latimes--2020-05-09--Older does not equal expendable. We need to act in a way that protects our elders from coronavirus

I want to go to the movies .
I want to go to the beach .
I want to get my shaggy mane tamed by a professional .
I want to enjoy a fine meal at a restaurant .
But I know I need to be patient about returning to the world at large , and not solely for my own safety .
I need to be patient enough to ensure the safe return also of the vibrant , life-savoring older people I ’ ve been on the phone with all week .
Elaine Lubkin , who has been widowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up alone in her 11th-floor apartment at Park La Brea .
She misses her classes , her club , her meals out with friends , the interesting speakers at her former temple ’ s wisdom circle , seeing her only grandchild in the flesh .
At 87 , she ’ s experiencing this life pause with a particular poignancy that goes beyond her heightened coronavirus risk .
Being out and about brings her joy , she says .
New learning experiences keep her sharp .
“ I don ’ t have that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t afford to spend them being isolated from the rest of the world , ” she told me .
I ’ ve been angered a lot lately by the people who seem to see our society ’ s elders as expendable .
By their indifference to the crises in our nursing homes .
By their blithe cost-benefit analyses that imply that our older people might be acceptable sacrifices at the altar of economic revival .
By their eagerness to crowd onto beaches for their own immediate pleasure , oblivious to the consequences sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of their age , are more vulnerable .
Vulnerable to the disease , that is , not in all ways .
Life tends to makes you tougher over time , I think .
Lubkin has survived two bouts of cancer and the loss of the husband she loved .
She knows you get through things but that doing so takes work .
She is trying to follow the rules and do the work right now .
And for the sake of her and her friends , so will I .
Older people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve lived through things I haven ’ t .
They ’ ve come to understand things I still don ’ t .
Understanding can take time , says Madonna Magee , 73 , an actress and former longtime acting teacher who just recently — reminiscing alone in her North Hollywood apartment — grasped her own mother ’ s behavior whenever Magee and her four siblings got sick .
Her mother would sterilize everything a sick child touched and keep that child separate , behind a closed door , warning the others not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mother , she says , was 8 when the Spanish flu hit .
She saw whole families wiped out .
“ Now it ’ s hitting me .
I just got the chills , ” Magee told me .
“ We ’ re going through some of what she went through.
” Like Lubkin , Magee is widowed .
She lost her beloved dog Bear one year , her husband Ken , to cancer , the next .
They are “ the ghosts of the place , ” she told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in the living room when she goes to bed , imagining that Ken is out there , staying up late .
She sometimes thinks she still hears Bear ’ s heavy breathing by her bed .
It makes being alone inside a little more bearable , this feeling that they haven ’ t left her .
Like Lubkin , Magee ’ s very active .
“ I ’ m not used to just sitting , ” she said .
She misses her yoga classes and biking .
She misses her chiropractor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food on the go — although the pandemic finally got her over the sad hump of avoiding cooking for one .
But after a recent bout of pneumonia , she stays inside to keep herself and others safe .
She joins meditation and yoga and reiki sessions online .
She sits on the balcony and imagines the whoosh of traffic as ocean waves , rolling in and out .
She tries to face the moment bravely , at peace .
I think that a lot of people don ’ t clearly see their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frailty .
I don ’ t .
Neither does John Sullivan , even though , just shy of 90 , he has problems with his legs and now has to use a cane .
Before the pandemic , though , he wouldn ’ t miss Tuesday trivia night at Sherman Oaks ’ Robin Hood British Pub , where his team , the High Tops , regularly ranked high .
The team includes someone in his 20s and others in their 30s and 40s , who ace the pop culture of now .
Sullivan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Being multigenerational is the team ’ s secret weapon .
I think it ’ s essential to a healthy society .
For now , Sullivan , who has been on his own since his lost his wife , Gerda , five years ago , looks forward to weekly trivia nights with his friends on Zoom .
He wonders if he ’ ll ever again get to experience the joy of huddling closely with his teammates in a crowded pub .
I ’ d like to do what I can to stem the tide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back there , even if it ’ s not quite the same .
It ’ s easier for some older people to face this sudden retreat because they ’ re already comfortable with retreating .
“ I was stepping back anyway .
I ’ d already given up my car , ” said Selma Kaufer , 85 , whom I met writing a different column and checked back with this week .
She told me she ’ s content to sit with a book or watch the world go by on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grove .
She ’ s lucky to have found someone to shop for her — and there ’ s room enough outside for her sons and her grandsons to visit while staying at least six feet away .
She won ’ t let them closer .
Kaufer ’ s old enough to remember the polio epidemic , and visiting a close friend in an iron lung .
She never forgot “ the awful sound ” of that machine .
She ’ s taking this pandemic ’ s rules seriously .
So is Rodney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembers being a small child when polio closed schools and public swimming pools .
His brother got it and fully recovered , though many didn ’ t .
He remembers the miraculous moment of standing in line to get the polio vaccine .
“ I think it ’ s really important to try to listen to the voices that are trying to be reasonable right now , ” Vaccaro told me .
He ’ s inclined to be reclusive anyway .
He writes , paints , cooks and hangs out with his dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gifts of age is that nothing seems all that important , ” he said .
“ Things happen .
OK , this is another thing.
” Back on the 11th floor at Park La Brea , when Lubkin gets restless , she sometimes sticks her head out the window and tries to take deep breaths .
Sometimes she drives to Santa Monica and sits in her daughter ’ s backyard to get to see her , if from a distance .
When she can , she goes outside for walks , although she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s small elevator .
She recently had to share it with a young man who wasn ’ t wearing a mask .
She turned away from him and faced the wall .
She shouldn ’ t have had to .
He should have automatically been doing his part to protect her .
I know I will because I have more days to spare .

Elaine Lubkin, 87, at her home at Park La Brea in Los Angeles. Lubkin misses all the things she used to do before the coronavirus outbreak, such as attending classes, serving on a committee at the Ebell Club, participating in the wisdom circle at her former temple and dining out.
I want to go to the movies. I want to go to the beach. I want to get my shaggy mane tamed by a professional. I want to enjoy a fine meal at a restaurant.
But I know I need to be patient about returning to the world at large, and not solely for my own safety. I need to be patient enough to ensure the safe return also of the vibrant, life-savoring older people I’ve been on the phone with all week.
Elaine Lubkin, who has been widowed for 10 years, gets lonely cooped up alone in her 11th-floor apartment at Park La Brea. She misses her classes, her club, her meals out with friends, the interesting speakers at her former temple’s wisdom circle, seeing her only grandchild in the flesh.
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At 87, she’s experiencing this life pause with a particular poignancy that goes beyond her heightened coronavirus risk.
Elaine Lubkin wants to get back to her active life, but she’s staying at home now for her safety. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Being out and about brings her joy, she says. New learning experiences keep her sharp.
“I don’t have that many days left, and I can’t afford to spend them being isolated from the rest of the world,” she told me.
I’ve been angered a lot lately by the people who seem to see our society’s elders as expendable. By their indifference to the crises in our nursing homes. By their blithe cost-benefit analyses that imply that our older people might be acceptable sacrifices at the altar of economic revival. By their eagerness to crowd onto beaches for their own immediate pleasure, oblivious to the consequences sure to ripple out to those who, because of their age, are more vulnerable.
Vulnerable to the disease, that is, not in all ways. Life tends to makes you tougher over time, I think.
Advertisement
Lubkin has survived two bouts of cancer and the loss of the husband she loved. She knows you get through things but that doing so takes work. She is trying to follow the rules and do the work right now. And for the sake of her and her friends, so will I.
Older people always have enriched my world. They’ve lived through things I haven’t. They’ve come to understand things I still don’t.
Understanding can take time, says Madonna Magee, 73, an actress and former longtime acting teacher who just recently — reminiscing alone in her North Hollywood apartment — grasped her own mother’s behavior whenever Magee and her four siblings got sick. Her mother would sterilize everything a sick child touched and keep that child separate, behind a closed door, warning the others not to touch even the doorknob.
Magee’s mother, she says, was 8 when the Spanish flu hit. She saw whole families wiped out.
“Now it’s hitting me. I just got the chills,” Magee told me. “We’re going through some of what she went through.”
Like Lubkin, Magee is widowed. She lost her beloved dog Bear one year, her husband Ken, to cancer, the next. They are “the ghosts of the place,” she told me. She still sometimes leaves the TV on in the living room when she goes to bed, imagining that Ken is out there, staying up late. She sometimes thinks she still hears Bear’s heavy breathing by her bed. It makes being alone inside a little more bearable, this feeling that they haven’t left her.
Like Lubkin, Magee’s very active. “I’m not used to just sitting,” she said.
She misses her yoga classes and biking. She misses her chiropractor and her grief group. She misses prepared food on the go — although the pandemic finally got her over the sad hump of avoiding cooking for one.
But after a recent bout of pneumonia, she stays inside to keep herself and others safe. She joins meditation and yoga and reiki sessions online. She sits on the balcony and imagines the whoosh of traffic as ocean waves, rolling in and out. She tries to face the moment bravely, at peace.
I think that a lot of people don’t clearly see their elders because they equate advanced age with frailty. I don’t.
Neither does John Sullivan, even though, just shy of 90, he has problems with his legs and now has to use a cane.
Before the pandemic, though, he wouldn’t miss Tuesday trivia night at Sherman Oaks’ Robin Hood British Pub, where his team, the High Tops, regularly ranked high.
The team includes someone in his 20s and others in their 30s and 40s, who ace the pop culture of now. Sullivan aces the pop culture of yore. Being multigenerational is the team’s secret weapon. I think it’s essential to a healthy society.
For now, Sullivan, who has been on his own since his lost his wife, Gerda, five years ago, looks forward to weekly trivia nights with his friends on Zoom. He wonders if he’ll ever again get to experience the joy of huddling closely with his teammates in a crowded pub. I’d like to do what I can to stem the tide of this virus, to help him get back there, even if it’s not quite the same.
It’s easier for some older people to face this sudden retreat because they’re already comfortable with retreating.
“I was stepping back anyway. I’d already given up my car,” said Selma Kaufer, 85, whom I met writing a different column and checked back with this week. She told me she’s content to sit with a book or watch the world go by on the big balcony outside her apartment in Beverly Grove.
She’s lucky to have found someone to shop for her — and there’s room enough outside for her sons and her grandsons to visit while staying at least six feet away. She won’t let them closer.
Kaufer’s old enough to remember the polio epidemic, and visiting a close friend in an iron lung. She never forgot “the awful sound” of that machine. She’s taking this pandemic’s rules seriously.
So is Rodney Vaccaro, a 68-year-old screenwriter, who remembers being a small child when polio closed schools and public swimming pools. His brother got it and fully recovered, though many didn’t. He remembers the miraculous moment of standing in line to get the polio vaccine.
“I think it’s really important to try to listen to the voices that are trying to be reasonable right now,” Vaccaro told me.
He’s inclined to be reclusive anyway. He writes, paints, cooks and hangs out with his dog, Giuseppe.
“One of the gifts of age is that nothing seems all that important,” he said. “Things happen. OK, this is another thing.”
Back on the 11th floor at Park La Brea, when Lubkin gets restless, she sometimes sticks her head out the window and tries to take deep breaths.
Sometimes she drives to Santa Monica and sits in her daughter’s backyard to get to see her, if from a distance.
When she can, she goes outside for walks, although she’s wary of her building’s small elevator. She recently had to share it with a young man who wasn’t wearing a mask. She turned away from him and faced the wall.
She shouldn’t have had to. He should have automatically been doing his part to protect her.
I know I will because I have more days to spare.


