latimes--2020-05-20--California prisons to begin accepting inmates as coronavirus deaths mount in Chino

After a two-month hold on the intake of new inmates amid the coronavirus pandemic , California ’ s prisons are expected to resume processing next week .
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will begin accepting prisoners May 26 for the first time since Gov .
Gavin Newsom suspended their intake in March .
“ We are targeting May 26 to resume county jail intake ; however , this will be a finely measured process with CDCR and CCHCS [ California Correctional Health Care Services ] institution operations , public health , and health care experts working very closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement , and transportation decisions , ” Dana Simas , the department ’ s press secretary , said in a statement to The Times .
“ We will also work closely with our local partners , as the health and safety of all those who live and work in our state prisons remains our top priority , ” Simas said .
More than 3,500 prisoners have been released as the state sought to socially distance inmates in an effort to help stem the spread of the virus .
The lack of intake in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further reduced the number of prisoners by 6,000 , according to statements made in recent federal court hearings .
But for those inmates still inside , outbreaks of the virus have gripped prison populations across California and the nation .
A sixth prisoner died Monday at the California Institution for Men in Chino , where 597 inmates have tested positive .
Corrections officials said the man , who was not identified , died at a hospital in San Bernardino County .
The prison reported its .
But in the past month , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has a mostly dormitory-style setting that does not allow for social distancing of inmates .
About 90 % of the inmates have been tested for the coronavirus .
The Chino facility has one of the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 cases among state prisons , with nearly two-thirds of the more than 900 inmates testing positive , according to Department of Corrections data .
Of those , 130 have recovered .
In addition , 53 of the prison staff have tested positive and 32 have recovered and returned to work .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California , where a combined total of 1,775 inmates have been infected at Lompoc and Terminal Island and 10 prisoners have died .
A three-judge federal panel and a single federal judge have rejected moves by lawyers seeking more releases for inmates in a long-standing legal fight over overcrowding and medical treatment .
According to a court filing by the state , 108,850 inmates were housed in the state ’ s 34 adult institutions as of May 13 , which is 127.9 % of design capacity .
At the California Institution for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 105 inmates and four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 .
About 400 female inmates have been tested at the facility , which is now quarantined .
A 120-bed housing unit has been opened to hold asymptomatic inmates , according to the Department of Corrections .
The California Coalition for Women Prisoners said Tuesday that inmates testing positive have been cut off from communications and don ’ t have access to clean water .
Corrections officials say that medical staff are now conducting surveillance testing in all state prisons to detect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become obvious .
The prisons also are planning a volunteer testing program when they have enough test kits , officials said Tuesday .

More than 100 inmates at the California Institution for Women in Chino have tested positive for the coronavirus.
After a two-month hold on the intake of new inmates amid the coronavirus pandemic, California’s prisons are expected to resume processing next week.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will begin accepting prisoners May 26 for the first time since Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended their intake in March.
“We are targeting May 26 to resume county jail intake; however, this will be a finely measured process with CDCR and CCHCS [California Correctional Health Care Services] institution operations, public health, and health care experts working very closely together in real-time to make housing, movement, and transportation decisions,” Dana Simas, the department’s press secretary, said in a statement to The Times.
Advertisement
“We will also work closely with our local partners, as the health and safety of all those who live and work in our state prisons remains our top priority,” Simas said.
More than 3,500 prisoners have been released as the state sought to socially distance inmates in an effort to help stem the spread of the virus.
The lack of intake in state prisons for the past two months further reduced the number of prisoners by 6,000, according to statements made in recent federal court hearings.
But for those inmates still inside, outbreaks of the virus have gripped prison populations across California and the nation.
A sixth prisoner died Monday at the California Institution for Men in Chino, where 597 inmates have tested positive.
Advertisement
Corrections officials said the man, who was not identified, died at a hospital in San Bernardino County.
The prison reported its first death on April 19 . But in the past month, the virus has rapidly spread through the prison, which has a mostly dormitory-style setting that does not allow for social distancing of inmates. About 90% of the inmates have been tested for the coronavirus.
The Chino facility has one of the largest outbreaks of COVID-19 cases among state prisons, with nearly two-thirds of the more than 900 inmates testing positive, according to Department of Corrections data. Of those, 130 have recovered.
In addition, 53 of the prison staff have tested positive and 32 have recovered and returned to work.
There have also been outbreaks at federal prisoners in California, where a combined total of 1,775 inmates have been infected at Lompoc and Terminal Island and 10 prisoners have died.
A three-judge federal panel and a single federal judge have rejected moves by lawyers seeking more releases for inmates in a long-standing legal fight over overcrowding and medical treatment. According to a court filing by the state, 108,850 inmates were housed in the state’s 34 adult institutions as of May 13, which is 127.9% of design capacity.
At the California Institution for Women, which is also in Chino, 105 inmates and four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
About 400 female inmates have been tested at the facility, which is now quarantined. A 120-bed housing unit has been opened to hold asymptomatic inmates, according to the Department of Corrections.
The California Coalition for Women Prisoners said Tuesday that inmates testing positive have been cut off from communications and don’t have access to clean water.
Corrections officials say that medical staff are now conducting surveillance testing in all state prisons to detect outbreaks in their early phases before symptoms become obvious. The prisons also are planning a volunteer testing program when they have enough test kits, officials said Tuesday.


latimes--2020-05-20--L.A. County sheriff will defy subpoena from oversight commission to testify about jail conditions

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he will defy a subpoena from a civilian oversight board to testify about jail safety during the novel coronavirus crisis .
The subpoena was issued by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission earlier this month after Villanueva did not comply with previous requests to appear before the board .
It was the first time the board had used the subpoena power granted by Measure R , which was overwhelmingly approved by L.A. County voters in March .
Villanueva said Wednesday that he will not attend the board ’ s virtual meeting on Thursday but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss the jail issues .
He questioned the constitutionality of Measure R , asserting that state law supersedes it .
He said he has shared information about coronavirus in the jails with the board and on the department website .
Until the legal issue is resolved , he said , he will not testify before the board .
“ If transparency is being provided , if the information is being provided , what exactly is the purpose of the subpoena ?
” he said at a press briefing .
“ If they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endeavor , which it looks like at face value , well , they ’ re sadly mistaken .
We ’ re not going to be participating in that.
” Patricia Giggans , chair of the oversight commission , said she was disappointed but not surprised at Villanueva ’ s defiance .
She said she is pleased that Chase will be testifying , but the board wants to hear from the sheriff himself .
“ It ’ s such a serious time for all county departments , and we have our job to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Giggans said .
“ We submitted a subpoena , and we ’ re not going to walk away from it.
” Villanueva said 189 sheriff ’ s department employees and 662 jail inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus .
Also on the agenda for Thursday ’ s commission meeting is a subpoena by the sheriff department ’ s inspector general for documents relating to the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant , his daughter and seven others .
The inspector general , Max Huntsman , is investigating allegations that Villanueva @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photos of the crash scene .
Villanueva said Wednesday that Huntsman is overreaching and has no authority to demand the documents .
The department ’ s internal investigation into the photo sharing incident will be made public after its completion , he said .

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he will defy a subpoena from the civilian board that oversees his department.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva plans to defy a subpoena from a civilian oversight board to testify about coronavirus in the jails, escalating a battle with county officials and testing a system designed to keep his powers in check.
Villanueva said he would not attend Thursday’s virtual Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission meeting, instead sending Asst. Sheriff Bruce Chase to discuss the jail issues. He described testifying before the commission as a “public shaming.”
This is the first time the commission has attempted to use the subpoena powers granted by Measure R, which was overwhelmingly approved by L.A. County voters in March. After Villanueva did not appear voluntarily at a May 7 meeting, the commission voted unanimously to subpoena him.
Advertisement
Although Villanueva has significantly reduced the jail population to combat the virus’ spread, 662 inmates have tested positive. Nearly 190 sheriff’s department employees — some of whom do not work in the jails — have also contracted the virus.
At a press briefing Wednesday, Villanueva questioned the legality of Measure R. In California, aside from wielding the budgetary purse strings, county officials generally have limited authority over elected sheriffs.
The Civilian Oversight Commission was formed in 2016 after corruption and brutality in the jails led to multiple indictments of sheriff’s deputies. All nine members are appointed by the county Board of Supervisors, with five nominated by supervisors and the other four recommended by community groups.
Villanueva has been at war with the supervisors almost from the day he took office in December 2018, with the coronavirus pandemic becoming a new battlefield.
The sheriff said he has shared information about coronavirus in the jails with the commission and on the department website. But until the legal issue is resolved, he said, he will not testify.
“If transparency is being provided, if the information is being provided, what exactly is the purpose of the subpoena?” he said. “If they’re engaging in a public shaming endeavor, which it looks like at face value, well, they’re sadly mistaken. We’re not going to be participating in that.”
In response to a reporter’s question about whether he was rejecting the will of residents who voted for Measure R, Villanueva said: “I don’t think the public understood the true nature of the measure.”
Advertisement
Patricia Giggans, chairwoman of the oversight commission, said she was disappointed but not surprised at Villanueva’s defiance. She said she is pleased that Chase will be testifying, but that the board wants to hear from the sheriff himself.
“It’s such a serious time for all county departments, and we have our job to do. We’re not going away,” Giggans said. “We submitted a subpoena, and we’re not going to walk away from it.”
Measure R does not contain a mechanism for enforcing subpoenas, but the commission could request that a judge hear the issue.
Jasmyne Cannick, a political consultant on the Measure R campaign, said enforcement was not a primary concern because it seemed far-fetched that sheriff’s officials would not comply.
Along with local progressive groups that had long pushed for subpoena power against the Sheriff’s Department, Cannick supported Villanueva’s election. She said she is not likely to back him again.
Villanueva’s attitude as sheriff has been “I’m going to do what I want to do, make up the rules as I go, and I’m not accountable to anyone,” she said.
Jessica Levinson, a Loyola Law School professor and former president of the Los Angeles Ethics Commission, said the wrangling over the subpoena is the latest incarnation of Villanueva’s pugnacious approach.
His refusal to testify before the commission shows the necessity of civilian oversight over the sheriff, she said.
“The idea that the sheriff would fail to comply voluntarily, fail to comply with the law under a newly passed ballot measure is, let’s say, curious for somebody who is a top member of the law enforcement community,” she said.
Also on the agenda for Thursday’s Civilian Oversight Committee meeting is a subpoena by the Sheriff Department’s inspector general for documents relating to the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others.
The inspector general, Max Huntsman, is investigating allegations that Villanueva directed a cover-up after deputies shared graphic photos of the crash scene.
Villanueva said Wednesday that Huntsman is overreaching and has no authority to demand the documents. The department’s internal investigation into the photo-sharing incident will be made public after its completion, he said.


