mercurynews--2020-11-19--Some good news for Raiders: Kolton Miller, Maurice Hurst back at practice

It wasn ’ t all bad news for the Raiders as two key players returned to practice Wednesday as seven others were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list .
Left tackle Kolton Miller and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst were on the field and listed as limited participants as the Raiders ( 6-3 ) prepared to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs ( 8-1 ) Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium .
“ We ’ re still in the process of figuring it out , but they were out here today , ” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right direction.
” Miller missed Raiders wins against the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos with an ankle injury sustained against Cleveland on Nov. 1 .
They were the first games Miller has missed in his career , having made 39 consecutive starts at that point and rarely missing a single snap .
Brandon Parker has started in Miller ’ s place in the last two games and played well .
If Miller plays , Parker will either move to right tackle , where Sam Young has struggled to remain healthy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backup in both spots .
Parker , a third-year player out of North Carolina A & T , has emerged as a silver lining in Miller ’ s absence .
: “ We ’ re weighing all the options , ” Gruden said .
“ Brandon has gotten better .
It ’ s his third year now in the system .
That jump from a small school to the NFL is big .
He started a lot of games as a rookie , but we ’ re weighing all the options and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Hurst injured an ankle in the same game and had to be helped from the field .
He also missed the wins over the Chargers and Broncos .
Hurst also missed the Raiders ’ 40-32 win over Kansas City on Oct. 11 while on the COVID-19 reserve list .
Considering that defensive end/tackle Clelin Ferrell won ’ t face the Chiefs and that defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Johnathan Hankins won ’ t practice this week , Hurst ’ s availability would lend another body to an area that needs fortifying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while Collins and Hankins can ’ t be cleared until Sunday at the earliest while under quarantine for contract tracing .
Also listed as limited for the Raiders were safety Erik Harris ( oblique ) , fullback Alec Ingold ( ribs ) , Young ( knee , back ) and cornerback Keisean Nixon ( groin ) .
Running back Jalen Richard ( chest ) did not participate in practice .
The wheels on the bus stopped going round and round as the Raiders and Chiefs got down to preparing for their rematch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reid twice made mention of a Raiders ’ “ victory lap ” around Arrowhead Stadium following their first meeting .
“ Listen , they won the game , so they can do anything they want to do , ” Reid said .
“ It ’ s not our style , but we ’ ll get ourselves back , ready to play .
That ’ s where we ’ re at.
” Gruden bristled when asked if the Raiders had supplied bulletin board material and blamed a “ smart aleck ” bus driver .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove around the stadium , to tick him off , ” Gruden said .
“ This is ridiculous.
” The story gained some national attention , and Reid on Wednesday pretended he hadn ’ t heard anything about it .
“ I didn ’ t think much about it and I haven ’ t thought much about it and I don ’ t listen to the media .
.
.
I don ’ t really read or listen to anything , ” Reid said .
“ I ’ m just trying to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Both quarterbacks poured cold water on the story as well .
“ With rivalries , I ’ m sure there ’ s a hundred stories out there and none of them are true , ” Carr said .
“ And some of them are for weird reasons like someone gets mad at someone else.
” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters he didn ’ t need anything extra to fire him up other than the score of the first meeting .
“ If you ’ re not ready to go in this game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good team and knowing it means a lot in the AFC West standings , then you ’ re not in the right sport , ” Mahomes said .
“ It ’ s just as important to me as any game in the division whether they took the victory lap or not.
” • Raiders take a big COVID hit : 10 defensive players to miss practice all week • Raiders mailbag : Nick Morrow ’ s big day and how it relates to the future of Cory Littleton at linebacker • Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reserve list • Inside the Raiders : Free agent class finally picking up pace with Chiefs up next Vic Beasley , released by Tennessee on Nov. 3 after signing a one-year , $ 9.5 million contract as a pass rusher , will visit the Raiders , ESPN ’ s Field Yates reported .
Beasley ( 6-foot-1 , 246 pounds ) is an edge player who had eight sacks for Atlanta last season and has 37 1/2 sacks for his career .
Beasley ’ s biggest season came as a second-year player in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a linebacker .
In five games with Tennessee , Beasley had no sacks and four tackles .
He played 38 snaps against Cincinnati in his final game with the Titans with no tackles or assists before being released .

It wasn’t all bad news for the Raiders as two key players returned to practice Wednesday as seven others were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Left tackle Kolton Miller and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst were on the field and listed as limited participants as the Raiders (6-3) prepared to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs (8-1) Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium.
“We’re still in the process of figuring it out, but they were out here today,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “That was a good step in the right direction.”
Miller missed Raiders wins against the Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos with an ankle injury sustained against Cleveland on Nov. 1. They were the first games Miller has missed in his career, having made 39 consecutive starts at that point and rarely missing a single snap.
Brandon Parker has started in Miller’s place in the last two games and played well. If Miller plays, Parker will either move to right tackle, where Sam Young has struggled to remain healthy and complete games, or be available as the backup in both spots. Parker, a third-year player out of North Carolina A&T, has emerged as a silver lining in Miller’s absence.
:“We’re weighing all the options,” Gruden said. “Brandon has gotten better. It’s his third year now in the system. That jump from a small school to the NFL is big. He started a lot of games as a rookie, but we’re weighing all the options and determining everyone’s health right now.”
Hurst injured an ankle in the same game and had to be helped from the field. He also missed the wins over the Chargers and Broncos. Hurst also missed the Raiders’ 40-32 win over Kansas City on Oct. 11 while on the COVID-19 reserve list.
Considering that defensive end/tackle Clelin Ferrell won’t face the Chiefs and that defensive tackles Maliek Collins and Johnathan Hankins won’t practice this week, Hurst’s availability would lend another body to an area that needs fortifying. Ferrell has tested positive for the coronavirus, while Collins and Hankins can’t be cleared until Sunday at the earliest while under quarantine for contract tracing.
Also listed as limited for the Raiders were safety Erik Harris (oblique), fullback Alec Ingold (ribs), Young (knee, back) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (groin). Running back Jalen Richard (chest) did not participate in practice.
‘Victory lap’ forgotten
The wheels on the bus stopped going round and round as the Raiders and Chiefs got down to preparing for their rematch.
On Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid twice made mention of a Raiders’ “victory lap” around Arrowhead Stadium following their first meeting.
“Listen, they won the game, so they can do anything they want to do,” Reid said. “It’s not our style, but we’ll get ourselves back, ready to play. That’s where we’re at.”
Gruden bristled when asked if the Raiders had supplied bulletin board material and blamed a “smart aleck” bus driver.
“Maybe that’s why we drove around the stadium, to tick him off,” Gruden said. “This is ridiculous.”
The story gained some national attention, and Reid on Wednesday pretended he hadn’t heard anything about it.
“I didn’t think much about it and I haven’t thought much about it and I don’t listen to the media . . . I don’t really read or listen to anything,” Reid said. “I’m just trying to get ready to play a good team.”
Both quarterbacks poured cold water on the story as well.
“With rivalries, I’m sure there’s a hundred stories out there and none of them are true,” Carr said. “And some of them are for weird reasons like someone gets mad at someone else.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters he didn’t need anything extra to fire him up other than the score of the first meeting.
“If you’re not ready to go in this game, playing a divisional opponent, against a good team and knowing it means a lot in the AFC West standings, then you’re not in the right sport,” Mahomes said. “It’s just as important to me as any game in the division whether they took the victory lap or not.”
Beasley to visit
Vic Beasley, released by Tennessee on Nov. 3 after signing a one-year, $9.5 million contract as a pass rusher, will visit the Raiders, ESPN’s Field Yates reported.
Beasley (6-foot-1, 246 pounds) is an edge player who had eight sacks for Atlanta last season and has 37 1/2 sacks for his career. Beasley’s biggest season came as a second-year player in 2016 when he had 15 1/2 sacks as a linebacker.
In five games with Tennessee, Beasley had no sacks and four tackles. He played 38 snaps against Cincinnati in his final game with the Titans with no tackles or assists before being released.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--San Jose leaders push forward on voter-approved police reforms

