latimes--2020-06-11--Chinese military officer and researcher arrested at LAX is charged with visa fraud

Documents filed Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California say a scientific researcher and officer in the People ’ s Republic of China Liberation Army was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport as he tried to return to China .
He is being charged with visa fraud .
Attorney David L. Anderson and FBI Special Agent John F. Bennett said in a criminal complaint unsealed this week that Xin Wang allegedly made fraudulent statements on a J1 non-immigrant visa application issued to him on Dec. 17 , 2018 .
If convicted , Wang faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a fine of $ 250,000 .
The U.S. State Department issues J1 non-immigrant visas for work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs .
According to court documents , Wang indicated his purpose in visiting the United States on March 26 , 2019 , was to “ conduct research at the University of California , San Francisco.
” He noted in the application he had served 14 years as an associate professor in medicine in the Chinese army , known as the People ’ s Liberation Army , or PLA .
His tenure was supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wang had intended to board a flight Sunday from LAX to Tianjin , China , when he was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel at the airport .
It was during this interview , according to court documents , that Wang stated he was a “ Level 9 ” technician with the PLA and received a stipend while he was also provided a scholarship from the China Scholarship Council .
The district court statement equated the Level 9 status to the U.S. rank of major .
Court documents also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made false statements about his military service in his visa application in order to increase the likelihood that he would receive his J1 visa.
” The district court statement added that Wang told customs agents he was ordered by Chinese military personnel to “ observe the layout of the UCSF lab and bring back information on how to replicate it in China.
” Wang initially appeared in court in Los Angeles on Monday and is set to return Friday for a detention hearing .

Documents filed Thursday by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California say a scientific researcher and officer in the People’s Republic of China Liberation Army was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport as he tried to return to China. He is being charged with visa fraud.
Attorney David L. Anderson and FBI Special Agent John F. Bennett said in a criminal complaint unsealed this week that Xin Wang allegedly made fraudulent statements on a J1 non-immigrant visa application issued to him on Dec. 17, 2018.
If convicted, Wang faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
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The U.S. State Department issues J1 non-immigrant visas for work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs.
According to court documents, Wang indicated his purpose in visiting the United States on March 26, 2019, was to “conduct research at the University of California, San Francisco.”
He noted in the application he had served 14 years as an associate professor in medicine in the Chinese army, known as the People’s Liberation Army, or PLA. His tenure was supposed to have ended Sept. 1, 2016.
Wang had intended to board a flight Sunday from LAX to Tianjin, China, when he was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel at the airport.
It was during this interview, according to court documents, that Wang stated he was a “Level 9” technician with the PLA and received a stipend while he was also provided a scholarship from the China Scholarship Council.
The district court statement equated the Level 9 status to the U.S. rank of major.
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Court documents also say that “Wang stated he intentionally made false statements about his military service in his visa application in order to increase the likelihood that he would receive his J1 visa.”
The district court statement added that Wang told customs agents he was ordered by Chinese military personnel to “observe the layout of the UCSF lab and bring back information on how to replicate it in China.”
Customs agents confiscated studies from Wang from UC San Francisco.
Wang initially appeared in court in Los Angeles on Monday and is set to return Friday for a detention hearing.


latimes--2020-06-11--Unusually warm May contributes to expanding drought in the West

The Western drought has continued to expand and intensify , according to U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday .
Wet late-spring weather resulted in a slight decrease in the area deemed to be in extreme drought in Northern California .
Severe drought receded a little in parts of northeastern Utah and southwestern Washington .
Unseasonably heavy precipitation , including high-elevation snow , fell in northeastern Utah , the Drought Monitor reported .
But conditions worsened east of the Cascades , and abnormal dryness spread into southeastern Arizona .
Drought developed and intensified in northern and eastern New Mexico .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that May 2020 was the fifth-warmest May on record .
This probably exacerbated the dryness and contributed to a number of wildfires , according to the Drought Monitor ’ s summary .
A ridge of high pressure over Alaska and the West Coast in the first half of May drove the warm temperatures in the West .
Above-average temperatures extended from the Pacific Northwest to Texas and across parts of Florida .
During the same period , parts of the East were unseasonably cold .
Persistent drought and warm temperatures in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early fire season in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest .
May 2020 was the fourth-warmest May on record in Alaska , according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
Average ice extent during May on the Bering Sea was the highest since 2013 but was only 71 % of the 1981-2010 average .
Cooler weather is expected to return to Southern California in the next few days after a spate of heat and what the National Weather Service called an unusual late-season Santa Ana condition .
Temperatures may dip below average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern California .
But as UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain points out , there are already hints of the next big heatwave on the horizon for the last 10 days of June .
Whereas the recent bout of heat primarily affected Central and Southern California , the broad ridge of high pressure that may be in the offing for late June could encompass the entire West Coast .

The Western drought has continued to expand and intensify, according to U.S. Drought Monitor data released Thursday.
Wet late-spring weather resulted in a slight decrease in the area deemed to be in extreme drought in Northern California.
Severe drought receded a little in parts of northeastern Utah and southwestern Washington. Unseasonably heavy precipitation, including high-elevation snow, fell in northeastern Utah, the Drought Monitor reported.
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But conditions worsened east of the Cascades, and abnormal dryness spread into southeastern Arizona. Drought developed and intensified in northern and eastern New Mexico.
May temperatures in the West were among the warmest on record. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
One factor in the expanding drought is the fact that May 2020 was the fifth-warmest May on record. This probably exacerbated the dryness and contributed to a number of wildfires, according to the Drought Monitor’s summary.
A ridge of high pressure over Alaska and the West Coast in the first half of May drove the warm temperatures in the West. Above-average temperatures extended from the Pacific Northwest to Texas and across parts of Florida. During the same period, parts of the East were unseasonably cold.
Persistent drought and warm temperatures in the West continue to fuel fears of an early fire season in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.
May 2020 was the fourth-warmest May on record in Alaska, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Average ice extent during May on the Bering Sea was the highest since 2013 but was only 71% of the 1981-2010 average.
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Cooler weather is expected to return to Southern California in the next few days after a spate of heat and what the National Weather Service called an unusual late-season Santa Ana condition. Temperatures may dip below average and some mountain showers are possible in Northern California.
But as UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain points out, there are already hints of the next big heatwave on the horizon for the last 10 days of June. Whereas the recent bout of heat primarily affected Central and Southern California, the broad ridge of high pressure that may be in the offing for late June could encompass the entire West Coast.


latimes--2020-06-11--Danny Roman, Mexican Mafia member and South L.A. gang chieftain, is stabbed to death in Corcoran

Danny Roman , a Mexican Mafia member who controlled swaths of South Los Angeles from various prison cells throughout California , was stabbed to death Wednesday at a substance abuse treatment facility in Corcoran , the state prison system said Thursday .
Around 11 a.m. , two inmates — Raul Alvarado and Edward Cisneros — began stabbing Roman in the body and face , according to a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation .
Roman , 64 , was taken to the prison ’ s medical facility and pronounced dead .
Alvarado , 47 , is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Spy , ” according to a source who wasn ’ t authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity .
The source said Alvarado and Cisneros attacked Roman on the facility ’ s yard .
Alvarado is serving a life sentence for murder and has been in state custody since 1994 , according to the corrections department .
Cisneros , 31 , is also serving a life sentence for murder and has been incarcerated since 2013 .
The two men have been placed in segregated housing while the corrections department and the Kings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killing .
Roman had been a state prisoner since 1985 , when he began serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder , the department said .
Roman , known as “ Popeye , ” was the leader of Harpys , a Latino street gang in South Central Los Angeles .
On May 16 , 1988 , three years after entering the state prison system , Roman was inducted into the Mexican Mafia , a Los Angeles police detective wrote in an affidavit seeking court permission to intercept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls .
The Mexican Mafia is a criminal syndicate of about 140 members , most of them incarcerated , which controls virtually every Latino street gang in Southern California .
As a member of the syndicate , authorities said in court documents , Roman was authorized to collect narcotics and extortion proceeds from not just his own gang but a panoply of others in South Los Angeles : 38th Street , 36th Street , Primera Flats , Playboys and East Side Trece , among others .
By 2012 , Roman controlled a territory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street to the east , Western Avenue to the west , Washington Boulevard to the north and Imperial Highway to the south , according to a federal indictment charging 18 Harpys members and associates , including Roman ’ s daughter , Vianna , with racketeering , drug trafficking and various violent crimes .
Prosecutors painted Vianna Roman as her father ’ s surrogate , visiting him at a maximum-security wing in Pelican Bay State Prison and relaying orders to underlings in Los Angeles to extort , assault and kill .
She pleaded guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and firearms offenses and is serving a 15-year sentence at a federal prison in Victorville .
Inside her market on Compton Avenue , Villamar Tortilleria y Carniceria , Vianna Roman met with her father ’ s lieutenants , discussed gangland politics and collected extortion payments , or “ taxes , ” LAPD Det .
Richard Jaramillo wrote in an affidavit seeking a judge ’ s approval to tap her phone .
Gang members called it “ the meat shop.
” On the 25th of every month , Danny Roman ’ s emissaries collected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gangs in South Los Angeles and turned it over at the meat shop , Jaramillo wrote , citing intelligence from turncoats within Roman ’ s organization .
Several informants told law enforcement that people had been “ tortured , assaulted and murdered ” inside the meat shop , the affidavit said .
A particularly rich prize for the Romans , Jaramillo wrote , was the Alameda Swap Meet , at the intersection of Alameda Street and Vernon Avenue in South Los Angeles .
Extorting vendors at the flea market “ generates an extreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jaramillo wrote .
By 2012 , the indictment charging his daughter said , Danny Roman had gained the exclusive right to shake down the swap meet .
An underling drew up a list of resistant vendors , identifying the outstanding extortion payments as “ union dues , ” the indictment said .
Those who didn ’ t pay or contacted the police were evicted from the market or assaulted , according to the indictment .
One Harpys member vowed to kill any vendor who cooperated with law enforcement , it said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who couldn ’ t send money to his prison account without arousing suspicion , used fake names and enlisted girlfriends and wives to kick up his cut , Jaramillo wrote .
Before his daughter ’ s indictment , prison officials seized $ 24,000 from Danny Roman ’ s inmate trust account , suspecting it came from extortion and drug trafficking , the affidavit said .
Prisoners can use money from their accounts to buy items at the commissary , such as snacks and hygiene products , that range in price from 25 cents @ @ @ @ @