latimes--2020-05-20--Larry Aubry,  black activist icon and 'godfather of South Central Los Angeles,' dies

Larry Aubry , an icon of black activist Los Angeles who witnessed white resistance to school integration and the Watts and 1992 riots without losing faith that hard work and outrage would manifest racial justice , has died .
Aubry , 86 , died May 16 after a short illness , writer Erin Aubry Kaplan , one of his five children , said .
A writer as well as an activist , he composed more than 1,700 hard-hitting columns over 33 years for the Los Angeles Sentinel and served two terms on the Inglewood School Board .
But it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community activism on issues including black education , job training , police accountability , fair housing and reparations that shaped his life .
The groups he helped found or lead spanned the early civil rights era of the 1960s to Black Lives Matter , and included Advocates for Black Strategic Alternatives , which most recently fought to expand rent control , and the Black Community Clergy and Labor Alliance , which has worked on housing and charter school issues .
“ When I was young and asked my mom what he did , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Aubry Kaplan , who is a contributing writer to the L.A. Times ’ Opinion section .
“ It took a while to understand what he did and why it was bigger than us as a family.
” Aubry mentored generations of African American activists , some of whom went on to win elected office .
But he also helped guide and support younger activists who believed that the black leadership had grown complacent and too accommodating to the status quo .
“ Larry was very much the godfather of South-Central Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founder and executive director of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition , “ not in the sense of a kingmaker , but as the conscience of black L.A. ” Aubry worked from an “ unapologetically black perspective ” -- his words -- but helped lead a rainbow of multicultural collaboratives before they were called that .
“ It was never either/or for him , ” Aubry Kaplan said .
“ There was a lot of subtlety to him.
” He did not hesitate to call out allies , former and current , whom he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black community ’ s best interests -- at times in an audible tone during public sessions .
“ Larry didn ’ t know how to whisper , ” said Melina Abdullah , founder of Black Lives Matter .
“ He would tell everything just as it is , and he wasn ’ t shy about it .
“ “ My father always said , ‘ I don ’ t have friends .
I have issues , ’ ” said Aubry Kaplan .
“ His card read , ‘ Larry Aubry ... black issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That was his card !
” In his columns and interviews , he said repeatedly that it would take the “ sustained righteous outrage ” of the 1960s plus action to change social conditions .
He never lost that passion , friends said .
Born in New Orleans , Aubry arrived in Los Angeles at age 9 and soon found that segregation in pools and restaurants had followed him here .
With racial housing covenants falling , his mother transferred him from all-black Jefferson High to nearly all-white Fremont High because she thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Times columnist Steve Lopez in 2005 .
Aubry said he was petrified .
“ There were signs out front that said , ‘ No Niggers.
’ ” Aubry said .
“ The community and students were there with banners … and on the school grounds , tar babies were hanging in effigy.
” From that seminal experience his activism was born , Aubry Kaplan said .
“ He was impatient with the idea Los Angeles was so much more enlightened , ” she said .
During the Watts riots , he watched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store .
An old jazz hand , he played the trumpet , first professionally and later informally .
The lingo resurfaced in his reaction to President Trump , Aubry Kaplan recalled .
“ He ’ d say , ‘ Wow .
That guy is just way out there , ’ ” she said .
“ I thought that was just perfect.
” Aubry graduated from UCLA in psychology , then started a master ’ s program at USC , but left without finishing to get into the streets and start working .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aubry Kaplan said .
“ He didn ’ t sit around and pontificate.
” He worked in social services , including probation .
His day job for 34 years was as consultant to the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission , formed to promote interracial progress after the so-called “ Zoot Suit Riots ” of 1944 , which saw mobs of white military men beat up Latinos in the streets of Los Angeles for several days running .
L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said he worked with Aubry on black issues for four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence , ” Ridley-Thomas said .
“ You might have called him ubiquitous.
” Goodmon remembered a no-holds-barred school board election in which Ridley-Thomas and Aubry backed different candidates .
The rhetoric turned rowdy ; Ridley-Thomas was accused of trying to steal a board seat .
“ The next day the picture in the paper was of the two of them laughing in front of the school board , ” said Goodmon .
“ He was a very serious man , but he was also really funny.
” Maulana Karenga , chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Long Beach and creator of the Kwanzaa celebration , said he first worked with Aubry on the Opportunities Industrialization Center , a national effort started in the 1960s to train the urban poor for jobs their color had denied them .
More recently , they co-chaired the Black Community Clergy and Labor Alliance .
“ As a community leader , he saw leadership as a moral vocation and acted accordingly , ” Karenga said in a statement on Aubry ’ s death .
“ Larry Aubry was a rarity in a city in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or hedged , ” L.A. City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson said in a Facebook post , adding that Aubry was one of his mentors .
Aubry mourned the erosion of black unity after integration and said that African Americans had internalized white people ’ s individualistic , capitalist values -- without their resources .
But he never retreated to cynicism .
“ He was frequently disappointed but never discouraged , ” said Aubry Kaplan .
“ To the end he was still joining groups and starting groups.
” “ He saw what freedom could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like and he was convinced we could have it , ” Abdullah said .
In his final Sentinel column 13 months ago , Aubry mused , “ Some might wonder why I ’ m stopping now , but others might wonder how and why I kept on going so long ?
” Then he answered his own question .
“ I say a kind of farewell , for real soldiers never really quit , they just move to other positions on the battlefield for the justice and good life we all deserve and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and determination.
” In addition to Aubry Kaplan , he is survived by his children Arhomuz Aubry , Kelly Cormier , Kris Aubry and Heather Aubry .
A memorial is out for now because of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown , but friends are planning a tribute .

