latimes--2020-09-17--Cal/OSHA will create emergency COVID workplace safety rules

After months of discussion , will move forward with emergency statewide standards to address what worker advocates have been calling “ an occupational health emergency.
” A appointed by Gov .
Gavin Newsom voted unanimously Thursday to begin creating standards that would require employers to take stricter precautions against COVID-19 .
“ It ’ s really impossible for anyone to claim this is not an emergency and not a significant problem we need to address , ” board member Laura Stock , an occupational health expert , said in urging her colleagues to vote yes .
The board oversees standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Cal/OSHA .
The board ’ s decision jump-starts a fast-tracked process that could result in emergency statewide workplace requirements in a matter of months .
It also opens a door for potential permanent changes relating to all infectious diseases , including any future “ novel pathogens.
” “ This is a great win for California workers , ” said Stephen Knight , director of , the advocacy group that filed the petition in May .
He hailed the decision as a step in the right direction as California continues to grapple with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prisons .
A rare and little-known state provision enacted in 2009 requires employers to protect California ’ s healthcare workers against the transmission of airborne diseases .
But no such policy exists for other workers .
Knight noted that “ essential ” workers have faced increased risks as a result of the pandemic and are more likely to be low-income , people of color or immigrants .
The board didn ’ t specify what rules it intends to create or which workplaces will be affected .
Specific requirements will be hashed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there have been more than of the virus and more than 14,700 COVID-19 deaths .
It ’ s unclear exactly how many of those infections stem from occupational exposure because the state does not track cases by workplace .
The proposal was backed by a coalition of worker rights ’ groups , unions and environmental groups .
It faced staunch opposition from business interests that called any additional requirements unnecessary and “ duplicative.
” “ Recalcitrant employers who are not following existing requirements are certainly not going to follow new ones , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Regulatory Roundtable , which represents corporations .
“ There is no evidence a new rule would improve compliance.
” The board itself had initially recommended against the adoption of emergency rules , siding with business concerns that new regulations could be burdensome .
That was at odds with Cal/OSHA officials , who said that clear emergency rules could enable the agency to take a harder line on employers during the pandemic .
For months , worker advocates have criticized Cal/OSHA for anemic enforcement and failing to take action against employers flouting safety guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Thursday meeting to provide accounts of workplace conditions .
One worker coordinator said an employer was charging employees for face masks they were required to wear on the job .
In recent weeks , Cal/OSHA has taken steps to ramp up enforcement .
This month the agency announced it was proposing more than $ 500,000 in fines against a frozen foods company and a temporary staffing agency for failing to protect hundreds of workers at two facilities in Vernon .
The agency is also hiring retired inspectors after articles by The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency is going to need to be able to rise to this moment , ” Knight said .
“ I ’ m optimistic that we can all work together to make this happen .
”

After months of discussion, California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health will move forward with emergency statewide standards to address what worker advocates have been calling “an occupational health emergency.”
A seven-member board appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom voted unanimously Thursday to begin creating standards that would require employers to take stricter precautions against COVID-19.
“It’s really impossible for anyone to claim this is not an emergency and not a significant problem we need to address,” board member Laura Stock, an occupational health expert, said in urging her colleagues to vote yes.
The board oversees standards enforced by the agency, better known as Cal/OSHA.
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The board’s decision jump-starts a fast-tracked process that could result in emergency statewide workplace requirements in a matter of months. It also opens a door for potential permanent changes relating to all infectious diseases, including any future “novel pathogens.”
“This is a great win for California workers,” said Stephen Knight, director of Worksafe , the advocacy group that filed the petition in May. He hailed the decision as a step in the right direction as California continues to grapple with outbreaks at meatpacking plants, nursing homes and prisons.
A rare and little-known state provision enacted in 2009 requires employers to protect California’s healthcare workers against the transmission of airborne diseases. But no such policy exists for other workers. Knight noted that “essential” workers have faced increased risks as a result of the pandemic and are more likely to be low-wage earners, people of color or immigrants.
The board didn’t specify what rules it intends to create or which workplaces will be affected. Specific requirements will be hashed out in the weeks to come.
Statewide, there have been more than 773,000 confirmed cases of the virus and more than 14,700 COVID-19 deaths. It’s unclear exactly how many of those infections stem from occupational exposure because the state does not track cases by workplace.
The proposal was backed by a coalition of worker rights groups, unions and environmental groups. It faced staunch opposition from business interests that called any additional requirements unnecessary and “duplicative.”
“Recalcitrant employers who are not following existing requirements are certainly not going to follow new ones,” said Elizabeth Treanor , director of the Phylmar Regulatory Roundtable, which represents corporations. “There is no evidence a new rule would improve compliance.”
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The board itself had initially recommended against the adoption of emergency rules, siding with business concerns that new regulations could be burdensome. That was at odds with Cal/OSHA officials, who said that clear emergency rules could enable the agency to take a harder line on employers during the pandemic.
For months, worker advocates have criticized Cal/OSHA for anemic enforcement and failing to take action against employers flouting safety guidelines.
Several workers and union officials joined the Thursday meeting to provide accounts of workplace conditions. One worker coordinator said an employer was charging employees for face masks they were required to wear on the job.
In recent weeks, Cal/OSHA has taken steps to ramp up enforcement. This month the agency announced it was proposing more than $500,000 in fines against a frozen foods company and a temporary staffing agency for failing to protect hundreds of workers at two facilities in Vernon.
The agency is also hiring retired inspectors after articles by The Times chronicled understaffing within Cal/OSHA’s ranks.
“The agency is going to need to be able to rise to this moment,” Knight said. “I’m optimistic that we can all work together to make this happen.”


latimes--2020-09-17--UC bans race-based quotas for admissions and hiring, setting limits for possible return of affirmati

UC bans race-based quotas for admissions and hiring, setting limits for possible return of affirmative action

University of California regents banned the use of quotas based on race and gender in admissions , hiring and contracting Thursday — underscoring their intent to limit how they would restore affirmative action if state voters approve its use again .
In June , regents unanimously backed an effort to eliminate the longtime ban on affirmative action in public education and employment , which California voters approved in 1996 with passage of Proposition 209 .
That ban would be repealed by a proposed constitutional amendment , Proposition 16 , on the Nov. 3 ballot .
But to make clear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Proposition 16 passes , regents adopted an official policy against them .
The action aligns the 10-campus system with federal law and court decisions that ban quotas , although they allow the consideration of race in limited circumstances .
UC officials have said they would use race and gender in admissions decisions as just two of several factors considered , along with grades , high school coursework , special talents , and family economic and educational backgrounds .
“ It makes very clear that we do not engage nor will we engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Board of Regents Chairman John A. Pérez said of the new policy .
“ This puts this on the record squarely.
” After affirmative action was banned by Proposition 209 , the UC system adopted myriad race-neutral policies and programs to increase diversity , including aggressive outreach to students who are low-income and the first in their families to attend college .
Today , 40 % of UC students are first-generation college students and 36 % are low-income .
But officials say the inability to consider race in admissions and hiring decisions has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s broad diversity .
Latino and white students are the UC system ’ s most underrepresented major demographic groups compared with their proportion among California high school graduates who meet UC admission requirements , according to data from UC and the California Department of Education .
Latinos , for instance , made up 44.7 % of that qualified pool but only about a quarter of UC undergraduates .
White students made up 27 % of those eligible for UC admission but 21.4 % of UC undergraduates in fall 2019 .
Black students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of eligible students and 4.1 % of UC undergraduates .
Asian Americans were overrepresented , making up 19.9 % of the eligible pool and 33.5 % of UC students .
Some regents said Thursday that restoring race-based affirmative action would allow the UC system to use the power of its purse to stimulate economic growth among businesses owned by members of underrepresented groups , which have particularly suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic .
A UC Santa Cruz study found that 440,000 of the nation ’ s 1 million Black-owned businesses permanently closed between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After affirmative action was banned in California , the proportion of UC spending for goods and services from businesses owned by people of color dropped from 10.2 % in fiscal year 1995 to 2.79 % today , a UC analysis found .
But support for the measure appears shaky .
A new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that only 31 % of likely California voters support Proposition 16 , with the measure failing to win majority support among Latino and white respondents and other races and ethnic groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ horrified ” by those survey results .
“ The greatest thing we can do is advocacy , ” she said .
“ Otherwise it ’ s not going to pass and we ’ ll be sitting here with the same problem .
”

