Multiple Reports Called On San Diego Over The Years To Address Human Waste Issue
Each of the reports called on the city to either add more all-hours, publicly available restrooms or bolster its street cleaning regimen to ensure the public would not be exposed to human waste. Health officials say such exposure helped fuel San Diego’s growing hep A outbreak.
San Diego Union-Tribune:
San Diego Officials Were Warned About Restroom Shortage Repeatedly Before Hepatitis Outbreak
As San Diego officials scramble to stop a deadly hepatitis A outbreak linked to a lack of downtown public restrooms, they can’t say they weren’t warned. A U-T Watchdog review of public records found that since 2000, four grand jury reports attempted to steer attention to the risks posed by human waste on city streets and a shortage of toilets available for use by the city’s growing homeless population. (DeHaven, 9/20)
KPBS:
Amidst Deadly Hepatitis A Outbreak, Largest Provider Of Homeless Services In San Diego Speaks Out
Together, Father Joe's and San Diego County Health and Human Services have worked to vaccinate around 1,200 people at the shelter. Handwashing stations have also been set up outside the facility. (Hoffman, 9/20)