latimes--2020-06-08--Newsom says 150 million N95 masks will arrive after BYD earns federal approval

California will begin receiving shipments of much-needed N95 masks from Chinese automaker BYD in the coming days after federal regulators approved the company ’ s respirators , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced Monday .
The masks are part of a $ 1-billion deal Newsom struck with BYD in April , which had been delayed after the carmaker had difficulty certifying the effectiveness of their masks .
After BYD missed a second deadline to obtain the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health certification , state officials granted the company an extension on Friday .
With the certification approval announced Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will ensure California has a reliable pipeline of masks to protect essential workers during the pandemic .
“ Providing California ’ s front-line health care workers and responders the protective equipment they need is a critical part of our response to COVID-19 , ” Newsom said in a statement Monday .
“ This new supply of N95 masks , as well as the surgical masks this contract has already provided , are game-changing and play a crucial role in our state ’ s public safety and reopening strategy.
” California had originally planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective respirators for $ 990 million , with state officials paying the company $ 495 million upfront .
After BYD , which has a U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Los Angeles County , failed to meet a contractual deadline on April 30 for its N95 masks to be certified , the company was forced to refund half of California ’ s down payment .
BYD missed a revised deadline of May 31 for the masks to be approved by federal regulators before the deadline was pushed back again , this time to June 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BYD says 150 million masks will be delivered to California this month and next .
California is paying .
That price is higher than N95 masks would cost in nonpandemic times , but there is a worldwide shortage of the respirators , which filter 95 % of particles and provide crucial protection to nurses and other essential workers .
California ’ s deal with BYD has been met with skepticism since Newsom announced its existence in April .
The contract was then kept under seal for a month .
The governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of its details to lawmakers and journalists citing concerns that the masks might be seized if the information was released .
In addition to the N95 masks , the state agreed to pay BYD $ 54.9 million to purchase 100 million surgical masks .
Those masks have already been delivered to the state .
Over the next two months , BYD ’ s contract with California also gives the state the option of buying an additional 250 million N95 respirators for $ 825 million and 112.5 million surgical masks for $ 61.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contract with BYD will ensure California has a sufficient supply of masks now and in the future .
California ’ s contract with BYD required that the N95 masks meet federal health and safety standards by obtaining a NIOSH certification .
It ’ s unclear what led to the delay for BYD to have its masks certified until Monday ’ s announcement .
In a statement last month to The Times , NIOSH said it notified BYD on May 4 that on-site visits to the company ’ s manufacturing and production facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ not acceptable.
” The agency also said its “ review of documentation provided to NIOSH for the design , manufacturing and quality inspection of the device was concerning.
” NIOSH declined to elaborate on the specific reasons for its denial , saying such information is confidential under federal rules , but added in a statement that the decision was “ based on a number of factors.
” BYD submitted a total of four applications for N95 respirators , according to a letter from the regulatory agency .
Three of the applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a NIOSH official told The Times .
BYD , which stands for Build Your Dreams , announced in March that its Shenzhen vehicle facility would produce masks and hand sanitizer .
The company is known for building electric vehicles , including battery-powered buses , and operates a vehicle manufacturing facility in Lancaster .

A ground crew at the Los Angeles International Airport unloads pallets of supplies of medical personal protective equipment, or PPE, from a China Southern Cargo plane upon arrival on April 10.
California will begin receiving shipments of much-needed N95 masks from Chinese automaker BYD in the coming days after federal regulators approved the company’s respirators, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday.
The masks are part of a $1-billion deal Newsom struck with BYD in April, which had been delayed after the carmaker had difficulty certifying the effectiveness of their masks. After BYD missed a second deadline to obtain the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health certification, state officials granted the company an extension on Friday.
With the certification approval announced Monday, Newsom said the deal with BYD will ensure California has a reliable pipeline of masks to protect essential workers during the pandemic.
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“Providing California’s front-line health care workers and responders the protective equipment they need is a critical part of our response to COVID-19,” Newsom said in a statement Monday. “This new supply of N95 masks, as well as the surgical masks this contract has already provided, are game-changing and play a crucial role in our state’s public safety and reopening strategy.”
California had originally planned to order 300 million of the highly protective respirators for $990 million, with state officials paying the company $495 million upfront. After BYD, which has a U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Los Angeles County, failed to meet a contractual deadline on April 30 for its N95 masks to be certified, the company was forced to refund half of California’s down payment. BYD missed a revised deadline of May 31 for the masks to be approved by federal regulators before the deadline was pushed back again, this time to June 12.
The state’s contract with BYD says 150 million masks will be delivered to California this month and next. California is paying $3.30 for each N95 mask . That price is higher than N95 masks would cost in nonpandemic times, but there is a worldwide shortage of the respirators, which filter 95% of particles and provide crucial protection to nurses and other essential workers.
California’s deal with BYD has been met with skepticism since Newsom announced its existence on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” in April. The contract was then kept under seal for a month. The governor’s office at first refused to disclose the public document or much of its details to lawmakers and journalists citing concerns that the masks might be seized if the information was released.
In addition to the N95 masks, the state agreed to pay BYD $54.9 million to purchase 100 million surgical masks. Those masks have already been delivered to the state.
Over the next two months, BYD’s contract with California also gives the state the option of buying an additional 250 million N95 respirators for $825 million and 112.5 million surgical masks for $61.8 million.
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Newsom’s office said the contract with BYD will ensure California has a sufficient supply of masks now and in the future. California’s contract with BYD required that the N95 masks meet federal health and safety standards by obtaining a NIOSH certification. It’s unclear what led to the delay for BYD to have its masks certified until Monday’s announcement.
In a statement last month to The Times, NIOSH said it notified BYD on May 4 that on-site visits to the company’s manufacturing and production facilities in China had resulted in a rating of “not acceptable.” The agency also said its “review of documentation provided to NIOSH for the design, manufacturing and quality inspection of the device was concerning.”
NIOSH declined to elaborate on the specific reasons for its denial, saying such information is confidential under federal rules, but added in a statement that the decision was “based on a number of factors.”
BYD submitted a total of four applications for N95 respirators, according to a letter from the regulatory agency. Three of the applications were denied and a fourth was withdrawn, a NIOSH official told The Times.
BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, announced in March that its Shenzhen vehicle facility would produce masks and hand sanitizer. The company is known for building electric vehicles, including battery-powered buses, and operates a vehicle manufacturing facility in Lancaster.


latimes--2020-06-08--Large fire engulfs commercial building in downtown Los Angeles

A large fire engulfed a commercial building in downtown Los Angeles on Monday afternoon , drawing 112 firefighters to the @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s Fashion District , the Los Angeles Fire Department said .
The fire @ @ @ @ @ Kohler St. , a one-story commercial building .
Propane tanks outside the building have caught @ @ @ @ @ department said .
Because of “ extreme fire conditions , ” crews are dousing the @ @ @ @ @ interior attack , ” the department said .
No injuries have been reported .
This @ @ @ @ @ will be updated .

A large fire engulfed a commercial building in downtown Los Angeles on Monday afternoon, drawing 112 firefighters to the blaze just east of the city’s Fashion District, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
The fire broke out at 815 S. Kohler St., a one-story commercial building. Propane tanks outside the building have caught fire and exploded, the department said.
Because of “extreme fire conditions,” crews are dousing the building before attempting an “interior attack,” the department said.
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No injuries have been reported.
This is a developing story and will be updated.


latimes--2020-06-08--UC clears Regent George Kieffer of allegations of sexual misconduct

The University of California has cleared Regent George Kieffer of allegations of sexual misconduct , finding insufficient evidence to support a graduate student ’ s claim that he repeatedly squeezed her thigh at a 2014 dinner meeting .
Rebecca Ora , a UC Santa Cruz doctoral student in film and digital media , made her allegation during public comments at a UC regents meeting last November .
She told board members that Kieffer had touched her thigh under the table while she and other students were discussing tuition with him and complained that UC officials had done “ nothing ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a year ago .
Kieffer , a Los Angeles attorney and prominent civil leader , called the allegation at the time “ absolutely false.
” On Monday , he said he was “ certainly relieved that it ’ s over.
” Ora could not be reached for comment .
Ora initially opted to handle her complaint through the UC informal resolution process , but the two sides failed to come to an agreement .
She then requested that UC conduct a formal investigation , which was handled by an independent outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Based on the evidence gathered through the third-party investigation , the investigator did not find , by a preponderance of the evidence , that the reported conduct occurred , ” the university said in a statement Monday .
“ The University of California takes all allegations of misconduct , particularly those directed against a Regent , seriously and is committed to maintaining an environment in which all students , faculty and staff are free from harassment and discrimination.
” The university declined to provide further details , citing privacy laws .

