latimes--2020-04-29--All L.A. County residents can now get free coronavirus tests, Garcetti says

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that all county residents can now get free coronavirus testing .
Until now , only residents with symptoms as well as essential workers and those in institutional settings like nursing homes could be tested .
Officials say expanded testing is essential to getting a better sense of how many people have the virus — data that could be used to ease stay-at-home rules .
Under the new guidelines , priority for the same- or next-day testing will still be given to people with symptoms , such as a fever , cough and shortness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prioritized for certain critical frontline workers who interact with the public .
Testing is by appointment only and is being provided by the city in partnership with Los Angeles County and Community Organized Relief Effort .
As of April 21 , there were 35 testing sites across the county .
Los Angeles County health officials on Wednesday announced the largest influx of new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since the outbreak began , pushing the county ’ s total number of infections past 22,400 .
Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1,000 more than what was reported the previous day .
The large increase is mostly the result of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting , Ferrer said .
Despite the increase in confirmed cases and new deaths , Ferrer said , the county ’ s rate of hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for the virus have remained fairly stable .
Health officials also noted that there has been increased testing at prisons throughout the county , which has also led to an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Marisa Gerber, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Dakota Smith

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday that all county residents can now get free coronavirus testing at city-run sites.
Until now, only residents with symptoms as well as essential workers and those in institutional settings like nursing homes could be tested.
Officials say expanded testing is essential to getting a better sense of how many people have the virus — data that could be used to ease stay-at-home rules.
Under the new guidelines, priority for the same- or next-day testing will still be given to people with symptoms, such as a fever, cough and shortness of breath.
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1 / 37 Drive-through COVID-19 testing in Boyle Heights. Experts say widespread testing is crucial for states to be able to safely reopen their economies. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 37 Testing in Boyle Heights. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 37 A testing sample is sealed. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 37 Putting on personal protective equipment before testing. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 37 Testing in Boyle Heights. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 37 A patient is screened before testing. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 37 Information is collected from a patient. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 37 Boyle Heights COVID-19 testing. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 37 Juan Infante, a certified medical assistant, takes the temperature of a patient before she gets tested. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 37 Carson City Mayor Albert Robles does self-testing at a new drive-up testing site for COVID-19 outside of a community center in Carson. Free COVID-19 testing is available to all city residents. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 37 Carson residents Kaeli Burks, 3, left, and her cousin Bailey Watson, 5, look out the window of their car after their mothers helped them with self-testing at a drive-up testing site for COVID-19 in Carson. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 37 A Carson resident passes a sealed self-test to a health official at a drive-up testing site. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 37 Carson resident Melvin Smith, 64, does self-testing. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 37 A person drops a specimen at a COVID-19 mobile testing site in Bell. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 37 A person swabs their mouth at a COVID-19 mobile testing site in Bell. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 37 A man talks with a healthcare worker outside Kedren Community Health Center in South LA, where they are offering walk-up coronavirus testing along with other medical services. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 37 A specimen is turned in at the new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 37 A portrait and quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. overlooks a new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 37 Julie Montez, right, sits in her car as a nurse administers a coronavirus test at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 37 Nurses pose for a fun photo between breaks at a drive-through public testing for coronavirus at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 37 Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 37 Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through Coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 23 / 37 Gessie Lurlay is working as a coronavirus screener at the Camarena Health Center in Madera. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 37 Francis Gon-Gibbs, of LA County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, stands at the entrance of a new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 37 A man drops off his self-administered COVID-19 test in a blue bin at a drive-up test site at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 37 Workers direct drivers at a drive-up test site for COVID-19 at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 37 A man misses the blue bin while dropping off his self-administered COVID-19 test at a drive-up test site at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 28 / 37 Workers help conduct drive-thru coronavirus testing at Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 29 / 37 A sign directs people to drive-thru coronavirus testing at Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 37 Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, “We’re All In This Together,” while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location, at the South Bay Galleria, in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 37 A woman shows her notice from her doctor that allows her to obtain a test for COVID-19 at a new drive-up testing site in a parking lot at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 32 / 37 Coronavirus CO drive-thru sample collection takes place at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan/Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 33 / 37 San Bernardino County health care worker takes a sample at a coronavirus drive-thru sample collection that took place at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 37 Motorists, line up on Stadium Way, near Dodger Stadium, waiting to enter a parking lot and be tested for the coronavirus. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 35 / 37 Members of the Los Angeles Fire Dept. wear protective gear while handing out kits to people to swab the inside of their mouths to test for the coronavirus, inside a parking lot on Stadium Way, near Dodger Stadium. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 36 / 37 Riverside County medical personnel screen a car of load of four people at a coronavirus drive-though testing facility for Coachella Valley residents in the parking lot of the Southwest in Indian Wells. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 37 Aerial views cars lined up for drive-through coronavirus testing inside a parking lot on Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Testing will also be prioritized for certain critical frontline workers who interact with the public.
Testing is by appointment only and is being provided by the city in partnership with Los Angeles County and Community Organized Relief Effort. As of April 21, there were 35 testing sites across the county.
Los Angeles County health officials on Wednesday announced the largest influx of new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since the outbreak began, pushing the county’s total number of infections past 22,400.
Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer announced 1,541 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, nearly 1,000 more than what was reported the previous day. The large increase is mostly the result of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting, Ferrer said.
Despite the increase in confirmed cases and new deaths, Ferrer said, the county’s rate of hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for the virus have remained fairly stable.
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Health officials also noted that there has been increased testing at prisons throughout the county, which has also led to an increase in the number of confirmed cases.


latimes--2020-04-29--Orange County's coronavirus death toll hits 44 as number of infections climbs past 2,200

Two more Orange County residents have died of COVID-19 , health officials said Wednesday , as the region ’ s overall infection count climbed past 2,200 .
Half of the county ’ s 44 total COVID-19 victims were at least 75 years old , and 17 were anywhere between 45 and 74 , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
The county ’ s observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus , continues to be just below 2 % , significantly lower than the levels seen in neighboring Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced an additional 108 coronavirus infections Wednesday , bringing the region ’ s total to 2,252 .
This marked the third time in the last five days that Orange County has confirmed at least 100 additional COVID-19 cases .
But the recent increase coincides with a dramatic rise in testing .
So far , 29,940 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in Orange County — including 2,203 on Wednesday alone , the second-most in a single day .
Over the last five days , the county has tested 7,857 people .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed optimism that they have effectively flattened the coronavirus curve .
Lilly Simmering , deputy Health Care Agency director and interim public health director , told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the region is trending in a positive direction as its fatality rate is low and the hospital system remains well below capacity .
Some in the business community are lobbying for the county to relax some restrictions put in place to combat the virus ’ spread .
Perhaps the most significant of those measures is California ’ s stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s economy .
While the state ’ s orders take precedence over the county ’ s , supervisors unanimously approved a set of business guidelines Tuesday that officials said “ will act as a model for Orange County to transition back to a normal state of activity.
” “ When we talk about the business impact of COVID-19 , we ’ re not just talking about money — we ’ re talking about people and their ability to provide for themselves and their families , ” board Chairwoman Michelle Steel said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put together over many long meetings to ensure that all industry representatives , medical professionals and our legal counsel had input in order to best reflect business needs while simultaneously keeping in line with public health recommendations.
” During Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s daily news briefing Wednesday , Supervisor Don Wagner — who worked with Steel to craft the guidelines — got on a reporter ’ s phone and brought up the previous day ’ s vote .
As part of his response , Newsom noted that “ Orange County has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 58 counties , hospitalized in the state of California .
I ’ m concerned about that.
” The county Wednesday reported that 175 people were hospitalized and that 70 of those patients were in intensive care .
“ We have a lot of work to do to keep people healthy , keep people safe , ” Newsom said .
“ That ’ s the data , and the data leads our decision-making .
”

Elizabeth Robles decided to park in a “No Parking” zone and risk a $30 ticket so she could walk to Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point to surf Saturday. “The ticket is worth it to me. I broke my arm recently and haven’t surfed in eight months,” she said.
Two more Orange County residents have died of COVID-19, health officials said Wednesday, as the region’s overall infection count climbed past 2,200.
Half of the county’s 44 total COVID-19 victims were at least 75 years old, and 17 were anywhere between 45 and 74, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
The county’s observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, continues to be just below 2%, significantly lower than the levels seen in neighboring Los Angeles County and statewide.
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County health officials also announced an additional 108 coronavirus infections Wednesday, bringing the region’s total to 2,252. This marked the third time in the last five days that Orange County has confirmed at least 100 additional COVID-19 cases.
But the recent increase coincides with a dramatic rise in testing. So far, 29,940 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in Orange County — including 2,203 on Wednesday alone, the second-most in a single day.
Over the last five days, the county has tested 7,857 people.
California Here are the Orange County communities with coronavirus cases Of those who have tested positive for the virus, 175 are hospitalized — 70 of them in intensive care, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Despite the recent increases, county officials have expressed optimism that they have effectively flattened the coronavirus curve. Lilly Simmering, deputy Health Care Agency director and interim public health director, told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the region is trending in a positive direction as its fatality rate is low and the hospital system remains well below capacity.
Some in the business community are lobbying for the county to relax some restrictions put in place to combat the virus’ spread. Perhaps the most significant of those measures is California’s stay-at-home order, which has upended the state’s economy.
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While the state’s orders take precedence over the county’s, supervisors unanimously approved a set of business guidelines Tuesday that officials said “will act as a model for Orange County to transition back to a normal state of activity.”
“When we talk about the business impact of COVID-19, we’re not just talking about money — we’re talking about people and their ability to provide for themselves and their families,” board Chairwoman Michelle Steel said in a statement. “These guidelines were put together over many long meetings to ensure that all industry representatives, medical professionals and our legal counsel had input in order to best reflect business needs while simultaneously keeping in line with public health recommendations.”
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
During Gov. Gavin Newsom’s daily news briefing Wednesday, Supervisor Don Wagner — who worked with Steel to craft the guidelines — got on a reporter’s phone and brought up the previous day’s vote.
As part of his response, Newsom noted that “Orange County has the fourth-highest number of people, of all 58 counties, hospitalized in the state of California. I’m concerned about that.”
The county Wednesday reported that 175 people were hospitalized and that 70 of those patients were in intensive care.
“We have a lot of work to do to keep people healthy, keep people safe,” Newsom said. “That’s the data, and the data leads our decision-making.”


