November 18, 2020 Media Brief
Orange County
OC Register: Orange County to provide thousands of free in-home kits to test spit for coronavirus
Starting next week, the county, in partnership with Aliso Viejo-based testing lab Ambry Genetics, will make 11,000 spit testing kits available for Orange County residents to do themselves at home, which officials say are just as accurate as the ubiquitous nasal swab tests.
Voice of OC: How is Orange County spending its half-billion dollars in Coronavirus relief money?
County officials have allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for testing, protective equipment, small business grants, county workers responding to the pandemic, and other services. County officials haven’t released details of how it’s been spent, but they say it’s made a big difference in the lives of residents.
Voice of OC: Coronavirus hospitalizations keep increasing, health officer point to private gatherings
The rapid increases caused state public health officials earlier this week to put Orange County, along with a host of other counties, back to the Purple Tier, the most restrictive on the state’s business reopening system.
Voice of OC: Costa Mesa and Newport Beach may partner on homeless shelter near John Wayne Airport
The Costa Mesa City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday night to enter into a 5-year agreement with Newport Beach to team up on the shelter in an effort to address homelessness in the two cities. Council member Allan Mansoor was absent.
Labor
Labor 411: Biden to labor leaders: We’re turning a pretty dark corner now
Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris participated in the Zoom call with General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Target CEO Brian Cornell and Gap CEO Sonia Syngal. He said his objective was to ‘get our economy back on track. We all agree on the common goals, just have a slightly different perspective.’
California
Daily Pilot: As California pulls the ‘emergency brake’ due to COVID-19, Orange County businesses are stuck in neutral
The state recently issued a mandate requiring residents to wear masks when they’re outside of their homes with few exceptions. Only those younger than 2; have a disability or medical/mental health condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering; are hearing impaired, or are communicating with someone who is are exempt.
Publication Date: November 18, 2020