latimes--2020-05-09--L.A. unemployment hits stunning 24%: 'These are our neighbors and they're hurting,' Garcetti says

Los Angeles has been touted for implementing a swift stay-at-home order to combat the coronavirus , but those efforts have not come without consequence , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in his latest COVID-19 update .
In his final daily evening briefing Friday , Garcetti said the unemployment rate in Los Angeles has risen from 4.7 % in February to more than 24 % now .
The country as a whole has lost 20.5 million jobs in April , sending the nation ’ s unemployment rate to 14.7 % , the highest since at least the 1940s .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ Those are lives and livelihoods .
These are our neighbors and they are hurting and they need our assistance.
” As some businesses and outdoor recreation areas prepare to open over Mother ’ s Day weekend , Garcetti said he has established “ working groups ” comprising of business and labor leaders in industries such as manufacturing , retail , film and television who in the last two weeks have been assisting in creating guidelines and advising business owners in operating safely during this transition phase .
Groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as sports and live venues , will begin to convene in the coming weeks , he said .
“ We will rebuild .
We will recover .
And we will reimagine this city , ” Garcetti said .
On Friday , the U.S. government said the COVID-19 pandemic erased 20.5 million jobs in April and sent the nation ’ s unemployment rate to 14.7 % , the highest since at least the 1940s .
Although 18 million of the 23 million total unemployed in April said they were on a temporary layoff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a definite end date , and more could become permanent as the effects of the pandemic continue to spread .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s administration projected Thursday that California ’ s 2020 unemployment rate will be 18 % , compared with a peak of 12.3 % during the Great Recession .
The governor said that more than 4.3 million Californians have filed new claims for unemployment benefits since March 12 .
“ These numbers are jaw-dropping .
It is alarming , ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ ve never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, shown last year at City Hall, met with federal officials, local nonprofit organizations and business owners to discuss ways to encourage immigrants to become U.S. citizens.
Los Angeles has been touted for implementing a swift stay-at-home order to combat the coronavirus, but those efforts have not come without consequence, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in his latest COVID-19 update.
In his final daily evening briefing Friday, Garcetti said the unemployment rate in Los Angeles has risen from 4.7% in February to more than 24% now. The country as a whole has lost 20.5 million jobs in April, sending the nation’s unemployment rate to 14.7%, the highest since at least the 1940s.
“Those aren’t just numbers,” he said. “Those are lives and livelihoods. These are our neighbors and they are hurting and they need our assistance.”
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As some businesses and outdoor recreation areas prepare to open over Mother’s Day weekend, Garcetti said he has established “working groups” comprising of business and labor leaders in industries such as manufacturing, retail, film and television who in the last two weeks have been assisting in creating guidelines and advising business owners in operating safely during this transition phase.
Groups of leaders in other industries, such as sports and live venues, will begin to convene in the coming weeks, he said.
“We will rebuild. We will recover. And we will reimagine this city,” Garcetti said.
On Friday, the U.S. government said the COVID-19 pandemic erased 20.5 million jobs in April and sent the nation’s unemployment rate to 14.7%, the highest since at least the 1940s.
Although 18 million of the 23 million total unemployed in April said they were on a temporary layoff, many of those furloughs appear not to have a definite end date, and more could become permanent as the effects of the pandemic continue to spread.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration projected Thursday that California’s 2020 unemployment rate will be 18%, compared with a peak of 12.3% during the Great Recession.
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The governor said that more than 4.3 million Californians have filed new claims for unemployment benefits since March 12.
“These numbers are jaw-dropping. It is alarming,” Newsom said. “We’ve never experienced anything like this in our lifetime.”


latimes--2020-05-09--Did coronavirus spread through a nail salon? Newsom said so, and now owners fear for their business

