sf.citi is committed to providing ongoing updates about the latest community news and resources from the San Francisco tech industry and beyond.
- 178,095 confirmed cases in California
- 5,512 confirmed deaths in California
- 19,472 confirmed cases in the Bay Area
*As of 9:00am PT on 6/22
COVID-19 Updates from the SF Tech Community
UPDATES FROM THE TECH COMMUNITY
We are sharing the latest COVID-19 resources from the San Francisco tech industry, as well other community-minded initiatives pioneered by sf.citi members.
- Facebook announced that it is building a Voting Information Center to provide millions of users with accurate voting information, including how to register to vote and how to request an absentee or mail-in ballot. According to the blog post, Facebook’s goal is to register 4 million voters in 2020.
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a set of commitments to strengthen racial equity and inclusion. Internally, Google committed to increasing Black+ representation in leadership positions by 30 percent. The company has also created a task force to prioritize products and programs that help Black users.
- Salesforce recently distributed a total of $3 million in grants to 300 small and midsize businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico. 55 businesses here in the Bay Area were among those to receive a $10,000 Salesforce Care for Small Business Grant.
- Twitter announced a series of initiatives to promote racial justice and equality. Among other actions, the company created a $1 million fund to match Twitter employee donations through its Allyship Right Now work, issued a $250,000 grant to the Equal Justice Initiative and the National Association of Black Journalists, and is directing $100,000 to nonpartisan organizations focused on voter turnout and civic engagement in underrepresented communities.
- Friday, June 19, was Juneteenth. To signify the importance of this day, many sf.citi members made Juneteenth a paid company holiday, including Cruise, Google, Lyft, Optimizely, Postmates, Segment, and Twitter.
UPDATES FROM THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO
- Last week, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors introduced three new business taxes for the November 2020 ballot, including a revived CEO tax, an IPO tax, and an increased gross receipts tax. Significantly affecting our local businesses, which have already been forced to lay off thousands of workers and implement pay cuts due to COVID-19, sf.citi does not think these tax measures will solve our City’s economic crisis.
- On May 19, Mayor Breed announced the creation of a $1.5 million African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund from Give2SF donations. Launched in partnership with the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD), Main Street Launch, and the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, the fund will provide financial assistance to local Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Interested entrepreneurs and businesses can find more information about the program and how to apply here.
- On May 18, Mayor Breed announced that the San Francisco Department of Human Resources will conduct an audit of current entry-level and promotional exams for law enforcement. The review aims to ensure that the City’s testing process accurately identifies candidates who possess the required qualities and ethics to serve as a San Francisco law enforcement officer and change the nature of policing.
- On June 15, Mayor Breed announced that San Francisco’s reopening plan entered Phase 2B, which allows more businesses to resume operations. Starting June 15, retail businesses may allow customers to shop inside with safety protocols. Some outdoor activities may also resume, including outdoor fitness classes and outdoor gatherings of 12 people or less. See the full list of activities permitted under Phase 2B here.
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 June 18, Governor Newsom announced that, starting June 18, Californians are required to wear face coverings in public indoor spaces and outdoors when physical distancing is not possible. The California Department of Public Health updated its guidelines on face coverings to include this new mandate.
- On June 15, Governor Newsom signed an executive order on a variety of issues related to COVID-19. It temporarily broadens the capability of counties to enroll people in the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, extends permission for commercially-licensed food trucks to operate in roadside rest areas, and suspends face-to-face visits for eligibility for extended foster care, among other things.
To stay up to date with all State of California updates, follow the California Department of Health’s updates here.
SUPPORT OUR SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY
Every week, sf.citi will feature a different San Francisco nonprofit and share ways you can support its mission and work.
- Meals on Wheels San Francisco (MOWSF), sf.citi’s longtime partner and One City Forum member, is getting ready to open its brand new kitchen and serve nutritious meals to even more San Francisco homebound seniors. Learn about the significance of MOWSF’s new kitchen and how you can support its completion here.
Would you like to be featured in a future sf.citi community update? Tell us about your work in San Francisco by emailing jacqueline@sfciti.org.
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