latimes--2020-12-14--L.A. Unified will not give F's this semester and instead give students a second chance to pass

Citing pandemic hardships , Los Angeles school officials on Monday deferred any failing grades from this semester until at least Jan. 29 , giving students additional time to avoid receiving an F in their classes .
The move is the latest effort by the nation ’ s second-largest school district to avoid penalizing students under strain during a public health and social crisis that continues to upend their education and worsen family hardships .
Most district students are from low-income Latino and Black neighborhoods that have borne the brunt of a dangerous recent surge in coronavirus infections .
The move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ no fail ” policy of the spring semester , when campuses first shut down at the onset of the coronavirus emergency .
The new policy grew out of district concerns about the dramatic rise in D and F grades , a pattern that is mirrored across the country in school systems that have closed campuses and relied on distance-only learning .
Among the problems faced by students is inconsistent or inadequate internet access and a poor learning environment at home .
Monday ’ s directive notes that , compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially for “ high-need students.
” “ Latino , African American , English Learners , Students with Disabilities , Foster Youth , and those students experiencing homelessness had higher rates of Ds and Fs at the Fall 15-week mark and had double digit increases in the percent of Ds and Fs from the previous year at the same time , ” said the directive , which was sent out by the Division of Instruction and initialed by Chief Academic Officer Alison Yoshimoto-Towery and Senior Executive Director Pedro Garcia .
In April , L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semester and also determined that no student ’ s grade would be lower than it was March 13 , the final day of on-campus instruction .
At the time , many teachers and some principals complained that the policy undermined student motivation and some reported a subsequent drop-off in student effort .
The latest no fail rule , announced in the directive to secondary principals and obtained by The Times , is one element of a nuanced approach to grading that is meant to focus on mastery of knowledge rather than work completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other school personnel to document extensively the efforts that are made to notify families and assist students at risk of failing a class .
The district directive provides new details on students who were failing classes 15 weeks into the fall semester .
The “ percentage of fails ” for Latino high school students is 24.9 % ; for Black high school students , it is 23.2 % .
This compares with 12.9 % for white students and 7.6 % for Asians .
The gap separating white and Asian students from Latino and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year .
The number of failing grades for students learning English already was high , but it increased this year by nearly 15 percentage points , rising to an overall figure of 35 % .
The overriding goal — besides avoiding failing grades — is to give students a chance to demonstrate academic knowledge without penalizing them for any factors that would traditionally result in a lower grade .
Poor attendance , lack of class participation and failing to turn in assignments should not be the basis of a student receiving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Having the camera off should not be weighted into an academic mark , ” states the district directive , referring to the now-ubiquitous class sessions on Zoom and other online platforms .
“ Attendance , engagement , turning work in on time , and/or behavior concerns should be reflected in the Work Habits or Cooperation mark , as appropriate.
” If a teacher does assign a failing mark , L.A. Unified ’ s records system will convert that grade into an Incomplete for the time being .
“ The nature of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be fully stated in a Letter to Parents Regarding Incomplete Work , ’ ” the district states .
“ Incomplete work must be made up by January 29 , 2020 , unless mutually extended by student and teacher.
” Even an incomplete rating should be not assigned without notable measures to reach out .
The district says teachers must : • Make several attempts to contact the student and family to provide additional opportunities for the student to turn in assignments or make up work and to discuss needed academic support • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support personnel to provide additional support as needed If a student turns in an assignment that demonstrates knowledge of the subject matter , such an assignment could justify a passing grade or better .
L.A. schools Supt .
Austin Beutner alluded to the lagging grades in a joint Sunday opinion piece for the Washington Post with the superintendents of the New York City and Chicago school systems .
“ In Los Angeles Unified , where almost 80 % of students live in poverty and 82 % are Latino and African American , Ds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased about 15 percent compared with last year , ” the piece stated .
“ Meanwhile , reading proficiency in elementary grades has fallen 10 percent.
” In the article , the superintendents called for the equivalent of a domestic Marshall Plan to confront learning loss and meet an array of student needs .
In remarks broadcast Monday , Beutner did not mention the new grading policy , but he did announce that last year the district had recorded a record graduation rate of 82.9 % .

Eagle Rock Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mylene Keipp, right, interacts virtually with students in Arlene Alpuerto’s sports medicine class. Students who are failing classes this semester will receive an “Incomplete” rather than an F.
Citing pandemic hardships, Los Angeles school officials on Monday deferred any failing grades from this semester until at least Jan. 29, giving students additional time to avoid receiving an F in their classes.
The move is the latest effort by the nation’s second-largest school district to avoid penalizing students under increasing strain during the surging coronavirus emergency that continues to upend their education and worsen family hardships.
Compared with last year, grades have dramatically deteriorated, especially for Latino and Black students, English learners, students with disabilities, foster youth and those experiencing homelessness, according to a directive sent to secondary school principals Monday and obtained by The Times.
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The move extends a modified version of the district’s “no fail” policy of the spring semester, when campuses first shut down at the onset of the pandemic. Monday’s decision won praise from Elmer Roldan, executive director of the advocacy group Communities in Schools of Los Angeles.
Given the limitations of distance learning, “failing kids is sending the wrong message and further increasing their chances of being pushed out of school,” Roldan said. “This is not the time to castigate students when their families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.”
The teachers union leadership said it supports “humane grading policies” but is concerned about the timing of the announcement — four days before the end of the semester — and a lack of coordination with the union in the district’s planning.
In Orange County, Santa Ana Unified also has modified grading in hopes of helping more students pass their classes. Overall, however, fewer school systems seem to be providing grading relief than in the spring, when campuses shut down suddenly and districts had difficulty pivoting to online learning.
The new L.A. Unified policy grew out of district concerns about the rise in D and F grades, a pattern mirrored across the country in school systems that have closed campuses and relied on distance-only learning. Among the problems faced by students is inconsistent or inadequate internet access and a poor learning environment at home.
In April, L.A. Unified prohibited failing grades for the spring semester and also determined that no student’s grade would be lower than it was on March 13, the final day of on-campus instruction. At the time, many teachers and some principals complained that the policy undermined student motivation and some reported a subsequent drop-off in student effort.
Such concerns resurfaced Monday during a faculty meeting at a high school in the San Fernando Valley, according to an English teacher who did not wish to be identified because she was not authorized to speak.
“Yes, it’s COVID time,” the teacher said. “But this soft bigotry of low expectations — including us being banned from demanding students ever comment with their voices or actually show themselves on camera during Zoom — will indeed help our low-income students stay on the bottom of the pile of learning.”
A high school principal from a different campus was more supportive. Given the unprecedented crisis, the principal said, students who earn A’s and B’s should get to keep them but that the only other grade handed out should be a pass. This principal — who also was not authorized to comment — requested anonymity.
The district directive — sent out by the Division of Instruction and initialed by Chief Academic Officer Alison Yoshimoto-Towery and Senior Executive Director Pedro Garcia — provides new data on students who were failing classes 15 weeks into the fall semester.
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The percentage of failed classes among Latino high school students is 24.9%; for Black high school students, it is 23.2%. This compares with 12.9% for white students and 7.6% for Asians. The gap separating white and Asian students from Latino and Black students has widened since last year.
The number of failing grades for students learning English already was high, but it increased by nearly 15 percentage points, rising to 35%.
The overriding goal of the policy — besides avoiding failing grades — is to give students a chance to demonstrate academic knowledge without penalizing them for any factors that would traditionally result in a lower grade. Poor attendance, lack of class participation and failing to turn in assignments should not be the basis of a student receiving a failing grade, the directive says.
“Having the camera off should not be weighted into an academic mark,” states the district directive, referring to the now-ubiquitous class sessions on Zoom and other online platforms. “Attendance, engagement, turning work in on time, and/or behavior concerns should be reflected in the Work Habits or Cooperation mark, as appropriate.”
Work habits receive a rating of “Excellent,” “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory.”
If a teacher does assign a failing mark, L.A. Unified’s records system will convert that grade into an “Incomplete” for the time being.
“The nature of the work to remove the ‘Incomplete’ must be fully stated in a Letter to Parents Regarding Incomplete Work,” the district states. “Incomplete work must be made up by January 29, 2021, unless mutually extended by student and teacher.”
Even a mark of Incomplete should not be assigned without notable measures to reach out, including multiple, documented attempts to contact the student and family, opportunities to make up work, collaboration with counselors and other student support staff and consultation with an administrator.
If a student turns in an assignment that demonstrates knowledge of the subject matter, such an assignment could justify a passing grade or better.
The approach in Santa Ana is different. There, if a student doesn’t do any work at all, the student receives a grade point average of 55 rather than zero. This gives the student a chance to achieve a passing grade — of 60% or better — by beginning to turn in assignments, even if they are late, said Fermin Leal, the district’s director of communications. An average of 60 would be a D.
“We still believe that doing the work that is assigned and that has been part of the curriculum is important,” Leal said.
Times staff writer Eric Sondheimer contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-12-14--Norman Pearlstine steps down as Los Angeles Times leadership search continues

