mercurynews--2020-12-16--Trump campaign asks fans if he should run in 2024

President Donald Trump has not conceded the presidential election , but it appears a fundraising appeal from his campaign may have finally done so .
“ Should President Trump run in 2024 ?
” a fundraising email from the campaign sent to supporters Tuesday evening asked .
Like most campaign fundraising emails from both parties , Tuesday evening ’ s note — one of seven sent just on Tuesday — appealed to its recipients with bombastic , urgent language .
“ Let ’ s make something clear : the Radical Left STOLE this Election from President Trump , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of widespread fraud in the 2020 election , and the Electoral College officially affirmed President-elect Joe Biden ’ s victory on Monday .
The email continued , “ He ’ s always been able to count on the American People for advice , which is why he asked us to reach out with ONE very important question , ” linking to a poll .
Once participants complete the “ Yes ” or “ No ” poll , they are encouraged to contribute to what it described as the “ Senate Runoff Election.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer that same question when standing at the White House briefing room ’ s podium earlier Tuesday .
“ I will leave that to the President , but he ’ s still pursuing ongoing litigation at the moment for this election , ” Kayleigh McEnany said when asked whether Trump intends to run in four years and whether she would like to be part of his campaign .
The legal fine print on the donation page , which says Trump is raising money for the US Senate runoff elections in Georgia , shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to $ 5,000 will go to Save America , a new Trump fundraising leadership PAC launched after the election .
Save America could become an avenue for Trump to continue funding political operations as he weighs a presidential bid in 2024 .
It ’ s part of why the Trump campaign has blitzed supporters with so many solicitations .
Since 11 p.m .
ET on Election Day , the Trump campaign has sent at least 498 fundraising emails and 170 text messages .
• Putin congratulates Biden on winning the US election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as transportation secretary • President-elect Biden , after Electoral College win , lauds the ‘ rule of law ’ The rules on spending by leadership PACs are far more relaxed than those for campaign committees and do not restrict politicians from using donors ’ funds for personal expenses — a use forbidden in a presidential campaign account .
So far , it ’ s been a lucrative effort — the campaign had raised more than $ 207 million since Election Day amid Trump ’ s baseless election fraud claims as of December 4 @

By Betsy Klein | CNN
President Donald Trump has not conceded the presidential election, but it appears a fundraising appeal from his campaign may have finally done so.
“Should President Trump run in 2024?” a fundraising email from the campaign sent to supporters Tuesday evening asked.
Like most campaign fundraising emails from both parties, Tuesday evening’s note — one of seven sent just on Tuesday — appealed to its recipients with bombastic, urgent language.
“Let’s make something clear: the Radical Left STOLE this Election from President Trump,” the email said.
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, and the Electoral College officially affirmed President-elect Joe Biden’s victory on Monday.
The email continued, “He’s always been able to count on the American People for advice, which is why he asked us to reach out with ONE very important question,” linking to a poll.
Once participants complete the “Yes” or “No” poll, they are encouraged to contribute to what it described as the “Senate Runoff Election.”
The White House press secretary could not answer that same question when standing at the White House briefing room’s podium earlier Tuesday.
“I will leave that to the President, but he’s still pursuing ongoing litigation at the moment for this election,” Kayleigh McEnany said when asked whether Trump intends to run in four years and whether she would like to be part of his campaign.
The legal fine print on the donation page, which says Trump is raising money for the US Senate runoff elections in Georgia, shows that 75% of the funds donated up to $5,000 will go to Save America, a new Trump fundraising leadership PAC launched after the election. Save America could become an avenue for Trump to continue funding political operations as he weighs a presidential bid in 2024.
It’s part of why the Trump campaign has blitzed supporters with so many solicitations. Since 11 p.m. ET on Election Day, the Trump campaign has sent at least 498 fundraising emails and 170 text messages.
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So far, it’s been a lucrative effort — the campaign had raised more than $207 million since Election Day amid Trump’s baseless election fraud claims as of December 4.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Impressions: Why Stadia is a good enough platform for ‘Cyberpunk 2077’

The most consequential choice of “ Cyberpunk 2077 ” comes before players even start the game .
It centers on picking the right platform .
As the launch feedback has shown , the much-hyped title from CD Projekt Red runs poorly on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 family of consoles .
“ Cyberpunk 2077 ” is playable on the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 , but those machines are running software built for the older machines via backward compatibility .
Players won ’ t see how the latest consoles handle the game until later .
That leaves gamers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it up for PC , but they ’ ll need a powerful rig to get the most from the experience .
“ Cyberpunk 2077 ” can even bring powerful graphics cards such as the RTX 3090 to its knees .
For those who don ’ t want to fork over that cash , there ’ s the Stadia version .
Google ’ s cloud-based platform was slow out of the gate , but it has built up momentum over its first year .
The service ’ s roster of games increased and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The turning point for the service was the release of “ Baldur ’ s Gate 3 , ” which showed off the strengths of cloud gaming .
Players didn ’ t have to wait to download the title or its patches .
“ Baldur ’ s Gate 3 ” just worked anywhere players had a speedy internet connection .
“ Cyberpunk 2077 ” followed the same path at launch .
I loaded up the Stadia site on Chrome and began playing a few minutes after the role-playing game went live for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of V. , the protagonist of the adventure .
The character creation is robust and lets players customize everything including the sex , hairdo , body shape and private parts ( if you ’ re into that sort of thing ) .
From there , players are whisked away in and around Night City .
The circumstances differ depending on one of three backgrounds from which players choose — Nomad , Street Kid or Corpo .
Those life paths also unlock different dialogue choices for V. “ Cyberpunk 2077 ” is a love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from films such as “ Blade Runner ” , “ Demolition Man ” and “ Dredd.
” The world feels like an extension of the one inhabited by Rick Deckard with holographic goldfish , soaring skyscrapers and crowded flea markets .
Being in a fictional California , Night City also has desert scrubland and a multiethnic vibe as each city section is dominated by a distinct culture and gang .
The world oozes lore and that makes it easy to slip into “ Cyberpunk 2077 ’ s ” campaign .
As V. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his way up the underworld ladder .
I made my protagonist male and went through the first act with his best friend Jackie Welles .
The duo takes on a job to steal a relic from the Arasaka Corporation , one of the most powerful companies on earth .
WHAT IT PLAYS LIKE During the theft , V. becomes a witness to the murder of Saburo Arasaka , the head of the Japanese mega-conglomerate .
The executive ’ s death winds up in the crosshairs of powerful people , and the protagonist ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ espionage and betrayal .
He also finds himself partnered with Johnny Silverhand , played by Keanu Reeves .
The two have a relationship reminiscent of the one in “ Fight Club.
” As much as “ Cyberpunk 2077 ” owes its visual style to films , CD Projekt Red takes its gameplay cues from the likes “ Fallout ” and “ Deus Ex.
” The open-world quality and the way missions are strewn around the multilevel Night City reminds me of Bethesda ’ s post-apocalyptic franchise .
Players will run across ambient missions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Night City streets .
The “ Deus Ex ” feel comes from the character progression and mission design .
Players can mold V. to suit their playstyle be it stealth , run and gun , hacking or even brawling .
“ Cyberpunk 2077 ” accommodates multiple styles , but along with that , the mission design forces players to think creatively and use their talents to find multiple solutions for each problem .
If players can ’ t get through a door because they didn ’ t invest in the technical ability , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or an alternate route .
If they ’ re stuck without weapons , they can try to use stealth or quickhacks to defeat foes .
The gameplay is surprisingly malleable and almost puzzlelike for an open-world game , but as players get more powerful and locate powerful gear , V. can overcome most obstacles by blasting foes with whatever abilities they invested in .
Violence , not craft , quickly becomes the answer to many problems .
THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF STADIA So why did I choose Stadia ?
The easy answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an enormous game that will devour 100 hours .
It ’ s not a bad way to spend the coronavirus lockdown .
With these long-form epics , it ’ s best to have easy and reliable access , and Stadia provides that .
If my wife is on the television bingeing “ The Crown , ” I can play “ Cyberpunk 2077 ” on the laptop at the kitchen table .
If I find myself on a long errand , I can sneak in play time on the phone .
If I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours in front of a computer after working from home , I can turn to the living TV to play it .
Players don ’ t need a Stadia Pro subscription to access it .
The game is always available once they have purchased it .
“ Cyberpunk 2007 ” won ’ t stream in 4K without the subscription , but that ’ s not a deal breaker .
The game actually looks better to me on a lower 1080p monitor .
With that said , Stadia has its drawbacks .
Visually , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the PC version .
It doesn ’ t have ray tracing or all the other graphcl bells and whistles .
The visuals also have a hazy sheen from the streaming artifacts and that takes some getting used to .
The visuals don ’ t have the clarity of source material played locally , but it is stable and the service runs the game well enough that it can cast its spell on players .
On Stadia , “ Cyberpunk 2077 ” has the power to suck players in and keep them entranced in @ @ @ @ @ @

