mercurynews--2020-03-18--East Bay jail looks to reduce jail population by keeping only violent criminals

DUBLIN — In order to reduce the jail population in the midst of the coronavirus crisis , Alameda County ’ s Santa Rita Jail is for the most part , keeping only inmates who are only suspected of serious , violent crimes .
Alameda County Sheriff ’ s spokesperson Sgt .
Ray Kelly said Wednesday that 67 inmates were released late Tuesday on their own recognizance from court , in efforts to reduce the amount of people inside the county ’ s only jail .
Being released on “ OR ” means a defendant promises to return to court , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while out of custody .
In general , only those with serious and violent offenses are being booked at Santa Rita .
“ Law enforcement is taking a different posture on day-to-day business , ” Kelly said .
Officers on the street , when making arrests , are using “ a tremendous amount of discretion , ” he said .
Unless a person poses a threat to public safety , they ’ re not being booked in jail .
Violent offenses could include crimes such as acts against children , sexual offenses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people being released have no place to go , and the county is also working with state and local authorities to find either hotels or shelters to house this homeless population , Kelly said .
Kelly expects that through these actions and natural attrition , the jail will reduce in population size .
Activists have been concerned that a deadly virus such as the coronavirus , or COVID-19 , could pose a threat to jail populations .
Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods called on county leaders last week to release inmates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old or older , or those at high-risk such as those with underlying health conditions .
Other requests included those inmates who have six months or less .
Kelly said Tuesday that the options are “ on the table.
” Kelly ’ s comments Wednesday to this news organization focused on the pre-trial incarceration of inmates however , not those already serving a sentence at the jail .
Jail visitation has been drastically reduced or suspended altogether throughout the Bay Area .
Alameda County suspended all in-person visitation , although video visiting is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exhibiting symptoms of the virus could be denied entry and sent instead to a medical facility , according to the sheriffs ’ office .
Santa Clara similarly announced a moratorium on jail visits and inmates instead would be “ gifted ” two five-minute calls per week during the duration of the sheltering order .
In Contra Costa County , the sheriff ’ s office has suspended most visitors to the county ’ s jail facilities , though attorneys will still be allowed to have non-contact visits with their clients .
Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placed into quarantine after a jail visitor who interviewed them tested positive for the virus .
Two other inmates were placed in isolation Monday as a precaution .
Staff Writers Robert Salonga and Nate Gartrell contributed to this story .

DUBLIN — In response to the spreading coronavirus pandemic, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office released more than 300 inmates from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin this week so far, authorities said.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Ray Kelly said Wednesday a judge released 67 inmates on their own recognizance in a bid to reduce the jail population. The inmates had to promise to make their court dates and not commit any crimes while out of custody.
On Thursday, the sheriff’s office announced that an additional 247 people from the jail were approved for sentence modifications and early release. A sentence modification could mean for example, electronic home monitoring, or other alternatives to time in jail.
The Sheriff’s Office is booking only people suspected of committing serious and violent crimes such as child abuse, sexual offenses and human trafficking.
Sacramento County sheriff’s officials also began releasing non-violent inmates Tuesday night from jails, according to the Sacramento Bee. Those releases so far involved only a handful of inmates within 30 days of their scheduled release date, according to the newspaper.
“Law enforcement is taking a different posture on day-to-day business,” Kelly told this news organization.
When making arrests, officers on the street are using “a tremendous amount of discretion,” he said. Unless a person poses a threat to public safety, they won’t be booked in Santa Rita Jail for now.
Some of the released inmates had no place to go and the county is working with state and local authorities to find either hotels or shelters for them, Kelly said.
Kelly expects the new booking policy and natural attrition will combine to significantly reduce the number of inmates at the jail, which has a capacity to hold 3,500 people and has been averaging about 2,600.
Activists have been concerned that coronavirus could spread into jails, and Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods last week urged county leaders to order the release of inmates at least 50 years old, those at high risk because of underlying health conditions and those with six months or less to serve on their sentence.
Kelly said options are “on the table.”
Yolanda Huang, an attorney who handles jail incarceration issues, said she’s been getting calls from inmates who were supposed to be arraigned but weren’t because the courts are closed and thus could remain locked up longer than they need to be.
Jail visitation has been drastically reduced or suspended altogether throughout the Bay Area since COVID-19’s spread. Alameda County suspended all in-person visitation, although video visiting is still allowed. Any jail employee or defendant exhibiting symptoms of the virus could be denied entry and sent instead to a medical facility, according to the Sheriffs’ Office.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Crime and Public Safety | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Crime and Public Safety | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Crime and Public Safety | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Crime and Public Safety | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Santa Clara County also has announced a moratorium on jail visits and declared that inmates instead would be “gifted” a couple of five-minute calls per week during the duration of the region’;s shelter-in-place order.
In Contra Costa County, the Sheriff’s Office has suspended most visits to the county’s jail facilities, although attorneys are still allowed to have non-contact visits with their clients.
Last week, two Santa Clara County jail inmates were placed into quarantine after a visitor who interviewed them tested positive for the virus. Two other inmates were placed in isolation Monday as a precaution.
Staff Writers Robert Salonga and Nate Gartrell contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-03-18--BART cuts extra rush-hour trains with ridership down almost 90 percent

BART officials announced their first cut to service Wednesday after the first day under the Bay Area ’ s “ shelter in place ” order to curb the spread of COVID19 saw the system ’ s ridership drop by almost 90 percent .
Starting Thursday , BART will no longer run the extra trains it has provided during the normally jam-packed morning and afternoon commute hours on the Antioch-to-SFO “ yellow line , ” because those crowds have disappeared .
As a result , trains will arrive every 15 minutes all day on the line .
The BART system saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 87 percent compared to a typical weekday when the system carries over 400,000 riders .
BART leaders have so far resisted more significant service cuts , though the shelter-in-place order means riders are only allowed to use the transit system for essential trips .
In a statement announcing the reduced rush hour service , the agency wrote that it continues to “ provide transportation for essential workers such as health care providers , first responders and grocery store clerks.
” BART has begun appealing to federal , state and local officials for emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of millions of dollars it stands to lose as ridership evaporates with so many residents staying at home .
Wednesday ’ s change adds BART to a growing list of Bay Area transit systems that have reduced their service as millions of residents stay home from work and school .
Capitol Corridor announced Wednesday that it is slashing service between Oakland and Sacramento to just five daily trips in each direction , four of which will start and end in San Jose .
The agency is also closing cafe cars and suspending several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one between Oakland and San Francisco , starting Saturday .
San Francisco Bay Ferry is temporarily reducing service as well .
Ferries will no longer serve Richmond , Harbor Bay , South San Francisco and San Francisco ’ s Pier 41 , nor will they run on weekends ; the Alameda , Oakland and Vallejo routes all have reduced schedules .

Fallout from the coronavirus continued to hit Bay Area transit Thursday with VTA refusing to accept fares of any kind in an effort to protect riders and drivers, and help stem the spread of the highly contagious disease. BART also announced it would stop trains at 9 p.m.
If VTA’s message wasn’t clear enough, the agency physically taped off its fare boxes and Clipper Card readers on buses and light rail vehicles, asking riders to board through rear doors and leave the front doors for passengers needing special access.
BART began announcing its service cuts Wednesday, a day after the Bay Area’s “shelter in place” took effect. The agency said the system’s ridership dropped by almost 90 percent. By Thursday it expanded the pain to include daily service ending at 9 p.m. starting Monday, and service will start later on Sundays.
BART is no longer running the extra trains it has provided during the normally jam-packed morning and afternoon commute hours on the Antioch-to-SFO “yellow line,” because those crowds have disappeared. As a result, trains will arrive every 15 minutes all day on the line.
The BART system saw just 54,031 passengers on Tuesday, down 87 percent compared to a typical weekday when the system carries over 400,000 riders.
BART leaders had resisted significant service cuts, even though the shelter-in-place order means riders are only allowed to use the transit system for essential trips. In a statement announcing the reduced rush hour service, the agency wrote that it continues to “provide transportation for essential workers such as health care providers, first responders and grocery store clerks.”
Since the operator area will be taped off, there will be no access to the farebox or Clipper Card reader. This means we will not collect fares on buses during this time, nor will we collect fares for light rail and paratransit service either. https://t.co/WXrAfmRSHX pic.twitter.com/X9bKBEI9Lj — VTA (@VTA) March 19, 2020
BART has begun appealing to federal, state and local officials for emergency funding to make up for the tens of millions of dollars it stands to lose as ridership evaporates with so many residents staying at home.
Related Articles Transportation | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Transportation | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Transportation | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Transportation | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Transportation | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Wednesday’s change adds BART to a growing list of Bay Area transit systems that have reduced their service as millions of residents stay home from work and school.
Capitol Corridor announced Wednesday that it is slashing service between Oakland and Sacramento to just five daily trips in each direction, four of which will start and end in San Jose. The agency is also closing cafe cars and suspending several of its bus lines, including the one between Oakland and San Francisco, starting Saturday.
San Francisco Bay Ferry is temporarily reducing service as well. Ferries will no longer serve Richmond, Harbor Bay, South San Francisco and San Francisco’s Pier 41, nor will they run on weekends; the Alameda, Oakland and Vallejo routes all have reduced schedules.
Other agencies are cutting fares as they reduce service.
Along with VTA, the East Bay’s Tri-Valley Wheels bus system said Thursday that they won’t charge fares as part of a social distancing effort meant to keep riders and drivers apart.


