expands

3:54 p.m.: California Legislature OKs bill to help displaced workers

The California Legislature has handed a invoice requiring some lodges and occasion facilities to supply laid-off staff their jobs again, in keeping with the Related Press.

The invoice lawmakers despatched to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday applies to staff who had their jobs at the least six months earlier than the pandemic began however misplaced their jobs on account of coronavirus-related causes.

Many Republicans opposed the invoice, arguing it places a burden on companies by making them vulnerable to fines of $500 per worker per day. Nonetheless, Newsom has not stated if he’ll or won’t signal the invoice. He vetoed the same invoice final 12 months as a result of he stated it was too broad.

3:07 p.m.: US seems to be moving towards economic recovery

A much-awaited financial growth coming off the pandemic recession appeared to edge nearer to actuality Thursday, with contemporary information exhibiting the tempo of layoffs dwindling, customers spending freely and manufacturing rebounding. 

In keeping with the Related Press, the newest barometers level to an economic system that’s steadily regaining its well being as vaccinations speed up. Enterprise curbs are lifted in lots of states and extra persons are keen to journey, store, eat out and in any other case resume their spending habits.

Although many Individuals who’ve misplaced jobs or earnings are nonetheless struggling, hopes are rising that the restoration advantages will unfold additional within the coming months to teams of people that have but to profit.

10:28 a.m.: Nevadan among severe reaction to J&J COVID-19 vaccine

State well being officers stated they realized on Wednesday {that a} Nevadan was one of many six individuals nationally who’ve reported severe reactions to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.

In keeping with the Related Press, state officers stated after they introduced on Tuesday the stoppage of that vaccine that no Nevadans had been among the many six instances federal authorities are investigating. On Wednesday, the governor’s spokesperson stated they weren’t knowledgeable of the reported response in Nevada till a gathering earlier within the day of the general public federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

She stated Nevada officers are looking for an evidence as to why the report wasn’t offered to the state earlier.

10:04 a.m.: What is a coronavirus passport, and will I need one? It’s possible.

As extra individuals get COVID-19 vaccines, efforts are underway to develop a solution to present proof of vaccination or a detrimental coronavirus take a look at, in keeping with the Related Press.

“Vaccine passports,” or vaccine certificates may assist you get into locations resembling stadiums and even international locations that wish to reopen safely. Supporters say passports may make reopenings sooner and simpler.

Critics say the passports would profit individuals and international locations with higher entry to vaccines. The certificates are nonetheless being developed, and the way they is perhaps used may fluctuate broadly. To make sure equity, specialists say they need to be free and out there on paper, not simply on apps for smartphones.

9:50 a.m.: Unsheltered Americans are finally getting a chance at COVID-19 shot

Unhoused Individuals who’ve been left off precedence lists for coronavirus vaccinations — or bumped apart as states shifted eligibility to older age teams — are lastly getting their pictures as vaccine provides enhance.

In keeping with the Related Press, whereas the federal authorities has solely incomplete information on infections amongst homeless individuals, it’s clear that crowded and generally unsanitary situations at shelters enhance the hazard of COVID-19 infections. These with underlying well being situations may also be extra vulnerable to extreme sickness.

COVID-19 outbreaks have been documented at homeless shelters in Boston, San Francisco and Seattle. Advocates say homeless persons are at a higher threat of being contaminated and have a higher threat of being hospitalized and dying than the typical particular person — that means they need to have been prioritized earlier.

Nonetheless, with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine paused, it’s potential that this might have an effect on provide. Sacramento’s Loaves & Fishes homeless shelter had began a weekly vaccination clinic on April 6 on the Delany Middle Car parking zone. Photographs had been being administered to individuals experiencing homelessness and those that usually are not.

Nonetheless, with the J&J’s vaccine pause, Loaves & Fishes needed to cancel their weekly vaccination drive till additional discover.

5:43 p.m.: All California schools should be reopen in the fall, Gov. Newsom says

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday stated that he totally expects all colleges to reopen within the fall, a aim that’s a very long time coming, however continues to be contingent on a number of components. 

Whereas California’s COVID-19 case charges proceed to lower and the variety of individuals vaccinated will increase, there’s nonetheless the looming menace of extra harmful variants. Moreover, California’s lecturers unions and college districts might want to negotiate situations on which campuses can reopen.

Nonetheless, Newsom was optimistic when making the announcement at a faculty playground in Sonoma County.

“We will do that. I perceive the hesitancy. I perceive the stress. I perceive the anxiousness,” Newsom stated of educators. “However that doesn’t evaluate to the stress and anxiousness we’ll have once we look again and dream of regretting that we may’ve, would’ve, ought to’ve prioritized our youngsters at a essential second of their younger lives.”

Newsom has been beforehand criticized for being gradual to reopen colleges and for not requiring extra in-person instruction hours earlier than districts qualify for state monetary incentives. Dad and mom teams and lawmakers have stated that Newsom as an alternative caved to the California Academics Affiliation, which represents over 300,000 educators throughout the state. 

The labor union has lengthy requested that lecturers be vaccinated earlier than returning to campus full time.

To date, the governor stated that greater than 9,000 of the state’s colleges have reopened for in-person studying or have introduced a date to take action.

Newsom stopped in need of saying that he’d mandate campuses open within the fall.

5:33 p.m.: Some San Joaquin County museums start to reopen

Museums in San Joaquin County are reopening their doorways to guests now that the county has moved into the pink tier. 

Lodi’s World of Wonders Science Museum is taking on-line advance tickets for admission from Thursday via Monday. 

Science Museum President Sally Snyde says some displays require downsizing resembling Metropolis Blocks the place kids construct cities.

