latimes--2020-03-02--Judge Raymond Fisher, who led police reforms after L.A. riots, dies at 80

Raymond C. Fisher , a champion for police reform in Los Angeles and a veteran liberal judge who served on the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , has died at age 80 .
Fisher died on Saturday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks .
He died from cancer , according to his wife , Nancy Fisher , who did not provide further details .
Fisher helped implement the reforms that rebuilt the Los Angeles Police Department after the Rodney G. King scandal and the 1992 riots .
In 1991 , he served as deputy counsel for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reviewed the LAPD in the wake of the King beating and sought to .
Later , as a member of the city ’ s police commission under Mayor Richard Riordan , Fisher steered efforts for disciplinary reforms .
He also helped orchestrate the departure of the city ’ s first African American police chief , Willie L. Williams , who became the first chief ever appointed — and removed — under the city ’ s newly enacted terms for police chiefs .
During his 20 years on the federal appellate circuit court that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fisher wrote opinions that helped protect the rights of undocumented immigrants , upheld affirmative action in public schools and protected the rights of the press and public to witness executions .
Fisher was “ unafraid to empathize with the plight of people who were underrepresented in our society , ” said 9th Circuit Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw , who served with Fisher .
“ He wasn ’ t someone who would automatically go with one side or another side , ” she said .
“ But ultimately , he was unafraid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would uphold individual rights and constitutional rights.
” Fisher was born in Oakland , Calif. , in 1939 .
The family moved to Los Angeles , where his father , Raymond H. Fisher , was a Russian history professor at UCLA for almost 30 years .
He graduated from the University of California , Santa Barbara in 1961 with a bachelor ’ s degree in political science .
After law school , Fisher clerked for Judge J. Skelly Wright of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in public schools , as well as Justice William J. Brennan , Jr. , at the United States Supreme Court .
Fisher was a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission from 1995 to 1997 and became its president in 1996 .
In those roles , Fisher helped shape the police reforms pushed for by the Christopher Commission .
The commission , formed after the March 3 , 1991 police beating of King , whether the department seriously disciplined officers who used excessive force and whether some officers , because of their racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciplined than others .
Fisher spearheaded disciplinary reforms that included the creation of a computerized system that tracked complaints against police officers and other aspects of their records , according to Jim Newton , who covered the police department for the Los Angeles Times in the 1990s .
“ Nothing did more to turn around this city , starting with its police department , than the implementation of those reforms , ” Newton said .
“ He was as instrumental as anyone in making that happen.
” In 1997 , President Bill Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States , the third-ranking official at the Department of Justice .
Two years later , he began working as a judge with the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals .
During his 20 years on the bench , Fisher authored about 400 judicial opinions .
These included his decisions holding that the Constitution prohibits the prolonged civil detention of immigrants seeking relief in the federal courts , as well as his ruling that the use of affirmative action to desegregate public schools does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisher joined the court , he brought with him invaluable government service as Associate Attorney General , extraordinary legal talents and deep experience from handling complex litigation in private practice , ” 9th Circuit Judge Richard Paez said in a statement .
“ He drew on that experience to become the consummate judge : always thoughtful and deliberate in his decisions but always concerned about the consequences of those decisions on the litigants.
” Fisher was a friend and early colleague of former California Gov .
Jerry Brown .
Once Brown took office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and win approval for legislation that gave California state employees the right to collective bargaining .
“ Ray was a wonderful person and an outstanding jurist , ” the former governor said in a statement .
“ He knew the law well and was instrumental in helping craft California ’ s public sector labor laws.
” A devoted reader of both fiction and nonfiction and an avid swimmer , Fisher was known for his early morning swims at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena .
He and his wife , Nancy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara , where they maintained a second home .
“ I hope my dear Ray will be remembered for all that he did for our family and for justice , ” his wife said in a written statement .
In addition to his wife , Fisher is survived by a son , daughter , four grandchildren , his sister , and his former daughter-in-law .

Raymond C. Fisher, a champion for police reform in Los Angeles and a veteran liberal judge who served on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, has died at age 80.
Fisher died on Saturday morning at his home in Sherman Oaks. He died from cancer, according to his wife, Nancy Fisher, who did not provide further details.
Fisher helped implement the reforms that rebuilt the Los Angeles Police Department after the Rodney G. King scandal and the 1992 riots. In 1991, he served as deputy counsel for the Christopher Commission, an independent panel that reviewed the LAPD in the wake of the King beating and sought to detail issues of excessive force .
Later, as a member of the city’s Police Commission under Mayor Richard Riordan, Fisher steered efforts for disciplinary reforms. He also helped orchestrate the departure of the city’s first African American police chief, Willie L. Williams, who became the first chief ever appointed — and removed — under the city’s newly enacted terms for police chiefs.
During his 20 years on the federal appellate circuit court that oversees California and the Western United States, Fisher wrote opinions that helped protect the rights of undocumented immigrants, upheld affirmative action in public schools and protected the rights of the press and public to witness executions.
Fisher was “unafraid to empathize with the plight of people who were underrepresented in our society,” said 9th Circuit Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw, who served with Fisher.
“He wasn’t someone who would automatically go with one side or another side,” she said. “But ultimately, he was unafraid, he was courageous in the way that he would uphold individual rights and constitutional rights.”
Fisher was born in Oakland in 1939. The family moved to Los Angeles, where his father, Raymond H. Fisher, was a professor of Russian history at UCLA for almost 30 years.
He graduated from the UC Santa Barbara in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. After law school, Fisher clerked for Judge J. Skelly Wright of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a pioneer in promoting racial desegregation in public schools, as well as Justice William J. Brennan Jr. at the United States Supreme Court.
Fisher was a member of the Los Angeles Police Commission from 1995 to 1997 and became its president in 1996. In those roles, Fisher helped shape the police reforms pushed for by the Christopher Commission. The commission, formed after the March 3, 1991 police beating of King, investigated whether the department seriously disciplined officers who used excessive force and whether some officers, because of their racial or ethnic background, were more harshly disciplined than others.
Fisher spearheaded disciplinary reforms that included the creation of a computerized system that tracked complaints against police officers and other aspects of their records, according to Jim Newton, who covered the Police Department for the Los Angeles Times in the 1990s.
“Nothing did more to turn around this city, starting with its police department, than the implementation of those reforms,” Newton said. “He was as instrumental as anyone in making that happen.”
In 1997, President Bill Clinton appointed Fisher as the Associate Attorney General of the United States, the third-ranking official at the Department of Justice. Two years later, he began working as a judge with the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
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During his 20 years on the bench, Fisher wrote about 400 judicial opinions. These included his decisions holding that the Constitution prohibits the prolonged civil detention of immigrants seeking relief in the federal courts, as well as his ruling that the use of affirmative action to desegregate public schools does not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
“When Judge Fisher joined the court, he brought with him invaluable government service as Associate Attorney General, extraordinary legal talents and deep experience from handling complex litigation in private practice,” 9th Circuit Judge Richard Paez said in a statement. “He drew on that experience to become the consummate judge: always thoughtful and deliberate in his decisions but always concerned about the consequences of those decisions on the litigants.”
Fisher was a friend and early colleague of former California Gov. Jerry Brown. Once Brown took office, Fisher helped the new governor draft and win approval for legislation that gave California state employees the right to collective bargaining.
“Ray was a wonderful person and an outstanding jurist,” the former governor said in a statement. “He knew the law well and was instrumental in helping craft California’s public sector labor laws.”
A devoted reader of both fiction and nonfiction and an avid swimmer, Fisher was known for his early morning swims at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena. He and his wife spent many weekends and vacations in Santa Barbara, where they maintained a second home.
“I hope my dear Ray will be remembered for all that he did for our family and for justice,” Nancy Fisher said in a statement.
In addition to his wife, Fisher is survived by a son, daughter, four grandchildren, his sister, and his former daughter-in-law.


latimes--2020-03-02--Sheriff admits he ordered destruction of graphic Kobe Bryant crash photos

The scandal over Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies sharing photos of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash widened Monday when Sheriff Alex Villanueva acknowledged to NBC4 that he ordered the destruction of the images .
The Times reported last week that in an attempt to keep the matter under wraps , the department quietly ordered deputies to delete any photos of the helicopter crash scene after a citizen complained that a deputy was showing the gruesome images at a Norwalk bar .
The decision sparked outrage from some inside the department who said the decision could amount to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a complaint would trigger a formal inquiry and possibly an internal affairs investigation , strictly following the chain of command , two public safety sources told The Times .
Instead , in the days after the crash , deputies were ordered to report to the department ’ s Lost Hills station and told that if they came clean and deleted the photos , they would not face any discipline , said the sources , who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the events .
Vanessa Bryant was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to her attorney .
The lawyer , Gary C. Robb , requested an internal affairs investigation into the allegations and the “ harshest possible discipline ” for those responsible .
He called the alleged behavior “ inexcusable and deplorable.
” “ This is an unspeakable violation of human decency , respect , and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families , ” he said .
Villanueva has not responded to repeated inquiries by The Times about who ordered the deputies to erase the photos without a full internal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admitted he made the decision to order eight deputies to delete the images .
“ We identified the deputies involved , they came to the station on their own and had admitted they had taken them and they had deleted them .
And , we ’ re content that those involved did that , ” he told the station .
“ We ’ ve communicated in no uncertain terms that the behavior is inexcusable , ” Villanueva said .
“ I mean , people are grieving for the loss of their loved ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they ’ ve already gone through is unconscionable .
And to think any member of our department would be involved in that.
” It was only after The Times ’ report Thursday that the Sheriff ’ s Department launched an investigation .
“ Had we done the original , usual routine , which was relieve everybody of duty and everybody lawyers up and all that , that would increase the odds 10-fold that those photos would have some how made their way into the public domain .
And that ’ s definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Villanueva said , according to NBC4 .
Joseph Giacalone , who teaches police procedures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York , said the L.A. County Office of the Inspector General should open an inquiry into how the Sheriff ’ s Department handled the complaint .
“ Now the whole investigation is tainted , ” he said of the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s new probe .
“ No matter what they find , the public is going to have a raised eyebrow .
”