latimes--2020-04-29--Riverside County extends coronavirus restrictions through June 19

In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus , Riverside County residents will be required to wear face coverings when outside and to continue practicing social distancing through June 19 .
On Wednesday , Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser extended his order to the date , reminding residents that the county is also moving “ to fully align with the governor ’ s stay-at-home order ” until it ’ s amended or rescinded .
Under the governor ’ s order , Riverside County residents are required to stay home unless they must leave for essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groceries or visiting their doctor .
Riverside County has seen 3,735 confirmed cases and 141 deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ While we work within the governor ’ s plan for reopening the state , people must be mindful that COVID-19 has not been eliminated , ” Kaiser said in a statement .
“ The new normal in Riverside County will still require social distancing , facial coverings and other precautions .
Summer will only slow the virus , and we are already thinking about what will happen in the fall @ @

In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Riverside County residents will be required to wear face coverings when outside and to continue practicing social distancing through June 19.
On Wednesday, Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser extended his order to the date, reminding residents that the county is also moving “to fully align with the governor’s stay-at-home order” until it’s amended or rescinded.
Under the governor’s order, Riverside County residents are required to stay home unless they must leave for essential business or activities, such as buying groceries or visiting their doctor.
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Riverside County has seen 3,735 confirmed cases and 141 deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “While we work within the governor’s plan for reopening the state, people must be mindful that COVID-19 has not been eliminated,” Kaiser said in a statement.
“The new normal in Riverside County will still require social distancing, facial coverings and other precautions. Summer will only slow the virus, and we are already thinking about what will happen in the fall.”


latimes--2020-04-29--These are the latest coronavirus case numbers by community in L.A. County

Los Angeles County health officials Wednesday announced the largest increase in new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since @ @ @ @ @ the county ’ s total number of infections past 22,400 .
Public Health Department Director @ @ @ @ @ confirmed COVID-19 cases , nearly 1,000 more than reported the previous day .
The large @ @ @ @ @ of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting , Ferrer @ @ @ @ @ also reported 56 additional fatalities linked to the virus , bringing the county ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Here is a rundown of cases by community :

Los Angeles County health officials Wednesday announced the largest increase in new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began, pushing the county’s total number of infections past 22,400.
Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer announced 1,541 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, nearly 1,000 more than reported the previous day. The large increase is mostly the result of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting, Ferrer said.
County health officials also reported 56 additional fatalities linked to the virus, bringing the county’s death toll to 1,056.
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Here is a rundown of cases by community:
Long Beach 602
Glendale 530
Palmdale 395
Pasadena 383
East Los Angeles 357
Santa Clarita 357
Inglewood 335
North Hollywood 335
Melrose 325
Sylmar 322
Lancaster 292
Van Nuys 277
San Pedro 271
Panorama City 268
Torrance 253
Pacoima 249
Canoga Park 246
Westlake 236
Burbank 234
South Gate 233
Carson 232
Downey 211
Pico-Union 197
Compton 197
Reseda 196
West Vernon 190
Boyle Heights 190
Hollywood 186
Vernon Central 185
Norwalk 183
Hawthorne 178
Pomona 169
Lynwood 169
Northridge 158
Gardena 157
Santa Monica 157
North Hills 153
Pico Rivera 155
Temple-Beaudry 151
El Monte 148
Winnetka 148
Huntington Park 136
West Hollywood 135
Florence-Firestone 132
Exposition Park 130
Koreatown 128
Montebello 126
Sherman Oaks 124
West Covina 123
Paramount 122
Bellflower 122
East Hollywood 122
Bell 121
Harvard Park 118
Sun Valley 115
Granada Hills 112
South Park 112
Whittier 112
Silver Lake 111
West Adams 111
Central 110
Vermont Vista 109
Redondo Beach 106
Beverly Hills 106
Woodland Hills 106
Arleta 105
Wilshire Center 104
Glassell Park 104
Palms 103
Valley Village 101
Athens-Westmont 98
Bell Gardens 97
El Sereno 92
Watts 92
Covina 90
Century Palms/Cove 89
Wholesale District 89
Wilmington 88
Valley Glen 87
Chatsworth 86
Little Armenia 85
Highland Park 85
Lake Balboa 84
Eagle Rock 84
Baldwin Park 83
San Fernando 83
Encino 81
Alhambra 81
University Park 80
Sunland 79
Lakewood 78
South Pasadena 74
Tarzana 74
Monterey Park 72
Lincoln Heights 70
Harbor Gateway 68
Mission Hills 68
Little Bangladesh 68
Azusa 68
Cudahy 67
Tujunga 66
Altadena 66
Westchester 66
Manhattan Beach 66
Brentwood 65
Carthay 65
South Whittier 63
Hancock Park 63
Maywood 63
Downtown 63
Duarte 62
Crestview 62
Baldwin Hills 60
Culver City 60
West Carson 60
Country Club Park 59
Hyde Park 59
Hollywood Hills 58
Historic Filipinotown 58
Rancho Palos Verdes 58
Harvard Heights 58
La Mirada 57
West Los Angeles 55
Vermont Knolls 54
Lawndale 54
Porter Ranch 53
Green Meadows 52
Mar Vista 52
Lakeview Terrace 50
Cerritos 50
Hacienda Heights 49
West Hills 48
Temple City 48
Willowbrook 48
Rowland Heights 48
Del Rey 47
Westwood 47
Venice 47
Harbor City 45
Crenshaw District 45
Lennox 44
Glendora 44
Monrovia 44
Walnut Park 43
La Puente 39
Mount Washington 38
Arcadia 38
Vermont Square 38
Palos Verdes Estates 37
La Canada Flintridge 37
Pacific Palisades 37
Studio City 37
Cloverdale/Cochran 36
Mid-City 36
Miracle Mile 36
Val Verde 35
Victoria Park 34
Diamond Bar 34
Los Feliz 33
Rosemead 32
Beverly Crest 32
West Whittier/Los Nietos 31
Agoura Hills 31
Calabasas 31
Leimert Park 31
Lomita 31
Beverlywood 30
Century City 30
Malibu 30
San Gabriel 30
Bel-Air 28
Bassett 28
San Dimas 28
Valinda 28
Gramercy Place 28
El Segundo 27
Alsace 27
Quartz Hill 27
Adams-Normandie 26
Atwater Village 25
View Park/Windsor Hills 25
South Carthay 24
Claremont 24
Hermosa Beach 23
Walnut 23
East Rancho Dominguez 22
South El Monte 22
Canyon Country 22
Elysian Valley 21
Unincorporated - Covina 21
Figueroa Park Square 20
Castaic 20
Playa Vista 20
Jefferson Park 20
San Jose Hills 20
Santa Fe Springs 18
Unincorporated - West L.A. 17
Reseda Ranch 17
Lake Los Angeles 17
Unincorporated - Azusa 17
Cadillac-Corning 17
Cheviot Hills 17
Echo Park 17
La Crescenta-Montrose 16
Stevenson Ranch 16
La Verne 16
West Puente Valley 15
Ladera Heights 15
Longwood 15
St Elmo Village 14
Artesia 14
Avocado Heights 13
Rolling Hills Estates 13
Covina (Charter Oak) 13
Athens Village 13
Northeast San Gabriel 13
Manchester Square 13
Lafayette Square 13
Santa Monica Mountains 13
Thai Town 12
Wellington Square 11
Park La Brea 11
Rancho Park 11
San Marino 11
Commerce 11
Marina del Rey 11
Rancho Dominguez 10
Hawaiian Gardens 9
Shadow Hills 9
Toluca Lake 9
Marina Peninsula 9
South San Gabriel 9
Elysian Park 9
Angelino Heights 9
El Camino Village 9
Chinatown 9
Rosewood/West Rancho Dominguez 9
Unincorporated - Duarte 8
Acton 8
Reynier Village 8
East La Mirada 7
View Heights 7
Unincorporated - Monrovia 7
University Hills 7
Del Aire 7
Signal Hill 7
La Rambla 6
Littlerock/Pearblossom 6
North Whittier 6
Westlake Village 6
Littlerock 6
Unincorporated - Whittier 5
Sierra Madre 5
Valencia 5
Little Tokyo 5
Unincorporated - Hawthorne 4
Sun Village 4
East Whittier 4
Rosewood 4
Exposition 4
Unincorporated - Arcadia 4
Twin Lakes/Oat Mountain 4
North Lancaster 3
Lake Manor 3
Toluca Woods 3
Palisades Highlands 3
Desert View Highlands 3
Unincorporated - Palmdale 2
Faircrest Heights 2
West Antelope Valley 2
Del Sur 2
Irwindale 2
La Habra Heights 2
Toluca Terrace 2
Saugus 2
Pearblossom/Llano 2
West Rancho Dominguez 2
Santa Catalina Island 2
White Fence Farms 2
Regent Square 2
Unincorporated - Bradbury 1
Llano 1
Unincorporated - La Verne 1
Sunrise Village 1
Elizabeth Lake 1
Rolling Hills 1
Industry 1
Unincorporated - South El Monte 1
Kagel/Lopez Canyons 1
Playa Del Rey 1
Leona Valley 1
Anaverde 1
Mandeville Canyon 1
Agua Dulce 1
Littlerock/Juniper Hills 1
Bradbury 1
Unincorporated - Glendora 1
Unincorporated - Harbor Gateway 0
Bandini Islands 0
South Antelope Valley 0
Whittier Narrows 0
Angeles National Forest 0
Newhall 0
Avalon 0
Westfield/Academy Hills 0
Westhills 0
Bouquet Canyon 0
Brookside 0
West Chatsworth 0
Charter Oak 0
Palos Verdes Peninsula 0
Lake Hughes 0
Pellissier Village 0
Vernon 0
Placerita Canyon 0
Universal City 0
Unincorporated - Walnut 0
Unincorporated - Lakewood 0
Unincorporated - Lynwood 0
Unincorporated - Miracle Mile 0
Saugus/Canyon Country 0
Unincorporated - Pomona 0
Unincorporated - Cerritos 0
Unincorporated - Claremont 0
Unincorporated - Del Rey 0
Unincorporated - El Monte 0
East Covina 0
Unincorporated - La Habra Heights 0
Unincorporated - Angeles National Forest 0
East Lancaster 0
East Pasadena 0
Roosevelt 0
Sycamore Square 0
Rosewood/East Gardena 0
San Pasqual 0
San Francisquito Canyon/Bouquet Canyon 0
Hi Vista 0
Southeast Antelope Valley 0
Franklin Canyon 0
Hidden Hills 0
San Clemente Island 0
Sand Canyon 0
South Edwards 0
Harbor Pines 0


