latimes--2020-05-25--L.A. County coronavirus cases top 45,000 as officials urge social distancing

Los Angeles County reported 913 new COVID-19 cases and 16 additional deaths Sunday , bringing total confirmed cases to 45,034 and fatalities to 2,108 .
Statewide in California , there have been 94,406 confirmed cases and 3,755 coronavirus-related deaths .
“ For the people who are mourning a loved one who has passed away from COVID-19 , we think of you every day and we wish you healing and peace , ” said Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s health director , in a statement Sunday .
“ Please remember , the job we continue to do to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , new hospitalizations and new deaths we will see several weeks from now.
” Orange County reported 179 additional cases and one new death on Sunday .
Health officials have said the Memorial Day holiday weekend will be a big test of whether California can ease stay-at-home restrictions while continuing to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Overall , officials said there were no major problems are beaches , though some places , such as the Venice Boardwalk , saw dense crowds with some people not wearing masks .
Officials closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the Memorial Day weekend amid concerns that crowded conditions could pose health risks .
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation said the area was shuttered “ due to overwhelming crowds that were not following the COVID-19 public health requirements.
” Although the death toll continues to grow , L.A. County is showing progress .
The county has seen a 13 % decrease in its latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 16 % decrease in its most recent three-day average of hospitalizations per day , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metrics related to recovery .
In addition , the percentage of people who have tested positive in L.A. County has reached an all-time low of 8.5 % , compared with 28 % in New York City , said Barbara Ferrer , the county health director , on Saturday .

Visitors stream into and out of Pasadena’s Eaton Canyon Natural Area on Sunday, which prompted park officials to close trails for the rest of the holiday weekend.
Los Angeles County reported 913 new COVID-19 cases and 16 additional deaths Sunday, bringing total confirmed cases to 45,034 and fatalities to 2,108.
Statewide in California, there have been 94,406 confirmed cases and 3,755 coronavirus-related deaths.
“For the people who are mourning a loved one who has passed away from COVID-19, we think of you every day and we wish you healing and peace,” said Barbara Ferrer, the county’s health director, in a statement Sunday. “Please remember, the job we continue to do to protect each other will affect how many new cases, new hospitalizations and new deaths we will see several weeks from now.”
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Orange County reported 179 additional cases and one new death on Sunday.
Health officials have said the Memorial Day holiday weekend will be a big test of whether California can ease stay-at-home restrictions while continuing to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Overall, officials said there were no major problems are beaches, though some places, such as the Venice Boardwalk, saw dense crowds with some people not wearing masks.
Officials closed Eaton Canyon Natural Area trails for the rest of the Memorial Day weekend amid concerns that crowded conditions could pose health risks. The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation said the area was shuttered “due to overwhelming crowds that were not following the COVID-19 public health requirements.”
Although the death toll continues to grow, L.A. County is showing progress.
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The county has seen a 13% decrease in its latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 16% decrease in its most recent three-day average of hospitalizations per day, according to a Department of Health dashboard that tracks metrics related to recovery.
In addition, the percentage of people who have tested positive in L.A. County has reached an all-time low of 8.5%, compared with 28% in New York City, said Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, on Saturday.


latimes--2020-05-25--Memorial Day like never before: Vintage planes to fly over L.A., but the crowd will be online

Memorial Day 2020 in California will be one like no other .
With social distancing rules in place , large memorials in Los Angeles and Orange counties are being replaced by virtual ones , as well as a flyover of vintage planes .
In San Diego , home to a large number of veterans and active military person , and which traditionally observes the holiday with four large public events , the event will move online in one coordinated effort to bring the remembrances to audiences at home safely .
Phil Kendro , a board member of the Mt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the one-hour joint event is unique .
“ We recognized that we would not be able to conduct our normal Memorial Day commemorations this year , so we built a partnership with four iconic San Diego sites to create a unique virtual commemoration that is the only one of its kind , ” Kendro said in a statement .
The plan to go virtual has been in the works for weeks , said David Koontz , marketing director of the Midway Museum .
“ We had to think out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time allow people to tune in and attend , ” Koontz said .
“ We ’ re really looking forward to being able to do this.
” Despite the unique circumstance of the pandemic , it is important to remember the sacrifices of members of the military , said Carlos Inot , president and CEO of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation .
“ On a Memorial Day , unlike any our country has experienced before , we hope that all who view this program will be inspired to take a moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our veterans and active duty military , and to their families who have sacrificed so much for our country , ” Inot said .
Here are some key events around the region : — Memorial Day will also be marked by a flyover of an 18-plane formation of historic war birds .
The 70- to 90-minute flyover will begin at noon near Loma Linda University Medical Center , then fly over the Riverside National Cemetery and several locations in Orange County .
In Los Angeles County , the aircraft will fly over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach , the Queen Mary , the battleship Iowa , which is docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro , Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes , Zamperini Airport in Torrance , Los Angeles International Airport , Santa Monica Airport , Los Angeles National Cemetery , the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center , the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and City of Hope National Medical Center .
— The 131st Memorial Day Celebration at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood will begin at 10 a.m. and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on abc7.com .
The ceremony is described by KABC as a distanced experience .
The station will use multiple cameras and drones to produce a broadcast of the featured guests ’ presentations , performances and dedications .
— Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will celebrate a Memorial Day Mass at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mortuary in Culver City honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military .
The Mass will also include a tribute to those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic and have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be livestreamed on CatholicCM.org and Facebook.com/lacatholics .
— Forest Lawn will hold a live virtual celebration at 10 a.m. on its Facebook page , www.facebook.com/ForestLawn .
It will include a message from Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin , patriotic music and a Scottish bagpipes and drums performance by Harry Farrar .
City News Service and Andrew Dyer of the San Diego Union Tribune contributed to this report

Nihil Smith pays respect to his longtime friend U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Kenneth Pipes at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego on May 24, a day before Memorial Day.
Memorial Day 2020 in California will be one like no other.
With social distancing rules in place, large memorials in Los Angeles and Orange counties are being replaced by virtual ones, as well as a flyover of vintage planes.
In San Diego, home to a large number of veterans and active military person, and which traditionally observes the holiday with four large public events, the event will move online in one coordinated effort to bring the remembrances to audiences at home safely.
Phil Kendro, a board member of the Mt. Soledad memorial’s board of trustees, said the one-hour joint event is unique.
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“We recognized that we would not be able to conduct our normal Memorial Day commemorations this year, so we built a partnership with four iconic San Diego sites to create a unique virtual commemoration that is the only one of its kind,” Kendro said in a statement.
The plan to go virtual has been in the works for weeks, said David Koontz, marketing director of the Midway Museum.
“We had to think out of the box to pay tribute but at the same time allow people to tune in and attend,” Koontz said. “We’re really looking forward to being able to do this.”
Despite the unique circumstance of the pandemic, it is important to remember the sacrifices of members of the military, said Carlos Inot, president and CEO of the Miramar National Cemetery Support Foundation.
“On a Memorial Day, unlike any our country has experienced before, we hope that all who view this program will be inspired to take a moment to remember and pay their respects to our veterans and active duty military, and to their families who have sacrificed so much for our country,” Inot said.
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Here are some key events around the region:
— Memorial Day will also be marked by a flyover of an 18-plane formation of historic war birds. The 70- to 90-minute flyover will begin at noon near Loma Linda University Medical Center, then fly over the Riverside National Cemetery and several locations in Orange County. In Los Angeles County, the aircraft will fly over the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach, the Queen Mary, the battleship Iowa, which is docked at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes, Zamperini Airport in Torrance, Los Angeles International Airport, Santa Monica Airport, Los Angeles National Cemetery, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and City of Hope National Medical Center.
— The 131st Memorial Day Celebration at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood will begin at 10 a.m. and be broadcast on KABC-TV Channel 7 and streamed on abc7.com. The ceremony is described by KABC as a distanced experience. The station will use multiple cameras and drones to produce a broadcast of the featured guests’ presentations, performances and dedications.
— Archbishop Jose H. Gomez will celebrate a Memorial Day Mass at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mortuary in Culver City honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. The Mass will also include a tribute to those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic and have not had funeral Masses. The Mass will be livestreamed on CatholicCM.org and Facebook.com/lacatholics.
— Forest Lawn will hold a live virtual celebration at 10 a.m. on its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ForestLawn. It will include a message from Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin, patriotic music and a Scottish bagpipes and drums performance by Harry Farrar.
City News Service and Andrew Dyer of the San Diego Union Tribune contributed to this report


latimes--2020-05-26--Facing schedule delays, L.A. Metro seeks $120 million more for Crenshaw Line