A series of texts interrupted Tam Nguyen just before he sat down for dinner Thursday .
The messages shared urgent news : Did he hear California Gov .
Gavin Newsom make a startling new assertion about how the first person in the state contracted the coronavirus ?
“ This whole thing started in the state of California , the first community spread , in a nail salon , ” Newsom said in his daily media briefing on COVID-19 in Sacramento , after being asked why personal services , such as nail salons , should stay closed even as the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I just want to remind everybody of that and that I ’ m very worried about that , ” the governor added .
Soon , the beauty school owner was connecting with Christie Nguyen , his friend and fellow nail salon operator .
She , too , was taken aback by the governor ’ s words .
Now , both Nguyens are deeply worried for the future of their industry , forcing them to speak up , they said .
On Friday , they joined the Pro Nails Assn .
representing nail salon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers , students and schools across the nation , teaming up with officials from the “ Nailing It For America , ” an all-volunteer initiative , to respond to Newsom ’ s remarks at a news conference in Orange County .
“ If we don ’ t take action now to protect our investment and livelihoods , people could misunderstand , ” said Christie Nguyen , who opened Studio 18 Nail Bar in Tustin with her parents in 2017 .
“ It ’ s just baffling to know why he would come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It could be misleading to the public when we are allowed to open again since everyone ’ s afraid of COVID.
” In his Thursday remarks , the governor did not identify the nail salon in question or offer evidence to support his assertion .
Tam Nguyen , owner of Advance Beauty College in Garden Grove and Laguna Hills , said the “ surprise remarks created a reaction that was more negative than needed.
” “ People are asking : ‘ Where ’ s the evidence ?
’ We realize he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a place where people wear masks and gloves generally.
” Science has shown there are many ways that the virus can be contracted , he said , adding that “ from a cultural lens , speaking out of context leads to an atmosphere where we can ’ t trust each other.
” California is home to 11,000 nail salons , with 80 % owned by Vietnamese Americans , Tam Nguyen said .
At a Friday briefing , in reply to reporters ’ questions about his earlier comments , Newsom that he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , describing the nail salon industry as “ noble ” and as an “ exit point out of poverty.
” “ I have deep reverence for those entrepreneurs and people that put everything on the line .
I talk about that often , ” he said , adding that grooming businesses such as salons are slated to reopen in Phase 3 of California ’ s emergence from lockdown .
He didn ’ t specify a timetable for that phase , but said it “ may not even be a month away .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor also said on Friday that his remarks were “ not a statement to be extrapolated as an indictment , quite the contrary , of an industry I deeply respect.
” “ We ’ re trying to do everything we can to accommodate the needs of every industry , including the nail salon industry , to make sure we do it in a safe and responsible way , ” Newsom said .
He also said “ health and personal privacy obligations ” along with “ legal parameters ” prevented him from identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Christie Nguyen said she ’ s not looking for an apology from Newsom .
Instead , she said , “ we invite the governor to come to Orange County and work with us to create an environment safe for everyone.
” “ What he said is inconsistent with who he is and his record , ” she continued .
“ His administration is filled with immigrants and refugees , and he has proven that he welcomes everyone.
” Nancy Rodriquez Holberg , an aesthetician and instructor who works with Tam Nguyen at Advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ doing everything we can in the past to be safe and in the future to be even safer.
” “ Targeting nail salons is not about discrimination , like some of the posts we ’ ve seen on social media .
Let ’ s not go there — let ’ s just focus on the work , ” she added .
“ We ’ re going to return to a world where having our temperatures taken is common because our job is to deliver what the clients order.
” At Advance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern ventilation and UV light systems , bought multiple autoclaves to sterilize metal instruments and operate a single-use method of disposing many manicure and pedicure supplies right after servicing each client .
“ PPE [ protective personal equipment ] is a new term to many in society , but we ’ ve always known it and have plenty of it available for our techs.
” Tam Nguyen said that Vietnamese Americans in the industry have mobilized supporters to launch the “ Nailing It for America ” project , donating more than 120,000 medical-grade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of other protective personal equipment to healthcare workers and front-line workers .
Their efforts garnered mass publicity at the end of April when they delivered products and meals in tribute to Americans for embracing refugees after the fall of Saigon on April 30 , 1975 , marking the 45th anniversary .
“ Nail salons and their supporters are trying to show their compassion for the nation , ” Tam Nguyen said .
“ We take a stance against discrimination and we celebrate everyone ’ s contributions.
” Windy Olaya , of Orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nail Bar , said people “ should not feed into any hysteria around this whole issue since every public place is a place where there ’ s a chance to spread the disease.
” “ If you walk into an establishment and workers aren ’ t wearing masks , it could cause fear , sure , ” Olaya said .
“ But if you see them following guidelines , why wouldn ’ t you want to support them ?
” She said she hasn ’ t talked to anyone “ who can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nails done.
” “ Those are just pampering things we ’ re used to , and we need it , ” Olaya said .

Christie Nguyen, who co-owns Studio 18 Nail Bar in Tustin, says she’s worried about the industry after Gov. Gavin Newsom said the community spread of the coronavirus in California started in a nail salon.
A series of texts interrupted Tam Nguyen just before he sat down for dinner Thursday. The messages shared urgent news: Did he hear California Gov. Gavin Newsom make a startling new assertion about how the first person in the state contracted the coronavirus?
“This whole thing started in the state of California, the first community spread, in a nail salon,” Newsom said in his daily media briefing on COVID-19 in Sacramento, after being asked why personal services, such as nail salons, should stay closed even as the state starts to slowly open businesses.
“I just want to remind everybody of that and that I’m very worried about that,” the governor added.
Soon, the beauty school owner was connecting with Christie Nguyen, his friend and fellow nail salon operator. She, too, was taken aback by the governor’s words.
Now, both Nguyens are deeply worried for the future of their industry, forcing them to speak up, they said.
On Friday, they joined the Pro Nails Assn. representing nail salon owners, nail techs, distributors, manufacturers, students and schools across the nation, teaming up with officials from the “Nailing It For America,” an all-volunteer initiative, to respond to Newsom’s remarks at a news conference in Orange County.
“If we don’t take action now to protect our investment and livelihoods, people could misunderstand,” said Christie Nguyen, who opened Studio 18 Nail Bar in Tustin with her parents in 2017.
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“It’s just baffling to know why he would come out and say that,” she added. “It could be misleading to the public when we are allowed to open again since everyone’s afraid of COVID.”
In his Thursday remarks, the governor did not identify the nail salon in question or offer evidence to support his assertion.
Tam Nguyen, owner of Advance Beauty College in Garden Grove and Laguna Hills, said the “surprise remarks created a reaction that was more negative than needed.”
“People are asking: ‘Where’s the evidence?’ We realize he’s concerned, but salons are a place where people wear masks and gloves generally.”
Science has shown there are many ways that the virus can be contracted, he said, adding that “from a cultural lens, speaking out of context leads to an atmosphere where we can’t trust each other.”
California is home to 11,000 nail salons, with 80% owned by Vietnamese Americans, Tam Nguyen said.
At a Friday briefing, in reply to reporters’ questions about his earlier comments, Newsom said he meant no harm with his previous remarks, describing the nail salon industry as “noble” and as an “exit point out of poverty.”
“I have deep reverence for those entrepreneurs and people that put everything on the line. I talk about that often,” he said, adding that grooming businesses such as salons are slated to reopen in Phase 3 of California’s emergence from lockdown. He didn’t specify a timetable for that phase, but said it “may not even be a month away. We need to have protocols in place “
The governor also said on Friday that his remarks were “not a statement to be extrapolated as an indictment, quite the contrary, of an industry I deeply respect.”
“We’re trying to do everything we can to accommodate the needs of every industry, including the nail salon industry, to make sure we do it in a safe and responsible way,” Newsom said.
Advertisement
He also said “health and personal privacy obligations” along with “legal parameters” prevented him from identifying the business behind the first case.
Christie Nguyen said she’s not looking for an apology from Newsom. Instead, she said, “we invite the governor to come to Orange County and work with us to create an environment safe for everyone.”
“What he said is inconsistent with who he is and his record,” she continued. “His administration is filled with immigrants and refugees, and he has proven that he welcomes everyone.”
Nancy Rodriquez Holberg, an aesthetician and instructor who works with Tam Nguyen at Advance Beauty College, said the school is “doing everything we can in the past to be safe and in the future to be even safer.”
“Targeting nail salons is not about discrimination, like some of the posts we’ve seen on social media. Let’s not go there — let’s just focus on the work,” she added. “We’re going to return to a world where having our temperatures taken is common because our job is to deliver what the clients order.”
At Advance, Tam Nguyen said, workers have installed modern ventilation and UV light systems, bought multiple autoclaves to sterilize metal instruments and operate a single-use method of disposing many manicure and pedicure supplies right after servicing each client. “PPE [protective personal equipment] is a new term to many in society, but we’ve always known it and have plenty of it available for our techs.”
Tam Nguyen said that Vietnamese Americans in the industry have mobilized supporters to launch the “Nailing It for America” project, donating more than 120,000 medical-grade masks, 300,000 gloves and tens of thousands of other protective personal equipment to healthcare workers and front-line workers.
Their efforts garnered mass publicity at the end of April when they delivered products and meals in tribute to Americans for embracing refugees after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, marking the 45th anniversary.
“Nail salons and their supporters are trying to show their compassion for the nation,” Tam Nguyen said. “We take a stance against discrimination and we celebrate everyone’s contributions.”
Windy Olaya, of Orange, a regular customer at Studio 18 Nail Bar, said people “should not feed into any hysteria around this whole issue since every public place is a place where there’s a chance to spread the disease.”
“If you walk into an establishment and workers aren’t wearing masks, it could cause fear, sure,” Olaya said. “But if you see them following guidelines, why wouldn’t you want to support them?”
She said she hasn’t talked to anyone “who can’t wait to get their hair or nails done.”
“Those are just pampering things we’re used to, and we need it,” Olaya said.


latimes--2020-05-09--For the class of 2020, all those once-in-a-lifetime moments are gone

