California Takes Huge Step Back

Los Angeles Times: California Coronavirus Shutdown Will Last Through Christmas As Deaths Explode Past 20,000
For millions of Californians, the COVID-19 pandemic will provide a most unwelcome gift this Christmas: a wide-ranging shutdown imposed as the state grapples with its most massive and dangerous surge in infections and hospitalizations to date. Monday provided even more devastating news: More than 20,000 cumulative deaths and more than 34,000 new coronavirus cases reported Monday alone, according to The Ti mes’ county-by-county tally of infections. That shatters the previous single-day record, set Friday, when 22,369 coronavirus cases were tallied. (Money, Lin II and Greene, 12/7)

AP: California Releases Smartphone Virus Tool As Cases Soar
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a voluntary smartphone tool to alert people of possible coronavirus exposure as cases soar higher, new restrictions are imposed and many people still say they won’t heed the pleas to stay home. The tool — which has been used on a pilot basis on some state university campuses — doesn’t track people’s identities or locations but uses Bluetooth wireless signals to detect when two phones are within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of each other for at least 15 minutes, officials said. (Taxin and Beam, 12/7)

In news from New York and Pennsylvania —

The Hill: Cuomo Warns Indoor Dining In New York City Will Be Banned If Hospitalizations Don't Stabilize Soon 
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said Monday that indoor dining in New York City restaurants may have to be shut down again if hospitalizations do not plateau in the days ahead. "We will manage the hospital system as well as it can be managed, but if you’re going to overwhelm the hospital system, then we have no choice to go to lockdown," he said Monday. (Budryk, 12/7)

CNN: 55% Of FDNY Firefighters Wouldn't Get A Covid-19 Vaccine If Offered By The Department, Poll Finds 
As cases of Covid-19 continue to rise across the country, a poll of firefighters in the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) found that nearly 55% of respondents would not get a Covid-19 vaccine if offered by the department, their union president told CNN Monday. Despite research that shows firefighters were 15 times more likely to be infected, a majority of those who took the poll declined the offer of a vaccine. (Sturla and Silverman, 12/8)

Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. National Guard Leader Abruptly Retires Amid Investigations Into Veterans’ Nursing Home, Horsham Air Base
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s top military affairs official abruptly retired over the weekend amid investigations into dozens of coronavirus deaths at a state-run veterans home in Chester County and allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation at a National Guard station in Montgomery County. Wolf on Saturday announced that Maj. Gen. Anthony Carrelli was retiring from his cabinet-level position, effective immediately. The administration would not explain the reasons for his departure. (Bender, 12/7)

In news from Nevada, Colorado and Idaho —

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Las Vegas Strip Draws Virus-Safety OSHA Complaints
Two of Nevada’s five most complained-about ZIP codes for potential COVID-19 safety violations encompass nearly all of the Strip, according to state data. Nevada’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Monday that it had received 407 total complaints, as of Dec. 2, concerning coronavirus regulations in Strip postal codes 89109 and 89119, which also include McCarran International, UNLV, the Las Vegas Country Club and some residential neighborhoods. (Shoro, 12/7)

The Hill: Husband Of Colorado Governor Taken To Hospital For COVID-19 
The husband of Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) was admitted to the hospital on Sunday after he and Polis both tested positive for COVID-19 late last month. The governor’s office said in a Monday statement that Colorado's first gentleman Marlon Reis was “admitted to the hospital following shortness of breath and a worsening cough.” (Pitofsky, 12/7)

Idaho Statesman: How Many People Have COVID-19 In Idaho Right Now? Nobody Knows. Here’s Why
Idaho is weeks behind on contact tracing efforts, as some infected Idahoans refuse to cooperate and the fall’s surge of COVID-19 cases overwhelms the public health infrastructure. As a result, public health departments haven’t been able to accurately report the number of Idahoans with COVID-19, or to quickly find and notify others who may have been infected. Public health officials hope that federal funds to help with COVID-19 response, and new personnel from the Idaho National Guard, can get them back on track. (Dutton and Foy, 12/7)

In updates from Iowa, Oklahoma and Florida —

Des Moines Register: Hy-Vee To Hire More Iowa Pharmacists, Open New COVID-19 Testing Sites
The West Des Moines-based grocer announced it will fill 1,000 licensed pharmacy technician positions across the Midwest, about 500 of which will be in Iowa, according to company spokesperson Tina Potthoff. Both full-time and part-time positions will be available at Hy-Vee's pharmacies to support COVID-19 testing and prepare for the rollout of a vaccine, the company said. “Right now, there is a critical need for trained pharmacy technicians who can help support our pharmacies and patients as we prepare for the next step in battling this virus,” Aaron Wiese, Hy-Vee executive vice president of business innovation and chief health officer, said in a news release. (Akin, 12/7)

The Oklahoman: Oklahoma Obamacare Premiums Are Lowest In Years, But Will COVID-19 Impact Sign-Ups?
Oklahomans will have more choices and the most affordable health insurance options in years through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplace. Thanks in part to a record number of insurers offering plans in Oklahoma for coverage that starts Jan. 1, the average monthly benchmark premiums on the federal exchange are down more than 20% from a record high in 2019. This is good news for health advocates who want to boost insurance rates during a time when COVID-19 has killed more than 280,000 and hospitalized more than half a million across the country. (Brown, 12/7)

The Hill: Agents Raid Home Of Ousted Florida Health Scientist Who Accused State Of Manipulating Data 
Florida state police raided a home on Monday belonging to a scientist who created the state’s COVID-19 data dashboard but was fired for what she says was her refusal to “manipulate data.” Agents from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) entered Rebekah Jones’s home with guns raised and confiscated computer equipment, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. (Choi, 12/7)