“We’ve to chop again on the quantity of blocks that now we have on the market, so now we have to wash them after which put them again in,” Snyde stated. “We’ve a Lego station. We’re taking the Legos and sanitizing these and we’ve restricted the dimensions of the quantity of the Legos and the blocks which can be on the market due to the time it takes to sanitize them.”

Snyde says the museum noticed over 70,000 guests in 2019, however capability now’s restricted to 25% or about 100 individuals at a time. 

In the meantime, the Youngsters’s Museum in Stockton will welcome households on Friday. The Haggin Museum opened briefly in October after which shut down, and now will reopen on Thursday.

5:30 p.m.: US health officials continue Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause

An skilled advisory committee to the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention determined Wednesday it wanted extra time to contemplate whether or not to suggest to renew administering the COVID-19 vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson.

The committee’s emergency assembly passed off lower than 36 hours after the CDC and the Meals and Drug Administration referred to as for a voluntary pause after receiving experiences of great uncomfortable side effects seen in six girls who had obtained the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The advisory committee will rethink a suggestion throughout the subsequent 10 days. It declined to vote on a query of whether or not vaccinations may proceed, maybe with limits on who would obtain it, successfully leaving the present pause in vaccinations in place.

Read more from NPR here.

5:27 p.m.: Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak criticized over reopening plans and credit

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak faces criticism from political opponents who declare he’s attempting to take credit score for reopening the state.

In keeping with the Related Press, reopenings had been beforehand promised to be delegated to counties. On Tuesday, Sisolak stated that he was assured that each one counties will be capable of reopen at 100% capability by June 1. 

He framed the announcement as excellent news and a results of profitable insurance policies. However the selections he referred to will finally fall to county officers as reopening selections will shift to them beginning Could 1. Some officers questioned the timing of Sisolak’s announcement and referred to as it politically motivated.

5:25 p.m.: Red states on electoral map are lagging in vaccinations

A have a look at which U.S. states are main at vaccinating in opposition to the coronavirus and which states are struggling is starting to resemble America’s electoral map, according to the Associated Press.

Vaccination numbers from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention present that the states that are inclined to vote Democratic on the prime of the listing, when it comes to the proportion of the grownup inhabitants that’s obtained at the least one shot. California is twelfth on the listing behind New Hampshire, New Mexico and Republican-leaning South Dakota.

On the backside are 5 Republican-leaning states, together with Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The Related Press-NORC Middle for Public Affairs Analysis ballot in late March discovered that Republicans had been thrice as doubtless as Democrats to say they may most likely or undoubtedly not get vaccinated.

4:01 p.m.: I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, now what? Health officials say not to worry.

In case you obtained the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, don’t panic. 

According to the Associated Press, U.S. well being officers beneficial pausing vaccinations with J&J’s shot to look into experiences of six sufferers with uncommon blood clots out of almost 7 million doses. Well being officers say to be vigilant however to keep in mind that experiences of blood clots have been exceedingly uncommon. 

Signs to observe for embrace extreme headache, backache, stomach ache, shortness of breath, leg swelling, tiny pink spots on the pores and skin or bruising. Sometimes these would seem between one to 3 weeks after the shot. 

However specialists nonetheless say to not fear about frequent COVID-19 vaccine uncomfortable side effects, like arm ache and flu-like signs.

3:56 p.m.: Nevada to pause use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Nevada suspended the usage of Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines Tuesday whereas federal authorities examine experiences of individuals in different states experiencing extreme reactions, together with blood clots. 

In keeping with the Related Press, the state’s COVID-19 Process Pressure cited a CDC and FDA suggestion to pause utilizing the single-dose vaccine out of an abundance of warning. The Southern Nevada Well being District additionally stated it stopped administering the vaccine within the Las Vegas space. 

Washoe County’s well being district in Reno adopted go well with, as did the cellular clinics serving varied rural areas statewide. Federal authorities are investigating six instances of ladies experiencing uncommon clots a number of days after vaccination.

11:13 a.m.: California pauses Johnson & Johnson vaccinations

California state officers have directed counties and different suppliers to pause the usage of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine whereas federal businesses look right into a potential however uncommon blood clotting aspect impact.

In keeping with the Related Press, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace stated the pause would neither have an effect on plans to start out inoculating all eligible adults on Thursday nor will it have an effect on the state’s broad reopening plans set for mid-June.

Newsom and different high-profile California officers publicly obtained pictures of the J&J vaccines in an try to show its security. California was already anticipating fewer J&J doses due to manufacturing points.

10:38 a.m.: Some historically Black medical schools receive funds to expand COVID-19 vaccination efforts

4 traditionally Black medical colleges are getting $6 million to develop coronavirus vaccination efforts in minority communities, in keeping with the Related Press.

Former New York Metropolis Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropy introduced the presents on Tuesday to Charles R. Drew College of Medication in Los Angeles, Howard College Faculty of Medication in Washington, D.C., Meharry Medical Faculty in Nashville and Morehouse Faculty of Medication in Atlanta.

Every of the faculties will use the cash to purchase extra cellular vaccination models. Vaccination charges lag in lots of Black communities, however fears that Black individuals would refuse the vaccine out of mistrust have eased. As a substitute, the true concern appears to be that individuals could have hassle accessing the vaccine.

10:15 a.m.: Poll: 15% of Americans say they’re worse off a year into the pandemic

Whereas most Individuals have weathered the pandemic financially, about 38 million say they’re worse off now than earlier than the outbreak started within the U.S., in keeping with the Related Press.

Total, 55% of Individuals stated their monetary circumstances are about the identical now as a 12 months in the past, and 30% say their funds have improved, in keeping with a brand new ballot from Impression Genome and The Related Press-NORC Middle for Public Affairs Analysis.

