WASHINGTON, D.C. — After months of failed negotiations, Congress reached a deal Sunday on a $900 billion coronavirus relief package. The bill is expected to pass Monday. “At long last, we have the bipartisan breakthrough the country has needed,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on the Senate floor. With the coronavirus pandemic accelerating, Congress...
Meet the man first in line for COVID-19 vaccine from Santa Clara County
In a matter of minutes, Cliff Roperez became the face of the next era in Santa Clara County’s fight against COVID-19. Roperez, 47, was the first person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, a moment that came after nine painful months and hundreds of deaths countywide. “I was identified by...
More than 200 get first COVID-19 vaccines in Santa Clara County
Standing in front of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on a gloomy morning, Dr. Sara Cody delivered a bright message: The county administered its first COVID-19 vaccines. “At last we have a ray of hope as we are starting to vaccinate,” said Cody, the county’s public health officer, as cars whirled past the busy street...
Food delivery fees capped at 15% throughout Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County and San Jose officials voted separately but unanimously Dec. 15 to cap food delivery fees to help businesses retain income during the pandemic. Delivery service fees charged by third-party delivery companies such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, GrubHub, Postmates and others will be capped at 15% of the value of an order. San...
After getting a COVID-19 vaccine, can we ditch our masks? Santa Clara County weighs in
The moment America has been waiting for since mid March has arrived. Truckloads of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines departed a warehouse in Michigan this week and made their way by truck or plane to hundreds of locations across the country. Santa Clara County received its first batch of 17,550 shots Dec. 15, kicking off the start...
New virtual platform connects Santa Clara County youth with mental health services
Mental health services are of the utmost importance during the COVID-19 pandemic and especially as the holiday season approaches with continued lockdowns, isolation and uncertainty, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To address this need among young people in Santa Clara County, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County on Dec. 15 launched a platform...
UPDATE: San Jose extends paid sick leave as COVID-19 spreads
Fearing the federal government won’t help residents, San Jose leaders voted unanimously to extend local paid sick leave protections through an emergency measure. Councilmembers Magdalena Carrasco, Sylvia Arenas and Maya Esparza spearheaded the measure because they worried the federal government wouldn’t extend its Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which has provided paid sick leave...
COVID-19 vaccine arrives; San Jose mom in trial tells what it feels like
Carolyn Bauer said she wasn’t afraid when she decided to take part in a COVID-19 vaccine trial earlier this year. In fact, she thought it was just common sense. “I’m a very healthy individual, and someone has to do this,” Bauer said. “To me, I didn’t realize how big a deal some people thought that...
South Bay Vietnamese Americans wrestle with COVID-19, lack of information
On a clear December day, the glowing sun hit a scant array of faces walking toward the Grand Century Mall in San Jose. In a plaza once teeming with visitors, particularly Vietnamese Americans, there were mostly shop owners and workers tending to business: distributing supplies, cleaning facilities and fulfilling to-go orders for loyal customers. San...
COVID-19 vaccines are coming to Santa Clara County. Here’s how they’ll be distributed and tracked
With the FDA’s approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccination on Dec. 11, thousands of health care workers may soon receive immunization shots in Santa Clara County within the next week. Health officials expect 17,550 doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 39,300 doses of the Moderna vaccine to be available in the county over the next few...