Maddy Institute – April 7, 2020

07Apr

POLICY & POLITICS

North SJ Valley:

Merced County residents ask supervisors for ‘true’ eviction moratorium amid coronavirus

Merced Sun-Star

Merced County residents asked Supervisors for a stronger eviction moratorium after Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order. Tenants must prove COVID-19 hardship. Banks are voluntarily doing mortgage moratoriums.

Stanislaus County to provide $1 million in coronavirus assistance to ailing businesses

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County leaders are proposing to put $1 million in a relief program for small businesses that are struggling during the coronavirus epidemic.

EDITORIAL: We held Stanislaus County accountable. Now, we thank them for improving coronavirus outreach

Modesto Bee

Stanislaus County has vastly improved its messaging to the public since the coronavirus pandemic burst upon us a few weeks ago. In fact, the county’s weekly Wednesday Facebook Live Q&A session has become must-see programming for anyone wanting the best local information on this life-changing crisis.

Modesto bans public from meetings due to coronavirus. There are other ways to participate

Modesto Bee

Modesto is barring the public from attending City Council meetings in person as part of helping stop the spread of COVID-19 but is providing them with other ways to participate.

Central SJ Valley:

Fresno businesses hurt by pandemic can apply for 0% interest loans. But they must hurry

Fresno Bee

Fresno city leaders on Monday announced the process for small businesses to get a piece of the $750,000 emergency loan effort that’s planned in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

● Applications now available for Fresno’s COVID-19 relief loans Business Journal

Members of this Fresno country club tee off on city, say golf is ‘essential’ business

Fresno Bee

Members of the San Joaquin Country Club want to play golf again. So they’re asking the city of Fresno to reconsider its position on golf courses during the current shelter-in-place order that allows only “essential” businesses to remain open amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Elect Dyer: Do Your Part and We Will Survive COVID-19

GV Wire

Jerry Dyer takes office as Fresno’s next mayor in nine months. Anticipating his Jan. 5, 2021 inauguration, Dyer is participating in city budget meetings with Mayor Lee Brand’s team. He is fully aware of the type of challenging economy he will inherit.

Madera Supervisors to Meet Tuesday, 3 Via Teleconferencing

Sierra News

The Madera County Board of Supervisors will hold their regularly scheduled board meeting tomorrow (April 7) — but Tuesday’s session is certain to be anything but “regular” as the board chambers at the County Government Center will be closed to the public due to COVID-19 — and the board will achieve a quorum via three supervisors videoconferencing into the meeting.

Hanford City Council to discuss downtown parking limits

Hanford Sentinel

In its first meeting via video teleconference, the Hanford City Council is scheduled Tuesday to discuss parking limits in the downtown area.

Zoning change on Lemoore City Council agenda

Hanford Sentinel

The Lemoore City Council is scheduled to have its first online-only meeting Tuesday to discuss a zone change in the city.

Valley residents urged to stay away from Tuolumne Co., for now

abc30

If you're thinking about taking a drive out of the Valley for some fresh mountain air and a change of scenery after weeks at home, officials in Tuolumne County say please don't.

South SJ Valley:

County officials tell schools not to make notifications of positive COVID-19 cases

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County public health officials have instructed all school superintendents to neither confirm nor deny positive cases of coronavirus among staff members to their school communities.

Wave of 700 layoffs hits Kern

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County government reported Monday it had received a wave of layoff notices from nine local employers cutting a total of about 700 jobs.

State:

California governor sticking with mid-May as COVID-19 peak

Bakersfield Californian

Gov. Gavin Newsom is sticking with a mid-May projection for when the COVID-19 outbreak will reach its peak in California, continuing efforts to stockpile hospital beds and protective gear for health care workers even as a new analysis suggests the virus' spread could be slowing sooner.

● ‘Very difficult days ahead’ as jump in coronavirus deaths expected across California Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus: California cases top 15,000, testing backlog begins to clear San Jose Mercury

See where hospital ICU beds in California are filling up fastest with COVID-19 patients

Fresno Bee

California’s intensive care hospital beds are filling up with COVID-19 cases. About 1,085 confirmed and 575 suspected COVID-19 patients were under treatment in California’s ICUs on Sunday, according to the latest figures from the California Department of Public Health.