The most consequential choice of “Cyberpunk 2077” comes before players even start the game. It centers on picking the right platform. As the launch feedback has shown, the much-hyped title from CD Projekt Red runs poorly on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 family of consoles.
“Cyberpunk 2077” is playable on the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, but those machines are running software built for the older machines via backward compatibility. Players won’t see how the latest consoles handle the game until later.
That leaves gamers with two options. They can pick it up for PC, but they’ll need a powerful rig to get the most from the experience. “Cyberpunk 2077” can even bring powerful graphics cards such as the RTX 3090 to its knees. For those who don’t want to fork over that cash, there’s the Stadia version.
Google’s cloud-based platform was slow out of the gate, but it has built up momentum over its first year. The service’s roster of games increased and the promised list of features has filled out. The turning point for the service was the release of “Baldur’s Gate 3,” which showed off the strengths of cloud gaming.
Players didn’t have to wait to download the title or its patches. “Baldur’s Gate 3” just worked anywhere players had a speedy internet connection. “Cyberpunk 2077” followed the same path at launch. I loaded up the Stadia site on Chrome and began playing a few minutes after the role-playing game went live for the world.
JUMPING INTO THE WORLD
I was making my version of V., the protagonist of the adventure. The character creation is robust and lets players customize everything including the sex, hairdo, body shape and private parts (if you’re into that sort of thing). From there, players are whisked away in and around Night City. The circumstances differ depending on one of three backgrounds from which players choose — Nomad, Street Kid or Corpo. Those life paths also unlock different dialogue choices for V.
“Cyberpunk 2077” is a love letter to the genre and takes inspiration from films such as “Blade Runner”, “Demolition Man” and “Dredd.” The world feels like an extension of the one inhabited by Rick Deckard with holographic goldfish, soaring skyscrapers and crowded flea markets. Being in a fictional California, Night City also has desert scrubland and a multiethnic vibe as each city section is dominated by a distinct culture and gang.
The world oozes lore and that makes it easy to slip into “Cyberpunk 2077’s” campaign. As V., players find themselves as a mercenary working his way up the underworld ladder. I made my protagonist male and went through the first act with his best friend Jackie Welles. The duo takes on a job to steal a relic from the Arasaka Corporation, one of the most powerful companies on earth.
WHAT IT PLAYS LIKE
During the theft, V. becomes a witness to the murder of Saburo Arasaka, the head of the Japanese mega-conglomerate. The executive’s death winds up in the crosshairs of powerful people, and the protagonist ends up embroiled in a tale of corporate espionage and betrayal. He also finds himself partnered with Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. The two have a relationship reminiscent of the one in “Fight Club.”
As much as “Cyberpunk 2077” owes its visual style to films, CD Projekt Red takes its gameplay cues from the likes “Fallout” and “Deus Ex.” The open-world quality and the way missions are strewn around the multilevel Night City reminds me of Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic franchise. Players will run across ambient missions or side quests just by walking the Night City streets.
The “Deus Ex” feel comes from the character progression and mission design. Players can mold V. to suit their playstyle be it stealth, run and gun, hacking or even brawling. “Cyberpunk 2077” accommodates multiple styles, but along with that, the mission design forces players to think creatively and use their talents to find multiple solutions for each problem. If players can’t get through a door because they didn’t invest in the technical ability, they can look for a side entrance or an alternate route. If they’re stuck without weapons, they can try to use stealth or quickhacks to defeat foes.
The gameplay is surprisingly malleable and almost puzzlelike for an open-world game, but as players get more powerful and locate powerful gear, V. can overcome most obstacles by blasting foes with whatever abilities they invested in. Violence, not craft, quickly becomes the answer to many problems.
The environment in "Cyberpunk 2077" is beautiful and takes cues from films such as "Blade Runner." (CD Projekt Red)
"Cyberpunk 2077" is full of larger-than-life characters and includes its own shows and websites. (CD Projekt Red)
Players travel around Night City via cars and motorcycles in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Silverhand, a pivotal character in "Cyberpunk 2077." Although it has its technical problems, the core game was fantastic and made it my No. 5 game of the year. (CD Projekt Red)
Players can customize their V. with all sorts of augments in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
The Arasaka Corporation is a giant conglomerate and one of the most powerful forces on earth in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
Players can buy all sorts of vehicles in "Cyberpunk 2077," including a Porsche. (CD Projekt Red)
Being set in California, "Cyberpunk 2077" has some of scrubland surrounding Night City. (CD Projekt Red)
Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Silverhand, a pivotal character in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Silverhand, a pivotal character in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
Players can customize their version of V craft his or her looks along with the protagonist's stats in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
Players will battle several types of gangs in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
Players will run across all sorts of enemies including powerful robots and mechs in "Cyberpunk 2077." Players need to craft their own strategies to defeat them. (CD Projekt Red)
In the world of "Cyberpunk 2077," augmentation is a commonplace thing. (CD Projekt Red)
Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Silverhand, a pivotal character in "Cyberpunk 2077." (CD Projekt Red)
THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF STADIA
So why did I choose Stadia? The easy answer is that “Cyberpunk 2077” is an enormous game that will devour 100 hours. It’s not a bad way to spend the coronavirus lockdown. With these long-form epics, it’s best to have easy and reliable access, and Stadia provides that. If my wife is on the television bingeing “The Crown,” I can play “Cyberpunk 2077” on the laptop at the kitchen table. If I find myself on a long errand, I can sneak in play time on the phone. If I don’t want to spend another five hours in front of a computer after working from home, I can turn to the living TV to play it.
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With that said, Stadia has its drawbacks. Visually, it’s not as impressive as the PC version. It doesn’t have ray tracing or all the other graphcl bells and whistles. The visuals also have a hazy sheen from the streaming artifacts and that takes some getting used to. The visuals don’t have the clarity of source material played locally, but it is stable and the service runs the game well enough that it can cast its spell on players.
On Stadia, “Cyberpunk 2077” has the power to suck players in and keep them entranced in compelling world of tech noir.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Honda recalls 1.79 million vehicles worldwide

WASHINGTON – Honda Motor Co said on Tuesday it was recalling 1.79 million vehicles worldwide in four separate campaigns , including some linked to reported fires .
The recalls cover 1.4 million vehicles in the United States .
The Japanese automaker said one recall covers 268,000 2002-2006 model year CR-V vehicles in the United States to replace power window master switches .
Honda said there had been no reported injuries , but 16 fires reported related to the issue .
Honda conducted a prior recall of the power window master switches in 2012 .
The new recall is in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous campaign .
Honda is also recalling about 735,000 U.S. 2018-2020 Accord , Accord Hybrid and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles to update the Body Control Module software .
A programming flaw could disrupt communication causing illumination of several warning lights and malfunction of electronic components , it said , including “ the rear view camera display , turn signals and windshield wipers.
” Honda is also issuing two recalls covering 430,000 U.S. vehicles in 22 U.S. states and the District of Columbia with significant road salt use to inspect and potentially replace front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to possible breakage of the drive shafts due to corrosion .
No injuries have been reported in relation any of the recalls , the company said .
Honda said repair parts are not available for all vehicles involved in the drive shaft recalls .
The recalls cover some 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid , 2007-2014 Honda Fit , 2013-2015 Acura ILX 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid and 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles .
No crashes have been reported in the drive shaft or software recalls .

By David Shepardson | Reuters
WASHINGTON – Honda Motor Co said on Tuesday it was recalling 1.79 million vehicles worldwide in four separate campaigns, including some linked to reported fires.
The recalls cover 1.4 million vehicles in the United States.
The Japanese automaker said one recall covers 268,000 2002-2006 model year CR-V vehicles in the United States to replace power window master switches. Honda said there had been no reported injuries, but 16 fires reported related to the issue.
Honda conducted a prior recall of the power window master switches in 2012. The new recall is in response to moisture-related failures of switches repaired under the previous campaign.
Honda is also recalling about 735,000 U.S. 2018-2020 Accord, Accord Hybrid and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles to update the Body Control Module software. A programming flaw could disrupt communication causing illumination of several warning lights and malfunction of electronic components, it said, including “the rear view camera display, turn signals and windshield wipers.”
Honda is also issuing two recalls covering 430,000 U.S. vehicles in 22 U.S. states and the District of Columbia with significant road salt use to inspect and potentially replace front drive shafts. Both are in response to possible breakage of the drive shafts due to corrosion. No injuries have been reported in relation any of the recalls, the company said.
Honda said repair parts are not available for all vehicles involved in the drive shaft recalls. The recalls cover some 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2007-2014 Honda Fit, 2013-2015 Acura ILX 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid and 2013-2015 Honda Accord vehicles. No crashes have been reported in the drive shaft or software recalls.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--San Jose Earthquakes lose Danny Hoesen in MLS expansion draft

San Jose Earthquakes forward Danny Hoesen was among five players selected by Austin FC during the 2020 MLS expansion draft @ @ @ @ @ 29 , was out of contract following the 2020 season and was not tendered a @ @ @ @ @ tallied 23 goals and 12 assists in 104 appearances ( 64 starts ) since joining @ @ @ @ @ Hoesen made just eight appearances in 2020 , missing the final two months of the @ @ @ @ @ repair oblique and adductor muscle tears .
Hoesen ’ s selection will see the Earthquakes @ @ @ @ @ Allocation Money and be exempt from the 2021 MLS expansion draft .
Austin FC selected @ @ @ @ @ ; midfielder Jared Stroud , New York Red Bulls ; goalkeeper Brady Scott , Nashville @ @ @ @ @ , LA Galaxy ; and defender Kamal Miller , Orlando City SC .

