Government

Workers have the right to file a whistleblower complaint online with OSHA (or 1-800-321-OSHA) if they believe their employer has retaliated against them for exercising their rights under the whistleblower protection laws enforced by the agency. OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than 20 whistleblower statutes protecting employees from retaliation for reporting violations of various workplace safety and health, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, motor vehicle safety, healthcare reform, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, securities and tax laws. more »

From the US Department of Justice: Be aware that criminals are attempting to exploit COVID-19 worldwide through a variety of scams. There have been reports of: • Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud. • Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Malicious websites and apps that appear to share virus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. • Seeking donations fraudulently for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. If you think you are a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, you can report it without leaving your home though a number of platforms. more »

One National Program which blocks California from setting its own greenhouse gas standards for vehicles and blocks Zero Emission Vehicle programs in all states. A final rule limiting the science EPA can consider would significantly impact EPA’s decision-making and rulemaking process, potentially leading the agency to ignore significant scientific findings that should inform its regulatory programs. The release of a final rule rescinding emissions limits for methane on oil and gas production and processing. more »

In 2005, microbiologist Dr. Terrence Tumpey was approved by then-CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding to use reverse genetics to reconstruct the 1918 influenza virus, which had been lost to history following the devastating pandemic of 1918. The decision to recreate the 1918 virus was made very carefully by senior government officials and then carried out under strict controls. Dr. Tumpey was chosen to be the only person authorized to work on the 1918 virus, and then only under biosecurity level 3 enhanced (BSL-3E) precautions. For example, to reduce risk to colleagues, Dr. Tumpey worked alone after normal agency hours. His health was continually monitored and he took influenza antiviral drugs preventively as a precaution in case he was exposed to infectious virus. more »