Nonetheless, 15% of respondents stated they’re worse off, and the issue is extra pronounced for individuals already dwelling at decrease earnings ranges. About 29% of these dwelling under the federal poverty stage say their private funds worsened up to now 12 months.

1:55 p.m.: Over 50 people in Nevada prisons have died from COVID-19

The Las Vegas Review-Journal experiences that at the least 55 Nevadans in jail have died after contracting COVID-19 all through the pandemic, in keeping with the Related Press.

The newspaper in contrast information from coroners across the state with information offered by the Division of Corrections in March. It discovered that the state Division of Well being and Human Companies tallied 53 incarcerated individuals together with three division staff who had died. The division can be reviewing the jail system’s different two reported instances.

Jail officers did not establish the names of the deceased inmates who died after testing constructive for the coronavirus, citing medical confidentiality. The Assessment-Journal recognized 39 individuals by identify, all of whom had been males.

11:53 a.m.: Only two California counties left in the purple tier

Inyo and Merced are the only two California counties left within the state’s most restrictive tier for reopening — the daunting purple — that means no open bars or indoor eating together with strict limitations on dwell occasions and retail.

California’s 56 different counties have moved into much less restrictive tiers like pink, orange or yellow. Nonetheless, Merced County supervisors are involved that information lags are holding them again, whereas Inyo County, with 18,000 residents, says the system isn’t designed for much less populous counties like theirs.

Final week, Inyo County’s COVID-19 case charge hovered simply above the ten instances per 100,000 residents wanted to advance to the pink tier. This week, its charge dropped to 2.3 instances, however counties want two weeks of low metrics earlier than advancing.

The county may transfer into the pink tier on Tuesday. In the meantime, Merced County’s adjusted case charge as of Tuesday was 11.7 instances per 100,000 individuals, that means it’s doubtless they’ll be caught within the purple tier for at the least two extra weeks.

For at the least the subsequent two months, limits on eating places, procuring, and occasions will proceed to be decided by the state’s color-coded reopening blueprint.

11:46 a.m.: The pandemic’s effect on music, arts in the Sacramento region

It has been greater than a 12 months because the coronavirus pandemic ushered in stay-at-home orders in California, shuttering some companies and transferring some work and colleges on-line.

For musicians and artists who make their dwelling from music, the pandemic’s results had been felt worldwide. The dwell occasions trade misplaced $30 billion because of the pandemic. Within the Sacramento Metropolitan Space alone, 15,810 creatives in all fields lost their jobs between April and July 2020, in keeping with a report from the Brookings Establishment.

Job losses weren’t the one concern. $674 million was misplaced in gross sales in Sacramento artistic industries. Different cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego misplaced a mixed complete of 330,000 artistic jobs, resulting in roughly $34.4 billion in misplaced income all through the state.

11:15 a.m.: Covert neglect: Thousands of California nursing home residents die due to COVID-19

Because the coronavirus pandemic started, California state information present that greater than 9,000 nursing dwelling residents have died from the virus — about 16% of the state’s total deaths.

As COVID-19 reworked many nursing houses into loss of life traps, well being care specialists consider the present loss of life numbers are an undercount. Now, state regulators are scrambling to determine find out how to shield a few of California’s most weak residents.

For instance, on the Nation Villa Sheraton nursing dwelling in Los Angeles, 24 residents died on account of COVID-19 final 12 months. Different facilities like Nation Villa Rehabilitation Middle in Los Angeles and Nation Villa Plaza in Santa Ana misplaced 13 residents every.

The devastation is in no way distinctive. Throughout the nation, different services have additionally suffered crushing casualties from the pandemic.

Points with licensing for nursing dwelling operators within the state may show to be a problem, although.

According to CalMatters, information present that Los Angeles businessman Shlomo Rechnitz and his varied companies personal about 81 nursing houses via an online of firms — together with the earlier three services — however isn’t licensed by the state to truly run them. As a substitute, public well being officers have left his state license purposes as “pending” for years.

“I’m just a bit speechless in terms of this possession nightmare in California and the way it’s gotten up to now,” stated Molly Davies, the Los Angeles County long-term care ombudsman, whose workplace advocates for residents of nursing houses and different grownup care services.

This leaves elder care advocates and a few state leaders asking what the state public well being division’s position is in guaranteeing well timed compliance with licensing necessities. The Division of Public Well being didn’t make anybody out there to reply questions on or touch upon the licensing course of.

5:55 p.m.: Yosemite to open limited summer reservations

Higher plan prematurely for those who plan a visit to Yosemite Nationwide Park this summer season.

Beginning Could 21, you have to superior reservations via Sept. 30. Final summer season on the peak of the pandemic, Yosemite required advance reservations to restrict the variety of guests to the park to keep away from overcrowding and supply social distancing. 

COVID-19 continues to be a priority however Yosemite is now within the orange tier within the state’s reopening system. Park Ranger Jamie Richards says that may enable for extra guests and virtually 6,000 autos per day.

“We’ve elevated the variety of passes that shall be out there,” Richards stated. “Essentially the most restrictive tier that we checked out was what we did final summer season and we went up from there. And we shall be rising passes as situations enhance.”

Richards says individuals can enroll on-line at recreation.gov starting April 21. 

She provides that the park has expanded the variety of campsites and likewise elevated lodging services.

2:28 p.m.: Do the vaccines protect against COVID-19 variants? Scientists think so but are still figuring it out.

U.S. well being authorities not too long ago introduced that the COVID-19 mutation first recognized in the UK final winter is now the predominant pressure within the U.S., according to NPR.

The pressure has been present in at the least 130 different international locations as effectively, however on a reassuring word, officers stated there’s robust proof that the three U.S.-approved vaccines supply good safety in opposition to this variant, particularly in opposition to extreme illness. 

