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The Stay at Home order has been extended through the end of May, and I know that this means continued disruption in all of our lives. My office extends our heartfelt thanks to you for your commitment to protecting all San Franciscans by following this critical public health order.
Please see these latest COVID-19 updates, and share this information widely
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Here are the best ways to stay up to date on the City’s current information and guidance:
- Daily public health and shelter housing data are available at datasf.org/covid19
- Visit sf.gov/coronavirus for City resources, FAQs, and up-to-date information
- Sign up for text alerts by texting COVID19SF to phone number 888-777
- Call 311 for specific questions or concerns
Also see the City’s Outreach Toolkit for Coronavirus for links to up-to-date posters and videos in multiple languages that you can post and share.
Even though our office remains closed to the public, we are checking our email and voicemail every day. Please continue to contact us with pressing concerns or questions.
Every Friday I will be hosting an online Zoomside Chat so that constituents can get the latest updates and ask important questions. You can check my Facebook page for information about how to join in.
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Shelter In Place & Public Health Orders
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The Mayor and public health officials announced that San Francisco and six other Bay Area counties would extend the Stay Home Orders through the end of May in order to maintain progress on slowing the spread of the coronavirus. The new Stay Home Order goes into effect on Monday, May 4. See more about why the order was extended and how public health officials are evaluating when to further modify restrictions here .
In recognition of the gains made to date, the new orders include minor modifications, while keeping social distancing, face covering, and other safety measures in place. While large gatherings are still prohibited, the new Orders allow some lower-risk outdoor activities and jobs to resume, including:
- Certain outdoor businesses that involve brief and infrequent interactions among individuals, including flea markets, car washes, nurseries, and gardening services
- Outdoor recreation activities so long as they can be done safely, without physical contact, shared equipment or use of high touch areas in recreation facilities, such as sunbathing, hiking, skateboarding, golf, and fishing
- All construction projects, so long as they are done safely in accordance with specific health protocols for small and large residential and commercial projects included in the new Order
If you are a business that has been ordered to temporarily shut down or change operations by the City due to the Orders, you may now appeal these directives by emailing HealthOrderAppeals@sfcityatty.org that includes the business name and street address; email and phone number of business manager or contact; the directive the business was given and name of the City official who gave you the directive; and an explanation of why you’re appealing including references to the relevant provisions of the Order.
If you believe a construction project is not following proper social distancing and safety protocols, you may contact DBI at permitcenter@sfgov.org to learn more, or file a complaint by calling 415-558-6590 or online.
Stay at Home FAQs, including more information about construction projects, are updated regularly, and all Public Health Orders are available online.
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- The San Francisco COVID-19 Data Tracker is updated daily and includes confirmed cases, available demographic information, hospitalizations, deaths and testing results, and zip code level reporting.
- CityTestSF provides testing by appointment for all essential workers, and for any resident with symptoms who doesn’t have a health provider at 26 locations throughout the City. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should contact their healthcare provider to make an appointment for testing. On April 23, the San Francisco Department of Public Health hosted a webinar on the City’s testing efforts available here.
- A partnership between UCSF, the Latino Task Force for COVID-19, and SF Department of Public Health, offered free COVID-19 testing as part of a study for all persons age 4 years and older in part of the Mission, where a concentration of cases has been observed. The Unidos en Salud project tested over 4,000 people in four days ending April 28, and is now in the follow-up testing phase.
- All residents and staff working at the 21 skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in San Francisco will be tested for the COVID-19 virus, under a new directive issued by the Department of Public Health on May 1. The City will begin testing next week, with a goal of creating a two-week testing cycle after the first round of tests are completed. See current cleaning and distancing guidance for residential care facilities, home care providers, and others here.
- Laguna Honda Hospital had 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of May 1 (16 staff and five residents), and more cases are expected in the Laguna Honda community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention remain on site, providing guidance and assistance. To ensure the safety of residents and staff, Laguna Honda Hospital remains under protective quarantine.
- Face coverings are still required for anyone to enter an essential business, ride transit, or visit a healthcare facility. Many local manufacturers are adapting and retooling to fill the need for face coverings, so you can purchase face masks while also supporting a local manufacturer.
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Nutrition and Meal Services
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- The City’s Food Resources page gives information on how to find food for seniors and disabled adults, children and youth, people experiencing homelessness, and includes information on how to sign up for public benefits like CalFresh and the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), as well as an interactive Food Resources Map.
- CalFresh launched EBT online purchasing to allow individuals purchase their groceries at Amazon and Walmart online with their EBT card while a statewide stay at home order remains in place. CalWORKs recipients may also be able to use cash benefits to make purchases online at Walmart.