latimes--2020-04-29--Harrison Ford again under FAA investigation after new aircraft incident

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an aircraft incident at Hawthorne Airport last Friday involving actor Harrison Ford .
The FAA said in a statement that the “ Star Wars ” actor was piloting a plane that crossed a runway when another plane was trying to land .
The planes came within 3,600 feet of each other .
“ The FAA is investigating an incident in which the pilot of an Aviat Husky taxied across the runway at Hawthorne Municipal Airport Friday afternoon while another aircraft was performing a touch-and-go landing , ” the FAA said .
In 2017 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without restriction despite narrowly missing a jetliner carrying 100 passengers and landing his small plane on the wrong stretch of tarmac at John Wayne Airport in Orange County in February .
An FAA investigation concluded that no enforcement action was warranted in the incident .
The agency required only “ awareness training , ” which Ford has already completed .
Ford landed his single-engine Aviat Husky on Taxiway C at midday Feb. 13 , 2017 , after being cleared by air traffic control to use runway 20L .
Before touching down , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boeing 737 waiting on another taxiway for instructions to take off .
Recorded communications between Ford and air traffic controllers reveal that the actor was apologetic and embarrassed by his dangerous landing error .
“ I ’ m the who landed on the taxiway , ” Ford told the tower after touching down .
“ I was distracted by the airliner , which was in movement when I turned to the runway , and also the wake turbulence from the landing Airbus.
” In March 2015 , Ford crashed on the Penmar Golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II military trainer lost power because of a carburetor problem .
The actor sustained serious injuries , and the two-seat Ryan Recruit was heavily damaged .

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an aircraft incident at Hawthorne Airport last Friday involving actor Harrison Ford.
The FAA said in a statement that the “Star Wars” actor was piloting a plane that crossed a runway when another plane was trying to land.
The planes came within 3,600 feet of each other.
“The FAA is investigating an incident in which the pilot of an Aviat Husky taxied across the runway at Hawthorne Municipal Airport Friday afternoon while another aircraft was performing a touch-and-go landing,” the FAA said.
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In 2017, regulators determined Ford could continue to fly without restriction despite narrowly missing a jetliner carrying 100 passengers and landing his small plane on the wrong stretch of tarmac at John Wayne Airport in Orange County in February.
An FAA investigation concluded that no enforcement action was warranted in the incident. The agency required only “awareness training,” which Ford has already completed.
Ford landed his single-engine Aviat Husky on Taxiway C at midday Feb. 13, 2017, after being cleared by air traffic control to use runway 20L. Before touching down, he flew very close to an American Airlines Boeing 737 waiting on another taxiway for instructions to take off.
Recorded communications between Ford and air traffic controllers reveal that the actor was apologetic and embarrassed by his dangerous landing error.
“I’m the schmuck who landed on the taxiway,” Ford told the tower after touching down. “I was distracted by the airliner, which was in movement when I turned to the runway, and also the wake turbulence from the landing Airbus.”
In March 2015, Ford crashed on the Penmar Golf Course in Santa Monica after his World War II military trainer lost power because of a carburetor problem. The actor sustained serious injuries, and the two-seat Ryan Recruit was heavily damaged.


latimes--2020-04-29--Homeless people from other cities moving to San Francisco for hotel rooms, mayor says

San Francisco Mayor London Breed said Wednesday that homeless people from other counties have moved to San Francisco to ask to be placed in city-leased hotels during the coronavirus crisis .
She stressed that the hotel rooms were for homeless individuals who lived in the city before the health crisis .
“ Only people who are currently in our homeless system of care may qualify ” for hotel room and other accommodations , she said .
She also said 120 RVs and trailers have been placed at Pier 94 for homeless residents of the Bayview-Hunters Point community .
Priority will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older and to those with underlying health conditions .
The trailers and RVs will open for what city officials call “ guests ” next week , and support staff and meals will be provided , city officials said .
Abigail Stewart-Kahn , director of San Francisco ’ s homeless services , asked homeless residents from other counties to return to there .
“ We need you to return to your home communities and get the resources there , ” she said .
Dr. Susan Philip , San Francisco ’ s deputy health officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 , and 23 have died .
The virus “ can spread as easily as it did a month ago , ” she warned , “ and it will thrive if we allow it.
” Officials also discussed modest easing of some stay-at-home rules , allowing certain outdoor businesses and recreational facilities to open Monday .
Philip said tennis courts and basketball courts will not be reopening because players share balls .
“ We still can ’ t share equipment , ” she said .
Restaurants with outdoor spaces also will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their masks to eat and waitstaff might find it impossible to maintain a six-foot distance from customers .
Child care and summer camps for children of essential workers will remain open , Philip said .

An activist protests from her vehicle outside San Francisco’s Moscone Center on April 3, asking Mayor London Breed to house homeless people in vacant hotels during the coronavirus crisis.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed said Wednesday that homeless people from other counties have moved to San Francisco to ask to be placed in city-leased hotels during the coronavirus crisis.
She stressed that the hotel rooms were for homeless individuals who lived in the city before the health crisis.
“Only people who are currently in our homeless system of care may qualify” for hotel room and other accommodations, she said.
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She also said 120 RVs and trailers have been placed at Pier 94 for homeless residents of the Bayview-Hunters Point community.
Priority will be given to homeless people 60 or older and to those with underlying health conditions. The trailers and RVs will open for what city officials call “guests” next week, and support staff and meals will be provided, city officials said.
Abigail Stewart-Kahn, director of San Francisco’s homeless services, asked homeless residents from other counties to return to there.
“We need you to return to your home communities and get the resources there,” she said.
Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco’s deputy health officer, said 1,490 San Franciscans have tested positive for COVID-19, and 23 have died.
The virus “can spread as easily as it did a month ago,” she warned, “and it will thrive if we allow it.”
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Officials also discussed modest easing of some stay-at-home rules, allowing certain outdoor businesses and recreational facilities to open Monday.
Philip said tennis courts and basketball courts will not be reopening because players share balls. “We still can’t share equipment,” she said.
Restaurants with outdoor spaces also will remain closed because diners have to remove their masks to eat and waitstaff might find it impossible to maintain a six-foot distance from customers. Child care and summer camps for children of essential workers will remain open, Philip said.


latimes--2020-04-29--Here are the Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

Orange County announced an additional 108 coronavirus infections Wednesday , bringing the region ’ s cumulative total to 2,252 .
@ @ @ @ @ more deaths , raising the total toll to 44 since the COVID-19 pandemic began .
@ @ @ @ @ positive for the virus , 175 are hospitalized — 70 of them in intensive care @ @ @ @ @ County Health Care Agency .
Both those numbers are down slightly from those reported Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ were the highest to date .
Testing continues to ramp up dramatically in the county @ @ @ @ @ people have been tested for coronavirus infection , including 2,203 on Wednesday alone , the @ @ @ @ @ .
Note : The “ other ” category includes unincorporated areas .
Daily updates are @ @ @ @ @ as the county receives new information .

