latimes--2020-05-07--Four shootings, two homicides in South Los Angeles

In a single afternoon Wednesday , four shootings in South Los Angeles left two people dead and two more wounded , law enforcement authorities said .
About 12:40 p.m. , two men fired multiple rounds into a car near South Hoover and West 58th streets and sped off , LAPD Officer Mike Lopez said .
The victim , who wasn ’ t identified , died at a hospital .
The killing is believed to be gang-related , Lopez said .
No suspects are in custody .
Two hours later and five miles to the south , a man was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 111th Street , the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department said in a news release .
The victim wasn ’ t identified and no suspects are in custody .
About 3:45 p.m. , deputies were called to help a gunshot victim near South Vermont Avenue and West 109th Street , Deputy Marvin Crowder Jr. said .
Crowder had no information on the victim ’ s condition .
Forty-five minutes later and seven miles to the north , a woman was shot in the 4300 block of La Salle Avenue , Lopez said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman , fired several rounds and fled in a car , he said .
She was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition .
That attack is not believed to be gang-related , Lopez said .
No suspects are in custody .

In a single afternoon Wednesday, four shootings in South Los Angeles left two people dead and two more wounded, law enforcement authorities said.
About 12:40 p.m., two men fired multiple rounds into a car near South Hoover and West 58th streets and sped off, LAPD Officer Mike Lopez said.
The victim, who wasn’t identified, died at a hospital. The killing is believed to be gang-related, Lopez said. No suspects are in custody.
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Two hours later and five miles to the south, a man was shot to death in the 1700 block of 111th Street, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release. The victim wasn’t identified and no suspects are in custody.
About 3:45 p.m., deputies were called to help a gunshot victim near South Vermont Avenue and West 109th Street, Deputy Marvin Crowder Jr. said. Crowder had no information on the victim’s condition.
Forty-five minutes later and seven miles to the north, a woman was shot in the 4300 block of La Salle Avenue, Lopez said. Three suspects walked up to the woman, fired several rounds and fled in a car, he said. She was taken to a hospital and is in stable condition.
That attack is not believed to be gang-related, Lopez said. No suspects are in custody.


latimes--2020-05-06--LAPD officer in violent beating video has been involved in three prior shootings

The Los Angeles police officer caught on video repeatedly punching a man during an arrest last week has been involved in three on-duty shootings during his career , including one that sparked violent protests in Westlake 10 years ago , two law enforcement sources have told The Times .
Frank Hernandez , who has been with the LAPD for more than 20 years , was identified as the man under investigation for his actions during an April 27 arrest of a homeless man in Boyle Heights , according to the sources , who spoke on the condition of anonymity because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case with the media .
The person who filmed the violent clash , who also requested anonymity for fear of retribution , told The Times that investigators at the scene that day told him the officer ’ s last name was “ Hernandez.
” An LAPD spokesman said the department was barred from identifying the officer by state law .
The department normally identifies officers involved in deadly force incidents , but the videotaped clash did not meet that standard .
In footage that was widely viewed online this week , the officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the head and body in the 2400 block of Houston Street .
The officer and his partner had been responding to a trespassing call , authorities have said .
In the video , the man does not appear to be armed and is standing with his hands behind his back when the officer strikes him in the head and proceeds to continue punching him , even as the man stumbles away and attempts to shield himself .
Police are still trying to determine whether the man had a weapon , a department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries and refused medical attention .
He was released and not booked on suspicion of any crime , the LAPD said .
The person who shot the video said the man was homeless , known around the neighborhood and had not caused trouble in the past .
The officer has been assigned to home pending investigations by the Internal Affairs and Force Investigation divisions , according to a department spokesman .
David Winslow , who has confirmed he is representing the officer seen in the video but would not confirm or deny his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of the suspect sleeping in a tent on private property .
Body-worn camera footage shows that the suspect struck the officer in the chest prior to the altercation seen in the video that surfaced online , Winslow said .
He also disputed the idea that the suspect was surrendering , and said the man threatened the officer and struggled with him just before the first punch was thrown .
“ The use of force is justified because the officer believed he was under attack from the suspect … even though you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back at that time , he wasn ’ t complying either , ” Winslow said Monday .
Hernandez has been involved in at least three on-duty shootings during his career , including one where the city ’ s civilian Police Commission found fault with his actions .
In September 2010 , Hernandez shot and killed Manuel Jaminez , a Guatemalan day laborer who was allegedly drunkenly wielding a knife and threatening two women in Westlake .
Hernandez and other officers ordered Jaminez to drop the weapon in English and Spanish , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died after he was shot twice .
Activists and relatives later argued the shooting was unjustified and claimed Jaminez , who spoke the indigenous Guatemalan language K ’ iche ’ , could not understand the officers ’ commands .
The shooting sparked several days of protest in the Westlake neighborhood , and a number of Guatemalan politicians came to Jaminez ’ s defense .
Former Police Chief Charlie Beck and the Police Commission unanimously found the shooting to be within policy , however .
Two years earlier , Hernandez was involved in another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect but ultimately ended up shooting an 18-year-old who was not involved in the initial incident .
Authorities said Hernandez and a partner were pursuing someone who threatened police with a firearm when they encountered Joseph Wolf on a street corner .
Wolf , who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt , had walked out of his home because a police helicopter had appeared over the neighborhood , according to news releases and Police Commission reports documenting the shooting investigation .
Hernandez yelled at the men to stop .
Wolf ignored him and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the leg , those records show .
An LAPD account released at the time alleged Wolf pointed a gun at the officers .
The teenager was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon .
Two plastic toy pistols were found in a dresser in Wolf ’ s bedroom , but neither tested positive for his DNA .
The charges against Wolf were dropped in July 2009 .
A prosecutor in the case told a judge that witness statements and scientific evidence led to the charges being dismissed , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Wolf later alleged that the LAPD fabricated the charges to cover up Hernandez ’ s use of force .
The Police Commission found the shooting to be “ in policy , ” but said Hernandez ’ s tactics warranted “ administrative disapproval.
” A finding of administrative disapproval “ reflects that the tactics used by the involved officer substantially and unjustifiably deviated from department training.
” In 1999 , Hernandez also shot a robbery suspect who pointed a gun at him in South L.A .
The woman survived , and a loaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said .
When asked about the prior shootings , Winslow said he wouldn ’ t comment on his client ’ s identity but noted “ anything that happened prior to this has nothing to do with the facts that were before [ the officer ] on that day.
” Carlos Montes , a member and organizer with Centro CSO : Community Service Organization in Boyle Heights who was involved in protests of Jaminez ’ s death years ago , said news that the officer involved in the videotaped beating was Hernandez only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re always frustrated that whenever there is a problem officer , all they do is they transfer them , ” Montes said .
“ And now they transferred him to Boyle Heights .
”

The Los Angeles police officer caught on video repeatedly punching a man during an arrest last week has been involved in three on-duty shootings during his career, including one that sparked violent protests in Westlake 10 years ago, two law enforcement sources have told The Times.
Frank Hernandez, who has been with the LAPD for more than 20 years, was identified as the man under investigation for his actions during an April 27 arrest of a homeless man in Boyle Heights, according to the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case with the media.
The person who filmed the violent clash, who also requested anonymity for fear of retribution, told The Times that investigators at the scene that day told him the officer’s last name was “Hernandez.”
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An LAPD spokesman said the department was barred from identifying the officer by state law. The department normally identifies officers involved in deadly force incidents, but the videotaped clash did not meet that standard.
In footage that was widely viewed online this week, the officer can be seen repeatedly punching a man in the head and body in the 2400 block of Houston Street. The officer and his partner had been responding to a trespassing call, authorities have said.
Warning: Video contains profanity and violence.
AGRO COP ASSAULTS NON VIOLENT FOO IN BOYLE HEIGHTS pic.twitter.com/VPeIpVG4YG — FOOS GONE WILD (@foosgonewild) May 5, 2020
In the video, the man does not appear to be armed and is standing with his hands behind his back when the officer strikes him in the head and proceeds to continue punching him, even as the man stumbles away and attempts to shield himself. Police are still trying to determine whether the man had a weapon, a department spokesman said.
The man sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention. He was released and not booked on suspicion of any crime, the LAPD said. The person who shot the video said the man was homeless, known around the neighborhood and had not caused trouble in the past.
The officer has been assigned to home pending investigations by the Internal Affairs and Force Investigation divisions, according to a department spokesman.
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David Winslow, who has confirmed he is representing the officer seen in the video but would not confirm or deny his identity, said police were responding to reports of the suspect sleeping in a tent on private property. Body-worn camera footage shows that the suspect struck the officer in the chest prior to the altercation seen in the video that surfaced online, Winslow said.
He also disputed the idea that the suspect was surrendering, and said the man threatened the officer and struggled with him just before the first punch was thrown.
“The use of force is justified because the officer believed he was under attack from the suspect … even though you might think the suspect wasn’t fighting back at that time, he wasn’t complying either,” Winslow said Monday.
Hernandez has been involved in at least three on-duty shootings during his career, including one where the city’s civilian Police Commission found fault with his actions.
In September 2010, Hernandez shot and killed Manuel Jaminez, a Guatemalan day laborer who was allegedly drunkenly wielding a knife and threatening two women in Westlake. Hernandez and other officers ordered Jaminez to drop the weapon in English and Spanish, but he allegedly lunged in their direction.
Jaminez died after he was shot twice. Activists and relatives later argued the shooting was unjustified and claimed Jaminez, who spoke the indigenous Guatemalan language K’iche’, could not understand the officers’ commands.
The shooting sparked several days of protest in the Westlake neighborhood, and a number of Guatemalan politicians came to Jaminez’s defense. Former Police Chief Charlie Beck and the Police Commission unanimously found the shooting to be within policy, however.
Two years earlier, Hernandez was involved in another controversial incident where he was chasing one suspect but ultimately ended up shooting an 18-year-old who was not involved in the initial incident.
Authorities said Hernandez and a partner were pursuing someone who threatened police with a firearm when they encountered Joseph Wolf on a street corner. Wolf, who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, had walked out of his home because a police helicopter had appeared over the neighborhood, according to news releases and Police Commission reports documenting the shooting investigation.
Hernandez yelled at the men to stop. Wolf ignored him and went inside, where Hernandez shot him in the leg, those records show. An LAPD account released at the time alleged Wolf pointed a gun at the officers. The teenager was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon.
Two plastic toy pistols were found in a dresser in Wolf’s bedroom, but neither tested positive for his DNA. The charges against Wolf were dropped in July 2009. A prosecutor in the case told a judge that witness statements and scientific evidence led to the charges being dismissed, according to court transcripts.
In a civil lawsuit, Wolf later alleged that the LAPD fabricated the charges to cover up Hernandez’s use of force. The Police Commission found the shooting to be “in policy,” but said Hernandez’s tactics warranted “administrative disapproval.”
A finding of administrative disapproval “reflects that the tactics used by the involved officer substantially and unjustifiably deviated from department training.”
In 1999, Hernandez also shot a robbery suspect who pointed a gun at him in South L.A. The woman survived, and a loaded firearm was recovered at the scene, police said.
When asked about the prior shootings, Winslow said he wouldn’t comment on his client’s identity but noted “anything that happened prior to this has nothing to do with the facts that were before [the officer] on that day.”
Carlos Montes, a member and organizer with Centro CSO: Community Service Organization in Boyle Heights who was involved in protests of Jaminez’s death years ago, said news that the officer involved in last week’s beating was Hernandez only intensified his feelings about the video.
“We’re always frustrated that whenever there is a problem officer, all they do is they transfer them,” Montes said. “And now they transferred him to Boyle Heights.”


