Public Health Officials To Newsom: Lockdown Won’t Work Without Enforcement

KFF Health News Original

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was out front nationally when he ordered nearly all Californians to stay at home to stem the spread of COVID-19. But local officials warn it won’t work without tougher enforcement.

California Lawmakers Struggle To Conduct Business Amid COVID-19 Lockdown

KFF Health News Original

In an interview with California Healthline, the state’s Senate leader, Toni Atkins, makes clear that with social-distancing measures in force it will be difficult to debate and pass complicated budget measures ― but public health, education and public safety will be priorities.

Photo Essay: LA Under Lockdown

KFF Health News Original

Californians are under orders to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus — and the result is that some of Southern California’s best-known spots are shuttered or deserted, from Santa Monica Pier to Olvera Street.

Some Hospitals Continue With Elective Surgeries Despite COVID-19 Crisis

KFF Health News Original

Even as many states put a moratorium on elective surgeries in a desperate effort to preserve dwindling stocks of protective gear, hospitals in other pockets of the country continue to perform a range of elective procedures. Some staff members and ethicists are voicing concerns.

Now On The Menu At Closed Schools: Drive-Thru Lunches

KFF Health News Original

As schools shutter to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, many districts are still offering free meals to their most vulnerable students. In two Southern California districts, families roll through school lunch drive-thrus to grab hot meals.

Gig Economy Workers Hurt By Coronavirus Eye New Federal Funds For Relief

KFF Health News Original

A law signed by Trump on Wednesday will provide financial help for self-employed workers, who generally don’t have paid leave. Some states also have family and medical leave programs that can be helpful.

A View From The Front Lines Of California’s COVID-19 Battle

KFF Health News Original

California physicians dealing with COVID-19 offer a sobering portrait of a health care system bracing for the worst of a pandemic that could be months from peaking.

Is The Bay Area’s ‘Unprecedented’ Lockdown The First Of Many?

KFF Health News Original

About 7 million people across the San Francisco Bay Area began to “shelter in place” Tuesday to limit the spread of the new coronavirus. Although public health officials acknowledged the orders were drastic, they also agreed they were necessary.

Lo que los padres deben saber sobre la difícil decisión de cerrar escuelas

KFF Health News Original

Los cierres son parte de una estrategia amplia para limitar las interacciones públicas y frenar la propagación de COVID-19. Pero la decisión está lejos de ser fácil, y es controversial.

In Face Of Coronavirus, Many Hospitals Cancel On-Site Training For Nursing And Med Students

KFF Health News Original

Hospitals and nursing homes say they are acting to protect students and patients, but nursing educators worry the pipeline of new nurses could be slowed at a time when they may be needed most. Some doctors in training have also seen their clinical rotations canceled.

Many Schools Have Closed ― But Not All. What Parents Need To Know About That Tough Call.

KFF Health News Original

Closing K-12 schools is part of a broad strategy to limit public interactions and slow the spread of COVID-19 cases. But the decision is far from easy, with conflicting science about how effective such closures are weighed against the massive disruption to families’ lives.

The High Cost Of Being Trump’s Enemy

KFF Health News Original

The ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and California’s Democratic leaders is costing the Golden State hundreds of millions of health care dollars — with billions more at stake.

Crushed By A Hospital Bill? Stand Up For Yourself

KFF Health News Original

Most hospitals must offer free or reduced-cost care to certain patients, based on income, even if they have insurance. But some hospitals erect barriers to charity care, so it’s up to patients to advocate for themselves.

Surging Health Care Worker Quarantines Raise Concerns As Coronavirus Spreads

KFF Health News Original

The number of U.S. health care workers who have been ordered to self-quarantine because of potential exposure to the new coronavirus is rising at an exponential pace. Many experts say something has to change.

Corralling Hard-To-Reach Voters With Traveling Voting Machines

KFF Health News Original

In advance of the Super Tuesday primary, California’s Los Angeles County is rotating new touch-screen voting machines among 41 locations, including adult day care centers and jails, to increase voting among populations with historically low turnout.