University of California regents banned the use of quotas based on race and gender in admissions, hiring and contracting Thursday — underscoring their intent to limit how they would restore affirmative action if state voters approve its use again.
In June, regents unanimously backed an effort to eliminate the longtime ban on affirmative action in public education and employment, which California voters approved in 1996 with passage of Proposition 209. That ban would be repealed by a proposed constitutional amendment, Proposition 16, on the Nov. 3 ballot.
But to make clear the UC system would not use quotas even if Proposition 16 passes, regents adopted an official policy against them. The action aligns the 10-campus system with federal law and court decisions that ban quotas, although they allow the consideration of race in limited circumstances. UC officials have said they would use race and gender in admissions decisions as just two of several factors considered, along with grades, high school coursework, special talents, and family economic and educational backgrounds.
“It makes very clear that we do not engage nor will we engage in race-based quotas and caps,” Board of Regents Chairman John A. Pérez said of the new policy. “This puts this on the record squarely.”
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After affirmative action was banned by Proposition 209, the UC system adopted myriad race-neutral policies and programs to increase diversity, including aggressive outreach to students who are low-income and the first in their families to attend college. Today, 40% of UC students are first-generation college students and 36% are low-income.
But officials say the inability to consider race in admissions and hiring decisions has hobbled efforts to fully represent the state’s broad diversity. Latino and white students are the UC system’s most underrepresented major demographic groups compared with their proportion among California high school graduates who meet UC admission requirements, according to data from UC and the California Department of Education.
Latinos, for instance, made up 44.7% of that qualified pool but only about a quarter of UC undergraduates. White students made up 27% of those eligible for UC admission but 21.4% of UC undergraduates in fall 2019. Black students were at rough parity at 4.2% of eligible students and 4.1% of UC undergraduates. Asian Americans were overrepresented, making up 19.9% of the eligible pool and 33.5% of UC students.
Some regents said Thursday that restoring race-based affirmative action would allow the UC system to use the power of its purse to stimulate economic growth among businesses owned by members of underrepresented groups, which have particularly suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic. A UC Santa Cruz study found that 440,000 of the nation’s 1 million Black-owned businesses permanently closed between February and March, regents were told. After affirmative action was banned in California, the proportion of UC spending for goods and services from businesses owned by people of color dropped from 10.2% in fiscal year 1995 to 2.79% today, a UC analysis found.
But support for the measure appears shaky. A new survey by the Public Policy Institute of California found that only 31% of likely California voters support Proposition 16, with the measure failing to win majority support among Latino and white respondents and other races and ethnic groups.
Regent Sherry Lansing said she was “horrified” by those survey results. “The greatest thing we can do is advocacy,” she said. “Otherwise it’s not going to pass and we’ll be sitting here with the same problem.”


latimes--2020-09-17--Muslim woman files federal lawsuit over LAPD officers removing her hijab

A Muslim woman has alleged in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that her civil and religious rights were violated when Los Angeles police officers pulled her from a Police Commission meeting and forcibly removed her religious head covering last year .
Nusaiba Mubarak , now 26 , said during an online news conference that she was standing in line at the meeting , waiting to comment on a deadly LAPD shooting the year prior , when she was “ aggressively manhandled by three police officers nearly twice my size , who without any warning grabbed me and pushed me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoved me into another room where I was stripped of my hijab and humiliated.
” Mubarak , represented by attorneys from the Council on American-Islamic Relations chapter of Los Angeles , said police initially rushed into the area where she was lined up after another protester had gone over his allotted time to speak , but that there was no cause or reason given for her own detention and no justification for the removal of her hijab in the presence of male officers — a violation of Muslim religious tenets .
She was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her “ shocked and quite terrified , ” she said .
Mubarak said she had attended the Police Commission meeting last September to denounce the October 2018 killing of Albert Ramon Dorsey .
Dorsey was fatally shot by an LAPD officer after punching another officer in a locker room at a 24 Hour Fitness gym in Hollywood .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore found that the shooting was justified , but the Police Commission disagreed , saying the officer had violated department policy .
Mubarak ’ s lawsuit is against the LAPD , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Corey Harmon and four other unidentified LAPD officers .
It says Mubarak is suing “ to challenge illegal LAPD behavior that callously humiliated her , stripped her of a religious garment in front of others , and erased her chance to address the public body that oversees the very officers who violated her rights.
” The lawsuit alleges that a lack of LAPD policies that specifically protect individuals ’ religious freedom to wear head coverings shows the city and the department permit such violations , and calls for the LAPD to reform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Josh Rubenstein , an LAPD spokesman , said the department could not comment on pending litigation .
Lena Masri , CAIR ’ s national litigation director and one of Mubarak ’ s attorneys , said Mubarak ’ s experience reflects a broader trend in law enforcement .
“ Muslim women across the country are having their hijabs senselessly removed by police officers , during even traffic stops for minor traffic violations , in court houses , in correctional facilities , and when having their booking photos taken , ” Masri said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women ’ s constitutional rights , and must be challenged , Masri said .
“ The callousness that the LAPD officers exhibited towards Nusaiba was a senseless attack against her religious liberty , ” she said .

A Muslim woman is suing the LAPD for an incident in which she alleges several officers forcibly removed her hijab.
A Muslim woman has alleged in a federal lawsuit filed Thursday that her civil and religious rights were violated when Los Angeles police officers pulled her from a Police Commission meeting and forcibly removed her religious head covering last year.
Nusaiba Mubarak, now 26, said during an online news conference that she was standing in line at the meeting, waiting to comment on a deadly LAPD shooting the year prior, when she was “aggressively manhandled by three police officers nearly twice my size, who without any warning grabbed me and pushed me to the wall, handcuffed me, and shoved me into another room where I was stripped of my hijab and humiliated.”
Mubarak, represented by attorneys from the Council on American-Islamic Relations chapter of Los Angeles, said police initially rushed into the area where she was lined up after another protester had gone over his allotted time to speak, but that there was no cause or reason given for her own detention and no justification for the removal of her hijab in the presence of male officers — a violation of Muslim religious tenets.
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She was released without charge. The episode left her “shocked and quite terrified,” she said.
Mubarak said she had attended the Police Commission meeting last September to denounce the October 2018 killing of Albert Ramon Dorsey. Dorsey was fatally shot by an LAPD officer after punching another officer in a locker room at a 24 Hour Fitness gym in Hollywood. LAPD Chief Michel Moore found that the shooting was justified, but the Police Commission disagreed, saying the officer had violated department policy.
Mubarak’s lawsuit is against the LAPD, the city of L.A., Moore, Det. Corey Harmon and four other unidentified LAPD officers. It says Mubarak is suing “to challenge illegal LAPD behavior that callously humiliated her, stripped her of a religious garment in front of others, and erased her chance to address the public body that oversees the very officers who violated her rights.”
The lawsuit alleges that a lack of LAPD policies that specifically protect individuals’ religious freedom to wear head coverings shows the city and the department permit such violations, and calls for the LAPD to reform its policies for arrests of Muslim women.
Josh Rubenstein, an LAPD spokesman, said the department could not comment on pending litigation.
Lena Masri, CAIR’s national litigation director and one of Mubarak’s attorneys, said Mubarak’s experience reflects a broader trend in law enforcement.
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“Muslim women across the country are having their hijabs senselessly removed by police officers, during even traffic stops for minor traffic violations, in court houses, in correctional facilities, and when having their booking photos taken,” Masri said.
Such actions are in direct violation of the women’s constitutional rights, and must be challenged, Masri said.
“The callousness that the LAPD officers exhibited towards Nusaiba was a senseless attack against her religious liberty,” she said.


latimes--2020-09-17--California prison guard union places bull's-eye on Black lawmaker's photo in political ad

