latimes--2020-08-12--California coronavirus deaths double, with rural areas and suburbs hit hard

California ’ s second surge of the coronavirus has resulted in a near doubling of weekly deaths since the spring — with almost 1,000 fatalities in the last week alone — and radically shifted the geography of the outbreak , a Times data analysis found .
Suburban and agricultural areas that had been relatively spared during California ’ s first surge of the virus are now being ravaged .
And urban areas such as Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area are reporting fatality numbers just as high , if not higher , than in the spring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the worst coronavirus hot spots in the country .
In eight southern Central Valley counties , weekly COVID-19 deaths have jumped from about 20 a week in April to nearly 200 a week in the last two weeks , a Times analysis found .
San Joaquin Valley residents make up 20 % of recent deaths statewide , even though they account for about 10 % of the state ’ s population .
For the seven-day period that ended Monday , 969 deaths were reported across California , the largest weekly death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the springtime surge of the virus , the highest weekly death toll was during the week of April 21 , when 553 deaths were reported .
In the southern part of the state , suburban regions are also experiencing a surge in deaths .
San Bernardino County recorded 128 coronavirus fatalities in the seven-day period that ended Monday , almost quadruple the weekly death toll of 34 the week before .
Riverside County ’ s weekly death toll of 83 last week was about double what it was in April .
Orange County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week of April 21 , Orange County recorded six deaths .
Ventura County recorded 16 deaths last week ; that county reported fewer than five deaths a week in April .
But , overall , perhaps the greatest cause for concern is the Central Valley .
The worsening death toll comes as the coronavirus has spread rapidly among low-wage essential workers in jobs such as agriculture and food processing .
Major outbreaks have been reported at a Foster Farms poultry processing plant in Merced County ; Central Valley Meat Co. , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ruiz Foods , a frozen-food packager in Tulare County .
It ’ s clear why the San Joaquin Valley is being adversely affected , said Edward Flores , a sociology professor with UC Merced ’ s Community and Labor Center : The region has an extraordinary number of residents who work as low-income , frontline workers , people with precarious job security in a region notorious for violating workplace safety rules .
“ All of these issues ... existed before the COVID pandemic .
And just like any other inequality , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flores said .
“ It was there before — people were dying on the job ; people were losing limbs .
... Now that there ’ s a pandemic , those agencies are probably going to be even more overwhelmed.
” An analysis by the labor center found that 34 % of employees in the San Joaquin Valley work in frontline jobs where there is an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because employees can ’ t work from home .
More than 40 % of workers in Madera County are essential workers — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share of these workers of any other county nationwide .
By contrast , about 18 % to 22 % of employees in L.A. , Orange and San Diego counties and the Bay Area work in frontline essential jobs , such as in agriculture , mining , food manufacturing , grocery retail , transportation , warehousing and healthcare .
Part of the problem , Flores said , is that many of the existing COVID-19 health policies “ do little for low-wage workers that ... can ’ t afford to take time off from work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although efforts have been made statewide to give more days of paid leave to workers in the food industry , Flores says he wonders how much workers — especially those in the country illegally — know about those rights and what happens if they are fired when trying to follow the rules .
“ Employers have a role in this , and they ’ re just absconding their responsibilities in the name of trying to make a quick profit , ” Flores said , citing employers who have threatened workers that they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
“ As long as we want food on our table , there ’ s going to be people working in some amount of proximity to each other — not just Skyping or Zooming from home — and our policies need to address that.
” Flores said two major things needed to be done : guaranteeing workers get paid if they became infected or needed time off to take care of a loved one , and improving and enforcing health and safety standards at workplaces .
The recent outbreaks also have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisoner transfers in California history .
State officials unwittingly transferred infected prisoners from the California Institution for Men in Chino and seeded new cases at Corcoran State Prison in Kings County and triggered an especially devastating outbreak at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County .
The San Quentin outbreak has resulted in the deaths of 25 prisoners and one guard to date , and has filled hospital beds throughout the Bay Area .
After the initial transfer , infected inmates from San Quentin were then shipped to a prison in Lassen County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural northeast .
An outbreak at Avenal State Prison has been blamed for infecting staff who live throughout the Central Valley , worsening disease transmission in Fresno and Kings counties .
Health experts said that some states moved too quickly to reopen society after the first wave of coronavirus cases .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom , under pressure to lift months-long stay-at-home restrictions in May that had closed vast swaths of the economy , began allowing counties to reopen businesses before meeting his own previously established criteria to reopen safely .
Without naming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government ’ s top infectious diseases expert , said at a Brown University School of Public Health forum last week that some leaders “ skipped over some of the checkpoints ” recommended for a safer reopening and loosened stay-at-home orders without waiting for new cases to go down .
Outbreaks began spreading at workplaces , and viruses were transmitted at barbecues , parties and bars .
The regions of California hit hardest in the earliest phase of the pandemic — the Bay Area and L.A. County — have seen weekly deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ levels .
L.A. County ‘ s weekly death tally in the spring peaked at 329 in late April , then dropped as low as 194 in late June before climbing as high as 327 two weeks ago and 296 last week .
The Bay Area has seen a death tally worse even than its springtime levels .
The region recorded as many as 67 deaths in a single week in April ; two weeks ago , the Bay Area recorded 81 deaths .
Last week there were 72 fatalities .
San Diego County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-July , tallying an average of 56 weekly deaths over two weeks — more than double its April average .
In the last two weeks , weekly fatalities are averaging about 31 a week .
Other counties with a sharp growth in recent COVID-19 deaths include Sacramento , Santa Barbara and Sonoma .
California ’ s cumulative COVID-19 death toll is more than 10,600 .
Still , officials are expressing a note of optimism : Weekly cases and hospitalizations appear to have hit their second peak , even when factoring in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system for new cases that was being resolved over the weekend .
Last week , there were an average of 5,816 people in hospitals every day with confirmed coronavirus infections statewide , the second consecutive week there was a decline .
The number hit its highest point three weeks ago , when an average of 6,941 people were in the hospital daily in a seven-day period .
Although the statewide average is decreasing , not all regions have seen a decline in hospitalizations .
The seven-county Sacramento area has recorded 11 straight weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surge , elected officials have said they intend to learn from the past in considering future reopening plans .
“ We all can see , in retrospect , that some things did open up too quickly , that we didn ’ t stick with the methodology of do-something-and-wait-three-weeks and see the effect , ” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on July 22 .
“ It became kind of a domino effect with the ... irrational exuberance of everybody thinking we could rush back to normal.
” Times staff writers Hailey Branson-Potts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Money , James Rainey , Jake Sheridan and Richard Winton contributed to this report .