With a strong mandate from voters , San Jose leaders are forging ahead with proposed police reforms that involve wider scrutiny on police misconduct .
But their success hinges largely on support from a police union that calls the reforms “ a solution in search of a problem.
” A city council committee on Wednesday approved a proposal from Mayor Sam Liccardo and Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco to begin negotiating changes in the police department , chief among them making investigations of police misconduct independent of the San Jose Police Department and modifying the city ’ s arbitration process — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow officers to dispute disciplinary actions .
The move to transform the framework in which police misconduct is scrutinized comes just two weeks after more than 77 % of San Jose voters passed Measure G. The city measure expands the footprint of the city ’ s Office of the Independent Police Auditor to include internal police complaints and increase access to use-of-force investigations — conditions that have been in the works for a couple of years and supported by the union and police department .
The measure also allows the city council “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” like the reforms being pursued by Liccardo and Carrasco , without returning voters for approval .
However , such reforms would still be subject to mandatory negotiations with the police union .
The proposals were outlined in the mayor ’ s nine-point police reform plan released this summer , but Liccardo acknowledged that it ’ s not as easy as getting quick approval from his fellow council members .
Liccardo said he anticipates pushback from the city ’ s police union on both issues — modifying the arbitration process and moving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police department to the IPA .
“ If we agreed on everything at this stage then there wouldn ’ t be any need for negotiation , so we ’ re going to follow the process , negotiators will sit down to try and understand the need and hopefully find common ground , ” the mayor said in an interview Tuesday .
However , based on the police union ’ s current stance on the proposals , it ’ s unclear at this point what kind of results the negotiation process will yield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to prevent or diminish the number of these incidents from happening , ” police union president Paul Kelly said , adding that his organization has its own paths to reforms .
“ We are open to discussing other reasonable ideas that accomplish some tangible improvements to policing and not just checking a box.
” Under the city ’ s current police contract , arbitrators may issue binding decisions that can reverse disciplinary decisions made by the city ’ s police chief and city manager .
Measure G will allow the city to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next contract negotiations with the union .
Liccardo said the city may not move to get rid of the arbitration process completely but look for ways to make it more transparent and improve accountability , such as adding a court review .
“ Nobody hates a bad cop more than a good cop and when police are fired for unlawfully using force , for racist conduct or other serious transgressions , it undermines the morale of the rank and file who are going to work every day doing their best to protect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Obviously it has an impact on public perception as well and the confidence people have in the officers that serve them.
” Kelly questioned whether the issue is a significant problem , citing that an arbitrator oversaw eight disciplinary conflicts over the past decade and sided with the city in five of them .
Outgoing police Chief Eddie Garcia does agree with Liccardo and Carrasco about how the lack of transparency of arbitration proceedings and the public accountability of mediators clouds public perception .
He doesn ’ t quarrel with arbitration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretive decisions can make a police department appear toothless .
“ I ’ m tired of seeing an arbitrator that doesn ’ t live in my city or county , come in and overturn discipline and not have to stand up to anyone , ” he said .
“ No one knows the jobs police chiefs are doing to hold the line with regards to department discipline .
So let ’ s make it transparent.
” Like Kelly , Garcia opposes the rationale being used to supplant the internal-affairs process , calling it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of accountability .
But he said he is open to a new methodology so long that his officers are treated fairly .
“ I don ’ t care how that process is implemented , it just has to be fair , ” Garcia said .
“ If it ’ s not fair , officers will simply not be proactive , and communities will pay a price.
” Garcia and Kelly both noted that every year the IPA — which would take over police misconduct investigations under the proposed framework — agrees with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal-affairs investigations , leading Garcia to assert that “ if we say we ’ re doing something wrong , we ’ re indicting the IPA ’ s office as well.
” Kelly argued that auditing an internal-affairs investigation requires different skill sets and qualifications than conducting one .
“ So the only reason left for doing this is political and the last thing San Jose needs is political meddling in any investigation , ” he said .
Harriet Wolf , a San Jose resident and member of the nonprofit group People Acting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Measure G , said the proposed changes would “ signal that there isn ’ t any room in our police department for officers who can not or will not uphold the honor and dignity of the office and show all community members respect and decency.
” Resident Yeme Girma applauded the city for taking an initial step toward increasing public trust and addressing police misconduct but implored city officials to continue pushing for a deeper re-imagining of public safety .
“ The overwhelming support for the passage of measure G signifies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are over , ” Girma said during Wednesday ’ s meeting .
“ We need a total foundational transformation of the public safety system .
”

With a strong mandate from voters, San Jose leaders are forging ahead with proposed police reforms that involve wider scrutiny on police misconduct. But their success hinges largely on support from a police union that calls the reforms “a solution in search of a problem.”
A city council committee on Wednesday approved a proposal from Mayor Sam Liccardo and Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco to begin negotiating changes in the police department, chief among them making investigations of police misconduct independent of the San Jose Police Department and modifying the city’s arbitration process — a quicker and cheaper alternative to lawsuits that allow officers to dispute disciplinary actions.
The move to transform the framework in which police misconduct is scrutinized comes just two weeks after more than 77% of San Jose voters passed Measure G. The city measure expands the footprint of the city’s Office of the Independent Police Auditor to include internal police complaints and increase access to use-of-force investigations — conditions that have been in the works for a couple of years and supported by the union and police department.
The measure also allows the city council “to assign other duties to the IPA,” like the reforms being pursued by Liccardo and Carrasco, without returning voters for approval. However, such reforms would still be subject to mandatory negotiations with the police union.
The proposals were outlined in the mayor’s nine-point police reform plan released this summer, but Liccardo acknowledged that it’s not as easy as getting quick approval from his fellow council members. Liccardo said he anticipates pushback from the city’s police union on both issues — modifying the arbitration process and moving investigations of police misconduct from internally at the police department to the IPA.
“If we agreed on everything at this stage then there wouldn’t be any need for negotiation, so we’re going to follow the process, negotiators will sit down to try and understand the need and hopefully find common ground,” the mayor said in an interview Tuesday.
However, based on the police union’s current stance on the proposals, it’s unclear at this point what kind of results the negotiation process will yield.
“This back-end approach will do nothing to prevent or diminish the number of these incidents from happening,” police union president Paul Kelly said, adding that his organization has its own paths to reforms. “We are open to discussing other reasonable ideas that accomplish some tangible improvements to policing and not just checking a box.”
Under the city’s current police contract, arbitrators may issue binding decisions that can reverse disciplinary decisions made by the city’s police chief and city manager. Measure G will allow the city to discuss modifying the arbitration process during the next contract negotiations with the union.
Liccardo said the city may not move to get rid of the arbitration process completely but look for ways to make it more transparent and improve accountability, such as adding a court review.
“Nobody hates a bad cop more than a good cop and when police are fired for unlawfully using force, for racist conduct or other serious transgressions, it undermines the morale of the rank and file who are going to work every day doing their best to protect and serve the public,” Liccardo said. “Obviously it has an impact on public perception as well and the confidence people have in the officers that serve them.”
Kelly questioned whether the issue is a significant problem, citing that an arbitrator oversaw eight disciplinary conflicts over the past decade and sided with the city in five of them.
Outgoing police Chief Eddie Garcia does agree with Liccardo and Carrasco about how the lack of transparency of arbitration proceedings and the public accountability of mediators clouds public perception. He doesn’t quarrel with arbitration rights for officers, but with how secretive decisions can make a police department appear toothless.
“I’m tired of seeing an arbitrator that doesn’t live in my city or county, come in and overturn discipline and not have to stand up to anyone,” he said. “No one knows the jobs police chiefs are doing to hold the line with regards to department discipline. So let’s make it transparent.”
Like Kelly, Garcia opposes the rationale being used to supplant the internal-affairs process, calling it “an optics issue” rather than one of accountability. But he said he is open to a new methodology so long that his officers are treated fairly.
“I don’t care how that process is implemented, it just has to be fair,” Garcia said. “If it’s not fair, officers will simply not be proactive, and communities will pay a price.”
Garcia and Kelly both noted that every year the IPA — which would take over police misconduct investigations under the proposed framework — agrees with over 90% of the conclusions of internal-affairs investigations, leading Garcia to assert that “if we say we’re doing something wrong, we’re indicting the IPA’s office as well.”
Kelly argued that auditing an internal-affairs investigation requires different skill sets and qualifications than conducting one.
“So the only reason left for doing this is political and the last thing San Jose needs is political meddling in any investigation,” he said.
Harriet Wolf, a San Jose resident and member of the nonprofit group People Acting in Community Together who advocated for the passage of Measure G, said the proposed changes would “signal that there isn’t any room in our police department for officers who cannot or will not uphold the honor and dignity of the office and show all community members respect and decency.”
Resident Yeme Girma applauded the city for taking an initial step toward increasing public trust and addressing police misconduct but implored city officials to continue pushing for a deeper re-imagining of public safety.
“The overwhelming support for the passage of measure G signifies to me that the days of police reform are over,” Girma said during Wednesday’s meeting. “We need a total foundational transformation of the public safety system.”


mercurynews--2020-11-19--‘Wonder Woman 1984’ headed to HBO Max

‘Wonder Woman 1984’ headed to HBO Max

One of the biggest movies of 2020 is heading to a streaming service near you on Christmas .
“ Wonder @ @ @ @ @ Bros. ’ sequel to the popular 2017 superhero film , is heading to HBO Max @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday .
The film will be released simultaneously in theaters and on the streaming service @ @ @ @ @ Dec. 25 .
It will debut in international markets on Dec. 16 .
The film @ @ @ @ @ and Chris Pine , will be available for a month on HBO Max in the @ @ @ @ @ to subscribers .
WarnerMedia is the parent company of Warner Bros. , as well as @ @

By Frank Pallotta | CNN
One of the biggest movies of 2020 is heading to a streaming service near you on Christmas.
“Wonder Woman 1984,” Warner Bros.’ sequel to the popular 2017 superhero film, is heading to HBO Max, the studio announced on Wednesday.
The film will be released simultaneously in theaters and on the streaming service in the United States on Dec. 25. It will debut in international markets on Dec. 16.
The film, which stars Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, will be available for a month on HBO Max in the US at no additional cost to subscribers.
WarnerMedia is the parent company of Warner Bros., as well as CNN.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--How the Giants’ 2020 season shaped their recruiting pitch to free agents

