latimes--2020-06-24--Getting a coronavirus test is becoming harder, frustrating anxious protesters

As tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest police brutality earlier this month , health officials hammered home a single message : Get tested for the coronavirus .
The massive demonstrations could become hotbeds for transmission , officials warned .
Widespread testing might allow detection of those cases before they spread further .
But in the weeks since the protests , Los Angeles County residents say they have struggled to secure testing appointments , even as officials report a troubling surge in people infected with COVID-19 .
“ The fact that we are having these huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go get tested , we can ’ t — it ’ s disturbing , ” said Tannaz Sassooni , 42 .
“ I don ’ t know if it ’ s a glitch , or if [ the website ] is truly just not taking anyone right now , but it ’ s pretty bad.
” Sassooni , who lives in Atwater Village , has tried unsuccessfully to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing multiple times after attending an anti-police-brutality demonstration last week .
She and others say they fear that the window @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a protest is narrowing quickly .
On Tuesday , L.A. County officials confirmed that there were no appointments available at the more than 40 sites run by the city , county and state .
Some sites were temporarily closed and the number of open slots at available sites had been reduced , though in the late afternoon they added some to accommodate demand , they said .
The announcement about the testing shortfalls was widely criticized , in part due to the timing .
Over the weekend , President Trump declared at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowed down nationally so that fewer cases would be detected .
The testing issues come as Los Angeles County and California is seeing a major jump in people sick with the virus on Monday .
California shattered a daily record for new coronavirus cases with more than 6,000 infections reported Monday — the largest single-day count in the state since the pandemic hit the U.S. “ Testing is the only way to truly know where the infection is , and where it ’ s going , ” said UCLA epidemiologist Dr. Tim Brewer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to contain and control it , you ’ re going to have to have testing as a major component of that strategy.
” L.A. struggled with testing enough people early in the pandemic , but was then lauded for greatly expanding its capacity and becoming the first major city to provide testing to people who don ’ t have symptoms of the virus .
But officials faced criticism for closing many testing sites during the protests , which resulted in a 20 % drop in the number of people tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then Angelenos began having problems scheduling appointments on the website .
When a reporter asked L.A. County health officials on June 17 why there were no available appointments , officials said the problems were due to adjusting the criteria for who could get tested and where , and would be fixed soon .
But they weren ’ t .
On Monday morning , Sandra Medina decided she needed a COVID test .
She ’ d had a sore throat for a few days and wanted to make sure she wasn ’ t infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ link for the testing website and got a message saying no appointments were available .
She tried again , and again .
The same message appeared .
“ Then I tried for the fourth time , and the fourth time when I did it again , the message popped up immediately , so I didn ’ t make the appointment , ” said Medina , 25 .
Officials said Tuesday that the testing shortfall is in part due to paring down of testing sites and slots , a move that they had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of unfilled appointments .
In the second week of June , the most recent week for which data is available , 90,863 people were tested for COVID-19 at government-run sites , while 38,417 slots were either unfilled or no-shows .
On Tuesday morning , the testing website was only offering appointments through Friday , all of which had filled up .
So in the afternoon , officials added appointments for Saturday through Monday so people could continue to sign up , they said .
The county will also open an additional dozen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Any drop in testing would likely complicate efforts to combat a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in California and in L.A. County , which have both seen record-breaking numbers of cases reported in the past week .
L.A. County public health department director Barbara Ferrer said Monday that it is “ highly likely ” the local surge is linked in part to protests , but also probably to social gatherings and other events .
Officials from other counties , including San Diego and Contra Costa , told The Times that while some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 , they don ’ t seem to be a major group driving outbreaks .
The limited coronavirus transmission that has been documented as a result of the protests suggests that being outdoors and wearing masks can greatly reduce spread of the coronavirus .
The same numbers of people indoors , without masks , could have easily been a disaster , said UCSF epidemiologist Dr. George Rutherford .
But knowing definitively what has caused the recent spike in cases would require careful analysis , and it may never be possible to disentangle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening of the economy , or something else entirely , said UCLA ’ s Brewer .
He said that regardless , the virus remains a threat and people need to stay vigilant .
California has become a state where case numbers have continued a troubling rise , he said .
“ Clearly , we ’ re not where we need to be right now , ” he said .
Coronavirus infections among Los Angeles police officers have spiked in recent weeks , and officials are trying to determine whether the protest might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have said that officers were exposed on skirmish lines as they worked to disperse screaming crowds .
Protesters say officers recklessly arrested people en masse without wearing masks , exposing not just themselves but others .
In the last week , positive cases within the LAPD workforce jumped from 170 to 206 , Chief Michel Moore told the civilian Police Commission on Tuesday .
“ Officers in many instances attempted to wear face coverings but were challenged in effectively communicating with each other or over the radio , given the conditions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters , meanwhile , have lambasted the LAPD and individual officers for weeks for not wearing masks during the protests , which they said put them at risk .
Multiple lawsuits over the LAPD ’ s protest response cite the lack of masks on officers and the crowding of arrested protesters into packed buses during a pandemic .
During a public comment portion of the Police Commission ’ s online meeting Tuesday , multiple callers ripped into Moore over the issue , saying he should not be surprised that officers had contracted the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had dismissed public safety concerns and refused to wear masks amid the protest crackdowns .
Times staff writers Kevin Rector and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report .

As tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest police brutality earlier this month, health officials hammered home a single message: Get tested for the coronavirus. The massive demonstrations could become hotbeds for transmission, officials warned.
Widespread testing might allow detection of those cases before they spread further. But in the weeks since the protests, Los Angeles County residents say they have struggled to secure testing appointments, even as officials report a troubling surge in people infected with COVID-19.
“The fact that we are having these huge public congregations and if we want to go get tested, we can’t — it’s disturbing,” said Tannaz Sassooni, 42. “I don’t know if it’s a glitch, or if [the website] is truly just not taking anyone right now, but it’s pretty bad.”
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Sassooni, who lives in Atwater Village, has tried unsuccessfully to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing multiple times after attending an anti-police-brutality demonstration last week. She and others say they fear that the window to learn whether they contracted COVID at a protest is narrowing quickly.
On Tuesday, L.A. County officials confirmed that there were no appointments available at the more than 40 sites run by the city, county and state. Some sites were temporarily closed and the number of open slots at available sites had been reduced, though in the late afternoon they added some to accommodate demand, they said.
The announcement about the testing shortfalls was widely criticized, in part due to the timing. Over the weekend, President Trump declared at a rally that he ordered testing to be slowed down nationally so that fewer cases would be detected.
The testing issues come as Los Angeles County and California is seeing a major jump in people sick with the virus on Monday. California shattered a daily record for new coronavirus cases with more than 6,000 infections reported Monday — the largest single-day count in the state since the pandemic hit the U.S.
“Testing is the only way to truly know where the infection is, and where it’s going,” said UCLA epidemiologist Dr. Tim Brewer. “So if you ultimately want to be able to contain and control it, you’re going to have to have testing as a major component of that strategy.”
L.A. struggled with testing enough people early in the pandemic, but was then lauded for greatly expanding its capacity and becoming the first major city to provide testing to people who don’t have symptoms of the virus.
But officials faced criticism for closing many testing sites during the protests, which resulted in a 20% drop in the number of people tested in the first week of June. Then Angelenos began having problems scheduling appointments on the website.
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When a reporter asked L.A. County health officials on June 17 why there were no available appointments, officials said the problems were due to adjusting the criteria for who could get tested and where, and would be fixed soon. But they weren’t.
On Monday morning, Sandra Medina decided she needed a COVID test. She’d had a sore throat for a few days and wanted to make sure she wasn’t infected with the virus.
She clicked a link for the testing website and got a message saying no appointments were available. She tried again, and again. The same message appeared.
“Then I tried for the fourth time, and the fourth time when I did it again, the message popped up immediately, so I didn’t make the appointment,” said Medina, 25.
Officials said Tuesday that the testing shortfall is in part due to paring down of testing sites and slots, a move that they had been discussing for weeks because of a large number of unfilled appointments.
In the second week of June, the most recent week for which data is available, 90,863 people were tested for COVID-19 at government-run sites, while 38,417 slots were either unfilled or no-shows.
On Tuesday morning, the testing website was only offering appointments through Friday, all of which had filled up. So in the afternoon, officials added appointments for Saturday through Monday so people could continue to sign up, they said. The county will also open an additional dozen testing sites on Monday, they said.
Any drop in testing would likely complicate efforts to combat a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in California and in L.A. County, which have both seen record-breaking numbers of cases reported in the past week.
L.A. County public health department director Barbara Ferrer said Monday that it is “highly likely” the local surge is linked in part to protests, but also probably to social gatherings and other events. Officials from other counties, including San Diego and Contra Costa, told The Times that while some people who attended protests have been diagnosed with COVID-19, they don’t seem to be a major group driving outbreaks.
The limited coronavirus transmission that has been documented as a result of the protests suggests that being outdoors and wearing masks can greatly reduce spread of the coronavirus. The same numbers of people indoors, without masks, could have easily been a disaster, said UCSF epidemiologist Dr. George Rutherford.
But knowing definitively what has caused the recent spike in cases would require careful analysis, and it may never be possible to disentangle whether it was the protests, the reopening of the economy, or something else entirely, said UCLA’s Brewer.
He said that regardless, the virus remains a threat and people need to stay vigilant. California has become a state where case numbers have continued a troubling rise, he said.
“Clearly, we’re not where we need to be right now,” he said.
Coronavirus infections among Los Angeles police officers have spiked in recent weeks, and officials are trying to determine whether the protest might be a source of the infections.
Police officials have said that officers were exposed on skirmish lines as they worked to disperse screaming crowds. Protesters say officers recklessly arrested people en masse without wearing masks, exposing not just themselves but others.
In the last week, positive cases within the LAPD workforce jumped from 170 to 206, Chief Michel Moore told the civilian Police Commission on Tuesday.
“Officers in many instances attempted to wear face coverings but were challenged in effectively communicating with each other or over the radio, given the conditions,” Moore said.
Protesters and their supporters, meanwhile, have lambasted the LAPD and individual officers for weeks for not wearing masks during the protests, which they said put them at risk. Multiple lawsuits over the LAPD’s protest response cite the lack of masks on officers and the crowding of arrested protesters into packed buses during a pandemic .
During a public comment portion of the Police Commission’s online meeting Tuesday, multiple callers ripped into Moore over the issue, saying he should not be surprised that officers had contracted the virus, given that many of them had dismissed public safety concerns and refused to wear masks amid the protest crackdowns.
Times staff writers Kevin Rector and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-24--Alarming spike in coronavirus sparks fears California is 'starting to lose this battle'