Danny Roman, a Mexican Mafia member who controlled swaths of South Los Angeles from various prison cells throughout California, was stabbed to death in state custody Wednesday.
Danny Roman, a Mexican Mafia member who controlled swaths of South Los Angeles from various prison cells throughout California, was stabbed to death Wednesday at a substance abuse treatment facility in Corcoran, the state prison system said Thursday.
Around 11 a.m., two inmates — Raul Alvarado and Edward Cisneros — began stabbing Roman in the body and face, according to a spokesperson for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Roman, 64, was taken to the prison’s medical facility and pronounced dead.
Alvarado, 47, is a Mexican Mafia member from Lennox known as “Spy,” according to a source who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. The source said Alvarado and Cisneros attacked Roman on the facility’s yard.
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Alvarado is serving a life sentence for murder and has been in state custody since 1994, according to the corrections department. Cisneros, 31, is also serving a life sentence for murder and has been incarcerated since 2013. The two men have been placed in segregated housing while the corrections department and the Kings County district attorney investigate Roman’s killing.
Roman had been a state prisoner since 1985, when he began serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, the department said.
Roman, known as “Popeye,” was the leader of Harpys, a Latino street gang in South Central Los Angeles. On May 16, 1988, three years after entering the state prison system, Roman was inducted into the Mexican Mafia, a Los Angeles police detective wrote in an affidavit seeking court permission to intercept Roman’s daughter’s phone calls.
The Mexican Mafia is a criminal syndicate of about 140 members, most of them incarcerated, which controls virtually every Latino street gang in Southern California.
As a member of the syndicate, authorities said in court documents, Roman was authorized to collect narcotics and extortion proceeds from not just his own gang but a panoply of others in South Los Angeles: 38th Street, 36th Street, Primera Flats, Playboys and East Side Trece, among others.
By 2012, Roman controlled a territory in South Los Angeles bordered by Alameda Street to the east, Western Avenue to the west, Washington Boulevard to the north and Imperial Highway to the south, according to a federal indictment charging 18 Harpys members and associates, including Roman’s daughter, Vianna, with racketeering, drug trafficking and various violent crimes.
Prosecutors painted Vianna Roman as her father’s surrogate, visiting him at a maximum-security wing in Pelican Bay State Prison and relaying orders to underlings in Los Angeles to extort, assault and kill. She pleaded guilty in 2014 to racketeering, drug trafficking and firearms offenses and is serving a 15-year sentence at a federal prison in Victorville.
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Inside her market on Compton Avenue, Villamar Tortilleria y Carniceria, Vianna Roman met with her father’s lieutenants, discussed gangland politics and collected extortion payments, or “taxes,” LAPD Det. Richard Jaramillo wrote in an affidavit seeking a judge’s approval to tap her phone.
Gang members called it “the meat shop.” On the 25th of every month, Danny Roman’s emissaries collected $5,000 to $6,000 from 15 gangs in South Los Angeles and turned it over at the meat shop, Jaramillo wrote, citing intelligence from turncoats within Roman’s organization. Several informants told law enforcement that people had been “tortured, assaulted and murdered” inside the meat shop, the affidavit said.
A particularly rich prize for the Romans, Jaramillo wrote, was the Alameda Swap Meet, at the intersection of Alameda Street and Vernon Avenue in South Los Angeles. Extorting vendors at the flea market “generates an extreme amount of revenue for the Mexican Mafia,” Jaramillo wrote.
By 2012, the indictment charging his daughter said, Danny Roman had gained the exclusive right to shake down the swap meet. An underling drew up a list of resistant vendors, identifying the outstanding extortion payments as “union dues,” the indictment said.
Those who didn’t pay or contacted the police were evicted from the market or assaulted, according to the indictment. One Harpys member vowed to kill any vendor who cooperated with law enforcement, it said.
Danny Roman’s underlings, who couldn’t send money to his prison account without arousing suspicion, used fake names and enlisted girlfriends and wives to kick up his cut, Jaramillo wrote.
Before his daughter’s indictment, prison officials seized $24,000 from Danny Roman’s inmate trust account, suspecting it came from extortion and drug trafficking, the affidavit said. Prisoners can use money from their accounts to buy items at the commissary, such as snacks and hygiene products, that range in price from 25 cents to a few dollars.


latimes--2020-06-11--L.A. faces critical coronavirus test: Will reopening more businesses bring serious new outbreaks?

Los Angeles County is facing a critical new test in its battle against the coronavirus .
Officials are taking another major step in reopening the economy as a slew of additional businesses get the green light to begin accepting customers — and anxious health officials wait to see how much these new activities worsen the spread of the highly contagious virus .
On Friday , L.A. County will allow the reopening of gyms ; venues such as museums , zoos and aquariums ; campgrounds ; and hotels for leisure travel .
It will also greenlight the resumption of music , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes as the virus ’ s toll continues to grow .
Officials Thursday reported 50 more deaths and an additional 1,848 cases of the virus .
The county ’ s total infections are more than 68,000 , almost half of the state ’ s case count of more than 143,000 .
The cumulative death toll in L.A. County — 2,818 — represents 57 % of the state ’ s death toll of more than 4,900 , despite the county being home to one-quarter of the state ’ s population .
Officials always in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strictest version of the stay-at-home order was gradually weakened .
The question now is whether the virus will cause the hospitalizations of a moderate number of people that the hospital system can handle , or if it will grow into a surge of severely ill patients , overwhelming intensive-care units .
It ’ s too soon to say what will happen .
Here ’ s a rundown on bits of the bad news and some good news in terms of where L.A. County stands .
There is even more evidence that the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to data released this week .
Before the county began easing stay-at-home requirements last month , the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus was in a good spot : For every one person infected , that person on average infected less than one other person , said Dr. Christina Ghaly , L.A. County ’ s director of health services .
But on Friday , Ghaly disclosed publicly for the first time that the transmission rate is now greater than 1 .
Then , on Wednesday , Ghaly said county scientists are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing .
The county published a chart showing how the effective transmission rate , which was below 1 in April , began ticking upward , rising above 1 by the last week in May .
That means every one person infected with the virus was , by that point , infecting more than one other person , on average .
That increase occurred about two weeks after Mother ’ s Day , and a little more than two weeks after L.A. County allowed many retail stores to open for pickup service .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 in the Los Angeles County area is likely to increase gradually over time , ” Ghaly said Wednesday .
As a result , the computer model used by L.A. County to estimate future demand on hospitals predicts there will be heavier use by coronavirus patients in the next two to four weeks , Ghaly said .
Still , there should be sufficient hospital beds and ventilators to accommodate the increased demand , she said .
But it ’ s possible the county ’ s public and private hospitals could run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two to four weeks , Ghaly said .
At the same time , county health officials have defended their reopening plan .
Authorities are still asking people to stay home as much as possible , but “ there are good reasons why sometimes people need to or want to leave their home , ” Ghaly said .
“ Some people don ’ t have the privilege of being able to telework , and they have to leave their home to work .
Many people wish to lend their voice in the that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she said .
“ The key to controlling the virus does not have to mean remaining at home.
” Businesses allowed to reopen Friday include gyms and fitness facilities , pro-league arenas without audiences , day camps , museums , galleries , zoos , aquariums , campgrounds , outdoor recreational areas and hotels for leisure travel .
There are limits on capacity , stringent cleaning requirements and a mandate that staff wear face coverings at all times .
Additionally , anyone visiting such facilities is advised to practice social distancing and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention has noted , however , that anyone with a breathing problem and children under 2 should not wear face coverings .
At gyms and fitness facilities , employees and customers will be screened for symptoms before entering .
Reservations are encouraged because occupancy will be limited , and group training classes will also be limited in size .
Pools will be allowed to reopen , but saunas , steam rooms and hot tubs will remain closed .
Visitors are required to wear face coverings while entering and exiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them while exercising .
At day camps , employees and staffers will be screened for symptoms via temperature check , and campers are advised to bring their own meals .
Capacity will be limited at museums , galleries , zoos and aquariums , though it is unclear to what degree .
Interactive exhibits will remain closed , and tours can include only members of the same household .
Officials have not permitted gatherings or the mixing of households , because the virus continues to pose danger .
The only exceptions to the ban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services , although there are limits to the number of people who are allowed to attend those gatherings as well .
Visitors to campgrounds , RV parks and outdoor recreation areas are advised to make reservations and to obtain any needed permits online or by phone before their visit .
Staff working in professional sports areas will be required to wear masks and will be screened for symptoms before work .
Athletes will be required to wear masks at all times , except while exercising , and broadcasters should expect different camera placements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotels and short-term rentals , guests will be screened for symptoms and will not be allowed to stay overnight if showing signs of illness .
Reusable materials in rooms , including magazines and menus , will be removed , and rooms will be left vacant for 24 to 72 hours following a guest ’ s departure .
“ In the event of a presumptive case of COVID-19 , the guest ’ s room will be removed from service and quarantined .
In the event of a positive case , the room should only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep cleaning in accordance with [ CDC ] guidelines , ” the county wrote .
Saunas , steam rooms and hot tubs at rental properties and hotels will remain closed .

