latimes--2020-05-22--Coronavirus could force pay cuts for California lawmakers, state workers

The California budget crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has put an end to seven straight years of pay hikes for state legislators and other elected officials and raises the possibility that they could see their salaries reduced .
The crisis has triggered provisions of a ballot measure approved by California voters in 2009 that prohibits a citizens commission that sets the salary of 132 elected officials from approving raises when there is a deficit .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said this month that the state faces a projected $ 54.3-billion budget deficit through early next summer , prompting austerity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut for rank-and-file state workers as well as himself .
The last time civil servants had their pay cut , during the Great Recession of a decade ago , the state Citizens Compensation Commission decided to also slash the salaries of elected officials including legislators , reasoning that they should share the pain of other state government employees .
That could happen again when the panel holds its annual meeting Thursday to set salaries for elected officials .
“ I ’ d say it ’ s a possibility , ” said Commission Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If employees are asked to make a sacrifice , it could be seen that elected leadership should share in the sacrifice.
” Dalzell said he is waiting to take a position on the issue until he hears from other members of the seven-person commission , which was created by the state ’ s voters in 1990 and is appointed by the governor .
But the head of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn .
said Friday that sparing legislators from the kinds of pay cuts facing most state workers , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wrong message .
“ It would reinforce in the minds of most average California citizens that our elected officials are just part of the elites and not connected very tightly to the real world , ” said Jon Coupal , president of the taxpayer group .
Legislators said they were prepared to accept whatever decision is made by the compensation panel .
“ The voters placed the determination of legislator salaries in the hands of an independent commission in good times and bad , and I will respect the decision that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pro Tem Toni Atkins ( D-San Diego ) .
The panel ’ s actions over the years have made Newsom the highest paid governor in the nation at $ 209,747 while California legislators are the second-highest paid , after New York , with an annual base salary of $ 114,877 .
The citizens commission also sets salaries for the lieutenant governor , attorney general , treasurer , controller , secretary of state , insurance commissioner , superintendent of public instruction and members of the Board of Equalization .
A 2009 ballot measure approved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending prohibits the commission from giving pay raises to elected officials if the state ’ s general fund is expected to end the year with a deficit .
In a letter dated May 15 , the state Department of Finance informed the commission of this year ’ s deficit , so the only decision left to the citizens panel is whether to maintain the pay levels as they are or make reductions .
The commission cut elected officials ’ pay by 18 % in 2009 after the governor and Legislature furloughed state workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Great Recession .
The elected officials ’ salaries are just getting close to what they were before the recession .
Coupal said pay cuts for legislators are warranted .
“ I would think given the economic crisis that we are currently in and that we on the borderline of a fairly deep recession , that it would be appropriate , ” he said .
Earlier this month , Newsom said the state would begin bargaining with state employee unions to reduce pay by approximately 10 % starting July 1 to save $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state will make every attempt to reach these savings through collective bargaining , ” the governor ’ s budget says .
“ However , the Administration will include a budget provision to impose reductions if the state can not reach an agreement.
” Proposed cuts have already drawn backlash from state workers and their representatives , including Tim Edwards , president of Cal Fire Local 2881 , the union for 6,000 current and retired state firefighters and other employees .
“ It ’ s a bad and dangerous policy .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislative committee at a hearing on the proposed pay reductions Thursday .
“ We strongly and absolutely reject any cuts to state employees.
” The independent Legislative Analyst ’ s Office recommended this week that state negotiators consider alternatives to furloughs as the state seeks to reduce payroll costs .
Alternatives are also being explored by SEIU Local 1000 , the largest state employee union , representing 96,000 mostly blue-collar state workers .
Newsom ’ s offer to work with the unions on a solution is better than what happened a decade ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directive , said SEIU spokesman Brian Nash .
“ The 15 % pay cut , and the devastation it wrought , was unnecessary , ” Nash said .
“ We could have gone through a process like we ’ re doing now .
Instead , people lost their homes and their ability to provide for their families.
” The union is declining to publicly discuss alternatives to pay cuts .
“ It ’ s not in the best interest of our members to divulge our strategy prior to sitting down at the bargaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

Members of the California Assembly, shown in 2019, will not get pay raises this year and may see their salaries reduced because of the state budget crisis.
The California budget crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has put an end to seven straight years of pay hikes for state legislators and other elected officials and raises the possibility that they could see their salaries reduced.
The crisis has triggered provisions of a ballot measure approved by California voters in 2009 that prohibits a citizens commission that sets the salary of 132 elected officials from approving raises when there is a deficit.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said this month that the state faces a projected $54.3-billion budget deficit through early next summer, prompting austerity measures that include a 10% pay cut for rank-and-file state workers as well as himself.
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The last time civil servants had their pay cut, during the Great Recession of a decade ago, the state Citizens Compensation Commission decided to also slash the salaries of elected officials including legislators, reasoning that they should share the pain of other state government employees.
That could happen again when the panel holds its annual meeting Thursday to set salaries for elected officials.
“I’d say it’s a possibility,” Commission Chairman Tom Dalzell said regarding a cut in pay. “If employees are asked to make a sacrifice, it could be seen that elected leadership should share in the sacrifice.”
Dalzell said he is waiting to take a position on the issue until he hears from other members of the seven-person commission, which was created by the state’s voters in 1990 and is appointed by the governor.
But the head of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. said Friday that sparing legislators from the kinds of pay cuts facing most state workers, as well as many private-sector employees, would send the wrong message.
“It would reinforce in the minds of most average California citizens that our elected officials are just part of the elites and not connected very tightly to the real world,” said Jon Coupal, president of the taxpayer group.
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Legislators said they were prepared to accept whatever decision is made by the compensation panel.
“The voters placed the determination of legislator salaries in the hands of an independent commission in good times and bad, and I will respect the decision that the commission makes,” said Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego).
The panel’s actions over the years have made Newsom the highest-paid governor in the nation at $209,747 while California legislators are the second-highest paid, after New York, with an annual base salary of $114,877. The citizens commission also sets salaries for the lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, controller, secretary of state, insurance commissioner, superintendent of public instruction and members of the Board of Equalization.
A 2009 ballot measure approved by California voters to rein in state spending prohibits the commission from giving pay raises to elected officials if the state’s general fund is expected to end the year with a deficit.
In a letter dated May 15, the state Department of Finance informed the commission of this year’s deficit, so the only decision left to the citizens panel is whether to maintain the pay levels as they are or make reductions.
The commission cut elected officials’ pay by 18% in 2009 after the governor and Legislature furloughed state workers to balance a budget hit hard by the Great Recession.
The elected officials’ salaries are just getting close to what they were before the recession.
Coupal said pay cuts for legislators are warranted. “I would think given the economic crisis that we are currently in and that we are on the borderline of a fairly deep recession, that it would be appropriate,” he said.
Earlier this month, Newsom said the state would begin bargaining with state employee unions to reduce pay by approximately 10% starting July 1 to save $2.8 billion next fiscal year.
“The state will make every attempt to reach these savings through collective bargaining,” the governor’s budget says. “However, the administration will include a budget provision to impose reductions if the state cannot reach an agreement.”
Proposed cuts have already drawn backlash from state workers and their representatives, including Tim Edwards, president of Cal Fire Local 2881, the union for 6,000 current and retired state firefighters and other employees.
“It’s a bad and dangerous policy. It’s arbitrary,” Edwards told a legislative committee at a hearing on the proposed pay reductions Thursday. “We strongly and absolutely reject any cuts to state employees.”
The independent Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended this week that state negotiators consider alternatives to furloughs as the state seeks to reduce payroll costs. Alternatives are also being explored by SEIU Local 1000, the largest state employee union, representing 96,000 mostly blue-collar state workers.
Newsom’s offer to work with the unions on a solution is better than what happened a decade ago, when employee pay was slashed by directive, said SEIU spokesman Brian Nash.
“The 15% pay cut, and the devastation it wrought, was unnecessary,” Nash said. “We could have gone through a process like we’re doing now. Instead, people lost their homes and their ability to provide for their families.”
The union is declining to publicly discuss alternatives to pay cuts. “It’s not in the best interest of our members to divulge our strategy prior to sitting down at the bargaining table with the state,” Nash said.


latimes--2020-05-22--Heat wave to arrive in Southern California just in time for Memorial Day

