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‘Quarantine Diary’ Captures Experience of Living in an RV

Video — Photojournalist Yesica Prado spent the past year examining the culture of vehicle living in San Francisco and Berkeley. Her reporting and photojournalism are featured in “Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis.” Prado filmed and produced “Quarantine Diary” to show her personal experience living in an RV in Berkeley.

See Yesica Prado's photograhy and reporting in “Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis,” which was produced in collaboration with the Bay Area visual storytelling nonprofit CatchLight through its CatchLight Local Initiative.

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San Francisco will stop acquiring shelter-in-place hotel rooms for the city’s vulnerable residents and essential workers, the Emergency Operations Center confirmed in a statement late Wednesday. The city will continue to use the approximately 2,600 rooms under contract and plans to phase out the program by June 2021, the department said.

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Professor: Governments, Residents Must Address Racist Attacks Against Asians

“Civic” episode — Nearly 2,500 cases of verbal and physical attacks against Asian Americans were reported between March 19 and July 22 to a tracking project called Stop AAPI Hate, a group representing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Dr. Russell Jeung, chair and professor of Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University, has called on local, state and federal governments to reject racist rhetoric and commit to anti-racist messaging.

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Sunnyvale’s Blended Fire, Police, Medical Department Gives Officers a ‘Caretaker’ Role

“Civic” episode — Sunnyvale’s Department of Public Safety includes fire, medical and police services and all first responders are trained across all three disciplines. Department Chief Phan Ngo said the different roles mean officers see themselves as caretakers, building their reputation as public servants with residents.

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Why Law Enforcement Should Publicize Surveillance Policies, Procedures

Opinion — Studying the surveillance technology in use by law enforcement in the Bay Area has led us to believe camera registries and networks are so prevalent that residents could rightly question whether their purpose is for surveillance instead of security. But uncovering how and when these cameras and other technologies are being used is not easy.

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COVID-19 Opens New Frontiers in Addiction Medicine

Patients engaged in medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction must be seen frequently, often every few days. Regular doctor visits are not just helpful for people’s recovery, they are also required by the federal government for the dispensing of certain opioid addiction medications. As doctors across San Francisco switched to telehealth visits — talking to patients over the phone or through video chat — an unexpected shift took place. Missed appointments, a norm before the shelter in place order, became rare.

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“Civic” episode — San Francisco has set a goal of communicating with 90% of the people here who test positive for the novel coronavirus and also reaching 90% of their close contacts. But in part due to a delayed trove of test data, the city has reached just 73% of the people for whom it received positive test results over the previous two weeks and 84% of those peoples’ close contacts. When case investigators and contact tracers talk with someone who has tested positive or potentially been exposed, they ask questions, but they also make testing and resource referrals, and give directions on how to try to stop the disease from spreading further.

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Like most of the homeless residents on Willow Street Tuesday morning, Leif  Skorochod was headed for either a city-sanctioned tent camp or the barracks-style homeless shelter at Moscone Convention Center after city workers arrived early that morning and gave them a choice: accept shelter or leave. Homeless Outreach Team members discussed placement options with tent residents while Public Works crews tossed items into truck beds. At least two residents received hotel rooms because they have underlying health conditions. The rest of those the Public Press spoke to were either headed to Moscone or a sanctioned camp site. 

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New Coronavirus Infections Fall Slightly, Food Assistance Extended

San Francisco’s COVID-19 infection rate is leveling off, but Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax said the growth rate is still much higher than he would like to see. “We are finding about 90 new cases of COVID-19 every day. That number has started to drop a bit from its high point two weeks ago, but it is still very concerning. Anything above 50 cases a day continues to put us in the red zone on high alert. And we have been there for about the last six weeks.”

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Bay Area Housing Group Addresses Community Uncertainty, Finance Questions in Pandemic

A challenge to San Francisco’s eviction moratorium lost in court Monday. The San Francisco Apartment Association and three co-plaintiffs sued the city of San Francisco in June to overturn legislation that took eviction permanently off the table for unpaid rents due during the pandemic. They argued that it was an unconstitutional taking of property and pre-empted state law. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Charles Haines heard arguments in the case Friday before ruling in favor of the city.

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LGBTQ Show Returns, Explores Lessons for Activists

“Civic” episode — As San Francisco marks the 50th Anniversary of the first LGBTQ rights march, the program “Out in the Bay” is returning to local airwaves after a four-year hiatus. This week, “Out in the Bay” is appearing for the first time on the Public Press’ radio station, KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco.

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Coronavirus Resource Guide for Vehicle Dwellers in San Francisco and Berkeley

Photojournalist Yesica Prado, a fellow with the CatchLight Local fellowship program, assembled this coronavirus resource guide as part of her ongoing project examining the culture of vehicle living in San Francisco and Berkeley. (Esta información también está disponible en español.)

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Health Director: S.F. Must Be Vigilant, Flexible as City Reopens

As San Francisco improves its ability to mitigate the spread and treat the effects of the novel coronavirus, the city is also grappling with the fallout of its economic shutdown. Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the city’s Department of Public Health, said Tuesday that the city has rapidly expanded its testing and contact tracing capacity and improved its supplies of personal protective equipment. 

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In Case You Missed It

Construction Ramps Up in S.F. — for Now

Safe Sleeping Site Opens at School for Just Six Weeks

Community Efforts Raise Nearly $1 Million for Black-Owned Oakland Businesses

Protesters Weigh In on Defunding Police

Nonprofits Want Added Homeless Protections in UC Hastings Lawsuit Against S.F.

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Support Local Public-Interest Journalism

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Outbreak at Mission District SRO Casa Quezada: 22 Residents and Two Staff Test Positive for COVID-19

Dolores Street Community Services said today that 22 residents and two employees at Casa Quezada have tested positive for COVID-19. Dolores Street blamed “a slow response time and a delay in mass testing” for the outbreak at the 52-unit permanent supportive housing site in a single-room-occupancy hotel at 35 Woodward Street, near Mission and Duboce. 

