District 6 Matters: Oakland's Continued Response To COVID-19
From the Office of Councilmember Loren Taylor
April 17, 2020

Hi Neighbor,



It was exactly one month ago that most of us first learned about Alameda County's Shelter-in Place Order . None of us realized at the time the magnitude and impact of having a majority of famililies self isolating in their homes, cancelling all mass gatherings concerts, sporting events, and festivals, or the closing of restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and gyms. The impact has been overwhelmingly positive on our collective health - significantly bending the curve and keeping our hospitalization and death rates well below the trends seen in other parts of the country and world . THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

We have come together (despite social distancing) to demonstrate the Oakland values that make our city so great. I could not be more proud to represent, serve and partner with you through COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom outlined a framework for how we might move forward and loosen the restrictions of our Shelter In Place order , and I appreciated his analogy of how once we are ready to do so, we will gradually adjust the thermostat (instead of quickly flipping a switch). He described that before we begin to adjust the thermostat, we must first guage the "temperature" by evaluating 6 specific parameters that will tell us if doing so is safe for California residents. Those parameters include:
  1. Expanding testing, contact tracing, isolating, and supporting those who are positive or exposed;
  2. Preventing infection in people who are at risk for more severe COVID-19;
  3. Ensuring hospitals and health systems can handle surges;
  4. Developing therapeutics to meet the demand;
  5. Modifying businesses, schools and child care facilities to support physical distancing; and
  6. Determining when to reinstitute certain measures, such as the stay-at-home orders, if necessary

Easing the restrictions is at least a few weeks away, assuming that the trends we are seeing remain consistent. As we plan for regaining some sense of normalcy, I request that everyone continue to do those things that have helped us to be successful thus far. By doing so, we will continue to get through this pandemic together and keep our local "pandemic temperature" at a manageable level.

There are two groups of community members I have focused a lot on this week are our seniors and our small businesses in East Oakland. I was honored to help distirbute bags of food to our seniors on Wednesday at the East Oakland Senior Center (See below for a picture and list of different food distribution sites for seniors). And this week I launched a program to bring greater support to our small and minority East Oakland Businesses through the pandemic. These efforts were highlighted in an article in this week's Oakland Post Newspaper , and also in an article by Columnist Otis Taylor in the San Fransico Chronicle.
In addition, I invite you and other community members to join me in a YouTube Livestream today at 2pm with East Oakland's Own Rita Forte.

During this chat, we will talk about strengthenng East Oakland Businesses - especially those that are Black Owned and Women Owned - during Covid19. We will also discuss available Community resources, and the state of East Oakland during this time.

Friday, April 17th at 2pm

View the live-stream here
Inside this newsletter you'll find the following information:

  1. City of Oakland Slow Streets Program Updates
  2. City of Oakland COVID-19 Updates
  3. Business & Non-Profit Support
  4. Community Resources
  5. Family Supportive Services
  6. Public Services (Stimulus Payment Information)
And if you still have questions about COVID-19 and what the Federal,State and Local Governments are doing:

1. Click here to watch City of Oakland Mayor's April 16th COVID-19 Town Hall updates. (Please submit feedback on the Mayor's Town Hall over the past four weeks here )

2. Please revisit our previous newsletters below:

  • April 11th: City of Oakland - COVID-19 Continued Response link
  • April 3rd: Shelter In Place Extended &Eviction Moratorium Explained link
  • March 27th: Oakland's Continued Response to COVID-19 link
  • March 21st: News & Updates link

3. Alternatively, you can check updates from the Alameda County Public Health Departments by clicking here.  

As always, please feel free to reach out to our office with any additional questions/ follow-up. - Email us at district6@oaklandca.gov
 
  Also, Please share this email with any neighbors who may not have received this update!

 
Yours in Service of Oakland,
 
Loren M. Taylor, Councilmember
Oakland - District 6
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1.City of Oakland Slow Streets Program

The City of Oakland Slow Streets Program

4/14/2020 **Update**







The City of Oakland has identified 11 additional miles of Slow Streets from which we aim to select 4-5 miles for the second phase of streets to receive “soft closures” beginning this Friday, April 17th, and seeks community input about this proposal.