The Giants finished under .500 for the fourth consecutive season in 2020 , but president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi believes the organization has plenty of reasons to believe free agents will view San Francisco as a desirable destination this winter .
After Giants coaches helped Kevin Gausman and Drew Smyly reestablish their value and parlay their experience with the franchise into more lucrative contracts this offseason , Zaidi thinks others in similar positions see the value of working with a forward-thinking staff .
“ I think we try to look for guys with ability , but guys that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Zaidi said on a video conference on Wednesday .
“ That ’ s what everybody is looking for and we ’ ve been fortunate to find guys that have been able to execute at a level that ’ s put them in a much better position from a market standpoint.
” The Giants made Gausman a top priority in free agency last winter when they gave him a one-year , $ 9 million deal based on the potential he demonstrated pitching out of the bullpen for the Cincinnati Reds in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Braves earlier in the season , but the Giants saw value in his fastball-splitter combination and the veteran right-hander emerged as the team ’ s most consistent starter in 2020 .
Keeping Gausman required an $ 18.9 million commitment from the Giants this winter , but Zaidi is excited to welcome him back to a rotation that ’ s now in need of a replacement for Smyly .
After the left-hander racked up 42 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings during a 2020 season in which he dealt with a left index finger strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 million contract with the Atlanta Braves , which is nearly three times the salary he earned in San Francisco this summer .
With several free agent starting pitchers coming off injuries or disappointing seasons , Zaidi thinks the Giants will be able to sell their recent success stories in recruiting pitches and land some of their more desirable targets .
The Giants ’ top baseball executive hasn ’ t outlined specific pitchers the team is interested in , but the team has been connected to former Minnesota Twins All-Star Jake Odorizzi and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with recent injury histories such as left-handers James Paxton and Cole Hamels .
• How the San Francisco Giants ’ Alyssa Nakken became the first female coach in MLB history • Report : Johnny Cueto plans to pitch for a team that isn ’ t the San Francisco Giants • With Drew Smyly headed to the Braves , SF Giants can pivot to these left-handed options • Four former A ’ s , two Giants with World Series rings among newcomers to 2021 Hall of Fame ballot Luring starting pitchers to San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relative weakness in 2020 is the Giants ’ top offseason priority , but Zaidi said he ’ s noticed a change of tone in the conversations he ’ s had with agents regarding the willingness of free agent position players to play at Oracle Park .
After bringing the outfield fences in and changing the dimensions of their home stadium for the first time since it opened in 2000 , the Giants responded with their best offensive season in recent memory while creating intrigue among hitters who might be more inclined to sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t likely to make a significant financial commitment to any position players because Zaidi is confident in the group that became one of the 10 best offenses in the majors this year , but more offensive success in 2021 would go a long way toward convincing hitters that they won ’ t be dramatically hurt by playing home games at Oracle Park .
“ It ’ s sort of reason for optimism as we look at that market .
We ’ re pretty happy with our position player group , they did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe a role here or there that we may look to fill , but overall , we think we have the makings of a really strong offense , ” Zaidi said .
More than a month after first baseman Brandon Belt underwent offseason heel surgery , the Giants still aren ’ t certain when he ’ ll be able to take the field again .
Zaidi said it ’ s too soon to know whether Belt will be ready for spring training , but said the organization is hopeful he ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belt is coming off the best offensive season of his career and was a catalyst for the Giants ’ surge at the plate .
Zaidi added that one of the team ’ s top outfield prospects , Alexander Canario , won ’ t be ready for Opening Day of the minor league season after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum last week .
Zaidi did have good news regarding outfield prospect Heliot Ramos and major league outfielder Austin Slater , who both dealt with injury issues this year .
Ramos missed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and November due to an oblique injury while Slater was limited mostly to designated hitter duties during the second half of the 2020 season because of an elbow issue .
Both are expected to be fully recovered by the start of spring training .

The Giants finished under .500 for the fourth consecutive season in 2020, but president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi believes the organization has plenty of reasons to believe free agents will view San Francisco as a desirable destination this winter.
After Giants coaches helped Kevin Gausman and Drew Smyly reestablish their value and parlay their experience with the franchise into more lucrative contracts this offseason, Zaidi thinks others in similar positions see the value of working with a forward-thinking staff.
“I think we try to look for guys with ability, but guys that have the aptitude and motivation to make adjustments,” Zaidi said on a video conference on Wednesday. “That’s what everybody is looking for and we’ve been fortunate to find guys that have been able to execute at a level that’s put them in a much better position from a market standpoint.”
The Giants made Gausman a top priority in free agency last winter when they gave him a one-year, $9 million deal based on the potential he demonstrated pitching out of the bullpen for the Cincinnati Reds in 2020. Gausman had been cut by the Braves earlier in the season, but the Giants saw value in his fastball-splitter combination and the veteran right-hander emerged as the team’s most consistent starter in 2020.
Keeping Gausman required an $18.9 million commitment from the Giants this winter, but Zaidi is excited to welcome him back to a rotation that’s now in need of a replacement for Smyly. After the left-hander racked up 42 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings during a 2020 season in which he dealt with a left index finger strain, Smyly signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, which is nearly three times the salary he earned in San Francisco this summer.
With several free agent starting pitchers coming off injuries or disappointing seasons, Zaidi thinks the Giants will be able to sell their recent success stories in recruiting pitches and land some of their more desirable targets. The Giants’ top baseball executive hasn’t outlined specific pitchers the team is interested in, but the team has been connected to former Minnesota Twins All-Star Jake Odorizzi and could be a good fit for others with recent injury histories such as left-handers James Paxton and Cole Hamels.
Luring starting pitchers to San Francisco to fix a rotation that was a relative weakness in 2020 is the Giants’ top offseason priority, but Zaidi said he’s noticed a change of tone in the conversations he’s had with agents regarding the willingness of free agent position players to play at Oracle Park. After bringing the outfield fences in and changing the dimensions of their home stadium for the first time since it opened in 2000, the Giants responded with their best offensive season in recent memory while creating intrigue among hitters who might be more inclined to sign in San Francisco.
The Giants aren’t likely to make a significant financial commitment to any position players because Zaidi is confident in the group that became one of the 10 best offenses in the majors this year, but more offensive success in 2021 would go a long way toward convincing hitters that they won’t be dramatically hurt by playing home games at Oracle Park.
“It’s sort of reason for optimism as we look at that market. We’re pretty happy with our position player group, they did a terrific job and there’s maybe a role here or there that we may look to fill, but overall, we think we have the makings of a really strong offense,” Zaidi said.
Injury notes
More than a month after first baseman Brandon Belt underwent offseason heel surgery, the Giants still aren’t certain when he’ll be able to take the field again. Zaidi said it’s too soon to know whether Belt will be ready for spring training, but said the organization is hopeful he’ll be able to play by Opening Day.
Belt is coming off the best offensive season of his career and was a catalyst for the Giants’ surge at the plate.
Zaidi added that one of the team’s top outfield prospects, Alexander Canario, won’t be ready for Opening Day of the minor league season after undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum last week.
Zaidi did have good news regarding outfield prospect Heliot Ramos and major league outfielder Austin Slater, who both dealt with injury issues this year. Ramos missed time during instructional league play in October and November due to an oblique injury while Slater was limited mostly to designated hitter duties during the second half of the 2020 season because of an elbow issue. Both are expected to be fully recovered by the start of spring training.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--San Francisco rejects Warriors’ plan to bring fans into Chase Center