San Jose Earthquakes forward Danny Hoesen was among five players selected by Austin FC during the 2020 MLS expansion draft on Tuesday .
Hoesen, 29, was out of contract following the 2020 season and was not tendered a Bona Fide Offer. He tallied 23 goals and 12 assists in 104 appearances (64 starts) since joining the team in 2017. Hoesen made just eight appearances in 2020, missing the final two months of the season after having surgery to repair oblique and adductor muscle tears.
Hoesen’s selection will see the Earthquakes receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money and be exempt from the 2021 MLS expansion draft.
Austin FC selected the following players: Hoesen; midfielder Jared Stroud, New York Red Bulls; goalkeeper Brady Scott, Nashville SC; midfielder Joe Corona, LA Galaxy; and defender Kamal Miller, Orlando City SC.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Giants’ Gabe Kapler plans to get COVID-19 vaccine that will help shape MLB’s 2021 season

It ’ s unclear if Major League Baseball will require players , coaches and staff members to receive COVID-19 vaccines that are expected to be widely available to the general public by the middle of 2021 , but San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler is among those who plan to get vaccinated anyway .
“ I will get vaccinated but that is a personal choice , ” Kapler said in a videoconference with reporters Tuesday .
“ At least right now , for me .
I will be open to having conversations with our players and talking about anything they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there could be skepticism among the players he manages with regard to receiving a new vaccine , but said he ’ s followed the vaccine development and approval process closely and is encouraged by what ’ s he ’ s learned .
“ I believe in the science of the vaccine , I believe the FDA has approved the vaccine for a reason and that reason is extensive study , ” Kapler said .
“ That ’ s why I will absolutely take the vaccine and at the same time , I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be educated of our players.
” The Giants manager also expressed optimism about MLB holding a full 162-game season Tuesday , but multiple sources within the Giants organization have expressed uncertainty about the possibility in recent weeks .
MLB has not given clear guidance on when players can report to spring training and recent reports indicate the league is considering bargaining with the Players Association to delay the start of the 2021 season .
A delay may provide time for players to receive vaccines sometime in the spring without skipping ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health issues in the process , but it would also allow for a larger portion of the population to be vaccinated .
After MLB teams played 60-game seasons in front of empty stadiums in 2020 , owners want to be able to sell tickets to games in 2021 .
If MLB proceeds with its current schedule , it ’ s possible teams would have to play a significant amount of games with no fans in the stands or have reduced capacities in their stadiums with strict physical distancing and cleaning protocols depending on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working closely with local health officials in San Francisco throughout the pandemic to create and implement safety protocols when Oracle Park does reopen to the general public .
The team is not expected to release details about potential protocols until much closer to the Giants ’ first home game , which is tentatively scheduled for April 8 and could be pushed back if the league delays the season .
In interviews in recent days , Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s senior official for infectious diseases , has expressed hope the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 by the summer .
Reaching herd immunity is expected to lead to fewer restrictions , but it remains uncertain if MLB teams will be able to fill stadiums by the end of the 2021 season .

It’s unclear if Major League Baseball will require players, coaches and staff members to receive COVID-19 vaccines that are expected to be widely available to the general public by the middle of 2021, but San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler is among those who plan to get vaccinated anyway.
“I will get vaccinated but that is a personal choice,” Kapler said in a videoconference with reporters Tuesday. “At least right now, for me. I will be open to having conversations with our players and talking about anything they want to talk about.”
Kapler understands there could be skepticism among the players he manages with regard to receiving a new vaccine, but said he’s followed the vaccine development and approval process closely and is encouraged by what’s he’s learned.
“I believe in the science of the vaccine, I believe the FDA has approved the vaccine for a reason and that reason is extensive study,” Kapler said. “That’s why I will absolutely take the vaccine and at the same time, I will be sensitive to the concerns and the want to be educated of our players.”
The Giants manager also expressed optimism about MLB holding a full 162-game season Tuesday, but multiple sources within the Giants organization have expressed uncertainty about the possibility in recent weeks. MLB has not given clear guidance on when players can report to spring training and recent reports indicate the league is considering bargaining with the Players Association to delay the start of the 2021 season.
A delay may provide time for players to receive vaccines sometime in the spring without skipping ahead of essential workers and people with underlying health issues in the process, but it would also allow for a larger portion of the population to be vaccinated.
After MLB teams played 60-game seasons in front of empty stadiums in 2020, owners want to be able to sell tickets to games in 2021. If MLB proceeds with its current schedule, it’s possible teams would have to play a significant amount of games with no fans in the stands or have reduced capacities in their stadiums with strict physical distancing and cleaning protocols depending on local jurisdictions.
The Giants have been working closely with local health officials in San Francisco throughout the pandemic to create and implement safety protocols when Oracle Park does reopen to the general public. The team is not expected to release details about potential protocols until much closer to the Giants’ first home game, which is tentatively scheduled for April 8 and could be pushed back if the league delays the season.
In interviews in recent days, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s senior official for infectious diseases, has expressed hope the United States could achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 by the summer. Reaching herd immunity is expected to lead to fewer restrictions, but it remains uncertain if MLB teams will be able to fill stadiums by the end of the 2021 season.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Watsonville man given 104-year sentence for trafficking Gilroy woman

SAN JOSE — A man convicted of sexually exploiting a Gilroy woman for several years , even when he was in prison for violating parole stemming from abuse of the same victim , was given a 104-year prison sentence Tuesday .
Andre William Furtado , 33 , of Watsonville , was convicted in September for six felony charges encompassing human trafficking , pimping and failing to register as a sex offender .
The length of the sentence , issued by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra , was influenced at least in part by evidence that was introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furtado had abused at least four other women in addition to the Gilroy woman .
“ It brings to end a very long and prolific history that the defendant has of exploiting and abusing women , ” Deputy District Attorney Patrick Vanier said .
Furtado was most recently arrested in August 2019 by sheriff ’ s detectives , after the victim came forward to authorities , spurred in part by Furtado ’ s reported threats to her father .
An ensuing investigation yielded an array of photos , text messages and monitored phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vanier said after Furtado was convicted of human trafficking crimes in 2014 in Santa Cruz County involving the victim , after a prison stint he continued to force her into sex work , even as he was incarcerated for parole violations .
The money she made , Vanier said , funded Furtado ’ s commissary and phone access while in custody .
Throughout their time together — which started as a dating relationship — Furtado was also found to have beaten the victim numerous times .
The two-month trial included examination of volumes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries the she reported were inflicted by Furtado .
“ This sentence represents some final closure , ” Vanier said , “ where they will never have to worry about Mr. Furtado showing up in their lives .
”

SAN JOSE — A man convicted of sexually exploiting a Gilroy woman for several years, even when he was in prison for violating parole stemming from abuse of the same victim, was given a 104-year prison sentence Tuesday.
Andre William Furtado, 33, of Watsonville, was convicted in September for six felony charges encompassing human trafficking, pimping and failing to register as a sex offender.
The length of the sentence, issued by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra, was influenced at least in part by evidence that was introduced, but not charged, indicating that Furtado had abused at least four other women in addition to the Gilroy woman.
“It brings to end a very long and prolific history that the defendant has of exploiting and abusing women,” Deputy District Attorney Patrick Vanier said.
Furtado was most recently arrested in August 2019 by sheriff’s detectives, after the victim came forward to authorities, spurred in part by Furtado’s reported threats to her father. An ensuing investigation yielded an array of photos, text messages and monitored phone calls that became evidence against Furtado.
Vanier said after Furtado was convicted of human trafficking crimes in 2014 in Santa Cruz County involving the victim, after a prison stint he continued to force her into sex work, even as he was incarcerated for parole violations. The money she made, Vanier said, funded Furtado’s commissary and phone access while in custody.
Throughout their time together — which started as a dating relationship — Furtado was also found to have beaten the victim numerous times. The two-month trial included examination of volumes of medical records spanning multiple states from injuries the she reported were inflicted by Furtado.
“This sentence represents some final closure,” Vanier said, “where they will never have to worry about Mr. Furtado showing up in their lives.”