Southern California ’ s third heat wave of the year is poised to bring scorching temperatures just in time for Memorial Day celebrations , but officials are cautioning the public to remain vigilant about social distancing when heading outside to soak up some sun .
While temperatures along the coast are expected to linger in the mid-70s throughout the weekend and early into next week , the mercury will rise significantly beginning Monday — into triple digits in some areas — in the San Fernando Valley , San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire , said Eric Boldt , a meteorologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The heat wave is expected to peak Wednesday , but warm weather will likely linger a while , Boldt said .
“ These high temperatures are going to continue pretty much through next week , ” he said .
“ We might see a little relief toward Friday and Saturday , but it seems like the rest of May is going to be warm.
” Temperatures throughout Southern California are expected to be about 20 degrees above normal for the time of year .
Downtown Los Angeles is expected to see temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while more inland cities like Pasadena are expected to top 90 degrees .
Desert regions , including Palm Springs , will sizzle with 100-degree temperatures through much of next week , forecasters said .
The weather service issued an excessive heat watch for the San Diego County deserts , Apple and Lucerne valleys and the Coachella Valley , warning of dangerously hot conditions beginning Monday morning and lasting until Friday evening .
Temperatures between 105 and 110 degrees are possible in the low deserts and 100-106 degrees in the high desert .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for heat-related illnesses , particularly for sensitive groups and those working or participating in outdoor activities , ” the weather service wrote .
Officials anticipate that many Californians will flock to the coast to get some relief .
After sometimes lengthy closures amid the coronavirus outbreak , many Southern California beaches have recently reopened with certain modifications .
Beachgoers won ’ t be able to bring their coolers and umbrellas and lounge on the sand this weekend , but active uses including walking , jogging and swimming are allowed along the coast in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties .
Los Angeles County officials announced that beach bike paths and some beach parking lots are reopening in time for the holiday weekend .
While Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer encouraged Angelenos to celebrate Memorial Day and enjoy being outside , she warned them to allow for physical distancing and refrain from packing the sand during beach outings .
“ Many of our beautiful outdoor spaces are open , and we can enjoy them as we practice physical distancing and wear our cloth face coverings when we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a news conference this week .
“ The virus hasn ’ t changed .
It ’ s still relatively easy to become infected , particularly if you ’ re not taking precautions .
”

Jeremy Moskovitz practices physical distancing along with other visitors to Bluff Park in Long Beach in early May.
Southern California’s third heat wave of the year is poised to bring scorching temperatures just in time for Memorial Day celebrations, but officials are cautioning the public to remain vigilant about social distancing when heading outside to soak up some sun.
While temperatures along the coast are expected to linger in the mid-70s throughout the weekend and early into next week, the mercury will rise significantly beginning Monday — into triple digits in some areas — in the San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire, said Eric Boldt, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
The heat wave is expected to peak Wednesday, but warm weather will likely linger a while, Boldt said.
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“These high temperatures are going to continue pretty much through next week,” he said. “We might see a little relief toward Friday and Saturday, but it seems like the rest of May is going to be warm.”
Temperatures throughout Southern California are expected to be about 20 degrees above normal for the time of year.
Downtown Los Angeles is expected to see temperatures into the mid-80s on Memorial Day, while more inland cities like Pasadena are expected to top 90 degrees. Desert regions, including Palm Springs, will sizzle with 100-degree temperatures through much of next week, forecasters said.
Heads-up! Starting on Memorial Day thru at least Thursday we expect a heat wave over #SoCal. Inland valleys, mountains, and deserts will see moderate heat risk (shown in orange) by Tuesday. Caution should be taken during the hottest hours. #CAwx #LAheat #LAweather pic.twitter.com/mywv1Ug0MF — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) May 20, 2020
The weather service issued an excessive heat watch for the San Diego County deserts, Apple and Lucerne valleys and the Coachella Valley, warning of dangerously hot conditions beginning Monday morning and lasting until Friday evening. Temperatures between 105 and 110 degrees are possible in the low deserts and 100-106 degrees in the high desert.
“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for sensitive groups and those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the weather service wrote.
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Officials anticipate that many Californians will flock to the coast to get some relief. After sometimes lengthy closures amid the coronavirus outbreak, many Southern California beaches have recently reopened with certain modifications.
Beachgoers won’t be able to bring their coolers and umbrellas and lounge on the sand this weekend, but active uses including walking, jogging and swimming are allowed along the coast in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. Los Angeles County officials announced that beach bike paths and some beach parking lots are reopening in time for the holiday weekend.
While Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer encouraged Angelenos to celebrate Memorial Day and enjoy being outside, she warned them to allow for physical distancing and refrain from packing the sand during beach outings.
California How to celebrate Memorial Day during the pandemic Memorial Day will be very different in 2020. Instead of large gatherings with friends and family, try some of these alternatives.
“Many of our beautiful outdoor spaces are open, and we can enjoy them as we practice physical distancing and wear our cloth face coverings when we’re around other people,” Ferrer said during a news conference this week.
“The virus hasn’t changed. It’s still relatively easy to become infected, particularly if you’re not taking precautions.”


latimes--2020-05-22--Sacramento County pulls plug on fitness studios, small gatherings after state intervenes

Sacramento County has walked back its decision to allow the opening of fitness studios and plans for small gatherings after state public health officials said both are still not allowed under relaxed stay-at-home orders .
Shortly after giving the green light for small exercise facilities to reopen , the county was forced to backtrack when the state intervened .
“ The Department of Health Services was willing to work with small fitness studios to reopen based on significant restrictions and requirements that ensured ample space between customers and staff and disinfecting shared equipment in order to protect public health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Peter Beilenson said in a statement .
“ However , we have received feedback from the state Department of Public Health that no gyms or small fitness studios of any kind may reopen at this point , and we will respect and follow that guidance.
” Beilenson told KCRA-TV in Sacramento on Thursday that the county ’ s initial reopening plan instructed small studios to adopt significant restrictions , including limiting the space to a small number of clients who would need to register for class .
Equipment was not to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an in-depth hourly cleaning was required .
The county had also hoped to get permission from the state to allow for gatherings of 10 people or less .
In its petition to further reopen , Sacramento County leaders included a proposal to allow for small group settings , but the state did not grant the request .
“ There are still no gatherings of any size permitted outside of household members , ” the county ’ s public information officer , Janna Haynes , said Friday .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lift his stay-at-home orders prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic is currently in the second phase , which allows for curbside pickup and delivery of food and goods , and the reopening of outdoor museums .
Some counties have been approved for dine-in restaurant service and in-store shopping , though gatherings of mixed households are still not allowed .
Sacramento County ’ s stay-at-home order is set to expire Friday night .
Officials plan to issue a revised order that will allow in-restaurant eating and expanded shopping .
The county has seen a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To date , officials have reported more than 1,200 COVID-19 infections and 56 deaths .
Gyms and fitness studios , categorized as high-risk businesses under Phase 3 of Newsom ’ s plan , are not currently allowed to reopen .
Earlier this month , Newsom rebuked three Northern California counties that rushed to reopen businesses , including exercise facilities , without the state ’ s approval .
At least 42 counties , including Sacramento , have met the state ’ s guidelines to further lift restrictions .
Some counties , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowly to reopen .
Counties are allowed to move at their own pace but must not circumvent the state ’ s orders .

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orders don’t currently allow gym and fitness studios to reopen in the state.
Sacramento County has walked back its decision to allow the opening of fitness studios and plans for small gatherings after state public health officials said both are still not allowed under relaxed stay-at-home orders.
Shortly after giving the green light for small exercise facilities to reopen, the county was forced to backtrack when the state intervened.
“The Department of Health Services was willing to work with small fitness studios to reopen based on significant restrictions and requirements that ensured ample space between customers and staff and disinfecting shared equipment in order to protect public health,” Sacramento County Director of Health Services Dr. Peter Beilenson said in a statement.
“However, we have received feedback from the state Department of Public Health that no gyms or small fitness studios of any kind may reopen at this point, and we will respect and follow that guidance.”
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Beilenson told KCRA-TV in Sacramento on Thursday that the county’s initial reopening plan instructed small studios to adopt significant restrictions, including limiting the space to a small number of clients who would need to register for class. Equipment was not to be shared, bathrooms could not be used and an in-depth hourly cleaning was required.
The county had also hoped to get permission from the state to allow for gatherings of 10 people or less. In its petition to further reopen, Sacramento County leaders included a proposal to allow for small group settings, but the state did not grant the request.
“There are still no gatherings of any size permitted outside of household members,” the county’s public information officer, Janna Haynes, said Friday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-stage plan to reopen the state and lift his stay-at-home orders prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic is currently in the second phase, which allows for curbside pickup and delivery of food and goods, and the reopening of outdoor museums.
Some counties have been approved for dine-in restaurant service and in-store shopping, though gatherings of mixed households are still not allowed.
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Sacramento County’s stay-at-home order is set to expire Friday night. Officials plan to issue a revised order that will allow in-restaurant eating and expanded shopping. The county has seen a decline in confirmed cases in recent weeks. To date, officials have reported more than 1,200 COVID-19 infections and 56 deaths.
Gyms and fitness studios, categorized as high-risk businesses under Phase 3 of Newsom’s plan, are not currently allowed to reopen. Earlier this month, Newsom rebuked three Northern California counties that rushed to reopen businesses, including exercise facilities, without the state’s approval.
Which California counties are reopening? To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.
At least 42 counties, including Sacramento, have met the state’s guidelines to further lift restrictions. Some counties, such as Los Angeles County, are moving more slowly to reopen.
Counties are allowed to move at their own pace but must not circumvent the state’s orders.


latimes--2020-05-22--How to celebrate Memorial Day during the pandemic

Memorial Day reflexively evokes image of backyard barbecues with friends and family , flash sales and parades — all activities the coronavirus has taken off the table .
One silver lining to being stuck inside during Memorial Day weekend : Less commotion may make it easier to reflect on the actual meaning of the holiday , which is remembering fallen military personnel .
And there are still ways to celebrate the holiday without the crowds .
1 .
Fewer people doesn ’ t have to mean quiet .
A band of historic warplanes is set to soar over parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veterans and healthcare workers .
The antique planes will “ be low , slow and loud , ” said Bill Prosser , operations manager for the Commemorative Air Force Inland Empire Wing .
2 .
With beaches now open for limited use in Los Angeles and other counties , it ’ s possible to spend the day swimming in or surfing on the waves .
There ’ s also nothing to stop you from plunging in your own pool if you have one .
Breathe easy : Many experts believe it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pools and lakes without fear of contracting the coronavirus .
3 .
Campgrounds , which naturally lend themselves to social distancing , are beginning to open in Southern California , some of them in time for Memorial Day .
Some parks and trails are also reopening .
4 .
Many marinas are open and gearing up for the busy Memorial Day weekend .
Some areas have allowed boat , kayak and paddleboard rental companies to open .
5 .
Burgers can be enjoyed just as well at home as in the park .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a small cookout with your quarantine crew .