Coronavirus cases in California continued a troubling spike this week , but it remains unclear how much worse conditions must get before officials move to slow the rapid reopening of the economy .
For the second consecutive day , California shattered a daily record for new cases Tuesday .
More than 6,600 infections were reported — the largest single-day count in the state since the pandemic hit the U.S. Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are also beginning to rise in some parts of the state , another troubling sign .
Officials in Silicon Valley warned that progress against the coronavirus was eroding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its largest daily total of new cases — 121 — much worse than any single day in March or April .
“ Now , we ’ re going back up at a pattern similar to the rest of the state , ” said Santa Clara County Executive Dr. Jeffrey Smith .
“ We ’ re at our highest peak at this point.
” Dr. Sara Cody , the health officer for Santa Clara County , said the increase in cases is worrisome .
“ This increase may be accelerating .
This increase reflects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding more of the cases that do exist — but it also reflects an increase in cases because the virus continues to spread .
It ’ s a bit early to tell if this will translate to a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths going forward , ” Cody said .
In Ventura County , there was an average of 85 people hospitalized daily with confirmed or suspected coronavirus infections last week , a 67 % increase from six weeks ago .
“ We ’ re showing the first signs of starting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county , ” Dr. Robert Levin , the Ventura County health officer , told the Board of Supervisors .
There are increased cases statewide as well .
“ It worries me .
And it should worry you , ” he said .
The latest projections from the University of Washington ’ s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation say California may see more than 15,100 deaths by Oct. 1 , a 170 % increase from the current death toll , which was more than 5,600 as of Tuesday afternoon .
In Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 new cases for the fourth time in the last week , bringing the infection total to more than 88,500 .
Officials also reported 34 additional deaths , increasing the death toll to 3,171 — the bulk of the state ’ s total .
In San Diego County , officials reported more than 300 new cases on Monday for the second day in a row after breaking a record with more than 310 cases Sunday .
An additional 198 cases were reported Tuesday .
The case count is only one metric in tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased testing capacity may account for part of the increase , officials have said the surge can not be pegged to greater testing alone .
Officials have repeatedly warned that they expect transmission rates to increase as more businesses reopen and people resume normal activities after months-long stay-at-home orders .
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer has said that while it is impossible to track the origin of spread in a public setting , it is “ highly likely ” that the overall increase is related to mass protests that erupted over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as clusters of social gatherings at restaurants and private parties .
Across the state , the positivity rate among those tested for coronavirus over the previous 14 days increased from 4.5 % to 4.8 % in the last week , and the number of hospitalizations of patients with confirmed infections jumped by 16 % over the past two weeks .
In L.A. County , the daily positivity rate over a seven-day average jumped to 8.8 % .
Officials reported Tuesday there are 1,515 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections , 27 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number is a far cry from the highs of 1,900 patients in April , it is higher than the daily hospitalization counts of 1,350 to 1,450 in the past few weeks .
Despite the uptick in cases , more cities and counties are continuing to expand their reopening plans .
In San Francisco , Mayor London Breed and Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax announced this week that the city would move up its next phase of reopening from mid-July to June 29. , museums , zoos , and outdoor bars will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protocols .
“ Thanks to San Franciscans ’ efforts to follow health requirements , wear face coverings and practice social distancing , our COVID-19 health indicators are in a good place , and we can continue reopening our city , ” Breed said .
“ We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially , and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety.
” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said state health officials are keeping a close eye on the numbers .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be able to respond to the virus in the weeks and months ahead .
“ We ’ ve always walked into this with our eyes wide open .
We ’ ve always prepared for a surge , ” he said .
“ I feel like we anticipated the likelihood as we ’ ve reopened , of the numbers increasing , and they have.
” Times staff writers Sean Greene and Iris Lee contributed to this report .

Coronavirus cases in California continued a troubling spike this week, but it remains unclear how much worse conditions must get before officials move to slow the rapid reopening of the economy.
For the second consecutive day, California shattered a daily record for new cases Tuesday. More than 6,600 infections were reported — the largest single-day count in the state since the pandemic hit the U.S.
California recorded a second-consecutive day of new daily coronavirus cases, recording 6,652 new cases statewide Tuesday. (Los Angeles Times)
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Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are also beginning to rise in some parts of the state, another troubling sign. Officials in Silicon Valley warned that progress against the coronavirus was eroding. Santa Clara County on Tuesday recorded its largest daily total of new cases — 121 — much worse than any single day in March or April.
“Now, we’re going back up at a pattern similar to the rest of the state,” said Santa Clara County Executive Dr. Jeffrey Smith. “We’re at our highest peak at this point.”
Dr. Sara Cody, the health officer for Santa Clara County, said the increase in cases was worrisome.
“This increase may be accelerating,” Cody said. “This increase reflects both widespread testing — we’re finding more of the cases that do exist — but it also reflects an increase in cases because the virus continues to spread. It’s a bit early to tell if this will translate to a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths going forward.”
In Ventura County, there was an average of 85 people hospitalized daily with confirmed or suspected coronavirus infections last week, a 67% increase from six weeks ago.
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“We’re showing the first signs of starting to lose this battle against COVID-19 in our county,” Dr. Robert Levin, the Ventura County health officer, told the Board of Supervisors. There are increased cases statewide as well. “It worries me. And it should worry you,” he said.
The latest projections from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation say California may see more than 15,100 deaths by Oct. 1, a 170% increase from the current death toll, which was more than 5,600 as of Tuesday afternoon.
In Los Angeles County, officials Tuesday reported more than 2,000 new cases for the fourth time in the last week, bringing the infection total to more than 88,500. Officials also reported 34 additional deaths, increasing the toll to 3,171 — the bulk of the state’s total.
Tracking the coronavirus in L.A. County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
In San Diego County, officials reported more than 300 new cases on Monday for the second day in a row after breaking a record with more than 310 cases Sunday. An additional 198 cases were reported Tuesday.
The case count is only one metric in tracking the spread of the virus. Although increased testing capacity may account for part of the increase, officials have said the surge cannot be pegged to greater testing alone.
Officials have repeatedly warned that they expect transmission rates to increase as more businesses reopen and people resume normal activities after months-long stay-at-home orders.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer has said that although it is impossible to track the origin of spread in a public setting, it is “highly likely” that the overall increase is related to mass protests that erupted over the death of George Floyd, as well as clusters of social gatherings at restaurants and private parties.
Across the state, the positivity rate among those tested for coronavirus over the previous 14 days increased from 4.5% to 4.8% in the last week, and the number of hospitalizations of patients with confirmed infections jumped by 16% over the past two weeks.
In L.A. County, the daily positivity rate over a seven-day average jumped to 8.8%. Officials reported Tuesday there were 1,515 people hospitalized with confirmed coronavirus infections, 27% of them in intensive care. Although that number is a far cry from the highs of 1,900 patients in April, it is higher than the daily hospitalization counts of 1,350 to 1,450 in the past few weeks.
Despite the uptick in cases, more cities and counties are continuing to expand their reopening plans.
In San Francisco, Mayor London Breed and Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax announced this week that the city would move up its next phase of reopening from mid-July to June 29. Hair and nail salons, barbershops , museums, zoos, tattoo parlors, massage establishments and outdoor bars will be able to reopen, provided they follow safety protocols.
“Thanks to San Franciscans’ efforts to follow health requirements, wear face coverings and practice social distancing, our COVID-19 health indicators are in a good place, and we can continue reopening our city,” Breed said. “We know a lot of businesses and residents are struggling financially, and this next step will help get more San Franciscans back to work while still balancing safety.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said state health officials were keeping a close eye on the numbers. He added that he felt confident the state would be able to respond to the virus in the weeks and months ahead.
“We’ve always walked into this with our eyes wide open. We’ve always prepared for a surge,” he said. “I feel like we anticipated the likelihood as we’ve reopened, of the numbers increasing, and they have.”
Times staff writers Sean Greene and Iris Lee contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-24--California's economic recovery will be like a slow 'Nike swoosh'