The Los Angeles Times ’ leadership transition has accelerated with the departure of Norman Pearlstine , who served as executive editor for 2½ years .
Pearlstine announced in October that he planned to retire , but the timetable for his exit had been unclear .
On Monday , The Times ’ owner and Executive Chairman Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong wrote in a note to staff members that Pearlstine , 78 , was no longer overseeing the newsroom and had shifted to an advisory role .
The paper recently hired a search firm to manage the process to find a new executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take several months .
In the interim , two veteran managers will oversee the newsroom and its journalism .
“ Times Managing Editors Scott Kraft and Kimi Yoshino will now be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the newsroom , reporting to me , ” Soon-Shiong wrote in the note .
“ Sewell Chan , editor of the Editorial Pages , will also report to me.
” Since his October announcement , Pearlstine increasingly had been delegating duties to pave the way for the transition .
Soon-Shiong said the three top editors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would work in collaboration with business-side leaders , including President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Argentieri and Chief Human Resources Officer Nancy Antoniou .
The announcement comes at the end of a turbulent year at The Times , which endured management turmoil after a series of scandals and a painful self-examination over race , along with a dramatic drop in revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders , which prompted traditional advertisers to scale back their ad buys .
Employees have been working from home since mid-March , but members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cover the pandemic , protests over racial inequities and a historic presidential election .
In the spring of 2018 , just before Soon-Shiong and his wife , Michele , purchased The Times , the pair tapped Pearlstine to manage the legendary publication and return it to prominence .
Pearlstine quickly sought to stabilize a newsroom that had been battered by years of layoffs , cost-cutting and mismanagement under its former owner , Tribune Publishing , which also called itself Tronc .
He led a dramatic hiring spree , replenishing the paper ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Today , more than 520 employees work in the newsroom .
Pearlstine also worked with the paper ’ s business executives to improve technology needed to generate a larger audience for its journalism .
During his tenure , The Times ’ journalism became stronger , in part , due to the increased resources from the Soon-Shiong family .
The paper negotiated its first-ever contract with the union representing newsroom employees .
And earlier this year , journalists with The Times were finalists in five Pulitzer Prize categories , and .
Since 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital-only customers to 249,362 subscribers as of September .
“ We can not thank Norm enough for his contributions to the L.A. Times , ” Soon-Shiong said .
“ As we became the new owners and needed to rapidly and thoughtfully revive this great American newspaper , Norm ’ s experience as a journalist and media executive proved invaluable .
While we continue to work together , we want him to know that he leaves The Times a much better organization than when we set out on this journey together .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong leadership team in place , both in the newsroom and across the company .
We will continue the search to find the right candidate to serve as the next editor of the Los Angeles Times and provide an update when we have more news to share.
” In a note to staff , Pearlstine said : “ From the day Pat and Michele asked me to join The Times as Executive Editor , my goal was to put a team in place that could assure The Times ’ revival .
Although work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I believe my work is done .
There are several people on staff who are ready to succeed me and several talented editors from elsewhere have also asked to be considered .
Turnarounds inevitably confront unforeseen challenges , and The Times has had its share as we worked to separate ourselves from Tribune .
What made it all worthwhile was the memorable journalism that all of you continue to produce under extraordinary working conditions .
”

The Los Angeles Times’ leadership transition has accelerated with the departure of Norman Pearlstine, who served as executive editor for 2½ years.
Pearlstine announced in October that he planned to retire, but the timetable for his exit had been unclear.
On Monday, The Times’ owner and executive chairman, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, wrote in a note to staff members that Pearlstine, 78, was no longer overseeing the newsroom and had shifted to an advisory role. The paper recently hired a search firm to manage the process to find a new executive editor, and that endeavor is expected to take several months.
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In the interim, two veteran managers will oversee the newsroom and its journalism.
“Times Managing Editors Scott Kraft and Kimi Yoshino will now be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the newsroom, reporting to me,” Soon-Shiong wrote in the note. “Sewell Chan, editor of the Editorial Pages, will also report to me.”
Since his October announcement, Pearlstine increasingly had been delegating duties to pave the way for the transition. Soon-Shiong said the three top editors — Kraft, Yoshino and Chan — would work in collaboration with business-side leaders, including President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Argentieri and Chief Human Resources Officer Nancy Antoniou.
The announcement comes at the end of a turbulent year at The Times, which endured management turmoil after a series of scandals and a painful self-examination over race, along with a dramatic drop in revenue amid the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders, which prompted traditional advertisers to scale back their ad buys. Employees have been working from home since mid-March, but members of the newsroom nonetheless fanned out across the country to cover the pandemic, protests over racial inequities and a historic presidential election.
In the spring of 2018, just before Soon-Shiong and his wife, Michele, purchased The Times, the pair tapped Pearlstine to manage the legendary publication and return it to prominence. Pearlstine quickly sought to stabilize a newsroom that had been battered by years of layoffs, cost-cutting and mismanagement under its former owner, Tribune Publishing, which also called itself Tronc. He led a dramatic hiring spree, replenishing the paper’s beleaguered ranks and recruiting top editors. Today, more than 520 employees work in the newsroom.
Pearlstine also worked with the paper’s business executives to improve technology needed to generate a larger audience for its journalism.
During his tenure, The Times’ journalism became stronger, in part because of the increased resources from the Soon-Shiong family. The paper negotiated its first-ever contract with the union representing newsroom employees. And earlier this year, journalists with The Times were finalists in five Pulitzer Prize categories, and two received the coveted awards . Since 2018, the paper has nearly doubled its digital-only customers to 249,362 subscribers as of September.
“We cannot thank Norm enough for his contributions to the L.A. Times,” Soon-Shiong said. “As we became the new owners and needed to rapidly and thoughtfully revive this great American newspaper, Norm’s experience as a journalist and media executive proved invaluable. While we continue to work together, we want him to know that he leaves The Times a much better organization than when we set out on this journey together.
Advertisement
“We’re fortunate that we have a strong leadership team in place, both in the newsroom and across the company. We will continue the search to find the right candidate to serve as the next editor of the Los Angeles Times and provide an update when we have more news to share.”
In a note to staff, Pearlstine said: “From the day Pat and Michele asked me to join The Times as executive editor, my goal was to put a team in place that could assure The Times’ revival. Although work on finding my successor has just begun, I believe my work is done. There are several people on staff who are ready to succeed me and several talented editors from elsewhere have also asked to be considered. Turnarounds inevitably confront unforeseen challenges, and The Times has had its share as we worked to separate ourselves from Tribune. What made it all worthwhile was the memorable journalism that all of you continue to produce under extraordinary working conditions.”


latimes--2020-12-14--Man arrested after more than 5,000 pounds of fireworks found in South L.A. home

Police investigators searching a South Los Angeles home Friday found more than 5,000 pounds of fireworks and multiple firearms .
Erik Ramos , 30 , was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of dangerous fireworks .
The investigation was handled by Long Beach Police Department drug and vice detectives , who followed evidence that led to Ramos ’ house in the 1200 block of East 91st Street in the Florence-Firestone area , and entered with a search warrant , authorities said .
Fireworks are illegal without a permit in most parts of Los Angeles County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovered during the search are believed to have been illegal , said Brandon Fahey , a Long Beach police spokesman .
Shortly after the search , Ramos was detained during a traffic stop .
He was released Friday evening after posting $ 10,000 bond , according to Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s inmate records .
Fahey could not confirm the number or type of firearms seized from the property , although an image of the haul on the police department ’ s Facebook page showed an array of rifles and handguns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach Fire Department , Fahey said , which will determine how to store or dispose of them .

