California coronavirus updates: The latest on the pandemic

Patti Wang-Cross plays the ukulele as neighbors sing ‘You Are My Sunshine,’ ‘Happy Birthday,’ and songs by Bruno Mars during their weekly sing-along. The neighbors began the Wednesday night tradition in response to social distancing rules in light of concerns over the coronavirus in California. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

Acts of grace from everyday Californians are getting us through

Neighbors are gifting toilet paper, buying groceries for the elderly and holding sing-alongs in the street at proper distances. Throughout California, people are watching out for each other as they stay home to slow the spread of coronavirus.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• April 16, 2020

A worker at the Firehouse Clinic looks out a window at a testing site for the COVID-19 virus along Huntwood Avenue near Fire Station 7 in Hayward. The state is now allowing all uninsured Californians to be tested and treated for COVID-19 at community clinics and health centers, regardless of immigration status. Photo by Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group

Coronavirus

California’s undocumented workers to get $125 million coronavirus disaster relief

California partnered with philanthropies to provide up to $1,000 in coronavirus relief to households with undocumented workers, and committed to ramping up virus testing at community clinics serving poor and undocumented patients.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• April 15, 2020

California mail-in ballot on Super Tuesday 2020. Photo illustration by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

Politics in the pandemic: Two California elections in May provide a preview

With coronavirus limiting human contact, campaigns are still trying to engage voters, raise money and make sure people vote in elections by mail.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• April 15, 2020

People play basketball at a San Francisco park behind a sign reminders park-goers to maintain social distancing on March 25, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Health

Reopen California? That’s the toughest phase yet, Newsom says

Even as the death toll climbs to 758, Gov. Gavin Newsom praises Californians for bending the curve and lays out a science-based path for reopening California. But it may not be anytime soon.

By

Ben Christopher

and

Rachel Becker

• April 14, 2020

Sen. Maria Elena Durazo loads bags of meat and produce into peoples' cars at a Los Angeles food bank on April 2, 2020. Photo by Elizabeth Aguilera for CalMatters

Events

Watch: Financial help and safety nets during the pandemic

Before the coronavirus pandemic, California was already a place where millions of workers struggled to make ends meet each month. Now, shelter-in-place orders have effectively left many more workers without jobs, unable to pay rent, feed their families or pay their bills. In other words, California’s safety net just got a lot more crowded. Fortunately, […]

By

Jackie Botts

• April 14, 2020

Seniors are seen through the window at Grancell Village of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging in Reseda on April 11. California officials have said they may require nursing homes to accept COVID-19 patients discharged from hospitals. Photo by Nancy Pastor for CalMatters

Health

Will California nursing homes be forced to accept COVID-19 patients?

Some nursing homes may run afoul of California officials, who say they may be required to accept recovering, but still infectious, COVID-19 patients.

By

Barbara Feder Ostrov

• April 14, 2020

A healthcare worker at a Kaiser hospital in San Francisco on April 9, 2020. Today, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would make hotel rooms available to care providers in regions with high rates of COVID-19 infections who need to self-isolate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

Amid pandemic, Newsom faces scrutiny over $1B face-mask deal

California legislators have demanded more details about Gov. Gavin Newsom's coronavirus spending and a recent news report raised questions about the company contracted to make the masks.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

and

Dan Morain

• April 13, 2020

Coronavirus

California to spend extra $42 million to help foster youth during pandemic

The bulk of the money will manifest as $200 monthly payments to families with “at risk” children, with additional funds set to help buy protective gear for social workers and computers for children, among other things.

By

Ricardo Cano

• April 13, 2020

Beach goers enjoy the sunshine in San Francisco on April 7, 2020. Last week, the CDC recommended that everyone wear protective masks while in public to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Explainers

California’s response to coronavirus, explained

The Golden State appears to be flattening the curve, but it has come at a cost. We unravel the state's response to coronavirus and look at what will be different when Californians re-emerge.

By

Elizabeth Castillo

• April 13, 2020

Retired paramedic Jane Smith, who has signed up for the California Health Corps, poses for a portrait at her home in San Francisco. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Coronavirus

These California medical workers are signing up for Newsom’s health corps — despite risks

On numbers alone, Gov. Gavin Newsom's health corps shows promise, far exceeding the state’s expectation. But the reserves program also has raised concerns: Will it pull medical professionals from rural areas? And should high-risk people participate?

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• April 13, 2020