latimes--2020-05-06--Chinese firm will reimburse $247.5 million in controversial mask deal, contract shows

Gov .
Gavin Newsom released details on Wednesday of a secretive $ 1-billion deal to purchase protective masks from a Chinese electric-car maker that revealed the company must reimburse the state $ 247.5 million by the end of the week .
The release of the contract came amid growing questions over the administration ’ s refusal to provide details about the deal .
Just two days earlier , officials had refused to divulge more information after The Times filed a Public Records Act request .
The repayment by BYD , through its U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Los Angeles , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the company ’ s N95 masks .
Those masks may not be approved for effectiveness by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health until the end of May .
Newsom downplayed the setback during a coronavirus briefing earlier Wednesday , calling it a “ little bit ” of a delay and suggesting it was because the masks were a new product for the company to manufacture .
“ All these things work out themselves , ” he said .
The last-minute reimbursement , according to a new amendment to the contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 495-million deposit by the state was contingent in part on some of the N95 masks being delivered in May .
On Monday , the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services rejected a request by The Times to disclose the contract , an agreement made between the state and BYD on April 7 and sought the next day under provisions of the California Public Records Act .
“ Publishing the agreement now — before performance under the contract is complete — would introduce substantial and unnecessary risk to the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan Gronsky , an attorney with the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , wrote in a letter to The Times .
It was unclear why the administration changed its decision .
The price tag of the contract is larger than previously stated .
In all , the state agreed to pay BYD more than $ 1 billion for the masks .
Most of the money , $ 990 million , was to purchase 300 million N95 protective masks over a two-month period at a cost of $ 3.30 apiece .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to purchase an additional 100 million surgical masks .
The agreement gives the state the option of extending it beyond June 30 , at the same price point .
“ We negotiated a pretty good price in the middle of all this , ” Newsom said Wednesday , noting inflated prices being paid by others in the early weeks of the crisis .
“ I hope you ’ ll consider those price points that we were able to negotiate , up against where the market was.
” Frank Girardot , a spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes all taxes and duty fees plus the freight costs for air delivery .
He said once those costs are factored in , the pre-shipping cost per mask to the state was $ 2.88 .
“ Our cost is fair , ” Girardot said Wednesday .
“ There is nobody that can make this quantity , this fast.
” Sergio Fernandez de Cordova , the chairman of a New York media nonprofit group that is working with the government consulting firm Raymond Associates to secure better mask deals for government agencies , estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 cents per mask higher than it ’ s costing the company to manufacture and ship the masks overseas .
He said that with the amount of money California can muster , the state could have propped up its own factories in the state , employed Californians out of work and made large quantities of similar masks for “ easily under a dollar.
” “ The state could have launched 190 new companies around this , ” Fernandez de Cordova said .
“ Pandemic times lead to pandemic decisions , which are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a retired Army colonel and president of Raymond Associates , questioned why the state didn ’ t go to a manufacturer such as 3M , which already makes N95 masks , to broker a better deal .
“ The state has a lot of leadership , juice , money , ” Curley said .
U.S. company 3M has said the list price for its most common N95 respirators ranges from 63 cents to $ 3.40 , depending on the model .
Last week , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city 79 cents apiece — though most of the masks in that agreement won ’ t arrive until the summer and fall ; the ones purchased from BYD were expected to arrive this month .
The Times first learned of the cost for each N95 mask through records obtained from the state treasurer ’ s office .
But emails and other documents in that disclosure suggest the BYD deal was still in the process of being vetted by state officials when Newsom boasted about it during a national TV broadcast last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around any longer .
And we ’ re no longer interested in the progress that we were seeing in the past , ” the governor told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on April 7 .
The next day , Newsom ’ s budget office told the staff of state Treasurer Fiona Ma that the deal was all set .
“ Per the governor ’ s announcement last night , this payment has become certain ( pending 72-hour notification to the Legislature ) , ” California Department of Finance analyst Thomas Todd wrote in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 495 million , and we will want to make the payment on Friday ( the first day we can do so after the 72-hour notification ) .
” Following that email , officials at the treasurer ’ s office asked if the vendor had been vetted .
Thomas replied that “ they ’ re vetting the vendor as we speak.
” Nor was the deal finalized .
On April 15 , the contract between the state and BYD was modified .
The documents provided by the Newsom administration late Wednesday show a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N95 masks being provided but no other information .
BYD ’ s Girardot referred all questions to the governor ’ s administration , which could not immediately provide an answer .
BYD announced in March that it had shifted its manufacturing from vehicles to protective gear .
Its U.S. subsidiary , headquartered in Los Angeles and long promoted by the state for its electric bus production , helped arrange the deal .
Global Healthcare Product Solutions , the limited liability company set up by the company in March , shares the same address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In describing the vetting process , Tabitha Stout of the Governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services told the treasurer ’ s office the state agency followed standard practices for contracting in an emergency and included Federal Emergency Management Agency contracting terms in the deal .
“ During the initial engagement with the vendor , Cal OES confirmed that FEMA along with large medical supply companies vetted this manufacturer as well , ” Stout wrote in an email April 9 .
The refusal to release the contract was met with sharp criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature , who were informed of its existence just before Newsom mentioned the deal on MSNBC .
.
“ Many of us are going to be very insistent at seeing the terms of that contract , ” state Sen. Jim Nielsen ( R-Gerber ) , said during an April 16 hearing at which legislators voiced concerns with the administration ’ s secrecy over the deal .
“ And what is in the contract that ensures the deliverability , timely , is going to be really , really important.
” The governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would somehow be diverted from California if they revealed too much .
And Newsom insisted Wednesday that it was his administration ’ s attorneys , not him , who delayed the disclosure of the BYD agreement .
“ I mean that I ’ m guilty of wanting to deliver and get this done , and to save lives , ” he said .
“ At the same time , damn it , to be as transparent as I humanly can be to you , because you deserve it .
”

