An effort to fix problems with the oversight of California’s nursing homes has stalled, sparking fears that the bill is doomed — and prompting elder care advocates to warn that even a delay jeopardizes residents’ safety. “I’m incredibly frustrated,” said Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi of Los Angeles, author of Assembly Bill 1502. “The pandemic has […]
California
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State Slated to Reopen in Mid-June, Humboldt Moves to Orange Tier
Humboldt County has been moved into the state’s “orange,” or moderate COVID-19 risk ranking, after long stays in the more restrictive “red” and “purple” tiers. The new status will allow more business sectors open and expand indoor operations capacity for restaurants, gyms, movie theaters, places of worship and other organizations. (Find more information here.) The […]
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Is California Blowing it on Unemployment Reform?
If not for a persistent mail carrier, Lance Hastings might not have discovered all of the fake unemployment claims. Last September, the head of the California Manufacturers & Technology Association got the first jobless claim from a worker he’d never employed. Mistakes happen, he thought, and reported the letter sent to the group’s boarded-up former […]
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COVID-19 Vaccine Line Opening to 50-Plus Next Week, 16-Plus April 15
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that California residents age 50 and older will join the ranks of those eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations beginning April 1, with all individuals 16 years and older entering the line on April 15. “With vaccine supply increasing and by expanding eligibility to more Californians, the light at the end of […]
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Democrats Have Newsom’s Back as Recall Campaign Ramps Up
Gov. Gavin Newsom officially launched a campaign Monday against the effort to oust him from office, as fellow Democrats closed ranks to support him and his opponents plan this week to submit the last batch of signatures needed to trigger a recall election. Since Newsom’s flashy State of the State speech last week that looked like […]
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Humboldt Still Seeing Red; County had been Prepared to Stall Move to Purple COVID-19 Risk Tier
Humboldt County will continue to remain in the “substantial” or red COVID-19 risk tier for at least another week in what was apparently a close call. State data released at noon shows a local case positivity rate of 2.3 percent and 6.6 cases per 100,000 compared to the California average of a 2.8 percent positivity […]
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California Upends How It’s Divvying Up Scarce Vaccines; More May Land in Humboldt
Another sudden shift in state policy has triggered an array of concerns and confusion today about how California’s still-scarce COVID-19 vaccine supplies will be divvied up. Mark Ghaly, the state’s top health official, announced that 40 percent of California’s vaccine supply, starting with 2 million doses, will go to the poorest and most diverse communities. […]
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When Will Nursing Homes Reopen to Visitors? State Officials Won’t Say
Before the pandemic, Nancy Klein would spend up to seven hours a day at a nursing home in Riverside County, caring for her 53-year-old son, who was left unable to speak and move his limbs after a massive brain hemorrhage. She would suction his tracheotomy tube and massage his neck, arms and legs. But Klein […]
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Phasing in of New State Vaccine System Set to Begin Today
State health officials announced Friday that all counties will start playing by the same rulebook today, when Blue Shield will take over distribution of vaccines in California. A patchwork of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility policies that differ from county to county has deeply frustrated Californians. So state officials hired Blue Shield, one of the state’s largest […]
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Humboldt Returns to Red Tier
For the first time since January, Humboldt returned to the red or “substantial” COVID-19 risk zone, meaning some businesses can reopen for indoor service, including restaurants, gyms, movie theaters and places of worship, at reduced capacity. The state data shows the county with a test positive rate of 2.7 percent and a daily case rate […]
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Who Will Pay for All of California’s Unemployment Fraud?
A 1-year-old in Fresno raking in $167 a week. An ex-state employee stealing $200,000 from California’s unemployment system, some by impersonating Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Another $1.2 million swindled by a rapper who bragged about it on YouTube, $1 billion drained in the name of state prisoners, and $2 billion in jobless benefits siphoned off state-issued […]
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California Shifts Vaccine Priorities Again: People with Health Conditions Eligible Next Month
Californians with high-risk medical conditions will qualify for COVID-19 vaccines starting March 15, the state’s health secretary announced today. Under the state’s previous guidelines, people with chronic conditions did not qualify for vaccinations until people 65 and older, first responders, food industry workers and educators were vaccinated. Under the new guidelines, people ages 16 to […]