Since our bathrooms work double duty, giving them the pleasure of the most gorgeous bathroom vanity you can find makes perfect sense. However, if your space is lacking in square footage, you may be wondering whether you can put a double vanity in a small bathroom at all. Or, will it simply make your space feel too cramped and uninviting, leaving little room for functionality?

Despite what your designer instinct may tell you, there is no denying that bathroom vanity ideas, the big and the small, leave endless room to dream. 

However, some would argue as to whether it is worth it, or if we should succumb to the single vanity unit, only to make the most of the bathroom instead.

Can you put a double vanity in a small bathroom?

Some design rules must be respected. Others are more open to modification. No matter how organized a bathroom vanity may be, if it is too big, it might slow you down in the morning or impede the delight you take in winding down come night. 

Putting a double vanity in a small bathroom can be done, within reason, so an unfathomable design question it is not. This is what experts highlight as key considerations when making this decision:

1. Can you choose a comfortably smaller design?

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Designing a bathroom vanity that perfectly suits, means ensuring it accommodates all of your space needs and those of the people using it. Considering how it will interact with the rest of your bathroom and fit within the existing layout is key.

‘You can use a double vanity in a small bathroom if you have enough space,’ professional designer, Soledad Alzaga tells H&G. 

Firstly, you need to understand why you desire a double bathroom vanity in the first place. Two sinks make for a simpler morning routine, and in theory, more bathroom countertop space for toiletry movement when getting ready. 

‘You can absolutely make a double vanity work in a small bathroom depending on the layout and size,’ says Elizabeth Vergara, the founder and lead contractor, and designer of Vergara Homes. ‘The first step is measuring the space, and making sure it is accurate, every little centimeter counts in a small room. Measure the width, depth, and height.

‘When looking for a vanity try to find a sleek and compact option. There are plenty of budget-friendly options online on stores like Amazon and Home Depot.’ 

‘Vanities come in different depths and sizes and you can always have a custom one made,’ continues Alzaga. ‘The smallest I have seen is 40 inches wide.’ This is roughly 1016mm. We have found smaller bathroom vanities at Wayfair, with some as small as 700mm, but it depends on whether this is comfortable for the space. Standard double vanity units are typically quite a lot bigger, ranging from 1,200mm wide all the way up to 2,200mm.

‘Bathroom vanities range in height from 30 to 36 inches, with 34 inches being the universal average and the most used.’ A custom-made vanity will allow a more flexible design in terms of depth and size too, leaving you to be less reliant on what is available. ‘If going bespoke in a small bathroom, choose smaller sinks and wall-mounted faucets. This gives you the option of designing a narrower vanity and freeing up space on the counter,’ notes Alzaga.

Soledad Alzaga

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Interior Designer

Soledad Alzaga is the founder of her eponymous business, a boutique residential and commercial interior company based in San Francisco, which was named one of the top 15 best interior design companies in the city. It assists in all aspects of the design and build process of residential and commercial properties from start to finish including consulting and working with architects, builders, and engineers.

Elizabeth Vergara

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Founder and designer

Elizabeth Vergara is the founder and lead contractor/designer of Vergara Homes, a bespoke design service for seamless home renovation projects that prioritize style and quality.

2. Will there be enough clearance from other objects?

(Image credit: Unique Kitchens / Stacy Goldberg)

Even if a double vanity fits and will give you enough countertop space that you personally require, without correct clearance from other fixtures, it may not make the wisest addition to a small bathroom design or powder room.

‘The ideal clearance is dictated by building standard codes,’ notes Alzaga. ‘You need at least 15″ between the center of a toilet to a wall, vanity, and tub/shower on the sides and you need 21″ clearance in front. You can use a vanity right next to a shower with a glass partition if space is tight.’

Owner and interior designer at VERDE Interior Design, Luis Carmona recommends a little less: ‘Leaving a minimum of 12″ between your vanity and toilet, bathtub, or shower is ideal. This will ensure that there is ample space on both sides of the vanity to leave room for a small trash bin, your toilet paper holder which is often attached to the side of your vanity, and enough clearance to fully utilize the shower or bathtub. If space is limited, try to left or right justify the vanity in the bathroom, assuming that this type of layout works for the space.’

Taking your vanity off the floor can be a clever trick too in a small space: ‘Placing the vanity against the wall can oftentimes offer some breathing room on the other side of the vanity, allowing for additional clearance.’

Luis Carmona

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Owner/Interior Designer of VERDE Interior Design

Luis Carmona is the owner and lead designer at VERDE Interior Design. With almost two decades of experience in the creative space (interior design, advertising, and marketing), Carmona gets to blend his many passions into one design studio. Offering interior design and branding services to his commercial clients, VERDE has worked on boba tea shops, Mexican taquerias, sushi restaurants, and financial planning offices. Between the commercial and residential clients, in both Houston and Dallas, the team at VERDE continues to push the limits of design with their signature clean design aesthetic.

Benchwright Double Vanity

3. Are you willing (and able) to be inventive with storage?

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Using wall space is a fine way to free up bathroom flooring and create the illusion of height, while you add clever bathroom storage. If you are forsaking a significant amount of countertop space or under counter space, you should look to what other small bathroom storage options are available. 

‘You won’t have a lot of counter or storage space, but that can be remedied by adding an open shelf or medicine cabinet above,’ says Alzaga.

There are many beautiful medicine cabinets around nowadays that may add design interest. Choose a wall-mounted option to encourage a loftier modern bathroom appearance, all while concealing toiletries and household essentials.

FAQs

What are the benefits of a double bathroom vanity?

A bigger vanity leaves ample space for getting ready in a restful manner. Not to mention, vanity organizers should sit comfortably underneath, leaving less room for bathroom storage mistakes:

‘A double vanity in a small space can be a smart move, especially when the space is shared. If you are using the bathroom simultaneously, you have the definite advantage of functionality,’ says Leah Tuttleman, owner and principal designer of IDC Interiors, LLC and rebath. ‘You are maximizing the space and not compromising on style. 

‘Double vanities offer more elbow room and additional surface area to display accessories.’ Tuttleman recommends more wiggle room all around for a space with better flow: ‘A standard vanity height is 36” high including the top. Aim for 30 inches of space between fixed items. You want to try to avoid that crowded feeling.’

