THE BUZZ — THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: You want the good news first, or the bad news?

Gov. Gavin Newsom has the unenviable job of delivering some very tough Covid news this week, coming off the Thanksgiving holiday — and heading toward the potentially even more dangerous holiday threats of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s. The numbers are rising, the hospitalizations are dangerously high and the stay-at-home hammer may be about to come down again.

BUT FIRST...

THE GOOD — VACCINES ON THE WAY: Newsom said Monday that 327,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine would be available in California starting in mid-December, with the second doses available three weeks later. He said that the state would begin to release its "Phase I" distribution plan this week detailing who will get those early doses.

As the SF Chronicle’s Catherine Ho reported, “the 327,000 doses will go to health care workers, but the state’s vaccine committee is still determining which health care workers they will go to first, Newsom said. There are about 2.4 million health care workers in California, so the first round of vaccine distribution will not provide enough doses for all of them.”

MORE DETAILS: “Hope on the way: Here’s what you need to know about California’s COVID-19 vaccine plan,” by CalMatters’ Ana B. Ibarra and Barbara Feder Ostrov.

— SMALL BIZ BOOST: Newsom also announced some new assistance for struggling California small businesses, in the form of temporary tax relief for those impacted by Covid restrictions. Starting Tuesday, the state will launch its “$100 million Main Street Hiring Tax Credit” to help businesses by providing $1,000 per qualified employee and up to $100,000 for each business. Details via the governor’s office.

CITIES TAKE UP THE CHARGE … “Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia proposes a $5 million ‘resiliency fund’ that would aid struggling restaurants, bars and breweries,” by the Long Beach Post-News’ Kelly Puente: “The proposal … would use future federal stimulus funds meant to support small businesses.”

THE BAD — RINSE, REPEAT: Newsom considers stay-home order for California counties, by POLITICO’s Victoria Colliver: Newsom said he could impose the additional restrictions within the next couple of weeks. He suggested that the state could target the orders in areas where hospitals are most at risk of being overwhelmed by Covid-19 patients.

"We are trying to be much more specific, more surgical ... and more prescriptive in terms of looking at the efficacy and looking at where the data leads us to making those determinations sector by sector," Newsom explained.

AND THE UGLY — BY THE NUMBERS: “California COVID-19 hospitalizations push stay-at-home order,’’ by the LA Times’ Luke Money and Rong-Gong Lin: “Of particular concern is California’s intensive care capacity. Currently, about 75% of the state’s 7,733 ICU beds are occupied — with 1,812 of them filled by coronavirus patients.”

— @GavinNewsom sounds the alarm: “California’s #COVID19 hospitalizations have increased by 89% in the last two weeks. If these trends continue, our current hospitalizations could increase by 2-3 times within ONE MONTH.”

BUENOS DÍAS, good Tuesday morning. 'Tis the season for holiday scams, so be on the lookout. And the scammers are getting creative, as the Press-Enterprise's Brian Rokos reports.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "It is hard for me to believe that the 49ers were surprised by the new orders given how serious the situation is both locally and across the country." — Santa Clara County Executive Jeff Smith fires back after the 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan complained about the “surprise” move by county health officials to shut Levi’s Stadium due to the Covid resurgence.

TWEET OF THE DAY: Author/political commentator Miriam Pawel @MiriamPawel on the most recent #NewsomAtNoon presser: “83 minutes, 5 questions, many unhappy reporters. It's not their happiness that matters -- it's the lack of ability to ask questions that would inform their stories, and thus the public. Really not a press conference at this point; maybe stop calling them that …”

WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

OPEN TO CONTROVERSY? — Democratic state Assemblymember Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens won a close contest Monday over Assemblymember Laura Friedman from Burbank to chair the California Legislative Women’s Caucus.

The vote handing Garcia the gavel could leave her caucus open to some scrutiny — and charges of hypocrisy — regarding #MeToo issues. Garcia has been accused of making anti-Asian and homophobic comments and was later disciplined by the Assembly after an investigation determined that she was drunk and “overly familiar” with a staffer. She remains at the center of an ongoing lawsuit by former Assembly staffer Daniel Fierro, who accused her of groping and sexual harassment. And she’s also the subject of a complaint from her former spokesperson, who said she was fired after being pressured to perform illegal actions at work.

The vote has upset some female Sacramento insiders. One, speaking not for attribution, told POLITICO: “This discredits the California legislature’s lip service around the women’s movement. … It weakens the caucus’ credibility on anything they do. The double standard on these issues is what hurts women; it works both ways.’’

HAVES AND HAVE NOTS — California families sue state over distance learning inequality, by POLITICO’s Katy Murphy: The Alameda Superior Court filing comes as most public schools in the state have yet to return to classrooms nearly nine months after closing campuses when the pandemic struck.

