMG_1993-scaled-e1784577012119.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12047594\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Two hikers look out on a lake on the way up Bishop Pass in the Eastern Sierra on June 14, 2025. (Sarah Wright/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Weight is a top concern that Bothwell fields, too. Lots of first-timers feel alone in their discomfort as compared to experienced hikers, he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The difference may simply be that that person next to you knows that in an hour you’re gonna be at camp and everything is gonna be better and you’re gonna kick your shoes off and take your backpack off and just relax,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“In the end, you’re gonna remember the time by the campfire more than the aching feet,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sleeping on the ground is uncomfortable\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The same goes for sleeping on the ground, McLaughlin said. For camping trips, he’s switched from mattresses to cots to bring even more comfort to camp. And for backpackers, participants carry down sleeping bags that are lightweight and warm. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I tell folks, ‘In my youth, I suffered plenty so that they don’t have to,’” he said. “I used a boot for a pillow and slept in some really uncomfortable locations.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>High-quality sleeping gear, in particular, is getting more and more affordable and accessible, he said. (We can attest: Check out our \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12082396/cheap-camping-near-bay-area-checklist-gear-cookware-tent-rental-sleeping-bag-pad\">guide to cheap camping\u003c/a> in the Bay Area here for ideas.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. I am afraid of wildlife\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some first-timers are excited to see wildlife, and others are more afraid. Regardless, McLaughlin said he teaches people that it’s really the small mammals like raccoons, squirrels and ravens that tend to get into camp and raid people’s belongings far more often than big mammals like bears. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bothwell said while fears about animals are legitimate, he likes to remind his participants that \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057419/bears-coyotes-moutain-lions-oh-my-what-to-do-when-you-encounter-wildlife-in-the-bay-area\">California bears\u003c/a> aren’t very dangerous. On the off-chance you do encounter a bear in the wilderness in California, you’ll quickly realize that all it takes to scare them off is to get big and yell. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They want to eat your food,” he said. “They have really no interest in attacking you.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"anyone-to-go-with\">5. I don’t know where to go and don’t have anyone to go with\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If where to go is your main concern, we’ve got a \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12052990/summer-camping-california-bay-area-weather-heat-wave-campsites\">couple \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12083697/how-to-find-dispersed-camping-california-near-san-francisco-bay-area-free-campsites-public-lands-national-forests-blm\">of \u003c/a>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">guides\u003c/a> for you. But if even after reading up on various options, you’re still nervous about striking out on your own, going with a guided trip can help. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That includes guide companies like the one Bothwell runs. Or you can check out your local university clubs, like \u003ca href=\"https://campuslifeserviceshome.ucsf.edu/fitness-and-recreation/backpacking-and-camping\">the one at UCSF\u003c/a> that McLaughlin manages, or other community organizations to see if they run trips. Here in the Bay Area, we have many \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12087471/a-moment-under-the-sun-queer-led-groups-are-getting-outside-this-pride\">affinity groups\u003c/a> that organize outdoors-oriented trips all year round, most of which try to keep costs affordable for participants.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Part of my role, like any outdoor coordinator, is securing campsites and lodging reservations a year in advance, the kind of thing that most people who are new to the outdoors wouldn’t even know where to start,” McLaughlin said. “Or by the time they figure it out, everything’s sold out, especially in California.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/01/GettyImages-566347731-scaled-e1784577412389.jpg\" alt=\"Tents in a big green meadow.\" class=\"wp-image-11973194\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tents in the early morning, on a hill near the Point Reyes National Seashore, California. (Angelo DeSantis/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>His expertise allows him to secure highly in-demand spots like Curry Village in \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086272/yosemite-national-park-visitor-congestion-crowding-camping-reservations-where-to-visit-outside-yosemite-valley-yarts\">Yosemite\u003c/a> or the Steep Ravine Cabins in Marin County. One of his favorites is a quick overnight trip to Mendocino County for an unforgettable coastal kayaking trip. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whether you’re planning your own itinerary or joining a group, just don’t bite off more than you can chew, McLaughlin said. He curates his UCSF trips with his clientele — busy, stressed graduate students — in mind. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The main thing is creating an itinerary so that they don’t feel like they have to take a vacation from their vacation when they’re done,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That means taking care to design an itinerary that’s not too intense (and most importantly, is rewarded with a good meal and cozy camp setup — more on that below).\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The same goes for backpacking, McLaughlin said. He takes first-time \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12040242/start-backpacking-trails-bay-area-near-me-permits\">backpackers to places like Point Reyes\u003c/a>, where the mileage and elevation are low, but the views are rewarding. Those trips, he said, are most likely to leave participants more interested in the hobby than when they set out. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. I don’t want to eat gross camping food\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If the image you have in your head of camping or backpacking is eating freeze-dried meals and protein bars all day, think again, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12085516\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/052626LAKE-TAHOE-_GH_035-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">KQED Outdoors Engagement Reporter Sarah Wright prepares a campsite meal at D.L. Bliss State Park on May 25, 2026, in the Lake Tahoe Basin. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Eating fresh, filling and comforting meals while out camping isn’t as hard as it seems: On his guided trips, all it takes is bringing a box of pancake mix and a carton of blueberries, McLaughlin said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I’ve never had so many people be so excited for blueberry pancakes,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"equipment\">7. I don’t know how to use my equipment\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re going on a guided trip, don’t worry: someone will be there to help teach you how to use everything you need. If you’re going solo, be sure to test your gear ahead of time and only bring equipment that you have practiced using. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The reality of camping and backpacking, Bothwell said, is that you’re not going to get \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12086426/the-ultimate-annotated-california-camping-checklist\">your packing list\u003c/a> right the first time — and that’s OK. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The first time you do it, your system is going to be rough,” he said. That’ll be true for the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth time, he said. But eventually, your changes will get smaller and smaller, and you’ll get more and more comfortable and confident. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you do decide to go with a guided trip, use the opportunity to ask lots of questions, McLaughlin said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Ask about the gear, ask about destinations and utilize the amazing amount of knowledge that everybody who works in the business has,” McLaughlin said. “It’s really the best resource.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And once you get home, Bothwell said, do a quick debrief, and ask yourself some simple questions: What equipment did you not use? What equipment did you not like and why? In what ways were you uncomfortable and how can you address that on your next trip?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bad-weather\">8. What if there is bad weather or an emergency?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Going with a guided group can help allay fears about emergencies, Bothwell said. His company’s guides are trained in wilderness first aid, and they check in with someone not on the trip twice per day using satellite communications in case the group encounters any issues.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That person can also relay information back to the group in the backcountry about weather conditions or any other issues that might arise. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re organizing a trip yourself, Bothwell suggested creating your own risk-mitigation plan that includes telling someone about where you’re planning on going and making sure you have some way to check in with them. It’s also not a bad idea to get some first aid training and make sure everyone on the trip is aligned on safety precautions.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It cuts down on a lot of friction once you’re out in the woods,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bothwell said some participants on his trips even use them as an opportunity to test out a self-sustaining kit of gear and their ability level before embarking on a solo trip. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So if you figure out on day two of a four-day trip that you miscalculated or you don’t know how to repair your stove, you have support there,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>McLaughlin, too, suggested planning your first few trips not too far from help or home. One of his favorites is camping on Mt. Diablo. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“It’s right in our backyard, and some of the campsites have the most amazing views on the planet,” he said. “Our activity is to get up and watch sunrise from the summit, and then ‘poof, 45 minutes later, you’re home.’”\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "how-does-californias-3500-ev-rebate-work",
"title": "How Does California’s $3,500 EV Rebate Work?",
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"headTitle": "How Does California’s $3,500 EV Rebate Work? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Thinking about buying or leasing an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/evs\">electric car\u003c/a> in the near future? California will soon be making that cheaper.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that sets aside millions of dollars in state funds to fund rebates for residents who buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle — a category that includes battery-electric cars and \u003ca href=\"https://driveclean.ca.gov/hydrogen-fuel-cell\">hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First-time EV buyers can qualify for a $3,500 discount when buying or leasing a new electric vehicle, as long as the retail price is under $50,000. If you’re looking for a \u003cem>used\u003c/em> electric car, there’s still a price reduction available — a smaller one, however: $1,750 off for vehicles retailing for under $25,000.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12018474\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2024. (Eric Thayer/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The state’s program — called “\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/13/as-trump-cedes-global-clean-car-race-to-china-governor-newsom-fights-back-with-instant-zev-rebates-for-first-time-buyers/\">MyFirstEV\u003c/a>” — comes a year after President Donald Trump’s massive spending and tax plan known as the One Big Beautiful Bill \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb\">ended\u003c/a> federal tax credits for EVs nationwide. Previously, American consumers could claim a $7,500 tax credit after buying a new EV or $4,000 for used EVs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Newsom said on Monday that as the federal government pulls back from supporting EVs, California would instead be “putting its foot on the accelerator” — and that the instant rebate program would “[make] it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The program has secured $270 million in funding — half of that from the state budget and the other from participating EV automakers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One big thing to know: Despite the fanfare, the MyFirstEV program has not yet started — and we don’t have an official start date either. State officials will reveal next month which car brands are actually included, so don’t expect to receive this discount if you purchase an EV today. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn what we know right now about California’s instant rebate program for EV purchases.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Who qualifies for this program?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Only California residents who are buying or leasing an EV for the first time are eligible for this rebate.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And consumers will have to confirm that this is the first time they are buying or leasing an EV before taking their car home, said Lindsay Buckley, communications director of the California Air Resources Board, the agency tasked with managing the program.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Participants will be required to sign a legal document declaring that this is in fact their first purchase or lease of an electric vehicle,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So if you’ve already bought or leased an electric vehicle in the past, then you wouldn’t be eligible for this program.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Limiting the program to first-time buyers could actually help boost the popularity of EVs among people who have never bought them, said Scott Moura, a UC Berkeley professor of civil engineering.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Providing incentive to people who have bought EVs before isn’t really adding to the number of people who purchase EVs,” he said. “The funds can be used most effectively if they’re targeted towards first-time EV buyers.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to apply ahead of time?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No — there’s no application to fill out ahead of time. Once state officials announce that the MyFirstEV program has officially begun, all you need to do is go to a dealership of a participating automaker. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This is different from other past state rebate programs — like the now-terminated \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12062645/california-quietly-kills-electric-bike-vouchers-sending-money-to-ev-incentives-instead\">Electric Bicycle Incentive Program\u003c/a> — which have required participants to fill out an application \u003cem>before \u003c/em>making a purchase.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016485\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Toyota electric vehicle on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2024. (Saul Gonzalez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you move forward with making a purchase or lease, confirm two things with the salesperson and the financing team:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>That you qualify for the MyFirstEV discount\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>That there are still state funds available for this specific car brand.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When federal EV rebates were available, buyers had to initially wait until they filed their taxes the year after buying their car to request this money back. But state officials say that folks interested in the FirstEV discount won’t have to wait so long.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Once launched, Californians will be able to go down to participating automakers’ dealerships and access the rebates at the point of sale,” Buckley said. “They won’t have any delay in getting this discount.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Can the program help me pay for \u003cem>any\u003c/em> EV I want?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No — MyFirstEV discounts will only cover battery-electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles from automakers participating in the program. State officials will confirm next month which car companies are included. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But this means that if an EV brand you really want to purchase is not on the list, you won’t get the discount when buying or leasing the car.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hybrid vehicles are also not included in MyFirstEV, state officials confirmed with KQED. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s also a price limit: The EV you choose must cost under $50,000 if it’s a new car, and $25,000 if it’s used. There is, however, a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB168\">small exception\u003c/a> to this price rule if the automaker is headquartered in California — in which case the discounts will apply regardless of the manufacturer’s retail price. More than a \u003ca href=\"https://www.builtinsf.com/articles/silicon-valley-electric-car-companies\">dozen electric car brands\u003c/a> are based in the Golden State, with several selling models priced beyond the $50,000 limit.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I’m really interested in this program. What should I do while I wait for it to open?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While consumers wait for the program to begin, Buckley said they learn as much as they can about different EVs available on the market.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Maybe head to a dealership and take a test drive of an electric vehicle that you’re eyeing,” she said. “We do expect this to be a popular program and for [funds] to get gobbled up pretty quickly” — so the more prepared you are when the program officially begins, the better.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2274\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of a parking lot that has EV chargers, with three cars parked in 'EV Charging Only' spots, and a fourth car pulling in to another one.\" class=\"wp-image-11971075\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf.jpg 2274w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2274px) 100vw, 2274px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Polestar electric car prepares to park at an EV charging station on July 28, 2023, in Corte Madera. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Potential buyers can also learn about what it takes to \u003cem>care \u003c/em>for an EV, like how to find charging stations and battery maintenance. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Buckley said the site \u003ca href=\"https://www.electricforall.org/\">ElectricForAll\u003c/a> — created by the nonprofit Veloz — is a good source of information.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Will some carmakers have more rebates available than others?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No — funds will be divided equally among the participating automakers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, there may be greater demand for some brands, which could mean that rebates may run out faster at some dealerships.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This article includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/lklivans\">Laura Klivans.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\n",
"blocks": [
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Thinking about buying or leasing an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/evs\">electric car\u003c/a> in the near future? California will soon be making that cheaper.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Thinking about buying or leasing an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/evs\">electric car\u003c/a> in the near future? California will soon be making that cheaper.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that sets aside millions of dollars in state funds to fund rebates for residents who buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle — a category that includes battery-electric cars and \u003ca href=\"https://driveclean.ca.gov/hydrogen-fuel-cell\">hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that sets aside millions of dollars in state funds to fund rebates for residents who buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle — a category that includes battery-electric cars and \u003ca href=\"https://driveclean.ca.gov/hydrogen-fuel-cell\">hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First-time EV buyers can qualify for a $3,500 discount when buying or leasing a new electric vehicle, as long as the retail price is under $50,000. If you’re looking for a \u003cem>used\u003c/em> electric car, there’s still a price reduction available — a smaller one, however: $1,750 off for vehicles retailing for under $25,000.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>First-time EV buyers can qualify for a $3,500 discount when buying or leasing a new electric vehicle, as long as the retail price is under $50,000. If you’re looking for a \u003cem>used\u003c/em> electric car, there’s still a price reduction available — a smaller one, however: $1,750 off for vehicles retailing for under $25,000.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12018474\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2024.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12018474\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2024.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The state’s program — called “\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/13/as-trump-cedes-global-clean-car-race-to-china-governor-newsom-fights-back-with-instant-zev-rebates-for-first-time-buyers/\">MyFirstEV\u003c/a>” — comes a year after President Donald Trump’s massive spending and tax plan known as the One Big Beautiful Bill \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb\">ended\u003c/a> federal tax credits for EVs nationwide. Previously, American consumers could claim a $7,500 tax credit after buying a new EV or $4,000 for used EVs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The state’s program — called “\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/13/as-trump-cedes-global-clean-car-race-to-china-governor-newsom-fights-back-with-instant-zev-rebates-for-first-time-buyers/\">MyFirstEV\u003c/a>” — comes a year after President Donald Trump’s massive spending and tax plan known as the One Big Beautiful Bill \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb\">ended\u003c/a> federal tax credits for EVs nationwide. Previously, American consumers could claim a $7,500 tax credit after buying a new EV or $4,000 for used EVs.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Newsom said on Monday that as the federal government pulls back from supporting EVs, California would instead be “putting its foot on the accelerator” — and that the instant rebate program would “[make] it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Newsom said on Monday that as the federal government pulls back from supporting EVs, California would instead be “putting its foot on the accelerator” — and that the instant rebate program would “[make] it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The program has secured $270 million in funding — half of that from the state budget and the other from participating EV automakers. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The program has secured $270 million in funding — half of that from the state budget and the other from participating EV automakers. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One big thing to know: Despite the fanfare, the MyFirstEV program has not yet started — and we don’t have an official start date either. State officials will reveal next month which car brands are actually included, so don’t expect to receive this discount if you purchase an EV today. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One big thing to know: Despite the fanfare, the MyFirstEV program has not yet started — and we don’t have an official start date either. State officials will reveal next month which car brands are actually included, so don’t expect to receive this discount if you purchase an EV today. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn what we know right now about California’s instant rebate program for EV purchases.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn what we know right now about California’s instant rebate program for EV purchases.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Who qualifies for this program?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Who qualifies for this program?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Only California residents who are buying or leasing an EV for the first time are eligible for this rebate.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Only California residents who are buying or leasing an EV for the first time are eligible for this rebate.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And consumers will have to confirm that this is the first time they are buying or leasing an EV before taking their car home, said Lindsay Buckley, communications director of the California Air Resources Board, the agency tasked with managing the program.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And consumers will have to confirm that this is the first time they are buying or leasing an EV before taking their car home, said Lindsay Buckley, communications director of the California Air Resources Board, the agency tasked with managing the program.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Participants will be required to sign a legal document declaring that this is in fact their first purchase or lease of an electric vehicle,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Participants will be required to sign a legal document declaring that this is in fact their first purchase or lease of an electric vehicle,” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“So if you’ve already bought or leased an electric vehicle in the past, then you wouldn’t be eligible for this program.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“So if you’ve already bought or leased an electric vehicle in the past, then you wouldn’t be eligible for this program.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Limiting the program to first-time buyers could actually help boost the popularity of EVs among people who have never bought them, said Scott Moura, a UC Berkeley professor of civil engineering.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Limiting the program to first-time buyers could actually help boost the popularity of EVs among people who have never bought them, said Scott Moura, a UC Berkeley professor of civil engineering.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Providing incentive to people who have bought EVs before isn’t really adding to the number of people who purchase EVs,” he said. “The funds can be used most effectively if they’re targeted towards first-time EV buyers.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Providing incentive to people who have bought EVs before isn’t really adding to the number of people who purchase EVs,” he said. “The funds can be used most effectively if they’re targeted towards first-time EV buyers.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to apply ahead of time?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to apply ahead of time?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>No — there’s no application to fill out ahead of time. Once state officials announce that the MyFirstEV program has officially begun, all you need to do is go to a dealership of a participating automaker. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>No — there’s no application to fill out ahead of time. Once state officials announce that the MyFirstEV program has officially begun, all you need to do is go to a dealership of a participating automaker. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This is different from other past state rebate programs — like the now-terminated \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12062645/california-quietly-kills-electric-bike-vouchers-sending-money-to-ev-incentives-instead\">Electric Bicycle Incentive Program\u003c/a> — which have required participants to fill out an application \u003cem>before \u003c/em>making a purchase.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This is different from other past state rebate programs — like the now-terminated \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12062645/california-quietly-kills-electric-bike-vouchers-sending-money-to-ev-incentives-instead\">Electric Bicycle Incentive Program\u003c/a> — which have required participants to fill out an application \u003cem>before \u003c/em>making a purchase.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1920x1440.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016485\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Toyota electric vehicle on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2024.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016485\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Toyota electric vehicle on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2024.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you move forward with making a purchase or lease, confirm two things with the salesperson and the financing team:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you move forward with making a purchase or lease, confirm two things with the salesperson and the financing team:\u003c/p>\n"
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"That you qualify for the MyFirstEV discount",
"That there are still state funds available for this specific car brand."
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null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>That you qualify for the MyFirstEV discount\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>That you qualify for the MyFirstEV discount\u003c/li>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>That there are still state funds available for this specific car brand.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>That there are still state funds available for this specific car brand.\u003c/li>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>When federal EV rebates were available, buyers had to initially wait until they filed their taxes the year after buying their car to request this money back. But state officials say that folks interested in the FirstEV discount won’t have to wait so long.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>When federal EV rebates were available, buyers had to initially wait until they filed their taxes the year after buying their car to request this money back. But state officials say that folks interested in the FirstEV discount won’t have to wait so long.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Once launched, Californians will be able to go down to participating automakers’ dealerships and access the rebates at the point of sale,” Buckley said. “They won’t have any delay in getting this discount.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Once launched, Californians will be able to go down to participating automakers’ dealerships and access the rebates at the point of sale,” Buckley said. “They won’t have any delay in getting this discount.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Can the program help me pay for \u003cem>any\u003c/em> EV I want?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Can the program help me pay for \u003cem>any\u003c/em> EV I want?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>No — MyFirstEV discounts will only cover battery-electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles from automakers participating in the program. State officials will confirm next month which car companies are included. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>No — MyFirstEV discounts will only cover battery-electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles from automakers participating in the program. State officials will confirm next month which car companies are included. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But this means that if an EV brand you really want to purchase is not on the list, you won’t get the discount when buying or leasing the car.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hybrid vehicles are also not included in MyFirstEV, state officials confirmed with KQED. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s also a price limit: The EV you choose must cost under $50,000 if it’s a new car, and $25,000 if it’s used. There is, however, a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB168\">small exception\u003c/a> to this price rule if the automaker is headquartered in California — in which case the discounts will apply regardless of the manufacturer’s retail price. More than a \u003ca href=\"https://www.builtinsf.com/articles/silicon-valley-electric-car-companies\">dozen electric car brands\u003c/a> are based in the Golden State, with several selling models priced beyond the $50,000 limit.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There’s also a price limit: The EV you choose must cost under $50,000 if it’s a new car, and $25,000 if it’s used. There is, however, a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB168\">small exception\u003c/a> to this price rule if the automaker is headquartered in California — in which case the discounts will apply regardless of the manufacturer’s retail price. More than a \u003ca href=\"https://www.builtinsf.com/articles/silicon-valley-electric-car-companies\">dozen electric car brands\u003c/a> are based in the Golden State, with several selling models priced beyond the $50,000 limit.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I’m really interested in this program. What should I do while I wait for it to open?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While consumers wait for the program to begin, Buckley said they learn as much as they can about different EVs available on the market.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Maybe head to a dealership and take a test drive of an electric vehicle that you’re eyeing,” she said. “We do expect this to be a popular program and for [funds] to get gobbled up pretty quickly” — so the more prepared you are when the program officially begins, the better.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Maybe head to a dealership and take a test drive of an electric vehicle that you’re eyeing,” she said. “We do expect this to be a popular program and for [funds] to get gobbled up pretty quickly” — so the more prepared you are when the program officially begins, the better.\u003c/p>\n"
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of a parking lot that has EV chargers, with three cars parked in 'EV Charging Only' spots, and a fourth car pulling in to another one.\" class=\"wp-image-11971075\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Polestar electric car prepares to park at an EV charging station on July 28, 2023, in Corte Madera.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Potential buyers can also learn about what it takes to \u003cem>care \u003c/em>for an EV, like how to find charging stations and battery maintenance. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Buckley said the site \u003ca href=\"https://www.electricforall.org/\">ElectricForAll\u003c/a> — created by the nonprofit Veloz — is a good source of information.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Buckley said the site \u003ca href=\"https://www.electricforall.org/\">ElectricForAll\u003c/a> — created by the nonprofit Veloz — is a good source of information.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Will some carmakers have more rebates available than others?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>No — funds will be divided equally among the participating automakers.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>However, there may be greater demand for some brands, which could mean that rebates may run out faster at some dealerships.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This article includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/lklivans\">Laura Klivans.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This article includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/lklivans\">Laura Klivans.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"excerpt": "First-time electric vehicle buyers in California could soon get thousands of dollars off the sticker price. Here’s how to apply.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Thinking about buying or leasing an \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/evs\">electric car\u003c/a> in the near future? California will soon be making that cheaper.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that sets aside millions of dollars in state funds to fund rebates for residents who buy or lease a zero-emission vehicle — a category that includes battery-electric cars and \u003ca href=\"https://driveclean.ca.gov/hydrogen-fuel-cell\">hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First-time EV buyers can qualify for a $3,500 discount when buying or leasing a new electric vehicle, as long as the retail price is under $50,000. If you’re looking for a \u003cem>used\u003c/em> electric car, there’s still a price reduction available — a smaller one, however: $1,750 off for vehicles retailing for under $25,000.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12018474\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GavinNewsomAP-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles on Sept. 25, 2024. (Eric Thayer/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The state’s program — called “\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.ca.gov/2026/07/13/as-trump-cedes-global-clean-car-race-to-china-governor-newsom-fights-back-with-instant-zev-rebates-for-first-time-buyers/\">MyFirstEV\u003c/a>” — comes a year after President Donald Trump’s massive spending and tax plan known as the One Big Beautiful Bill \u003ca href=\"https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb\">ended\u003c/a> federal tax credits for EVs nationwide. Previously, American consumers could claim a $7,500 tax credit after buying a new EV or $4,000 for used EVs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Newsom said on Monday that as the federal government pulls back from supporting EVs, California would instead be “putting its foot on the accelerator” — and that the instant rebate program would “[make] it easier for families to drive clean, breathe clean, and keep more money in their pockets.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The program has secured $270 million in funding — half of that from the state budget and the other from participating EV automakers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One big thing to know: Despite the fanfare, the MyFirstEV program has not yet started — and we don’t have an official start date either. State officials will reveal next month which car brands are actually included, so don’t expect to receive this discount if you purchase an EV today. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading to learn what we know right now about California’s instant rebate program for EV purchases.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Who qualifies for this program?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Only California residents who are buying or leasing an EV for the first time are eligible for this rebate.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And consumers will have to confirm that this is the first time they are buying or leasing an EV before taking their car home, said Lindsay Buckley, communications director of the California Air Resources Board, the agency tasked with managing the program.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Participants will be required to sign a legal document declaring that this is in fact their first purchase or lease of an electric vehicle,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So if you’ve already bought or leased an electric vehicle in the past, then you wouldn’t be eligible for this program.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Limiting the program to first-time buyers could actually help boost the popularity of EVs among people who have never bought them, said Scott Moura, a UC Berkeley professor of civil engineering.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Providing incentive to people who have bought EVs before isn’t really adding to the number of people who purchase EVs,” he said. “The funds can be used most effectively if they’re targeted towards first-time EV buyers.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Do I need to apply ahead of time?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No — there’s no application to fill out ahead of time. Once state officials announce that the MyFirstEV program has officially begun, all you need to do is go to a dealership of a participating automaker. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This is different from other past state rebate programs — like the now-terminated \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12062645/california-quietly-kills-electric-bike-vouchers-sending-money-to-ev-incentives-instead\">Electric Bicycle Incentive Program\u003c/a> — which have required participants to fill out an application \u003cem>before \u003c/em>making a purchase.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016485\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/IMG_5809-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Toyota electric vehicle on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2024. (Saul Gonzalez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you move forward with making a purchase or lease, confirm two things with the salesperson and the financing team:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>That you qualify for the MyFirstEV discount\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>That there are still state funds available for this specific car brand.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>When federal EV rebates were available, buyers had to initially wait until they filed their taxes the year after buying their car to request this money back. But state officials say that folks interested in the FirstEV discount won’t have to wait so long.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Once launched, Californians will be able to go down to participating automakers’ dealerships and access the rebates at the point of sale,” Buckley said. “They won’t have any delay in getting this discount.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Can the program help me pay for \u003cem>any\u003c/em> EV I want?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No — MyFirstEV discounts will only cover battery-electric cars and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles from automakers participating in the program. State officials will confirm next month which car companies are included. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But this means that if an EV brand you really want to purchase is not on the list, you won’t get the discount when buying or leasing the car.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hybrid vehicles are also not included in MyFirstEV, state officials confirmed with KQED. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s also a price limit: The EV you choose must cost under $50,000 if it’s a new car, and $25,000 if it’s used. There is, however, a \u003ca href=\"https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB168\">small exception\u003c/a> to this price rule if the automaker is headquartered in California — in which case the discounts will apply regardless of the manufacturer’s retail price. More than a \u003ca href=\"https://www.builtinsf.com/articles/silicon-valley-electric-car-companies\">dozen electric car brands\u003c/a> are based in the Golden State, with several selling models priced beyond the $50,000 limit.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>I’m really interested in this program. What should I do while I wait for it to open?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While consumers wait for the program to begin, Buckley said they learn as much as they can about different EVs available on the market.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Maybe head to a dealership and take a test drive of an electric vehicle that you’re eyeing,” she said. “We do expect this to be a popular program and for [funds] to get gobbled up pretty quickly” — so the more prepared you are when the program officially begins, the better.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2274\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf.jpg\" alt=\"An aerial view of a parking lot that has EV chargers, with three cars parked in 'EV Charging Only' spots, and a fourth car pulling in to another one.\" class=\"wp-image-11971075\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf.jpg 2274w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/12/gettyimages-1576817852-98c5c2b1e80ed40f3e2b7969add10f2d9535efdf-1920x1440.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2274px) 100vw, 2274px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Polestar electric car prepares to park at an EV charging station on July 28, 2023, in Corte Madera. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Potential buyers can also learn about what it takes to \u003cem>care \u003c/em>for an EV, like how to find charging stations and battery maintenance. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Buckley said the site \u003ca href=\"https://www.electricforall.org/\">ElectricForAll\u003c/a> — created by the nonprofit Veloz — is a good source of information.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Will some carmakers have more rebates available than others?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No — funds will be divided equally among the participating automakers.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>However, there may be greater demand for some brands, which could mean that rebates may run out faster at some dealerships.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This article includes reporting from KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/lklivans\">Laura Klivans.\u003c/a>\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "what-passengers-should-know-about-boat-safety-on-the-san-francisco-bay",
"title": "What Passengers Should Know About Boat Safety on the San Francisco Bay",
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"content": "\u003cp>A deadly boating incident on the San Francisco Bay has killed at least one person, with three still missing as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">search becomes a recovery mission. \u003c/a>The body of a person who has not been identified was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091414/san-francisco-police-searching-for-sunken-vessel\">pulled from the water on Thursday afternoon\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">Early reports from the incident\u003c/a> suggest\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091126/total-chaos-bay-area-sailors-recall-rescue-of-boat-passengers-near-alcatraz\"> a wave\u003c/a> struck the three-story boat before rolling over and sinking a short way from Alcatraz Island. Conditions on the water on Tuesday were windy with rough seas, according to witnesses and first responders. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer, 3rd Class, Kenneth Wiese said strong tides and afternoon wind in the bay can “get pretty turbulent out there.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It looks like a river when the tide is going in and out [at] certain times of day,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The bay tides are so tricky to navigate, in fact, that all ships over 750 gross tons are required to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089929/why-specialized-mariners-are-required-on-every-ship-sailing-into-san-francisco-bay\">a “bar pilot\u003c/a>”: a special mariner who knows the local conditions to help them enter and exit these waters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091156\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter team looks for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay on July 14. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even so, boating accidents — especially deadly ones — aren’t particularly common in the state. There were \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/ADA%20Overview%20of%20the%20Boating%20Accident%20Program.pdf\">479 recreational boating incidents\u003c/a> in California in 2024, according to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. Those incidents, which span the coast and inland waterways like rivers and lakes, resulted in 214 injuries and 47 fatalities.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Compared to open coastal waters, fatalities from recreational boating accidents are relatively rare on the San Francisco Bay. Zero fatalities were reported on the San Francisco Bay from \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2019%20Recreational%20Boating%20Accident%20Statistics%20-%20Final.pdf\">boating accidents in 2019\u003c/a>, dipping from three \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2016DBW_AccidentStats_NorCal_050517.pdf\">deaths in 2015\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For a boat of this size to capsize, “this is a really unusual circumstance,” said David McMurdie, co-founder of California Recovery Divers — a volunteer team that leads underwater search and recoveries in Northern and Central California. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, he said, a plunge in the bay’s cold, fast-moving waters can quickly become life-threatening to even the most experienced boaters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It can turn deadly instantly,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here’s what you need to know about boating safety in the San Francisco Bay, whether you’re renting a boat or planning to be a passenger on a vessel.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#boat-begins-to-sink\">What experts say you should do if you’re on a sinking boat\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the weather before you go out … and be prepared to cancel your plans\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First things first: Check the weather and water conditions. Wiese said the Coast Guard relies on forecasts and \u003ca href=\"https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html\">real-time water conditions from NOAA. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you’re worried, I’d say the best case is not to go out,” Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Wiese also suggested bringing extra layers and, depending on the weather of the day and your itinerary, bringing or wearing a dry suit. You can also designate someone to be “lookout” on the vessel to watch for hazardous conditions like mounting waves or nearby boats, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get your vessel checked by the Coast Guard\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Before you head out on the water, it’s best to make sure all your safety gear is on board and hasn’t expired. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That includes items like life jackets, fire extinguishers, lights, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/register-your-beacon/\">registered emergency beacons\u003c/a> and — as required on certain boats since 2021 — an \u003ca href=\"https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-devices.php\">engine cut-off switch\u003c/a> that activates when the boat’s operator falls away from the boat. Wiese said it’s common to find boats with expired flares, for example. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091228\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard boat participates in a search and rescue operation for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a vessel carrying 20 passengers sank near Alcatraz in the San Francisco Bay on July 14. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/\">vessel safety checks\u003c/a> where volunteers will check your boat, without the possibility of punishment if you don’t pass — to ensure you have all your federally required equipment on board. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Make sure you have everything on board according to federal regulations,” he said. “It could really save your life if the worst-case scenario happens and buy you time when we’re looking for you.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take a boating safety course\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, in 2024, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/\">boating safety courses\u003c/a> for a fee for anyone who wants to sign up, covering topics like boating law, safety operations and emergencies.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=B-DEPT&category=for-boaters\">Coast Guard Auxiliary’s website\u003c/a> is rich with information for boaters if you’re looking for answers on equipment, regulations or statistics.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to the onboard safety briefing\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard \u003ca href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/185.506\">requires commercial vessels\u003c/a> to give a safety briefing before the boat starts cruising. McMurdie said it’s important that you actually listen to it, so you know where the life jackets are located on the boat and any other need-to-know information. And if you’re just out with friends on a boat one of you owns, it’s still good practice to let everyone know where they can find emergency devices and life jackets. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While boarding the boat, you should also take mental note of all the escape routes from interior areas of the boat so you don’t have to figure them out in case of an emergency.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12026945\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Boats sit in the harbor in Moss Landing on Feb. 12, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be really disorienting,” McMurdie said. “A boat topples over with you inside of it, and you’re getting tumbled around — and if you add water inside the cab, it’s probably going to be really dark.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Just having that situational awareness might give you an extra chance of survival,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Always wear a life jacket\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The number one thing you should always do if you’re worried about safety on a boat is wear a life jacket, also called a personal flotation device or PFD.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“One of the guys I work with likes to say, ‘We’ve never recovered anybody wearing a PFD,’” said McMurdie, who leads and performs underwater search and recoveries for deceased boaters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4487038/make-sure-youre-safe-on-the-water/\">Coast Guard\u003c/a>, around 75% of boating deaths annually are due to drowning, with 87% of victims not wearing a life jacket. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create and follow a ‘float plan’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even if it’s a clear day, Wiese said creating and following a \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/\">float plan\u003c/a> is a way to let your family and friends know where you intend to go and what time you expect to be back, as well as leaving contact information for passengers in case of an emergency. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No boat nor journey is too small to take this precaution, the \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/classroom/floatplans.htm\">Coast Guard emphasizes.\u003c/a> A float plan is “equally effective for the owner of a 10-foot kayak or flat-bottom skiff as it is for a 48-foot express cruiser, or a 90-foot sport-fishing vessel or luxury yacht,” the agency said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don’t drink and boat\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-under-the-influence.php\">alcohol is the single biggest contributing \u003c/a>factor to boating deaths. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Boating while under the influence is actually illegal and dangerous to you, your passengers and other boaters nearby. Plus, the marine environment — meaning the constant motion, vibration and engine noise of the boat itself plus the sun, wind and spray exposure — all accelerate impairment, the Coast Guard said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land,” its website said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"boat-begins-to-sink\">What to know if your boat begins to sink\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you are on a boat that begins to sink — or if you’re at all worried about going overboard for any reason — the best thing to do is immediately put on a life jacket, Wiese said. You can then start to assist others with their life jackets. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re inside or below deck, quickly leave for the top deck via one of the escape routes you identified and consider whether others might be trapped inside, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whether or not you should stay with the boat or swim away from it depends on how \u003cem>quickly \u003c/em>it’s sinking, he said. If it’s staying mostly afloat, it’s best to keep holding onto it so you don’t have to expend energy treading water. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“But if the boat is actively sinking and you know it’s going to go under, I suggest swimming away from it, looking out also for any entangling lines in the water that could wrap around you and take you down with it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s easier said than done, but try to stay calm in this situation, Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There’s a tendency to get cold water shock with these water temperatures that we have in the Bay Area,” he said. “If you stay calm and relax, it’s hard for your muscles to tense up.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re able, try to get everyone together in the water, both to make sure everyone is accounted for — it’s easy to get separated with the strong currents in the San Francisco Bay — and for bodily warmth, he said. Form a circle, if you can, to help make floating easier and to conserve body heat between you. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While it might seem counterintuitive, Wiese advised against trying hard to swim: “It’s better to stay still if you can and wait for help,” he said. “Stay calm and try not to move around as much as possible, as the core temperature of your body can be seriously depleted by movement.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When you’re moving around in cold waters like we have in the bay here, all the body heat from your internal core will go to the outside to keep you warm, but you actually end up getting colder faster in the end,” he said. “And limiting movement will conserve a lot of that core body heat and allow your body to stay alive longer without experiencing the heightened symptoms of hypothermia.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you can find something floating to grab onto, try to do so. And if you have any means to call the Coast Guard for help or signal distress to nearby boaters, you should do that as well. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to help someone else at risk of drowning\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re on a boat in the bay and you see someone else in distress, you can immediately \u003ca href=\"https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Southwest-District/District-Units/Sector-San-Francisco/Contacts/\">reach out to the Coast Guard\u003c/a> at 415-399-3547 to alert its 24/7 hotline that will activate emergency responders. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can also attempt to help them, but in general, \u003ca href=\"https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/whale-tales/pdfs/Lesson_8_FINAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo48gYiXZCe7XPMhQFI_-Qmbpk9GG5sFgi-PR7aiCFze2zIRXLM\">water safety experts advise\u003c/a> against jumping into the water yourself to save someone. Instead, toss them a flotation device, then attempt to pull them out of the water.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/sjohnson\">\u003cem>Sydney Johnson\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>A deadly boating incident on the San Francisco Bay has killed at least one person, with three still missing as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">search becomes a recovery mission. \u003c/a>The body of a person who has not been identified was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091414/san-francisco-police-searching-for-sunken-vessel\">pulled from the water on Thursday afternoon\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>A deadly boating incident on the San Francisco Bay has killed at least one person, with three still missing as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">search becomes a recovery mission. \u003c/a>The body of a person who has not been identified was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091414/san-francisco-police-searching-for-sunken-vessel\">pulled from the water on Thursday afternoon\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">Early reports from the incident\u003c/a> suggest\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091126/total-chaos-bay-area-sailors-recall-rescue-of-boat-passengers-near-alcatraz\"> a wave\u003c/a> struck the three-story boat before rolling over and sinking a short way from Alcatraz Island. Conditions on the water on Tuesday were windy with rough seas, according to witnesses and first responders. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">Early reports from the incident\u003c/a> suggest\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091126/total-chaos-bay-area-sailors-recall-rescue-of-boat-passengers-near-alcatraz\"> a wave\u003c/a> struck the three-story boat before rolling over and sinking a short way from Alcatraz Island. Conditions on the water on Tuesday were windy with rough seas, according to witnesses and first responders. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer, 3rd Class, Kenneth Wiese said strong tides and afternoon wind in the bay can “get pretty turbulent out there.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer, 3rd Class, Kenneth Wiese said strong tides and afternoon wind in the bay can “get pretty turbulent out there.”\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It looks like a river when the tide is going in and out [at] certain times of day,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It looks like a river when the tide is going in and out [at] certain times of day,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The bay tides are so tricky to navigate, in fact, that all ships over 750 gross tons are required to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089929/why-specialized-mariners-are-required-on-every-ship-sailing-into-san-francisco-bay\">a “bar pilot\u003c/a>”: a special mariner who knows the local conditions to help them enter and exit these waters. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The bay tides are so tricky to navigate, in fact, that all ships over 750 gross tons are required to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089929/why-specialized-mariners-are-required-on-every-ship-sailing-into-san-francisco-bay\">a “bar pilot\u003c/a>”: a special mariner who knows the local conditions to help them enter and exit these waters. \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091156\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter team looks for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay on July 14.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091156\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter team looks for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay on July 14.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Even so, boating accidents — especially deadly ones — aren’t particularly common in the state. There were \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/ADA%20Overview%20of%20the%20Boating%20Accident%20Program.pdf\">479 recreational boating incidents\u003c/a> in California in 2024, according to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. Those incidents, which span the coast and inland waterways like rivers and lakes, resulted in 214 injuries and 47 fatalities.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Even so, boating accidents — especially deadly ones — aren’t particularly common in the state. There were \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/ADA%20Overview%20of%20the%20Boating%20Accident%20Program.pdf\">479 recreational boating incidents\u003c/a> in California in 2024, according to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. Those incidents, which span the coast and inland waterways like rivers and lakes, resulted in 214 injuries and 47 fatalities.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Compared to open coastal waters, fatalities from recreational boating accidents are relatively rare on the San Francisco Bay. Zero fatalities were reported on the San Francisco Bay from \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2019%20Recreational%20Boating%20Accident%20Statistics%20-%20Final.pdf\">boating accidents in 2019\u003c/a>, dipping from three \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2016DBW_AccidentStats_NorCal_050517.pdf\">deaths in 2015\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Compared to open coastal waters, fatalities from recreational boating accidents are relatively rare on the San Francisco Bay. Zero fatalities were reported on the San Francisco Bay from \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2019%20Recreational%20Boating%20Accident%20Statistics%20-%20Final.pdf\">boating accidents in 2019\u003c/a>, dipping from three \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2016DBW_AccidentStats_NorCal_050517.pdf\">deaths in 2015\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For a boat of this size to capsize, “this is a really unusual circumstance,” said David McMurdie, co-founder of California Recovery Divers — a volunteer team that leads underwater search and recoveries in Northern and Central California. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For a boat of this size to capsize, “this is a really unusual circumstance,” said David McMurdie, co-founder of California Recovery Divers — a volunteer team that leads underwater search and recoveries in Northern and Central California. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still, he said, a plunge in the bay’s cold, fast-moving waters can quickly become life-threatening to even the most experienced boaters. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Still, he said, a plunge in the bay’s cold, fast-moving waters can quickly become life-threatening to even the most experienced boaters. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It can turn deadly instantly,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It can turn deadly instantly,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Here’s what you need to know about boating safety in the San Francisco Bay, whether you’re renting a boat or planning to be a passenger on a vessel.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Here’s what you need to know about boating safety in the San Francisco Bay, whether you’re renting a boat or planning to be a passenger on a vessel.\u003c/p>\n"
