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Why Liberal Californians Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal Why Liberal Californians Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal
(about 13 hours later)
LOS ANGELES — Housing for those who are homeless. Criminal justice reform. Addressing the digital divide for schoolchildren in rural areas.LOS ANGELES — Housing for those who are homeless. Criminal justice reform. Addressing the digital divide for schoolchildren in rural areas.
Propelled by the urgency of the coronavirus crisis, and despite severe economic headwinds, liberal Californians see this moment as an opening to push through an agenda that addresses some of the state’s most intractable and long-debated problems.Propelled by the urgency of the coronavirus crisis, and despite severe economic headwinds, liberal Californians see this moment as an opening to push through an agenda that addresses some of the state’s most intractable and long-debated problems.
Already, thousands of people have been let out of the state’s jails and prisons, cash bail has been eliminated for most crimes, thousands of homeless people now have roofs over their heads, and children in rural and poor areas of the state are being sent tens of thousands of laptop computers for distance learning — temporary measures to confront the pandemic that leaders are hoping will become durable solutions to longstanding problems of inequity.Already, thousands of people have been let out of the state’s jails and prisons, cash bail has been eliminated for most crimes, thousands of homeless people now have roofs over their heads, and children in rural and poor areas of the state are being sent tens of thousands of laptop computers for distance learning — temporary measures to confront the pandemic that leaders are hoping will become durable solutions to longstanding problems of inequity.
While many in the country talk about returning to normal, a common refrain is emerging among California’s powerful political left wing and many liberal leaders across America: Normal wasn’t working.While many in the country talk about returning to normal, a common refrain is emerging among California’s powerful political left wing and many liberal leaders across America: Normal wasn’t working.
“Whether you are talking about homelessness or whether you are talking about the criminal justice system and incarceration, we are doing things today that should have been done a long time ago,” said George Gascon, a former San Francisco district attorney who is now running for the same office in Los Angeles. He has been at the vanguard of a national movement of prosecutors looking to reduce mass incarceration.“Whether you are talking about homelessness or whether you are talking about the criminal justice system and incarceration, we are doing things today that should have been done a long time ago,” said George Gascon, a former San Francisco district attorney who is now running for the same office in Los Angeles. He has been at the vanguard of a national movement of prosecutors looking to reduce mass incarceration.
“The pandemic has forced a lot of things that were being talked about to actually take place at a very rapid pace,” Mr. Gascon said. “The reset button was pushed, and I don’t see us coming back.”“The pandemic has forced a lot of things that were being talked about to actually take place at a very rapid pace,” Mr. Gascon said. “The reset button was pushed, and I don’t see us coming back.”
[Read More: What Are California’s Phases for Reopening? The Latest Updates.][Read More: What Are California’s Phases for Reopening? The Latest Updates.]
Even as the pandemic continues its march across the country, with more than 68,000 dead, California is already giving a glimpse of one side of the debate that will emerge from the crisis similar to the aftermath of great disruptions like the Great Depression and world wars: How should America change?Even as the pandemic continues its march across the country, with more than 68,000 dead, California is already giving a glimpse of one side of the debate that will emerge from the crisis similar to the aftermath of great disruptions like the Great Depression and world wars: How should America change?
Yet grand ambitions are also coming up against stark realities. Though California is deeply blue, with Democrats holding all the top offices and a supermajority in the Legislature, the state has failed for decades to tackle some of the biggest issues surrounding inequality. By one measure, California has the nation’s highest poverty rate. Some Californians wonder whether the will to enact significant change will endure past the initial stage of the coronavirus crisis.Yet grand ambitions are also coming up against stark realities. Though California is deeply blue, with Democrats holding all the top offices and a supermajority in the Legislature, the state has failed for decades to tackle some of the biggest issues surrounding inequality. By one measure, California has the nation’s highest poverty rate. Some Californians wonder whether the will to enact significant change will endure past the initial stage of the coronavirus crisis.