The scene of a helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others.
The scandal over Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies sharing photos of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash widened Monday when Sheriff Alex Villanueva acknowledged to NBC4 that he ordered the destruction of the images.
The Times reported last week that in an attempt to keep the matter under wraps, the department quietly ordered deputies to delete any photos of the helicopter crash scene after a citizen complained that a deputy was showing the gruesome images at a Norwalk bar.
The decision sparked outrage from some inside the department who said the decision could amount to the destruction of evidence.
Normally, such a complaint would trigger a formal inquiry and possibly an internal affairs investigation, strictly following the chain of command, two public safety sources told The Times.
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Instead, in the days after the crash, deputies were ordered to report to the department’s Lost Hills station and told that if they came clean and deleted the photos, they would not face any discipline, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the events.
Vanessa Bryant was “absolutely devastated” by the deputies actions, according to her attorney. The lawyer, Gary C. Robb, requested an internal affairs investigation into the allegations and the “harshest possible discipline” for those responsible. He called the alleged behavior “inexcusable and deplorable.”
“This is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families,” he said.
Villanueva has not responded to repeated inquiries by The Times about who ordered the deputies to erase the photos without a full internal investigation.
But NBC4 reported that he admitted he made the decision to order eight deputies to delete the images.
“We identified the deputies involved, they came to the station on their own and had admitted they had taken them and they had deleted them. And, we’re content that those involved did that,” he told the station.
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“We’ve communicated in no uncertain terms that the behavior is inexcusable,” Villanueva said. “I mean, people are grieving for the loss of their loved ones. To have that on top of what they’ve already gone through is unconscionable. And to think any member of our department would be involved in that.”
It was only after The Times’ report Thursday that the Sheriff’s Department launched an investigation.
“Had we done the original, usual routine, which was relieve everybody of duty and everybody lawyers up and all that, that would increase the odds 10-fold that those photos would have some how made their way into the public domain. And that’s definitely what we do not want,” Villanueva said, according to NBC4.
Joseph Giacalone, who teaches police procedures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said the L.A. County Office of the Inspector General should open an inquiry into how the Sheriff’s Department handled the complaint.
“Now the whole investigation is tainted,” he said of the Sheriff’s Department’s new probe. “No matter what they find, the public is going to have a raised eyebrow.”


latimes--2020-03-02--Despite new U.S. coronavirus deaths, 'the risk is low,' Trump officials say

Even as the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus rose to six and the spread continues in California , senior public health officials continued to stress that the coronavirus does not represent a serious threat to most people .
“ The risk is low , ” said Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , added that there are no advisories for travel within the U.S. Trump administration officials reported Monday evening that the number of domestic cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not including the 48 people who were repatriated after contracting the disease abroad .
Twenty-nine of those cases are in Washington and California , they said .
Santa Clara , San Mateo , Placer and Sonoma counties all reported new cases of the coronavirus on Monday .
“ To prevent any illness , follow CDC guidelines including washing your hands frequently , covering your sneeze and staying home when sick , ” said Dr. Scott Morrow , San Mateo County health officer .
“ Also , please dust off your personal emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provisions at your home including water , medications and food.
” Santa Clara County confirmed two new cases of the .
And 26 of the 43 domestic cases are not travel-related , but were contracted through contacts with others in the community .
Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading the administration ’ s coronavirus response and joined President Trump at a meeting Monday with pharmaceutical executives , acknowledged that any vaccine for the disease would not be available until later this year , at the earliest .
But Pence said medications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by late summer or early fall .
Pence added that the administration may consider more travel advisories , adding to the warnings issued over the weekend about travel to regions of Italy and South Korea .
Pence did not identify any specific additional countries , though he indicated that authorities are monitoring what is happening in the European Union , whose open borders allow relatively free travel across the continent .
During Monday ’ s meeting with pharmaceutical executives at the White House , Trump said it ’ s “ likely that therapies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually ready and we will seek to bring all effective treatments to market as soon as possible.
” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the administration ’ s emphasis would be on speeding the development of vaccines , therapies and fixing any supply chain challenges .
“ We want to know how can we not get in the way , but rather speed that development process along , ” Azar said .
Fauci said it would take at least a year to a year and a half to develop a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for therapeutic treatments , estimating that they could begin human trials in the spring .
Trump said a therapeutic treatment “ in my opinion , in this case , would be better , ” he said , vowing to reduce red tape for treatments .
Pence said he spoke with 53 governors Monday by video and telephone conference , and planned to meet soon with the cruise and airline industries as well .
He said Trump would be traveling to the National Institutes of Health in nearby Maryland on Tuesday and meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Travelers arrive at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles on Feb. 8.
Even as the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus rose to six and the spread continues in California, senior public health officials continued to stress that the coronavirus does not represent a serious threat to most people.
“The risk is low,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, added that there are no advisories for travel within the U.S.
Trump administration officials reported Monday evening that the number of domestic cases of the new coronavirus now tallies 43, not including the 48 people who were repatriated after contracting the disease abroad.
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Twenty-nine of those cases are in Washington and California, they said.
Santa Clara, San Mateo, Placer and Sonoma counties all reported new cases of the coronavirus on Monday.
“To prevent any illness, follow CDC guidelines including washing your hands frequently, covering your sneeze and staying home when sick,” said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County health officer. “Also, please dust off your personal emergency plans to make sure you have proper provisions at your home including water, medications and food.”
Santa Clara County confirmed two new cases of the coronavirus .
And 26 of the 43 domestic cases are not travel-related, but were contracted through contacts with others in the community.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the administration’s coronavirus response and joined President Trump at a meeting Monday with pharmaceutical executives, acknowledged that any vaccine for the disease would not be available until later this year, at the earliest.
But Pence said medications to treat the disease could be available by late summer or early fall.
Pence added that the administration may consider more travel advisories, adding to the warnings issued over the weekend about travel to regions of Italy and South Korea. Pence did not identify any specific additional countries, though he indicated that authorities are monitoring what is happening in the European Union, whose open borders allow relatively free travel across the continent.
During Monday’s meeting with pharmaceutical executives at the White House, Trump said it’s “likely that therapies will be available before a vaccine is actually ready and we will seek to bring all effective treatments to market as soon as possible.”
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Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the administration’s emphasis would be on speeding the development of vaccines, therapies and fixing any supply chain challenges.
“We want to know how can we not get in the way, but rather speed that development process along,” Azar said.
Fauci said it would take at least a year to a year and a half to develop a vaccine.
Pharmaceutical executives offered a faster timeline for therapeutic treatments, estimating that they could begin human trials in the spring. Trump said a therapeutic treatment “in my opinion, in this case, would be better,” he said, vowing to reduce red tape for treatments.
Pence said he spoke with 53 governors Monday by video and telephone conference, and planned to meet soon with the cruise and airline industries as well.
He said Trump would be traveling to the National Institutes of Health in nearby Maryland on Tuesday and meeting with CDC officials later in the week.


latimes--2020-03-02--Coronavirus in California keeps spreading: 'It's not a matter of if, but when'