The Warriors ’ ambitious coronavirus testing plan aimed at bringing fans into Chase Center for the upcoming season has been swatted down by San Francisco health officials .
Golden State had submitted a plan to use rapid PCR tests to allow fans into home games at half capacity for the season slated to start Dec. 22 .
But as coronavirus cases continue to spike in the Bay Area as well as nationwide , the city rejected the Warriors ’ plan in a letter from city health officer Tomás Aragón .
The city may be open to working with the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 percent capacity , Aragón ’ s letter said , after the city reaches the state ’ s yellow tier of reopening — which would require an unadjusted case rate of less than 1.0 daily new cases per 100,000 and a test positivity rate less than 2 percent .
The city is currently in the red tier , two steps away from yellow , while much of the rest of the state moved into the purple tier this week — the state ’ s most restrictive .
The Warriors rolled out their plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with UCSF epidemiologist George Rutherford to develop safety guidelines .
They said that new rapid PCR tests are much more effective than rapid antigen tests — estimating they are nearly 99 percent accurate .
The plan would have called for fans to maintain some level of social distance and wear masks inside the arena after showing proof of a negative test within the last two days upon entry .
But the prospect of allowing 9,000 people to gather in an indoor space — even one with a significant air filtration system — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s health officials to sign off .
“ The Department of Public Health has met with the Warriors and had a good conversation about how to safely bring events back to Chase Center in the future , ” said Jeff Cretan , a spokesperson for Mayor London Breed .
“ We know the Warriors and events at Chase Center are an important part of San Francisco ’ s economy and our City , and we will continue to work collaboratively with them as we move through the challenging times ahead.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wiseman with No .
2 pick • NBA draft live blog : Warriors go with Wiseman at No .
2 • Kurtenbach : The worst thing the Warriors can do at No .
2 ?
Go big NBA teams have signaled that they will try to have some level of ticket revenue for the upcoming season , but the Warriors ’ estimated $ 30 million plan was the most ambitious .
Other teams have targeted suites as an opportunity to allow fans in small groups , and it is possible the Warriors will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong financial incentive in having spectators at games .
The team had expected a consistent revenue stream to help offset the costs of building the $ 1.4 billion Chase Center .
Warriors CEO Joe Lacob estimated the team lost out on more than $ 50 million last season when the season shut down .
Without fans at games this upcoming season , the Warriors could lose another $ 160 million — an average of $ 4 million to $ 5 million per game .
This is a developing story .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Warriors’ ambitious coronavirus testing plan aimed at bringing fans into Chase Center for the upcoming season has been swatted down by San Francisco health officials.
Golden State had submitted a plan to use rapid PCR tests to allow fans into home games at half capacity for the season slated to start Dec. 22.
But as coronavirus cases continue to spike in the Bay Area as well as nationwide, the city rejected the Warriors’ plan in a letter from city health officer Tomás Aragón.
The city may be open to working with the team on a plan to allow fans at 25 percent capacity, Aragón’s letter said, after the city reaches the state’s yellow tier of reopening — which would require an unadjusted case rate of less than 1.0 daily new cases per 100,000 and a test positivity rate less than 2 percent. The city is currently in the red tier, two steps away from yellow, while much of the rest of the state moved into the purple tier this week — the state’s most restrictive.
The Warriors rolled out their plan last week, saying they have been working with UCSF epidemiologist George Rutherford to develop safety guidelines. They said that new rapid PCR tests are much more effective than rapid antigen tests — estimating they are nearly 99 percent accurate.
The plan would have called for fans to maintain some level of social distance and wear masks inside the arena after showing proof of a negative test within the last two days upon entry. But the prospect of allowing 9,000 people to gather in an indoor space — even one with a significant air filtration system — appears to be too risky for the city’s health officials to sign off.
“The Department of Public Health has met with the Warriors and had a good conversation about how to safely bring events back to Chase Center in the future,” said Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for Mayor London Breed. “We know the Warriors and events at Chase Center are an important part of San Francisco’s economy and our City, and we will continue to work collaboratively with them as we move through the challenging times ahead.”
NBA teams have signaled that they will try to have some level of ticket revenue for the upcoming season, but the Warriors’ estimated $30 million plan was the most ambitious. Other teams have targeted suites as an opportunity to allow fans in small groups, and it is possible the Warriors will do the same.
The Warriors have a strong financial incentive in having spectators at games. The team had expected a consistent revenue stream to help offset the costs of building the $1.4 billion Chase Center. Warriors CEO Joe Lacob estimated the team lost out on more than $50 million last season when the season shut down. Without fans at games this upcoming season, the Warriors could lose another $160 million — an average of $4 million to $5 million per game.
The Warriors said they’d keep working with San Francisco health officials and emphasized that their top priority is the health of fans, employees and players.
“We believe the thorough, detailed and adaptive re-opening plans we’ve been developing over the last eight months will help us accomplish our goal of welcoming our fans and staff back to Chase Center when the time is right,” a team statement said.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--COVID-19 has now killed 250,000 in the US

In less than 10 months , Covid-19 has killed more people than strokes , suicides and car crashes typically do in a full year — combined .
The victims include an elderly father and his grown daughter who died within moments of each other .
Two parents who died before their son ’ s 5th birthday .
In rare cases , even children with no known prior health conditions .
Health experts say if Americans don ’ t get more serious about wearing masks and avoiding careless socializing , the rate of deaths will keep soaring this fall and winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how deadly Covid-19 is , compared with several other causes of death in the US .
To get a more balanced picture , we took the five-year annual average ending in 2018 , the latest available year of data for most causes .
Coronavirus has killed 250,000 people in the US in less than 10 months , according to data from Johns Hopkins University .
On average , 24,166 people die each year in car crashes , according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration .
( The number includes drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not others such as bicyclists or pedestrians who were killed as the result of car crashes . )
That means at least 10 times more people have died from Covid-19 so far this year than car crashes typically do over an entire year .
An average of 42,200 people died from the flu each year from 2014 through 2018 , according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
So in less than 10 months , Covid-19 deaths have reached more than five times the average number of annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t just deadlier than the flu — it ’ s also much more contagious than the flu .
The number of Covid-19 deaths is now five times higher than deaths by suicide each year .
On average , 45,439 people died by suicide from 2014 through 2018 , according to CDC data .
Researchers from New York University are concerned the number of suicides will be higher in 2020 due to pandemic stress .
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US .
An average of 670,595 people die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to CDC data .
While Covid-19 isn ’ t expected to surpass heart disease in the number of deaths over an entire year , the daily death toll from Covid-19 could soon outpace the daily death rate from heart disease , said Dr. Peter Hotez , dean of tropical medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine .
He cited the University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation , which has projected Covid-19 will kill 2,500 people in the US a day in January .
“ What that means , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the single leading cause of death in the United States on a daily basis , ” Hotez said .
According to the American Heart Association , an average of 2,353 people died each day from cardiovascular disease ( including heart disease ) , based on 2017 data .
On Tuesday , the US reported 1,707 new Covid-19 deaths , according to Johns Hopkins University .
( The seven-day average of daily deaths was 1,156 . )
Dr. Jonathan Reiner , a professor at George Washington University School of Medicine , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who were being infected three weeks ago — two to three weeks ago , because that ’ s the lag ” between infections and deaths .
“ On average , two to three weeks ago , we were seeing 70,000 to 80,000 ( new ) cases per day , ” Reiner said .
But Tuesday ’ s new case count was much higher : 161,934 , according to Johns Hopkins .
“ So if you ’ re alarmed at the 1,700 deaths … two to three weeks from now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths a day.
” Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the US , and that ’ s not expected to change this year .
An average of 612,725 people die of cancer in the US each year , according to CDC data .
An average of 141,952 people in the US die from strokes each year , according to CDC data .
So in less than 10 months , Covid-19 has killed about 1.8 times as many people than strokes typically do in 12 months .

By Holly Yan and Daniel Wolfe | CNN
In less than 10 months, Covid-19 has killed more people than strokes, suicides and car crashes typically do in a full year — combined.
The victims include an elderly father and his grown daughter who died within moments of each other. Two parents who died before their son’s 5th birthday. In rare cases, even children with no known prior health conditions.
Health experts say if Americans don’t get more serious about wearing masks and avoiding careless socializing, the rate of deaths will keep soaring this fall and winter.
Here’s a look at how deadly Covid-19 is, compared with several other causes of death in the US. To get a more balanced picture, we took the five-year annual average ending in 2018, the latest available year of data for most causes.
Car crashes and Covid-19
Coronavirus has killed 250,000 people in the US in less than 10 months, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
On average, 24,166 people die each year in car crashes, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (The number includes drivers or passengers killed in car crashes, not others such as bicyclists or pedestrians who were killed as the result of car crashes.)
That means at least 10 times more people have died from Covid-19 so far this year than car crashes typically do over an entire year.
Flu and Covid-19
An average of 42,200 people died from the flu each year from 2014 through 2018, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So in less than 10 months, Covid-19 deaths have reached more than five times the average number of annual flu deaths.
The new coronavirus isn’t just deadlier than the flu — it’s also much more contagious than the flu.
Suicides and Covid-19
The number of Covid-19 deaths is now five times higher than deaths by suicide each year.
On average, 45,439 people died by suicide from 2014 through 2018, according to CDC data.
Researchers from New York University are concerned the number of suicides will be higher in 2020 due to pandemic stress.
Heart disease and Covid-19
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. An average of 670,595 people die from heart disease each year, according to CDC data.
While Covid-19 isn’t expected to surpass heart disease in the number of deaths over an entire year, the daily death toll from Covid-19 could soon outpace the daily death rate from heart disease, said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of tropical medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine.
He cited the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which has projected Covid-19 will kill 2,500 people in the US a day in January.
“What that means, practically speaking, is that Covid-19 could be the single leading cause of death in the United States on a daily basis,” Hotez said.
According to the American Heart Association, an average of 2,353 people died each day from cardiovascular disease (including heart disease), based on 2017 data.
On Tuesday, the US reported 1,707 new Covid-19 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. (The seven-day average of daily deaths was 1,156.)
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor at George Washington University School of Medicine, said the current daily death count “reflects the number of people who were being infected three weeks ago — two to three weeks ago, because that’s the lag” between infections and deaths.
“On average, two to three weeks ago, we were seeing 70,000 to 80,000 (new) cases per day,” Reiner said.
But Tuesday’s new case count was much higher: 161,934, according to Johns Hopkins.
“So if you’re alarmed at the 1,700 deaths … two to three weeks from now, we’re going to see 3,000 deaths a day.”
Cancer and Covid-19
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the US, and that’s not expected to change this year.
An average of 612,725 people die of cancer in the US each year, according to CDC data.
Strokes and Covid-19
An average of 141,952 people in the US die from strokes each year, according to CDC data.
So in less than 10 months, Covid-19 has killed about 1.8 times as many people than strokes typically do in 12 months.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--Editorial: Block Warriors’ plan for allowing fans in Chase Arena