Memorial Day reflexively evokes image of backyard barbecues with friends and family, flash sales and parades — all activities the coronavirus has taken off the table.
One silver lining to being stuck inside during Memorial Day weekend: Less commotion may make it easier to reflect on the actual meaning of the holiday, which is remembering fallen military personnel. And there are still ways to celebrate the holiday without the crowds.
1. Fewer people doesn’t have to mean quiet. A band of historic warplanes is set to soar over parts of Southern California on Memorial Day, saluting veterans and healthcare workers. The antique planes will “be low, slow and loud,” said Bill Prosser, operations manager for the Commemorative Air Force Inland Empire Wing.
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2. With beaches now open for limited use in Los Angeles and other counties, it’s possible to spend the day swimming in or surfing on the waves. There’s also nothing to stop you from plunging in your own pool if you have one. Breathe easy: Many experts believe it’s safe to enjoy the ocean, swimming pools and lakes without fear of contracting the coronavirus.
3. Campgrounds, which naturally lend themselves to social distancing, are beginning to open in Southern California, some of them in time for Memorial Day. Some parks and trails are also reopening.
4. Many marinas are open and gearing up for the busy Memorial Day weekend. Some areas have allowed boat, kayak and paddleboard rental companies to open.
5. Burgers can be enjoyed just as well at home as in the park. These nine Memorial Day recipes are perfect for a small cookout with your quarantine crew.


latimes--2020-05-22--Actress Lori Loughlin, husband enter guilty pleas in college admissions scandal

Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband pleaded guilty Friday to charges of fraud in the college admissions scandal , admitting they scammed their daughters ’ way into USC with lies and illegal payments .
But the case against Loughlin and her husband J. Mossimo Giannulli remained unsettled after the judge in the case put off a decision on whether to accept the couple ’ s guilty pleas and the terms of deals they struck with prosecutors .
Under those deals , Loughlin would spend two months in prison and Giannulli would be sentenced to five months behind bars .
Nonetheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was held remotely over a video conference , marked a sharp about-face for the couple .
Since their arrests more than a year ago , Loughlin and Giannulli had maintained their innocence , repeatedly pleading not guilty as prosecutors ratcheted up pressure on them with enhanced charges , including conspiracy to commit fraud , bribery and money laundering .
Before they said a somber “ guilty ” under oath Friday , the television star and fashion designer acknowledged what they had long denied : that they schemed with William “ Rick ” Singer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart of the scandal , to pass off their two daughters , Olivia Jade Giannulli and Isabella Rose Giannulli , as rowing recruits — a scam that cleared the way for the girls ’ admission to the elite university .
Seated next to their attorneys , Loughlin and Giannulli listened with stony expressions as assistant U.S. Atty .
Eric Rosen read an exhaustive account of their dealings with Singer , including how they paid him a total of $ 500,000 , took staged photographs of the girls on rowing equipment to bolster the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lied to administrators at USC and the girls ’ tony private high school who had grown suspicious .
Afterward , under questioning from U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton , Loughlin , 55 , and Giannulli , 56 , acknowledged the allegations laid out by the prosecutor were true .
From his chambers in a Boston courthouse , Gorton said he would wait to decide whether to accept the guilty pleas until he received detailed reports on the case and the couple from probation officials .
If he ultimately decides that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fines called for in the plea agreements are too lenient , Gorton said he would give the pair the chance to withdraw their guilty pleas or stick with them and accept the judge ’ s more severe punishments .
Sentencing is set for Aug. 21 .
It was not clear if the judge would decide on whether to sign off on the plea deals before then .
There are reasons to think he could have concerns with the proposed punishments .
Gorton has already sentenced four other parents in the wide-ranging scandal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a mother who paid Singer far less money than Loughlin and Giannulli .
Gorton also ordered Douglas Hodge , a former investment manager executive , to serve nine months in prison , the stiffest sentence handed down in the scandal so far .
The decision by Loughlin and Giannulli to plead guilty came after the couple lost an ambitious legal counterattack earlier this year .
They and other parents charged in the case argued that Gorton should dismiss the case or at least toss out incriminating recorded phone calls after notes taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he appeared to claim federal agents pressured him to lie and elicit incriminating yet false evidence against his clients .
Gorton opted to do neither .
Singer , who has pleaded guilty to multiple felonies , has been cooperating with investigators since they confronted him in 2018 after getting a tip about his dealings .
In all , prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for Massachusetts have charged more than 50 parents , coaches , college administrators and others who allegedly participated in Singer ’ s scheme that targeted wealthy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into USC , Yale , Stanford and other elite universities where Singer had made in-roads .
While he ran a legitimate college admission consulting business , Singer offered a menu of illicit services to parents willing to overstep ethical and legal lines .
For a fee that ran from about $ 15,000 to $ 75,000 , Singer arranged to have an accomplice take a teen ’ s college entrance exam or correct their errors .
For about $ 250,000 , parents could access what Singer called the “ side door ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he essentially paid off coaches and athletic administrators for admission spots reserved for athletic recruits .
Many of the accused have pleaded guilty , while about 20 who have persisted in their innocence are slated to go to trial in proceedings scheduled to start later this year and early next year .
On Friday , prosecutors announced that yet another parent had been charged in the case and has agreed to plead guilty .
Under the terms of a plea deal , Peter Dameris , 60 , of Pacific Palisades , will plead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payments to sneak his son into Georgetown University as a bogus tennis player .
While all the parents in the case came from rarefied , privileged circles of one sort or another , the sheen of fame and glamour on Loughlin and Giannulli led to outsized fascination — and ire — from the public .
In April 2019 , Loughlin ’ s fans and detractors lined the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse in Boston where she made her initial appearance .
Since then , supermarket tabloids , citing unnamed sources said to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates on her state of mind , her relationship with her daughters and other salacious , unfounded rumors .

Actress Lori Loughlin and her husband pleaded guilty Friday to charges of fraud in the college admissions scandal, admitting they scammed their daughters’ way into USC with lies and illegal payments.
But the case against Loughlin and her husband J. Mossimo Giannulli remained unsettled after the judge in the case put off a decision on whether to accept the couple’s guilty pleas and the terms of deals they struck with prosecutors.
Under those deals, Loughlin would spend two months in prison and Giannulli would be sentenced to five months behind bars.
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Nonetheless, the court hearing Friday, which was held remotely over a video conference, marked a sharp about-face for the couple. Since their arrests more than a year ago, Loughlin and Giannulli had maintained their innocence, repeatedly pleading not guilty as prosecutors ratcheted up pressure on them with enhanced charges, including conspiracy to commit fraud, bribery and money laundering.
Before they said a somber “guilty” under oath Friday, the television star and fashion designer acknowledged what they had long denied: that they schemed with William “Rick” Singer, a Newport Beach consultant at the heart of the scandal, to pass off their two daughters, Olivia Jade Giannulli and Isabella Rose Giannulli, as rowing recruits — a scam that cleared the way for the girls’ admission to the elite university.
Seated next to their attorneys, Loughlin and Giannulli listened with stony expressions as assistant U.S. Atty. Eric Rosen read an exhaustive account of their dealings with Singer, including how they paid him a total of $500,000, took staged photographs of the girls on rowing equipment to bolster the charade of their athletic prowess, and lied to administrators at USC and the girls’ tony private high school who had grown suspicious.
Afterward, under questioning from U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton, Loughlin, 55, and Giannulli, 56, acknowledged the allegations laid out by the prosecutor were true.
From his chambers in a Boston courthouse, Gorton said he would wait to decide whether to accept the guilty pleas until he received detailed reports on the case and the couple from probation officials. If he ultimately decides that the prison sentences, community service and six-figure fines called for in the plea agreements are too lenient, Gorton said he would give the pair the chance to withdraw their guilty pleas or stick with them and accept the judge’s more severe punishments.
Sentencing is set for Aug. 21. It was not clear if the judge would decide on whether to sign off on the plea deals before then.
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There are reasons to think he could have concerns with the proposed punishments. Gorton has already sentenced four other parents in the wide-ranging scandal and the shortest sentence has been five months for a mother who paid Singer far less money than Loughlin and Giannulli.
Gorton also ordered Douglas Hodge, a former investment manager executive, to serve nine months in prison, the stiffest sentence handed down in the scandal so far.
The decision by Loughlin and Giannulli to plead guilty came after the couple lost an ambitious legal counterattack earlier this year. They and other parents charged in the case argued that Gorton should dismiss the case or at least toss out incriminating recorded phone calls after notes taken by Singer came to light in which he appeared to claim federal agents pressured him to lie and elicit incriminating yet false evidence against his clients. Gorton opted to do neither.
Singer, who has pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, has been cooperating with investigators since they confronted him in 2018 after getting a tip about his dealings. In all, prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts have charged more than 50 parents, coaches, college administrators and others who allegedly participated in Singer’s scheme that targeted wealthy, unscrupulous families desperate to see their children get into USC, Yale, Stanford and other elite universities where Singer had made in-roads.
While he ran a legitimate college admission consulting business, Singer offered a menu of illicit services to parents willing to overstep ethical and legal lines. For a fee that ran from about $15,000 to $75,000, Singer arranged to have an accomplice take a teen’s college entrance exam or correct their errors. For about $250,000, parents could access what Singer called the “side door” he had built into schools, in which he essentially paid off coaches and athletic administrators for admission spots reserved for athletic recruits.
Many of the accused have pleaded guilty, while about 20 who have persisted in their innocence are slated to go to trial in proceedings scheduled to start later this year and early next year.
On Friday, prosecutors announced that yet another parent had been charged in the case and has agreed to plead guilty. Under the terms of a plea deal, Peter Dameris, 60, of Pacific Palisades, will plead guilty to using $300,000 in bribery payments to sneak his son into Georgetown University as a bogus tennis player.
While all the parents in the case came from rarefied, privileged circles of one sort or another, the sheen of fame and glamour on Loughlin and Giannulli led to outsized fascination — and ire — from the public.
In April 2019, Loughlin’s fans and detractors lined the sidewalk outside the federal courthouse in Boston where she made her initial appearance. Since then, supermarket tabloids, citing unnamed sources said to be close to the actress, offered near-weekly updates on her state of mind, her relationship with her daughters and other salacious, unfounded rumors.


