latimes--2020-05-22--Amid 2-day spike in coronavirus deaths, Orange County pushes for wider reopening

On the heels of a two-day spike in coronavirus-related deaths in Orange County , officials on Friday affirmed that they are pushing forward with a proposal to allow more businesses to reopen .
The county submitted its final documentation Thursday night outlining hospitalization rates , testing capacity and other benchmarks that state officials say need to be met before the region can move deeper into Stage 2 of reopening .
If the state agrees , restaurant dining rooms could welcome patrons and retail businesses would be permitted to open for in-store shopping with certain modifications .
Hair and nail salons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would remain closed .
Orange County leaders had expressed hope earlier in the week that more retailers would be able to reopen before the Memorial Day holiday .
As of Friday afternoon , the county had not yet received approval by the state to move forward .
Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel said this week that she believes the county has met all of the state ’ s criteria .
Steel has frequently emphasized the importance of reopening storefronts quickly in an effort to jump-start to county ’ s economy , which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We welcome the opportunity to continue working together to monitor and respond to this unprecedented pandemic , ” Steel wrote in a letter to Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Thursday .
“ Orange County is committed to working with the state to safely reopen the economy.
” Under prior restrictions , Orange County — and several other counties statewide — would not have been eligible for faster reopening since people are still dying from the virus in many communities .
Orange County public health officials on Friday reported six new coronavirus-related fatalities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll to 118 .
The increase comes a day after the county recorded 14 fatalities — the most in a single day since the pandemic began — an uptick officials attributed to outbreaks in nursing homes .
Officials also reported an additional 108 cases of the virus Friday , bringing the total number of infections countywide to 4,941 .
Despite the recent increase in fatalities , Orange County ’ s rate of deaths from the virus — 3 per 100,000 residents — is well below those of neighboring counties and the state overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into account , Orange County is in good condition as we continue to increase testing in our fight against this virus , ” Steel said Thursday .
Under revised metrics unveiled by Newsom this week , counties are no longer barred from loosening shutdown rules based on their number of deaths .
Local leaders can move toward a more expansive reopening if they can show fewer than 25 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days , or show that fewer than 8 % of residents tested for the virus over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted by Orange County this week show that 7.95 % of residents tested for the virus in the past seven days were positive , coming in just under the state ’ s maximum .
Another factor the state considers is hospitalizations .
Counties either have to show that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals hasn ’ t increased by more than 5 % over a seven-day period or that they haven ’ t had more than 20 hospitalizations on any single day over a 14-day period .
Based on Orange County ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.91 % on average over the last seven days .
Orange County ’ s Health Officer , Dr. Nichole Quick , said officials will continue to monitor coronavirus data and would be prepared to modify any reopening if they see unexplained spikes in infections , fatalities or “ any other trigger that shows community transmission is beyond something we feel we have the resources to control.
” Here ’ s the breakdown of coronavirus data for Orange County : Note : “ Other ” category includes unincorporated areas , as well as cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information .

Signs hang at Citrus City Grille and Smoqued California BBQ in Orange as pedestrians walk by Thursday.
On the heels of a two-day spike in coronavirus-related deaths in Orange County, officials on Friday affirmed that they are pushing forward with a proposal to allow more businesses to reopen.
The county submitted its final documentation Thursday night outlining hospitalization rates, testing capacity and other benchmarks that state officials say need to be met before the region can move deeper into Stage 2 of reopening.
If the state agrees, restaurant dining rooms could welcome patrons and retail businesses would be permitted to open for in-store shopping with certain modifications. Hair and nail salons, gyms, bars and theme parks would remain closed.
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Orange County leaders had expressed hope earlier in the week that more retailers would be able to reopen before the Memorial Day holiday. As of Friday afternoon, the county had not yet received approval by the state to move forward.
Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel said this week that she believes the county has met all of the state’s criteria. Steel has frequently emphasized the importance of reopening storefronts quickly in an effort to jump-start to county’s economy, which has been cratered amid the pandemic.
“We welcome the opportunity to continue working together to monitor and respond to this unprecedented pandemic,” Steel wrote in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday. “Orange County is committed to working with the state to safely reopen the economy.”
Under prior restrictions, Orange County — and several other counties statewide — would not have been eligible for faster reopening since people are still dying from the virus in many communities.
Orange County public health officials on Friday reported six new coronavirus-related fatalities, bringing the county’s overall death toll to 118. The increase comes a day after the county recorded 14 fatalities — the most in a single day since the pandemic began — an uptick officials attributed to outbreaks in nursing homes.
Officials also reported an additional 108 cases of the virus Friday, bringing the total number of infections countywide to 4,941.
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Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
Despite the recent increase in fatalities, Orange County’s rate of deaths from the virus — 3 per 100,000 residents — is well below those of neighboring counties and the state overall.
“Taking all of these statistics into account, Orange County is in good condition as we continue to increase testing in our fight against this virus,” Steel said Thursday.
Under revised metrics unveiled by Newsom this week, counties are no longer barred from loosening shutdown rules based on their number of deaths.
Local leaders can move toward a more expansive reopening if they can show fewer than 25 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days, or show that fewer than 8% of residents tested for the virus over a seven-day period were positive.
Data submitted by Orange County this week show that 7.95% of residents tested for the virus in the past seven days were positive, coming in just under the state’s maximum.
Another factor the state considers is hospitalizations. Counties either have to show that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals hasn’t increased by more than 5% over a seven-day period or that they haven’t had more than 20 hospitalizations on any single day over a 14-day period.
Based on Orange County’s calculation, hospitalizations have increased by 0.91% on average over the last seven days.
Orange County’s Health Officer, Dr. Nichole Quick, said officials will continue to monitor coronavirus data and would be prepared to modify any reopening if they see unexplained spikes in infections, fatalities or “any other trigger that shows community transmission is beyond something we feel we have the resources to control.”
Here’s the breakdown of coronavirus data for Orange County:
Age breakdown of cases
0-17 — 158
18-24 — 492
25-34 — 890
35-44 — 725
45-54 — 875
55-64 — 779
65-74 — 469
75-84 — 323
85+ — 229
Age breakdown of deaths
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 4
45-54 — 11
55-64 — 15
65-74 — 20
75-84 — 35
85+ — 31
Cases by community
Aliso Viejo — 28
Anaheim — 770
Brea — 33
Buena Park — 147
Costa Mesa — 89
Coto de Caza — 6
Cypress — 61
Dana Point — 26
Fountain Valley — 52
Fullerton — 168
Garden Grove — 252
Huntington Beach — 310
Irvine — 166
La Habra — 87
La Palma — 18
Ladera Ranch — 13
Laguna Beach — 44
Laguna Hills — 28
Laguna Niguel — 36
Laguna Woods — 8
Lake Forest — 39
Los Alamitos — 63
Midway City — 12
Mission Viejo — 65
Newport Beach — 137
Orange — 233
Placentia — 96
Rancho Mission Viejo — 7
Rancho Santa Margarita — 19
San Clemente — 58
San Juan Capistrano — 47
Santa Ana — 885
Seal Beach — 16
Stanton — 55
Trabuco Canyon — 13
Tustin — 79
Villa Park — 6
Westminster — 87
Yorba Linda — 72
Other — 368
Unknown — 242
Note: “Other” category includes unincorporated areas, as well as cases in the county’s jails. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-05-22--Corruption case against former L.A. County Assessor John Noguez tossed by appellate court