● Governor: PDC has 246 beds to care for those with COVID-19 Porterville Recorder

CA Department of Aging, AARP Introduce COVID-19 Resource Card

Sierra News

The California Department of Aging, in partnership with AARP, is releasing the California For All Resource Card, a one-stop information guide on COVID-19 for ALL Californians – but especially designed for older adults.

How California Lawmakers Are Governing From Home

Capital Public Radio

Sent home due to coronavirus, the California Legislature has turned the nation’s most populous state into a mass experiment in remote governance.

Coronavirus stimulus checks are coming to California: Here’s who gets money, who doesn’t

Fresno Bee

While about 85 percent of all California tax filers — a total of 14 million households — should see federal stimulus benefits starting later this week, a lot of people won’t get the instant cash right away.

See also:

● Federal Fiscal Relief and COVID-19: Implications for Californians California Budget & Policy Center

Millions of Californians could lose health insurance in coronavirus-driven recession, study says

Sacramento Bee

Hundreds of thousands of Californians have already lost their employer-sponsored health insurance since the coronavirus outbreak upended the national economy and millions more could follow, according to a new study by a health care consulting firm.

California eases child care regulations for critical workers

CalMatters

While some details are still to come, the governor's executive order could deliver some much-needed relief to essential workers straining to balance their jobs and children.

Skelton: Gov. Newsom’s California Health Corps to fight coronavirus is unprecedented. Now he needs to produce

Los Angeles Times

It’s easy for political leaders to order people to stay home and cover their faces when they venture out. What’s hard is to make all those ambitious programs work that they’re launching.

EDITORIAL: ‘Calexit’ suddenly seems popular in Iran. But most Californians know the idea is a joke

Sacramento Bee

“Khar too kharé” provides a great way to describe Iran’s seemingly odd campaign of support for the insignificant and ridiculous “Calexit” movement, which advocates for California’s secession from the United States.

Federal:

Americans brace for 'hardest, saddest' week of their lives

abc30

The U.S. is still awaiting the peak, and Surgeon General Jerome Adams offered a stark warning about the expected wave of virus deaths.

Congress, White House reach high for next virus bill

Sacramento Bee

Congressional leaders are jolting ahead with another coronavirus rescue package as President Donald Trump indicated that Americans will need more aid during the stark pandemic and economic shutdown.

● Opinion: After the Cares Act, hospitals and businesses need sustained support AEI

● Treasury preparing to seek more than $200 billion to replenish small business coronavirus program Washington Post

On Coronavirus, Trump Walks A Tightrope Between Grim Warnings And Offering Hope

Capital Public Radio

President Trump said "we certainly want to try" to lift restrictions on life in the U.S. by April 30 but he made no definitive commitment at a news conference on Monday at the White House.

Trump has ‘warm conversation’ on phone with Biden about the coronavirus outbreak

Los Angeles Times

President Trump said he had a “really wonderful, warm conversation” with Joe Biden on Monday about the coronavirus outbreak. The conversation was the culmination of a dayslong effort by aides to get the two on the phone.

House moves to electronic filing of bills and floor documents to reduce staffing during pandemic

Roll Call

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Monday that the House is moving to require the electronic submission of documents related to floor action as an effort to “reduce the physical presence of Members and staff in the Capitol.”

EDITORIAL: Trump’s insistence on ‘America First’ is stunting the global fight against COVID-19

Los Angeles Times

It was obvious even before Donald Trump became president that he disdained cooperation with other nations, including traditional allies, and that he had little interest in shoring up international institutions that the United States helped to create.

Lawmakers fight for a piece of coronavirus ‘9/11 Commission’

Politico

Four proposals are circulating in the House to establish a commission that investigates the government's response.