Alec Garcia and 20 other freshmen stepped onto the baseball field at Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda for the first time in June 2016 .
The grass was crunchy and yellow ; the dirt , dangerous and unforgiving , chopped into uneven shards from the stampede of weekend soccer games .
But the freshman class was talented — and the players were already anticipating a strong senior season , mentally circling March 2020 .
“ Since our freshman year , we were like , ‘ Man , when we ’ re seniors we ’ re going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Over the next four years , they played year-round and became family .
Thanks to head coach Sid Lopez and a motivated group of parents , the quality of the field — new sod , new bleachers , new clubhouse — began to mirror that of the team .
In two of the last three seasons , Cleveland advanced to the city semifinals .
With 14 seniors this year , the Cavaliers had a realistic shot at the L.A. City Section title game , which was to be played at Dodger Stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had developed into one of the team ’ s most reliable performers .
He was a good student , with a 3.4 grade-point average in Cleveland ’ s demanding CORE magnet program , but he wasn ’ t a slam-dunk prospect for a college scholarship .
A strong spring could cement his future .
“ I don ’ t want to say that I was riding on baseball for college , ” Alec said from his Encino home , “ but I put a lot of effort into [ it ] , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” After L.A. Unified schools shut down , Alec improvised to stay in shape .
“ I was trying to be optimistic and have hope that we would get back into things — even if we came back in mid- to late May , ” he said , “ because my whole life has been school and baseball , you know ?
And not having either of them….
” His voice trails off .
“ These 14 young men have worked so hard for four years to be where they are , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete , ” Lopez said .
“ It was something that was taken away from them.
” The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the foundations of daily life .
For the high school and college classes of 2020 — and their families — the catastrophe has left a large , empty space where signature coming-of-age moments should be .
Graduation speeches and senior projects ; interviews and internships ; grad nights and proms and spring sports banquets — all gone , replaced by the monotonous limbo of self-isolation and a spooky uncertainty : What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seniors everywhere have lost their bearings .
For years , focusing on academics gave San Pedro High School senior Skye Carbajal a sense of control and comfort .
Her life outside school had been turbulent .
She was put in the foster system and placed with her grandmother , Liz McConnachie , in ninth grade — and the classroom became her sanctuary .
Skye ’ s senior-year schedule started at 7 a.m. and included Advanced Placement classes , college courses , violin lessons and volunteer work through her local Boys and Girls Club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her class and in the fall will attend Pomona College on a full ride .
In her graduation speech , she planned to thank her grandmother , who was “ going to record it and listen to it every morning.
” Weston Kerekes , a member of Santa Monica High School ’ s symphony orchestra , had been practicing the bass in preparation for a spring appearance at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Berliner Philharmonie in Berlin .
The orchestra had been planning to perform Beethoven ’ s complete Fifth Symphony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home , teaching himself how to whittle and paint .
Though Weston , a leading contender for valedictorian , expressed a vague disappointment about not experiencing “ that kind of final kumbaya when we ’ re all getting together and being happy and whatever , ” he was calmly pragmatic about the sudden change in plans .
In fact , he ’ s quickly pivoted toward what ’ s ahead : his freshman year at Yale .
“ My head ’ s already there a little bit , so that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having all that finality.
” Weston ’ s mother , Erika , had a different perspective and stands as a reminder that the sudden cancellation of senior-year rituals may hit parents harder than their children .
She lamented the lost rites , particularly because her older son — a junior music major at Yale and former Santa Monica salutatorian — got to have all of those experiences .
“ It feels like there ’ s just going to be a big hole in that photo album for Weston , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ City High School senior Diana Martinez , who turned a lifelong Lego fixation into an interest in engineering .
Diana was scheduled to attend a robotics competition in Michigan at the end of April .
It was canceled , as was the upcoming event she was most excited about — her graduation ceremony Diana ’ s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Oaxaca , Mexico , and she ’ s the first in the family to finish high school .
“ We all worked very hard to get her where she is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpreter .
“ And now this happens.
” Diana and her family aren ’ t just disappointed , they ’ re worried .
Diana was accepted into the mechanical engineering program at San Jose State .
But when the shutdown started , her father , Arturo Martinez , a chef , lost his job , and Gomez ’ s hours as a housekeeper were severely cut .
“ We ’ re stumped , ” Gomez said .
“ What are we supposed to do now ?
We don ’ t really have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ college in their sights , the final events before graduation are supposed to be a reward for a 13-year grind .
They ’ re a reward for college seniors as well , but many of those students have been participating in another kind of ritual : the launch of their careers .
Now , projects and plans have been thrown out the window , leaving soon-to-be graduates scrambling in place .
Dylan Schifrin , a music major at Yale , started writing and composing an original musical as a sophomore .
He completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his senior thesis in the fall and recruited close to 50 fellow students to volunteer as cast , crew and orchestra members in a production that was set to open on campus April 2 — his 22nd birthday .
“ It was going to be my capstone experience , ” Schifrin said .
It also would have offered him an entree into the world of professional musical theater .
Schifrin planned to invite industry contacts he knew , including “ Book of Mormon ” writer Robert Lopez , and recordings of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with theaters in New York City , where he hoped to start a career .
The loss of both the production and graduation hit his parents particularly hard .
Schifrin , an only child , has studied music since he was 4 .
His parents refinanced the mortgage on their Sherman Oaks home to help pay for his Ivy League education .
They ’ d booked their flights and hotel rooms for both events months ago .
“ It was heartbreaking for us , ” said Schifrin ’ s mother , Lissa Kapstrom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22-year journey that we ’ ve been there for the whole time .
This was supposed to be a culmination.
” For Leticia Mejia , an immigrant from Honduras , her son ’ s graduation would have looked different but been no less important .
Victor Rojas , who was born with brittle bone disease and has been in a wheelchair most of his life , started at Cal State Northridge in 2014 .
He almost came undone during his freshman year when his father , who had cancer , died of complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost , attending classes but mentally checked out .
“ I started partying ; I started doing drugs , drinking , ” he said .
He was placed on academic probation and lost his financial aid — but a family friend helped him get back on track .
Rojas will complete his studies this month .
Mejia , who stopped her schooling after the sixth grade , had been planning to have a dress made in Honduras for the occasion .
The family was going to celebrate at a restaurant , maybe Olive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been postponed until at least late 2020 .
Mejia canceled the dress order .
She still hopes to see Rojas graduate , though , and to enjoy a celebratory dinner — even if it ’ s only at home .
Christine Tran , a UCLA senior , was looking forward to graduation and certain traditions associated with it — perhaps most significant , dipping her hand in the inverted fountain , a campus landmark .
UCLA students are initiated at the fountain their freshman year and told not to touch it again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra quarter to their undergraduate careers .
But she also wanted to show her parents what she has accomplished and to let them know their sacrifices have mattered .
“ Seeing thousands of other students , ” Tran said , “ would signal something to them that this is a really big thing my daughter did , to graduate from here.
” Her parents , who emigrated from Vietnam after the war , had been working as a carpenter and a seamstress in El Monte .
Both of them lost their jobs after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now Tran , who works as a law clerk at UCLA , is the only income earner in her family of five .
She had to double her weekly hours , from 10 to 20 , and cut short work on her honors thesis about cultural perceptions around domestic violence .
Recently , Tran was offered a Fulbright fellowship to teach in Vietnam — a dream job — but now she ’ s waiting to hear from a U.S.-based fellowship that would keep her closer to home .
“ Even if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been dreaming of , maybe I can ’ t take them because I need to support my family first and it would feel selfish to just leave , ” she said .
The ending of the script we associate with hard work , personal sacrifices and fastidious planning has been rewritten .
Samir Al-Alami , a senior at UC Riverside , had already said his goodbyes to campus life .
On March 6 , the political science major got together with friends outside his apartment complex to play soccer and eat shish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of winter quarter and bidding Al-Alami farewell before he headed to Washington , D.C. , for the University of California ’ s UCDC program .
He ’ d carefully mapped out his undergraduate plans so he could spend his last quarter in Washington .
He had an internship lined up with Rep. Mark Takano ( D-Riverside ) and hoped to build connections that he could parlay into a job in public policy after graduating .
And Al-Alami , the son of Palestinian immigrants , was looking forward to fasting for Ramadan with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of California canceled Al-Alami ’ s program — 13 days before it was scheduled to start .
He lost his internship .
His last hope , a fellowship that would assign him to a local government job in Riverside , has put the review of applications on hold .
“ I really truly don ’ t know what I ’ m going to do , ” he said .
“ Every single one of the plans I made and all of the backups have failed.
” Alec Garcia continues to be reminded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the way he had imagined .
At the moment , he is thinking about enrolling at Glendale Community College and playing baseball there to get the attention of a Division 1 university .
A few weeks ago , he received word that the school yearbook wanted a baseball team “ photo.
” But instead of a group shot on the field , this year , each player had to be photographed alone , at home , in uniform .
“ That was just another time where it hit me that it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be another chance for us to take pictures of the team , ” he said .
“ It ’ s really weird.
” As Alec posed against a wall in his living room , he considered his shoulder-length hair , which he believed was inexorably linked to his team ’ s success .
“ His hair was everything , ” said his mother , Geraldina Garcia .
“ He ’ d say , ‘ I ’ m winning , and I can not cut it.
’ ” But her son was no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the abrupt end of high school and his baseball family .
“ His whole world has been turned upside down , ” said his father , Salvador Garcia .
“ I think it was less about not playing baseball and more about belonging to a team .
Whatever might have happened , he still treasured being part of a team.
” After a burst of anger during a family dinner , Salvador Garcia spoke to his son , hoping to make some sense of a world that has been upended .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nothing would be the same going forward — even if Alec were allowed to finish his senior year .
“ I don ’ t know if it gave him solace or some kind of warmth knowing that the change was going to happen anyway , but right after we finished talking , he cut his hair .
He said , ‘ I ’ m pumped.
’ For that moment , he was happy.
” “ That was the biggest heart-to-heart I had with my dad , ” Alec said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and honestly , I had it for other people .
It was annoying to wash it , and it took forever to dry , but people remembered me for the hair .
So I kept it .
Now I was going to do what was best for me .
So that night I was like , ‘ I ’ m going to buzz my hair.
’ ” During the Cleveland baseball team ’ s Zoom meeting the next day , much of the discussion revolved around Garcia ’ s shorn locks .
Soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit , shaving their heads in solidarity .
“ For that moment , ” Salvador Garcia said , “ they were a team again .
”