Robert Hennie works out at a makeshift gym in a closed playground area at De Portola Park in Torrance on April 2. On Friday, L.A. County will allow fitness centers and gyms to reopen.
Los Angeles County is facing a critical new test in its battle against the coronavirus.
Officials are taking another major step in reopening the economy as a slew of additional businesses get the green light to begin accepting customers — and anxious health officials wait to see how much these new activities worsen the spread of the highly contagious virus.
On Friday, L.A. County will allow the reopening of gyms; venues such as museums, zoos and aquariums; campgrounds; and hotels for leisure travel. It will also greenlight the resumption of music, film and TV productions.
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The reopening comes as the virus’s toll continues to grow. Officials Thursday reported 50 more deaths and an additional 1,848 cases of the virus. The county’s total infections are more than 68,000, almost half of the state’s case count of more than 143,000. The cumulative death toll in L.A. County — 2,818 — represents 57% of the state’s death toll of more than 4,900, despite the county being home to one-quarter of the state’s population.
Officials always expected an increase in the number of coronavirus cases as the strictest version of the stay-at-home order was gradually weakened.
The question now is whether the virus will cause the hospitalizations of a moderate number of people that the hospital system can handle, or if it will grow into a surge of severely ill patients, overwhelming intensive-care units.
It’s too soon to say what will happen. Here’s a rundown on bits of the bad news and some good news in terms of where L.A. County stands.
Virus transmission rate is rising
There is even more evidence that the spread of the novel coronavirus is rising, according to data released this week.
Before the county began easing stay-at-home requirements last month, the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus was in a good spot: For every one person infected, that person on average infected less than one other person, said Dr. Christina Ghaly, L.A. County’s director of health services.
But on Friday, Ghaly disclosed publicly for the first time that the transmission rate is now greater than 1.
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Then, on Wednesday, Ghaly said county scientists are now more certain the transmission rate is indeed increasing.
The county published a chart showing how the effective transmission rate, which was below 1 in April, began ticking upward, rising above 1 by the last week in May. That means every one person infected with the virus was, by that point, infecting more than one other person, on average.
The effective transmission rate of the coronavirus rose above 1 in late May, meaning for every 1 person infected by the coronavirus, that person on average infected more than 1 other person. (Los Angeles County Department of Health Services)
That increase occurred about two weeks after Mother’s Day, and a little more than two weeks after L.A. County allowed many retail stores to open for pickup service .
“The model predicts more firmly that the spread of COVID-19 in the Los Angeles County area is likely to increase gradually over time,” Ghaly said Wednesday.
As a result, the computer model used by L.A. County to estimate future demand on hospitals predicts there will be heavier use by coronavirus patients in the next two to four weeks, Ghaly said. Still, there should be sufficient hospital beds and ventilators to accommodate the increased demand, she said.
L.A. County could run short of ICU beds
But it’s possible the county’s public and private hospitals could run out of ICU beds in the next two to four weeks, Ghaly said.
A computer model released on Wednesday by L.A. County scientists projects the possibility the county’s public and private hospitals could run out of intensive care unit beds in the next two to four weeks if the effective transmission rate of the coronavirus continues to rise. (Los Angeles County Department of Health Services )
At the same time, county health officials have defended their reopening plan. Authorities are still asking people to stay home as much as possible, but “there are good reasons why sometimes people need to or want to leave their home,” Ghaly said.
“Some people don’t have the privilege of being able to telework, and they have to leave their home to work. Many people wish to lend their voice in the fight for justice that is going on around all of us,” she said. “The key to controlling the virus does not have to mean remaining at home.”
Business reopenings continue
Businesses allowed to reopen Friday include gyms and fitness facilities, pro-league arenas without audiences, day camps, museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums, campgrounds, outdoor recreational areas and hotels for leisure travel. There are limits on capacity, stringent cleaning requirements and a mandate that staff wear face coverings at all times.
Additionally, anyone visiting such facilities is advised to practice social distancing and to wear face masks. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted, however, that anyone with a breathing problem and children under 2 should not wear face coverings.
At gyms and fitness facilities, employees and customers will be screened for symptoms before entering. Reservations are encouraged because occupancy will be limited, and group training classes will also be limited in size.
Pools will be allowed to reopen, but saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs will remain closed. Visitors are required to wear face coverings while entering and exiting the gym and are advised to wear them while exercising.
At day camps, employees and staffers will be screened for symptoms via temperature check, and campers are advised to bring their own meals.
Capacity will be limited at museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums, though it is unclear to what degree. Interactive exhibits will remain closed, and tours can include only members of the same household. Officials have not permitted gatherings or the mixing of households, because the virus continues to pose danger.
The only exceptions to the ban on gatherings are political protests and religious services, although there are limits to the number of people who are allowed to attend those gatherings as well.
Visitors to campgrounds, RV parks and outdoor recreation areas are advised to make reservations and to obtain any needed permits online or by phone before their visit.
Staff working in professional sports areas will be required to wear masks and will be screened for symptoms before work. Athletes will be required to wear masks at all times, except while exercising, and broadcasters should expect different camera placements that allow for physical distancing.
At hotels and short-term rentals, guests will be screened for symptoms and will not be allowed to stay overnight if showing signs of illness. Reusable materials in rooms, including magazines and menus, will be removed, and rooms will be left vacant for 24 to 72 hours following a guest’s departure.
“In the event of a presumptive case of COVID-19, the guest’s room will be removed from service and quarantined. In the event of a positive case, the room should only be returned to service after undergoing a deep cleaning in accordance with [CDC] guidelines,” the county wrote.
Saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs at rental properties and hotels will remain closed.


latimes--2020-06-11--Gunman dead, 3 officers shot as Paso Robles manhunt comes to violent end

