please flush only the three ps, pea, poop and tp. >> stop flushing your wipes. a warning from sanitary workers tonight. and necessities are for health care workers in short supply. the plea for more protection. most of the bay area is on day four of the shelter in place order. we follow along as local police make sure nonessential businesses are shut down. >> now your health, your safety. this is abc7 news. >> we don't have the supplies needed to do our job, it's going to be impossible for us to do our job. >> health care workers pleading for help. they say they're running out of essential supplies, and they're worried about what comes next. good evening. i'm dan ashley. >> and i'm kristen sze.

thanks for joining us. abc7 news reporter kate larsen spoke to a couple of other those health care workers today. >> she is live in san francisco with the story. kate? >> well, health care workers are running out of all sorts of personal protective equipment. but it's mostly these n95 respirator masks. i have this one left over from fire season that are in high demand and very low supply. all week i've been hearing from our local health care worker, many of whom are afraid to speak out because they don't want to lose their jobs. today i spoke to health care workers in san francisco, in oakland and in san jose, all who say they don't have the medical coronavirus.t they need to fight >> we have to have gowns, masks, and face shields. all those are in limited supplies. >> an emergency room nurse at santa clara medical center in san jose. he is also the vice president for rnpa, a nurse's union. >> the masks that you have, they will assign one mask per shift. >> they don't have enough n95s to change masks between each

patient. >> we are being put in a position where we have to do a job we really want to do, but we don't have the supplies to do that job right. >> the cdc does have guidance on their website about how to work around a mask shortage. when no face masks are available, the website says for health care providers to use a bandanna or score of as a last resort to care for patients with covid-19. >> they say we're running out of equipment and we'll probably be out of mass next two weeks. >> i spoke to a health care worker by phone who did not want to be identified. she works in the ob unit of an independent trauma hospital in oakland. >> i think two weeks from now, half of us will be out sick. and we already don't have the staff to take care of patients. we have a very vulnerable patient population. we feel leadership isn't taking strong enough positions to protect us, protect the hospital, protect our patients. >> all right. so right now you are looking at the emergency entrance of the kaiser on geary and presidio. this is the o'farrell street, the emergency room entrance. that is where skieser is

accepting drop-off donations of masks. you can also mail it but they do have to be new and unused and they're going to have to be inspected. i just received this information. also, i have been speaking to kaiser employees who have been posting on social media about their concerns about a supply soldier. and they have been told by their superiors to take their post down. i asked kaiser for a statement on that. they did not respond, but they did just email me a few minutes ago and say they're having a hard time with their supply chain. they're ordering new supplies. but then those orders are getting canceled and delayed. they are accepting donations. however, san francisco general hospital also spoke to them today. they cannot accept donations of this ppe equipment because they need to abide by regulations. however, i'm told the city of san francisco is working on plan so everyone can donate all of those n95 masks that you may have in your fire bag. live in san francisco, kate larsen, abc7 news. >> all right, kate, thank you so much. in san jose, local leaders

thanked several tech companies for donating more than a half million worth of medical equipment and supplies. the silicon valley leadership group is leading a fundraising crusade where the santa clara county health care system. today's donation includes 1200 respirators, protective clothing and 140,000 surgical masks. there are now more than 500 confirmed cases in the bay area. santa clara county has the most with nearly 200. santa clara reported two new deaths today, bringing the countywide total to six. contra costa also reported a fatality, the first one there. as a point of comparison, we have the number of confirmed bay area cases at 483 last night. well, as the shelter in place order continues, officials in san jose are stressing the need for people to just stay home, or they could face firmer enforcement in the coming days. abc7 news reporter chris nguyen is live in san jose with that story tonight. chris? >> dan, the police department

says the vast majority of san jose has been complying with the order. you can see behind me, not much going on here in this north part of town. the focus has been on education, but that could soon change as enforcement ramps up. with the entire state under a sheltering order, officials in the bay area's largest city say firmer enforcement could soon be on the way if nonessential businesses ignore california's calls to close up shop. >> we're going to need to ensure that everybody understands what activities are permitted and what's not. that's not always clear to folks. we want to do everything we can to educate. >> abc7 news traveled throughout san jose today as members of the police department's health order compliance patrol team checked on businesses that were called in by the community. at the specific stop, a manager explained why his telecommunications equipment business is considered essential. >> we're taking this seriously. my officers are taking this seriously. and the vast majority of the

