Do your part to keep restaurants afloat

In response to the coronavirus threat, many of us are self-isolating or practicing social distancing, which is essentially the same thing.

Among other things, that means we aren’t eating out as much as we normally would. This is placing an enormous strain on the restaurant industry. I was at Aldo Los Altos picking up a to-go order Friday, March 13, at about 7 p.m. On a typical Friday the place would have been bustling. But there was only one table occupied, and only one other to-go order on the counter besides mine. Obviously, this is not sustainable.

Until recently, I thought divesting fossil fuel stocks and mutual funds was the enterprise of the Big Boys – well-endowed universities, philanthropic foundations and faith-based organizations. After all, those muscle clubs have been seriously divesting for at least a decade. Me? I dropped out of Girl Scouts before I earned my Insider Trading Badge. But my millennial son shamed me into action. So I plunged into research and quickly found out it is easier than ever to assess the damage done and discover which funds to buy to remedy this oily situation.

Is the coronavirus our greatest global challenge for survival since World War II?

Everywhere you look, from the major cities to small-town Los Altos, people are hunkering down at home and employing “social distancing” as the coronavirus continues to spread. World financial markets and small businesses alike are breaking under the weight of a virus unseen by the human eye.

Many have decided trying to get into and stay in shape is more important than binge-watching the latest mind-numbing TV series or sampling the new mega-sized offering from their favorite fast-food factory.

Dog owners make peace after park incident

The Town Crier published an article March 4 about the death of our dog, Mike (“Owners of dog killed in Lincoln Park find responsible party”). It is now out of date, so in the interest of community and healing, I write to share the following update.

The dog’s owner wrote a letter expressing responsibility, an apology and heartfelt sadness, and offered an explanation of her dog’s character that led to Mike’s death. One day later she made the decision to euthanize her dog.

FHDA: Online classes key during virus scare

As we see coronavirus infections taking root on the West Coast, including Santa Clara County, local institutions have a responsibility to ensure they do not become part of the community spreading the problem.