UC Regent George Kieffer, left, is cleared of allegations that he that he repeatedly squeezed her thigh of a female graduate student, university statement said.
The University of California has cleared Regent George Kieffer of allegations of sexual misconduct, finding insufficient evidence to support a graduate student’s claim that he repeatedly squeezed her thigh at a 2014 dinner meeting.
Rebecca Ora, a UC Santa Cruz doctoral student in film and digital media, made her allegation during public comments at a UC regents meeting last November. She told board members that Kieffer had touched her thigh under the table while she and other students were discussing tuition with him and complained that UC officials had done “nothing” about her complaint, which she filed more than a year ago.
Kieffer, a Los Angeles attorney and prominent civic leader, called the allegation at the time “absolutely false.” On Monday, he said he was “certainly relieved that it’s over.”
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Ora could not be reached for comment.
Ora initially opted to handle her complaint through the UC informal resolution process, but the two sides failed to come to an agreement. She then requested that UC conduct a formal investigation, which was handled by an independent outside investigator and completed several weeks ago.
“Based on the evidence gathered through the third-party investigation, the investigator did not find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the reported conduct occurred,” the university said in a statement Monday. “The University of California takes all allegations of misconduct, particularly those directed against a Regent, seriously and is committed to maintaining an environment in which all students, faculty and staff are free from harassment and discrimination.”
The university declined to provide further details, citing privacy laws.


latimes--2020-06-08--California would ban police chokeholds under deal struck by legislative leaders

California ’ s Assembly speaker and other key lawmakers on Monday backed making it illegal statewide for police to use a type of neck hold that blocks the flow of blood to the brain , a proposal that appears to go beyond that of any other state .
Major law enforcement groups did not immediately say whether they would oppose the move , which comes after a different restraint used by Minneapolis police was blamed for the death of George Floyd , triggering ongoing nationwide protests .
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon ( D-Lakewood ) endorsed legislation that Assemblyman Mike Gipson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make it illegal to use chokeholds and a carotid artery restraint tactic to forcibly detain a suspect .
“ We ... have to change a culture of excessive force that seems to exist among some members of law enforcement , ” Rendon said at a news conference .
“ This bill will end one brutal method that police use for restraining people.
” The method , also known as a sleeper hold , involves applying pressure to the sides of the neck with an arm .
It can almost immediately block blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone unconscious , but can cause serious injury or death if the blood flow is restricted too long .
“ These methods and techniques are supposed to save lives , but they don ’ t — they take lives , ” Gipson said .
Colorado and Illinois allow use of the hold only if police deem lethal force to be justified , said Amber Widgery , a criminal justice analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures , while Tennessee allows its use if other means of restraint have been ineffective .
Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold but permits the carotid hold under circumstances where lethal force is allowed .
Other states use more general legal language , she said , and it ’ s unclear whether California ’ s proposal will allow any exceptions because Gipson did not release the actual language of his bill .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday said he would sign Gipson ’ s bill if it is approved by lawmakers , and ordered the state ’ s police training program to stop teaching officers how to use the neck hold .
Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at reforming police practices , including by banning certain policing tactics including chokeholds .
Although the Legislature is controlled by Democrats , state Sen. Scott Wiener ( D-San Francisco ) said law enforcement reforms “ are incredibly hard to move forward.
” He also mentioned proposed legislation that would restrict when police can use rubber bullets .
The sleeper hold ban was backed Monday by black , Latino , Asian-Pacific Islander , Jewish and LGBTQ legislative caucuses .
It is also supported by the California Medical Assn .
because the holds “ can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incoming President Dr. Lee Snook said One problem is the holds can fatally aggravate underlying health issues , Snook said , something police can ’ t know about on the spur of the moment .
“ It is a difficult procedure to do ... but it is effective when applied effectively , ” said Brian Marvel , president of the rank-and-file Peace Officers Research Assn .
of California , which represents more than 77,000 individuals and 930 associations .
His association is likely to defer to organizations representing police chiefs and sheriffs that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to use .
The sheriffs ’ association has not taken a position in part because it hasn ’ t seen the details , spokesman Cory Salzillo said .
The chiefs ’ association did not respond to requests for comment Monday .
Officers would still have a variety of tools to control suspects if the hold is banned , Marvel said , including voice commands , nightsticks , Tasers , pepper spray and firearms .
Sen. Maria Elena Durazo ( D-Los Angeles ) , a bill coauthor , said 23 California law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several in the last week .
Marvel urged California lawmakers to make it clear that police still can “ do what they need to do to save themselves.
” He said lawmakers should consider allowing its continued use in certain circumstances , for instance when police or air marshals have limited options to control a suspect aboard an airplane .
Gipson , a former police officer , was among lawmakers who said they hope other states will follow California ’ s lead in banning the hold .

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon discusses his support for a proposed measure to make it “illegal to use the chokehold and carotid artery restrain tactics to forcibly detain a suspect” during a news conference in Sacramento on June 8, 2020.
California’s Assembly speaker and other key lawmakers on Monday backed making it illegal statewide for police to use a type of neck hold that blocks the flow of blood to the brain, a proposal that appears to go beyond that of any other state.
Major law enforcement groups did not immediately say whether they would oppose the move, which comes after a different restraint used by Minneapolis police was blamed for the death of George Floyd, triggering ongoing nationwide protests.
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) endorsed legislation that Assemblyman Mike Gipson (D-Carson) said he will amend to make it illegal to use chokeholds and a carotid artery restraint tactic to forcibly detain a suspect.
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“We ... have to change a culture of excessive force that seems to exist among some members of law enforcement,” Rendon said at a news conference. “This bill will end one brutal method that police use for restraining people.”
The method, also known as a sleeper hold, involves applying pressure to the sides of the neck with an arm. It can almost immediately block blood flow in the carotid arteries and render someone unconscious, but can cause serious injury or death if the blood flow is restricted too long.
“These methods and techniques are supposed to save lives, but they don’t — they take lives,” Gipson said.
Colorado and Illinois allow use of the hold only if police deem lethal force to be justified, said Amber Widgery, a criminal justice analyst with the National Conference of State Legislatures, while Tennessee allows its use if other means of restraint have been ineffective. Washington, D.C., bans a similar trachea hold but permits the carotid hold under circumstances where lethal force is allowed.
Other states use more general legal language, she said, and it’s unclear whether California’s proposal will allow any exceptions because Gipson did not release the actual language of his bill.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday said he would sign Gipson’s bill if it is approved by lawmakers, and ordered the state’s police training program to stop teaching officers how to use the neck hold.
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Congressional Democrats on Monday also introduced legislation aimed at reforming police practices, including by banning certain policing tactics including chokeholds.
Although the Legislature is controlled by Democrats, state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) said law enforcement reforms “are incredibly hard to move forward.” He also mentioned proposed legislation that would restrict when police can use rubber bullets.
The sleeper hold ban was backed Monday by black, Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander, Jewish and LGBTQ legislative caucuses.
It is also supported by the California Medical Assn. because the holds “can be misapplied and botched easily,” incoming President Dr. Lee Snook said
One problem is the holds can fatally aggravate underlying health issues, Snook said, something police can’t know about on the spur of the moment.
“It is a difficult procedure to do ... but it is effective when applied effectively,” said Brian Marvel, president of the rank-and-file Peace Officers Research Assn. of California, which represents more than 77,000 individuals and 930 associations.
His association is likely to defer to organizations representing police chiefs and sheriffs that determine what methods officers and deputies are allowed to use. The sheriffs’ association has not taken a position in part because it hasn’t seen the details, spokesman Cory Salzillo said. The chiefs’ association did not respond to requests for comment Monday.
Officers would still have a variety of tools to control suspects if the hold is banned, Marvel said, including voice commands, nightsticks, Tasers, pepper spray and firearms. Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles), a bill coauthor, said 23 California law enforcement agencies have already limited its use, several in the last week.
Marvel urged California lawmakers to make it clear that police still can “do what they need to do to save themselves.” He said lawmakers should consider allowing its continued use in certain circumstances, for instance when police or air marshals have limited options to control a suspect aboard an airplane.
Gipson, a former police officer, was among lawmakers who said they hope other states will follow California’s lead in banning the hold.