An intense manhunt for a gunman who wounded a San Luis Obispo County sheriff ’ s deputy ended Thursday with an altercation that left three police officers wounded and the suspect dead , authorities said .
Details of how the manhunt ended were not available .
But a law enforcement source told The Times that three officers were seriously hurt during a standoff with the suspect .
Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening , the source said .
The gunman is believed to have killed a Paso Robles resident and seriously wounded a San Luis Obispo County sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Lira , identified by police as the suspect , was spotted at a Paso Robles convenience store about 2 a.m. Thursday , a clerk told KSBY-TV .
The Chevron gas station clerk described the bearded Lira as sweaty , exhausted and muttering to himself , the TV station reported .
Lira , seen on surveillance video wearing jeans and a long-sleeve pullover , didn ’ t do anything threatening , the clerk said , but he “ seemed crazy ” when he purchased an energy drink , according to the TV report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Monterey area , was gone when authorities arrived at the gas station , San Luis Obispo County Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Steve Odom said .
The day before , an early morning shooting at a police station in downtown Paso Robles prompted a massive law enforcement response .
A man began shooting at the Police Department building about 3:45 a.m .
The gunman then fired at sheriff ’ s and California Highway Patrol cruisers as they arrived to assist police , Odom said .
One deputy was shot in the face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified as 28-year-old Nicholas Dreyfus , underwent surgery and is in guarded condition , officials said .
Residents were asked to shelter in place while a search for the shooter got underway .
During the search , detectives found the body of a man who had been shot in the head near the Amtrak station at 8th and Pine streets .
The man , who has not been identified but was described as being in his 50s , was shot at close range , San Luis Obispo County sheriff ’ s spokesman Tony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of run-ins with law enforcement , including an incident in Oregon in August in which a SWAT team boarded a train and took him into custody after he talked about weapons and threatened other passengers .
In Tulare County , he pleaded guilty in 2015 to battery on a peace officer .
He was also accused of trespassing at a school in 2019 and failed to appear in court on that allegation .
In June 2019 , he was accused of providing a false identity to a police officer .
Two sources said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shootings remained unknown but that he struggled with mental health issues in the past .
As police searched for Lira , his father told the Associated Press that his son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia , Asperger ’ s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder .
Jose Lira said that his son had been in and out of jail and treatment centers and that he often thought he was a special agent or a soldier .
Although authorities described the attack on the Paso Robles police station as an ambush , his father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt .
His son lived in “ a fantasy world ” and didn ’ t have “ a beef with the police , ” Joe Lira said .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

An image from a surveillance camera shows the suspected gunman, identified by police as Mason James Lira, in Paso Robles.
An intense manhunt for a gunman who wounded a San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputy ended Thursday with an altercation that left three police officers wounded and the suspect dead, authorities said.
A Reverse 911 shelter in place message was issued for those within a two-mile radius of Volpi Ysabel Rd in Paso Robles due to law enforcement activity. — SLO County Sheriff (@SLOSheriff) June 11, 2020
Details of how the manhunt ended were not available. But a law enforcement source told The Times that three officers were seriously hurt during a standoff with the suspect. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, the source said.
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The gunman is believed to have killed a Paso Robles resident and seriously wounded a San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s deputy on Wednesday.
Mason James Lira, identified by police as the suspect, was spotted at a Paso Robles convenience store about 2 a.m. Thursday, a clerk told KSBY-TV.
The Chevron gas station clerk described the bearded Lira as sweaty, exhausted and muttering to himself, the TV station reported. Lira, seen on surveillance video wearing jeans and a long-sleeve pullover, didn’t do anything threatening, the clerk said, but he “seemed crazy” when he purchased an energy drink, according to the TV report.
Lira, a 26-year-old transient from the Monterey area, was gone when authorities arrived at the gas station, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Odom said.
Mason James Lira is suspected in the shooting of a sheriff’s deputy and the killing of a local man in Paso Robles. (San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office)
The day before, an early morning shooting at a police station in downtown Paso Robles prompted a massive law enforcement response.
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A man began shooting at the Police Department building about 3:45 a.m.
The gunman then fired at sheriff’s and California Highway Patrol cruisers as they arrived to assist police, Odom said. One deputy was shot in the face during the attack.
The deputy, identified as 28-year-old Nicholas Dreyfus, underwent surgery and is in guarded condition, officials said.
The deputy injured in the shooting at the Paso Robles police station was identified as Nicholas Dreyfus, 28. (San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office)
Residents were asked to shelter in place while a search for the shooter got underway.
During the search, detectives found the body of a man who had been shot in the head near the Amtrak station at 8th and Pine streets. The man, who has not been identified but was described as being in his 50s, was shot at close range, San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla said.
Lira had a history of run-ins with law enforcement, including an incident in Oregon in August in which a SWAT team boarded a train and took him into custody after he talked about weapons and threatened other passengers.
In Tulare County, he pleaded guilty in 2015 to battery on a peace officer. He was also accused of trespassing at a school in 2019 and failed to appear in court on that allegation. In June 2019, he was accused of providing a false identity to a police officer.
Two sources said that Lira’s motivation for the shootings remained unknown but that he struggled with mental health issues in the past.
As police searched for Lira, his father told the Associated Press that his son had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, Asperger’s syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Jose Lira said that his son had been in and out of jail and treatment centers and that he often thought he was a special agent or a soldier. Although authorities described the attack on the Paso Robles police station as an ambush, his father believed it might have been a suicide attempt.
His son lived in “a fantasy world” and didn’t have “a beef with the police,” Joe Lira said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-11--UC chief Janet Napolitano leaving office with a mended legacy

Seven years ago , Janet Napolitano charged into the top office of the nation ’ s top public research university system with big ideas , a resume of powerful jobs and weighty political connections — including then-President Obama , who had appointed her as U.S .
Homeland Security secretary .
But the new University of California president had no experience in academic leadership .
Her top-down managerial style annoyed many chancellors and faculty leaders .
Students protested her record as “ deporter in chief ” under Obama .
She struggled to manage political relations in Sacramento , although the Board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve them .
And midway through her tenure , scandal erupted over interference by Napolitano ’ s aides in a state audit into her office ’ s operations .
But that low point in 2017 marked the start of a major reset .
As Napolitano prepares to step down August 1 , she leaves with a better ending than beginning , as fans and foes largely agree she learned from her mistakes .
They credit her with championing immigrant students and survivors of sexual misconduct , pushing forward initiatives on climate change and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California students .
“ What I saw over time was the transition to a much more effective leadership model by the office of the president , ” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block .
Rigel Robinson , a Berkeley City Council member who was a student activist at UC Berkeley during Napolitano ’ s tenure , said her unprecedented outreach to students changed his mind about her .
“ I was one of those students in 2014 who called for her removal and chanted , ‘ Dammit Janet , ’ ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m sad to see her go.
” Napolitano , for her part , acknowledged the transformative impact of the scandal ’ s fallout .
“ When you make a mistake , you have to acknowledge it , you have to fix it and own it , ” she said in an interview this week .
“ What came out of that was there was a better understanding by me of the desire for more consultation and participation by different stakeholders in decisions as they were being made , as opposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a different style of leadership than I was used to .
“ I think I was called upon to make that adjustment , and I think I made it and we continue to move the university forward.
” Regents are planning to select Napolitano ’ s successor this month or next before she steps down August 1 .
Napolitano , 62 , was an unconventional choice to head the most complex university system in the nation — a $ 39.8-billion operation of 10 campuses , five medical centers , three national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , the UC system was being pummeled by financial pressures and political criticism that its costs were too high and its admission policies too skewed in favor of out-of-state students over Californians .
Regents hoped her national stature , fresh perspective and political skills as a successful Democratic governor in the red state of Arizona would help UC find a way forward , said Regent Sherry Lansing , who headed the search committee then .
Napolitano , who assumed office in September 2013 , took an initial listening tour at the campuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities : increase access to a UC education and harness the campuses ’ enormous brainpower into a systemwide effort to address sweeping issues .
She translated those ideas into quick action .
At her first major speech , that October , she announced $ 15 million in funding to support students who are undocumented and those pursuing graduate degrees and postdoctoral research opportunities .
The next month , Napolitano announced initiatives to increase California community college students transferring to UC , speed the development of UC research into profitable products and make the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 2025 .
Napolitano called climate change “ the existential issue of our time.
” The efforts , she said , have produced research on scalable solutions to climate change and an online curriculum ; UC also has purchased solar farms outside Fresno and its own electric utility plant that supplies renewable energy to several campuses .
But some of her initiatives , while praised for good intentions , caused consternation .
Many campus leaders and faculty complained that Napolitano failed to consult them , encroaching on work already being done .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspired some UC members .
“ The University of California has these extraordinary individual campuses doing world-class research , ” said Monica Lozano , a former board chair .
“ How do you take the collective strength of these institutions and mold them into something that benefits society at a much higher scale ?
She was able to do that in ways I hadn ’ t seen other presidents do.
” Her political troubles began in 2014 , when she proposed a five-year plan to increase tuition to provide more funds if Sacramento @ @ @ @ @ @ @ angered Gov .
Jerry Brown and other state political leaders who served as ex officio regents and opposed the tuition plan .
A board majority , however , passed it .
After that , Brown zeroed out a planned funding increase for UC and the battle was on .
Brown and Napolitano subsequently formed their so-called Committee of Two to hash out a compromise and ultimately agreed on a multiyear plan for funding increases in exchange for a two-year tuition freeze and other items .
From a national standpoint , Napolitano ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states in increasing funding for higher education after the 2008 recession , according to Ted Mitchell , president of the American Council on Education .
“ She made clear that the University of California was a long-term treasure in the state and underfunding it would jeopardize the university and the state , ” he said .
Napolitano was circumspect about her negotiations with Brown , who declined to comment .
“ I think it ’ s fair to say we did not see eye to eye on everything , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when a state audit found that her office had not only amassed a $ 175-million undisclosed surplus but also interfered with efforts by auditors surveying campuses about Napolitano ’ s office services .
State Auditor Elaine Howle said she found “ nothing nefarious ” in the amassed surplus but offered several recommendations to make the budget more transparent , which the university has adopted .
At the time , Napolitano was not only battling fallout over the audit .
Her cancer returned in 2016 and led to grueling sessions of chemotherapy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The year 2016-17 was not a good year for me , ” Napolitano said , managing a laugh .
“ Sometimes it was very tough .
But I am totally clear now ” of cancer .
Napolitano ’ s troubles marked a major turning point .
After the audit scandal , she apologized and became more consultative — deepening ties , for instance , with the Academic Senate by agreeing to appoint a faculty advisor , include the provost in all major decisions and invite Senate leadership into her advisory group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was a much more successful and effective president than she had been before , ” said Robert May , a UC Davis professor and former Senate chair .
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty ( D-Sacramento ) , one of the more critical legislators on UC issues , credited Napolitano for “ weathering the storm ” and moving forward .
“ We were able to work together to dramatically expand enrollment of California kids , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the issue my constituents care about most.
” Napolitano is widely praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including start-up funding for free legal services for them .
She and the Board of Regents also filed the nation ’ s first lawsuit challenging the Trump administration ’ s efforts to end protections for students brought to the country illegally as children , granted under a program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — which Napolitano started as Homeland Security secretary .
Napolitano has not won over all undocumented students .
But UC Student Assn .
President Varsha Sarveshwar said she has set a new standard in access to students as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them .
Napolitano also made a mark in directing efforts to overhaul the UC system ’ s Title IX processes and crafting a compromise plan to phase out the SAT and ACT , which regents unanimously passed last month amid criticism that the tests are biased against disadvantaged students .
“ She ’ s been an extraordinary leader , ” Lansing said .
“ She ’ s unflappable .
She ’ s thoughtful .
She listens to both sides but then she ’ s decisive and gets things done.
” Despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ride has been well worth it .
“ The position of president of the University of California is a great platform to address some of the larger public issues of the day , from DACA to climate change to sexual harassment to racism , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a tough job and a complicated job , but I ’ m very glad I took it.
” The UC chief plans to take a yearlong sabbatical , then join the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy .
She has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , a Cabinet post — or an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court .
“ I look good in black , ” she joked .

