February 7, 2022
A Message From The Supervisor:
Happy Monday! We are continuing to honor Lunar New Year and Black History Month throughout February. Our city and specifically our District is a shining symbol of diversity. I feel honored to share in community celebrations with many of you. These rich cultural histories make our City so special.
As many of you have heard, San Francisco has loosened its masking mandates. If you’re 5 years of age or older and up-to-date on your vaccines and boosters, you don’t have to wear a mask in certain indoor settings. The host or employer must verify that everyone is up-to-date on vaccines and boosters. This mask exemption is only for indoor places where the group of people don't change over time. For more information please click here.
This week my housing density bonus legislation will be heard at the Planning Commission on February 10th at 1pm. The proposed legislation is special because it allows up to 4 units on residential lots and streamlines the process with added affordability. Different than the other proposed increased density legislations – my legislation guarantees at least 1 new affordable unit in each new 4plex constructed citywide. The legislation is a realistic and feasible option for adding additional affordable units for working families citywide. Please feel free to join the planning commission hearing this Thursday and also feel free to share public comment at that time. You may access the Stream at https://sfgovtv.org/planning – Public Comment: (415) 655-0001 / Access Code: 2492 235 0478
Our office remains accessible to the public through telephone, email, virtual meeting or in person via appointment. We are available by email: safaistaff@sfgov.org or by phone 415-554-6976 (leave a message and we will call you back). You can also check for updates on my Twitter , Instagram, and Facebook. Stay safe and healthy.
Please note - if you miss my weekly newsletter, you may find it later on the Board of Supervisor’s website. Click HERE to read past newsletters.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to my staff at Safaistaff@sfgov.org.
Sincerely,
Supervisor Ahsha Safai
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COVID-19 Updates from the San Francisco Department of Public Health
San Francisco is currently in a state of transition as we navigate through the remainder of the COVID-19 Omicron surge.. While cases rapidly drop and hospitalizations also begin to decline, we are reminded that Omicron was a stress test and although it has been a very difficult surge, we made it through. Omicron could have been much worse had this City not been prepared.
Omicron spreads quickly and has caused many infections. We won’t be able to prevent every case of COVID, however we have effective measures to reduce the impacts of the virus and prevent severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. We are dedicated to continuing the work to make these tools -- vaccines, boosters, testing, masking, and antiviral medications – available to those who need them with a focus on the most vulnerable people and highly impacted communities.
COVID has underscored that investing public health resources in our highly impacted communities can make a measurable difference in saving lives and improving health and wellbeing. We must take the lessons learned from COVID and apply them to other pressing health needs in these communities. Our community partnerships have been the foundation of our COVID response, and going forward we will continue to strengthen these relationships not only for COVID but for other health issues as well.
San Franciscans are still encouraged to layer their defenses as case rates remain high during Lunar New Year and Black History Month celebrations.
How to stay safe:
- Order an at-home test for your household at covidtests.gov
- Have everyone ages 5+ get their COVID-19 vaccine and booster if eligible
- Anyone who develops symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate themselves and get tested as soon as possible
- Get tested before travel, upon return, and again 3-5 days later.
- Take advantage of quick and easy home test kits available at no cost in pharmacies and stores. Starting Jan. 15, purchased home test kits are eligible for reimbursement.
- Outside gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings. Limit the number and size of indoor gatherings.
- Take all precautions, including vaccinations, boosters, and testing when gathering with others without masks – especially with elderly or immunocompromised individuals, and anyone who is unvaccinated or not yet boosted.
- Wear a well-fitted mask indoors and in crowded settings. To best protect yourself, wear an N95, KN95, KF94 or double mask with a cloth mask over a surgical mask to improve the seal. If possible, wear one of the above masks, double mask, or a well-fitted surgical mask during this surge. Get the most out of your maskin g.
- Unvaccinated adults should avoid travel and gatherings outside their household.
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer often.
- Layer your defenses, and reduce your household’s risk exposure during periods of high transmission, like the current omicron surge.
For additional information about drop-in sites for vaccines, boosters, and testing, click here.