Erik Himmelsbach-Weinstein, Nina Agrawal

Alec Garcia and 20 other freshmen stepped onto the baseball field at Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda for the first time in June 2016. The grass was crunchy and yellow; the dirt, dangerous and unforgiving, chopped into uneven shards from the stampede of weekend soccer games.
But the freshman class was talented — and the players were already anticipating a strong senior season, mentally circling March 2020.
For the record: An earlier version of this article said Erika Kerekes’ older son was valedictorian at his high school. He was salutatorian.
“Since our freshman year, we were like, ‘Man, when we’re seniors we’re going to be really good,’” Alec said.
Over the next four years, they played year-round and became family. Thanks to head coach Sid Lopez and a motivated group of parents, the quality of the field — new sod, new bleachers, new clubhouse — began to mirror that of the team. In two of the last three seasons, Cleveland advanced to the city semifinals. With 14 seniors this year, the Cavaliers had a realistic shot at the L.A. City Section title game, which was to be played at Dodger Stadium.
Alec, a three-year varsity player, had developed into one of the team’s most reliable performers. He was a good student, with a 3.4 grade-point average in Cleveland’s demanding CORE magnet program, but he wasn’t a slam-dunk prospect for a college scholarship. A strong spring could cement his future.
“I don’t want to say that I was riding on baseball for college,” Alec said from his Encino home, “but I put a lot of effort into [it], hoping that I could get a scholarship.”
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After L.A. Unified schools shut down, Alec improvised to stay in shape. “I was trying to be optimistic and have hope that we would get back into things — even if we came back in mid- to late May,” he said, “because my whole life has been school and baseball, you know? And not having either of them….” His voice trails off.
“These 14 young men have worked so hard for four years to be where they are, and they were in a great position to compete,” Lopez said.
“It was something that was taken away from them.”
Canceled milestones leave ‘a big hole’
The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the foundations of daily life. For the high school and college classes of 2020 — and their families — the catastrophe has left a large, empty space where signature coming-of-age moments should be.
Graduation speeches and senior projects; interviews and internships; grad nights and proms and spring sports banquets — all gone, replaced by the monotonous limbo of self-isolation and a spooky uncertainty: What now? What next? When?
Seniors everywhere have lost their bearings.
For years, focusing on academics gave San Pedro High School senior Skye Carbajal a sense of control and comfort. Her life outside school had been turbulent. She was put in the foster system and placed with her grandmother, Liz McConnachie, in ninth grade — and the classroom became her sanctuary.
Skye’s senior-year schedule started at 7 a.m. and included Advanced Placement classes, college courses, violin lessons and volunteer work through her local Boys and Girls Club. She earned the second-highest GPA in her class and in the fall will attend Pomona College on a full ride. In her graduation speech, she planned to thank her grandmother, who was “going to record it and listen to it every morning.”
Weston Kerekes, a senior at Santa Monica High School, practices on his bass at home. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, his symphony orchestra will miss out on its planned European tour. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
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Weston Kerekes, a member of Santa Monica High School’s symphony orchestra, had been practicing the bass in preparation for a spring appearance at the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Berliner Philharmonie in Berlin. The orchestra had been planning to perform Beethoven’s complete Fifth Symphony. Instead, Weston found himself sitting at home, teaching himself how to whittle and paint.
Though Weston, a leading contender for valedictorian, expressed a vague disappointment about not experiencing “that kind of final kumbaya when we’re all getting together and being happy and whatever,” he was calmly pragmatic about the sudden change in plans. In fact, he’s quickly pivoted toward what’s ahead: his freshman year at Yale.
“My head’s already there a little bit, so that’s how I’m dealing with not having all that finality.”
Weston’s mother, Erika, had a different perspective and stands as a reminder that the sudden cancellation of senior-year rituals may hit parents harder than their children.
She lamented the lost rites, particularly because her older son — a junior music major at Yale and former Santa Monica salutatorian — got to have all of those experiences. “It feels like there’s just going to be a big hole in that photo album for Weston,” she said.
Guadalupe Gomez is the mother of Culver City High School senior Diana Martinez, who turned a lifelong Lego fixation into an interest in engineering. Diana was scheduled to attend a robotics competition in Michigan at the end of April. It was canceled, as was the upcoming event she was most excited about — her graduation ceremony
Diana’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from Oaxaca, Mexico, and she’s the first in the family to finish high school. “We all worked very hard to get her where she is,” said Gomez, speaking through an interpreter. “And now this happens.”
Diana and her family aren’t just disappointed, they’re worried. Diana was accepted into the mechanical engineering program at San Jose State. But when the shutdown started, her father, Arturo Martinez, a chef, lost his job, and Gomez’s hours as a housekeeper were severely cut.
“We’re stumped,” Gomez said. “What are we supposed to do now? We don’t really have the funds.”
Graduating into a world in turmoil
Dylan Schifrin, center, with parents Lissa Kapstrom and Will Schifrin, was set to stage a senior capstone musical he had written and composed at Yale. That production — and his graduation — has been canceled. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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For high school seniors with college in their sights, the final events before graduation are supposed to be a reward for a 13-year grind. They’re a reward for college seniors as well, but many of those students have been participating in another kind of ritual: the launch of their careers. Now, projects and plans have been thrown out the window, leaving soon-to-be graduates scrambling in place.
Dylan Schifrin, a music major at Yale, started writing and composing an original musical as a sophomore. He completed “Y2K: A Survivalist Musical” for his senior thesis in the fall and recruited close to 50 fellow students to volunteer as cast, crew and orchestra members in a production that was set to open on campus April 2 — his 22nd birthday.
“It was going to be my capstone experience,” Schifrin said.
It also would have offered him an entree into the world of professional musical theater. Schifrin planned to invite industry contacts he knew, including “Book of Mormon” writer Robert Lopez, and recordings of the production would have provided samples to share with theaters in New York City, where he hoped to start a career.
The loss of both the production and graduation hit his parents particularly hard. Schifrin, an only child, has studied music since he was 4. His parents refinanced the mortgage on their Sherman Oaks home to help pay for his Ivy League education. They’d booked their flights and hotel rooms for both events months ago.
“It was heartbreaking for us,” said Schifrin’s mother, Lissa Kapstrom. “It’s been a 22-year journey that we’ve been there for the whole time. This was supposed to be a culmination.”
For Leticia Mejia, an immigrant from Honduras, her son’s graduation would have looked different but been no less important.
Victor Rojas, who was born with brittle bone disease and has been in a wheelchair most of his life, started at Cal State Northridge in 2014. He almost came undone during his freshman year when his father, who had cancer, died of complications from a routine biopsy. Rojas was lost, attending classes but mentally checked out. “I started partying; I started doing drugs, drinking,” he said.
He was placed on academic probation and lost his financial aid — but a family friend helped him get back on track. Rojas will complete his studies this month.
Mejia, who stopped her schooling after the sixth grade, had been planning to have a dress made in Honduras for the occasion. The family was going to celebrate at a restaurant, maybe Olive Garden, afterward.
Now the graduation has been postponed until at least late 2020. Mejia canceled the dress order. She still hopes to see Rojas graduate, though, and to enjoy a celebratory dinner — even if it’s only at home.
“He deserves it,” she said.
Christine Tran, a first-generation college student at UCLA, was looking forward to a big graduation ceremony that would signal to her Vietnamese parents what she had achieved and let them know their sacrifices have mattered. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Christine Tran, a UCLA senior, was looking forward to graduation and certain traditions associated with it — perhaps most significant, dipping her hand in the inverted fountain, a campus landmark. UCLA students are initiated at the fountain their freshman year and told not to touch it again before graduation, lest it add an extra quarter to their undergraduate careers.
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But she also wanted to show her parents what she has accomplished and to let them know their sacrifices have mattered.
“Seeing thousands of other students,” Tran said, “ would signal something to them that this is a really big thing my daughter did, to graduate from here.”
Her parents, who emigrated from Vietnam after the war, had been working as a carpenter and a seamstress in El Monte. Both of them lost their jobs after the pandemic started and the economy tanked. Now Tran, who works as a law clerk at UCLA, is the only income earner in her family of five. She had to double her weekly hours, from 10 to 20, and cut short work on her honors thesis about cultural perceptions around domestic violence.
Recently, Tran was offered a Fulbright fellowship to teach in Vietnam — a dream job — but now she’s waiting to hear from a U.S.-based fellowship that would keep her closer to home.
“Even if I do get these post-grad opportunities I’ve been dreaming of, maybe I can’t take them because I need to support my family first and it would feel selfish to just leave,” she said.
The ending of the script we associate with hard work, personal sacrifices and fastidious planning has been rewritten.
Samir Al-Alami, a senior at UC Riverside, had already said his goodbyes to campus life. On March 6, the political science major got together with friends outside his apartment complex to play soccer and eat shish kebab. They were celebrating the end of winter quarter and bidding Al-Alami farewell before he headed to Washington, D.C., for the University of California’s UCDC program.
He’d carefully mapped out his undergraduate plans so he could spend his last quarter in Washington. He had an internship lined up with Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) and hoped to build connections that he could parlay into a job in public policy after graduating. And Al-Alami, the son of Palestinian immigrants, was looking forward to fasting for Ramadan with a new community of Muslims.
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But the University of California canceled Al-Alami’s program — 13 days before it was scheduled to start. He lost his internship. His last hope, a fellowship that would assign him to a local government job in Riverside, has put the review of applications on hold.
“I really truly don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said. “Every single one of the plans I made and all of the backups have failed.”
Fleeting moments of happiness
Alec Garcia had hoped his last season at Cleveland Charter High School would help him earn a baseball scholarship. He now plans to play junior college ball to catch the eye of a Division 1 school. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Alec Garcia continues to be reminded that his senior year didn’t end the way he had imagined. At the moment, he is thinking about enrolling at Glendale Community College and playing baseball there to get the attention of a Division 1 university.
A few weeks ago, he received word that the school yearbook wanted a baseball team “photo.” But instead of a group shot on the field, this year, each player had to be photographed alone, at home, in uniform. “That was just another time where it hit me that it’s over, and there might not be another chance for us to take pictures of the team,” he said. “It’s really weird.”
As Alec posed against a wall in his living room, he considered his shoulder-length hair, which he believed was inexorably linked to his team’s success.
“His hair was everything,” said his mother, Geraldina Garcia. “He’d say, ‘I’m winning, and I cannot cut it.’”
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But her son was no longer winning his games. He was disoriented about the abrupt end of high school and his baseball family. “His whole world has been turned upside down,” said his father, Salvador Garcia. “I think it was less about not playing baseball and more about belonging to a team. Whatever might have happened, he still treasured being part of a team.”
After a burst of anger during a family dinner, Salvador Garcia spoke to his son, hoping to make some sense of a world that has been upended.
Because of the outbreak, Salvador Garcia explained, nothing would be the same going forward — even if Alec were allowed to finish his senior year. “I don’t know if it gave him solace or some kind of warmth knowing that the change was going to happen anyway, but right after we finished talking, he cut his hair. He said, ‘I’m pumped.’ For that moment, he was happy.”
“That was the biggest heart-to-heart I had with my dad,” Alec said. “I was just thinking about my hair, and honestly, I had it for other people. It was annoying to wash it, and it took forever to dry, but people remembered me for the hair. So I kept it. Now I was going to do what was best for me. So that night I was like, ‘I’m going to buzz my hair.’”
During the Cleveland baseball team’s Zoom meeting the next day, much of the discussion revolved around Garcia’s shorn locks. Soon after, many of his teammates followed suit, shaving their heads in solidarity. “For that moment,” Salvador Garcia said, “they were a team again.”