The union representing California prison guards posted pictures and video online of a new political ad announcing its intent to “ target ” South Los Angeles Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer , obscuring the Black lawmaker ’ s face with a bull ’ s-eye — and drawing criticism that the image amounted to a threat .
The ad and a screenshot posted Wednesday by California Correctional Peace Officers Assn .
President Glen Stailey were later removed , but pictures and copies of the video continue to circulate online .
The incident highlights mounting acrimony in Los Angeles and across the country between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reforms , and it comes days after two Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies were ambushed by a gunman , leading Sheriff Alex Villanueva to warn that “ words have consequences.
” Jones-Sawyer , chairman of the state Assembly ’ s public safety committee , said Thursday he is concerned that regardless of the organization ’ s intent , the online image could lead to real-world violence .
“ God forbid someone took that putting a target on me literally and were not stable and showed up at my home , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … you don ’ t put a target on a person of color.
” Jones-Sawyer — who condemned Saturday night ’ s shooting of the two deputies , calling it a “ cowardly act ” — has long been a champion of criminal justice reform .
He also recently voted in a favor of a new contract for CCPOA members that cuts their pay because of the state ’ s economic crisis while providing additional paid time off each month .
The assemblyman is in a tight reelection race in the 59th District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public policy commissioner .
The CCPOA has long been a strong lobbying presence at the state Capitol and in campaigns and has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of legislators in recent years through independent expenditure committees .
It has contributed $ 143,000 so far to Martinez ’ s campaign through those channels , according to state records .
A spokesman for Martinez did not immediately return a call for comment .
The union did not respond to a request for comment but sent a statement through a public relations agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch of the imagination to believe that we meant anything other than our clear intent , which was to demonstrate that we are mounting political campaigns against certain legislators , ” read the statement , which was attributed to Stailey .
“ However , to put this controversy to rest , we are removing the video from our official channels and editing it .
We will not be deterred from our commitment to protect the interests of correctional officers by actively participating in political campaigns.
” In the nearly 2½-minute ad , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first day of a new direction for our association ” and that it will “ further our commitment to the legislators who aren ’ t afraid to stand with law enforcement.
” The political advertisement includes images of a woman being held against a wall by a man with a knife , a person standing on top of a car while smashing its windows with a baseball bat , and a burning home — while interspersing narrative about rising violence for law enforcement and communities .
“ We are going to demand that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers are addressed , ” the narrator says .
The video continues with Stailey pointing to the bull ’ s-eye on the photo of Jones-Sawyer while the narrator says , “ and the perpetrators are held accountable to the highest degree.
” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon ( D-Lakewood ) , said Thursday that he believed the ad “ definitely crossed a line.
” “ A target over a person ’ s face is something we all recognize , ” he said .
Rendon said the union represents state workers with issues before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously .
But he said the ad makes him question the association ’ s leadership .
“ I ’ m skeptical of them and skeptical of their intentions and whether or not they ’ re very good people , ” he said .
Jones-Sawyer said at first he questioned whether the video was real , but when he determined it was , he called Capitol security services for more protection for his family .
Jones-Sawyer is married and has a college-age son at home , he said .
He also sent a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking whether the video crossed legal lines and amounted to a threat against a public official .
A representative for Becerra ’ s office said Thursday that he was “ aware of the request ” but declined to say whether an investigation would take place .
Ed Obayashi , an attorney and Plumas County sheriff ’ s deputy who advises agencies on legal matters , said that political speech was one of the “ highest forms of protected free speech ” and that he did not believe the ad crossed legal lines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ bull ’ s-eye image “ highly problematic , ” he believed that it probably resonated with the group ’ s membership .
He said recent attacks on officers have left many in law enforcement angry and frustrated by police reform measures in California that many rank-and-file officers view as anti-police .
“ The organization would not have put this ad out if that was not the sentiment of the general membership , ” Obayashi said .
“ It has come to that point and beyond .
”

A screenshot from the Facebook page of California prison guard union President Glen Stailey shows part of an online political advertisement announcing the union’s intent to “target” Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer in the November election.
The union representing California prison guards posted pictures and video online of a new political ad announcing its intent to “target” South Los Angeles Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, obscuring the Black lawmaker’s face with a bull’s-eye — and drawing criticism that the image amounted to a threat.
The ad and a screenshot posted Wednesday by California Correctional Peace Officers Assn. President Glen Stailey were later removed, but pictures and copies of the video continue to circulate online.
The incident highlights mounting acrimony in Los Angeles and across the country between law enforcement and those who seek police reforms, and it comes days after two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were ambushed by a gunman, leading Sheriff Alex Villanueva to warn that “words have consequences.”
Jones-Sawyer, chairman of the state Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, said Thursday he is concerned that regardless of the organization’s intent, the online image could lead to real-world violence.
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“God forbid someone took that putting a target on me literally and were not stable and showed up at my home,” he said. “In this environment … you don’t put a target on a person of color.”
Jones-Sawyer — who condemned Saturday night’s shooting of the two deputies, calling it a “cowardly act” — has long been a champion of criminal justice reform. He also recently voted in a favor of a new contract for CCPOA members that cuts their pay because of the state’s economic crisis while providing additional paid time off each month.
The assemblyman is in a tight reelection race in the 59th District against fellow Democrat Efren Martinez, a public policy commissioner.
The CCPOA has long been a strong lobbying presence at the state Capitol and in campaigns and has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to dozens of legislators in recent years through independent expenditure committees. It has contributed $143,000 so far to Martinez’s campaign through those channels, according to state records.
Martinez said he does not condone “hateful tactics” and alleged his campaign had been the target of negative actions as well, including an incident in which he said a window was broken at his office.
The union did not respond to a request for comment but sent a statement through a public relations agency.
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“It would require a great stretch of the imagination to believe that we meant anything other than our clear intent, which was to demonstrate that we are mounting political campaigns against certain legislators,” read the statement, which was attributed to Stailey. “However, to put this controversy to rest, we are removing the video from our official channels and editing it. We will not be deterred from our commitment to protect the interests of correctional officers by actively participating in political campaigns.”
California Supervisors join calls for Sheriff Villanueva to step down Several members of a watchdog agency have called on Sheriff Alex Villanueva to resign, marking a further escalation of tensions between the sheriff and his overseers.
In the nearly 2½-minute ad, a narrator says that it is the “first day of a new direction for our association” and that it will “further our commitment to the legislators who aren’t afraid to stand with law enforcement.”
The political advertisement includes images of a woman being held against a wall by a man with a knife, a person standing on top of a car while smashing its windows with a baseball bat, and a burning home — while interspersing narrative about rising violence for law enforcement and communities.
“We are going to demand that the increased violence and assaults on police officers are addressed,” the narrator says.
The video continues with Stailey pointing to the bull’s-eye on the photo of Jones-Sawyer while the narrator says, “and the perpetrators are held accountable to the highest degree.”
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), said Thursday that he believed the ad “definitely crossed a line.”
“A target over a person’s face is something we all recognize,” he said.
Rendon said the union represents state workers with issues before the Legislature that lawmakers will continue to take seriously. But he said the ad makes him question the association’s leadership.
“I’m skeptical of them and skeptical of their intentions and whether or not they’re very good people,” he said.
Jones-Sawyer said at first he questioned whether the video was real, but when he determined it was, he called Capitol security services for more protection for his family.
Jones-Sawyer is married and has a college-age son at home, he said. He also sent a letter to state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra asking whether the video crossed legal lines and amounted to a threat against a public official.
A representative for Becerra’s office said Thursday that he was “aware of the request” but declined to say whether an investigation would take place.
Ed Obayashi, an attorney and Plumas County sheriff’s deputy who advises agencies on legal matters, said that political speech was one of the “highest forms of protected free speech” and that he did not believe the ad crossed legal lines.
Obayashi said that although he found the bull’s-eye image “highly problematic,” he believed that it probably resonated with the group’s membership. He said recent attacks on officers have left many in law enforcement angry and frustrated by police reform measures in California that many rank-and-file officers view as anti-police.
“The organization would not have put this ad out if that was not the sentiment of the general membership,” Obayashi said. “It has come to that point and beyond.”
Times staff writer Taryn Luna contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-17--Smoky, hazardous air from fires shuts Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park closed temporarily at 5 p.m. Thursday and will likely remain closed through the weekend because of smoky skies and hazardous air quality , according to a park statement .
Because of smoke from nearby fires , the air over the park will be in the “ unhealthy to hazardous range over the next several days , ” the statement said .
Airnow.gov showed a 681 pollution score for air in Yosemite Valley ; hazardous air scores at 301 and above , with a scale starting at zero .
The higher the air-quality index number , the more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air should stay inside and avoid activity .
The biggest fire near Yosemite is the Creek fire , which started Sept. 4 and had grown to 244,756 acres as of Thursday afternoon .
It ’ s burning in the Sierra south of Yosemite .
Also , two small lightning fires are burning in the southern part of the park .
Sequoia National Park in the western Sierra shut Tuesday because of proximity to the Sequoia Complex or SQF fire , described as a lightning blaze made up of the Castle and Shotgun fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It started Aug. 24 .
Sister park Kings Canyon also closed 5 p.m. Thursday because of smoke and hazardous air quality .
It too will likely stay closed through the weekend .
All of California ’ s 18 national forests are closed because of extreme fire risk .