Leah Tuttleman

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Owner and Principal Designer of IDC Interiors, LLC

Leah Tuttleman, certified Allied American Society of Interior Designers for Re-Bath, the exclusive full-service bathroom remodeling brand. Leah has over 25 years of experience in all areas of interior design.

What is the minimum amount of bathroom countertop space you can have?

This can not only depend on what you feel comfortable with, but, plumbing and storage will all play a part.

‘We’ve seen clients insist on double vanities with only a countertop width of 48 inches from edge to edge. And builders and plumbers will tell you it can be done,’ says The Plan Collection’s home design expert Laurel Vernazza.

‘But the question we always ask is, “Why?” Double vanities in such a tight space effectively leave no counter space for washing up or getting ready for the day. When two individuals use the sinks simultaneously, it is downright uncomfortable. Moreover, homeowners lose almost all the cabinet space and options for drawers under the countertop as plumbing for both sinks takes up more space. We’d rather have the storage to hide the clutter and the extra counter space for getting ready to take on the day.’

It depends on the aesthetic you would like to create. Vernazza recommends 60 inches of countertop space as a minimum for a more restful home space: ‘It provides somewhat more space between and on either side of each sink, more if still limited space for storage below, and less stress between couples or siblings in the bathroom.’

Laurel Vernazza

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Home Design Expert

Laurel Vernazza has extensive experience in real estate as well as working with design customers, giving her a steely eye into house design trends.

When should you choose a single vanity unit instead?

Though you may feel obliged to downsize your vanity design, Algaza encourages us to find solutions in the space. Be that rethinking the type of door installed, or adjusting your bathroom layout.

‘Bathrooms with lots of doors can be a challenge when designing a small bathroom. The solution is adding pocket doors, or foldable ones to make the most of available space.

‘I don’t think there is a particular bathroom shape that should be avoided. It’s all about being creative with the use of the space you have,’ says Algaza.

‘Double-sink vanities are always nice to have in any size bathroom. Aside from convenience, they also make the bathroom appear more luxurious,’ says Carmona.

‘However, not all bathrooms can accommodate a double vanity sink. When working with a small bathroom, I would stick to a single vanity sink to allow sufficient space between all of the other bathroom elements, specifically the toilet and the shower or tub. You want to have working space around each object that will allow them to remain fully functional.  If you can make it work, go for it! Otherwise, I would stick to a single sink to avoid the bathroom looking even smaller and cramped.’

How can you create the illusion of more space in a small bathroom?

Light colors and clever placement can help your small space appear bigger, even with a double vanity in place: ‘There are tons of great options for wall-mounted floating vanities either with or without storage. Floating vanities create a sense of openness by exposing more of the floor. Make use of a chunky thick vanity top and leave it open below to give the appearance of a spacious bathroom,’ says Tuttleman.

Once essential items have been correctly stowed away, and non-essential clutter has been banished, you can tap into bathroom mirror placement and color schemes to open up the space.

‘Light color vanities are ideal as light colors create an illusion of a larger area, and some light services reflect more light making the bathroom appear brighter and more spacious. If you aren’t into light colors, opt for a large mirror as it can open up the room and make space feel bigger,’ says Vergara

‘Lastly, try to find one with storage. This will help you keep the bathroom organized and clutter-free.’

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Although a double vanity unit may seem like an extravagant design choice in a small bathroom space, it does not have to be pushed to the side since there are many creative solutions, if you really want to make it work.

The post Can you place a double vainness in a small lavatory? | appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Former NFL running back Frank Gore has listed his Southwest Ranches, FL, home for more than twice what he paid for it.

In 2020, the future football Hall of Famer snagged the 10,000-square-foot residence for $3,225,000. And now it’s back on the market for nearly $7 million.

Doubling one’s money is an exciting prospect, but we’ll see if Gore’s ask is truly realistic or just aspirational. Either way, we’re sold on this luxe, six-bedroom looker.

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Built in 2007

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Kitchen

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The Miami-adjacent abode is awash in glam flair—maybe even a Vegas vibe—thanks to all the shiny, silver surfaces and opulent chandeliers. The spacious great room has a soaring ceiling and loads of windows that fill the living spaces with that famous Florida sunshine.

The chef’s kitchen offers a large island, walk-in pantry, two dishwashers, and two ovens for easy holiday hosting and dinner-party catering.

The main bedroom is on the first floor and has its own living room, wet bar, walk-in closets, and posh bathroom.

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There’s also a one-bedroom guesthouse that doubles as the pool’s cabana. And when it comes to fun, well, it’s endless here. The home is outfitted with two bars—one in the man cave and another outside. Other entertainment options include a pool, basketball court, play area, gym, sauna, game room, and home theater.

Gore was drafted in 2005 by the San Francisco 49ers and went on to play for 16 seasons with a variety of teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills. He rushed for exactly 16,000 yards in his career, a feat that puts him in third place on the all-time list for rushing yards.

The post NFL Legend Frank Gore Goals To Double His Cash With Sale of South Florida Property appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Former NFL running back Frank Gore has listed his Southwest Ranches, FL, home for more than twice what he paid for it.

In 2020, the future football Hall of Famer snagged the 10,000-square-foot residence for $3,225,000. And now it’s back on the market for nearly $7 million.

Doubling one’s money is an exciting prospect, but we’ll see if Gore’s ask is truly realistic or just aspirational. Either way, we’re sold on this luxe, six-bedroom looker.

Built in 2007

(Realtor.com)

Long driveway out front

(Realtor.com)

Living room

(Realtor.com)

Kitchen

(Realtor.com)

Main bedroom

(Realtor.com)

Primary bathroom

(Realtor.com)

Gaming room

(Realtor.com)

Home theater

(Realtor.com)

Pool and patio

(Realtor.com)

The Miami-adjacent abode is awash in glam flair—maybe even a Vegas vibe—thanks to all the shiny, silver surfaces and opulent chandeliers. The spacious great room has a soaring ceiling and loads of windows that fill the living spaces with that famous Florida sunshine.

The chef’s kitchen offers a large island, walk-in pantry, two dishwashers, and two ovens for easy holiday hosting and dinner-party catering.