California is unlikely to recover its pre-coronavirus prosperity over the next three years , economists say , even as the state slowly rebuilds from a catastrophic economic lockdown .
The Golden State ’ s gradual recovery will probably mirror the nation ’ s trajectory , according to a new UCLA forecast .
“ The public health crisis of the pandemic morphed into a depression-like crisis in the [ U.S. ] economy , ” wrote David Shulman , a senior economist at UCLA Anderson Forecast .
The trajectory of the nation ’ s economy will be like a “ Nike swoosh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic product will plunge this quarter — at a 42 % annual rate — and then gradually rise , not returning to its late-2019 peak until early 2023 .
Even that gradual return to normal activity is based on a somewhat optimistic scenario — that the COVID-19 pandemic will subside , avoiding a pause in the recovery or another wave of shutdowns .
“ The strong assumption is the abatement of the pandemic this summer , ” wrote Jerry Nickelsburg , director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast .
“ But we must keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just that : an assumption.
” California ’ s unemployment rate , which was 16.3 % in May , will average out to 10.5 % for the year , the forecast estimated .
It will drop to 8.2 % in 2021 and to 6.8 % in 2022 , it predicted .
By comparison , in February — before the pandemic slammed the state ’ s economy — the jobless rate was 3.9 % .
Two other forecasts suggest a somewhat slower bounce-back for the Golden State this year .
“ Even with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs in California by the fourth quarter as compared to the first quarter ” of 2020 , according to a Chapman University outlook released this week .
It predicts an average 11.3 % unemployment rate this year .
Nonetheless , the Chapman economists suggested , the post-pandemic comeback could be “ rapid ” compared with the recovery from the Great Recession , which “ dragged on for seven quarters.
” Bank of the West ’ s California forecast released this month suggests joblessness will average 10.5 % this year , 9.1 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ California business shutdowns have been longer lasting and more severe than many states , ” said Scott Anderson , the bank ’ s chief economist .
“ The recovery in leisure and hospitality and trade will likely be slower than the nation .
And high costs of living convince more folks to leave the state for greener pastures : regions with better job prospects and lower living costs.
” Beyond the private-sector effects , Anderson noted the collapse in state income and sales tax revenues .
“ Like an earthquake , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote in the bank ’ s forecast .
“ State and local spending is expected to fall sharply to help balance the state budget , further weighing on California ’ s job creation.
” The UCLA forecast expects a sluggish trajectory for personal income in California , which would drop 0.9 % this year , rising just 1.4 % next year and 2.2 % in 2022 .
Employers won ’ t be quick to add new jobs .
The UCLA forecast expects payrolls in California to shrink 9.3 % overall this year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 6.6 % the year after .
From February to April , California lost 2.56 million payroll jobs , a 15 % loss .
That ’ s more severe than the job losses caused by the Great Recession of 2007-09 , when the state shed 1.3 million positions , or 8 % , over 26 months .
Unlike that recession , which was driven by an unprecedented decline in the construction industry , two sectors — leisure and hospitality as well as retail — drove this year ’ s pandemic-caused meltdown , accounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As restaurants , event spaces and tourist attractions reopen , those jobs won ’ t all come back , the UCLA forecast predicted .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sense of caution on the part of the general public , both within California and among tourists who might come to the state , ” the UCLA forecast said .
“ Potential customers for these businesses will want to feel safe before venturing out.
” By the end of 2022 , it predicted , the leisure and hospitality sector would remain 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That translates to 200,000 relatively low-income Californians with long-term unemployment for 30 months , ” the forecast said .
“ Some will find employment in other sectors , but in an economy that is demanding technical skills , it will be challenging.
” Retail employment , battered by the rise of online shopping and the bankruptcies of bricks-and-mortar chains , may also remain 20 % below pre-pandemic levels , the UCLA forecast suggested , with 160,000 fewer jobs..
But it emphasized the uncertainty of its prediction : “ It depends in a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy opens up .
Do consumers go back to the mall , or do they shun it ?
” Chapman ’ s forecast noted that the concentration of job losses in retail , restaurants , hotels and other tourism-related businesses means a smaller loss in earnings than if the jobs were , for example , in construction or technology .
Workers in retail and leisure and hospitality earn relatively low wages — about half the statewide average .
“ Because of that , the economic damage to the state will be far less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses , ” according to the Chapman forecast .
Construction is expected to rebound fairly rapidly , and “ the average annual salary for a construction worker is $ 71,300 versus $ 30,400 in leisure and hospitality , ” the Chapman economists wrote .
And information services , a California industry that has remained stable , “ commands an average salary of $ 187,200 versus $ 68,400 for all industries.
” UCLA economists predicted healthcare and social services , where medical and dental offices and childcare venues suffered steep losses , would recoup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail or leisure and hospitality .
“ Medical offices will be moving back to normal as they institute protocols that will assure their patients of safety during visits , ” the UCLA economists wrote .
And as for childcare , even though more people than usual will be working from home , “ that might not diminish the need for childcare as a distraction-free environment may be desired.
” Comparing California with the overall United States , the UCLA forecast said the state ’ s disproportionate reliance on international tourism would mean a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and retail .
Transportation and warehousing sectors could also see a more sluggish return in California than nationwide because of the U.S.-China trade war , which disproportionately affects California ’ s massive ports .
On the other hand , the Golden State should recover faster than the overall nation in business , scientific and technical services and in the information sector “ due to the demand for new technologies for the new way we are working and socializing.
” For example , Nickelsburg suggested , “ there will be new technologies for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telemedicine.
” As for the housing sector , UCLA ’ s forecast projected the building of 94,000 new units in California this year , down 17.3 % from last year .
“ In spite of the recession , the continued demand for a limited housing stock coupled with low-interest rates leads to a forecast of a relatively rapid return of home-building , ” Nickelsburg wrote .
But even with many construction jobs returning , he said , “ the prospect for the private sector building out of the housing affordability problem over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an article accompanying the forecast , economist Leila Bengali suggested that “ the pandemic has had small , though generally negative , effects on housing markets as of March 2020 … .
[ It ] may shift consumer preferences towards single-family , lower density homes and away from denser multifamily homes , particularly if consumers are able to live further from their employer ’ s location.
” And if the state ’ s Tenant Protection Act , which took effect in January , “ negatively affects landlords ’ business costs and revenues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , reducing the supply of homes for rent but potentially increasing the supply of homes for sale if property conversions occur quickly.
” The pandemic ’ s effect and tenant protection laws across the country “ are becoming interconnected as cities and states pass moratoria on evictions for non-payment of rent , ” she added .

