POLICY & POLITICS
North SJ Valley:
Coronavirus update: Turlock center has another death; Modesto faces big cuts
Modesto Bee
Deaths in Stanislaus County remained at 28 as of Tuesday. Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation Center reported another death, not in the county figure. A total of 670 people in the county have tested positive for the virus. Another 11,450 tested negative. The number of people hospitalized at some point is at 112, and 535 are presumed to be recovered.
Modesto faces budget shortfall due to coronavirus. Here’s what could be cut
Modesto Bee
Modesto could reduce watering at many of its parks from twice to once a week from spring through fall, do away with 14 police officer and seven firefighters positions — which now are vacant — and slash the roughly $2.2 million the Police Department spends annually on overtime by nearly 40 percent.
Central SJ Valley:
Coronavirus updates: Church will defy capacity limits; Will Fresno continue budget to 2021?
Fresno Bee
The number of deaths related to the coronavirus rose by nearly double digits in the central San Joaquin Valley on Tuesday. Fresno and Tulare counties reported four deaths each over the Memorial Day weekend and Kings County confirmed its third death.
See also:
● Fresno pastor Jim Franklin will defy state guidelines on church capacity Fresno Bee
● Fresno pastor will defy Newsom’s church capacity guidelines, join lawsuit Fresno Bee
● Opinion: What would Jesus do? To protect the vulnerable in COVID-19 era, he’d attend church online Fresno Bee
Fresno Mayor Brand proposes to roll over previous budget
Business Journal
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced Tuesday a proposal for a continuing resolution budget that would “roll over” appropriations for fiscal 2020 into the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
See also:
● COVID-19 prompts Fresno mayor to make unusual budget request, first of its kind in decadesFresno Bee
BREAKING: Tulare County meets ‘readiness criteria,’ can reopen pending state approval
Visalia Times Delta
Tulare County awaits the state’s approval of its plan to lift coronavirus restrictions and formally reopen much of its economy after meeting California’s “readiness criteria” Tuesday morning.
See also:
● More Tulare County businesses can now reopen with state approval. Here’s why Fresno Bee
Fresno vigil for Kaiser nurse who died from COVID-19
Fresno Bee
A Fresno nurse who had been exposed back in March to an infected coronavirus patient has died of COVID-19.
See also:
● COVID-19 Has Killed Close To 300 U.S. Health Care Workers, New Data From CDC Shows Valley Public Radio
Central Valley residents staying informed during COVID-19
Fresno Bee
On a recent hot Saturday in May, residents in a small tract of homes west of Fresno huddled under the shade to wait for a distribution of hygiene products and food.
South SJ Valley:
McCarthy leads fight against proxy voting by House members
Los Angeles Times
For the first time in U.S. history, House members on Wednesday voted without being physically present in the Capitol, a change in congressional rules brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic that Republicans are already turning into a campaign issue.
See also:
● Kevin McCarthy Leads House Republicans In Suing Nancy Pelosi Over New Proxy Voting RulesTownHall
● House conducts first remote vote in its 231-year history amid Republican legal challengeWashington Post
● Republicans versus the right to vote CALmatteres
Seven new deaths from COVID-19 announced Wednesday, bringing total to 36
Bakersfield Californian
Seven new deaths from COVID-19 were reported Wednesday morning by the Kern County Public Health Services Department, bringing the total to 36.
Porterville Recorder
On Wednesday morning the Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency released updated statistics for COVID-19 cases in the county. Tulare County now has 1,796 confirmed cases.
State:
abc30
When do gyms reopen in California and what will they look like when they do? Governor Gavin Newsom held a roundtable discussion on Wednesday to talk about reopening the fitness industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
See Also:
● Too soon for data, California reopens more businesses Bakersfield Californian
● In-Person Worship Is Now Allowed In California, But Some Religious Leaders Are Unsure About Opening Capital Public Radio
● Newsom says rules for reopening California fitness centers coming ‘in a week or so’ Los Angeles Times
● California is reopening too quickly, posing ‘very serious risk,’ health officer warns Los Angeles Times
● Newsom signals guidelines for reopening California’s gyms could come in June San Francisco Chronicle
● Newsom: California gyms could get reopening road map soon Politico
● OPINION: Americans fight over everything else — why not add religious services to the list?Modesto Bee
Rural CA county abruptly halts reopening after positive COVID-19 tests
Sacramento Bee
One of California’s most remote counties for months has prided itself on not having any confirmed cases of COVID-19. Earlier this month, it was among the first to win the go-ahead to begin reopening.
