Zuckerberg San Francisco General

With COVID-19 cases surging in more than three-quarters of states, and with the flu and winter holiday seasons rapidly approaching, we are growing increasingly alarmed about the potential for the pandemic to overwhelm emergency departments and intensive care units at essential hospitalsthe hospitals that serve the uninsured, low-income and minority patients most impacted by the pandemic In this article, our CEO Susan Ehrlich discusses how not adhering to the health guidelines can make vulnerable people sick and overwhelm the health care systems that serve their communities.

"Experts credit San Francisco’s success to a long partnership between public health officers and universities, most notably during the AIDS crisis. San Francisc...o is not monolithic, but its residents largely followed health guidelines." Thank you to everyone doing their part to limit the spread of #COVID19 in San Francisco and keep up the great work! Help our community stay safe as we continue to reopen by wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance, and avoiding indoor gatherings. #MaskTheSFup

What's for breakfast? One way to keep your blood sugars low all day is to start with a balanced meal of low carbs and lean protein. Here we have 2 eggs, 2- 4.5 ...inch corn tortillas, 1/4 avocado, a slices radish, a sliced tomato with chives and a splash of olive oil, a couple of slices of queso fresco cheese, and a tablespoon of salsa. Plenty of fat, protein, veggies, and carbs, and flavor too! Taking a walk will help your body keep that sugar at goal range after every meal. #lowcarb #diabetesmeal

In celebration of #PharmacyWeek, we are acknowledging the incredible efforts and teamwork of our pharmacy team, who always rise to the occasion despite any challenge that comes their way. The Pharmacy Department at ZSFG consists of a powerful team of 137 health care workers, and every person makes vital contributions every day in service of our patients. Please join us in thanking them for their collective contributions to ensure safe transitions, patient safety, and evidence-based care at ZSFG.

This year, with COVID-19, it is more important than ever to get vaccinated for the flu. SFDPH recommends that everyone ages 6-months & older get their yearly flu vaccine. See how & why to get your Flu vaccine here: https://sf.gov/get-your-flu-shot. If you need some perspective, watch this video where kids explain why you should get a shot this year:... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVaxlKlso2Q See more

San Francisco always honors #HispanicHeritageMonth by celebrating, recognizing, and preserving the contributions of Latinos. But this year, Latinos are suffering disproportionately from the COVID-19 pandemic. Protecting the most vulnerable community in a city where Latinos make up 15 percent of San Francisco's population, yet account for 51 percent of COVID-19 cases has been the biggest priority for our community.

On Saturday, October 24, we will be walking 12 miles (physically distant) to highlight breast cancer disparities in San Francisco and to raise funds for breast cancer programs at ZSFG. The Nova12SF walk was born to benefit breast care at ZSFG. Last year we raised over $60,000 that were donated back to the patients we serve for food, rent and utilities. Our breast cancer patients at ZSFG have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 with higher infection rates, job losses, loss of housing and increasing food insecurity. Please consider joining our safely distanced walk in your own neighborhood and/or donate http://nova12sf.com.

On #WorldMentalHealthDay, Dr. Lisa R. Fortuna, Chief of Psychiatry at ZSFG, talks to KTVU Fox 2 about dealing with stress and anxiety during the pandemic and how to best manage self-care during these times.

In San Francisco, Black families account for half of the maternal deaths and over 15% of infant deaths, despite representing only 4% of all births. Pacific Islander families face similar disparities. The Abundant Birth Project, the first program of its kind in the country, will provide basic income to Black and Pacific Islander Women During Pregnancy to achieve better maternal health and birthing outcomes. Expecting Justice, a collective impact initiative led by Dr. Zea Malawa at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, created the following mini-documentary about the program that also tells a story of fortitude, love, and the work to make San Francisco a place where every mother can thrive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9h6bJlp1Pw&feature=youtu.be.

Not a lot is known about the health consequences of racism specifically. But it is well known that stress can set off a cascade of biological responses, potentially leading to hypertension, heart disease, cancer, inflammation, abnormal gene activity and a weakened immune system. And numerous studies indicate that persistent racism is a leading cause of stress, particularly among Black people. Experiences with racism large or small keep Black people in a near-constant sta...te of increased adrenaline and stress that wear on the body significantly, said Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of San Francisco’s Office of Equity. Both of those things cause chronic illness, Bennett said. Chronic stress is bad for your heart, it’s bad for your blood vessels, it’s bad for your general health. And we know that those are things that make you vulnerable to COVID-19. See more

However you decide to enjoy the weather and celebrate this Labor Day weekend, don’t forget to keep your loved ones and community safe. 40% of people with COVID-19 show no symptoms. It is better to love from afar to protect them. Make this Labor Day a labor of love! De cualquier manera que decida disfrutar del clima este fin de semana de celebración, no se olvide mantener a sus seres queridos seguros. 40% de las personas con COVID-19 no tienen síntomas. Es mejor amar desde lejos para protegerlos. ¡Haz este día de labor un labor de amor!

ZSFG Trauma Surgeon Dr. Andre Campbell joined Yahoo! to discuss the latest Coronavirus outlook as U.S. cases surpass 6 million. We could save 70,000 lives if we mask everybody up right now, he said.

When history recounts the U.S. response to COVID-19, there will surely be much to lament. However, history will also remind us of the countless health care workers, first responders, and benevolent individuals and organizations who served others in their time of greatest need. #NationalHealthCenterWeek #NHCW20 #ValueCHCs