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In Case You Missed It

Essential Workers, Symptomatic Residents Can Now Get Coronavirus Tests

Approved Tent Camps for Social Distancing Get Thumbs-Up in Report

S.F. Nonprofit Faces Quarter-Million Monthly Cost of Coronavirus Adaptations

In Bid to Slow Pandemic, Officials Ramp Up Tracing of Patients’ Contacts

S.F. Street-Closure Program Draws Criticism for Limited Scope

Supervisors Set Goal of 8,250 Hotel Rooms, City Secures 2,200

Supervisor Pushes for Socially Distanced Homeless Tent Camps

Tenderloin Service Providers Push Street Closure to Thin Crowded Sidewalks

S.F. Mission District Has Most COVID-19 Cases

S.F. Officials Announce Mask Requirement

RVs for Homeless Affected by Coronavirus Pandemic Sitting Empty

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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What Crowding Looks Like During a Pandemic: Dismal Days in the Tenderloin

In a pandemic that mandates physical distancing, survival in the poverty-suffused Tenderloin is endangered by relentlessly overcrowded conditions, a dearth of open public spaces and limited mobility. Neighborhood residents suffer the city’s second-highest rate of COVID-19 infections — eclipsed only by the Bayview — and five times that of neighboring Nob Hill.

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How Pandemic Eviction Protections Work in S.F.

On Tuesday, Mayor London Breed extended until Dec. 1 her order blocking most evictions in the city. But that is just one aspect of eviction regulations, which are robust and complicated. Here’s how they affect renters.

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Oakland Activists Launch Mental Health Hotline as Alternative to Police

“Civic” episode — In response to the disproportionate law enforcement violence against people with mental illness and amid ongoing calls to defund or reform police, activists with the Anti Police-Terror Project on Friday night launched an initiative in Oakland designed to offer an alternative to calling the police in mental health crises. The initiative, called M.H. First Oakland, will begin operations as a hotline with the number (510) 999-9MH1.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Will ‘San Francisco That Works for Everyone’ Work for Anyone?

There is, in this town, always a beachhead established with a campaign questioning how much compassion toward the homeless is prudent — followed by the invasion of an individual campaign for higher office. 

 

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S.F. Identifies Sites for Pop-Up COVID-19 Wards in Case of Surge

San Francisco has identified a handful of potential pop-up wards to be used in the event of a coronavirus surge to house nearly 500 COVID-positive patients who do not require hospitalization but who cannot recuperate on their own because of their housing status or medical conditions, the Department of Emergency Management confirmed in a series of emails last week. 

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Bay Area Black Community Leaders Envision Equitable Coronavirus Response

“Civic” episode — The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected people of color throughout the Bay Area. As of late April, state health department data showed Black Californians were dying from COVID-19 at nearly twice the rate of white residents. In the Bay Area, Latino and Black residents have been testing positive at much higher rates than other groups.

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COVID-19 Hospitalizations in S.F. Could Be Ten Times Higher by October

San Francisco’s Department of Public Health says further reopening plans remain on hold as the city sees a surge in new coronavirus infections that could lead to dire consequences in coming weeks. 

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S.F. Comedy Mainstay Goes Online, International With Virtual Series

“Civic” episode — As live events of all kinds go virtual, one Bay Area comedy show producer has taken it upon herself to launch a monthly online performance with international talent. Lisa Geduldig, who has produced San Francisco’s “Kung Pao Kosher Comedy” and “Comedy Returns to El Rio” for years, will launch “Lockdown Comedy” at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, featuring a group of London-based comedians.

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Bayview Residents Sound Alarm Over Potential Dust From Toxic Site

“Civic” episode — San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood has been hit especially hard by COVID-19, and residents sheltering in place in the area have for years faced elevated levels of air pollution from a variety of nearby sources. Recently, advocates have raised concerns about potentially toxic dust they fear is being generated by a nearby construction project.

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S.F. Reopening on Pause With No New Timeline Set

S.F. Immigration Lawyers Cut ICE Detention Centers Population by Two-Thirds

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Now Is the Time to Support Local News

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Facility Cleared of Guests and Staff as Another Navigation Center Resident Tests Positive for COVID-19

Another resident of the Division Circle Navigation Center on 13th Street has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting health officials to clear the facility of its 65 residents and staff Thursday morning and test all of them. 

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In Case You Missed It

S.F. Street-Closure Program Draws Criticism for Limited Scope

Supervisors Set Goal of 8,250 Hotel Rooms, City Secures 2,200

Supervisor Pushes for Socially Distanced Homeless Tent Camps

Tenderloin Service Providers Push Street Closure to Thin Crowded Sidewalks

S.F. Mission District Has Most COVID-19 Cases

S.F. Officials Announce Mask Requirement

RVs for Homeless Affected by Coronavirus Pandemic Sitting Empty

Inequalities Worsen in Recession, but Economist Sees Opportunities for Change

Cable Car Bells Silenced as Crews Focus on Maintenance in Pandemic

Photojournalist Yesica Prado Featured in YBCA 2020 Census Project 

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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S.F. Immigration Lawyers Cut ICE Detention Centers Population by Two-Thirds

As COVID-19 spread across California, lawyers scrambled to get their clients out on bail to reduce their risk of catching the disease in overcrowded prisons. The San Francisco Public Defender's office’s three-year-old immigration unit has been especially successful at this. Since the Bay Area shelter-in-place orders were announced in mid-March, the team has played a key role in reducing the population of two major ICE detention centers by about two-thirds.

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S.F. Contractor Repeatedly Failed to Service Hygiene Stations

San Franciscans Urged to Stay Home During Holiday Weekend as COVID-19 Cases Rise

Political Theater Troupe Goes on Air With New Radio Serial

Amid Increased Hospitalizations, Government Officials Urge Caution Over July 4 Weekend

S.F. Scrambles to Support Businesses Threatened by Pandemic

Real Estate Groups Sue S.F. Over Eviction Ban

Ride-Hail Drivers Protest for Labor Protections

Pandemic and Protest: How AIDS and LGBTQ Activism in the ’80s Informs the Present

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You Can Help Local News Thrive

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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City Encourages Corporate Homeless Sweeps by Failing to Condemn Them, Critics Charge

Mayor London Breed’s apparent toleration of an unsanctioned homeless encampment “sweep” by a corporate event company has led her critics to ask whether the policy of City Hall is to turn a blind eye to privatized harassment of people living on the streets. The sweep, which occurred just past midnight on the morning of Sept. 10 resulted in the disposal of eight people’s belongings. Neither the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing nor the mayor’s office clearly rebuked the actions of the event company.

