latimes--2020-02-28--Court temporarily blocks Trump's 'Remain in Mexico' policy

A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a Trump administration policy that requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. immigration courts .
In a 2-1 decision , the panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction against the so-called Remain in Mexico policy , which has forced nearly 60,000 people to wait in Mexico for their applications to be processed and their cases to be heard .
That policy is one of several the administration has put in place to prevent migrants from coming into the country at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the same panel decided unanimously to uphold an injunction against a Trump rule that denied asylum eligibility for migrants who crossed the southern border between designated ports of entry .
“ Today ’ s decisions make clear they can ’ t use two of the programs they laid out to try to gut the asylum system , ” said Omar Jadwat , director of the American Civil Liberties Union ’ s Immigrants ’ Rights Project .
“ But there are still others out there.
” One is a policy in place that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the countries they pass through on the way to the U.S. border .
The Supreme Court previously allowed this policy to be enforced .
Jadwat said new asylum seekers will no longer be blocked under the 2019 Remain in Mexico policy , which the government calls the Migrant Protection Protocols .
Immigration lawyers Friday were still trying to understand the effect of the decision on migrants who already have applied and are now waiting in Mexico for their cases to be processed .
The U.S. Department of Justice denounced the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reply to questions about whether the government would appeal .
Legal analysts expressed certainty that the government would quickly appeal .
“ This issue is surely headed to the Supreme Court , ” said Cornell Law School professor Stephen Yale-Loehr .
The high court has yet to consider the policy but has refused in the past to remove an injunction blocking asylum for migrants who do not apply at official border crossings .
In the Remain in Mexico case , the two judges in the majority , both appointed by Democrats , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm , even death , in Mexico while they wait for decisions by U.S. immigration authorities .
The migrants “ face targeted discrimination , physical violence , sexual assault , overwhelmed and corrupt law enforcement , lack of food and shelter , and practical obstacles to participation in court proceedings in the United States , ” Judge William A. Fletcher , appointed by President Clinton , wrote for the majority .
“ The hardship and danger to individuals returned to Mexico … have been repeatedly confirmed by reliable news reports.
” He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because a separate 9th Circuit motions panel already had blocked it on an emergency motion by the government .
Friday ’ s decision , made after extensive written arguments and a hearing , found the Remain in Mexico program violated U.S. immigration law and a United Nations refugee convention , which bar the government from returning someone to a place where they would be persecuted .
The majority pointed to sworn declarations by people ordered to wait in Mexico that they had been subject to violence and threats because they were non-Mexican .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Mexico after short , confusing interviews with immigration agents who failed to ask them about their fears .
The government , the majority said , failed to provide any evidence that the migrants would be safe in Mexico .
“ We recognize that nationwide injunctions have become increasingly controversial , but we begin by noting that it is something of a misnomer to call the district court ’ s order in this case a ‘ nationwide injunction ’ ” because it affects only four states on the southern border , two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 9th Circuit ’ s jurisdiction , the majority wrote .
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the decision highlighted “ the consequences and impropriety of nationwide injunctions.
” “ The Trump administration has acted faithfully to implement a statutory authority provided by Congress over two decades ago and signed into law by President Clinton , ” the spokesperson said .
“ The 9th Circuit ’ s decision not only ignores the constitutional authority of Congress and the administration for a policy in effect for over a year , but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court.
” The Times reported last year that tens of thousands of migrants have been ordered to remain in Mexican cities that the State Department considers some of the most dangerous in the world .
Migrants have been attacked , sexually assaulted and robbed , and some have died while waiting , The Times found .
A group called Human Rights First reported Friday that there have been more than 1,000 publicly reported cases of murder , rape , torture , kidnappings and other violent assaults against the migrants in Mexico .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Remain in Mexico pipeline celebrated the Friday ruling , they said it was unlikely to ultimately help their clients because the Trump administration is likely to appeal .
“ No clue what it will mean , but no doubt the government will appeal , ” said Jodi Goodwin , a Brownsville , Texas , immigration lawyer who represents some of the thousands of asylum seekers camped across the border in Matamoros , Mexico .
She said she was meeting with other advocates Friday , planning a response to the ruling .
The ruling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated , and not all of Trump ’ s policies affect the same groups of applicants .
The immigration court in San Diego , which has been inundated with migrant protocol cases , was business as usual Friday until Judge Rico Bartolomei , who was on the bench , was notified of the ruling .
As the last asylum seeker walked out of the courtroom , Bartolomei left for about two minutes and returned with a stack of papers .
He read the conclusion of the 9th Circuit ruling out loud and asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the new order , in cases of four people who hadn ’ t shown up for their court dates .
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorney Julia Cline moved to dismiss the four cases , meaning that the cases would be closed but could be reopened .
Bartolomei agreed .
“ I have a lot of reading to do , ” he said , waving the papers as he walked out of the courtroom for his lunch break .

Maura Dolan, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Kate Morrissey

A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a Trump administration policy that requires asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases wind through U.S. immigration courts.
In a 2-1 decision, the panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction against the so-called Remain in Mexico policy, which has forced nearly 60,000 people to wait in Mexico for their applications to be processed and their cases to be heard.
But in a reversal late in the day, same panel voted unanimously to suspend its own order.
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The three-judge panel told the government to file written arguments by the end of Monday and the plaintiffs to respond by the end of Tuesday.
The Justice Department said at least 25,000 asylum seekers subject to the policy are waiting in Mexico and expressed “massive and irreparable national-security of public-safety concerns.”
Government attorneys said immigration lawyers had begun demanding that asylum seekers be allowed in the United States, with one insisting that 1,000 people be allowed to enter at one location.
“The court’s reinstatement of the injunction causes the United States public and the government significant and irreparable harms — to border security, public safety, public health and diplomatic relations,” Justice Department attorneys wrote.
The Remain in Mexico policy is one of several the administration has put in place to prevent migrants from coming into the country at the southern border.
In another case Friday, the same panel decided unanimously to uphold an injunction against a Trump rule that denied asylum eligibility for migrants who crossed the southern border between designated ports of entry.
“Today’s decisions make clear they can’t use two of the programs they laid out to try to gut the asylum system,” said Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. “But there are still others out there.”
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One is a policy in place that requires migrants to apply for asylum in one of the countries they pass through on the way to the U.S. border. The Supreme Court previously allowed this policy to be enforced.
Immigration lawyers Friday were still trying to understand the effect of the decision on migrants who already have applied and are now waiting in Mexico for their cases to be processed. Legal analysts expressed certainty that the government would quickly appeal.
“This issue is surely headed to the Supreme Court,” said Cornell Law School professor Stephen Yale-Loehr.
The high court has yet to consider the policy but has refused in the past to remove an injunction blocking asylum for migrants who do not apply at official border crossings.
In a statement late Friday, Chad Wolf, the acting secretary of Homeland Security, called the injunction “grave and reckless” and said the migrant protocols have “been a gamechanger in the U.S. government’s efforts to address the ongoing crisis at the Southwest border.”
Wolf said that if the ruling stands, “the safety and security of our border communities, international relationships and regional stability is at risk.”
In the Remain in Mexico case, the two judges in the majority, both appointed by Democrats, said uncontested evidence shows that migrants face substantial harm, even death, in Mexico while they wait for decisions by U.S. immigration authorities.
The migrants “face targeted discrimination, physical violence, sexual assault, overwhelmed and corrupt law enforcement, lack of food and shelter, and practical obstacles to participation in court proceedings in the United States,” Judge William A. Fletcher, appointed by President Clinton, wrote for the majority. “The hardship and danger to individuals returned to Mexico … have been repeatedly confirmed by reliable news reports.”
Joining Fletcher was 9th Circuit Judge Richard A. Paez, another Clinton appointee.
Judge Ferdinand F. Fernandez, appointed by President George H.W. Bush, dissented.
He said the panel could not revive the injunction because a separate 9th Circuit motions panel already had blocked it on an emergency motion by the government.
Friday’s earlier decision, made after extensive written arguments and a hearing, found the Remain in Mexico program violated U.S. immigration law and a United Nations refugee convention, which bar the government from returning someone to a place where they would be persecuted.
The majority pointed to sworn declarations by people ordered to wait in Mexico that they had been subject to violence and threats because they were non-Mexican. Several swore that they had been ordered to Mexico after short, confusing interviews with immigration agents who failed to ask them about their fears.
The government, the majority said, failed to provide any evidence that the migrants would be safe in Mexico.
“We recognize that nationwide injunctions have become increasingly controversial, but we begin by noting that it is something of a misnomer to call the district court’s order in this case a ‘nationwide injunction’” because it affects only four states on the southern border, two of them, California and Arizona, within the 9th Circuit’s jurisdiction, the majority wrote.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the decision highlighted “the consequences and impropriety of nationwide injunctions.”
“The Trump administration has acted faithfully to implement a statutory authority provided by Congress over two decades ago and signed into law by President Clinton,” the spokesperson said. “The 9th Circuit’s decision not only ignores the constitutional authority of Congress and the administration for a policy in effect for over a year, but also extends relief beyond the parties before the court.”
The Times reported last year that tens of thousands of migrants have been ordered to remain in Mexican cities that the State Department considers some of the most dangerous in the world. Migrants have been attacked, sexually assaulted and robbed, and some have died while waiting, The Times found.
A group called Human Rights First reported Friday that there have been more than 1,000 publicly reported cases of murder, rape, torture, kidnappings and other violent assaults against the migrants in Mexico.
While attorneys representing asylum seekers already in the Remain in Mexico pipeline celebrated the Friday ruling, they said it was unlikely to ultimately help their clients because the Trump administration is likely to appeal.
“No clue what it will mean, but no doubt the government will appeal,” said Jodi Goodwin, a Brownsville, Texas, immigration lawyer who represents some of the thousands of asylum seekers camped across the border in Matamoros, Mexico. She said she was meeting with other advocates Friday, planning a response to the ruling.
By midafternoon, a group of about a dozen migrants — a mix of parents and children accompanied by Jewish Family Service attorneys — asked to be let into the United States at the gate leading to the San Ysidro Port of Entry from Tijuana.
A Customs and Border Protection officer told the attorneys that they couldn’t represent their clients at the border, forcing the attorneys to prepare their clients to make the request for entry on their own.
By 6:30 p.m., no one had been allowed in, and the group had more than doubled in size to about 30 people.
The asylum seekers were nervous and excited, but as time wore on, those feelings evolved into confusion and frustration.
“Do you think we’ll get in?” one Nicaraguan woman who had been in the Remain in Mexico program for eight months asked anxiously.
A Honduran father encouraged his squirming 8-year-old son to be patient. A couple of Venezuelan mothers messaged with concerned family members about their options, struggling to explain the legal terms that they were hearing as the attorneys moved up and down the line to conduct miniature know-your-rights conversations specific to the order’s changes.
One Nicaraguan family of three had been returned to Ciudad Juarez, the mother said, but after the father was assaulted, they made their way to Tijuana. They still didn’t feel safe, she said, and hoped that before the night was over they would be allowed into the U.S.
As of Friday evening, no one had been allowed to cross.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-02-28--Yes, you can vote in the California presidential primary if you're homeless