Elizabeth McKinnon explains to Glenda Guerra how to self-swab for a COVID-19 test at the Ontario Convention Center on July 24.
California’s second surge of the coronavirus has resulted in a near doubling of weekly deaths since the spring — with almost 1,000 fatalities in the last week alone — and radically shifted the geography of the outbreak, a Times data analysis found.
Suburban and agricultural areas that had been relatively spared during California’s first surge of the virus are now being ravaged. And urban areas such as Los Angeles County and the San Francisco Bay Area are reporting fatality numbers just as high, if not higher, than in the spring.
The Central Valley has become home to one of the worst coronavirus hot spots in the country.
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In eight southern Central Valley counties, weekly COVID-19 deaths have jumped from about 20 a week in April to nearly 200 a week in the last two weeks, a Times analysis found. San Joaquin Valley residents make up 20% of recent deaths statewide, even though they account for about 10% of the state’s population.
For the seven-day period that ended Monday, 969 deaths were reported across California, the largest weekly death toll since the pandemic began. During the springtime surge of the virus, the highest weekly death toll was during the week of April 21, when 553 deaths were reported.
In the southern part of the state, suburban regions are also experiencing a surge in deaths. San Bernardino County recorded 128 coronavirus fatalities in the seven-day period that ended Monday, almost quadruple the weekly death toll of 34 the week before. Riverside County’s weekly death toll of 83 last week was about double what it was in April.
Orange County tallied 73 deaths last week; for the week of April 21, Orange County recorded six deaths. Ventura County recorded 16 deaths last week; that county reported fewer than five deaths a week in April.
But, overall, perhaps the greatest cause for concern is the Central Valley.
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The worsening death toll comes as the coronavirus has spread rapidly among low-wage essential workers in jobs such as agriculture and food processing. Major outbreaks have been reported at a Foster Farms poultry processing plant in Merced County; Central Valley Meat Co., a meatpacking facility in Kings County; and Ruiz Foods, a frozen-food packager in Tulare County.
It’s clear why the San Joaquin Valley is being adversely affected, said Edward Flores, a sociology professor with UC Merced’s Community and Labor Center: The region has an extraordinary number of residents who work as low-income, frontline workers, people with precarious job security in a region notorious for violating workplace safety rules.
“All of these issues ... existed before the COVID pandemic. And just like any other inequality, it’s just gotten bigger now,” Flores said. “It was there before — people were dying on the job; people were losing limbs. ... Now that there’s a pandemic, those agencies are probably going to be even more overwhelmed.”
An analysis by the labor center found that 34% of employees in the San Joaquin Valley work in frontline jobs where there is an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because employees can’t work from home. More than 40% of workers in Madera County are essential workers — making it the county with the third-highest share of these workers of any other county nationwide.
By contrast, about 18% to 22% of employees in L.A., Orange and San Diego counties and the Bay Area work in frontline essential jobs, such as in agriculture, mining, food manufacturing, grocery retail, transportation, warehousing and healthcare.
Part of the problem, Flores said, is that many of the existing COVID-19 health policies “do little for low-wage workers that ... can’t afford to take time off from work without risking starving or being evicted.”
Although efforts have been made statewide to give more days of paid leave to workers in the food industry, Flores says he wonders how much workers — especially those in the country illegally — know about those rights and what happens if they are fired when trying to follow the rules.
“Employers have a role in this, and they’re just absconding their responsibilities in the name of trying to make a quick profit,” Flores said, citing employers who have threatened workers that they’ll lose their jobs if they miss work. “As long as we want food on our table, there’s going to be people working in some amount of proximity to each other — not just Skyping or Zooming from home — and our policies need to address that.”
Flores said two major things needed to be done: guaranteeing workers get paid if they became infected or needed time off to take care of a loved one, and improving and enforcing health and safety standards at workplaces.
The recent outbreaks also have been fueled by some of the most disastrous prisoner transfers in California history.
State officials unwittingly transferred infected prisoners from the California Institution for Men in Chino and seeded new cases at Corcoran State Prison in Kings County and triggered an especially devastating outbreak at San Quentin State Prison in Marin County. The San Quentin outbreak has resulted in the deaths of 25 prisoners and one guard to date, and has filled hospital beds throughout the Bay Area.
After the initial transfer, infected inmates from San Quentin were then shipped to a prison in Lassen County, fueling outbreaks in California’s rural northeast.
An outbreak at Avenal State Prison has been blamed for infecting staff who live throughout the Central Valley, worsening disease transmission in Fresno and Kings counties.
Which California counties are reopening? To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.
Health experts said that some states moved too quickly to reopen society after the first wave of coronavirus cases. Gov. Gavin Newsom, under pressure to lift months-long stay-at-home restrictions in May that had closed vast swaths of the economy, began allowing counties to reopen businesses before meeting his own previously established criteria to reopen safely.
Without naming specific states, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious diseases expert, said at a Brown University School of Public Health forum last week that some leaders “skipped over some of the checkpoints” recommended for a safer reopening and loosened stay-at-home orders without waiting for new cases to go down. Outbreaks began spreading at workplaces, and viruses were transmitted at barbecues, parties and bars.
The regions of California hit hardest in the earliest phase of the pandemic — the Bay Area and L.A. County — have seen weekly deaths return to — or exceed — springtime levels.
L.A. County‘s weekly death tally in the spring peaked at 329 in late April, then dropped as low as 194 in late June before climbing as high as 327 two weeks ago and 296 last week.
The Bay Area has seen a death tally worse even than its springtime levels. The region recorded as many as 67 deaths in a single week in April; two weeks ago, the Bay Area recorded 81 deaths. Last week there were 72 fatalities.
San Diego County recorded its two worst weekly fatality counts in mid-July, tallying an average of 56 weekly deaths over two weeks — more than double its April average. In the last two weeks, weekly fatalities are averaging about 31 a week.
Other counties with a sharp growth in recent COVID-19 deaths include Sacramento, Santa Barbara and Sonoma. California’s cumulative COVID-19 death toll is more than 10,600.
California Coronavirus surging among children, teenagers in California Coronavirus cases among children and teenagers are surging in California, up 150% last month, a rate that outpaces COVID-19 cases overall and establishes minors as a small but growing share of the state’s COVID-19 cases.
Still, officials are expressing a note of optimism: Weekly cases and hospitalizations appear to have hit their second peak, even when factoring in a glitch in the state’s reporting system for new cases that was being resolved over the weekend.
Last week, there were an average of 5,816 people in hospitals every day with confirmed coronavirus infections statewide, the second consecutive week there was a decline. The number hit its highest point three weeks ago, when an average of 6,941 people were in the hospital daily in a seven-day period.
Although the statewide average is decreasing, not all regions have seen a decline in hospitalizations. The seven-county Sacramento area has recorded 11 straight weeks of increasing hospitalizations.
Amid the latest surge, elected officials have said they intend to learn from the past in considering future reopening plans.
“We all can see, in retrospect, that some things did open up too quickly, that we didn’t stick with the methodology of do-something-and-wait-three-weeks and see the effect,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said on July 22. “It became kind of a domino effect with the ... irrational exuberance of everybody thinking we could rush back to normal.”
Times staff writers Hailey Branson-Potts, Kim Christensen, Taryn Luna, Luke Money, James Rainey, Jake Sheridan and Richard Winton contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-12--LAPD probes likely 'swatting' call after descending on home of Black Lives Matter activist

Los Angeles police are investigating what officials say was a dangerous hoax that led to heavily armed officers descending on the home of one of the city ’ s leading Black Lives Matter activists Wednesday morning .
Melina Abdullah , co-founder of BLM Los Angeles and a Cal State Los Angeles professor who has been at the forefront of recent protests decrying police violence , began streaming live video on Instagram from her home , showing armed officers staging outside .
“ I don ’ t know why they are here , ” she says .
“ They have guns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a helicopter overhead .
Nobody ’ s knocked at the door , but apparently they ’ ve made announcements for people to come out with our hands up .
My children are in the house .
My children are in the house .
I don ’ t know what this is.
” An officer on a loudspeaker can then be heard specifically identifying Abdullah ’ s address from outside , before saying , “ Come out with your hands up .
... You are surrounded.
” No one was injured , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her children and fear that officers would escalate the situation .
Josh Rubenstein , an LAPD spokesman , said the department ’ s Major Crimes Division was investigating what was “ most likely a swatting.
” Swatting refers to a false emergency call made to attract armed police to a particular address without cause — a dangerous act given the potential confusion it causes among all parties and the history of tactical teams using deadly force .
Abdullah , who has since taken down the video from her Instagram account , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the police explanation for the incident .
“ I don ’ t buy their story but will see what they come up with , ” she said in a text message with The Times .
Rubenstein said the situation was handled by Wilshire Division officers , and the department ’ s SWAT team was not on scene .
He said a call was made about a house on the block where Abdullah lives , near Crenshaw , but he would not specify whether police thought Abdullah was the intended target .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s video that the officers were focused on her home .
After being summoned outside by the officer on the loudspeaker , Abdullah walks out her front door , telling officers she has her phone out and that her children are in the house .
An officer asks her what her address is , and she tells him .
“ Are you looking for me ?
” Abdullah asks .
The officer asks her to come to him , and says , “ You ’ re not in trouble.
” Once Abdullah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asks , “ Are you in any danger ?
” Abdullah says she is not .
“ OK .
We got a call to this location that there is a male in there holding you guys hostage , and he wants a million dollars or he ’ s going to kill you within an hour , ” the officer says .
An officer then tells Abdullah that the police “ just want to make sure you ’ re OK. ” “ I ’ m fine .
My kids are petrified , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , Abdullah seemed to clearly read the situation as one in which she had been targeted .
“ It ’ s a setup , ” she said .
“ That was a setup.
” City Councilman Herb Wesson called for an immediate investigation into the incident .
“ This appears to be an illegal act of swatting ( a prank call to bring armed officers to a particular address ) and we need to hold whoever did this accountable , ” Wesson wrote on Twitter .
“ While she ’ s known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with @ BLMLA , [ Abdullah ] is the mother of three children and to put her family through this is unacceptable , no matter where your politics may lie.
” Cynthia Anderson-Barker , Abdullah ’ s attorney , said she received a call from Abdullah ’ s daughter during the incident , who was “ clearly terrified on the phone , ” and suggested police could have handled the situation differently .
“ If Melina is a target of anti-BLM folks , the police should question calls of this nature and try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Anderson-Barker said .
Rubenstein said the department did not plan to release body-camera footage from the encounter .
He said 911 recordings would have to be obtained through a public records request .
The department did not immediately respond to such a request by The Times on Wednesday .
The FBI has warned of the dangers of swatting since 2008 and says hundreds of cases occur every year .
The LAPD said Wednesday that swatting “ is dangerous and places the community and first responders in harm ’ s way.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years in prison last year for making bogus calls to law enforcement across the country , including one that led to police fatally shooting a Kansas man .
In 2018 , officers in Florida swarmed the home of David Hogg , a student who became an outspoken gun control activist after the mass shooting at his high school , Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland .
Fellow student activist Cameron Kasky was also targeted .