The main bedroom is on the first floor and has its own living room, wet bar, walk-in closets, and posh bathroom.

There’s also a one-bedroom guesthouse that doubles as the pool’s cabana. And when it comes to fun, well, it’s endless here. The home is outfitted with two bars—one in the man cave and another outside. Other entertainment options include a pool, basketball court, play area, gym, sauna, game room, and home theater.

Gore was drafted in 2005 by the San Francisco 49ers and went on to play for 16 seasons with a variety of teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills. He rushed for exactly 16,000 yards in his career, a feat that puts him in third place on the all-time list for rushing yards.

The post NFL Legend Frank Gore Goals To Double His Cash With Sale of South Florida Property appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Running Back Frank Gore Looks to Double His Money With The Listing Of His South Florida Estate

Former NFL running back Frank Gore has listed his Southwest Ranches, FL, home for more than twice what he paid for it.

In 2020, the future football Hall of Famer snagged the 10,000-square-foot residence for $3,225,000. And now it’s back on the market for nearly $7 million.

Doubling one’s money is an exciting prospect, but we’ll see if Gore’s ask is truly realistic or just aspirational. Either way, we’re sold on this luxe, six-bedroom looker.

Built in 2007

(Realtor.com)

Long driveway out front

(Realtor.com)

Living room

(Realtor.com)

Kitchen

(Realtor.com)

Main bedroom

(Realtor.com)

Primary bathroom

(Realtor.com)

Gaming room

(Realtor.com)

Home theater

(Realtor.com)

Pool and patio

(Realtor.com)

The Miami-adjacent abode is awash in glam flair—maybe even a Vegas vibe—thanks to all the shiny, silver surfaces and opulent chandeliers. The spacious great room has a soaring ceiling and loads of windows that fill the living spaces with that famous Florida sunshine.

The chef’s kitchen offers a large island, walk-in pantry, two dishwashers, and two ovens for easy holiday hosting and dinner-party catering.

The main bedroom is on the first floor and has its own living room, wet bar, walk-in closets, and posh bathroom.

There’s also a one-bedroom guesthouse that doubles as the pool’s cabana. And when it comes to fun, well, it’s endless here. The home is outfitted with two bars—one in the man cave and another outside. Other entertainment options include a pool, basketball court, play area, gym, sauna, game room, and home theater.

Gore was drafted in 2005 by the San Francisco 49ers and went on to play for 16 seasons with a variety of teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Buffalo Bills. He rushed for exactly 16,000 yards in his career, a feat that puts him in third place on the all-time list for rushing yards.

The post NFL Legend Frank Gore Goals To Double His Cash With Sale of South Florida Property appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — He’s pleased with what he’s seen of Kyle Hendricks since the pitcher left the injured …

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Manager David Ross has been pleased with what he’s seen of Kyle Hendricks since the pitcher was taken off the injured list and was more than happy to let the former Chicago Cubs star rule his game on Saturday permit.

With the way the outing turned out, Hendricks can probably expect to do it more often.

Hendricks didn’t allow a hit until Mitch Haniger doubled with two outs in the eighth inning to beat the Cubs 4-0 over the San Francisco Giants.

“He was in control of his pitches,” Ross said. “It was just a high-level conviction in every pitch where he was in control.”

Hendricks (1-2) was dealing with a batter above the minimum and Michael Conforto with a second-round out and had 19 straight batsmen retired before Haniger hit a fastball 378 feet off the left fieldwall in the eighth play away the at-bat struck. That ended the longest no-hit bid in the major leagues this season.

“He won’t blow you away with his speed, but the move makes his fastball game much better,” Haniger said. “He’s good and mixes pitches all over the zone.”

Blake Sabol flew out on Hendricks’ next pitch.

“The last few starts I felt like I was finding my rhythm and making a lot of good shots,” said Hendricks. “The rhythm was simply better today. I got away with a few things in the beginning, then I really got going in the fourth or fifth inning. There are still some things I need to improve and work on, but I’m definitely feeling good.”

Julian Merryweather was eliminated in the ninth round with three straight batters, completing the one-hitter and giving the Cubs their first straight win since May 29-30.

Christopher Morel hit a home run and drove in three runs, and Matt Mervis also hit a home run.

Hendricks started the season on the injured list with an overstressed right shoulder. He made his season debut on May 25, completing his fourth start. He threw 61 of 94 shots for strikes, none faster than 89.4 miles per hour.

The 33-year-old right-hander, who was in the tenth season of his major league career playing exclusively with the Cubs, has made six full games and four shutouts in 226 starts.

Midfielder Mike Tauchman helped by denying Brandon Crawford an extra base hit near the warning lane with a backhand catch in the third set.

Both Ross and Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya called it one of the best grabs of the season.

“At first glance, I didn’t think I had a chance, but that’s why you go hard, just in case,” Tauchman said.

Morel hit a home run against Jakob Junis (3:3) and led the third round. The ball bounced off the wall back onto the field. Unaware of the decision, Morel raced around bases until second base umpire and crew chief Brian O’Nora signaled the home run.

Morel added a two-out, two-run single in the fifth set.

Giants opener John Brebbia, who also started Tuesday’s win against Colorado, threw two innings without a hit with a strikeout. Brebbia also survived when he was hit by Ian Happ’s 104.9mph bat in the second run.

TRAINING ROOM

Cubs: OF Cody Bellinger (left knee) did some batting practice and ran a little before the game. … RHP Bruce Boxberger (pulled right forearm) threw a 26-pitch bullpen session.

Giants: C Joey Bart was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and selected for Triple-A Sacramento late Friday night. … RHP Scott Alexander (hamstring pain) was unready to play.

NEXT

Cubs RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-2, 4.81 ERA) starts Sunday’s Finals in his first start against San Francisco. Brebbia will play again for the Giants.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Copyright © 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

The post Hendricks no-hit bid ends on Haniger’s 2-out double in eighth, Giants beat Cubs 4-0 appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Conforto doubled down to set off a slowly developing rally in the sixth inning and set the go for the two-run home run in the seventh inning for the San Francisco Giants, who defeated the Minnesota Twins Tuesday night by 4: 3 defeated for their seventh win in eight games.

