latimes--2020-12-07--With nearly 20,000 dead and economy hit by lockdown, California faces treacherous phase of pandemic

The pandemic that has killed nearly 20,000 Californians and brought a once-booming economy to its knees entered a treacherous phase Sunday as much of the state began a new stay-at-home order and coronavirus cases soared to unprecedented highs that show no signs of slowing down .
The Department of Public Health in Los Angeles County , a hot spot of the coronavirus in California , reported more than 10,500 new cases on Sunday , a staggering number for a single day that underscores fears that the virus spread rapidly during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend .
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 neared 3,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara Ferrer said that number could rise dramatically in the next few weeks as the full toll of the holiday comes into view .
This was the seventh consecutive day of record-breaking COVID-19 hospitalizations in L.A. County , and more than quadruple the number from early October , when there were about 700 hospitalized people with the disease .
“ I wouldn ’ t be surprised if we start seeing daily hospitalizations approaching 4,000 in a couple of weeks , ” Ferrer said in an interview Sunday .
“ I am positive that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases in our case numbers associated with the Thanksgiving holiday , just based on the timeline.
” She said it will take some time for the effects of the stay-at-home order to become clear , and in the meantime , the numbers will keep going up .
The average number of L.A. County residents dying daily of COVID-19 is now about 39 , nearly quadruple the number from early November , and is expected to worsen .
“ We ’ re going to see three weeks of devastation before we ’ ll be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
But the grim forecast was little solace to thousands of restaurants , hair salons and other businesses that will have to either close or dramatically curtail operations due to the order .
Retailers have already been devastated by earlier lockdowns .
And many say they are not sure they can survive another one .
The stay-at-home rules , which are less stringent than those imposed in the spring , have faced strong opposition from restaurant owners and others who say they are being unfairly targeted .
L.A. County suspended outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order extends the suspension to counties that are home to tens of millions of people .
“ It ’ s devastating , ” said Hilary Goldner , co-owner of Sweet 1017 Hairdressing in Seal Beach .
“ We had had the two closures already , and this one comes at the busiest time of the year .
Everyone is trying to move forward with their lives , and we play a role in that .
It ’ s unfortunate and disappointing.
” The regional stay-at-home order is the latest attempt to tamp down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and related hospitalizations that officials fear could overwhelm the local healthcare system .
Statewide , average daily coronavirus cases have jumped sixfold since early October , hospitalizations have quadrupled since late October , and average daily deaths have nearly tripled in just the last month .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced the stay-at-home order last week , saying officials had carved up the state into five regions for the purposes of measuring hospital intensive care unit capacity .
A region is required to implement the order after its ICU capacity drops below 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the San Joaquin Valley had already crossed when the mandate officially took effect Saturday .
The percentages fell further Sunday , from 12.5 % to 10.3 % for Southern California and from 8.6 % to 6.6 % for the San Joaquin Valley .
The regions were scheduled to implement the new order at 11:59 p.m. Sunday , and it will remain in place for at least three weeks .
In addition , five counties in the Bay Area decided to implement the order before reaching the threshold , as early as Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants must halt in-person dining and can offer food only for delivery and takeout .
Gatherings of people from different households will be prohibited , except for outdoor religious services and political demonstrations .
Affected communities will be required to close hair and nail salons , playgrounds , zoos , museums , outdoor card rooms , aquariums , breweries and wineries .
Nonessential travel and use of hotels for leisure will be prohibited , as will overnight , short-term stays at campgrounds .
All retail can remain open , but at 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became a last chance to get a haircut indoors or enjoy a meal at a restaurant with patio service before the rules took effect .
Rick Hayes , a retired high school English teacher , was enjoying his daily ritual of drinking coffee and reading a newspaper outside at the Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar near Main Street in Seal Beach on Sunday morning .
Asked about the looming lockdown that will put his routine on hold for at least three weeks , Hayes said , “ I think it ’ s unfortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whose mask was pulled down under his chin so he could sip from his mug , appeared to be in the minority of those wearing a face covering on the popular beachside strip of restaurants in Orange County .
“ We got to get this thing under control , ” he said .
“ Covering up seems to help.
” Hayes said he will continue ordering takeout as often as he can during the coming lockdown to try to help local businesses survive .
There was noticeably less support for the restrictions up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I would really like to see statistics on mental health-related deaths as a result of this , ” said Bob Berk , a retired aerospace engineer , who was having mimosas with his wife and another couple at an outdoor table .
“ Yes , this is a vicious virus , but you have people who are not just losing their livelihoods but their lives to suicide and stress .
“ It ’ s tragic , ” Berk added , “ but let the people who are at risk stay home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I believe , because of social media , we ’ re hyper-focusing on this virus , ” Leslie Berk added .
“ Sure it ’ s bad , but to shut the country down is not OK. ” Scientists from around the world say the science is clear : closing public venues where people from different households interact with each other slows the spread of the coronavirus , reducing daily infections , deaths and hospitalizations .
Health experts have largely agreed the stay-at-home order is California ’ s best chance at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system breaks down .
They note that such orders have been effective both in California earlier this year and in Europe more recently .
“ The stay-at-home orders worked the first time around in that we did , in a sense , flatten the curve and see decreases occurring , ” said Dr. Robert Kim-Farley , medical epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health .
“ So I think we in public health are hopeful that these new regional stay-at-home orders will be able to also reverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely been a political backlash .
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco called the new order “ flat-out ridiculous ” and criticized the state for threatening to cut funding to counties that didn ’ t comply with the state ’ s COVID-19 guidelines for reopening .
Riverside County in October modified a plan to set its own reopening agenda after learning the move could jeopardize tens of millions of dollars in state funding .
Bianco singled out Newsom , calling him hypocritical for his handling of the pandemic and alluding to the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a pricey Napa Valley restaurant .
“ It appears part of the new goal is to shift attention away from his and others ’ personal behavior with a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do attitude by turning public opinion against California sheriffs , ” Bianco said .
“ He is expecting us to arrest anyone violating these orders , cite them and take their money , close their businesses , make them stay in their homes and take away their civil liberties , or he will punish all of us.
” Riverside County hit its seventh consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients , according to data released Saturday ; that ’ s more than five times worse than early October , when about 135 were hospitalized .

