latimes--2020-05-01--'Freedom' protest at California Capitol leads to arrests

They came with babies strapped to their chests , flags waving and even a speedboat parked at the curb to symbolize California ’ s closed beaches .
Hundreds of people — likely more than 1,000 — crowded around the California State Capitol on Friday to protest Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s social distancing orders amid a pandemic that has now killed more than 2,000 Californians .
With nary a mask in sight , protesters called Newsom a tyrant and showed their support for President Trump , evidenced by Trump 2020 gear everywhere , including for sale .
But despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing , most were quick to absolve him of their anger over current conditions in the Golden State .
Susan Dorrity , a retired mortgage broker from Modesto , said the president was smart to leave decisions about closures to governors .
“ Not opening up as of May 1 is on the governor , not on him , ” she said .
“ God is behind Trump.
” The demonstration was unauthorized and not permitted by the California Highway Patrol , but CHP officers did not disperse protesters until late in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of arrests .
A woman who identified herself only as Michelle expressed outrage as multiple California Highway Patrol officers secured her wrists with plastic ties .
“ We were peacefully assembling and I am getting arrested , ” she fumed as her 14-year-old daughter stood by , separated from other family members .
The young girl fled past the line of officers in tactical gear with batons out , into a press of protesters , searching for her sister .
Other protests took place elsewhere in California on Friday , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees and other frontline workers who say employers are not protecting them from the contagion .
The Capitol rally kicked off just as Newsom was giving his daily briefing a few blocks away .
Asked about the protest at the still-closed building , Newsom said he supports the right to civic action and promised announcements about changes to closure orders in coming days .
“ I believe in freedom of expression , ” he said .
“ And thank them for their expression of free speech.
” About the time Newsom was speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the open sunroof of a gold Lexus SUV stuck in gridlock in front of the Capitol .
Along with those on foot , hundreds more circled in the building in cars , license plates covered in duct tape , blaring their horns and ringing cowbells .
Amid the clanging and beeps , she shouted a message for Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
“ We are healthy and we need to open up , ” she yelled .
Overhead , a plane circled trailing a banner with Newsom ’ s photo and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyranny.
” Leigh Dundas , a Southern Californian lawyer involved in previous protests , stood in a tan speedboat parked on the street , railing against Orange County beach closures on a sound system , while protesters on the steps chanted “ freedom.
” “ The cops are pushing back the protesters off the steps of our house , ” she yelled as highway patrol officers began moving protesters away from Capitol steps around 1:30 p.m. “ Freedom !
” She yelled , and the crowd joined in the chant .
“ What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unconstitutional ... and I ’ m not OK with it , ” she said later .
As of Friday , the COVID-19 pandemic had sickened more than 50,000 people and killed more than 2,050 in California .
Nationwide , it has killed more than 65,000 .
Among the political activists were some small-business owners new to political dissent and facing crushing financial losses .
Mike Owen runs Crystal Basin Cellars , a winery in El Dorado County .
Owen said he was lucky because alcohol sales were considered an essential service .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we are doing tons of delivery and shipping , ” own said .
Still , he ’ s gone from 20 employees to about four , and is frustrated that those he laid off have been unable to get unemployment benefits so far .
“ This is the point where thankfully people have some reserves , family , he said .
But he believes the shutdown is more about politics than public safety .
“ We are all participating right now in Gavin Newsom ’ s run for president , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise his profile.
” Jim , another small business owner who asked that his last name not be used , runs a bounce house company in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville .
This time of year is usually busy for his 300 jumpers and 13 employees but the shutdown has wiped him out financially .
“ All my schools , my graduation parties , field days , they ’ re gone .
Just like that , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t know what to do.
” Jim said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build the company , starting in his garage .
Within weeks of the virus hitting , people began to cancel .
“ I ’ ve never given back so many refunds , ” he said .
“ I went insolvent.
” He laid off all his workers except for one .
But that employee used to make more than $ 1,000 a week .
Now “ it ’ s maybe $ 140 .
I mean , just scraps.
” Jim said he had never been to a rally before last week ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlike many draped in patriotic colors , he wore a black polo shirt with his company logo .
As he stood watching police and protesters face off , his jaw tightened with emotion .
“ We shut down the country for a cold , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve got to stop talking .
”

