latimes--2020-04-25--Isolation and boredom of staying at home can be harmful in their own way, experts say

Dr. Steven Siegel wakes every morning at 5 , feeds his dogs , makes a fresh cup of coffee and begins exercising .
By 7:30 a.m. , he ’ s had breakfast and a shower , has dressed and is at work in his office .
Never mind that office is just a spare bedroom in his Glendale home .
Routine , Siegel says , is the best way to combat the monotony and stress of the COVID-19 lockdown , now stretching into its sixth week .
“ We do have more control over this than may otherwise be apparent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Keck Medicine of USC and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences .
“ Whatever your routine is , do it .
Then go to work , even if that means that the kitchen counter becomes your desk between the hours of 8 and 5 .
“ You can ’ t control the rest of the world , but you can control what you do .
I have no power over when COVID ends as an individual , but I have a lot of power about how I respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us or our loved ones have fueled anxiety and fear , but the isolation and boredom of staying at home can be harmful in their own way .
And the psychological harm of the lockdown is harder to measure and likely to last longer , driving up the rate of domestic violence , depression and other mental conditions .
“ That is a reality , ” said Ellen Bradley-Windell , a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder and director of the Valencia Relationship Institute .
“ We ’ re already seeing the fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quarantined and home-schooling .
“ So I ’ m concerned about suicide , people with social isolation , that people are living by themselves .
I ’ m also concerned about the delayed response with family conflict , marital conflict and behavioral issues with kids.
” Mental health experts also fear a rise in alcohol and drug abuse as people self-medicate to deal with the stress .
Alcohol sales nationwide are up 55 % from this time last year while sales of recreational marijuana jumped nearly 50 % in one week this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , isolation is the worst thing because you live in your head , you don ’ t have feedback , ” Siegel said .
“ You don ’ t have someone making sure you ’ re OK and not letting you go off the deep end.
” Bradley-Windell is trying another approach with the people she sees , encouraging them to focus on the positives by keeping a daily gratitude journal of things for which they are thankful .
And Dr. Michelle G. Craske , director of the Anxiety and Depression Research Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly online COVID-19 care package with advice on coping with these stresses .
Among her suggestions : stay connected , exercise regularly , limit the amount of coronavirus news you consume and practice random acts of kindness .
“ Different people with different life situations certainly could be experiencing different types of stress and degrees of distress , ” she said .
“ These stressors could also manifest differently from person to person .
Some people may experience little to no severe mental health consequences whereas others may experience symptoms of depression , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made more difficult by the fact there is no definitive end to the quarantine .
Although California ’ s stay-at-home order is scheduled to expire May 15 , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said lifting it will probably happen gradually and will depend on the state meeting certain criteria , including the availability of testing and hospital capacity — all things outside our individual control .
“ Sometimes I kind of am despairing in the uncertainty around it all , ” said Melissa Whitson , a professor and coordinator of the community psychology program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If I knew it was a certain amount of time , I ’ d be like ‘ All right , I ’ ve just got to power through.
’ But we don ’ t know how long it ’ s going to be.
” Whitson said some of the things she ’ s seeing in the current crisis remind her of what she ’ s seen in people dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder .
“ What we know about trauma is the symptoms associated with it tend to be worse when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like we don ’ t have control over anything , ” she said .
“ This certainly lends itself to that situation .
“ And then there also this grief , ” she added .
“ Grieving the life that we had , grieving not being able to do things that we normally would be able to do.
” That grief , in part , has led protesters in more than two dozen states , including California , to call for an end to stay-at-home orders , a move health experts say could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths .
“ They ’ re being very reactive because they don ’ t know what else to do .
But from a psychological perspective it ’ s based out of fear because they feel out of control , ” Bradley-Windell said .
Financial insecurities will make all those issues — isolation , boredom , uncertainty and fear — worse .
With more than 20 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the last five weeks and the lines outside food banks growing daily , that ’ s something that won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the house .
“ This current crisis really highlights a major weakness in our society : that this vulnerable , massive class of people will struggle if their income stops for a few months , ” Siegel said .
“ We shouldn ’ t be in a situation where we can ’ t respond to a medical crisis without people losing their ability to buy food and shelter .
“ In L.A. , people who don ’ t have food and shelter has become the new norm.
” After years of unsuccessful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the streets , the COVID-19 crisis has offered a solution , with the county leasing more than 2,000 hotel rooms and searching for 13,000 more to give homeless people a place of their own in which to shelter .
“ Where ’ s the silver lining ?
” Siegel asked of the pandemic .
“ If we can come out of this with a mentality that says a bunch of us can be a little bit less rich so that a ton of us can be a little less poor , it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Dr. Steven Siegel, 55, a psychiatrist and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Studies with the Keck School of Medicine at USC, stands with his dog Philly outside his home office in Glendale.
Dr. Steven Siegel wakes every morning at 5, feeds his dogs, makes a fresh cup of coffee and begins exercising. By 7:30 a.m., he’s had breakfast and a shower, has dressed and is at work in his office.
Never mind that office is just a spare bedroom in his Glendale home. Routine, Siegel says, is the best way to combat the monotony and stress of the COVID-19 lockdown, now stretching into its sixth week.
“We do have more control over this than may otherwise be apparent,” argued Siegel, a psychiatrist with Keck Medicine of USC and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. “Whatever your routine is, do it. Then go to work, even if that means that the kitchen counter becomes your desk between the hours of 8 and 5.
“You can’t control the rest of the world, but you can control what you do. I have no power over when COVID ends as an individual, but I have a lot of power about how I respond to this.”
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Concerns about the coronavirus infecting us or our loved ones have fueled anxiety and fear, but the isolation and boredom of staying at home can be harmful in their own way. And the psychological harm of the lockdown is harder to measure and likely to last longer, driving up the rate of domestic violence, depression and other mental conditions.
“That is a reality,” said Ellen Bradley-Windell, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder and director of the Valencia Relationship Institute. “We’re already seeing the fallout with families being home, kids being quarantined and home-schooling.
“So I’m concerned about suicide, people with social isolation, that people are living by themselves. I’m also concerned about the delayed response with family conflict, marital conflict and behavioral issues with kids.”
Dr. Steven Siegel, working from his home office in Glendale, says routine is best way to combat monotony and stress during the coronavirus crisis. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Mental health experts also fear a rise in alcohol and drug abuse as people self-medicate to deal with the stress. Alcohol sales nationwide are up 55% from this time last year while sales of recreational marijuana jumped nearly 50% in one week this month.
“People with significant mental issues, isolation is the worst thing because you live in your head, you don’t have feedback,” Siegel said. “You don’t have someone making sure you’re OK and not letting you go off the deep end.”
Bradley-Windell is trying another approach with the people she sees, encouraging them to focus on the positives by keeping a daily gratitude journal of things for which they are thankful.
And Dr. Michelle G. Craske, director of the Anxiety and Depression Research Center at UCLA, has put together a weekly online COVID-19 care package with advice on coping with these stresses. Among her suggestions: stay connected, exercise regularly, limit the amount of coronavirus news you consume and practice random acts of kindness.
“Different people with different life situations certainly could be experiencing different types of stress and degrees of distress,” she said. “These stressors could also manifest differently from person to person. Some people may experience little to no severe mental health consequences whereas others may experience symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress.”
Combating that is made more difficult by the fact there is no definitive end to the quarantine. Although California’s stay-at-home order is scheduled to expire May 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom said lifting it will probably happen gradually and will depend on the state meeting certain criteria, including the availability of testing and hospital capacity — all things outside our individual control.
“Sometimes I kind of am despairing in the uncertainty around it all,” said Melissa Whitson, a professor and coordinator of the community psychology program at the University of New Haven. “If I knew it was a certain amount of time, I’d be like ‘All right, I’ve just got to power through.’ But we don’t know how long it’s going to be.”
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Whitson said some of the things she’s seeing in the current crisis remind her of what she’s seen in people dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“What we know about trauma is the symptoms associated with it tend to be worse when we feel hopeless. And when we feel like we don’t have control over anything,” she said. “This certainly lends itself to that situation.
“And then there also this grief,” she added. “Grieving the life that we had, grieving not being able to do things that we normally would be able to do.”
That grief, in part, has led protesters in more than two dozen states, including California, to call for an end to stay-at-home orders, a move health experts say could spark another wave of coronavirus infections and deaths.
“They’re being very reactive because they don’t know what else to do. But from a psychological perspective it’s based out of fear because they feel out of control,” Bradley-Windell said.
Financial insecurities will make all those issues — isolation, boredom, uncertainty and fear — worse. With more than 20 million Americans filing for unemployment benefits in the last five weeks and the lines outside food banks growing daily, that’s something that won’t be solved simply by letting people out of the house.
“This current crisis really highlights a major weakness in our society: that this vulnerable, massive class of people will struggle if their income stops for a few months,” Siegel said. “We shouldn’t be in a situation where we can’t respond to a medical crisis without people losing their ability to buy food and shelter.
“In L.A., people who don’t have food and shelter has become the new norm.”
After years of unsuccessful searches for ways to get people off the streets, the COVID-19 crisis has offered a solution, with the county leasing more than 2,000 hotel rooms and searching for 13,000 more to give homeless people a place of their own in which to shelter.
“Where’s the silver lining?” Siegel asked of the pandemic. “If we can come out of this with a mentality that says a bunch of us can be a little bit less rich so that a ton of us can be a little less poor, it would almost make COVID worth it.”