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Sales Tax for Caltrain Improvements to Face Three Counties’ Voters

“Civic” episode — San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties will vote on Measure RR, a one-eighth-cent sales tax to be collected for the next 30 years, whose revenue from which would provide critical funding for Caltrain. While supporters say the rail service is at risk of shutting if the measure does not pass, this is not an emergency measure brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, which has cost Caltrain the majority of its riders.

 

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Mission Local: S.F. Testing Strategy Falls Short for Disproportionately Affected Groups

“Civic” episode — In a series of stories, Lydia Chávez, founder and executive editor of Mission Local, reports that San Francisco’s approach to coronavirus testing fails to respond to the disproportionate rates of cases among Latino and Black people in the Mission and the city’s southeastern neighborhoods. (After this episode was recorded, the city announced some new funding. See Mission Local’s story: “Mayor Breed Finds $28.5 Million to Focus on Persistently High COVID-19 Rates in Latinx Population.”)

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In Case You Missed It

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Mission Residents Gather for Free COVID-19 Testing — A Scene That Will Likely Become More Common

Long lines formed at least two of the four Mission District test sites this morning, but the tests proceeded calmly, if somewhat slowly, as the city embarks on the first of what promises to be many testing campaigns – a key to reopening the city. The four-day campaign to test some 5,700 residents in one Mission Census tract is the first of its kind, but doctors hope it will be repeated here as well as other places in the city. (See also: “Mission District mass-COVID-19 testing could blow up the city’s data. But that’s okay.”)

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In Case You Missed It

Leader Urges School District to Host Tent Camp

Stanford Volunteers Developing Financial Support Hub

Shelter Ejects Clients for Violating New Coronavirus-Related Restrictions

Essential Workers, Symptomatic Residents Can Now Get Coronavirus Tests

Approved Tent Camps for Social Distancing Get Thumbs-Up in Report

S.F. Nonprofit Faces Quarter-Million Monthly Cost of Coronavirus Adaptations

In Bid to Slow Pandemic, Officials Ramp Up Tracing of Patients’ Contacts

S.F. Street-Closure Program Draws Criticism for Limited Scope

Supervisors Set Goal of 8,250 Hotel Rooms, City Secures 2,200

Supervisor Pushes for Socially Distanced Homeless Tent Camps

Tenderloin Service Providers Push Street Closure to Thin Crowded Sidewalks

S.F. Mission District Has Most COVID-19 Cases

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?

Write to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Thanks for your support!

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Researchers Test 1,650 Mission Residents Over the Weekend, in the City’s Largest Testing Effort to Date

By the end of the weekend, researchers had tested 1,650 residents in Census tract 229.01 in the southeast Mission, a tract targeted because of its density and its majority-Latino population. The tests are free and patients do not have to show symptoms.

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In Case You Missed It

Farmers Markets, as Essential Food Sources, Adapt to Pandemic

San Francisco Shelter-in-Place Order Could Be Extended Next Week

City Outlines Plan to Move Homeless Into RVs

Leader Urges School District to Host Tent Camp

Stanford Volunteers Developing Financial Support Hub

Shelter Ejects Clients for Violating New Coronavirus-Related Restrictions

Essential Workers, Symptomatic Residents Can Now Get Coronavirus Tests

Approved Tent Camps for Social Distancing Get Thumbs-Up in Report

S.F. Nonprofit Faces Quarter-Million Monthly Cost of Coronavirus Adaptations

In Bid to Slow Pandemic, Officials Ramp Up Tracing of Patients’ Contacts

S.F. Street-Closure Program Draws Criticism for Limited Scope

Supervisors Set Goal of 8,250 Hotel Rooms, City Secures 2,200

Supervisor Pushes for Socially Distanced Homeless Tent Camps

Tenderloin Service Providers Push Street Closure to Thin Crowded Sidewalks

S.F. Mission District Has Most COVID-19 Cases

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?

Write to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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TONIGHT: San Francisco Ballot Review Event

Join us for a live event breaking down the 2020 ballot. We have analyzed the 13 San Francisco propositions and will provide a nonpartisan analysis of the ballot measures and local races in collaboration with Mission Local. Our panel of reporters will answer audience questions at the end of the discussion. Dig deep into the local propositions and vote all the way down the ballot with confidence!

What: Election 2020: What’s on the Line in San Francisco?
When: Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
RSVP to receive the Zoom link and submit your questions during the event (or watch it live on our YouTube channel).

Want to brush up on the issues before the event? Check out our nonpartisan voter guide offering comprehensive analysis of all the local propositions and candidate races in San Francisco.

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Cities’ Uses of Herbicide Differ, Like Conflicting Research on Health Impacts

“Civic” episode — Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the maker of a weedkiller alleging that it causes cancer. Research is mixed on that, as the results of various studies are split on whether glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weedkiller Roundup, is linked to cancer or other health concerns. In the Bay Area, where many of those lawsuits originated, cities have handled the question of whether to keep using glyphosate in public spaces differently. Kristi Coale, who wrote two articles about glyphosate for the Public Press, discusses her reporting with “Civic.”

Related articles:

As Cancer Concerns Lead Cities to Ban Herbicide, S.F. Scales Back Use of Roundup

Scientists Split Over Herbicide Risk, Leaving Public in Lurch

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S.F. Vehicle Dwellers’ Living Situations Diverge During Pandemic

“Civic” episode — Photojournalist Yesica Prado has been documenting the lives of people living in their cars, vans, RVs and campers — including, at times, turning the lens on herself as she shelters in place in her own RV. Earlier this year, the Public Press, in collaboration CatchLight, published Prado’s photos and writing in “Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis.” Prado talked with “Civic” about expanding the series to show how the lives of two people featured in earlier photo essays have changed during the pandemic. One has faced unemployment and dwindling resources, while another has given birth to her first child and moved into an apartment.  