Erik Ramos, 30, was arrested after police seized thousands of pounds of fireworks and multiple firearms from his home in Florence-Firestone, authorities said.
Police investigators searching a South Los Angeles home Friday found more than 5,000 pounds of fireworks and multiple firearms.
Erik Ramos, 30, was arrested on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of dangerous fireworks.
The investigation was handled by Long Beach Police Department drug and vice detectives, who followed evidence that led to Ramos’ house in the 1200 block of East 91st Street in the Florence-Firestone area, and entered with a search warrant, authorities said.
Fireworks are illegal without a permit in most parts of Los Angeles County, and at least some of the firearms recovered during the search are believed to have been illegal, said Brandon Fahey, a Long Beach police spokesman.
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Shortly after the search, Ramos was detained during a traffic stop. He was released Friday evening after posting $10,000 bond, according to Los Angeles County sheriff’s inmate records.
Fahey could not confirm the number or type of firearms seized from the property, although an image of the haul on the police department’s Facebook page showed an array of rifles and handguns.
The fireworks were transferred to the Long Beach Fire Department, Fahey said, which will determine how to store or dispose of them.


latimes--2020-12-14--California demands that Amazon comply with COVID-19 investigation

California is taking Amazon to court to force the online retail giant to cooperate with a months-long investigation into whether the company is doing enough to protect its workers from the coronavirus , Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra said Monday .
Becerra said his office had asked a Sacramento County Superior Court judge to order Amazon to comply with outstanding investigative subpoenas , alleging the firm has not adequately responded to requests for information .
The attorney general ’ s office issued the subpoenas in August as part of an investigation into Amazon ’ s protocols for protecting employees from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the company ’ s facilities throughout California .
“ Amazon has made billions during this pandemic relying on the labor of essential workers .
Their workers get the job done while putting themselves at risk , ” Becerra said in a statement Monday .
“ It ’ s critical to know if these workers are receiving the protections on the job that they are entitled to under the law.
” “ We ’ re puzzled by the Attorney General ’ s sudden rush to court because we ’ ve been working cooperatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their demands don ’ t line up with the facts , ” the statement said .
The company added said it has invested billions of dollars in equipment and technology , including building on-site testing for employees and providing personal protective equipment .
“ The bottom line is that we ’ re a leader in providing COVID-19 safety measures for our employees , ” the statement said .
“ We encourage anyone to compare our speed and actions in this area to any other major employer.
” With COVID-19-related deaths topping 21,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directing more and more brick-and-mortar businesses to restrict operations , forcing many people to rely again on internet purchases .
Amazon ’ s growth has been turbocharged since the pandemic was declared in March .
The company added nearly half a million new employees this year , many of whom were hired to work in warehouses that dot rural communities and suburbs across the country .
But with that growth came worker safety concerns .
California ’ s Division of Occupational Safety and Health , known as Cal/OSHA , levied $ 1,870 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 safety violations .
Labor advocates said the fines came months too late , and were too small to motivate the company to do better .
Other essential businesses that continued to operate even as much of California was forced to shut down due to the pandemic have faced similar criticisms from workers .
Grocery stores and manufacturers in California that have seen large outbreaks of infections too were hit with fines by Cal/OSHA .
Retail workers as well as food delivery workers said they were not given adequate personal protective equipment or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they faced a higher risk of exposure to the virus .
They protested , demanding more protections and hazard pay .
Sheheryar Kaoosji , executive director of labor advocacy group Warehouse Worker Resource Center , which helped workers file safety complaints with Cal/OSHA in the spring , said he has heard repeatedly from workers that safety protocols are enforced inconsistently or poorly communicated to workers .
“ Amazon has a consistent pattern of trying to block and hide information .
This is not the kind of response the second biggest employer in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In some departments , warehouse workers are forced to cluster up to get their job done , yet the company maintains the same staffing levels and speed of work , he said .
Amazon officials said in October that its safety protocols , including testing , tracing , cleaning and social distancing , meant their “ employees are at a very low risk of transmission in the workplace.
” The probe by the attorney general ’ s office is looking for details about the nature and extent of Amazon ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sick leave policies and cleaning procedures .
Becerra ’ s investigators are also seeking data on the number of infections and COVID-related deaths at some 150 Amazon facilities in California .
The attorney general said during an online news conference Monday that the information sought includes which Amazon facilities have suffered the largest outbreaks , whether the company has been sued by employees over the issue , how many employees have complained about conditions and whether the company has retaliated against any workers who complained .
Becerra said the request for court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can next-day deliver an 85-inch TV , it should be able to deliver to the Department of Justice the straightforward information we officially requested of them nearly four months ago , ” Becerra told reporters .
Representatives of Amazon employees have complained for months about working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and organized a march to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ’ Beverly Hills mansion in October .
The October protest was held a week after Amazon disclosed that nearly 20,000 of its frontline U.S. workers had tested positive or were presumed positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail firm said at the time that the infection rate of its employees was well below that found in the general U.S. population .
The march was organized by the Congress of Essential Workers , a group that includes warehouse workers and was founded by former Amazon warehouse manager Chris Smalls , who said he was fired this year for putting together a work stoppage over the company ’ s response to the pandemic .
The group demanded that Amazon provide employees with protective equipment against the virus as well as cleaning supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , workers at eight Amazon facilities in Southern California tested positive in for the virus , including a fulfillment center in San Bernardino , the inbound cross-dock warehouse in Rialto , a delivery center in Hawthorne and a smaller Amazon Prime Now warehouse in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles .
Facilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties also reported cases in late March .
The online retail giant said early in the pandemic that it was taking steps to reduce infection in its facilities , including by increasing the frequency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times to promote social distancing , and suspending exit screenings to check for stealing because they can cause people to jam together at exits .
Southern California Amazon workers circulated a petition early in the pandemic that said : “ Amazon is trying to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 , but the fact of the matter is we work with so many people every single day that we are in constant danger .
”

People work at the Hawthorne Amazon warehouse facility. California’s attorney general on Monday asked a judge to order Amazon to comply with an investigation.
California is taking Amazon to court to force the online retail giant to cooperate with a months-long investigation into whether the company is doing enough to protect its workers from the coronavirus, Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra said Monday.
Becerra said his office had asked a Sacramento County Superior Court judge to order Amazon to comply with outstanding investigative subpoenas, alleging the firm has not adequately responded to requests for information.
The attorney general’s office issued the subpoenas in August as part of an investigation into Amazon’s protocols for protecting employees from COVID-19 and the status of virus cases at the company’s facilities throughout California.
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“Amazon has made billions during this pandemic relying on the labor of essential workers. Their workers get the job done while putting themselves at risk,” Becerra said in a statement Monday. “It’s critical to know if these workers are receiving the protections on the job that they are entitled to under the law.”
An Amazon representative released a statement that challenged Becerra’s action.
“We’re puzzled by the Attorney General’s sudden rush to court because we’ve been working cooperatively for months and their claims of noncompliance with their demands don’t line up with the facts,” the statement said.
The company added said it has invested billions of dollars in equipment and technology, including building on-site testing for employees and providing personal protective equipment.
“The bottom line is that we’re a leader in providing COVID-19 safety measures for our employees,” the statement said. “We encourage anyone to compare our speed and actions in this area to any other major employer.”
With COVID-19-related deaths topping 21,000 in California, state health officials are directing more and more brick-and-mortar businesses to restrict operations, forcing many people to rely again on internet purchases.
Advertisement
Amazon’s growth has been turbocharged since the pandemic was declared in March. The company added nearly half a million new employees this year, many of whom were hired to work in warehouses that dot rural communities and suburbs across the country. But with that growth came worker safety concerns.
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA, levied $1,870 in fines on Amazon in early October for COVID-19 safety violations. Labor advocates said the fines came months too late, and were too small to motivate the company to do better.
Other essential businesses that continued to operate even as much of California was forced to shut down due to the pandemic have faced similar criticisms from workers. Grocery stores and manufacturers in California that have seen large outbreaks of infections too were hit with fines by Cal/OSHA.
Retail workers as well as food delivery workers said they were not given adequate personal protective equipment or support from their employers, even as they faced a higher risk of exposure to the virus. They protested, demanding more protections and hazard pay.
Sheheryar Kaoosji, executive director of labor advocacy group Warehouse Worker Resource Center, which helped workers file safety complaints with Cal/OSHA in the spring, said he has heard repeatedly from workers that safety protocols are enforced inconsistently or poorly communicated to workers.
“Amazon has a consistent pattern of trying to block and hide information. This is not the kind of response the second biggest employer in the country should be making,” Kaoosji said.
In some departments, warehouse workers are forced to cluster up to get their job done, yet the company maintains the same staffing levels and speed of work, he said.
Amazon officials said in October that its safety protocols, including testing, tracing, cleaning and social distancing, meant their “employees are at a very low risk of transmission in the workplace.”
The probe by the attorney general’s office is looking for details about the nature and extent of Amazon’s coronavirus prevention efforts, including an examination of sick leave policies and cleaning procedures.
Becerra’s investigators are also seeking data on the number of infections and COVID-related deaths at some 150 Amazon facilities in California.
The attorney general said during an online news conference Monday that the information sought includes which Amazon facilities have suffered the largest outbreaks, whether the company has been sued by employees over the issue, how many employees have complained about conditions and whether the company has retaliated against any workers who complained.
Becerra said the request for court intervention was urgent.
“If Amazon can next-day deliver an 85-inch TV, it should be able to deliver to the Department of Justice the straightforward information we officially requested of them nearly four months ago,” Becerra told reporters.
Representatives of Amazon employees have complained for months about working conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic and organized a march to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Beverly Hills mansion in October.
The October protest was held a week after Amazon disclosed that nearly 20,000 of its frontline U.S. workers had tested positive or were presumed positive for the coronavirus. However, the online retail firm said at the time that the infection rate of its employees was well below that found in the general U.S. population.
The march was organized by the Congress of Essential Workers, a group that includes warehouse workers and was founded by former Amazon warehouse manager Chris Smalls, who said he was fired this year for putting together a work stoppage over the company’s response to the pandemic.
The group demanded that Amazon provide employees with protective equipment against the virus as well as cleaning supplies and hazard pay.
Early in the pandemic, workers at eight Amazon facilities in Southern California tested positive in for the virus, including a fulfillment center in San Bernardino, the inbound cross-dock warehouse in Rialto, a delivery center in Hawthorne and a smaller Amazon Prime Now warehouse in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Facilities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties also reported cases in late March.
The online retail giant said early in the pandemic that it was taking steps to reduce infection in its facilities, including by increasing the frequency and intensity of cleaning, staggering shift times to promote social distancing, and suspending exit screenings to check for stealing because they can cause people to jam together at exits.
Southern California Amazon workers circulated a petition early in the pandemic that said: “Amazon is trying to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, but the fact of the matter is we work with so many people every single day that we are in constant danger.”