Santa Clara , San Mateo , Placer and Sonoma counties all reported new cases of coronavirus on Monday .
Santa Clara County confirmed two new cases of coronavirus .
That brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to nine , according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department .
One of the cases involves a man who was a “ household contact ” of a previously confirmed case in the county .
The other is a man who was a household contact of a previously confirmed case in another county .
Both people are under home isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refers to a person who likely shared or lived in the residence of another person .
The relationships are unclear at this time .
San Mateo County reported its first case of coronavirus , pending confirmation from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention .
“ This new case of a positive case of novel coronavirus has happened in San Mateo County and we share the concerns of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that we all need to be prepared for COVID-19 to spread within the United States , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Officer .
“ To prevent any illness , follow CDC guidelines including washing your hands frequently , covering your sneeze and staying home when sick , ” he continued .
“ Also , please dust off your personal emergency plans to make sure you have proper provisions at your home including water , medications and food.
” The source of exposure is unknown at this time .
The adult patient has been hospitalized and is in isolation , officials said , and has no known exposure to the virus through travel or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This marks the second case of coronavirus in San Mateo County .
The first was an individual who was repatriated to the U.S. by the CDC .
That person is in isolation and in good condition .
Placer County confirmed its first case of coronavirus , pending confirmation from the CDC .
The individual is a healthcare worker at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital who had close contact with a previously confirmed case in Solano County before that individual was transferred to another hospital and later tested for the virus .
Placer County spokesperson Katie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into contact with an older woman who had been transported to UC Davis after her physician contacted the public health department to discuss the case and request testing for the novel coronavirus .
That case was announced Friday .
In order to identify individuals who came into contact with the woman while she was at NorthBay VacaValley , officials sifted through medical records to see which clinicians had entered her room .
Additionally , three days ’ worth of security footage from 8 p.m. Feb. 15 to mid-morning Feb. 19 were scoured to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as workers who brought in food trays or refilled bathroom supplies — were tallied .
The individual at Placer County is isolated at home with mild symptoms .
In Sonoma County , officials declared a local health emergency after reporting a second coronavirus case there , pending confirmation from the CDC .
The person had recently traveled internationally on a cruise unrelated to the Diamond Princess cruise , officials said .
The individual , who is isolated and in stable condition , has been in Sonoma County for 10 days after returning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Francisco and traveled to Mexico .
Meanwhile , in Sonoma County , a private school closed for the day after learning that an adult affiliate of the school — not an employee — had been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus .
“ We were not able to confer with Public Health last night or early this morning as the agency was closed .
At 6:15 this morning we made the cautious decision to close school for today .
We will work with public health officials to determine and follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information , ” Andy Davies , head of Healdsburg School , said .
The school will be reopen Tuesday .
There have been more than 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus in California — the majority of whom are individuals who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or from Wuhan , China .
Officials in San Francisco are expecting more cases as the more testing occurs .
“ As the situation changes rapidly in the Bay Area and on the west coast , we expect to have confirmed cases in San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus , ” said Dr. Grant Colfax , director of health .
“ It ’ s not a matter of if , but when .
The Health Department will prioritize protecting the populations that are most vulnerable to becoming very sick or dying if they get COVID-19 .
That includes the elderly and people with chronic diseases and underlying health conditions .
”

Santa Clara, San Mateo, Placer and Sonoma counties all reported new cases of coronavirus on Monday.
Santa Clara County confirmed two new cases of coronavirus.
That brings the total of COVID-19 cases in the county to nine, according to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
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One of the cases involves a man who was a “household contact” of a previously confirmed case in the county. The other is a man who was a household contact of a previously confirmed case in another county. Both people are under home isolation, officials said.
A household contact refers to a person who likely shared or lived in the residence of another person. The relationships are unclear at this time.
San Mateo County reported its first case of coronavirus, pending confirmation from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
“This new case of a positive case of novel coronavirus has happened in San Mateo County and we share the concerns of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that we all need to be prepared for COVID-19 to spread within the United States,” said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County Health Officer.
“To prevent any illness, follow CDC guidelines including washing your hands frequently, covering your sneeze and staying home when sick,” he continued. “Also, please dust off your personal emergency plans to make sure you have proper provisions at your home including water, medications and food.”
The source of exposure is unknown at this time. The adult patient has been hospitalized and is in isolation, officials said, and has no known exposure to the virus through travel or through contact with a confirmed case.
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This marks the second case of coronavirus in San Mateo County. The first was an individual who was repatriated to the U.S. by the CDC. That person is in isolation and in good condition.
Placer County confirmed its first case of coronavirus, pending confirmation from the CDC.
The individual is a healthcare worker at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital who had close contact with a previously confirmed case in Solano County before that individual was transferred to another hospital and later tested for the virus.
Placer County spokesperson Katie Combs Prichard said that the individual came into contact with an older woman who had been transported to UC Davis after her physician contacted the public health department to discuss the case and request testing for the novel coronavirus. That case was announced Friday.
In order to identify individuals who came into contact with the woman while she was at NorthBay VacaValley, officials sifted through medical records to see which clinicians had entered her room. Additionally, three days’ worth of security footage from 8 p.m. Feb. 15 to mid-morning Feb. 19 were scoured to ensure that all visitors and non-clinicians — such as workers who brought in food trays or refilled bathroom supplies — were tallied.
The individual at Placer County is isolated at home with mild symptoms.
In Sonoma County, officials declared a local health emergency after reporting a second coronavirus case there, pending confirmation from the CDC.
The person had recently traveled internationally on a cruise unrelated to the Diamond Princess cruise, officials said. The individual, who is isolated and in stable condition, has been in Sonoma County for 10 days after returning from a cruise ship that departed from San Francisco and traveled to Mexico.
Meanwhile, in Sonoma County, a private school closed for the day after learning that an adult affiliate of the school — not an employee — had been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus.
“We were not able to confer with Public Health last night or early this morning as the agency was closed. At 6:15 this morning we made the cautious decision to close school for today. We will work with public health officials to determine and follow appropriate protocols and follow up with additional information,” Andy Davies, head of Healdsburg School, said.
The school will be reopen Tuesday.
The Healdsburg Unified School District remained open Monday.
There have been more than 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus in California — the majority of whom are individuals who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship or from Wuhan, China.
Officials in San Francisco are expecting more cases as the more testing occurs.
“As the situation changes rapidly in the Bay Area and on the west coast, we expect to have confirmed cases in San Francisco and are preparing for community spread of the virus,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of health. “It’s not a matter of if, but when. The Health Department will prioritize protecting the populations that are most vulnerable to becoming very sick or dying if they get COVID-19. That includes the elderly and people with chronic diseases and underlying health conditions.”


latimes--2020-03-02--Coronavirus death toll rises to 6 in U.S.; spread in California continues

The death toll from coronavirus in the United States rose to six as Washington state officials announced four new deaths .
The new figure comes as health officials worked to contain the virus and officials urged people to remain calm and stressed there is still time to limit the spread in the United States .
Three of the new deaths — all people in their 70s and 80s who died at the EvergreenHealth hospital — were from a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland , Wash. Health officials said Monday that there is still time to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose and the virus spread in California .
“ I think we have a common enemy , ” said World Health Organization director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
“ We have to stand together in unison to fight it , and these early signs are very encouraging.
” WHO officials declined to declare COVID-19 a pandemic , saying 90 % of the cases have been in China .
Of the 3,000 deaths from the virus , 2,803 have been in China ’ s Hubei province , where the outbreak began .
“ Our message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a one-way street — we can push this back , ” Tedros said .
“ Our actions now will determine the course of this outbreak.
” he added .
“ Containment is possible in all countries that are affected , and that should be No .
1.
” In the United States , there have been about 103 confirmed cases of the virus , with Georgia ’ s governor announcing the state ’ s first two cases on Monday evening .
Of the 62 countries affected by COVID-19 , 55 have fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,000 cases , Tedros said .
WHO officials said it is rare to see a respiratory pathogen such as this virus that can spread widely in the community but can also be contained .
The flu can not be as easily contained , officials said .
“ That offers us a glimmer , a chink of life that this virus can be suppressed and contained , ” Mike Ryan , who runs the agency ’ s emergencies program , said in a briefing Monday .
Officials in Santa Clara , San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new cases of coronavirus Monday morning .
In Santa Clara County , health officials said that two men who were “ household contacts ” of a previously confirmed case tested positive .
Both are in isolation at their respective residences .
The new cases bring the total in the county to nine .
In San Mateo County , officials reported a case of the virus , pending testing confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
That person has been hospitalized and remains under isolation .
The source of their exposure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has no known exposure to the virus through travel or through contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 .
This marks the second case in the county — the first was a person who had been repatriated to the U.S .
In Placer County , officials said that a healthcare worker at NorthView VacaValley Hospital came into close contact with an individual who had previously tested positive for the virus after leaving the hospital .
In Sonoma County , officials confirmed its second case of coronavirus , pending CDC confirmation , and declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the individual had recently traveled internationally , unrelated to the Diamond Princess cruise ship .
As coronavirus cases continue to spread across California , many under quarantine for the illness at Travis Air Force Base got some good news Monday : They were being allowed to go home .
Roughly 140 Americans from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who had been under a mandated quarantine at the Northern California base were being released after showing no symptoms , health officials confirmed .
Scott Pauley , a CDC spokesman , did not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained at the base .
According to the CDC , at least 45 cruise ship passengers who were taken to Travis Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have tested positive for the virus .
Twenty-one people had previously tested positive at Travis and were transported to hospitals .
Video showed two buses taking the evacuees from the base to either San Francisco International Airport or Sacramento International Airport before heading to their respective homes .
Last week , officials in Costa Mesa successfully fought a federal plan to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fairview Developmental Center .
As more cases of COVID-19 were reported around the country over the weekend , the focus remained on Washington state and Northern California , where health officials say the virus has spread through community contact .
Officials are continuing to search for people who came in contact with the original patients to isolate them and get them tested .
Alameda County reported its first case Sunday , prompting the declaration of a local public health emergency .
Still , officials urged residents to stay calm .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Area , and we are ready for cases here , ” Dr. Erica Pan , health officer for the Alameda County Public Health Department , said in a statement .
“ This is not the time to panic ; now is the time for all of us to work together.
” In Washington state , officials have reported 19 cases of coronavirus — 14 of which are from King County .
Eight of those cases have been linked to Life Care of Kirkland , including four of the six deaths .
The deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no known exposures , two women in their 80s , and a man and woman in their 70s .
Of the new cases reported in Washington , two involved men in their 60s with underlying health conditions .
One was in critical but stable condition at Valley Medical Center in Renton ; the second was in critical condition at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle .
Experts warn the rising case counts in the U.S. do not necessarily reveal the virus is spreading rapidly across the country .
So far , testing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Harvard epidemiology professor Marc Lipsitch .
“ Some of the numbers are changing because new things are happening , but a lot of the numbers are changing because we ’ re discovering things that have already happened , ” Lipsitch said in a forum Monday hosted by Harvard ’ s public health school .
“ It ’ s really important to distinguish ‘ Oh , goodness , there ’ s a new cluster ’ from ‘ Oh , goodness , we just discovered that there ’ s a cluster that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solano County , two healthcare workers at a hospital were reported to have contracted COVID-19 after being exposed to a patient who was initially admitted there , and three more people were diagnosed with the virus in Santa Clara County , officials announced Sunday .
The two healthcare workers were exposed to the virus from a patient who was being treated at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville , officials said .
The female patient has since been transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and is considered the nation ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” meaning the source of infection is unknown .
That woman was not immediately tested for the virus because she did not fit federal testing criteria at the time .
Officials had already expressed concern that she could have infected others .
The case led to 124 nurses and healthcare workers being asked to self-quarantine , according to the California Nurses Assn .
“ Our two healthcare workers who tested positive have been in isolation at home since the day we learned they had contact with the patient who had contracted the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NorthBay Healthcare Group , said in a statement .
“ We took immediate and comprehensive measures intended to stop any further spread of the virus , including working with public health officials to trace the contacts the two workers may have had.
” One of the infected healthcare workers is a Solano County resident , and the other lives in Alameda County , officials said .
They are both in isolation at home .
Meanwhile , three more people were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Santa Clara County on Sunday , health officials said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health conditions .
An investigation into how she acquired the infection was just launched , the Santa Clara County Public Health Department said Sunday evening .
The other two patients are a husband and wife who had recently traveled to Egypt .
All three are hospitalized , officials said .
Additional information about their condition was not immediately available .
The Public Health Department was working to identify all those who had come into contact with the three patients and said it would also conduct community surveillance “ to determine the extent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In California , at least 40 cases have been reported .
Twenty-four people who have caught the virus either were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship or in Wuhan , China , where the outbreak was first reported , and were then repatriated to the U.S. and quarantined at California military bases .
An additional 16 cases have been discovered in returning travelers or , in at least five instances , people who contracted the virus in their community .
Senior public health officials continued to stress that coronavirus does not represent a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The risk is low , ” said Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield added that there are no travel advisories for travel within the U.S. Vice President Mike Pence , who is leading the administration ’ s coronavirus response and joined Trump at a meeting with pharmaceutical executives Thursday , acknowledged that any vaccine for the disease would not be available until later this year , at the earliest .
But Pence said medications to treat the disease could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall .
Pence added that the administration may consider more travel advisories , adding to the warnings issued over the weekend about travel to regions of Italy and South Korea .
Pence did not identify any specific additional countries , though he indicated that authorities are monitoring what is happening in the European Union , whose open borders allow relatively free travel across the continent .
During a meeting with pharmaceutical executives at the White House on Monday , President Trump said it ’ s “ likely that therapies will be available before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will seek to bring all effective treatments to market as soon as possible.
” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the administration ’ s emphasis would be on speeding the development of vaccines , therapies and fixing any supply chain challenges .
“ We want to know how can we not get in the way , but rather speed that development process along , ” Azar said .

