MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE

Dear John,

I know that the recent news about coronavirus (or COVID-19) can be frightening, I want you all to know that our office is working very closely with our colleagues and the Mayor to monitor the situation closely and marshal all the resources necessary to respond appropriately.

One thing many of you may have heard about or seen is the presence of recreational vehicles (RVs) in in the Presidio. The City has leased these RVs and is currently staging them in the Presidio prior to deployment. When needed, the RVs will be placed in various secure locations throughout the city as needed to facilitate quick and effective temporary isolation. The measure is an important step to inhibit the spread of coronavirus.

The City is also in the process of identifying additional locations for auxiliary quarantine housing, including unoccupied residential property. As the City continues to work to secure additional locations, City leaders are asking local hotels to join in identifying vacant hotel rooms for this purpose so that San Francisco can be better prepared to care for all its residents. Currently, the number of confirmed cases in San Francisco is 14, and the number of deaths is 0. DPH will update the number of confirmed cases every day on their website.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has expanded its operations to prepare for and mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The EOC manages the procurement of supplies and equipment needed to effectively manage the COVID-19 emergency in San Francisco, including securing auxiliary quarantine facilities. The City’s public health system manages the intake and evaluation of COVID-19 exposure and makes recommendations to the EOC regarding who is a candidate for a temporary quarantine housing. The EOC will then coordinate transportation and supplies for the individual to safe and comfortably quarantine.

Read the recommendations that apply to vulnerable populations, large gatherings, workplace and businesses, schools, transit and health care settings at www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus.asp  and stay up-to-date on coronavirus news and information.

You can also call 311 and sign up for the City’s new alert service for official updates: text COVID19SF to 888-777.

Background

On Tuesday, February 25^th, Mayor Breed and the Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency in order to better-prepare for confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in San Francisco. The emergency declaration allows the City to mobilize resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate agencies across the City, allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments and raise awareness throughout San Francisco about how to prepare for and respond to the novel coronavirus. The City is in regular contact with all hospitals and health facilities in San Francisco, and our health system is prepared to deliver care to everyone in need and provide a coordinated response as additional cases of the novel coronavirus are confirmed.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFPDH) began testing for cases of novel coronavirus on Monday, March 2^nd, and continues conducting tests seven days a week in cases that meet the CDC criteria. On Friday, March 6^th, the Mayor issued aggressive recommendations by the Department of Public Health to reduce the spread of coronavirus that is now circulating in the community.

What You Can Do

Remember, these are the best ways for all San Franciscans to reduce their risk of getting sick, and preventing COVID-19:

Vulnerable Populations: Limit Outings

Vulnerable populations include people who are:

• 60 years old and older.
• People with certain health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease and weakened immune systems.

For vulnerable populations, don’t go to gatherings (of about 50 people or more) unless it is essential. If you can telecommute, you should. Avoid people who are sick.

Workplace and Businesses: Minimize Exposure

• Suspend nonessential employee travel.
• Minimize the number of employees working within arm’s length of one another, including minimizing or canceling large in-person meetings and conferences.
• Urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
• Do not require a doctor’s note for employees who are sick.
• Consider use of telecommuting options.

Some people need to be at work to provide essential services of great benefit to the community. They can take steps in their workplace to minimize risk.

Large Gatherings: Cancel Non-essential Events

• Recommend cancelling or postponing large gatherings, such as concerts, sporting events, conventions or large community events.
• Do not attend any events or gatherings if sick.
• For events that aren’t cancelled, we recommend:
  • Having hand washing capabilities, hand sanitizers and tissues available.
  • Frequently cleaning high touch surface areas like counter tops and hand rails.

Finding ways to create physical space to minimize close contact as much as possible.

Schools: Safety First

• If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 at a school, DPH will work with the school and the district to determine the best measures including potential school closure.
• Do not go to school if sick.
• If you have a child with chronic health conditions, consult your doctor about school attendance.
• Equip all schools and classrooms with hand sanitizers and tissues.
• Recommend rescheduling or cancelling medium to large events that are not essential.
• Explore remote teaching and online options to continue learning.

Schools should develop a plan for citywide school closures, and families should prepare for potential closures.

Transit: Cleaning and Protection

• Increase cleaning of vehicles and high touch surface areas.
• Provide hand washing/hand sanitizers and tissues in stations and on vehicles.

Health Care Settings: Avoid as possible, protect the vulnerable

• Long term care facilities must have a COVID-19 plan in accordance with DPH guidelines.
• Long term care facilities must screen all staff and visitors for illness and turn away those with symptoms.
• The general public should avoid going to medical settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities, even if you are not ill.
• If you are ill, call your health care provider ahead of time, and you may be able to be served by phone.

Do not visit emergency rooms unless it is essential.

Everyone: Do your part

The best way for all San Franciscans to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Try alternatives to shaking hands, like an elbow bump or wave.
• If you have recently returned from a country, state or region with ongoing COVID-19 infections, monitor your health and follow the instructions of public health officials.
• There is no recommendation to wear masks at this time to prevent yourself from getting sick.

You can also prepare for the possible disruption caused by an outbreak. Preparedness actions include:

• Prepare to work from home if that is possible for your job, and your employer.
• Make sure you have a supply of all essential medications for your family.
• Prepare a child care plan if you or a care giver are sick.
• Make arrangements about how your family will manage a school closure.
• Plan for how you can care for a sick family member without getting sick yourself.
• Take care of each other and check in by phone with friends, family and neighbors that are vulnerable to serious illness or death if they get COVID-19.

Keep common spaces clean to help maintain a healthy environment for you and others. Frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned regularly with disinfecting sprays, wipes or common household cleaning products.

Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 260, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843