The March 3 California primary election is just days away , and The Times has been answering reader questions and updating our guide on what you need to know before voting .
One of the questions we received : If I ’ m homeless , can I vote ?
Yes , you can .
Here ’ s what else to keep in mind .
Can I register to vote if I ’ m homeless ?
Yes .
The deadline to register to vote for the California primary was Feb. 18 , but you can still register to vote through election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood polling place or community vote center .
You must be 18 years or older on election day , a U.S. citizen and state resident to be eligible to vote .
You can not be in state or federal prison or on felony parole , or deemed by a judge to be mentally incompetent .
You will need to update your voter registration if your address has changed .
If I don ’ t have identification or a street address , how should I fill out my voter registration card ?
Section Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either a California driver ’ s license number , a California ID card number or social security number .
If you do not have any of this information , you can leave this section blank and still register to vote .
Section Four will ask for your address .
If you do not have a street address , you can describe the place where you mostly spend your time .
You can include cross streets , routes , N , S , E , W , etc .
This will help elections officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular precinct .
Section Five will ask for the address where you receive mail .
You can fill this out with any mailing address where you ’ ll be able to receive mail , so elections officials can send you voting materials .
This can be a P.O .
box or a mailing address of a friend , family member or organization that allows others to use their address .
What do I need to know about voting in person ?
Thanks to a new California law , some counties — Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood polling places and replacing them with a more limited number of community vote centers .
L.A. voters can cast a ballot at any vote center in the county .
The county will also open Flex Vote Centers in various organizations around Los Angeles in an effort to provided targeted voting services to voters with distinct needs , including senior citizens , people experiencing homelessness , voters with disabilities and incarcerated voters .
These Flex Vote Centers will provide all the services and equipment found at traditional vote centers .
What do I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 25 deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot has passed .
If you did request a vote-by-mail ballot by the deadline , you can return it by mailing it by March 3 or dropping it off your polling place or county elections office on election day .
If you live in L.A. County or one of other 14 counties using vote centers , you can also drop off your ballot at a secure county ballot box or at any vote center in your county .
Ballots that are postmarked on or before March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they arrive at a county elections office no later than March 6 .
In most cases , you will not be required to show identification when you vote in person .
If you are voting for the first time in a federal election , you may be asked to show identification if you did not provide the last four digits of your Social Security number or driver ’ s license or California ID number when you registered to vote .
If this applies to you , you should bring identification with you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your vote-by-mail ballot .
The state elections division has a list of acceptable forms of identification .
As you vote repeatedly in other elections , your voter file will be maintained , and you should not be asked for identification .
If you do not have proof of identity or residency with you , you can cast a provisional ballot and provide identification before the end of the election canvass period .
Have more questions about the voting process ?
Fill out this form , which also appears below , and reporters at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Print out this guide.
The March 3 California primary election is just days away, and The Times has been answering reader questions and updating our guide on what you need to know before voting.
One of the questions we received: If I’m homeless, can I vote?
Yes, you can. Here’s what else to keep in mind.
Can I register to vote if I’m homeless?
Yes. The deadline to register to vote for the California primary was Feb. 18, but you can still register to vote through election day at a county elections office, neighborhood polling place or community vote center.
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You must be 18 years or older on election day, a U.S. citizen and state resident to be eligible to vote. You cannot be in state or federal prison or on felony parole, or deemed by a judge to be mentally incompetent.
You will need to update your voter registration if your address has changed.
If I don’t have identification or a street address, how should I fill out my voter registration card?
Section Three will ask you to provide identification, either a California driver’s license number, a California ID card number or social security number. If you do not have any of this information, you can leave this section blank and still register to vote.
Section three of the voter registration card will ask you to provide identification.
Section Four will ask for your address. If you do not have a street address, you can describe the place where you mostly spend your time. You can include cross streets, routes, N, S, E, W, etc. This will help elections officials establish your right to vote in a particular precinct.
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Section four of the voter registration card will ask for your address.
Section Five will ask for the address where you receive mail. You can fill this out with any mailing address where you’ll be able to receive mail, so elections officials can send you voting materials. This can be a P.O. box or a mailing address of a friend, family member or organization that allows others to use their address.
Section five will ask for the address where you receive mail.
What do I need to know about voting in person?
Thanks to a new California law, some counties — Los Angeles included — are ending the use of neighborhood polling places and replacing them with a more limited number of community vote centers. L.A. voters can cast a ballot at any vote center in the county.
The county will also open Flex Vote Centers in various organizations around Los Angeles in an effort to provided targeted voting services to voters with distinct needs, including senior citizens, people experiencing homelessness, voters with disabilities and incarcerated voters. These Flex Vote Centers will provide all the services and equipment found at traditional vote centers.
L.A. Vote provides the full Flex Vote Center schedule.
What do I need to know about vote-by-mail?
The Feb. 25 deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot has passed. If you did request a vote-by-mail ballot by the deadline, you can return it by mailing it by March 3 or dropping it off your polling place or county elections office on election day.
If you live in L.A. County or one of other 14 counties using vote centers, you can also drop off your ballot at a secure county ballot box or at any vote center in your county.
Ballots that are postmarked on or before March 3 will be counted as long as they arrive at a county elections office no later than March 6.
What identification is required?
In most cases, you will not be required to show identification when you vote in person. If you are voting for the first time in a federal election, you may be asked to show identification if you did not provide the last four digits of your Social Security number or driver’s license or California ID number when you registered to vote.
If this applies to you, you should bring identification with you to vote, or include a copy with your vote-by-mail ballot. The state elections division has a list of acceptable forms of identification. As you vote repeatedly in other elections, your voter file will be maintained, and you should not be asked for identification.
If you do not have proof of identity or residency with you, you can cast a provisional ballot and provide identification before the end of the election canvass period.
Have more questions about the voting process? Fill out this form, which also appears below, and reporters at The Times will try to answer them.


latimes--2020-02-28--Crane collapses at SoFi Stadium construction site in Inglewood; no one hurt

Authorities are investigating the collapse of a crane at the construction site of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood .
The Los Angeles County Fire Department received a report of the collapse of a large crane shortly before 8 a.m. in the 1000 block of South Prairie Avenue , Marvin Lim , a department spokesman , said Friday .
No injuries were reported , he said .
A crane that was being moved struck the boom of a stationary crane , causing that second crane to collapse , the Fire Department said .
Video from the scene appeared to show the equipment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the stadium , not far from a parking lot .
Turner AECOM Hunt , the general contractor , said in a statement that the collapse resulted in minor property damage but none to the stadium itself .
The incident is not expected to not affect the stadium ’ s scheduled completion date .
“ Turner AECOM Hunt works extremely hard to create a safe work environment on site , ” the statement said .
“ A thorough investigation is underway.
” The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health also is investigating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stadium , the new , 70,000-seat home of the Rams and Chargers , is set to open with a Taylor Swift concert in late July .
At an estimated cost of $ 5 billion , it ranks as the priciest venue — by far — in NFL history .