See also:
● Remote California county abruptly halts reopening plans, citing first COVID-19 cases Fresno Bee
● Newsom faces growing concerns that he’s reopening California too quickly Politico
Which California counties are reopening?
Los Angeles Times
California is currently in the second stage of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-stage plan to gradually reopen the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Democrats plan to reject Newsom cuts with or without federal aid
Politico
Newsom proposed sparing programs from huge reductions only if federal aid arrives, but the Senate majority caucus plans to avoid those cuts regardless of what the federal government does. If $14 billion in federal aid doesn’t materialize, the Senate would draw more on reserves and deferrals to help bridge the remaining gap.
Why repealing Prop. 209 won’t engineer a more equitable California
CalMatters
One day after the California Legislature reconvened this month, the controversial Assembly Constitutional Amendment 5 was approved in committee, 6-1, under the moralistic appeal of “hope for all.”
Walters: Budget item has an odd backstory
CalMatters
The moral of this story: Making important decisions for purely political purposes serves no one’s interest, including, in this case, the politician it was supposed to help.
Madrid: Coronavirus protests are about white anger, not the economy
Sacramento Bee
“Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.” The haunting lyrics of “Me and Bobby McGee,” made famous by Janis Joplin, defined the aspirational attitude of a young generation of Baby Boomers optimistically looking to change the world.
Federal:
In The Battle Against COVID-19, A Risk Of ‘Vaccine Nationalism’
VPR
The race to defeat the coronavirus can be viewed in two very distinct ways. One is based on international cooperation, with a vaccine treated as a “global public good.” The other is competitive, a battle between nations that’s being described as “vaccine nationalism.”
See also:
● What We Know About Coronavirus Tests, Treatment and Vaccines Wall Street Journal
● Will coronavirus end? Covid-19 may become endemic and last years Washington Post
States give few details on billions spent on virus supplies
AP
More than two months into the buying binge, many states aren’t sharing details about how much they’re spending, what they’re getting for their money or which companies they’re paying.
See also:
● Coronavirus lockdowns prompt lawsuits against states USA Today
States, cities challenge Trump mileage standards rollback
Bakersfield Californian
Nearly two dozen states and several cities on Wednesday filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s rollback of Obama-era mileage standards, saying science backed up the old regulations developed with the help of the nation’s car makers.
See Also:
● California’s 82nd lawsuit against the Trump administration seeks to restore clean car rulesSacramento Bee
● Battle between Trump and California over car pollution heads to court Los Angeles Times
● ‘This is checkmate’: Newsom thrives on Trump’s ire over auto deal Politico
● States Sue to Block Trump From Weakening Fuel Economy Rules New York Times
Twitter becomes Trump’s latest enemy after it tags his claims as false
Los Angeles Times
President Trump threatened Wednesday to strongly regulate or close down social media platforms he deems unfriendly to conservatives, escalating a war with Silicon Valley a day after Twitter for the first time warned that Trump was posting false claims, about mail-in voting.
See also:
● Trump sends tweet marking ‘very sad milestone’ of 100,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths Reuters
● Trump Threatens To Shut Down Social Media After Twitter Adds Warning To His Tweets VPR
● How Covid-19 pushed Twitter to fact-check Trump’s tweets POLITICO
● Appeals court ruling suggests little legal traction for Trump’s anti-Twitter campaign POLITICO
● Trump to sign executive order on social media amid Twitter furor POLITICO
● Fox’s Napolitano to Trump: First Amendment ‘does not regulate Twitter’ TheHil
● Republicans working on legislation to strip Twitter of federal liability protections TheHill
● In Draft Executive Order, Trump Would Seek to Limit Protections for Social-Media Companies Wall Street Journal
● Zuckerberg: ‘Facebook shouldn’t be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online’TheHill
● How to fact-check coronavirus misinformation on social media Poynter
● Trump’s Pants on Fire claim that Twitter is ‘completely stifling free speech’ by fact-checking himPolitiFact
● Trump executive order would challenge Section 230 protections for Facebook, Twitter and Google Washington Post
● Opinion: The ‘Fact-Checking’ Mess Twitter Has Created For Itself TownHall
The COVID-19 lockdown has served its purpose. It’s time to end it.
