August 13, 2021 Media Brief
Orange County
Voice of OC: Over 600 children hospitalized since pandemic started, officials fear long-term effects
OC has been seeing a steady increase in cases since the June 15 statewide reopening, when nearly all pandemic restrictions were dropped. “The surge in cases is the result of the very contagious Delta variant and the desire for people to return to normal activities and discard their masks and discard social distancing measures.”
Voice of OC: Vaccine verification spreading as OC COVID-19 cases keep increasing
Starting today, people looking to visit local hospitals and other health care settings — like retirement homes — will also have to prove they’re fully vaccinated or tested negative for the virus in the past 72 hours, according to a mandate from state Health Officer Tomás Aragón.
OC Register: The Lambda COVID variant is in California: 5 things to know
Experts say Lambda could be more infectious and resistant to vaccines than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. But there is no evidence, at least so far, that it’s as infectious as the delta variant that now dominates California.
OC Register: OC hospitals, medical facilities hope to change minds of remaining unvaccinated employees in face of mandate
Resistance to California’s requirement remains among some healthcare workers, who say that regardless of the vaccine’s effectiveness, they oppose being forced to get it or they have some concerns.
OC Register: Irvine tenants, landlords can now seek rent relief from the state
The city reopened its application process, closed since March, as it prepares to get a second allocation of rental assistance from state and federal sources.
OC Register: In Orange County, reactions run the gamut to new vaccine mandate for teachers
“I am thrilled that he is mandating this for school personnel because they are in a public place and I am worried about their health, as well as the health of the kids who are too young to be vaccinated,” said Kimberley Harvie, a Laguna Hills mom of an incoming second-grader at Oxford Preparatory Academy in Mission Viejo.
Labor
Labor 411: New National Labor Relations Board leader to change dozens of Trump-era anti-labor decisions
“The National Labor Relations Board’s top lawyer previewed her goals for changing federal labor law—including the test for determining employee status, the boundaries of protected worker activity, and the extent of employers’ duty to bargain with unions.
Associated Press: Federal judge leaves CDC evictions moratorium in place
In discussing the new moratorium imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention because of COVID-19, President Joe Biden acknowledged last week there were questions about its legality. But he said a court fight over the new order would buy time for the distribution of some of the more than $45 billion in rental assistance.
Publication Date: August 13, 2021
