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Fiesta Spirits in action Ysabella Yturralde and Savannah Hoover perform at Santa Barbara Harbor
CDC: Delta variant can be spread by the fully vaccinated SBC officials urge vaccination and masking amid delta surge By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Fully vaccinated individuals who contract the Delta variant can spread the disease just as easily as unvaccinated individuals, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. According to the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the new data informed the agency’s decision to reverse previous masking guidance on Tuesday. The agency is now recommending that all people, regardless of vaccination status, mask up indoors in areas with widespread disease transmission. The data released Friday details an outbreak investigation in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where 74% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 after several superspreader events were fully vaccinated individuals. In the report, the agency said that fully vaccinated individuals who contract the Delta variant carry similar viral loads as those who are unvaccinated. “High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated
The Spirit of Fiesta and the Junior Spirit perform a dance together at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Friday.
The agency is now recommending that all people, regardless of vaccination status, mask up indoors in areas with widespread disease transmission. people infected with Delta can transmit the virus,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement on Friday. “This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDC’s updated mask recommendation. The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or Please see COVID on B1
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
By MADISON HIRNEISEN NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The Spirit and Junior Spirit of Fiesta performed for a group of restaurant go-ers at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Friday afternoon during an event that raised money for both the dancers and the local restaurants. The event was hosted by “Cork and Fork Radio 805,” which was broadcasting live on KZSB, AM 1290, the News-Press radio station. Members of the public were invited to come out and enjoy lunch and an Old Spanish Daysthemed show at the Santa Barbara Harbor. The crowd gathered outside the building that houses the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and the Salty at the Beach and Chomp on the Rocks restaurants. Spirit of Fiesta Ysabella Yturralde and Junior Spirit Savannah Hoover performed both solo dances and a routine together on Friday, prompting cheers from the crowd as the pair tapped and twirled in traditional flamenco dresses. “It just feels so great to finally have something where we all gather, we all can celebrate,” Ysabella told the News-Press. “I’ve really been missing Fiesta.” Old Spanish Days will take place Wednesday through Aug. 8, but there have been some preFiesta events such as Friday’s radio show. Drew Wakefield, the host of the “Cork and Fork” radio show, told the News-Press that the event’s goal was to financially support the Spirits and promote local restaurants down by the Harbor. Since January, Mr. Wakefield has held numerous radio shows in support of local restaurants, encouraging listeners to get out and support establishments across Santa Barbara. “I want to try to get people to come out and be a blessing,” Mr. Wakefield said. “I want people to come out and support our local
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DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS
“The buyback program is another step in the process to try to reduce violence,” Interim Santa Barbara Police Chief Bernard Melekian said during a news conference Friday to promote the annual Anonymous Gun Buyback.
Spirit of Fiesta Ysabella Yturralde, left, and Junior Spirit Savannah Hoover performed for a crowd of restaurant go-ers and passersby at the Santa Barbara Harbor on Friday, receiving cheers for her solo performance.
businesses. Without our local businesses, Santa Barbara would not make it.” Friday’s show at the Harbor was the second and final show Mr. Wakefield held in support of the Spirits, which culminated in hundreds of dollars donated to off-set the costs associated with being a Spirit dancer during Fiesta season.
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By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Representatives of the Coalition Against Gun Violence, elected officials and a police chief gathered Friday afternoon to encourage participation in the upcoming Anonymous Gun Buyback. “We had a tragic reminder
(of gun violence) earlier this year with the deaths of three young men on the streets of Santa Barbara,” Interim Santa Barbara Police Chief Bernard Melekian said, referring to the shootings in January. “And we’re working hard with our community partners and our Please see GUNS on A6
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i nsi d e Classified.............. B4 Life..................... B1-2 Obituaries............. A6
Last week, the radio show hosted a show at Joe’s Cafe in support of the Spirits, packing the State Street restaurant with guests. According to Mr. Wakefield, the Spirits can spend more than $300 on each dress and each pair of shoes, and they are required to pay for their own transportation to each Fiesta event. Please see FIESTA on A6
Coalition, officials promote Anonymous Gun Buyback
Sudoku................. B3 Weather................ A6
Wednesday’s SUPER LOTTO: 20-24-32-35-39 Mega: 25
Friday’s DAILY 4: 3-0-5-4
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 19-26-31-52-68 Mega: 10
Friday’s FANTASY 5: 8-21-24-35-36
Friday’s DAILY DERBY: 09-03-12 Time: 1:40.55
Wednesday’s POWERBALL: 25-30-53-59-60 Meganumber: 5
Friday’s DAILY 3: 1-8-9 / Midday 7-1-8