Route Fifty

Salt Lake City Cracks Down on Large Groups Greeting Missionaries at Airport

The stricter rules came after hundreds of residents ignored social-distancing guidelines to greet missionaries returning from abroad.

Nextgov

Amazon: Pentagon Trying to ‘Gerrymander’ JEDI Corrective Action

Amazon Web Services said the Pentagon’s plan to fix the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure cloud contract is not enough. 

Nextgov

GSA Warns of COVID-19 Contracting Scam and Price Gouging

After receiving reports of an imposter claiming to hold a GSA contract, officials are reminding agency buyers to verify vendor information.

Oversight

Voting by Mail Would Reduce Coronavirus Transmission but It Has Other Risks

As COVID-19 spreads, many are proposing to hold the November election by mail. Without careful preparation, though, the transition could run into logistical problems and provide opportunities for voter fraud.

Pay & Benefits

House Dems Unveil Stimulus Plan Including Paid Childcare, Mandatory Telework and Hazard Pay for Feds

Measure comes with a $2.5 trillion price tag and includes provisions to rescind Trump's efforts to weaken federal employee unions.

Defense

Esper Orders Pentagon into Stricter Health-Related Lockdown

Most of the military installations in the Washington, D.C., area have already been designated HPCON-C, the second-highest level, to protect personnel from the coronavirus.

Defense

Why Trump Isn’t Using The Defense Production Act

He wants to allow corporations to sell vital medical gear to the highest-bidding states. Governors say that’s exactly the problem.

Management

How One Federal Agency Took Care of Its Workers During the Yellow Fever Pandemic in the 1790S

Today's coronavirus pandemic has echoes in the yellow fever pandemic of the 1790s. Then, as now, workers struggled with how to support themselves and their families. One federal agency had the answer.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: What It Takes to Get Tested for Coronavirus

Kate Queram joins the podcast to tell her story of finally getting tested for COVID-19.

Defense

Viewpoint: I Used to Run ICE. We Need to Release the Nonviolent Detainees.

It’s the only way to protect detention facilities and the people in them from COVID-19.

Route Fifty

New Jersey Set to Release 1,000 Jail Inmates to Limit Coronavirus Spread

Up to 1,000 people could be eligible for release. Other jurisdictions around the U.S. are also taking steps to curb their jail populations.

Route Fifty

How Congress’ Competing Coronavirus Bills Would Help State, Local Governments

The latest Senate bill would pit businesses and state and local governments against each other for $500 billion in economic stabilization loans, while a House proposal would set aside $200 billion for states and another pot for localities.

Management

Election Agency Works to Accommodate Coronavirus During 2020 Campaign Season

“Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the lack of a quorum at the FEC was keeping it from taking swift action on any complaints,” said one expert.

Workforce

With Dozens of Confirmed Coronavirus Cases, USPS Launches New Measures to Protect Employees

Congress floats major cash injection as employees remain concerned for their safety.

Management

Bipartisan Legislation Would Direct Federal Agencies to Allow Full-Time Telework

Senators from both parties said the Trump administration’s guidance encouraging agencies to allow their employees to work remotely proved inadequate to protect employees and the public from the coronavirus outbreak.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Officials Report Continuous Service Despite Coronavirus, Market Volatility

Officials at the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program said although the agency saw a record number of inter-fund transfers, most participants are sticking with their investment plan.

Management

To Beat COVID-19, Social Distancing is a Must

The director of the National Institutes of Health describes a new study, which shows that simply avoiding symptomatic people will not go far enough to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.

Defense

Viewpoint: The Right Way to Activate the National Guard

There are three methods of mobilizing America’s citizen soldiers. Which one Trump chooses will matter a great deal.

Nextgov

Trump Administration Wants to Know What COVID-19 Tech From China Should Be Exempt From Tariffs

The administration has already lifted tariffs on 200 medical-care products from China in response to the coronavirus outbreak but wants to know what more is needed.