An investigation is underway following the collapse of a crane at the construction site of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Friday morning.
Authorities are investigating the collapse of a crane at the construction site of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department received a report of the collapse of a large crane shortly before 8 a.m. in the 1000 block of South Prairie Avenue, Marvin Lim, a department spokesman, said Friday.
No injuries were reported, he said.
A crane that was being moved struck the boom of a stationary crane, causing that second crane to collapse, the Fire Department said.
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Video from the scene appeared to show the equipment fell into a dirt lot next to the stadium, not far from a parking lot.
Turner AECOM Hunt, the general contractor, said in a statement that the collapse resulted in minor property damage but none to the stadium itself. The incident is not expected to not affect the stadium’s scheduled completion date.
“Turner AECOM Hunt works extremely hard to create a safe work environment on site,” the statement said. “A thorough investigation is underway.”
The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health also is investigating, a public information officer said.
SoFi Stadium, the new, 70,000-seat home of the Rams and Chargers, is set to open with a Taylor Swift concert in late July. At an estimated cost of $5 billion, it ranks as the priciest venue — by far — in NFL history.


latimes--2020-02-28--Mexican migrants rescued after panga boat 'dump-and-run' off Del Mar, authorities say

More than a dozen people people have been located after apparently being dumped from a panga boat before dawn Friday off the coast of Del Mar , authorities said .
Emergency responders were called to the scene about 4:30 a.m. after passersby “ heard people yelling for help in the water , ” San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Lt. Steve Bodine said .
Del Mar Fire Chief Mike Stein told reporters at the scene that 11 people were rescued from the water and taken to a hospital to be treated for minor hypothermia .
Two others who had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land , Beth Murray , a senior management analyst for the city of Del Mar , said .
Rescue crews are still searching for one to three others believed to have been aboard , she said .
All the people on the boat are thought to be Mexican migrants , officials said .
Stein said the incident could be “ a dump-and-run , where the panga doesn ’ t actually make it to shore , they ’ ll have people swim off the coast and then they head back south.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boats that have reached our shores here in Southern California , specifically this area of the coast , ” he said .
Authorities from the U.S. Coast Guard and Border Patrol are still searching for the boat .
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff ’ s Department at ( 760 ) 940-4300 .

More than a dozen people have been located after apparently being dumped from a panga boat before dawn Friday off the coast of Del Mar, authorities said.
Emergency responders were called to the scene about 4:30 a.m. after passersby “heard people yelling for help in the water,” San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Steve Bodine said.
Del Mar Fire Chief Mike Stein told reporters at the scene that 11 people were rescued from the water and taken to a hospital to be treated for minor hypothermia.
Two others who had been on the boat were found later on land, Beth Murray, a senior management analyst for the city of Del Mar, said.
Rescue crews are still searching for one to three others believed to have been aboard, she said.
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All the people on the boat are thought to be Mexican migrants, officials said.
Stein said the incident could be “a dump-and-run, where the panga doesn’t actually make it to shore, they’ll have people swim off the coast and then they head back south.”
“We’ve had a lot of panga boats that have reached our shores here in Southern California, specifically this area of the coast,” he said.
Authorities from the U.S. Coast Guard and Border Patrol are still searching for the boat.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department at (760) 940-4300.


latimes--2020-02-28--Fears of coronavirus spread grow as elderly woman stricken in Santa Clara County

Authorities on Friday were dealing with a new coronavirus case in Santa Clara County , heightening concerns that the disease is spreading in the United States .
Health officials said the third case of coronavirus in Santa Clara County is not related to the other two .
The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected person .
The individual is an older adult woman with chronic health conditions who was hospitalized for a respiratory illness , officials said at a news conference Friday .
Her physician contacted the public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and request testing for the novel coronavirus .
The department is working to identify contacts and understand the extent of exposure .
“ This new case indicates that there is evidence of community transmission but the extent is still not clear , ” said Dr. Sara Cody , health officer for Santa Clara County and director of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department .
“ I understand this may be concerning to hear , but this is what we have been preparing for .
Now we need to start taking additional actions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease.
” There will now be eight public health labs capable of coronavirus testing in California in the counties of Richmond , Alameda , Santa Clara , Tulare , Ventura , Los Angeles , Orange and San Diego , said Charity Dean , deputy director of the California Department of Public Health .
The new case comes as officials in Northern California are searching for people who might have come in contact with a Solano County woman who is believed to be the country ’ s first novel coronavirus patient who did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contact with someone who did .
Authorities said her case might indicate that the virus is already spreading within the local community , a significant leap , making it essential that they quickly find anyone who might have been exposed to her .
The woman was hospitalized more than a week ago but was not tested for several days because she did not fit screening criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , which include both symptoms of the virus and either a recent history of travel to China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In response , Solano County declared a local emergency Thursday because of the virus .
“ It is important to recognize that we have moved from containment to mitigation , ” Dr. Bela Matyas , the county ’ s health officer , said in a statement .
“ We are investigating potential exposures and ensuring that proper evaluation and care are provided if they become sick.
” Before she was transferred to UC Davis , the woman was hospitalized for three days at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville , Aimee Brewer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
She was taken by ambulance to the UC Davis facility in Sacramento once her condition worsened , Brewer said .
“ As for the patient ’ s care in NorthBay VacaValley Hospital , at no time did the patient fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19 , and therefore a test was not immediately administered , ” she said .
After learning of the diagnosis , the hospital “ launched a meticulous tracing ” of anyone who might have been in contact with her , Brewer said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
UC Davis officials said the woman arrived on Feb. 19 but was not tested until Sunday .
The hospital said that precautions had been put in place because of caregivers ’ concerns about her condition and that a “ small number ” of employees had been asked to stay home and monitor their temperature .
Sacramento County Director of Health Services Peter Beileson said the woman had been transferred to the hospital under virus containment protocols , but additional measures , such as isolation in a negative pressure room , which prevents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place .
Beileson said he did not expect additional cases of the virus based on those in contact with the patient in Sacramento , where she is receiving treatment , but did expect more cases in Solano County , where she is from .
The woman was “ in her community ” for a number of days before accessing care , California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said .
Investigators are now working to identify and locate anyone who may have come in contact with the woman .
The CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her contacts , officials said .
“ Contact tracing is super important because it can help reduce transmission , ” said Dr. Brandon Brown , an associate professor at the UC Riverside School of Medicine ’ s Center for Healthy Communities .
“ The worst-case scenario is that outside of close contacts — family , friends and coworkers — there were other people exposed to the virus in places where this person visited.
” The tracing will likely start with the infected patient ’ s family and coworkers , who would be isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those who might have come in casual contact with her in places she ’ s visited within the past two weeks , which is believed to be the incubation period of the virus .
In order to identify individuals who came into contact with the woman at the hospital , Northbay VacaValley officials sifted through medical records to see which clinicians entered her room .
Additionally , three days ’ worth of security footage from 8 p.m. Feb. 15 to mid-morning Feb. 19 were scoured to ensure that all visitors and non-clinicians @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trays or refilled bathroom supplies – were tallied .
Sacramento County health officials said that dozens of people might be quarantined at home based on having contact with the woman .
UC Davis spokesman Steve Telliano disputed that the number could be higher than 70 but refused to say if more or fewer people were quarantined .
Steve Huddleston , vice president of public affairs of NorthBay Healthcare , said that the quarantine affected dozens connected to the hospital .
Huddleston said that the hospital staff is comprised of about a couple hundred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , due to quarantine or unrelated matters , have been backfilled .
On Friday afternoon , Makayla Lara , 20 , sipped iced green ice on the porch of a Starbucks that ’ s a short walk from Northbay VacaValley Hospital , the first medical facility to care for the first community-based case of the coronavirus in the United States .
( The woman is now under treatment at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento . )
“ I don ’ t think people are super freaked out , ” said Lara , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s anything to be afraid of .
Just take like the necessary precautions that you do with any virus .
If you are sick , don ’ t go out .
Wash your hands , you know.
” At the Lowe ’ s homes improvement store in Vacaville , the shelves have been stripped of protective masks and hand sanitizer for weeks .
Employees said customers have been buying them by the case and they fly off the shelves as soon as new supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority to speak on behalf of the store and asked to remain unnamed .
Customer Teresa Del Rio , 48 , said she ’ s not worried about the spread of the virus at this point because she ’ s a nurse and knows how to avoid risks of transmission .
But she ’ s worried about the healthcare providers who cared for the patient at a local hospital who was later confirmed to have the virus .
“ The only anxiety is that I don ’ t think people are being proactive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunch of nurses who probably went out into the community , ” said Del Rio , who works at a different medical facility .
“ I think they needed to be more proactive with their testing.
” From Northbay VacaValley Hospital , it ’ s easy to spot planes landing to the south at Travis Air Force Base , the federal facility that accepted some of the first Americans evacuated from Wuhan , China – the epicenter of the outbreak .
According to the Washington Post , a whistleblower reported that the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew of workers to the base without the adequate protective gear or proper training on viral outbreaks .
Peter Beilson , Sacramento County director of health services , said “ definitely we will have more cases here.
” “ You shed virus before you are symptomatic so it ’ s already out of the bag in a lot of ways , ” Beilson said .
“ It ’ s going to spread ; it ’ s just going to spread.
” Beilson said most people that contract the virus – more than 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms , but still be able to pass COVID-19 to others .
On Thursday night , the CDC revised its testing guidelines to allow for more people to be tested for the coronavirus .
Previously , only people with flu-like symptoms and a travel history to China or close contact with someone who traveled to China .
Now , doctors can order coronavirus tests for anyone with flu-like symptoms who has recently traveled to China , Iran , Italy , Japan and South Korea .
In an even bigger change , Patients hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history could be tested by doctors .
The change is widely interpreted to be a response to the UC Davis patient , who had no travel history .
It took several days for the CDC to allow testing of the patient , who was severely ill. Beilson said new community cases were more likely in Solano than Sacramento , “ predominately because the UC Davis case came ensconced ( in protective measures ) .
If it would happen anywhere it would happen in Solano County , ” he said .
Three UC Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awaits test results after showing mild coronavirus symptoms , officials said .
The students are roommates at Kearney Hall , UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May said .
One student has been off campus since Tuesday and has been tested for COVID-19 .
The student is in isolation at their home , UC Davis spokeswoman Melissa Lutz Blouin said Friday .
The other two have not shown any symptoms and have therefore not been tested , but they have been isolated since Wednesday night as a precaution .
They were moved to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days , the time symptoms would appear if they had a virus .
Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman said officials know the source of the possible exposure for the student who might have the virus , but could not disclose that information because of privacy rules .
When the university first learned about the exposure , officials alerted all students , faculty and staff .
Housing and dining services personnel also have increased cleaning rounds at those campus facilities , disinfecting doorknobs , tables and other areas with lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the direction of the Yolo County Public Health Department in its response to the incident .
Just outside the Kearney Hall dorm at the unvirsity , freshman Dominic Alvarez sat on a concrete bench casually texting friends on Friday .
He was unfazed about reports of the students who were reportedly exposed to the coronavirus .
“ Me and friends , we ’ re not gullible , ” said Alvarez , a mechanical engineering student from Los Angeles .
“ We ’ re keeping up with the medical news .
For young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s just like the flu .
Older people have to worry , and younger kids , though.
” Another student parking his bike outside the dorm was more concerned .
The student , who asked only to be identified by his nickname “ Vac , ” was wearing a protective mask over his mouth and nose and black medical gloves on his hands .
“ I ’ m super worried , ” said Vac , 21 , an environmental engineering student .
“ We ’ re in classes every day with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Vac is from northern China and has been in constant contact with his family .
He says they are fine but that he , along with many other foreign students from all over Asia , are concerned for their loved ones .
“ They ’ re hearing from families and friends who say it ’ s scary out there , because that ’ s exactly how it ’ s been in China and Japan for the past month , ” he said .
More than 30 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the state , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
Of the confirmed cases , 24 were either evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan or returned on repatriation flights from Wuhan , China , which is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak .
One repatriated patient was transferred by the CDC to San Mateo County , the county health department said Friday .
No other details were available .
Newsom said more than 8,400 people are being monitored in 49 local jurisdictions .

