Maddy Institute – February 8, 2021

08Feb

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

How can Stanislaus County ensure Latinos, hard-hit by COVID-19, can access vaccines?

Modesto Bee

As Latinos continue to experience the highest COVID-19 case rates in Stanislaus County, officials in the last week announced measures designed to ensure the most vulnerable can get vaccinated.

● Hospitalizations reach their lowest number since November Modesto Bee

● Hospital cases hold steady in Stanislaus; 4 more deaths Modesto Bee

● Rise in infection rates tempers leveling hospitalizations Modesto Bee

● What Stanislaus County educators are saying about vaccinations, returning to school Modesto Bee

● Football to start as Central Valley private schools start league. Not everyone is happy Modesto Bee

Stockton churches cheer indoor worship ruling, plan to open doors after court overturns ban

Stockton Record

Some churches in Stockton are wasting no time, with at least one planning to allow parishioners back inside to worship as early as Saturday, after California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said Saturday it would issue revised guidelines for indoor church services following a Supreme Court ruling that lifted the state's ban on indoor worship during the coronavirus pandemic.

Why a California Democrat (Cong. Harder) is getting hate mail meant for Republican Josh Hawley

Sacramento Bee

A California Democrat wants voters across the nation to know an important piece of information: He’s not Josh Hawley. Rep. Josh Harder, D-Turlock, is receiving a lot of calls, emails, letters and tweets from liberals who are confusing him with the Missouri Republican who voted against certifying election results from swing states won by President Joe Biden.

Central SJ Valley:

Fresno County surpasses 90,000 infections; hospital cases slowing

Fresno Bee

Fresno County went past the 90,000-mark in COVID-19 cases on Friday, adding 378 for a total of 90,126 the pandemic began. But with the number of patients in hospitals and intensive care units dropping across the valley and the state, the California Department of Public Health rescinded a Hospital Surge Public Health Order that was issued in early January.

● Fresno County at 400 new cases a day; patients get second vaccine doses Fresno Bee

● COVID-19 update: 13 more deaths in county for third straight day Porterville Recorder

Editorial: After major COVID outbreaks, Foster Farms’ duty now is to keep essential workers safe

Modesto Bee

Only after major COVID outbreaks at two of Foster Farms’ production plants, and an order by a judge, has one of the nation’s largest poultry producers begun to deal with the virus and worker safety in any effective way.

Fresno County to start COVID-19 shots again; church celebrates ruling

Fresno Bee

Fresno County will again begin to administer first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in the coming week after slowing down for about two weeks. The clinics will target people 75 or older for the first round of the two-dose vaccine, according to Joe Prado, community health division manager for the Fresno County Department of Public Health.

Here’s when teachers in Fresno County might start getting coronavirus vaccinations

Fresno Bee

Teachers in Fresno County could begin receiving coronavirus vaccinations around March, maybe April. Maybe.

Three Fresno-area colleges search for new leaders. You can help decide who gets hired

Fresno Bee

As several of the Fresno-area’s top college leaders retire or move on this year, it has put the central San Joaquin Valley in a position of searching for three people who will shape the future of higher education in the region.

Dozens of demonstrators gather outside Tower Theatre, including Fresno anti-mask activist

Fresno Bee

For a fifth week, a group of demonstrators gathered outside the Tower Theatre to voice opposition of its sale to a Fresno church. They were joined by counter demonstrators, including anti-mask activist Ben Martin; Josh Fulfer, a member of the group that confronted Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias at his home in May; and at least one person who appeared to be a member of the Proud Boys.

Fresno landmarks go up for sale, experts hope to preserve history

abc30

The Hardy's Theater in downtown Fresno was known as the Liberty Theater when it opened in 1917. The theater is one of Fresno landmarks that has been sold and purchased by a church out of Los Angeles.

Expired agreement could alter footprint of Downtown Fresno project

Business Journal

An agreement between the City of Fresno and Tutelian Co. to develop a downtown lot has expired. But even though the exclusive negotiating agreement between the City and Tutelian has ended, talks continue between the Downtown developer and CVS.