- The City launched a pilot partnership with the Salvation Army to make and deliver meals to people experiencing homelessness and those living in encampments. The Salvation Army will make and deliver more than 1,300 meals daily to about 665 people living unsheltered or in encampments across 40 locations in San Francisco. In addition to meals, the Salvation Army will also be distributing hygiene materials and dog food. See more City services for people experiencing homelessness here.
- SFUSD remains committed to ensuring no child goes hungry and continues to provide free meals to all children in San Francisco while schools are closed at 19 school sites across the City, including Mission High and Lick Middle School. The District is also partnering with community-based organizations to provide our free grab & go meals at additional sites throughout the city.
- For seniors and disabled adults, the 30th Street Senior Center is providing home-delivered meals and “take-out” lunches (415-550-2226); Castro Senior Center (415-863-3507) and Project Open Hand (415-447-2335), are providing pick-up meal services. Meals on Wheels and the SF-Marin Food Bank are providing meal delivery service.
- Governor Newsom announced last week a first-in-the-nation “Restaurants Deliver: Home Meals for Seniors” partnership with localities to help older and other adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, and provide essential economic stimulus to local businesses and workers struggling to stay afloat during the COVID crisis. Local programs will get established in the next few days. Learn more here.
- I want to commend the Noe Valley Farmers Market (Saturdays 8:00 am - 1:00 pm) and Castro Farmers Markets (Wednesdays 2:30 - 7:30 pm) for stepping up to continue serving our community with fresh, locally-sourced food safely and responsibly. The first hour at both markets offer priority shopping for seniors and other high-risk individuals, and both have worked to maximize social distancing and hygiene precautions through the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers. Thank you!
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SFUSD, Children and Youth
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- SFUSD has launched a new Family Resources Link for families to navigate all of the SFUSD resources available to them during distance learning for the rest of the school year.
- San Francisco’s emergency child and youth care centers will remain open until at least June 2 in order to support the City’s first responders, healthcare workers, activated disaster service workers and all essential public sector employees.
- Private sector essential workers may access emergency child care through a partnership between the City and community based organizations.
- The Family Child Care Association of San Francisco supports family child care providers and the children they serve, and has provided a list of COVID-19 resources for family child care providers.
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Seniors and Disabled Adults
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- See the Disability and Aging Services (DAS) resource page with information about how to call in for help, and for how volunteers can connect with their services or call the DAS Helpline seven days a week 8:00 - 5:00 at 415-355-6700. This is the best one-stop place for those in need to connect with help.
- 30th Street Senior Center’s Aging and Disability Resource Center connects seniors and disabled adults with services, community resources, and referrals by phone at 415-550-2221 daily from 8:30 - 5:00 Monday to Friday.
- Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls at 1-800-971-0016. Trained volunteers specialize in offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with older adults experiencing depression and loneliness.
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Small Business and Non-Profit Assistance
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Keep track of government assistance programs for small businesses and nonprofits including grants, loans, and technical assistance at www.oewd.org/coronavirus , or by contacting the Office of Small Business at 415-554-6134 or sfosb@sfgov.org. See a list of non-government assistance programs here.
- The local commercial eviction moratorium has been extended through May 17. The moratorium prevents any small and medium-sized businesses from being evicted due a loss of income related to lost revenue or other economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Check here to see if your business qualifies for the eviction moratorium along with guidelines and FAQs.
- The federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was reopened with additional funding on April 24. The PPP provides small businesses with loans up to $10M at 1% interest. Funds can be used to pay payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The loan will be fully forgiven as long as it is used to cover mainly payroll costs over an eight-week period after the loan is made. Pacific Crest Law, a local firm in Noe Valley, has information and guidance for businesses on how to access these and other SBA resources here.
- The City launched a new COVID-19 mini-grant program focused on delivering relief to small businesses in historically underserved communities and women-owned businesses. Eligibility and award amounts vary by neighborhood, ranging between $1,000-$10,000. The funds may be used to support expenses such as payroll, rent, and utilities, or to supplement income resulting from a direct loss of business revenue
- Restaurants and food establishments are invited to submit qualifications to the City to provide food to those in need, including unsheltered, sheltered, and vulnerable homebound residents. The RFQ is available here , and proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received and multiple short-term awards for these services are expected to be issued through June 30, 2021.
- Business registration and license fee deadlines have been further extended . The City will extend the 2020 Business Registration Fee deadline to September 30, and will provide further tax relief for businesses by delaying the City’s collection of unified license fees for restaurants and food businesses, bars, convenience stores, many small retailers, hotels, and tour operators until September 30.
- Through a partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), 527 individual artists and 65 arts organizations received a total of $1.5 million to be used for their most urgent financial needs. Funding was prioritized for individuals and organizations from historically underserved communities, including black, indigenous, immigrant, and trans people, as well as people with disabilities, and the City is investing an additional $250,000 in the Arts Loan Fund. This additional funding will focus specifically on helping individual artists.
