Commendable pet care
San Jose’s Animal Care Center was commended for its outstanding work in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. American Pets Alive gave kudos to 15 shelters across the country, including San Jose’s. The center has responded to the health crisis by launching virtual adoption programs, fostering and other initiatives aimed at putting pets into homes to reduce overcrowding at the shelter.
Zoo cancels events
Happy Hollow Park and Zoo has announced the cancellation of this year’s Senior Safari events, which were set to take place through October. Park staff have also announced that the June Brew at the Zoo event has been cancelled as well, with refunds for early-bird tickets.
Travel masks
Riders and workers on local public transit, including buses and light rail trains, are required to wear face coverings throughout the month of May. Valley Transportation Authority joins other San Jose institutions in implementing this standard, including Mineta San Jose International Airport, where masks are required of all passengers and crew members beginning this month.
Essential child care
A new statewide online tool helps essential workers track down childcare services during their shifts. The portal, at mychildcare.ca.gov, allows users to search by address for available licensed childcare options nearby. It is not for use by the general public.
Homeschooling resources
While there is a light at the end of the homeschooling tunnel, the school year isn’t quite over yet. The county’s Office of Education released specialized online resources for at-home instruction to help parents and students get through the final push. The office also opened a chat forum for parents to consult with each other and with specialists. The resources are available at tinyurl.com/SCCEducation.
Infant care needs
Parents in need of baby formula, diapers and other sanitary products during the COVID-19 pandemic can request them for free from the nearest family resource center. Several city and county departments have teamed up with school districts and community groups to gather and distribute infant care items to people in the South Bay. To find the nearest center and make an appointment, visit tinyurl.com/SVInfantCare.