Coronavirus Trackers:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California

Covid19.ca.gov

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

● Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC

● Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pandemic - WHO

● John Hopkins University & Medicine John Hopkins University

● Tracking coronavirus in California Los Angeles Times

● Coronavirus Tracker San Francisco Chronicle

● Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count New York Times

● How many coronavirus cases have been reported in each U.S. state? Politico

● Coronavirus Daily NPR

● Coronavirus tracked: the latest figures as the pandemic spreads Financial Times

● Coronavirus in California by the numbers CalMatters

● Tracking coronavirus hospitalizations in California by county CalMatters

● To aid coronavirus fight, The LA Times releases database of California cases

Los Angeles Times

Elections 2020:

Are California politicians still campaigning during coronavirus? They are – and here’s how

Merced Sun-Star

While many congressional campaigns saw donations drop during the coronavirus pandemic, Fresno Democrat Phil Arballo had one of his best fundraising weeks since he launched his bid to unseat Republican Rep. Devin Nunes.

Democrats spend $1 million on healthcare attack ad in California House race

Los Angeles Times

The coronavirus outbreak has forced political candidates to rethink the way they campaign, but Democrats are returning to a familiar strategy: focus on healthcare.

Coronavirus Crisis Offers Test for Biden’s VP Shortlist

Wall Street Journal

Mr. Biden, who has committed to nominating a woman, has been looking at multiple candidates who have spoken out strongly about the pandemic in recent weeks, including Sens. Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren.

Ballot initiatives in the era of COVID-19

Capitol Weekly

While organizations technically have until April 21 to turn in signatures to qualify for the November ballot, the shutdown effectively means that those that didn’t collect enough signatures by mid-March probably won’t make it. At best they can hope for possibly qualifying for November 2022.

Opinion: How to spur the youth vote during coronavirus crisis

San Francisco Chronicle

Now that coronavirus has twisted the trajectory of the millions of college students nationwide, there is a way to save the youth vote, while disaster-proofing future elections.

EDITORIAL: How to inoculate the November election against coronavirus

San Francisco Chronicle

California is in a better position than most states to help voters cast their ballots without risking their health.

Other:

Stuck binge-watching? Stop and fill out your census

US Census

Are you at home in front of the TV? Take 10 minutes out of your day and fill out the 2020 Census. It's quick, easy and you can even do it on your smartphone. Now more than ever we need an accurate count. These numbers impact healthcare, schools, roads and public safety.

Opinion: The coronavirus crisis will change America in big ways. History says so

Los Angeles Times

It is too soon to say, before this crisis has crested, how the pandemic will shape what becomes America’s new normal.

Opinion: Pandemic Truths and Consequences

Capital & Main

As uncertainties and conflicting data swirl around COVID-19, a few truths about the poor bear repeating. One: COVID-19 is going to ravage the poorest Americans. Two: Like many facets of life for the most vulnerable, it’ll take some time before we see the full extent of the damage.

AGRICULTURE/FOOD

California grows all of our fruits and vegetables. What would we eat without the state?

Slate

If California were to disappear, what would the American diet be like? Expensive and grainy. Price surges would eventually become the larger issue.

America’s Farmworkers Await the Virus

Capital & Main

Farmworkers may be considered “essential,” but the undocumented workers who pick the nation’s food are excluded from the CARES Act. Co-published by the American Prospect.

Food for the Frontline formed to feed hospital staff and help local restaurants, too

Bakersfield Californian

Working with the Kern Community Foundation, Frontline Kern County is raising money to provide meals to emergency room staff who may be feeling a little overwhelmed, quality meals prepared by local restaurants — all paid for through local donations.

Prominent chefs call on Congress to expand aid, say more is needed for restaurants to survive

Los Angeles Times

A national advocacy group that represents more than 5,000 restaurant owners and chefs is calling for Congress to provide more financial relief amid the coronavirus pandemic for the independent restaurant industry and the 11 million people it employs.

Coronavirus Hits Meat Plants as Some Workers Get Sick, Others Stay Home

Wall Street Journal

The coronavirus pandemic is hitting U.S. meat operations, slowing and temporarily halting production at some plants as sickness and fear keep workers home.

For Grocers, Eggs Are Getting More Expensive Amid Coronavirus

Wall Street Journal

Wholesale egg prices have more than tripled as consumers’ coronavirus-driven buying clears supermarket shelves, piling up costs for grocers as they struggle to keep the staple in stock and affordable.

