Supervisor Hillary Ronen - Corona-Virus Update 03202020

COVID-19 Resources

As we respond to the novel coronavirus crisis, I want to take a minute to let you know about the latest resources available. I know these are strange times, and my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors, the Mayor, our health officers, and I are working around the clock to create more support systems for everyone impacted by COVID-19. I will continue to give you updates as the situation changes.

My office is here for you. We are available by email: ronenstaff@sfgov.org or by phone at 415-554-5144 (leave a message, and we will call you back-- we are checking our voicemails frequently). You can also check for live updates from me from my Twitter and Facebook.

For a full list of recommendations and resources, please visit SFDPH’s page. You can also sign up for our text alert system by texting COVID19SF to 888–777. To stay up to date, please visit SF Gov's Official Coronavirus page.

The information below the jump is very in-depth and extensive, so here are some quick links of where to find all the information you need:

Please beware, as scams related to the coronavirus are on the rise. Scammers work hard to take advantage of people's anxieties, including those around coronavirus and COVID-19. But with a sharp eye and careful clicking, you can stay safe from data thieves.

Here are some things you can do to protect yourself:

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 click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device.
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 COVID-19 — online or in stores.
There are scammers masquerading as people’s phone companies, banks, and officials. Always check with your actual phone carrier, bank, or other accounts FIRST to see if these calls in fact came from them before giving any information over the phone or online.

For more information, check the Federal Trade Commission's page here. Please be extra cautious and protect yourselves!

San Francisco COVID-19 Resources

Safer Grocery Shopping: Many grocery stores, including District 9 worker-owned cooperative Rainbow Grocery, have designated specific hours for seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Credit Card Payment Assistance: Credit card companies may accommodate customers who have difficulty making payments because of COVID-19. Those interested can refer to a list of major credit card and bank contact information.

SFMTA and Parking: SFMTA has suspended ticketing for: street sweeping through the end of the month, new late penalties on citations, residential permits, 72-hour limit and towing, commuter shuttles, peak hour tow-away, other towing not related to safety or access. Extend deadlines for submitting citation protests. See more here.

Assistance with Services: Persons needing assistance finding food, paying housing bills, accessing free childcare, or other essential services due to the current pandemic may be able find such assistance by calling 2-1-1 or 800-273-6222. Or text your zip code to 898211

Suspension of All Evictions: The SF Sheriffs announced they will be postponing all evictions at this time. This is a step further than the eviction moratorium announced last week which stopped evictions who can’t pay rent due to coronavirus.

Free Internet Access: Comcast is offering 60 days of free internet access for low-income families. This is available to families regardless of whether the student is at SFUSD. To sign up, applicants can visit their website.

DMV Expiration Dates Extended: Beginning March 16, 2020, DMV allows customers to avoid coming to a DMV office for 60 days. If a driver’s license is expiring soon, an extension may be requested.

No Power and Water Shutoffs Due to Late Payments: San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will no longer shut off water or power for delinquent payments during the City’s Local Emergency response to coronavirus. The California Public Utilities Commission has also prohibited utilities under its jurisdiction – energy, water, sewer, telecommunications – from disconnecting service for nonpayment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insurance Resources for Californians: Residents can find COVID-19 insurance resources at the California Insurance Commissioner’s website.

Click here for the Official SFGov COVID-19 Page

Worker COVID-19 Resources

Employment Development Department (EDD)/ Cal/ OSHA: EDD and Cal/OSHA compiled a list of resources for employees, employers and independent contractors, including worker protections. The (EDD) can assist workers in the following situations:

You have been laid off or your hours have been reduced - file an Unemployment Insurance claim
You are unable to work because your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them - you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits
You are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 - file a Disability Insurance claim
You are unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 - file a Paid Family Leave claim

Employers Verification for Paid Sick Leave COVID-19 Outbreak: Employers may not require a doctor’s note or other documentation for the use of paid sick leave taken pursuant to the Paid Sick Leave Ordinance during the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Employee Use of Paid Sick Leave: San Francisco Employers must allow employees to use accrued sick leave if the employee:

is to be quarantined or isolated to prevent spread of COVID-19;
is a member of the “vulnerable population”;
needs to care for a family member who is not sick but who healthcare providers have required isolation or quarantine;
needs to provide care for a family member whose school, child care provider, senior care provider, or work temporarily closes because of COVID-19.

Further guidance on the use of paid sick leave is available at OLSE here, or call OLSE’s multilingual paid sick leave hotline at (415) 554-6271.

For more worker Information: (415) 701-4817 or email workforce.connection@sfgov.org.

Small Business COVID-19 Resources

For small business assistance, call (415) 554-6134 or email sfosb@sfgov.org.

See City and State resources for small-businesses here.

Moratorium on Evictions of Small and Medium-sized Businesses
The small and medium-sized business eviction moratorium will be in effect for 30 days, and can be extended by the Mayor for another 30 days. This applies to businesses with a license to operate in San Francisco that have less than $25 million in annual gross receipts.

Deferred Business Taxes for Small Businesses
For businesses with up to $10M in gross receipts, the City is deferring payment of quarterly business taxes due April 30, 2020 nine months to February 2021 with no interest or penalties.

Deferred Business Licensing Fee
The City is deferring collection of annual small business license and permit fees that make up the Unified License Bill for three months to June 30, 2020.

COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund
The City has established a fund administered by OEWD to offer emergency grants up to $10,000 for microbusinesses. Businesses must be able to show a recent loss in revenue. For more information, visit COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund.

Workers and Families First Program
The City will contribute up to 40 hours of additional paid sick leave time to employees beyond existing policies through the Workers and Families First Program. This new program provides financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits and may support over 16,000 additional weeks of sick leave pay and coverage for up to 25,000 San Francisco employees.

SBA Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Loans are now available for small businesses and private, non-profit organizations. Loans can provide up to $2 million in assistance. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance loans.

Grants for Small Businesses:
Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. Businesses can apply here.

Families with Children

Standardized Testing Suspended:
To reduce the strain on students, families and educators during the COVID-19 outbreak, the governor waived, pending federal approval, this year’s statewide testing for California’s more than 6 million students in K-12 schools.

Free Meals Available During School Closure:
SFUSD is providing free breakfast and lunch to all children 18 and younger at 14 pick-up sites Monday through Friday. No identification or proof of school enrollment is required, but a child must be present.

National

Tax Filing Deadline Delayed by 90 Days:
The Treasury Department announced Tax Day will be moved from April 15 to July 15. No interest or penalties will be charged for filing during this extended window, but any individuals expecting refunds or credits may claim now to get their money sooner.

Interest on Federally Held Student Loans Waived:
The Department of Education is temporarily waiving all interest on federally held student loans. Federal lenders will also allow borrowers to suspend their student loan payments without penalty for at least the next 60 days.

Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Halts Most Immigration Enforcement:
ICE stated it will make only “mission critical” arrests until the crisis passes.

Advisory to Americans Overseas:
The State Department recommended American citizens abroad either return home or stay in place as the COVID-19 pandemic grows. The State Department advised Americans abroad may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite time frame.

Borders with Mexico and Canada Closed for Non-Essential Travel:
At a White House briefing, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced border closures to nonessential travelers from Canada and Mexico would go into effect at midnight on Saturday, March 21.

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Hillary Ronen, District 9 Supervisor
San Francisco City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244
San Francisco, CA 94102-4689

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