Omicron-Driven COVID-19 Surge Updates
For the first time since December, our seven-day average of COVID-19 cases has dropped below 1,000. Data shows that since COVID-19 cases peaked on Jan. 9 with a 7-day average of 2,246 cases per day, they have steadily dropped each day since then to 919 cases per day on Jan. 26. As of Feb. 3, 82% of San Franciscans have been vaccinated, and 64% of vaccinated residents have been boosted. The highly contagious Omicron-variant is still able to spread as breakthrough infections, often asymptomatically or with mild illness. Those at higher risk for complications from COVID-19 should continue to be cautious over the next several weeks by layering their defenses, such as upgrading masks to N95 or double mask (cloth on top of surgical), improving ventilation, testing when recommended, and staying home if sick or symptomatic. Vaccinations and boosters, when eligible, remain the most effective tool to protect oneself against the virus.
Read the latest data about COVID-19 Omicron-driven cases in decline on our dashboard.
Updates to Guidance for Early Childcare Settings and Youth Sports
SFDPH has updated its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance for childcare, preschools, early childhood education, and other settings serving children under 5 years of age in order to keep as many children as possible safely participating in these essential services.
Under the new guidance that went into effect Feb. 1, children ages 2 and older who have tested positive for COVID-19 may return to childcare after 5 days of isolation with a negative test and no symptoms. Additionally, asymptomatic children of all ages with a close-contact exposure at a program may remain there with regular interval testing. These changes now mirror the requirements in K-12 schools.
Read more about the updates to the guidance here.
Getting Boosted After a COVID Infection
Clarification has been provided on when a person may receive a vaccination or booster following a COVID-19 infection. While clinical data does not yet provide a definitive answer to this question, for now the SF Department of Public Health (SFDPH) recommends that people get vaccinated or receive a booster dose as soon as possible at least 10 days but no more than 30 days after recovery from infection and discontinuation of isolation, unless a healthcare provider has a strong reason for the booster to be delayed.
Updates to Safer Return Together Health Order
As we come out of this latest surge San Francisco is beginning to ease COVID-19 restrictions in a safe and measured way. Recent changes address indoor masking, testing and vaccination requirements. Since Feb. 1, SF office workers, gym members and other “stable cohorts” of people are able to remove masks indoors again, reinstating the mask exemption that was in place before the latest Omicron surge. Given the highly transmissible nature of the variant, there is an additional requirement that individuals in these stable cohort groups be up to date on their vaccinations, including the primary series and boosters when eligible, as the best protection against the virus.
Additional changes to the health order affect personnel in high-risk settings and include:
Extending the deadline a month from February 1 to March 1 for personnel in high-risk settings to be up to date on vaccination, meaning receiving a booster shot when eligible. The extension of the deadline aligns with state requirements, but also includes SF’s health order requirements on boosters for people whose regular work hours are outside of designated high-risk settings, but who visit high-risk settings as part of their work (such as many police officers, paramedics, and deputy sheriffs working in jails).
Read more about the latest changes to the Safer Return Together Health Order here.
New Hotline for Free At-home COVID-19 Tests
Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Those who have difficulty with internet access can call (800) 232-0233 to order their test. The phone line is open from 8 a.m. to midnight (ET), seven days a week and offers assistance in over 150 languages. There is currently a limit of one order per residential address. One order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that are estimated to ship free starting this week. Visit covidtests.gov for more information.
The tests available for order:
- Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
- Can be taken anywhere
- Give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
- Work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptom
- Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccine
- Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) test
- Read more about when to use your tests and how to interpret the results here
Booster Recommendations for Johnson & Johnson Recipients
It is recommended that Johnson & Johnson recipients get a booster as soon as two months have passed from their first dose. J&J recipients can get a third dose with Pfizer five months after that. Booster doses are recommended for all San Franciscans ages 12 and older. Among San Franciscans, 82% of the population is vaccinated, and 63% of eligible is boosted; while these are some of the highest rates in the nation there is still room to fill this gap. Hospitalizations in SF mirror national trends that show the vast majority, about 80%, are among people who are not up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, including unvaccinated and vaccinated but not boosted individuals. Vaccines and boosters remain key in protecting San Franciscans from COVID-19 and its variants. Read more about boosters here. Read more about accommodations for J&J recipients here.