John Myers, Melody Gutierrez, Adam Elmahrek

California Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses an outline for what it will take to lift coronavirus restrictions during a news conference at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in Rancho Cordova.
Gov. Gavin Newsom released details on Wednesday of a secretive $1-billion deal to purchase protective masks from a Chinese electric-car maker that revealed the company must reimburse the state $247.5 million by the end of the week.
The release of the contract came amid growing questions over the administration’s refusal to provide details about the deal. Just two days earlier, officials had refused to divulge more information after The Times filed a Public Records Act request.
The repayment by BYD, through its U.S. subsidiary headquartered in Los Angeles, was attributed to a one-month delay in certification of the company’s N95 masks. Those masks may not be approved for effectiveness by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health until the end of May.
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Newsom downplayed the setback during a coronavirus briefing earlier Wednesday, calling it a “little bit” of a delay and suggesting it was because the masks were a new product for the company to manufacture.
“All these things work out themselves,” he said.
The last-minute reimbursement, according to a new amendment to the contract, was agreed to because the original $495-million deposit by the state was contingent in part on some of the N95 masks being delivered in May.
On Monday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services rejected a request by The Times to disclose the contract, an agreement made between the state and BYD on April 7 and sought the next day under provisions of the California Public Records Act.
“Publishing the agreement now — before performance under the contract is complete — would introduce substantial and unnecessary risk to the state’s ability to secure necessary supplies,” Ryan Gronsky, an attorney with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, wrote in a letter to The Times.
It was unclear why the administration changed its decision.
The price tag of the contract is larger than previously stated. In all, the state agreed to pay BYD more than $1 billion for the masks. Most of the money, $990 million, was to purchase 300 million N95 protective masks over a two-month period at a cost of $3.30 apiece. The contract calls for an additional $54.9 million to purchase an additional 100 million surgical masks. The agreement gives the state the option of extending it beyond June 30, at the same price point.
“We negotiated a pretty good price in the middle of all this,” Newsom said Wednesday, noting inflated prices being paid by others in the early weeks of the crisis. “I hope you’ll consider those price points that we were able to negotiate, up against where the market was.”
Frank Girardot, a spokesman for BYD, said the per-mask price includes all taxes and duty fees plus the freight costs for air delivery. He said once those costs are factored in, the pre-shipping cost per mask to the state was $2.88.
“Our cost is fair,” Girardot said Wednesday. “There is nobody that can make this quantity, this fast.”
Advertisement
Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, the chairman of a New York media nonprofit group that is working with the government consulting firm Raymond Associates to secure better mask deals for government agencies, estimated the $3.30-per-mask price could be some 30 cents per mask higher than it’s costing the company to manufacture and ship the masks overseas.
He said that with the amount of money California can muster, the state could have propped up its own factories in the state, employed Californians out of work and made large quantities of similar masks for “easily under a dollar.”
“The state could have launched 190 new companies around this,” Fernandez de Cordova said. “Pandemic times lead to pandemic decisions, which are not usually well thought-out.”
Ken Curley, a retired Army colonel and president of Raymond Associates, questioned why the state didn’t go to a manufacturer such as 3M, which already makes N95 masks, to broker a better deal.
“The state has a lot of leadership, juice, money,” Curley said.
U.S. company 3M has said the list price for its most common N95 respirators ranges from 63 cents to $3.40, depending on the model. Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a deal with Honeywell for N95 masks that will cost the city 79 cents apiece — though most of the masks in that agreement won’t arrive until the summer and fall; the ones purchased from BYD were expected to arrive this month.
The Times first learned of the cost for each N95 mask through records obtained from the state treasurer’s office. But emails and other documents in that disclosure suggest the BYD deal was still in the process of being vetted by state officials when Newsom boasted about it during a national TV broadcast last month.
“We’re not waiting around any longer. And we’re no longer interested in the progress that we were seeing in the past,” the governor told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on April 7.
The next day, Newsom’s budget office told the staff of state Treasurer Fiona Ma that the deal was all set.
“Per the governor’s announcement last night, this payment has become certain (pending 72-hour notification to the Legislature),” California Department of Finance analyst Thomas Todd wrote in an email. “The amount is now $495 million, and we will want to make the payment on Friday (the first day we can do so after the 72-hour notification).”
Following that email, officials at the treasurer’s office asked if the vendor had been vetted. Thomas replied that “they’re vetting the vendor as we speak.”
Nor was the deal finalized. On April 15, the contract between the state and BYD was modified. The documents provided by the Newsom administration late Wednesday show a change in the model number of the N95 masks being provided but no other information. BYD’s Girardot referred all questions to the governor’s administration, which could not immediately provide an answer.
BYD announced in March that it had shifted its manufacturing from vehicles to protective gear. Its U.S. subsidiary, headquartered in Los Angeles and long promoted by the state for its electric bus production, helped arrange the deal. Global Healthcare Product Solutions, the limited liability company set up by the company in March, shares the same address as BYD’s headquarters in L.A.
In describing the vetting process, Tabitha Stout of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services told the treasurer’s office the state agency followed standard practices for contracting in an emergency and included Federal Emergency Management Agency contracting terms in the deal.
“During the initial engagement with the vendor, Cal OES confirmed that FEMA along with large medical supply companies vetted this manufacturer as well,” Stout wrote in an email April 9.
The refusal to release the contract was met with sharp criticism in recent weeks by members of the Legislature, who were informed of its existence just before Newsom mentioned the deal on MSNBC. .
“Many of us are going to be very insistent at seeing the terms of that contract,” state Sen. Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), said during an April 16 hearing at which legislators voiced concerns with the administration’s secrecy over the deal. “And what is in the contract that ensures the deliverability, timely, is going to be really, really important.”
The governor’s advisors told lawmakers they feared the masks would somehow be diverted from California if they revealed too much. And Newsom insisted Wednesday that it was his administration’s attorneys, not him, who delayed the disclosure of the BYD agreement.
“I mean that I’m guilty of wanting to deliver and get this done, and to save lives,” he said. “At the same time, damn it, to be as transparent as I humanly can be to you, because you deserve it.”


latimes--2020-05-06--New law allows tenants to sue landlords over violating L.A. restrictions on evictions

Tenants will soon have the right to sue landlords who violate restrictions that Los Angeles has placed on evicting renters during the coronavirus crisis , under a law passed Wednesday by the City Council .
Renters could potentially win penalties of up to $ 10,000 per violation — or $ 15,000 per violation if the tenant is disabled or a senior .
The effort was about “ giving the tenants a big stick , ” Councilman Bob Blumenfield said .
After the vote , Council President Nury Martinez said in a statement that while good landlords are working to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want the bad operators to know , today , the city of Los Angeles is putting you on notice.
” Landlords are currently barred from evicting tenants who have been affected by the coronavirus , although the council has held off on imposing a blanket ban on evictions sought by tenant activists .
The City Attorney ’ s Office said in a report that the new measure would help deter “ bad conduct ” by landlords such as posting eviction notices that can not be legally enforced during the pandemic , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave if they don ’ t understand their rights .
A recent UCLA analysis found that many economically vulnerable households also face barriers to learning about those rights , including lack of broadband internet and limited English proficiency .
The law also prohibits landlords from pressuring tenants to hand over money from the federal stimulus or other government relief programs .
Tenant advocates have complained about landlords pushing those who can ’ t cover their rents during the COVID-19 pandemic to agree to unusual terms for repayment plans , including handing over money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13-0 to approve the new law , after accepting an amendment from Councilman John Lee to give landlords 15 days to fix any violations before tenants can exercise their right to go to court .
Tenant advocates celebrated the move , saying it would give renters a needed tool to fend off harassment during the pandemic .
Landlords are “ notching up the pressure on these tenants who are extremely vulnerable in this time of crisis , ” said Larry Gross , executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival , who said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demand stimulus money from their tenants .
“ It ’ s an extremely needed ordinance to protect tenants.
” Several landlords phoned in to the meeting ahead of the vote , arguing that the measure would lead to costly and frivolous litigation .
One complained she was losing money on a tenant who stopped paying rent long before the crisis .
“ I feel our plight has been largely overlooked by this council , ” the woman said .
“ We are not faceless corporations .
We are individuals and small businesses.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles argued that the measure would impose excessive penalties and exacerbate financial hardships for building owners , even if violations were minor or unwitting .
“ All these overreaching regulations do is punish small owners for issues that do not exist ” and add “ unnecessary costs at a time when owners are not collecting rent and dealing with COVID-19 themselves , ” executive director Daniel Yukelson said .
Council members also voted to prevent any rent increases in units covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance , which limits annual hikes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the emergency period .
Mayor Eric Garcetti had already ordered a freeze on rent hikes in such units , but that measure only lasted 60 days after the end of the emergency .
Some council members had also pushed unsuccessfully for the city to order a halt to rent increases in other apartments that are not covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance .
City attorneys had warned that unless a California law known as Costa-Hawkins was suspended , the city would probably be blocked from doing that in court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support any state efforts to suspend or lift Costa-Hawkins , with Lee casting the sole vote against the move .
Business and landlord groups argued against the effort , pointing out that California voters turned down an earlier push to repeal the law at the ballot box .

L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez has warned landlords who are “bad operators” that the city is “putting you on notice.”
Tenants will soon have the right to sue landlords who violate restrictions that Los Angeles has placed on evicting renters during the coronavirus crisis, under a law passed Wednesday by the City Council.
Renters could potentially win penalties of up to $10,000 per violation — or $15,000 per violation if the tenant is disabled or a senior. The effort was about “giving the tenants a big stick,” Councilman Bob Blumenfield said.
After the vote, Council President Nury Martinez said in a statement that although good landlords were working to help tenants stay in their units, “I want the bad operators to know, today, the city of Los Angeles is putting you on notice.”
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Landlords are currently barred from evicting tenants who have been affected by the coronavirus, although the council has held off on imposing a blanket ban on evictions sought by tenant activists.
The City Attorney’s Office said in a report that the new measure would help deter “bad conduct” by landlords such as posting eviction notices that cannot be legally enforced during the pandemic, a tactic that might nonetheless spur tenants to leave if they don’t understand their rights.
A recent UCLA analysis found that many economically vulnerable households also face barriers to learning about those rights, including lack of broadband internet and limited English proficiency.
The law also prohibits landlords from pressuring tenants to hand over money from the federal stimulus or other government relief programs. Tenant advocates have complained about landlords pushing those who can’t cover their rents during the COVID-19 pandemic to agree to unusual terms for repayment plans, including handing over money from stimulus checks.
The council voted 13-0 to approve the new law, after accepting an amendment from Councilman John Lee to give landlords 15 days to fix any violations before tenants can exercise their right to go to court. Tenant advocates celebrated the move, saying it would give renters a needed tool to fend off harassment during the pandemic.
Landlords are “notching up the pressure on these tenants who are extremely vulnerable in this time of crisis,” said Larry Gross, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival, who said he had seen cases of landlords trying to demand stimulus money from their tenants. “It’s an extremely needed ordinance to protect tenants.”
Several landlords phoned in to the meeting ahead of the vote, arguing that the measure would lead to costly and frivolous litigation. One complained she was losing money on a tenant who stopped paying rent long before the crisis.
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“I feel our plight has been largely overlooked by this council,” the woman said. “We are not faceless corporations. We are individuals and small businesses.”
The Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles argued that the measure would impose excessive penalties and exacerbate financial hardships for building owners, even if violations were minor or unwitting.
“All these overreaching regulations do is punish small owners for issues that do not exist” and add “unnecessary costs at a time when owners are not collecting rent and dealing with COVID-19 themselves,” executive director Daniel Yukelson said.
Council members also voted to prevent any rent increases in units covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which limits annual hikes in older apartments, for a year after the end of the emergency period. Mayor Eric Garcetti had already ordered a freeze on rent hikes in such units, but that measure only lasted 60 days after the end of the emergency.
Some council members had also pushed unsuccessfully for the city to order a halt to rent increases in other apartments that are not covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. City attorneys had warned that unless a California law known as Costa-Hawkins was suspended, the city would probably be blocked from doing that in court.
The council voted 14 to 1 Wednesday to support any state efforts to suspend or lift Costa-Hawkins, with Lee casting the sole vote against the move. Business and landlord groups argued against the effort, pointing out that California voters turned down an earlier push to repeal the law at the ballot box.