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Bay Area Specialty’s Cafe & Bakery restaurants reopening under this tasty new concept

Miss your turkey-cranberry sandwich or other Specialty ’ s menu item ?
In 2021 , you ’ re sure to find new favorites at EllaMia .
Back in May , the restaurant chain known for its breakfast and lunch crowds shuttered all 50 restaurants nationwide as a result of the pandemic .
Now , C3 or Creating Culinary Communities is revitalizing 22 former Specialty ’ s locations — including 10 in Northern California — with the introduction of EllaMia , a shared digital kitchen platform and café concept in partnership with Italian coffee maker Lavazza .
EllaMia , which currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will feature coffee drinks alongside breakfast and lunch menus .
Chef Romain Fournel , formerly of the award-winning Jean Philippe Patisserie in Las Vegas and Patisserie Henriet in Paris , crafted the EllaMia menu items , which will include breakfast pastries , gourmet sandwiches , salads , macarons and specialty chocolates .
The Bay Area and Northern California EllaMia locations — San Francisco , Sacramento , Rancho Cordova , Oakland , San Mateo , Walnut Creek , San Jose , Milpitas , Santa Clara and UC Berkeley — are expected to start opening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as kitchens for C3 ’ s seven other concepts and deliver to the surrounding community .
The concept is similar to Door Dash Kitchens , which opened its first four-in-one Redwood City commissary kitchen last year .
Once C3 launches its meal delivery app , you ’ ll be able to get EllaMia gourmet doughnuts and lattes with items from Umami Burger , Krispy Rice , Sam ’ s Crispy Chicken and other ghost restaurants — all in the same order .
In a press release , Brad Reynolds , chief operating officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a true restaurant of the future.
” “ EllaMia kitchens are each equipped to fluidly prepare foods from different C3 concepts to maximize efficiency of real estate and labor , ” he said .
“ The added availability of different cuisine to accommodate varying consumer preferences is another benefit for each local EllaMia community .
”

Miss your turkey-cranberry sandwich or other Specialty’s menu item? In 2021, you’re sure to find new favorites at EllaMia.
Back in May, the restaurant chain known for its breakfast and lunch crowds shuttered all 50 restaurants nationwide as a result of the pandemic. Now, C3 or Creating Culinary Communities is revitalizing 22 former Specialty’s locations — including 10 in Northern California — with the introduction of EllaMia, a shared digital kitchen platform and café concept in partnership with Italian coffee maker Lavazza.
EllaMia, which currently has cafes in Dubai and London, will feature coffee drinks alongside breakfast and lunch menus. Chef Romain Fournel, formerly of the award-winning Jean Philippe Patisserie in Las Vegas and Patisserie Henriet in Paris, crafted the EllaMia menu items, which will include breakfast pastries, gourmet sandwiches, salads, macarons and specialty chocolates.
The Bay Area and Northern California EllaMia locations — San Francisco, Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, Oakland, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara and UC Berkeley — are expected to start opening in February. They’ll act as kitchens for C3’s seven other concepts and deliver to the surrounding community. The concept is similar to Door Dash Kitchens, which opened its first four-in-one Redwood City commissary kitchen last year.
Once C3 launches its meal delivery app, you’ll be able to get EllaMia gourmet doughnuts and lattes with items from Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam’s Crispy Chicken and other ghost restaurants — all in the same order.
In a press release, Brad Reynolds, chief operating officer of C3, described the concept as “a true restaurant of the future.”
“EllaMia kitchens are each equipped to fluidly prepare foods from different C3 concepts to maximize efficiency of real estate and labor,” he said. “The added availability of different cuisine to accommodate varying consumer preferences is another benefit for each local EllaMia community.”
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mercurynews--2020-12-16--Sponsored: Live near downtown San Mateo at this income-producing property

A charming vintage home offers a fabulous opportunity for a single-family residence that also functions like a duplex with income-producing rental potential and great value for your Bay Area real estate buck .
Located in San Mateo ’ s Downtown/Eastern Addition , the single-level home at 41 N. Delaware St. is in a diverse urban neighborhood ideally situated within a mile of the vibrant and charming downtown shopping district with a variety of restaurants and cafes .
Or enjoy the convenient access to Highway 101 about a mile away .
The gated front garden is a welcoming entry into this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shared with the neighbor , provides access to two off-street parking spaces .
A storage shed and garden beds are also located in the back of the home .
There are a total of five bedrooms and three bathrooms .
Two separate entrances allow it to function as two individual units .
The front unit has two bedrooms , one bathroom and living room .
The rear unit has three bedrooms and two bathrooms , including a bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a living room area .
About midway between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose and the heart of Silicon Valley to the south , San Mateo is known for its desirable Mediterranean climate and rich history .
San Mateo is considered one of the more desirable places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area due to climate , variety of amenities and proximity to tech companies .
It is minutes from Google , Facebook and Oracle headquarters .
San Mateo is also at the crossroads of Highway 101 and Highway 92 , providing easy access to the East Bay over the San Mateo Bridge or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast Highway and the coastal towns beginning at Half Moon Bay .
Traveling for business or pleasure ?
San Francisco International Airport is less than 7 miles away .
There are also many outdoor recreation areas to visit for a breath of fresh air or a vigorous hike .
Consider Coyote Point Park , 670 acres along the San Francisco Bay ; Central Park ; or the Japanese Tea Gardens designed by a member of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo .
Check out Seal Point Park and Dog Park with miles of trails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or practice your putt at the Poplar Creek Golf Course .
Never miss a beat when you live at the center of it all .
Price : $ 1,195,000 Where : 41 N. Delaware St. , San Mateo Website : www.41NDelaware.com Easy to show by appointment after PEAD form sent to the listing agent .
Listing agent : Intero , James Shin , DRE # 01358693 , 650-862-7332 , James @ jsregroupllc.com www.allaboutsiliconvalley.com WWW.MEETINGWITH JAMES.COM .

A charming vintage home offers a fabulous opportunity for a single-family residence that also functions like a duplex with income-producing rental potential and great value for your Bay Area real estate buck.
Located in San Mateo’s Downtown/Eastern Addition, the single-level home at 41 N. Delaware St. is in a diverse urban neighborhood ideally situated within a mile of the vibrant and charming downtown shopping district with a variety of restaurants and cafes. Or enjoy the convenient access to Highway 101 about a mile away.
The gated front garden is a welcoming entry into this 1,710-square-foot home. The gated side driveway, shared with the neighbor, provides access to two off-street parking spaces. A storage shed and garden beds are also located in the back of the home.
There are a total of five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Two separate entrances allow it to function as two individual units.
The front unit has two bedrooms, one bathroom and living room. The rear unit has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, including a bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a living room area.
About midway between San Francisco to the north and San Jose and the heart of Silicon Valley to the south, San Mateo is known for its desirable Mediterranean climate and rich history.
San Mateo is considered one of the more desirable places to live in the San Francisco Bay Area due to climate, variety of amenities and proximity to tech companies.
It is minutes from Google, Facebook and Oracle headquarters. San Mateo is also at the crossroads of Highway 101 and Highway 92, providing easy access to the East Bay over the San Mateo Bridge or west toward California’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway and the coastal towns beginning at Half Moon Bay.
Traveling for business or pleasure? San Francisco International Airport is less than 7 miles away.
There are also many outdoor recreation areas to visit for a breath of fresh air or a vigorous hike. Consider Coyote Point Park, 670 acres along the San Francisco Bay; Central Park; or the Japanese Tea Gardens designed by a member of the Imperial Palace of Tokyo. Check out Seal Point Park and Dog Park with miles of trails and beach access along the shoreline, or practice your putt at the Poplar Creek Golf Course.
Never miss a beat when you live at the center of it all.
Price: $1,195,000
Where: 41 N. Delaware St., San Mateo
Website: www.41NDelaware.com Easy to show by appointment after PEAD form sent to the listing agent.
Listing agent: Intero, James Shin, DRE#01358693, 650-862-7332, James@jsregroupllc.com www.allaboutsiliconvalley.com WWW.MEETINGWITH JAMES.COM.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Focus on Cowboys: Playoffs possible for last-place Dallas if it beats 49ers