Janet Napolitano is stepping down as University of California president. “It’s a tough job and a complicated job, but I’m very glad I took it,” she said.
Seven years ago, Janet Napolitano charged into the top office of the nation’s top public research university system with big ideas, a resume of powerful jobs and weighty political connections — including then-President Obama, who had appointed her as U.S. Homeland Security secretary.
But the new University of California president had no experience in academic leadership. Her top-down managerial style annoyed many chancellors and faculty leaders. Students protested her record as “deporter in chief” under Obama. She struggled to manage political relations in Sacramento, although the Board of Regents hired her in part to improve them.
And midway through her tenure, scandal erupted over interference by Napolitano’s aides in a state audit into her office’s operations.
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But that low point in 2017 marked the start of a major reset.
As Napolitano prepares to step down August 1, she leaves with a better ending than beginning, as fans and foes largely agree she learned from her mistakes. They credit her with championing immigrant students and survivors of sexual misconduct, pushing forward initiatives on climate change and opening the UC system to many more California students.
“What I saw over time was the transition to a much more effective leadership model by the office of the president,” said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block.
Rigel Robinson, a Berkeley City Council member who was a student activist at UC Berkeley during Napolitano’s tenure, said her unprecedented outreach to students changed his mind about her.
“I was one of those students in 2014 who called for her removal and chanted, ‘Dammit Janet,’” he said. “But now, after seven years, I’m sad to see her go.”
Napolitano, for her part, acknowledged the transformative impact of the scandal’s fallout.
“When you make a mistake, you have to acknowledge it, you have to fix it and own it,” she said in an interview this week. “What came out of that was there was a better understanding by me of the desire for more consultation and participation by different stakeholders in decisions as they were being made, as opposed to being announced. That, frankly, is a different style of leadership than I was used to.
Advertisement
“I think I was called upon to make that adjustment, and I think I made it and we continue to move the university forward.”
Regents are planning to select Napolitano’s successor this month or next before she steps down August 1.
Napolitano, 62, was an unconventional choice to head the most complex university system in the nation — a $39.8-billion operation of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three national laboratories and global research.
At the time, the UC system was being pummeled by financial pressures and political criticism that its costs were too high and its admission policies too skewed in favor of out-of-state students over Californians. Regents hoped her national stature, fresh perspective and political skills as a successful Democratic governor in the red state of Arizona would help UC find a way forward, said Regent Sherry Lansing, who headed the search committee then.
Napolitano, who assumed office in September 2013, took an initial listening tour at the campuses. The visits helped her set early priorities: increase access to a UC education and harness the campuses’ enormous brainpower into a systemwide effort to address sweeping issues.
“When you make a mistake, you have to acknowledge it, you have to fix it and own it,” UC President Janet Napolitano said. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
She translated those ideas into quick action. At her first major speech, that October, she announced $15 million in funding to support students who are undocumented and those pursuing graduate degrees and postdoctoral research opportunities.
The next month, Napolitano announced initiatives to increase California community college students transferring to UC, speed the development of UC research into profitable products and make the UC system a zero net energy user by 2025.
Napolitano called climate change “the existential issue of our time.” The efforts, she said, have produced research on scalable solutions to climate change and an online curriculum; UC also has purchased solar farms outside Fresno and its own electric utility plant that supplies renewable energy to several campuses.
But some of her initiatives, while praised for good intentions, caused consternation. Many campus leaders and faculty complained that Napolitano failed to consult them, encroaching on work already being done.
Still, Napolitano’s vision and energy inspired some UC members.
“The University of California has these extraordinary individual campuses doing world-class research,” said Monica Lozano, a former board chair. “How do you take the collective strength of these institutions and mold them into something that benefits society at a much higher scale? She was able to do that in ways I hadn’t seen other presidents do.”
Her political troubles began in 2014, when she proposed a five-year plan to increase tuition to provide more funds if Sacramento failed to do so. The proposal angered Gov. Jerry Brown and other state political leaders who served as ex officio regents and opposed the tuition plan. A board majority, however, passed it. After that, Brown zeroed out a planned funding increase for UC and the battle was on.
Brown and Napolitano subsequently formed their so-called Committee of Two to hash out a compromise and ultimately agreed on a multiyear plan for funding increases in exchange for a two-year tuition freeze and other items.
From a national standpoint, Napolitano’s leadership appeared to help California outperform many other states in increasing funding for higher education after the 2008 recession, according to Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education.
“She made clear that the University of California was a long-term treasure in the state and underfunding it would jeopardize the university and the state,” he said.
Napolitano was circumspect about her negotiations with Brown, who declined to comment. “I think it’s fair to say we did not see eye to eye on everything,” she said.
Her worst moments came in 2017, when a state audit found that her office had not only amassed a $175-million undisclosed surplus but also interfered with efforts by auditors surveying campuses about Napolitano’s office services. State Auditor Elaine Howle said she found “nothing nefarious” in the amassed surplus but offered several recommendations to make the budget more transparent, which the university has adopted.
At the time, Napolitano was not only battling fallout over the audit. Her cancer returned in 2016 and led to grueling sessions of chemotherapy and radiation, sometimes six hours long.
“The year 2016-17 was not a good year for me,” Napolitano said, managing a laugh. “Sometimes it was very tough. But I am totally clear now” of cancer.
Napolitano’s troubles marked a major turning point. After the audit scandal, she apologized and became more consultative — deepening ties, for instance, with the Academic Senate by agreeing to appoint a faculty advisor, include the provost in all major decisions and invite Senate leadership into her advisory group.
“In the last two years, she was a much more successful and effective president than she had been before,” said Robert May, a UC Davis professor and former Senate chair.
Assemblyman Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), one of the more critical legislators on UC issues, credited Napolitano for “weathering the storm” and moving forward. “We were able to work together to dramatically expand enrollment of California kids,” he said. “That’s the issue my constituents care about most.”
Napolitano is widely praised for her support of undocumented students, including start-up funding for free legal services for them. She and the Board of Regents also filed the nation’s first lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to end protections for students brought to the country illegally as children, granted under a program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — which Napolitano started as Homeland Security secretary.
Napolitano has not won over all undocumented students. But UC Student Assn. President Varsha Sarveshwar said she has set a new standard in access to students as the first president to hold regular meetings with them.
Napolitano also made a mark in directing efforts to overhaul the UC system’s Title IX processes and crafting a compromise plan to phase out the SAT and ACT, which regents unanimously passed last month amid criticism that the tests are biased against disadvantaged students.
“She’s been an extraordinary leader,” Lansing said. “She’s unflappable. She’s thoughtful. She listens to both sides but then she’s decisive and gets things done.”
Despite the at-times rocky road, Napolitano said the ride has been well worth it.
“The position of president of the University of California is a great platform to address some of the larger public issues of the day, from DACA to climate change to sexual harassment to racism,” she said. “It’s a tough job and a complicated job, but I’m very glad I took it.”
The UC chief plans to take a yearlong sabbatical, then join the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. She has not ruled out a run for political office, a Cabinet post — or an appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I look good in black,” she joked.