Alex Wigglesworth, Colleen Shalby, Anita Chabria, Phil Willon

A Solano County resident who is the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 coronavirus that was “community acquired” is being held in isolation while undergoing treatment at the UC Davis Medical Center.
California recorded a new case of the coronavirus Friday in Santa Clara County, heightening concerns that the disease is spreading in the United States.
Health officials in Santa Clara County said the new patient had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected person.
For the record: A previous version of this post misspelled the last name of the director of health services in Sacramento County. His name is Peter Beilenson, not Beilson.
The individual is an older adult, a woman with chronic health conditions who was hospitalized for a respiratory illness, officials said at a news conference Friday. Her physician contacted the public health department this week to discuss the case and request testing for the novel coronavirus. The department is working to identify contacts and understand the extent of exposure.
“This new case indicates that there is evidence of community transmission but the extent is still not clear,” said Dr. Sara Cody, health officer for Santa Clara County and director of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. “I understand this may be concerning to hear, but this is what we have been preparing for. Now we need to start taking additional actions to slow down the spread of the disease.”
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Friday night, Washington state health officials announced two new coronavirus cases Friday night, a woman who had recently traveled to South Korea and a high school student whose school will be closed and sanitized.
The new cases comes as officials in Northern California are searching for people who might have come in contact with a Solano County woman who is believed to be the country’s first novel coronavirus patient who did not recently travel outside the U.S. or come in contact with someone who did.
Authorities said her case might indicate that the virus is already spreading within the local community, a significant leap, making it essential that they quickly find anyone who might have been exposed to her.
The woman was hospitalized more than a week ago but was not tested for several days because she did not fit screening criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which include both symptoms of the virus and either a recent history of travel to China or close contact with another coronavirus patient.
“It is important to recognize that we have moved from containment to mitigation,” Dr. Bela Matyas, the county’s health officer, said in a statement. “We are investigating potential exposures and ensuring that proper evaluation and care are provided if they become sick.”
Before she was transferred to UC Davis, the woman was hospitalized for three days at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, Aimee Brewer, president of NorthBay Healthcare Group, said in a statement.
She was taken by ambulance to the UC Davis facility in Sacramento once her condition worsened, Brewer said.
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“As for the patient’s care in NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, at no time did the patient fit the existing CDC criteria for COVID-19, and therefore a test was not immediately administered,” she said.
After learning of the diagnosis, the hospital “launched a meticulous tracing” of anyone who might have been in contact with her, Brewer said. The hospital remains open and is operating normally.
UC Davis officials said the woman arrived on Feb. 19 but was not tested until Sunday . The hospital said that precautions had been put in place because of caregivers’ concerns about her condition and that a “small number” of employees had been asked to stay home and monitor their temperature.
Sacramento County Director of Health Services Peter Beilenson said the woman had been transferred to the hospital under virus containment protocols, but additional measures, such as isolation in a negative pressure room, which prevents air from escaping, were now in place.
Beilenson said he did not expect additional cases of the virus based on those in contact with the patient in Sacramento, where she is receiving treatment, but did expect more cases in Solano County, where she is from.
The woman was “in her community” for a number of days before accessing care, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said.
Investigators are now working to identify and locate anyone who may have come in contact with the woman. The CDC has sent 10 staffers to help trace her contacts, officials said.
“Contact tracing is super important because it can help reduce transmission,” said Dr. Brandon Brown, an associate professor at the UC Riverside School of Medicine’s Center for Healthy Communities. “The worst-case scenario is that outside of close contacts — family, friends and coworkers — there were other people exposed to the virus in places where this person visited.”
The tracing will likely start with the infected patient’s family and coworkers, who would be isolated and tested, and then move out to those who might have come in casual contact with her in places she’s visited within the past two weeks, which is believed to be the incubation period of the virus.
In order to identify individuals who came into contact with the woman at the hospital, Northbay VacaValley officials sifted through medical records to see which clinicians entered her room. Additionally, three days’ worth of security footage from 8 p.m. Feb. 15 to mid-morning Feb. 19 were scoured to ensure that all visitors and non-clinicians – like workers who brought in food trays or refilled bathroom supplies – were tallied.
Sacramento County health officials said that dozens of people might be quarantined at home based on having contact with the woman. UC Davis spokesman Steve Telliano disputed that the number could be higher than 70 but refused to say if more or fewer people were quarantined.
Steve Huddleston, vice president of public affairs of NorthBay Healthcare, said that the quarantine affected dozens connected to the hospital.
Huddleston said that the hospital staff is comprised of about a couple hundred. Those employees who have been home, due to quarantine or unrelated matters, have been backfilled.
On Friday afternoon, Makayla Lara, 20, sipped iced green tea on the porch of a Starbucks that’s a short walk from Northbay VacaValley Hospital, the first medical facility to care for the first community-based case of the coronavirus in the United States. (The woman is now under treatment at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.)
“I don’t think people are super freaked out,” said Lara, a nursing student at Solano Community College. “I don’t think it’s anything to be afraid of. Just take like the necessary precautions that you do with any virus. If you are sick, don’t go out. Wash your hands, you know.”
At the Lowe’s homes improvement store in Vacaville, the shelves have been stripped of protective masks and hand sanitizer for weeks.
Employees said customers have been buying them by the case and they fly off the shelves as soon as new supplies arrive. The employees did not have authority to speak on behalf of the store and asked to remain unnamed.
Customer Teresa Del Rio, 48, said she’s not worried about the spread of the virus at this point because she’s a nurse and knows how to avoid risks of transmission. But she’s worried about the healthcare providers who cared for the patient at a local hospital who was later confirmed to have the virus.
“The only anxiety is that I don’t think people are being proactive enough knowing that the patient exposed a bunch of nurses who probably went out into the community,” said Del Rio, who works at a different medical facility. “I think they needed to be more proactive with their testing.”
From Northbay VacaValley Hospital, it’s easy to spot planes landing to the south at Travis Air Force Base, the federal facility that accepted some of the first Americans evacuated from Wuhan, China — the epicenter of the outbreak.
According to the Washington Post, a whistleblower reported that the Department of Health and Human Services sent a crew of workers to the base without the adequate protective gear or proper training on viral outbreaks.
Beilenson, Sacramento County‘s director of health services, said “definitely we will have more cases here.”
“You shed virus before you are symptomatic so it’s already out of the bag in a lot of ways,” Beilenson said. “It’s going to spread; it’s just going to spread.”
Beilenson said most people that contract the virus – more than 80% – will have mild or no symptoms, but still be able to pass COVID-19 to others.
On Thursday night, the CDC revised its testing guidelines to allow for more people to be tested for the coronavirus. Previously, only people with flu-like symptoms and a travel history to China or close contact with someone who traveled to China.
Now, doctors can order coronavirus tests for anyone with flu-like symptoms who has recently traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea. In an even bigger change, Patients hospitalized with fever and pneumonia and no travel history could be tested by doctors.
The change is widely interpreted to be a response to the UC Davis patient, who had no travel history. It took several days for the CDC to allow testing of the patient, who was severely ill.
Beilenson said new community cases were more likely in Solano than Sacramento, “predominately because the UC Davis case came ensconced (in protective measures). If it would happen anywhere it would happen in Solano County,” he said.
Three UC Davis students are under 14-day isolation as one awaits test results after showing mild coronavirus symptoms, officials said.
The students are roommates at Kearney Hall, UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May said.
One student has been off campus since Tuesday and has been tested for COVID-19. The student is in isolation at their home, UC Davis spokeswoman Melissa Lutz Blouin said Friday.
The other two have not shown any symptoms and have therefore not been tested, but they have been isolated since Wednesday night as a precaution. They were moved to a vacant on-campus apartment and are in self-isolation for 14 days, the time symptoms would appear if they had a virus.
Yolo County Health Officer Dr. Ron Chapman said officials know the source of the possible exposure for the student who might have the virus, but could not disclose that information because of privacy rules.
When the university first learned about the exposure, officials alerted all students, faculty and staff. Housing and dining services personnel also have increased cleaning rounds at those campus facilities, disinfecting doorknobs, tables and other areas with lots of student contact.
UC Davis is following the direction of the Yolo County Public Health Department in its response to the incident.
Just outside the Kearney Hall dorm at the university, freshman Dominic Alvarez sat on a concrete bench casually texting friends on Friday. He was unfazed about reports of the students who were reportedly exposed to the coronavirus.
“Me and friends, we’re not gullible,” said Alvarez, a mechanical engineering student from Los Angeles. “We’re keeping up with the medical news. For young healthy adults with healthy immune systems, it’s just like the flu. Older people have to worry, and younger kids, though.”
Another student parking his bike outside the dorm was more concerned. The student, who asked only to be identified by his nickname “Vac,” was wearing a protective mask over his mouth and nose and black medical gloves on his hands.
“I’m super worried,” said Vac, 21, an environmental engineering student. “We’re in classes every day with other students who may have been exposed.”
Vac is from northern China and has been in constant contact with his family. He says they are fine but that he, along with many other foreign students from all over Asia, are concerned for their loved ones.
“They’re hearing from families and friends who say it’s scary out there, because that’s exactly how it’s been in China and Japan for the past month,” he said.
There will now be eight public health labs capable of coronavirus testing in California in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Diego, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara and Tulare, said Charity Dean, deputy director of the California Department of Public Health.
On Friday night, Solano County formally announced two cases — but both patients appear to have contracted the virus through foreign travel. They had previously been counted as coronavirus patients.
One patient had been on the Diamond Princess cruise ship when an outbreak occurred and had been housed at Travis Air Force Base, according to the county. A second resident — who was also housed at Travis — was tested positive by Japanese officials.
Times staff writer Soumya Karlamangla contributed to this report, as did AP.