Washington Post
We should all do our part, but it’s time for kids to go back to school, to restart treatments and clinical trials for non-COVID-19 patients, and to stop asking millions of Americans to sacrifice their livelihoods.
National Review
American society is reopening, bit by bit, at different paces in different places. Even the District of Columbia is ending its stay-at-home order that has been in effect for two months; the Maryland suburb of Montgomery County now feels the need to acknowledge that they may be able to start phase one next week.
Brookings
Major changes to the nation’s school lunch program are afoot. Yes, you read that right. While millions of Americans are in lockdown and absorbed by COVID-19 and its fallout, the Trump administration has been working to change the way schools administer lunches to our kids—that is, whenever kids actually go to school. In fairness, the administration initiated the policy proposal back in January, but, as the pandemic rages on, the administration is pressing forward with these changes and a slew of other regulatory initiatives.
See also:
● Tracking deregulation in the Trump era Brookings
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 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:
Joe Biden backs new California labor law as Uber, Lyft and DoorDash try to undo it
Sacramento Bee
Joe Biden has declared himself firmly against the California initiative to overturn the new state law requiring companies to provide more benefits to app-based workers for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and others.
See also:
● Tech billionaires are plotting sweeping, secret plans to boost Joe Biden VOX
● What Is Joe Biden Talking About? Wall Street Journal
Capital Public Radio
President Trump claimed on Twitter Tuesday, without evidence, that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is sending millions of ballots to “anyone living in the state, no matter who they are,” while adding “This will be a Rigged Election. No way!”
See Also:
● California GOP’s attack on Newsom’s vote-by-mail effort exposes the party’s moral rot Modesto Bee
● Trump pushes aggressive GOP campaign against California mail voting San Francisco Chronicle
Could a massive economic turnaround guarantee Trump’s reelection?
AEI – The National Interest
Donald Trump could be lucky and have the stars realign for him come November 3. However, he could have to go the polls with an unfavorable economic and coronavirus backdrop.
Editorial: California Republican Party seeks to suppress voting rights
Sacramento Bee
Generations of Americans fought and died to preserve our rights, as citizens, to vote. Now, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, the California Republican Party (CRP) is trying to block Californians from using this right.
Other:
Trump retweets a video saying ‘the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat’
Washington Post
The speaker said he wasn’t being literal — but later suggest he might have been, at least in part. And this is part of a pattern for Trump.
See also:
● Opinion: Shining sunlight on Trump’s idiocy is the best disinfectant Washington Post
Now, more than ever, classical liberals must fight to uphold the open society
AEI – The Mercatus Center
The historical lessons of the Mont Pelerin Society provide the path to save the liberal order.
5 steps to get the internet to all Americans
Brookings
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical nature of access to fast and affordable internet service, as well as critical adoption gaps facing the United States. Former FCC Commissioner Tom Wheeler outlines five things to keep in mind for a universal broadband program.
AGRICULTURE/FOOD
These Stanislaus County restaurants reopen dine-in service after coronavirus shutdown
Modesto Bee
With restaurants in Stanislaus County now allowed to reopen their dining rooms, the only question left is what’s for dinner?
How California farms can survive the post-pandemic world
CALmatters
Growers will need to find new ways to market their products, such as shipping farm boxes directly to consumers.
Restaurants Say Socially Distant Dining Rooms Could Wipe Out Business
Wall Street Journal
Owners pare staff, calculate how long they can last as officials restrict seating to contain coronavirus.