Related articles:

From an RV to Four Walls and a Pantry: One New Mom’s Story

Pandemic Makes Ride-Hailing Gig Untenable for S.F. Man Living in His Car 

Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis

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Mail Workers Renew Calls for Critical Postal Service Funding

“Civic” episode — Postal workers rallied Tuesday to demand Congress approve $25 billion in emergency funding for the Postal Service to ensure its continued operation, and reverse workflow changes made by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. While the Postal Service operates without federal funding, the coronavirus pandemic has affected mail volume and also led to staff having to take sick leave. The November election brought more work for the already stretched service. “Civic” spoke with local members of the American Postal Workers Union about the current challenges, how the holiday season may bring additional revenue — and how the service is expected to be out of money by early next year.

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BART Takes Cost-Cutting Measures While Making COVID Safety, Infrastructure Improvements

“Civic” episode — Ridership on public transit has dropped dramatically. On BART, ridership was about 13% of pre-pandemic levels in October. Since around 65% of the system’s revenue comes from fares, the drop in ridership was a major blow to operating plans, said Janice Li, who represents BART District 8 on its board of directors. The board has since passed a cost-cutting plan that covers its expenses for the first three quarters of fiscal year 2021, but the agency still faces a $33 million deficit for the fourth quarter of the fiscal year and a projected $177 million shortfall in the next fiscal year. Despite taking a financial hit, BART immediately responded to the pandemic with new protocols, and the system now boasts a filtration system that replaces the air in each car every 70 seconds. 

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In Case You Missed It

San Francisco May Be in Purple Tier by Sunday, Late-Night Curfew Likely Next Week

City Reverses Shelter Eviction Policy, Extends Protections to Hotel Residents

Despite Recycling Success, S.F.’s Zero Waste Goal Remains Elusive

Swords to Plowshares Providing In-Person Veterans Services During Pandemic

Responding to Homelessness With Law Enforcement Ineffective, Researchers Say

Immigration Attorney: Rapid Deportations a New Facet of Old Policy

Bay Area Organizers Prepare to Mobilize If Election Results Not Followed

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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With Corruption on the Ballot, San Francisco Could Learn Oversight From Other Scandal-Plagued Cities?

When it comes to good government, dysfunction and disgrace can occasionally inspire some of the brightest ideas for reform. And getting the whole community involved in the cleanup — through the ballot box — can be one way to make those changes happen faster. Though the parallels are not exact, the tiny scandal-ridden city of Bell, near Los Angeles, could hold keys to fixing a culture of corruption that has insinuated itself deep in the heart of San Francisco’s massive and opaque bureaucracy.

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Lessons From S.F. Mime Troupe’s Move From Live Events to Radio Plays

“Civic” episode — The San Francisco Mime Troupe radio play series “Tales of the Resistance” wraps up its ten-week run. Heading into the finale, “Civic” asks about the troupe’s experience transitioning from live-in-the-park theater to an audio-only production. Tune in to KSFP 102.5 FM or our livestream at ksfp.fm to listen to this “Civic” interview today at 6 p.m., and then return for “Tales of the Resistance” episodes 9 and 10 — the finale — this Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m.

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Hear Election Coverage From ‘Civic’ on KSFP

We are rebroadcasting all of our recent “Civic” episodes about the local propositions and candidate races on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election at the following times:

• Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9:48 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 1, from 5 a.m. to 7:48 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and and from 7 p.m. to 9:48 p.m.

Tune in to KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco or listen to our livestream at ksfp.fm.

And check out our comprehensive voter guide to help understand what you're voting on in San Francisco for the Nov. 3 election.

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In Case You Missed It

Nurses in S.F. Department of Public Health Demand Thousands of Hours in Overtime Pay

While We Wait: COVID-19 Research Beyond Vaccines

Insider Opposes $5.5 Billion State Bond to Fund Stem Cell Research

Senior, Disability Advocates Mobilize to Ensure Care Facility Residents Vote

Bay Area Leaders Reject Proposed MTC Telecommute Mandate

Workplace Inclusion Expert Reflects on Federal Diversity Training Ban

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

Want to follow and share our coverage? Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Activist Calls for Reparations as Step Toward Healing

“Civic” episode — In this interview, Omorede "Rico" Hamilton expands on remarks he made at one demonstration and makes a case for addressing some of the damage done by racism with reparations.

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Appointees to Police Oversight Body Lack Reform Chops, Legislators Find

“Civic” episode — Last Monday the Rules Committee of the Board of Supervisors met to grill two of Mayor London Breed’s nominees for the city’s Police Commission, Nancy Tung and Geoffrey Gordon-Creed. Lydia Chávez, executive editor of Mission Local, covered the meeting.

Update — Read Mission Local’s story about how the Board of Supervisors this week rejected one of Mayor Breed’s nominees for the Police Commission, and the other comission nominee withdrew his candidacy. 

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Businesses to Drop Lawsuit Against S.F. Over City-Sanctioned Homeless Camp

After backlash from neighbors, activists and others, several Haight-Ashbury businesses plan to drop a federal lawsuit against San Francisco for its placement of an approved homeless encampment at Haight and Stanyan streets. Plaintiffs included Amoeba Music, Escape From New York Pizza and the Concerned Citizens of the Haight, a newly formed neighborhood association.

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In Case You Missed It

Black Lives Matter Marchers Block Traffic in Golden Gate Bridge Protest

As Thousands Protest Police Killings, Signs of a Turning Point

Voices From the March: ‘If You’re Black, You’re at Risk’

Protesters Gather to Decry Slaying of S.F. Man by Vallejo Police

Protesters Say Change Is Possible — if Political Momentum Lasts

Homeless Clamor for Safe Camp Sites While Over 1,000 Hotel Rooms Go Unused

Oakland Lifts City Curfew After Thousands Defied It Wednesday

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Support Local Public-Interest Journalism

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

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Want to follow and share our coverage? Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Event: Using the Ballot to Fight Corruption

San Francisco has faced waves of scandals in which public officials abused their power for personal, political or organizational gain. Most recently, the Department of Public Works was rocked by an FBI investigation into alleged kickbacks, slush funds and illicit permitting influence. With an anticorruption proposition on the 2020 ballot, and other reform proposals up for debate, how can voters use the ballot box as a tool to hold local government accountable? Hear from two veteran good-government experts who help break down the challenges in San Francisco, California and beyond. The panel includes:

• Carmen Balber, executive director, Consumer Watchdog
• Larry Bush, member, San Francisco Ethics Commission

This discussion will be moderated by Max Pringle, Bay Area radio journalist.

