Recent civil unrest that we saw in the streets of downtown san jose last month. Or the covid19 pandemic. We also heard from the mayor of san jose, who said back here live. The chief says he will stay on in his current role through december, which is when he expects his replacement to be named. Im chris nguyen, abc7 news. Okay, chris, thank you very much. Now to our efforts to build a better bay area. Education is a very important part of that and one oh of the topics well focus on tonight. Is the start of school is coming up quick. Two weeks for San Francisco. The bay areas Biggest School district. In the capital of silicon valley, thousands of low income students and families will soon have free access to the internet. Its part of an Innovative Partnership being launched between san jose and at t. Chris nguyen filed this story earlier. Reporter in the midst of the Coronavirus Crisis, bridging the Digital Divide is now more important than ever. We have heard too often of our children having to sit in a burger king parking lot at 10 00 p. M. To finish their homework because they do not have broad band at home. Reporter this afternoon, san jose mayor sam la cardo announced a new partnership with at t that will provide free high Speed Internet to 8,000 students across the city. This plan targets the geographic areas that are most densely populated with students k12, lower income households and those who lack access. Reporter in a matter of weeks, those who qualify will receive a personal hot spot, which includes an unlimited data plan for the year, allowing up to 15 devices in the household to be connected. Internet access by way of wifi is an essential utility. Reporter the city is also in the process of building out its wifi program, which will help thousands of other families. This partnership is something that we can expand throughout the rest of the city, through the county of san sta clara and become the model for the state of california and across the nation. Reporter at t is providing 3,000 additional hot spots, which can be checked out through a Public Library start thing fall. Its a critical time for all of us thats made us aware of how important broad band connectivity is. Reporter nearly a tenth of the citys residents didnt have broad band access in their homes. Nothing is more important to make sure that all of our children have access to the education tools they need to be successful. Reporter in san jose, chris nguyen, abc7 news. The struggle to connect and learn isnt just for students taking classes, but also for those that are too strong for school who are in day care. Coming up at 6 30, well look at the day care crisis thats affecting more than just kids and parts. Now to the coronavirus pandemic, where there are some encouraging numbers to talk about tonight. California reported more than 5700 new cases. Today, each one of those is serious, but thats below the sevenday average, which is at 7,700 cases, and the 14day average of 8,800. We saw a steep decline in the number of deaths with 32. On saturday, the state set a new record reporting 219. Another good sign is the Positivity Rate you hear so much about. Its a good indicator of the transmission rate and testing. The sevenday has gone down to 6. 1 . This shows you how the bay area is doing. The yellow lines, the rolling average which has started going up again. Keep in mind. Now, during an update today, the governor was asked about reopening the economy. It was pointed out Santa Clara County had reopened businesses only to close them just days later. To do what we can to mitigate the spread of this disease, the sooner we do that, we can get our kids back to school. The sooner we do that, we can get back to normalcy as it relates to being able to open up our businesses with some expectation that they can remain open so they dont have to go through this whip saw back and forth, back and forth. Schools are still a very hot topic. The governor was asked about some districts requiring teachers to be in the classroom. The governor had a fiery response. I dont believe anyone should be forced to put their life and health at risk, period, full stop. And if people feel their lives are being put at risk and their health is being put at risk, it sin come banlt upon it is in call that out. Another bay area county is threatening to implement fines for people who dont wear a Face Covering or mask. Luz pena spoke to Public Health officials how they plan to do this. Reporter it hasnt been 24 hours since many of the wete to close. And now Public Officials are saying, well fine you if you are not wearing a mask. This solution around fines, one, it brings attention. But the second thing it does is it saves lives. Reporter the emergency order, a written warning first. If the person does not comply, there will be a 100 fine for the first violation. 200 for the second. And 500 for additional violations. Right now, its a misdemeanor, meaning you could do 90 days in jail and the fine is 1,000. What were trying to do is to take it out of superior court, out of criminal court, and bring it into civil court. Reporter with 5,683 covid19 cases, and 119 deaths, this bay area county was the last to join the watch list, and now theyre hoping these strict changes will help them reopen soon. Last year at this time was 2. 9 unemployment. Right now its 10. 