Please view the interactive map here

Additional Streets:

  • 11th Ave/ Bayview Ave/ Elliot St/ E 34th St – From E 8th St to Park Blvd
  • 32nd St – From Mandela Pkwy to San Pablo Ave
  • Brookdale Ave – From Fruitvale Ave to Kingsland Ave
  • Dover St – From Alcatraz Ave to 52nd St

Previous Streets:

  • West St: West Grand – 14th Street
  • Arthur St from Havenscourt Blvd - 78th Ave, connecting to Plymouth St from 78th – 104th Avenue
  • E 16th St: 23rd Ave/Foothill Blvd – Fruitvale Ave
  • 42nd St: Adeline - Broadway

We seek community input about this proposal. Please respond to this survey

What Does It Mean?


The program is intended to support safe physical activity by creating more space for physical distancing for all Oaklanders by declaring that all existing and proposed Neighborhood Bike Routes are Closed to Through Traffic so that people can more comfortably use these low-traffic streets for physically distant walking, wheelchair rolling, jogging, and biking all across the City.

This initiative Does Not encourage or do the following:

  • Encourage social gathering or events on any of these streets. Always maintain at least 6 feet of physical space from others.

  • Limit access for emergency vehicles or close streets to people that must use them to access a final destination.

  • Seek to ticket or financially penalize those who use the corridors as through streets


Updates will be provided on the City of Oakland Website.

2.City of Oakland COVID-19 Updates


A. Face Mask & Physical Distancing

Our county Public health officials and the Centers for Disease Control recommend that we wear face coverings when we go out to the grocery store, pharmacy, or other essential service.

A bandana, scarf, fabric mask, neck gaiter, or other cloth barrier can help prevent those who have mild or no COVID-19 symptoms from unknowingly spreading it to others.


3. Business & Non-Profit Support


A.District 6 East Oakland Business & Non- Profit Registry


We know that many of our East Oakland businesses and non-profits are impacted by COVID-19

Please register your business or non-profit and we will send supportive service opportunity as they arise. ie grants, loans etc


Lastly, we ask you to share this link to friends or family that own a business or Non- Profit in East Oakland.



B. Small Business Webinar - Business Disaster Planning & Alternative Methods of Executing Your Business
In District 6 we have funded a program that provides Capacity Building Training for small local businesses. The program is being delivered by OCCUR and features a series of workshops to help our businesses grow and sustain their operations. The next workshop in the series takes place tomorrow. Hope you can join!

Business Disaster Planning & Alternative Methods of Executing Your Business
Topics include: A how-to-guide to assess and triage your business by: a 90-day cash and credit analysis; review of current and new customer retention/acquisition; tips and methods to moving your business processes online and more.  

When: Saturday, April 18, 2020

Time: 9:30am to 11:00am

RSVP & Registration:

C. Community Arts Stabilization Trust


Arts & Cultural Worker Survey

We hope that you take six minutes to engage in the CAST survey , which will help guide us on how we can be helpful and responsive to the COVID-19 impacts on your immediate and longer-term real estate needs on a local level.

Please feel free to share this survey to others in your community. All information you provide is anonymous.

Please email  info@cast-sf.org , if you have additional questions about the purpose of this survey

Services for Arts & Cultural Workers


4. Community Resources & Updates
A. Caring for our Seniors.

Join an upcoming webinar with panelist:

Edie Yau, Alzheimer's Association
Christina Irving, Family Caregiver Alliance

  • April 22nd, 1-2pm; Caregiving from Afar: Caring for a Loved One Across Town, Across the Country, or in Senior Living

  • When: April 29th, 1-2pm; Essential Conversations: Planning for Care and Serious Illness during the COVID-19 Crisis

  • When: May 6th, 1-2pm; Caring for Yourself while you’re Caring for Someone Else: Stress Relief, Respite
 

Phone Number: (888) 788-0099
Meeting ID: 542-551-463
Password: 211 Or join by   Zoom
B. Resources for Seniors

