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.
- 80,177 confirmed cases in California
- 3,240 confirmed deaths in California
- 10,888 confirmed cases in the Bay Area
*As of 9:00am PT on 5/18
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.
- A coalition of tech companies, including sf.citi members Pinterest, Salesforce, and Uber, have signed a pledge with benefits provider Cleo to support working parents through the COVID-19 crisis.
- Twitter and Square CEO, Jack Dorsey, donated $15 million from his #StartSmall LLC to San Francisco’s Give2SF COVID-19 relief fund. Dorsey’s contribution doubled the total contributions to Give2SF and brought the total funding up to $26.3 million. Twitter also announced it will let its employees work from home indefinitely, even after the pandemic ends.
- Uber announced a series of new safety protocols to protect riders and drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting today, May 18, Uber drivers will have to confirm in the app that they’re wearing a mask before accepting passengers. Riders, meanwhile, are instructed not to sit in the front seat, wash their hands before entering the vehicle, and open a window if possible.
More Tech Resources for COVID-19
UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
- On May 14, Mayor Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced that San Francisco will amend its Stay Home Order to allow most retailers to operate for storefront pickup and delivery starting today, May 18. This step toward reopening remains contingent on San Francisco’s continued demonstration of progress on slowing the spread of COVID-19. The City also released guidelines businesses must follow as they prepare to reopen.
- On May 13, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco is facing a $1.7 billion deficit in the current year and upcoming two-year budget as a result of the economic impact from COVID-19. The full report from the City Controller’s Office projects a $250 shortfall for the remainder of the 2019-20 fiscal year followed by a $1.5 billion deficit for the upcoming two-year budget (FY 2020-2022). The deficit projections do not include San Francisco’s COVID-19 emergency response costs, which are “likely to be significant and will add to the already steep shortfalls.”
- On May 13, Mayor Breed announced new food relief measures for students during the school closures caused by COVID-19. Families with children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals can receive up to $365 in Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) benefits. Those with P-EBT eligible children that receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits and will receive a P-EBT card for each eligible child in the mail. Starting May 22, families receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits but not on public benefit assistance can complete a short online application to receive a P-EBT card.
To stay up to date with all City of San Francisco updates, follow the Mayor’s updates here.
UPDATES FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
- Governor Gavin Newsom issued statewide guidance for California businesses permitted to reopen per county health rules. While these guidelines offer steps businesses can follow to reduce the risk of COVID-19, they are allowed to implement “effective alternative or innovative methods” that build upon the state guidelines.
To stay up to date with all State of California updates, follow the California Department of Health’s updates here.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- As always, one of the best ways to support San Francisco is to donate to the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. You can make a monetary or in-kind donation here.
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical importance of connectivity. We would like to thank all of our frontline telecommunications workers keeping people connected during this challenging time.
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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