latimes--2020-11-10--As California nears 1 million coronavirus cases, Thanksgiving threatens new super-spreading danger

California is approaching 1 million coronavirus cases at a crucial moment in the pandemic .
After months of declining infections amid stricter reopening rules , the virus is again spreading , with Los Angeles County and Silicon Valley seeing new surges that are sparking alarm among health officials .
The concerns are heightened by the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday .
After months of restrictions , officials fear many people will make exceptions , attending gatherings that will further increase infections as California begins the holiday season .
China showed just how destructive and deadly large family meals can be in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Year — that country ’ s version of Thanksgiving and Christmas — and related cross-country travel ended up seeding the highly contagious virus worldwide , fueling the worst global pandemic in more than a century .
The most recent spike has been attributed in part to social gatherings — including victory celebrations related to the Lakers and Dodgers .
There are also concerns that the virus might have been spread more through celebrations over Joe Biden ’ s presidential win .
But Thanksgiving brings a new level of peril .
The best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay safe is to limit celebrations to members of your household only , experts say .
And that goes for Christmas and other winter holidays too .
“ Stop .
Don ’ t do either .
Really , ” said Dr. George Rutherford , an epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert at UC San Francisco .
That includes saying no to flying home for the holidays , Rutherford said .
“ The basic advice is : Stay within your pods .
Stay within your bubbles .
Stay within your household.
” “ If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Control and Prevention ] , the main drivers nationwide — and I wouldn ’ t think that ’ s any different for California — are small gatherings , ” Rutherford said .
“ That ’ s something that I think people are really quite concerned about in my world , especially if we ’ re starting to surge right now.
” California is entering another coronavirus wave , as much of the rest of the country has done .
Health officials in Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County , Northern California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s now clear they ’ ve entered a new surge , something that can not be explained away by data reporting delays or a random bad couple of days .
On Monday night , California ’ s COVID-19 death tally surpassed 18,000 , according to The Times ’ California coronavirus tracker .
That death toll is six times worse than the one estimated for the great 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of San Francisco .
More than 982,000 coronavirus infections have been diagnosed in California .
Halloween parties may already be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in coronavirus infections .
Weekly cases in California have nearly doubled over the past month ; four weeks ago , more than 20,000 cases were reported in a week statewide , but in the last week , nearly 40,000 cases were reported for the seven-day period that ended Sunday , according to a Times analysis .
Still , California remains in better shape than other parts of the nation , a likely result of better-than-average mask use and the state ’ s slower reopening of the economy .
The Golden State has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate among the 50 states , the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico , with about 2,500 cases per 100,000 residents .
By contrast , Wisconsin and Iowa have roughly double California ’ s case rate , and North Dakota has triple .
But a version of the nightmare scenarios seen in Europe and the U.S. Midwest , where hospitals are overwhelmed , could easily happen in California if the state ’ s residents collectively shrug at the pandemic and dive into large communal Thanksgiving feasts , with family and friends flying from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day together indoors , giving hugs and taking off their masks .
Nationwide , 238,000 people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 , and more than 134,000 additional deaths are currently forecast to occur through the end of President Trump ’ s term on Jan. 20 , including about 10,000 in California , according to the University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation .
Harder-hit places “ serve as a reminder that that can easily be our reality as well , ” said Barbara Ferrer , the L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When cases surged in New York City , and we all said , ‘ Oh , you know , that ’ s not going to happen here.
’ And then in July , we had an equally troubling surge in cases .
It did happen here.
” The surge is being seen across California , according to The Times ’ analysis .
In the five-county Southern California region of L.A. , Orange , Riverside , San Bernardino and Ventura counties , weekly cases have doubled — from about 11,000 cases four weeks ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Weekly cases are up 70 % in San Diego County , from about 1,800 to 3,100 , over the same period .
Weekly cases are up 74 % in the San Joaquin Valley ; up 82 % in the San Francisco Bay Area ; and up 143 % in the Sacramento area .
The weekly rate at which California ’ s coronavirus test results are turning up positive has also dramatically increased in recent weeks , from 2.4 % in mid-October to 4.1 % for the most recent seven-day period .
Starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 consecutive weeks of declining hospitalizations related to coronavirus infections .
But that began to change last month , and in the last week , there were nearly 2,800 people on average hospitalized every day with COVID-19 infections , a 24 % increase from four weeks ago .
Last week , the deaths of 308 Californians from COVID-19 were reported , the lowest number since March .
But an increase in cases and hospitalizations will eventually lead to more deaths .
In Santa Clara County , the home to Silicon Valley , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases throughout October .
Last week , there was a steep rise .
“ It concerns all of us because it could mean that we ’ re in for a large surge that will be difficult to control , ” said Dr. Sara Cody , the Santa Clara County health officer who was one of the chief architects of the nation ’ s first regional stay-at-home order .
“ When we see a surge in cases , it is almost always followed by a surge in hospitalizations.
” Unlike Los Angeles , Riverside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area counties have enjoyed improved pandemic conditions and have advanced to less restrictive tiers in the state ’ s reopening framework .
Reopenings of businesses such as indoor gyms and indoor dining at restaurants may have to be reversed if case rates worsen .
“ What we ’ re probably seeing with these increased numbers is people just letting their guard down , ” Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said .
She said she ’ s noticed that people are willing to keep their distance from strangers , but when seeing an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embrace .
“ This is a virus where 40 % of people with infection have no symptoms , ” Cody said , yet are infectious and can transmit the potentially deadly virus to others .
State officials have offered advice on how to have gatherings of multiple households more safely : Keep them outdoors , limit them to no more than three households and no more than two hours , stay six feet away from people you don ’ t live with , wear masks when not eating or drinking , and serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while experts were hopeful about the statement issued Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine candidate by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer was 90 % effective , Gov .
Gavin Newsom warned this is no time to suddenly think it is OK to resume meeting with friends for indoor dinners , as a friend of his thought it might .
“ I had to immediately text back , saying ... this vaccine is not going to be readily available for mass distribution — not just Pfizer , but others — likely well into the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wear a mask .
Continue to physically distance , socially distance .
Do not take your guard down.
” Health officers from the Bay Area released a joint statement Monday urging residents to avoid all nonessential travel and warned that traveling outside the region will “ increase your chance of getting infected and spreading the virus to others after your return.
” Both the Bay Area health officers and the L.A. County Department of Public Health urge residents to quarantine for 14 days once they return from travel .
The virus continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Silicon Valley , the uptick is largely in adults ages 18 to 34 .
The virus also continues to spread faster in certain communities ; in Santa Clara County , it ’ s in the heavily Latino neighborhoods of East San Jose and Gilroy .
In Los Angeles , the eastern San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of Pacoima and Sun Valley have double the adjusted coronavirus case rate of the county ’ s , with the communities reporting rates of 506 cases per 100,000 residents and 456 cases per 100,000 residents , respectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countywide rate is 188 cases per 100,000 residents .
More than a dozen other communities are also of particular concern because of increasing rates of cases : Palmdale , Lancaster , East Los Angeles , Van Nuys , El Monte , Downey , Pomona , North Hollywood , Glendale , Santa Clarita , South Gate , Florence-Firestone , Canoga Park and Panorama City .
That said , experts say , the virus won ’ t just stay in certain pockets .
“ This virus is going to spread .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not just about the communities that are seeing higher case rates , ” Cody said .
There are other possible reasons for the increase in coronavirus cases statewide .
Rutherford said in Sonoma County , an increase in cases has been partly a result of people who had been isolating with COVID-19 being forced to flee because of the devastating wildfires this year .
Statewide , the virus is also disproportionately spreading through Latino communities , in both agricultural and urban settings .
Cody said she understands the pandemic fatigue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end to the pandemic , someday .
“ It takes an extraordinary amount of effort to keep it up , and people are tired .
We ’ re here today to say we hear you ... and you still have to keep it up , ” Cody said .
“ There is an end in sight .
It ’ s just not next month or the month after that .
So please , please : Keep wearing your face covering ; keep staying at home to the greatest extent that you can ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your distance .
”