mercurynews--2020-03-18--COVID-19 drives tech community to help with distance learning

As the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 present unprecedented challenges to communities here and around the world , business leaders in the tech sector from San Jose to Santa Cruz to China are tooling up .
In doing so , they are weaponizing social networks and other Silicon Valley-built tools .
As frequently happens in the tech-business world , a campaign in Santa Cruz began with a conversation on LinkedIn and soon leaped over the hill to include partners in San Jose .
Chris Frost , director of technology and infrastructure at Cruzio Internet , says his boss , co-founder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 13 post that should local schools move classes online , techies should “ consider getting in touch with the local County Office of Education or school district office and ask what they need to keep the kids at home learning.
” Chris Miller , founder and CEO of the web-development company Launch Brigade and the business consultancy Cloud Brigade , saw the post and got straight to work .
He came up with a name—Cruz One—secured a domain ( http : //cruz.one ) , and built a website to help Santa Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning by providing technology support for teachers and students .
Cruz One will use the services of the San Jose-based video- and web-conferencing company Zoom to connect teachers and students .
Esther Yoon , a product marketer at Zoom , helped coordinate on logistics with her colleagues .
Zoom CEO Eric Yuan had announced days earlier that the company , which is seeing a huge surge in downloads in the wake of the pandemic , was removing the time limits on its free service for K-12 students .
Yoon and Borgen worked together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training session for teachers that she calls “ a comprehensive guide to educating via Zoom.
” It will include a Q & A and a virtual poll to learn teachers ’ pain-points .
Some teachers might need some training , Frost says , on how to keep students engaged online .
“ It ’ s hard enough to keep students engaged when they ’ re six feet away , ” he says , “ much more so when they ’ re out on the edge of a webinar and there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 17 , Cruz One had a virtual help desk set up and staffed with 24 volunteers .
That morning , Jason Borgen of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education ( COE ) pinged in to say one of his districts had 10,000 Chromebooks that needed to be prepped and disinfected before being distributed to students ; two truckloads of Cruzio employees were dispatched to attend to the task .
Borgen says he is working with Cruzio to help fix one of the COE ’ s biggest challenges : the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poorest areas .
Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan says districts in her jurisdiction face the same problem .
Dewan points to “ a wide disparity in terms of accessibility to the internet in many segments of the county , ” including parts of San Jose .
While some teachers will immediately adjust to teaching via webinar , video , and take-home information packets , there is almost certainly a shortage of expertise in that area as well .
“ The suddenness and the shifting guidance meant we didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long-term remote learning , ” Dewan says , adding that she would welcome help from a local alliance similar to Cruz One .
“ We would love to have eager partners , and I know our families would appreciate it.
” Speaking for herself and not her company , Yoon says she believes the tools being developed in Santa Cruz this week—a distributed volunteer tech-support team for educators , as well as a couple of delivery platforms—might very well work in every community that is being impacted by the pandemic .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could scale across the world , ” Yoon says .
Peter Leroe-Munoz , general counsel for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group , says Zoom is joined by many other fellow SVLG members in stepping up to help in this time of global challenge .
“ We ’ re seeing our member companies display real global citizenship , ” Leroe-Munoz says .
“ In addition to making financial donations here and in China and Italy , we ’ re seeing them becoming actively involved in trying to find solutions .
Zoom is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see how its service is allowing people to stay connected in the face of an event that is dramatically changing how people function.
” Leroe-Munoz also points out that Johnson & Johnson , an SVLG member with offices in Milpitas and Menlo Park , has sent a small army of biotech experts to China to combat the virus .
Neklason says the tools created in Silicon Valley can provide communities with precisely what they need to combat threats like the novel coronavirus .
“ Governments and nonprofits are good for taking care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says , “ but COVID-19 is requiring more of a wartime effort , where the community itself is mobilized .
And social networks make that easy .
I started with LinkedIn because professional networking makes it so much faster to mobilize .
“ We ’ re seeing all of the social networks come through—citizens stepping up and activating their networks to help their communities .
It ’ s making me feel a little bit better about humans.
” Chris Miller is making the code of the Cruz One website available to community groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help students in their area .
For more information , email ctodd @ cloudbrigade.com .
The Santa Clara Office of Education ’ s Inclusion Support Warmline Service provides educational resources and information about COVID19 and schools .
Visit https : //www.sccoe.org/news/featured/Pages/Novel-Coronavirus-Information.aspx

As the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 present unprecedented challenges to communities here and around the world, business leaders in the tech sector from San Jose to Santa Cruz to China are tooling up. In doing so, they are weaponizing social networks and other Silicon Valley-built tools.
As frequently happens in the tech-business world, a campaign in Santa Cruz began with a conversation on LinkedIn and soon leaped over the hill to include partners in San Jose.
Chris Frost, director of technology and infrastructure at Cruzio Internet, says his boss, co-founder and CTO Chris Neklason, wrote in a March 13 post that should local schools move classes online, techies should “consider getting in touch with the local County Office of Education or school district office and ask what they need to keep the kids at home learning.”
Chris Miller, founder and CEO of the web-development company Launch Brigade and the business consultancy Cloud Brigade, saw the post and got straight to work. He came up with a name—Cruz One—secured a domain (http://cruz.one), and built a website to help Santa Cruz County’s educational system facilitate remote learning by providing technology support for teachers and students.
Cruz One will use the services of the San Jose-based video- and web-conferencing company Zoom to connect teachers and students. Esther Yoon, a product marketer at Zoom, helped coordinate on logistics with her colleagues. Zoom CEO Eric Yuan had announced days earlier that the company, which is seeing a huge surge in downloads in the wake of the pandemic, was removing the time limits on its free service for K-12 students.
Yoon and Jason Borgen of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) worked together on March 17 to organize a virtual training session for teachers that she calls “a comprehensive guide to educating via Zoom.” It will include a Q&A and a virtual poll to learn teachers’ pain-points.
Some teachers might need some training, Frost says, on how to keep students engaged online. “It’s hard enough to keep students engaged when they’re six feet away,” he says, “much more so when they’re out on the edge of a webinar and there’s a gaming console within reach.”
As of March 17, Cruz One had a virtual help desk set up and staffed with 24 volunteers. That morning, Borgen pinged in to say one of his districts had 10,000 Chromebooks that needed to be prepped and disinfected before being distributed to students; two truckloads of Cruzio employees were dispatched to attend to the task.
Borgen says he is working with Cruzio to help fix one of the COE’s biggest challenges: the lack of internet service in the county’s poorest areas. Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Mary Ann Dewan says districts in her jurisdiction face the same problem. Dewan points to “a wide disparity in terms of accessibility to the internet in many segments of the county,” including parts of San Jose.
While some teachers will immediately adjust to teaching via webinar, video, and take-home information packets, there is almost certainly a shortage of expertise in that area as well.
“The suddenness and the shifting guidance meant we didn’t have adequate time to prepare for long-term remote learning,” Dewan says, adding that she would welcome help from a local alliance similar to Cruz One. “We would love to have eager partners, and I know our families would appreciate it.”
Speaking for herself and not her company, Yoon says she believes the tools being developed in Santa Cruz this week—a distributed volunteer tech-support team for educators, as well as a couple of delivery platforms—might very well work in every community that is being impacted by the pandemic.
“There’s a model being tested here that could scale across the world,” Yoon says.
Global business model
Peter Leroe-Munoz, general counsel for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, says Zoom is joined by many other fellow SVLG members in stepping up to help in this time of global challenge.
“We’re seeing our member companies display real global citizenship,” Leroe-Munoz says. “In addition to making financial donations here and in China and Italy, we’re seeing them becoming actively involved in trying to find solutions. Zoom is a good example; it’s encouraging to see how its service is allowing people to stay connected in the face of an event that is dramatically changing how people function.”
Leroe-Munoz also points out that Johnson & Johnson, an SVLG member with offices in Milpitas and Menlo Park, has sent a small army of biotech experts to China to combat the virus.
Neklason says the tools created in Silicon Valley can provide communities with precisely what they need to combat threats like the novel coronavirus.
“Governments and nonprofits are good for taking care of business as usual,” Neklason says, “but COVID-19 is requiring more of a wartime effort, where the community itself is mobilized. And social networks make that easy. I started with LinkedIn because professional networking makes it so much faster to mobilize.
Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “We’re seeing all of the social networks come through—citizens stepping up and activating their networks to help their communities. It’s making me feel a little bit better about humans.”
Chris Miller is making the code of the Cruz One website available to community groups that can use the help-desk tool to help students in their area. For more information, email ctodd@cloudbrigade.com.
The Santa Clara Office of Education’s Inclusion Support Warmline Service provides educational resources and information about COVID19 and schools. Visit https://www.sccoe.org/news/featured/Pages/Novel-Coronavirus-Information.aspx


mercurynews--2020-03-18--NHL exec says playing full 82-game season in 2020-2021 is paramount

