by Katy Grimes
As Appearing in the California Globe
We are at a completely different place than the state of New York’
Thursday will be two weeks since California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued his March 19th mandatory shelter-at-home order to the state’s 40 million residents. Since then, he predicted his order could extend into June.
Gov. Newsom has been giving live daily video press updates on the state’s ongoing medical response and preparation for COVID-19 in the state.
Wednesday he said the state is working to acquire 66,000 hospital beds “toward the end of May,” but the state needs ventilators to go with the beds, he said. He said his more immediate goal is 25,000-30,000 beds and ventilators.
The governor discussed the formation of the California Health Corps, an initiative designed to gather all healthcare workers in the state to help treat an expected upturn of COVID-19 coronavirus patients. He said 34,000 individuals have registered in his Health Corps.
Capitol news reporters are not allowed to attend the governor’s press briefings because of Coronavirus and the need for social distancing, so reporters call in with questions.
A reporter with Bloomberg News asked Gov. Newsom: “Do you see the potential, as many others in the Party do, for a new progressive era and opportunity for additional progressive steps?” (video at 51:45)
The governor admittedly gave a long-winded answer which culminated in, “yes,” admitting there is political opportunity born out of the pandemic. “There is opportunity for reimagining a progressive era as it pertains to capitalism,” Gov. Newsom said. “So yes, absolutely we see this as an opportunity to reshape the way we do business and how we govern.”