Thick smoke shrouds Half Dome over Yosemite Valley in a view from Sentinel Bridge over the Merced River last week.
Yosemite National Park closed temporarily Thursday and will remain closed because of smoky skies and hazardous air quality. Roads within the park, however, are open for visitors who drive through without stopping, according to a park statement Sunday.
Because of smoke from nearby fires, the air over the park will be in the “unhealthy to hazardous range over the next several days,” a prior statement said.
Yosemite will be making decisions on reopening with local and federal public health officials. “The park will reopen when conditions improve and allow for the health and safety of park visitors and employees to engage in regular park activities,” Sunday’s statement said.
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Roads that drivers may use include Wawona Road (Highway 41), the El Portal Road (Highway 140), and the Big Oak Flat and Tioga roads (Highway 120). Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove roads remain closed along with lodging, restaurants, campgrounds and visitor centers.
AirNow.gov showed a 681 pollution score for air in Yosemite Valley last week; hazardous air scores at 301 and above, with a scale starting at zero. The higher the air-quality index number, the more polluted the air. People breathing hazardous air should stay inside and avoid activity.
The biggest fire near Yosemite is the Creek fire, which started Sept. 4 and had grown to 278,368 acres as of Monday morning. It’s burning in the Sierra south of Yosemite. Also, two small lightning fires were burning in the southern part of the park.
Sequoia National Park in the western Sierra shut Tuesday because of proximity to the Sequoia Complex or SQF fire, described as a lightning blaze made up of the Castle and Shotgun fires, according to fire-reporting website InciWeb. It started Aug. 24. Sister park Kings Canyon also closed 5 p.m. Thursday because of smoke and hazardous air quality. It too will likely stay closed through the weekend.
All of California’s 18 national forests are closed because of extreme fire risk.


latimes--2020-09-17--California workers to get stronger family leave protections under new state law

Like many expectant parents , Kevin and Stephanie Zapata have been calculating how much time they can afford to take off work for the birth of their second child in late December .
But the Monrovia couple said one aspect of their calculation became easier after Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday giving millions of California workers at smaller businesses job protections that will allow them to take time off to bond with a new child or care for a sick family member .
Under the new law , Kevin Zapata , who works for a small e-commerce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks of job protections as his wife , Stephanie , who works for a larger nonprofit .
“ This is critical for us , ” Kevin Zapata said .
Senate Bill 1383 by state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson ( D-Santa Barbara ) requires employers with five or more workers to offer 12 weeks of unpaid time off for family leave beginning Jan. 1 .
Currently , companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide 12 weeks of leave to care for a new child or a family member .
The threshold for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks of job-protected time off for workers at companies with 20 or more employees .
Jackson said extending critical job protections to workers will remove a key hurdle that has kept them from applying for the state ’ s paid family leave benefits .
California workers automatically pay into the family leave program , which provides them with eight weeks of partial pay between 60 % to 70 % of their weekly salary .
However , many employees are unaware of the benefit or say they worry they wouldn ’ t have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time off .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers , especially those who keep our economy running , ” Newsom said in a written statement on Thursday .
Jackson , who is termed out , said increasing access to paid family leave is critical to ensuring working parents can care for new babies and sick loved ones .
New parents cited lack of job protection as a key reason they declined to take paid family leave when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the California Employment Development Department , which administers the program .
Low-wage workers , who are more likely to work for smaller employers , were less likely to apply for paid family leave .
Of the 6.8 million workers in the state who earned less than $ 20,000 in 2018 and paid into the program , less than 46,000 used paid family leave , according to a legislative analysis of the bill .
“ Equitable family leave is critical to ensuring equality for women in the workplace , a strong start for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our older Californians and for ensuring fathers are full participants in their children ’ s lives , ” Jackson said in a written statement on Thursday .
California became the first state in the nation in 2004 to create a paid family leave program .
But Jackson said California has since fallen behind other states in expanding access and benefits in the employee-funded program to better help working families .
In July , the state increased the length of time a person can qualify for paid family leave from six weeks to eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wage replacement from 55 % to 60-70 % depending on a person ’ s average weekly wage .
Lawmakers lowered the threshold for job protections for parental leave from 50 employees to 20 employees in 2018 .
Supporters of the law said despite previous changes , 40 % of California workers did not have job protections because their employers ’ businesses were too small .
Many of the efforts to expand family leave have faced significant opposition from business groups , including the newly signed SB 1383 .
Republicans voting against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mandates on businesses during the COVID-19-induced economic crisis .
The California Chamber of Commerce included SB 1383 on its annual “ job killer ” list that highlights laws corporate interests say will hurt employment and the economy .
“ This bill will sound a death knell for even more small businesses across California , ” Assemblyman Kevin Kiley ( R-Rocklin ) said prior to the bill passing the Legislature on Aug. 31 .
Jackson introduced SB 1383 in March , which went on to pass the Senate three months later with the bare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved through the Assembly before again garnering the bare minimum number of votes needed to pass on Aug. 31 , just minutes before the legislative deadline .
The new law that takes effect on Jan. 1 will also require employers to grant spouses who work for the same company with 12 weeks of family leave each , instead of allowing companies to require parents to split the time off .
SB 1383 also requires companies with five or more employees to maintain employer-paid health benefits for any employee who takes leave to care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved one or themselves .
For the Zapata family , the protections added are welcome for the impending arrival of their “ quarantine baby.
” Stephanie Zapata said the new job protections will alleviate the uncertainty around how much time her husband will be able to take off from work to help her when their baby girl is born .
“ This helps us pay our bills and take care of our family , ” she said .
“ I ’ m so grateful for this new law .
We will know for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Stephanie and Kevin Zapata spend time at the Monrovia public library with their son, Kruz, on Sept. 4. Stephanie’s second baby is due in December.
Like many expectant parents, Kevin and Stephanie Zapata have been calculating how much time they can afford to take off work for the birth of their second child in late December.
But the Monrovia couple said one aspect of their calculation became easier after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday giving millions of California workers at smaller businesses job protections that will allow them to take time off to bond with a new child or care for a sick family member.
Under the new law, Kevin Zapata, who works for a small e-commerce company, will have the same 12 weeks of job protections as his wife, Stephanie, who works for a larger nonprofit.
“This is critical for us,” Kevin Zapata said.
Senate Bill 1383 by state Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) requires employers with five or more workers to offer 12 weeks of unpaid time off for family leave beginning Jan. 1. Currently, companies with 50 or more employees are required to provide 12 weeks of leave to care for a new child or a family member. The threshold for parental leave is lower, allowing 12 weeks of job-protected time off for workers at companies with 20 or more employees.
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Jackson said extending critical job protections to workers will remove a key hurdle that has kept them from applying for the state’s paid family leave benefits. California workers automatically pay into the family leave program, which provides them with eight weeks of partial pay between 60% to 70% of their weekly salary. However, many employees are unaware of the benefit or say they worry they wouldn’t have a job to return to if they took the time off.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers, especially those who keep our economy running,” Newsom said in a written statement on Thursday.
Jackson, who is termed out, said increasing access to paid family leave is critical to ensuring working parents can care for new babies and sick loved ones.
New parents cited lack of job protection as a key reason they declined to take paid family leave when needed, according to a 2018 survey by the California Employment Development Department, which administers the program. Low-wage workers, who are more likely to work for smaller employers, were less likely to apply for paid family leave.
Of the 6.8 million workers in the state who earned less than $20,000 in 2018 and paid into the program, less than 46,000 used paid family leave, according to a legislative analysis of the bill.
“Equitable family leave is critical to ensuring equality for women in the workplace, a strong start for children, the health and safety of our older Californians and for ensuring fathers are full participants in their children’s lives,” Jackson said in a written statement on Thursday.
Advertisement
California became the first state in the nation in 2004 to create a paid family leave program. But Jackson said California has since fallen behind other states in expanding access and benefits in the employee-funded program to better help working families. In July, the state increased the length of time a person can qualify for paid family leave from six weeks to eight weeks. In 2016, lawmakers raised the wage replacement from 55% to 60-70% depending on a person’s average weekly wage. Lawmakers lowered the threshold for job protections for parental leave from 50 employees to 20 employees in 2018.
Supporters of the law said despite previous changes, 40% of California workers did not have job protections because their employers’ businesses were too small.
Many of the efforts to expand family leave have faced significant opposition from business groups, including the newly signed SB 1383. Republicans voting against the bill said it was reckless to place mandates on businesses during the COVID-19-induced economic crisis. The California Chamber of Commerce included SB 1383 on its annual “job killer” list that highlights laws corporate interests say will hurt employment and the economy.
“This bill will sound a death knell for even more small businesses across California,” Assemblyman Kevin Kiley (R-Rocklin) said prior to the bill passing the Legislature on Aug. 31.
Jackson introduced SB 1383 in March, which went on to pass the Senate three months later with the bare minimum votes required. It then slowly moved through the Assembly before again garnering the bare minimum number of votes needed to pass on Aug. 31, just minutes before the legislative deadline.
The new law that takes effect on Jan. 1 will also require employers to grant spouses who work for the same company with 12 weeks of family leave each, instead of allowing companies to require parents to split the time off.
SB 1383 also requires companies with five or more employees to maintain employer-paid health benefits for any employee who takes leave to care for a newborn, a seriously ill loved one or themselves.
For the Zapata family, the protections added are welcome for the impending arrival of their “quarantine baby.” Stephanie Zapata said the new job protections will alleviate the uncertainty around how much time her husband will be able to take off from work to help her when their baby girl is born.
“This helps us pay our bills and take care of our family,” she said. “I’m so grateful for this new law. We will know for sure his job is protected.”


latimes--2020-09-17--45 charged with poaching marine life from fragile San Pedro tide pools