Following a series of delays and construction problems , Los Angeles County transportation officials are seeking $ 120 million more for a light-rail line from Mid-City to the South Bay .
The cost overruns on the $ 2.06-billion Crenshaw Line come as crews work to repair flaws in the project , delaying its opening to mid-2021 .
If the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ’ s directors approve two budget requests at their Thursday meeting , the cost of the Crenshaw Line will rise by $ 90 million , or 4 % .
The increase would be the first since 2013 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a $ 30-million budget for close-out work after the line opens .
Most of the $ 90-million budget increase would be used to pay Metro employees and consultants through the end of the year , costs that were not previously accounted for because work was slated to be finished already , officials said .
Metro would also add $ 14.2 million to the project ’ s rainy day fund , and spend $ 4 million to hire a “ claims support consultant ” to prepare documentation for claims filed by the contractor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J.F .
Shea Construction .
Metro officials have cautioned that the new estimated opening date is not a sure thing .
The contractor is working through some of the trickiest tasks on the project , including connecting the communications lines and power systems inside the subway tunnels that will control the rail line .
“ We hire the contractor to actually get this work completed , ” said Rick Clarke , Metro ’ s head of construction , during a meeting last month .
“ They have to commit the resources and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it done right .
There is some risk of them not doing that.
” Chief Executive Phil Washington told Metro ’ s directors that he did not “ want to go on record saying what day and month ” the project will open .
Not revealing a more detailed opening date is “ trying to hide the ball a little bit , ” Metro director and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn responded .
“ I know you ’ re hesitant to do that because it ’ s painful if you have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But for us , the directors and the public , we need to know.
” The Crenshaw Line broke ground in January 2014 and was originally supposed to open in 2019 .
The 8.5-mile route will run through Inglewood and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Baldwin Hills , Hyde Park , Leimert Park and Westchester .
After Walsh/Shea encountered problems during early construction , Metro paid the contractor $ 55.5 million in September 2017 to avoid later litigation .
The settlement included an agreed-upon opening date of October 2019 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make that date , ” Clarke said .
“ They did not deliver.
” So as crews wrestled with problems with electrical substations , sidewalks and gas lines in 2018 , Metro and Walsh/Shea reached another settlement that bumped the project ’ s opening date to mid-2020 .
Last month , officials acknowledged that the project had fallen behind schedule again and delayed its opening by another year .
The Crenshaw Line is now 95 % complete , but construction crews are working to fix a problem with the concrete slabs used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on bridges and in tunnels .
The slabs , called plinths , are supposed to be tightly secured with steel reinforcements to a platform beneath the tracks .
In several hundred locations , the reinforcements — called rebar — were installed incorrectly , officials said .
The contractor is also working to repair ground settlement in walls that support a rail bridge over La Brea Avenue near downtown Inglewood .
The proposed budget increase would be funded through federal air quality grants and revenue earmarked for local government groups in Measure M , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2016 .
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments agreed to cover up to 37 % of the cost overrun , or up to $ 33.3 million , because that ’ s the share of the project that is in the South Bay , said executive director Jacki Bacharach .
The rest of the money will have to come from the Westside and central Los Angeles , she said .
“ There could be more overruns down the line , but this is it from us — this is all we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Crenshaw Line is partially funded through Measure R , the half-cent sales tax increase that voters approved in 2008 .
The project also received a $ 545.9-million federal loan and about $ 130 million in other federal transportation funds .

An artist’s rendering of the future Century/Aviation station on the Crenshaw Line, which could see a budget increase of $120 million.
Following a series of delays and construction problems, Los Angeles County transportation officials are seeking $120 million more for a light-rail line from Mid-City to the South Bay.
The cost overruns on the $2.06-billion Crenshaw Line come as crews work to repair flaws in the project, delaying its opening to mid-2021.
If the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s directors approve two budget requests at their Thursday meeting, the cost of the Crenshaw Line will rise by $90 million, or 4%. The increase would be the first since 2013.
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Directors also have been asked to approve a $30-million budget for close-out work after the line opens.
Most of the $90-million budget increase would be used to pay Metro employees and consultants through the end of the year, costs that were not previously accounted for because work was slated to be finished already, officials said.
Metro would also add $14.2 million to the project’s rainy day fund, and spend $4 million to hire a “claims support consultant” to prepare documentation for claims filed by the contractor, a joint venture of Walsh Construction and J.F. Shea Construction.
Metro officials have cautioned that the new estimated opening date is not a sure thing. The contractor is working through some of the trickiest tasks on the project, including connecting the communications lines and power systems inside the subway tunnels that will control the rail line.
“We hire the contractor to actually get this work completed,” said Rick Clarke, Metro’s head of construction, during a meeting last month. “They have to commit the resources and the expertise to get it done and get it done right. There is some risk of them not doing that.”
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Chief Executive Phil Washington told Metro’s directors that he didn’t want to “go on record saying what day and month” the project would open.
Not revealing a more detailed opening date is “trying to hide the ball a little bit,” Metro director and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn responded.
“I know you’re hesitant to do that because it’s painful if you have to keep pushing it,” Hahn said. “But for us, the directors and the public, we need to know.”
The Crenshaw Line broke ground in January 2014 and was originally supposed to open in 2019. The 8.5-mile route will run through Inglewood and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Baldwin Hills, Hyde Park, Leimert Park and Westchester.
After Walsh/Shea encountered problems during early construction, Metro paid the contractor $55.5 million in September 2017 to avoid later litigation. The settlement included an agreed-upon opening date of October 2019.
“They didn’t meet their milestones to make that date,” Clarke said. “They did not deliver.”
So as crews wrestled with problems with electrical substations, sidewalks and gas lines in 2018, Metro and Walsh/Shea reached another settlement that bumped the project’s opening date to mid-2020.
Last month, officials acknowledged that the project had fallen behind schedule again and delayed its opening by another year.
The Crenshaw Line is now 95% complete, but construction crews are working to fix a problem with the concrete slabs used to stabilize and anchor the train tracks on bridges and in tunnels.
The slabs, called plinths, are supposed to be tightly secured with steel reinforcements to a platform beneath the tracks. In several hundred locations, the reinforcements — called rebar — were installed incorrectly, officials said.
The contractor is also working to repair ground settlement in walls that support a rail bridge over La Brea Avenue near downtown Inglewood.
The proposed budget increase would be funded through federal air quality grants and revenue earmarked for local government groups in Measure M, the sales tax increase that voters approved in 2016.
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments agreed to cover up to 37% of the cost overrun, or up to $33.3 million, because that’s the share of the project that is in the South Bay, said executive director Jacki Bacharach. The rest of the money will have to come from the Westside and central Los Angeles, she said.
“There could be more overruns down the line,” Bacharach said, “but this is it from us — this is all we’re paying.”
The Crenshaw Line is partially funded through Measure R, the half-cent sales tax increase that voters approved in 2008. The project also received a $545.9-million federal loan and about $130 million in other federal transportation funds.


latimes--2020-05-25--California allows many more retail stores to reopen

California health officials said Monday that subject to approval by county public health departments , all retail stores can reopen for in-store shopping under previously issued guidelines .
The existing guidance for retailers , which previously applied just to those counties approved for wider reopening , now applies statewide .
Retail can open for in-store shopping throughout California .
Retail does not include personal services such as hair salons , nail salons and barbershops .
It marks the latest move to slowly reopen California ’ s economy amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Some officials had been pushing for the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same playing field as big chains .
“ Thank you , Governor Newsom .
As we continue to battle this virus , this policy will make all the difference to the small businesses in our communities that are struggling to survive this crisis , ” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn in Twitter Monday .
It was unclear Monday whether L.A. County health officials would adjust their reopening guidelines in light of the state ’ s declaration .
California also released new coronavirus health on Monday , saying houses of worship must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a building ’ s capacity and stop passing around offering plates , in addition to taking other precautions .
, released by the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA , does not obligate churches , mosques , temples and other houses of worship to resume in-person activity , officials said .
In fact , state health authorities strongly recommend that places of worship “ continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID19 including older adults and those with co-morbidities .
”