FEOC "Food Express Bus" providing meals on the go

abc30

Fresno children are now able to get healthy meals during the pandemic thanks to the "Food Express Bus."

● Food Express Bus Providing Grab-and-Go Meals for Kids Fresno EOC

CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY

Crime:

California courts leaders approve $0 bail for low-level suspects. Will it be signed?

Fresno Bee

California courts leaders Monday voted to temporarily end cash bail for suspected lower-level offenders as the state’s judicial system continues to confront the coronavirus crisis.

● Bail suspended, remote hearings approved by state’s judicial leaders San Francisco Chronicle

● Judicial Council Adopts New Rules to Lower Jail Population, Suspend Evictions and ForeclosuresCalifornia Courts

As Stay-At-Home Order Increases Risk Of Domestic Violence, Resources Remain Available For Victims

Capital Public Radio

Being isolated due to COVID-19 can be stressful for people in violent relationships who are at home with their abusers. But many crisis lines and resources for victims of domestic violence are still available.

See also:

● Community voices: Protect children by responding to abuse Bakersfield Californian

Public Safety:

Fresno County courts to stay closed due to coronavirus, with some exceptions, judge decides

Fresno Bee

Continued concern about the coronavirus pandemic, has caused the Fresno County Superior Court to remain closed until May 1, with some exceptions.

TCSO to crack down on parties

Visalia Times Delta

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths continues to climb in Tulare County, local law enforcement say they are taking steps to stop those who "blatantly ignore" public health orders.

Dozens of California prison workers have tested positive for coronavirus

Sacramento Bee

Fifty-three people who work at California state prisons have tested positive for COVID-19, according to new figures released on Sunday.

See also:

● Coronavirus Puts a Prison Under Siege Wall Street Journal

EDITORIAL: The U.S. Supreme Court just made it easier for police to pull you over

Los Angeles Times

On Monday, the Supreme Court made stops even easier, ruling 8 to 1 that police may pull over a vehicle because its owner’s driver’s license has been revoked — notwithstanding the fact that it’s common for the driver of a car to be the owner’s spouse, child, neighbor or friend.

Fire:

Market tumult threatens PG&E deal with wildfire victims

Hanford Sentinel

Lawyers who negotiated a crucial $13.5 billion deal for the victims of deadly wildfires caused by Pacific Gas & Electric equipment are expressing serious doubts about whether the nation's largest utility will be able to pay the full amount as the economy sinks toward a recession.

● Fire victims seek assurances on PG&E’s $13.5 billion bankruptcy deal San Francisco Chronicle

ECONOMY/JOBS

Economy:

Key CARES Act Relief Provisions Available to Employers By Business Size

AALRR

The CARES Act provides a catalogue of financial benefits to companies. Each company’s eligibility for certain programs will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of its workforce.

· CSUB’s Small Business Development Center to host webinar for small business ownersBakersfield Californian

Virus puts event planning industry on brink of devastation

Hanford Sentinel

Social distancing and stay at home mandates have shut down events across the United States and around the world as people strive to limit contact with others and slow the pandemic. The events industry, which exists to bring people together, has been hit particularly hard.

Retail thought it was facing the apocalypse. Then came the coronavirus

Los Angeles Times

More than 15,000 stores could permanently close this year, according to Coresight Research. That’s approaching double the 9,548 stores that big chains announced they would shutter in 2019, a particularly brutal year for retail.

Stocks leap 7% on ‘raw optimism’ that coronavirus peak is near

Los Angeles Times

Grabbing hold of a few glimmers of hope Monday that the COVID-19 pandemic could be slowing, investors sent stocks surging in a worldwide rally, capped by a 7% leap for the U.S. market.

EDITORIAL: How We Get Our Lives Back

Wall Street Journal

Partial reopening of the economy wouldn’t be perfect. But it’d be a huge step forward.

Jobs:

Wave of 700 layoffs hits Kern

Bakersfield Californian

Kern County government reported Monday it had received a wave of layoff notices from nine local employers cutting a total of about 700 jobs.