Most of the Cowboys aren ’ t focused as much on their 4-9 record these days .
They ’ ve got their eyes on something much bigger : A division title .
Smith , the former 49ers and Raiders pass rush standout , has gone through way too much for way too long on his path back to the NFL to get sidetracked by illusions .
He looks at the Cowboys record and sees it for what it really is .
“ We suck right now , ” Smith said on the Cowboys ’ radio station , “ The Fan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I love these guys .
We haven ’ t made the plays we need to make , but we will .
“ Stick along for the ride .
( Stuff ) happens.
” The Cowboys head into Sunday ’ s game against the 49ers in last place in the weak NFC East .
They ’ ve won just one of their four division games and they ’ ve been outscored by a whopping 103 points this season .
Amazingly , the Cowboys still have a chance to continuing their trend since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
But , as Smith alluded to , stuff has to happen .
“ As long as you ’ re mathematically in it , you ’ re doing everything you can to stay in the mix , ” Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said on The Fan .
“ We ’ re mathematically in it .
We know we ’ re going to need a lot of help.
” It won ’ t take much for the math to eliminate the Cowboys .
FiveThirtyEight ’ s research shows there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the postseason .
If first-place Washington ( 6-7 ) wins just one more game , Dallas ’ division hopes are done .
The Cowboys also need the Giants ( 5-8 ) and Eagles ( 4-8-1 ) , the other two NFC East teams ahead of them , to each lose at least two of their remaining games .
Believe it or not , there ’ s still a sliver of a shot that Dallas could get one of the NFC ’ s three wild card spots , according to the Dallas Morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its games , Dallas would need a lot to happen .
The Cardinals would have to lose their last three games .
And , Dallas wound need the Bears ( 6-7 ) and Vikings ( 6-7 ) to win just once more , and the Lions ( 5-8 ) to lose just once more .
As for the 49ers ( 5-8 ) , they also still have a complicated way to get into the postseason .
Aside from winning out , San Francisco , like Dallas , would need a lot of help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another in a long line of 49ers-Cowboys games with postseason implications on the line ?
Here ’ s a closer look at Sunday ’ s game that will eliminate either the 49ers or Cowboys from the postseason chase : GAME ESSENTIALS : 49ers ( 5-8 ) vs. Cowboys ( 4-9 ) at AT & T Stadium in Arlington , Tex.
, Sunday at 10 a.m. on CBS-TV ( Ch .
2 ) .
ODDS : 49ers -3 .
Under the direction of defensive coordinator and ex-49ers coach Mike Nolan , Dallas has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing 162.7 yards per game .
Week in and week out , the Cowboys have seemed to get manhandled at the line of scrimmage .
Their inability to slow down the run is one of the biggest reasons Dallas has also permitted the most points in the league — an average of 30.8 per game .
On the bright side , Dallas is coming off one of its best defensive showings of the season .
The Cowboys held the Bengals to just 101 yards rushing and Cincinnati ’ s seven points was by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has given up this season .
Until Sunday ’ s 30-7 win , the 20 points they surrendered in a season-opening loss to the Rams was the fewest points scored against Dallas .
The showing Sunday came a week after the Ravens ran up 294 rushing yards in a 34-17 thrashing of the Cowboys .
All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott has been a shadow of himself this season .
He has topped the 100-yard mark just once in 13 games while averaging just 64 yards per game .
That ’ s not what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL ’ s highest-paid running back when they agreed to a six-year , $ 90 million deal before last season .
Elliott ’ s latest disappointing performance came against the Bengals , when he managed to gain just 48 yards on 12 carries ( including a 26-yarder ) .
Big things were expected in Elliott ’ s Ohio homecoming Sunday , especially since the Bengals had the NFL ’ s 29th-ranked run defense .
Once the NFL ’ s gold standard , the Cowboys ’ offensive line is a shadow of itself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick before the season have taken a toll .
Star linemen Tyron Smith ( neck ) and La ’ el Collins ( hip ) were also lost for the year earlier this season .
Guard Zack Martin ( calf ) is on injured reserve and may not return this year .
Through 10 games , Dallas had already used 15 different line combinations , including four left tackles , three right guards and three right tackles , two left guards and two centers .
It ’ s probably not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacks ( 34 ) this season .
Smith has been one of the league ’ s brighter stories this year .
He ’ s overcome substance abuse and personal issues to return to the field after a four-year absence .
Smith would love nothing better than to come up big in his first game against the team that picked him seventh overall in the 2011 draft .
He ’ d need to step up his game in order to do so , though .
After a strong start , including a three-sack game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith has just five sacks overall in 13 games .
He hasn ’ t had a sack in his last six games .
But , as he ’ s proven with his comeback , perseverance can go a long way .
Amari Cooper , the former Raiders No .
1 pick , has quietly established himself again as one of the most reliable receivers in the league .
Cooper is nearing career-high totals with his 80 catches for 942 yards and five touchdowns .
He needs four catches , 247 receiving yards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games in order to set a new standard for himself .
Since arriving in Dallas , Cooper has become a fixture on Cowboys ’ third-down plays .
Two out of every three of his catches with Dallas have resulted in a first down .
Like in Oakland , when he had a standout across from him ( Michael Crabtree ) , Cooper has had some pressure taken off him with the emergence of Cowboys rookie CeeDee Lamb , who has 61 catches for 742 yards and four TDs .
The Cowboys ’ overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence hasn ’ t been part of the problem .
Just ask the analytics folks .
Lawrence is the NFL ’ s third-highest graded edge defender this season , according to Pro Football Focus .
Lawrence ’ s 90.2 rating only trails Khalil Mack ( 91.7 ) and J.J. Watt ( 92.4 ) .
While getting a lot of attention by his opponents ’ blocking schemes , Lawrence has managed 4.5 sacks , but he ’ s also forced three fumbles , including one in Sunday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 tackles in a season three times in his seven-year career , an impressive number for a defensive lineman .
He ’ s currently on pace to get more than 60 tackles this season .
Thrust into the starting role when Dak Prescott broke his ankle in Week 5 , Andy Dalton has been at least serviceable in all but one of his six starts in Dallas .
The man they dubbed “ The Red Rifle ” during his nine-year stay in Cincinnati , is coming off perhaps his best game of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former Bengal teammates .
Dalton was treated to an emotional celebration by the Cowboys as they doused him with water after he engineered the win in Cincinnati Sunday .
He wasn ’ t spectacular , but he was more than good enough while completing 16-of-23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns .
But Dalton finished the game with his best passer rating since 2017 with a 122.6 rating .
For the season , Dalton has a respectable 83.9 rating and his 65.5 completion percentage is just a little shy of his @ @ @ @ @ @

Most of the Cowboys aren’t focused as much on their 4-9 record these days. They’ve got their eyes on something much bigger: A division title.
Not Aldon Smith, though.
Smith, the former 49ers and Raiders pass rush standout, has gone through way too much for way too long on his path back to the NFL to get sidetracked by illusions.
He looks at the Cowboys record and sees it for what it really is.
“We suck right now,” Smith said on the Cowboys’ radio station, The Fan, KRLD-FM (105.3) Monday. “I love these guys. We haven’t made the plays we need to make, but we will.
“Stick along for the ride. (Stuff) happens.”
The Cowboys head into Sunday’s game against the 49ers in last place in the weak NFC East. They’ve won just one of their four division games and they’ve been outscored by a whopping 103 points this season.
Amazingly, the Cowboys still have a chance to continuing their trend since 2013 of winning the division every other season. But, as Smith alluded to, stuff has to happen.
“As long as you’re mathematically in it, you’re doing everything you can to stay in the mix,” Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said on The Fan. “We’re mathematically in it. We know we’re going to need a lot of help.”
It won’t take much for the math to eliminate the Cowboys. FiveThirtyEight’s research shows there’s a 99 percent chance Dallas won’t make the postseason.
That’s right, they’re saying there’s a chance.
If first-place Washington (6-7) wins just one more game, Dallas’ division hopes are done. The Cowboys also need the Giants (5-8) and Eagles (4-8-1), the other two NFC East teams ahead of them, to each lose at least two of their remaining games.
Believe it or not, there’s still a sliver of a shot that Dallas could get one of the NFC’s three wild card spots, according to the Dallas Morning News. Aside from winning all of its games, Dallas would need a lot to happen.
The Cardinals would have to lose their last three games. And, Dallas would need the Bears (6-7) and Vikings (6-7) to win just once more, and the Lions (5-8) to lose just once more.
As for the 49ers (5-8), they also still have a complicated way to get into the postseason. Aside from winning out, San Francisco, like Dallas, would need a lot of help.
So, are we ready for another in a long line of 49ers-Cowboys games with postseason implications on the line?
***
Here’s a closer look at Sunday’s game that will eliminate either the 49ers or Cowboys from the postseason chase:
GAME ESSENTIALS: 49ers (5-8) vs. Cowboys (4-9) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Tex., Sunday at 10 a.m. on CBS-TV (Ch. 2). ODDS: 49ers -3.
THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS’ OPTIMISM:
Defensive deficiencies
Under the direction of defensive coordinator and ex-49ers coach Mike Nolan, Dallas has the worst rushing defense in the NFL — allowing 162.7 yards per game. Week in and week out, the Cowboys have seemed to get manhandled at the line of scrimmage. Their inability to slow down the run is one of the biggest reasons Dallas has also permitted the most points in the league — an average of 30.8 per game. On the bright side, Dallas is coming off one of its best defensive showings of the season. The Cowboys held the Bengals to just 101 yards rushing and Cincinnati’s seven points was by far the least amount of points Dallas has given up this season. Until Sunday’s 30-7 win, the 20 points they surrendered in a season-opening loss to the Rams was the fewest points scored against Dallas. The showing Sunday came a week after the Ravens ran up 294 rushing yards in a 34-17 thrashing of the Cowboys.
Cowboys’ star has not shone
All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott has been a shadow of himself this season. He has topped the 100-yard mark just once in 13 games while averaging just 64 yards per game. That’s not what the Cowboys expected when they made Elliott the NFL’s highest-paid running back when they agreed to a six-year, $90 million deal before last season. Elliott’s latest disappointing performance came against the Bengals, when he managed to gain just 48 yards on 12 carries (including a 26-yarder). Big things were expected in Elliott’s Ohio homecoming Sunday, especially since the Bengals had the NFL’s 29th-ranked run defense.
Big troubles on the line
Once the NFL’s gold standard, the Cowboys’ offensive line is a shadow of itself. Injuries and the retirement of 29-year-old Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick before the season have taken a toll. Star linemen Tyron Smith (neck) and La’el Collins (hip) were also lost for the year earlier this season. Guard Zack Martin (calf) is on injured reserve and may not return this year. Through 10 games, Dallas had already used 15 different line combinations, including four left tackles, three right guards and three right tackles, two left guards and two centers. It’s probably not surprising Dallas has given up the ninth-most sacks (34) this season.
THREE REASONS FOR 49ERS’ PESSIMISM:
A motivated Aldon Smith
Smith has been one of the league’s brighter stories this year. He’s overcome substance abuse and personal issues to return to the field after a four-year absence. Smith would love nothing better than to come up big in his first game against the team that picked him seventh overall in the 2011 draft. He’d need to step up his game in order to do so, though. After a strong start, including a three-sack game against the Seahawks in Week 2, Smith has just five sacks overall in 13 games. He hasn’t had a sack in his last six games. But, as he’s proven with his comeback, perseverance can go a long way.
The Cooper revival
Amari Cooper, the former Raiders No. 1 pick, has quietly established himself again as one of the most reliable receivers in the league. Cooper is nearing career-high totals with his 80 catches for 942 yards and five touchdowns. He needs four catches, 247 receiving yards and three TD catches over the final three games in order to set a new standard for himself. Since arriving in Dallas, Cooper has become a fixture on Cowboys’ third-down plays. Two out of every three of his catches with Dallas have resulted in a first down. Like in Oakland, when he had a standout across from him (Michael Crabtree), Cooper has had some pressure taken off him with the emergence of Cowboys rookie CeeDee Lamb, who has 61 catches for 742 yards and four TDs.
Solid man on the front
The Cowboys’ overall performance on defense may stink, but two-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence hasn’t been part of the problem. Just ask the analytics folks. Lawrence is the NFL’s third-highest graded edge defender this season, according to Pro Football Focus. Lawrence’s 90.2 rating only trails Khalil Mack (91.7) and J.J. Watt (92.4). While getting a lot of attention by his opponents’ blocking schemes, Lawrence has managed 4.5 sacks, but he’s also forced three fumbles, including one in Sunday’s victory. Lawrence has had more than 50 tackles in a season three times in his seven-year career, an impressive number for a defensive lineman. He’s currently on pace to get more than 60 tackles this season.
PROBABLE DIFFERENCE-MAKER: Andy Dalton.
Thrust into the starting role when Dak Prescott broke his ankle in Week 5, Andy Dalton has been at least serviceable in all but one of his six starts in Dallas. The man dubbed “The Red Rifle” during his nine-year stay in Cincinnati is coming off perhaps his best game of the season — and it was against his former Bengal teammates. Dalton was treated to an emotional celebration by the Cowboys as they doused him with water after he engineered the win in Cincinnati Sunday. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was more than good enough while completing 16-of-23 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. But Dalton finished the game with a 122.6 passer rating, his best since 2017. For the season, Dalton has a respectable 83.9 rating and his 65.5 completion percentage is just a little shy of his career-best of 66.1 in 2015.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Cops involved in gunfight outside Southern California Trader Joe’s won’t be charged in manager’s dea

