Eugene Volokh is the Gary T. Schwartz Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law and co-founder of the Volokh Conspiracy blog, hosted at Reason.
Eugene Volokh
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Zoom Conversation with Michael Abramowicz, Will Baude, Orin Kerr, and Me—You're All Invited to Watch and Ask Questions
It will be 8 pm Pacific, 9 pm Mountain, 10 pm Central, 11 pm Eastern, on Tuesday, March 31, for about an hour.
Coronavirus Daily Death Rates by Country
Very high in Italy and Spain, followed by France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands, followed by Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, the U.S., and Germany.
DHS Adds Workers for Gunmakers, Gun Retailers, and Shooting Ranges to "Essential Critical Infrastructure" List
This is an advisory list, but I expect will have some influence on some local governments.
Possible Zoom Video Conversation, With All of You Invited to Watch and Submit Questions via Chat?
I'm toying with doing that with a couple of colleagues -- any suggestions on how to make it work?
"Can ProctorU Be Trusted With Students' Personal Data?"
An interesting post by Paul Alan Levy (Public Citizen) on a demand letter ProctorU sent to UCSB.
Texas Cities and Counties Can't Close Gun Stores as Part of Coronavirus Closures
So opines the Texas AG, interpreting Texas state statutes (and not needing to consider the Second Amendment).
"Senator, I Have Worked with Professors at the University of Pennsylvania," I Say
"I know professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Professors at the University of Pennsylvania are friends of mine. Senator, you're no University of Pennsylvania Professor."
Delaware Governor Changes Order, Allows Gun Shops to Remain Open,
though subject to stringent rules aimed at preventing coronavirus spread.
Federal Lawsuit in N.J. Challenges Total Closure of Gun Stores
"At the same time these Defendants" "entirely closed off any and all means for law-abiding private citizens to obtain firearms in New Jersey," "the State has permitted the retailers of many other products—including alcohol, marijuana, and office supplies—to continue distributing goods to the public."
No Suspension Without Hearing in University Student Disciplinary Proceedings
Plus "An accused student's rights must be guaranteed—not left open for interpretation."
Coronavirus Deaths: 6th Day of ~700/Day in Italy, 3rd Day of ~600 in Spain, 3rd Day of ~210 in France, 2nd Day of ~235 in U.S.
(All numbers are plus or minus about 15%.)
Justice Department Filing Against Treating Male-to-Female Transgender Athletes as Women
"Far from being required by Title IX, CIAC's transgender policy is in tension with 'the core of Title IX's purpose'—namely, ensuring that women have an '[e]qual opportunity to participate' in educational programs and activities at covered institutions."
"From Now On, Reusable Bags Are Prohibited and All Regulations on Plastic Bag Bans Are Lifted"
Says Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, presumably for the duration of the pandemic emergency.
Some Churches "Continue Holding Large Gatherings Despite Coronavirus Warnings"
My guess is that these are quite unusual, but still noteworthy.
Can an Epidemic Justify Temporarily Forbidding Abortions (Except to Protect Life or Health of the Woman)?
Can it justify temporarily forbidding people to buy guns?
Federal Court: Now Is Not the Best Time to Ask Courts to Resolve "Minor Differences"
"The court will turn its attention back to this case and others of similar magnitude in due but likely distant course. In the interim, the parties may wish to set aside their minor differences over implementing a reasonable settlement agreement in deference to the public interest in permitting the court system to function without unnecessary distraction."
Can't Seal Police Abuse Settlement Amount Just Because Beneficiary is a Minor
The district court reasoned that sealing was justified because of "the child's privacy interest in being protected from financial predators or others who would harass the child simply because they know the amount received." No, said the Fifth Circuit.
Gave Blood Today
There's apparently a blood shortage, because many blood drives have been canceled, so I thought now was an especially good time.
Ninth Circuit Does Oral Argument by Videoconferencing
Seems to have gone well, and I've heard good reports about another case, too.
Ubuntu Linux 12.04 Was Called … Precise Pangolin
Chock full of viruses, I'm sure.
"It Is Their Care in All the Ages to Take the Buffet and Cushion the Shock."
“It is their care that the gear engages; it is their care that the switches lock. / Raise ye the stone or cleave the wood to make a path more fair or flat; / Lo, it is black already with the blood some Son of Martha spilled for that.”
Unicorns, Coronavirus, and Emergencies
"The world is facing a real emergency. Plaintiff is not."
Owner of DERBY-PIE Trademark Can't Stop Kentucky Newspaper from Discussing Other Derby Pies
An important principle, which also applies to uses of trademarked terms in films, books, video games, and the like: "A party does not violate trademark law solely by using words another entity has trademarked."
"Mass Prayer Gathering … in Bangladesh to Read 'Healing Verses' Against Covid-19"
I'll say it again: "Trust in Allah, but tie your camel."
Police Disperse Large Outdoor Orthodox Jewish Prayer Group in Brooklyn
... for violating New York City ban on gatherings of 50 people or more.
Ninth Circuit Allowing Video Oral Argument
in at least some cases (for now).
Best Substitute for Yeast in Bread Machines?
The one persistent shortage I'm seeing in my part of L.A. is of baking yeast, and the online stores seem out, too.
Fourth Circuit Holds Video Oral Argument
Electronic argument about electronic cigarettes.
Comedian Ordered Not to Post Anything "That Would Suggest to Prospective Employers That They Should Not Hire … or Book" Her Comedian Ex
The California Court of Appeal reversed, in an interesting case about allegations of physical abuse—and claims that the allegations were themselves a form of "abuse."