Analysts also question whether a liberal vision will be durable at a time when the state government will almost certainly be forced to shrink its services in the face of budget shortfalls. Already, parts of a progressive agenda formulated months ago when California’s coffers were full — financing medical care for undocumented immigrants and providing greater access to child care are two examples — may now need to be scaled back.Analysts also question whether a liberal vision will be durable at a time when the state government will almost certainly be forced to shrink its services in the face of budget shortfalls. Already, parts of a progressive agenda formulated months ago when California’s coffers were full — financing medical care for undocumented immigrants and providing greater access to child care are two examples — may now need to be scaled back.
And even amid the pandemic, there is conservative pushback in California, with Republicans arguing that holding down spending should be the priority; one group has sued Gov. Gavin Newsom over a new program to provide undocumented Californians with unemployment payments.And even amid the pandemic, there is conservative pushback in California, with Republicans arguing that holding down spending should be the priority; one group has sued Gov. Gavin Newsom over a new program to provide undocumented Californians with unemployment payments.
As California cautiously reopens, it is in a relatively strong position, with far fewer deaths or infections per capita than New York and other hard-hit East Coast states. California’s politicians are proud of the speed and alacrity with which they have moved to address problems that for years eluded them.As California cautiously reopens, it is in a relatively strong position, with far fewer deaths or infections per capita than New York and other hard-hit East Coast states. California’s politicians are proud of the speed and alacrity with which they have moved to address problems that for years eluded them.
“It’s the spirit of our times,” Mr. Newsom said last week. “What often takes a year, now we need to do in months.”“It’s the spirit of our times,” Mr. Newsom said last week. “What often takes a year, now we need to do in months.”
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric M. Garcetti has proposed using the crisis as a catalyst to achieve free higher education and to mitigate inequality. Invoking Franklin D. Roosevelt and the social welfare programs that he championed, Mr. Garcetti said, “the shock to our economy and our lives recalls the scale and the challenges faced by the generation who sacrificed through the Great Depression and World War II.”In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric M. Garcetti has proposed using the crisis as a catalyst to achieve free higher education and to mitigate inequality. Invoking Franklin D. Roosevelt and the social welfare programs that he championed, Mr. Garcetti said, “the shock to our economy and our lives recalls the scale and the challenges faced by the generation who sacrificed through the Great Depression and World War II.”
“Before this crisis, on a normal day in the United States, we could see the federal minimum wage stand still for years while executive compensation knew no limit,” Mr. Garcetti said in a recent address to the city. “We must ask of our city and our nation, at this time, is normal really what we want to come back to?”“Before this crisis, on a normal day in the United States, we could see the federal minimum wage stand still for years while executive compensation knew no limit,” Mr. Garcetti said in a recent address to the city. “We must ask of our city and our nation, at this time, is normal really what we want to come back to?”
The pandemic in California has accelerated efforts to reduce prison populations, after decades when the state led the nation in get-tough-on-crime policies. Nearly 10,000 inmates have been released from state prisons or jails over the last few weeks.The pandemic in California has accelerated efforts to reduce prison populations, after decades when the state led the nation in get-tough-on-crime policies. Nearly 10,000 inmates have been released from state prisons or jails over the last few weeks.
Advocates for ending mass incarceration have seized on the coronavirus crisis to push for more inmate releases. They hope that once the pandemic passes, part of its legacy will be to show America that it incarcerates too many people. And they will have another potent argument: As state and local budgets collapse, the high cost of incarceration with be tougher to justify.Advocates for ending mass incarceration have seized on the coronavirus crisis to push for more inmate releases. They hope that once the pandemic passes, part of its legacy will be to show America that it incarcerates too many people. And they will have another potent argument: As state and local budgets collapse, the high cost of incarceration with be tougher to justify.
Lenore Anderson, a former prosecutor in San Francisco and president of Californians for Safety and Justice, noted in a recent column that spending on prisons in California grew 65 percent faster over the last 20 years than spending on hospitals did — a gap exposed by the pandemic, as hospitals found themselves scrambling to cope.Lenore Anderson, a former prosecutor in San Francisco and president of Californians for Safety and Justice, noted in a recent column that spending on prisons in California grew 65 percent faster over the last 20 years than spending on hospitals did — a gap exposed by the pandemic, as hospitals found themselves scrambling to cope.