As more California businesses are being forced to shut down again to control a third surge of coronavirus cases , the Golden State Warriors want to reopen Chase Center to fans .
In a plan disclosed last week by ESPN , team owner Joe Lacob proposes filling the arena to 50 % capacity , requiring every fan and worker to wear a mask and testing anyone who enters the building .
Lacob deserves credit for trying to find a creative way to bring fans back to Chase Center .
But this is not the time for that .
Until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus under control , the answer from San Francisco and state officials who would have to give their blessing should be no .
The key to Lacob ’ s plan is use of cutting-edge rapid PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests .
Until recently , the testing choice was between highly accurate PCR tests that are sent to labs and can take days to produce results , and rapid antigen tests that are far less reliable .
The new rapid PCR tests combine the best of both — speed and accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state officials is whether the Warriors ’ plan could safely protect fans , workers and players .
It would be an intriguing and perhaps groundbreaking experiment that might provide a path for reopening sports , schools and other large-scale group activities .
But the bigger questions right now are whether this is the best use of a limited supply of rapid PCR tests and whether approving the plan in the middle of what will likely be the worst part of the pandemic sends the right message to Californians , who state officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On those points , it ’ s hard to see how the Warriors ’ plan passes muster .
Sure , we ’ d all like a return to normalcy in many of our daily activities .
But with COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations once again spiking in the Bay Area and California , the priority must be controlling the spread of the virus .
Thus , the rapid PCR tests should be used first to protect essential workers , many of whom are struggling to pay their bills , not indulging affluent Warriors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertained .
All sports fans miss the roar of excited crowds , but right now the bigger priority is ensuring hospitals , nursing homes , grocery stores and , eventually , schools are safe .
And , yes , optics matter .
It ’ s bad enough that Gov .
Gavin Newsom attended a dinner for a lobbyist friend this month at the tony French Laundry in Yountville that violated his own guideline — now mandate — against gatherings of more than three households .
How would we now tell Californians to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relatives and friends , and in many cases make do without work , while the well-healed attend basketball games ?
Battling the spread of the coronavirus requires shared sacrifice .
• Editorial : Be better than Trump and Newsom , stay home for Thanksgiving • Editorial : Keep high school sports shut down during COVID-19 pandemic • Editorial : Biden must bridge partisan divide to heal the nation • Editorial : California must act now to counter third coronavirus surge

Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards

As more California businesses are being forced to shut down again to control a third surge of coronavirus cases, the Golden State Warriors want to reopen Chase Center to fans.
In a plan disclosed last week by ESPN, team owner Joe Lacob proposes filling the arena to 50% capacity, requiring every fan and worker to wear a mask and testing anyone who enters the building.
Lacob deserves credit for trying to find a creative way to bring fans back to Chase Center. But this is not the time for that. Until the Bay Area, California and nation have the virus under control, the answer from San Francisco and state officials who would have to give their blessing should be no.
The key to Lacob’s plan is use of cutting-edge rapid PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests. Until recently, the testing choice was between highly accurate PCR tests that are sent to labs and can take days to produce results, and rapid antigen tests that are far less reliable. The new rapid PCR tests combine the best of both — speed and accuracy.
The first question for San Francisco and state officials is whether the Warriors’ plan could safely protect fans, workers and players. It would be an intriguing and perhaps groundbreaking experiment that might provide a path for reopening sports, schools and other large-scale group activities.
But the bigger questions right now are whether this is the best use of a limited supply of rapid PCR tests and whether approving the plan in the middle of what will likely be the worst part of the pandemic sends the right message to Californians, who state officials are trying to discourage from group activities.
On those points, it’s hard to see how the Warriors’ plan passes muster. Sure, we’d all like a return to normalcy in many of our daily activities. But with COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations once again spiking in the Bay Area and California, the priority must be controlling the spread of the virus.
Thus, the rapid PCR tests should be used first to protect essential workers, many of whom are struggling to pay their bills, not indulging affluent Warriors season-ticket holders so they can be safely entertained. All sports fans miss the roar of excited crowds, but right now the bigger priority is ensuring hospitals, nursing homes, grocery stores and, eventually, schools are safe.
And, yes, optics matter. It’s bad enough that Gov. Gavin Newsom attended a dinner for a lobbyist friend this month at the tony French Laundry in Yountville that violated his own guideline — now mandate — against gatherings of more than three households.
How would we now tell Californians to stay home, skip their holiday visits with relatives and friends, and in many cases make do without work, while the well-healed attend basketball games? Battling the spread of the coronavirus requires shared sacrifice.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--Sponsored: Add value during construction

Value .
It can be quantifiable , tangible , intrinsic , affirming and life-guiding .
And when it comes to a new home , though often tied directly to dollar signs , value is immeasurable in many ways You can ’ t , after all , put a price tag on livability or on the distinct feeling of comfort in a home tailored for your family ’ s lifestyle .
When it comes to planning for a brand-new forever home , taking the time and effort to define each kind of value will set the stage for years of increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dollar value happen when choosing between quality grades .
Plan for now , but keep an eye on the future .
Lives aren ’ t static , so no one expects a home to remain the same over the time the buyer lives in it .
But when making the biggest decisions on new-home features , homeowners want to be able to live with those decisions for up to 10 years or , in some cases , for decades .
Choosing the highest possible quality within your budget makes the most sense when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are intended to be permanent or to meet your needs for a decade or more .
Put another way , the more difficult a feature would be to replace , the higher the quality you may want to consider .
They may not be as fun as kitchens and bathrooms , but these big-ticket items pack a lot of value , especially those that offer improved technology for healthy environments .
HVAC systems using ultraviolet light sterilization technology , for instance , are a worthwhile expense for now and for the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are considering HVAC systems that use ultraviolet light sterilization to reach near-hospital-grade air quality .
UVGI ( ultraviolet germicidal irradiation ) technology , with proper installation and timing , harnesses ultraviolet light to eliminate dust , dust mites , mold , mildew , and some viruses and other germs before the air leaves the ducts .
Financially speaking , some buyers may need to choose between installing an upgraded UVGI HVAC system or a set of features such as upgraded jetted soaking tubs and swimming pools or spas .
Before deciding , ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option is easier to install now and which could come at any time in the future .
Also consider which will improve overall quality of life immediately and for the long term , even in the eyes of future buyers .
The same goes for major appliances .
Because every new home in California now includes an installed solar system , ask builders how best to take advantage of the energy your home generates to power higher-quality , longer-lasting appliances .
After structural design and floor plan , kitchens and bathrooms , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home design .
Don ’ t skimp here , if at all possible .
After that , consider first-floor en suite options or , if that ’ s already standard with your builder , consider the possibility of a secondary main-level en suite , where one will be a master suite and the other can be multiuse .
How can you incorporate high-quality features in that space during construction so that an en suite can instantly serve a number of purposes immediately ?
One way , say builders , is to incorporate custom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelving , cabinetry and drawers .
With the proper wiring and built-ins , the en suite or spare room could serve as anything from a private in-law or young adult suite to a playroom , a home office , a home classroom , a home gym or even a small home theater with built-in surround sound .
Combine that electrical work with built-in cabinetry , shelving or even a desk space and suddenly your spare in-law space becomes a coveted getaway that can change its personality from month to month , year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional work For home design choices such as those for flooring and countertops , natural materials such as hardwood and quartz have longer-lasting value .
When cost is the decision-maker , know that it ’ s a lot easier to rip out carpet in favor of hardwood five years from now than it is to redo a kitchen or to install a tankless water heating system at a later date .
Whatever you choose , start by asking your builder about good decisions made by other buyers — and new technology offerings from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .

Value. It can be quantifiable, tangible, intrinsic, affirming and life-guiding. And when it comes to a new home, though often tied directly to dollar signs, value is immeasurable in many ways
You can’t, after all, put a price tag on livability or on the distinct feeling of comfort in a home tailored for your family’s lifestyle.
When it comes to planning for a brand-new forever home, taking the time and effort to define each kind of value will set the stage for years of increasing gains.
Quantifiable, tangible value
The soundest decisions for lasting dollar value happen when choosing between quality grades.
Plan for now, but keep an eye on the future. Lives aren’t static, so no one expects a home to remain the same over the time the buyer lives in it. But when making the biggest decisions on new-home features, homeowners want to be able to live with those decisions for up to 10 years or, in some cases, for decades.
Choosing the highest possible quality within your budget makes the most sense when deciding on features, fixtures and appliances that are intended to be permanent or to meet your needs for a decade or more.
Put another way, the more difficult a feature would be to replace, the higher the quality you may want to consider.
HVAC and appliances
They may not be as fun as kitchens and bathrooms, but these big-ticket items pack a lot of value, especially those that offer improved technology for healthy environments.
HVAC systems using ultraviolet light sterilization technology, for instance, are a worthwhile expense for now and for the future. Domestic HVAC manufacturers and some homebuilders are considering HVAC systems that use ultraviolet light sterilization to reach near-hospital-grade air quality.
UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) technology, with proper installation and timing, harnesses ultraviolet light to eliminate dust, dust mites, mold, mildew, and some viruses and other germs before the air leaves the ducts.
Financially speaking, some buyers may need to choose between installing an upgraded UVGI HVAC system or a set of features such as upgraded jetted soaking tubs and swimming pools or spas.
Before deciding, ask yourself — and your builder — which option is easier to install now and which could come at any time in the future. Also consider which will improve overall quality of life immediately and for the long term, even in the eyes of future buyers.
The same goes for major appliances. Because every new home in California now includes an installed solar system, ask builders how best to take advantage of the energy your home generates to power higher-quality, longer-lasting appliances.
Flexible spaces and natural flooring
After structural design and floor plan, kitchens and bathrooms, as already noted, are the anchors of home design. Don’t skimp here, if at all possible.
After that, consider first-floor en suite options or, if that’s already standard with your builder, consider the possibility of a secondary main-level en suite, where one will be a master suite and the other can be multiuse.
How can you incorporate high-quality features in that space during construction so that an en suite can instantly serve a number of purposes immediately? One way, say builders, is to incorporate custom lighting and electric work along with built-in shelving, cabinetry and drawers.
With the proper wiring and built-ins, the en suite or spare room could serve as anything from a private in-law or young adult suite to a playroom, a home office, a home classroom, a home gym or even a small home theater with built-in surround sound.
Combine that electrical work with built-in cabinetry, shelving or even a desk space and suddenly your spare in-law space becomes a coveted getaway that can change its personality from month to month, year to year or decade to decade with little additional work
For home design choices such as those for flooring and countertops, natural materials such as hardwood and quartz have longer-lasting value. When cost is the decision-maker, know that it’s a lot easier to rip out carpet in favor of hardwood five years from now than it is to redo a kitchen or to install a tankless water heating system at a later date.
Whatever you choose, start by asking your builder about good decisions made by other buyers — and new technology offerings from the builder — over the past six months.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--Photos: ‘World’s largest helitanker’ demonstrates firefighting water drops in California