Alex Wigglesworth, Jack Dolan, Rong-Gong Lin II

An ICU nurse works this year at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in the Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles. The state’s regional stay-at-home order is tied to ICU capacity.
The pandemic that has killed nearly 20,000 Californians and brought a once-booming economy to its knees entered a treacherous phase Sunday as much of the state began a new stay-at-home order and coronavirus cases soared to unprecedented highs that show no signs of slowing down.
The Department of Public Health in Los Angeles County, a hot spot of the coronavirus in California, reported more than 10,500 new cases on Sunday, a staggering number for a single day that underscores fears that the virus spread rapidly during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 neared 3,000 — and L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said that number could rise dramatically in the next few weeks as the full toll of the holiday comes into view.
This was the seventh consecutive day of record-breaking COVID-19 hospitalizations in L.A. County, and more than quadruple the number from early October, when there were about 700 hospitalized people with the disease.
Advertisement
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing daily hospitalizations approaching 4,000 in a couple of weeks,” Ferrer said in an interview Sunday. “I am positive that we haven’t seen the full increases in our case numbers associated with the Thanksgiving holiday, just based on the timeline.”
She said it will take some time for the effects of the stay-at-home order to become clear, and in the meantime, the numbers will keep going up. The average number of L.A. County residents dying daily of COVID-19 is now about 39, nearly quadruple the number from early November, and is expected to worsen.
“We’re going to see three weeks of devastation before we’ll be able to assess the impact,” she said.
But the grim forecast was little solace to thousands of restaurants, hair salons and other businesses that will have to either close or dramatically curtail operations due to the order. Retailers have already been devastated by earlier lockdowns. And many say they are not sure they can survive another one.
The stay-at-home rules, which are less stringent than those imposed in the spring, have faced strong opposition from restaurant owners and others who say they are being unfairly targeted. L.A. County suspended outdoor dining last month, but the new order extends the suspension to counties that are home to tens of millions of people.
“It’s devastating,” said Hilary Goldner, co-owner of Sweet 1017 Hairdressing in Seal Beach. “We had had the two closures already, and this one comes at the busiest time of the year. Everyone is trying to move forward with their lives, and we play a role in that. It’s unfortunate and disappointing.”
Advertisement
The regional stay-at-home order is the latest attempt to tamp down on an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases and related hospitalizations that officials fear could overwhelm the local healthcare system.
Statewide, average daily coronavirus cases have jumped sixfold since early October, hospitalizations have quadrupled since late October, and average daily deaths have nearly tripled in just the last month.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the stay-at-home order last week, saying officials had carved up the state into five regions for the purposes of measuring hospital intensive care unit capacity. A region is required to implement the order after its ICU capacity drops below 15%, a line that Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley had already crossed when the mandate officially took effect Saturday.
The percentages fell further Sunday, from 12.5% to 10.3% for Southern California and from 8.6% to 6.6% for the San Joaquin Valley.
The regions were scheduled to implement the new order at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, and it will remain in place for at least three weeks.
In addition, five counties in the Bay Area decided to implement the order before reaching the threshold, as early as Sunday night.
Under the new rules, restaurants must halt in-person dining and can offer food only for delivery and takeout. Gatherings of people from different households will be prohibited, except for outdoor religious services and political demonstrations. Affected communities will be required to close hair and nail salons, playgrounds, zoos, museums, outdoor card rooms, aquariums, breweries and wineries. Nonessential travel and use of hotels for leisure will be prohibited, as will overnight, short-term stays at campgrounds. All retail can remain open, but at 20% capacity.
Across Southern California, Sunday became a last chance to get a haircut indoors or enjoy a meal at a restaurant with patio service before the rules took effect.
Rick Hayes, a retired high school English teacher, was enjoying his daily ritual of drinking coffee and reading a newspaper outside at the Hangout Restaurant & Beach Bar near Main Street in Seal Beach on Sunday morning.
Asked about the looming lockdown that will put his routine on hold for at least three weeks, Hayes said, “I think it’s unfortunate but probably necessary.”
The 76-year-old, whose mask was pulled down under his chin so he could sip from his mug, appeared to be in the minority of those wearing a face covering on the popular beachside strip of restaurants in Orange County.
“We got to get this thing under control,” he said. “Covering up seems to help.”
Hayes said he will continue ordering takeout as often as he can during the coming lockdown to try to help local businesses survive.
There was noticeably less support for the restrictions up the street at Hennessey’s Grill.
“I would really like to see statistics on mental health-related deaths as a result of this,” said Bob Berk, a retired aerospace engineer, who was having mimosas with his wife and another couple at an outdoor table. “Yes, this is a vicious virus, but you have people who are not just losing their livelihoods but their lives to suicide and stress.
“It’s tragic,” Berk added, “but let the people who are at risk stay home. Don’t quarantine the healthy.”
“I believe, because of social media, we’re hyper-focusing on this virus,” Leslie Berk added. “Sure it’s bad, but to shut the country down is not OK.”
Scientists from around the world say the science is clear: closing public venues where people from different households interact with each other slows the spread of the coronavirus, reducing daily infections, deaths and hospitalizations.
Health experts have largely agreed the stay-at-home order is California’s best chance at slowing the infection rate before the healthcare system breaks down. They note that such orders have been effective both in California earlier this year and in Europe more recently.
“The stay-at-home orders worked the first time around in that we did, in a sense, flatten the curve and see decreases occurring,” said Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, medical epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
“So I think we in public health are hopeful that these new regional stay-at-home orders will be able to also reverse this upward trend.”
But there has definitely been a political backlash.
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco called the new order “flat-out ridiculous” and criticized the state for threatening to cut funding to counties that didn’t comply with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines for reopening. Riverside County in October modified a plan to set its own reopening agenda after learning the move could jeopardize tens of millions of dollars in state funding.
Bianco singled out Newsom, calling him hypocritical for his handling of the pandemic and alluding to the governor’s much-criticized outing to the French Laundry, a pricey Napa Valley restaurant.
“It appears part of the new goal is to shift attention away from his and others’ personal behavior with a do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do attitude by turning public opinion against California sheriffs,” Bianco said. “He is expecting us to arrest anyone violating these orders, cite them and take their money, close their businesses, make them stay in their homes and take away their civil liberties, or he will punish all of us.”
Riverside County hit its seventh consecutive daily record for COVID-19 hospitalizations with 687 patients, according to data released Saturday; that’s more than five times worse than early October, when about 135 were hospitalized.
Times staff writer Thomas Curwen contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-12-07--These photos reveal California's harrowing 2020, month by month

2020 will not go down as a footnote in history .
More likely , it ’ s the year no @ @ @ @ @ it brought challenges — PPEs , social distancing — and an incredible body of storytelling @ @ @ @ @ the loss of a legend .
At the end of the month , the Los @ @ @ @ @ dramatic rescue after a large blaze enveloped the sixth floor of the 25-story Barrington Plaza @ @

