Supervisor Ahsha Safai - COVID19 Update 06152020 Newsletter

 
   

June 15, 2020 


A Message From The Supervisor:

A lot is happening in our nation and our City as we grapple with the effects of injustice in our African American community at the same time of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We will get through this together and create an even stronger City where all people can feel safe and supported.

Please don't hesitate to email us at SafaiStaff@sfgov.org or call us at 1-415-554-6976 if we can assist you in any way and we will immediately respond. 

Thank you all for your time, cooperation, and perseverance -- we will all get through this together! 

Sincerely,




Supervisor Ahsha Safai 
Supervisor Safai Supports Mayor London Breed's Roadmap Plan For New Police Reforms In Our Fight For A More Just And Inclusive San Francisco:  

This past week, Mayor London Breed announced a four-part roadmap plan for police reform and Supervisor Safai looks toward working with her, and all community stakeholders, to make (much-needed) police reform and accountability a reality. 


The Mayor, in a press release, announced that these proposed changes are in-line with the San Francisco Police Department's ("Department" or "SFPD") commitment to the Collaborative Reform Initiative. A (brief) summary of the four points announced can be found below for your convenience. 


(1) Demilitarize Police: 

Mayor Breed has directed SFPD to establish an explicit policy barring the use of military-grade weapons against unarmed civilians. This includes, but is not limited to, chemical weapons such as tear gas, bayonets, and tanks. This plan will call on SFPD to inventory and plan how to divest the Department of any such weapons currently in their possession by the end of 2021, and to also create safeguards to disconnect the SFPD from federal grants for weapons of attack used against San Franciscans.  


(2) End Use of Police as a Response to Non-Criminal Activity:

In order to limit unnecessary confrontation between the SFPD and the community, San Francisco will work to divert non-violent calls for service away from SFPD to non-law enforcement agencies. Over the next year, the City will develop a systematic response plan to improve direct connection to community-based or City service providers, such as the CAHOOTS model of crisis response or the Homeless Outreach Team or Street Medicine behavioral health professionals. This plan will also reduce the need for armed police interventions in our schools. 


(3) Address Police Bias and Strengthen Accountability: 

To reduce the persistence of police bias, the Mayor has directed the Department of Human Resources, Department of Police Accountability, and SFPD to identify and screen for indicators of bias, improve training systems, improve data sharing across Departments, and strengthen the SFPD’s Early Intervention System for use of force violations. 

Starting immediately, the Department of Human Resources will audit all SFPD and San Francisco Sheriff hiring and promotional exams to incorporate state-of-the-art testing for bias and potential for abuse of force. Moving forward, the SFPD and Police Commission will also strengthen the affirmative duty to act policy and tie any violation to transparent disciplinary action. 

The Mayor has also directed the Department of Police Accountability to expand their focus beyond individual instances of misconduct, using the Department’s chartered authority to evaluate patterns and practice of bias within the SFPD.


(4) Redirect Funding for Racial Equity: 

Mayor Breed has announced that divestments from law enforcement will support intentional investment of funds in programs and organizations that serve communities that have been systematically harmed by past City policies.

Decades of disinvestment in the African-American community and racially disparate policies in San Francisco have exacerbated disproportionate harm in Black communities, affecting outcomes from health and wellness to housing insecurity and economic outcomes. On June 4, Mayor Breed and Supervisor Shamann Walton (District 10) announced a plan to prioritize the redirection of resources from the SFPD to support the Black community in the upcoming budget. The two of them will lead a collaborative budget process with the community, and in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, to help identify and prioritize funding needs, and Supervisor Safai will be there to actively assist and champion these overdue changes.

Supervisor Safai knows that it is not enough to say, "Black Lives Matter", that now, more than ever, it is incumbent on all of us to effectuate positive, real change that is centered on the Black Community, and, more broadly, communities of color, so that the healing and trust-building can begin. 
Legislative UpdateThis

The S.F.M.T.A. Added Selected Routes Into Service And Extended Some Current Muni Routes This Last Saturday, June 13, 2020

This last this Saturday -- June 13, 2020 -- S.F.M.T.A. increased Muni service and frequency and added selected routes back into service, as well as extended some current routes. 

Below, a summary of what was implemented. 