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"Jump straight to: What experts say you should do if you’re on a sinking boat"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\u003c/ul>\n",
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null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#boat-begins-to-sink\">What experts say you should do if you’re on a sinking boat\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#boat-begins-to-sink\">What experts say you should do if you’re on a sinking boat\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Check the weather before you go out … and be prepared to cancel your plans",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the weather before you go out … and be prepared to cancel your plans\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the weather before you go out … and be prepared to cancel your plans\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First things first: Check the weather and water conditions. Wiese said the Coast Guard relies on forecasts and \u003ca href=\"https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html\">real-time water conditions from NOAA. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>First things first: Check the weather and water conditions. Wiese said the Coast Guard relies on forecasts and \u003ca href=\"https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html\">real-time water conditions from NOAA. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“If you’re worried, I’d say the best case is not to go out,” Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“If you’re worried, I’d say the best case is not to go out,” Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Wiese also suggested bringing extra layers and, depending on the weather of the day and your itinerary, bringing or wearing a dry suit. You can also designate someone to be “lookout” on the vessel to watch for hazardous conditions like mounting waves or nearby boats, he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Wiese also suggested bringing extra layers and, depending on the weather of the day and your itinerary, bringing or wearing a dry suit. You can also designate someone to be “lookout” on the vessel to watch for hazardous conditions like mounting waves or nearby boats, he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Get your vessel checked by the Coast Guard",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get your vessel checked by the Coast Guard\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get your vessel checked by the Coast Guard\u003c/h2>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Before you head out on the water, it’s best to make sure all your safety gear is on board and hasn’t expired. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Before you head out on the water, it’s best to make sure all your safety gear is on board and hasn’t expired. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That includes items like life jackets, fire extinguishers, lights, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/register-your-beacon/\">registered emergency beacons\u003c/a> and — as required on certain boats since 2021 — an \u003ca href=\"https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-devices.php\">engine cut-off switch\u003c/a> that activates when the boat’s operator falls away from the boat. Wiese said it’s common to find boats with expired flares, for example. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That includes items like life jackets, fire extinguishers, lights, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/register-your-beacon/\">registered emergency beacons\u003c/a> and — as required on certain boats since 2021 — an \u003ca href=\"https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-devices.php\">engine cut-off switch\u003c/a> that activates when the boat’s operator falls away from the boat. Wiese said it’s common to find boats with expired flares, for example. \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091228\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard boat participates in a search and rescue operation for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a vessel carrying 20 passengers sank near Alcatraz in the San Francisco Bay on July 14.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091228\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard boat participates in a search and rescue operation for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a vessel carrying 20 passengers sank near Alcatraz in the San Francisco Bay on July 14.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/\">vessel safety checks\u003c/a> where volunteers will check your boat, without the possibility of punishment if you don’t pass — to ensure you have all your federally required equipment on board. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/\">vessel safety checks\u003c/a> where volunteers will check your boat, without the possibility of punishment if you don’t pass — to ensure you have all your federally required equipment on board. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Make sure you have everything on board according to federal regulations,” he said. “It could really save your life if the worst-case scenario happens and buy you time when we’re looking for you.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Make sure you have everything on board according to federal regulations,” he said. “It could really save your life if the worst-case scenario happens and buy you time when we’re looking for you.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Take a boating safety course",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take a boating safety course\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take a boating safety course\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, in 2024, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, in 2024, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/\">boating safety courses\u003c/a> for a fee for anyone who wants to sign up, covering topics like boating law, safety operations and emergencies.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/\">boating safety courses\u003c/a> for a fee for anyone who wants to sign up, covering topics like boating law, safety operations and emergencies.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=B-DEPT&category=for-boaters\">Coast Guard Auxiliary’s website\u003c/a> is rich with information for boaters if you’re looking for answers on equipment, regulations or statistics.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=B-DEPT&category=for-boaters\">Coast Guard Auxiliary’s website\u003c/a> is rich with information for boaters if you’re looking for answers on equipment, regulations or statistics.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Listen to the onboard safety briefing",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to the onboard safety briefing\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to the onboard safety briefing\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard \u003ca href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/185.506\">requires commercial vessels\u003c/a> to give a safety briefing before the boat starts cruising. McMurdie said it’s important that you actually listen to it, so you know where the life jackets are located on the boat and any other need-to-know information. And if you’re just out with friends on a boat one of you owns, it’s still good practice to let everyone know where they can find emergency devices and life jackets. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard \u003ca href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/185.506\">requires commercial vessels\u003c/a> to give a safety briefing before the boat starts cruising. McMurdie said it’s important that you actually listen to it, so you know where the life jackets are located on the boat and any other need-to-know information. And if you’re just out with friends on a boat one of you owns, it’s still good practice to let everyone know where they can find emergency devices and life jackets. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While boarding the boat, you should also take mental note of all the escape routes from interior areas of the boat so you don’t have to figure them out in case of an emergency.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While boarding the boat, you should also take mental note of all the escape routes from interior areas of the boat so you don’t have to figure them out in case of an emergency.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be really disorienting,” McMurdie said. “A boat topples over with you inside of it, and you’re getting tumbled around — and if you add water inside the cab, it’s probably going to be really dark.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be really disorienting,” McMurdie said. “A boat topples over with you inside of it, and you’re getting tumbled around — and if you add water inside the cab, it’s probably going to be really dark.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Just having that situational awareness might give you an extra chance of survival,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The number one thing you should always do if you’re worried about safety on a boat is wear a life jacket, also called a personal flotation device or PFD.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“One of the guys I work with likes to say, ‘We’ve never recovered anybody wearing a PFD,’” said McMurdie, who leads and performs underwater search and recoveries for deceased boaters. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“One of the guys I work with likes to say, ‘We’ve never recovered anybody wearing a PFD,’” said McMurdie, who leads and performs underwater search and recoveries for deceased boaters. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4487038/make-sure-youre-safe-on-the-water/\">Coast Guard\u003c/a>, around 75% of boating deaths annually are due to drowning, with 87% of victims not wearing a life jacket. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4487038/make-sure-youre-safe-on-the-water/\">Coast Guard\u003c/a>, around 75% of boating deaths annually are due to drowning, with 87% of victims not wearing a life jacket. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Create and follow a ‘float plan’",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Even if it’s a clear day, Wiese said creating and following a \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/\">float plan\u003c/a> is a way to let your family and friends know where you intend to go and what time you expect to be back, as well as leaving contact information for passengers in case of an emergency. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Even if it’s a clear day, Wiese said creating and following a \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/\">float plan\u003c/a> is a way to let your family and friends know where you intend to go and what time you expect to be back, as well as leaving contact information for passengers in case of an emergency. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>No boat nor journey is too small to take this precaution, the \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/classroom/floatplans.htm\">Coast Guard emphasizes.\u003c/a> A float plan is “equally effective for the owner of a 10-foot kayak or flat-bottom skiff as it is for a 48-foot express cruiser, or a 90-foot sport-fishing vessel or luxury yacht,” the agency said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>No boat nor journey is too small to take this precaution, the \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/classroom/floatplans.htm\">Coast Guard emphasizes.\u003c/a> A float plan is “equally effective for the owner of a 10-foot kayak or flat-bottom skiff as it is for a 48-foot express cruiser, or a 90-foot sport-fishing vessel or luxury yacht,” the agency said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-under-the-influence.php\">alcohol is the single biggest contributing \u003c/a>factor to boating deaths. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-under-the-influence.php\">alcohol is the single biggest contributing \u003c/a>factor to boating deaths. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Boating while under the influence is actually illegal and dangerous to you, your passengers and other boaters nearby. Plus, the marine environment — meaning the constant motion, vibration and engine noise of the boat itself plus the sun, wind and spray exposure — all accelerate impairment, the Coast Guard said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Boating while under the influence is actually illegal and dangerous to you, your passengers and other boaters nearby. Plus, the marine environment — meaning the constant motion, vibration and engine noise of the boat itself plus the sun, wind and spray exposure — all accelerate impairment, the Coast Guard said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land,” its website said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"text": "What to know if your boat begins to sink",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you are on a boat that begins to sink — or if you’re at all worried about going overboard for any reason — the best thing to do is immediately put on a life jacket, Wiese said. You can then start to assist others with their life jackets. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you are on a boat that begins to sink — or if you’re at all worried about going overboard for any reason — the best thing to do is immediately put on a life jacket, Wiese said. You can then start to assist others with their life jackets. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re inside or below deck, quickly leave for the top deck via one of the escape routes you identified and consider whether others might be trapped inside, too.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Whether or not you should stay with the boat or swim away from it depends on how \u003cem>quickly \u003c/em>it’s sinking, he said. If it’s staying mostly afloat, it’s best to keep holding onto it so you don’t have to expend energy treading water. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Whether or not you should stay with the boat or swim away from it depends on how \u003cem>quickly \u003c/em>it’s sinking, he said. If it’s staying mostly afloat, it’s best to keep holding onto it so you don’t have to expend energy treading water. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“But if the boat is actively sinking and you know it’s going to go under, I suggest swimming away from it, looking out also for any entangling lines in the water that could wrap around you and take you down with it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“But if the boat is actively sinking and you know it’s going to go under, I suggest swimming away from it, looking out also for any entangling lines in the water that could wrap around you and take you down with it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It’s easier said than done, but try to stay calm in this situation, Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“There’s a tendency to get cold water shock with these water temperatures that we have in the Bay Area,” he said. “If you stay calm and relax, it’s hard for your muscles to tense up.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“There’s a tendency to get cold water shock with these water temperatures that we have in the Bay Area,” he said. “If you stay calm and relax, it’s hard for your muscles to tense up.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re able, try to get everyone together in the water, both to make sure everyone is accounted for — it’s easy to get separated with the strong currents in the San Francisco Bay — and for bodily warmth, he said. Form a circle, if you can, to help make floating easier and to conserve body heat between you. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re able, try to get everyone together in the water, both to make sure everyone is accounted for — it’s easy to get separated with the strong currents in the San Francisco Bay — and for bodily warmth, he said. Form a circle, if you can, to help make floating easier and to conserve body heat between you. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While it might seem counterintuitive, Wiese advised against trying hard to swim: “It’s better to stay still if you can and wait for help,” he said. “Stay calm and try not to move around as much as possible, as the core temperature of your body can be seriously depleted by movement.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While it might seem counterintuitive, Wiese advised against trying hard to swim: “It’s better to stay still if you can and wait for help,” he said. “Stay calm and try not to move around as much as possible, as the core temperature of your body can be seriously depleted by movement.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“When you’re moving around in cold waters like we have in the bay here, all the body heat from your internal core will go to the outside to keep you warm, but you actually end up getting colder faster in the end,” he said. “And limiting movement will conserve a lot of that core body heat and allow your body to stay alive longer without experiencing the heightened symptoms of hypothermia.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“When you’re moving around in cold waters like we have in the bay here, all the body heat from your internal core will go to the outside to keep you warm, but you actually end up getting colder faster in the end,” he said. “And limiting movement will conserve a lot of that core body heat and allow your body to stay alive longer without experiencing the heightened symptoms of hypothermia.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you can find something floating to grab onto, try to do so. And if you have any means to call the Coast Guard for help or signal distress to nearby boaters, you should do that as well. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you can find something floating to grab onto, try to do so. And if you have any means to call the Coast Guard for help or signal distress to nearby boaters, you should do that as well. \u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "How to help someone else at risk of drowning",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re on a boat in the bay and you see someone else in distress, you can immediately \u003ca href=\"https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Southwest-District/District-Units/Sector-San-Francisco/Contacts/\">reach out to the Coast Guard\u003c/a> at 415-399-3547 to alert its 24/7 hotline that will activate emergency responders. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re on a boat in the bay and you see someone else in distress, you can immediately \u003ca href=\"https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Southwest-District/District-Units/Sector-San-Francisco/Contacts/\">reach out to the Coast Guard\u003c/a> at 415-399-3547 to alert its 24/7 hotline that will activate emergency responders. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can also attempt to help them, but in general, \u003ca href=\"https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/whale-tales/pdfs/Lesson_8_FINAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo48gYiXZCe7XPMhQFI_-Qmbpk9GG5sFgi-PR7aiCFze2zIRXLM\">water safety experts advise\u003c/a> against jumping into the water yourself to save someone. Instead, toss them a flotation device, then attempt to pull them out of the water.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>You can also attempt to help them, but in general, \u003ca href=\"https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/whale-tales/pdfs/Lesson_8_FINAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo48gYiXZCe7XPMhQFI_-Qmbpk9GG5sFgi-PR7aiCFze2zIRXLM\">water safety experts advise\u003c/a> against jumping into the water yourself to save someone. Instead, toss them a flotation device, then attempt to pull them out of the water.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/sjohnson\">\u003cem>Sydney Johnson\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>A deadly boating incident on the San Francisco Bay has killed at least one person, with three still missing as the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">search becomes a recovery mission. \u003c/a>The body of a person who has not been identified was \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091414/san-francisco-police-searching-for-sunken-vessel\">pulled from the water on Thursday afternoon\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091098/search-continues-for-3-missing-people-after-boat-sinks-near-alcatraz-1-dead\">Early reports from the incident\u003c/a> suggest\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12091126/total-chaos-bay-area-sailors-recall-rescue-of-boat-passengers-near-alcatraz\"> a wave\u003c/a> struck the three-story boat before rolling over and sinking a short way from Alcatraz Island. Conditions on the water on Tuesday were windy with rough seas, according to witnesses and first responders. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer, 3rd Class, Kenneth Wiese said strong tides and afternoon wind in the bay can “get pretty turbulent out there.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It looks like a river when the tide is going in and out [at] certain times of day,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The bay tides are so tricky to navigate, in fact, that all ships over 750 gross tons are required to have \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12089929/why-specialized-mariners-are-required-on-every-ship-sailing-into-san-francisco-bay\">a “bar pilot\u003c/a>”: a special mariner who knows the local conditions to help them enter and exit these waters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091156\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-06-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter team looks for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a boat capsized in the San Francisco Bay on July 14. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even so, boating accidents — especially deadly ones — aren’t particularly common in the state. There were \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/ADA%20Overview%20of%20the%20Boating%20Accident%20Program.pdf\">479 recreational boating incidents\u003c/a> in California in 2024, according to the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways. Those incidents, which span the coast and inland waterways like rivers and lakes, resulted in 214 injuries and 47 fatalities.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Compared to open coastal waters, fatalities from recreational boating accidents are relatively rare on the San Francisco Bay. Zero fatalities were reported on the San Francisco Bay from \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2019%20Recreational%20Boating%20Accident%20Statistics%20-%20Final.pdf\">boating accidents in 2019\u003c/a>, dipping from three \u003ca href=\"https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/pages/28702/files/2016DBW_AccidentStats_NorCal_050517.pdf\">deaths in 2015\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For a boat of this size to capsize, “this is a really unusual circumstance,” said David McMurdie, co-founder of California Recovery Divers — a volunteer team that leads underwater search and recoveries in Northern and Central California. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still, he said, a plunge in the bay’s cold, fast-moving waters can quickly become life-threatening to even the most experienced boaters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It can turn deadly instantly,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here’s what you need to know about boating safety in the San Francisco Bay, whether you’re renting a boat or planning to be a passenger on a vessel.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#boat-begins-to-sink\">What experts say you should do if you’re on a sinking boat\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check the weather before you go out … and be prepared to cancel your plans\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First things first: Check the weather and water conditions. Wiese said the Coast Guard relies on forecasts and \u003ca href=\"https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/data/Forecasts/FZUS56.KMTR.html\">real-time water conditions from NOAA. \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“If you’re worried, I’d say the best case is not to go out,” Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Wiese also suggested bringing extra layers and, depending on the weather of the day and your itinerary, bringing or wearing a dry suit. You can also designate someone to be “lookout” on the vessel to watch for hazardous conditions like mounting waves or nearby boats, he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get your vessel checked by the Coast Guard\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Before you head out on the water, it’s best to make sure all your safety gear is on board and hasn’t expired. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That includes items like life jackets, fire extinguishers, lights, \u003ca href=\"https://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/register-your-beacon/\">registered emergency beacons\u003c/a> and — as required on certain boats since 2021 — an \u003ca href=\"https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-devices.php\">engine cut-off switch\u003c/a> that activates when the boat’s operator falls away from the boat. Wiese said it’s common to find boats with expired flares, for example. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091228\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/260715-AlcatrazSearchUpdate-15-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A U.S. Coast Guard boat participates in a search and rescue operation for three people missing on July 15, 2026, after a vessel carrying 20 passengers sank near Alcatraz in the San Francisco Bay on July 14. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/vsc/\">vessel safety checks\u003c/a> where volunteers will check your boat, without the possibility of punishment if you don’t pass — to ensure you have all your federally required equipment on board. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Make sure you have everything on board according to federal regulations,” he said. “It could really save your life if the worst-case scenario happens and buy you time when we’re looking for you.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take a boating safety course\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, in 2024, 69% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers \u003ca href=\"https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/\">boating safety courses\u003c/a> for a fee for anyone who wants to sign up, covering topics like boating law, safety operations and emergencies.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=B-DEPT&category=for-boaters\">Coast Guard Auxiliary’s website\u003c/a> is rich with information for boaters if you’re looking for answers on equipment, regulations or statistics.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Listen to the onboard safety briefing\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Coast Guard \u003ca href=\"https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/185.506\">requires commercial vessels\u003c/a> to give a safety briefing before the boat starts cruising. McMurdie said it’s important that you actually listen to it, so you know where the life jackets are located on the boat and any other need-to-know information. And if you’re just out with friends on a boat one of you owns, it’s still good practice to let everyone know where they can find emergency devices and life jackets. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While boarding the boat, you should also take mental note of all the escape routes from interior areas of the boat so you don’t have to figure them out in case of an emergency.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12026945\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/02/250212-ELKHORNSLOUGH-02-BL-KQED-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Boats sit in the harbor in Moss Landing on Feb. 12, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s going to be really disorienting,” McMurdie said. “A boat topples over with you inside of it, and you’re getting tumbled around — and if you add water inside the cab, it’s probably going to be really dark.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Just having that situational awareness might give you an extra chance of survival,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Always wear a life jacket\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The number one thing you should always do if you’re worried about safety on a boat is wear a life jacket, also called a personal flotation device or PFD.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“One of the guys I work with likes to say, ‘We’ve never recovered anybody wearing a PFD,’” said McMurdie, who leads and performs underwater search and recoveries for deceased boaters. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/4487038/make-sure-youre-safe-on-the-water/\">Coast Guard\u003c/a>, around 75% of boating deaths annually are due to drowning, with 87% of victims not wearing a life jacket. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create and follow a ‘float plan’\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even if it’s a clear day, Wiese said creating and following a \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/\">float plan\u003c/a> is a way to let your family and friends know where you intend to go and what time you expect to be back, as well as leaving contact information for passengers in case of an emergency. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>No boat nor journey is too small to take this precaution, the \u003ca href=\"https://floatplancentral.cgaux.org/classroom/floatplans.htm\">Coast Guard emphasizes.\u003c/a> A float plan is “equally effective for the owner of a 10-foot kayak or flat-bottom skiff as it is for a 48-foot express cruiser, or a 90-foot sport-fishing vessel or luxury yacht,” the agency said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don’t drink and boat\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the Coast Guard, \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-under-the-influence.php\">alcohol is the single biggest contributing \u003c/a>factor to boating deaths. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Boating while under the influence is actually illegal and dangerous to you, your passengers and other boaters nearby. Plus, the marine environment — meaning the constant motion, vibration and engine noise of the boat itself plus the sun, wind and spray exposure — all accelerate impairment, the Coast Guard said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land,” its website said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"boat-begins-to-sink\">What to know if your boat begins to sink\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you are on a boat that begins to sink — or if you’re at all worried about going overboard for any reason — the best thing to do is immediately put on a life jacket, Wiese said. You can then start to assist others with their life jackets. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re inside or below deck, quickly leave for the top deck via one of the escape routes you identified and consider whether others might be trapped inside, too.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Whether or not you should stay with the boat or swim away from it depends on how \u003cem>quickly \u003c/em>it’s sinking, he said. If it’s staying mostly afloat, it’s best to keep holding onto it so you don’t have to expend energy treading water. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“But if the boat is actively sinking and you know it’s going to go under, I suggest swimming away from it, looking out also for any entangling lines in the water that could wrap around you and take you down with it,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It’s easier said than done, but try to stay calm in this situation, Wiese said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“There’s a tendency to get cold water shock with these water temperatures that we have in the Bay Area,” he said. “If you stay calm and relax, it’s hard for your muscles to tense up.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re able, try to get everyone together in the water, both to make sure everyone is accounted for — it’s easy to get separated with the strong currents in the San Francisco Bay — and for bodily warmth, he said. Form a circle, if you can, to help make floating easier and to conserve body heat between you. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While it might seem counterintuitive, Wiese advised against trying hard to swim: “It’s better to stay still if you can and wait for help,” he said. “Stay calm and try not to move around as much as possible, as the core temperature of your body can be seriously depleted by movement.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“When you’re moving around in cold waters like we have in the bay here, all the body heat from your internal core will go to the outside to keep you warm, but you actually end up getting colder faster in the end,” he said. “And limiting movement will conserve a lot of that core body heat and allow your body to stay alive longer without experiencing the heightened symptoms of hypothermia.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you can find something floating to grab onto, try to do so. And if you have any means to call the Coast Guard for help or signal distress to nearby boaters, you should do that as well. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to help someone else at risk of drowning\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re on a boat in the bay and you see someone else in distress, you can immediately \u003ca href=\"https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Southwest-District/District-Units/Sector-San-Francisco/Contacts/\">reach out to the Coast Guard\u003c/a> at 415-399-3547 to alert its 24/7 hotline that will activate emergency responders. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can also attempt to help them, but in general, \u003ca href=\"https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/whale-tales/pdfs/Lesson_8_FINAL.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo48gYiXZCe7XPMhQFI_-Qmbpk9GG5sFgi-PR7aiCFze2zIRXLM\">water safety experts advise\u003c/a> against jumping into the water yourself to save someone. Instead, toss them a flotation device, then attempt to pull them out of the water.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/sjohnson\">\u003cem>Sydney Johnson\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "summer-covid-test-2026-wastewater-variants-isolation-contagious-xfg-san-francisco-bay-area-california",
"title": "COVID Is Rising Again in the Bay Area For Summer 2026 — But Don’t Panic",
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"headTitle": "COVID Is Rising Again in the Bay Area For Summer 2026 — But Don’t Panic | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>As if you needed another health concern to worry about — beyond the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090791/cyclosporiasis-symptoms-california-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-foodborne-cyclospora-michigan-outbreak-fruits-vegetables-incubation-antibiotics\">“explosive diarrhea” stomach parasite\u003c/a> causing a surge of sicknesses around the United States — it looks like the COVID-19 virus is making a gradual reappearance in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To put it another way: Any “summer cold” you hear people complaining about over the coming week could once again be COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN team, which monitors coronavirus presence in human sewage, concentrations of the pathogen across the Bay Area sites they monitor are up 104% right now, compared to their June levels.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1314\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091462\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-1536x1009.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WastewaterSCAN’s summary of recent COVID-19 concentrations in the Bay Area. (Courtesy of WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Stanford typically sees a COVID-19 summer wastewater wave start to happen in late May or June, WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said, “but this year we are off to a slower start.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Statewide, COVID-19 levels in \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/RespiratoryVirusReport.aspx\">California wastewater \u003c/a>are still “very low.” But as families continue to embark on summer travel, Bidwell said Stanford is starting to see COVID-19 concentrations increase in wastewater across the southern states.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s been a while since you or your family weathered an infection, a refresher might be handy as we enter a period of potentially higher risk. Here’s what we know about COVID-19 in the Bay Area for summer 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there a new COVID variant out there for summer 2026 I should be worried about?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In short: No, said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University. The primary COVID-19 variant out there right now is still XFG, also known as “Stratus,” in the omicron lineage. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, that’s the one that’s also nicknamed \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045979/xfg-stratus-nimbus-nb181-covid-variant-symptoms-razor-blade-throat-incubation-period-testing\">“razor blade throat”\u003c/a> for the intense sore throat it gives many people. But other than that, XFG presents the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19, Karan said: “Sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, fever, that kind of thing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The good news is that there’s nothing — at least genomically — that’s telling us we’re dealing with something very different, or something that should cause major concern or that will give us an increase in hospitalizations,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What about other newer strains you might have heard about, like BA.3.2, dubbed \u003ca href=\"https://www.ajmc.com/view/cicada-covid-19-variant-faqs-symptoms-risk-and-prevention\">“Cicada”\u003c/a>? While any news of new COVID-19 variants might bring flashbacks to the game-changing emergence of \u003ca href=\"https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/s1201-omicron-variant.html\">omicron\u003c/a> in 2021, or delta after it, “the vast majority” of these latest strains aren’t giving medical professionals sleepless nights in 2026, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Nothing has shown a severe increase in severe disease or hospitalizations, or that they will be resistant to antivirals, or that they will render diagnostics invalid,” he said. “Those are the main things we worry about, but I’ve not seen that with any of the variants.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will my most recent COVID vaccine hold up against a 2026 summer wave?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 2025-26 \u003ca href=\"https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859\">COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> that rolled out in fall 2025 was formulated to target descendants of omicron and include XFG, the dominant variant now.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But if you got your shot as soon as you were able to last year, despite \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055165/where-can-i-find-new-updated-2025-covid-vaccine-near-me-moderna-pfizer-cvs-walgreens-safeway-vaccinations-health-insurance-cost\">the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts\u003c/a> to limit eligibility to the vaccine, that also means it’s been longer since you had that immunity boost. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Broadly speaking, the longer it’s been since you got vaccinated, the lower your immune response is going to be,” Karan said. “As time goes on, the more variants there are since [the one] which the vaccine was based on, the more chance that you’ll have stronger symptoms or more likely to be infected.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1709\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"A closeup image of two COVID-19 antigen test results.\" class=\"wp-image-12002056\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1020x681.jpeg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1920x1281.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result photographed in New York on April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But nothing researchers are seeing suggests that the vaccine is completely ineffective — or that it will no longer have benefits, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So you’re somewhere in the middle,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And while “the goal of the vaccines is to prevent you from getting very sick,” they can’t prevent you from being infected in the first place. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: Don’t assume your fall 2025 vaccine will necessarily mean any infection you get in summer 2026 will be short or mild, so it’s worth considering your risks and taking precautions if necessary. Speaking of which …\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So should I be wearing a mask again on BART or in the grocery store?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think it depends on how high the levels get,” Karan said — who recommended you keep an eye on the COVID-19 levels in your own county’s wastewater, according to WastewaterSCAN’s monitoring:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmV41AGKAQZiNDYyMGHAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=b4620a\">San Francisco \u003c/a>| \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkUQACABSABSBjVhYTY5OVIGMDJkMjQyUgZkZDM2ZmJSBjY3YzJlYlIGMjkzYjI1WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1OTRlYzPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=594ec3\">Alameda\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjA3Y2VkN1IGN2NhOTA1UgY3NGIzOWFSBmM5NWU2NFoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGMjc3MmU4wAEB&selectedChartId=2772e8\">San Mateo\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjI1NDgxOVIGOGE5YjRiUgY1NzlkYTNSBmM4ZDM1N1oGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDVjZjMzwAEB&selectedChartId=d5cf33\">Santa Clara\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBjc0ZDAyNlIGNTc1NzM4WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1MDg4Y2XAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=5088ce\">Contra Costa\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmZhMmQ2M1IGMGM4MDkxWgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQYwMzU3N2bAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=03577f\">Solano\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkQQACABSABSBjI0ZDAzMFIGNjQ3M2MwUgZiOTI1ZTdSBmRkZTg4ZlIGODRkNDg5WgZOIEdlbmV4dYoBBmZhZGM0ZsABAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=fadc4f\">Marin\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CjIQACABSABSBjMwMzJjOFIGNzFhMmY0UgZiYzc5ZjlaBk4gR2VuZXjSAYoBBmQ1NjA5Yw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=d5609c\">Sonoma\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CiUQACABSABSBmI3MjNhZVoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDU1MTZkwAEB&selectedChartId=d5516d\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Wearing a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask in crowded places, especially if you observe people with possible COVID-19 symptoms around you, “can reduce the risk that you get infected — and I think for most people, that’s the goal at this point … to prevent infection that would knock them out for a couple of days,” Karan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if the thought of losing a week to infection and isolation isn’t enough, remember the risks of contracting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/long-covid\">long COVID\u003c/a>. Karan said that in 2026, he still sees long COVID-19 patients regularly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016585\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An estimated 20 million gallons of wastewater have spilled into the Suisun Marsh in Contra Costa County. That will expose animals to chemicals that are carried in our sewage system. (Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Even this week, I’ve seen people that came in with post-COVID infection, with longer-term brain fog and symptoms that are just disruptive and making them feel not great,” the scientist said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These risks are another reason to commit to isolating from other people as much as you can when you have COVID-19, Karan said — or to ensuring that anyone infected in your home isolates from the rest of the household as much as they can, despite the inconveniences that brings.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I think I was exposed or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 1: Know about updated incubation times \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If the average incubation times of five to seven days from back in 2020 are still burned into your brain, you should know: Incubation times for COVID-19 — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to and testing positive — have gotten shorter over the years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>People are testing positive more quickly than they were in 2020, when the average incubation period was five to seven days, because it has changed with each new variant, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious disease expert, told KQED in 2025.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Three days has become a common period of time between exposure and getting sick, Chin-Hong said. So given this trend, it makes sense to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure if you’re already having symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 2: Don’t trust a negative early COVID test\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again the next day if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here’s why you can’t necessarily trust a negative at-home COVID-19 test in 2026: While incubation times have gotten shorter, doctors are seeing people take longer to get a positive test, Chin-Hong said. And that’s probably more to do with how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop symptoms in 2026 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus. Back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test, it would probably already be positive.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11989966\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As COVID-19 levels continue to rise in Bay Area wastewater for summer 2026, what do you need to know? (Beth La Berge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, “we likely have more immune cells circulating that can recognize the enemy, so it ‘sounds the alarm’ quicker [and] people might feel something faster than in the old days,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we start to feel sick, we might actually be testing way too early for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The bottom line: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19. Play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t. Take another antigen test 48 hours later, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 3: Make sure your COVID test hasn’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Those COVID-19 tests you might have in a drawer may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">FDA’s list\u003c/a> of antigen test types to see whether the box you’re holding has had its \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up shot of a health care professional in black gloves holding a COVID-19 rapid test, which is pictured as a thick, white paper test with holes for a cotton swab to rest inside.\" class=\"wp-image-11948954\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rapid COVID-19 test held by a health care professional at a Unidos En Salud testing site, a collaboration by UCSF and the Latino Task Force, during a post-holiday COVID-19 outreach event on 24th and Mission Streets in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2020. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Another tip from Chin-Hong: “A quick-and-dirty way” to know if you’re using a functional COVID-19 test is to make sure the control line turns positive. If that doesn’t happen, “that means the test is probably not working,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If I test positive, how long do I have to isolate with COVID in 2026?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In March 2024, the CDC officially revised its national COVID-19 isolation guidance, saying that COVID-positive people could now \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">return to work\u003c/a> or regular activities once “symptoms are improving overall” and they’ve been fever-free for at least\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">24 hours\u003c/a> without use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Read more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\">current isolation guidance\u003c/a> for COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’ve been infected, consider asking your health provider for the COVID-19 medication \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment\u003c/a> in pill form that is still available free by prescription in California. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I still find a free COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Good question.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have been shuttered.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/lab-leak-true-origins-of-covid-19/\">the White House site\u003c/a> that once offered you free at-home COVID-19 tests through USPS will now greet you with an image of President Donald Trump superimposed over the headline “LAB LEAK: The True Origins of COVID,” as well as a page dedicated to the theory \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/18/g-s1-61324/lab-leak-white-house-covid-origins\">disputed\u003c/a> by many scientists that the pandemic was caused by the coronavirus leaking from a government laboratory in Wuhan, China.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, what do you do now if you don’t already have a supply of antigen tests for COVID-19 at home right now?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now that the network of PCR testing options as we knew them has essentially gone, your best option is to purchase a COVID-19 at-home antigen test at a pharmacy. These at-home test kits are usually around $20 for a pack of two.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ideally, ask someone to purchase one for you so you don’t potentially expose other people at the pharmacy, and if you really have to go yourself, wear a well-fitted N95 mask to help lower the risk you pose to others.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer\u003c/a> for the cost of up to eight at-home tests per month, so don’t throw away your receipts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re insured through major Bay Area providers like Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, you may also be able to ask for a PCR test through your provider.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As if you needed another health concern to worry about — beyond the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090791/cyclosporiasis-symptoms-california-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-foodborne-cyclospora-michigan-outbreak-fruits-vegetables-incubation-antibiotics\">“explosive diarrhea” stomach parasite\u003c/a> causing a surge of sicknesses around the United States — it looks like the COVID-19 virus is making a gradual reappearance in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>As if you needed another health concern to worry about — beyond the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090791/cyclosporiasis-symptoms-california-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-foodborne-cyclospora-michigan-outbreak-fruits-vegetables-incubation-antibiotics\">“explosive diarrhea” stomach parasite\u003c/a> causing a surge of sicknesses around the United States — it looks like the COVID-19 virus is making a gradual reappearance in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To put it another way: Any “summer cold” you hear people complaining about over the coming week could once again be COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>To put it another way: Any “summer cold” you hear people complaining about over the coming week could once again be COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN team, which monitors coronavirus presence in human sewage, concentrations of the pathogen across the Bay Area sites they monitor are up 104% right now, compared to their June levels.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN team, which monitors coronavirus presence in human sewage, concentrations of the pathogen across the Bay Area sites they monitor are up 104% right now, compared to their June levels.\u003c/p>\n"
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"imageCredit": "Courtesy of WastewaterSCAN",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-1536x1009.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091462\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-1536x1009.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WastewaterSCAN’s summary of recent COVID-19 concentrations in the Bay Area.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091462\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WastewaterSCAN’s summary of recent COVID-19 concentrations in the Bay Area.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Stanford typically sees a COVID-19 summer wastewater wave start to happen in late May or June, WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said, “but this year we are off to a slower start.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Stanford typically sees a COVID-19 summer wastewater wave start to happen in late May or June, WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said, “but this year we are off to a slower start.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Statewide, COVID-19 levels in \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/RespiratoryVirusReport.aspx\">California wastewater \u003c/a>are still “very low.” But as families continue to embark on summer travel, Bidwell said Stanford is starting to see COVID-19 concentrations increase in wastewater across the southern states.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Statewide, COVID-19 levels in \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/RespiratoryVirusReport.aspx\">California wastewater \u003c/a>are still “very low.” But as families continue to embark on summer travel, Bidwell said Stanford is starting to see COVID-19 concentrations increase in wastewater across the southern states.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If it’s been a while since you or your family weathered an infection, a refresher might be handy as we enter a period of potentially higher risk. Here’s what we know about COVID-19 in the Bay Area for summer 2026.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If it’s been a while since you or your family weathered an infection, a refresher might be handy as we enter a period of potentially higher risk. Here’s what we know about COVID-19 in the Bay Area for summer 2026.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Is there a new COVID variant out there for summer 2026 I should be worried about?",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there a new COVID variant out there for summer 2026 I should be worried about?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there a new COVID variant out there for summer 2026 I should be worried about?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In short: No, said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University. The primary COVID-19 variant out there right now is still XFG, also known as “Stratus,” in the omicron lineage. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In short: No, said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University. The primary COVID-19 variant out there right now is still XFG, also known as “Stratus,” in the omicron lineage. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, that’s the one that’s also nicknamed \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045979/xfg-stratus-nimbus-nb181-covid-variant-symptoms-razor-blade-throat-incubation-period-testing\">“razor blade throat”\u003c/a> for the intense sore throat it gives many people. But other than that, XFG presents the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19, Karan said: “Sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, fever, that kind of thing.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, that’s the one that’s also nicknamed \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045979/xfg-stratus-nimbus-nb181-covid-variant-symptoms-razor-blade-throat-incubation-period-testing\">“razor blade throat”\u003c/a> for the intense sore throat it gives many people. But other than that, XFG presents the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19, Karan said: “Sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, fever, that kind of thing.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“The good news is that there’s nothing — at least genomically — that’s telling us we’re dealing with something very different, or something that should cause major concern or that will give us an increase in hospitalizations,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“The good news is that there’s nothing — at least genomically — that’s telling us we’re dealing with something very different, or something that should cause major concern or that will give us an increase in hospitalizations,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/image",
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"id": 12033385,
