POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
Merced County prepares to reopen some businesses Friday, following governor’s decision
Fresno Bee
Merced County is preparing to reopen some businesses — under certain rules — as officials anticipate Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Thursday announcement specifying guidelines to move into Stage 2 of the state’s stay-at-home order on Friday.
‘Open really slowly.’ Stanislaus outlines next steps for businesses closed by coronavirus
Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County in California will slowly begin the process of restarting the economy shut down by COVID-19. On Friday, it will allow dog grooming, drive-in movies and retail stores providing curbside pickup.
Central SJ Valley:
Bredefeld, Crazy Bernie highlight Fresno Freedom Rally outside City Hall
Fresno Bee
At least 300 people gathered in front of Fresno City Hall at midday Wednesday for a Freedom Rally calling for an end to sheltering in place because of the coronavirus in California’s fifth-largest city.
See also:
- Dozens rally at City Hall to ‘Open Fresno’ abc30
- Hundreds call for businesses to reopen in Fresno Business Journal
- Warszawski: Fresno rally had protest signs, MAGA hats and shutdown anger — but protesters were peaceful Fresno Bee
Trying to keep up with Fresno ‘see-saw,’ even unauthorized small businesses prepare to reopen
Fresno Bee
Some Fresno businesses are scrambling to reopen Monday and are grateful for new guidance from city officials after a stint of confusion.
See also:
- How Valley businesses are evolving to cope with COVID-19 abc30
- Fresno auto dealerships, furniture stores and others can open on May 11 abc30
Coronavirus pandemic is impacting Fresno’s census count. What could it mean for the region?
Fresno Bee
Even before the global coronavirus pandemic reached the central San Joaquin Valley, there were concerns the region was in danger of being seriously undercounted in the 2020 Census.
Visalia will not penalize businesses for reopening
Visalia Times Delta
Visalia businesses can open in defiance of the governor’s stay-at-home order without fear of fines or enforcement by local authorities, city leaders said.
Mayor Bessinger Explains Lifting City Emergency Orders
Clovis Roundup
“We have pulled our orders back and now only the state orders are in effect,” Bessinger said. “We’ve also made it very clear that we are not going to enforce most of the stay-at-home things, that we are going to put that back on the state and the county. That is going to be their function.”
Hanford City Council to hold special meeting Friday
Hanford Sentinel
Ready and wanting to reopen some businesses in the city, the Hanford City Council will hold a special meeting Friday afternoon to discuss new information that is set to come out by the end of the week.
South SJ Valley:
Kern County city gets hit with triple whammy: Lockdowns, oil slump and prison closing
Los Angeles Times
The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is slamming cities and towns across the state. But for Taft, a city of roughly 9,300 people in far western Kern County, there have been a few extra punches to the gut.
Compared to California’s top-10 cities, Bakersfield grew the most in 2019
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield’s population boomed in 2019, at least compared with the state’s other 10 most populous cities. Bakersfield beat out cities like Sacramento and San Francisco in terms of population percentage growth in 2019.
KGET
State Sen. Shannon Grove and Assemblymember Vince Fong are two of several lawmakers asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to include churches as part of the state’s “Stage 2” for reopening the state from coronavirus-related closures.
State:
‘Urgency and panic’: Inside Gov. Gavin Newsom’s rush to buy coronavirus gear
Fresno Bee
A massive shortage of masks to protect doctors, nurses and other critical workers from the coronavirus sent California officials scrambling to vet companies on an unprecedented timeline, documents the State Treasurer’s Office released Wednesday show.
See also:
- California to get $247M refund as masks face delivery delay Fresno Bee
- Federal certification ‘delayed’ for the N95 masks California ordered from China Fresno Bee
- $250 Million Refund To California After BYD Subsidiary Fails To Meet Key Face Mask Requirement Capital Public Radio
- New cost details emerge in California’s secretive coronavirus masks deal with Chinese company Los Angeles Times
- Chinese firm will reimburse $247.5 million in controversial mask deal, contract shows Los Angeles Times
- Feds delay mask shipments in California’s $1B contract with Chinese firm San Francisco Chronicle
- Justice Department investigates Blue Flame Medical after claims that it failed to provide masks to MarylandWashington Post
- Desperate for coronavirus help, California spending billions on no-bid contracts with little accountability Los Angeles Times
- Newsom gets ‘partners’ in med supply deals: fed investigators CalMatters
Why California native tribes are cautious about ending shutdown. ‘We can’t lose a single elder’
Sacramento Bee
So far, no large outbreaks on tribal lands have been reported in California. However, 72 Native Americans have caught the disease statewide, and seven have died, according to COVID-19 data from the California Department of Public Health.
