Whether it’s to reduce anxiety or get active outside, gardening is great activity during the COVID-19 crisis. Horticulturalists Steve Reiners and Bobbie Kuhlman offer advice for starting a garden this spring.

Food & Agriculture

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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President Trump suggested states should seriously consider reopening their public schools before the end of the academic year, even though many have already said it would be unsafe for students to return to school before next fall. Lee Adler, an expert on education and academic union issues says until widespread testing is available across the country it’s not safe for schools to reopen.

Industrial and Labor Relations

New York State

New York City

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Doug Kriner, professor in Cornell University’s Government Department, says that if the court rules in favor of the Trump in a case pitting the administration against Congress, the principle of separation of powers could be threatened.

Law and Policy

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Tesla has backtracked on a plan to have some workers to return to work before San Francisco Bay area stay-at-home orders are scheduled to expire. The company, expected to report quarterly earnings on Wednesday, said production at its Fremont, California plant will not resume this week. Arthur Wheaton says management is trying to save the company from bankruptcy, but opting for an early opening would be risky and possibly illegal.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Sarah Kreps, surveillance systems and cybersecurity expert, comments on emerging approaches to smartphone contact tracing to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Arts and Sciences

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The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Thursday that 4.4 million workers filed new unemployment claims last week, bringing the total number of claims to 26 million in just five weeks. Erica Groshen says that today’s data reinforces forecasts of a Great Depression-level unemployment rate by the end of April.

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

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Spring is here and being outdoors is important, especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic – but it’s important to remember both ticks and people are active outside. Laura Harrington and Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann offer important tips on tick awareness and how prevent their bites while enjoying the outdoors. 

Agriculture and Life Sciences

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Essential workers at online and brick-and-mortar stores have been increasingly vocal with dissatisfaction about how their employers have treated them during the pandemic. Employees at Target and Amazon, among others, are planning mass “sick-outs” to protest what they perceive as management’s disregard for their health and safety. Angela Cornell and Patricia Campos-Medina comment on how the government and consumers must step up to safeguard workers. 

Economics and Business

Industrial and Labor Relations

Law School

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Medical epidemiologist Isaac Weisfuse, says that while in-home testing will help reduce the potential risk for transmission, there is still a critical need for contact tracing.

Health, Nutrition & Medicine

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European Union leaders are meeting on Thursday to discuss how to power the bloc’s economic recovery and help its hardest-hit members weather the current crisis. Christopher Way, associate professor of government and an expert in European politics and political economy, says that the task at hand for European leaders is not easy. 

International

Arts and Sciences

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