What We're Reading: Top State Stories 11/23
CA: Daily California coronavirus cases triple as pandemic dramatically worsens
California’s average daily number of coronavirus cases has tripled in the past month, as pandemic conditions deteriorated dramatically around the state. The coronavirus is now infecting more Californians daily than at any previous point in the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns about a new peak in coronavirus-related deaths by Christmas.
US: Many GOP lawmakers shrug off statehouse mask-wearing rules
Many Republican lawmakers in states where coronavirus cases and hospitalizations have surged are not only rejecting statewide mask mandates—they’re resisting rules requiring them in their own capitols.
IN: Coronavirus quarantines lead to severe shortages of teachers, subs in Indiana
The Indiana State Teachers Association is calling on schools to scale back or pause in-person instruction, as nearly every county in the state is experiencing high levels of community spread of the virus. The state’s skyrocketing numbers are making it nearly impossible to keep buildings staffed and open.
NV: Nevada governor tightens restrictions on casinos, restaurants as virus surges
Gaming establishments, bars, restaurants and other businesses throughout Nevada will be capped at 25% capacity to limit the spread of the surging coronavirus, Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak announced.
WI: Milwaukee Health Department says staff are being targeted by death threats
Health department staffers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are facing death threats and online doxxing over the enforcement of coronavirus orders, and in some cases, people have shown up looking for workers.
MO: Missouri officials consider National Guard, field hospital as cases spike
State and local officials, scrambling to prepare for an imminent surge of COVID-19 patients in Missouri, are in talks to stem the tide, including options such as building a field hospital, canceling all but the most urgent medical procedures and deploying the Missouri National Guard to relieve healthcare staffing shortages.
CT: Teacher shortage has Connecticut turning to college students
Connecticut has launched a pilot education program that puts college students in public schools to help ease the state’s teacher shortage during the coronavirus pandemic and increase diversity in the classroom.
RI: COVID-19 situation dire for Rhode Island fishermen
Commercial fishermen in Rhode Island say the impact of the coronavirus has reduced the demand for seafood and caused cuts in prices for their catches that have cost the industry tens of millions of dollars. They worry the spike in cases and return of government restrictions will deepen losses and permanently damage one of the state’s oldest industries.
IL: Rise in COVID-19 cases statewide leading to spike in nursing home cases and deaths in Illinois
An increase in coronavirus cases across Illinois is leading to an alarming new surge in cases and deaths among the virus’ most vulnerable victims in nursing homes, health officials say.
AR: Arkansas Supreme Court again halts jury trials as coronavirus cases grow
The Arkansas Supreme Court has suspended jury trials across the state until at least Jan. 15, citing a "dramatic uptick" in COVID-19 infections. It is the second time this year that the high court has suspended jury trials because of the coronavirus.
CO: Colorado county refuses to enforce statewide COVID-19 restrictions
Weld County said it would not obey Colorado’s new COVID-19 restrictions as the state raises the county’s level on the COVID dial. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said in a news conference Friday that Weld County has just three available ICU beds, and no non-ICU hospital beds left.
FL: Florida's policy on home visits carries risk
Florida’s nursing home and assisted living residents can leave to visit family members over the holidays, but their return runs the risk of pushing up coronavirus cases. Experts and advocates say the state needs more safety protocols.
NC: North Carolina governor sees opportunity for new jobs post-pandemic
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, said state companies quickly pivoted to making face shields and masks. He touted a Connecticut-based company that announced plans to build a facility that could employ about 650 people in Durham and make single-dose, pre-filled injectors that could be used to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine.
AK: Most Alaska adults susceptible to severed COVID-19 infection, state experts say
Two out of three Alaska adults have at least one risk factor that heath officials link with a higher chance of a severe COVID-19 infection, a new analysis from the state health department shows.
WY: Wyoming medical centers try to keep pace with coronavirus surge
State health officials recently warned Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, that the state could be heading for 3,000 new COVID-19 cases a day, and 2% of those cases could need hospitalization. That would mean 60 new hospitalized patients a day.
DE: Delaware hospitals gear up for potential virus crisis
As the number of individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 continues to climb, Delaware is prepping its hospital system to ensure it won’t be overwhelmed if the number rises to new levels. Now the main worry for the state is if there’s enough hospital staff to deal with a potential crisis, according to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.
MD: Maryland’s first batch of coronavirus tests from South Korea was flawed, never used
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, spent $9.46 million in state funding to import 500,000 coronavirus tests from South Korea that turned out to be flawed and weren’t used. The Hogan administration quietly paid the same South Korean company $2.5 million for 500,000 replacement tests.
NY: Data shows racial bias in New York parole process
A white inmate in a New York prison is significantly more likely on average to be released on parole than a Black or Hispanic person. That gap has widened in 2020, according to an (Albany) Times Union analysis of nearly 19,000 parole board decisions over the last two years.
WA: Washington sees record hospitalizations
apnews.com
The number of people who were hospitalized in Washington to receive treatment for the coronavirus has reached a record high, forcing hospitals to make changes to meet the influx of patients, health officials said. Leaders from hospitals statewide met last week to consider strategies to ensure they have room to care for COVID-19 patients as the hospitalization rate climbs.
OR: Oregon economy could see 'permanent damage' from long-term unemployment
oregonlive.com
Oregon’s recovery from the coronavirus recession will likely be much faster than from prior downturns, state economists said. They cautioned, however, that there are growing signs of “permanent damage” to Oregon’s economy as the number of long-term unemployed soars.