It’s been a wild ride.
2020 will not go down as a footnote in history. More likely, it’s the year no one will forget.
Visually, it brought challenges — PPE, social distancing — and an incredible body of storytelling.
It all started with the loss of a legend.
January
Jan. 26: Fans gather outside Staples Center to mourn Kobe Bryant after news spread of the helicopter crash that killed him, his daughter Gianna and seven others in Calabasas. More photos : Fans gather outside Staples Center to mourn Kobe Bryant after news spread of the helicopter crash that killed him, his daughter Gianna and seven others in Calabasas. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Jan. 31: From left, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Quin Cook, and LeBron James honor Kobe Bryant at the Staples Center. More photos : From left, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Quin Cook, and LeBron James honor Kobe Bryant at the Staples Center. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
At the end of the month, the Los Angeles Fire Department executed a dramatic rescue after a large blaze enveloped the sixth floor of the 25-story Barrington Plaza apartments.
Advertisement
Jan. 29: A resident tries to escape the flames as firefighters battled a fire at the Barrington Plaza apartments. More photos. A resident tries to escape the flames as firefighters battled a fire at the Barrington Plaza apartments. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
February
Feb. 8: Bryan Matsumoto pets Lalo near the waterfall at the end of Trail Canyon Falls in the San Gabriel Mountains. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Feb. 19: Bumdog Torres outside the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles. Torres, who is homeless, he says, more or less by choice, has made two feature-length films while living on the streets. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
March
March 31: Billy Gross and Kristina Sorensen check out a new sign with timely sentiments painted on a wall while taking their dog Bear for a walk on La Brea Avenue. More photos : Billy Gross and Kristina Sorensen check out a new sign with timely sentiments painted on a wall while taking their dog Bear for a walk on La Brea Avenue. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
California See 6 hauntingly beautiful shots of Hollywood under ‘stay home’ order On Thursday evening, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide “stay at home” order. Los Angeles Times photographer Jay L. Clendenin and videographer Mark Potts document the first night of the order in Hollywood.
March 31: Grace Carter, 15, practices her dance routine in the isolation of her bedroom in Riverside since her dance classes and school were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s hard. My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio, “ Grace said. More photos : Grace Carter, 15, practices her dance routine in the isolation of her bedroom in Riverside since her dance classes and school were canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s hard. My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio, “ Grace said. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
March 25: Mike Lynn uses exercise equipment at Longfellow Elementary School in Long Beach because his gym has been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. More photos : Mike Lynn uses exercise equipment at Longfellow Elementary School in Long Beach because his gym has been closed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
April
April 7: Patients are moved out of the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside after staff fearing coronavirus infection failed to report to work. More photos : Patients are moved out of the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside after staff fearing coronavirus infection failed to report to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
April 25: Workers dig graves at a cemetery in Tijuana in anticipation of a wave of COVID-19 deaths. More photos : Workers dig graves at a cemetery in Tijuana in anticipation of a wave of COVID-19 deaths. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
California 20 heartwarming photos show gratitude for healthcare workers Firefighters and law enforcement officers from L.A. to Laguna Beach express their gratitude to healthcare workers for their efforts in fighting COVID-19.
Advertisement
April 30: Aerial view of vehicles lined up at the West Valley COVID-19 testing center at Warner Center in Woodland Hills. More photos : Aerial view of vehicles lined up at the West Valley COVID-19 testing center at Warner Center in Woodland Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
California Here are 8 bizarre scenes from empty downtown Los Angeles As we all adjust to our new lives under the umbrella of the coronavirus, Los Angeles Times photographer Luis Sinco gives us a look at downtown Los Angeles with the spotlight on Broadway.
May
May 2: Kathleen Sion and Russel Sion pose for a wedding photo on the steps of Caroldale Learning Community School in Carson, where they first met as children. The couple’s wedding was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. More photos : Kathleen Sion and Russel Sion pose for a wedding photo on the steps of Caroldale Learning Community School in Carson, where they first met as children. The couple’s wedding was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
May 30: Protesters stand atop a burned LAPD cruiser as another burns at 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles during demonstrations over the police killing of George Floyd. More photos : Protesters stand atop a burned LAPD cruiser as another burns at 3rd Street and Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles during demonstrations over the police killing of George Floyd. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
May 30: Michelle Usher, center, prays as fireworks streak across the sky during a protest in Santa Ana against the police killing of George Floyd. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
June
June 11: Sophia Strauss, left, and Sarah Hoffmeister, both 17, celebrate after their drive-through graduation from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. More photos : Sophia Strauss, left, and Sarah Hoffmeister, both 17, celebrate after their drive-through graduation from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
June 15: A cyclist rides past a mural in Los Angeles by the artist known as Mr. Brainwash that urges Angelenos to remain hopeful during the pandemic. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
June 17: Individual exercise cubicles separated by plastic sheeting were set up to accommodate a class at Sapsin’s Inspire South Bay Fitness. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
July
July 4: Spectators sit on the roofs of their cars to watch the Drive-Up 4th of July Spectacular in Los Alamitos. More photos : Spectators sit on the roofs of their cars to watch the Drive-Up 4th of July Spectacular in Los Alamitos. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
July 29: Nine months pregnant, pop star Katy Perry takes a selfie with a billboard promoting her new album “Smile” near Capitol Records in Hollywood. More photos : Nine months pregnant, pop star Katy Perry takes a selfie with a billboard promoting her new album “Smile” near Capitol Records in Hollywood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
California Coronavirus surge turns the Southland inside out Second wave of coronavirus has businesses and the public moving from indoors to the great outdoors
July 23: A camera operator works amid a sea of cardboard fans as the Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants play the season opener at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
August
Aug. 5: Mario Flores views the body of his godfather, Felipe Juarez, at a funeral service held in the parking lot of Continental Funeral Home in East L.A. Juarez, who died of COVID-19, was memorialized in Continental’s first outdoor service in compliance with changing state and city mandates preventing indoor gatherings. More photos Mario Flores views the body of his godfather, Felipe Juarez, at a funeral service held in the parking lot of Continental Funeral Home in East L.A. Juarez, who died of COVID-19, was memorialized in Continental’s first outdoor service in compliance with changing state and city mandates preventing indoor gatherings. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Aug 26: Liliana Ruiz roller skates in front of LAPD officers who have protesters blocked in the 3rd Street tunnel in downtown Los Angeles. More photos : Liliana Ruiz roller skates in front of LAPD officers who have protesters blocked in the 3rd Street tunnel in downtown Los Angeles. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Aug. 29: Brinkley Baker, 15, walks Mr. Bumbles down her street in Los Angeles. Brinkley and her sisters are drive-in circus performers. (Josie Norris / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
September
Sept. 6: A vehicle streaks by as Fresno County sheriff’s Deputy Jeffery Shipman stands along Highway 168 while the Creek fire creeps closer to town in Shaver Lake. More photos : A vehicle streaks by as Fresno County sheriff’s Deputy Jeffery Shipman stands along Highway 168 while the Creek fire creeps closer to town in Shaver Lake. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Sept. 10: A crow sitting on a cypress tree in Garden Grove is silhouetted by the sun partially obscured by ash from Southland wildfires. More photos : A crow sitting on a cypress tree in Garden Grove is silhouetted by the sun partially obscured by ash from Southland wildfires. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Sept. 18: Horses are spooked by the approaching Bobcat fire on 106th Street in Juniper Hills. More photos : Horses are spooked by the approaching Bobcat fire on 106th Street in Juniper Hills. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
October
Oct. 11: Fans celebrate in downtown Los Angeles after the Lakers won the NBA championship over the Miami Heat. More photos : Fans celebrate in downtown Los Angeles after the Lakers won the NBA championship over the Miami Heat. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Oct. 27: Dodger fans watch the World Series from their cars on big screens set up in the Dodger Stadium parking lot. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Oct. 27: Fireworks explode as fans celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series victory over Tampa Bay. More photos : Fireworks explode as fans celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series victory over Tampa Bay. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
November
Nov. 3: Rachel Dobas, left, and Analy Nakat show their excitement as they come to deposit their ballots in a dropbox in front of Wabash Recreation Center in Los Angeles. More photos : Rachel Dobas, left, and Analy Nakat show their excitement as they come to deposit their ballots in a dropbox in front of Wabash Recreation Center in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Nov. 11: Cars line up for drive through COVID-19 testing at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Nov. 25: Members of the Hobbs-Brown family celebrate Thanksgiving dinner on the sand at Bolsa Chica State Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
December
Dec. 1: A lone couple ice skate at dusk with an ocean view in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Dec. 3: Holiday decorations at the Manhattan Beach Pier are augmented by a city sign reminding visitors to wear a face mask. More photos : Holiday decorations at the Manhattan Beach Pier are augmented by a city sign reminding visitors to wear a face mask. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-12-07--Column: A GOP governor in California is a long shot. But this year proved anything is possible

