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L.A. races to save 15,000 homeless people from coronavirus — one hotel room at a time

Doug Smith

April 18, 2020 |

Los Angeles Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

In Los Angeles, the city-led effort, Project Roomkey, is working to get 15,000 people experiencing homelessness into hotel rooms in the fight against COVID-19. Working with the LA Homeless Services Authority and state negotiators, partnerships with hotels are being developed and are already housing some of these individuals. While costing nearly $190 million, it is helping save lives and hopefully keeping hotels afloat.

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How Europe manages to keep a lid on coronavirus unemployment while it spikes in the U.S.

Michael Birnbaum

April 11, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: France

European countries like France and Germany have been able to keep their unemployment rates low because of pre-existing programs that have been called to action during COVID-19. In France, the government subsidizes up to 84% of wages to incentive companies not to lay their employees off. In Germany, their short-time work program pays up to two-thirds of employee pay. While not an inexpensive method, some say it could help their economies replenish quicker after the pandemic.

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Are We Firing Too Many People In The U.S.?

Greg Rosalsky

April 07, 2020 |

NPR |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

“Kurzarbeit” is a German governmental program that helps preserve jobs in an economic crisis. A company can reduce the hours of workers and the government will help pay them, which preserves the important specialized training invested in manufacturing jobs, helps workers get some pay, and reduces the reliance upon unemployment benefits that are comparable to those in the U.S. It worked in the 2008 recession, and it is working in the economic downturn caused by COVID-19.

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California's Streamlined SNAP App Pivots to Meet COVID-19 Demand

Emily Nonko

April 01, 2020 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

A state’s digital portals can be ways to reach residents’ needs as well as collect data on the real-time effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In California, the state’s SNAP assistance tool, GetCalFresh, emerged as a vital resources in the COVID-19 pandemic. Code for America originally developed the app to simplify access to federal supplemental nutritional assistance programs and is now relaying the needs of citizens as well as providing additional data on economic trends during the crisis.

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How Bartenders and Wait Staff Are Making Up for Lost Tips During COVID-19 Quarantine

Oscar Perry Abello

March 24, 2020 |

Next City |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

Bartenders and restaurant workers rely heavily on tips and often work off the books, which puts them in a unique disadvantage when trying to collect financial aid during this pandemic. Some have thought of creative ways to stay in touch with regular customers to ask for tips and others have sought relief from Restaurant Opportunities Centers United which has a membership of 30,000 restaurant workers and has provided half a million dollars in funding. The organization has sought to provide immediate help and is also pushing for long-term structural change such as paid sick leave.

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With command and control, Taiwan excels in managing COVID-19

Don Shapiro

March 23, 2020 |

Channel News Asia |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

After the 2003 SARS epidemic, Taiwan formed the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), which has proved necessary in the face of COVID19. The CECC has helped coordinated screenings for incoming travelers, rationing face masks, creating a hotline, and enforcing mandatory self-quarantines. They’ve also integrated health insurance, immigration, and customs databases to identify those most at risk.

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"There Are No Kids Here": Some Enrichment Centers For Children Of Essential Personnel See Light Attendance On Day One

Sophia Chang Jessica Gould

March 23, 2020 |

Gothamist |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As city schools closed in response to the COVID19 pandemic, New York City opened Regional Enrichment Centers for children of essential personnel. With 93 operating sites, they anticipate caring for about 57,000 children, although attendance so far has been low. Certain precautions are being taken, too, like routine wellness checks for participants and employees, on-site nurses, and constant cleaning and disinfecting.

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South Korea Shows World How to Slow Spread of Coronavirus

William Gallo

March 12, 2020 |

Voice of America (VOA) |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Korea, Seoul

South Korea has taken a softer approach to preventing and containing the coronavirus, in large part because they’ve prioritized accessible testing and have an already-existing strong and affordable healthcare system. Beyond that, the government has centered on citizen education – sending daily updates about new cases and provided a hotline for questions and concerns.

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In Baltimore, parents owe hundreds of millions in child support. Here's how other states have made changes for the better.

Yvonne Wenger

March 09, 2020 |

The Baltimore Sun |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Maryland

Maryland's punitive child-support policies, which have piled $233 million in largely uncollectable debt on the state's poorest residents and destabilized families and neighborhoods, could be improved by adopting reforms other states have used to increase payment compliance. In Colorado, for example, more support payments have meant healthier families and communities, after the state stopped offsetting welfare payments by whatever child support had been paid. Other states have stopped revoking driver's licenses and work permits as a non-payment penalty, in order to make steady employment more attainable.

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Paid to Stay Home: Europe's Safety Net Could Ease Toll of Coronavirus

Liz Alderman

March 06, 2020 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: France, Paris

Europe's generous social policies, such as allowing employees to retain their salaries while taking sick time to care for themselves or family members, may help to mitigate the coronavirus outbreak while also safeguarding the economy. Although the long-term impacts are yet unknown, in the short term, government-provided incentives are helping people and businesses stay afloat.

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