The push to move San Francisco’s homeless residents into hotel rooms in response to the coronavirus gained urgency Thursday with the announcement of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 by a homeless shelter resident.
Author Archives: Sam Lew
Sam Lew is a journalist born and raised in San Francisco with a background in community organizing and public policy. Her writing focuses on homelessness, housing and criminal justice in the Bay Area.
Posted inBay Area, Coronavirus, Health
Hand Sanitizer Mini-Factories Popping Up Around Bay Area
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, people are making their own hand-sanitizer to donate to community groups around the Bay Area.
Posted inCoronavirus, Law & Justice
S.F.’s Jailed Children Barred From In-Person Visits
As efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 ramp up, incarcerated youth are now restricted to visiting with loved ones via video conference.
Posted inCity Hall, Coronavirus, Homelessness
Coronavirus Shelter-in-Place Order Leaves Homeless With Nowhere to Go
San Francisco announced an order Monday that requires residents to stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus. But for homeless San Franciscans, “shelter in place” may be next to impossible. The health order exempts homeless San Franciscans, of whom more than 5,100 live unsheltered, but they are “strongly urged to obtain shelter.” However, San Francisco’s homeless response system has long been overburdened, even for resources like emergency shelter. As of March 16, the city’s shelter waitlist was 799 people — and may become even longer if shelters begin spacing beds apart to practice social distancing.
Posted inCoronavirus, Law & Justice, Public Safety
S.F. Police Should Curb Enforcement as Coronavirus Spreads, Public Defender Argues
San Francisco’s public defender is calling on police to scale back enforcement of low-level crimes. With the city in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus, risk mitigation is paramount, the agency said.