As we begin another week in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to provide you ongoing updates about San Francisco resources and opportunities available to you from the tech community and beyond.
- 43,647 confirmed cases in California
- 1,717 confirmed deaths in California
- 7,499 confirmed cases in the Bay Area
*As of 9:00am PT on 4/27
COVID-19 Updates from the SF Tech Community
UPDATES FROM THE TECH COMMUNITY
Many sf.citi members have taken leadership on developing their own policies and strategies to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus on their employees, customers, and the general public. We’ve listed the most recent tech-driven efforts below.
- Several sf.citi members responded to Governor Gavin Newsom’s call for cross-sector partnerships to support California’s distance learning efforts and bridge the digital divide. As we mentioned in an earlier update, Google is providing 4,000 Chromebooks to California students in greatest need, as well as free wifi to 100,000 rural households during the COVID-19 crisis. Amazon is donating 10,000 tablet devices. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey is donating $1 million through his Start Small COVID-19 relief fund. And Verizon is providing 250,000 students with unlimited Internet service at a discounted rate.
- Apple and Google are working collaboratively on a contact tracing API, the first version of which is slated to release to developers tomorrow, April 28.
- Comcast Business launched a free webinar series to help businesses, of all sizes and across all industries, navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics include connectivity, remote learning, and cyber security.
- Facebook is providing over $2 million in grants to the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC) and NetHope to expand internet access to communities affected by COVID-19 with limited connectivity.
- SaaS platform Personas has compiled a useful list of SaaS discounts for startups struggling to navigate COVID-19. The list includes discounts from companies like Microsoft, Box, Adobe, and hundreds of others.
More Tech Resources for COVID-19
UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
- On April 24, Mayor Breed said in a news conference that San Francisco’s shelter-in-place mandate, which is set to expire on Mary 3, will “very likely” be extended.
- On April 22, Mayor Breed announceda $5.35 million allocation of funding from the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. This first round of funding will help ensure food security and housing stability for San Francisco’s most vulnerable populations, including undocumented workers. It will also support small businesses. To date, the Give2SF Fund has received approximately $10.5 million in contributions and pledges from foundations and individual donors and continues to accept additional donations.
- On April 21, Mayor Breed and Treasurer José Cisneros today announcednew measures to support San Francisco businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the deferral of business registration fees until September 30, 2020, totaling an estimated $49 million in deferrals for 89,000 businesses. The City will also provide additional tax relief for businesses by delaying the collection of unified license fees until September 30, 2020, totaling $14 million in deferrals for 11,000 payees.
- On April 20, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax released a map of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in San Francisco by zip code via the City’s COVID-19 Data Tracker. In the accompanying press release, Mayor Breed emphasized how the data reveals that the populations who are most vulnerable to the pandemic in San Francisco are those that also suffer from “health disparities, income inequality, and structural racism.”
To stay up to date with all City of San Francisco updates, follow the Mayor’s updates here.
UPDATES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
- On April 24, Governor Newsom announced the launch of Restaurant Deliver, a partnership with California cities and counties to deliver three meals a day to older adults and other individuals at high risk from COVID-19. The program also aims to provide economic stimulus to local businesses and workers. More information about the program will be coming soon.
- On April 23, Governor Newsom announced a deal to expand student loan relief for 1.1. million Californians. He also signed an executive order to prevent debt collectors from garnishing individual COVID-19-related financial assistance.
- On April 22, Governor Newsom announced a plan to allow California hospitals to resume delayed medical procedures, as well as open 86 new COVID-19 testing sites throughout California. Many of these new testing sites will be focused on underserved communities.
To stay up to date with all State of California updates, follow the California Department of Health’s updates here.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Participate in California State Senator Scott Wiener’s #MasksAreFierce Campaign, which was launched to help people comply with San Francisco’s recent public health order requiring face coverings. Submit a photo of your most fabulous and safety compliant COVID-19 mask design to sfmaskcompetition@gmail.com by the end of today, April 27. Tune in tomorrow on Facebook to hear the winners, who will be judged by four San Francisco drag queens.
More Ways to Help with COVID-19 Relief
GRATITUDE AMID COVID-19
sf.citi would like to recognize the many courageous San Franciscans holding our City together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Which other San Francisco heroes need recognition during these challenging times? Let us know by tagging sf.citi on Twitter (@sfciti ) or Instagram ( @sf.citi) and using the hashtag #OneCitySF, or by filling out the form below.
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