A six-month investigation into the poaching of marine life from fragile tidal pools at White Point Beach in San Pedro has culminated with charges against 45 people , the Los Angeles city attorney announced Thursday .
The extensive harvesting of edible marine life — including hundreds of pounds of mussels , turban snails and purple sea urchins — “ has decimated the fragile ecosystem along the coast , and it is uncertain if it can recover , ” L.A. City Atty .
Mike Feuer said .
“ We allege these defendants have jeopardized that future by threatening this sensitive ecosystem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t just take as many of these creatures as you want .
That ’ s why we ’ re prosecuting.
” The cases were brought to city prosecutors by California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers .
State game wardens were notified in May of crowds — some using garden tools , screwdrivers , crowbars and , in at least one case , kitchen tongs strapped to a man ’ s foot — who were digging and dislodging enormous amounts of sea creatures from the tide pools and surrounding areas .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounters between area residents and harvesters , appeared to be motivated by social media posts encouraging the practice to enjoy life outdoors during a time of coronavirus restrictions and high unemployment .
“ It ’ s a fun way to spend the day and grab a free dinner , ” Lisa Yan , 55 , an unemployed casino card dealer , told The Times in July .
“ Especially for those of us who lost jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic .
… All you need is a fishing license.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midst of the coronavirus pandemic — I get it , ” Feuer said .
“ People have lost their jobs .
Peoples ’ rent is at stake .
But to respond to that crisis by going to White Point and prying seas creatures off the tide pools in the quantities we ’ ve been seeing can not continue.
” In response to a barrage of local complaints , state game warden Douglas Wall issued roughly 50 citations at the White Point tide pools , most for harvesting sea creatures over the daily legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve seized well over 500 pounds of illegally taken mussels since May , ” he said Thursday .
Each of the charges against the 45 defendants carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $ 1,000 fine .
Some of the accused face multiple charges , which are detailed in 23 separate cases .
Under California law , it is legal to take invertebrate animals from tide pools with a sport-fishing license unless the pools are located in a marine reserve or other special enclosure .
Also , specific bag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outright bans apply to different species in different regions .
For example , up to 35 purple sea urchins and up to 10 pounds of mussels can be taken in a single day , throughout the year .
Lobsters , however , can be taken only from October through mid-March .
Once common starfish , now rarely seen in local coastal waters , can not be taken at all , officials said .
In one case announced Thursday , Chunyan Gu , 55 ; Yanhua Ge , 56 ; Zhongmei Cui , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were each charged with one count of harvesting more than 10 pounds of mussels and one count of taking marine life without a fishing license .
In a separate case , Yuming Jiang , 60 , was charged with taking more than 35 black turban snails and hermit crabs .
White Point isn ’ t the only coastal area that has seen an increase in harvesting , according to Mike Quill , marine programs director for the nonprofit Los Angeles Waterkeeper .
As part of an effort to curb illegal harvesting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developing public outreach programs that include distributing handouts in English , Chinese , Korean and Spanish at popular fishing areas along the Southern California coast .
“ We ’ ve definitely stepped up our patrols in the area , ” Department of Fish and Wildlife Lt. Michelle Budish said .
In the meantime , the number of people showing up to harvest sea life at White Point has dropped significantly in recent weeks .
“ But it is still going on in a limited sense at low tide after dark , ” Wall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing the same thing with flashlights .
”

Doug Wall, game warden with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, confiscates bags of mussels collected without a license at White Point Beach in San Pedro in July.
A six-month investigation into the poaching of marine life from fragile tidal pools at White Point Beach in San Pedro has culminated with charges against 45 people, the Los Angeles city attorney announced Thursday.
The extensive harvesting of edible marine life — including hundreds of pounds of mussels, turban snails and purple sea urchins — “has decimated the fragile ecosystem along the coast, and it is uncertain if it can recover,” L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer said.
“We allege these defendants have jeopardized that future by threatening this sensitive ecosystem,” he added. “You can’t just take as many of these creatures as you want. That’s why we’re prosecuting.”
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The cases were brought to city prosecutors by California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers.
A sea urchin grows in a tide pool at White Point Beach in San Pedro. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
State game wardens were notified in May of crowds — some using garden tools, screwdrivers, crowbars and, in at least one case, kitchen tongs strapped to a man’s foot — who were digging and dislodging enormous amounts of sea creatures from the tide pools and surrounding areas.
The activity, which triggered numerous edgy encounters between area residents and harvesters, appeared to be motivated by social media posts encouraging the practice to enjoy life outdoors during a time of coronavirus restrictions and high unemployment.
“It’s a fun way to spend the day and grab a free dinner,” Lisa Yan, 55, an unemployed casino card dealer, told The Times in July. “Especially for those of us who lost jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic. … All you need is a fishing license.”
Advertisement
“I understand how desperate people are in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic — I get it,” Feuer said. “People have lost their jobs. Peoples’ rent is at stake. But to respond to that crisis by going to White Point and prying seas creatures off the tide pools in the quantities we’ve been seeing cannot continue.”
In response to a barrage of local complaints, state game warden Douglas Wall issued roughly 50 citations at the White Point tide pools, most for harvesting sea creatures over the daily legal limits.
“Personally, I’ve seized well over 500 pounds of illegally taken mussels since May,” he said Thursday.
Each of the charges against the 45 defendants carries a maximum punishment of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Some of the accused face multiple charges, which are detailed in 23 separate cases.
Under California law, it is legal to take invertebrate animals from tide pools with a sport-fishing license unless the pools are located in a marine reserve or other special enclosure.
Also, specific bag limits, seasonal restrictions, size requirements and outright bans apply to different species in different regions. For example, up to 35 purple sea urchins and up to 10 pounds of mussels can be taken in a single day, throughout the year. Lobsters, however, can be taken only from October through mid-March.
Once common starfish, now rarely seen in local coastal waters, cannot be taken at all, officials said.
In one case announced Thursday, Chunyan Gu, 55; Yanhua Ge, 56; Zhongmei Cui, 50; and Jihua Li, 48, were each charged with one count of harvesting more than 10 pounds of mussels and one count of taking marine life without a fishing license.
In a separate case, Yuming Jiang, 60, was charged with taking more than 35 black turban snails and hermit crabs.
White Point isn’t the only coastal area that has seen an increase in harvesting, according to Mike Quill, marine programs director for the nonprofit Los Angeles Waterkeeper.
As part of an effort to curb illegal harvesting in the tide pools, his organization is developing public outreach programs that include distributing handouts in English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish at popular fishing areas along the Southern California coast.
“We’ve definitely stepped up our patrols in the area,” Department of Fish and Wildlife Lt. Michele Budish said.
In the meantime, the number of people showing up to harvest sea life at White Point has dropped significantly in recent weeks.
“But it is still going on in a limited sense at low tide after dark,” Wall said. “It’s people doing the same thing with flashlights.”


latimes--2020-09-17--DIY air filters can be safe, simple and inexpensive. Here's how to make one

