latimes--2020-04-17--A family was told they couldn't be at their parents' burial. Then Fresno changed its mind

The six siblings stood around the closed caskets at Fresno Memorial Gardens , standing six feet apart with flowers in hand as a priest gave his blessings to their parents .
On the cemetery road were 10 cars , parked with their windows open , passengers peeking out to watch .
It wasn ’ t how this family imagined saying their final goodbyes to their parents , 82-year-old Antonia Gordillo and 85-year-old Agustin Gordillo , who both died in early April from COVID-19 .
But it was much more than they were initially promised , said daughter Aida Alvarez .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings would be allowed , the family pushed back .
Within a day , Fresno County changed course and allowed the family to be present at the burial Wednesday .
“ They wanted to just film it and send it to us , and we were not OK with that , ” Alvarez said .
“ I basically told them that we wanted at least 10 minutes of time with them and for us to be able to be allowed to give them a proper Catholic burial.
” The family ’ s experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow on burials , counties continue to make difficult decisions on the fly .
Across the country , funeral directors are refusing to hold funeral services in chapels or are limiting services to small graveside burials with no more than 10 people present .
Others are broadcasting video streams of ceremonies for their loved ones , or recording burials for families .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended livestreaming funerals and limiting physical attendance to immediate family members .
Alvarez said after her parents were transferred to a funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burial was scheduled for April 15 .
At the direction of county health officials , the family was not invited and instead was offered a recording .
Determined for something more , Alvarez got in touch with local officials , including Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco .
Pacheco was notified of the family ’ s concerns Monday evening and presented their case during a Tuesday board meeting , with health officials present .
“ Every day we each run a risk by leaving our homes , but we have to go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pacheco said .
“ In my opinion , having closure to bury your parents is one of those essential things we should be able to do.
” On that premise , the supervisors came to an agreement that 10 direct family members would be allowed near the casket and would need to stand six feet apart and wear masks .
In addition , 10 cars were allowed into the cemetery , but passengers could not leave the vehicles .
That wasn ’ t ideal , Alvarez said , but it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have easily said , ‘ It is what it is .
Sorry , there ’ s nothing we can do.
’ ” Fresno County health officials were initially adamant about not allowing any services at funeral homes or cemeteries , partly because of concerns that these services were spreading the virus in other parts of the country , Pacheco said .
In this family ’ s case , most of the Gordillos ’ children had already tested positive for the virus after caring for them , and were quarantined with their families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just seven deaths and 295 positive cases , a lower rate than other counties of a similar size .
Pacheco said that , because there were no clear guidelines , the Fresno County Health Department had been leaning toward banning all funerals until stay-at-home orders were lifted .
“ That ’ s the easy decision .
But it ’ s not the compassionate thing to do , ” Pacheco said .
However , if any family were to break the guidelines , the county would revert to a blanket ban .
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Wednesday , the funeral went smoothly .
The priest , a family friend , stood well over six feet from the casket and family members as he spoke kind words about the Gordillos .
Cemetery employees also kept their distance , and a sheriff ’ s deputy standing by outside was not needed , Pacheco said .
Two siblings stood particularly far away from their parents ’ caskets because they hadn ’ t tested positive for the virus as the others had .
When the priest concluded the ceremony , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caskets before leaving their flowers and saying goodbye .

The six siblings stood around the closed caskets at Fresno Memorial Gardens, standing six feet apart with flowers in hand as a priest gave his blessings to their parents.
On the cemetery road were 10 cars, parked with their windows open, passengers peeking out to watch.
It wasn’t how this family imagined saying their final goodbyes to their parents, 82-year-old Antonia Gordillo and 85-year-old Agustin Gordillo, who both died in early April from COVID-19. But it was much more than they were initially promised, said daughter Aida Alvarez.
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After being told no burial or funeral gatherings would be allowed, the family pushed back. Within a day, Fresno County changed course and allowed the family to be present at the burial Wednesday.
“They wanted to just film it and send it to us, and we were not OK with that,” Alvarez said. “I basically told them that we wanted at least 10 minutes of time with them and for us to be able to be allowed to give them a proper Catholic burial.”
The family’s experience showcases how, with no clear guidelines to follow on burials, counties continue to make difficult decisions on the fly.
Across the country, funeral directors are refusing to hold funeral services in chapels or are limiting services to small graveside burials with no more than 10 people present.
Others are broadcasting video streams of ceremonies for their loved ones, or recording burials for families. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended livestreaming funerals and limiting physical attendance to immediate family members.
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“In my opinion, having closure to bury your parents is one of those essential things we should be able to do.” — Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco
Alvarez said after her parents were transferred to a funeral home, her family was told a burial was scheduled for April 15. At the direction of county health officials, the family was not invited and instead was offered a recording.
Determined for something more, Alvarez got in touch with local officials, including Fresno County Supervisor Brian Pacheco.
Pacheco was notified of the family’s concerns Monday evening and presented their case during a Tuesday board meeting, with health officials present.
“Every day we each run a risk by leaving our homes, but we have to go to the grocery store and do these essential things,” Pacheco said. “In my opinion, having closure to bury your parents is one of those essential things we should be able to do.”
On that premise, the supervisors came to an agreement that 10 direct family members would be allowed near the casket and would need to stand six feet apart and wear masks. In addition, 10 cars were allowed into the cemetery, but passengers could not leave the vehicles.
That wasn’t ideal, Alvarez said, but it was understandable under the circumstances. “They could have easily said, ‘It is what it is. Sorry, there’s nothing we can do.’”
Fresno County health officials were initially adamant about not allowing any services at funeral homes or cemeteries, partly because of concerns that these services were spreading the virus in other parts of the country, Pacheco said. In this family’s case, most of the Gordillos’ children had already tested positive for the virus after caring for them, and were quarantined with their families.
So far, Fresno County has just seven deaths and 295 positive cases, a lower rate than other counties of a similar size.
Pacheco said that, because there were no clear guidelines, the Fresno County Health Department had been leaning toward banning all funerals until stay-at-home orders were lifted.
“That’s the easy decision. But it’s not the compassionate thing to do,” Pacheco said.
However, if any family were to break the guidelines, the county would revert to a blanket ban. So far, that has not been the case. On Wednesday, the funeral went smoothly.
The priest, a family friend, stood well over six feet from the casket and family members as he spoke kind words about the Gordillos. Cemetery employees also kept their distance, and a sheriff’s deputy standing by outside was not needed, Pacheco said.
Two siblings stood particularly far away from their parents’ caskets because they hadn’t tested positive for the virus as the others had. When the priest concluded the ceremony, each approached their parents separately, hugging the caskets before leaving their flowers and saying goodbye.


latimes--2020-04-17--Judge rejects more inmate releases from California prisons

A federal judge has denied an emergency motion that would force California officials to develop a plan to further reduce the state ’ s inmate population by thousands in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus , saying the state has already implemented a myriad of changes .
In his ruling on Friday , U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar said lawyers for the inmates had to demonstrate Gov .
Gavin Newsom and correctional officials were indifferent to protecting the inmates and therefore in violation of their federal rights .
Inmates want the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change the way prisoners are housed in the state ’ s 35-prison system and release more inmates or house some outside of prisons .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and no one questions that it poses a substantial risk of serious harm to plaintiffs , ” Tigar wrote in his ruling .
“ But given the numerous and significant measures the State of California has taken and continues to take in response to COVID-19 , the court can not conclude that state officials have been deliberately indifferent.
” “ The state responds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — one that includes the release of thousands of inmates to reduce the prison population , the cessation of visitation and the intake of new prisoners , sharp reductions in inmate transfers to avoid the spread of the contagion , detailed protocol to manage symptomatic inmates and staff , increased disinfectant effort and adjustment to housing and physical activities to increase physical distancing.
” Tigar ’ s ruling comes after a three-judge panel rejected mass releases or other drastic measures , saying it was not their decision to make .
The panel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overcrowding , said it was more appropriate to be handled by a single judge such as Tigar , who oversees inmate medical care .
As of Friday , 75 inmates and 83 workers in the state ’ s prison system were diagnosed with COVID-19 .
During a Thursday hearing , Tigar said the state ’ s death toll and overall numbers were far worse than those reflected in the prisons .
Addressing the judge , Alison Hardy , senior attorney for the Prison Law Office , said “ my concern is not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons ... more it is a tinder box.
” She warned that the spread in a few prisons , once it entered a dorm , suggests it could quickly overwhelm the system .
But Tigar on Friday said California has already taken measures to reduce overcrowding , including halting the admission of an expected 3,000 new inmates from county jails and the planned early release of some 3,500 inmates over the next two months .
He also noted that the state has distributed hand sanitizer and 22,000 cloth masks across the prison system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one dormitory to another .
Tigar pointed out that 1,300 inmates had been moved out of dormitories with close quarters into other spaces .
During Thursday ’ s hearing , a state lawyer said such movement had been undertaken at the California Institution for Men in Chino and at San Quentin , where gyms were being used for new eight-person modules .
The judge wrote that an argument by the inmates ’ lawyers that 22 men in one dorm at California Institution for Men had tested positive showed the need to spread out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state had “ contained the spread of the disease by not transferring inmates.
” Tigar said that the state ’ s prison population had effectively been reduced in the past month by nearly 4,000 releases .
As of Thursday , there were 110,345 inmates in the state ’ s prison system .
Before the releases began , the state prison ’ s medical system reported that 45,000 inmates had at least one underlying condition that made them vulnerable to a coronavirus infection , including 14,700 inmates with asthma .
The federal judge noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing a directive from a federal receiver to ensure social distancing inside the prisons .