Alex Wigglesworth, Soumya Karlamangla, Colleen Shalby, Richard Read

A video monitor at the California Department of Public Health shows the number of coronavirus cases around the world on Feb. 27.
The death toll from coronavirus in the United States rose to six as Washington state officials announced four new deaths.
The new figure comes as health officials worked to contain the virus and officials urged people to remain calm and stressed there is still time to limit the spread in the United States.
Three of the new deaths — all people in their 70s and 80s who died at the EvergreenHealth hospital — were from a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland, Wash.
Health officials said Monday that there is still time to contain the coronavirus as the death toll in America rose and the virus spread in California.
“I think we have a common enemy,” said World Health Organization director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “We have to stand together in unison to fight it, and these early signs are very encouraging.”
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WHO officials declined to declare COVID-19 a pandemic, saying 90% of the cases have been in China.
Of the 3,000 deaths from the virus, 2,803 have been in China’s Hubei province, where the outbreak began. “Our message to all countries is this is not a one-way street — we can push this back,” Tedros said.
“Our actions now will determine the course of this outbreak.” he added. “Containment is possible in all countries that are affected, and that should be No. 1.”
In the United States, there have been about 103 confirmed cases of the virus, with Georgia’s governor announcing the state’s first two cases on Monday evening.
Of the 62 countries affected by COVID-19, 55 have fewer than 100 cases. Only four countries have more than 1,000 cases, Tedros said.
WHO officials said it is rare to see a respiratory pathogen such as this virus that can spread widely in the community but can also be contained. The flu cannot be as easily contained, officials said.
“That offers us a glimmer, a chink of life that this virus can be suppressed and contained,” Mike Ryan, who runs the agency’s emergencies program, said in a briefing Monday.
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Officials in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Placer and Sonoma counties reported new cases of coronavirus Monday morning. In Santa Clara County, health officials said that two men who were “household contacts” of a previously confirmed case tested positive. Both are in isolation at their respective residences.
The new cases bring the total in the county to nine.
In San Mateo County, officials reported a case of the virus, pending testing confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That person has been hospitalized and remains under isolation. The source of their exposure is currently unknown, as the person has no known exposure to the virus through travel or through contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
This marks the second case in the county — the first was a person who had been repatriated to the U.S.
In Placer County, officials said that a healthcare worker at NorthView VacaValley Hospital came into close contact with an individual who had previously tested positive for the virus after leaving the hospital.
In Sonoma County, officials confirmed its second case of coronavirus, pending CDC confirmation, and declared a local health emergency. Officials said that the individual had recently traveled internationally, unrelated to the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
As coronavirus cases continue to spread across California, many under quarantine for the illness at Travis Air Force Base got some good news Monday: They were being allowed to go home.
Roughly 140 Americans from the Diamond Princess cruise ship who had been under a mandated quarantine at the Northern California base were being released after showing no symptoms, health officials confirmed. Scott Pauley, a CDC spokesman, did not have further information about whether anyone under quarantine remained at the base.
According to the CDC, at least 45 cruise ship passengers who were taken to Travis Air Force Base and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas have tested positive for the virus. Twenty-one people had previously tested positive at Travis and were transported to hospitals.
Video showed two buses taking the evacuees from the base to either San Francisco International Airport or Sacramento International Airport before heading to their respective homes.
Last week, officials in Costa Mesa successfully fought a federal plan to have those at the Travis base moved to the Fairview Developmental Center.
As more cases of COVID-19 were reported around the country over the weekend, the focus remained on Washington state and Northern California, where health officials say the virus has spread through community contact. Officials are continuing to search for people who came in contact with the original patients to isolate them and get them tested.
Alameda County reported its first case Sunday, prompting the declaration of a local public health emergency. Still, officials urged residents to stay calm.
“This news is not unexpected in the Bay Area, and we are ready for cases here,” Dr. Erica Pan, health officer for the Alameda County Public Health Department, said in a statement. “This is not the time to panic; now is the time for all of us to work together.”
In Washington state, officials have reported 19 cases of coronavirus — 14 of which are from King County. Eight of those cases have been linked to Life Care of Kirkland, including four of the six deaths.
The deaths include a man in his 50s with no known exposures, two women in their 80s, and a man and woman in their 70s.
Science & Medicine How this coronavirus kills its victims The new coronavirus spreading rapidly around the globe can be deadly because it targets a very vulnerable and essential part of the body — the lungs.
Of the new cases reported in Washington, two involved men in their 60s with underlying health conditions. One was in critical but stable condition at Valley Medical Center in Renton; the second was in critical condition at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle.
Experts warn the rising case counts in the U.S. do not necessarily reveal the virus is spreading rapidly across the country. So far, testing in the U.S. has been very low, said Harvard epidemiology professor Marc Lipsitch.
“Some of the numbers are changing because new things are happening, but a lot of the numbers are changing because we’re discovering things that have already happened,” Lipsitch said in a forum Monday hosted by Harvard’s public health school.
“It’s really important to distinguish ‘Oh, goodness, there’s a new cluster’ from ‘Oh, goodness, we just discovered that there’s a cluster that’s been there for some time.”
In Solano County, two healthcare workers at a hospital were reported to have contracted COVID-19 after being exposed to a patient who was initially admitted there, and three more people were diagnosed with the virus in Santa Clara County, officials announced Sunday.
The two healthcare workers were exposed to the virus from a patient who was being treated at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, officials said. The female patient has since been transferred to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and is considered the nation’s first announced case of “community spread,” meaning the source of infection is unknown.
That woman was not immediately tested for the virus because she did not fit federal testing criteria at the time. Officials had already expressed concern that she could have infected others.
The case led to 124 nurses and healthcare workers being asked to self-quarantine, according to the California Nurses Assn.
“Our two healthcare workers who tested positive have been in isolation at home since the day we learned they had contact with the patient who had contracted the virus,” Aimee Brewer, president of NorthBay Healthcare Group, said in a statement. “We took immediate and comprehensive measures intended to stop any further spread of the virus, including working with public health officials to trace the contacts the two workers may have had.”
One of the infected healthcare workers is a Solano County resident, and the other lives in Alameda County, officials said. They are both in isolation at home.
Meanwhile, three more people were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Santa Clara County on Sunday, health officials said.
One is a woman with chronic health conditions. An investigation into how she acquired the infection was just launched, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department said Sunday evening.
The other two patients are a husband and wife who had recently traveled to Egypt.
All three are hospitalized, officials said. Additional information about their condition was not immediately available.
The Public Health Department was working to identify all those who had come into contact with the three patients and said it would also conduct community surveillance “to determine the extent of possible disease spread in our community.”
In California, at least 40 cases have been reported. Twenty-four people who have caught the virus either were on the Diamond Princess cruise ship or in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak was first reported, and were then repatriated to the U.S. and quarantined at California military bases. An additional 16 cases have been discovered in returning travelers or, in at least five instances, people who contracted the virus in their community.
Senior public health officials continued to stress that coronavirus does not represent a serious threat to most people.
“The risk is low,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield added that there are no travel advisories for travel within the U.S.
Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the administration’s coronavirus response and joined Trump at a meeting with pharmaceutical executives Thursday, acknowledged that any vaccine for the disease would not be available until later this year, at the earliest.
But Pence said medications to treat the disease could be available by late summer or early fall.
Pence added that the administration may consider more travel advisories, adding to the warnings issued over the weekend about travel to regions of Italy and South Korea. Pence did not identify any specific additional countries, though he indicated that authorities are monitoring what is happening in the European Union, whose open borders allow relatively free travel across the continent.
During a meeting with pharmaceutical executives at the White House on Monday, President Trump said it’s “likely that therapies will be available before a vaccine is actually ready and we will seek to bring all effective treatments to market as soon as possible.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the administration’s emphasis would be on speeding the development of vaccines, therapies and fixing any supply chain challenges.
“We want to know how can we not get in the way, but rather speed that development process along,” Azar said.


