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“After almost 29 years doing business as Buck’s of Woodside — in an instant — we had to let everyone go in this new unpredictable world.”

Just like that, 42 people lost their jobs.

To assist them, Jamis and Margaret MacNiven, owners of the iconic restaurant, launched a GoFundMe. The online fundraising effort has been impressive: over $60,000 raised. It helps that Buck’s is famous for having hosted celebrities and tech industry titans such as Elon Musk, who reportedly Tweeted support for the restaurant on March 17, “If Jamis needs help, he has many friends, me among them.”

As they await the possibility of government assistance, including the recently passed $2 trillion federal stimulus package and, locally, the recently-launched San Mateo County Strong Fund — which is raising funds to support local small businesses, nonprofits, families and individuals — dozens of Peninsula small businesses are using online fundraisers to assist employees who can no longer work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to a generous community, some are achieving success on sites such as GoFundMe.

Avenir Restaurant Group, operator of Rossotti’s Alpine Inn in Portola Valley, Milagros in Redwood City, Nola in Palo Alto and Town in San Carlos, has thus far raised nearly $140,000 for its staff. The ownership team and its vendors have also committed to matching the first $50,000 raised. The funds will “provide daily, nutritious meals out of our Milagros kitchen to our employees and their families who are most affected by the current circumstances,” said Greg St. Claire, managing partner of Avenir Restaurant Group.

“Opening our kitchens back up also allows a number of our employees to get back to work and feed hundreds of people in need,” St. Claire added.

Owners of Alana Cafe in Redwood City and Sixto’s Cantina in Burlingame can’t keep their eateries open during the COVID-19 lockdown. They’re raising funds to support 90 employees, who “have not been working since March 15,” co-owner Francesca Tashjian said.

“Some of these families only have one working adult and most are working in the service industry for 2-3 employers,” Tashjian said.

Lauren Savage, co-founder of The Reading Bug Bookstore in San Carlos, also worries about financially surviving the COVID-19 lockdown.  While craftily continuing her business’ mission via storytimes on Facebook and website orders, Savage is raising funds for staff salaries, rent and utility and vendor bills.

“We are adjusting to the reality of losing our in-store revenue streams for the foreseeable future,” Savage said.

Francesco Ruggiero, owner of Delizie Cucina in San Carlos, described being “heartbroken, but not defeated,” as it looks to support its employees.

“100% of the funds raised here will be distributed to our hourly staff, distributor, utilities, etc.,” Ruggiero said.

Here’s a list of more local businesses launching fundraisers to support their employees and/or their survival include. Also consider donating to the General Small Business Relief Fund in Redwood City.

• Planet Pooch, a doggy daycare and overnight boarding service in Redwood City;
• Quinto Sol, a Mexican restaurant in Redwood City;
• Nighthawk, cocktail bar and lounge in Redwood City;
• Mistral Restaurant & Bar, waterfront restaurant and bar in Redwood Shores;
• Grill House in Redwood City.
• Oh Baby Sushi in Redwood City
• Chuck’s Donuts in Redwood City
• House of Humor, providing costumes in Redwood City
• Arthur Murray Studio providing dance instruction in Redwood City.

Photo credit: Avenir Restaurant Group

Climate Magazine’s monthly issue will not appear in print as a result of coronavirus restrictions on distribution. However, the April issue can be read in its entirety right here on Climate’s website.

The expanded 40-page issue includes all of the Redwood City-based publication’s staples, but additional guest contributions have been included, among them columns related to the pandemic.

In her monthly letter, Editor Janet McGovern addressed the challenges the editorial team weighed in considering how—and even whether—to publish. The fact that most readers are subject to “shelter in place” limits and usual distribution outlets for the free magazine are closed was a major factor in the decision to move the magazine online. Present plans are to return to print for the May issue.

As a public service, Climate devoted several pages in the April issue to honoring the recipients of the recent Sequoia Awards, who were denied the normal opportunity of being acknowledged at a banquet. That March event was cancelled because of the coronavirus.