Tackling Food Insecurity among K–12 Students during COVID-19
PPIC
Food insecurity—either concerns around having enough food or outright hunger—has increased sharply this spring. Nationally, among children age 12 and under, the rate is up 14 points—from about 3% in 2018 to 17% in April 2020. During California’s COVID-19 school closures, even large districts appear to be serving fewer free and low-cost meals than before the pandemic, while rural or small districts face their own challenges in reaching students.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE/FIRE/PUBLIC SAFETY
Crime:
San Joaquin County Superior Court partially reopens
Stockton Record
The San Joaquin County Superior Court is partially reopening and resuming court operations. The Stockton and French Camp courthouses are open, but entry is subject to the presiding judge’s order on Tuesday.
California jail population plummets during pandemic. Could this lead to long-term change?
Sacramento Bee
California’s long history of altering its criminal justice system — from requiring life in prison for third-strike offenders to reducing the punishment for hundreds of crimes — is having another moment that could dramatically alter how the state locks people up.
Editorial: No, criminals aren’t rampaging across California because of our zero-dollar bail policy
Los Angeles Times
Amid the stay-at-home orders that have helped to push California’s declining crimenumbers even lower, some sheriffs, police and prosecutors are complaining that certain pandemic-related measures are preventing them from doing their jobs and, as a result, are endangering the public.
Public Safety:
Anti-Asian discrimination climbs during pandemic, group says
Fresno Bee
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, there has been an increase in reports of anti-Asian discrimination and hate.
Avenal State Prison Outbreak Second Largest Among State Correctional Facilities
VPR
The Avenal State Prison now has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases among the state’s correctional facilities. The prison reported 198 cases as of Tuesday. No visitors have been allowed at the prison for months, said Kings County Supervisor Doub Verboon. He said he thinks a staff member had the virus.
See Also:
● Valley prison reports second-largest COVID-19 outbreak, 196 inmates test positive Visalia Times Delta
● Gavin Newsom wants to close prisons as coronavirus shreds California’s budget San Francisco Chronicle
Courts soon to emerge from coronavirus restrictions, reopening in a new reality
Public CEO
Southern California courthouses whose operations were drastically curtailed in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic are gearing up for a reawakening, but justice will look much different as judges work to balance health concerns and constitutional rights.
AEI
Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health authorities have designated older adults as “high-risk” for serious complications and have recommended extra precautions to protect them from the disease. Those in congregated settings like nursing homes have suffered extremely high rates of infection, serious illness, and death. While 11 percent of all COVID infections have been among nursing home residents, they account for 35 percent of deaths.
Fire:
PG&E’s bankruptcy trial opens with attacks on voting process
Bakersfield Californian
An effort to block Pacific Gas and Electric’s path out of bankruptcy kicked off Wednesday’s trial on the plan in bankruptcy court as critics of the utility questioned whether the overwhelming vote in favor of the plan by wildfire victims was tainted by conflicts of interest and shoddy counting.
California readies for ‘realistic’ nightmare — raging wildfires during a pandemic
CBS News
Giant wildfires, massive power shutdowns, packed hospital intensive-care units. California is preparing for all of it after a dry winter amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t furlough firefighters or Highway Patrol officers. Will Newsom?
Fresno Bee
The president of the California state firefighters’ union was briefly thrilled when Gov.
ECONOMY/JOBS
Economy:
Barbershops, hair salons in Fresno, Clovis begin to reopen after coronavirus shutdown
Fresno Bee
After being closed for about 10 weeks, Sarah Rhee and her husband, who own Peaceful Barbershop in Clovis, were flooded with calls early Wednesday from many of their regular customers needing haircuts.
See Also:
● Local hair salon owners making preparations to open businesses abc30
● Hair salons are reopening in Stanislaus County. Guidelines call for face coverings Modesto Bee
● A Look At Salon, Barbershop Reopenings In California Capital Public Radio
A silent coronavirus threat looms large as California reopens businesses
Los Angeles Times
At Eaton Canyon, a popular Pasadena hiking area, so many people crowded the trail Saturday morning — many without masks and jammed close together — that rangers shut it down for the rest of the month.
