>> the stay at-at home orders are real.'reven week or two away. >> stern words tonight. empty streets in walnut creek, orinda, downtown san francisco. everywhere you look. the governor now saying it will be a while before we see them return to normal. i'm dan ashley. >> and i'm kristen sze. thank you for joining us. to underscore the governor's comments, classrooms will remain empty in six bay area counties until at least may that includes santa clara. >> abc7 news reporter kris reyes is live in the south bay with more. kris? >> good afternoon. i got that same notice from my son's school in the middle of doing this story. so let me speak as a parent for a second and not as a reporter. when you hear two weeks, your heart just sinks, because that's represents dozens upon dozens of brand-new arrangements you have to make either by yourself, with your partner, with fellow

caregivers. it's the kind of pressure that is crushing. i can't even imagine what teachers and students are going through. i spoke to a student and a parent today who echoed the same sentiment. talk about a shot worth a thousand words. an empty hallway inside this high school in san jose. this crisis developing so quickly, the sign already invalid less than two weeks after it was put up. if students were sad about that date, they're even more heartbroken now. >> the hardest part is there is no one there to help me learn because there are sometimes i get stuck on stuff. there is no one else around to help me with. and that's the hard part, because i have no one to help me. >> parents getting the news are torn. a situation that's becoming more stressful, but only for the sake of their children's safety. >> honestly, i was just like not happy, but i mean, at the same time, my daughter's safety and their health is at the most

important. so i rather them be at home. >> the shut down schools represent more than just missed classes, but possibly proms that will never happen again. no year books, missed academic moments, missed connections. >> i'm missing my friends. i'm missing my teachers. i'm missing everything that i was doing in school, activities and all that. >> but even harder for parents, not just the emotional toll, but the financial cost. >> you know, me and my wife were struggling because we have to find child care while we go to work. and they cannot be at home by themselves. >> all right. here is another story. i spoke to my neighbor. she has two high school girls. they were in tears when they heard this announcement. they were bummed out about missing spring break. now they have to worry about losing the entire school year. and by the way, we reached out the school districts all over santa clara county. they were not available for on camera interviews for good reason. today was actually the launch of

their distance learning programs. on top of focusing on that, they have to deal with this new development. kris reyes for abc7 news. >> okay, kris, thank you. today governor newsom making it very clear. schools being closed does not mean the same summer fun as a normal vacation would. >> understand physical distancing more than they understand social distancing. for the younger folks out there, physically separate from others and strangers. don't mix. we can bend the curve. we can defeat this virus. let's meet this moment. let's follow through. >> governor newsom also providing some updated case numbers. he says so far 51% of confirmed patients in the state are between the ages of 18 and 49. at least 37 of the more than 2400 cases are of people under the age of 17. he also says social distancing measures could last until mid-june. all right. this is staggering to think about, but san francisco will need up to 1500 more ventilators

and 5,000 more hospital beds for the expected surge in coronavirus cases. but mayor london breed says the severity will be diminished if people stay home, especially for essential needs. >> when you're out there and you're socializing and you're not socially distancing from one another, the difference that could make, and the spread that occurs as a result of your interactions if you went to the hospital because you were sick or a relative or family member and they were turned away because we didn't have enough beds to accommodate them. >> the mayor sent letters to governor newsom and vice president mike pence, laying out san francisco's needs, clouding those ventilators and hospital beds. plus more personal protective equipment, ppes. san francisco has a plan to open a new floor just for coronavirus patients at st. francis memorial hospital. another big piece in trying to help swamped health care workers is helping them with child care, especially with news of the school closures now extending the may.

chris nguyen visited the one organization in the south bay that is lending a helping hand. >> there is an eerie silence at the el camino ymca. today there is no one lifting weights, no one playing basketball, no one doing much of anything during this novel coronavirus crisis. but down the hall, a glimmer of hope. >> anybody else? >> the ymca of silicon valley is pivoting some of its facilities to serve as day camps for the children of front line and eshlg workers. this was launched in partnership with el camino hospital across the street. >> we do our best to kind of be that temporary escape so that they can actually be children and enjoy life and some sense of normalcy. >> that attempt at normalcy now comes with a lot of social distancing. >> it's kind of challenging at times. you know, you're like all the way over here, and they're all the way over there, and you're like, hi. >> students have been split up into multiple classrooms and will stay within the same group for the foreseeable future to