A helitanker capable of dropping 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant atop flames in a single go demonstrated its firefighting abilities in Topanga on Tuesday .
It ’ s dubbed by fire authorities as “ the world ’ s largest helitanker.
” Southern California Edison provided funding to help lease and operate the aircraft .
Like other electric utilities , SCE ’ s equipment has been blamed for sparking some of the states ’ massive wildfires , including the Woolsey fire in 2018 .
Stationed in Los Alamitos , the CH-47 Chinook helitanker is available for use around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Los Angeles , Riverside and San Bernardino counties , fire authorities said .
It has already seen action on the Silverado fire that started last month in Orange County .
During the practice session on Tuesday , the tanker filled up in an automated water station and unloaded its watery cargo onto the parched hills of Topanga .
Guests , including Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby , watched as the tanker operated .
“ This very large helitanker will deliver a very powerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fire line , ” Fennessy said previously in a statement .

A helitanker capable of dropping 3,000 gallons of water or fire retardant atop flames in a single go demonstrated its firefighting abilities in Topanga on Tuesday.
It’s dubbed by fire authorities as “the world’s largest helitanker.” Southern California Edison provided funding to help lease and operate the aircraft. Like other electric utilities, SCE’s equipment has been blamed for sparking some of the states’ massive wildfires, including the Woolsey fire in 2018.
Stationed in Los Alamitos, the CH-47 Chinook helitanker is available for use around the clock to respond to fires in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, fire authorities said. It has already seen action on the Silverado fire that started last month in Orange County.
During the practice session on Tuesday, the tanker filled up in an automated water station and unloaded its watery cargo onto the parched hills of Topanga.
Guests, including Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, watched as the tanker operated.
“This very large helitanker will deliver a very powerful punch and make a significant difference on the fire line,” Fennessy said previously in a statement.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--Stockton mayor who pushed guaranteed income loses reelction

By ADAM BEAM | The Associated Press SACRAMENTO — One of the youngest mayors in the country , who garnered national attention for starting a privately funded program to give poor people $ 500 a month in guaranteed income , conceded that he lost his bid for reelection in his California city .
Four years after winning more than 70 % of the vote , Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs , 30 , lost by more than 10 percentage points .
He conceded the race to Kevin Lincoln on Tuesday after an update of counted ballots showed he trailed by nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballots left to count .
“ I am honored to have served as your mayor , and I will continue to support the work needed to move our city forward , ” Tubbs said in a news release .
“ I congratulate Kevin Lincoln and wish him the best as our new mayor.
” It was a surprising defeat for Tubbs , the city ’ s first Black mayor and a Democrat , whose previous political campaigns were endorsed by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama .
His compelling personal history @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his father was in prison before getting a degree from Stanford and interning at the Obama White House — earned him national attention .
But he was most known for being one of the first mayors to revive a “ universal basic income , ” an old idea that got new life as the key plank in Andrew Yang ’ s unsuccessful presidential campaign .
Last year , Tubbs started the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration , a privately funded program that gave 125 people $ 500 a month for two years to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academic researchers is monitoring the participants to measure the money ’ s impact on a range of issues , including mental and physical health .
Financed in part by the nonprofit led by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes , the program included a “ storytelling ” component that resulted in lots of news coverage , part of Tubbs ’ goal to push other governments to adopt similar programs .
Since then , mayors in 25 other cities have pledged to start their own guaranteed income programs as part of a group that Tubbs founded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The program , plus some of Tubbs ’ other initiatives , made him a star .
But it was an image that didn ’ t sit well with some of Stockton ’ s voters , according to Lee Neves , a Stockton-based political consultant who was not involved in the campaign .
“ Stockton is a blue-collar town , and Michael brought in some ideas that I don ’ t think a lot of Stockton was comfortable with , ” he said .
Voters chose Lincoln , a 40-year-old Republican who is Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised in Stockton but left to join the Marines in 2001 .
He later landed an assignment on Marine One , the helicopter that carries the president , during George W. Bush ’ s administration .
He returned to California and worked for a private security company in Silicon Valley before coming home to Stockton to be executive pastor of LifeSong Church .
• California mayoral candidate charged with voter fraud for submitting over 8,000 false voter registration applications , DA says Lincoln said he ’ s already left his job at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He won ’ t oversee Tubbs ’ guaranteed income program because it is run by a nonprofit that ’ s separate from the city .
He said his goal is to focus on the priorities of Stockton residents .
“ There has been a disconnect and a lack of trust and transparency between the residents of Stockton and their elected ( officials ) , ” Lincoln said .
“ Putting the needs and priorities of the people of Stockton first is going to take each and every one of us increasing our @ @ @ @ @

By ADAM BEAM | The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — One of the youngest mayors in the country, who garnered national attention for starting a privately funded program to give poor people $500 a month in guaranteed income, conceded that he lost his bid for reelection in his California city.
Four years after winning more than 70% of the vote, Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, 30, lost by more than 10 percentage points.
He conceded the race to Kevin Lincoln on Tuesday after an update of counted ballots showed he trailed by nearly 12,000 votes, with fewer than 12,000 ballots left to count.
“I am honored to have served as your mayor, and I will continue to support the work needed to move our city forward,” Tubbs said in a news release. “I congratulate Kevin Lincoln and wish him the best as our new mayor.”
It was a surprising defeat for Tubbs, the city’s first Black mayor and a Democrat, whose previous political campaigns were endorsed by the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama. His compelling personal history — raised by a single mother while his father was in prison before getting a degree from Stanford and interning at the Obama White House — earned him national attention.
But he was most known for being one of the first mayors to revive a “universal basic income,” an old idea that got new life as the key plank in Andrew Yang’s unsuccessful presidential campaign.
Last year, Tubbs started the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration, a privately funded program that gave 125 people $500 a month for two years to spend however they wanted. A team of academic researchers is monitoring the participants to measure the money’s impact on a range of issues, including mental and physical health.
Financed in part by the nonprofit led by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, the program included a “storytelling” component that resulted in lots of news coverage, part of Tubbs’ goal to push other governments to adopt similar programs. Since then, mayors in 25 other cities have pledged to start their own guaranteed income programs as part of a group that Tubbs founded called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.
The program, plus some of Tubbs’ other initiatives, made him a star. But it was an image that didn’t sit well with some of Stockton’s voters, according to Lee Neves, a Stockton-based political consultant who was not involved in the campaign.
“Stockton is a blue-collar town, and Michael brought in some ideas that I don’t think a lot of Stockton was comfortable with,” he said.
Voters chose Lincoln, a 40-year-old Republican who is Latino and Black. He was born and raised in Stockton but left to join the Marines in 2001. He later landed an assignment on Marine One, the helicopter that carries the president, during George W. Bush’s administration. He returned to California and worked for a private security company in Silicon Valley before coming home to Stockton to be executive pastor of LifeSong Church.
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Judge Chutkan: Trump’s right to free speech ‘not absolute’ Election | A conservative case for disqualifying Donald Trump in 2024 Lincoln said he’s already left his job at the church and will take office in January. He won’t oversee Tubbs’ guaranteed income program because it is run by a nonprofit that’s separate from the city. He said his goal is to focus on the priorities of Stockton residents.
“There has been a disconnect and a lack of trust and transparency between the residents of Stockton and their elected (officials),” Lincoln said. “Putting the needs and priorities of the people of Stockton first is going to take each and every one of us increasing our level of engagement.”


mercurynews--2020-11-19--9 arrested protesting Fairfield police for hiring former Vallejo cop who was involved in 2012 fatal

9 arrested protesting Fairfield police for hiring former Vallejo cop who was involved in 2012 fatal shooting

FAIRFIELD — Police in the San Francisco Bay Area arrested nine people after they interrupted a Fairfield City Council meeting to protest the hiring of a police officer involved in a 2012 fatal shooting in the nearby city of Vallejo .
Eight adults and a 17-year-old were charged with disturbing the peace after an outburst during the Fairfield City Council meeting Tuesday , the Fairfield Police Department said Wednesday in a statement .
Fairfield Police Chief Deanna Cantrell in an open letter defended the department ’ s hiring in 2018 of Officer Dustin Joseph as “ robust ” and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ departments .
Joseph was one of two officers involved in the fatal Sept. 2 , 2012 shooting of Vallejo resident Mario Romero .
Romero , 23 , was shot and killed when he got out of his car and the two officers believed he was reaching for a gun , which turned out to be a non-lethal pellet gun , KPIX-TV reported .
An investigation by the Solano County District Attorney ’ s Office concluded that Joseph and the other officer acted in self-defense .
• ‘ He was going to murder her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Bay police describe killing man who attacked parents with knife • George Gascón plans to reopen 4 LA police shooting investigations for review upon taking over as district attorney • LA coroner orders inquest in police shooting death of 18-year-old — the first in 3 decades Cantrell also noted that she did not know Joseph ’ s potential involvement in the alleged practice by Vallejo police officers of bending their badges to signify fatal shootings when she hired him in 2018 .
An independent , third-party investigation into the badge bending practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not currently working the streets as an officer , Cantrell said .