Where to get a vaccine or booster:
Here are the following locations in San Francisco where people can drop in to receive a booster, Monday to Friday, while supplies last each day. Please check sf.gov/getvaccinated or call 628-652-2700 should changes to operational hours occur.
- ZSFG (1001 Potrero Ave, Bldg 30)
- Southeast Health Center (2401 Keith Street)
- Chinese Hospital (845 Jackson Street)
- Kaiser Tent (2350 Geary Blvd)
- Mission Wellness Pharmacy (2424 Mission St.)
- HealthRight 360 (1563 Mission St.)
- All DPH neighborhood sites
Information & Guidance Updates
Sign up to receive alerts from the Information & Guidance team for updates to San Francisco’s Health Order, guidance, and directives here.
COVID-19 Resources
SFDPH COVID-19 vaccine call center
Call 628-652-2700 to book an appointment, find a drop-in site, or if you have questions about the vaccine. You can also email sfvaxnow@sfdph.org.
Please check the following sites for regular COVID-19 updates:
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OEWD Community Meetings
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) is excited to head into 2022.
OEWD has been at the forefront providing critical resources and services for our business community, workers, and job seekers. They continue to focus on providing critical resources to our vulnerable communities and have set our sights on building the foundation for a diverse, resilient, and equitable economy.
They need to hear your voices, your ideas, and your priorities to help us realize the equitable outcomes we want to see in the communities and industries we serve.
OEWD will be holding three virtual public budget discussions to share our work and to hear directly from you to inform our budget priorities.
Thursday, February 10, 6:00 – 7:30 PM
Webinar to report out on OEWD’s final budget proposal based on feedback solicited from sessions above.
Click HERE to RSVP for 2/10
These events are fully open to the public. Please register through Zoom in advance using the links above. And, if you have any disabilities or language-specific needs, please let us know at least three (3) days before the event so that we may provide appropriate services. If you are unable to attend any of their meetings, they still encourage you to reach out to us at oewd@sfgov.org to voice your thoughts, wishes, and priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.
COMING SOON: COVID-19 Small Business Rent Relief Pilot Program to Provide Small Business Commercial Rent Relief
In December 2021, I announced grants for commercial rent relief to help stabilize San Francisco’s small businesses. The Office of Economic and Workforce Development will help administer $2 million in city investment by launching COVID-19 Small Business Rent Relief Pilot Program focusing on helping small businesses that have unpaid commercial back rent, by providing grants of up to $35,000 per qualifying business.
The Board of Supervisor’s Budget and Legislative Analyst estimates there is more than a half of billion dollars of unpaid commercial back rent caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to this alarming number, Supervisor Safai in collaboration with Mayor Breed, announced $2 million for a pilot program that provides financial assistance to small business owners who successfully renegotiate debt repayment terms with their current property owners. The commercial rent relief pilot fund is being developed to support San Francisco’s small businesses that were greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result have unpaid commercial back rent.
“Small businesses in San Francisco have a long road to recovery.” said Supervisor Ahsha Safai, “While you may still see your favorite local business open, it doesn’t mean they aren’t struggling to make ends meet. The COVID-19 Small Business Rent Relief Pilot Program is designed to help small businesses that have unpaid commercial back rent sustain their business for the future.”
The COVID-19 Small Business Rent Relief Pilot Program will be administered by the Office of Economic Workforce Development. The goal of the pilot program is to help both small businesses and property owners/landlords recover lost income due to the pandemic. The grant program incentivizes property owners to negotiate payment of rent debt by providing small businesses with grants to pay off a portion of their owed rent. The eligibility requirements for the program are currently being developed with the goal of launching the application at the end of February 2022. The focus of the program will be to support small businesses with existing rent debt that have not received substantial government COVID-19 relief funding. Interested businesses can sign up to receive updates and alerts on the grant program as information become available by visiting visit the Office of Economic and Workforce Development at www.oewd.org/evictionhelp.