limit potential exposure to covid-19. >> it's, like, really hard to have playdates with friends and see them, and, like i can't even travel to my family for passover. >> staff members are now leading a mix of youth development activities combined with independent study sessions throughout the day. >> we're making sure that the health workers in our community can be available to serve those critically ill. and we can be a partner in making sure that this community has all the resources necessary to address this crisis. >> despite the struggle, these kids are putting it into perspective, especially as their parents go to work. >> i'm proud that she is a nurse. that she's saving lives every day. >> reporter: proof that is a lot is being done to strengthen the foundation of our community. >> okay. it's not like the end of the world, you know. doctors and nurses and scientists are working really hard. >> in mountain view, chris nguyen, abc7 news. >> well, a lot of people have been losing their jobs, and more

than one million californians have applied for unemployment since march 13th. the treasury secretary says coronavirus stimulus checks should go out within the next three weeks. several major banks are offering mortgage relief with eligible homeowners able to defer payments for at least three months. eater magazine reports that the cheesecake factory restaurant chain won't be able to make rent payments for any of its restaurants on april 1. and san francisco's laguna hospital is under a lockdown after several staff members tested positive for coronavirus. most of the residents are over 65 with serious health conditions. five new coronavirus deaths are reported today in the bay area. four of those in san mateo county, which now has a total of five deaths and 165 cases. santa clara county also reports another deadly infection with 17 deaths. sonoma county reports 37 cases and says two people there have recovered. there are now a total of at least 27 deaths and 1187 coronavirus cases in the bay area.

and just outside of the bay area, there are two confirmed cases of coronavirus in mendocino county. the county is still awaiting the results of nearly 50 tests. so we'll have to see if that's changes when the test results come in. lake county is reporting no cases. after devastating wildfire, many sonoma business owners bought insurance for the next time an emergency would force them to close their doors. but now many of those business owners say they're caught in a battle with insurance companies over whether coronavirus counts. abc7 news reporter wayne freedman has the story. >> main street in guerneville a lonely place. the shutdown here same as in many small towns across america, summarized by the repetitious use of one unwelcome word. when is the last time you saw a customer? >> two weeks ago. >> have i two employees that depend on me for their living. >> we have insurance. >> how it is working? >> it's not working at all. >> artemis owns a boutique. berlin fisher is a hairstylist

and two shops on main street. all thought they were covered foreclosures after buying business interruption insurance. >> i thought i was insured for something like, this yes. >> in theory, business interruption insurance should provide lost revenue during a fire, a flood, a natural disaster, but that's the rub. we've entered new territory now. is a pandemic or a virus a natural disaster? insurance companies are saying no. >> i think the disconnect is the insurance companies just don't want to pay out. >> and in a community already hit hard by natural disasters, this time last year guerneville was recovering from a flood. then came the power outages. those events prompted these business owners to buy interruption insurance from state farm, from farmers. none responded to abc7 news today. the california department of insurance is investigating. sonoma county supervisor linda hopkins is also in the loop. >> i don't think this is something that is man made. this is not anything that is within a business owner's

control. and so i certainly feel that a pandemic should be treated the same way we treat natural disasters. the federal government is treating it the same way. >> but until then, the front line in this battle remains closed and frustrated. >> what do i think of fine print? well, i got to get better glasses. >> in guerneville, wayne freedman, abc7 news. in the east bay, the alameda police department got a big face mask donation. alameda business owner lee donated 500 n95 masks for officers who desperately need their protective gear. the police department sent out this photo showing lee dropping off the gear. and the bay area air quality management district is helping out. the district sent 20,000 n95 respirator masks to the office of emergency services. the masks will be handed over to health care workers working on the front lines of the covid-19 response. well, photographers around the world have begun emulating a

san francisco family photographer who is framing her photos in a whole new way because of social distancing. abc7 news reporter kate larsen without caught up with her today on one of her window shoots. >> didi von balk is a san francisco photographer. she specializes in fine art family and newborn photos, but the coronavirus has inspired her to switch up her style. in order to shoot at a safe social distance, didi started photographing families through their windows. >> come closer to the window. okay. nice. good. >> she started the project a week ago and has scheduled shoots every day, all for free during the three-week shelter in place. >> i hope it reminds you on the times where it was bad, but more about the times where you were never close were your family at home. if my kids, we've never been closer than right now. it's very tough and challenging, but still very close. >> some of the photos extend beyond the window pane.