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"imageCredit": "Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What about other newer strains you might have heard about, like BA.3.2, dubbed \u003ca href=\"https://www.ajmc.com/view/cicada-covid-19-variant-faqs-symptoms-risk-and-prevention\">“Cicada”\u003c/a>? While any news of new COVID-19 variants might bring flashbacks to the game-changing emergence of \u003ca href=\"https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/s1201-omicron-variant.html\">omicron\u003c/a> in 2021, or delta after it, “the vast majority” of these latest strains aren’t giving medical professionals sleepless nights in 2026, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>What about other newer strains you might have heard about, like BA.3.2, dubbed \u003ca href=\"https://www.ajmc.com/view/cicada-covid-19-variant-faqs-symptoms-risk-and-prevention\">“Cicada”\u003c/a>? While any news of new COVID-19 variants might bring flashbacks to the game-changing emergence of \u003ca href=\"https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/s1201-omicron-variant.html\">omicron\u003c/a> in 2021, or delta after it, “the vast majority” of these latest strains aren’t giving medical professionals sleepless nights in 2026, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Nothing has shown a severe increase in severe disease or hospitalizations, or that they will be resistant to antivirals, or that they will render diagnostics invalid,” he said. “Those are the main things we worry about, but I’ve not seen that with any of the variants.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Nothing has shown a severe increase in severe disease or hospitalizations, or that they will be resistant to antivirals, or that they will render diagnostics invalid,” he said. “Those are the main things we worry about, but I’ve not seen that with any of the variants.”\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "How will my most recent COVID vaccine hold up against a 2026 summer wave?",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will my most recent COVID vaccine hold up against a 2026 summer wave?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will my most recent COVID vaccine hold up against a 2026 summer wave?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The 2025-26 \u003ca href=\"https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859\">COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> that rolled out in fall 2025 was formulated to target descendants of omicron and include XFG, the dominant variant now.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The 2025-26 \u003ca href=\"https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859\">COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> that rolled out in fall 2025 was formulated to target descendants of omicron and include XFG, the dominant variant now.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But if you got your shot as soon as you were able to last year, despite \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055165/where-can-i-find-new-updated-2025-covid-vaccine-near-me-moderna-pfizer-cvs-walgreens-safeway-vaccinations-health-insurance-cost\">the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts\u003c/a> to limit eligibility to the vaccine, that also means it’s been longer since you had that immunity boost. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But if you got your shot as soon as you were able to last year, despite \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055165/where-can-i-find-new-updated-2025-covid-vaccine-near-me-moderna-pfizer-cvs-walgreens-safeway-vaccinations-health-insurance-cost\">the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts\u003c/a> to limit eligibility to the vaccine, that also means it’s been longer since you had that immunity boost. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Broadly speaking, the longer it’s been since you got vaccinated, the lower your immune response is going to be,” Karan said. “As time goes on, the more variants there are since [the one] which the vaccine was based on, the more chance that you’ll have stronger symptoms or more likely to be infected.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“Broadly speaking, the longer it’s been since you got vaccinated, the lower your immune response is going to be,” Karan said. “As time goes on, the more variants there are since [the one] which the vaccine was based on, the more chance that you’ll have stronger symptoms or more likely to be infected.” \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12002056,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": " AP Photo/Patrick Sison",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1020x681.jpeg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1920x1281.jpeg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"A closeup image of two COVID-19 antigen test results.\" class=\"wp-image-12002056\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1020x681.jpeg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1920x1281.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result photographed in New York on April 5, 2023. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"A closeup image of two COVID-19 antigen test results.\" class=\"wp-image-12002056\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result photographed in New York on April 5, 2023. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But nothing researchers are seeing suggests that the vaccine is completely ineffective — or that it will no longer have benefits, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But nothing researchers are seeing suggests that the vaccine is completely ineffective — or that it will no longer have benefits, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“So you’re somewhere in the middle,” he said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“So you’re somewhere in the middle,” he said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And while “the goal of the vaccines is to prevent you from getting very sick,” they can’t prevent you from being infected in the first place. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And while “the goal of the vaccines is to prevent you from getting very sick,” they can’t prevent you from being infected in the first place. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: Don’t assume your fall 2025 vaccine will necessarily mean any infection you get in summer 2026 will be short or mild, so it’s worth considering your risks and taking precautions if necessary. Speaking of which …\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: Don’t assume your fall 2025 vaccine will necessarily mean any infection you get in summer 2026 will be short or mild, so it’s worth considering your risks and taking precautions if necessary. Speaking of which …\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "So should I be wearing a mask again on BART or in the grocery store?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So should I be wearing a mask again on BART or in the grocery store?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So should I be wearing a mask again on BART or in the grocery store?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I think it depends on how high the levels get,” Karan said — who recommended you keep an eye on the COVID-19 levels in your own county’s wastewater, according to WastewaterSCAN’s monitoring:\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“I think it depends on how high the levels get,” Karan said — who recommended you keep an eye on the COVID-19 levels in your own county’s wastewater, according to WastewaterSCAN’s monitoring:\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmV41AGKAQZiNDYyMGHAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=b4620a\">San Francisco \u003c/a>| \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkUQACABSABSBjVhYTY5OVIGMDJkMjQyUgZkZDM2ZmJSBjY3YzJlYlIGMjkzYjI1WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1OTRlYzPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=594ec3\">Alameda\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjA3Y2VkN1IGN2NhOTA1UgY3NGIzOWFSBmM5NWU2NFoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGMjc3MmU4wAEB&selectedChartId=2772e8\">San Mateo\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjI1NDgxOVIGOGE5YjRiUgY1NzlkYTNSBmM4ZDM1N1oGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDVjZjMzwAEB&selectedChartId=d5cf33\">Santa Clara\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBjc0ZDAyNlIGNTc1NzM4WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1MDg4Y2XAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=5088ce\">Contra Costa\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmZhMmQ2M1IGMGM4MDkxWgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQYwMzU3N2bAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=03577f\">Solano\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkQQACABSABSBjI0ZDAzMFIGNjQ3M2MwUgZiOTI1ZTdSBmRkZTg4ZlIGODRkNDg5WgZOIEdlbmV4dYoBBmZhZGM0ZsABAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=fadc4f\">Marin\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CjIQACABSABSBjMwMzJjOFIGNzFhMmY0UgZiYzc5ZjlaBk4gR2VuZXjSAYoBBmQ1NjA5Yw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=d5609c\">Sonoma\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CiUQACABSABSBmI3MjNhZVoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDU1MTZkwAEB&selectedChartId=d5516d\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmV41AGKAQZiNDYyMGHAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=b4620a\">San Francisco \u003c/a>| \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkUQACABSABSBjVhYTY5OVIGMDJkMjQyUgZkZDM2ZmJSBjY3YzJlYlIGMjkzYjI1WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1OTRlYzPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=594ec3\">Alameda\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjA3Y2VkN1IGN2NhOTA1UgY3NGIzOWFSBmM5NWU2NFoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGMjc3MmU4wAEB&selectedChartId=2772e8\">San Mateo\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjI1NDgxOVIGOGE5YjRiUgY1NzlkYTNSBmM4ZDM1N1oGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDVjZjMzwAEB&selectedChartId=d5cf33\">Santa Clara\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBjc0ZDAyNlIGNTc1NzM4WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1MDg4Y2XAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=5088ce\">Contra Costa\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmZhMmQ2M1IGMGM4MDkxWgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQYwMzU3N2bAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=03577f\">Solano\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkQQACABSABSBjI0ZDAzMFIGNjQ3M2MwUgZiOTI1ZTdSBmRkZTg4ZlIGODRkNDg5WgZOIEdlbmV4dYoBBmZhZGM0ZsABAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=fadc4f\">Marin\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CjIQACABSABSBjMwMzJjOFIGNzFhMmY0UgZiYzc5ZjlaBk4gR2VuZXjSAYoBBmQ1NjA5Yw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=d5609c\">Sonoma\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CiUQACABSABSBmI3MjNhZVoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDU1MTZkwAEB&selectedChartId=d5516d\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Wearing a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask in crowded places, especially if you observe people with possible COVID-19 symptoms around you, “can reduce the risk that you get infected — and I think for most people, that’s the goal at this point … to prevent infection that would knock them out for a couple of days,” Karan said. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Wearing a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask in crowded places, especially if you observe people with possible COVID-19 symptoms around you, “can reduce the risk that you get infected — and I think for most people, that’s the goal at this point … to prevent infection that would knock them out for a couple of days,” Karan said. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And if the thought of losing a week to infection and isolation isn’t enough, remember the risks of contracting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/long-covid\">long COVID\u003c/a>. Karan said that in 2026, he still sees long COVID-19 patients regularly. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And if the thought of losing a week to infection and isolation isn’t enough, remember the risks of contracting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/long-covid\">long COVID\u003c/a>. Karan said that in 2026, he still sees long COVID-19 patients regularly. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 12016585,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Gina Castro/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1920x1280.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016585\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An estimated 20 million gallons of wastewater have spilled into the Suisun Marsh in Contra Costa County. That will expose animals to chemicals that are carried in our sewage system.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016585\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An estimated 20 million gallons of wastewater have spilled into the Suisun Marsh in Contra Costa County. That will expose animals to chemicals that are carried in our sewage system.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“Even this week, I’ve seen people that came in with post-COVID infection, with longer-term brain fog and symptoms that are just disruptive and making them feel not great,” the scientist said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“Even this week, I’ve seen people that came in with post-COVID infection, with longer-term brain fog and symptoms that are just disruptive and making them feel not great,” the scientist said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>These risks are another reason to commit to isolating from other people as much as you can when you have COVID-19, Karan said — or to ensuring that anyone infected in your home isolates from the rest of the household as much as they can, despite the inconveniences that brings.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>These risks are another reason to commit to isolating from other people as much as you can when you have COVID-19, Karan said — or to ensuring that anyone infected in your home isolates from the rest of the household as much as they can, despite the inconveniences that brings.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "I think I was exposed or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID test?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I think I was exposed or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I think I was exposed or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 1: Know about updated incubation times \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 1: Know about updated incubation times \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If the average incubation times of five to seven days from back in 2020 are still burned into your brain, you should know: Incubation times for COVID-19 — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to and testing positive — have gotten shorter over the years. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If the average incubation times of five to seven days from back in 2020 are still burned into your brain, you should know: Incubation times for COVID-19 — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to and testing positive — have gotten shorter over the years. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>People are testing positive more quickly than they were in 2020, when the average incubation period was five to seven days, because it has changed with each new variant, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious disease expert, told KQED in 2025.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>People are testing positive more quickly than they were in 2020, when the average incubation period was five to seven days, because it has changed with each new variant, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious disease expert, told KQED in 2025.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Three days has become a common period of time between exposure and getting sick, Chin-Hong said. So given this trend, it makes sense to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure if you’re already having symptoms.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Three days has become a common period of time between exposure and getting sick, Chin-Hong said. So given this trend, it makes sense to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure if you’re already having symptoms.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 2: Don’t trust a negative early COVID test\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 2: Don’t trust a negative early COVID test\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again the next day if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again the next day if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Here’s why you can’t necessarily trust a negative at-home COVID-19 test in 2026: While incubation times have gotten shorter, doctors are seeing people take longer to get a positive test, Chin-Hong said. And that’s probably more to do with how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop symptoms in 2026 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Here’s why you can’t necessarily trust a negative at-home COVID-19 test in 2026: While incubation times have gotten shorter, doctors are seeing people take longer to get a positive test, Chin-Hong said. And that’s probably more to do with how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop symptoms in 2026 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus. Back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test, it would probably already be positive.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus. Back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test, it would probably already be positive.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 11989966,
"sizeSlug": "full",
"linkDestination": "none",
"imageCredit": "Beth La Berge/KQED",
"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11989966\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As COVID-19 levels continue to rise in Bay Area wastewater for summer 2026, what do you need to know?\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11989966\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As COVID-19 levels continue to rise in Bay Area wastewater for summer 2026, what do you need to know?\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, “we likely have more immune cells circulating that can recognize the enemy, so it ‘sounds the alarm’ quicker [and] people might feel something faster than in the old days,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, “we likely have more immune cells circulating that can recognize the enemy, so it ‘sounds the alarm’ quicker [and] people might feel something faster than in the old days,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we start to feel sick, we might actually be testing way too early for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we start to feel sick, we might actually be testing way too early for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The bottom line: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19. Play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t. Take another antigen test 48 hours later, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The bottom line: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19. Play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t. Take another antigen test 48 hours later, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 3: Make sure your COVID test hasn’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 3: Make sure your COVID test hasn’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Those COVID-19 tests you might have in a drawer may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Those COVID-19 tests you might have in a drawer may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>You can check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">FDA’s list\u003c/a> of antigen test types to see whether the box you’re holding has had its \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>You can check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">FDA’s list\u003c/a> of antigen test types to see whether the box you’re holding has had its \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. \u003c/p>\n"
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"id": 11948954,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up shot of a health care professional in black gloves holding a COVID-19 rapid test, which is pictured as a thick, white paper test with holes for a cotton swab to rest inside.\" class=\"wp-image-11948954\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rapid COVID-19 test held by a health care professional at a Unidos En Salud testing site, a collaboration by UCSF and the Latino Task Force, during a post-holiday COVID-19 outreach event on 24th and Mission Streets in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2020.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up shot of a health care professional in black gloves holding a COVID-19 rapid test, which is pictured as a thick, white paper test with holes for a cotton swab to rest inside.\" class=\"wp-image-11948954\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rapid COVID-19 test held by a health care professional at a Unidos En Salud testing site, a collaboration by UCSF and the Latino Task Force, during a post-holiday COVID-19 outreach event on 24th and Mission Streets in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2020.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Another tip from Chin-Hong: “A quick-and-dirty way” to know if you’re using a functional COVID-19 test is to make sure the control line turns positive. If that doesn’t happen, “that means the test is probably not working,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Another tip from Chin-Hong: “A quick-and-dirty way” to know if you’re using a functional COVID-19 test is to make sure the control line turns positive. If that doesn’t happen, “that means the test is probably not working,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "If I test positive, how long do I have to isolate with COVID in 2026?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If I test positive, how long do I have to isolate with COVID in 2026?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If I test positive, how long do I have to isolate with COVID in 2026?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In March 2024, the CDC officially revised its national COVID-19 isolation guidance, saying that COVID-positive people could now \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">return to work\u003c/a> or regular activities once “symptoms are improving overall” and they’ve been fever-free for at least\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">24 hours\u003c/a> without use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>In March 2024, the CDC officially revised its national COVID-19 isolation guidance, saying that COVID-positive people could now \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">return to work\u003c/a> or regular activities once “symptoms are improving overall” and they’ve been fever-free for at least\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">24 hours\u003c/a> without use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Read more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\">current isolation guidance\u003c/a> for COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Read more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\">current isolation guidance\u003c/a> for COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’ve been infected, consider asking your health provider for the COVID-19 medication \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment\u003c/a> in pill form that is still available free by prescription in California. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you’ve been infected, consider asking your health provider for the COVID-19 medication \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment\u003c/a> in pill form that is still available free by prescription in California. \u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Where can I still find a free COVID test?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I still find a free COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I still find a free COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Good question.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Good question.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have been shuttered.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have been shuttered.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/lab-leak-true-origins-of-covid-19/\">the White House site\u003c/a> that once offered you free at-home COVID-19 tests through USPS will now greet you with an image of President Donald Trump superimposed over the headline “LAB LEAK: The True Origins of COVID,” as well as a page dedicated to the theory \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/18/g-s1-61324/lab-leak-white-house-covid-origins\">disputed\u003c/a> by many scientists that the pandemic was caused by the coronavirus leaking from a government laboratory in Wuhan, China.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/lab-leak-true-origins-of-covid-19/\">the White House site\u003c/a> that once offered you free at-home COVID-19 tests through USPS will now greet you with an image of President Donald Trump superimposed over the headline “LAB LEAK: The True Origins of COVID,” as well as a page dedicated to the theory \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/18/g-s1-61324/lab-leak-white-house-covid-origins\">disputed\u003c/a> by many scientists that the pandemic was caused by the coronavirus leaking from a government laboratory in Wuhan, China.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So, what do you do now if you don’t already have a supply of antigen tests for COVID-19 at home right now?\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Now that the network of PCR testing options as we knew them has essentially gone, your best option is to purchase a COVID-19 at-home antigen test at a pharmacy. These at-home test kits are usually around $20 for a pack of two.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Now that the network of PCR testing options as we knew them has essentially gone, your best option is to purchase a COVID-19 at-home antigen test at a pharmacy. These at-home test kits are usually around $20 for a pack of two.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Ideally, ask someone to purchase one for you so you don’t potentially expose other people at the pharmacy, and if you really have to go yourself, wear a well-fitted N95 mask to help lower the risk you pose to others.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Ideally, ask someone to purchase one for you so you don’t potentially expose other people at the pharmacy, and if you really have to go yourself, wear a well-fitted N95 mask to help lower the risk you pose to others.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer\u003c/a> for the cost of up to eight at-home tests per month, so don’t throw away your receipts.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer\u003c/a> for the cost of up to eight at-home tests per month, so don’t throw away your receipts.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re insured through major Bay Area providers like Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, you may also be able to ask for a PCR test through your provider.\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "COVID levels in Bay Area wastewaters are starting to increase, signaling a possible summer swell — as if you needed another thing to worry about. Here’s what to know about your risk.",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>As if you needed another health concern to worry about — beyond the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12090791/cyclosporiasis-symptoms-california-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-foodborne-cyclospora-michigan-outbreak-fruits-vegetables-incubation-antibiotics\">“explosive diarrhea” stomach parasite\u003c/a> causing a surge of sicknesses around the United States — it looks like the COVID-19 virus is making a gradual reappearance in the Bay Area. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To put it another way: Any “summer cold” you hear people complaining about over the coming week could once again be COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN team, which monitors coronavirus presence in human sewage, concentrations of the pathogen across the Bay Area sites they monitor are up 104% right now, compared to their June levels.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1314\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091462\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-160x105.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Bay-Area-Wastewater-COVID-rise-1536x1009.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">WastewaterSCAN’s summary of recent COVID-19 concentrations in the Bay Area. (Courtesy of WastewaterSCAN)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Stanford typically sees a COVID-19 summer wastewater wave start to happen in late May or June, WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said, “but this year we are off to a slower start.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Statewide, COVID-19 levels in \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/RespiratoryVirusReport.aspx\">California wastewater \u003c/a>are still “very low.” But as families continue to embark on summer travel, Bidwell said Stanford is starting to see COVID-19 concentrations increase in wastewater across the southern states.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If it’s been a while since you or your family weathered an infection, a refresher might be handy as we enter a period of potentially higher risk. Here’s what we know about COVID-19 in the Bay Area for summer 2026.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is there a new COVID variant out there for summer 2026 I should be worried about?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In short: No, said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease expert at Stanford University. The primary COVID-19 variant out there right now is still XFG, also known as “Stratus,” in the omicron lineage. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, that’s the one that’s also nicknamed \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12045979/xfg-stratus-nimbus-nb181-covid-variant-symptoms-razor-blade-throat-incubation-period-testing\">“razor blade throat”\u003c/a> for the intense sore throat it gives many people. But other than that, XFG presents the kind of primarily respiratory symptoms we’ve come to expect from COVID-19, Karan said: “Sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, fever, that kind of thing.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“The good news is that there’s nothing — at least genomically — that’s telling us we’re dealing with something very different, or something that should cause major concern or that will give us an increase in hospitalizations,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12033385\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/GettyImages-1231697879_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A syringe is filled with a dose of the Johnson & Johnson Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site inside Reuther Hall at Forty Acres on March 13, 2021, in Delano, California. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What about other newer strains you might have heard about, like BA.3.2, dubbed \u003ca href=\"https://www.ajmc.com/view/cicada-covid-19-variant-faqs-symptoms-risk-and-prevention\">“Cicada”\u003c/a>? While any news of new COVID-19 variants might bring flashbacks to the game-changing emergence of \u003ca href=\"https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/media/releases/2021/s1201-omicron-variant.html\">omicron\u003c/a> in 2021, or delta after it, “the vast majority” of these latest strains aren’t giving medical professionals sleepless nights in 2026, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Nothing has shown a severe increase in severe disease or hospitalizations, or that they will be resistant to antivirals, or that they will render diagnostics invalid,” he said. “Those are the main things we worry about, but I’ve not seen that with any of the variants.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How will my most recent COVID vaccine hold up against a 2026 summer wave?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The 2025-26 \u003ca href=\"https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-vaccine/art-20484859\">COVID-19 vaccine\u003c/a> that rolled out in fall 2025 was formulated to target descendants of omicron and include XFG, the dominant variant now.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But if you got your shot as soon as you were able to last year, despite \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12055165/where-can-i-find-new-updated-2025-covid-vaccine-near-me-moderna-pfizer-cvs-walgreens-safeway-vaccinations-health-insurance-cost\">the Food and Drug Administration’s efforts\u003c/a> to limit eligibility to the vaccine, that also means it’s been longer since you had that immunity boost. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Broadly speaking, the longer it’s been since you got vaccinated, the lower your immune response is going to be,” Karan said. “As time goes on, the more variants there are since [the one] which the vaccine was based on, the more chance that you’ll have stronger symptoms or more likely to be infected.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1709\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"A closeup image of two COVID-19 antigen test results.\" class=\"wp-image-12002056\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1020x681.jpeg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-160x107.jpeg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1536x1025.jpeg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-2048x1367.jpeg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/08/ap23323639771611-1920x1281.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">COVID-19 antigen home tests indicating a positive result photographed in New York on April 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But nothing researchers are seeing suggests that the vaccine is completely ineffective — or that it will no longer have benefits, Karan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“So you’re somewhere in the middle,” he said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And while “the goal of the vaccines is to prevent you from getting very sick,” they can’t prevent you from being infected in the first place. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In a nutshell: Don’t assume your fall 2025 vaccine will necessarily mean any infection you get in summer 2026 will be short or mild, so it’s worth considering your risks and taking precautions if necessary. Speaking of which …\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So should I be wearing a mask again on BART or in the grocery store?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I think it depends on how high the levels get,” Karan said — who recommended you keep an eye on the COVID-19 levels in your own county’s wastewater, according to WastewaterSCAN’s monitoring:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmU5ZTg3ZVIGMzc0MzBhWgZOIEdlbmV41AGKAQZiNDYyMGHAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=b4620a\">San Francisco \u003c/a>| \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkUQACABSABSBjVhYTY5OVIGMDJkMjQyUgZkZDM2ZmJSBjY3YzJlYlIGMjkzYjI1WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1OTRlYzPAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=594ec3\">Alameda\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjA3Y2VkN1IGN2NhOTA1UgY3NGIzOWFSBmM5NWU2NFoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGMjc3MmU4wAEB&selectedChartId=2772e8\">San Mateo\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Cj0QACABSABSBjI1NDgxOVIGOGE5YjRiUgY1NzlkYTNSBmM4ZDM1N1oGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDVjZjMzwAEB&selectedChartId=d5cf33\">Santa Clara\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBjc0ZDAyNlIGNTc1NzM4WgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQY1MDg4Y2XAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=5088ce\">Contra Costa\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=Ci0QACABSABSBmZhMmQ2M1IGMGM4MDkxWgZOIEdlbmV40gGKAQYwMzU3N2bAAQE%3D&selectedChartId=03577f\">Solano\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CkQQACABSABSBjI0ZDAzMFIGNjQ3M2MwUgZiOTI1ZTdSBmRkZTg4ZlIGODRkNDg5WgZOIEdlbmV4dYoBBmZhZGM0ZsABAQ%3D%3D&selectedChartId=fadc4f\">Marin\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CjIQACABSABSBjMwMzJjOFIGNzFhMmY0UgZiYzc5ZjlaBk4gR2VuZXjSAYoBBmQ1NjA5Yw%3D%3D&selectedChartId=d5609c\">Sonoma\u003c/a> | \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CiUQACABSABSBmI3MjNhZVoGTiBHZW5leNIBigEGZDU1MTZkwAEB&selectedChartId=d5516d\">Napa\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Wearing a well-fitting N95 or KN95 mask in crowded places, especially if you observe people with possible COVID-19 symptoms around you, “can reduce the risk that you get infected — and I think for most people, that’s the goal at this point … to prevent infection that would knock them out for a couple of days,” Karan said. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And if the thought of losing a week to infection and isolation isn’t enough, remember the risks of contracting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/long-covid\">long COVID\u003c/a>. Karan said that in 2026, he still sees long COVID-19 patients regularly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12016585\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/20241203_SewageLeak_GC-8-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An estimated 20 million gallons of wastewater have spilled into the Suisun Marsh in Contra Costa County. That will expose animals to chemicals that are carried in our sewage system. (Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“Even this week, I’ve seen people that came in with post-COVID infection, with longer-term brain fog and symptoms that are just disruptive and making them feel not great,” the scientist said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>These risks are another reason to commit to isolating from other people as much as you can when you have COVID-19, Karan said — or to ensuring that anyone infected in your home isolates from the rest of the household as much as they can, despite the inconveniences that brings.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">I think I was exposed or have symptoms. When should I take a COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 1: Know about updated incubation times \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If the average incubation times of five to seven days from back in 2020 are still burned into your brain, you should know: Incubation times for COVID-19 — that is, the amount of time between getting exposed to and testing positive — have gotten shorter over the years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>People are testing positive more quickly than they were in 2020, when the average incubation period was five to seven days, because it has changed with each new variant, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious disease expert, told KQED in 2025.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Three days has become a common period of time between exposure and getting sick, Chin-Hong said. So given this trend, it makes sense to take a COVID-19 test as early as two days after exposure if you’re already having symptoms.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 2: Don’t trust a negative early COVID test\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If your first test is negative, you should absolutely test again the next day if symptoms persist — and again after that if you’re still negative.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Here’s why you can’t necessarily trust a negative at-home COVID-19 test in 2026: While incubation times have gotten shorter, doctors are seeing people take longer to get a positive test, Chin-Hong said. And that’s probably more to do with how much quicker someone with COVID-19 might develop symptoms in 2026 than they would have done in 2020.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As a reminder, those symptoms are the sign that your body’s immune system is mounting a response to an invading virus. Back at the start of the pandemic, by the time you developed COVID-19 symptoms and took a test, it would probably already be positive.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11989966\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/06/008_StockPhoto_AtHomeCOVIDTest_02022022_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">As COVID-19 levels continue to rise in Bay Area wastewater for summer 2026, what do you need to know? (Beth La Berge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But at this stage of the pandemic, “we likely have more immune cells circulating that can recognize the enemy, so it ‘sounds the alarm’ quicker [and] people might feel something faster than in the old days,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And because many of us take a COVID-19 test when we start to feel sick, we might actually be testing way too early for an at-home antigen kit to successfully detect enough virus inside us.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The bottom line: If you’re testing because you’ve started feeling unwell, don’t assume a negative result means you don’t actually have COVID-19. Play it safe, stay home as much as you can and wear a well-fitted mask if you can’t. Take another antigen test 48 hours later, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Step 3: Make sure your COVID test hasn’t expired\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Those COVID-19 tests you might have in a drawer may be approaching their expiration date if they haven’t already passed it. And an expired test could give you an unreliable result.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>You can check the \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">FDA’s list\u003c/a> of antigen test types to see whether the box you’re holding has had its \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests#list\">shelf life extended\u003c/a> by the manufacturer. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A close-up shot of a health care professional in black gloves holding a COVID-19 rapid test, which is pictured as a thick, white paper test with holes for a cotton swab to rest inside.\" class=\"wp-image-11948954\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/05/RS46094_002_KQED_SanFrancisco_COVIDTesting_11302020-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rapid COVID-19 test held by a health care professional at a Unidos En Salud testing site, a collaboration by UCSF and the Latino Task Force, during a post-holiday COVID-19 outreach event on 24th and Mission Streets in San Francisco on Nov. 30, 2020. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The FDA said that if a test’s shelf life has been extended, it’s because the manufacturer has given the agency enough “data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.” (In other words, it’s still OK to use that test.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Another tip from Chin-Hong: “A quick-and-dirty way” to know if you’re using a functional COVID-19 test is to make sure the control line turns positive. If that doesn’t happen, “that means the test is probably not working,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If I test positive, how long do I have to isolate with COVID in 2026?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In March 2024, the CDC officially revised its national COVID-19 isolation guidance, saying that COVID-positive people could now \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0301-respiratory-virus.html\">return to work\u003c/a> or regular activities once “symptoms are improving overall” and they’ve been fever-free for at least\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html\">24 hours\u003c/a> without use of a fever-reducing medication.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Read more about \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11973108/how-long-to-isolate-with-covid-in-2024-california-now-says-that-depends-on-symptoms\">current isolation guidance\u003c/a> for COVID-19.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’ve been infected, consider asking your health provider for the COVID-19 medication \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11914514/if-you-get-covid-should-you-try-to-get-paxlovid-heres-how-with-or-without-health-insurance\">Paxlovid, an antiviral treatment\u003c/a> in pill form that is still available free by prescription in California. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can I still find a free COVID test?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Good question.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Finding a quick, free COVID-19 test — whether an at-home antigen test or a PCR test — has gotten progressively harder at this stage of the pandemic as more sites and services have been shuttered.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And visiting \u003ca href=\"https://www.whitehouse.gov/lab-leak-true-origins-of-covid-19/\">the White House site\u003c/a> that once offered you free at-home COVID-19 tests through USPS will now greet you with an image of President Donald Trump superimposed over the headline “LAB LEAK: The True Origins of COVID,” as well as a page dedicated to the theory \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/04/18/g-s1-61324/lab-leak-white-house-covid-origins\">disputed\u003c/a> by many scientists that the pandemic was caused by the coronavirus leaking from a government laboratory in Wuhan, China.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So, what do you do now if you don’t already have a supply of antigen tests for COVID-19 at home right now?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now that the network of PCR testing options as we knew them has essentially gone, your best option is to purchase a COVID-19 at-home antigen test at a pharmacy. These at-home test kits are usually around $20 for a pack of two.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Ideally, ask someone to purchase one for you so you don’t potentially expose other people at the pharmacy, and if you really have to go yourself, wear a well-fitted N95 mask to help lower the risk you pose to others.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you have health insurance, you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11969300/how-to-get-reimbursed-for-at-home-covid-tests-in-2023\">request reimbursement from your health insurer\u003c/a> for the cost of up to eight at-home tests per month, so don’t throw away your receipts.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re insured through major Bay Area providers like Kaiser Permanente or Sutter Health, you may also be able to ask for a PCR test through your provider.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Outside Lands Is Sold Out. How Can You Still Find a Legit Resale Ticket?",
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"headTitle": "Outside Lands Is Sold Out. How Can You Still Find a Legit Resale Ticket? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>One of San Francisco’s biggest music festivals, Outside Lands, is coming back to Golden Gate Park this summer, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13987295/outside-lands-2026-lineup\">Charli xcx, The Strokes and Rüfüs Du Sol headlining\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/lineup/#/\">rest of the 2026 lineup\u003c/a> promises standout acts as well, including Labrinth, Pink Panthress, Ethel Cain, Death Cab for Cutie and Baby Keem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And this \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/\">three-day festival on Friday, Aug. 7, Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9\u003c/a> will be especially packed this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because several Outside Lands ticket packages — like General Admission, General Admission + and VIP — are already \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/tickets/\">sold out.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you were hoping to attend, all hope is not lost yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on for your remaining options for scoring tickets to Outside Lands’ very popular show this year (as well as tips on how to avoid scams).\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11894419\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11894419\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/10/Josh-Withers-scaled-e1635549076106.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowd at a nighttime outdoor concert.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A packed crowd at the Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park in 2019, the last time the event was held before the COVID pandemic. \u003ccite>(Josh Withers/Outside Lands)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>First off, how do tickets for Outside Lands work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The big thing to know: Outside Lands tickets are not physical tickets or QR codes on your phone — they’re \u003cem>physical \u003c/em>wristbands that \u003ca href=\"https://registration.frontgatetickets.com/?_gl=1*ba133m*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1#/2026outsidelands\">you register online\u003c/a> and that grant you entry to the festival.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The official ticket partner of Outside Lands is Front Gate Tickets.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What tickets are left for Outside Lands?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Almost all the different types of Outside Lands tickets, like General Admission and VIP, are sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The last individual ticket price left is \u003ca href=\"https://outsidelands.frontgatetickets.com/event/du3gohu6lw6bl5g0?_gl=1*hn8i33*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">a Friday single-day ticket\u003c/a> through the pricey Golden Gate Club, which includes perks like up-close viewing and curated food and drink.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12052319\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12052319\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A concertgoer wears a bandana and large sunglasses to Outside Lands on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>However, this ticket costs $2,369.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are also exclusive group viewing offers, like the SOMA Social Club, \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B4yVIwFlx8&feature=youtu.be\">suites and boxes\u003c/a> — but these are packages arranged directly with Outside Lands.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is there a waitlist for Outside Lands tickets, and how does it work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, there is a waitlist for all of the ticket offers that are sold out. You can \u003ca href=\"https://outsidelands.frontgatetickets.com/waitlist?_gl=1*bttyst*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">sign up for the waitlist with Front Gate Tickets\u003c/a>, where you will be asked to provide \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406624339729-Waitlist-Frequently-Asked-Questions?_ga=2.115336199.1000976837.1784139589-1477103800.1783719310&_gl=1*uepmn6*_ga*MTQ3NzEwMzgwMC4xNzgzNzE5MzEw*_ga_P42WB3X5FS*czE3ODQxNDQ3ODMkbzckZzEkdDE3ODQxNDUxNzYkajYwJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">a payment method and shipping address\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you’re on the waitlist, any tickets that become available are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, there is no set timeline in which you’ll hear back about getting a ticket. But if you do get called up on the waitlist, you’ll receive a “waitlist confirmation”, which Front Gate Tickets asks you to review ASAP \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406624339729-Waitlist-Frequently-Asked-Questions?_ga=2.115336199.1000976837.1784139589-1477103800.1783719310&_gl=1*uepmn6*_ga*MTQ3NzEwMzgwMC4xNzgzNzE5MzEw*_ga_P42WB3X5FS*czE3ODQxNDQ3ODMkbzckZzEkdDE3ODQxNDUxNzYkajYwJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">“to ensure that your information is still correct.” \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11960656\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11960656\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1.jpg\" alt=\"Fans pose under the iconic windmill arch during day two of the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on August 10, 2019.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1352\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-800x541.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-1020x690.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-1536x1038.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-1920x1298.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans pose under the iconic windmill arch during day two of the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2019. \u003ccite>(Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unless you tell Front Gate Tickets you don’t, in fact, want the available tickets by opting out of your request by the date listed in your email confirmation, “you will then be charged the full amount requested” to the payment method you’ve provided, the company said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your purchase is successful, you’ll then receive a receipt for your order, and your wristbands will either be delivered to the address you’ve provided or made available for in-person pick-up if it’s too close to the festival start date (see below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may want to sign up for multiple spots on a waitlist — and you can.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember, if you get off the waitlist for multiple ticket offers, you will be charged for \u003cem>all\u003c/em> of those tickets.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I get verified resale tickets for Outside Lands?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Verified resale tickets are \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/seg340/outside-lands-music-festival-tickets/event/15227\">sold through Ticketmaster\u003c/a>’s Ticket Exchange. Be sure to look before you buy, because some tickets are being sold in pairs of two or three.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Costs vary a lot —for example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/seg340/outside-lands-music-festival-tickets-san-francisco-ca-8-7-2026/tickets/4859516\">a Friday single-day GA ticket\u003c/a> ranges from $264.74 to $927.77.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, be patient. In this reporter’s experience, the \u003ca href=\"http://ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com\">ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com\u003c/a> website is very buggy, and you may get hit with a couple of 404 screens.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I get my wristband if I’m off the waitlist, or bought through verified resale?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you get off the waitlist or buy your resale before July 28, your wristband may be shipped out to you. (And if you \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/13806478425233-Can-I-resell-my-tickets\">bought through resale\u003c/a>, the original wristband deactivates and cannot be used for the festival — so no need to worry about the buyer changing their mind and taking your spot again.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085301\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085301\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Ticketmaster logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on March 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After July 28, you will likely have to pick the wristband up at Will Call in Golden Gate Park. The box office is at Marx Meadow, located at 25th & Fulton, and is open:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Thursday, Aug. 6 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Friday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Festival organizers say if you didn’t receive a tracking number for your wristband by the week of Outside Lands, you should submit \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?_gl=1*1uf5bcq*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">a request with Front Gate Tickets\u003c/a> as soon as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I get Outside Lands tickets from a friend or someone I know directly?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to a spokesperson with Outside Lands in an email to KQED, “We only recommend purchasing directly from Ticketmaster resale as this is the only verified method of reselling one’s festival passes.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you buy Outside Lands tickets through outside \u003ca href=\"https://www.stubhub.com/outside-lands-music-festival-tickets/grouping/150231713\">third-party sellers like StubHub \u003c/a>or social media threads, you won’t be able to seek official support if something goes wrong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Unfortunately, for account security, we cannot release order information for orders you did not purchase directly via Front Gate Tickets, nor can we verify the validity of third-party tickets,” the \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/13806478425233-Can-I-resell-my-tickets\">website’s FAQ\u003c/a> reads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11957341\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11957341\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A pink neon-toned nighttime shot of a big crowd standing in front of a stage with a neon sign that says OUTSIDE LANDS.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Outside Lands is almost here, and it’ll bring huge crowds and road closures around Golden Gate Park. Here’s what to know. \u003ccite>(Alive Coverage/Outside Lands)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you do go the social media route, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/OutsideLands/comments/1uqat93/official_buyselltrade_thread_2026/\">the genuinely friendly Outside Lands Reddit\u003c/a>, make very sure the wristband you’re offered is \u003cem>unregistered\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to veteran users, it is “one of the easiest ways to be scammed” since “the registered user can claim that the wristband was lost at any time and get a new one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I avoid Outside Lands ticket scams?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A few Outside Lands ticket scams to watch for:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Remember, tickets are physical wristbands. Do not trust anyone who says you can enter the festival with just a QR code and no wristband.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>People with three-day tickets cannot sell just one day of those tickets, and instead would \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/info/\">need to sell all three days\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Children under 2 years old don’t need a ticket to Outside Lands, so don’t trust anyone selling an “infant ticket” or similar.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>From \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084228/dont-fall-for-world-cup-ticket-scams-in-california\">the World Cup\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12071928/super-bowl-tickets-santa-clara-2026-scam-fraud-warning\">the Super Bowl \u003c/a>to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets#taylorswifttickets\">the Eras Tour\u003c/a>, KQED reporters also have a lot of experience in writing guides about avoiding ticket scams.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12052315\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12052315\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A concertgoer wears three pairs of sunglasses as he watches Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso perform at Outside Lands on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In fact, during the Taylor Swift tour, the Better Business Bureau \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets#taylorswifttickets\">issued a warning about resale scams\u003c/a>, with many people discovering after sending the money through apps like Venmo or Zelle that these “tickets” never existed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be sure to check out the person’s profile and their past posting history to see if it seems real.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you do choose to buy a resale, use your credit card, according to the BBB. This at least provides some protection for you if the deal was fake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are buying a resale ticket from a friend, make sure you call your friend directly to make sure someone isn’t impersonating them online.[aside postID=news_12090227 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/VIJAY-GUPTA-8-photo-by-Kate-Bawden.jpg']Also be sure to scrutinize the price — if \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084228/dont-fall-for-world-cup-ticket-scams-in-california\">the cost seems too good to be true\u003c/a>, it just might be.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I just got scammed buying a fake Outside Lands ticket. What can I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Make sure to document all your communication with the person who promised to sell you a ticket — and take screenshots of those messages in case they attempt to delete anything from their end.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you were scammed online or over the phone:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can then report the situation to your local police department, as the city where you live is where the crime took place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you bought the fake ticket in person from a scalper: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contact the police department of the city where the transaction took place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also file a complaint with the \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company\">California Attorney General’s office\u003c/a> or the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint\">Better Business Bureau\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ccabreralomeli\">Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí\u003c/a> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>One of San Francisco’s biggest music festivals, Outside Lands, is coming back to Golden Gate Park this summer, with \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13987295/outside-lands-2026-lineup\">Charli xcx, The Strokes and Rüfüs Du Sol headlining\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/lineup/#/\">rest of the 2026 lineup\u003c/a> promises standout acts as well, including Labrinth, Pink Panthress, Ethel Cain, Death Cab for Cutie and Baby Keem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And this \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/\">three-day festival on Friday, Aug. 7, Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9\u003c/a> will be especially packed this year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s because several Outside Lands ticket packages — like General Admission, General Admission + and VIP — are already \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/tickets/\">sold out.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you were hoping to attend, all hope is not lost yet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Read on for your remaining options for scoring tickets to Outside Lands’ very popular show this year (as well as tips on how to avoid scams).\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11894419\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11894419\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2021/10/Josh-Withers-scaled-e1635549076106.jpg\" alt=\"A large crowd at a nighttime outdoor concert.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A packed crowd at the Outside Lands Festival in Golden Gate Park in 2019, the last time the event was held before the COVID pandemic. \u003ccite>(Josh Withers/Outside Lands)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>First off, how do tickets for Outside Lands work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The big thing to know: Outside Lands tickets are not physical tickets or QR codes on your phone — they’re \u003cem>physical \u003c/em>wristbands that \u003ca href=\"https://registration.frontgatetickets.com/?_gl=1*ba133m*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1#/2026outsidelands\">you register online\u003c/a> and that grant you entry to the festival.