Afternoon fog and cool temperatures limited the number of visitors to Huntington Beach on April 25, 2020. Beaches in neighboring Los Angeles County remain closed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Orange County announced an additional 108 coronavirus infections Wednesday, bringing the region’s cumulative total to 2,252.
Health officials also confirmed two more deaths, raising the total toll to 44 since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Of those who have tested positive for the virus, 175 are hospitalized — 70 of them in intensive care, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency. Both those numbers are down slightly from those reported Tuesday by the county, which were the highest to date.
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Testing continues to ramp up dramatically in the county. So far, 29,940 people have been tested for coronavirus infection, including 2,203 on Wednesday alone, the second-most in a single day.
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 43
18-24 — 191
25-34 — 375
35-44 — 337
45-54 — 429
55-64 — 390
65-74 — 246
75-84 — 150
85+ — 91
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 3
45-54 — 5
55-64 — 7
65-74 — 5
75-84 — 15
85+ — 7
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 18
Anaheim — 316
Brea — 20
Buena Park — 76
Costa Mesa — 38
Coto de Caza — 5
Cypress — 42
Dana Point — 23
Fountain Valley — 31
Fullerton — 74
Garden Grove — 99
Huntington Beach — 214
Irvine — 126
La Habra — 46
La Palma — 14
Ladera Ranch — 12
Laguna Beach — 37
Laguna Hills — 20
Laguna Niguel — 32
Laguna Woods — 8
Lake Forest — 28
Los Alamitos — 22
Midway City — 6
Mission Viejo — 42
Newport Beach — 97
Orange — 84
Placentia — 52
Rancho Mission Viejo — 6
Rancho Santa Margarita — 14
San Clemente — 45
San Juan Capistrano — 24
Santa Ana — 330
Seal Beach — 11
Stanton — 23
Trabuco Canyon — 10
Tustin — 38
Villa Park — 5
Westminster — 40
Yorba Linda — 48
Other — 2
Unknown — 74
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-04-29--California to provide more food benefits for schoolchildren during the coronavirus crisis

With California campuses closed because of the coronavirus , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that low-income families would receive $ 365 per child to buy food during the next two months to make up for the loss of free and reduced-priced lunches previously provided by the schools .
Newsom estimated up to $ 1.4 billion in federal funds would be provided to 3.8 million families in California .
“ We think that is a significant thing , ” Newsom said during his daily coronavirus briefing .
“ We are going to do our best to get [ the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we deeply recognize people ’ s food insecurity , not just their economic insecurity.
” Families with children currently enrolled in the state ’ s food stamps program , CalFresh , or Medi-Cal or foster care programs do not need to apply for the extra money .
They will receive a new pandemic electronic benefit transfer card in the mail in May .
Other eligible families will have to apply online starting in late May .
“ These additional food benefits will help families put food on the table during this time of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of the state Department of Social Services , which is administering the program .
Newsom also announced that CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT cards to buy food online from Amazon and Walmart as part of an effort to reduce the need for people to go to stores , where there is a risk of exposure to the coronavirus .
The governor also said that the state received 190,000 applications in unemployment applications from independent contractors , gig workers and self-employed people on Tuesday , the first day benefits were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims are part of 3.7 million new applications filed by unemployed Californians since March 12 , Newsom said , adding that so far more than $ 6 billion in unemployment benefits has been paid by the state during that period .
The surge in new applications has for weeks caused access issues on the state Employment Development Department ’ s website , with some jobless people saying they were not able to file an application .
“ I am deeply aware that many of you tried to access that system online , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Newsom said .
“ We are getting our arms around this unprecedented volume .
”

With California campuses closed because of the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that low-income families would receive $365 per child to buy food during the next two months to make up for the loss of free and reduced-priced lunches previously provided by the schools.
Newsom estimated up to $1.4 billion in federal funds would be provided to 3.8 million families in California.
“We think that is a significant thing,” Newsom said during his daily coronavirus briefing. “We are going to do our best to get [the money] in people’s pockets because we deeply recognize people’s food insecurity, not just their economic insecurity.”
Families with children currently enrolled in the state’s food stamps program, CalFresh, or Medi-Cal or foster care programs do not need to apply for the extra money. They will receive a new pandemic electronic benefit transfer card in the mail in May.
Other eligible families will have to apply online starting in late May.
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“These additional food benefits will help families put food on the table during this time of great need,” said Kim Johnson, director of the state Department of Social Services, which is administering the program.
Newsom also announced that CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT cards to buy food online from Amazon and Walmart as part of an effort to reduce the need for people to go to stores, where there is a risk of exposure to the coronavirus.
The governor also said that the state received 190,000 applications in unemployment applications from independent contractors, gig workers and self-employed people on Tuesday, the first day benefits were made available to those workers.
Those claims are part of 3.7 million new applications filed by unemployed Californians since March 12, Newsom said, adding that so far more than $6 billion in unemployment benefits has been paid by the state during that period.
The surge in new applications has for weeks caused access issues on the state Employment Development Department’s website, with some jobless people saying they were not able to file an application.
“I am deeply aware that many of you tried to access that system online, in person, and struggled to get in,” Newsom said. “We are getting our arms around this unprecedented volume.”


latimes--2020-04-29--Dirty money piling up in L.A. as coronavirus cripples international money laundering

Dirty money is piling up in Los Angeles .
In the last three weeks , federal agents made three seizures that each netted more than $ 1 million in suspected drug proceeds .
The reason , according to the city ’ s top drug enforcement official : The coronavirus pandemic has slowed trade-based money laundering systems that drug trafficking groups use to repatriate profits and move Chinese capital into Southern California .
With storefronts closed , supply chains in disarray and the global economy in peril , these complex schemes are hobbled and cash is backing up in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration ’ s Los Angeles field division , said in an interview .
The recent million-dollar interceptions were reminiscent of seizures the DEA made before drug traffickers embraced trade-based money laundering , said Bodner , a 28-year agent .
The shuttering of nonessential businesses has made a “ tremendous impact ” on a money laundering system dubbed the black market peso exchange , he said .
In the fashion district in downtown Los Angeles — the exchange ’ s epicenter — drug trafficking groups from throughout the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to cases filed in federal courts in Los Angeles and elsewhere .
Steven Mygrant , a federal prosecutor in Oregon who charged six people with laundering heroin proceeds through Los Angeles businesses , said two primary factors drive the exchange : Drug trafficking groups need to convert dollars to pesos , which is expensive to do legitimately , and they need to move money from the United States to Mexico , which is risky to transport in cash .
To accomplish this , Mygrant said , a broker pays pesos for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traffickers deliver cash to an exporter in Los Angeles , who ships goods — commonly clothing , cosmetics , jewelry or sportswear — to a retailer in Mexico .
The retailer sells the goods for pesos and pays the broker .
Developed by Colombian cocaine traffickers , Mexican cartels initially did not embrace the black market peso exchange , Bodner said , finding it easier to simply smuggle bulk cash across the border and launder it in Mexico .
That changed about 10 years ago , he said , when the Mexican government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dollars into its banks .
Recently , with storefronts closed and agents seizing millions in cash packaged for transport , it appears drug trafficking groups are resorting to older , riskier ways of repatriating profits , Bodner said .
The coronavirus has also cooled Chinese capital flight , he said , which before the pandemic was the primary driver of international money laundering .
With the Chinese government curtailing the amount of money its citizens can shift overseas , drug traffickers and money brokers set up the following system , Bodner said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convert yuan to dollars and stash it in the United States will contact a broker .
The broker instructs this person to pay a factory that produces chemicals used to make methamphetamine or fentanyl .
The factory ships the precursors to Mexico , where they ’ re converted into narcotics , smuggled into the United States and sold for dollars .
The broker directs the drug trafficking group to deliver cash to a relative or an associate of the Chinese national whose money initiated the entire sequence .
The money is now in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without ever entering the global financial system.
“ The more money that wants to leave China , the more chemicals go to Mexico and the more synthetic drugs end up in L.A. , ” Bodner said .
But the pandemic has slowed the cycle significantly , he said .
Most narcotics precursors from China are made in Wuhan , the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak , and factories there are shuttered or operating at a reduced capacity .
“ When chemicals aren ’ t flowing from China , there ’ s no churn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bodner said .
Further , with global markets in upheaval , many of the Chinese nationals who were moving money through the system are now hesitant to stash funds overseas , he said .
Slowdowns in Los Angeles ’ money laundering systems come as drug prices rise in the city .
With supply chains in disarray , Bodner said , the wholesale price of methamphetamine has soared to about $ 1,800 a pound , compared with about $ 900 a pound five months ago .

