THE FUTURE OF What’s Happening Now
All states have begun phased reopening. An updated version of an earlier Governing resource page provides new maps that offer instant insight into progress toward COVID-19 containment in each state.
THE FUTURE OF Community Design
The pandemic has exacerbated building departments' chronic under-resourcing. We need to invest in technology to boost their efficiency and enable them to carry out their critical functions remotely.
THE FUTURE OF What’s Happening Now
Certain school districts in Florida and Tennessee have formally classified school teachers as essential workers, which means that they must continue to work even if they’ve come in contact with COVID-19.
The police department in Pennsylvania has worked to balance legal requirements and moral imperatives of public demands for more transparent policing. Some believe more data will help build trust, but not everyone agrees.
THE FUTURE OF Community Design
Evacuation maps that are a year old, coding errors that stop emergency alerts and an emergency official who didn’t hear his phone that was set to vibrate are just some of the many errors in California’s emergency alert system.
Legislators have introduced a bill that would effectively prohibit mail-ballot drop boxes to determine a winner more quickly. But Gov. Wolf is fiercely against anything that inhibits Pennsylvanians’ ability to vote.
THE FUTURE OF What’s Happening Now
Federal help is needed now to reopen schools safely and address educational gaps. But for the long term, K-12 education needs to become more financially efficient and prioritize equity.
THE FUTURE OF Community Design
Officials in Washington’s Puget Sound area are considering plexiglass barriers, mask-selling vending machines and ultraviolet light to disinfect stations as ways to ensure safety amid public transit during COVID-19.
There is no national data network that allows quick and effective responses to disasters or disease outbreaks. Many doctors still have to fax documents to public health agencies, a problem many want to change.
Many minority communities have grown to rely on the independent contract work flexibility of ride-sharing and delivery apps, so classifying workers as full-time would actually be detrimental. “It’s not good for folks of color.”
THE FUTURE OF What’s Happening Now
Officials aren’t worried about fraud. They’re worried about disqualified mail-in ballots because they weren’t postmarked on time, arrived beyond the 17-day eligibility period or were missing signatures.