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The official ticket partner of Outside Lands is Front Gate Tickets.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What tickets are left for Outside Lands?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Almost all the different types of Outside Lands tickets, like General Admission and VIP, are sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The last individual ticket price left is \u003ca href=\"https://outsidelands.frontgatetickets.com/event/du3gohu6lw6bl5g0?_gl=1*hn8i33*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">a Friday single-day ticket\u003c/a> through the pricey Golden Gate Club, which includes perks like up-close viewing and curated food and drink.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12052319\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12052319\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_043_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A concertgoer wears a bandana and large sunglasses to Outside Lands on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>However, this ticket costs $2,369.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are also exclusive group viewing offers, like the SOMA Social Club, \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B4yVIwFlx8&feature=youtu.be\">suites and boxes\u003c/a> — but these are packages arranged directly with Outside Lands.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Is there a waitlist for Outside Lands tickets, and how does it work?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes, there is a waitlist for all of the ticket offers that are sold out. You can \u003ca href=\"https://outsidelands.frontgatetickets.com/waitlist?_gl=1*bttyst*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">sign up for the waitlist with Front Gate Tickets\u003c/a>, where you will be asked to provide \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406624339729-Waitlist-Frequently-Asked-Questions?_ga=2.115336199.1000976837.1784139589-1477103800.1783719310&_gl=1*uepmn6*_ga*MTQ3NzEwMzgwMC4xNzgzNzE5MzEw*_ga_P42WB3X5FS*czE3ODQxNDQ3ODMkbzckZzEkdDE3ODQxNDUxNzYkajYwJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">a payment method and shipping address\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you’re on the waitlist, any tickets that become available are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Unfortunately, there is no set timeline in which you’ll hear back about getting a ticket. But if you do get called up on the waitlist, you’ll receive a “waitlist confirmation”, which Front Gate Tickets asks you to review ASAP \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/4406624339729-Waitlist-Frequently-Asked-Questions?_ga=2.115336199.1000976837.1784139589-1477103800.1783719310&_gl=1*uepmn6*_ga*MTQ3NzEwMzgwMC4xNzgzNzE5MzEw*_ga_P42WB3X5FS*czE3ODQxNDQ3ODMkbzckZzEkdDE3ODQxNDUxNzYkajYwJGwwJGgw*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">“to ensure that your information is still correct.” \u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11960656\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11960656\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1.jpg\" alt=\"Fans pose under the iconic windmill arch during day two of the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on August 10, 2019.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1352\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-800x541.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-1020x690.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-1536x1038.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/230911-Outside-Lands-Getty-JC-KQED_1-1920x1298.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fans pose under the iconic windmill arch during day two of the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Aug. 10, 2019. \u003ccite>(Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Unless you tell Front Gate Tickets you don’t, in fact, want the available tickets by opting out of your request by the date listed in your email confirmation, “you will then be charged the full amount requested” to the payment method you’ve provided, the company said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your purchase is successful, you’ll then receive a receipt for your order, and your wristbands will either be delivered to the address you’ve provided or made available for in-person pick-up if it’s too close to the festival start date (see below).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You may want to sign up for multiple spots on a waitlist — and you can.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But remember, if you get off the waitlist for multiple ticket offers, you will be charged for \u003cem>all\u003c/em> of those tickets.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Where can I get verified resale tickets for Outside Lands?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Verified resale tickets are \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/seg340/outside-lands-music-festival-tickets/event/15227\">sold through Ticketmaster\u003c/a>’s Ticket Exchange. Be sure to look before you buy, because some tickets are being sold in pairs of two or three.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Costs vary a lot —for example, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/seg340/outside-lands-music-festival-tickets-san-francisco-ca-8-7-2026/tickets/4859516\">a Friday single-day GA ticket\u003c/a> ranges from $264.74 to $927.77.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Also, be patient. In this reporter’s experience, the \u003ca href=\"http://ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com\">ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com\u003c/a> website is very buggy, and you may get hit with a couple of 404 screens.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I get my wristband if I’m off the waitlist, or bought through verified resale?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you get off the waitlist or buy your resale before July 28, your wristband may be shipped out to you. (And if you \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/13806478425233-Can-I-resell-my-tickets\">bought through resale\u003c/a>, the original wristband deactivates and cannot be used for the festival — so no need to worry about the buyer changing their mind and taking your spot again.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12085301\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1980px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12085301\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/GettyImages-2264385459-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Ticketmaster logo is displayed on a smartphone screen in this photo illustration in Brussels, Belgium, on March 5, 2026. \u003ccite>(Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>After July 28, you will likely have to pick the wristband up at Will Call in Golden Gate Park. The box office is at Marx Meadow, located at 25th & Fulton, and is open:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Thursday, Aug. 6 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Friday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Sunday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>Festival organizers say if you didn’t receive a tracking number for your wristband by the week of Outside Lands, you should submit \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?_gl=1*1uf5bcq*_gcl_au*MTgyNjg5NzMyOC4xNzgzNzE5MDg1\">a request with Front Gate Tickets\u003c/a> as soon as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Can I get Outside Lands tickets from a friend or someone I know directly?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>According to a spokesperson with Outside Lands in an email to KQED, “We only recommend purchasing directly from Ticketmaster resale as this is the only verified method of reselling one’s festival passes.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you buy Outside Lands tickets through outside \u003ca href=\"https://www.stubhub.com/outside-lands-music-festival-tickets/grouping/150231713\">third-party sellers like StubHub \u003c/a>or social media threads, you won’t be able to seek official support if something goes wrong.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Unfortunately, for account security, we cannot release order information for orders you did not purchase directly via Front Gate Tickets, nor can we verify the validity of third-party tickets,” the \u003ca href=\"https://support.frontgatetickets.com/hc/en-us/articles/13806478425233-Can-I-resell-my-tickets\">website’s FAQ\u003c/a> reads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11957341\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11957341\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut.jpg\" alt=\"A pink neon-toned nighttime shot of a big crowd standing in front of a stage with a neon sign that says OUTSIDE LANDS.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/RS67686_OUTSIDELANDS2021_1029_211813-2791_ALIVECOVERAGE-qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Outside Lands is almost here, and it’ll bring huge crowds and road closures around Golden Gate Park. Here’s what to know. \u003ccite>(Alive Coverage/Outside Lands)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you do go the social media route, like \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/OutsideLands/comments/1uqat93/official_buyselltrade_thread_2026/\">the genuinely friendly Outside Lands Reddit\u003c/a>, make very sure the wristband you’re offered is \u003cem>unregistered\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>According to veteran users, it is “one of the easiest ways to be scammed” since “the registered user can claim that the wristband was lost at any time and get a new one.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How can I avoid Outside Lands ticket scams?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A few Outside Lands ticket scams to watch for:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>Remember, tickets are physical wristbands. Do not trust anyone who says you can enter the festival with just a QR code and no wristband.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>People with three-day tickets cannot sell just one day of those tickets, and instead would \u003ca href=\"https://sfoutsidelands.com/info/\">need to sell all three days\u003c/a>.\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>Children under 2 years old don’t need a ticket to Outside Lands, so don’t trust anyone selling an “infant ticket” or similar.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>From \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084228/dont-fall-for-world-cup-ticket-scams-in-california\">the World Cup\u003c/a> to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12071928/super-bowl-tickets-santa-clara-2026-scam-fraud-warning\">the Super Bowl \u003c/a>to \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets#taylorswifttickets\">the Eras Tour\u003c/a>, KQED reporters also have a lot of experience in writing guides about avoiding ticket scams.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12052315\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12052315\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/08/08082025_Outsidelands_EG_082_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">A concertgoer wears three pairs of sunglasses as he watches Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso perform at Outside Lands on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025. \u003ccite>(Estefany Gonzalez for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>In fact, during the Taylor Swift tour, the Better Business Bureau \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11956083/taylor-swift-levis-stadium-eras-santa-clara-tickets#taylorswifttickets\">issued a warning about resale scams\u003c/a>, with many people discovering after sending the money through apps like Venmo or Zelle that these “tickets” never existed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Be sure to check out the person’s profile and their past posting history to see if it seems real.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And if you do choose to buy a resale, use your credit card, according to the BBB. This at least provides some protection for you if the deal was fake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you are buying a resale ticket from a friend, make sure you call your friend directly to make sure someone isn’t impersonating them online.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Also be sure to scrutinize the price — if \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084228/dont-fall-for-world-cup-ticket-scams-in-california\">the cost seems too good to be true\u003c/a>, it just might be.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I just got scammed buying a fake Outside Lands ticket. What can I do?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Make sure to document all your communication with the person who promised to sell you a ticket — and take screenshots of those messages in case they attempt to delete anything from their end.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you were scammed online or over the phone:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can then report the situation to your local police department, as the city where you live is where the crime took place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>If you bought the fake ticket in person from a scalper: \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Contact the police department of the city where the transaction took place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can also file a complaint with the \u003ca href=\"https://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company\">California Attorney General’s office\u003c/a> or the \u003ca href=\"https://www.bbb.org/file-a-complaint\">Better Business Bureau\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/ccabreralomeli\">Carlos Cabrera-Lomelí\u003c/a> contributed to this report.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "whats-happening-with-temporary-protected-status-after-the-major-supreme-court-ruling",
"title": "What’s Happening With Temporary Protected Status After the Major Supreme Court Ruling?",
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"headTitle": "What’s Happening With Temporary Protected Status After the Major Supreme Court Ruling? | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Jhony Silva has lived in the Bay Area since he was a toddler. The 30-year-old was a nursing assistant at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But since \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-honduras\">the expiration of \u003c/a>Temporary Protected Status for his birth country, Honduras, last September, Silva’s life has been shaken. He lost his job — which he held while also going to school to become a registered nurse — and he frequently fears getting deported and separated from his family. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I have a 9-year-old that I worry about,” he said. “Getting that TPS status taken away from me was a very rude awakening, and it’s left me in a really unpleasant situation.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hundreds of thousands of people on TPS are likely to be in a similar situation. In late June, the Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the power \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088417/supreme-court-immigration-decision-leaves-thousands-of-californians-in-limbo\">to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians without court oversight\u003c/a>, attacking a decades-old federal program that allows people to stay in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088937\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A protester holds a sign calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees in front of the court in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The decision can have ripple effects by jeopardizing the status of individuals from other TPS-designated countries like Venezuela and Nepal. According to federal data from early last year, nearly \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RS20844\">1.3 million people\u003c/a> from 17 different countries are TPS holders, with almost 80,000 living in California. KQED published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088988/on-tps-in-california-what-you-should-know-after-the-supreme-court-ruling\">a Q&A with lawyers and experts\u003c/a> from the Supreme Court case shortly after the decision in June. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I want people to realize that we are not what Donald Trump says we are,” Silva said. “We are hardworking people that want to make a life for ourselves out here, and support our family and try to pursue our own version of the American Dream.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We all deserve better, and we all need to come together and work on figuring out how to better this situation.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To learn more about the fallout of the TPS ruling and the context around it, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914391/the-fallout-from-the-supreme-courts-tps-ruling\">KQED’s \u003cem>Forum\u003c/em>\u003c/a> spoke to Jazmine Ulloa, \u003cem>The New York Times \u003c/em>national reporter covering immigration, and Emi MacLean, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mina Kim: What is Temporary Protected Status?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Emi MacLean: \u003c/strong>Temporary Protected Status is a form of humanitarian immigration protection for people whose countries are in crisis. These are people who are in the United States and cannot safely return to their home countries because their countries are at war, there’s a humanitarian crisis or there’s a natural disaster. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s a 1990 law that is intended to limit executive discretion and create rules for when countries can be designated for TPS and how countries’ designations for TPS can end. It ended a period where there was complete executive discretion. It was Congress’s intent at the time to create rules that govern how countries can get TPS and how individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries can be protected against deportation, detention and be provided work authorization while they’re living in the United States. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089188\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Demonstrators hold up an anti-Trump sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. The Supreme Court is to issue its final rulings on Friday ahead of its summer break, including cases involving birthright citizenship, porn site age verification, students and LGBTQ-themed content, and voting rights. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How long are TPS holders in the country for?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>Each individual designation is up to 18 months, but the law is clear that at the end of a period of a country’s designation, the government must review the conditions in the country. If it’s still unsafe for individuals to return to that country, their TPS designation must be extended. And we know that wars, natural disasters, humanitarian crises don’t come in 12- or 18-month intervals. Sometimes countries can be in crisis for five years, 10 years or more. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The law is clear that TPS must be extended if the country’s conditions remain unsafe and may be terminated only if it is safe for individuals to return to that country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The National TPS Alliance and others who have been fighting for TPS holders recognize that TPS, or humanitarian protection, is critical. But there needs to be a path to permanent protection that’s available for people, especially people who cannot return home for a period of time and who build lives here, who have U.S. citizen children, who own homes, who are working long-term in jobs and who become part of the fabric of this country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They should not be permanently in limbo just because their countries are going through a protracted crisis. So certainly there should be reforms to the system. There should be reforms in a lot of ways that provide pathways to status for people. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What is the Trump administration saying about TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jazmine Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This falls more into this broader shift away from these international commitments that the United States has held for decades — that the U.S. took on in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Trump administration hasn’t necessarily said they want to terminate the program altogether, but they’ve suggested it in the way that they’ve approached it. They’re making it harder for refugees to enter; they’ve cut the number of refugees to record lows; they have made it much harder for asylum seekers to seek asylum in the courts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/ap26090784092005-scaled-e1781134932262.jpeg\" alt=\"President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\" class=\"wp-image-12085478\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This is part of that much broader movement, this broader shift away from establishing those humanitarian protections for people. More than a dozen countries have now been eliminated. Only four remain standing: El Salvador, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What I’m hearing from folks is just how the legal landscape is just quickly changing underneath their feet: where one person can be legally here in the United States on one day, they feel like by the next day they won’t be. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Does that mean that the Supreme Court, in its decision, essentially said that the federal courts need to stay out of TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Under the law, the administration has the authority to terminate TPS designations for individual countries — but only where they follow certain criteria. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of the central issues that was before the Supreme Court is: “Does the government \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to follow the law?” And essentially, the government’s argument was, ‘In no uncertain terms, there’s nothing the courts can do about it.’” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5804707/supreme-court-tps\">question from a Supreme Court justice\u003c/a> was: “If the secretary made a decision relying on a Ouija board, rather than evaluating country conditions, would we be able to have any review?” The Solicitor General, one of the top lawyers in the United States, said: “There would be no judicial review in that case.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088821\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Temporary Protected Status holders, along with union leaders and advocates, rally as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in Mullin v. Doe on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The case will determine whether the Trump administration may terminate the TPS designations. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So the law is clear that there are processes that must be followed for a TPS designation to be terminated — where hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. And a central question now is: can courts do anything about it when they completely violate the law? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It doesn’t completely eliminate all avenues for judicial review, but it severely constrains the avenues that are available for judicial review. And it essentially gives the administration what it was asking for. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are more than a dozen cases across the country before all sorts of judges where TPS holders are challenging the Trump administration’s illegal terminations of TPS. And every single judge in every single case had recognized that there must be checks and balances. There must be oversight. Otherwise, the TPS statute is just advisory. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And the Supreme Court endorsed the extreme position that the government presented, which is that it is effectively advisory. What the Supreme Court did say is that there may still be constitutional claims, including claims related to the unconstitutional termination of TPS because the TPS terminations were motivated by racism.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>But one of the arguments made was that this \u003cem>was \u003c/em>motivated by racism. How did the Trump administration respond to that?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration essentially asked the justices to close their eyes and their ears to the clearly racist statements by President Trump and the then-Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The constitutionality of the TPS termination question was related directly to the termination of TPS for Haiti. We will all remember during the campaign, and while Trump was president, he talked about Haitians — and Haitian TPS holders in particular — as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12006797/haitians-in-ca-worry-of-long-term-effects-from-false-political-rhetoric\">eating cats and dogs of their neighbors\u003c/a>. He talked about Haitian as poisoning the blood of the country. And he described Haiti, and in the context of talking about TPS, as a “shit country.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Essentially what the Solicitor General was saying is, those are just statements of policy differences. And in an egregious majority decision by the supermajority in a six-to-three decision, the Supreme Court agreed and said, “This is heated language and an expression of policy differences.” And they essentially ignored the very clearly racist statements. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But they did not prevent TPS holders from continuing to bring constitutional challenges. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this ruling mean for other TPS holders not from Haiti or Syria?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration remains locked in litigation over whether it can end protections for more than a million people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Venezuela, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And so I’ve been talking to TPS holders from many of these nations who are scrambling to find other forms of protection and are trying to make life-and-death decisions right now about whether to stay in the country or be forced to return to countries that they say are still very, very unstable. And they’re doing so at a time when the administration is ramping up arrests all across the country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this mean for people who have lost TPS? Does it essentially mean they are subject to deportation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> There are 1.3 million people who had TPS at the start of this administration. And as Jazmine was saying, virtually all of the TPS designations have been terminated to date, except for a few that have not yet come up for review. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are about 700,000 people who have already lost their TPS status because the legal challenges have allowed for those TPS terminations to go into effect. There are about 350,000 Haitian and Syrian TPS holders that are expected to lose their status within days as a result of the Supreme Court’s endorsement of the government’s arguments defending their TPS terminations, and there are some others where the challenges continue to be making their way through the courts, but are going to be much harder because of the Supreme Court’s decisions. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12080887\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A family attends Mass at St. Jarlath’s Church in Oakland during a vigil for immigrant families on Oct. 28, 2025. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What we know is that TPS holders who have lost status have been at risk of detention and deportation, and they have, in many cases, already lost their employment authorization and are living on the margins where previously they were able to contribute to their families, contribute to their communities. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I spend a lot of time in this very rural conservative area in Iowa, where more than a dozen Ukrainians have arrived since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, and they’ve been able to establish themselves. They’ve been able to buy homes and work various jobs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now they have to stay home. Their employers have been fighting to bring them back to work. I spoke to one employer who said, “These two women here who learned how to frame, how to paint windows and frame the doorways, it’s very specialized, skilled work that they were able to learn in two years.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He’s paid thousands of dollars to try to get them visas, but those are very difficult processes and can take many years to establish, and the administration is only making it harder in so many different ways, whether it’s in the courts whether through these administrative processes. So it’s putting people in very dire situations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What process exists for TPS holders to be able to get a status that is not temporary? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Temporary Protected Status is supposed to mean something that is different from permanent status. What that means is that for as long as it is unsafe for an individual to return to their home country, they should be able to stay here, but they are consistently in limbo. And so it is not a great status for people to be in for long periods of time, but sometimes it’s the only available status. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I talked this morning to a Haitian TPS holder who’s lived here since she was a child. Every single other member of her family has a permanent status. She applied more than five years ago to adjust through a family member. That wait list is probably going to be six to 10 years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Her employer wants her to be able to stay and sought employment authorization for her with an H-1B visa, but the administration has blocked the processing of immigration applications for Haitians and for many people from many other countries. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> That doesn’t mean that Congress could not create a pathway to status. And there are actually bills that currently exist in Congress that would provide a path to permanent legal status — green cards — for TPS holders. It is very important now that, in addition to providing longer-term protections for TPS holders, a path to permanent relief and a moratorium on deportations, that the statute has judicial review restored.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It’s a convenient retort that Trump and the DHS secretaries will say: just follow the rules, get in line, apply through the normal process. But they’re doing literally everything in their power to prevent people from getting any permanent status. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And they are, in fact, engaging with this mass de-documentation program. Some 1.3 million people will lose status effectively overnight through their actions. They are the ones who are making people undocumented and preventing them from having another path to getting status.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are the impacts of the TPS ruling on communities and economies? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve looked at it at a large-scale level and at the interpersonal level and personal level and familial level. There were multiple Nobel Prize-winning economists who filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court about the billions of dollars that are going to be lost to the U.S. economy from the de-documentation of TPS holders. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many TPS holders — including a large number of the 350,000 Haitian TPS holders who are on the eve of losing their status — work in vital care industries as doctors, nurses and home health aides. Patients rely on them. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/GettyImages-1059576326-e1549920421190.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725430\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate in front of the White House against the decision by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for people from six countries in November 2018. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve also done studies at a smaller level of members of the National TPS Alliance who we represent in TPS challenges in court about what the effect was on individuals, and on their families from the loss of TPS status. We found that of the people who responded to the study, virtually all had stable, long-term committed employment, some for many years. And then overnight, the majority of people effectively lost all of their income. So that is devastating for individuals. It’s also devastating for communities that are then forced to pick up the pieces. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> A problem that a lot of TPS holders are encountering is that sometimes their work permit has not necessarily been terminated, but there’s a lot of confusion as to when. And so some employers have already let staff go, thinking that they’re going to have to do so anyway, so why not just do it now? Others are trying to work with lawyers, with their legal assistants, to figure out exactly what the regulations are. Many worry about facing steep fines if they do not meet the government’s new approach to this program.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The U.S. has stripped TPS status for some of these countries, but don’t they \u003cem>also\u003c/em> have travel advisories warning people not to go there? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The inconsistency and incoherence between the two parts of the government cannot be ignored. That you have the State Department saying on their website, no part of Syria is safe, and saying, if you’re going to travel to Haiti, \u003ca href=\"https://ht.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-haiti-july-2026/\">prepare a will in advance\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And yet, in the decisions terminating TPS for Haiti and Syria, the DHS secretary said it can be safe to return, there’s only sporadic violence in Syria, there are improvements in Haiti. There’s no way that that’s true. The termination decisions are founded on lies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The Venezuela earthquake is a really poignant and deeply devastating example. The earthquake is exactly the type of thing that would have sparked a TPS designation under any other administration, or many other administrations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>We know that there was a deportation flight from Miami to Venezuela the day before the earthquake. We know \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/06/30/nx-s1-5875287/venezuela-deportees-us-quakes\">there were TPS holders on that flight, and we know that they died\u003c/a>. They were in a hotel that collapsed. There’s been no acknowledgment, no remorse, no recognition of that. And still there are Venezuelan TPS holders, a large number of them who are detained and awaiting deportation, and there’s been no mention of any consideration of designating Venezuela for TPS because of the earthquake. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>There are quite a number of lawmakers who have recognized the concern for the Venezuelan population and even the concern for the termination of TPS for Venezuela, including Republican lawmakers in Florida who are willing to post on their social media that they’re concerned about TPS for Venezuela but unwilling to do anything about it. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What about the countries \u003cem>with\u003c/em> protection? When do those come up for renewal? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I’m definitely hearing from people from El Salvador who are on TPS that they are very, very worried. And these TPS holders from El Salvador are particularly striking because many of them have been in the country for 30 years, and it is because of their struggle to find legal pathways in this country that we even have the program to begin with. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This program was created, as we said earlier, in the 1990s, and it was driven by a bipartisan push in Congress largely \u003ca href=\"https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/temporary-protected-status-whats-up-with-that/\">because people from El Salvador were fleeing their native country\u003c/a> and coming into the United States; they were fleeing a very violent civil war and they were ending up here and they were trying to find sanctuary in churches, and they were lobbying members of Congress for this protection. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It is striking to many of them to now, years later, have built lives. Many of them have kids who have now gone on to college. They are still struggling for the same type of protection and still fearing this war or very unstable situations back in El Salvador.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Are there any new legal avenues being pursued by TPS advocates?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> We do think that with more evidence about the motivations for the TPS terminations, it should be clear that the TPS terminations were motivated by racism, which is against the Constitution. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s an open question about whether the Supreme Court is going to find a violation of the Constitution for anything if they’re not willing to recognize these clearly, blatantly racist statements as evidence of racism, but we plan to and will bring even more evidence than was available at the Supreme Court. We also believe that there are other constitutional challenges that have not been brought, that we intend to move forward in the courts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s clear that this will not immediately protect the TPS holders at risk. Deportations are happening now. Detentions are happening. Now the harm is happening to TPS holders, their families and their communities, many of whom have lived here for a long time. We will continue to fight, but it is really critical that there is a political solution as well, given the real limitations that the Supreme Court has placed on legal avenues for relief.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Jhony Silva has lived in the Bay Area since he was a toddler. The 30-year-old was a nursing assistant at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But since \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-honduras\">the expiration of \u003c/a>Temporary Protected Status for his birth country, Honduras, last September, Silva’s life has been shaken. He lost his job — which he held while also going to school to become a registered nurse — and he frequently fears getting deported and separated from his family. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But since \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-honduras\">the expiration of \u003c/a>Temporary Protected Status for his birth country, Honduras, last September, Silva’s life has been shaken. He lost his job — which he held while also going to school to become a registered nurse — and he frequently fears getting deported and separated from his family. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I have a 9-year-old that I worry about,” he said. “Getting that TPS status taken away from me was a very rude awakening, and it’s left me in a really unpleasant situation.”\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I have a 9-year-old that I worry about,” he said. “Getting that TPS status taken away from me was a very rude awakening, and it’s left me in a really unpleasant situation.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Hundreds of thousands of people on TPS are likely to be in a similar situation. In late June, the Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the power \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088417/supreme-court-immigration-decision-leaves-thousands-of-californians-in-limbo\">to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians without court oversight\u003c/a>, attacking a decades-old federal program that allows people to stay in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Hundreds of thousands of people on TPS are likely to be in a similar situation. In late June, the Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the power \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088417/supreme-court-immigration-decision-leaves-thousands-of-californians-in-limbo\">to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians without court oversight\u003c/a>, attacking a decades-old federal program that allows people to stay in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088937\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A protester holds a sign calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees in front of the court in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2026. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088937\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A protester holds a sign calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees in front of the court in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2026. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The decision can have ripple effects by jeopardizing the status of individuals from other TPS-designated countries like Venezuela and Nepal. According to federal data from early last year, nearly \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RS20844\">1.3 million people\u003c/a> from 17 different countries are TPS holders, with almost 80,000 living in California. KQED published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088988/on-tps-in-california-what-you-should-know-after-the-supreme-court-ruling\">a Q&A with lawyers and experts\u003c/a> from the Supreme Court case shortly after the decision in June. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The decision can have ripple effects by jeopardizing the status of individuals from other TPS-designated countries like Venezuela and Nepal. According to federal data from early last year, nearly \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RS20844\">1.3 million people\u003c/a> from 17 different countries are TPS holders, with almost 80,000 living in California. KQED published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088988/on-tps-in-california-what-you-should-know-after-the-supreme-court-ruling\">a Q&A with lawyers and experts\u003c/a> from the Supreme Court case shortly after the decision in June. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“I want people to realize that we are not what Donald Trump says we are,” Silva said. “We are hardworking people that want to make a life for ourselves out here, and support our family and try to pursue our own version of the American Dream.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“I want people to realize that we are not what Donald Trump says we are,” Silva said. “We are hardworking people that want to make a life for ourselves out here, and support our family and try to pursue our own version of the American Dream.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We all deserve better, and we all need to come together and work on figuring out how to better this situation.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“We all deserve better, and we all need to come together and work on figuring out how to better this situation.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>To learn more about the fallout of the TPS ruling and the context around it, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914391/the-fallout-from-the-supreme-courts-tps-ruling\">KQED’s \u003cem>Forum\u003c/em>\u003c/a> spoke to Jazmine Ulloa, \u003cem>The New York Times \u003c/em>national reporter covering immigration, and Emi MacLean, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>To learn more about the fallout of the TPS ruling and the context around it, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914391/the-fallout-from-the-supreme-courts-tps-ruling\">KQED’s \u003cem>Forum\u003c/em>\u003c/a> spoke to Jazmine Ulloa, \u003cem>The New York Times \u003c/em>national reporter covering immigration, and Emi MacLean, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mina Kim: What is Temporary Protected Status?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mina Kim: What is Temporary Protected Status?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Emi MacLean: \u003c/strong>Temporary Protected Status is a form of humanitarian immigration protection for people whose countries are in crisis. These are people who are in the United States and cannot safely return to their home countries because their countries are at war, there’s a humanitarian crisis or there’s a natural disaster. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Emi MacLean: \u003c/strong>Temporary Protected Status is a form of humanitarian immigration protection for people whose countries are in crisis. These are people who are in the United States and cannot safely return to their home countries because their countries are at war, there’s a humanitarian crisis or there’s a natural disaster. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s a 1990 law that is intended to limit executive discretion and create rules for when countries can be designated for TPS and how countries’ designations for TPS can end. It ended a period where there was complete executive discretion. It was Congress’s intent at the time to create rules that govern how countries can get TPS and how individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries can be protected against deportation, detention and be provided work authorization while they’re living in the United States. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There’s a 1990 law that is intended to limit executive discretion and create rules for when countries can be designated for TPS and how countries’ designations for TPS can end. It ended a period where there was complete executive discretion. It was Congress’s intent at the time to create rules that govern how countries can get TPS and how individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries can be protected against deportation, detention and be provided work authorization while they’re living in the United States. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089188\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Demonstrators hold up an anti-Trump sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. The Supreme Court is to issue its final rulings on Friday ahead of its summer break, including cases involving birthright citizenship, porn site age verification, students and LGBTQ-themed content, and voting rights.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089188\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Demonstrators hold up an anti-Trump sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. The Supreme Court is to issue its final rulings on Friday ahead of its summer break, including cases involving birthright citizenship, porn site age verification, students and LGBTQ-themed content, and voting rights.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How long are TPS holders in the country for?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How long are TPS holders in the country for?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>Each individual designation is up to 18 months, but the law is clear that at the end of a period of a country’s designation, the government must review the conditions in the country. If it’s still unsafe for individuals to return to that country, their TPS designation must be extended. And we know that wars, natural disasters, humanitarian crises don’t come in 12- or 18-month intervals. Sometimes countries can be in crisis for five years, 10 years or more. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>Each individual designation is up to 18 months, but the law is clear that at the end of a period of a country’s designation, the government must review the conditions in the country. If it’s still unsafe for individuals to return to that country, their TPS designation must be extended. And we know that wars, natural disasters, humanitarian crises don’t come in 12- or 18-month intervals. Sometimes countries can be in crisis for five years, 10 years or more. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The law is clear that TPS must be extended if the country’s conditions remain unsafe and may be terminated only if it is safe for individuals to return to that country. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The law is clear that TPS must be extended if the country’s conditions remain unsafe and may be terminated only if it is safe for individuals to return to that country. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The National TPS Alliance and others who have been fighting for TPS holders recognize that TPS, or humanitarian protection, is critical. But there needs to be a path to permanent protection that’s available for people, especially people who cannot return home for a period of time and who build lives here, who have U.S. citizen children, who own homes, who are working long-term in jobs and who become part of the fabric of this country. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The National TPS Alliance and others who have been fighting for TPS holders recognize that TPS, or humanitarian protection, is critical. But there needs to be a path to permanent protection that’s available for people, especially people who cannot return home for a period of time and who build lives here, who have U.S. citizen children, who own homes, who are working long-term in jobs and who become part of the fabric of this country. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>They should not be permanently in limbo just because their countries are going through a protracted crisis. So certainly there should be reforms to the system. There should be reforms in a lot of ways that provide pathways to status for people. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>They should not be permanently in limbo just because their countries are going through a protracted crisis. So certainly there should be reforms to the system. There should be reforms in a lot of ways that provide pathways to status for people. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What is the Trump administration saying about TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What is the Trump administration saying about TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jazmine Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This falls more into this broader shift away from these international commitments that the United States has held for decades — that the U.S. took on in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jazmine Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This falls more into this broader shift away from these international commitments that the United States has held for decades — that the U.S. took on in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The Trump administration hasn’t necessarily said they want to terminate the program altogether, but they’ve suggested it in the way that they’ve approached it. They’re making it harder for refugees to enter; they’ve cut the number of refugees to record lows; they have made it much harder for asylum seekers to seek asylum in the courts. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The Trump administration hasn’t necessarily said they want to terminate the program altogether, but they’ve suggested it in the way that they’ve approached it. They’re making it harder for refugees to enter; they’ve cut the number of refugees to record lows; they have made it much harder for asylum seekers to seek asylum in the courts. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/ap26090784092005-scaled-e1781134932262.jpeg\" alt=\"President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\" class=\"wp-image-12085478\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/ap26090784092005-scaled-e1781134932262.jpeg\" alt=\"President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\" class=\"wp-image-12085478\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This is part of that much broader movement, this broader shift away from establishing those humanitarian protections for people. More than a dozen countries have now been eliminated. Only four remain standing: El Salvador, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This is part of that much broader movement, this broader shift away from establishing those humanitarian protections for people. More than a dozen countries have now been eliminated. Only four remain standing: El Salvador, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What I’m hearing from folks is just how the legal landscape is just quickly changing underneath their feet: where one person can be legally here in the United States on one day, they feel like by the next day they won’t be. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>What I’m hearing from folks is just how the legal landscape is just quickly changing underneath their feet: where one person can be legally here in the United States on one day, they feel like by the next day they won’t be. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Does that mean that the Supreme Court, in its decision, essentially said that the federal courts need to stay out of TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Does that mean that the Supreme Court, in its decision, essentially said that the federal courts need to stay out of TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Under the law, the administration has the authority to terminate TPS designations for individual countries — but only where they follow certain criteria. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Under the law, the administration has the authority to terminate TPS designations for individual countries — but only where they follow certain criteria. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One of the central issues that was before the Supreme Court is: “Does the government \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to follow the law?” And essentially, the government’s argument was, ‘In no uncertain terms, there’s nothing the courts can do about it.’” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>One of the central issues that was before the Supreme Court is: “Does the government \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to follow the law?” And essentially, the government’s argument was, ‘In no uncertain terms, there’s nothing the courts can do about it.’” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5804707/supreme-court-tps\">question from a Supreme Court justice\u003c/a> was: “If the secretary made a decision relying on a Ouija board, rather than evaluating country conditions, would we be able to have any review?” The Solicitor General, one of the top lawyers in the United States, said: “There would be no judicial review in that case.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>One \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5804707/supreme-court-tps\">question from a Supreme Court justice\u003c/a> was: “If the secretary made a decision relying on a Ouija board, rather than evaluating country conditions, would we be able to have any review?” The Solicitor General, one of the top lawyers in the United States, said: “There would be no judicial review in that case.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088821\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Temporary Protected Status holders, along with union leaders and advocates, rally as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in Mullin v. Doe on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The case will determine whether the Trump administration may terminate the TPS designations.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088821\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Temporary Protected Status holders, along with union leaders and advocates, rally as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in Mullin v. Doe on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The case will determine whether the Trump administration may terminate the TPS designations.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So the law is clear that there are processes that must be followed for a TPS designation to be terminated — where hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. And a central question now is: can courts do anything about it when they completely violate the law? \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So the law is clear that there are processes that must be followed for a TPS designation to be terminated — where hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. And a central question now is: can courts do anything about it when they completely violate the law? \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It doesn’t completely eliminate all avenues for judicial review, but it severely constrains the avenues that are available for judicial review. And it essentially gives the administration what it was asking for. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It doesn’t completely eliminate all avenues for judicial review, but it severely constrains the avenues that are available for judicial review. And it essentially gives the administration what it was asking for. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are more than a dozen cases across the country before all sorts of judges where TPS holders are challenging the Trump administration’s illegal terminations of TPS. And every single judge in every single case had recognized that there must be checks and balances. There must be oversight. Otherwise, the TPS statute is just advisory. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>There are more than a dozen cases across the country before all sorts of judges where TPS holders are challenging the Trump administration’s illegal terminations of TPS. And every single judge in every single case had recognized that there must be checks and balances. There must be oversight. Otherwise, the TPS statute is just advisory. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And the Supreme Court endorsed the extreme position that the government presented, which is that it is effectively advisory. What the Supreme Court did say is that there may still be constitutional claims, including claims related to the unconstitutional termination of TPS because the TPS terminations were motivated by racism.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And the Supreme Court endorsed the extreme position that the government presented, which is that it is effectively advisory. What the Supreme Court did say is that there may still be constitutional claims, including claims related to the unconstitutional termination of TPS because the TPS terminations were motivated by racism.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>But one of the arguments made was that this \u003cem>was \u003c/em>motivated by racism. How did the Trump administration respond to that?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>But one of the arguments made was that this \u003cem>was \u003c/em>motivated by racism. How did the Trump administration respond to that?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration essentially asked the justices to close their eyes and their ears to the clearly racist statements by President Trump and the then-Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration essentially asked the justices to close their eyes and their ears to the clearly racist statements by President Trump and the then-Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The constitutionality of the TPS termination question was related directly to the termination of TPS for Haiti. We will all remember during the campaign, and while Trump was president, he talked about Haitians — and Haitian TPS holders in particular — as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12006797/haitians-in-ca-worry-of-long-term-effects-from-false-political-rhetoric\">eating cats and dogs of their neighbors\u003c/a>. He talked about Haitian as poisoning the blood of the country. And he described Haiti, and in the context of talking about TPS, as a “shit country.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The constitutionality of the TPS termination question was related directly to the termination of TPS for Haiti. We will all remember during the campaign, and while Trump was president, he talked about Haitians — and Haitian TPS holders in particular — as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12006797/haitians-in-ca-worry-of-long-term-effects-from-false-political-rhetoric\">eating cats and dogs of their neighbors\u003c/a>. He talked about Haitian as poisoning the blood of the country. And he described Haiti, and in the context of talking about TPS, as a “shit country.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Essentially what the Solicitor General was saying is, those are just statements of policy differences. And in an egregious majority decision by the supermajority in a six-to-three decision, the Supreme Court agreed and said, “This is heated language and an expression of policy differences.” And they essentially ignored the very clearly racist statements. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Essentially what the Solicitor General was saying is, those are just statements of policy differences. And in an egregious majority decision by the supermajority in a six-to-three decision, the Supreme Court agreed and said, “This is heated language and an expression of policy differences.” And they essentially ignored the very clearly racist statements. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But they did not prevent TPS holders from continuing to bring constitutional challenges. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But they did not prevent TPS holders from continuing to bring constitutional challenges. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this ruling mean for other TPS holders not from Haiti or Syria?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this ruling mean for other TPS holders not from Haiti or Syria?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration remains locked in litigation over whether it can end protections for more than a million people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Venezuela, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration remains locked in litigation over whether it can end protections for more than a million people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Venezuela, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And so I’ve been talking to TPS holders from many of these nations who are scrambling to find other forms of protection and are trying to make life-and-death decisions right now about whether to stay in the country or be forced to return to countries that they say are still very, very unstable. And they’re doing so at a time when the administration is ramping up arrests all across the country. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And so I’ve been talking to TPS holders from many of these nations who are scrambling to find other forms of protection and are trying to make life-and-death decisions right now about whether to stay in the country or be forced to return to countries that they say are still very, very unstable. And they’re doing so at a time when the administration is ramping up arrests all across the country. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this mean for people who have lost TPS? Does it essentially mean they are subject to deportation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this mean for people who have lost TPS? Does it essentially mean they are subject to deportation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> There are 1.3 million people who had TPS at the start of this administration. And as Jazmine was saying, virtually all of the TPS designations have been terminated to date, except for a few that have not yet come up for review. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> There are 1.3 million people who had TPS at the start of this administration. And as Jazmine was saying, virtually all of the TPS designations have been terminated to date, except for a few that have not yet come up for review. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There are about 700,000 people who have already lost their TPS status because the legal challenges have allowed for those TPS terminations to go into effect. There are about 350,000 Haitian and Syrian TPS holders that are expected to lose their status within days as a result of the Supreme Court’s endorsement of the government’s arguments defending their TPS terminations, and there are some others where the challenges continue to be making their way through the courts, but are going to be much harder because of the Supreme Court’s decisions. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>There are about 700,000 people who have already lost their TPS status because the legal challenges have allowed for those TPS terminations to go into effect. There are about 350,000 Haitian and Syrian TPS holders that are expected to lose their status within days as a result of the Supreme Court’s endorsement of the government’s arguments defending their TPS terminations, and there are some others where the challenges continue to be making their way through the courts, but are going to be much harder because of the Supreme Court’s decisions. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12080887\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A family attends Mass at St. Jarlath’s Church in Oakland during a vigil for immigrant families on Oct. 28, 2025.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12080887\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A family attends Mass at St. Jarlath’s Church in Oakland during a vigil for immigrant families on Oct. 28, 2025.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What we know is that TPS holders who have lost status have been at risk of detention and deportation, and they have, in many cases, already lost their employment authorization and are living on the margins where previously they were able to contribute to their families, contribute to their communities. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>What we know is that TPS holders who have lost status have been at risk of detention and deportation, and they have, in many cases, already lost their employment authorization and are living on the margins where previously they were able to contribute to their families, contribute to their communities. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I spend a lot of time in this very rural conservative area in Iowa, where more than a dozen Ukrainians have arrived since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, and they’ve been able to establish themselves. They’ve been able to buy homes and work various jobs. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I spend a lot of time in this very rural conservative area in Iowa, where more than a dozen Ukrainians have arrived since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, and they’ve been able to establish themselves. They’ve been able to buy homes and work various jobs. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Now they have to stay home. Their employers have been fighting to bring them back to work. I spoke to one employer who said, “These two women here who learned how to frame, how to paint windows and frame the doorways, it’s very specialized, skilled work that they were able to learn in two years.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Now they have to stay home. Their employers have been fighting to bring them back to work. I spoke to one employer who said, “These two women here who learned how to frame, how to paint windows and frame the doorways, it’s very specialized, skilled work that they were able to learn in two years.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>He’s paid thousands of dollars to try to get them visas, but those are very difficult processes and can take many years to establish, and the administration is only making it harder in so many different ways, whether it’s in the courts whether through these administrative processes. So it’s putting people in very dire situations. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>He’s paid thousands of dollars to try to get them visas, but those are very difficult processes and can take many years to establish, and the administration is only making it harder in so many different ways, whether it’s in the courts whether through these administrative processes. So it’s putting people in very dire situations. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What process exists for TPS holders to be able to get a status that is not temporary? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What process exists for TPS holders to be able to get a status that is not temporary? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Temporary Protected Status is supposed to mean something that is different from permanent status. What that means is that for as long as it is unsafe for an individual to return to their home country, they should be able to stay here, but they are consistently in limbo. And so it is not a great status for people to be in for long periods of time, but sometimes it’s the only available status. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Temporary Protected Status is supposed to mean something that is different from permanent status. What that means is that for as long as it is unsafe for an individual to return to their home country, they should be able to stay here, but they are consistently in limbo. And so it is not a great status for people to be in for long periods of time, but sometimes it’s the only available status. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>I talked this morning to a Haitian TPS holder who’s lived here since she was a child. Every single other member of her family has a permanent status. She applied more than five years ago to adjust through a family member. That wait list is probably going to be six to 10 years. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>I talked this morning to a Haitian TPS holder who’s lived here since she was a child. Every single other member of her family has a permanent status. She applied more than five years ago to adjust through a family member. That wait list is probably going to be six to 10 years. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Her employer wants her to be able to stay and sought employment authorization for her with an H-1B visa, but the administration has blocked the processing of immigration applications for Haitians and for many people from many other countries. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Her employer wants her to be able to stay and sought employment authorization for her with an H-1B visa, but the administration has blocked the processing of immigration applications for Haitians and for many people from many other countries. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> That doesn’t mean that Congress could not create a pathway to status. And there are actually bills that currently exist in Congress that would provide a path to permanent legal status — green cards — for TPS holders. It is very important now that, in addition to providing longer-term protections for TPS holders, a path to permanent relief and a moratorium on deportations, that the statute has judicial review restored.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> That doesn’t mean that Congress could not create a pathway to status. And there are actually bills that currently exist in Congress that would provide a path to permanent legal status — green cards — for TPS holders. It is very important now that, in addition to providing longer-term protections for TPS holders, a path to permanent relief and a moratorium on deportations, that the statute has judicial review restored.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It’s a convenient retort that Trump and the DHS secretaries will say: just follow the rules, get in line, apply through the normal process. But they’re doing literally everything in their power to prevent people from getting any permanent status. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It’s a convenient retort that Trump and the DHS secretaries will say: just follow the rules, get in line, apply through the normal process. But they’re doing literally everything in their power to prevent people from getting any permanent status. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And they are, in fact, engaging with this mass de-documentation program. Some 1.3 million people will lose status effectively overnight through their actions. They are the ones who are making people undocumented and preventing them from having another path to getting status.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And they are, in fact, engaging with this mass de-documentation program. Some 1.3 million people will lose status effectively overnight through their actions. They are the ones who are making people undocumented and preventing them from having another path to getting status.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are the impacts of the TPS ruling on communities and economies? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are the impacts of the TPS ruling on communities and economies? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve looked at it at a large-scale level and at the interpersonal level and personal level and familial level. There were multiple Nobel Prize-winning economists who filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court about the billions of dollars that are going to be lost to the U.S. economy from the de-documentation of TPS holders. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve looked at it at a large-scale level and at the interpersonal level and personal level and familial level. There were multiple Nobel Prize-winning economists who filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court about the billions of dollars that are going to be lost to the U.S. economy from the de-documentation of TPS holders. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Many TPS holders — including a large number of the 350,000 Haitian TPS holders who are on the eve of losing their status — work in vital care industries as doctors, nurses and home health aides. Patients rely on them. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Many TPS holders — including a large number of the 350,000 Haitian TPS holders who are on the eve of losing their status — work in vital care industries as doctors, nurses and home health aides. Patients rely on them. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/GettyImages-1059576326-e1549920421190.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725430\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate in front of the White House against the decision by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for people from six countries in November 2018.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/GettyImages-1059576326-e1549920421190.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725430\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate in front of the White House against the decision by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for people from six countries in November 2018.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve also done studies at a smaller level of members of the National TPS Alliance who we represent in TPS challenges in court about what the effect was on individuals, and on their families from the loss of TPS status. We found that of the people who responded to the study, virtually all had stable, long-term committed employment, some for many years. And then overnight, the majority of people effectively lost all of their income. So that is devastating for individuals. It’s also devastating for communities that are then forced to pick up the pieces. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve also done studies at a smaller level of members of the National TPS Alliance who we represent in TPS challenges in court about what the effect was on individuals, and on their families from the loss of TPS status. We found that of the people who responded to the study, virtually all had stable, long-term committed employment, some for many years. And then overnight, the majority of people effectively lost all of their income. So that is devastating for individuals. It’s also devastating for communities that are then forced to pick up the pieces. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> A problem that a lot of TPS holders are encountering is that sometimes their work permit has not necessarily been terminated, but there’s a lot of confusion as to when. And so some employers have already let staff go, thinking that they’re going to have to do so anyway, so why not just do it now? Others are trying to work with lawyers, with their legal assistants, to figure out exactly what the regulations are. Many worry about facing steep fines if they do not meet the government’s new approach to this program.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> A problem that a lot of TPS holders are encountering is that sometimes their work permit has not necessarily been terminated, but there’s a lot of confusion as to when. And so some employers have already let staff go, thinking that they’re going to have to do so anyway, so why not just do it now? Others are trying to work with lawyers, with their legal assistants, to figure out exactly what the regulations are. Many worry about facing steep fines if they do not meet the government’s new approach to this program.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The U.S. has stripped TPS status for some of these countries, but don’t they \u003cem>also\u003c/em> have travel advisories warning people not to go there? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The U.S. has stripped TPS status for some of these countries, but don’t they \u003cem>also\u003c/em> have travel advisories warning people not to go there? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The inconsistency and incoherence between the two parts of the government cannot be ignored. That you have the State Department saying on their website, no part of Syria is safe, and saying, if you’re going to travel to Haiti, \u003ca href=\"https://ht.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-haiti-july-2026/\">prepare a will in advance\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The inconsistency and incoherence between the two parts of the government cannot be ignored. That you have the State Department saying on their website, no part of Syria is safe, and saying, if you’re going to travel to Haiti, \u003ca href=\"https://ht.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-haiti-july-2026/\">prepare a will in advance\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And yet, in the decisions terminating TPS for Haiti and Syria, the DHS secretary said it can be safe to return, there’s only sporadic violence in Syria, there are improvements in Haiti. There’s no way that that’s true. The termination decisions are founded on lies. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And yet, in the decisions terminating TPS for Haiti and Syria, the DHS secretary said it can be safe to return, there’s only sporadic violence in Syria, there are improvements in Haiti. There’s no way that that’s true. The termination decisions are founded on lies. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The Venezuela earthquake is a really poignant and deeply devastating example. The earthquake is exactly the type of thing that would have sparked a TPS designation under any other administration, or many other administrations. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The Venezuela earthquake is a really poignant and deeply devastating example. The earthquake is exactly the type of thing that would have sparked a TPS designation under any other administration, or many other administrations. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>We know that there was a deportation flight from Miami to Venezuela the day before the earthquake. We know \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/06/30/nx-s1-5875287/venezuela-deportees-us-quakes\">there were TPS holders on that flight, and we know that they died\u003c/a>. They were in a hotel that collapsed. There’s been no acknowledgment, no remorse, no recognition of that. And still there are Venezuelan TPS holders, a large number of them who are detained and awaiting deportation, and there’s been no mention of any consideration of designating Venezuela for TPS because of the earthquake. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>We know that there was a deportation flight from Miami to Venezuela the day before the earthquake. We know \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/06/30/nx-s1-5875287/venezuela-deportees-us-quakes\">there were TPS holders on that flight, and we know that they died\u003c/a>. They were in a hotel that collapsed. There’s been no acknowledgment, no remorse, no recognition of that. And still there are Venezuelan TPS holders, a large number of them who are detained and awaiting deportation, and there’s been no mention of any consideration of designating Venezuela for TPS because of the earthquake. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>There are quite a number of lawmakers who have recognized the concern for the Venezuelan population and even the concern for the termination of TPS for Venezuela, including Republican lawmakers in Florida who are willing to post on their social media that they’re concerned about TPS for Venezuela but unwilling to do anything about it. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>There are quite a number of lawmakers who have recognized the concern for the Venezuelan population and even the concern for the termination of TPS for Venezuela, including Republican lawmakers in Florida who are willing to post on their social media that they’re concerned about TPS for Venezuela but unwilling to do anything about it. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What about the countries \u003cem>with\u003c/em> protection? When do those come up for renewal? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I’m definitely hearing from people from El Salvador who are on TPS that they are very, very worried. And these TPS holders from El Salvador are particularly striking because many of them have been in the country for 30 years, and it is because of their struggle to find legal pathways in this country that we even have the program to begin with. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I’m definitely hearing from people from El Salvador who are on TPS that they are very, very worried. And these TPS holders from El Salvador are particularly striking because many of them have been in the country for 30 years, and it is because of their struggle to find legal pathways in this country that we even have the program to begin with. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This program was created, as we said earlier, in the 1990s, and it was driven by a bipartisan push in Congress largely \u003ca href=\"https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/temporary-protected-status-whats-up-with-that/\">because people from El Salvador were fleeing their native country\u003c/a> and coming into the United States; they were fleeing a very violent civil war and they were ending up here and they were trying to find sanctuary in churches, and they were lobbying members of Congress for this protection. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This program was created, as we said earlier, in the 1990s, and it was driven by a bipartisan push in Congress largely \u003ca href=\"https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/temporary-protected-status-whats-up-with-that/\">because people from El Salvador were fleeing their native country\u003c/a> and coming into the United States; they were fleeing a very violent civil war and they were ending up here and they were trying to find sanctuary in churches, and they were lobbying members of Congress for this protection. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>It is striking to many of them to now, years later, have built lives. Many of them have kids who have now gone on to college. They are still struggling for the same type of protection and still fearing this war or very unstable situations back in El Salvador.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>It is striking to many of them to now, years later, have built lives. Many of them have kids who have now gone on to college. They are still struggling for the same type of protection and still fearing this war or very unstable situations back in El Salvador.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Are there any new legal avenues being pursued by TPS advocates?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> We do think that with more evidence about the motivations for the TPS terminations, it should be clear that the TPS terminations were motivated by racism, which is against the Constitution. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> We do think that with more evidence about the motivations for the TPS terminations, it should be clear that the TPS terminations were motivated by racism, which is against the Constitution. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>There’s an open question about whether the Supreme Court is going to find a violation of the Constitution for anything if they’re not willing to recognize these clearly, blatantly racist statements as evidence of racism, but we plan to and will bring even more evidence than was available at the Supreme Court. We also believe that there are other constitutional challenges that have not been brought, that we intend to move forward in the courts. \u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But it’s clear that this will not immediately protect the TPS holders at risk. Deportations are happening now. Detentions are happening. Now the harm is happening to TPS holders, their families and their communities, many of whom have lived here for a long time. We will continue to fight, but it is really critical that there is a political solution as well, given the real limitations that the Supreme Court has placed on legal avenues for relief.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But it’s clear that this will not immediately protect the TPS holders at risk. Deportations are happening now. Detentions are happening. Now the harm is happening to TPS holders, their families and their communities, many of whom have lived here for a long time. We will continue to fight, but it is really critical that there is a political solution as well, given the real limitations that the Supreme Court has placed on legal avenues for relief.\u003c/p>\n"
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Jhony Silva has lived in the Bay Area since he was a toddler. The 30-year-old was a nursing assistant at Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But since \u003ca href=\"https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/temporary-protected-status/temporary-protected-status-designated-country-honduras\">the expiration of \u003c/a>Temporary Protected Status for his birth country, Honduras, last September, Silva’s life has been shaken. He lost his job — which he held while also going to school to become a registered nurse — and he frequently fears getting deported and separated from his family. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“I have a 9-year-old that I worry about,” he said. “Getting that TPS status taken away from me was a very rude awakening, and it’s left me in a really unpleasant situation.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Hundreds of thousands of people on TPS are likely to be in a similar situation. In late June, the Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the power \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088417/supreme-court-immigration-decision-leaves-thousands-of-californians-in-limbo\">to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians without court oversight\u003c/a>, attacking a decades-old federal program that allows people to stay in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1331\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088937\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-160x106.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A protester holds a sign calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian refugees in front of the court in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The decision can have ripple effects by jeopardizing the status of individuals from other TPS-designated countries like Venezuela and Nepal. According to federal data from early last year, nearly \u003ca href=\"https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/RS20844\">1.3 million people\u003c/a> from 17 different countries are TPS holders, with almost 80,000 living in California. KQED published \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12088988/on-tps-in-california-what-you-should-know-after-the-supreme-court-ruling\">a Q&A with lawyers and experts\u003c/a> from the Supreme Court case shortly after the decision in June. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I want people to realize that we are not what Donald Trump says we are,” Silva said. “We are hardworking people that want to make a life for ourselves out here, and support our family and try to pursue our own version of the American Dream.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We all deserve better, and we all need to come together and work on figuring out how to better this situation.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>To learn more about the fallout of the TPS ruling and the context around it, \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101914391/the-fallout-from-the-supreme-courts-tps-ruling\">KQED’s \u003cem>Forum\u003c/em>\u003c/a> spoke to Jazmine Ulloa, \u003cem>The New York Times \u003c/em>national reporter covering immigration, and Emi MacLean, a senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Northern California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mina Kim: What is Temporary Protected Status?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Emi MacLean: \u003c/strong>Temporary Protected Status is a form of humanitarian immigration protection for people whose countries are in crisis. These are people who are in the United States and cannot safely return to their home countries because their countries are at war, there’s a humanitarian crisis or there’s a natural disaster. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s a 1990 law that is intended to limit executive discretion and create rules for when countries can be designated for TPS and how countries’ designations for TPS can end. It ended a period where there was complete executive discretion. It was Congress’s intent at the time to create rules that govern how countries can get TPS and how individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries can be protected against deportation, detention and be provided work authorization while they’re living in the United States. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12089188\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152.jpg 1980w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-2221594152-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1980px) 100vw, 1980px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Demonstrators hold up an anti-Trump sign outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. The Supreme Court is to issue its final rulings on Friday ahead of its summer break, including cases involving birthright citizenship, porn site age verification, students and LGBTQ-themed content, and voting rights. (Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>How long are TPS holders in the country for?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>Each individual designation is up to 18 months, but the law is clear that at the end of a period of a country’s designation, the government must review the conditions in the country. If it’s still unsafe for individuals to return to that country, their TPS designation must be extended. And we know that wars, natural disasters, humanitarian crises don’t come in 12- or 18-month intervals. Sometimes countries can be in crisis for five years, 10 years or more. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The law is clear that TPS must be extended if the country’s conditions remain unsafe and may be terminated only if it is safe for individuals to return to that country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The National TPS Alliance and others who have been fighting for TPS holders recognize that TPS, or humanitarian protection, is critical. But there needs to be a path to permanent protection that’s available for people, especially people who cannot return home for a period of time and who build lives here, who have U.S. citizen children, who own homes, who are working long-term in jobs and who become part of the fabric of this country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>They should not be permanently in limbo just because their countries are going through a protracted crisis. So certainly there should be reforms to the system. There should be reforms in a lot of ways that provide pathways to status for people. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What is the Trump administration saying about TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jazmine Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This falls more into this broader shift away from these international commitments that the United States has held for decades — that the U.S. took on in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The Trump administration hasn’t necessarily said they want to terminate the program altogether, but they’ve suggested it in the way that they’ve approached it. They’re making it harder for refugees to enter; they’ve cut the number of refugees to record lows; they have made it much harder for asylum seekers to seek asylum in the courts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/ap26090784092005-scaled-e1781134932262.jpeg\" alt=\"President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March.\" class=\"wp-image-12085478\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">President Trump holds his signed executive order that calls for restricting voting by mail in the White House’s Oval Office in March. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa: \u003c/strong>This is part of that much broader movement, this broader shift away from establishing those humanitarian protections for people. More than a dozen countries have now been eliminated. Only four remain standing: El Salvador, Lebanon, Ukraine and Sudan.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What I’m hearing from folks is just how the legal landscape is just quickly changing underneath their feet: where one person can be legally here in the United States on one day, they feel like by the next day they won’t be. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Does that mean that the Supreme Court, in its decision, essentially said that the federal courts need to stay out of TPS?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Under the law, the administration has the authority to terminate TPS designations for individual countries — but only where they follow certain criteria. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One of the central issues that was before the Supreme Court is: “Does the government \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to follow the law?” And essentially, the government’s argument was, ‘In no uncertain terms, there’s nothing the courts can do about it.’” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5804707/supreme-court-tps\">question from a Supreme Court justice\u003c/a> was: “If the secretary made a decision relying on a Ouija board, rather than evaluating country conditions, would we be able to have any review?” The Solicitor General, one of the top lawyers in the United States, said: “There would be no judicial review in that case.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12088821\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/TPSGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Temporary Protected Status holders, along with union leaders and advocates, rally as the Supreme Court prepares to hear oral arguments in Mullin v. Doe on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The case will determine whether the Trump administration may terminate the TPS designations. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So the law is clear that there are processes that must be followed for a TPS designation to be terminated — where hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. And a central question now is: can courts do anything about it when they completely violate the law? \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It doesn’t completely eliminate all avenues for judicial review, but it severely constrains the avenues that are available for judicial review. And it essentially gives the administration what it was asking for. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are more than a dozen cases across the country before all sorts of judges where TPS holders are challenging the Trump administration’s illegal terminations of TPS. And every single judge in every single case had recognized that there must be checks and balances. There must be oversight. Otherwise, the TPS statute is just advisory. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And the Supreme Court endorsed the extreme position that the government presented, which is that it is effectively advisory. What the Supreme Court did say is that there may still be constitutional claims, including claims related to the unconstitutional termination of TPS because the TPS terminations were motivated by racism.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>But one of the arguments made was that this \u003cem>was \u003c/em>motivated by racism. How did the Trump administration respond to that?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration essentially asked the justices to close their eyes and their ears to the clearly racist statements by President Trump and the then-Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> The constitutionality of the TPS termination question was related directly to the termination of TPS for Haiti. We will all remember during the campaign, and while Trump was president, he talked about Haitians — and Haitian TPS holders in particular — as \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12006797/haitians-in-ca-worry-of-long-term-effects-from-false-political-rhetoric\">eating cats and dogs of their neighbors\u003c/a>. He talked about Haitian as poisoning the blood of the country. And he described Haiti, and in the context of talking about TPS, as a “shit country.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Essentially what the Solicitor General was saying is, those are just statements of policy differences. And in an egregious majority decision by the supermajority in a six-to-three decision, the Supreme Court agreed and said, “This is heated language and an expression of policy differences.” And they essentially ignored the very clearly racist statements. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But they did not prevent TPS holders from continuing to bring constitutional challenges. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this ruling mean for other TPS holders not from Haiti or Syria?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> The Trump administration remains locked in litigation over whether it can end protections for more than a million people from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Honduras, Myanmar, Nepal, Venezuela, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And so I’ve been talking to TPS holders from many of these nations who are scrambling to find other forms of protection and are trying to make life-and-death decisions right now about whether to stay in the country or be forced to return to countries that they say are still very, very unstable. And they’re doing so at a time when the administration is ramping up arrests all across the country. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What does this mean for people who have lost TPS? Does it essentially mean they are subject to deportation? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> There are 1.3 million people who had TPS at the start of this administration. And as Jazmine was saying, virtually all of the TPS designations have been terminated to date, except for a few that have not yet come up for review. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There are about 700,000 people who have already lost their TPS status because the legal challenges have allowed for those TPS terminations to go into effect. There are about 350,000 Haitian and Syrian TPS holders that are expected to lose their status within days as a result of the Supreme Court’s endorsement of the government’s arguments defending their TPS terminations, and there are some others where the challenges continue to be making their way through the courts, but are going to be much harder because of the Supreme Court’s decisions. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12080887\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/20251028_Immigrant-Mass-_Hernandez-7_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A family attends Mass at St. Jarlath’s Church in Oakland during a vigil for immigrant families on Oct. 28, 2025. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What we know is that TPS holders who have lost status have been at risk of detention and deportation, and they have, in many cases, already lost their employment authorization and are living on the margins where previously they were able to contribute to their families, contribute to their communities. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I spend a lot of time in this very rural conservative area in Iowa, where more than a dozen Ukrainians have arrived since Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago, and they’ve been able to establish themselves. They’ve been able to buy homes and work various jobs. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Now they have to stay home. Their employers have been fighting to bring them back to work. I spoke to one employer who said, “These two women here who learned how to frame, how to paint windows and frame the doorways, it’s very specialized, skilled work that they were able to learn in two years.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>He’s paid thousands of dollars to try to get them visas, but those are very difficult processes and can take many years to establish, and the administration is only making it harder in so many different ways, whether it’s in the courts whether through these administrative processes. So it’s putting people in very dire situations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What process exists for TPS holders to be able to get a status that is not temporary? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> Temporary Protected Status is supposed to mean something that is different from permanent status. What that means is that for as long as it is unsafe for an individual to return to their home country, they should be able to stay here, but they are consistently in limbo. And so it is not a great status for people to be in for long periods of time, but sometimes it’s the only available status. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>I talked this morning to a Haitian TPS holder who’s lived here since she was a child. Every single other member of her family has a permanent status. She applied more than five years ago to adjust through a family member. That wait list is probably going to be six to 10 years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Her employer wants her to be able to stay and sought employment authorization for her with an H-1B visa, but the administration has blocked the processing of immigration applications for Haitians and for many people from many other countries. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> That doesn’t mean that Congress could not create a pathway to status. And there are actually bills that currently exist in Congress that would provide a path to permanent legal status — green cards — for TPS holders. It is very important now that, in addition to providing longer-term protections for TPS holders, a path to permanent relief and a moratorium on deportations, that the statute has judicial review restored.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> It’s a convenient retort that Trump and the DHS secretaries will say: just follow the rules, get in line, apply through the normal process. But they’re doing literally everything in their power to prevent people from getting any permanent status. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And they are, in fact, engaging with this mass de-documentation program. Some 1.3 million people will lose status effectively overnight through their actions. They are the ones who are making people undocumented and preventing them from having another path to getting status.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What are the impacts of the TPS ruling on communities and economies? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve looked at it at a large-scale level and at the interpersonal level and personal level and familial level. There were multiple Nobel Prize-winning economists who filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court about the billions of dollars that are going to be lost to the U.S. economy from the de-documentation of TPS holders. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Many TPS holders — including a large number of the 350,000 Haitian TPS holders who are on the eve of losing their status — work in vital care industries as doctors, nurses and home health aides. Patients rely on them. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/02/GettyImages-1059576326-e1549920421190.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11725430\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">People demonstrate in front of the White House against the decision by the Trump administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status for people from six countries in November 2018. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>We’ve also done studies at a smaller level of members of the National TPS Alliance who we represent in TPS challenges in court about what the effect was on individuals, and on their families from the loss of TPS status. We found that of the people who responded to the study, virtually all had stable, long-term committed employment, some for many years. And then overnight, the majority of people effectively lost all of their income. So that is devastating for individuals. It’s also devastating for communities that are then forced to pick up the pieces. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> A problem that a lot of TPS holders are encountering is that sometimes their work permit has not necessarily been terminated, but there’s a lot of confusion as to when. And so some employers have already let staff go, thinking that they’re going to have to do so anyway, so why not just do it now? Others are trying to work with lawyers, with their legal assistants, to figure out exactly what the regulations are. Many worry about facing steep fines if they do not meet the government’s new approach to this program.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The U.S. has stripped TPS status for some of these countries, but don’t they \u003cem>also\u003c/em> have travel advisories warning people not to go there? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The inconsistency and incoherence between the two parts of the government cannot be ignored. That you have the State Department saying on their website, no part of Syria is safe, and saying, if you’re going to travel to Haiti, \u003ca href=\"https://ht.usembassy.gov/travel-advisory-haiti-july-2026/\">prepare a will in advance\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And yet, in the decisions terminating TPS for Haiti and Syria, the DHS secretary said it can be safe to return, there’s only sporadic violence in Syria, there are improvements in Haiti. There’s no way that that’s true. The termination decisions are founded on lies. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>The Venezuela earthquake is a really poignant and deeply devastating example. The earthquake is exactly the type of thing that would have sparked a TPS designation under any other administration, or many other administrations. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>We know that there was a deportation flight from Miami to Venezuela the day before the earthquake. We know \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/06/30/nx-s1-5875287/venezuela-deportees-us-quakes\">there were TPS holders on that flight, and we know that they died\u003c/a>. They were in a hotel that collapsed. There’s been no acknowledgment, no remorse, no recognition of that. And still there are Venezuelan TPS holders, a large number of them who are detained and awaiting deportation, and there’s been no mention of any consideration of designating Venezuela for TPS because of the earthquake. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean: \u003c/strong>There are quite a number of lawmakers who have recognized the concern for the Venezuelan population and even the concern for the termination of TPS for Venezuela, including Republican lawmakers in Florida who are willing to post on their social media that they’re concerned about TPS for Venezuela but unwilling to do anything about it. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>What about the countries \u003cem>with\u003c/em> protection? When do those come up for renewal? \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Ulloa:\u003c/strong> I’m definitely hearing from people from El Salvador who are on TPS that they are very, very worried. And these TPS holders from El Salvador are particularly striking because many of them have been in the country for 30 years, and it is because of their struggle to find legal pathways in this country that we even have the program to begin with. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This program was created, as we said earlier, in the 1990s, and it was driven by a bipartisan push in Congress largely \u003ca href=\"https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/temporary-protected-status-whats-up-with-that/\">because people from El Salvador were fleeing their native country\u003c/a> and coming into the United States; they were fleeing a very violent civil war and they were ending up here and they were trying to find sanctuary in churches, and they were lobbying members of Congress for this protection. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>It is striking to many of them to now, years later, have built lives. Many of them have kids who have now gone on to college. They are still struggling for the same type of protection and still fearing this war or very unstable situations back in El Salvador.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Are there any new legal avenues being pursued by TPS advocates?\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>MacLean:\u003c/strong> We do think that with more evidence about the motivations for the TPS terminations, it should be clear that the TPS terminations were motivated by racism, which is against the Constitution. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>There’s an open question about whether the Supreme Court is going to find a violation of the Constitution for anything if they’re not willing to recognize these clearly, blatantly racist statements as evidence of racism, but we plan to and will bring even more evidence than was available at the Supreme Court. We also believe that there are other constitutional challenges that have not been brought, that we intend to move forward in the courts. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s clear that this will not immediately protect the TPS holders at risk. Deportations are happening now. Detentions are happening. Now the harm is happening to TPS holders, their families and their communities, many of whom have lived here for a long time. We will continue to fight, but it is really critical that there is a political solution as well, given the real limitations that the Supreme Court has placed on legal avenues for relief.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "want-access-to-new-less-crowded-bay-area-hiking-trails-a-10-ebmud-permit-could-be-the-answer",
"title": "Want Access to New, Less-Crowded Bay Area Hiking Trails? A $10 EBMUD Permit Could Be the Answer",
"publishDate": 1784199600,
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"headTitle": "Want Access to New, Less-Crowded Bay Area Hiking Trails? A $10 EBMUD Permit Could Be the Answer | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>If you’re a Bay Area hiker who feels like you’ve exhausted all of the region’s most scenic parks and trails — or are just getting tired of being surrounded by people on crowded trails when you’re looking for solitude — there might be a cost-effective solution. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That is, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/buy-trail-permit\">buying this $10 annual pass\u003c/a> to be able to enter 57,000 acres of East Bay Municipal Utility District land.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bordering reservoirs in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/east-bay-trails\">East Bay\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"http://ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/sierra-foothills-trails\">Sierra foothills\u003c/a>, EBMUD’s land includes the entire watershed the utility manages and is full of hiking, biking and even watersports opportunities that only people with an annual pass can access.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Why the $10 fee for the pass? Nelsy Rodriguez, spokesperson for EBMUD, said the agency asks for this paid yearly trail permit to cover trail and land maintenance, and also so the agency can monitor how many people are actually using its trails.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“For a very small fee, just so that we know who’s there, we can fund the maintenance of these trails,” she said. “There’s worlds of trails to explore out there.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the EBMUD permit works\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The permit, \u003ca href=\"https://trailpermits.ebmud.com/\">which you can purchase online\u003c/a>, costs $10 per year and includes access for you and your immediate family (with no limit on this number) — plus three other people. If you don’t want to commit to a year, you can buy a day permit for $3. EBMUD also offers 3-year permits for $20 and 5-year $30 permits, which may offer you even more value if you plan to use these lands over several years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rodriguez said when visiting an EBMUD trail, it’s best to keep your permit on you and sign the trail register at the start of your hike. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1338\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091159\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-1536x1028.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Riche Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass. (Courtesy of EBMUD)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That way, in case there’s any emergency, we can verify your identity,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While hiking on watershed land, stay on the trail, stay \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085282/ticks-lyme-disease-california-bay-area-what-to-do-tick-bite-dog-deer-how-to-avoid-ticks\">aware of ticks\u003c/a> and always carry water, Rodriguez said. Any form of fire is prohibited, she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As for the reservoirs themselves — from \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/san-pablo-reservoir\">San Pablo\u003c/a> all the way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/pardee-reservoir\">Pardee \u003c/a>in the Sierra foothills — they’re open for recreation but not for swimming. That means visitors can hike around the water’s perimeter and sometimes fish, boat or kayak in the water. Just remember: these waterways provide drinking water for 1.4 million people in the Bay Area, so actual \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11780692/why-cant-you-swim-in-most-of-the-bay-area-lakes\">body contact isn’t allowed.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading for a few ideas on how to use a $10 annual EBMUD pass around the Bay Area. And if you still want more ideas, the utility has \u003ca href=\"https://webapps.ebmud.com/trailmap/\">its own interactive trail map\u003c/a> where you can filter by difficulty and other factors, and a \u003ca href=\"https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f0b88ce7369c48279c0c4104f35e2182\">list of suggested Bay Area hikes.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/oursan-trail-to-briones-dam\">\u003cstrong>Oursan Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> to Bear Creek Trail along Briones Reservoir \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This 13-mile loop, 10 miles of which is dog-friendly, can fill a full day of adventure — or simply make it an out-and-back and turn around when you’re ready. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Following unpaved fire trails with intermittent views of the reservoir, the trail is scattered with meadows, oak trees and lots of wildlife. Just be sure to keep your dog on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091158\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-1536x1037.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Rocky Ridge Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass. (Courtesy of EBMUD)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pinole-ridge-to-pinole-valley-trail\">\u003cstrong>Pinole Ridge and Valley Loop Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Connect two trails together to form a 6.6-mile loop through the \u003ca href=\"https://ridgetrail.org/trail-section/pinole-watershed/\">Pinole Valley Watershed\u003c/a>, an especially quiet trail despite its expansive valley views. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This trail is best done in the shoulder season or on cool days as there is little shade. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lafayette-reservoir-loop\">\u003cstrong>Lakeside Nature Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> at Lafayette Reservoir\u003c/strong> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This paved, family-friendly trail can be hiked in an easy 1-hour loop, ideal for strollers, runners and dog walkers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Enjoy constant views of the reservoir and plenty of picnic areas, benches and water fountains – and even a \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/lafayette-reservoir\">playground and boat rentals \u003c/a>for a full day of activities with kids. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Note: There is a $7 parking fee (or $1 for every half-hour) at the Lafayette Reservoir.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re a Bay Area hiker who feels like you’ve exhausted all of the region’s most scenic parks and trails — or are just getting tired of being surrounded by people on crowded trails when you’re looking for solitude — there might be a cost-effective solution. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>If you’re a Bay Area hiker who feels like you’ve exhausted all of the region’s most scenic parks and trails — or are just getting tired of being surrounded by people on crowded trails when you’re looking for solitude — there might be a cost-effective solution. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That is, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/buy-trail-permit\">buying this $10 annual pass\u003c/a> to be able to enter 57,000 acres of East Bay Municipal Utility District land.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>That is, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/buy-trail-permit\">buying this $10 annual pass\u003c/a> to be able to enter 57,000 acres of East Bay Municipal Utility District land.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Bordering reservoirs in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/east-bay-trails\">East Bay\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"http://ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/sierra-foothills-trails\">Sierra foothills\u003c/a>, EBMUD’s land includes the entire watershed the utility manages and is full of hiking, biking and even watersports opportunities that only people with an annual pass can access.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Bordering reservoirs in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/east-bay-trails\">East Bay\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"http://ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/sierra-foothills-trails\">Sierra foothills\u003c/a>, EBMUD’s land includes the entire watershed the utility manages and is full of hiking, biking and even watersports opportunities that only people with an annual pass can access.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Why the $10 fee for the pass? Nelsy Rodriguez, spokesperson for EBMUD, said the agency asks for this paid yearly trail permit to cover trail and land maintenance, and also so the agency can monitor how many people are actually using its trails.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Why the $10 fee for the pass? Nelsy Rodriguez, spokesperson for EBMUD, said the agency asks for this paid yearly trail permit to cover trail and land maintenance, and also so the agency can monitor how many people are actually using its trails.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“For a very small fee, just so that we know who’s there, we can fund the maintenance of these trails,” she said. “There’s worlds of trails to explore out there.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“For a very small fee, just so that we know who’s there, we can fund the maintenance of these trails,” she said. “There’s worlds of trails to explore out there.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "How the EBMUD permit works",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the EBMUD permit works\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The permit, \u003ca href=\"https://trailpermits.ebmud.com/\">which you can purchase online\u003c/a>, costs $10 per year and includes access for you and your immediate family (with no limit on this number) — plus three other people. If you don’t want to commit to a year, you can buy a day permit for $3. EBMUD also offers 3-year permits for $20 and 5-year $30 permits, which may offer you even more value if you plan to use these lands over several years. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>The permit, \u003ca href=\"https://trailpermits.ebmud.com/\">which you can purchase online\u003c/a>, costs $10 per year and includes access for you and your immediate family (with no limit on this number) — plus three other people. If you don’t want to commit to a year, you can buy a day permit for $3. EBMUD also offers 3-year permits for $20 and 5-year $30 permits, which may offer you even more value if you plan to use these lands over several years. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Rodriguez said when visiting an EBMUD trail, it’s best to keep your permit on you and sign the trail register at the start of your hike. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Rodriguez said when visiting an EBMUD trail, it’s best to keep your permit on you and sign the trail register at the start of your hike. \u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-1536x1028.jpg 1536w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091159\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-1536x1028.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Riche Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091159\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Riche Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“That way, in case there’s any emergency, we can verify your identity,” she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“That way, in case there’s any emergency, we can verify your identity,” she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While hiking on watershed land, stay on the trail, stay \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085282/ticks-lyme-disease-california-bay-area-what-to-do-tick-bite-dog-deer-how-to-avoid-ticks\">aware of ticks\u003c/a> and always carry water, Rodriguez said. Any form of fire is prohibited, she said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While hiking on watershed land, stay on the trail, stay \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085282/ticks-lyme-disease-california-bay-area-what-to-do-tick-bite-dog-deer-how-to-avoid-ticks\">aware of ticks\u003c/a> and always carry water, Rodriguez said. Any form of fire is prohibited, she said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As for the reservoirs themselves — from \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/san-pablo-reservoir\">San Pablo\u003c/a> all the way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/pardee-reservoir\">Pardee \u003c/a>in the Sierra foothills — they’re open for recreation but not for swimming. That means visitors can hike around the water’s perimeter and sometimes fish, boat or kayak in the water. Just remember: these waterways provide drinking water for 1.4 million people in the Bay Area, so actual \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11780692/why-cant-you-swim-in-most-of-the-bay-area-lakes\">body contact isn’t allowed.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>As for the reservoirs themselves — from \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/san-pablo-reservoir\">San Pablo\u003c/a> all the way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/pardee-reservoir\">Pardee \u003c/a>in the Sierra foothills — they’re open for recreation but not for swimming. That means visitors can hike around the water’s perimeter and sometimes fish, boat or kayak in the water. Just remember: these waterways provide drinking water for 1.4 million people in the Bay Area, so actual \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11780692/why-cant-you-swim-in-most-of-the-bay-area-lakes\">body contact isn’t allowed.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Keep reading for a few ideas on how to use a $10 annual EBMUD pass around the Bay Area. And if you still want more ideas, the utility has \u003ca href=\"https://webapps.ebmud.com/trailmap/\">its own interactive trail map\u003c/a> where you can filter by difficulty and other factors, and a \u003ca href=\"https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f0b88ce7369c48279c0c4104f35e2182\">list of suggested Bay Area hikes.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Keep reading for a few ideas on how to use a $10 annual EBMUD pass around the Bay Area. And if you still want more ideas, the utility has \u003ca href=\"https://webapps.ebmud.com/trailmap/\">its own interactive trail map\u003c/a> where you can filter by difficulty and other factors, and a \u003ca href=\"https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f0b88ce7369c48279c0c4104f35e2182\">list of suggested Bay Area hikes.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/oursan-trail-to-briones-dam\">\u003cstrong>Oursan Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> to Bear Creek Trail along Briones Reservoir \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/oursan-trail-to-briones-dam\">\u003cstrong>Oursan Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> to Bear Creek Trail along Briones Reservoir \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This 13-mile loop, 10 miles of which is dog-friendly, can fill a full day of adventure — or simply make it an out-and-back and turn around when you’re ready. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This 13-mile loop, 10 miles of which is dog-friendly, can fill a full day of adventure — or simply make it an out-and-back and turn around when you’re ready. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Following unpaved fire trails with intermittent views of the reservoir, the trail is scattered with meadows, oak trees and lots of wildlife. Just be sure to keep your dog on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Following unpaved fire trails with intermittent views of the reservoir, the trail is scattered with meadows, oak trees and lots of wildlife. Just be sure to keep your dog on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n"
