San José Spotlight two weeks ago hosted an exclusive Q&A webinar with Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody, the driving force behind the nation’s first shelter-in-place order credited with flattening the curve on coronavirus infections and saving lives. We received nearly one hundred questions from Silicon Valley residents before and during the...
South Bay college faculty want more pay for more work during COVID-19 chaos
West Valley, Mission community college instructors say their workloads have increased significantly since the district switched to online learning because of the coronavirus pandemic
San Jose wants more federal help to feed struggling residents
FEMA's guidelines for reimbursement are too strict, say some city officials who are working to ramp up meal services in wake of coronavirus crisis
San Jose home sales slip in April amid coronavirus restrictions
Real estate agents are optimistic for a rebound now that they are again able to show homes to potential buyers, but long-range forecast remains uncertain
Surviving the pandemic: How can South Bay small businesses get help?
Businesses are struggling as the statewide and regional stay-home orders drag into the seventh week, and while there are many resources available, those programs are ever-changing and sometimes difficult to untangle. Health officials and elected leaders have also demurred on providing a timeline to reopen the economy. Though many retailers will be allowed to reopen for...
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: April 23 to May 6
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 7 p.m. May 6: How is San Jose doing with COVID-19 outreach? The city of San Jose is asking for feedback on its public outreach amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are committed to providing you with timely, accurate information as we seek to save lives and livelihoods...
Animal shelters scramble to meet adoption demand absent volunteers, in-person visits
Adapting to the coronavirus pandemic has required staff members at Silicon Valley’s animal shelters to do work usually performed by volunteers as they rush to keep up with the heightened demand for animal adoptions amid shelter-in-place restrictions. While shelters struggle to retain volunteers, like many nonprofits, there is a silver lining. Sheltering-in-place has resulted in...
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: April 23 to May 6
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 7 p.m. May 6: How is San Jose doing with COVID-19 outreach? The city of San Jose is asking for feedback on its public outreach amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are committed to providing you with timely, accurate information as we seek to save lives and livelihoods...
San Jose approves plan to expand internet access to all students
As part of an effort to expand broadband access across the city, San Jose lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved an update to a plan that will provide every student with digital tools and connectivity. Already struggling to close the digital divide, city leaders worry the coronavirus pandemic will exacerbate inequity among students at a time...
Silicon Valley real estate at ‘a turning point’ as construction resumes
The worldwide coronavirus pandemic has been felt in all industries, but one of the most stark representations of the virus’ impact is in the empty office buildings and rolling tech campuses in busy, work-obsessed Silicon Valley. Ripple effects of staying at home appear in small, nuanced ways in a new report, released by Joint Venture...