Workforce
Social Distancing Comes with Social Side Effects – Here’s How to Stay Connected
Physically isolating yourself can feel psychologically isolating too. But there are ways to maintain connections in these crazy coronavirus times.
Management
Mass Telework Causes Operational Strains for Agencies
Some agencies are telling employees to cut back as networks get overloaded.
Route Fifty
Ohio Orders Polls Closed, While Others Hold Election Primaries Amid Outbreak
After a judge denied Ohio’s request to postpone the state’s primary elections, the governor announced an emergency order to close polls on Tuesday. Arizona, Florida and Illinois are taking extra precautions to keep voters safe at the polls amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Nextgov
Government Partnership Offers Cash Prizes for AI Tools That Support Coronavirus Research
A new open research database and artificial intelligence challenge will help the U.S. crowdsource its pandemic response.
Management
As White House Expands 'Maximum Telework' Across the Country, Many Employees Fear They Are Unprotected
VA health care workers want protections, administrative judges want closures and employee groups want answers.
Route Fifty
How I Finally Got a Coronavirus Test
After almost a week of illness and testing negative for flu, strep throat and mono, a reporter on Monday is tested for Covid-19.
Management
Discovering the Brain’s Nightly 'Rinse Cycle'
The director of the National Institutes of Health explains why getting restful sleep is essential for your mental and physical health.
Management
Election Agency Issues Guidance on Handling Primaries and Caucuses During Coronavirus
"Election officials are contingency planners by nature," says the agency.
Route Fifty
San Francisco Bay Area Counties Order Residents to ‘Shelter in Place’
Counties in the San Francisco Bay Area became the first jurisdictions in the country to order residents to “shelter in place.” Across the country, some governors and mayors ordered bars, restaurants, movie theaters, and gyms to close.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: News About the Outbreak that Matters to Feds
There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s a list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
No Matter What Some Public Officials Say, the Message You Need to Hear Is 'Stay Home'
Mixed messaging from all levels of government is putting Americans at risk and will speed the spread of the coronavirus. No matter what politicians say, public health experts agree. Stay home, even if you feel fine.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Urges FEHBP Insurers to Reduce Costs for Coronavirus Treatment
Amid questions from lawmakers, the federal government’s HR agency confirmed that it is pushing to minimize costs for federal employees who require treatment for COVID-19.
Defense
Pentagon Bars Most Guests, Travelers Starting Monday
New restrictions apply to visitors, foreigners, ceremonies. International travelers must wait 14 days for entry.
Oversight
Immigrant Rights Groups Call on ICE to Halt Raids During Coronavirus Outbreak
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agency does not conduct enforcement operations at medical facilities “except under extraordinary circumstances.”
Management
Viewpoint: The Airport Chaos Is the Product of Negligence
The Trump administration asked the wrong question.
Management
Experts: Here’s What We Know about the New Coronavirus
Two infectious disease experts have put together a "COVID-19 primer" that includes information on prevention, symptoms, and work toward a vaccine.
Workforce
When Your Work Is Classified, ‘Work From Home’ Doesn’t Work
That’s just the start of the problems for defense employees, contract workers, and their bosses who are trying to take coronavirus precautions.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Telework Best Practices From a Manager
As the coronavirus pandemic forces more Americans to work from home, Katherine McIntire Peters talks with the podcast about how she manages a remote staff.
Workforce
White House Calls for 'Maximum Telework Flexibilities' for D.C.-Area Employees
It also gives agency heads more discretion to offer paid time off for those who cannot telework.
Management