STARS AND STRIPES — Time For My Flag to Go Up’: How Anti-Trumpers Are Reclaiming the American Flag, by Joanna Weiss in POLITICO Magazine: When I saw somebody with a flag bumper sticker or a T-shirt with a big flag on it, I immediately thought … it’s a Trump nut job. A crazy person,” said California screenwriter Ed Kamen, who tweeted a similar sentiment when the election was called for Biden. “My attitude’s changed about it now,” Kamen, an independent, told me weeks after the election.

DINING DURING PANDEMIC... "LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl dines at restaurant hours after voting to ban outdoor dining," by Fox 11's Bill Melugin.

PANDEMIC PARTYING — “Secret parties happening in LA amid COVID-19 restrictions,” via KNX 1070: “With the coronavirus pandemic raging across the country and cases going up, there are still underground parties, packed secret night clubs and more happening across the country.”

— "Pandemic patient with swastika tattoo leaves Nor Cal doctor questioning his compassion," by the SF Chronicle's Jill Tucker: "A Jewish doctor, a Black nurse and an Asian American respiratory therapist stood over the patient on the gurney in the emergency room. “Don’t let me die, doc,” the man begged. As the man struggled to breathe, the swastika tattooed on his chest rose and fell with each gasp."

ZUCK AND FAUCI, TOGETHER ON FACEBOOK: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s first public comments on President-elect Biden and his administration came Monday in a Facebook live chat with Anthony Fauci. "I am encouraged about the selection of Ron Klain as chief of staff,” the CEO said. “I take it as a very good sign that someone with that experience is being elevated in this administration." (h/t PBS’ Yamiche Alcindor)

— Fauci praised incoming Biden Chief of Staff Ron Klain‘s performance during the Ebola pandemic in Africa: "He certainly knows what he's doing — and he knows the ins and outs of how to respond."

FACES OF THE FRONT LINE — “American pandemic: A preacher, a nurse and a firefighter take on the coronavirus,” by the LA Times’ Jaweed Kaleem, Molly Hennessy-Fiske and Richard Read.

— “COVID-19 infections hit record high in California prisons,” by CalMatters’ Byrhonda Lyons

— “San Diego church continues indoor services despite coronavirus outbreak, cease-and-desist orders,” by KGTV’s Leah Pezzetti: “Awaken Church continues to hold indoors services, despite orders from San Diego County to close all indoor religious services due to COVID-19 restrictions.”

SILVER LINING? — “Can Gavin Newsom use the pandemic to beat back homelessness?” by CalMatters’ Matt Levin: “Newsom has some key factors working in his favor: Depressed land prices mean properties can be had at a relative bargain; most of the cost is on the outgoing Trump administration’s tab; and the coronavirus presents a public health justification to act quickly and skip the approval process that often derails housing projects.”

SCOOP via Yashar Ali — “Kamala Harris to name Tina Flournoy as chief of staff’"

RESHAPING THE BENCH — “Some federal judges plan to retire when Trump exits. Will Biden be able to replace them?” by the LA Times’ Maura Dolan: “The stakes are considerable, especially in the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which decides federal law for nine Western states. Trump’s 10 appointments to the court, more than a third of its active judges, have moved the 9th Circuit to the right. Biden could tilt it back again if his appointments win confirmation, affecting decisions on immigration, the environment, criminal justice and other issues.”

AND THAT MAKES FOUR — “Republican Garcia wins as GOP takes back 4 California House seats,’’ by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White.

— “Amid GOP gains, Delaine Eastin wants to lead California Democrats,” via Steve Tavares in the East Bay Citizen blog: “Eastin threw her hat in the ring on various social media platforms over the weekend, citing a need expand the party’s base after Democrats lost congressional seats to Republicans for the first time in decades.”

PURO LATINO — “Lindsay to swear in all-Hispanic council in December,” by the Foothills Sun-Gazette’s Paul Myers: “The city of Lindsay will see a dramatic shift in their city council this December.”

HOOVER HOMEBOY — “Dr. Scott Atlas resigns as special adviser to Trump on coronavirus,’’ via Fox News.

— Behind Trump’s final push to limit immigration, by POLITICO’s Anita Kumar: The moves amount to an 11th-hour attempt to solidify the Trump administration’s legacy on immigration, which started with a sweeping ban on travel from Muslim-majority countries, swerved into scandal over family separation at the border and solidified with severe reductions on refugees and temporary foreign workers.”

NANCY’S NOD — “Democrats recalibrate ambitions in Congress after election,” by the LA Times’ Jennifer Haberkorn: “While congressional Democrats are buoyant that President-elect Joe Biden defeated President Trump, they’re wrestling with the reality that Republicans will be more powerful in Washington next year than they had expected.”

SCANDAL IN SF… “U.S. Attorney Charges San Francisco Department Head With Fraud in Connection to Bribery Scheme,” by KQED’s Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez: “San Francisco Public Utilities Commission General Manager Harlan Kelly, 58, was charged with honest services wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI announced Monday.” Details here, via DOJ.