latimes--2020-03-03--Hollywood stars align for their presidential picks on Super Tuesday

The Democratic primary election takes place today in 14 states , including California , and several celebrities have taken to social media to campaign for their preferred presidential candidate .
Sen. Bernie Sanders has attracted a number of high-profile supporters — including Ariana Grande , Susan Sarandon and Dick Van Dyke — as has Sen. Elizabeth Warren , backed by Constance Wu , Janelle Monáe , Sally Field and more .
Former Vice President Joe Biden has collected endorsements from the likes of Cher and Debra Messing , while former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg has Ted Danson and Tim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top four contenders , here ’ s a sampling of whom stars are rooting for today .
If we want to protect our Democracy , if we want to protect our Environment , if we want to rid our Republic of the Criminal in the White House , cast your vote today for the next President of the United States , Joe Biden .
— Rob Reiner ( @ robreiner ) March 3 , 2020 I refuse to underestimate the power of intelligence , kindness and decency .
My friend , @ JoeBiden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more .
Joe already has the respect of world leaders .
He has the experience to effectively lead on day one .
I ’ m endorsing Joe Biden for President .
pic.twitter.com/uW9vY9Vj6b — Alyssa Milano ( @ Alyssa_Milano ) March 2 , 2020 I just donated to @ joebiden campaign and I ’ m very proudly voting for @ joebiden on Super Tuesday in the California primary !
He ’ s a good and decent man and will restore dignity to the office .
He ’ ll be a president we can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Let ’ s all get behind Joe !
— Jane Lynch ( @ janemarielynch ) March 1 , 2020 For as long as I ’ ve known him , @ MikeBloomberg has been a champion for the LGBTQ+ community .
Unlike others , Mike listens carefully to the concerns of his constituents - and gets things done .
I ’ m voting for Mike because he will Make it Work for the LGBTQ+ community & all Americans .
pic.twitter.com/z7ZITpvvo2 — Tim Gunn ( @ TimGunn ) January 29 , 2020 MY GUY .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ my show , making my whole night and for all that you stand for !
@ headcountorg and i are doing our best to make you proud .
we ’ ve already registered 20k+ young voters at my shows alone .
also i will never smile this hard again promise .
pic.twitter.com/7UYqkXR0g1 — Ariana Grande ( @ ArianaGrande ) November 20 , 2019 Because I love her and think she has ALL the qualities of a great leader , as well as a healing way of communicating that this country so desperately needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ewarren .
Do with this info what you will .
I ’ m not a perfect person & I once lied about seeing Wicked .
— billy eichner ( @ billyeichner ) February 25 , 2020 I ’ ve been better about keepin my mouf shut on this here platform BUT it is so clearly Elizabeth Warren .
I ’ ve seen enough .
And the idea that Buttigieg could have come out ahead of her in ANYTHING at this point says sooooooooo much about US , about where we are right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) February 20 , 2020 I am proud & excited to be voting for @ ewarren She is the president we need to heal our country .
She is the fighter we need to cross-examine—and crush—Donald Trump .
Go to https : //t.co/6c70K1RCGW pic.twitter.com/rE7BcSFt9J — Adam Scott ( @ mradamscott ) February 28 , 2020

