latimes--2020-10-09--How California's Prop. 21 is different from the rent control initiative two years ago

Just two years ago , Californians resoundingly rejected a ballot initiative that would have expanded rent control in the state .
Now , supporters of that measure are back with Proposition 21 , an initiative on the November ballot that similarly would allow California cities and counties to implement greater rent controls than they ’ re currently allowed .
But there are some changes that backers believe will make the idea more palatable to voters this time .
Over the last two years , California ’ s housing affordability and homelessness challenges have only gotten more difficult , with renters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
Here ’ s how renters have been faring since 2018 and how Proposition 21 would work .
Renters are still struggling , but the state has offered some help California has some of the most expensive rental housing in the country .
Five of the top seven metropolitan areas with the highest average monthly rents are in the Golden State , according to August data from real estate firm Zillow .
San Francisco tops the list at $ 3,123 a month for all rentals .
And renters can not afford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , more than 56 % of tenant families in California spend 30 % or more of their income on rent , the level at which spending on housing hinders the ability to pay for other necessities .
Last year , in response to soaring rents , Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed a law that caps rent increases statewide at 5 % plus inflation annually for most rental housing older than 15 years — one of the strongest policies of its kind in the country .
Nevertheless , the law still allows rents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially now in the wake of the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus .
The economic downturn has led to declining rents in California ’ s largest metropolitan areas , especially at the higher end of the market .
But millions have lost their jobs .
By one estimate , as many as 5.4 million tenants could be facing eviction in the coming months .
Federal , state and local governments have passed varying forms of eviction protections , but few programs are providing financial relief so that tenants and landlords can make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are California ’ s rent control rules now ?
Cities face strict limits on passing new forms of rent control because of a 1995 state law called the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act .
• Apartments built after 1995 , or earlier in cities that had rent control laws before Costa-Hawkins passed .
In Los Angeles , for example , apartments built after Oct. 1 , 1978 , are generally not allowed to face rent restrictions .
• Vacant apartments .
Landlords can charge what they want for an apartment after a rent-controlled tenant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the incoming tenant .
Twenty local governments have rent control policies now , including San Francisco , Beverly Hills and Santa Monica , according to Tenants Together , a renter advocacy group .
What would Proposition 21 do ?
The initiative would give cities much more latitude to pass new rent control policies or expand those they currently have .
Proposition 21 would allow cities to implement rent control on : • Apartments , except for those built within the last 15 years .
If the initiative passes , cities could implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with newer apartments eligible to be covered every year following .
• Single-family homes and condominiums , provided that the owner is a corporation or has more than two properties .
• Vacant apartments , but cities would have to allow landlords to increase rents on vacant units by at least 15 % .
These new rules would greatly expand how many properties could face rent controls .
In San Francisco , about 45,000 more apartments could become eligible for rent control immediately , according to a city estimate , a 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent control .
In Los Angeles , another 141,000 apartments could become eligible , according to a city estimate , an increase of 23 % .
Proposition 21 contrasts with the rent control initiative from two years ago , Proposition 10 , by putting some guidelines on local rent controls .
Proposition 10 would have just repealed Costa-Hawkins , allowing cities to craft their own guidelines without limits .
Opponents of the 2018 initiative relentlessly hammered the potential implications of that measure in advertisements , arguing that rent control could soon be applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property owner had as an investment .
René Moya , the campaign director for Yes on 21 , said that it ’ s never been the intention for cities to implement such strict rent control measures and that the constraints in the new initiative convey that unequivocally .
“ We made it as explicit , as crystal clear as possible for the avoidance of doubt , ” said Moya , noting that the initiative still provides the potential for robust tenant protections .
Steve Maviglio , a spokesman for No on 21 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount to window dressing that will still lead to less affordable housing overall .
“ If I had a different phrase than ‘ lipstick on a pig , ’ I ’ d use it , ” Maviglio said .
What do the experts say ?
Economists generally do not approve of rent controls because they believe limits on what landlords can charge leads to fewer houses being produced , therefore driving up prices .
But how rent control laws function matters .
In a recent study of rent control in San Francisco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules reduced the supply of rental housing because landlords converted their rent-controlled apartments to condominiums or tore them down to replace them with newer construction .
This likely led to increased prices overall with wealthier residents moving in , the study found .
However , the study also found that rent control had a large effect on preventing the displacement of Black , Latino and other renters of color .
The policy , the study concluded , also fostered diversity in San Francisco .
“ By simultaneously bringing in higher-income residents and preventing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to widening income inequality of the city , ” the study said .
Other analyses focus on different outcomes .
A review of research on rent control programs led by USC sociology professor Manuel Pastor found that there ’ s wide agreement that rent controls lead to greater neighborhood stability , something particularly beneficial for low-income tenants who otherwise might have to leave apartments due to rising rents .
Research cited by Pastor shows that forced moves increase stress and worsen health and education outcomes .
As for the potential negative effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pastor contended that cities could lessen them by adopting specific policies .
Prohibiting rent control on apartments built within the last 15 years is one way to do it , he said .
“ I ’ m as convinced as I was two years ago about the research , ” Pastor said .
“ I ’ m more convinced than I was about the measure , which got better.
” Who is behind the initiative ?
Financial backing for Proposition 21 is coming from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation , an L.A.-based nonprofit organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiative .
The foundation has raised $ 28 million so far in support , nearly all the money for the campaign .
The California Democratic Party and a variety of tenant groups also back the initiative .
The highest-profile endorsement comes from former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-Vt. ) .
Who is against it ?
Opposition to Proposition 21 is coming from large apartment owners — the same groups that spent heavily against the 2018 rent control initiative .
So far , the No on 21 campaign has raised $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest contributions coming from Essex Property Trust , Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities , all major landlords in California .
The California Chamber of Commerce and State Building and Construction Trades Council of California , the labor group that represents construction workers , oppose the initiative .
Newsom is the highest-profile opponent of Proposition 21 , citing the rent cap law he signed last year as reason to deny stronger measures .
Times staff writers Andrew Khouri and Maloy Moore contributed to this report .