California is approaching 1 million coronavirus cases at a crucial moment in the pandemic.
After months of declining infections amid stricter reopening rules, the virus is again spreading, with Los Angeles County and Silicon Valley seeing new surges that are sparking alarm among health officials.
The concerns are heightened by the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. After months of restrictions, officials fear many people will make exceptions, attending gatherings that will further increase infections as California begins the holiday season.
Advertisement
China showed just how destructive and deadly large family meals can be in a pandemic, when celebrations for the Lunar New Year — that country’s version of Thanksgiving and Christmas — and related cross-country travel ended up seeding the highly contagious virus worldwide, fueling the worst global pandemic in more than a century.
The most recent spike has been attributed in part to social gatherings — including victory celebrations related to the Lakers and Dodgers. There are also concerns that the virus might have been spread more through celebrations over Joe Biden’s presidential win.
But Thanksgiving brings a new level of peril.
The best way to ensure that family and friends stay safe is to limit celebrations to members of your household only, experts say. And that goes for Christmas and other winter holidays too.
“Stop. Don’t do either. Really,” said Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert at UC San Francisco. That includes saying no to flying home for the holidays, Rutherford said. “The basic advice is: Stay within your pods. Stay within your bubbles. Stay within your household.”
“If you listen to the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], the main drivers nationwide — and I wouldn’t think that’s any different for California — are small gatherings,” Rutherford said. “That’s something that I think people are really quite concerned about in my world, especially if we’re starting to surge right now.”
Advertisement
California is entering another coronavirus wave, as much of the rest of the country has done. Health officials in Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County, Northern California’s most populous, said Monday it’s now clear they’ve entered a new surge, something that cannot be explained away by data reporting delays or a random bad couple of days.
On Monday night, California’s COVID-19 death tally surpassed 18,000, according to The Times’ California coronavirus tracker. That death toll is six times worse than the one estimated for the great 1906 earthquake that destroyed much of San Francisco. More than 982,000 coronavirus infections have been diagnosed in California.
Halloween parties may already be to blame for some of the spike in coronavirus infections. Weekly cases in California have nearly doubled over the past month; four weeks ago, more than 20,000 cases were reported in a week statewide, but in the last week, nearly 40,000 cases were reported for the seven-day period that ended Sunday, according to a Times analysis.
Still, California remains in better shape than other parts of the nation, a likely result of better-than-average mask use and the state’s slower reopening of the economy. The Golden State has the 38th highest per capita cumulative coronavirus case rate among the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, with about 2,500 cases per 100,000 residents. By contrast, Wisconsin and Iowa have roughly double California’s case rate, and North Dakota has triple.
But a version of the nightmare scenarios seen in Europe and the U.S. Midwest, where hospitals are overwhelmed, could easily happen in California if the state’s residents collectively shrug at the pandemic and dive into large communal Thanksgiving feasts, with family and friends flying from around the country and spending half a day together indoors, giving hugs and taking off their masks.
Nationwide, 238,000 people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, and more than 134,000 additional deaths are currently forecast to occur through the end of President Trump’s term on Jan. 20, including about 10,000 in California, according to the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.
Harder-hit places “serve as a reminder that that can easily be our reality as well,” said Barbara Ferrer, the L.A. County director of public health. “When cases surged in New York City, and we all said, ‘Oh, you know, that’s not going to happen here.’ And then in July, we had an equally troubling surge in cases. It did happen here.”
The surge is being seen across California, according to The Times’ analysis. In the five-county Southern California region of L.A., Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, weekly cases have doubled — from about 11,000 cases four weeks ago to about 22,000 in the last week. Weekly cases are up 70% in San Diego County, from about 1,800 to 3,100, over the same period.
Weekly cases are up 74% in the San Joaquin Valley; up 82% in the San Francisco Bay Area; and up 143% in the Sacramento area.
The weekly rate at which California’s coronavirus test results are turning up positive has also dramatically increased in recent weeks, from 2.4% in mid-October to 4.1% for the most recent seven-day period.
Starting in late July, California had recorded 12 consecutive weeks of declining hospitalizations related to coronavirus infections. But that began to change last month, and in the last week, there were nearly 2,800 people on average hospitalized every day with COVID-19 infections, a 24% increase from four weeks ago.
Last week, the deaths of 308 Californians from COVID-19 were reported, the lowest number since March. But an increase in cases and hospitalizations will eventually lead to more deaths.
In Santa Clara County, the home to Silicon Valley, officials had been monitoring a slow increase in cases throughout October. Last week, there was a steep rise.
“It concerns all of us because it could mean that we’re in for a large surge that will be difficult to control,” said Dr. Sara Cody, the Santa Clara County health officer who was one of the chief architects of the nation’s first regional stay-at-home order. “When we see a surge in cases, it is almost always followed by a surge in hospitalizations.”
Unlike Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, most Bay Area counties have enjoyed improved pandemic conditions and have advanced to less restrictive tiers in the state’s reopening framework. Reopenings of businesses such as indoor gyms and indoor dining at restaurants may have to be reversed if case rates worsen.
California How San Francisco became a COVID-19 success story as other cities stumbled San Francisco shut down early in the pandemic and later limited reopening. Now the city is the first urban center in California where the risk of infection is rated as minimal.
“What we’re probably seeing with these increased numbers is people just letting their guard down,” Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez said. She said she’s noticed that people are willing to keep their distance from strangers, but when seeing an old friend or family member, they embrace.
“This is a virus where 40% of people with infection have no symptoms,” Cody said, yet are infectious and can transmit the potentially deadly virus to others.
State officials have offered advice on how to have gatherings of multiple households more safely: Keep them outdoors, limit them to no more than three households and no more than two hours, stay six feet away from people you don’t live with, wear masks when not eating or drinking, and serve food in single-serve disposable containers.
And while experts were hopeful about the statement issued Monday that a COVID-19 vaccine candidate by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer was 90% effective, Gov. Gavin Newsom warned this is no time to suddenly think it is OK to resume meeting with friends for indoor dinners, as a friend of his thought it might.
“I had to immediately text back, saying ... this vaccine is not going to be readily available for mass distribution — not just Pfizer, but others — likely well into the next year,” Newsom said. “Wear a mask. Continue to physically distance, socially distance. Do not take your guard down.”
Health officers from the Bay Area released a joint statement Monday urging residents to avoid all nonessential travel and warned that traveling outside the region will “increase your chance of getting infected and spreading the virus to others after your return.”
Both the Bay Area health officers and the L.A. County Department of Public Health urge residents to quarantine for 14 days once they return from travel.
The virus continues to spread most among the youngest adults; in Silicon Valley, the uptick is largely in adults ages 18 to 34.
Which California counties are reopening? To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.
The virus also continues to spread faster in certain communities; in Santa Clara County, it’s in the heavily Latino neighborhoods of East San Jose and Gilroy.
In Los Angeles, the eastern San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of Pacoima and Sun Valley have double the adjusted coronavirus case rate of the county’s, with the communities reporting rates of 506 cases per 100,000 residents and 456 cases per 100,000 residents, respectively, over the last two weeks; the countywide rate is 188 cases per 100,000 residents.
More than a dozen other communities are also of particular concern because of increasing rates of cases: Palmdale, Lancaster, East Los Angeles, Van Nuys, El Monte, Downey, Pomona, North Hollywood, Glendale, Santa Clarita, South Gate, Florence-Firestone, Canoga Park and Panorama City.
That said, experts say, the virus won’t just stay in certain pockets. “This virus is going to spread. That’s what this virus does. And so it’s not just about the communities that are seeing higher case rates,” Cody said.
There are other possible reasons for the increase in coronavirus cases statewide. Rutherford said in Sonoma County, an increase in cases has been partly a result of people who had been isolating with COVID-19 being forced to flee because of the devastating wildfires this year. Statewide, the virus is also disproportionately spreading through Latino communities, in both agricultural and urban settings.
Cody said she understands the pandemic fatigue, and said there will be an end to the pandemic, someday.
“It takes an extraordinary amount of effort to keep it up, and people are tired. We’re here today to say we hear you ... and you still have to keep it up,” Cody said. “There is an end in sight. It’s just not next month or the month after that. So please, please: Keep wearing your face covering; keep staying at home to the greatest extent that you can; keep your activities outdoors; and keep your distance.”


latimes--2020-11-10--Christy Smith overtakes incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia in 25th congressional race

Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith appears to have taken the lead over incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia in the race for the @ @ @ @ @ to the latest data from the Los Angeles and Ventura county registrar offices .
The @ @ @ @ @ a Republican , ahead by 432 votes entering Monday ’ s count .
As of @ @ @ @ @ a 1,287-vote lead .
“ Thank you for all your kindness , patience , and @ @ @ @ @ Monday night .
“ My team and I appreciate you !
We will continue to @ @ @ @ @ do their important work.
” The 25th District includes Simi Valley , Santa Clarita , @ @ @ @ @ overlaps both Los Angeles and Ventura counties .
Smith currently holds 160,756 votes , or @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 159,469 votes , or 49.8 % .
Vote-by-mail ballots will continue to be @ @ @ @ @ they were postmarked by election day .
Updated figures are expected to be released Tuesday @ @

Democratic Assemblywoman Christy Smith appears to have taken the lead over incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia in the race for the 25th Congressional District, according to the latest data from the Los Angeles and Ventura county registrar offices.
The roller-coaster race saw Garcia, a Republican, ahead by 432 votes entering Monday’s count. As of Tuesday morning, Smith holds a 1,287-vote lead.
“Thank you for all your kindness, patience, and support,” Smith tweeted Monday night. “My team and I appreciate you! We will continue to honor the process as officials do their important work.”
Advertisement
Thank you all for your kindness, patience, and support. My team and I appreciate you! We will continue to honor the process as officials do their important work.🇺🇸 https://t.co/9qdWb2KUup — Christy Smith (@ChristyforCA25) November 10, 2020
The 25th District includes Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale and Lancaster, and overlaps both Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Smith currently holds 160,756 votes, or 50.2%, to Garcia’s 159,469 votes, or 49.8%.
Vote-by-mail ballots will continue to be accepted through Nov. 20 if they were postmarked by election day. Updated figures are expected to be released Tuesday afternoon.
City News Service contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-10--Banks: A cancer survivor, he joined a coronavirus vaccine trial. He was part of Pfizer breakthrough

Three months ago , Dan Stepenosky , a colon cancer survivor , volunteered to help test a vaccine being developed to stop the coronavirus ’ spread .
Last month , his teenage daughter Kearston joined him in the trial .
For the 52-year-old lifelong educator , a few weeks of aches and pains was a small price to pay to be part of the vanguard leading the way to combat COVID-19 .
Today , the Calabasas father and daughter are savoring the news that the vaccine they received — developed by Pfizer and tested locally through Kaiser —has been 90 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus in global trials .
It may be in production by year ’ s end .
“ I guess we made the right bet , ” Stepenosky said , as the news broke .
“ I hated sitting here through all of April , May and June , watching the news and feeling like there must be something I could do.
” He heard about the trial from a doctor friend last summer .
“ I applied but figured they would reject me , that cancer would eliminate me , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the application process and got the first of his two-shot regimen on Aug. 31 .
It was a double-blind study , so he has no idea whether his vaccine was real or a placebo .
The process itself isn ’ t particularly difficult .
“ They give you a shot , watch you for a half-hour , ” then send you home with an app to check in weekly and report any symptoms , Stepenosky said .
“ If you develop symptoms they have a self-swabbing kit that they send UPS right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six office visits for bloodwork to check whether the participant is building up antigens .
He ’ s got three more visits to go .
Beyond that , participants are encouraged to live their lives normally , he said .
“ They don ’ t want someone who ’ s going to stay home and be isolated , ” he said .
“ It won ’ t be any good if you don ’ t get out , if you quarantine yourself.
” Stepenosky was a little reluctant to tell friends and co-workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine .
“ I didn ’ t want to freak anybody out , ” he said .
He got a little pushback , even from his brother , a radiologist .
“ He said , ‘ Why are you doing this ?
What ’ s your deal ?
’ ” Some people thought he shouldn ’ t be taking an unnecessary risk .
“ Some people are like , ‘ That ’ s so awesome , I ’ m amazed.
’ And some people say , ‘ You ’ re an idiot.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school physics teacher who isn ’ t swayed by others ’ opinions on the coronavirus .
“ I believe in science and I believe in medicine , so I ’ m all in.
” He was actually hoping for side effects when the vaccine kicked in .
“ I didn ’ t want the placebo , ” he said .
But when his muscles began to ache a few days later , the pain was so mild “ I didn ’ t know if that ’ s just from being 52 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much , ” he said .
The aches ebbed and flowed , “ and for three straight weeks , I wondered , is [ the vaccine ] doing this , or is my body just playing tricks ?
” He weathered it so calmly that his daughter , 16-year-old Kearston , wanted to take the leap as well .
She ’ s a Calabasas High junior , honor student and captain of the basketball team , who ’ s determined “ to do whatever I could to be that one little tiny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and get back to basketball.
” Her father wasn ’ t initially on board .
“ He worried , ” she said , “ that I might wind up missing too much school.
” But her mother , Sharon , talked with doctors , and encouraged Kearston to follow through .
“ There ’ s a certain amount of trust I had in the organizations — in Kaiser and Pfizer , ” Sharon Stepenosky said .
“ Someone ’ s got to do it , if we ’ re going to move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s great , it ’ s courageous .
So when the vaccine is available , maybe people won ’ t fear it.
” For her daughter , the fallout from the vaccine shot turned out to be rather humbling .
“ I kind of went into it with the mentality that it might be fun , ” Kearston admitted ruefully .
“ I was clearly a bit naïve.
” She wound up sick and exhausted for days , with headaches , chills and body aches .
“ I wasn ’ t scared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was inconvenient , more than anything.
” Still , for a young woman aiming for a medical career , the experience was well worth the pain .
“ It was great to see the trial close up , with its challenges and problems and how thorough everything was , ” she said .
“ Being able to play the guinea pig for such important science was super-motivating for me.
” And among her peers , she ’ s unexpectedly become a bit of a role model .
“ Most of my friends , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told them what I planned to do , ” she said .
They couldn ’ t believe her parents would let her .
It sounded so scary , they said .
“ They were pretty freaked out… but when I explained why I wanted to , they were really supportive , ” she said .
“ Some kids even reached out to me .
They think it ’ s really important , and they want to do it too.
” When I first heard from Stepenosky two weeks ago , I admired his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cavalier .
Hadn ’ t his bout with cancer been enough ?
Why risk his health again for something that ’ s not only unproven but shrouded in suspicion ?
Despite the scientific consensus that a vaccine is the only way to unshackle us from online learning , face coverings , shuttered businesses and social distancing , only about half of Americans say they intend to get immunized once a vaccine is approved .
That ’ s down from more than 70 % on surveys in May .
And that means the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t always trust Big Pharma and don ’ t believe that medical advances will be parceled out equitably .
Almost three-quarters of the skeptics surveyed tie their reluctance to concerns about side effects and questions about how effective a vaccine might actually be .
Others don ’ t trust the process , given the way the virus has been politicized .
They worry a vaccine might be rushed to the market to make a political splash .
For some , that ’ s a reason to rule out participating in trials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ persuade Stepenosky to take a chance .
“ A big part of this is that there ’ s not a lot of confidence because of the president , ” he said .
“ When the politicians lose the people ’ s trust , we ’ re in trouble .
We have to test these vaccines .
We can ’ t wait.
” But he also has a practical reason for becoming a test pioneer .
Stepenosky is superintendent of the 11,500-student Las Virgenes Unified School District , on the southwestern edge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his district became the first in Los Angeles County to allow primary-grade students to begin trickling back to scrubbed and sanitized classrooms .
Building on that progress is going to require protective measures like vaccines .
“ We ’ ve got to build up confidence in the trials and let everyone know that the people testing these vaccines are doing fine , ” Stepenosky said .
There are dozens of similar trials , in various stages , going on around the world .
And while the preliminary results of the Pfizer trial suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trial won ’ t end until researchers have been able to measure the vaccine ’ s long-term effects , Stepenosky said .
“ I think they ’ re going to stay at it .
I don ’ t think it ’ s one horse crossing the finish line , and they win and everyone else goes away.
” This is a battle that , like it or not , we are all going to be a part of for who knows how long .
And we ought to be grateful not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those ordinary folks who are willing to be poked and prodded , and assume the risks therein , so that we can ultimately venture out unmasked again .