Doug Jordan, owner of Java Junction in La Mesa, Calif., opened his store for the first time since closing in March.
California health officials said Monday that, subject to approval by county public health departments, all retail stores could reopen for in-store shopping under previously issued guidelines.
The existing guidance for retailers, which had applied just to those counties approved for wider reopening, now applies statewide. Retail can open for in-store shopping throughout California. Retail does not include personal services such as hair salons, nail salons and barbershops.
It marks the latest move to slowly reopen California’s economy amid the coronavirus outbreak.
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Some officials had been pushing for the move, hoping to put small businesses on the same playing field as big chains.
“Thank you, Governor Newsom,” L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a tweet Monday. “As we continue to battle this virus, this policy will make all the difference to the small businesses in our communities that are struggling to survive this crisis.”
It was unclear Monday whether L.A. County health officials would adjust their reopening guidelines in light of the state’s declaration.
California also released new coronavirus health guidance for religious services on Monday, saying houses of worship must limit total attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity and stop passing around offering plates, in addition to taking other precautions.
The 13-page document , released by the California Department of Public Health and Cal/OSHA, does not obligate churches, mosques, temples and other houses of worship to resume in-person activity, officials said.
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In fact, state health authorities strongly recommend that places of worship “continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID19 including older adults and those with co-morbidities.”


latimes--2020-05-26--As inmate deaths and infections rise, Chino, Avenal prisons will test all employees for coronavirus

The state corrections agency has implemented mandatory testing of all employees at the California Institution for Men in Chino as the number of inmates who have died after contracting COVID-19 there has risen to nine and the total number of inmates testing positive has grown to 635 .
The decision to test all employees followed a weekend during which three more inmates who were hospitalized with COVID-19 died .
So far , 58 staff members at the prison have tested positive , with 35 of them recovering and returning to work .
Under the new program , any employee who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be tested .
According to an information sheet given to employees , anyone not complying would face disciplinary action .
The prison has been the source of all the coronavirus-related deaths in California state prisons and more than half the total number of inmates testing positive in the California correctional system .
State officials did not identify the three inmates who died over the weekend after being hospitalized .
The deaths come as the state prison system will begin this week to take in new prisoners for the first time in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing for staff at Avenal Prison in Kings County , according to state corrections press secretary Dana Simas .
That prison , located along the I-5 corridor , has seen its number of the infections jump to 198 in the last week , along with 10 of its staff .
It now ranks second in terms of the number of inmates infected among state prisons .
In the information sheet given to the Chino prison employees , it said the state is working on a wider mandatory testing program for correctional employees across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is serving an eight-year sentence at Chino for driving under the influence with injury , said inmates have been split up into groups of those who have tested positive and those who have tested negative .
Prison authorities have also set up tents in the courtyard areas in an effort to spread the inmates out .
“ I don ’ t deserve a death sentence , ” he told The Times last month in an interview .
“ I am afraid I am not going to make it out ...
I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll do my time .
I don ’ t want to die and I don ’ t want other people to die.
” California ’ s prisons resumed processing this week for the first time since Gov .
Gavin Newsom suspended their intake in March .
New inmates will be accepted from only four counties : Los Angeles , San Bernardino , San Diego and Fresno .
“ It is anticipated that no more than 200 inmates will be accepted from those counties through June 19 , ” according to the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of two intake centers , at North Kern State Prison and Wasco State Prison .
At each location , inmates with be offered coronavirus testing .
If they test positive , they ’ ll be isolated .
Any inmate declining testing will be quarantined for 14 days .
More than 3,500 prisoners have been released as the state sought to socially distance inmates in an effort to help stem the spread of the virus .
The lack of intake in state prisons for the past two months further reduced the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in recent federal court hearings .
But outbreaks of the virus have gripped prison populations across California and the nation .
There have also been outbreaks at federal prisoners in California , where a combined total of 1,800 inmates have been infected at Lompoc and Terminal Island and 10 prisoners have died .
The ACLU is suing to force the release of some of those prisons ’ federal inmates , citing the health dangers .
In state prisons , an effort by prisoner lawyers to force releases has so far failed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge have rejected moves by lawyers seeking more releases for inmates in a long-standing legal fight over overcrowding and medical treatment in California ’ s prisons .
According to a court filing by the state , 108,850 inmates were housed in the state ’ s 34 adult institutions as of May 13 , which is 127.9 % of design capacity .
Defending the state ’ s actions , an attorney for the governor and corrections said in court last month that the state had implemented a recommendation from a court-appointed federal receiver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ separate each group of inmates .

The state corrections agency has implemented mandatory testing of all employees at the California Institution for Men in Chino as the number of inmates who have died after contracting COVID-19 there has risen to nine and the total number of inmates testing positive has grown to 635.
The decision to test all employees followed a weekend during which three more inmates who were hospitalized with COVID-19 died. So far, 58 staff members at the prison have tested positive, with 35 of them recovering and returning to work. Under the new program, any employee who has not tested positive for the virus will be tested. According to an information sheet given to employees, anyone not complying would face disciplinary action.
The prison has been the source of all the coronavirus-related deaths in California state prisons and more than half the total number of inmates testing positive in the California correctional system.
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State officials did not identify the three inmates who died over the weekend after being hospitalized.
The deaths come as the state prison system will begin this week to take in new prisoners for the first time in two months.
Correctional officials also implemented mandatory testing for staff at Avenal Prison in Kings County, according to state corrections press secretary Dana Simas. That prison, located along the I-5 corridor, has seen its number of the infections jump to 198 in the last week, along with 10 of its staff. It now ranks second in terms of the number of inmates infected among state prisons.
In the information sheet given to the Chino prison employees, it said the state is working on a wider mandatory testing program for correctional employees across the state.
Inmate John Blagg, who is serving an eight-year sentence at Chino for driving under the influence with injury, said inmates have been split up into groups of those who have tested positive and those who have tested negative. Prison authorities have also set up tents in the courtyard areas in an effort to spread the inmates out.
“I don’t deserve a death sentence,” he told The Times last month in an interview. “I am afraid I am not going to make it out... I understand I did what I did. I’ll do my time. I don’t want to die and I don’t want other people to die.”
California’s prisons resumed processing this week for the first time since Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended their intake in March. New inmates will be accepted from only four counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego and Fresno.
“It is anticipated that no more than 200 inmates will be accepted from those counties through June 19,” according to the state corrections department. Inmates will go to one of two intake centers, at North Kern State Prison and Wasco State Prison. At each location, inmates with be offered coronavirus testing. If they test positive, they’ll be isolated. Any inmate declining testing will be quarantined for 14 days.
More than 3,500 prisoners have been released as the state sought to socially distance inmates in an effort to help stem the spread of the virus.
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The lack of intake in state prisons for the past two months further reduced the number of prisoners by 6,000, according to statements made in recent federal court hearings. But outbreaks of the virus have gripped prison populations across California and the nation.
There have also been outbreaks at federal prisoners in California, where a combined total of 1,800 inmates have been infected at Lompoc and Terminal Island and 10 prisoners have died. The ACLU is suing to force the release of some of those prisons’ federal inmates, citing the health dangers.
In state prisons, an effort by prisoner lawyers to force releases has so far failed. A three-judge federal panel and a single federal judge have rejected moves by lawyers seeking more releases for inmates in a long-standing legal fight over overcrowding and medical treatment in California’s prisons. According to a court filing by the state, 108,850 inmates were housed in the state’s 34 adult institutions as of May 13, which is 127.9% of design capacity.
Defending the state’s actions, an attorney for the governor and corrections said in court last month that the state had implemented a recommendation from a court-appointed federal receiver to create smaller pods of inmates and separate each group of inmates.


latimes--2020-05-26--Orange County authorities won't enforce mask requirement: 'We are not the mask police'