Rite Aid hiring thousands to keep up with demand during COVID-19 crisis

abc30

Drugstore giant Rite Aid announced they plan to hire 5,000 employees for full and part-time roles across the county, all of whom would be eligible for an increased wage for working during the COVID-19 crisis.

What’s Essential? Confusion Clouds Workers, Employers

Pew Trusts

Are construction workers essential? It depends. The standards for what constitutes essential work under COVID-19 pandemic rules vary state to state, city to city.

‘These people are warriors.’ Meet the waste workers taking risks to sort your recyclables

Los Angeles Times

California’s grocery store workers and medical professionals are getting a lot of attention. But they’re not alone on the front lines: Waste workers have become “warriors” who sort recyclables and collect trash.

How long will we be working from home? What we know — and what we don’t

Los Angeles Times

As we head into the fourth week of a statewide order to shelter in place, many of us can’t help but wonder: When will it end and when can we all go back to work?

Aid to unemployed freelancers lags as California officials await federal guidance

Los Angeles Times

A new federal law gives freelancers desperately needed unemployment insurance coverage in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But California employment officials have yet to implement the new rules because they’re awaiting federal guidance.

● Uber connects out-of-work U.S. ride-hail drivers to delivery, production jobs

Reuters

Grocery workers are beginning to die of coronavirus

Washington Post

Major supermarket chains are beginning to report their first coronavirus-related employee deaths, leading to store closures and increasing anxiety among grocery workers as the pandemic intensifies across the country.

EDUCATION

K-12:

Newsom says schools to remain closed

Madera Tribune

“Students will not be returning to their school sites for the remainder of this semester/school year.” This is the latest word from Madera County Superintendent of Schools, Cecilia Massettti, Ed.D., to the superintendents of Madera County’s school districts as they attempt to provide educational leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With prom, sports and graduation canceled, teens’ struggle with coronavirus is real

Fresno Bee

Parenting during a time of pandemic is not something the baby books covered. While parents of younger kids are focused on keeping kids busy and entertained right now, some of us are dealing with a whole other challenge: Teens.

FUSD teacher starts YouTube channel for students

abc30

While students are working to tackle their studies at home, one Fresno teacher is getting creative when it comes to educating her high school students about a tough subject.

Stockton Unified kicks off Chromebook distribution

Stockton Record

Stockton Unified School District on Monday started checking out Chromebooks to students who do not have technology access at home. The district also has a limited number of Wi-Fi enabled hotspots.

As School Moves Online, Many Students Stay Logged Out

New York Times

Teachers at some schools across the country report that fewer than half of their students are participating in online learning.

Betsy DeVos on coronavirus: What are the feds doing to help schools?

AEI

I had the chance to talk with Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos about what she’s doing at the department and the federal response to coronavirus. Here’s what she had to say.

Opinion: COVID-19 is a health crisis. So why is health education missing from schoolwork?

Brookings

The CDC has detailed guidance for schools on COVID-19, but they provide no specific guidance on the importance of incorporating public health messages into ongoing teaching and learning.

Higher Ed:

California makes concession for nursing students after coronavirus affects training access

Fresno Bee

The director of the Department of Consumer Affairs waived rules on the clinical hours that nursing students must complete after many hospitals suspended their on-the-job training programs in preparation for a surge of patients sickened by the new coronavirus.

Financial hits pile up for colleges as some fight to survive

Bakersfield Californian

Colleges across the nation are scrambling to close deep budget holes and some have been pushed to the brink of collapse after the coronavirus outbreak triggered financial losses that could total more than $100 million at some institutions.

How Cal State is navigating the coronavirus: Your questions answered

CalMatters

You’ve got questions about how your CSU education will be disrupted during the coronavirus pandemic. Chancellor Tim White has answers.

ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY

Environment:

California poised to ban sportfishing in some areas. Rural towns worried about coronavirus spread

Fresno Bee

California is poised to close the spring sportfishing season in some counties in response to worries that anglers will spread COVID-19 to rural communities.