No Republican can be elected to statewide office in California , right ?
Everyone knows that .
The tarnished GOP brand repels voters .
But that ’ s not quite as certain an axiom as it was before last month ’ s election .
And termed-out moderate Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer , 53 , of San Diego seems intent on testing the conventional wisdom by challenging Democratic Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s expected reelection bid in 2022 .
Faulconer would not be a good bet for winning .
This state is still deep blue .
But he would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor since corporate executive Meg Whitman lost to popular Democrat Jerry Brown in 2010 .
No Republican has won a statewide office in California since 2006 .
And Democrats hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers — enough votes to pass anything they unite behind .
“ One-party rule has not served the state well in the last few years , ” says Faulconer , who told me he ’ s “ very seriously thinking about running ” for governor — which essentially means he already is .
“ It ’ s time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re not getting that in California , ” Faulconer says .
“ One party controls every single branch of [ state ] government .
It ’ s failing Democrats , independents and Republicans.
” Faulconer is particularly critical of Newsom ’ s handling of the pandemic , including his new regional stay-at-home order to slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 .
“ For example , ” the mayor says , “ outdoor dining is shut down with no sign that it was contributing to the spread of the virus .
Playgrounds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But ski resorts are open .
These orders are out of touch with everyday Californians .
“ The school system being shut down is one of the biggest travesties from lack of leadership in Sacramento , ” Faulconer continues .
“ Our kids are falling behind .
We have a two-tier system of inequality .
Private schools are open , but public schools are closed .
And that is unacceptable .
It ’ s imperative that we safely reopen schools .
Period.
” Newsom ’ s children attend private schools .
Faulconer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For a Republican to win major office in California , the mayor says , “ you have to go out and win the public argument and debate .
And then you can win the votes.
” Many political insiders were surprised that Republicans won the argument on several major statewide ballot propositions last month .
“ Californians have a very independent streak when it comes to propositions , ” says Mark Baldassare , president and pollster of the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California .
“ Most Californians place themselves in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business interests won the argument on Proposition 15 , which would have substantially raised taxes on commercial property and significantly altered 1978 ’ s sacrosanct Proposition 13 .
“ Every solution for any problem up in Sacramento , they want to raise taxes , ” Faulconer asserts .
“ And Californians have come to their limit on that.
” Proposition 15 wasn ’ t proposed by Newsom or the Democratic Legislature .
It was an initiative pushed mainly by a teachers union .
But the governor and legislative leaders warmly embraced it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ would ever raise taxes .
Republicans and Faulconer also won the argument on Proposition 22 .
It repealed a major part of a labor-backed bill enacted by the Legislature and governor to require many companies to reclassify independent contractors as employees .
The ballot initiative allowed ride-hail and delivery drivers to keep working independently , a rebuke of Sacramento Democrats .
Another GOP victory was on Proposition 16 , which would have repealed the ban on affirmative action in public universities , contracting or employment based on race , ethnicity or gender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ballot , and voters rejected it overwhelmingly .
And to the Democrats ’ surprise , Republicans won back four of the seven congressional seats they lost in 2018 .
Voters ousted GOP House members two years ago to punish President Trump .
Last month , they could punish Trump directly and still vote for a Republican congressional candidate .
Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump in all four House districts that Republicans recaptured , according to the California Target Book , which handicaps congressional and legislative races .
Is the pendulum swinging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s too early to draw conclusions , ” says Target Book publisher Darry Sragow , a former Democratic consultant .
“ The notion that the Republican Party has turned the corner has yet to be proven.
” Trump lost by nearly 2 to 1 in California , but Faulconer voted for him .
That could be a problem for the mayor in 2022 .
Politically , however , Faulconer had no choice but to publicly reveal his Trump vote .
If you ’ re going to run as a Republican for California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flank and guard against a staunch conservative winning the No .
2 spot in the open primary .
Roughly 6 million Californians voted for Trump .
And Faulconer needs them for his base support .
“ I voted for the president , ” Faulconer told me .
“ I thought he was going to be the best for the economy.
” Faulconer seems to be the only GOP politician with even a remote chance of beating Newsom .
He ’ s a fiscal conservative and social moderate .
He supports abortion rights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun controls and a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally .
He opposes Trump ’ s border wall .
He ’ s a Republican who twice has been elected mayor in a Democratic city .
And he has a strong record of fighting homelessness , which Newsom doesn ’ t have despite his rhetoric .
“ He ’ s a credible candidate , ” says Target Book editor Tony Quinn , a Republican political analyst .
“ But the sun and moon and stars would have to all be lined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but no longer impossible .