The Drug Enforcement Administration is seizing bulk cash amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has hobbled money laundering schemes and created a backlog of drug proceeds in Los Angeles.
Dirty money is piling up in Los Angeles. In the last three weeks, federal agents made three seizures that each netted more than $1 million in suspected drug proceeds.
The reason, according to the city’s top drug enforcement official: The coronavirus pandemic has slowed trade-based money laundering systems that drug trafficking groups use to repatriate profits and move Chinese capital into Southern California.
With storefronts closed, supply chains in disarray and the global economy in peril, these complex schemes are hobbled and cash is backing up in Los Angeles, Bill Bodner, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Los Angeles field division, said in an interview.
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The recent million-dollar interceptions were reminiscent of seizures the DEA made before drug traffickers embraced trade-based money laundering, said Bodner, a 28-year agent.
The shuttering of nonessential businesses has made a “tremendous impact” on a money laundering system dubbed the black market peso exchange, he said. In the fashion district in downtown Los Angeles — the exchange’s epicenter — drug trafficking groups from throughout the country use wholesalers to remit profits to Mexico, according to cases filed in federal courts in Los Angeles and elsewhere.
The DEA is seizing bulk cash amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has hobbled money laundering schemes and created a backlog of drug proceeds in Los Angeles. (DEA)
Steven Mygrant, a federal prosecutor in Oregon who charged six people with laundering heroin proceeds through Los Angeles businesses, said two primary factors drive the exchange: Drug trafficking groups need to convert dollars to pesos, which is expensive to do legitimately, and they need to move money from the United States to Mexico, which is risky to transport in cash.
To accomplish this, Mygrant said, a broker pays pesos for the drug traffickers’ dollars. The traffickers deliver cash to an exporter in Los Angeles, who ships goods — commonly clothing, cosmetics, jewelry or sportswear — to a retailer in Mexico. The retailer sells the goods for pesos and pays the broker.
Developed by Colombian cocaine traffickers, Mexican cartels initially did not embrace the black market peso exchange, Bodner said, finding it easier to simply smuggle bulk cash across the border and launder it in Mexico. That changed about 10 years ago, he said, when the Mexican government tightened financial regulations and restricted the flow of dollars into its banks.
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Recently, with storefronts closed and agents seizing millions in cash packaged for transport, it appears drug trafficking groups are resorting to older, riskier ways of repatriating profits, Bodner said.
The coronavirus has also cooled Chinese capital flight, he said, which before the pandemic was the primary driver of international money laundering.
With the Chinese government curtailing the amount of money its citizens can shift overseas, drug traffickers and money brokers set up the following system, Bodner said: A Chinese national who wants to convert yuan to dollars and stash it in the United States will contact a broker. The broker instructs this person to pay a factory that produces chemicals used to make methamphetamine or fentanyl.
The factory ships the precursors to Mexico, where they’re converted into narcotics, smuggled into the United States and sold for dollars. The broker directs the drug trafficking group to deliver cash to a relative or an associate of the Chinese national whose money initiated the entire sequence.
The money is now in the United States and in dollars, without ever entering the global financial system.“The more money that wants to leave China, the more chemicals go to Mexico and the more synthetic drugs end up in L.A.,” Bodner said.
But the pandemic has slowed the cycle significantly, he said. Most narcotics precursors from China are made in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, and factories there are shuttered or operating at a reduced capacity.
“When chemicals aren’t flowing from China, there’s no churn in the money laundering system,” Bodner said. Further, with global markets in upheaval, many of the Chinese nationals who were moving money through the system are now hesitant to stash funds overseas, he said.
Slowdowns in Los Angeles’ money laundering systems come as drug prices rise in the city. With supply chains in disarray, Bodner said, the wholesale price of methamphetamine has soared to about $1,800 a pound, compared with about $900 a pound five months ago.


latimes--2020-04-29--Marin and UCSF differ on whether isolated Bolinas can be declared free of coronavirus

No one in the reclusive seaside town of Bolinas tested positive for the coronavirus during an unusual privately funded project , Marin County health officials said Wednesday .
Several hours after that announcement , however , officials from UC San Francisco Medical Center disputed that the testing results were final .
“ No conclusions can be drawn about actual rates of COVID-19 infection in the community until analysis of all samples is complete , ” a UCSF spokesman said .
A group of volunteers raised private money to have the entire town , including people who work in Bolinas but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
More than 1,800 Bolinas residents and area first responders were swabbed for the virus over four days .
UCSF Medical Center is processing the samples .
The tests were performed inside tents in the parking lot of a neighborhood park .
Community organizers attributed the lack of positive results to the Bay Area ’ s shelter-in-place orders issued several weeks ago .
It took about a month to organize the tests .
Volunteers went to a dozen small stores in Marin County , gathering protective suits from hardware stores , gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends who had ordered them from China .
“ We tested pretty much the entire population of Bolinas with [ genetic ] PCR and antibody tests for about $ 360,000 `` said Jyri Engestrom , 42 , a venture capitalist who has a home in Bolinas , population 1,680 , and who helped organize the project .
That $ 360,000 figure , he said , is close to what it costs to treat a single ICU patient .
Results for the antibody tests are expected next month .
Bolinas residents partnered with UC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tests to the remote town and a portion of San Francisco ’ s dense Mission District , which had a large outbreak of the disease .
The study of the highly disparate places will provide data about community spread of COVID-19 , a UCSF news release said .
“ All our public health decisions , including when it will be possible to relax regional and statewide shelter-in-place orders , are driven by rough assumptions about how this virus behaves based on very limited data , ” said Dr. Bryan Greenhouse , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Studying in detail how the virus has spread in these two distinctive communities will give us crucial data points that we can extrapolate to better predict how to control the virus in similar communities nationwide.
” Bolinas organizers said the town had a large population of older residents , who are at high risk .
It was not immediately clear why Marin County announced testing results that were later deemed preliminary by UCSF .

An egret searches for breakfast on a foggy morning at Bolinas Lagoon Nature Preserve.
No one in the reclusive seaside town of Bolinas tested positive for the coronavirus during an unusual privately funded project, Marin County health officials said Wednesday.
Several hours after that announcement, however, officials from UC San Francisco Medical Center disputed that the testing results were final. “No conclusions can be drawn about actual rates of COVID-19 infection in the community until analysis of all samples is complete,” a UCSF spokesman said.
A group of volunteers raised private money to have the entire town, including people who work in Bolinas but live outside the community, tested last week. More than 1,800 Bolinas residents and area first responders were swabbed for the virus over four days. UCSF Medical Center is processing the samples.
The tests were performed inside tents in the parking lot of a neighborhood park. Community organizers attributed the lack of positive results to the Bay Area’s shelter-in-place orders issued several weeks ago.
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On Monday, a sign hangs outside of Bolinas, warning visitors away from the Northern California coastal community. (Maura Dolan / Los Angeles Times)
It took about a month to organize the tests. Volunteers went to a dozen small stores in Marin County, gathering protective suits from hardware stores, gloves from restaurant suppliers, and masks from friends who had ordered them from China.
“We tested pretty much the entire population of Bolinas with [genetic] PCR and antibody tests for about $360,000,” said Jyri Engestrom, 42, a venture capitalist who has a home in Bolinas, population 1,680, and who helped organize the project. That $360,000 figure, he said, is close to what it costs to treat a single ICU patient.
Results for the antibody tests are expected next month.
Bolinas residents partnered with UC San Francisco infectious disease researchers to provide the tests to the remote town and a portion of San Francisco’s dense Mission District, which had a large outbreak of the disease.
The study of the highly disparate places will provide data about community spread of COVID-19, a UCSF news release said.
“All our public health decisions, including when it will be possible to relax regional and statewide shelter-in-place orders, are driven by rough assumptions about how this virus behaves based on very limited data,” said Dr. Bryan Greenhouse, an associate professor of medicine at UCSF.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
“Studying in detail how the virus has spread in these two distinctive communities will give us crucial data points that we can extrapolate to better predict how to control the virus in similar communities nationwide.”
Bolinas organizers said the town had a large population of older residents, who are at high risk.
It was not immediately clear why Marin County announced testing results that were later deemed preliminary by UCSF.


latimes--2020-04-29--Gov. Gavin Newsom says staying home now will help reopen California sooner

Gov .
Gavin Newsom urged Californians on Wednesday to stay home and practice physical distancing to avoid spoiling the progress the state has made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as he prepares to allow some businesses to gradually reopen .
“ Why put ourselves in that position when we are just a week or two away from significant modifications of our stay-at-home [ order ] , where we can begin a Phase 2 , beginning to reopen sectors of our economy that are low risk ?
” Newsom said .
On Tuesday , Newsom unveiled a broad outline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order and slowly ease the restrictions on Californians in four stages in the weeks and months ahead .
The governor also announced that schools could potentially reopen in July or August , catching educators who were learning about it for the first time off guard .
The governor introduced the new stages weeks after he unveiled six criteria that he said the state must meet — including more widespread testing , increasing hospital capacity and developing plans to safely reopen stores and businesses and to prevent and prepare for the possibility of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifting the restrictions .
Newsom has not offered a specific timeline for Californians to expect to see the changes implemented .
His proposal also lacked key details outlining all of the businesses that would be allowed to reopen physical locations in each stage , who would enforce restrictions still in place and how employers would be expected to protect their workers .
The governor said Wednesday to expect more detailed guidelines in the next few weeks .
California is currently in the first stage , Newsom said , loosely defined as prioritizing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ perform their jobs during the crisis as government expands testing capabilities and builds its supply of hospital equipment , masks and other personal protective gear .
Newsom said the second stage would begin in the next “ few weeks ” and allow more types of “ lower risk ” businesses to reopen , such as manufacturing facilities , offices when telecommuting isn ’ t possible and the reintroduction of some public spaces .
The governor ’ s office said curbside pickup would also occur at more stores in the second stage , although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also part of the second stage is Newsom ’ s controversial proposal to start the school year in July or August .
Stage 3 would begin in later months and expand reopenings to hair salons , gyms , sports competitions in empty stadiums and religious services .
The final stage would mark the end of the stay-at-home order and all restrictions , allowing people to return to concerts and sporting events , which the governor has noted is unlikely to occur until a vaccine becomes widely available .

Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Californians on Wednesday to stay home and practice physical distancing to avoid spoiling the progress the state has made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as he prepares to allow some businesses to gradually reopen.
“Why put ourselves in that position when we are just a week or two away from significant modifications of our stay-at-home [order], where we can begin a Phase 2, beginning to reopen sectors of our economy that are low risk?” Newsom said.
On Tuesday, Newsom unveiled a broad outline of a plan to lift his stay-at-home order and slowly ease the restrictions on Californians in four stages in the weeks and months ahead. The governor also announced that schools could potentially reopen in July or August, catching educators who were learning about it for the first time off guard.
The governor introduced the new stages weeks after he unveiled six criteria that he said the state must meet — including more widespread testing, increasing hospital capacity and developing plans to safely reopen stores and businesses and to prevent and prepare for the possibility of a second wave of infections — before gradually lifting the restrictions.
Newsom has not offered a specific timeline for Californians to expect to see the changes implemented. His proposal also lacked key details outlining all of the businesses that would be allowed to reopen physical locations in each stage, who would enforce restrictions still in place and how employers would be expected to protect their workers. The governor said Wednesday to expect more detailed guidelines in the next few weeks.
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California is currently in the first stage, Newsom said, loosely defined as prioritizing the safety of essential workers who continue to perform their jobs during the crisis as government expands testing capabilities and builds its supply of hospital equipment, masks and other personal protective gear.
Newsom said the second stage would begin in the next “few weeks” and allow more types of “lower risk” businesses to reopen, such as manufacturing facilities, offices when telecommuting isn’t possible and the reintroduction of some public spaces. The governor’s office said curbside pickup would also occur at more stores in the second stage, although some retailers are already offering that option. Also part of the second stage is Newsom’s controversial proposal to start the school year in July or August.
Stage 3 would begin in later months and expand reopenings to hair salons, gyms, sports competitions in empty stadiums and religious services. The final stage would mark the end of the stay-at-home order and all restrictions, allowing people to return to concerts and sporting events, which the governor has noted is unlikely to occur until a vaccine becomes widely available.


latimes--2020-04-29--Who can get a coronavirus test and how long does it take to get results?

It ’ s slowly getting easier to obtain a coronavirus test in California — following an initial rollout marked by restrictions and shortages that had the state lagging behind most others just weeks ago .
So who can get tested ?
Hospitalized patients and symptomatic healthcare workers are still considered top priority for testing .
A second-priority tier includes symptomatic people who are either older or have underlying conditions .
Asymptomatic people living or working in high-risk settings such as nursing homes , prisons and even some households are also now high on the priority list , following a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to partially ease testing restrictions .
The state ’ s broadening of federal guidelines reflects increasing availability of testing , as major labs report sufficient supplies and excess capacity to run more procedures , according to the public health department .
According to Gov .
Gavin Newsom , the federal government is slated to provide the state with critically needed specimen swabs , which have been in short supply .
Newsom said recently that 100,000 swabs were expected to arrive in California last week and 250,000 this week .
The developments are viewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward establishing widespread testing in California to identify and isolate every coronavirus case — something that the governor said is crucial to lifting the state ’ s strict stay-at-home order currently in place .
In L.A. County , residents showing symptoms can make a same- or next-day appointment for testing after registering online .
Symptoms include fever , chills , muscle pain , loss of taste or smell , and coughing .
( Signs that you need immediate medical attention include turning blue , persistent pain or pressure in the chest , trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for an active infection — which involves a mouth swab — takes a few minutes , but the wait in line at each test site will vary , according to county officials .
Results are typically available in three to five days .
Patients are notified by email or text message when their results are ready .
This is the latest list of L.A. County testing sites .

It’s slowly getting easier to obtain a coronavirus test in California — following an initial rollout marked by restrictions and shortages that had the state lagging behind most others just weeks ago.
So who can get tested?
Hospitalized patients and symptomatic healthcare workers are still considered top priority for testing. A second-priority tier includes symptomatic people who are either older or have underlying conditions.
Asymptomatic people living or working in high-risk settings such as nursing homes, prisons and even some households are also now high on the priority list, following a decision last week by California public health officials to partially ease testing restrictions.
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The state’s broadening of federal guidelines reflects increasing availability of testing, as major labs report sufficient supplies and excess capacity to run more procedures, according to the public health department.
According to Gov. Gavin Newsom, the federal government is slated to provide the state with critically needed specimen swabs, which have been in short supply. Newsom said recently that 100,000 swabs were expected to arrive in California last week and 250,000 this week.
The developments are viewed by some experts as a significant step toward establishing widespread testing in California to identify and isolate every coronavirus case — something that the governor said is crucial to lifting the state’s strict stay-at-home order currently in place.
In L.A. County, residents showing symptoms can make a same- or next-day appointment for testing after registering online. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, loss of taste or smell, and coughing. (Signs that you need immediate medical attention include turning blue, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, trouble breathing and confusion.)
The test for an active infection — which involves a mouth swab — takes a few minutes, but the wait in line at each test site will vary, according to county officials.
Results are typically available in three to five days. Patients are notified by email or text message when their results are ready.
This is the latest list of L.A. County testing sites.


latimes--2020-04-29--Second Riverside County inmate dies after testing positive for COVID-19

A Riverside County jail inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 died Tuesday , marking the second coronavirus-related inmate death in three days .
The back-to-back deaths come as the Sheriff ’ s Department is facing questions from civil rights attorneys and activists about its efforts to protect people who live and work in the jails .
As of Wednesday , 141 inmates have tested positive for the virus and most have recovered , according to the Riverside University Health System-Public Health .
The Sheriff ’ s Department has not provided a breakdown of coronavirus cases at each of the jails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came a month after the inmate , who was not identified , was booked into custody .
He was arrested March 27 on suspicion of domestic violence and 10 days later taken to a hospital for treatment of a preexisting medical condition .
At the hospital , the man came down with flu-like symptoms and on April 15 tested positive for the coronavirus .
Authorities have not determined a cause of death but said it appears to have resulted from complications from his preexisting condition , possibly exacerbated by COVID-19 .
The previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had been in custody since August 2018 and housed at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning .
He came down with flu-like symptoms on April 13 and tested positive the next day , the Sheriff ’ s Department said .
Six days later , his symptoms worsened and he was taken to a hospital .
The department has not released new figures on infected employees since April 17 , when 71 had tested positive for the virus .
Two deputies — including one who worked in the Murrieta jail — have died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s efforts to protect people who live and work in the jails as woefully inadequate .
Inmates have said they feared their jail terms could turn into death sentences .
Deputies worry about bringing the virus home to their families .
A federal judge found that the Sheriff ’ s Department “ failed to demonstrate that it is currently taking adequate precautions ” to protect those in custody and ordered officials to submit a plan to achieve physical distancing .
The Sheriff ’ s Department has not made public plans it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Early on , Sheriff Chad Bianco generally spurned the broad early release orders adopted by other law enforcement agencies to slow the spread of the virus behind bars .
In a court filing , the department said it already was releasing low-level offenders to ease overcrowding , including those who would otherwise qualify for compassionate release or who are at high risk of contracting the virus .
It ’ s unclear what criteria it uses for those releases .
“ There is no such thing as a low-level inmate in our custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anyway , ” Bianco said during a news briefing this month .
“ If you don ’ t want to catch this virus while you ’ re in custody , don ’ t break the law.
” Jordanna Wong-Omshehe of Starting Over Inc. , which provides reentry services , said she and other activists had been urging Bianco to reduce the jail population since mid-March .
“ This all could ’ ve been avoided , ” she said .
“ Why are people being booked ?
Why aren ’ t alternatives to incarceration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve done , they did not deserve to die in jail.
” Wong-Omshehe pointed to Los Angeles County , which has more than triple the jail population but fewer coronavirus cases , as evidence that releasing older people , those arrested for nonviolent offenses and in other categories helped slow the spread of the virus .
L.A. County jails , which typically house 17,000 inmates , now have fewer than 12,000 in custody .
As of Wednesday , 107 inmates had tested positive .
In Riverside County , 141 inmates have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped to 3,230 from about 3,700 .
Differences in the rate of testing , however , were unclear .
Some critics have argued that L.A. County has not done enough .
A class-action lawsuit filed last week claims that inmates are not being tested even when they show symptoms and lack sufficient space for physical distancing .
The lawsuit says inmates don ’ t have enough soap or a safe way to dry their hands .
One of the plaintiffs named in the case is Rodney O. Cullors , 58 , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ downtown .
The lawsuit says that he suffers from several severe ailments , including heart problems , spinal damage and schizophrenia .
It claims that nearly 100 people are forced to live in the same open dorm unit where dozens of triple bunk beds are placed one to three feet apart .
In March , Cullors was taken to a medical appointment and spent 30 to 45 minutes exposed to a patient infected with COVID-19 “ without any mask , gloves , or even a dividing curtain , ” the lawsuit says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals and requests the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department implement a list of preventive measures , including temperature checks and screening for all new bookings , free soap and paper towels to allow frequent hand washing and drying each day , an adequate supply of disinfectant hand wipes and multiple face masks that are regularly cleaned .
When asked about the lawsuit at a news briefing Monday , Sheriff Alex Villanueva said that he had not been served but that the agency has depopulated by more than 5,000 inmates .
“ Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could do some social distancing , we ’ d have the room to move populations , to quarantine , isolate where needed , ” he said .
“ The system we put into place was intentional from the very beginning , but we have to balance the public safety of the community outside the jails versus those inside the jails and those who work in the jail system.
” Villanueva said releasing the number of inmates needed to achieve the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended social distancing guidelines behind bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You ’ d be putting out onto the street people that you would not want to see out on the street , ” he said .

