As the days ticked by during the first week of San Francisco’s stay at home order due to the Coronavirus, people adapted in some interesting and usual ways. No one alive has ever lived through something quite like this, so it was difficult to know what to expect. After seven days, it’s obvious that the city has turned into a space quite different than just a few weeks ago. It just feels weird and dystopian. Generally though, people have remained supportive of each other and of the place where we live.
Panic buying line outside Costco. This was actually the day before the lockdown. Seeing people panic buying gives me anxiety!
Need a break from the anxiety effect of panic buying? How about a trip to Salesforce Park? It’s still open, but hardly anyone is there.
Succulent garden at Salesforce Park.
One of the eeriest things happening in downtown San Francisco is businesses being boarded up. Le Central has been open since 1974. I often have walked past this famous restaurant and seen the former mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown, sitting at his favorite window side table.
Stockton Street looking toward Union Square at about 3pm on Sunday.
These signs encouraging social distancing have started popping up all over town.
Shocked to see the beautiful Sir Francis Drake Hotel all boarded up!
Quite sad to see Sears Fine Food boarded up too.
One group of people not doing the social distancing thing are skateboarders. Now that the city is shut down, they have the run of the place. Skateboarding in Union Square is prohibited, so on a normal day, these guys would immediately be shooed away. The day before this, I saw this same group skating down all 3 lanes of Bush Street, unimpeded by traffic.
GLIDE Memorial and St. Anthony’s are two non-profit organizations that serve the underprivileged in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. Due to the COVID-19 virus, they had to close their soup kitchens and instead hand out to-go meals. The homeless people who eat these meals on the streets often don’t bother to throw them in the garbage when they are finished with them, much to the delight of local seagulls. This might partially make up for the lack of junk food left behind at the Giants baseball stadium this time of year.
To show their love and solidarity for neighbors and community, people have started posting hearts in their windows. Some people have modified the heart designs to add an element of humor.
Heart made of Post-It notes on the window of Isabella Cafe on Nob Hill.