With the reddish-orange skies and smoke-filled air , Californians who had previously never heard of PM2.5 pollution are quickly learning about the Air Quality Index and what they need to do to protect themselves from wildfire pollution .
Thomas Talhelm , founder of Smart Air , a company that sells DIY air purifiers and teaches people how to make their own , remembers being in the same position in 2013 .
He was living in Beijing , and the air pollution hit record highs .
Hospitals were flooded with patients with respiratory problems , and he had a cough he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When he learned that the air purifier he wanted cost $ 1,000 , he did his own research and by securing a HEPA filter to a fan .
That began a seven-year journey of buying laser particle counters , testing different fans and filters , and comparing his homemade built purifiers to store-bought models to prove that simple DIY air purifiers can be almost as effective as the expensive ones .
Around the same time , Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces ( ROCIS ) , was founded in southwest Pennsylvania , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem .
“ The premise was , if you have poor air quality and you can ’ t afford to or don ’ t want to move away , what can you do in your home , workplace and school ?
” explains Linda Wigington , a ROCIS team leader .
Their team , which now has over 400 people , started testing portable air purifiers , but when they heard of the DIY options made from an air filter attached to a box fan , they started making and testing the home-made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can filter out most of the harmful particulate matter .
Environmental agencies , including the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in Seattle and the California Air Resources Board ( CARB ) , encourage people to turn off the fans periodically to avoid overheating , and to not use them when unattended or while you sleep .
But both organizations acknowledge that overheating is rare and that their recommendations are out of an abundance of caution .
Newer fans have thermal fuses that prevent them from overheating or causing fires .
Talhelm said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purifiers his outfit has shipped , they ’ ve heard about fewer than five that have overheated , and in those cases , the fan just died .
Therefore , if the air is unhealthy , Talhelm and Wigington encourage using the purifiers any time you ’ re in the room , including while you are sleeping .
Smart Air ’ s data shows that if you turn off the filter , poor air quality can return in about 80 minutes .
“ When I started Smart Air , in a way I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , because they ’ re out here trying to convince people it costs $ 1,000 to protect your health , ” Talhelm said .
“ Which if people believe , there are just going to be a lot of people who don ’ t protect their health .
“ People — when they ’ re scared and when they don ’ t understand how something works , which was me , until I was confronted with having to paying $ 1,000 — we use price as a proxy for quality .
… The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data.
” Buy a fan ( or use one you already have ) Make sure it ’ s a newer fan , because if it was purchased after 2012 , it should have a thermal fuse that keeps it from overheating .
ROCIS and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency recommend purchasing a 20-inch by 20-inch box fan that can be easily fitted with a filter of the same dimensions .
Ideally whatever fan you use should have a flat surface , which makes it easier to mate securely to the filter .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not flat , but it might be easier to get a new box fan , which cost as little as $ 15 to $ 20 .
Talhelm said their data didn ’ t show much difference between their DIY air purifiers made with expensive fans and cheaper fans , but if you have a choice , he recommends finding one that is strong .
Talhelm recommends a HEPA filter , which is what is found in many store-bought air purifiers and filters 99.97 % of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommend a MERV 13 furnace filter , which catches over 90 % of the same particles and may be cheaper and more accessible .
Bottom line : Find the best one you can .
Secure the air filter to the fan The shows you how to pull the grating off the front of the fan and strap on the filter , and the Puget Sound tutorial shows you how to secure the filter to the fan with hardware .
But you can also just use duct tape , as the explains .
Smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the front of the fan , while Puget Sound recommends the back .
Smart Air ’ s data shows that it ’ s 11 % more effective on the front , compared with the back , but Talhelm said it ’ s more important to put it on the side where the surface is flatter ( many fans might have their controls in the front or back ) .
Also , on most filters , there will be an arrow indicating the recommended direction of the air flow , but Talhelm said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t figure it out , don ’ t stress .
Their tests show that even if you put it on backwards , it ’ s only slightly less effective .
Run it whenever you ’ re in the room If the air outside is unhealthy , both Talhelm and Wigington recommend running the purifiers continuously or at least whenever you are present in the space .
They recommend having one in the bedroom and in any areas you spend a lot of time , for example , a family room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be cautious , on the remote chance that it overheats .
It ’ s better to use air purifiers indoors with the doors and windows closed .
But Smart Air data show that they can still reduce particulate matter with the windows open .
“ This can be critical if it ’ s hot , or if we need ventilation for CO2 or coronavirus mitigation , ” said Talhelm .
Keep the purifier out of the way of curtains and water .
Change the filters when they start to clog .
Often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn black , depending on how bad the air quality is .

With the reddish-orange skies and smoke-filled air, Californians who had previously never heard of PM2.5 pollution are quickly learning about the Air Quality Index and what they need to do to protect themselves from wildfire pollution.
Thomas Talhelm, founder of Smart Air, a company that sells DIY air purifiers and teaches people how to make their own, remembers being in the same position in 2013. He was living in Beijing, and the air pollution hit record highs. Hospitals were flooded with patients with respiratory problems, and he had a cough he couldn’t shake for weeks.
When he learned that the air purifier he wanted cost $1,000, he did his own research and built a DIY air purifier by securing a HEPA filter to a fan.
That began a seven-year journey of buying laser particle counters, testing different fans and filters, and comparing his homemade built purifiers to store-bought models to prove that simple DIY air purifiers can be almost as effective as the expensive ones.
Advertisement
Around the same time, Reducing Outdoor Contaminants in Indoor Spaces (ROCIS), was founded in southwest Pennsylvania, where the air quality has historically been a problem.
“The premise was, if you have poor air quality and you can’t afford to or don’t want to move away, what can you do in your home, workplace and school?” explains Linda Wigington, a ROCIS team leader.
Their team, which now has over 400 people, started testing portable air purifiers, but when they heard of the DIY options made from an air filter attached to a box fan , they started making and testing the home-made ones simultaneously.
They also found it can filter out most of the harmful particulate matter.
Thomas Talhelm’s first DIY air purifier that he made in 2013 before starting Smart Air. (Thomas Talhelm)
Environmental agencies, including the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in Seattle and the California Air Resources Board (CARB), encourage people to turn off the fans periodically to avoid overheating, and to not use them when unattended or while you sleep.
But both organizations acknowledge that overheating is rare and that their recommendations are out of an abundance of caution. Newer fans have thermal fuses that prevent them from overheating or causing fires.
Talhelm said that out of the more than 50,000 DIY purifiers his outfit has shipped, they’ve heard about fewer than five that have overheated, and in those cases, the fan just died.
Advertisement
Therefore, if the air is unhealthy, Talhelm and Wigington encourage using the purifiers any time you’re in the room, including while you are sleeping.
Smart Air’s data shows that if you turn off the filter , poor air quality can return in about 80 minutes.
“When I started Smart Air, in a way I was really angry at larger purifier companies, because they’re out here trying to convince people it costs $1,000 to protect your health,” Talhelm said. “Which if people believe, there are just going to be a lot of people who don’t protect their health.
“People — when they’re scared and when they don’t understand how something works, which was me, until I was confronted with having to paying $1,000 — we use price as a proxy for quality. … The only way to combat that is with data.”
A participant in one of Smart Air’s workshops in Shanghai uses a laser particle counter to test the efficacy of a DIY air purifier. (James Le)
Steps to build a DIY air purifier
Buy a fan (or use one you already have)
Make sure it’s a newer fan, because if it was purchased after 2012, it should have a thermal fuse that keeps it from overheating.
ROCIS and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency recommend purchasing a 20-inch by 20-inch box fan that can be easily fitted with a filter of the same dimensions. Ideally whatever fan you use should have a flat surface, which makes it easier to mate securely to the filter. You can use a fan that is not flat, but it might be easier to get a new box fan, which cost as little as $15 to $20.
Talhelm said their data didn’t show much difference between their DIY air purifiers made with expensive fans and cheaper fans, but if you have a choice, he recommends finding one that is strong.
Buy a filter
Talhelm recommends a HEPA filter, which is what is found in many store-bought air purifiers and filters 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. The ROCIS and Puget Sound guides recommend a MERV 13 furnace filter, which catches over 90% of the same particles and may be cheaper and more accessible. Bottom line: Find the best one you can.
Secure the air filter to the fan
The Smart Air guide shows you how to pull the grating off the front of the fan and strap on the filter, and the Puget Sound tutorial shows you how to secure the filter to the fan with hardware. But you can also just use duct tape, as the ROCIS guide explains.
Smart Air and ROCIS recommend putting the filter on the front of the fan, while Puget Sound recommends the back. Smart Air’s data shows that it’s 11% more effective on the front , compared with the back, but Talhelm said it’s more important to put it on the side where the surface is flatter (many fans might have their controls in the front or back).
Also, on most filters, there will be an arrow indicating the recommended direction of the air flow, but Talhelm said if there’s no arrow or you can’t figure it out, don’t stress. Their tests show that even if you put it on backwards, it’s only slightly less effective.
Run it whenever you’re in the room
If the air outside is unhealthy, both Talhelm and Wigington recommend running the purifiers continuously or at least whenever you are present in the space. They recommend having one in the bedroom and in any areas you spend a lot of time, for example, a family room or office. But it never hurts to be cautious, on the remote chance that it overheats.
Climate & Environment Your questions about air quality answered The air around Southern California feels like smoke soup because of wildfires. What does that mean for your health and daily routines?
Other tips
It’s better to use air purifiers indoors with the doors and windows closed. But Smart Air data show that they can still reduce particulate matter with the windows open . “This can be critical if it’s hot, or if we need ventilation for CO2 or coronavirus mitigation,” said Talhelm.
Keep the purifier out of the way of curtains and water.
Change the filters when they start to clog. Often it’ll be discolored or even turn black, depending on how bad the air quality is.


