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This is the thirty-seventh COVID-19 update from San Jose Downtown Association, dating back to March 12. They are sent on Thursdays.
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To our valued businesses:
 
On the color spectrum, purple is known as a happy color.  Shades of purple – lavender, maroon, violet, aubergine – have been associated with positive things like weddings, baby births, unicorns and Prince.
 
Sadly, purple now has a new meaning.  It represents in California the most widespread condition of COVID-19 and that all of our efforts to keep the disease at bay hasn’t worked.
 
As the Thanksgiving holiday begins, officials are saying to mostly cancel them.  Don’t go visit your parents or aunts and uncles or friends because you don’t know where they’ve been.  And if you go out of your home, stay outdoors.  Could you ever imagine thinking this way?
 
It’s not purple’s fault, but right now it's not such a happy color.
 
We hope you can find things for which to be thankful; that they should include friends and families – and that they are safe.

In this email:
COVID Updates
State’s Limited Stay-at-Home Order Prohibits Activities between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
In light of an unprecedented, rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across California, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today announced a limited Stay at Home Order requiring generally that non-essential work, movement and gatherings stop between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. in counties in the purple tier. The order will take effect at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, and remain in effect until 5 a.m. Dec. 21. This is the same as the March Stay at Home Order, but applied only between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and only in purple tier counties that are seeing the highest rates of positive cases and hospitalizations.
 
“The virus is spreading at a pace we haven’t seen since the start of this pandemic and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge. We are sounding the alarm,” said Governor Newsom. “It is crucial that we act to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations before the death count surges. We’ve done it before and we must do it again.”
 
This limited Stay at Home Order is designed to reduce opportunities for disease transmission. Activities conducted during 10 p.m.-5 a.m. are often non-essential and more likely related to social activities and gatherings that have a higher likelihood of leading to reduced inhibition and reduced likelihood for adherence to safety measures like wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distance.
 
“We know from our stay at home order this spring, which flattened the curve in California, that reducing the movement and mixing of individuals dramatically decreases COVID-19 spread, hospitalizations, and deaths,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “We may need to take more stringent actions if we are unable to flatten the curve quickly. Taking these hard, temporary actions now could help prevent future shutdowns.”
 
“We are asking Californians to change their personal behaviors to stop the surge. We must be strong together and make tough decisions to stay socially connected but physically distanced during this critical time. Letting our guard down could put thousands of lives in danger and cripple our health care system,” said Dr. Erica Pan, the state’s acting Public Health Officer. “It is especially important that we band together to protect those most vulnerable around us as well as essential workers who are continuing their critical work amidst this next wave of widespread community transmission across the state. Together we prevented a public health crisis in the spring and together we can do it again.”  Read the State Order here.

Santa Clara County Returns to Purple Tier of COVID-19 restrictions as of Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020 
On Monday, just as Santa Clara County was preparing to return to the Red Tier of COVID restrictions, California Gov. Newsom announced that along with the majority of California counties, Santa Clara County would be required to go back to the restrictions of the most severe tier – Purple. This measure is being taken to restrict the spread of the virus.  
 
