January 4, 2021

Orange County

Voice of OC: What can we learn from Orange County’s public sector COVID bosses?

Norberto Santana, Voice of OC publisher, included an interview with OCEA General Manager Charles Barfield in this story. “We expect the County to not only comply with its obligations under all Cal/OSHA standards and guidelines, but to ensure that workers be able to observe visible, verifiable actions commensurate with the rate of positive COVID-19 cases at each worksite,” said Barfield.

 

Voice of OC: Orange County headed into what could be toughest month yet of Coronavirus pandemic

Public health experts and frontline doctors are expecting Orange County’s coronavirus situation will worsen this month, with a potential wave of new cases stemming from holiday celebrations. Hospitalizations are already high. The trends aren’t expected to start reversing any time soon.

 

Voice of OC: Reflecting on Orange County’s resiliency in the year of the pandemic, protests, fires elections

The year 2020 in Orange County strained residents like no other — a pandemic, an economic crisis, strains on mental health and wildfires. But as we greet the new year let us also remember the light that shone through this past one.

 

Daily Pilot: Orange County reports 26 deaths in first coronavirus update of new year

Over the last two days, there were 23,385 reported tests for the virus countywide, bringing the total administered to 2,076,496. The healthcare agency estimates that 91,679 people in the county who have contracted the virus have recovered.

 

Daily Pilot: Joyce LaPointe sworn in as Costa Mesa Police’s first-ever female captain

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans — that seems to be the case for Joyce LaPointe, who came to Costa Mesa in 1987 to become a physical therapist and wound up making local history instead.

 

Labor

Labor 411: 19 states will raise minimum wages in 2021 – and the increases are “pathetic”

Only five states will provide an increase of $1 or more: Arkansas ($1), California ($1), Illinois ($1), New Jersey ($1) and, at the top, incredibly, New Mexico ($1.50). As the rich get obscenely richer during the pandemic, it is shocking to watch the working class – many of whom are essential workers – get crumbs.

 

Nation

OC Register: Camp Pendleton Marines deployed as crisis responders in Middle East face daily uncertainty as tensions rise

A Camp Pendleton quick reaction force deployed to the Middle East has spent its first seven months keeping ready for any crisis, training foreign forces and reinforcing security for the United State’s diplomatic mission amid heightened tensions.

 

Publication Date: January 4, 2021