latimes--2020-02-28--L.A. County deputies shared graphic photos of Kobe Bryant crash scene, sources say

Members of an oversight group expressed concern Friday after The Times reported that Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others .
The Times spoke with two public safety sources with knowledge of the events .
One of the sources said that the sharing of photos of the crash scene and the victims ’ remains was the topic of a discussion among first responders two days after the crash .
The source said he saw one of the photos on the phone of another official , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the investigation of the crash .
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter .
Patti Giggans , chair of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission , told The Times on Friday that the alleged behavior is “ completely unprofessional ” and “ very regrettable.
” “ Hopefully we ’ ll hear more , what was going on and how they found out , ” she said .
“ At this point , we have to trust that the sheriff is going to get to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission ’ s executive director , said his office planned to make an inquiry as to what happened during a meeting with the Sheriff ’ s Department next week that had already been scheduled .
“ I ’ m sure it ’ s something that the department is going to take very seriously , ” he said .
After multiple inquiries by The Times , the Sheriff ’ s Department said Thursday that the “ matter is being looked into.
” It ’ s unclear how widely the photos might have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s also unclear whether the deputies had actually taken the photos at the scene or had received them from someone else .
Capt .
Jorge Valdez , the head of the sheriff ’ s information bureau , said Wednesday that his office had been obligated to contact the family members of crash victims not because of allegations against the deputies but because The Times inquired about them .
Joseph Giacalone , who teaches police procedures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York , said that generally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see them “ is a cardinal sin in law enforcement.
” Law enforcement agencies , particularly in Los Angeles , have struggled over the years with the unauthorized use of evidence involving celebrities .
The Sheriff ’ s Department launched a lengthy investigation into the leaking of documents after Mel Gibson ’ s infamous anti-Semitic rant during a drunk driving arrest .
The issue was also highlighted when it was revealed that celebrity private investigator Anthony Pellicano paid members of law enforcement agencies for confidential information .
A Los Angeles police officer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Rihanna after she was beaten by Chris Brown in 2009 .
In a brief interview Wednesday at the Hall of Justice downtown , Sheriff Alex Villanueva would not discuss the allegations in the Bryant case in any detail , including whether the department had received a complaint that the photos were shared inappropriately .
Valdez said he was “ unaware of any complaint.
” Bryant ’ s helicopter crashed into a Calabasas hillside last month in dense fog , killing the retired NBA star , his daughter Gianna , 13 , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth basketball game in Thousand Oaks .
The other victims were Christina Mauser ; Payton and Sarah Chester ; John , Keri and Alyssa Altobelli ; and pilot Ara Zobayan .
Attorneys for Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter .

Fans gather in Calabasas the day Kobe Bryant and eight others died in a helicopter crash on a nearby hillside.
Members of an oversight group expressed concern Friday after The Times reported that Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies shared graphic photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others.
The Times spoke with two public safety sources with knowledge of the events. One of the sources said that the sharing of photos of the crash scene and the victims’ remains was the topic of a discussion among first responders two days after the crash. The source said he saw one of the photos on the phone of another official, in a setting that had nothing to do with the investigation of the crash. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.
Patti Giggans, chair of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, told The Times on Friday that the alleged behavior is “completely unprofessional” and “very regrettable.”
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“Hopefully we’ll hear more, what was going on and how they found out,” she said. “At this point, we have to trust that the sheriff is going to get to the bottom of it.”
Brian Williams, the commission’s executive director, said his office planned to make an inquiry as to what happened during a meeting with the Sheriff’s Department next week that had already been scheduled.
“I’m sure it’s something that the department is going to take very seriously,” he said.
After multiple inquiries by The Times, the Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that the “matter is being looked into.”
It’s unclear how widely the photos might have been disseminated and who exactly was involved. It’s also unclear whether the deputies had actually taken the photos at the scene or had received them from someone else.
Capt. Jorge Valdez, the head of the sheriff’s information bureau, said Wednesday that his office had been obligated to contact the family members of crash victims not because of allegations against the deputies but because The Times inquired about them.
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Joseph Giacalone, who teaches police procedures at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, said that generally, sharing photos with anyone not authorized to see them “is a cardinal sin in law enforcement.”
Law enforcement agencies, particularly in Los Angeles, have struggled over the years with the unauthorized use of evidence involving celebrities.
The Sheriff’s Department launched a lengthy investigation into the leaking of documents after Mel Gibson’s infamous anti-Semitic rant during a drunk driving arrest. The issue was also highlighted when it was revealed that celebrity private investigator Anthony Pellicano paid members of law enforcement agencies for confidential information.
A Los Angeles police officer was fired in connection with a leaked photo of Rihanna after she was beaten by Chris Brown in 2009.
In a brief interview Wednesday at the Hall of Justice downtown, Sheriff Alex Villanueva would not discuss the allegations in the Bryant case in any detail, including whether the department had received a complaint that the photos were shared inappropriately.
Valdez said he was “unaware of any complaint.”
Bryant’s helicopter crashed into a Calabasas hillside last month in dense fog, killing the retired NBA star, his daughter Gianna, 13, and seven others on their way to a youth basketball game in Thousand Oaks. The other victims were Christina Mauser; Payton and Sarah Chester; John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli; and pilot Ara Zobayan.
Attorneys for Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter.


latimes--2020-03-01--Costco sees run on supplies amid coronavirus worries. Do you really need to stock up?