latimes--2020-06-09--'We can't prevent it': Farmworkers paid low wages fear coronavirus spread in crowded housing

A bed fills most of the room that Odilia Leon shares with her five children .
In one corner , a dresser spills over with clothes .
For the cramped room in a two-bedroom unit behind a house in east Salinas , she pays $ 1,050 a month .
It ’ s what she can afford as a fieldworker picking strawberries , her job for the last nine years .
A couple with three children rents the other room .
In all , 11 people share a living room and kitchen .
There is one bathroom .
Every day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear that she could bring home the coronavirus , infect her children and possibly spread it to the rest of the household .
The couple in the other room also works to cover their half of the rent , she said .
“ Every time I leave the house in the morning , I worry about how I can come back and hug my kids , ” she said on a Thursday evening after arriving home from work .
Social distancing is challenging , if not impossible , in homes like Leon ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salinas , the city where John Steinbeck was born .
As of Monday afternoon , COVID-19 had infected a reported 751 people in Monterey County , and many of the cases are concentrated on the east side of Salinas , where Leon lives .
It is an area that suffers from a lack of affordable housing , with families crammed into homes and renting out whatever space they can , sharing bathrooms , living rooms and kitchens .
Officials in the Salinas Valley , known as the “ salad bowl of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry are acutely aware of just how quickly the virus can spread among farmworkers , both at home and at job sites .
In Monterey County , agriculture workers make up more than a third of confirmed COVID-19 cases , and Latinos make up nearly 80 % of them .
Karen Smith , spokesperson for the Monterey County Health Department , said she does not know if housing is a direct factor , but “ if you ’ ve got people close together with a virus that ’ s a respiratory virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Dr. Edward Moreno , the county public health officer , has said that the frequency of agriculture workers testing positive is tied with testing being concentrated in places like Salinas , the county ’ s most populous city .
Monterey County officials were among the first in the state to mandate face coverings at worksites and to ask companies to practice social distancing on buses used to transport workers .
The county lobbied the state for masks — receiving 750,000 — and sought alternative housing options for farmworkers and homeless people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the economy , the agriculture industry , which never stopped because it is considered essential , will continue to struggle with stopping the spread of the virus .
The industry is dependent on low-wage labor , people who live in overcrowded housing and poverty .
Some , like Leon , have had their hours cut due to the pandemic .
Farmworkers often lack legal status , making them less likely to seek help through official channels , said Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales , who worked in the fields when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Couple that with the crowded housing — it ’ s a bad situation , and we know it , ” Gonzales said .
“ We can ’ t prevent it .
There ’ s no way .
But what we ’ re trying to do is minimize it.
” He estimates that there are 45,000 farmworkers who live permanently in the county , and the population could swell to 60,000 as guest workers arrive for the summer to help pick cauliflower , lettuces , strawberries and other produce .
Carissa Purnell , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said her organization delivers weekly supplies to farmworkers during their lunch breaks , offering free food , wipes and hand sanitizer , because many can ’ t afford such items or are too busy working to buy them when they ’ re in stock .
“ A lot of people don ’ t understand what it ’ s like , ” she said , describing situations in which multiple families squeeze into a single house .
“ It just breeds the spreading of the virus .
There ’ s no way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Overcrowding in farmworker housing is severe on the Central Coast .
A 2018 study conducted by the California Institute for Rural Studies and California Coalition for Rural Housing found that 45,560 units of farmworker housing are needed in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties .
Residences averaged more than seven people , or five people per bathroom , a “ stunningly high ” rate , the report found .
“ Many are overpaying for their housing , living in squalid , substandard homes and/or doubling and tripling up with other households in overcrowded conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ de los Angeles Jimenez , 29 , who works at a salad-packing plant , learned how quickly the virus can spread on May 1 , when her feet began to ache .
She got tested the next day , and within a few hours learned she was positive for COVID-19 .
“ I started crying , because I wasn ’ t expecting it , ” she said .
She called her brother — who works at a different plant and lives with her — about getting tested .
Ultimately , her brother , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became sick with COVID-19 .
They all live together , and she shares a room with her sons , she said ; they slept in the living room when she became ill .
Some agriculture companies have spent the past few years building housing for guest workers who come to work under the H-2A visa program , which requires the companies to provide accommodation .
In some cases , they have built complexes , rented motels or bought facilities to house employees for a few months in the U.S. before those workers return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In King City , labor contractor Fresh Harvest houses nearly 300 guest workers in a converted tomato factory .
In each dormitory , 17 to 24 workers sleep in bunk beds , lying head-to-toe to create more distance , Linda Rossi , director of communications said .
On a Thursday afternoon , workers finished for the day were distancing in front of a television , one person on each couch , all wearing masks .
Some headed to another part of the common area in a line , keeping space between them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ company has imposed a one-person-per-table policy , a few men sat , each with a pizza box in front of him .
Near the entrance where workers load into buses and head out to the fields , they now pause to have their body temperatures checked by a scanner that resembles a small tablet on a stand .
Sometimes they lean down and in until they get the go-ahead : “ Your body temperature is normal , ” a voice confirms .
The workers get checked twice a day , before they head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rossi said .
Along the walls , signage in Spanish reminds the workers of the symptoms of COVID-19 and guidelines for maintaining distance .
So far , no field workers have tested positive for the virus , Rossi said .
“ They ’ re very good about keeping their space , ” she said .
On a recent weekday , farmworkers cut , bundled and packaged romaine hearts on a field southeast of Salinas .
Plastic vinyl sheets separated the rows of workers to provide a barrier , said David Scaroni , Fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Crews are kept together in the dorms to avoid the wide spread of the virus , should an outbreak occur .
Pete Maturino , agricultural director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 , said some companies where union members work have made adjustments at work sites to allow for social distancing .
But some members come to him about precautions being ignored .
“ It matters because that person is going to go home and infect other people , ” he said .
The Grower-Shipper Assn .
of Central California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in case they become sick or are suspected of having COVID-19 , said Christopher Valadez , president of the industry group .
So far , 55 workers have been housed in rooms , a number that fluctuates depending on when a person is cleared to return home , he said .
Monterey County in March requested 100 trailers from the state Office of Emergency Services for use in isolating residents but received just 15 .
The county Board of Supervisors urgently requested that the state send the rest .
“ The county is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to sufficiently address the COVID-19 pandemic , especially among our farmworker community , if these additional 85 trailers are not provided by the state , ” the supervisors wrote in the letter .
County Supervisor Luis Alejo said that by May , the request had not been met , so the county used its own resources to pay for extra housing to prepare for the worst-case scenario .
More than 150 individuals have been housed to date .
Before Brigida Rivero , 36 , started a family with her husband , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rented a room and shared a bathroom with 10 others and worked in the fields .
It was uncomfortable to live so close to other people , she said .
“ And now , with this illness , ” she said , “ I think it ’ s a little worse.
” Rivero , a Salinas resident who works in the fields packing lettuce , takes the coronavirus seriously .
She lives with her husband and three children in a small , two-bedroom upstairs apartment .
She carries a pink spray bottle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work to disinfect items .
When she arrives home , she sprays the white gate and the banister along the staircase that leads to her front door .
She changes out of her clothes before picking up her children from a babysitter .
“ In reality , the virus is something no one can see , ” she said .
“ You never know.
” For Leon , the fear of contracting the virus at work has made her anxious .
She recently learned that a person who works in her field @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncertain if it ’ s the flu or the virus , she said .
If she becomes sick , she ’ ll use the county ’ s alternative housing to stay away from her children to keep them safe .
“ I would give anything to get back to my children , ” she said .
“ I am the mother and father for them .
I have to keep going for them .
”