No Republican can be elected to statewide office in California, right? Everyone knows that. The tarnished GOP brand repels voters.
But that’s not quite as certain an axiom as it was before last month’s election.
And termed-out moderate Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer, 53, of San Diego seems intent on testing the conventional wisdom by challenging Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s expected reelection bid in 2022.
Advertisement
Faulconer would not be a good bet for winning. This state is still deep blue. But he would be the most competitive Republican to run for governor since corporate executive Meg Whitman lost to popular Democrat Jerry Brown in 2010.
No Republican has won a statewide office in California since 2006. And Democrats hold supermajorities in both legislative chambers — enough votes to pass anything they unite behind.
“One-party rule has not served the state well in the last few years,” says Faulconer, who told me he’s “very seriously thinking about running” for governor — which essentially means he already is.
Faulconer’s mayoral term ends Thursday.
“It’s time for a competition of ideas, and we’re not getting that in California,” Faulconer says. “One party controls every single branch of [state] government. It’s failing Democrats, independents and Republicans.”
Faulconer is particularly critical of Newsom’s handling of the pandemic, including his new regional stay-at-home order to slow the rapid spread of COVID-19.
Advertisement
“For example,” the mayor says, “outdoor dining is shut down with no sign that it was contributing to the spread of the virus. Playgrounds for families and kids are shut down. But ski resorts are open. These orders are out of touch with everyday Californians.
“The school system being shut down is one of the biggest travesties from lack of leadership in Sacramento,” Faulconer continues.
“Our kids are falling behind. We have a two-tier system of inequality. Private schools are open, but public schools are closed. And that is unacceptable. It’s imperative that we safely reopen schools. Period.”
Newsom’s children attend private schools. Faulconer’s have gone to public schools.
For a Republican to win major office in California, the mayor says, “you have to go out and win the public argument and debate. And then you can win the votes.”
Many political insiders were surprised that Republicans won the argument on several major statewide ballot propositions last month.
“Californians have a very independent streak when it comes to propositions,” says Mark Baldassare, president and pollster of the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California. “Most Californians place themselves in the middle of the political spectrum.”
Republicans and business interests won the argument on Proposition 15, which would have substantially raised taxes on commercial property and significantly altered 1978’s sacrosanct Proposition 13.
“Every solution for any problem up in Sacramento, they want to raise taxes,” Faulconer asserts. “And Californians have come to their limit on that.”
Proposition 15 wasn’t proposed by Newsom or the Democratic Legislature. It was an initiative pushed mainly by a teachers union. But the governor and legislative leaders warmly embraced it.
I asked whether a Gov. Faulconer would ever raise taxes.
“No,” he replied without hesitation. “Absolutely.”
Republicans and Faulconer also won the argument on Proposition 22. It repealed a major part of a labor-backed bill enacted by the Legislature and governor to require many companies to reclassify independent contractors as employees. The ballot initiative allowed ride-hail and delivery drivers to keep working independently, a rebuke of Sacramento Democrats.
Another GOP victory was on Proposition 16, which would have repealed the ban on affirmative action in public universities, contracting or employment based on race, ethnicity or gender. The Legislature and Newsom placed Proposition 16 on the ballot, and voters rejected it overwhelmingly.
And to the Democrats’ surprise, Republicans won back four of the seven congressional seats they lost in 2018.
Voters ousted GOP House members two years ago to punish President Trump. Last month, they could punish Trump directly and still vote for a Republican congressional candidate.
Democrat Joe Biden beat Trump in all four House districts that Republicans recaptured, according to the California Target Book, which handicaps congressional and legislative races.
Is the pendulum swinging back for California Republicans?
“It’s too early to draw conclusions,” says Target Book publisher Darry Sragow, a former Democratic consultant. “The notion that the Republican Party has turned the corner has yet to be proven.”
Trump lost by nearly 2 to 1 in California, but Faulconer voted for him. That could be a problem for the mayor in 2022.
Politically, however, Faulconer had no choice but to publicly reveal his Trump vote. If you’re going to run as a Republican for California governor, you must protect your right flank and guard against a staunch conservative winning the No. 2 spot in the open primary. Roughly 6 million Californians voted for Trump. And Faulconer needs them for his base support.
“I voted for the president,” Faulconer told me. “I thought he was going to be the best for the economy.”
Faulconer seems to be the only GOP politician with even a remote chance of beating Newsom. He’s a fiscal conservative and social moderate.
He supports abortion rights, same-sex marriage, California’s tough gun controls and a path to citizenship for immigrants in the country illegally. He opposes Trump’s border wall.
He’s a Republican who twice has been elected mayor in a Democratic city. And he has a strong record of fighting homelessness, which Newsom doesn’t have despite his rhetoric.
Does Faulconer have a prayer?
“He’s a credible candidate,” says Target Book editor Tony Quinn, a Republican political analyst. “But the sun and moon and stars would have to all be lined up correctly.”
It’s unlikely, but no longer impossible.


latimes--2020-12-07--Los Angeles police sergeant dies from COVID-19

Sgt .
Fred Cueto was on the force for 22 years , the department said .
“ He was known for always having a smile & being a consummate professional , ” the LAPD said Sunday evening on Twitter .
As cases surge across L.A. County , the agency has seen an increase in recent weeks in the number of officers and civilian personnel testing positive for the coronavirus , Chief Michel Moore said at the Nov. 24 Police Commission meeting .
As of late November , 790 officers and civilian personnel had tested positive , and of that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or recovering from COVID-19 .
LAPD lost its first employee to COVID-19 in early July when Senior Detention Officer Erica McAdoo died from complications of the disease .
Officer Valentin Martinez , 45 , died a few weeks later .
The first sworn LAPD officer to die from COVID-19 complications , he worked patrol and is presumed to have contracted the virus while on duty .
On Sunday evening , Moore expressed his pain of losing another officer to COVID-19 .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has tragically struck close to home for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter .
“ Sergeant Fred Cueto fought valiantly , but succumbed to the virus today .
As we mourn the loss of one of our own , please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers tonight .
”

A Los Angeles Police Department sergeant died Sunday of COVID-19 complications.
Sgt. Fred Cueto was on the force for 22 years, the department said.
“He was known for always having a smile & being a consummate professional,” the LAPD said Sunday evening on Twitter.
As cases surge across L.A. County, the agency has seen an increase in recent weeks in the number of officers and civilian personnel testing positive for the coronavirus, Chief Michel Moore said at the Nov. 24 Police Commission meeting.
Advertisement
As of late November, 790 officers and civilian personnel had tested positive, and of that, 162 employees were at home either quarantining or recovering from COVID-19.
LAPD lost its first employee to COVID-19 in early July when Senior Detention Officer Erica McAdoo died from complications of the disease.
Officer Valentin Martinez, 45, died a few weeks later. The first sworn LAPD officer to die from COVID-19 complications, he worked patrol and is presumed to have contracted the virus while on duty.
On Sunday evening, Moore expressed his pain of losing another officer to COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has tragically struck close to home for the LAPD again,” Moore said on Twitter. “Sergeant Fred Cueto fought valiantly, but succumbed to the virus today. As we mourn the loss of one of our own, please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers tonight.”