A protester walks into the water in Hermosa Beach following a rally voicing their disagreement with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s closure of beaches. The residents were joined by about 100 people in chanting to “open the beach,” and then a march to the sand and eventually water, near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Hundreds of people converge in downtown Los Angeles to demand the reopening of the California economy. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters demanding the end of the coronavirus lockdown wave flags in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters in downtown Los Angeles call for the end of stay-at-home orders. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters call for the end of coronavirus stay-at-home orders outside City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters demanding that stay-at-home rules be lifted gather outside L.A. City Hall on Friday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A Los Angeles police officer stands outside City Hall on Friday as protesters call on the city and state governments to lift stay-at-home orders. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A protester calling for the end of stay-at-home restrictions, left, argues with a counterprotester outside L.A. City Hall. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A proponent of opening the economy as quickly as possible, right, gets into a verbal altercation with a counterprotester at Los Angeles City Hall. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Hundreds of people converge in downtown Los Angeles to call on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen the state economy, saying the coronavirus lockdown has hurt workers. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles)
Protesters demand that California’s stay-at-home rules be lifted at Huntington Beach on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters converge on Huntington Beach on Friday to demand stay-at-home rules be lifted. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Hundreds of protesters gather at the state Capitol in Sacramento to protest Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
California Highway Patrol officers take into custody a woman who refused to follow orders to move off the state Capitol grounds in Sacramento during a protest Friday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
More than 1,500 people took part in a protest at the Capitol in Sacramento, seeking a reopening of the California economy. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
California Highway Patrol officers take into custody a woman who refused to follow orders to move off the Capitol grounds during a protest Friday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Mounted police line up to keep protesters on the sidewalk at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Hundreds of protesters rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Motorists join the protesters at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Mounted police line up to keep protesters on the sidewalk at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of surfers in the waters off Huntington Beach on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach lifeguards patrol with a boat to try to clear surfers out of the water while protesters rallied nearby. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Gareth Davies of Aliso Viejo waves the U.S. flag in Huntington Beach while protesting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s closure of Orange County beaches. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A protester holds a U.S. flag outside his car while joining a rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to reopen beaches and lift stay-at-home orders. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Alicia Cruz, center, of Elk Grove, Calif., takes part in a protest at the California State Capitol. She said she was there to protect civil liberties, her children’s future and future livelihoods. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Over 1,500 people attended a rally at the capitol in Sacramento, May 1, 2020. asking for the reopening of the economy, closed due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
Over 1,500 people attended a rally at the capitol in Sacramento, May 1, 2020. asking for the reopening of the economy, closed due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
Over 1,500 people attended a rally at the capitol in Sacramento, May 1, 2020. asking for the reopening of the economy, closed due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
They came with babies strapped to their chests, flags waving and even a speedboat parked at the curb to symbolize California’s closed beaches.
Hundreds of people — likely more than 1,000 — crowded around the California State Capitol on Friday to protest Gov. Gavin Newsom’s social distancing orders amid a pandemic that has now killed more than 2,000 Californians.
With nary a mask in sight, protesters called Newsom a tyrant and showed their support for President Trump, evidenced by Trump 2020 gear everywhere, including for sale. But despite the president’s back-and-forth support of social distancing, most were quick to absolve him of their anger over current conditions in the Golden State.
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Susan Dorrity, a retired mortgage broker from Modesto, said the president was smart to leave decisions about closures to governors.
“Not opening up as of May 1 is on the governor, not on him,” she said. “God is behind Trump.”
The demonstration was unauthorized and not permitted by the California Highway Patrol, but CHP officers did not disperse protesters until late in the afternoon when tense moments led to a handful of arrests.
A woman who identified herself only as Michelle expressed outrage as multiple California Highway Patrol officers secured her wrists with plastic ties.
“We were peacefully assembling and I am getting arrested,” she fumed as her 14-year-old daughter stood by, separated from other family members. The young girl fled past the line of officers in tactical gear with batons out, into a press of protesters, searching for her sister.
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Other protests took place elsewhere in California on Friday, along with actions by grocery clerks, warehouse employees and other frontline workers who say employers are not protecting them from the contagion.
The Capitol rally kicked off just as Newsom was giving his daily briefing a few blocks away. Asked about the protest at the still-closed building, Newsom said he supports the right to civic action and promised announcements about changes to closure orders in coming days.
“I believe in freedom of expression,” he said. “And thank them for their expression of free speech.”
About the time Newsom was speaking, Susan West stood waving a flag out the open sunroof of a gold Lexus SUV stuck in gridlock in front of the Capitol. Along with those on foot, hundreds more circled in the building in cars, license plates covered in duct tape, blaring their horns and ringing cowbells. Amid the clanging and beeps, she shouted a message for Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“We are healthy and we need to open up,” she yelled.
Overhead, a plane circled trailing a banner with Newsom’s photo and a slogan that read: “End his Tyranny.”
Leigh Dundas, a Southern Californian lawyer involved in previous protests, stood in a tan speedboat parked on the street, railing against Orange County beach closures on a sound system, while protesters on the steps chanted “freedom.”
Protesters brought a boat to the California State Capitol on Friday to protest coronavirus beach shutdowns. (Anita Chabria / Los Angeles Times)
“The cops are pushing back the protesters off the steps of our house,” she yelled as highway patrol officers began moving protesters away from Capitol steps around 1:30 p.m.
“Freedom!” She yelled, and the crowd joined in the chant.
“What’s going on at this point is unconstitutional ... and I’m not OK with it,” she said later.
As of Friday, the COVID-19 pandemic had sickened more than 50,000 people and killed more than 2,050 in California. Nationwide, it has killed more than 65,000.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Among the political activists were some small-business owners new to political dissent and facing crushing financial losses.
Mike Owen runs Crystal Basin Cellars, a winery in El Dorado County. Owen said he was lucky because alcohol sales were considered an essential service.
“We’ve had to pivot and we are doing tons of delivery and shipping,” own said.
Still, he’s gone from 20 employees to about four, and is frustrated that those he laid off have been unable to get unemployment benefits so far. “This is the point where thankfully people have some reserves, family, he said.
But he believes the shutdown is more about politics than public safety. “We are all participating right now in Gavin Newsom’s run for president,” he said. “The conflict is going to raise his profile.”
Jim, another small business owner who asked that his last name not be used, runs a bounce house company in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville. This time of year is usually busy for his 300 jumpers and 13 employees but the shutdown has wiped him out financially.
“All my schools, my graduation parties, field days, they’re gone. Just like that,” he said. “I don’t know what to do.”
Jim said it had taken him 10 years to build the company, starting in his garage. Within weeks of the virus hitting, people began to cancel.
“I’ve never given back so many refunds,” he said. “I went insolvent.” He laid off all his workers except for one. But that employee used to make more than $1,000 a week. Now “it’s maybe $140. I mean, just scraps.”
Jim said he had never been to a rally before last week’s similar event at the Capitol, and unlike many draped in patriotic colors, he wore a black polo shirt with his company logo. As he stood watching police and protesters face off, his jaw tightened with emotion.
“We shut down the country for a cold,” he said. “I’ve got to stop talking.”


latimes--2020-05-01--Here is the latest list of Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

Orange County health officials on Friday announced 163 new COVID-19 cases , bringing the overall number of cases to 2,537 @ @ @ @ @ more deaths , for a total of 50 coronavirus-related fatalities .
The Orange County Health @ @ @ @ @ a new single-day high for the county — with 61 of those patients in intensive @ @ @ @ @ , the county ’ s single-day highest number of people hospitalized reached 178 , with @ @ @ @ @ intensive care .
Countywide , 34,128 tests have been administered , with 2,594 reported Friday @ @ @ @ @ agency .
Note : The “ other ” category includes unincorporated areas .
Daily updates @ @ @ @ @ change as the county receives new information .

Orange County health officials on Friday announced 163 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the overall number of cases to 2,537.
Officials also confirmed five more deaths, for a total of 50 coronavirus-related fatalities.
The Orange County Health Agency reported 181 hospitalizations — a new single-day high for the county — with 61 of those patients in intensive care. Earlier this week, the county’s single-day highest number of people hospitalized reached 178, with 74 of those patients in intensive care.
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Countywide, 34,128 tests have been administered, with 2,594 reported Friday, according to the healthcare agency.
Age breakdown of cases
0-17: 50
18-24: 225
25-34: 453
35-44: 376
45-54: 475
55-64: 427
65-74: 262
75-84: 160
85+: 108
Age breakdown of deaths
25-34: 2
35-44: 3
45-54: 5
55-64: 7
65-74: 5
75-84: 18
85+: 10
Cases by community
Aliso Viejo: 18
Anaheim: 364
Brea: 20
Buena Park: 86
Costa Mesa: 40
Coto de Caza: 5
Cypress: 42
Dana Point: 22
Fountain Valley: 33
Fullerton: 89
Garden Grove: 112
Huntington Beach: 225
Irvine: 133
La Habra: 54
La Palma: 14
Ladera Ranch: 11
Laguna Beach: 37
Laguna Hills: 21
Laguna Niguel: 32
Laguna Woods: 8
Lake Forest: 30
Los Alamitos: 24
Midway City: 6
Mission Viejo: 46
Newport Beach: 98
Orange: 100
Placentia: 58
Rancho Mission Viejo: 6
Rancho Santa Margarita: 14
San Clemente: 48
San Juan Capistrano: 27
Santa Ana: 430
Seal Beach: 11
Stanton: 27
Trabuco Canyon: 12
Tustin: 44
Villa Park: 5
Westminster: 45
Yorba Linda: 51
Other: 2
Unknown: 87
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-05-01--L.A. County reports 1,065 new coronavirus cases, 62 deaths

Los Angeles County public health officials on Friday reported 62 more deaths related to COVID-19 and 1,065 new cases of the coronavirus .
Long Beach , which has its own health department , reported an additional 42 cases , bringing the county ’ s total to 24,257 cases and 1,172 deaths .
“ At the beginning of the month of April , I reported 79 deaths , ” said Barbara Ferrer , the county health director .
“ So we have had devastating losses across our communities during the month of April.
” A total of 1,959 COVID-19 patients are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 % of them in intensive care units and 17 % on ventilators , Ferrer said , contrasting that with the beginning of April , when there were 900 people hospitalized .
The county health department is investigating 316 institutional settings with at least one suspected or confirmed case of the coronavirus .
They include both residential settings , which include nursing homes , assisted living facilities , treatment centers and shelters , and non-residential settings , such as food establishments , retail stores and educational facilities .
A total of 5,658 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these institutions , including 3,530 among residents and 2,128 among staff .
And 564 people who live in institutional settings , most of them skilled nursing facilities , have died from COVID-19 , Ferrer said Friday .
They now account for 48 % of all deaths in L.A. County .
Officials also reported 228 cases of the coronavirus in county jail facilities , including 144 among inmates and 84 among staff , as well as 526 cases in federal prison facilities , 520 among inmates and six among staff .
The majority were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Pedro , where all staff and inmates were tested , she said .
Five inmates there have died .
In total , 152,221 people in L.A. County had been tested and received their results as of Friday , with about 14 % testing positive , Ferrer said .
She reminded residents that the county remains under stay-at-home orders and said that even as county officials plan for recovery , it ’ s important that the process takes place gradually to avoid a spike in new cases .
“ The conditions we faced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t changed significantly , ” Ferrer said .
“ We still have a new virus that is easily spread among people who are in close contact with each other .
Ninety-five percent of us have still not been infected and until there ’ s a vaccine , most residents in L.A. County can be infected at any time over the months to come.
” She said that people will need to take measures to prevent the spread of the virus for the foreseeable future .
“ While we ’ re planning for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be health officer orders in our new normal , and directives to help us make sure that we ’ re opening slowly and carefully so that we avoid any huge outbreaks and overwhelming our healthcare system , ” she said .
Statewide , California surpassed 2,000 deaths and 50,000 cases of the coronavirus , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Friday .
Still , he said , the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals declined by 2 % over the past day , and the number of those in intensive care remained flat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon to lift the state ’ s stay-at-home order , doubling down on that commitment Thursday and calling for the .
Local governments from Southern California to the Oregon border were preparing to stage acts of resistance Friday , fed up with six weeks of restrictions that have curbed their movements in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus .

Los Angeles County public health officials on Friday reported 62 more deaths related to COVID-19 and 1,065 new cases of the coronavirus.
Long Beach, which has its own health department, reported an additional 42 cases, bringing the county’s total to 24,257 cases and 1,172 deaths.
“At the beginning of the month of April, I reported 79 deaths,” said Barbara Ferrer, the county health director. “So we have had devastating losses across our communities during the month of April.”
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A total of 1,959 COVID-19 patients are in hospitals in L.A. County, with 27% of them in intensive care units and 17% on ventilators, Ferrer said, contrasting that with the beginning of April, when there were 900 people hospitalized.
The county health department is investigating 316 institutional settings with at least one suspected or confirmed case of the coronavirus. They include both residential settings, which include nursing homes, assisted living facilities, treatment centers and shelters, and non-residential settings, such as food establishments, retail stores and educational facilities.
A total of 5,658 cases of the coronavirus have been reported in these institutions, including 3,530 among residents and 2,128 among staff.
And 564 people who live in institutional settings, most of them skilled nursing facilities, have died from COVID-19, Ferrer said Friday. They now account for 48% of all deaths in L.A. County.
Officials also reported 228 cases of the coronavirus in county jail facilities, including 144 among inmates and 84 among staff, as well as 526 cases in federal prison facilities, 520 among inmates and six among staff. The majority were at the Terminal Island federal prison in San Pedro, where all staff and inmates were tested, she said. Five inmates there have died.
In total, 152,221 people in L.A. County had been tested and received their results as of Friday, with about 14% testing positive, Ferrer said.
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She reminded residents that the county remains under stay-at-home orders and said that even as county officials plan for recovery, it’s important that the process takes place gradually to avoid a spike in new cases.
“The conditions we faced in February and March and April haven’t changed significantly,” Ferrer said. “We still have a new virus that is easily spread among people who are in close contact with each other. Ninety-five percent of us have still not been infected and until there’s a vaccine, most residents in L.A. County can be infected at any time over the months to come.”
She said that people will need to take measures to prevent the spread of the virus for the foreseeable future.
“While we’re planning for recovery, there will still need to be health officer orders in our new normal, and directives to help us make sure that we’re opening slowly and carefully so that we avoid any huge outbreaks and overwhelming our healthcare system,” she said.
Statewide, California surpassed 2,000 deaths and 50,000 cases of the coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday.
Still, he said, the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals declined by 2% over the past day, and the number of those in intensive care remained flat.
Newsom has said it’s too soon to lift the state’s stay-at-home order, doubling down on that commitment Thursday and calling for the “hard close” of all Orange County beaches .
Local governments from Southern California to the Oregon border were preparing to stage acts of resistance Friday, fed up with six weeks of restrictions that have curbed their movements in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.


latimes--2020-05-01--Newsom teases announcement in 'days, not weeks' on reopening California

Under mounting pressure to lift the state ’ s stay-at-home order , Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday said that he will make an announcement as early as next week on his plans to begin to ease restrictions on Californians to stem the spread of coronavirus .
“ I just want folks to know we ’ re getting very close to making really meaningful augmentations to that stay-at-home order , ” Newsom said at his daily news conference on coronavirus efforts .
“ I want to say many days , not weeks , as long as we continue to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the next phase of his stay-at-home order as allowing some lower-risk businesses to reopen in communities across California , including retail locations , manufacturing sites and small businesses .
“ The only thing that ’ s gon na hold us back is the spread of this virus , ” Newsom said .
“ And the only thing that is sure to advance the spread of the virus is thousands of people congregating together .
Practicing social distancing or physical distance , we can avoid that.
” Newsom made the comments after Orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their beaches government overreach and launched lawsuits against the administration .
The governor said he shuttered the coastline in an effort to prevent a repeat of last weekend when crowds amassed on local beaches , drawing concerns of increasing the spread of coronavirus .
Newsom ’ s squabble with local authorities quickly spiraled into a more heated debate over the governor ’ s use of his executive powers to protect public health .
Opposition to Newsom ’ s order began the day before he made a formal announcement on Thursday .
Word spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom ’ s administration planned to close beaches across the state .
The governor ultimately chose to limit the action to Orange County , which inspired immediate lawsuits seeking to keep the beaches open .
The Huntington Beach City Council voted Thursday night to file an injunction against the governor ’ s order .
The Center for American Liberty , a conservative nonprofit run by attorney and Republican Party official Harmeet Dhillon , announced a similar suit Friday morning .
“ Orange County residents have been very outspoken about their opposition to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two months into this situation , and his increasing disregard for Californians ’ civil liberties , ” Dhillon said in a written statement .
“ Banning people from beaches doesn ’ t advance public health ; it advances only the governor ’ s ego.
” On Friday , Newsom said the lawsuits were expected .
“ All I can say is , it doesn ’ t surprise me , ” Newsom said .
“ And we ’ ll see , forgive me for saying this , we ’ ll see what happens.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom ’ s decision in a statement on Thursday .
“ Our experience here locally has been that most people are being responsible and complying with social distancing , and given that Orange County has among the lowest per-capita COVID-19 death rates in California , the state ’ s action today seems to prioritize politics over data , ” Semeta said .
Newsom ’ s announcement Thursday followed reports that he would take broader action .
On Wednesday evening , a California Police Chiefs Assn .
memo sent to local police chiefs said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday about closures of all state and local beaches .
A law enforcement source confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that authorities were briefed on the plans , which they were told might also include the closure of some parks .
On Thursday , Newsom said the memo to the police chiefs “ never got to me , ” and he denied rescinding plans for an order to close beaches statewide .
“ So , we ’ ve been consistent , ” Newsom said .
“ I can ’ t square what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what we ’ ve said.
” Aimee Faucett , chief of staff for San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer , said the Newsom administration told the mayor ’ s office Wednesday night that he would be announcing the closure of all California beaches .
She tweeted that they got word the closure would be limited to Orange County shortly before Newsom made the announcement on Thursday .
Faulconer also was relieved to hear that San Diego beaches will remain open .
The mayor joined with other San Diego County leaders and health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access countywide .
Currently , beachgoers are allowed to surf and swim in the water , as well as jog or stroll on the beach .
But they have to keep moving : Sitting down or sunbathing is not permitted .
“ I ’ m glad they reversed course .
We put together a plan that is working , ” Faulconer told The Times in a telephone interview .
“ This is consistent .
It ’ s countywide .
And , most important , people bought into it .
People are doing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Friday the difficulty in keeping Californians patient , Newsom also acknowledged another reality : The state ’ s finances are in a precarious condition .
The governor said that his revised state budget , which he will present to the Legislature on May 14 , will project both a near-term and a longer-term deficit — a sharp turnaround from the economic projections he made in January .
“ We just went like that , billions in surplus [ and now ] in just weeks , tens of billions in deficit , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the state have already begun to request help from the state for additional funding to pay for public health and safety programs .
Newsom said California will need additional federal assistance beyond what was provided last month , even as his administration has yet to spend the $ 9.5 billion the state received from the initial allocation .
“ I can assure you this : We are not going to be in a position , even as the nation ’ s fifth largest economy , to provide for the needs of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support , ” Newsom said .

Under mounting pressure to lift the state’s stay-at-home order, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday said that he will make an announcement as early as next week on his plans to begin to ease restrictions on Californians to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“I just want folks to know we’re getting very close to making really meaningful augmentations to that stay-at-home order,” Newsom said at his daily news conference on coronavirus efforts. “I want to say many days, not weeks, as long as we continue to be prudent and thoughtful.”
The governor has described the next phase of his stay-at-home order as allowing some lower-risk businesses to reopen in communities across California, including retail locations, manufacturing sites and small businesses.
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“The only thing that’s gonna hold us back is the spread of this virus,” Newsom said. “And the only thing that is sure to advance the spread of the virus is thousands of people congregating together. Practicing social distancing or physical distance, we can avoid that.”
Newsom made the comments after Orange County officials called his decision to close their beaches government overreach and launched lawsuits against the administration.
The governor said he shuttered the coastline in an effort to prevent a repeat of last weekend when crowds amassed on local beaches, drawing concerns of increasing the spread of coronavirus. Newsom’s squabble with local authorities quickly spiraled into a more heated debate over the governor’s use of his executive powers to protect public health.
Opposition to Newsom’s order began the day before he made a formal announcement on Thursday. Word spread among law enforcement officials in California that Newsom’s administration planned to close beaches across the state. The governor ultimately chose to limit the action to Orange County, which inspired immediate lawsuits seeking to keep the beaches open.
The Huntington Beach City Council voted Thursday night to file an injunction against the governor’s order. The Center for American Liberty, a conservative nonprofit run by attorney and Republican Party official Harmeet Dhillon, announced a similar suit Friday morning.
“Orange County residents have been very outspoken about their opposition to the governor’s overreaches regarding COVID-19 nearly two months into this situation, and his increasing disregard for Californians’ civil liberties,” Dhillon said in a written statement. “Banning people from beaches doesn’t advance public health; it advances only the governor’s ego.”
On Friday, Newsom said the lawsuits were expected.
“All I can say is, it doesn’t surprise me,” Newsom said. “And we’ll see, forgive me for saying this, we’ll see what happens.”
Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta also criticized Newsom’s decision in a statement on Thursday.
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“Our experience here locally has been that most people are being responsible and complying with social distancing, and given that Orange County has among the lowest per-capita COVID-19 death rates in California, the state’s action today seems to prioritize politics over data,” Semeta said.
Newsom’s announcement Thursday followed reports that he would take broader action. On Wednesday evening, a California Police Chiefs Assn. memo sent to local police chiefs said the governor intended to make an announcement on Thursday about closures of all state and local beaches. A law enforcement source confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that authorities were briefed on the plans, which they were told might also include the closure of some parks.
On Thursday, Newsom said the memo to the police chiefs “never got to me,” and he denied rescinding plans for an order to close beaches statewide.
“So, we’ve been consistent,” Newsom said. “I can’t square what others may have said, but this is what we’ve said.”
Aimee Faucett, chief of staff for San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, said the Newsom administration told the mayor’s office Wednesday night that he would be announcing the closure of all California beaches. She tweeted that they got word the closure would be limited to Orange County shortly before Newsom made the announcement on Thursday.
Faulconer also was relieved to hear that San Diego beaches will remain open.
The mayor joined with other San Diego County leaders and health officials to enact a multiphase plan for beach access countywide. Currently, beachgoers are allowed to surf and swim in the water, as well as jog or stroll on the beach. But they have to keep moving: Sitting down or sunbathing is not permitted.
“I’m glad they reversed course. We put together a plan that is working,” Faulconer told The Times in a telephone interview. “This is consistent. It’s countywide. And, most important, people bought into it. People are doing the right thing.”
In addition to conceding on Friday the difficulty in keeping Californians patient, Newsom also acknowledged another reality: The state’s finances are in a precarious condition.
The governor said that his revised state budget, which he will present to the Legislature on May 14, will project both a near-term and a longer-term deficit — a sharp turnaround from the economic projections he made in January.
“We just went like that, billions in surplus [and now] in just weeks, tens of billions in deficit,” Newsom said.
City and county governments across the state have already begun to request help from the state for additional funding to pay for public health and safety programs. Newsom said California will need additional federal assistance beyond what was provided last month, even as his administration has yet to spend the $9.5 billion the state received from the initial allocation.
“I can assure you this: We are not going to be in a position, even as the nation’s fifth largest economy, to provide for the needs of all the cities and the counties without federal support,” Newsom said.


latimes--2020-05-01--Raucous protest in Huntington Beach demands beaches open, end of stay-at-home order

More than 500 protesters converged on Huntington Beach again Friday to demand stay-at-home rules in California be lifted and to express their displeasure with Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s directive closing local beaches to slow the spread of coronavirus .
The crowd that descended on the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street was significantly larger than a demonstration at the same site near the Huntington Beach Pier two weeks ago .
The raucous protest included people carrying banners that read “ All jobs are essential ” and “ Freedom : We the people.
” One person had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom.
” Parents walked hand-in-hand with children to the now-closed beach , while protesters , some bringing their dogs , arrived on bikes , skateboards and scooters .
Several shared their grievances through chants , signs and occasional songs .
While some protesters wore face coverings , most neither wore marks nor followed social distancing guidelines of six feet of separation .
Police officers on horseback monitored protesters while others ushered attendees across Pacific Coast Highway in an effort to keep traffic moving .
The governor ordered Orange County beaches closed Thursday despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should decide whether it ’ s safe to Many beaches in Orange County had remained open even weeks after Los Angeles County blocked access to their coastline .
Newsom said the decision was necessary after last weekend .
The move has placed the beach communities at the center of an ongoing debate over the scope of closures in California .
Mike Murray , a longtime Huntington Beach resident , said he believes the governor did not have correct information when he decided to target Orange County ’ s beaches .
He said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surpassed 2,500 on Friday — does not justify the closure .
“ I was down here last week when they said there were 40,000 people on the beach , ” Murray said .
“ I didn ’ t see 40,000 there and the people who were down there were all spaced out , so I think [ the governor ] is nuts.
” “ It ’ s ridiculous that the governor has the power to close down the whole beach , ” he said .
Newsom , at his Friday news conference , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but urged them to continue to obey the stay-at-home order and emphasized that some easing of the rules was days away .
Newsom added that the “ only thing that is assured to advance the spread of the virus is thousands of people congregating together , not practicing social distancing or physical distancing.
” “ If we can avoid that , then we ’ re going to get to the other side of this with modifications a lot quicker , ” he said .
“ And I just hope people will consider that.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his department would focus on education and voluntary compliance and didn ’ t plan to make arrests at the beaches in his jurisdiction , which includes Dana Point and San Clemente .
In a statement , he said that most beachgoers have acted responsibly and that they should not fear criminal charges .
“ As long as people are social distancing and doing what they ’ re expected to do , the sheriff does not have interest in criminalizing people enjoying the beach , ” sheriff ’ s spokeswoman Carrie Braun said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are emphasizing voluntary compliance with the closure .
When asked Friday whether he has any concerns regarding enforcement of the beach-closure order , Newsom said he has “ incredible confidence ” in local law enforcement agencies , but also stressed that “ it ’ s not just an enforcement mindset , it ’ s also an encouragement mindset.
” “ We ’ ll see what happens over the course of this weekend and , look , if we have the kind of weekend that I hope and expect we will where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descend , then we ’ re going to be in a position — as early as Monday , Tuesday , I hope — to make some announcements of new strategies and partnerships that we ’ re working on in real time to address these large crowds , ” he said .
Officials said the few people who arrived in Newport Beach early Friday to surf were receptive when officials asked them to leave .
In Huntington Beach , just steps away from the protest , beachgoers lounged in the sand and frolicked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — clad in board shorts , a black ball cap , sandals and no mask — equated his participation in Friday ’ s protest with his past time in the military .
“ I served in the Army and fought tyrants and dictators overseas and this has gone too far , ” he said of Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order .
“ I didn ’ t do that to come back here and live under a tyrant in my own country.
” The Hesperia resident became aware of the protest through a Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 90-minute drive with his wife and three children , ages 7 to 11 .
“ This should be a family experience and show that we ’ re normal people , ” he said .
Tami Avants , 60 , of Rancho Cucamonga said she lost her job as a hair dresser and is looking to get back to work .
She likened the recent $ 1,200 checks from the government as “ welfare ” and said she wants to earn her own money again .
“ [ An ] executive order does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added 60-year-old Sheila Ferguson of Huntington Beach , who managed to protest despite a broken back .
Some leaders in Orange County have vowed to push back against the closure .
Officials in Huntington Beach and Dana Point voted during emergency meetings Thursday night to ask a judge to block Newsom ’ s directive .
Newport Beach also plans to consider legal action in the coming days .
Seal Beach Police Chief Philip Gonshak , however , asked “ for citywide patience and advocacy , rather than contentiousness and adversarial banter back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a plan to start things up sooner than later , ” he wrote in a community message Thursday .
“ I promise , once the governor lifts this order , we will be rolling out a multi-phased approach that will address our beach plan moving forward.
” Protesters have said it ’ s time to ease the stay-at-home rules and reopen the economy .
But many medical experts and state officials warn there could be grave repercussions from reopening businesses too early .
An Associated Press poll of Americans support the stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combating the coronavirus outbreak .
Another survey showed that 81 % supported continuing restrictions for as long as needed .
Only 10 % wanted to end social distancing to stimulate the economy .
California ’ s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has helped to curb the spread of the virus and left many hospitals largely empty , waiting for a surge that has yet to come .
The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools , businesses and other institutions has pleased experts and public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restrictions in place to help cement the progress .

More than 500 protesters converged on Huntington Beach again Friday to demand stay-at-home rules in California be lifted and to express their displeasure with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directive closing local beaches to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The crowd that descended on the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street was significantly larger than a demonstration at the same site near the Huntington Beach Pier two weeks ago. The raucous protest included people carrying banners that read “All jobs are essential” and “Freedom: We the people.” One person had a sign that said “Recall Gavin Newsom.”
Parents walked hand-in-hand with children to the now-closed beach, while protesters, some bringing their dogs, arrived on bikes, skateboards and scooters. Several shared their grievances through chants, signs and occasional songs.
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While some protesters wore face coverings, most neither wore masks nor followed social distancing guidelines of six feet of separation. Police officers on horseback monitored protesters while others ushered attendees across Pacific Coast Highway in an effort to keep traffic moving.
1 / 30 Over 1,500 people attended a rally at the capitol in Sacramento, May 1, 2020. asking for the reopening of the economy, closed due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 30 Over 1,500 people attended a rally at the capitol in Sacramento, May 1, 2020. asking for the reopening of the economy, closed due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 30 Over 1,500 people attended a rally at the capitol in Sacramento, May 1, 2020. asking for the reopening of the economy, closed due to the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 30 Alicia Cruz, center, of Elk Grove, Calif., takes part in a protest at the California State Capitol. She said she was there to protect civil liberties, her children’s future and future livelihoods. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 30 A protester holds a U.S. flag outside his car while joining a rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to reopen beaches and lift stay-at-home orders. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 30 Gareth Davies of Aliso Viejo waves the U.S. flag in Huntington Beach while protesting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s closure of Orange County beaches. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 30 Huntington Beach lifeguards patrol with a boat to try to clear surfers out of the water while protesters rallied nearby. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 30 An aerial view of surfers in the waters off Huntington Beach on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 30 Mounted police line up to keep protesters on the sidewalk at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 30 Motorists join the protesters at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 30 Hundreds of protesters rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 30 Protesters rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 30 Mounted police line up to keep protesters on the sidewalk at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 30 California Highway Patrol officers take into custody a woman who refused to follow orders to move off the Capitol grounds during a protest Friday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 30 More than 1,500 people took part in a protest at the Capitol in Sacramento, seeking a reopening of the California economy. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 30 California Highway Patrol officers take into custody a woman who refused to follow orders to move off the state Capitol grounds in Sacramento during a protest Friday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 30 Hundreds of protesters gather at the state Capitol in Sacramento to protest Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 30 Protesters converge on Huntington Beach on Friday to demand stay-at-home rules be lifted. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 30 Protesters at Huntington Beach on Friday demand stay-at-home rules be lifted. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 30 Protesters demand that California’s stay-at-home rules be lifted at Huntington Beach on Friday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 30 Hundreds of people converge in downtown Los Angeles to call on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen the state economy, saying the coronavirus lockdown has hurt workers. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles) 22 / 30 A proponent of opening the economy as quickly as possible, right, gets into a verbal altercation with a counterprotester at Los Angeles City Hall. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 30 A protester calling for the end of stay-at-home restrictions, left, argues with a counterprotester outside L.A. City Hall. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 30 A Los Angeles police officer stands outside City Hall on Friday as protesters call on the city and state governments to lift stay-at-home orders. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 30 Protesters demanding that stay-at-home rules be lifted gather outside L.A. City Hall on Friday. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 30 Protesters call for the end of coronavirus stay-at-home orders outside City Hall in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 30 Protesters in downtown Los Angeles call for the end of stay-at-home orders. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 30 Protesters demanding the end of the coronavirus lockdown wave flags in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 30 Hundreds of people converge in downtown Los Angeles to demand the reopening of the California economy. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 30 A protester walks into the water in Hermosa Beach following a rally voicing their disagreement with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s closure of beaches. The residents were joined by about 100 people in chanting to “open the beach,” and then a march to the sand and eventually water, near the Hermosa Beach Pier. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
The governor ordered Orange County beaches closed Thursday despite opposition from local leaders who argue they should decide whether it’s safe to hit the sand. Many beaches in Orange County had remained open even weeks after Los Angeles County blocked access to their coastline.
Newsom said the decision was necessary after thousands flocked to the county’s beaches last weekend. The move has placed the beach communities at the center of an ongoing debate over the scope of closures in California.
Mike Murray, a longtime Huntington Beach resident, said he believes the governor did not have correct information when he decided to target Orange County’s beaches. He said the number of confirmed cases countywide — which surpassed 2,500 on Friday — does not justify the closure.
“I was down here last week when they said there were 40,000 people on the beach,” Murray said. “I didn’t see 40,000 there and the people who were down there were all spaced out, so I think [the governor] is nuts.”
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“It’s ridiculous that the governor has the power to close down the whole beach,” he said.
Newsom, at his Friday news conference, said he understood the concerns of protesters but urged them to continue to obey the stay-at-home order and emphasized that some easing of the rules was days away. Newsom added that the “only thing that is assured to advance the spread of the virus is thousands of people congregating together, not practicing social distancing or physical distancing.”
“If we can avoid that, then we’re going to get to the other side of this with modifications a lot quicker,” he said. “And I just hope people will consider that.”
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said his department would focus on education and voluntary compliance and didn’t plan to make arrests at the beaches in his jurisdiction, which includes Dana Point and San Clemente. In a statement, he said that most beachgoers have acted responsibly and that they should not fear criminal charges.
“As long as people are social distancing and doing what they’re expected to do, the sheriff does not have interest in criminalizing people enjoying the beach,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Carrie Braun said.
Huntington Beach and Newport Beach police say they are emphasizing voluntary compliance with the closure.
Mounted police line up to keep protesters on the sidewalk as thousands of people ters rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
When asked Friday whether he has any concerns regarding enforcement of the beach-closure order, Newsom said he has “incredible confidence” in local law enforcement agencies, but also stressed that “it’s not just an enforcement mindset, it’s also an encouragement mindset.”
“We’ll see what happens over the course of this weekend and, look, if we have the kind of weekend that I hope and expect we will where we don’t see those huge crowds descend, then we’re going to be in a position — as early as Monday, Tuesday, I hope — to make some announcements of new strategies and partnerships that we’re working on in real time to address these large crowds,” he said.
Officials said the few people who arrived in Newport Beach early Friday to surf were receptive when officials asked them to leave. In Huntington Beach, just steps away from the protest, beachgoers lounged in the sand and frolicked in the waves without issue.
Andrew Norman — clad in board shorts, a black ball cap, sandals and no mask — equated his participation in Friday’s protest with his past time in the military.
Thousands of protesters rally at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
“I served in the Army and fought tyrants and dictators overseas and this has gone too far,” he said of Newsom’s stay-at-home order. “I didn’t do that to come back here and live under a tyrant in my own country.”
The Hesperia resident became aware of the protest through a Facebook campaign, #reopencalifornia, and made the 90-minute drive with his wife and three children, ages 7 to 11.
“This should be a family experience and show that we’re normal people,” he said.
Tami Avants, 60, of Rancho Cucamonga said she lost her job as a hair dresser and is looking to get back to work.
She likened the recent $1,200 checks from the government as “welfare” and said she wants to earn her own money again.
“[An] executive order does not trump our constitutional rights,” added 60-year-old Sheila Ferguson of Huntington Beach, who managed to protest despite a broken back.
Some leaders in Orange County have vowed to push back against the closure.
Officials in Huntington Beach and Dana Point voted during emergency meetings Thursday night to ask a judge to block Newsom’s directive. Newport Beach also plans to consider legal action in the coming days.
Seal Beach Police Chief Philip Gonshak, however, asked “for citywide patience and advocacy, rather than contentiousness and adversarial banter back and forth.”
“We are still working on a plan to start things up sooner than later,” he wrote in a community message Thursday. “I promise, once the governor lifts this order, we will be rolling out a multi-phased approach that will address our beach plan moving forward.”
Protesters have said it’s time to ease the stay-at-home rules and reopen the economy. But many medical experts and state officials warn there could be grave repercussions from reopening businesses too early.
An Associated Press poll found an overwhelming majority of Americans support the stay-at-home orders, seeing them as helpful in combating the coronavirus outbreak. Another survey conducted by Politico/Morning Consult showed that 81% supported continuing restrictions for as long as needed. Only 10% wanted to end social distancing to stimulate the economy.
California’s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has helped to curb the spread of the virus and left many hospitals largely empty, waiting for a surge that has yet to come.
The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools, businesses and other institutions has pleased experts and public health officials, prompting calls to keep the restrictions in place to help cement the progress.
Times staff writer Alex Wigglesworth contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-01--Warning that coronavirus cases could rise, ACLU sues O.C. sheriff to free more inmates

Accusing the Orange County Sheriff of failing to adequately protect inmates from the coronavirus , the ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to create more social distancing in the jails , with the first step being the release of medically vulnerable inmates .
The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California accuses Sheriff Don Barnes of violating the constitutional rights of inmates and cites a public health expert who warns 500 inmates are medically vulnerable and that COVID-19 could quadruple in the jails without immediate action .
It asks a federal judge to order the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the jails with a public health expert appointed to oversee a comprehensive plan for social distancing , increased cleaning , quarantining and care as well as testing and the wide distribution of personal protective equipment .
As of Thursday evening , Orange County ’ s three jails had 122 inmates who have tested positive for coronavirus .
Three sheriff ’ s deputies have also tested positive , but they have all recovered .
“ The Orange County Sheriff ’ s Department has repeatedly failed its obligation to protect the safety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacob Reisberg , a jail conditions advocate with the ACLU .
“ Under normal circumstances , this lack of care is shameful , but during COVID-19 it is catastrophic.
” The ACLU said it has identified more than 500 inmates in the jails who are “ medically vulnerable ” or disabled and should be released .
Sheriff Barnes has repeatedly rebuffed suggestions that he is not doing enough to protect inmates and opposes further releases , telling the county Board of Supervisors earlier this week that he has reduced the jail population by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom in March issued the state ’ s stay-at-home-order and social distancing policy .
The jails housed 2,911 as of Tuesday compared with 5,303 inmates on March 7 before the state ’ s order went into effect , officials said .
The sheriff said he has “ implemented extraordinary measures ” to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and preserve jail operations .
“ Today ’ s jail population occupies only 39 % of our jail ’ s actual capacity of just over 7,400 beds , ” Barnes said .
“ I will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity is available to maintain safe operations and preserve our ability to house criminal offenders .
At this moment , the early release of specified low-level offenders and the actions by the courts provide the capacity to meet our current needs.
” Barnes said he has a duty to protect the public as well as safeguard the health of inmates .
“ I am not supportive of extensive preemptive releases that go beyond what is necessary to keep the jail and community safe , ” Barnes said .
“ I am confident that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jails meet our obligation to provide for the safety of both inmates and staff.
” In seeking a federal judge ’ s order to force changes in the jails , the ACLU cited an opinion by Daniel Parker , a UC Irvine assistant professor of public health and epidemiology , who warned that the number of coronavirus cases in the jails could quadruple by next week without immediate action .
In filing the case Thursday , ACLU attorneys and an Orange County law firm allege the disability rights of inmates are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are : Don Wagner , a 68-year-old cancer survivor who attorneys said is especially vulnerable because he has to regularly get his blood pressure and thyroid levels checked .
They also noted he is only given one small bar of soap a week to clean himself .
Another inmate , Cynthia Campbell , 64 , suffers from rheumatoid arthritis .
She said and in court document that she can not maintain six feet of distance from others when she receives medical treatment .
The ACLU also cite the risk to nursing mothers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of those mothers , Melissa Ahlman , 32 , said , “ I wonder what will happen if I get sick and it spreads to my baby through my milk .
I worry that I will get sick in here and not be able to come home to her .
”

Accusing the Orange County Sheriff of failing to adequately protect inmates from the coronavirus, the ACLU has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to create more social distancing in the jails, with the first step being the release of medically vulnerable inmates.
The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California accuses Sheriff Don Barnes of violating the constitutional rights of inmates and cites a public health expert who warns 500 inmates are medically vulnerable and that COVID-19 could quadruple in the jails without immediate action.
It asks a federal judge to order the release of “vulnerable and disabled people” in the jails with a public health expert appointed to oversee a comprehensive plan for social distancing, increased cleaning, quarantining and care as well as testing and the wide distribution of personal protective equipment.
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As of Thursday evening, Orange County’s three jails had 122 inmates who have tested positive for coronavirus. Three sheriff’s deputies have also tested positive, but they have all recovered.
“The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has repeatedly failed its obligation to protect the safety of people in its custody,” said Jacob Reisberg, a jail conditions advocate with the ACLU. “Under normal circumstances, this lack of care is shameful, but during COVID-19 it is catastrophic.”
The ACLU said it has identified more than 500 inmates in the jails who are “medically vulnerable” or disabled and should be released.
Sheriff Barnes has repeatedly rebuffed suggestions that he is not doing enough to protect inmates and opposes further releases, telling the county Board of Supervisors earlier this week that he has reduced the jail population by about 45% since Gov. Gavin Newsom in March issued the state’s stay-at-home-order and social distancing policy.
The jails housed 2,911 as of Tuesday compared with 5,303 inmates on March 7 before the state’s order went into effect, officials said.
The sheriff said he has “implemented extraordinary measures” to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and preserve jail operations.
“Today’s jail population occupies only 39% of our jail’s actual capacity of just over 7,400 beds,” Barnes said. “I will continue to take measures needed to ensure the capacity is available to maintain safe operations and preserve our ability to house criminal offenders. At this moment, the early release of specified low-level offenders and the actions by the courts provide the capacity to meet our current needs.”
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Barnes said he has a duty to protect the public as well as safeguard the health of inmates.
“I am not supportive of extensive preemptive releases that go beyond what is necessary to keep the jail and community safe,” Barnes said. “I am confident that the measures we continue to take in the jails meet our obligation to provide for the safety of both inmates and staff.”
In seeking a federal judge’s order to force changes in the jails, the ACLU cited an opinion by Daniel Parker, a UC Irvine assistant professor of public health and epidemiology, who warned that the number of coronavirus cases in the jails could quadruple by next week without immediate action.
In filing the case Thursday, ACLU attorneys and an Orange County law firm allege the disability rights of inmates are being violated.
Among the plaintiffs they cited are: Don Wagner, a 68-year-old cancer survivor who attorneys said is especially vulnerable because he has to regularly get his blood pressure and thyroid levels checked. They also noted he is only given one small bar of soap a week to clean himself.
Another inmate, Cynthia Campbell, 64, suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. She said and in court document that she cannot maintain six feet of distance from others when she receives medical treatment.
The ACLU also cite the risk to nursing mothers in crowded jails. In court documents, one of those mothers, Melissa Ahlman, 32, said, “I wonder what will happen if I get sick and it spreads to my baby through my milk. I worry that I will get sick in here and not be able to come home to her.”


latimes--2020-05-01--Coronavirus sparks massive surge in demand for mental health services in L.A. County

As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in Los Angeles County , with more than 23,000 people infected so far , fear and anxiety have gripped residents worried about jobs , health and an uncertain future .
The county has recorded a massive uptick in calls and texts to its mental health help line as residents obey Safer-at-Home orders to remain socially distant , officials say .
Such quarantine instructions put people at greater risk of anxiety , depression , insomnia and post-traumatic stress , Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Friday during a news conference that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The county has received roughly 4,000 calls per week in April , which is approximately a 25 % increase over April 2019 .
People who have never utilized mental health services are reaching out for help during the coronavirus pandemic , Barger said .
“ There is nothing wrong with asking for help , ” she said .
“ It is a sign of strength in an uncertain time.
” Telehealth services are available for one-on-one appointments , clinics remain open and mobile units have been deployed to reach those who are homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to utilize its mental health services by calling ( 800 ) 854-7771 or texting “ LA ” to 741741 .
As part of an initiative titled We Rise 2020 , the county Department of Mental Health is also offering free access to the mediation and mindfulness mobile app Headspace through 2020 .
An annual subscription to the app is typically around $ 100 .
No individual is unaffected by the crisis , Mental Health Department Director Dr. Jonathan Sherin said .
Whether someone is a front line worker , has suffered financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or infecting someone else , COVID-19 has disrupted every life , he said .
Such obstacles have longstanding effects .
“ The challenges we face emotionally are not just present now in the pandemic , but will likely stay with us for some time.
” The county typically recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month each year with in-person events that draws roughly 50,000 people .
Sherin said that as such efforts necessarily move to the virtual space this year , he hopes thousands more will participate .
“ We all share the same challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a county , must come together .
”

Dr. Jonathan Sherin, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, counsels a man who is homeless in Hollywood in October 2019.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in Los Angeles County, with more than 23,000 people infected so far, fear and anxiety have gripped residents worried about jobs, health and an uncertain future.
The county has recorded a massive uptick in calls and texts to its mental health help line as residents obey Safer-at-Home orders to remain socially distant, officials say. Such quarantine instructions put people at greater risk of anxiety, depression, insomnia and post-traumatic stress, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Friday during a news conference that kicked off Mental Health Awareness Month.
The county has received roughly 4,000 calls per week in April, which is approximately a 25% increase over April 2019. People who have never utilized mental health services are reaching out for help during the coronavirus pandemic, Barger said.
“There is nothing wrong with asking for help,” she said. “It is a sign of strength in an uncertain time.”
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Telehealth services are available for one-on-one appointments, clinics remain open and mobile units have been deployed to reach those who are homeless and vulnerable.
County officials are encouraging residents to utilize its mental health services by calling (800) 854-7771 or texting “LA” to 741741.
As part of an initiative titled We Rise 2020, the county Department of Mental Health is also offering free access to the mediation and mindfulness mobile app Headspace through 2020. An annual subscription to the app is typically around $100.
No individual is unaffected by the crisis, Mental Health Department Director Dr. Jonathan Sherin said. Whether someone is a front line worker, has suffered financial loss or is fearful of being infected or infecting someone else, COVID-19 has disrupted every life, he said. Such obstacles have longstanding effects.
“The challenges we face emotionally are not just present now in the pandemic, but will likely stay with us for some time.”
The county typically recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month each year with in-person events that draws roughly 50,000 people. Sherin said that as such efforts necessarily move to the virtual space this year, he hopes thousands more will participate.
“We all share the same challenges,” he said. “We, as a county, must come together.”


latimes--2020-05-01--Trump, Mnuchin pressure well-heeled private schools to return federal loans

Elite private schools , including Brentwood School in West L.A. , drew criticism Friday from President Trump , who said through a spokesman that those with “ significant endowments ” should consider returning money they have received from a federal coronavirus aid program .
“ I think the president has made clear that he does not believe private schools with significant endowments should be receiving [ Paycheck Protection Program ] money and those that have should consider returning it , ” said White House spokesman Judd Deere .
Trump ’ s comments follow statements by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own criticism of private schools that have taken loans from the $ 660-billion PPP , which is designed to help small businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis and is part of the federal CARES Act that was signed into law March 27 .
Mnuchin went a step further than Trump , saying that such schools “ should return the loans.
” Both Trump and Mnuchin ’ s children attend exclusive private schools that have received PPP loans .
The Times reported Thursday that Brentwood School , where at least two of Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding of an undisclosed sum .
Barron Trump , one of the president ’ s sons , attends St. Andrew ’ s Episcopal School in Potomac , Md.
, which said Thursday that it would keep the PPP money it received , CNN reported .
St. Andrew ’ s maintained that stance following the president ’ s comments on Friday , saying in a statement to The Times that its PPP loan would allow the school “ to maintain our promise to support our employees and to help school families facing hardship remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A representative of Brentwood did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday .
Deere , the White House spokesman , also referenced Trump ’ s previous statements on aid for universities .
Harvard and Stanford were among those in line to receive another form of funding under the CARES Act , but opted not to take it following critical remarks from Trump .
“ They shouldn ’ t be taking it , ” Trump said earlier this month .
“ When I saw Harvard — one of the largest endowments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , and they are going to pay back that money.
” Brentwood School , a K-12 facility with more than 1,100 students on two campuses , said Thursday that its PPP loan would help it navigate a future that could include “ a potential decline in enrollment and charitable giving , accompanied by increased demand for financial assistance and other escalating expenses.
” Officials at several other elite L.A.-area private schools told The Times that their institutions opted to not apply for PPP loans , which are forgivable if certain parameters are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Marlborough School in Hancock Park , Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica , and Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge did not apply for the funding , representatives of each school said .
Polytechnic School in Pasadena said that it received a PPP loan last week but decided Thursday to return it .
This week , Mnuchin has been critical of another well-heeled L.A. organization that received a PPP loan .
In a CNBC interview Tuesday , he called it “ outrageous ” that the Los Angeles Lakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding have come under intense scrutiny , with several high-profile businesses and organizations , including Shake Shack Inc. , saying they would give their loan back after facing public pressure .
Mnuchin has threatened to hold participating companies criminally liable if they do not meet criteria for the program , whose loans are designed to help pay for workers ’ salaries .
Founded in 1972 , Brentwood ’ s board members include actress Calista Flockhart and investor Lance Milken , son of billionaire Michael Milken , the former junk bond king .
Tuition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year for K-5 students to $ 44,000 for sixth through 12th grades .
“ The dramatic and enduring impacts of COVID-19 will continue to affect our school financially , and in other ways , over the course of at least the next year , ” the school said in its previous statement .
Brentwood has said that salaries and benefits for faculty and staff are the school ’ s largest operating expense , and it noted that its endowment “ does not contribute interest income to our operating budget.
” “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year to balance our budget , ” the school said .
Private prep schools may not be the first entity that comes to mind when considering aid for small businesses .
But that ’ s what they are , and times are tough for many of them , said Mary Menacho , interim executive director for the California Assn .
of Independent Schools , the organization for 224 private schools in the state .
“ All of these schools are small businesses when it comes down to it … [ and ] have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs going and their people employed , ” Menacho said .

Daniel Miller, Paloma Esquivel, Howard Blume

President Trump said through a spokesman on Friday that private schools with “significant endowments” should consider returning any Paycheck Protection Program loans they have received.
Elite private schools, including Brentwood School in West L.A., drew criticism Friday from President Trump, who said through a spokesman that those with “significant endowments” should consider returning money they have received from a federal coronavirus aid program.
“The president has made clear that he does not believe private schools with significant endowments should be receiving [Paycheck Protection Program] money and those that have should consider returning it,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said.
Trump’s comments followed earlier statements on Friday by Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, who stepped up his previous criticism of private schools that have taken loans from the $660-billion PPP, which is designed to help small businesses affected by the coronavirus crisis and is part of the federal CARES Act that was signed into law March 27. Mnuchin went a step further than Trump, saying in a tweet that such schools “should return the loans.”
Both Trump and Mnuchin’s children attend exclusive private schools that have received PPP loans. The Times reported Thursday that Brentwood School, where at least two of Mnuchin’s children are students, took funding of an undisclosed sum.
Barron Trump, one of the president’s sons, attends St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Md., which said in a statement Friday it would keep the PPP money it received.
A representative of Brentwood did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
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Deere, the White House spokesman, also referenced Trump’s previous statements on aid for universities. Harvard was among those in line to receive another form of funding under the CARES Act but opted not to take it following critical remarks from Trump.
Calling Harvard’s endowment “one of the largest ... maybe [in] the world,” Trump said last month of the aid: “They shouldn’t be taking it.”
Brentwood School, a K-12 facility with more than 1,100 students on two campuses, said Thursday that its PPP loan would help it navigate a future that could include “a potential decline in enrollment and charitable giving, accompanied by increased demand for financial assistance and other escalating expenses.” In 2017, the school had an endowment of $17.4 million, according to Internal Revenue Service data.
UCLA education professor Tyrone Howard criticized Brentwood’s decision to accept a PPP loan, contrasting the institution with public schools that he expects to struggle financially amid the pandemic.
“That’s not a good look,” said Howard of Brentwood’s move. “There’s just something that’s not equitable about that.”
Officials at several other expensive L.A.-area private schools — where high school tuition costs range from 38,000 to $44,000 a year — told The Times that their administrations opted to not apply for PPP loans, which are forgivable if certain parameters are met.
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Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, Marlborough School in Hancock Park, Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences in Santa Monica, and Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge did not apply for the funding, their representatives said.
This week, Mnuchin has been critical of another well-heeled L.A. organization that received a PPP loan. In a CNBC interview Tuesday, he called it “outrageous” that the Los Angeles Lakers received a now-returned $4.6-million PPP loan.
Allocations of the PPP funding have come under intense scrutiny, with several other high-profile businesses and organizations, including Shake Shack Inc., saying they would give back their loan after facing public pressure. Mnuchin has threatened to hold participating companies criminally liable if they do not meet criteria for the program, whose loans are designed to help pay for workers’ salaries.
On April 26, the Small Business Administration, which backs the PPP loans, issued revised guidelines for the program that make clear big, public companies with other financing options shouldn’t seek the money. It also cautioned entities receiving the loans that they might be asked to certify the funding was required for continued operation.
The new guidance made at least one private school think twice. Polytechnic School in Pasadena said it received a PPP loan on April 24, but after reviewing the SBA’s updated directive, decided Thursday to reverse course.
“We determined, based on the new guidelines, that we would return the funds,” said John Bracker, head of school at Polytechnic. He added that the school already is “seeing some financial impacts” and anticipates “broader and more profound consequences on our community in the months to come.”
Brentwood’s leadership also outlined the pandemic’s effect on the school, saying in its Thursday statement that “the dramatic and enduring impacts of COVID-19 will continue to affect our school financially, and in other ways, over the course of at least the next year.”
Founded in 1972, Brentwood’s board members include actress Calista Flockhart and investor Lance Milken, son of billionaire Michael Milken, the former junk bond king. Tuition ranges from $37,500 a year for kindergarten through fifth-grade students to $44,000 for sixth- through 12th-grade pupils.
Brentwood has said that salaries and benefits for faculty and staff are the school’s largest operating expense, and it noted that its endowment “does not contribute interest income to our operating budget.”
“We rely on donations beyond tuition revenue each year to balance our budget,” the school said.
Brentwood’s $17.4-million endowment as of 2017 — the most recent year for which data were available — is lower than some of its peers. Harvard-Westlake had an endowment of $146.8 million in 2018, Polytechnic’s was $75.3 million in 2017, and Malborough’s was $50 million 2016, according to IRS data.
Schools are typically reluctant to pull from their endowment to fund operating costs. Some donations to an endowment have restrictions on how the money can be used. However, in the case of Malborough, the girls school said in a statement that its “strong endowment” and “recognition that there are many organizations with much greater need than ours” led to its decision to not seek PPP funding.
Lower-cost private institutions, including Catholic schools, have been hit hard — and many were struggling financially before the pandemic. All 240 schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese applied for PPP funding, with 39 successful so far. Tuition is typically $5,000 to $10,000 a year, with financial aid available. Now many families are simply unable to pay.
The Diocese of San Bernardino has received no funding to date, even though 20 of its 26 schools reported a sudden drop in tuition revenue. The result has been layoffs or salary reductions for 110 out of 741 employees even as schooling continues via distance learning, spokesman John Andrews said.
The federal support “would be a major help … a huge thing,” Andrews said.
Private prep schools may not be the first entity that comes to mind when considering aid for small businesses. But that’s what they are, and times are tough for many of them, said Mary Menacho, interim executive director for the California Assn. of Independent Schools, the organization for 224 private schools in the state.
“All of these schools are small businesses when it comes down to it … [and] have really bent over backwards to keep their programs going and their people employed,” she said.
Times staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report.