The Lead December 18, 2020 - LeadingAge Illinois

Assisted Living:
Argentum Update
CMS – CLIA Enforcement Discretion- CoW Applications

Independent Affordable/Subsidized Housing:
Member Spotlight: CJE SeniorLife
LeadingAge Illinois HUD Member Regional Monthly Meeting Recap
Toolkit for Shared and Congregate Housing

Home Health and Hospice:
Hospice Act Passes House
What In-home Social Service Providers and Clients Need to Know about COVID-19

Technology:
Governor Announces Connect Illinois Computer Equity Network

Other:
The 2021 LeadingAge Illinois Call for Cabinet Applications is Now Open!
LeadingAge Advocates for a Fix to Payment Cuts in the Physician Fee Schedule
Ventilation in Buildings
This Week’s Artmails

Top Stories:

IDPH Emergency Rules to be Adopted on CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training and TNA Program
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) informed us in our weekly meeting late yesterday that they are issuing two emergency rules that will be adopted.

CMS Training:
The dates for compliance for targeted COVID-19 training for frontline nursing home staff and management will be extended. The 50% requirement will be extended until January 31, 2021. The 100% requirement will be extended until February 28, 2021.

Temporary Nurse Assistant (TNA) Program:
The program was set to expire today, but will be extended until January 18, 2021. The rule will be effective December 19. No new TNA hires will be allowed. IDPH said that this will be the last extension for the program. On January 19, 2021, no TNAs can be on the floor any longer. Staff from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) did reference Section 140.539, which provides for facility reimbursement for staff getting CNA training.

We also want to remind you of the upcoming IDPH Webinars (see IDPH Webinars article in top stories) that focus on COVID-19 issues for long term care and congregate settings. Today at 1 p.m., Dr. Catherine Counard, Chief Medical Officer at IDPH, will present on the vaccination program with more updates on the program. Also scheduled to be included in the webinar are risk assessments and information on determining if quarantine is necessary upon return.

If you have any questions, please contact Ruta Prasauskas.

IDFPR Issues Proclamation Renewing Temporary Licenses
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) recently issued a proclamation that renewed the program for out-of-state temporary licensure for nurses and other types of healthcare workers during the pandemic. It takes effect January 1 and is in place until the end of May.

Vaccine Update
Today’s vaccine update includes several updates on:

Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Mass Vaccination Program
CDC updates
FAQs
Resources

The rollout for Illinois skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities is set for December 28, but IDPH told us yesterday that does not mean your facility will get vaccine that day. Dr. Catherine Counard, Chief Medical Officer at IDPH, said it could take up to six weeks to get through all the skilled nursing facilities. They then will move on to other settings.

IDPH Mass Vaccination Briefing Recap:
IDPH held a briefing Tuesday on the Illinois Mass Vaccination Program. Presenters were Dr. Avery Hart, who consulted for the Department early in the pandemic, and Dr. Counard.

The Pfizer vaccine has been approved and Illinois has received their initial 109,128 doses (Chicago will receive 23,328 doses). The dose for long term care will come off the top first. The vaccine will be offered and not required. A declination form is not needed. Those who do not get an initial dose may do so at a later date. State staff who enter nursing homes (surveyors) will be included in Phase 1A.

Click here for recording and here slides from the briefing. Dr. Hart also shared links he referenced in the briefing. Some of the items presented on the webinar included:

The program will begin statewide in long term care facilities on December 28.
All staff, paid and unpaid, and residents are eligible to receive a vaccination under the CVS/Walgreens Pharmacy Partnership Program (PPP)
Skilled Nursing Facilities are first and it will take about six weeks to complete. More information will be sent soon on other facilities and congregate settings.
The list of facilities has been submitted to CVS and Walgreens. Facilities will hear directly from the pharmacy.
CVS and Walgreens will have three initial dates.
Enrollment in the program is not an order for vaccine or guarantee of vaccination services. Participation only identifies your facility as willing to receive it from CVS or Walgreens when it becomes available/if your facility is eligible.
There is not a choice in scheduling onsite clinics and you need to work with the assigned pharmacy.
Consent forms will be provided by the pharmacies who will work directly with the facility.
IDPH is reviewing whether physician orders are required for all settings. There are no standing orders in Assisted or Supportive Living. It is required for skilled nursing through 1620. IDPH will later deliver an official response. Dr. Counard said yesterday that the medical director at Walgreens has written standing orders.

