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| California to Mail All Voters Ballots for November Election | California to Mail All Voters Ballots for November Election |
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| Gov. Gavin Newsom of California on Friday ordered ballots to be sent to the state’s 20.6 million voters for the November election, becoming the first state to alter its voting plans for the general election in response to the public health concerns wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. | Gov. Gavin Newsom of California on Friday ordered ballots to be sent to the state’s 20.6 million voters for the November election, becoming the first state to alter its voting plans for the general election in response to the public health concerns wrought by the coronavirus pandemic. |
| While California has greatly expanded its vote-by-mail operation in past elections — roughly 65 percent of the state voted by mail in the 2018 midterm elections — the decision by the largest state in the country to greatly reduce in-person voting is a recognition by state officials that the coronavirus outbreak is unlikely to subside by the fall. | While California has greatly expanded its vote-by-mail operation in past elections — roughly 65 percent of the state voted by mail in the 2018 midterm elections — the decision by the largest state in the country to greatly reduce in-person voting is a recognition by state officials that the coronavirus outbreak is unlikely to subside by the fall. |
| “There’s a lot of concern and anxiety around this November’s election in terms of making sure that you can conduct yourself in a safe way and to make sure that your health is protected,” Mr. Newsom said at a news conference on Friday. But, he added, “we still want to have the appropriate number of physical sites for people to vote as well.” | “There’s a lot of concern and anxiety around this November’s election in terms of making sure that you can conduct yourself in a safe way and to make sure that your health is protected,” Mr. Newsom said at a news conference on Friday. But, he added, “we still want to have the appropriate number of physical sites for people to vote as well.” |
| [Sign up for California Today, our daily newsletter about California.] | [Sign up for California Today, our daily newsletter about California.] |
| Mr. Newsom said officials would be working in the next “days and weeks” to determine how in-person voting would be conducted in November. That responsibility will largely fall to county officials, who must find larger polling places and will have to eliminate senior centers and retirement homes that have long served as sites. | Mr. Newsom said officials would be working in the next “days and weeks” to determine how in-person voting would be conducted in November. That responsibility will largely fall to county officials, who must find larger polling places and will have to eliminate senior centers and retirement homes that have long served as sites. |
| During an online fund-raiser for Joseph R. Biden Jr. Friday evening, Mr. Newsom said he hoped the move would “inspire others across the country’’ and specifically added “including red states” to follow suit, according to a pool report. Mr. Biden then praised him, saying “you’re also protecting the cornerstone of our democracy, the right to vote.” | During an online fund-raiser for Joseph R. Biden Jr. Friday evening, Mr. Newsom said he hoped the move would “inspire others across the country’’ and specifically added “including red states” to follow suit, according to a pool report. Mr. Biden then praised him, saying “you’re also protecting the cornerstone of our democracy, the right to vote.” |
| Mr. Newsom formally endorsed Mr. Biden’s candidacy, saying “I’m so honored to be here with you and supporting your presidency.’’ | Mr. Newsom formally endorsed Mr. Biden’s candidacy, saying “I’m so honored to be here with you and supporting your presidency.’’ |
| In shifting to a broader vote-by-mail system, California is trying to avoid the public health debacle wrought by the April 7 elections in Wisconsin, where voters and poll workers weighed the health risks of congregating en masse during a pandemic with their right to vote. | In shifting to a broader vote-by-mail system, California is trying to avoid the public health debacle wrought by the April 7 elections in Wisconsin, where voters and poll workers weighed the health risks of congregating en masse during a pandemic with their right to vote. |
| States around the country have sought to expand their vote-by-mail operation for primary elections. In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered postage-paid ballots sent to every voter for the primary, and the Ohio primary on April 28 was conducted nearly entirely through absentee ballots. | States around the country have sought to expand their vote-by-mail operation for primary elections. In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered postage-paid ballots sent to every voter for the primary, and the Ohio primary on April 28 was conducted nearly entirely through absentee ballots. |
| “This is the smartest, most healthy way to be able to exercise the right to vote,” said Alex Padilla, the secretary of state, who has been urging other states to adopt similar policies. “All the things that we need to do to prepare for an accessible election needs to begin happening now.” | “This is the smartest, most healthy way to be able to exercise the right to vote,” said Alex Padilla, the secretary of state, who has been urging other states to adopt similar policies. “All the things that we need to do to prepare for an accessible election needs to begin happening now.” |
| The move was widely expected among California officials, who are overwhelmingly Democrats and have supported expansive voting rights, including same-day voter registration they are eager to preserve. In the early weeks of the pandemic, Mr. Newsom signed an order to mail ballots to all registered voters in the 25th Congressional District, where a special election will be held next Tuesday. | The move was widely expected among California officials, who are overwhelmingly Democrats and have supported expansive voting rights, including same-day voter registration they are eager to preserve. In the early weeks of the pandemic, Mr. Newsom signed an order to mail ballots to all registered voters in the 25th Congressional District, where a special election will be held next Tuesday. |
| In that race, so far, Republicans are mailing back ballots at a much higher rate than Democrats, who have a higher number of registered voters in the district overall. As of Friday, roughly 38 percent of Republicans had already cast their vote, compared to 25 percent of Democrats, according to tracking data. | In that race, so far, Republicans are mailing back ballots at a much higher rate than Democrats, who have a higher number of registered voters in the district overall. As of Friday, roughly 38 percent of Republicans had already cast their vote, compared to 25 percent of Democrats, according to tracking data. |
| Though the Republican National Committee has objected to other state’s attempts to mail ballots to every voter, any effort to overturn Mr. Newsom’s order could be difficult, both politically and legally. | Though the Republican National Committee has objected to other state’s attempts to mail ballots to every voter, any effort to overturn Mr. Newsom’s order could be difficult, both politically and legally. |
| Updated June 16, 2020 | |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| Though voter fraud is exceedingly rare in the United States, the Trump campaign has continued to push a false narrative about vote-by-mail fraud. They continued that argument in a statement to CNN on Friday night, attempting to paint Mr. Newsom’s executive order as a “thinly-veiled political tactic to undermine election security.” | Though voter fraud is exceedingly rare in the United States, the Trump campaign has continued to push a false narrative about vote-by-mail fraud. They continued that argument in a statement to CNN on Friday night, attempting to paint Mr. Newsom’s executive order as a “thinly-veiled political tactic to undermine election security.” |
| The California Republican Party echoed the president’s comments, questioning the election’s integrity in a statement and claiming that the vote-by-mail plan “is not a task that these Democrats can adequately manage or safely execute.” | The California Republican Party echoed the president’s comments, questioning the election’s integrity in a statement and claiming that the vote-by-mail plan “is not a task that these Democrats can adequately manage or safely execute.” |
| “We need more assurances that this election will be safe, fair and monitored to ensure the accurate and timely results Californians deserve,” said Jessica Millan Patterson, the chairwoman of the California G.O.P. The statement also called on the governor to “stop the practice of ‘ballot harvesting,’” a term for collecting ballots in person. There is no indication that the practice would continue under social distancing measures. | “We need more assurances that this election will be safe, fair and monitored to ensure the accurate and timely results Californians deserve,” said Jessica Millan Patterson, the chairwoman of the California G.O.P. The statement also called on the governor to “stop the practice of ‘ballot harvesting,’” a term for collecting ballots in person. There is no indication that the practice would continue under social distancing measures. |