KAZU COVID-19 Coverage & Resources

In September 2019, a year-long experiment began. Publicized as the largest Central Arctic expedition in history, it was to be the closest ever look at the Arctic to better understand climate change. This experiment involves hundreds of scientists from around the world, including two from right here in Monterey. But it is currently compromised because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Emergency relief for undocumented immigrants became available last week in California, but demand outweighs the supply of cash. For years, advocates have been fighting to shore up the economic safety net for these workers, many of whom are in essential industries. Now, they say more assistance is crucial. 

Adequate COVID-19 testing is seen as one of the key requirements needed to contain the coronavirus outbreak. This week, California health officials announced how much testing local counties need to be doing in order to qualify to re-open their communities.

Over the next three months, tens of thousands of migrant farmworkers will converge on the Central Coast to do something deemed essential in the time of COVID-19, harvest our food. The speciality crops farmed locally, like strawberries and leafy greens, require a lot of hand labor. But the dramatic increase in population could trigger a surge in COVID-19 cases.

It's been just over a month since KAZU’s Erika Mahoney interviewed Dr. Allen Radner, Chief Medical Officer of Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System. Dr. Radner is also an infectious disease specialist and has connections to all of the hospitals in Monterey County. This week, Dr. Radner discussed updates on COVID-19 testing, what it’s like inside the hospital and lessons learned. 

The weekend is here and California Governor Gavin Newsom just closed beaches in Orange County. Locally, there are various beach restrictions along the Central Coast. Cities and counties have different rules and it can be confusing. We help sort it out.

With people stuck at home, the value of an old-fashioned phone call has taken on new meaning. KAZU News spotlights two local organizations who are making dozens of calls each day to check-in with their clients, all while facing their own struggles.

Of all of the Monterey County residents facing challenges from the coronavirus, its homeless are among the most vulnerable. For them, even normal times are difficult. Yet now, the pandemic and the shelter-in-place orders have put homeless people at even greater risk.

The Monterey County Public Health Laboratory has increased its COVID-19 testing capacity seven-fold over the last 5 weeks. It’s thanks to one graduate student who offered a helping hand, after a story aired on local public radio.

The 50th anniversary of Earth Day is April 22. This year, the global day of environmental action is set against a global pandemic. KAZU News spoke with local officials who are monitoring the effects of the coronavirus on different parts of our local environment, and they had some advice.  

The City of Monterey has announced plans to lay off 84 city employees as a result of a dramatic decline in city revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The commercial salmon fishing season along the Central Coast is about to launch. California’s fishing industry is designated as essential by Governor Gavin Newsom, but their usual markets, restaurants, are all but shut down because of the coronavirus. That’s spelling trouble for local fishermen and women. Still, some believe there’s a silver lining to this crisis.

As the number of COVID-19 cases across the Monterey Bay area increases, KAZU News spoke with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Radner. Their hospital in Salinas has an alternative care site and a triage tent setup right outside the ER during the coronavirus crisis. Dr. Radner is also an infectious disease specialist.

Many businesses across the Central Coast, especially in the tourism and hospitality industries, are slowing or have shut down. But that isn’t the case for one of our region’s most important sectors, agriculture. In fact, even with or perhaps because of COVID-19,  this industry is thriving. 

Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula recently issued an urgent call for volunteers in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. What happened next even surprised the Meals on Wheels staff.

The majority of public school students in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties qualify for free and reduced school meals. With schools shut down everywhere due to the coronavirus, local school districts are stepping up. They’re offering free meals at school sites for all students 18 and younger. Links to which school sites are serving meals and when are listed below.

The hospitality industry on the Monterey Peninsula typically employs more than 23,000 workers. But these are not normal times and restaurants and workers are now struggling to find a new normal.

The Monterey County Public Health Laboratory is testing for COVID-19 seven days a week. And they are finding positive cases in the county. KAZU got a tour of the facility, and found out about the challenges the state-run lab is facing.

The City of Monterey has initiated a daily news briefing to update the media on the city’s response to the coronavirus. Click here for the latest updates from the City.