Cops involved in gunfight outside Southern California Trader Joe’s won’t be charged in manager’s death

By STEFANIE DAZIO | The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Two Los Angeles police officers acted lawfully in 2018 when they opened fire outside a Trader Joe ’ s supermarket during a gunfight with a suspect and fatally shot the assistant store manager , prosecutors said Tuesday .
LAPD Officers Sinlen Tse and Sarah Winans will not face criminal charges in the death of Melyda “ Mely ” Corado , the Los Angeles County District Attorney ’ s Office said in a Nov. 30 report released on Tuesday .
The suspect , Gene Evin Atkins , took employees and shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity , court records show “ The fact that Corado was struck accidentally by Tse ’ s gunfire is tragic , however , it does not negate the lawfulness of the officers ’ actions in using deadly force to stop a dangerous fleeing felon , ” the report states .
Corado ’ s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the officers , claiming they failed to follow the department ’ s deadly force policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charged with Corado ’ s killing , even though he did not shoot her , as well as the attempted killings of his grandmother and girlfriend , and other offenses .
The case returns to court on Dec. 23 .
John Taylor , the Corado family ’ s attorney , said Tuesday the DA ’ s decision was expected .
“ The family ’ s disappointed , but we ’ re not surprised , ” he told The Associated Press .
The Los Angeles Police Commission ruled in June 2019 that the officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting , even though they fired toward a crowded store .
The LAPD did not have a comment regarding the DA ’ s decision on Tuesday .
Taylor alleged the city has treated the Corado family poorly as the civil lawsuit goes through court .
He said city officials have acted as if Corado was a criminal “ although she was an innocent bystander ” when she was killed .
On July 21 , 2018 , Atkins had led police on a pursuit through Hollywood and Silver Lake after allegedly shooting his grandmother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next to the Trader Joe ’ s in Silver Lake and then opened fire at officers , police said .
• Lawsuit alleges California woman found son ’ s body two days after police fatally shot him • Police shoot and kill man with knife in Northern California grocery store Tse and Winans returned fire , wounding Atkins and fatally shooting Corado , 27 , as she ran toward the store ’ s entrance upon hearing the car crash .
Authorities have said the officers did not see Corado and believed the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not know Corado had been struck by gunfire for 18 minutes , when Atkins told a negotiator that she had been hit .
The report is dated during former DA Jackie Lacey ’ s tenure .
A spokesman for new DA George Gascón , who was sworn in Dec. 7 and has pledged to reevaluate at least four cases where Lacey declined prosecutions against police officers , declined to comment Tuesday .

By STEFANIE DAZIO | The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Two Los Angeles police officers acted lawfully in 2018 when they opened fire outside a Trader Joe’s supermarket during a gunfight with a suspect and fatally shot the assistant store manager, prosecutors said Tuesday.
LAPD Officers Sinlen Tse and Sarah Winans will not face criminal charges in the death of Melyda “Mely” Corado, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a Nov. 30 report released on Tuesday.
The suspect, Gene Evin Atkins, took employees and shoppers hostage for three hours before surrendering, authorities said. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, court records show
“The fact that Corado was struck accidentally by Tse’s gunfire is tragic, however, it does not negate the lawfulness of the officers’ actions in using deadly force to stop a dangerous fleeing felon,” the report states.
Corado’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the officers, claiming they failed to follow the department’s deadly force policy when they began firing.
Atkins is charged with Corado’s killing, even though he did not shoot her, as well as the attempted killings of his grandmother and girlfriend, and other offenses. The case returns to court on Dec. 23.
John Taylor, the Corado family’s attorney, said Tuesday the DA’s decision was expected. “The family’s disappointed, but we’re not surprised,” he told The Associated Press.
The Los Angeles Police Commission ruled in June 2019 that the officers did not violate department policy in the shooting, even though they fired toward a crowded store. The LAPD did not have a comment regarding the DA’s decision on Tuesday.
Taylor alleged the city has treated the Corado family poorly as the civil lawsuit goes through court. He said city officials have acted as if Corado was a criminal “although she was an innocent bystander” when she was killed.
On July 21, 2018, Atkins had led police on a pursuit through Hollywood and Silver Lake after allegedly shooting his grandmother and girlfriend.
He crashed the car next to the Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake and then opened fire at officers, police said.
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Police did not know Corado had been struck by gunfire for 18 minutes, when Atkins told a negotiator that she had been hit.
The report is dated during former DA Jackie Lacey’s tenure. A spokesman for new DA George Gascón, who was sworn in Dec. 7 and has pledged to reevaluate at least four cases where Lacey declined prosecutions against police officers, declined to comment Tuesday.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Playing with shotguns, Central California man fatally shoots friend

TOLLHOUSE — A 23-year-old man was shot and killed in central California after a bizarre shooting that began with three friends drinking and shooting each other with rubber bullets for fun , authorities said .
Fresno County Sheriff deputies were called Sunday night about a person being shot and seriously injured at a home in Tollhouse , Sheriff ’ s spokesman Tony Botti said .
Deputies and emergency personnel performed CPR , but Bradly Smith , of Clovis , died a short time later , the Fresno Bee reported .
A friend identified as Elvis Hernandez , 30 , of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Hernandez has been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter in the incident , Botti said .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Hernandez has an attorney who can speak on his behalf .
Hernandez , Smith and a third unidentified man were drinking alcohol before the unidentified man went to bed .
That ’ s when the other two found some rubber bullets and decided to shoot the sleeping man for a joke .
They put a mattress on top of him and fired one of the rubber bullets at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
• East Bay man gets 30 months in federal gun case that followed release on $ 0 bail • ‘ I will make sure this never happens again ’ : Bay Area man gets 15 years for trafficking meth and guns Smith then told the man that he could fire one of the rubber bullets at him as payback .
Smith put on a military-style helmet and a protective vest and was shot with one of the rubber bullets , before telling Hernandez that he could also fire a rubber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked up a shotgun loaded with highly lethal 00 buckshot and hit Smith in the upper body .
Hernandez was booked into Fresno County Jail with a bond of $ 10,000 .

