Management

One Month In, How Biden Has Changed Disaster Management and the U.S. COVID-19 Response

Developing a national disaster response plan for the pandemic was only step one.

Workforce

VA Touts Lower Employee COVID-19 Infection Rates, Improved PPE Supply

Officials praise VA workforce's resiliency as widespread vaccination leads to far fewer employees missing work.

Management

Winter Storm Hampers COVID Vaccine Shipments and Distribution

Biden administration officials express confidence in mitigating the impacts. 

Workforce

Officials Still Fighting for Vaccine Distribution for D.C.-Area Feds Despite Initial Rejection

Lawmakers caution the Biden administration against “foisting” feds onto state vaccination programs.

Oversight

GovExec Daily: The Avenues for COVID-19 Oversight

Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to discuss how Congress and GAO are tracking the pandemic response.

Workforce

What Does ‘Reopening Schools’ Mean? Here’s What the Biden Administration Has Said.

The president’s powers to reopen schools during the pandemic are limited, but Biden has said it is a priority.

Defense

One-Third of US Troops Are Refusing the COVID Vaccine. History May Help Explain Why

After botching anthrax shots decades ago, the Pentagon’s hands are tied. Only the president can order troops to take new vaccines.

Management

How USPS Came to Overstate Its Pandemic Fallout

The pandemic's impact on the Postal Service has not been nearly as dramatic as the agency once feared.

Workforce

Biden Task Force Says Unmasked Feds Should Face Discipline, Calls for Bonus Leave

A task force on federal employee safety during the COVID-19 pandemic has issued its first set of guidelines.

Workforce

Coronavirus Roundup: Winter Storms Hamper Vaccine Shipments; an Update on Efforts to Combat Mask Fraud

There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.

Workforce

Prominent Scientists Call on CDC to Better Protect Workers From COVID-19

The academics insist that more workers should get top-rated N95 masks, the best defense against airborne coronavirus particles.

Management

1918 Pandemic Provides Warning about COVID-19’s Future

Even if we start to see a decrease in COVID cases, a study of the 1918 influenza pandemic suggests a spike could occur in late 2021 or early 2022.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: How Will Feds Get Vaccinated?

Eric Katz joins the podcast to discuss the confusing messaging coming out of agencies.

Oversight

House Republicans Call for Accounting of Unused COVID Relief Funds 

Effort seeks to bolster transparency and accountability as Congress and the president are working to pass the next aid package. 

Oversight

CDC Issues New Guidance on How to Reopen Schools

High COVID-19 case counts mean most schools likely aren't ready to be fully in person.

Management

GovExec Daily: How the Vaccine Rollout is Leaving out Communities of Color

The Center for Urban and Racial Equity's Dr. Judy Lubin joins the podcast to discuss the inequality still present in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workforce

Some Agencies Tell Employees They Should Be Prioritized for COVID-19 Vaccine, But Offer Little Other Help

Federal agencies and states appear to disagree on who is responsible for vaccinating frontline federal workers.

Management

Vice President Kamala Harris Emphasizes Speed and Equity in Response to COVID-19 Crisis

In Harris’ first national sit-down interview since becoming vice president, she discusses her focus on an equitable response to the COVID-19 crisis with 19th editor-at-large Errin Haines.