Larry Aubry, an icon of black activist Los Angeles who witnessed white resistance to school integration and the Watts and 1992 riots without losing faith that hard work and outrage would manifest racial justice, has died.
Aubry, 86, died May 16 after a short illness, writer Erin Aubry Kaplan, one of his five children, said. A writer as well as an activist, he composed more than 1,700 hard-hitting columns over 33 years for the Los Angeles Sentinel and served two terms on the Inglewood School Board.
But it was his decades of social, political and community activism on issues including black education, job training, police accountability, fair housing and reparations that shaped his life. The groups he helped found or lead spanned the early civil rights era of the 1960s to Black Lives Matter, and included Advocates for Black Strategic Alternatives, which most recently fought to expand rent control, and the Black Community Clergy and Labor Alliance, which has worked on housing and charter school issues.
“When I was young and asked my mom what he did, she said he went to meetings,” said Aubry Kaplan, who is a contributing writer to the L.A. Times’ Opinion section. “It took a while to understand what he did and why it was bigger than us as a family.”
Advertisement
Aubry mentored generations of African American activists, some of whom went on to win elected office. But he also helped guide and support younger activists who believed that the black leadership had grown complacent and too accommodating to the status quo.
“Larry was very much the godfather of South-Central Los Angeles,” said Damien Goodmon, founder and executive director of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition, “not in the sense of a kingmaker, but as the conscience of black L.A.”
Aubry worked from an “unapologetically black perspective” -- his words -- but helped lead a rainbow of multicultural collaboratives before they were called that. “It was never either/or for him,” Aubry Kaplan said. “There was a lot of subtlety to him.”
He did not hesitate to call out allies, former and current, whom he felt had abandoned their obligation to represent the black community’s best interests -- at times in an audible tone during public sessions.
“Larry didn’t know how to whisper,” said Melina Abdullah, founder of Black Lives Matter. “He would tell everything just as it is, and he wasn’t shy about it. “
“My father always said, ‘I don’t have friends. I have issues,’ ” said Aubry Kaplan. “His card read, ‘Larry Aubry ... black issues,’” Goodmon laughed. “That was his card!”
In his columns and interviews, he said repeatedly that it would take the “sustained righteous outrage” of the 1960s plus action to change social conditions. He never lost that passion, friends said.
Advertisement
Born in New Orleans, Aubry arrived in Los Angeles at age 9 and soon found that segregation in pools and restaurants had followed him here. With racial housing covenants falling, his mother transferred him from all-black Jefferson High to nearly all-white Fremont High because she thought it was a better school, he told Times columnist Steve Lopez in 2005. Aubry said he was petrified.
“There were signs out front that said, ‘No Niggers.’ ” Aubry said. “The community and students were there with banners … and on the school grounds, tar babies were hanging in effigy.”
From that seminal experience his activism was born, Aubry Kaplan said. “He was impatient with the idea Los Angeles was so much more enlightened,” she said. During the Watts riots, he watched police shoot at looters outside an appliance store.
An old jazz hand, he played the trumpet, first professionally and later informally. The lingo resurfaced in his reaction to President Trump, Aubry Kaplan recalled.
“He’d say, ‘Wow. That guy is just way out there,’ ” she said. “I thought that was just perfect.”
Aubry graduated from UCLA in psychology, then started a master’s program at USC, but left without finishing to get into the streets and start working.
“Grass roots was his thing,” Aubry Kaplan said. “He didn’t sit around and pontificate.”
He worked in social services, including probation. His day job for 34 years was as consultant to the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission, formed to promote interracial progress after the so-called “Zoot Suit Riots” of 1944, which saw mobs of white military men beat up Latinos in the streets of Los Angeles for several days running.
Larry Aubry outside the Southern California Library at 61st and Vermont. In 1965, Aubry, a probation officer, witnessed police shooting at looters on the site, which at the time was an appliance store. Aubry’s years of columns for the Los Angeles Sentinel are part of the library’s collection. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said he worked with Aubry on black issues for four decades. “He was a substantial presence,” Ridley-Thomas said. “You might have called him ubiquitous.”
Goodmon remembered a no-holds-barred school board election in which Ridley-Thomas and Aubry backed different candidates. The rhetoric turned rowdy; Ridley-Thomas was accused of trying to steal a board seat.
“The next day the picture in the paper was of the two of them laughing in front of the school board,” said Goodmon. “He was a very serious man, but he was also really funny.”
Maulana Karenga, chair of the Africana Studies department at Cal State Long Beach and creator of the Kwanzaa celebration, said he first worked with Aubry on the Opportunities Industrialization Center, a national effort started in the 1960s to train the urban poor for jobs their color had denied them. More recently, they co-chaired the Black Community Clergy and Labor Alliance.
“As a community leader, he saw leadership as a moral vocation and acted accordingly,” Karenga said in a statement on Aubry’s death.
“Larry Aubry was a rarity in a city in which discussions of race are too-often guarded or hedged,” L.A. City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson said in a Facebook post, adding that Aubry was one of his mentors.
Aubry mourned the erosion of black unity after integration and said that African Americans had internalized white people’s individualistic, capitalist values -- without their resources. But he never retreated to cynicism.
“He was frequently disappointed but never discouraged,” said Aubry Kaplan. “To the end he was still joining groups and starting groups.”
“He saw what freedom could look like, what justice could look like and he was convinced we could have it,” Abdullah said.
In his final Sentinel column 13 months ago, Aubry mused, “Some might wonder why I’m stopping now, but others might wonder how and why I kept on going so long?” Then he answered his own question.
“I say a kind of farewell, for real soldiers never really quit, they just move to other positions on the battlefield for the justice and good life we all deserve and will eventually achieve through unity, strength and determination.”
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gloria, and children Aubry Kaplan, Arhomuz Aubry, Kelly Cormier, Kris Aubry and Heather Aubry.


latimes--2020-05-20--Despite many coronavirus deaths, Tulare County vows to defy Newsom and further reopen

Despite having one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in California , Tulare County officials have voted to reopen more businesses before meeting the health criteria set by the state .
Tulare joins several rural communities in rebelling against Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s plans for reopening the economy based on various health benchmarks designed to prevent new outbreaks of the coronavirus .
Most of the counties to defy Newsom so far have been in remote areas with relatively few confirmed infections .
But Tulare is one of California ’ s hardest-hit counties .
In all , it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of Wednesday afternoon .
The county ’ s death rate of 15.9 per 100,000 residents is one of the highest in the state , according The Times ’ data tracker .
In comparison , Los Angeles County — the current center of the COVID-19 pandemic in California — has recorded more than 1,900 deaths , with a rate per 100,000 of 19.5 .
Deaths in Tulare County from the disease caused by the coronavirus are also much higher than in neighboring counties in the Central Valley .
Much larger Fresno County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths , while Kings County has two , and Kern County , 25 .
Nonetheless , the Tulure County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to move the county all the way through Phase 3 of California ’ s reopening road map , which would allow movie theaters , shopping malls , salons , gyms and dine-in restaurants to reopen .
In-person religious services also would be able to resume .
“ We just took action to say we are going to reopen , and we ’ re going to go all the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the businesses in there , ” Supervisor Dennis Townsend told KSEE-TV in Fresno .
The split decision came as the county reported a spike of 103 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths .
Earlier this week , Newsom announced loosened rules that he said would allow 53 of California ’ s 58 counties to move further into the second of four stages toward reopening .
Although he didn ’ t identify the five counties that couldn ’ t move forward , Newsom said Monday , “ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as an example , in Tulare County [ with ] the skilled-nursing facilities.
” The county ’ s nursing homes in particular are struggling with the coronavirus .
There have been 51 deaths and infection rates of nearly 30 % among the county ’ s more than 1,100 nursing home residents .
Local officials , though , have placed the blame on the state , which regulates the care facilities .
By their own admission , Tulare County officials acknowledge they don ’ t meet all the latest criteria for a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of new confirmed cases and positive test rates , as well as contact tracing staff .
Tulare isn ’ t alone in rebelling against the state ’ s stay-at-home health order .
Earlier examples include Yuba , Sutter and Modoc counties in Northern California .
The governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services previously sent letters warning those counties that they risked losing disaster funding — since those dollars are predicated on jurisdictions needing help in extraordinary circumstances .
Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci sent a similar missive to Tulare County officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerning actions jeopardize public health and safety , not only within the county , but beyond , through community contact and spread.
” “ If Tulare County believes there is no emergency , such that it can ignore the governor ’ s executive orders or the state public health officer ’ s directives , ” Ghilarducci wrote , “ the county would not be able to demonstrate that it was extraordinarily and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 .
This could jeopardize its disaster funding.
” County Supervisor Eddie Valero , who voted against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Facebook post Wednesday morning .
“ Sadly , we are estimated to lose many millions , and this will also have ramifications to our cities , ” he wrote .
“ They , too , will not be receiving funding due to our county decision.
” With the board ’ s vote , he added , “ we entered into uncharted territory , and we will now be a testing ground for legal fights and unprecedented battles for counties across this country.
” The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Yvonne Wright, right, shops for shoes with the help of sales person Jennifer Blythe-Freiner at Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. in Visalia.
Despite having one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in California, Tulare County officials have voted to reopen more businesses before meeting the health criteria set by the state. The county could lose state disaster relief money as a result.
Tulare joins several rural communities in rebelling against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plans for reopening the economy based on various health benchmarks designed to prevent new outbreaks of the coronavirus. Most of the counties to defy Newsom so far have been in remote areas with relatively few confirmed infections.
But Tulare, south of Fresno, is one of California’s hardest-hit counties. In all, it had confirmed 1,552 coronavirus infections and 73 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon.
The county’s death rate of 15.9 per 100,000 residents is one of the highest in the state, according to The Times’ data tracker. In comparison, Los Angeles County — the current center of the COVID-19 pandemic in California — has recorded more than 1,900 deaths, with a rate per 100,000 of 19.5.
Deaths in Tulare County from the disease caused by the coronavirus are also much higher than in neighboring counties in the Central Valley. Much larger Fresno County, to the north, has recorded 17 deaths, while Kings County has two, and Kern County 25.
Tulare has also seen a plateau, but not a decline, in the number of hospitalizations connected to the outbreak. There were 42 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday, 11 of whom were in an intensive-care unit, according to the latest government reports.
Advertisement
Nonetheless, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to move the county all the way through Phase 3 of California’s reopening road map, which would allow movie theaters, shopping malls, salons, gyms and dine-in restaurants to reopen. In-person religious services also would be able to resume.
“The point is to begin opening up. That doesn’t mean we go back to how it used to be,” Supervisor Kuyler Crocker said in an interview Wednesday. “This is going to be one of those events that changes our lives forever. Business is not going to be done in same way. But that doesn’t mean we can’t do business.”
Supervisor Peter Vander Poel said he believed vulnerable residents can be protected, while allowing businesses to make a measured return to normal. “I want to make sure this county doesn’t stay locked down from a state directive, preventing us from recovering even farther,” said Vander Poel.
Supervisor Amy Shuklian cast one of the two votes against the immediate reopening. “I feel like we shouldn’t be too hasty,” Shuklian said. “I thought this was rushed. We could have worked with the state and asked the governor for a variance.”
“We just took action to say we are going to reopen, and we’re going to go all the way through Phase 3 so we can get all the businesses in there,” Supervisor Dennis Townsend told KSEE-TV in Fresno.
Advertisement
The split decision came as the county reported a spike of 103 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths.
While most of the deaths in the county have been at nursing homes, there have been other substantial outbreaks. The largest has been at Ruiz Foods, a frozen-food packager in Dinuba. A total of 263 employees at the plant had caught the virus as of Tuesday, up 89 cases from just a week ago, the county reported.
None of the Ruiz Foods employees have died of the illness, according to Supervisor Vander Poel.
Some local leaders, including U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) have been bridling under the coronavirus restrictions since early in the outbreak. As government health experts in March urged residents to stay home, Nunes told Fox News viewers they should help local businesses by visiting restaurants and pubs.
Last week, Nunes took to Twitter to promote an article by a Visalia doctor that suggested damage could be done to public health — including increased suicides and other health threats untreated — by continuing with shutdown orders.
Earlier this week, Newsom announced loosened rules that he said would allow 53 of California’s 58 counties to move further into the second of four stages toward reopening.
Although he didn’t identify the five counties that couldn’t move forward, Newsom said Monday, “It’s not surprising, but there are concerns, as an example, in Tulare County [with] the skilled-nursing facilities.”
The county’s nursing homes in particular are struggling with the coronavirus. There have been 51 deaths and infection rates of nearly 30% among the county’s more than 1,100 nursing home residents. Local officials, though, have placed the blame on the state, which regulates the care facilities.
By their own admission, Tulare County officials acknowledge they don’t meet all the latest criteria for a more rapid reopening, falling short in the areas of new confirmed cases and positive test rates, as well as contact tracing staff.
Which California counties are reopening? To contain the spread of COVID-19, parks, restaurants and stores are slowly reopening.
Tulare isn’t alone in rebelling against the state’s stay-at-home health order. Earlier examples include Yuba, Sutter and Modoc counties in Northern California.
The governor’s Office of Emergency Services previously sent letters warning those counties that they risked losing disaster funding — since those dollars are predicated on jurisdictions needing help in extraordinary circumstances.
California Newsom warns defiant counties they could lose coronavirus cash for reopening early Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration sent letters to Modoc, Sutter and Yuba counties warning that the areas could be ineligible for disaster funding unless they adhere to the state’s coronavirus reopening plan.
Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci sent a similar missive to Tulare County officials Tuesday, saying their “problematic and concerning actions jeopardize public health and safety, not only within the county, but beyond, through community contact and spread.”
“If Tulare County believes there is no emergency, such that it can ignore the governor’s executive orders or the state public health officer’s directives,” Ghilarducci wrote, “the county would not be able to demonstrate that it was extraordinarily and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This could jeopardize its disaster funding.”
Tulare believed it stood to gain $48 million through the federal government’s coronavirus relief act, known as CARES. Supervisor Crocker said he is “very concerned” that the money could now be threatened, though the county will work with federal officials to get the funds
County Supervisor Eddie Valero, who voted against the wider reopening, referenced the letter in a Facebook post Wednesday morning.
“Sadly, we are estimated to lose many millions, and this will also have ramifications to our cities,” he wrote. “They, too, will not be receiving funding due to our county decision.”
With the board’s vote, he added, “we entered into uncharted territory, and we will now be a testing ground for legal fights and unprecedented battles for counties across this country.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-20--L.A. city and county fight over how to shelter homeless people living near freeways