When: Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
RSVP: You must RSVP to receive Zoom link. We will also broadcast the event on our YouTube channel. 

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Hear Election Coverage From ‘Civic’ on KSFP

We are rebroadcasting all of our recent “Civic” episodes about the local propositions and candidate races on the ballot for the Nov. 3 election at the following times:

• Sunday, Oct. 25, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 a.m, to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9:48 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 1, from 5 a.m to 7:48 a.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and and from 7 p.m. to 9:48 p.m.

Tune in to KSFP 102.5 FM in San Francisco or listen to our livestream at ksfp.fm.

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Senior, Disability Advocates Mobilize to Ensure Care Facility Residents Vote

“Civic” episode — The coronavirus pandemic has transformed elections, and for people who live in residential care facilities like nursing homes, that may be creating barriers to participation. Last week, organizers with Senior and Disability Action called together advocates and experts to lay out what rights these residents have and how to ensure they are able to exercise them.

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Bay Area Leaders Reject Proposed MTC Telecommute Mandate

Bay Area political leaders are throwing cold water on a controversial work-from-home rule proposed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission as part of a regional climate change plan.

 

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In Case You Missed It

Workplace Inclusion Expert Reflects on Federal Diversity Training Ban

Watch the Video From Our San Francisco Ballot Review Event

How Proposed S.F. Tax Measures Could Affect Inequality

‘She Represents’ Offers Critical Feminist Look at Women in Politics

To Fight Apathy, Viewing Electoral Participation as Collective, Not Solitary, Act

Draft Resistance Documentary Draws Throughlines With Civil Rights, Current Movements

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

Want to follow and share our coverage? Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Luxury Event Company Conducts Homeless Sweep Ahead of Tech Conference

Non Plus Ultra, a company that produces TechCrunch’s Disrupt, an influential trade show for technology startups that began yesterday and typically draws thousands of attendees, conducted an independent sweep of a homeless tent encampment outside one of its San Francisco locations early this month. 

The incident, which was not sanctioned by the city, occurred early on Thursday, Sept. 3, behind a former Honda dealership on Market Street that has been converted into a Non Plus Ultra event space. The middle-of-the-night sweep displaced eight people, according to a nearby shelter resident who was friends with many of the camp residents. Read the full story.

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In Case You Missed It

Climate Activist: Era of Megafires Likely to Worsen Without Action

“Civic” episode — Tens of thousands of people are facing evacuation orders and threats to their safety as fires continue to blaze across the Western United States. These disastrous fires are one of the effects of climate change that scientists predicted, said climate activist Laura Neish, executive director of 350 Bay Area.

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Proposition K Aims to Pave the Way for Municipal Social Housing in San Francisco

“Civic” episode — Rents may be falling as the coronavirus pandemic reshapes our economy, but San Francisco is still in an affordable housing crisis. Proposition K on the November ballot represents an attempt to allow the city to create new affordable housing units.

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Smoke-Darkened Skies a Stark Reminder of Climate Crisis

“Civic” episode — Some two dozen wildfires are burning around the state, and Bay Area residents woke up Wednesday to an eerie artificial smoky twilight. A major factor in the ever-increasing severity of these wildfires is climate change — while fires are a natural occurrence in California, fire season has been steadily expanding, and the fires are getting more ferocious over the years.

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What to Expect in California’s Vote-by-Mail November Election

“Civic“ episode — All registered California voters will have the option of voting by mail this year, with mail-in ballots expected to reach voters by Oct. 5. To accommodate the anticipated high volume of mail that will be handled by an already strained postal service, elections officials will be able to accept ballots up to 17 days after Election Day, so long as they were postmarked by Nov. 3. 

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More Stories From the Public Press

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

Want to follow and share our coverage? Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Climate Activist: Era of Megafires Likely to Worsen Without Action

“Civic” episode — Tens of thousands of people are facing evacuation orders and threats to their safety as fires continue to blaze across the Western United States. These disastrous fires are one of the effects of climate change that scientists predicted, said climate activist Laura Neish, executive director of 350 Bay Area.

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Public Press Live Event
From the Stage to the Airwaves

Join us for a Public Press Live webinar with JoAnne Winter, artistic director of San Francisco’s Word for Word Performing Arts Company, and Gendell Hing-Hernández, director of “The Machine Stops.” They will discuss their inspiration for bringing literary works to the stage and how they are adapting the productions to audio format.

The conversation will be moderated by Laura Wenus, host of “Civic,” our daily news and public affairs radio show and podcast. We will take audience questions after the discussion. You can also submit questions before the event. “Word for Word” shows will be broadcast on KSFP 102.5 FM and distributed as a podcast, “Word for Wordcast.”

When: Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 2:45 p.m.
RSVP: You must RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

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Proposition K Aims to Pave the Way for Municipal Social Housing in San Francisco

“Civic” episode — Rents may be falling as the coronavirus pandemic reshapes our economy, but San Francisco is still in an affordable housing crisis. Proposition K on the November ballot represents an attempt to allow the city to create new affordable housing units, a municipal version of public housing.

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Smoke-Darkened Skies a Stark Reminder of Climate Crisis

“Civic” episode — Some two dozen wildfires are burning around the state, and Bay Area residents woke up Wednesday to an eerie artificial smoky twilight. A major factor in the ever-increasing severity of these wildfires is climate change — while fires are a natural occurrence in California, fire season has been steadily expanding, and the fires are getting more ferocious over the years.

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What to Expect in California’s Vote-by-Mail November Election

“Civic“ episode — All registered California voters will have the option of voting by mail this year, with mail-in ballots expected to reach voters by Oct. 5. To accommodate the anticipated high volume of mail that will be handled by an already strained postal service, elections officials will be able to accept ballots up to 17 days after Election Day, so long as they were postmarked by Nov. 3. Voters still have options, however, if for some reason they are unable to or not interested in sending their ballot by mail, but individual counties will determine whether to offer as many polling places as last year.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Several Industries Open Next Week Without ‘Limited Capacity’ Defined

San Francisco’s mayor on Thursday suddenly announced the indoor reopening for a variety of industries on Sept. 14. This includes hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors, massage services, hotels, places of worship, political activities, and gym and fitness centers. Though this is certainly welcome news for businesses that have been shuttered since March, many owners were caught by surprise and left with lingering questions.