- SFMTA has created an online form for merchants to help expedite the process to get the curbs adjacent to their restaurants better programmed for any operational changes they may be experiencing.
- The San Francisco Economic Recovery Task Force wants to hear from you! The Task Force, which I am proud to serve on, has been tasked with guiding the City’s efforts through the COVID-19 recovery to sustain and revive local businesses and employment, and mitigate the economic hardships we’re already facing. Please take a moment to complete this survey so we can understand your needs.
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Keep track of the City’s assistance programs and resources for workers and employees, including independent contractors and gig workers, at www.oewd.org/coronavirus, or by contacting the Worker Information Line 7 days a week from 8:00 - 6:00 at 415-701-4817 or workforce.connection@sfgov.org.
- If you were laid off or had your work hours reduced due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance claim with the California Employment Development Division (EDD). EDD has temporarily suspended the requirement to certify eligibility for weeks ending March 14, 2020 to May 9, 2020. Find out more here.
- EDD began accepting applications for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance this week for unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. Find out more here .
- Mayor Breed announced a $138 million plan to allow employees in San Francisco to request medical reimbursement funds their employers contributed in compliance with the Health Care Security Ordinance. These funds can be used for necessary expenses such as food, rent, and utilities during the declared local emergency, in addition to eligible health care expenses. Employees can find the most updated information on the San Francisco City Option website.
- Covered California has extended open enrollment for federally-subsidized health insurance to June 30. Anyone can sign up.
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Muni and Public Transportation
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- Several Muni routes started service or were adjusted starting April 25. These include service increases on the 5 Fulton, 9 San Bruno, 12 Folsom, 28 19th Ave, and N Bus. L Bus service has increased to a 10-minute frequency weekdays and weekends. Some service was restored on the 38R Geary Rapid and 54 Felton. See detail on current service for specific routes here . My office continues to work closely with the MTA to push for increased and restored service to connect District 8 residents with critical services like groceries and pharmacies.
- Face coverings are required to use Muni to protect the safety of both operators and passengers. Please only take transit if you are making an essential trip that can't be done any other way. Staying home or using another mode of transportation saves a seat for someone else. Operators have been directed to pass up would-be passengers who don't have a mask on or if buses are getting crowded. Police officers will be supporting Muni operators at locations throughout the city over the next few days to help inform passengers of current public health requirements. See more on Muni operations here.
- My office has advocated for alternative service for our seniors, residents living with disabilities and mobility impairments, and others at higher risk, especially in our hillier neighborhoods. I am pleased that SFMTA has launched the Essential Trip Card (ETC) that provides older and disabled adults with about two to three round trip taxi rides per month at a significant discount for essential trips. Currently, those 65 or older, or with disabilities or mobility impairment are eligible, and I am supportive of current efforts to expand coverage further.
- This week I joined my colleagues on the County Transportation Authority Board in voting to repurpose existing funds to launch the Essential Worker Ride Home program that provides a ride home after work. The program covers the cost of taxi rides home for essential employees in San Francisco. Participants must apply and use transit to commute to work.
- The Slow Streets program launched last week and will limit selected streets to local traffic only to prioritize walking or biking and provide more space for social distancing during essential travel. Streets will not be closed completely and local vehicle access will be allowed (e.g., driveway access for residents). My office is currently working with SFMTA to finalize Slow Streets corridors in District 8 in the first phase of installations, and to include further segments in future rounds. This is in addition to the announced closure of parts of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park and Shelley Drive in McLaren Park effective April 28.
- San Francisco will receive $40 million in State funds for the J and M lines to improve reliability, efficiency, and travel times through an upcoming MuniForward project beginning this year, with construction to begin 2023-2025 for the J line. I’m grateful for this State support and look forward to ensuring these funds be used effectively and collaboratively to deliver the transit service we deserve.
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- The Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector has extended the property tax deadline until the office at City Hall reopens during regular business hours on May 15. Taxes may be filed online until then, or is person once the office is open. Learn more here.
- Online weddings are coming soon. Governor Newsom signed an executive order on April 30 authorizing counties to issue marriage licenses and allow officiants to perform marriage ceremonies via videoconference. These provisions will be in place for 60 days to assist couples with marriage during the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Francisco County Clerk is actively working on implementing a process to provide marriage services by videoconference. Check back at the County Clerk’s website here for updates.
- See the full list of what City services are open at City Hall and elsewhere.
- See the full list of current operations and services at the San Francisco Superior Court here.
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- This week the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support my resolution urging the City to open Safe Sleeping Sites. I look forward to working with City departments and neighbors to open a Safe Sleeping Site to serve the Upper Market/Castro area as quickly as possible to combat the spread of COVID-19 among unhoused people. These sites will also allow us to pilot new and different strategies to provide safer sleeping alternatives to unsheltered people post-COVID.
