DOD Issues Guidance for Civilian Personnel Reentry as Omicron Subvariant Spreads
Last week, Department of Defense (DOD) Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks issued guidance on the reentry of civilian employees but emphasized that business as usual is not expected.
VA Pilots New Tool to Better Understand COVID Mortality Rates
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is piloting a new artificial intelligence tool that can predict a COVID-19 patient’s prognosis and recommend next steps. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals have seen an influx of patients, and doctors and nurses often have to make quick, life-saving decisions in order to help their patients.
MSPB Report Offers Ways to Tackle Professional Isolation During Global Pandemic
Many federal employees have felt professional and social isolation while working from home recently in light of the maximum telework policy being imposed by the government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) September 2020 newsletter includes a report titled “Home Alone 2020” that analyzes the effects of workplace social distancing on employees and the potential negative implications. It also offers some solutions to combat professional isolation.
Proposal Directs $1 Million in Funding to Investigate COVID-19 Misinformation, Disinformation
Democrats in both the House and the Senate recently proposed legislation that would grant $1 million to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a probe into how online disinformation and misinformation disrupted the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Disinformation refers to details that are inherently manipulated or disseminated with an intentional aim to be deceptive. Misinformation does not necessarily involve the intent to mislead.
Federal Workers Deemed Essential Allowed to Restore Annual Leave
A new interim final rule by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) explains how agencies can restore annual leave for employees who are deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, most federal employees can carry over 30 days of leave to the following year even if they accrue more. However, agencies can restore “use or lose” privileges in extenuating circumstances.
Lawmakers Propose Measures to Curb Spread of Virus in Federal Facilities
Representatives Ted Budd (R-NC), Ralph Norman (R-SC), and John Larson (D-CT) recently introduced the Healthy Skies Act, which would require TSA employees to check the temperature of fliers before they are allowed through security. As federal agencies create reopening plans for their employees, there is pressure on lawmakers to ensure that they do so safely and efficiently. For federal facilities that are open to the public like airports and postal offices, this task is high priority since there is close interaction between employees and members of the public.
OPM Announces 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey to Begin in July
In a memo to agency leaders, OPM Acting Director Michael Rigas announced the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (OPM FEVS) will begin on July 13, 2020. The survey rollout was delayed earlier in the spring as agencies were focusing on mission critical work during the coronavirus response. Rigas also announced several changes to the survey.
Fourth of July: Fauci Urges People to Gather Outdoors Ahead of Holiday Weekend
Dr. Fauci provides some direction for celebrating Independence Day during COVID-19.
OPM Issues Memo on Annual Leave and Other PTO Guidance
The Office of Personnel Management issued guidance on several elements of annual leave and other paid time off (PTO) last week in a memo from Acting Director Michael Rigas to agency heads. The memo clarifies and provides additional resources for employees on annual leave “use or lose” provisions impacted by COVID-19, restoration of annual leave, compensatory time off for travel, compensatory time off for overtime, credit hours, and disabled veteran leave.
Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker Tool
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, created under the CARES Act to oversee the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, released a tool today to track how relief packages were dispersed. The committee also released a June 2020 report on challenges agencies are facing when handling the CARES Act implementation and pandemic response.
Senators Introduce Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act
A group of Democratic Senators has introduced the Coronavirus Oversight and Recovery Ethics (CORE) Act to enhance oversight, accountability, and transparency related to the federal government’s COVID-19 response. The legislation has gained the support of 57 organizations, 8 Senate original co-sponsors and 18 House co-sponsors.
Inside Home Healthcare
On FEDtalk this week, join host Tony Vergnetti for an inside look into the home healthcare industry. Guests will be discussing how the coronavirus pandemic has changed the landscape for long term planning and how healthcare workers are responding to ensure patients well cared for and kept safe.
Shopping for Food and Other Household Essentials
Leaving the house for basic groceries can spark concern during COVID-19. Here are tips from the CDC for handling household shopping.
State Department to Begin First Phase of Returning Employees to DC Metro Area Offices
Officials at the Department of State have revealed to Federal new Network that employees will soon begin the first step in a multi-phased approach to reopening offices and resuming full operations. The agency is “closely monitoring” local conditions in the Washington, DC metro area and expects phase one of its reopening plan to begin Monday, June 15.
Helping employees return to work during COVID-19
Returning to work can be stressful right now. Here are tips for communicating plans with employees.
NSA Cybersecurity Directorate Focuses on Moving Forward from COVID-19
The National Security Agency’s cybersecurity directorate is focusing on ways to protect medical research related to COVID-19 and assist critical infrastructure development that could help speed up the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In a webcast hosted by the Intelligence National Security Alliance and reported on by FCW, NSA Deputy Director George Barnes discussed how the directorate is pivoting to meet the nation’s needs to begin moving forward from the pandemic.
Webinar: Federal Employee Finances in a Time of Crisis
While there are signs of recovery, many of us are still struggling to manage the monetary impact of this pandemic. But there are actions we can take today to help. This time in history presents an opportunity for all of us to take stock of our positions, assess the impact the coronavirus has had on our goals, and implement a plan to get our finances back on track. We can also reflect on lessons learned and use them to help protect ourselves for when the next disaster strikes.
VA Launches Chatbot to Help Veterans, Caregivers Access Coronavirus Answers
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun using a coronavirus chatbot to help veterans and caregivers find answers to questions relating to the coronavirus pandemic. The Microsoft Healthcare Bot platform was built and implemented in in less than a month for the VA and other agencies.