Economists predict a slow economic recovery at tourist venues like Universal CityWalk, where signs this month cautioned visitors to distance themselves from one another.
California is unlikely to recover its pre-coronavirus prosperity over the next three years, economists say, even as the state slowly rebuilds from a catastrophic economic lockdown.
The Golden State’s gradual recovery will probably mirror the nation’s trajectory, according to a new UCLA forecast.
“The public health crisis of the pandemic morphed into a depression-like crisis in the [U.S.] economy,” wrote David Shulman, a senior economist at UCLA Anderson Forecast.
The trajectory of the nation’s economy will be like a “Nike swoosh,” Shulman wrote: Real gross domestic product will plunge this quarter — at a 42% annual rate — and then gradually rise, not returning to its late-2019 peak until early 2023.
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Even that gradual return to normal activity is based on a somewhat optimistic scenario — that the COVID-19 pandemic will subside, avoiding a pause in the recovery or another wave of shutdowns.
“The strong assumption is the abatement of the pandemic this summer,” wrote Jerry Nickelsburg, director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast. “But we must keep in mind that the pandemic assumption is just that: an assumption.”
California’s unemployment rate, which was 16.3% in May, will average out to 10.5% for the year, the forecast estimated. It will drop to 8.2% in 2021 and to 6.8% in 2022, it predicted.
By comparison, in February — before the pandemic slammed the state’s economy — the jobless rate was 3.9%.
Two other forecasts suggest a somewhat slower bounce-back for the Golden State this year.
“Even with the recovery, there will be 800,000 fewer jobs in California by the fourth quarter as compared to the first quarter” of 2020, according to a Chapman University outlook released this week. It predicts an average 11.3% unemployment rate this year.
Nonetheless, the Chapman economists suggested, the post-pandemic comeback could be “rapid” compared with the recovery from the Great Recession, which “dragged on for seven quarters.”
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Scott Anderson, chief economist at the Bank of the West predicts California joblessness will average 11.5% this year, 9.8% in 2021 and 7.3% in 2022.
“California business shutdowns have been longer lasting and more severe than many states,” said Anderson said. “The recovery in leisure and hospitality and trade will likely be slower than the nation. And high costs of living convince more folks to leave the state for greener pastures: regions with better job prospects and lower living costs.”
Beyond the private-sector effects, Anderson noted the collapse in state income and sales tax revenues.
“Like an earthquake, this is only the start,” he wrote in the bank’s June forecast. “State and local spending is expected to fall sharply to help balance the state budget, further weighing on California’s job creation.”
The UCLA forecast expects a sluggish trajectory for personal income in California, which would drop 0.9% this year, rising just 1.4% next year and 2.2% in 2022.
Employers won’t be quick to add new jobs. The UCLA forecast expects payrolls in California to shrink 9.3% overall this year, then grow at 0.4% next year and 6.6% the year after.
From February to April, California lost 2.56 million payroll jobs, a 15% loss. That’s more severe than the job losses caused by the Great Recession of 2007-09, when the state shed 1.3 million positions, or 8%, over 26 months.
Unlike that recession, which was driven by an unprecedented decline in the construction industry, two sectors — leisure and hospitality as well as retail — drove this year’s pandemic-caused meltdown, accounting for half of the lost jobs.
As restaurants, event spaces and tourist attractions reopen, those jobs won’t all come back, the UCLA forecast predicted.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created a sense of caution on the part of the general public, both within California and among tourists who might come to the state,” the UCLA forecast said. “Potential customers for these businesses will want to feel safe before venturing out.”
By the end of 2022, it predicted, the leisure and hospitality sector would remain 20% below its previous peak.
“That translates to 200,000 relatively low-income Californians with long-term unemployment for 30 months,” the forecast said. “Some will find employment in other sectors, but in an economy that is demanding technical skills, it will be challenging.”
Retail employment, battered by the rise of online shopping and the bankruptcies of bricks-and-mortar chains, may also remain 20% below pre-pandemic levels, the UCLA forecast suggested, with 160,000 fewer jobs.. But it emphasized the uncertainty of its prediction: “It depends in a crucial way as to what happens when the economy opens up. Do consumers go back to the mall, or do they shun it?”
Chapman’s forecast noted that the concentration of job losses in retail, restaurants, hotels and other tourism-related businesses means a smaller loss in earnings than if the jobs were, for example, in construction or technology.
Workers in retail and leisure and hospitality earn relatively low wages — about half the statewide average. “Because of that, the economic damage to the state will be far less than that implied by the huge job losses,” according to the Chapman forecast.
Construction is expected to rebound fairly rapidly, and “the average annual salary for a construction worker is $71,300 versus $30,400 in leisure and hospitality,” the Chapman economists wrote. And information services, a California industry that has remained stable, “commands an average salary of $187,200 versus $68,400 for all industries.”
UCLA economists predicted healthcare and social services, where medical and dental offices and childcare venues suffered steep losses, would recoup jobs “much more rapidly” than retail or leisure and hospitality.
“Medical offices will be moving back to normal as they institute protocols that will assure their patients of safety during visits,” the UCLA economists wrote. And as for childcare, even though more people than usual will be working from home, “that might not diminish the need for childcare as a distraction-free environment may be desired.”
VIDEO | 06:04 California’s economic recovery will be like a slow ‘Nike swoosh’ Watch LA Times Today at 7 PM/10PM on channel 1 on Spectrum News 1, and on Cox systems in Palos Verdes and Orange County on channel 99.
Comparing California with the overall United States, the UCLA forecast said the state’s disproportionate reliance on international tourism would mean a somewhat slower recovery in leisure and hospitality and retail. Transportation and warehousing sectors could also see a more sluggish return in California than nationwide because of the U.S.-China trade war, which disproportionately affects California’s massive ports.
On the other hand, the Golden State should recover faster than the overall nation in business, scientific and technical services and in the information sector “due to the demand for new technologies for the new way we are working and socializing.”
For example, Nickelsburg suggested, “there will be new technologies for people working at home. And there is telemedicine.”
As for the housing sector, UCLA’s forecast projected the building of 94,000 new units in California this year, down 17.3% from last year.
“In spite of the recession, the continued demand for a limited housing stock coupled with low-interest rates leads to a forecast of a relatively rapid return of home-building,” Nickelsburg wrote. But even with many construction jobs returning, he said, “the prospect for the private sector building out of the housing affordability problem over the next three years is nil.”
In an article accompanying the forecast, economist Leila Bengali suggested that “the pandemic has had small, though generally negative, effects on housing markets as of March 2020 …. [It] may shift consumer preferences towards single-family, lower density homes and away from denser multifamily homes, particularly if consumers are able to live further from their employer’s location.”
And if the state’s Tenant Protection Act, which took effect in January, “negatively affects landlords’ business costs and revenues, they might respond by exiting the rental market, reducing the supply of homes for rent but potentially increasing the supply of homes for sale if property conversions occur quickly.”
The pandemic’s effect and tenant protection laws across the country “are becoming interconnected as cities and states pass moratoria on evictions for non-payment of rent,” she added.


latimes--2020-06-24--Questions linger after Upland police chief is placed on leave

Upland officials continue to send mix messages a day after their police chief of nearly two years was placed on leave despite some of those members singing his praises .
There are differing answers as to whether Darren Goodman , 54 , is on paid leave and no response as to why he is not in the office , whether he can come back or even if an active investigation is underway .
Upland City Manager Rosemary Hoerning confirmed in an emailed statement Tuesday that Goodman “ is on leave ” as of Monday , but she did not specify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This followed up a message Hoerning told Inland Empire journalist Alex Vasquez on Monday : “ Chief Goodman has done a very fine job for the city of Upland .
He ’ s been a very good chief for us .
He continues to be our chief of police and right now he ’ s just on a leave of absence and we ’ ll see where that goes.
” When asked for clarity Tuesday , Hoerning said : “ Whenever an employee goes on leave it is a confidential , personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more information.
” Hoerning added Goodman was replaced , on an interim basis , by Capt .
Cliff Matthews .
“ The Upland Police Department provides excellent services to our community , ” Hoerning said .
“ I have full confidence in the acting chief and know that the Upland Police Department will continue to serve our city with the same level of services.
” Goodman spent 27 years with the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department , beginning as a deputy in 1991 before retiring at the rank of captain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief and sworn in on July 16 , 2018 .
A call to a cellphone number listed for Goodman was not returned .
“ Upland is now faced with another challenge , ” said Velto , who took a five-second break before adding : “ One of biggest challenges .
Our chief of police has been placed on paid administrative leave.
” Velto added that he asked “ our residents please be respectful ” of Goodman , “ our city manager and this council as we allow this unfortunate process to be completed.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ email for more information , nor did Upland Mayor Debbie Stone .
But Councilwoman Janice Elliot , who also said Goodman was on paid leave , offered her backing for the chief in an emailed statement , saying he “ has the strong support of his staff and of our community.
” She added : “ We are so lucky to have him as our chief in these trying times .
”