California regulators descend on Yuba and Sutter as coronavirus battle with Newsom heats up
Fresno Bee
The battle between California’s governor and two counties over reopening businesses amid the coronavirus crisis escalated this week when Alcoholic Beverage Control regulators visited a handful of restaurants in Yuba and Sutter counties, telling them to shut down.
See also:
- Customers return to first California mall to reopen with coronavirus precautions Fresno Bee
- See how prepared California is to reopen in 6 charts Fresno Bee
- Newsom reopens California business a crack. Digging out of a deep recession will take much more Sacramento Bee
- Mall reopens as rural California counties defy virus order Bakersfield Californian
- State moves to crack down on rural counties defying coronavirus shelter-in-place order San Francisco Chronicle
- Barbers, beauticians plan to sue Newsom over stay-at-home order Politico
- Skelton: Newsom is relying on public health officials for his coronavirus response. But he has to listen to others tooLos ANgeles Times
- Opinion: The changes we hope are permanent once the pandemic is over Los Angeles Times
- Opinion: What if we can’t find a cure quickly? Washington Post
California’s Capitol Grounds To Be Fenced-Off In Anticipation Of Another Demonstration
Capital Public Radio
Emails from legislative leaders say that, unless staffers have an “absolutely essential need” to be at the Capitol on Thursday, they should remain at home and work remotely.
CalMatters
A global pandemic should not take our eyes off an issue that will affect Californians for the next decade. In fact, it offers a unique opportunity to take the time to get it right.
Opinion: Why California’s Weakest Local Governments Should Not Survive COVID-19
Zocalo Public Square
California is finally getting the local government apocalypse it has long needed. In California, local governments are too weak and too small to be of much use. Why? There are simply too many of them
Federal:
Trump: COVID-19 task force not dismantling, just refocusing
Stockton Recorder
One day after saying that the White House COVID-19 task force would be winding down, President Donald Trump said Wednesday it would continue indefinitely but focus more on rebooting the economy.
See also:
- Trump calls Americans ‘warriors’ in fight to open the economy Los Angeles Times
- Opinion: Save us all from Jared Kushner Washington Post
Trump administration shelves CDC guide to reopening the country
Los Angeles Times
A set of detailed documents created by the nation’s top disease investigators meant to give step-by-step advice to local leaders deciding when and how to reopen public places during the still-raging pandemic has been shelved by the Trump administration.
See also:
- White House shelved CDC reopening guidance: report The Hill
- Admin shelves CDC guide to reopening country AP News
- Trump Says U.S. Must Reopen Even If More Americans Get Sick, Die Bloomberg
Native American tribes are suing the Trump administration over coronavirus aid. Here’s why
Sacramento Bee
Native American tribal governments were promised $8 billion in funds by April 26 under a coronavirus relief law President Donald Trump signed. The roughly 400 tribes splitting the money still haven’t received the aid.
Washington Post
A top donor to President Trump and the Republican National Committee will be named the new head of the Postal Service, putting a top ally of the president in charge of an agency where Trump has long pressed for major changes in how it handles its business.
Trump vows complete end of Obamacare law despite pandemic
Washington Post
President Trump said Wednesday he will continue trying to toss out all of the Affordable Care Act, even as some in his administration, including Attorney General William P. Barr, have privately argued parts of the law should be preserved amid a pandemic.
See also:
- Democrats slam GOP effort to have Supreme Court halt Obamacare during coronavirus pandemic San Francisco Chronicle
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Discharged From Hospital
Capital Public Radio
Ginsburg, who was treated for a gallbladder infection, was released on Wednesday. Monday through Wednesday, she participated remotely in the first Supreme Court hearings not held in person.
McConnell’s coronavirus business liability pledge sparks lobbying frenzy
Los Angeles Times
Republicans say they won’t support a new coronavirus relief bill unless it protects business owners from lawsuits related to COVID-19 exposure, sparking a lobbying frenzy from business groups hoping to get their industry or priority into the bill.
Coronavirus Trackers:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in California
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.