Even if the NHL does not restart its season until this summer , or at all , deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday the league would not do anything that would hinder its ability to play 82-game schedule in 2020-2021 .
The NHL ‘ paused ’ its 2019-2020 season March 12 due to the spread of the coronavirus and there is no guarantee the league will be able to resume this season at some point .
But Daly , a guest on The Athletic ’ s Two-Man Advantage podcast , said “ the only definite for us is we certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around a resumption of play this season that will impact our ability to have a full season next year .
“ That ’ s kind of the outside parameters and rules we ’ re following currently .
Everything else is kind of up for grabs , for lack of a better term.
” The financial losses for individual teams while the NHL is on hiatus figure to be enormous .
Earlier this week , this newspaper reported that the Sharks generated $ 1.6 million in revenues for each home game , a figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team ’ s operations confirmed .
Daly said the NHL is working on “ various scenarios and what they look like and what the feasibility is.
” He mentioned the league has to recognize the obligations of the league ’ s television partners , continue to work with the NHL Players ’ Association , and ensure building availability with each individual club .
The last time the NHL did not play 82 games in a season was in 2013 , when the league ended a work stoppage and played a 48-game schedule from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NHL teams only played games within their own conferences .
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news , commentary and conversation .
“ Obviously you want to get back to normal as soon as you can , ” said Donald Fehr , the NHLPA ’ s Executive Director , on TSN Radio in Toronto on Wednesday .
“ How you do that and in what fashion is a matter to be worked out.
” Tuesday , TSN ’ s Frank Seravalli reported that a group of prominent NHL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals in regards a resumption of play .
Knowing it could be months before the health crisis subsides , those players have proposed a training camp in early July , a resumption of the 2019-20 season in late July , playoffs in August and September , the draft and free agency in October and the start of a condensed 2020-21 season in November .
“ If you tell me , we can start playing on May 1 , which is pretty unrealistic at this point .
But if you do that , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas .
If you tell me we can ’ t do it until July 1 , I give you different ones , ” Fehr said .
“ We ’ d also have to look at next season and maybe we play an 82 game schedule , but maybe we change things like travel schedules and when you start and when you stop .
Or we regionalize the trips to save some days and some travel .
I don ’ t really know.
” For complete Sharks coverage follow us on Flipboard .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times , at least 7,837 people in the U.S. — including it territories — have tested positive for COVID-19 .
At least 141 people who had the virus have died .
Statewide , California has 598 confirmed cases as of Wednesday , according to the Governor ’ s Office , with 13 deaths .
On March 12 , Sharks Sports & Entertainment announced it had received notification the day before that a part-time employee at SAP Center had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Tuesday night , the Ottawa Senators announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus .
The Senators played the Sharks at SAP Center on March 7 , and would later play in Anaheim on March 10 and Los Angeles on March 11 .
• Town of Truckee tells visitors : Please come see us later , not now • Coronavirus : San Jose orders gun store to close in one of first tests of ‘ essential ’ under shelter order “ The only certainty we have is that whatever decisions we make with respect to the resumption of play this season obviously has to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals , ” Daly said .
“ That ’ s first and foremost , people ’ s health and safety has to be our primary concern .
”

Even if the NHL does not restart its season until this summer, or at all, deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Wednesday the league would not do anything that would hinder its ability to play 82-game schedule in 2020-2021.
The NHL ‘paused’ its 2019-2020 season March 12 due to the spread of the coronavirus and there is no guarantee the league will be able to resume this season at some point. But Daly, a guest on The Athletic’s Two-Man Advantage podcast, said “the only definite for us is we certainly don’t want to do anything around a resumption of play this season that will impact our ability to have a full season next year.
“That’s kind of the outside parameters and rules we’re following currently. Everything else is kind of up for grabs, for lack of a better term.”
The financial losses for individual teams while the NHL is on hiatus figure to be enormous. Earlier this week, this newspaper reported that the Sharks generated $1.6 million in revenues for each home game, a figure a source with knowledge of the NHL team’s operations confirmed.
Daly said the NHL is working on “various scenarios and what they look like and what the feasibility is.” He mentioned the league has to recognize the obligations of the league’s television partners, continue to work with the NHL Players’ Association, and ensure building availability with each individual club.
The last time the NHL did not play 82 games in a season was in 2013, when the league ended a work stoppage and played a 48-game schedule from January until April. That regular season, NHL teams only played games within their own conferences.
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.
“Obviously you want to get back to normal as soon as you can,” said Donald Fehr, the NHLPA’s Executive Director, on TSN Radio in Toronto on Wednesday. “How you do that and in what fashion is a matter to be worked out.”
Tuesday, TSN’s Frank Seravalli reported that a group of prominent NHL players have started to think about some proposals in regards a resumption of play.
Knowing it could be months before the health crisis subsides, those players have proposed a training camp in early July, a resumption of the 2019-20 season in late July, playoffs in August and September, the draft and free agency in October and the start of a condensed 2020-21 season in November.
“If you tell me, we can start playing on May 1, which is pretty unrealistic at this point. But if you do that, I’ll give you one set of ideas. If you tell me we can’t do it until July 1, I give you different ones,” Fehr said. “We’d also have to look at next season and maybe we play an 82 game schedule, but maybe we change things like travel schedules and when you start and when you stop. Or we regionalize the trips to save some days and some travel. I don’t really know.”
For complete Sharks coverage
follow us on Flipboard.
As of Wednesday afternoon, according to the New York Times, at least 7,837 people in the U.S. — including it territories — have tested positive for COVID-19. At least 141 people who had the virus have died. Statewide, California has 598 confirmed cases as of Wednesday, according to the Governor’s Office, with 13 deaths.
On March 12, Sharks Sports & Entertainment announced it had received notification the day before that a part-time employee at SAP Center had tested positive for COVID-19.
Tuesday night, the Ottawa Senators announced that one of its players had tested positive for the virus. The Senators played the Sharks at SAP Center on March 7, and would later play in Anaheim on March 10 and Los Angeles on March 11.


mercurynews--2020-03-19--Bay Area courts, authorities ramp up release of inmates to stem COVID-19 risks in jails