Nonetheless, this pressure is only one of three “variants of concern” at giant within the nation and globally. One of many different variants, first recognized in South Africa and dominant there, has now been discovered throughout southern Africa. The third variant was first recognized in Brazil and has traveled all the way in which to Japan. This mutation is behind Brazil’s present surge in instances and has been recognized throughout the Americas.

“We’ve seen an explosion [in research] — a paper virtually every single day,” stated Salim Abdool Karim, an infectious illness researcher who co-chairs the COVID-19 advisory committee for South Africa.

11:25 a.m.: More counties open up vaccine eligibility to residents 16 and older

Extra California counties are opening up vaccines to youthful adults a few week forward of the state’s schedule, in keeping with the Related Press.

On the similar time, California public well being officers warned Thursday of decreases in provide due to a nationwide discount within the provide of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The state has obtained about 2.4 million doses this week, nevertheless it expects 2 million subsequent week and 1.9 million the week after.

Fresno County opened up vaccinations to everybody 16 and up. Santa Clara County did as effectively, however appointments have to be for April 15 or later. A mass vaccination website at California State College, Los Angeles introduced it might take adults on a walk-up foundation due to extra appointments, however needed to begin turning individuals away on Thursday.

11:16 a.m.: Hollywood Bowl to reopen with capacity limits for 2021 season

The Hollywood Bowl will reopen for the 2021 season with a limited-capacity viewers on account of COVID-19 considerations.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliation introduced Friday that Bowl concert events will resume in Could with a capability of about 4,000 individuals based mostly on present public well being steerage, in keeping with the Related Press. Capability is predicted to go up later in the summertime as pointers evolve.

The reopening will start with 4 free concert events for healthcare staff, first responders, and important staff. The Philharmonic says its different outside venue, The Ford, will even open with a 15-week run starting in late July.

11:11 a.m.: Rural county in Nevada eschews masks, capacity limits ahead of state recommendations

Nye County, a rural space in southern Nevada, could step forward of the remainder of the state in a bid to elevate masks mandates and enterprise capability limits, in keeping with the Related Press.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the Nye County Fee will contemplate a plan on April 20 to make face coverings elective and let companies return to 100% occupancy. The transfer would put the county forward of Nevada’s different 16 counties whereas the state COVID-19 Response Process Pressure critiques plans to show over pandemic mitigation management to native authorities beginning Could 1.

A number of different rural counties have additionally chafed at masks guidelines and occupancy limits.

5:19 p.m.: Locations picked for South Sacramento mass vaccination sites, but no estimate when they’ll open 

Sacramento County well being employees are gearing as much as present extra vaccines in South Sacramento, a neighborhood disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Jamie White, a county well being program supervisor, stated there are plans underway to open mass vaccination clinics at Cosumnes River Faculty and within the car parking zone close to the procuring heart previously referred to as Florin Mall, each within the 95823 ZIP code. She says the county continues to be in talks over services agreements, and didn’t present an estimate as to when these websites could also be up and working.

All Californians over age 16 grow to be eligible for vaccination appointments starting April 15. Blue Defend, the insurance coverage supplier contracted with the state for the vaccination roll-out, is at present reporting a nationwide decline within the variety of vaccine doses out there. 

White says the frequency and capability of the South Sacramento clinics will rely on what number of doses can be found to the county and what number of suppliers can administer them.

4:24 p.m.: Stockton Arena opens as mass vaccination site

The Stockton Enviornment opened up this week because the vaccine hub for the Central Valley, with the capability to manage over 5,000 doses a day.

Kaiser Permanente has arrange 36 stations inside the sector for vaccinating people who find themselves 50 years and over. By April 15, eligibility throughout California will include anyone over 16. 

About 35% of San Joaquin County residents over 18 have been vaccinated. San Joaquin County Public Well being Officer Dr. Maggie Park is urging native residents to not delay in getting vaccinated. 

“This mass vax hub shouldn’t be solely open to our residents however residents from different counties,” Park stated. “Please be sure to seize these appointments earlier than individuals from different counties are available in and take all of them. That’s my worry.”

The vaccine hub shall be open seven days every week and vaccinations shall be given at no cost. Appointments are crucial and other people can enroll on-line at myturn.ca.gov.

11:21 a.m.: As some Sacramento Unified School District students restart some in-person learning, racial divides remain stark

The youngest children enrolled in Sacramento Metropolis Unified colleges have gone again right this moment for in-person courses, however many households are nonetheless opting to maintain their children in distance studying for the remainder of the 12 months.

The college district’s information reveals that about 59% of kindergartners will be taught in particular person this 12 months. Eva Schwartz is the father or mother of a kindergartner going again to in-person studying. She stated her son was losing interest and distracted with video convention studying.

“It is not possible to do on-line education for kindergarten as a result of nearly all of what you are studying in kindergarten is find out how to take care of different children,” Schwartz stated. “You do not be taught that on-line.”

A few of the most important variations within the option to ship children again to high school are alongside racial traces. Whereas about 71% of white college students shall be sitting in school rooms once more, solely about 50% of Black and Latino college students will do the identical.

“Many Black and Brown dad and mom usually really feel that colleges are racially hostile towards their college students, particularly if their college students are in racially blended college settings,” UCLA Professor of Schooling Tyrone Howard stated. “So when Black and Brown [parents] really feel like their kids are already being subjected to racial microaggressions, exclusionary practices, disproportionate ranges of college punishment, the considering is, why would I ship my college students again if I haven’t got to?”

The Sac Metropolis information additionally confirmed that only a third of Asian American kids will return to in-person courses, with 70% preferring to remain dwelling and do distant studying. It is a statistic that stands in stark contract with college students of different ethnicities and races.

Winnie Tam Hung is a father or mother of elementary college students in Elk Grove Unified. She stated she will not be sending both of her kids again for in-person for a number of causes.