A broad coalition of tenants and housing rights organizers rally at Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles to protest eviction orders on Sept. 2.
Just two years ago, Californians resoundingly rejected a ballot initiative that would have expanded rent control in the state.
Now, supporters of that measure are back with Proposition 21, an initiative on the November ballot that similarly would allow California cities and counties to implement greater rent controls than they’re currently allowed. But there are some changes that backers believe will make the idea more palatable to voters this time.
Over the last two years, California’s housing affordability and homelessness challenges have only gotten more difficult, with renters and landlords facing new pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Here’s how renters have been faring since 2018 and how Proposition 21 would work.
Renters are still struggling, but the state has offered some help
California has some of the most expensive rental housing in the country. Five of the top seven metropolitan areas with the highest average monthly rents are in the Golden State, according to August data from real estate firm Zillow. San Francisco tops the list at $3,123 a month for all rentals.
And renters cannot afford those amounts. According to U.S. census data, more than 56% of tenant families in California spend 30% or more of their income on rent, the level at which spending on housing hinders the ability to pay for other necessities.
Last year, in response to soaring rents, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law that caps rent increases statewide at 5% plus inflation annually for most rental housing older than 15 years — one of the strongest policies of its kind in the country.
Nevertheless, the law still allows rents to rise much faster than incomes, especially now in the wake of the economic fallout from the novel coronavirus.
The economic downturn has led to declining rents in California’s largest metropolitan areas, especially at the higher end of the market. But millions have lost their jobs.
By one estimate, as many as 5.4 million tenants could be facing eviction in the coming months. Federal, state and local governments have passed varying forms of eviction protections, but few programs are providing financial relief so that tenants and landlords can make their rent and mortgage payments.
Advertisement
What are California’s rent control rules now?
Cities face strict limits on passing new forms of rent control because of a 1995 state law called the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
That law prohibits cities from implementing rent control on:
Apartments built after 1995, or earlier in cities that had rent control laws before Costa-Hawkins passed. In Los Angeles, for example, apartments built after Oct. 1, 1978, are generally not allowed to face rent restrictions.
Single-family homes and condominiums
Vacant apartments. Landlords can charge what they want for an apartment after a rent-controlled tenant moves out, then rent restrictions reset for the incoming tenant.
Twenty local governments have rent control policies now, including San Francisco, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica, according to Tenants Together, a renter advocacy group.
What would Proposition 21 do?
The initiative would give cities much more latitude to pass new rent control policies or expand those they currently have. Proposition 21 would allow cities to implement rent control on:
Apartments, except for those built within the last 15 years. If the initiative passes, cities could implement rent control on apartments built before 2006, with newer apartments eligible to be covered every year following.
Single-family homes and condominiums, provided that the owner is a corporation or has more than two properties.
Vacant apartments, but cities would have to allow landlords to increase rents on vacant units by at least 15%.
These new rules would greatly expand how many properties could face rent controls. In San Francisco, about 45,000 more apartments could become eligible for rent control immediately, according to a city estimate, a 26% increase over those currently subject to rent control. In Los Angeles, another 141,000 apartments could become eligible, according to a city estimate, an increase of 23%.
Proposition 21 contrasts with the rent control initiative from two years ago, Proposition 10, by putting some guidelines on local rent controls. Proposition 10 would have just repealed Costa-Hawkins, allowing cities to craft their own guidelines without limits.
Opponents of the 2018 initiative relentlessly hammered the potential implications of that measure in advertisements, arguing that rent control could soon be applied to a lone single-family rental that a property owner had as an investment.
René Moya, the campaign director for Yes on 21, said that it’s never been the intention for cities to implement such strict rent control measures and that the constraints in the new initiative convey that unequivocally.
“We made it as explicit, as crystal clear as possible for the avoidance of doubt,” said Moya, noting that the initiative still provides the potential for robust tenant protections.
Steve Maviglio, a spokesman for No on 21, said the changes in the new initiative amount to window dressing that will still lead to less affordable housing overall.
“If I had a different phrase than ‘lipstick on a pig,’ I’d use it,” Maviglio said.
What do the experts say?
Economists generally do not approve of rent controls because they believe limits on what landlords can charge leads to fewer houses being produced, therefore driving up prices.
But how rent control laws function matters. In a recent study of rent control in San Francisco, three Stanford University economists found that the rules reduced the supply of rental housing because landlords converted their rent-controlled apartments to condominiums or tore them down to replace them with newer construction. This likely led to increased prices overall with wealthier residents moving in, the study found.
However, the study also found that rent control had a large effect on preventing the displacement of Black, Latino and other renters of color. The policy, the study concluded, also fostered diversity in San Francisco.
“By simultaneously bringing in higher-income residents and preventing displacement of minorities, rent control has contributed to widening income inequality of the city,” the study said.
Other analyses focus on different outcomes. A review of research on rent control programs led by USC sociology professor Manuel Pastor found that there’s wide agreement that rent controls lead to greater neighborhood stability, something particularly beneficial for low-income tenants who otherwise might have to leave apartments due to rising rents. Research cited by Pastor shows that forced moves increase stress and worsen health and education outcomes.
As for the potential negative effects of rent control on housing supply, Pastor contended that cities could lessen them by adopting specific policies. Prohibiting rent control on apartments built within the last 15 years is one way to do it, he said.
“I’m as convinced as I was two years ago about the research,” Pastor said. “I’m more convinced than I was about the measure, which got better.”
Who is behind the initiative?
Financial backing for Proposition 21 is coming from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, an L.A.-based nonprofit organization that similarly financed the 2018 rent control initiative. The foundation has raised $28 million so far in support, nearly all the money for the campaign.
The California Democratic Party and a variety of tenant groups also back the initiative. The highest-profile endorsement comes from former Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
Who is against it?
Opposition to Proposition 21 is coming from large apartment owners — the same groups that spent heavily against the 2018 rent control initiative. So far, the No on 21 campaign has raised $47 million, with some of the biggest contributions coming from Essex Property Trust, Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities, all major landlords in California.
The California Chamber of Commerce and State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, the labor group that represents construction workers, oppose the initiative. Newsom is the highest-profile opponent of Proposition 21, citing the rent cap law he signed last year as reason to deny stronger measures.
Times staff writers Andrew Khouri and Maloy Moore contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-10-09--Earthquake: Magnitude 2.5 quake shakes in the San Fernando Valley

A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was reported late Thursday night at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time in the northern San Fernando Valley , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred one mile from San Fernando , five miles from Santa Clarita , eight miles from Burbank and eight miles from Stevenson Ranch .
In the last 10 days , there have been two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 59 earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.0 and 3.0 occur per year in the greater Los Angeles area , according to a recent three-year data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depth of 7.0 miles .
Did you feel this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system , visit our list of frequently asked questions .

A magnitude 2.5 earthquake hit the northern San Fernando Valley late Thursday night, according to the USGS.
A magnitude 2.5 earthquake was reported late Thursday night at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time in the northern San Fernando Valley, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred one mile from San Fernando, five miles from Santa Clarita, eight miles from Burbank and eight miles from Stevenson Ranch.
In the last 10 days, there have been two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
An average of 59 earthquakes with magnitudes between 2.0 and 3.0 occur per year in the greater Los Angeles area, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 7.0 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
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Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-10-09--Former O.C. Sheriff's deputy faces charges in burglaries of dead man's home

The Orange County district attorney ’ s office said Thursday that it was charging Steve Hortz , a former sheriff @ @ @ @ @ three felony counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of grand theft of a firearm @ @ @ @ @ of San Dimas is due back in court Tuesday to be arraigned after authorities said @ @ @ @ @ footage entering the home of dead man and burglarizing the residence on multiple occasions .
@ @ @ @ @ counts , the 12-year veteran could face up to four years and four months in @ @ @ @ @ failure of a single law enforcement officer to live up to their oath does not @ @ @ @ @ s badge , it tarnishes the badge of the hundreds of thousands of honorable law @ @ @ @ @ in and day out to protect and serve , ” Dist .
Atty .
Todd @ @ @ @ @

The Orange County district attorney’s office said Thursday that it was charging Steve Hortz, a former sheriff’s deputy, with three felony counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of grand theft of a firearm.
Hortz, 42, of San Dimas is due back in court Tuesday to be arraigned after authorities said he was recorded on surveillance footage entering the home of dead man and burglarizing the residence on multiple occasions.
If found guilty of all counts, the 12-year veteran could face up to four years and four months in state prison.
“The failure of a single law enforcement officer to live up to their oath does not just tarnish that officer’s badge, it tarnishes the badge of the hundreds of thousands of honorable law enforcement officers who work day in and day out to protect and serve,” Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer in a statement.


latimes--2020-10-09--As election winds down, Los Angeles D.A. candidates skirmish in virtual debate

With the race to lead the country ’ s largest prosecutor ’ s office entering its final stretch , the incumbent , Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey , squared off in a debate Thursday night with her progressive challenger , George Gascón , who is riding a swell in endorsements and fundraising after a tumultuous summer shifted political winds in Los Angeles .
The nationally watched contest comes against the backdrop of a burgeoning movement for criminal justice reform , prompted by the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and those of other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34-year veteran of the office she now leads , was elected district attorney in 2012 and won a second term unopposed in 2016 .
She is the first woman and the first Black person to head the county prosecutor ’ s office in its 170-year history .
Gascón led the San Francisco district attorney ’ s office for eight years .
He previously served as a top official with the Los Angeles Police Department and led the police departments of San Francisco and Mesa , Ariz .
In a virtual debate moderated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ KPCC , Lacey and Gascón staked out positions far apart on capital punishment and gang enhancements .
“ Until the voters tell me , ‘ We don ’ t want this penalty anymore , ’ we ’ re going to continue to seek it in some cases , ” Lacey said , stressing that her deputies only pursue the death penalty in rare , egregious crimes .
Calling his opponent “ out of touch with reality , ” Gascón said capital punishment is no longer useful as a deterrent and is unequally applied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim is white .
If elected , Gascón said he would no longer seek gang enhancements , which can lengthen a defendant ’ s prison sentence if a jury finds the crime benefited a gang .
Such enhancements have been “ corrupted , ” he said , citing the alleged falsification by six officers from the LAPD of field interview cards that erroneously labeled dozens of people as gang members and associates .
Lacey said she would continue pursuing the enhancements , emphasizing that a defendant ’ s association with a gang is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but through testimony and other evidence brought before a jury .
“ He ’ s not a courtroom lawyer , ” she said , accusing Gascón of dismissing victims of gang violence and “ neighborhoods under siege.
” On other issues , such as diverting some defendants from prosecution or incarceration , both candidates expressed support for such programs but offered differing views on how they should look .
Lacey touted her record of diversion programs for some mentally ill people but said more funding is needed for “ secure housing ” before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe a lot of these people could just be let out onto the street , ” she said .
Gascón said that in San Francisco , his office successfully diverted people with nonviolent misdemeanor cases into settings where they could be rehabilitated .
Lacey accused him of allowing property crime — particularly car break-ins — to spike under his watch , after he essentially discouraged police officers from investigating the crimes by choosing not to vigorously prosecute the perpetrators , she said .
Both Lacey and Gascón wielded different sets of facts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think tanks and universities to accuse the other of allowing crime to rise or of failing to address various social and managerial problems .
They clashed over how many police officers they had prosecuted and for what crimes ; whether people killed by the police in their jurisdictions had been armed ; whether legislation that downgraded certain felonies to misdemeanors has alleviated or worsened social issues .
But they appeared to agree on this : Lacey has an established track record that she has not shied away from .
Gascón ’ s views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a police officer , to being the top prosecutor in San Francisco , to seeking the same office in Los Angeles , he said he continues “ to learn and evolve.
” Lacey offered a different assessment : “ He says ‘ evolve.
’ That ’ s politics .
Changing your views to get elected .
Changing your views to get a new job.
” Lacey has the backing of law enforcement unions which have collectively deposited several million dollars into her campaign coffers , accounting for 75 % of its funds overall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of progressive billionaires and millionaires , many of them in the Bay Area .
In recent weeks , several Southern California politicians have abandoned their endorsements of Lacey for Gascón , most notably Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , who issued a statement last week calling Gascón the candidate “ who can meet this moment .
”