Los Angeles police are investigating what officials say was probably a prank call that resulted in heavily armed officers descending on the home of Black Lives Matter activist Melina Abdullah.
Los Angeles police are investigating what officials say was a dangerous hoax that led to heavily armed officers descending on the home of one of the city’s leading Black Lives Matter activists Wednesday morning.
Melina Abdullah, co-founder of BLM Los Angeles and a Cal State Los Angeles professor who has been at the forefront of recent protests decrying police violence, began streaming live video on Instagram from her home, showing armed officers staging outside.
“I don’t know why they are here,” she says. “They have guns pointed at my house. There’s a helicopter overhead. Nobody’s knocked at the door, but apparently they’ve made announcements for people to come out with our hands up. My children are in the house. My children are in the house. I don’t know what this is.”
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An officer on a loudspeaker can then be heard specifically identifying Abdullah’s address from outside, before saying, “Come out with your hands up. ... You are surrounded.”
No one was injured, though Abdullah repeatedly expressed concern for the safety of her children and fear that officers would escalate the situation.
Melina Abdullah is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times)
Josh Rubenstein, an LAPD spokesman, said the department’s Major Crimes Division was investigating what was “most likely a swatting.”
Swatting refers to a false emergency call made to attract armed police to a particular address without cause — a dangerous act given the potential confusion it causes among all parties and the history of tactical teams using deadly force.
Abdullah, who has since taken down the video from her Instagram account, said in an interview that she has doubts about the police explanation for the incident.
“I don’t buy their story but will see what they come up with,” she said in a text message with The Times.
Rubenstein said the situation was handled by Wilshire Division officers, and the department’s SWAT team was not on scene. He said a call was made about a house on the block where Abdullah lives, near Crenshaw, but he would not specify whether police thought Abdullah was the intended target.
It was clear, however, from Abdullah’s video that the officers were focused on her home.
After being summoned outside by the officer on the loudspeaker, Abdullah walks out her front door, telling officers she has her phone out and that her children are in the house. An officer asks her what her address is, and she tells him.
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“Are you looking for me?” Abdullah asks. The officer asks her to come to him, and says, “You’re not in trouble.”
Once Abdullah gets to the officers, another officer asks, “Are you in any danger?” Abdullah says she is not.
“OK. We got a call to this location that there is a male in there holding you guys hostage, and he wants a million dollars or he’s going to kill you within an hour,” the officer says.
“Oh my ... no,” Abdullah says.
An officer then tells Abdullah that the police “just want to make sure you’re OK.”
“I’m fine. My kids are petrified,” she says.
While still interacting with the police, Abdullah seemed to clearly read the situation as one in which she had been targeted.
“It’s a setup,” she said. “That was a setup.”
City Councilman Herb Wesson called for an immediate investigation into the incident.
“This appears to be an illegal act of swatting (a prank call to bring armed officers to a particular address) and we need to hold whoever did this accountable,” Wesson wrote on Twitter. “While she’s known to all of you as an activist with @BLMLA, [Abdullah] is the mother of three children and to put her family through this is unacceptable, no matter where your politics may lie.”
Cynthia Anderson-Barker, Abdullah’s attorney, said she received a call from Abdullah’s daughter during the incident, who was “clearly terrified on the phone,” and suggested police could have handled the situation differently.
“If Melina is a target of anti-BLM folks, the police should question calls of this nature and try to support her rather than terrify her,” Anderson-Barker said.
Rubenstein said the department did not plan to release body-camera footage from the encounter. He said 911 recordings would have to be obtained through a public records request. The department did not immediately respond to such a request by The Times on Wednesday.
The FBI has warned of the dangers of swatting since 2008 and says hundreds of cases occur every year. The LAPD said Wednesday that swatting “is dangerous and places the community and first responders in harm’s way.”
A California man was sentenced to 20 years in prison last year for making bogus calls to law enforcement across the country, including one that led to police fatally shooting a Kansas man.
In 2018, officers in Florida swarmed the home of David Hogg, a student who became an outspoken gun control activist after the mass shooting at his high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland. Fellow student activist Cameron Kasky was also targeted.


latimes--2020-08-12--Judge refuses to shut Ventura County church that has defied COVID-19 health order

A judge on Tuesday declined to order the immediate closure of a Ventura County church that has been holding indoor worship services in defiance of coronavirus-related health orders and despite a court order barring it from doing so .
The county had asked Judge Vincent O ’ Neill to hold Rob McCoy , pastor of Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park , in contempt of court and direct the Sheriff ’ s Office to close the church .
O ’ Neill denied the county ’ s request to shut the church but scheduled a hearing on the contempt claim for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the latest in the legal battle between the county and McCoy , a former Thousand Oaks City Council member who resigned his seat in April after Gov .
Gavin Newsom deemed churches nonessential under health orders issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
While outdoor or virtual services are permitted , Godspeak has held indoor services without masks or social distancing every Sunday since May 31 .
Health officials have repeatedly warned that large gatherings , particularly those held indoors , heighten the risk of spreading the coronavirus — which as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8,740 Ventura County residents and killed 93 .
Ventura County health authorities took Godspeak and McCoy to court last week , alleging that the church ’ s actions “ will cause and continue to cause great and irreparable injury to the general public ... including hospitalizations and deaths , which in turn is likely to result in continued and further restrictions on businesses and other operations and activities.
” McCoy , though , has said he ’ s being unfairly targeted .
“ We would be the first to be masked and distanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were meriting it , and it doesn ’ t .
This isn ’ t a health issue ; it ’ s an ideological issue , ” he said .
This past weekend , minor scuffles broke out between protesters and supporters outside the church .
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Matthew Guasco granted a temporary restraining order against Godspeak and McCoy on Friday , forbidding the church ’ s indoor services and demanding compliance with state and local health orders .
That order will remain in effect until Aug. 31 .
Tuesday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neill , not Guasco , after attorneys for the church filed a challenge to request that a different judge hear the matter .
Under California law , such a challenge can generally be made once without showing any cause .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Supporters and protesters gather outside Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park where Pastor Rob McCoy defied a court order and held indoor services Sunday.
A judge on Tuesday declined to order the immediate closure of a Ventura County church that has been holding indoor worship services in defiance of coronavirus-related health orders and despite a court order barring it from doing so.
The county had asked Judge Vincent O’Neill to hold Rob McCoy, pastor of Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park, in contempt of court and direct the Sheriff’s Office to close the church.
O’Neill denied the county’s request to shut the church but scheduled a hearing on the contempt claim for Aug. 21.
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Tuesday’s hearing was the latest in the legal battle between the county and McCoy, a former Thousand Oaks City Council member who resigned his seat in April after Gov. Gavin Newsom deemed churches nonessential under health orders issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While outdoor or virtual services are permitted, Godspeak has held indoor services without masks or social distancing every Sunday since May 31.
Health officials have repeatedly warned that large gatherings, particularly those held indoors, heighten the risk of spreading the coronavirus — which as of Tuesday had infected a total of 8,740 Ventura County residents and killed 93.
Ventura County health authorities took Godspeak and McCoy to court last week, alleging that the church’s actions “will cause and continue to cause great and irreparable injury to the general public ... including hospitalizations and deaths, which in turn is likely to result in continued and further restrictions on businesses and other operations and activities.”
McCoy, though, has said he’s being unfairly targeted.
“We would be the first to be masked and distanced, and willingly so, if this were meriting it, and it doesn’t. This isn’t a health issue; it’s an ideological issue,” he said.
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This past weekend, minor scuffles broke out between protesters and supporters outside the church.
California Ventura County sues church after indoor services without masks or distance Ventura County is suing pastor Rob McCoy and Godspeak Calvary Chapel, which has hosted in-person, indoor services without masks or social distance since May 31.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Matthew Guasco granted a temporary restraining order against Godspeak and McCoy on Friday, forbidding the church’s indoor services and demanding compliance with state and local health orders.
That order will remain in effect until Aug. 31.
Tuesday’s hearing was held before O’Neill, not Guasco, after attorneys for the church filed a challenge to request that a different judge hear the matter.
Under California law, such a challenge can generally be made once without showing any cause.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-08-12--Orange County declares 8/24 Kobe Bryant Day