A bed fills most of the room that Odilia Leon shares with her five children. In one corner, a dresser spills over with clothes.
For the cramped room in a two-bedroom unit behind a house in east Salinas, she pays $1,050 a month. It’s what she can afford as a fieldworker picking strawberries, her job for the last nine years. A couple with three children rents the other room. In all, 11 people share a living room and kitchen. There is one bathroom.
Every day, Leon, 40, is gripped with fear that she could bring home the coronavirus, infect her children and possibly spread it to the rest of the household. The couple in the other room also works to cover their half of the rent, she said.
“Every time I leave the house in the morning, I worry about how I can come back and hug my kids,” she said on a Thursday evening after arriving home from work.
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Social distancing is challenging, if not impossible, in homes like Leon’s and for many other farmworkers in Salinas, the city where John Steinbeck was born. As of Monday afternoon, COVID-19 had infected a reported 751 people in Monterey County, and many of the cases are concentrated on the east side of Salinas, where Leon lives. It is an area that suffers from a lack of affordable housing, with families crammed into homes and renting out whatever space they can, sharing bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens.
Odilia Leon pays $1,050 a month for one room, where she sleeps with her five children. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Officials in the Salinas Valley, known as the “salad bowl of the world,” and leaders in the agriculture industry are acutely aware of just how quickly the virus can spread among farmworkers, both at home and at job sites. In Monterey County, agriculture workers make up more than a third of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and Latinos make up nearly 80% of them.
Karen Smith, spokesperson for the Monterey County Health Department, said she does not know if housing is a direct factor, but “if you’ve got people close together with a virus that’s a respiratory virus, you’re bound to see more.”
Dr. Edward Moreno, the county public health officer, has said that the frequency of agriculture workers testing positive is tied with testing being concentrated in places like Salinas, the county’s most populous city.
Monterey County officials were among the first in the state to mandate face coverings at worksites and to ask companies to practice social distancing on buses used to transport workers. The county lobbied the state for masks — receiving 750,000 — and sought alternative housing options for farmworkers and homeless people.
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Farmworkers, separated by newly installed vinyl curtains to help protect them from the spread of the coronavirus, cut and package romaine hearts for Fresh Harvest in Chualar. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
But as the state restarts other sectors of the economy, the agriculture industry, which never stopped because it is considered essential, will continue to struggle with stopping the spread of the virus. The industry is dependent on low-wage labor, people who live in overcrowded housing and poverty. Some, like Leon, have had their hours cut due to the pandemic.
Farmworkers often lack legal status, making them less likely to seek help through official channels, said Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales, who worked in the fields when he was younger to pay for college.
“Couple that with the crowded housing — it’s a bad situation, and we know it,” Gonzales said. “We can’t prevent it. There’s no way. But what we’re trying to do is minimize it.”
He estimates that there are 45,000 farmworkers who live permanently in the county, and the population could swell to 60,000 as guest workers arrive for the summer to help pick cauliflower, lettuces, strawberries and other produce.
A farmworker with a donation bag containing masks, gloves, food and a hygiene kit, all items collected from the community and handed out by the Alisal Family Resource Center in Salinas. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Carissa Purnell, director of the Alisal Family Resource Center, said her organization delivers weekly supplies to farmworkers during their lunch breaks, offering free food, wipes and hand sanitizer, because many can’t afford such items or are too busy working to buy them when they’re in stock.
“A lot of people don’t understand what it’s like,” she said, describing situations in which multiple families squeeze into a single house. “It just breeds the spreading of the virus. There’s no way for it to not be passed around.”
Overcrowding in farmworker housing is severe on the Central Coast. A 2018 study conducted by the California Institute for Rural Studies and California Coalition for Rural Housing found that 45,560 units of farmworker housing are needed in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Residences averaged more than seven people, or five people per bathroom, a “stunningly high” rate, the report found.
“Many are overpaying for their housing, living in squalid, substandard homes and/or doubling and tripling up with other households in overcrowded conditions,” the report said.
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Maria de los Angeles Jimenez, 29, who works at a salad-packing plant, learned how quickly the virus can spread on May 1, when her feet began to ache. She got tested the next day, and within a few hours learned she was positive for COVID-19.
“I started crying, because I wasn’t expecting it,” she said. She called her brother — who works at a different plant and lives with her — about getting tested. Ultimately, her brother, mother and one of her two sons became sick with COVID-19. They all live together, and she shares a room with her sons, she said; they slept in the living room when she became ill.
Some agriculture companies have spent the past few years building housing for guest workers who come to work under the H-2A visa program, which requires the companies to provide accommodation. In some cases, they have built complexes, rented motels or bought facilities to house employees for a few months in the U.S. before those workers return south, often back to Mexico.
Farmworkers check their temperature before and after working in the fields at Fresh Harvest’s dormitories at Meyers Farm Worker Housing in King City. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Practicing social distancing, farmworkers relax at Fresh Harvest’s dormitories. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
In King City, labor contractor Fresh Harvest houses nearly 300 guest workers in a converted tomato factory. In each dormitory, 17 to 24 workers sleep in bunk beds, lying head-to-toe to create more distance, Linda Rossi, director of communications said.
On a Thursday afternoon, workers finished for the day were distancing in front of a television, one person on each couch, all wearing masks. Some headed to another part of the common area in a line, keeping space between them. In the dining area, where the company has imposed a one-person-per-table policy, a few men sat, each with a pizza box in front of him.
Near the entrance where workers load into buses and head out to the fields, they now pause to have their body temperatures checked by a scanner that resembles a small tablet on a stand. Sometimes they lean down and in until they get the go-ahead: “Your body temperature is normal,” a voice confirms.
The workers get checked twice a day, before they head to work and when they return, Rossi said. Along the walls, signage in Spanish reminds the workers of the symptoms of COVID-19 and guidelines for maintaining distance. So far, no field workers have tested positive for the virus, Rossi said.
“They’re very good about keeping their space,” she said.
On a recent weekday, farmworkers cut, bundled and packaged romaine hearts on a field southeast of Salinas. Plastic vinyl sheets separated the rows of workers to provide a barrier, said David Scaroni, Fresh Harvest’s vice president of operations. Crews are kept together in the dorms to avoid the wide spread of the virus, should an outbreak occur.
Pete Maturino, agricultural director for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5, said some companies where union members work have made adjustments at work sites to allow for social distancing. But some members come to him about precautions being ignored.
A farmworker loads boxes of romaine hearts for Fresh Harvest in Chuala. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
“It matters because that person is going to go home and infect other people,” he said.
The Grower-Shipper Assn. of Central California has reserved hotel rooms to house workers in case they become sick or are suspected of having COVID-19, said Christopher Valadez, president of the industry group. So far, 55 workers have been housed in rooms, a number that fluctuates depending on when a person is cleared to return home, he said.
Monterey County in March requested 100 trailers from the state Office of Emergency Services for use in isolating residents but received just 15. The county Board of Supervisors urgently requested that the state send the rest.
“The county is extremely concerned that we will not be able to sufficiently address the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among our farmworker community, if these additional 85 trailers are not provided by the state,” the supervisors wrote in the letter.
County Supervisor Luis Alejo said that by May, the request had not been met, so the county used its own resources to pay for extra housing to prepare for the worst-case scenario. More than 150 individuals have been housed to date.
Brigida Rivero, who works in the lettuce fields, carries bottles of bleach mixed with water to disinfect her home and work area. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
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Before Brigida Rivero, 36, started a family with her husband, she lived alone in a home where she rented a room and shared a bathroom with 10 others and worked in the fields. It was uncomfortable to live so close to other people, she said.
“And now, with this illness,” she said, “I think it’s a little worse.”
Rivero, a Salinas resident who works in the fields packing lettuce, takes the coronavirus seriously. She lives with her husband and three children in a small, two-bedroom upstairs apartment. She carries a pink spray bottle, a mixture of water and Clorox, to work to disinfect items. When she arrives home, she sprays the white gate and the banister along the staircase that leads to her front door. She changes out of her clothes before picking up her children from a babysitter.
“In reality, the virus is something no one can see,” she said. “You never know.”
For Leon, the fear of contracting the virus at work has made her anxious. She recently learned that a person who works in her field became ill, but it’s uncertain if it’s the flu or the virus, she said.
If she becomes sick, she’ll use the county’s alternative housing to stay away from her children to keep them safe.
“I would give anything to get back to my children,” she said. “I am the mother and father for them. I have to keep going for them.”


latimes--2020-06-12--Nail salons, tattoo shops and massage parlors can reopen next week in some California counties