latimes--2020-05-22--Social distancing circles drawn on grass at San Francisco parks

Four San Francisco parks are being outfitted with social distancing circles to remind people to stay away from each other when they are outside during the coronavirus outbreak .
Ten-foot white circles , each eight feet apart , were painted on the grass of Mission Dolores Park on Wednesday , and Little Marina Green Picnic Area and Washington Square on Thursday .
Crews were completing Jackson Playground on Friday .
The pilot program is similar to an effort implemented in Domino Park in Brooklyn , said Tamara Barak Aparton , spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Day weekend in four different parts of the city to see how it went , ” she said .
“ It ’ s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out , so we thought it would be a good time to get feedback on whether this helps.
” There was no extra cost associated with the project because the circles were drawn in field paint using crews and equipment that would normally be painting sports fields , Aparton said .
“ There are no organized sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place order , and so we just kind of repurposed the equipment and staff that normally does that to paint these social distancing circles instead , ” she said .
The popular Mission Dolores Park , in particular , has been a draw for crowds , even during stay-at-home orders .
Earlier this month , San Francisco Mayor London Breed threatened to shut down the park if visitors didn ’ t start following social distancing rules .
So far , visitors to parks where there are circles seem to be using them correctly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to prove successful , the markings could be expanded to more parks in the city .
“ Like masks and signage , we hope the circles will serve as another visual reminder to use our parks safely by social distancing , ” Aparton said .

Four San Francisco parks are being outfitted with social distancing circles to remind people to stay away from each other when they are outside during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ten-foot white circles, each eight feet apart, were painted on the grass of Mission Dolores Park on Wednesday, and Little Marina Green Picnic Area and Washington Square on Thursday. Crews were completing Jackson Playground on Friday.
The pilot program is similar to an effort implemented in Domino Park in Brooklyn, said Tamara Barak Aparton, spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks.
“We wanted to have them in place before Memorial Day weekend in four different parts of the city to see how it went,” she said. “It’s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out, so we thought it would be a good time to get feedback on whether this helps.”
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There was no extra cost associated with the project because the circles were drawn in field paint using crews and equipment that would normally be painting sports fields, Aparton said.
“There are no organized sports right now because of the shelter in place order, and so we just kind of repurposed the equipment and staff that normally does that to paint these social distancing circles instead,” she said.
The popular Mission Dolores Park, in particular, has been a draw for crowds, even during stay-at-home orders. Earlier this month, San Francisco Mayor London Breed threatened to shut down the park if visitors didn’t start following social distancing rules.
So far, visitors to parks where there are circles seem to be using them correctly, Aparton said Friday. If they continue to prove successful, the markings could be expanded to more parks in the city.
“Like masks and signage, we hope the circles will serve as another visual reminder to use our parks safely by social distancing,” Aparton said.


latimes--2020-05-22--Two Southern California men arrested in kidnapping, slaying of Santa Cruz CEO

Tushar Atre was asleep inside his oceanfront home in Santa Cruz on Oct. 1 when a group of men armed with a rifle emerged from a darkened alley , entered his home and kidnapped him .
The group forced the 50-year-old businessman into his white BMW shortly before 3 a.m. and drove him to a property he owned on Soquel San Jose Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains .
Hours later , authorities found Atre fatally shot in the car .
Though they suspected from the beginning that the motive in the slaying was robbery , the two crime scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said during a news conference this week .
“ We had a murder scene , we had a home invasion kidnapping scene and a really grainy video , ” he said .
“ That was it .
We had this huge suspect pool we had to narrow down.
” On Thursday — more than seven months after Atre ’ s death and after about 3,000 hours of detective work — officials announced that four men had been arrested on suspicion of murder , kidnapping and robbery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kurtis Charters , 22 , both of Lancaster ; Stephen Lindsay , 22 , of Burbank ; and Kaleb Charters , 19 , of St. Clair Shores , Mich. , were taken into custody at or near their homes Tuesday , sheriff ’ s Lt. Brian Cleveland said .
Kurtis Charters , Camps and Lindsay are being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail without bail .
Kurtis Charters ’ brother , Kaleb , is being extradited from Michigan this week .
Kaleb Charters and Lindsay were early persons of interest in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atre at his cannabis business , Interstitial Systems .
Camps was an associate of the group , Cleveland said .
Investigators say they connected the men to Atre ’ s slaying through forensic evidence found at the crime scene , digital evidence and information obtained through hundreds of interviews conducted over the course of the probe .
Cleveland declined to discuss each man ’ s suspected role in the plot or offer details about the robbery .
“ This was a senseless crime .
There ’ s really no explanation , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gain and took advantage of the situation.
” According to his social media profiles , Atre was an avid surfer whose home overlooked the Pacific Ocean .
His Instagram profile depicts an adventurous , nature-filled life .
His Twitter profile reads : “ Surfer .
Mushroom forager .
Always on the go.
” In addition to his cannabis business , Atre was the owner of AtreNet , a web design company founded in 1996 that caters to Silicon Valley corporate businesses .
According to AtreNet ’ s website , the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies such as Hewlett-Packard , BuzzLogic , Seagate and Tealeaf Technology .
Hart said he hoped the arrests would help bring Atre ’ s family some closure .
“ This case took vigilance .
It took resilience , ” he said .
“ We butted up against a lot of closed doors during this investigation and every time that happened our investigators found somewhere else to go with this case .
This case was solved by outstanding police work being supported by a lot of different groups .
”

Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputies investigate at the home of Tushar Atre, who was kidnapped and killed in October. Arrests were made this week.
Tushar Atre was asleep inside his oceanfront home in Santa Cruz on Oct. 1 when a group of men armed with a rifle emerged from a darkened alley, entered his home and kidnapped him.
The group forced the 50-year-old businessman into his white BMW shortly before 3 a.m. and drove him to a property he owned on Soquel San Jose Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Hours later, authorities found Atre fatally shot in the car.
Though they suspected from the beginning that the motive in the slaying was robbery, the two crime scenes left authorities with more questions than answers, Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said during a news conference this week.
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“We had a murder scene, we had a home invasion kidnapping scene and a really grainy video,” he said. “That was it. We had this huge suspect pool we had to narrow down.”
On Thursday — more than seven months after Atre’s death and after about 3,000 hours of detective work — officials announced that four men had been arrested on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and robbery.
Joshua Camps, 23, and Kurtis Charters, 22, both of Lancaster; Stephen Lindsay, 22, of Burbank; and Kaleb Charters, 19, of St. Clair Shores, Mich., were taken into custody at or near their homes Tuesday, sheriff’s Lt. Brian Cleveland said.
Kurtis Charters, Camps and Lindsay are being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail without bail. Kurtis Charters’ brother, Kaleb, is being extradited from Michigan this week.
Kaleb Charters and Lindsay were early persons of interest in the investigation. Both men had worked for Atre at his cannabis business, Interstitial Systems. Camps was an associate of the group, Cleveland said.
Investigators say they connected the men to Atre’s slaying through forensic evidence found at the crime scene, digital evidence and information obtained through hundreds of interviews conducted over the course of the probe.
Tushar Atre, 50, was kidnapped and killed in October. (Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department)
Cleveland declined to discuss each man’s suspected role in the plot or offer details about the robbery.
“This was a senseless crime. There’s really no explanation,” he said. “These people wanted monetary gain and took advantage of the situation.”
According to his social media profiles, Atre was an avid surfer whose home overlooked the Pacific Ocean. His Instagram profile depicts an adventurous, nature-filled life. His Twitter profile reads: “Surfer. Mushroom forager. Always on the go.”
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In addition to his cannabis business, Atre was the owner of AtreNet, a web design company founded in 1996 that caters to Silicon Valley corporate businesses. According to AtreNet’s website, the company’s clients include technology, marketing and software companies such as Hewlett-Packard, BuzzLogic, Seagate and Tealeaf Technology.
Hart said he hoped the arrests would help bring Atre’s family some closure.
“This case took vigilance. It took resilience,” he said. “We butted up against a lot of closed doors during this investigation and every time that happened our investigators found somewhere else to go with this case. This case was solved by outstanding police work being supported by a lot of different groups.”