A federal judge has denied an emergency motion that would force California officials to develop a plan to further reduce the state’s inmate population by thousands in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, saying the state has already implemented a myriad of changes.
In his ruling on Friday, U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar said lawyers for the inmates had to demonstrate Gov. Gavin Newsom and correctional officials were indifferent to protecting the inmates and therefore in violation of their federal rights. Inmates want the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a detailed plan that would change the way prisoners are housed in the state’s 35-prison system and release more inmates or house some outside of prisons.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and no one questions that it poses a substantial risk of serious harm to plaintiffs,” Tigar wrote in his ruling. “But given the numerous and significant measures the State of California has taken and continues to take in response to COVID-19, the court cannot conclude that state officials have been deliberately indifferent.”
“The state responds that it already has such a plan — one that includes the release of thousands of inmates to reduce the prison population, the cessation of visitation and the intake of new prisoners, sharp reductions in inmate transfers to avoid the spread of the contagion, detailed protocol to manage symptomatic inmates and staff, increased disinfectant effort and adjustment to housing and physical activities to increase physical distancing.”
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Tigar’s ruling comes after a three-judge panel rejected mass releases or other drastic measures, saying it was not their decision to make. The panel, formed in 2007 to address chronic prison overcrowding, said it was more appropriate to be handled by a single judge such as Tigar, who oversees inmate medical care.
As of Friday, 75 inmates and 83 workers in the state’s prison system were diagnosed with COVID-19. During a Thursday hearing, Tigar said the state’s death toll and overall numbers were far worse than those reflected in the prisons.
Addressing the judge, Alison Hardy, senior attorney for the Prison Law Office, said “my concern is not that the virus is rampant in all 35 prisons ... more it is a tinder box.” She warned that the spread in a few prisons, once it entered a dorm, suggests it could quickly overwhelm the system.
But Tigar on Friday said California has already taken measures to reduce overcrowding, including halting the admission of an expected 3,000 new inmates from county jails and the planned early release of some 3,500 inmates over the next two months. He also noted that the state has distributed hand sanitizer and 22,000 cloth masks across the prison system and stopped the mixing of inmates from one dormitory to another.
Tigar pointed out that 1,300 inmates had been moved out of dormitories with close quarters into other spaces. During Thursday’s hearing, a state lawyer said such movement had been undertaken at the California Institution for Men in Chino and at San Quentin, where gyms were being used for new eight-person modules.
The judge wrote that an argument by the inmates’ lawyers that 22 men in one dorm at California Institution for Men had tested positive showed the need to spread out inmates actually supported the argument that the state had “contained the spread of the disease by not transferring inmates.”
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Tigar said that the state’s prison population had effectively been reduced in the past month by nearly 4,000 releases. As of Thursday, there were 110,345 inmates in the state’s prison system.
Before the releases began, the state prison’s medical system reported that 45,000 inmates had at least one underlying condition that made them vulnerable to a coronavirus infection, including 14,700 inmates with asthma.
The federal judge noted that the state had agreed and begun implementing a directive from a federal receiver to ensure social distancing inside the prisons.


latimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus infections could be much more widespread than believed, California study suggests

In the weeks since the coronavirus outbreak has squelched daily life in America , researchers have struggled to assess the true spread of the virus .
But initial results from a Northern California study on coronavirus antibodies suggest it has circulated much more widely than previously thought , according to a report released Friday .
The preliminary study , conducted by researchers at Stanford University , estimates that between 2.5 % and 4.2 % of Santa Clara County residents had antibodies to the new coronavirus in their blood by early April .
Antibodies are an indication that a person ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past infection .
Though the county had reported roughly 1,000 cases in early April , the Stanford researchers estimate the actual number was between 48,000 and 81,000 .
Santa Clara County was an early epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in California .
By sampling the blood of 3,300 county residents and testing it for coronavirus antibodies , researchers hoped to estimate the prevalence of the virus in the population .
The antibody blood tests , also known as serology tests , are distinct from the diagnostic tests used to confirm an active infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health and USC launched a similar study one week after Santa Clara began its effort .
Officials say they will make their initials results public Monday .
Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s top public health official , said that although the Los Angeles study will have somewhat different numbers , “ they ’ re going to tell a similar story .
And I think the story is … many more people have been infected with COVID-19 than those who are being captured through our testing.
” The discrepancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slow start for coronavirus diagnostic testing and the fact that many people with few or no symptoms did not got tested .
There are important caveats to the Santa Clara findings .
Unlike in Los Angeles County , where researchers recruited a random sample of participants to mirror the county ’ s makeup , the Northern California study solicited participants from social media .
As a result , white women ages 19 to 64 were overrepresented in the participant pool , while Latinos and Asian Americans were underrepresented relative to their share of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to adjust for this imbalance in their analysis .
Also , the Stanford report was posted to a website for sharing early medical research findings and has not yet been vetted through the typical peer-review process .
Neeraj Sood , a professor at USC ’ s Price School of Public Policy who is an author of the Stanford report , said he was not surprised by the results .
“ I didn ’ t know what the magnitude would be , but we definitely expected that there would be more cases than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scarcity of testing , ” said Sood , who is also the lead researcher from the Los Angeles County study .
One key takeaway of the Santa Clara County study is that a large number of people who are infected with the coronavirus never show any symptoms , said Karin Michels , chair of the epidemiology department at UCLA ’ s Fielding School of Public Health .
The fact that such people could unknowingly be contagious means that some level of physical distancing needs to remain in place to protect the elderly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more endangered by the disease .
“ How do we protect the vulnerable , while letting other people who are maybe immune because they ’ ve been infected and have antibodies come back to work ?
How do you sort this out ?
” Michels said .
Antibody detection may help provide an answer , she said , but only if a large proportion of the population is able to get tested .
Studies suggest that perhaps 30 % to 50 % of people who contract the new coronavirus have no symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the medicine department at UC San Francisco .
At some point , he said , there will have to be strategic testing of asymptomatic people .
Public officials and researchers are increasingly pointing to antibody tests as key to helping determine when and how to ease the restrictions on movement and commerce that have resulted in an unprecedented economic shutdown .
Knowing the true extent of the virus ’ reach can shed light on how close the population is to achieving herd immunity , in which enough people have some degree of immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for infections to spread .
Such tests can also provide a more accurate picture of how lethal the virus is .
Right now , the mortality rate is based on the number of confirmed infections , but the higher the number of infections , the lower the fatality rate .
Based on their results , the Stanford researchers estimated the mortality rate in Santa Clara County to be between 0.12 % and 0.2 % .
By comparison , the average death rate of the seasonal flu is 0.1 % .
Sood said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the early results , noting that further study will provide more information about the mortality rate and how fast the disease is spreading .
His goal in Los Angeles County is to repeat the study every two to three weeks over the course of several months , with hopes of generating more data to inform the models that public officials are using to plan their coronavirus response .
“ We need to put this data into these models and then figure out what the conclusion is , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday that it is too early to gauge the extent to which the antibody testing indicates immunity .
Maria Van Kerkhove , acting head of emerging diseases at the WHO , said there is no evidence yet that rapid serological tests can reveal immunity to the coronavirus .
“ Right now we have no evidence that the use of a serologic test can show that an individual is immune or is protected from reinfection , ” she said .
Serological tests measure the level of antibodies against the virus that the body creates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
But scientists do not yet know whether people who have antibodies for the virus are immune .
“ We will be issuing guidance around this over the weekend because it is a confusing area , ” Van Kerkhove said .
Dr. Michael Ryan , executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program , echoed her concern .
“ People need to look at length at the protection that antibodies might give , ” he said .
“ Nobody is sure whether someone with antibodies is fully protected from being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times staff writer Maura Dolan in San Francisco contributed to this report .