latimes--2020-12-07--Los Angeles police converge on peaceful Black Lives Matter protest at mayor's house

Los Angeles police on Sunday clashed with protesters outside Mayor Eric Garcetti ’ s official residence , leading to one arrest and a skirmish with baton-wielding officers that several elected officials later denounced as police brutality and a violation of demonstrators ’ free speech rights .
Video footage on social media platforms showed at least one officer swinging a baton repeatedly at protesters , one of whom shielded himself with a cooking pan .
A woman used a water bottle to stave off a blow .
Officers arrested Jamie Penn , the Sub-District 3 representative for the Wilshire Center Koreatown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ lynching , ” an outdated term for trying to remove someone from police custody that was officially dropped from the law .
Penn was released later in the day .
The demonstrations , organized by Black Lives Matter , have been going on for 13 consecutive days at the Getty House , Garcetti ’ s Windsor Square residence , with the aim of dissuading the incoming Biden administration from appointing Garcetti to any federal post .
The LAPD said officers converged on the assembly because a protester with a bullhorn had violated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that carried more than 200 feet .
“ After multiple warnings , four officers attempted to make an arrest for the above violation when the crowd moved in on the officers , punching , pushing and kicking , ” Capt .
Stacy Spell , an LAPD spokesman , said in a statement .
“ Officers used their baton to prevent the crowd from forcefully attempting to remove the suspect from police custody .
However , the suspect ultimately got away.
” Spell said the crowd ’ s “ physical response against the officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help ” call , and an unlawful assembly was declared .
One officer sustained a possible concussion when his head struck the ground , Spell said .
Spell said in an interview Sunday evening that his statement was based on preliminary information and that officers for several days had been warning the group about using “ amplified sound.
” Penn said she was serving as a street medic at the protest and helping with traffic control .
She said she was surprised when she was arrested because at the time , she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being trampled as people ran from officers .
“ All I know is I was just trying to keep people safe , ” Penn said .
Black Lives Matters organizers said the protesters were given no warning before several officers advanced on the group .
“ They did not send four people , ” said Akili , a 72-year-old Black Lives Matter L.A. organizer .
“ They lined up , blocked the street at 6th and Irving .
There were two lines of police in an L shape — one on Irving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and they moved in a scrimmage formation against us ... anywhere between 20 to 25 officers.
” Akili said that since Nov. 23 , the group has held “ loud and peaceful ” protests .
On Saturday , they held a “ youth day ” protest , and children and teenagers from the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Youth Vanguard team spoke .
On another day , religious leaders prayed with the group , Akili said .
Participants are required to wear face coverings and spread out , he added .
Akili said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overkill ” because the officers had been there for days and knew from past practice that the group would make speeches and be gone after a few hours .
“ If it ’ s allowing us to express our 1st Amendment right , and you have a minor infraction , what ’ s more important — the exercising of the right or the minor infraction ?
” Akili said .
LAPD policy says batons can be used to push protesters in a crowd-control setting when they do not listen to oral commands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ used as an “ impact device , ” but only if a crowd or an individual is “ threatening or violent in nature.
” “ They ’ re trained to swing in a way that ’ s going to back people away from them , ” Spell said in an interview .
“ That ’ s been part of the crowd-control training provided for quite some time.
” Spell added that he ’ d seen only a short portion of the video but that it “ doesn ’ t describe the whole picture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all video from the incident , he added .
The new video mirrored footage taken at protests this summer , when mass demonstrations devolved into chaos and police and protesters repeatedly clashed along skirmish lines .
LAPD officials have said they are reviewing the summer events and will be releasing a report on how officers handled them .
The department also faces a lawsuit filed by the National Lawyers Guild Los Angeles and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles .
As news of the officers ’ actions at the Sunday morning protest spread , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listed the phone numbers for L.A. City Councilman David Ryu , Rep. Jimmy Gomez ( D-Los Angeles ) and state Assemblyman Miguel Santiago ( D-Los Angeles ) on social media and asked the politicians to “ denounce ” the LAPD ’ s action .
Both Gomez and Santiago responded on Twitter .
“ Peaceful protesters deserve the space and protections to make their voices heard .
Anything short of that is NOT acceptable , ” Gomez said .
“ No exceptions .
No excuses.
” “ LAPD ’ s brutal actions this morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone , ” Santiago wrote .
“ I stand w/ you in denouncing police brutality demanding the immediate release of Jamie !
” Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo ( D-Los Angeles ) also weighed in .
“ I urge LAPD to restrain from use of force , practice de-escalation tactics and ultimately , protect the public .
Peaceful protests should not lead to police in riot gear making arrests amid COVID-19.
” Carrillo also questioned whether Penn , as a transgender woman , had been detained and transferred appropriately .
Later Sunday , more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest the pandemic “ lockdown ” restrictions , including mask-wearing and the 10 p.m. curfew .
The group Save California has organized multiple protests at the official mayoral residence and the home of L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .

Jaclyn Cosgrove, Kevin Rector, Dakota Smith

Tekoah Flory, a Black Lives Matter Los Angeles member and organizer, participates in a protest outside Mayor Eric Garcetti’s official residence with the aim of dissuading President-elect Joe Biden from appointing Garcetti to any federal post.
Los Angeles police on Sunday clashed with protesters outside Mayor Eric Garcetti’s official residence, leading to one arrest and a skirmish with baton-wielding officers that several elected officials later denounced as police brutality and a violation of demonstrators’ free speech rights.
Video footage on social media platforms showed at least one officer swinging a baton repeatedly at protesters, one of whom shielded himself with a cooking pan. A woman used a water bottle to stave off a blow.
Officers arrested Jamie Penn, the Sub-District 3 representative for the Wilshire Center Koreatown Neighborhood Council, on a charge of “lynching,” an outdated term for trying to remove someone from police custody that was officially dropped from the law. Penn was released later in the day.
Advertisement
The demonstrations, organized by Black Lives Matter, have been going on for 13 consecutive days at the Getty House, Garcetti’s Windsor Square residence, with the aim of dissuading the incoming Biden administration from appointing Garcetti to any federal post.
The LAPD said officers converged on the assembly because a protester with a bullhorn had violated an L.A. municipal code against producing sounds that carried more than 200 feet.
“After multiple warnings, four officers attempted to make an arrest for the above violation when the crowd moved in on the officers, punching, pushing and kicking,” Capt. Stacy Spell, an LAPD spokesman, said in a statement. “Officers used their baton to prevent the crowd from forcefully attempting to remove the suspect from police custody. However, the suspect ultimately got away.”
Spell said the crowd’s “physical response against the officers” resulted in an “officer needs help” call, and an unlawful assembly was declared. One officer sustained a possible concussion when his head struck the ground, Spell said.
Spell said in an interview Sunday evening that his statement was based on preliminary information and that officers for several days had been warning the group about using “amplified sound.”
Advertisement
Penn said she was serving as a street medic at the protest and helping with traffic control. She said she was surprised when she was arrested because at the time, she was attempting to keep an older protester from being trampled as people ran from officers.
“All I know is I was just trying to keep people safe,” Penn said.
Black Lives Matters organizers said the protesters were given no warning before several officers advanced on the group.
“They did not send four people,” said Akili, a 72-year-old Black Lives Matter L.A. organizer. “They lined up, blocked the street at 6th and Irving. There were two lines of police in an L shape — one on Irving, and the other on 6th Street — and they moved in a scrimmage formation against us ... anywhere between 20 to 25 officers.”
Akili said that since Nov. 23, the group has held “loud and peaceful” protests. On Saturday, they held a “youth day” protest, and children and teenagers from the Black Lives Matter Los Angeles Youth Vanguard team spoke. On another day, religious leaders prayed with the group, Akili said. Participants are required to wear face coverings and spread out, he added.
Akili said the LAPD’s response was “overkill” because the officers had been there for days and knew from past practice that the group would make speeches and be gone after a few hours.
“If it’s allowing us to express our 1st Amendment right, and you have a minor infraction, what’s more important — the exercising of the right or the minor infraction?” Akili said.
Today, protesters outside the Mayor’s residence were struck with batons. An elected member of the Wilshire Center-Ktown NC was arrested.
There is no acceptable justification for LAPD to use force against Angelenos who are peacefully exercising their right to free speech. https://t.co/5ZOjwih8QD — Nithya Raman (@nithyavraman) December 7, 2020
LAPD policy says batons can be used to push protesters in a crowd-control setting when they do not listen to oral commands. It says that batons also can be used as an “impact device,” but only if a crowd or an individual is “threatening or violent in nature.”
“They’re trained to swing in a way that’s going to back people away from them,” Spell said in an interview. “That’s been part of the crowd-control training provided for quite some time.”
Spell added that he’d seen only a short portion of the video but that it “doesn’t describe the whole picture, obviously.” The LAPD will review all video from the incident, he added.
The new video mirrored footage taken at protests this summer, when mass demonstrations devolved into chaos and police and protesters repeatedly clashed along skirmish lines.
LAPD officials have said they are reviewing the summer events and will be releasing a report on how officers handled them. The department also faces a lawsuit filed by the National Lawyers Guild Los Angeles and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.
As news of the officers’ actions at the Sunday morning protest spread, public officials began speaking out.
Activists listed the phone numbers for L.A. City Councilman David Ryu, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles) and state Assemblyman Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) on social media and asked the politicians to “denounce” the LAPD’s action.
Both Gomez and Santiago responded on Twitter.
“Peaceful protesters deserve the space and protections to make their voices heard. Anything short of that is NOT acceptable,” Gomez said. “No exceptions. No excuses.”
“LAPD’s brutal actions this morning are unacceptable and must be denounced by everyone,” Santiago wrote. “I stand w/ you in denouncing police brutality demanding the immediate release of Jamie!”
Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) also weighed in. “I urge LAPD to restrain from use of force, practice de-escalation tactics and ultimately, protect the public. Peaceful protests should not lead to police in riot gear making arrests amid COVID-19.”
Carrillo also questioned whether Penn, as a transgender woman, had been detained and transferred appropriately.
Later Sunday, more than 100 people gathered at the Getty House to protest the pandemic “lockdown” restrictions, including mask-wearing and the 10 p.m. curfew. The group Save California has organized multiple protests at the official mayoral residence and the home of L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.


latimes--2020-12-06--Coronavirus changes everything about Virgen de Guadalupe procession but participants' devotion

Nearly everything about Sunday ’ s 89th annual Virgen de Guadalupe procession and Mass at the San Gabriel Mission was different from the year before : a historic change of format and venue , a scant crowd , masks and social distancing .
The coronavirus changed it all — except for the faith of the attendees and the devotion of organizers .
“ This year it was particularly important to continue this beautiful tradition celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe because she is the mother of healing and hope , ” Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said shortly before leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these challenging times , she is the one who keeps us together as a family.
” This year ’ s procession was the first held outside Los Angeles and the first in years to be relocated from Cesar Chavez Avenue in East Los Angeles , in part to discourage a large crowd from gathering during a pandemic shutdown .
The hundreds of participants and dozens of floats and bands that were cheered by 10,000 attendees last year were replaced Sunday by a 30-car procession that began at Vincent Lugo Park and ended roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first constructed in 1771 in what is now Montebello and moved to present-day San Gabriel a few years later .
Mass was limited to 120 in-person , physically distanced participants , led by Gomez and assisted by two bishops and half a dozen priests and seminarians , but also livestreamed to 5,800 viewers , the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles said .
The mission was selected as the host site to highlight its role in Los Angeles history , said Father Juan Ochoa , the procession organizer and administrator of Christ the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is a lot of history with this procession , and we wanted to tie it to the San Gabriel Mission , ” Ochoa said .
“ Next year the mission will be celebrating its 250th anniversary , and the connection between its history and the building of Los Angeles is important.
” Donations made Sunday were also given to the mission , which is reconstructing its roof and repairing sections of the church damaged in a July fire .
Though attendance was deliberately limited , several residents of South Ramona Street were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some in pajamas and sweatpants , to witness and wave at the procession .
Nearly every vehicle in the parade was decorated with tributes to the Virgin Mary , depicted in the traditional image of a dark-skinned , black-haired young Indigenous woman .
Participants carried roses , Mexican flags and signs identifying the parish of the respective family .
The Virgen de Guadalupe is said to have appeared several times in December 1531 to an Indigenous peasant named Juan Diego , who was later canonized a Catholic saint .
In perhaps the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructed the young man to pick roses , out of season because of the cold , from atop a hill near Mexico City and bring them to the local bishop as a sign of faith .
Diego did as instructed , gathering the roses in his cloak and showing them to the bishop , who was awestruck at the miraculous sight of the Virgen de Guadalupe ’ s image on Diego ’ s clothing .
Those events are venerated in Mexico every year on Dec. 12 , the official feast day of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident Jose Juan Morales drove the first vehicle in Sunday ’ s procession , a pickup truck with an attached flatbed trailer converted into a moving shrine complete with hundreds of roses and a mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe .
Morales , a parishioner at East Los Angeles ’ Our Lady of Solitude Catholic Church , has participated in the devotion for nearly a dozen years but said he considers himself “ extra blessed ” to be involved this year .
The 45-year-old father of three , a native of Puebla , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week in July with COVID-19 and took three additional weeks to fully recover .
While he says he ’ s healthy again , the pandemic forced him to close his small clothing and toy stand .
“ I consider it a miracle to be here honoring the Virgen de Guadalupe and believe she saved me , ” Morales said .
All eight members of the Hernandez family from Downey packed into their black Chevy Traverse adorned with sunflowers on the hood , roses on the roof , a small painting of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papel picado designs attached all over the vehicle .
This was the fourth year the Hernandezes had participated in the procession , but Margarita Hernandez said it was more important to be there this year than ever .
“ This has been a crazy year , and we needed this , ” said Hernandez , 19 , whose parish is St. Dominic Savio in Bellflower .
“ We have a chance to escape our house for a little while , but also to be safe and honor Our Lady of Guadalupe .
”