A hearing about the moving of homeless people living near freeways was canceled Wednesday after the city and county of Los Angeles couldn ’ t agree on a plan for how to comply with a federal judge ’ s order .
Last week , U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ordered the relocation of up to 7,000 people living near overpasses , offramps and onramps , saying they face severe health risks from tailpipe emissions and car crashes .
He directed the city and county to submit a plan for how to make that happen .
Talks between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispute over who would pay tens of millions of dollars for the services at shelters and other sites that would house homeless people who were moved , according to court documents .
County officials proposed a “ shared funding arrangement ” but did not cite a specific breakdown of who would pay what .
City officials said they could not agree to a plan without those specifics .
“ The City would not agree to a shared funding arrangement as proposed by the County for operational costs ( such as food , laundry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with City ’ s pilot programs , ” according to a brief filed jointly by the county and homeless advocates who have intervened in the case .
In a statement Wednesday , Rob Wilcox , a spokesman with the city attorney ’ s office , said in a statement that the city “ is not comfortable finalizing an agreement committing itself to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the development of shelter opportunities before resolving the funding of those needed services.
” County spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said in a statement that Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis and that a revised budget would come in June .
“ It is premature to discuss funding for any specific programs at this time , ” she said .
County lawyers said they would continue to try to work with the city .
However , they pointed out that Los Angeles “ is a major recipient of state and federal funds for homeless services , unlike other cities in the county.
” L.A. County received $ 1.57 billion in the first round of federal aid passed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city received $ 700 million .
City lawyers said that “ shared financial responsibility ” is essential for executing their plan and that they would continue to work with the county .
Carter canceled the hearing after the two parties submitted separate plans relating to addressing the people near freeways .
Both the city and county focused , with varying degrees of specificity , on measures such as constructing more shelters and creating safe parking to help people living on the streets during a pandemic .
Carter ’ s order to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect Friday .
It came as part of an ongoing legal battle initiated by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights , a group of downtown business owners and residents who allege that the city and county have failed to protect the public and provide adequate shelter for people living on the streets .
“ They better sort this out , ” Carter told The Times on Wednesday .
“ Unfortunately , the city and county couldn ’ t agree on who was responsible for funding and operating these shelters , ” Daniel Conway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Human Rights , said in a statement .
“ This disconnect says a lot about how Los Angeles ’ homelessness crisis has reached this scale.
” In court documents , both the city and county sketched out how they planned to tackle this task amid a pandemic .
Both of their plans fall well short of laying out how to shelter all the individuals living near freeways .
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates that 6,000 to 7,000 people live near freeways throughout the county .
Politicians and advocates of various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s focus on the areas around freeways .
Many say it will inevitably lead to more interactions between homeless people and law enforcement .
The city ’ s plan offers a timeline of 120 days to begin moving nearly 3,000 people who are currently staying in city recreation centers or are in hotels through Project Roomkey .
In court documents , the city said that recreation centers will stop sheltering homeless individuals by Sept. 30 at the latest .
Sheltering these people would come from a mix of rental assistance programs , safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hotel leases , among other programs .
That is expected to cost between $ 75 million and $ 125 million over the next 120 days .
After this , the city wants 180 days to focus on the roughly 3,100 people living near the freeways using a mix of hotels , pop-up shelters and supportive housing .
The city offered little detail on what it expects to build but says it would cost between $ 100 million and $ 130 million .
The county ’ s plan includes providing outreach and services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near freeways in unincorporated areas .
Their lawyers point out that Los Angeles County “ does not have jurisdiction over the hygiene , housing , or enforcement polices within other cities.
” The county also plans to set up sanctioned camping locations for homeless individuals to bed down on and a safe RV parking pilot .
It lacked specifics , though , on how it would help people who are homeless near freeways .
Carter did not immediately announce a new hearing date .