See also:
- California Department of Public Health
- 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
Elections 2020:
Democrats make case for role of government in virus response
Fresno Bee
Democrats are enthusiastically embracing the idea of a robust role for government in American life, abandoning concerns they might alienate the relatively narrow slice of independent voters.
California’s Top Elections Official: Mail Ballots for All Voters, But Some Polls Stay Open
Capital Public Radio
“Sending every voter a ballot in the mail makes all the sense in the world to me,” says California Secretary of State Alex Padilla. “But we are not advocating for a vote-by-mail only election.”
Shocking social media posts yanked by Republican House candidate
Politico
Accounts of Ted Howze, running for a competitive seat in California, demeaned Muslims and mocked a Parkland survivor.
Opinion: Joe Biden’s Challenge
Wall Street Journal
The Biden campaign wants the election to be a referendum on the president, so it may be enough simply to attack Mr. Trump. But that could fail if voters feel they don’t know who Mr. Biden is and what he cares about, especially once Team Trump tries to answer those questions for him.
See also:
- Opinion: Joe Biden and the Moralizers Wall Street Journal
- Opinion: Handicapping the Biden VP race: Kamala Harris by a mile The Hill
Other:
People in the U.S. are slowly going out more since the coronavirus peak. Here’s where and why.
Washington Post
After a peak week of sheltering in place in early April, U.S. residents began to inch out of their homes, according to new cellphone data. But even as states begin to “open up,” more Americans appear to be staying put than sprinting out the door.
See also:
- The Pandemic Emptied American Roads. But Driving Is Picking Back Up Capital Public Radio
Face masks make a political statement in era of coronavirus
Fresno Bee
The decision to wear a mask in public is becoming a political statement — a moment to pick sides in a brewing culture war over containing the coronavirus.
See also:
- How masks became a battleground between Democrats and Republicans San Francisco Chronicle
Los Angeles Times
Covering Congress is a physical, tactile job that doesn’t lend itself to social distancing. Capitol Hill is one of the few beats left in Washington where walking the halls in search of news is both viable and necessary to get the story.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
Plant with 138 coronavirus cases is main link to Kings County infections, supervisor says
Fresno Bee
Late last week, the county’s health department acknowledged that the significant increase in the number of coronavirus cases in Kings County was attributable in large part to the meat plant.
See also:
- 138 employees at Hanford meat plant test positive for COVID-19 abc30
- Kings County COVID-19 Spike Is Due To Meat Packing Facility in Hanford VPR
This beef problem will affect Fresno’s grocery stores, restaurants and taco trucks
Fresno Bee
Some fast food chains have struggled to find enough ground beef for their cheeseburgers since the coronavirus infected thousands of meatpacking workers across the nation. Local grocery store shelves may be next.
See also:
Local restaurants seating diners do so against state orders
Bakersfield Californian
Local restaurants that opened for dine-in customers this week did so in opposition to the governor’s orders, but local authorities say they won’t be rushing out to cite the scofflaws.
See also:
- After 2 days of dining room service, Moo Creamery, Mossman’s scale back to takeout only KGET
- Reopening plan has big changes for California restaurants Bakersfield Californian
- California restaurants envision big changes in reopening AP News
- 2 counties defied Newsom and reopened. Now California warns restaurants could lose licenses if opened too earlyLos Angeles Times
The COVID-19 crisis has already left too many children hungry in America
Brookings
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity has increased in the United States. This is particularly true for households with young children.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
DA responds to condemnation: ACLU ‘uninformed to the situation’ in Tulare County jail
Fresno Bee
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward is defending actions his office has taken to oppose bail reductions for more than 100 defendants under the state’s Emergency Bail Schedule.
FCC slaps Sinclair Broadcast with a record $48-million fine for ‘unacceptable’ conduct
Los Angeles Times
The Federal Communications Commission has fined Sinclair Broadcast Group $48 million — the largest financial penalty in the FCC’s 86-year history — as part of an agreement to resolve several investigations into the company’s alleged practices.
Jail Bookings Down Significantly during COVID-19
Public Policy Institute of California
Most misdemeanor and lower-level felonies currently have no bail amount associated with them, and that suspects are more likely to be cited and released instead of booked into jail.
CalMatters
As Californians shelter in place to protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19, many also face a grave threat at home: an abusive partner. California should provide grant money as an upfront payment available for immediate use by agencies.