city of san jose is taking this seriously. >> so far nearly 60 businesses and gatherings have been issued a warning. hair salon, smoke shops, and barbershops makes up the majority of cases. >> parks that maybe have 20 people, 30 people that are all playing a soccer game, a basketball game. hey, guys, the health order has been provided to disperse, and we all kind of need to focus on what's the greater goal with this. >> starting next week, repeat violations could lead to misdemeanor citations, which is the strongest legal penalty authorized by the sheltering order. the police chief says business license and health sanctions are also a possibility. >> our officers know they're going to face dangers in the community. but for one of the first time, the not the danger in my career the physical danger they may have to stay home. >> the city reminding residents if they see something that's not right to say something. >> yes week, going to depend on the public. and no, it's not snitching. it's simply informing authorities so we can all be

safe. >> you report those nonessential businesses or gatherings to 311. i'm chris nguyen, abc7 news. >> all right, chris, thank you. in this time of uncertainty, financial institutions and the federal government are stepping up to help their customers. 7 on your side's michael finney knows about these things, and he joins us live from home now with all the details. we got michael there. hey. >> hey, you guys. the most important thing a consumer can do right now is pick up their phone and make some phone calls there is a lot of help out there. a lot of help. but you have to ask. credit card companies are really stepping up. with the apple card leading the way. apple card holders can skip their next payment without paying interest. u.s. bank says it's waiving many fees and working on its payment skipping program. discover card won't report light payments to credit bureaus. those with federal student loans got a break today.

the president saying all interest on those student loans will be temporarily waived. >> today secretary devos has directed federal lenders to allow borrowers to suspend their student loans and loan payments without penalty for at least the next 60 days. and if we need more, we'll extend that. >> those with mortgage payments are receiving help from lenders too. two large lenders here in the bay area are working with their borrowers. wells fargo is offering fee waivers and payment deferrals. bank of america borrows can skip a payment which will be added to the end of the loan. satellite and cable companies are also offering help. so are your cell phone companies. again, you to ask. i've got a whole list who have is doing what. it's on our website at abc7news.com. really take a moment. it could really help you out financially right now. >> great information, michael. thank you so much. the city of oakland launched a covid-19 emergency relief fund today to assist the city's most

vulnerable residents of various donors seeded the fund with $2.5 million. but city officials are asking for more donations. the money has already helped oakland set up a test site for its first responders. that's according to city officials, and funded more meal deliveries for home bound seniors. >> we're extremely grateful for this opportunity to have a greater and broader impact on the home bound seniors of oakland and essential alameda county. >> and now you have a place to contribute where you know that that money will go directly into the community to help our most vulnerable. >> donations of any size can be made by visiting www.oakland fund.org. now cash toll collection is being suspended for the time being starting at midnight tonight. the goal is to minimize contact between toll collectors and drivers. >> that's right. however, you will be build for your payment by mail, because cameras there will take a picture of your license plate

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well, we have all heard about hoarding toilet. but the coronavirus pandemic is creating another looming bathroom issue, and this time because of wipes. this was the scene this morning at the novato sanitary district. the general manager says there is no question what caused this mess. we were basically faced with a deluge of wipes that people had been flushing into their toilets, and they made their way to this main treatment plant. basically ended up clogging that post processing equipment. it basically overwhelmed the system. >> wipes that do not break down in the sewage system have been a problem for years. but with even more people using wipes to protect themselves from the coronavirus, the problem is getting a lot worse. this is sewage bubbling up from a manhole cover in san rafael. >> where we had some

nonflushables blocking the sewer. and it caused a spill. >> experts say it is critical that people stop flushing products that are not made to go down the toilet. >> paper towel, napkin, disinfectant wipes that come in the plastic canister, all of those don't dissolve in the sewer. >> and it's not just treatment plants and street pipes that are at risk. >> the pipe you block may be actually your own pipe. and in that case, your toilet won't flush. your shower won't drain, your sink will back up. and we're obviously facing a really tough time right now. but it actually could be made worse if you had a backup for your house as well. >> so just in case you need one more reminder, novato sanitary has a motto to stop this from happening at your house. >> please flush only the three p's, pee, poop and tp. >> not pleasant to talk about, but very important. the california water resources board says even if wipes say they are flushable, you

