By Jaime Michaels, HANC Board Member
Almost three weeks after Mayor Breed declared a state of emergency in San Francisco in response to COVID-19 (“virus”), on March 16, six Bay Area counties with a total of 6.7 million residents issued orders aimed to prevent further spread of the virus. The City and County of San Francisco’s order requires residents to “shelter in place” (i.e., stay at home) through April 7 or, if deemed necessary, longer. At the time of issuance, these orders were the strictest measures of their kind in the continental U.S. On March 19, Governor Newsom issued a similar order for the entire state as have other states, counties, and cities around the country. (For more information, see: City and County of San Francisco Order of the Health Officer No. C19-07 at tinyurl.com/waddyqv.)
San Francisco residents are now practically on a total lockdown at home and regular commercial activity has changed dramatically. For homeless individuals, the order effectively exempts them from the shelter in place requirement but urges them to find shelter through the affected period. The order allows residents to leave home to work in certain “essential” businesses and services, and to engage in “essential activities,” including shopping for food, home, and medical items, getting take-out food, caring for pets, visiting banks and gas stations, doing laundry, and exercising outdoors. “High-risk” individuals and those with significant health conditions are urged not to leave home except when seeking or receiving medical care.
In compliance with the order, the essential businesses open during this time, including grocery and hardware stores, have implemented measures to ensure employee and customer safety and good health. For example, to assist customers in practicing “social distancing” while shopping, stores have reduced the number of patrons allowed inside at any one time. Further, some stores (e.g., the Haight-Ashbury’s Gus’s Market and Whole Foods) have designated specific times during the day for seniors and other vulnerable individuals to shop as a way to provide a safer and more comfortable environment.
To help at-risk residents, including seniors and those with restricted or limited mobility or capacity, meet basic shopping, service or medical support needs during the shelter in place period and in a manner that complies with the order, neighborhood groups have formed and are providing or facilitating support, including:
D5 Mutual Aid Network was initiated by residents of District 5 (including Haight Ashbury) to connect neighbors who wish to provide and who need resources (e.g., sanitation supplies, clothes, expertise, rent, food). Communication is initiated through the website: https://sites.google.com/view/d5-consumer-council/home.
Warm Line (San Francisco) is a free service available to state residents needing non-emergency support and referrals and can be reached at 855-845-7415.
Cole Valley Cares (CVC) developed and run by neighborhood volunteers is offering free assistance for seniors and high risk individuals residing in the Haight Ashbury area with the following activities: grocery shopping, pharmacy pick-up, hardware store visits and handy-person services, animal care, and transportation to medical appointments. CVC volunteers wear masks and gloves during visits to ensure safe and hygienic conditions for those requesting help. CVC volunteers can be reached at: 415-754-0560 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/colevalleycares).
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