Public Safety:
Fresno County civil courthouse to close due to coronavirus concerns
Fresno Bee
The B.F. Sisk courthouse , which is used primarily for civil suits, has closed for the time being after two employees had contact with a person who tested positive for the coronavirus, the Fresno Superior Court officials announced on Wednesday.
See also:
Amid pandemic, city’s Peacekeepers working to keep a lid on violence
Stockton Recorder
It may seem as though violent acts such as homicides and injury shootings are picking up, and they are. But compared with other cities around the nation during this pandemic, Stockton is looking good, according to the city’s Office of Violence Prevention.
CalMatters
The California Legislature should reintroduce legislation to reinvest in California’s mobile field hospital program and emergency preparedness.
Opinion: We cannot allow the normalization of firearms at protests to continue
Washington Post
While those who carry say they have no intention of using their weapons, the firepower alone creates a wordless threat, and something far more calamitous if even just one person discharges a round.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Stockton Recorder
Given the less-than-encouraging data, many experts ponder warily the consequences of much of the country reopening for business — even with some conditions.
See also:
What a reopened California will look like — and businesses’ odds of survival
Los Angeles Times
Businesses in California may start opening again as soon as Friday. But it won’t be business as usual. Social distancing and sanitation protocols are likely to stay in place until testing, contact tracing and a vaccine become widely available.
See also:
- Even if we get a coronavirus vaccine, a third of Americans may refuse it, poll finds Fresno Bee
- Opinion: How many will survive? Small and micro businesses look for lifelines as doors reopenSacramento Bee
Drive-throughs and drive-ins were fading. Coronavirus made them a lifeline
Los Angeles Times
Businesses that once would have never dreamed of serving customers in their cars — be it labs testing for the presence of the virus or fine dining establishments — are now taking a cue from curbside service by improvising drive-in and drive-through models.
Overlooked small businesses are finally getting federal loans. Challenges remain
Los Angeles Times
About three-quarters of more than $600 billion in PPP money now has been distributed, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.
Jobs:
Weekly unemployment claims rise by 3.2M as states move to reopen
Politico
The number of Americans losing jobs to the coronavirus pandemic continued last week to climb steeply, the Labor Department reported Thursday, with 3.2 million new unemployment claims filed.
See also:
- Over 33 million Americans lost their job during the pandemic. 77 percent believe they’ll get it back, Post-Ipsos poll finds. Washington Post
- 3.2 million more claim unemployment benefits in the U.S. New York Times
- Making sense of the monthly jobs report during the COVID-19 pandemic Brookings
Second Fresno Amazon employee positive for coronavirus. Company says precautions taken
Fresno Bee
Another employee at Fresno’s Amazon warehouse has tested positive for COVID-19, at least the second worker who has contracted the virus in the southeast Fresno facility.
See also:
- Second employee at Fresno’s Amazon center tests positive for COVID-19 abc30
- A ‘ticking time bomb.’ Valley essential workers share experiences amid coronavirus Modesto Bee
Uber lays off 3,700 as virus upends sharing economy
Hanford Sentinel
Uber said Wednesday it’s cutting 3,700 full-time workers, or about 14% of its workforce, as people fearful of infection either stay indoors or try to limit contact with others to minimize risk when they do venture out.
See also:
- Opinion: California Side-Swipes Gig Workers Wall Street Journal
California To Offer Workers’ Compensation To Those Who Contract COVID-19
Capital Public Radio
Eligible workers include those on the frontlines of the coronavirus response, such as nurses, doctors and medics. It also covers workers whose jobs have been deemed essential: workers on farms, and in grocery stores and warehouses.
See also:
- California makes it easier to receive workers’ comp for coronavirus claims Los Angeles Times
- California’s essential workers to get benefit of the doubt if they contract COVID CalMatters
EDUCATION
K-12:
No coronavirus vaccine. Summer vacation canceled. Do California parents want school in July?
Fresno Bee
After weeks of having kids isolated at home, many parents may be counting the days until California schools reopen. But Gov. Gavin Newsom’s statement last week that schools could be back in session as early as July is worrying some parents.
See also:
Clovis Unified to serve free meals to students every Wednesday
abc30
Clovis Unified has started providing free meal service for students on Wednesdays. So far, the school district has been providing meals every weekday, but from May 6, meals will only be served on Wednesdays.