latimes--2020-06-08--Ex-O.C. sheriff's deputies plead guilty in evidence booking scandal

Two former Orange County sheriff ’ s deputies have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in an evidence booking scandal that could imperil thousands of criminal cases , prosecutors said Monday .
Joseph Anthony Atkinson Jr. , 39 , and Bryce Richmond Simpson , 31 , each pleaded guilty Friday to one count of willful omission to perform their duties , according to a statement issued by the Orange County district attorney ’ s office .
Each was sentenced to one year of probation .
The charges stem from a broader scandal after an internal Sheriff ’ s Department audit found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the agency over a two-year span , from February 2016 to February 2018 , had not been booked within one day , which is the department ’ s policy .
In some instances , evidence was booked months late or never booked at all , attorneys and advocates have said .
Prosecutors reviewed potential criminal charges against at least 17 deputies .
Orange County Dist .
Atty .
Todd Spitzer had initially declined to charge any deputies but since has reversed course and said he did not initially realize the scope of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face charges , according to the statement .
Some cases proved to be particularly egregious .
Earlier this year , a filing submitted by the Orange County public defender ’ s office alleged that one deputy was late to book evidence in at least 51 cases , including one instance in which he waited nine months to deliver a machete to the evidence locker after seizing the blade in a traffic stop .
The deputy , Philip Avalos , was later promoted to the rank of sergeant .
Simpson joined the Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hired in 2013 .
Attempts to contact both men Monday were unsuccessful .
Both were among five deputies fired as part of an internal investigation into the case .
“ The public has an absolute expectation that their law enforcement officers will carry out their duties lawfully , ” Spitzer said in a statement .
“ When law enforcement officers break the law , it deprives defendants and victims of their rights , compromises the criminal justice system , and erodes the public trust in ways that it may never be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the trust that those sworn to uphold the law are following it themselves.
” In a statement , Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said he was pleased with the decision to file charges , noting this was “ precisely why the cases were submitted for consideration of criminal charges in the first place.
” Orange County Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders , who has revealed significant details about the scandal in court filings over the last year , called Spitzer ’ s handling of the case an “ embarrassment.
” Attorneys had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atkinson either failed to book evidence properly or booked it later , Sanders said .
“ If this is their opening salvo , with two of the worst offenders , we ’ re off to an incredibly bad start , ” he said .
“ These two had just an absurd number of reports .
...
These were the people that were the easiest.
” Prosecutors are reviewing upward of 22,000 criminal cases that may have been tainted by the evidence scandal “ to ensure evidence reported booked by deputies was in fact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In any case where evidence is determined to be missing , criminal charges will be dismissed , officials said .
Spitzer said the misdemeanor charges were appropriate given the “ totality of the circumstances ” of the case .
“ These two men now have criminal records , and they are no longer deputy sheriffs , ” he said .

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said he was pleased with the decision to file charges against deputies.
Two former Orange County sheriff’s deputies have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in an evidence booking scandal that could imperil thousands of criminal cases, prosecutors said Monday.
Joseph Anthony Atkinson Jr., 39, and Bryce Richmond Simpson, 31, each pleaded guilty Friday to one count of willful omission to perform their duties, according to a statement issued by the Orange County district attorney’s office. Each was sentenced to one year of probation.
The charges stem from a broader scandal after an internal Sheriff’s Department audit found that one-third of all evidence taken in by the agency over a two-year span, from February 2016 to February 2018, had not been booked within one day, which is the department’s policy. In some instances, evidence was booked months late or never booked at all, attorneys and advocates have said.
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Prosecutors reviewed potential criminal charges against at least 17 deputies. Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer had initially declined to charge any deputies but since has reversed course and said he did not initially realize the scope of the alleged misconduct. Fifteen deputies still could face charges, according to the statement.
Some cases proved to be particularly egregious. Earlier this year, a filing submitted by the Orange County public defender’s office alleged that one deputy was late to book evidence in at least 51 cases, including one instance in which he waited nine months to deliver a machete to the evidence locker after seizing the blade in a traffic stop. The deputy, Philip Avalos, was later promoted to the rank of sergeant.
California How a major investigation into Orange County jail informants ended with a whimper After a four-year investigation into the Orange County Sheriff’s Department ended with no explanation and no criminal charges in 2019, law enforcement officials and attorneys have begun to speak about some of the limits -- and shortcomings -- of the California attorney general’s office review of the case.
Simpson joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2012. Atkinson was hired in 2013. Attempts to contact both men Monday were unsuccessful. Both were among five deputies fired as part of an internal investigation into the case.
“The public has an absolute expectation that their law enforcement officers will carry out their duties lawfully,” Spitzer said in a statement. “When law enforcement officers break the law, it deprives defendants and victims of their rights, compromises the criminal justice system, and erodes the public trust in ways that it may never be able to recover. The entire system relies on the trust that those sworn to uphold the law are following it themselves.”
In a statement, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said he was pleased with the decision to file charges, noting this was “precisely why the cases were submitted for consideration of criminal charges in the first place.”
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Orange County Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders, who has revealed significant details about the scandal in court filings over the last year, called Spitzer’s handling of the case an “embarrassment.” Attorneys had documented dozens of instances when Simpson and Atkinson either failed to book evidence properly or booked it later, Sanders said.
“If this is their opening salvo, with two of the worst offenders, we’re off to an incredibly bad start,” he said. “These two had just an absurd number of reports. ... These were the people that were the easiest.”
Prosecutors are reviewing upward of 22,000 criminal cases that may have been tainted by the evidence scandal “to ensure evidence reported booked by deputies was in fact booked,” according to the statement. In any case where evidence is determined to be missing, criminal charges will be dismissed, officials said.
Spitzer said the misdemeanor charges were appropriate given the “totality of the circumstances” of the case.
“These two men now have criminal records, and they are no longer deputy sheriffs,” he said.
Times staff writer Hannah Fry contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-08--600-gallon sewage spill partially shutters ocean access in Laguna Beach

A stretch of Orange County coastline was closed to swimming , surfing and other aquatic activities Monday after about 600 @ @ @ @ @ into the ocean .
The closure is in place from Sleepy Hollow Lane to Cleo @ @ @ @ @ according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
The ocean will be off-limits along @ @ @ @ @ quality returns to an acceptable standard , health officials said .
Officials attributed the sewage @ @ @ @ @ a pump on private property .
For more information on ocean and beach conditions in @ @ @ @ @ or call ( 714 ) 433-6400 .

The water is inaccessible between Sleepy Hollow Lane and Cleo Street in Laguna Beach after 600 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the ocean, according to Orange County health officials.
A stretch of Orange County coastline was closed to swimming, surfing and other aquatic activities Monday after about 600 gallons of raw sewage spilled into the ocean.
The closure is in place from Sleepy Hollow Lane to Cleo Street in Laguna Beach, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
The ocean will be off-limits along that stretch until the water quality returns to an acceptable standard, health officials said.
Officials attributed the sewage spill to the failure of a pump on private property.
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For more information on ocean and beach conditions in Orange County, visit ocbeachinfo.com or call (714) 433-6400.


latimes--2020-06-08--Fontana police officer arrested on suspicion of raping 16-year-old girl

A 28-year-old Fontana police officer has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 16-year-old girl , authorities said .
The Fontana Police Department reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department Tuesday for assistance investigating the encounter , which investigators say occurred in 2016 .
Detectives from the sheriff ’ s Specialized Investigation Division , Crimes Against Children Detail , took over the investigation and quickly identified a suspect .
Nicholas Shawn Stark was arrested Thursday on suspicion of rape of a minor by intoxication , according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
He was released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was not immediately clear when he is scheduled to appear in court .
At the time of his arrest , Stark was an officer with the Fontana Police Department , authorities said .
However , the encounter allegedly took place before he joined the force , according to sheriff ’ s officials .
“ Based on California law , I can not immediately fire Nicholas Stark , ” Fontana Police Chief William Green said in a statement Monday .
“ He is on paid leave , and that is disgusting .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the most expeditious manner possible.
” Green said Fontana police learned of the incident Tuesday — when “ one of our captains became aware of a post on social media from a young woman indicating she had been a victim of sexual assault , and the culprit was an officer ” — and that he personally asked the Sheriff ’ s Department to investigate .
“ This is not what the Fontana Police Department is about , ” he said .
“ This act , despite having occurred prior to becoming a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the character of the entire department .
I understand that .
I commit myself , and the 300 men and women I work with , to do what needs to be done to begin repairing the damage.
” Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Crimes Against Children Detail at ( 909 ) 387-3615 .
Tips also can be left anonymously at ( 800 ) 782-7463 .

