California’s workplace safety board has changed its rules on masks again—this time to align with the entire state which reopened Tuesday. Cal/OSHA ruled Thursday that vaccinated workers can shed their masks in the workplace—even if some of their colleagues are unvaccinated—except in places where they are required for everyone such as public transit. Workers also...
San Jose workers prepare for new mask rules
In a little over a week, the state will lift its mask mandate after nearly a year of requiring face coverings indoors. But in certain workplaces, employees will still have to cover their faces according to new rules adopted this week by the board of the California Division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or Cal/OSHA....
Q&A: What San Jose businesses need to know about masks, COVID vaccines and social distancing
Differences between local and national COVID regulations are causing confusion and placing the burden of enforcement on businesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks or social distance “in any setting.” But in Santa Clara County, everyone is still required to wear masks...
Santa Clara County sweetens the deal to get vaccinated
Boba, professional athlete meet-and-greets, live music and Starbucks gift cards are a few things you might expect to see if you’re getting vaccinated nowadays in Santa Clara County. Now that more than 1 million county residents are fully vaccinated, officials are offering a carrot for the rest of the population to get at least 85%...
San Jose receiving $212 million in federal COVID funding
Washington, D.C.—San Jose and Santa Clara County are set to receive approximately $212 and $374 million, respectively, through the American Rescue Plan to help offset the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. “I think if you talk to the residents who won’t lose their business or their homes, they’ll think this is a pretty big...
CDC mask guidance brings confusion to Santa Clara County
Differences between federal and local mask rules are creating confusion, frustration and in some cases hostile situations. Santa Clara County residents breathed a sigh of relief this week with the move to the least-restrictive yellow tier in California’s reopening plan, an indication that life might return to “normal” after more than a year of fear...
San Jose school districts still require masks for students
Sorry kids, but you still need to keep your masks on at school. Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed mask requirements for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, it recommends K-12 students continue to wear face coverings and keep social distancing. The CDC based this decision on students not being fully vaccinated...
Is San Jose ready to go maskless?
New guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fully vaccinated people can ditch their masks when indoors and outdoors. But local guidelines aren’t as open yet. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday he will end the state’s mask mandate on June 15, nearly a year after he first required masks in all public...
Get a COVID shot this week without an appointment
Numerous Santa Clara County vaccination sites are accepting drop-ins for COVID-19 vaccines this week. Same day appointments are available across the county, including at Levi’s Stadium and Eastridge Mall (Aloha Roller Rink). Anyone age 16 and older who lives, works or attends school in Santa Clara County is eligible for the vaccine. The news comes...
Johnson & Johnson vaccine back on in Santa Clara County
Bay Area health leaders, including Santa Clara County’s top health official, are lifting the pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The county halted administration of the one-shot vaccine after reports of extremely rare cases of blood clotting. The pause came a month after Santa Clara County received its first doses of the highly-anticipated shot...