October 5, 2021
A Message From The Supervisor:
Today, October 5, 2021, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the purchase of the Mission Inn located at 5630-5638 Mission Street. The purchase of this site is just one step forward towards our moral obligation of our time. Our city needs more affordable permanent housing, and the Mission Inn will be one of many opportunities in District 11 for low to moderate income constituents to remain in our district and thrive.
In COVID related news, Thursday, September 30, 2021 marked the final day of California’s statewide eviction moratorium. Starting on October 1, 2021, landlords can once again begin eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent. Although the eviction moratorium has ended, the state and the City and County has rolled out a series of programs to assist renters impacted by COVID-19 rental assistance. The goal of the City is to have no San Franciscan evicted.
The Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development has provided a helpful guide in multiple languages to assist renters impacted by COVID-19.
If a renter is found to be ineligible for the California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program, then the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development is asking for these renters to seek assistance from Eviction Defense Collaborative-Legal Services at 415-659-9184 or legal@evictiondefense.org
For more statewide info please click HERE.
On Friday, October 1, 2021, Governor Newsom announced plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of vaccinations required to attend school in-person once the vaccine receives full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for middle and high school grades, making California the first state in the nation to announce such a measure. Based on current information, the requirement is expected to apply to grades 7-12 starting on July 1, 2022. However, local health jurisdictions and local education agencies are encouraged to implement requirements ahead of a statewide requirement based on their local circumstances.
For information, please click HERE.
On a final note, October is Dyslexia Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I will keep you updated on events related to these two causes throughout this month. This week’s newsletter has an enormous amount of resources, I would advise you all to read this entire email and to share this newsletter to others who have been impacted by COVID-19.
Our office remains accessible to the public through telephone, email, virtual meeting or in person via appointment. We are available by email: safaistaff@sfgov.org or by phone 415-554-6976 (leave a message and we will call you back). You can also check for updates on my Twitter , Instagram, and Facebook. Stay safe and healthy.
Please note - if you miss my weekly newsletter, you may find it later on the Board of Supervisor’s website. Click HERE to read past newsletters.
Sincerely,
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
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Updates on San Francisco's Response Ongoing Response to COVID-19
- The FDA and CDC approve Pfizer-BioNTech Booster Vaccines for many, to include those 65 years and older
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced authorization of Pfizer booster doses for individuals 65 years and older and other groups at higher risk of contracting COVID, and evaluated expanded eligibility of vaccines for children ages 5-11. The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is awaiting official written guidance on implementation and is preparing for the next stage in our vaccination efforts this fall.
- Information on booster vaccines will be updated here: sf.gov/getvaccinated.
- Read the full statement from earlier today.
- Pediatric Vaccines + School Outbreaks
- When children ages 5-11 become eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines, they will be able to receive vaccinations through their primary care and health care providers, if they have one. There are many other locations in our City’s health care system where vaccines are available and can also be accessed by families, including SFDPH-affiliated sites.
- COVID vaccinations are an opportunity to connect children with their health care providers and also address other health care needs they may have, including getting up to date on their other vaccinations such as the annual flu vaccination.
- SFDPH has determined that less than five COVID-19 outbreaks have occurred within school settings at schools in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and outside the district. All cases were either mild to moderate illness and none of these required hospitalization.
- To date, SFDPH data demonstrate that cases among San Francisco residents under age 18 have remained low and stable throughout the pandemic.
- SFDPH data on schools and children will be updated weekly to provide information and context to the COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco as it relates to the impact on children. Future weekly updates will be made public on the City’s COVID-19 data dashboard page.
- Upcoming Employee Vaccine Deadline for the General Business Community: 10/13/21
- Proof of full vaccination extends beyond patrons, to include employees at many SF businesses. Employees must be fully vaccinated by Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 to comply with San Francisco’s Safer Return Health Order.
- We’re nearing Flu season: have you booked an appointment for your Flu vaccine?
- You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same visit. You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations. Visit the CDC’s FAQ to learn more here.
- Getting sick with both COVID-19 and flu may increase your chance of severe illness and hospitalization.
- Flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms including fever, chills, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and fatigue.
- If you or your child become ill, it may not be easy to know which disease they have — the flu or COVID-19.
- People with symptoms of the flu should call their healthcare provider, get tested for COVID-19. You will need to isolate while awaiting test results.
- The Flu Vaccine is safe for all ages, please visit this page to learn more.
- Get vaccinated and receive tickets to the California Academy of Sciences
- SFDPH is partnering with the California Academy of Sciences to roll out a new incentive program to encourage San Fransicans to get vaccinated.
- More information may be found here.
- Please, help us share!
- Friendly reminder: required signs for businesses and government buildings
- The Health Order requires businesses and government entities to post signs at public entrances and in employee-facing areas. All required signs are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino, and available in multiple sizes.