Authorities arrested Nicholas Shawn Stark, 28, of Fontana last week on suspicion of raping a 16-year-old girl in 2016.
A 28-year-old Fontana police officer has been arrested on suspicion of raping a 16-year-old girl, authorities said.
The Fontana Police Department reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Tuesday for assistance investigating the encounter, which investigators say occurred in 2016.
Detectives from the sheriff’s Specialized Investigation Division, Crimes Against Children Detail, took over the investigation and quickly identified a suspect.
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Nicholas Shawn Stark was arrested Thursday on suspicion of rape of a minor by intoxication, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
He was released on bail Friday, records show. It was not immediately clear when he is scheduled to appear in court.
At the time of his arrest, Stark was an officer with the Fontana Police Department, authorities said. However, the encounter allegedly took place before he joined the force, according to sheriff’s officials.
“Based on California law, I cannot immediately fire Nicholas Stark,” Fontana Police Chief William Green said in a statement Monday. “He is on paid leave, and that is disgusting. However, I will endeavor to terminate him in the most expeditious manner possible.”
Green said Fontana police learned of the incident Tuesday — when “one of our captains became aware of a post on social media from a young woman indicating she had been a victim of sexual assault, and the culprit was an officer” — and that he personally asked the Sheriff’s Department to investigate.
“This is not what the Fontana Police Department is about,” he said. “This act, despite having occurred prior to becoming a Fontana officer, rightfully calls into question the character of the entire department. I understand that. I commit myself, and the 300 men and women I work with, to do what needs to be done to begin repairing the damage.”
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Crimes Against Children Detail at (909) 387-3615. Tips also can be left anonymously at (800) 782-7463.


latimes--2020-06-08--Get tested for coronavirus if you've been to a protest, health officials urge

Health officials want you to get tested for the coronavirus if you ’ ve been to a protest or any large gathering where people haven ’ t worn masks .
The director of public health for Los Angeles County , Barbara Ferrer , says if you ’ ve been a part of any large crowd where people haven ’ t been wearing face coverings , and you were in close contact for at least 15 minutes , you should get tested .
But don ’ t get tested too early after attending a large event , she said .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re likely to test negative , ” Ferrer said Friday , “ because your viral load will be too low to be detected yet on a test.
” She also warned that testing negative was not a reason to drop your guard .
Even if you ’ ve tested negative , “ you still need to remain away from others for 14 days after you ’ ve had your exposure.
” COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , can have a long incubation period , generally as long as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home with older people or someone with an underlying medical condition , “ it ’ s particularly important that you maintain six feet of distance and you wear a face covering — even while you ’ re with them at your home , ” Ferrer said .
She also advised those with exposure to large crowds that included unmasked participants to avoid preparing food for others ; avoid sharing utensils , bedding and towels ; and increase cleaning and disinfection of common surfaces .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for large gatherings to seed outbreaks .
“ I do think there is a potential , unfortunately , for this to be a seeding event , ” said Dr. Robert Redfield , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , at a congressional hearing Thursday .
The way to minimize that is , he added , is to have each individual step up and get tested and recognize that it ’ s how they can protect love ones .
“ In three , five , seven days , go get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not infected.
” Many health experts have supported the right of protesters to protest the killing of George Floyd , a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer placed his neck on Floyd ’ s neck for over eight minutes .
More than 1,000 people — among them infectious disease and public health experts — have signed a letter advocating for anti-racism demonstrations , saying the effects of racism causes deep public health disparities .
“ White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be killed by police compared to white people , but the effects of racism are far more pervasive , ” the letter says , leading to dramatic disparities in life expectancy , maternal and infant mortality , and chronic medical conditions .
“ They result from long-standing systems of oppression and bias which have subjected people of color to discrimination in the healthcare setting , decreased access to medical care and healthy food , unsafe working conditions , mass incarceration , exposure to pollution and noise , and the toxic effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to decrease their risks of contracting the coronavirus by using face coverings and to stay at least six feet away from other people or , if that ’ s not possible , demonstrate consistently alongside a single group of people , rather than extensively intermingling with other large groups .
The letter also calls on police to stop using tear gas , pepper spray or other respiratory irritants to subdue protesters , which will only cause people to cough , shout and scream , potentially sending infectious droplets to others , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco , who helped edit the letter .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , the federal government ’ s top infectious diseases expert , told the Washington , D.C. , radio station WTOP-FM on Friday that large demonstrations were “ a perfect setup for further spread of the virus , ” because demonstrators are physically close to one another and chanting and yelling .
He urged demonstrators to keep their masks on at all times .
Sometimes , Fauci said , he ’ s observed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks when they start to demonstrate .
The science shows that large gatherings of any kind — funerals , church gatherings , conferences , festive events like Mardi Gras — have played an outsize role in fueling the spread of the disease .
And although transmission can happen easily indoors , it can also happen outdoors .
Scientists studying festive gatherings in Germany that were held outside found that the risk of transmission was 2½ times greater as a result of people joining together in large groups , Dr. Scott Gottlieb , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drug Administration , told the CBS News program “ Face the Nation ” on Sunday .
“ We ’ re likely to see cases go up , ” Gottlieb said .
But he added it would be difficult to determine whether cases increased due to the protests or because of the reopening of the economy .
“ Trying to tease out what the contribution is from the protests versus the contribution just of the general reopening is going to be hard , ” Gottlieb said .
It will likely take a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reopening and the protests might be on disease transmission rates , he said .

Health officials want you to get tested for the coronavirus if you’ve been to a protest or any large gathering where people haven’t worn masks.
The director of public health for Los Angeles County, Barbara Ferrer, says if you’ve been a part of any large crowd where people haven’t been wearing face coverings, and you were in close contact for at least 15 minutes, you should get tested.
But don’t get tested too early after attending a large event, she said. If you get tested too soon, “you’re likely to test negative,” Ferrer said Friday, “because your viral load will be too low to be detected yet on a test.”
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She also warned that testing negative was not a reason to drop your guard. Even if you’ve tested negative, “you still need to remain away from others for 14 days after you’ve had your exposure.”
COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, can have a long incubation period, generally as long as 14 days.
And if you live at home with older people or someone with an underlying medical condition, “it’s particularly important that you maintain six feet of distance and you wear a face covering — even while you’re with them at your home,” Ferrer said.
She also advised those with exposure to large crowds that included unmasked participants to avoid preparing food for others; avoid sharing utensils, bedding and towels; and increase cleaning and disinfection of common surfaces.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week also warned of the potential for large gatherings to seed outbreaks.
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“I do think there is a potential, unfortunately, for this to be a seeding event,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at a congressional hearing Thursday. The way to minimize that is, he added, to have each individual step up and get tested and recognize that it’s how they can protect love ones. “In three, five, seven days, go get tested, make sure you’re not infected.”
Many health experts have supported the right of protesters to protest the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes.
More than 1,000 people — among them infectious disease and public health experts — have signed a letter advocating for anti-racism demonstrations, saying the effects of racism causes deep public health disparities.
“White supremacy is a lethal public health issue that predates and contributes to COVID-19. Black people are twice as likely to be killed by police compared to white people, but the effects of racism are far more pervasive,” the letter says, leading to dramatic disparities in life expectancy, maternal and infant mortality, and chronic medical conditions. “They result from long-standing systems of oppression and bias which have subjected people of color to discrimination in the healthcare setting, decreased access to medical care and healthy food, unsafe working conditions, mass incarceration, exposure to pollution and noise, and the toxic effects of stress.”
The letter urges protesters to try to decrease their risks of contracting the coronavirus by using face coverings and to stay at least six feet away from other people or, if that’s not possible, demonstrate consistently alongside a single group of people, rather than extensively intermingling with other large groups.
The letter also calls on police to stop using tear gas, pepper spray or other respiratory irritants to subdue protesters, which will only cause people to cough, shout and scream, potentially sending infectious droplets to others, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco, who helped edit the letter.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s top infectious diseases expert, told the Washington, D.C., radio station WTOP-FM on Friday that large demonstrations were “a perfect setup for further spread of the virus,” because demonstrators are physically close to one another and chanting and yelling.
He urged demonstrators to keep their masks on at all times. Sometimes, Fauci said, he’s observed on TV that some protesters take off their masks when they start to demonstrate.
The science shows that large gatherings of any kind — funerals, church gatherings, conferences, festive events like Mardi Gras — have played an outsize role in fueling the spread of the disease. And although transmission can happen easily indoors, it can also happen outdoors.
Scientists studying festive gatherings in Germany that were held outside found that the risk of transmission was 2½ times greater as a result of people joining together in large groups, Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a former commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, told the CBS News program “Face the Nation” on Sunday.
“We’re likely to see cases go up,” Gottlieb said. But he added it would be difficult to determine whether cases increased due to the protests or because of the reopening of the economy.
“Trying to tease out what the contribution is from the protests versus the contribution just of the general reopening is going to be hard,” Gottlieb said. It will likely take a couple of more weeks to see what the effects of the reopening and the protests might be on disease transmission rates, he said.