Yosemite Valley wildlife, waterfalls emerge amid coronavirus lockdown

Sacramento Bee

"While so much has changed for humans in recent weeks, it's reassuring to see that nature carries on as it always has," Yosemite National Park wrote. Spring arrives, the sun emerges after rain and snow, waterfalls pick up, wildlife abounds.

Energy:

Solar power growth was strong before coronavirus hit. Now demand is plummeting

Los Angeles Times

When the coronavirus hit China late last year, America’s solar industry immediately started worrying about manufacturing. Asia is the main source of panels and other equipment, and with residential installers anticipating a bumper year, a bottleneck in the supply chain could be a major hindrance.

California Energy Price Data for March 2020

California Center for Jobs & the Economy

These numbers begin to reflect changes coming from another source of economic disruption, the collapse in world oil prices stemming initially from a battle within OPEC for market share between Saudi Arabia and Russia and now intensified by the sharp decline in economic activity coming from the emergency social distancing measures.

HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES

Health:

Fresno County reports second coronavirus death, region’s dead rises to 11

Fresno Bee

The second Fresno County death related to coronavirus was reported by health officials Monday, in addition to 16 new infections. Eleven people total have died from the respiratory illness COVID-19 in the central San Joaquin Valley’s five counties: Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare.

● No new COVID-19 cases in Merced County reported Monday, after weekend surge, first deathMerced Sun-Star

● Tulare County confirms a sixth death related to coronavirus, bringing region total to 10 Fresno Bee

● Majority of Tulare County COVID-19 cases in Visalia area abc30

● Another COVID-19 death, 135 cases Visalia Times Delta

● Kern's coronavirus cases rise to 252 Bakersfield Californian

● Pneumonia deaths are on the rise, CDC says. How does coronavirus lead to the illness? Sacramento Bee

● Why some scientists fear deadly outbreaks are on the rise Los Angeles Times

When will COVID-19 cases peak in Fresno and how long will we have to shelter in place?

Fresno Bee

Fresno can expect to see its peak in coronavirus cases a few weeks after some of the state’s larger metropolitan areas, Fresno County health officials said Monday.

Suicide calls in California have spiked during coronavirus crisis. Here’s how to find help

Fresno Bee

Telephone calls and texts to Wellspace Health’s Suicide Prevention and Crisis line from across California increased by 40 percent between February and March amid the coronavirus crisis, according to a news release.

Visalia nursing home outbreak jumps to 44 cases

Visalia Times Delta

A Visalia nursing home outbreak now accounts for more than half of the city's COVID-19-infected patients.

Coronavirus symptoms may show up less often in children who are infected

San Francisco Chronicle

Children with COVID-19 are less likely to have severe symptoms and require hospitalization than adults, according to a new study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why does COVID-19 kill some, not others? Immune response seen as key

San Francisco Chronicle

It is scary enough that a dangerous virus is multiplying throughout the world, but one of the most frightening aspects of COVID-19 is the mysterious way it affects its victims, killing some people and leaving others with mild or no symptoms.

Number of healthy years of life: countries compared

Eurostat

In 2018, the number of years a person is expected to continue to live in a healthy condition at birth in the European Union (EU) was estimated to be 64.2 years for women and 63.7 years for men.

To aid coronavirus fight, The LA Times releases database of California cases

Los Angeles Times

In an effort to aid scientists and researchers in the fight against COVID-19, The Times has released its database of California coronavirus cases to the public.

Human Services:

See where hospital ICU beds in California are filling up fastest with COVID-19 patients

Fresno Bee

● Governor: PDC has 246 beds to care for those with COVID-19 Porterville Recorder

Hospitals, clinics try to keep ready during calm before expected COVID-19 surge

Bakersfield Californian

A troubling new paradox is emerging in local health care as hospitals and clinics try to stay staffed up and ready for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases at a time when they are bleeding red ink because of a sharp drop in normal business.

● Hospitals Reject Trump's Claim They Are 'Really Thrilled' With Supplies NPR

California lends 500 ventilators to 4 states, 2 territories

Bakersfield Californian

The White House said Monday that 500 ventilators on loan from California will be shipped to Nevada, Maryland, Delaware, the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam as the nation faces a crush of coronavirus-related hospitalizations.