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Did someone forward this to you? Sign up for it and subscribe to “Civic” on any podcast platform.

“Civic” episode — Some 80% of calls the San Francisco Fire Department responds to are medical emergencies.

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Transport in Transition: S.F’s Muni Service, Before and After Cutbacks

Photo essay — 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.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Board of Supervisors Unanimously Passes Emergency Hotel Legislation — City Mandated to Acquire 8,250 Rooms

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously passed emergency legislation that requires the city to acquire 8,250 hotel rooms by April 26 for unsheltered residents, first responders and individuals leaving hospitals with no suitable place to quarantine.  

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In Case You Missed It

S.F. Cites Equipment Shortages in COVID-19 Testing as Thousands of Swabs Arrive in Town

With Increased Isolation Comes Increased Risk of Being Scammed

S.F. Officials Explain Their Efforts to House Homeless During Pandemic

70 Coronavirus Cases Confirmed at S.F. Homeless Shelter

S.F. Needs to Shut Down Streets During Coronavirus Pandemic

San Francisco Firefighters Adapt Routines to Coronavirus Pandemic

Want to Foster a Dog? Get on the Waitlist as Demand Soars at Bay Area Shelters

Distrust of S.F. Agencies Leaves Some Homeless Wary of Quarantine Hotels

S.F. to Secure 7,000 Hotel Rooms, Offer Mental Health Support During Coronavirus Pandemic

Nonprofits Retool to Serve Refugees Struggling During COVID-19 Shutdown

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?

Tell us by writing to editors@sfpublicpress.org or calling 415-495-7377.

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Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for your support!

San Francisco May Be in Purple Tier by Sunday, Late-Night Curfew Likely Next Week

The number of new COVID-19 cases has quadrupled since Oct. 12 amid the city’s worst surge in infections since the pandemic began, San Francisco Department of Public Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax said Friday. “Our current case rate places us on the trajectory to potentially be in the purple tier as early as Sunday,” he said, alluding to the state’s most restrictive level. 

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What Has Changed for People Living in Vehicles 

Earlier this year, we published “Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis,” a photojournalism project by Yesica Prado documenting the experiences of people living in vehicles in the Bay Area, which was produced in collaboration with CatchLight Local. Prado recently followed up with two of the people featured in her initial reporting. Here are their stories.

From an RV to Four Walls and a Pantry: One New Mom’s Story

TantayTolbert's life has changed dramatically since she had a baby, her first child, and moved into an apartment.

  

Pandemic Makes Ride-Hailing Gig Untenable for S.F. Man Living in His Car

Gregory Nelson still lives in his 1986 Cadillac. Life is more challenging now that his health problems have worsened, and he gave up driving for Lyft because low ridership means he can’t afford the car rental fees.

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As Cancer Concerns Lead Cities to Ban Herbicide, S.F. Scales Back Use of Roundup

When San Franciscans hike up Twin Peaks or stroll through Glen Canyon Park, they could be exposing themselves to an herbicide that some studies have linked to cancer. But thanks to growing concerns about public health and liability, their risks are substantially lower than they were five years ago, when the city used 20 times as much of the chemical. That herbicide is glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto’s top-selling weedkiller, Roundup. Monsanto owner Bayer agreed in June to pay more than $10 billion to plaintiffs in thousands of pending lawsuits over claims Roundup caused cancer.

As legal victories against the company pile up, several Bay Area cities have faced a tough choice — keep using a chemical that evidence increasingly shows is dangerous and exposes them to legal risks, or switch to other, often less effective methods. San Francisco has limited its risk through a strategy known as integrated pest management and its move to scale back dramatically on glyphosate since 2015. Read the full story and this related piece: “Scientists Split Over Herbicide Risk, Leaving Public in Lurch.”

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City Reverses Shelter Eviction Policy, Extends Protections to Hotel Residents

San Francisco officials said they intended to reverse a policy change that would have left homeless shelter residents with fewer protections from eviction than they had before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In an email obtained by the Public Press, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing stated its intent to reactivate the shelter grievance policy at congregate shelter sites, and to eventually extend it to shelter-in-place hotels. 

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In Case You Missed It

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

Want to follow and share our coverage? Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Counting San Francisco: An Audio Series From ‘Civic’

Threats to Exclude Undocumented From Census Exemplify Fears of Other ‘Hard-to-Count’ Communities

The decennial census is used to determine how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives. And according to the Project on Government Oversight, California can also expect to receive more than $170 billion in census-guided federal funding over the next ten years. In a July memo, President Trump sought to exclude undocumented immigrants from the count used to apportion representatives. But past encounters with well-meaning government agents have already made some homeless, poor, undocumented and otherwise marginalized people skeptical that being counted will actually benefit them.

Online Census Yields Mixed Accessibility Results

This year the census is being conducted primarily online for the first time. While the shift offered convenience to the digitally connected, many communities include people with limited digital tools or literacy that put the digital questionnaire out of reach. With the coronavirus pandemic and confusing federal directives, the in-person enumeration most likely to document them has been delayed and cut short.

Census Education Falls to Community Groups as Trump Fans Confusion

The 2020 census is well under way, but a timetable muddled by the coronavirus pandemic coupled with attempts by President Trump to make disruptive changes have set the stage for the spread of misinformation that threatens a complete count. Local nonprofit organizations have been working to get correct and timely information to people who might need it to avoid that outcome.

The Judicial Council of California, the rulemaking body for the nation’s largest court system, voted Thursday to end a temporary reprieve for California residents in danger of losing their homes. The move would lift the protections at midnight on Sept. 1, opening the door to evictions and foreclosures.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Before COVID-19, Guoron Greeted the Homeless at St. John’s — Now He Visits Some at the Marriott

Until the pandemic closed the doors in March, Gonzalo Guoron Tzian, 52, was a hospitality monitor with the Sacred Sleep Program for unhoused people at St. John’s The Evangelist Episcopal Church on 15th Street at Julian. Last week, after five months, his boss called him and eight other workers, and said there was no date to come back. He’d been wondering where his former guests were finding themselves, and he went looking.