Homeless people line up tents along Figueroa Street under the 101 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles.
A hearing about the moving of homeless people living near freeways was canceled Wednesday after the city and county of Los Angeles couldn’t agree on a plan for how to comply with a federal judge’s order.
Last week, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter ordered the relocation of up to 7,000 people living near overpasses, offramps and onramps, saying they face severe health risks from tailpipe emissions and car crashes. He directed the city and county to submit a plan for how to make that happen.
Talks between the two sides broke down Tuesday night after a dispute over who would pay tens of millions of dollars for the services at shelters and other sites that would house homeless people who were moved, according to court documents.
County officials proposed a “shared funding arrangement” but did not cite a specific breakdown of who would pay what. City officials said they could not agree to a plan without those specifics.
Advertisement
“The City would not agree to a shared funding arrangement as proposed by the County for operational costs (such as food, laundry, security, etc.) associated with City’s pilot programs,” according to a brief filed jointly by the county and homeless advocates who have intervened in the case.
In a statement Wednesday, Rob Wilcox, a spokesman with the city attorney’s office, said in a statement that the city “is not comfortable finalizing an agreement committing itself to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on the development of shelter opportunities before resolving the funding of those needed services.”
County spokeswoman Sarah Ardalani said in a statement that Los Angeles County’s budget has been hit hard by the COVID-19 crisis and that a revised budget would come in June. “It is premature to discuss funding for any specific programs at this time,” she said.
County lawyers said they would continue to try to work with the city. However, they pointed out that Los Angeles “is a major recipient of state and federal funds for homeless services, unlike other cities in the county.”
L.A. County received $1.57 billion in the first round of federal aid passed by Congress during the coronavirus outbreak while the city received $700 million. City lawyers said that “shared financial responsibility” is essential for executing their plan and that they would continue to work with the county.
Carter canceled the hearing after the two parties submitted separate plans relating to addressing the people near freeways. Both the city and county focused, with varying degrees of specificity, on measures such as constructing more shelters and creating safe parking to help people living on the streets during a pandemic.
Carter’s order to find a safer space for these people goes into effect Friday.
Advertisement
It came as part of an ongoing legal battle initiated by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, a group of downtown business owners and residents who allege that the city and county have failed to protect the public and provide adequate shelter for people living on the streets.
“They better sort this out,” Carter told The Times on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, the city and county couldn’t agree on who was responsible for funding and operating these shelters,” Daniel Conway, policy advisor to the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, said in a statement. “This disconnect says a lot about how Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis has reached this scale.”
In court documents, both the city and county sketched out how they planned to tackle this task amid a pandemic.
Both of their plans fall well short of laying out how to shelter all the individuals living near freeways. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority estimates that 6,000 to 7,000 people live near freeways throughout the county.
Politicians and advocates of various stripes have voiced concern about Carter’s focus on the areas around freeways. Many say it will inevitably lead to more interactions between homeless people and law enforcement.
The city’s plan offers a timeline of 120 days to begin moving nearly 3,000 people who are currently staying in city recreation centers or are in hotels through Project Roomkey. In court documents, the city said that recreation centers will stop sheltering homeless individuals by Sept. 30 at the latest.
Sheltering these people would come from a mix of rental assistance programs, safe parking, modular shelters and the extension of hotel leases, among other programs. That is expected to cost between $75 million and $125 million over the next 120 days.
After this, the city wants 180 days to focus on the roughly 3,100 people living near the freeways using a mix of hotels, pop-up shelters and supportive housing. The city offered little detail on what it expects to build but says it would cost between $100 million and $130 million.
The county’s plan includes providing outreach and services for as many as 350 people living near freeways in unincorporated areas. Their lawyers point out that Los Angeles County “does not have jurisdiction over the hygiene, housing, or enforcement polices within other cities.”
The county also plans to set up sanctioned camping locations for homeless individuals to bed down on and a safe RV parking pilot. It lacked specifics, though, on how it would help people who are homeless near freeways.
Carter did not immediately announce a new hearing date.


latimes--2020-05-20--Most California school districts plan to open in the fall. Here's how it would work

Most public school districts in California are planning to reopen campuses on their regular start dates in late August and September — but the new normal amid the coronavirus outbreak will likely include masks , daily school sanitation and smaller class sizes to maintain six feet of distance , state Supt .
of Instruction Tony Thurmond said Wednesday .
Also , some school districts will likely offer a combination of in-person and distance learning , something parents have asked for , Thurmond said .
But the new safety accommodations will require more funding , Thurmond said during a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor ’ s May budget revise slashed about $ 19 billion from schools over the next two years .
“ We believe that our school districts can not reopen safely if they have to implement these kinds of cuts , ” Thurmond said , echoing the governor ’ s plea for additional federal aid for schools .
“ We need to maintain all that we have in our educational sector , and we ’ re going to need to be able to do more.
” California schools since mid-March due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million students .
Educators have scrambled to provide distance learning for students and have attempted to provide computers and internet access to an estimated 1 in 5 students without digital access .
However student needs have not been met evenly , especially in small and rural districts and those serving students from low income families .
Last month , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said schools could physically open as early as July .
Thurmond said the state was not mandating when schools would open and that the state Education Department was working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workplace safety experts to compile guidelines for how to do so safely .
“ There will not be a common opening , rather school districts will make their own decisions about when they will open , ” he said .
The state Department of Education will keep track of district reopenings as they ’ re scheduled , he said .
Although some schools may open early , he said , many will end the school year when they normally do and take some time to plan for next year as well as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , is also potentially a time to provide enrichment for students “ who may need some additional support to offset learning gaps that have occurred ” during the shutdown , Thurmond said Wednesday .
School district leaders say that they need answers to complex challenges involving reopening campuses and need government funding to do so .
They are asking multiple questions : Will there be adequate testing and contact tracing available ?
Will schools be able to procure the necessary protective equipment , and will staff receive adequate cleaning equipment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How will kids catch up on the learning they lost during school closures ?
How will schools pay for the necessary reductions in class sizes that experts say will have to be a part of the new normal ?
The proposed budget hit to schools worsens existing financial challenges and district level leaders say it does not go far enough to pay for pandemic-related costs .
Newsom did allot $ 4.4 billion in emergency federal aid to schools and redirected another $ 2.3 billion to ease the sting , reallocating money originally intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ pensions — a major priority for school districts , but less crucial than addressing the immediate crisis .
This week , superintendents of six of the state ’ s largest school districts — including L.A. , San Diego and Long Beach — wrote in a letter to lawmakers that the governor ’ s May budget revise would hinder schools ’ ability to reopen .
“ Reopening our school campuses will require more — not fewer — resources to ensure and sustain proper implementation of public health guidance and the safety of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the reopening of schools will be delayed even after State guidance and clearance from public health officials is given , ” they wrote .
“ We can not in good conscience risk the health and safety of our students and staff by returning to the classroom prematurely and without funding for the necessary precautions given the continued lack of a national testing program and a lack of clear understanding of the impacts of coronavirus on young people.
” Districts have incurred new costs since schools closed that include online learning resources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the letter said .
In the coming academic year , they expect to spend more money to mitigate learning loss and added staff like nurses and mental health professionals .
On Thursday , Thurmond is scheduled to host a webinar “ focus group ” for school districts to discuss reopening guidance with and school districts .

A young demonstrator holds a sign asking for schools to be reopened during a protest at Pier Plaza in Huntington Beach on May 9.
Most public school districts in California are planning to reopen campuses on their regular start dates in late August and September — but the new normal amid the coronavirus outbreak will likely include masks, daily school sanitation and smaller class sizes to maintain six feet of distance, state Supt. of Instruction Tony Thurmond said Wednesday.
Also, some school districts will likely offer a combination of in-person and distance learning, something parents have asked for, Thurmond said.
But the new safety accommodations will require more funding, Thurmond said during a news conference Wednesday, almost a week after the governor’s May budget revise slashed about $19 billion from schools over the next two years.
Advertisement
“We believe that our school districts cannot reopen safely if they have to implement these kinds of cuts,” Thurmond said, echoing the governor’s plea for additional federal aid for schools. “We need to maintain all that we have in our educational sector, and we’re going to need to be able to do more.”
California schools have been closed since mid-March due to the coronavirus crisis, disrupting the education of 6.1 million students. Educators have scrambled to provide distance learning for students and have attempted to provide computers and internet access to an estimated 1 in 5 students without digital access. However student needs have not been met evenly, especially in small and rural districts and those serving students from low income families.
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom said schools could physically open as early as July.
Thurmond said the state was not mandating when schools would open and that the state Education Department was working with public health officials, school leaders and workplace safety experts to compile guidelines for how to do so safely.
“There will not be a common opening, rather school districts will make their own decisions about when they will open,” he said. The state Department of Education will keep track of district reopenings as they’re scheduled, he said.
Advertisement
Although some schools may open early, he said, many will end the school year when they normally do and take some time to plan for next year as well as “to address fatigue for educators.” Summer, though, is also potentially a time to provide enrichment for students “who may need some additional support to offset learning gaps that have occurred” during the shutdown, Thurmond said Wednesday.
School district leaders say that they need answers to complex challenges involving reopening campuses and need government funding to do so. They are asking multiple questions:
Will there be adequate testing and contact tracing available? Will schools be able to procure the necessary protective equipment, and will staff receive adequate cleaning equipment and training in how to use it? How will kids catch up on the learning they lost during school closures? How will schools pay for the necessary reductions in class sizes that experts say will have to be a part of the new normal?
The proposed budget hit to schools worsens existing financial challenges and district level leaders say it does not go far enough to pay for pandemic-related costs. Newsom did allot $4.4 billion in emergency federal aid to schools and redirected another $2.3 billion to ease the sting, reallocating money originally intended to reduce a long-term shortfall in educators’ pensions — a major priority for school districts, but less crucial than addressing the immediate crisis.
This week, superintendents of six of the state’s largest school districts — including L.A., San Diego and Long Beach — wrote in a letter to lawmakers that the governor’s May budget revise would hinder schools’ ability to reopen.
“Reopening our school campuses will require more — not fewer — resources to ensure and sustain proper implementation of public health guidance and the safety of all of those involved. Cuts will mean that the reopening of schools will be delayed even after State guidance and clearance from public health officials is given,” they wrote. “We cannot in good conscience risk the health and safety of our students and staff by returning to the classroom prematurely and without funding for the necessary precautions given the continued lack of a national testing program and a lack of clear understanding of the impacts of coronavirus on young people.”
Districts have incurred new costs since schools closed that include online learning resources, meals, cleaning and protective equipment, the letter said. In the coming academic year, they expect to spend more money to mitigate learning loss and added staff like nurses and mental health professionals.
On Thursday, Thurmond is scheduled to host a webinar “focus group” for school districts to discuss reopening guidance with and school districts.
L.A. Times staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-20--Earthquake: 3.6 quake near Ridgecrest

Earthquake: 3.6 quake near Ridgecrest

A magnitude-3.6 earthquake was reported Wednesday at 9:40 a.m. six miles from Ridgecrest , Calif. , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred 30 miles from California City , Calif. , 59 miles from Barstow , 64 miles from Tehachapi and 65 miles from Rosamond , Calif .
In the past 10 days , there have been three earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.0 occur each year in California and Nevada , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did you feel this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of frequently asked questions .