See also:

● State loans out 500 ventilators to help others Stockton Record

● California has enough ventilators for now, Newsom says Los Angeles Times

● California lending 500 ventilators to distribute to hardest-hit states San Francisco Chronicle

● California sends 500 ventilators back to national stockpile Politico

● As coronavirus cases top 16,000, Newsom is ‘confident’ about the state’s supply of ventilators, hospital beds San Jose Mercury

● As coronavirus rages, nursing homes have ventilators that hospitals desperately need Los Angeles Times

Inside the frenzied campaign to get coronavirus supplies to California. Will it be enough?

Los Angeles Times

Emergency management officials say they are now moving mountains of protective masks, gloves, gowns and other medical supplies to California hospitals, as the highly coveted gear has started flowing in recent days out of federal, state and local stockpiles.

● How do you clean homemade face masks? How often? Here’s what you need to know Sacramento Bee

● Are homemade face masks effective against COVID-19? PolitiFact

● Your guide to coronavirus face masks and coverings: How to do it right Los Angeles Times

First government report on coronavirus crisis confirms U.S. hospitals face dire problems

Los Angeles Times

The first government report on the state of the nation’s hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic has confirmed that they are facing severe shortages of tests, critical protective gear and the staff needed to treat and protect both patients and healthcare workers.

● Despite Promises, Testing Delays Leave Americans ‘Flying Blind’ New York Times

● Coronavirus ravages services for people with disabilities, leaving many at risk CalMatters

● Yes, US shipped donated personal protective equipment to China in February PolitiFact

● Fact-checking Jared Kushner’s comments on the national stockpile PolitiFact

Blood tests will determine who has had coronavirus — and may be immune

San Francisco Chronicle

Blood tests that determine who’s had the coronavirus — and may have developed immunity to it — could help decide who’s ready to return to work. One being developed at Stanford University may be released as soon as this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

● Fresno blood bank seeks recovered COVID-19 patients for plasma donations Business Journal

EDITORIAL: ‘Corona memes’? Why does this anti-vax California doctor think COVID-19 is a joke?

Fresno Bee

Dr. Bob Sears, a prominent figure in California’s anti-vaccination movement, announced on Facebook last week that his business has been slow due to the coronavirus shutdown. He urged patients to come in for routine annual physicals.

Addiction Treatment Pivots for Coronavirus

Pew Trusts

Nationwide, addiction treatment clinics are expanding their hours, hiring more staff to take people’s temperatures, providing home delivery and curbside pickup for medication, and revamping procedures to limit human contact.

Reopening Closed Hospitals Challenges Cities

Route Fifty

As city leaders across the country scramble to find space for the expected surge of COVID-19 patients, some are looking at a seemingly obvious choice: former hospital buildings, sitting empty, right downtown.

Medical providers hope emergency funds, waivers stay in place

Roll Call

Health care lobbyists hope a suite of emergency authorizations granted under the coronavirus pandemic will mark a turning point for a long list of industry requests.

Scientists Rush to Find Coronavirus Cure—but It Still Isn’t Fast Enough

Wall Street Journal

More than 140 experimental treatments and vaccines are in development world-wide, with researchers squeezing monthslong timelines into weeks or even days. But that still might not be fast enough to curb the spread of the pandemic.

● Opinion: Bet big on treatments for coronavirus AEI

IMMIGRATION

America’s Farmworkers Await the Virus

Capital & Main

Farmworkers may be considered “essential,” but the undocumented workers who pick the nation’s food are excluded from the CARES Act. Co-published by the American Prospect.

Foreign doctors on front lines of COVID-19 fear deportation from U.S .

Los Angeles Times

Thousands of foreign doctors are working on front lines of the battle against COVID-19 in the U.S. They worry they’ll be deported if they stop working.

LAND USE/HOUSING

Land Use:

Some local parks in Merced County close in response to coronavirus. Others remain open

Merced Sun-Star

Some local parks in Merced County have closed or have limited access in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Housing:

Fresno County working to house hundreds of homeless

abc30

Housing the homeless population has become a priority as the coronavirus sweeps through the nation and Central California.