Madera Tribune
It was just a matter of time until Madera Unified’s schools would close, the students would have to stay home. On March 13, 2020, the school board made that inevitable decision, and the district’s staff moved decisively to meet the challenge. Madera’s kids still had to be educated.
Capping It Off: PHS seniors receive caps and gowns — and support
Porterville Recorder
PHS staff and students held what could be called a drive-thru ceremony in which the school’s seniors picked up their caps and gowns and did it because the class of 2020 is missing out on most of the rites of passage graduates normally have.
Legislators vote to close school spending loophole
CalMatters
State lawmakers are one step closer to plugging a technical loophole that has allowed California school districts to divert funds intended for needy kids to other purposes.
Opinion: Improving Teacher Workforce Diversity
EdNote
According to the U.S. Department of Education, over half of the nation’s K-12 students are children of color, while about 80% of the educator workforce is white. States are increasingly interested in closing this diversity gap.
Opinion: We can’t reopen the economy without child care
Los Angeles Times
An increasing number of employees are expected to show up for work, starting now. Their jobs can’t be done remotely. But the schools are still closed, child care is limited.
Higher Ed:
Are layoffs coming? Fresno-area community colleges face massive budget shortfalls
Fresno Bee
The State Center Community College District in Fresno CA faces a potential $36 million budget loss as it deals with the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Trustees hope to avoid layoffs, but future uncertain.
Will others follow UC San Diego’s plan to widely test for coronavirus?
EdSource
Anew proposal to start testing 5,000 students at UC San Diego for the coronavirus next week, with wider testing by fall, has raised hopes about a possible way to safely reopen California universities.
New campus sexual assault rules bolster rights of accused
Fresno Bee
The U.S. Education Department on Wednesday finalized campus sexual assault rules that bolster the rights of the accused, reduce legal liabilities for schools and colleges, and narrow the scope of cases schools will be required to investigate.
See also:
- Federal Rules Give More Protection To Students Accused Of Sexual Assault Capital Public Radio
- Students accused of sexual misconduct get stronger protections under new federal rules Los Angeles Times
- Opinion: A Victory for Campus Justice Wall Street Journal
Boren: COVID-19 brings distance learning to Fresno State, and uncertainty for fall classes
Fresno Bee
It would be irresponsible to return the campus to normal operations if that also meant we would be endangering lives. But we also must acknowledge that the virtual classroom is unfair to many Fresno State students who come from disadvantaged households.
See also:
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
How do salmon always find their way home? Study reveals a remarkable GPS embedded in their skin
Fresno Bee
When it’s time to spawn, salmon have an uncanny ability to swim from the middle of the Pacific Ocean in almost a straight line directly back to the mouth of the river where they were spawned and make their way upstream.
It’ll be hotter in Modesto than earlier weather service forecast. But then, relief
Modesto Bee
You’ve already heard — and if you’re venturing outside have felt — that the heat is building this week. Both Saturday and Sunday, the daily high in Modesto was 77 degrees, the Modesto Irrigation District recorded. By Tuesday, the mercury reached 86.
See also:
- After this week’s near-record heat, California will return to cooler weather in mid-May Los Angeles Times
They’re not really called ‘murder hornets.’ And they’re probably not as bad as you think
Los Angeles Times
When news of the Asian giant hornet’s arrival in the United States first broke, the public was understandably worried: First the coronavirus, now “murder hornets”? What’s next, three days of darkness?
Back off the beach and the rising sea? No way, California cities say
CalMatters
With swelling seas now posing a greater threat to California’s economy than wildfires or severe earthquakes, authorities want those who live along some of the state’s famous shores to do what they’re loath to do: retreat.
Energy:
Why Kern County oil prices recently fell below the U.S. benchmark
Bakersfield Californian
How quickly things change on the oil market. Two weeks ago the price benchmark for Kern County crude, Midway-Sunset, towered over West Texas Intermediate, the national standard. But now WTI is on top.
See also:
- California Energy Price Data for April 2020 California Center for Jobs & the Economy
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
COVID-19 cases climb in Fresno region, as potential for more ICU patients worries doctors
Fresno Bee
The COVID-19 case count continues to grow at a significant pace in the central San Joaquin Valley, as Fresno and Tulare counties each added at least 50 new confirmed positive cases on Wednesday.