TOLLHOUSE — A 23-year-old man was shot and killed in central California after a bizarre shooting that began with three friends drinking and shooting each other with rubber bullets for fun, authorities said.
Fresno County Sheriff deputies were called Sunday night about a person being shot and seriously injured at a home in Tollhouse, Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti said.
Deputies and emergency personnel performed CPR, but Bradly Smith, of Clovis, died a short time later, the Fresno Bee reported.
A friend identified as Elvis Hernandez, 30, of Reedley, fired a shotgun blast at him. Hernandez has been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter in the incident, Botti said.
It wasn’t immediately known if Hernandez has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
Hernandez, Smith and a third unidentified man were drinking alcohol before the unidentified man went to bed. That’s when the other two found some rubber bullets and decided to shoot the sleeping man for a joke. They put a mattress on top of him and fired one of the rubber bullets at the mattress, waking him up, he said.
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Hernandez was booked into Fresno County Jail with a bond of $10,000.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Midweek storm to bring more snow, rain to Northern California

SACRAMENTO — There ’ s a week left in fall but forecasters said Tuesday a winter storm is about to @ @ @ @ @ carrying widespread rain and mountain snow .
The weather system is expected to arrive Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ , the National Weather Service said .
Sierra Nevada snow levels will start out at @ @ @ @ @ drop to as low as 4,500 feet ( 1,372 meters ) .
• Sunday storms @ @ @ @ @ conditions , then more rain , weather service says • Rain expected to fall in @ @ @ @ @ time in nearly a month • “ Critical fire weather conditions ” possible this weekend @ @ @ @ @ expected to be hazardous in the mountains .
Caltrans said it has imposed winter closures @ @ @ @ @ Route 108 , Monitor Pass on State Route 89 and Ebbetts Pass on State Route @ @ @ @ @ are also under seasonal or storm closures .

SACRAMENTO — There’s a week left in fall but forecasters said Tuesday a winter storm is about to roll into Northern California, carrying widespread rain and mountain snow.
The weather system is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and continue through Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
Sierra Nevada snow levels will start out at the higher pass levels and drop to as low as 4,500 feet (1,372 meters).
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Caltrans said it has imposed winter closures on Sonora Pass on State Route 108, Monitor Pass on State Route 89 and Ebbetts Pass on State Route 4. Several other roads are also under seasonal or storm closures.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--California coronavirus surge brings field hospitals, body bags

By DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press SACRAMENTO — Hospitals are filling up so fast in California that officials are rolling out mobile field facilities and scrambling to hire more doctors and nurses to prepare for an expected surge in coronavirus patients .
Meanwhile California is distributing 5,000 body bags mostly to the hard-hit Los Angeles and San Diego areas and has 60 refrigerated trailers standing by as makeshift morgues in anticipation of a surge of COVID-19 deaths , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Tuesday .
Fresno ’ s Community Regional Medical Center in central California is rushing 50 beds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bringing in medical staff from outside the state to help staff the makeshift ward beginning Friday .
Dr. Rais Vohra , Fresno County ’ s interim public health officer , said alternate care sites will be needed as intensive care units fill up over the next few weeks .
“ We ’ re preparing for that moment when we say we need to start using up these other spaces because we ’ re running out of space in the hospitals to put people , and we ’ re just hoping that we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Vohra said .
Fresno County ’ s 1 million residents are under a stay-home order that started last weekend when the San Joaquin Valley ’ s regional ICU capacity dipped below 15 % .
On Tuesday the region ’ s ICU capacity was at 1.6 % , state officials said .
The number of average daily deaths statewide has quadrupled from 41 a month ago to 163 now , while positive cases have surged to more than 32,500 each day .
Of those new cases , an anticipated 12 % will wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those hospitalized will crowd already stretched intensive care units .
That means one day ’ s worth of cases in California can be expected to produce a staggering 3,900 hospitalizations and nearly 500 ICU patients .
“ We are in the middle of the most acute peak , ” Newsom said , urging residents to take precautions to slow the spread .
In Southern California ’ s Orange County , health officials said mobile field hospitals would be rolled out to three hospitals that already need more space .
The large , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flooring add an extra 125 beds .
Dr. Clayton Chau , the county ’ s public health officer .
told the county ’ s Board of Supervisors that “ emergency rooms have no capacity to triage people as quick as they can.
” He pleaded with residents to avoid gathering with people from outside their households .
“ I have never been so afraid of Christmas and New Year ’ s in my life , ” Chau said .
“ I can ’ t imagine what it would be like after the holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the meeting where Chau spoke , dozens of residents didn ’ t wear masks and demanded businesses be allowed to reopen .
To the north , Santa Barbara County Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said in a statement the county is “ reaching a point where we can see on the horizon our health care system being overrun .
We must take immediate action as our decisions are now seeing the price to be paid , and it is costing the lives and wellbeing of our community members.
” The surge in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent scramble for more staff and space , a crush that Newsom and the state ’ s top health official said might not abate for two months despite the arrival of the first doses of vaccines this week .
The surge already has prompted an easing of normal nurse-to-patient ICU ratios and quarantine standards for health care workers , and the opening of more alternative care facilities .
State officials are reaching out to the Department of Defense and overseas staffing services for desperately needed medical workers .
The California Nurses Association denounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , saying in a statement that it “ will inevitably lead to more patient , nurse , and other health care worker infections and deaths.
” Newsom said it is part of “ a very dynamic effort ” to get more staffing , particularly in intensive care units .
Newsom announced a new shutdown order nearly two weeks ago that is based on ICU capacity .
Nearly the entire state now is under the most severe restrictions .
California has brought in 507 extra staff and deployed them around the state , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help in ICUs .
The state is seeking a total of 3,000 contracted medical staff .
“ Two weeks from now we are concerned about what our ability to provide the same level of high quality care will be , ” said Dr. Mark Ghaly , California ’ s secretary of health and human services .
He said hospitals have been planning for the worst , including updating what are called “ crisis care guidelines ” in case they must start triaging which patients get what level of treatment .
“ Hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , ” said Carmela Coyle , president and CEO of the California Hospital Association .
“ That will only get worse , and potentially far worse in the next 30 days or so.
” • Here ’ s each California county ’ s tier assignment and where stay-at-home orders are in place on Dec. 15 • Map : California reported a high of 41,419 new coronavirus cases in a day , surpassed 15,000 hospitalizations • Santa Clara County , San Jose cap fees charged by delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 shot nears • How Bay Area hospitals decide who ’ s at the front of the COVID-19 vaccine line In a rare bit of good news , Newsom said that nearly 394,000 more doses of Pfizer vaccines could arrive in California next week on top of the nearly 328,000 doses being distributed at 33 locations this week .
Even the joyful first inoculations at one of Northern California ’ s biggest hospitals were tinged with sadness Tuesday .
Eva Teniola , 47 , a clinical nurse in the University of California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the last 10 years , called it the “ hero vaccine ” as she spread her arms wide upon becoming the hospital ’ s first employee to receive the vaccine .
She said she ’ s never seen anything as bad as the coronavirus , which has forced people to die without their families by their sides .
“ These past few weeks , it ’ s really different , ” she said , adding that she can see the toll on her colleagues ’ faces .
“ It ’ s like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know … the pressure , the stress.
” Associated Press writers Christopher Weber and John Antczak in Los Angeles , Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco , Amy Taxin in Orange County and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento contributed to this story .

By DON THOMPSON | The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — Hospitals are filling up so fast in California that officials are rolling out mobile field facilities and scrambling to hire more doctors and nurses to prepare for an expected surge in coronavirus patients.
Meanwhile California is distributing 5,000 body bags mostly to the hard-hit Los Angeles and San Diego areas and has 60 refrigerated trailers standing by as makeshift morgues in anticipation of a surge of COVID-19 deaths, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday.
Fresno’s Community Regional Medical Center in central California is rushing 50 beds into a building near the hospital and bringing in medical staff from outside the state to help staff the makeshift ward beginning Friday.
Dr. Rais Vohra, Fresno County’s interim public health officer, said alternate care sites will be needed as intensive care units fill up over the next few weeks.
“We’re preparing for that moment when we say we need to start using up these other spaces because we’re running out of space in the hospitals to put people, and we’re just hoping that we have enough resources to match the needs,” Vohra said.
Fresno County’s 1 million residents are under a stay-home order that started last weekend when the San Joaquin Valley’s regional ICU capacity dipped below 15%. On Tuesday the region’s ICU capacity was at 1.6%, state officials said.
The number of average daily deaths statewide has quadrupled from 41 a month ago to 163 now, while positive cases have surged to more than 32,500 each day. Of those new cases, an anticipated 12% will wind up in the hospital and 12% of those hospitalized will crowd already stretched intensive care units.
That means one day’s worth of cases in California can be expected to produce a staggering 3,900 hospitalizations and nearly 500 ICU patients.
“We are in the middle of the most acute peak,” Newsom said, urging residents to take precautions to slow the spread.
In Southern California’s Orange County, health officials said mobile field hospitals would be rolled out to three hospitals that already need more space. The large, heavy-duty, temperature-controlled canvas tents with hard flooring add an extra 125 beds.
Dr. Clayton Chau, the county’s public health officer. told the county’s Board of Supervisors that “emergency rooms have no capacity to triage people as quick as they can.” He pleaded with residents to avoid gathering with people from outside their households.
“I have never been so afraid of Christmas and New Year’s in my life,” Chau said. “I can’t imagine what it would be like after the holidays if people are not listening.”
At the meeting where Chau spoke, dozens of residents didn’t wear masks and demanded businesses be allowed to reopen.
To the north, Santa Barbara County Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso said in a statement the county is “reaching a point where we can see on the horizon our health care system being overrun. We must take immediate action as our decisions are now seeing the price to be paid, and it is costing the lives and wellbeing of our community members.”
The surge in cases throughout much of California is forcing an urgent scramble for more staff and space, a crush that Newsom and the state’s top health official said might not abate for two months despite the arrival of the first doses of vaccines this week.
The surge already has prompted an easing of normal nurse-to-patient ICU ratios and quarantine standards for health care workers, and the opening of more alternative care facilities. State officials are reaching out to the Department of Defense and overseas staffing services for desperately needed medical workers.
The California Nurses Association denounced reducing the ratio of ICU nursing care, saying in a statement that it “will inevitably lead to more patient, nurse, and other health care worker infections and deaths.”
Newsom said it is part of “a very dynamic effort” to get more staffing, particularly in intensive care units.
Newsom announced a new shutdown order nearly two weeks ago that is based on ICU capacity. Nearly the entire state now is under the most severe restrictions.
California has brought in 507 extra staff and deployed them around the state, though most don’t have the skills to help in ICUs. The state is seeking a total of 3,000 contracted medical staff.
“Two weeks from now we are concerned about what our ability to provide the same level of high quality care will be,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s secretary of health and human services. He said hospitals have been planning for the worst, including updating what are called “crisis care guidelines” in case they must start triaging which patients get what level of treatment.
“Hospitals are in a very challenged situation right now,” said Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association. “That will only get worse, and potentially far worse in the next 30 days or so.”
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Even the joyful first inoculations at one of Northern California’s biggest hospitals were tinged with sadness Tuesday.
Eva Teniola, 47, a clinical nurse in the University of California, Davis Medical Center’s emergency department for the last 10 years, called it the “hero vaccine” as she spread her arms wide upon becoming the hospital’s first employee to receive the vaccine. She said she’s never seen anything as bad as the coronavirus, which has forced people to die without their families by their sides.
“These past few weeks, it’s really different,” she said, adding that she can see the toll on her colleagues’ faces. “It’s like burnout. We get tired, you know … the pressure, the stress.”
___
Associated Press writers Christopher Weber and John Antczak in Los Angeles, Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco, Amy Taxin in Orange County and Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-12-16--Here’s each California county’s tier assignment and where stay-at-home orders are in place on Dec. 1