Here is a summary of what moving to the Purple Tier looks like, as of Nov. 17: 
  • Indoor dining closed
  • Indoor gatherings (including places of worship, movie showings, political events, weddings, funerals) not permitted
  • Indoor gyms and fitness centers closed
  • Indoor retail (including shopping malls) reduced capacity to a maximum of 25%
  • Indoor pools closed
  • Indoor family entertainment centers (such as bowling alleys) closed
  • Indoor cardrooms closed
  • Indoor museums, zoos, and aquariums closed
  • Wineries, bars, breweries and distilleries closed to indoor operations
  • Outdoor bars, breweries, and distilleries closed unless they function as a restaurant and provide meals. 
Specifics on the State-mandated restrictions under the Purple Tier can be found on the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Latest Santa Clara County COVID news is here.
COVID-19 Testing, Tracing, and Support Services
If you need a COVID-19 test, don’t wait! A high rate of testing helps identify and stop the spread of COVID-19 cases.  Some testing sites are listed below, but there are many more throughout the county. For a full list of COVID-19 testing sites in Santa Clara County, go to www.sccfreetest.org or call 2-1-1.
The County offers support options for people who test positive or have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive.  Call 408-808-7770 to learn about support services from the County of Santa Clara. In San Jose, testing occurs at:
  • Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Parking Lot A 
    344 Tully Rd., San José, CA 95111 (across from the blue arch) 
    Drive-through, bike, and walk-up appointments 
    By appointment only Tuesdays-Fridays,11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Emmanuel Baptist Church 
    467 N. White Rd., San José, 95127 
    Tuesday-Friday, Nov. 17 – Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Roots Community Health Center 
    Antioch Baptist Church parking lot 
    268 E. Julian St, San José, 95112 
    Every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
    Visit the Roots Community Health Center to pre-register or call 408-490-4710
  • Gardner Health Services 
    Mexican Heritage Plaza 
    1700 Alum Rock Ave., San José, 95116 
    Every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
    For more information, call 408-457-7100
  • AACI Health Center 
    Story Road Clinic 
    749 Story Rd., #50, San José, 95122 
    Every Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
    For more information, call 408-975-2763
  • Verily’s Project Baseline 
    Independence High School and Mount Pleasant High School 
    617 N. Jackson Ave., San José, 95133 and 1750 S. White Rd., San José, 95127, respectively 
    Monday-Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
    For more information, visit Verily's Project Baseline
  • OptumServe 
    James Lick High School, 2951 Alum Rock Ave. 
    Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 
    For more information, visit OptumServe or call 888-634-1123 to schedule an appointment. 
Free Flu Shots Every Saturday
The County will continue to offer free flu shots from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 12 (with the exception of Thanksgiving weekend) at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The car entrance for general parking at the Fairgrounds site is Gate D, 2542 Monterey Rd., San José. No appointments are needed. Masks are required and all are welcome regardless of insurance or immigration status. Flu shots are recommended every year, but they are even more critical in the time of COVID. Get your flu shot right away to prevent catching the flu and spreading it to coworkers, family members, or people you live with. For more information in multiple languages see here: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese.
Downtown San Jose Promotions
Holiday Market this Friday and Dec. 4, 11 and 18: 
SJDA and Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association have put together the best of the Farmers’ Market and the best of the Friday artisan market to create a Holiday Market, open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 at San Pedro Square.  Find artisans selling jewelry, candles, lotions, gift baskets, holiday cards, plants and other gifts for the holidays.
Light the Holiday Nights begins Thanksgiving at Plaza de Cesar Chavez
In an effort to safely bring as many people downtown to support businesses during the holidays, San Jose Downtown Association is producing Light the Holiday Nights every day from Thanksgiving through Jan. 3.
Installation continues through Wednesday.

The press release for the Holiday Lights event begins:
 
Despite the main traditions and attractions of Downtown for the Holidays derailed by Covid-19, the festive lights of the season will shine bright in the city center.
 
“Just like Dr. Seuss' Whos of Whoville, no Grinch or pandemic can take away our holiday cheer," said Autumn Young, director of special projects for San Jose Downtown Association.
 
“With Downtown Ice, Christmas in the Park and Winter Wonderland shutdown or moved by the Covid pandemic, the heart of the city faced not being wrapped in its usual holiday best.
"No way were we going to leave the center of the city dark this season when we need to be uplifted more than ever," said Scott Knies, SJDA Executive Director.

The main feature to Downtown Lights will be the Light the Holiday Nights installation at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. From dusk to dawn Thanksgiving through Jan. 3, Light the Holiday Nights will light the stage and the trees ringing Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
 
“We had to brighten up the center of the city,” Knies said.
 
Multiple sponsors agree. Light the Holiday Nights will be produced by SJDA in coordination with the City of San Jose and Downtown Property-Based Improvement District, and supported by presenting sponsor First Tech Federal Credit Union and downtown property owners Jay Paul Company, Google, Sobrato, Swenson and Urban Catalyst.
 