CDC Expanded Eligible Entities:

Skilled nursing facilities (these will be handled first)
Assisted Living
CCRCs
Residential Care Communities
HUD 202 Senior Housing
Veteran’s Homes
Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Dr. Catherine Counard, IDPH Chief Medical Officer, said in the briefing that the infection control measures put in place early in the pandemic have made a difference. Despite general community spread, long term care cases are only 3% of total cases. Every day in long term care, there are 15,000-17,000 tests conducted. “That is remarkable,” said Dr. Counard.

IDPH ended Tuesday’s briefing with 151 questions in the virtual chat. They indicated they will look at the answers and attempt to answer them later.

Upcoming CDC Calls:
We wanted to inform you of six upcoming CDC calls. See below for dates and registration. They will all take place Friday through Monday.

CDC/Clinical Partner Call – Vaccine Update
Friday, December 18
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CST
Dial in information: Click here to join the meeting or call in (audio only) +1 404-718-3800, 665103324# United States, Atlanta; (888) 994-4478, 665103324# United States (Toll-free)
Phone Conference ID: 665 103 324#
(Note that this call is not geared toward all clinicians)

COCA Call: What Clinicians Need to Know About the First Two FDA-Authorized COVID-19 Vaccines
Friday, December 18
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. CST
Dial in information

CDC/IDSA COVID-19 Clinician Call
Saturday, December 19
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register in advance

ACIP Meeting Webcast
Saturday and Sunday, December 19 – 20
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CST (both days)
Dial in information

COVID-19 Partner Update: COVID-19 Response Vaccine Update
Monday, December 21
2:00—3:00 p.m. CST
Click here to register in advance

Over the last weekend, the CDC held two calls on the vaccine. LeadingAge was on the calls and has provided a detailed summary here.

More Information and Resources:
The COVID -19 vaccine is now available, but vaccination along with following the CDC’s recommendation to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19 and stopping the pandemic. There are many questions regarding the vaccine and below are resources that you can share with staff, residents and families. The internet has various amounts of information regarding the vaccine; please make sure it is from a credible source.

COVID Relief Bill Update
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives negotiating a compromise COVID relief package finally released their bills this week; one on non-controversial COVID relief and one on the very controversial issues of state and local funding and liability protections. LeadingAge sent a letter to the four leaders urging them to pass both bills. While these bills do not contain all the relief requested since April, they provide critical relief essential to get us into the next year.

As of last night, Congress was still negotiating the next COVID relief package to avoid a government shutdown. We will keep you updated via next week’s Lead or alerts as warranted.

Provider Relief Funds Update
Today’s Provider Relief Funds (PRF) update includes information on:
• Phase 3
• Next relief package

Phase 3 Provider Relief Arriving:
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started sending out $24.5 billion in Phase 3 General Distribution PRF payments this week. This is more than originally planned as HHS was able to secure additional funds after the applications demonstrated additional need. While payments began arriving in bank accounts this week, providers shouldn’t be concerned if they didn’t receive a payment as HHS will be distributing payments to the 70,000 providers through January, 2021. For more details, checkout a previous article written by Nicole Fallon at LeadingAge. In related news, the November Nursing Home Infection Control Incentive payment will be going out soon (it is under review right now). About $35-40 billion remains in the PRF account following the Phase 3 distribution which leaves hope that there could be another phase of applications and distributions to potentially address providers/members financial needs for third and fourth quarter.

Next Relief Package:
The proposed Bipartisan COVID Relief Package would appropriate an additional $35 billion for provider relief. Of this amount, $7 billion would be dedicated to rural providers (includes all rural health care providers, HCBS providers, nursing homes, and assisted living). The bill would clarify the calculations of lost revenues, which has been a sticking point since the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued its reporting requirements for PRF. The bill proposes that lost revenues could be calculated using ”any reasonable method, including a method that calculates the difference between the budgeted and actual revenue of the eligible health care provider on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.” This could resolve a number of concerns about HHS’s current approach to calculating losses on an annual basis and allow providers to normalize their revenues between 2019 and 2020 revenues.