Upland officials are providing no answers after placing their police chief, Darren Goodman, on paid administrative leave on Monday.
Upland officials continue to send mixed messages a day after their police chief of nearly two years was placed on leave despite some of those members singing his praises.
There are differing answers as to whether Darren Goodman, 54, is on paid leave and no response as to why he is not in the office, whether he can come back or even if an active investigation is underway.
Upland City Manager Rosemary Hoerning confirmed in an emailed statement Tuesday that Goodman “is on leave” as of Monday, but she did not specify if the absence was a paid leave.
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This followed up a message Hoerning told Inland Empire journalist Alex Vasquez on Monday: “Chief Goodman has done a very fine job for the city of Upland. He’s been a very good chief for us. He continues to be our chief of police and right now he’s just on a leave of absence and we’ll see where that goes.”
When asked for clarity Tuesday, Hoerning said: “Whenever an employee goes on leave it is a confidential, personnel matter. I cannot provide any more information.”
Hoerning added Goodman was replaced, on an interim basis, by Capt. Cliff Matthews.
“The Upland Police Department provides excellent services to our community,” Hoerning said. “I have full confidence in the acting chief and know that the Upland Police Department will continue to serve our city with the same level of services.”
Goodman spent 27 years with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, beginning as a deputy in 1991 before retiring at the rank of captain.
He was hired as Upland’s chief and sworn in on July 16, 2018.
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A call to a cellphone number listed for Goodman was not returned.
Upland Councilman Bill Velto announced the move at a council meeting late Monday.
“Upland is now faced with another challenge,” said Velto, who took a five-second break before adding: “One of our biggest challenges. Our chief of police has been placed on paid administrative leave.”
Velto added that he asked “our residents please be respectful” of Goodman, “our city manager and this council as we allow this unfortunate process to be completed.”
Velto did not respond to an email for more information, nor did Upland Mayor Debbie Stone.
But Councilwoman Janice Elliot, who also said Goodman was on paid leave, offered her backing for the chief in an emailed statement, saying he “has the strong support of his staff and of our community.”
She added: “We are so lucky to have him as our chief in these trying times.”


latimes--2020-06-23--San Bernardino County declares racism a 'public health crisis'

While the COVID-19 pandemic has topped more than 10,000 confirmed cases in San Bernardino County , the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared it was the first California county to actively recognize another public health crisis : racism .
By a 5-0 vote Tuesday , the board adopted a resolution “ affirming that racism [ is ] a public health crisis that results in disparities in family stability , health and mental wellness , education , employment , economic development , public safety , criminal justice and housing.
” “ This is historic for San Bernardino County in taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curt Hagman .
“ We ’ re probably the only county we have in California , so far , doing this , and this is the beginning of what we ’ re doing .
This is not the end result.
” The resolution identified racism resulting in the “ structuring of opportunity and assigning of value based solely on skin color and other physical characteristics , which creates unfair disadvantages to some individuals and communities and unfair advantages to other individuals and communities , therefore preventing societies as a whole from achieving their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems San Bernardino County ’ s Black community faces , including an infant mortality rate more than double the county ’ s average .
The U.S. Census lists the Black population at 9.4 % in the county , but according to the resolution , about 19 % of the county ’ s prison population is Black , along with 38 % of those booked at juvenile detention centers and more than 21 % of the county ‘ s homeless population .
The resolution says the county will dismantle racism by several means , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and studying existing policies and practices “ through a lens of racial equality ” to promote and support efforts that prioritize health for people of color .
There are also plans for more collaboration between the county ’ s law enforcement and justice agencies to boost public confidence , along with the creation of an “ Equity Element Group ” to identify and research public concerns related to law enforcement .
The group is expected to include county experts in such fields as education and health along with members of the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reconciliation and restoration , ” said Samuel Casey , senior pastor of the New Life Christian Church of Fontana .
“ That ’ s just the first step.
” He added , in regards to the Equity Element Group , “ It is vitally important that we ’ re at the table lifting our voices and speaking for ourselves and claiming for ourselves.
” Hagman thanked fellow Supervisor Josie Gonzales for spearheading much of the work in crafting the resolution .
Gonzales , for her part , encouraged the county ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to thank everyone who has been a part of this moment in time , ” she said .
“ We all want to do something different , something good , something that will be remembered .
That ’ s part of who we are and what we work for.
” Mabel Morris-Dugbartey of Fontana was one of several speakers during the public comment period .
She said she looked forward to a world where she didn ’ t have to worry about being harassed by a racist person while doing errands by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being racially profiled because they are both Black .
“ It ’ s a beautiful thing to feel change happening in full effect , meaning there is hope for humanity and for the future , where my peers and I won ’ t fear bringing our children into such a dangerous world that will just dehumanize them , ” she said .

In a 5-0 vote Tuesday morning, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution “affirming that racism [is] a public health crisis.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic has topped more than 10,000 confirmed cases in San Bernardino County, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday declared it was the first California county to actively recognize another public health crisis: racism.
By a 5-0 vote Tuesday, the board adopted a resolution “affirming that racism [is] a public health crisis that results in disparities in family stability, health and mental wellness, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice and housing.”
“This is historic for San Bernardino County in taking the first step,” said Board Chairman Curt Hagman. “We’re probably the only county we have in California, so far, doing this, and this is the beginning of what we’re doing. This is not the end result.”
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The resolution identified racism resulting in the “structuring of opportunity and assigning of value based solely on skin color and other physical characteristics, which creates unfair disadvantages to some individuals and communities and unfair advantages to other individuals and communities, therefore preventing societies as a whole from achieving their full potential.”
The resolution recognizes several problems San Bernardino County’s Black community faces, including an infant mortality rate more than double the county’s average.
The U.S. Census lists the Black population at 9.4% in the county, but according to the resolution, about 19% of the county’s prison population is Black, along with 38% of those booked at juvenile detention centers and more than 21% of the county‘s homeless population.
The resolution says the county will dismantle racism by several means, including enhancing diversity in the county workforce, and studying existing policies and practices “through a lens of racial equality” to promote and support efforts that prioritize health for people of color.
There are also plans for more collaboration between the county’s law enforcement and justice agencies to boost public confidence, along with the creation of an “Equity Element Group” to identify and research public concerns related to law enforcement.
The group is expected to include county experts in such fields as education and health along with members of the community.
“You have begun the process of reconciliation and restoration,” said Samuel Casey, senior pastor of the New Life Christian Church of Fontana. “That’s just the first step.”
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He added, in regards to the Equity Element Group, “It is vitally important that we’re at the table lifting our voices and speaking for ourselves and claiming for ourselves.”
Hagman thanked fellow Supervisor Josie Gonzales for spearheading much of the work in crafting the resolution.
Gonzales, for her part, encouraged the county’s residents to think big.
“I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this moment in time,” she said. “We all want to do something different, something good, something that will be remembered. That’s part of who we are and what we work for.”
Mabel Morris-Dugbartey of Fontana was one of several speakers during the public comment period. She said she looked forward to a world where she didn’t have to worry about being harassed by a racist person while doing errands by herself or be concerned about her brother being racially profiled because they are both Black.
“It’s a beautiful thing to feel change happening in full effect, meaning there is hope for humanity and for the future, where my peers and I won’t fear bringing our children into such a dangerous world that will just dehumanize them,” she said.


latimes--2020-06-23--3 Palm Desert businesses close for cleaning after employees contract COVID-19