latimes--2020-12-14--Judge freezes assets of famed L.A. lawyer Tom Girardi, citing millions unpaid to clients

A federal judge in Chicago has frozen the assets of prominent Los Angeles attorney Thomas Girardi , finding that he misappropriated at least $ 2 million in client funds that were due to the families of those killed in the crash of a Boeing jet in Indonesia .
At a contempt hearing Monday morning , U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin called Girardi ’ s conduct “ unconscionable ” and said he was referring him to the U.S. attorney ’ s office for criminal investigation .
“ No matter what your personal financial situation is , no matter what kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you touch client money , you are going to be disbarred and quite possibly charged criminally , ” said Durkin , calling it “ ethics 101.
” “ You learn that in law school , ” the judge said , “ and someone as experienced as Mr. Girardi knows that as well as anyone.
” Girardi , 81 , is one of the nation ’ s preeminent civil lawyers , thanks to his role in the case that inspired the film “ Erin Brockovich ” and , more recently , appearances on “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside his now-estranged third wife , a 49-year-old pop singer known as Erika Jayne .
During the hearing , two attorneys representing Girardi said he did not currently possess the $ 2 million owed his clients .
Los Angeles attorney Evan Jenness told the judge her client ’ s firm , Girardi Keese , had about $ 15,000 in its operating accounts .
“ They were unable to make payroll more recently , ” Jenness told the judge .
The lawyer also cited “ obligations and debts , ” as well as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their assets .
She filed for divorce last month after more than 20 years of marriage .
Girardi attended the court hearing by phone but did not speak beyond acknowledging his presence .
His lawyers , who were hired in recent days , said Girardi had not been able to assist them in preparing a defense for the hearing .
They said they had concerns about his mental competency .
“ I ’ m unsure that he understands either the nature or the gravity of the current situation , ” said Jenness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to undergo a mental examination .
Another lawyer for the plane crash victims ’ families called those assertions “ a sham.
” Attorney Jay Edelson , whose firm alerted the judge to the misappropriated funds , told Durkin that , as recently as last week , Girardi was offering him money in an attempt to stave off the contempt hearing .
Durkin also ordered that a trustee be appointed to oversee whatever assets remained to Girardi and his firm .
The priority , he said , was for Girardi ’ s clients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are widows and orphans , ” he said , noting each was due about $ 500,000 .
“ Half a million dollars for any one of these families is significant money , life-changing given the tragedy they have been through and trying to carry on in the aftermath.
” The settlements at issue stem from the crash of Lion Air Flight 610 , which plunged into the ocean off Indonesia , killing all 189 people on board .
The plane was a 737 Max , the jet that Boeing subsequently grounded because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missing money is part of the amount Girardi and his firm negotiated from Boeing for four families , and the federal judge was overseeing the litigation and the payouts .
The terms of the settlement are confidential , but based on remarks in court , each client was to have been paid $ 2 million but had only received about 75 % of the money owed to them .
Last week , Edelson ’ s law firm filed a separate lawsuit against Girardi , accusing him of diverting the Lion Air settlement money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obscene wealth ” for him and his wife .

A federal judge in Chicago has frozen the assets of prominent Los Angeles attorney Thomas Girardi, finding that he misappropriated at least $2 million in client funds that were due to the families of those killed in the crash of a Boeing jet in Indonesia.
At a contempt hearing Monday morning, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin called Girardi’s conduct “unconscionable” and said he was referring him to the U.S. attorney’s office for criminal investigation.
“No matter what your personal financial situation is, no matter what kind of pressures you are under, if you touch client money, you are going to be disbarred and quite possibly charged criminally,” said Durkin, calling it “ethics 101.”
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“You learn that in law school,” the judge said, “and someone as experienced as Mr. Girardi knows that as well as anyone.”
Girardi, 81, is one of the nation’s preeminent civil lawyers, thanks to his role in the case that inspired the film “Erin Brockovich” and, more recently, appearances on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” alongside his now-estranged third wife, a 49-year-old pop singer known as Erika Jayne.
During the hearing, two attorneys representing Girardi said he did not currently possess the $2 million owed his clients. Los Angeles attorney Evan Jenness told the judge her client’s firm, Girardi Keese, had about $15,000 in its operating accounts.
“They were unable to make payroll more recently,” Jenness told the judge. The lawyer also cited “obligations and debts,” as well as an anticipated family court battle with Jayne over their assets. She filed for divorce last month after more than 20 years of marriage.
Girardi attended the court hearing by phone but did not speak beyond acknowledging his presence. His lawyers, who were hired in recent days, said Girardi had not been able to assist them in preparing a defense for the hearing. They said they had concerns about his mental competency.
“I’m unsure that he understands either the nature or the gravity of the current situation,” said Jenness, who told the judge she wanted Girardi to undergo a mental examination.
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Another lawyer for the plane crash victims’ families called those assertions “a sham.” Attorney Jay Edelson, whose firm alerted the judge to the misappropriated funds, told Durkin that, as recently as last week, Girardi was offering him money in an attempt to stave off the contempt hearing.
Durkin also ordered that a trustee be appointed to oversee whatever assets remained to Girardi and his firm. The priority, he said, was for Girardi’s clients to receive their entire settlement.
“These are widows and orphans,” he said, noting each was due about $500,000. “Half a million dollars for any one of these families is significant money, life-changing given the tragedy they have been through and trying to carry on in the aftermath.”
The settlements at issue stem from the crash of Lion Air Flight 610, which plunged into the ocean off Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. The plane was a 737 Max, the jet that Boeing subsequently grounded because of problems with its anti-stall software.
The missing money is part of the amount Girardi and his firm negotiated from Boeing for four families, and the federal judge was overseeing the litigation and the payouts. The terms of the settlement are confidential, but based on remarks in court, each client was to have been paid $2 million but had only received about 75% of the money owed to them.
Last week, Edelson’s law firm filed a separate lawsuit against Girardi, accusing him of diverting the Lion Air settlement money to finance his “public image of obscene wealth” for him and his wife.


latimes--2020-12-14--COVID-19 vaccinations begin in California as L.A. healthcare workers among first to get dose