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Join the Public Press Today

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

Want to follow and share our coverage? Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

S.F. Contractor Repeatedly Failed to Service Hygiene Stations

Early in the pandemic, United Site Services consistently failed to maintain hygiene stations for homeless residents despite repeated requests from city staff.

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San Franciscans Urged to Stay Home During Holiday Weekend as COVID-19 Cases Rise

San Francisco’s Emergency Operations Center Thursday urged residents to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend at home to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Over the last two weeks, the seven-day average number of new cases in the city has more than doubled and hospitalization rose by more than 50% in the last week.

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“Civic” episode — The San Francisco Mime Troupe’s free performances in the park skewering political figures with satirical musical theater have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the troupe will continue to perform on the radio. Mime Troupe collective members Marie Cartier and Ellen Callas joined George Koster to discuss their first original radio serial, “Tales of the Resistance.” Hear the first episode of the serial on KSFP via the station livestream tomorrow, July 4, at 5 p.m. (with an immediate rebroadcast at 5:30 p.m.) and July 5 at 9 a.m.

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Amid Increased Hospitalizations, Government Officials Urge Caution Over July 4 Weekend

San Francisco public officials warned that people should avoid gatherings to celebrate July 4, as infection rates and hospitalizations linked to the COVID-19 pandemic have surged over the past week. Dr. Tomás Aragón, San Francisco Health Officer, and Joaquín Torres, the director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, urged San Franciscans to get outside to some of the area’s surrounding nature over the holiday weekend in lieu of attending indoor gatherings.

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S.F. Scrambles to Support Businesses Threatened by Pandemic

“Civic” episode — Joaquín Torres, director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, gave an overview of local programs meant to support struggling businesses and workers and how many have received aid.

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In Case You Missed It

Real Estate Groups Sue S.F. Over Eviction Ban

Ride-Hail Drivers Protest for Labor Protections

Pandemic and Protest: How AIDS and LGBTQ Activism in the ’80s Informs the Present

San Francisco Pauses Reopening as Coronavirus Infections Rise

LGBTQ Refugee Doc Debuts on Public Television, Streaming

Black Panthers See Echoes in Today’s Protest Movement, With Focus on Cell Phones, Not Guns

Behind the Tent Flap: Voices From the Streets of the Tenderloin

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Local News Thrives With Your Help

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Online event — San Francisco Mime Troupe collective members Marie Cartier and Ellen Callas will join George Koster to discuss their first original radio serial, “Tales of the Resistance,” which will broadcast on KSFP 102.5 FM. Join us to hear what the Mime Troupe has planned for this summer as public health concerns precluded their planned staged appearances across the Bay Area. Audience questions will follow the featured conversation.

When: Tuesday, June 30, from 3 to 4 p.m.
RSVP: You must RSVP to receive the Zoom link

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Local News Thrives With Your Help

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Did someone forward this to you? Sign up for it and subscribe to “Civic” on any podcast platform.

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?

Write to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Thanks for your support!

No Address, No Rest: Berkeley Forces Vehicle Dwellers to Keep Rolling

In a region where the cost of living has spiraled upward in the last decade, some who find themselves without housing opt for living in vehicles. Many view it as a temporary fix — an affordable shelter or intermediate stop they hope will put them on a path to stable, permanent housing. In Berkeley, a group of vehicle dwellers joined together and created their own support system. (Lee esta historia en español.)

This story is part of “Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis” and was produced in collaboration with the Bay Area visual storytelling nonprofit CatchLight through their CatchLight Local Initiative. As a CatchLight Local Fellow at the San Francisco Public Press, Yesica Prado examined the culture of vehicle living in San Francisco and Berkeley. Her fellowship work has been featured by the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and by the Artists Against an #Infodemic Campaign, which aims to improve access to locally relevant public health information. The CatchLight Local Initiative is funded by the Kresge Foundation, The GroundTruth Project, the Facebook Journalism Project, the Neda Nobari Foundation and the Lisa Stone Pritzker Family Foundation. 

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At Moscone Homeless Shelter, Hazardous Conditions, Inconsistent Coronavirus Testing

As Moscone Center began accepting new homeless residents from street encampments in recent weeks, residents and advocates expressed concerns about safety at the convention center and other group shelter settings. Three residents said COVID-19 testing prior to admittance at Moscone Center is inconsistent, residents don’t reliably wear masks and sanitation is lacking. Bathrooms were particularly problematic, they said, citing feces-smeared toilet stalls and showers reeking of urine.

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‘Into the Streets’ Shows How Recent Demonstrations Echo Historic Protests

“Civic” episode — The coronavirus pandemic has forced millions of people to stay home from work and school, but it has not suppressed a deep cultural impulse for expressing frustration, solidarity and demand for change through public protest. This year, that impulse has come from across the political spectrum, with early statehouse demonstrations decrying economic shutdown, followed by a national wave of protests against racism and police brutality. Marke Bieschke gives the conversation about these events and an even broader range of actions historical context with his new book, “Into the Streets: A Young Person’s Visual History of Protests in the United States.”

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S.F. to Expand Coronavirus Testing as Cases Surge

San Francisco is conducting more than 3,000 coronavirus tests per day on average, but backlogs are developing at labs and a rising demand is making it more difficult to schedule a test. Mayor London Breed announced Wednesday that testing capacity will be expanded by about 1,400 tests per day in the coming weeks through the addition of appointment times and testing facilities. The CityTest facility on the Embarcadero will be adding 400 slots per day for essential workers.

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Imagining an Eco-Friendly Post-Pandemic Downtown

“Civic” episode — Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for space in San Francisco’s office towers seemed insatiable. But with no end to the pandemic in sight and the prospect that many employers will allow their people to continue to work from home after the crisis, it’s possible that at least some of those gleaming office towers will empty out. Architects Elizabeth Ranieri and Byron Kuth wondered what could be done with all of that vertical real estate. They looked at two blocks of buildings bounded by Beale, Main, Market and Mission streets where Pacific Gas and Electric is scheduled to move out of one of the largest buildings. Ranieri said they realized that the entire two blocks could become a self-sustaining village.

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
Developers Look to Flip Former Board-and-Care Into Luxury Housing

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Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?  Send an email to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Kicking Off Our Spring Member Drive

Please consider making a donation to the Public Press so we can continue delivering fact-based community journalism. Join us today.

