Coronavirus

Biden Asks OSHA to Consider COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules

A national order from OSHA would bring all states under the same rules, since even states with independent agencies must meet or exceed the federal standard.

  • By The Pew Charitable Trusts

White House Directs Agencies to Revise Their Pandemic Plans

The “paramount concern is the health and safety of all federal employees, on-site contractors, and individuals interacting with the federal workforce,” OMB said. 

  • By Courtney Bublé

How to Stay Safe with a Fast-Spreading New Coronavirus Variant on the Loose

There is still a lot that scientists and doctors don’t know about the coronavirus and its mutations, but there are some clear strategies people can use to protect themselves.

  • By Byron Erath and Suresh Dhaniyala, The Conversation

Biden’s Wave of COVID-19 Executive Orders Relies On Data To Implement

While technology is not the main focus of the pandemic response plan, collecting and disseminating more data is a recurring theme.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Biden-Harris Admin Proposes $10B in New IT and Cyber Funding for Federal Agencies

The administration wants to add $9 billion to the Technology Modernization Fund and give CISA a boost.

  • By Aaron Boyd

Synthetic Data Engine to Support NIH’s COVID-19 Research-Driving Effort

It’s all part of a new partnership the agency is embarking on with Syntegra, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

  • By Brandi Vincent

Americans Have Unrealistic Expectations for a COVID-19 Vaccine

Americans are most likely to intend to vaccinate when a vaccine is made in the U.S., administered in a single dose, over 90% effective and carrying a less than 1 in 100 chance of experiencing minor side effects.

  • By Matt Motta

SBA Relaunches COVID Loan Program As Watchdog Warns About Possible Fraud 

The recent COVID relief package included funding for a third round of the program, which has come under much scrutiny. 

  • By Courtney Bublé

NSA Cyber Directorate Touts Election, Pandemic Security Work in 2020 Review

Anne Neuberger, NSA’s director of cybersecurity, said the agency “surged rapidly” to secure telework and protect networks used in vaccine development.

  • By Mila Jasper

Federal Agencies Have Distributed 200K Coronavirus Vaccine Doses So Far

Four agencies have provided the shots from their own distributions, but this only represents a fraction of the doses the agencies received.

  • By Eric Katz

The Year Ahead: 3 Predictions From the ‘Father of the Internet’ Vint Cerf

With the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine being administered, a return to normal feels within reach but normal will change.

  • By Vinton G. Cerf

How Supercomputing and Advanced X-Rays Helped the Government Fight COVID-19

Years of basic research and speedy, strategic coordination helped to catalyze new and needed treatments.

  • By Brandi Vincent

How to Help Dogs and Cats Manage Separation Anxiety when Their Humans Return to Work

A change in routine is a major cause of separation anxiety for both dogs and cats.

  • By Lori M. Teller, The Conversation

How to Outsmart Your COVID-19 Fears and Boost Your Mood in 2021

Releasing negative emotions is the first step in preventing stress overload.

  • By Laurel Mellin, The Conversation

Featured eBooks

Biometrics in Action
The Future of Defense Networks
How the Cloud is Helping the Government’s Pandemic Response

Seat Belts and Smoking Rates Show People Eventually Adopt Healthy Behaviors—But It Can Take Time We Don't Have During a Pandemic

It generally takes years of dragging people, kicking and screaming, to finally achieve new and improved societal norms.

  • By Randy P. Juhl, The Conversation

How the U.S. Can Fight the Opioid Epidemic During COVID-19

A majority of states—more than 40—have reported increases in opioid-related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

  • By Carly Kempler, Futurity

Trump Blasts COVID Relief Package, Demands Revisions Risking a Shutdown

President asks Congress to dramatically increase the size of stimulus checks.

  • By Amelia Gruber

Nine Major Takeaways From the Omnibus and Coronavirus Relief Packages

Funding boosts and hiring pushes are coming for many federal agencies.

  • By Eric Katz

Why It Matters that the Coronavirus Is Changing—and What This Means for Vaccine Effectiveness

The question is therefore not whether the vaccines will be effective, but rather how effective they will be.

  • By David Kennedy, The Conversation

VA Plans Poop Pilots to Detect COVID-19 Outbreaks at Nursing Homes

The Veterans Affairs Department will test wastewater for early indications of infection among residents, who can then be quarantined to limit the spread to others.

  • By Aaron Boyd

VA to Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations at 128 More Sites 

The Veterans Affairs Secretary said the approval of a second vaccine allows the department to inoculate more health care providers and veterans.

  • By Frank Konkel