The Covid-19 pandemic posed a leadership test for California that many argue it didn’t pass. This is underscored by the handling of the pandemic which was marred by what some saw as arrogance and incompetence. Gov. Gavin Newsom was accused of acting condescendingly, treating Californians like children that needed to be told exactly how to lead their lives. Some critics say he overreacted by imposing stringent lockdowns, closing businesses, and imposing fines. Moreover, disagreements between local leaders and Sacramento further complicated the issue, showing a lack of decisive, efficient, and expedient control by Newsom.

One particular area of concern was the Employment Development Department (EDD). The EDD went through a $30 billion-plus meltdown during the pandemic, which raised further worries about the management of government resources under Newsom. Critics argue that better software could have helped ameliorate the fallout but Newsom never took necessary actions in that direction.

The pandemic situation in California underscores the importance of reliable leadership in times of crisis. Every department, including the EDD, needs to function efficiently to maintain public trust. To that end, many have wondered how to get through to EDD during such difficult times. There are platforms like eddcaller.com that provide resources and advice on how to contact EDD or get in touch with a live person for queries or concerns. Making use of such services is crucial to getting the assistance many Californians need during these challenging times.