Faced with business opposition, a state lawmaker fails to deliver on a pledge to require companies to report COVID outbreaks publicly. Supporters vow to fight for transparency in the name of public health and workplace safety.
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Posted inCalifornia Divide
Newsom wants extra $600 stimulus for low-wage Californians
The governor proposes a $600 stimulus for low-income Californians on top of the recent federal stimulus aid. He also wants to extend California’s eviction moratorium, which is currently set to expire Jan. 31.
Posted inCoronavirus
New law in 1 minute: California businesses must report COVID outbreaks
Millions of Californians continue to risk COVID-19 infection by showing up in person at work during the pandemic. But the state and federal governments have never required companies to share information about outbreaks with their employees — or to health authorities. More than nine months after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the first shelter-in-place order, a […]
Posted inCalifornia Divide
Becerra sues Amazon to cooperate with California’s COVID-19 safety investigation
California’s attorney general sued to get Amazon to comply with investigative subpoenas into the e-commerce giant’s coronavirus prevention efforts.
Posted inCalifornia Divide
Fresno County tracks COVID-19 outbreaks at workplaces. Why keep it secret?
Nine months into the pandemic, the public remains in the dark about most workplace outbreaks. Fresno County public health officials blame incomplete data and staffing shortages. One lawmaker may reintroduce legislation to make workplace outbreak data public statewide.
Posted inCalifornia Divide
Oregon posts workplace outbreaks, California has no such plan
Oregon led with transparency in reporting workplace outbreaks. California shields businesses so as not to shame them. The distinction has workers and public health experts worried.
Posted inCalifornia Divide
First county announces new COVID-19 protections for temporary ag workers
Santa Barbara County adopts new rules aimed at preventing COVID-19 outbreaks among H-2A farmworkers. The move comes amid reports of outbreaks, including a monthlong investigation by CalMatters and The Salinas Californian that uncovered outbreaks that sickened more than 350.
Posted inCalifornia Divide
CalMatters investigation, COVID cases spur bill requiring employers disclose workplace outbreaks
A bill on the governor’s desk would require employers to notify workers and county public health officials about coronavirus outbreaks. A joint investigation by CalMatters and The Salinas Californian uncovered reports of guest worker outbreaks where neither workers nor counties were notified.
Posted inCalifornia Divide
Why won’t counties report workplace COVID outbreaks to the public?
Coronavirus has exploded in essential workplaces across California, but many counties won’t report workplace outbreaks to the public, raising questions about who exactly ends up protected.
Posted inEnvironment
California weighs controversial rule to tackle truck tailpipe pollution
California’s clean air enforcers want major truck manufacturers to sell zero-emission vehicles in the state — but the agency’s proposal faces criticism from environmentalists and truck makers alike.