shouldn't put them down the toilet. >> got to represent that. thanks. the coronavirus is having a dramatic impact on all of our lives, and that is certainly true for the asian american population, many of whom are experiencing an increase in discrimination. abc7 news anchor dion lim decided it was time to speak up. here she is reading a portion of her op-ed that appears in today's "san francisco chronicl chronicle". >> a number of months back, the burnout from being a broadcast journalist was beginning to set. in covering wildfires and mass shootings was mentally taxing enough, but the demands of keeping up on social media where information is traded at the speed of light was beginning to take its toll. would my purpose one day to b to chase what was trending like national pretzel day to get clicks and likes? the president wasn't making the job any easier either, coining the term fake news, which was adopted by many and shouted out by strangers while i reported in the field. then the coronavirus happened. there was already a bad case of anti-asian sentiment in the bay area.

document. ed in high professional attacks. the 89-year-old grandmother who was brutally beaten on a playground and left to die in visitacion valley. the empty soda can collector assaulted in the bayview, humiliate and his recyclables stolen. the mom walking through san francisco's stockton tunnel and pistol-whipped and dragged on the sidewalk in broad daylight for her purse with less than $100 inside. while covering these stories, law enforcement would tell me they knew criminals were targeting this population because of the language barrier. culturally, asians would be less apt to file police reports or speak out. as the daughter of immigrants from taiwan and hong kong, i was raised to work hard, keep my head down and nose clean, and to not cause controversy. but with each story i reported, the fire burning in my gut to do more grew stronger. when the coronavirus outbreak began, the flames exploded into anger. friends recounted instances of being told to go back to you're sick country, or overhearing others accuse them of eating

bats. the president of the united states and certain media outlets continued to use the term chinese virus. prior to coming to san francisco, i was the first asian american main anchor in charlotte, north carolina and florida's tampa bay area. constantly replying to viewers who called me connie chung or asked in tweets if i was made in china. the only person i had to stand up for was myself. but with the coronavirus, i had a chance to be an ally for the hundreds of thousands of people in the bay area and the millions across the globe facing even more blatant racism by telling their stories. the support from asian americans from around the globe who sent messages of thanks that finally someone was listening and fighting to give them representation in the mainstream media was overwhelming. this in turn empowered others to share their stories of injustice. even if it was confiding in me through a direct message on twitter, or sending a video through facebook, this was their way of speaking out. they were afraid to do it themselves or didn't have the audience. but i knew i could be their

communication pipeline to the world. while the conversation around racism and coronavirus is happening, there is still a long way the go. those shouts of fake news won't stop, nor will the need to feed the beast that is the world wide web. but these days those issues don't feel as burdensome, now that i know my purpose as an asian american journalist. >> and you can reedy on's entire op-ed in today's "san francisco chronicle." i read it today. it's very powerful and moving, and i think it will give us a chance to really think about standing up for each other. >> absolutely. all right. well, united we stand and together we're hoping for some nice weather to at least get outdoors for a little walk by ourselves this weekend, sandhya? >> yeah, kristen, i think you're going to have that opportunity, at least for tomorrow and even part of sunday. let me show you live doppler 7. i want to show you what is appearing. and that's a spotty shower in the east bay right now. street level radar, oakland, oak

port street, it was a little bit on the moderate side briefly, but that has lightened up. compared to 24 hours ago, we are up just about everywhere, 5 degrees warmer in novato. 2 degrees warmer in san jose. and in case you want to head to the beach and watch those waves or sit down on the beach and get some fresh air, i do want to tell you there is a beach hazard statement coming up. wave hazards are low right now. it's a long period swell that will bring us a risk of rip currents. be careful. 8:00 p.m. tomorrow until 3:00 a.m. monday for northwest-north facing beaches. the race of the sun brightening our day here. low 60s from san francisco to oakland to san jose. 55 in half moon bay. and a lovely view from our golden gate bridge camera. a gentle breeze, some sunshine and clouds. mid-60s santa rosa, fairfield. certainly milder out there for this first full day of spring. spring started last night, as you know. from our camera, there are a couple of people out there walking around. mainly sunny and warmer