latimes--2020-05-06--Masks will be mandatory at LAX and on city buses beginning Monday

Beginning Monday , anyone traveling through Los Angeles International Airport must wear a mask or face covering .
The new requirement announced Wednesday evening by Mayor Eric Garcetti came hours after L.A. County officials laid out the first steps toward easing stay-at-home orders imposed almost two months ago .
Those restrictions have been credited with slowing the spread of the coronavirus throughout Los Angeles and the region .
Florists , car dealers and various types of bricks-and-mortar stores — including those that sell toys , music , books , clothing and sporting goods — will be allowed to open for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping will not be permitted .
“ This list is less about what products are sold and more about the ability to maintain social distancing , ” county Supervisor Kathryn Barger said .
Recreational amenities including golf courses and trails under county jurisdiction will also reopen Friday .
People still must adhere to physical distancing requirements and wear face coverings when they ’ re in proximity to others .
Health officials on Wednesday outlined for the first time a five-stage plan for reopening L.A. County .
Though the first retailers will be permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stage 2 , the county hopes to soon allow other low-risk business — including manufacturers , offices and larger retail — to also open their doors .
Stage 2 also allows for the reopening of libraries , museums , cultural centers and galleries .
The county has not provided a proposed date when those spaces could again be accessible .
Los Angeles County beaches will remain closed for the time being , despite other coastal stretches reopening — with limitations — this week in nearby Orange County with the state ’ s blessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will allow for the “ slow reopening ” of L.A. ’ s coastal stretches , said Barbara Ferrer , director of the county ’ s Department of Public Health .
“ I know we can all look forward to that happening pretty soon , ” she said .
Stage 3 of the county ’ s plan includes businesses deemed to be at higher risk , including tattoo shops , massage parlors , bars , movie theaters , bowling alleys and schools .
Stage 4 includes the highest-risk businesses , such as entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conventions and sporting events .
At Stage 5 , all businesses will be considered to be operating as normal .
County officials did not provide a timeline for each individual stage of the plan .
During a news conference Wednesday , Garcetti said that starting Saturday , people wearing face coverings can return to city golf courses and trails , excluding Runyon Canyon , which will remain closed .
The eased restrictions , he stressed , don ’ t change other established rules , including asking those with underlying conditions and people 65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still prohibited , Garcetti said , and only people who live in the same household should hit the trails in a group .
“ This is not some sort of green light to slack off , ” he said .
On top of the LAX mask rule — a move that Garcetti said aligns with similar requirements by many major airlines — the mayor announced that , starting Monday , anyone riding a city bus will be required to wear a face covering .
News of the limited reopening comes as Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus-related fatalities Wednesday , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 1,368 .
The county also reported 851 new cases of the virus , bringing the total number of infections to 28,644 .
Ferrer said Wednesday that people living in institutional settings , namely those in skilled nursing facilities , continue to account for a disproportionate percentage of COVID-19 fatalities in L.A. County — now at 50 % , she said .
“ This is an alarming rate , ” Ferrer said Tuesday .
“ We all need to work hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything possible so that our most vulnerable residents are as safe.
” The loosened restrictions come a day after more than 2,500 new coronavirus cases were reported in California on Tuesday — the highest single-day total statewide since the pandemic began .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced this week that some lower-risk retailers would be allowed to reopen with modifications by Friday , marking the state ’ s first major easing of the social distancing rules that have been credited with leaving California with far fewer fatalities than hot spots such as New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular challenge because some parts of the state have been hit much harder than others .
Nineteen rural counties have no confirmed deaths , and in some suburban regions , the number of deaths has been limited .
But many health officials are urging caution , saying reopening the economy rapidly would cause cases and deaths to increase again .
“ We do know as we reopen , more people will be out and about , and we ’ ll see more cases , ” Ferrer said this week .
“ Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
The virus didn ’ t get less deadly .
The virus didn ’ t get less infectious .
The virus is still out there.
” Newsom has tried to set expectations , stressing that social distancing practices will remain in place as more people would be put at risk when restrictions are lifted .
The economy will start to reopen , but that doesn ’ t mean people can “ go back to normal , ” Newsom said .
Because COVID-19 is still present , the reopening relies on Californians remaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line with this effort , the governor announced Wednesday an expansion of state workers ’ compensation benefits that will make it easier for essential workers who contract COVID-19 to obtain benefits under the state program .
Under the governor ’ s executive order , if a worker tests positive for COVID-19 , it will be presumed that the illness was contracted during the course of employment .
Employers can appeal by providing evidence that the worker did not contract the virus on the job or that the person doesn ’ t have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all claims filed for the next 60 days and is retroactive to March 19 .
“ This workers ’ comp presumption is so important , because we want people to feel confident , comfortable they ’ ll have their benefits , ” Newsom said .
“ The whole idea is , as we move into this second phase , we want to keep workers healthy and keep them safe.
” The tension over when and how to reopen businesses and resume normal activities has begun heightening frustrations across the state .
Some businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order .
In Victorville , the Gym , a 24-hour fitness studio , reopened last week with an 8-by-10-foot printout of the Constitution posted by the front door .
Employees changed the colors of the studio ’ s sign to red , white and blue and hung banners that read # GymsAreEssential and # ReopenAmerica , according to owner Jacob D. Lewis .
Sutter and Yuba counties , with a combined population of 171,000 people north of Sacramento , allowed many businesses to reopen Monday after a similar decision was made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 9,000 residents in California ’ s northeastern corner .
Officials in the three counties argued that they were less affected by the pandemic than spots such as Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area , and they said the shutdown was hurting their local economies .
“ They ’ re making a big mistake .
They ’ re putting their public at risk .
They ’ re putting our progress at risk , ” Newsom said Tuesday .
Tensions mounted in Orange County after Newsom ordered all beaches in the county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests against the governor and the stay-at-home order were held over the weekend amid rising discontent .
The state relented this week and allowed all beach cities to reopen their coastlines with certain limitations .
Several Orange County business owners told the Board of Supervisors during a public meeting Tuesday that they plan to reopen for business next week regardless of the state ’ s order .
In San Clemente , restaurant Nomads Canteen reopened for dine-in service at noon Friday .
Orange County sheriff ’ s deputies , along with officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , visited the restaurant over the weekend and said that a written warning would be issued , which could lead to permit suspension .
However , the county ’ s enforcement action earned a swift rebuke from Orange County Supervisors Michelle Steel and Don Wagner , who have made it clear that it will be up to local cities and the state to enforce regulations .
“ We have worked with the Health Care Agency leadership about this unfortunate unilateral department action .
We understand that [ the agency ] will take no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it continues to comply with Orange County ’ s guidelines .
Further enforcement action pursuant to state or local orders will be up to the appropriate state or local law enforcement officials , ” the supervisors wrote in a joint statement .
Times staff writers Phil Willon and Dakota Smith contributed to this report .