Five healthcare workers at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Hollywood were among the first Californians to get the COVID-19 vaccine Monday , ushering in a new phase of a pandemic that has killed more than 21,000 people in the state and shattered the economy .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom , state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis were on hand as the county ’ s first workers got their shots , the beginning of what will be a long campaign to vaccinate California , starting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Kaiser employees sat inside a conference room that had been turned into a vaccination center .
Newsom asked each about their line of work before the shots were administered .
Cheers broke out from nearby masked observers after each vaccination .
“ This is yours ?
” Newsom asked Helen Cordova , a nurse in the intensive care unit and the first healthcare worker at the facility to receive the vaccine .
“ That ’ s mine , ” she said , pointing to the dose held a few feet away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Protect me , ” she said laughing before Marilyn Lansaangan , a senior nurse for internal medicine , gave her the shot .
Cordova said the vaccine “ provides hope for the future.
” Kim Taylor , a nurse in the emergency department , and Dr. Brian Thompson , an ER doctor , were the next to receive the vaccine .
Thompson , 61 , was born at the Kaiser hospital in Los Angeles where he has worked since 1988 .
He was raised in South Los Angeles , a community that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in L.A. County .
“ We ’ ve gotten through SARS , MERS — nothing compares to this , ” said Thompson , who has tended to COVID-19 patients in the ER since March , when the initial outbreak forced the state into a lockdown .
Two other Kaiser employees also received doses Monday : Angela Balam , a worker in environmental services , and Raul Aguilar , a respiratory therapy technician .
The vaccine offers a new promise as California faces the darkest moment of the COVID crisis , with cases reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of Monday , the availability of intensive care beds in the San Joaquin Valley was zero , according to the latest available state data .
The vaccine won ’ t change those grim circumstances , but it does offer hope .
As Newsom put it Monday , there may be light at the end of the tunnel , but for now , “ we ’ re still in the tunnel.
” “ We are in the midst of the worst moment of this pandemic , ” he said .
“ So today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason to be optimistic , but let ’ s be mindful of where we really are.
” Newsom said California has already received 33,150 doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech .
The state ’ s initial vaccine allocation — about 327,000 doses in all — will go mostly to acute-care hospitals to be administered to healthcare workers , although some counties have said they also will send a portion to skilled nursing facilities .
California is planning on receiving roughly 2.1 million doses by the end of the year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t expected to be available to everyone who wants it until at least the spring .
Though development of the COVID-19 vaccine was rapid — and played out amid the politically charged backdrop of a presidential election — officials emphasized Monday that residents should feel comfortable that the shots have been vetted for both their efficacy and their safety .
“ These vaccines have not been infected by politics , ” Garcetti said .
“ You can trust them .
You should trust them.
” A working group of scientists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Washington has already reviewed the vaccine and endorsed its safety .
San Francisco received 2,000 doses of the vaccine , the city ’ s chief of public health said Monday .
“ We are on the brink of a historic moment for our city : The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is beginning , ” said Dr. Grant Colfax , director of San Francisco ’ s public health department .
The vaccine was sent to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital , which is run by the city .
“ It will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for this surge , ” Colfax said , noting that more San Franciscans are infected with the coronavirus than at any previous time during the pandemic .
“ I think it is very important to step back for a moment and realize how dire our situation has become , ” Colfax said .
During the last week , the city has reported more than 200 new cases of the coronavirus every day , and there are no signs the surge is abating , he said .
In San Diego County , three boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
Those will be used both by the county itself — which operates the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital — as well as by local hospitals .
Five medical centers are expected to receive allotments from the first batch of vaccines , though it was unclear how many doses they would get .
Three other hospitals , including Rady Children ’ s Hospital , will receive the vaccine directly from Pfizer , but not on Monday .
A spokesperson for Rady said the hospital expected to receive the vaccines Tuesday .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive 28,275 doses of vaccine .
Each will be given to hospital healthcare workers at the highest risk of exposure .
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer acknowledged that Monday was “ a monumental day , ” but stressed that , because it will probably be months before vaccines are widely distributed to the general public , residents must continue to make use of all available tools to protect themselves and their loved ones .
That ’ s particularly the case , she said , as the county contends with an alarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as record numbers of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals .
“ The choices every person and every business make throughout each day have an impact on what happens in our hospitals , ” she said during a briefing Monday .
“ If you ’ re not playing by the rules , to put it blunt , at this point you ’ re part of the problem , and you ’ re contributing to the distressing increases that we see in cases , hospitalizations and deaths.
” L.A. County ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said .
While mass immunization against COVID-19 may be drawing closer , officials stressed that now is not the time to relax .
For the time being , “ we must hunker down ” once more , Solis said Monday .
“ But the difference now is we can see an endpoint , ” she said .
“ The pandemic will not last forever .
The offramp is in plain view.
” That ’ s particularly the case as California , like much of the nation , is in the throes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Record numbers of people are being infected and hospitalized with COVID-19 , and space in intensive care units across the state has shrunk to dangerous lows .
The state has averaged 31,777 new coronavirus cases a day over the last week — the highest level ever and a whopping 128 % increase from two weeks ago , according to data compiled by The Times .
The number of coronavirus-positive patients hospitalized statewide also continues to soar to new heights — reaching a record 13,635 as of Sunday .
That ’ s an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the latest data from the state .
That figure includes 1,287 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Orange County and 4,403 in Los Angeles County — both record highs .
COVID-19 patients also are crowding into intensive care units at unprecedented levels .
Statewide , there were 2,967 as of Sunday , a record high that ’ s 64 % greater than two weeks ago .
“ Many folks may be thinking that this is just not anything to really worry about , because hospitals can just add more beds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is every bed needs to be staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare workers , and we don ’ t have an endless supply of healthcare workers .
And those that are here saving lives every day are exhausted , and they ’ re disheartened by the reality that this isn ’ t the way it needs to be.
” ICU availability has tumbled to a scant 2.7 % in the Southern California region — a sprawling swath covering Imperial , Inyo , Los Angeles , Mono , Orange , Riverside , San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obispo , Santa Barbara and Ventura counties — and the fear is the recent massive rise in cases seen throughout the region will eventually trigger a tidal wave of new hospitalizations , further straining a healthcare system that ’ s already stretched thin .
The major concern , experts say , is that mortality rates could spike if ICUs can no longer accommodate the sickest patients .
“ We can ’ t change the point that we ’ re at in this pandemic .
We can ’ t go back in time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County ’ s director of health services .
“ But we need to keep our focus on what we ’ re capable of doing at this point moving forward .
And what we need to do is stay home as much as possible so we can all break this vicious cycle of transmission.
” Times staff writers Alex Wigglesworth , Tracy Wilkinson and Maya Lau contributed to this report , as did Jonathan Wosen and Andrew Dyer of the San Diego Union-Tribune .

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti looked on as the county’s first workers got their shots. The vaccine offers a new promise as California faces the darkest moment of the COVID crisis, with cases reaching unprecedented levels and hospitals filling up.
Five healthcare workers at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Hollywood were among the first Californians to get the COVID-19 vaccine Monday, ushering in a new phase of a pandemic that has killed more than 21,000 people in the state and shattered the economy.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis were on hand as the county’s first workers got their shots, the beginning of what will be a long campaign to vaccinate California, starting with front-line healthcare workers.
One by one, the Kaiser employees sat inside a conference room that had been turned into a vaccination center. Newsom asked each about their line of work before the shots were administered. Cheers broke out from nearby masked observers after each vaccination.
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“This is yours?” Newsom asked Helen Cordova, a nurse in the intensive care unit and the first healthcare worker at the facility to receive the vaccine.
“That’s mine,” she said, pointing to the dose held a few feet away by hospital pharmacy supervisor David Cheng.
“Protect me,” she said laughing before Marilyn Lansaangan, a senior nurse for internal medicine, gave her the shot.
Cordova said the vaccine “provides hope for the future.”
Kim Taylor, a nurse in the emergency department, and Dr. Brian Thompson, an ER doctor, were the next to receive the vaccine. Thompson, 61, was born at the Kaiser hospital in Los Angeles where he has worked since 1988. He was raised in South Los Angeles, a community that has been hit hard by the virus in L.A. County.
“We’ve gotten through SARS, MERS — nothing compares to this,” said Thompson, who has tended to COVID-19 patients in the ER since March, when the initial outbreak forced the state into a lockdown.
Two other Kaiser employees also received doses Monday: Angela Balam, a worker in environmental services, and Raul Aguilar, a respiratory therapy technician.
The vaccine offers a new promise as California faces the darkest moment of the COVID crisis, with cases reaching unprecedented levels and hospitals filling up. As of Monday, the availability of intensive care beds in the San Joaquin Valley was zero, according to the latest available state data.
Advertisement
The vaccine won’t change those grim circumstances, but it does offer hope.
As Newsom put it Monday, there may be light at the end of the tunnel, but for now, “we’re still in the tunnel.”
“We are in the midst of the worst moment of this pandemic,” he said. “So today is hopeful, and it’s reason to be optimistic, but let’s be mindful of where we really are.”
Newsom said California has already received 33,150 doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
The state’s initial vaccine allocation — about 327,000 doses in all — will go mostly to acute-care hospitals to be administered to healthcare workers, although some counties have said they also will send a portion to skilled nursing facilities.
California is planning on receiving roughly 2.1 million doses by the end of the year, Newsom said.
However, the vaccine isn’t expected to be available to everyone who wants it until at least the spring.
Though development of the COVID-19 vaccine was rapid — and played out amid the politically charged backdrop of a presidential election — officials emphasized Monday that residents should feel comfortable that the shots have been vetted for both their efficacy and their safety.
“These vaccines have not been infected by politics,” Garcetti said. “You can trust them. You should trust them.”
A working group of scientists and experts representing California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington has already reviewed the vaccine and endorsed its safety.
San Francisco received 2,000 doses of the vaccine, the city’s chief of public health said Monday.
“We are on the brink of a historic moment for our city: The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is beginning,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of San Francisco’s public health department.
The vaccine was sent to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, which is run by the city.
“It will be a long rollout — and too late for this surge,” Colfax said, noting that more San Franciscans are infected with the coronavirus than at any previous time during the pandemic.
“I think it is very important to step back for a moment and realize how dire our situation has become,” Colfax said.
During the last week, the city has reported more than 200 new cases of the coronavirus every day, and there are no signs the surge is abating, he said.
In San Diego County, three boxes of doses arrived Monday, the county tweeted. Those will be used both by the county itself — which operates the San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital — as well as by local hospitals. Five medical centers are expected to receive allotments from the first batch of vaccines, though it was unclear how many doses they would get.
Three other hospitals, including Rady Children’s Hospital, will receive the vaccine directly from Pfizer, but not on Monday. A spokesperson for Rady said the hospital expected to receive the vaccines Tuesday.
In total, San Diego County will initially receive 28,275 doses of vaccine. Each will be given to hospital healthcare workers at the highest risk of exposure.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer acknowledged that Monday was “a monumental day,” but stressed that, because it will probably be months before vaccines are widely distributed to the general public, residents must continue to make use of all available tools to protect themselves and their loved ones.
That’s particularly the case, she said, as the county contends with an alarming surge in newly confirmed coronavirus cases, as well as record numbers of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals.
“The choices every person and every business make throughout each day have an impact on what happens in our hospitals,” she said during a briefing Monday. “If you’re not playing by the rules, to put it blunt, at this point you’re part of the problem, and you’re contributing to the distressing increases that we see in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.”
L.A. County’s first shipment of vaccine will total 82,875 doses in all, officials said.
Science & Medicine Your questions about COVID-19 vaccines answered COVID-19 vaccines are now being administered to healthcare workers in the U.S. What are your questions about the timeline, the safety or the science?
While mass immunization against COVID-19 may be drawing closer, officials stressed that now is not the time to relax.
For the time being, “we must hunker down” once more, Solis said Monday.
“But the difference now is we can see an endpoint,” she said. “The pandemic will not last forever. The offramp is in plain view.”
That’s particularly the case as California, like much of the nation, is in the throes of the worst wave of the disease. Record numbers of people are being infected and hospitalized with COVID-19, and space in intensive care units across the state has shrunk to dangerous lows.
The state has averaged 31,777 new coronavirus cases a day over the last week — the highest level ever and a whopping 128% increase from two weeks ago, according to data compiled by The Times.
The number of coronavirus-positive patients hospitalized statewide also continues to soar to new heights — reaching a record 13,635 as of Sunday. That’s an increase of 75% from two weeks ago, according to the latest data from the state.
That figure includes 1,287 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Orange County and 4,403 in Los Angeles County — both record highs.
COVID-19 patients also are crowding into intensive care units at unprecedented levels. Statewide, there were 2,967 as of Sunday, a record high that’s 64% greater than two weeks ago.
“Many folks may be thinking that this is just not anything to really worry about, because hospitals can just add more beds,” Ferrer said. “The reality is every bed needs to be staffed by highly trained and skilled healthcare workers, and we don’t have an endless supply of healthcare workers. And those that are here saving lives every day are exhausted, and they’re disheartened by the reality that this isn’t the way it needs to be.”
ICU availability has tumbled to a scant 2.7% in the Southern California region — a sprawling swath covering Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties — and the fear is the recent massive rise in cases seen throughout the region will eventually trigger a tidal wave of new hospitalizations, further straining a healthcare system that’s already stretched thin.
The major concern, experts say, is that mortality rates could spike if ICUs can no longer accommodate the sickest patients.
“We can’t change the point that we’re at in this pandemic. We can’t go back in time,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, L.A. County’s director of health services. “But we need to keep our focus on what we’re capable of doing at this point moving forward. And what we need to do is stay home as much as possible so we can all break this vicious cycle of transmission.”
Times staff writers Alex Wigglesworth, Tracy Wilkinson and Maya Lau contributed to this report, as did Jonathan Wosen and Andrew Dyer of the San Diego Union-Tribune .