California Courts Suspend Eviction, Foreclosure Proceedings Until 90 Days After Coronavirus Emergency Lifted

Capital Public Radio

Many tenant advocates praised the move, but said it doesn’t prevent landlords from starting the eviction process despite going further than Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent eviction moratorium.

● California halts tenant evictions statewide, court governing body rules San Francisco Chronicle

After COVID-19, we must invest in—not isolate—our most vulnerable communities

Brookings

The ways in which we’ve quarantined these groups in ordinary times—from those without a permanent home to those in the criminal justice system—provide the most potent illustration.

PUBLIC FINANCES

How the coronavirus could permanently cut near-retirees’ Social Security benefits

AEI

Assuming a 15 percent decline in the Social Security Administration’s measure of economywide average wages in 2020, a middle-income worker born in 1960 could have his annual Social Security benefits in retirement reduced by around 13 percent, with losses over the retirement period in excess of $70,000.

TRANSPORTATION

Storer Transportation blasts Modesto officials over dial-a-ride bus contract

Modesto Bee

These restrictions come as council members face a controversial decision: whether to award a contract worth as much as $27.6 million over nine years for dial-a-ride services.

How Will Public Transit Survive the COVID-19 Crisis?

Capital & Main

With ridership in free fall, transit agencies face a long road back to normalcy.

Less Driving, Fewer Accidents: Car Insurers Give Millions in Coronavirus Refunds

Wall Street Journal

One of the largest car-insurance companies in the country, Allstate Corp., and a smaller Midwestern auto insurer are refunding hundreds of millions of dollars to their policyholders, citing a dramatic drop in accident claims from Americans hunkered down in their homes.

WATER

California gets widespread rain, snow from spring storm

Bakersfield Californian

Snow and rain fell Monday on California as spring delivered the kind of stormy weather that was missing most of the winter. Chain controls were in effect for vehicles in much of the Sierra Nevada, where weekend snow caused traffic disruptions and avalanche threats.

Groundwater Sustainability Planning Undeterred by COVID-19

Public Policy Institute of California

We talked to Dave Ceppos—who, as managing senior mediator at Sacramento State’s Consensus and Collaboration Program, is working with many GSAs—about how the pandemic is affecting the complex public outreach process required by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

See also:

● What’s the Plan to End Groundwater Overdraft in the San Joaquin Valley? Public Policy Institute of California

Opinion: Collaboration is the answer to California’s fishery and water supply challenges

CalMatters

California has the opportunity to enter a new era in water management. Unprecedented efforts by leaders at the state and national level have led to the kind of cooperation that will provide valuable benefits to water users and the environment.

“Xtra”

How Can We Make Farm Work Healthier? (Streaming Online)

Zócalo Public Square

On Tuesday, April 14th, organic farmer and artist Nikiko Masumoto, Huron Mayor Rey León, health researcher Chia Thao, and Tania Pacheco-Werner, co-assistant director of the Central Valley Health Policy Institute, visit Zócalo to consider how to make farm work healthier.

Fresno Krispy Kreme giving out free doughnuts to healthcare workers on Mondays

Fresno Bee

The company's free doughnut promotion to show gratitude for employees in the medical field has brought huge lines of cars waiting in the Fresno drive-thru line.

10 easy food crops for your garden during coronavirus pandemic

San Francisco Chronicle

In times of insecurity, we return to the basics, such as being with those we love, cooking with staples or growing food. While a garden takes time to grow, and it won’t fully feed your family, it can definitely increase your sense of calm and provide some help with groceries.

Modesto-area religious groups stay connected during coronavirus pandemic. Here’s how

Modesto Bee

Churches in Modesto and Stanislaus County in the Central Valley of California are adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic. Christians are observing Lent and soon Easter. For the Jewish, Passover is about to begin.

Chelsea Bieker's 'Godshot' skewers the parched Central Valley

Los Angeles Times

Bieker’s debut novel, “Godshot,” offers a heightened but still empathetic portrait of those who live and work in her fictional Central Valley town, Peaches.