“With the safe release of a few thousand more people, and maintaining these declines permanently, California could come out of this crisis with the ability to do the previously impossible: close a prison,” Ms. Anderson wrote.“With the safe release of a few thousand more people, and maintaining these declines permanently, California could come out of this crisis with the ability to do the previously impossible: close a prison,” Ms. Anderson wrote.
Among the most significant moves was a recent order from the state’s judicial council to end cash bail for most criminal charges, allowing thousands of people awaiting trial to be released from jails. For decades, cash bail has been held out by activists as an exemplar of unfairness in the criminal justice system, with wealth the primary factor that determines whether someone is in jail or free. (California voters in November will weigh a measure to permanently end cash bail and replace it with a system of risk assessment tools.)Among the most significant moves was a recent order from the state’s judicial council to end cash bail for most criminal charges, allowing thousands of people awaiting trial to be released from jails. For decades, cash bail has been held out by activists as an exemplar of unfairness in the criminal justice system, with wealth the primary factor that determines whether someone is in jail or free. (California voters in November will weigh a measure to permanently end cash bail and replace it with a system of risk assessment tools.)
On Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, tent encampments and squalor still overpower the streets, even though thousands of people who were homeless have been moved indoors since the pandemic began spreading in the city.On Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles, tent encampments and squalor still overpower the streets, even though thousands of people who were homeless have been moved indoors since the pandemic began spreading in the city.
Longstanding shelters like the Union Rescue Mission, which has faced an outbreak among its residents and staff — two people have died — have had to reduce their capacity to comply with social distancing guidelines.Longstanding shelters like the Union Rescue Mission, which has faced an outbreak among its residents and staff — two people have died — have had to reduce their capacity to comply with social distancing guidelines.
But a program backed by FEMA called Project Roomkey has picked up the slack, opening up thousands of motel rooms for older homeless residents.But a program backed by FEMA called Project Roomkey has picked up the slack, opening up thousands of motel rooms for older homeless residents.
Updated June 12, 2020 Updated June 16, 2020
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
For years, people in Los Angeles like Andy Bales, who runs the Union Rescue Mission and has worked in homeless services for decades, have called for a disaster declaration to fight the city’s escalating homeless crisis.For years, people in Los Angeles like Andy Bales, who runs the Union Rescue Mission and has worked in homeless services for decades, have called for a disaster declaration to fight the city’s escalating homeless crisis.
“It’s unfortunate it took a pandemic, but I’m thankful everyone is responding the way they are,” Mr. Bales said. “It absolutely has energized and mobilized our city, county and state in a way that we have been crying out for a long time.”“It’s unfortunate it took a pandemic, but I’m thankful everyone is responding the way they are,” Mr. Bales said. “It absolutely has energized and mobilized our city, county and state in a way that we have been crying out for a long time.”
Mark Ridley-Thomas, a Los Angeles County supervisor and co-chair of a statewide homelessness task force, is pushing a plan to keep those who have been housed during the pandemic indoors once the crisis abates. “We are aiming for the fences,” he said. “We are playing the long game.”Mark Ridley-Thomas, a Los Angeles County supervisor and co-chair of a statewide homelessness task force, is pushing a plan to keep those who have been housed during the pandemic indoors once the crisis abates. “We are aiming for the fences,” he said. “We are playing the long game.”
At the same time, there was more evidence this week of the state’s failure to protect its homeless population during the crisis. In San Francisco, where tent encampments have proliferated, Ian Carrier, 36, died in his wheelchair on a sidewalk on Tuesday night, according to April Slone, his sister. Mr. Carrier had kidney problems and other ailments and had been recently released from the hospital.At the same time, there was more evidence this week of the state’s failure to protect its homeless population during the crisis. In San Francisco, where tent encampments have proliferated, Ian Carrier, 36, died in his wheelchair on a sidewalk on Tuesday night, according to April Slone, his sister. Mr. Carrier had kidney problems and other ailments and had been recently released from the hospital.