9 . Reporter the sheriff is support thing ordinance and is starting to write new guidelines for his deputies. The approach with Law Enforcement is, especially in these times, we want to work with our Community Members to gain compliance. Reporter at first, officials will approach a person or business who is not implementing mask wearing and provide a free mask. Multiple county departments will be allowed to cite. Ideally, were not going to be looking for people not Wearing Masks. People are going to report people not Wearing Masks in an unsafe manner. We will respond or park rangers will respond or Code Enforcement officers will respond. Reporter now lets keep in mind that this emergency ordinance will be introduced tomorrow to the board of supervisors. If approved, it will be implemented right away. Luz pena, abc7 news. When you enter a business, how do you know theyre complying with safety regulations . For business owners, staying on top of every changing safety protocol will k be challenging. Dion lim shows us a new business launched that aims to give customers and owners peace of mind. Reporter there are signs all over the save energy offices, a window and Door Replacement Company showing their compliance with local safety regulations. A direct result over the changing rules put in place with reopening requirements. We were off for seven weeks and came back and everybody was tentative. Are we doing the right thing . Reporter consumers are cautious, as well. Like the ones we met outside a nearby restaurant. The hope is theyre listening to the local authorities and guidelines. Reporter which is why Health Safety guideline was created. Jim stein, which certifies business for quality, recognized the need for guidance on covid safety. What they need now are standards and training and testing to follow safe city standards so they keep the workers and home owners safe. Reporter certification is rigorous and takes several weeks, with a laundry list of requirements, including educational training, ppe and supplies, the appointment of a chief Safety Officer at a business and periodic audits, customer surveys and surprise inspections. The Health Department says the qualification is a good idea, but not necessary to do business in the county. People need to know that we care about them, and were not going to harm them in any way. So having a third party say these guys checked out are doing the right thing by you, they feel better. So its really been helpful. Reporter so far 26 businesses, including auto repair shops and dentist offices now. Passioned, with another ro certification for businesses is free for a limited time. After that, it will cost 30 to news. A lot more to come. Businesses have been struggling to survive amidst all the pandemic restrictions put into place. Former San Francisco mayor willie brown spoke with chronicle insider phil matier about that and more. And see how an east bay firm is helping Small Businesses keep their doors open. Im spencer christian. After a bit of inland heat, we have a cooldown coming our way. Ill have all the details in my accuweather forecast coming up, as abc7 news at 6 00 continues. An army family who is always at the ready. So when they got a little surprise. Two . They didnt panic. They got a bigger car for their soontobebigger family. After shopping around for insurance, they called usaa who helped find the right coverage for them and even some muchneeded savings. That was the easy part. Usaa insurance is made the way liz and mike need it easy. I felt gross. It was kind of a shock after i started cosentyx. Four years clear. Real people with psoriasis look and feel better with cosentyx. Dont use if youre allergic to cosentyx. Before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. An increased risk of infections and lowered ability to fight them may occur. Tell your doctor about an infection or symptoms, if your inflammatory bowel disease symptoms develop or worsen, or if youve had a vaccine or plan to. Serious allergic reactions may occur. Learn more at cosentyx. Com. Weve always put safety first. And we always will. For people. For the future. And there has never been a summer when its mattered more. Wherever you go, summer safely. Get 0 apr financing for up to five years on select models and exclusive lease offers. President trump today signed an executive order that serves as a call for congress to make doctor visits via personal technology a permanent tix chfi of medicare. Telecare has surged in popularity during the pandemic. The president also addressed his White House Coronavirus response coordinator, dr. Deborah birx whom he publicly criticized for the first time recently. I think were doing very well. I told dr. Birx i think were doing very well. She was in my office a little while ago, i said personally i have a lot of respect for her. I think nancy pelosi has treated her very badly, very nasty. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized dr. Birx for enabling president trumps misinformation about the pandemic. There are fewer than 100 days to the elect just two weeks before the democratic election. Former Vice President joe biden said he would name his running mate in august and here we are. Who is that going to be . Were talking live with phil matier who obtained insight today from willie brown. Phil, what was his take . It was interesting. This has become the political equivalent of the bachelorette, we have contestants, ten down to two, back up to four. So i talked to mayor willie brown about some of the names, namely Kamala Harris and california congresswoman karen bass. What are the pluses for Kamala Harris . Shes a woman, shes black, and shes qualified. What about care bass . Shes a very plea very wonderful social worker, gene l generated, lovable woman. Who would you advise him to pick . I would advise him to take Kamala Harris. Because . I think of that group, shes the