With the race to lead the country’s largest prosecutor’s office entering its final stretch, the incumbent, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, squared off in a debate Thursday night with her progressive challenger, George Gascón, who is riding a swell in endorsements and fundraising after a tumultuous summer shifted political winds in Los Angeles.
The nationally watched contest comes against the backdrop of a burgeoning movement for criminal justice reform, prompted by the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis and those of other people of color.
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Lacey, a 34-year veteran of the office she now leads, was elected district attorney in 2012 and won a second term unopposed in 2016. She is the first woman and the first Black person to head the county prosecutor’s office in its 170-year history.
Gascón led the San Francisco district attorney’s office for eight years. He previously served as a top official with the Los Angeles Police Department and led the police departments of San Francisco and Mesa, Ariz.
In a virtual debate moderated by reporters from the Los Angeles Times and KPCC, Lacey and Gascón staked out positions far apart on capital punishment and gang enhancements.
“Until the voters tell me, ‘We don’t want this penalty anymore,’ we’re going to continue to seek it in some cases,” Lacey said, stressing that her deputies only pursue the death penalty in rare, egregious crimes.
Calling his opponent “out of touch with reality,” Gascón said capital punishment is no longer useful as a deterrent and is unequally applied to minority defendants, particularly when a victim is white.
Advertisement
If elected, Gascón said he would no longer seek gang enhancements, which can lengthen a defendant’s prison sentence if a jury finds the crime benefited a gang. Such enhancements have been “corrupted,” he said, citing the alleged falsification by six officers from the LAPD of field interview cards that erroneously labeled dozens of people as gang members and associates.
Lacey said she would continue pursuing the enhancements, emphasizing that a defendant’s association with a gang is proven not by the field interview card but through testimony and other evidence brought before a jury.
“He’s not a courtroom lawyer,” she said, accusing Gascón of dismissing victims of gang violence and “neighborhoods under siege.”
On other issues, such as diverting some defendants from prosecution or incarceration, both candidates expressed support for such programs but offered differing views on how they should look. Lacey touted her record of diversion programs for some mentally ill people but said more funding is needed for “secure housing” before expanding them.
“I do not believe a lot of these people could just be let out onto the street,” she said.
Gascón said that in San Francisco, his office successfully diverted people with nonviolent misdemeanor cases into settings where they could be rehabilitated. Lacey accused him of allowing property crime — particularly car break-ins — to spike under his watch, after he essentially discouraged police officers from investigating the crimes by choosing not to vigorously prosecute the perpetrators, she said.
Both Lacey and Gascón wielded different sets of facts, reaching for studies and statistics from different think tanks and universities to accuse the other of allowing crime to rise or of failing to address various social and managerial problems.
They clashed over how many police officers they had prosecuted and for what crimes; whether people killed by the police in their jurisdictions had been armed; whether legislation that downgraded certain felonies to misdemeanors has alleviated or worsened social issues.
But they appeared to agree on this: Lacey has an established track record that she has not shied away from. Gascón’s views have changed. From his time as a police officer, to being the top prosecutor in San Francisco, to seeking the same office in Los Angeles, he said he continues “to learn and evolve.”
Lacey offered a different assessment: “He says ‘evolve.’ That’s politics. Changing your views to get elected. Changing your views to get a new job.”
Lacey has the backing of law enforcement unions, which have contributed several million dollars to outside committees supporting her campaign. Gascón enjoys support from a group of progressive billionaires and millionaires, many of them in the Bay Area.
In recent weeks, several Southern California politicians have abandoned their endorsements of Lacey for Gascón, most notably Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who issued a statement last week calling Gascón the candidate “who can meet this moment.”


latimes--2020-10-08--Coronavirus outbreaks ravage nursing homes again, even after Newsom safety measures