Orange County ’ s sheriff said Tuesday that his department has no intention of enforcing a recent health order requiring residents and visitors to wear face coverings in public .
“ We are not the mask police — nor do I intend to be the mask police , ” Sheriff Don Barnes told the county Board of Supervisors .
“ I think what we have seen repeatedly throughout the community is Orange County residents acting responsibly.
” Barnes said the department ’ s focus has been education , noting that “ Orange County residents are adults.
” “ They can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit , ” he said .
“ We have not dealt with these issues through enforcement , and I will direct my staff not to direct any enforcement toward the … mask requirement.
” The sheriff ’ s declaration came in response to a question from board Chairwoman Michelle Steel , who asked how the department planned to enforce a health order issued Friday .
The requirement mandates that Orange County residents wear cloth face coverings while in a public place , at work or visiting a business where they are unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mask ordinance is similar to one implemented in Los Angeles County more than a month ago , where authorities also have said they hoping the public will comply voluntarily .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva and LAPD Chief Michel Moore said they had no plans to cite anyone for not wearing a mask , but authorities would offer a few words of encouragement — from behind their own face coverings Orange County health officials had previously said wearing facial coverings is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts .
The new mask requirement came just before Orange County received state approval to more broadly lift coronavirus-related business restrictions and resume in-restaurant dining and in-store shopping .
Orange County on Tuesday reported 110 new COVID-19 infections , bringing its cumulative total to 5,578 .
That figure includes an estimated 1,995 people who have recovered from the disease — the first time the Orange County Health Care Agency has enumerated that data point .
However , officials said the number is “ only an estimate and should be interpreted with caution.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is reported to HCA , there is no practical way to find out if they ’ ve recovered , ” officials wrote on the county ’ s data dashboard .
“ Moreover , many people may have experienced some symptoms of COVID-19 , but were not tested , making it impossible to know the exact number of COVID-19 infections and recoveries.
” The county arrived at the estimated figure “ by taking the difference between the prior 28-day cumulative case count and current day mortality to determine the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As of the latest update , 269 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide — 106 of them in intensive care .
Both those are single-day highs for the county .
Here are the latest details for Orange County : Note : “ Other ” category includes unincorporated areas , as well as cases in the county ’ s jails .
Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information .

Jim Rafferty, owner of Kelly’s Korner — one of Orange County’s best-known sports bars — chats with a regular on May 16 in Placentia.
Orange County’s sheriff said Tuesday that his department has no intention of enforcing a recent health order requiring residents and visitors to wear face coverings in public.
“We are not the mask police — nor do I intend to be the mask police,” Sheriff Don Barnes told the county Board of Supervisors. “I think what we have seen repeatedly throughout the community is Orange County residents acting responsibly.”
Barnes said the department’s focus has been education, noting that “Orange County residents are adults.”
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“They can take the protective measures as they see fit,” he said. “We have not dealt with these issues through enforcement, and I will direct my staff not to direct any enforcement toward the … mask requirement.”
The sheriff’s declaration came in response to a question from board Chairwoman Michelle Steel, who asked how the department planned to enforce a health order issued Friday. The requirement mandates that Orange County residents wear cloth face coverings while in a public place, at work or visiting a business where they are unable to stay at least six feet apart.
To learn more about the County Health Officer’s recent order that applies to all residents and visitors of #OC, please visit https://t.co/KLLV4w9tvd #OCCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/e60iJsdpO7 — OC Health Care Agency (@ochealth) May 26, 2020
The mask ordinance is similar to one implemented in Los Angeles County more than a month ago, where authorities also have said they hoping the public will comply voluntarily.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva and LAPD Chief Michel Moore said they had no plans to cite anyone for not wearing a mask, but authorities would offer a few words of encouragement — from behind their own face coverings
Orange County health officials had previously said wearing facial coverings is an important tool in the fight against COVID-19, but they had stopped short of mandating such efforts.
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The new mask requirement came just before Orange County received state approval to more broadly lift coronavirus-related business restrictions and resume in-restaurant dining and in-store shopping.
Orange County on Tuesday reported 110 new COVID-19 infections, bringing its cumulative total to 5,578.
That figure includes an estimated 1,995 people who have recovered from the disease — the first time the Orange County Health Care Agency has enumerated that data point.
However, officials said the number is “only an estimate and should be interpreted with caution.”
“While every case of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is reported to HCA, there is no practical way to find out if they’ve recovered,” officials wrote on the county’s data dashboard.
“Moreover, many people may have experienced some symptoms of COVID-19, but were not tested, making it impossible to know the exact number of COVID-19 infections and recoveries.”
The county arrived at the estimated figure “by taking the difference between the prior 28-day cumulative case count and current day mortality to determine the current day recovered total,” officials said.
As of the latest update, 269 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide — 106 of them in intensive care. Both those are single-day highs for the county.
The county’s death toll remained unchanged at 131.
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
Here are the latest details for Orange County:
Age breakdown of cases
0-17 — 210
18-24 — 535
25-34 — 1,017
35-44 — 838
45-54 — 999
55-64 — 848
65-74 — 515
75-84 — 358
85+ — 257
Unknown — 1
Age breakdown of deaths
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 4
45-54 — 11
55-64 — 16
65-74 — 24
75-84 — 38
85+ — 36
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Cases by community
Aliso Viejo — 28
Anaheim — 904
Brea — 40
Buena Park — 160
Costa Mesa — 104
Coto de Caza — 6
Cypress — 69
Dana Point — 29
Fountain Valley — 53
Fullerton — 184
Garden Grove — 286
Huntington Beach — 329
Irvine — 180
La Habra — 97
La Palma — 18
Ladera Ranch — 13
Laguna Beach — 45
Laguna Hills — 28
Laguna Niguel — 37
Laguna Woods — 9
Lake Forest — 44
Los Alamitos — 75
Midway City — 13
Mission Viejo — 69
Newport Beach — 139
Orange — 258
Placentia — 110
Rancho Mission Viejo — 7
Rancho Santa Margarita — 21
San Clemente — 62
San Juan Capistrano — 53
Santa Ana — 1,032
Seal Beach — 18
Stanton — 68
Trabuco Canyon — 13
Tustin — 89
Villa Park — 6
Westminster — 108
Yorba Linda — 76
Other — 370
Unknown — 328
Note: “Other” category includes unincorporated areas, as well as cases in the county’s jails. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-05-26--Gimme Shelter podcast: Who should you inform if you live in an apartment complex and catch coronavir

Gimme Shelter podcast: Who should you inform if you live in an apartment complex and catch coronavirus?

Living in crowded housing can create problematic scenarios during the novel coronavirus pandemic .
What if you or one of @ @ @ @ @ complex , for instance , is infected ?
On this episode of Gim me Shelter @ @ @ @ @ Podcast , we discuss what tenants should do if that happens .
We also discuss @ @ @ @ @ Senate leader Toni Atkins ( D-San Diego ) that aims to increase housing construction statewide @ @ @ @ @ biweekly podcast that looks at why it ’ s so expensive to live in California @ @ @ @ @ do about it , features Liam Dillon , who covers housing affordability issues for the @ @ @ @ @ Matt Levin , data and housing reporter for .
You can subscribe to “ Gim @ @ @ @ @ , , , and .

Living in crowded housing can create problematic scenarios during the novel coronavirus pandemic. What if you or one of your neighbors in your apartment complex, for instance, is infected?
On this episode of Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast, we discuss what tenants should do if that happens. We also discuss legislation backed by California State Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) that aims to increase housing construction statewide.
“ Gimme Shelter ,”a biweekly podcast that looks at why it’s so expensive to live in California and what the state can do about it, features Liam Dillon, who covers housing affordability issues for the Los Angeles Times, and Matt Levin, data and housing reporter for CalMatters .
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latimes--2020-05-26--Inland Empire will worship in person after state gives green light

The past three days have brought notable changes to the Inland Empire , as both Riverside and San Bernardino counties were given the green light to further reopen .
Following an announcement last week by Gov .
Gavin Newsom that would ease reopening rules in some counties , dine-in restaurants and malls were cleared for business — though with some restrictions — in both Riverside and San Bernardino .
The two counties also plan to resume in-person worship services this week after the state on Monday released new coronavirus , saying houses of worship must limit total attendance to 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stop passing around offering plates , in addition to taking other precautions .
Staff , visitors and congregants are discouraged from singing , holding potluck meals or shaking hands and hugging .
Religious institutions are asked to “ strongly consider ” outdoor services .
Other state-mandated guidelines require temperature checks for parishioners , the disinfecting of common areas and the installation of hand sanitizer dispensers .
Riverside County officials petitioned the state on May 15 for special consideration of the reopening of religious services .
“ People of all faiths have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worship with each other in person again , ” Supervisor Karen Spiegel said .
“ An important part of getting through this together is keeping our faith strong .
By taking these safety precautions , we can choose to practice our faith in person again and do so safely.
” The occupancy limit for services will remain in place for the first 21 days after a county health department has approved the resumption of religious services and cultural ceremonies in their jurisdiction .
After 21 days , the California Department of Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will review and assess the effect of the imposed limits and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship .
County officials called the church plans a step forward , but also warned the coronavirus is still a threat .
“ The COVID-19 virus is still very present throughout our county , ” Supervisor Curt Hagman said .
“ With places of worship , dine-in restaurants , stores and malls now suddenly open , it is more important than ever that we practice physical distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frequently wash our hands to protect ourselves and those around us.
” Riverside County officials most recently reported the addition of 135 new coronavirus cases and 11 virus-related deaths .
A total of 303 people have died since the pandemic began , and there have been 7,139 confirmed cases .
Neighboring San Bernardino County had 4,567 COVID-19 cases and 176 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon .

Residents seeking to have public health orders rescinded attend an emergency meeting of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in early May.
The past three days have brought notable changes to the Inland Empire, as both Riverside and San Bernardino counties were given the green light to further reopen.
Following an announcement last week by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would ease reopening rules in some counties, dine-in restaurants and malls were cleared for business — though with some restrictions — in both Riverside and San Bernardino.
The two counties also plan to resume in-person worship services this week after the state on Monday released new coronavirus health guidance for religious services , saying houses of worship must limit total attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity and stop passing around offering plates, in addition to taking other precautions.
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Staff, visitors and congregants are discouraged from singing, holding potluck meals or shaking hands and hugging. Religious institutions are asked to “strongly consider” outdoor services.
Other state-mandated guidelines require temperature checks for parishioners, the disinfecting of common areas and the installation of hand sanitizer dispensers.
Riverside County officials petitioned the state on May 15 for special consideration of the reopening of religious services.
“People of all faiths have been longing for the day when they can worship with each other in person again,” Supervisor Karen Spiegel said. “An important part of getting through this together is keeping our faith strong. By taking these safety precautions, we can choose to practice our faith in person again and do so safely.”
The occupancy limit for services will remain in place for the first 21 days after a county health department has approved the resumption of religious services and cultural ceremonies in their jurisdiction.
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After 21 days, the California Department of Public Health, in consultation with county health officials, will review and assess the effect of the imposed limits and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship.
County officials called the church plans a step forward, but also warned the coronavirus is still a threat.
“The COVID-19 virus is still very present throughout our county,” Supervisor Curt Hagman said. “With places of worship, dine-in restaurants, stores and malls now suddenly open, it is more important than ever that we practice physical distancing, wear face coverings in public and frequently wash our hands to protect ourselves and those around us.”
Riverside County officials most recently reported the addition of 135 new coronavirus cases and 11 virus-related deaths. A total of 303 people have died since the pandemic began, and there have been 7,139 confirmed cases.
Neighboring San Bernardino County had 4,567 COVID-19 cases and 176 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon.


latimes--2020-05-26--Orange County deems in-person church 'essential,' says rules too restrictive for megachurches

Orange County supervisors on Tuesday declared religious services “ essential ” and expressed concerns that Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s plan to reopen places of worship with major restrictions is too constraining for megachurches and other large institutions .
The unanimously approved resolution , proposed by Chairwoman Michelle Steel , makes clear the board ’ s belief that “ gathering together in fellowship and worship in the faith of one ’ s choice is an ‘ essential ’ service , and we support the resumption of in-person religious assemblies , ” starting this weekend .
Under the recently revealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total attendance to 25 % of a building ’ s capacity or a maximum of 100 people , whichever is lower .
High-traffic areas and commonly touched surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and regularly disinfected .
Congregants also should be screened for fever or other symptoms of illness and are asked to use hand sanitizer and wear face coverings .
Houses of worship also are discouraged from sharing items , and congregants and staff are asked to abstain from singing , shaking hands or hugging .
But some Orange County officials said those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw thousands to services .
“ It ’ s too restrictive with the state guidelines right now , ” Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said .
“ I understand what they are , they need to be followed , but at the same time , we need to push , push , push at the state level to have some flexibility.
” She said large churches would find it particularly difficult to comply with the attendance cap .
“ There are a number of houses of worship that are very large , and 100 doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their congregation , ” she said .
“ For some of the very large houses of worship — one in my district is Saddleback Church — they would literally have to hold Mass every five minutes in order to get their entire congregation through in a given Sunday.
” Steel characterized Tuesday ’ s resolution as a statement that “ Orange County supports the right of our residents to practice their faith , and that we believe the right is essential.
” “ We begin each of our meetings with an invocation because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prayer , ” she said .
“ Orange County residents have gone without communal prayer for Easter , Passover and Ramadan , and our residents of all different faiths have missed their communal prayers for more than two months.
” Houses of worship in Orange County and throughout the state have for weeks been unable to hold in-person services under California ’ s stay-at-home order , which was put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
However , the board ’ s resolution doesn ’ t preclude Orange County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Department of Public Health — including new guidelines unveiled Monday that allow in-person religious assemblies to resume , subject to restrictions .
“ Does it transcend the CDPH guidance ?
In my view , no , ” County Counsel Leon Page said of the resolution .
State health authorities still strongly recommend that places of worship “ continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19.
” Dozens who addressed the board Tuesday said these restrictions are untenable and infringe on their 1st Amendment rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is more than a spiritual experience : It has profound and positive impacts on their physical and mental health .
Others said it makes no sense that houses of worship haven ’ t been considered essential businesses , while like large retailers , including liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries , have been able to keep their doors open .
Supervisors said they too have missed attending church in person .
“ I have lamented from this dais numerous times that I missed Easter service for the first time in my life this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And it still causes me a lot of personal grief — so much so that I would change the route that I run so that I can run past a church so that I can pray at an alter outside.
” As California and the rest of the nation lift coronavirus-related restrictions , churches have emerged as a particularly heated battleground issue .
President Trump on Friday declared that he was designating so they could reopen immediately .
The U.S. Department of Justice also sent a letter to Gov .
Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s stay-at-home order may discriminate against religious groups and violate their constitutional rights .
However , the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Newsom ’ s ban on in-person church services .
In that order , the two judges in the majority wrote that “ constitutional standards that would normally govern our review of a Free Exercise claim should not be applied ” in this case .
After 21 days , the state Department of Public Health will assess the effect of the latest restrictions and provide further direction as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in places of worship .
“ It is , to my mind , absolutely absurd that in the United States of America we are discussing , much less debating , the question of whether churches are essential , ” said Supervisor Don Wagner .
“ All we need to say is , ‘ Governor , get out of our damn way while we pray , ’ ” he said .
Times staff writers Monte Morin , Alex Wigglesworth , Sonali Kohli and Matthew Ormseth contributed to this report .