Giants starter Alex Cobb (4-1) finished seven innings for the third time in four starts this month, deftly working on a two-run home run by Byron Buxton in the first inning and a solo shot by Michael Taylor in the fifth inning that secured the win gave the Twins a 3-0 lead.

The Giants dropped two runners in the scoring position in the third and fourth innings against Twins starter Sonny Gray, who hit the wall in the sixth inning by leading JD Davis to the start. Conforto hit a double in the left-center gap, Mitch Haniger walked to fill bases and that was it for Gray, who was the major league ERA leader at 1.82. He threw 105 pitches, two fewer than his season high.

Jovani Moran made the first two outs but Patrick Bailey walked in the first run to force. Brock Stewart walked in and did the same to pinch Bryce Johnson.

Then, as Jorge López (1-2) scored the seventh, Thairo Estrada took the lead with a brace and hit Conforto’s tenth home run of the season.

Camilo Doval threw a hit without a hit in the ninth inning, making it his 13th save in 14 attempts after a perfect eighth from Scott Alexander, in textbook succession after another outstanding turn from Cobb. The right-hander, who ranks fourth in ERA baseball with a 2.17, is 4-0 in his last seven starts. The Giants have won six of those games.

The Twins, who have finished first on the AL Central 53 of 55 days this season, lost for the sixth time in eight games.

Twins starting pitcher Kenta Maeda is expected to begin a rehab spell for a right tricep overload after another bullpen session later this week. He was placed on the injured list more than three weeks ago after his fastball speed dropped to a worrying 88mph on his comeback from Tommy John’s elbow surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2022 season.

“As for the number, I’d like to stay consistently above 90, but it’s more about the feel of my pitches, how comfortable I am on the hill,” Maeda said through his interpreter. “I felt kind of uncomfortable before I went to IL. I think once that is corrected everything should be fine.”

Giants: 1B LaMonte Wade was back in the lead after pinching his thumb and leaving Monday night’s game. … DH Joc Pederson missed his tenth straight game with a right-hand bruise. Manager Gabe Kapler said that rehab would soon be considered: “His grip is getting better.”

Gemini: SS Carlos Correa was on the bench with a bruised left heel. LF Trevor Larnach was on the injured list before the game with pneumonia. RF Max Kepler missed his tenth straight game with a left hamstring strain and coach Rocco Baldelli indicated he’s not close to a return just yet: “He’s still felt ongoing pain related to this for longer than we thought .”

Giants: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (3-3, 3.09 ERA) takes the mound Wednesday afternoon. He has not won in his last three starts.

Gemini: RHP Joe Ryan (6-1, 2.25 ERA) pitches in series finale. The San Francisco native has put up at least six innings in all nine starts and conceded five earned runs overall in his last five rounds.

Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, transcribed, or redistributed without permission.

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The number of winter heating aid applications received so far has jumped 130 percent from the same time last year, according to Orange County Department of Social Services Commissioner Darcie Miller.

The Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, is a federal aid program that helps eligible residents heat and cool their homes.

In November—the opening month of the winter season—1,429 people applied, compared to 615 last year.

“This is a significant increase in our first month of activity,” Miller told The Epoch Times on Dec. 9. “People are trying to pay for higher priced groceries, fuel, higher rents, and there are a lot of concerns about the costs for home heating fuel.”

“This is a difficult time for our community, and people are looking for help,” Miller said.

For residents already on government aid programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance and Temporary Assistance, they will get automatic pre-applications to HEAP based on eligibility—and that number has increased too, according to Miller.

Combining both, the total HEAP applications reach above 4,000.

Miller adds that the opening month typically sees the greatest number of applications and that it is still too early to predict the rest of the season.

In a typical year, the department receives between 11,000 and 12,000 HEAP applications; the federal payout, including benefits to residents and payments to the county for administering the program, stands between seven and eight million, she said.

Kerosene is sold for $8.49 a gallon at a gas station in Cuddebackville, NY, on Dec. 11, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

As the interest in aid programs rises, the volume of inquiry calls also increases. One of the primary hotlines managed by the department averages 1,400 calls a day, compared to around 800 in the past seasons, Miller said.

Aside from regular benefit inquiries, she also noticed an increase in emergency calls from people who need immediate help to prevent a shutoff.

Currently, the department relies on staff reassignment and overtime to process the increased workload.

“Our community is looking for help, and we are just doing what we can to manage the influx of applications and be as supportive as we can,” Miller said. “The challenge, though, is that not everyone will be eligible.”

HEAP money is granted based on several factors, including income, household size, the primary heating source, and whether there is a household member who is under age 6, over age 60, or disabled.

A wood stove on display at Chimney Sweep Energy showroom in NY on Nov. 5, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Qualified heating sources include electricity, gas, oil, coal, propane, wood or wood pellets, kerosene, and corn.

Applicants may take a pre-application survey on the website www.mybenefits.ny.gov to determine eligibility.

County Fuel Fund

Those who do not qualify for HEAP can turn to the Orange County Fuel Fund, which has a lower income threshold than the federal program.

For example, for a family of four, the maximum monthly income is $5,485 for HEAP but $6,582 for the county program.

On Dec 1, the county legislature approved an additional $60,000 for the fuel fund, bringing the total up to $100,000.

Miller said of the legislative move, “It is their acknowledgment that people that are just a bit over eligibility are still going to have a significant need.”

Cara is an Orange County, New York-based Epoch Times reporter. You can be reached at cara.ding@epochtimes.com

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CINCINNATI – Somehow Joe Burrow’s press conferences have become more known for reactions to coughs these days than the actual answers he gives.

For people who actually care about the content of his thoughts instead of viral reactions, an important line snuck into the conversation this week.

He was asked about this stretch of Atlanta, at Cleveland on Monday Night Football and Carolina coming up leading into the bye.

“The three games stretch,” Burrow said, “I think will determine how our season goes.”

From the same producer who brought you, “let’s all just take a deep breath and relax,” and “nobody is panicking” we have this midseason run determining the direction of the year.

Yeah, that’s notable.

Every week feels like it means more in the moment. That’s just the nature of the intense scrutiny on the league. Consider the tone around these parts last week compared to this one: Pitchforks to praises.

In this particular case, it’s tough to argue with Burrow’s assessment.