After a steady slide in the statewide number of new coronavirus infections at skilled nursing homes , facilities in Santa Cruz and Shasta Counties are grappling with severe outbreaks , with several dozen people at both places testing positive and residents dying of COVID-19 .
The outbreaks raise questions on whether a May directive by state health officials , requiring regular testing of nursing home residents and staff , is being comprehensively implemented .
Some watchdogs fear another spike could be in the offing at facilities that care for some of California ’ s most frail and vulnerable .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be having deaths , ” Charlene Harrington , a professor emeritus at UC San Francisco who studies skilled nursing facilities , said Thursday .
“ There is a breakdown.
” At the Watsonville-Post Acute Center in Santa Cruz County , 61 people , including nine staff members , have tested positive since mid-September .
Nine residents , whose ages ranged from the low 70s to 90s , have died , county health spokeswoman Corinne Hyland said Tuesday .
The facility is licensed for 95 beds .
In Redding , the Windsor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , also is coping with an outbreak .
Sixty residents and 20 staff members have contracted the virus , and seven have died from COVID-19 , said Shasta County Health and Human Services spokeswoman Kerri Schuette .
Patricia McGinnis , executive director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform , said new California testing requirements imposed on nursing homes were being followed only sporadically and with little follow-up enforcement from the state .
In addition , rapid antigen tests the federal government has sent to nursing homes recently have been “ absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce too many false results .
State officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
State records show that about a half-dozen facilities across the state have significant outbreaks , and more have minor ones .
Though the worst toll of the virus for elder care and skilled nursing facilities came early in the pandemic , infection numbers crept up again in August before once again declining in California .
In July and August , there were about 1,000 deaths a month in nursing homes and assisted living facilities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That number dipped to 562 in the month of September , according to the tracker .
But danger persists .
Over the last week , those facilities have averaged 142 new cases and 13.7 new deaths per day .
Hyland said the Watsonville facility had been following state guidelines for employee testing , which exposed the outbreak .
The center reported an infected resident on Sept. 17 .
An outbreak at a nursing home is defined as an infection in one resident .
Visitors have been barred during the pandemic , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Hyland said .
“ Unfortunately , this is a very vulnerable population.
” Dr. David Ghilarducci , deputy health officer for Santa Cruz County , said the county ’ s public health staff was working closely with the facility to control the outbreak .
Santa Cruz County health officials have been visiting the facility daily to review protocols on isolation , quarantine , testing and screening , and to respond to requests for more resources .
Officials from the California Department of Public Health also have made multiple visits to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendations , and the California National Guard is also providing help , the county said .
Because many nursing home employees work in more than one facility , the county immediately alerted other homes of the outbreak , Hyland said .
She added that the county was tracing the contacts of the infected .
“ This is really a large outbreak , ” Hyland said .
“ We haven ’ t seen this sort of thing in our county until now.
” The Watsonville center ’ s website has reported previous infections in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The website indicates that past infections have been among employees .
Gerald E. Hunter , the facility ’ s administrator , said on the website that there were 23 residents and four staff members who were still positive for the virus on Oct. 5 .
He said the county ’ s numbers reflected the total infected since the outbreak started .
“ Each day we evaluate all of our residents following CDPH and County of Santa Cruz guidelines to determine whom meets the criteria to be transferred out of the unit , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not respond to a request for an interview .
Shasta County ’ s Schuette said the Windsor Redding Care Center was not accepting visitors when the outbreak occurred .
The county and state public health teams , she said , were working with the facility to control the infections .
To date , nursing homes and senior facilities have accounted for 7 % of California ’ s coronavirus cases , but 36 % of its deaths , according to The Times ’ coronavirus tracker .
On Sept. 29 , Gov .
Gavin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to health authorities within 24 hours during declared emergencies .
The law was written in response to concerns that health agencies were slow to respond to outbreaks because they did not receive timely information about the facilities .
Earlier , in May , California required testing of all residents and staff in nursing facilities to halt the spread of the coronavirus .
The effect has varied .
“ It depends on the place , it depends on the facility , and I am not sure there is a lot of follow-up , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Sundial Bridge in Redding. Coronavirus outbreaks have recently hit nursing homes in that Northern California city and also in Santa Cruz County.
After a steady slide in the statewide number of new coronavirus infections at skilled nursing homes, facilities in Santa Cruz and Shasta Counties are grappling with severe outbreaks, with several dozen people at both places testing positive and residents dying of COVID-19.
The outbreaks raise questions on whether a May directive by state health officials, requiring regular testing of nursing home residents and staff, is being comprehensively implemented. Some watchdogs fear another spike could be in the offing at facilities that care for some of California’s most frail and vulnerable.
“Something is terribly wrong because they shouldn’t be having deaths,” Charlene Harrington, a professor emeritus at UC San Francisco who studies skilled nursing facilities, said Thursday. “There is a breakdown.”
At the Watsonville-Post Acute Center in Santa Cruz County, 61 people, including nine staff members, have tested positive since mid-September. Nine residents, whose ages ranged from the low 70s to 90s, have died, county health spokeswoman Corinne Hyland said Tuesday.
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The facility is licensed for 95 beds.
In Redding, the Windsor Redding Care Center, another skilled nursing home, also is coping with an outbreak. Sixty residents and 20 staff members have contracted the virus, and seven have died from COVID-19, said Shasta County Health and Human Services spokeswoman Kerri Schuette.
Patricia McGinnis, executive director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, said new California testing requirements imposed on nursing homes were being followed only sporadically and with little follow-up enforcement from the state.
In addition, rapid antigen tests the federal government has sent to nursing homes recently have been “absolutely useless,” she said. They produce too many false results.
State officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
State records show that about a half-dozen facilities across the state have significant outbreaks, and more have minor ones. Though the worst toll of the virus for elder care and skilled nursing facilities came early in the pandemic, infection numbers crept up again in August before once again declining in California.
In July and August, there were about 1,000 deaths a month in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker. That number dipped to 562 in the month of September, according to the tracker. But danger persists. Over the last week, those facilities have averaged 142 new cases and 13.7 new deaths per day.
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Hyland said the Watsonville facility had been following state guidelines for employee testing, which exposed the outbreak. The center reported an infected resident on Sept. 17. An outbreak at a nursing home is defined as an infection in one resident. Visitors have been barred during the pandemic, she said.
“It spread pretty quickly,” Hyland said. “Unfortunately, this is a very vulnerable population.”
Dr. David Ghilarducci, deputy health officer for Santa Cruz County, said the county’s public health staff was working closely with the facility to control the outbreak.
California Fatal cases of COVID-19 at nursing facilities prompt new California law With skilled nursing homes hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed a law requiring the facilities in California to report disease-related deaths to health authorities within 24 hours during declared emergencies.
Santa Cruz County health officials have been visiting the facility daily to review protocols on isolation, quarantine, testing and screening, and to respond to requests for more resources.
Officials from the California Department of Public Health also have made multiple visits to the facility to assess the situation and make recommendations, and the California National Guard is also providing help, the county said.
Because many nursing home employees work in more than one facility, the county immediately alerted other homes of the outbreak, Hyland said. She added that the county was tracing the contacts of the infected.
“This is really a large outbreak,” Hyland said. “We haven’t seen this sort of thing in our county until now.”
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
The Watsonville center’s website has reported previous infections in the past but in small numbers. The website indicates that past infections have been among employees.
Gerald E. Hunter, the facility’s administrator, said on the website that there were 23 residents and four staff members who were still positive for the virus on Oct. 5. He said the county’s numbers reflected the total infected since the outbreak started.
“Each day we evaluate all of our residents following CDPH and County of Santa Cruz guidelines to determine whom meets the criteria to be transferred out of the unit,” said Hunter on the website. He did not respond to a request for an interview.
Shasta County’s Schuette said the Windsor Redding Care Center was not accepting visitors when the outbreak occurred. The county and state public health teams, she said, were working with the facility to control the infections.
To date, nursing homes and senior facilities have accounted for 7% of California’s coronavirus cases, but 36% of its deaths, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker.
On Sept. 29, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring skilled nursing facilities in California to report disease-related deaths to health authorities within 24 hours during declared emergencies.
The law was written in response to concerns that health agencies were slow to respond to outbreaks because they did not receive timely information about the facilities.
Earlier, in May, California required testing of all residents and staff in nursing facilities to halt the spread of the coronavirus. The effect has varied.
“It depends on the place, it depends on the facility, and I am not sure there is a lot of follow-up,” said McGinnis, the nursing home reformer.


latimes--2020-10-09--Help is on the way for some of L.A.'s most vulnerable students

Students who are academically struggling will be able to receive one-on-one in-person tutoring in the Los Angeles Unified School District under an agreement between the teachers union and the district .
Until the deal , which the union announced late Thursday , leaders of the teachers union had discouraged voluntary teacher participation in such tutoring until it signed off on safety protocols and other operating rules for the effort — reflecting the statewide concerns among teachers about returning to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
Families interested in the tutoring should speak to their child ’ s teacher or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide information Friday about how many students may be able to benefit from the tutoring .
Supt .
Austin Beutner said last week that the effort was being organized locally in each of the district ’ s 42 administrative units .
The school year started Aug. 18 .
Teachers who participate will be compensated at their hourly rate for sessions that last 50 minutes , with 10 minutes reserved for sanitation between meetings , according to a bulletin that United Teachers Los Angeles sent to members .
The tutoring sessions are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which run from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Because of the pandemic and coronavirus rates in Los Angeles County , daily classes in the nation ’ s second-largest school district are conducted online .
Both union and district leaders have acknowledged that distance learning — especially last spring , when there were no set school hours — has resulted in learning loss and exacerbated academic gaps between students attending schools in more affluent areas and students from schools in low-income , primarily Latino and Black communities .
But these same low-income communities also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection and would potentially face greater risk from reopening schools before transmission was under better control .
United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz said the agreement strikes a necessary balance between student academic needs and safety .
“ We are gratified that we could reach an agreement that supports our most vulnerable students and follows best practices to uphold the health and safety of our school communities , ” Myart-Cruz said .
UTLA also represents counselors , nurses and librarians .
The district emphasized Friday in an email that settings for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health practices that have been in place since the new school year began.
” The agreement would allow for any state or federally required assessments that are better delivered in person to students with disabilities , students learning English and academically gifted students , the union said .
In addition , the deal covers in-person , one-on-one interaction with adult school students as necessary .
Participation is voluntary and teachers can pull out of without repercussions .
“ It ’ s a coalition of the willing , ” Beutner said in an interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiated .
All participants must supply a negative coronavirus test result — either via the district ’ s testing program or that of another provider .
The student-teacher interaction is supposed to take place “ in an outdoor covered area when practical , ” according to the text of the signed agreement , which was provided by the union .
Teachers and others involved in assessment “ may elect to work in regular-sized classrooms with sufficient space for compliance with social distancing protocols and adequate air circulation.
” The agreement stipulates a minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet when possible .
There also are conditions for the ad hoc outdoor teaching stations .
Union members must be provided with face coverings and face shields on request as well as either hand sanitizer or a hand-washing location .
All students “ shall be provided daily an individual , resealable plastic bag of school supplies , ” according to the agreement .
Also available will be a whiteboard , markers , pencils , pens , a notebook and chart paper or an easel .
Students and staff must have access to separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , union members won ’ t be paid extra for student assessments if they occur within the employee ’ s regular working hours .
Under revised state rules , students have been permitted on campus for tutoring or for small-group instruction of high-need students since Sept. 14 .
But it was up to local school districts to decide whether to offer these services and when and how to do so .
Some L.A. County districts have moved faster than L.A. Unified in bringing some students to campus — one way or another .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ students learning from supervised classrooms while their teachers instruct them online from home , about 4 % of district enrollment .
On Monday , Las Virgenes Unified brought in 198 students with special needs from all grade levels , about 2 % of enrollment .
“ We are very excited and over the moon to have even a few students on campus , ” said Las Virgenes Supt .
Dan Stepenosky .
Schools in Orange County and San Diego County have been able to open for all students — with extensive safety protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevalent than in L.A. County .
Even so , not all school systems in those counties have done so .
Even in L.A. County and other coronavirus hot spots , state rules allow districts to bring up to 10 % of a school ’ s students on campus at any given time .
But the students must have special needs best served by being on campus .
Separately , as of this week , schools in Los Angeles County can apply for waivers that would allow for the return of students in kindergarten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must express support .
Other counties have not insisted on union approval .
Schools and school districts also are allowed to offer on-campus childc are , which is the provision being exercised by Glendale Unified .
In Los Angeles , the tutoring was scheduled to begin on Monday of this week — even with union negotiations still in progress .