Healthcare workers take a sample from a driver at a coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall last week.
In the weeks since the novel coronavirus outbreak has squelched daily life in America, researchers have struggled to assess the true spread of the virus. But initial results from a Northern California study on coronavirus antibodies suggest it has circulated much more widely than previously thought, according to a report released Friday.
The preliminary study, conducted by researchers at Stanford University, estimates that between 2.5% and 4.2% of Santa Clara County residents had antibodies to the new coronavirus in their blood by early April. Antibodies are an indication that a person’s immune system has responded to a past infection.
Though the county had reported roughly 1,000 cases in early April, the Stanford researchers estimate the actual number was between 48,000 and 81,000, or 50 to 85 times greater.
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department hand out swabs at a drive-up coronavirus testing site on Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium last month. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
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Santa Clara County was an early hotbed of the COVID-19 pandemic in California. By sampling the blood of 3,300 county residents and testing it for coronavirus antibodies, researchers hoped to estimate the prevalence of the virus in the population.
The antibody blood tests, also known as serology tests, are distinct from the diagnostic tests used to confirm an active infection.
Investigators from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and USC launched a similar study a week after Santa Clara began its effort. Officials say they will make their initials results public Monday.
Barbara Ferrer, the county’s top public health official, said that although the Los Angeles study will have somewhat different numbers, “they’re going to tell a similar story. And I think the story is … many more people have been infected with COVID-19 than those who are being captured through our testing.”
The discrepancy, Ferrer said, owed to the slow start for coronavirus diagnostic testing and the fact that many people with few or no symptoms were unable to get tested.
There are important caveats to the Santa Clara findings. Unlike in Los Angeles County, where researchers recruited a random sample of participants to mirror the county’s makeup, the Northern California study solicited participants from social media.
As a result, white women ages 19 to 64 were overrepresented in the participant pool, while Latinos and Asian Americans were underrepresented relative to their share of the county’s population. Researchers tried to adjust for this imbalance in their analysis.
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Also, the Stanford report was posted to a website for sharing early medical research findings and has not yet been vetted through the typical peer-review process.
Neeraj Sood, a professor at USC’s Price School of Public Policy who is an author of the Stanford report, said he was not surprised by the results.
Riverside County medical personnel administer coronavirus tests at a drive-up site at Diamond Stadium last month in Lake Elsinore. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
“I didn’t know what the magnitude would be, but we definitely expected that there would be more cases than have been confirmed, just given the scarcity of testing,” said Sood, who is also the lead researcher from the Los Angeles County study.
One key takeaway of the Santa Clara County study is that a large number of people who are infected with the coronavirus never show any symptoms, said Karin Michels, chair of the epidemiology department at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health.
The fact that such people could unknowingly be contagious means that some level of physical distancing needs to remain in place to protect the elderly and people with underlying conditions who are much more endangered by the disease.
Nurses bow their heads and pray at a coronavirus testing site at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, Calif. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
“How do we protect the vulnerable, while letting other people who are maybe immune because they’ve been infected and have antibodies come back to work? How do you sort this out?” Michels said.
Antibody detection may help provide an answer, she said, but only if a large proportion of the population is able to get tested.
Studies suggest that perhaps 30% to 50% of people who contract the new coronavirus have no symptoms, said Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the medicine department at UC San Francisco. At some point, he said, there will have to be strategic testing of asymptomatic people.
Public officials and researchers are increasingly pointing to antibody tests as key to helping determine when and how to ease the restrictions on movement and commerce that have resulted in an unprecedented economic shutdown.
Knowing the true extent of the virus’ reach can shed light on how close the population is to achieving herd immunity, in which enough people have some degree of immunity to the virus that it becomes difficult for infections to spread.
Such tests can also provide a more accurate picture of how lethal the virus is. Right now, the mortality rate is based on the number of confirmed infections, but the higher the number of infections, the lower the fatality rate.
Based on their results, the Stanford researchers estimated the mortality rate in Santa Clara County to be between 0.12% and 0.2%. By comparison, the average death rate of the seasonal flu is 0.1%.
Sood said it was too early to offer policy prescriptions based on the early results, noting that further study will provide more information about the mortality rate and how fast the disease is spreading.
A San Bernardino County healthcare worker takes a sample at a COVID-19 testing site at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
His goal in Los Angeles County is to repeat the study every two to three weeks over the course of several months, with hopes of generating more data to inform the models that public officials are using to plan their coronavirus response.
“We need to put this data into these models and then figure out what the conclusion is,” he said.
Experts at the World Health Organization cautioned Friday that it is too early to gauge the extent to which the antibody testing indicates immunity.
Maria Van Kerkhove, acting head of emerging diseases at the WHO, said there is no evidence yet that rapid serological tests can reveal immunity to the coronavirus.
“Right now we have no evidence that the use of a serologic test can show that an individual is immune or is protected from reinfection,” she said.
Serological tests measure the level of antibodies against the virus that the body creates a week or two after being infected, she said.
But scientists do not yet know whether people who have antibodies for the virus are immune.
“We will be issuing guidance around this over the weekend because it is a confusing area,” Van Kerkhove said.
Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the WHO Health Emergencies Program, echoed her concern.
“People need to look at length at the protection that antibodies might give,” he said. “Nobody is sure whether someone with antibodies is fully protected from being exposed and having the disease again.”
Times staff writer Maura Dolan in San Francisco contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-17--Ventura County faith leaders demand officials allow socially distant gatherings amid coronavirus shu

Ventura County faith leaders demand officials allow socially distant gatherings amid coronavirus shutdown

Faith leaders in Ventura County are arguing that a stay-at-home order violates their 1st Amendment rights , and have asked county officials to revise portions of the rule to allow them to keep holding religious gatherings while following safety guidelines .
The clergymen — Rob McCoy , a pastor at Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park , and Michael Barclay , a rabbi at Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village — on Thursday expressed the “ wish to exercise their religious freedom in a manner that respects the current social distancing restrictions and the health and safety of the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent to the county .
Should the county fail to accommodate the request , attorneys for the clergymen said , they are prepared to file a lawsuit and seek an injunction against the county order , which took effect in March .
Ventura County ’ s “ Stay Well at Home ” order bans “ all gatherings , no matter the size , outside of places of residences ” with limited exceptions .
Church services are included in the ban .
The order allows gatherings of two or more people as needed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as those of up to 10 people at graveside funeral services .
Faith-based organizations also are permitted to livestream services with their members as long as there are no more than seven people participating in the gathering .
Ventura County supervisors did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The demand comes as three Southern California churches hoping to keep their doors open during the coronavirus outbreak sued Gov .
Gavin Newsom and other officials , arguing that social distancing orders violate the constitutional right to freedom of religion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested in unprecedented ways , with religious leaders from Mississippi to Kentucky to San Diego County suing their governments , asserting that they are being treated differently from businesses that can remain open , such as supermarkets and liquor stores .
County health officials in Ventura had struck a hopeful tone this week , saying that efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus were working even as the number of people testing positive continued to climb .
The county has reported a total of 396 coronavirus infections .
The number includes 198 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized and 188 cases still under quarantine .
The demand letter acknowledged the efforts county officials have made to “ protect the public health , safety and welfare during this pandemic.
” The religious leaders , the demand said , support “ reasonable measures ” to help flatten the curve and take seriously their responsibility to do so .
“ Ultimately , we believe religious practices to be as essential [ as ] any grocery store , ” the letter said .
Attorneys said that the order in effect bars McCoy from holding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one person .
McCoy ’ s church has a “ sincerely held religious belief that involves the sacrament of taking Communion on the first Sunday of every month , ” the demand letter said .
Robert Tyler , an attorney representing McCoy and Barclay , said the pastor held a modified Palm Sunday Communion service at his church earlier this month .
The church , which Tyler said seats about 400 people , requested that parishioners line up six feet apart .
Only 10 people were allowed in at a time , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a separate door .
Each chair used for Communion was sprayed with Lysol after the worshiper left , he said .
“ That was a violation of the order , ” Tyler said .
“ Yet the order allows individuals to drive through Starbucks as an essential business .
Individuals can go to grocery stores , liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries , and go and touch things and pick up things and put them back on the shelf .
This is far more sanitary than anything you ’ d see at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open his church for Communion on the first Sunday of May .
McCoy plans to allow 10 congregants at a time , attorneys said , and the church will comply with all CDC guidelines as well as social distancing rules that essential businesses are required to follow .
McCoy also plans to start holding drive-in style services , beginning Sunday at Godspeak Calvary Chapel — a practice that has popped up in recent weeks in Orange County and across the country .
Likewise , Tyler said , Rabbi Barclay has been barred from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service , including a streaming service , because “ under Jewish religious obligations , a Torah service requires a quorum of 10 Jewish adults [ a minyan ] physically present in the synagogue to carry out the service.
” Many other religious gatherings also require 10 Jewish adults , he said , including Bar Mitzvahs and Shiva minyans .
The rabbi wants to be able to hold such gatherings while still following CDC and social distancing guidelines , Tyler said .
The pastor and rabbi discussed the ban and the importance of safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ fireside chat ” posted on YouTube last week .
“ We still need to stay in our stream , ” Barclay said .
“ I would rather be in a sanctuary that holds 250 people with family units 20 feet apart , having 40 or 50 people in that room .
I would much rather be that , a room that ’ s been sanitized according to CDC standards , and Purell and latex and everything else , than Costco .
”