Hannah Fry, Taryn Luna, Rong-Gong Lin II, Marisa Gerber

The requirement announced by L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti came hours after county officials laid out the first steps to easing stay-at-home orders.
Beginning Monday, anyone traveling through Los Angeles International Airport must wear a mask or face covering.
The new requirement announced Wednesday evening by Mayor Eric Garcetti came hours after L.A. County officials laid out the first steps toward easing stay-at-home orders imposed almost two months ago. Those restrictions have been credited with slowing the spread of the coronavirus throughout Los Angeles and the region.
Florists, car dealers and various types of bricks-and-mortar stores — including those that sell toys, music, books, clothing and sporting goods — will be allowed to open for curbside pickup only starting Friday. In-store shopping will not be permitted.
“This list is less about what products are sold and more about the ability to maintain social distancing,” county Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.
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Recreational amenities including golf courses and trails under county jurisdiction will also reopen Friday. People still must adhere to physical distancing requirements and wear face coverings when they’re in proximity to others.
California These businesses can open in L.A. County beginning Friday It’s not much, but Los Angeles County has announced the first steps in easing stay-at-home rules that have slowed the spread of the coronavirus.
Health officials on Wednesday outlined for the first time a five-stage plan for reopening L.A. County. Though the first retailers will be permitted to reopen with conditions this week under Stage 2, the county hopes to soon allow other low-risk business — including manufacturers, offices and larger retail — to also open their doors.
Stage 2 also allows for the reopening of libraries, museums, cultural centers and galleries. The county has not provided a proposed date when those spaces could again be accessible.
Los Angeles County beaches will remain closed for the time being, despite other coastal stretches reopening — with limitations — this week in nearby Orange County with the state’s blessing.
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Officials are working on a plan that will allow for the “slow reopening” of L.A.’s coastal stretches, said Barbara Ferrer, director of the county’s Department of Public Health.
“I know we can all look forward to that happening pretty soon,” she said.
Stage 3 of the county’s plan includes businesses deemed to be at higher risk, including tattoo shops, massage parlors, bars, movie theaters, bowling alleys and schools. Stage 4 includes the highest-risk businesses, such as entertainment venues hosting concerts as well as large conventions and sporting events.
At Stage 5, all businesses will be considered to be operating as normal. County officials did not provide a timeline for each individual stage of the plan.
During a news conference Wednesday, Garcetti said that starting Saturday, people wearing face coverings can return to city golf courses and trails, excluding Runyon Canyon, which will remain closed. The eased restrictions, he stressed, don’t change other established rules, including asking those with underlying conditions and people 65 or older to remain indoors. Gatherings are still prohibited, Garcetti said, and only people who live in the same household should hit the trails in a group.
“This is not some sort of green light to slack off,” he said.
On top of the LAX mask rule — a move that Garcetti said aligns with similar requirements by many major airlines — the mayor announced that, starting Monday, anyone riding a city bus will be required to wear a face covering.
News of the limited reopening comes as Los Angeles County health officials announced 55 new coronavirus-related fatalities Wednesday, bringing the county’s death toll to 1,368. The county also reported 851 new cases of the virus, bringing the total number of infections to 28,644.
Ferrer said Wednesday that people living in institutional settings, namely those in skilled nursing facilities, continue to account for a disproportionate percentage of COVID-19 fatalities in L.A. County — now at 50%, she said.
“This is an alarming rate,” Ferrer said Tuesday. “We all need to work hard to make sure that we’re doing everything possible so that our most vulnerable residents are as safe.”
California surpassed 2,400 COVID-19 fatalities Wednesday and inched closer to 60,000 confirmed cases statewide.
The loosened restrictions come a day after more than 2,500 new coronavirus cases were reported in California on Tuesday — the highest single-day total statewide since the pandemic began.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that some lower-risk retailers would be allowed to reopen with modifications by Friday, marking the state’s first major easing of the social distancing rules that have been credited with leaving California with far fewer fatalities than hot spots such as New York and New Jersey.
California faces a particular challenge because some parts of the state have been hit much harder than others. Nineteen rural counties have no confirmed deaths, and in some suburban regions, the number of deaths has been limited.
But many health officials are urging caution, saying reopening the economy rapidly would cause cases and deaths to increase again.
“We do know as we reopen, more people will be out and about, and we’ll see more cases,” Ferrer said this week. “Nothing has really changed about the virus since March. The virus didn’t get less deadly. The virus didn’t get less infectious. The virus is still out there.”
California Will reopening California bring more coronavirus cases, deaths? Two weeks ago, California reported its highest one-week toll — 542 fatalities among people infected with the coronavirus. Last week, the weekly death toll dropped 9% to 495.
Newsom has tried to set expectations, stressing that social distancing practices will remain in place as more people would be put at risk when restrictions are lifted.
The economy will start to reopen, but that doesn’t mean people can “go back to normal,” Newsom said. Because COVID-19 is still present, the reopening relies on Californians remaining cautious and following safety protocols.
In line with this effort, the governor announced Wednesday an expansion of state workers’ compensation benefits that will make it easier for essential workers who contract COVID-19 to obtain benefits under the state program.
Under the governor’s executive order, if a worker tests positive for COVID-19, it will be presumed that the illness was contracted during the course of employment. Employers can appeal by providing evidence that the worker did not contract the virus on the job or that the person doesn’t have the illness. Newsom’s change covers all claims filed for the next 60 days and is retroactive to March 19.
“This workers’ comp presumption is so important, because we want people to feel confident, comfortable they’ll have their benefits,” Newsom said. “The whole idea is, as we move into this second phase, we want to keep workers healthy and keep them safe.”
The tension over when and how to reopen businesses and resume normal activities has begun heightening frustrations across the state. Some businesses have reopened in violation of the state’s order.
In Victorville, the Gym, a 24-hour fitness studio, reopened last week with an 8-by-10-foot printout of the Constitution posted by the front door. Employees changed the colors of the studio’s sign to red, white and blue and hung banners that read #GymsAreEssential and #ReopenAmerica, according to owner Jacob D. Lewis.
Sutter and Yuba counties, with a combined population of 171,000 people north of Sacramento, allowed many businesses to reopen Monday after a similar decision was made in Modoc County, which has fewer than 9,000 residents in California’s northeastern corner.
Officials in the three counties argued that they were less affected by the pandemic than spots such as Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, and they said the shutdown was hurting their local economies.
“They’re making a big mistake. They’re putting their public at risk. They’re putting our progress at risk,” Newsom said Tuesday.
Tensions mounted in Orange County after Newsom ordered all beaches in the county to close last week. A string of protests against the governor and the stay-at-home order were held over the weekend amid rising discontent. The state relented this week and allowed all beach cities to reopen their coastlines with certain limitations.
Several Orange County business owners told the Board of Supervisors during a public meeting Tuesday that they plan to reopen for business next week regardless of the state’s order.
In San Clemente, restaurant Nomads Canteen reopened for dine-in service at noon Friday. Orange County sheriff’s deputies, along with officials from the Orange County Health Care Agency, visited the restaurant over the weekend and said that a written warning would be issued, which could lead to permit suspension.
However, the county’s enforcement action earned a swift rebuke from Orange County Supervisors Michelle Steel and Don Wagner, who have made it clear that it will be up to local cities and the state to enforce regulations.
“We have worked with the Health Care Agency leadership about this unfortunate unilateral department action. We understand that [the agency] will take no enforcement action against Nomads as long as it continues to comply with Orange County’s guidelines. Further enforcement action pursuant to state or local orders will be up to the appropriate state or local law enforcement officials,” the supervisors wrote in a joint statement.
Times staff writers Phil Willon and Dakota Smith contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-07--First Californian to get coronavirus in community spread was infected at a nail salon, Newsom says

The first person in California to contract the coronavirus through community spread caught the virus in a nail salon , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Thursday .
Newsom cited the case when asked why personal services , such as nail salons , must remain closed even as the state starts to slowly open businesses .
“ This whole thing started in the state of California , the first community spread , in a nail salon .
I just want to remind everybody of that and that I ’ m very worried about that , ” Newsom said during his daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the transmission of the virus occurred despite the fact that most nail salons already had safeguards in place before the coronavirus hit , including the used of face masks and gloves .
He did not provide further details , including when the exposure occurred and where .
In February , the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the first community spread case of coronavirus occurred in Solano County .
At the time , officials said it was not clear how the person became infected , but public health workers could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveled to China or other areas where the virus is widespread .
More recently , officials have said the first known U.S. death from coronavirus occurred in Santa Clara County in February .
The San Jose woman died Feb. 6 .

The first person in California to contract the coronavirus through community spread caught the virus in a nail salon, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday.
Newsom cited the case when asked why personal services, such as nail salons, must remain closed even as the state starts to slowly open businesses.
“This whole thing started in the state of California, the first community spread, in a nail salon. I just want to remind everybody of that and that I’m very worried about that,” Newsom said during his daily COVID-19 briefing in Sacramento.
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Newsom said the transmission of the virus occurred despite the fact that most nail salons already had safeguards in place before the coronavirus hit, including the used of face masks and gloves.
He did not provide further details, including when the exposure occurred and where.
In February, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the first community spread case of coronavirus occurred in Solano County. At the time, officials said it was not clear how the person became infected, but public health workers could not identify any contacts with people who had traveled to China or other areas where the virus is widespread.
More recently, officials have said the first known U.S. death from coronavirus occurred in Santa Clara County in February. The San Jose woman died Feb. 6.


latimes--2020-05-07--Masks will be required on L.A. Metro buses and trains starting Monday

After pushback from bus drivers and elected officials , Los Angeles County ’ s transit network — the busiest on the West Coast — will require all passengers to wear masks on board starting Monday .
For the first seven weeks of the coronavirus crisis , the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had balked at requiring masks , saying enforcing the rule on the vast system would not be practical .
The policy change follows criticism from Metro bus drivers , who said the lack of masks on board made them scared for their health and for the well-being of essential workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus operators to know that we are listening to them , ” Metro said in a statement on its website .
Officials said they are “ acutely aware that some employees have been on social media and telling the news media that this is a change they want.
” In a Monday letter urging Metro to adopt the mask policy , Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said that allowing passengers without face coverings to ride “ threatens to compound the spread ” of the coronavirus because workers at grocery stores , restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportation .
L.A. County has required masks inside essential businesses since April 16 .
Masks or cloth face coverings , such as a bandanna or a neck gaiter , can help prevent the transmission of the coronavirus , health officials say .
Metro officials said they had not made masks mandatory because people with disabilities and with some health conditions , including difficulty breathing , have been advised not to wear masks .
The agency , officials said , “ seeks to protect the civil liberties of all riders to the greatest extent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that enforcement will be a “ work in progress , ” adding that they don ’ t want to put bus drivers or police officers in “ an untenable position where confrontations with riders escalate — as we ’ ve seen happen in other cities.
” Hahn had pushed Metro to provide masks to any rider who did not have one .
Metro said officials “ will be looking at ways the agency can help riders obtain face coverings while protecting our own supply of coverings that are needed for our employees.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Amtrak trains , on Los Angeles city buses and at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday .
Major airlines , including Delta , American and United , have said they will require masks starting this month .