latimes--2020-09-17--Supervisors join calls for Sheriff Villanueva to step down

Two Los Angeles County supervisors joined with several members of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission in calling on Sheriff Alex Villanueva to resign , citing his tense relationship with the Board of Supervisors and his resistance to oversight of the department .
The move marks perhaps a nadir in dealings between the sheriff and his overseers , who have complained about his department ’ s lack of transparency and clashed over policing reform measures .
“ It is with great reluctance that I call on Sheriff Villanueva to resign , ” said Commissioner Robert Bonner during the commission ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department deserves better and so do the people of Los Angeles County.
” The sheriff is independently elected and has only limited oversight from the commission and the Board of Supervisors .
A spokesman said Villanueva plans to continue to serve in his job .
Bonner is a former federal prosecutor , a former U.S. District Court judge and , under George H.W .
Bush , led the Drug Enforcement Administration and was the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection .
Villanueva is the only sheriff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bonner said , “ who has no effective relationship with the Board of Supervisors , ” adding that Villanueva “ has gone out of his way to alienate and insult supervisors.
” After Bonner ’ s statement , Supervisors Mark Ridley Thomas and Sheila Kuehl said they supported the call for the sheriff to step down .
Both have been highly critical of the sheriff in the past .
Bonner also said Villanueva had done little to enforce a policy he issued to prohibit deputy cliques within the department and had resisted providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — even indicating the department would be investigating Huntsman himself .
Commissioners Priscilla Ocen and Casimiro Tolentino said they supported Bonner ’ s motion .
“ I am very surprised to hear what is a very eloquent statement , and I agree with it , ” Ocen said .
“ I really want to express my respect for commissioner Bonner for articulating a very tough position to take , ” Giggans said .
“ He ’ s kind of launched a challenge to the rest of us.
” Ocen asked that a newly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence in the sheriff .
In a statement , the department said the commission is playing politics .
“ The fact this motion is even being considered , particularly when two members of our department are recovering from a life-threatening ambush , is morally repugnant and emblematic of the political animosity of the politically appointed commission , ” said Lt. John Satterfield , a spokesman for the department .
“ It is becoming painfully obvious this commission is acting in retaliation against the sheriff for his efforts in investigating potential criminal conduct from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of subpoenaing the sheriff himself versus the LASD.
” Since taking office in 2018 , Villanueva has clashed repeatedly with civilian overseers and the Board of Supervisors , who have accused him of with tainted backgrounds and unraveling policing reforms instituted after a massive corruption scandal that brought criminal convictions against former Sheriff Lee Baca and other commanders .
The sheriff has pushed back on criticism , saying he believes the reforms have hampered the department and that he is responding to concerns from rank-and-file deputies .
The last few days have brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Office of Inspector General investigating incidents for possible violations of freedom of the press .
After two deputies were shot in an attack in Compton , the department arrested a public radio reporter in a move that sparked widespread outrage .
The department offered a narrative of the incident that was refuted by videos the reporter had recorded on her phone .
During Thursday ’ s meeting , Inspector General Max Huntsman said he believed the department had made false claims about the incident and that reporter Josie Huang had clearer identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raised concerns about the department ’ s conduct at a press conference last Friday where deputies in riot gear corralled attendees from a public parking lot .
Huntsman said that the department ’ s assertion that it had removed the public from the parking lot at the request of a business manager was “ likely to be false.
” “ Video evidence and witness accounts say that the event took place in parking lot that belongs to the [ county ] department of probation and is open to the public , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Department spokeswoman posted tweets about the attack that employed racist stereotypes in reference to a reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter .
Kuehl said she strongly supported the call for Villanueva ’ s resignation , holding that he has done nothing about deputy cliques within the department and that the county pays out millions of dollars in response to claims of excessive force by deputies .
“ He is really a rogue sheriff , ” she said .
“ It is really important for this sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation of any of the common rules that govern a law enforcement agency , is the greatest threat to public safety.
” Ridley-Thomas also said it was time for the sheriff to resign .
“ Like the members of the Civilian Oversight Commission , I remain troubled by the Sheriff ’ s conduct and the way he has interfered with advancing reform and enhancing accountability , ” he said in a statement .
In written statements , County Supervisor Katheryn Barger said Bonner ’ s remark had taken “ courage ” and Supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call for the sheriff ’ s resignation speaks to the commission ’ s concern over the sheriff ’ s disregard for subpoenas .
Prominent local activists said they supported the call for Villanueva ’ s resignation .
Najee Ali , an activist at the forefront of recent South L.A. protests to condemn the recent killing of 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee by Sheriff ’ s Department deputies , said the commissioners ’ move had taken too long .
“ This sheriff is clearly way in over his head , and so far we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , lacks integrity and without any type of moral compass , ” he said .
“ The use of force against innocent protesters , as well as protesters having a simple press conference and being surrounded by deputies in riot gear , sends a message of intimidation and harassment that Villanueva is affirming and giving his blessing to.
” Melina Abdullah , co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Los Angeles , called the motion encouraging .
“ Alex Villanueva has brazenly refused to be held accountable , he ’ s refused to investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including the presence of gangs within the Sheriff ’ s Department , ” she said .
“ We ’ re happy that some of the commissioners have spoken up but [ they ] are under the illusions that he ’ s actually going to resign .
”

Two Los Angeles County supervisors joined with several members of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission in calling on Sheriff Alex Villanueva to resign, saying he’s dragged his feet on critical reforms, resisted oversight of the department and failed to hold deputies accountable.
The move marks perhaps a nadir in dealings between the sheriff and his overseers, who have complained about his department’s lack of transparency and clashed over policing reform measures.
“It is with great reluctance that I call on Sheriff Villanueva to resign,” said Commissioner Robert Bonner during the commission’s public meeting Thursday. “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deserves better and so do the people of Los Angeles County.”
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The sheriff is independently elected and has only limited oversight from the commission and the Board of Supervisors. A spokesman said Villanueva plans to continue to serve in his job. Villanueva said Thursday he would continue serving the community.
“I’m just gonna ignore it and move on,” Villanueva said.
Bonner is a former federal prosecutor, a former U.S. District Court judge and, under George H.W. Bush, led the Drug Enforcement Administration and was the commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Villanueva is the only sheriff in the county’s recent history, Bonner said, “who has no effective relationship with the Board of Supervisors,” adding that Villanueva “has gone out of his way to alienate and even insult supervisors.”
He criticized Villanueva’s response to a recent ambush shooting of two deputies, saying it’s “not what one would expect from a mature law enforcement leader” and calling Villanueva’s baiting of Lakers star LeBron James to contribute to the reward to find the attacker “ridiculous.”
After Bonner’s statement, Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Sheila Kuehl said they supported the call for the sheriff to step down. Both have been highly critical of the sheriff in the past.
Bonner also said Villanueva had done little to enforce a policy he issued to prohibit deputy cliques within the department and had resisted providing information to county inspector general Max Huntsman — even indicating the department would be investigating Huntsman himself.
Commissioners Priscilla Ocen and Casimiro Tolentino said they supported Bonner’s statements, and Ocen asked that a newly established committee draft a resolution of no confidence in the sheriff.
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“I am very surprised to hear what is a very eloquent statement, and I agree with it,” Ocen said.
Commissioners Patricia Giggans and Xavier Thompson also praised Bonner’s move.
“I really want to express my respect for commissioner Bonner for articulating a very tough position to take,” Giggans said. “He’s kind of launched a challenge to the rest of us.”
In a statement, the department said the commission is playing politics.
“The fact this motion is even being considered, particularly when two members of our department are recovering from a life-threatening ambush, is morally repugnant and emblematic of the political animosity of the politically appointed commission,” said Lt. John Satterfield, a spokesman for the department. “It is becoming painfully obvious this commission is acting in retaliation against the sheriff for his efforts in investigating potential criminal conduct from county officials and for challenging the legality of subpoenaing the sheriff himself versus the LASD.”
Since taking office in 2018, Villanueva has clashed repeatedly with civilian overseers and the Board of Supervisors, who have accused him of rehiring officials with tainted backgrounds and unraveling policing reforms instituted after a massive corruption scandal that brought criminal convictions against former Sheriff Lee Baca and other commanders.
The sheriff has pushed back on criticism, saying he believes the reforms have hampered the department and that he is responding to concerns from rank-and-file deputies.
The last few days have brought more controversy, with the county’s Office of Inspector General investigating incidents for possible violations of freedom of the press.
After two deputies were shot in an attack in Compton last Saturday, the department arrested a public radio reporter in a move that sparked widespread outrage. The department offered a narrative of the incident that was refuted by videos the reporter had recorded on her phone.
During Thursday’s meeting, Huntsman said he believed the department had made false claims about the incident and that Josie Huang of KPCC and LAist had clearly identified herself as a reporter. Huntsman also raised concerns about the department’s conduct at a news conference last Friday where deputies in riot gear corralled attendees from a public parking lot. Huntsman said that the department’s assertion that it had removed the public from the parking lot of a business at the request of a manager was “likely to be false.”
“Video evidence and witness accounts indicates that the event took place in a parking lot that belongs to the [county] department of probation and is open to the public,” he said.
In addition, a longtime Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman posted tweets about the attack on the deputies that employed racist stereotypes in reference to a reward for information leading to the arrest of the shooter. Satterfield on Thursday said she had been removed as a spokeswoman.
Kuehl said she strongly supported the call for Villanueva’s resignation, holding that he has done nothing about deputy cliques within the department and that the county pays out millions of dollars in response to claims of excessive force by deputies.
“He is really a rogue sheriff,” she said. “It is really important for this sheriff to understand that his behavior, his violation of any of the common rules that govern a law enforcement agency, is the greatest threat to public safety.”
Ridley-Thomas also said it was time for the sheriff to resign.
“Like the members of the Civilian Oversight Commission, I remain troubled by the Sheriff’s conduct and the way he has interfered with advancing reform and enhancing accountability,” he said in a statement.
In written statements, County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Bonner’s remark had taken “courage” and Supervisor Hilda Solis said that the discussion to call for the sheriff’s resignation speaks to the commission’s concern over the sheriff’s disregard for subpoenas.
Prominent local activists said they supported the call for Villanueva’s resignation.
Najee Ali, an activist at the forefront of recent South L.A. protests to condemn the recent killing of 29-year-old Dijon Kizzee by Sheriff’s Department deputies, said the commissioners’ move had taken too long.
“This sheriff is clearly way in over his head, and so far we’ve seen leadership that’s been unethical, lacks integrity and without any type of moral compass,” he said. “The use of force against innocent protesters, as well as protesters having a simple press conference and being surrounded by deputies in riot gear, sends a message of intimidation and harassment that Villanueva is affirming and giving his blessing to.”
Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter in Los Angeles, called the motion encouraging.
“Alex Villanueva has brazenly refused to be held accountable, he’s refused to investigate even the most extreme accusations of corruption, including the presence of gangs within the Sheriff’s Department,” she said. “We’re happy that some of the commissioners have spoken up, but [they] are under the illusions that he’s actually going to resign.”
Others have been calling for Villanueva’s resignation for some time. In July, the union that represents the father of Andres Guardado and dozens of other labor unions and advocacy groups argued the sheriff mishandled the investigation into the killing of the 18-year-old, who was fatally shot five times in the back by a deputy.


