California Healthline

Gov. Gavin Newsom's surprising choice of Blue Shield to lead the state's COVID vaccination effort raised questions about the role politics played in the decision -- and whether the insurer is up to the task.

The U.S. has fumbled almost every step of its public health response in its battle against COVID-19. Experts say that must change if we're going to outflank the variants emerging as the virus continues to mutate.

In California, the largest vaccination campaign in U.S. history is run largely by the same overworked and underfunded local health departments tasked with covid-19 testing and contact tracing.

Ride-sharing and delivery services such as Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart are bankrolling California's Proposition 22, which would keep their drivers classified as independent contractors, not employees. But health benefits? That's something of a stretch.

Respiratory symptoms stemming from coronavirus infection and smoke inhalation are too similar to distinguish without a full workup. This is complicating the jobs of health care workers as wildfires continue to burn across the state.

About two dozen COVID-related bills address a range of challenges, including dire shortages of protective gear, sick leave for workers, and the administration of a hoped-for COVID-19 vaccine.

Lawmakers are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign bills that would address the challenges of the current COVID-19 crisis and help the state prepare for future pandemics.

As the twin disasters of COVID-19 and fire season sweep through California, thousands of residents are weighing difficult options, pitting risk against risk as they decide where to evacuate. Amid a virulent pandemic, where can you safely relocate?

"On day one of training, they tell you, 'Don't shoot anywhere near the head or neck.' That's considered deadly force."

At least 60 protesters have sustained serious head injuries, including a broken jaw, traumatic brain injuries and blindness, according to an investigation from Kaiser Health News and USA Today.

Safety-net health care programs that keep low-income Californians out of nursing homes are on the chopping block as Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers attempt to plug a massive budget deficit caused by the COVID-19 emergency.

Nursing homes with COVID-19 infections tend to violate health rules more often and have more complaints and fines, records show. But infections also plague highly rated facilities -- while sparing some low-ranked ones.