Orange County supervisors picked an easy-to-remember date to designate as Kobe Bryant Day .
It ’ s Aug. 24 , chosen for the two jersey numbers , 8 and 24 , the late Lakers legend wore during his 20-year career .
That date is also a day after Bryant ’ s birthday .
He would have been 42 this year .
The supervisors voted to observe Kobe Bryant Day at the request of board Chairwoman Michelle Steel , a lifelong Lakers fan .
She said Bryant , who lived with his family in Newport Beach , was a “ treasured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired so many men and women to pursue their dreams and never give up.
” Orange County follows the Los Angeles City Council , which designated the same date as Kobe Bryant Day in 2016 .
The board ’ s resolution names all nine people who died in a helicopter crash Jan. 26 in Calabasas — Bryant and his daughter Gianna ; Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli , his wife , Keri , and their daughter Alyssa ; Christina Mauser ; Ara Zobayan ; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent is to encourage others to continue Bryant ’ s legacy “ by engaging in community building , helping young people in need , encouraging aspiring youth to follow their dreams , and living by Bryant ’ s words : ‘ The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.
’ ” Bryant ’ s reputation was tarnished after a 2003 incident in Colorado .
A sexual assault charge against him eventually was dropped and a civil suit involving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Bryant was able to rebuild his image and became known for his devotion to his wife , Vanessa , and their four daughters .
Supervisor Don Wagner seemed to acknowledge all of that in his comments regarding Kobe Bryant Day .
“ Kobe Bryant ’ s life , like each one of us who ever lived , presents moments to celebrate and to condemn , ” Wagner said .
“ Kobe , like all of us , faced challenges , challenges of his own making and challenges thrown at him by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we celebrate the effort in overcoming those challenges .
”

Kobe Bryant poses with his family after getting his jerseys retired Dec. 18, 2017, at Staples Center.
Orange County supervisors picked an easy-to-remember date to designate as Kobe Bryant Day.
It’s Aug. 24, chosen for the two jersey numbers, 8 and 24, the late Lakers legend wore during his 20-year career.
That date is also a day after Bryant’s birthday. He would have been 42 this year.
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The supervisors voted to observe Kobe Bryant Day at the request of board Chairwoman Michelle Steel, a lifelong Lakers fan. She said Bryant, who lived with his family in Newport Beach, was a “treasured member of our community” who “inspired so many men and women to pursue their dreams and never give up.”
Orange County follows the Los Angeles City Council, which designated the same date as Kobe Bryant Day in 2016.
The board’s resolution names all nine people who died in a helicopter crash Jan. 26 in Calabasas — Bryant and his daughter Gianna; Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Christina Mauser; Ara Zobayan; and Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton.
According to the resolution, the intent is to encourage others to continue Bryant’s legacy “by engaging in community building, helping young people in need, encouraging aspiring youth to follow their dreams, and living by Bryant’s words: ‘The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.’ ”
Bryant’s reputation was tarnished after a 2003 incident in Colorado. A sexual assault charge against him eventually was dropped and a civil suit involving the same incident was settled out of court. But Bryant was able to rebuild his image and became known for his devotion to his wife, Vanessa, and their four daughters.
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Supervisor Don Wagner seemed to acknowledge all of that in his comments regarding Kobe Bryant Day.
“Kobe Bryant’s life, like each one of us who ever lived, presents moments to celebrate and to condemn,” Wagner said. “Kobe, like all of us, faced challenges, challenges of his own making and challenges thrown at him by life, that he overcame. Today, we celebrate the effort in overcoming those challenges.”


latimes--2020-08-12--California paid a price for mask shortage in dollars and lives, coronavirus study finds

At least 15,800 essential workers would not have contracted COVID-19 if California had stockpiled enough masks and other protective equipment , while the state would have saved $ 93 million weekly on unemployment claims for out of work healthcare workers and avoided overpaying for supplies , according to a UC Berkeley Labor Center study released Wednesday .
The study urges California officials to stockpile masks , gowns , gloves and other equipment in the coming years to avoid shortages seen during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Lawmakers currently pushing a bill that would create a state stockpile said the UC Berkeley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure personal protective equipment shortages aren ’ t as sharply felt during a future healthcare crisis .
“ What this UC Berkeley study shows is the cost of not being ready is very high , ” said state Sen. Richard Pan ( D-Sacramento ) , who along with state Sen. Connie Leyva ( D-Chino ) authored Senate Bill 275 to create a state stockpile of masks and other supplies .
“ How do you say , looking at these numbers , we don ’ t need to do this ?
” Leyva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making its way through the Legislature .
The UC Berkeley report , which received no outside funding , says California likely spent around $ 93 million in unemployment benefits every week for healthcare workers who were unable to work when the state suspended elective surgeries and limited other nonemergency care to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and preserve masks for the most critical care .
Between March 15 and July 11 , approximately 251,100 healthcare workers in California filed an initial unemployment claim .
Most worked in outpatient care , according to data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the California Employment Development Department , which processes jobless claims .
The study also found that dozens of deaths of essential workers could have been prevented if there was adequate personal protective equipment , with the report ’ s authors saying their “ conservative estimate ” was that “ at least 15,800 essential worker-related COVID-19 cases may have been avoidable.
” “ It was one shocking number after another as I looked at this , ” said report co-author William Dow , a professor of Health Policy and Management in the School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Based on these numbers , we should be building a stockpile for the future.
” Under then-Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger , California spent hundreds of millions of dollars buying and storing equipment and supplies needed for a large-scale emergency , such as a public health crisis or natural disaster .
With the threat of avian flu in 2006 as the impetus behind the effort , the state assembled a cache of needed supplies , including 50 million N95 respirators , according to a Center for Investigative Reporting story published in The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut off money for storing and maintaining the stockpile under then-Gov .
Jerry Brown .
By the time COVID-19 began spreading in California earlier this year , there were 21 million masks in the state ’ s stockpile — but the equipment had expired and was ultimately only approved for low-risk settings .
Buying new supplies during the pandemic left the state paying huge markups on some supplies , the UC Berkeley study found .
A single surgical mask , for example , cost 5 cents during nonpandemic times , the report said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources .
The price rose to 55 cents each during the pandemic .
Highly sought-after N95 masks also jumped in cost , with the midpoint price for a 3M-brand respirator selling for $ 1.27 before the pandemic .
Early in the pandemic , the cost of N95 masks skyrocketed , even on bulk orders , to around $ 5.90 each , according to the study .
A Times review of hundreds of contracting records in April showed state agencies — and ultimately the state ’ s taxpayers — were paying steep prices for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the global shortage .
The Times ’ analysis found state agencies paying as much as $ 12.74 for each N95 mask .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in April banning price gouging on medical gear , but vendors willing to sell to the state or local governments were exempted from the directive .
That exemption was included out of concernthat the consumer protections would scare off vendors at a time when the state needed the supplies .
Last month , Newsom announced the state would begin creating a stockpile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million surgical masks for the early fall to help the state prepare for a likely increase in cases of COVID-19 .
SB 275 would keep the stockpile going beyond the current crisis , its supporters said .
The bill requires the state to stockpile a 90-day supply of medical supplies over the next five years , with hospitals and other healthcare employers required to assemble their own 90-day supply by June 1 , 2023 .
The bill carries a $ 25,000 fine for failing to maintain sufficient inventory of unexpired medical supplies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the bill will require healthcare employers to start building a supply too soon , potentially taking away equipment currently needed by front-line workers .
The bill requires healthcare employers to build a 30-day supply by June 1 , 2021 .
“ They would need to begin to ramp up purchasing during the pandemic and this will put incredible strain on the supply chain , impacting pricing and availability of resources for all front line workers , ” said Kathryn Scott of the California Hospital Assn .
during committee testimony late last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned the bill would discourage healthcare employers from sharing their masks and other supplies during emergencies .
The California Orthopedic Assn .
said the bill would generate significant waste as expired protective equipment is discarded .
Gabriel Montoya , an emergency medical technician in Downey , said after months of personally feeling the impact of a mask shortage , he is glad there are efforts to build a stockpile for the future .
“ We can ’ t wait for the next pandemic to start building the infrastructure to have these supplies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service Employees International Union California , which is sponsoring the bill .
“ We have to start doing that now .
”

