Supervisor Hillary Ronen - COVID19 Update Response and Recovery News Newsletter

Testing, New Health Order, & More
 
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COVID-19 Response and Recovery News

Dear Neighbors,

I hope you all are doing well. It has been an extremely hectic two months as we all grapple with this unprecedented health emergency.

New information is coming out every day, and it can be overwhelming to track down the most up-to-date directives.

In this newsletter, we are covering a few basics:
  • Getting tested for COVID-19
  • What you need to know about the new health order
  • The new Right to Recover Program I'm working on
  • A compiled list of resources
I am sending a message of solidarity for our virtual celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It is especially important to celebrate this beautiful community during this time. I am horrified by the uptick in hate crimes against Asian Americans across our country. It will absolutely not be tolerated in San Francisco. I'm sending everyone strength and love.
    I miss seeing all of you and I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.

    My office may not be in City Hall these days, but we are still 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 voicemail frequently). Check for updates on my Twitter and  Facebook.

    Please Give2SF!
    If you want to help during this time, please consider donating to the Give2SF Fund. Every dollar that is donated goes directly to families, small businesses, and workers in need.
    If you can't donate, please share the Give2SF posts I am posting on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter . My team created a campaign around 30 donors and recipients of the Give2SF fund to raise awareness and money for the fund. The two profiles here are a small sampling of them. Check my social media links above, or simply look up #Give2SF on any social media platforms and share what you find. Visit www.give2sf.org to donate today!

    FREE COVID-19 Testing

    San Francisco essential workers can now get a FREE COVID-19 test, regardless of symptoms or lack thereof.

    San Franciscans who are not considered essential workers can now get a FREE COVID-19 test if you have even ONE of the listed symptoms.

    Sign up to get tested here.

    What you need to know about the City's FREE COVID-19 testing:
    • You do not need medical insurance to get tested.
    • You do not need a doctor's note to schedule a test.
    • You must make an appointment.
    • Results come back in 1-5 days.
    • The test detects if you have the virus at the time of the test. It does not test for immunity or if you had the virus in the past.
    • When you have scheduled your test, make sure you wear a mask to your appointment, and bring a photo ID with your date of birth.
    • San Francisco residents can get tested regardless of immigration status.
    Read more about getting tested for COVID-19 here.

    You can call 311 to schedule a test or use the button below to schedule online.
    Sign up to get tested here

    Updated Health Order Allows Curbside Pick-Up & Outdoor Activities
    Starting this week, San Francisco's new health order, the "Stay Safe at Home" order, replaces the original "Shelter in Place" order.

    The new order still requires that most people continue sheltering in place, but also allows certain new activities. In addition to performing and getting essential goods and services/ activities, San Franciscans can now go outside to:
    • (NEW) Operate and support local businesses for curbside pick-up of nonessential goods
    • (NEW) Visit outdoor museums, outdoor historical sites, and public gardens (e.g., the Botanical Gardens)
    Social distancing requirements, like staying 6 feet apart and wearing face coverings, remain in effect for all the above listed activities to be considered safe.

    Together we can support SF businesses and continue to slow the spread of COVID-19. For frequently asked questions like what is allowed and what isn't, here is a comprehensive guide to the new order.

    What All San Franciscans Need to Know
    While visiting these newly allowed sites for curbside pick-up or recreation, remember you must follow these easy steps to keep our community safe:
    • Customers may not enter the stores. You should order your items before you get to the store.
    • Practice social distancing
    • Wash your hands often
    • Wear a face covering
    • Stay home if you’re feeling sick
    • If you drive to the store, make sure to keep streets and bike lanes clear
    More info here

    What San Francisco Establishments Need to Know
    Curbside pickup and outdoor establishments are allowed to operate only if they meet all of the City's health guidelines:
    • Has clear access to a sidewalk, street, parking lot, or alley to use for pickup
    • Has no more than 10 employees on site at once for curbside pickup
    • Is not in an enclosed shopping center, unless the business has its own exterior door
    • Implements a Health and Safety Plan for curbside businesses
    Businesses can have a table set up on the sidewalk for items to be picked up. See all guidelines and resources for operating a business during the coronavirus pandemic.
    More Information for Establishments

    In the Works: Right to Recover Fund
    A photo with the incredible UCSF and volunteer team at a Mission testing site.
    I'm peeking from the bottom left corner; we didn't have much time for a photo op!
    In April, we learned that the Latinx community had the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases compared to any other racial or ethnic group in San Francisco.

    Faced with this alarming information, my office immediately partnered with UCSF, the Department of Public Health, and the Latinx Task Force for COVID-19 to offer free testing in the Mission. It was an extraordinary team effort to get this study off the ground, especially before the city was offering expanded COVID-19 testing.

    The findings in this unique UCSF Mission District testing study reinforced what we already suspected: that COVID-19 is hitting overwhelmingly Latinx and low-wage essential workers the hardest.
    Of those who tested positive from this study:
    • 95% were Latinx
    • 90% were unable to work from home
    • 89% were earning less than $50,000 a year
    • 88.4% were living in households of three or more people
    Many Latinx residents of the Mission are providing us with essential services.

    But when these low-wage essential workers find out that they are sick with COVID-19, they cannot afford to quarantine for 14 days. If they don't go to work, they cannot pay for food, rent, or basic necessities.

    Because getting sick is not an option for low-wage essential workers who are barely scraping by, they may be reluctant to get tested. This means some essential workers are sick (but don't know it) and still going to work.

    This is not OK. Not everyone can shelter in place. But everyone should at least have a right to recover-- both for their own health, and for our collective public health.

    That's why I am working to create a brand new city program-- the Right to Recover Fund, to make sure that all COVID-positive low-wage workers are able to quarantine and recover from COVID-19.

    My Right to Recover Fund will guarantee any San Francisco resident who tests positive for COVID-19 the following:
    • A hotel to quarantine safely for 14 days if the individual does not have a safe space to shelter in place
    • Minimum replacement income for 14 days if they cannot work from home, do not have paid time off, or cannot access state or federal benefits
    • Access to food, essential deliveries, and any other basic need supplies for 14 days during their quarantine
    During a pandemic, people should not have worry about whether or not they can "afford" to quarantine. I'm fighting to create this Right to Recover Fund so that any worker who needs to isolate, quarantine, and heal, can.

    My team and I are frantically working to get the Right to Recover Fund off the ground. Stay tuned--I will let you know as soon as the Right to Recover Fund is up and running.

    Resources and Announcements
    Resources
    • The SF Public Utilities Commission has launched an emergency Community Assistance Program—providing discounts of up to 35% on water, power and sewer services. Apply today.
    • Tax-Aid is a nonprofit that is offering free virtual tax services to people who earn less than $55,000 a year.
    • The Self-Help Federal Credit Union is taking applications for the Paycheck Protection Program. Self-Help is focusing its PPP program to assist nonprofits and small businesses run by people of color, especially those that currently partner with them for financial services or social justice. Fill out their form here. You can also email their Mission Branch contact person Jorge here at JorgeLC@self-help.org.

    Announcements
    PSA
    • Please move your car so we can keep our streets clean for everyone. If you are able, please be a good neighbor and do your part on your designated street cleaning days.
    • Please keep your dogs on a leash when walking them outside.

    General Resources
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    Got an upcoming event or opportunity to include in this newsletter? Email Jennifer.Li-D9@sfgov.org
     

    Our mailing address is:
    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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