April 17, 2020 Media Brief
Coronavirus
Daily Pilot: Orange County reports 3 more coronavirus deaths, bringing total to 28; infections top 1,500
Deaths attributed to COVID-19 have come in fits and starts in Orange County. Some days, there are no fatalities. On days when deaths are reported, the daily toll ranges from one to three. This week’s run of nine deaths in three days matches a high-water mark between March 31 and April 2.
OC Register: 100-plus gather in Huntington Beach to protest stay-at-home orders
The nationwide rallies have been spurred in part by conservative social media – primarily Facebook groups and postings – and talk radio..
Voice of OC: Experts to receive 540 million plus in coronavirus response money from feds
Orange County officials estimate the county government will receive at least $540 million in federal stimulus money for its COVID-19 response costs, with the first half potentially coming by the end of next week.
KCBS: Orange County Clerk-Recorder Resumes Marriage Services Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
The general public can call the department’s marriage service hotline beginning Monday to set an appointment. The department will offer 60 appointments per day and will continue implementing strict social distancing guidelines.
Voice of OC: Buena Park joins other other OC cities in requiring face masks in public
Buena Park residents are now required to wear masks in public to limit the risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, and businesses that employ essential workers will have to provide non-medical face coverings to employees who interact with the public.
Voice of OC: Law enforcement leaders call on public to report elder and child abuse
Orange County’s top law enforcement officials are calling on residents to report suspected cases of child and elder abuse since institutions that normally report abuse cases, like schools and banks, are closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
California
KTLA: AG Becerra defends California’s extraordinary coronavirus shutdowns
What would normally be broad constitutional protections for freedoms of assembly, religion — even buying guns — have their limits when they endanger others during the coronavirus pandemic, California’s top law enforcement officer said in an interview.
Nation
Associated Press: Virus forced schools online, but many students haven’t followed
Teachers across the country report their attempts at distance learning are failing to reach large numbers of students. Hundreds of thousands of students are still without computers or internet access. Those who do log on have countless distractions: They are babysitting siblings, sharing laptops, lying in bed during lessons.
Publication Date: April 17, 2020