The long-running bribery and corruption case against former Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez hit another roadblock Friday , when an appellate court ordered the matter dismissed on a technical violation , court records show .
Noguez was first arrested in 2012 and accused of accepting a $ 185,000 bribe from a tax consultant as part of a scheme to lower the valuations of certain properties in L.A. County , but nearly eight years later the case still had not gone to trial .
Prosecutors have blamed the delays on the sheer amount of evidence at issue and the fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ramin Salari , changed attorneys , restarting an already lengthy discovery process .
Delays ultimately led to the decision handed down Friday , according to a 10-page ruling issued by California ’ s 2nd District Court of Appeal .
Noguez , Salari and former county assessor ’ s office executive Mark McNeil were all held to answer on a litany of criminal charges including conspiracy , grand theft , bribery , and embezzlement after a July 2018 preliminary hearing .
But according to the appellate decision , the Los Angeles County district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a subsequent charging document within 15 days of the hearing , as required by state law .
Prosecutors argued that the defendants implicitly waived the 15-day deadline when they agreed to postpone an arraignment in the case .
While a lower court upheld that argument , the appellate court granted the motion to dismiss all charges due to the missed deadline .
The dismissal does not prevent prosecutors from refiling the case .
“ We are reviewing the decision and deciding on our next step , which may include appealing the decision or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greg Risling , a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office .
The repeated delays in the Noguez case have long been a source of criticism for the district attorney ’ s office .
The former Huntington Park city councilman was first led out of his home in handcuffs in 2012 and accused of taking bribes from Salari , a tax consultant , in exchange for reducing the valuations of properties owned by Salari ’ s clients .
But it took six years for the case to even reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date had yet to be scheduled , according to public records .
A pretrial conference in the case was scheduled for July 27 .
The charges against Noguez and the others have also been amended several times .
Noguez initially faced 24 counts of accepting bribes , misappropriation of public funds , conspiracy and perjury .
In later complaints , the number of charges against him swelled to 36 .
In July 2017 , the number of charges fell to 25 .
Deputy Dist .
Atty .
Craig Hum , the lead prosecutor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district attorney ’ s office turned over more than 45,000 pages of evidence to the defendants , along with recordings of interviews and thousands of pages of testimony before an investigative grand jury .
Steven Levine , a criminal defense attorney representing McNeil , said that while he welcomed Friday ’ s decision he expected prosecutors would refile charges against all three defendants .
Levine said discovery issues continue to plague the case , noting that prosecutors have yet to turn over a number of emails sent and received by a key witness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s life has essentially been on pause for the better part of a decade .
“ He ’ s been in limbo for eight years … we thought it was over .
He ’ s anxious , ” Levine said .
“ I don ’ t know how you get back eight years of your life .
”

The long-running bribery and corruption case against former Los Angeles County Assessor John Noguez hit another roadblock Friday, when an appellate court ordered the matter dismissed on a technical violation, court records show.
Noguez was first arrested in 2012 and accused of accepting a $185,000 bribe from a tax consultant as part of a scheme to lower the valuations of certain properties in L.A. County, but nearly eight years later the case still had not gone to trial.
Prosecutors have blamed the delays on the sheer amount of evidence at issue and the fact that Noguez and one of his co-defendants, Ramin Salari, changed attorneys, restarting an already lengthy discovery process.
Delays ultimately led to the decision handed down Friday, according to a 10-page ruling issued by California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal.
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Noguez, Salari and former county assessor’s office executive Mark McNeil were all held to answer on a litany of criminal charges including conspiracy, grand theft, bribery, and embezzlement after a July 2018 preliminary hearing. But according to the appellate decision, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office failed to file a subsequent charging document within 15 days of the hearing, as required by state law.
Prosecutors argued that the defendants implicitly waived the 15-day deadline when they agreed to postpone an arraignment in the case. Although a lower court upheld that argument, the appellate court granted the motion to dismiss all charges because of the missed deadline.
The dismissal does not prevent prosecutors from refiling the case.
“We are reviewing the decision and deciding on our next step, which may include appealing the decision or simply refiling the charges,” said Greg Risling, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Noguez’s defense attorney, Anthony Falangetti, said he expected Friday’s decision since California law is “cut and dry” about a prosecutor’s responsibility to meet the 15-day deadline.
“Why the D.A.’s office didn’t do the obvious, I cannot explain,” he said.
The repeated delays in the Noguez case have long been a source of criticism for the district attorney’s office. The former Huntington Park city councilman was first led out of his home in handcuffs in 2012 and accused of taking bribes from Salari, a tax consultant, in exchange for reducing the valuations of properties owned by Salari’s clients.
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But it took six years for the case to even reach a preliminary hearing, and a trial date had yet to be scheduled, according to public records. A pretrial conference in the case was scheduled for July 27.
The charges against Noguez and the others have also been amended several times. Noguez initially faced 24 counts of accepting bribes, misappropriation of public funds, conspiracy and perjury. In later complaints, the number of charges against him swelled to 36. In July 2017, the number of charges fell to 25.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Craig Hum, the lead prosecutor on the case, has said the district attorney’s office turned over more than 45,000 pages of evidence to the defendants, along with recordings of interviews and thousands of pages of testimony before an investigative grand jury.
“I think that this case is unduly complicated ... the scope and the size of it are problems,” Falangetti said. “And I think that, frankly, the length of time it’s taken to bring this case to a preliminary hearing, is in part, because, this case is built on speculation and circumstantial evidence. It’s not a very good case.”
Steven Levine, a criminal defense attorney representing McNeil, said that while he welcomed Friday’s decision he expected prosecutors would refile charges against all three defendants. Levine said discovery issues continue to plague the case, noting that prosecutors have yet to turn over a number of emails sent and received by a key witness, and expressed frustration that his client’s life has essentially been on pause for the better part of a decade.
“He’s been in limbo for eight years … we thought it was over. He’s anxious,” Levine said. “I don’t know how you get back eight years of your life.”


latimes--2020-05-22--Trump administration warns Garcetti against 'heavy-handed' stay-at-home orders

The Trump administration sent a warning letter Friday to Mayor Eric Garcetti saying the Department of Justice is concerned the city may pursue “ an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach ” to stay-at-home orders .
Eric S. Dreiband , assistant attorney general for the department ’ s Civil Rights Division , pointed to what he said were public comments by Garcetti and Barbara Ferrer , Los Angeles County ’ s director of public health .
“ Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the city and county of Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for such restrictions , ” Dreiband wrote .
“ Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful.
” Garcetti spokesman Alex Comisar said the mayor ’ s team has received the letter and is reviewing it .
Garcetti issued a stay-at-home order for Los Angeles in March , extending it twice .
But he has signaled that restrictions would be loosened in the coming weeks .
Over the last month , beaches , golf courses , tennis courts and hiking trails have reopened , and retail stores now allow curbside pickup .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ meeting that the stay-at-home orders will “ with all certainty ” be extended for the next few months , which led some to believe that the status quo would remain in place through the summer .
Her comments drew widespread attention , and Garcetti appeared on television news programs later that day , seeking to clarify the region ’ s response to the health crisis .
He also released a statement that day saying that “ while the city ’ s Safer at Home order will remain in place beyond May 15 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order gradually — to safely allow more activities , more businesses to operate , and more Angelenos to get back to work.
” The letter to Garcetti came the same day that Dr. Deborah Birx , the White House ’ s coronavirus response coordinator , singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern .
Speaking with reporters at the White House , Birx said the Los Angeles metropolitan area , Chicago and Washington , D.C. , remain a concern .
Birx asked the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those areas “ to really understand where are these new cases coming from , and what do we need to do to prevent them in the future .
”

The Trump administration sent a warning letter Friday to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti saying the Department of Justice is concerned the city may pursue “an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach” to stay-at-home orders.
Eric S. Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the department’s Civil Rights Division, pointed to what he said were public comments by Garcetti and Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County’s director of public health.
“Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the city and county of Los Angeles, regardless of the legal justification for such restrictions,” Dreiband wrote. “Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful.”
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The letter was also addressed to Ferrer.
Garcetti defended the city’s approach to the health crisis at a news briefing Friday when asked about the Justice Department‘s criticisms. “We were able to do this and save lives,” he said, adding that the city collaborated with businesses, employees and labor groups on the region’s response.
“Together, with science, the numbers will always guide us forward,” Garcetti said. “There is nothing else. There’s no games, there’s nothing else going on.”
The mayor issued a stay-at-home order for Los Angeles in March, extending it twice. But he has signaled that restrictions would be loosened in the coming weeks.
Over the last month, beaches, golf courses, tennis courts and hiking trails have reopened, and retail stores now allow curbside pickup.
Ferrer said this month at a public meeting that the stay-at-home orders will “with all certainty” be extended for the next few months, which led some to believe that the status quo would remain in place through the summer.
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Her comment drew widespread attention, and Garcetti appeared on television news programs later that day, seeking to clarify the region’s response to the health crisis.
He also released a statement that day saying that “while the city’s Safer at Home order will remain in place beyond May 15, we will also continue to adjust the order gradually — to safely allow more activities, more businesses to operate, and more Angelenos to get back to work.”
In response to Friday’s letter, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health spokesman Bernard Tolliver said “the quote was taken out of context” but didn’t elaborate. Health orders are being modified on a “regular basis to support reopening sectors and relaxing restrictions,” Tolliver said.
The letter to Garcetti came the same day that Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator, singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern.
Speaking with reporters at the White House, Birx said the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Chicago and Washington, D.C., remain a concern.
Birx asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with those areas “to really understand where are these new cases coming from, and what do we need to do to prevent them in the future.”
Garcetti, when asked Friday about Birx’s comments, said the L.A. region is “nowhere near the top of the infection rates, the cases and the deaths.”
Many in the Los Angeles region have followed the stay-at-home orders over the last few months, which political leaders have credited with slowing the virus’ spread.
Some protesters seeking to have the order lifted and the economy fully reopened have demonstrated outside Los Angeles City Hall and the Getty House, the official residence of the mayor, during the pandemic.
Similar demonstrations have been held in Orange County.
Times staff writer Soumya Karlamangla contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-22--Newsom promises reopening plan for churches as Trump demands immediate action