Nail salons , tattoo shops and massage parlors in California will be permitted to reopen in a week as the state continues to ease stay-at-home restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus , state officials announced Friday .
Each county will have to greenlight the businesses to open within its jurisdiction , and the establishments will be required to follow detailed guidelines issued by the state .
The guidelines , issued Friday , dictate details including the flow of people in and out of the establishments and the way in which pedicure bowls are disinfected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines and the date that salons and parlors can start to reopen is intended to give businesses time to prepare and local officials an opportunity “ to look at their data and determine if in the global move to reopen , whether it ’ s the right timing to have an additional sector come back into their communities , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s secretary of Health and Human Services , said Friday .
The move came a day after the state reported its largest one-day increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Los Angeles County , which remains the epicenter of the virus in California , recorded 1,848 new cases Thursday , which was also a single-day high .
But experts say overall case counts are not necessarily a measure of how the state is faring in its fight against the coronavirus .
Increased testing can drive up the number of cases , as more infections are identified among those who are not seriously ill. “ We ’ ve ramped up testing in an extraordinary way , nearly hitting our goal that was set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , but August — of getting to 60,000 to 80,000 tests a day , ” Ghaly said .
“ We ’ re already knocking on that door , averaging in the mid- to high 50s over the past few days across the state.
” Instead , officials are closely monitoring two metrics : the positivity rate , which is the proportion of people who have tested positive out of all those who have been tested , and the daily number of hospitalizations .
A rise in the former could indicate an uptick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place separately from increased testing .
A rise in the latter could mean that more people are becoming seriously ill , possibly jeopardizing the ability of the healthcare system to deal with the influx in patients .
So far , California ’ s positivity rate has continued to trend downward , and hospitalizations have remained within the range of stability , Ghaly said Friday .
L.A. County has seen similar trends , with slight declines in both the positivity rate and number of hospitalizations , Barbara Ferrer , the county health director , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test more , we see more cases , ” Ghaly said .
“ That does not necessarily mean that they turn into more hospitalizations.
” He said that the stepped-up testing , combined with enhanced contact-tracing efforts , is enabling the state and counties “ to contain and suppress disease transmission like we couldn ’ t before the stay-at-home order and even during the stay-at-home order.
” “ Together , all these things really point to the fact that although we ’ re identifying more cases , we ’ re very much where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , ” Ghaly said .
“ We closed down to prepare , we created the awareness among those in our communities , and we ’ re starting to begin the reopening , bringing back the economy , bringing back that vital social and economic presence in our communities , while we still stay vigilant and watchful over the movement of COVID-19 so we can stay in front of it as much as we can.
” While many nail salon employees say they will be thrilled to get back to work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them : face masks .
In some counties in California , officials are not requiring people to cover their faces when out in public .
“ Nail salon owners in a county that does not require face coverings for clients are now put in a predicament to ask customers to wear those coverings when they come in for services .
It ’ s a way to protect both the customer and the worker .
That ’ s one of the safety measures we need in place when we reopen , ” said Tam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has locations in Laguna Hills and Garden Grove .
“ We are not in a position to enforce .
That ’ s unfair to the small business owners.
” “ The million-dollar question becomes : Do you lose your business walking out the door to a competitor down the street — or do you welcome the client and risk your health , along with your staff ?
” Nguyen and supporters launched Nailing It for America , an all-volunteer initiative that in recent months has delivered more than 1.2 million pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meals to healthcare workers and others fighting COVID-19 .
He says safety remains the top priority , “ no matter where you ’ re operating .
For counties with mask regulations , more power to them .
Their salons should be able to reopen with less of a burden.
” But in Orange County , where his network is based , officials on Thursday announced a sudden change in health orders after weeks of arguments over the use of face coverings .
Masks , previously required , are now strongly recommended in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the county ’ s Health Care Agency director .
“ This does not diminish the importance of face coverings , ” Chau said .
“ I stand with public health experts and believe wearing cloth face coverings helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and save lives .
“ By being consistent with the state , this will give our business community and individuals the ability to make the most appropriate decision for them and their situation .
”

Nail salons, tattoo shops and massage therapists in California will be permitted to reopen in a week as the state continues to ease stay-at-home restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, state officials announced Friday.
Each county will have to greenlight the businesses to open within its jurisdiction, and the establishments will be required to follow detailed guidelines issued by the state. The guidelines, issued Friday, dictate details including the flow of people in and out of the establishments and the way in which pedicure bowls are disinfected.
The weeklong delay between the issuance of the guidelines and the date that salons and parlors can start to reopen is intended to give businesses time to prepare and local officials an opportunity “to look at their data and determine if in the global move to reopen, whether it’s the right timing to have an additional sector come back into their communities,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Services, said Friday.
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The move came as the state reported two consecutive single-day increases in coronavirus cases, logging 3,620 new cases Thursday and 3,644 Friday. Los Angeles County, which remains California’s leading virus hot spot, recorded 1,848 new cases Thursday, which was also a single-day high, and 1,575 cases Friday.
But experts say overall case counts are not necessarily a measure of how the state is faring in its fight against the coronavirus. Increased testing can drive up the number of cases as more infections are identified among those who are not seriously ill.
“We’ve ramped up testing in an extraordinary way, nearly hitting our goal that was set for August — not June, not July, but August — of getting to 60,000 to 80,000 tests a day,” Ghaly said. “We’re already knocking on that door, averaging in the mid- to high 50s over the past few days across the state.”
Instead, officials are closely monitoring two metrics: the positivity rate, which is the proportion of people who have tested positive out of all those who have been tested, and the daily number of hospitalizations. A rise in the former could indicate an uptick in community transmission that’s taking place separately from increased testing. A rise in the latter could mean that more people are becoming seriously ill, possibly jeopardizing the ability of the healthcare system to deal with the influx in patients.
So far, California’s positivity rate has continued to trend downward, and hospitalizations have remained within the range of stability, Ghaly said Friday.
L.A. County has seen similar trends, with slight declines in both the positivity rate and number of hospitalizations, Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, said Friday.
“Certainly as we test more, we see more cases,” Ghaly said. “That does not necessarily mean that they turn into more hospitalizations.”
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He said that the stepped-up testing, combined with enhanced contact tracing efforts, is enabling the state and counties “to contain and suppress disease transmission like we couldn’t before the stay-at-home order and even during the stay-at-home order.”
“Together, all these things really point to the fact that although we’re identifying more cases, we’re very much where we thought we would be with COVID-19 in California,” Ghaly said.
“We closed down to prepare, we created the awareness among those in our communities, and we’re starting to begin the reopening — bringing back the economy, bringing back that vital social and economic presence in our communities — while we still stay vigilant and watchful over the movement of COVID-19 so we can stay in front of it as much as we can.”
Though many nail salon employees say they will be thrilled to get back to work, one huge hurdle remains for many of them: face masks. In some counties in California, officials are not requiring people to cover their faces when out in public.
“Nail salon owners in a county that does not require face coverings for clients are now put in a predicament to ask customers to wear those coverings when they come in for services. It’s a way to protect both the customer and the worker. That’s one of the safety measures we need in place when we reopen,” said Tam Nguyen, president of Advance Beauty College, which has locations in Laguna Hills and Garden Grove. “We are not in a position to enforce. That’s unfair to the small business owners.
“The million-dollar question becomes: Do you lose your business walking out the door to a competitor down the street — or do you welcome the client and risk your health, along with your staff?”
Nguyen and supporters launched Nailing It for America, an all-volunteer initiative that in recent months has delivered more than 1.2 million pieces of personal protective equipment and 52,000 restaurant meals to healthcare workers and others fighting COVID-19. He says safety remains the top priority, “no matter where you’re operating. For counties with mask regulations, more power to them. Their salons should be able to reopen with less of a burden.”
But in Orange County, where his network is based, officials on Thursday announced a sudden change in health orders after weeks of arguments over the use of face coverings. Masks, previously required, are now strongly recommended in public settings, said Dr. Clayton Chau, the county’s Health Care Agency director.
“This does not diminish the importance of face coverings,” Chau said. “I stand with public health experts and believe wearing cloth face coverings helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and save lives.
“By being consistent with the state, this will give our business community and individuals the ability to make the most appropriate decision for them and their situation.”
In Los Angeles County, Ada Trinh, who recently sold her nail salon to continue serving private clients in their homes across L.A., said she has covered her face since starting her career about 17 years ago. She now gives manicures and pedicures to celebrities and all manner of clients in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and beyond, along with working on set for movies, television shows and commercials.
During the statewide lockdown, Trinh said her phone beeped with text messages from customers trying to convince her to come back earlier. “They’re saying: ‘I’ll pay you extra if you can visit and do my nails.’
“I tell them straight: I don’t think right now is a good time. Let’s wait until the situation is better,” she said. “We really need to protect everyone,” adding that she plans to wear a face shield and a mask when returning to work later this month. Just to play it safe, she will wait an extra week after the expected nail salon reopening date of June 19 to restart her services.
“I’m always worried about fungus or pink eye so I’m very careful. This is a word-of-mouth business,” Trinh said. “I try to stay on top of it to get hired again.”