October 12, 2021
A Message From The Supervisor:
Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a wonderful Indigenous People’s Day. We saw a number of tourists and service members out and about eating at restaurants and bars as well as enjoying the numerous options for entertainment in San Francisco. The recovery of our economy is important and to see folks back on the commercial corridors was refreshing. I will continue to support small business and economic recovery through the legislative process.
In case you missed it, I joined City Administrator Carmen Chu and other City leaders and agencies at the San Francisco Small Business Summit on October 5-6, 2021. This program was designed to give local small businesses a holistic view of how to begin doing business with the City and County of San Francisco. We ended up with over 600 registered attendees at the event across the two day summit. We are grateful to the 14 organizations and 33 speakers from both the public and private sectors that partnered with us to present our robust curriculum over the course of the event. We are sharing the Summit recordings for the full two days below for those who were unable to tune in. They are packed with vital information for small businesses from procurement 101 to SF Labor Laws to how to get LBE Certified. Hope you can tune into this valuable resource.
Today, I announced that Walgreens intends to close the Mission Street location (4645 Mission) on November 11. This is one of 5 closures throughout the city. This closure is especially devastating since this Walgreens is less than a mile from seven schools and has been a staple for seniors, families and children in our neighborhood for decades. This closure will significantly impact our Excelsior neighborhood. If this is your home Walgreens, your prescription files will be transferred to 965 Geneva Ave Walgreens located at the Mission St and Geneva Ave. I introduced legislation at the Board of Supervisors that will allow for Deputy Sheriffs to staff these businesses as security in hopes of deter and reduce retail theft. We cannot lose any more of San Francisco’s anchor businesses.
To end on a bright note, I had the opportunity to visit with a number of residents throughout the District this weekend. I attended the Edinburgh block party as well as the OMI Neighbors Picnic. I was delighted to see people enjoying the sun together and talking about community issues that need to be addressed. These gatherings are great opportunities for neighbors to form partnerships and share ideas about improvements that can be made throughout the District. Thank you to the groups that hosted events this weekend and thank you for inviting me!
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.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to my staff at Safaistaff@sfgov.org
Sincerely,
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
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Bay Area Health Officers Issue Criteria for Lifting COVID-19 Indoor Masking Requirements
As decisions to vaccinate and wear face coverings indoors drive down COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations, health officers for the nine Bay Area jurisdictions that require face coverings in most indoor public spaces today reached consensus on criteria to lift those health orders.
These health officers continue to work together across the Bay Area to protect public health with a consistent regional approach, and to plan for the next phase of response to COVID-19 as this wave of the pandemic ebbs.
The counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma and the City of Berkeley will lift the indoor masking requirement in public spaces not subject to state and federal masking rules when all the following occur:
- The jurisdiction reaches the moderate (yellow) COVID-19 transmission tier, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and remains there for at least three weeks; AND
- COVID-19 hospitalizations in the jurisdiction are low and stable, in the judgment of the health officer; AND
- 80% of the jurisdiction’s total population is fully vaccinated with two doses of Pfizer or Moderna or one dose of Johnson & Johnson (booster doses not considered) OR Eight weeks have passed since a COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by federal and state authorities for 5- to 11-year-olds
Most Bay Area health departments issued the masking requirements for their respective jurisdictions on August 3, following a summer surge in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
But with regional data showing that the surge is now receding, and with the Bay Area one of the most vaccinated regions in the country, the Bay Area health officers agree it is time to plan for a transition.
Lifting a local indoor mask mandate would not prevent businesses, nonprofits, churches or others with public indoor spaces from imposing their own requirements. As COVID-19 easily spreads through airborne droplets, face coverings remain highly powerful in preventing its spread.
Each jurisdiction will rescind its order when criteria are met in that respective county or city. The criteria were developed to assist in determining the safest time to lift the indoor masking orders, based on regional scientific and medical consensus. The criteria also provide safety for school children, ages 5-11, who need the added protection of masks in the community to keep case rates low so they can remain in school until they can be vaccinated.
Separately from the other Bay Area jurisdictions, San Francisco announced today a more immediate easing of masking requirements beginning on October 15th in certain, select indoor settings where stable groups of fully vaccinated people gather. San Francisco has a proof of vaccination requirement to enter many indoor businesses, which is helping to slow the spread of the virus. More information about San Francisco’s planned changes to its health order, to be issued later next week, can be found at: https://sfmayor.org/news
As part of its criteria for universally lifting masks requirements, San Francisco will also consider the equitable distribution of the vaccine among children of vulnerable and highly impacted communities when reaching the 80% vaccination threshold.
“Indoor masking has been an important part of our defense against the virus and helped us get through the most recent surge while keeping businesses open and bringing children back to school,” said San Francisco’s Health Officer, Dr. Susan Philip. “We recognize that now is the time to begin taking steps toward easing some of the masking requirements in safer settings and planning for when we can safely lift them more broadly.”
California’s health guidance for the use of face coverings will remain in effect after local masking requirements are lifted, meaning that people who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 must continue to wear masks in businesses and indoor public spaces.
The state also requires face coverings for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in healthcare facilities, public transit and adult and senior care facilities. California’s masking guidelines in K-12 schools would also not be affected by changes to local health orders.
An FDA advisory committee is scheduled to consider an application from Pfizer-BioNTech to grant emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds on October 26.
For more information about San Francisco’s COVID-19 emergency response and how to get vaccinated and other services, visit: sf.gov/covid
Past AHI Bilingual COVID Town Hall recordings (unedited) available
COVID and Mental Health – Dr. Anne Saw and Diane Ngo – Click HERE
COVID and Children – Dr. Brian Lee – Click HERE
President’s COVID – Dr. Sarah Summerville – Click HERE
Masking for COVID – Dr. Monica Gandhi – Click HERE
Coping during COVID – Dr. HuaiYu Zhang – Click HERE
More past town halls (edited versions) can be found HERE
Town halls (edited versions) about advocacy efforts for Asians during COVID can be found HERE
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How would you spend San Francisco’s transportation sales tax dollars?
Take our survey or come to a virtual town hall.
The San Francisco County Transportation Authority is preparing to ask voters in June 2022 to continue the existing half-cent transportation sales tax and approve a new 30-year investment plan, also known as the Expenditure Plan. This new Expenditure Plan will determine how the city invests about $100 million per year in sales tax dollars to improve transportation across the city.
The current half-cent sales tax helps fund transportation projects and programs, large and small, and each dollar of the sales tax combines with $4-$7 in other federal, state and local funds on average. Major capital investments have included the purchase of new Muni buses and light rail vehicles, Salesforce Transit Center, the electrification of Caltrain, Muni Central Subway, and the new Presidio Parkway. It also pays for smaller projects like traffic calming, street repaving projects, paratransit service for seniors and persons with disabilities, protected bike lanes, new and upgraded signals, Safe Routes to School and taxi rides home for essential workers.
TAKE THE SURVEY AT sfcta.org/ExpenditurePlan (Survey available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Filipino)
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL INFORMATION:
Participants can enter a raffle for a $25 gift card.
(The same information will be presented at both events.)
Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
Time: 11:00 am - noon
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86859639404
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
833 548 0276 US Toll-free
833 548 0282 US Toll-free
877 853 5247 US Toll-free
888 788 0099 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 868 5963 9404
Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86161074490
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
877 853 5247 US Toll-free
888 788 0099 US Toll-free
833 548 0276 US Toll-free
833 548 0282 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 861 6107 4490
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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| Wonderful neighborhood picnic at Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center on Saturday morning. |
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