At least 15,800 essential workers would not have contracted COVID-19 if California had stockpiled enough masks and other protective equipment, while the state would have saved $93 million weekly on unemployment claims for out of work healthcare workers and avoided overpaying for supplies, according to a UC Berkeley Labor Center study released Wednesday.
The study urges California officials to stockpile masks, gowns, gloves and other equipment in the coming years to avoid shortages seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers currently pushing a bill that would create a state stockpile said the UC Berkeley report demonstrates that California needs a plan to ensure personal protective equipment shortages aren’t as sharply felt during a future healthcare crisis.
“What this UC Berkeley study shows is the cost of not being ready is very high,” said state Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), who along with state Sen. Connie Leyva (D-Chino) authored Senate Bill 275 to create a state stockpile of masks and other supplies.
“How do you say, looking at these numbers, we don’t need to do this?” Leyva said of the bill, which is making its way through the Legislature.
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The UC Berkeley report, which received no outside funding, says California likely spent around $93 million in unemployment benefits every week for healthcare workers who were unable to work when the state suspended elective surgeries and limited other nonemergency care to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and preserve masks for the most critical care.
Between March 15 and July 11, approximately 251,100 healthcare workers in California filed an initial unemployment claim. Most worked in outpatient care, according to data provided to the report’s authors from the California Employment Development Department, which processes jobless claims.
The study also found that dozens of deaths of essential workers could have been prevented if there was adequate personal protective equipment, with the report’s authors saying their “conservative estimate” was that “at least 15,800 essential worker-related COVID-19 cases may have been avoidable.”
“It was one shocking number after another as I looked at this,” said report co-author William Dow, a professor of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health at UC Berkeley. “Based on these numbers, we should be building a stockpile for the future.”
Under then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, California spent hundreds of millions of dollars buying and storing equipment and supplies needed for a large-scale emergency, such as a public health crisis or natural disaster. With the threat of avian flu in 2006 as the impetus behind the effort, the state assembled a cache of needed supplies, including 50 million N95 respirators, according to a Center for Investigative Reporting story published in The Times.
However, in 2011 the state cut off money for storing and maintaining the stockpile under then-Gov. Jerry Brown. By the time COVID-19 began spreading in California earlier this year, there were 21 million masks in the state’s stockpile — but the equipment had expired and was ultimately only approved for low-risk settings.
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Buying new supplies during the pandemic left the state paying huge markups on some supplies, the UC Berkeley study found. A single surgical mask, for example, cost 5 cents during nonpandemic times, the report said, citing multiple published and unpublished pricing sources. The price rose to 55 cents each during the pandemic. Highly sought-after N95 masks also jumped in cost, with the midpoint price for a 3M-brand respirator selling for $1.27 before the pandemic. Early in the pandemic, the cost of N95 masks skyrocketed, even on bulk orders, to around $5.90 each, according to the study.
A Times review of hundreds of contracting records in April showed state agencies — and ultimately the state’s taxpayers — were paying steep prices for masks as suppliers and middlemen cashed in on the global shortage.
The Times’ analysis found state agencies paying as much as $12.74 for each N95 mask. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order in April banning price gouging on medical gear, but vendors willing to sell to the state or local governments were exempted from the directive. That exemption was included out of concernthat the consumer protections would scare off vendors at a time when the state needed the supplies.
Last month, Newsom announced the state would begin creating a stockpile of 100 million N95 respirators and 200 million surgical masks for the early fall to help the state prepare for a likely increase in cases of COVID-19.
SB 275 would keep the stockpile going beyond the current crisis, its supporters said. The bill requires the state to stockpile a 90-day supply of medical supplies over the next five years, with hospitals and other healthcare employers required to assemble their own 90-day supply by June 1, 2023. The bill carries a $25,000 fine for failing to maintain sufficient inventory of unexpired medical supplies.
The California Hospital Assn., however, said the bill will require healthcare employers to start building a supply too soon, potentially taking away equipment currently needed by front-line workers. The bill requires healthcare employers to build a 30-day supply by June 1, 2021.
“They would need to begin to ramp up purchasing during the pandemic and this will put incredible strain on the supply chain, impacting pricing and availability of resources for all front line workers,” said Kathryn Scott of the California Hospital Assn. during committee testimony late last month.
The association also said it is concerned the bill would discourage healthcare employers from sharing their masks and other supplies during emergencies.
The California Orthopedic Assn. said the bill would generate significant waste as expired protective equipment is discarded.
Gabriel Montoya, an emergency medical technician in Downey, said after months of personally feeling the impact of a mask shortage, he is glad there are efforts to build a stockpile for the future.
“We can’t wait for the next pandemic to start building the infrastructure to have these supplies,” said Montoya, a member of Service Employees International Union California, which is sponsoring the bill. “We have to start doing that now.”


latimes--2020-08-12--Agent details child rape, pornography case against La Luz Del Mundo church leader