didi photographed a ucsf nurse outside the family's front door. >> i'm so excited about the project. and this picture, i know i will be part of something big. >> we're all taking pictures on our iphones as something goes. but there is something than outside perspective and the beautiful photographic qualls that she puts with it that really inspires me, and really kind of hits me in the gut. really connects me to the other families. >> mary pendleton and her family were didi's first window subjects. she equates didi's images from iconic images from the dust bowl that documented ordinary people during an extraordinary moment in time. it reminded me of these photos from my friend, with a grandmother and aunt with face masks around their neck during the 1918 flu epidemic in san francisco. >> she is doing a good job of capturing the joy and the struggle and the humanity that we share. >> our storytelling took an inward turn as my own family posed for didi from our living room window where we spent so

much time last week, looking out and helping for a healthy path forward. in san francisco, kate larsen, abc7 news. just ahead on abc7 news at 5:00, help for homeowners. governor newsom strikes a mortgage relief deal with major banks. and airlines are cutting flight, and that's not all. find out what those still willing to fly be l be going without. >> and the sun is out now. what a gorgeous picture. we sure saw a little

now your health, your safety. this is abc7 news. >> i also want people to look out for your own consumer protection. more phishing, more cyber activity. don't just open any email. be thoughtful about your own personal protection, particularly as we move more and more online, distance learning, telework, telemedicine. we become more vulnerable to cyber attacks, cyber hacking. >> governor newsom with some good advice for all of us during this coronavirus pandemic. >> and for more consumer news now about coronavirus, let's bring in 7 on your side's michael finney working from home tonight. >> hi, michael. >> yeah, hey, you guys. big news for homeowners. many major banks saying they're going to cut you a break if you've been affected or your job has been affected by the coronavirus. now not every single bank, but the governor says that wells

fargo, citi bank, jp morgan and have grid to an extended grace period for up to three months for those impacted. eligible homeowners could defer mortgage payments for at least those three months. check with your lender for details. the coronavirus crisis has led to an extension for completing the 2020 census. the deadline is being pushed back two weeks to mid-august. census takers are expected to start going door to door near the end of may. the census bureau also reminds citizens to be aware of scammers, saying it would never ask for your social security number, your bank account numbers or pass words. and an app claims to be the world's first robot lawyer is offering a new service to those financially affected by the pandemic. do not pay has launched a feature that will request waivers and payment extensions from companies and landlords. it will research the law and make a second request if

necessary. major airlines are cutting the few remaining perks on flights southwest, delta and american airlines are among those temporarily suspending drink and snack service and cutting meal service as well. some airlines are leaving middle seats empty. the airlines say the changes are a way for airlines to save money and reduce the risk of virus transmission. just when you thought it was impossible to get less service from an airline, you guys, they come up. >> they really do. thank you, michael. amazing. take a look at this one. hail and high winds on highway 101 in sonoma county. oh, boy, have we seen the end of this kind of crazy unsettled weather? >> let's go to abc7 news meteorologist spencer christian, working from home as well. spencer? >> okay, dan and kristen. we remain unsettled, at least the weather does. here is a look at live doppler 7. you can see we have some spotty cold showers around the bay area

right now. but most locations are dry, and at least seeing partly sunny skies. it's windy out there with wind speeds ranging from 20 to 25 miles per hour across much of the region. and it's a little chilly in some spots. current temperature readings from 52 in san francisco, up to 58. that's our warm spot in oakland. and low to mid 50, san jose and half moon bay only at 46 at gilroy. looking at a few other locations right now, chilly up in the north bay as well. down to -- well, that's over in the east and north bay. fairfield, 46 degrees. but low to mid-50s at santa rosa, petaluma, napa, concord and livermore. on we go to our forecast features. and these are they. you can see that we expect scattered cold showers tonight, widely scattered. most locations will not be getting wet tonight. chilly tomorrow morning. in fact, cold in some spots. maybe even some frost. and it will be milder on friday. but rain will return to the bay area over the weekend. here is our storm impact scale.

what remains of our current storm this evening ranks only 1 on the impact scale. it's expected to produce spotty, cold showers. there is a slight chance of thunder or hail. less than a tenth of an inch expected. you can see most of the activity overnight will be offshore. so along the coastline, there will be some scattered showers, but not much of it will be able to move onshore. so we'll begin the commute tomorrow morning with mainly dry conditions, and it will get dryer as the day guess on with brighter skies than we had today. and perhaps a couple of degrees milder tomorrow. let's take a look at rainfall estimates. as i mentioned, under a tenth of an inch. but actually under .500 for most of the bay area. 100 to 200 generally expected. lows will drop to or below freezing in parts of the north bay overnight. it will be really cold up there. in fact, a frost advise have i rhode island is in effect for much of the north bay from 2:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. but then by afternoon tomorrow, look for dryer conditions,