Gov .
Gavin Newsom vowed to provide plans Monday for reopening California churches amid mounting pressure to allow in-person religious services both from protesters and President Trump , who is demanding that governors take action immediately .
Newsom ’ s comment comes just days after he said opening churches to congregants was “ a few weeks away.
” The governor said he has been meeting with religious leaders for weeks to craft a plan for the safe reopening of churches for services , including efforts to sanitize pews , ensure safe distancing and other safety protocols .
“ We look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and responsible manner , and we have guidelines that we anticipated completing on Monday and we ’ re on track to do just that , ” Newsom said during a COVID-19 briefing held at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville on Friday .
Newsom ’ s comments came hours after Trump made an unexpected appearance in the White House briefing room to declare that he was designating churches “ essential ” businesses so that they can immediately reopen .
Trump , who has said he would leave decisions about easing public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions by individual governors , threatened that he would “ override ” states that didn ’ t heed his directive .
It was not clear what authority he was referring to .
His comments , in tenor and tone , made clear that the announcement was largely about signaling that he continues to fight for religious conservatives , a core element of his political base where Trump ’ s support has eroded somewhat in recent weeks amid broader questions about his response to the pandemic .
“ Some governors have deemed liquor stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have left out churches and other houses of worship , ” Trump said .
“ It ’ s not right .
So , I ’ m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential.
” Speaking to the possibility that some governors might not immediately adhere to his instructions , he suggested they reach out to him directly even though the matter , he asserted , would not be open to discussion .
“ If there ’ s any question , they ’ re going to have to call me — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that call , ” he said .
“ The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now , this weekend.
” When asked about Trump ’ s comments , Newsom sidestepped the issue , saying his administration has been working with faith leaders to allow services to resume as quickly as can be done while protecting the public health .
“ We have been very aggressive in trying to put together guidelines that will do justice to people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to practice their faith , ” Newsom said .
“ We are looking forward to a very positive working relationship with faith leaders , as we make public those documents and look forward to working through this issue in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration.
” During the noon briefing , Newsom did take a subtle swipe at the Trump administration , noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had yet to release federal guidelines detailing how churches and other religious institutions should resume services during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released on Friday and said state health officials will review them to determine if they include safeguards that should be added to those being drafted by the state .
Newsom emphasized his own religious upbringing in the Catholic Church , saying he had deep admiration and respect for the faith of the millions of Californians and the need for them to practice that faith .
The governor said the vast majority of religious leaders across the state understand the need to protect the public health and have been working with his administration to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be conducted in a safe manner .
Earlier this week , the U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to the Newsom administration warning that the state ’ s stay-at-home order may discriminate against religious groups and violate their constitutional rights .
The letter accused Newsom of “ unequal treatment of faith communities ” in restricting their ability to gather and resume services .
“ Simply put , there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights , ” Eric S. Dreiband , an assistant attorney general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s civil rights division , stated in the letter .
Shortly after that warning , more than 1,200 pastors in California vowed to hold in-person services on May 31 , Pentecost Sunday , in defiance of the state moratorium on religious gatherings .
Robert H. Tyler , an attorney representing a Lodi church that has challenged the governor ’ s order in court , said pastors signed a “ Declaration of Essentiality ” that asserts their churches are as essential as grocery stores and hardware stores and should be allowed to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act in the best interests of the state , ” Tyler wrote to Newsom , “ but the restrictions have gone too far and for too long.
” Newsom , in an interview with Stephanie Ruhle of MSNBC on Thursday , said California was just a “ few weeks away from meaningful modifications that will allow just that to happen.
” A federal court judge in Sacramento recently issued a ruling that Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order did not violate the constitutional rights to free assembly and religion when the Cross Culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cease services .
Last week , a federal judge in San Diego denied a request from a Chula Vista church for a temporary restraining order against the state that would allow it to hold in-person services .
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany , who took questions after the president ’ s comments on Friday , struggled to cite any legal authority for the president to order governors to allow religious services to resume , attempting to deflect by suggesting that reporters questioning the validity of Trump ’ s move wanted churches to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House would “ leave it to faith communities to reopen , ” noting the newly released CDC guidelines and acknowledging that the decision would be “ up to the governors .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to provide plans Monday for reopening California churches amid mounting pressure to allow in-person religious services both from protesters and President Trump, who is demanding that governors take action immediately.
Newsom’s comment comes just days after he said opening churches to congregants was “a few weeks away.” The governor said he has been meeting with religious leaders for weeks to craft a plan for the safe reopening of churches for services, including efforts to sanitize pews, ensure safe distancing and other safety protocols.
“We look forward to churches reopening in a safe and responsible manner, and we have guidelines that we anticipated completing on Monday and we’re on track to do just that,” Newsom said during a COVID-19 briefing held at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville on Friday.
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Newsom’s comments came hours after Trump made an unexpected appearance in the White House briefing room to declare that he was designating churches “essential” businesses so that they can immediately reopen.
Trump, who has said he would leave decisions about easing public health guidance to states but has often criticized decisions by individual governors, threatened that he would “override” states that didn’t heed his directive. It was not clear what authority he was referring to.
His comments, in tenor and tone, made clear that the announcement was largely about signaling that he continues to fight for religious conservatives, a core element of his political base where Trump’s support has eroded somewhat in recent weeks amid broader questions about his response to the pandemic.
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential, but have left out churches and other houses of worship,” Trump said. “It’s not right. So, I’m correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential.”
Speaking to the possibility that some governors might not immediately adhere to his instructions, he suggested they reach out to him directly even though the matter, he asserted, would not be open to discussion.
“If there’s any question, they’re going to have to call me — but they are not going to be successful in that call,” he said. “The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, this weekend.”
When asked about Trump’s comments, Newsom sidestepped the issue, saying his administration has been working with faith leaders to allow services to resume as quickly as can be done while protecting the public health.
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“We have been very aggressive in trying to put together guidelines that will do justice to people’s health and their fundamental need and desire to practice their faith,” Newsom said. “We are looking forward to a very positive working relationship with faith leaders, as we make public those documents and look forward to working through this issue in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration.”
During the noon briefing, Newsom did take a subtle swipe at the Trump administration, noting that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had yet to release federal guidelines detailing how churches and other religious institutions should resume services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom said CDC guidelines were expected to be released on Friday and said state health officials will review them to determine if they include safeguards that should be added to those being drafted by the state.
Newsom emphasized his own religious upbringing in the Catholic Church, saying he had deep admiration and respect for the faith of the millions of Californians and the need for them to practice that faith. The governor said the vast majority of religious leaders across the state understand the need to protect the public health and have been working with his administration to ensure services, when the resume, will be conducted in a safe manner.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a letter to the Newsom administration warning that the state’s stay-at-home order may discriminate against religious groups and violate their constitutional rights. The letter accused Newsom of “unequal treatment of faith communities” in restricting their ability to gather and resume services.
“Simply put, there is no pandemic exception to the U.S. Constitution and its Bill of Rights,” Eric S. Dreiband, an assistant attorney general and the head of the Justice Department’s civil rights division, stated in the letter.
Shortly after that warning, more than 1,200 pastors in California vowed to hold in-person services on May 31, Pentecost Sunday, in defiance of the state moratorium on religious gatherings.
Robert H. Tyler, an attorney representing a Lodi church that has challenged the governor’s order in court, said pastors signed a “Declaration of Essentiality” that asserts their churches are as essential as grocery stores and hardware stores and should be allowed to reopen.
“We believe you are attempting to act in the best interests of the state,” Tyler wrote to Newsom, “but the restrictions have gone too far and for too long.”
Newsom, in an interview with Stephanie Ruhle of MSNBC on Thursday, said California was just a “few weeks away from meaningful modifications that will allow just that to happen.”
A federal court judge in Sacramento recently issued a ruling that Newsom’s stay-at-home order did not violate the constitutional rights to free assembly and religion when the Cross Culture Christian Center in Lodi was ordered to cease services.
Last week, a federal judge in San Diego denied a request from a Chula Vista church for a temporary restraining order against the state that would allow it to hold in-person services.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who took questions after the president’s comments on Friday, struggled to cite any legal authority for the president to order governors to allow religious services to resume, attempting to deflect by suggesting that reporters questioning the validity of Trump’s move wanted churches to remain closed.
She said the White House would “leave it to faith communities to reopen,” noting the newly released CDC guidelines and acknowledging that the decision would be “up to the governors.”


