The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library is closed to the public, but SJSU students can still use the first and second floors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. this week to access Wi-Fi and other resources for online classes. Christian Trujano/Spartan Daily
Patrons of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library who are not San Jose State students said they lost a critical resource for technology and Wi-Fi.
“You can’t find a place to plug your chargers,” said Tom Clewis, a homeless man. “You can’t access certain information, where to go for free food.”
Several San Jose State facilities shut down operations in response to a “shelter-in-place” order issued by the Santa Clara County
Public Health Department on Monday to limit the spread of COVID-19.
In a campuswide email, SJSU President Mary Papazian said the university remains open, but advised students, faculty members and staff to avoid campus.
“Students can continue their coursework online,” Papazian stated in the email. “Faculty and staff are asked to continue their professional work through telecommuting, if applicable. Some essential personnel will continue to provide critical services on campus.”
Buildings like the MLK Library closed earlier than scheduled Monday evening.
The library is closed to the public, but SJSU students can still use the first and second floors from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. this week to access Wi-Fi and other resources for online classes.
Students said the library is a haven for finding focus.
“It’s just, like, a quiet spot, which is kind of what I need sometimes, because being at home is, kind of, just too loud,” public health junior Kayley Proenza said.
Starting today, Santa Clara County residents will have to “shelter in place” for three weeks in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to a news release from the Santa Clara County
Public Health Department.
On Monday, public health officers from Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties along with the City of Berkeley issued the order to “shelter in place” until April 7, 2020,
starting today.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo stated in an email, “As the mayor of the Bay Area’s largest city, I support the actions of health officials throughout the Bay Area to enact a ‘shelter in place’ mandate. We must move aggressively. This is not the moment for half-measures. History will not forgive us for waiting
an hour more.”
The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs.
As of Monday, 138 cases of the virus and four deaths caused by the virus in Santa Clara County have been confirmed, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health department.
The Bay Area’s confirmed number of cases account for more than half of California’s cases.
“Temporarily changing our routine is absolutely necessary to slow the spread of this pandemic,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Public Health Department director.
Health care, law and safety and essential government functions will also continue under the recommended action.
“The long days and difficult hours ahead will challenge us individually and collectively,” Liccardo stated in the email. “This is our generation’s great test, our moment to stand together as a community. Amid our collective fears, we will find our
uncommon courage.”
Essential businesses allowed to operate during the recommended action include: health care operations; businesses that provide food, shelter and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged individuals; fresh and nonperishable food retailers; pharmacies; child care facilities; gas stations; banks; laundry businesses and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence.
Contributing reporting by Mauricio La Plante