MaryAnn Lawson collects prayer requests from people gathering in their cars in a Santa Ana parking lot before an Easter service with the Rev. Robert A. Schuller on April 12.
Orange County supervisors on Tuesday declared religious services “essential” and expressed concerns that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to reopen places of worship with major restrictions is too constraining for megachurches and other large institutions.
The unanimously approved resolution, proposed by Chairwoman Michelle Steel, makes clear the board’s belief that “gathering together in fellowship and worship in the faith of one’s choice is an ‘essential’ service, and we support the resumption of in-person religious assemblies,” starting this weekend.
Under the recently revealed guidelines, houses of worship must limit total attendance to 25% of a building’s capacity or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower. High-traffic areas and commonly touched surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned and regularly disinfected.
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Congregants also should be screened for fever or other symptoms of illness and are asked to use hand sanitizer and wear face coverings. Houses of worship also are discouraged from sharing items, and congregants and staff are asked to abstain from singing, shaking hands or hugging.
But some Orange County officials said those rules could hurt huge churches that regularly draw thousands to services.
“It’s too restrictive with the state guidelines right now,” Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said. “I understand what they are, they need to be followed, but at the same time, we need to push, push, push at the state level to have some flexibility.”
She said large churches would find it particularly difficult to comply with the attendance cap.
“There are a number of houses of worship that are very large, and 100 doesn’t even include 2% of their congregation,” she said. “For some of the very large houses of worship — one in my district is Saddleback Church — they would literally have to hold Mass every five minutes in order to get their entire congregation through in a given Sunday.”
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California More COVID-19 cases linked to California church services More coronavirus cases have been tied to two Mother’s Day church services in Mendocino and Butte counties, officials announced this week.
Steel characterized Tuesday’s resolution as a statement that “Orange County supports the right of our residents to practice their faith, and that we believe the right is essential.”
“We begin each of our meetings with an invocation because we understand the importance of joining together in prayer,” she said. “Orange County residents have gone without communal prayer for Easter, Passover and Ramadan, and our residents of all different faiths have missed their communal prayers for more than two months.”
Houses of worship in Orange County and throughout the state have for weeks been unable to hold in-person services under California’s stay-at-home order, which was put in place to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
However, the board’s resolution doesn’t preclude Orange County from being subject to orders from the California Department of Public Health — including new guidelines unveiled Monday that allow in-person religious assemblies to resume, subject to restrictions.
“Does it transcend the CDPH guidance? In my view, no,” County Counsel Leon Page said of the resolution.
State health authorities still strongly recommend that places of worship “continue to facilitate remote services and other related activities for those who are vulnerable to COVID-19.”
Dozens who addressed the board Tuesday said these restrictions are untenable and infringe on their 1st Amendment rights.
Gathering in fellowship, speakers said, is more than a spiritual experience: It has profound and positive impacts on their physical and mental health.
Others said it makes no sense that houses of worship haven’t been considered essential businesses, while like large retailers, including liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries, have been able to keep their doors open.
Supervisors said they too have missed attending church in person.
“I have lamented from this dais numerous times that I missed Easter service for the first time in my life this year,” Supervisor Andrew Do said. “And it still causes me a lot of personal grief — so much so that I would change the route that I run so that I can run past a church so that I can pray at an altar outside.”
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
As California and the rest of the nation lift coronavirus-related restrictions, churches have emerged as a particularly heated battleground issue.
President Trump on Friday declared that he was designating churches as “essential” businesses so they could reopen immediately. The U.S. Department of Justice also sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration warning that the state’s stay-at-home order may discriminate against religious groups and violate their constitutional rights.
However, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Newsom’s ban on in-person church services.
After 21 days, the state Department of Public Health will assess the effect of the latest restrictions and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of activities in places of worship.
“It is, to my mind, absolutely absurd that in the United States of America we are discussing, much less debating, the question of whether churches are essential,” said Supervisor Don Wagner.
“All we need to say is, ‘Governor, get out of our damn way while we pray,’” he said.
Times staff writers Monte Morin, Alex Wigglesworth, Sonali Kohli and Matthew Ormseth contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-26--California reopening further, but L.A. County still stymied by coronavirus numbers

California is moving into its third stage of reopening , a plan that ’ s affecting some counties dramatically sooner than others .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that barbershops and hair salons would be allowed to reopen in many counties throughout the state .
Newsom said 47 of California ’ s 58 counties had already met the state ’ s standards and could move forward in reopening .
Los Angeles County , which accounts for the bulk of the state ’ s COVID-19 cases and more than half of its reported deaths , is one of 11 counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening .
The county confirmed 27 additional deaths on Tuesday and 1,843 new cases of COVID-19 .
The county is continuing to reopen more businesses , albeit at a slower pace than in other areas .
Officials said last week their t mission was to more fully reopen the county by July 4 — a goal that can be met only if the public continues to adhere to social distancing practices and other health recommendations , L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cautioned .
As sunshine bathed Southern California in warmth over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flocked to outdoor spaces .
Pasadena ’ s Eaton Canyon was closed because of overcrowding , and at Venice Beach , visitors — many of whom were not wearing face coverings or adhering to social distancing practices — filled the boardwalk .
Although the state has seen positive signs in recent weeks , Newsom says that doesn ’ t mean the virus is no longer a danger .
“ That doesn ’ t mean this thing is behind us and that we ’ re out of the woods yet , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against the virus while assessing how best to continue to reopen the economy without causing a resurgence in the outbreak .
At a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday , officials debated whether to allow individual cities to progress at different speeds .
Some supervisors say such a patchwork plan is necessary to help businesses survive ; others argue that it poses problems .
“ We have to express extreme caution , ” Supervisor Hilda Solis said .
The board voted Tuesday to appoint an inspector general to oversee nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,218 residents and 3,140 staff from these facilities have tested positive for COVID-19 .
Roughly 53 % of the county ’ s coronavirus-linked deaths have been in institutional settings , with the majority in skilled nursing facilities .
Supervisor Kathryn Barger criticized the Department of Health over its testing efforts at such care facilities : “ We should have been more aggressive , ” she said .
Ferrer said Health Department staff had set out to visit every long-term and intermediary care facility in the county and that efforts to combat the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Elaina Wilcox, owner of Color & Craft Salon, inside her empty Culver City hair salon on May 6. Many counties got the go-ahead to reopen salons, but not L.A.
California is moving into its third stage of reopening, a plan that’s affecting some counties much sooner than others.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday that barbershops and hair salons would be allowed to reopen in many counties throughout the state. Newsom said 47 of California’s 58 counties had already met the state’s standards and could move forward in reopening.
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Los Angeles County, which accounts for the bulk of the state’s COVID-19 cases and more than half of its reported deaths, is one of 11 counties not yet permitted to push further in reopening. The county confirmed 27 additional deaths on Tuesday and 1,843 new cases of COVID-19.
Tuesday afternoon, county officials said that they will align with California’s latest guidelines and allow faith-based services, in-store shopping at low-risk retail stores, drive-in movies and other recreational activities to resume.
Officials said last week their mission was to more fully reopen the county by July 4 — a goal that can be met only if the public continues to adhere to social distancing practices and other health recommendations, L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer cautioned.
As sunshine bathed Southern California in warmth over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, crowds flocked to outdoor spaces. Pasadena’s Eaton Canyon was closed because of overcrowding, and at Venice Beach, visitors — many of whom were not wearing face coverings or adhering to social distancing practices — filled the boardwalk.
Although the state has seen positive signs in recent weeks, Newsom says that doesn’t mean the virus is no longer a danger.
“That doesn’t mean this thing is behind us and that we’re out of the woods yet,” he said.
County officials continue to expand their fight against the virus while assessing how best to continue to reopen the economy without causing a resurgence in the outbreak.
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The county Department of Public Health issued a new order Tuesday evening, officials said, setting the stage for Los Angeles to request a variance from the state to permit faster reopening in some areas.
Under this latest shift, faith-based organizations will be able to resume services with the number of congregants limited to less than 25% of the building’s capacity, or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower. All retail, including those in indoor and outdoor retail shopping centers, can also open for business at 50% capacity; flea markets, swap meets and drive-in movie theaters can resume operations; pools, hot tubs and saunas that are in a multi-unit residence or part of a homeowners association can open.
The updated health order provides guidelines for public protests, permitting them as long as attendance is limited to 25% of the area’s maximum occupancy or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower.
Physical distancing requirements, face coverings and other safety protocols must still be observed, officials said.
At a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, officials debated whether to allow individual cities to progress at different speeds. Some supervisors say such a patchwork plan is necessary to help businesses survive; others argue that it poses problems.
“We have to express extreme caution,” Supervisor Hilda Solis said.
The board voted Tuesday to appoint an inspector general to oversee nursing homes throughout the county. At least 5,218 residents and 3,140 staff from these facilities have tested positive for COVID-19. Roughly 53% of the county’s coronavirus-linked deaths have been in institutional settings, with the majority in skilled nursing facilities.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger criticized the Department of Health over its testing efforts at such care facilities: “We should have been more aggressive,” she said.
Ferrer said that Health Department staff had set out to visit every long-term and intermediary care facility in the county and that efforts to combat the virus in those areas needed to continue.
Also Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that all retail businesses in the city will be able to allow customers inside their stores starting Wednesday, as long as they adopt the county’s safety protocols.
“We’ve earned the right way to do it,” Garcetti said at a media briefing. “It’s time to make sure we don’t punish our local stores and we begin to fortify again our main streets.”
Houses of worship also will be allowed to reopen, he said, but must follow the state’s guideline of limiting services to 25% of their normal capacity, or 100 people, whichever is smaller.
Restaurants will still not be allowed to open for dine-in services, and salons will still be closed, he said.


latimes--2020-05-26--Throngs of people, many without masks, pack Venice Beach over Memorial Day weekend

