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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...
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...
Update: San Jose slashes budget, approves new sexual assault unit
The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved making massive cuts to the city budget for the fiscal year, as officials brace for an expected shortfall of least $45 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s going to be a long road for us,” Budget Director Jim Shannon said. “When we released our forecasts...
Bay Area may lag behind state’s plan to lift stay-home restrictions
Californians are “weeks, not months” away from seeing some loosening of the state’s stay at home order and schools could bring kids back later this summer, Gov. Gavin Newsom and California health officials said Tuesday. Certain retailers, including those that can offer curbside pickup, manufacturers, offices where working from home isn’t possible and some public...
San Jose residents protest temporary homeless housing plan
More than 200 South San Jose residents and housing advocates spoke at a virtual town hall Monday night to express concern or applaud a plan to fast-track dozens of new housing units for homeless residents during the region’s shelter-in-place order due to the coronavirus pandemic. “As a city, we really have two emergencies on our...
Views from above: Coronavirus has a dramatic effect on the Bay Area
The shelter-in-place order issued by regional health officials March 17 aimed to decrease the spread of coronavirus, but it has also dramatically affected the look of the Bay Area. The South Bay is no exception. With traffic coming to a halt, air quality and visibility has greatly improved. Nitrogen dioxide, a key pollutant, dropped by...