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Testing Expanded for Essential S.F. Workers

Preliminary Results of Mission COVID Tests Show 95% of Positive Cases Were Latinx

The preliminary results from the UCSF study that tested 4,160 people who live or work in the Mission District show that 95% of those who tested positive for COVID-19 were Latinx. Those who tested positive were generally low-income and 90% were unable to work from home. Eighty-nine percent who tested positive were earning less than $50,000 a year, and 88% were living in households of three or more people.

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In Case You Missed It

S.F. Offers Hotel Rooms for Local Homeless, Not Newcomers, Breed Says

Excluded From Federal Relief, Sex Workers Strategize for Survival

Activists Warn Anti-Asian Racism Likely to Worsen After Lockdown Lifts

City Kills Plan for Mass Coronavirus Testing in S.F. Homeless Shelters

S.F. Supervisors Support Tent Camps – Some, Even Post-Pandemic

Independent Filmmakers, Coronavirus and the Lost Spring of 2020

With Film Festivals Canceled, Bay Area Filmmakers Contemplate How to Reach Audiences

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?

Write to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

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Public Press Live Today
‘Civic’ From Home: Hacking a Radio Station

Live from their kitchen studios! This week’s Public Press Live features Mel Baker, KSFP programming director, and Laura Wenus, host of “Civic,” our daily news and public affairs radio show and podcast.

Laura and Mel will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how they’re adapting to sheltering in place. From conducting interviews to managing a transmission and mixing podcasts, you’ll hear what it’s like broadcasting at home during a pandemic.

• How do they run a remote radio station?
• What shows have had the most impact?
• Hear the blooper reel!
• What could the future of radio and podcasting sound like?
• Ask questions and share your show ideas.

The discussion will be moderated by Lila LaHood, publisher.

When: Friday, May 8, from noon to 12:30 p.m.
You must RSVP. Zoom details will be included in the "Additional Information" section in your confirmation email.

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Weekly Unemployment Payouts in State Skyrocket to Record $4.4 Billion

It’s Thursday noon, and time for UCSF’s Medical Grand Rounds on COVID-19. Grab a cup of tea or a stiff drink. We may think the pandemic is subsiding, but Thursday’s 90-minute update was grim. “Sobering,” said the able and affable moderator Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the Department of Medicine at UCSF.
Dr. George Rutherford, a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics, focused this week on COVID’s progression in the United States and California: “There’s really nothing to suggest that this is dropping off,” he said. “And, in fact, it’s continuing at a fairly flat rate.” The latter equals around 25,000 to 30,000 new cases a day in the United States.

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In Case You Missed It

S.F. Targets 13 Tenderloin Blocks for Tent Relocation, Cleanup, Services

Homeless Activists Occupied S.F. Home to Protest Real Estate Speculation

Activist: Racists Stoke Anti-Asian Fears to Divide Us

Testing Expanded for Essential S.F. Workers

Rental Relief Programs See Requests Surge From Newly Jobless

Two Squatters Occupy Vacant S.F. Home to Protest Housing Policies for Homeless

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Bringing You Essential Community News

Help the Public Press and “Civic” cover local perspectives of the coronavirus pandemic by making a donation today.

Become a member online or send a check to San Francisco Public Press, 44 Page St., Suite 504, San Francisco, CA 94102.

Have an idea for a story we should report?

Write to editors@sfpublicpress.org or call 415-495-7377.

Want to follow and share our coverage?

Sign up for this newsletter or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Thanks for your support!

As Fire Season Approaches, COVID-19 Strains Mask Supplies

As California’s fall wildfire season approaches, mask shortages mean Oakland residents are at risk of exposure to both coronavirus and toxic smoke. Advocacy organizations that distribute masks warn that groups in Oakland often left without access to protective masks — people with respiratory conditions, non-English speaking households and homeless residents — could face dangerous levels of air pollution.

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Months Into Pandemic, Physician Reflects on Developing Coronavirus Knowledge

“Civic” episode — In March, Dr. Monica Bhargava, a pulmonary and critical care physician at the county hospital in Oakland, predicted on “Civic” that the novel coronavirus would deeply affect the region’s health care system for many months to come. That, and some of her other observations, turned out to be correct. In recent months, scientists and doctors have learned much more about how the virus spreads and what makes patients vulnerable to serious complications. Bhargava returned to “Civic” to follow up on her earlier observations and discuss how the conversations doctors, patients and whole communities are having about managing the coronavirus pandemic have changed. 

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Empowering Youth to Advance Justice in Vallejo

“Civic” episode — Organizers have been raising the alarm about police brutality in Vallejo for years. Among them is Club Stride, an organization dedicated to cultivating civic participation in communities of color and empowering youth led by executive director and founder Dr. Rhonda Renfro. Club Stride and its youth organizers like Raven Manigault, a recent Howard University graduate who aspires to become a judge, have long been confronting structural inequalities. They spoke with “Civic” about the momentum of the movement to dismantle structural racism and how the conversation about police violence has changed.

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No Address, No Rest: Berkeley Forces Vehicle Dwellers to Keep Rolling

In a region where the cost of living has spiraled upward in the last decade, some who find themselves without housing opt for living in vehicles. Many view it as a temporary fix — an affordable shelter or intermediate stop they hope will put them on a path to stable, permanent housing. In Berkeley, a group of vehicle dwellers joined together and created their own support system. (Lee esta historia en español.)

This story is part of “Driving Home: Surviving the Housing Crisis” and was produced in collaboration with the Bay Area visual storytelling nonprofit CatchLight through their CatchLight Local Initiative. As a CatchLight Local Fellow at the San Francisco Public Press, Yesica Prado examined the culture of vehicle living in San Francisco and Berkeley. Her fellowship work has been featured by the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and by the Artists Against an #Infodemic Campaign, which aims to improve access to locally relevant public health information. The CatchLight Local Initiative is funded by the Kresge Foundation, The GroundTruth Project, the Facebook Journalism Project, the Neda Nobari Foundation and the Lisa Stone Pritzker Family Foundation. 

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From Our Friends at Mission Local
San Francisco Tests for COVID-19 More Than Most Anywhere Else, but Does It Have a Strategy?

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