The failures of the first quarter of the season have put the Bengals in this position. Anything worse than 5-4 at the bye (which would be the same as last year) would offer legitimate reason to wonder if they took on too much early water to bubble back up against a much tougher schedule on the horizon.

Through the first nine games the Bengals will have faced just one quarterback higher than Tier 4 in Mike Sando’s preseason QB tiers. That’s Lamar Jackson.

Burrow was one of six Tier 1 QBs in the league.

After Kenny Pickett or whoever ends up starting for Pittsburgh in Week 11 finishes off the run of unheralded QBs, the final seven games of the year expect to feature every quarterback in Tier 3 or higher.

A hiccup or two over this current stretch and the team will spend much time bemoaning the need to beat Allen and wondering how they lost to Cooper Rush, Mitch Trubisky and, say, Marcus Mariota.

That brings us to Sunday. The Falcons and Bengals looked like very different teams on paper before the season started. On the field through six weeks, you can find striking similarities. Both have won three of four. Both could easily have been better than 3-3. The three Falcons’ losses are by a total of 11 points. The Bengals are by eight.

The primary difference is the expectations the football world placed upon them. Atlanta clearly has deficiencies. The Bengals should be able to tear up a secondary that is both beat up and understaffed. This should be the type of game Burrow puts up monster numbers as you saw last week in New Orleans or during his hot stretch in the second half of last year.

Tradition suggests in this league, that should be enough. Yet, the league is shifting this year. The rise of these power running teams asserting their style back into the winning conversation has been the trend of the year. Atlanta is at the head of that with a line that can run block as well as anyone and diverse run scheme capable of taking over a game.

The number to determine a win or loss will be the Falcons’ rushing yards. Allow them to pound Paycor for 150 or more on the ground and the Bengals will be in jeopardy. Keep it under and this could be one where the Bengals breathe easy in the final minutes for a change.

Attrition up the defensive spine and recent results suggest this will be easier said than done.

I still think the Bengals and Burrow do it. Cincinnati’s red zone defense feels like the determining factor again.

Prediction: Bengals 27, Falcons 23

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play at the line against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Stephen Lew-USA Today Sports

On Tap

The Bengals host the Falcons this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET at Paycor Stadium — the first 1 p.m. Sunday home game since the opener against Pittsburgh. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The game will air on Fox with Brandon Gaudin and Robert Smith in the booth and Jennifer Hale on the sideline. Will be a treat to see Devon and Leah Still back in Cincinnati as Rulers of the Jungle. Leah is cancer-free and it’s such a joy to see a success story that started in such a difficult place come full circle. The way this city and the Bengals’ organization rallied around Devon and Leah in 2014 was one of the greatest storylines involving the team in 13 years I’ve been covering the club.

This Week in Burrow

I wrote extensively about Burrow on third downs and high-leverage situations this year, a major talking point around him as the Bengals offense starts to find its footing.

So, I’ll just say that this section has already been checked off.

I will, however, offer a bit of a deleted scene from the story.

I wanted to dive a little into the importance of Burrow’s knowledge of protections in the piece, but it ended up being one thing too many. But it was pointed out how important his relationship with the gregarious captain Ted Karras has been.

Karras and Burrow have really connected. Partly because of how much Karras just absolutely loves football and line play. That prompted this anecdote from head coach Zac Taylor when asked about it.

“We finished a walkthrough and I heard him talk about ‘Okey Double Bugs’ with passion,” Taylor said of a unique protection call. “That’s the highest level of passion you could imagine about ‘Okey Double Bugs’ and different looks he saw. He wanted to make sure he got his points across. I walked away, those are player moments where he clearly wanted to take it over. He made me feel really good about how we would handle those looks the next day. The (offensive line) meeting ended. It was over. He decided to have another meeting. It’s 8:39 p.m. probably, right before the team meeting Saturday night.”

Quotable

There was an otherwise forgettable play in Sunday’s game at New Orleans that stuck out to me all week. Joe Mixon caught a checkdown midway through the second quarter. As he pushed up the sideline cornerback Paulson Adebo made a flailing attack of Mixon’s legs trying to take him down.

Mixon snapped off a nasty jump cut to the outside that made the entire dome crowd go, “oooh,” in unison. The electric and loud nature of the crowd made it an even more noticeable reaction and Mixon deserved it.

I asked him about it this week and his answer was great.

“I’ll be real, I was running, and I tune everything out,” he said. “It’s literally me focused. I hear nothing. That was one play where I could really hear the whole crowd like, ‘ooooh.’ Then after the play, I was like, ‘Did the whole crowd just say oooh?’ It was a cool thing.”

Sure was. Cool to hear. Cool to watch. And for the Bengals, cool to see coming from Mixon, who struggled to make plays in space the first four weeks of the season. Against Baltimore and New Orleans, some of the old Mixon energy and playmaking has started to show up. He enjoyed his two best games for yards after contact. After only two rushes of more than 10 yards through the first four games, Mixon had four such rushes the last two weeks.

“That’s what I can do,” he said. “If I get the opportunity like that in space, I got to make them pay. When given that opportunity in those one-on-one situations, I got to make it count, no matter what.

“I’ll be honest, if I can get in space where it’s clear as daylight one on one, there’s no question I’ll win 10 out of 10 times. I’m supposed to feel like I’ll win 10 out of 10 times. That’s the type of player I’m capable of being.”

Quotable, Part II

Offensive line coach Frank Pollack is always one for quotability. He offered another on Thursday in reference to left tackle Jonah Williams.

Williams, notably, dislocated his kneecap just before halftime against the Ravens. He played through that pain, only missing six snaps in the “Sunday Night Football” game. Not only that, in Pollack’s eyes he played incredibly well.

“He hurt his knee in Baltimore and he had probably the best half I’ve seen him play,” Pollack said. “He went out and played with a bum knee this last week and played great. I told him I’ll take a bat to your knee every week if I need to.”

No word on the Bengals hiring offensive line consultant Jeff Gillooly anytime soon.