Californians cooped up for months amid stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak crowded beaches , parks and trails over the Memorial Day weekend , pushing the limits of social distancing .
In Los Angeles County , where more than 46,000 coronavirus infections have been reported and more than 2,100 COVID-19 deaths have been tallied , health officials worried the holiday weekend would be a big test .
Bike paths and beach parking lots reopened , joining trails , parks and golf courses as places to enjoy the sun-soaked weather .
Though some areas seemed problem-free , others were quickly overrun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and very few people were seen wearing masks in images shared on social media .
Officials said a failure to follow rules , including the prohibition of sunbathing at Venice Beach and other public health violations , has been an ongoing problem .
“ The issues this weekend validate our decision to keep our county parking lots at Venice Beach closed , ” said Nicole Mooradian , L.A. County ’ s Department of Beaches and Harbors public information officer .
As restrictions aimed to stem the spread of COVID-19 are eased across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices such as mask-wearing and social distancing are the best defense against a “ second wave ” of infections .
The state is nearing 100,000 coronavirus infections and is approaching 4,000 related deaths .
Elsewhere in Southern California , crowds forced the closure of a popular hiking destination .
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation closed Eaton Canyon in Pasadena on Sunday after throngs of hikers descended on the area .
Officials initially said the area would be shuttered for the remainder of the Memorial Day weekend “ due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 public health requirements.
” But on Tuesday , officials extended the order for the rest of the month .
Warm conditions this week are expected to lure more people outdoors , particularly to the shore .
During the three-day holiday , the Venice Beach boardwalk mirrored similar scenes in other beach towns , including Ocean City , Md.
, and Gulf Shores , Ala .
The Los Angeles Police Department did not have information about whether citations were issued in Venice .
The Department of Beaches and Harbors doesn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s too early to tell whether beachgoers will see any changes after such a busy weekend , Mooradian said .
For now , there have been no changes to the newly lifted restrictions .
“ We ’ re still assessing what worked and what didn ’ t over the holiday weekend , ” she said .

People fill the boardwalk in Venice Beach during the first day of the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Californians cooped up for months amid stay-at-home orders during the coronavirus outbreak crowded beaches, parks and trails over the Memorial Day weekend, pushing the limits of social distancing.
In Los Angeles County, where more than 46,000 coronavirus infections have been reported and more than 2,100 COVID-19 deaths have been tallied, health officials worried the holiday weekend would be a big test.
Bike paths and beach parking lots reopened, joining trails, parks and golf courses as places to enjoy the sun-soaked weather.
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Though some areas seemed problem-free, others were quickly overrun. Crowds packed the Venice Beach boardwalk, and very few people were seen wearing masks in images shared on social media.
NO @GavinNewsom This is not #Florida. I took this today an hour ago at #Venice #Beach and 98% of the people are not wearing masks including food workers. There are police everywhere and not one is in forcing anything. We paid $20 to park, saw this and left immediately. pic.twitter.com/FrLje7r7LU — DanteTheComic (@Dantethecomic) May 24, 2020
Officials said a failure to follow rules, including the prohibition of sunbathing at Venice Beach and other public health violations, has been an ongoing problem.
“The issues this weekend validate our decision to keep our county parking lots at Venice Beach closed,” said Nicole Mooradian, L.A. County’s Department of Beaches and Harbors public information officer.
As restrictions aimed to stem the spread of COVID-19 are eased across California, authorities continue to warn that practices such as mask-wearing and social distancing are the best defense against a “second wave” of infections. The state is nearing 100,000 coronavirus infections and is approaching 4,000 related deaths.
Elsewhere in Southern California, crowds forced the closure of a popular hiking destination.
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The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation closed Eaton Canyon in Pasadena on Sunday after throngs of hikers descended on the area.
Officials initially said the area would be shuttered for the remainder of the Memorial Day weekend “due to overwhelming crowds that were not following the COVID-19 public health requirements.” But on Tuesday, officials extended the order for the rest of the month.
Warm conditions this week are expected to lure more people outdoors, particularly to the shore.
During the three-day holiday, the Venice Beach boardwalk mirrored similar scenes in other beach towns, including Ocean City, Md., and Gulf Shores, Ala.
The Los Angeles Police Department did not have information about whether citations were issued in Venice. The Department of Beaches and Harbors doesn’t have the authority to write tickets.
It’s too early to tell whether beachgoers will see any changes after such a busy weekend, Mooradian said. For now, there have been no changes to the newly lifted restrictions.
“We’re still assessing what worked and what didn’t over the holiday weekend,” she said.


latimes--2020-05-26--Division scrutinized for allegedly falsifying interview cards issued the most in LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department division under scrutiny for officers who allegedly falsified field interview cards that portrayed people as gang members has played an outsized role in the production of those cards , a Times analysis found .
The field interview cards have been used for decades to gather intelligence and create a database that officers can access to help with investigations .
Police can fill them out to document encounters they have with anyone they question on their beat .
Information from the cards is also used to add names to the statewide CalGang database .
The elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the force but accounted for more than 20 % of the department ’ s field interview cards issued during a recent 18-month period , the analysis shows .
The division completed 44,000 cards from July 1 , 2018 , through the end of last year .
Metro Division officers completed the cards in 65 % of their stops , more than three times the rate of officers in the 77th Street , Southeast and Southwest divisions , which have more crime than other parts of the city , records show .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Metro officers who had field interview cards completed about them were not arrested or cited — a rate five times higher than the rest of the department , according to the review of LAPD stop data .
The data reviewed by The Times does not indicate if an officer documented a person as a gang member on the field interview card itself .
The LAPD has refused to disclose that information under the state open records law , saying that releasing details from the field interviews could compromise ongoing investigations .
LAPD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mission as a mobile reserve unit that focuses on proactive enforcement to curb violent crime instead of handling everyday radio calls .
“ There ’ s nothing that precludes an officer from completing an FI card on everyone they come in contact with , ” LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank said .
“ Some patrol officers do it .
Some patrol officers don ’ t .
But I don ’ t think we can fault them for doing what they ’ re expected to do , which is completing the FI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights advocates raised concerns about whether the department ’ s data-driven culture motivates officers to fill out more cards and if people added to the field interview database could fall under unwarranted scrutiny .
Peter Bibring , an attorney at the ACLU of Southern California , said the much higher number of field interview cards submitted by Metro officers highlights the problematic nature of the division ’ s use of pretextual traffic stops to suppress crime , in which officers use a minor violation such as a broken taillight to stop a vehicle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In October , LAPD Chief Michel Moore directed Metro to scale back on such proactive patrols .
Bibring said that even if they are not involved in criminal activity , individuals documented on Metro officers ’ field interview cards may still be more likely to be considered a suspect in an investigation .
“ If their FI cards are in the system , even if the information on them is vague and there ’ s no clear evidence of criminal activity , there can be a sense that where there ’ s smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bibring said .
In the current Metro scandal , similar concerns have been raised about those who are added to the CalGang database .
Eighteen people are currently under scrutiny in a probe of officers who falsified information used to enter people into the database .
The gang-framing allegations came to light after a Van Nuys mother received a letter early last year from the LAPD saying her son was identified as a gang member during an interview with officers in late 2018 .
She believed her son was misidentified and reported it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ station .
Officials then reviewed body camera footage and other information and found inaccuracies they attributed to an officer .
California Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra , who in February announced an investigation into the LAPD ’ s use of the database , said that being erroneously placed in the database can lead to unwarranted scrutiny by law enforcement .
Bibring said the same thing could be true of an individual for whom a field interview card is completed .
“ The concern with law enforcement databases is they provide a starting universe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ If an officer is looking for suspects and a crime is committed in a particular area , they may not know every person that lives in that the area , but they can call up all the FI cards.
” Frank called Bibring ’ s assertion that being in the field interview database alone could subject an individual to unwarranted scrutiny “ absolutely false.
” Officers use the database to look for particular people , he said , not to cast a wide net for suspects .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered into the department ’ s database .
The productivity of Metro officers is measured in part by the number of gun seizures , citations and field interviews they conducted , an internal document obtained by The Times showed .
Frank said that patrol divisions also track the number of field interview cards that officers complete .
An LAPD source who is not authorized to discuss the investigation and requested anonymity said Metro officers feel pressure to produce statistics in a results-driven department .
The problems stem from a Metro expansion in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ source said .
Department officials have said there are no quotas that would incentivize officers to complete more field interview cards .
“ We have to have some way of measuring officers ’ performance , and this is how we track it , ” Frank said .
“ But it doesn ’ t allow an officer the ability to lie , or cheat or provide false documentation.
” Policing experts said the department ’ s tracking of field interview cards should not be downplayed , especially considering that Metro officers filled out cards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stopped when there was no arrest made or citation issued .
“ Completing field interviews is clearly a performance metric for these officers and supervisors are usually held accountable for the performance of their officers , ” said Richard Rosenfeld , criminology professor emeritus at the University of Missouri St. Louis .
Rosenfeld said that he accepted the LAPD ’ s explanation for Metro ’ s high field interview card rate , but that the same explanation should apply to other specialized units that do not focus on responding to everyday radio calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement completed field interview cards in 28 % of stops , Metro ’ s rate was still more than twice as high as theirs .
Frank said that the lower rate of gang enforcement officers filling out cards stems partly from the fact that they are often in court and spend less time in the field .
The stop data offers a window into how different divisions use field interview cards as a technique for intelligence gathering .
Of the 50 LAPD officers who completed the most cards , more than half were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Four of the five most prolific individual LAPD officers were assigned to Metro and filled out cards on roughly 90 % of the people they stopped .
Frank said he was not surprised that some Metro officers would be more meticulous about filing cards than others in the department .
“ It doesn ’ t indicate any wrongdoing , ” he said .
“ Here ’ s where my concern would be : If they were completing FIs on individuals that they never came in contact with .
And in fact , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re looking into as part of this whole [ gang ] investigation.
” Overall , Metro officers completed cards for 67 % of Latinos they stopped , 64 % of blacks and 57 % of whites .
Frank said every stop conducted by officers is based on probable cause , and that raw numbers by themselves are not sufficient to cause concern about the racial differences .
“ They ’ re not looking to stop an individual based on , ‘ well is that person white or is that person black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re focused on addressing crime issues.
” To combat a surge in violent crime , the LAPD had doubled the size of the Metropolitan Division in 2015 , creating special units to swarm crime hot spots .
But last October , Moore said he was revamping the division and that Metro crime suppression officers would focus on tracking down suspects wanted for violent crime and use strategies other than vehicle stops .
The move came after a Times investigation found that Metro officers stopped African American drivers at a rate more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s population .
Metro ’ s field interview card rate had been climbing steadily to more than 70 % through last fall .
After Moore ’ s announcement , the rate at which Metro officers completed cards dropped to less than 40 % .

