In less than two weeks,a well-meaning post in a neighborhood Facebook group has evolved into an extremely organized support system for an entire community during the time San Francisco’s COVID-19 shelter-in-place order is in effect.
Category: Coronavirus
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Coronavirus, Health
Coronavirus Pandemic Impacts Will Worsen, S.F. Officials Warn
Top city officials returned to San Francisco’s coronavirus emergency operations center at Moscone Center on Wednesday to once more impress upon the public the importance of sheltering in place and leaving home only for essential activities.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Health
Medical Experts Warn of Looming Blood Shortage During Coronavirus Pandemic
As the number of coronavirus cases mounts, health care professionals are anticipating another crisis: a blood shortage. Nationally, the Red Cross estimates someone needs blood every two seconds, and around 80% of the American Red Cross’ donation sites have shut down under social-distancing and shelter-in-place protocols.
Posted inCoronavirus, Education, Housing
Facing Criticism, SFSU Offers Partial Refund for Students to Leave Housing During Pandemic
San Francisco State University students say they still don’t have clear guidance from the administration about whether they must leave university housing and take all of their belongings with them because of the coronavirus pandemic and statewide shelter-in-place order. With continued uncertainty, more students who had planned to keep their campus housing say they have changed course again and are heading home or to other locations for the rest of the spring semester. Over email, the university housing department confirmed that, “on a prorated basis, refunds for room and board and meal plans will be provided for residential students who have left housing.”
Posted inCoronavirus, Health, Homelessness, Housing
Hotel Rooms for Homeless, or Back to Streets? Coronavirus Proposals Split S.F. Leadership
Dueling narratives from San Francisco politicians reflect a divide over not just how the city should care for its homeless population during the COVID-19 crisis, but also what kind of policies and financial support it should commit to for the longer term.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Coronavirus
City Officials Host Virtual Briefing on COVID-19 Response
City officials offered updates on their work to enact social distancing protocols, source hotel rooms for people who need to be isolated and deliver personal protective equipment to healthcare workers.
Posted inCensus, Coronavirus, Homelessness, Housing
Coronavirus Pandemic Delays Census Count of Homeless
Before the coronavirus pandemic broke out, the United States was ramping up its biggest peacetime mobilization: the Census. A complete count of all people in the nation is taken every 10 years, but this year, the shelter-in-place and social distancing orders to curb the spread of COVID-19 have forced the Census Bureau to adapt its timeline for the count.
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 in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Coronavirus, Social Justice
As Racist Coronavirus Rhetoric Fuels Bigotry, Advocates Launch Reporting Tool
As the coronavirus has spread, racist harassment and attacks against Asian Americans have mounted. In response, a coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander advocacy groups have launched a reporting tool to collect data about bigoted acts that could help develop policies to address them.
Posted inCity Hall, Coronavirus, Open Government
San Francisco’s Move to Delay Public Records Disclosures Criticized
The city last week warned that public records will likely be delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This is already having an impact on journalists’ ability to access and disseminate public health information.