As the coronavirus vaccine rolls out and San Francisco’s commercial eviction moratorium extends at a piecemeal rate — it was scheduled to lift at the end of March but has now been extended — questions about the future of the city’s restaurant industry are becoming louder. Nonprofit food groups are offering solutions.
Category: Coronavirus
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Back to School, Coronavirus, Education, Labor
Preventing Community Spread of COVID-19 Crucial in Return to Schools, Union Leader Says
“We had to look at community spread,” said Susan Solomon, president of the United Educators of San Francisco. “That was very important to us, that we not just protect ourselves, but protect our communities as well.”
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Coronavirus, Education
City College Students, Teacher Warn Cuts Would Have Equity Impacts
City College says the existence of the college is at stake, and it is facing a projected budget shortfall of $33 million. Eira Kien, a student, Vick Van Chung, the student trustee, and Mary Bravewoman, a faculty member and vice president of the union representing teachers at the college, have been trying to prevent these cuts and talked with “Civic” about them.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Community, Coronavirus, Health
For Better Public Health, Let Communities Lead, Doctors Say
Looking back on a year of responding to the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Kim Rhoads and Dr. Carina Marquez named two key components to improving public health, now and in a post-pandemic future: Prevention and community engagement.
Posted inCity Hall, Coronavirus, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing
SF Creates New Office Tasked With Relocating Homeless Hotel Residents
A new city agency, founded in the wake of rising concerns about the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing’s ability to house the city’s homeless population, aims to bring 2,000 people into permanent shelter by the end of the year.
The new Office of Housing Opportunities will be a division of the COVID Command Center, shifting responsibilities away from the Department of Homelessness. Chris Block, formerly the director of the chronic homelessness division at Tipping Point, a nonprofit focused on battling poverty and homelessness, is directing the effort.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Back to School, Coronavirus, Education, Social Services
Teachers Brace for Hybrid School Reopening, Flag Equity Concerns
Three educators — school social worker Yajaira Cuapio, special education teacher Megan Coluza and kindergarten teacher Cathy Sullivan — weighed in on the new school schedule and talked with “Civic” about the impacts of school closures on them and the families they work with.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, California, Coronavirus, Housing, Renters at Risk
Renters Are Still Being Displaced, Tenant Advocate Says
Shanti Singh, legislative and communications director for Tenants Together, a coalition of 50 renters rights organizations in California, talked with “Civic” about state tenant protection legislation.
Posted inCoronavirus, Opinion
How This Pandemic Year Has Changed Us
A year ago, it seemed all of San Francisco was making one last trip to the store, as if preparing for a hurricane or blizzard. At the San Francisco Public Press, we had started transitioning to remote work two weeks prior. We had no idea then how challenging the coming year would be for us professionally and personally, and for the whole world.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Coronavirus, Health, Homelessness
Hygiene, Hotels, Housing: One Year of SF Pandemic Homelessness Policy
Two reporters who have been covering the city’s response to homelessness during the pandemic for the San Francisco Public Press, Brian Howey and Nuala Bishari, reflect with “Civic” on a year of stories about seizing belongings, COVID-19 testing, hotel policy and supportive housing.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Health
Managing Trauma and Grief During COVID-19
A year into the COVID-19 pandemic and nearly everyone living in the United States has experienced some level of psychological distress. Clinical counselor Christoph Zepeda discusses the challenges his clients have faced during the pandemic.