latimes--2020-12-14--Who will be at the front of the line for vaccines in California? Here's what we know

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is now in California and could be distributed within hours .
But who will get the first doses ?
Here is what we know : • Some doses of the vaccine arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday night .
• Vaccinations could be administered as early as Monday to some healthcare providers , but there has been no official word yet on who will get the first dose .
More vaccines are on the way .
• Medical workers were expected to get the first doses of the vaccine through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA Health in Los Angeles and Rady Children ’ s Hospital in San Diego .
In Northern California , designated hospitals include UC San Francisco Medical Center , Mercy Medical Center in Redding and UC Davis Health in Sacramento .
• The state Department of Public Health selected at least seven hospitals to receive the first batch of vaccines based on their storage capacity , the relatively high risk of their healthcare populations and their ability to distribute the vaccine in the community once it becomes widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to store the vaccines at the required extremely low temperatures : minus 70 degrees Celsius ( about minus 95 degrees Fahrenheit ) .
• Health officials have said the first batch of doses will go to frontline healthcare workers with direct exposure to the coronavirus as well as residents of long-term care facilities , followed by other at-risk groups .
• Others who will be prioritized include first responders , people who are working at coronavirus testing sites or administering vaccines , students in clinical rotations in high-risk areas such as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patients or vaccines .
• Covering all healthcare workers will take time .
California has an estimated 2.4 million healthcare workers , and the state ’ s first shipment of vaccine from Pfizer will contain about 327,000 doses .
• Most hospitals have not revealed their plans for rolling out the vaccine .
UC San Francisco Health expects to receive at least 975 doses Monday or Tuesday , followed by more shipments later in the week .
The initial shipment won ’ t be enough to cover the 20,000 or so people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be vaccinated .
• UC Davis Health formed a working group that has spent several weeks developing a tiered approach to vaccinating employees based on the risk of infection with the type of work they perform , the healthcare system said .
In the emergency department , top-tier job classifications include custodial workers , physicians , nurses , first responders and clerks .
The health system says it ’ s prepared to inoculate up to 400 employees each day .
• UC San Diego expects to receive 2,900 of those vaccines and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Dr. David Brenner , the university ’ s vice chancellor for health sciences .
“ People who are most at risk will get it first — people in the [ Emergency Department ] , people in the ICUs , then it goes down to people doing procedures , then down to people doing consults and people in the laboratories , ” Brenner said .
Dr. Susan Little , who helped plan how UCSD will allocate its doses , says that vaccination will be voluntary .
• Los Angeles County health officials say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the first phase — consisting of healthcare workers and institutional residents and staff — the second will focus on essential workers and the third on high-risk groups , including seniors and people with chronic health conditions .
Officials are still working out the details of how people would be prioritized within the broad groupings .
L.A. County has an estimated 240,000 workers at acute-care hospitals , as well as 30,000 emergency medical workers , 70,000 long-term care healthcare workers and staff , 34,000 residents at nursing homes and 64,000 residents at other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county Department of Public Health .
• A second vaccine , created by the pharmaceutical company Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health , could be granted emergency use authorization next week .
In total , California expects at least 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of December and approximately 6 million by the end of January , said Dr. Robert Schechter , a medical officer with the California Department of Public Health .
• California officials have not determined the order of vaccinations for other essential industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actively lobbying for earlier slots for their members working in law enforcement , agriculture , meatpacking , dentistry , child care , schooling and many other sectors .
• It ’ s unlikely the general public will get access to the vaccine until spring or summer .
The San Francisco Department of Health said that the general population will not have access to the shots “ until the vaccine supply is no longer limited , ” which is likely to occur in the summer or fall .
Even with the vaccine , people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing and wear masks .

Dr. Michelle Chester draws the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at Long Island Jewish Medical Center on Monday in New York.
The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech is now in California and could be distributed within hours.
But who will get the first doses?
Here is what we know:
The timing
Some doses of the vaccine arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday night.
Vaccinations could be administered as early as Monday to some healthcare providers, but there has been no official word yet on who will get the first dose. More vaccines are on the way.
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The hospitals
Medical workers were expected to get the first doses of the vaccine through a limited number of hospitals in California that include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA Health in Los Angeles and Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego. In Northern California, designated hospitals include UC San Francisco Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center in Redding and UC Davis Health in Sacramento.
The state Department of Public Health selected at least seven hospitals to receive the first batch of vaccines based on their storage capacity, the relatively high risk of their healthcare populations and their ability to distribute the vaccine in the community once it becomes widely available. The hospitals also must be able to store the vaccines at the required extremely low temperatures: minus 70 degrees Celsius (about minus 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
The line
Health officials have said the first batch of doses will go to frontline healthcare workers with direct exposure to the coronavirus as well as residents of long-term care facilities, followed by other at-risk groups.
Others who will be prioritized include first responders, people who are working at coronavirus testing sites or administering vaccines, students in clinical rotations in high-risk areas such as the emergency department and researchers actively working with COVID-19 patients or vaccines.
Covering all healthcare workers will take time. California has an estimated 2.4 million healthcare workers, and the state’s first shipment of vaccine from Pfizer will contain about 327,000 doses.
Most hospitals have not revealed their plans for rolling out the vaccine. UC San Francisco Health expects to receive at least 975 doses Monday or Tuesday, followed by more shipments later in the week. The initial shipment won’t be enough to cover the 20,000 or so people affiliated with the healthcare system who need to be vaccinated.
UC Davis Health formed a working group that has spent several weeks developing a tiered approach to vaccinating employees based on the risk of infection with the type of work they perform, the healthcare system said. In the emergency department, top-tier job classifications include custodial workers, physicians, nurses, first responders and clerks. The health system says it’s prepared to inoculate up to 400 employees each day.
UC San Diego expects to receive 2,900 of those vaccines and begin distribution to frontline health workers, said Dr. David Brenner, the university’s vice chancellor for health sciences. “People who are most at risk will get it first — people in the [Emergency Department], people in the ICUs, then it goes down to people doing procedures, then down to people doing consults and people in the laboratories,” Brenner said. Dr. Susan Little, who helped plan how UCSD will allocate its doses, says that vaccination will be voluntary.
Future doses
Los Angeles County health officials say they are planning a three-phase rollout. After the first phase — consisting of healthcare workers and institutional residents and staff — the second will focus on essential workers and the third on high-risk groups, including seniors and people with chronic health conditions. Officials are still working out the details of how people would be prioritized within the broad groupings. L.A. County has an estimated 240,000 workers at acute-care hospitals, as well as 30,000 emergency medical workers, 70,000 long-term care healthcare workers and staff, 34,000 residents at nursing homes and 64,000 residents at other long-term care facilities, according to the county Department of Public Health.
A second vaccine, created by the pharmaceutical company Moderna in partnership with the National Institutes of Health, could be granted emergency use authorization next week. In total, California expects at least 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of December and approximately 6 million by the end of January, said Dr. Robert Schechter, a medical officer with the California Department of Public Health.
California officials have not determined the order of vaccinations for other essential industries. Trade groups and labor unions are actively lobbying for earlier slots for their members working in law enforcement, agriculture, meatpacking, dentistry, child care, schooling and many other sectors.
It’s unlikely the general public will get access to the vaccine until spring or summer. The San Francisco Department of Health said that the general population will not have access to the shots “until the vaccine supply is no longer limited,” which is likely to occur in the summer or fall. Even with the vaccine, people will probably still have to practice physical distancing and wear masks.
Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-12-14--For L.A. bookstores during COVID-19, this holiday season is make or break