With the looming threat of coronavirus in jails — where social distancing , good hygiene and general health were already formidable challenges — Bay Area courts , attorneys and law enforcement are banding together to get as many inmates out of custody as they can without compromising public safety .
“ This is a humanitarian crisis confronting all of us , and one of the most important ones is the jail , ” Santa Clara County Assistant Public Defender Charlie Hendrickson said .
“ This is a time of urgent need and creativity .
We ’ re going to responsibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Sheriff ’ s Office has released more than 300 inmates this week alone .
Of those , 67 were nonviolent offenders released on their own recognizance and ordered to make their court dates , presumably once court operations return to normal capacity .
Another 247 inmates were released due to sentence modifications , meaning they have been placed on electronic monitoring and other forms of supervised release .
For organizations that monitor inmates ’ rights and conditions , there ’ s no time to waste .
Dr. Juliana Morris , a medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No Harm ” coalition , said the county ’ s main jail facility is “ a public health nightmare waiting to happen.
” “ It ’ s only a matter of time before the virus reaches Santa Rita Jail , ” she said .
In a letter Thursday to the federal Bureau of Prisons asking for the release of low-risk prisoners awaiting trial , Sen. Kamala Harris cited a Mercury News story about once-quarantined Santa Clara County inmates — who had contact with a deputy public defender who tested positive for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus and community spread is not hypothetical.
” That letter was sent the same day that the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office reported the death Thursday morning of a 58-year-old man who was booked into the Elmwood men ’ s jail in Milpitas three days earlier .
He was described as an “ ill inmate ” who was found unresponsive and not breathing , and he died soon after .
The Sheriff ’ s Office said in a statement that “ there were no signs of foul play and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine if COVID-19 was a factor in the death.
” In Santa Clara County , in the past 10 days , the jail population has been reduced from about 3,300 to 3,000 , according to Assistant District Attorney David Angel , who said his office is working with the Superior Court , public defender ’ s office , pretrial services and county counsel to determine how to safely release inmates charged with nonviolent crimes or otherwise pose a low safety risk .
“ These are gargantuan tasks .
We can ’ t just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Angel said .
“ We have to evaluate these cases with an eye on public health and public safety.
” The aim for Santa Clara County , he added , is to get the jail population down to 2,700 , a target he said jail medical officials say will give them some workable space to enforce safe distances and quarantine areas if needed .
“ I think we ’ re going to hit that number , ” Angel said .
But first , a series of court hearings in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geffon signing off on the release plans .
The inmates that are primarily being looked at for supervised or early release generally fall into one of four groups : People who are in the final three months of their jail sentences , low-offense pretrial detainees who are in jail primarily because they can ’ t afford bail , “ medically fragile ” inmates who are at elevated risk for contracting and spreading COVID-19 , and people who are supposed to report to jail to serve sentences typically of less than one year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ order was expected to be signed by the end of the week so that people scheduled to start their jail sentences between now and May 15 get a 60-day reprieve .
Hendrickson said attorneys in his office were furiously putting together release orders for more than 200 defendants who could be eligible to be let out of jail in the coming days .
In Contra Costa County , the public defender and district attorney are similarly working to identify low-risk defendants they agree can be safely released .
A number of stipulated releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juvenile and adult courts , though it was not immediately clear how many .
A single courtroom has remained open during the shutdown , for certain pressing hearings including violent felonies .
A different judge presides each day .
Thursday morning , four attorneys and a prosecutor handled about a half-dozen cases .
They included the release of a man who is supposed to catch a flight to Hawaii tomorrow , as well as an extradition case to Montana .
During the shutdown , judges can not accept new motions or file orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tightly restricted .
Thursday , Contra Costa Presiding Judge Barry Baskin noted that a judge who was scheduled to take over the lone courtroom had recently called in sick .
In San Mateo County , District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said authorities are discussing — but not outright planning — possible relief for inmates with serious medical issues , expiring sentences , and those who have not yet reported for jail sentences .
“ I wouldn ’ t surprised if we can all sit down and agree about some people who have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Thursday of the potential changes , adding that he would readily support the early release of inmates with 30 or 60 days left on a sentence .
For inmate advocates , things are still not moving fast enough given how rapidly COVID-19 is spreading .
The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights , an Oakland-based civil rights advocacy group , sent Alameda County leaders a list of demands this week for the release of inmates at Santa Rita Jail .
Included was the demand that the jail stop incarcerating any new people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the immediate release of the most vulnerable inmates .
Silicon Valley De-Bug , which serves a similar cause in the South Bay , sent a similar letter to Santa Clara County leaders asking them to begin releasing jail inmates and issue a moratorium on new bookings and jail sentences .
All of their concerns are compounded by the fact that courtrooms throughout the Bay Area have been shuttered or had their activity slowed to a trickle — largely to allow public-safety matters like violent crimes to still be charged and arraigned — that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated for jailed defendants who have no immediate recourse , including entering pleas with the aim of getting out of custody .
And advocates for inmate rights are pushing officials to provide some communication relief for inmates now that they are barred from having visitors , so they can maintain their mental health amid the new uncertainty about their incarceration .

Robert Salonga, Angela Ruggiero, Nate Gartrell

With the looming threat of coronavirus in jails — where social distancing, good hygiene and general health were already formidable challenges — Bay Area courts, attorneys and law enforcement are banding together to get as many inmates out of custody as they can without compromising public safety.
“This is a humanitarian crisis confronting all of us, and one of the most important ones is the jail,” Santa Clara County Assistant Public Defender Charlie Hendrickson said. “This is a time of urgent need and creativity. We’re going to responsibly reduce the jail population.”
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office has released more than 300 inmates this week alone. Of those, 67 were nonviolent offenders released on their own recognizance and ordered to make their court dates, presumably once court operations return to normal capacity. Another 247 inmates were released due to sentence modifications, meaning they have been placed on electronic monitoring and other forms of supervised release. Of those released, most had 45 days or less time to serve in jail. Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods declared it a victory.
For organizations that monitor inmates’ rights and conditions, there’s no time to waste. Dr. Juliana Morris, a medical doctor and part of the “Do No Harm” coalition, said the county’s main jail facility is “a public health nightmare waiting to happen.”
“It’s only a matter of time before the virus reaches Santa Rita Jail,” she said.
In a letter Thursday to the federal Bureau of Prisons asking for the release of low-risk prisoners awaiting trial, Sen. Kamala Harris cited a Mercury News story about once-quarantined Santa Clara County inmates — who had contact with a deputy public defender who tested positive for the virus — as evidence that “the risk of coronavirus and community spread is not hypothetical.”
That letter was sent the same day that the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office reported the death Thursday morning of a 58-year-old man who was booked into the Elmwood men’s jail in Milpitas three days earlier. He was described as an “ill inmate” who was found unresponsive and not breathing, and he died soon after. The Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that “there were no signs of foul play and the medical examiner is conducting additional testing to determine if COVID-19 was a factor in the death.”
In some instances, law-enforcement agencies are also heeding calls to be more judicious about when they arrest and book people into jail. Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said his agency is only booking only people suspected of committing serious and violent crimes such as child abuse, sexual offenses and human trafficking.
Contra Costa County Sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee said that agency’s enforcement division has made just four arrests between Monday and Wednesday, and that three of them were booked into jail.
In Santa Clara County, in the past 10 days, the jail population has been reduced from about 3,300 to 3,000, according to Assistant District Attorney David Angel, who said his office is working with the Superior Court, public defender’s office, pretrial services and county counsel to determine how to safely release inmates charged with nonviolent crimes or otherwise pose a low safety risk.
“These are gargantuan tasks. We can’t just say, ‘Everyone out,'” Angel said. “We have to evaluate these cases with an eye on public health and public safety.”
The aim for Santa Clara County, he added, is to get the jail population down to 2,700, a target he said jail medical officials say will give them some workable space to enforce safe distances and quarantine areas if needed.
“I think we’re going to hit that number,” Angel said.
But first, a series of court hearings in the coming days will have to result in Judge Eric Geffon signing off on the release plans. The inmates that are primarily being looked at for supervised or early release generally fall into one of four groups: People who are in the final three months of their jail sentences, low-offense pretrial detainees who are in jail primarily because they can’t afford bail, “medically fragile” inmates who are at elevated risk for contracting and spreading COVID-19, and people who are supposed to report to jail to serve sentences typically of less than one year.
For the latter group, a court order was expected to be signed by the end of the week so that people scheduled to start their jail sentences between now and May 15 get a 60-day reprieve. Hendrickson said attorneys in his office were furiously putting together release orders for more than 200 defendants who could be eligible to be let out of jail in the coming days.
In Contra Costa County, the public defender and district attorney are similarly working to identify low-risk defendants they agree can be safely released. A number of stipulated releases have already been processed, both in juvenile and adult courts, though it was not immediately clear how many.
A single courtroom has remained open during the shutdown, for certain pressing hearings including violent felonies. A different judge presides each day. Thursday morning, four attorneys and a prosecutor handled about a half-dozen cases. They included the release of a man who is supposed to catch a flight to Hawaii tomorrow, as well as an extradition case to Montana.
During the shutdown, judges cannot accept new motions or file orders, so the court’s functions are tightly restricted. Thursday, Contra Costa Presiding Judge Barry Baskin noted that a judge who was scheduled to take over the lone courtroom had recently called in sick.
In San Mateo County, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said authorities are discussing — but not outright planning — possible relief for inmates with serious medical issues, expiring sentences, and those who have not yet reported for jail sentences.
“I wouldn’t surprised if we can all sit down and agree about some people who have some sort of sentence left,” he said Thursday of the potential changes, adding that he would readily support the early release of inmates with 30 or 60 days left on a sentence.
For inmate advocates, things are still not moving fast enough given how rapidly COVID-19 is spreading. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, an Oakland-based civil rights advocacy group, sent Alameda County leaders a list of demands this week for the release of inmates at Santa Rita Jail. Included was the demand that the jail stop incarcerating any new people no matter the alleged crime and prioritize the immediate release of the most vulnerable inmates.
Silicon Valley De-Bug, which serves a similar cause in the South Bay, sent a similar letter to Santa Clara County leaders asking them to begin releasing jail inmates and issue a moratorium on new bookings and jail sentences.
All of their concerns are compounded by the fact that courtrooms throughout the Bay Area have been shuttered or had their activity slowed to a trickle — largely to allow public-safety matters like violent crimes to still be charged and arraigned — that has elicited concerns about due process being violated for jailed defendants who have no immediate recourse, including entering pleas with the aim of getting out of custody.
And advocates for inmate rights are pushing officials to provide some communication relief for inmates now that they are barred from having visitors, so they can maintain their mental health amid the new uncertainty about their incarceration.
Staff writer Fiona Kelliher contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-03-19--Ill inmate dies at South Bay jail, will be tested for COVID-19