Tutoring in L.A. Unified is likely to take place in tents that may resemble these outdoor learning stations on the Sycamore Ridge campus in San Diego County.
Students who are academically struggling will be able to receive one-on-one in-person tutoring in the Los Angeles Unified School District under an agreement between the teachers union and the district.
Until the deal, which the union announced late Thursday, leaders of the teachers union had discouraged voluntary teacher participation in such tutoring until it signed off on safety protocols and other operating rules for the effort — reflecting the statewide concerns among teachers about returning to work amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Families interested in the tutoring should speak to their child’s teacher or the school administration. The district did not provide information Friday about how many students may be able to benefit from the tutoring. Supt. Austin Beutner said last week that the effort was being organized locally in each of the district’s 42 administrative units. The school year started Aug. 18.
Teachers who participate will be compensated at their hourly rate for sessions that last 50 minutes, with 10 minutes reserved for sanitation between meetings, according to a bulletin that United Teachers Los Angeles sent to members. The tutoring sessions are expected to take place outside normal school hours, which run from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Because of the pandemic and coronavirus rates in Los Angeles County, daily classes in the nation’s second-largest school district are conducted online.
Both union and district leaders have acknowledged that distance learning — especially last spring, when there were no set school hours — has resulted in learning loss and exacerbated academic gaps between students attending schools in more affluent areas and students from schools in low-income, primarily Latino and Black communities. But these same low-income communities also have endured the highest rates of coronavirus infection and would potentially face greater risk from reopening schools before transmission was under better control.
United Teachers Los Angeles President Cecily Myart-Cruz said the agreement strikes a necessary balance between student academic needs and safety.
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“We are gratified that we could reach an agreement that supports our most vulnerable students and follows best practices to uphold the health and safety of our school communities,” Myart-Cruz said. UTLA also represents counselors, nurses and librarians.
The district emphasized Friday in an email that settings for the tutoring will incorporate “the same state-of-the-art health practices that have been in place since the new school year began.”
The agreement would allow for any state or federally required assessments that are better delivered in person to students with disabilities, students learning English and academically gifted students, the union said. In addition, the deal covers in-person, one-on-one interaction with adult school students as necessary.
Participation is voluntary and teachers can pull out without repercussions.
“It’s a coalition of the willing,” Beutner said in an interview last week when details were still being negotiated.
All participants must supply a negative coronavirus test result — either via the district’s testing program or that of another provider.
The student-teacher interaction is supposed to take place “in an outdoor covered area when practical,” according to the text of the signed agreement, which was provided by the union. Teachers and others involved in assessment “may elect to work in regular-sized classrooms with sufficient space for compliance with social distancing protocols and adequate air circulation.”
The agreement stipulates a minimum of six feet of separation and 10 feet when possible. There also are conditions for the ad hoc outdoor teaching stations.
Union members must be provided with face coverings and face shields on request as well as either hand sanitizer or a hand-washing location. All students “shall be provided daily an individual, resealable plastic bag of school supplies,” according to the agreement. Also available will be a whiteboard, markers, pencils, pens, a notebook and chart paper or an easel.
Students and staff must have access to separate bathrooms.
Although the tutoring is compensated, union members won’t be paid extra for student assessments if they occur within the employee’s regular working hours.
Under revised state rules, students have been permitted on campus for tutoring or for small-group instruction of high-need students since Sept. 14. But it was up to local school districts to decide whether to offer these services and when and how to do so.
Some L.A. County districts have moved faster than L.A. Unified in bringing some students to campus — one way or another.
Glendale Unified has had about 1,000 elementary students learning from supervised classrooms while their teachers instruct them online from home, about 4% of district enrollment. On Monday, Las Virgenes Unified brought in 198 students with special needs from all grade levels, about 2% of enrollment.
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“We are very excited and over the moon to have even a few students on campus,” said Las Virgenes Supt. Dan Stepenosky.
Schools in Orange County and San Diego County have been able to open for all students — with extensive safety protocols — because coronavirus transmission there is less prevalent than in L.A. County. Even so, not all school systems in those counties have done so.
Even in L.A. County and other coronavirus hot spots, state rules allow districts to bring up to 10% of a school’s students on campus at any given time. But the students must have special needs best served by being on campus.
Separately, as of this week, schools in Los Angeles County can apply for waivers that would allow for the return of students in kindergarten through second grade — but employee unions must express support. Other counties have not insisted on union approval.
Schools and school districts also are allowed to offer on-campus child care, which is the provision being exercised by Glendale Unified.
In Los Angeles, the tutoring was scheduled to begin on Monday of this week — even with union negotiations still in progress.


latimes--2020-10-09--How the coronavirus is changing L.A. County's waste stream

The coronavirus outbreak has indelibly imprinted itself on life in Los Angeles — down to the composition of trash washing up on its beaches .
Volunteers at L.A. County ’ s largest annual cleanup event recently collected nearly 750 pieces of disposable personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves , said Shelley Luce , president and CEO of Heal the Bay .
The nonprofit has for the past 30 years coordinated the L.A. County portion of Coastal Cleanup Day , which was this year reimagined as Coastal Cleanup Month due to the pandemic .
“ Coastal Cleanup Month was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Luce said , “ And we ’ ve all been noticing the littered PPE since April , basically.
” It was the first time the cleanup effort tracked the presence of single-use PPE in L.A. County ’ s waste stream , and some were surprised to find it was the 10th-most common category of trash , surpassing items such as glass bottles .
Volunteers also found evidence that people are relying heavily on takeout and delivery services amid the pandemic .
They collected 2,772 disposable foodware accessories such as utensils , straws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the list of most common items , and 1,366 takeout containers , which were fifth .
“ I do believe we ’ re all doing more takeout , which is great because it ’ s supporting local restaurants and it ’ s the safer way to eat at restaurants , ” Luce said .
“ However , if we don ’ t get those food containers in the trash , they end up as litter on our streets and in our rivers and oceans.
” In fact , other than PPE and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commonly found trash items were all food or drink related — food wrappers ( 3,717 ) , bottle caps ( 3,002 ) , plastic bottles ( 1,107 ) , plastic grocery bags ( 1,040 ) , plastic cups and plates ( 889 ) and beverage cans ( 762 ) , Luce said .
Plastic food litter was also found in large quantities in years past , Luce said , although volunteers had reported finding fewer bags since a statewide ban on large grocery stores offering single-use plastic bags was enacted in 2014 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleanup raised concern that the pandemic has worsened people ’ s “ single-use habits , ” which could lead to an influx of plastic waste that threatens to undo some of the progress L.A. County has made in the area , she said .
“ I think it has the potential to result in an increase in some kinds of plastic trash like the masks and gloves , like the takeout containers , ” Luce said .
“ And I think it ’ s up to all of us to make sure we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID by allowing this plastic to become litter in our environment.
” Some environmentalists were alarmed by Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s move in April to temporarily suspend California ’ s single-use plastic bag ban amid concerns that grocery clerks could be at risk for exposure to the coronavirus if shoppers were required to supply their own reusable bags .
The suspension expired after 60 days , but with so many stores and customers stretched across such a large state , some confusion remains , Luce said .
“ We want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring your own bag to the grocery store and bag your own groceries and choose the safe and sustainable path of reusable bags , ” she said .
Consumers can also help reduce plastic waste by choosing takeout restaurants that use biodegradable packaging such as cardboard or recyclable materials such as aluminum foil , and by electing to wear cloth face masks instead of the disposable ones , Luce said .
At least 2,300 volunteers in L.A. County participated in this year ’ s cleanup month , collecting more than 40,000 pieces of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when tens of thousands of people came out for one day , the event was decentralized .
Those who wished to participate were instructed to pick up waste close to home with a group of people who live in the same household .
They were encouraged to download an app through which they could register their involvement and keep track of the different types of trash they found .
The data went into Heal the Bay ’ s long-standing database tracking the breakdown of trash that ’ s picked up around L.A. County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that when advocating for better trash control and new laws to restrict that plastic packaging in California , ” she said .
This year ’ s cleanup month also included a series of digital panels and webinars educating people about environmental issues , including a virtual education day at Heal the Bay ’ s Santa Monica aquarium that drew more than 400 L.A. Unified School District students to learn about plastic trash pollution .
“ The fact that they were able to participate digitally was really fantastic , ” Luce said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I can ’ t wait to have schoolkids back at our aquarium , but this was also a great way to get a lot of participation while keeping everybody safe .
”

