[M T]

Of course, staying at home does not protect against catching COVID-19, and a lot of places in the US have higher case counts than Santa Clara.

It isn't the zip code that is the issue, it is the interactions among people.   People here have bemoaned the lack of the college experience for the freshmen especially, but it is the interactions as part of that experience that is the concern (and, of course, the potential liability to the school, in addition to the altruistic concern for the health of the students, faculty, and staff).   The epidemic has caused that experience to be risky at this time.

If they live with their birth family, people will be in smaller bubbles and have people who can share care-giving duties if need be.  (Not all college-age people will live with their birth families, but I expect many will.)  If not with their birth family, they will likely live in smaller groupings than they would have at college.

It sucks, but not being on campus seems wise to me.

[M T]

Of course, staying at home does not protect against catching COVID-19, and a lot of places in the US have higher case counts than Santa Clara.

It isn't the zip code that is the issue, it is the interactions among people.   People here have bemoaned the lack of the college experience for the freshmen especially, but it is the interactions as part of that experience that is the concern (and, of course, the potential liability to the school, in addition to the altruistic concern for the health of the students, faculty, and staff).   The epidemic has caused that experience to be risky at this time.

If they live with their birth family, people will be in smaller bubbles and have people who can share care-giving duties if need be.  (Not all college-age people will live with their birth families, but I expect many will.)  If not with their birth family, they will likely live in smaller groupings than they would have at college.

It sucks, but not being on campus seems wise to me.