If you noticed your local Costco was more crowded than normal this weekend , it probably wasn ’ t your imagination .
People have been stocking up on supplies amid the growing concerns about coronavirus spreading in the United States .
Store managers report big crowds , and social media are filled with photos of empty shelves even though there are no shortages of items .
Experts continue to urge caution , despite new cases in California and Washington that appear to have been spread in communities rather than from people connected to overseas travel .
Centers for Disease Control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday there was no need for healthy Americans to stock up on supplies .
In some places , it appears so .
Some Costcos , Walmarts and other stores said they ’ ve seen a decided increase in customers this weekend , and some store shelves have emptied .
Thad Kleszcz , general manager of Costco in Glendale , said for weeks he ’ s noticed an unusually high number of customers at the store , but it seemed to have increased Friday and Saturday , after it was announced that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in the U.S. to die from coronavirus .
“ Antiseptic wipes and Clorox disinfecting wipes are flying out of here , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t keep those in stock.
” He said people are mostly purchasing water , paper goods , grains such as rice and pasta , jarred food and peanut butter .
He said Costco is doing everything it can to keep up with demand .
At the Mountain View , Calif. , Costco , employees said the crowds this weekend eclipsed even Christmas rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast .
“ Yeah , this is double Christmas time .
I feel like this is a little overdoing it for now , ” manager Grant Garmsey told KGO .
Crowds were also big at a Costco in Hawaii after state health officials urged resident to “ stock up on all prescription medications and other basic household items like food and cleaning products so you can care for yourself and your family at home if someone becomes ill. Supplies of these items may be affected in the event of a pandemic.
” Q @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are no signs of water or cleaning supply or toilet paper shortages .
Butofficials are concerned about a run on masks .
Health experts warn that stocking up on the disposable masks could do more harm than good by limiting their availability to doctors and nurses .
If the coronavirus outbreak should cause a run on anything , they say , it should be soap and water instead .
There are good reasons to wear masks — namely , to protect others .
Surgeons use them so they don ’ t cough or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff hand them out to visitors with respiratory symptoms to protect others in the waiting area .
Doctors diligently swap their masks between visits with immune-suppressed patients , to avoid exposing them to clinging pathogens .
If you ’ re already sick , mask-wearing is good practice .
Donning a paper mask on a crowded train or bus , for instance , can minimize the degree to which a cough or sneeze disseminates infectious fluid onto neighbors and handrails that will be grabbed throughout the day .
But for everyone else , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services .
In fact , if the mask-hoarding continues , officials worry there could be a shortage , affecting clinics and hospitals where they ’ re needed most .
Retail chains including Walgreens , Home Depot , Lowe ’ s and True Value Hardware are reporting a sharp uptick in sales of masks over the last several weeks and say they are scrambling to get more from suppliers .
Home Depot , the nation ’ s largest home improvement chain , has limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customer .
Q : What can you do to protect yourself ?
Experts agree that for viral infections including the common cold and the flu , the most effective way to protect yourself is regular hand-washing with warm water and soap , plus the vigilance to resist touching your nose and mouth .
To wash your hands properly , the World Health Organization suggests scrubbing your palms with a large dollop of soap before interlacing and clasping the fingers , then scrubbing around the thumbs and the backs of your hands .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These hygiene practices apply no more to the new strain of coronavirus than to other common winter illnesses , such as colds and the flu .
Q : What about these new U.S. cases ?
In addition to 62 cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. linked to travel abroad , officials have announced that eight people , all on the West Coast , appear to have contracted the virus in their communities .
An outbreak at a long-term care facility in Washington is expected to push that total higher in the coming days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the risk to the American public remains low , the latest developments raise the possibility that the virus will become entrenched in the U.S. and impossible to contain .
could become a public health necessity in communities where the virus takes hold , officials said .
For most people , COVID-19 causes a mild sickness , and some who are infected do not even know they are sick .
The virus has been estimated to kill two of every 100 people who contract it , though the risk is lower for younger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts said .
The rise in patients in the U.S. diagnosed with COVID-19 in recent days is probably due in part to increased testing .
Before last week , doctors were not allowed to order the tests , of which there is a limited supply , for patients who did not have a history of travel to China or close contact with someone who had traveled there .
Physicians can now order tests for people who are hospitalized and very ill but have no travel history .

Ruben Vives, Emily Baumgaertner, Alex Wigglesworth

If you’re planning a Costco visit: A CDC expert has told Congress there’s no need for healthy Americans to stock up on supplies.
If you noticed your local Costco was more crowded than normal this weekend, it probably wasn’t your imagination.
People have been stocking up on supplies amid the growing concerns about coronavirus spreading in the United States. Store managers report big crowds, and social media are filled with photos of empty shelves even though there are no shortages of items.
Experts continue to urge caution, despite new cases in California and Washington that appear to have been spread in communities rather than from people connected to overseas travel.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told Congress on Thursday there was no need for healthy Americans to stock up on supplies.
Are people stocking up?
In some places, it appears so.
Some Costcos, Walmarts and other stores said they’ve seen a decided increase in customers this weekend, and some store shelves have emptied.
Thad Kleszcz, general manager of Costco in Atwater Village, said for weeks he’s noticed an unusually high number of customers at the store, but it seemed to have increased Friday and Saturday, after it was announced that a Washington state man had become the first person in the U.S. to die from coronavirus.
“Antiseptic wipes and Clorox disinfecting wipes are flying out of here,” he said. “We can’t keep those in stock.”
He said people are mostly purchasing water, paper goods, grains such as rice and pasta, jarred food and peanut butter. He said Costco is doing everything it can to keep up with demand.
Advertisement
At the Mountain View, Calif., Costco, employees said the crowds this weekend eclipsed even Christmas rush — with cleaning supplies and water going fast.
“Yeah, this is double Christmas time. I feel like this is a little overdoing it for now,” manager Grant Garmsey told KGO.
Crowds were also big at a Costco in Hawaii after state health officials urged residents to “stock up on all prescription medications and other basic household items like food and cleaning products so you can care for yourself and your family at home if someone becomes ill. Supplies of these items may be affected in the event of a pandemic.”
Los Angeles resident Lily Capatori has been following the virus coverage and said she felt it could not hurt to be prepared.
Three weeks ago, Capatori said, she began stockpiling household necessities. She purchased the last jug of hand sanitizer at a local drugstore. She ordered cleaning wipes, masks, two suits — for her and her 11-year-old daughter — goggles and gloves. She has stocked up on food that will last her up to 3 months.
“We’re competing against time,” she said.
What are experts saying?
There are no signs of water or cleaning supply or toilet paper shortages.
But officials are concerned about a run on masks.
Health experts warn that stocking up on the disposable masks could do more harm than good by limiting their availability to doctors and nurses. If the coronavirus outbreak should cause a run on anything, they say, it should be soap and water instead.
There are good reasons to wear masks — namely, to protect others. Surgeons use them so they don’t cough or sneeze into open wounds. Emergency room staff hand them out to visitors with respiratory symptoms to protect others in the waiting area. Doctors diligently swap their masks between visits with immune-suppressed patients, to avoid exposing them to clinging pathogens.
If you’re already sick, mask-wearing is good practice. Donning a paper mask on a crowded train or bus, for instance, can minimize the degree to which a cough or sneeze disseminates infectious fluid onto neighbors and handrails that will be grabbed throughout the day.
But for everyone else, the masks are simply “unnecessary,” said Alex Azar , secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
In fact, if the mask-hoarding continues, officials worry there could be a shortage, affecting clinics and hospitals where they’re needed most.
Retail chains including Walgreens, Home Depot, Lowe’s and True Value Hardware are reporting a sharp uptick in sales of masks over the last several weeks and say they are scrambling to get more from suppliers. Home Depot, the nation’s largest home improvement chain, has limited sales of N95 respirators to 10 per customer.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Experts agree that for viral infections including the common cold, flu and coronavirus, the most effective way to protect yourself is regular hand-washing with warm water and soap, plus avoiding touching your nose and mouth.
To wash your hands properly, the World Health Organization suggests scrubbing your palms with a large dollop of soap before interlacing and clasping the fingers, then scrubbing around the thumbs and the backs of your hands. The whole process should take 40 to 60 seconds.
What about these new U.S. cases?
In addition to the dozens of cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. linked to travel abroad, officials have announced that eight people, all on the West Coast, appear to have contracted the virus in their communities. An outbreak at a long-term care facility in Washington is expected to push that total higher in the coming days, officials said.
Though federal officials say the risk to the American public remains low, the latest developments raise the possibility that the virus will become entrenched in the U.S. and impossible to contain. Closing schools and canceling events could become a public health necessity in communities where the virus takes hold, officials said.
For most people, COVID-19 causes a mild sickness, and some who are infected do not even know they are sick. The virus has been estimated to kill two of every 100 people who contract it, though the risk is lower for younger people and higher for the elderly, experts said.
The rise in patients in the U.S. diagnosed with COVID-19 in recent days is probably due in part to increased testing. Before last week, doctors were not allowed to order the tests, of which there is a limited supply, for patients who did not have a history of travel to China or close contact with someone who had traveled there. Physicians can now order tests for people who are hospitalized and very ill but have no travel history.


latimes--2020-03-01--Vanessa Bryant 'devastated' by allegations that deputies shared Kobe crash photos

Vanessa Bryant is “ absolutely devastated ” by allegations that Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies shared photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband , daughter and seven others , her attorney said in a statement .
Attorney Gary C. Robb requested an internal affairs investigation into the allegations and the “ harshest possible discipline ” for those responsible .
He said in the statement that Vanessa Bryant personally went to the sheriff ’ s office after the Jan. 26 crash and requested the area be designated as a “ no-fly zone ” and guarded from photographers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Villanueva assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families ’ privacy , and it is our understanding that he has worked hard to honor those requests , ” Robb said .
He demanded that the deputies be identified “ to ensure that the photos are not further disseminated.
” The Los Angeles Times first reported allegations that deputies were sharing graphic photographs of the scene .
An individual reported one deputy for showing grim images at a Norwalk bar .
According to two public safety sources with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Department quietly ordered deputies to delete any photos in an attempt to keep the matter under wraps .
Normally , such a complaint would trigger a formal inquiry and possibly an internal affairs investigation , strictly following the chain of command , the sources said .
Instead , in the days after the Jan. 26 crash , deputies were ordered to report to the sheriff ’ s Lost Hills station and told that if they came clean and deleted the photos , they would not face any discipline , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the events .
The sources said they were concerned the directive to delete the photos could amount to the destruction of evidence .
It ’ s unclear how widely the photos might have been disseminated and who exactly was involved .
It ’ s also unclear whether the deputies had actually taken the photos at the scene or had received them from someone else .