Dan Stepenosky of Calabasas takes part in a coronavirus vaccine trial as part of a Pfizer study that has yielded positive results.
Three months ago, Dan Stepenosky, a colon cancer survivor, volunteered to help test a vaccine being developed to stop the coronavirus’ spread. Last month, his teenage daughter Kearston joined him in the trial.
For the 52-year-old lifelong educator, a few weeks of aches and pains were a small price to pay to be part of the vanguard leading the way to combat COVID-19.
Today, the Calabasas father and daughter are savoring the news that the vaccine they received — developed by Pfizer and tested locally through Kaiser —has been 90% effective in protecting people from transmission of the virus in global trials. It may be in production by year’s end.
Advertisement
Dan Stepenosky said he agreed to join the vaccine trial despite being a cancer survivor because “I believe in science.” (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
“I guess we made the right bet,” Stepenosky said, as the news broke. “I hated sitting here through all of April, May and June, watching the news and feeling like there must be something I could do.”
He heard about the trial from a doctor friend last summer.
“I applied but figured they would reject me, that cancer would eliminate me,” he said. But he made it through the application process and got the first of his two-shot regimen on Aug. 31. It was a double-blind study, so he has no idea whether his vaccine was real or a placebo.
The process itself isn’t particularly difficult.
“They give you a shot, watch you for a half-hour,” then send you home with an app to check in weekly and report any symptoms, Stepenosky said. “If you develop symptoms they have a self-swabbing kit that they send UPS right out to pick up.”
There are six office visits for bloodwork to check whether the participant is building up antigens. He has three more visits to go.
Beyond that, participants are encouraged to live their lives normally, he said.
“They don’t want someone who’s going to stay home and be isolated,” he said. “It won’t be any good if you don’t get out, if you quarantine yourself.”
::
Stepenosky was a little reluctant to tell friends and co-workers that he’d agreed to test the vaccine.
Advertisement
“I didn’t want to freak anybody out,” he said. He got a little pushback, even from his brother, a radiologist. “He said, ‘Why are you doing this? What’s your deal?’”
Some people thought he shouldn’t be taking an unnecessary risk.
“Some people are like, ‘That’s so awesome, I’m amazed.’ And some people say, ‘You’re an idiot.’” But Stepenosky is a former high school physics teacher who isn’t swayed by others’ opinions on the coronavirus. “I believe in science and I believe in medicine, so I’m all in.”
He was actually hoping for side effects when the vaccine kicked in.
“I didn’t want the placebo,” he said.
But when his muscles began to ache a few days later, the pain was so mild “I didn’t know if that’s just from being 52, or if I was thinking about it too much,” he said. The aches ebbed and flowed, “and for three straight weeks, I wondered, is [the vaccine] doing this, or is my body just playing tricks?”
Kearston Stepenosky said of her vaccine trial experience: “Being able to play the guinea pig for such important science was super-motivating for me.” (Dan Stepenosky)
He weathered it so calmly that his daughter, 16-year-old Kearston, wanted to take the leap as well.
She’s a Calabasas High junior, honor student and captain of the basketball team, who’s determined “to do whatever I could to be that one little tiny statistic that helps us get back to school and get back to basketball.”
Her father wasn’t initially on board. “He worried,” she said, “that I might wind up missing too much school.”
But her mother, Sharon, talked with doctors, and encouraged Kearston to follow through.
“There’s a certain amount of trust I had in the organizations — in Kaiser and Pfizer,” Sharon Stepenosky said. “Someone’s got to do it, if we’re going to move the process forward. I think it’s great, it’s courageous. So when the vaccine is available, maybe people won’t fear it.”
For her daughter, the fallout from the vaccine shot turned out to be rather humbling. “I kind of went into it with the mentality that it might be fun,” Kearston admitted ruefully. “I was clearly a bit naïve.”
She wound up sick and exhausted for days, with headaches, chills and body aches. “I wasn’t scared,” she insisted. “It was inconvenient, more than anything.”
Still, for a young woman aiming for a medical career, the experience was well worth the pain.
“It was great to see the trial close up, with its challenges and problems and how thorough everything was,” she said. “Being able to play the guinea pig for such important science was super-motivating for me.”
And among her peers, she’s unexpectedly become a bit of a role model. “Most of my friends, they were a little shocked when I told them what I planned to do,” she said. They couldn’t believe her parents would let her. It sounded so scary, they said.
“They were pretty freaked out… but when I explained why I wanted to, they were really supportive,” she said. “Some kids even reached out to me. They think it’s really important, and they want to do it too.”
::
When I first heard from Stepenosky two weeks ago, I admired his ardor but considered his confidence a bit cavalier. Hadn’t his bout with cancer been enough? Why risk his health again for something that’s not only unproven but shrouded in suspicion?
Despite the scientific consensus that a vaccine is the only way to unshackle us from online learning, face coverings, shuttered businesses and social distancing, only about half of Americans say they intend to get immunized once a vaccine is approved. That’s down from more than 70% on surveys in May.
And that means the problem is people like me, who don’t always trust Big Pharma and don’t believe that medical advances will be parceled out equitably.
Almost three-quarters of the skeptics surveyed tied their reluctance to concerns about side effects and questions about how effective a vaccine might actually be. Others don’t trust the process, given the way the virus has been politicized. They worry a vaccine might be rushed to the market to make a political splash.
For some, that’s a reason to rule out participating in trials. But it’s also what helped persuade Stepenosky to take a chance.
“A big part of this is that there’s not a lot of confidence because of the president,” he said. “When the politicians lose the people’s trust, we’re in trouble. We have to test these vaccines. We can’t wait.”
But he also has a practical reason for becoming a test pioneer. Stepenosky is superintendent of the 11,500-student Las Virgenes Unified School District, on the southwestern edge of the San Fernando Valley. On Monday, his district became the first in Los Angeles County to allow primary-grade students to begin trickling back to scrubbed and sanitized classrooms. Building on that progress is going to require protective measures like vaccines.
“We’ve got to build up confidence in the trials and let everyone know that the people testing these vaccines are doing fine,” Stepenosky said.
There are dozens of similar trials, in various stages, going on around the world. And although the preliminary results of the Pfizer trial suggest it’s headed for success, the trial won’t end until researchers have been able to measure the vaccine’s long-term effects, Stepenosky said.
“I think they’re going to stay at it. I don’t think it’s one horse crossing the finish line, and they win and everyone else goes away.”
This is a battle that, like it or not, we are all going to be a part of for who knows how long. And we ought to be grateful not only for the ranks of essential workers but also for those ordinary folks who are willing to be poked and prodded, and assume the risks therein, so that we can ultimately venture out unmasked again.


latimes--2020-11-10--Column: Will not having to fend off Trump's attacks mean a California renaissance? Not likely