It also allows for lost revenues to be calculated up to a net gain or loss of zero in 2020 or for the first SIX months of 2021. This change would require the CFO of the provider organization to attest to the lost revenues within 90 days of receipt of PRF payment. It also clarifies that a provider cannot retain PRF dollars in excess of their health care related expenses and lost revenues attributable to coronavirus. The bill would also allow parent organizations to allocate PRF funds among their subsidiaries including targeted distributions, which would include Nursing Home Infection Control distributions and incentive payments. The bill further allows HHS to give preference to those at risk of imminent closure or who are in bankruptcy or were underrepresented in prior distributions. Prior to this HHS/CMS have excluded those providers on the CMS excluded list for bankruptcy.

IDPH COVID-19 Webinars for Long Term Care and Congregate Settings
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) continues to hold weekly webinars on COVID-19 for Long Term Care and Congregate Settings. There are important updates and information shared on each webinar pertinent to LeadingAge Illinois member settings. There is also a Q&A during the sessions. Most webinars go from 1-2 p.m. Slides and recordings of the webinars are sent to participants afterwards and they will also appear in the Lead.

Recording from December 11

Slides from December 11

There are high numbers of participants on each webinar, so if you have trouble getting in, email Michael Moore at IDPH.

Testing Update
We have just a few testing updates today that include information on:

Home Testing Options
BD Veritor demo

New at Home Testing Options and Binax Cards for Home Use:
The FDA issued two emergency use authorizations for at-home COVID-19 tests. The FDA approved the Ellume test, which can be available over the counter and produces results in as little as 20 minutes. The FDA approved the Abbott Binax Cards for at-home use with a prescription. LeadingAge is planning a training with Abbott for January and will ask them to include information on this new at home option. LeadingAge will monitor both testing options as they enter the market and urge prioritized access where appropriate for aging services.

BD Veritor Demo Recording:
LeadingAge had a live demo and presentation from BD on the Veritor POC. The one hour recording is here.

Governor’s COVID-19 Briefings Recap
LeadingAge Illinois continues to monitor the Governor’s daily COVID-19 briefings for information pertinent to members.

Here is a recap of this week’s briefings:

Testing:
Over 12.1 million

Cases:
There are over 879,428 total cases and over 14,835 total deaths.

Hospitalizations:
As of Thursday, there were 4,801 in the hospital, with 1,063 in ICU and 575 on ventilators.

Assisted Living:

Argentum Update
Argentum has passed along four important updates for providers for this week’s newsletter. They include important updates on:

Phase 3 of the Provider Relief Funds (PRF),
Next Relief Package
Testing
Guidance for Implementing COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

PRF:
As we reported in the PRF update, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it has begun distributing Phase 3 payments from the Provider Relief Fund to over 70,000 providers across the country, totaling $24.5 billion overall. Relief funding specifically for assisted living communities is a part of this distribution.

LeadingAge Illinois joined Argentum in advocating for this support and relief for the assisted living industry. The revenue lost and expenses shouldered by your communities during this pandemic has been significant, and this funding will assist in recouping a major portion of those losses from the first half of the year. Argentum anticipates rapid distribution of this funding and have confirmed that some communities are already receiving relief.

With these payments, HHS has indicated that this will meet 88% of the losses reported by providers over the first half of 2020. Half of those who applied for Phase 3 will begin receiving funding immediately, with many receiving payments today, and the remaining payments to be distributed in late December to early January. Argentum is cautiously optimistic that an application process for a “Phase 3.5”—to recoup losses from the third quarter of 2020—will begin before the administration’s transition in January.

There are still outstanding Phase 2 payments that assisted living providers desperately need to continue their operations, and Argentum has been asking HHS to process those as soon as possible. Without these payments, providers across the industry will continue to suffer losses that may lead to closures. Argentum would like you to let them know if you haven’t yet received Phase 2 funding by emailing them.

With these Phase 2 and Phase 3 payments, and additional Provider Relief funding anticipated from the next federal relief package, providers all across the industry will finally begin to see substantial relief. A tentative agreement has been reached on that bipartisan relief package, and it is anticipated that there will be an additional $35 billion included for the Provider Relief Fund, inclusive of $2 billion directly allocated to assisted living providers for testing and tracing, as well as an expansion of the PPP.