latimes--2020-05-22--'They killed my dad': Glendale nursing home sued after resident contracts COVID-19 and dies

The wife and children of a 77-year-old man who died after contracting the coronavirus have accused his nursing home of preventing staff from wearing masks and gloves during the pandemic , downplaying the threat of the virus and withholding information about exposure to COVID-19 inside the Glendale facility .
In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court , the family of Ricardo Saldana said neither Glenhaven Healthcare nor its owners took any “ precautions to identify or isolate employees or residents infected with or exposed to the virus , ” one of many lapses that they allege @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four other residents have died there , according to health officials .
The litigation is among the earliest filed in California accusing a nursing home operator of a coronavirus response so improper that it amounted to elder abuse , negligence and willful misconduct .
“ I ’ m bringing this case to prevent this from happening to others , and to save lives , ” said daughter Jackie Saldana .
She said she alerted Los Angeles County health authorities about the conditions at Glenhaven before filing the suit .
“ They killed my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
The administrator of Glenhaven Healthcare , Carrie Marks , said in a statement that she could not confirm whether Saldana had been a patient there or provide details about care , citing federal privacy restrictions .
But Marks said the nursing staff has followed health guidelines put forth by local and federal authorities .
“ We can definitively say that Glenhaven Healthcare heroes put our patients first every day , ” Marks said in the statement .
“ We are extremely proud of our ongoing service to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of enormous challenges for healthcare providers in our country.
” Nursing homes and other healthcare providers have been lobbying Gov .
Gavin Newsom to approve an order that would immunize elder care facilities from lawsuits and prosecutions .
That order has yet to be signed , although similar measures have been adopted in at least a dozen other states .
The attorney representing the Saldana family criticized the potential shield as “ a terrible idea.
” “ The point here is to protect the public , and granting immunity across the board — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ egregious conduct , ” said Scott Glovsky , a Pasadena lawyer whose firm has represented scores of clients in cases against the insurance industry .
“ Any kind of blanket immunity will essentially encourage facilities to cut costs , save money and not have to care for residents , ” Glovsky added .
Elder care facilities have increasingly become hot spots of the pandemic ’ s devastation , with thousands of medically frail residents in close quarters , cared for by staff members who shuttle among rooms and multiple facilities and have limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the more than 3,600 deaths related to COVID-19 in California have been linked to nursing homes , and the share of nursing home residents among the dead has grown as the pandemic has persisted .
The concentration of deaths in these facilities prompted the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to consider next week appointing an inspector general to oversee skilled nursing homes .
The inspector general would be tasked with evaluating the public health department ’ s oversight of the county ’ s roughly 400 nursing homes and , recognizing the political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and federal policy proposals that could improve nursing home care .
“ While some skilled nursing homes may be doing their best to respond to COVID-19 , we ’ ve seen hundreds of deaths at these facilities , tragically exposing the urgent need for stronger oversight across the industry , ” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas , who authored the motion with board Chairwoman Kathryn Barger .
Ridley-Thomas and Barger noted that the county contracted with the state in 2019 to take over the role of investigating complaints and monitoring healthcare facilities , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backlog of nursing home investigations stood at 5,000 , a stark increase from the backlog reported in 2014 : about 3,000 .
At Glenhaven Healthcare , the 52-bed facility in Glendale , inspection reports compiled by federal regulators in recent years show several deficiencies , including infection control problems .
An inspection last year noted a failure “ to ensure that the facility staff performed hand hygiene after touching a potentially contaminated surface or objects and continuing with resident care , ” a lapse that can allow infectious illnesses to thrive .
Saldana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to the U.S. at 20 , arrived at Glenhaven in 2014 after having a stroke .
Glovsky said Saldana had ailments , including “ cardiac issues ” and other conditions that put him at particular risk if he contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 .
His daughter , Jackie , said she saw him last on the afternoon of March 13 .
“ He was stable , ” she said .
For the next month , she and others were barred from seeing loved ones at nursing homes .
As the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide personal protective equipment to staff members .
They instead brought their own masks and bandannas , the lawsuit states , but were instructed by administrators to remove them .
One nurse was told not to wear a mask , but argued that she was sick and needed the covering to protect colleagues and patients .
“ Despite her pleading , and her illness , [ the administrator ] responded that she was not allowed to wear a mask , ” the lawsuit states .
Other alleged mistakes were identified in the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working at a Burbank facility that had a rash of COVID-19 cases , but Glenhaven did not alert employees to the potential exposure and allowed that staffer to continue working .
And Ricardo Saldana was given a new roommate in late March who had previously shared a room with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 .
Saldana began to develop a fever and other symptoms soon after , according to the lawsuit .
“ He looked horrible , ” said his daughter .
“ It ’ s a nightmare not being able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He was eventually transferred to Glendale Memorial Hospital , where he died April 13 .
His death certificate , which was filed with the lawsuit , listed viral pneumonia and COVID-19 among the causes .
Saldana was buried last month at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora .

Jackie Saldana visits with her father Ricardo Saldana, who lived in Glenhaven Healthcare in Glendale. Ricardo died April 13; his death certificate listed COVID-19 among the causes. The family is suing the facility.
The wife and children of a 77-year-old man who died after contracting the coronavirus have accused his nursing home of preventing staff from wearing masks and gloves during the pandemic, downplaying the threat of the virus and withholding information about exposure to COVID-19 inside the Glendale facility.
In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the family of Ricardo Saldana said neither Glenhaven Healthcare nor its owners took any “precautions to identify or isolate employees or residents infected with or exposed to the virus,” one of many lapses that they allege led to his death. At least four other residents have died there, according to health officials.
The litigation is among the earliest filed in California accusing a nursing home operator of a coronavirus response so improper that it amounted to elder abuse, negligence and willful misconduct.
“I’m bringing this case to prevent this from happening to others, and to save lives,” said daughter Jackie Saldana.
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She said she alerted Los Angeles County health authorities about the conditions at Glenhaven before filing the suit. “They killed my dad. They could have prevented this,” she said.
The administrator of Glenhaven Healthcare, Carrie Marks, said in a statement that she could not confirm whether Saldana had been a patient there or provide details about care, citing federal privacy restrictions. But Marks said the nursing staff has followed health guidelines put forth by local and federal authorities.
“We can definitively say that Glenhaven Healthcare heroes put our patients first every day,” Marks said in the statement. “We are extremely proud of our ongoing service to our patients and the community during a time of enormous challenges for healthcare providers in our country.”
Nursing homes and other healthcare providers have been lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom to approve an order that would immunize elder care facilities from lawsuits and prosecutions.
That order has yet to be signed, although similar measures have been adopted in at least a dozen other states. The attorney representing the Saldana family criticized the potential shield as “a terrible idea.”
“The point here is to protect the public, and granting immunity across the board — that would stop the public from preventing egregious conduct,” said Scott Glovsky, a Pasadena lawyer whose firm has represented scores of clients in cases against the insurance industry.
“Any kind of blanket immunity will essentially encourage facilities to cut costs, save money and not have to care for residents,” Glovsky added.
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Elder care facilities have increasingly become hot spots of the pandemic’s devastation, with thousands of medically frail residents in close quarters, cared for by staff members who shuttle among rooms and multiple facilities and have limited access to protective equipment. About half of the more than 3,600 deaths related to COVID-19 in California have been linked to nursing homes, and the share of nursing home residents among the dead has grown as the pandemic has persisted.
The concentration of deaths in these facilities prompted the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to consider next week appointing an inspector general to oversee skilled nursing homes. The inspector general would be tasked with evaluating the public health department’s oversight of the county’s roughly 400 nursing homes and, recognizing the political might of metropolitan L.A., identify state and federal policy proposals that could improve nursing home care.
“While some skilled nursing homes may be doing their best to respond to COVID-19, we’ve seen hundreds of deaths at these facilities, tragically exposing the urgent need for stronger oversight across the industry,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who authored the motion with board Chairwoman Kathryn Barger.
Ridley-Thomas and Barger noted that the county contracted with the state in 2019 to take over the role of investigating complaints and monitoring healthcare facilities, including nursing homes. Last year, the backlog of nursing home investigations stood at 5,000, a stark increase from the backlog reported in 2014: about 3,000.
At Glenhaven Healthcare, the 52-bed facility in Glendale, inspection reports compiled by federal regulators in recent years show several deficiencies, including infection control problems. An inspection last year noted a failure “to ensure that the facility staff performed hand hygiene after touching a potentially contaminated surface or objects and continuing with resident care,” a lapse that can allow infectious illnesses to thrive.
Saldana, who was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. at 20, arrived at Glenhaven in 2014 after having a stroke. Glovsky said Saldana had ailments, including “cardiac issues” and other conditions that put him at particular risk if he contracted the virus that causes COVID-19.
His daughter, Jackie, said she saw him last on the afternoon of March 13. “He was stable,” she said. For the next month, she and others were barred from seeing loved ones at nursing homes.
As the pandemic prompted shutdown orders, Glenhaven did not provide personal protective equipment to staff members. They instead brought their own masks and bandannas, the lawsuit states, but were instructed by administrators to remove them. One nurse was told not to wear a mask, but argued that she was sick and needed the covering to protect colleagues and patients.
“Despite her pleading, and her illness, [the administrator] responded that she was not allowed to wear a mask,” the lawsuit states.
Other alleged mistakes were identified in the lawsuit: One staff member said she was working at a Burbank facility that had a rash of COVID-19 cases, but Glenhaven did not alert employees to the potential exposure and allowed that staffer to continue working.
And Ricardo Saldana was given a new roommate in late March who had previously shared a room with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. Saldana began to develop a fever and other symptoms soon after, according to the lawsuit.
“He looked horrible,” said his daughter. “It’s a nightmare not being able to be there for your loved ones.”
He was eventually transferred to Glendale Memorial Hospital, where he died April 13. His death certificate, which was filed with the lawsuit, listed viral pneumonia and COVID-19 among the causes. Saldana was buried last month at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora.