California was a big winner when Joe Biden became the president-elect .
For the last four years , President Trump has done everything he can to undermine the state ’ s environmental initiatives , immigration policies , COVID-19 efforts and healthcare .
He probably would have started allowing fracking on Half Dome if he ’ d gotten another four years .
So , yes , it ’ ll be nice to have a president who isn ’ t trying to punish us , and who may even have a few fond feelings for California .
His vice president is from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom raised millions of dollars for Biden and campaigned for him in Nevada .
But don ’ t think for a minute that all California ’ s worries will magically come to an end anytime soon .
“ It gets interesting when all that ails society can no longer be blamed on Trump or the feds , ” said Austin Beutner , superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District , where 90 % of the students are minorities , and 80 % live at or below the poverty level .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as is the gap between haves and have-nots .
When do we start to hold all in office accountable ?
” asked the superintendent .
California has a lot to be proud of , for sure , with assets most states would steal if they could .
It ’ s the world ’ s fifth-largest economy , having spawned a tech revolution that transformed the world .
But before you slap yourself on the back , don ’ t forget that we also have the nation ’ s highest rate of poverty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ income gap is as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon .
Or that the state homeless count is greater than the population of Pasadena .
That housing costs have risen to ridiculous heights , while wages remain as flat as the Central Valley .
And that despite all our forward thinking on the environment , we ’ ve paved paradise , sprawled ourselves into dangerous fire zones , drive alone in gigantic vehicles and foul the air .
Trump is a menace , a liar and a lout who paid more in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he didn ’ t have any real answers for California or the rest of the country , despite his bold promises on healthcare reform and a storm of living-wage jobs .
But he didn ’ t invent the problems California has struggled with since long before he moved into the White House .
Those challenges existed under President Obama , a Democrat , and many of them are likely to endure under Biden .
Or , as a Trump supporter said to me this week in an argument I ’ ve heard a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on with your Democrat mayor , your Democrat governor , your Democrat lieutenant governor , your Democrat California Senate , your Democrat House of Representatives , your Democrat California U.S .
Senators ... your Democrat President Biden , and let ’ s see where this city , state and country are in four years .
I ’ d wager to say : not better than where we are today.
” I ’ ll give my critic this much — Sacramento would be a more interesting place if a two-party system still existed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dominate much of California : The state GOP hasn ’ t produced any winning ideas in decades , and it has alienated much of the increasingly diverse population .
Of course , lately , the record of Democrats is nothing to brag about , either .
The Legislature keeps introducing affordable housing bills that don ’ t go anywhere .
COVID-19 has hit low-income minority communities hardest , exposing deep inequalities in health and access to care .
The state remains in the lower tiers of national rankings in funding per pupil , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And while the taxpayer tab for addressing homelessness is in the billions of dollars , the unhoused population only grows , and you can take snapshots of L.A. County sidewalks , alleys , parks , beaches and riverbeds that look as if they were taken in Third World countries .
There ’ s hope that three new members of the L.A. City Council — Mark Ridley-Thomas , Nithya Raman and Kevin de León — will bring some fresh thinking to the homelessness strategy sessions .
And it looks as though there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than permanent supportive housing , because that might move people off the streets faster and at a lower cost .
But the coronavirus has drained resources and burned money , so anyone looking for a quick turnaround is likely to be disappointed .
“ This humanitarian crisis and dystopian nightmare requires all hands on deck , ” de León told The Times .
“ Silos must be decimated , and all levels of government must coalesce.
” Yeah , I think we ’ ve heard that before .
Washington has to step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying for years .
Good luck with that .
Biden ’ s first priority must be the pandemic , and beyond that , he might run into a wall if we find out in January that the GOP holds onto control of the Senate .
Antonia Hernández , president and chief executive of the California Community Foundation , is both optimistic and realistic about what we can expect from the new man in the White House .
“ I ’ ve been telling folks a Biden presidency will give us a pause , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some consistency and some sense of normal.
” Biden is a decent and compassionate person who can relate to the challenges of regular people , she said , and that alone is reassuring .
But there are no magical solutions to deep-seated problems , she added , and the federal government will be further strapped if there ’ s another stimulus package for people and businesses hammered by the virus .
“ We can not look to Washington to solve our problems , ” Hernández said .
California has to find ways to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be perceived as anti-business.
” In California and in Washington , the pressure is now on Democrats to figure it out .
If we can get the coronavirus behind us in the next several months , maybe Biden can resurrect the national infrastructure program , putting people to work fixing highways , bridges , tunnels and airports .
It would be expensive , but at least we ’ d be getting something necessary , and the paychecks would help fuel the economy .
The Green New Deal may be too ambitious to deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can ’ t begin moving toward addressing climate change — and building a new economy in the process .
Workforce housing , affordable electric vehicles , better schools , a more effective use of homeless service money , colleges that don ’ t break the bank : The Dems have talked about it all for years but haven ’ t produced .
If they don ’ t figure it out , guess who might be back in four years .
Yes , he can run again .

Could California have survived another four years of President Trump?
California was a big winner when Joe Biden became the president-elect.
For the last four years, President Trump has done everything he can to undermine the state’s environmental initiatives, immigration policies, COVID-19 efforts and healthcare. He probably would have started allowing fracking on Half Dome if he’d gotten another four years.
So, yes, it’ll be nice to have a president who isn’t trying to punish us, and who may even have a few fond feelings for California. His vice president is from here, after all, and Gov. Gavin Newsom raised millions of dollars for Biden and campaigned for him in Nevada.
Advertisement
But don’t think for a minute that all California’s worries will magically come to an end anytime soon.
“It gets interesting when all that ails society can no longer be blamed on Trump or the feds,” said Austin Beutner, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, where 90% of the students are minorities, and 80% live at or below the poverty level.
“Homelessness is growing in L.A., as is the gap between haves and have-nots. When do we start to hold all in office accountable?” asked the superintendent.
California has a lot to be proud of, for sure, with assets most states would steal if they could. It’s the world’s fifth-largest economy, having spawned a tech revolution that transformed the world. But before you slap yourself on the back, don’t forget that we also have the nation’s highest rate of poverty.
And don’t forget that the income gap is as deep and wide as the Grand Canyon.
Or that the state homeless count is greater than the population of Pasadena.
Advertisement
That housing costs have risen to ridiculous heights, while wages remain as flat as the Central Valley.
And that despite all our forward thinking on the environment, we’ve paved paradise, sprawled ourselves into dangerous fire zones, drive alone in gigantic vehicles and foul the air.
Trump is a menace, a liar and a lout who paid more in hush money than in taxes, and he didn’t have any real answers for California or the rest of the country, despite his bold promises on healthcare reform and a storm of living-wage jobs.
But he didn’t invent the problems California has struggled with since long before he moved into the White House. Those challenges existed under President Obama, a Democrat, and many of them are likely to endure under Biden.
Or, as a Trump supporter said to me this week in an argument I’ve heard a thousand times: “Well, carry on with your Democrat mayor, your Democrat governor, your Democrat lieutenant governor, your Democrat California Senate, your Democrat House of Representatives, your Democrat California U.S. Senators ... your Democrat President Biden, and let’s see where this city, state and country are in four years. I’d wager to say: not better than where we are today.”
I’ll give my critic this much — Sacramento would be a more interesting place if a two-party system still existed, but there’s a reason Democrats dominate much of California: The state GOP hasn’t produced any winning ideas in decades, and it has alienated much of the increasingly diverse population.
Of course, lately, the record of Democrats is nothing to brag about, either.
The Legislature keeps introducing affordable housing bills that don’t go anywhere.
COVID-19 has hit low-income minority communities hardest, exposing deep inequalities in health and access to care.
The state remains in the lower tiers of national rankings in funding per pupil, after many years in the top tiers.
And while the taxpayer tab for addressing homelessness is in the billions of dollars, the unhoused population only grows, and you can take snapshots of L.A. County sidewalks, alleys, parks, beaches and riverbeds that look as if they were taken in Third World countries.
There’s hope that three new members of the L.A. City Council — Mark Ridley-Thomas, Nithya Raman and Kevin de León — will bring some fresh thinking to the homelessness strategy sessions. And it looks as though there will be greater emphasis on interim housing, rather than permanent supportive housing, because that might move people off the streets faster and at a lower cost.
But the coronavirus has drained resources and burned money, so anyone looking for a quick turnaround is likely to be disappointed.
“This humanitarian crisis and dystopian nightmare requires all hands on deck,” de León told The Times. “Silos must be decimated, and all levels of government must coalesce.”
Yeah, I think we’ve heard that before.
So what’s the plan?
Washington has to step up, Mayor Eric Garcetti has been saying for years.
Good luck with that. Biden’s first priority must be the pandemic, and beyond that, he might run into a wall if we find out in January that the GOP holds onto control of the Senate.
Antonia Hernández, president and chief executive of the California Community Foundation, is both optimistic and realistic about what we can expect from the new man in the White House.
“I’ve been telling folks a Biden presidency will give us a pause,” said Hernández, along with “some consistency and some sense of normal.” Biden is a decent and compassionate person who can relate to the challenges of regular people, she said, and that alone is reassuring.
But there are no magical solutions to deep-seated problems, she added, and the federal government will be further strapped if there’s another stimulus package for people and businesses hammered by the virus.
“We cannot look to Washington to solve our problems,” Hernández said. California has to find ways to “create more living-wage jobs and not be perceived as anti-business.”
In California and in Washington, the pressure is now on Democrats to figure it out.
If we can get the coronavirus behind us in the next several months, maybe Biden can resurrect the national infrastructure program, putting people to work fixing highways, bridges, tunnels and airports. It would be expensive, but at least we’d be getting something necessary, and the paychecks would help fuel the economy.
The Green New Deal may be too ambitious to deliver, but that doesn’t mean we can’t begin moving toward addressing climate change — and building a new economy in the process.
Workforce housing, affordable electric vehicles, better schools, a more effective use of homeless service money, colleges that don’t break the bank: The Dems have talked about it all for years but haven’t produced.
If they don’t figure it out, guess who might be back in four years.
Yes, he can run again.
Steve.lopez@latimes.com


latimes--2020-11-11--California went big for Biden. Now its cities, counties and schools are seeking relief