Testing:
HHS has a plan to acquire and distribute another 30 million BinaxNOW rapid tests to communities with CLIA waivers through mid-March, which is approximately 6-8 weeks beyond the current supply. Those without CLIA waivers should apply to be considered for this distribution of tests.

Implementing Vaccine Requirements:
Argentum’s counsel partner Foley Hoag has prepared a memo on guidance for implementing COVID-19 vaccination requirements. The guidance indicates “employers that operate high-risk environments or with high-risk populations customarily can require mandatory vaccinations, subject to federal and state anti-discrimination laws.”

Johns Hopkins University, LeadingAge Release COVID-19 Courses for Assisted Living
The Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with LeadingAge, has released a free course designed for assisted living communities on COVID-19 response strategies. They also have a course for senior housing (see housing section of today’s newsletter). Featuring LeadingAge staff and provider members in lectures and guest interviews, the courses are designed to help staff at assisted living communities learn how to develop and implement a pandemic emergency response. The free, self-paced courses were developed in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department and cover emergency preparedness, infection prevention, and well-being policies to keep residents and staff safe.

CMS – CLIA Enforcement Discretion- CoW Applications
CMS has issued SARS-CoV-2 Point of Care Testing and CLIA Certificate of Waiver (CoW) Applications information. The information speaks to enforcement discretion to allow any entity with a COVID-19 Point-of-Care testing device (including BinaxNOW) to begin using the device once they have applied for their CLIA certificate.

Independent Affordable/Subsidized Housing:

Member Spotlight: CJE SeniorLife
CJE SeniorLife was incorporated by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago in 1971. Counseling, home delivered meals, and transportation were among the first services provided. Each year brings additional innovative community services and Housing Resources. Today, CJE has over 600 employees who provide 20,000 older adults and family members annually with a myriad of programs and services including independent housing, assisted living, home delivered meals, transportation, long and short-term skilled nursing care, adult day services, geriatric care management, health and wellness activities, support groups for clients and caregivers, and numerous lifelong learning opportunities.

One of the ways CJE serves individuals is though proving affordable housing. They have four HUD subsidized buildings that serve 379 residents. There are 18 staff and 11 part-time staff working in their Housing Management Services. One of those staff is David Guthridge, Director of Affordable Housing. Now five years into working with CJE, he knows the issues and the challenges confronting providers. “Affordable Housing, with Dignity, will continue to be one of our greatest challenges, perhaps for the foreseeable future,” said David.

He has been in Facilities Management since 1993 and joined CJE SeniorLife in 2015 as a contractor to support Housing Management Services. He has been in his current role since 2019 and has quickly been a leader in LeadingAge Illinois. His feedback and updates have been valuable in HUD Member Networking Forums and in the monthly HUD Member Regional Meetings.

He also has told the story of affordable housing providers on our Partners in Quality virtual visits held recently with the Illinois Congressional Delegation. In addition to giving the experiences of affordable housing providers during the pandemic, David formally delivered to the Housing WiFi ask to U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Chicago) during a virtual visit, asking for $50 million for housing providers. “Research has linked social isolation and illnesses to higher risk of blood pressure, heart disease, and obesity,” explained David. “WiFi is long lasting and enriching for our residents.”

David is another example of a leader in a quality organization full of a team of people serving older adults. “I am most proud of our people and commitment to coordinating efforts to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to help those who need assistance,” said David.

LeadingAge Illinois HUD Member Regional Monthly Meeting Recap
Every third Thursday from 12-1 p.m. CST, LeadingAge Illinois hosts the HUD Member Regional Meeting with important updates from LeadingAge National. The meeting is a collaboration with LeadingAge Illinois, LeadingAge Indiana, LeadingAge Minnesota and LeadingAge Missouri.

The meetings feature updates from Linda Couch, vice president of housing policy and Juliana Bilowich, director, housing operations and policy at LeadingAge National.

To RSVP, contact Jason Speaks.

Here’s a recap of yesterday’s meeting:

Affordable Senior Housing: A Scan of State Housing Credit Allocation Plans:
Completed by the National Housing Trust for LeadingAge, Affordable Senior Housing: A Scan of State Housing Credit Allocation Plans describes how states use their Low Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) allocations to incentivize affordable senior housing.