latimes--2020-06-08--L.A. city, county prosecutors won't charge protesters arrested on curfew violations, failure to disp

L.A. city, county prosecutors won't charge protesters arrested on curfew violations, failure to disperse

Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey confirmed Monday her office will not prosecute protesters arrested in connection with curfew violations or a failure to disperse during peaceful demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in police custody .
L.A. City Atty .
Mike Feuer also said Monday he won ’ t seek criminal or financial penalties against those arrested under those circumstances and would instead divert them into a program of dialog discussion .
Most of the more than 2,000 arrests for those alleged offenses occurred in the city .
The announcements come as city leaders have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters last week while expressing political views .
“ I believe wholeheartedly in free speech and support the right of protesters to demonstrate peacefully against historic racial injustice in our criminal justice system and throughout our nation , ” Lacey said in a statement .
“ I want to encourage the exchange of ideas and work to establish dialogue between law enforcement and protesters so that we may implement enduring systemic change.
” Lacey , whose office would handle curfew violations in parts of the county without their own local prosecutor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday her office is “ not going to pursue ” curfew cases .
The cities not covered by Lacey ’ s decision include Long Beach , Santa Monica , Pasadena , Torrance , Burbank , Inglewood , Hawthorne , Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach , her office said in a statement .
Lacey ’ s opponent in the upcoming race for district attorney , George Gascon , has called for all such cases to be dismissed .
Feuer said he was developing a nonpunitive approach , outside of the court system , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests that do not involve “ violence , looting or vandalism.
” Feuer said it will take five to six weeks for his office to receive the arrests from the Los Angeles Police Department .
He acknowledged his plan lacked specifics .
“ I am trying to figure out the most effective way to have the dialog we need .
We are in the middle of that , but I wanted to announce the basic principles we will apply .
I don ’ t have the specifics you are looking for right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he knows the anxiety associated with arrests and wants to reassure protesters that this is about positive change from what happened .
“ As we move forward , our restorative approach to these cases will bring protesters , law enforcement and other voices from our community together to foster the mutual empathy , understanding and respect that are essential to building a better version of our city , ” he said .
Feuer said he has spoken to Carol Sobel , one of the attorneys for arrestees .
“ We both trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward , with a resolution that beneficial for everyone.
” Sobel , a longtime civil rights attorney who is helping to sue the police department over its tactics in recent days , said she is encouraged Feuer isn ’ t pursuing criminal charges or fines , but still wants more information about what will be done .
She said Feuer should provide more information to those who were arrested soon , because “ a lot of people are concerned , a lot of people were swept up.
” “ I hope it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to address this , because it isn ’ t just about what happened over the last two weeks , it ’ s what are we going to do as a community moving forward , ” she said .
“ Because there will be a next time.
” The decision by city law enforcement officials to not pursue criminal or financial penalties against the protesters follows complaints by many of those arrested that they spent hours in plastic handcuffs in crammed buses without justification , leaving them with injuries and potentially exposing them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were taken into custody last week on suspicion of either violating curfew rules or failing to disperse after the LAPD had declared their protest unlawful .
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and Black Lives Matter L.A. claims the curfews and violated people ’ s freedom of movement .
The organizations have also decried videos that show police officers responding with violence against protesters , including swinging batons and firing foam and sponge projectiles .
Those advocates said the city ’ s new stance does not resolve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They added that officials shouldn ’ t waffle on repercussions but rather dismiss the charges immediately .
An ACLU attorney said Feuer ’ s decision to seek an alternative to prosecution for curfew violators does not resolve all the concerns outlined in the lawsuit , saying all charges against them should simply be dropped .
“ Given what we have seen this week with respect to how LAPD enforced the curfew — the many videos and news reports of excessive force and ambush tactics — any move by the city attorney to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges would be tantamount to sanctioning police repression , ” said Adrienna Wong , senior staff attorney at the ACLU .
Black Lives Matter Los Angeles , the Los Angeles Community Action Network , National Lawyers Guild of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Public Defender Union said nothing short of not filing charges will satisfy them .
“ While we welcome this first step , we demand that the Los Angeles city attorney decline to file any charges against anyone protesting police violence and standing in solidarity with the black community — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joint statement by the groups .
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva said his department made 475 arrests related to protests with misdemeanor offenses far outnumbering felonies , and that all the arrests were referred to Lacey ’ s office to decide the individuals ’ fate legally .

A military vehicle crosses Figueroa Street on Sunday as members of the California National Guard leave the Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey confirmed Monday her office will not prosecute protesters arrested in connection with curfew violations or a failure to disperse during peaceful demonstrations over the death of George Floyd in police custody.
L.A. City Atty. Mike Feuer also said Monday he won’t seek criminal or financial penalties against those arrested under those circumstances and would instead divert them into a program of dialog discussion. Most of the more than 2,000 arrests for those alleged offenses occurred in the city.
The announcements come as city leaders have faced criticism over the mass arrests of protesters last week while expressing political views.
“I believe wholeheartedly in free speech and support the right of protesters to demonstrate peacefully against historic racial injustice in our criminal justice system and throughout our nation,” Lacey said in a statement. “I want to encourage the exchange of ideas and work to establish dialogue between law enforcement and protesters so that we may implement enduring systemic change.”
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Lacey, whose office would handle curfew violations in parts of the county without their own local prosecutor’s office, had told The Times on Sunday her office is “not going to pursue” curfew cases. The cities not covered by Lacey’s decision include Long Beach, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Torrance, Burbank, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, her office said in a statement.
Lacey’s opponent in the upcoming race for district attorney, George Gascon, has called for all such cases to be dismissed.
Feuer said he was developing a nonpunitive approach, outside of the court system, to handle all violations arising from the recent protests that do not involve “violence, looting or vandalism.”
Feuer said it will take five to six weeks for his office to receive the arrests from the Los Angeles Police Department.
He acknowledged his plan lacked specifics. “I am trying to figure out the most effective way to have the dialog we need. We are in the middle of that, but I wanted to announce the basic principles we will apply. I don’t have the specifics you are looking for right now,” he said.
Feuer said he knows the anxiety associated with arrests and wants to reassure protesters that this is about positive change from what happened.
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“As we move forward, our restorative approach to these cases will bring protesters, law enforcement and other voices from our community together to foster the mutual empathy, understanding and respect that are essential to building a better version of our city,” he said.
Feuer said he has spoken to Carol Sobel, one of the attorneys for arrestees. “We both trying to find the most constructive way to move forward, with a resolution that beneficial for everyone.”
Sobel, a longtime civil rights attorney who is helping to sue the police department over its tactics in recent days, said she is encouraged Feuer isn’t pursuing criminal charges or fines, but still wants more information about what will be done.
She said Feuer should provide more information to those who were arrested soon, because “a lot of people are concerned, a lot of people were swept up.”
“I hope it will be a discussion with the community about how to address this, because it isn’t just about what happened over the last two weeks, it’s what are we going to do as a community moving forward,” she said. “Because there will be a next time.”
The decision by city law enforcement officials to not pursue criminal or financial penalties against the protesters follows complaints by many of those arrested that they spent hours in plastic handcuffs in crammed buses without justification, leaving them with injuries and potentially exposing them to the coronavirus. Many of those were taken into custody last week on suspicion of either violating curfew rules or failing to disperse after the LAPD had declared their protest unlawful.
A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California and Black Lives Matter L.A. claims the curfews illegally suppressed constitutionally protected protests and violated people’s freedom of movement. The organizations have also decried videos that show police officers responding with violence against protesters, including swinging batons and firing foam and sponge projectiles.
Those advocates said the city’s new stance does not resolve all the concerns outlined in the lawsuit. They added that officials shouldn’t waffle on repercussions but rather dismiss the charges immediately.
An ACLU attorney said Feuer’s decision to seek an alternative to prosecution for curfew violators does not resolve all the concerns outlined in the lawsuit, saying all charges against them should simply be dropped.
“Given what we have seen this week with respect to how LAPD enforced the curfew — the many videos and news reports of excessive force and ambush tactics — any move by the city attorney to force people to defend themselves against curfew charges would be tantamount to sanctioning police repression,” said Adrienna Wong, senior staff attorney at the ACLU.
Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Community Action Network, National Lawyers Guild of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Public Defender Union said nothing short of not filing charges will satisfy them.
“While we welcome this first step, we demand that the Los Angeles city attorney decline to file any charges against anyone protesting police violence and standing in solidarity with the black community — without conditions,” according to a joint statement by the groups.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva said his department made 475 arrests related to protests with misdemeanor offenses far outnumbering felonies, and that all the arrests were referred to Lacey’s office to decide the individuals’ fate legally.


