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A message recorded on Monday, March 16th, 2020.
Click on the photo to see the video.
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The new reality is here: All of California is under a shelter-in-place order until further notice. The order complements the city’s health order. Both require residents to stay home except for essential business, like getting food, prescriptions and health care, with certain exceptions. A full list of what’s open and closed is being clarified all the time, and I’m committed to sending you the most up-to-date information as I get it. Please remember to practice social distancing by keeping six feet away from people when you do have to go out.
This is not a reason to panic. If anything, this should provide a sense of relief that we are rising to the call and taking this very seriously. It’s the only way we mitigate the potential harm.
Ever since the city announced its shelter-in-place order on March 17, it’s been difficult for everyone and will undoubtedly continue to cause hardships. However, governments are making the tough decision to do this in order to protect the health and safety of all citizens, and we’re trying our best to lessen the blow with programs and resources for residents and businesses.
Also, my District 3 staff and I are on duty for you, checking messages, replying to emails and answering all manner of questions. You can reach us at 415-554-7450 or peskinstaff@sfgov.org. In this tumultuous time, we hope we provide some sense of assurance.
Please read on for the latest updates to the health order, information about parking, tips on avoiding scams related to COVID-19, and more resources. You can also visit SFGov.org’s Coronavirus page and the San Francisco Department of Health website for the latest and for reminders on what to do and not do to help prevent the spread. If you missed my previous newsletters, you can access them here:
Please also subscribe to Department of Emergency Management updates by texting "COVID19SF" to 888-777. You can also follow me on Twitter: @AaronPeskin, and follow the Health Department: @SF_DPH.
Finally, thank you to everyone who is pitching in to help neighbors by making grocery and medication runs, volunteering to deliver meals, and more. Opportunities are listed here, and please keep our local nonprofits in mind. Your willingness to support your community overwhelms me with gratitude.
Sincerely,
Aaron
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PREVENTION AND PREPARATION
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Department of Public Health Updates
We are getting new information daily regarding the health order. This mandatory order is in effect until April 7. It may be extended depending on recommendations from public health officials. Read the full Public Health Order here.
- As rough as it is on loved ones, the city has strictly limited visits to residential and care facilities. This comes on the heels of limitations on hospital visitors.
- There’s a moratorium on routine medical appointments and elective surgery.
- Cannabis dispensaries can now remain open, though home delivery is encouraged.
- The city is expediting hiring of healthcare professionals. Typically, the hiring process for nurses takes six months or more. This change allows the City to hire qualified, licensed nurses “on the spot,” rather than through the normal months-long process.
- The city is expanding the hours of child care services to better align with the schedule of healthcare workers and provide child care for additional essential employees.
- Also, if you think someone is violating the health order and want to report them, please call 311 or use the SF311 app.
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What's Open and Closed
Here are some additions and clarification on essential businesses that are open:
- Auto repair shops
- Bicycle repair shops
- Cell phone stores (telecom infrastructure)
- Electronics store (hardware, telecom)
- Internet services provider company
- Pet food stores
- Moving companies, to serve pre-scheduled or otherwise necessary moves to a new residence
- Plumbers, sanitation workers providing service at “essential businesses”
- Handwashing service vendors
- Ride shares for essential travel only
- Full list at https://sf.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs
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What's Open and Closed at the Wharf
Hyde Street Pier continues 24/7. Trash collection is happening and facilities and ships are inspected by staff every day.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park has closed the following facilities through April 7:
- Building E
- Maritime Museum
- Visitor Center
- Hyde Street Pier
All other park areas will remain open:
- Aquatic Park
- Victorian Park
- Aquatic Park Swimming Beach and Promenade
- Aquatic Park Cove
- The Bocce Ball Courts
- Muni Pier
Walking, jogging, rollerblading, etc. is permitted on the Embarcadero as long as you keep a distance of 6 feet from other people.
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Transportation Updates
Muni buses, BART, ferries and Caltrain are operating on reduced schedules; see their websites and check your specific routes for details.
- Please don’t ride public transit if you feel sick except to get essential medical care.
- Paratransit will operate normally, but please cancel non-essential trips.
- The Muni Customer Service Center at 11 Van Ness is closed as of March 19 until the health order is lifted.
Please see the SFMTA COVID-19 web page for the most current information.
For the latest BART information, you can also follow BART Board member @JaniceForBART on Twitter.
