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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.
Whether or not an employee is working from an office, there are still some health and security risks that are a company’s responsibility. Questions have been raised about overtime and workers’ comp.
A liberal advocacy group tracked cellphones from protestors who attended stay-at-home rallies in April, without user consent. Protestors worry about their privacy, the state worries about public health.
History provides us with numerous examples of how knowledge and, most importantly, leadership either withstood the strain of a crisis, or unraveled. We are in one of those periods right now.
The pandemic is hitting African American communities hardest. Black mayors are taking the lead in narrowing racial disparities and working for policies that help protect everyone.
Alex Engler, a Brookings Institution scholar, commenting on misinformation campaigns that have been used to instill confusion and distrust during a time of national pandemic and protest. (NPR — June 1, 2020)
The amount that the GoFundMe to support George Floyd’s family in the wake of his death has raised in the five days since it’s been posted. Over 345,000 donors have contributed to the fund.
While not all medical services can be administered remotely, many expect certain services to continue post-pandemic. But telehealth still requires broadband, which is inaccessible for many in rural Indiana.
Maryland’s county officials want to add body cameras to the next proposed budget, hoping to provide transparency and accountability in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The cameras will add $4 million to the budget.
The state legislature has killed bills that aren’t COVID-19-related or low-cost in time and money. The biggest ones include gun safety, family and medical leave, and will have to wait until next year.
About 70,000 New Jersey workers have exhausted their unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Some received relief as the state opened slots for a 13-week extension. However, the rest still struggle to find work.
Tech experts who work with county court systems have implemented a number of digital changes to help justice continue to function in the time of COVID-19, and some of those changes may become permanent.
Circuit Judge Cheryl Albrecht, chief criminal judge for Multnomah County, Ore., regarding the ever-growing list of pending court cases. (PEW — May 29, 2020)
The amount that New Jersey needs to borrow to offset tax losses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Pittsburgh Port Authority was notified of the award through a tweet from President Trump and accompanying news release. But, officials delayed celebration until confirming the money was actually for them.
For many Detroit workers, taking the bus is the only option when it comes to getting to work. Unfortunately, that also means risking the spread of the coronavirus pandemic while on public transit.
There are software companies across the nation working to develop contact tracing applications to help track and stop the spread of the coronavirus. But privacy concerns slow down development and implementation.
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