FAIRFIELD — Police in the San Francisco Bay Area arrested nine people after they interrupted a Fairfield City Council meeting to protest the hiring of a police officer involved in a 2012 fatal shooting in the nearby city of Vallejo.
Eight adults and a 17-year-old were charged with disturbing the peace after an outburst during the Fairfield City Council meeting Tuesday, the Fairfield Police Department said Wednesday in a statement.
Fairfield Police Chief Deanna Cantrell in an open letter defended the department’s hiring in 2018 of Officer Dustin Joseph as “robust” and in line with state standards for law enforcement departments.
Joseph was one of two officers involved in the fatal Sept. 2, 2012 shooting of Vallejo resident Mario Romero. Romero, 23, was shot and killed when he got out of his car and the two officers believed he was reaching for a gun, which turned out to be a non-lethal pellet gun, KPIX-TV reported.
An investigation by the Solano County District Attorney’s Office concluded that Joseph and the other officer acted in self-defense.
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An independent, third-party investigation into the badge bending practice is ongoing in Vallejo.
Joseph is not currently working the streets as an officer, Cantrell said.


mercurynews--2020-11-19--Golden Gate Fields suspends live racing through November

BERKELEY — Golden Gate Fields has suspended live horse racing through the end of November because of the surging coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ area track last Friday announced a week-long temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and all employees and backstretch workers have had @ @ @ @ @ results were shared with the Berkeley public health department .
Anyone testing positive is required @ @ @ @ @ t allowed to return to Golden Gate Fields until being cleared by public health officials @ @ @ @ @ 1,300 horses stabled at the track will continue to receive daily care and exercise .
@ @ @ @ @ reopening date as soon as possible .

BERKELEY — Golden Gate Fields has suspended live horse racing through the end of November because of the surging coronavirus.
The San Francisco Bay area track last Friday announced a week-long temporary closure to address a COVID-19 outbreak. Track officials say Golden Gate’s facilities have undergone thorough cleaning and all employees and backstretch workers have had COVID-19 testing. The test results were shared with the Berkeley public health department.
Anyone testing positive is required to isolate and isn’t allowed to return to Golden Gate Fields until being cleared by public health officials.
Track officials say the 1,300 horses stabled at the track will continue to receive daily care and exercise. The track will announce a reopening date as soon as possible.
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


mercurynews--2020-11-19--2 teens who fatally attacked California middle school student on campus admit guilt

The two 14-year-old boys accused of fatally attacking Moreno Valley middle school eighth-grader Diego Stolz in 2019 have acknowledged their guilt .
Both juveniles “ made admissions ” to involuntary manslaughter and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury at a Thursday , Nov. 12 , hearing , John Hall , a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney ’ s Office , said Wednesday , Nov. 18 .
“ Made admissions ” is a terminology used in juvenile court similar to pleading guilty , Hall said .
The boys previously faced a more serious charge of voluntary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office did not explain why the charge was reduced .
One defendant is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 10 and the other on Feb. 16 , Hall said .
The defendants , whose names have not been publicly released because they ’ re minors , are not in custody .
On Sept. 16 , 2019 , the three boys were among other students outside classrooms at Landmark Middle School when one boy punched 13-year-old Stolz , who had been standing with his hands at his side , causing him to fall and hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two boys continued punching Stolz , a video shows .
Stolz , who was knocked unconscious , never woke up and was pronounced dead nine days later from a brain injury .
His family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the boys ’ families , Moreno Valley Unified and others .
The family alleged the school failed to act after they told Landmark Assistant Principal Kamilah O ’ Connor days before the attack that the boys were bullying Stolz .
O ’ Connor is among the defendants .
She and principal Scott Walker were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack .
David Ring , the attorney who represents Stolz ’ s family in the lawsuit , said he and the family would not comment until after the assailants ’ sentencing hearings .
“ I ’ m glad they pleaded guilty , but are they going to serve jail time ?
” community activist Alicia Espinoza , who ’ s been active in pushing Moreno Valley to change after Stolz ’ s death , asked Wednesday .
“ They get to come home , celebrate Christmas and be with their family .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Moreno Valley Unified has been under intense public pressure to improve how it handles bullying .
When Superintendent Martinrex Kedziora was spotted at a vigil for Diego , an angry crowd of parents swarmed him , demanding answers and action .
Since Stolz ’ s death , the district has upgraded its bullying reporting system , made a team of administrators responsible for following complaints through the process as they communicate with family members and is working with outside mental health programs to improve the classroom climate .
The district also stepped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle student discipline , and encouraged them to ask for help when needed .
Stolz and his two brothers went to live with their aunt and uncle , Juana and Felipe Salcedo , after their mother died in 2007 when he was 1 .
The father died in 2014 .
The Salcedos raised the boys as their own sons and built a shrine in their home after Stolz ’ s death .
“ Out of all of my children , he was the most affectionate , ” Felipe Salcedo said in September near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
“ He would always give me a kiss , he ’ d hug me .
I liked it , because it made me feel like he loved me.
” Stolz ’ s former classmate , Alice Rosales , 14 , said he “ was a really good kid.
” “ I do hope that those kids eventually understand they took someone great away , ” she said Wednesday .
“ And it sucks.
” Rosales said the school community was “ heartbroken ” after Stolz ’ s death .
She hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to make changes .
“ What happened to Diego should not have happened at all , ” she said .
“ It should not have been tolerated .
”

The two 14-year-old boys accused of fatally attacking Moreno Valley middle school eighth-grader Diego Stolz in 2019 have acknowledged their guilt.
Both juveniles “made admissions” to involuntary manslaughter and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury at a Thursday, Nov. 12, hearing, John Hall, a spokesman for the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, said Wednesday, Nov. 18. “Made admissions” is a terminology used in juvenile court similar to pleading guilty, Hall said.
The boys previously faced a more serious charge of voluntary manslaughter. The District Attorney’s Office did not explain why the charge was reduced.
One defendant is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 10 and the other on Feb. 16, Hall said. The defendants, whose names have not been publicly released because they’re minors, are not in custody.
On Sept. 16, 2019, the three boys were among other students outside classrooms at Landmark Middle School when one boy punched 13-year-old Stolz, who had been standing with his hands at his side, causing him to fall and hit his head against a pillar. The two boys continued punching Stolz, a video shows.
Stolz, who was knocked unconscious, never woke up and was pronounced dead nine days later from a brain injury.
His family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the boys’ families, Moreno Valley Unified and others. The family alleged the school failed to act after they told Landmark Assistant Principal Kamilah O’Connor days before the attack that the boys were bullying Stolz. O’Connor is among the defendants.
She and principal Scott Walker were replaced a month and a half after the attack.
David Ring, the attorney who represents Stolz’s family in the lawsuit, said he and the family would not comment until after the assailants’ sentencing hearings.
“I’m glad they pleaded guilty, but are they going to serve jail time?” community activist Alicia Espinoza, who’s been active in pushing Moreno Valley to change after Stolz’s death, asked Wednesday. “They get to come home, celebrate Christmas and be with their family. Diego doesn’t get that privilege.”
Moreno Valley Unified has been under intense public pressure to improve how it handles bullying. When Superintendent Martinrex Kedziora was spotted at a vigil for Diego, an angry crowd of parents swarmed him, demanding answers and action.
Since Stolz’s death, the district has upgraded its bullying reporting system, made a team of administrators responsible for following complaints through the process as they communicate with family members and is working with outside mental health programs to improve the classroom climate. The district also stepped up training for assistant principals, who handle student discipline, and encouraged them to ask for help when needed.
Stolz and his two brothers went to live with their aunt and uncle, Juana and Felipe Salcedo, after their mother died in 2007 when he was 1. The father died in 2014. The Salcedos raised the boys as their own sons and built a shrine in their home after Stolz’s death.
“Out of all of my children, he was the most affectionate,” Felipe Salcedo said in September near the one-year anniversary of Stolz’s death. “He would always give me a kiss, he’d hug me. I liked it, because it made me feel like he loved me.”
Stolz’s former classmate, Alice Rosales, 14, said he “was a really good kid.”
“I do hope that those kids eventually understand they took someone great away,” she said Wednesday. “And it sucks.”
Rosales said the school community was “heartbroken” after Stolz’s death. She hopes the school district follows through on its commitment to make changes.
“What happened to Diego should not have happened at all,” she said. “It should not have been tolerated.”