People gather in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship at a drive-in Easter service.
Faith leaders in Ventura County are arguing that a stay-at-home order violates their 1st Amendment rights, and have asked county officials to revise portions of the rule to allow them to keep holding religious gatherings while following safety guidelines.
The clergymen — Rob McCoy, a pastor at Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Newbury Park, and Michael Barclay, a rabbi at Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village — on Thursday expressed the “wish to exercise their religious freedom in a manner that respects the current social distancing restrictions and the health and safety of the community,” according to the demand letter sent to the county.
Should the county fail to accommodate the request, attorneys for the clergymen said, they are prepared to file a lawsuit and seek an injunction against the county order, which took effect in March.
Ventura County’s “Stay Well at Home” order bans “all gatherings, no matter the size, outside of places of residences” with limited exceptions. Church services are included in the ban. The order allows gatherings of two or more people as needed for essential business or governmental functions, as well as those of up to 10 people at graveside funeral services.
Faith-based organizations also are permitted to livestream services with their members as long as there are no more than seven people participating in the gathering.
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Ventura County supervisors did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The demand comes as three Southern California churches hoping to keep their doors open during the coronavirus outbreak sued Gov. Gavin Newsom and other officials, arguing that social distancing orders violate the constitutional right to freedom of religion and assembly.
The U.S. Constitution is being tested in unprecedented ways, with religious leaders from Mississippi to Kentucky to San Diego County suing their governments, asserting that they are being treated differently from businesses that can remain open, such as supermarkets and liquor stores.
County health officials in Ventura had struck a hopeful tone this week, saying that efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus were working even as the number of people testing positive continued to climb.
The county has reported a total of 396 coronavirus infections. The number includes 198 people who recovered, 77 who were hospitalized and 188 cases still under quarantine.
The demand letter acknowledged the efforts county officials have made to “protect the public health, safety and welfare during this pandemic.” The religious leaders, the demand said, support “reasonable measures” to help flatten the curve and take seriously their responsibility to do so.
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“Ultimately, we believe religious practices to be as essential [as] any grocery store,” the letter said.
Attorneys said that the order in effect bars McCoy from holding any in-person religious service with more than one person.
McCoy’s church has a “sincerely held religious belief that involves the sacrament of taking Communion on the first Sunday of every month,” the demand letter said.
Robert Tyler, an attorney representing McCoy and Barclay, said the pastor held a modified Palm Sunday Communion service at his church earlier this month.
The church, which Tyler said seats about 400 people, requested that parishioners line up six feet apart. Only 10 people were allowed in at a time, he said, and congregants left the church through a separate door. Each chair used for Communion was sprayed with Lysol after the worshiper left, he said.
“That was a violation of the order,” Tyler said. “Yet the order allows individuals to drive through Starbucks as an essential business. Individuals can go to grocery stores, liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries, and go and touch things and pick up things and put them back on the shelf. This is far more sanitary than anything you’d see at any grocery store.”
The pastor intends to open his church for Communion on the first Sunday of May. McCoy plans to allow 10 congregants at a time, attorneys said, and the church will comply with all CDC guidelines as well as social distancing rules that essential businesses are required to follow.
McCoy also plans to start holding drive-in style services, beginning Sunday at Godspeak Calvary Chapel — a practice that has popped up in recent weeks in Orange County and across the country.
Likewise, Tyler said, Rabbi Barclay has been barred from holding any kind of Saturday morning Torah service, including a streaming service, because “under Jewish religious obligations, a Torah service requires a quorum of 10 Jewish adults [a minyan] physically present in the synagogue to carry out the service.”
Many other religious gatherings also require 10 Jewish adults, he said, including Bar Mitzvahs and Shiva minyans. The rabbi wants to be able to hold such gatherings while still following CDC and social distancing guidelines, Tyler said.
The pastor and rabbi discussed the ban and the importance of safely gathering to practice their faith in a “fireside chat” posted on YouTube last week.
“We still need to stay in our stream,” Barclay said. “I would rather be in a sanctuary that holds 250 people with family units 20 feet apart, having 40 or 50 people in that room. I would much rather be that, a room that’s been sanitized according to CDC standards, and Purell and latex and everything else, than Costco.”


latimes--2020-04-17--'Live Free or Die:' Protesters march against California stay-at-home rules in Huntington Beach

A group of more than 100 protesters converged on Huntington Beach on Friday in a demonstration against California ’ s coronavirus stay-at-home rules , part of a series of national demonstration organized by conservative groups .
The protesters — some with Trump banners and American flags — mostly were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing of standing at least six feet apart .
And they offered views about the spread of the coronavirus that differs sharply from scientific findings and experts ’ recommendations .
One of the first people to trickle into the afternoon ’ s protest in Huntington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Costa Mesa resident arrived with a hand-held American flag and a “ Live Free or Die Sign ” and was “ sick ” of social distancing and Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order , which she said was “ killing business.
” “ I don ’ t think there ’ s any reason for us to be on lockdown now , ” she said shortly after arguing with another Trump supporter who was in favor of quarantine .
“ We didn ’ t have any dangers ; we have no danger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The comments of protesters flies in the face of what California public health officials and other experts have been saying about the coronavirus .
California ’ s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has tamped down the coronavirus pandemic and left many hospitals largely empty , waiting for a surge that has yet to come .
The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools , businesses and other institutions has pleased experts and public health officials , prompting calls to keep the restrictions in place at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress .
Social distancing will be a critical factor .
Lifting restrictions too early would likely lead to dangerous new jumps in cases .
Dr. Howard Markel , a professor of the history of medicine at the University of Michigan , said earlier this week deploying stay-at-home measures required a degree of patience not to pull back too early .
“ If you pull the triggers off too early , not only is there a circulating virus to do what it naturally does , but you will have incurred all the economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for nothing , ” Markel said in a hosted by the American Public Health Assn .
last month .
Markel said that during the , more than 20 U.S. cities that relaxed physical distancing orders too quickly — even as the flu virus was still circulating — soon saw a new rise in cases .
There will continue to be the threat of the coronavirus being reintroduced in areas where the outbreak has eased .
against the coronavirus , was to order the closure of schools and nonessential businesses for a month as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lived and studied abroad rushed back home .
Officials in Singapore now say it is important to find sustainable ways to slow the virus through the end of the year .
In Lansing , Mich. , demonstrators took to the streets , snarling traffic as part of an “ Operation Gridlock ” rally .
Though Michigan has reported more than 1,760 deaths — third-most in the U.S. — the protesters contend Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , went too far in extending a stay-at-home order that , among other things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on people allowed to work outside the home .
In Huntington Beach on Friday , protesters were quick to point out that California has not seen the level of deaths as New York , which was was slower to impose social distancing .
Doyle said the relatively low number of deaths statewide should not have led to “ drastic measures.
” She saw little difference between COVID-19 and the flu ( the death rate is actually significantly higher for COVID-19 ) and credited much of her information to conservative talk show host Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to normal ASAP , ” said Doyle , adding she ’ s sent “ crazy letters ” to the governor explaining as much .
During the protest , police occasionally warned gatherers to clear the streets to allow vehicles to pass .
Benny White , a 33-year-old Compton resident dressed in a faux white hazmat suit complete with goggles and a Trump 2020 hat , bounced around from corner to corner , often drawing a sizable crowd .
The suit had hand-written sharpie messages that included the website of an extreme right-wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest message , “ China Lied People Died , ” streaked across his back .
White accused China of “ constantly attacking our president.
” White was also angry about social-distancing guidelines and hugged other protesters .
“ It ’ s not dangerous out here .
It ’ s not , ” White said .
“ I ’ ve seen plenty of people out here .
The beaches are open .
It ’ s a nice beautiful day .
What are we doing ?
Stop being a germophobe.
” Anaheim resident Byran Hunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Huntington Beach Police Department .
The 57-year old said he was a member of the 31st Field Force Light Foot California State Militia .
“ I ’ m here for one purpose and that is to ensure that the police don ’ t start beating on citizens , ” Hunt said .
“ I have a cameraman here taking photos and documenting everything .
If they step out of line , we ’ ll get them .
”