Together, the partners have created an illuminated wonderland, with lights in the park’s existing trees, more lighted trees brought in for the occasion and sparkling arches, ideal for a drive-around or a stroll-through.
Other Matters
Regional Virtual Business Event this Friday Supports Diversity and Recovery: The online Silicon Valley Heritage EXPO on Friday is a digital event to stimulate commerce while showcasing the best of the area’s diverse cultures through food, arts and crafts, entertainment, and business. The event is designed to provide support, information and community to businesses in San Jose affected by the pandemic. Free to the first 500 businesses who register, the event incorporates a marketplace to help our region’s entrepreneurs. Performers Lenny Williams of Tower of Power, SF Giants Baseball announcer Renel Brooks, and fashion designer Debbie Nghiem will be on the main stage. The EXPO will culminate in a “live” networking via Zoom. All businesses are invited by the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce, the Silicon Valley Coalition of Ethnic Chambers and the City of San José to register for the event here. 
Mark your calendars - SJDA Year-in-Review Meeting Dec. 11, 8:15 a.m.
SJDA’s annual year-in-review presentation will be presented virtually this year on Dec. 11, starting at 8:15 a.m. The December SJDA meeting will also include the Golden Nail presentation and a farewell to SJDA and PBID Board of Directors members reaching the end of their terms. Register here.
Be a part of Shop Local
SJDA plans to launch a Shop Local web page this week to support downtown businesses.  The local effort is meant to go beyond Saturday Nov. 28 to include all of the holidays and beyond.
 
We want to support our great and longtime retail businesses, such as Acapulco Jewelers, Andy’s Pet Shop, Bicycle Express, Circle A, Diaz Men’s Wear and Western Wear, Hammer & Lewis Women’s Fashions, Rosies and Posies Downtown Florist and Workingman’s Emporium.
 
Customers are reminded that the storefront economy is critical to downtown’s long-term viability.
 
The web page will be here.
 
If you’d like to be included in the Shop Local program, please email Jessica Vuong at jvuong@sjdowntown.com.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Funding Available for Commercial Property Owners
The CALeVIP program offers up to $720,000 per commercial entity toward the procurement and installation of new Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in Silicon Valley.

Zero Impact Solutions executes this process end to end providing the design, construction, procurement and management services to business owners in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
 
The state of California is aiming to turn 70% of all new vehicles sold to be electric by 2025 and 100% by 2035. To achieve this goal, they are allocating funds to cover the equipment and installation of charging stations to qualified businesses. This also includes a 5-year platform services as well as a 5-year extended warranty on the EV Chargers. In addition, the rebate will cover any upgrades necessary to the transformer or switchboards.  The funding is dispersed though first come first served reservation system opening up on Dec. 16.  Funds are expected to expire within an hour of launch.
  • Retail properties eligible include:
  • Hotels
  • Parking lots
  • Shopping centers
  • Sheriff Stations
  • Restaurants
  • Liquor Stores and Mini Marts
  • And any other retail stores
Contact Sheera Mckown at Zero Impact Solutions at (818) 877-7542. For more info, check here. 
Holiday spending will be about the same this year as last year – Conference Board
FYI – A Conference Board/Nielsen survey reveals that despite a shaky economy, holiday shoppers plan to spend about the same in gifts this year as last, about $673.  More details here.
 
SJSU’s Hearst Award presented to Dr. Anthony Fauci
Something truly spectacular occurred this week without great fanfare that deserves mention.  San Jose State’s school of journalism and mass communications gave the 2020 William Randolph Hearst Award to most-deserving Dr. Anthony Fauci. 
Fauci spent more than an hour on a Zoom call with SJSU students, faculty and others.  About 35 minutes in, Professor Robert (Bob) Rucker interviews Fauci, who despite the pressures of COVID on him, is relaxed, humble and receptive.  His comments about how he copes with the pressure and criticism and stays the course are inspirational and worth watching. You can watch the video here.
COVID-19 Links
More Local Resources for Businesses
If you are a business or property owner reaching out about vandalism, theft or property damage, you can submit an online police report here.

To report graffiti and things that need to be cleaned within the district, use the Groundwerx Everywhere app for iPhones or Android.
To report damage, graffiti or things that need to be cleaned in city parks/property or outside the district, use the San Jose 311 app for iPhone, visit sanjose.custhelp.com or call 311.

Businesses who would like a free graffiti removal tool kit can send an email to antigraffiti@sanjoseca.gov with their contact information and an address. A kit will be delivered to your place of business. 

SJDA staff can help.  Our list of staff and emails are here.
Let us know how else we can help by replying to this email. We’ll have another message next Thursday. We're in this together.
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