Fresno rent increases are biggest in the country — and some workers ‘just can’t pay’

Fresno Bee

The average cost of rent in Fresno increased by 10.8% in the last year, despite state law limiting rent hikes, data analysis by Apartment List shows.

Why Fresno was trending on Twitter ... and how Rihanna, Mayor Dyer and India are connected

Fresno Bee

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and U.S. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, expressed support for India farmers upset over controversial agricultural laws imposed by India’s government, a cause that also has drawn the interest of celebrities such as Rihanna and Susan Sarandon.

City of Clovis Prepares for Upcoming March Elections

Clovis Roundup

On March 2, the City of Clovis will conduct a municipal election to fill two city council seats. Lynne Ashbeck and Vong Mouanoutoua currently hold those seats. Both are running for re-election. Running alongside them are candidates Noha Elbaz, Herman Nagra, and Diane Pearce.

California Adds New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Along Highway 99, Creates Climate Corps

Capital Public Radio

The Central Valley is playing a role in two new programs designed to push forward California’s climate goals. Caltrans has installed 22 new electric vehicle charging stations along Highway 99 and Interstate 5 from Madera to the Grapevine. Chargers have been placed at nine locations approximately 40 miles apart on 99 and one at Kettleman City along I-5.

South SJ Valley:

County data shows men, people over 65 most likely to die from COVID-19 in Kern

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County Public Health on Friday provided its first update in four months about county residents who have died from COVID-19, and while the data holds no major surprises it does show that men and people over age 65 have borne the brunt of the virus locally.

● Kern Public Health reports 387 new coronavirus cases Sunday Bakersfield Californian

● Mass vaccination: Taft works to get COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of west-county residents Bakersfield Californian

It's 'a moving target': Kern school districts, eager to open, struggle with state guidance

Bakersfield Californian

In Kern County, large school districts in particular find themselves baffled by a changing set of guidelines that have done little to actually help districts open by the governor's original goal: Feb. 15.

See also:

The county's three largest school districts can't open yet, so here are their plans Bakersfield Californian

City awards nearly $6 million in B-CARES funds to small businesses

Bakersfield Californian

The city of Bakersfield's B-CAREs small business assistance grant program has awarded nearly $6 million to 938 businesses, according to the city's weekly general information memo.

See also:

City: Permits for outdoor operations available Bakersfield Californian
Why Opening Restaurants Is Exactly What the Coronavirus Wants Us to Do ProPublica

Outside investors find value in Bakersfield commercial space

Bakersfield Californian

Quentin Schulman, the 28-year-old head of a Santa Barbara pressure-washing business, had never invested much outside the stock market and it took him two years scouting opportunities before he decided late last year to buy a modest duplex in north Bakersfield.

County oil review set to resurface next week at contentious hearing

Bakersfield Californian

Another clash of opinions is all but assured next week as a revised environmental review central to Kern's efforts to reinstate streamlined local oil permitting heads for a public hearing in front of the county Planning Commission.

Local banks close out 2020 strong despite pandemic financial pressures

Bakersfield Californian

Both of Bakersfield's locally based banks got through 2020 in good shape, posting impressive year-over-year financial results, thanks in part to government-sponsored recovery programs that have helped prop up small businesses during the pandemic.

Kern County Superior Court tightens face covering policy

KGET
The Kern County Superior Court is tightening its rules when it comes to wearing face coverings at its facilities.

State:

COVID-19 relief is top priority for California voters, poll finds

Los Angeles Times

As President Biden settles in at the White House, Californians have a singular message for the new administration: Take care of the coronavirus.

The Debate Over Reopening California Schools

New York Times

Education leaders and teachers have openly criticized the state’s reopening plan. Parents and legislators are not backing down.

When it comes to school testing and the way those scores are used to make innumerable decisions, there are big challenges — and even bigger opportunities — ahead.

abc30

The Supreme Court is telling California it can't enforce a ban on indoor church services because of the coronavirus pandemic.

● Some California churches will reopen Sunday after Supreme Court lifts ban on indoor services Los Angeles Times

● California revises indoor church guidelines after ruling AP News

● Opinion: The Supreme Court Steps Up Again Wall Street Journal

In Race To Vaccinate, Could California See Another Surge?