“I am hesitant due to all of this rise in anti-Asian violence,” Hung stated. “I skilled a number of racial bullying as a child … however given this present local weather, I am very hesitant about being out in public with my kids and sending my kids again to high school.”

Howard stated college districts ought to attain out to households of shade to learn how to make in-person college extra snug for them.

10:54 a.m.: Are some COVID-19 vaccines more effective than others? Scientists are unsure since they are difficult to compare.

The COVID-19 vaccines rolling out worldwide weren’t in contrast to one another in research, so it’s onerous to inform how they could differ in effectiveness.

According to the Associated Press, specialists say the vaccines are alike in what issues most: stopping hospitalizations and deaths. Though the research performed earlier than the vaccines had been rolled out discovered various effectiveness ranges, it’s an imprecise comparability since effectiveness can’t be analyzed apples-to-apples.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine research had been performed when COVID-19 instances had been simply gentle, reasonable, or extreme. In distinction, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine didn’t depend gentle sicknesses, and research had been finished as soon as mutated variations of the virus had been a much bigger concern.

10:24 a.m.: US unemployment claims jumped to over 740,000 as virus still forces layoffs

The variety of Individuals making use of for unemployment advantages rose final week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are nonetheless slicing jobs at the same time as extra persons are vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, in keeping with the Related Press.

On Thursday, the Labor Division stated that purposes elevated by 16,000 from 728,000 every week earlier, at the same time as customers achieve confidence and the federal government distributes support all through the economic system.,

Whereas jobless claims have declined sharply because the virus slammed into the economic system in March of final 12 months, the claims nonetheless stay excessive by historic requirements. Earlier than the pandemic erupted and overturned the economic system, weekly purposes sometimes remained under 220,000 every week.

3:41 p.m.: California lawmakers say trucking companies misclassifying drivers during pandemic

A gaggle of California state lawmakers are accusing trucking firms of misclassifying their drivers as impartial contractors through the pandemic.

Labor union leaders and a trio of Latina Democrats say the misclassification implies that drivers who carry cargo from ports haven’t been capable of receives a commission sick time or unemployment. Sen. Maria Elena Durazo stated that in some instances, firms even make staff pay unemployment insurance coverage taxes — one thing which employers ought to pay.

“Along with the systematic wage theft, the pandemic has unveiled how misclassification has left a largely immigrant workforce and not using a security web,” Durazo stated.

She and two different lawmakers are working separate payments to crack down on the trucking firms by rising transparency over disputes and withholding clear transportation grants, rebates and incentives.

A lobbyist with the California Trucking Affiliation stated in a press release that the payments will solely damage California’s local weather targets and worsen provide chain bottlenecks.

3:34 p.m.: Mobile clinics going to Pahrump, Carson City

Well being officers are taking cellular coronavirus vaccination models this week to the Nye County neighborhood of Pahrump and a northern Nevada tribal website in Carson Metropolis, in keeping with the Related Press.

In Las Vegas, a drive-thru COVID-19 testing website was opened Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium. The Southern Nevada Well being District reported Tuesday it had extra vaccination slots out there than individuals reserving appointments at its greatest shot websites, regardless that everybody 16 and older within the state is eligible to obtain the vaccine.

On Tuesday, officers stated that roughly 21% of the state inhabitants have been vaccinated.

10:52 a.m.: South Sacramento clinic plans to vaccinate 3,400 people on April 9

The Sam & Bonnie Pannell Group Middle in South Sacramento is getting into its fifth week of neighborhood vaccination, with plans to offer 3,400 inoculations to eligible residents on April 9.

In collaboration with Sacramento County Public Well being, the town of Sacramento, Councilmember Mai Vang, plus many teams, the clinic has targeted on equitable vaccine distribution.

“Since day one, now we have been targeted on guaranteeing that Sacramento recovers equitably from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Vang stated. “This begins with guaranteeing that vaccine entry, assets and training are delivered in languages spoken by our neighborhood, by individuals trusted by our neighborhood — and that they are offered proper right here in south Sacramento, the place they’re wanted essentially the most.”

Residents who’ve precedence for the April 9 vaccinations embrace: 95815, 95824, 95838, 95660, 95823, 95832, 95639, 95820, 95828, 95841, 95842 & 95821.

Residents who qualify can contact the town of Sacramento Vaccine Textual content Hotline by texting “vaccine” to (916) 476-2225 to verify eligibility and get placed on an inventory for volunteers to schedule a vaccine appointment for Friday, April 9 between 9 a.m. and a pair of p.m.

Appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine may also be made by calling any of those neighborhood companions: 

• Sacramento NAACP – (916) 750-5625 
• South Sac Christian Middle – (916) 681-6791 
• Genesis Church – (916) 399-4936 
• Rose Household Inventive Empowerment Middle – (916) 376-7916 
• Antioch Progressive Church – (916) 385-8498 
• La Familia Counseling Middle (speaks Spanish, Arabic, and Hmong) – (916) 990-1311 
• Tetteh Pediatric Well being (speaks Spanish and Hmong) – (916) 224-8244 
• Hmong Innovating Politics (speaks Hmong) – (916) 546-5254 
• Hmong Youth & Dad and mom United (speaks Hmong) – (916) 761-1840 
• CPALSs (speaks Vietnamese) – (916) 891-9999

10:10 a.m.: Once reopened, California will simplify coronavirus restrictions

California is popping to a extra easy, statewide method because it prepares to elevate most pandemic restrictions on companies and workplaces by June 15, in keeping with the Related Press.

Gov. Gavin Newsom had beforehand adopted a system that put every of the 58 counties into certainly one of 4 color-coded tiers based mostly on a slew of metrics on case charges and hospitalizations, leading to each county often being open at different restriction levels.

