Defense
Army Wants To Train Hundreds of Soldiers in Coronavirus ‘Safety Bubbles’
Entire companies and battalions could be isolated in the field for a month, Secretary McCarthy said in an interview.
Defense
Aircraft Carrier Captain Fired For ‘Poor Judgement’ In Sending Coronavirus Letter
Acting Secretary Modly’s Thursday decision to sack the skipper of Theodore Roosevelt was quickly criticized as retaliation for embarrassing Navy leaders.
Management
4 Weird Things that Happen When You Videoconference
An educational technology scholar illuminates some of odd feelings people experience when they communicate through cameras on the web.
Workforce
GovExec Daily: Pivoting to Virtual Work Environments
Jacquelyn Phillips had to change a 90-person meeting from an in-person event to a virtual one. She joins the podcast to explain how she did it and how she continues to lead staff remotely during the pandemic.
Route Fifty
Are Gun Stores Essential During a Pandemic? Depends on Where You Live
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued guidance that deems firearms stores essential services, but state and local governments have drawn different conclusions on whether gun stores should remain open.
Workforce
Thousands of Federal Employees Have Contracted COVID-19
Many more are quarantined due to possible exposure as employees are on the frontlines fighting the coronavirus and providing essential services.
Oversight
Where’s the Money? Keep an Eye on the CARES Act
With the passage of the $2.3 trillion economic relief bill, things are happening at breakneck speed.
Management
OMB Isn’t Requiring Agencies to Extend Public Comment Periods for Rulemaking During Coronavirus
OMB says the agencies have the discretion to make their own decisions.
Nextgov
Justice, HHS Redistribute More than 500,000 Pieces of Protective Gear Seized from Hoarder
Emergency medical supplies peddled by price gougers were redistributed to front line medical personnel in New York and New Jersey.
Pay & Benefits
Federal HR Leaders Want a Comprehensive Review of the Government's Pay System
In the fiscal 2019 governmentwide human capital survey, agency officials said a lack of funding and the General Schedule are "significant obstacles" to achieving their goals.
Pay & Benefits
In Case You’re Wondering What You’d Make in Retirement
It’s fairly easy to calculate your own estimate of your benefit.
Route Fifty
Buddying Up For Quarantine: Animal Shelters Report Adoption Spikes Amid Pandemic Shutdowns
Requests to foster and adopt animals have skyrocketed across the country as Americans hunker down at home. But leaders at some animal shelters say they haven't seen the same boom, while all worry about future funding.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: IRS Will Automatically Send Checks to Social Security Recipients
There's a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Nextgov
COVID Response Delays Awards for GSA’s E-Commerce Platform Pilots
The online purchasing platforms were meant to be awarded and rolled out before the end of the year. But getting agencies equipped with teleworking tech has taken priority.
Oversight
Implementing the 2020 Stimulus: Lessons From the 2009 Recovery Act
The new loan initiative could overwhelm the Small Business Administration’s staff and is likely to be a high-risk area for implementation bottlenecks and confusion.
Management
Viewpoint: Authoritarian Populists Have Six Classic Moves. Trump's Response to COVID-19 Uses 5 of Them.
While the president may not be using the coronavirus to consolidate power, Americans should still be worried about the threat he poses to democracy.
Route Fifty
Cities and Counties Make Workforce Cuts as Coronavirus Financial Toll Mounts
Cincinnati this week announced it would place hundreds of workers on unpaid temporary leave. It’s just one of the places facing tough staffing decisions.
Nextgov
Argonne Taps Supercomputing Network to Study How Coronavirus Spreads
The national laboratory enlisted collaborators to help unleash a range of efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Defense
How the Marine Corps Plans to Become Lighter, Nimbler, More Unmanned
The Force Design 2030 report discards tanks and doubles UAV squadrons.
Workforce