Security businesses still busy, hiring during the pandemic
Business Journal
The pandemic has made us more aware, through social distancing, face-masks, and hand washing, of public health and safety, but with many “non-essential” businesses closed, and shelter-in-place orders still in effect, concern for security might be on the backburner for most.
Why The Small Business Rescue Program Has Slowed Way Down
Valley Public Radio
When the federal small business rescue program was announced, Krista Kern-Desjarlais scrambled to research it, talking to her banker and digging online.
See also:
● House Passes Bill Loosening Rules on Small-Business Loans Wall Street Journal
Jobs:
Eighth Fresno Amazon employee tests positive for COVID-19
Fresno Bee
Another employee at Fresno’s Amazon warehouse has tested positive for COVID-19, at least the eighth worker since April who has contracted the virus in the south Fresno facility. In a text message to employees Tuesday evening, Amazon said the employee had not been at work since May 22.
See also:
● Amid coronavirus, he joined Amazon. 2 weeks later, he died Los Angeles Time
State workers could be reassigned for coronavirus work if volunteer drive comes up short
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration expects more state workers to volunteer for contact tracing assignments, and if they don’t, the state has the authority to reassign them to the work, according to an administration spokeswoman.
Unemployed because of coronavirus lockdown? Extra benefits are on the way in California
Sacramento Bee
More money is coming to unemployed workers in California, starting Wednesday. Anyone who’s used their allotment of up to 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits can now get up to another 13 weeks of payments.
See also:
● Another 2.1 Million People Filed For Unemployment Last Week, Bringing Ten-Week Total To 40 Million Forbes
● Another 2.1M in U.S. file for unemployment; 10-week total over 40M UPI
● 40.8 Million Out Of Work In The Past 10 Weeks — 26% Of Labor Force Valley Public Radio
Could Big Tech’s move to permanent remote work save the American heartland?
Brookings
Facebook and Twitter both recently expanded their remote work policies to accommodate for the COVID-19 crisis. Mark Muro says that a shift to widespread remote work, particularly within the tech sector, could expand opportunity in places that have been left behind over the last few decades.
Democrats press OSHA official on issuing an Emergency Temporary Standard
TheHill
House Democrats grilled a Labor Department official on Thursday on why the administration has not issued an Emergency Temporary Standard during the coronavirus pandemic.
The 7 Things You Need for an Ergonomic Workstation
New York Times
If you’re working from home indefinitely, it may be time to upgrade that home office.
EDUCATION
K-12:
‘We deserve a little more.’ Central Valley students protest high school graduation ceremonies
Fresno Bee
High school seniors in Visalia Unified said they are disappointed with what they described as a “lazy” graduationceremony they will receive this year. Schools in Visalia Unified are giving seniors a drive-through graduation to abide by Health Department shelter-in-place guidelines.
California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond gives update on reopening schools
abc30
Educators across California are using the summer to prepare for what’s shaping up to be an unconventional back-to-school season. On Wednesday morning, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond discussed the reopening of schools in the fall, and how California wants to close the digital divide among students.
See also:
● Thermometers, masks and lonely lunches: State schools chief previews what’s in store for students San Francisco Chronicle
● The Wonderful Company pledges 250,000 surgical masks for Kern schools KGET
New high school in Fresno will be named after beloved football coach
Fresno Bee
Central Unified School District’s new school will be named Justin Garza High School, the board voted Tuesday night. The name of the school was chosen from a list of about 200 suggestions submitted by the public.
California’s Subsidized Child Care Providers, Children & the Economy Can’t Afford a Pay Cut
CA FWD
Subsidized child care providers across California have stepped up to the challenge of providing early learning and care for families with low and moderate incomes during COVID-19 – particularly for children with parents who are essential workers.
Classes outside, face coverings and one-way hallways: How Los Angeles schools may reopen
EdSource
L.A. County releases guidelines for reopening schools ahead of state’s own guidance.
Higher Ed:
BC faces nearly 21% enrollment drop for fall semester, budget cuts
Bakersfield Californian
Bakersfield College is facing a 20.9 percent drop in its fall semester enrollment, mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to enrollment data from Institutional Research.