sunnier, and slightly milder than today with highs up near 60 degrees in the warmest locations. here is the accuweather seven-day forecast. there is that increase in temperatures on friday. a little milder there. but a light storm comes in on saturday and sunday, bringing cold showers once again. but then as we go into early and midweek next week, you'll see a very nice warm-up. temperatures in the low to mid-70s inland and around the bay by tuesday and wednesday. so spring will actually assert itself next week, dan and kristen. >> let's hope so. >> you know what? at the same time, spring is kind of unsettled anyway. par for the course. thanks, spencer. what was supposed to be a celebratory day for bay area chefs now a call for help. >> how the james beard foundation is giving teammates help each other find a way to win, just like covered california helps you find health insurance you can afford. they're the only place you can get financial assistance to help pay for health coverage. plus, this year, the state is providing more help than ever before. and because a new law requires californians to have health coverage or pay a penalty,

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because it's made from kitchen-inspired recipes. with real meat, poultry or fish. i love good eaters. rachael ray nutrish. real recipes. real ingredients. real good.® as of today, the united states is probably the worst country of the developed world in the way it looks like the epidemic is growing. >> sobering. berkeley professor dr. nicholas jewel gave the comments. he made the comments during a uc berkeley teleconference. he says trying to get the country back to normal by easter is not realistic. however, the good news from today's conference is it appears that once you've had the virus, you will likely be immune to it, which a lot of people have been wondering if that was the case perhaps. the senate scrambled today to iron out last-minute issues with a $2 trillion economic rescue package.

the package is designed to help businesses, agencies and workers hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. the package includes $25 billion in funding for transit systems nationwide, which have been really hit hard. in a statement today bart said that could be the difference between needing to shut down when reserves run out and keep running. bart has seen a 90% drop in ridership during this crisis. 60% of the agency's operating budget comes from fares, and they have already reduced service. tomorrow farmers market in san mateo county is becoming a drive-through. the portola valley is selling different produce and food bags with items from regular vendors. people preregular what they want and drive through the market from 2:00 to 6:00 to pick it up. the market will be a drive-through for at least the next three weeks. farmers markets have been open under the shelter many place order because they are an essential service. today was supposed to be an exciting day for restaurants in the bay area and around the country. this year's james beard awards

finalists were scheduled to be announced. organize verse postponed the awards and are urging people to donate to a relief fund for restaurants. a prior james beard award winning chef in washington, d.c. is having to lay people off after it was forced to close. >> laying off 60-plus employee, i don't think i've cried more than in an entire day in my entire life. so, you know, there is direct challenges that i face every single day when i wake up, like wondering how they're going pay their rent. >> the james beard foundation calls the situation restaurants are facing dire. it is possible to donate online. a student's father is being deployed to the hospital ship mercy to help in the covid-19

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we talked earlier how many schools are extending closure until may 24th. >> it's tough. today on midday live; i had a chance to talk with a student, edward huang on air to get his reaction about that, as well as how he felt about his father being deployed on a navy floating hospital, mercy. edward's reactions were very candid.

the reality of maybe not going back to school the whole school year, how you dealing with that? how are you processing that? >> today it got extended to may 4th. i didn't know that. wow. >> you got a lot on your mind right now because your dad, dr. vernon wong is an anesthesiologyist. he is a navy reservist deployed to the floating hospital the mercy. he is going to help relieve the hospitals oempled by covid-19 patients. how proud are your dad right now? >> i'm very proud of my dad, and i'm very grateful for him and basically all the doctors and health care workers across the country. i think that what they're doing right now is the most honorable thing that you can do during a pandemic, literally putting themselves in front of like a few feet away from the virus. so am i scared in a way? maybe. but am i proud, yes. >> and dan, hats off to dr. vernon. he is on the front lines, and

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tonight, the news coming in now. more than half the country now under orders to stay at home. and in new york city, we have learned 13 patients have reportedly died in the same hospital. tonight, the u.s. now with more than 60,000 cases. new york with roughly half of them. a spike of 5,000 new cases in new york in the last 24 hours. and the governor's warning tonight. how many days are we still from the peak of this? the growing toll across this country. the president speaking moments ago. in detroit tonight, we learned at least two infected officers dying. a worker in an amazon warehouse testing positive. tonight, the former college athlete in a coma. and the warning from his mother about how healthy her son was, and how quickly his health turned with this virus. tonight, the governor of louisiana now sounding the alarm. and the navy hospital ship