Twitter Question of the Week

@pauldehnerjr I must have missed it, when will Reader be back? They miss him in the worst way

— Doug (@doug_c_67) October 16, 2022

For one, Doug, you are spot on. The Bengals do miss Reader in the worst way. Jay Morrison detailed that well in his story on the struggling rush defense this week. He pointed out the Bengals gave up an average of 86 yards per game the first three weeks at 3.7 yards per carry. In the last three weeks, it’s 156 yards per game and 5.6 per rush.

Does it all direct back to Reader? No. They’ve played more talented rush offenses the last three weeks, but his absence represents a big slice of the pie.

As for when he will be back, his presence on the rehab field and the sideline this past week suggest he’s tracking in the right direction. He couldn’t even travel with the team to Baltimore because they don’t want players lacking in mobility on the sideline in case they need to move to avoid a play spilling out of bounds.

As for a more specific timeline, the probabilities still shade toward a post-bye return. He’s first eligible to come back for “Monday Night Football” against the Browns and the Bengals and Reader are obviously hopeful, not closing the door on it. However, understanding the big picture of the season with an extremely winnable game against Carolina then a bye after, it means Nov. 21 at Pittsburgh is a realistic aiming point.

Stories from the inside

There are two ping-pong tables inside the Bengals’ locker room. There’s an ‘A’ table and a ‘B’ table. When we are in there — typically during the Bengals’ lunch break — there are always games happening on them. Anybody hearing the sound of the balls hitting paddles in the background of our interviews posted on the podcast is well aware.

The two best players on the team are Mitchell Wilcox and Trent Taylor. They are regulars on the ‘A’ table. Their battles are wild. Both standing far back from the table, ripping shots from deep as you might see in Olympics highlights. An idea struck me while watching this and discussing how every team seems to have ping-pong tables in the locker room (that inevitably become some kind of storyline about a loose team when it arrives or a return of discipline when it’s removed).

It’s time to replace the coin toss before games.

Instead, each team sends its best ping pong player to the 50-yard line, where a table and two paddles await. They play a quick game to seven to determine who gets to decide to defer or receive. It’s like when the XFL tried rolling out the football in a fumble recovery drill to determine the winner, just without the injuries.

You’re welcome.

This will be submitted to the competition committee in March.

Degenerate corner

This game presents a spread rarity. This year Atlanta is 6-0 against the spread. Nobody expected them to be as feisty as they’ve been, and it’s shown in the final scores.

The Falcons come to Cincinnati as 6.5-point underdogs.

Considering Atlanta covering every game, the Bengals’ penchant to playing in close contests and neither team losing by more than a score, 6.5 feels like a generous number.

However, there’s not much history to suggest the Falcons’ momentum will continue the trend.

There are eight teams — including Atlanta — that started the season 6-0 against the spread since the turn of the century. Four of them covered the spread again in their seventh games, three did not. Winners include the 2021 Cowboys, 2018 Chiefs, 2007 Patriots and 2008 Titans.

There’s little reason to believe the Bengals would be taking Atlanta lightly considering how the Falcons dismantled San Francisco last week, 28-14. Still an interesting trend to ponder.

Overly researched stat of the week

The Bengals’ red zone defense continues to be among the best in the NFL, currently ranking third allowing a touchdown 35.3 percent of the time. It saved them in New Orleans. The Saints entered that game boasting the second-best red zone offense in football (80 percent) but left just 1 for 5. In a matchup of strength on strength with the game in the balance, the Bengals prevailed.

Meanwhile, Atlanta now comes to town riding similar red-zone success. The Falcons rank fifth in the league with a 66.7 percent touchdown rate.

The difference between the two would be the approach to pushing it over the goal line.

New Orleans threw the ball in the red zone 62 percent of the time prior to last week, ninth most.

Meanwhile, Atlanta has the second-highest run rate among all teams in the red zone at 69 percent.

When those crucial downs take place, look for extra linebackers to end up part of three-down alignment to play tendencies.

Either way, it does play into what has also been a strength of this defense. Of the 40 plays run against Cincinnati in the red zone this year, 15 have been runs. Only one went for a touchdown (a 1-yard plunge by Tony Pollard in Dallas) and only a six-yard sweep by CeeDee Lamb went for more than four yards.

The Bengals rank second in the league in yards allowed per carry in the red zone.

More strength on the strength coming Sunday.

Bengals post of the week

Fans might not think much about the investment in the content team that’s been made by the Cincinnati front office, but for somebody who has been close to that world for a long time, I can tell you it’s a mind-boggling shift.

That’s the NFL world we live in now. Behind-the-scenes video, extra content, documentaries, you name it. In-house content has become valuable to the league, teams, fan bases and the NFL has its arms hugged tightly around its rights.

The Bengals have piled resources of all varieties into that world in recent years and the perfect example was the 15-minute look at Ja’Marr Chase and his family returning home that Marisa Contipelli and Shea Stephenson put together. They were even able to convince NFL Films to help out by dropping a mic on Chase during that game that has turned out to be a treasure trove of incredible content.

Chase was breaking ankles thanks to the return of his grill @Real10jayy__ | @Bengals pic.twitter.com/tcoYa7qcZj

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) October 20, 2022

Contipelli and Stephenson went to New Orleans earlier this season for background content then were all over the place this past Sunday capturing the sights and sounds of a special moment for one of the premier personalities on the team and in this league.

Just excellent work, impressive hustle, an efficient plan and a perfect example of what hiring great people and supporting them can do for connecting a fan base to its players.

Highly recommend watching the full-length feature (the trailer was awesome, too).

Watch the full feature here: https://t.co/VZs2byry5r

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 20, 2022

Opponent

Atlanta (3-3): Josh Kendall joined HTPG this week with fantastic insight on Atlanta. He also wrote why the Bengals are a bad matchup for the Falcons.

Around the division

Steelers (2-4): Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and halftime altercations, all the fun is happening in Pittsburgh.

Browns (2-4): Cleveland is ‘headed nowhere soon’ according to Zac Jackson. A man very familiar with teams heading nowhere.

Ravens (3-3): Baltimore’s running game is coming together just in time for a critical stretch.

The Athletic Wormhole

The Christian McCaffery trade to the 49ers was a fascinating one from both sides. First, the latest cautionary tale about paying running backs. As the Panthers basically paid $27 million for six games of an extension. The Bengals will be contemplating this situation with Mixon contract in coming years. These things rarely work out well. In fact, Mixon might be one of the most successful examples and his contract hasn’t exactly been a jewel of the Bengals salary cap situation.

