As of today, 220 people in Oakland have tested positive for COVID-19. Check Alameda County’s COVID-19 dashboard here for up-to-date information. Follow all of Oakland Voices coverage on coronavirus in Oakland on our COVID-19 updates and resources page.

Mayor Libby Schaaf to Hold Virtual Town Hall Every Thursday, Starting Today

Mayor Schaaf is holding a Town Hall at 6pm via her social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube). Questions can be submitted here. This week’s topic is focusing on racial health disparities, with guest Dr. Tony Iton, who is Senior Vice President of the California Endowment.

Community Foods Market in West Oakland Adds Free Delivery for Neighborhood Seniors Who Use EBT

Community Foods Market added curbside pickup on April 10, 2020, including people who are EBT recipients. More recently, they partnered with Fresh Life Foundation to bring free delivery for seniors (available in these neighborhoods in West Oakland: Clawson, McClymonds, and Hoover-Foster). Everyone who receives EBT/CalFresh benefits receives 50 percent off groceries through April 30, 2020. The market launched a GoFundMe campaign to support these endeavors during shelter-in-place.

Independent Contractors Will Be Able to File for Unemployment In Upcoming Weeks

According to an article in the SF Chronicle, the state’s Employment Development Department will be equipped to accept unemployment applications for independent contractors as soon as April 28, 2020. The funding comes from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and once the new technology is available, applicants will be paid within 24-48 hours, according to the state’s Labor Secretary Julie Su.