What would it be like if we responded to homelessness like a disaster? I’ve heard this question many times over the years. The implication being that while the word “crisis” is thrown around pretty liberally these days when we talk about the conditions for people on our streets, we rarely act with the same mobilized...
‘There’s no escape’: Domestic violence fears in San Jose escalated by COVID-19
A San Jose mother of four was 41 years old when she was sure she would die. Pinned up against the wall, Rose Martinez laid motionless as her husband repeatedly kicked her all over her body after knocking her to the floor from a swift punch to the head. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God,...
How will Santa Clara County enforce non-medical cannabis sales ban? The honor system.
A little more than a week ago, top Santa Clara County officials banned all recreational cannabis sales at dispensaries as part of a widespread shelter-in-place order meant to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Now, those administrators are saying they have no way to enforce the new rules. Their solution? The honor system. “There...
Coronavirus cases spike in South Bay nursing homes as state rolls out new plan
Roughly 10 percent of the state’s coronavirus cases at nursing homes and long-term care facilities are in Santa Clara County, according to data released Friday. Throughout Santa Clara County, 164 workers and residents have tested positive at such facilities, including 114 residents and 50 staff members, according to Dr. Sarah Rudman, assistant health officer for...
San Jose homeless struggle to get necessities during COVID-19 shutdown
Everyone has been affected by the region’s stay-home mandate, but those in San Jose without homes say the order has left them without ways to meet their basic needs. Four homeless residents and several homeless advocates spoke to San José Spotlight this week to share how the shelter-in-place order, which went into effect March 17,...
San Jose closes some parks, parking lots ahead of Easter weekend
San Jose officials are proactively trying to tamp down on the number of people who flock to parks in the city over the upcoming holiday weekend. Nine regional parks and the parking lots at 19 city parks will be closed to the public this Saturday and Sunday, which is Easter Sunday, the city announced Thursday. Gatherings...
Dead lifts to blood draws: San Jose fitness center starts COVID-19 testing
Tucked in the back room of an otherwise empty Red Dot Fitness just west of Downtown San Jose, Adam Schafer averted his eyes when 5 mL of his blood was drawn Thursday afternoon. That small vial will be shipped overnight to Vibrant America Labs in San Carlos, where it will be tested for antibodies —...
People of color overrepresented in Santa Clara County COVID-19 deaths
People of color are overrepresented in Santa Clara County deaths from the novel coronavirus, according to new health figures released Thursday. Of the 47 COVID-19 deaths in the county, 36% are Latino while 4% are African Americans, though each group makes up about 25% and 2.8% of the county’s population, respectively, census data shows. Meanwhile,...
Moveable Feast feeds thousands of overworked San Jose health care workers
Hospital workers had a reason to smile as they pushed dollies into the parking lot in front of Regional Medical Center’s emergency room one recent afternoon. They were picking up donated meals from Moveable Feast, a San Jose-based food truck catering company known for its specialty American, Filipino, Indian and BBQ dishes devoured by foodies....
Surviving the pandemic: How to apply for unemployment benefits in California
The number of jobless Californians is on pace to reach historic highs, as reduced wages, shuttered businesses and self-quarantine precautions continue to dominate life during the coronavirus crisis. But even during a pandemic, bills and expenses don’t stop when paychecks do – highlighted by a recent failed attempt by some San Jose lawmakers to suspend rent for...