COVID-19 Supplemental Payments:
HUD has slowly gotten COVID Supplemental Payments (CSP) out and are now in the second round. Not included in the CSPs are one portion of service coordinators. As you know, some coordinators are funded through grants. For the grant-funded, HUD finally issued the application at the beginning of September with a September 11 deadline to apply. This week, providers starting hearing from HUD that their applications were accepted.

Pharmacy Partnership Program:
HUD Section 202 is included in the CVS/Walgreens Pharmacy Partnership Program (PPP) on the COVID-19 vaccine. LeadingAge Illinois had formally requested that the Governor’s Office ensure that HUD sites are included in the prioritization. We have heard from at least one member that the PPP has contacted them indicating they will provide vaccinations for their Section 8 property in Chicago. We are currently following up on that. There are 300,000 Section 2020 units across the nation. LeadingAge has a weekly call with the CDC staff working on the PPP. We will provide updates in The Lead.

COVID-19 Relief Bill:
We could see some action on another COVID relief package as early as this weekend. The current package will include a LeadingAge ask of extending the eviction moratorium for another month and that also comes with rental assistance for tenants and landlords. We could also see some funding for new 202s in the bill.

New Resources for Affordable Housing Providers:
New on the Learning Hub: COVID and Affordable Housing. This session provides targeted information on CDC infection prevention recommendations for HUD-assisted senior housing settings, HUD and Fair Housing regulatory compliance during COVID-19, and strategies for property staff and resident communications during a pandemic. Access this session on the Learning Hub.

Biden-Harris Transition:
LeadingAge has gotten in early and been having meetings with the agency review team on HUD. They have informed the team, which includes some of the same HUD experienced staff from the Obama administration, of the LeadingAge asks and goals.

Johns Hopkins University, LeadingAge Release COVID-19 Courses for Senior Housing
The Johns Hopkins University, in collaboration with LeadingAge, has released a free course designed for senior housing communities on COVID-19 response strategies. They also have a course for assisted living. Featuring Juliana Bilowich from LeadingAge and provider members in lectures and guest interviews, the courses are designed to help staff at senior housing communities learn how to develop and implement a pandemic emergency response. The free, self-paced courses were developed in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department and cover emergency preparedness, infection prevention, and well-being policies to keep residents and staff safe in each type of setting.

Toolkit for Shared and Congregate Housing
The CDC released guidance and tools to help owners, administrators, or operators of shared housing facilities make decisions, protect residents and staff, and communicate with public health officials.

Home Health and Hospice:

Hospice Act Passes House
The Helping Our Senior Population in Comfort Environments (HOSPICE) Act passed the U.S. House on December 8. The House passed measure will make changes to the hospice survey process and authorize new remedies. Here is an article from LeadingAge on the House bill and a status report on Senate activity.

What In-home Social Service Providers and Clients Need to Know about COVID-19
The CDC released information titled “What In-home Social Service Providers and Clients Need to Know about COVID-19.” In-home social service providers include, but are not limited to, caregivers or aides, teachers or tutors, social workers, and resettlement agency personnel who visit the homes of their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Technology:

Governor Announces Connect Illinois Computer Equity Network
On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker officially launched a program called the Connect Illinois Computer Equity Network. With 1.1 million Illinois households that do not have computer access, this program is aimed at taking steps towards fixing the digital divide.

The Governor’s goal has been to bring broadband digital infrastructure to every corner of Illinois through the program by 2024. It is the largest grant program in the nation for broadband infrastructure. There has been $100 million in capital invested in it ($50 million in capital grants to communities and $50 million in matching grants to further connect to communities next year).

Through a partnership between the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the nonprofit, PCs for People (established 22 years ago), the program will provide refurbished and modernized computers to those in need. PCs for People has a network of about 1,500 businesses currently that provide them with computers and other equipment. PCs for People received a COVID-19 state grant for this program as well. The initial commitment for the new program is to provide 20,000 devices to families in need across the state.

Illinois committed $420 million last year to address digital inequity. The Governor is asking Illinois companies to join this new effort.

Other:

The 2021 LeadingAge Illinois Call for Cabinet Applications is Now Open!
LeadingAge Illinois seeks nominations for Cabinet leadership! As a part of a LeadingAge Illinois Cabinet, you will have the opportunity to lead, influence the future of adult services in Illinois, and network with colleagues in similar roles. Cabinets represent each LeadingAge Illinois member type and set program and public policy goals, provide support and guidance to meet these goals – achieving results in their specialty areas. LeadingAge Illinois’ five industry cabinets represent the following member types: Assisted Living, CCRC/Life Plan Community, Housing, Home or Community Bases Services and Nursing/Rehab.