latimes--2020-09-17--More L.A. County reopenings could come in October if COVID-19 dip continues

If Los Angeles County can continue its downward trend of coronavirus cases , Los Angeles County could see additional reopenings in the next month , the county ’ s public health chief said Wednesday .
Dr. Barbara Ferrer , director of the county ’ s Department of Public Health , said during an online news conference that the daily average of new cases was still preventing the county from moving to a less restrictive tier for reopening .
The county has a daily average of 8.1 cases for each 100,000 residents .
That number needs to be under 7.0 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most restricted tier , Ferrer said .
“ If we don ’ t see a surge in cases and hospitalizations associated with activities over Labor Day , and we continue to reduce our rate of community transmission over the weeks ahead , we could enter Tier 2 , which is less restrictive , some time in October , ” she said .
The state has set up a color-coded tier system for reopening .
Los Angeles County is currently in the most restrictive purple tier , which indicates the virus is widespread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicates substantial spread , while the orange tier shows moderate spread , and the yellow tier suggests minimal spread .
To move to a less restrictive tier , counties must meet two metrics — the daily average rate of new cases and the test positivity rate — for two consecutive weeks during a three-week period .
L.A. County meets only one of the metrics : the positivity rate .
It is at 3.2 % , which Ferrer said would put the county in the orange tier if that were the only measurement required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the edge of moving in one direction or the other , ” she said .
She urged residents to obtain seasonal flu vaccines , which are now available .
An individual who contracts both COVID-19 and seasonal flu may have a more serious health outcome , Ferrer said .
The county ’ s primary goal is to reduce transmission .
allowing restrictions on schools to be relaxed so that children may have “ all the educational opportunities they need , ” she said .
Previous holiday weekends during the pandemic have sparked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up two weeks later .
Ferrer has said the county should not reopen further until the numbers from Labor Day start coming into focus next week .
The county has reported more than 256,000 infections — about one-third of the state ’ s more than 772,000 cases .
And L.A. County accounts for more than 40 % the state ’ s deaths , which are nearing 15,000 .

Movie posters serve as a backdrop for a mask-wearing passenger waiting for her bus on Broadway in Chinatown.
If Los Angeles County can continue its downward trend of coronavirus cases, Los Angeles County could see additional reopenings in the next month, the county’s public health chief said Wednesday.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, director of the county’s Department of Public Health, said during an online news conference that the daily average of new cases was still preventing the county from moving to a less restrictive tier for reopening. The county has a daily average of 8.1 cases for each 100,000 residents. That number needs to be under 7.0 for L.A. County to move up from the most restricted tier, Ferrer said.
“If we don’t see a surge in cases and hospitalizations associated with activities over Labor Day, and we continue to reduce our rate of community transmission over the weeks ahead, we could enter Tier 2, which is less restrictive, some time in October,” she said.
The state has set up a color-coded tier system for reopening. Los Angeles County is currently in the most restrictive purple tier, which indicates the virus is widespread. One step up, the red tier indicates substantial spread, while the orange tier shows moderate spread, and the yellow tier suggests minimal spread.
To move to a less restrictive tier, counties must meet two metrics — the daily average rate of new cases and the test positivity rate — for two consecutive weeks during a three-week period.
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L.A. County meets only one of the metrics: the positivity rate. It is at 3.2%, which Ferrer said would put the county in the orange tier if that were the only measurement required.
California California is turning the corner on the coronavirus. Will it last? California appears to be riding a wave of success beating back the coronavirus. But these signs of progress also bring concerns that it could be erased.
“We are still very much on the edge of moving in one direction or the other,” she said.
She urged residents to obtain seasonal flu vaccines, which are now available. An individual who contracts both COVID-19 and seasonal flu may have a more serious health outcome, Ferrer said.
The county’s primary goal is to reduce transmission. allowing restrictions on schools to be relaxed so that children may have “all the educational opportunities they need,” she said.
Previous holiday weekends during the pandemic have sparked surges of infections, which generally show up two weeks later. Ferrer has said the county should not reopen further until the numbers from Labor Day start coming into focus next week.
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The county has reported more than 256,000 infections — about one-third of the state’s more than 772,000 cases. And L.A. County accounts for more than 40% the state’s deaths, which are nearing 15,000.


latimes--2020-09-17--Carjacking suspect who sparked hours-long manhunt in Lynwood is charged

Los Angeles County prosecutors on Thursday filed charges against a carjacking suspect who was arrested after a nearly nine-hour standoff in Lynwood earlier this week .
Deonte Lee Murray , 36 , was charged with one felony count each of carjacking , second-degree robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm , the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office said .
The charges include allegations of association with a criminal street gang , discharging a rifle inflicting great bodily injury , and personal use of an AR-15 .
He pleaded not guilty to the charges during an appearance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
The massive police presence in Lynwood on Tuesday triggered speculation that the Sheriff ’ s Department had cornered the gunman who shot two deputies four days earlier .
But sheriff ’ s officials said at the time that was not the case .
“ At this time , ” Sgt .
Bob Boese said in announcing Murray ’ s arrest , “ there is no information that would lead us to believe that he is involved in the shooting of our deputies.
” The deputies , a 31-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting in a patrol car outside a Metro station in Compton when a gunman approached and fired multiple rounds into the vehicle , striking them in the head , face and arms .
They survived and are recovering .
One was released from the hospital Wednesday .
Two weeks ago , Boese said , deputies in Compton responded to a carjacking in the 500 block of Essey Avenue and found a 51-year-old victim whose car had been stolen and who had been shot in the leg .
Gang investigators obtained an arrest warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was spotted Tuesday near the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Bradfield Avenue , Boese said .
Deputies attempted to stop him in his Toyota Solara , Boese said , but Murray took off , with the deputies in pursuit .
Murray ditched the car in the 3000 block of Carlin Avenue in Lynwood and hid in a home before he was taken into custody , Boese said .

Sheriff’s deputies surround a home on Carlin Avenue where the suspect was taken into custody.
Los Angeles County prosecutors on Thursday filed charges against a carjacking suspect who was arrested after a nearly nine-hour standoff in Lynwood earlier this week.
Deonte Lee Murray, 36, was charged with one felony count each of carjacking, second-degree robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said. The charges include allegations of association with a criminal street gang, discharging a rifle inflicting great bodily injury, and personal use of an AR-15.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges during an appearance in a Compton courtroom, the district attorney’s office said.
The massive police presence in Lynwood on Tuesday triggered speculation that the Sheriff’s Department had cornered the gunman who shot two deputies four days earlier. But sheriff’s officials said at the time that was not the case.
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“At this time,” Sgt. Bob Boese said in announcing Murray’s arrest, “there is no information that would lead us to believe that he is involved in the shooting of our deputies.”
The deputies, a 31-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, were sitting in a patrol car outside a Metro station in Compton when a gunman approached and fired multiple rounds into the vehicle, striking them in the head, face and arms. They survived and are recovering. One was released from the hospital Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, Boese said, deputies in Compton responded to a carjacking in the 500 block of Essey Avenue and found a 51-year-old victim whose car had been stolen and who had been shot in the leg.
Gang investigators obtained an arrest warrant and began searching for Murray, who was spotted Tuesday near the intersection of Alondra Boulevard and Bradfield Avenue, Boese said. Deputies attempted to stop him in his Toyota Solara, Boese said, but Murray took off, with the deputies in pursuit.
Murray ditched the car in the 3000 block of Carlin Avenue in Lynwood and hid in a home before he was taken into custody, Boese said.