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.
Tag: COVID-19
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 inCity Hall, Coronavirus, Homelessness
Many San Francisco Emergency Handwashing Stations Broken, Empty, Missing
Stations were in a poor state, barely a week after they were installed to slow the spread of the coronavirus among the homeless. Officials pointed to overuse, as well as a private contractor that may have placed some stations in the wrong locations.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Coronavirus, Health, Homelessness
San Francisco Advises Homeless to Sleep One to a Tent During Coronavirus Pandemic
In an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus among the homeless, city officials are encouraging people on the streets to sleep only one to a tent and to keep at least six feet between tents.
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.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Coronavirus, Education
SFUSD Closes Schools for Three Weeks in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
San Francisco plans to close all public schools for three weeks as a containment measure against the coronavirus pandemic, according to Mark Sanchez, president of the San Francisco Unified School District board.
Posted inCity Hall, Homelessness
During Coronavirus Outbreak S.F. Will Continue to Seize Homeless People’s Property
San Francisco will continue to confiscate belongings from people living in street encampments during the coronavirus outbreak, a Department of Public Works representative said, despite warnings from doctors and activists that the seizures may leave homeless people more vulnerable to the disease.