Since the day he stepped off a private jet at Los Angeles International Airport and was arrested last June , Naason Joaquin Garcia , the leader of an international church headquartered in Mexico , has been held on charges of raping children and possessing child pornography , among other felonies .
The case against Garcia , whose followers consider him an apostle of Jesus Christ , is sweeping .
It encompasses multiple underage victims , implicates several employees of his church , La Luz del Mundo , and is buttressed by photographs and videos seized from Garcia ’ s phones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been , to this point , untested in court .
On Tuesday , prosecutors from the California attorney general ’ s office began a preliminary hearing , by the end of which they must convince L.A. Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen that their case is strong enough to proceed .
They expect the hearing to last seven to 10 days .
The prosecution ’ s first witness , Troy Holmes , a special agent from the California Department of Justice , testified that he oversaw the investigation from shortly after the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex abuse hotline and culminating in his arrest on a private airstrip at LAX .
When Garcia disembarked , he was carrying an iPhone and an iPad , Holmes said .
The agent spent much of Tuesday testifying about videos and photographs retrieved from the devices .
Holmes described one video found on the iPad that showed a “ young male ” wearing a suit and a black mask that covered his eyes .
A woman entered the frame , undressed him and performed oral sex on him , Holmes testified .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boy ’ s aunt , the agent said .
A pair of FBI agents traveled to Texas and interviewed the boy at his high school , Holmes testified .
The boy , whom he called “ John Doe 2 , ” was born in 2003 , he said .
Garcia ’ s attorney , Alan Jackson , protested that prosecutors were refusing to identify his client ’ s accusers , as well as many of the case ’ s witnesses , depriving him of the opportunity to cross-examine them or establish any motives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conduct this entire hearing basically in secret , ” he told the judge .
Diana Callaghan , a deputy attorney general , said they were keeping victims and some witnesses nameless because they ’ d been subjected to “ threats and intimidation.
” Coen ruled that , because this was a preliminary hearing and not a trial , Garcia didn ’ t have a right to confront his accusers .
Garcia has maintained his innocence since being arrested last summer , and his lawyers have said they look forward to clearing his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment after Tuesday ’ s hearing .
The religious leader appeared in court Tuesday wearing an orange jumpsuit from the county jail , his wrists shackled at the waist , and he listened to a Spanish translation of the proceedings through an earpiece .
Holmes described a series of interviews he conducted with two girls and a woman identified as Jane Does 2 , 3 , and 4 .
In April 2019 , he spoke with Jane Doe 2 , who was 17 at the time , he said .
Several years earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was invited to join a “ service group ” at La Luz Del Mundo ’ s church in East Los Angeles .
A member of the church since birth , she told the agent she felt honored to be brought into this circle , which Holmes described as “ an exclusive group of girls that serviced Mr. Garcia.
” Belonging to this group “ was very important to her mother , ” Holmes testified .
After she turned 15 , Jane Doe 2 was invited by Alondra Ocampo , a member of La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a co-defendant of Garcia ’ s , to join “ a more exclusive group of girls , ” Holmes said he was told .
Girls in this group danced for Garcia while partially nude and wearing lingerie , Holmes testified .
When Jane Doe 2 told Ocampo she felt uncomfortable doing this , she said she was told “ if she didn ’ t want to participate in the dancing , it would go against the church and Mr. Garcia , ” Holmes testified .
Knowing the girl ’ s father was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her Garcia “ would be like a father to her and take care of her , ” she told the agent .
One night , Jane Doe 2 came to Garcia ’ s home in East Los Angeles and was greeted at the back entrance by Ocampo , who told her to undress and serve Garcia coffee in the nude , she recalled to Holmes .
When she entered Garcia ’ s office , he complimented her , kissed her and raped her , she said , according to Holmes .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Holmes testified that he interviewed Jane Doe 3 in April 2019 .
She was 17 at the time .
Ocampo had invited her into the same “ service group ” at the East Los Angeles church , only Jane Doe 3 knew it as the “ fruteros , ” or “ fruit servers , ” Holmes said .
Ocampo told the girl she would be “ committing sins ” with Garcia but that they would be forgiven because he was God ’ s servant , the young woman told Holmes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ filmed Jane Doe 3 and another girl spreading whipped cream and strawberries on each other ’ s bodies and licking it off , Holmes said she told him .
In January 2018 , Jane Doe 3 was summoned to Garcia ’ s East Los Angeles home and told to go to Garcia ’ s bedroom , where , according to Holmes , she saw a woman she knew as “ Ms .
Susie.
” The woman — whom Jane Doe 3 subsequently identified as Susan Oaxaca , Garcia ’ s personal assistant and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the girl ’ s hand , placed it on Garcia ’ s genitals and began massaging his penis , she told Holmes .
Oaxaca asked the girl to perform oral sex on Garcia , and Jane Doe 3 “ said , very quietly , ‘ No , ’ and shook her head , ” the agent said he was told .
The girl said she “ felt stuck , ” Holmes testified , and she ultimately submitted and performed a sex act on Garcia .
She “ felt disgusted afterward , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviewing Jane Doe 4 , a 24-year-old woman who had served as Garcia ’ s personal assistant in Guadalajara , where the religious leader keeps another home .
He likened the woman ’ s role in Mexico to that of Ocampo ’ s in East Los Angeles : overseeing a group of young girls who performed chores in Garcia ’ s household , then grooming some of them to be inducted into a more exclusive circle that was subjected to sexual abuse .
Garcia ’ s preference was “ the younger the better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said something to the extent of , ‘ They ’ re more pure , they have more love for me , ’ ” the agent recalled her saying .
Jane Doe 4 said Garcia had raped and abused her , Holmes testified .
A lifelong member of La Luz Del Mundo , she said she left the church after Garcia “ asked for her to provide her sister for similar behavior , ” the agent said .

Since the day he stepped off a private jet at Los Angeles International Airport and was arrested last June, Naason Joaquin Garcia, the leader of an international church headquartered in Mexico, has been held on charges of raping children and possessing child pornography, among other felonies.
The case against Garcia, whose followers consider him an apostle of Jesus Christ, is sweeping. It encompasses multiple underage victims, implicates several employees of his church, La Luz del Mundo, and is buttressed by photographs and videos seized from Garcia’s phones and other devices.
It had also been, to this point, untested in court.
On Tuesday, prosecutors from the California attorney general’s office began a preliminary hearing, by the end of which they must convince L.A. Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen that their case is strong enough to proceed. They expect the hearing to last seven to 10 days.
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The prosecution’s first witness, Troy Holmes, a special agent from the California Department of Justice, testified that he oversaw the investigation from shortly after the time Garcia was reported through an online child sex abuse hotline and culminating in his arrest on a private airstrip at LAX.
When Garcia disembarked, he was carrying an iPhone and an iPad, Holmes said. The agent spent much of Tuesday testifying about videos and photographs retrieved from the devices.
Holmes described one video found on the iPad that showed a “young male” wearing a suit and a black mask that covered his eyes. A woman entered the frame, undressed him and performed oral sex on him, Holmes testified. A witness has identified the woman as the boy’s aunt, the agent said.
A pair of FBI agents traveled to Texas and interviewed the boy at his high school, Holmes testified. The boy, whom he called “John Doe 2,” was born in 2003, he said.
Garcia’s attorney, Alan Jackson, protested that prosecutors were refusing to identify his client’s accusers, as well as many of the case’s witnesses, depriving him of the opportunity to cross-examine them or establish any motives or biases. “The prosecution wants to conduct this entire hearing basically in secret,” he told the judge.
Diana Callaghan, a deputy attorney general, said they were keeping victims and some witnesses nameless because they’d been subjected to “threats and intimidation.” Coen ruled that, because this was a preliminary hearing and not a trial, Garcia didn’t have a right to confront his accusers.
Garcia has maintained his innocence since being arrested last summer, and his lawyers have said they look forward to clearing his name in court. Jackson declined to comment after Tuesday’s hearing.
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The religious leader appeared in court Tuesday wearing an orange jumpsuit from the county jail, his wrists shackled at the waist, and he listened to a Spanish translation of the proceedings through an earpiece.
Holmes described a series of interviews he conducted with two girls and a woman identified as Jane Does 2, 3, and 4.
In April 2019, he spoke with Jane Doe 2, who was 17 at the time, he said. Several years earlier, she told the agent, she was invited to join a “service group” at La Luz Del Mundo’s church in East Los Angeles. A member of the church since birth, she told the agent she felt honored to be brought into this circle, which Holmes described as “an exclusive group of girls that serviced Mr. Garcia.”
Belonging to this group “was very important to her mother,” Holmes testified.
After she turned 15, Jane Doe 2 was invited by Alondra Ocampo, a member of La Luz Del Mundo in East Los Angeles and a co-defendant of Garcia’s, to join “a more exclusive group of girls,” Holmes said he was told. Girls in this group danced for Garcia while partially nude and wearing lingerie, Holmes testified.
When Jane Doe 2 told Ocampo she felt uncomfortable doing this, she said she was told “if she didn’t want to participate in the dancing, it would go against the church and Mr. Garcia,” Holmes testified. Knowing the girl’s father was not in her life, Ocampo told her Garcia “would be like a father to her and take care of her,” she told the agent.
One night, Jane Doe 2 came to Garcia’s home in East Los Angeles and was greeted at the back entrance by Ocampo, who told her to undress and serve Garcia coffee in the nude, she recalled to Holmes. When she entered Garcia’s office, he complimented her, kissed her and raped her, she said, according to Holmes. She was a virgin at the time, he said.
Holmes testified that he interviewed Jane Doe 3 in April 2019. She was 17 at the time. Ocampo had invited her into the same “service group” at the East Los Angeles church, only Jane Doe 3 knew it as the “fruteros,” or “fruit servers,” Holmes said.
Ocampo told the girl she would be “committing sins” with Garcia but that they would be forgiven because he was God’s servant, the young woman told Holmes. At a hotel in Whittier, Ocampo filmed Jane Doe 3 and another girl spreading whipped cream and strawberries on each other’s bodies and licking it off, Holmes said she told him.
In January 2018, Jane Doe 3 was summoned to Garcia’s East Los Angeles home and told to go to Garcia’s bedroom, where, according to Holmes, she saw a woman she knew as “Ms. Susie.” The woman — whom Jane Doe 3 subsequently identified as Susan Oaxaca, Garcia’s personal assistant and, now, a co-defendant — took the girl’s hand, placed it on Garcia’s genitals and began massaging his penis, she told Holmes.
Oaxaca asked the girl to perform oral sex on Garcia, and Jane Doe 3 “said, very quietly, ‘No,’ and shook her head,” the agent said he was told. The girl said she “felt stuck,” Holmes testified, and she ultimately submitted and performed a sex act on Garcia. She “felt disgusted afterward,” he recalled her saying.
The agent described interviewing Jane Doe 4, a 24-year-old woman who had served as Garcia’s personal assistant in Guadalajara, where the religious leader keeps another home. He likened the woman’s role in Mexico to that of Ocampo’s in East Los Angeles: overseeing a group of young girls who performed chores in Garcia’s household, then grooming some of them to be inducted into a more exclusive circle that was subjected to sexual abuse.
Garcia’s preference was “the younger the better,” she told Holmes. “He said something to the extent of, ‘They’re more pure, they have more love for me,’” the agent recalled her saying.
Jane Doe 4 said Garcia had raped and abused her, Holmes testified. A lifelong member of La Luz Del Mundo, she said she left the church after Garcia “asked for her to provide her sister for similar behavior,” the agent said.