These backs nearly always start to break down and see health situations ruin them. This has been known and discussed at length for nearly a decade now. Yet, teams still keep piling money into the position instead of picks. Joe Person wrote about how that is essentially the legacy of McCaffery in Carolina.

On the flip side, the Rams’ “F— them picks” model shows back up. This time in San Francisco. I’m actually stunned the 49ers would give up the 2023 2,3,4 and 2024 5th for McCaffery. The guy can play. He’s a star, no question. But that is a significant ransom to turn over for any running back, particularly one with injury history. Those are the types of trades that eat at the core of your future. Tim Kawakami wrote an enlightening piece about how this was the 49ers showing their hand about this season.

Dad Life

The first draft of my story about Burrow and his third-down magic this week included multiple Frozen (and Frozen II) references, including an ideal analogy involving an ice palace on the North Mountain.

I eventually decided they all needed to be edited out. As a girl dad, it was a deep cut.

I’ve developed a real appreciation for Frozen and Frozen II in watching it 94 times over the last few years. A Disney tale where two sisters stand up for each other is great messaging compared to “You better get a man and become a princess or you will be cleaning chimneys and organizing the attic the rest of your life” from the Cinderella days.

Equally, Encanto has become the new house favorite around here. My girls are obsessed with it. Again, another new Disney movie with a significantly better message than the early days. The concept that it’s OK not to be perfect and being yourself is all you need is a far cry from, ‘Hey look at this cute deer, bang, she’s dead.’

Unbelievably, found a Disney on Ice Show about Frozen and Encanto together is coming to Heritage Bank Arena. It’s almost as if my girls were in charge of planning this year’s tour. The excitement level will be at its peak come March.

This has also prompted me to go on record with my top five ranking of songs from those three movies because I’ve had way too much time to think about this over the past few years.

1. Let it Go, Frozen: There’s a reason it’s so popular. One of the best individual songs from any Disney song in history.
2. Lost in the Woods, Frozen II: Let’s be honest, this one was for the parents. When all the reindeer show up in true 80s style is a top three moment in the entire Frozen series.
3. Surface Pressure, Encanto: The chorus is incredible. Lin Manuel-Miranda’s style showing up in a big way. Sometimes after dropping the girls off somewhere the phone will revert back to when Encanto was playing before. If it’s Surface Pressure, I let it finish before switching back.
4. All of You, Encanto: Perfectly pulls all the themes of the movie together and the line, “OK, so …. we gonna talk about Bruno?” is one of my favorites.
5. In Summer, Frozen: More Josh Gad in our lives, please.

OK, I feel better getting that off my chest. Hopefully, it makes up for axing my line about Grand Pabbie explaining the inherent danger of magic.

(Top photo of Joe Burrow: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

The post This Week in Bengals: Sunday prediction, D.J. Reader’s return and Okey Double Bugs appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Inflation is at the highest point in over 40 years, the finance and tech sectors are suffering from a significant economic downturn, and the city’s tax base appears to be on a course of a collision with an iceberg.

These are the realities in San Francisco — and many economic forecast seminars indicate that the economy won’t come back fully until 2025. If we don’t act now, we are in for a bumpy ride.

There is a solution. If we double down on tourism, we can save our city.

To understand the importance of tourism, one must first look at the numbers. In 2019, prior to the pandemic, San Francisco welcomed more than 26 million visitors, who spent over $10 billion in our local economy. That spending generated over $819 million in taxes and fees for our city’s general fund, the majority coming from the hospitality industry. The industry employed more than 86,000 people in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Additionally, unlike some sectors of our economy, tourism is a “consensus” industry: we all benefit when tourism does well. Specifically, it benefits our workers, our tax base, our restaurants, small businesses and it gives San Franciscans something to be proud of. The tax money we get from tourism pays for critical city services and programs.

Tourism in the modern era is significantly impacted by the global economy and geopolitical realities. When energy and food costs go up, or when a foreign country limits travel here, tourism is negatively impacted.

That is particularly why we must be proactive and surgical with our efforts to enhance tourism.

The good news is we have recently seen some steps in the right direction, particularly as it relates to cleanliness, public safety and with workers coming back to the office. Tourist destinations such as Union Square and Fisherman’s Wharf are noticeably cleaner and safer than they were last year. City leadership, Business Improvement Districts (such as the Union Square Alliance), the hospitality industry and the broader tourism industry have collectively taken collaborative efforts to push forward with this positive momentum.

The most obvious example of that collaboration was the recent Dreamforce convention, where everything went incredibly well and gave San Francisco the opportunity to show the world that it is open again for large-scale conventions. In fact, speaking to people visiting the convention from other cities was eye-opening. Many people indicated that our city was in better shape than what they had seen in the news, and in some situations, in better shape than their own respective cities.

Nonetheless, there are still numerous challenges we all see daily on our streets and much more work to do.

Mayor Breed’s recent expansion of the Street Ambassador program is a good step in the right direction. We need to take additional action to ensure that the street conditions within the 1-mile radius around Moscone (the city’s convention center) are among the best in San Francisco. Although easier said than done, that requires increased resources dedicated to safety and cleanliness. It also includes low-cost improvements, such as an upgraded street sign system to help pedestrians get to Moscone.

We also need to start encouraging people to visit our city. In fact, now that Union Square is in noticeably better shape than last year, we can all help by visiting this holiday season (much like how people did before the pandemic).

Additionally, we have a special opportunity to change the trajectory of our city’s recovery if we continue to act in the coming year. San Francisco will have a competitive advantage to attract environmentally conscious tourists, because starting in January, we will be the most environmentally sustainable tourism destination in the country. The hospitality industry in San Francisco will be making massive strides in using renewable energy, expanding electric vehicle charging options, and producing close to zero waste. January is also when we have our JP Morgan Convention, a chance again to work collaboratively to ensure that the city’s tourism industry starts the year off right.

Our city has some of the most beautiful parks and views in the world. In fact, we recently made National Geographic’s top 25 best worldwide destinations for travelers. We have some of the best restaurants, coffee, and wine anyone could ask for. We just need to keep pushing forward on the recent positive momentum to reap greater rewards.