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has high hopes for a Joe Biden presidency , saying it could bring the region more money for public transit and an end to overseas trade wars .
For Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf , a Biden presidency would put a stop to her city ’ s battle with President Trump over immigration raids .
And for San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo , the Biden era could mean financial relief for cities desperately trying to balance budgets and avoid slashing services .
“ That ’ s foremost on a lot of mayors ’ minds right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relief package through , ” he said .
“ Because I think many of us expect that the worst of the economic crisis is still ahead of us.
” The ticket of Biden and Kamala Harris swept California this year , to no one ’ s surprise , securing nearly two-thirds of the vote so far .
The margins were even higher in the state ’ s biggest cities , frequently topping 70 % .
Now , officials in the state ’ s major urban areas , and in multiple sectors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engineer a burst of financial support , helping Californians reeling from job losses and struggling to educate their children , while stemming the spread of COVID-19 .
Few big cities in California have more on the line than Los Angeles , which is grappling with a major homelessness crisis and a projected deficit of at least $ 400 million by the end of June — a figure equal to nearly all of the city ’ s reserves .
One dire projection has put the city ’ s financial gap at $ 600 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general fund , which pays for police , firefighters and other core services .
Without a relief bill , “ we ’ re going to see layoffs , ” said Councilman Joe Buscaino , who represents a district stretching from Watts to San Pedro .
Biden vowed during the campaign to provide financial aid to state and local governments , helping them avert layoffs of teachers , firefighters and other public employees .
He promised to bring congressional leaders together on financial relief measures , increasing Social Security checks by $ 200 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per person in student loan debt .
Those efforts have been complicated by the Democrats ’ failure to take control of the Senate , which declined before the election to take up a House bill containing nearly $ 1 trillion for state and local governments .
Buscaino , who is president of the National League of Cities , which advocates for thousands of cities nationwide , was disappointed to see the relief bill stall .
But he remains optimistic that Biden , who began his political career on the New Castle County Council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities and counties .
“ He gets us .
He understands us .
It ’ s where he started , ” Buscaino said .
It ’ s still possible that Trump and Congress could reach an agreement on limited COVID-19 relief , said political analyst Jessica Levinson .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-San Francisco ) said last week that she was prepared to keep working with the president and the GOP , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-Ky. ) has argued in favor of a “ highly targeted ” bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding off until next year , in hopes of securing a larger package under a new president , said Levinson , a Loyola Law School professor .
And depending on the fate of two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia , there could easily be a divided federal government under Biden , she said .
“ Even with Kamala Harris having a big seat at the table , I don ’ t think California and Los Angeles should expect a windfall , ” Levinson said .
Among officials in California , the hopes for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ categories .
Some , like those working inside Los Angeles City Hall , are looking to stay financially afloat .
Others are thinking of long-range goals , such as new infrastructure projects and measures to combat climate change .
Still others are banking on a new era of cooperation and an end to legal and political skirmishes with the Trump administration .
Earlier this year , the California Community College system sued the federal government , saying it was illegally denying coronavirus relief funds to an array of students , including those participating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Eloy Ortiz Oakley , chancellor of the community college system , said he has “ no doubt ” that Biden will work more collaboratively .
“ I ’ m just looking forward to a very different tone , ” Oakley said .
“ And not having to worry about what fight I ’ m going to have to fight with the Department of Education this week.
” Schaaf , the Oakland mayor , said her city has been at odds with Trump for his threat to cut funding for “ sanctuary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her constituents that a federal immigration raid was imminent , prompting Trump to call on the Department of Justice for an investigation of her actions .
“ It will be a relief simply to have a president who is not at war with America ’ s diverse , progressive cities and , instead , to actually have allies in the White House , ” she said .
“ I can not tell you how relieved I am for my city.
” Judd Deere , a Trump spokesman , disputed the notion that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president had delivered “ unprecedented ” resources for combating coronavirus to a state that has long been mismanaged .
“ The president ushered in a new era of economic dominance before the onset of the pandemic and prioritized keeping our citizens safe , ” Deere said in an email .
“ Instead , California ’ s leaders have supported destructive liberal policies that killed jobs , increased housing costs , provided sanctuary to criminal illegal aliens and ignored long-time environmental issues.
” Under Trump , California received $ 15.3 billion in CARES @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5.8 billion going directly to the state ’ s most populous counties and cities .
The remaining $ 9.5 billion was divvied up by Gov .
Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers , with more than half going to K-12 schools and smaller communities .
Nevertheless , public school officials warn they still need help covering massive costs created by the pandemic , including the purchase of computers and WiFi hot spots , teacher training and other expenses related to online learning .
School districts have also poured money into safety measures aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 testing , air filters and personal protective equipment .
And while this year ’ s state budget granted school districts a short-term financial reprieve , the spending plan was dependent on an expected $ 14 billion in federal relief funds , education officials said .
“ If we don ’ t see a federal backfill , there is a huge funding cliff that is facing schools in the coming year , ” said Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez , president of the California School Boards Assn .
“ It ’ s a scary prospect when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that schools would see if we do not get additional federal funding this year.
” Despite major gains in online learning , up to 1 million California students still lack connectivity , state education officials said .
Debra Duardo , superintendent of the L.A. County Office of Education , said she would like the Biden administration to find ways to increase high-speed internet access for students , possibly by having the Federal Communications Commission allow discounts for students studying at home .
U.S. Rep. Lou Correa ( D-Santa Ana ) said Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and safely reopening the economy .
“ My biggest employer in my district is Disneyland , and they are shut down tight , ” he said .
“ And that means the hotels around them are dying .
The little stores and hotels are going out of business.
” While public officials universally want action on COVID-19 , some are looking beyond the pandemic to an array of initiatives that might not have previously been possible .
Hahn , the county supervisor , has a long wish list for a Biden administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Westside with the San Fernando Valley , money to replace existing bus and truck fleets with electric vehicles , an immigration reform bill that ensures that “ residents of L.A. County don ’ t have to be afraid of being assaulted in the early mornings by [ Immigration and Customs Enforcement ] .
” “ He ’ s going to get back to the things that matter : clean air , clean water , transportation , affordable housing , ” said Hahn , whose district stretches from Diamond Bar to Marina del @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from both the state and federal government to respond to the pandemic , including $ 1.2 billion from the CARES Act , half of which has gone toward public health , emergency food relief and efforts to slow the spread of the virus .
With unemployment high , some worry that a growing number of residents will turn to the county ’ s safety-net services , just as tax revenue has softened .
Supervisor Hilda Solis said she ’ s optimistic that Biden and his allies will provide relief to local agencies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 35-billion budget and a population of 10 million .
“ They know when L.A. County coughs , there ’ s going to be tremors , ” Solis said .
Times staff writers Nina Agrawal , Jaclyn Cosgrove , Paloma Esquivel , Jennifer Haberkorn and John Myers contributed to this report .

