covid-19

Surge tents are set up in front of the Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, California, United States on March 6, 2020. The tents were brought in just in case there is a possible surge in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.

Coronavirus

Legislature passes $1.1 billion in emergency coronavirus funding — then leaves the Capitol

As the Bay Area sheltered in place and the death toll from COVID-19 mounted, California's Legislature funded an unprecedented ramp-up of ventilators, hospital beds and potential quarantine hotels.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

,

Rachel Becker

and

Ana B. Ibarra

• March 16, 2020

Oakland Technical High School students sit by the marquee after it was announced that all Oakland schools would close for three weeks over coronavirus concerns on March 13, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

School closures: Has the coronavirus pandemic shut down your school?

CalMatters is tracking school closures for the coronavirus crisis. Check here for updates.

By

Ricardo Cano

• March 16, 2020

Empty shelves of toilet paper and paper towels at Safeway in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco on March 13, 2020. On Thursday Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order banning events of more than 250 people amid coronavirus concerns. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Normal life on pause in California

Coronavirus upends life in California. Swing district Republicans are caught in a pickle. Vacancy tax floated to address housing crisis.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 16, 2020

Gov. Gavin Newsom at a press conference in the state capitol following the first COVID-19 death in California. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Newsom: “We can change the future”

Newsom tackles coronavirus pandemic as fallout spreads. Another federal investigation targets a local government. Census invitations are on the way.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 13, 2020

Week-long school closure is announced on the marquee at Foulks Ranch elementary school in Elk Grove. Elk Grove Unified closed all district schools until March 13 after a student tested positive for COVID-19. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California starting to close down

California events canceled amid coronavirus pandemic. Prop. 13 campaign concedes defeat. State reaches settlement over T-Mobile and Sprint merger.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 12, 2020

Maria Castellanos, 75, cares for her grandson Valentino, 5, while he is out of school. Elk Grove Unified closed all district schools until March 13 after a student tested positive for COVID-19. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Health

Quarantine grandma? California families scramble as coronavirus hits

Government policy is one thing, real life another. What happens if your germ-carrying preschoolers suddenly pose a lethal threat to their elderly grandparents? What becomes of your teenagers’ future if their education is disrupted, long-term? How protected are we if schools cancel class but kids then disperse to malls and bounce houses and movie theaters?

By

Elizabeth Aguilera

and

Judy Lin

• March 11, 2020

People wait in line to check in at the DMV in Riverside on Friday, March 8, 2019. Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

WhatMatters

Real challenges ahead for Real ID

Clock is ticking to get Real ID. California's coronavirus test kits arrive, but not all are ready for use. Open primary results in strange alliances.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 11, 2020

Coronavirus

How California is responding to the coronavirus

State health officials and Gov. Gavin Newsom are trying to control the coronavirus outbreak. Watch here to learn how California is responding.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

and

Ana B. Ibarra

• March 10, 2020

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti holds up a copy of a progress report from the Big City Mayors, a coalition of mayors from California’s 13 largest cities to combat homelessness, at a press conference at the state capitol on March 9, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

The California coronavirus economy

California economy feels sting from coronavirus. Scott Wiener takes another stab at housing bill. Mayors have different ideas than governor for tackling homelessness.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 10, 2020

A tent encampment in West Oakland. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

$2 billion a year to fight homelessness?

Cruise ship passengers headed to air force base for quarantine. Legislators want $2 billion to fight homelessness. Kamala Harris endorses Joe Biden.

By

Emily Hoeven

• March 9, 2020

Covid-19