“My brother died on the street, and might not be dead if he’d had a bed to lie in,” Ms. Slone said.“My brother died on the street, and might not be dead if he’d had a bed to lie in,” Ms. Slone said.
Members of the board of supervisors in San Francisco have clashed with Mayor London Breed over what they say has been a slow take-up of the thousands of hotel rooms that the city earmarked for homeless people during the crisis. Many people have also questioned the viability of hotel rooms as a long-term solution to California’s homeless crisis.Members of the board of supervisors in San Francisco have clashed with Mayor London Breed over what they say has been a slow take-up of the thousands of hotel rooms that the city earmarked for homeless people during the crisis. Many people have also questioned the viability of hotel rooms as a long-term solution to California’s homeless crisis.
The question of durability also extends to efforts to get students the equipment they need to study from home. The state has so far relied largely on donations. Google and other technology companies donated 70,000 devices for students, both in poorer urban neighborhoods and remote rural ones.The question of durability also extends to efforts to get students the equipment they need to study from home. The state has so far relied largely on donations. Google and other technology companies donated 70,000 devices for students, both in poorer urban neighborhoods and remote rural ones.
“Rural California has been screaming from the top of our lungs about the digital divide for years,” said State Senator Mike McGuire, who represents a large swath of territory in California’s far north. “There’s never been a time in my lifetime where internet connectivity has been as crucial as it is now.”“Rural California has been screaming from the top of our lungs about the digital divide for years,” said State Senator Mike McGuire, who represents a large swath of territory in California’s far north. “There’s never been a time in my lifetime where internet connectivity has been as crucial as it is now.”
Mr. McGuire is part of a task force led by the state’s superintendent of education, Tony Thurmond, which is seeking to use the crisis as a springboard.Mr. McGuire is part of a task force led by the state’s superintendent of education, Tony Thurmond, which is seeking to use the crisis as a springboard.
Mr. Thurmond organized a meeting in mid-April with telecommunications providers, imploring them to extend their high-speed services to remote areas.Mr. Thurmond organized a meeting in mid-April with telecommunications providers, imploring them to extend their high-speed services to remote areas.
Mr. McGuire said he had consulted lawyers to investigate whether the state had the authority to force companies to allow access to their high-speed fiber lines if the lines run through state-owned land.Mr. McGuire said he had consulted lawyers to investigate whether the state had the authority to force companies to allow access to their high-speed fiber lines if the lines run through state-owned land.
“We see a moonshot opportunity,” Mr. Thurmond said of the attention that the crisis has brought to the digital access issue. He says the state is asking for the cooperation of big telecommunications companies to better serve poorer and rural areas, but more forceful measures are being considered, too.“We see a moonshot opportunity,” Mr. Thurmond said of the attention that the crisis has brought to the digital access issue. He says the state is asking for the cooperation of big telecommunications companies to better serve poorer and rural areas, but more forceful measures are being considered, too.
“If they’re not willing, we’re not afraid to use legislation, public pressure or whatever else is needed,” he said.“If they’re not willing, we’re not afraid to use legislation, public pressure or whatever else is needed,” he said.
In all the progressive initiatives currently underway in California, Jim Newton, a lecturer in public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, sees an abiding tension between accelerated momentum toward Democratic goals and a constrained ability to finance them.In all the progressive initiatives currently underway in California, Jim Newton, a lecturer in public policy at the University of California, Los Angeles, sees an abiding tension between accelerated momentum toward Democratic goals and a constrained ability to finance them.
“Going back to a normal in which those problems just return doesn’t feel acceptable, particularly to the left,” Mr. Newton said.“Going back to a normal in which those problems just return doesn’t feel acceptable, particularly to the left,” Mr. Newton said.
But the crisis, he said, “both emphasizes the needs and highlights the big price tag.”But the crisis, he said, “both emphasizes the needs and highlights the big price tag.”