A driver takes a picture of the rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A big number of Trump supporters rally on Main Street against business closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Huntington Beach. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Conservative activist rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A big number of Trump supporters rally on Main Street against business closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Huntington Beach. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Conservative activist rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Police keep an eye on Trump supporters at a rally on Main Street against business closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Huntington Beach, CA. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Kira Beattie, center, joins rally in Huntington Beach against the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Conservative activist rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Sarah Mason, of Covina, rallied in Huntington Beach against the stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A group of more than 100 protesters converged on Huntington Beach on Friday in a demonstration against California’s coronavirus stay-at-home rules, part of a series of national demonstrations organized by conservative groups.
The protesters — some with Trump banners and American flags — mostly were not wearing masks or practicing social distancing by standing at least six feet apart. And they offered views about the spread of the coronavirus that differed sharply from scientific findings and experts’ recommendations.
One of the first people to trickle into the afternoon’s protest in Huntington Beach was 62-year-old Paula Doyle.
The Costa Mesa resident arrived with a hand-held American flag and a “Live Free or Die” sign and was “sick” of social distancing and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order, which she said was “killing business.”
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“I don’t think there’s any reason for us to be on lockdown now,” she said shortly after arguing with another Trump supporter who was in favor of quarantine. “We didn’t have any dangers; we have no danger in our hospitals now of overflowing.”
The comments of protesters fly in the face of what California public health officials and other experts have been saying about the coronavirus.
California’s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has tamped down the coronavirus pandemic and left many hospitals largely empty, waiting for a surge that has yet to come.
Sarah Mason, from Covina, protests the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools, businesses and other institutions has pleased experts and public health officials, prompting calls to keep the restrictions in place at least into May to help cement the progress.
Social distancing will be a critical factor. Lifting restrictions too early would likely lead to dangerous new jumps in cases.
Dr. Howard Markel, a professor of the history of medicine at the University of Michigan, said earlier this week deploying stay-at-home measures required a degree of patience not to pull back too early.
“If you pull the triggers off too early, not only is there a circulating virus to do what it naturally does, but you will have incurred all the economic and social disruptions of [stay-at-home orders] for nothing,” Markel said in a webinar hosted by the American Public Health Assn. last month.
Markel said that during the 1918 flu pandemic , more than 20 U.S. cities that relaxed physical distancing orders too quickly — even as the flu virus was still circulating — soon saw a new rise in cases. There will continue to be the threat of the coronavirus being reintroduced in areas where the outbreak has eased.
Singapore, which took early, effective action against the coronavirus, was forced last week to order the closure of schools and nonessential businesses for a month as the numbers of cases rose when residents who lived and studied abroad rushed back home. Officials in Singapore now say it is important to find sustainable ways to slow the virus through the end of the year.
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1 / 37 Customers defy social distancing and the wearing of masks to stand in line at the recently opened Nomads Canteen in San Clemente. The restaurant opened its doors to dine-in services over the weekend in defiance of the California’s stay-at-home order. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 37 Christina Dagle and her daughter, Eleanor Eades, 4, of Seal Beach, wait in line to buy flowers for a friend from Devynn’s Garden in Seal Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 37 Station 17 owner Cynthia Freund says that roller skates, shown at left, has been her most popular on-line sale item as she reopens for curb-side shopping in Seal Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 37 Armando Mendoza, of Anaheim, celebrates with all his health-care professionals and his family and supporters as he is released after spending 45 days at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 37 Health care workers dance and take images while a mariachi band plays as Armando Mendoza, of Anaheim, gets released from St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. Mendoza was the hospital’s second-ever COVID-19 patient and spent 45 days at St. Joseph Hospital before being released. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 37 People stroll along Main Beach in Laguna Beach as city ,with State’s blessings, reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 37 Ian Hanna skimboards along the shoreline on Main Beach in Laguna Beach, after it reopened to active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 37 A sailboat cruises by as a lone beach-goer in Newport Beach, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure of the beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 37 An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers in Newport Beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 37 Beach goers ignore social distancing and beach closures as they walk in groups to the beach access stairs to Salt Creek Beach. ( Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 37 Elizabeth Robles of Laguna decides to park in a “No Parking” zone and get the $30 ticket so she could walk to Salt Creek Beach to surf. “The ticket is worth it to me. I broke my arm recently and haven’t surfed in 8 months,” she said. ( Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 37 With parking lots closed, a man heads to the beach on the bike path with kids, beach chairs and paddle board loaded on his electric bike in Capistrano Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 37 John and Jamie Garcia, of La Habra, celebrate Jamie’s birthday by relaxing in loungers at the Beachcomber Inn with a view of an empty, closed beach and pier due to the coronavirus restrictions amid a heat wave in San Clemente. The council voted to reopen the beach for recreational activity such as walking, running, swimming and surfing, but have also said residents should not bring a blanket and hang out. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 37 Cal State Fullerton student Linh Trinh, 21, right, and her boyfriend Tan Nguyen, 21, walk around a deserted CSUF campus. The school is planning to begin fall semester with online classes, one of the first universities in the nation to make that move as campuses throughout the country grapple with how long to stay closed to most students amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 37 Russel and Kathleen Sion, of Torrance, celebrate tying the knot in a parking lot at the Honda Center in Anaheim, where the County of Orange Clerk Recorder is performing wedding ceremonies. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 37 Irvine couple Xiakuan Qian, left, and Qingyun Zhu, get married in a parking lot at the Honda Center in Anaheim. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 37 UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers wave as about 25 Orange County first-responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as healthcare staff battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 37 UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers bang on the windows as they watch about 25 Orange County first-responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as they battle COVID-19 at the hospital, which currently has eight patients with the virus. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 37 Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 37 MaryAnn Lawson collects prayer requests from people gathering in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship in an Easter service by Rev. Robert A. Schuller. Schuller is reviving a practice that launched his father to worldwide acclaim -- the drive-in ministry. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 37 Security guard Carlos Reyes wears a protective mask and gloves while patrolling the nearly empty Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center amid coronavirus physical distancing restrictions in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 37 Charlton Paul, 31, and his soon-to-be wife, Heather Paul, 32, arrive at the Honda Center where the County of Orange Clerk-Recorder set up three booths for marriage licenses and weddings in Anaheim. (Raul Roa/Times Community News) 23 / 37 Paul Jones, left, wears a custom-made face mask as does his bride, Annamarie Sucher-Jones, during their wedding in a parking lot at the Honda Center where the County of Orange Clerk-Recorder set up three booths for marriage licenses and weddings in Anaheim. (Raul Roa/Times Community News) 24 / 37 Kayakers, boaters and a paddle boarder observe coronavirus social distancing rules while exercising and gliding through Huntington Harbor on the first warm day in weeks with a view of recently snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 37 UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers react as an Anaheim police officer joins about 25 Orange County first-responder vehicles participating in a drive-by parade of gratitude as healthcare staff battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 37 Ashley Amon, and her daughters, Alysha, 2, and Alexandria, 4, who are currently homeless, attend a gathering with fellow worshipers in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship in an Easter service by Rev. Robert A. Schuller. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 37 An aerial view of the closed San Clemente pier and beach. Officials said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Marine Safety, Code Enforcement and Park Rangers will increase monitoring and people who do not comply could be cited. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 28 / 37 A couple takes in a sunset together near the San Clemente pier after San Clemente closed its beaches to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 29 / 37 Kristen Edgerle of Victorville collects information from a blood donor before drawing blood at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library blood drive during the coronavirus pandemic in Yorba Linda. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 37 Protest organizer Elizabeth Coe, waves the American flag out of her sun roof and Laguna Woods resident Debbie Bloom, 67, left, parades her sign while joining mostly Laguna Woods seniors protesting after learning nearby Ayres Hotel will be used to treat homeless COVID-19 patients in Laguna Woods. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 37 Kylie Wortham, who was laid off when her entire company was closed due to coronavirus restrictions, relaxes with a book in a hammock overlooking the beach in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 32 / 37 A social distancing sign alerts visitors to keep their distance from other people on the mostly empty board walk in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 33 / 37 Jose Secundino, center, joins fellow recently hired Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County temporary employees, who have been laid off from restaurant jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, as they pack boxes of food for the needy. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 37 Daniel Guzman, right, an unemployed pool supervisor from Garden Grove, sits alone in the mostly closed and normally crowded Pacific City shopping mall in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 35 / 37 Jessica Estebane, a temporarily unemployed restaurant worker from Huntington Beach, rests from her jog in front of closed Huntington Surf & Sport. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 36 / 37 Laguna Beach closes all city beaches and their adjacent parks. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 37 Laguna Beach has closed all city beaches and their adjacent parks (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
In Lansing, Mich., demonstrators took to the streets, snarling traffic as part of an “Operation Gridlock” rally. Though Michigan has reported more than 1,760 deaths — third-most in the U.S. — the protesters contend Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, went too far in extending a stay-at-home order that, among other things, shuttered indoor restaurants and placed limits on people allowed to work outside the home.
In Huntington Beach on Friday, protesters were quick to point out that California has not seen the same level of deaths as New York, which was slower to impose social distancing. Doyle said the relatively low number of deaths statewide should not have led to “drastic measures.”
She saw little difference between COVID-19 and the flu (the death rate is actually significantly higher for COVID-19) and credited much of her information to conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham.
“We need to get back to normal ASAP,” said Doyle, adding she’s sent “crazy letters” to the governor explaining as much.
During the protest, police occasionally warned gatherers to clear the streets to allow vehicles to pass.
Benny White, a 33-year-old Compton resident dressed in a faux white hazmat suit complete with goggles and a Trump 2020 hat, bounced around from corner to corner, often drawing a sizable crowd. The suit had hand-written Sharpie messages that included the name of an extreme right-wing website and “China Lied People Died.”
White accused China of “constantly attacking our president.” White was also angry about social-distancing guidelines and hugged other protesters.
“It’s not dangerous out here. It’s not,” White said. “I’ve seen plenty of people out here. The beaches are open. It’s a nice beautiful day. What are we doing? Stop being a germophobe.”
Anaheim resident Bryan Hunt kept a close eye on officers from the Huntington Beach Police Department.
The 57-year-old said he was a member of the 31st Field Force Light Foot California State Militia.
“I’m here for one purpose and that is to ensure that the police don’t start beating on citizens,” Hunt said. “I have a cameraman here taking photos and documenting everything. If they step out of line, we’ll get them.”