The earthquake was reported at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday six miles from Ridgecrest.
A magnitude-3.6 earthquake was reported Wednesday at 9:40 a.m. six miles from Ridgecrest, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 30 miles from California City, Calif., 59 miles from Barstow, 64 miles from Tehachapi and 65 miles from Rosamond, Calif.
In the past 10 days, there have been three earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
Advertisement
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.0 occur each year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 5.5 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-05-20--A new high for coronavirus deaths in California as counties push ahead with reopening

California recorded 132 new coronavirus-related fatalities Tuesday — the most in a single day since the pandemic began — as counties across the state continue cementing plans to reopen their economies .
The highest number of deaths previously reported in a single day statewide was 117 in late April .
Tuesday ’ s rise , which comes on a day when data from the previous weekend is typically released , pushed the state ’ s death toll past 3,400 .
The number of confirmed cases statewide has climbed to 83,864 , according to data compiled by The Times .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other metrics show significant progress , enough that even some of the most cautious local health officials have agreed to begin slowly reopening businesses and public spaces .
The number of newly identified coronavirus cases across California declined from the previous week , and hospitalizations have dropped more than 15 % from a peak six weeks ago , according to a Times analysis .
In Los Angeles County , which has become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in California , officials have cautioned that reopening the economy will be more difficult than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County health officials on Wednesday reported 1,324 new cases of coronavirus , bringing the infection total to 40,857 .
Officials also reported 57 additional fatalities , bringing the death toll to 1,970 .
Nearly 6,000 of those who have tested positive for the virus have been hospitalized at some point during their illness .
Currently , 1,531 patients who are positive for COVID-19 are being hospitalized , said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .
“ Each day we continue to see a slight decrease in the number of people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is good news.
” As the number of cases continues to tick upward , county officials on Wednesday reemphasized their goal of reopening more of the economy by July 4 .
The mission is to reopen retail businesses , restaurants and malls at a steady pace while trying to avoid additional outbreaks , Supervisor Kathryn Barger said .
“ When we first put in place ‘ Safer at Home , ’ there was a lot we didn ’ t know about COVID-19 , and we ’ ve learned a lot since then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal was not to kill business , the goal was to slow the infections , and as we have been able to lift restrictions , we are doing that , and the goal is to do it in a safe and responsible manner.
” The proposed timeline was first unveiled Tuesday during a meeting of the county ’ s Economic Resiliency Task Force , which has been charged with developing plans for helping restore the region ’ s battered economy .
There have been more than 1 million unemployment claims filed in Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 75 % of the projected job losses are in positions that pay $ 50,000 a year or less .
Restaurants and retail businesses are among the hardest hit , according to data presented to the task force .
“ The longer we stay closed in certain sectors , particularly small businesses and restaurants , the odds are that they will not be able to come back , ” Supervisor Janice Hahn said .
“ I feel that we have to get to the point that we learn to live with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forever.
” Currently , most retail stores and restaurants are allowed to provide curbside pickup , while hiking trails and parks have reopened and .
Face coverings are still required , and gatherings are not permitted in the county .
Although have been given permission for dine-in restaurant service and in-store shopping — and more counties are making cases for further reopening — officials say L.A. County is not yet ready to take that step .
Still , some communities in the county are looking at alternatives .
Leaders in Long Beach moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets initiative ” that would repurpose some roads in the city to accommodate recreation and outdoor dining .
Long Beach ’ s restaurant dining rooms state and local orders , and the city ’ s hospitality industry is struggling .
“ Even though they ’ ve been allowed to continue serving customers through , that hasn ’ t provided enough revenue for many establishments and some restaurants just aren ’ t set up for that model , ” Mayor Robert Garcia wrote in a community message .
“ We want to do everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stay open.
” L.A. County leaders have noted that loosening restrictions depends on the public ’ s willingness to practice social distancing , wear face coverings and take other precautions to prevent a spike in cases .
Health officials say the county is still a long way off from achieving herd immunity to the virus .
A new study by USC and Los Angeles County scientists released Wednesday found that only 2.1 % of adults in the county showed evidence of having been infected with COVID-19 — a startling finding , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 5 % of L.A. County residents showed signs of past infection .
The findings raise the possibility that people are losing antibodies to the coronavirus in the months after infection .
It ’ s also possible the differing results could be caused by random variation , testing at different sites in L.A. County or efforts to increase testing among people of color .
During the first study conducted in the second week of April , scientists tested 863 people and found that 4.1 % tested positive for having coronavirus antibodies .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , scientists boosted that number , estimating that 4.65 % of L.A. County residents had some level of immunity to the virus .
The second survey , which was conducted over four days in May , found that only 2.1 % of the 1,014 adults tested were positive for antibodies .
Neeraj Sood , the study ’ s leader and a professor at USC ’ s Sol Price School of Public Policy , said the idea that coronavirus antibodies might be waning among people months after they get infected is completely speculative at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s possible the test used by the researchers is not able to detect a lower level of antibodies to the virus that might occur months after infection .
“ So I just want to emphasize that this is right now just a potential explanation .
It doesn ’ t mean that we think this is a likely explanation , ” Sood said .
Ferrer also noted the tests didn ’ t include people from some of the highest risk groups , like people living in nursing homes , homeless shelters and jails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming months .
L.A. County ’ s coronavirus transmission rate has fallen significantly since the stay-at-home orders were imposed in late March .
As the every person who tested positive for the virus in the county was infecting an average of 3½ other people , which scientists call , “ R , ” or the Effective Transmission Number .
Last week , officials released data showing remarkable progress : The Effective Transmission Number had dropped to just 1 , meaning for every one person infected , that person only infected one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials had more good news : the Effective Transmission Number has now fallen slightly below 1 .
L.A. County officials now estimate that if the economy is reopened without a worsening of the coronavirus transmission rate , they will expect 8 % of L.A. County residents will be infected by Dec. 1 .
But if the Effective Transmission Number rises to to 1.5 — meaning each infected person will infect 1.5 others on average — then 44 % of L.A. County residents will be infected by Dec. 1 .
“ Vigilance is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the steps that you ’ ve heard us describe again and again of those basic core public health measures that will make all the difference , ” said said Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of health services for L.A. County .
“ These very simple practices are what allows all of us the chance to stay healthy , get back to work and restore the normalcy of our lives.
” Gov .
Gavin Newsom this week loosened rules linking coronavirus infection rates and deaths to permitted activities , a move that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state to reopen more quickly .
However , leaders in some regions contend that their economies should be able to reopen ahead of the state ’ s schedule .
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to move the county all the way through Phase 3 of Newsom ’ s reopening road map , which would allow movie theaters , shopping malls , salons , gyms and dine-in restaurants to reopen .
In-person religious services also would be able to resume .
The decision came as the county reported a spike of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more deaths .
Board members acknowledged the county doesn ’ t meet all the latest criteria for a more rapid reopening , falling short in the areas of new case and positive test rates , as well as contact tracing staff .
Mark Ghilarducci , director of the governor ’ s Office of Emergency Services , sent a letter to Tulare County officials this week warning them that the county could lose disaster funding if it continues down its current path .
“ If Tulare County believes there is no emergency , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s executive orders or the state public health officer ’ s directives , the county would not be able to demonstrate that it was extraordinarily and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 , ” Ghilarducci wrote .
Times staff writer Sean Greene and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report .

