Pay & Benefits
Social Security Closes All Local Offices Amid Coronavirus Threat
Although officials said the agency is working to expand telework as much as possible, union leaders disputed that, describing “Kafkaesque” inaction.
Nextgov
Attorney General Prioritizes Prosecuting COVID-19 Scammers
William Barr directed federal attorneys to go after people behind phony cures and phishing schemes.
Route Fifty
Cities, States Halt Evictions During Coronavirus Pandemic
Growing numbers of cities and states are pausing evictions to help workers who've lost income during the coronavirus outbreak.
Management
A Leadership Reality Check
It doesn’t matter how good the plan is to combat the COVID-19 outbreak if leaders don’t lead.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Judge Dismisses Shutdown Lawsuit
A federal employee union had argued that forcing federal employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations constitutes a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, but a judge on Monday ruled that with the government open, the case is now moot.
Nextgov
Trump Relaxes Patient Data Rules to Allow Doctors to Use Personal Phones for Telehealth
The administration broadened telehealth coverage to all Medicare beneficiaries and eased HIPAA regulations for the duration of the pandemic emergency.
Workforce
Coronavirus Roundup: News About the Outbreak that Matters to Feds
There’s a lot to keep track of. Here’s today’s list of news updates and stories you may have missed.
Management
Experts Agree that Trump’s Coronavirus Response Was Poor, but the U.S. Was Ill-Prepared in the First Place
Trump called coronavirus a hoax, and he dragged his feet in addressing it. But the U.S. health care system was ill-equipped from the start to deal with such a crisis. The pandemic shows the flaws.
Oversight
Reports of the Death of Congressional Oversight Are Greatly Exaggerated
Congress wanted an aide to President Trump to testify; Trump ordered him not to. Congress went to court over it, and the court told both sides to leave the courts out of it and negotiate a solution.
Management
After Discovering a Sailor With Coronavirus, the U.S. Navy Crowded Dozens Into One Space
On the USS Boxer, where the Navy discovered its first case of coronavirus on a ship, a sailor says his superiors called a meeting that crammed more than 80 senior enlisted sailors and officers together.
Workforce
How to Actually Stop Touching Your Face
Not touching your face is a simple way to protect yourself from COVID-19, but it's not easy. Here's how to break the habit.
Management
GovExec Daily: Coronavirus at the Bureau of Prisons
Courtney Bublé joins the podcast to explain how the pandemic could quickly spread through a federal prison, infecting inmates and staff alike.
Management
USDA Allows Voluntary Telework Following Positive Coronavirus Test at Headquarters
The Agriculture Department has closed a section of its main office in Washington for "deep cleaning."
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