CSUB receives gifts to purchase software, technology for students’ distance learning
Bakersfield Californian
Cal State Bakersfield received two gifts, from the Wells Fargo Foundation and the Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation, totaling $85,750 and meant to support virtual learning, the university announced.
CSUB awarded $25,000 grant dedicated to improve diversity
Bakersfield Californian
Cal State Bakersfield announced Wednesday it was awarded a $25,000 grant from the California State University Chancellor’s Office that will further endeavors toward increasing the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, assisting the Leadership Academy and affinity groups on campus.
How lottery money for disks and video tapes could help California’s community colleges
CALmatters
Changing some legal language from 2000 could free up $81 million for the system, but it still needs to find over a billion dollars in solutions.
Should we forgive all federal student loan debt?
Wall Street Journal
The federal loan program should be improved to help borrowers who are struggling the most, rather than forgivingeveryone’s debt regardless of whether they really need the help.
ENVIRONMENT/ENERGY
Environment:
States, cities challenge Trump mileage standards rollback
Bakersfield Californian
Nearly two dozen states and several cities on Wednesday filed a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s rollback of Obama-era mileage standards, saying science backed up the old regulations developed with the help of the nation’s car makers.
See Also:
● California’s 82nd lawsuit against the Trump administration seeks to restore clean car rulesSacramento Bee
● Battle between Trump and California over car pollution heads to court Los Angeles Times
● ‘This is checkmate’: Newsom thrives on Trump’s ire over auto deal Politico
● States Sue to Block Trump From Weakening Fuel Economy Rules New York Times
Trump Environmental Rollbacks Roll On Despite Pandemic. Opponents Cry Foul
Valley Public Radio
Do public hearings over Zoom unfairly suppress opponents’ comments, or allow even more people to engage?
Heat wave scorches Valley as temps hit triple digits
Stockton Record
Wednesday is looking to be another scorcher for the Central Valley after already seeing record-breaking temperatures the day before. An excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service has been in effect since Monday and will run through 7 p.m. Thursday.
Energy:
Big Oil loses appeal, climate suits go to California courts
Stockton Record
A U.S. appeals court ruled Tuesday against major oil companies in lawsuits brought by California cities and counties seeking damages for the impact of climate change.
See Also:
● Big Oil loses appeal to stop climate lawsuits from going to court in California Los Angeles Times
Chevron to cut up to 15% of global workforce
San Francisco Chronicle
San Ramon oil and gas giant Chevron Corp. will lay off up to 15% of its 45,000-person global workforce amid the economic havoc wrought on the energy sector by the coronavirus.
HEALTH/HUMAN SERVICES
Health:
COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations continue to rise in Fresno County along with testing
Fresno Bee
The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in the central San Joaquin Valley continues to increase, and eight more deaths in the region were attributed Tuesday to the respiratory disease associated with the novel coronavirus.
See Also:
● Seven new deaths from COVID-19 announced Wednesday, bringing total to 36 Bakersfield Californian
● Turlock nursing home announces 19th coronavirus death. Positive tests stand at 156 Modesto Bee
● Most Fresno County COVID-19 deaths, 350 Tulare illnesses have been nursing home patientsFresno Bee
● Coronavirus Testing Machines Are Latest Bottleneck In Troubled Supply Chain Valley Public Radio
Coronavirus deaths top 100,000 in United States. ‘Too big for us to comprehend’
Fresno Bee
Coronavirus has killed more than 100,000 people in the United States, Johns Hopkins University reported Wednesday. There have been 5.6 million confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus worldwide, with more than 353,000 deaths, according to the university. The United States leads the world in deaths, with the United Kingdom following at more than 37,000 deaths.