Officers from the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division check a driver and passenger for tattoos while other officers search their vehicle in November 2015.
The Los Angeles Police Department division under scrutiny for officers who allegedly falsified field interview cards that portrayed people as gang members has played an outsized role in the production of those cards, a Times analysis found.
The field interview cards have been used for decades to gather intelligence and create a database that officers can access to help with investigations. Police can fill them out to document encounters they have with anyone they question on their beat. Information from the cards is also used to add names to the statewide CalGang database.
The elite Metropolitan Division made up about 4% of the force but accounted for more than 20% of the department’s field interview cards issued during a recent 18-month period, the analysis shows. The division completed 44,000 cards from July 1, 2018, through the end of last year.
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Metro Division officers completed the cards in 65% of their stops, more than three times the rate of officers in the 77th Street, Southeast and Southwest divisions, which have more crime than other parts of the city, records show.
And more than half of the people stopped by Metro officers who had field interview cards completed about them were not arrested or cited — a rate five times higher than the rest of the department, according to the review of LAPD stop data.
The data reviewed by The Times does not indicate if an officer documented a person as a gang member on the field interview card itself. The LAPD has refused to disclose that information under the state open records law, saying that releasing details from the field interviews could compromise ongoing investigations.
LAPD officials said the figures reflect the division’s mission as a mobile reserve unit that focuses on proactive enforcement to curb violent crime instead of handling everyday radio calls.
“There’s nothing that precludes an officer from completing an FI card on everyone they come in contact with,” LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank said. “Some patrol officers do it. Some patrol officers don’t. But I don’t think we can fault them for doing what they’re expected to do, which is completing the FI cards.”
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But policing experts and civil rights advocates raised concerns about whether the department’s data-driven culture motivates officers to fill out more cards and if people added to the field interview database could fall under unwarranted scrutiny.
Peter Bibring, an attorney at the ACLU of Southern California, said the much higher number of field interview cards submitted by Metro officers highlights the problematic nature of the division’s use of pretextual traffic stops to suppress crime, in which officers use a minor violation such as a broken taillight to stop a vehicle and look for more serious wrongdoing. In October, LAPD Chief Michel Moore directed Metro to scale back on such proactive patrols.
Bibring said that even if they are not involved in criminal activity, individuals documented on Metro officers’ field interview cards may still be more likely to be considered a suspect in an investigation.
“If their FI cards are in the system, even if the information on them is vague and there’s no clear evidence of criminal activity, there can be a sense that where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Bibring said.
In the current Metro scandal, similar concerns have been raised about those who are added to the CalGang database. Eighteen people are currently under scrutiny in a probe of officers who falsified information used to enter people into the database.
The gang-framing allegations came to light after a Van Nuys mother received a letter early last year from the LAPD saying her son was identified as a gang member during an interview with officers in late 2018. She believed her son was misidentified and reported it to a supervisor at a nearby police station. Officials then reviewed body camera footage and other information and found inaccuracies they attributed to an officer.
California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, who in February announced an investigation into the LAPD’s use of the database, said that being erroneously placed in the database can lead to unwarranted scrutiny by law enforcement. Bibring said the same thing could be true of an individual for whom a field interview card is completed.
“The concern with law enforcement databases is they provide a starting universe for police to conduct an investigation,” he said. “If an officer is looking for suspects and a crime is committed in a particular area, they may not know every person that lives in that the area, but they can call up all the FI cards.”
Frank called Bibring’s assertion that being in the field interview database alone could subject an individual to unwarranted scrutiny “absolutely false.” Officers use the database to look for particular people, he said, not to cast a wide net for suspects. He also noted that not all cards are entered into the department’s database.
The productivity of Metro officers is measured in part by the number of gun seizures, citations and field interviews they conducted, an internal document obtained by The Times showed. Frank said that patrol divisions also track the number of field interview cards that officers complete.
An LAPD source who is not authorized to discuss the investigation and requested anonymity said Metro officers feel pressure to produce statistics in a results-driven department. The problems stem from a Metro expansion in 2015 to target guns and gangs, the source said. Department officials have said there are no quotas that would incentivize officers to complete more field interview cards.
“We have to have some way of measuring officers’ performance, and this is how we track it,” Frank said. “But it doesn’t allow an officer the ability to lie, or cheat or provide false documentation.”
Policing experts said the department’s tracking of field interview cards should not be downplayed, especially considering that Metro officers filled out cards on more than half of those they stopped when there was no arrest made or citation issued.
“Completing field interviews is clearly a performance metric for these officers and supervisors are usually held accountable for the performance of their officers,” said Richard Rosenfeld, criminology professor emeritus at the University of Missouri St. Louis.
Rosenfeld said that he accepted the LAPD’s explanation for Metro’s high field interview card rate, but that the same explanation should apply to other specialized units that do not focus on responding to everyday radio calls. While officers who focus on gang enforcement completed field interview cards in 28% of stops, Metro’s rate was still more than twice as high as theirs.
Frank said that the lower rate of gang enforcement officers filling out cards stems partly from the fact that they are often in court and spend less time in the field.
The stop data offers a window into how different divisions use field interview cards as a technique for intelligence gathering.
Of the 50 LAPD officers who completed the most cards, more than half were from Metro, the analysis found. Four of the five most prolific individual LAPD officers were assigned to Metro and filled out cards on roughly 90% of the people they stopped.
Frank said he was not surprised that some Metro officers would be more meticulous about filing cards than others in the department.
“It doesn’t indicate any wrongdoing,” he said. “Here’s where my concern would be: If they were completing FIs on individuals that they never came in contact with. And in fact, that’s one of the things that we’re looking into as part of this whole [gang] investigation.”
Overall, Metro officers completed cards for 67% of Latinos they stopped, 64% of blacks and 57% of whites. Frank said every stop conducted by officers is based on probable cause, and that raw numbers by themselves are not sufficient to cause concern about the racial differences.
“They’re not looking to stop an individual based on, ‘well is that person white or is that person black,’” he said. “They’re focused on addressing crime issues.”
To combat a surge in violent crime, the LAPD had doubled the size of the Metropolitan Division in 2015, creating special units to swarm crime hot spots. But last October, Moore said he was revamping the division and that Metro crime suppression officers would focus on tracking down suspects wanted for violent crime and use strategies other than vehicle stops.
The move came after a Times investigation found that Metro officers stopped African American drivers at a rate more than five times their share of the city’s population.
Metro’s field interview card rate had been climbing steadily to more than 70% through last fall. After Moore’s announcement, the rate at which Metro officers completed cards dropped to less than 40%.