latimes--2020-05-22--L.A. County reopens bike paths, parking lots at beaches and allows curbside service at malls

Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend , Los Angeles County officials announced that beach bike paths and some beach parking lots will reopen and curbside service at indoor malls will be permitted The county reopened its beaches a week ago but kept beach parking lots , bike paths , piers and boardwalks .
Now , parking lots at Dockweiler State Beach , Will Rogers State Beach , Zuma Beach and Surfrider Beach will open at partial capacity .
Santa Monica lots and most beachside public parking spots in coastal communities will remain closed .
Beachgoers are still not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sand .
The shoreline is open only for active recreation , including surfing , swimming , running and walking .
Visitors also must continue to wear face coverings when visiting the beach .
County officials also gave car parades and other drive-through celebrations the green light on Friday .
A week ago , public health officials warned against marking milestones like birthdays and graduations with car drive-ins .
Now , as in-person gatherings remain off-limits , county officials will permit car-parade celebrations .
However , bicycles , motorcycles , convertibles with open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as golf carts , are not allowed to participate .
Vehicle occupants must wear face coverings if the windows are down .
Those who wish to host a car parade must comply with requirements set by the state ’ s stay-at-home order , which include security measures and social and physical distancing .

People walk along Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica in advance of L.A. County’s reopening beaches last week. Bike paths and beach parking lots are being reopened this weekend.
Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Los Angeles County officials announced that beach bike paths and some beach parking lots would reopen and curbside service at indoor malls would be permitted.
The county reopened its beaches a week ago but kept beach parking lots, bike paths, piers and boardwalks closed .
Officials said Friday that parking lots at Dockweiler State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Zuma Beach and Surfrider Beach would open at partial capacity. Santa Monica lots and most beachside public parking spots in coastal communities remain closed.
Beachgoers are still not allowed to sunbathe, grill, or lounge in the sand. The shoreline is open for active recreation, including surfing, swimming, running and walking.
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Visitors also must continue to wear face coverings when visiting the beach.
County officials also gave car parades and other drive-through celebrations the green light on Friday.
A week ago, public health officials warned against marking milestones like birthdays and graduations with car parades.
Now, as in-person gatherings remain off-limits, county officials will permit celebrations by vehicle. However, bicycles, motorcycles, convertibles with open tops and vehicles without doors, such as golf carts, are not allowed to participate. Vehicle occupants must wear face coverings if the windows are down.
Those who wish to host a car parade must comply with requirements set by the state’s stay-at-home order, which include security measures and social and physical distancing.


latimes--2020-05-22--White House concerned with coronavirus spread in L.A. area, asks CDC to investigate

The White House ’ s coronavirus response coordinator on Friday singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern as Memorial Day weekend posed another test of whether coronavirus can be slowed even with loosened stay-at-home rules .
Dr. Deborah Birx gave a mostly upbeat assessment of the nation ’ s progress but said the Los Angeles metropolitan area , which includes Orange County , is continuing to see a high number of new cases reported each day .
Washington , D.C. , and Chicago also remain hot spots of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has remained closed , L.A. has remained closed , Chicago has remained closed , we still see these ongoing cases , ” she said .
Brix asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with those areas “ to really understand where are these new cases coming from , and what do we need to do to prevent them in the future.
” Los Angeles County is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in California , accounting for about 56 % of the state ’ s total deaths and almost half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public health officials on Friday announced 1,072 new cases of the coronavirus and 35 related deaths , bringing the county ’ s total to 43,070 cases and 2,051 deaths .
But Los Angeles County officials said on Friday also pointed to positive signs that the region was making progress and stressed they were already working with CDC officials on ways to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Barbara Ferrer , the Los Angeles County public health director , said that while deaths remain a grave concern , “ our overall data points are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the recovery journey.
” Those figures include a 12 % decrease in the county ’ s latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 15 % decrease in its most recent three-day average for hospitalizations per day , she said .
in the nation ’ s most populous county is now in its best position since the magnitude of the outbreak became clear in March , officials announced earlier this week .
“ We are moving in the right direction , and I want to acknowledge CDC has been a strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beginning of the pandemic , ” she said .
A total of 1,506 coronavirus patients are currently in county hospitals , with 26 % in intensive care and 19 % on ventilators .
Outbreaks at institutional facilities remain a particular source of concern .
About a quarter of the county ’ s total cases — 10,885 — were associated with such facilities , including nursing and assisted-living homes , shelters , treatment centers , correctional facilities and workplaces .
They included 7,046 residents and 3,840 staff .
Los Angeles County has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spots such as New York City , where more than 16,000 have died .
But as other regions , including the Bay Area , have seen the coronavirus curve flatten , progress has been much slower in L.A. Officials remain concerned that warm temperatures and quarantine fatigue could drive people from their homes over the Memorial Day weekend , resulting in crowding at parks and beaches that could threaten to undo some of the progress the state has made .
Ahead of the weekend , L.A. County announced it was reopening beach bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said indoor malls could resume operations for curbside pickup services .
The county also lifted a ban on car parades to celebrate events such as graduations .
“ I know we are lifting restrictions in certain areas , ” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said .
“ Please be responsible because this is the only way we are going to move toward the next phase of opening .
...
The only way we ’ re going to get there is if we continue to keep this flat.
” Officials urged residents to continue to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart from others when in public and wear cloth face coverings when others are around .
“ As a reminder , the job we do protecting each other affects how many new cases , how many new hospitalizations and how many new deaths we see several weeks from now , ” Ferrer said .
“ So over the weekend , let ’ s continue to use all the tools that we have available to slow the spread of COVID-19.
” In Orange County , several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the shoreline ahead of the holiday .
That comes as the coronavirus-related death toll there continues to rise .
The county reported 108 additional cases and six deaths Friday , bringing its total to 4,941 cases and 118 deaths .
Of the fatalities , more than a quarter have been recorded in the last three days .
Orange County reported 14 deaths Thursday and 10 Wednesday .
Before Wednesday , the county hadn ’ t reported more than five deaths in a single day .
Elsewhere in the state , cities were continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home restrictions are further relaxed .
In San Francisco , the parks department painted 10-foot circles on the grass of four city parks ahead of the holiday weekend to remind visitors to keep their distance from one another .
It ’ s part of a pilot program based on a similar effort at Domino Park in Brooklyn , said Tamara Barak Aparton , a spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks .
“ It ’ s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out , so we thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get feedback on whether this helps , ” Aparton said .
If successful , the circles could be expanded to more locations , she said .
In the Santa Monica Mountains , park rangers are encouraging visitors to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on newly reopened trails .
But in the San Bernardino National Forest , officials will in the Lake Arrowhead area for a year to deal with chronic overcrowding .
The creek ’ s swimming holes , especially at Aztec Falls , have drawn crowds in past years that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the narrow roads .
Much of California has progressed to a point where officials feel it ’ s safe to lift more of the state ’ s stay-at-home order and allow more businesses to reopen .
The number of new coronavirus cases across the state declined from the previous week , and hospitalizations have dropped more than 15 % from a peak six weeks ago , according to a Times analysis .
Most counties have received approval to progress more quickly through Phase 2 of the state ’ s reopening road map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping .
The list of counties that can ramp up their reopening efforts now includes San Diego — the state ’ s second-most populous — Kern , San Luis Obispo , Santa Barbara and Ventura .
Orange County is still awaiting approval for its reopening plan .
Still , some local officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now .
Multiple counties have expressed concern about people visiting and possibly bringing with them the coronavirus , especially during the Memorial Day weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obispo County ’ s health officer , asked tourists to not visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week .
While officials have performed “ spot checks ” with hotels to deter tourism , Borenstein said the county would cite visitors only in the case of “ egregious violations.
” Communities in the Lake Tahoe region , which heavily depend on tourism as well , have issued reminders before the holiday weekend warning that leisure travel is not permitted .
On its website , the city of South Lake Tahoe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now welcome , other visitors are still not .
Lodging will not be available to short-term renters .
“ We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now , but that ’ s not the safest way to bring people back to South Lake , ” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement .
“ We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe while adhering to the governor ’ s stay-at-home orders.
” Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Margot Roosevelt contributed to this report .