Now, that’s all going out the window so long as most Californians can entry the vaccine and hospitalization charges stay low by the beginning of the summer season. The information comes as California expects to have administered greater than 30 million vaccine doses by the tip of April and as case charges are low.

9:55 a.m.: More than 500,000 Americans have signed up for health insurance coverage in expanded window

The federal government not too long ago reported that greater than half 1,000,000 Individuals have already taken benefit of the Biden administration’s particular medical insurance sign-up window that’s tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And in keeping with the Related Press, the federal government anticipates much more individuals will achieve protection within the coming months. Why? That’s as a result of thousands and thousands of individuals simply turned eligible for pumped-up taxpayer subsidies towards their premiums underneath President Joe Biden’s coronavirus reduction laws.

With the variety of uninsured Individuals rising through the pandemic on account of layoffs, Biden reopened the regulation’s medical insurance markets as a backstop. Since then, the virus support package deal additionally primarily delivered a medical insurance value lower by making taxpayer subsidies extra beneficiant whereas permitting extra individuals to qualify for monetary help.

6:10 p.m.: San Joaquin County moves out of purple tier

San Joaquin County has moved out of the purple tier for COVID-19 restrictions and into the much less restrictive pink tier. 

El Dorado County can be transferring right into a much less restrictive tier from pink to orange. 

“California is making nice progress in administering COVID-19 vaccine doses,” stated Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of California’s Well being and Human Companies Company. “We should proceed to do our greatest to vaccinate Californians as safely and rapidly as potential. Our vaccine fairness focus stays the proper factor to do and ensures we’re having the best impression in decreasing transmission, defending our well being care supply system and saving lives.”

Beneath the pink tier, eating places and film theaters will be capable of reopen indoors at 25% capability, whereas gyms can reopen indoors at 10% capability. Museums might also resume indoor operations at 25% capability. Within the orange tier, that rises to 50% capability for eating places and film theaters and 25% for gyms. Bars can even reopen outside with modifications within the orange tier.

On Tuesday California introduced it had administered 4 million vaccine doses in hard-hit areas, measured by the state’s Wholesome Locations Index. That triggered a loosening of the tier thresholds, permitting some counties to maneuver into less-restrictive tiers sooner.

The purple tier threshold will stay at higher than 10 instances per 100,000 residents. The pink  tier will slender to 6-10 instances per 100,000, and the orange tier vary will shift to 2-5.9 instances per 100,0000.  The yellow tier will transfer to 2 instances per 100,000.

5:56 p.m.: Gov. Newsom announces plan to fully reopen California economy 

Gov. Gavin Newsom Tuesday announced a plan to completely reopen California’s economic system if present coronavirus tendencies proceed. 

California has administered greater than 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, and provide continues to be ramping up. Newsom says so long as that continues, and if hospitalizations stay low, the state’s shade tier system for enterprise restrictions can finish.

“We’ll be transferring previous the dimmer change, we’ll be eliminating the blueprint as  you already know it right this moment,” he stated. “That’s on June 15 if we proceed the nice work.”

Masks and different well being measures will nonetheless be required in public.

Final week, the state indicated that some companies may start requiring proof of vaccination or a latest detrimental take a look at to get in.

Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the Division of Medication at UC San Francisco, says even with COVID-19 variants, that is excellent news.

“Many of the alerts are constructive and I feel there’s an excellent probability we’ll be in a superb place and it is going to be applicable to return not fairly to regular, however to normal-ish,” he stated. 

Wachter says the vaccines have been remarkably efficient at staving off the virus. His solely recommendation for individuals trying to return to their favourite actions this summer season is: “Get vaccinated.” 

Each Californian over the age of 16 turns into vaccine eligible April 15.

3:27 p.m.: Nevada senator encourages people to use state health insurance exchange thanks to federal subsidies

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada is encouraging individuals to buy on the state’s medical insurance trade to find out if they will get cheaper protection due to the brand new federal coronavirus reduction regulation.

In keeping with the Related Press, the senator stated that the reduction regulation will increase subsidies for 60,000 Nevada residents already receiving them to assist pay for his or her medical insurance on the Silver State Well being Insurance coverage Trade. She says the brand new regulation additionally makes 40,000 others eligible for subsidies.

Anybody receiving unemployment advantages is eligible without cost month-to-month premiums and might obtain assist with paying copays and deductibles. As of Monday, the state has allowed anybody 16 and older to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine.

10:12 a.m.: People incarcerated in prisons across the US still lack vaccine access

Vaccinating most Individuals is lots robust — and it’s worse for those who’re in jail.

According to data collected by The Marshall Project and The Associated Press, individuals inside prisons usually are not free to hunt out vaccines and, on the entire, lack entry virtually solely. Fewer than 20% of individuals in state and federal prisons have been vaccinated. In some states, prisoners and advocates have resorted to lawsuits to get entry to vaccines.

About 3 in 10 individuals within the jail system have examined constructive, and a pair of,500 have died. Prisons throughout the nation are sometimes overcrowded, with restricted entry to well being care and protecting gear. Populations inside are additionally extra more likely to have preexisting medical situations.

In some services, even fundamental provides like cleaning soap and bathroom paper have been scarce. Masks-wearing is inconsistently enforced amongst each residents and guards. Jail residents usually spend time in communal areas, and open ground plans do little to include the virus. Complete dormitories have reported being sick with COVID-19 signs.

Some prisoners hesitate to report feeling sick out of worry they’ll be positioned in solitary confinement with out correct care. Others report ready days for medical care, generally being turned away or offered solely aspirin.

5:25 p.m.: COVID-19 cases increasing in much of the country

Many areas of the USA are beginning to see a rise in COVID-19 instances and hospitalizations, in keeping with an NPR analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.