Hannah Fry, Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money

Alfredo Contreras receives an oral swab test for COVID-19 from nurse practitioner Anniesatu Newland at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center in South Los Angeles on Monday.
California recorded 132 new coronavirus-related fatalities Tuesday — the most in a single day since the pandemic began — as counties across the state continue cementing plans to reopen their economies.
The highest number of deaths previously reported in a single day statewide was 117 in late April. Tuesday’s rise, which comes on a day when data from the previous weekend is typically released, pushed the state’s death toll past 3,400. The number of confirmed cases statewide has climbed to 83,864, according to data compiled by The Times.
While the death count continues to rise, other metrics show significant progress, enough that even some of the most cautious local health officials have agreed to begin slowly reopening businesses and public spaces.
Advertisement
The number of newly identified coronavirus cases across California declined from the previous week, and hospitalizations have dropped more than 15% from a peak six weeks ago, according to a Times analysis.
In Los Angeles County, which has become the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in California, officials have cautioned that reopening the economy will be more difficult than in other parts of the state.
1 / 46 Newport Beach police enforce closures along the Wedge in Newport Beach, a popular surf spot. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 46 Spectators along the Wedge in Newport Beach, a surf spot, on July 4. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 46 A bicyclist rides along Highland Avenue with the pier closed to beachgoers on July 3 in Manhattan Beach. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 46 Peter Gratzinger of Pacific Palisades heads to the water at Santa Monica State Beach, which opened to the public at 5 a.m. July 6. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 46 A bicyclist with her child rides along the closed bike path on July 3 in Manhattan Beach. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 46 A police officer and a lifeguard boat comb the shoreline in Venice Beach on July 5. Even though the beach was closed over the weekend a few still made their way to the shoreline. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 46 No-parking signs from the July 4 weekend still block spots on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica on Monday. (Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 46 Dusk sets in over the the Santa Monica Pier on Friday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 46 Southern California residents watch the fireworks during the Drive-Up 4th of July Spectacular at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base on Saturday in Los Alamitos. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 46 Bella Nousiainen, left, with daughter, Helmi Nousiainen, of Los Angeles, at the Santa Monica Pier, which reopens after being closed to guests for months because of the coronavirus. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 46 Dr. Jamie Taylor checks the ventilators at the refashioned St. Vincent Hospital. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 46 Shoppers and mannequins wear protective masks in the Los Angeles downtown garment district on Thursday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 46 Patrons wear face coverings at Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. A recent surge in COVID-19 cases in California has pushed the state’s total past 200,000 with more than 5,800 deaths. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 46 LAPD officers E. Rosales, left, and D. Castro, patrol the Metro Red Line at the Hollywood/Highland Metro Station Thursday. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 46 Visitors wear protective masks while walking through historic Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 46 People wait in line to have a COVID-19 screening administered by the Community Organized Relief Effort at the Los Angeles City Mayor’s test site at Dodger Stadium on Thursday. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 46 A woman adjusts a protective mask while walkiing along Atlantic Avenue in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Ti mes) 18 / 46 Cameron Johnson,18, left, headed to UC Berkeley in the fall and Simona Krasnegor,17, headed to UCLA in the fall, watched the sun set while sitting next to the Manhattan Beach Pier, following their drive-through graduation from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 46 Jair Guido, 36, a veterinarian visiting from Durango, Mexico, right, wearing a sombrero with an American flag draped over his shoulders, walks with other pedestrians along Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Guido said that he wore this outfit to show people that he is proud to be a Mexican and that he loves America. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered all Californians to wear face coverings while in public. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 46 A mask-wearing skateboarder and her dog make their way along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Californians must wear face masks in public under a coronavirus order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 46 Pedestrians, some with face coverings, some without, walk past musicians Brent Kendell, background left, and Sam Jones, background right, as they perform at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 46 People wear masks while walking along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Californians must wear face masks in public under a coronavirus order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 46 Pedestrians cross the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue in Hollywood. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered all Californians to wear face coverings while in public, following growing concerns that an increase in coronavirus cases has been caused by residents failing to voluntarily take that precaution. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 46 Sophia Strauss, left, and Sarah Hoffmeister celebrate after their drive-through graduation from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 46 New West Charter School vice principal Mark Herrera shouts at graduate Joe Reid to come and receive his diploma during a drive-up graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at the charter school in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 46 A worker directs drivers at a drive-up testing site for COVID-19 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 46 Destiny VanSciner is tested for COVID-19 with an oral swab by family nurse practitioner Anniesatu Newland at a walk-in site at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 46 Melissa Gomes fixes the tassel on the mortarboard of Sarah Anggraini as the new graduate gets ready for a photo at Chaffey College, which held a drive-through graduation, in Rancho Cucamonga. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 46 Maricela Moreno, manager at El Tarasco in Marina del Rey, disinfects cash at the restaurant. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 46 Mildred “Millie” Stratton waves to a caravan of cars led by Alhambra police officers and firefighters. The parade past her home celebrated Stratton’s 102nd birthday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 46 Eric Larkin hands an order to Brittany Wright as she fastens her face covering outside the Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 46 A jogger passes Evergreen Cemetery in Los Angeles as local stay-at-home orders are increasingly relaxed months into the coronavirus outbreak. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 46 Hikers and bikers traverse the Santa Fe Dam trail as county parks officially reopen to the public. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 46 A woman, masked against COVID-19, walks past a building that features the image of Britney Spears at a shopping center in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 46 Manon Guijarro, a new graduate of Pierce College, has her photo taken by friend Paige Johnson at Chris Burden’s outdoor work “Urban Light” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 46 Mary Perez, a salesperson at High Class Jewels on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, helps a customer as he tries on a gold rope chain inside the recently reopened store. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 46 Professional dog walker Lindsay Rojas takes golden retrievers Gomez, left, and Nikki for a stroll along Le Bourget Avenue in Culver City. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 46 The Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team banks over downtown Los Angeles in formation to salute healthcare workers and first responders on May 15. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 46 Maria Morales, center, a member of the USC class of 2020, participates in virtual graduation via Zoom with her brother Manny Morales, left, mom Pilar Morales and stepdad Victor Ramos from her home in Orange. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 46 On a recent day, there’s not a face mask in sight as a roller skater and others share the reopened walking path on the Strand in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 46 Crew members of a Hainan Airlines flight walk through the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 42 / 46 A woman wearing a protective mask walks past a shuttered business in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 43 / 46 Thousands of rental cars are stored at Dodger Stadium as the coronavirus crisis has caused rentals to nosedive. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) 44 / 46 Some beachgoers actively use the beach while others relax on the sand, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s active-use-only order, in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 45 / 46 Traveling nurse Gail Cunningham waves thanks outside the emergency room entrance to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley as residents pay tribute to her and other medical personnel with a drive-by rally. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 46 / 46 A scene from “Knives Out,” with actor Don Johnson, seen at the Mission Tiki Drive-in Theatre in Montclair. Opened with one screen in 1956, the Mission Tiki expanded to four screens in 1975 and began renovation in 2006, updating to FM transmitters and digital projectors. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
County health officials on Wednesday reported 1,324 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the infection total to 40,857. Officials also reported 57 additional fatalities, bringing the death toll to 1,970.
Nearly 6,000 of those who have tested positive for the virus have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. Currently, 1,531 patients who are positive for COVID-19 are being hospitalized, said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
“Each day we continue to see a slight decrease in the number of people who are hospitalized,” Ferrer said. “This is good news.”
Advertisement
As the number of cases continues to tick upward, county officials on Wednesday reemphasized their goal of reopening more of the economy by July 4. The mission is to reopen retail businesses, restaurants and malls at a steady pace while trying to avoid additional outbreaks, Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.
“When we first put in place ‘Safer at Home,’ there was a lot we didn’t know about COVID-19, and we’ve learned a lot since then,” she said. “The goal was not to kill business, the goal was to slow the infections, and as we have been able to lift restrictions, we are doing that, and the goal is to do it in a safe and responsible manner.”
The proposed timeline was first unveiled Tuesday during a meeting of the county’s Economic Resiliency Task Force, which has been charged with developing plans for helping restore the region’s battered economy.
There have been more than 1 million unemployment claims filed in Los Angeles County to date, and more than 75% of the projected job losses are in positions that pay $50,000 a year or less. Restaurants and retail businesses are among the hardest hit, according to data presented to the task force.
“The longer we stay closed in certain sectors, particularly small businesses and restaurants, the odds are that they will not be able to come back,” Supervisor Janice Hahn said. “I feel that we have to get to the point that we learn to live with the virus. We cannot stay locked down forever.”
Currently, most retail stores and restaurants are allowed to provide curbside pickup, while hiking trails and parks have reopened and active recreation is allowed at beaches . Face coverings are still required, and gatherings are not permitted in the county.
On Wednesday, neighboring Ventura County became the largest county in Southern California to resume dine-in service at restaurants and in-store shopping. San Luis Obispo, Kings and Kern also joined the growing list of California counties that have been given permission to enter phase two of reopening.
But officials say L.A. County is not yet ready to take that step.
Still, some communities in the county are looking at alternatives. Leaders in Long Beach moved forward this week with an “open streets initiative” that would repurpose some roads in the city to accommodate recreation and outdoor dining. Long Beach’s restaurant dining rooms remain closed under state and local orders, and the city’s hospitality industry is struggling.
“Even though they’ve been allowed to continue serving customers through pickup and delivery , that hasn’t provided enough revenue for many establishments and some restaurants just aren’t set up for that model,” Mayor Robert Garcia wrote in a community message. “We want to do everything we can to help restaurants get open and stay open.”
Speaking outside Caveman Vintage Music in Lincoln Heights on Wednesday afternoon, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the city would expand its emergency micro-loan program for local businesses that had been hurt by the shutdown, reviewing applications it had previously denied and adding staffing to expedite those still in its queue.
The mayor also said any business inside city limits would be able to get a temporary pick-up zone from the department of transportation, making it easier for customers to buy locally while in-store shopping remains prohibited.
“Every week we’re opening more up, but we’re doing it responsibly,” Garcetti said.
L.A. County leaders have noted that loosening restrictions depends on the public’s willingness to practice social distancing, wear face coverings and take other precautions to prevent a spike in cases. Health officials say the county is still a long way off from achieving herd immunity to the virus.
A new study by USC and Los Angeles County scientists released Wednesday found that only 2.1% of adults in the county showed evidence of having been infected with COVID-19 — a startling finding, since a test conducted a month earlier estimated nearly 5% of L.A. County residents showed signs of past infection.
The findings raise the possibility that people are losing antibodies to the coronavirus in the months after infection. It’s also possible the differing results could be caused by random variation, testing at different sites in L.A. County or efforts to increase testing among people of color.
During the first study conducted in the second week of April, scientists tested 863 people and found that 4.1% tested positive for having coronavirus antibodies. After making adjustments for test sensitivity and specificity, scientists boosted that number, estimating that 4.65% of L.A. County residents had some level of immunity to the virus. The second survey, which was conducted over four days in May, found that only 2.1% of the 1,014 adults tested were positive for antibodies.
Neeraj Sood, the study’s leader and a professor at USC’s Sol Price School of Public Policy, said the idea that coronavirus antibodies might be waning among people months after they get infected is completely speculative at this point. But he said it’s possible the test used by the researchers is not able to detect a lower level of antibodies to the virus that might occur months after infection.
“So I just want to emphasize that this is right now just a potential explanation. It doesn’t mean that we think this is a likely explanation,” Sood said.
Ferrer also noted the tests didn’t include people from some of the highest risk groups, like people living in nursing homes, homeless shelters and jails. Officials plan to do follow-up testing in the coming months.
L.A. County’s coronavirus transmission rate has fallen significantly since the stay-at-home orders were imposed in late March. As the crisis took hold, every person who tested positive for the virus in the county was infecting an average of 3½ other people, which scientists call, “R,” or the Effective Transmission Number.
Last week, officials released data showing remarkable progress: The Effective Transmission Number had dropped to just 1, meaning for every one person infected, that person only infected one other person on average.
On Wednesday, officials had more good news: the Effective Transmission Number has now fallen slightly below 1.
L.A. County officials now estimate that if the economy is reopened without a worsening of the coronavirus transmission rate, they will expect 8% of L.A. County residents will be infected by Dec. 1. But if the Effective Transmission Number rises to to 1.5 — meaning each infected person will infect 1.5 others on average — then 44% of L.A. County residents will be infected by Dec. 1.
“Vigilance is still our most important weapon and it is the steps that you’ve heard us describe again and again of those basic core public health measures that will make all the difference,” said said Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of health services for L.A. County. “These very simple practices are what allows all of us the chance to stay healthy, get back to work and restore the normalcy of our lives.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom this week loosened rules linking coronavirus infection rates and deaths to permitted activities, a move that is expected to allow many parts of the state to reopen more quickly.
However, leaders in some regions contend that their economies should be able to reopen ahead of the state’s schedule.
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to move the county all the way through Phase 3 of Newsom’s reopening road map, which would allow movie theaters, shopping malls, salons, gyms and dine-in restaurants to reopen. In-person religious services also would be able to resume.
The decision came as the county reported a spike of 103 new cases of COVID-19 and four more deaths. Board members acknowledged the county doesn’t meet all the latest criteria for a more rapid reopening, falling short in the areas of new case and positive test rates, as well as contact tracing staff.
Mark Ghilarducci, director of the governor’s Office of Emergency Services, sent a letter to Tulare County officials this week warning them that the county could lose disaster funding if it continues down its current path.
“If Tulare County believes there is no emergency, such that it can ignore the governor’s executive orders or the state public health officer’s directives, the county would not be able to demonstrate that it was extraordinarily and disproportionately impacted by COVID-19,” Ghilarducci wrote.
Times staff writer Sean Greene and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-20--WWE reacts to the death of former pro wrestler Shad Gaspard