Capital Public Radio

During some of the darkest days in the pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom offered some optimism: the winter surge of COVID-19 would be it. Liquid gold — the first batch of vaccines — was just days away.

● Anti-Vaccine Activists Emboldened in California New York Times

● By tracking coronavirus mutations, scientists aim to forecast the pandemic’s future Los Angeles Times

● 'Definitely getting better': Vaccine progress gives hope in fight against COVID, experts encouraged abc30

● Delays, Confusion And Frustration Undermine Vaccine Rollout VPR

● California’s COVID vaccine schedule keeps changing. Here’s why Merced Sun-Star

● California’s Smallest County Makes Big Vaccination Gains Capital Public Radio

● Why Long Beach Is a Model for the Vaccine Rollout New York Times

America’s two largest states (CA & TX) are fighting covid-19 differently

The Economist

If crisis reveals character, as the saying goes, it can also reveal contrast. In America, the two most populous states—California (the largest Democratic state) and Texas (its Republican rival)—have adopted strikingly different approaches to managing the pandemic.

Turbulent politics could sway California recall election

Fresno Bee

California may become the next testing ground for the nation’s roiled, unpredictable politics as an effort to give voters a chance to fire Gov. Gavin Newsom moves closer to reality.

● Dissecting Dueling IGS & PPIC Polls on Prince Gavin Calbuzz

● Will Gavin Newsom Be Recalled? New York Times

● Nation’s stormy politics could unsettle California recall AP News

● Opinion: Gov. Gavin Newsom may face a recall election. Here’s why he’ll likely survive it Modesto Bee

● Editorial: Gov. Newsom doesn’t deserve to be recalled Los Angeles Times

As state attorney general job morphs post-Trump, who will be Newsom’s pick?

CalMatters

California’s next attorney general will likely turn the focus inward. The office has huge responsibilities within the state, including consumer protection, gambling and firearms regulation, internet privacy enforcement and criminal investigations.

Newsom promised to end California’s water wars. Now that Trump is gone, can he do it?

Fresno Bee

Shortly after taking office two years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom promised to deliver a massive compromise deal on the water rushing through California’s major rivers and the critically-important Delta — and bring lasting peace to the incessant water war between farmers, cities, anglers and environmentalists.

Fact check: Is California’s budget really on track to grow 12% during the pandemic?

Sacramento Bee

Scott, R-Florida, is chairman of the Senate Republican campaign committee. President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic relief plan includes $350 billion to help state and local governments. If the money is distributed as COVID relief funds have been, California could wind up with $35 billion or more.

California Dreaming: A look at what makes the Golden State great, despite its challenges

abc30

California is among the most desirable places to live in the world, despite its challenges and high cost of living. The Golden State offers much more than just beautiful landscapes and great weather.

House Republicans from California demand Gov. Newsom answer for unemployment failings

Los Angeles Times

As Gov. Gavin Newsom faces the growing threat of a recall, House Republicans from California said Friday that his administration must answer for the state’s recent finding that $11 billion in state unemployment claims were fraudulent.

For two California Republicans, diverging approaches to Trump lead to the same place: Backlash

Los Angeles Times

Two votes in Congress in successive weeks — one to certify Biden’s election and another to impeach the president — snared the two California Republicans into the pitched battle over the future of their party: whether the GOP will demand allegiance to Trump or break from his influence.

News Analysis: In California, Trump’s political poison spreads from top of the ticket to City Hall

Los Angeles Times

Every president leaves a legacy. For Donald Trump it is, among many things, a Republican Party in worse shape than he found it.

Federal:

COVID Update:

● New Cases in U.S. Drop Below 100,000 Wall Street Journal

Congress Approves Budget, Paving the Way For Biden's COVID-19 Relief Package

VPR
The House quickly approved a budget resolution intended to speed the drafting of President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. The Senate approved the same budget resolution early Friday morning. With the Senate evenly divided, Vice President Harris cast the tiebreaking vote.

