Oanh Turkenkopf and his wife closed their coffee and sandwich shop in San Jose three days before Santa Clara County issued its shelter-in-place order. At 65 and 68 years old, the couple weren’t taking any chances of getting the novel coronavirus. Three weeks later, with the closure eating into their savings and neighbors asking when...
San Jose families carry the weight of dementia during coronavirus shutdown
Celso Castaniada often wakes up at 3 a.m. — the night has become the day. By 3:30 p.m., Castaniada becomes more confused, a symptom of dementia known as sundowning. His internal clock has gone awry since the coronavirus shutdown upended Castaniada’s routine of going to adult day care center Hearts and Minds Activity Center in...
Survival and ruin: Economic experts discuss Silicon Valley’s outlook
If Rip Van Winkle fell asleep after the State of the Valley conference February 14, Joint Venture Silicon Valley CEO Russell Hancock thinks he would be shocked at how the economic outlook flipped 180 degrees in just two months. Hancock sat down Thursday with Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone and Silicon Valley Central Chamber of...
Surviving the pandemic: Resources for seniors in the South Bay
As one of the demographics most at risk of developing life-threatening complications from COVID-19, seniors face new challenges navigating daily activities. In an effort to provide services to seniors who are sheltering at home, state and local officials are offering help through several programs that include meal programs, financial assistance, telehealth services and other community resources....
Essential workers in Silicon Valley say they feel ‘forgotten’
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the country to close many businesses, transforming how most people live their lives. But for the workers providing essential services, staying home is not an option. While many Americans have transitioned to working from home, millions out on the front lines continue to show up to work every day, often relying on...
FIRST 5 offers scarce baby supplies in South Bay amid pandemic
Before COVID-19, local families were struggling and FIRST 5 was busy investing in programs to aid the development of Santa Clara County kids in underserved neighborhoods — a big task that has only gotten bigger in recent weeks. Now the group has undertaken an additional mission: help those families get the “basics” while some supplies...
Report: Silicon Valley renters are ill-prepared for ‘eviction time-bomb’
Despite efforts to help people who have lost work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say not enough has been done for renters, especially in areas that already had a housing crisis — like San Jose. Renters will struggle to pay off debt, even with measures like eviction moratoria and increased unemployment benefits from the...
South Bay community health centers struggle through COVID-19
Community health centers across Santa Clara County have served some of the poorest neighborhoods for decades, often as an entryway into health care for those who lack access, money or are undocumented and hesitate to visit larger clinics and hospitals. But many are now experiencing the same financial struggles businesses across Silicon Valley are facing...
San Jose groups take entertainment online as stay-home order drags on
ComedySportz San Jose has hosted performances in a theater downtown for 33 years, but in March began livestreaming its shows on Zoom for a fast-growing audience. In one recent show, an improv comedian was tasked with giving CPR to a “dummy,” so she looked to her right and said, “Dennis, my boyfriend, come here.” A...
Coronavirus: What will it take to open more Silicon Valley businesses?
As Santa Clara County officials prepare to lift restrictions for certain businesses in the Bay Area, local health leaders say they’re basing those decisions — and future business openings — on five key “indicators” aimed at ensuring the region doesn’t see a resurgence of the virus as the economy reopens. The primary industries affected by...