Updates on COVID-19, Daily. Over the weekend, Governor Newsom updated the recommendations from the State regarding mitigation for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). You can view the press conference on Twitter. During the update, the Governor cautioned people 65 years and older to consider staying home in self-isolation. He is allowing restaurants to remain open but cutting in half the occupancy numbers to lower public exposure risks in these places. He suggested that bars, wineries and night clubs should voluntarily close to protect public health and safety. In response, many departments have notified all state employees of additional flexibility for leaves to be considered. CAPS is advocating that all departments consider high risk individuals be excused from work immediately and that a plan for social distancing for all employees be rolled out. If you are having issues being granted leave and are considered high risk in the most recent guidelines, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org) immediately!
Third District Court of Appeals Rules in Long-Pending CAPS Challenge. The court last week issued its ruling in CAPS’ challenge to the Department of Fish & Wildlife’s use of the Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisory classification to supervise its peers in the Senior Environmentalist Specialist class. Unfortunately, they did not find in CAPS’ favor. CAPS presented ample evidence of the history of the peers classes’ development by the State Personnel Board based on proposal language and supporting documentation provided by CalHR. Ultimately, however, the Justices relied on perceived ambiguities in the class specifications in upholding a lower court ruling denying the Writ CAPS sought.
CAPS 2020 Primary Election Results. CAPS and the CAPS PAC had excellent primary election results last Tuesday. In sum, the CAPS-endorsed candidate advanced to the November general election in 74 of 75 races in which CAPS took at position. All candidates endorsed by CAPS have positive relationships with CAPS, returned solid questionnaires (that focus on issues pertinent to CAPS members’ employment), and/or have actively sought CAPS’ endorsement and support. Please see the attached memo from PAC Chair Kris Wiese for all the details here.
Use Your Professional Development Days before July 1. CalHR Manual, Section 2112, provides Unit 10 supervisory employees with two days per fiscal year “for activities such as professional association activities, professional and/or personal development seminars, etc.” The language additionally states that “PDD must be used within the fiscal year or calendar year it is granted and not accumulated or cashed out.” As such, make sure you use both of your Professional Development Days before July 1 (which is a little less than three months away), when you will once again have two days available to you. If you have a question regarding how to determine whether you’ve used your professional development days this year, contact your personnel specialist. If you have any additional questions about PDD, contact CAPS at caps@capsscientists.org.
News Briefs
Coronavirus tests are free for 1.5 million people with CalPERS health insurance – The 1.5 million people with CalPERS health insurance won’t have to pay for medically necessary coronavirus tests, according to a spokeswoman for the retirement system.
State orders permanent shutdown of oil drilling site near USC – California regulators are ordering Allenco Energy to plug wells and decommission an oil drilling site whose neighbors once complained of nosebleeds, headaches and other ailments, permanently closing the South Los Angeles facility. In the order, State Oil and Gas Supervisor Uduak-Joe Ntuk declared that Allenco Energy had “deserted” the facility and failed to properly fix leaks that showed that wells were deteriorating.
State Releases updated guidance for schools to prepare and protect students from COVID-19 – California officials at the Department of Public Health issued updated guidance to schools, colleges and universities, event organizers and public health officials as they plan for further spread of COVID-19.
Beaumont kids win awards at RivCo Science & Engineering Fair – Rubi Alvarez, a student at St. Catherine of Alexandria, won a certificate and a $100 scholarship from the California Association of Professional Scientists at the Riverside County Science & Engineering Fair earlier this month.