* N Judah Bus: Will begin using longer 60-foot buses (weekdays)

* 5 Fulton: Full route restored

*7 Noriega: Service restored as a shortened route between Ortega / 48th and Funston / Irving 

*28 19th Avenue: Service extended north to California / 7th Avenue

*30 Stockton: Full route restored 

*38 Geary: From 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. the outbound 38 Geary will go to Fort Miley / VA Hospital and end at Geary / 32nd instead of 48th / Point Lobos 

*43 Masonic: Service restored as a shortened route between Masonic / Geary and Munich / Geneva

*Increased frequencies on the L Bus, T Bus and 14R Mission Rapid (weekdays) and L Owl (daily)

To learn more, please click here: 

https://www.sfmta.com/blog/muni-service-changes-starting-june-13 

 

Update For Small Business Owners

(1) Shared Spaces Program 

The COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force developed the Shared Spaces Program, which will allow neighborhood businesses to share a portion of the public right-of-way, such as sidewalks, full or partial streets, or other nearby public spaces like parks and plazas for restaurant pick-up and other neighborhood retail activity, as allowed by San Francisco’s Public Health Order. Once restaurant dining is allowed under the Health Order, the public right-of-way could be used for outdoor restaurant seating.

The program will allow individual businesses or local merchant associations to apply for a no-cost, expedited permit to share the sidewalk or parking lane for business purposes. Examples include restaurant pick-up services, beverage sales, and general retail that are eligible to operate under the City’s Health Order. Once permitted by the Health Order, restaurants could set up tables and chairs outdoors for dine-in service.

The program also includes the potential for broader repurposing of travel lanes or entire streets to support our neighborhood merchants and residents. Because these proposals would come with broader considerations such as impacts to Muni, these proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Business owners who are interested in participating in the Shared Spaces Program will be asked to self-manage basic requirements around personal safety and accessibility. Examples include ensuring a safe path of travel and accessibility in compliance with the ADA. Final details of the initiative and permit process will be complete by mid-June and program updates will be available at https://sf.gov/news/businesses-may-apply-use-public-space-june 


(2) $6.5 Million For Second Phase of Funding 

(a) San Francisco Resiliency Fund

The second phase of San Francisco Resiliency Fund grant program will provide a total of $1.5 million to at least 190 struggling small businesses of up to $10,000 in aid. The funds may be used to support business expenses such as rent, payroll, and utilities or to supplement their income resulting from a direct loss of business revenue. The goal of the Resiliency Fund Phase Two is to provide financial support to the most vulnerable businesses, including those that are long-standing and those most heavily impacted by COVID-19 without access to any alternate flexible funding.

All businesses who applied that were not awarded in Phase One will be automatically enrolled and considered for Phase Two. The Resiliency Fund is administered in part by the Northeast Federal Community Credit Union.

(b) San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program

An additional $5 million to SF HELP will provide approximately 110 small businesses up to $50,000 in zero interest loans. SF HELP provides flexible funding to businesses unable to access other types of government loan products. This new round of SF HELP loans will be available in partnership with Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), a nonprofit community partner. Through $1 million from Give2SF, MEDA was able to leverage and expand the loan program by $ 4 million through a finance tool with a state partnership. Currently, $3.5 million in loans are making its way to small businesses through community partner Main Street Launch.

To learn more about this Program, please click here: 

https://oewd.org/businesses-impacted-covid-19 
 
IMPORTANT: Street Sweeping Enforcement By The S.F.M.T.A. Resumed In San Francisco TODAY, Monday, June 15, 2020

On Friday, June 5, 2020, Mayor London Breed announced that the enforcement for parking violations related to street sweeping would resume today, Monday, June 15, 2020. 

Enforcement, since the beginning of San Francisco's shelter-in-place and in mid-March, has not been in place but people are still encouraged to move their vehicles if possible. However, we do know that street-sweeping crews from San Francisco Public Works report that they continue to see an alarming number of  vehicles failing to move, as many as 18,000 vehicles per day.

To read Mayor London Breed's Press Release and learn more details, please click here: 

https://sfmayor.org/article/san-francisco-municipal-transportation-agenc...
 
 

Today Mayor London Breed Announced We Are Moving Into Phase 2B In Our City's Response To COVID-19
 

Today, Monday, June 15, 2020, Mayor London Breed announced that outdoor services and activities will begin to be allowed as the City begins its Phase 2B of its COVID-19 response. 

Phase 2B will allow for more business and social activities to resume ONLY IF the required safety protocols are in place. This, recall, is a continuation of this past week's latest opening -- restaurants in San Francisco were allowed to offer outdoor dining. 

What does Phase 2B mean for you? 

