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Public health agencies have steadily lost workers since the 2008 recession. Tech can help address some of the biggest demands from the pandemic, but humans and better funding are still badly needed.
Scott Oswald, the managing principal at Employment Law Group, regarding the lack of guidance and regulations employers are receiving about workplace coronavirus testing. (PEW — June 8, 2020)
The amount proposed by the federal government to protect low-lying areas of Miami, Fla., from rising sea levels. The money would be used, in part, to create many miles of sea walls around the area.
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker asked the Federal Communications Commission to accelerate the broadband funding program so that more Americans have access to the Internet during the global pandemic.
The largest amount of the state’s CARES Act money will be used to provide renters, workers and business owners financial relief. Then the state will give to rural hospitals where patient loads dropped significantly.
Maryland’s contact tracing efforts began last week, but tracers can’t do their job if residents don’t answer the phone. But besides missed calls, officials are worried that there simply aren’t enough contact tracers.
The third version of the petition language to remove Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been approved by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. Now the petition has 60 days to get 1 million signatures.
A county and national leader, Alisha Bell has learned how to be a successful public official by following the path her mother laid down. Now she ensures that her actions will help those who will one day follow her.
We used to look to Washington for leadership in times of national crisis. Those days are gone, and we're seeing a transfer of power. Which level of government will come out on top?
Margaret Harris, WHO spokesperson, reminding those experiencing a loosening of restrictions and ordinances as some cities’ coronavirus cases decline. (Reuters — June 5, 2020)
The proportion of coronavirus-induced layoffs that are predicted to be permanent, according to a recent survey.
State election officials have replaced outdated equipment with a new $104 million system that includes paper ballots. However, experts believe a series of vulnerabilities pose security risks.
The city council approved the relief package, in hopes to stimulate job training, housing assistance, small businesses and expand broadband to the 60 percent of residents who currently don’t have access.
Kansas City, Mo., police chief was asked to resign by civil rights groups in the wake of George Floyd’s death and the chief responded by ordering police body cameras. Many don’t think body cams are enough of a change.
The large population of Los Angeles County makes it hard to gather representative data of confirmed COVID-19 cases. However, most officials believe that a majority of residents are still susceptible to the virus.
The pandemic has hit black people especially hard in terms of health and employment. Those conditions intensified long-simmering anger over police brutality and racism.
They're reimagining the ways they can continue to serve their communities during the pandemic and for the years beyond, taking action to survive, adapt and grow as vital local institutions.
They need to protect their citizens and businesses, but it's time for them to begin addressing the systemic racism underlying the protests that have roiled cities across America.
Apple CEO Tim Cook in an open letter, responding to the protests and death of George Floyd. (Business Insider, Apple — June 4, 2020)
The number of Americans who filed for unemployment last week, the first time the number has dropped below 2 million since the middle of March. This brings the total to almost 43 million filed claims.
Absentee ballots made up 99 percent of the votes from Michigan’s May election and there were zero reports of fraud. Election officials now work to assure voters across the state that mail-in ballots are secure.
The company that won the state’s $295 million contact tracing contract hasn’t revealed the subcontractors involved or how much tracers are being paid. The company also won’t discuss details of previous work it's done.
Both the Los Angeles Police Department and the FBI are using photos and videos to arrest individuals who looted or incited acts of violence during this weekend’s protests. But the move has generated concerns.
For weeks, public officials have warned against the dangers of mass gatherings. Now, some seem OK with protests. That's going to make it harder to convince people to avoid other activities.
In a socially distanced world, citizens who most need online support and resources are least likely to be able to access them. Recent bills on the digital divide, including broadband, are addressing the problem.
Rural America won't like it, but there are good arguments for Congress to provide direct aid to public transit systems and to municipalities that rely heavily on the hospitality taxes vacationers pay.
Marian Schneider, president of the election security nonprofit Verified Voting, regarding the false narrative that mail-in ballots are dangerous and at risk for fraud. (PEW — June 3, 2020)
The proportion of American workers who were working remotely in May due to concerns over COVID-19, according to a Gallup poll.
Fears of spreading the coronavirus have discouraged cash transactions and increased the number of card and online payments. But cashless transactions aren’t germ-proof, and for many poor families, cash is all they have.
Sonoma County plans to reopen schools, to some extent, despite concerns about health and budgets. But for many families, the schools are sources of day care and meals as well as education for their kids.
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