● Democrats clear path for filibuster-proof coronavirus relief bill Roll Call

● Senior Democrats to unveil $3,000-per-child benefit as Biden stimulus gains steam Washington Post

● Opinion: Biden Goes Party Line on $1.9 Trillion Wall Street Journal

● Opinion: Wrong Stimulus, Wrong Time Wall Street Journal

● What is reconciliation in Congress? Brookings

Biden’s Covid-19 Vaccination Aims: Speeding the Rollout and Addressing Racial Disparities

Wall Street Journal

President Biden took office promising to address the coronavirus pandemic with plans that included a swifter nationwide rollout of vaccines and a focus on getting them to minority and lower-income people who have been hit hard by Covid-19.

● South Africa suspends Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine rollout after researchers report ‘minimal’ protection against coronavirus variant Washington Post

● Slow Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout, New Variants Shift Some Business Plans Wall Street Journal

● Covid-19 Vaccines to Stress-Test Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Wall Street Journal

● What’s the hold up? Why more vaccines haven’t been administered Brookings

Biden inherited a USPS crisis. Here’s how Democrats want to fix it.

Washington Post

The nation’s mail service is slower and more erratic than it’s been in generations, via the confluence of an abrupt reorganization and pandemic-era anomalies that has fueled demands for reform and fundamentally different ideas on how to achieve it.

Biden’s Bipartisan Hopes Need Not Die Now

Wall Street Journal

The Biden administration has taken office in crisis mode, facing a coronavirus pandemic that it believes requires immediate action—specifically, a new economic stimulus plan that can be in place before supplemental federal unemployment benefits expire on March 14.

The Return of the Regulators

ProPublica

Like them or revile them, federal agencies seem poised to regain some of their traditional powers under the new administration. But it’s not clear how far President Biden wants them to go.

Congress risks losing ‘bridle’ on the executive in Trump impeachment trial

Roll Call

Senators will determine not only the political fate of Donald Trump during the former president’s second impeachment trial next week but also whether or not to weaken their own congressional power to rein in presidential misconduct.

● Impeachment Trial Puts Trump Back on Center Stage for GOP Wall Street Journal

● Senate Democrats See Short Trump Trial Amid Covid-19 Stimulus Push Wall Street Journal

● Jamie Raskin Leads Democrats in Trump’s Second Impeachment Trial Wall Street Journal

● Majority of Americans say Trump should be convicted, barred from holding federal office in impeachment trial: POLL abcNews

● Opinion: Republicans, if this isn’t impeachable, what is? Roll Call

● Opinion: The impeachment trial’s stacked deck AEI

Other:

Why QAnon Survives After Trump

VPR
Adherents of the discredited extremist ideology falsely believe that former President Trump is a savior who will stay in power as he wages a war against a cabal of satanic pedophiles. Indeed, for some believers, who saw President Biden get sworn in instead of Trump, the moment was a reality check.

Free Speech And The Rise Of Misinformation And Conspiracy Theories

VPR

Free speech, as enshrined in the First Amendment, is central to what many consider to be the American experience. But the debate over the limits of free speech has been ignited by how the use of social media contributed to the Jan. 6 riot and violent attack on the U.S. Capitol.

AP-NORC poll: Few in US say democracy is working very well

AP News

Only a fragment of Americans believe democracy is thriving in the U.S., even as broad majorities agree that representative government is one of the country’s bedrock principles, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Wall Street Journal

Big business has helped Americans weather the pandemic. Retailers stayed open, tech firms made remote work possible, and the pharmaceutical industry is cranking out vaccines. So why did satisfaction with the “size and influence of major corporations” fall 15 points in this year's annual Gallup poll to a mere 26%?

A New Contract with the Middle Class

Brookings

Since our nation’s founding, the American Dream has always been based on an implicit understanding-a contract if you will-between individuals willing to work and contribute, and a society willing to support those in need and to break down the barriers in front of them.