SUPPORT SERVICES
  • Alameda County Adult & Aging Services Department; Call: (866) 225-5277 24 hours a day
  • Alameda County Public Health Department (Ensuring Older Adults Have Healthy Results); Call: (510) 577-7037 or Email: OlderAdultCOVID19@acgov.org or www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx
  • Adult Protective Services Hotline (to report abuse or neglect); Call: (510) 577-3500

ACCESS TO FREE FOOD
  • Alameda County Food Bank (510) 635-3663
  • www.foodnow.net today will give you the location to immediate access to food near youl
  • Allen Temple, Tuesday mornings, 8501 International Blvd
  • Homies Empowerment Freedom Store, Tuesday mornings 7631 MacArthur Blvd
  • East Oakland Senior Center, Wednesday mornings 9255 Edes Ave

TO CONNECT WITH SOMEONE
  • Warm Line, Mental Health Association of San Francisco (855) 845-7415
  • Friendship Line (800) 971-0016
C. Financial Assistance for Undocumented Californians

California has partnered with the philanthropic community to provide $125 million to support undocumented Californians who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Adults will receive a one-time payment of $500 and families can receive up to $1,000 in relief.

Undocumented immigrants have been left out of the relief packages provided by the federal government.

California is indebted to our undocumented immigrant community for the critical and essential contributions they make to California every day.

This is who we are: California ensuring we all rise together and stepping up to provide undocumented Californians with financial relief they need and deserve!



Please find a detailed resource list here for these residents.(Oakland Residents)
5. Family Supportive Services
A.Resources to Help Kids Cope with COVID-19





With all of the changes to our daily lives to protect us against COVID-19, we understand that this can be a scary time for children.

For resources on how to talk to your kids about COVID-19, at-home learning activities, stress relief, mental health, healthcare and financial supports.


B.Support for Parents


Tune into School*ish with Tovi C. Scruggs-Hussein

Every Tuesday at 8:30pm on Facebook Live.



Tovi C. Scruggs-Hussein is a visionary educator, author, and award-winning urban high school principal with over 25 years of emotional intelligence training. 

She cultivates courageous, connected, and conscious leaders and service-organizations internationally who recognize calling to BE more.

She believes that in order to successfully transform schools, organizations, and the cultures we lead, we must first successfully transform ourselves.  
6. Public Services










A.DMV's New Renewal Deadline for Driver Licenses


California's Department of Motor Vehicles has announced a new renewal deadline for driver licenses expiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A few notes on the changes:

  • Licenses for drivers younger than 70 that expire between March and May 2020 are now valid through May 31, 2020.

  • All commercial driver licenses, endorsements and certificates expiring between March and June 2020 are now valid through June 30, 2020.


  • The extensions require no individual action on the part of drivers. These drivers will not receive a new card or an extension in the mail.

















B.Employment Development Department Updates 


We have important news to help people whose jobs have been impacted by COVID-19.

EDD's call center extended hours:

Monday, April 20 8am to 8pm seven days a week!

Phone Number: 1-800-300-5616.

In the next two weeks, the EDD will be setting up the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program to help:

  • independent contractors;
  • business owners;
  • self-employed; and
  • people with a limited working history.

If your work or your job search has been impacted by COVID-19 and you don't qualify for normal unemployment insurance benefits, you should apply for the PUA program. U.S. citizenship is not required for PUA benefits.

C.IRS Economic Impact Payments.

The department of Internal Revenue Service has created a section the on the website to address frequently asked questions about the upcoming stimulus payments.


Get My Payment allows you to check the status of your stimulus payment.


Please note that Wells Fargo Bank will cash these checks at no cost to non account holders.
Question or Concerns? Contact The District 6 Team:

Councilmember Loren Taylor; ltaylor@oaklandca.gov

Chief of Staff/Policy Lead: Pamela Ferran; pferran@oaklandca.gov

Scheduling/Events: Lina Hancock; lhancock@oaklandca.gov

Constituent Liaison: Rowena Brown; rbrown3@oaklandca.gov


Oakland City Council - District 6 | https://www.oaklandca.gov/officials/loren-taylor