Coronavirus testing: San Francisco prepares for new site in Mission District
People leading the testing were also involved in saving lives during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco Mayor London Breed hinted that the stay-at-home order is likely to be extended while at the same time she urged people to respect the public-health order, especially this weekend when the weather is expected to be nice.
"Stay at home, go out and get fresh air if we need it, and keep our distance from people when we're outside," said Breed.
RELATED: Mayor Breed discusses possible extension of San Francisco's shelter order
People are encouraged to remain indoors, except for the people of one neighborhood. The Mission District is the only neighborhood where people are being told to leave their homes to be tested for COVID-19.
Residents were putting up flyers with information.
Four outdoor testing sites will be up and running Saturday through Tuesday.
Volunteers were out again today urging people to sign up.
"It's been really frustrating being at home for the past few weeks and not felling like there is anything you can do to help," said volunteer Adam Century. Just as he was talking to ABC7 News, a resident opened the door and asked him, "Are you registering people?"
RELATED: Answers to questions about new coronavirus antibody studies
Two tests will be available, a swab test with results within 72 hours and a second test which will detect for COVID-19 anti-bodies.
"It says definitely you've had COVID-19, your body has been exposed to it, your body fought it off and now your have antibodies," explained Janis Wisherop, also a volunteer.
Those results will take between 3-4 weeks and scientists don't know if those antibodies will protect you next time.
The irony in all of this is that some of the people coordinating this testing were also on the front line of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.
RELATED: Coronavirus tests: San Francisco to expand testing to communities hit hard by COVID-19
Diane Jones, for example, was one of nurses in the AIDS ward 5B back in the early '80s. The lead scientist in this testing is Doctor Diane Havlir of UCSF, who developed therapeutic strategies to improve the lives of people living with AIDS in East Africa.
UCSF is hoping to test more than 5,000 residents of the Mission.
"Identify the people who are actively symptomatic or a-symptomatic and then be able to support them in their households in necessary self-isolation for 14 days and that's huge," said Jones who is now retired but volunteering.
This is important because it could save lives and help slow down the spread from one neighborhood to another.
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
Get the latest news, information and videos about the novel coronavirus pandemic here
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Live updates about coronavirus outbreak in US,around the world
- Coronavirus data: See how the curve of COVID-19 cases is bending in each Bay Area county
- Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic
- Stimulus calculator: How much money should you expect from coronavirus relief bill
- WATCH: ABC7's interactive town hall 'Race and Coronavirus: A Bay Area Conversation'
- What Bay Area tenants need to know about rent payments, eviction amid COVID-19 outbreak
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area/
- Coronavirus and the new normal of livingin the San Francisco-Bay Area -- COVID-19 Diaries
- Happy hour goes virtual as people try to be sociable while social distancing during COVID-19 crisis
- Coronavirus Outbreak: Here's why you should practice 'social distancing'
- DRONEVIEW7: What the Bay Area looks like during the coronavirus shelter-in-place
- ABC7's drive around San Francisco shows empty streets, businesses shuttered
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19