The increases vary throughout the country. The Midwest has seen a 58% enhance in new instances over the previous 14 days, whereas the variety of instances within the Northeast has climbed by 30%. Circumstances within the West rose by 5% and the South confirmed a slight decline.

In California, new instances have stayed regular over the previous two weeks at round 2,700 per day. However that comes after weeks of declining case numbers following this winter’s surge, the place greater than 40,000 new COVID-19 instances had been recognized within the state every day. Hospitalized sufferers with COVID-19 proceed to say no.

5:19 p.m.: Crocker Art Museum reopens

The Crocker Artwork Museum is reopening Thursday now that Sacramento County is within the much less restrictive pink tier in California’s COVID-19 reopening system. 

The museum first closed in March 2020 because of the pandemic. It reopened briefly in mid-October for an exhibition of Wayne Thiebaud work earlier than abruptly closing in November due to new pandemic shutdown orders. 

Crocker Artwork Museum Mort and Marcy Friedman Director and CEO Lial Jones stated on CapRadio’s Perception Monday that now’s the proper time to reopen.

“We’re following CDC and state pointers and Sacramento County has now entered the pink tier so we’re allowed to open to 25% capability and we’re glad to take action,” Jones stated.

Starting this week, the Crocker shall be open Thursday via Sunday from 10 a.m. to five p.m. Advance ticket reservations are required and all guests should put on face coverings. The museum can have 4 new showings, together with an exhibition that includes the landscapes, shoreline and cities of the Netherlands. Jones stated the Thiebaud exhibit shall be again subsequent 12 months.

4:18 p.m.: Testing rates, vaccine equity keep San Joaquin County in purple tier

As most California counties transfer into much less restrictive tiers underneath the state’s reopening system, San Joaquin County is certainly one of simply three remaining in essentially the most extreme purple class.

Ginger Manss is chief nursing officer for Group Medical Facilities, a community of well being clinics serving low-income and uninsured sufferers within the Central Valley. She says there are two issues holding San Joaquin County again.

“One is our testing charges — our positivity charges are simply over the place they must be as a way to transfer to the subsequent tier,” she stated. “The second is our well being fairness, getting our vaccines to the individuals most in want.”

Well being officers say individuals haven’t been looking for checks as usually because the vaccine roll-out started. 

When individuals aren’t getting examined after journey or potential exposures, they might be unknowingly spreading the virus to others.

County representatives say that is occurring extra in a handful of low-income ZIP codes. The county well being division says they’ve added testing and vaccination websites in 10 of those areas the place they’re seeing excessive case numbers.  They hope this can gradual the unfold, and assist them meet the state’s new vaccine distribution guidelines.

They’re hoping to vary tiers later this month. Within the meantime, they’re asking everybody to proceed carrying masks and avoiding indoor gatherings.

4:10 p.m.: Newsom urges vaccination, continued vigilance over Easter holiday

A day after being inoculated with the one-dose Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, Gov. Gavin Newsom was in San Diego Friday urging individuals eligible for COVID pictures to get them. 

“These vaccines are secure,” he stated. “I took the vaccine 24 hours in the past, actually slept like a child, really feel nice, no impacts in any way and I am unable to actually … I used to be attempting to determine, was it my left arm or my proper arm? … I am unable to even really feel the place the vaccine was administered.”

With Easter two days away, Newsom additionally requested the general public to remain vigilant in stopping the unfold of COVID.

“Let’s not run the 90-yard sprint, let’s not put down our guard, let’s not drop these masks, let’s proceed to be conscious as we transfer into this essential vacation weekend,” he stated.

In the meantime, the state public well being division Thursday lifted a travel recommendation for Californians to stay near dwelling. 

10:11 a.m.: As California expands vaccine access, clinics, residents in underserved communities try to fill in the vaccination gap

Latinos make up lower than 40% of California’s inhabitants however account for greater than half of the state’s COVID-19 instances.

Massive immigrant and agricultural communities in counties like Merced have discovered their residents hit particularly onerous. Now, California is hoping that allocating 40% of doses to underserved communities could make an impression.

However to achieve the individuals most in want, native clinics and residents are left to do a lot of the legwork. At Fort Household Well being in Merced, staff are sending out organized social media campaigns to the neighborhood to reply their questions in regards to the vaccine and proper misinformation. The well being heart has additionally been organizing giant vaccination pop-ups within the county for lecturers and different important staff, together with outreach to native farms.

Different native clinics depend on what they name “promotoras” — individuals with deep connections within the Latino neighborhood who can dealer connections between residents and the well being care system.

Whereas state officers acknowledge the disproportionate impression COVID-19 has had on Latinos and different communities of shade, efforts in the direction of vaccine equality over the previous 12 months have barely moved the needle.

The loss of life charge for Latinos is 22% larger than the statewide common. Whereas vaccines are allotted to neighborhoods and counties in want, provide nonetheless stays a difficulty.

The only-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine shall be a giant a part of the ramp-up and will assist immunize transient populations, like migrant farmworkers.

9:28 a.m.: More on-site casino vaccination centers open up for hospitality workers in Las Vegas

One other Las Vegas on line casino operator says it’s going to supply on-site coronavirus vaccinations to hospitality staff, in keeping with the Related Press.

Station Casinos stated that it’s going to host clinics beginning on Tuesday at six of its properties in Las Vegas and suburban Henderson. American Medical Response will administer COVID-19 vaccines by appointment for staff and relations.

Station joins MGM Resorts Worldwide, Caesars Leisure, the Cosmopolitan and Wynn Resorts with packages to inoculate staff on-site. Nevada state well being officers reported 350 extra COVID-19 instances on Thursday, pushing the whole variety of state instances previous 304,000 since March 2020. Together with seven new deaths brings the loss of life complete to five,256.