latimes--2020-08-12--Inspired by essential workers, young brothers use a 3D printer to make face shields

During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States , Zubin and Tenzing Carvalho were on high alert .
The two brothers from Hemet , ages 14 and 12 , come from a family of healthcare workers , many of them in New Jersey and New York , two of the hardest hit states at the time .
Some relatives got COVID-19 and recovered , but their great-uncle and great-aunt , who were older and had underlying health conditions , didn ’ t make it .
So the brothers decided to do something .
Their dad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery at Hemet Global Medical Center , and their grandparents are primary care doctors in West Covina .
From them , the brothers knew what the battle looked like on the frontlines , and wanted to make sure their family members and other healthcare workers were as protected as possible .
Tenzing and Zubin are members of a robotics team at Western Center Academy , a STEM-focused school in Hemet .
They began using their robotics team ’ s 3D printer to make face shields for healthcare workers in their family , Filipino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago , the Bay Area and Southern California .
They soon realized there was a high demand for personal protective equipment at hospitals , nursing homes and schools in their community , and reached out to robotics teams at other schools to expand their project .
Since February , they have enlisted students from seven high schools and eight elementary schools to produce more than 12,500 face shields .
Their group , SoCal Face Shields for Frontline Workers , has made donations to the Navajo Nation , more than 50 medical clinics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Veterans Administration Loma Linda Healthcare System , grocery stores and postal workers .
Next , they ’ ll be providing 1,600 face shields for election workers in Riverside County in November .
“ It feels wonderful to help people , especially frontline workers , knowing that they ’ re risking their lives every day at work , helping COVID patients and helping the community , ” said Zubin .
“ We ’ re just kids , but nowadays you have the opportunity to help people in many different ways , ” said Tenzing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make , and the boys often print for 15 hours a day .
Using the design from the UC San Francisco face shield project , which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration , they print the shield frames from their living room at home .
These face shields are reusable , and the transparency film can be changed easily and linked with rubber bands , a more accessible material than buttonhole elastic .
Making the shields at home came with complications .
At first , they used a three-hole punch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head strap for the actual face shield , getting blisters in the process .
It wasn ’ t until they reached out to Hemet Unified School District ’ s purchasing director , Andy McGuire , that they found a better method to make holes in the tough plastic .
Now , they use the school district ’ s drill press to punch through 200 sheets at a time .
The Carvalhos donated 2,600 face shields for the teachers , aides , cafeteria workers , special education classes , administrators and custodial staff who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school year .
“ For them to be able to prop us up and help us get through this has been so heartwarming , ” said McGuire , who was responsible for procuring PPE for staff and students in 26 schools .
“ We were working hard to provide all the things we needed for [ school lunches ] and things of that nature to our students , and then these two young men showed up , and it was such a role reversal .
Now we have the kids taking care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Center Academy , said he is proud of his students for taking initiative to help others during the pandemic .
“ They ’ re incredibly motivated kids who are willing to wrap their heads around problems and to see what resources are available , ” he said .
“ They want to do what they can to be able to apply their resources , their knowledge , their drive and their passion to help those around them.
” While other students at the academy have worked on similar projects to help frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramped up the capacity and taken things to a whole new level , ” Bailey said .
The Carvalhos had planned to go on vacation in Italy and take classes during their summer break , but don ’ t complain about their canceled plans .
“ We didn ’ t expect things to end up this way , but we ’ ve ended up helping many people , and it ’ s been an awesome experience , ” Tenzing said .

Zubin, 14, left, and Tenzing Carvalho, 12, donate their homemade face shields to Meadowbrook Health Care Center Administrator Mike Elbert and Raji Sandhills, director of nursing, in Hemet.
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Zubin and Tenzing Carvalho were on high alert. The two brothers from Hemet, ages 14 and 12, come from a family of healthcare workers, many of them in New Jersey and New York, two of the hardest hit states at the time.
Some relatives got COVID-19 and recovered, but their great-uncle and great-aunt, who were older and had underlying health conditions, didn’t make it.
For the record: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said the UC San Francisco face shield project was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The project complies with FDA guidelines.
So the brothers decided to do something.
Their dad, Dr. Gerard Carvalho, is chief of surgery at Hemet Global Medical Center, and their grandparents are primary care doctors in West Covina. From them, the brothers knew what the battle looked like on the frontlines, and wanted to make sure their family members and other healthcare workers were as protected as possible.
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Tenzing and Zubin are members of a robotics team at Western Center Academy, a STEM-focused school in Hemet. They began using their robotics team’s 3-D printer to make face shields for healthcare workers in their family, Filipino Americans from New York, New Jersey, Chicago, the Bay Area and Southern California. They soon realized there was a high demand for personal protective equipment at hospitals, nursing homes and schools in their community, and reached out to robotics teams at other schools to expand their project.
Now we have the kids taking care of us. — Andy McGuire, purchasing director, Hemet Unified School District
Since February, they have enlisted students from seven high schools and eight elementary schools to produce more than 12,500 face shields. Their group, SoCal Face Shields for Frontline Workers, has made donations to the Navajo Nation, more than 50 medical clinics, food and service workers at the Veterans Administration Loma Linda Healthcare System, grocery stores and postal workers. Next, they’ll be providing 1,600 face shields for election workers at 120 “vote centers” in Riverside County in November.
“It feels wonderful to help people, especially frontline workers, knowing that they’re risking their lives every day at work, helping COVID patients and helping the community,” said Zubin.
“We’re just kids, but nowadays you have the opportunity to help people in many different ways,” said Tenzing.
Zubin Carvalho, front, and his brother Tenzing honed their 3-D printing skills at Western Center Academy in Hemet. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Each face shield takes three hours to make, and the boys often print for 15 hours a day. Using the design from the UC San Francisco face shield project, which complies with Food and Drug Administration guidelines, they print the shield frames from their living room at home. These face shields are reusable, and the transparency film can be changed easily and linked with rubber bands, a more accessible material than buttonhole elastic.
Advertisement
Making the shields at home came with complications. At first, they used a three-hole punch to manually create attachment points on the head strap for the actual face shield, getting blisters in the process. It wasn’t until they reached out to Hemet Unified School District’s purchasing director, Andy McGuire, that they found a better method to make holes in the tough plastic. Now, they use the school district’s drill press to punch through 200 sheets at a time.
Zubin and Tenzing watch as Andy McGuire makes precise holes in face shields so headbands can be attached at the print shop. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Carvalhos donated 2,600 face shields for the teachers, aides, cafeteria workers, special education classes, administrators and custodial staff who may work on campus during the remote-learning school year.
“For them to be able to prop us up and help us get through this has been so heartwarming,” said McGuire, who was responsible for procuring PPE for staff and students in 26 schools. “We were working hard to provide all the things we needed for [school lunches] and things of that nature to our students, and then these two young men showed up, and it was such a role reversal. Now we have the kids taking care of us.”
Paul Bailey, principal of Western Center Academy, said he is proud of his students for taking initiative to help others during the pandemic.
“They’re incredibly motivated kids who are willing to wrap their heads around problems and to see what resources are available,” he said. “They want to do what they can to be able to apply their resources, their knowledge, their drive and their passion to help those around them.”
While other students at the academy have worked on similar projects to help frontline workers, Tenzing and Zubin have “ramped up the capacity and taken things to a whole new level,” Bailey said.
The Carvalhos had planned to go on vacation in Italy and take classes during their summer break, but don’t complain about their canceled plans.
“We didn’t expect things to end up this way, but we’ve ended up helping many people, and it’s been an awesome experience,” Tenzing said.