MILPITAS – A 58-year-old male inmate died at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas on Thursday following a report that he was ill , according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff ’ s Office .
The inmate will be tested for COVID-19 , the deadly respiratory disease that has killed half a dozen people and sickened nearly 200 in the county , said Sgt .
Michael Low in a news release .
Low said deputies received word of an ill inmate in a dormitory about 5:20 a.m. and found him unresponsive and not breathing .
They immediately performed CPR and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Milpitas Fire Department and paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced the inmate dead , Low said .
The sheriff ’ s office did not release the inmate ’ s name , but said he was booked Monday for a violation of a court order and drug charges .
Last week , two inmates at the Elmwood Correctional Facility were quarantined after they were visited by a defense attorney who later tested positive for the novel coronavirus .
The sheriff ’ s office has since taken steps to decrease close-contact between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews between defendants and their attorneys .
Authorities around the Bay Area are also working to reduce the headcount in jails in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Low said the sheriff ’ s office is following standard protocol for an in-custody death , which includes but is not limited to a joint investigation between sheriff ’ s office detectives and district attorney ’ s office investigators , as well as the medical examiner-coroner ’ s office

MILPITAS – A 58-year-old inmate at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas died early Thursday after apparently falling ill, authorities said.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will test the inmate for COVID-19, said Sgt. Michael Low of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the jail.
Officials did not release any additional information about the inmate on Friday.
Low said deputies went to a dormitory about 5:20 a.m. for a report of an ill inmate and found him unresponsive and not breathing. They immediately performed CPR and began life-saving measures.
Around 5:40 a.m., the Milpitas Fire Department and paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced the inmate dead, Low said.
The inmate is the second to die in custody this year. The sheriff’s office did not release his name but said he was booked Monday for a violation of a court order and drug charges.
News of the death comes as Bay Area authorities work to thin jail populations in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus that has already sickened 189 and killed half a dozen in the county.
Last week, a pair of inmates at Elmwood was quarantined after they were visited by a deputy public defender who later tested positive for the respiratory disease. The sheriff’s office has since taken steps to decrease close contact between people at county jails, including increasing video interviews between defendants and their attorneys.
Low said the sheriff’s office has also temporarily suspended all jail programs and is conducting frequent temperature checks.
The sheriff’s office is following standard protocol for an in-custody death, which includes but is not limited to a joint investigation between sheriff’s office detectives and district attorney’s office investigators, as well as the medical examiner-coroner’s office, Low said.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-03-19--Coronavirus and the Olympics: Should the Summer Games go on?

For a day , maybe , it seemed that Stanford alumnus Katerina Stefanidi and other Olympians had finally gotten International Olympic Committee leaders to wake up as they barrel onward in pursuit of holding the Tokyo Games this summer .
Stefanidi , the reigning Olympic pole vault champion from Greece , was among athletes to publicly express concern this week after IOC members and Japanese officials left the impression that the Summer Olympics , July 24-Aug. 9 , would go on as planned .
“ It is putting us at risk , ” Stefanidi told Reuters .
Even Spain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Games be postponed because his country ’ s athletes can not train adequately four months beforehand .
After the quick backlash from athletes , the august IOC sent out another statement : “ This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional solutions .
The IOC is committed to finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes ’ health.
” By Thursday , they were back to defending their previous position .
According to news reports , IOC leaders again insisted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conference call with the Japanese Olympic Committee and other Asian Olympic groups .
IOC president Thomas Bach said on the call that every national Olympic committee supported the policy — never mind Spain ’ s sports leader contradicting that claim .
Then came word from two Italian senior sports executives urging the IOC to revise its stance .
“ I ’ m not against the Olympics .
But saying that the Olympics will still go on is a big mistake in communication , ” Giovanni Petrucci , who served as president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told the Associated Press on Thursday .
While it is too early to shut down the biggest sporting event of the year , it is time for IOC leaders to provide transparent messaging in the midst of a global pandemic that has seen almost 200,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and almost 8,000 deaths , according to the World Health Organization .
The 11,000 athletes who would perform at the 2020 Summer Olympics deserve that much as they struggle to know how to proceed .
At a time when the Bay Area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other countries in lockdown to help slow the spread of COVID-19 , Olympic and Japanese leaders at first said there is no need to take drastic measures .
Just blithely go forth without contingencies at a time when many athletes no longer have access to training facilities ?
“ We all want Tokyo to happen , but what is the Plan B if it does not happen ?
” asked Stefanidi , who lives in Ohio .
“ Knowing about a possible option has a major effect on my training because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would not take if I knew there was also the possibility of a Plan B.
” The NBA postponed its season March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 , or coronavirus .
The next day , the NCAA , whose leadership often has been as tone-deaf as the IOC ’ s , canceled March Madness , the basketball tournament that reaps more than $ 1 billion in revenue .
The European soccer championships starting in June were rescheduled for 2021 .
Europe ’ s soccer leagues , Formula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports is on hiatus to help discourage large gatherings .
As usual , the athletes are the last consideration when it comes to Olympic decision-making .
The leadership does not seem to understand the infrastructure that supports the endeavor IOC leaders like to call a “ movement.
” “ With the closure of Olympic training centers , I don ’ t know how in fairness that you can have it , ” said Dena Evans , who coaches a Bay Area elite development running club .
“ The reason the Olympics might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past the danger zone by then is it now has cut off opportunities for people to qualify.
” Han Xiao , chair of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Athletes Advisory Council , was more forceful Thursday .
He told veteran Olympic journalist Phillip Hersh , “ The IOC is letting more than athletes down , they are potentially letting the world down in a worst-case scenario.
” Han said he hopes the U.S. Olympic leaders encourage the IOC to act more responsibly .
The American leadership met by phone Thursday and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
IOC Athletes ’ Commission member Hayley Wickenheiser used Twitter to berate the IOC ’ s stand that the Olympics would proceed as planned .
“ I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead , with such conviction , is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity , ” wrote Wickenheiser , a four-time ice hockey gold medalist from Canada .
Wickenheiser and others had responded to an IOC statement Tuesday saying “ any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive.
” Then there was Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold the Tokyo Games .
“ I want to hold the Olympics and Paralympics perfectly , as proof that the human race will conquer the new coronavirus , ” Abe said .
A week ago , it seemed the International Skating Union was hellbent on having the 2020 World Championships in Montreal despite concerns .
Then Quebec public health officials intervened to cancel the competition .
Stefanidi summarized the issues for athletes when telling Reuters , “ The stadiums have been closed for a week .
We may get a special permit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can you train there , touching the same equipment and surfaces ?
And what about team sports , or gymnastics , or swimming ?
” Stefanidi , a 2012 NCAA champion at Stanford , lobbied the IOC to show concern for athletes ’ health .
“ It is good to say that in four months it will all be fine , ” she said .
“ But what about now ?
I want to see what they do about now .
”

For a day, maybe, it seemed that Stanford alumna Katerina Stefanidi and other Olympians had finally gotten International Olympic Committee leaders to wake up as they barrel onward in pursuit of holding the Tokyo Games this summer.
Stefanidi, the reigning Olympic pole vault champion from Greece, was among athletes to publicly express concern this week after IOC members and Japanese officials left the impression that the Summer Olympics, July 24-Aug. 9, would go on as planned.
“It is putting us at risk,” Stefanidi told Reuters.
Even Spain’s Olympic Committee president asked that the Games be postponed because his country’s athletes cannot train adequately four months beforehand.
After the quick backlash from athletes, the august IOC sent out another statement: “This is an exceptional situation which requires exceptional solutions. The IOC is committed to finding a solution with the least negative impact for the athletes while protecting the integrity of the competition and the athletes’ health.”
By Thursday, they were back to defending their previous position. According to news reports, IOC leaders again insisted the Tokyo Games were on schedule in a conference call with the Japanese Olympic Committee and other Asian Olympic groups.
IOC president Thomas Bach said on the call that every national Olympic committee supported the policy — never mind Spain’s sports leader contradicting that claim.
Then came word from two Italian senior sports executives urging the IOC to revise its stance.
“I’m not against the Olympics. But saying that the Olympics will still go on is a big mistake in communication,” Giovanni Petrucci, who served as president of the Italian Olympic Committee for 14 years, told the Associated Press on Thursday.
While it is too early to shut down the biggest sporting event of the year, it is time for IOC leaders to provide transparent messaging in the midst of a global pandemic that has seen almost 200,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus and almost 8,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
The 11,000 athletes who would perform at the 2020 Summer Olympics deserve that much as they struggle to know how to proceed.
At a time when the Bay Area has joined France, Italy, Spain and other countries in lockdown to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Olympic and Japanese leaders at first said there is no need to take drastic measures.
Seriously?
Just blithely go forth without contingencies at a time when many athletes no longer have access to training facilities?
“We all want Tokyo to happen, but what is the Plan B if it does not happen?” asked Stefanidi, who lives in Ohio. “Knowing about a possible option has a major effect on my training because I may be taking risks now that I would not take if I knew there was also the possibility of a Plan B.”
The NBA postponed its season March 11 after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, or coronavirus.
The next day, the NCAA, whose leadership often has been as tone-deaf as the IOC’s, canceled March Madness, the basketball tournament that reaps more than $1 billion in revenue.
The European soccer championships starting in June were rescheduled for 2021. Europe’s soccer leagues, Formula One and almost every other aspect of sports is on hiatus to help discourage large gatherings.
As usual, the athletes are the last consideration when it comes to Olympic decision-making. The leadership does not seem to understand the infrastructure that supports the endeavor IOC leaders like to call a “movement.”
“With the closure of Olympic training centers, I don’t know how in fairness that you can have it,” said Dena Evans, who coaches a Bay Area elite development running club. “The reason the Olympics might be difficult to do even if we are past the danger zone by then is it now has cut off opportunities for people to qualify.”
Han Xiao, chair of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Athletes Advisory Council, was more forceful Thursday. He told veteran Olympic journalist Phillip Hersh, “The IOC is letting more than athletes down, they are potentially letting the world down in a worst-case scenario.”
Han said he hopes the U.S. Olympic leaders encourage the IOC to act more responsibly. The American leadership met by phone Thursday and have scheduled a teleconference with reporters for Friday morning.
IOC Athletes’ Commission member Hayley Wickenheiser used Twitter to berate the IOC’s stand that the Olympics would proceed as planned.
“I think the IOC insisting this will move ahead, with such conviction, is insensitive and irresponsible given the state of humanity,” wrote Wickenheiser, a four-time ice hockey gold medalist from Canada.
Wickenheiser and others had responded to an IOC statement Tuesday saying “any speculation at this moment would be counter-productive.”
Then there was Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe saying they would overcome the virus and hold the Tokyo Games. “I want to hold the Olympics and Paralympics perfectly, as proof that the human race will conquer the new coronavirus,” Abe said.
A week ago, it seemed the International Skating Union was hellbent on having the 2020 World Championships in Montreal despite concerns. Then Quebec public health officials intervened to cancel the competition.
Related Articles Other Sports | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Other Sports | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Other Sports | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Other Sports | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Other Sports | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Stefanidi summarized the issues for athletes when telling Reuters, “The stadiums have been closed for a week. We may get a special permit to get in and train. But how can you train there, touching the same equipment and surfaces? And what about team sports, or gymnastics, or swimming?”
Stefanidi, a 2012 NCAA champion at Stanford, lobbied the IOC to show concern for athletes’ health.
“It is good to say that in four months it will all be fine,” she said. “But what about now? I want to see what they do about now.”
Don’t hold your breath.


