After data busted the myth that COVID-19 was “the great equalizer” and made it clear the disease has had disproportionate affects on Santa Clara County’s Latinx population, public health officials say rates finally are starting to decrease in the hardest hit communities. “The rates among the Latinx community were really soaring in July. They were...
Catholic schools gradually reopening in Santa Clara County
While most San Jose public school campuses will remain closed at least until January, Catholic schools are starting to welcome back students with sanitizing stations and wellness checks in place. “It’s been a real boost for faculty to see kids on campus,” said Principal Kristina Luscher of Bellarmine College Preparatory, which opened Sept. 23. “Overall,...
Top Santa Clara County executive leading COVID-19 response leaving
One of Santa Clara County’s top leaders and the face of its coronavirus response is leaving for a neighboring city. Deputy Executive David Campos, who also led the county’s social justice and equity programs, is joining the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office as Chief of Staff. Campos, a Guatemalan immigrant, sought to bring equity to underserved communities...
Farmworker bills aim to protect against COVID-19 but may not go far enough
In a fragrant field of dew-drenched leaves, an uneven row of farmworkers labored before sunrise at a farm in Morgan Hill. These men and women, as well as hundreds of thousands of other farmworkers across California, could benefit from a suite of Assembly bills that will likely be passed by the end of this month....
San Jose legislator pushes for immigration reforms amid COVID-19
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Zoe Lofgren called for immigration reform this week during a congressional hearing examining the role of undocumented immigrants in the essential workforce. The San Jose Democrat said essential workers, such as those working in agriculture or food processing, have risked their lives by continuing to work in-person throughout the coronavirus pandemic....
South Bay lawmaker calls on Republicans to end fight against the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Health experts warned House lawmakers this week that repealing the Affordable Care Act amid the coronavirus pandemic would have devastating consequences for millions of Americans. Dr. Benjamin Sommers, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a professor of health care economics for Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained...
Santa Clara County supervisors pump $13 million to help people quarantine
Santa Clara County residents who are exposed or have contracted COVID-19 are getting more financial help to cover the cost of isolating and quarantining. Supervisors on Sept. 22 approved a $13 million infusion to the county’s cities to pay for motel costs, at-home support and financial assistance related to mandatory quarantine if residents get the...
Why indoor dining is still not an option in Santa Clara County
In Santa Clara County, you can walk into a business and get your hair and nails done, work out and even get a tattoo. But you can’t eat. The county recently got the OK to move into the red tier of the state’s categories that allow more businesses to reopen and is taking steps toward...
‘Hellhole’: Santa Clara County suspect who got COVID-19 in jail describes conditions
Raul Covarrubias has sat in the Santa Clara County Main Jail awaiting trial since June 6, 2019. While his right to a speedy trial promised a decision by July 3, COVID-19 threw everything out the window. Covarrubias, who had no previous criminal history, tested positive in jail two days later. In an interview from the...
Latest eviction moratoriums a double-edged sword for South Bay tenants, landlords
New state and federal laws approved this month would punish landlords with steep fines and even jail time if they try to evict someone behind on rent. But that’s not necessarily reassuring news for tenants. While housing attorneys and tenants’ rights activists say the laws will shield more renters from property owners who want to force...