The coronavirus outbreak has indelibly imprinted itself on life in Los Angeles — down to the composition of trash washing up on its beaches.
Volunteers at L.A. County’s largest annual cleanup event recently collected nearly 750 pieces of disposable personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves, said Shelley Luce, president and chief executive of Heal the Bay. The nonprofit has for the last 30 years coordinated the L.A. County portion of Coastal Cleanup Day, which was this year reimagined as Coastal Cleanup Month because of the pandemic.
“Coastal Cleanup Month was just this past month of September,” Luce said, “and we’ve all been noticing the littered PPE since April, basically.”
It was the first time the cleanup effort tracked the presence of single-use PPE in L.A. County’s waste stream, and some were surprised to find it was the 10th-most common category of trash, surpassing items such as glass bottles.
Volunteers also found evidence that people are relying heavily on takeout and delivery services amid the pandemic. They collected 2,772 disposable foodware accessories such as utensils, straws and lids, which came in fourth on the list of most common items, and 1,366 takeout containers, which were fifth.
“I do believe we’re all doing more takeout, which is great because it’s supporting local restaurants and it’s the safer way to eat at restaurants,” Luce said. “However, if we don’t get those food containers in the trash, they end up as litter on our streets and in our rivers and oceans.”
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A discarded face covering is seen on the beach in Venice on Friday during the annual coastal cleanup done by thousands of volunteers. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
In fact, aside from PPE and cigarette butts, the top 10 most commonly found trash items were all food- or drink-related — food wrappers (3,717), bottle caps (3,002), plastic bottles (1,107), plastic grocery bags (1,040), plastic cups and plates (889) and beverage cans (762), Luce said.
Plastic food litter was also found in large quantities in years past, Luce said, although volunteers had reported finding fewer bags since a statewide ban on large grocery stores offering single-use plastic bags was enacted in 2014.
The result of this year’s cleanup raised concern that the pandemic has worsened people’s “single-use habits,” which could lead to an influx of plastic waste that threatens to undo some of the progress L.A. County has made in the area, she said.
“I think it has the potential to result in an increase in some kinds of plastic trash, like the masks and gloves, like the takeout containers,” Luce said. “And I think it’s up to all of us to make sure we don’t compound the bad effects of COVID by allowing this plastic to become litter in our environment.”
Some environmentalists were alarmed by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s move in April to temporarily suspend California’s single-use plastic bag ban amid concerns that grocery clerks could be at risk for exposure to the coronavirus if shoppers were required to supply their own reusable bags. The suspension expired after 60 days, but with so many stores and customers stretched across such a large state, some confusion remains, Luce said.
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“We want people to know you can once again bring your own bag to the grocery store and bag your own groceries and choose the safe and sustainable path of reusable bags,” she said.
Consumers can also help reduce plastic waste by choosing takeout restaurants that use biodegradable packaging such as cardboard or recyclable materials such as aluminum foil, and by electing to wear cloth masks instead of the disposable ones, Luce said.
A seagull carries a discarded box of Goldfish on the beach in Santa Monica on Friday. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
At least 2,300 volunteers in L.A. County participated in this year’s cleanup month, collecting more than 40,000 pieces of trash.
Unlike in years past, when tens of thousands of people came out for one day, the event was decentralized. Those who wished to participate were instructed to pick up waste close to home with a group of people who live in the same household. They were encouraged to download an app through which they could register their involvement and keep track of the different types of trash they found.
The data went into Heal the Bay’s long-standing database tracking the breakdown of trash that’s picked up around L.A. County, Luce said.
“We use that when advocating for better trash control and new laws to restrict that plastic packaging in California,” she said.
Advertisement
This year’s cleanup month also included a series of digital panels and webinars educating people about environmental issues, including a virtual education day at Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica aquarium that drew more than 400 L.A. Unified School District students to learn about plastic trash pollution.
“The fact that they were able to participate digitally was really fantastic,” Luce said. “We love to do that in person, and I can’t wait to have schoolkids back at our aquarium, but this was also a great way to get a lot of participation while keeping everybody safe.”


latimes--2020-10-09--Southern California suburban counties failing COVID-19 benchmarks for communities of color

A large swath of Southern California is failing to meet a new state health equity metric that ensures counties are helping poor communities of color most disproportionately affected by the coronavirus , creating new barriers to further reopening .
At least 12 counties — including four in Southern California — aren ’ t meeting the new metric , which is designed to ensure that test positivity rates in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods don ’ t significantly exceed a county ’ s overall rate .
It measures the seven-day average positivity rate of a county ’ s lowest quartile based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infection rate countywide .
“ We all know that low-income Latino , Black and Pacific Islander Californians have been the hardest hit in this pandemic , ” acting state health officer Dr. Erica Pan said during a news briefing this week .
“ Our goal is to reduce disease transmission in all communities , especially those most at risk.
” Data provided from the California Department of Public Health show several counties , including Orange , Riverside , San Bernardino and San Diego , have an excessive gap .
And every disparity has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two different tiers under the state ’ s latest four-tiered , color-coded reopening blueprint .
A county must meet a tier ’ s threshold for coronavirus case counts by population size , in addition to the rate of positive tests .
If requirements for only one of those metrics is met , stricter guidelines apply .
And if a county ’ s overall positivity rate differs significantly from its most disadvantaged neighborhoods , it could be held back from reopening .
For example , Orange County has a seven-day positivity average of 3.2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tier 3 — which allows for a wider reopening of the economic sector .
But in the county ’ s lowest quartile , the positivity number is 6.6 % , which requires the county remain in Tier 2 .
The numbers were published Tuesday and pertain to county data from the previous week .
Other counties failing to meet the new health equity metric include Contra Costa , Fresno , San Francisco , San Joaquin , San Mateo , Santa Barbara , Shasta and Sonoma .
Data are currently unavailable for a handful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to be held back from advancing through the reopening tiers due solely to the health equity metric .
But the requirement will force some counties to deploy more resources to their hardest-hit communities .
San Diego County recently contracted with multiple nonprofits that work with at-risk groups and has expanded testing in communities with an increased number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths .
“ Even though we ’ ve done all of those things , and we will continue to do those , we will always search out more opportunities to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and help those communities who are most impacted , ” County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said Wednesday .
In Los Angeles County , officials said Wednesday that the equity metric was not adversely affecting the county .
“ L.A .
County has one of the lowest equity measures , ” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
“ What is standing in our way to advancing to a higher tier — the red tier — is that we continue to see more than the average of 700 to 800 new cases a day.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , and while health experts say it ’ s too early to label the uptick a surge , the increase may keep some areas from progressing further in the state ’ s reopening plan .
Already , two counties were sent backward on the tiered system .