mercurynews--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: Gilroy family forbidden from dying dad’s bedside ‘broke my heart into a million pieces’

GILROY — When her mother took her last breath and died of cancer 10 months ago , Stacey Silva , her father and brother all surrounded her hospital bed , holding her hands and whispering in her ear , “ We will never forget you.
” As her father , Gary Young , died of coronavirus in an isolation ward on Tuesday , Stacey stood in the ICU hallway , behind two sets of glass doors , and watched as the medical team in blue protective gear and plastic face shields finally turned off the heart monitor .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I didn ’ t want him to feel alone .
I didn ’ t want him to know we could do that for my mom and not for him , ” Stacey said Thursday .
“ He was so lonely , and I didn ’ t want him to feel lonely at that time .
But there was nothing I could do.
” This is what death looks like in the time of coronavirus .
At life ’ s most tragic and intimate moments , family is banned from bedsides and patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t fly in .
Funerals are postponed .
Hugs are for later .
Gary Young went to the emergency room at St. Louise Hospital with a bad cough and a horrible headache .
He was 66 and a retired cabinet maker who worked at Lowe ’ s home improvement .
It was March 3 , the day Californians were casting their ballots in the Super Tuesday primary .
California ’ s first fatality from the coronavirus was still a day away , and the passengers aboard the Grand Princess — which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak — were still enjoying their cruise back to San Francisco from Hawaii .
With no fever — a common symptom of coronavirus — Young was sent home .
“ I guess there ’ s nothing wrong with me , ” he told his daughter , with a bit of his signature sarcasm .
Two days later , his doctor sent him back to the ER , this time with trouble breathing .
He was admitted , tested for the coronavirus and put into isolation .
He never saw his family up close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back March 6 .
His two children , Stacey , 42 , whose father lived in a “ casita ” in front of her family home in Gilroy , and Dwayne Young , 38 , who lives with his wife and five children on the outskirts of Chicago , barely contemplated that this new virus would kill their dad .
Yes , he had diabetes and throat cancer some two decades earlier , but he was a robust man with a great sense of humor .
When Dwayne spoke with his dad on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he died , he still didn ’ t realize this was the end .
His father was sedated and a nurse held the phone to his ear , but Dwayne was optimistic and tried to sound light-hearted .
“ We all want to see you get healthy .
We want to give you a big hug and hear your stupid jokes , ” Dwayne recalled telling his dad .
“ And I told him , with everything you ’ ve been through — cutting his toe off with a lawn mower , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he slipped , he tore his leg up before I was born in a motorcycle accident — I just told him , ‘ This is nothing .
You ’ ve got this.
’ ” They don ’ t know how their father contracted the virus that so far has infected more than 675 Californians and killed at least 16 , including six in Santa Clara County alone .
But he was always shaking hands and saying “ good morning !
” to everyone , no matter what time of day it was .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit , ” Stacey said .
“ He was a jokester .
He told the stupidest jokes .
He would put smiles on everyone ’ s faces .
My dad was just a loving , kind , gentle human being .
The world needs more people like him.
” When her mother , Melody Young , died last May after struggling with cancer for more than two years , her father was devastated .
The couple had been married 46 years .
It was a marriage filled with laughs — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even after his throat cancer softened his voice — and he would often leave his wife and kids waiting in the car for more than a half hour as he said his goodbyes at parties .
He always wore his heart on his sleeve and was so affectionate that when his son announced he was moving to Campbell from the family home when they lived in San Jose , “ he hugged me for about 20 minutes saying he didn ’ t want me to go .
I told him , ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The first time Stacey tried to visit her dad at the hospital , she brought his slippers and razor but had to hand them to a nurse .
Her father already was isolated behind a solid wood door , and she couldn ’ t even see his face .
The next day , he had been moved to the room at the end of the hall in the intensive care unit , one with the glass doors .
Behind the first door , the medical team changed into protective gear and face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient .
By then , Young was using a BiPAP breathing machine .
A ventilator would come next .
Flowers aren ’ t allowed in ICU , so Stacey ’ s 18-year-old daughter , Haley , made a sign instead .
She taped four pieces of binder paper together and wrote a note in black Sharpie .
“ Keep your mask on , ” it said .
“ We love you !
” The nurse taped it up inside his room .
In the coming days , just before he was put on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he might have said in person if he could : “ I ’ m scared.
” On Saturday , four days before he died , Stacey and her wife , Jaz Silva , walked down the long hallway in the intensive care unit and peered through the two glass doors .
They could see him in his hospital bed .
He looked up .
“ He already felt so alone after losing my mom .
I wanted to be with him , but I know he wouldn ’ t want me to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Stacey , who along with Haley and Jaz have shown no symptoms of the virus .
From the hallway — about 20 feet away — she flashed him a thumbs up sign .
Then he waved her “ I love you ” in sign language .
It was a regular family sign-off — every time he would drive off in his white Nissan sedan .
On Tuesday , a nurse called .
They were doing CPR .
With her best friend driving , Stacey raced to the hospital , pleading with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer allowed , this was an “ end of life event.
” Their foreheads were quickly scanned for their temperature and they rushed down the hallway .
Through the glass doors , they glimpsed her father lying in the hospital bed and the scurry of the medical team .
• Ill inmate dies at South Bay jail , will be tested for COVID-19 • Coronavirus and the Olympics : Should the Summer Games go on ?
“ Not being able to talk to my dad , not being able to be by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ I couldn ’ t hold his hand when he took his last breath , like my mom .
I feel like he was alone.
” From a distance , behind the glass , she watched the heart monitor go dark .

