Despite pressure from President Donald Trump to reopen schools, San Jose teachers say they’re not willing to risk their lives amid a global pandemic. One of San Jose’s largest school districts — the San Jose Unified School District — announced late Thursday classes on Aug. 12 will resume online only at least until Oct. 2....
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: July 2 to July 15
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 1:35 p.m. July 15: Most California schools not likely to reopen in-person, state educational official says California’s top public school official said Wednesday most schools likely would not reopen for in-person learning due to the spread of the novel coronavirus across the state. After the state Department...
Good Samaritan nurses in San Jose protest unsafe staffing, COVID-19 risks
At war with the hospital. That’s how a top nurses union leader outside Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose on Monday described a dispute over working conditions at the hospital. Roughly 50 nurses cheered in agreement. “And by God, we have to win it, because if we don’t win it, we could end up dying...
Hours after reopening, Santa Clara County businesses will have to close again
Just hours after reopening Monday under Santa Clara County’s new health order, hair and nail salons, gyms, tattoo parlors and other personal care services have to close yet again. During his noon briefing, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced immediate closures for indoor operations of restaurants, wineries, tasting rooms, movie theaters, card rooms, family entertainment centers, zoos and...
Silicon Valley leaders want employees to mostly work from home
Notably grueling Silicon Valley commutes have been slashed dramatically as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. While working from home presents its own unique challenges, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez wants to transition this aspect of social distancing into the post-COVID-19 life, a move she says will maintain productivity while decreasing climate impacts. Chavez announced a...
Silicon Valley’s congressional leaders condemn Supreme Court ruling on birth control
Silicon Valley’s congressional delegation has rebuked the Supreme Court’s Wednesday ruling that upheld the Trump administration’s right to allow employers and universities with moral or religious objections to opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to provide coverage for contraceptives. In a statement to San José Spotlight, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of San Jose decried...
Outdoor dining is back on, but San Jose restaurateurs are confused and frustrated
Struggling restaurants had found a lifeline in San Jose Al Fresco, an outdoor dining initiative, but confusion stemming from the state denying — and then approving — the county’s application to reopen businesses sent many of them reeling. “Having outdoor seating has really helped bring back a little bit of what’s normal for us and...
San Jose’s general plan review hindered by online meetings
As online meetings become the new norm under shelter-in-place orders, some community leaders and advocates say meeting remotely has hampered plans to revise one of San Jose’s most critical documents: its General Plan for 2040. “(The online format) puts a lot of pressure to keep the meetings at a reasonable time,” said Jason Su, executive...
Californians worry that shelter-in-place is relaxing too quickly: poll
As the number of hospitalizations from the novel coronavirus continues to soar, Californians are increasingly worried that the state is reopening too quickly, according to a new survey. The poll, conducted between June 26 and June 30 by California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), surveyed 1,156 residents in the state who are at least 18 years old. The interviews,...
California approves Santa Clara County for further reopening, but who takes responsibility?
After an initial denial over the Independence Day weekend, state officials approved Santa Clara County’s request to reopen more businesses under a new health order set to take effect next Monday. As of Tuesday morning, the county’s 35-page application to verify it met certain criteria was added onto the California Department of Public Health’s list...