The wrestling world reacted Wednesday to the death of former WWE star Shad Gaspard , whose body was found early in the morning along the shore near the Venice Pier .
Gaspard , 39 , was best known as half of the WWE tag-team group Cryme Time , along with his partner , JTG .
He had been missing since Sunday afternoon , when he went swimming with his 10-year-old son , Aryeh , at Venice Beach .
“ I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ In absolutely tragic circumstances , please keep his loved ones in your thoughts.
” Caught in a rip current , Aryeh was rescued and other swimmers made it safely to shore .
But Gaspard was swept out to sea .
According to the WWE , Gaspard ’ s final act was instructing lifeguards to save his son .
“ Shad died a hero , saving his son ’ s life .
As a parent , there are no words to even explain that , ” former wrestler Taz tweeted .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy every time we spoke , just a good dude .
Prayers for his family during this horrible time.
” Here are some other reactions from around the WWE :

The wrestling world reacted Wednesday to the death of former WWE star Shad Gaspard, whose body was found early in the morning along the shore near the Venice Pier.
Gaspard, 39, was best known as half of the WWE tag-team group Cryme Time, along with his partner, JTG. He had been missing since Sunday afternoon, when he went swimming with his 10-year-old son, Aryeh, at Venice Beach.
“I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father,” WWE wrestler and executive Triple H tweeted. “In absolutely tragic circumstances, please keep his loved ones in your thoughts.”
Advertisement
I join fans around the world as we remember Shad Gaspard as a beloved performer and a caring father. In absolutely tragic circumstances, please keep his loved ones in your thoughts. https://t.co/JibfmJJMcC — Triple H (@TripleH) May 20, 2020
Caught in a rip current, Aryeh was rescued and other swimmers made it safely to shore. But Gaspard was swept out to sea.
According to the WWE, Gaspard’s final act was instructing lifeguards to save his son.
“Shad died a hero, saving his son’s life. As a parent, there are no words to even explain that,” former wrestler Taz tweeted. “He was a really positive & funny guy every time we spoke, just a good dude. Prayers for his family during this horrible time.”
Shad died a hero, saving his son’s life. As a parent, there are no words to even explain that. He was a really positive & funny guy every time we spoke, just a good dude. Prayers for his family during this horrible time. #RIPShadGaspard 🙏 pic.twitter.com/qD5GkNUyje — TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) May 20, 2020
Here are some other reactions from around the WWE:
WWE is saddened to learn that former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard has passed away at the age of 39. WWE extends its condolences to Gaspard’s family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/cQDlDgQCHh — WWE (@WWEIndia) May 20, 2020
The thoughts of everyone at WWE are with Shad Gaspard’s family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/dLRnF6oElX — Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) May 19, 2020
Advertisement
My Love, Thoughts, Prayers and Support Go out to The Family of Shad Gaspard. Nothing will ever Fix the loss of a loved one. As a Universe We owe it to ourselves and to others to Be a Positive Light in this world as long as we can Because Nothing is Ever Guaranteed. #RIPSHAD ❤🙏🏿 — Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) May 20, 2020
Never got the pleasure to know Shad too well personally, but I did have the opportunity to wrestle him countless times. He was beyond motivated and as a giant, took precautions to protect folks in the ring. I’m saddened by his passing, his last moments were as an undeniable hero. pic.twitter.com/D8K5NpDxzb — Cody (@CodyRhodes) May 20, 2020
Never did the meaning “brother “mean more to me than it did with #ShadGaspard. I’ll never forget the day Shad posted these pics of us early 20 something-year-olds,& illustrating our pathway through life’s accomplishments & into fatherhood side by side 4 20 years!I love u brother pic.twitter.com/jJSDCuWnk5 — Matt Morgan (@BPmattmorgan) May 19, 2020
The world has lost a wonderful human being. Shad Gaspard was a true HERO in every sense of the word. I’m keeping his family and loved ones in my prayers right now. We love you, Shad. pic.twitter.com/JaX6Ebk9LF — NattieByNature (@NatbyNature) May 20, 2020
Shad will always be greatly missed by everyone who’s ever known him. An amazing man who always had the most positive energy and happiness. Always. Thinking of him and his family. Heartbroken by this #RIPSHAD ❤❤❤ — Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) May 20, 2020
"Don’t worry about being a big star, just focus on knowing your craft so you can be the best you can be, everything else will just fall into place" - Shad Gaspard pic.twitter.com/pui1Candmm — Brian Pillman Jr. (@FlyinBrianJr) May 20, 2020