GILROY — When her mother took her last breath and died of cancer 10 months ago, Stacey Silva, her father and brother all surrounded her hospital bed, holding her hands and whispering in her ear, “We will never forget you.”
As her father, Gary Young, died of coronavirus in an isolation ward on Tuesday, Stacey stood in the ICU hallway, behind two sets of glass doors, and watched as the medical team in blue protective gear and plastic face shields finally turned off the heart monitor.
“It broke my heart into a million pieces. I didn’t want him to feel alone. I didn’t want him to know we could do that for my mom and not for him,” Stacey said Thursday. “He was so lonely, and I didn’t want him to feel lonely at that time. But there was nothing I could do.”
This is what death looks like in the time of coronavirus. At life’s most tragic and intimate moments, family is banned from bedsides and patients die alone. Relatives across the country don’t fly in. Funerals are postponed. Hugs are for later.
Gary Young went to the emergency room at St. Louise Hospital with a bad cough and a horrible headache. He was 66 and a retired cabinet maker who worked at Lowe’s home improvement. It was March 3, the day Californians were casting their ballots in the Super Tuesday primary. California’s first fatality from the coronavirus was still a day away, and the passengers aboard the Grand Princess — which would be infamously stricken by a coronavirus outbreak — were still enjoying their cruise back to San Francisco from Hawaii.
With no fever — a common symptom of coronavirus — Young was sent home. “I guess there’s nothing wrong with me,” he told his daughter, with a bit of his signature sarcasm.
Two days later, his doctor sent him back to the ER, this time with trouble breathing. He was admitted, tested for the coronavirus and put into isolation. He never saw his family up close after that. The positive test came back March 6.
His two children, Stacey, 42, whose father lived in a “casita” in front of her family home in Gilroy, and Dwayne Young, 38, who lives with his wife and five children on the outskirts of Chicago, barely contemplated that this new virus would kill their dad.
Yes, he had diabetes and throat cancer some two decades earlier, but he was a robust man with a great sense of humor. When Dwayne spoke with his dad on the phone, just a half hour before he died, he still didn’t realize this was the end. His father was sedated and a nurse held the phone to his ear, but Dwayne was optimistic and tried to sound light-hearted.
“We all want to see you get healthy. We want to give you a big hug and hear your stupid jokes,” Dwayne recalled telling his dad. “And I told him, with everything you’ve been through — cutting his toe off with a lawn mower, drilling a hole through his thumb when he slipped, he tore his leg up before I was born in a motorcycle accident — I just told him, ‘This is nothing. You’ve got this.’ ”
They don’t know how their father contracted the virus that so far has infected more than 675 Californians and killed at least 16, including six in Santa Clara County alone. But he was always shaking hands and saying “good morning!” to everyone, no matter what time of day it was.
“It would take them back just a little bit,” Stacey said. “He was a jokester. He told the stupidest jokes. He would put smiles on everyone’s faces. My dad was just a loving, kind, gentle human being. The world needs more people like him.”
When her mother, Melody Young, died last May after struggling with cancer for more than two years, her father was devastated. The couple had been married 46 years. It was a marriage filled with laughs — and patience. Young was a talker — even after his throat cancer softened his voice — and he would often leave his wife and kids waiting in the car for more than a half hour as he said his goodbyes at parties.
He always wore his heart on his sleeve and was so affectionate that when his son announced he was moving to Campbell from the family home when they lived in San Jose, “he hugged me for about 20 minutes saying he didn’t want me to go. I told him, ‘I’m only 10 minutes away.’”
The first time Stacey tried to visit her dad at the hospital, she brought his slippers and razor but had to hand them to a nurse. Her father already was isolated behind a solid wood door, and she couldn’t even see his face.
The next day, he had been moved to the room at the end of the hall in the intensive care unit, the one with the glass doors. Behind the first door, the medical team changed into protective gear and face shields. Behind the second was the patient. By then, Young was using a BiPAP breathing machine. A ventilator would come next.
Flowers aren’t allowed in ICU, so Stacey’s 18-year-old daughter, Haley, made a sign instead. She taped four pieces of binder paper together and wrote a note in black Sharpie. “Keep your mask on,” it said. “We love you!”
The nurse taped it up inside his room.
In the coming days, just before he was put on the ventilator, Young texted Stacey what he might have said in person if he could: “I’m scared.”
On Saturday, four days before he died, Stacey and her wife, Jaz Silva, walked down the long hallway in the intensive care unit and peered through the two glass doors. They could see him in his hospital bed. He looked up.
“He already felt so alone after losing my mom. I wanted to be with him, but I know he wouldn’t want me to take that chance of getting sick,” said Stacey, who along with Haley and Jaz have shown no symptoms of the virus.
From the hallway — about 20 feet away — she flashed him a thumbs up sign. Then he waved her “I love you” in sign language. It was a regular family sign-off — every time he would drive off in his white Nissan sedan.
She waved it back.
On Tuesday, a nurse called. They were doing CPR. With her best friend driving, Stacey raced to the hospital, pleading with the ICU receptionist that even though visitors were no longer allowed, this was an “end of life event.” Their foreheads were quickly scanned for their temperature and they rushed down the hallway.
Through the glass doors, they glimpsed her father lying in the hospital bed and the scurry of the medical team. Related Articles Health | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Health | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Health | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Health | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge
“Not being able to talk to my dad, not being able to be by his side was heart wrenching,” she said. “I couldn’t hold his hand when he took his last breath, like my mom. I feel like he was alone.”
From a distance, behind the glass, she watched the heart monitor go dark.
(The family has set up a Gofundme account for donations to help pay hospital bills.)


mercurynews--2020-03-19--Opinion: Corona-gate presents the ultimate leadership test

One could scarcely imagine a more effective stress test for “ good ” leadership – especially of the presidential variety – than coronavirus .
It is obvious that a conventional leadership playbook relying on hierarchy and control won ’ t enable the kind of agility and speed needed to deal with the unexpected .
In addition , leaders driven by self-interest and narcissism will be found lacking in their ability to confidence and collaboration .
But what do we not know ?
The very concept of “ good ” leadership , in a time of black swans , is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cognitive complexity as the ability to draw on multiple frames of reference or intelligences at the same time .
This enables nuance and timeliness in addressing new situations .
I will mention six of these intelligences here that are the building blocks of “ smart ” leadership in disrupted times .
First , there is contextual intelligence .
Fighter pilots , for example , are trained in the discipline of the OODA loop – observe , orient , decide and act .
In the throes of combat , they are able to identify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choices , selecting a course of action and executing , all in a blink of an eye .
Note that the “ loop ” begins with seeing things just as they are and being open to new input .
There has been ample opportunity with coronavirus to “ see things as they are ” from the outset – knowing the science of epidemics , evaluating early signs from other countries and being aware of their strategies .
Yet we have wound up playing catch-up .
Context intelligence is critical for enabling timely action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stove , but we still have to pull it away .
Then there is moral intelligence – being clear about the values that in turn shape our purpose .
Holding onto power and controlling a narrative expresses values .
So does the priority of protecting life .
Social and emotional intelligence in turn express our values in terms of how we interact with and influence others beyond our authority to compel .
Leaders connect with others through their empathy and compassion .
This in turn enables them to inspire and motivate .
Generative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideas and realize value from them .
We have seen numerous examples of generative intelligence from other countries – the handwashing PSA from Vietnam that has become a meme , the overnight development of massive clinical infrastructure in China , the rapid deployment of drive-through testing in South Korea .
Generative intelligence requires openness and the ability to orchestrate diverse talents .
And it depends on technological intelligence , a literacy with emerging technologies and their potential value .
Finally , transformational intelligence involves the ability to create and drive a roadmap for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ align efforts .
Such a roadmap comes alive with clear , credible communication , compelling narratives and evangelism by leaders that drives a sense of urgency .
Leaders must blend these six intelligences in order to take decisive action .
What we have been given instead is cognitive simplification – opinions and beliefs disconnected from facts , wishful thinking , narcissistic distortions , the narrowing of creative thinking , rigid narratives , inappropriately slow tempo and the back-seating of expertise .
Whether for coronavirus or other ( inevitable ) black swans to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hone their intelligences .
We count on them to show us the realities of our situation , motivate us with their moral and emotional gravitas , develop new possibilities , harness science and technology , and motivate timely changes in behavior .
Such proficiencies take time to develop and don ’ t always emerge via on-the-job training .
As it stands now , many of our top leaders get no crown for coronavirus .
John Kao is chair of the Institute for Large Scale Innovation and a former Harvard Business School professor @

One could scarcely imagine a more effective stress test for “good” leadership – especially of the presidential variety – than coronavirus. It is obvious that a conventional leadership playbook relying on hierarchy and control won’t enable the kind of agility and speed needed to deal with the unexpected.
In addition, leaders driven by self-interest and narcissism will be found lacking in their ability to confidence and collaboration. But what do we not know? The very concept of “good” leadership, in a time of black swans, is now up for review.
Psychologists refer to cognitive complexity as the ability to draw on multiple frames of reference or intelligences at the same time. This enables nuance and timeliness in addressing new situations. I will mention six of these intelligences here that are the building blocks of “smart” leadership in disrupted times.
First, there is contextual intelligence. Fighter pilots, for example, are trained in the discipline of the OODA loop – observe, orient, decide and act. In the throes of combat, they are able to identify a problem by anticipating it, establishing choices, selecting a course of action and executing, all in a blink of an eye. Note that the “loop” begins with seeing things just as they are and being open to new input. There has been ample opportunity with coronavirus to “see things as they are” from the outset – knowing the science of epidemics, evaluating early signs from other countries and being aware of their strategies. Yet we have wound up playing catch-up. Context intelligence is critical for enabling timely action. Our hand may touch the hot stove, but we still have to pull it away.
Then there is moral intelligence – being clear about the values that in turn shape our purpose. Holding onto power and controlling a narrative expresses values. So does the priority of protecting life. Social and emotional intelligence in turn express our values in terms of how we interact with and influence others beyond our authority to compel. Leaders connect with others through their empathy and compassion. This in turn enables them to inspire and motivate.
Generative intelligence is the ability to birth new ideas and realize value from them. We have seen numerous examples of generative intelligence from other countries – the handwashing PSA from Vietnam that has become a meme, the overnight development of massive clinical infrastructure in China, the rapid deployment of drive-through testing in South Korea. Generative intelligence requires openness and the ability to orchestrate diverse talents. And it depends on technological intelligence, a literacy with emerging technologies and their potential value.
Finally, transformational intelligence involves the ability to create and drive a roadmap for change that motivates people to act and align efforts. Such a roadmap comes alive with clear, credible communication, compelling narratives and evangelism by leaders that drives a sense of urgency.
Leaders must blend these six intelligences in order to take decisive action. What we have been given instead is cognitive simplification – opinions and beliefs disconnected from facts, wishful thinking, narcissistic distortions, the narrowing of creative thinking, rigid narratives, inappropriately slow tempo and the back-seating of expertise.
Whether for coronavirus or other (inevitable) black swans to come, it is the responsibility of leaders to hone their intelligences. We count on them to show us the realities of our situation, motivate us with their moral and emotional gravitas, develop new possibilities, harness science and technology, and motivate timely changes in behavior. Such proficiencies take time to develop and don’t always emerge via on-the-job training. As it stands now, many of our top leaders get no crown for coronavirus.
John Kao is chair of the Institute for Large Scale Innovation and a former Harvard Business School professor.