See also:

Can Catholic Social Teaching Unite a Divided America? Wall Street Journal

MADDY INSTITUTE PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAMMING

Sunday, February, at 10 a.m. on ABC30 – Maddy Report: No Show this Week

Sunday, February, at 10 a.m. on Newstalk 580AM/105.9FM (KMJ) –Maddy Report - Valley Views Edition: No Show this Week

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

Report: During 8 Months In 2020, Deaths Among Farm Workers Rose 40%

VPR
Since the start of the pandemic, 43,000 Californians have officially died due to COVID-19. But a new research paper by a team of epidemiologists at the University of California, San Francisco suggests that the true death toll due to the virus is likely much higher, after studying deaths in California over an 8-month period from March to October.

See also:

Vaccine Clinics For California’s Farmworkers Are Starting, But Advocates Say There Are Hurdles Capital Public Radio

Lawsuit by California Ag growers threatens ‘farmworkers’ basic labor rights,’ ALRB says

Fresno Bee

The California Labor Board on Friday filed a court brief in support of protections for the state’s farmworkers as part of a legal battle the board says has aimed to do away with a regulation that provides workers information about their rights.

‘This could be huge.’ Should a Fresno County farmer get $3.7 million for fruitless harvest?

Fresno Bee

Four years ago, Kingsburg farmer Paul Willems says he bought thousands of blueberry plants from an Oregon nursery owner who promised the plants would produce an early-season crop of big juicy berries.

Suppliers Field Growing Demand For Seeds From Pandemic Gardeners

VPR
COVID-19 gardens have gained popularity during the pandemic with more people working from home and wanting to grow their own food. Last year, nurseries and seed companies reported historic levels of demand for their products. So far, this year is no different

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

Tax forms help reveal extent of unemployment fraud in US

Fresno Bee

Unemployment agencies across the U.S. became lucrative targets for criminals when they were bombarded with claims last year as millions lost jobs due to coronavirus shutdowns.

Public Safety:

Editorial: Anyone will be allowed to run for sheriff in California — if the state drops eligibility rules

Fresno Bee

Dozens of county sheriffs in California are up for reelection in 2022 — including controversial, high-profile sheriffs in Los Angeles, Sacramento and Fresno counties. Yet there’s no guarantee that voters in any particular county will have a choice of candidates in 2022.

Fire:

California utilities to spend billions to cut wildfire risk

Fresno Bee

California's largest utilities said Friday that they will spend about $13 billion to reduce the risk of wildfires following the worst fire season in modern state history and a string of blazes that were blamed on their equipment.

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Local banks close out 2020 strong despite pandemic financial pressures

Bakersfield Californian

City awards nearly $6 million in B-CARES funds to small businesses

Bakersfield Californian

The city of Bakersfield's B-CAREs small business assistance grant program has awarded nearly $6 million to 938 businesses, according to the city's weekly general information memo.

Outside investors find value in Bakersfield commercial space

Bakersfield Californian

COVID-19 slammed small businesses — but a surprising number are thriving

Los Angeles Times

Things looked grim for Dora Herrera last spring. Revenues at her family’s 44-year-old restaurant business, Yuca’s, had plummeted within a few short weeks as COVID-19 kept customers away from its two popular taco shacks, in Los Angeles and Pasadena.

Some Young Americans Fight Economic Unease by Using Stimulus Checks to Pay Down Debt

Wall Street Journal

Stimulus payments have been a pandemic lifeline for many Americans. For some young adults, they have presented an opportunity to build up savings or pay off debt.

Explaining the economic impact of COVID-19: Core industries and the Hispanic workforce

Brookings

This piece explores the economic implications of the COVID-19 recession using select metropolitan areas (often referred to by the name of the metro’s primary city), identifying problems and offering policy responses.

Walters: How long will California economy languish?

CalMatters

California’s once-surging economy has been clobbered by the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery could be slow.

Jobs:

Editorial: After major COVID outbreaks, Foster Farms’ duty now is to keep essential workers safe

Modesto Bee

Nearly 20 million unemployment claims so far in COVID-19 pandemic

Employment Development Division

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has

processed more than 19.8 million claims in support of families and communities

across the state.

U.S. Adds Just 49,000 Jobs In January, 'Not Anywhere Close' To Recovering Those Lost

VPR

U.S. employers added 49,000 jobs in January, after a revised drop of 227,000 the month before. Unemployment fell to 6.3%, from 6.7% in December, as hundreds of thousands of people left the workforce.