See also:
- Total coronavirus cases reported in Merced County pass 150, area counties see cases climb Fresno Bee
- Stanislaus County reports two more deaths to coronavirus, bringing total to 17 Modesto Bee
- Coronavirus update, May 7: Stanislaus deaths rise to 17; advice on household poisons Modesto Bee
- Another person dies as coronavirus cases push toward 1,000 in Tulare County Fresno Bee
- Why Tulare County is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases abc30
- Tulare County surpasses 900 COVID-19 cases Visalia Times Delta
- 2 more nursing home outbreaks hit Tulare County Visalia Times Delta
- Over 900 cases in county: CDPH reports skilled nursing facility data Porterville Recorder
- 28 new COVID-19 cases reported in Kern Bakersfield Californian
California’s heat wave could be deadlier because of coronavirus, officials say
Fresno Bee
Staying indoors without air conditioning is hard enough during a heat wave. But with stay-at-home orders in place across California due to the coronavirus pandemic, vulnerable people could be at even greater risk, state health officials say.
See also:
From Loss Of Smell To ‘COVID Toes’: What Experts Are Learning About Symptoms
VPR
When the coronavirus pandemic first emerged, public health officials told the world to watch out for its telltale symptoms: fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. But as the virus has spread across the globe, researchers have developed a more nuanced picture of how symptoms of infection can manifest themselves.
See also:
- Worried about catching COVID-19? Here’s how experts say to improve respiratory health Fresno Bee
- New coronavirus strain reported to spread more quickly Los Angeles Times
‘Truly problematic.’ Hand sanitizer ingestions surge during coronavirus pandemic
Sacramento Bee
Even before President Donald Trump’s controversial comments about internal use of disinfectants, calls to the California Poison Control System had risen due to increased use of cleaning solutions because of the pandemic.
Human Services:
Wearable patch can detect early signs of coronavirus, researchers say
Fresno Bee
Early coronavirus symptoms could be detected with a wearable patch, thanks to a new development.
California launches website to locate nearby coronavirus testing sites
abc30
People can go to COVID19.ca.gov to type in their zipcodes to find the nearest testing facility and make an appointment to get tested. The testing sites listed do not include hospital-based testing sites.
See also:
- Sanger opens free COVID-19 testing site abc30
- Calaveras County residents can test for COVID-19 in Lodi Stockton Recorder
UCSF doctor fights for the lives of COVID-19 patients
abc30
A Fresno doctor is giving COVID-19 patients a chance to recover through one of a few national experiments. When a COVID-19 patient lands in the ICU at Community Regional Medical Center or Clovis Community Hospital, Dr. Eyad Almasri is the man fighting for their lives.
California governor expands health coverage in virus cases
Hanford Sentinel
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed an executive order allowing employees across California’s economy to apply for worker’s compensation if they contract the coronavirus, with a presumption that it was work-related unless employers can prove otherwise.
Eerie Emptiness Of ERs Worries Doctors: Where Are The Heart Attacks And Strokes?
VPR
As the pandemic took hold, the number of patients showing up at hospitals with serious cardiovascular emergencies such as strokes and heart attacks has shrunk dramatically.
Nursing Home Association Asks For $10 Billion In Federal Coronavirus Relief Funds
Capital Public Radio
A trade organization called the impact on long-term care facilities “devastating.” The money would be used for personal protective gear, salaries for more staff, and hazard pay.
Wanted: Health care workers. Wait! Never mind…
CalMatters
California health care workers face layoffs, furloughs and pay cuts in the coronavirus pandemic, as hospitals and medical practices say they’re financially bleeding.
See also:
- Santa Clara County alone needs army of coronavirus contact tracers San Francisco Chronicle
- Opinion: House Calls Are Back—Virtually Wall Street Journal
Supreme Court hears arguments over exemptions to no-cost birth control under Obamacare
Los Angeles Times
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, speaking Wednesday from a hospital room in Baltimore, sharply challenged the Trump administration’s plan to exempt employers who have religious or moral objections to birth control from an Obamacare rule mandating that most health plans offer no-cost contraceptives.
See also:
- Opinion: The Supreme Court needs to rescue birth-control access from the Trump administration Los Angeles Times
IMMIGRATION
US sees 1st detained immigrant death from coronavirus
Bakersfield Californian
A 57-year-old man in immigration custody died Wednesday from complications related to the coronavirus, authorities said, marking the first reported death from the virus among about 30,000 people in immigration custody.
