Soup kitchens and homeless service centers are pushing San Francisco officials to shut down a Tenderloin street to through traffic so their clients can maintain social distance from one another as lines wrap around the block and tent dwellers crowd the sidewalks.
Tag: COVID-19
Posted inCoronavirus, Homelessness
RVs for Homeless Affected by Coronavirus Pandemic Sitting Empty
While the coronavirus was spreading in San Francisco’s homeless shelters, 30 recreational vehicles leased by the city to house people affected by the pandemic have been sitting empty for nearly a month, a city official confirmed Thursday. The RVs were intended to house people who were awaiting coronavirus testing or had tested positive for the virus and did not have access to adequate housing.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Economy & Business, Social Justice
Inequalities Worsen in Recession, but Economist Sees Opportunities for Change
With millions filing for unemployment benefits across the state, a projected unemployment rate of more than 18% and whole industries out of business, the state is also facing dire needs and stark inequalities.
Posted inCoronavirus, Transportation
Transport in Transition: S.F’s Muni Service, Before and After Cutbacks
We set out to document how people’s experience using public transportation in San Francisco would change after Muni suspended service on all but 17 of 79 lines.
Posted inCity Hall
S.F. Cites Equipment Shortages in COVID-19 Testing as Thousands of Swabs Arrive in Town
UCSF has offered to provide free COVID-19 testing to San Francisco homeless shelter residents, but it’s unclear if or when the city will take the university and medical center up on the offer due to what Mayor London Breed on Sunday described as a shortage of nasal swabs and other testing supplies. A day earlier, a shipment of 100,000 swabs arrived at UCSF.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Aging, Public Safety
With Increased Isolation Comes Increased Risk of Being Scammed
Fear, uncertainty and isolation, pervasive during the coronavirus pandemic, present an opportunity for malicious actors to deceive consumers into revealing private information, buying fake products or falling to fraudulent schemes and sending money.
Posted inOpinion, Public Safety, Transportation
S.F. Needs to Shut Down Streets During Coronavirus Pandemic
Oakland joined the street-shutdown movement Thursday with its announced plan to close 74 miles of streets to through traffic. San Francisco could follow suit, but it stands out as a laggard.
Posted inCommunity, Coronavirus
Want to Foster a Dog? Get on the Waitlist as Demand Soars at Bay Area Shelters
So many residents are looking to foster pets in need that Bay Area shelters have been overwhelmed by the demand. Though many have reached capacity for foster pets, some are still open to animal lovers looking to adopt.
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Homelessness
Distrust of S.F. Agencies Leaves Some Homeless Wary of Quarantine Hotels
Some homeless people say they wouldn’t move into the hotel rooms progressive city supervisors have been pushing to allocate for them. That’s largely due to longstanding distrust in city agencies by homeless people who have been subject to move-along orders, police citations and sweeps that resulted in their tents and other belongings being confiscated.
Posted inCoronavirus, Immigration
Nonprofits Retool to Serve Refugees Struggling During COVID-19 Shutdown
Refugees who arrived in the Bay Area around the time shelter-in-place orders were issued, as well as those who have been here for an extended period, are struggling to stay afloat, organizations who serve them said.