Alex Wigglesworth, Luke Money, Noah Bierman

Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, speaks with reporters Friday. She said she asked the Centers for Disease Control to investigate why the Los Angeles area, Chicago and Washington, D.C., remain COVID-19 hot spots.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sought to fend off criticism from federal officials Friday over his handling of coronavirus stay-at-home orders, even as he announced the lifting of various restrictions over this Memorial Day weekend.
Earlier in the day, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern as the holiday weekend posed another test of whether coronavirus can be slowed even with loosened stay-at-home rules.
Then, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a warning letter to the mayor saying it was concerned the city was pursuing “an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach” to stay-at-home orders.
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Eric S. Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the department’s Civil Rights Division, pointed to what he said were public comments by Garcetti and Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County’s director of public health, suggesting that stay-at-home orders could be extended several months.
“Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the city and county of Los Angeles, regardless of the legal justification for such restrictions,” Dreiband wrote. “Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful.”
Garcetti responded at an evening press conference, saying, “Look, we’re not guided by politics in this, we are guided by science. We are guided by collaboration. So talking to industry and talking to business owners and talking to employees and labor groups together with science, the numbers will always guide us forward, there is nothing else.”
Garcetti said there were “no games” being played with health restrictions. “We were able to do this and save lives. Now its time for us to test things moving forward and I think the proof’s in the pudding. We’ve been doing that, we’ve been doing it safely and we will monitor those numbers because people’s lives are at stake.”
Los Angeles-area health restrictions were also mentioned by White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx Friday. After giving a mostly upbeat assessment of the nation’s progress, Birx said the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which includes Orange County, is continuing to see a high number of new cases reported each day. Washington, D.C., and Chicago also remain hot spots of the virus, she said.
“Even though Washington has remained closed, L.A. has remained closed, Chicago has remained closed, we still see these ongoing cases,” she said.
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Birx asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with those areas “to really understand where are these new cases coming from, and what do we need to do to prevent them in the future.”
Garcetti responded by saying the city had shown “very steady progress” against the disease.
“We’ve got the capacity, the ventilators, the beds available,” Garcetti said. “We’ve seen a plateau and we share that data publicly with everybody about the seven-day average. It’s holding where it is, which is dramatically different than where it was a month and a half, let alone two months ago.”
Los Angeles County is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in California, accounting for about 56% of the state’s total deaths and almost half of more than 90,000 confirmed infections. Public health officials on Friday announced 1,072 new cases of the coronavirus and 35 related deaths, bringing the county’s total to 43,070 cases and 2,051 deaths.
But Los Angeles County officials said on Friday also pointed to positive signs that the region was making progress and stressed they were already working with CDC officials on ways to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Ferrer said that though deaths remain a grave concern, “our overall data points are looking pretty good in terms of being on the recovery journey.”
Those figures include a 12% decrease in the county’s latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 15% decrease in its most recent three-day average for hospitalizations per day, she said.
The coronavirus transmission rate in the nation’s most populous county is now in its best position since the magnitude of the outbreak became clear in March, officials announced earlier this week.
“We are moving in the right direction, and I want to acknowledge CDC has been a strong source of support for L.A. County since the beginning of the pandemic,” she said.
A total of 1,506 coronavirus patients are currently in county hospitals, with 26% in intensive care and 19% on ventilators.
Outbreaks at institutional facilities remain a particular source of concern. About a quarter of the county’s total cases — 10,885 — were associated with such facilities, including nursing and assisted-living homes, shelters, treatment centers, correctional facilities and workplaces. They included 7,046 residents and 3,840 staff.
Los Angeles County has been hit far less severely than coronavirus hot spots such as New York City, where more than 16,000 have died. But as other regions, including the Bay Area, have seen the coronavirus curve flatten, progress has been much slower in L.A.
Officials remain concerned that warm temperatures and quarantine fatigue could drive people from their homes over the Memorial Day weekend, resulting in crowding at parks and beaches that could threaten to undo some of the progress the state has made.
As part of the city’s slow reopening, the city will open two designated recreation zones on Monday and two more slow street areas in Eagle Rock and Mid-City, where traffic is limited to local residents, freeing up space for pedestrians and bicyclists, the mayor announced.
The city also announced the immediate reopening of parking lots at Cabrillo and Venice beaches as well as their bike paths. Officials said those actions were being done in coordination with the county’s partial opening of parking lots and paths at Dockweiler State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Zuma Beach, and Surfrider Beach.
“It feels like sacrifice is in all our minds these days,” Garcetti said, referencing the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. “But each day, each one of us in this city, the largest city and the largest state in this great union, we continue to do the work. To protect ourselves, to protect our families and protect our nation.”
Ahead of the weekend, L.A. County announced it was reopening beach bike paths and some parking lots, and said indoor malls could resume operations for curbside pickup services. The county also lifted a ban on car parades to celebrate events such as graduations.
“I know we are lifting restrictions in certain areas,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “Please be responsible because this is the only way we are going to move toward the next phase of opening. ... The only way we’re going to get there is if we continue to keep this flat.”
Officials urged residents to continue to stay home when possible, stay six feet apart from others when in public and wear cloth face coverings when others are around.
“As a reminder, the job we do protecting each other affects how many new cases, how many new hospitalizations and how many new deaths we see several weeks from now,” Ferrer said. “So over the weekend, let’s continue to use all the tools that we have available to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
In Orange County, several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and planned to open more parking lots connected to the shoreline ahead of the holiday.
That comes as the coronavirus-related death toll there continues to rise. The county reported 108 additional cases and six deaths Friday, bringing its total to 4,941 cases and 118 deaths. Of the fatalities, more than a quarter have been recorded in the last three days.
Orange County reported 14 deaths Thursday and 10 Wednesday. Before Wednesday, the county hadn’t reported more than five deaths in a single day.
Elsewhere in the state, cities were continuing to urge social distancing, even as stay-at-home restrictions are further relaxed. In San Francisco, the parks department painted 10-foot circles on the grass of four city parks ahead of the holiday weekend to remind visitors to keep their distance from one another.
It’s part of a pilot program based on a similar effort at Domino Park in Brooklyn, said Tamara Barak Aparton, a spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks.
“It’s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out, so we thought it would be a good time to get feedback on whether this helps,” Aparton said. If successful, the circles could be expanded to more locations, she said.
In the Santa Monica Mountains, park rangers are encouraging visitors to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on newly reopened trails.
But in the San Bernardino National Forest, officials will close a 2.5-mile stretch in Deep Creek in the Lake Arrowhead area for a year to deal with chronic overcrowding. The creek’s swimming holes, especially at Aztec Falls, have drawn crowds in past years that have created growing traffic and parking issues on the narrow roads.
California Ventura County reopens dine-in restaurants and in-store shopping Ventura County has received state permission to reopen restaurants for dining in and to allow shopping inside many retail stores.
Much of California has progressed to a point where officials feel it’s safe to lift more of the state’s stay-at-home order and allow more businesses to reopen.
The number of new coronavirus cases across the state declined from the previous week, and hospitalizations have dropped more than 15% from a peak six weeks ago, according to a Times analysis.
Most counties have received approval to progress more quickly through Phase 2 of the state’s reopening road map — meaning they can open restaurant dining rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping.
The list of counties that can ramp up their reopening efforts now includes San Diego — the state’s second-most populous — Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Orange County is still awaiting approval for its reopening plan.
Still, some local officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now. Multiple counties have expressed concern about people visiting and possibly bringing with them the coronavirus, especially during this holiday weekend.
Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County’s health officer, asked tourists to not visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week. While officials have performed “spot checks” with hotels to deter tourism, Borenstein said the county would cite visitors only in the case of “egregious violations.”
Communities in the Lake Tahoe region, which heavily depend on tourism as well, have issued reminders before the holiday weekend warning that leisure travel is not permitted.
On its website, the city of South Lake Tahoe said that although owners of second homes are now welcome, other visitors are still not. Lodging will not be available to short-term renters.
“We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now, but that’s not the safest way to bring people back to South Lake,” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement. “We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe while adhering to the governor’s stay-at-home orders.”
Times staff writers Hannah Fry, Maura Dolan and Margot Roosevelt contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-22--Can California enjoy Memorial Day without spreading coronavirus? It will be a big test

The Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a major test for California amid eased coronavirus restrictions , as officials warn social distancing is still needed to prevent new outbreaks .
Many parks , beaches and trails will be open , but officials are urging people to keep their distance and not overcrowd these outdoor spaces .
In many counties , restaurants , retailers and even shopping malls will be open , though not in hard-hit areas like Los Angeles County and many parts of the Bay Area .
“ The virus is still out there waiting for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis warned Thursday .
“ Many of our beautiful outdoor spaces are open and we can enjoy them as we practice physical distancing and wear our cloth face coverings when we ’ re around other people , ” Ferrer said .
“ The virus hasn ’ t changed .
It ’ s still relatively easy to become infected , particularly if you ’ re not taking precautions.
” L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday on Twitter : “ We need you to keep taking these actions to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around us .
1 .
Stay home as much as possible .
2 .
Continue practicing physical distancing .
3 .
Wash your hands often for 20 seconds .
4 .
Wear a face covering when you go out and are around others.
” With the lure of a three-day holiday weekend , some destinations are , while others are clamping down .
Unlike some trails that were shuttered under Ventura County orders , the popular Santa Paula Canyon and Punch Bowls Trail in Ojai Valley never closed .
But in recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , filling the parking lots and leaving behind trash , said Los Padres National Forest spokesman Andrew Madsen .
“ People have been drawn to that particular trail over the past few weeks , ” said Madsen , noting that he expects the forest will temporarily close the seven-mile trail Saturday for up to two weeks .
In the Santa Monica Mountains , park rangers are encouraging visitors to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on newly reopened trails .
But in the San Bernardino National Forest , officials will in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with chronic overcrowding .
The creek ’ s swimming holes , especially at Aztec Falls , have drawn crowds in past years that have created growing traffic and parking issues on the narrow roads .
Elsewhere in the state , officials are further encouraging social distancing .
Four San Francisco parks are being outfitted with painted circles to remind people to stay away from each other when they are outside during the coronavirus outbreak .
Ten-foot white circles , each eight feet apart , were painted on the grass of Mission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marina Green Picnic Area and Washington Square on Thursday .
Crews were completing Jackson Playground on Friday .
The pilot program is similar to an effort implemented in Domino Park in Brooklyn , said Tamara Barak Aparton , spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks .
“ We wanted to have them in place before in four different parts of the city to see how it went , ” she said .
“ It ’ s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out , so we thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get feedback on whether this helps.
” More than 40 of California ’ s 58 counties have now been approved to expand retail operations as their virus conditions improved , with more are expected to reopen their economies in the coming days .
But officials expect the in Los Angeles County , which accounts for nearly 60 % of the state ’ s total deaths and almost half of the nearly 90,000 confirmed infections .
The county ’ s death toll rose Thursday to 2,016 , with more than 42,000 confirmed cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more quickly through Phase 2 of the state ’ s reopening road map — meaning they can open restaurant dining rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping .
The list of counties that can ramp up their reopening efforts now includes San Diego — the state ’ s second-most populous — Kern , San Luis Obispo , Santa Barbara and Ventura .
Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers said he was “ so happy for our county , businesses and employees , ” adding that there ’ s still “ a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major milestone.
” “ COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on both community health and our economy , ” he said .
“ We want businesses to be able to reopen , and we believe they can and will do so safely.
” Coastal access in Orange County will be easier over the Memorial Day weekend , as several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and plan to open more parking lots connected to the shoreline .
Seal Beach officials this week authorized the city to move into Phase 2 and 3 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which expand hours for access but continue to prohibit beachgoers from lounging on the sand .
Active use such as walking , jogging , surfing or swimming is allowed and is in line with rules at other Southern California beaches .
Following a six-week closure at the start of the coronavirus pandemic , took a more cautious approach in reopening its coastline earlier this month than other beach cities .
A few miles south , Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are also allowing beach access on weekends , ahead of the Memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 a.m.-10 p.m. , while Huntington Beach opens an hour earlier .
, however , is maintaining stricter hours on Saturdays and Sundays , with its coastline closing at noon each day .
While Los Angeles County beaches also have reopened for active use , only some parking lots are open .
Beach parking lots at Dockweiler State Beach , Will Rogers State Beach , Zuma Beach and Surfrider Beach will be open at partial capacity .
Santa Monica lots are closed , as are most public beach lots in coastal communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials continue to caution residents to avoid large gatherings and outdoor crowds during the Memorial Day weekend .

Hannah Fry, Colleen Shalby, Alex Wigglesworth, Luke Money

A Seal Beach lifeguard politely reminds beachgoers to keep in motion while enjoying a day at Seal Beach on Thursday.
The Memorial Day weekend is shaping up to be a major test for California amid eased coronavirus restrictions, as officials warn social distancing is still needed to prevent new outbreaks.
Many parks, beaches and trails will be open, but officials are urging people to keep their distance and not overcrowd these outdoor spaces.
In many counties, restaurants, retailers and even shopping malls will be open, though not in hard-hit areas like Los Angeles County and many parts of the Bay Area.
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“The virus is still out there waiting for us to let our guard down,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis warned Thursday.
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer took a similarly cautious tone.
“Many of our beautiful outdoor spaces are open and we can enjoy them as we practice physical distancing and wear our cloth face coverings when we’re around other people,” Ferrer said. “The virus hasn’t changed. It’s still relatively easy to become infected, particularly if you’re not taking precautions.”
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday on Twitter: “We need you to keep taking these actions to remain healthy and safe, and protect those around us. 1. Stay home as much as possible. 2. Continue practicing physical distancing. 3. Wash your hands often for 20 seconds. 4. Wear a face covering when you go out and are around others.”
With the lure of a three-day holiday weekend, some destinations are making more room for Memorial Day revelers , while others are clamping down.
Unlike some trails that were shuttered under Ventura County orders, the popular Santa Paula Canyon and Punch Bowls Trail in Ojai Valley never closed. But in recent weeks, crowds have been gathering in droves, filling the parking lots and leaving behind trash, said Los Padres National Forest spokesman Andrew Madsen.
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“People have been drawn to that particular trail over the past few weeks,” said Madsen, noting that he expects the forest will temporarily close the seven-mile trail Saturday for up to two weeks.
In the Santa Monica Mountains, park rangers are encouraging visitors to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on newly reopened trails.
But in the San Bernardino National Forest, officials will close a 2.5-mile stretch in Deep Creek in the Lake Arrowhead area for roughly a year to deal with chronic overcrowding. The creek’s swimming holes, especially at Aztec Falls, have drawn crowds in past years that have created growing traffic and parking issues on the narrow roads.
Elsewhere in the state, officials are further encouraging social distancing.
Four San Francisco parks are being outfitted with painted circles to remind people to stay away from each other when they are outside during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ten-foot white circles, each eight feet apart, were painted on the grass of Mission Dolores Park on Wednesday, and Little Marina Green Picnic Area and Washington Square on Thursday. Crews were completing Jackson Playground on Friday.
The pilot program is similar to an effort implemented in Domino Park in Brooklyn, said Tamara Barak Aparton, spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks.
“We wanted to have them in place before Memorial Day weekend in four different parts of the city to see how it went,” she said. “It’s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out, so we thought it would be a good time to get feedback on whether this helps.”
California How to celebrate Memorial Day during the pandemic Memorial Day will be very different in 2020. Instead of large gatherings with friends and family, try some of these alternatives.
More than 40 of California’s 58 counties have now been approved to expand retail operations as their virus conditions improved, with more are expected to reopen their economies in the coming days.
But officials expect the progress to be slower in Los Angeles County, which accounts for nearly 60% of the state’s total deaths and almost half of the nearly 90,000 confirmed infections. The county’s death toll rose Thursday to 2,016, with more than 42,000 confirmed cases.
Most counties have received approval to progress more quickly through Phase 2 of the state’s reopening road map — meaning they can open restaurant dining rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping.
The list of counties that can ramp up their reopening efforts now includes San Diego — the state’s second-most populous — Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers said he was “so happy for our county, businesses and employees,” adding that there’s still “a long way to go, but this is a major milestone.”
“COVID-19 has had devastating impacts on both community health and our economy,” he said. “We want businesses to be able to reopen, and we believe they can and will do so safely.”
Coastal access in Orange County will be easier over the Memorial Day weekend, as several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and plan to open more parking lots connected to the shoreline.
Seal Beach officials this week authorized the city to move into Phase 2 and 3 of its “beach in motion” plans, which expand hours for access but continue to prohibit beachgoers from lounging on the sand. Active use such as walking, jogging, surfing or swimming is allowed and is in line with rules at other Southern California beaches.
Following a six-week closure at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Seal Beach took a more cautious approach in reopening its coastline earlier this month than other beach cities.
A few miles south, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach are also allowing beach access on weekends, ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Newport is now open 6 a.m.-10 p.m., while Huntington Beach opens an hour earlier.
Laguna Beach , however, is maintaining stricter hours on Saturdays and Sundays, with its coastline closing at noon each day.
While Los Angeles County beaches also have reopened for active use , only some parking lots are open. Beach parking lots at Dockweiler State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Zuma Beach and Surfrider Beach will be open at partial capacity. Santa Monica lots are closed, as are most public beach lots in coastal communities. Beach bathrooms remain open.
Public health officials continue to caution residents to avoid large gatherings and outdoor crowds during the Memorial Day weekend.