Vanessa Bryant speaks at the public memorial last week at Staples Center for her husband, Kobe Bryant, and daughter Gianna.
Vanessa Bryant is “absolutely devastated” by allegations that Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies shared photos of the helicopter crash that killed her husband, daughter and seven others, her attorney said in a statement.
Attorney Gary C. Robb requested an internal affairs investigation into the allegations and the “harshest possible discipline” for those responsible.
He called the alleged behavior “inexcusable and deplorable.”
“This is an unspeakable violation of human decency, respect, and of the privacy rights of the victims and their families,” he said.
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Robb said in the statement that Vanessa Bryant went to the sheriff’s office after the Jan. 26 crash and requested the area be designated as a “no-fly zone” and guarded from photographers.
“At that time, Sheriff Alex Villanueva assured us all measures would be put in place to protect the families’ privacy, and it is our understanding that he has worked hard to honor those requests,” Robb said. He demanded that the deputies be identified “to ensure that the photos are not further disseminated.”
The Los Angeles Times first reported allegations that deputies were sharing graphic photographs of the scene. After The Times’ report Thursday, an investigation was launched by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
According to two public safety sources with knowledge of the events, an individual reported one deputy for showing grim images at a Norwalk bar.
Normally, such a complaint would trigger a formal inquiry and possibly an internal affairs investigation, strictly following the chain of command, the sources said.
Instead, the Sheriff’s Department quietly ordered deputies to delete any photos in an attempt to keep the matter under wraps. In the days after the crash, deputies were ordered to report to the department’s Lost Hills station and told that if they came clean and deleted the photos, they would not face any discipline, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the events.
The sources said they were concerned the directive to delete the photos could amount to the destruction of evidence.
A third public safety source told The Times that the sharing of photos of the crash scene and the victims’ remains was the topic of a discussion among first responders two days after the crash.
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The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he saw one of the photos on the phone of another official at that discussion, which was not a part of the investigation of the crash.
It’s unclear how widely the photos might have been disseminated and who exactly was involved. It’s also unclear whether the deputies took the photos at the scene or received them from someone else.
Brian Williams, executive director of the Civilian Oversight Commission, said his office planned to question officials during a meeting with the Sheriff’s Department this week that had already been scheduled.
In an interview Wednesday, Villanueva did not respond directly to queries about whether he ordered the deletion of the photos.
“Every police department struggles with the same thing, where people take photos and they’re not evidence,” he said. “So that’s a practice we have to make sure that everyone walks away, and there is no evidence other than the official photos of evidence that are taken for criminal purposes.”
The citizen’s complaint regarding what happened at the Norwalk bar was sent to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau. In an interview Wednesday, Capt. Jorge Valdez, the head of the bureau, said that he was “unaware of any complaint” and that “there was no order given to delete any photographs.”
The public safety sources said Friday, however, that Valdez was among those who handled the complaint.
Neither Villanueva nor Valdez responded to follow-up questions.
The Sheriff’s Department issued a statement Friday saying Villanueva was “deeply disturbed at the thought deputies could allegedly engage in such an insensitive act.”
“A thorough investigation will be conducted by the department, with the No. 1 priority of protecting the dignity and privacy of the victims and their families,” the department said.


latimes--2020-03-01--Can Bernie Sanders' revolution be localized? These L.A. candidates hope so

Otteson , who lives in Eagle Rock , doesn ’ t have the money or many of the big-ticket endorsements scored by her one of her opponents , former state Sen. Kevin de León , who secured the backing of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and raised more than $ 830,000 for his campaign .
Still , she ’ s become a favorite among some L.A. progressive activists who are backing Sanders , the odds-on favorite to win California ’ s presidential primary on Tuesday .
And she ’ s betting that left-leaning voters will like her positions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money out of City Hall .
“ There ’ s something that ’ s resonating nationally that ’ s coming down locally , ” she said .
“ The status quo isn ’ t acceptable.
” For the first time in at least a century , L.A. ’ s municipal election has been timed to coincide with the state ’ s presidential primary .
The change is expected to increase turnout significantly in contests for local offices , which typically draw interest from a small fraction of the electorate .
Now , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , some are hoping the grassroots fervor over the senator from Vermont will translate into a deluge of votes for insurgent candidates looking to shake up the status quo at City Hall .
That makes Tuesday an important test for progressive activists , said Bill Przylucki , executive director of Ground Game L.A. , a grassroots organization that has endorsed Sanders and is getting the word out about its favored candidates .
Ground Game is hoping to reach 100,000 voters , many of whom have never shown up for a municipal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re trying to get them to look at the whole ballot , ” he said .
Among the candidates endorsed by Ground Game are Otteson , who is running in an Eastside race to replace Councilman Jose Huizar ; Aura Vasquez , who is campaigning as a fighter against climate change in a Crenshaw-to-Koreatown district ; and Nithya Raman , who is running in a Silver Lake-to-Sherman Oaks district and wants to create a network of service centers for homeless Angelenos .
All three have the backing of Sunrise Movement Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change .
And all three are competing against established politicians backed by the county ’ s Democratic Party , the county Federation of Labor and an assortment of big name politicians , such as Mayor Eric Garcetti .
“ If you ’ re a challenger in one of these races and you ’ re not tying yourself to Bernie , you ’ re an idiot , ” said Eric Hacopian , an L.A.-based political consultant .
While other presidential candidates have their bases of support , Sanders has “ believers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believers are much more active in getting the word out in their community .
They ’ re more engaged and they ’ re willing to fight , ” said Hacopian , a strategist for Councilman Paul Krekorian who has waged independent expenditure campaigns supporting Councilman David Ryu and council candidate Grace Yoo , who is running to replace Councilman Herb Wesson .
So far , Sanders has not endorsed any of the candidates running for office at City Hall .
And some experts say it ’ s far from certain that he will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give a boost to insurgent candidates .
“ It ’ s hard to predict where Sanders supporters are going to go in other races , ” said Bill Carrick , an L.A.-based political strategist who is not involved in the presidential or City Council races .
“ I don ’ t think we can assume they are a monolith .
They are a very diverse group.
” Councilman Gil Cedillo , who has endorsed Sanders , said he expects younger , more progressive voters will turn out in droves for Sanders .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t benefit unless they have the money to get their messages out .
“ There ’ s an electorate waiting to vote for them , ” he said .
“ But if they haven ’ t done the hard work , how ’ s anybody going to know ?
” Vasquez , one of five candidates looking to replace Wesson in a South Los Angeles district , has sent voters several campaign mailers in recent weeks , including one featuring a photo of Sanders that highlights her support for the national Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders voters are looking for candidates with new ideas who also share his ideals .
“ The voters really want to see a fresh face , ” she said .
“ I heard this over and over canvassing — the voters want change.
” Otteson said she was torn between Sanders and Warren , but ultimately decided to go with Warren .
Raman said she also likes both candidates but will probably back Sanders .
In some ways , the council races bear a resemblance to the political divisions among Democrats at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in L.A. have lined up behind Otteson , Vasquez and Raman , the county Democratic Party has endorsed a different field of contenders : De León on the Eastside , county Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in South Los Angeles and Councilman David Ryu in a Hollywood Hills district .
All three are established politicians with huge fundraising advantages who say they have their own record of fighting for progressive ideals .
De León , for example , led efforts in Sacramento to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally , wean California ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and establish a $ 15-an-hour minimum wage .
Ridley-Thomas also pointed to his support from an array of progressive groups , including United Farm Workers and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project .
And he argued that voters in his district want someone “ knowledgeable and experienced ” to tackle homelessness , transportation and other concerns .
“ They ’ re not trying to experiment , ” he said .
“ I mean , these are serious issues.
” Raman , who is running to unseat Ryu , said she did not seek the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party , calling it “ a political machine that is designed to support and keep incumbents in power.
” Even without institutional support , she has raised more than $ 260,000 for her campaign .
Raman has vowed to seek a temporary rent freeze on rent-controlled apartments and challenge city laws that restrict where homeless Angelenos can sleep or store their belongings .
While her campaign welcomes support from all voters , it is looking to tap the enthusiasm of those “ who haven ’ t necessarily been deeply engaged in politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people who felt very disconnected from the political system are excited about this primary , and they ’ re looking for ways to channel their energy , ” Raman said .
Ryu campaign manager Estevan Montemayor said it was “ demeaning ” to the work of Democratic Party activists to claim that their group is out to protect incumbents , noting that they recently endorsed former San Francisco Dist .
Atty .
George Gascon over Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey .
Montemayor said Ryu has plenty of support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” including the Stonewall Democratic Club and the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women .
And he predicted the councilman will do well with a wide range of Democrats .
“ Enthusiasm is high , no matter who they ’ re voting for for president , ” Montemayor said .
“ Because they want to get rid of Donald Trump.
” One council race where Ground Game and Sunrise Movement are in sync with the county Democratic Party is in the San Fernando Valley , where all three have endorsed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Councilman John Lee , who changed his registration from Republican to no party preference in December .
Whether Otteson , the candidate running to replace Huizar on the Eastside , will benefit from Sanders voters is far from assured .
Polls have shown Sanders is popular among Latinos , which could translate to increased support for the handful of Latinos in the race , including De León and school board member Mónica García .
“ We see the Bernie impact on the Eastside , ” said Javier Gonzalez , García ’ s campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people in Boyle Heights , El Sereno and Highland Park , Bernie is strong there.
” García has not been a favorite among some pro-Sanders groups , which don ’ t like her support for charter schools .
Still , she has been actively courting the Sanders vote , making the case that , like the senator from Vermont , she has been raising alarms about poverty and income inequality for years .
“ Other people have run from the problem , and she ’ s stood firm , ” Gonzalez said @