A swath of California is failing to meet a new state health equity metric for coronavirus cases that’s intended to ensure counties are helping poor communities of color, which are disproportionately affected by the virus.
That failure is creating new barriers to further reopening of the economy.
At least 12 counties, including four in Southern California, aren’t meeting the new metric, which is designed to ensure that test positivity rates in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods don’t significantly exceed a county’s overall rate. It measures the seven-day average positivity rate of a county’s lowest quartile based on the California Healthy Places index against the infection rate countywide.
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“We all know that low-income Latino, Black and Pacific Islander Californians have been the hardest hit in this pandemic,” acting state health officer Dr. Erica Pan said during a news briefing this week. “Our goal is to reduce disease transmission in all communities, especially those most at risk.”
Data provided by the California Department of Public Health show an excessive gap in several counties, including Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.
And every disparity has the potential to place the areas in two different tiers under the state’s latest four-tiered, color-coded reopening blueprint.
A county must meet a tier’s threshold for coronavirus case counts by population size, in addition to the rate of positive tests. If requirements for only one of those metrics is met, stricter guidelines apply. And if a county’s overall positivity rate differs significantly from those in its most disadvantaged neighborhoods, it could be held back from reopening.
For example, Orange County has a seven-day positivity average of 3.2%, a number that aligns with Tier 3 — which allows for a wider reopening of the economic sector. But in the county’s lowest quartile, the positivity rate is 6.6%, which requires the county to remain in Tier 2.
The numbers were published Tuesday and pertain to county data from the previous week.
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Other counties failing to meet the new health equity metric include Contra Costa, Fresno, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Shasta and Sonoma. Data are currently unavailable for a handful of other counties.
No county has yet to be held back from advancing through the reopening tiers solely because of the health equity metric. But the requirement will force some counties to deploy more resources to their hardest-hit communities.
San Diego County recently contracted with multiple nonprofits that work with at-risk groups and has expanded testing in communities with an increased number of COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
“Even though we’ve done all of those things, and we will continue to do those, we will always search out more opportunities to try and address the equity issues and try and help those communities who are most impacted,” County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said this week.
Some officials have pushed back against the metric. Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner referred to the requirement as “virtue signaling,” arguing that it punishes counties that have already taken steps to address disadvantaged communities.
“The problem the governor says he’s addressing is not a problem in Orange County — it’s been addressed,” Wagner said, adding that he takes issue with how the metric is applied, implicating more communities than what he believes to be necessary.
But those in favor of the effort, who have pushed for the state to do more for disadvantaged communities, believe that the equity metric is the right approach.
“If we are in this together, we need to pay attention to what is happening in the Latino community and in specific ZIP Codes,” said Nancy Maldonado, chief executive of the Chicano Federation of San Diego County. “Either your life has not been touched by COVID at all, or your entire life has been devastated.”
Maldonado said reopenings have widely implicated disadvantaged groups. The Chicano Federation pressed Gov. Gavin Newsom to address communities that were not adequately resourced or did not have ample access to medical services needed to mitigate the spread.
“I think that right now, being aggressive is exactly what we need it to be,” she said.
In Los Angeles County, officials said Wednesday that the equity metric was not adversely affecting the county.
“L.A. County has one of the lowest equity measures,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “What is standing in our way to advancing to a higher tier — the red tier — is that we continue to see more than the average of 700 to 800 new cases a day.”
Coronavirus cases continue to rise throughout the state. Though health experts say it’s too early to label the uptick a surge, the increase may keep some areas from progressing further in the state’s reopening plan. Already, two counties were sent backward on the tiered system.


latimes--2020-10-09--Angeles National Forest partly reopens, with burned area closed

Some popular trails in the Angeles National Forest reopened Friday after a monthlong closure because of the active Bobcat fire and high fire danger .
Other roads and trails north of Sierra Madre and Azusa in the burned area remain closed .
Angeles Crest Highway , or Highway 2 , the main road through the forest , remains shut from five miles east of its intersection with Angeles Forest Highway to a point five miles west of Big Pines .
Fire risk remains “ extreme.
” • Chantry Flat area above Arcadia , which includes the Gabrielino , Sturtevant Loop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trails in Big Santa Anita Canyon , where some rustic cabins were lost in the fire ; • Mt .
Wilson area , including the Mt .
Wilson , Valley Forge and West Fort trails and the Mt .
Wilson Toll Road ; and • Juniper Hills and the Littlerock area , including Devil ’ s Punchbowl Trail and Alimony , Littlerock and Santiago off-road trails .
Other parts of the forest have reopened , including routes to Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point above Altadena on the western side of the closure ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the eastern side .
The Bobcat fire started Sept. 6 and since has grown to 115,796 acres as of Friday .
It ’ s 90 % contained and has destroyed 87 homes and 83 other structures .
The cause of the fire remains under investigation .
The most recent trail and road closures and a map of the burned area closure will be posted on the Angeles National Forest website .
The San Bernardino National Forest also partially reopened Friday , though the San Gorgonio Wilderness area remains closed .
The El @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early September .
Wilderness trails in Mt .
San Jacinto State Park are open for day use ( permit required ) , and the Palm Springs aerial tram restarted operations Friday by limiting the number of passengers in each car and taking other pandemic safety precautions .
The forest area around Big Bear Lake reopened too .
Snow Valley Mountain Resort will be open Saturday and Sunday for mountain biking , hiking and scenic lift rides .

Some popular trails in the Angeles National Forest reopened Friday after a monthlong closure because of the active Bobcat fire and high fire danger. Other roads and trails north of Sierra Madre and Azusa in the burned area remain closed.
Angeles Crest Highway, or Highway 2, the main road through the forest, remains shut from five miles east of its intersection with Angeles Forest Highway to a point five miles west of Big Pines. Fire risk remains “extreme.”
The Bobcat burn area closure includes:
Chantry Flat area above Arcadia, which includes the Gabrielino, Sturtevant Loop, Winter Creek, Sturtevant and Zion trails in Big Santa Anita Canyon, where some rustic cabins were lost in the fire;
Mt. Waterman area, including Mt. Waterman, Dawson Saddle, Twin Peaks, Silver Moccasin and Devils Canyon trails;
Mt. Wilson area, including the Mt. Wilson, Valley Forge and West Fork trails and the Mt. Wilson Toll Road; and
Juniper Hills and the Littlerock area, including Devil’s Punchbowl Trail and Alimony, Littlerock and Santiago off-road trails.
Other parts of the forest have reopened, including routes to Echo Mountain and Inspiration Point above Altadena on the western side of the closure; and Icehouse Canyon and Mt. Baldy on the eastern side.
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The Bobcat fire started Sept. 6 and since has grown to 115,796 acres as of Friday. It’s 90% contained and has destroyed 87 homes and 83 other structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The most recent trail and road closures and a map of the burned area closure will be posted on the Angeles National Forest website.
The San Bernardino National Forest also partially reopened Friday, though the San Gorgonio Wilderness area remains closed. The El Dorado fire swept through the area in early September. Wilderness trails in Mt. San Jacinto State Park are open for day use (permit required), and the Palm Springs aerial tram restarted operations Friday by limiting the number of passengers in each car and taking other pandemic safety precautions.
The forest area around Big Bear Lake reopened too. Snow Valley Mountain Resort will be open Saturday and Sunday for mountain biking, hiking and scenic lift rides.


latimes--2020-10-09--How to become an L.A. County poll worker for the 2020 election