Minimum wage hike to $15 an hour by 2025 would result in 1.4 million unemployed, nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says

Washington Post

Raising the minimum wage to $15-an-hour could result in 1.4 million jobs being lost by 2025, although it would also lift 900,000 people out of poverty, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Commentary: The critical role of workforce training in the labor market recovery

Brookings

The COVID-19 recession that began in March 2020 has had a disparate effect on workers depending on many factors: industry, occupation, level of education, parental status, race, and gender. For example, declines in employment have been largest for workers of color and those with less formal education.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Here’s when teachers in Fresno County might start getting coronavirus vaccinations

Fresno Bee

Teachers in Fresno County could begin receiving coronavirus vaccinations around March, maybe April. Maybe.

More Central Valley elementary schools can now hold in-person classes

abc30

The state said, as of January 14, it would no longer be following the waiver application process after releasing new guidance for bringing students back to campus in California.

It's 'a moving target': Kern school districts, eager to open, struggle with state guidance

Bakersfield Californian

The county's three largest school districts can't open yet, so here are their plans

Bakersfield Californian

The three largest school districts in Bakersfield account for most of the students in Kern County. None of them is considered an "open” district under state guidelines, so they currently are unable to open until local case rates begin to dip — or they have waivers from the state.

Football to start as Central Valley private schools start league. Not everyone is happy

Modesto Bee

A new club league has been formed primarily by private schools willing to break with state health regulations and the governing body for high school sports.

The Debate Over Reopening California Schools

New York Times

Education leaders and teachers have openly criticized the state’s reopening plan. Parents and legislators are not backing down.

When it comes to school testing and the way those scores are used to make innumerable decisions, there are big challenges — and even bigger opportunities — ahead.

See also:

Higher Ed:

Three Fresno-area colleges search for new leaders. You can help decide who gets hired

Fresno Bee

Fresno State begins construction on new viticulture greenhouse

The Collegian

The Fresno State viticulture and enology department celebrated a virtual groundbreaking event for the new viticulture greenhouse on Jan. 29.

Opinion: Racial (in)justice and the UC budget crisis

CalMatters

We fear the budget crunch could lead the UC to fail to deliver on the soaring hopes for social mobility for underrepresented minority students.

Apprenticeships:

Building Sustainable Apprenticeships: The Case of Apprenticeship 2000

Urban Institute

Sustainable apprenticeships play a critical role in building a large-scale American apprenticeship system, and ultimately contribute to a robust and diversified American workforce. One approach to sustainability and quality is the creation of employer consortia, or groups of employers.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

California Adds New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Along Highway 99, Creates Climate Corps

Capital Public Radio

Vox
The climate demands it. The president campaigned on it. And 81 million Americans voted for it. It’s now time for Congress and the administration to deliver. Here’s how they can do it.

What climate change will mean for US security and geopolitics

Brookings

In a piece soon to be published in the American Defense Policy journal, we lay out a number of direct effects that a rapidly changing climate can have on security and conflict, as well as on the wider dynamics of American leadership of the international order.

Energy:

County oil review set to resurface next week at contentious hearing

Bakersfield Californian

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno County surpasses 90,000 infections; hospital cases slowing

Fresno Bee

● Fresno County at 400 new cases a day; patients get second vaccine doses Fresno Bee

● COVID-19 update: 13 more deaths in county for third straight day Porterville Recorder

● Kern Public Health reports 387 new coronavirus cases Sunday Bakersfield Californian

● Hospitalizations reach their lowest number since November Modesto Bee

● Hospital cases hold steady in Stanislaus; 4 more deaths Modesto Bee

● Rise in infection rates tempers leveling hospitalizations Modesto Bee

● New Cases in U.S. Drop Below 100,000 Wall Street Journal

County data shows men, people over 65 most likely to die from COVID-19 in Kern

Bakersfield Californian

America’s two largest states are fighting covid-19 differently

The Economist

U.K. coronavirus variant spreading rapidly through United States, study finds

Washington Post

The coronavirus variant that shut down much of the United Kingdom is spreading rapidly across the United States, outcompeting other strains and doubling its prevalence among confirmed infections every week and a half, according to new research made public Sunday.