latimes--2020-05-09--California slowly reopens as stores offer curbside pickup. Will it be enough to keep businesses aflo

California slowly reopens as stores offer curbside pickup. Will it be enough to keep businesses afloat?

As California took its first modest step toward reopening its devastated economy on Friday , Venice clothing store owner Holly Boies was not exactly optimistic .
Some businesses , like her Abbot Kinney Boulevard shop , Salt , were allowed to reopen — but only for curbside pickup .
That presented a problem for Boies .
Her small store sells mostly clothing .
How , she wondered , were people supposed to buy clothes without coming inside and trying them on ?
“ It ’ s weird , ” she said .
“ I don ’ t know how we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When she reopened Friday , sort of , business was practically nonexistent without the foot traffic she relies on .
The first day of California ’ s tepid reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic was met with a mix of excitement from people desperate for some sense of normalcy and confusion from shop owners and customers trying to navigate a patchwork of orders from state , county and local officials , as well as the logistical challenges of not allowing customers inside stores .
On Friday , stores selling books , music , toys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among those allowed to reopen for curbside pickup only , unless barred by tougher local restrictions .
Manufacturers and suppliers that provide goods for those businesses also were allowed to resume operations .
Businesses have been hunkered down since mid-March , when Gov .
Gavin Newsom implemented a statewide stay-at-home order that closed all but essential businesses .
Huge sectors of the economy and public life remain shut down , including personal grooming businesses , gyms , churches , malls and entertainment and sporting venues .
Some small-businesses owners have been critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting that big-box stores such as Target , Walmart and Costco have been allowed to serve customers inside their stores while mom-and-pops have been closed and now can ’ t let customers in .
Across Southern California on Friday , many small businesses , rather than attempt the awkwardness of sidewalk shopping , remained closed .
Others hoped their window displays would draw customers and posted employees ’ phone numbers and email addresses for pickup .
Leaders in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area have said they plan to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus remains a significant public health threat .
remains the primary COVID-19 hot spot in California , with nearly 1,500 deaths and more than 30,000 confirmed cases .
Officials in , which has been more conservative than other areas , said Thursday that , florists and music stores will be the first shops allowed to operate with curbside pickup — but that will not begin until May 18 .
Three rural Northern California counties — Modoc , Sutter and Yuba — defied Newsom ’ s orders and allowed businesses to open earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday warned that those counties could lose disaster funding if they do not comply with state orders .
In Venice , Boies already had been quietly offering curbside pickup , as had other stores in the area .
She had loyal customers who knew the brands she carried and continued buying from her .
“ We ’ re all doing it already , ” she said .
“ How are we supposed to survive if we only have a website ?
” She opened her shop 17 years ago , before Abbot Kinney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the coolest block in America.
” She was there before the chain companies started arriving , replacing mom-and-pop stores and driving up rent prices .
Now , Boies is behind on rent and waiting for a small-business loan that , she hopes , will cover it and other bills .
Her business does not qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program with only one part-time employee , she said .
To survive the closure , she launched a website and Instagram page , but finding the same audience online that she has on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrived at her store around noon Friday .
A trio of bikers riding by paused to look at her display window , where she had colorful children ’ s toys and home decor .
But they only wanted to know how the process of curbside pickup worked .
They weren ’ t interested in buying anything .
Still , there were some people on Abbot Kinney on Friday .
Jennifer Angeles , 36 , of Santa Monica learned that clothier Aviator Nation was opening up for curbside pickup from its Instagram page , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reese out for a walk and buy a hat .
“ I just want to support a brand I really love , ” Angeles said .
Courtney Gillenwater was walking along the boulevard when she saw that a plant store had set out tables full of plants on the sidewalk .
“ Oh my God , it made my day , ” said Gillenwater , a doctor who had volunteered in New York to help treat COVID-19 patients .
“ The plants made me feel better.
” She didn ’ t buy any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see other people out .
In Seal Beach , customers at Devynn ’ s Garden , a small flower shop , were grateful to be able to pick up bouquets just in time for Mother ’ s Day .
Sunflowers , daisies and succulents were lined up out front .
The scent of gardenia hung in the air .
About 10 customers wearing masks stood outside , trying to keep their distance .
Behind a table near the front entrance , a woman took payment from Scott Hayter , a 34-year-old special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2-year-old daughter , Caroline .
The flower shop is Hayter ’ s wife ’ s favorite place .
He supported businesses reopening again , saying people need to work to take care of their families .
“ It ’ s a way for people to pay rent and mortgages , ” he said “ Last I checked , that wasn ’ t free.
” In Whittier , Katrina Woerner , 37 , arrived early Friday to prepare Mother ’ s Day gift baskets at her family ’ s bath and body care shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to be open for two and a half hours .
Pour Le Bain had survived primarily on internet and social media orders .
Woerner said the shop already had a few pickup orders in the queue and expected more as customers became aware of the policy .
“ This helps , ” Woerner said , “ at least until we can open up.
” Many other businesses along what is a normally bustling Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier remained closed .
Ruben Cortez , manager of Lovell ’ s Records and Tapes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls , both congratulatory and confused .
“ Man , I had probably around 20 to 30 calls from people asking me if the store was open or telling me they were happy and they couldn ’ t wait until tomorrow when they ‘ could finally walk inside , ’ ” said Cortez , 36 .
“ I had to tell people that the store wasn ’ t opening for people to come in , but just allowing for pickups.
” Still , Cortez had five orders confirmed an hour before his shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was delighted .
In Santa Monica , the Third Street Promenade was quiet .
Sofia Dillenberger , a UCLA student , waited in front of the Apple store , confused about whether it was included in the soft reopening .
“ I don ’ t really understand what ’ s going to open today , ” the 29-year-old said .
“ I just hoped it would open.
” She said she thought the Apple store would allow a limited number of people inside but saw only a security guard inside , a locked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s retail stores “ are closed until further notice.
” Dillenberger has had problems with her laptop and hoped to have someone fix it so she could finish her online classes .
She did not want to send it in for repair because it would take too long .
“ I need to get it fixed right away , ” she said .