- Come to any City Hall entrance between 8 am to 5 pm to pick up required signage, including the new Masking & Vaccination Required sign. Or you may choose to print on your own: Public-facing required sign & Employee-facing required sign.
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What should Muni service look like in 2022? Now’s your chance to weigh in.
The SFMTA is increasing Muni service in early 2022. As we add more Muni service, what is the best way to do so? Should we restore the seven all-day bus routes that are not currently running (the 2 Clement, 3 Jackson, 6 Haight/Parnassus, 10 Townsend, 21 Hayes, 47 Van Ness and 28R 19th Avenue Rapid) just the way they were before the pandemic? Should we improve the frequency and capacity of buses on high-ridership lines? What could we do that will make Muni service better than it was?
That’s what they need your help to figure out.
Check out our StoryMap to view three alternatives for Muni service in 2022 and then take their survey to provide your feedback.
Or, attend a virtual event to see a presentation, speak to SFMTA staff and ask questions about the three different options.
The feedback gathered from the survey, combined with transit data, will be used to develop a proposal for the 2022 Muni Service Network. The proposal will then be presented to stakeholders for fine tuning before being brought to the SFMTA Board for consideration of approval later this year.
The SFMTA is bringing this information to the community and other stakeholders so that everyone can think about the choices and express their views. Staff will use this input to develop a proposals, and the SFMTA Board will use it to make a decision that reflects the values of San Francisco.
Find out details, event information, and take the survey (SFMTA.com/2022Network).
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First Year Free - New Program to Support San Francisco Small Businesses
What is First Year Free?
First Year Free offers relief to qualifying new businesses and new locations of existing businesses by waiving their initial registration, initial license, first-year permit and other applicable fees. The program will be available to qualified new businesses and existing businesses with new locations who commence business between November 1, 2021 and October 31, 2022.
What Do I Need to Know?
TTX is currently working with partner departments to implement the First Year Free program. On November 1, 2021, TTX will begin to enroll qualifying businesses in the program, and then departments with fees covered by First Year Free will waive those fees and bill TTX. TTX will provide more information and verification tools to all impacted departments and business owners will be instructed to alert departments about their inclusion in the program.
How Can I Help?
Spread the word! If you interact with small businesses or people who are planning to start a new business, please let them know about First Year Free:
- Direct them to the program webpage at sftreasurer.org/FirstYearFree, which will be updated with the latest information.
- Distribute information about the program to relevant contacts or via departmental social media.
- Share ideas for how to publicize the program (for example, through merchant groups, neighborhood listservs, etc.).
What If I Have More Questions or Ideas?
If you have any questions about the program or outreach ideas, feel free to reach out to Molly Cohen (molly.cohen@sfgov.org) at TTX. |
New Grant to Support Storefronts Impacted by Vandalism
The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant program provides up to $2,000 in financial relief to restore and repair damages from vandalism at neighborhood storefronts. The program launches during a time when many small businesses are recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant provides financial relief to restore small businesses impacted by deliberate actions that result in the destruction or damages of storefronts. This program will offer either $1,000 or $2,000, depending on the total cost incurred to repair physical damages. The $1 million program is designed to serve more than 500 small businesses with gross revenue of less than $8 million that can provide proof of damages from vandalism incurred since July 1, 2020.
The Storefront Vandalism Relief Grant is one tool in preventing crime and improving safety in neighborhood commercial corridors. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) also funds programs to help small businesses and neighborhood organizations improve safety through ambassadors and activations to increase foot traffic and community patrols. The fund is not meant to replace the loss of stolen goods and does not include damage to shared spaces.
To apply, eligible businesses are asked to provide receipts, photos of damages and furnish a report from the San Francisco Police Department or from 311 in the case of graffiti. Applications can be found by visiting oewd.org/VandalismRelief. |
ArtSpan presents SF Wide-Open Studios (SFOS)
This fall, ArtSpan’s SF Wide-Open Studios invites you to discover, explore, and be inspired by the creative power of SF Bay Area artists! From September 16 through November 21, 2021, experience a festival season of free artful happenings across the San Francisco Bay Area with opportunities to build your collection while supporting local artists.
From receptions and exhibitions, to happy hours and virtual happenings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
- Visit artist-hosted open studio events 09/16-10/17; then the SFOS Exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center from 10/21-11/21
- Discover unique artful events while out and about during the SFOS season by using the SFOS web app to “see art near you”
- Purchase art directly from open studio artists knowing that you’re investing in their livelihood⠀
- Begin or build your art collection while supporting active artists⠀
Visit artspan.org/sfos to learn more.
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| Over the weekend, I marched with as an ally for Reproductive Justice. I am proud to be #ProChoice today and everyday. We must collectively protect the right to choose and protect Roe V Wade. |
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