Does wearing two masks provide more protection?

AP News

It depends, but it’s possible that doubling up could help in some situations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a cloth mask made with two or more layers, and ensuring it covers your nose and mouth. The agency says it should fit snugly so there aren’t any gaps at the sides of your face.

Brookings

Mandating that insurers cover and waive cost-sharing for more COVID-19 tests is a welcome policy change, but a few gaps remain that likely require Congressional legislation to address.

Why Opening Restaurants Is Exactly What the Coronavirus Wants Us to Do

ProPublica

Governors continue to open indoor dining and other activities before vaccinations become widespread. Experts warn this could create superspreading playgrounds for dangerous variants and squander our best shot at getting the pandemic under control.

Human Services:

How can Stanislaus County ensure Latinos, hard-hit by COVID-19, can access vaccines?

Modesto Bee

As Latinos continue to experience the highest COVID-19 case rates in Stanislaus County, officials in the last week announced measures designed to ensure the most vulnerable can get vaccinated.

● By tracking coronavirus mutations, scientists aim to forecast the pandemic’s future Los Angeles Times

● 'Definitely getting better': Vaccine progress gives hope in fight against COVID, experts encouraged abc30

● Mass vaccination: Taft works to get COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of west-county residents Bakersfield Californian

● Delays, Confusion And Frustration Undermine Vaccine Rollout VPR

● California’s COVID vaccine schedule keeps changing. Here’s why Merced Sun-Star

● California’s Smallest County Makes Big Vaccination Gains Capital Public Radio

● South Africa suspends Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine rollout after researchers report ‘minimal’ protection against coronavirus variant Washington Post

● Slow Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout, New Variants Shift Some Business Plans Wall Street Journal

● Covid-19 Vaccines to Stress-Test Grocery Stores and Pharmacies Wall Street Journal

● Why Long Beach Is a Model for the Vaccine Rollout New York Times

● What’s the hold up? Why more vaccines haven’t been administered Brookings

● Johnson & Johnson Applies For Emergency Use Authorization For COVID-19 Vaccine VPR

Calls grow for US to rely on rapid tests to fight pandemic

Bakersfield Californian

When a Halloween party sparked a COVID-19 outbreak at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, school officials conducted rapid screening on more than 1,000 students in a week, including many who didn’t have symptoms.

Her COVID-19 treatment cost more than $1 million. Who’s going to pay for it?

Los Angeles Times

The most serious cases of COVID-19 don’t just attack a patient’s body, leading to pneumonia, respiratory failure, septic shock, blood clots, brain fog and more than 460,000 deaths in the U.S. to date. They can also damage a virus victim’s bank account.

Paid family and sick leave could expand for the first time in decades because of the pandemic

Washington Post

As the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic continues to devastate workers — particularly women — a new generation of advocates are hopeful a more expansive iteration of the FMLA might finally have a shot.

IMMIGRATION

New Biden rules for ICE point to fewer arrests and deportations, and a more restrained agency

Washington Post

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to issue new guidelines to agents this week that could sharply curb arrests and deportations, as the Biden administration attempts to assert more control over an agency afforded wide latitude under President Donald Trump, according to internal memos and emails obtained by The Washington Post.

As Biden Decides What to Do With Trump’s Border Wall, Landowners Are in Limbo

Wall Street Journal

President Biden promised to halt construction of the border wall. But landowners fighting eminent domain don’t know the status of their land.

Editorial: It’s Biden’s border wall now. Here’s how he should handle it

Los Angeles Times

The notion of a barrier along parts of the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border did not, of course, begin with Donald J. Trump, but his quest for a “big, beautiful wall” to be paid for by Mexico made the border barricade both a hallmark and a benchmark of his presidency.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

California State Parks to begin reopening campsites after stay-at-home closures

Fresno Bee

The California Department of Parks and Recreation is reopening its campsites after weeks of closures imposed by the stay-at-home orders issued in December meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus as cases surged.