Publisher Adam Alberti says making the magazine available online means Climate’s regular audience won’t have to miss an issue, and he hopes the digital format will introduce the award-winning publication to new readers.

The stay-at-home order impacting six Bay Area counties, including San Mateo County, has been extended until May 3 and includes new restrictions aiming to limit the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the overwhelming of local hospitals.

Effective tonight at midnight, the updated order prohibits the use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas and similar recreational areas; bans the use of shared public recreational facilities such as golf courses, tennis and basketball courts, pools and rock walls; and requires sports where people share equipment, such as a ball, be limited to people in the same household.

The new order, in full here. prohibits most residential and commercial construction, limits funeral attendance to no more than 10 people, and requires businesses that are deemed “essential” to have social distancing protocols in place by April 3.

The description, “essential businesses,” has been expanded to include those involved in residential transactions (notaries, title companies, Realtors, etc.), funeral homes and cemeteries, moving companies, rental car companies and rideshare services that specifically enable essential activities, according to the health order. Essential businesses also must scale down operations to essential components only.

Essential businesses, per the order, still allow operations of healthcare facilities, along with those operating and maintaining essential infrastructure, grocery stores, certified farmers markets, and others selling unprepared food. Farming, livestock and fishing for food cultivation is also essential, along with gas stations, auto and bicycle repair and supply shops, hardware stores, mailing and shipping services and businesses providing shelter and necessary social services to underprivileged individuals.

Childcare facilities may only provide care to children or dependents of individuals working for essential businesses, providing essential governmental functions, or performing minimum basic operations for non-essential businesses, according to the order.

Landscaping and gardening for cosmetic or general upkeep is prohibited. Landscapers and similar service professionals “may only provide services necessary to maintain the sanitation, habitability, or operation of residences or businesses, or for safety reasons,” according to the new guidelines.

The order also restricts people from moving unless it is not possible to wait until the health order expires, or if the move was already planned.

Violating the health order “can be enforced by law enforcement and also through civil remedies,” the order states.

“Failure to comply with the requirements is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both,” according to the order. “The County may take appropriate actions to stop businesses from violating the Ordinance, including obtaining a temporary restraining order and pulling an applicable permit or revoking an applicable license.”

For more detailed information on the new order, visit here.

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the six most populous Bay Area counties increased from 258 to 2,092 between March 15 and March 29, according to health officials. As of Tuesday, there were 309 confirmed cases and 10 deaths within San Mateo County.

Despite playground activities being hold during the COVID-19 crisis, the Magical Bridge Foundation, known for building inclusive playgrounds children with, and without, disabilities, has found ways to bring joy and activity into children’s lives.

Every day starting at noon, the Foundation, in the process of building another of its magical playgrounds at Red Morton Park in Redwood City, is hosting family-friendly, sensory-friendly, multi-generational performers on its Facebook Page.  Performances range from virtual concerts, sing-a-longs, interactive songwriting programs, piano recitals and more. See the lineup below, or click the Magical Bridge website here for more info. For more information on the Magical Bridge’s emerging Redwood City playground, go here.

Previously Recorded:

• Saturday, March 21, 2020 — Nancy Cassidy’s Virtual Sing-a-long
• Sunday, March 22, 2020 — Lori and RJ’s Virtual Concert
• Monday, March 23, 2020 — Music Therapist Mai Abe’s Virtual Sing-a-long
• Tuesday, March 24, 2020 — Sean’s Music Factory Concert and Sing-a-long
• Wednesday, March 25, 2020 — Nancy Cassidy’s Multigenerational Sing-a-long
• Thursday, March 26, 2020 — Music Therapist Matt Fernald’s Virtual Sing-a-long
• Friday, March 27, 2020 —  Julian Hornik’s Broadway Musical Concert
• Saturday, March 28, 2020 — Andy Z’s Virtual Concert
• Sunday, March 29, 2020 —  Josh from Purple Fox and The Heebie Jeebies
• Monday, March 30, 2020 — Music Therapist Mai Abe’s Virtual Sing-a-long