- Data on the City’s supply and use of alternative housing rooms were added to City’s COVID-19 Data Tracker . The new information outlines efforts by the City to establish temporary emergency housing and shelter options for vulnerable populations, individuals directly affected by the coronavirus, and critical frontline workers and will be updated daily.
- For advice on housing and tenant protections, we recommend the following resources:
- San Francisco Rent Board sfrb.org at 415-252-4631
- San Francisco Tenants Union sftu.org at 415-282-6622
- Housing Rights Committee hrcsf.org at 415-703-8644 or 415-947-9085
- Legal Assistance for the Elderly at laesf.org/COVID19 or 415-538-3333
- The Mayor has extended the local eviction moratorium for unpaid rent due to COVID-19 through at least May 22, and for most other no-fault evictions to July 22. Tenants who were unable to pay rent due to COVID-19 must notify their landlord within one month after the rent was due, and have until six months after the moratorium expires (currently November) to repay back rent before any eviction action could be initiated. My office continues to push for further updates to expand and simplify these critical tenant protections.
- This week my colleagues and I passed an emergency ordinance that prohibits landlords from passing through any annual rent increases allowable under the Rent Ordinance for two months, or as may be extended. Landlords may still provide required notice to tenants of annual increases, but the increase may not take effect until the ordinance expires, so effectively until July’s rent. For more contact the Rent Board.
- San Francisco Superior Court remains closed for all eviction proceedings, except in cases of violence or health and safety issues.
- Anyone may now refer a COVID positive individual to an isolation and quarantine housing site (if they cannot safely self-quarantine at home) at this link. A referral may be from anyone except the patient themselves.
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Volunteer Opportunities and Giving
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- There are a number of ways to plug into City and non-profit volunteer efforts to help feed, support, and care for vulnerable San Franciscans. Explore the options here.
- Resilient Noe Valley and Resilient Diamond Heights are two neighborhood groups organizing for emergency preparedness in collaboration with the City’s Neighborhood Empowerment Network. Both organizations are offering ways to volunteer to help your neighbors during the COVID-19 emergency.
- Helping Hands is a non-profit organization operating nationally and in San Francisco created to connect people sheltering in place with those who can safely deliver critical items (like food medicine, or household goods) and provide various forms of assistance (like dog-walking, mail pick-ups, or conversations).
- SFUSD continues to accept donations to support the free meals for children program.
- A group of UCSF students set up protective equipment donation sites at pharmacies around the City, including the TIN RX Pharmacy at 2175 Market. Accepted items include unused N95 or surgical masks, unopened hand sanitizer, unopened glove boxes, unopened disinfectants (e.g., Clorox wipes), and packaged unused goggles
- The Bay Area Reporter is America's longest continuously-published, and highest circulation LGBTQ media source, and the newspaper of record serving San Francisco's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Like many other local independent media outlets, they are seeking support to weather the COVID-19 crisis. Find out more about the BAR fundraiser here.
- The City’s Give2SF Fund is accepting tax-deductible monetary contributions for coronavirus response efforts. Funding will provide food security and access to housing, with a focus on assisting undocumented people who otherwise may not have access to social safety net programs, seniors and people with disabilities, and small businesses. To date, more than $5 million in funding has been allocated to City departments to date, and the Fund will distribute additional funding as donations are received. Find out more about the fund at www.give2sf.org.
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- The City has assembled a trove of LGBTQ community resources including housing assistance, legal aide, health services, and resources for queer youth.
- The LGBT Center hosts weekly webinars for small business owners in the LGBTQIA community and everyone else.
- Volunteer to support LGBTQ+ communities with Turnout (volunteer@turnout.org or 510-863-4879) or Mon Ami (650-267-2474).
- The Validation Station project is offering a free text service to support isolated trans people around the country.
- Last week, Getting to Zero SF and Ward 86 @ SFGH co-hosted a Virtual Town Hall on COVID-19 for people living with HIV. Links to the webinar and slides are available here.
- The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has launched SFGMC TV! to make the Chorus available online to friends and supporters around the world, including a sample of performances, interviews and more. Enjoy!
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| There is still time to complete the 2020 Census! San Francisco is in danger of being undercounted and we are currently below the national, state, and regional response rate averages. Everyone should do the census online at my2020census.gov or at 844-330-2020 as soon as you can. Our census responses are confidential and determine our representation in Congress. Our census answers also determine how federal funding is distributed to schools, hospitals, roads, social services, and more. You can do the census in 14 languages. It takes about 10 minutes, and you don’t need a pin code or a password. Help San Francisco get our fair share of federal funding and political representation! There is more local information online at sfcounts.org |
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