See Also:
● US deaths from coronavirus surpass 100,000 milestone abc30
● ‘We All Feel At Risk’: 100,000 People Dead From COVID-19 In The U.S. VPR
● U.S. coronavirus deaths pass 100,000 mark in under four months, leading the world Los Angeles Times
● U.S. death toll from coronavirus surpasses 100,000 Politico
● As the coronavirus death toll reaches 100,000, the U.S. is not united in mourning. Instead, divisions are more obvious than ever. Washington Post
● ‘We All Feel At Risk’: 100,000 People Dead From COVID-19 In The U.S. NPR
● How the pandemic spread and contracted on its way to killing 100,000 Americans Washington Post
● For a numbers-obsessed Trump, there’s one he has tried to ignore: 100,000 dead Washington Post
Antibody tests can give you false report of COVID-19 immunity, CDC warns
Fresno Bee
The agency warns the tests can get it wrong about half of the time.
Fauci: Hydroxychloroquine not effective against coronavirus
POLITICO
However, Fauci stopped short of calling for an outright ban of the drug.
More People Are Taking Drugs for Anxiety and Insomnia, and Doctors Are Worried
Wall Street Journal
As coronavirus health concerns, social isolation and job-loss stress take a toll, people turn to medications; “It can very quickly become a habit.”
Human Services:
Stop being selfish: It’s time to wear face masks and prevent the spread of coronavirus
Fresno Bee
It feels constricting, it’s hot and sweaty, and looks unnatural. I am referring of course to wearing a face mask in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. All these months since California initiated statewide efforts to deal with the highly contagious virus, and I am still clumsy when it comes to putting a mask on before entering a store.
See also:
● Sanger residents now required to wear face masks in public abc30
Assessing COVID-19 Testing, Safety Protocols In California
Capital Public Radio
California continues to move forward with more reopenings as the state reports new coronavirus cases each day. Although the rate of infection is lower in California compared to many other states, the number of daily cases are rising.
Newsom wrong to defund Adult Day Health Care and other senior service programs
CALmatters
The article by Barbara Feder Ostrov deserves a thankful recognition of the serious negative impact Gov. Gavin Newsom’s May budget revise will have on the most needy and still independent seniors in our state.
For nursing home patients, covid-19 means isolation, grief and hope
Washington Post
Twelve nursing home and assisted living residents share what life has been like since the pandemic began.
Some Ivory Towers Are Ideal For A Pandemic. Most Aren’t.
California Healthline
As colleges and universities across the country juggle student and staff safety, loss of opportunities and loss of revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, even seemingly secondary considerations — how many entrances a school has, how close it sits to community foot traffic, how food is served — loom large.
COVID-19 Is Crushing Black Communities. Some States Are Paying Attention
PEW
Blacks are much more likely than whites to die of COVID-19.
IMMIGRATION
New California Relief Program for Undocumented Overwhelmed By Demand
VPR
California’s first-of-its-kind effort to get cash aid into the hands of undocumented workers affected by the coronavirus got off to a bumpy start over the past week. Across the state, tens of thousands of immigrants calling to apply encountered busy signals, crashed phone lines and frustration.
Family separation returns under cover of the coronavirus
Los Angeles Times
Dad lives about 10 miles from the White House, stringing together gardening jobs, not letting the kids touch him when he gets home for fear of contagion. Mom lives in a makeshift refugee camp on the border in Matamoros, Mexico, one of the world’s most dangerous cities, rationing soap.
Coronavirus on the border: California hospitals overwhelmed by patients from Mexico
Washington Post
U.S. immigration officials made a call that has become increasingly common during the coronavirus outbreak: for an ambulance to transport a U.S. citizen or resident from the Mexican border to the nearest American hospital.
LAND USE/HOUSING
Land Use:
California Courts May Shorten Tolling of Limitations Periods in Land Use Cases Under Emergency Rule
Environment and Land Use Litigation
On April 6, 2020, the California Judicial Council adopted Emergency Rule 9, which tolled statutes of limitations on civil causes of action for the duration of the state of emergency declared by Governor Newsom on March 4, 2020, and for 90 days thereafter. The effect of the emergency rule was to suspend the running of all statutes of limitations from April 6 until 90 days after the Governor declares the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic to be over.
Housing:
Housing package in Legislature aimed at streamlining construction, converting retail property
California Forward
Committee hearings begin this week in the State Senate for a package of bills aimed at increasing housing production and contributing to California’s economic recovery made necessary by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the bills seeks to make available a potential resource for improving housing affordability — underutilized commercial property.