It means that starting today, some additional outdoor activities may resume, including small outdoor gatherings with 12 people or fewer; indoor retail with modifications; and, inter alia, non-emergency medical appointments. 


To read about San Francisco's general plan to re-open, please click here: 

https://sf.gov/topics/reopening 


To read the latest (8-page) Public Health Directive (June 13, 2020), which explains in more detail what this new Phase 2B entails and just went into effect, please click here: 

https://files.constantcontact.com/fc90a5b9001/973bb68b-de22-4da8-9c51-bb...


To learn more about existing City's resources for our small businesses, please click here: 

https://oewd.org/resources-businesses-and-employees-impacted-covid-19 

Guidelines and Clarity On Fitness Activities In San Francisco 
 

On Thursday, June 11, 2020, San Francisco's Health Officer issued  Appendix C-1 to the Stay-At-Home Order, which allows for outdoor group activities to resume, below further clarity and guidelines on how to engage in group activities outdoors while also being mindful of protecting yourself -- and others -- against COVID-19. 

Structuring A Fitness Group: 
 

  • People from different households may come together in a group totaling no more than 12 people, including the Instructor(s).
  • The outdoor space used must allow everyone attending to remain at least 6 feet apart from those not in their household at all times.
  • Fitness groups must be scheduled to last no longer than 2 hours.
  • Fitness groups must occur completely outdoors, except to use bathrooms. This may include parks or other spaces where such activities are allowed. 
  • Sunshades, awnings, or similar outdoor structures may be used, but must be completely open on all sides to provide maximum ventilation. 


To review the Tip Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions: Outdoor Fitness Groups (key document with many details), please click here: 

https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/covid-guidance/Fitness-Tips.pdf 


Preparing For A Fitness Group: 

Review the Tip Sheet for Safer Interactions, here: 

https://www.sfcdcp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-19_Tips_Final_Sa...


Link Appendix C-1: 


https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/C19-07e-Appendix-C1-Additional-Bu...
General Update On Coronavirus In San Francisco And Where To Get Tested  

Please know that San Francisco is providing expanded COVID-19 testing for San Francisco residents, below please find more details and information for your convenience. 

Citywide Test Sites: 

(1) Fillmore Pop-Up Testing Site: 
Cathedral of St. Mayr's (details already provided above)

(2) City College Pop-Up Testing Site
50 Friday Kahlo Way I HC-100
Monday-Friday: 7AM-7PM
*Sites 1 and 2 will test people WITHOUT SYMPTOMS (i.e., people who are asymptomatic) BUT you must make an appointments, please visit sf.gov/GetTestedSF 

(3) Embarcadero
Pier 30/32
Monday-Sunday: 8AM-6PM

(4) SOMA 
7th and Brannan
Monday-Friday: 9AM-5PM
*Sites (3) and (4) require that you schedule a test by either clicking here 
OR calling 311

(5) Castro Mission
3850 17th Street
Monday-Friday: 9AM-5PM
Saturday-Sunday: 12PM-4PM

(6) Maxine Hall 
1181 Golden Gate Avenue
Monday-Friday: 8AM-5PM

(7) Southeast Health Center
2401 Keith Street
Monday-Friday: 8AM-5PM

(8) ZSFG
1001 Potrero Avenue
Monday-Friday: 9AM-6PM
*PLEASE CALL 415-682-1740 to schedule a test at one of these locations (5)-(8)

(9) Mission Neighborhood Health Center
Shotwell Parking Lot, 240 Shotwell Street
Monday-Friday: 8AM-5PM
*To schedule a test for this specific cite, please call 415-552-3870.

To learn more information about getting tested in general, please click here:

https://sf.gov/find-out-how-get-tested-coronavirus 


To read COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions, please click here: 

 https://sf.gov/stay-home-except-essential-needs 

A Message From The Supervisor Regarding 4840 Mission Street and Balboa Upper Yard: 

Despite the overwhelming challenges we face as a City I am proud to announce that we have worked hard to preserve millions of dollars in this crisis for our affordable housing projects. The construction of the affordable family housing at Balboa Upper Yard and the Valenti Funeral Home (4840 Mission) continue to be top priorities for this City and the Mayor’s Rebalancing Plan WILL NOT affect the timeline for these projects to move forward.

There is no way I would ever support any funds being taken from our two affordable housing developments. The current funding sources for these projects will be switched to the Affordable Housing Bond that passed in November 2019, but no money will be taken away that will prevent the delay of these projects.

We look forward to breaking ground on both projects this Fall.
 
 
 
 
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