Upcoming Lineup

• Tuesday, March 31, 2020 — Mister Q’s Virtual Concert and Sing-a-long
• Wednesday, April 1, 2020 — Nancy Cassidy’s Multigenerational Sing-a-long
• Thursday, April 2, 2020 — John Henry’s Farm Virtual Sing-a-long
• Friday, April 3, 2020 —  Kelvin Jiang’s Family Friendly Piano Recital 
• Saturday, April 4, 2020 — Lori and RJ’s Virtual Concert
• Sunday, April 5, 2020 — Alice Leon’s Interactive Songwriting Program (all about SPRINKLING KINDNESS)
• Monday, April 6, 2020 — Music Therapist Mai Abe’s Virtual Sing-a-long
• Tuesday, April 7, 2020 — Music Therapist Matt Fernald’s Virtual Sing-a-long
• Wednesday, April 8, 2020 – Nancy Cassidy’s Multigenerational Sing-a-long
• Thursday, April 9, 2020 — Marty and Kevin Long’s Concert and Sing-a-long
• Friday, April 10, 2020 — Andy Z!’s Virtual Concert
• Saturday, April 11, 2020 – Noiselab Concert and Sing-a-long

In its first two weeks since launching, Google’s sister company Verily has tested over 3,700 individuals for COVID-19 at drive-through sites in four counties, including at the San Mateo County Event Center.

The pilot program is initially offering drive-through testing sites to residents living near San Mateo (San Mateo County), San Jose (Santa Clara County), Lake Elsinore (Riverside County), and Sacramento (Sacramento County). To participate, applicants must go through online screening first at Verily’s Project Baseline website here. If they qualify, they are provided appointments at the nearest mobile testing site. Results come in roughly two to five days.

Photo: Still image from Project Baseline YouTube video

A federal cache of critical supplies, including cots and medical equipment, were delivered to the San Mateo County Event Center on Sunday as the county preps for a projected surge in COVID-19 cases.

The National Guard is expected to be on site through Tuesday helping to set up the field treatment site featuring a capacity of up to 250 low acuity beds, according to county officials. While no patients will be immediately housed in the space, the effort proactively aims to expand capacity in case a medical surge overwhelms local hospitals.

The Event Center, owned and operated by the County, continues to be used to house a small number of patients in RVs who could not safely isolate at home, according to the City of San Mateo. The property also has a restricted drive-through testing site operated by Verily.

“We can’t just wait to see if this will happen,” County Manager Mike Callagy said. “We need to prepare now so that we can be ready to care for our friends, neighbors and loved ones when they need it most.”

San Mateo City Manager Drew Corbett called the effort a “major humanitarian effort to bring vital resources to our region.”

“Our city’s multi-agency emergency operations center will collaborate with our County partners to help ensure this critical health and safety operation runs smoothly in our community,” Corbett said.

Event Center CEO Dana Stoehr called it a “privilege” to provide support at this critical time.

Since Feb. 29, the in-custody population at San Mateo County correctional facilities has been reduced by 186 people, or 19 percent, and law enforcement agencies are continuing to evaluate the early release of certain inmates due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The County’s correctional system is operation at 59 percent of its rated capacity, “therefore should we need to quarantine individuals, we have that ability,” Sheriff’s Office Lt. Stephanie Josephson wrote in a statement Saturday.

“Recent changes in booking priorities, coupled with early releases, have significantly reduced our in-custody population,” Lt. Josephson said.

When evaluating early release cases, the Sheriff’s Office — which is working in partnership with the District Attorney, Private Defender Panel, Probation and courts — has prioritized age, medical condition and pregnancy. Pretrial individuals with bail of $15,000 or less and inmates with 60 days or less remaining to serve are being evaluated, Lt. Josephson said.

To date, no confirmed cases have been reported at County correctional facilities. Currently, all visits with inmates and in-person jail programs have been suspended, and anyone entering the facilities are being screened. All arrestees are screened outside the facility, which consists of a pre-booking questionnaire and medical screening. Arrestees displaying symptoms of COVID-19 who are medically cleared and must be booked are isolated in a medical housing unit, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Newly arrived inmates are housed in the Intake Housing Unit for 14 days before joining the jail’s general population.