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Parking Enforcement
During this public health emergency, the SFMTA is adjusting enforcement to focus on public safety and ensuring curb access so that people can access their essential needs when they drive.
UPDATE: Effective on Tuesday, March 17 at midnight through the end of March, the SFMTA will not ticket for mechanical street cleaning. Street cleaning tickets issued on March 17 will be waived. However, it is crucial that we still clean our streets to prevent trash buildup and local flooding. Please still move your car for street cleaning if you can.
Enforcement will also be temporarily suspended for the following:
72-hour parking limit and towing
All time limit parking (e.g., 1-hour, 2-hour, etc.)
Residential Permit Parking (RPP) permits
Commuter shuttles
Peak-hour tow away zones
Street cleaning
The SFMTA will continue enforcing parking rules that impact health and safety:
Fire hydrant zones
Red and yellow zones; and "No Stopping" or "No Parking" zones
Parking meters
Blocked driveways and double parking
Parking in bike or transit lanes
Please subscribe to Muni Alerts for real-time service updates or to their blog posts for more information. Muni is also on Twitter and Facebook.
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AVOID COVID-19 SCAMS
Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. Check out Federal Trade Commission website for the latest information on how to protect yourself and keep scammers at bay:
- Hang up on robocalls. Don’t press any numbers.
- Fact-check information. Scammers, and sometimes well-meaning people, share information that hasn’t been verified. Before you pass on any messages, contact trusted sources.
- Don’t respond to texts and emails about checks from the government. The details are still being worked out. Anyone who tells you they can get you the money now is a scammer.
- Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.
- Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying they have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) — online or in stores.
- Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation.
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FOOD SHOPPING & FOOD PANTRIES
Grocery stores with special hours - If you’re age 60 or older or otherwise at high risk for COVID-19, several stores offer hours for shopping when the general public can’t enter:
- Safeway: Marina, Northpoint and on Jackson in the Gateway from 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Real Food: from 7 to 8 a.m. daily
- Whole Foods: 8 to 9 a.m. daily
- Target: The first hour of every store's opening hours each Wednesday will be designated for those over 65
Walgreens is offering free delivery with no minimum purchase, including most medications.
Free food and food programs
- Use the food bank locator to find food near you. Things are changing rapidly, but some new, bigger mobile distribution sites with extended hours have opened.
- Free Eats/Free Pantry lists where to find free food, shelter, medical aid and other help in San Francisco. It is updated daily.
- Link-SF is updating daily with food locations.
- Anyone age 18 or younger can pick up free meals at 19 sites citywide from 9 to 10 a.m. through San Francisco Unified School District.
- Expensify.org will reimburse families for up to $50 for essential goods and groceries purchased on your SNAP card. Click the link and scroll down for instructions.
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SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS
- Many small businesses are operating online and/or selling gift cards online. Restaurants, theaters, fitness studios and gyms, boutiques, and more are trying to survive. Check their websites or visit Save Our Faves or Dining at a Distance Bay Area.
- Visit Chinatown Eats, a roundup of all the best takeout Chinatown has to offer.
- The San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations (SFCDMA) is asking for GoFundMe donations to help its member associations so they can distribute funds to the small businesses in their districts that are most in need.
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Help for Small Business
Healthcare for Employees
Resources at a Glance
- Read the City’s frequently asked questions to understand how to remain healthy and safe.
- Help San Franciscans most impacted by the novel coronavirus by sharing the link www.give2sf.org.
- Download the outreach toolkit with flyers, social media graphics, and fact sheets in English, 中文, Filipino, and Español.
Stay Connected
- At least 185 broadband and wireless companies have signed a "Keep Americans Connected Pledge" at the request of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, to ensure customers in the US aren't cut off from communications services during the coronavirus pandemic.
- San Francisco offers free wi-fi at select plazas and parks.
City Press Releases
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Food access remains one of the highest concerns among our communities, especially during this time of emergency. Both the SF-Marin Food Bank and Project Open Hand are ramping up their programs to ensure vulnerable population and home-bound individuals maintain access to healthy and nutritious food while they shelter in place. Sign up to volunteer NOW!
SF-Marin Food Bank has created pop-up food distribution locations all over the city, with Francisco Middle School serving everyone in North Beach/ Chinatown. Please consider volunteering and helping those in need. To sign up, click here. |
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Board of Supervisors | District 3 | Aaron Peskin
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