latimes--2020-06-08--Coronavirus deaths spike in L.A. County, with highest weekend total in over a month

In the last two days , Los Angeles County officials announced 81 new coronavirus-related deaths , the highest total reported over a weekend in more than a month .
The highest weekend total of deaths was previously reported April 18-19 , when 105 deaths were announced .
Officials also reported 3,000 new cases on Saturday and Sunday .
When officials announced that the county would more fully reopen businesses and outdoor venues , such as beaches and parks — even as the case count and death rate continued to climb — they reiterated a message repeated countless times in weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; the only change has been in people ’ s behavior and the commitment to practice social distancing .
Now , two weeks after Memorial Day weekend saw crowds gather at newly reopened beaches and just over a week since restaurants and most businesses were given the green light to resume operations , officials have reported that the transmission rate of the virus appears to have increased , an expected reality as activity rose .
Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of health services for L.A. County , said Friday the “ effective transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — meaning each infected person goes on to infect more than one other individual — and was gaining ground .
“ While we don ’ t know precisely yet how reopening and the recovery activities will affect transmission of COVID-19 , ” Ghaly said , the transmission rate “ does appear now to be greater than 1 , and slightly uptrending.
” On Monday , officials announced an additional 10 deaths and 823 new cases of the virus , bringing the total number of infections to 64,644 .
The numbers are typically lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the weekend .
The latest rise in cases can not be linked to the thousands who have taken to the streets in the past week to protest over police killing of George Floyd and racial inequality .
The incubation period for the virus is can take up to 14 days , so numbers currently reported reflect actions from weeks prior , officials have said .
That ’ s not to say that activities at the protests won ’ t affect the case count in the coming days .
Officials have continued to commend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights while also reminding them to remain cautious .
Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer on Monday compared the risk of exposure at protests to the risk posed by gathering in other public settings , including indoor malls and restaurants .
In such instances , contact tracers would not be in touch with individuals who might have been exposed to the virus .
“ Nobody knows you were there , ” she said .
“ No one will call you.
” Ferrer encouraged protesters Monday to be proactive and to get tested for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could take up to two weeks for the virus to show up in a person ’ s system .
“ A negative test result doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t become infected during the 14-day incubation period.
” Those who came into contact with someone who was not wearing a face mask or had a known case of exposure should self-quarantine during the incubation period .
“ The risk is still there .
Even though it may not be a huge risk , it ’ s enough of a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
Although many have worn face coverings while protesting , it is nearly impossible to maintain a six-foot separation amid a crowd .
Various state officials , as well as health experts with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , are warning protesters to get tested amid concerns that the demonstrations might lead to another surge in cases .
“ Those individuals that have partaken in these peaceful protests or have been out protesting , and particularly if they ’ re in metropolitan areas that really haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really want those individuals to highly consider being evaluated and get tested , ” CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield told a congressional hearing last week .
Citing concerns over violence that erupted during early protests , L.A. County officials closed or modified hours at several testing sites last week .
The decision concerned experts , as tests and social distancing practices remain the only real weapons against the virus in the absence of a vaccine and medical therapies .
The virus has remained on the minds of protesters , who have ended months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the death of Floyd last month at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
In addition to the free food and water that volunteers have passed out at protests , there has been an ample supply of hand sanitizer distributed .
A group of about 50 nurses and healthcare workers who have been battling the coronavirus on the front lines at Santa Monica Medical Center , Children ’ s Hospital Los Angeles , Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center , USC Keck Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente joined Saturday ’ s protest in front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full of sanitizer .
“ Racism is a public health crisis , ” said Delilah Garcia , 24 , about why she was attending the protests despite the risk of COVID-19 , which has disproportionately affected black communities .
“ Enough is enough.
” Meanwhile , as thousands continue to protest against police brutality and inequality , protests over coronavirus restrictions continue .
A crowd gathered Monday to protest for the reopening of the nail industry at the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster .
The protest came after industry association Nailing it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom ’ s previous comments about nail salons “ nothing short of a fiasco ” for business owners .
In May , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said that the coronavirus in California originated from a nail salon .
Activists said that wasn ’ t true after meeting with the governor last week .
Nail salons are one of the businesses that are currently not allowed to reopen under the state orders .

The drive-through coronavirus testing center at Dodger Stadium is the largest in L.A. County.
In the last two days, Los Angeles County officials announced 81 new coronavirus-related deaths, the highest total reported over a weekend in more than a month.
The highest weekend total of deaths was previously reported April 18-19, when 105 deaths were announced. Officials also reported 3,000 new cases on Saturday and Sunday.
When officials announced that the county would more fully reopen businesses and outdoor venues, such as beaches and parks — even as the case count and death rate continued to climb — they reiterated a message repeated countless times in weeks prior: The virus has not changed; the only change has been in people’s behavior and the commitment to practice social distancing.
Now, two weeks after Memorial Day weekend saw crowds gather at newly reopened beaches and just over a week since restaurants and most businesses were given the green light to resume operations, officials have reported that the transmission rate of the virus appears to have increased, an expected reality as activity rose.
Advertisement
Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of health services for L.A. County, said Friday the “effective transmission rate” had now risen above 1 — meaning each infected person goes on to infect more than one other individual — and was gaining ground.
“While we don’t know precisely yet how reopening and the recovery activities will affect transmission of COVID-19,” Ghaly said, the transmission rate “does appear now to be greater than 1, and slightly uptrending.”
On Monday, officials announced an additional 10 deaths and 823 new cases of the virus, bringing the total number of infections to 64,644. The numbers are typically lower on Mondays because of fewer reports over the weekend.
The latest rise in cases cannot be linked to the thousands who have taken to the streets in the past week to protest over police killing of George Floyd and racial inequality. The incubation period for the virus is can take up to 14 days, so numbers currently reported reflect actions from weeks prior, officials have said.
That’s not to say that activities at the protests won’t affect the case count in the coming days.
Advertisement
Officials have continued to commend peaceful protesters for exercising their 1st Amendment rights while also reminding them to remain cautious.
Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer on Monday compared the risk of exposure at protests to the risk posed by gathering in other public settings, including indoor malls and restaurants. In such instances, contact tracers would not be in touch with individuals who might have been exposed to the virus.
“Nobody knows you were there,” she said. “No one will call you.”
Ferrer encouraged protesters Monday to be proactive and to get tested for the virus, while reminding demonstrators that it could take up to two weeks for the virus to show up in a person’s system.
“A negative test result doesn’t mean you can’t become infected during the 14-day incubation period.”
Those who came into contact with someone who was not wearing a face mask or had a known case of exposure should self-quarantine during the incubation period.
“The risk is still there. Even though it may not be a huge risk, it’s enough of a risk for everyone to take these universal precautions,” she said.
Although many have worn face coverings while protesting, it is nearly impossible to maintain a six-foot separation amid a crowd. Various state officials, as well as health experts with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are warning protesters to get tested amid concerns that the demonstrations might lead to another surge in cases.
“Those individuals that have partaken in these peaceful protests or have been out protesting, and particularly if they’re in metropolitan areas that really haven’t controlled the outbreak ... we really want those individuals to highly consider being evaluated and get tested,” CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield told a congressional hearing last week.
Citing concerns over violence that erupted during early protests, L.A. County officials closed or modified hours at several testing sites last week. The decision concerned experts, as tests and social distancing practices remain the only real weapons against the virus in the absence of a vaccine and medical therapies.
The virus has remained on the minds of protesters, who have ended months of self-isolation to voice their outrage over the death of Floyd last month at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. In addition to the free food and water that volunteers have passed out at protests, there has been an ample supply of hand sanitizer distributed.
A group of about 50 nurses and healthcare workers who have been battling the coronavirus on the front lines at Santa Monica Medical Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, USC Keck Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente joined Saturday’s protest in front of Los Angeles City Hall with bags full of sanitizer.
“Racism is a public health crisis,” said Delilah Garcia, 24, about why she was attending the protests despite the risk of COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected black communities. “Enough is enough.”
Protesters rally to reopen the CA Nail Industry at Asian Garden Mall in Westminster #reopening @latimesphotos pic.twitter.com/zrr6YCNSIo — Allen J. Schaben (@alschaben) June 8, 2020
Meanwhile, as thousands continue to protest against police brutality and inequality, protests over coronavirus restrictions continue. A crowd gathered Monday to protest for the reopening of the nail industry at the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster. The protest came after industry association Nailing it for America released a statement Saturday calling Gov. Gavin Newsom’s previous comments about nail salons “nothing short of a fiasco” for business owners.
In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the coronavirus in California originated from a nail salon. Activists said that wasn’t true after meeting with the governor last week. Nail salons are one of the businesses that are currently not allowed to reopen under the state orders.