Here’s each California county’s tier assignment and where stay-at-home orders are in place on Dec. 15

As of Tuesday , Dec. 15 , California only has one of its 58 counties in the orange tier ( considered moderate risk ) and two counties in the red tier ( substantial risk ) , according to the state ’ s four-tier coronavirus tracking system .
There are now 55 counties in the purple tier as of Tuesday ’ s updates .
One more than the previous week .
The state is no longer doing a weekly update and tier assignments may occur any day of the week and may occur more than once a week , officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had 41 counties in purple , 11 counties in red , four in orange , two in yellow .
Counties are assigned to a tier based on metrics showing the speed and the spread of the virus in their borders .
Regional stay home orders have taken affect for the Southern California , San Joaquin Valley and Greater Sacramento regions , all of which have crossed the threshold of having less than 15 % ICU availability .
The orders prohibit private gatherings of any size , limits many business and public sector operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masking and physical distancing in all others .
This map shows the ICU capacity in each region as of Dec. 8 .
As for the Southern California region , nearly every county has had a significant increase in cases per 100,000 and positivity rates .
The region has five of the most populated and some of the least populated counties in the state .
The population of 14,202 makes it the fifth-least populous county in California .
The county seat is Bridgeport .
• 97.2 new cases per day per 100K In 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the seventh-least populated county .
The county seat is Independence .
• 34.8 new cases per day per 100K Imperial CountyIn 2010 , the population was 174,528 .
The county seat is El Centro.84.1 new cases per day per 100KPrevious week : 34.918.1 % positivity rate ( 7-day average ) Previous week : 20.3 % In 2010 , the population was 3,010,232 , making it the third-most populous county in California .
The county seat is Santa Ana .
• 55.2 new cases per day per 100K In 2010 , it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat is Ventura .
• 64.1 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K In 2010 , the population was 269,637 .
The county seats is San Luis Obispo .
• 27.4 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K San Bernardino CountyIn 2010 , the population was 2,035,210 , making it the fifth-most populous county in California .
The county seat is San Bernardino .
• 120.3 new cases per day per 100K In 2010 , the population was 2,189,641 , making it the fourth-most populous county in California .
The county seast is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day per 100K In 2010 , the population was 3,095,313 , making it California ’ s second-most populous county .
The county seat is San Diego .
• 52.7 new cases per day per 100K Most populous county in the U.S. with more than 10 million .
The county seat is Los Angeles .
• 84.4 new cases per day per 100K In 2010 , it had a population of 423,895 .
The county seat is Santa Barbara .
• 24.4 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K A list of what businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below .
Note : The state recently added a new metric called health equity .
For a county with a population of greater than 106,000 , the county must : Ensure that the test positivity rates in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods – the Healthy Places Index census tracts are used for that – do not significantly lag behind its overall county test positivity rate .
There are additional conditions listed on the state ’ s site .
How different are the tiers ?
Purple is the most restrictive , especially for education .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier aren ’ t permitted to reopen for in-person instruction unless they receive a waiver from local health departments for TK-6 grades .
Schools can reopen for in-person instruction once their county has been in the red tier for at least two weeks .
If a county regresses back to the purple tier , schools won ’ t be forced to close again , but any that hadn ’ t open would be prevented from opening until the county clocks at least two weeks in the red tier .
Sources : covid19ca.gov , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Census , U.S.D.A , California State Association of Counties

As of Tuesday, Dec. 15, California only has one of its 58 counties in the orange tier (considered moderate risk) and two counties in the red tier (substantial risk), according to the state’s four-tier coronavirus tracking system.
There are now 55 counties in the purple tier as of Tuesday’s updates. One more than the previous week.
The state is no longer doing a weekly update and tier assignments may occur any day of the week and may occur more than once a week, officials have said.
On Nov. 24 the state had 41 counties in purple, 11 counties in red, four in orange, two in yellow.
Counties are assigned to a tier based on metrics showing the speed and the spread of the virus in their borders.
Regional stay home orders have taken affect for the Southern California, San Joaquin Valley and Greater Sacramento regions, all of which have crossed the threshold of having less than 15% ICU availability.
The orders prohibit private gatherings of any size, limits many business and public sector operations and capacities, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. This map shows the ICU capacity in each region as of Dec. 8.
As for the Southern California region, nearly every county has had a significant increase in cases per 100,000 and positivity rates.
The region has five of the most populated and some of the least populated counties in the state.
Mono County
The population of 14,202 makes it the fifth-least populous county in California. The county seat is Bridgeport.
97.2 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 40.9
19.4% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 14.2%
Inyo County
In 2010, the population was 18,546. It is the seventh-least populated county. The county seat is Independence.
34.8 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 17
7.1% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 6.1%
Imperial CountyIn 2010, the population was 174,528. The county seat is El Centro.84.1 new cases per day per 100KPrevious week: 34.918.1% positivity rate (7-day average)Previous week: 20.3%
Orange County
In 2010, the population was 3,010,232, making it the third-most populous county in California. The county seat is Santa Ana.
55.2 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 30.3
13.2% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 10.6%
Ventura County
In 2010, it had a population of 823,318. The county seat is Ventura.
64.1 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 34.2
10.5% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 7.8%
San Luis Obispo County
In 2010, the population was 269,637. The county seats is San Luis Obispo.
27.4 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 18.8
6.5% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 4.8%
San Bernardino CountyIn 2010, the population was 2,035,210, making it the fifth-most populous county in California. The county seat is San Bernardino.
120.3 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 61.1
20.1% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 16.9%
Riverside County
In 2010, the population was 2,189,641, making it the fourth-most populous county in California. The county seast is Riverside.
49 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 92.2
14.8% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 18.5%
San Diego County
In 2010, the population was 3,095,313, making it California’s second-most populous county. The county seat is San Diego.
52.7 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 32.9
10.9% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 1.5%
Los Angeles County
Most populous county in the U.S. with more than 10 million. The county seat is Los Angeles.
84.4 new cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 41.8
11.4% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 8.7%
Santa Barbara County
In 2010, it had a population of 423,895. The county seat is Santa Barbara.
24.4 new COVID-19 cases per day per 100K
Previous week: 14.1
6.1% positivity rate (7-day average)
Previous week: 4.6%
A list of what businesses are impacted by each tier is included below.
Note: The state recently added a new metric called health equity. For a county with a population of greater than 106,000, the county must: Ensure that the test positivity rates in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods – the Healthy Places Index census tracts are used for that – do not significantly lag behind its overall county test positivity rate. There are additional conditions listed on the state’s site.
State metrics:
How different are the tiers?
Purple is the most restrictive, especially for education. Schools in the Widespread (purple) tier aren’t permitted to reopen for in-person instruction unless they receive a waiver from local health departments for TK-6 grades. Schools can reopen for in-person instruction once their county has been in the red tier for at least two weeks. If a county regresses back to the purple tier, schools won’t be forced to close again, but any that hadn’t open would be prevented from opening until the county clocks at least two weeks in the red tier.
Source: California Department of Finance
Sources: covid19ca.gov, California Department of Public Health, U.S. Census, U.S.D.A, California State Association of Counties