May 15, 2020

Coronavirus

Voice of OC: OC Mayors and Supervisors request urgent federal funding citing public safety risk

All of Orange County’s mayors and county supervisors are now calling on Congress and President Trump to provide “immediate, direct funding” to all local governments in the next stimulus bill, as cities and counties face sharp revenue drops that their leaders say threatens local public safety

 

Daily Pilot: Orange County: Nursing home, jail infections behind most recent increase in coronavirus cases

The county Health Care Agency reported 229 new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and 1,510 additional tests. This brings Orange County to 3,968 cumulative known infections and 61,619 total tests given. Deaths were steady at 80.

 

Voice of OC: Volunteer groups form in OC to feed front line workers during coronavirus

Groups of volunteers in Orange County and across the country are teaming up with local businesses on a mission of appreciation to feed frontline staff as they tackle the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

Daily Pilot: Costa Mesa lab retooled to test for coronavirus, now reads 1,000 tests a day and is ready for more

The lab runs about 270 samples on each of its PCR machines each shift, amounting to more than 1,000 tests per day. Lab officials say they can access enough personnel and equipment to double its output.

 

Voice of OC: Online only public comment for Poseidon desalination plant draws criticism

A state regional water board is drawing public criticism in Orange County for holding meetings on a controversial desalination plant in Huntington Beach, while public participation can only be done virtually amid the coronavirus health crisis.

 

Voice of OC: Irvine mayor calls for new vote on coronavirus antibody testing

Just days after approving antibody tests for coronavirus in Irvine, the city council could have a vote to revoke the decision. On Tuesday, the council approved the city staff’s proposal to order 1,000 antibody tests from US Health Fairs, a nonprofit health group started in February

 

California

KTLA: Newsom to propose 10 percent cut in pay for state workers to help cover state deficit

California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed $14 billion in budget cuts on Thursday because of the coronavirus, with more than half coming at the expense of public schools already struggling to educate children from afar during a pandemic.

 

Nation

Associated Press: US retail sales plunged a record 16% in April as virus hit

U.S. retail sales tumbled by a record 16.4% from March to April as business shutdowns caused by the coronavirus kept shoppers away, threatened the viability of stores across the country and further weighed down a sinking economy.

 

Publication Date: May 15, 2020