Coronavirus Lockdown Severely Felt by California’s Housing Market
World Property Journal
Based on recent data from the California Association of Realtors, California home sales dropped sharply in April 2020 from both the previous month and year as the housing market began to feel the full impact of the coronavirus outbreak and the state’s stay-at-home order.
PUBLIC FINANCES
Forbes
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have announced that they have distributed more than 152 million Economic Impact Payments, sometimes referred to as stimulus checks. The payments total nearly $258 billion, with an average payment of $1,695 (that’s roughly the value of a check for a single adult and a child).
TRANSPORTATION
California High-Speed Rail slashing millions in spending on consultants as it plows ahead
Sacramento Bee
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration plans to cut millions of dollars in spending from the state High-Speed Rail Authority even as the costly project continues to move forward in the San Joaquin Valley.
More DMV field offices to reopen in the Valley this week
abc30
The California DMV is reopening dozens of their field offices this week to assist customers with in-person appointments. Several Valley field offices will open Thursday, including the Clovis office on Shaw Avenue, the Visalia office on Main Street and the Fresno office on Blackstone.
See Also:
● California DMV reopening dozens more offices — but your visit will look different Sacramento Bee
GET to install shields to protect bus drivers, adds additional health precautions
Bakersfield Californian
The board of Golden Empire Transit District board has approved spending up to $160,000 to retrofit 88 buses with polycarbonate shields to protect drivers from COVID-19 and other intrusions.
As Lockdown Orders Lift, Can Cities Prevent A Traffic Catastrophe?
VPR
Over the past few months, cities have had to deal with tremendous challenges — fighting a pandemic, preserving essential services, protecting their own workers, coping with devastating budget cuts. One thing local officials didn’t have to worry about was traffic, as the pandemic emptied city streets. But that’s about to change.
California bullet train could end up needing subsidies, despite promises to voters
Los Angeles Times
When California voters approved bonds in 2008 to build a bullet train across much of the state, a ballot measure promised them that future passenger service would not require operating subsidies.
Caltrans head says gas tax decline won’t be as bad as feared
Politico
Omishakinn said the state is projecting a loss of $1.8 billion over the next five years due to lowered gas tax revenue as people drive less during the pandemic and a statewide stay-at-home order. He said officials had been estimating higher losses based on initial driving declines of about 35 percent on state highways.
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
On May 5, 2020, the California Attorney General, along with the City Attorneys of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco filed a lawsuit on behalf of the State and respective cities, in San Francisco County Superior Court, against the leading ride-share service providers, Uber and Lyft (“Defendants”), for their continued classification of drivers as independent contractors. The case is entitled People v. Uber Technologies, Inc., et al.
WATER
State Water Project Allocation Increases to 20 Percent
California Water News Daily
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced late last week that the State Water Project will deliver 20 percent of requested supply in 2020. An initial allocation of 10 percent was announced in December and increased to 15 percent in January.
Video: A Review of San Joaquin Valley Groundwater Sustainability Plans
PPIC
Groundwater agencies in California’s largest farming region have submitted plans to address excess pumping. PPIC experts explain their plans to end overdraft and mitigate its undesirable effects, and next steps to achieve sustainability.
“Xtra”
Tehachapi’s Independence Day fireworks a go; other activities cut in wake of COVID-19
Bakersfield Californian
There will be fireworks over the skies of Tehachapi this Independence Day, but other activities such as the usual All-American 4th of July Festival at Philip Marx Central Park and Coy Burnett Stadium and the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo Association’s Bad Bulls riding event have been canceled.
Rudy Giuliani Is Looking for $10 Million to Finance a Ukraine-Biden Film…in Fresno
Mother Jones
Former NY Mayor was in Fresno not long ago trying to raise moneyfor $10 million to finance a Ukraine-Biden film.
‘World’s largest outdoor rodeo’ canceled for first time in 123 years due to coronavirus
TheHill
A Wyoming event billed as the “world’s largest outdoor rodeo” has been canceled for the first time in its 124-year history due to the coronavirus pandemic.