David Zahniser, Benjamin Oreskes, Dakota Smith

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn has high hopes for a Joe Biden presidency, saying it could bring the region more money for public transit and an end to overseas trade wars.
For Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, a Biden presidency would put a stop to her city’s battle with President Trump over immigration raids. And for San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, the Biden era could mean financial relief for cities desperately trying to balance budgets and avoid slashing services.
“That’s foremost on a lot of mayors’ minds right now — just, can we get a relief package through,” he said. “Because I think many of us expect that the worst of the economic crisis is still ahead of us.”
Advertisement
The ticket of Biden and Kamala Harris swept California this year, to no one’s surprise, securing nearly two-thirds of the vote so far. The margins were even higher in the state’s biggest cities, frequently topping 70%.
Now, officials in the state’s major urban areas, and in multiple sectors of local government, are hoping Biden can engineer a burst of financial support, helping Californians reeling from job losses and struggling to educate their children, while stemming the spread of COVID-19.
Few big cities in California have more on the line than Los Angeles, which is grappling with a major homelessness crisis and a projected deficit of at least $400 million by the end of June — a figure equal to nearly all of the city’s reserves. One dire projection has put the city’s financial gap at $600 million, or nearly a tenth of the general fund, which pays for police, firefighters and other core services.
Without a relief bill, “we’re going to see layoffs,” said Councilman Joe Buscaino, who represents a district stretching from Watts to San Pedro.
Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino said that unless L.A. receives federal relief, “we’re going to see layoffs.” (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)
Biden vowed during the campaign to provide financial aid to state and local governments, helping them avert layoffs of teachers, firefighters and other public employees. He promised to bring congressional leaders together on financial relief measures, increasing Social Security checks by $200 per month and forgiving at least $10,000 per person in student loan debt.
Advertisement
Those efforts have been complicated by the Democrats’ failure to take control of the Senate, which declined before the election to take up a House bill containing nearly $1 trillion for state and local governments.
Buscaino, who is president of the National League of Cities, which advocates for thousands of cities nationwide, was disappointed to see the relief bill stall. But he remains optimistic that Biden, who began his political career on the New Castle County Council in Delaware, will look out for cities and counties.
“He gets us. He understands us. It’s where he started,” Buscaino said.
It’s still possible that Trump and Congress could reach an agreement on limited COVID-19 relief, said political analyst Jessica Levinson. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said last week that she was prepared to keep working with the president and the GOP, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has argued in favor of a “highly targeted” bill.
However, Democrats could end up holding off until next year, in hopes of securing a larger package under a new president, said Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor. And depending on the fate of two U.S. Senate seats in Georgia, there could easily be a divided federal government under Biden, she said.
“Even with Kamala Harris having a big seat at the table, I don’t think California and Los Angeles should expect a windfall,” Levinson said.
Among officials in California, the hopes for a Biden administration are falling into three categories. Some, like those working inside Los Angeles City Hall, are looking to stay financially afloat. Others are thinking of long-range goals, such as new infrastructure projects and measures to combat climate change. Still others are banking on a new era of cooperation and an end to legal and political skirmishes with the Trump administration.
Earlier this year, the California Community College system sued the federal government, saying it was illegally denying coronavirus relief funds to an array of students, including those participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Eloy Ortiz Oakley, chancellor of the community college system, said he has “no doubt” that Biden will work more collaboratively.
“I’m just looking forward to a very different tone,” Oakley said. “And not having to worry about what fight I’m going to have to fight with the Department of Education this week.”
Schaaf, the Oakland mayor, said her city has been at odds with Trump for his threat to cut funding for “sanctuary cities.” In 2018, she alerted her constituents that a federal immigration raid was imminent, prompting Trump to call on the Department of Justice for an investigation of her actions.
“It will be a relief simply to have a president who is not at war with America’s diverse, progressive cities and, instead, to actually have allies in the White House,” she said. “I cannot tell you how relieved I am for my city.”
Judd Deere, a Trump spokesman, disputed the notion that the administration had been insufficiently supportive, saying the president had delivered “unprecedented” resources for combating coronavirus to a state that has long been mismanaged.
“The president ushered in a new era of economic dominance before the onset of the pandemic and prioritized keeping our citizens safe,” Deere said in an email. “Instead, California’s leaders have supported destructive liberal policies that killed jobs, increased housing costs, provided sanctuary to criminal illegal aliens and ignored long-time environmental issues.”
Under Trump, California received $15.3 billion in CARES Act funding earlier this year, with $5.8 billion going directly to the state’s most populous counties and cities. The remaining $9.5 billion was divvied up by Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers, with more than half going to K-12 schools and smaller communities.
Nevertheless, public school officials warn they still need help covering massive costs created by the pandemic, including the purchase of computers and WiFi hot spots, teacher training and other expenses related to online learning.
School districts have also poured money into safety measures aimed at helping students return to campus: COVID-19 testing, air filters and personal protective equipment. And while this year’s state budget granted school districts a short-term financial reprieve, the spending plan was dependent on an expected $14 billion in federal relief funds, education officials said.
“If we don’t see a federal backfill, there is a huge funding cliff that is facing schools in the coming year,” said Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, president of the California School Boards Assn. “It’s a scary prospect when you look at the kind of cuts that schools would see if we do not get additional federal funding this year.”
Despite major gains in online learning, up to 1 million California students still lack connectivity, state education officials said. Debra Duardo, superintendent of the L.A. County Office of Education, said she would like the Biden administration to find ways to increase high-speed internet access for students, possibly by having the Federal Communications Commission allow discounts for students studying at home.
U.S. Rep. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) said Biden’s top priority will have to be COVID-19 and safely reopening the economy.
“My biggest employer in my district is Disneyland, and they are shut down tight,” he said. “And that means the hotels around them are dying. The little stores and hotels are going out of business.”
While public officials universally want action on COVID-19, some are looking beyond the pandemic to an array of initiatives that might not have previously been possible.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, pictured in 2016, has high hopes for President-elect Joe Biden. “He’s going to get back to the things that matter,” she said. (Los Angeles Times)
Hahn, the county supervisor, has a long wish list for a Biden administration: funding for rail lines that connect the Westside with the San Fernando Valley, money to replace existing bus and truck fleets with electric vehicles, an immigration reform bill that ensures that “residents of L.A. County don’t have to be afraid of being assaulted in the early mornings by [Immigration and Customs Enforcement].”
“He’s going to get back to the things that matter: clean air, clean water, transportation, affordable housing,” said Hahn, whose district stretches from Diamond Bar to Marina del Rey.
L.A. County has received funding from both the state and federal government to respond to the pandemic, including $1.2 billion from the CARES Act, half of which has gone toward public health, emergency food relief and efforts to slow the spread of the virus. With unemployment high, some worry that a growing number of residents will turn to the county’s safety-net services, just as tax revenue has softened.
Supervisor Hilda Solis said she’s optimistic that Biden and his allies will provide relief to local agencies, including the county, which has a $35-billion budget and a population of 10 million.
“They know when L.A. County coughs, there’s going to be tremors,” Solis said.
Times staff writers Nina Agrawal, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Paloma Esquivel, Jennifer Haberkorn and John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-11--Republicans pushing back the 2018 'blue wave' in Orange County