latimes--2020-05-22--As coronavirus deaths mount, L.A. County is far behind on promise to test everyone in nursing homes

A month after vowing to test all nursing home residents and staff for the novel coronavirus , Los Angeles County health officials have completed the effort in only about a third of homes and have dramatically scaled back testing plans .
The abrupt change — which calls for testing only a small sample of residents in nursing homes that have not had an outbreak — is outlined in a letter county health officials sent to nursing homes last week , as the death toll continued to mount at facilities across the county .
Health officials defended the decision as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle on what is happening in the homes .
But some experts fear the move could allow the virus to continue to spread undetected , resulting in more fatalities among a vulnerable population that is already the hardest hit by the pandemic .
The COVID-19 death toll at county residential facilities topped 1,000 this week , with the vast majority at nursing homes .
“ More people will die than necessary based on this policy , ” said Dr. Michael Wasserman , president of the California Assn .
of Long Term Care Medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others working in long-term care facilities .
Since the start of the pandemic , most nursing homes have been testing only residents and staff who show symptoms .
But in late April , as the COVID-19 death toll approached 300 in L.A. County facilities , health officials announced their aggressive new plan to test everyone in an effort to turn the grim tide .
The point of testing everyone is to catch people who are infected but show no symptoms — including employees who work at multiple nursing homes and could spread the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of Monday , county officials had managed to test everyone at only 141 skilled nursing facilities , health officials acknowledged .
That ’ s about a third of the nearly 400 facilities in the county .
All of the facilities where everyone has been tested have had outbreaks , according to county officials .
Facilities with no known cases of COVID-19 have been instructed to test 10 % of residents every week , in the hope that will be sufficient to catch and control an outbreak before it gets out of hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wise move .
It really was meant to allow us to do as much as possible as quickly as possible , ” county health director Barbara Ferrer said at her daily briefing Thursday .
She added that everybody would be tested at any nursing home if a case turned up in the sample .
Ferrer promised the first round of universal testing would be complete at homes with known outbreaks by next week .
Wasserman , who is also medical director at a nursing home in Reseda , said the new approach doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s say you have 100 people in a facility and you test everyone and find that five are positive .
Well , you can do something about that , ” Wasserman said .
Residents would get quarantined , and employees would get sent home or assigned to work only with residents who have also tested positive .
But if you test only a small sample of residents and don ’ t bother to test staff , you are bound to miss positive cases , Wasserman said .
Staff members with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are going to have a big outbreak on your hands , ” Wasserman said .
Charlene Harrington , a professor emeritus at UC San Francisco ’ s School of Nursing who has studied nursing homes since the 1980s , said : “ It is not good just to test those where there is an outbreak because it is too late by then — the virus will have spread throughout the facility.
” The county “ needs to mandate testing twice a week in all homes that don ’ t have the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the employees and residents before it spreads.
” It ’ s not clear why the county changed its approach .
Experts say fear of bad publicity and the cost of the tests could have been factors .
The first round of testing all staff and residents is being conducted by the county at no cost to the nursing homes , according to the letter .
The facilities were advised to contract with commercial laboratories for ongoing testing — presumably at the nursing home ’ s expense .
That ’ s a concern for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 each , according to a recent estimate by American Health Care Assn.
, which represents nursing homes .
It would cost $ 36 million to test more than 240,000 nursing home residents and staff in California , the group said .
Dr. Manuel Eskildsen , who teaches in the Division of Geriatrics at UCLA and works as a clinician for a network of nursing homes , said there has been noticeable progress in testing even in the last week .
Nursing home operators were initially concerned about the stigma of discovering a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s list of outbreaks .
A single , asymptomatic case could get a home branded as a COVI-19 facility , which upset family members and made employees anxious .
“ I have one facility in mind that had a really tough time with referrals after they turned up four or five positives , ” Eskildsen said .
That ’ s actually “ a triumph , ” Eskildsen said , because it allowed the home to isolate the cases and control what could have been a huge outbreak without the testing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about them , ” Eskildsen said , referring to potential negative publicity .
The hesitance of nursing home operators to perform testing , and of public health officials to demand it , has left advocates for the elderly pleading for swifter action .
“ It ’ s disgraceful that the county would take a step backward on testing at a time when dozens of nursing home residents are dying from the coronavirus almost every day , ” said Michael Connors , a spokesman for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform .
“ Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rage through nursing facilities and kill many more residents .
”

Country Villa South, on Overland Avenue in Los Angeles, is the only nursing home designated by the county for COVID-19-positive residents.
A month after vowing to test all nursing home residents and staff for the novel coronavirus, Los Angeles County health officials have completed the effort in only about a third of homes and have dramatically scaled back testing plans.
The abrupt change — which calls for testing only a small sample of residents in nursing homes that have not had an outbreak — is outlined in a letter county health officials sent to nursing homes last week, as the death toll continued to mount at facilities across the county.
Health officials defended the decision as the most efficient way to get a quick handle on what is happening in the homes. But some experts fear the move could allow the virus to continue to spread undetected, resulting in more fatalities among a vulnerable population that is already the hardest hit by the pandemic.
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The COVID-19 death toll at county residential facilities topped 1,000 this week, with the vast majority at nursing homes.
“More people will die than necessary based on this policy,” said Dr. Michael Wasserman, president of the California Assn. of Long Term Care Medicine, which represents doctors, nurses and others working in long-term care facilities.
Since the start of the pandemic, most nursing homes have been testing only residents and staff who show symptoms. But in late April, as the COVID-19 death toll approached 300 in L.A. County facilities, health officials announced their aggressive new plan to test everyone in an effort to turn the grim tide.
The point of testing everyone is to catch people who are infected but show no symptoms — including employees who work at multiple nursing homes and could spread the disease from facility to facility.
But as of Monday, county officials had managed to test everyone at only 141 skilled nursing facilities, health officials acknowledged. That’s about a third of the nearly 400 facilities in the county.
All of the facilities where everyone has been tested have had outbreaks, according to county officials.
Facilities with no known cases of COVID-19 have been instructed to test 10% of residents every week, in the hope that will be sufficient to catch and control an outbreak before it gets out of hand.
“I think this was a wise move. It really was meant to allow us to do as much as possible as quickly as possible,” county health director Barbara Ferrer said at her daily briefing Thursday. She added that everybody would be tested at any nursing home if a case turned up in the sample.
Ferrer promised the first round of universal testing would be complete at homes with known outbreaks by next week.
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Wasserman, who is also medical director at a nursing home in Reseda, said the new approach doesn’t make sense.
“Let’s say you have 100 people in a facility and you test everyone and find that five are positive. Well, you can do something about that,” Wasserman said. Residents would get quarantined, and employees would get sent home or assigned to work only with residents who have also tested positive.
But if you test only a small sample of residents and don’t bother to test staff, you are bound to miss positive cases, Wasserman said. Staff members with the virus will “keep coming to work and you are going to have a big outbreak on your hands,” Wasserman said.
Charlene Harrington, a professor emeritus at UC San Francisco’s School of Nursing who has studied nursing homes since the 1980s, said: “It is not good just to test those where there is an outbreak because it is too late by then — the virus will have spread throughout the facility.”
The county “needs to mandate testing twice a week in all homes that don’t have the outbreak, too, in order to isolate the employees and residents before it spreads.”
It’s not clear why the county changed its approach. Experts say fear of bad publicity and the cost of the tests could have been factors.
The first round of testing all staff and residents is being conducted by the county at no cost to the nursing homes, according to the letter. The facilities were advised to contract with commercial laboratories for ongoing testing — presumably at the nursing home’s expense.
That’s a concern for facility owners. Tests cost about $150 each, according to a recent estimate by American Health Care Assn., which represents nursing homes. It would cost $36 million to test more than 240,000 nursing home residents and staff in California, the group said.
Dr. Manuel Eskildsen, who teaches in the Division of Geriatrics at UCLA and works as a clinician for a network of nursing homes, said there has been noticeable progress in testing even in the last week.
Nursing home operators were initially concerned about the stigma of discovering a COVID-19 case and winding up on the county’s list of outbreaks. A single, asymptomatic case could get a home branded as a COVI-19 facility, which upset family members and made employees anxious.
It also hurt business.
“I have one facility in mind that had a really tough time with referrals after they turned up four or five positives,” Eskildsen said.
That’s actually “a triumph,” Eskildsen said, because it allowed the home to isolate the cases and control what could have been a huge outbreak without the testing. “But they still had that whiff about them,” Eskildsen said, referring to potential negative publicity.
The hesitance of nursing home operators to perform testing, and of public health officials to demand it, has left advocates for the elderly pleading for swifter action.
“It’s disgraceful that the county would take a step backward on testing at a time when dozens of nursing home residents are dying from the coronavirus almost every day,” said Michael Connors, a spokesman for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform. “Without universal testing, the virus will continue to rage through nursing facilities and kill many more residents.”


latimes--2020-05-22--California's unemployment rate leaps to 15.5% as 2.3 million jobs vanish

California ’ s unemployment rate nearly tripled from mid-March to mid-April as the state lost an unprecedented number of jobs across all sectors of its economy .
April ’ s jobless rate skyrocketed to 15.5 % , up from 5.5 % a month before , sweeping past the Great Recession ’ s peak of 12.3 % a decade ago , state officials reported Friday .
Employers in the nation ’ s most populous state shed an unprecedented 2.3 million payroll jobs in just a month , a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has sickened more than 88,000 Californians and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state so far .
The Golden State ’ s jobless rate is higher than the nationwide rate of 14.7 % , reflecting California ’ s reliance on tourism , hospitality and entertainment businesses .
To slow the spread of the coronavirus , state and local governments shut many of those businesses , and consumers who fear catching the virus have been hesitant to patronize the rest .
“ The extent of the job loss is really breathtaking , ” said Scott Anderson chief economist of the Bank of the West in San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a decade worth of job creation in a month and a half .
I don ’ t think the size of the shock has really sunk in to folks.
” And the pain will get worse .
Unemployment data include only workers who have lost a job and are looking for work .
But given the economic collapse , many are not looking .
Moreover , since last month ’ s payroll survey , which charts jobs through the week of April 12 , California has seen 1.4 million new unemployment claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the California Employment Development Department reported Thursday .
Given the new claims , the state ’ s jobless rate is likely to reach 23 % in May — about the level estimated as the peak during the Great Depression in the 1930s , Anderson said .
“ We ’ re in uncharted territory.
” Moreover , the coronavirus ’ blow to the economy is causing a drop in the tax revenue collected by state and local governments .
If the federal government does not step in with massive aid , economists warn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new wave of layoffs affecting public-sector jobs .

California’s unemployment rate nearly tripled from mid-March to mid-April as the state lost an unprecedented number of jobs across all sectors of its economy.
April’s jobless rate skyrocketed to 15.5%, up from 5.5% a month before, sweeping past the Great Recession’s peak of 12.3% a decade ago, state officials reported Friday.
Employers in the nation’s most populous state shed an unprecedented 2.3 million payroll jobs in just a month, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sickened more than 90,000 Californians and caused more than 3,600 deaths in the state so far.
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The state lost a million more jobs in this single month than it did during the 2½-year period spanning the Great Recession.
“The extent of the job loss is breathtaking,” said Scott Anderson, chief economist of the Bank of the West in San Francisco. “We’ve wiped out a decade worth of job creation in a month and a half. I don’t think the size of the shock has really sunk in to folks.”
The Golden State’s jobless rate is higher than the nationwide rate of 14.7%, reflecting California’s reliance on tourism, hospitality and entertainment businesses frozen by the pandemic. To slow the spread of the coronavirus, state and local governments shut many of those businesses, and consumers who fear catching the virus have been hesitant to patronize the rest.
California California lawmakers say state unemployment help still isn’t coming fast enough amid coronavirus Legislators criticize the state Employment Development Department, citing phone and computer problems. Agency’s director says incoming funding will help.
Year over year, California payrolls were down 13.4%, the largest annual decline on record and slightly bigger than the U.S. decline of 12.9%.
And the pain will get worse. Since last month’s payroll survey, which charts jobs through the week of April 12, California has seen 1.4 million new unemployment claims, for a total of 5.1 million, the California Employment Development Department reported Thursday.
Given the new claims, the state’s jobless rate is likely to reach 23% in May — about the peak during the Great Depression in the 1930s, Anderson said. “We’re in uncharted territory.”
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Even the April data “understates the true extent of the dislocation,” said Taner Osman, a Beacon Economics researcher. Since February, when the state’s jobless rate was just 3.9%, nearly a million workers have left the state’s labor force, a 5% contraction.
Unemployment data include only workers who have lost a job or are seeking work. Given the economic collapse, many are not looking.
Moreover, the coronavirus’ blow to the economy is causing a drop in the tax revenue collected by state and local governments. If the federal government does not step in with massive aid, economists warn, that’s likely to trigger a new wave of layoffs affecting public sector jobs.
“After the 2007-to-2009 recession, it took over six years to regain all the jobs lost during the recession,” said Sung Won Sohn, an economist at Loyola Marymount University. “This recession is likely to be longer and the recovery slower.”
Though early lockdowns in California helped limit infections, he added: “In the foreseeable future, no one is about to go on a spending spree. Businesses will be careful about hiring people. Layoffs could be permanent, not temporary. There will be massive bankruptcies of small businesses.”
Regionally, job losses were highest in Southern California. In Los Angeles County, payrolls shrank by 691,300 in April and the unemployment rate soared to 19.6%. Orange County shed 226,200 jobs and registered a jobless rate of 13.8%. The Inland Empire lost 147,600 jobs and unemployment rose to 14.4%.
Northern California’s technology industry, which has boosted the state’s economy for decades, took a hit. Joblessness in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties reached 11.6% in April, higher than the recession-era peak of 10.5%.
“We’ve just never seen numbers like this before,” said Rachel Massaro, research director at the Silicon Valley Institute for Regional Studies. “To think of more than 160,000 Silicon Valley residents out of work is absolutely mind-boggling.”
Every one of California’s 11 industry sectors lost jobs in April. The leisure and hospitality industry, which includes restaurants, hotels and theme parks, shed 866,200 jobs, more than twice as many as any other sector. That amounted to a decline of 44% in a single month.
Across 11 counties, the Red Lobster restaurant chain laid off 2,171 workers. Hard Rock Cafes in Los Angeles and San Francisco furloughed 321. The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club let go 420.
“Workers in industries with the most jobs lost were already struggling before the COVID-19 downturn,” according to a paper this week by the California Budget & Policy Center. “The average weekly earning for workers in the leisure and hospitality industry — primarily restaurant and hotel workers — in February was $548, or about $28,500 annually, well below the income a family needs to meet basic needs.”
Job losses are now cushioned by a weekly supplement of $600 in unemployment benefits from the federal government, but that aid is scheduled to expire by the end of July. Meanwhile, workers who are not in the United States legally are not eligible for unemployment benefits or federal relief checks.
California employers with more than 75 workers must report plant closures and mass layoffs to the Employment Development Department under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, law. In the past, the agency issued two reports a month, but so many companies have been laying off workers that the list is now updated daily.
The numbers reveal a rapid acceleration. In February, just 64 companies reported layoffs, totaling 7,164 workers. In March, 358 companies reported staff cuts, totaling 53,390 jobs. In April, the number soared to 3,204 employers laying off 320,886 workers.
Although the hope is that many of the layoffs are temporary, and the state is gradually allowing businesses to reopen, employment experts fear many of the job losses could be permanent.
“How many customers will believe it is safe to shop or dine out?” asked Lynn Reaser, an economist at Point Loma Nazarene University. “Of those who do feel safe, will they have the buying power, given job losses? Can companies even afford to reopen? The answers will determine the path of recovery.”
California’s retail sector also took a hit in April, with payrolls shrinking by 275,200 jobs, or 17%. Ross Stores Inc. shed 8,202 workers across the state. Goodwill of Southern California, which operates outlets across the region, laid off 1,856.
Higher-paid workers suffered less but nonetheless took extraordinary losses. The professional, scientific and technical services sector dropped 80,000 positions, or 6%. Information jobs, which include software developers, shed 40,000 jobs, or 7%.
Other sectors suffering big job losses in April included healthcare, whose payrolls shrank by 10%, or 246,500 positions, as patients fearing infection avoided going to doctors and dentists.
Administrative support positions dropped by 13%, or 150,000. The “other services” sector, which includes such businesses as dry cleaners and auto repair firms, shed 28% of its jobs, or 142,000. Construction dropped by 15%, or 132,000 jobs.


latimes--2020-05-22--He's diabetic. He works a high-risk job. But to pay rent, he has no choice

Any day now , Lopez may have to move into his garage to self-quarantine .
The Bay Area medical maintenance technician earns $ 27 an hour painting and repairing rooms and hallways in clinics and hospitals , a job that puts him at high risk for catching the novel coronavirus .
For the last few weeks , he has worked at a small medical facility for cancer patients where he believes the infection risk is lower .
Though temporary , the job is a welcome change from where he worked until late March : a large Bay Area hospital teeming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about eventually having to return to that hospital .
“ There just aren ’ t any options for someone in my situation , ” said the 51-year-old migrant from Mexico , who lives in San Jose and is in the country illegally .
He asked that his full identity , the name of the hospital , and his employer not be made public because he fears repercussions .
Lopez is diabetic , which puts him at high risk of suffering serious complications and dying if he contracts COVID-19 .
His wife , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic .
He has bills to pay , a family to feed and $ 3,000 monthly rent .
His lack of legal status shuts him out of the Trump administration ’ s pandemic relief efforts and makes him ineligible for California unemployment .
As a result , he and millions of other workers like him face a wrenching choice : financial ruin or risking their health and , possibly , their lives .
As the coronavirus pandemic grows , Americans are increasingly relying on low-wage workers to harvest crops , provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other essential jobs .
Many of these workers are in the country illegally , part of an estimated labor force of 7 million workers without legal status .
At least 1 million are farmworkers .
Even as the need for these types of workers has increased during the pandemic , the White House has continued to push immigration policies that have virtually shut down the inflow of foreigners , particularly asylum seekers .
In April , President Trump signed a proclamation that blocks some foreigners who do not already have visas or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It includes broad exemptions for several categories of foreign workers and employers , from investors to healthcare professionals , as well as their spouses and children .
Despite paying billions in state and local taxes , many migrant workers deemed essential do not have valid Social Security numbers and are , therefore , blocked from receiving most federal financial assistance , including unemployment insurance and the cash payments provided as part of the government ’ s historic $ 2-trillion stimulus package enacted in late March .
Immigrant rights advocates and other critics say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help these workers directly in any significant way during the pandemic , leaving many without a financial safety net afforded to most Americans .
“ Immigrants are out there ensuring our economy continues to work , ” said Javier Hernandez , director of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice , which is made up of several nonprofit organizations that serve the immigrant community in the Inland Empire .
“ In this moment of crisis , we are asking immigrants to put themselves at risk , ” Hernandez continued .
“ Yet we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ You need to work , but we will not be able to take care of you when you need it.
’ ” In California , immigrants who are in the country illegally make up nearly 10 % of the state ’ s workforce , according to 2017 data compiled by the Public Policy Institute of California .
The 1.75 million unauthorized workers are overrepresented in providing essential services such as healthcare , food and construction .
Currently , immigrants in the country illegally who live in California can apply for state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers compensation if they lose their job because they are sick or quarantined .
In April , Gov .
Gavin Newsom also announced a $ 125-million relief effort for immigrants without legal status impacted by the coronavirus .
The proposal will offer $ 500 cash grants for individuals who are in the country illegally and up to $ 1,000 for families .
The states opened up applications this week .
The first day was chaotic with long delays , crashing websites and flooded phone lines .
Activists have scrambled to gather donations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are limited .
In late April , the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition received more than 200 submissions for small grants in the first three hours after opening applications to immigrant families .
Other nonprofit organizations , such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Immigrant Neighbor Fund are still accepting applications for immigrant workers , but the grants are small , ranging between $ 400 and $ 500 .
Many advocates and service providers say more needs to be done .
They are pushing for Congress to pass the HEROES Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill introduced by Democrats that includes stimulus payments for all taxpayers , regardless of immigration status .
It also would include COVID-19 testing , treatment and future vaccine coverage for all , including people in the country without legal status .
The proposal has been met with swift opposition by many Republicans and groups seeking to curb both legal and illegal immigration .
Roy H. Beck , who heads Numbers USA , a powerful national advocacy group opposing immigration , called the bill “ shameful.
” “ Instead of focusing on helping 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the so-called Heroes Act uses the COVID-19 pandemic to give amnesty — and cash payments — to illegal foreign workers in the United States , ” Beck said in a prepared statement .
As legislators hash out the bill , Lopez is making careful calculations .
Quitting his job is not an option .
He and his family already have slimmed down many of their expenses .
The family has cut most meat out of their diet because it is too expensive .
“ We are trying to save every penny , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s still not enough .
He knows he will have to relent and go back to the hospital .
He worries about catching the virus and giving it to his family .
So he ’ s come up with something of a strategy .
“ My plan one is to take my last two weeks of vacation , ” he said .
“ My plan two is that I ’ ll have to move into the garage because I ’ ll have to go back to work , but I need to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he protects himself as much as he can .
He sports a painter ’ s mask , gloves , scrubs and hair cover whenever he enters the clinic .
He ’ s meticulous about washing his hands .
As soon as he gets home , he douses his hands in rubbing alcohol .
He makes sure to strip off his scrubs and other gear in the garage before entering his home .
Despite his growing distress , he knows he is lucky to still be employed .
Many others without legal status have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months , leaving their adult children—some of them U.S. citizens — forced to step in to keep the households afloat .
Maribel Cruz and her sister , who live in Long Beach , have had to take on the role of breadwinners .
Her parents , both in the country without legal status , were laid off from their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Cruz , 30 , is a beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program , which allows her and more than 700,000 youth who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live and work in the U.S. legally .
Her 26-year-old sister was born in the U.S .
Both received a stimulus check because they filed taxes individually .
Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens have been blocked from receiving stimulus checks because they are married to immigrants who don ’ t have Social Security numbers and file joint tax returns .
According to the law , any family that files taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number ( ITIN ) , which the IRS issues to workers who lack Social Security numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unless one spouse is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces .
An estimated 1.2 million Americans are married to immigrants who are in the country without legal status .
Cruz ’ s father worked at a T-shirt factory and her mother cleaned homes for a living .
Both are in their mid-50s and religiously paid income taxes every year for decades , using an ITIN because they do not have valid Social Security numbers .
Cruz said it is hypocritical for the government to have allowed her parents to pay into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind during the coronavirus pandemic .
Her parents are not used to being home all day and not having to work , she said .
“ It ’ s really frustrating , ” she said .
“ It ’ s unjust.
” The sisters continue to work from home .
They forbid their parents from leaving the house , afraid they will get sick .
They can ’ t afford medical insurance , and it ’ s unclear whether they have preexisting health conditions because they ’ ve never had a complete medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than half of the unauthorized population lack medical insurance , according to data from the Migration Policy Institute .
That ’ s the case for Emily , a 61-year-old woman from the Philippines who is a caregiver for a 91-year-old woman who lives in Long Beach .
Emily , who lives in Eagle Rock , didn ’ t want to make her last name public because she is in the country without legal status .
She is a breast cancer survivor with no medical insurance .
“ I ’ m really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 doesn ’ t choose the person it will infect .
Whether you are black , brown , yellow or red , ” she said .
Emily said she is mourning her best friend , who died April 27 of COVID-19 in New York City .
“ She stayed at home and she was very careful , ” Emily said .
When they last spoke by telephone a month ago , her best friend — a retired nurse — warned Emily : “ I know you are still working .
You should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , please.
” Emily sobbed when she remembered the conversation .
“ I ’ m so exposed , ” she said .
“ I ’ m on my own.
” Back in San Jose , as of Thursday , Lopez still had not returned to the large hospital with COVID-19 patients .
Instead , work has slowed , and his boss told him to stay home and take a few days off .
He doesn ’ t know whether those days are paid .