Happy Super Tuesday from the super famous!
The Democratic primary election takes place today in 14 states, including California, and several celebrities have taken to social media to campaign for their preferred presidential candidate.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has attracted a number of high-profile supporters — including Ariana Grande, Susan Sarandon and Dick Van Dyke — as has Sen. Elizabeth Warren, backed by Constance Wu, Janelle Monáe, Sally Field and more.
Former Vice President Joe Biden has collected endorsements from the likes of Cher and Debra Messing, while former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg has Ted Danson and Tim Gunn in his corner.
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Politics 2020 Super Tuesday Democratic primary: What you missed, who dropped out On the biggest day of the Democratic presidential primary calendar, 14 states — from Maine to California — held primaries on Super Tuesday. There were1,357 delegates at stake, just over a third of the votes at this summer’s nominating convention.The balloting shaped up as a battle between Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden.Former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg dropped out Wednesday morning after a disappointing showing, considering the hundreds of millions he’s spent on his campaign. Sen. Elizabeth Warren also fell well short of expectations. Our reporters in California and other key Super Tuesday states followed the day’s developments and will keep you up to date on the aftermath.Live Super Tuesday results Photos: Super Tuesday | 14 states hold primaries with 1,357 delegates at stake
Among the top four contenders, here’s a sampling of whom stars are rooting for today.
Team Biden
If we want to protect our Democracy, if we want to protect our Environment, if we want to rid our Republic of the Criminal in the White House, cast your vote today for the next President of the United States, Joe Biden. — Rob Reiner (@robreiner) March 3, 2020
ONE THING I KNOW ABOUT JOE..HE WILL LISTEN TO EVERYONE….& HE WILL”HEAR THEM” — Cher (@cher) March 2, 2020
Im supporting @JoeBiden but if Bernie is the nominee, ill vote for him and i hope all the Bernie supporters will do the same if Joe wins We MUST oust Trump. — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) March 3, 2020
i want trump out - still love warren - but will be supporting #BIDEN — ROSIE (@Rosie) March 2, 2020
AWESOME NEWS! Great run Amy and we appreciate ya support for @JoeBiden Klobuchar is ending her presidential bid, will endorse Bidenhttps://t.co/KbOpQCom7W #WEKNOWJOE 🤗🙆🏾♀🇺🇸 — Vivica A. Fox (@MsVivicaFox) March 2, 2020
I refuse to underestimate the power of intelligence, kindness and decency.
My friend, @JoeBiden has all of that and so much more.
Joe already has the respect of world leaders. He has the experience to effectively lead on day one.
I’m endorsing Joe Biden for President. pic.twitter.com/uW9vY9Vj6b — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 2, 2020
I understand completely how certain other candidates provide ideas, hope, comfort.
And if one among those convinced me they could win, I’m in.
But they haven’t.#Biden2020 — HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) February 29, 2020
I just donated to @joebiden campaign and I’m very proudly voting for @joebiden on Super Tuesday in the California primary! He’s a good and decent man and will restore dignity to the office. He’ll be a president we can be proud of and have faith in. Let’s all get behind Joe! — Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) March 1, 2020
Team Bloomberg
Climate change is a crisis, and our future hangs in the balance. I trust @MikeBloomberg to lead this fight and #GetItDone. https://t.co/Vy6kIoxcmB. #DemDebate — Ted Danson (@TedDanson) February 20, 2020
For as long as I’ve known him, @MikeBloomberg has been a champion for the LGBTQ+ community. Unlike others, Mike listens carefully to the concerns of his constituents - and gets things done.
I’m voting for Mike because he will Make it Work for the LGBTQ+ community & all Americans. pic.twitter.com/z7ZITpvvo2 — Tim Gunn (@TimGunn) January 29, 2020
Team Sanders
MY GUY. thank you Senator Sanders for coming to my show, making my whole night and for all that you stand for ! @headcountorg and i are doing our best to make you proud. we’ve already registered 20k+ young voters at my shows alone. also i will never smile this hard again promise. pic.twitter.com/7UYqkXR0g1 — Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 20, 2019
So much respect for these volunteers, not only in Charleston but nationwide, who are putting in the work to spread @BernieSanders’ message door-to-door and getting people out to vote. https://t.co/OioGGytlDe — Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) February 24, 2020
The American people want democracy, not oligarchy. @BernieSanders is funded by the people, and he will be a president for the people. #DemDebate — Shailene Woodley (@shailenewoodley) February 26, 2020
I’m 94 and I will be there supporting @BernieSanders https://t.co/oX7LkUWpK1 — Dick Van Dyke (@iammrvandy) February 28, 2020
GO BERNIE! Ayah New Hampshah! This is the leader we need Babees https://t.co/WgdHTeLndI — Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) February 12, 2020
Bernie’s what’s happening!😁 — Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) February 11, 2020
Come on people Super Tuesday - watch this - you know what to do - tomorrow you are the law - act with justice -vote @BernieSanders
Final summation : I believe we have justice in our hearts -
The Verdict - Paul Newman - Courtroom Summation https://t.co/MM14sYEUO6 via @YouTube — John Cusack (@johncusack) March 3, 2020
Instead of doing what the pundits say I voted my conscience I voted for Bernie — David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) March 3, 2020
What happens in America doesn’t stay in America. The whole world is crying out for kinder and more inclusive leadership.
If you are in a Super Tuesday state, please vote for the president you all deserve.@BernieSanders #SuperTuesday#VoteForBernie pic.twitter.com/qx5FrgXIS8 — DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) March 3, 2020
Democrats, don’t be defined by the negative of what is “impossible.”
Define yourself by the possibility of what is imaginable.#NotMeUs #BernieSanders #SuperTuesdaypic.twitter.com/CFNopxuDTx — Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) March 3, 2020
And just last week he was lying about getting arrested trying to see Mandela. The guy is an electoral disaster waiting to happen. #VoteBernie https://t.co/JYEn7ImSf7 — Tim Robbins (@TimRobbins1) March 3, 2020
Bernie sanders is not a radical.
Raising minimum wage is not radical.
Pursuing healthcare for all is not radical.
Pursuing higher education for all is not radical.
Seeking legislation that protects our earth, our home, is not radical.
The pursuit of equity is American. — Cole M. Sprouse (@colesprouse) February 25, 2020
Team Warren
Elizabeth Warren . — Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) March 3, 2020
I’m so excited for #PresidentWarren — Sally Field (@sally_field) February 18, 2020
I’m attending California for Warren’s event, “Los Angeles Speech with Elizabeth Warren” – sign up now to join me! #WinWithWarren https://t.co/ML0bmeH9dm — Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) March 1, 2020
The future of our democracy is at stake. @JohnLegend and I are ready to fight—join us. pic.twitter.com/VmVBCtFLd4 — Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) February 29, 2020
Because I love her and think she has ALL the qualities of a great leader, as well as a healing way of communicating that this country so desperately needs, I’m voting for @ewarren. Do with this info what you will. I’m not a perfect person & I once lied about seeing Wicked. — billy eichner (@billyeichner) February 25, 2020
Today is primary day in California where you can same day register! Make the time to vote, whomever you support. It does matter. But if you’re looking for a candidate, Elizabeth Warren is a great choice. I am so excited about her candidacy. — roxane gay (@rgay) March 3, 2020
I’m with @SenWarren. I trust her judgment and I believe in her love for this country. Where she goes, I go. — Jenny Han (@jennyhan) March 2, 2020
I’m voting @ewarren on Tues.
I am also a realist & believe in having a plan B. What do you think of a Biden/Stacey Abrams ticket?
Steady experience & guidance during an immediate health & financial crisis with a path to the future for women in significant leadership roles. — Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 1, 2020
I wanted to be a winner so I geared up and went to Pawnee to vote#VoteWarren pic.twitter.com/ii83TJtkcm — Nick Offerman (@Nick_Offerman) March 3, 2020
I’ve been better about keepin my mouf shut on this here platform BUT it is so clearly Elizabeth Warren. I’ve seen enough. And the idea that Buttigieg could have come out ahead of her in ANYTHING at this point says sooooooooo much about US, about where we are right now. — Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) February 20, 2020


latimes--2020-03-03--Shelter openings and groundbreakings mark progress in L.A.'s homelessness response

At a town hall 16 months ago , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Councilman Mike Bonin endured a public flogging from residents who were incensed by a plan to build a homeless shelter across the street from some of the priciest real estate in Venice .
The opposition continued , first with a scathing social media campaign and then with a lawsuit .
But all that was only a bittersweet memory last week , when Garcetti and Bonin stood before an appreciative crowd of homeless advocates and service providers to open Pacific Sunset , a 154-bed bridge home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults .
It was built — rapidly — across from that pricey real estate on the site of a vacant Metropolitan Transit Authority storage yard .
“ We will never let opposition stop us from the greatest fight of our lives , ” Garcetti said Tuesday , recalling the night he described as “ the most traumatic public meeting I ’ ve ever done.
” The opening of the Venice shelter was the emotional highlight of several events over the last two weeks , demonstrating that momentum is finally building to address street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
On Feb. 20 , Garcetti had appeared with Councilman Paul Krekorian under Department of Power and Water utility lines in North Hollywood to celebrate the completion of the city ’ s first so-called navigation center , where homeless people can store their possessions in 120 bins , use the showers and toilets and connect with case managers .
On Feb. 24 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom visited families who were moving into temporary homes in 10 state emergency trailers that , on his order , were donated to the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ installed on a former city parking lot .
Then on Wednesday , the day after the Venice facility opened , Garcetti joined Councilman David Ryu for the groundbreaking on what will be a 100-bed shelter on Riverside Drive in Los Feliz .
That shelter , scheduled to open in early summer , will be one of four in Ryu ’ s district and among the 25 shelters that Garcetti has promised will be open by July , providing 2,000 emergency shelter beds under his A Bridge Home program .
Ten of those shelters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And on Friday , the skid row nonprofit Union Rescue Mission held a groundbreaking for a 374-bed shelter it is building with private financing in South Los Angeles .
Angeles House , scheduled for completion next year , will be a three-story building providing private quarters with kitchens and bathrooms to 86 families , said Andy Bales , the mission ’ s president and chief executive .
Los Angeles County opened a new 40-bed shelter in San Pedro on Monday .
The $ 300,000 renovation of a former county health clinic on West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Supervisor Janice Hahn ’ s office said .
It will be run by Harbor Interfaith Council .
Plans for the Venice shelter triggered a lawsuit by an advocacy group , the Venice Stakeholders Assn.
, arguing that the city and other government agencies had failed to properly review how “ this large and extraordinary project ” would affect the neighborhood .
A Superior Court judge ruled against the group , citing a state law , championed by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago ( D-Los Angeles ) , that exempts any shelter or homeless housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Environmental Quality Act if it receives funding from key state and local sources .
At the opening last week , Garcetti and Bonin were met by an appreciative crowd , affirming that the resistance they faced was a minority of Venice residents .
“ If the price of making sure that the kids of Venice don ’ t need to walk in the middle of the street to get to school because the sidewalks are filled with encampments is a string of profanities on my social media accounts , that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is just absolutely unthinkable , ” Bonin said .
Pointing out wildlife murals painted on the shelter buildings by local artists , Bonin said the project was “ by and of ” Venice , not just for Venice .
The 3.15-acre campus will include an outdoor covered eating area and an area for pets .
The main building , a steel-frame , plastic-skinned temporary structure , is divided into two bays with cubicles and cots for 66 men and 34 women .
The 54 youth beds are distributed over five modular buildings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offices for staff .
Meals will be served from a food truck .
The $ 8.5-million Venice shelter received funding from the city , the state and private donors , including an anonymous $ 3-million donation .
Los Angeles County will pay for operations .
The nonprofit group People Assisting the Homeless will run the shelter and provide services for adults .
Venice-based Safe Place for Youth will serve the young adults , ages 18 to 24 .
As soon as the crowd dispersed last week , People Assisting the Homeless began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outreach workers from Safe Place for Youth and the Venice-based St. Joseph Center .
By Thursday , 58 adults and 26 youths had checked in .
The navigation center in North Hollywood is a more modest facility , with a row of showers and toilets , a large modular building filled with 120 trash-can-style storage bins and a smaller building for staff .
After it opens on Thursday , it will be a daytime drop-in center only .
During the ceremony marking its completion , site director Laurie Craft of the homeless services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such centers have been criticized as band-aids rather than a solution .
“ Band-aids facilitate and promote healing , ” Craft said .
“ They prevent things from getting worse .
... Navigation centers are entry points into the system .
They are places for people to begin , to prevent an individual ’ s housing crisis from getting worse.
” By summer , it will become an access point for two East Valley shelters now under construction .
A push by the city , the county and the St. Joseph Center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transformed a city parking lot into SOLA Open Air , the new South L.A. trailer home , in only three weeks .
It began with a call from County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to Va Lecia Adams Kellam , St. Joseph ’ s president and chief executive , asking if she would be interested in running a pop-up shelter in the parking lot on the same block as the agency ’ s South Los Angeles satellite near 85th Street and Broadway .
“ I knew this could happen , ” Adams Kellam said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ call.
” Leases were executed , permits were obtained , utilities were installed and welcome kits were prepared , all for an estimated $ 300,000 , plus several thousand dollars in donations .
As of last week , nine families had moved in and the 10th was on the way .
All had been living on the street , in cars or in vans when St. Joseph outreach workers told them homes were waiting .
“ You never hear of anything happening that quickly , ” Adams Kellam said .
Twenty more state-owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The second batch was delivered Thursday to a former L.A. County Probation Department building at Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards .
The remaining 10 will go to a location yet to be chosen in Hahn ’ s district .