latimes--2020-06-08--More protests as Floyd 'funeral' processions reach downtown L.A.; demonstrators call for defunding t

More protests as Floyd 'funeral' processions reach downtown L.A.; demonstrators call for defunding the police

More protests were underway Monday in Los Angeles as people continued to take to the streets to decry the police killing of George Floyd and other black Americans .
Floyd died May 25 after Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin pinned him at the neck for nearly nine minutes while detaining him on suspicion of using a counterfeit $ 20 bill at a grocery store .
Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder , and three other former officers were charged with aiding and abetting .
To commemorate Floyd ’ s public viewing service , which was taking place Monday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Southern California .
They departed from Leimert Park , Long Beach , Reseda and Santa Ana , and converged on downtown L.A. for a noontime rally .
Some of the processions were led by hearses .
One car had the names of dozens of people killed by police written on its windshield , images on social media showed .
Once the caravans reached downtown and people exited their vehicles , mourners could be seen carrying floral arrangements .
At the intersection of Broadway and 1st Street , four hearses were parked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by hundreds of protesters .
Those gathered clapped as a woman gave a speech about defunding the police , and she led them in a repeating chant of Floyd ‘ s and Breonna Taylor ’ s names .
Taylor was shot and killed in her Louisville , Ky. , apartment by a police officer in March .
No charges have been filed in connection with her death .
“ Do not let this system of white supremacy define who you are and take you away from your community , ” the speaker said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all black people , and that means all black people.
” Near the front of the stage , four caskets were covered in flowers .
They had photos next to each — one for Floyd , Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and Ryan Charles Twyman .
Arbery was fatally shot by a white father and son as Arbery jogged in a Georgia neighborhood in February .
Twyman was shot and killed by sheriff ’ s deputies at a South Los Angeles apartment complex last year .
Family members of people fatally shot by police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones and fighting for justice .
The mother of Eric Rivera , who was killed by police in Wilmington in 2017 , spoke about how her son was shot , run over and left in the street , his body uncovered .
“ I got ta come out , and I got ta fight for my justice , ” she told the crowd .
Santa Ana resident Samuel Justiss Vance , 64 , clapped and chanted along with the crowd .
Vance , a member of the Orange County Racial Justice Collaborative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the movement began nearly two weeks ago .
He said he ’ s been involved in fighting for equality since the 1960s .
“ Our rights are never secured , ” he said , describing the never-ending struggle for equality as he stood in the crowd , the hot afternoon sun beating down .
“ This is a continuum.
” His reason for being there ?
“ Christ said , ‘ Blessed are the peacemakers , ’ ” he said .
“ And so I am here today.
” At 1:50 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearse and a small procession followed .
Pat , 57 , sat off to the side of the crowd .
In her lap was her dog , Kenji , and a handwritten sign that read , “ Love is the answer .
No justice : no peace.
” The Los Angeles resident , who declined to give her last name for privacy reasons , said she came out because there is strength in numbers .
“ The murdered , the injustices , the incarcerations have gone on for generations — not decades , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ native Angeleno said that police brutality was often talked about in the black community , but it took a killing as brutal as Floyd ’ s for everyone else to understand .
This time felt different , she said , because the world was paying attention .
“ Because of his death , this movement has been born , ” she said , gesturing to the crowd around her .
Just before 3 p.m. , the protesters marched to City Hall , chanting , “ Black lives , they matter here.
” In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a budget meeting was being held — to defund the police .
For William Boyi II , the movement is personal .
His brother was beaten by officers in Florida , he said .
“ This keeps happening , and until we dismantle the police , it ’ ll keep happening , ” he said .
“ We just can ’ t afford one more death .
We ’ re done going through this.
” The protesters then headed down Spring and Figueroa streets and through the 2nd Street tunnel — where their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take a knee , and for a moment , the deafening chants were silenced as they took a moment to remember Floyd .
On a nearby tunnel wall someone had written , “ Riot every cop.
” The crowd arrived back at City Hall around 4 p.m. , with many of those in attendance taking refuge in the shade as speakers continued .
Police presence was light , with officers appearing mostly at intersections to direct the protesters .
At several points the crowd chanted , “ How do you spell ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also were scheduled to take place downtown Monday , including a sit-in outside LAPD headquarters and a protest outside City Hall .
Floyd ’ s death has become a rallying point for many who say that police abuses against black people have persisted unchecked for too long , prompting sweeping protests across the U.S. and elsewhere around the world .
In Los Angeles , those demonstrations remained peaceful over the weekend .
They included a huge march in Hollywood that drew an estimated 20,000 people Sunday and a caravan of motorcycles , demonstrators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Compton .
With the continued lack of violence , the National Guard pulled out of the Los Angeles area a week after being deployed .
A small number of units will be stationed nearby until Wednesday “ to provide emergency support if needed , ” Mayor Eric Garcetti said Sunday in a statement .
“ I ’ m proud that our city has been peaceful this week — and that our residents are leading a powerful movement to make Los Angeles more just , equitable and fair for black Angelenos , communities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ youth and families , ” Garcetti said .
Hundreds of peaceful demonstrators were arrested last week , many for violating curfew rules or for failing to disperse after the LAPD declared their protest unlawful .
Faced with growing criticism over the arrests , top Los Angeles law enforcement officials said Sunday they would not pursue criminal or financial penalties against the protesters .
On Monday , L.A. County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey announced she had directed her legal staff to decline to prosecute the cases of those charged with a curfew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I believe wholeheartedly in free speech and support the right of protesters to demonstrate peacefully against historic racial injustice in our criminal justice system and throughout our nation , ” Lacey said in a statement .
Lacey ’ s office prosecutes all felonies in L.A. County , as well as misdemeanors committed in unincorporated areas and many cities .
Ten cities separately prosecute misdemeanors that take place within their jurisdictions , including Los Angeles , Long Beach and Santa Monica .
Los Angeles City Atty .
Mike Feuer said Monday that his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to misdemeanor arrests arising from the protests .
The approach will incorporate principles of restorative justice and allow the matters to be resolved outside of the courts , his office said in a news release .
“ As we move forward , our restorative approach to these cases will bring protesters , law enforcement and other voices from our community together to foster the mutual empathy , understanding and respect that are essential to building a better version of our City , ” Feuer said in a statement .
“ Ideally we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the nation can build at this crucial moment.
” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement that he supported the move and would work with the city attorney ’ s office to ensure it was successful .
“ Resolving these violations through alternative methods is a productive and appropriate way to address these offenses , and will have lasting positive effects on our community , ” Moore said .
Times staff writers Kevin Rector and Richard Winton contributed to this report .

Alex Wigglesworth, Melissa Gomez, Luke Money

The protests over the police killing of George Floyd took a sober turn Monday with memorials across the city as well as calls for fundamental changes in policing in Los Angeles.
To commemorate Floyd’s public viewing service in Houston, four car processions were organized around Southern California. They departed from Leimert Park, Long Beach, Reseda and Santa Ana, and converged on downtown L.A. for a noontime rally.
Some of the processions were led by hearses. One car had the names of dozens of people killed by police written on its windshield, images on social media showed.
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1 / 18 Four coffins are displayed in downtown Los Angeles in memory of George Floyd and others killed by police. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 18 Pastor Eddie Anderson, foreground, joins hundreds at a funeral procession memorial service and to honor George Floyd in Downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 18 Hundreds join a Black Lives Matter-LA memorial service and funeral procession honor George Floyd and demanding justice for those killed by the hands of the police in Los Angeles on June 8, 2020. Interfaith leaders, labor, people of color, immigrants and victims of police brutality attended. The memorial services consisted of four funeral processions beginning in South Los Angeles, Long Beach, Orange County, and the San Fernando Valley. The processions converged in downtown Los Angeles at the crossing of 1st St and Broadway Blvd.. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 18 Participants honor George Floyd during a memorial service in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 18 Michael Ashley, left, joins hundreds at a memorial service for George Floyd in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 18 A coffin is carried at a memorial service honoring George Floyd in downtown Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 18 Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives-LA addresses the crowd during a memorial service for George Floyd. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 18 At Monday’s demonstration in L.A., Dewayne Winrow, left, James Thomas and Fluke Fluker take a knee before an empty casket in memory of George Floyd. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 18 Hospital Chaplain Charles Clemons puts an arm around son John, 7, during a prayer at Reseda Church of Christ. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 18 People place an empty casket, in memory of George Floyd, into a hearse at Reseda Church of Christ before forming a vehicle procession to a memorial service in downtown Los Angeles on Monday. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 18 A hearse leads a procession of cars on the 101 Freeway toward downtown Los Angeles. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 18 Makeda Harding waits for a car caravan to depart Leimert Park on Monday. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 18 A demonstrator rides in the procession departing Leimert Park for the memorial service in honor of George Floyd. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 18 Morris Griffin walks between rows of cars at Leimert Park. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 18 Nickey Bennett, center, and her children, from left, Calliope, 8, Nixon, 10, Roxi, 14, and Caiden Reed, 17, turn out to support those at Leimert Park. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 18 Nickey Bennett, right, hugs daughter Roxi Reed at Leimert Park as a car procession departs in honor of George Floyd, who was killed by police. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 18 The crowd at Leimert Park shows their support as the procession begins. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 18 A hearse leads the caravan from Leimert Park for downtown Los Angeles on Monday. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Once the caravans reached downtown and people exited their vehicles, mourners could be seen carrying floral arrangements. At the intersection of Broadway and 1st Street, four hearses were parked in the middle of the street, surrounded by hundreds of protesters.
Those gathered clapped as a woman gave a speech about defunding the police, and she led them in a repeating chant of Floyd’s and Breonna Taylor’s names. Taylor was shot and killed in her Louisville, Ky., apartment by a police officer in March. No charges have been filed in connection with her death.
“Do not let this system of white supremacy define who you are and take you away from your community,” the speaker said. “You have to fight for all black people, and that means all black people.”
Near the front of the stage, four caskets were covered in flowers. They had photos next to each — one for Floyd, Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and Ryan Charles Twyman. Arbery was fatally shot by a white father and son as he jogged in a Georgia neighborhood in February. Twyman was shot and killed by sheriff’s deputies at a South Los Angeles apartment complex last year.
Family members of people fatally shot by police gave emotional speeches about losing their loved ones and fighting for justice.
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The mother of Eric Rivera, who was killed by police in Wilmington in 2017, spoke about how her son was shot, run over and left in the street, his body uncovered.
“I gotta come out, and I gotta fight for my justice,” she told the crowd.
Santa Ana resident Samuel Justiss Vance, 64, clapped and chanted along with the crowd. Vance, a member of the Orange County Racial Justice Collaborative, said it was his third day protesting since the movement began nearly two weeks ago. He said he’s been involved in fighting for equality since the 1960s.
“Our rights are never secured,” he said, describing the never-ending struggle for equality as he stood in the crowd, the hot afternoon sun beating down. “This is a continuum.”
His reason for being there? “Christ said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’” he said. “And so I am here today.”
At 1:50 p.m., the caskets were returned to the hearse and a small procession followed.
Pat, 57, sat off to the side of the crowd. In her lap was her dog, Kenji, and a handwritten sign that read, “Love is the answer. No justice: no peace.”
The Los Angeles resident, who declined to give her last name for privacy reasons, said she came out because there is strength in numbers.
“The murdered, the injustices, the incarcerations have gone on for generations — not decades, generations,” she said.
The native Angeleno said that police brutality was often talked about in the black community, but it took a killing as brutal as Floyd’s for everyone else to understand. This time felt different, she said, because the world was paying attention.
“Because of his death, this movement has been born,” she said, gesturing to the crowd around her.
Just before 3 p.m., the protesters marched to City Hall, chanting, “Black lives, they matter here.”
In unison they asked those inside — where a budget meeting was being held — to defund the police.
For William Boyi II, the movement is personal. His brother was beaten by officers in Florida, he said.
“This keeps happening, and until we dismantle the police, it’ll keep happening,” he said. “We just can’t afford one more death. We’re done going through this.”
The protesters then headed down Spring and Figueroa streets and through the 2nd Street tunnel — where their voices were amplified.
Leaders asked them to take a knee, and for a moment, the deafening chants were silenced as they took a moment to remember Floyd.
On a nearby tunnel wall someone had written, “Riot every cop.”
The crowd arrived back at City Hall about 4 p.m., with many of those in attendance taking refuge in the shade as speakers continued.
Police presence was light, with officers appearing mostly at intersections to direct the protesters.
At several points the crowd chanted, “How do you spell ‘racist’?”
“LAPD” came the response.
Leaders of United Teachers Los Angeles said Monday they support a movement to eliminate the Los Angeles School Police Department, a force of about 400 that serves the L.A. Unified School District and accounts for about $70 million of the district’s $7.9 billion budget.
“We have to dismantle white supremacy. We must ... defund the police and bring in the mental health services that our students need,” said Cecily Myart-Cruz, the incoming president of UTLA, which represents about 30,000 teachers, nurses, counselors and other staff in the school district.
The union’s board of directors voted last week, 35-2, to “start a process” that will ultimately lead to a larger union vote on whether or not to push the school board to “take money out of the school police department and put it directly into mental health support, counselors, academic counselors,” current UTLA President Alex Caputo-Pearl said. “We can have 800 mental health supporters by using that money.”
The movement to defund school police has been a concern of education equity advocates for years. But the nationwide protests over the death of Floyd and calls to defund the Los Angeles Police Department and some others throughout the country reinvigorated their calls in the past days.
Floyd’s death has become a rallying point for many who say that police abuses against black people have persisted unchecked for too long, prompting sweeping protests across the U.S. and elsewhere around the world.
“This is a movement,” said activist AJ Lovelace, gesturing to City Hall. “They thought we were going to get tired and give up. And we’re still here.”
In Los Angeles, demonstrations remained peaceful over the weekend.
They included a huge march in Hollywood that drew an estimated 20,000 people Sunday and a caravan of motorcycles, demonstrators and cowboys that made its way through Compton.
California Compton Cowboys join spirited caravan through city to protest police brutality The Compton Cowboys joined a caravan of motorcycles and demonstrators as part of a growing national movement to end police brutality and systemic racism.
At 9 a.m. on Tuesday, the downtown Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will toll its bells for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — the length of time
Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles invited all its parishes to do the same.
“We need to make sure that George Floyd did not die for no reason. We should honor the sacrifice of his life by removing racism and hate from our hearts and renewing our commitment to fulfill our nation’s sacred promise — to be a beloved community of life, liberty and equality for all,” Archbishop José H. Gomez said in a statement.
Times staff writers Kevin Rector, Richard Winton contributed to this report.