latimes--2020-05-22--Celebrating Eid? 5 ways to safely enjoy the holiday

The month of Ramadan is traditionally filled with community meals to break the fast , prayers in congregation at mosques and , at the end of about 30 days of fasting from dawn until dusk , Eid , a day of celebration with friends , family and food .
This year , celebrating Eid will require a more strategic approach as social distancing requirements remain in place .
If you ’ re looking for ideas to make the most of your holiday , here are some ways to safely do so .
You ’ ve been cooking and making stress-inducing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure you ’ ve got a substantial meal on the table each night to break the fast .
Traditionally Eid includes a lot of home cooking , but if you ’ ve been doing it all month , consider treating yourself .
And , a bonus , you can support some L.A. restaurants .
Here are all the right now .
Take in the great outdoors — with your mask on You might not have had enough energy during the month for recreational activity , but now that some trails and parks have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors .
It may help to walk off that hearty daytime eating — you can do that now .
In Southern California , some hiking trails are open , including at Griffith Park .
Beaches in L.A. County , San Diego , Orange , Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are open for active use — surfing , swimming , running and walking .
But they are generally closed for activities like sunbathing , gatherings larger than one household and organized sports .
Many beach-adjacent parking lots also remain closed .
L.A. County local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as are trails and golf courses that reopened ( with safety measures ) on May 9 .
The county also reopened tennis and pickleball courts , archery and shooting ranges , equestrian centers and community gardens on May 13 .
You can also visit a botanical garden and scope out this season ’ s superblooms .
While some gardens have stayed open since mid-March , others are reopening — right in time for the holiday weekend .
Like Christmas , Eid day is often a good day to head to the movies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Theaters remain closed , but you can find some drive-ins around Southern California : Here are two : Note that the theaters have some guidelines .
The precautions at the Van Buren include the following : • Movies must be watched from inside the car .
Lawn-chair and truck-bed viewing are prohibited .
• Masks are required when visiting the snack bar or bathrooms .
• Social distancing guidelines are in force at all times .
You ’ re probably a Zoom expert now — and Eid is a good day to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ host a virtual party as a way to chat not just with those nearby , but with friends and family across the globe .
Here ’ s your — including game night tips , karaoke and more .
And while you ’ re at it , you can try out some California-centric Zoom backgrounds .
And if you really need to see others — do so safely It ’ s challenging to skip out on the gatherings on one of the year ’ s only two Islamic holidays .
While gatherings are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say about safely interacting in small numbers .
and you have to keep a minimum of six feet between you .
Ideally , you should be outdoors , where there ’ s better ventilation and the virus is less space-constrained .
The main thing is that you have to agree to follow those rules and best practices to minimize the risk .
Something like putting sanitized lawn chairs at a minimum of six feet apart on your front lawn or going for a walk while wearing face coverings and maintaining that personal space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if — all involved are willing to strictly obey all social distancing and hygiene guidelines , said Paula Cannon , a virologist and professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC .

The month of Ramadan is traditionally filled with community meals to break the fast, prayers in congregation at mosques and, at the end of about 30 days of fasting from dawn until dusk, Eid, a day of celebration with friends, family and food.
This year, celebrating Eid will require a more strategic approach as social distancing requirements remain in place. If you’re looking for ideas to make the most of your holiday, here are some ways to safely do so.
Get some takeout
You’ve been cooking and making stress-inducing trips to the grocery store to make sure you’ve got a substantial meal on the table each night to break the fast. Traditionally Eid includes a lot of home cooking, but if you’ve been doing it all month, consider treating yourself.
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And, a bonus, you can support some L.A. restaurants. Here are all the L.A. restaurants offering takeout right now.
Tea leaf salad at Mutiara Food & Market, a halal Burmese restaurant and market in Inglewood. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Take in the great outdoors — with your mask on
You might not have had enough energy during the month for recreational activity, but now that some trails and parks have reopened, you can take your celebration outdoors. It may help to walk off that hearty daytime eating — you can do that now.
In Southern California, some hiking trails are open, including at Griffith Park. Beaches in L.A. County, San Diego, Orange, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are open for active use — surfing, swimming, running and walking. But they are generally closed for activities like sunbathing, gatherings larger than one household and organized sports. Many beach-adjacent parking lots also remain closed.
L.A. County local, community and regional parks are open, as are trails and golf courses that reopened (with safety measures) on May 9. The county also reopened tennis and pickleball courts, archery and shooting ranges, equestrian centers and community gardens on May 13.
You can also visit a botanical garden and scope out this season’s superblooms. While some gardens have stayed open since mid-March, others are reopening — right in time for the holiday weekend.
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The Huntington rose garden. (Tom Carruth)
Head to the movies
Like Christmas, Eid day is often a good day to head to the movies and laze after a holiday feast. Theaters remain closed, but you can find some drive-ins around Southern California.
Here are two:
Van Buren Drive-In: 3035 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside; (951) 688-2360
Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre, 10798 Ramona Ave., Montclair; (909) 628-0511
Note that the theaters have some guidelines. The precautions at the Van Buren include the following:
Movies must be watched from inside the car. Lawn-chair and truck-bed viewing are prohibited.
Masks are required when visiting the snack bar or bathrooms.
Social distancing guidelines are in force at all times.
Lifestyle What are you doing this weekend? Want to catch a drive-in movie? With its ranch-themed snack stands and prairie sunsets, the Van Buren Drive-In has been a SoCal tradition for 56 years. Beginning Friday, it joins the Mission Tiki Drive-In Theatre as two outdoor venues available for movie-goers.
Have a virtual party
You’re probably a Zoom expert now — and Eid is a good day to put those skills to use. You can host a virtual party as a way to chat not just with those nearby, but with friends and family across the globe. Here’s your guide to hosting a virtual party — including game night tips, karaoke and more.
And while you’re at it, you can try out some California-centric Zoom backgrounds.
Decor is set up for the Eid-al-Fitr holiday, including presents. (Iram Shaikh / iShaikh Photography)
And if you really need to see others — do so safely
It’s challenging to skip out on the gatherings on one of the year’s only two Islamic holidays. While gatherings are not permitted, here’s what experts say about safely interacting in small numbers:
Your faces must stay covered, and you have to keep a minimum of six feet between you. Ideally, you should be outdoors, where there’s better ventilation and the virus is less space-constrained.
The main thing is that you have to agree to follow those rules and best practices to minimize the risk. Something like putting sanitized lawn chairs at a minimum of six feet apart on your front lawn or going for a walk while wearing face coverings and maintaining that personal space bubble could be acceptable if — big if — all involved are willing to strictly obey all social distancing and hygiene guidelines, said Paula Cannon, a virologist and professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC.