latimes--2020-11-19--Two former California prison guards charged in cover-up of inmate's death in 2016

Two former state prison guards have been charged with attempting to cover up how an inmate died inside California State Prison Sacramento in 2016 , and one of them is accused of depriving the inmate of his civil rights .
Arturo Pacheco , 38 , and Ashley Marie Aurich , 31 , were charged in connection with an incident in September 2016 that resulted in the death of a 65-year-old inmate who fell while his hands were handcuffed behind his back as he was being escorted by the pair .
Federal prosecutors , in an indictment unsealed Thursday , accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmate ’ s legs backward on Sept. 15 , 2016 , causing the handcuffed man to “ immediately fall forward violently with his head and upper torso striking the concrete floor.
” The unidentified inmate died two days later of his injuries , according to court documents .
Pacheco was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of willfully depriving the inmate of his rights under the color of law and two counts of falsifying records in a federal investigation .
Aurich was charged separately with one count of falsifying records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not reveal the inmate ’ s identity and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not issue a news release about the incident at the time , as is the practice with such deaths .
Pacheco and Aurich were both fired in June 2018 .
“ The department conducted a thorough investigation into this incident in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation .
After substantiating allegations of misconduct and dishonesty , the officers involved were promptly dismissed from the department , ” Dana Simas , a spokeswoman for the corrections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to the indictment , the two guards were escorting the inmate from a cell in Building A6 to a new cell in Building A7 .
They entered a rotunda in the second building when the inmate “ stopped walking , ” the indictment said .
At that point , Pacheco responded by releasing his grip on the inmate ’ s left arm , then wrapped his arms around the inmate ’ s legs and pulled them back , causing the violent fall , according to court documents .
At least three correctional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the inmate was taken to a hospital .
Federal prosecutors allege Pacheco and Aurich then began to conduct an cover-up , filing incident reports “ intentionally concealing the presence ” of one of the other three guards and falsely reporting that the inmate “ spun to his left and lunged forward , ” breaking Pacheco ’ s grip , according to the indictment .
Aurich also stated in a report that Pacheco had not “ used immediate force ” against the inmate , the indictment said .
“ Pacheco abused his position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” U.S. Atty .
McGregor Scott said in a statement .
“ Instead of upholding and enforcing the law , he went on to conceal his actions and asked others to assist him.
” Pacheco is also charged in a second incident in which he is accused of filing another false report stemming from his use of state-issued pepper spray on an inmate May 19 , 2016 .
Prosecutors allege Pacheco sprayed the 54-year-old inmate in the face even though the inmate was cooperating with the correctional officer ’ s orders .
Pacheco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a piece of glass in his hand and ordered him to drop it , turn around and prepare to be handcuffed , the indictment stated .
“ In order to stop [ Victim 1 ] from self-harming himself and causing serious bodily injury or death to himself , I used immediate force , utilizing an approximate 3-second burst from my MK-9 OC pepper spray , ” Pacheco wrote in an incident report , according to the indictment .
But the indictment alleged the inmate did not have a piece of glass , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open his eyes before spraying him in the face .
“ Pacheco falsified and made the foregoing false entry in a record knowing that Victim 1 had not been holding glass at the time , ” the indictment stated .
“ And , in truth and in fact , Pacheco falsified and made the foregoing false entry in a record knowing that Pacheco did not order Victim 1 to submit to handcuffs before spraying him with pepper spray.
” Pacheco faces up to 10 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Both former correctional officers face up to 20 years in prison and a $ 250,000 fine if convicted on the falsifying records counts .

In 2016, a 65-year-old inmate at California State Prison Sacramento died after falling while his hands were handcuffed behind his back. Two former guards are charged with trying to cover up how he died.
Two former state prison guards have been charged with attempting to cover up how an inmate died inside California State Prison Sacramento in 2016, and one of them is accused of depriving the inmate of his civil rights.
Arturo Pacheco, 38, and Ashley Marie Aurich, 31, were charged in connection with an incident in September 2016 that resulted in the death of a 65-year-old inmate who fell while his hands were handcuffed behind his back as he was being escorted by the pair.
Federal prosecutors, in an indictment unsealed Thursday, accused Pacheco of bending down and pulling the inmate’s legs backward on Sept. 15, 2016, causing the handcuffed man to “immediately fall forward violently with his head and upper torso striking the concrete floor.” The unidentified inmate died two days later of his injuries, according to court documents.
Pacheco was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of willfully depriving the inmate of his rights under the color of law and two counts of falsifying records in a federal investigation.
Aurich was charged separately with one count of falsifying records in a federal investigation.
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The indictment did not reveal the inmate’s identity, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation did not issue a news release about the incident at the time, as is the practice with such deaths. Pacheco and Aurich were both fired in June 2018.
“The department conducted a thorough investigation into this incident in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. After substantiating allegations of misconduct and dishonesty, the officers involved were promptly dismissed from the department,” Dana Simas, a spokeswoman for the corrections department, said in a statement.
According to the indictment, the two guards were escorting the inmate from a cell in Building A6 to a new cell in Building A7. They entered a rotunda in the second building when the inmate “stopped walking,” the indictment said. At that point, Pacheco responded by releasing his grip on the inmate’s left arm, then wrapped his arms around the inmate’s legs and pulled them back, causing the violent fall, according to court documents. At least three correctional officials were present at the time, and the inmate was taken to a hospital.
Federal prosecutors allege Pacheco and Aurich then began to conduct a cover-up, filing incident reports “intentionally concealing the presence” of one of the other three guards and falsely reporting that the inmate “spun to his left and lunged forward,” breaking Pacheco’s grip, according to the indictment. Aurich also stated in a report that Pacheco had not “used immediate force” against the inmate, the indictment said.
“Pacheco abused his position of authority to harm an inmate,” U.S. Atty. McGregor Scott said in a statement. “Instead of upholding and enforcing the law, he went on to conceal his actions and asked others to assist him.”
Pacheco is also charged in a second incident in which he is accused of filing another false report stemming from his use of state-issued pepper spray on an inmate May 19, 2016. Prosecutors allege Pacheco sprayed the 54-year-old inmate in the face even though the inmate was cooperating with the correctional officer’s orders.
Pacheco reported he confronted an inmate who had a piece of glass in his hand and ordered him to drop it, turn around and prepare to be handcuffed, the indictment stated. “In order to stop [Victim 1] from self-harming himself and causing serious bodily injury or death to himself, I used immediate force, utilizing an approximate 3-second burst from my MK-9 OC pepper spray,” Pacheco wrote in an incident report, according to the indictment.
But the indictment alleged that the inmate did not have a piece of glass and that Pacheco ordered him to come closer and open his eyes before spraying him in the face.
“Pacheco falsified and made the foregoing false entry in a record knowing that Victim 1 had not been holding glass at the time,” the indictment stated. “And, in truth and in fact, Pacheco falsified and made the foregoing false entry in a record knowing that Pacheco did not order Victim 1 to submit to handcuffs before spraying him with pepper spray.”
Pacheco faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted on the deprivation of rights charges. Both former correctional officers face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted on the falsifying records counts.


latimes--2020-11-19--What California's new limited curfew to battle COVID-19 means

Battling a dangerous surge in coronavirus cases , California public health officials on Thursday imposed a limited stay-at-home order they hope will help slow the spread .
The order covers roughly 94 % of Californians — 37 million people — who live in counties that are in the purple tier , the most restrictive in the state ’ s reopening plan .
In purple tier counties , the restrictions have forced many businesses to suspend or severely restrict the number of customers allowed indoors .
Here are the key provisions : • Prohibits most nonessential activity outside the home from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier counties .
• Goes into effect Saturday and lasts through Dec. 21 , though it could be extended .
• Does not apply to people experiencing homelessness .
Nothing in the order prevents any number of people from the same household from leaving their residence , lodging , or temporary accommodation , as long as they do not engage in any interaction with ( or otherwise gather with ) any number of people from any other household , except as specifically permitted by the order .
Los Angeles County is facing its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that if it continues more dramatic actions will be needed : • Starting Friday , the county will begin ordering restaurants and nonessential stores to close at 10 p.m. and place a cap on the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings — a maximum of 15 people from no more than three households .
• If L.A. County reaches 4,000 average cases daily over a five-day period , officials would stop outdoor dining at restaurants , returning eateries to offering only delivery and takeout service for the first time since May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worsen still further , the county would impose a new stay-at-home order that would only allow essential workers and people securing essential services to leave their homes , and implement a 10 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew that only exempts essential workers .

Joe Hernandez and his daughter, Brandy Hernandez, 2, and Helen Silbas wear masks while walking past a mural in the Downtown Santa Ana Historic District on Wednesday. A new overnight stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom Thursday goes into effect Saturday.
Battling a dangerous surge in coronavirus cases, California public health officials on Thursday imposed a limited stay-at-home order they hope will help slow the spread.
The order covers roughly 94% of Californians — 37 million people — who live in counties that are in the purple tier, the most restrictive in the state’s reopening plan. In purple tier counties, the restrictions have forced many businesses to suspend or severely restrict the number of customers allowed indoors.
California California will impose ‘limited’ curfew due to COVID-19 surge The order prohibits most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in counties in the strictest tier of the state’s reopening road map. It begins Saturday.
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Here are the key provisions:
Prohibits most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m in purple tier counties.
Goes into effect Saturday and lasts through Dec. 21, though it could be extended.
Does not apply to people experiencing homelessness. Nothing in the order prevents any number of people from the same household from leaving their residence, lodging, or temporary accommodation, as long as they do not engage in any interaction with (or otherwise gather with) any number of people from any other household, except as specifically permitted by the order.
Source: State of California
Los Angeles County is facing its own dangerous COVID-19 spike, and officials said that if it continues more dramatic actions will be needed:


latimes--2020-11-19--California Legislature employee is arrested in child pornography case

An assistant to a California assemblywoman has been arrested on suspicion of accessing child pornography while inside the state Capitol building .
Brandon Martinez Bratcher , 28 , turned himself in to authorities Monday after an illicit image was tracked to an IP address at the building that houses the state Legislature and governor ’ s office , said Sgt .
Rod Grassmann , a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Jordan Curley , a spokeswoman for Bauer-Kahan , said the assemblywoman ’ s office was “ stunned to learn of these disturbing charges.
” Bratcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curley said .
Grassmann said the investigation began when a “ major social media company ” suspected that one of its users was in possession of child pornography , then contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children .
Grassmann could not confirm which social media company was involved .
He said the companies often maintain a database of images to compare with what users are accessing and sharing .
The Sacramento Valley High Tech Crimes Task Force , a collaboration among about 60 different regional agencies , took control of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When it came back to identify who the person was , it came back to him , and then the IP address came back to the state legislative council on the state Capitol grounds , ” Grassmann said .
The task force then turned the case over to California Highway Patrol , which has jurisdiction over state property .
Grassmann said it was unclear how many images Bratcher accessed or shared while on state grounds .
Bratcher was charged with one felony count of child pornography possession , which can incorporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge doesn ’ t always equate to the possession of one image , ” Sacramento district attorney spokeswoman Rochelle Beardsley said .
Child pornography investigations sometimes yield more search warrants that uncover additional evidence , Grassmann said .
Bratcher was released from jail earlier this week and arraigned Wednesday .
His attorney , Kristy Horton , did not respond to a request for comment .

Investigators tracked an illicit image to an IP address at the state Capitol, authorities said.
An assistant to a California assemblywoman has been arrested on suspicion of accessing child pornography while inside the state Capitol building.
Brandon Martinez Bratcher, 28, turned himself in to authorities Monday after an illicit image was tracked to an IP address at the building that houses the state Legislature and governor’s office, said Sgt. Rod Grassmann, a spokesman for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
Bratcher worked as a legislative assistant for Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda).
Jordan Curley, a spokeswoman for Bauer-Kahan, said the assemblywoman’s office was “stunned to learn of these disturbing charges.”
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Bratcher was immediately placed on administrative leave, Curley said.
Grassmann said the investigation began when a “major social media company” suspected that one of its users was in possession of child pornography, then contacted the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Grassmann could not confirm which social media company was involved. He said the companies often maintain a database of images to compare with what users are accessing and sharing.
The Sacramento Valley High Tech Crimes Task Force, a collaboration among about 60 different regional agencies, took control of the investigation, which soon pointed to Bratcher.
“When it came back to identify who the person was, it came back to him, and then the IP address came back to the state legislative council on the state Capitol grounds,” Grassmann said.
The task force then turned the case over to California Highway Patrol, which has jurisdiction over state property.
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Grassmann said it was unclear how many images Bratcher accessed or shared while on state grounds.
Bratcher was charged with one felony count of child pornography possession, which can incorporate more than one instance.
“One charge doesn’t always equate to the possession of one image,” Sacramento district attorney spokeswoman Rochelle Beardsley said.
Child pornography investigations sometimes yield more search warrants that uncover additional evidence, Grassmann said.
Bratcher was released from jail earlier this week and arraigned Wednesday. His attorney, Kristy Horton, did not respond to a request for comment.


latimes--2020-11-19--Fresno bishop urges Catholics not to 'jump on the COVID-19 vaccine bandwagon'

Citing ethical concerns about the use of fetal cells in vaccine development , Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno is urging Catholics not to “ jump on the COVID-19 vaccine bandwagon.
” In a video shared by the diocese this week , Brennan said that some of the researchers racing to produce a coronavirus vaccine have made use of cells derived from an aborted fetus , and perhaps other “ morally objectionable ” materials .
“ I try to maintain a joyful spirit , so I don ’ t like to rain on anyone ’ s parade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m going to rain on a parade today : the vaccine parade.
” In his message , Brennan said the use of fetal cells at any stage of a vaccine ’ s development means Catholics can not avail themselves of its scientific results .
“ I won ’ t be able to take a vaccine , brothers and sisters , and I encourage you not to , if it was developed with material from stem cells that were derived from a baby that was aborted , or material that was cast off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ That ’ s morally unacceptable for us.
” That mention of artificial insemination appears to be a reference to in vitro fertilization , an assisted reproduction technique that creates human embryos in a lab dish .
Some couples that were left with excess embryos have donated them to scientists , who used them to make human embryonic stem cells .
Brennan said he is not opposed to vaccines in general , and noted that he has received vaccines for the flu and pneumonia , but said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babies “ whose lives were taken.
” He cited the Pfizer vaccine by name , which — along with another vaccine from Moderna — has been roundly celebrated as a breakthrough in the fight against the coronavirus .
Brennan did not explain why he singled out Pfizer ’ s COVID-19 vaccine for criticism .
There is no indication that it was developed using either fetal cells or human embryonic stem cells .
“ Not a single stage has had it , ” Pfizer spokeswoman Jerica Pitts said Thursday .
The Pfizer and Moderna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus ’ genetic code , and both are estimated to be roughly 95 % effective .
Brennan joins a growing chorus of Catholic organizations concerned about fetal cells and COVID-19 vaccines .
In April , more than 20 Catholic leaders and prominent members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops signed a letter to the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration urging the federal government to follow “ moral principles ” in the development of a coronavirus vaccine .
“ It is critically important that Americans have access to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wrote .
“ No American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience.
” The Charlotte Lozier Institute , an antiabortion organization , has flagged five COVID-19 vaccine candidates that were developed with the help of fetal cells .
One of them , developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca , is in late-stage testing .
So is another developed by Johnson & Johnson .
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are listed as “ ethically uncontroversial ” by the institute .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bioethics Center shared a statement in which President Joseph Meany described the potential reliance on a vaccine developed with fetal cells as a “ nightmare scenario ” that would “ cause major conscience problems for pro-lifers and Catholics.
” Meany went on to say that he is confident that researchers can develop a vaccine for the virus without making use of such cells , something Brennan stated as well .
“ Thank goodness there are some that are being developed ... that have no connection at all with any of that material , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to cause anyone pain .
I don ’ t want to cause anyone to be less hopeful than they normally would be about coming to grips with this terrible pandemic.
” But his words come amid an alarming nationwide surge of COVID-19 .
More than a million new cases were recorded last week alone , and California is currently sustaining its highest-ever counts for daily cases , surpassing 10,000 new daily cases four times in the last week and recording a single-day high of more than 5,000 new cases on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chancellor of the Fresno Diocese responded to requests for comment .

Then auxiliary Bishop Joseph Brennan during ordination Mass at Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles in 2015.
Citing ethical concerns about the use of fetal cells in vaccine development, Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno is urging Catholics not to “jump on the COVID-19 vaccine bandwagon.”
In a video shared by the diocese this week, Brennan said that some of the researchers racing to produce a coronavirus vaccine have made use of cells derived from an aborted fetus, and perhaps other “morally objectionable” materials.
For the record: A previous version of this story said Bishop Joseph Brennan of the Diocese of Fresno was critical of COVID-19 vaccines created with embryonic stem cells. The vaccines that concern him were developed using fetal cells
“I try to maintain a joyful spirit, so I don’t like to rain on anyone’s parade,” Brennan said. “But I’m going to rain on a parade today: the vaccine parade.”
In his message, Brennan said the use of fetal cells at any stage of a vaccine’s development means Catholics cannot avail themselves of its scientific results.
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“I won’t be able to take a vaccine, brothers and sisters, and I encourage you not to, if it was developed with material from stem cells that were derived from a baby that was aborted, or material that was cast off from artificial insemination of a human embryo,” he said. “That’s morally unacceptable for us.”
That mention of artificial insemination appears to be a reference to in vitro fertilization, an assisted reproduction technique that creates human embryos in a lab dish. Some couples that were left with excess embryos have donated them to scientists, who used them to make human embryonic stem cells.
Brennan said he is not opposed to vaccines in general, and noted that he has received vaccines for the flu and pneumonia, but said he is specifically opposed to vaccines derived from babies “whose lives were taken.”
He cited the Pfizer vaccine by name, which — along with another vaccine from Moderna — has been roundly celebrated as a breakthrough in the fight against the coronavirus.
Brennan did not explain why he singled out Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for criticism. There is no indication that it was developed using either fetal cells or human embryonic stem cells.
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“Not a single stage has had it,” Pfizer spokeswoman Jerica Pitts said Thursday.
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccine candidates are made with a snippet of the coronavirus’ genetic code, and both are estimated to be roughly 95% effective.
Brennan joins a growing chorus of Catholic organizations concerned about fetal cells and COVID-19 vaccines. In April, more than 20 Catholic leaders and prominent members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops signed a letter to the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration urging the federal government to follow “moral principles” in the development of a coronavirus vaccine.
“It is critically important that Americans have access to a vaccine that is produced ethically,” they wrote. “No American should be forced to choose between being vaccinated against this potentially deadly virus and violating his or her conscience.”
The Charlotte Lozier Institute, an antiabortion organization, has flagged five COVID-19 vaccine candidates that were developed with the help of fetal cells. One of them, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, is in late-stage testing. So is another developed by Johnson & Johnson.
Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are listed as “ethically uncontroversial” by the institute.
In July, the Philadelphia-based National Catholic Bioethics Center shared a statement in which President Joseph Meany described the potential reliance on a vaccine developed with fetal cells as a “nightmare scenario” that would “cause major conscience problems for pro-lifers and Catholics.”
Meany went on to say that he is confident that researchers can develop a vaccine for the virus without making use of such cells, something Brennan stated as well.
“Thank goodness there are some that are being developed ... that have no connection at all with any of that material,” Brennan said. “I don’t want to cause anyone pain. I don’t want to cause anyone to be less hopeful than they normally would be about coming to grips with this terrible pandemic.”
But his words come amid an alarming nationwide surge of COVID-19. More than a million new cases were recorded last week alone, and California is currently sustaining its highest-ever counts for daily cases, surpassing 10,000 new daily cases four times in the last week and recording a single-day high of more than 5,000 new cases on Thursday.
Neither Meany, Brennan nor the chancellor of the Fresno Diocese responded to requests for comment.


latimes--2020-11-19--California will impose 'limited' curfew due to COVID-19 surge

Gov .
Gavin Newsom has announced a mandatory overnight stay-at-home order that will be instituted throughout most of California to combat a surge in new coronavirus cases , a measure that comes just days after the governor enacted a dramatic rollback of reopening in much of the state .
The order issued by the California Department of Public Health will prohibit most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in counties in the strictest tier of the state ’ s reopening road map — the purple tier .
The restriction goes into place on Saturday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be extended .
“ The virus is spreading at a pace we haven ’ t seen since the start of this pandemic and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge .
We are sounding the alarm , ” Newsom said in a statement released Thursday afternoon .
“ It is crucial that we act to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations before the death count surges .
We ’ ve done it before and we must do it again.
” Roughly 94 % of Californians — 37 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the purple tier , which has forced many businesses in those communities to suspend or severely restrict the number of customers allowed indoors .
The state has reported an average of more than 10,000 new cases each day over the last week .
California has not experienced a daily case count this high since the outbreak began , even during the surge in the summer that stands as the state ’ s deadliest time of the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ We are asking Californians to change their personal behaviors to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together and make tough decisions to stay socially connected but physically distanced during this critical time .
Letting our guard down could put thousands of lives in danger and cripple our healthcare system , ” said Dr. Erica Pan , the state ’ s acting public health officer .
The decision is similar to efforts made to slow the virus in Los Angeles County , which announced earlier this week that restaurants , breweries , bars , wineries and nonessential retail establishments would close for in-person services from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were hospitalized with a confirmed case of the virus statewide as of Wednesday , marking a 61 % increase from two weeks ago .
Los Angeles County reported 5,000 new cases Thursday — a single-day record since the pandemic began .
Aside from the limited nighttime hours , the restrictions will be similar to those in the statewide stay-at-home order Newsom issued in mid-March , which were later replaced by the state ’ s four-stage reopening plan .
Californians in the affected counties will still be allowed to buy groceries , pick up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other healthcare providers and other providers of essential services .
Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s health and human services secretary , said the limited stay-at-home order focuses on the overnight hours because that is a time when people tend to congregate and let their guard down , either at gatherings in their homes or elsewhere .
Even if people up at these hours tend to be younger — and less susceptible to the ravages of COVID-19 — they can still contract the virus and infect others without showing symptoms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from zero to 60 .
Very quickly .
And it has , we ’ ve seen it across the nation , ” Ghaly told reporters at an afternoon news conference .
He also warned that more restrictions are possible : “ Today ’ s actions are an important step , but not the only step .
And as the rate of transmission gets stronger , I think we will too.
” Newsom was noticeably absent from Thursday ’ s news conference , a departure from his usual practice of making major announcements about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor announced the curfew as he faces scrutiny over his own behavior and cases increase .
Newsom apologized this week for attending a Nov. 6 dinner party at the French Laundry , where he joined people from other households and several lobbyists at the upscale Napa Valley restaurant to celebrate the 50th birthday of a close friend .
He said on Monday that the party was held “ outdoors , ” a description that was contradicted when pictures of the event surfaced the next day .
Response to the Newsom administration ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday afternoon , particularly from his Republican critics .
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said he will refuse to enforce the new order .
“ The Sacramento County Sheriff ’ s Office will not be determining — including entering any home or business — compliance with , or enforcing compliance of , any health or emergency orders related to curfews , staying at home , Thanksgiving or other social gatherings inside or outside the home , maximum occupancy , or mask mandates , ” Jones said in a statement .
Assemblyman James Gallagher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a legal action challenging one of Newsom ’ s earlier coronavirus orders as unconstitutional , said the new action will “ further decimate struggling businesses.
” “ The governor likes to tout that his actions are scientifically driven , but evidence simply does not support such drastic action limiting people ’ s freedom , ” Gallagher said in a statement .
“ This virus does not suddenly come out at night , and there is little evidence that shifting businesses ’ operating hours has any impact.
” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom , praised the action announced on Thursday , saying it will “ save lives and provide relief to our hospitals and our healthcare system.
” Garcia is considered to be among those Newsom may appoint to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy that will be created when Sen. Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president .
Earlier in the day , Newsom took heat from a fellow Democrat , Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo of Los Angeles , before the latest restrictions were announced .
Carrillo is under fire for flying to Maui this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ My intent to be very clear and transparent is to find solutions on how we can safely live through COVID-19 , how we can safely reopen our economy , help small businesses and restaurants and better inform the public amid continued contradicting and constantly changing information from Gov .
Gavin Newsom , ” she said in a statement about her trip .
Soon after the curfew was announced , businesses owners across the state mulled how the new order might affect them after months of sacrifices and changes to adjust to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Inglewood-based El Oaxaco Taqueria y Antojitos Oaxaqueños , said he supports Newsom ’ s decision to impose a curfew and limit restaurants to takeout .
Though his restaurant ’ s hours have changed since the start of the pandemic , closing at 8 p.m. instead of 3 a.m. , Santiago said any cut in hours or a curfew would still affect his business since fewer people will be out .
It will also affect him as an employee of a Beverly Hills restaurant that has late hours .
Still , Santiago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict order than have to deal with a longer pandemic .
“ If we can all cooperate in this moment and do things the way they should be done , it will be easier , ” he said .
“ But if we want to be treated like children , where the government has to get our attention and get angry at us and punish us , it won ’ t work.
” Brett Gallo , owner of the Bamboo Club and the Stache Bar in Long Beach , said he worries about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but feels more prepared to weather this storm .
His bars have been adapting with new takeout systems and the Bamboo Club recently installed a tent over a parking lot for a large patio space that was beginning to bring in more business .
“ We were already kind of bracing for it , ” Gallo said .
Gallo noted that he didn ’ t like to see Newsom dining at a restaurant days before the curfew was to go into effect .
“ I don ’ t disagree with Newsom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ But the ‘ Do as I say , not as I do ” mentality , I don ’ t like that .
You should be following the guidelines.
” Colton Weiss , owner of Mel ’ s Drive-In restaurant , said he ’ ll have to cut his employees ’ hours to comply with the order , something he said “ is not what we want to do.
” The restaurant is typically open 24 hours , but has recently started closing at 3 a.m. “ I understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I do feel that people after curfew are still going to gather and get together and what they ’ ll do is , instead of coming to Mel ’ s , they ’ re going to go to their house , ” he said .
Weiss said that Mel ’ s , which has been in his family since 1947 , will be hit hard by the reduced hours .
But he lamented that smaller businesses with less outdoor space will have a harder time .
“ It ’ s insane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Phil Willon, Taryn Luna, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced a mandatory overnight stay-at-home order that will be instituted throughout most of California to combat a surge in new coronavirus cases, a measure that comes just days after the governor enacted a dramatic rollback of reopening in much of the state.
The order issued by the California Department of Public Health will prohibit most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in counties in the strictest tier of the state’s reopening road map — the purple tier. The restriction goes into place on Saturday and lasts through Dec. 21, though it could be extended.
“The virus is spreading at a pace we haven’t seen since the start of this pandemic and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge. We are sounding the alarm,” Newsom said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. “It is crucial that we act to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations before the death count surges. We’ve done it before and we must do it again.”
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Roughly 94% of Californians — 37 million people — live in counties that are in the purple tier, which has forced many businesses in those communities to suspend or severely restrict the number of customers allowed indoors.
The state has reported an average of more than 10,000 new cases each day over the last week. California has not experienced a daily case count this high since the outbreak began, even during the surge in the summer that stands as the state’s deadliest time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are asking Californians to change their personal behaviors to stop the surge. We must be strong together and make tough decisions to stay socially connected but physically distanced during this critical time. Letting our guard down could put thousands of lives in danger and cripple our healthcare system,” said Dr. Erica Pan, the state’s acting public health officer.
The decision is similar to efforts made to slow the virus in Los Angeles County, which announced earlier this week that restaurants, breweries, bars, wineries and nonessential retail establishments would close for in-person services from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. beginning Friday.
More than 4,300 people were hospitalized with a confirmed case of the virus statewide as of Wednesday, marking a 61% increase from two weeks ago. Los Angeles County reported 5,000 new cases Thursday — a single-day record since the pandemic began.
Aside from the limited nighttime hours, the restrictions will be similar to those in the statewide stay-at-home order Newsom issued in mid-March, which were later replaced by the state’s four-stage reopening plan. Californians in the affected counties will still be allowed to buy groceries, pick up restaurant takeout orders, visit doctors or other healthcare providers and other providers of essential services.
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Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s health and human services secretary, said the limited stay-at-home order focuses on the overnight hours because that is a time when people tend to congregate and let their guard down, either at gatherings in their homes or elsewhere. Even if people up at these hours tend to be younger — and less susceptible to the ravages of COVID-19 — they can still contract the virus and infect others without showing symptoms, Ghaly said.
“COVID can go from zero to 60. Very quickly. And it has, we’ve seen it across the nation,” Ghaly told reporters at an afternoon news conference.
He also warned that more restrictions are possible: “Today’s actions are an important step, but not the only step. And as the rate of transmission gets stronger, I think we will too.”
Newsom was noticeably absent from Thursday’s news conference, a departure from his usual practice of making major announcements about the state’s COVID-19 response.
The governor announced the curfew as he faces scrutiny over his own behavior and cases increase. Newsom apologized this week for attending a Nov. 6 dinner party at the French Laundry, where he joined people from other households and several lobbyists at the upscale Napa Valley restaurant to celebrate the 50th birthday of a close friend.
He said on Monday that the party was held “outdoors,” a description that was contradicted when pictures of the event surfaced the next day.
Response to the Newsom administration’s new limited stay-at-home order was swift Thursday afternoon, particularly from his Republican critics. Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones said he will refuse to enforce the new order.
“The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office will not be determining — including entering any home or business — compliance with, or enforcing compliance of, any health or emergency orders related to curfews, staying at home, Thanksgiving or other social gatherings inside or outside the home, maximum occupancy, or mask mandates,” Jones said in a statement.
Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who filed a legal action challenging one of Newsom’s earlier coronavirus orders as unconstitutional, said the new action will “further decimate struggling businesses.”
“The governor likes to tout that his actions are scientifically driven, but evidence simply does not support such drastic action limiting people’s freedom,” Gallagher said in a statement. “This virus does not suddenly come out at night, and there is little evidence that shifting businesses’ operating hours has any impact.”
Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, a Democrat and strong political ally of Newsom, praised the action announced on Thursday, saying it will “save lives and provide relief to our hospitals and our healthcare system.” Garcia is considered to be among those Newsom may appoint to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy that will be created when Sen. Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president.
Earlier in the day, Newsom took heat from a fellow Democrat, Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo of Los Angeles, before the latest restrictions were announced. Carrillo is under fire for flying to Maui this week for a conference with other legislators.
“My intent to be very clear and transparent is to find solutions on how we can safely live through COVID-19, how we can safely reopen our economy, help small businesses and restaurants and better inform the public amid continued contradicting and constantly changing information from Gov. Gavin Newsom,” she said in a statement about her trip.
Soon after the curfew was announced, businesses owners across the state mulled how the new order might affect them after months of sacrifices and changes to adjust to the pandemic.
Everardo Santiago, owner of the Inglewood-based El Oaxaco Taqueria y Antojitos Oaxaqueños, said he supports Newsom’s decision to impose a curfew and limit restaurants to takeout. Though his restaurant’s hours have changed since the start of the pandemic, closing at 8 p.m. instead of 3 a.m., Santiago said any cut in hours or a curfew would still affect his business since fewer people will be out.
It will also affect him as an employee of a Beverly Hills restaurant that has late hours. Still, Santiago said he’d rather have a strict order than have to deal with a longer pandemic.
“If we can all cooperate in this moment and do things the way they should be done, it will be easier,” he said. “But if we want to be treated like children, where the government has to get our attention and get angry at us and punish us, it won’t work.”
Brett Gallo, owner of the Bamboo Club and the Stache Bar in Long Beach, said he worries about how the order will affect his businesses, but feels more prepared to weather this storm. His bars have been adapting with new takeout systems and the Bamboo Club recently installed a tent over a parking lot for a large patio space that was beginning to bring in more business.
“We were already kind of bracing for it,” Gallo said.
Gallo noted that he didn’t like to see Newsom dining at a restaurant days before the curfew was to go into effect.
“I don’t disagree with Newsom and how he’s handling things,” he said. “But the ‘Do as I say, not as I do” mentality, I don’t like that. You should be following the guidelines.”
Colton Weiss, owner of Mel’s Drive-In restaurant, said he’ll have to cut his employees’ hours to comply with the order, something he said “is not what we want to do.” The restaurant is typically open 24 hours, but has recently started closing at 3 a.m.
“I understand it’s for the greater good, but I do feel that people after curfew are still going to gather and get together and what they’ll do is, instead of coming to Mel’s, they’re going to go to their house,” he said.
Weiss said that Mel’s, which has been in his family since 1947, will be hit hard by the reduced hours. But he lamented that smaller businesses with less outdoor space will have a harder time.
“It’s insane. This is really, really rough.”


latimes--2020-11-19--Even as COVID-19 surges, Triller planned a red carpet party in a Hollywood Hills mansion

It was billed as a red carpet party for influencers at a Hollywood Hills mansion .
Triller , an L.A.-based company that operates a video sharing app that competes with TikTok , planned to host a private launch party Thursday for Irvine-based beauty products company UVé Beauty .
The party was described as an “ evening of glitz and glamour , ” with “ light bites , pampering , and live music , ” according to an invitation reviewed by The Times .
At the six-bedroom , 9,800-square-foot , multimillion-dollar home featuring an infinity pool , guests would be treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a red carpet , according to the invite .
Paraffin hand masks and massages would also be available , sponsored by Corona Del Mar-based Facial Lounge , the invite stated .
“ Social media star and DJ Charly Jordan , ” the invite added , “ will be spinning tunes as guests sip custom cocktails , snap Insta-worthy pics in the Triller photo booth , and eat sweet treats.
” Coming at a time of rising coronavirus infections and hospitalizations , the planned party raised alarm among county health officials who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , in which a large number of people could become infected with the highly contagious coronavirus .
L.A. County is at risk of needing a new stay-at-home order should daily coronavirus cases continue their unprecedented rate of increase .
Daily coronavirus cases in L.A. County have tripled in the last month , while hospitalizations have jumped by 70 % .
Health officials on Wednesday warned the county is now again at risk of running out of hospital and intensive care unit beds if the surge does not abate .
“ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Order and irresponsible , ” the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement .
“ Anyone hosting a super-spreader event at this time not only risks the health and well-being of county residents but also bears responsibility for additional restrictions the county will need to impose if cases keep rising.
” After The Times inquired about the party , Triller initially issued a statement saying it was “ unaware ” of the Thursday event .
Later , the company acknowledged there had been plans but said the event was being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned outdoor gathering for a brand partner that followed all COVID-19 regulations , which included rapid testing at the door , six people in attendance at once , and cleaning crews every hour .
It was RSVP only and has since been cancelled due to new COVID-19 guidelines.
” The company added that it hosted a small dinner party in the Hollywood Hills that “ followed all COVID-19 rules and regulations , but we can ’ t imagine that anyone would be concerned with that .
The dinner was more distanced and included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On Thursday , UVé Beauty said the party was still on but would move to a nearby location .
Triller said it is no longer involved with Thursday ’ s event .
“ In working with Triller , we sought out to host a very intimate and private gathering to introduce our products to beauty industry leaders , media , and lifestyle influencers who are equally excited about how UVé Beauty is revolutionizing the industry , ” the company said in a statement .
“ Not only do we have a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all attendees will arrive at different times and undergo rapid COVID-19 testing upon arrival administered by registered nurses before being approved for entry .
Masks will also be required at all times .
The launch event will be exclusively outdoors , and abides by all county and nationwide standards to ensure the well-being of our guests.
” On Thursday , L.A. County recorded more than 5,000 cases , the most the county has seen on any one day since the pandemic began .
California bans most large gatherings , with only a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests and religious services .
In L.A. County , smaller gatherings must be held outdoors involving only people from up to three households for no more than two hours , with people wearing masks and staying six feet apart from one another .
Starting Friday , the gatherings will be capped at no more than 15 participants .
“ An event such as this is definitely not in the letter or spirit of the current regulations , ” said Dr. Robert Kim-Farley , medical epidemiologist and infectious-diseases expert at the UCLA Fielding School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people from different households do attend , that “ would potentially be an ideal setting for a super-spreader event in which large numbers of people could become infected with COVID-19.
” The pandemic can be easily spread by infected people who are highly contagious yet show no signs of illness .
The virus responsible for the world ’ s worst pandemic in a century can spread easily indoors from coughing , talking and even breathing .
The invite , sent to social media influencers , said that “ rapid COVID-19 tests will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But rapid coronavirus tests should not be used to give would-be partygoers a pass to socialize in large groups without masks , experts say .
Rapid saliva tests are more inaccurate than tests that need laboratory analysis of nasal samples , which can take a day or two to get results , said Kim-Farley , a former senior official with the L.A. County Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The strategy of using rapid tests as a pass to socialize without masks and social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super-spreading incident at the White House ’ s Rose Garden ceremony to formally introduce President Trump ’ s nominee to the Supreme Court .
“ It ’ s a bad look for our industry , ” said one executive who works with brands who declined to be named to protect business relationships .
“ It ’ s a bad look for trust , where really in the world of influence , we should be leading from the front , in terms of doing things that show integrity.
” Triller has been working to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a successor to TikTok .
When TikTok ’ s future looked bleak in the U.S. , Triller received a boost , skyrocketing to No.1 in the App Store on Aug. 1 .
Since then , its ranking has plummeted to 596 as of Tuesday , according to San Francisco app analytics firm App Annie .
Triller is majority-owned by Proxima Media , Ryan Kavanaugh ’ s investment company .
Kavanaugh was once the head of mini-studio Relativity Media , which first filed for bankruptcy in 2015 .
Triller has poached some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ content on its platform , including Josh Richards , who joined as chief strategy officer and an investor .
Richards said he left TikTok because of security concerns .
Other Triller users include President Trump and his son Donald Trump Jr .
The Trump administration has tried to ban TikTok based on security concerns about its parent company ’ s ties to China .
TikTok said it has not and will not give U.S. user data to the Chinese government , and that the information is stored in the U.S. and backed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been criticized for throwing parties amid the pandemic .
A pair of social media stars , Bryce Hall and Blake Gray , who rose to internet fame largely on the video-sharing app TikTok , were both charged with misdemeanors in August for rowdy parties at a house on Appian Way in the Hollywood Hills ; city officials later cut off electric service to the home as punishment for repeated large gatherings at the home .
Even gatherings of a few dozen people can have deadly consequences .
There were only 55 guests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inn in Millinocket , Maine , celebrating a couple traveling from California .
While one of those guests arrived with a coronavirus infection , over the next few weeks , the virus spread to 176 other people and sparked outbreaks at a county jail and a long-term care facility .
A total of seven people died from the outbreak — none of whom attended the original wedding reception .
Six of them — all at least 60 years old — lived in the long-term care center , where an employee was believed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended the wedding reception .
Social gatherings are believed to be a big reason for the latest explosion in coronavirus cases , and it ’ s young adults that are spreading the virus the fastest .
Daily coronavirus case rates among adults in L.A. County between the ages of 18 to 45 have roughly doubled in the last month , an acceleration which health officials called “ alarming .
”

It was billed as a red carpet party for influencers at a Hollywood Hills mansion.
Triller, an L.A.-based company that operates a video sharing app that competes with TikTok, planned to host a private launch party Thursday for Irvine-based beauty products company UVé Beauty. The party was described as an “evening of glitz and glamour,” with “light bites, pampering, and live music,” according to an invitation reviewed by The Times.
At the six-bedroom, 9,800-square-foot, multimillion-dollar home featuring an infinity pool, guests would be treated to mini-makeovers using antimicrobial products after strolling on a red carpet, according to the invite. Paraffin hand masks and massages would also be available, sponsored by Corona Del Mar-based Facial Lounge, the invite stated.
“Social media star and DJ Charly Jordan,” the invite added, “will be spinning tunes as guests sip custom cocktails, snap Insta-worthy pics in the Triller photo booth, and eat sweet treats.”
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Coming at a time of rising coronavirus infections and hospitalizations, the planned party raised alarm among county health officials who said it had the potential to be super-spreader event, in which a large number of people could become infected with the highly contagious coronavirus.
A cropped version of a launch party advertisement poster for Nov. 19, 2020, sponsored by Uvé and Triller.
L.A. County is at risk of needing a new stay-at-home order should daily coronavirus cases continue their unprecedented rate of increase. Daily coronavirus cases in L.A. County have tripled in the last month, while hospitalizations have jumped by 70%. Health officials on Wednesday warned the county is now again at risk of running out of hospital and intensive care unit beds if the surge does not abate.
“This is in complete violation of the Health Officer Order and irresponsible,” the L.A. County Department of Public Health said in a statement. “Anyone hosting a super-spreader event at this time not only risks the health and well-being of county residents but also bears responsibility for additional restrictions the county will need to impose if cases keep rising.”
After The Times inquired about the party, Triller initially issued a statement saying it was “unaware” of the Thursday event. Later, the company acknowledged there had been plans but said the event was being canceled.
“There was a previously planned outdoor gathering for a brand partner that followed all COVID-19 regulations, which included rapid testing at the door, six people in attendance at once, and cleaning crews every hour. It was RSVP only and has since been cancelled due to new COVID-19 guidelines.”
The company added that it hosted a small dinner party in the Hollywood Hills that “followed all COVID-19 rules and regulations, but we can’t imagine that anyone would be concerned with that. The dinner was more distanced and included less people than dining in a restaurant.”
On Thursday, UVé Beauty said the party was still on but would move to a nearby location. Triller said it is no longer involved with Thursday’s event.
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“In working with Triller, we sought out to host a very intimate and private gathering to introduce our products to beauty industry leaders, media, and lifestyle influencers who are equally excited about how UVé Beauty is revolutionizing the industry,” the company said in a statement. “Not only do we have a very limited and staggered guest list, but all attendees will arrive at different times and undergo rapid COVID-19 testing upon arrival administered by registered nurses before being approved for entry. Masks will also be required at all times. The launch event will be exclusively outdoors, and abides by all county and nationwide standards to ensure the well-being of our guests.”
On Thursday, L.A. County recorded more than 5,000 cases, the most the county has seen on any one day since the pandemic began.
California bans most large gatherings, with only a few exceptions, such as for outdoor political protests and religious services. In L.A. County, smaller gatherings must be held outdoors involving only people from up to three households for no more than two hours, with people wearing masks and staying six feet apart from one another. Starting Friday, the gatherings will be capped at no more than 15 participants.
“An event such as this is definitely not in the letter or spirit of the current regulations,” said Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, medical epidemiologist and infectious-diseases expert at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. If large numbers of people from different households do attend, that “would potentially be an ideal setting for a super-spreader event in which large numbers of people could become infected with COVID-19.”
The pandemic can be easily spread by infected people who are highly contagious yet show no signs of illness. The virus responsible for the world’s worst pandemic in a century can spread easily indoors from coughing, talking and even breathing.
The invite, sent to social media influencers, said that “rapid COVID-19 tests will be administered to attendees upon arrival.”
But rapid coronavirus tests should not be used to give would-be partygoers a pass to socialize in large groups without masks, experts say.
Rapid saliva tests are more inaccurate than tests that need laboratory analysis of nasal samples, which can take a day or two to get results, said Kim-Farley, a former senior official with the L.A. County Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The strategy of using rapid tests as a pass to socialize without masks and social distancing has failed before, notably in the super-spreading incident at the White House’s Rose Garden ceremony to formally introduce President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court.
“It’s a bad look for our industry,” said one executive who works with brands who declined to be named to protect business relationships. “It’s a bad look for trust, where really in the world of influence, we should be leading from the front, in terms of doing things that show integrity.”
Triller has been working to become a bigger player in social video and a successor to TikTok. When TikTok’s future looked bleak in the U.S., Triller received a boost, skyrocketing to No.1 in the App Store on Aug. 1. Since then, its ranking has plummeted to 596 as of Tuesday, according to San Francisco app analytics firm App Annie.
Triller is majority-owned by Proxima Media, Ryan Kavanaugh’s investment company. Kavanaugh was once the head of mini-studio Relativity Media, which first filed for bankruptcy in 2015.
Triller has poached some of TikTok’s biggest stars to post content on its platform, including Josh Richards, who joined as chief strategy officer and an investor. Richards said he left TikTok because of security concerns. Other Triller users include President Trump and his son Donald Trump Jr.
The Trump administration has tried to ban TikTok based on security concerns about its parent company’s ties to China. TikTok said it has not and will not give U.S. user data to the Chinese government, and that the information is stored in the U.S. and backed up in Singapore.
Some social media influencers have been criticized for throwing parties amid the pandemic. A pair of social media stars, Bryce Hall and Blake Gray, who rose to internet fame largely on the video-sharing app TikTok, were both charged with misdemeanors in August for rowdy parties at a house on Appian Way in the Hollywood Hills; city officials later cut off electric service to the home as punishment for repeated large gatherings at the home.
Even gatherings of a few dozen people can have deadly consequences. There were only 55 guests who attended a wedding reception at an inn in Millinocket, Maine, celebrating a couple traveling from California. While one of those guests arrived with a coronavirus infection, over the next few weeks, the virus spread to 176 other people and sparked outbreaks at a county jail and a long-term care facility.
A total of seven people died from the outbreak — none of whom attended the original wedding reception. Six of them — all at least 60 years old — lived in the long-term care center, where an employee was believed to be infected by a family member who attended the wedding reception.
Social gatherings are believed to be a big reason for the latest explosion in coronavirus cases, and it’s young adults that are spreading the virus the fastest. Daily coronavirus case rates among adults in L.A. County between the ages of 18 to 45 have roughly doubled in the last month, an acceleration which health officials called “alarming.”


latimes--2020-11-19--Owners of businesses tied to DTLA explosion strike plea deals

The owners of two smoking and vaping supply stores in downtown Los Angeles where a large explosion left several firefighters seriously injured struck plea deals with prosecutors Thursday that call for their businesses to pay more than $ 100,000 to the city .
As part of the agreement with the Los Angeles city attorney ’ s office , the retail businesses , Smoke Tokes and Green Buddha , must pay the Los Angeles Fire Department roughly $ 127,000 to compensate the agency for the investigation into the May 16 blast , which rocked downtown L.A .
In addition , Raheel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owned one of businesses , agreed to cease operating at the location of the fire .
Charges against Lakhany and Sattar as individual defendants were dismissed as part of the deal .
Instead , their businesses pleaded no contest to four municipal code violations involving the improper storage of flammable materials and other fire code violations .
The men and their businesses were charged as part of a sweeping criminal complaint filed by the Los Angeles City Attorney ’ s office in August , which alleged 300 violations against them , the owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ located , and other management firms associated with the location .
A court hearing for the building owner , Steve Lee , was continued Thursday until February .
A representative for Lee declined to comment .
More serious criminal charges could still be brought .
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the U.S. Department of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives and , depending on their findings , investigators could recommend the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office file more charges .
The ATF ’ s final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
William Kroeger , a defense attorney representing Lakhany , Sattar and their businesses also declined comment outside the courtroom .
The city attorney ’ s office did not immediately respond to questions about the agreement .
The May 16 explosion occurred in an area of downtown nicknamed “ bong row ” by police due to the concentration of retailers selling rolling papers , butane and other supplies associated with vaping and smoking .
The blast shot a fireball into the air and left 11 firefighters seriously burned .
Some of the firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to work , and one captain was burned so badly that he lost the use of his hands and had to be hospitalized for more than two months .
In a report released earlier this year , the Fire Department determined the “ excessive quantity ” of nitrous oxide and butane containers inside Smoke Tokes fueled the fire , which damaged several other properties .
The report also revealed that the LAFD had failed to inspect the building for at least a year prior to the blast .
Fire Chief Ralph M. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have resulted in the seizure of many of the materials that fed the explosion .

The owners of two smoking and vaping supply stores in downtown Los Angeles where a large explosion left several firefighters seriously injured struck plea deals with prosecutors Thursday that call for their businesses to pay more than $100,000 to the city.
As part of the agreement with the Los Angeles city attorney’s office, the retail businesses, Smoke Tokes and Green Buddha, must pay the Los Angeles Fire Department roughly $127,000 to compensate the agency for the investigation into the May 16 blast, which rocked downtown L.A. In addition, Raheel Lakhany and Shafaq Sattar, who each owned one of businesses, agreed to cease operating at the location of the fire.
Charges against Lakhany and Sattar as individual defendants were dismissed as part of the deal. Instead, their businesses pleaded no contest to four municipal code violations involving the improper storage of flammable materials and other fire code violations.
The men and their businesses were charged as part of a sweeping criminal complaint filed by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office in August, which alleged 300 violations against them, the owner of the building where the stores were located, and other management firms associated with the location. A court hearing for the building owner, Steve Lee, was continued Thursday until February. A representative for Lee declined to comment.
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More serious criminal charges could still be brought. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and, depending on their findings, investigators could recommend the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office file more charges. The ATF’s final report was still pending as of Thursday.
William Kroeger, a defense attorney representing Lakhany, Sattar and their businesses also declined comment outside the courtroom. The city attorney’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the agreement.
The May 16 explosion occurred in an area of downtown nicknamed “bong row” by police due to the concentration of retailers selling rolling papers, butane and other supplies associated with vaping and smoking. The blast shot a fireball into the air and left 11 firefighters seriously burned. Some of the firefighters are still recovering and have yet to return to work, and one captain was burned so badly that he lost the use of his hands and had to be hospitalized for more than two months.
In a report released earlier this year, the Fire Department determined the “excessive quantity” of nitrous oxide and butane containers inside Smoke Tokes fueled the fire, which damaged several other properties. The report also revealed that the LAFD had failed to inspect the building for at least a year prior to the blast. Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas has acknowledged that an inspection likely would have resulted in the seizure of many of the materials that fed the explosion.


latimes--2020-11-19--Feds charge Hollywood man after drone collides with LAPD helicopter

FBI agents have arrested a Hollywood man , accusing him of recklessly operating a drone and crashing it into a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter earlier this year .
The collision damaged the chopper ’ s fuselage and required the LAPD pilot to make an emergency landing following the September encounter .
The drone , which authorities say was operated by Andrew Rene Hernandez , then tumbled from the sky and crashed into a vehicle .
Hernandez , 22 , was arrested Thursday and charged with unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft after an investigation by the FBI , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The potentially deadly collision occurred Sept. 18 after Los Angeles police officers responding to a predawn burglary call at a Hollywood pharmacy requested air support .
As the LAPD helicopter flew toward to the scene , the pilot spotted a drone and attempted to avoid the unmanned aircraft , according to federal prosecutors .
Despite the evasive maneuver , the drone stuck the helicopter , forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing .
The drone hit the chopper ’ s nose , antenna and bottom cowlings and could have caused the aircraft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney ’ s office said .
“ If the drone had struck the helicopter ’ s main rotor instead of the fuselage , it could have brought the helicopter down , ” a criminal complaint against Hernandez said .
Within minutes of the copter ’ s emergency landing , LAPD officers found parts of the drone near the pharmacy and discovered a vehicle damaged by the unmanned aircraft after it fell from the sky .
An examination of the drone ’ s camera and video card identified Hernandez as the operator , prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his home in late October .
During an interview with FBI agents , Hernandez admitted to flying the drone on Sept. 18 after he heard police vehicles and an approaching helicopter shortly after midnight , prosecutors said .
According to the complaint , Hernandez said he flew his drone “ to see what was going on.
” As the drone was ascending , Hernandez saw it “ smacked ” by the police helicopter , and it fell to the ground at a nearby residence .
Hernandez will appear in federal court Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of one year in federal prison .

FBI agents have arrested a Hollywood man, accusing him of recklessly operating a drone and crashing it into a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter earlier this year.
The collision damaged the chopper’s fuselage and required the LAPD pilot to make an emergency landing following the September encounter.
The drone, which authorities say was operated by Andrew Rene Hernandez, then tumbled from the sky and crashed into a vehicle.
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Hernandez, 22, was arrested Thursday and charged with unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft after an investigation by the FBI, the LAPD and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The potentially deadly collision occurred Sept. 18 after Los Angeles police officers responding to a predawn burglary call at a Hollywood pharmacy requested air support.
As the LAPD helicopter flew toward to the scene, the pilot spotted a drone and attempted to avoid the unmanned aircraft, according to federal prosecutors. Despite the evasive maneuver, the drone stuck the helicopter, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing. The drone hit the chopper’s nose, antenna and bottom cowlings and could have caused the aircraft to crash, prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office said.
“If the drone had struck the helicopter’s main rotor instead of the fuselage, it could have brought the helicopter down,” a criminal complaint against Hernandez said.
Within minutes of the copter’s emergency landing, LAPD officers found parts of the drone near the pharmacy and discovered a vehicle damaged by the unmanned aircraft after it fell from the sky.
An examination of the drone’s camera and video card identified Hernandez as the operator, prosecutors said. The FBI executed search warrants at his home in late October.
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During an interview with FBI agents, Hernandez admitted to flying the drone on Sept. 18 after he heard police vehicles and an approaching helicopter shortly after midnight, prosecutors said.
According to the complaint, Hernandez said he flew his drone “to see what was going on.” As the drone was ascending, Hernandez saw it “smacked” by the police helicopter, and it fell to the ground at a nearby residence.
Hernandez will appear in federal court Thursday. The misdemeanor offense carries a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison.


latimes--2020-11-19--Cal Lutheran reports coronavirus outbreak after students hold off-campus party

A coronavirus outbreak that has infected at least 25 students at Cal Lutheran University has been linked to an off-campus gathering , school officials said .
At least nine of the infections were linked to the party , a school official said .
The university said in that all students associated with the outbreak had been instructed to isolate .
Twelve of the students may have been on campus while contagious , officials said .
Students living on campus who were in close contact with those who tested positive also were being quarantined , the university said .
The school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning of the outbreak .
There are roughly 4,000 students enrolled at the college .
“ Most of these students were not identified as close contacts , but may have been in the same buildings as students who tested positive or interacted with people who were close contacts , ” according to the .
Cal Lutheran University ’ s media relations manager , Karin Grennan , said she was not aware of any cases outside the university community linked to the student cases .
Some of the infected students and their close contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their permanent homes over the Thanksgiving break , which begins Monday , though Grennan noted that the school had advised that none of them fly home .
Others “ who can not travel or would be putting themselves or their families at risk ” are staying on campus , she said .
The university had already determined it would conduct final exams virtually the week after Thanksgiving so students would not need to return for the rest of the fall semester .
Because of the outbreak , the Thousand Oaks campus changed its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chapel services , meetings , dining and other activities .
Some in-person lab and studio use is still allowed , although the university has encouraged instructors to seek alternatives , Grennan said .
University offices may have up to 50 % of their staff on site throughout the workday .
Staff must wear masks everywhere unless they are alone in an office and are required to complete daily health checks .
As of Thursday , no staff had tested positive .
Prior to this outbreak , seven school community members had tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Grennan said .
Like much of the state , coronavirus cases are surging in Ventura County , which slid back into the state ’ s most-restrictive tier — the purple tier — Monday after Gov .
Gavin Newsom pulled the “ ” dramatically rolling back reopenings in much of California .
Most indoor activities in Ventura County are , including dining and going to fitness studios , movie theaters , houses of worship , museums , zoos , aquariums and wedding or funeral ceremonies .
Colleges have been battered by the fast-spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often as a result of parties .
A at has led to 1,344 confirmed cases among students , faculty , staff and visitors since August , plus 89 other probable cases .
News of the COVID-19 outbreak at Cal Lutheran came days after the university the creation of a new public health minor .
“ We began planning this new program before COVID-19 , but the pandemic underscores the importance of preparing students to work in this critical field , ” Jessica Lavariega Monforti , College of Arts and Sciences dean , said @ @ @ @

At least 25 students have been infected in an outbreak at Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, school officials say.
A coronavirus outbreak that has infected at least 25 students at Cal Lutheran University has been linked to an off-campus gathering, school officials said.
At least nine of the infections were linked to the party, a school official said. The university said in a statement that all students associated with the outbreak had been instructed to isolate. Twelve of the students may have been on campus while contagious, officials said.
Students living on campus who were in close contact with those who tested positive also were being quarantined, the university said. The school has tested more than 300 people since learning of the outbreak. There are roughly 4,000 students enrolled at the college.
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“Most of these students were not identified as close contacts, but may have been in the same buildings as students who tested positive or interacted with people who were close contacts,” according to the university statement .
Cal Lutheran University’s media relations manager, Karin Grennan, said she was not aware of any cases outside the university community linked to the student cases.
Some of the infected students and their close contacts have chosen to isolate or quarantine at their permanent homes over the Thanksgiving break, which begins Monday, though Grennan noted that the school had advised that none of them fly home. Others “who cannot travel or would be putting themselves or their families at risk” are staying on campus, she said. The university had already determined it would conduct final exams virtually the week after Thanksgiving so students would not need to return for the rest of the fall semester.
Because of the outbreak, the Thousand Oaks campus changed its COVID-19 protocols, eliminating indoor lectures, chapel services, meetings, dining and other activities. Some in-person lab and studio use is still allowed, although the university has encouraged instructors to seek alternatives, Grennan said.
University offices may have up to 50% of their staff on site throughout the workday. Staff must wear masks everywhere unless they are alone in an office and are required to complete daily health checks. As of Thursday, no staff had tested positive.
Prior to this outbreak, seven school community members had tested positive for the virus since the pandemic started, Grennan said.
Like much of the state, coronavirus cases are surging in Ventura County, which slid back into the state’s most-restrictive tier — the purple tier — Monday after Gov. Gavin Newsom pulled the “ emergency brake, ” dramatically rolling back reopenings in much of California. Most indoor activities in Ventura County are now prohibited , including dining and going to fitness studios, movie theaters, houses of worship, museums, zoos, aquariums and wedding or funeral ceremonies.
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Colleges across the country have been battered by the fast-spreading coronavirus since the school year began, often as a result of parties. A particularly severe outbreak at San Diego State has led to 1,344 confirmed cases among students, faculty, staff and visitors since August, plus 89 other probable cases.
News of the COVID-19 outbreak at Cal Lutheran came days after the university announced the creation of a new public health minor.
“We began planning this new program before COVID-19, but the pandemic underscores the importance of preparing students to work in this critical field,” Jessica Lavariega Monforti, College of Arts and Sciences dean, said in a statement.


latimes--2020-11-19--Despite reports of unemployment fraud, California keeps sending mail with Social Security info

California ’ s unemployment benefits agency , which has reported a deluge of fraudulent claims , has sent out more than 38 million pieces of mail containing Social Security numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic began , despite a call last year for the practice to stop because it could lead to identity theft , the state auditor warned Thursday .
Auditor Elaine Howle said in a letter to Gov .
Gavin Newsom that the state Employment Development Department must more quickly change the three most used forms that currently include the Social Security numbers of claimants , rather than wait @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would stop the practice by August 2021 or later .
“ EDD ’ s failure to change its business practices in a timely manner has unnecessarily put claimants at increased risk of identity theft , ” Howle wrote to the governor .
She noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March , Californians have reported receiving a flood of claim documents at their homes in the names of other people whom they do not know , which often include Social Security numbers .
Howle cited one resident who received more than 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least 15 different people .
She said such mail containing Social Security numbers could be stolen or retrieved by scammers , who could use the personal information to obtain undeserved benefits .
In addition , auditors found a significant amount of mail returned to EDD because it was undeliverable , which also could be an indication that Social Security numbers in mis-delivered mail are ending up in the hands of criminals .
“ Such mailings may be linked to attempts to fraudulently collect unemployment benefits , ” Howle wrote .
The EDD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic and recently said 350,000 benefit debit cards had been frozen as part of the effort to weed out fake claims .
The governor ’ s office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment on the auditor ’ s warning , but the EDD said in a statement provided to the auditor that one of its priorities is to replace claimants ’ Social Security numbers from three types of unemployment forms with another unique identifier .
“ EDD is committed to protecting the confidentiality of our claimants ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fraud , ” the agency ’ s statement said .
“ We acknowledge and appreciate the urgency of the Auditor ’ s timeline , and although we are admittedly behind schedule , we continue to diligently work to protect the identities of those we serve.
” The issue was first raised in a state audit in March 2019 that recommended EDD stop sending Social Security numbers out in mailed documents .
The practice has not ended during the pandemic , as the EDD has paid out more than $ 109 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lawmakers were alarmed Thursday that the EDD had failed to act sooner on the March 2019 recommendations .
“ We have seen EDD ignore common-sense recommendations like this time and time again , ” said Assemblyman David Chiu ( D-San Francisco ) .
“ It ’ s ironic that an agency that claims to be so focused on combating fraud would continue this practice that makes Californians prime targets for fraud and identity theft.
” Last year , EDD officials said they hoped to make changes to claims documents by May 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has been in the works for years .
But work on modernizing EDD computer systems was placed on hold after a strike team appointed by the governor recommended a new approach .
The auditor said EDD assured her office that it plans to discontinue its use of Social Security numbers on three types of forms by August 2021 and on several other forms by April 2022 .
Other forms may not have Social Security numbers removed until January 2023 , the auditor warned .
“ As millions more Californians filed unemployment benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail that EDD sent with SSNs printed on them increased dramatically , ” Howle said .
“ EDD must take swift action to end its potentially harmful practice and better safeguard the identities of the residents it serves .
”

With businesses closed because of COVID-19, a flood of unemployment benefit claims have been filed in California, and the state auditor warns the security to prevent identity fraud is lax.
California’s unemployment benefits agency, which has reported a deluge of fraudulent claims, has sent out more than 38 million pieces of mail containing Social Security numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic began, despite a call last year for the practice to stop because it could lead to identity theft, the state auditor warned Thursday.
Auditor Elaine Howle said in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom that the state Employment Development Department must more quickly change the three most used forms that currently include the Social Security numbers of claimants, rather than wait for completion of a project underway that would stop the practice by August 2021 or later.
“EDD’s failure to change its business practices in a timely manner has unnecessarily put claimants at increased risk of identity theft,” Howle wrote to the governor.
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She noted that since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, Californians have reported receiving a flood of claim documents at their homes in the names of other people whom they do not know, which often include Social Security numbers.
Howle cited one resident who received more than 65 pieces of mail from EDD addressed to at least 15 different people. She said such mail containing Social Security numbers could be stolen or retrieved by scammers, who could use the personal information to obtain undeserved benefits.
In addition, auditors found a significant amount of mail returned to EDD because it was undeliverable, which also could be an indication that Social Security numbers in mis-delivered mail are ending up in the hands of criminals.
“Such mailings may be linked to attempts to fraudulently collect unemployment benefits,” Howle wrote.
The EDD is currently investigating evidence of widespread fraud during the pandemic and recently said 350,000 benefit debit cards had been frozen as part of the effort to weed out fake claims.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment on the auditor’s warning, but the EDD said in a statement provided to the auditor that one of its priorities is to replace claimants’ Social Security numbers from three types of unemployment forms with another unique identifier.
“EDD is committed to protecting the confidentiality of our claimants’ information and protecting them and our programs from fraud,” the agency’s statement said. “We acknowledge and appreciate the urgency of the Auditor’s timeline, and although we are admittedly behind schedule, we continue to diligently work to protect the identities of those we serve.”
The issue was first raised in a state audit in March 2019 that recommended EDD stop sending Social Security numbers out in mailed documents.
The practice has not ended during the pandemic, as the EDD has paid out more than $109 billion in unemployment benefits to nearly 6 million people.
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Lawmakers were alarmed Thursday that the EDD had failed to act sooner on the March 2019 recommendations.
“We have seen EDD ignore common-sense recommendations like this time and time again,” said Assemblyman David Chiu (D-San Francisco). “It’s ironic that an agency that claims to be so focused on combating fraud would continue this practice that makes Californians prime targets for fraud and identity theft.”
Last year, EDD officials said they hoped to make changes to claims documents by May 2021 as part of a systems modernization project that has been in the works for years.
But work on modernizing EDD computer systems was placed on hold after a strike team appointed by the governor recommended a new approach. The auditor said EDD assured her office that it plans to discontinue its use of Social Security numbers on three types of forms by August 2021 and on several other forms by April 2022.
Other forms may not have Social Security numbers removed until January 2023, the auditor warned.
“As millions more Californians filed unemployment benefit claims, the number of pieces of mail that EDD sent with SSNs printed on them increased dramatically,” Howle said. “EDD must take swift action to end its potentially harmful practice and better safeguard the identities of the residents it serves.”


latimes--2020-11-19--San Bernardino school system plans to stay online for the entire year. Will other districts follow?

The San Bernardino school system will not reopen its campuses for the remainder of the school year , a response to the surging coronavirus crisis and a move that may make it the first in the state to make the difficult decision to keep students online in kindergarten through 12th grade .
The state ’ s eighth-largest school district , with about 47,000 students , may be the first , but others could follow as districts throughout California — including Los Angeles Unified — have yet to make decisions on whether or when they will fully reopen for in-person classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Education voted on Tuesday to extend campus shutdowns .
“ The board ’ s decision is consistent with its steadfast commitment to safety for students and employees , ” the district said in an online announcement .
“ This decision will enable district staff to focus greater resources toward strengthening distance learning while also allowing families to better plan.
” The announcement stated that the action was taken “ after carefully weighing local COVID-19 figures that show the virus is spreading at alarming rates and families living in its attendance boundaries are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Bernardino County Health Department indicate that the coronavirus infection rate within the school district ’ s boundaries is among the highest in the county .
The total population within the school system is about 267,000 , and there have been more than 11,000 recorded infections .
Among the age group of 5 to 19 , there have been 1,393 cases reported to date .
The options for families in San Bernardino City Unified are slim — because the school system has not yet taken advantage of state guidelines that allow for in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including students who are learning English and students with disabilities .
Under this exception , up to 25 % of a school ’ s enrollment can be brought on campus at a time .
About 20 % of district students are classified as English learners .
About 12 % are students with disabilities .
“ As part of their decision , in-person accommodations for small groups of students with specifically identified educational needs will be offered when the board deems it safe to do so , ” the announcement stated .
The district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disparity between school systems that serve more affluent communities with lower virus transmission rates versus those that serve low-income neighborhoods , which are more likely to have higher coronavirus rates .
About 9 in 10 San Bernardino district students are members of low-income families .
These families also have more difficulty providing supervision and support for children forced to do all their schoolwork online .
Families in low-income areas also have been among the last to receive the technology needed to do their schooling from home .
Some elementary schools have been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health departments .
San Bernardino County allows waivers for schools to serve students up through sixth grade .
L.A. County is granting waivers through second grade .
In L.A. County , private schools were generally the first to apply for and receive waivers .
More public schools are now applying and being granted waivers , but , so far , the public school systems that are successfully pursuing waivers appear to be concentrated in higher-income areas .
The status of campus reopenings varies from county to county because of state health guidelines .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have remained in the most restrictive , or purple , tier when it comes to infection rates .
Other nearby counties , including Orange and San Diego , have fared better — and school systems in those counties were allowed to reopen campuses under extensive safety protocols if they chose to do so .
If schools did open during that less restrictive period , they are allowed to remain open , even though every Southern California county has now fallen into the purple tier .
Los Angeles Unified , the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening its campuses in January , but that timetable could be jeopardized by the current pandemic surge .

The San Bernardino school system will not reopen its campuses for the remainder of the school year, a response to the surging coronavirus crisis and a move that may make it the first in the state to make the difficult decision to keep students online in kindergarten through 12th grade.
The state’s eighth-largest school district, with about 47,000 students, may be the first, but others could follow as districts throughout California — including Los Angeles Unified — have yet to make decisions on whether or when they will fully reopen for in-person classes.
The San Bernardino City Unified Board of Education voted on Tuesday to extend campus shutdowns.
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“The board’s decision is consistent with its steadfast commitment to safety for students and employees,” the district said in an online announcement. “This decision will enable district staff to focus greater resources toward strengthening distance learning while also allowing families to better plan.”
The announcement stated that the action was taken “after carefully weighing local COVID-19 figures that show the virus is spreading at alarming rates and families living in its attendance boundaries are especially at risk.”
Data from the San Bernardino County Health Department indicate that the coronavirus infection rate within the school district’s boundaries is among the highest in the county. The total population within the school system is about 267,000, and there have been more than 11,000 recorded infections. Among the age group of 5 to 19, there have been 1,393 cases reported to date.
The options for families in San Bernardino City Unified are slim — because the school system has not yet taken advantage of state guidelines that allow for in-person services for students with special needs, including students who are learning English and students with disabilities.
Under this exception, up to 25% of a school’s enrollment can be brought on campus at a time. About 20% of district students are classified as English learners. About 12% are students with disabilities.
“As part of their decision, in-person accommodations for small groups of students with specifically identified educational needs will be offered when the board deems it safe to do so,” the announcement stated.
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The district’s decision underscores once again the disparity between school systems that serve more affluent communities with lower virus transmission rates versus those that serve low-income neighborhoods, which are more likely to have higher coronavirus rates.
About 9 in 10 San Bernardino district students are members of low-income families. These families also have more difficulty providing supervision and support for children forced to do all their schoolwork online. Families in low-income areas also have been among the last to receive the technology needed to do their schooling from home.
Some elementary schools have been able to reopen through waivers approved by county health departments. San Bernardino County allows waivers for schools to serve students up through sixth grade. L.A. County is granting waivers through second grade.
In L.A. County, private schools were generally the first to apply for and receive waivers. More public schools are now applying and being granted waivers, but, so far, the public school systems that are successfully pursuing waivers appear to be concentrated in higher-income areas.
The status of campus reopenings varies from county to county because of state health guidelines. Both L.A. County and San Bernardino County have remained in the most restrictive, or purple, tier when it comes to infection rates. Other nearby counties, including Orange and San Diego, have fared better — and school systems in those counties were allowed to reopen campuses under extensive safety protocols if they chose to do so. If schools did open during that less restrictive period, they are allowed to remain open, even though every Southern California county has now fallen into the purple tier.
Los Angeles Unified, the state’s largest district, has been hopeful of opening its campuses in January, but that timetable could be jeopardized by the current pandemic surge.


latimes--2020-11-19--Two Encino couples charged in $5.6-million COVID-19 loan scheme

Two Encino couples are facing federal charges for an alleged scheme to bilk more than $ 5.6 million out of COVID-19 economic relief programs , federal prosecutors announced Wednesday .
The defendants used some of the proceeds for down payments on a $ 3.25-million home in Tarzana and a $ 1-million home in Glendale , according to prosecutors .
Richard Ayvazyan , 42 , and his wife , Mariette Terebelian , 36 , were arrested Oct. 20 in Miami on the way back from a vacation in Turks and Caicos Islands , prosecutors said .
Artur Ayvazyan , 36 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 , were arrested Nov. 5 .
The Ayvazyans are brothers .
On Tuesday , a federal grand jury charged the four with 12 counts of bank fraud , wire fraud and conspiracy .
The indictment alleges that the couples used fake or stolen identities , including the names “ Iuliia Zhadko ” and “ Viktoria Kauichko , ” to submit at least 35 fraudulent applications for loans under the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act .
They also submitted fraudulent loan applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Relief and Paycheck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fake payroll and tax records , the indictment said .
In all , the two couples pocketed at least $ 4.6 million of the $ 5.6 million in government assistance they had sought .
Thom Mrozek , a spokesman for the U.S. attorney ’ s office , said Wednesday there is a chance the case could grow in scope as the investigation continues .
All four defendants were released on bond and are awaiting arraignment .
Attorneys for Artur Ayvazyan and Dadyan declined to comment .
It was not immediately clear whether Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspiracy and bank fraud charges each carry a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison and the wire fraud counts up to 20 years .
The two couples are not the first to allegedly use coronavirus relief loans for personal gain .
Mrozek cited at least eight other federal prosecutions involving COVID-relief fraud .
In one case , an L.A. business owner allegedly gambled away some of the $ 9 million in relief loans earmarked for his employees .

Two Encino couples are facing federal charges for an alleged scheme to bilk more than $5.6 million out of COVID-19 economic relief programs, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
The defendants used some of the proceeds for down payments on a $3.25-million home in Tarzana and a $1-million home in Glendale, according to prosecutors.
Richard Ayvazyan, 42, and his wife, Mariette Terebelian, 36, were arrested Oct. 20 in Miami on the way back from a vacation in Turks and Caicos Islands, prosecutors said.
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Artur Ayvazyan, 36, and his wife, Tamara Dadyan, 39, were arrested Nov. 5. The Ayvazyans are brothers.
On Tuesday, a federal grand jury charged the four with 12 counts of bank fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy.
The indictment alleges that the couples used fake or stolen identities, including the names “Iuliia Zhadko” and “Viktoria Kauichko,” to submit at least 35 fraudulent applications for loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
They also submitted fraudulent loan applications for the Economic Injury Disaster Relief and Paycheck Protection programs in their own names using fake payroll and tax records, the indictment said.
In all, the two couples pocketed at least $4.6 million of the $5.6 million in government assistance they had sought.
Thom Mrozek, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office, said Wednesday there is a chance the case could grow in scope as the investigation continues.
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All four defendants were released on bond and are awaiting arraignment.
Attorneys for Artur Ayvazyan and Dadyan declined to comment. It was not immediately clear whether Richard Ayvazyan and Terabelian had attorneys.
The conspiracy and bank fraud charges each carry a sentence of up to 30 years in federal prison and the wire fraud counts up to 20 years.
The two couples are not the first to allegedly use coronavirus relief loans for personal gain. Mrozek cited at least eight other federal prosecutions involving COVID-relief fraud.