latimes--2020-04-25--Despite region's first big heat wave, most Los Angeles County residents avoid beach on Saturday

With Southern California in the midst of the year ’ s first big heat wave , Los Angeles County ’ s stay-at-home order faced a major test Saturday as all 72 miles of the region ’ s coast remained closed .
But for the most part , people appeared to heed the city ’ s warnings .
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted aerial images of empty beaches on Saturday .
“ My compliments to our community for staying away from the beaches in LA , ” he wrote .
“ From Malibu , Santa Monica , Venice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But hundreds of people did flock to beaches in neighboring Ventura and Orange counties , where stretches of the coastline were opened this week .
No major incidents were reported and most people appeared to practice social distancing .
“ After being cooped up , we understand people want to enjoy the outside , ” said Ventura Police Cmdr .
Tom Higgins .
Temperatures ranged from the mid-70s along the coast to the low-90s in the valleys and inland areas on Saturday , according to the National Weather Service .
Downtown L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw the mercury reach 92 and Woodland Hills 91 .
Things are expected to cool off Saturday night , but temperatures will remain above normal , in the 80s , for the next seven days , according to the weather service .
Barbara Ferrer , director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , has said repeatedly that the beaches must remain closed to prevent an overflow of visitors who might be carrying the coronavirus .
She has asked L.A. residents not to crowd beaches in neighboring Ventura and Orange counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illness and a lot of people in our county who are dying .
We know it ’ s best right now for us Angelenos to stay home , or stay outside [ in ] your own yard or your own neighborhood , ” Ferrer told the media Wednesday .
To do otherwise , she said , would increase the risk of bringing the infection to L.A. “ And we absolutely don ’ t need that.
” Ferrer on Saturday renewed her call for people to stay home .
“ Continue to do your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ This is how we get to the other side of the outbreak and begin our recovery.
” That came as L.A. County reported 48 new deaths and 607 additional cases of COVID-19 .
Long Beach , which has its own health department , reported 26 new cases , bringing the county total to 895 deaths and more than 19,100 cases .
Of the people who died , 37 were older than 65 and nine were ages 41-65 .
Thirty-eight had underlying health conditions .
“ This past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of deaths from COVID-19 and diagnosed more than 7,000 new cases , ” Ferrer said in a statement .
“ Because we are still seeing a significant increase in new cases and deaths , we ask that you continue to stay home as much as possible.
” Most Ventura and Orange County beaches are open , but officials in both counties warned visitors to either stay away or to abide by social distancing practices .
The city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches this week in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Under an , residents can now access the city ’ s beaches , promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active .
People can walk back and forth on the sand but are not allowed to sit down or stand against the railing to fish , for example .
The city ’ s ordinance includes provisions that give police authority to indefinitely close off an area if visitors ignore the rules .
For example , if the promenade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines , police can shut down the area for 24 hours .
On Saturday , the opening of area ’ s beaches brought out an unseasonably large crowd , in the hundreds , said Higgins said .
Most people , drawn by comfortable temperatures that hovered in the mid-70s under pale-blue skies , stuck to the bike and running paths just above the sand .
But with restrictions .
Parking lots , playgrounds , restrooms and restaurants all remain closed , as does the Ventura pier , which separates city and state beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rules forbid beachgoers from sitting or laying on the sand , but that wasn ’ t being strictly enforced Saturday .
A Ventura police sergeant in dark-blue shorts walked along the turquoise water politely asking people with children to take their umbrellas down but allowing them to sunbathe on the sand .
“ Technically you ’ re not supposed to sit down .
But they ’ re with kids .
I ’ m not going to ask some 50-year-old parents to run around with kids all day , ” the sergeant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added , will encourage them to move on .
About an hour later , a police cruiser pulled up to the same stretch of beach , and the officer inside used his speaker to remind beachgoers of the rules .
The goal , Higgins said , was to apply common sense and to seek cooperation rather than issuing citations .
“ We ’ re in a mode of educating right now , ” he said .
Many Orange County beaches are also open , but officials left in place parking restrictions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Laguna Beach and Seal Beach , have closed their beaches .
Popular Newport Beach surfing destination the Wedge remains closed , but people still flocked to the beach , which remains open , on Friday .
“ We ’ re kind of tired of being in our houses , ” said Brett Polley , 20 , of Irvine .
“ We ’ ve been keeping up with the news lately … and we really believe that this heat wave will drop people out , weaken the virus at least.
” Heather Rangel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach Police Department , said Saturday there had been no arrests or citations related to the stay-at-home orders , despite an uptick in beachgoers .
“ The beaches are crowded and look like a summer day in Newport Beach , ” she said in an email .
Huntington Beach also elected to keep its coastline is open , though the pier , beach parking lot and some metered parking remain closed .
Angie Bennett , spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department , said Saturday that the city ’ s beaches appeared somewhat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidents , and no one was cited for violating social distancing guidelines .
“ What the patrol officers are seeing is that people are staying within their own groups and appropriate distances apart , ” she said .
“ It ’ s been a nice , warm day , and it sounds like people are complying and doing what we are asking of them.
” On Friday , as her friends prepared to surf at 11th Street , Natalie Peart said she felt safe visiting the beach .
“ We ’ re in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chill people , ” said Peart , 23 .
“ Everyone ’ s social .
Nobody wants to give that up , you know ?
” One county official opposed keeping the beaches open , noting that the region has been inundated with people from L.A. and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire .
“ When you take a look at the folks that are coming down , they ’ re not only not adhering to safer-at-home policies in their own communities , they ’ re not even staying in their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think it ’ s going to be problematic , ” Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said this week .
Orange County health officials on Saturday announced 124 new COVID-19 cases , the highest one-day increase recorded by the county since the start of the pandemic .
Health officials also reported two additional deaths , bringing the county totals to 1,969 cases and 38 deaths .
The number of COVID-19 patients in Orange County hospitals increased to 159 , with 70 in intensive care units .
Stay-at-home orders issued by the state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Diego , Huntington Beach , San Clemente , Sacramento and Newport Beach .
Most recently , a handful of protesters could be seen demonstrating in downtown Riverside on Saturday morning .
Still , poll results released Friday indicate that the majority of Californians support the directive .
Among those polled , 75 % want the stay-at-home order to continue as long as it ’ s needed , according to a California Health Care Foundation/Ipsos survey .
Only 11 % wanted to stop the order , while 13 % had no opinion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 42,000 cases of the coronavirus , and more than 1,600 people have died .
Wigglesworth and Vega are Times staff writers .
Szabo writes for Times Community News .

Alex Wigglesworth, Priscella Vega, Kevin Baxter, Matt Szabo

The words “love” and “be kind” are woven into a fence with yellow police tape at a closed beach in Venice. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Brian Chapman, of Santa Monica, plays Frisbee with friend Kris Sims, of Santa Clarita, at the beach in Ventura. “We came up because all of the beaches in Los Angeles are closed,” Chapman said. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Adam Choi, at center with mask, and Grace Kim walk along a trail at the beach in Ventura. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Tyler MacFarland reads a book under the pier at the beach in Ventura. “I am still working and for the last month and a half it has been just work, home, work, home,” MacFarland said. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
The bike path on Ocean Front Walk in Venice was open, but police officers were out in force to keep people off the beach. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A group of young people make a political statement as they pedal a surrey bike down a crowded bike path in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Beachgoers, ignoring social distancing rules and beach closures, walk in groups to the stairs leading to Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Parking was restricted severely along Pacific Coast Highway over the weekend, with Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies trying to keep people off closed beaches. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Elizabeth Robles of Laguna Beach got a $30 ticket after parking in a no-parking zone to visit Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point to surf. “The ticket is worth it to me. I broke my arm recently and haven’t surfed in eight months,” she says. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Neighbors practice social distancing while enjoying the weather near the Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Bowie Davis, 3, plays in her kiddie pool with her father, Ed Davis, by her side at their home near the Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Kennedy, 2, and her 6-year-old brother Jackson play in the sand near the Strand in Manhattan Beach. The Bobo family drove in from Perris. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
The beach near Veterans Park in Redondo Beach remains closed Saturday because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
In Santa Monica police keep watch over the empty beach and closed bike path. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A man plays fetch with his dog on Rocky Beach in Topanga despite law enforcement efforts to keep people away. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A woman walks on deserted Venice Beach, which is among closed beaches in L.A. County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
With Southern California in the midst of the year’s first big heat wave, Los Angeles County’s stay-at-home order faced a major test Saturday as all 72 miles of the region’s coast remained closed.
But for the most part, people appeared to heed the city’s warnings. Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted aerial images of empty beaches on Saturday.
“My compliments to our community for staying away from the beaches in LA,” he wrote. “From Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, to Dockweiler - All Clear!!”
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But hundreds of people did flock to beaches in neighboring Ventura and Orange counties, where stretches of the coastline were opened this week. No major incidents were reported and most people appeared to practice social distancing.
“After being cooped up, we understand people want to enjoy the outside,” said Ventura Police Cmdr. Tom Higgins.
Temperatures ranged from the mid-70s along the coast to the low-90s in the valleys and inland areas on Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. Downtown L.A. hit 86 degrees, while Van Nuys saw the mercury reach 92 and Woodland Hills 91.
Things are expected to cool off Saturday night, but temperatures will remain above normal, in the 80s, for the next seven days, according to the weather service.
Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has said repeatedly that the beaches must remain closed to prevent an overflow of visitors who might be carrying the coronavirus. She has asked L.A. residents not to crowd beaches in neighboring Ventura and Orange counties.
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“We have high rates of illness and a lot of people in our county who are dying. We know it’s best right now for us Angelenos to stay home, or stay outside [in] your own yard or your own neighborhood,” Ferrer told the media Wednesday. To do otherwise, she said, would increase the risk of bringing the infection to L.A. “And we absolutely don’t need that.”
Ferrer on Saturday renewed her call for people to stay home.
“Continue to do your part and save lives,” she said in a statement. “This is how we get to the other side of the outbreak and begin our recovery.”
That came as L.A. County reported 48 new deaths and 607 additional cases of COVID-19. Long Beach, which has its own health department, reported 26 new cases, bringing the county total to 895 deaths and more than 19,100 cases.
Of the people who died, 37 were older than 65 and nine were ages 41-65. Thirty-eight had underlying health conditions.
“This past week in L.A. County, we doubled the number of deaths from COVID-19 and diagnosed more than 7,000 new cases,” Ferrer said in a statement. “Because we are still seeing a significant increase in new cases and deaths, we ask that you continue to stay home as much as possible.”
My compliments to our community for staying away from the beaches in LA. From Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, to Dockweiler - All Clear!! Safer at Home will get us there sooner. pic.twitter.com/wZeJ8G8pDR — Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) April 25, 2020
Most Ventura and Orange County beaches are open, but officials in both counties warned visitors to either stay away or to abide by social distancing practices.
The city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches this week in an effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Under an amended ordinance , residents can now access the city’s beaches, promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active. People can walk back and forth on the sand but are not allowed to sit down or stand against the railing to fish, for example.
The city’s ordinance includes provisions that give police authority to indefinitely close off an area if visitors ignore the rules. For example, if the promenade becomes overcrowded and residents ignore physical distancing guidelines, police can shut down the area for 24 hours.
Earlier this week, Ventura County reported 476 total coronavirus cases and 16 deaths.
On Saturday, the opening of area’s beaches brought out an unseasonably large crowd, in the hundreds, said Higgins said.
Most people, drawn by comfortable temperatures that hovered in the mid-70s under pale-blue skies, stuck to the bike and running paths just above the sand.
But with restrictions. Parking lots, playgrounds, restrooms and restaurants all remain closed, as does the Ventura pier, which separates city and state beaches that are operating under slightly different rules.
“We’re coordinating so they’re consistent,” Higgins said.
The rules forbid beachgoers from sitting or laying on the sand, but that wasn’t being strictly enforced Saturday. A Ventura police sergeant in dark-blue shorts walked along the turquoise water politely asking people with children to take their umbrellas down but allowing them to sunbathe on the sand.
“Technically you’re not supposed to sit down. But they’re with kids. I’m not going to ask some 50-year-old parents to run around with kids all day,” the sergeant said.
The lack of shade, he added, will encourage them to move on.
About an hour later, a police cruiser pulled up to the same stretch of beach, and the officer inside used his speaker to remind beachgoers of the rules.
The goal, Higgins said, was to apply common sense and to seek cooperation rather than issuing citations.
“We’re in a mode of educating right now,” he said.
Many Orange County beaches are also open, but officials left in place parking restrictions that will reduce access. Some cities, including Laguna Beach and Seal Beach, have closed their beaches.
Popular Newport Beach surfing destination the Wedge remains closed, but people still flocked to the beach, which remains open, on Friday.
“We’re kind of tired of being in our houses,” said Brett Polley, 20, of Irvine. “We’ve been keeping up with the news lately … and we really believe that this heat wave will drop people out, weaken the virus at least.”
Heather Rangel, press information officer for the Newport Beach Police Department, said Saturday there had been no arrests or citations related to the stay-at-home orders, despite an uptick in beachgoers.
“The beaches are crowded and look like a summer day in Newport Beach,” she said in an email.
Huntington Beach also elected to keep its coastline is open, though the pier, beach parking lot and some metered parking remain closed.
Angie Bennett, spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department, said Saturday that the city’s beaches appeared somewhat busy, but there were no significant incidents, and no one was cited for violating social distancing guidelines.
“What the patrol officers are seeing is that people are staying within their own groups and appropriate distances apart,” she said. “It’s been a nice, warm day, and it sounds like people are complying and doing what we are asking of them.”
On Friday, as her friends prepared to surf at 11th Street, Natalie Peart said she felt safe visiting the beach.
“We’re in California; we’re the most chill people,” said Peart, 23. “Everyone’s social. Nobody wants to give that up, you know?”
One county official opposed keeping the beaches open, noting that the region has been inundated with people from L.A. and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire.
“When you take a look at the folks that are coming down, they’re not only not adhering to safer-at-home policies in their own communities, they’re not even staying in their own counties. Especially with the warm weather, I think it’s going to be problematic,” Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said this week.
Orange County health officials on Saturday announced 124 new COVID-19 cases, the highest one-day increase recorded by the county since the start of the pandemic. Health officials also reported two additional deaths, bringing the county totals to 1,969 cases and 38 deaths.
The number of COVID-19 patients in Orange County hospitals increased to 159, with 70 in intensive care units.
Stay-at-home orders issued by the state and local counties have led to some protests in San Diego, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, Sacramento and Newport Beach.
Most recently, a handful of protesters could be seen demonstrating in downtown Riverside on Saturday morning.
Still, poll results released Friday indicate that the majority of Californians support the directive. Among those polled, 75% want the stay-at-home order to continue as long as it’s needed, according to a California Health Care Foundation/Ipsos survey. Only 11% wanted to stop the order, while 13% had no opinion.
Statewide, California has recorded more than 42,000 cases of the coronavirus, and more than 1,600 people have died.
Wigglesworth and Vega are Times staff writers. Szabo writes for Times Community News.


latimes--2020-04-26--WWII veteran gets special birthday honor after party is canceled because of pandemic

A World War II veteran who appealed for birthday cards after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of a big party wound up receiving thousands , including a letter from President Trump , and celebrated his 105th birthday Sunday with a parade of well-wishers in cars , military vehicles and even an appearance from a Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s helicopter .
“ It ’ s a marvelous feeling , yes , really , ” Lt. Col. Sam Sachs said while watching the caravan pass by Mom & Dad ’ s House , a senior living home in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotions are running so high ...
It just doesn ’ t get any better than this .
It ’ s just unbelievable .
This is a dream.
” The Army veteran — who wore his uniform for a video posted on YouTube titled “ Sam Sachs 105 BDAY Wish ” — said he wondered how many cards he would get after his birthday party was called off .
Since then , Sachs has received at least 6,200 cards from across the U.S. , with even more sitting in a basket outside his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classic and modern cars and motorcycles , along with nearly a dozen Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s vehicles and a county firetruck with sirens blaring , along with the sheriff ’ s helicopter flying over the neighborhood .
Some of the vehicles were decorated with large American flags , balloons and signs honoring Sachs , with the vehicles ’ occupants wishing him a happy birthday , thanking him for his military service and waving as he waved back and thanked them over and over again from a distance .
“ I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t believe all this is happening .
Gee whiz !
” he said , while speaking from a microphone near the frontyard , which was decked with hundreds of small , donated American flags .
“ Thank you , folks .
Thank you for making my day .
I had no idea what to expect ...
This is magical.
” In an interview Friday with City News Service , Sachs said it has been exciting to get cards from all over the country .
The deliveries have included a letter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tremendous milestone ” and his “ dedicated service to our country during World War II , ” along with a framed flag delivered by about a dozen members of the Army National Guard .
Sachs — who served in the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division , participated in the Normandy invasion and was later part of a unit that helped liberate a concentration camp in Germany — also received a letter from the mayor of his birth city , Grand Forks , N.D. , who proclaimed the day in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive proclamations from Southern California-area politicians , including Lakewood ’ s mayor , Todd Rogers , who had called on the public to send cards to Sachs .
“ How many World War II vets are around who landed at Normandy almost 76 years ago in a glider of all things , pulled by an airplane ?
” he wondered aloud , noting that he was inducted recently into France ’ s Legion of Honor .
Sachs , who had a teaching career in Southern California after his military service , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from strangers .
The presents have included $ 50 from a man who visited he home after seeing a news report about his birthday , Sachs said , adding the response has been “ really touching.
” “ He ’ s being overwhelmed in a good way right now , ” said Ivonne Meader , who owns the assisted living home where the centenarian resides .
“ Every day is more .
Every day ] it ] just multiplies more.
” Meader said the birthday was giving people an opportunity “ to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if his 105th birthday is his favorite , Sachs responded , “ You bet it ’ s my favorite birthday .
The question is will I be here at 106 ?
Who knows ?
Who knows ?
I ’ ll work at it .
You ’ d better believe I ’ ll work at it.
” A group of people who had gathered in the neighborhood to cheer , prompting him to say that he would be happy to repeat it .
“ This is once in a lifetime , maybe more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see , ” he said with a laugh .
As the parade of cars wound to an end , Sachs said , “ We ’ ll do this again next year .
”

Terri Vermeulen Keith, City News Service

A World War II veteran who appealed for birthday cards after the coronavirus outbreak forced the cancellation of a big party wound up receiving thousands, including a letter from President Trump, and celebrated his 105th birthday Sunday with a parade of well-wishers in cars, military vehicles and even an appearance from a Los Angeles County sheriff’s helicopter.
Lt. Col. Sam Sachs, a World War II veteran, had planned a birthday party to celebrate turning 105, but it was called off due to the coronavirus outbreak. An appeal for birthday cards reaped thousands, including a letter and photo from President Trump.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“It’s a marvelous feeling, yes, really,” Lt. Col. Sam Sachs said while watching the caravan pass by Mom & Dad’s House, a senior living home in a residential neighborhood in Lakewood. “The emotions are running so high ... It just doesn’t get any better than this. It’s just unbelievable. This is a dream.”
A veteran waves to World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs from his vehicle during Sunday’s hourlong parade, which included classic and modern cars, motorcycles, Los Angeles County sheriff’s vehicles, a county firetruck and a sheriff’s helicopter.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
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The Army veteran — who wore his uniform for a video posted on YouTube titled “Sam Sachs 105 BDAY Wish” — said he wondered how many cards he would get after his birthday party was called off.
Since then, Sachs has received at least 6,200 cards from across the U.S., with even more sitting in a basket outside his home Sunday.
A man plays the “Happy Birthday” song on his trumpet in tribute to World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs as a parade of vehicles pass by Mom & Dad’s House, an assisted living facility where Sachs resides, on April 26.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
The roughly hourlong parade included classic and modern cars and motorcycles, along with nearly a dozen Los Angeles County sheriff’s vehicles and a county firetruck with sirens blaring, along with the sheriff’s helicopter flying over the neighborhood.
A driver and passenger hold the U.S. flag while joining a parade to honor World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs in Lakewood on April 26. Sachs, who served in the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, participated in the Normandy invasion in 1944. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Some of the vehicles were decorated with large American flags, balloons and signs honoring Sachs, with the vehicles’ occupants wishing him a happy birthday, thanking him for his military service and waving as he waved back and thanked them over and over again from a distance.
“I just can’t believe it. I can’t believe all this is happening. Gee whiz!” he said, while speaking from a microphone near the frontyard, which was decked with hundreds of small, donated American flags. “Thank you, folks. Thank you for making my day. I had no idea what to expect ... This is magical.”
In an interview Friday with City News Service, Sachs said it has been exciting to get cards from all over the country.
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The deliveries have included a letter and a photo from Trump citing the “tremendous milestone” and his “dedicated service to our country during World War II,” along with a framed flag delivered by about a dozen members of the Army National Guard.
Isabella Leader, 15, counts the American flags left by community members for World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs at Mom & Dad’s House in Lakewood on April 26.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Sachs — who served in the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, participated in the Normandy invasion and was later part of a unit that helped liberate a concentration camp in Germany — also received a letter from the mayor of his birth city, Grand Forks, N.D. , who proclaimed the day in his honor.
He is also expected to receive proclamations from Southern California-area politicians, including Lakewood’s mayor, Todd Rogers, who had called on the public to send cards to Sachs.
“How many World War II vets are around who landed at Normandy almost 76 years ago in a glider of all things, pulled by an airplane?” he wondered aloud, noting that he was inducted recently into France’s Legion of Honor.
A resident of Mom & Dad’s House waves while members of the public drive by to celebrate World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs’ 105th birthday.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Sachs, who had a teaching career in Southern California after his military service, said he’s also received birthday gifts from strangers. The presents have included $50 from a man who visited he home after seeing a news report about his birthday, Sachs said, adding the response has been “really touching.”
“He’s being overwhelmed in a good way right now,” said Ivonne Meader, who owns the assisted living home where the centenarian resides. “Every day is more. Every day ]it] just multiplies more.”
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Lt. Col. Sam Sachs made an appeal for birthday cards in a YouTube post titled “Sam Sachs 105 BDAY Wish” after his birthday party was called off. Since then, he has received at least 6,200 cards.
(Genaro Molina/Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Meader said the birthday was giving people an opportunity “to be part of something special.”
When asked if his 105th birthday is his favorite, Sachs responded, “You bet it’s my favorite birthday. The question is will I be here at 106? Who knows? Who knows? I’ll work at it. You’d better believe I’ll work at it.”
Firefighters, neighbors and well-wishers honor World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs’ 105 birthday in Lakewood on April 26. “We’ll do this again next year,” Sachs said as the celebration drew to a close.
(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A group of people who had gathered in the neighborhood to cheer, prompting him to say that he would be happy to repeat it. “This is once in a lifetime, maybe more than once, hopefully. We’ll see,” he said with a laugh.
As the parade of cars wound to an end, Sachs said, “We’ll do this again next year.”


latimes--2020-04-26--L.A. County reports 18 new coronavirus deaths, says poor people are three times more likely to die

Los Angeles County public health officials on Sunday reported 18 additional COVID-19 deaths and 440 new cases of the coronavirus .
Long Beach , which has its own health department , reported two new deaths and 10 additional cases , bringing the county ’ s total to 915 deaths and 19,538 cases .
“ The most difficult part of the COVID-19 pandemic is losing people to the virus , ” Barbara Ferrer , director of the county Department of Public Health , said in a statement .
“ To all of you who have lost loved ones , we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently died , 13 were older than 65 , four were 41 to 65 , and one was 18 to 40 , officials said .
Fifteen had underlying health conditions .
Overall , black people continue to see the highest COVID-19 death rate in L.A. County , with 13 deaths per 100,000 people , compared with 9.5 for Latino people , 7.5 for Asian people and 5.5 for white people , public health officials said in a news release .
Officials also revealed that those who live in lower-income communities in L.A. County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 than those in wealthier communities .
Neighborhoods where 30 % to 100 % of residents live in poverty have seen about 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people , compared with 5.3 deaths per 100,000 people in communities where less than 10 % of residents live in poverty , they said .
“ As we have more information about who is dying , we are reminded that the work ahead requires that we address issues of disproportionately that result in higher rates of death among African Americans , Latinx and Asians as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferrer said .
“ Ensuring access to testing , early treatment and care , and economic support among those communities at higher risk of devastating outcomes associated with COVID-19 , is essential.
” As of Sunday , more than 117,000 people had been tested and received their results , with about 14 % testing positive , she said .
Officials have said that the number of new cases reported on weekends tends to be lower due to more limited test results being returned .
After appearing to level off for a time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by L.A. County has surged over the past week , and deaths have doubled .
Officials remain especially concerned about residents of institutional facilities , who tend to have underlying health conditions and live in environments where the virus can spread more easily .
A total of 365 residents who lived in institutional settings had died from COVID-19 as of Friday , with the majority of them nursing home residents , Ferrer said .
They account for 43 % of the deaths in L.A. County .
In a bid to slow the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s health officer , Dr. Muntu Davis , on Friday issued an order requiring that all licensed group healthcare facilities limit entry to workers and residents and suspend communal dining and activities .
Both residents and staff at the facilities will be required to wear face coverings .
Institutions now are required to conduct testing for all residents and staff , whether symptomatic or not , a process that will begin Monday , Ferrer said .
Medical teams from the California National Guard also have been dispatched to five skilled nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffing shortages due to coronavirus outbreaks , and officials are in talks to deploy four more teams .

L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer addresses a news conference last month on the steps of Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration.
Los Angeles County public health officials on Sunday reported 18 additional COVID-19 deaths and 440 new cases of the coronavirus. Long Beach, which has its own health department, reported two new deaths and 10 additional cases, bringing the county’s total to 915 deaths and 19,538 cases.
“The most difficult part of the COVID-19 pandemic is losing people to the virus,” Barbara Ferrer, director of the county Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “To all of you who have lost loved ones, we are deeply sorry.”
Of those who most recently died, 13 were older than 65, four were 41 to 65, and one was 18 to 40, officials said. Fifteen had underlying health conditions.
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Overall, black people continue to see the highest COVID-19 death rate in L.A. County, with 13 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 9.5 for Latino people, 7.5 for Asian people and 5.5 for white people, public health officials said in a news release.
Officials also revealed that those who live in lower-income communities in L.A. County are three times more likely to die of COVID-19 than those in wealthier communities. Neighborhoods where 30% to 100% of residents live in poverty have seen about 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 5.3 deaths per 100,000 people in communities where less than 10% of residents live in poverty, they said.
“As we have more information about who is dying, we are reminded that the work ahead requires that we address issues of disproportionately that result in higher rates of death among African Americans, Latinx and Asians as well as residents living in poverty,” Ferrer said. “Ensuring access to testing, early treatment and care, and economic support among those communities at higher risk of devastating outcomes associated with COVID-19, is essential.”
As of Sunday, more than 117,000 people had been tested and received their results, with about 14% testing positive, she said.
Officials have said that the number of new cases reported on weekends tends to be lower due to more limited test results being returned.
After appearing to level off for a time, the number of new coronavirus cases recorded by L.A. County has surged over the past week, and deaths have doubled.
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Officials remain especially concerned about residents of institutional facilities, who tend to have underlying health conditions and live in environments where the virus can spread more easily.
A total of 365 residents who lived in institutional settings had died from COVID-19 as of Friday, with the majority of them nursing home residents, Ferrer said. They account for 43% of the deaths in L.A. County.
In a bid to slow the virus’ spread among vulnerable populations, the county’s health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, on Friday issued an order requiring that all licensed group healthcare facilities limit entry to workers and residents and suspend communal dining and activities. Both residents and staff at the facilities will be required to wear face coverings.
Institutions now are required to conduct testing for all residents and staff, whether symptomatic or not, a process that will begin Monday, Ferrer said.
Medical teams from the California National Guard also have been dispatched to five skilled nursing facilities in L.A. County to assist with staffing shortages due to coronavirus outbreaks, and officials are in talks to deploy four more teams.


latimes--2020-04-26--'I'm not that scared': People flock to beaches again, bringing hand sanitizer and hope

A chilly breeze and cloudy skies didn ’ t deter hundreds of families , friends and couples from descending on Huntington Beach early Sunday .
Couples lay on beach towels watching dozens of surfers ride the waves , as others played on the beach .
A mother kept watch over young boys digging holes with a shovel near the shore , while several teenagers flopped on boogie boards .
Most people kept a safe distance between each other .
Many donned hats , sunglasses and umbrellas but few wore protective face masks .
Eva Sanchez , dressed in a red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beach towel looking out at the ocean .
With her husband Jorge , 21 , and their 7-month baby Mateo , they kept their distance from other beach-goers .
“ I wanted to get out of the house for a little bit , bring [ Mateo ] to the beach because I bought him his clothes , ” said Sanchez , 20 , laughing .
The Azusa resident wasn ’ t too concerned about the spread of the virus .
She and her family were well stocked with hand sanitizer and were avoiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m taking my precautions , practicing social distancing , constantly washing our hands , ” she said .
“ So I ’ m not that scared.
” Asked if she was concerned about others not abiding by social distancing orders , she said : “ As long as it doesn ’ t interfere with me , I feel like that ’ s completely up to them and how they view COVID-19.
” Orange County beaches drew crowds again Sunday amid hot weather and pent-up energy from stay-at-home orders .
Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were open in Orange and Ventura counties .
Officials closed parking lots in hopes of keeping people from driving in .
But many like Sanchez made the trip .
Some have expressed concern about the crowds , worried it might cause the coronavirus to spread .
But officials said everything seemed manageable and that many people tried to stay at least six feet apart from one another .
Heather Rangel , press information officer for the Newport Beach Police Department , said Saturday there had been no arrests or citations related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department , said no one was cited for violating social-distancing guidelines .
Ashley Bautista , public information officer for Ventura County , said there was a law enforcement presence at all of the county ’ s beaches , and officers were informing visitors that they were supposed to only walk , run , swim or surf .
Beach-goers were complying , she said .
“ We appreciate that our community members are making these sacrifices , ” she said , “ and that local law enforcement is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sumners , 31 , drove from Corona to Huntington Beach on Sunday morning with several friends to relax and enjoy a day in the sun , he said , looking up at the cloudy skies .
“ And freedom , also , ” he said , laughing and echoing a friend ’ s remark .
He and five friends lay out on several beach towels chatting , unconcerned by the threat of the coronavirus .
“ I think you have better chances of winning the lottery or getting hit by a car than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Wash your hands like you were taught when you were a child and I think you ’ re fine , ” he said , adding that as long as people aren ’ t in enclosed crowded spaces , the chances of contracting the virus are slim .

Huntington Beach police patrol the beach near the pier Saturday as thousands of people enjoy a warm, sunny day amid stay-at-home and social-distancing mandates to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
A chilly breeze and cloudy skies didn’t deter hundreds of families, friends and couples from descending on Huntington Beach early Sunday.
Couples lay on beach towels watching dozens of surfers ride the waves, as others played on the beach. A mother kept watch over young boys digging holes with a shovel near the shore, while several teenagers flopped on boogie boards.
Most people kept a safe distance between each other. Many donned hats, sunglasses and umbrellas but few wore protective face masks.
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Eva Sanchez, dressed in a red polka dot swimsuit, sat on a beach towel looking out at the ocean.
With her husband Jorge, 21, and their 7-month baby Mateo, they kept their distance from other beach-goers.
“I wanted to get out of the house for a little bit, bring [Mateo] to the beach because I bought him his clothes,” said Sanchez, 20, laughing.
The Azusa resident wasn’t too concerned about the spread of the virus. She and her family were well stocked with hand sanitizer and were avoiding touching things unnecessarily.
“I believe I’m taking my precautions, practicing social distancing, constantly washing our hands,” she said. “So I’m not that scared.”
Asked if she was concerned about others not abiding by social distancing orders, she said: “As long as it doesn’t interfere with me, I feel like that’s completely up to them and how they view COVID-19.”
Orange County beaches drew crowds again Sunday amid hot weather and pent-up energy from stay-at-home orders. Los Angeles County kept its beaches closed, but they were open in Orange and Ventura counties. Officials closed parking lots in hopes of keeping people from driving in. But many like Sanchez made the trip.
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Some have expressed concern about the crowds, worried it might cause the coronavirus to spread. But officials said everything seemed manageable and that many people tried to stay at least six feet apart from one another.
Heather Rangel, press information officer for the Newport Beach Police Department, said Saturday there had been no arrests or citations related to the stay-at-home orders. Angie Bennett, spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department, said no one was cited for violating social-distancing guidelines.
Ashley Bautista, public information officer for Ventura County, said there was a law enforcement presence at all of the county’s beaches, and officers were informing visitors that they were supposed to only walk, run, swim or surf. Beach-goers were complying, she said.
“We appreciate that our community members are making these sacrifices,” she said, “and that local law enforcement is focused on education for compliance.”
Christopher Sumners, 31, drove from Corona to Huntington Beach on Sunday morning with several friends to relax and enjoy a day in the sun, he said, looking up at the cloudy skies.
“And freedom, also,” he said, laughing and echoing a friend’s remark.
He and five friends lay out on several beach towels chatting, unconcerned by the threat of the coronavirus. “I think you have better chances of winning the lottery or getting hit by a car than getting coronavirus,” said Sumners.
“Wash your hands like you were taught when you were a child and I think you’re fine,” he said, adding that as long as people aren’t in enclosed crowded spaces, the chances of contracting the virus are slim.


latimes--2020-04-26--What we could learn from the coronavirus outbreak on aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt

An investigation by the Navy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the outbreak of the coronavirus on board the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt could yield data valuable not just to the military , but also to the greater scientific community in the race to better understand the virus , the Navy says .
The Roosevelt has been tied up in Guam for the last month as the virus spread throughout its crew .
More than 17 % of the ship ’ s approximately 4,845 sailors have tested positive for the coronavirus — 856 sailors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outstanding , the Navy said Friday .
Four sailors are in the hospital at Naval Base Guam .
Another , Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Charles Thacker , 41 , died from the virus last week .
Since Monday , the Navy has been surveying members of the crew as part of its investigation .
The Navy and CDC said previously they hoped to survey 1,000 sailors , obtaining saliva and blood tests .
Cmdr .
Denver Applehans , a spokesman for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery , said in an email Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Navy fell well short of that goal .
“ We are very thankful to the roughly 400 crewmembers of the USS Theodore Roosevelt who provided specimens for this outbreak investigation , ” Applehans wrote in an email .
“ It ’ s worth noting that the USS Theodore Roosevelt ’ s crew has been impacted by this virus harder than any other military unit and there are many competing demands on the crew to get the ship clean and ready to return to sea .
We can ’ t overemphasize our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goal of the investigation , officials say , is to better understand the behavior of the virus and to apply those lessons to other Navy ships and military units .
The outbreak on the Roosevelt presents an opportunity to understand how the disease spreads in a relatively controlled environment , said Shane Crotty , a virologist and professor in the Vaccine Discovery Division at La Jolla Institute for Immunology in San Diego .
“ It ’ s really an outstanding opportunity to learn more , ” Crotty said .
“ That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled environment , far fewer variables — it ’ s the kind of situation epidemiologists love because of the minimization of variables .
For my side , we ’ re very interested in understanding viral immunology — the response [ to the virus ] .
In particular , how that would help vaccine development.
” The development of an effective vaccine for the coronavirus is seen by many as key to getting life around the world back to normal .
The La Jolla Institute for Immunology is leading an international effort to collect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine development .
Blood samples from the Roosevelt investigation will be tested at the CDC ’ s laboratory in Atlanta using the agency ’ s new serology test , which can identify antibodies and tell researchers whether a person has been exposed to the virus even if they are showing no symptoms .
On the Roosevelt , Applehans said , the rate of asymptomatic sailors testing positive for the virus is on the high end of what the CDC says can be expected in the general population .
“ Approximately 50 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the [ Theodore Roosevelt ] have not shown symptoms of COVID-19 , ” Applehans said .
“ The CDC has said that roughly 25 % of COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic across all age groups .
Given that the Sailors are generally younger and healthier than the general population across all age groups , 50 % or even slightly above may be appropriate or expected.
” Applehans said the Navy expects to gain more clarity on asymptomatic carriers and virus transmission through its ongoing outbreak investigations .
Among the questions Crotty has is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus develop an immune response — something the CDC ’ s antibody test might reveal .
“ From my area in expertise , for us thinking about vaccine development and immunity , one missing piece is : Do asymptomatic cases develop immune responses or not ?
” Crotty said .
“ The blood tests on the sailors should reveal that pretty quickly.
” That immune response — one that effectively fights off the virus — would tell researchers what an effective response looks like .
“ Right now there are over 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Once you have information in hand on what a good immune response looks like , it can help point out what vaccine strategy works .
That ’ s really valuable information — they ’ re going to have very high quality data about true asymptomatic cases.
” On the Roosevelt , and unlike anywhere else with an outbreak , 100 % of those potentially exposed to the virus have been tested .
Although not all of the crew participated in the Navy and CDC ’ s investigation , and the goal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Navy is hopeful its results are useful .
“ What this outbreak investigation will provide is some basic information about exposure to the virus aboard the ship and the development of antibodies from that exposure , ” Applehans said .
“ We hope it is useful in providing some additional information on how this virus is transmitted.
” In addition to the blood and saliva samples taken from sailors , officials also had volunteers fill out surveys , to track their locations on board the ship .
The Navy ’ s surgeon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said recently one of the goals of the investigation is to determine how much the virus spread without sailors showing symptoms .
“ Because of the pre-symptomatic transmission , we believe that it probably passed through the ship quite freely and was initially unrecognized , ” Gillingham said .
The Roosevelt pulled into Guam on March 28 as the virus spread out of control among its crew .
It is the largest outbreak of the virus in the U.S. military .
The first two cases of the virus were found among two members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Navy official told the Union-Tribune .
However , because the two cases came to light 15 days after a port visit to Vietnam , Gillingham could not say how the virus got on board .
He said that is not the intent of the investigation .
“ The intent of investigation is not to get to the source ; it ’ s to better understand the behavior of the virus going forward , ” he said .
Other factors the Navy is learning about the virus came to light recently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the virus more than 14 days after testing negative .
Experts point to the virus ’ long incubation period as being one of the key factors making its spread difficult to slow .
While the Navy ’ s interests in the investigation lean more toward getting back to sea and conducting operations , Applehans said the CDC will share its data with researchers on the civilian side as well .
“ Our partners at CDC will share that information with the broader scientific community as is useful , ” Applehans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know for sure until the specimens are processed and the data analyzed , but everything we can learn about this new virus is useful and contributes to the larger body of scientific knowledge that will increase our understanding of how we can prevent , treat , and mitigate COVID-19.
” The Navy expected its survey of the crew to finish Friday .
Results from the CDC are not due for at least one month .

An investigation by the Navy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention into the outbreak of the novel coronavirus on board the San Diego-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt could yield data valuable not just to the military but also to the greater scientific community in the race to better understand the virus, the Navy said.
The Roosevelt has been tied up in Guam for the last month as the virus spread throughout its crew.
More than 17% of the ship’s approximately 4,845 sailors have tested positive for the coronavirus — 856 sailors. A handful of results are still outstanding, the Navy said Friday.
Four sailors are in the hospital at Naval Base Guam. Another, Chief Petty Officer Charles Thacker, 41, died of COVID-19 on April 13.
Since Monday, the Navy has been surveying members of the crew as part of its investigation. The Navy and CDC said previously that they hoped to survey 1,000 sailors, obtaining saliva and blood tests.
Cmdr. Denver Applehans, a spokesman for the Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, said in an email Friday that the service had asked 1,400 sailors to participate. The Navy fell well short of that goal.
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“We are very thankful to the roughly 400 crewmembers of the USS Theodore Roosevelt who provided specimens for this outbreak investigation,” Applehans wrote. “It’s worth noting that the USS Theodore Roosevelt’s crew has been impacted by this virus harder than any other military unit and there are many competing demands on the crew to get the ship clean and ready to return to sea. We can’t overemphasize our appreciation for those who did volunteer.”
The goal of the investigation, officials say, is to better understand the behavior of the virus and to apply those lessons to other Navy ships and military units.
The outbreak on the Roosevelt presents an opportunity to understand how the disease spreads in a relatively controlled environment, said Shane Crotty, a virologist and professor in the Division of Vaccine Discovery at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in San Diego.
“It’s really an outstanding opportunity to learn more,” Crotty said. “That’s the type of scenario — a controlled environment, far fewer variables — it’s the kind of situation epidemiologists love because of the minimization of variables. For my side, we’re very interested in understanding viral immunology — the response [to the virus]. In particular, how that would help vaccine development.”
Navy Lt. j.g. Caroline Kivisto, a nurse, conducts a 48-hour observation on a sailor assigned to the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. (Staff Sgt. Jordan Gilbert / U.S. Marine Corps)
The development of an effective vaccine for the coronavirus is seen by many as key to getting life around the world back to normal. The La Jolla Institute for Immunology is leading an international effort to collect antibody samples, which are key in vaccine development.
Blood samples from the Roosevelt investigation will be tested at the CDC’s laboratory in Atlanta using the agency’s new serology test, which can identify antibodies and tell researchers whether a person has been exposed to the virus even if they are showing no symptoms.
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On the Roosevelt, Applehans said, the rate of asymptomatic sailors testing positive for the virus is on the high end of what the CDC says can be expected in the general population.
“Approximately 50% of the sailors who tested positive so far on the [Theodore Roosevelt] have not shown symptoms of COVID-19,” Applehans said. “The CDC has said that roughly 25% of COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic across all age groups. Given that the sailors are generally younger and healthier than the general population across all age groups, 50% or even slightly above may be appropriate or expected.”
Applehans said the Navy expects to gain more clarity on asymptomatic carriers and virus transmission through its ongoing outbreak investigations.
U.S. Navy sailors perform daily medical checks for Theodore Roosevelt crew members who are in isolation at Naval Base Guam. (Staff Sgt. Jordan E. Gilbert / U.S. Marine Corps)
Among the questions Crotty has is whether asymptomatic people who test positive for the virus develop an immune response — something the CDC’s antibody test might reveal.
“From my area in expertise, for us thinking about vaccine development and immunity, one missing piece is: Do asymptomatic cases develop immune responses or not?” Crotty said. “The blood tests on the sailors should reveal that pretty quickly.”
That immune response — one that effectively fights off the virus — would tell researchers what an effective response looks like.
“Right now there are over 80 different vaccine candidates,” Crotty said. “Once you have information in hand on what a good immune response looks like, it can help point out what vaccine strategy works. That’s really valuable information — they’re going to have very high quality data about true asymptomatic cases.”
On the Roosevelt, and unlike anywhere else with an outbreak, 100% of those potentially exposed to the virus have been tested. Although not all of the crew participated in the Navy and CDC’s investigation, and the goal is not specifically for vaccine development, the Navy is hopeful its results are useful.
“What this outbreak investigation will provide is some basic information about exposure to the virus aboard the ship and the development of antibodies from that exposure,” Applehans said. “We hope it is useful in providing some additional information on how this virus is transmitted.”
In addition to the blood and saliva samples taken from sailors, officials also had volunteers fill out surveys to track their locations on board the ship.
The Navy’s surgeon general, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, said recently that one of the goals of the investigation is to determine how much the virus spread without sailors showing symptoms.
“Because of the pre-symptomatic transmission, we believe that it probably passed through the ship quite freely and was initially unrecognized,” Gillingham said.
The Roosevelt pulled into Guam on March 28 as the virus spread out of control among its crew. It is the largest outbreak of the virus in the U.S. military.
The first two cases were found among two members of the ship’s air wing, a Navy official told the San Diego Union-Tribune. However, because the two cases came to light 15 days after a port visit to Vietnam, Gillingham could not say how the virus got on board.
“The intent of investigation is not to get to the source; it’s to better understand the behavior of the virus going forward,” he said.
Other factors the Navy is learning about the virus came to light recently, as the service reported that some quarantined sailors tested positive for the virus more than 14 days after testing negative.
Experts point to the virus’ long incubation period as one of the key factors making its spread difficult to slow.
Though the Navy’s interests in the investigation lean more toward getting back to sea and conducting operations, Applehans said the CDC will share its data with researchers on the civilian side as well.
“Our partners at CDC will share that information with the broader scientific community as is useful,” Applehans said. “We won’t know for sure until the specimens are processed and the data analyzed, but everything we can learn about this new virus is useful and contributes to the larger body of scientific knowledge that will increase our understanding of how we can prevent, treat and mitigate COVID-19.”
The Navy expected its survey of the crew to finish Friday. Results from the CDC are not due for at least one month.
Dyer writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.


latimes--2020-04-26--Amid coronavirus outbreak, healthcare workers take extra safety steps at work and home

Critical care nurse Erin Jenkins starts her COVID-19 catharsis in the locker room at UC San Diego Medical Center .
It is not enough to simply head home after 12-hour shifts working in the presence of the virus responsible for the global pandemic .
Hard work is necessary to gain the kind of physical and emotional space needed for front-line workers to feel safe walking through their own front doors .
Changing into a fresh set of scrubs starts the ritual .
Then it ’ s time for the scrub down .
Everything — ID badge , shoes , smartphone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alcohol wipe as does every door handle on her path to the outside world .
Already sanitized , her work shoes nonetheless get special covers before they enter her vehicle , and they stay outside once Jenkins makes it home .
Everything that was cleaned at the hospital gets cleaned again at the back door .
Only then does it feel safe to move quickly through the house , touching nothing , and slip her clothes into the washing machine .
A shower marks the end of her personal process .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s really hot where it feels like it ’ s going to burn your skin off , ” she said .
It ’ s a similar routine for Dr. Juan Tovar , an emergency medicine specialist and operations executive at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista , which has seen a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases as the disease continues to put pressure on medical resources .
Down south , the going-home ritual is much the same , Tovar said , but includes a prayer huddle .
He has his own gray zone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one more time after initially cleaning everything at work .
But lately he ’ s noticing that physical rituals and repetitive sanitation does not shed everything .
“ Once we really got into it , my dreams started changing , ” he said .
“ Now , sometimes I ’ m seeing little COVID scenes in my sleep.
” While no cleansing routine can fully relieve the emotional weight of caring for very sick patients day in and day out , local hospitals do seem to be doing well at preventing the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers that the entire community relies on to treat the sickest cases .
Public health officials say they have not yet detected a single outbreak — defined as three or more cases not connected by cohabitation — within the walls of a local hospital .
The vast majority of the 425 healthcare workers infected so far , said Dr. Eric McDonald , the county ’ s epidemiology director , have worked in skilled nursing facilities .
Two healthcare workers have died so far , he added , but neither worked in a San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the threat , staying safe is down to endless “ donning and doffing ” the extremely specific process of safely putting on and taking off layers of protective equipment without becoming contaminated .
Hand washing is always the first step , followed by pulling on a protective gown , then an N95 respirator or powered positive-pressure hood and finally a face shield or goggles .
Another round of hand washing comes next , followed by a pair of disposable gloves , pulled up to cover the cuffs of the gown .
After performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it all comes carefully off , reversing the order — always , always , always folding items inward to avoid touching contaminated surfaces .
Colleagues watch each other religiously , making sure gowns are closed all the way in the back , there are no gaps at the wrists , and air hoses for hooded respirators are well connected to their filters .
It ’ s a tedious dance , performed so often it generates mounds of trash and makes every medical procedure take longer than it used to .
Additional staffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it ’ s also a luxury .
Everyone has seen the news , how doctors in China and Italy and New York often end up going without everything they need to stay safe .
Having patients arrive at a pace that ’ s slow enough that workers still have time to spot each other and follow safety protocols is a luxury in many places where the pandemic ’ s punch is landing hardest .
Jenkins takes a moment in between patients on a recent morning to make it clear that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the community and its social-distancing efforts .
Slowing down the pace of new patient arrivals is the bedrock that provides enough time to work safely .
“ Those are the real heroes , the people who are staying at home , because they ’ re the ones who are saving thousands and thousands of lives , ” Jenkins said .
“ If you need proof , look at what has happened in New York.
” So far , no one on the unit has gotten sick despite working daily with the sickest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become so damaged that their blood supply now must exit their bodies for oxygenation by a special ECMO machine .
Getting used to daily COVID-19 visits , and all that comes with them , is a gradual process , said Dr. Jess Mandel , director of pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine at UC San Diego Health .
“ The first few times you go into the room of a patient with COVID , you ’ re very aware of putting everything on but , eventually , you know , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Adjustments have not just been about getting used to trusting that the personal protective equipment will work .
The medicine is also different from the normal standards-driven routine that is the bread and butter of intensive care units the world over .
No one yet knows exactly how this virus is transmitted or what steps will work best to give patients suffocating due to viral inflammation in their lungs enough time for their immune systems to win the fight .
“ Humility is a very important trait in a physician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has never been more important than when you ’ re dealing with a disease that ’ s 4 months old , ” Mandel said .
Best practices , Tovar adds , are evolving daily .
Mechanical ventilation , the process of using a special machine to help a patient breathe , has been a good example .
A month ago , there was a feeling that ventilation after intubation , the process of inserting a breathing tube in a patient ’ s airway , should be undertaken relatively quickly after severe respiratory distress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding , as we go along , that , with some of these patients , quickly intubating for the ventilator is not necessarily the best answer , ” Tovar said .
“ We ’ re learning as we ’ re doing.
” Everyone is feeling in the dark for those subtle nuances of treatment that can make the difference between a patient going home or to a funeral home .
Many are using modern social media networks to share tips and observations in real time , debating the pros and cons of different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a clear set of guidelines has been one of the most unsettling parts of the COVID experience , Jenkins said .
“ I ’ ve been a nurse for eight years now , and , for the most part , I feel like I ’ m generally in my groove ; I know what to do , ” Jenkins said .
“ But with COVID , it ’ s just too new , no one really knows for sure , and that ’ s a very scary component.
” Sometimes , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing the teaching .
Even the sickest among them can deliver positive surprises .
“ In the beginning , I was like , that person ’ s definitely going to die , ” Jenkins said .
“ Over the weeks , I see , oh , my gosh , this person turned a corner , and this person turned a corner , and this person turned a corner and oh , my God , that person ’ s talking now .
“ They get sick really fast , but then , at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to figure it out and they turn a corner and they ’ re OK. ” Families , though , are not sitting around waiting for that corner to be turned .
Many , Mandel said , spend their days furiously Googling for answers , coming forward by phone or video chat with demands for unproven drugs such as hydroxychloroquine or high-dose vitamins after reading one theory or another online .
Despite the fact that he teaches medical students the latest in pulmonary care , Mandel has found himself defending the specific pressure settings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I can ’ t ever remember a patient ’ s family talking to me about ventilator settings , but , in this case , they read something about pressure online , ” Mandel said .
A big part of the adjustment has been regarding visitors , who have been banned from hospitals worldwide to reduce the risk of infection and also the use of personal-protective equipment .
This reality puts healthcare workers in the position of serving as conduits between patients and their families .
Generally , Jenkins said , healthcare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But just how alone the visitor ban leaves her patients has been personal .
It has forced her to imagine herself in the same situation .
“ You ’ ll see someone who ’ s , like , your age , and you think , ‘ Wow , my husband or my family can ’ t even be here with me if I do get sick ?
’ That ’ s horrifying , ” she said .
The lack of access , Mandel added , demands a deeper commitment to communication from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many questions that consultations can take much , much longer .
It ’ s not , he said , just about conveying information on a person ’ s health condition .
“ We ’ ve had to really make sure they know what ’ s going on to make sure they know that we are both competent and that we actually give a damn about their relatives , ” Mandel said .

Critical care nurse Erin Jenkins starts her COVID-19 catharsis in the locker room at UC San Diego Medical Center.
It is not enough to simply head home after 12-hour shifts working in the presence of the virus responsible for the global pandemic. Hard work is necessary to gain the kind of physical and emotional space needed for front-line workers to feel safe walking through their own front doors.
Changing into a fresh set of scrubs starts the ritual. Then it’s time for the scrub down. Everything — ID badge, shoes, smartphone screen — gets a swipe with an alcohol wipe as does every door handle on her path to the outside world.
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Already sanitized, her work shoes nonetheless get special covers before they enter her vehicle, and they stay outside once Jenkins makes it home. Everything that was cleaned at the hospital gets cleaned again at the back door. Only then does it feel safe to move quickly through the house, touching nothing, and slip her clothes into the washing machine.
A shower marks the end of her personal process.
“I turn the water up until it’s really hot where it feels like it’s going to burn your skin off,” she said.
It’s a similar routine for Dr. Juan Tovar, an emergency medicine specialist and operations executive at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista, which has seen a significant uptick in COVID-19 cases as the disease continues to put pressure on medical resources.
Down south, the going-home ritual is much the same, Tovar said, but includes a prayer huddle.
He has his own gray zone in his garage for wiping everything down one more time after initially cleaning everything at work. But lately he’s noticing that physical rituals and repetitive sanitation does not shed everything. “Once we really got into it, my dreams started changing,” he said. “Now, sometimes I’m seeing little COVID scenes in my sleep.”
While no cleansing routine can fully relieve the emotional weight of caring for very sick patients day in and day out, local hospitals do seem to be doing well at preventing the coronavirus from setting up shop in the medical centers that the entire community relies on to treat the sickest cases.
Public health officials say they have not yet detected a single outbreak — defined as three or more cases not connected by cohabitation — within the walls of a local hospital.
The vast majority of the 425 healthcare workers infected so far, said Dr. Eric McDonald, the county’s epidemiology director, have worked in skilled nursing facilities. Two healthcare workers have died so far, he added, but neither worked in a San Diego area hospital.
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Working closest to the threat, staying safe is down to endless “donning and doffing” the extremely specific process of safely putting on and taking off layers of protective equipment without becoming contaminated. Hand washing is always the first step, followed by pulling on a protective gown, then an N95 respirator or powered positive-pressure hood and finally a face shield or goggles. Another round of hand washing comes next, followed by a pair of disposable gloves, pulled up to cover the cuffs of the gown.
After her work shift is over, registered nurse Erin Jenkins packs up and disinfect her shoes, belongings and other areas that might come in contact with any surfaces at the locker room at a San Diego hospital on April 18. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
After performing the necessary tasks, often beside teammates, it all comes carefully off, reversing the order — always, always, always folding items inward to avoid touching contaminated surfaces.
Colleagues watch each other religiously, making sure gowns are closed all the way in the back, there are no gaps at the wrists, and air hoses for hooded respirators are well connected to their filters.
It’s a tedious dance, performed so often it generates mounds of trash and makes every medical procedure take longer than it used to. Additional staffing is necessary just to keep everybody safe. But it’s also a luxury. Everyone has seen the news, how doctors in China and Italy and New York often end up going without everything they need to stay safe. Having patients arrive at a pace that’s slow enough that workers still have time to spot each other and follow safety protocols is a luxury in many places where the pandemic’s punch is landing hardest.
Jenkins takes a moment in between patients on a recent morning to make it clear that she and her fellow workers appreciate the assist from the community and its social-distancing efforts. Slowing down the pace of new patient arrivals is the bedrock that provides enough time to work safely.
“Those are the real heroes, the people who are staying at home, because they’re the ones who are saving thousands and thousands of lives,” Jenkins said. “If you need proof, look at what has happened in New York.”
So far, no one on the unit has gotten sick despite working daily with the sickest COVID-19 patients, including some whose lungs have become so damaged that their blood supply now must exit their bodies for oxygenation by a special ECMO machine.
Getting used to daily COVID-19 visits, and all that comes with them, is a gradual process, said Dr. Jess Mandel, director of pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine at UC San Diego Health.
“The first few times you go into the room of a patient with COVID, you’re very aware of putting everything on but, eventually, you know, it’s just what you do,” he said.
Registered nurse Erin Jenkins talks to a colleague during her work shift at a San Diego hospital April 18. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
Adjustments have not just been about getting used to trusting that the personal protective equipment will work. The medicine is also different from the normal standards-driven routine that is the bread and butter of intensive care units the world over.
No one yet knows exactly how this virus is transmitted or what steps will work best to give patients suffocating due to viral inflammation in their lungs enough time for their immune systems to win the fight.
“Humility is a very important trait in a physician any time, and I think it has never been more important than when you’re dealing with a disease that’s 4 months old,” Mandel said.
Best practices, Tovar adds, are evolving daily. Mechanical ventilation, the process of using a special machine to help a patient breathe, has been a good example. A month ago, there was a feeling that ventilation after intubation, the process of inserting a breathing tube in a patient’s airway, should be undertaken relatively quickly after severe respiratory distress appeared.
“Now we’re finding, as we go along, that, with some of these patients, quickly intubating for the ventilator is not necessarily the best answer,” Tovar said. “We’re learning as we’re doing.”
Everyone is feeling in the dark for those subtle nuances of treatment that can make the difference between a patient going home or to a funeral home. Many are using modern social media networks to share tips and observations in real time, debating the pros and cons of different approaches in near real time.
Registered nurse Erin Jenkins provides care for a patient at a San Diego hospital April 18. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
Not having a clear set of guidelines has been one of the most unsettling parts of the COVID experience, Jenkins said.
“I’ve been a nurse for eight years now, and, for the most part, I feel like I’m generally in my groove; I know what to do,” Jenkins said. “But with COVID, it’s just too new, no one really knows for sure, and that’s a very scary component.”
Sometimes, it’s the sickest patients who are doing the teaching. Even the sickest among them can deliver positive surprises.
“In the beginning, I was like, that person’s definitely going to die,” Jenkins said. “Over the weeks, I see, oh, my gosh, this person turned a corner, and this person turned a corner, and this person turned a corner and oh, my God, that person’s talking now.
“They get sick really fast, but then, at some point, their immune system just seems to figure it out and they turn a corner and they’re OK.”
Families, though, are not sitting around waiting for that corner to be turned.
Many, Mandel said, spend their days furiously Googling for answers, coming forward by phone or video chat with demands for unproven drugs such as hydroxychloroquine or high-dose vitamins after reading one theory or another online. Despite the fact that he teaches medical students the latest in pulmonary care, Mandel has found himself defending the specific pressure settings used with a patient’s ventilator.
“I can’t ever remember a patient’s family talking to me about ventilator settings, but, in this case, they read something about pressure online,” Mandel said.
A big part of the adjustment has been regarding visitors, who have been banned from hospitals worldwide to reduce the risk of infection and also the use of personal-protective equipment.
Registered nurse Erin Jenkins dines with her husband, Craig Jenkins, after her work shift at a San Diego hospital April 18. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
This reality puts healthcare workers in the position of serving as conduits between patients and their families. Generally, Jenkins said, healthcare workers are happy to serve this function. But just how alone the visitor ban leaves her patients has been personal. It has forced her to imagine herself in the same situation.
“You’ll see someone who’s, like, your age, and you think, ‘Wow, my husband or my family can’t even be here with me if I do get sick?’ That’s horrifying,” she said.
The lack of access, Mandel added, demands a deeper commitment to communication from doctors. Family members often have so many questions that consultations can take much, much longer. It’s not, he said, just about conveying information on a person’s health condition.
“We’ve had to really make sure they know what’s going on to make sure they know that we are both competent and that we actually give a damn about their relatives,” Mandel said.
Sisson writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.