Since housing as a human right does not resonate with our decisionmakers, maybe this pattern of facts will. I am a legal aid attorney. I had to meet with a client today because the client does not have access to a scanner, printer, etc. 1/x

(The case is not covered by #EmergencyRule1.) I took BART home. On the BART, I sat about 6 feet away from a man who was coughing and sniffling and whose mask was around his chin—i.e. not covering his face. I have a home visit tomorrow with a client. 2/x

I am going to get tested, but test results take time. Handling a caseload of exception cases is hard enough. If all of my cases are allowed to proceed— requiring numerous client contacts & onsite visits— I can only imagine how much the risk of transmission will rise. 3/x

I am terrified because all my clients are elderly or adults with disabilities. I don’t want one of them were to catch COVID-19 because of me and I don’t want to catch COVID-19 while doing my job. Why are we prioritizing property rights over public health and safety? 4/x

My partner who I live with is also a legal aid attorney who has been forced to go to work and meet with clients during the pandemic. We know that asymptomatic folks can be carriers. One of my good friends (who I haven’t seen since March) just tested positive and 5/x

has almost no symptoms at all. 6/x

So I am sharing all of this to again ask, why are we forcing the most vulnerable members of our communities to fight eviction lawsuits during the pandemic? Is shelter in place only for the well-off? 7/x

So many evictions that have been allowed to proceed despite #EmergencyRule1 have involved seniors and people with disabilities. So many evictions IN GENERAL involve seniors and people with disabilities. 8/x

It is clear that when #EmergencyRule1 is lifted, it will be our most vulnerable community members that will be hurt the most. It will be those without access to technology, those who live in cramped SROs, those with serious disabilities. 9/x

This is a preventable outcome. The Judicial Council, the Leg, and the Governor can & should choose to prioritize public health & safety over summary proceedings. Esp. during an unprecedented public health crisis. Please, @GavinNewsom, @CalCourts, #CALeg, do the right thing. /end