latimes--2020-04-17--Orange County's coronavirus death toll hits 28 as overall cases passes 1,500

For a third straight day , health officials have confirmed three additional coronavirus-related deaths in Orange County — bringing the region ’ s total toll to 28 .
The Orange County Health Care Agency also announced 77 more COVID-19 cases Friday , for a new cumulative total of 1,501 .
The mortality rate associated with COVID-19 in the county is now roughly 1.8 % .
Of those who have died , 15 were at least 65 years old ; 10 were ages 45 to 64 ; two were in the 25-34 age range , and the other in the 35-44 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latest update continued a reversal from earlier this week , when the county added only 28 new cases combined on Monday and Tuesday — the lowest two-day total in three weeks .
By comparison , the county has confirmed 214 additional coronavirus infections in the last three days .
Officials have emphasized that the long-term trend is more important than daily data points , and have expressed hope based on how things are taking shape in the county .
“ Overall , our trend has been headed in the right direction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said earlier this week .
“ I am cautiously optimistic in Orange County.
” Of those confirmed to have COVID-19 , most — roughly 59 % — are at least 45 years old , county figures show .
The county also continues to see a relatively steady number of hospitalizations related to the coronavirus outbreak — though those daily figures vary depending on how many hospitals report their data .
As of Friday , 129 people were hospitalized , and 48 of them were in intensive care .
“ Despite the fluctuation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the number of those hospitalized with COVID-19 remains comparatively low ... and we are seeing a stabilization of the number of cases in this area , ” Michelle Steel , chairwoman of the county Board of Supervisors , said Thursday .
To date , 16,371 people have been tested for coronavirus infection countywide , including 429 since Thursday .
Of those who have been tested , nearly 9.2 % have been positive for COVID-19 .

For a third straight day, health officials have confirmed three additional coronavirus-related deaths in Orange County — bringing the region’s total toll to 28.
The Orange County Health Care Agency also announced 77 more COVID-19 cases Friday, for a new cumulative total of 1,501.
The mortality rate associated with COVID-19 in the county is now roughly 1.8%. Of those who have died, 15 were at least 65 years old; 10 were ages 45 to 64; two were in the 25-34 age range, and the other in the 35-44 range, according to the county.
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The latest update continued a reversal from earlier this week, when the county added only 28 new cases combined on Monday and Tuesday — the lowest two-day total in three weeks.
By comparison, the county has confirmed 214 additional coronavirus infections in the last three days.
Officials have emphasized that the long-term trend is more important than daily data points, and have expressed hope based on how things are taking shape in the county.
“Overall, our trend has been headed in the right direction,” County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick said earlier this week. “I am cautiously optimistic in Orange County.”
Of those confirmed to have COVID-19, most — roughly 59% — are at least 45 years old, county figures show.
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California Coronavirus updates: California will ‘do the right thing’ on restrictions, Newsom says The Los Angeles Times will provide around-the-clock updates on COVID-19 from across Southern California and around the world.Tracking the coronavirus in California: latest numbers | Support our journalism with a subscriptionHave a question about coronavirus? Send us your questions here. | You also can sign up for our newsletterSee latest photo galleryCoronavirus updates for April 16 are here
The county also continues to see a relatively steady number of hospitalizations related to the coronavirus outbreak — though those daily figures vary depending on how many hospitals report their data.
As of Friday, 129 people were hospitalized, and 48 of them were in intensive care.
“Despite the fluctuation of cases we have seen in Orange County, the number of those hospitalized with COVID-19 remains comparatively low ... and we are seeing a stabilization of the number of cases in this area,” Michelle Steel, chairwoman of the county Board of Supervisors, said Thursday.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
To date, 16,371 people have been tested for coronavirus infection countywide, including 429 since Thursday.
Of those who have been tested, nearly 9.2% have been positive for COVID-19.


latimes--2020-04-17--Grim toll at California nursing homes: 3,500 infected with coronavirus, Newsom says

More than 3,500 people who live or work in one of California ’ s nursing homes have tested positive for coronavirus , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said on Friday .
Newsom said that figure , gleaned from tests conducted in the 400 facilities across the state , should serve as a reminder of the need for maintaining the statewide rules on physical distancing and staying at home .
“ Our seniors , the people that literally raised us , built this middle class , ” Newsom said .
“ These are folks that are still most at risk.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a nursing facility in Tulare County , where he said 157 of the 167 people — either residents or employees — tested positive .
“ I just can not impress upon folks more : This knows no geography , it knows certainly no party , it knows no region , ” Newsom said of the coronavirus .
“ This is impacting all of us across the state.
” Institutional settings such as nursing homes have been major hot spots for the virus in Los Angeles County .
Roughly 30 % of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Beach , that number is more than 70 % .
All of Pasadena ’ s 16 fatalities have been associated with long-term care facilities .
Nursing homes have been a crisis point elsewhere .
San Francisco Bay Area prosecutors have opened an investigation into the Gateway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hayward , where 13 people have died .
Forty-one residents and 26 staff members there have tested positive .
California reached a grim new milestone Friday in the fight against the coronavirus , as the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more deaths Friday and 567 new cases , for a total of 495 deaths and 11,391 cases .
The rising tolls comes even as the growth of coronavirus cases appears to be slowing in the state .
Officials have cautiously credited strict stay-at-home orders for the deceleration but say the trend could reverse if the restrictions are lifted too soon .

A worker pushes a resident in a wheelchair out of the Beachwood Post-Acute & Rehab center in Santa Monica on Monday. Beachwood has been cited for poor infection control the last three years.
More than 3,500 people who live or work in one of California’s nursing homes have tested positive for coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said on Friday.
Newsom said that figure, gleaned from tests conducted in the 400 facilities across the state, should serve as a reminder of the need for maintaining the statewide rules on physical distancing and staying at home.
“Our seniors, the people that literally raised us, built this middle class,” Newsom said. “These are folks that are still most at risk.”
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The governor pointed in particular to the results from a nursing facility in Tulare County, where he said 157 of the 167 people — either residents or employees — tested positive.
“I just cannot impress upon folks more: This knows no geography, it knows certainly no party, it knows no region,” Newsom said of the coronavirus. “This is impacting all of us across the state.”
Institutional settings such as nursing homes have been major hot spots for the virus in Los Angeles County. Roughly 30% of the deaths in the County have occurred in nursing homes . In Long Beach, that number is more than 70%. All of Pasadena’s 16 fatalities have been associated with long-term care facilities.
Nursing homes have been a crisis point elsewhere. San Francisco Bay Area prosecutors have opened an investigation into the Gateway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hayward, where 13 people have died. Forty-one residents and 26 staff members there have tested positive.
California reached a grim new milestone Friday in the fight against the coronavirus, as the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 reached 1,000.
L.A. County reported 40 more deaths Friday and 567 new cases, for a total of 495 deaths and 11,391 cases.


latimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus plunges California into 'pandemic-induced recession' amid huge job losses, Newsom says