... AND LA: “Raymond Chan, former L.A. deputy mayor, charged in federal City Hall corruption case,” by the LA Times’ David Zahniser and Joel Rubin: “Chan, a deputy mayor who oversaw economic development for Garcetti in 2016 and 2017, is the latest figure to be accused of playing a part in a sprawling scheme allegedly run by ousted Councilman Jose Huizar.”

DRONE DOUSING — “Can Bay Area startup's firefighting drones save us from catastrophe?” by the Mercury News’ Ethan Baron.

PAYDAY — “UCLA Paid Student Workers With Amazon Gift Cards,” by Vice’s Lauren Kaori Gurley: “The University of California at Los Angeles paid at least 15 graduate and undergraduate student employees with Amazon gift cards after it discovered an error in tax deductions created by its payroll system on November 20.”

— “Councilman wants L.A. to buy an apartment building using $46 million in COVID-19 aid,” by the LA Times’ David Zahniser: “In a proposal filed last week at City Hall, Cedillo said he wants to use money from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to purchase Hillside Villa, a 124-unit building whose owner is seeking big rent increases. Such a move, Cedillo said, would keep tenants in their homes during a health and housing crisis.”

RENAMING RECKONING— “San Francisco examines renaming 42 of its schools,” by the LA Times’ Faith E. Pinho: “Some of the schools’ namesakes, like California missionary Father Junipero Serra and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ composer Francis Scott Key, have much-debated legacies. For others, such as Abraham Lincoln and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the reasons were less obvious.”

WILDFIRE RISK — “This map shows how bad the Santa Ana fire threat will be this week,” by the Los Angeles Daily News’ Kurt Snibbe.

— The Public Policy Institute of California is out with a Q&A with California Urban Water Agencies chair Robert Shaver, via Caitrin Chappelle.

NOT THE COPS — “SF launches first team to respond to mental health, addiction 911 calls,” by KRON4’s Fareeha Rehman: “Responding officials include a behavioral health clinician, peer specialist and a medical professional, said [Mayor London] Breed. The fire department is also a partner in the team.”

RIVERSIDE REVIVAL? — “Untethered from the office, urban tenants are flocking to the Inland Empire,” by the LA Daily News' Jeff Collins.

BENIOFF’S BUYING? — “Salesforce deal to buy Slack expected to be announced Tuesday after market close,’’ by CNBC’s Lauren Feiner.

— “Tech's flight from San Francisco is a relief to some advocates,” by NBC’s David Ingram: “The scale of the departures is visible in vacant high-end apartments, moth-balled offices and quieter streets in neighborhoods popular with tech workers.”

MELA CATTIVA — Apple fined in Italy for misleading consumers over waterproof iPhones, by POLITICO’s Giorgio Leali.

— “Facebook, Google to Face New Antitrust Suits in U.S.,” by WSJ’s John D. McKinnon: “The authorities are readying as many as four more cases targeting Google or Facebook by the end of January … following the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Google last month.”

TEST SITE DRAMA — "Covid-19 Test Site Will Now “Reopen” At Union Station Despite ‘She’s All That’ Remake Shoot, L.A. Mayor Declares – Update," by Deadline's Dominic Patten: "About nine hours after it was announced that the coronavirus testing site at Union Station would be shuttered on December 1 for a movie shoot, the Mayor of L.A. has now said that the venue will be open for business after all."

— “Actress Laverne Cox safe after transphobic attack in LA,’’ by the LA Times’ Christi Carras.

— “'Star Wars' Darth Vader Actor Dave Prowse Dead from COVID-19 at 85,” via TMZ.

— “S.F. could become largest U.S. city to ban smoking in apartment buildings. Fines could hit $1,000 a day,” by the SF Chronicle’s Trisha Thadani: “The new ordinance, written by Supervisor Norman Yee, would take the existing laws a step further and prohibit all residents — except those with a medical cannabis card — from smoking in buildings with three units or more.”

TINY BITES — “Restaurant parklets are expensive, so Bay Area architects and artists have been designing them for free,’’ by the SF Chronicle’s Janelle Bitker.

— “Bay Area rapper Lil Yase gunned down near BART station over the weekend,” by the LA Times’ Faith E. Pinho.

— “LA County Coroner’s Inquest Into Death Of Andres Guardado Gets Underway,” via CBSLA.

NO FLY ZONE — “San Francisco man arrested after refusing to wear mask on flight,” via Bay City News.

— “Transition to San Diego’s new police oversight commission underway after Measure B’s big win,” by the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Alex Riggins.

— “Video: San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy shoots parolee as he runs away,” by the San Bernardino Sun’s Joe Nelson.

SAN DIEGO STORY — “Navy decides to scrap USS Bonhomme Richard after major fire,” by ABC’s Luis Martinez and Matt Seyler.

— “Here are the city of Roseville's 50 highest-paid employees,” by the Sacramento Business Journal’s Sharon Havranek.

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