Fresno landmarks go up for sale, experts hope to preserve history

abc30

The Hardy's Theater in downtown Fresno was known as the Liberty Theater when it opened in 1917. The theater is one of Fresno landmarks that has been sold and purchased by a church out of Los Angeles.

Expired agreement could alter footprint of Downtown Fresno project

Business Journal

Housing:

Fresno rent increases are biggest in the country — and some workers ‘just can’t pay’

Fresno Bee

The average cost of rent in Fresno increased by 10.8% in the last year, despite state law limiting rent hikes, data analysis by Apartment List shows.

Four Fresno families given keys to brand new homes

abc30

Claps and celebrations were in order after four Fresno families picked up the keys to their brand new homes. The families received their houses through a program that partnered with the City of Fresno and Habitat for Humanity.

Eviction moratorium extended

Turlock Journal

Legislation signed last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom extends the state’s landmark eviction moratorium for an additional five months, protecting renters while also providing aid for landlords.

The 2021-22 Budget: Analysis of Housing and Homelessness Proposals

Legislative Analyst’s Office

The Governor’s 2021-22 budget includes several major proposals related to homelessness and housing. In this analysis, we describe the major proposals and raise issues for the Legislature’s consideration.

PUBLIC FINANCES

Fact check: Is California’s budget really on track to grow 12% during the pandemic?

Sacramento Bee

See also:

Covid-19’s Hit to State and Local Revenues Is Smaller Than Many Feared Wall Street Journal

California prison employees file lawsuit demanding hazard pay during COVID pandemic

Fresno Bee

Correctional officers at a California federal prison are suing the federal government in a bid to force their employer to pay them hazard pay for working during the pandemic. The lawsuit, brought by 51 employees of the Federal Correctional Institution at Mendota, says most of the employees deserve an extra 25% in pay for the hours they’ve worked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump’s lie that the election was stolen has cost $519 million (and counting) as taxpayers fund enhanced security, legal fees, property repairs and more

Washington Post

President Donald Trump’s onslaught of falsehoods about the November election misled millions of Americans, undermined faith in the electoral system, sparked a deadly riot — and has now left taxpayers with a large, and growing, bill.

Opinion: A tax break for paying your taxes? Please.

Washington Post

There’s no real defense of the federal deduction for state and local taxes. The SALT deduction, as it’s known to accountants, needlessly complicates the tax code and lowers federal revenue by billions of dollars.

See also:

Want a Bigger Stimulus Check? Consider Filing Your Tax Return Early Wall Street Journal

TRANSPORTATION

Will President Biden restore high-speed rail funds that Trump took away from California?

Fresno Bee

A new spending plan for high-speed rail construction in the Fresno region anticipates an increase of about $1.3 billion in the price to complete pieces now being built in Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties, and expresses hope by state rail leaders of increased federal support from a new presidential administration and Democrat-controlled Congress for a broader statewide project..

Los Angeles Times

After four years of bitter fighting, California and the federal government agree they need to set ambitious climate goals, and major automakers are increasingly betting that the future of their business lies with electric cars.

Plane, train, bus passengers without masks now face fines up to $1,500

Los Angeles Times

Travelers who refuse to wear a mask in airports, bus stations and rail stations, as well as while aboard planes, buses and trains, can face a fine of $250 for the first offense and up to $1,500 for repeat offenses under President Biden’s executive order on COVID-19 safety.

WATER

Newsom promised to end California’s water wars. Now that Trump is gone, can he do it?

Fresno Bee

Valley moves from 'severe' to 'moderate' drought

Porterville Recorder

The series of storms that came into the area recently helped the Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada move from “severe” to “moderate” drought conditions.

Video: Building Resilience for Cities and Farms with Water Partnerships

Public Policy Institute of California

Moving from competition to cooperation can help solve water problems facing farms in the San Joaquin Valley and cities in Southern California, and better prepare both for a changing climate.

“Xtra”

Fresno Discovery Center to reopen with popular weekend programs

abc30

The Fresno Discovery Center is reopening for some popular weekend programs. The center is welcoming guests back for a pair of weekly events.