Sheltering in place hasn’t been easy on anyone. But for those who share custody of their children, the problem is exacerbated. Social distancing has made banal tasks like grocery shopping more arduous. Everything except essential businesses have shuttered their doors, so social endeavors like getting a drink with a friend or Sunday dinner at your...
Santa Clara County approves nation’s first basic income for foster youth
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved the nation’s first basic income program for youths who are transitioning out of foster care. The county will provide $1,000 monthly cash payments from June 2020 through May 2021. Many youths struggle to find housing and jobs as they leave foster care and transition into adulthood. County...
SJSU student activists celebrate county’s cannabis-conviction clearance
When Aysha Pathan got word recently that the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office eliminated more than 13,000 cannabis-related convictions, the San Jose State University student was thrilled. “I dropped everything and started reading all these articles,” Pathan said. “I kind of knew something was happening, but I didn’t know the number. I was really...
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...
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...
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....
San Jose leads big cities in census responses but still has far to go
San Jose is ranked high among big cities when it comes to completing the U.S. Census, but the Bay Area’s largest city is still behind its mark from last decade, likely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, officials say. With 63.3 percent of its census completed, San Jose is No. 1 among cities that have...
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...
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...
Coronavirus: Santa Clara County lifts some stay-home restrictions
Santa Clara County officials on Wednesday released details of a revised and extended shelter in place order that lifts restrictions on some industries in the region, effective May 4 through the end of the month. At a high level, the newly-revised order generally reaffirms many of the restrictions that have governed how residents live and...