Tents took over one side of the BART plaza at 24th and Mission this morning for a well organized coronavirus testing operation set up by the local authorities, Calle 24, and UCSF.
About half of known San Francisco COVID cases have been in the Latinx community, despite Latin people making up only 15% of the population. Many are "essential" workers -- the folks who keep the city clean(er), who work in grocery stores and make deliveries, who drive trucks and work as construction laborers.
One of a bevy of yellow-vested "ambassadors" explained that, at opening, the line had extended around the block. But by 9am when I wandered over, there was almost no line. I turned down the opportunity for a test; my sheltering and mask wearing has been good enough that I'm at little risk, while the city needs these tests for people having to live more vulnerable lives.
The rest of the corner was its usual wacky self. The city fenced off the wider areas of the plaza early on in the pandemic to prevent the little groups of men who pass their days there from gathering in close proximity. (They moved to neighboring streets; where else were they supposed to go?) But it is still the crossroads of the Mission in all its quirky delight.
The bear is funny. I'm surprised it was left up there. Awhile back someone dumped a large stuffed animal under a tree on a piece of property down the street. I got a kick out of seeing it as we drove by. Someone removed it finally. Property owner? Who knows.
ReplyDeleteThere is no testing within walking distance in our area.