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-1536x1037.jpg 1536w",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091158\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-1536x1037.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Rocky Ridge Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091158\" />\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Rocky Ridge Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pinole-ridge-to-pinole-valley-trail\">\u003cstrong>Pinole Ridge and Valley Loop Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pinole-ridge-to-pinole-valley-trail\">\u003cstrong>Pinole Ridge and Valley Loop Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Connect two trails together to form a 6.6-mile loop through the \u003ca href=\"https://ridgetrail.org/trail-section/pinole-watershed/\">Pinole Valley Watershed\u003c/a>, an especially quiet trail despite its expansive valley views. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Connect two trails together to form a 6.6-mile loop through the \u003ca href=\"https://ridgetrail.org/trail-section/pinole-watershed/\">Pinole Valley Watershed\u003c/a>, an especially quiet trail despite its expansive valley views. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This trail is best done in the shoulder season or on cool days as there is little shade. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lafayette-reservoir-loop\">\u003cstrong>Lakeside Nature Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> at Lafayette Reservoir\u003c/strong> \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lafayette-reservoir-loop\">\u003cstrong>Lakeside Nature Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> at Lafayette Reservoir\u003c/strong> \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This paved, family-friendly trail can be hiked in an easy 1-hour loop, ideal for strollers, runners and dog walkers. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>This paved, family-friendly trail can be hiked in an easy 1-hour loop, ideal for strollers, runners and dog walkers. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Enjoy constant views of the reservoir and plenty of picnic areas, benches and water fountains – and even a \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/lafayette-reservoir\">playground and boat rentals \u003c/a>for a full day of activities with kids. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Enjoy constant views of the reservoir and plenty of picnic areas, benches and water fountains – and even a \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/lafayette-reservoir\">playground and boat rentals \u003c/a>for a full day of activities with kids. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Note: There is a $7 parking fee (or $1 for every half-hour) at the Lafayette Reservoir.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Note: There is a $7 parking fee (or $1 for every half-hour) at the Lafayette Reservoir.\u003c/p>\n"
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>If you’re a Bay Area hiker who feels like you’ve exhausted all of the region’s most scenic parks and trails — or are just getting tired of being surrounded by people on crowded trails when you’re looking for solitude — there might be a cost-effective solution. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That is, \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/buy-trail-permit\">buying this $10 annual pass\u003c/a> to be able to enter 57,000 acres of East Bay Municipal Utility District land.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Bordering reservoirs in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/east-bay-trails\">East Bay\u003c/a> and the \u003ca href=\"http://ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/sierra-foothills-trails\">Sierra foothills\u003c/a>, EBMUD’s land includes the entire watershed the utility manages and is full of hiking, biking and even watersports opportunities that only people with an annual pass can access.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Why the $10 fee for the pass? Nelsy Rodriguez, spokesperson for EBMUD, said the agency asks for this paid yearly trail permit to cover trail and land maintenance, and also so the agency can monitor how many people are actually using its trails.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“For a very small fee, just so that we know who’s there, we can fund the maintenance of these trails,” she said. “There’s worlds of trails to explore out there.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the EBMUD permit works\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The permit, \u003ca href=\"https://trailpermits.ebmud.com/\">which you can purchase online\u003c/a>, costs $10 per year and includes access for you and your immediate family (with no limit on this number) — plus three other people. If you don’t want to commit to a year, you can buy a day permit for $3. EBMUD also offers 3-year permits for $20 and 5-year $30 permits, which may offer you even more value if you plan to use these lands over several years. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Rodriguez said when visiting an EBMUD trail, it’s best to keep your permit on you and sign the trail register at the start of your hike. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1338\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091159\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Riche_loop_2-1-1536x1028.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Riche Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass. (Courtesy of EBMUD)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“That way, in case there’s any emergency, we can verify your identity,” she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While hiking on watershed land, stay on the trail, stay \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12085282/ticks-lyme-disease-california-bay-area-what-to-do-tick-bite-dog-deer-how-to-avoid-ticks\">aware of ticks\u003c/a> and always carry water, Rodriguez said. Any form of fire is prohibited, she said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As for the reservoirs themselves — from \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/san-pablo-reservoir\">San Pablo\u003c/a> all the way to \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/sierra-foothills/pardee-reservoir\">Pardee \u003c/a>in the Sierra foothills — they’re open for recreation but not for swimming. That means visitors can hike around the water’s perimeter and sometimes fish, boat or kayak in the water. Just remember: these waterways provide drinking water for 1.4 million people in the Bay Area, so actual \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/11780692/why-cant-you-swim-in-most-of-the-bay-area-lakes\">body contact isn’t allowed.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading for a few ideas on how to use a $10 annual EBMUD pass around the Bay Area. And if you still want more ideas, the utility has \u003ca href=\"https://webapps.ebmud.com/trailmap/\">its own interactive trail map\u003c/a> where you can filter by difficulty and other factors, and a \u003ca href=\"https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/f0b88ce7369c48279c0c4104f35e2182\">list of suggested Bay Area hikes.\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bay-area-hikes\">3 beautiful Bay Area hikes to explore with an EBMUD permit\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/oursan-trail-to-briones-dam\">\u003cstrong>Oursan Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> to Bear Creek Trail along Briones Reservoir \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This 13-mile loop, 10 miles of which is dog-friendly, can fill a full day of adventure — or simply make it an out-and-back and turn around when you’re ready. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Following unpaved fire trails with intermittent views of the reservoir, the trail is scattered with meadows, oak trees and lots of wildlife. Just be sure to keep your dog on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1350\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12091158\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-160x108.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/07/Rocky_Ridge_Loop_Trail_2-1-1536x1037.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Rocky Ridge Loop Trail in Moraga, one of the hikes that’s accessible with the EBMUD annual pass. (Courtesy of EBMUD)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/pinole-ridge-to-pinole-valley-trail\">\u003cstrong>Pinole Ridge and Valley Loop Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Connect two trails together to form a 6.6-mile loop through the \u003ca href=\"https://ridgetrail.org/trail-section/pinole-watershed/\">Pinole Valley Watershed\u003c/a>, an especially quiet trail despite its expansive valley views. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This trail is best done in the shoulder season or on cool days as there is little shade. Dogs are not allowed.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/lafayette-reservoir-loop\">\u003cstrong>Lakeside Nature Trail\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cstrong> at Lafayette Reservoir\u003c/strong> \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This paved, family-friendly trail can be hiked in an easy 1-hour loop, ideal for strollers, runners and dog walkers. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Enjoy constant views of the reservoir and plenty of picnic areas, benches and water fountains – and even a \u003ca href=\"https://www.ebmud.com/recreation/east-bay/lafayette-reservoir\">playground and boat rentals \u003c/a>for a full day of activities with kids. Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Note: There is a $7 parking fee (or $1 for every half-hour) at the Lafayette Reservoir.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "cyclosporiasis-symptoms-california-parasite-explosive-diarrhea-foodborne-cyclospora-michigan-outbreak-fruits-vegetables-incubation-antibiotics",
"title": "Cyclosporiasis and the Bay Area: What to Know About the ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite Surging in the US",
"publishDate": 1784064840,
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"headTitle": "Cyclosporiasis and the Bay Area: What to Know About the ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite Surging in the US | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>Let’s face it: Headlines about “explosive diarrhea” are the headlines \u003cem>nobody \u003c/em>wants to see.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But amid the current national outbreak of cyclosporiasis — a foodborne stomach parasite that’s infected thousands of people around the United States — it’s hard to avoid the updates about the severe cramping, bloating and yes, the “watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements” (in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s own \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html\">words\u003c/a>) this disease causes.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">announced \u003c/a>that the agency had received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis — but was aware of over 5,000 more cases that required confirmation. So far, \u003ca href=\"https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/infectious-diseases/infectious-disease-outbreaks\">Michigan\u003c/a> has experienced the worst rises in cyclosporiasis cases, reporting well over 4,000 cases as of Thursday. Other states reporting surges of the disease include \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/cyclosporiasis-cases-new-york-state/\">New York\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/13/illinois-confirms-194-probable-cases-cyclosporiasis-parasitic-inspection-spreads\">Illinois\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/cyclosporiasis-news-release-070826\">Ohio\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/13/texas-cyclospora-cases-count-cyclosporiasis-symptoms-and-treatment/90904130007/\">Texas\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12061658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A doctor listens to a patient’s heartbeat at the Mountain Valley Health Center in Bieber on July 24, 2019. (Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Thursday, \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that global fresh foods producer Taylor Farms had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>. According to anonymous sources, investigators are probing shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to certain Taco Bell restaurants as potentially harboring the intestinal parasite.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some good news, however: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/a> says that California “is not one of the states currently experiencing an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis,” and that to date, the state has actually seen fewer cases of cyclosporiasis this year than it did in the same period in 2025: 41, compared to last year’s 80. The agency also doesn’t believe these current California cyclospora cases are even linked to the outbreaks affecting other states.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re in the Bay Area — or are planning to visit any of the affected states in the coming weeks — what should you know about your individual risk of cyclosporiasis? What’s the source of this outbreak? Should you be thinking about your fruits and vegetables differently right now, and how can you reduce your family’s chances of being hit by this truly unpleasant disease this summer?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what we know about cyclosporiasis and California. (And be aware since we’re talking about explosive diarrhea here, the details below are not really lunchtime reading.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-foods\">What foods could be causing this outbreak?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#california-cases\">Should Californians be doing anything differently right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea. Is it cyclosporiasis or something else?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is cyclosporiasis, and how do people get infected? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis — pronounced “\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">sigh-clo-spore-EYE-uh-sis\u003c/a>”, similarly to “psoriasis” — is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the cyclospora parasite.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This parasite, which is \u003ca href=\"https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/diseases/cyclospora.html\">too small \u003c/a>to be seen with the human eye, lives in the poop of people infected with cyclosporiasis. Other people can then become infected also by ingesting food or drink that’s contaminated with those feces — for example, fresh fruits or vegetables that have been washed with contaminated water.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12020078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables, among other steps. (Hispanolistic/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, and California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a July 13 statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis\u003c/a>, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is cyclosporiasis in California right now?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Because cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a Monday statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2120\" height=\"1414\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg\" alt=\"Female doctor wearing full PPE suit, face mask, and face shield working with pathogen samples in lab.\" class=\"wp-image-11935274\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg 2120w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A researcher works in a biochemist laboratory. (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” The agency said that most of these 2026 California cases are associated with recent international travel.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Since May 1, CDPH has reported just four California cases of cyclospora in people who’d been infected within the United States — two of whom had visited the Midwest.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For context, based on their 2015-2025 figures CDPH’s annual average for cyclosporiasis cases is 106. “Current counts for 2026 fall within expected ranges,” said the agency.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As of their most recently available figures released Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is only \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">reporting \u003c/a>between one and 10 cases in the whole state, although the agency’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">map \u003c/a>of nationwide cases generally lags behind the figures being reported by the states themselves.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, and how fast do they start?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis symptoms take a surprisingly long time to show up after you eat food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite: around one week, and up to two weeks. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This incubation time makes it even harder to trace the source of an outbreak, Chin-Hong said, since not only is it often difficult to remember exactly what you ate over a week ago, but by that time, contaminated produce may have cycled out of the store where you bought it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the California Department of Public Health, the symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Watery diarrhea\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Loss of appetite\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Weight loss\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bloating\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Stomach cramps\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Increased gas\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Nausea\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Fatigue\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This all happens because when it gets into your small intestines, the cyclospora parasite begins to reproduce. In addition to inflaming your insides, the parasite makes it far harder for the intestines to absorb any fluids or food — meaning it all passes straight through your system, resulting in that watery, often explosive diarrhea. (Vomiting with cyclosporiasis is far less common, Chin-Hong said.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One hopeful bit of information: Some people who get infected with cyclospora don’t actually get any symptoms at all. But if you’re still curious (and don’t mind graphic descriptions of symptoms), you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1uvrfr7/i_have_the_gut_parasite_everyone_is_talking_about/\">browse this Reddit AMA \u003c/a>with someone who said they’ve had cyclosporiasis for the last month.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long can cyclosporiasis last, and is it treatable?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What distinguishes the symptoms of cyclospora infection from, say, a gnarly bout of food poisoning?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The answer is that cyclosporiasis is likely to cause what Chin-Hong calls a “chronic diarrhea pattern, where you have diarrhea that might get better, and then it gets worse again and goes up and down” — for several weeks or even longer.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11987440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. (Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And whereas other conditions like norovirus will eventually go away on their own, you’ll need treatment with antibiotics to resolve a cyclospora infection and make that diarrhea finally stop. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Anyone who suspects they have a cyclospora infection should reach out to their healthcare provider for a diagnosis, after which they can be prescribed a 7-10 day course of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole\u003c/a>. “Some immune-compromised individuals may need a longer course,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do we know about what’s causing the current surge in cyclospora cases?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">source \u003c/a>of the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the Midwest still isn’t officially known, on Thursday \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that, according to anonymous sources, lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to certain Taco Bell restaurants had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Taylor Farms, which has its corporate headquarters in Salinas, had previously \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024\">recalled its yellow onions \u003c/a>in 2024 after a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to burgers served at McDonald’s restaurants. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At a Tuesday media briefing, CDC officials said that the agency believed that the cyclospora outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky were linked.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1234\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/06/GettyImages-823604062-e1529109234155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11675259\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fresh raspberries for sale at a farmers market. (Paul J. Richards/AFP-Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclospora\">According to the Food and Drug Administration\u003c/a>, historic outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. have been associated with lettuce, raspberries, basil, cilantro and snow peas. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water. Also, it’s possible that food distributors may channel contaminated foods to both grocery stores and restaurants, making it hard to discern where tainted food came from.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The CDC has faced \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/13/cyclospora-outbreak-parasite-explosive-diarrhea\">criticism \u003c/a>in recent weeks for how federal cuts to state and local health department funding — totaling over $11 billion — may have impacted the agency’s ability to track this outbreak. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They’ve cut down a lot on the surveillance systems that allow these things to be easily controlled,” said Chin-Hong. “And the longer it goes on, the harder it is to go and try to interview all these [patients] and to confirm the test with a lab test.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In July 2025, President Donald Trump’s second administration also reduced the scope of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/index.html\">a federal program \u003c/a>that monitors for foodborne outbreaks like cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-foods\">If I’m visiting an area with a cyclosporiasis outbreak, should I be avoiding certain foods to lower my risk?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cooking your produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees will kill cyclospora.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But cooking your fruits and vegetables this way might not always be realistic. And while washing produce \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5887517/cyclospora-outbreaks-grow-in-the-midwest\">isn’t guaranteed to remove all traces of cyclospora\u003c/a>, when done thoroughly, it could help reduce your risk of infection. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12066124\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A cropped photo of a female hand carrying a shopping basket while choosing vegetables at a supermarket. Grocery shopping concept. (Oscar Wong/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Dr. Erika Noel, an assistant professor at Hawaii’s medical school and a pediatrician on the island of Kauai, shared \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">the following tips\u003c/a> for washing produce with the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em>:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>When washing items like cilantro and basil, separate the leaves.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>For green onions, cut off the roots, remove the outer layer and run them under water while rubbing the surface.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Research shows that washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar can be helpful. Vinegar won’t kill the parasite but can help remove it. Noel recommends submerging produce in a bowl filled with three parts water and one part vinegar and swishing it around for a few minutes. Using a salad spinner to rinse with water can help get rid of the vinegary taste.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Instead of purchasing pre-mixed salad and washing individual leaves, opt for a head of lettuce and remove the outer layer.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>For melons, scrub the outside before cutting through, as the knife can carry germs from the rind into the fruit inside.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Peel fruits and vegetables as much as possible.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Don’t forget to wash cutting boards and countertops. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill cyclospora, but soap and water are highly effective at killing or removing the parasite from hands.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"california-cases\">Even with low case counts in California, I’m really worried about getting cyclosporiasis. What should I be doing?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First of all, remember that according to CDPH, “there are no known local outbreaks in California, and no California cases are currently known to be linked to multistate outbreaks under investigation by the CDC.” The CDC’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">surveillance map\u003c/a>, last updated on Tuesday, shows “1-10” cases currently reported in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We would have seen it if it was some distributor that we had, that the Midwest groceries or restaurants also use,” Chin-Hong said. “Because it should all happen at the same time.” And because of the foodborne nature of cyclosporiasis, and the lack of human-to-human transmission, “it’s not like somebody from Michigan travels to California and then spreads it around,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12073464\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny McDowell holds a handful of onion microgreens at Three Sisters Garden in West Sacramento on Feb. 12, 2026. (Louis Bryant III for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But all this might not stop you \u003cem>worrying \u003c/em>about cyclosporiasis. Chin-Hong said that he’s still eating fruits and vegetables “with wild abandon,” albeit while washing his hands and his produce carefully — “especially green leafy vegetables under running water.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re anxious about inadvertently eating foods that might be linked to the current outbreaks in the Midwest, you might consider sourcing your produce from local farms to be more secure in where your food has come from, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still worried? Chin-Hong said you could avoid higher-risk items that have traditionally been implicated in previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks, like leafy greens in bagged salad mixes, fresh herbs like cilantro and berries. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Instead, he said you could opt for “lower-risk choices” like bananas, oranges, avocados, melon and mangoes, because these options have rinds or skin that are removed before eating. When cutting into thick-skinned produce like melon, be sure to wash not just its outside but also your knife and your hands, to make sure you’re not accidentally pushing any contamination from the skin into the flesh. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as tough as the symptoms are, remember that effective antibiotic treatment for cyclosporiasis \u003cem>is \u003c/em>available should the worst happen, he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea, and now I’m panicking. Could this be cyclosporiasis? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Right now in the Bay Area, getting diarrhea is \u003cem>way \u003c/em>more likely to be due to another gastrointestinal disease.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN, a team that measures viral levels in human sewage, both \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CocBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaB05vcm9fRzJ4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Norovirus\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoQBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBFJvdGF4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Rotavirus\u003c/a> — gastrointestinal diseases which, like cyclosporiasis, cause prolonged diarrhea — have been detected in over 99% of samples from their sites across the Bay Area in the last three weeks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"823\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shopper push carts down a meat aisle in a supermarket.\" class=\"wp-image-12017243\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-160x110.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Customers shop in the deli meat aisle of a grocery store in Miami in October. In 2024, Americans saw an increase in recalls of food and cosmetic products, with three main pathogens — salmonella, listeria and E. coli — posing the greatest overall risk of severe illness. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the seasonal waves of these viruses are coming to an end, both Norovirus and Rotavirus “are commonly detected in wastewater year-round,” WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unlike these other diseases, you’ll know it’s cyclosporiasis if your diarrhea just won’t go away, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can humans transmit cyclosporiasis to each other?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Not in the way you might be thinking. You’re far, far more likely to get cyclosporiasis from ingesting food or fluid that’s contaminated with the \u003cem>feces \u003c/em>from an infected person you don’t even know — for example, by eating fruit that was washed in water that contained feces — than by being near a person with cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even if you have to share a bathroom with someone with cyclosporiasis-induced diarrhea, or help an infected family member clean up, you’re still unlikely to get infected by that person directly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s because the parasitic cells pooped out by someone infected with cyclosporiasis need to be in the environment a good while — “days to weeks,” according to CDPH — and then be activated by enough heat to actually become infectious themselves. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So as unpleasant as the whole situation might be in general, you aren’t at immediate risk of cyclospora infection from an infected person’s poop.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>How dangerous is a cyclospora infection?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis is not fatal, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">no deaths \u003c/a>have been reported to the CDC during this current outbreak. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But Chin-Hong said that the dehydration this kind of prolonged diarrhea can cause still poses a danger to the very young and the very old, in how it could impact their organs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So far, 141 people have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">hospitalized \u003c/a>nationwide with cyclosporiasis, according to the CDC’s numbers from Tuesday — 9% of confirmed cases.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting from the Associated Press.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Let’s face it: Headlines about “explosive diarrhea” are the headlines \u003cem>nobody \u003c/em>wants to see.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Let’s face it: Headlines about “explosive diarrhea” are the headlines \u003cem>nobody \u003c/em>wants to see.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But amid the current national outbreak of cyclosporiasis — a foodborne stomach parasite that’s infected thousands of people around the United States — it’s hard to avoid the updates about the severe cramping, bloating and yes, the “watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements” (in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s own \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html\">words\u003c/a>) this disease causes.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But amid the current national outbreak of cyclosporiasis — a foodborne stomach parasite that’s infected thousands of people around the United States — it’s hard to avoid the updates about the severe cramping, bloating and yes, the “watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements” (in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s own \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html\">words\u003c/a>) this disease causes.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">announced \u003c/a>that the agency had received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis — but was aware of over 5,000 more cases that required confirmation. So far, \u003ca href=\"https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/infectious-diseases/infectious-disease-outbreaks\">Michigan\u003c/a> has experienced the worst rises in cyclosporiasis cases, reporting well over 4,000 cases as of Thursday. Other states reporting surges of the disease include \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/cyclosporiasis-cases-new-york-state/\">New York\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/13/illinois-confirms-194-probable-cases-cyclosporiasis-parasitic-inspection-spreads\">Illinois\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/cyclosporiasis-news-release-070826\">Ohio\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/13/texas-cyclospora-cases-count-cyclosporiasis-symptoms-and-treatment/90904130007/\">Texas\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">announced \u003c/a>that the agency had received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis — but was aware of over 5,000 more cases that required confirmation. So far, \u003ca href=\"https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/infectious-diseases/infectious-disease-outbreaks\">Michigan\u003c/a> has experienced the worst rises in cyclosporiasis cases, reporting well over 4,000 cases as of Thursday. Other states reporting surges of the disease include \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/cyclosporiasis-cases-new-york-state/\">New York\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/13/illinois-confirms-194-probable-cases-cyclosporiasis-parasitic-inspection-spreads\">Illinois\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/cyclosporiasis-news-release-070826\">Ohio\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/13/texas-cyclospora-cases-count-cyclosporiasis-symptoms-and-treatment/90904130007/\">Texas\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12061658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A doctor listens to a patient’s heartbeat at the Mountain Valley Health Center in Bieber on July 24, 2019. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12061658\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A doctor listens to a patient’s heartbeat at the Mountain Valley Health Center in Bieber on July 24, 2019. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>On Thursday, \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that global fresh foods producer Taylor Farms had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>. According to anonymous sources, investigators are probing shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to certain Taco Bell restaurants as potentially harboring the intestinal parasite.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>On Thursday, \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that global fresh foods producer Taylor Farms had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>. According to anonymous sources, investigators are probing shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to certain Taco Bell restaurants as potentially harboring the intestinal parasite.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Some good news, however: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/a> says that California “is not one of the states currently experiencing an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis,” and that to date, the state has actually seen fewer cases of cyclosporiasis this year than it did in the same period in 2025: 41, compared to last year’s 80. The agency also doesn’t believe these current California cyclospora cases are even linked to the outbreaks affecting other states.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Some good news, however: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/a> says that California “is not one of the states currently experiencing an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis,” and that to date, the state has actually seen fewer cases of cyclosporiasis this year than it did in the same period in 2025: 41, compared to last year’s 80. The agency also doesn’t believe these current California cyclospora cases are even linked to the outbreaks affecting other states.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But if you’re in the Bay Area — or are planning to visit any of the affected states in the coming weeks — what should you know about your individual risk of cyclosporiasis? What’s the source of this outbreak? Should you be thinking about your fruits and vegetables differently right now, and how can you reduce your family’s chances of being hit by this truly unpleasant disease this summer?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But if you’re in the Bay Area — or are planning to visit any of the affected states in the coming weeks — what should you know about your individual risk of cyclosporiasis? What’s the source of this outbreak? Should you be thinking about your fruits and vegetables differently right now, and how can you reduce your family’s chances of being hit by this truly unpleasant disease this summer?\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what we know about cyclosporiasis and California. (And be aware since we’re talking about explosive diarrhea here, the details below are not really lunchtime reading.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what we know about cyclosporiasis and California. (And be aware since we’re talking about explosive diarrhea here, the details below are not really lunchtime reading.)\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/list",
"attrs": {
"items": [
"What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?",
"What foods could be causing this outbreak?",
"Should Californians be doing anything differently right now?",
"I’ve got diarrhea. Is it cyclosporiasis or something else?"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003c/ul>\n",
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"\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\u003c/ul>\n"
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"blockName": "core/list-item",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-foods\">What foods could be causing this outbreak?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-foods\">What foods could be causing this outbreak?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#california-cases\">Should Californians be doing anything differently right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#california-cases\">Should Californians be doing anything differently right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea. Is it cyclosporiasis or something else?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea. Is it cyclosporiasis or something else?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n"
]
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},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What is cyclosporiasis, and how do people get infected? ",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is cyclosporiasis, and how do people get infected? \u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is cyclosporiasis, and how do people get infected? \u003c/h2>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis — pronounced “\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">sigh-clo-spore-EYE-uh-sis\u003c/a>”, similarly to “psoriasis” — is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the cyclospora parasite.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis — pronounced “\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">sigh-clo-spore-EYE-uh-sis\u003c/a>”, similarly to “psoriasis” — is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the cyclospora parasite.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This parasite, which is \u003ca href=\"https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/diseases/cyclospora.html\">too small \u003c/a>to be seen with the human eye, lives in the poop of people infected with cyclosporiasis. Other people can then become infected also by ingesting food or drink that’s contaminated with those feces — for example, fresh fruits or vegetables that have been washed with contaminated water.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This parasite, which is \u003ca href=\"https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/diseases/cyclospora.html\">too small \u003c/a>to be seen with the human eye, lives in the poop of people infected with cyclosporiasis. Other people can then become infected also by ingesting food or drink that’s contaminated with those feces — for example, fresh fruits or vegetables that have been washed with contaminated water.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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"attrs": {
"id": 12020078,
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"srcset": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1920x1280.jpg 1920w",
"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12020078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables, among other steps.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12020078\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables, among other steps.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, and California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a July 13 statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, and California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a July 13 statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis\u003c/a>, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis\u003c/a>, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "Is cyclosporiasis in California right now?",
"level": 2
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is cyclosporiasis in California right now?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is cyclosporiasis in California right now?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Because cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a Monday statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Because cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a Monday statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
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"attrs": {
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg\" alt=\"Female doctor wearing full PPE suit, face mask, and face shield working with pathogen samples in lab.\" class=\"wp-image-11935274\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg 2120w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A researcher works in a biochemist laboratory. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg\" alt=\"Female doctor wearing full PPE suit, face mask, and face shield working with pathogen samples in lab.\" class=\"wp-image-11935274\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A researcher works in a biochemist laboratory. \u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” The agency said that most of these 2026 California cases are associated with recent international travel.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” The agency said that most of these 2026 California cases are associated with recent international travel.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Since May 1, CDPH has reported just four California cases of cyclospora in people who’d been infected within the United States — two of whom had visited the Midwest.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Since May 1, CDPH has reported just four California cases of cyclospora in people who’d been infected within the United States — two of whom had visited the Midwest.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>For context, based on their 2015-2025 figures CDPH’s annual average for cyclosporiasis cases is 106. “Current counts for 2026 fall within expected ranges,” said the agency.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>For context, based on their 2015-2025 figures CDPH’s annual average for cyclosporiasis cases is 106. “Current counts for 2026 fall within expected ranges,” said the agency.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>As of their most recently available figures released Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is only \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">reporting \u003c/a>between one and 10 cases in the whole state, although the agency’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">map \u003c/a>of nationwide cases generally lags behind the figures being reported by the states themselves.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>As of their most recently available figures released Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is only \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">reporting \u003c/a>between one and 10 cases in the whole state, although the agency’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">map \u003c/a>of nationwide cases generally lags behind the figures being reported by the states themselves.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, and how fast do they start?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, and how fast do they start?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, and how fast do they start?\u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis symptoms take a surprisingly long time to show up after you eat food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite: around one week, and up to two weeks. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis symptoms take a surprisingly long time to show up after you eat food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite: around one week, and up to two weeks. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This incubation time makes it even harder to trace the source of an outbreak, Chin-Hong said, since not only is it often difficult to remember exactly what you ate over a week ago, but by that time, contaminated produce may have cycled out of the store where you bought it.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This incubation time makes it even harder to trace the source of an outbreak, Chin-Hong said, since not only is it often difficult to remember exactly what you ate over a week ago, but by that time, contaminated produce may have cycled out of the store where you bought it.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to the California Department of Public Health, the symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to the California Department of Public Health, the symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:\u003c/p>\n"
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"Watery diarrhea",
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"Bloating",
"Stomach cramps",
"Increased gas",
"Nausea",
"Fatigue"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Watery diarrhea\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Watery diarrhea\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Loss of appetite\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Loss of appetite\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Weight loss\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Weight loss\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Bloating\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>Bloating\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Stomach cramps\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Stomach cramps\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Increased gas\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Increased gas\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Nausea\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Nausea\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
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"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Fatigue\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Fatigue\u003c/li>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>This all happens because when it gets into your small intestines, the cyclospora parasite begins to reproduce. In addition to inflaming your insides, the parasite makes it far harder for the intestines to absorb any fluids or food — meaning it all passes straight through your system, resulting in that watery, often explosive diarrhea. (Vomiting with cyclosporiasis is far less common, Chin-Hong said.)\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>This all happens because when it gets into your small intestines, the cyclospora parasite begins to reproduce. In addition to inflaming your insides, the parasite makes it far harder for the intestines to absorb any fluids or food — meaning it all passes straight through your system, resulting in that watery, often explosive diarrhea. (Vomiting with cyclosporiasis is far less common, Chin-Hong said.)\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>One hopeful bit of information: Some people who get infected with cyclospora don’t actually get any symptoms at all. But if you’re still curious (and don’t mind graphic descriptions of symptoms), you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1uvrfr7/i_have_the_gut_parasite_everyone_is_talking_about/\">browse this Reddit AMA \u003c/a>with someone who said they’ve had cyclosporiasis for the last month.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>One hopeful bit of information: Some people who get infected with cyclospora don’t actually get any symptoms at all. But if you’re still curious (and don’t mind graphic descriptions of symptoms), you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1uvrfr7/i_have_the_gut_parasite_everyone_is_talking_about/\">browse this Reddit AMA \u003c/a>with someone who said they’ve had cyclosporiasis for the last month.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "How long can cyclosporiasis last, and is it treatable?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long can cyclosporiasis last, and is it treatable?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long can cyclosporiasis last, and is it treatable?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>What distinguishes the symptoms of cyclospora infection from, say, a gnarly bout of food poisoning?\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>What distinguishes the symptoms of cyclospora infection from, say, a gnarly bout of food poisoning?\u003c/p>\n"
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},
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The answer is that cyclosporiasis is likely to cause what Chin-Hong calls a “chronic diarrhea pattern, where you have diarrhea that might get better, and then it gets worse again and goes up and down” — for several weeks or even longer.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The answer is that cyclosporiasis is likely to cause what Chin-Hong calls a “chronic diarrhea pattern, where you have diarrhea that might get better, and then it gets worse again and goes up and down” — for several weeks or even longer.\u003c/p>\n"
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11987440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11987440\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And whereas other conditions like norovirus will eventually go away on their own, you’ll need treatment with antibiotics to resolve a cyclospora infection and make that diarrhea finally stop. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>And whereas other conditions like norovirus will eventually go away on their own, you’ll need treatment with antibiotics to resolve a cyclospora infection and make that diarrhea finally stop. \u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Anyone who suspects they have a cyclospora infection should reach out to their healthcare provider for a diagnosis, after which they can be prescribed a 7-10 day course of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole\u003c/a>. “Some immune-compromised individuals may need a longer course,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Anyone who suspects they have a cyclospora infection should reach out to their healthcare provider for a diagnosis, after which they can be prescribed a 7-10 day course of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole\u003c/a>. “Some immune-compromised individuals may need a longer course,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "What do we know about what’s causing the current surge in cyclospora cases?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do we know about what’s causing the current surge in cyclospora cases?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do we know about what’s causing the current surge in cyclospora cases?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
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},
{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">source \u003c/a>of the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the Midwest still isn’t officially known, on Thursday \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that, according to anonymous sources, lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to certain Taco Bell restaurants had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>While the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">source \u003c/a>of the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the Midwest still isn’t officially known, on Thursday \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that, according to anonymous sources, lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to certain Taco Bell restaurants had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Taylor Farms, which has its corporate headquarters in Salinas, had previously \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024\">recalled its yellow onions \u003c/a>in 2024 after a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to burgers served at McDonald’s restaurants. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Taylor Farms, which has its corporate headquarters in Salinas, had previously \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024\">recalled its yellow onions \u003c/a>in 2024 after a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to burgers served at McDonald’s restaurants. \u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>At a Tuesday media briefing, CDC officials said that the agency believed that the cyclospora outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky were linked.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>At a Tuesday media briefing, CDC officials said that the agency believed that the cyclospora outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky were linked.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/image",
"attrs": {
"id": 11675259,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/06/GettyImages-823604062-e1529109234155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11675259\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fresh raspberries for sale at a farmers market.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/06/GettyImages-823604062-e1529109234155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11675259\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fresh raspberries for sale at a farmers market.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclospora\">According to the Food and Drug Administration\u003c/a>, historic outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. have been associated with lettuce, raspberries, basil, cilantro and snow peas. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water. Also, it’s possible that food distributors may channel contaminated foods to both grocery stores and restaurants, making it hard to discern where tainted food came from.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclospora\">According to the Food and Drug Administration\u003c/a>, historic outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. have been associated with lettuce, raspberries, basil, cilantro and snow peas. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water. Also, it’s possible that food distributors may channel contaminated foods to both grocery stores and restaurants, making it hard to discern where tainted food came from.\u003c/p>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>The CDC has faced \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/13/cyclospora-outbreak-parasite-explosive-diarrhea\">criticism \u003c/a>in recent weeks for how federal cuts to state and local health department funding — totaling over $11 billion — may have impacted the agency’s ability to track this outbreak. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>The CDC has faced \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/13/cyclospora-outbreak-parasite-explosive-diarrhea\">criticism \u003c/a>in recent weeks for how federal cuts to state and local health department funding — totaling over $11 billion — may have impacted the agency’s ability to track this outbreak. \u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“They’ve cut down a lot on the surveillance systems that allow these things to be easily controlled,” said Chin-Hong. “And the longer it goes on, the harder it is to go and try to interview all these [patients] and to confirm the test with a lab test.”\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>“They’ve cut down a lot on the surveillance systems that allow these things to be easily controlled,” said Chin-Hong. “And the longer it goes on, the harder it is to go and try to interview all these [patients] and to confirm the test with a lab test.”\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>In July 2025, President Donald Trump’s second administration also reduced the scope of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/index.html\">a federal program \u003c/a>that monitors for foodborne outbreaks like cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>In July 2025, President Donald Trump’s second administration also reduced the scope of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/index.html\">a federal program \u003c/a>that monitors for foodborne outbreaks like cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n"
],
"innerBlocks": []
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{
"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "If I’m visiting an area with a cyclosporiasis outbreak, should I be avoiding certain foods to lower my risk?",
"level": 2
},
"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-foods\">If I’m visiting an area with a cyclosporiasis outbreak, should I be avoiding certain foods to lower my risk?\u003c/h2>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-foods\">If I’m visiting an area with a cyclosporiasis outbreak, should I be avoiding certain foods to lower my risk?\u003c/h2>\n"
],
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cooking your produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees will kill cyclospora.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>Cooking your produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees will kill cyclospora.\u003c/p>\n"
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{
"blockName": "core/paragraph",
"attrs": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But cooking your fruits and vegetables this way might not always be realistic. And while washing produce \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5887517/cyclospora-outbreaks-grow-in-the-midwest\">isn’t guaranteed to remove all traces of cyclospora\u003c/a>, when done thoroughly, it could help reduce your risk of infection. \u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But cooking your fruits and vegetables this way might not always be realistic. And while washing produce \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5887517/cyclospora-outbreaks-grow-in-the-midwest\">isn’t guaranteed to remove all traces of cyclospora\u003c/a>, when done thoroughly, it could help reduce your risk of infection. \u003c/p>\n"
],
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},
{
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"attrs": {
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"sizes": "(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12066124\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A cropped photo of a female hand carrying a shopping basket while choosing vegetables at a supermarket. Grocery shopping concept.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12066124\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A cropped photo of a female hand carrying a shopping basket while choosing vegetables at a supermarket. Grocery shopping concept.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Dr. Erika Noel, an assistant professor at Hawaii’s medical school and a pediatrician on the island of Kauai, shared \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">the following tips\u003c/a> for washing produce with the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em>:\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Dr. Erika Noel, an assistant professor at Hawaii’s medical school and a pediatrician on the island of Kauai, shared \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">the following tips\u003c/a> for washing produce with the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em>:\u003c/p>\n"
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"When washing items like cilantro and basil, separate the leaves.",
"For green onions, cut off the roots, remove the outer layer and run them under water while rubbing the surface.",
"Research shows that washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar can be helpful. Vinegar won’t kill the parasite but can help remove it. Noel recommends submerging produce in a bowl filled with three parts water and one part vinegar and swishing it around for a few minutes. Using a salad spinner to rinse with water can help get rid of the vinegary taste.",
"Instead of purchasing pre-mixed salad and washing individual leaves, opt for a head of lettuce and remove the outer layer.",
"For melons, scrub the outside before cutting through, as the knife can carry germs from the rind into the fruit inside.",
"Peel fruits and vegetables as much as possible."
