Route Fifty
As New York Begins ‘Aggressive’ Antibody Testing, Experts Caution Much Still Unknown About Immunity
The state announced a plan on Sunday to begin testing people for antibodies that might indicate some immunity to Covid-19. International public health officials warn that the tests aren’t conclusive.
Oversight
Analysis: What Federalism Means for the Coronavirus Response
Throughout the coronavirus crisis, President Trump has made inconsistent statements about who is responsible for key aspects of the nation’s response to the pandemic. The Constitution has the answer.
Workforce
Survey: Most Feds Say the Coronavirus Pandemic Has Had a 'Major' or 'Extreme' Impact on Agency Operations
Only 4-in-10 of those still reporting to work say their agencies have provided adequate protections.
Route Fifty
‘There’s Never Been Anything Like This:’ Managing the State Employee Workforce
An interview about the challenges faced by human resource directors as they figure out leave policies, hazardous duty pay and countless other workforce issues during the coronavirus crisis.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: GAO is Reviewing the Federal Government’s Pandemic Response
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Internal Documents Show Federal Agencies Supported the WHO Before Trump Was Against It
In a battle between China and the U.S. over global leadership, American diplomats and aid officials cited U.S. funding of the World Health Organization as key and relied heavily on the agency for help. When Trump cut its funding, he upended all that.
Workforce
Office of Special Counsel to Federal Employees: We’re Here to Protect You
As the office takes steps to protect its own employees, OSC has created a coronavirus task force to handle the rise in whistleblower disclosures and charges of retaliation.
Management
The Army Corps of Engineers' Race to Convert Hotels and Convention Centers to Hospitals
The agency's first makeshift hospital was in New York’s Javits Center, and it is building or has built close to 30 similar projects around the country.
Nextgov
VA to Distribute Thousands of Facebook Portals to Vets and Caregivers in Isolation
The devices will be distributed in pairs to connect qualifying veterans and caregivers during the pandemic.
Employee Policy
AFGE pushes back on DOD budget-reduction targets
The American Federation of Government Employees issued a letter April 16 to Congress opposing parts of the proposed Expanding Acquisition Reform Act, which seeks to formalize DOD's zero-based budgeting process.
Tech
GovExec Daily: Oversight and the JEDI Contract
Frank Konkel joins the podcast to explain the Pentagon IG report on the huge defense cloud contract.
Workforce
Millions of Essential Workers Are Being Left Out of COVID-19 Workplace Safety Protections, Thanks to OSHA
Even as the federal worker-safety agency has been inundated with complaints, it has rolled back safety standards and virtually eliminated non-health care workplaces from government protection.
Employee Policy
VA needs more PPE, worker protections, medical staff says
As more patients and staffers contract coronavirus infections, employees are seeking more personal protective equipment, collaboration with management and hazard pay.
Route Fifty
Prospect of Steep Service Cuts Looms as Virus Batters State and Local Budgets
“The longer this persists, the deeper it will be for state and locals and state and local cutbacks,” one expert noted this week.
Workforce
Restarting the Economy Too Soon Could Damage It More
Preventing people from getting sick with COVID-19 and saving lives is better for the economy than reopening businesses too soon, a new paper finds.
Nextgov
How a Slice of Spectrum Split the U.S. Government
The head of the Federal Communications Commission wants to allow a satellite company access in the interest of 5G despite objections from Defense, Commerce and other departments and agencies.
Route Fifty
States Start Hiring Battalions of Contact Tracers to Track Covid-19
As governors look to loosen coronavirus restrictions, a key benchmark will be improving the ability to track and isolate new cases. That will include more “contact tracers,” investigators who track down those who’ve come in contact with infected people.
Management
Impasses Panel Imposes Steep Cuts to Official Time, Other Rights for Administrative Law Judges
Union that represents administrative law judges at the Social Security Administration vowed to take “all necessary legal action” to protect members, as multiple lawsuits proceed.
Workforce
USDA Is Relocating Its Food Inspectors From One Hot Spot to the Next As More Employees Get Sick
Now employees are required to continue working even after known coronavirus exposure as government seeks to avoid food supply disruptions.
Nextgov