Melissa Gomez, Andrew J. Campa, Hailey Branson-Potts, Ruben Vives

Salt women’s clothing store owner Holly Boies, 53, right, talks with longtime shopper Enid Koffler at the front door of her store on Abbot Kinney Boulevard on Thursday.
As California took its first modest step toward reopening its devastated economy on Friday, Venice clothing store owner Holly Boies was not exactly optimistic.
Some businesses, like her Abbot Kinney Boulevard shop, Salt, were allowed to reopen — but only for curbside pickup.
That presented a problem for Boies. Her small store sells mostly clothing. How, she wondered, were people supposed to buy clothes without coming inside and trying them on?
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“It’s weird,” she said. “I don’t know how we’re going to do it.”
When she reopened Friday, sort of, business was practically nonexistent without the foot traffic she relies on.
The first day of California’s tepid reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic was met with a mix of excitement from people desperate for some sense of normalcy and confusion from shop owners and customers trying to navigate a patchwork of orders from state, county and local officials, as well as the logistical challenges of not allowing customers inside stores.
On Friday, stores selling books, music, toys, flowers, sporting goods and clothing were among those allowed to reopen for curbside pickup only, unless barred by tougher local restrictions. Manufacturers and suppliers that provide goods for those businesses also were allowed to resume operations.
Businesses have been hunkered down since mid-March, when Gov. Gavin Newsom implemented a statewide stay-at-home order that closed all but essential businesses. Huge sectors of the economy and public life remain shut down, including personal grooming businesses, gyms, churches, malls and entertainment and sporting venues.
Some small-businesses owners have been critical of Newsom’s phased reopening plan, noting that big-box stores such as Target, Walmart and Costco have been allowed to serve customers inside their stores while mom-and-pops have been closed and now can’t let customers in.
Across Southern California on Friday, many small businesses, rather than attempt the awkwardness of sidewalk shopping, remained closed. Others hoped their window displays would draw customers and posted employees’ phone numbers and email addresses for pickup.
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Leaders in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area have said they plan to take a cautious approach to reopening because the coronavirus remains a significant public health threat. Los Angeles County remains the primary COVID-19 hot spot in California, with nearly 1,500 deaths and more than 30,000 confirmed cases.
Officials in San Francisco , which has been more conservative than other areas, said Thursday that retailers such as bookstores , florists and music stores will be the first shops allowed to operate with curbside pickup — but that will not begin until May 18.
Three rural Northern California counties — Modoc, Sutter and Yuba — defied Newsom’s orders and allowed businesses to open earlier this month. Newsom’s administration on Friday warned that those counties could lose disaster funding if they do not comply with state orders.
In Venice, Boies already had been quietly offering curbside pickup, as had other stores in the area. She had loyal customers who knew the brands she carried and continued buying from her.
“We’re all doing it already,” she said. “How are we supposed to survive if we only have a website?”
She opened her shop 17 years ago, before Abbot Kinney blew up and GQ magazine called it “the coolest block in America.” She was there before the chain companies started arriving, replacing mom-and-pop stores and driving up rent prices.
Now, Boies is behind on rent and waiting for a small-business loan that, she hopes, will cover it and other bills. Her business does not qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program with only one part-time employee, she said. To survive the closure, she launched a website and Instagram page, but finding the same audience online that she has on Abbot Kinney has proved difficult.
She arrived at her store around noon Friday. A trio of bikers riding by paused to look at her display window, where she had colorful children’s toys and home decor. But they only wanted to know how the process of curbside pickup worked. They weren’t interested in buying anything.
Still, there were some people on Abbot Kinney on Friday.
Jennifer Angeles, 36, of Santa Monica learned that clothier Aviator Nation was opening up for curbside pickup from its Instagram page, so she decided to take her dog Reese out for a walk and buy a hat.
“I just want to support a brand I really love,” Angeles said.
Courtney Gillenwater was walking along the boulevard when she saw that a plant store had set out tables full of plants on the sidewalk.
“Oh my God, it made my day,” said Gillenwater, a doctor who had volunteered in New York to help treat COVID-19 patients. “The plants made me feel better.”
She didn’t buy any. But she said it was nice to see other people out.
In Seal Beach, customers at Devynn’s Garden, a small flower shop, were grateful to be able to pick up bouquets just in time for Mother’s Day. Sunflowers, daisies and succulents were lined up out front. The scent of gardenia hung in the air. About 10 customers wearing masks stood outside, trying to keep their distance.
Behind a table near the front entrance, a woman took payment from Scott Hayter, a 34-year-old special education teacher who had come with his 2-year-old daughter, Caroline.
“They’re for Mommy,” Hayter told her.
The flower shop is Hayter’s wife’s favorite place. He supported businesses reopening again, saying people need to work to take care of their families.
“It’s a way for people to pay rent and mortgages,” he said “Last I checked, that wasn’t free.”
In Whittier, Katrina Woerner, 37, arrived early Friday to prepare Mother’s Day gift baskets at her family’s bath and body care shop, Pour Le Bain, which was going to be open for two and a half hours.
Pour Le Bain had survived primarily on internet and social media orders. Woerner said the shop already had a few pickup orders in the queue and expected more as customers became aware of the policy.
“This helps,” Woerner said, “at least until we can open up.”
Many other businesses along what is a normally bustling Greenleaf Avenue in Uptown Whittier remained closed.
Ruben Cortez, manager of Lovell’s Records and Tapes in Whittier, was flooded with phone calls, both congratulatory and confused.
“Man, I had probably around 20 to 30 calls from people asking me if the store was open or telling me they were happy and they couldn’t wait until tomorrow when they ‘could finally walk inside,’” said Cortez, 36. “I had to tell people that the store wasn’t opening for people to come in, but just allowing for pickups.”
Still, Cortez had five orders confirmed an hour before his shop was set to open Friday. He was delighted.
In Santa Monica, the Third Street Promenade was quiet.
Sofia Dillenberger, a UCLA student, waited in front of the Apple store, confused about whether it was included in the soft reopening.
“I don’t really understand what’s going to open today,” the 29-year-old said. “I just hoped it would open.”
She said she thought the Apple store would allow a limited number of people inside but saw only a security guard inside, a locked door and signs that read the company’s retail stores “are closed until further notice.”
Dillenberger has had problems with her laptop and hoped to have someone fix it so she could finish her online classes. She did not want to send it in for repair because it would take too long.
“I need to get it fixed right away,” she said.


latimes--2020-05-09--A politically connected firm gets an $800-million mask contract with California. Then it falls apart

