covid-19

Bakersfield Drs. Dan Erickson and Artin Massihi from Accelerated Urgent Care held a press conference at their Coffee Road facility on April 22. They claimed their COVID testing proved the novel coronavirus had spread widely in the region and was thus less of a concern, but public health experts say they were jumping to that conclusion based on an unrepresentative sample. Photo by Alex Horvath / The Californian

Health

Cue the debunking: Two Bakersfield doctors go viral with dubious COVID test conclusions

The doctor duo lit up social media with conclusions about their clinic's coronavirus tests — but infectious disease modelers quickly assailed their claims as statistically flawed.

By

Barbara Feder Ostrov

• April 27, 2020

Dr. Sumana Reddy demonstrates a Telehealth exam using Updox, a HIPPA-compliant video chat software, one of several programs her clinic relies on to meet with patients.

Coronavirus

Virtual medical visits are the new normal during the coronavirus pandemic

California's stay-at-home order to slow the coronavirus has significantly accelerated the use of telehealth visits. Some health systems in California report up to 80% of their patient visits are handled by video chat or a phone call.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

and

Elizabeth Aguilera

• April 27, 2020

California grocery workers hope the state adopts a new rule making it easier for essential workers like them to receive workers' comp benefits if they contract COVID-19. This masked worker stocks produce at Gus's Community Market in San Francisco. Photo by Ben Margot, AP Photo

Coronavirus

Governor’s quandary: Who should get California workers’ comp benefits for COVID-19?

Gov. Gavin Newsom could order that essential employees who contract coronavirus did so on the job and automatically qualify for workers' comp benefits. Businesses warn that could cost billions.

By

Barbara Feder Ostrov

• April 26, 2020

A man wearing disposable gloves and a bandana over his face walks past a boarded up shop on Haight Street in San Francisco on April 7, 2020. California is entering the fourth week of sheltering in place to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, and the number of Californians hospitalized and those in ICUs with COVID-19 is starting to edge up only slightly. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

CA to feds: Can we borrow >$11B for jobless?

California jobless claims soar, Newsom faces tug of war over when to reopen economy. Counties scramble to trace coronavirus.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 24, 2020

Coronavirus

Newsom throws financial lifelines to Californians during pandemic stay-at-home

California Gov. Gavin Newsom today said pandemic federal stimulus payments are safe from debt collectors, and payments on most private student loans can be postponed for the next 90 days.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• April 23, 2020

City CERT member Steve Bicker directs traffic into the drive-thru COVID-19 testing facility at Cal Expo in Sacramento. The by-appointment-only facility has been testing upwards of 300 patients per day. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

A lot still unknown about virus spread

Newsom looks to ramp up testing, tracing and autopsies in battle against coronavirus. Potential app to track COVID-19 cases raises privacy concerns.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 23, 2020

Coronavirus

How coronavirus could test California’s commitment to privacy

With contact tracing apps in-the-works, how much personal data are you willing to trade away for a return to life as it was before the pandemic?

By

Ben Christopher

• April 22, 2020

WhatMatters

Testing can reopen CA. When?

Serology tests hold key to reopening California. Hospitals prepare for worst-case scenario. Should California protect stimulus checks from debt collectors?

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 22, 2020

WhatMatters

Newsom targeted by legislators, protesters

Protestors, legislators take on Newsom over COVID-19 actions. Studies on coronavirus infections draw scrutiny. What pandemic models can tell us.

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 21, 2020

Sacramento will refit seven transit buses to serve as mobile WiFi hotspots. If the experiment is successful, it will be replicated in other parts of California, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. Photo by David Wilson via Flickr.

Politics

Over a million California students still lack access to remote learning

One in five children in California lack devices or internet connection necessary for remote learning. Tech companies have so far pledged tens of thousands of devices toward the cause.

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

• April 20, 2020

Covid-19