]
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null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
"\n\n",
null,
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null,
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null,
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>When washing items like cilantro and basil, separate the leaves.\u003c/li>\n",
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"\n\u003cli>When washing items like cilantro and basil, separate the leaves.\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>For green onions, cut off the roots, remove the outer layer and run them under water while rubbing the surface.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>For green onions, cut off the roots, remove the outer layer and run them under water while rubbing the surface.\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Research shows that washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar can be helpful. Vinegar won’t kill the parasite but can help remove it. Noel recommends submerging produce in a bowl filled with three parts water and one part vinegar and swishing it around for a few minutes. Using a salad spinner to rinse with water can help get rid of the vinegary taste.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Research shows that washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar can be helpful. Vinegar won’t kill the parasite but can help remove it. Noel recommends submerging produce in a bowl filled with three parts water and one part vinegar and swishing it around for a few minutes. Using a salad spinner to rinse with water can help get rid of the vinegary taste.\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
"attrs": [],
"innerBlocks": [],
"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Instead of purchasing pre-mixed salad and washing individual leaves, opt for a head of lettuce and remove the outer layer.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>Instead of purchasing pre-mixed salad and washing individual leaves, opt for a head of lettuce and remove the outer layer.\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
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"attrs": [],
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>For melons, scrub the outside before cutting through, as the knife can carry germs from the rind into the fruit inside.\u003c/li>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cli>For melons, scrub the outside before cutting through, as the knife can carry germs from the rind into the fruit inside.\u003c/li>\n"
]
},
{
"blockName": "core/list-item",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cli>Peel fruits and vegetables as much as possible.\u003c/li>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Don’t forget to wash cutting boards and countertops. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill cyclospora, but soap and water are highly effective at killing or removing the parasite from hands.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Don’t forget to wash cutting boards and countertops. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill cyclospora, but soap and water are highly effective at killing or removing the parasite from hands.\u003c/p>\n"
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"text": "Even with low case counts in California, I’m really worried about getting cyclosporiasis. What should I be doing?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"california-cases\">Even with low case counts in California, I’m really worried about getting cyclosporiasis. What should I be doing?\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>First of all, remember that according to CDPH, “there are no known local outbreaks in California, and no California cases are currently known to be linked to multistate outbreaks under investigation by the CDC.” The CDC’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">surveillance map\u003c/a>, last updated on Tuesday, shows “1-10” cases currently reported in California.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>First of all, remember that according to CDPH, “there are no known local outbreaks in California, and no California cases are currently known to be linked to multistate outbreaks under investigation by the CDC.” The CDC’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">surveillance map\u003c/a>, last updated on Tuesday, shows “1-10” cases currently reported in California.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>“We would have seen it if it was some distributor that we had, that the Midwest groceries or restaurants also use,” Chin-Hong said. “Because it should all happen at the same time.” And because of the foodborne nature of cyclosporiasis, and the lack of human-to-human transmission, “it’s not like somebody from Michigan travels to California and then spreads it around,” he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>“We would have seen it if it was some distributor that we had, that the Midwest groceries or restaurants also use,” Chin-Hong said. “Because it should all happen at the same time.” And because of the foodborne nature of cyclosporiasis, and the lack of human-to-human transmission, “it’s not like somebody from Michigan travels to California and then spreads it around,” he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12073464\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny McDowell holds a handful of onion microgreens at Three Sisters Garden in West Sacramento on Feb. 12, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12073464\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny McDowell holds a handful of onion microgreens at Three Sisters Garden in West Sacramento on Feb. 12, 2026.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But all this might not stop you \u003cem>worrying \u003c/em>about cyclosporiasis. Chin-Hong said that he’s still eating fruits and vegetables “with wild abandon,” albeit while washing his hands and his produce carefully — “especially green leafy vegetables under running water.” \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>But all this might not stop you \u003cem>worrying \u003c/em>about cyclosporiasis. Chin-Hong said that he’s still eating fruits and vegetables “with wild abandon,” albeit while washing his hands and his produce carefully — “especially green leafy vegetables under running water.” \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>If you’re anxious about inadvertently eating foods that might be linked to the current outbreaks in the Midwest, you might consider sourcing your produce from local farms to be more secure in where your food has come from, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>If you’re anxious about inadvertently eating foods that might be linked to the current outbreaks in the Midwest, you might consider sourcing your produce from local farms to be more secure in where your food has come from, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Still worried? Chin-Hong said you could avoid higher-risk items that have traditionally been implicated in previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks, like leafy greens in bagged salad mixes, fresh herbs like cilantro and berries. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Still worried? Chin-Hong said you could avoid higher-risk items that have traditionally been implicated in previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks, like leafy greens in bagged salad mixes, fresh herbs like cilantro and berries. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Instead, he said you could opt for “lower-risk choices” like bananas, oranges, avocados, melon and mangoes, because these options have rinds or skin that are removed before eating. When cutting into thick-skinned produce like melon, be sure to wash not just its outside but also your knife and your hands, to make sure you’re not accidentally pushing any contamination from the skin into the flesh. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Instead, he said you could opt for “lower-risk choices” like bananas, oranges, avocados, melon and mangoes, because these options have rinds or skin that are removed before eating. When cutting into thick-skinned produce like melon, be sure to wash not just its outside but also your knife and your hands, to make sure you’re not accidentally pushing any contamination from the skin into the flesh. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>And as tough as the symptoms are, remember that effective antibiotic treatment for cyclosporiasis \u003cem>is \u003c/em>available should the worst happen, he said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>And as tough as the symptoms are, remember that effective antibiotic treatment for cyclosporiasis \u003cem>is \u003c/em>available should the worst happen, he said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"blockName": "core/heading",
"attrs": {
"text": "I’ve got diarrhea, and now I’m panicking. Could this be cyclosporiasis? ",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea, and now I’m panicking. Could this be cyclosporiasis? \u003c/h2>\n",
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"\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea, and now I’m panicking. Could this be cyclosporiasis? \u003c/h2>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Right now in the Bay Area, getting diarrhea is \u003cem>way \u003c/em>more likely to be due to another gastrointestinal disease.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Right now in the Bay Area, getting diarrhea is \u003cem>way \u003c/em>more likely to be due to another gastrointestinal disease.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN, a team that measures viral levels in human sewage, both \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CocBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaB05vcm9fRzJ4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Norovirus\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoQBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBFJvdGF4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Rotavirus\u003c/a> — gastrointestinal diseases which, like cyclosporiasis, cause prolonged diarrhea — have been detected in over 99% of samples from their sites across the Bay Area in the last three weeks.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN, a team that measures viral levels in human sewage, both \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CocBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaB05vcm9fRzJ4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Norovirus\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoQBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBFJvdGF4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Rotavirus\u003c/a> — gastrointestinal diseases which, like cyclosporiasis, cause prolonged diarrhea — have been detected in over 99% of samples from their sites across the Bay Area in the last three weeks.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shopper push carts down a meat aisle in a supermarket.\" class=\"wp-image-12017243\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-160x110.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 992px) min(100vw, 1536px), (min-width: 768px) min(100vw, 1280px), min(100vw, 1020px)\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Customers shop in the deli meat aisle of a grocery store in Miami in October. In 2024, Americans saw an increase in recalls of food and cosmetic products, with three main pathogens — salmonella, listeria and E. coli — posing the greatest overall risk of severe illness.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n",
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"\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shopper push carts down a meat aisle in a supermarket.\" class=\"wp-image-12017243\"/>\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Customers shop in the deli meat aisle of a grocery store in Miami in October. In 2024, Americans saw an increase in recalls of food and cosmetic products, with three main pathogens — salmonella, listeria and E. coli — posing the greatest overall risk of severe illness.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>While the seasonal waves of these viruses are coming to an end, both Norovirus and Rotavirus “are commonly detected in wastewater year-round,” WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>While the seasonal waves of these viruses are coming to an end, both Norovirus and Rotavirus “are commonly detected in wastewater year-round,” WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Unlike these other diseases, you’ll know it’s cyclosporiasis if your diarrhea just won’t go away, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Unlike these other diseases, you’ll know it’s cyclosporiasis if your diarrhea just won’t go away, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "Can humans transmit cyclosporiasis to each other?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Not in the way you might be thinking. You’re far, far more likely to get cyclosporiasis from ingesting food or fluid that’s contaminated with the \u003cem>feces \u003c/em>from an infected person you don’t even know — for example, by eating fruit that was washed in water that contained feces — than by being near a person with cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Not in the way you might be thinking. You’re far, far more likely to get cyclosporiasis from ingesting food or fluid that’s contaminated with the \u003cem>feces \u003c/em>from an infected person you don’t even know — for example, by eating fruit that was washed in water that contained feces — than by being near a person with cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Even if you have to share a bathroom with someone with cyclosporiasis-induced diarrhea, or help an infected family member clean up, you’re still unlikely to get infected by that person directly. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Even if you have to share a bathroom with someone with cyclosporiasis-induced diarrhea, or help an infected family member clean up, you’re still unlikely to get infected by that person directly. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>That’s because the parasitic cells pooped out by someone infected with cyclosporiasis need to be in the environment a good while — “days to weeks,” according to CDPH — and then be activated by enough heat to actually become infectious themselves. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>That’s because the parasitic cells pooped out by someone infected with cyclosporiasis need to be in the environment a good while — “days to weeks,” according to CDPH — and then be activated by enough heat to actually become infectious themselves. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So as unpleasant as the whole situation might be in general, you aren’t at immediate risk of cyclospora infection from an infected person’s poop.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So as unpleasant as the whole situation might be in general, you aren’t at immediate risk of cyclospora infection from an infected person’s poop.\u003c/p>\n"
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"attrs": {
"text": "How dangerous is a cyclospora infection?",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>How dangerous is a cyclospora infection?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n",
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis is not fatal, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">no deaths \u003c/a>have been reported to the CDC during this current outbreak. \u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis is not fatal, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">no deaths \u003c/a>have been reported to the CDC during this current outbreak. \u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>But Chin-Hong said that the dehydration this kind of prolonged diarrhea can cause still poses a danger to the very young and the very old, in how it could impact their organs.\u003c/p>\n",
"innerContent": [
"\n\u003cp>But Chin-Hong said that the dehydration this kind of prolonged diarrhea can cause still poses a danger to the very young and the very old, in how it could impact their organs.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>So far, 141 people have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">hospitalized \u003c/a>nationwide with cyclosporiasis, according to the CDC’s numbers from Tuesday — 9% of confirmed cases.\u003c/p>\n",
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"\n\u003cp>So far, 141 people have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">hospitalized \u003c/a>nationwide with cyclosporiasis, according to the CDC’s numbers from Tuesday — 9% of confirmed cases.\u003c/p>\n"
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"innerHTML": "\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting from the Associated Press.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>Let’s face it: Headlines about “explosive diarrhea” are the headlines \u003cem>nobody \u003c/em>wants to see.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But amid the current national outbreak of cyclosporiasis — a foodborne stomach parasite that’s infected thousands of people around the United States — it’s hard to avoid the updates about the severe cramping, bloating and yes, the “watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements” (in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s own \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html\">words\u003c/a>) this disease causes.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">announced \u003c/a>that the agency had received reports of 1,645 confirmed domestic cases of cyclosporiasis — but was aware of over 5,000 more cases that required confirmation. So far, \u003ca href=\"https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/infectious-diseases/infectious-disease-outbreaks\">Michigan\u003c/a> has experienced the worst rises in cyclosporiasis cases, reporting well over 4,000 cases as of Thursday. Other states reporting surges of the disease include \u003ca href=\"https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/cyclosporiasis-cases-new-york-state/\">New York\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://news.wttw.com/2026/07/13/illinois-confirms-194-probable-cases-cyclosporiasis-parasitic-inspection-spreads\">Illinois\u003c/a>, \u003ca href=\"https://odh.ohio.gov/media-center/ODH-News-Releases/cyclosporiasis-news-release-070826\">Ohio\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2026/07/13/texas-cyclospora-cases-count-cyclosporiasis-symptoms-and-treatment/90904130007/\">Texas\u003c/a>. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12061658\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/072419-Rural-Doctor-AW-CM-10_scr-160x107.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A doctor listens to a patient’s heartbeat at the Mountain Valley Health Center in Bieber on July 24, 2019. (Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>On Thursday, \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that global fresh foods producer Taylor Farms had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>. According to anonymous sources, investigators are probing shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to certain Taco Bell restaurants as potentially harboring the intestinal parasite.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Some good news, however: \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">The California Department of Public Health\u003c/a> says that California “is not one of the states currently experiencing an increase in cases of cyclosporiasis,” and that to date, the state has actually seen fewer cases of cyclosporiasis this year than it did in the same period in 2025: 41, compared to last year’s 80. The agency also doesn’t believe these current California cyclospora cases are even linked to the outbreaks affecting other states.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But if you’re in the Bay Area — or are planning to visit any of the affected states in the coming weeks — what should you know about your individual risk of cyclosporiasis? What’s the source of this outbreak? Should you be thinking about your fruits and vegetables differently right now, and how can you reduce your family’s chances of being hit by this truly unpleasant disease this summer?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Keep reading for what we know about cyclosporiasis and California. (And be aware since we’re talking about explosive diarrhea here, the details below are not really lunchtime reading.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to:\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#jump-foods\">What foods could be causing this outbreak?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#california-cases\">Should Californians be doing anything differently right now?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"#diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea. Is it cyclosporiasis or something else?\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is cyclosporiasis, and how do people get infected? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis — pronounced “\u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">sigh-clo-spore-EYE-uh-sis\u003c/a>”, similarly to “psoriasis” — is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the cyclospora parasite.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This parasite, which is \u003ca href=\"https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/diseases/cyclospora.html\">too small \u003c/a>to be seen with the human eye, lives in the poop of people infected with cyclosporiasis. Other people can then become infected also by ingesting food or drink that’s contaminated with those feces — for example, fresh fruits or vegetables that have been washed with contaminated water.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2121\" height=\"1414\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12020078\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945.jpg 2121w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/GettyImages-1253748945-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2121px) 100vw, 2121px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The CDC recommends washing fruits and vegetables, among other steps. (Hispanolistic/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, and California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a July 13 statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR26-024.aspx\">California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis\u003c/a>, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is cyclosporiasis in California right now?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Because cyclosporiasis isn’t a new disease, California “experiences cases of cyclosporiasis every year,” according to a Monday statement by CDPH. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“It’s been around for a long time, but this year it’s notable for the rate of increase, which is itself explosive,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UCSF.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2120\" height=\"1414\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg\" alt=\"Female doctor wearing full PPE suit, face mask, and face shield working with pathogen samples in lab.\" class=\"wp-image-11935274\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009.jpg 2120w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-800x534.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/12/GettyImages-1301584009-1920x1281.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2120px) 100vw, 2120px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A researcher works in a biochemist laboratory. (Luis Alvarez/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But — so far, at least — that’s all in other states. CDPH said that from January to June 2026, California reported 41 provisional cases of cyclosporiasis, “compared to 80 cases during the same period in 2025.” The agency said that most of these 2026 California cases are associated with recent international travel.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Since May 1, CDPH has reported just four California cases of cyclospora in people who’d been infected within the United States — two of whom had visited the Midwest.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>For context, based on their 2015-2025 figures CDPH’s annual average for cyclosporiasis cases is 106. “Current counts for 2026 fall within expected ranges,” said the agency.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>As of their most recently available figures released Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is only \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">reporting \u003c/a>between one and 10 cases in the whole state, although the agency’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">map \u003c/a>of nationwide cases generally lags behind the figures being reported by the states themselves.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-symptoms\">What are the symptoms of cyclosporiasis, and how fast do they start?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis symptoms take a surprisingly long time to show up after you eat food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite: around one week, and up to two weeks. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This incubation time makes it even harder to trace the source of an outbreak, Chin-Hong said, since not only is it often difficult to remember exactly what you ate over a week ago, but by that time, contaminated produce may have cycled out of the store where you bought it.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to the California Department of Public Health, the symptoms of cyclosporiasis include:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>Watery diarrhea\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Loss of appetite\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Weight loss\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Bloating\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Stomach cramps\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Increased gas\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Nausea\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Fatigue\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>This all happens because when it gets into your small intestines, the cyclospora parasite begins to reproduce. In addition to inflaming your insides, the parasite makes it far harder for the intestines to absorb any fluids or food — meaning it all passes straight through your system, resulting in that watery, often explosive diarrhea. (Vomiting with cyclosporiasis is far less common, Chin-Hong said.)\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>One hopeful bit of information: Some people who get infected with cyclospora don’t actually get any symptoms at all. But if you’re still curious (and don’t mind graphic descriptions of symptoms), you can \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/AMA/comments/1uvrfr7/i_have_the_gut_parasite_everyone_is_talking_about/\">browse this Reddit AMA \u003c/a>with someone who said they’ve had cyclosporiasis for the last month.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long can cyclosporiasis last, and is it treatable?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>What distinguishes the symptoms of cyclospora infection from, say, a gnarly bout of food poisoning?\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The answer is that cyclosporiasis is likely to cause what Chin-Hong calls a “chronic diarrhea pattern, where you have diarrhea that might get better, and then it gets worse again and goes up and down” — for several weeks or even longer.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11987440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/05/GettyImages-1297701066_qut-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A registered nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine at St. Rose Hospital in Hayward, California, on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. (Jessica Christian/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And whereas other conditions like norovirus will eventually go away on their own, you’ll need treatment with antibiotics to resolve a cyclospora infection and make that diarrhea finally stop. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Anyone who suspects they have a cyclospora infection should reach out to their healthcare provider for a diagnosis, after which they can be prescribed a 7-10 day course of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Cyclosporiasis.aspx\">trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole\u003c/a>. “Some immune-compromised individuals may need a longer course,” Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What do we know about what’s causing the current surge in cyclospora cases?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">source \u003c/a>of the cyclosporiasis outbreak in the Midwest still isn’t officially known, on Thursday \u003cem>the Washington Post\u003c/em> reported that, according to anonymous sources, lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms to certain Taco Bell restaurants had been identified as\u003ca href=\"https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/07/16/lettuce-supplier-is-potential-source-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-investigators-say/\"> a potential source of the outbreak\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Taylor Farms, which has its corporate headquarters in Salinas, had previously \u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-e-coli-o157h7-onions-october-2024\">recalled its yellow onions \u003c/a>in 2024 after a multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to burgers served at McDonald’s restaurants. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>At a Tuesday media briefing, CDC officials said that the agency believed that the cyclospora outbreaks in Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky were linked.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1234\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/06/GettyImages-823604062-e1529109234155.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11675259\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fresh raspberries for sale at a farmers market. (Paul J. Richards/AFP-Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborne-pathogens/cyclospora\">According to the Food and Drug Administration\u003c/a>, historic outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. have been associated with lettuce, raspberries, basil, cilantro and snow peas. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to feces-contaminated irrigation water. Also, it’s possible that food distributors may channel contaminated foods to both grocery stores and restaurants, making it hard to discern where tainted food came from.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>The CDC has faced \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/13/cyclospora-outbreak-parasite-explosive-diarrhea\">criticism \u003c/a>in recent weeks for how federal cuts to state and local health department funding — totaling over $11 billion — may have impacted the agency’s ability to track this outbreak. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“They’ve cut down a lot on the surveillance systems that allow these things to be easily controlled,” said Chin-Hong. “And the longer it goes on, the harder it is to go and try to interview all these [patients] and to confirm the test with a lab test.”\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>In July 2025, President Donald Trump’s second administration also reduced the scope of \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/index.html\">a federal program \u003c/a>that monitors for foodborne outbreaks like cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"jump-foods\">If I’m visiting an area with a cyclosporiasis outbreak, should I be avoiding certain foods to lower my risk?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cooking your produce to an internal temperature of at least 158 degrees will kill cyclospora.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But cooking your fruits and vegetables this way might not always be realistic. And while washing produce \u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/nx-s1-5887517/cyclospora-outbreaks-grow-in-the-midwest\">isn’t guaranteed to remove all traces of cyclospora\u003c/a>, when done thoroughly, it could help reduce your risk of infection. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12066124\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/12/CalFreshGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A cropped photo of a female hand carrying a shopping basket while choosing vegetables at a supermarket. Grocery shopping concept. (Oscar Wong/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Dr. Erika Noel, an assistant professor at Hawaii’s medical school and a pediatrician on the island of Kauai, shared \u003ca href=\"https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-produce-washing-tips-022730ccbc514e15b1f0021c47bf1b68\">the following tips\u003c/a> for washing produce with the \u003cem>Associated Press\u003c/em>:\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003cli>When washing items like cilantro and basil, separate the leaves.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>For green onions, cut off the roots, remove the outer layer and run them under water while rubbing the surface.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Research shows that washing fruits and vegetables in vinegar can be helpful. Vinegar won’t kill the parasite but can help remove it. Noel recommends submerging produce in a bowl filled with three parts water and one part vinegar and swishing it around for a few minutes. Using a salad spinner to rinse with water can help get rid of the vinegary taste.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Instead of purchasing pre-mixed salad and washing individual leaves, opt for a head of lettuce and remove the outer layer.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>For melons, scrub the outside before cutting through, as the knife can carry germs from the rind into the fruit inside.\u003c/li>\n\n\n\n\u003cli>Peel fruits and vegetables as much as possible.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Don’t forget to wash cutting boards and countertops. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers don’t kill cyclospora, but soap and water are highly effective at killing or removing the parasite from hands.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"california-cases\">Even with low case counts in California, I’m really worried about getting cyclosporiasis. What should I be doing?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>First of all, remember that according to CDPH, “there are no known local outbreaks in California, and no California cases are currently known to be linked to multistate outbreaks under investigation by the CDC.” The CDC’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">surveillance map\u003c/a>, last updated on Tuesday, shows “1-10” cases currently reported in California.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>“We would have seen it if it was some distributor that we had, that the Midwest groceries or restaurants also use,” Chin-Hong said. “Because it should all happen at the same time.” And because of the foodborne nature of cyclosporiasis, and the lack of human-to-human transmission, “it’s not like somebody from Michigan travels to California and then spreads it around,” he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-12073464\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/02/02122026_LBR3_3SISGDN-86-KQED-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kenny McDowell holds a handful of onion microgreens at Three Sisters Garden in West Sacramento on Feb. 12, 2026. (Louis Bryant III for KQED)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But all this might not stop you \u003cem>worrying \u003c/em>about cyclosporiasis. Chin-Hong said that he’s still eating fruits and vegetables “with wild abandon,” albeit while washing his hands and his produce carefully — “especially green leafy vegetables under running water.” \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>If you’re anxious about inadvertently eating foods that might be linked to the current outbreaks in the Midwest, you might consider sourcing your produce from local farms to be more secure in where your food has come from, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Still worried? Chin-Hong said you could avoid higher-risk items that have traditionally been implicated in previous cyclosporiasis outbreaks, like leafy greens in bagged salad mixes, fresh herbs like cilantro and berries. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Instead, he said you could opt for “lower-risk choices” like bananas, oranges, avocados, melon and mangoes, because these options have rinds or skin that are removed before eating. When cutting into thick-skinned produce like melon, be sure to wash not just its outside but also your knife and your hands, to make sure you’re not accidentally pushing any contamination from the skin into the flesh. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>And as tough as the symptoms are, remember that effective antibiotic treatment for cyclosporiasis \u003cem>is \u003c/em>available should the worst happen, he said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"diarrhea-panicking\">I’ve got diarrhea, and now I’m panicking. Could this be cyclosporiasis? \u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Right now in the Bay Area, getting diarrhea is \u003cem>way \u003c/em>more likely to be due to another gastrointestinal disease.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>According to Stanford University’s WastewaterSCAN, a team that measures viral levels in human sewage, both \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CocBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaB05vcm9fRzJ4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Norovirus\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://data.wastewaterscan.org/tracker/?charts=CoQBEAA4AUgAUgY1NzlkYTNSBjM3NDMwYVIGZTllODdlUgYwN2NlZDdSBjhhOWI0YlIGYzhkMzU3UgYyNTQ4MTlSBmRkMzZmYlIGZmEyZDYzUgZiNzIzYWVSBmJjNzlmOVIGODRkNDg5UgZkZGU4OGZaBFJvdGF4xwGKAQZhNjg1ZDK4AYsI&selectedChartId=a685d2\">Rotavirus\u003c/a> — gastrointestinal diseases which, like cyclosporiasis, cause prolonged diarrhea — have been detected in over 99% of samples from their sites across the Bay Area in the last three weeks.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"823\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg\" alt=\"Shopper push carts down a meat aisle in a supermarket.\" class=\"wp-image-12017243\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-800x549.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-1020x700.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/12/download-1-160x110.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Customers shop in the deli meat aisle of a grocery store in Miami in October. In 2024, Americans saw an increase in recalls of food and cosmetic products, with three main pathogens — salmonella, listeria and E. coli — posing the greatest overall risk of severe illness. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>While the seasonal waves of these viruses are coming to an end, both Norovirus and Rotavirus “are commonly detected in wastewater year-round,” WastewaterSCAN’s Amanda Bidwell said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Unlike these other diseases, you’ll know it’s cyclosporiasis if your diarrhea just won’t go away, Chin-Hong said.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can humans transmit cyclosporiasis to each other?\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Not in the way you might be thinking. You’re far, far more likely to get cyclosporiasis from ingesting food or fluid that’s contaminated with the \u003cem>feces \u003c/em>from an infected person you don’t even know — for example, by eating fruit that was washed in water that contained feces — than by being near a person with cyclosporiasis.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Even if you have to share a bathroom with someone with cyclosporiasis-induced diarrhea, or help an infected family member clean up, you’re still unlikely to get infected by that person directly. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>That’s because the parasitic cells pooped out by someone infected with cyclosporiasis need to be in the environment a good while — “days to weeks,” according to CDPH — and then be activated by enough heat to actually become infectious themselves. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So as unpleasant as the whole situation might be in general, you aren’t at immediate risk of cyclospora infection from an infected person’s poop.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003cstrong>How dangerous is a cyclospora infection?\u003c/strong>\u003c/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>Cyclosporiasis is not fatal, and \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/cyclosporiasis/php/surveillance/index.html\">no deaths \u003c/a>have been reported to the CDC during this current outbreak. \u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>But Chin-Hong said that the dehydration this kind of prolonged diarrhea can cause still poses a danger to the very young and the very old, in how it could impact their organs.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>So far, 141 people have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.cdc.gov/han/php/notices/han00531.html\">hospitalized \u003c/a>nationwide with cyclosporiasis, according to the CDC’s numbers from Tuesday — 9% of confirmed cases.\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story contains reporting from the Associated Press.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\n\n\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Got a ‘Retake Your Test’ Letter From the DMV? It’s Real — and Here’s What to Do",
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"headTitle": "Got a ‘Retake Your Test’ Letter From the DMV? It’s Real — and Here’s What to Do | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>More than 10,000 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">Californians\u003c/a> are receiving letters informing them that they need to retake their written driver’s license tests. Unfortunately for unlucky recipients, the letters aren’t part of a sophisticated scam, as Redditors have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">speculating\u003c/a> — or perhaps hoping.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sorry to say, the notices are real, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles — and as of this week, the agency has confirmed that they’re prompted by suspicions of cheating. All this means that people who receive these letters will indeed need to retake their written knowledge test to stay on the roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you did receive a dreaded DMV letter, here’s what you need to know about why you’re being asked to retake your test, how to do it and what could happen if you don’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Who has to retake their driver’s test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you took your California written driver’s license tests between July 2025 and April 2026, look out for a letter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV says about 11,000 people across the state who took the exam during that period will have to retake the test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The affected licenses don’t appear to be isolated to one region — people from Los Angeles to San Francisco have \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">taken to social media\u003c/a> to say they’re headed to the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12032226\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12032226 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traffic on Interstate 550 in Oakland flowing with cars. \u003ccite>(Joyce Tsai/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Why is the DMV making me take my test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The DMV initially kept it vague — only saying that they identified “anomalies” in “certain” test results.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This week, though, the agency said it flagged the results after finding irregularities that “may indicate instances of cheating.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These irregularities are “test taker related,” according to the DMV, “and not the result of an internal DMV technical issue, or involvement of artificial intelligence.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I got a DMV letter. Am I in trouble?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you got a notice, don’t panic. The DMV said that it’s not a final determination that cheating occurred, but only that your test result was identified as “potentially problematic.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency didn’t offer any specifics about \u003cem>how\u003c/em> test takers might have cheated, but it said multiple cases have been turned over to county district attorneys for prosecution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Several state lawmakers have also sent the DMV letters asking for more details on the nature of any cheating.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I have to retake the practical test or just the written test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Don’t worry, you won’t have to get graded on your actual driving behind the wheel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that’s not to say you shouldn’t brush up on the rules of the road ahead of retaking your written test. \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">Some people online\u003c/a> say they failed the exam when they went in for their retest and had their license revoked. \u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">How to study for your DMV retest.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I retake the test, and how fast do I have to do it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’ll have to make an appointment online for an in-person test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The letters mailed out include a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone camera, which will route you directly to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/appointments/select-appointment-type\">page on the DMV website\u003c/a> that has a “reevaluation” sign-up link.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11699281\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11699281\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg\" alt=\"The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-160x113.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-800x565.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1020x720.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1200x848.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1180x833.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-960x678.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-240x170.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-375x265.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-520x367.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’d rather go to the site on a computer or in your internet browser, click on the “Appointments” page at \u003ca href=\"http://dmv.ca.gov\">dmv.ca.gov\u003c/a> and look for the “knowledge test reevaluation” button.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be warned: the letters say that you need to retake the exam within 30 days of the date the notice was issued, located in the top left corner, to keep your California driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to make a DMV appointment to retake my test, and what do I need to bring with me?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes. The letter says appointments are required for the reevaluation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring a copy of the notice requiring reevaluation, as well as your driver’s license card, temporary license, or instruction permit, whichever you have.[aside postID=news_12089236 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/GroceriesAP.jpg']\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if there are no available DMV appointments near me to retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the DMV told KQED that there have been “no known issues getting [appointments]” and plenty are available. A DMV that’s further away from you may have more appointments available.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">\u003c/a>What if I fail my retest? Can I take the test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some people who have gone in for the reevaluation say \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">they’ve failed\u003c/a> and had their physical driver’s licenses taken by the DMV. They were able to reapply, retake the written test, and be issued a new temporary license within days — still with no road test needed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It could be worthwhile to study up before your appointment (or just test your knowledge if you’re just curious how you’d hypothetically perform, like this reporter). The DMV provides \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/educational-materials/sample-driver-license-dl-knowledge-tests/\">sample tests\u003c/a> in multiple languages, and proficient Googlers may also be able to find apparent sample questions online via sites that are not affiliated with the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What happens if I don’t retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your license will be canceled — which means you cannot drive. It also means that your license will not be a valid form of identification.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your license \u003cem>does \u003c/em>lapse, the DMV says you are eligible to immediately reapply. It’s not clear if you would need to retake the road test in that case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>More than 10,000 \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/california\">Californians\u003c/a> are receiving letters informing them that they need to retake their written driver’s license tests. Unfortunately for unlucky recipients, the letters aren’t part of a sophisticated scam, as Redditors have been \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">speculating\u003c/a> — or perhaps hoping.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Sorry to say, the notices are real, according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles — and as of this week, the agency has confirmed that they’re prompted by suspicions of cheating. All this means that people who receive these letters will indeed need to retake their written knowledge test to stay on the roads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you did receive a dreaded DMV letter, here’s what you need to know about why you’re being asked to retake your test, how to do it and what could happen if you don’t.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Who has to retake their driver’s test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you took your California written driver’s license tests between July 2025 and April 2026, look out for a letter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The DMV says about 11,000 people across the state who took the exam during that period will have to retake the test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The affected licenses don’t appear to be isolated to one region — people from Los Angeles to San Francisco have \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1um1s4j/many_california_drivers_to_retake_written_dmv/\">taken to social media\u003c/a> to say they’re headed to the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12032226\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12032226 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/IMG_6860_qed-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traffic on Interstate 550 in Oakland flowing with cars. \u003ccite>(Joyce Tsai/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Why is the DMV making me take my test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The DMV initially kept it vague — only saying that they identified “anomalies” in “certain” test results.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>This week, though, the agency said it flagged the results after finding irregularities that “may indicate instances of cheating.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These irregularities are “test taker related,” according to the DMV, “and not the result of an internal DMV technical issue, or involvement of artificial intelligence.”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>I got a DMV letter. Am I in trouble?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If you got a notice, don’t panic. The DMV said that it’s not a final determination that cheating occurred, but only that your test result was identified as “potentially problematic.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The agency didn’t offer any specifics about \u003cem>how\u003c/em> test takers might have cheated, but it said multiple cases have been turned over to county district attorneys for prosecution.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Several state lawmakers have also sent the DMV letters asking for more details on the nature of any cheating.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I have to retake the practical test or just the written test?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Don’t worry, you won’t have to get graded on your actual driving behind the wheel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that’s not to say you shouldn’t brush up on the rules of the road ahead of retaking your written test. \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">Some people online\u003c/a> say they failed the exam when they went in for their retest and had their license revoked. \u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">How to study for your DMV retest.\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>How do I retake the test, and how fast do I have to do it?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>You’ll have to make an appointment online for an in-person test.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The letters mailed out include a QR code that you can scan with your cell phone camera, which will route you directly to a \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/appointments/select-appointment-type\">page on the DMV website\u003c/a> that has a “reevaluation” sign-up link.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11699281\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11699281\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg\" alt=\"The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1356\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-160x113.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-800x565.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1020x720.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1200x848.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-1180x833.jpg 1180w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-960x678.jpg 960w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-240x170.jpg 240w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-375x265.jpg 375w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/10/DMVEntrance-520x367.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The entrance to a California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office in Corte Madera. \u003ccite>(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>If you’d rather go to the site on a computer or in your internet browser, click on the “Appointments” page at \u003ca href=\"http://dmv.ca.gov\">dmv.ca.gov\u003c/a> and look for the “knowledge test reevaluation” button.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But be warned: the letters say that you need to retake the exam within 30 days of the date the notice was issued, located in the top left corner, to keep your California driver’s license.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Do I \u003cem>have \u003c/em>to make a DMV appointment to retake my test, and what do I need to bring with me?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Yes. The letter says appointments are required for the reevaluation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring a copy of the notice requiring reevaluation, as well as your driver’s license card, temporary license, or instruction permit, whichever you have.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What if there are no available DMV appointments near me to retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>A spokesperson for the DMV told KQED that there have been “no known issues getting [appointments]” and plenty are available. A DMV that’s further away from you may have more appointments available.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"HowtostudyforyourDMVretest\">\u003c/a>What if I fail my retest? Can I take the test again?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Some people who have gone in for the reevaluation say \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comments/1u72dw2/is_this_legitimate_will_i_need_to_redo_the_behind/\">they’ve failed\u003c/a> and had their physical driver’s licenses taken by the DMV. They were able to reapply, retake the written test, and be issued a new temporary license within days — still with no road test needed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It could be worthwhile to study up before your appointment (or just test your knowledge if you’re just curious how you’d hypothetically perform, like this reporter). The DMV provides \u003ca href=\"https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/educational-materials/sample-driver-license-dl-knowledge-tests/\">sample tests\u003c/a> in multiple languages, and proficient Googlers may also be able to find apparent sample questions online via sites that are not affiliated with the DMV.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>What happens if I don’t retake the test within 30 days?\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Your license will be canceled — which means you cannot drive. It also means that your license will not be a valid form of identification.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If your license \u003cem>does \u003c/em>lapse, the DMV says you are eligible to immediately reapply. It’s not clear if you would need to retake the road test in that case.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "how-to-watch-bay-area-baseball-on-a-budget",
"title": "How to Watch Bay Area Baseball on a Budget",
