The Center for Disease Control has issued guidelines on best practices to stop the spread of COVID-19, which include appropriate access to basic sanitation and bathroom facilities for EVERY person. This includes those who are unsheltered, because having a space to live indoors does not place more value on your health and well-being.

In absence of safe/affordable places to live, many unsheltered people in Sonoma County have congregated around public parks. Two such places are Doyle Park in Northwest Santa Rosa and the Rohnert Park Vehicle Convoy, where a group of unsheltered people are in critical need for sanitation and bathroom facilities.

Some housed people in that neighborhood have come together, but not in the name of stopping the spread the potential spread of COVID-19. Rather, they have organized to PREVENT the temporary installation of 1-2 portable bathrooms outside of the park. Not only does this present a complete lack of solutions for our unsheltered neighbors, it furthers the public health crisis for our entire community. Unsheltered people have nowhere else to go at the present time, so they are sleeping near parks right now, even though there is an absence of facilities. The only question is whether they will be able to stay there safely.

We need to think beyond our own immediate neighborhoods, and PUT THE WIDER PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE FIRST. The City and County are working hard to ensure meals, masks, testing, alternative care facilities, and additional temporary housing. However, many are still left to their own devices without shelter.  These people need places they can safely wash their hands and hygienically use the bathroom. As they move about for food and health care, it is to the benefit of us all to help them to stay healthy.  Bathrooms and handwash stations will protect our community by flattening of the Covid-19 curve.

Please help us show the City of Santa Rosa that access to this basic need is critical to our entire community, even beyond the borders of the city. All residents of Sonoma County deserve to live with dignity and protection from this pandemic. Help us ensure portable sanitation and bathroom facilities are placed where they're most needed. As we come out of this pandemic, we hope to see the city and county continue to shelter these community members.