David Zahniser, Dakota Smith, Emily Alpert Reyes

L.A. City Council candidate Cyndi Otteson, second from left, is hoping to get a boost from voters who support Bernie Sanders.
Los Angeles City Council candidate Cyndi Otteson is hoping for a Bernie Sanders surge.
Otteson, who lives in Eagle Rock, doesn’t have the money or many of the big-ticket endorsements scored by one of her opponents, former state Sen. Kevin de León, who secured the backing of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party and raised more than $830,000 for his campaign.
Still, she’s become a favorite among some L.A. progressive activists who are backing Sanders, the odds-on favorite to win California’s presidential primary on Tuesday. And she’s betting that left-leaning voters will like her positions on climate change, transportation and keeping special-interest money out of City Hall.
“There’s something that’s resonating nationally that’s coming down locally,” she said. “The status quo isn’t acceptable.”
Advertisement
For the first time in at least a century, L.A.’s municipal election has been timed to coincide with the state’s presidential primary. The change is expected to increase turnout significantly in contests for local offices, which typically draw interest from a small fraction of the electorate.
Now, with polls showing Sanders well outpacing his rivals in California, some are hoping the grass-roots fervor over the senator from Vermont will translate into a deluge of votes for insurgent candidates looking to shake up the status quo at City Hall.
That makes Tuesday an important test for progressive activists, said Bill Przylucki, executive director of Ground Game L.A., a grass-roots organization that has endorsed Sanders and is getting the word out about its favored candidates.
Ground Game is hoping to reach 100,000 voters, many of whom have never shown up for a municipal election, Przylucki said.
“We’re trying to get them to look at the whole ballot,” he said.
Among the candidates endorsed by Ground Game are Otteson, who is running in an Eastside race to replace Councilman Jose Huizar; Aura Vasquez, who is campaigning as a fighter against climate change in a Crenshaw-to-Koreatown district; and Nithya Raman, who is running in a Silver Lake-to-Sherman Oaks district and wants to create a network of service centers for homeless Angelenos.
Nonprofit executive Nithya Raman, one of the challengers seeking to unseat Councilman David Ryu, has picked up support from some L.A. groups that favor Bernie Sanders. (Los Angeles Times)
All three have the backing of Sunrise Movement Los Angeles, which supports aggressive measures to fight climate change. And all three are competing against established politicians backed by the county’s Democratic Party, the county Federation of Labor and an assortment of big-name politicians, such as Mayor Eric Garcetti.
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“If you’re a challenger in one of these races and you’re not tying yourself to Bernie, you’re an idiot,” said Eric Hacopian, an L.A.-based political consultant.
While other presidential candidates have their bases of support, Sanders has “believers,” he said.
“People who are believers are much more active in getting the word out in their community. They’re more engaged and they’re willing to fight,” said Hacopian, a strategist for Councilman Paul Krekorian who has waged independent expenditure campaigns supporting Councilman David Ryu and council candidate Grace Yoo, who is running to replace Councilman Herb Wesson.
So far, Sanders has not endorsed any of the candidates running for office at City Hall. And some experts say it’s far from certain that he will push turnout higher in California — or give a boost to insurgent candidates.
“It’s hard to predict where Sanders supporters are going to go in other races,” said Bill Carrick, an L.A.-based political strategist who is not involved in the presidential or City Council races. “I don’t think we can assume they are a monolith. They are a very diverse group.”
Councilman Gil Cedillo, who has endorsed Sanders, said he expects younger, more progressive voters will turn out in droves for Sanders. But he cautioned that local left-leaning candidates won’t benefit unless they have the money to get their messages out.
“There’s an electorate waiting to vote for them,” he said. “But if they haven’t done the hard work, how’s anybody going to know?”
Vasquez, one of five candidates looking to replace Wesson in a South Los Angeles district, has sent voters several campaign mailers in recent weeks, including one featuring a photo of Sanders that highlights her support for the national Green New Deal. She said she believes Sanders voters are looking for candidates with new ideas who also share his ideals.
“The voters really want to see a fresh face,” she said. “I heard this over and over canvassing — the voters want change.”
Aura Vasquez, a candidate for Los Angeles City Council, supports Bernie Sanders and has featured him in campaign mailers sent to voters. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Otteson said she was torn between Sanders and Warren, but ultimately decided to go with Warren. Raman said she also likes both candidates but will probably back Sanders.
In some ways, the council races bear a resemblance to the political divisions among Democrats at the national level.
While some progressive activists in L.A. have lined up behind Otteson, Vasquez and Raman, the county Democratic Party has endorsed a different field of contenders: De León on the Eastside, county Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in South Los Angeles and Councilman Ryu in a Hollywood Hills district.
All three are established politicians with huge fundraising advantages who say they have their own record of fighting for progressive ideals. De León, for example, led efforts in Sacramento to protect immigrants who are in the country illegally, wean California’s electric utilities off of fossil fuels and establish a $15-an-hour minimum wage.
Ridley-Thomas also pointed to his support from an array of progressive groups, including United Farm Workers and the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project. And he argued that voters in his district want someone “knowledgeable and experienced” to tackle homelessness, transportation and other concerns.
“They’re not trying to experiment,” he said. “I mean, these are serious issues.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said voters in his City Council race are looking for candidates with experience. “They’re not trying to experiment,” he said. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Raman, who is running to unseat Ryu, said she did not seek the endorsement of the county’s Democratic Party, calling it “a political machine that is designed to support and keep incumbents in power.” Even without institutional support, she has raised more than $260,000 for her campaign.
Raman has vowed to seek a temporary rent freeze on rent-controlled apartments and challenge city laws that restrict where homeless Angelenos can sleep or store their belongings. While her campaign welcomes support from all voters, it is looking to tap the enthusiasm of those “who haven’t necessarily been deeply engaged in politics,” she said.
“A lot of people who felt very disconnected from the political system are excited about this primary, and they’re looking for ways to channel their energy,” Raman said.
Ryu campaign manager Estevan Montemayor said it was demeaning to the work of Democratic Party activists to claim that their group is out to protect incumbents, noting that they recently endorsed former San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascon over Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey. A Democratic Party official separately called Raman’s comments “disappointing.”
Montemayor said Ryu has plenty of support from organizations with “strong progressive values,” including the Stonewall Democratic Club and the Hollywood Chapter of the National Organization for Women. And he predicted the councilman will do well with a wide range of Democrats.
“Enthusiasm is high, no matter who they’re voting for for president,” Montemayor said. “Because they want to get rid of Donald Trump.”
Former State Sen. Kevin de León says he has an established track record on progressive issues, fighting to protect immigrants and increase the state’s minimum wage. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
One council race where Ground Game and Sunrise Movement are in sync with the county Democratic Party is in the San Fernando Valley, where all three have endorsed Loraine Lundquist, a Democrat running against Councilman John Lee, who changed his registration from Republican to no party preference in December.
Whether Otteson, the candidate running to replace Huizar on the Eastside, will benefit from Sanders voters is far from assured. Polls have shown Sanders is popular among Latinos, which could translate to increased support for the handful of Latinos in the race, including De León and school board member Mónica García.
“We see the Bernie impact on the Eastside,” said Javier Gonzalez, García’s campaign director. “When you talk to young people in Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Highland Park, Bernie is strong there.”
García has not been a favorite among some pro-Sanders groups, which don’t like her support for charter schools. Still, she has been actively courting the Sanders vote, making the case that, like the senator from Vermont, she has been raising alarms about poverty and income inequality for years.
“Other people have run from the problem, and she’s stood firm,” Gonzalez said.