Statewide Shelter in Place Order Given. As noted in Friday’s CAPS Alert, Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a statewide Shelter in Place Order. Some CAPS members are considered to work in “essential functions,” and must report to work. Those members should see social distancing protocols in effect at their workplace. Otherwise, departments were instructed to allow employees to telework if at all possible. We have heard that many of you are already working remotely or have workplaces that have implemented social distancing policies. CAPS will keep you apprised of any additional changes, as the situation progresses. 

Due to the order, all CAPS offices are currently closed, but our staff is working remotely. If you encounter issues with social distancing at your workplace, or with telework, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org). 

Know Your Rights. Timely Payment of Wages. Section 2.5 of the CAPS MOU ensures that should State Scientists not receive their pay on payday, through no fault of their own, the state will provide a salary advance “within two (2) work days after payday for an amount close to the actual net pay (gross salary less deductions) in accordance with departmental policy.” It also provides a salary advance for when a paycheck is late for other reasons, such as AWOL, or late dock. In this second case, employees will be provided “a salary advance of no less than fifty percent (50%) of the employee’s actual net pay…within five (5) work days after payday.” If you encounter issues receiving your pay on time, first contact your personnel specialist. If you are denied a salary advance, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).   

Members-Only Section Password.  Effective Tuesday, March 24, the CAPS website members-only section password will be Spring2020.  It is case-sensitive.  

News Briefs.

Ensuring Food Safety Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic – Officials are working diligently to ensure that the public is aware of the factual information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and how it relates to food safety.  The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is continuing efforts to provide a safe and healthy food supply. Those efforts include maintaining the strict infrastructure for food inspection, implementing extensive sanitary practices and preventative controls.

CalPERS Employee Tests Negative For Coronavirus – As volatile stock markets have resulted in tens of billions of dollars of losses for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS), there was one bit of  positive news Wednesday. Tests came back showing the CalPERS employee suspected of possibly having coronavirus did not have the virus.

Before coronavirus, California let its public health funding stall for a decade – Fourteen years ago, California made a huge investment in public health by creating a standalone state department and seeding it with tens of millions of dollars in special funding for emergency supplies. In 2009, former Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger put it to work, using the new department to lead the state’s response to a swine flu outbreak that year. Then, the Great Recession hit, and California’s spending on its public health department plateaued, even as a 10-year economic expansion swelled the state’s budget by nearly $100 billion.  Now the state’s urgency to respond to the virus that triggers the COVID-19 disease reminds some health advocates of an era that prioritized public health funding.