Gov .
Gavin Newsom tapped former governors , Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook , Disney Chairman Bob Iger and other business executives and politicians on Friday to guide the state ’ s economic recovery from the coronavirus outbreak as unemployment climbed and millions of Californians sought financial support .
The governor said his chief of staff , Ann O ’ Leary , and billionaire climate activist and former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer would head the new Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery and develop recommendations for the government and companies to improve the economy , create jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are now in a pandemic-induced recession in the state of California , ” Newsom said .
“ These are sobering and challenging times.
” Newsom appointed the task force shortly after the state announced that California ’ s unemployment rate had increased to 5.3 % in March , up from 3.9 % one month earlier .
The governor said 3.1 million Californians had filed for unemployment benefits over the last month , surpassing the total number of claims in all of 2008 at the start of the Great Recession .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to curb the coronavirus have been deeply felt in Los Angeles County .
Less than half of the county ’ s residents still hold a job — 45 % compared with 61 % in mid-March , according to a study released Friday by USC Dornsife Center .
Newsom has acknowledged this week the dire economic consequences of his efforts to prevent mass COVID-19 infections and unveiled a set of criteria that the state intends to meet before gradually easing the restrictions and allowing businesses to reopen .
With a massive influx of Californians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the state ’ s unemployment insurance claim process and difficulty connecting with the Employment Development Department ’ s help hotline .
The state moved this week to expand hours at that call center , which handles unemployment insurance claims , and to expedite benefits to independent contractors in response to .
Newsom also announced a $ 125-million relief effort on Wednesday to help roughly 150,000 Californians without legal immigration status .
State Labor Secretary Julie Su said EDD was launching a new online portal over the next two weeks to allow independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to file for benefits .
Newsom said Friday that former California Govs .
Jerry Brown , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Gray Davis and Pete Wilson will be among the 80-member group who will advise on the state ’ s path forward .
The list of task force members includes a number of business and organized labor leaders and former government officials , including Janet Yellen , who served four years as chair of the Federal Reserve .
Patrick Soon-Shiong , the owner of The Times and its parent company , is also on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come up with a recovery plan , ” Steyer said , “ that is worthy of California ’ s past and pushes us to the better future and remedies some of the injustices , which this COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in our society .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom tapped former governors, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, Disney Chairman Bob Iger and other business executives and politicians on Friday to guide the state’s economic recovery from the coronavirus outbreak as unemployment climbed and millions of Californians sought financial support.
The governor said his chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, and billionaire climate activist and former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer would head the new Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery and develop recommendations for the government and companies to improve the economy, create jobs and help Californians get back on their feet.
“We are now in a pandemic-induced recession in the state of California,” Newsom said. “These are sobering and challenging times.”
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Newsom appointed the task force shortly after the state announced that California’s unemployment rate had increased to 5.3% in March, up from 3.9% one month earlier. The governor said 3.1 million Californians had filed for unemployment benefits over the last month, surpassing the total number of claims in all of 2008 at the start of the Great Recession.
The toll of business closures and restrictions to curb the coronavirus have been deeply felt in Los Angeles County. Less than half of the county’s residents still hold a job — 45% compared with 61% in mid-March, according to a study released Friday by USC Dornsife Center.
Newsom has acknowledged this week the dire economic consequences of his efforts to prevent mass COVID-19 infections and unveiled a set of criteria that the state intends to meet before gradually easing the restrictions and allowing businesses to reopen.
With a massive influx of Californians seeking financial support, many have complained about the state’s unemployment insurance claim process and difficulty connecting with the Employment Development Department’s help hotline.
The state moved this week to expand hours at that call center, which handles unemployment insurance claims, and to expedite benefits to independent contractors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Newsom also announced a $125-million relief effort on Wednesday to help roughly 150,000 Californians without legal immigration status.
State Labor Secretary Julie Su said EDD was launching a new online portal over the next two weeks to allow independent contractors, gig workers and the self-employed to file for benefits.
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Newsom said Friday that former California Govs. Jerry Brown, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Gray Davis and Pete Wilson will be among the 80-member group who will advise on the state’s path forward.
The list of task force members includes a number of business and organized labor leaders and former government officials, including Janet Yellen, who served four years as chair of the Federal Reserve. Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of The Times and its parent company, is also on the task force.
“We will try to come up with a recovery plan,” Steyer said, “that is worthy of California’s past and pushes us to the better future and remedies some of the injustices, which this COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in our society.”


latimes--2020-04-17--Here is the latest list of Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Orange County reached 1,501 Friday , as health officials confirmed 77 new cases @ @ @ @ @ also announced three additional deaths linked to the coronavirus — the third-straight day that that @ @ @ @ @ according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
The county ’ s death toll @ @ @ @ @ its observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 is roughly 1.8 % .
Countywide , 129 @ @ @ @ @ , 48 of them in intensive care .
The county ’ s four-largest cities — @ @ @ @ @ Huntington Beach and Irvine — all each now have had at least 103 confirmed COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s 58 counties that have confirmed COVID-19 cases , Orange County has the @ @ @ @ @ The “ other ” category includes unincorporated areas .
Daily updates are preliminary and subject @ @ @ @ @ receives new information .

Medical personnel from St. Jude Medical Center gather on the sidewalk Thursday as firefighters and other first responders from Fullerton and Brea join together in a show of support.
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Orange County reached 1,501 Friday, as health officials confirmed 77 new cases in the region.
Officials also announced three additional deaths linked to the coronavirus — the third-straight day that that many people have died, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
The county’s death toll is now 28, and its observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 is roughly 1.8%.
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Countywide, 129 coronavirus patients are currently hospitalized, 48 of them in intensive care.
The county’s four-largest cities — Anaheim, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Irvine — all each now have had at least 103 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Among 53 of California’s 58 counties that have confirmed COVID-19 cases, Orange County has the fifth highest.
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 27
18-24 — 118
25-34 — 248
35-44 — 219
45-64 — 589
65+ — 300
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 1
45-64 — 10
65+ — 15
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 15
Anaheim — 178
Brea — 16
Buena Park — 53
Costa Mesa — 29
Coto de Caza — 5
Cypress — 35
Dana Point — 16
Fountain Valley — 24
Fullerton — 48
Garden Grove — 53
Huntington Beach — 103
Irvine — 111
La Habra — 33
La Palma — 12
Ladera Ranch — 9
Laguna Beach — 36
Laguna Hills — 14
Laguna Niguel — 31
Laguna Woods — 7
Lake Forest — 25
Los Alamitos — 6
Mission Viejo — 37
Newport Beach — 90
Orange — 59
Placentia — 32
Rancho Mission Viejo — 5
Rancho Santa Margarita — 13
San Clemente — 43
San Juan Capistrano — 22
Santa Ana — 149
Seal Beach — 9
Stanton — 8
Trabuco Canyon — 9
Tustin — 31
Villa Park — 6
Westminster — 24
Yorba Linda — 42
Other — 6
Unknown — 57
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-04-17--Coronavirus outbreak at Safeway distribution center: One worker dead, 51 infected

One worker at a Central Valley Safeway distribution center has died of complications related to the coronavirus , and 51 others have been infected , officials said this week .
Andrew Whelan — a spokesman for Albertsons Cos. , which owns Safeway — said 3 % of the roughly 1,700 workers at the Tracy facility in San Joaquin County had tested positive for the virus , and additional health and safety measures are now in place .
The center provides groceries to about 300 stores throughout Northern California , Nevada and Hawaii .
“ We continue to reinforce with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most effective tool we have to combat the spread of COVID-19 , ” Whelan said in a statement Friday .
“ We have also closed all common areas in addition to encouraging associates to take lunches and breaks by themselves.
” Teamsters Local 439 , which represents workers at the Safeway facility , said the worker who died was a longtime employee named Pedro Zuniga .
Jose Valencia , Zuniga ’ s son , told the Modesto Bee that his father lived in Turlock and was 52 years old .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soccer fan who also loved to cook .
“ I hope people take this seriously , ” Valencia told the newspaper .
“ I was one of those that , you know , [ thought ] it doesn ’ t happen .
It just happened to other people .
And it happened to our family.
” Zuniga ’ s family has set up an online fundraising page to help cover funeral expenses .
As of Friday morning , it had raised more than $ 26,000 — nearly doubling the $ 15,000 goal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ our thoughts are with that associate ’ s family , ” Whelan said .
“ This is difficult for the entire Safeway team.
” At the Safeway facility , the first positive test for the virus came two or three weeks ago , said Rome Aloise , the Teamsters West Region International vice president .
“ People work in close quarters in these warehouses , and we ’ re not sure at the beginning people were taking the proper precautions , ” he said .
“ We are sure they didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added , referring to personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves .
When the pandemic began , Safeway was first grocery chain offering wipes and hand sanitizer to workers , Aloise said .
Whelan said enhanced health measures were now in place at the distribution center , including thermal temperature readings and a health screening before anyone enters the building .
Masks are also to be worn by all associates , he said .
The facility also has adjusted lunch and break times to maintain social distancing , placed distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed some break-room furniture , installed additional hand sanitizer stations , and implemented an enhanced cleaning and disinfection schedule .
Whelan noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had said there was no evidence to suggest that food produced in the U.S. could transmit COVID-19 and that , currently , “ there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.
” “ We deeply appreciate all that our associates are doing during this unprecedented time , and will continue to do all we can to ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential services to the community , ” Whelan said .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom mentioned the outbreak Thursday during a news conference where he also announced he had signed an executive order affecting companies in the food sector .
The order requires those that employ 500 or more people to provide two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave for full-time workers who contract COVID-19 or are exposed to the virus and need to isolate themselves .
“ We have an example in San Joaquin Valley right now at a very large food distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one individual has passed away , in a facility that has over 1,700 workers , ” he said .
“ It just reinforces the anxiety people have that may not have basic care , basic sick leave .
So this is supplemental , it does not negate any existing benefits that are afforded.
” There have been 369 confirmed coronavirus infections and 17 deaths in San Joaquin County since the pandemic began , according to health officials .
In Stanislaus County — where Turlock is located — health officials have announced 187 COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer Taryn Luna and the Associated Press contributed to this report .