See also:
- San Diego detainee is first in ICE custody to die of COVID-19 Los Angeles Times
- ICE detainee in California is first in U.S. immigration custody to die of coronavirus Washington Post
For California Undocumented Immigrants, Coronavirus Relief Is Unavailable Even For Essential Workers
Capital Public Radio
There are around 3 million undocumented immigrants in California, with the majority employed in industries heavily impacted by the coronavirus. But many don’t qualify for unemployment or for federal stimulus money because of their status.
See also:
- State court allows Newsom’s $75M coronavirus aid for undocumented San Francisco Chronicle
- Opinion: A Former Farmworker on American Hypocrisy New York Times
Trump order to paint border wall black could drive up cost $500 million or more
Washington Post
President Trump is once more pushing to have his border wall painted black, a design change that is projected to add at least $500 million in costs, according to government contracting estimates obtained by The Washington Post.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
SJC will reopen some parks starting May 18
Stockton Recorder
San Joaquin County will begin to reopen some regional and community parks beginning Monday, May 18. The Parks Division will enforce social distancing restrictions to keep park guests and employees safe and healthy.
Housing:
2020 home sales plunge in wake of coronavirus
Visalia Times Delta
Home sales will likely plunge this spring in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but bounce back by the end of next year, according to a new forecast from real estate search site Zillow.
Council approves homeless shelter contract, more control over local reopening of economy
Bakersfield Californian
The Bakersfield City Council voted Wednesday to award a $3 million contract to the operator of a new homeless center set to open this fall, and also unanimously approved a letter in support of the county’s effort to obtain more local control in reopening the economy.
New law allows tenants to sue landlords over violating L.A. restrictions on evictions
Los Angeles Times
Tenants will soon have the right to sue landlords who violate restrictions that Los Angeles has placed on evicting renters during the coronavirus crisis, under a law passed Wednesday by the City Council.
EDITORIAL: Make masks mandatory to fight COVID-19 in Sacramento, but don’t forget the homeless
Sacramento Bee
Masks can help save lives. That’s why Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is right to call on Sacramento County residents to embrace the wearing of simple cloth masks in public places to help stop the spread of COVID-19. On Monday, Steinberg called for the county to embrace a mandatory mask rule.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Property tax relief announced as coronavirus hits California budgets
Fresno Bee
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday he has signed an executive order to waive the 10 percent penalty on late residential and small business property tax payments for those unable to pay on time due to the coronavirus emergency.
See also:
- Newsom announces property-tax relief for California homeowners and businesses San Francisco Chronicle
IRS wants you to return coronavirus checks sent to dead relatives. Here’s the process
Fresno Bee
The Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that anyone who got a payment on behalf of a deceased relative needs to send it back in full immediately.
No ‘apply here’ button. California’s unemployment website is confusing, jobless say
Sacramento Bee
The state department that runs the site acknowledges its web pages can be challenging at times, but says it’s constantly updating and working to improve the site.
Commentary: High court weighs timely pension case
CalMatters
It was purely coincidental that state Supreme Court justices heard arguments this week in a landmark case involving public employee pensions as state and local officials were beginning to wrest with the severe impacts of a pandemic-induced recession on their budgets.
TRANSPORTATION
Masks will be mandatory at LAX and on city buses beginning Monday
Los Angeles Times
Beginning Monday, anyone traveling through Los Angeles International Airport must wear a mask or face covering.
Silver lining in flight refund fight? A California law that may recover your money
Los Angeles Times
The silver lining is that is protection afforded by the California Seller of Travel Law. The law, established in 1995, helps safeguard consumers. It asks that any entity that does business in California register and maintain a California Seller of Travel number.
WATER
Henry: Crops grown with oilfield water OK’d by water quality board
SJV Water
Fruits and vegetables grown with recycled oilfield water in Kern County got a final stamp of approval last month, nearly five years after the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board began what it thought was going to be a three-month process investigating the water’s safety
“Xtra”
You can’t go out for Mother’s Day in Fresno. Here are options to take a restaurant meal home
Fresno Bee
You can’t take mom and the family out for a Mother’s Day meal this Sunday. But you can do the next best thing – get that meal from a restaurant and bring it home.
Using Mind-Body Practices To Deal With COVID-19 Stresses
Capital Public Radio
Yoga, tai chi,and qi gong can be done in isolation, but many people prefer to practice them in groups. With studios closed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, instruction that was done in person has in some cases gone online.