Some people left San Francisco during the pandemic, but many of you stayed. You stayed because this is your home, and because in some capacity, you believe in the magic of San Francisco.

As a native San Franciscan, I too believe in this city. It is why I moved back to the city from LA, even though I loved it there, even though where I lived there — Glendale, CA — also felt like home. Unlike the people who left San Francisco due to its challenges, I came back at this pivotal moment because I chose to bet on our city and its tourism industry.

I hope our city does the same — and doubles down on that bet as well.

Alex Bastian is the President and CEO of the Hotel Council of San Francisco.

The post It’s time to double down on tourism to avoid wasting San Francisco appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The highly contagious variant of Omicron appears to be well established in the Bay Area and is likely to encourage outbreaks and early spikes in COVID-19 cases across the region, health officials said Tuesday.

Case numbers in San Francisco have doubled in the past five days, almost certainly due to the spread of omicrons in the community, said Dr. Grant Colfax, Head of the Department of Health. He said the city has now identified 32 Omicron cases, but he suspects there are many more.

The variant is also the likely source of a major COVID outbreak in Marin County that infected more than half of those attending a Christmas party. At Stanford, nearly three-quarters of the virus samples screened for variants in the past week appear to be omicrons, said Dr. Ben Pinksy, director of the clinical virology laboratory that performs genome sequencing for several Bay Area counties.

“It has really picked up speed over the last week. We went from very few to essentially the most omicrons, ”Pinksy said. “I think almost all cases will soon be omicron.”

The soaring tide from Omicron is reported across California and resulted in Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday saying he would soon have all health care workers boosted in addition to a full vaccination. Studies are increasingly showing that Omicron is better able to evade vaccine immunity than previous variants, but boosters appear to numb infection and prevent serious illness.

Bay Area health officials are preparing for a spate of Omicron cases in the coming weeks or even days as Omicron spreads across the country at an amazing rate. The first US case of Omicron was reported in San Francisco on December 1, and by last week the variant accounted for three-quarters of the cases nationwide, according to estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In response to swelling cases across the country, President Biden announced new maneuvers to combat Omicron on Tuesday, including plans to ship half a billion rapid test kits to American households and deploy thousands of federal health workers to parts of the country to deal with an intolerable burden of hospitals to expect.

Much remains uncertain how an omicron surge would play out in the United States, and especially in high-vaccine places like the Bay Area. Local health officials say they are concerned that even if most of the cases caused by Omicron are mild, a massive spike – potentially causing a more widespread disease than any previous spike – could overwhelm hospitals or disrupt basic services like education or transportation .

“It’s so difficult to get our collective minds under it because Omicron is moving at a breathtaking speed,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Health Officer. “It’s difficult for us humans to keep up with this virus.”

Kaiser Permanente Tent, 2350 Geary Blvd .; Monday-Friday, 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Chinese Hospital, 845 Jackson St .; Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (closed from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave., Building 30; Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Southeast Health Center, 2401 Keith St .; Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4.30 p.m., Thursday until 7 p.m.

See morecollapse

Omicron appears to be taking over at a particularly challenging time in the Bay Area – just days before Christmas, a holiday many residents wanted to celebrate two or three weeks ago with little fear of COVID given the overall high vaccination rates.

Health officials said they wouldn’t stop people from gathering for the holidays this year. But the new variant, which is heavily mutated and potentially better able to evade immunity and infect even fully vaccinated individuals, poses new risks.

According to Bay Area health officials, there is an urgent need for anyone who has been fully vaccinated for at least six months to receive a booster, if they haven’t already. “What is worrying is that vaccination may not offer much protection in people who are not given a booster,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer. “A booster shot may not protect you from a mild illness, but it should protect you from a serious illness.”

Cody noted that the Bay Area’s robust vaccine uptake could make the region a little more susceptible to Omicron than other parts of the country, given that so many people were vaccinated early, which means their antibody immunity has now faded.

“We were in great shape and now the immunity is off and we all need to be strengthened,” said Cody. “Now if I could hire anyone eligible in the county to increase, I would wave my wand and do that.”

Omicron has not yet turned into a regional surge in coronavirus cases, although numbers are rising across the Bay Area. On Monday, the region reported about 1,100 cases a day, about double what it was a month ago. Hospital admissions have also increased by around 20%.

But local health officials said they see worrying signs of an impending spike and have no reason to believe the region will be spared the spate of cases already reported in other parts of the country.

Preliminary reports in San Francisco show the case rate doubled from December 13 to December 18 – from about 10 cases per 100,000 people per day to 21 cases per 100,000, according to Colfax. “And I expect that case rate will double every two to three days,” he said.

“If Delta COVID was on steroids, Omicron COVID is on speed,” Colfax said. “It’s so much more transferable.”

Colfax noted that while only 32 Omicron cases have been reported to date, San Francisco should assume this is much more widespread – a concern that is being echoed by health officials across the Bay Area, even in counties that still support Omicron have not identified.

“We haven’t contacted Omicron yet, but we expect there are many cases in San Mateo County,” said Dr. Curtis Chan, the assistant health officer. Coronavirus cases had risen in San Mateo County for about two weeks, he said, attributing the rise to Delta and Omikron.

In Alameda County – which identified one of the first omicron outbreaks in the country in early December, among a group of healthcare workers who attended an out-of-state wedding – cases are also rising, likely due to the new variant, said Dr. Nicholas Moss, the health officer.

Like his colleagues, Moss advised people to make more arrangements than they might originally intended for holiday celebrations. Ideally, people would do quick tests before attending a gathering, Moss said, though he acknowledged the tests can now be hard to find.

But aside from the tests, he and other health officials said people should consider skipping large holiday parties and focusing on smaller get-togethers with close family members. They should try to gather outdoors whenever possible and open windows and doors if they need to meet indoors. People should wear face covering around those at high risk.

“We have now reached the point where the mental health needs – the human needs – of being with loved ones and friends are so important,” said Dr. Karen Relucio, Napa County’s Health Officer. “We don’t want to tell people what to do. People have to decide individually whether to take this risk. “

The Chronicle’s author, Catherine Ho, contributed to this report.

Erin Allday is a contributor to the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @erinallday

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