One worker at a Central Valley Safeway distribution center has died of complications related to the coronavirus, and 51 others have been infected, officials said this week.
Andrew Whelan — a spokesman for Albertsons Cos., which owns Safeway — said 3% of the roughly 1,700 workers at the Tracy facility in San Joaquin County had tested positive for the virus, and additional health and safety measures are now in place.
The center provides groceries to about 300 stores throughout Northern California, Nevada and Hawaii.
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“We continue to reinforce with all associates the importance of social distancing as the most effective tool we have to combat the spread of COVID-19,” Whelan said in a statement Friday. “We have also closed all common areas in addition to encouraging associates to take lunches and breaks by themselves.”
California Coronavirus updates: California will ‘do the right thing’ on restrictions, Newsom says The Los Angeles Times will provide around-the-clock updates on COVID-19 from across Southern California and around the world.Tracking the coronavirus in California: latest numbers | Support our journalism with a subscriptionHave a question about coronavirus? Send us your questions here. | You also can sign up for our newsletterSee latest photo galleryCoronavirus updates for April 16 are here
Teamsters Local 439, which represents workers at the Safeway facility, said the worker who died was a longtime employee named Pedro Zuniga.
Jose Valencia, Zuniga’s son, told the Modesto Bee that his father lived in Turlock and was 52 years old.
He said Zuniga was a devout Catholic and passionate soccer fan who also loved to cook.
“I hope people take this seriously,” Valencia told the newspaper. “I was one of those that, you know, [thought] it doesn’t happen. It just happened to other people. And it happened to our family.”
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Zuniga’s family has set up an online fundraising page to help cover funeral expenses. As of Friday morning, it had raised more than $26,000 — nearly doubling the $15,000 goal.
“Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts are with that associate’s family,” Whelan said. “This is difficult for the entire Safeway team.”
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
At the Safeway facility, the first positive test for the virus came two or three weeks ago, said Rome Aloise, the Teamsters West Region International vice president.
“People work in close quarters in these warehouses, and we’re not sure at the beginning people were taking the proper precautions,” he said. “We are sure they didn’t have the proper PPE for everybody,” he added, referring to personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves.
When the pandemic began, Safeway was first grocery chain offering wipes and hand sanitizer to workers, Aloise said.
Whelan said enhanced health measures were now in place at the distribution center, including thermal temperature readings and a health screening before anyone enters the building.
Masks are also to be worn by all associates, he said. The facility also has adjusted lunch and break times to maintain social distancing, placed distancing signs and markers near time clocks, removed some break-room furniture, installed additional hand sanitizer stations, and implemented an enhanced cleaning and disinfection schedule.
Whelan noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had said there was no evidence to suggest that food produced in the U.S. could transmit COVID-19 and that, currently, “there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.”
“We deeply appreciate all that our associates are doing during this unprecedented time, and will continue to do all we can to ensure their health and safety while also providing essential services to the community,” Whelan said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned the outbreak Thursday during a news conference where he also announced he had signed an executive order affecting companies in the food sector. The order requires those that employ 500 or more people to provide two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave for full-time workers who contract COVID-19 or are exposed to the virus and need to isolate themselves.
California California food workers will get extra paid sick leave amid coronavirus crisis Food sector companies in California that employ 500 or more workers will be required to offer two weeks of additional paid sick leave to workers during the coronavirus crisis under an executive order signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“We have an example in San Joaquin Valley right now at a very large food distribution center where we have 51 positives, one individual has passed away, in a facility that has over 1,700 workers,” he said. “It just reinforces the anxiety people have that may not have basic care, basic sick leave. So this is supplemental, it does not negate any existing benefits that are afforded.”
There have been 369 confirmed coronavirus infections and 17 deaths in San Joaquin County since the pandemic began, according to health officials. In Stanislaus County — where Turlock is located — health officials have announced 187 COVID-19 cases and four deaths.
Times staff writer Taryn Luna and the Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-17--'Porch pirate' burglars prey on homes getting deliveries amid coronavirus crisis

Thieves are exploiting new workplace rules that have resulted in delivery drivers to avoid opening gates , knobs and latches in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus , police say .
While crime is down dramatically across Los Angeles , police say some “ porch pirates ” are taking advantage of the increasing prevalence of home deliveries as residents find new ways to conduct business during the pandemic .
LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Arcos said that , while overall thefts are down because more residents are adhering to the state ’ s stay-at-home orders , package thefts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theft in the Melrose district last week , LAPD detectives learned from delivery drivers that they have been instructed not to touch doorknobs , gate latches or other surfaces that may be touched often by others .
As a result , detectives say , an increasing number of packages , rather than being placed inside gates or doors , are being left near the sidewalk or in other exposed and visible locations , which makes it much easier for them to be stolen .
Police therefore are encouraging delivery drivers , many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be aware of their surroundings .
Authorities suggest that if drivers think they are being followed , they should divert their route and notify police .
The LAPD captured on video last week an SUV that appeared to be following a delivery truck in the Melrose area .
In the video , the male driver of the SUV is seen stepping out of his vehicle , walking across the street and snatching a parcel off a pathway moments after it was left there by the delivery driver .
Police described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 feet 10 and weighing 200-220 pounds .
He was driving a late-'90 model Mercury Mountaineer .
Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle should call Det .
Edward Griffin at ( 213 ) 922-8251 .
During nonbusiness hours , or on weekends , theft calls should be made to ( 877 ) 527-3247 .
Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit a report to L.A .
Regional Crime Stoppers at ( 800 ) 222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org .
Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “ Anonymous Web Tips ” under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Thieves are exploiting new workplace rules that have resulted in delivery drivers to avoid opening gates, knobs and latches in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, police say.
While crime is down dramatically across Los Angeles, police say some “porch pirates” are taking advantage of the increasing prevalence of home deliveries as residents find new ways to conduct business during the pandemic.
LAPD Assistant Chief Robert Arcos said that, while overall thefts are down because more residents are adhering to the state’s stay-at-home orders, package thefts are still occurring.
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While investigating a theft in the Melrose district last week, LAPD detectives learned from delivery drivers that they have been instructed not to touch doorknobs, gate latches or other surfaces that may be touched often by others. As a result, detectives say, an increasing number of packages, rather than being placed inside gates or doors, are being left near the sidewalk or in other exposed and visible locations, which makes it much easier for them to be stolen.
Police therefore are encouraging delivery drivers, many of whom are wearing masks and gloves themselves, to be aware of their surroundings. Authorities suggest that if drivers think they are being followed, they should divert their route and notify police.
The LAPD captured on video last week an SUV that appeared to be following a delivery truck in the Melrose area. In the video, the male driver of the SUV is seen stepping out of his vehicle, walking across the street and snatching a parcel off a pathway moments after it was left there by the delivery driver.
Police described the man as 30-40 years old, about 5 feet 10 and weighing 200-220 pounds. He was driving a late-’90 model Mercury Mountaineer.
Business Coronavirus strikes at Amazon’s operational heart: its delivery machine Amazon is providing what some would say is an essential service to shoppers who would rather not brave their local supermarket or big-box store. But keeping operations going risks the health of the lowest-paid members of Amazon’s workforce.
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Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle should call Det. Edward Griffin at (213) 922-8251. During nonbusiness hours, or on weekends, theft calls should be made to (877) 527-3247. Those wishing to remain anonymous can submit a report to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or lacrimestoppers.org.
Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu.


latimes--2020-04-17--San Diego Comic-Con 2020 is officially canceled due to coronavirus

San Diego Comic-Con 2020 has been canceled for the first time in the event ’ s 50-year history .
Comic-Con International announced Friday that its annual pop-culture convention will not be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The event , which draws more than 135,000 attendees in and around the San Diego Convention Center each year , will return July 22-25 , 2021 .
Comic-Con had been holding off on its decision in hopes the situation around COVID-19 would improve by summer .
But with California officials indicating the state ’ s restriction on large gatherings will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were that an event like San Diego Comic-Con would not be able to proceed .
“ Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action , we know it is the right decision , ” said CCI spokesperson David Glanzer in a statement .
“ We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.
” Attendees who had purchased badges for SDCC 2020 will receive an email with instructions on how to request a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
Those who had already made hotel reservations through Comic-Con ’ s official affiliate , onPeak , will have their deposits refunded automatically .
CCI also announced that WonderCon Anaheim , which had previously been postponed , will return to the Anaheim Convention Center March 26-28 , 2021 .

San Diego Comic-Con 2020 has been canceled for the first time in the event’s 50-year history.
Comic-Con International announced Friday that its annual pop-culture convention will not be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event, which draws more than 135,000 attendees in and around the San Diego Convention Center each year, will return July 22-25, 2021.
Comic-Con had been holding off on its decision in hopes the situation around COVID-19 would improve by summer. But with California officials indicating the state’s restriction on large gatherings will continue into the summer months, expectations were that an event like San Diego Comic-Con would not be able to proceed.
“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” said CCI spokesperson David Glanzer in a statement. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”
Attendees who had purchased badges for SDCC 2020 will receive an email with instructions on how to request a refund or transfer their badges to Comic-Con 2021. Those who had already made hotel reservations through Comic-Con’s official affiliate, onPeak, will have their deposits refunded automatically.
CCI also announced that WonderCon Anaheim, which had previously been postponed, will return to the Anaheim Convention Center March 26-28, 2021.