A Riverside County sheriff’s deputy keeps watch during a car rally to protest conditions in Riverside County jails, where there has been a coronavirus outbreak.
A Riverside County jail inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 died Tuesday, marking the second coronavirus-related inmate death in three days.
The back-to-back deaths come as the Sheriff’s Department is facing questions from civil rights attorneys and activists about its efforts to protect people who live and work in the jails.
As of Wednesday, 141 inmates have tested positive for the virus and most have recovered, according to the Riverside University Health System-Public Health. The Sheriff’s Department has not provided a breakdown of coronavirus cases at each of the jails it runs.
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Tuesday’s death came a month after the inmate, identified as Salvador Garcia, 57, was booked into custody at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta. He was arrested March 27 on suspicion of domestic violence and 10 days later taken to a hospital for treatment of a preexisting medical condition. At the hospital, the man came down with flu-like symptoms and on April 15 tested positive for the coronavirus.
Authorities have not determined a cause of death but said it appears to have resulted from complications from his preexisting condition, possibly exacerbated by COVID-19.
The previous inmate death occurred Sunday. The man, identified as Edward Clark, 69, had been in custody since August 2018 on burglary and arson charges. He was housed at Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning in lieu of $1-million bail. He came down with flu-like symptoms on April 13 and tested positive the next day, the Sheriff’s Department said. Six days later, his symptoms worsened and he was taken to a hospital.
The department has not released new figures on infected employees since April 17, when 71 had tested positive for the virus. Two deputies — including one who worked in the Murrieta jail — have died.
Civil rights advocates have described the agency’s efforts to protect people who live and work in the jails as woefully inadequate. Inmates have said they feared their jail terms could turn into death sentences. Deputies worry about bringing the virus home to their families.
A federal judge found that the Sheriff’s Department “failed to demonstrate that it is currently taking adequate precautions” to protect those in custody and ordered officials to submit a plan to achieve physical distancing.
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The Sheriff’s Department has not made public plans it submitted after the judge’s order.
Early on, Sheriff Chad Bianco generally spurned the broad early release orders adopted by other law enforcement agencies to slow the spread of the virus behind bars.
In a court filing, the department said it already was releasing low-level offenders to ease overcrowding, including those who would otherwise qualify for compassionate release or who are at high risk of contracting the virus. It’s unclear what criteria it uses for those releases.
“There is no such thing as a low-level inmate in our custody. We don’t hold them anyway,” Bianco said during a news briefing this month. “If you don’t want to catch this virus while you’re in custody, don’t break the law.”
Jordanna Wong-Omshehe of Starting Over Inc., which provides reentry services, said she and other activists had been urging Bianco to reduce the jail population since mid-March.
“This all could’ve been avoided,” she said. “Why are people being booked? Why aren’t alternatives to incarceration being utilized? ... Regardless of what they’ve done, they did not deserve to die in jail.”
Wong-Omshehe pointed to Los Angeles County, which has more than triple the jail population but fewer coronavirus cases, as evidence that releasing older people, those arrested for nonviolent offenses and in other categories helped slow the spread of the virus. L.A. County jails, which typically house 17,000 inmates, now have fewer than 12,000 in custody. As of Wednesday, 107 inmates had tested positive.
In Riverside County, 141 inmates have tested positive. The jail population has dropped to 3,230 from about 3,700. Differences in the rate of testing, however, were unclear.
Some critics have argued that L.A. County has not done enough. A class-action lawsuit filed last week claims that inmates are not being tested even when they show symptoms and lack sufficient space for physical distancing. The lawsuit says inmates don’t have enough soap or a safe way to dry their hands.
One of the plaintiffs named in the case is Rodney O. Cullors, 58, who is housed at Men’s Central Jail downtown. The lawsuit says that he suffers from several severe ailments, including heart problems, spinal damage and schizophrenia. It claims that nearly 100 people are forced to live in the same open dorm unit where dozens of triple bunk beds are placed one to three feet apart.
In March, Cullors was taken to a medical appointment and spent 30 to 45 minutes exposed to a patient infected with COVID-19 “without any mask, gloves, or even a dividing curtain,” the lawsuit says.
It seeks the release of medically vulnerable individuals and requests the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department implement a list of preventive measures, including temperature checks and screening for all new bookings, free soap and paper towels to allow frequent hand washing and drying each day, an adequate supply of disinfectant hand wipes and multiple face masks that are regularly cleaned.
When asked about the lawsuit at a news briefing Monday, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said that he had not been served but that the agency has depopulated by more than 5,000 inmates.
“Our goal was to create defensible space so we could do some social distancing, we’d have the room to move populations, to quarantine, isolate where needed,” he said. “The system we put into place was intentional from the very beginning, but we have to balance the public safety of the community outside the jails versus those inside the jails and those who work in the jail system.”
Villanueva said releasing the number of inmates needed to achieve CDC-recommended social distancing guidelines behind bars would be “physically impossible.”
“You’d be putting out onto the street people that you would not want to see out on the street,” he said.


latimes--2020-04-29--Face masks won't be required in Ventura County, health official says

Ventura County officials have credited social distancing and a local stay-at-home order with stemming the spread of the coronavirus and keeping the number of cases and deaths in the county low .
But Dr. Robert Levin , the county ’ s public health officer , says he will not require the wearing of face coverings , a step that neighboring counties like Los Angeles and Riverside have mandated for residents who are conducting essential business .
Levin , who has stuck to strict health measures in the fight against the pandemic , said Tuesday at a Board of Supervisors meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence that has shown masks are not entirely effective .
“ With no mask order here in Ventura County , we ’ ve done a really good job of flattening the curve , ” he said .
“ That ’ s not to say people aren ’ t wearing masks and electing to do that on their own , but there ’ s no order.
” The county reported Tuesday a total of 508 coronavirus cases , up five from the previous day ’ s report .
So far , 356 people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under active quarantine and 17 people have died .
About 9,500 people in the county have been tested for COVID-19 .
In recent weeks , Ventura County has eased its Stay Well at Home order to allow some businesses as well as county parks to reopen .
The low number of cases signals the county is flattening the curve , Executive Officer Michael Powers said at Tuesday ’ s meeting .
Keeping the numbers down will be an important step in adhering to Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s four-part plan to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re going to continue to just lean in with everything we have to put these steps in place so when the governor does announce his easings , we ’ ll be in the best position to support our community ’ s efforts here , ” he said .
Public health director Rigoberto Vargas said the county ’ s “ doubling rate ” is around 26 days , meaning that given the current rate of spread of COVID-19 in Ventura County , it would take nearly four weeks for the current number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubling rate is important because it gives hospitals and first responders extra time to prepare for additional patients .
In comparison , in Los Angeles County — the hardest-hit area in the state — the doubling rate is .
“ With our good numbers , again we get asked often why not lift Ventura County ’ s Stay Well at Home order , ” Vargas said .
“ We have to be very diligent about not opening too fast.
” Under Levin ’ s guidance , the county was quick to implement its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their travel and stay six feet away from others .
The county even limited what items essential businesses could sell .
But as other parts of the state and the nation were beginning to explore recommendations for wearing masks , Levin held out .
Then , on April 2 , against face coverings and instead encouraged residents to wear them .
At the time , he said there was growing evidence the masks would decrease the possibility of spreading the virus — or contracting it — from asymptomatic people .
At the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Prevention that people use face masks .
The city of Los Angeles on April 7 began requiring both workers and customers of essential businesses to wear masks .
Los Angeles County followed suit a week later .
This week , Levin said he still supports residents who choose to wear masks , but he won ’ t mandate the practice .
He cited studies showing masks have been ineffective against the spread of disease .
He also pointed out that despite a shortage of medical-grade masks , nonmedical workers continue to use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of donating the PPE to medical workers .
“ Based on these findings , I can ’ t mandate that cloth masks be worn in all public places at this time , ” Levin said .
He did note , however , that the recommendation could shift .
“ If the prevalence of disease increases in our county or some convincing evidence comes along , that guidance of course can change , ” he said .