Interested provider members are asked to review the Cabinet Roles and Responsibilities summary, and complete a Cabinet Application accompanied by your current resume or CV and submit both by Friday, January 8, 2021 to Maribel Rice.

Learn more and apply.

LeadingAge Advocates for a Fix to Payment Cuts in the Physician Fee Schedule
In response to the drastic cuts to services vital to care and quality of life of older adults that receive care funded through Medicare Part B, LeadingAge joined a sign-on letter with the Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative asking Congress to take action in a year-end legislative package to stop the cuts. Many of the services critical to the well being of older adults that will be reduced include physician services, nurse practitioner services, rehabilitation therapy (physical and occupational therapy and speech-language pathology), x-ray, and a list of nearly 40 other specialty provider groups that furnish services to Medicare beneficiaries in and outside of nursing facilities.

LeadingAge is pleased to see that elected officials in both the U.S. House and Senate have introduced legislation to fix these cuts. Contact your U.S. representatives and ask them to support H.R. 8702, the Holding Providers Harmless From Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020, and contact your U.S. senators asking them to support the recently introduced companion legislation S. 5007.

Ventilation in Buildings
The CDC updated information and tactics to improve ventilation in buildings. The webpage includes a list of ventilation interventions that can help reduce the concentration of virus particles in the air, such as SARS-CoV-2. They represent a list of “tools in the mitigation toolbox,” each of which can be effective on their own. Implementing multiple tools at the same time is consistent with CDC mitigation strategies and increases overall effectiveness. These ventilation interventions can reduce the risk of exposure to the virus and reduce the spread of disease, but they will not eliminate risk completely.

This Week’s Artmails
Last edition, we introduced you to Artmails. This week, we are sharing the first two. Enjoy!

Artmail #1: Abstract Expressionist Painter Hans Hofmann:
Hans Hofmann (1880-1966) is a German-born painter considered by many art historians to be one of the forefathers of the Abstract Art movement in the U.S. From an early age, he was enamored with science and mathematics, and as a teenager he went on to develop and patent several inventions, such as an electromagnetic comptometer (essentially an early calculator); a radar device for ships at sea; a sensitized light bulb and; a portable freezer unit for military use.

I love Hofmann’s work, especially his later paintings. A few of the words that spring to mind when I look at his paintings are energy, movement, passion, and depth. To me, his painting style evolved considerably from the turmoil and turbulence of his earlier paintings to the more serene compositions of his later years, which often include prominent geometric shapes, mainly squares and rectangles. I particularly like the incredible intensity and vividness of the colors he uses, especially his reds and blues. They’re gorgeous! What do you think?

The following four videos take about 35 mins to watch. The first one features the curator of a recent Hofmann show at the Peabody Essex Museum in Massachusetts discussing Hofmann’s work and his influence on generations of artists. The second one is a slideshow of some of his paintings set to an uptempo folk-pop song – the female singer sounded like a cross between Sheryl Crow and Taylor Swift. In video #3, an art critic takes us through a NYC gallery show and uses his smartphone camera to show us close-ups that highlight Hofmann’s technique, color sense, paint application, etc. The fourth and final video is a lengthy – 15 minutes! – slideshow of Hofmann’s paintings, but it’s accompanied by beautiful classical strings music. I found it extremely calming and moving at the same time – well worth a watch.

Artmail #2: Celebrated British Pop Artist David Hockney:
Below is a brief biography from Wikipedia:

“David Hockney is an English painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer. As an important contributor to the pop art movement of the 1960s, he is considered one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century.

In the first three videos below, follow several British art critics as they discuss some of Hockney’s major works from a 2017 retrospective at the Tate Gallery in London. The critical analysis is very good. I knew Hockney was famous for his use of vivid colors, depiction of idyllic California scenery/settings, and stylized swimming pools, but I had no idea he was such an innovator. His iPad drawings in the third video (Hockney at Tate Britain: Part 2) are fascinating!

The fourth and final video is a slideshow of 43 Hockney paintings set to beautiful and haunting piano music by the American composer Philip Glass.

About 35 minutes total viewing time.