Caregiver burnout, empty chairs, and cannabis robberies

Good afternoon! If you missed it, do take a minute to read this lovely tribute to Miguel Martinez, the beloved leader of Xiuhcoatl Danza Azteca, who died March 30. Now some news:

• San Francisco is in the midst of a serious staffing crisis for caregivers who serve elderly and disabled people in their homes. In-Home Supportive Services care is essential for helping patients stay healthy and age in place, instead of in costly nursing homes or institutions. Yet caregivers themselves make, on average, about $21,000 a year. “Even though we’re working full time, we have to do three or four jobs just to keep up with expenses in the city,” said Delmy Campos, an IHSS worker.

Caregivers and nonprofit workers are struggling with understaffing and burnout, and the city seems to be aware of the risks if it can’t retain people to do essential services. At a rally Tuesday, members of the Board of Supervisors pledged to support raising the hourly minimum wage for caregivers from $17.90 to $25.

• There would seem to be a problem with burnout––or something––affecting the meetings the Sheriff Department Oversight Board is holding to receive community input on qualifications for its first Inspector General. Yesterday’s meeting had just two attendees—double the number of the previous one. Board members, however, demonstrated that a meeting of sorts can still happen in an empty community center.

The new Inspector General will investigate allegations of deputy misconduct, and look into conditions in the city’s jails. Board member Julie Soo said that the position, posted earlier this month, already has a double-digit number of submitted applications. To weigh in, you can attend the next meeting on Friday, April 21, at the Mission Arts Center, from 6-8p.m.

• A spate of robberies is hitting cannabis dispensaries: Most recently, four young people armed with guns broke into the Love Shack dispensary at 502 14th St. on Monday night. In response to a 911 call, the police arrived, guns drawn, to Mission Cannabis Club instead––a different dispensary a mile away. The thieves holding up Love Shack made away with cash and inventory. At least one employee was present and the robbers took their ID, according to the SFPD.

Al Shawa, owner of the Mission Cannabis Club, said many businesses are already struggling with the high taxes that cannabis businesses pay, cannabis prices dropping as inflation impacts other costs, and a saturation of the market. “We were hoping that we hit rock bottom and now we’re going to start seeing the light,” Shawa said. “But this is happening, like, there’s no goddamn light.”

More soon,

Sara