Two days after Thanksgiving , on what is sometimes known as Small Business Saturday , Jennifer Gracie plopped a stack of hardcovers onto the checkout desk of Chevalier ’ s Books , a charming shop in Larchmont Village .
The haul for Gracie , a 54-year-old transplant from New York , included an Italian cookbook for her husband ; a crime novel for her mother ; guidebooks for her daughter and friends ; and a David Bowie puzzle for her sister-in-law .
It could have been any other holiday shopping season , except for the masks , the plexiglass barrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign at the window that read , in part , “ Max Occupancy 6 Customers.
” There was , too , the sense of urgency and mission , among both store employees and customers lined up outside .
“ Even if I see something that I know is easily available through overnight shipping through that behemoth we all know about , I have to buy it at a real bookstore , ” said Gracie , referring to the dominance of Amazon .
She chose to shop in person despite the pandemic , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just makes me so sad when I see all the bookstores shuttered around the country , and it ’ ll be tragic if we keep losing them.
” Since the pandemic swept through the U.S. in March , independent bookstores have struggled to survive a gantlet of ever-changing restrictions : mandated store closures , partial reopenings , caps on in-store browsers and , in California , a stay-at-home order that further restricts retail capacity .
According to the American Booksellers Assn.
, 58 member bookstores across the country have closed for good this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shuttering after the holiday season .
This time of year accounts for 20 % or more of annual small-business sales , enough to get retailers out of the red — beginning of course with Black Friday .
But this year , especially for bookstores , it ’ s not a question of balancing the books but mitigating the damage of a lost year .
The Saturday after Thanksgiving , visits to three bookstores revealed devoted customers like Gracie braving the surge in advance of the latest lockdown .
For local booksellers it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed worry .
Despite the heartening lines , owners had to wonder whether it would be enough .
With federal financial support depleted , further stimulus funding up in the air as of this writing , foot traffic still relatively low , popular events canceled and a record-breaking spike of cases , it ’ s going to be a close call for almost everyone .
“ We definitely look forward to the holidays in the same way that movie studios look forward to blockbusters , ” said Josh Spencer , owner of downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For us , the holiday season pays for half of the year .
We ’ re generally losing money the rest of the time.
” In the wake of the first lockdown , sales plummeted as much as 80 % for local bookstores before improving steadily in recent months , though still significantly below that of previous years .
“ The holiday shopping season is the make-it-or-break-it season for indie bookstores , ” wrote ABA senior strategy officer Dan Cullen in an email .
“ Not only will their regular customers be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they see many first-time shoppers , who then can become new regular customers in the weeks and months ahead.
” Ultimately this is what success might hinge on — not only the goodwill of existing customers but an influx of new ones and , once the virus abates , the return of habitual in-store shopping .
Because one of the biggest lessons learned for bookstores in 2020 is that online orders and loyal customers help , but not enough to ensure their long-term survival .
Even before the holiday season began in earnest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country were making public pleas for support , sometimes in the form of online fundraisers .
( Stories in Echo Park is the latest indie to launch a GoFundMe . )
In October , the 80-year-old Chevalier ’ s sent customers an SOS : Its building was forcing all tenants to vacate by Dec. 31 , and its new location across the street would be larger but more expensive .
“ After we sent that letter out … we ’ ve basically experienced a Christmas every month , ” said Theresa Phung , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 40 % to 50 % spike in revenue .
She ’ s confident that December sales will be as strong as October ‘ s and November ‘ s .
But the real test will come when the store is paying twice the rent next year .
“ We ’ ll really have to see how the community responds after we make that big jump.
” Eso Won Books in Leimert Park has seen a sales jump too — for another timely reason .
Following protests sparked by the death of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insane influx of business , ” according to co-owner James Fugate .
Up to 1,000 book orders were coming in daily .
The phone rang so often that Fugate and co-owner Tom Hamilton decided to stop answering it .
Sales have been steady since then .
But despite the surge of interest in books on racism and support for shops like Eso Won , Black-owned businesses have been especially vulnerable during the pandemic .
According to a study published by in May , 41 % of such businesses across the country shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 % of white-owned establishments .
“ As a Black-owned business , you don ’ t have the luxury of just being a business , you have to be part of the community , ” said Kokayi , 41 , a regular customer who declined to give his last name .
“ You have to fight for Black businesses.
” For Eso Won , the sales surge has provided at least a temporary reprieve .
“ While we ’ ve had a great summer , we don ’ t know if we could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Fugate , who celebrated his 66th birthday on a busy Small Business Saturday .
For now , “ we ’ ll hang on.
” Among the timely and topical releases bookstores across the region are counting on is Barack Obama ’ s “ A Promised Land.
” With its $ 45 list price , the former president ’ s memoir has been a lifeline for struggling indies , as has the signed deluxe edition , priced at $ 350 .
The memoir sold nearly 890,000 copies within 24 hours of its Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 200 copies in store and about 700 online , and it expects to sell more for the holidays .
With in-store shopping curtailed , stores have been forced to adapt quickly .
Curbside pickup and a deluge of online orders have sustained many shops ; some report weekly e-commerce sales that match what they used to make online in a year .
At the Montrose children ’ s bookstore Once Upon a Time , owner Maureen Palacios and her daughter Jessica often work 12-hour days to keep up with in-person customers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the surge of web shopping “ doesn ’ t make up for lost in-store sales , ” said Cullen of the ABA .
“ This is definitely one of the most challenging holiday seasons that local businesses of all kinds have ever experienced.
” ‘ October is the new December ’ Adding to an already stressful holiday season were concerns about the supply chain : paper shortages in the face of outsize demand , slowed distribution , shipping delays and reduced print runs .
In response , stores across the country hoped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late-fall wave of infections .
Echoing the 2020 drive to boost early voting , the ABA launched marketing programs with mottos like “ October is the new December , ” urging customers to shop early and shop local .
Cullen believes the effort has helped flatten the sales curve .
Some booksellers are still preparing for an influx of last-minute holiday shoppers with extended store hours and revamped websites , but they ’ re learning to let go of expectations raised by the gradual reopenings of months past .
“ People that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] a month ago aren ’ t now , as they are choosing to move more toward springtime protections , ” said John Evans , owner of Diesel , A Bookstore , with locations in Brentwood and Del Mar .
Though there ’ s less foot traffic outside the Brentwood shop , customers were dropping by the store and making 15-minute appointments — and waiting in line to do it .
They were there , despite rising cases , for the same reason they shop at independent bookstores in the first place : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought Pacific Palisades resident Wendy Felson to Diesel on Saturday morning .
“ There ’ s something so wonderful about walking into a bookstore and browsing and always finding things you didn ’ t necessarily know about or getting recommendations , ” Felson said .
“ And I ’ ve always relied on recommendations.
” Despite the dismal winter , booksellers said the spirit of giving is stronger than ever .
One Diesel customer bought 200 copies of a children ’ s book as gifts , declining a volume discount .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea , as a gift , so that we can sustain you , ” Evans recalled the customer saying .
He added , “ A lot of people are extremely thoughtful right now , in a very civil way , about the things that they care about.
” Every holiday season , Once Upon a Time brings out the Angel Tree .
Customers can pick out an ornament from a tree branch and buy a book for a homeless or at-risk child in the Glendale Unified School District .
This year , Palacios @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations record .
“ There ’ s hundreds , I don ’ t even know , ” she said .
“ There ’ s stacks .
Boxes .
Boxes !
” Ultimately , according to Cullen of the ABA , “ the worst business challenge in almost a century ” will require more than individual generosity ; it will take long-delayed federal action , followed by the eventual return of more casual customers .
Failing that , more than one in three small-business owners fear they won ’ t survive the next three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the .
And even with help , survival will be case by case .
Diesel ’ s Evans put it simply at the end of an email : “ Wish us luck .
”