Lopez, a migrant from Mexico, is a diabetic, which puts him at higher risk of suffering serious complications and dying from COVID-19.
Any day now, Lopez may have to move into his garage to self-quarantine.
The Bay Area medical maintenance technician earns $27 an hour painting and repairing rooms and hallways in clinics and hospitals, a job that puts him at high risk for catching the novel coronavirus.
For the last few weeks, he has worked at a small medical facility for cancer patients where he believes the infection risk is lower. Though temporary, the job is a welcome change from where he worked until late March: a large Bay Area hospital teeming with COVID-19 patients. But Lopez agonizes about eventually having to return to that hospital.
“There just aren’t any options for someone in my situation,” said the 51-year-old migrant from Mexico, who lives in San Jose and is in the country illegally. He asked that his full identity, the name of the hospital, and his employer not be made public because he fears repercussions.
Lopez is diabetic, which puts him at high risk of suffering serious complications and dying if he contracts COVID-19. His wife, a housekeeper, is out of work because of the pandemic. He has bills to pay, a family to feed and $3,000 monthly rent. His lack of legal status shuts him out of the Trump administration’s pandemic relief efforts and makes him ineligible for California unemployment.
As a result, he and millions of other workers like him face a wrenching choice: financial ruin or risking their health and, possibly, their lives.
As the coronavirus pandemic grows, Americans are increasingly relying on low-wage workers to harvest crops, provide medical care, deliver food and perform other essential jobs. Many of these workers are in the country illegally, part of an estimated labor force of 7 million workers without legal status. At least 1 million are farmworkers.
Even as the need for these types of workers has increased during the pandemic, the White House has continued to push immigration policies that have virtually shut down the inflow of foreigners, particularly asylum seekers.
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In April, President Trump signed a proclamation that blocks some foreigners who do not already have visas or other travel documents from entering the country. It includes broad exemptions for several categories of foreign workers and employers, from investors to healthcare professionals, as well as their spouses and children.
Despite paying billions in state and local taxes, many migrant workers deemed essential do not have valid Social Security numbers and are, therefore, blocked from receiving most federal financial assistance, including unemployment insurance and the cash payments provided as part of the government’s historic $2-trillion stimulus package enacted in late March.
Immigrant rights advocates and other critics say that the Trump administration has refused to help these workers directly in any significant way during the pandemic, leaving many without a financial safety net afforded to most Americans.
“Immigrants are out there ensuring our economy continues to work,” said Javier Hernandez, director of the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, which is made up of several nonprofit organizations that serve the immigrant community in the Inland Empire.
“In this moment of crisis, we are asking immigrants to put themselves at risk,” Hernandez continued. “Yet we are denying them their humanity, by saying, ‘You need to work, but we will not be able to take care of you when you need it.’ ”
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In California, immigrants who are in the country illegally make up nearly 10% of the state’s workforce, according to 2017 data compiled by the Public Policy Institute of California. The 1.75 million unauthorized workers are overrepresented in providing essential services such as healthcare, food and construction.
Currently, immigrants in the country illegally who live in California can apply for state disability insurance, paid family leave and workers compensation if they lose their job because they are sick or quarantined.
In April, Gov. Gavin Newsom also announced a $125-million relief effort for immigrants without legal status impacted by the coronavirus. The proposal will offer $500 cash grants for individuals who are in the country illegally and up to $1,000 for families. The states opened up applications this week. The first day was chaotic with long delays, crashing websites and flooded phone lines.
Activists have scrambled to gather donations for their charity funds, but those resources are limited. In late April, the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition received more than 200 submissions for small grants in the first three hours after opening applications to immigrant families.
Other nonprofit organizations, such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Immigrant Neighbor Fund are still accepting applications for immigrant workers, but the grants are small, ranging between $400 and $500.
Many advocates and service providers say more needs to be done. They are pushing for Congress to pass the HEROES Act, a new $3-trillion coronavirus response bill introduced by Democrats that includes stimulus payments for all taxpayers, regardless of immigration status. It also would include COVID-19 testing, treatment and future vaccine coverage for all, including people in the country without legal status.
The proposal has been met with swift opposition by many Republicans and groups seeking to curb both legal and illegal immigration. Roy H. Beck, who heads Numbers USA, a powerful national advocacy group that advocates for restrictions on all immigration, called the bill “shameful.”
“Instead of focusing on helping 33 million unemployed Americans get back to work, the so-called Heroes Act uses the COVID-19 pandemic to give amnesty — and cash payments — to illegal foreign workers in the United States,” Beck said in a prepared statement.
As legislators hash out the bill, Lopez is making careful calculations.
Quitting his job is not an option. He and his family already have slimmed down many of their expenses. The family has cut most meat out of their diet because it is too expensive.
“We are trying to save every penny,” he said.
But it’s still not enough. He knows he will have to relent and go back to the hospital. He worries about catching the virus and giving it to his family. So he’s come up with something of a strategy.
“My plan one is to take my last two weeks of vacation,” he said. “My plan two is that I’ll have to move into the garage because I’ll have to go back to work, but I need to keep my family safe.”
For now, he protects himself as much as he can. He sports a painter’s mask, gloves, scrubs and hair cover whenever he enters the clinic. He’s meticulous about washing his hands. As soon as he gets home, he douses his hands in rubbing alcohol. He makes sure to strip off his scrubs and other gear in the garage before entering his home.
Despite his growing distress, he knows he is lucky to still be employed.
Many others without legal status have seen their jobs vanish in the last few months, leaving their adult children—some of them U.S. citizens — forced to step in to keep the households afloat.
Maribel Cruz and her sister, who live in Long Beach, have had to take on the role of breadwinners. Her parents, both in the country without legal status, were laid off from their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cruz, 30, is a beneficiary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows her and more than 700,000 youth who are in the country without legal status to live and work in the U.S. legally. Her 26-year-old sister was born in the U.S. Both received a stimulus check because they filed taxes individually.
Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens have been blocked from receiving stimulus checks because they are married to immigrants who don’t have Social Security numbers and file joint tax returns. According to the law, any family that files taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which the IRS issues to workers who lack Social Security numbers, cannot receive an Economic Impact Payment, unless one spouse is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.
An estimated 1.2 million Americans are married to immigrants who are in the country without legal status.
Cruz’s father worked at a T-shirt factory and her mother cleaned homes for a living. Both are in their mid-50s and religiously paid income taxes every year for decades, using an ITIN because they do not have valid Social Security numbers.
Cruz said it is hypocritical for the government to have allowed her parents to pay into the system for years but left them behind during the coronavirus pandemic. Her parents are not used to being home all day and not having to work, she said.
“It’s really frustrating,” she said. “It’s unjust.”
The sisters continue to work from home. They forbid their parents from leaving the house, afraid they will get sick. They can’t afford medical insurance, and it’s unclear whether they have preexisting health conditions because they’ve never had a complete medical exam.
They aren’t alone. More than half of the unauthorized population lack medical insurance, according to data from the Migration Policy Institute.
That’s the case for Emily, a 61-year-old woman from the Philippines who is a caregiver for a 91-year-old woman who lives in Long Beach. Emily, who lives in Eagle Rock, didn’t want to make her last name public because she is in the country without legal status.
She is a breast cancer survivor with no medical insurance.
“I’m really concerned. I’m afraid. COVID-19 doesn’t choose the person it will infect. Whether you are black, brown, yellow or red,” she said.
Emily said she is mourning her best friend, who died April 27 of COVID-19 in New York City.
“She stayed at home and she was very careful,” Emily said.
When they last spoke by telephone a month ago, her best friend — a retired nurse — warned Emily: “I know you are still working. You should be very careful and take care of yourself, please.”
Emily sobbed when she remembered the conversation.
“I’m so exposed,” she said. “I’m on my own.”
Back in San Jose, as of Thursday, Lopez still had not returned to the large hospital with COVID-19 patients.
Instead, work has slowed, and his boss told him to stay home and take a few days off. He doesn’t know whether those days are paid.


latimes--2020-05-22--Even as California reopens, some officials tell tourists to stay away

As more parts of California reopen , some officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now .
Dr. Penny Borenstein , San Luis Obispo County ’ s health officer , asked tourists to not visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week .
While officials have performed “ spot checks ” with hotels to deter tourism , Borenstein said the county would cite visitors only in the case of “ egregious violations.
” She said that before retail businesses can open their doors or restaurants can start offering dine-in service , they must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers to counteract the spread of the virus and perform temperature checks on employees and , in some cases , patrons .
More than two-thirds of the state ’ s 58 counties have received approval to more quickly reopen their economies as coronavirus-related restrictions continue to be loosened .
Those in Southern California that have received the green light to move deeper into Phase 2 — clearing them to reopen restaurant dining rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping , with modifications — include , Kern , , Santa Barbara and counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials cheered the development , which will allow them to more broadly restart segments of their economies that have been shuttered under California ’ s .
Other counties have expressed concern about tourists visiting and possibly bringing with them the coronavirus , especially during the Memorial Day weekend .
Remote Alpine County urged tourists to stay away when the virus began to spread through California in March .
Dr. Richard Johnson , the Alpine County public health officer , said last month there ’ s no medical care to treat visitors who fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s no way we would even have ground or air resources to get them out , ” Johnson said .
“ It ’ s a dangerous assumption that you can come and look at us as a safe haven .
It is an unsafe haven.
” Communities in the Lake Tahoe region , which heavily depend on tourism as well , have issued reminders before the holiday weekend warning that leisure travel is not permitted .
On its website , the city of South Lake Tahoe said that while second homeowners are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be available to short-term renters .
“ We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now , but that ’ s not the safest way to bring people back to South Lake , ” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement .
“ We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe while adhering to the governor ’ s stay at home orders.
” As the number of coronavirus infections and related deaths plateauin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopens , many business leaders are hopeful the tourist trade will return .
Some experts have said a slow reopening of tourist spots with social distancing and other public health measures could work .
Los Angeles alone is expected to draw about 22 million fewer visitors this year and lose more than $ 13 billion in tourist spending because of the coronavirus outbreak .
A forecast commissioned by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board estimates that Los Angeles County will draw about 29 million tourists this year , down from a pre-outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff writers Leila Miller , Hugo Martin , Jaclyn Cosgrove and Sarah Parvini contributed to this report .

Otters float in the marina at Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo County’s health officer Dr. Penny Borenstein has asked tourists to not visit as the county reopens shops and restaurants this week.
As more parts of California reopen, some officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now.
Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County’s health officer, asked tourists to not visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week.
While officials have performed “spot checks” with hotels to deter tourism, Borenstein said the county would cite visitors only in the case of “egregious violations.”
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She said that before retail businesses can open their doors or restaurants can start offering dine-in service, they must perform a risk assessment, train their workers to counteract the spread of the virus and perform temperature checks on employees and, in some cases, patrons.
More than two-thirds of the state’s 58 counties have received approval to more quickly reopen their economies as coronavirus-related restrictions continue to be loosened.
Those in Southern California that have received the green light to move deeper into Phase 2 — clearing them to reopen restaurant dining rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping, with modifications — include San Diego , Kern, San Luis Obispo , Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, according to the state .
Local officials cheered the development, which will allow them to more broadly restart segments of their economies that have been shuttered under California’s stay-at-home order .
Other counties have expressed concern about tourists visiting and possibly bringing with them the coronavirus, especially during the Memorial Day weekend.
Remote Alpine County urged tourists to stay away when the virus began to spread through California in March.
Dr. Richard Johnson, the Alpine County public health officer, said last month there’s no medical care to treat visitors who fall ill with COVID-19.
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“There’s no way we would even have ground or air resources to get them out,” Johnson said. “It’s a dangerous assumption that you can come and look at us as a safe haven. It is an unsafe haven.”
Communities in the Lake Tahoe region, which heavily depend on tourism as well, have issued reminders before the holiday weekend warning that leisure travel is not permitted.
On its website, the city of South Lake Tahoe said that while second homeowners are now welcome , other visitors are still not. Lodging will not be available to short-term renters.
“We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now, but that’s not the safest way to bring people back to South Lake,” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement. “We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe while adhering to the governor’s stay at home orders.”
As the number of coronavirus infections and related deaths plateauin the state and more of the economy reopens, many business leaders are hopeful the tourist trade will return.
Some experts have said a slow reopening of tourist spots with social distancing and other public health measures could work.
Los Angeles alone is expected to draw about 22 million fewer visitors this year and lose more than $13 billion in tourist spending because of the coronavirus outbreak.
A forecast commissioned by the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board estimates that Los Angeles County will draw about 29 million tourists this year, down from a pre-outbreak forecast of about 51 million.
Times staff writers Leila Miller, Hugo Martin, Jaclyn Cosgrove and Sarah Parvini contributed to this report.