only true politician. What he means by that remark is shes the one thats been tested on the national stage, through the debates and through campaigning. Shes gone out there and worked the crowds, and thats what bide season going to need in order to generate a spark of big support across the country. She doesnt bring electoral votes to the ticket, because california is going to vote for joe biden no matter what. So this is sort of to get a National Wave going. Will it work . Remains to be seen. Theres also susan rice in the mix, and a number of other names, as well. Phil, i heard a lot of talk with Kamala Harris is a very strong pick, but she did drop out fairly early on and may not have quite the National Recognition that some other potential candidates have. Have you heard much about that . We were talking about someone like Amy Klobuchar or somebody that went further. Kamala harris did not ignite the nation. But its a strange dynamic picking Vice President s. Usually what you want to do is do it fast, you want to get it out of the way, and what youre mainly looking for is something thats not going to present a problem down the line. We used to do it like at the end of the convention and the confetti comes down, the balloons come down and everybody hops in a van and starts campaigning. This has been this intense back and forth. Its been the political story of the months and months, and its grinding on. I think its gotten to the point now where im not sure if whoever he picks will make the world happy. But democratic polls show while people might be lukewarm about biden, they want trump out. And hes got that going for him. [ inaudible ] you met up with him at the grand opening of Outdoor Dining at San Franciscos legendary restaurant johns grill. Something a lot of restaurants are doing. Lets faulk about the impact this is having on the economy. Willie brown has some strong opinions about this. Lets hear what he had to say about restaurants. Anano. For 4 1 2 months, some of these people have not been able to charge anybody, not even come close to overcharging as they were doing before. And its all unfortunate. And believe me, its hurting our city like you would not believe. Anybody who has walked through San Franciscos downtown in recent months has seen the empty store fronts and empty restaurants. Sometimes youre lucky and you get a to go sign saying stop by and take it out. But i have to tell you, it is just very difficult for these restaurants to continue on like this for a long time. Youre talking about a cut in volume of their sales, down to like 1 5th of what it was before. There was one restaurant in the downtown that was telling customers, we made more in one day before the pandemic than we make in a week now. It is really sad. At this point, its like what is the alternative . Phil, thank you so much for joining us today. Read phils column in the San Francisco chronicle on sundays and wednesdays. Small businesses have been so affected and theyve always been important to our economy and building a better bay area. However, many have been facing failure as the pandemic has forced many to close, as willie brown and phil were just talking about. A nonprofit Financial Firm is providing grants to prevent this and seeking nominations. David louie shows you the difference its making. Reporter the collection had just opened a boutique in oakland after starting out with popup stores. Then the Coronavirus Crisis hit. This will be the end of our business. We dont know how long well be closed. We dont know whats going to happen. Reporter many Small Businesses, especially ones minority and women owned, were imperilled. Until tmc Community Capital realized it could mix economic and social justice. We wanted to address the needs of two groups of Small Businesses. One, the very Small Businesses that didnt receive ppp grants. And two, businesses that had sustained some damage as a result of civil unrest. Reporter in only two weeks, barbara morrisons team has provide 239,000 in grants to 60 Small Businesses in oakland, San Francisco, and los angeles. Such as a market, fitness center, restaurant, jewelry designer, damage company and floral shop. We put in 500,000, and then went looking for some matching money. And Signature Bank came up with 250,000 to contribute to the grant program. It has been a game changer for taylor, who receive 8900 to replace damage to the windows. We were able to increase our inventory. Reporter anyone can nominate a Small Business for a grant. The Program Hopes to fund 200 more entrepreneurs selected by lottery in the next two weeks. We are so proud to be an oakland brand and bay area natives. And so were here to stay. Reporter david louie, abc7 news. And remember, if you need help during this pandemic, we are here for you. Go to abc7news. Com takeaction. And coming up next, the birds chirping woman chattering [narrator] ordering dinner for the family . family gasps rewarded with a side of quiet. baby murmuring grubhub rewards you, scooter horn honking get a free delivery perk when you order. doorbell rings [group] grubhub. Its monday. We have a lot of days between now and friday. Its going to be a long road. Spencer christian has the forecast for us. Okay, dan and ama. I can tell you this, its going to be a cooler week ahead. Certainly than today was. Weve got mainy sunny skies over the bay and inland. But theres fog at the coast. Its really windy in some spots right now with gusts to 37 Miles Per Hour in San Francisco. 32 in fairfield. 18 at nevado. 26 in san jose. So all around the area, were feeling the breeze and the cooler pattern beginning to i