Two days after Thanksgiving, on what is sometimes known as Small Business Saturday, Jennifer Gracie plopped a stack of hardcovers onto the checkout desk of Chevalier’s Books, a charming shop in Larchmont Village. The haul for Gracie, a 54-year-old transplant from New York, included an Italian cookbook for her husband; a crime novel for her mother; guidebooks for her daughter and friends; and a David Bowie puzzle for her sister-in-law.
It could have been any other holiday shopping season, except for the masks, the plexiglass barrier separating Gracie from the salesclerk and the sign at the window that read, in part, “Max Occupancy 6 Customers.” There was, too, the sense of urgency and mission, among both store employees and customers lined up outside.
“Even if I see something that I know is easily available through overnight shipping through that behemoth we all know about, I have to buy it at a real bookstore,” said Gracie, referring to the dominance of Amazon. She chose to shop in person despite the pandemic, and also because of it. “It just makes me so sad when I see all the bookstores shuttered around the country, and it’ll be tragic if we keep losing them.”
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Since the pandemic swept through the U.S. in March, independent bookstores have struggled to survive a gantlet of ever-changing restrictions: mandated store closures, partial reopenings, caps on in-store browsers and, in California, a stay-at-home order that further restricts retail capacity. According to the American Booksellers Assn., 58 member bookstores across the country have closed for good this year and 20% are in danger of shuttering after the holiday season.
This time of year accounts for 20% or more of annual small-business sales, enough to get retailers out of the red — beginning of course with Black Friday. But this year, especially for bookstores, it’s not a question of balancing the books but mitigating the damage of a lost year. The Saturday after Thanksgiving, visits to three bookstores revealed devoted customers like Gracie braving the surge in advance of the latest lockdown. For local booksellers it was a day of promise but also renewed worry.
Despite the heartening lines, owners had to wonder whether it would be enough. With federal financial support depleted, further stimulus funding up in the air as of this writing, foot traffic still relatively low, popular events canceled and a record-breaking spike of cases, it’s going to be a close call for almost everyone.
“We definitely look forward to the holidays in the same way that movie studios look forward to blockbusters,” said Josh Spencer, owner of downtown L.A.’s the Last Bookstore. “For us, the holiday season pays for half of the year. We’re generally losing money the rest of the time.”
In the wake of the first lockdown, sales plummeted as much as 80% for local bookstores before improving steadily in recent months, though still significantly below that of previous years.
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“The holiday shopping season is the make-it-or-break-it season for indie bookstores,” wrote ABA senior strategy officer Dan Cullen in an email. “Not only will their regular customers be shopping with them but this is when they see many first-time shoppers, who then can become new regular customers in the weeks and months ahead.”
Ultimately this is what success might hinge on — not only the goodwill of existing customers but an influx of new ones and, once the virus abates, the return of habitual in-store shopping. Because one of the biggest lessons learned for bookstores in 2020 is that online orders and loyal customers help, but not enough to ensure their long-term survival.
The online surge
Even before the holiday season began in earnest, booksellers in California and across the country were making public pleas for support, sometimes in the form of online fundraisers. (Stories in Echo Park is the latest indie to launch a GoFundMe.) In October, the 80-year-old Chevalier’s sent customers an SOS: Its building was forcing all tenants to vacate by Dec. 31, and its new location across the street would be larger but more expensive.
The response was overwhelming.
“After we sent that letter out … we’ve basically experienced a Christmas every month,” said Theresa Phung, co-manager at Chevalier’s, noting a 40% to 50% spike in revenue. She’s confident that December sales will be as strong as October‘s and November‘s. But the real test will come when the store is paying twice the rent next year. “We’ll really have to see how the community responds after we make that big jump.”
A shopper browses at Chevalier’s Books in Larchmont on Saturday, Nov. 28, with customers limited to six at a time in a make-or-break holiday season. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Eso Won Books in Leimert Park has seen a sales jump too — for another timely reason. Following protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, the Black-owned bookstore experienced “this insane influx of business,” according to co-owner James Fugate. Up to 1,000 book orders were coming in daily. The phone rang so often that Fugate and co-owner Tom Hamilton decided to stop answering it.
Sales have been steady since then. But despite the surge of interest in books on racism and support for shops like Eso Won, Black-owned businesses have been especially vulnerable during the pandemic. According to a study published by Stanford University in May, 41% of such businesses across the country shut down between February and April, compared with 17% of white-owned establishments.
California Essential California: A black-owned L.A. bookstore’s ‘incredible surge’ Sales have soared at Leimert Park’s Eso Won books over the past few days, as a stream of customers have come in seeking to better understand the historical underpinnings of the current moment.
“As a Black-owned business, you don’t have the luxury of just being a business, you have to be part of the community,” said Kokayi, 41, a regular customer who declined to give his last name. “You have to fight for Black businesses.”
For Eso Won, the sales surge has provided at least a temporary reprieve. “While we’ve had a great summer, we don’t know if we could survive another year of this,” said Fugate, who celebrated his 66th birthday on a busy Small Business Saturday. For now, “we’ll hang on.”
Among the timely and topical releases bookstores across the region are counting on is Barack Obama’s “A Promised Land.” With its $45 list price, the former president’s memoir has been a lifeline for struggling indies, as has the signed deluxe edition, priced at $350. The memoir sold nearly 890,000 copies within 24 hours of its Nov. 17 release; Eso Won has sold nearly 200 copies in store and about 700 online, and it expects to sell more for the holidays.
With in-store shopping curtailed, stores have been forced to adapt quickly. Curbside pickup and a deluge of online orders have sustained many shops; some report weekly e-commerce sales that match what they used to make online in a year.
At the Montrose children’s bookstore Once Upon a Time, owner Maureen Palacios and her daughter Jessica often work 12-hour days to keep up with in-person customers and an astronomical rise in online orders.
But the surge of web shopping “doesn’t make up for lost in-store sales,” said Cullen of the ABA. “This is definitely one of the most challenging holiday seasons that local businesses of all kinds have ever experienced.”
Store co-owner James Fugate organizes the books at Eso Won. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
‘October is the new December’
Adding to an already stressful holiday season were concerns about the supply chain: paper shortages in the face of outsize demand, slowed distribution, shipping delays and reduced print runs. In response, stores across the country hoped to bank sales in anticipation of a late-fall wave of infections. Echoing the 2020 drive to boost early voting, the ABA launched marketing programs with mottos like “October is the new December,” urging customers to shop early and shop local.
Cullen believes the effort has helped flatten the sales curve. Some booksellers are still preparing for an influx of last-minute holiday shoppers with extended store hours and revamped websites, but they’re learning to let go of expectations raised by the gradual reopenings of months past.
“People that would’ve [come into the store] a month ago aren’t now, as they are choosing to move more toward springtime protections,” said John Evans, owner of Diesel, A Bookstore, with locations in Brentwood and Del Mar. Though there’s less foot traffic outside the Brentwood shop, customers were dropping by the store and making 15-minute appointments — and waiting in line to do it.
They were there, despite rising cases, for the same reason they shop at independent bookstores in the first place: the personal touch.
That is what brought Pacific Palisades resident Wendy Felson to Diesel on Saturday morning. “There’s something so wonderful about walking into a bookstore and browsing and always finding things you didn’t necessarily know about or getting recommendations,” Felson said. “And I’ve always relied on recommendations.”
Despite the dismal winter, booksellers said the spirit of giving is stronger than ever. One Diesel customer bought 200 copies of a children’s book as gifts, declining a volume discount. “We’re thinking of this as an idea, as a gift, so that we can sustain you,” Evans recalled the customer saying. He added, “A lot of people are extremely thoughtful right now, in a very civil way, about the things that they care about.”
Every holiday season, Once Upon a Time brings out the Angel Tree. Customers can pick out an ornament from a tree branch and buy a book for a homeless or at-risk child in the Glendale Unified School District. This year, Palacios reports, the bookstore has broken its donations record. “There’s hundreds, I don’t even know,” she said. “There’s stacks. Boxes. Boxes!”
Ultimately, according to Cullen of the ABA, “the worst business challenge in almost a century” will require more than individual generosity; it will take long-delayed federal action, followed by the eventual return of more casual customers. Failing that, more than one in three small-business owners fear they won’t survive the next three months, according to a survey from the Small Business Majority . And even with help, survival will be case by case.
Diesel’s Evans put it simply at the end of an email: “Wish us luck.”