Ventura County officials have credited social distancing and a local stay-at-home order with stemming the spread of the coronavirus and keeping the number of cases and deaths in the county low.
But Dr. Robert Levin, the county’s public health officer, says he will not require the wearing of face coverings, a step that neighboring counties like Los Angeles and Riverside have mandated for residents who are conducting essential business.
Levin, who has stuck to strict health measures in the fight against the pandemic, said Tuesday at a Board of Supervisors meeting that he made the decision after considering evidence that has shown masks are not entirely effective.
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“With no mask order here in Ventura County, we’ve done a really good job of flattening the curve,” he said. “That’s not to say people aren’t wearing masks and electing to do that on their own, but there’s no order.”
The county reported Tuesday a total of 508 coronavirus cases, up five from the previous day’s report. So far, 356 people have recovered from the illness, 135 remain under active quarantine and 17 people have died. About 9,500 people in the county have been tested for COVID-19.
In recent weeks, Ventura County has eased its Stay Well at Home order to allow some businesses as well as county parks to reopen.
The low number of cases signals the county is flattening the curve, Executive Officer Michael Powers said at Tuesday’s meeting. Keeping the numbers down will be an important step in adhering to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-part plan to reopen the state, Powers said.
“We’re going to continue to just lean in with everything we have to put these steps in place so when the governor does announce his easings, we’ll be in the best position to support our community’s efforts here,” he said.
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Public health director Rigoberto Vargas said the county’s “doubling rate” is around 26 days, meaning that given the current rate of spread of COVID-19 in Ventura County, it would take nearly four weeks for the current number of cases to double.
A higher doubling rate is important because it gives hospitals and first responders extra time to prepare for additional patients. In comparison, in Los Angeles County — the hardest-hit area in the state — the doubling rate is 17.7 days .
“With our good numbers, again we get asked often why not lift Ventura County’s Stay Well at Home order,” Vargas said. “We have to be very diligent about not opening too fast.”
Under Levin’s guidance, the county was quick to implement its stay-at-home directive, asking residents to limit their travel and stay six feet away from others. The county even limited what items essential businesses could sell. But as other parts of the state and the nation were beginning to explore recommendations for wearing masks, Levin held out.
Then, on April 2, he reversed his initial position against face coverings and instead encouraged residents to wear them. At the time, he said there was growing evidence the masks would decrease the possibility of spreading the virus — or contracting it — from asymptomatic people.
At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began recommendations that people use face masks. The city of Los Angeles on April 7 began requiring both workers and customers of essential businesses to wear masks. Los Angeles County followed suit a week later.
This week, Levin said he still supports residents who choose to wear masks, but he won’t mandate the practice. He cited studies showing masks have been ineffective against the spread of disease. He also pointed out that despite a shortage of medical-grade masks, nonmedical workers continue to use personal protective equipment like N95 masks instead of donating the PPE to medical workers.
“Based on these findings, I can’t mandate that cloth masks be worn in all public places at this time,” Levin said.
He did note, however, that the recommendation could shift.
“If the prevalence of disease increases in our county or some convincing evidence comes along, that guidance of course can change,” he said.


latimes--2020-04-29--Moratorium on debt collection during coronavirus crisis urged by L.A. City Council

Debt collection should be halted during the coronavirus crisis , the Los Angeles City Council urged in a proposal that passed unanimously Wednesday .
The proposal , introduced by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez , does not take any immediate action to halt the practice but calls on Mayor Eric Garcetti to impose a moratorium on debt collection .
It also asks the mayor to declare collection and credit agencies to be nonessential businesses during the emergency order spurred by the pandemic .
Rodriguez billed the suggested move as a way “ to further protect Angelenos who have lost their jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passed without discussion Wednesday .
The push was applauded by groups such as the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition , which assert that California has not gone far enough to ease debt collection during the emergency .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom recently signed an executive order that bans wage garnishment for any financial assistance tied to COVID-19 unless the money is being garnished for child support or other specified kinds of restitution .
But “ how will a bank know whether the income is COVID-related or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty .
“ If the banks don ’ t know which money is protected , you need to put things on pause.
” California ’ s Franchise Tax Board is also holding off on garnishing wages and imposing bank levies and liens on residents who have unpaid taxes and other government debt until the middle of July .
But Californians can still face debt collection in other ways , including from private companies that have bought up unpaid debt from local governments .
Bartholow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more difficult for people to exercise their legal rights regarding debt collection .
For instance , if someone had been getting their wages garnished and their hours were abruptly cut , they have the right to go to court to get a reduction in the amount being taken out of their paycheck .
They can also seek relief if a bank levy takes money that they need for basic expenses , Bartholow said .
The L.A. proposal “ is exactly what we need , ” Bartholow said .
Advocates pointed out that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into effect : a state bill signed by Newsom that automatically sets aside the sum of $ 1,724 whenever a bank account is seized .
The law is meant to prevent accounts of low-income families from being totally emptied , but it does not take effect until September .
“ There is no activity more counterproductive right now than pushing people who are already on the financial precipice over the edge , ” said Ted Mermin , director of the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition .
“ This is , by an large , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street .
These are very large companies that hold most of the debt that ’ s being pursued.
” Industry groups , in turn , raised concerns about whether a moratorium could end up hurting consumers instead of helping them because of “ unintended consequences.
” The California Assn .
of Collectors said it was open to a temporary ban on new efforts to recoup funds through bank levies , collection lawsuits and other activities and that its members would “ stop collection activities with respect to any resident that says he or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19.
” But the association argued that collection agencies should be able to stay open so they can process payments and update credit reports and perform legally required functions .
People need to be able to reach agencies for help to pay , dispute or get information about the source of a debt and to detect identity theft , the group said .
“ Professional debt collectors are a resource for the community and an all-out moratorium on collections would take that important resource away , ” its president , Shawn Suhr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president of operations for the debt collection agency USCB America , also phoned in to Wednesday ’ s meeting to urge the council to vote down the proposal , arguing that the work done by her company helps support essential businesses including hospitals .
“ One of our largest partners is the Los Angeles County healthcare system — basically the front lines on diagnosing and treating the COVID-19 virus , as well as other local government agencies who we partner with closely , ” Lopez said .
“ Shutting down collection agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ residents and businesses.
” It is unclear whether the mayor will impose such a moratorium : A Garcetti spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the vote .

Debt collection should be halted during the coronavirus crisis, the Los Angeles City Council urged in a proposal that passed unanimously Wednesday.
The proposal, introduced by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, does not take any immediate action to halt the practice but calls on Mayor Eric Garcetti to impose a moratorium on debt collection. It also asks the mayor to declare collection and credit agencies to be nonessential businesses during the emergency order spurred by the pandemic.
“Families are already struggling and experiencing economic trauma — we don’t need the repo man showing up on doorsteps and taking away assets,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
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The push was applauded by groups such as the Western Center on Law and Poverty and the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition, which assert that California has not gone far enough to ease debt collection during the emergency.
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed an executive order that bans wage garnishment for any financial assistance tied to COVID-19 unless the money is being garnished for child support or other specified kinds of restitution.
But “how will a bank know whether the income is COVID-related or not?” asked Jessica Bartholow, policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty. “If the banks don’t know which money is protected, you need to put things on pause.”
California’s Franchise Tax Board is also holding off on garnishing wages and imposing bank levies and liens on residents who have unpaid taxes and other government debt until the middle of July. But Californians can still face debt collection in other ways, including from private companies that have bought up unpaid debt from local governments.
Bartholow added that court closures have made it much more difficult for people to exercise their legal rights regarding debt collection.
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For instance, if someone had been getting their wages garnished and their hours were abruptly cut, they have the right to go to court to get a reduction in the amount being taken out of their paycheck. They can also seek relief if a bank levy takes money that they need for basic expenses, Bartholow said.
The L.A. proposal “is exactly what we need,” Bartholow said.
Advocates pointed out that another protective measure hasn’t gone into effect: a state bill signed by Newsom that automatically sets aside the sum of $1,724 whenever a bank account is seized. The law is meant to prevent accounts of low-income families from being totally emptied, but it does not take effect until September.
“There is no activity more counterproductive right now than pushing people who are already on the financial precipice over the edge,” said Ted Mermin, director of the California Low-Income Consumer Coalition.“This is, by and large, not the mom-and-pop grocery store down the street. These are very large companies that hold most of the debt that’s being pursued.”
Industry groups, in turn, raised concerns about whether a moratorium could end up hurting consumers instead of helping them because of “unintended consequences.”
The California Assn. of Collectors said that it was open to a temporary ban on new efforts to recoup funds through bank levies, collection lawsuits and other activities and that its members would “stop collection activities with respect to any resident that says he or she has been negatively impacted financially by COVID-19.”
But the association argued that collection agencies should be able to stay open so they can process payments and update credit reports and perform legally required functions. People need to be able to reach agencies for help to pay, dispute or get information about the source of a debt and to detect identity theft, the group said.
“Professional debt collectors are a resource for the community, and an all-out moratorium on collections would take that important resource away,” its president, Shawn Suhr, told the council.
Patricia Lopez, vice president of operations for the debt collection agency USCB America, also phoned in to Wednesday’s meeting to oppose the proposal, arguing that the work done by her company helps support essential businesses including hospitals.
“One of our largest partners is the Los Angeles County healthcare system — basically the front lines on diagnosing and treating the COVID-19 virus, as well as other local government agencies who we partner with closely,” Lopez said. “Shutting down collection agencies will actually hurt many of Los Angeles’ residents and businesses.”
Garcetti said Wednesday that he had asked the city attorney to assess whether imposing such a moratorium falls under L.A.’s legal jurisdiction. If so, the mayor said, he would be “happy to not only embrace that, but to lead the nation.”