One restaurant and two retailers at the Westfield Palm Desert mall have temporarily closed to undergo deep cleaning after employees tested positive for the coronavirus , according to mall officials .
The businesses are Vans , M. Ruiz Jewelers and Stuft Pizza , according to Westfield spokesperson Zach Eichman .
, mall officials were notified of the positive COVID-19 test results on June 13 , according to a June 17 letter from Nino Rodriguez , Westfield Palm Desert ’ s vice president of shopping center management .
The mall had just reopened on May 29 for indoor services .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local public health authority and have advised us that their premises have undergone a thorough cleaning process , ” Rodriguez said .
The three businesses are among several that have had employees test positive as more establishments reopen in Riverside County .
Officials reported a spike in cases and hospitalizations over the last two weeks , causing the county to land on a watch list for the .
As of Tuesday afternoon , there were 14,431 confirmed cases in Riverside County — 631 more than the previous day .
When an employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business is not legally required to close , said county spokeswoman Brooke Federico .
The Palm Desert businesses decided on their own to temporarily close .
“ I think there are a lot of businesses that have developed their protocols on how they will respond , ” she said .
“ That may or may not include closing , or it may include cleaning during off hours or non-operational hours.
” Federico said health officials recommend employers clean the areas where the infected person was working and to take other precautions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Although the California Department of Public Health has issued lengthy guidelines on cleaning and safety procedures for businesses to reopen , there hasn ’ t been much guidance on what to do if someone contracts the coronavirus .
“ It ’ s difficult to navigate because some of the guidelines are not very specific , more so on what happens when you do have a case , there ’ s a little bit of flexibility there on how you want to handle it , ” said John Bertram , owner of Stuft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I would imagine almost every business is going to have to deal with this within the next year , or six months or however long this lasts , ” he added .
Bertram called the local health department when he received news that one of his employees had tested positive for the coronavirus to seek direction on how to handle the situation .
“ You ’ re not forced to close , ” he said .
“ There ’ s other restaurants that have had cases that we know of and they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think for us , we just felt like we needed to have real data in front of us and real information to understand how to proceed , so that was our biggest decision on why we [ closed ] the dining side .
“ We have big restaurants , there ’ s a lot of employees , there ’ s a lot of customers and we didn ’ t want to create a big problem for the community.
” Bertram closed the restaurant on June 13 to be deep cleaned by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until Monday , when his other employees had received negative test results .
He took the results as a sign that the restaurant ’ s safety protocols were working .
“ We now have some confidence that the masks and all the protocols and actions that we ’ re taking are actually working , ” he said .
Although M. Ruiz Jewelers had been closed since late March following Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s lockdown order , owner Karen Ruiz said that she thought it was necessary to close again when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her employees had contracted the virus .
“ I didn ’ t feel that we had a choice , ” Ruiz said about temporarily closing the 40-year-old family business that has been at the Palm Desert mall for one year .
“ I didn ’ t feel like it was a difficult decision .
I thought that it was imperative .
I mean I didn ’ t want to , who wants to ?
… But I don ’ t regret it.
” Ruiz asked her small team — the one employee who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — to get tested .
When the results came back negative , she reopened a week later after having the store deep cleaned , she said .
“ You just don ’ t know , ” Ruiz said .
“ It ’ s just a scary thing for everybody until you know for sure you ’ re not a carrier.
” Ruiz said that she and her employees will continue to sanitize regularly , require the use face coverings and limit a customer ’ s ability to touch the merchandise .
A representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached for comment .
Federico , the county spokeswoman , said that because the virus is still present , businesses should continue to take necessary precautions , such as practicing social distancing between customers , wearing face coverings and sanitizing regularly .
“ There is community spread of the disease throughout all of Riverside County and all of Southern California , and so many businesses do have employees with confirmed cases , ” she said .
“ We really encourage residents to support the businesses that are taking these safety precautions to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerned about protecting their customers .
”

Customers wait in line to buy guns at Warrior One Guns and Ammo during the coronavirus pandemic in Riverside on March 31. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Freddy Torres of Buena Park gets some target practice in at Riverside Indoor Shooting Range on March 31. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Wearing a cat mask, Chani Beeman of Riverside shows off a roll of toilet paper she got as a bonus with her takeout order from Mario’s Place in downtown Riverside on April 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Adeline Hernandez, 2, of Riverside seems perplexed by the yellow caution tape as she approaches the closed-off swing sets at Ryan Bonaminio Park in Riverside on April 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Restaurant owner Lisa Weaver takes a to-go order from a resident at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit during the coronavirus pandemic on April 3 in Rancho Mirage. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Shopping carts block off the parking area in front of a Best Buy store in Rancho Mirage that was open for curbside pickup only during the coronavirus pandemic on April 2. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
A Palm Springs resident finds the serenity of a closed golf course the perfect place for afternoon reading during the coronavirus pandemic at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs. All the golf courses are closed in the desert communities. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
At least 30 patients and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Extended Care Hospital of Riverside, a skilled nursing facility. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
After celebrating their nephew’s canceled prom via a video feed, the Stowe family greets neighbors in Riverside while practicing social distancing. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The Stowe family in Riverside held a role-reversal prom after a nephew’s prom was canceled because of the coronavirus. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Neighbors gather to sing “Amazing Grace” on Easter Sunday on Emerson Street, a quiet cul-de-sac in Riverside, whose mayor, Rusty Bailey, had asked residents to come out of their homes to sing at noon. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Small business owner Ana Lee of Riverside created “Community Over Covid” posters for neighbors to place of their front lawns during the coronavirus pandemic. “I thought it would be uplifting,” she said on April 10. “With so many people home and taking walks in their own neighborhoods but not being able to be physically proximate to other families, the signs are a visual reminder, that neighborly wave, that we are a strong community.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27, 2020: Norm and Tracy Kahn enjoy eating dinner outside on a small cafe table sitting in blue chairs on their side yard during the coronavirus pandemic on April 27, 2020 in Riverside, California. ‘During this pandemic, eating outside offers us an opportunity to change surrounding and appreciate the calmness of being outdoors among trees, scents from nature and the sounds of birds, “ she said. Also adding, “Mixing up where we eat puts variety into our days and takes away the sameness of feeling trapped at home.” (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) (Gina Ferazzi/Gina Ferazzi/Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Javon Jones of the Antioch Church sings gospel hymns during a livestreamed Easter worship on Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside. For only the third time in 111 years, Easter service atop Mt. Rubidoux was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Jesus Duenas practices his slack lining while his brother Alfred Duenas, left, does strength exercises at Fairmount Park in Riverside. They live together and said the trees help keep them 6-feet apart from anyone walking by. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Traveling nurse Gail Cunningham waves thanks as residents pay tribute to her and her medical personnel during a drive-by rally honoring frontline heroes at the Emergency Room entrance to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Residents who want public health orders rescinded attend an emergency meeting of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors at the County Administrative Center in Riverside. Type written notes are placed on chairs to keep people from sitting near each other. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters who want the public health orders rescinded, rally at the County Administrative Center where the Riverside County Board of Supervisors were meeting in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Erick Borjas uses an electrostatic disinfectant to clean the surgical ward of a medical facility in Riverside County on April 15. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Patients are removed from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside on April 7 after five employees and 34 patients tested positive for the coronavirus and staff failed to show up to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Gurpreet Singh, left, and Balwinder Sidhu deliver meal boxes at a food distribution organized by United Sikh Mission and the Sikh Community of Riverside at Sikh Gurdwara. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Medical staff carry patients’ belongings during evacuation at the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where 39 people tested positive for the coronavirus, on April 7. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Riverside County medical personnel help each other with their protective gear at a drive-though coronavirus testing facility for Coachella Valley residents in Indian Wells on March 24. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
One restaurant and two retailers at the Westfield Palm Desert mall have temporarily closed to undergo deep cleaning after employees tested positive for the coronavirus, according to mall officials.
The businesses are Vans, M. Ruiz Jewelers and Stuft Pizza, according to Westfield spokesperson Zach Eichman.
According to reports , mall officials were notified of the positive COVID-19 test results on June 13, according to a June 17 letter from Nino Rodriguez, Westfield Palm Desert’s vice president of shopping center management. The mall had just reopened on May 29 for indoor services.
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“The tenants have been directed to consult the local public health authority and have advised us that their premises have undergone a thorough cleaning process,” Rodriguez said.
The three businesses are among several that have had employees test positive as more establishments reopen in Riverside County. Officials reported a spike in cases and hospitalizations over the last two weeks, causing the county to land on a watch list for the California Department of Public Health .
As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 14,431 confirmed cases in Riverside County — 631 more than the previous day.
When an employee tests positive for the novel virus, the business is not legally required to close, said county spokeswoman Brooke Federico. The Palm Desert businesses decided on their own to temporarily close.
“I think there are a lot of businesses that have developed their protocols on how they will respond,” she said. “That may or may not include closing, or it may include cleaning during off hours or non-operational hours.”
Federico said health officials recommend employers clean the areas where the infected person was working and to take other precautions to ensure safety for their customers and employees.
Although the California Department of Public Health has issued lengthy guidelines on cleaning and safety procedures for businesses to reopen, there hasn’t been much guidance on what to do if someone contracts the coronavirus.
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“It’s difficult to navigate because some of the guidelines are not very specific, more so on what happens when you do have a case, there’s a little bit of flexibility there on how you want to handle it,” said John Bertram, owner of Stuft Pizza.
“The reality is that I would imagine almost every business is going to have to deal with this within the next year, or six months or however long this lasts,” he added.
Bertram called the local health department when he received news that one of his employees had tested positive for the coronavirus to seek direction on how to handle the situation.
“You’re not forced to close,” he said. “There’s other restaurants that have had cases that we know of and they’ve chose not to close, which I think for us, we just felt like we needed to have real data in front of us and real information to understand how to proceed, so that was our biggest decision on why we [closed] the dining side.
“We have big restaurants, there’s a lot of employees, there’s a lot of customers and we didn’t want to create a big problem for the community.”
Bertram closed the restaurant on June 13 to be deep cleaned by a third-party company and didn’t reopen until Monday, when his other employees had received negative test results. He took the results as a sign that the restaurant’s safety protocols were working.
“We now have some confidence that the masks and all the protocols and actions that we’re taking are actually working,” he said.
Although M. Ruiz Jewelers had been closed since late March following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lockdown order, owner Karen Ruiz said that she thought it was necessary to close again when she discovered on June 9 that one of her employees had contracted the virus.
“I didn’t feel that we had a choice,” Ruiz said about temporarily closing the 40-year-old family business that has been at the Palm Desert mall for one year. “I didn’t feel like it was a difficult decision. I thought that it was imperative. I mean I didn’t want to, who wants to? … But I don’t regret it.”
Ruiz asked her small team — the one employee who tested positive, her husband and son — to get tested. When the results came back negative, she reopened a week later after having the store deep cleaned, she said.
“You just don’t know,” Ruiz said. “It’s just a scary thing for everybody until you know for sure you’re not a carrier.”
Ruiz said that she and her employees will continue to sanitize regularly, require the use face coverings and limit a customer’s ability to touch the merchandise.
A representative for the Vans store could not be reached for comment.
Federico, the county spokeswoman, said that because the virus is still present, businesses should continue to take necessary precautions, such as practicing social distancing between customers, wearing face coverings and sanitizing regularly.
“There is community spread of the disease throughout all of Riverside County and all of Southern California, and so many businesses do have employees with confirmed cases,” she said. “We really encourage residents to support the businesses that are taking these safety precautions to protect their employees because that also means they are concerned about protecting their customers.”