A nearly $ 800-million deal California struck with a politically connected vendor of medical masks has collapsed after state officials said the company failed to deliver most of the supply , renewing questions over how the state is vetting vendors during the coronavirus crisis .
The scale of the contract with Bear Mountain Development Co. LLC came to light Friday when state officials , pressed by The Times , confirmed details of the deal , which is one of the largest made by California in its scramble for protective equipment .
Former Alabama Atty .
Gen .
Troy King is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record as president of the Montgomery , Ala. , company .
The state has been notifying federal authorities whenever contractors fail to deliver promised supplies .
Among those vendors is Bear Mountain Development , according to two sources familiar with the issue .
The state has not publicly accused the firm of wrongdoing .
Under one of its three contracts with California , Bear Mountain was supposed to deliver 400 million three-ply surgical masks and 200 million face shields , according to purchase order records the state provided to The Times .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact as Paul Bauer , a Sacramento lobbyist who works for the government relations firm Mercury Public Affairs .
“ I was approached by the former attorney general of Alabama and agreed to be his local contact in Sacramento , ” Bauer said in a text message .
“ Bear Mountain is not a client of Mercury.
” Bauer declined to provide details about his financial arrangement with Bear Mountain or why his Mercury email address is listed on the state purchase records .
State officials canceled the agreement May 2 .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have delivered 60 million face shields and 120 million surgical masks , according to the records .
By that point , the company had delivered only 489,000 face shields and fewer than 9.7 million surgical masks , said Monica Hassan , deputy director of the Department of General Services .
State officials did not provide details about why the company didn ’ t deliver .
Calls to Bear Mountain representatives were not returned Friday .
Brian Ferguson , a spokesman for the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , said the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would reimburse Bear Mountain for the masks that arrived .
“ It would be our hope that all suppliers would fully fulfill their commitments , ” Ferguson said .
“ For those that do not , that is why we have strong contracting rules in place to protect taxpayers and so the state gets the commodities desperately needed.
” Ferguson said he could not comment on any communication the state may have had with federal authorities related to the deal .
Some lawmakers called for an investigation into how the deal collapsed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Sen. Jim Nielsen ( R-Gerber ) , who is asking a legislative committee to demand an audit of purchases of personal protective equipment .
“ The public needs to know what their money is being spent on , and that in this crisis time that product that is supposed to be lifesaving is effective and that it arrives.
” “ We have to figure out what is going on and why it looks so unprofessional , ” said state Sen. John Moorlach ( R-Costa Mesa ) .
State governments have been under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 pandemic , but spending watchdogs have called for greater transparency and accountability in how California decides which businesses to make deals with .
Bear Mountain is one of at least 80 vendors awarded noncompetitive contracts under California ’ s coronavirus emergency order that had never done business with the state before , according to a Times analysis .
Another was Blue Flame Medical LLC , a company founded recently by two GOP operatives who jumped into the personal protective equipment supply trade .
State officials abruptly canceled a deal with Blue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the firm , only to have to claw the money back .
A Times analysis of California procurement data found this week that the state has so far committed to spend more than $ 3.7 billion on no-bid contracts under Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s March 4 coronavirus emergency order .
In response , Newsom defended the state ’ s record on vetting companies , saying “ not a dime was lost in the state of California.
” “ We were in the wild , Wild West period in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday .
The state ’ s biggest contract for masks is a $ 1-billion agreement with a subsidiary of the Chinese electric-auto manufacturer BYD Co. to provide 200 million N95 respirators a month .
Newsom ’ s office for weeks refused to release the document , even though government contracts are public under state law , but relented amid mounting pressure for the state to provide more details about the spending .
The contract showed that BYD owed the state $ 247 million for failing to secure federal certification of its masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To date , BYD has sent the state 10 million surgical masks and none of the coveted N95 respirators .
Despite the issues , Newsom has stood by the BYD deal .
Mark Ghilarducci , director of the Office of Emergency Services , said this week that the worldwide shortage of protective equipment had created a marketplace rife with fraud .
The state created a team to vet thousands of offers that poured in , but Ghilarducci said typical scrutiny had to be balanced with an immediate need for large quantities of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Justice and Federal Emergency Management Agency have all been working with the state “ to ensure that all of the different commodities that we were obtaining and the people we were dealing with were legitimate.
” It was Ghilarducci who publicly announced the state was working with Bear Mountain at a news conference April 8 when he held up the company as an example of California “ working with direct contracts ” with large vendors to obtain tens of millions of masks .
Records released Friday detail two other agreements the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields and masks , including one for $ 97,000 and another for $ 15.6 million .
State officials said the firm delivered the promised supplies on those two deals .
Bear Mountain was formed in 2014 by King , who served as Alabama ’ s attorney general from 2004 to 2011 .
It ’ s unclear how and when King , 51 , got into the medical supply business .
He heads a small personal-injury law firm in Montgomery , Ala. Bear Mountain ’ s supplier in the California deal appears to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed late last month , according to its website and state business filings .
Mimish said on its website that it was fulfilling a California order with Bear Mountain for 400 million masks and 200 million face shields .
However , that claim was removed from the website after The Times reported on the deal this week .
Mimish PPE shares the same Brooklyn address as Mimish Designs , which sells craft beanbags , throw pillows and other stylish goods .
Mimish representatives did not return phone calls and emails .

Troy King in 2010 when he was Alabama attorney general. California has canceled a nearly $800-million purchase order for masks with King’s firm, Bear Mountain Development Co., after it failed to deliver supplies on time, state officials said.
A nearly $800-million deal California struck with a politically connected vendor of medical masks has collapsed after state officials said the company failed to deliver most of the supply, renewing questions over how the state is vetting vendors during the coronavirus crisis.
The scale of the contract with Bear Mountain Development Co. LLC came to light Friday when state officials, pressed by The Times, confirmed details of the deal, which is one of the largest made by California in its scramble for protective equipment. Former Alabama Atty. Gen. Troy King is listed on Bear Mountain’s formation record as president of the Montgomery, Ala., company.
The state has been notifying federal authorities whenever contractors fail to deliver promised supplies. Among those vendors is Bear Mountain Development, according to two sources familiar with the issue. The state has not publicly accused the firm of wrongdoing.
Under one of its three contracts with California, Bear Mountain was supposed to deliver 400 million three-ply surgical masks and 200 million face shields, according to purchase order records the state provided to The Times.
Those records identify the company’s local contact as Paul Bauer, a Sacramento lobbyist who works for the government relations firm Mercury Public Affairs.
“I was approached by the former attorney general of Alabama and agreed to be his local contact in Sacramento,” Bauer said in a text message. “Bear Mountain is not a client of Mercury.”
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Bauer declined to provide details about his financial arrangement with Bear Mountain or why his Mercury email address is listed on the state purchase records.
State officials canceled the agreement May 2. By then, Bear Mountain was supposed to have delivered 60 million face shields and 120 million surgical masks, according to the records. By that point, the company had delivered only 489,000 face shields and fewer than 9.7 million surgical masks, said Monica Hassan, deputy director of the Department of General Services.
State officials did not provide details about why the company didn’t deliver. Calls to Bear Mountain representatives were not returned Friday.
Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, said the state did not pay any money upfront and would reimburse Bear Mountain for the masks that arrived.
“It would be our hope that all suppliers would fully fulfill their commitments,” Ferguson said. “For those that do not, that is why we have strong contracting rules in place to protect taxpayers and so the state gets the commodities desperately needed.”
Ferguson said he could not comment on any communication the state may have had with federal authorities related to the deal.
Some lawmakers called for an investigation into how the deal collapsed.
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“This is unacceptable,” said state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), who is asking a legislative committee to demand an audit of purchases of personal protective equipment. “The public needs to know what their money is being spent on, and that in this crisis time that product that is supposed to be lifesaving is effective and that it arrives.”
“We have to figure out what is going on and why it looks so unprofessional,” said state Sen. John Moorlach (R-Costa Mesa).
State governments have been under immense pressure to secure medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, but spending watchdogs have called for greater transparency and accountability in how California decides which businesses to make deals with.
Bear Mountain is one of at least 80 vendors awarded noncompetitive contracts under California’s coronavirus emergency order that had never done business with the state before, according to a Times analysis.
Another was Blue Flame Medical LLC, a company founded recently by two GOP operatives who jumped into the personal protective equipment supply trade. State officials abruptly canceled a deal with Blue Flame after wiring nearly $500 million to the firm, only to have to claw the money back.
A Times analysis of California procurement data found this week that the state has so far committed to spend more than $3.7 billion on no-bid contracts under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s March 4 coronavirus emergency order.
In response, Newsom defended the state’s record on vetting companies, saying “not a dime was lost in the state of California.”
“We were in the wild, Wild West period in the early part of this pandemic,” Newsom said Wednesday.
The state’s biggest contract for masks is a $1-billion agreement with a subsidiary of the Chinese electric-auto manufacturer BYD Co. to provide 200 million N95 respirators a month.
Newsom’s office for weeks refused to release the document, even though government contracts are public under state law, but relented amid mounting pressure for the state to provide more details about the spending.
The contract showed that BYD owed the state $247 million for failing to secure federal certification of its masks in time for a May delivery. To date, BYD has sent the state 10 million surgical masks and none of the coveted N95 respirators.
Despite the issues, Newsom has stood by the BYD deal.
Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Office of Emergency Services, said this week that the worldwide shortage of protective equipment had created a marketplace rife with fraud. The state created a team to vet thousands of offers that poured in, but Ghilarducci said typical scrutiny had to be balanced with an immediate need for large quantities of the supplies.
He said the FBI, Department of Justice and Federal Emergency Management Agency have all been working with the state “to ensure that all of the different commodities that we were obtaining and the people we were dealing with were legitimate.”
It was Ghilarducci who publicly announced the state was working with Bear Mountain at a news conference April 8 when he held up the company as an example of California “working with direct contracts” with large vendors to obtain tens of millions of masks.
Records released Friday detail two other agreements the state made with the firm for face shields and masks, including one for $97,000 and another for $15.6 million. State officials said the firm delivered the promised supplies on those two deals.
Bear Mountain was formed in 2014 by King, who served as Alabama’s attorney general from 2004 to 2011. It’s unclear how and when King, 51, got into the medical supply business. He heads a small personal-injury law firm in Montgomery, Ala.
Bear Mountain’s supplier in the California deal appears to be Mimish PPE, a New York company formed late last month, according to its website and state business filings. Mimish said on its website that it was fulfilling a California order with Bear Mountain for 400 million masks and 200 million face shields. However, that claim was removed from the website after The Times reported on the deal this week.
Mimish PPE shares the same Brooklyn address as Mimish Designs, which sells craft beanbags, throw pillows and other stylish goods. Mimish representatives did not return phone calls and emails.