L.A. City Councilman Mike Bonin, left, and Mayor Eric Garcetti at the grand opening of Pacific Sunset, a 154-bed bridge home shelter in Venice.
At a town hall 16 months ago, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Councilman Mike Bonin endured a public flogging from residents who were incensed by a plan to build a homeless shelter across the street from some of the priciest real estate in Venice.
The opposition continued, first with a scathing social media campaign and then with a lawsuit.
But all that was only a bittersweet memory last week, when Garcetti and Bonin stood before an appreciative crowd of homeless advocates and service providers to open Pacific Sunset, a 154-bed bridge home shelter for men, women and young adults. It was built — rapidly — across from that pricey real estate on the site of a vacant Metropolitan Transit Authority storage yard.
“We will never let opposition stop us from the greatest fight of our lives,” Garcetti said Tuesday, recalling the night he described as “the most traumatic public meeting I’ve ever done.”
The opening of the Venice shelter was the emotional highlight of several events over the last two weeks, demonstrating that momentum is finally building to address street homelessness in the city and county of Los Angeles.
On Feb. 20, Garcetti had appeared with Councilman Paul Krekorian under Department of Power and Water utility lines in North Hollywood to celebrate the completion of the city’s first so-called navigation center, where homeless people can store their possessions in 120 bins, use the showers and toilets and connect with case managers.
On Feb. 24, Gov. Gavin Newsom visited families who were moving into temporary homes in 10 state emergency trailers that, on his order, were donated to the county, trucked to South Los Angeles and installed on a former city parking lot.
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Then on Wednesday, the day after the Venice facility opened, Garcetti joined Councilman David Ryu for the groundbreaking on what will be a 100-bed shelter on Riverside Drive in Los Feliz.
That shelter, scheduled to open in early summer, will be one of four in Ryu’s district and among the 25 shelters that Garcetti has promised will be open by July, providing 2,000 emergency shelter beds under his A Bridge Home program. Ten of those shelters are currently open with 673 beds.
And on Friday, the skid row nonprofit Union Rescue Mission held a groundbreaking for a 374-bed shelter it is building with private financing in South Los Angeles. Angeles House, scheduled for completion next year, will be a three-story building providing private quarters with kitchens and bathrooms to 86 families, said Andy Bales, the mission’s president and chief executive.
Los Angeles County opened a new 40-bed shelter in San Pedro on Monday. The $300,000 renovation of a former county health clinic on West 8th Street was completed in six weeks, Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office said. It will be run by Harbor Interfaith Council.
Plans for the Venice shelter triggered a lawsuit by an advocacy group, the Venice Stakeholders Assn., arguing that the city and other government agencies had failed to properly review how “this large and extraordinary project” would affect the neighborhood.
A Superior Court judge ruled against the group, citing a state law, championed by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), that exempts any shelter or homeless housing project in Los Angeles from the California Environmental Quality Act if it receives funding from key state and local sources.
At the opening last week, Garcetti and Bonin were met by an appreciative crowd, affirming that the resistance they faced was a minority of Venice residents.
“If the price of making sure that the kids of Venice don’t need to walk in the middle of the street to get to school because the sidewalks are filled with encampments is a string of profanities on my social media accounts, that’s the price we will pay because the alternative is just absolutely unthinkable,” Bonin said.
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Opponents shout at city officials during a town hall to discuss plans for a homeless shelter in Venice in 2018. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Pointing out wildlife murals painted on the shelter buildings by local artists, Bonin said the project was “by and of” Venice, not just for Venice.
The 3.15-acre campus will include an outdoor covered eating area and an area for pets. The main building, a steel-frame, plastic-skinned temporary structure, is divided into two bays with cubicles and cots for 66 men and 34 women. The 54 youth beds are distributed over five modular buildings. Additional modular buildings hold showers and bathrooms and offices for staff.
Meals will be served from a food truck.
The $8.5-million Venice shelter received funding from the city, the state and private donors, including an anonymous $3-million donation. Los Angeles County will pay for operations. The nonprofit group People Assisting the Homeless will run the shelter and provide services for adults. Venice-based Safe Place for Youth will serve the young adults, ages 18 to 24.
As soon as the crowd dispersed last week, People Assisting the Homeless began admitting clients who had been preselected by outreach workers from Safe Place for Youth and the Venice-based St. Joseph Center. By Thursday, 58 adults and 26 youths had checked in.
The navigation center in North Hollywood is a more modest facility, with a row of showers and toilets, a large modular building filled with 120 trash-can-style storage bins and a smaller building for staff. After it opens on Thursday, it will be a daytime drop-in center only.
During the ceremony marking its completion, site director Laurie Craft of the homeless services organization Hope for the Valley acknowledged that such centers have been criticized as band-aids rather than a solution.
“Band-aids facilitate and promote healing,” Craft said. “They prevent things from getting worse. ... Navigation centers are entry points into the system. They are places for people to begin, to prevent an individual’s housing crisis from getting worse.”
By summer, it will become an access point for two East Valley shelters now under construction.
A push by the city, the county and the St. Joseph Center, and an outpouring of volunteer labor, transformed a city parking lot into SOLA Open Air, the new South L.A. trailer home, in only three weeks.
It began with a call from County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to Va Lecia Adams Kellam, St. Joseph’s president and chief executive, asking if she would be interested in running a pop-up shelter in the parking lot on the same block as the agency’s South Los Angeles satellite near 85th Street and Broadway.
“I knew this could happen,” Adams Kellam said. “I was so ready for the call.”
Leases were executed, permits were obtained, utilities were installed and welcome kits were prepared, all for an estimated $300,000, plus several thousand dollars in donations.
As of last week, nine families had moved in and the 10th was on the way. All had been living on the street, in cars or in vans when St. Joseph outreach workers told them homes were waiting.
“You never hear of anything happening that quickly,” Adams Kellam said.
Twenty more state-owned trailers are coming to Los Angeles. The second batch was delivered Thursday to a former L.A. County Probation Department building at Crenshaw and Exposition boulevards.
The remaining 10 will go to a location yet to be chosen in Hahn’s district.


latimes--2020-03-03--Coronavirus panic buying isn't necessary. It can make things worse, experts say

Charmin toilet paper out at Costco .
Masks all gone at Walgreens .
A run on bags of rice .
Even reasonably priced hand sanitizer is seemingly sold out at the world ’ s largest online retailer , Amazon .
Are Americans prudently preparing for a coronavirus pandemic by stocking up ?
Or is this irresponsible panic buying ?
There are worrying implications for the shortage on some goods .
U.S .
Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams tweeted Saturday , “ Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS !
They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching # Coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get them to care for sick patients , it puts them and our communities at risk !
” It ’ s true that people should be prepared for emergencies , whether it be earthquakes in California or hurricanes in the East .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests having , for instance , a two-week supply of water and food and medicine , and if the coronavirus outbreak is causing some to finally get serious about an emergency supply , that may be a good thing .
But some experts in infectious diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the brink of the situation in China , where hundreds of millions have been in some form of home lockdown , residential buildings have been sealed and where families get a limited number of passes to leave their homes occasionally .
Dr. James Cherry of UCLA , an infectious diseases expert since 1963 , says he already has a supply of food and other essentials for an earthquake .
As for the idea of stocking up even more in light of the coronavirus outbreak , “ I think going out now and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that doesn ’ t make any sense to me.
” No one can predict the future , but Cherry , an expert in pediatric infectious diseases since 1963 , said the situation in Washington state actually suggests the virus causes only mild symptoms in most people it infects .
“ The fact that they noted it had been circulating for six weeks in Washington state before anybody noticed it , with many , many mild cases that went unrecognized , that ’ s why I don ’ t think this will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary editor of the Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases .
So far worldwide , more than 90,000 people have been infected with the new coronavirus and more than 3,000 have died in less than three months .
The 1918 flu was particularly devastating , with mortality high in children younger than 5 , in younger adults ages 20 to 40 and in people 65 and older .
Virtually all deaths were a result of secondary bacterial pneumonia , Cherry said , in an era where there were no antibiotics to treat the bacterial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on what we know about nearly 45,000 coronavirus patients in China whose records were studied by Chinese health authorities , none under the age of 10 has died .
Those at higher risk of death have been older than 70 .
To be sure , people should remain vigilant , and physicians will have to see how the outbreak plays out .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said anyone finding it difficult to breathe needs to seek prompt medical attention , and to call your healthcare provider before seeking care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People at higher risk for complications and death , and their families , should be especially alert to worsening symptoms .
The populations at higher risk include those with underlying medical complications , like diabetes and kidney disease .
“ I think we should be concerned about it , because it ’ s an unknown .
But in just my looking at this , I think it ’ s not that bad for the run of the mill person , ” Cherry said .
For “ older people like me , the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not as much as the person who is a smoker , who has other risk factors.
” Cherry also said , based on what ’ s known right now , that while other businesses have started to cancel domestic plane trips , he thought it was fine to fly .
Though he wouldn ’ t go to Italy , China or South Korea , countries the CDC does not recommend for nonessential travel , Cherry said he does plan to take his planned trip to Atlanta next week and Houston in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think people shouldn ’ t overreact , ” Cherry said .
“ I think you should carry on normal schedules .
”