mercurynews--2020-03-19--Local wineries offer retail deals during lockdown

Even before the “ shelter in place ” edict came down , Gov .
Gavin Newsom had called for closure of California ’ s wine tasting rooms , saying that they and their ilk—taprooms , bars and the like—weren ’ t essential services .
Wineries can still offer their wares online and in retail settings , and some local vintners are offering onsite pickup for online orders and free local delivery for a minimum bottle purchase .
Left Bend in Los Gatos decided to close indefinitely to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus .
They are offering $ 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They recently received 93 points from Wine Enthusiast for their 2013 cabernet sauvignon from Fellom Ranch on Montebello Road .
Big Basin Vineyards has closed its tasting rooms in Saratoga and at the winery in Boulder Creek .
They are offering a 10 percent discount on all online purchases , complimentary shipping for purchases of six or more bottles , and complimentary local delivery within 30 miles of either location for three or more bottle purchases .
The folks at Enoteca La Storia—a wine bar , retail shop and restaurant—are offering 20 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 15 percent off retail purchases on all other wines through the end of April .
They promised to keep the Los Gatos restaurant open “ as long as we can ” to offer a respite from the madness , including takeout .
They are modifying business hours at their San Jose location and staying open for takeout orders and wine retail .
Both locations will offer curbside pickup on request .
Testarossa Winery has had to suspend all of its tasting room operations , events , wine bar and classes .
Founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 16 statement , “ Today ’ s Covid-19 shelter in place requirement for six Bay Area counties will have massive negative impacts for many small businesses , including small family-owned local wineries like Testarossa .
“ As a small family-owned business in Los Gatos , Jensen said , Testarossa is fighting for its survival .
But he sounded an optimistic note , saying , “ We have survived challenging times in the past including 9/11 , the dot.com bubble burst and the Great Recession .
We have a strong , resilient team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all in this together with us .
We look forward to our community and the world overcoming this tragic health catastrophe , and we look forward to opening the doors of our historic winery for any and all visitors who want to come back.
” Until that time , parents with kids at home from school might appreciate 40 percent off online purchases from Burrell School Vineyards at https : //burrellschool.com .
For free shipping , use the coupon code FreeShip .
Burrell ’ s neighbor on Summit Road , Regale Winery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekends , noon-4 p.m. for retail sales and wine club pick-ups .
Regale is offering a 30 percent discount on all retail wine sales and free shipping in California for six or more bottles .
They ’ re taking phone orders at 408-353-2500 .
Marty Mathis of Kathryn Kennedy said , “ We are offering local home delivery/office reception drop-off , plus we are waving shipping on direct wine purchases by the full case.
” Mindego Ridge tasting room in Saratoga is closed , but they are offering complimentary shipping with the purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website at https : //www.mindegoridge.com using code STAYWELL .
Cooper-Garrod has closed its tasting room but is shipping orders direct to consumers .
Folks can visit www.cgv.com/wines to order online or phone 408-867-7116 .
Complimentary shipping on six or more bottles in California .
Fogarty Winery club members who order online at https : //www.fogartywinery.com will receive 30 percent off all wines , while non-members who enter the code WINE15 get 15 percent off .
With the purchase of three or more bottles , shipping is free in Santa Clara , Santa Cruz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground transport to states where it ’ s legal .
They will also allow curbside pickup , and visitors will be allowed to walk the grounds and vineyards in Woodside as long as they keep a safe social distance .
In a Facebook post that explained the razor-thin margins wineries like his operate on , Tommy Fogarty wrote , “ We should patronize small businesses if we value quality .
When this is all over , there won ’ t be many small businesses left in the Bay Area .
Trust me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
”

Even before the “shelter in place” edict came down, Gov. Gavin Newsom had called for closure of California’s wine tasting rooms, saying that they and their ilk—taprooms, bars and the like—weren’t essential services.
Wineries can still offer their wares online and in retail settings, and some local vintners are offering onsite pickup for online orders and free local delivery for a minimum bottle purchase.
Left Bend in Los Gatos (https://www.leftbend.com) decided to close indefinitely to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus. They are offering $1 shipping in California for all purchases. They recently received 93 points from Wine Enthusiast for their 2013 cabernet sauvignon from Fellom Ranch on Montebello Road.
Big Basin Vineyards (https://www.bigbasinvineyards.com) has closed its tasting rooms in Saratoga and at the winery in Boulder Creek. They are offering a 10 percent discount on all online purchases, complimentary shipping for purchases of six or more bottles, and complimentary local delivery within 30 miles of either location for three or more bottle purchases.
The folks at Enoteca La Storia (enotecalastoria.com)—a wine bar, retail shop and restaurant—are offering 20 percent off retail purchases of Girasole Imports wines and 15 percent off retail purchases on all other wines through the end of April. They promised to keep the Los Gatos restaurant open “as long as we can” to offer a respite from the madness, including takeout. They are modifying business hours at their San Jose location and staying open for takeout orders and wine retail. Both locations will offer curbside pickup on request.
Testarossa Winery (https://www.testarossa.com) has had to suspend all of its tasting room operations, events, wine bar and classes. Founder and co-owner Rob Jensen said in a March 16 statement, “Today’s Covid-19 shelter in place requirement for six Bay Area counties will have massive negative impacts for many small businesses, including small family-owned local wineries like Testarossa.”
As a small family-owned business in Los Gatos, Jensen said, Testarossa is fighting for its survival. But he sounded an optimistic note, saying, “We have survived challenging times in the past including 9/11, the dot.com bubble burst and the Great Recession. We have a strong, resilient team, and amazing growers and vendors who are all in this together with us.
We look forward to our community and the world overcoming this tragic health catastrophe, and we look forward to opening the doors of our historic winery for any and all visitors who want to come back.”
Until that time, parents with kids at home from school might appreciate 40 percent off online purchases from Burrell School Vineyards at https://burrellschool.com. For free shipping, use the coupon code FreeShip.
Burrell’s neighbor on Summit Road, Regale Winery (regalewine.com), will open its tasting room on weekends, noon-4 p.m. for retail sales and wine club pick-ups. Regale is offering a 30 percent discount on all retail wine sales and free shipping in California for six or more bottles. They’re taking phone orders at 408-353-2500.
Marty Mathis of Kathryn Kennedy (https://kathrynkennedywinery.com) said, “We are offering local home delivery/office reception drop-off, plus we are waving shipping on direct wine purchases by the full case.”
Mindego Ridge tasting room in Saratoga is closed, but they are offering complimentary shipping with the purchase of two or more bottles from the website at https://www.mindegoridge.com using code STAYWELL.
Cooper-Garrod has closed its tasting room but is shipping orders direct to consumers. Folks can visit www.cgv.com/wines to order online or phone 408-867-7116. Complimentary shipping on six or more bottles in California.
Related Articles Restaurants, Food and Drink | San Jose office building wobbles into default — again
San Jose office building wobbles into default — again Restaurants, Food and Drink | College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds
College students blocked from campus when COVID hit want money back. Some are getting refunds Restaurants, Food and Drink | One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining
One controversial East Bay parklet reveals dilemmas of pandemic dining Restaurants, Food and Drink | Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms
Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Restaurants, Food and Drink | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge Fogarty Winery club members who order online at https://www.fogartywinery.com will receive 30 percent off all wines, while non-members who enter the code WINE15 get 15 percent off. With the purchase of three or more bottles, shipping is free in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, as is ground transport to states where it’s legal. They will also allow curbside pickup, and visitors will be allowed to walk the grounds and vineyards in Woodside as long as they keep a safe social distance.
In a Facebook post that explained the razor-thin margins wineries like his operate on, Tommy Fogarty wrote, “We should patronize small businesses if we value quality. When this is all over, there won’t be many small businesses left in the Bay Area. Trust me. I just hope we are one of them.”