If you want to do more than vote in the 2020 election , consider becoming a poll worker to participate in democracy and facilitate a free and fair election .
Polling places in Los Angeles County are in particular need of tech-savvy people who can help voters navigate voting technology and bilingual people to meet the needs of a diverse electorate .
Traditionally , many poll workers have been retirees who don ’ t have to find childcare or take a day off work to do it — but because of the COVID-19 pandemic , many older people may opt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brandon , president and chief executive of the Fair Elections Center , a nonpartisan , Washington-based voting advocacy organization .
If there aren ’ t enough people to work at polling locations , some of those locations may not be able to operate , he said .
“ We saw this in the primaries : Many of those older poll workers were concerned about the pandemic , and they didn ’ t [ work the polls ] in the primary , and we saw it play out in the forced reduction of polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel , ” Brandon said .
“ It really does mean people get disenfranchised when there aren ’ t in-person options for folks.
” Poll workers do things like set up the polling place , instruct voters on how to use the machines , verify names and addresses in the registers , hand out ballots , manage lines , help with curbside voting , direct traffic and answer questions .
This year , poll workers will also be and offering hand sanitizer and masks .
There are two categories of poll worker jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The poll inspector is kind of like the manager .
In addition to the same duties as everyone else , they ’ re responsible for picking up the equipment prior to the election and dropping it off at the end of the day , as well as assigning jobs to the clerks .
Including training sessions and working on election day , of up to $ 140 .
Inspectors can earn up to $ 240 .
You ’ ll be paid via check four to six weeks after the election .
You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as you ’ re a U.S. citizen 18 or older , a resident of California and a registered voter .
It ’ s a long day : Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. , so poll clerks will be expected to arrive at 6 or 6:30 a.m. and stay until about an hour after the last person in line at 8 p.m. casts their vote .
Inspectors will start earlier and end later .
It ’ s not too late to sign up to work the Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepting applications for election workers , ” Mike Sanchez , a spokesman for the L.A. County registrar of voters , wrote in an email .
You can to become a poll worker in L.A. County , or by phone by calling ( 800 ) 815-2666 and selecting Option 7 .
You can also and mail it to the address listed .
Outside L.A. County , you can find information on becoming a poll worker at , a site run by the .
If you are hired as a poll worker , you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training before election day .
Steve Alloway , who ’ s served as a poll inspector in multiple local elections , said the online training lasted about an hour and in-person training lasts about two hours .
You ’ ll watch instructional videos of what you ’ re supposed to do , how to set up the equipment , and how to put the ballots through the scanner .
You ’ ll also learn how to handle various situations , such as a person surrendering their mail-in ballot to vote in person , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but whose name isn ’ t on your register .
The county will assign you to work at a polling location based on need .
You and a friend can request to work at the same polling place , but there ’ s no guarantee you ’ ll be placed together .
As a poll inspector , Alloway said he typically picked up the equipment from the county a week and a half before the election and went to his assigned polling place the night before to start setting up the booths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , everyone arrives bright and early and gets the actual ballot boxes set up .
The poll inspector is the one who formally declares “ The polls are open !
” out loud at 7 a.m .
The time usually goes by quickly .
Chris Brito , who has served as a poll worker in every election since 1992 , said presidential election days are always busy .
He said as an inspector , he ’ ll usually have everyone rotate stations every hour or to avert boredom .
Everyone who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 p.m. has the right to cast a ballot .
After every vote is cast , you balance the books , making sure the number of ballots cast and dropped off all add up .
The equipment gets broken down , and the inspector returns it to the county .
The boxes of ballots get sent off for the votes to be tallied at an official location .
Working the polls is a long day of work for what amounts to less than minimum wage .
But it is a vital part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done it say it ’ s fulfilling , interesting and meaningful work .
And this year , between the pandemic and President Trump casting unfounded doubts on the legitimacy of the election , it ’ s more important than ever .
“ It ’ s something people need to get out and experience at least once in their life , ” said Brito , who said he ’ s going to be a poll worker again in this election .
“ If you worked one , at least you made a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our election was secure and safe and gets done quickly .
It ’ s part of our history .
We need people to come out there and help people vote.
” California is sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters for this election , but poll workers are still needed : People can choose to vote in person instead , or drop off their ballots .
The county has put together a to help ensure health precautions are observed so everyone can vote safely .
Working the polls “ is very , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rewarding , ” said Alloway .
“ You get to help people vote , and that in and of itself is important and rewarding.
” In addition , he said every election he ’ s worked has had some special moment that stuck with him : helping an elderly blind person cast a ballot , or the time during a particularly slow point when the only person at the polls invited him to come outside and use special glasses to watch Venus as it crossed in front of the sun .

If you want to do more than vote in the 2020 election, consider becoming a poll worker to participate in democracy and facilitate a free and fair election. Polling places in Los Angeles County are in particular need of tech-savvy people to help voters navigate balloting technology and bilingual people to meet the needs of a diverse electorate.
Traditionally, many poll workers have been retirees who don’t have to find child care or take a day off work to do it — but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many older people may opt against it this year, said Robert Brandon, president and chief executive of the Fair Elections Center, a nonpartisan, Washington-based voting advocacy organization. If there aren’t enough people to work at polling locations, some of those locations may not be able to operate, he said.
“We saw this in the primaries: Many of those older poll workers were concerned about the pandemic, and they didn’t [work the polls] in the primary, and we saw it play out in the forced reduction of polling sites, more distance for people to travel,” Brandon said. “It really does mean people get disenfranchised when there aren’t in-person options for folks.”
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Poll workers do things like set up the polling place, instruct voters on how to use the machines, verify names and addresses in the registers, hand out ballots, manage lines, help with curbside voting, direct traffic and answer questions. This year, poll workers will also be enforcing social distancing and offering hand sanitizer and masks.
There are two categories of poll worker jobs: poll clerks and poll inspectors. The poll inspector is kind of like the manager. In addition to the same duties as everyone else, they’re responsible for picking up the equipment before the election and dropping it off at the end of the day, as well as assigning jobs to the clerks.
Including training sessions and working on election day, poll clerks can earn a stipend of up to $140. Inspectors can earn up to $240. You’ll be paid via check four to six weeks after the election.
You’re eligible to be a poll worker as long as you’re a U.S. citizen 18 or older, a resident of California and a registered voter.
It’s a long day: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., so poll clerks will be expected to arrive at 6 or 6:30 a.m. and stay until about an hour after the last person in line at 8 p.m. casts their vote. Inspectors will start earlier and end later.
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It’s not too late to sign up to work the Nov. 3 election. “We’re always accepting applications for election workers,” Mike Sanchez, a spokesman for the L.A. County registrar of voters, wrote in an email.
You can apply online to become a poll worker in L.A. County, or by phone by calling (800) 815-2666 and selecting Option 7. You can also download and print out a paper application and mail it to the address listed.
Outside L.A. County, you can find information on becoming a poll worker at WorkElections.com, a site run by the Fair Elections Center.
What it involves
If you are hired as a poll worker, you’ll have to do online and in-person training before election day.
Steve Alloway, who’s served as a poll inspector in multiple local elections, said the online training lasts about an hour and in-person training lasts about two hours. You’ll watch instructional videos of what you’re supposed to do, how to set up the equipment and how to put the ballots through the scanner. You’ll also learn how to handle various situations, such as a person surrendering their mail-in ballot to vote in person, or someone who comes in to vote but whose name isn’t on your register.
The county will assign you to work at a polling location based on need. You and a friend can request to work at the same polling place, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be placed together.
As a poll inspector, Alloway said he typically picked up the equipment from the county a week and a half before the election and went to his assigned polling place the night before to start setting up the booths and tables. The day of the election, everyone arrives bright and early and gets the actual ballot boxes set up. The poll inspector is the one who formally declares “The polls are open!” out loud at 7 a.m.
The time usually goes by quickly. Chris Brito, who has served as a poll worker in every election since 1992, said presidential election days are always busy. He said as an inspector, he’ll usually have everyone rotate stations every hour or so to avert boredom.
Everyone who’s in line when the polls close at 8 p.m. has the right to cast a ballot. After every vote is cast, you balance the books, making sure the number of ballots cast and dropped off all add up. The equipment gets broken down, and the inspector returns it to the county. The boxes of ballots get sent off for the votes to be tallied at an official location.
How to make sure your mail ballot gets counted Check your registration status Every voter should do this now. Just go to https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote, a portal created by the National Assn. of Secretaries of State. If you find you are not on the voting rolls, use the portal to register. Get a mail ballot California and some other states will automatically send them to all registered voters. In other places, you must request one. You can find out whether you need to request one -- and submit the request, if you do -- through the NASS.org portal. Do this now. Mail your ballot by Oct. 27 Earlier is even better. This will give the postal service plenty of time to deliver it. While California will count votes that arrive up to 17 days late -- provided they are postmarked by election day -- many states will not. They will toss any votes that arrive after November 3rd. Don't panic if your ballot is not mailed by Oct. 27 Again, in California it will still get counted as long as it is postmarked by election day and arrives within 17 days after. In other states, if you haven’t mailed your ballot by a week before election day, hang onto it. You can drop your mail ballot in one of the drop boxes at polling places and -- in California and several states -- on street corners, sidewalks and in municipal buildings. If your state has early voting, you can drop your mail ballot off anywhere that is being held. Track your ballot Many states now enable voters to track the status of their mail-in ballot online. Californians can do this at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov. Voters in other states can register for tracking online through their state or local elections website.
Why it matters
Working the polls is a long day of work for what amounts to less than minimum wage. But it is a vital part of the democratic process.
People who have done it say it’s fulfilling, interesting and meaningful work. And this year, between the pandemic and President Trump casting unfounded doubts on the legitimacy of the election, it’s more important than ever.
“It’s something people need to get out and experience at least once in their life,” said Brito, who said he’s going to be a poll worker again in this election. “If you worked one, at least you made a little bit of a difference and made sure our election was secure and safe and gets done quickly. It’s part of our history. We need people to come out there and help people vote.”
California is sending mail-in ballots to all registered voters for this election, but poll workers are still needed: People can choose to vote in person instead or drop off their ballots at a polling place. The county has put together a Safe Presidential Election Plan to help ensure health precautions are observed so everyone can vote safely.
Working the polls “is very, very stressful, but it’s ultimately rewarding,” Alloway said. “You get to help people vote, and that in and of itself is important and rewarding.”
In addition, he said, every election he’s worked has had some special moment that stuck with him: helping an elderly blind person cast a ballot, or the time during a particularly slow point when the only person at the polls invited him to come outside and use special glasses to watch Venus as it crossed in front of the sun.