Did Tesla defy coronavirus shutdown orders?
On May 9, the electric-car maker sued California's Alameda County, home to its headquarters and a large factory, seeking to resume operations despite county shutdown orders. Tesla founder Elon Musk had earlier likened shelter-in-place policies in the region to "forcibly imprisoning people in their homes." Several days later the county acceded to Tesla's demands, which had won national political support, and agreed on terms for resuming full operations.
Some Tesla workers continue to be critical of the company's handling of their health concerns. The Washington Post reported two workers said they were terminated after taking unpaid leave instead of reporting back to work in May. A small protest group assembled July 2 in Oakland to ask the county to investigate if Tesla is concealing infections at the plant.