tomorrow. isolated showers are still possible. and then rain returns sunday afternoon. when you get going tomorrow morning, in case you have to run some errands, go to the supermarket, it will be a little on the chilly side. mid-30s to upper 40s. clouds will be around. there will be some patchy fog out there. and then for the afternoon, it's a beautiful mild day. 64 in the city. 67 in santa rosa. 65 san rafael. 66 oakland. 68 in concord and san jose. once again, a sprinkle or with the not out of the question. now we're going to show you sunday. mild spring weather is expected still. cooler for monday as the wind switches direction. and it's a return to win it bir tuesday. it's going to be pretty chilly around here. 40s, 50s. so the hour-by-hour forecast 7:00 tonight, a few isolated showers. tomorrow we see the high clouds coming in from the south. a few showers not out of the question. but once again, it's not going to be everywhere. it's really sunday afternoon/evening that we start to see the wet weather returning, and it is going to be on the light side. by the time we head into sunday morning, a little bit of drizzle

may produce a few hundreds of an inch. by sunday night, we're talking up to 0.2 of rain. the forecast looks like this. spring warmth for your saturday. showers sunday evening into monday. level 1 system. and then get ready for a rainy, chilly tuesday. good day to stay indoors that day, wednesday a level one with more showers. but then we dry out. so thursday, friday will be

okay. are you frustrated by all those empty shelves and long checkout lines at the grocery store during this emergency? >> it is a little frustrating for a lot of people. so is a livermore restaurant owner. and he's decided to do something about it. abc7 news anchor eric thomas reports now from livermore. >> the ten-pound boxes came by truck. then traveled by foot to the waiting vehicles of hundreds of customers. >> lots of meat.

>> the hop devine restaurant is serving food, but it's not cooking or presenting it the way >> i'm literally winging this every five minutes. things are changing. >> that's owner rusty skinner who shut down the restaurant and laid off 80 people when the shelter in place order came. but then he had a brainstorm. after spending four hours in a supermarket and finding very little of what he wanted to buy. >> and i realized real quick that we have an avenue and access to groceries that people can't get to. >> he began offering people the opportunity to buy from his wholesaler, pork, seafood and beef. today was the fist pickup day. and although the beef shipment was a little bit late, dave and michelle goodwin of pleasanton thought it was still a good deal. >> this is a great way to stock up on some stuff if we're going to have to shelter down for the next god knows how long. >> offerings are shown on the restaurant facebook page and orders are taken by email. processing takes a few days so no same day pehe gd at six-foot

intervals allows social distancing. skinner charges a $10 per order fee but these folks are happy to pay it. >> i know i can buy pacts for my ailing parents that are in san jose. so i'll be bringing all that stuff down there. >> this was an opportunity to buy maybe some better quality meat that we didn't have a chance to get. >> we don't need a lot. just enough to get through with four people for the next few weeks. >> skinner says demand is allowing him to slowly hire back some of the 80 people he had to lay off. it's also causing him to move to two pickup days next week, instead of just one. in livermore, eric thomas, abc7 news. i'm abc7 news news chief medical correspondent jennifer ashton with tips to stay safe. as the coronavirus outbreak continues to evolve and more testing is done, we expect the number of cases to increase.

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some novato high school students were looking forward the a big dance tonight, but since schools are closed, it was canceled. >> so a couple of teachers provided them with a fun distraction today. here is jackie sisal in the north bay. >> one, two, three, four. >> today was supposed to be a rally day at novato high school. and then in the evening, having

a barnyard boogie dance. my hope today is just to give them a little bit of fun. >> step with your left foot and scoop around. >> and we're going to surprise the leadership class on zoom and teach them line dancing today. >> five, six, seven eight. ♪ >> back, one, two, three four, tap. >> are we going to go back? are we not going to go back? what'swhat's happening with graduation? am i going to get to walk? it's really hard because right now i don't know. >> five, six, seven eight. >> left, six, seven eight. >> that's good stuff. >> it looks great, right? >> and in times like this, we definitely want to. could together with our communities and the people we love. for many people, that means religious gatherings. but those are off limits, of course. >> we are bringing people together, community leaders to share the sermon with you.

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tonight, the new shelter-in-place orders in parts of this country. now 1 in 5 americans told to stay at home. the number of cases skyrocketing. in new york, more than 3,000 more cases in 24 hours. most in new york city. what the health commissioner revealed in new york today. the major new restrictions in california. a statewide stay at home order for 40 million and the sobering prediction there tonight. the president asked about a nationwide shutdown. what he's now saying. and we hear from patients with coronavirus across the country tonight, their symptoms. the news involving the breakdown of the virus, men versus women, and what could be driving it. tonight, the president now confirming he has invoked the korean war era defense production act. which allows the president to