mercurynews--2020-11-19--California struggles with how to enforce coronavirus orders

By ELLIOT SPAGAT and DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press SAN DIEGO — Health inspectors fanned out to 29 businesses across San Diego County , threatening criminal prosecution and $ 1,000 fines for ignoring orders to avoid indoor activity during the coronavirus pandemic .
Not just that , the businesses ’ names appeared on the county ’ s website — unwelcome publicity as officials push companies to comply with tightening restrictions .
The actions Monday marked another turn in a monthslong tug-of-war among officials in California over whether to emphasize enforcement or persuasion as infection rates soar and the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flu season .
Instructors at The Yoga Box were startled when health inspectors arrived simultaneously at four studios to deliver scolding letters from Dr. Wilma Wooten , San Diego County ’ s public health officer .
Owner Amanda Burns said she complied with two previous state-ordered shutdowns but stayed open Monday after a third order took effect , saying it “ was just a matter of trying to survive.
” “ They ’ re coming at us harder , ” said Burns , who closed her studios after getting cease-and-desist letters on indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with shorter daylight hours and colder weather .
San Diego officials said posting the letters online is an effort to be transparent and not meant to shame business owners .
The county previously disclosed violators ’ names only upon request .
County spokesman Michael Workman said it seemed more efficient to post them all online .
“ They are public record , ” he said .
Twenty-six cease-and-desist letters were posted Tuesday — four issued that day and the others dating back to July 31 .
The approach can have benefits and drawbacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of California , Berkeley , Haas School of Business who studies behavioral decision-making .
Consumers may avoid businesses that officials label as unsafe , and businesses may clean up their act .
But violators may “ find themselves celebrated as some sort of weird folk heroes standing up to government domination , ” he said .
Moreover , the publicity may encourage more misbehavior as reluctant businesses realize “ there are other scofflaws out there.
” Better to reward positive behavior by giving businesses that follow the rules a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ‘ This business sucks , they ’ re horrible , ’ ” said Dr. Monica Gandhi , an infectious disease expert at University of California , San Francisco .
It ’ s emblematic of California ’ s general approach , which has been to focus on poor behavior , she said , even if officials have been reluctant to impose punishment .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Wednesday said his office would not enforce a 10 p.m. curfew that ’ s starting Friday for restaurants and nonessential retail businesses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where cases more than doubled in the last two weeks and hospitalizations rose 30 % .
San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is frustrated with the mayor of El Cajon , who said enforcing state orders is not a priority for police in the suburb of 103,000 people .
“ The willingness of elected officials to openly advocate defiance of our laws is very concerning , ” Fletcher said .
The same patchwork approach is evident statewide .
Sacramento County supervisors are considering allowing fines against scofflaws , patterned after a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighboring Yolo County .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in August went so far as to shut off utilities to some homes caught hosting large parties .
But officials in Fresno and Placer counties are among those saying they won ’ t enforce state rules , and two Republican state lawmakers are trying to rally 14 Northern California counties to formally call for a local approach that emphasizes reopenings .
It ’ s a muddled message from the top down , one that can cause residents to ignore warnings , Gandhi said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleaded with residents to avoid gatherings that officials mainly blame for the recent surge .
Yet he simultaneously renewed the state ’ s ban on indoor church services , indoor dining and indoor gym workouts in 41 of the state ’ s 58 counties .
“ You can ’ t say that the data shows it ’ s private gatherings and then from the other side of your mouth say , ‘ I don ’ t have evidence that it ’ s businesses , but because I can ’ t control human behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , ’ ” Gandhi said .
Moore doesn ’ t see it that way .
“ Gov .
Newsom really finds himself in a predicament in an attempt to get tougher when the state lacks enforcement mechanisms for individual behavior , ” he said .
“ They can regulate businesses , and so that ’ s what they ’ re trying to do.
” • U.S. will distribute vaccine for 20 million Americans by the end of the year , Azar says • COVID-19 has now killed 250,000 in the US • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ‘ tired to the bone ’ With some local officials refusing to act , Newsom created multiagency “ strike teams ” ahead of the Fourth of July weekend that have since made nearly 1.5 million in-person visits , phone calls and emails , 60 % of them within the first month .
The state agencies have since taken 4,163 enforcement actions , including issuing citations and revoking business licenses , said Brian Ferguson , a spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services that coordinates the program .
Eric Nuñez , president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views the pandemic as a public health crisis rather than a public safety issue , so police are reluctant to step in .
“ Compliance is better gained through education and just trying to reason with people as much as possible , ” he said .
Thompson reported from Sacramento .
Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio contributed from Los Angeles .

By ELLIOT SPAGAT and DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Health inspectors fanned out to 29 businesses across San Diego County, threatening criminal prosecution and $1,000 fines for ignoring orders to avoid indoor activity during the coronavirus pandemic. Not just that, the businesses’ names appeared on the county’s website — unwelcome publicity as officials push companies to comply with tightening restrictions.
The actions Monday marked another turn in a monthslong tug-of-war among officials in California over whether to emphasize enforcement or persuasion as infection rates soar and the holidays arrive along with colder weather and the flu season.
Instructors at The Yoga Box were startled when health inspectors arrived simultaneously at four studios to deliver scolding letters from Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s public health officer.
Owner Amanda Burns said she complied with two previous state-ordered shutdowns but stayed open Monday after a third order took effect, saying it “was just a matter of trying to survive.”
“They’re coming at us harder,” said Burns, who closed her studios after getting cease-and-desist letters on indoor classes because holding them outside is impractical with shorter daylight hours and colder weather.
San Diego officials said posting the letters online is an effort to be transparent and not meant to shame business owners. The county previously disclosed violators’ names only upon request.
County spokesman Michael Workman said it seemed more efficient to post them all online. “They are public record,” he said.
Twenty-six cease-and-desist letters were posted Tuesday — four issued that day and the others dating back to July 31.
The approach can have benefits and drawbacks, said Don Moore, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business who studies behavioral decision-making.
Consumers may avoid businesses that officials label as unsafe, and businesses may clean up their act. But violators may “find themselves celebrated as some sort of weird folk heroes standing up to government domination,” he said.
Moreover, the publicity may encourage more misbehavior as reluctant businesses realize “there are other scofflaws out there.”
Better to reward positive behavior by giving businesses that follow the rules a public seal of approval, “as opposed to ‘This business sucks, they’re horrible,’” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert at University of California, San Francisco.
“This is literally called shaming, public shaming,” Gandhi said.
It’s emblematic of California’s general approach, which has been to focus on poor behavior, she said, even if officials have been reluctant to impose punishment.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Wednesday said his office would not enforce a 10 p.m. curfew that’s starting Friday for restaurants and nonessential retail businesses in the nation’s most populous county, where cases more than doubled in the last two weeks and hospitalizations rose 30%.
San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is frustrated with the mayor of El Cajon, who said enforcing state orders is not a priority for police in the suburb of 103,000 people.
“The willingness of elected officials to openly advocate defiance of our laws is very concerning,” Fletcher said.
The same patchwork approach is evident statewide.
Sacramento County supervisors are considering allowing fines against scofflaws, patterned after a similar, if little used, policy in neighboring Yolo County. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in August went so far as to shut off utilities to some homes caught hosting large parties.
But officials in Fresno and Placer counties are among those saying they won’t enforce state rules, and two Republican state lawmakers are trying to rally 14 Northern California counties to formally call for a local approach that emphasizes reopenings.
It’s a muddled message from the top down, one that can cause residents to ignore warnings, Gandhi said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday again pleaded with residents to avoid gatherings that officials mainly blame for the recent surge. Yet he simultaneously renewed the state’s ban on indoor church services, indoor dining and indoor gym workouts in 41 of the state’s 58 counties.
“You can’t say that the data shows it’s private gatherings and then from the other side of your mouth say, ‘I don’t have evidence that it’s businesses, but because I can’t control human behavior, I’m going to punish you,’” Gandhi said.
Moore doesn’t see it that way.
“Gov. Newsom really finds himself in a predicament in an attempt to get tougher when the state lacks enforcement mechanisms for individual behavior,” he said. “They can regulate businesses, and so that’s what they’re trying to do.”
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge With some local officials refusing to act, Newsom created multiagency “strike teams” ahead of the Fourth of July weekend that have since made nearly 1.5 million in-person visits, phone calls and emails, 60% of them within the first month.
The state agencies have since taken 4,163 enforcement actions, including issuing citations and revoking business licenses, said Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Services that coordinates the program.
Eric Nuñez, president of the California Police Chiefs Association, views the pandemic as a public health crisis rather than a public safety issue, so police are reluctant to step in.
“Compliance is better gained through education and just trying to reason with people as much as possible,” he said.
____
Thompson reported from Sacramento. Associated Press writer Stefanie Dazio contributed from Los Angeles.