latimes--2020-08-12--A Salvadoran immigrant feared losing his food industry job. Now he's dead of COVID-19

Alisha Álvarez ’ s mind is filled with thoughts of her father ’ s happy spirit and the stories he told .
José Roberto Álvarez , a man of medium stature with a thick mustache , was known for his work ethic and instilling in his children a love of others .
“ It is so difficult to talk about him because I loved him so much , ” Álvarez said of her father , who died after contracting COVID-19 .
He worked at one of the three food distribution facilities that were briefly closed last month by Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the disease were detected .
He was “ very affectionate ; he never left me without giving me a hug , a kiss , ” Álvarez said of the man known to some in his community as “ Beto Mena.
” As California saw a surge in coronavirus cases after partially reopening its economy this summer , essential workers , many of them Latinos in the food industry , have been hit hard .
José Roberto was from San Miguel , El Salvador , and came to the United States in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had served for the past two years as head of maintenance at Mission Foods Corp. in Commerce .
At the beginning of the pandemic , in March , he was going to work every day .
In May , the company sent a letter notifying employees that someone had fallen ill with coronavirus infection .
“ My mom and dad went to do the test and they both didn ’ t have it ; they were negative , ” Álvarez said .
In the following weeks , there was no official communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of tortillas , chips and salsas , that more workers had gotten sick , Álvarez said .
In June , however , word began circulating among employees that some workers had contracted COVID-19 .
On June 22 , the 67-year-old José Roberto Álvarez , who had diabetes and high blood pressure , began showing some COVID-19 symptoms .
“ In this situation , ” Álvarez said , “ he was afraid of saying that he couldn ’ t come to work , because he believed that he would be fired.
” Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at least 40 people tested positive for COVID-19 at Mission Foods Corp. , while at least 60 were identified at S & S Foods Corp. in Azusa and at least 47 at Golden State Foods Corp. in Industry , according to the county .
Barbara Ferrer , county health director , said those three companies were closed at the end of July for failing to report their coronavirus outbreaks .
“ Our inspector asked them to make some modifications to really improve their infection control protocols at all three sites , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses have since reopened .
In a statement , Mission Foods said it had stepped up measures to enhance worker safety in the face of the pandemic .
The Times has reported that the county is examining the deaths of two employees at Mission Foods Corp .
In a written statement sent to The Times , Mission Foods said that it had taken appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of its nearly 600 employees at the Commerce facility and had “ worked hard ” to keep all employees informed about confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have also encouraged and allowed high-risk individuals who may be concerned about contracting COVID-19 to take leaves of absence .
This includes at our Olympic facility where we have high-risk employees who have been given extended leave due to COVID-19 , ” a spokesperson said , referring to Olympic Blvd .
in Commerce .
On June 28 , a week after José Roberto began having symptoms , he and his wife were tested again .
This time both tested positive .
After his infection was diagnosed , José Roberto remained isolated at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his wife , another daughter , who suffers from a chronic disease , also became infected .
Six days later , on July 4 , he had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital .
The next day , he was admitted to the hospital ’ s intensive care unit .
He spent two weeks connected to a respirator and on July 20 he died .
“ My dad has been a partner for 35 years to my mom , ” Álvarez said .
“ It is hard not to have him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The family is working to create the Beto Mena Foundation , a nonprofit that serves the community , as a way to honor José Roberto .
At the same time , by publicizing his case , they are trying to give a voice to the Latino community , many of whom are forced to go to workplaces where there is a risk of contagion .
According to Óscar Ramírez , a lawyer for the Álvarez family who is investigating the situation , Mission Foods “ did not reveal a massive outbreak to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligation .
“ If there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in a place of employment , ” said the lawyer , “ they must disclose it to their workers so they know , and not intentionally hide it , which is what happened here.
” Álvarez said her father ’ s death could serve as an example to other workers , encouraging them to have strength and , perhaps , help other families avoid tragedy .
“ There are other families who work there , ” she said , “ and I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a voice .
”

José Roberto Álvarez is remembered for his spirit, his storytelling and his congeniality.
Alisha Álvarez’s mind is filled with thoughts of her father’s happy spirit and the stories he told. José Roberto Álvarez, a man of medium stature with a thick mustache, was known for his work ethic and instilling in his children a love of others.
“It is so difficult to talk about him because I loved him so much,” Álvarez said of her father, who died after contracting COVID-19. He worked at one of the three food distribution facilities that were briefly closed last month by Los Angeles County public health authorities after outbreaks of the disease were detected.
He was “very affectionate; he never left me without giving me a hug, a kiss,” Álvarez said of the man known to some in his community as “Beto Mena.”
As California saw a surge in coronavirus cases after partially reopening its economy this summer, essential workers, many of them Latinos in the food industry, have been hit hard.
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José Roberto was from San Miguel, El Salvador, and came to the United States in the early 1980s. An engineer by profession, he had served for the past two years as head of maintenance at Mission Foods Corp. in Commerce.
At the beginning of the pandemic, in March, he was going to work every day. In May, the company sent a letter notifying employees that someone had fallen ill with coronavirus infection.
“My mom and dad went to do the test and they both didn’t have it; they were negative,” Álvarez said.
In the following weeks, there was no official communication from the company, a leading distributor of tortillas, chips and salsas, that more workers had gotten sick, Álvarez said. In June, however, word began circulating among employees that some workers had contracted COVID-19.
On June 22, the 67-year-old José Roberto Álvarez, who had diabetes and high blood pressure, began showing some COVID-19 symptoms.
“In this situation,” Álvarez said, “he was afraid of saying that he couldn’t come to work, because he believed that he would be fired.”
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials reported that at least 40 people tested positive for COVID-19 at Mission Foods Corp., while at least 60 were identified at S&S Foods Corp. in Azusa and at least 47 at Golden State Foods Corp. in Industry, according to the county.
Barbara Ferrer, county health director, said those three companies were closed at the end of July for failing to report their coronavirus outbreaks.
“Our inspector asked them to make some modifications to really improve their infection control protocols at all three sites,” Ferrer said last week.
All three businesses have since reopened. In a statement, Mission Foods said it had stepped up measures to enhance worker safety in the face of the pandemic. The Times has reported that the county is examining the deaths of two employees at Mission Foods Corp.
In a written statement sent to The Times, Mission Foods said that it had taken appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of its nearly 600 employees at the Commerce facility and had “worked hard” to keep all employees informed about confirmed cases of coronavirus infection there.
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“We have also encouraged and allowed high-risk individuals who may be concerned about contracting COVID-19 to take leaves of absence. This includes at our Olympic facility where we have high-risk employees who have been given extended leave due to COVID-19,” a spokesperson said, referring to Olympic Blvd. in Commerce.
On June 28, a week after José Roberto began having symptoms, he and his wife were tested again. This time both tested positive.
After his infection was diagnosed, José Roberto remained isolated at home. In addition to him and his wife, another daughter, who suffers from a chronic disease, also became infected.
Six days later, on July 4, he had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital. The next day, he was admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. He spent two weeks connected to a respirator and on July 20 he died.
“My dad has been a partner for 35 years to my mom,” Álvarez said. “It is hard not to have him here. He was everything for us.”
The family is working to create the Beto Mena Foundation, a nonprofit that serves the community, as a way to honor José Roberto. At the same time, by publicizing his case, they are trying to give a voice to the Latino community, many of whom are forced to go to workplaces where there is a risk of contagion.
According to Óscar Ramírez, a lawyer for the Álvarez family who is investigating the situation, Mission Foods “did not reveal a massive outbreak to all the workers” as was its obligation.
“If there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in a place of employment,” said the lawyer, “they must disclose it to their workers so they know, and not intentionally hide it, which is what happened here.”
Álvarez said her father’s death could serve as an example to other workers, encouraging them to have strength and, perhaps, help other families avoid tragedy.
“There are other families who work there,” she said, “and I want people who are in that situation to have a voice.”