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"headTitle": "How to Watch Bay Area Baseball on a Budget | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>How We Get By\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some Bay Area \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/baseball\">baseball\u003c/a> fans may say that watching your team play at their home field, surrounded by fans buzzing with excitement before first pitch — is priceless.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But others will tell you that living here is only getting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">much more expensive\u003c/a> — and that they’ll gladly find ways to save while supporting their team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With the start of July, we’re roughly halfway through the regular Major League Baseball season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while Bay Area baseball fans are still mourning the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12006567/photos-fans-flood-coliseum-to-bid-emotional-farewell-at-as-last-game-in-oakland\">loss of the A’s\u003c/a> (based in West Sacramento for now before their move to Las Vegas in 2028), there are teams all over the region to root for — including the San Francisco Giants, of course.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We dived into the numbers — and asked the experts — to learn the best strategies for enjoying baseball in person with family and friends while keeping costs down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#CosteffectivealternativestowatchingtheGiants\">Cost-effective alternatives to watching the Giants\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046979\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046979\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski runs to first base after hitting the ball during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Oracle Park on May 21, 2025. Off the field, he advocates for mental health awareness in professional sports.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Cutting down on costs for SF Giants tickets\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Giants may be having a rough season — it’s tough to see them so far from the Dodgers and Padres in league standings — but fans are still snatching up good seats. A Giants spokesperson shared four different ways with us to save on tickets this season:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fan Value Games\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/fan-value-games\">select games\u003c/a> this season, you can get tickets in either the 300 section (the “nosebleed” seats) or the bleachers (behind left field, so no views of the Bay) starting at $16.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that the cheapest tickets in the 300 section run out pretty quickly and some games only have bleacher seats left — so you may have better luck at finding 300 section seats for games scheduled later this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Summer Brews & Baseball\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For July home games (which include games against the Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers), you can buy \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/beer\">discounted Summer Brews & Baseball tickets\u003c/a> which will also include a voucher for a Coors Light beer or another concession item up to $17 in value.[aside postID=news_12089221 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/GettyImages-614276824.jpg']As of this story’s publication, some games still have seats starting at $19, but others are seeing the cheaper tickets go much faster — so be quick.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Special ticket offers for certain fans\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Giants offer up to a 40% discount for students, educators, healthcare workers, seniors and military members. Friday games usually have the biggest discounts — but you will have to buy tickets online through the official Giants ticket platform to confirm you qualify.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Students, for example, will have to confirm their university and school-provided email, while healthcare workers will need to upload a photo of their work-issued ID or another confirming document.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Weekend Four Packs\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These are \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/weekend-offer\">discounted ticket packs\u003c/a> that come with a $20 voucher for food or drink purchases at the stadium. They’re only available for Friday and weekend games, and while the Giants advertise that a four-ticket pack starts at $139 (roughly $35 per ticket), what you end up paying depends on available seats. For some games, individual tickets that qualify for this offer range from $67 to $150.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Other ways to save at an SF Giants game\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Get creative with your seats\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you want tickets for less than $100, you’ll most likely have to stick to higher seats in the 300 section of the stadium. But longtime fans say that even if seats are far away from the action on the field, you’re still going to have a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With Giants games, you don’t have to feel stressed out about buying an expensive ticket in the 100 section,” San Francisco baseball fan Max Fisher said. “If you get the cheapest ticket and sit in the 300 section, you look out at the Bay, the boats going by and Treasure Island. It’s just really beautiful no matter where you sit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11993353\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11993353\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL.jpg\" alt=\"A white man wearing a black baseball cap and woman wearing a white hat clap in their seats.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Clark Hancock, 73, claps during a Celebration of Life for Willie Mays, the San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer, at Oracle Park in San Francisco on July 8, 2024. Hancock traveled from Vegas for the celebration. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Want to try your luck at catching a foul ball? You still have a slim chance of doing so in the first ten rows of the 300 section, Fisher said. “Which is fun — at least for people who think they have a chance to do that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you end up in the bleachers facing away from the Bay, you’ll be in one of the most energized areas of the stadium. “The bleachers are super lively and a ton of fun to hang out with a lot of the local die-hard fans,” Fisher said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And for the more adventurous, you can also consider \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12039317/watch-sf-giants-kayak-rental-mccovey-cove-this-season\">renting a kayak\u003c/a> and watching the game while floating on the Bay. A three-hour reservation can range from $89 to $120 (additional fees not included) per person.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bring your own food \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While you may be craving pretzels or chicken tenders while watching the game, one way to save money at Oracle Park is by bringing in your own food. You can bring outside food as long as it’s stored in a container that follows \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/ballpark/information/permitted-items\">stadium guidelines\u003c/a> (meaning: no coolers or massive backpacks). The same goes for water, as long as it’s brought in a reusable bottle. Outside alcoholic beverages, however, are not permitted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Look for free merch\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are a bunch of free merch days on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/promotions\">Giants schedule\u003c/a>: when the first few thousand fans at a game can receive a free bobblehead or special themed merch. But be ready, these giveaways can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-fans-furious-latest-giveaway-debacle-20368800.php\">quite competitive\u003c/a> — many fans waited for hours before a game against the Atlanta Braves last year just to get a Hello Kitty jersey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11745841\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11745841\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Some of the many bobbleheads the Giants have produced since 1999 include musical legends Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1832x1374.jpg 1832w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-632x474.jpg 632w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-536x402.jpg 536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some of the many bobbleheads the Giants have produced since 1999 include musical legends Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana. \u003ccite>(Ryan Levi/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>(Going with young kids and worried that your budget won’t cover regular merch? Take them for a \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@steph.l.harris/video/7219723813364256042\">walk around the stadium\u003c/a> to keep them entertained. Walk to the left field bleachers to the Coca-Cola slide, get a selfie with the biggest baseball glove in the world and hit some whiffle balls in the 50-by-50 foot replica of Oracle Park.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Save on parking\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you \u003cem>really\u003c/em> need to drive but want to save on parking, you can book a spot at a parking lot near Oracle Park ahead of time with booking website SpotHero. A three-hour reservation in the Mission Bay neighborhood can range from $10 up to $26 in the pricier Chase Center parking lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re trying to avoid paying for a spot entirely, some fans recommend parking near Mission and 16th Street and taking the 22 Muni bus straight to Oracle Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take public transit\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are plenty of public transportation options available near Oracle Park to save on gas and parking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Coming in from San Mateo County and downtown San José? \u003c/em>Take Caltrain to 4th and King station. Adult ticket prices depend on how far you’re traveling: Coming from San José will cost $10.75, while a trip from Redwood City will be $6.25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12081645\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12081645\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trains are stationed at the Caltrain station on King and Fourth streets in San Francisco on April 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Youth tickets (18 and under) are priced at $1, regardless of the distance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Coming in from the East Bay? \u003c/em>Take BART to Powell Street station, where you can transfer to either \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/maps/muni-metro-map\">Muni Metro\u003c/a>’s Judah or T Third line. While Muni fare is fixed (currently $2.85 per adult and free for youth 18 and under), BART will charge you based on how long your trip is.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CosteffectivealternativestowatchingtheGiants\">\u003c/a>There’s a lot of baseball beyond Oracle Park\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While you may love the Giants (or the view from Oracle Park), getting to San Francisco still means investing time and money. Luckily, you still have plenty of options in other parts of the Bay Area to enjoy a good ballgame.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Oakland Ballers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In just its third season in existence, this East Bay team has already \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057075/ballers-bring-home-oaklands-first-baseball-title-since-1989\">claimed\u003c/a> one Pioneer League Championship — the Town’s first baseball championship since 1989, when the Athletics still called the Coliseum home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the Ballers’ home, that’s Raimondi Park: located about a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from West Oakland BART station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After the A’s left the city in 2024, the Ballers sought to bring different parts of the Oakland identity into the field. Too $hort has performed at a game this season already, followed by a punk rock night a few weeks later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12058699\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12058699\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed.jpg\" alt='A Black woman wearing yellow clothing waves while holding a green sign that says \"Built by Oakland\" in a red vehicle.' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee attends the Oakland Ballers championship parade in Oakland on October 5, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Cost: General admission seats behind first and third base usually go for less than $25. Seats behind the pitcher can range from $35 to $50. Fieldside seats are offered at $105. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Keep an eye out for deals specific to \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandballers.com/news/2026/04/10-things-to-know-about-2026\">\u003cem>the day of the week\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> as well. On Wednesday, for example, if you buy food at the game, you’ll get $15 off your first food order.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The San José Giants\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Single-A minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants plays at Excite Ballpark, south of San José’s downtown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For many South Bay families, a San José Giants game is \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/SanJose/comments/1bv1vzs/first_timer_at_sj_giants_game_any_tips/\">tradition\u003c/a>: churros from Olimpos (pretty big portions going for about $6), watching Gigante — one of the \u003cem>most\u003c/em> enthusiastic mascots in baseball — dance all over the field, and a spectacular fireworks show at the end of most games.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12029836\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12029836\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">San José Giants’ Ryan Lormand is tagged out at home by High Desert Mavericks catcher Travis Scott while trying to score on a fly ball in the third inning at Municipal Stadium, in San José, California, on July 9, 2009. \u003ccite>(Chris Talley/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Cost: Seating behind the pitcher can range from $8 in the upper section to $35 in rows closest to the field. You can also reserve a picnic table that can sit up to eight guests (normally $23.50 per person) near first base.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San José National Adult Baseball Association teams\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Comprising dozens of teams located in the South Bay, the East Bay and the Peninsula, NABA welcomes college-level and former pro-level players.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most games are free and played at public parks or high schools.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The regular summer season for NABA’s three divisions lasts 12 weeks from March till the end of July. You can find the complete \u003ca href=\"https://www.sjnaba.org/teams/default.asp?u=SANJOSENABA&s=baseball&p=schedule&d=ALL&div=ALL\">schedule of upcoming games here\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Cost: Games are free and played across the Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting by KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/emanoukian\">Elize Manoukian\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"excerpt": "Love baseball but trying to save money? Whether you’re trying to root for the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park or the Bay Area’s other baseball teams, there are ways for fans to keep a budget.",
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"title": "How to Watch Bay Area Baseball on a Budget | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>This story is part of \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>How We Get By\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>, a KQED series exploring how people are coping with rising costs in the Bay Area and California. Find the \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">\u003cem>full series here\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Some Bay Area \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/tag/baseball\">baseball\u003c/a> fans may say that watching your team play at their home field, surrounded by fans buzzing with excitement before first pitch — is priceless.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But others will tell you that living here is only getting \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/affordability\">much more expensive\u003c/a> — and that they’ll gladly find ways to save while supporting their team.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With the start of July, we’re roughly halfway through the regular Major League Baseball season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And while Bay Area baseball fans are still mourning the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12006567/photos-fans-flood-coliseum-to-bid-emotional-farewell-at-as-last-game-in-oakland\">loss of the A’s\u003c/a> (based in West Sacramento for now before their move to Las Vegas in 2028), there are teams all over the region to root for — including the San Francisco Giants, of course.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We dived into the numbers — and asked the experts — to learn the best strategies for enjoying baseball in person with family and friends while keeping costs down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>Jump straight to: \u003ca href=\"#CosteffectivealternativestowatchingtheGiants\">Cost-effective alternatives to watching the Giants\u003c/a>\u003c/strong>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12046979\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1999px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12046979\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed.jpg 1999w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/07/250521-BaseballPsychology-50-BL_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski runs to first base after hitting the ball during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Oracle Park on May 21, 2025. Off the field, he advocates for mental health awareness in professional sports.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003ch2>Cutting down on costs for SF Giants tickets\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>The Giants may be having a rough season — it’s tough to see them so far from the Dodgers and Padres in league standings — but fans are still snatching up good seats. A Giants spokesperson shared four different ways with us to save on tickets this season:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fan Value Games\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/fan-value-games\">select games\u003c/a> this season, you can get tickets in either the 300 section (the “nosebleed” seats) or the bleachers (behind left field, so no views of the Bay) starting at $16.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Keep in mind that the cheapest tickets in the 300 section run out pretty quickly and some games only have bleacher seats left — so you may have better luck at finding 300 section seats for games scheduled later this summer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Summer Brews & Baseball\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For July home games (which include games against the Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels and Milwaukee Brewers), you can buy \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/beer\">discounted Summer Brews & Baseball tickets\u003c/a> which will also include a voucher for a Coors Light beer or another concession item up to $17 in value.\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>As of this story’s publication, some games still have seats starting at $19, but others are seeing the cheaper tickets go much faster — so be quick.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Special ticket offers for certain fans\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Giants offer up to a 40% discount for students, educators, healthcare workers, seniors and military members. Friday games usually have the biggest discounts — but you will have to buy tickets online through the official Giants ticket platform to confirm you qualify.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Students, for example, will have to confirm their university and school-provided email, while healthcare workers will need to upload a photo of their work-issued ID or another confirming document.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Weekend Four Packs\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>These are \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/specials/weekend-offer\">discounted ticket packs\u003c/a> that come with a $20 voucher for food or drink purchases at the stadium. They’re only available for Friday and weekend games, and while the Giants advertise that a four-ticket pack starts at $139 (roughly $35 per ticket), what you end up paying depends on available seats. For some games, individual tickets that qualify for this offer range from $67 to $150.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Other ways to save at an SF Giants game\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Get creative with your seats\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Remember, if you want tickets for less than $100, you’ll most likely have to stick to higher seats in the 300 section of the stadium. But longtime fans say that even if seats are far away from the action on the field, you’re still going to have a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“With Giants games, you don’t have to feel stressed out about buying an expensive ticket in the 100 section,” San Francisco baseball fan Max Fisher said. “If you get the cheapest ticket and sit in the 300 section, you look out at the Bay, the boats going by and Treasure Island. It’s just really beautiful no matter where you sit.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11993353\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11993353\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL.jpg\" alt=\"A white man wearing a black baseball cap and woman wearing a white hat clap in their seats.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/07/240708-WillieMaysCelebration-121-BL-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Clark Hancock, 73, claps during a Celebration of Life for Willie Mays, the San Francisco Giants Hall of Famer, at Oracle Park in San Francisco on July 8, 2024. Hancock traveled from Vegas for the celebration. \u003ccite>(Beth LaBerge/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Want to try your luck at catching a foul ball? You still have a slim chance of doing so in the first ten rows of the 300 section, Fisher said. “Which is fun — at least for people who think they have a chance to do that.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you end up in the bleachers facing away from the Bay, you’ll be in one of the most energized areas of the stadium. “The bleachers are super lively and a ton of fun to hang out with a lot of the local die-hard fans,” Fisher said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And for the more adventurous, you can also consider \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12039317/watch-sf-giants-kayak-rental-mccovey-cove-this-season\">renting a kayak\u003c/a> and watching the game while floating on the Bay. A three-hour reservation can range from $89 to $120 (additional fees not included) per person.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Bring your own food \u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While you may be craving pretzels or chicken tenders while watching the game, one way to save money at Oracle Park is by bringing in your own food. You can bring outside food as long as it’s stored in a container that follows \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/ballpark/information/permitted-items\">stadium guidelines\u003c/a> (meaning: no coolers or massive backpacks). The same goes for water, as long as it’s brought in a reusable bottle. Outside alcoholic beverages, however, are not permitted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Look for free merch\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are a bunch of free merch days on the \u003ca href=\"https://www.mlb.com/giants/tickets/promotions\">Giants schedule\u003c/a>: when the first few thousand fans at a game can receive a free bobblehead or special themed merch. But be ready, these giveaways can be \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/sf-giants-fans-furious-latest-giveaway-debacle-20368800.php\">quite competitive\u003c/a> — many fans waited for hours before a game against the Atlanta Braves last year just to get a Hello Kitty jersey.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_11745841\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11745841\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut.jpg\" alt=\"Some of the many bobbleheads the Giants have produced since 1999 include musical legends Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut.jpg 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-160x120.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-800x600.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1020x765.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1832x1374.jpg 1832w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1376x1032.jpg 1376w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-1044x783.jpg 1044w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-632x474.jpg 632w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2019/05/RS37014_IMG_0523-qut-536x402.jpg 536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some of the many bobbleheads the Giants have produced since 1999 include musical legends Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana. \u003ccite>(Ryan Levi/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>(Going with young kids and worried that your budget won’t cover regular merch? Take them for a \u003ca href=\"https://www.tiktok.com/@steph.l.harris/video/7219723813364256042\">walk around the stadium\u003c/a> to keep them entertained. Walk to the left field bleachers to the Coca-Cola slide, get a selfie with the biggest baseball glove in the world and hit some whiffle balls in the 50-by-50 foot replica of Oracle Park.)\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Save on parking\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you \u003cem>really\u003c/em> need to drive but want to save on parking, you can book a spot at a parking lot near Oracle Park ahead of time with booking website SpotHero. A three-hour reservation in the Mission Bay neighborhood can range from $10 up to $26 in the pricier Chase Center parking lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you’re trying to avoid paying for a spot entirely, some fans recommend parking near Mission and 16th Street and taking the 22 Muni bus straight to Oracle Park.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Take public transit\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are plenty of public transportation options available near Oracle Park to save on gas and parking.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Coming in from San Mateo County and downtown San José? \u003c/em>Take Caltrain to 4th and King station. Adult ticket prices depend on how far you’re traveling: Coming from San José will cost $10.75, while a trip from Redwood City will be $6.25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12081645\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12081645\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/04/260428-TRANSITRIDERSHIPREBOUND00197_TV-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trains are stationed at the Caltrain station on King and Fourth streets in San Francisco on April 27, 2026. \u003ccite>(Tâm Vũ/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Youth tickets (18 and under) are priced at $1, regardless of the distance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Coming in from the East Bay? \u003c/em>Take BART to Powell Street station, where you can transfer to either \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/maps/muni-metro-map\">Muni Metro\u003c/a>’s Judah or T Third line. While Muni fare is fixed (currently $2.85 per adult and free for youth 18 and under), BART will charge you based on how long your trip is.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>\u003ca id=\"CosteffectivealternativestowatchingtheGiants\">\u003c/a>There’s a lot of baseball beyond Oracle Park\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>While you may love the Giants (or the view from Oracle Park), getting to San Francisco still means investing time and money. Luckily, you still have plenty of options in other parts of the Bay Area to enjoy a good ballgame.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The Oakland Ballers\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In just its third season in existence, this East Bay team has already \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12057075/ballers-bring-home-oaklands-first-baseball-title-since-1989\">claimed\u003c/a> one Pioneer League Championship — the Town’s first baseball championship since 1989, when the Athletics still called the Coliseum home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As for the Ballers’ home, that’s Raimondi Park: located about a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride from West Oakland BART station.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>After the A’s left the city in 2024, the Ballers sought to bring different parts of the Oakland identity into the field. Too $hort has performed at a game this season already, followed by a punk rock night a few weeks later.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12058699\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12058699\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed.jpg\" alt='A Black woman wearing yellow clothing waves while holding a green sign that says \"Built by Oakland\" in a red vehicle.' width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/10/20251005_OaklandBallersParade_GC-29_qed-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee attends the Oakland Ballers championship parade in Oakland on October 5, 2025. \u003ccite>(Gina Castro/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Cost: General admission seats behind first and third base usually go for less than $25. Seats behind the pitcher can range from $35 to $50. Fieldside seats are offered at $105. \u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Keep an eye out for deals specific to \u003c/em>\u003ca href=\"https://www.oaklandballers.com/news/2026/04/10-things-to-know-about-2026\">\u003cem>the day of the week\u003c/em>\u003c/a>\u003cem> as well. On Wednesday, for example, if you buy food at the game, you’ll get $15 off your first food order.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>The San José Giants\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Single-A minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants plays at Excite Ballpark, south of San José’s downtown.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>For many South Bay families, a San José Giants game is \u003ca href=\"https://www.reddit.com/r/SanJose/comments/1bv1vzs/first_timer_at_sj_giants_game_any_tips/\">tradition\u003c/a>: churros from Olimpos (pretty big portions going for about $6), watching Gigante — one of the \u003cem>most\u003c/em> enthusiastic mascots in baseball — dance all over the field, and a spectacular fireworks show at the end of most games.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12029836\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12029836\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/SanJoseGiantsGetty-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">San José Giants’ Ryan Lormand is tagged out at home by High Desert Mavericks catcher Travis Scott while trying to score on a fly ball in the third inning at Municipal Stadium, in San José, California, on July 9, 2009. \u003ccite>(Chris Talley/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Cost: Seating behind the pitcher can range from $8 in the upper section to $35 in rows closest to the field. You can also reserve a picnic table that can sit up to eight guests (normally $23.50 per person) near first base.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>San José National Adult Baseball Association teams\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Comprising dozens of teams located in the South Bay, the East Bay and the Peninsula, NABA welcomes college-level and former pro-level players.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Most games are free and played at public parks or high schools.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The regular summer season for NABA’s three divisions lasts 12 weeks from March till the end of July. You can find the complete \u003ca href=\"https://www.sjnaba.org/teams/default.asp?u=SANJOSENABA&s=baseball&p=schedule&d=ALL&div=ALL\">schedule of upcoming games here\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>Cost: Games are free and played across the Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story includes reporting by KQED’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/emanoukian\">Elize Manoukian\u003c/a>.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "mens-world-cup-soccer-san-francisco-bay-area-tickets-matches-santa-clara-levis-stadium",
"title": "The US May Be Out of the World Cup. But Bay Area Soccer Is Here to Stay",
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"headTitle": "The US May Be Out of the World Cup. But Bay Area Soccer Is Here to Stay | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>The U.S. men’s national soccer team has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, and the global tournament’s six \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913251/the-world-cup-heads-to-california\">Bay Area\u003c/a> matches have wrapped. The games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara brought hundreds of thousands of visitors — and an estimated economic impact of $555 million — to the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But while the tournament promised to put the region at the center of global soccer, many residents know: the sport already thrives here year-round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And it’s not just at the pro level. While the region’s two top division teams, San José Earthquakes and Bay FC, fill up PayPal Park with tens of thousands of fans, fields across the region are packed on any given weekend with local teams and their devoted fans, reflecting a soccer culture that long predates the World Cup.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you missed the big matches, soccer fans — or anyone curious about the sport and the community around it — can still find plenty of Bay Area teams to root for. Keep reading to learn more about just some of these soccer teams that proudly represent our region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Oakland Roots\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Where else could you see E-40 perform at a soccer halftime show than in Oakland?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hip-hop legend played some of his biggest hits to thousands of fans at the home opener for the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13987541/the-\">Oakland Roots\u003c/a> at the Coliseum earlier this year. The club — playing since 2019 and currently competing in the men’s USL Championship league — is now fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Many fans say that rooting for the team reminds them of when the Raiders and A’s played in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12032644\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12032644 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum on March 22, 2025, in Oakland, California. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. \u003ccite>(David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s good for us to have some sports here again,” said Oakland resident Tatiana Wells. While she did not play soccer growing up, she said that the sport finally caught her attention when the Roots proudly claimed the Town.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her recommendation to other Oaklanders? “Start following soccer and follow our local club!”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Oakland Soul\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2023, the Roots launched Oakland Soul, currently competing in the women’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.uslwleague.com/league-teams\">USL W League\u003c/a>. The team finished third in its division, outperforming more well-established teams. The team had some fantastic performances this season, winning 6-0 against Marin FC Siren on June 17.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At an Oakland Soul game, you see so many families coming out because they want to enjoy the sunshine on a Sunday afternoon,” said Tommy Hodul, vice president of public relations for the Roots and Soul. “And it’s a beautiful experience.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12076747\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12076747\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aaliyah Schinaman #5 of the Oakland Soul SC fights for a loose ball with Jessie Halladay #3 of the San Francisco Glens during a USL W League playoff game between Oakland Soul SC and San Francisco Glens at Skyline College on July 7, 2023, in San Bruno, California. \u003ccite>(Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Thanks to USL W League rules, Soul can build their roster with student-athletes from the Bay Area’s universities. That gives local players a big opportunity to develop their talent before going pro. Santa Clara-raised Shae Murison became Soul’s top scorer last season and is now set to join the Utah Royals FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oakland Soul’s regular season schedule for next year is set to start in May.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>San Francisco City FC\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Have you seen folks walking around with a soccer jersey that boldly features the \u003ca href=\"https://themunistore.com/blogs/news/theworm?srsltid=AfmBOorFEiLSbPQVlazXmofpz_-yrf5wYzA6CQ_j08Gn5GUtbBHmF-DB\">Muni logo\u003c/a>?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s the jersey for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084932/as-the-bay-area-prepares-for-world-cup-a-san-francisco-team-looks-for-a-way-forward\">San Francisco City FC\u003c/a>, which plays in the semi-professional men’s USL League Two. Most players are students at nearby universities — cheered on by an extensive network of supporters that resembles what you’d see in Latin American and European clubs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12084946\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12084946\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Players from the San Francisco City Football Club face off with the opposing Davis Legacy Soccer Club during a game at Kezar Stadium on May 17. 2026. \u003ccite>(Aryk Copley for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Filmmaker Daniel Díaz moved to San Francisco from London five years ago and wanted to find a club that he could build a relationship with, like what he already has with his favorite British team, Tottenham Hotspur. Back in London, Díaz and other Tottenham fans fill up the stadium singing, “When the Spurs go marching in,” to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think the moment that really tugged on my heartstrings was hearing San Francisco City fans singing their song, ‘When the fog comes rolling in,’” Díaz said. “That was the moment I knew that this is my club, that I’m in the right place.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12084943\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12084943\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Goalkeeper for the Davis Legacy Soccer Club leaps to block a shot during a warmup for their game against the San Francisco City Football Club at Kezar Stadium on May 17. 2026. \u003ccite>(Aryk Copley for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Outside the field, San Francisco City fans are particularly creative in building community. Their jerseys each year feature San Francisco landmarks beloved by locals: Sutro Tower, the Japantown Peace Pagoda and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/C4-7sQ0La2C/\">parrots of Telegraph Hill\u003c/a>. The club has even organized several \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/hop-muni-beer-crawl\">pub crawls\u003c/a> with the city’s Municipal Transportation Agency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many fans have team memberships, which give them the right to vote on almost every major decision. Similar to how professional teams in Germany operate, SF City runs on a \u003ca href=\"https://www.dw.com/en/the-501-rule-in-german-football-what-you-need-to-know/a-72952820\">50+1 ownership model\u003c/a>, where club members hold a majority of team shares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With 10 wins (and only one loss and one draw), SF City FC has dominated its division this season. The team has two \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfcityfc.com/schedule\">regular-season matches left\u003c/a> and has a strong chance of advancing to the playoffs, representing Northern California in the national USL League Two tournament.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Afghan Premier FC\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For more than 30 years, Afghan Premier Football Club has developed soccer talent in Fremont — home to one of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053196/how-fremont-became-a-hub-for-afghan-americans\">largest Afghan communities\u003c/a> in the nation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Fremont was the hub for Afghan refugees in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” said Afghan Premier FC coach Musa Mojaddedi, who first joined the team as a player more than two decades ago. “There were even parts of Fremont known as ‘Little Kabul.’”[aside postID=news_12088892 hero='https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/06/260617-WORLDCUPDIASPORA00995_TV-KQED.jpg']Among the Afghan families settling down in the East Bay, there were also young men who loved soccer and wanted to keep playing in their new home. That’s how Afghan Premier FC — then known as Afghan Soccer Club — was born in 1991. The team travelled extensively around the world playing against other clubs in the Afghan diaspora, but it wouldn’t be until 2024 that Afghan Premier FC joined a semi-professional league in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The team is not just open to Afghan players,” said Mojaddedi. “It’s open to diversity, no matter your race, culture, background, or religion.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last year, the team joined the \u003ca href=\"https://www.theleaguefc.com/our-clubs-west\">League for Clubs\u003c/a> — and while Mojaddedi is excited about playing against teams from all over the state, he points out that the team relies heavily on its community to survive. “We try to raise funds from local sponsors as much as we can, from donations, from friends, family,” he said, “because most players are college students.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Afghan Premier’s home field is at Fremont’s Ohlone College, and while their league’s season began earlier, the team postponed their games till the first week of April to accommodate the players observing the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073604/2026-ramadan-mubarak-where-to-find-iftar-suhoor-san-francisco-bay-area\">holy month of Ramadan\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the team advanced to the semifinals in this season’s playoffs, it fell against Roseville’s Iron Rose FC on June 27.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>El Farolito SC\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If this team’s name sounds familiar to you, that’s because, yes: it’s named after the longstanding San Francisco-based taquería chain El Farolito.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The restaurant’s founder, Salvador López, started the team back in 1985, and players sport a bright yellow and blue soccer kit — the same color palette you’ll see in any of the El Farolito taquerías. The team competes in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League and features many players with previous experience at the professional level in Latin America.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The people who are behind the taquerías and everybody who’s part of the soccer team, we’re a big family,” said Santiago López, who now leads the team after his father’s passing in 2021. “We have a big responsibility representing this name and the Mission District.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12076742\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12076742\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ramón Córdoba, #4 of El Farolito, huddles with his teammates in the locker room before a 2025 U.S. Open Cup Third Round game against Sacramento Republic at Heart Health Park on April 16, 2025, in Sacramento, California. \u003ccite>(Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>El Farolito made it all the way to the NPSL National Championship final last year but lost 3-2 to Hickory FC from North Carolina. But López is confident in his team, who have also won their conference title four years in a row.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re not a club that just wants to sit in the same spot and just compete locally,” he said. “Fans might see a new local talent that eventually turns pro.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>El Farolito is currently at the top of its division in the NPSL and will play in its conference semifinals on Friday. If the team wins, it could potentially play against the Oakland Stompers — another historic Bay Area soccer institution — in a bid to claim the title of the best NPSL squad in the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story has been updated to reflect that San Francisco City FC’s season opener against San Juan SC will be played at San Francisco State University’s Cox Stadium.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n",
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"title": "The US May Be Out of the World Cup. But Bay Area Soccer Is Here to Stay | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>The U.S. men’s national soccer team has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, and the global tournament’s six \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/forum/2010101913251/the-world-cup-heads-to-california\">Bay Area\u003c/a> matches have wrapped. The games at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara brought hundreds of thousands of visitors — and an estimated economic impact of $555 million — to the Bay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But while the tournament promised to put the region at the center of global soccer, many residents know: the sport already thrives here year-round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And it’s not just at the pro level. While the region’s two top division teams, San José Earthquakes and Bay FC, fill up PayPal Park with tens of thousands of fans, fields across the region are packed on any given weekend with local teams and their devoted fans, reflecting a soccer culture that long predates the World Cup.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So if you missed the big matches, soccer fans — or anyone curious about the sport and the community around it — can still find plenty of Bay Area teams to root for. Keep reading to learn more about just some of these soccer teams that proudly represent our region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Oakland Roots\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Where else could you see E-40 perform at a soccer halftime show than in Oakland?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Bay Area hip-hop legend played some of his biggest hits to thousands of fans at the home opener for the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/arts/13987541/the-\">Oakland Roots\u003c/a> at the Coliseum earlier this year. The club — playing since 2019 and currently competing in the men’s USL Championship league — is now fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Many fans say that rooting for the team reminds them of when the Raiders and A’s played in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12032644\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-12032644 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-800x533.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1020x680.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2025/03/20250322_Roots_8209-1920x1280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">More than 26,000 fans packed the Oakland Roots home opener at the Oakland Coliseum on March 22, 2025, in Oakland, California. This was the first Roots game played in the storied stadium. \u003ccite>(David M. Barreda/KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>“It’s good for us to have some sports here again,” said Oakland resident Tatiana Wells. While she did not play soccer growing up, she said that the sport finally caught her attention when the Roots proudly claimed the Town.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Her recommendation to other Oaklanders? “Start following soccer and follow our local club!”\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Oakland Soul\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>In 2023, the Roots launched Oakland Soul, currently competing in the women’s \u003ca href=\"https://www.uslwleague.com/league-teams\">USL W League\u003c/a>. The team finished third in its division, outperforming more well-established teams. The team had some fantastic performances this season, winning 6-0 against Marin FC Siren on June 17.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“At an Oakland Soul game, you see so many families coming out because they want to enjoy the sunshine on a Sunday afternoon,” said Tommy Hodul, vice president of public relations for the Roots and Soul. “And it’s a beautiful experience.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12076747\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12076747\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/OaklandSoulGetty-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Aaliyah Schinaman #5 of the Oakland Soul SC fights for a loose ball with Jessie Halladay #3 of the San Francisco Glens during a USL W League playoff game between Oakland Soul SC and San Francisco Glens at Skyline College on July 7, 2023, in San Bruno, California. \u003ccite>(Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/Getty Images)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Thanks to USL W League rules, Soul can build their roster with student-athletes from the Bay Area’s universities. That gives local players a big opportunity to develop their talent before going pro. Santa Clara-raised Shae Murison became Soul’s top scorer last season and is now set to join the Utah Royals FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Oakland Soul’s regular season schedule for next year is set to start in May.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>San Francisco City FC\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>Have you seen folks walking around with a soccer jersey that boldly features the \u003ca href=\"https://themunistore.com/blogs/news/theworm?srsltid=AfmBOorFEiLSbPQVlazXmofpz_-yrf5wYzA6CQ_j08Gn5GUtbBHmF-DB\">Muni logo\u003c/a>?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That’s the jersey for \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12084932/as-the-bay-area-prepares-for-world-cup-a-san-francisco-team-looks-for-a-way-forward\">San Francisco City FC\u003c/a>, which plays in the semi-professional men’s USL League Two. Most players are students at nearby universities — cheered on by an extensive network of supporters that resembles what you’d see in Latin American and European clubs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12084946\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12084946\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-05-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Players from the San Francisco City Football Club face off with the opposing Davis Legacy Soccer Club during a game at Kezar Stadium on May 17. 2026. \u003ccite>(Aryk Copley for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Filmmaker Daniel Díaz moved to San Francisco from London five years ago and wanted to find a club that he could build a relationship with, like what he already has with his favorite British team, Tottenham Hotspur. Back in London, Díaz and other Tottenham fans fill up the stadium singing, “When the Spurs go marching in,” to the tune of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“I think the moment that really tugged on my heartstrings was hearing San Francisco City fans singing their song, ‘When the fog comes rolling in,’” Díaz said. “That was the moment I knew that this is my club, that I’m in the right place.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12084943\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12084943\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/05/260522-SF-City-FC-vs.-Davis-Legacy-AC-02-KQED-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Goalkeeper for the Davis Legacy Soccer Club leaps to block a shot during a warmup for their game against the San Francisco City Football Club at Kezar Stadium on May 17. 2026. \u003ccite>(Aryk Copley for KQED)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Outside the field, San Francisco City fans are particularly creative in building community. Their jerseys each year feature San Francisco landmarks beloved by locals: Sutro Tower, the Japantown Peace Pagoda and the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/p/C4-7sQ0La2C/\">parrots of Telegraph Hill\u003c/a>. The club has even organized several \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfmta.com/hop-muni-beer-crawl\">pub crawls\u003c/a> with the city’s Municipal Transportation Agency.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Many fans have team memberships, which give them the right to vote on almost every major decision. Similar to how professional teams in Germany operate, SF City runs on a \u003ca href=\"https://www.dw.com/en/the-501-rule-in-german-football-what-you-need-to-know/a-72952820\">50+1 ownership model\u003c/a>, where club members hold a majority of team shares.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>With 10 wins (and only one loss and one draw), SF City FC has dominated its division this season. The team has two \u003ca href=\"https://www.sfcityfc.com/schedule\">regular-season matches left\u003c/a> and has a strong chance of advancing to the playoffs, representing Northern California in the national USL League Two tournament.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Afghan Premier FC\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>For more than 30 years, Afghan Premier Football Club has developed soccer talent in Fremont — home to one of the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12053196/how-fremont-became-a-hub-for-afghan-americans\">largest Afghan communities\u003c/a> in the nation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“Fremont was the hub for Afghan refugees in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” said Afghan Premier FC coach Musa Mojaddedi, who first joined the team as a player more than two decades ago. “There were even parts of Fremont known as ‘Little Kabul.’”\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>Among the Afghan families settling down in the East Bay, there were also young men who loved soccer and wanted to keep playing in their new home. That’s how Afghan Premier FC — then known as Afghan Soccer Club — was born in 1991. The team travelled extensively around the world playing against other clubs in the Afghan diaspora, but it wouldn’t be until 2024 that Afghan Premier FC joined a semi-professional league in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The team is not just open to Afghan players,” said Mojaddedi. “It’s open to diversity, no matter your race, culture, background, or religion.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Last year, the team joined the \u003ca href=\"https://www.theleaguefc.com/our-clubs-west\">League for Clubs\u003c/a> — and while Mojaddedi is excited about playing against teams from all over the state, he points out that the team relies heavily on its community to survive. “We try to raise funds from local sponsors as much as we can, from donations, from friends, family,” he said, “because most players are college students.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Afghan Premier’s home field is at Fremont’s Ohlone College, and while their league’s season began earlier, the team postponed their games till the first week of April to accommodate the players observing the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/news/12073604/2026-ramadan-mubarak-where-to-find-iftar-suhoor-san-francisco-bay-area\">holy month of Ramadan\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>While the team advanced to the semifinals in this season’s playoffs, it fell against Roseville’s Iron Rose FC on June 27.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>El Farolito SC\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>If this team’s name sounds familiar to you, that’s because, yes: it’s named after the longstanding San Francisco-based taquería chain El Farolito.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The restaurant’s founder, Salvador López, started the team back in 1985, and players sport a bright yellow and blue soccer kit — the same color palette you’ll see in any of the El Farolito taquerías. The team competes in the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League and features many players with previous experience at the professional level in Latin America.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“The people who are behind the taquerías and everybody who’s part of the soccer team, we’re a big family,” said Santiago López, who now leads the team after his father’s passing in 2021. “We have a big responsibility representing this name and the Mission District.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_12076742\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\" style=\"max-width: 2000px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-12076742\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty-160x107.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2026/03/ElFarolitoSoccerGetty-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ramón Córdoba, #4 of El Farolito, huddles with his teammates in the locker room before a 2025 U.S. Open Cup Third Round game against Sacramento Republic at Heart Health Park on April 16, 2025, in Sacramento, California. \u003ccite>(Doug Zimmerman/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>El Farolito made it all the way to the NPSL National Championship final last year but lost 3-2 to Hickory FC from North Carolina. But López is confident in his team, who have also won their conference title four years in a row.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>“We’re not a club that just wants to sit in the same spot and just compete locally,” he said. “Fans might see a new local talent that eventually turns pro.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>El Farolito is currently at the top of its division in the NPSL and will play in its conference semifinals on Friday. If the team wins, it could potentially play against the Oakland Stompers — another historic Bay Area soccer institution — in a bid to claim the title of the best NPSL squad in the region.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>This story has been updated to reflect that San Francisco City FC’s season opener against San Juan SC will be played at San Francisco State University’s Cox Stadium.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
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