During the earlier part of the pandemic, the State of California issued a commercial eviction moratorium that prohibited commercial evictions due to back rent payment; however on September 30, 2021, the moratorium ended. Leaving countless small businesses with massive back rent debt. While businesses and landlords are encouraged to develop a repayment plan, the Small Business Rent Relief Pilot program will address a pressing need for small business presently facing back rent debt.
San Francisco continues to partner with community-based organizations to provide lease re-negotiation, mediation and referrals to legal services. The BAR Association of San Francisco (BASF) will host a webinar on December 20th at 12pm to help small business owners understand the resources available to them. For more information, visit the Office of Economic and Workforce Development at www.oewd.org/evictionhelp . Small businesses who have questions or would like to speak to a representative about resources and assistance can also call the Office of Small Business at (415) 554-6134 or email sfosb@sfgov.org
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Notice of Community Meeting - Next Steps for the Purchase of 5630 Mission Street (Mission Inn)
The Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH) was recently approved by the Board of Supervisors to buy the property at 5630 Mission St to convert it to permanent supportive housing with up to 52 units.
Please join us on Wednesday, February 16 at 5:30PM for a neighborhood and community stakeholder meeting to update the community on the process of purchasing the building, timelines and continue the discussions about operations of 5630 Mission Street.
Please register ahead of time via Zoom link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAlfuGgrzIvGdDE-2pLH2cgmvOcP6TlEW3w
In addition, please let me know if you would like translated versions of the flyer. We would be happy to share it with you. |
The Warriors and United Airlines are partnering to launch the second Franchise Funds cohort, opening new business opportunities for Bay Area minority-owned small businesses. Businesses are encouraged to apply by March 5th for training, funds, and resources.
For a video explaining Franchise Funds, click HERE.
Business owners interested in learning more and applying, visit https://www.nba.com/warriors/franchisefund
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| Geneva Avenue Traffic Signal Project
Project Description
San Francisco Public Works and SFMTA have partnered to complete infrastructure and safety improvements along Geneva Avenue. The work to be performed includes upgrading the existing signal infrastructure, including installation of new signals and interconnect conduit. The Geneva Avenue Traffic Signal Project also includes wiring, Pedestrian Countdown Signals (PCS), Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) pushbuttons, vehicular signal heads, new poles and mast-arms, and signal controllers. This project will also include pedestrian bulb-out work, curb ramp work, sidewalk work, curb and gutter work, parking strip replacement, localized street base repairs and paving work near the newly completed upgrades.
The intersections included in this project are the following:
• Geneva Avenue & London Street
• Geneva Avenue & Paris Street
• Geneva Avenue & Naples Street
• Geneva Avenue & Athens Street
The Geneva Avenue Traffic Signal Project will also include removal and reconstruction of the center median along Geneva Avenue between Edinburgh Street and Vienna Street. The new center median will be realigned to create turning lanes and facilitate travel through the area.
Neighbors interested in receiving e-updates on the Geneva Avenue Traffic Signal Project should sign up HERE. Updates will be sent out as-needed during construction to inform residents of the upcoming phase of work, traffic impacts, milestone completions, and any weekend work. Although weekend work is allowed, none is anticipated at this time.
Construction on this project is anticipated to start in late January 2022 with completion expected in late October 2022. This traffic signal project is being completed in advance of a larger scale project coming to Mission Street and Geneva Avenue in summer 2022. The Mission Street and Geneva Avenue Infrastructure Improvement Project will Include Mission Street between the Hwy 280 overpass and Geneva Avenue as well as Geneva Avenue between Mission Street and Prague Street. That project will have an overall duration of 3 years but is being broken up into phases so that the entire limits aren’t under construction the whole time. For additional information on that project please visit www.sfpublicwork.org/Mission-Geneva.
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| It has been wonderful spending time in Chinatown in celebration of Lunar New Year and Year of the Tiger! Go out and support your neighborhood API owned business during this Lunar New Year season! |
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