Santa Cruz County Local COVID-19 News Articles and Digest

COVID-19 Education

California Schools Gained Billions During COVID-19. Now the Money is Running Out

03/04/2024
California schools got $23.4 billion in federal pandemic relief money. Low-income schools that got the most may be hardest hit when the funds expire this year.

From CapPublicRadio...

COVID-19 Health Crisis & Personal Support

Antidepressant Prescriptions to Young People Surged During the Pandemic

02/27/2024
The monthly rate of antidepressants being dispensed to young people increased about 64% more quickly during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Business, Economy & Jobs

Sacramento Joins San Francisco as California’s Slowest Cities to Recover From the Pandemic

01/30/2024
San Francisco is coping with a “doom loop” of declining employment and business activity in its downtown core, but a new study suggests Sacramento may be in worse shape.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Elections & Politics Crime & Justice Government

A Step Forward for Free Speech in Kern County?

12/28/2023
Kern County agrees to better protect free speech in a deal with the state Justice Department—inspired by the county’s’ 2020 squashing of COVID contracts to organizations that advocated defunding police.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Education Community Service & Support Government State of California

Are the Kids All Right? New California K-12 Performance Data is Out

12/15/2023
Despite a few improvements, results show students are still struggling on several fronts.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Families & Children Health Government

Will Kids Still Take Their Medicine? New State Law Forces Pharmacies to Take Out the Flavor

11/28/2023
Parents say flavored medication can help ensure their kids finish a prescription. Far fewer California pharmacies are offering that service as they await new rules from a state regulator.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Elections & Politics History Government

California vs. Florida: Need-to-Know Facts About the Rival States Ahead of Newsom-DeSantis Showdown

11/28/2023
Political wonks in California, Florida and maybe a few states in between, will be glued to their screens Thursday night to watch Gov. Gavin Newsom and Gov. Ron Desantis square off in a highly-anticipated Blue vs. Red State debate that’s been brewing since the summer.

From Los Angeles Times...

COVID-19 Health Government

Data Explores Whether California or Florida Handled COVID Better

11/27/2023
California and Florida took starkly different approaches to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that more Floridians died per capita of COVID than did Californians.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Education Government

Community College Enrollment Rebounding Post-Pandemic, and Students Over 50 Are a Big Reason Why

11/12/2023
California’s community colleges are seeing enrollment gains for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Older students—those over 50—are some of the first to return.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

COVID-19 Health County of Santa Cruz

New Santa Cruz County Health Order in Effect for Virus Season

11/08/2023
As of Nov. 1, personnel working in acute care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, surgical and maternity centers, and infusion centers are required to wear a face mask at all times regardless of vaccination status.

From Press Banner...

COVID-19 Education

Post-Pandemic Learning-Loss Picture Comes Into Focus for North County Schools

11/02/2023
Image for display with article titled Post-Pandemic Picture Comes Into Focus for North County Schools

Educators have highlighted positives in data emerging from tests since the end of the pandemic, but Covid-19 also dealt a blow to learning in this idyllic corner of California.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Business, Economy & Jobs Health Government

Effects of COVID Isolation Surfacing for California’s Young Professionals

10/25/2023
After years of isolation and virtual classes, young professionals in California’s workforce are reportedly struggling with greater mental health challenges and burnout. If colleges and companies don’t pay more attention, there could be economic consequences.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Education Families & Children Community Service & Support Government

California Student Test Scores Remain Low

10/18/2023
Despite an influx of money to counter learning loss during the pandemic, English language arts and math test scores remain low.

From Santa Cruz Local...

COVID-19 Resilience County of Santa Cruz

How to Get a COVID Vaccine and Flu Shot in Santa Cruz County

10/13/2023
Image for display with article titled How to Get a COVID Vaccine and Flu Shot in Santa Cruz County

Plus: Winter flood outlook to be discussed by county supervisors.

From Daily Democrat...

COVID-19 Health

Mayo Clinic Expert Answers Questions on COVID Tests, New Variants

09/21/2023
Companies set the original test dates arbitrarily due to these diagnostic at-home tests being developed rapidly. So, check your boxes before you toss them.

From CapPublicRadio...

COVID-19 Health

New COVID Boosters Are Coming: What You Need to Know

09/13/2023
Cases are on the rise, and so are hospitalizations and deaths. So the federal government's release of new, updated COVID boosters feels like good timing.

From Press Banner...

COVID-19 Business, Economy & Jobs County of Santa Cruz

As Local Economic Recovery Accelerates, Report Highlights Workforce Needs in Santa Cruz County

09/08/2023

The 2023 State of the Workforce report by the Workforce Development Board shows that the local economy is experiencing a robust post-pandemic recovery.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Education Health Government

Why Aren’t Kids Going to School? After Pandemic, Chronic Absenteeism Hitting Crisis Levels

09/06/2023
Nearly a third of K-12 students statewide were chronically absent in 2020-21, more than three times the pre-pandemic rate. Some school officials fear that pattern is becoming the new normal.

From CalMatters...

COVID-19 Public Safety Crime & Justice Government

He Lied to Win a California Rehab Contract. Now He’s Convicted of Exploiting Parolees in His Care

09/05/2023
Attila Colar went to prison for lying to the government. After California gave him another contract as a provider in a rehabilitation program, a federal jury convicted him of fraud for using the personal information of Bay Area parolees and others to collect government COVID funds.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

COVID-19 Health

New COVID Variant Shows Virus’ Rapid Evolution

08/28/2023
Experts are recommending that people wait for the newest booster when it becomes available—even though it remains uncertain how well the immunity it induces will match up with the latest coronavirus strains.

Santa Cruz County Local News: COVID-19