Two years ago marked a monumental shift for California politics : Four districts in the then-Republican bastion of Orange County flipped blue , ushering in four Democrats to the House of Representatives .
But 2020 is shaping up as a reversal of that blue wave , although how big a retrenchment it will be remains an open question .
With few ballots left to count , Republicans have taken back at least one seat in Orange County and padded their vote lead in other swing districts across Southern California .
In a major win for the GOP , California 48th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , conceded to his Republican opponent , Michelle Steel on Tuesday , in one of several hard-fought races in areas that until recently were considered conservative strongholds .
Steel remained ahead of Rouda by 2 % , or 7,000 votes , as of Tuesday .
O.C .
Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said all in-person votes and 99 % of mail-in ballots have been counted , leaving about 28,000 ballots to be processed .
Kelley said he anticipates the final tally to be complete in about two weeks .
Steel ’ s win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP lost in the 2018 midterm elections , when Democrats made big gains in O.C .
and other red-leaning areas .
The historic clean sweep gave Democrats control of all seven O.C .
seats during the 116th Congress .
The 2018 results delivered a blow to Republicans in California ’ s moneyed coast , home to sprawling suburbs and the birthplace of Richard Nixon , the region described by Ronald Reagan as “ a place where good Republicans go to die.
” The post-election day success for these Republican candidates is a shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University research analyst and co-director of the annual O.C .
survey Michael Moodian .
“ In the past we ’ ve seen Republicans doing well on election night and Democrats making ground from mail-in ballots , ” Moodian said .
“ But the numbers being released after election day are favoring Republicans , which says to me that more Democrats voted early.
” The switch also could mean that more Republicans registered on election day to vote in person .
Steel , 65 , will become one of the first two Korean American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , along with incoming Democratic representative Marilyn Strickland of Washington , who is of African American and Korean descent .
While voter registration has flipped in favor of Democrats across the county , Steel ’ s district remains one of two that maintain a Republican voter registration advantage .
“ This victory has been hard-fought and hard-won , and I could not be more humbled to have your support nor more honored to serve our community in Congress , ” Steel , a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors , wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s get to work.
” The race between Rouda and Steel campaigns was as hard-fought as it was narrowly won .
From social media posts to television ads , Steel ’ s campaign portrayed Rouda as a politician who would raise taxes .
Rouda ’ s campaign countered by branding Steel as “ the most corrupt politician in O.C.
” Rouda was endorsed by Joe Biden , whom O.C .
.
Four years ago , the 58-year-old lawyer ousted 15-term Republican Dana Rohrabacher , who became during his final term .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties plan to continue fighting for control over the district , Rouda already has announced his intention to run again in the upcoming midterm election , when voters can “ compare my opponent ’ s two years in Congress with my accomplishments on Nov. 8 , 2022.
” Democratic Party of Orange County chair Ada Briceño reiterated the sentiment in a statement .
“ Congressman Harley Rouda is an outstanding leader who put Orange County residents first .
This election was extremely close , so make no mistake : We ’ re taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
In another tight race in Orange County , challenger Young Kim , a former state assemblywoman , is trying to oust incumbent Gil Cisneros in their .
Kim , who won the district ’ s March primary by more than 2,000 votes , currently has a lead of around 4,000 votes , or 1.2 % of ballots .
The Korean immigrant started her career running a women ’ s apparel business and later organized community outreach projects for Rep. Ed Royce ( R-Fullerton ) , while serving occasional stints as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an underdog competitor to Cisneros , a lottery winner-turned philanthropist and politician , Kim faced a disadvantage in a district where 37 % of registered voters are Democrats .
Republicans made up 32.5 % and independents made up 28.7 % of the registered voters in October .
On election night , both Cisneros and Rouda took early leads , but since then their Republican opponents have steadily gained ground .
In yet another hotly contested campaign , in northern Los Angeles County , incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia , a Republican , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Assemblywoman Christy Smith in the race for the 25th Congressional District , according to the latest data from the Los Angeles and Ventura county registrar offices .
In 2018 , that seat flipped from red to blue when Democratic newcomer Katie Hill unseated Republican incumbent Steve Knight .
But Hill resigned less than a year into her term after admitting an inappropriate relationship with a campaign staffer .
The vote count has see-sawed between Garcia and Smith , who held the lead Monday .
Moodian said that Garcia ’ s win in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given a misleading understanding of the political alignment of the district , which includes Santa Clarita and stretches east to the Antelope Valley and contains more registered Democrats than Republicans .
“ Special elections draw in more registered Republicans , ” Moodian said , “ it also comes off the heels of the Katie Hill controversy , so that all bodes well for Mike Garcia.
” By Tuesday Garcia had pulled slightly ahead of Smith as ballot counting continued .

Trump supporters shout to passing motorists in front of GOP headquarters on election day in Newport Beach.
Two years ago marked a monumental shift for California politics: Four districts in the then-Republican bastion of Orange County flipped blue, ushering in four Democrats to the House of Representatives.
But 2020 is shaping up as a reversal of that blue wave, although how big a retrenchment it will be remains an open question. With few ballots left to count, Republicans have taken back at least one seat in Orange County and padded their vote lead in other swing districts across Southern California.
In a major win for the GOP, California 48th District Congressman Harley Rouda, a Democrat, conceded to his Republican opponent, Michelle Steel on Tuesday, in one of several hard-fought races in areas that until recently were considered conservative strongholds. Steel remained ahead of Rouda by 2%, or 7,000 votes, as of Tuesday.
Advertisement
O.C. Registrar of Voters Neal Kelley said all in-person votes and 99% of mail-in ballots have been counted, leaving about 28,000 ballots to be processed. Kelley said he anticipates the final tally to be complete in about two weeks.
Steel’s win takes back one of several seats that the California GOP lost in the 2018 midterm elections, when Democrats made big gains in O.C. and other red-leaning areas. The historic clean sweep gave Democrats control of all seven O.C. seats during the 116th Congress.
The 2018 results delivered a blow to Republicans in California’s moneyed coast, home to sprawling suburbs and the birthplace of Richard Nixon, the region described by Ronald Reagan as “a place where good Republicans go to die.”
Supervisors Donald P. Wagner and Michelle Steel during a meeting in April 2019. (Mark Boster / For The Times)
The post-election day success for these Republican candidates is a shift from the norm, according to Chapman University research analyst and co-director of the annual O.C. survey Michael Moodian.
“In the past we’ve seen Republicans doing well on election night and Democrats making ground from mail-in ballots,” Moodian said. “But the numbers being released after election day are favoring Republicans, which says to me that more Democrats voted early.”
Advertisement
The switch also could mean that more Republicans registered on election day to vote in person.
Steel, 65, will become one of the first two Korean American women to serve in the U.S. Congress, along with incoming Democratic representative Marilyn Strickland of Washington, who is of African American and Korean descent.
While voter registration has flipped in favor of Democrats across the county, Steel’s district remains one of two that maintain a Republican voter registration advantage.
“This victory has been hard-fought and hard-won, and I could not be more humbled to have your support nor more honored to serve our community in Congress,” Steel, a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, wrote in a tweet. “Now, let’s get to work.”
The race between Rouda and Steel campaigns was as hard-fought as it was narrowly won. From social media posts to television ads, Steel’s campaign portrayed Rouda as a politician who would raise taxes. Rouda’s campaign countered by branding Steel as “the most corrupt politician in O.C.”
Rouda was endorsed by Joe Biden, whom O.C. backed over President Trump . Four years ago, the 58-year-old lawyer ousted 15-term Republican Dana Rohrabacher, who became increasingly unpopular during his final term.
Rep. Harley Rouda talks to members of the Huntington Beach Rotary Club in 2019. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
In a sign of how aggressively both parties plan to continue fighting for control over the district, Rouda already has announced his intention to run again in the upcoming midterm election, when voters can “compare my opponent’s two years in Congress with my accomplishments on Nov. 8, 2022.”
Democratic Party of Orange County chair Ada Briceño reiterated the sentiment in a statement.
“Congressman Harley Rouda is an outstanding leader who put Orange County residents first. This election was extremely close, so make no mistake: We’re taking this seat back in 2022,” she said.
In another tight race in Orange County, challenger Young Kim, a former state assemblywoman, is trying to oust incumbent Gil Cisneros in their rematch for the 39th District . Kim, who won the district’s March primary by more than 2,000 votes, currently has a lead of around 4,000 votes, or 1.2% of ballots.
The Korean immigrant started her career running a women’s apparel business and later organized community outreach projects for Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton), while serving occasional stints as a host on Korean-language radio.
Seen as an underdog competitor to Cisneros, a lottery winner-turned philanthropist and politician, Kim faced a disadvantage in a district where 37% of registered voters are Democrats. Republicans made up 32.5% and independents made up 28.7% of the registered voters in October.
On election night, both Cisneros and Rouda took early leads, but since then their Republican opponents have steadily gained ground.
In yet another hotly contested campaign, in northern Los Angeles County, incumbent Rep. Mike Garcia, a Republican, was clinging to a lead of 159 votes over Assemblywoman Christy Smith in the race for the 25th Congressional District, according to the latest data from the Los Angeles and Ventura county registrar offices.
In 2018, that seat flipped from red to blue when Democratic newcomer Katie Hill unseated Republican incumbent Steve Knight. But Hill resigned less than a year into her term after admitting an inappropriate relationship with a campaign staffer.
The vote count has see-sawed between Garcia and Smith, who held the lead Monday. Moodian said that Garcia’s win in the special election to replace Hill had given a misleading understanding of the political alignment of the district, which includes Santa Clarita and stretches east to the Antelope Valley and contains more registered Democrats than Republicans.
“Special elections draw in more registered Republicans,” Moodian said, “it also comes off the heels of the Katie Hill controversy, so that all bodes well for Mike Garcia.”
By Tuesday Garcia had pulled slightly ahead of Smith as ballot counting continued.