July 10, 2020 

A Message From The Supervisor:

A lot is happening in our nation and our City as we grapple with the effects of injustice at the same time of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. We will get through this together and create an even stronger City where all people can feel safe and supported.

Please don't hesitate to email us at SafaiStaff@sfgov.org or call us at 1-415-554-6976 if we can assist you in any way and we will immediately respond. 

Thank you all for your time, cooperation, and perseverance -- we will all get through this together! 

Sincerely,




Supervisor Ahsha Safai 

SAN FRANCISCO CONTINUES TO PAUSE REOPENING FOR MOST ACTIVITIES AND BUSINESSES

Starting July 13^th, San Francisco Zoo and Gardens can reopen with a safety plan, shoppers can use reusable shopping bags, and City will provide clarification for safe boating and fishing practices.

Personal services such as haircuts, massages, tattoos and body piercing, manicures and pedicures, will be the next groups of businesses considered for reopening, but only those services where both clients and providers can be masked at all times. The Department of Public Health will continue to monitor the Key Health Indicators for trends and will provide an update on July 15 on the health indicators and other information that will inform the status of further reopening.  

The remaining activities and businesses that were previously scheduled to reopen either June 29 or July 13, will remain on pause. These include indoor dining, outdoor bars without food, indoor museums and aquariums, outdoor swimming pools, and real estate open houses by appointment.

Businesses and activities that are currently allowed may continue operating at this time. The City continues to encourage San Franciscans to avoid gatherings and wear face coverings when leaving home, and to get tested for COVID-19.

“COVID-19 is still too prevalent in our community, and we need to be vigilant and take all the precautions that are proven to slow the spread,” said Mayor Breed. “Unfortunately, reopening businesses that will encourage gathering and interacting with people outside of your own household is not the safe thing to do right now. I know people want to continue reopening, but in order for that to happen we need to once again flatten the curve so that we’re able to do so.”

As of this morning, San Francisco had recorded 4,316 cases of COVID-19 and 50 deaths. One of the key indicators  of COVID-19 prevalence in the City, the number of new cases per day per 100,000 people, had risen to 7.4, well above the goal of 1.8 and a sharp rise since we began reopening on May 18, when it was 3.5. The rate of increase in hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients, which does not include transfers from other counties, is also a key indicator that affects the pace of reopening. Our goal is to keep that rate below 10%, and today’s indicator shows an increase of 22%. Our hospital capacity, which includes the percentage of acute care and ICU beds that are available, is currently within the acceptable range at 34% for acute care beds and 28% for ICU, but could be quickly filled in a surge of COVID-19 cases.

Modeling indicates that the reproductive rate of the virus is above 1 and increasing, meaning that each person with COVID-19 is infecting more than 1 other person and contributing to a rapid spread of the virus that could overwhelm our hospital system, as it has in other parts of the state and country. San Francisco is currently exceeding the testing goal of 1,800 tests per day, with 2,584 average tests per day and a total of 174,365 tests conducted to date.

San Franciscans can use the same public health principles that are informing the City’s reopening plans to help guide individual choices. When you think about risk of exposure and transmission, keep these things in mind:

• How risky is the activity? Five questions to ask.
  1. Is the activity indoors or outdoors? Outdoors is much safer.
  2. Does it involve gathering with people outside your household? That is riskier and should be avoided.
  3. Can you wear face coverings at all times?
  4. Can you maintain at least six feet of physical distancing?
  5. Can you easily wash your hands, and is the environment properly cleaned?

 Think about any activity in terms of these four characteristics: 

• 1. Number – The more people who are together, the more interactions take place.
  2. Frequency – The more often people interact, the higher the risk of virus transmission.
  3. Duration – The longer the amount of time spent together, the higher the risk of virus transmission.
  4. Distance – The closer together people are, the higher the risk of virus transmission.

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected communities of color in San Francisco, California, and across the United States. In San Francisco, Latinos make up 50% of reported cases of COVID-19 even though Latinos make up just 15% of the city’s population. Many Latino, immigrant, African American, Asian, and low-income communities in San Francisco are further disadvantaged by the fact that they do not qualify for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, unemployment insurance, or loan programs because of their immigration status. Prior to the global outbreak of COVID-19, rates of chronic illness, poor housing conditions, and low wages were already concentrated in these groups and the virus has disproportionally imp acted these communities as well.

Right to Recover Program

The City’s $2 million “Right to Recover” program works hand-in-hand with COVID-19 testing sites across the City. It provides those who qualify with a wage replacement while they recover. Based on San Francisco minimum wage, a two-week wage replacement amounts to $1,285. The program’s financial support will serve up to 1,500 San Franciscans who test positive for COVID-19 to focus on their health and recovery regardless of their immigration status.

The purpose of Right to Recover and the City’s other relief programs, including the Family Relief Fund and the Immigrant Workers Fund program, is to fill the gaps of federal funding by putting money in the hands of the people that need it the most. The goal is to encourage residents and workers to get tested for COVID-19 and not worry about economic hardship during isolation. The programs aim to remove barriers to allow access to relief for those who may not trust government programs due to their immigration status and experience in the criminal justice system.

Under the Right to Recover program, when a person tests positive for COVID-19, the Department of Public Health (DPH) conducts an interview with that person. During the interview, DPH will ask if they have access to replacement wages while they isolate. If not, they will connect the individual to the Right to Recover program. The City will not ask or record any questions about citizenship or immigration status. In addition to this relief program, DPH will also share other wraparound services to support residents around food security, housing assistance, and workforce services.

The Right to Recover program is designed to ensure that those who qualify also receive a comprehensive and culturally competent assessment of their ability to isolate and properly self-care by community partners. This program is made possible by community partners including the Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), Young Community Developers (YCD), Central City Hospitality House, and Self-Help for the Elderly in collaboration with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), DPH, and the Human Rights Commission.

For more information on the Right to Recover program, call the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) Workforce Hotline at (415) 701-4817 where representatives are available 7 days a week to answers calls in multiple language, or email workforce.connection@sfgov.org. In the meantime, people can also check oewd.org/covid19/workers to learn more or call 311.

Additional Support for Families, Residents, and Workers

Resources to support San Franciscans during COVID-19 include:

Food Security

Isolation/Quarantine (IQ) Food Helpline – The City’s centralized resource for food insecure people in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19. This resource provides free groceries or prepared meals to people who have been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive, are a Person Under Investigation (PUI) awaiting test results, or are considered a “close contact” and cannot otherwise access food. Individuals may be referred to this resource by a medical provider, public health staff, social services organization, or 3-1-1.

CalFresh – Access to food for low-income individuals and households via EBT card that can be used at retail food, farmers markets, grocery stores and some restaurants. Learn more.

Pandemic EBT – Children can receive a food benefit while their school is closed, for up to $365 per eligible child. You can apply online for P-EBT if your children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and they did not get a P-EBT card.

Great Plates Delivered – Food delivery of three meals a day to adults 65+ who are sheltering in place and adults 60-64 who are high risk of contracting COVID-19. Learn more.

Home-Delivered Meals and Groceries – Meal delivery for homebound adults who are unable to shop due to a mental or physical condition. Learn more.

Community-based Take Away Meals – Offers meals to adults 60+ at site located throughout San Francisco. Learn more.

Food Pantries – Weekly and bi-monthly groceries at sites located in San Francisco. Learn more.

Housing