9:09 a.m.: Fully vaccinated Americans can travel again, CDC says

Add journey to the actions vaccinated Individuals can take pleasure in once more, according to the Associated Press.

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention up to date its steerage on Friday to announce that totally vaccinated individuals can journey throughout the U.S. with out getting a COVID-19 take a look at or going into quarantine. The company beforehand cautioned in opposition to pointless journey, even for vaccinated individuals.

In keeping with the CDC, almost 100 million individuals within the U.S. — about 30% of the inhabitants — have obtained at the least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, an individual is barely thought-about totally vaccinated two weeks after receiving the final required dose.

Totally vaccinated individuals ought to nonetheless put on a masks and socially distance when touring. For worldwide journey, vaccinated individuals ought to nonetheless get a COVID-19 take a look at earlier than flying to the U.S. and be examined quickly after returning. Vacationers don’t have to quarantine.

It must be famous that touring may doubtlessly introduce virus variants, and on account of variations in vaccine protection world wide, the CDC nonetheless urges warning on abroad journey.

Unvaccinated persons are nonetheless suggested to keep away from any pointless journey.

5:20 p.m.: State advisory no longer tells residents to avoid traveling more than 120 miles from home

California has up to date its coronavirus travel advisory to take away the advice that Californians not journey greater than 120 miles from dwelling.

The state nonetheless advises that suspending journey and staying dwelling are the very best methods to guard your self and others from the virus. 

The replace to the journey advisory comes the identical day the state opened vaccine eligibility to all these 50 and older. 

The state has issued the next steerage for vacationers:

• All vacationers arriving in or returning to California from different states or international locations ought to observe CDC journey steerage.
• All vacationers ought to get examined with a viral take a look at 1-3 days earlier than journey.
• All vacationers who take a look at constructive or develop signs of COVID-19 ought to isolate and observe public well being suggestions.

To this point, greater than 18.4 million vaccine doses have been administered in California.

5:08 p.m.: State audit credits public health department on testing, but contact tracing falls short

The state auditor launched a report Thursday that discovered the California Division of Public Well being’s pandemic spending has had blended outcomes. 

The division has exceeded its testing expectations — doubling its goal aim on the finish of final 12 months.

But it surely struggled in different areas. The state and its native counterparts have lower than half the variety of contact tracers it initially deliberate to rent.

And oversight of spending by native well being departments has been missing. The auditor discovered the state failed to gather progress experiences from all counties and didn’t conduct correct evaluations of its information programs.

The Division of Public Well being says it’s going to revise its plan for hiring contact tracers and can work with counties to make sure they file crucial updates.

4:56 p.m.: Gov. Newsom receives Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine

Gov. Gavin Newsom has obtained his dose of the one-shot Johnson-and-Johnson COVID vaccine. He obtained it Thursday, the identical day people 50 and older in California became eligible for inoculations.

“In the present day’s an vital day clearly with the chance now for individuals my age which have been ready,” stated Newsom, who’s 53.

Afterward, Newsom urged Californians to stay vigilant in carrying masks and social distancing.

“The illness shouldn’t be taking Easter weekend off. This illness shouldn’t be taking spring break off. This illness stays as lethal because it’s ever been,” he stated.

California has administered greater than 18 million doses to date and 6.7 million persons are totally vaccinated. The Democratic governor doubtless will face a recall election stemming partly from his dealing with of the pandemic.

10:45 a.m.: Elk Grove Unified School District reopening middle and high school for in-person learning

Elk Grove Unified Faculty District is welcoming again center and highschool college students to in-person instruction on Thursday.

College students have the choice of coming again to campus two days every week whereas carrying masks and sitting six ft aside. EGUSD Spokesperson Xanthi Soriano stated some elementary college college students have already been again in school rooms for the previous couple of weeks and are following security pointers.

“On campus, we’re nonetheless sustaining six ft aside, beginning or efficient April 13, we shall be altering that to reconfigure desks to 3 ft aside, with few exceptions,” Soriano stated.

Quickly older college students will even be capable of return for 4 days-a-week in-person instruction with desks spaced three ft aside, as per federal well being pointers.

“We’re going to see one other wave of scholars having the ability to entry the assets that now we have at our colleges,” Soriano stated. “It will likely be only a nice alternative for them to have entry to a routine and the entire college websites, together with vitamin.”

Whereas the district has needed to take care of COVID-19 exposures since reopening, Soriano stated the college is ready to manage transmission via quarantine and get in touch with tracing.

10:15 a.m.: Can I still spread COVID-19 even after I’m vaccinated? Yes, but the risk seems low.

AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin

Specialists are nonetheless finding out how good COVID-19 vaccines are at stopping individuals from spreading the virus, however they consider the chance is low, according to the Associated Press.

The present vaccines are extremely efficient at stopping individuals from getting severely sick with the coronavirus however even vaccinated individuals may get asymptomatically contaminated and unfold it to others.

Given the uncertainty, specialists say totally vaccinated individuals ought to proceed to put on masks, social distance in public, and when visiting unvaccinated and high-risk family and friends.

10:09 a.m.: Biden launches community corps to boost COVID-19 vaccinations across US

The Biden administration is unveiling a coalition of neighborhood, non secular and superstar companions to advertise COVID-19 pictures because it seeks to beat vaccine hesitancy.

In keeping with the Related Press, the Division of Well being and Human Companies’ new “We Can Do This” marketing campaign options tv and social media adverts.

The marketing campaign depends on a neighborhood corps of public well being, athletic, religion, and different teams to unfold the phrase in regards to the three authorised coronavirus vaccines’ security and efficacy.

Vice President Kamala Harris and Surgeon Basic Vivek Murthy met Thursday with greater than 275 inaugural neighborhood corps members to kick off the trouble.