latimes--2020-06-23--LAUSD votes against proposal to defund school police and can't agree on reform plans

A deeply divided Los Angeles school board on Tuesday failed to agree on proposed reforms to the school police , effectively leaving the matter to a task force created by Supt .
Austin Beutner and disappointing activists who had called for eliminating the department .
The lack of consensus capped a day of intense passions as students and activist groups called for terminating the department and using its $ 70 million annual budget for other student needs , especially those that would benefit Black students .
The school police had a smaller number of equally passionate defenders , including officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even a few students .
The Board of Education debate revolved around three resolutions .
The most aggressive was brought forward by Monica Garcia , who proposed phasing out funding for school police over the next four years .
This was the proposal favored by activists critical of the police .
“ This is not about you personally , Mr.
Officer , ” she said at one point .
“ This is about systemic racism and classism.
” The district , she said , needed to transition away from a police department “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do believe that we have the best school department in the country , ” she said .
“ That is not enough.
” Only one of the six other board members , Nick Melvoin , joined with Garcia .
The proposal that seemed to have the best chance of passing was from Jackie Goldberg .
It would have banned the use of pepper spray , cut the police budget by $ 20 million and imposed a hiring freeze , among other provisions .
She added the budget cut to her resolution to win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kelly Gonez .
She also was willing to abandon the cut to win over board members , but no combination added up to the necessary four-vote majority .
A third resolution — to study the issue and provide recommendations to the board — had three solid votes from George McKenna , its author , Scott Schmerelson and board president Richard Vladovic .
“ I think we need to be practical about what we ’ re doing rather than reactionary , ” McKenna said .
“ Being loud doesn ’ t mean you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referring to the day ’ s demonstration against police .
His resolution — which was favored by all three retired school administrators on the board — never had a chance at the fourth vote needed to claim a majority .
“ If we don ’ t do anything today , it doesn ’ t mean we shouldn ’ t do anything , ” Goldberg said in resignation hours into the debate .
Anti-school police activists vowed to continue their efforts , calling Garcia ’ s resolution the “ Freedom Motion.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motion lost and represent the racist past , ” said Channing Martinez , director of organizing for the Labor/Community Strategy Center .
“ They can not stop this moving bus.
” “ I ’ m mad that LAUSD did not do anything about the ways that Black students are being policed , ” said Dorsey High student Sarah Djato , an organizer for the youth-led group Students Deserve .
Juan Flecha , the head of the administrators union , was cautiously optimistic about striking the right balance between policing and students ’ concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I have high hopes for the superintendent ’ s task force and appreciate that labor partners will be a part of the conversation , ” Flecha said .
“ I ’ m happy there will be multiple perspectives .
We do have to look at safety and budget matters and what police can do differently — what we all can do differently.
” He said it will be critically important to keep Black lives at the center of the conversation .
The decision came after contentious debate and passionate appeals from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. Unified headquarters , hundreds of students , activists and community members had rallied in the morning to demand that the school board eliminate the school police department .
On the ground , they waved signs and danced to music about police brutality .
Above , a sky-writing plane spelled “ Defund LASPD.
” Inside the boardroom , almost all the 25 available , socially distanced seats were occupied by off-duty school police or their supporters .
The only board member there in person was Garcia , who authored the resolution to defund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
It would have redistributed funding according to a formula that ranked schools most in need .
Public speakers overwhelmingly voiced support for Garcia ’ s resolution , but many parents , school employees and police officers defended the department , referring to officers ’ experiences risking their lives to keep students safe and building community relationships .
“ School police does not make us any more comfortable , ” said Amara Abdullah , co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Youth Vanguard and a rising freshman at Hamilton High .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do as well in school as white students if we feel criminalized every time we walk into campus.
” “ Black students feel criminalized , have been pepper sprayed , arrested .
What else do you need ?
” Mya said .
“ Do you want an accidental death like George Floyd ’ s ?
Do you want to see that on campus ?
” Garcia ’ s plan had backing from activist groups , students and community members who ’ ve long called for .
The California Charter Schools Assn .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. Unified unions , representing teachers and most non-teaching workers , including bus drivers and classroom aides , also backed Garcia ’ s resolution .
The leadership of other employee unions , including the one representing principals and other administrators , wants to keep the school police .
“ We should be changing together , not be against each other , ” said L.A. School Police Sgt .
Nestor Gonzalez , a district graduate who said he felt betrayed by Garcia .
“ I ’ m about to lose my livelihood , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles ” and students , he asserted , would be less safe .
Lakisha Johnson , a psychiatric social worker who works with the police department ’ s mental health response team , said that as a Black woman she understands the issue of institutional racism and the need to root it out assertively .
But the school police , she said , are being unfairly scapegoated .
She called for every division , “ because we have all collectively failed Black students over the past several decades , ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making every unit accountable “ to move the meter ” and if they don ’ t , reallocate the budget to departments that are making a difference .
The L.A. School Police Department , founded in 1984 , employs 366 sworn officers and 95 non-sworn officers .
It is one of the largest school police departments in the country — behind that of Miami-Dade Schools Police , which employs 455 sworn and 75 non-sworn officers , according to an L.A. Unified analysis .