After pushback from bus drivers and elected officials, Los Angeles County’s transit network — the busiest on the West Coast — will require all passengers to wear masks on board starting Monday.
For the first seven weeks of the coronavirus crisis, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority had balked at requiring masks, saying enforcing the rule on the vast system would not be practical.
The policy change follows criticism from Metro bus drivers, who said the lack of masks on board made them scared for their health and for the well-being of essential workers on board.
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“We want our bus operators to know that we are listening to them,” Metro said in a statement on its website. Officials said they are “acutely aware that some employees have been on social media and telling the news media that this is a change they want.”
In a Monday letter urging Metro to adopt the mask policy, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said that allowing passengers without face coverings to ride “threatens to compound the spread” of the coronavirus because workers at grocery stores, restaurants and other essential businesses rely on public transportation.
L.A. County has required masks inside essential businesses since April 16. Masks or cloth face coverings, such as a bandanna or a neck gaiter, can help prevent the transmission of the coronavirus, health officials say.
Metro officials said they had not made masks mandatory because people with disabilities and with some health conditions, including difficulty breathing, have been advised not to wear masks. The agency, officials said, “seeks to protect the civil liberties of all riders to the greatest extent possible.”
Metro said on its website that enforcement will be a “work in progress,” adding that they don’t want to put bus drivers or police officers in “an untenable position where confrontations with riders escalate — as we’ve seen happen in other cities.”
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Hahn had pushed Metro to provide masks to any rider who did not have one. Metro said officials “will be looking at ways the agency can help riders obtain face coverings while protecting our own supply of coverings that are needed for our employees.”
Similar face covering requirements go into effect on Amtrak trains, on Los Angeles city buses and at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday.
Major airlines, including Delta, American and United, have said they will require masks starting this month.


latimes--2020-05-07--Protesters stage illegal rally at California Capitol to support law enforcement

Protesters of California ’ s stay-at-home orders returned for another unsanctioned rally at the Capitol on Thursday , this time with a different message : They forgive law enforcement for arresting them last week .
Led by Murrieta preacher Tim Thompson , who was among 32 people detained and ticketed by the California Highway Patrol during an unpermitted gathering Friday , about 200 protesters crammed onto the sidewalk and presented a small olive tree they described as a peace offering to hundreds of officers assembled in riot gear .
In an earlier interview , Thompson said that many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they consider themselves strong supporters of law enforcement .
Thompson said he is a chaplain for the Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department .
“ At the end of the day , we are all on the same side , ” he said .
“ It ’ s unfair of Gavin Newsom to ... pin us against the CHP.
” The officers surrounded the building , blocking access for the protesters but allowing others with business in the building to enter .
While officers wore masks and had face shields at the ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and did not observe social distancing .
Many said they believed fears of the coronavirus were overblown .
Saying they understood that the officers were “ not the enemy , ” demonstrators on Thursday directed their anger at what they called overreach by Newsom — including a belief that the governor was personally directing the CHP .
Some carried signs aimed at officers that read , ” God forgives you .
Join we the people , ” while others in the crowd yelled at officers to disobey their orders .
While many in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thompson and his church , a contingent of Proud Boys , a far-right group , was also present .
“ I want everyone here to know that our fight is not with the California Highway Patrol , ” said Thompson as he stood at the barricade , imploring one of the officers to break ranks and come forward to accept the tree .
“ It ’ s pretty disappointing that they wouldn ’ t accept , ” said Stefanie Fetzer , a protester from Orange County and an organizer of the event .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom has met some new milestones with overreach and tyranny.
” The CHP , which grants permits for gatherings at the Capitol , has stopped doing so after earlier rallies failed to adhere to social-distancing guidelines .
On Friday , more than 1,000 people gathered to protest orders by Gov .
Gavin Newsom to close beaches , churches , schools and other sites .
When the crowd failed to obey orders to disperse , some were taken into custody , in part because they were not social distancing and at one point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t have “ any intentions of confrontations ” before his arrest .
“ As a person who loves law enforcement , it was kind of embarrassing to be hooked up and taken ” into custody , he said .
“ This has really been hard on my reputation as a law-abiding pastor .
That part of it was kind of frustrating.
” Thompson said that the issue for him is the separation of church and state .
He said his church resumed in-person services Sunday , ensuring that families are separated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ As a church leader , I don ’ t need to listen to what Gavin Newsom said , ” Thompson said .
“ He has no authority over the church .
”

Pastor Tim Thompson of Riverside leads a protest at the state Capitol in Sacramento on May 7, 2020, against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Protesters of California’s stay-at-home orders returned for another unsanctioned rally at the Capitol on Thursday, this time with a different message: They forgive law enforcement for arresting them last week.
Led by Murrieta preacher Tim Thompson, who was among 32 people detained and ticketed by the California Highway Patrol during an unpermitted gathering Friday, about 200 protesters crammed onto the sidewalk and presented a small olive tree they described as a peace offering to hundreds of officers assembled in riot gear.
In an earlier interview, Thompson said that many of the supporters were angered by the arrests because they consider themselves strong supporters of law enforcement. Thompson said he is a chaplain for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
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“At the end of the day, we are all on the same side,” he said. “It’s unfair of Gavin Newsom to ... pin us against the CHP.”
The officers surrounded the building, blocking access for the protesters but allowing others with business in the building to enter. While officers wore masks and had face shields at the ready, protesters did not have protective equipment and did not observe social distancing. Many said they believed fears of the coronavirus were overblown.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Saying they understood that the officers were “not the enemy,” demonstrators on Thursday directed their anger at what they called overreach by Newsom — including a belief that the governor was personally directing the CHP.
Some carried signs aimed at officers that read,”God forgives you. Join we the people,” while others in the crowd yelled at officers to disobey their orders.
While many in the crowd appeared to be associated with Thompson and his church, a contingent of Proud Boys, a far-right group, was also present.
“I want everyone here to know that our fight is not with the California Highway Patrol,” said Thompson as he stood at the barricade, imploring one of the officers to break ranks and come forward to accept the tree.
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None did.
“It’s pretty disappointing that they wouldn’t accept,” said Stefanie Fetzer, a protester from Orange County and an organizer of the event. “It’s pretty shocking ... Gavin Newsom has met some new milestones with overreach and tyranny.”
The CHP, which grants permits for gatherings at the Capitol, has stopped doing so after earlier rallies failed to adhere to social-distancing guidelines.
On Friday, more than 1,000 people gathered to protest orders by Gov. Gavin Newsom to close beaches, churches, schools and other sites. When the crowd failed to obey orders to disperse, some were taken into custody, in part because they were not social distancing and at one point locked hands.
Thompson said that he didn’t have “any intentions of confrontations” before his arrest.
“As a person who loves law enforcement, it was kind of embarrassing to be hooked up and taken” into custody, he said. “This has really been hard on my reputation as a law-abiding pastor. That part of it was kind of frustrating.”
Thompson said that the issue for him is the separation of church and state.
He said his church resumed in-person services Sunday, ensuring that families are separated by six feet and wear masks.
“As a church leader, I don’t need to listen to what Gavin Newsom said,” Thompson said. “He has no authority over the church.”


latimes--2020-05-07--It's not too late to mark Teacher Appreciation Week. They could use it now more than ever

They transitioned to “ distance learning ” almost overnight .
They sent dozens of school supply packs to students in the mail .
They fielded hundreds of parent questions .
Teachers could use a thank you .
“ We ’ re exhausted , ” said Marc Perkins , a biology professor at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa .
This Teacher Appreciation Week , there will be no apple on the desk or hugs at the classroom door .
Still , there are plenty of creative ways to honor teachers online or at a social distance .
“ The biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] .
Those things are nice , but it almost feels like a social thing you do , ” said Teresa Kaufman , preschool teacher and owner of Tiny Scholars Daycare , a Chinese immersion school in Redondo Beach .
“ Really , the appreciation comes from when a parent acknowledges the effort the teacher puts in for their kid .
... ‘ Yes , thank you , I know he can be difficult .
Thank you for giving him those extra hugs.
’ ” When the pandemic first stunned schools into shutdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with ideas for how to acknowledge their students from a distance .
Cars carrying teachers paraded through students ’ neighborhoods to .
Schools released videos of teachers saying hello from their homes .
This week in Long Beach , a of families drove by Prisk Elementary School , where a line of teachers standing six feet apart waved homemade signs and cheered .
Now it ’ s up to families to return the favor .
They may take inspiration from teachers by creating video collages or organizing a thank-you parade .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homemade cards , write emails , drop off desserts , decorate their sidewalks with chalk art , put up yard signs or send money online through websites such as AdoptAClassroom.org or DonorsChoose.org .
New teachers may appreciate traditional gifts , like a mug , said Kaufman .
But more senior teachers , who probably already have a large collection of such items , are more likely to appreciate a personalized thank-you .
Some families may find inspiration for an appreciation in a teacher ’ s Zoom classroom .
Deija Johnson , who teaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Killybrooke Elementary School in Costa Mesa , said it was initially strange to invite her students into her home virtually , and to see into theirs .
But now she knows them more intimately than she would in a typical schoolyear .
“ I will never forget these students because we learned so much about them through this process — and their siblings and their dog , ” Johnson said .
“ We almost are in this synergy with each other , and it ’ s bonded us.
” Carmen Ornelas , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whittier , is accustomed to getting small gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week .
This year , her principal is sending out daily thank-you emails with inspirational songs .
She has received a bouquet of virtual flowers and a few messages from parents .
But one of the most memorable messages came at the end of a Zoom class this week , when one third-grader raised his hand .
“ ‘ It ’ s not a question , I just want to tell you thank you , ’ ” she recalled him saying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ words , just the kindness and ‘ I appreciate you.
’ ...
I appreciate them as well.
” The gratitude doesn ’ t have to come from current students , either .
Perkins said he recently received an email from a student he ’ d taught in a biology class nearly a decade ago , who is now graduating from medical school .
The note , which Perkins said still makes him tear up , reminisced on how much the student had loved the course .
“ Those kinds of notes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ somebody ’ s still thinking about my little course that was one of , what , hundreds that he took on his journey , ” Perkins said .

They transitioned to “distance learning” almost overnight. They sent dozens of school supply packs to students in the mail. They fielded hundreds of parent questions.
Teachers could use a thank you.
“We’re exhausted,” said Marc Perkins, a biology professor at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.
This Teacher Appreciation Week, there will be no apple on the desk or hugs at the classroom door. Still, there are plenty of creative ways to honor teachers online or at a social distance.
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“The biggest appreciation isn’t [a gift]. Those things are nice, but it almost feels like a social thing you do,” said Teresa Kaufman, preschool teacher and owner of Tiny Scholars Daycare, a Chinese immersion school in Redondo Beach. “Really, the appreciation comes from when a parent acknowledges the effort the teacher puts in for their kid. ... ‘Yes, thank you, I know he can be difficult. Thank you for giving him those extra hugs.’”
When the pandemic first stunned schools into shutdown mode, teachers were the ones coming up with ideas for how to acknowledge their students from a distance. Cars carrying teachers paraded through students’ neighborhoods to cheer them on . Schools released videos of teachers saying hello from their homes. This week in Long Beach, a “reverse parade” of families drove by Prisk Elementary School, where a line of teachers standing six feet apart waved homemade signs and cheered.
Now it’s up to families to return the favor. They may take inspiration from teachers by creating video collages or organizing a thank-you parade. Or students can send gift cards, draw homemade cards, write emails, drop off desserts, decorate their sidewalks with chalk art, put up yard signs or send money online through websites such as AdoptAClassroom.org or DonorsChoose.org.
New teachers may appreciate traditional gifts, like a mug, said Kaufman. But more senior teachers, who probably already have a large collection of such items, are more likely to appreciate a personalized thank-you.
Some families may find inspiration for an appreciation in a teacher’s Zoom classroom.
Deija Johnson, who teaches first- through sixth-grade students with disabilities at Killybrooke Elementary School in Costa Mesa, said it was initially strange to invite her students into her home virtually, and to see into theirs. But now she knows them more intimately than she would in a typical schoolyear.
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“I will never forget these students because we learned so much about them through this process — and their siblings and their dog,” Johnson said. “We almost are in this synergy with each other, and it’s bonded us.”
Carmen Ornelas, a third-grade teacher at McKibben Elementary School in Whittier, is accustomed to getting small gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, her principal is sending out daily thank-you emails with inspirational songs. She has received a bouquet of virtual flowers and a few messages from parents.
But one of the most memorable messages came at the end of a Zoom class this week, when one third-grader raised his hand.
“‘It’s not a question, I just want to tell you thank you,’” she recalled him saying. “Just the small ‘thinking of you’ words, just the kindness and ‘I appreciate you.’ ... I appreciate them as well.”
The gratitude doesn’t have to come from current students, either. Perkins said he recently received an email from a student he’d taught in a biology class nearly a decade ago, who is now graduating from medical school. The note, which Perkins said still makes him tear up, reminisced on how much the student had loved the course.
“Those kinds of notes can mean so much to know that somebody’s still thinking about my little course that was one of, what, hundreds that he took on his journey,” Perkins said.


latimes--2020-05-07--San Francisco will allow certain businesses to reopen beginning May 18

San Francisco officials announced Thursday that certain retailers such as bookstores , florists and music stores will be the first stores allowed with operate storefront pickup beginning May 18 .
The move marks a moderate step in easing stay-at-home restrictions .
San Francisco has been more conservative than other California counties , which plan to reopen some businesses Friday based on new rules from Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
“ We have been hard at work to find ways to reopen more businesses and activities safely and responsibly , ” said Mayor London Breed in a statement .
“ Giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storefront pickup will provide some relief for everyone in our city — allowing some people to get back to work , while still protecting public health .
The last thing we want is to see a spike in the number of cases or hospitalizations , so we ’ re going to be keeping close track of our key COVID-19 indicators and will be ready to make any adjustment needed to keep our community healthy.
” The following businesses can do pick up service beginning May 18 : Newsom announced new coronavirus safeguards and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reopen Friday and in the weeks ahead , marking the beginning of California ’ s gradual easing of the stay-at-home order and attempt to rekindle a state economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Under the plan , in-restaurant dining , car washes and some office buildings could also be allowed to reopen in the weeks ahead if public health officials in a county are able to demonstrate that the spread of the coronavirus has stabilized there .
County officials must prove to the state that they have adequate testing and hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus , and trace who they have contacted .
Newsom said earlier this week that bookstores , music stores , toy stores , florists , sporting goods retailers , clothing stores and others can reopen for curbside pickup as early as Friday , unless barred by tougher local restrictions .
Manufacturers and suppliers that provide goods for those businesses also will be allowed to resume operating .
The state is recommending that retailers continue to encourage physical distancing and implement “ hands-free ” ways for customers to pay .
Manufacturers should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should carry sanitation materials during deliveries and provide employees with personal protective gear , said Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s secretary of Health and Human Services .
In Los Angeles County , car dealers and other types of brick-and-mortar stores — including florists and those that sell toys , music , books , clothing and sporting goods — will be allowed to open for curbside pickup only starting Friday .
In-store shopping will not be permitted .
“ I ’ m cautiously optimistic , but we can ’ t move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solis said Thursday .
“ Simply put , the virus does not get any less dangerous during this time we ’ re staying at home , so we need to be careful and we need to be deliberate.
” Given L.A. County ’ s size , even relaxing a few provisions of the local health order could significantly increase how many people are coming into contact with one another , public health director Barbara Ferrer said .
That , she added , is why “ we ’ re going to go extraordinarily slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want to be doing this at the expense of people ’ s lives.
” “ We reserve the right to be mindful that , if the data looks like we ’ re moving in the wrong direction , we ’ ll need to take a different set of actions , ” she said .
In Ventura County , curbside pickup will soon also be available at bookstores , clothing stores , florists and sporting goods stores , .

San Francisco officials announced Thursday that certain retailers such as bookstores, florists and music stores will be the first stores allowed with operate storefront pickup beginning May 18.
The move marks a moderate step in easing stay-at-home restrictions. San Francisco has been more conservative than other California counties, which plan to reopen some businesses Friday based on new rules from Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“We have been hard at work to find ways to reopen more businesses and activities safely and responsibly,” said Mayor London Breed in a statement. “Giving businesses the option to reopen and provide storefront pickup will provide some relief for everyone in our city — allowing some people to get back to work, while still protecting public health. The last thing we want is to see a spike in the number of cases or hospitalizations, so we’re going to be keeping close track of our key COVID-19 indicators and will be ready to make any adjustment needed to keep our community healthy.”
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The following businesses can do pick up service beginning May 18:
Bookstores
Florists
Music and record stores
Hobby, toy and game stores
Home furnishings and home goods
Cosmetics and beauty supply
Arts supplies stores
Musical instrument and supplies stores
Sewing, needlework and piece goods stores
Newsom announced new coronavirus safeguards and protocols for retail stores and workplaces eligible to reopen Friday and in the weeks ahead, marking the beginning of California’s gradual easing of the stay-at-home order and attempt to rekindle a state economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the plan, in-restaurant dining, car washes and some office buildings could also be allowed to reopen in the weeks ahead if public health officials in a county are able to demonstrate that the spread of the coronavirus has stabilized there. County officials must prove to the state that they have adequate testing and hospital capacity and the ability to isolate people with the virus, and trace who they have contacted.
Newsom said earlier this week that bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists, sporting goods retailers, clothing stores and others can reopen for curbside pickup as early as Friday, unless barred by tougher local restrictions. Manufacturers and suppliers that provide goods for those businesses also will be allowed to resume operating.
The state is recommending that retailers continue to encourage physical distancing and implement “hands-free” ways for customers to pay. Manufacturers should close indoor break areas, and warehouses should carry sanitation materials during deliveries and provide employees with personal protective gear, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Services.
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In Los Angeles County, car dealers and other types of brick-and-mortar stores — including florists and those that sell toys, music, books, clothing and sporting goods — will be allowed to open for curbside pickup only starting Friday. In-store shopping will not be permitted.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, but we can’t move too quickly,” county Supervisor Hilda Solis said Thursday. “Simply put, the virus does not get any less dangerous during this time we’re staying at home, so we need to be careful and we need to be deliberate.”
Given L.A. County’s size, even relaxing a few provisions of the local health order could significantly increase how many people are coming into contact with one another, public health director Barbara Ferrer said.
That, she added, is why “we’re going to go extraordinarily slow, and the reason why is we don’t want to be doing this at the expense of people’s lives.”
“We reserve the right to be mindful that, if the data looks like we’re moving in the wrong direction, we’ll need to take a different set of actions,” she said.


latimes--2020-05-07--Here are the Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

Orange County reported one additional coronavirus-linked fatality Thursday , bringing the region ’ s total death toll to 66 .
@ @ @ @ @ new coronavirus infections , boosting the county ’ s cumulative total to 3,092 .
Of @ @ @ @ @ for the virus , 271 people were residents in skilled nursing homes and 216 were @ @ @ @ @ s jail system , county data shows .
As of the latest update , 186 @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency , and 69 of them were @ @ @ @ @ date , 43,351 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the county .
Note : The @ @ @ @ @ unincorporated areas , as well as cases in the county ’ s jails .
Daily @ @ @ @ @ to change as the county receives new information .

People walk along the shore in Newport Beach last weekend after Gov. Gavin Newsom closed all of Orange County’s beaches to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Orange County reported one additional coronavirus-linked fatality Thursday, bringing the region’s total death toll to 66.
Health officials also announced 96 new coronavirus infections, boosting the county’s cumulative total to 3,092. Of those who have tested positive for the virus, 271 people were residents in skilled nursing homes and 216 were inmates in the county’s jail system, county data shows.
As of the latest update, 186 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency, and 69 of them were in intensive care.
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To date, 43,351 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the county.
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 63
18-24 — 289
25-34 — 564
35-44 — 463
45-54 — 567
55-64 — 511
65-74 — 308
75-84 — 199
85+ — 125
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 3
45-54 — 5
55-64 — 9
65-74 — 12
75-84 — 19
85+ — 16
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 20
Anaheim — 457
Brea — 22
Buena Park — 101
Costa Mesa — 46
Coto de Caza — 5
Cypress — 46
Dana Point — 22
Fountain Valley — 39
Fullerton — 113
Garden Grove — 161
Huntington Beach — 240
Irvine — 139
La Habra — 59
La Palma — 15
Ladera Ranch — 12
Laguna Beach — 40
Laguna Hills — 24
Laguna Niguel — 33
Laguna Woods — 8
Lake Forest — 33
Los Alamitos — 35
Midway City — 7
Mission Viejo — 51
Newport Beach — 104
Orange — 147
Placentia — 67
Rancho Mission Viejo — 6
Rancho Santa Margarita — 16
San Clemente — 52
San Juan Capistrano — 30
Santa Ana — 429
Seal Beach — 12
Stanton — 31
Trabuco Canyon — 12
Tustin — 50
Villa Park — 5
Westminster — 48
Yorba Linda — 55
Other — 217
Unknown — 82
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas, as well as cases in the county’s jails. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-05-07--138 employees at Central California meat plant test positive for coronavirus

At least 138 employees at a meat packing plant in Central California have tested positive for the coronavirus , officials say .
Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon told the Fresno Bee that the outbreak at Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford accounts for nearly two-thirds of the coronavirus cases in the rural county , which has a total of 211 reported cases .
The company employs about 900 workers at two plants in Hanford and Vernon and continues to operate .
The company first reported several of its employees tested positive for the virus more than a week ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those infected live in Kings County , 30 are Tulare County residents and the remaining 11 live in Fresno County , KFSN-TV reported .
Company officials told the Fresno television station they have been following guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and “ initiated multiple other processes and procedures to provide the greatest safety measures possible for our employees.
” A relative of one of one infected worker said she was disappointed the company remained opened after the first infections were reported .
“ They need to take care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , if it is not safe , ” Krystal Hernandez , whose father works at the plant , told the Fresno Bee .
“ My father said there were lots of people who were coughing , sneezing or sweating .
And now he is sick , and so is his wife.
” Hernandez said her father , who did not want to be identified , became ill and stayed home last Wednesday .
“ This is a dangerous situation , and no more people need to die from this , ” she @ @

At least 138 employees at a meat packing plant in Central California have tested positive for the coronavirus, officials say.
Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon told the Fresno Bee that the outbreak at Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford accounts for nearly two-thirds of the coronavirus cases in the rural county, which has a total of 211 reported cases.
The company employs about 900 workers at two plants in Hanford and Vernon and continues to operate.
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The company first reported several of its employees tested positive for the virus more than a week ago, the Fresno Bee reported.
Ninety-seven of those infected live in Kings County, 30 are Tulare County residents and the remaining 11 live in Fresno County, KFSN-TV reported.
Company officials told the Fresno television station they have been following guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and “initiated multiple other processes and procedures to provide the greatest safety measures possible for our employees.”
A telephone message requesting comment was not immediately returned.
A relative of one of one infected worker said she was disappointed the company remained opened after the first infections were reported.
“They need to take care of their employees and not let them work, if it is not safe,” Krystal Hernandez, whose father works at the plant, told the Fresno Bee. “My father said there were lots of people who were coughing, sneezing or sweating. And now he is sick, and so is his wife.”
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Hernandez said her father, who did not want to be identified, became ill and stayed home last Wednesday.
“This is a dangerous situation, and no more people need to die from this,” she said.


latimes--2020-05-07--Oversight panel to subpoena Sheriff Alex Villanueva for testimony on coronavirus in jails

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission voted Thursday to subpoena L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva to appear at its next meeting to discuss his handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the jails , marking the first use of a powerful new oversight tool .
“ I think it ’ s outrageous that the sheriff isn ’ t here to answer questions about what ’ s going on in the jails , ” said Commissioner Priscilla Ocen , who suggested that inmates are being housed in conditions that increase their vulnerability to contracting the virus .
The unanimous vote came after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s request that Villanueva or a senior official attend Thursday ’ s meeting to discuss his proposal to close two patrol stations and cut other services to reduce the department ’ s budget deficit .
Neither he nor a representative showed up .
In March , voters overwhelmingly approved Measure R , handing the commission direct authority to issue subpoenas to investigate conduct within the Sheriff ’ s Department .
The Sheriff ’ s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment or indicate if Villanueva would comply with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the sheriff ’ s policies and handling of the virus outbreak in the jails , where the number of inmate infections has more than doubled in a week .
As of Thursday , 248 inmates had tested positive for the virus , up from 115 on April 30 .
Officials , however , are conducting more testing , including of all new bookings .
Inspector General Max Huntsman pointed to The Times ’ reporting on one dorm at Men ’ s Central Jail where 100 people are housed in bunks that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s received complaints of bottlenecks in testing inmates with symptoms .
He said 43 of the people in that dorm appeared eligible for release .
“ The idea that I think has been expressed by the Sheriff ’ s Department that if we tell people to sleep head to toe , that takes care of the problem .
It does not , ” Huntsman said .
“ Because in a triple bunk somebody ’ s head is lined up with somebody ’ s head and they ’ re three feet apart and somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coughing .
So , at the end of the day , this is going to transmit the virus if somebody is ill. ” Villanueva has significantly reduced the jail population in response to the pandemic .
As of Thursday , the jails , which typically house 17,000 people , held 11,837 inmates , according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Some critics contend that L.A. County has not done enough .
A recent class-action lawsuit claims that inmates are not being tested even when they show symptoms and lack sufficient space for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have enough soap or a safe way to dry their hands .

The Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission voted Thursday to subpoena L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva to appear at its next meeting to discuss his handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the jails, marking the first use of a powerful new oversight tool.
“I think it’s outrageous that the sheriff isn’t here to answer questions about what’s going on in the jails,” said Commissioner Priscilla Ocen, who suggested that inmates are being housed in conditions that increase their vulnerability to contracting the virus.
The unanimous vote came after the Sheriff’s Department declined the panel’s request that Villanueva or a senior official attend Thursday’s virtual meeting, which was streamed live, to discuss his proposal to close two patrol stations and cut other services to reduce the department’s budget deficit. Neither he nor a representative showed up.
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In March, voters overwhelmingly approved Measure R, handing the commission direct authority to issue subpoenas to investigate conduct within the Sheriff’s Department.
It’s unclear whether Villanueva plans to comply with the subpoena.
In a statement, the Sheriff’s Department said, “We have not received one as of this statement and have absolutely no details as to what they are requesting. Furthermore, any subpoena served to LASD would be processed by county counsel as this may affect current pending litigation.”
The panel is seeking testimony about the sheriff’s policies and handling of the virus outbreak in the jails, where the number of inmate infections has more than doubled in a week. As of Thursday, 248 inmates had tested positive for the virus, up from 115 on April 30. Officials, however, are conducting more testing, including of all new bookings.
Inspector General Max Huntsman pointed to The Times’ reporting on one dorm at Men’s Central Jail where 100 people are housed in bunks that are three feet apart and said he’s received complaints of bottlenecks in testing inmates with symptoms. He said 43 of the people in that dorm appeared eligible for release.
“The idea that I think has been expressed by the Sheriff’s Department that if we tell people to sleep head to toe, that takes care of the problem. It does not,” Huntsman said. “Because in a triple bunk somebody’s head is lined up with somebody’s head and they’re three feet apart and somebody is above somebody and they’re coughing. So, at the end of the day, this is going to transmit the virus if somebody is ill.”
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Villanueva has significantly reduced the jail population in response to the pandemic. As of Thursday, the jails, which typically house 17,000 people, held 11,837 inmates, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
Some critics contend that L.A. County has not done enough. A recent class-action lawsuit claims that inmates are not being tested even when they show symptoms and lack sufficient space for physical distancing. The lawsuit claims inmates don’t have enough soap or a safe way to dry their hands.