Charmin toilet paper out at Costco. Masks all gone at Walgreens. A run on bags of rice. Even reasonably priced hand sanitizer is seemingly sold out at the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon.
Are Americans prudently preparing for a coronavirus pandemic by stocking up? Or is this irresponsible panic buying?
There are worrying implications for the shortage on some goods. U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams tweeted Saturday, “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!”
Advertisement
It’s true that people should be prepared for emergencies, whether it be earthquakes in California or hurricanes in the East. The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggests having, for instance, a two-week supply of water and food and medicine, and if the coronavirus outbreak is causing some to finally get serious about an emergency supply, that may be a good thing.
But some experts in infectious diseases don’t believe the U.S. is on the brink of the situation in China, where hundreds of millions have been in some form of home lockdown, residential buildings have been sealed and where families get a limited number of passes to leave their homes occasionally.
Dr. James Cherry of UCLA, an infectious diseases expert since 1963, says he already has a supply of food and other essentials for an earthquake. As for the idea of stocking up even more in light of the coronavirus outbreak, “I think going out now and stocking up on all kinds of stuff, that doesn’t make any sense to me.”
No one can predict the future, but Cherry, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases since 1963, said the situation in Washington state actually suggests the virus causes only mild symptoms in most people it infects.
“The fact that they noted it had been circulating for six weeks in Washington state before anybody noticed it, with many, many mild cases that went unrecognized, that’s why I don’t think this will be so bad,” said Cherry, primary editor of the Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.
So far worldwide, more than 90,000 people have been infected with the new coronavirus and more than 3,000 have died in less than three months.
The 1918 flu was particularly devastating, with mortality high in children younger than 5, in younger adults ages 20 to 40 and in people 65 and older. Virtually all deaths were a result of secondary bacterial pneumonia, Cherry said, in an era where there were no antibiotics to treat the bacterial infections associated with the flu.
Advertisement
Based on what we know about nearly 45,000 coronavirus patients in China whose records were studied by Chinese health authorities, none under the age of 10 has died. Those at higher risk of death have been older than 70.
To be sure, people should remain vigilant, and physicians will have to see how the outbreak plays out. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said anyone finding it difficult to breathe needs to seek prompt medical attention, and to call your healthcare provider before seeking care if you suspect the new coronavirus.
People at higher risk for complications and death, and their families, should be especially alert to worsening symptoms. The populations at higher risk include those with underlying medical complications, like diabetes and kidney disease.
“I think we should be concerned about it, because it’s an unknown. But in just my looking at this, I think it’s not that bad for the run of the mill person,” Cherry said. For “older people like me, the risk is clearly higher. But my risk is not as much as the person who is a smoker, who has other risk factors.”
Cherry also said, based on what’s known right now, that while other businesses have started to cancel domestic plane trips, he thought it was fine to fly. Though he wouldn’t go to Italy, China or South Korea, countries the CDC does not recommend for nonessential travel, Cherry said he does plan to take his planned trip to Atlanta next week and Houston in May, barring any new developments.
“I think people shouldn’t overreact,” Cherry said. “I think you should carry on normal schedules.”


latimes--2020-03-03--As millions vote, California polling places take precautions to lessen coronavirus risk

As coronavirus cases continued to rise in California , affecting 11 counties up and down the state , millions hit the polls to cast their Super Tuesday votes in local , state and national elections .
Whether concerns about COVID-19 will affect in-person voter turnout , or prompt significant numbers of residents to stray from habit and vote by mail , remains to be seen .
But some counties are taking precautions to sanitize voting areas and alleviate fear .
In Santa Clara County , officials have distributed hand sanitizer and wipes at polling stations .
The county has at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest in the state .
Polling place workers are wiping down touchscreen voting devices with disinfectant wipes between use , said Steven Spivak , spokesman for the Santa Clara County registrar of voters office .
He said they are also encouraging workers to wash their hands and stay home if they ’ re sick .
The county also distributed mail-in ballots to every registered voter this year , which may have come in handy amid the outbreak .
“ We ’ re urging people who feel sick to mail in their ballot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether fears of illness will reduce voter turnout , Spivak said the county has tried to take precautions to mitigate concerns .
“ We encourage people to go out there and get those ballots in , ” he said .
At vote centers in L.A. County , which has reported one confirmed case of the virus , millions are voting on new machines .
A spokesperson said that workers are routinely wiping down the touchscreens that voters will use to cast their ballots .
“ I washed my hands the CDC way after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
“ Definitely going to use hand sanitizer and wipe down surfaces , ” wrote another .
The most consistently repeated recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect against the coronavirus is for people to wash their hands for 20 seconds .
Hand sanitizer should be used when water and soap aren ’ t readily available , officials said .
A handful of people have called the San Francisco registrar ’ s office to ask about the potential of contracting coronavirus at polling places , said Matthew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
People have asked what precautions are being taken and inquired about vote-by-mail options , he said .
There have been more than 100 cases of coronavirus confirmed in the U.S. , and nine deaths – all in Washington state .
In California , at least 40 cases of the virus have been reported .
Twenty-four of those were individuals who caught the virus either on the Diamond Princess cruise ship or in Wuhan , China , where the outbreak was first reported , and were then repatriated to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
An additional 19 cases were confirmed in returning travelers or , in at least five instances , people who contracted the virus in their communities .
There have been more than 92,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 3,000 reported deaths worldwide .
World Health Organization officials have declined to declare the outbreak a pandemic , saying 90 % of the cases have been in China .

As coronavirus cases continued to rise in California, affecting 11 counties up and down the state, millions hit the polls to cast their Super Tuesday votes in local, state and national elections.
Whether concerns about COVID-19 will affect in-person voter turnout, or prompt significant numbers of residents to stray from habit and vote by mail, remains to be seen. But some counties are taking precautions to sanitize voting areas and alleviate fear.
In Santa Clara County, officials have distributed hand sanitizer and wipes at polling stations. The county has at least nine confirmed cases of coronavirus, the highest in the state.
Polling place workers are wiping down touchscreen voting devices with disinfectant wipes between use, said Steven Spivak, spokesman for the Santa Clara County registrar of voters office. He said they are also encouraging workers to wash their hands and stay home if they’re sick.
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The county also distributed mail-in ballots to every registered voter this year, which may have come in handy amid the outbreak.
“We’re urging people who feel sick to mail in their ballot,” he said. As to whether fears of illness will reduce voter turnout, Spivak said the county has tried to take precautions to mitigate concerns.
“We encourage people to go out there and get those ballots in,” he said.
At vote centers in L.A. County, which has reported one confirmed case of the virus, millions are voting on new machines. A spokesperson said that workers are routinely wiping down the touchscreens that voters will use to cast their ballots.
“I washed my hands the CDC way after using it,” one voter wrote on Twitter.
“Definitely going to use hand sanitizer and wipe down surfaces,” wrote another.
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At a voting center at Rosemead High School, Kevin Voong voted in his first election on Tuesday. The 18-year-old didn’t see the need to wear a mask or use hand sanitizer before or after voting, he said.
“The more we talk about the coronavirus, the more we spread the panic,” he said. “I’m young and healthy. What do I have to worry about? If I was old, then it would be different.”
Also filling their ballots at the high school, Jose Ahumada, 84, and his wife Maria Ahumada, 75, laughed off the idea of precautionary measures.
“Why would I wear a mask?” Maria said. “I’ve already lived a good life.”
The most consistently repeated recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect against the coronavirus is for people to wash their hands for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer should be used when water and soap aren’t readily available, officials said.
In San Francisco, a handful of people have called the registrar’s office to ask about the potential of contracting coronavirus at polling places, said Matthew Selby, division manager for the registrar’s office. People have asked what precautions are being taken and inquired about vote-by-mail options, he said.
There have been more than 100 cases of coronavirus confirmed in the U.S., and nine deaths — all in Washington state.
In California, at least 40 cases of the virus have been reported. Twenty-four of those were individuals who caught the virus either on the Diamond Princess cruise ship or in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak was first reported, and were then repatriated to the U.S. and quarantined at California military bases.
An additional 19 cases were confirmed in returning travelers or, in at least five instances, people who contracted the virus in their communities.
There have been more than 92,000 cases of coronavirus and more than 3,100 reported deaths worldwide. World Health Organization officials have declined to declare the outbreak a pandemic, saying 90% of the cases have been in China.
“I just think it’s something that we shouldn’t be worried about right now,” said Arais Chavez, 24, upon casting her ballot at Rosemead High. “It’s a disease that targets the elderly and we should protect them, but everyone else is fine.”