Liliana Ruiz, left, and Jacqueline Ramirez, center, join members of Black Lives Matter-L.A. and others at the protest. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Teacher Johana Cervantes and others at Tuesday’s meeting recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter-L.A., speaks to supporters at the demonstration outside LAUSD headquarters. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles School Police Sgt. Nestor Gonzalez and school board member Monica Garcia have a discussion before the LAUSD Zoom meeting in Los Angeles. Garcia was the only board member who was at L.A. Unified headquarters in person. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
Students, activists and others march to LAUSD headquarters Tuesday to urge the school board to defund school police. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
A deeply divided Los Angeles school board on Tuesday failed to agree on proposed reforms to the school police, effectively leaving the matter to a task force created by Supt. Austin Beutner and disappointing activists who had called for eliminating the department.
The lack of consensus capped a day of intense passions as students and activist groups called for terminating the department and using its $70 million annual budget for other student needs, especially those that would benefit Black students.
The school police had a smaller number of equally passionate defenders, including officers, social workers, school administrators and even a few students.
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The Board of Education debate revolved around three resolutions.
The most aggressive was brought forward by Monica Garcia, who proposed phasing out funding for school police over the next four years. This was the proposal favored by activists critical of the police.
“This is not about you personally, Mr. Officer,” she said at one point. “This is about systemic racism and classism.” The district, she said, needed to transition away from a police department “to another safety strategy.”
“I do believe that we have the best school department in the country,” she said. “That is not enough.”
Only one of the six other board members, Nick Melvoin, joined with Garcia.
× Nationwide, protesters and activists have been calling to “defund the police.” But what does it actually mean? And why are so many people calling for it to happen?
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The proposal that seemed to have the best chance of passing was from Jackie Goldberg. It would have banned the use of pepper spray, cut the police budget by $20 million and imposed a hiring freeze, among other provisions.
She added the budget cut to her resolution to win the support of board members Nick Melvoin and Kelly Gonez. She also was willing to abandon the cut to win over board members, but no combination added up to the necessary four-vote majority.
A third resolution — to study the issue and provide recommendations to the board — had three solid votes from George McKenna, its author, Scott Schmerelson and board president Richard Vladovic.
“I think we need to be practical about what we’re doing rather than reactionary,” McKenna said. “Being loud doesn’t mean you’re right,” he said, referring to the day’s demonstration against police.
His resolution — which was favored by all three retired school administrators on the board — never had a chance at the fourth vote needed to claim a majority.
“If we don’t do anything today, it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything,” Goldberg said in resignation hours into the debate.
Anti-school police activists vowed to continue their efforts, calling Garcia’s resolution the “Freedom Motion.”
“All those who voted against the Freedom Motion lost and represent the racist past,” said Channing Martinez, director of organizing for the Labor/Community Strategy Center. “They cannot stop this moving bus.”
“I’m mad that LAUSD did not do anything about the ways that Black students are being policed,” said Dorsey High student Sarah Djato, an organizer for the youth-led group Students Deserve.
Juan Flecha, the head of the administrators union, was cautiously optimistic about striking the right balance between policing and students’ concerns after watching the day’s events.
“I have high hopes for the superintendent’s task force and appreciate that labor partners will be a part of the conversation,” Flecha said. “I’m happy there will be multiple perspectives. We do have to look at safety and budget matters and what police can do differently — what we all can do differently.”
He said it will be critically important to keep Black lives at the center of the conversation.
The decision came after contentious debate and passionate appeals from multiple sides of the issue.
Outside L.A. Unified headquarters, hundreds of students, activists and community members had rallied in the morning to demand that the school board eliminate the school police department. On the ground, they waved signs and danced to music about police brutality. Above, a sky-writing plane spelled “Defund LASPD.”
Inside the boardroom, almost all the 25 available, socially distanced seats were occupied by off-duty school police or their supporters. The only board member there in person was Garcia, who authored the resolution to defund school police by 90% within four years. It would have redistributed funding according to a formula that ranked schools most in need.
Public speakers overwhelmingly voiced support for Garcia’s resolution, but many parents, school employees and police officers defended the department, referring to officers’ experiences risking their lives to keep students safe and building community relationships.
“School police does not make us any more comfortable,” said Amara Abdullah, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Youth Vanguard and a rising freshman at Hamilton High. “You can’t expect us to do as well in school as white students if we feel criminalized every time we walk into campus.”
Mya Edwards, a recent Venice High School graduate, echoed Amara.
“Black students feel criminalized, have been pepper sprayed, arrested. What else do you need?” Mya said. “Do you want an accidental death like George Floyd’s? Do you want to see that on campus?”
Garcia’s plan had backing from activist groups, students and community members who’ve long called for defunding the school police . The California Charter Schools Assn. and the leadership of the two largest L.A. Unified unions, representing teachers and most non-teaching workers, including bus drivers and classroom aides, also backed Garcia’s resolution. The leadership of other employee unions, including the one representing principals and other administrators, wants to keep the school police.
“We should be changing together, not be against each other,” said L.A. School Police Sgt. Nestor Gonzalez, a district graduate who said he felt betrayed by Garcia. “I’m about to lose my livelihood, my insurance, my way of living here in Los Angeles” and students, he asserted, would be less safe.
Lakisha Johnson, a psychiatric social worker who works with the police department’s mental health response team, said that as a Black woman she understands the issue of institutional racism and the need to root it out assertively. But the school police, she said, are being unfairly scapegoated.
She called for every division, “because we have all collectively failed Black students over the past several decades,” to relinquish 5% of their budgets, making every unit accountable “to move the meter” and if they don’t, reallocate the budget to departments that are making a difference.
The L.A. School Police Department, founded in 1984, employs 366 sworn officers and 95 non-sworn officers. It is one of the largest school police departments in the country — behind that of Miami-Dade Schools Police, which employs 455 sworn and 75 non-sworn officers, according to an L.A. Unified analysis.


latimes--2020-06-24--Disneyland reopening is delayed beyond July 17

Disneyland ’ s reopening will be delayed beyond July 17 , Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday in a statement that did not specify an alternative date .
Part of the reason for the delay is that it ’ s waiting for state guidelines , Disney said .
“ California has now indicated that it will not issue theme park reopening guidelines until sometime after July 4 , ” the company said .
That would not give the company enough time to recall staffers and equip its two Anaheim theme parks , Disneyland and California Adventure , with necessary preparations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a clearer understanding of when guidelines will be released , we expect to be able to communicate a reopening date , ” Disney said .
The Downtown Disney shopping and restaurant district adjacent to the parks is still slated to reopen July 9 .
The postponement comes as California and other parts of the nation are seeing significant increases in COVID-19 cases .
Disney is also facing pushback from workers .
A dozen unions that represent about 17,000 Disneyland employees sent a letter to Gov .
Gavin Newsom last week , saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park would be unsafe .
Disney ’ s Wednesday announcement alluded to the union apprehensions and said the company has reached accords that cover more than 11,000 of its workers .
“ The governor appreciates Disney ’ s responsiveness to his concerns about reopening amid the recent increases in COVID-19 infections across many Southern California counties , ” spokesman Nathan Click said in a statement .
“ The state and our public health experts continue to be in contact with the company and their workers — as well as other theme parks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combat the spread of the virus .
”

Disneyland’s reopening will be delayed beyond July 17, Walt Disney Co. announced Wednesday, saying it will wait for state guidelines before specifying a new target date.
The Anaheim destination, along with sister park Disney California Adventure, has been closed since mid-March amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the newly announced delay, it was slated to reopen in time for its 65th anniversary.
But coronavirus infections have been rising, and park employees have pushed back against the mid-July date, citing safety concerns.
“California has now indicated that it will not issue theme park reopening guidelines until sometime after July 4,” the company said. That would not give the company enough time to recall staffers and prepare the parks to reopen by mid-July, it said.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, which had been slated to reopen July 23, will also be closed indefinitely.
The Downtown Disney shopping and restaurant district adjacent to the parks is still slated to reopen July 9.
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Disney reopened Shanghai Disneyland on May 11 and the shopping and dining district in Orlando, Fla., known as Disney Springs on May 20. Hong Kong Disneyland reopened last week. Theme parks at the Walt Disney World resort in Florida are set to open July 11.
The postponement for the Anaheim parks comes as California and other parts of the nation are seeing significant increases in COVID-19 cases.
A dozen unions that represent about 17,000 Disneyland employees sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom last week, saying that because of the coronavirus, opening the park would be unsafe. Disney’s Wednesday announcement alluded to the union apprehensions and said the company has reached accords that cover more than 11,000 of its workers.
Newsom’s office expressed support for the delay.
“The governor appreciates Disney’s responsiveness to his concerns about reopening amid the recent increases in COVID-19 infections across many Southern California counties,” spokesperson Nathan Click said in a statement. “The state and our public health experts continue to be in contact with the company and their workers — as well as other theme parks in the state — as we track and combat the spread of the virus.”
Andrea Zinder, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union Local 324, which represents Disney’s front-line retail workers, said Wednesday that while the group has agreed to Disney’s recall process, the company has yet to address many of its concerns.
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“We have indicated several times that we are not convinced that adequate safety measures have been completely put in place,” Zinder said. “There’s more work to be done. We think this is a good sign, that Disney is willing to reconsider and look broader at some of the things we have suggested.”
Chief among the union’s requests are on-premise COVID-19 testing for employees who are in regular contact with guests and additional paid time off in case a staffer must self-quarantine.
Zinfer’s comments were echoed by Maria Hernandez, a spokeswoman for Unite Here Local 11, which represents hospitality workers. The group is helping organize a vehicle protest around the Disneyland Resort on Saturday to bring awareness to its concerns over the health and safety of its staff.
“Our response to Disney postponing it’s not about whether they open July 17 or July 5 ... it’s about taking necessary steps like testing workers and ensuring proper cleaning,” read a Unite Here statement. The labor group added that it had gained the “assurance that face shields will be provided to those who need them, but major issues remain unresolved.”
Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report.