Nearly everything about Sunday’s 89th annual Virgen de Guadalupe procession and Mass at the San Gabriel Mission was different from the year before: a historic change of format and venue, a scant crowd, masks and social distancing.
The coronavirus changed it all — except for the faith of the attendees and the devotion of organizers.
Dancers lead Sunday’s procession, which featured fewer participants due to the pandemic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“This year it was particularly important to continue this beautiful tradition celebrating the Virgen de Guadalupe because she is the mother of healing and hope,” Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said shortly before leading Sunday’s service. “In these challenging times, she is the one who keeps us together as a family.”
Advertisement
This year’s procession was the first held outside Los Angeles and the first in years to be relocated from Cesar Chavez Avenue in East Los Angeles, in part to discourage a large crowd from gathering during a pandemic shutdown.
The hundreds of participants and dozens of floats and bands that were cheered by 10,000 attendees last year were replaced Sunday by a 30-car procession that began at Vincent Lugo Park and ended roughly a mile away at the mission, first constructed in 1771 in what is now Montebello and moved to present-day San Gabriel a few years later.
Mass was limited to 120 in-person, physically distanced participants, led by Gomez and assisted by two bishops and half a dozen priests and seminarians, but also livestreamed to 5,800 viewers, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles said.
The mission was selected as the host site to highlight its role in Los Angeles history, said Father Juan Ochoa, the procession organizer and administrator of Christ the King Catholic Church in Hollywood.
This year’s Mass was limited to 120 people. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“There is a lot of history with this procession, and we wanted to tie it to the San Gabriel Mission,” Ochoa said. “Next year the mission will be celebrating its 250th anniversary, and the connection between its history and the building of Los Angeles is important.”
Donations made Sunday were also given to the mission, which is reconstructing its roof and repairing sections of the church damaged in a July fire.
Though attendance was deliberately limited, several residents of South Ramona Street were surprised and rushed out of their homes, some in pajamas and sweatpants, to witness and wave at the procession.
“In these challenging times, she is the one who keeps us together as a family,” Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez said of Virgen de Guadalupe. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Nearly every vehicle in the parade was decorated with tributes to the Virgin Mary, depicted in the traditional image of a dark-skinned, black-haired young Indigenous woman. Participants carried roses, Mexican flags and signs identifying the parish of the respective family.
The Virgen de Guadalupe is said to have appeared several times in December 1531 to an Indigenous peasant named Juan Diego, who was later canonized a Catholic saint.
Advertisement
In perhaps the most famous visitation, the Virgin Mary instructed the young man to pick roses, out of season because of the cold, from atop a hill near Mexico City and bring them to the local bishop as a sign of faith. Diego did as instructed, gathering the roses in his cloak and showing them to the bishop, who was awestruck at the miraculous sight of the Virgen de Guadalupe’s image on Diego’s clothing.
Those events are venerated in Mexico every year on Dec. 12, the official feast day of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
East Los Angeles resident Jose Juan Morales drove the first vehicle in Sunday’s procession, a pickup truck with an attached flatbed trailer converted into a moving shrine complete with hundreds of roses and a mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Morales, a parishioner at East Los Angeles’ Our Lady of Solitude Catholic Church, has participated in the devotion for nearly a dozen years but said he considers himself “extra blessed” to be involved this year.
The 45-year-old father of three, a native of Puebla, Mexico, said he was hospitalized for a week in July with COVID-19 and took three additional weeks to fully recover. While he says he’s healthy again, the pandemic forced him to close his small clothing and toy stand.
“I consider it a miracle to be here honoring the Virgen de Guadalupe and believe she saved me,” Morales said.
All eight members of the Hernandez family from Downey packed into their black Chevy Traverse adorned with sunflowers on the hood, roses on the roof, a small painting of the Virgin Mary and her likeness in red papel picado designs attached all over the vehicle.
This was the fourth year the Hernandezes had participated in the procession, but Margarita Hernandez said it was more important to be there this year than ever.
“This has been a crazy year, and we needed this,” said Hernandez, 19, whose parish is St. Dominic Savio in Bellflower. “We have a chance to escape our house for a little while, but also to be safe and honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.”


latimes--2020-12-07--Pasadena, the last holdout in L.A. County, closes outdoor dining amid state orders

Pasadena became the last city in Los Angeles County to close outdoor dining on Sunday night , as most of California fell under the state ’ s sweeping regional stay-at-home order that temporarily bans the practice .
Lisa Derderian , a spokeswoman for the city , said restaurants served their last in-person meals until 10 p.m .
They will be allowed to offer takeout and delivery , mirroring regulations that have been in place elsewhere in the county for nearly two weeks .
The city grabbed headlines in late November when it bucked a county health order temporarily suspending in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , wineries , breweries — for at least three weeks .
Pasadena has its own Department of Public Health that can issue independent orders , but had generally followed the lead of the county — until city officials decided to break with the outdoor dining ban that took place elsewhere in the county on Nov. 25 .
Long Beach , which also has its own health department , issued an order restricting outdoor dining to match that of the county .
The state order , which was announced by Gov .
Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region ’ s hospitalization capacity , supersedes Pasadena ’ s decision to keep outdoor dining in place .
“ With Pasadena being the only city open for outdoor dining , [ local restaurants ] have had record-grossing weekends .
That ’ s the good news , ” Derderian said .
“ The bad news , ” she added , “ is unfortunately now , during the holidays , to have employees that are going to be furloughed or laid off.
” County officials made the call to suspend outdoor dining as cases began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new coronavirus cases hit 4,000 , it triggered the ban .
Since then , cases have continued to climb at unprecedented rates , with new cases in the county soaring past 10,500 on Sunday .
Swift backlash followed the ban , which opponents say could spell the end for restaurants and bars already struggling during the pandemic .
Outdoor dining had offered a lifeline for some .
The California Restaurant Assn .
sued to stop the ban , with a downtown L.A. restaurant , Engine Co. No .
28 , filing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a judge Wednesday ordered Los Angeles County public health officials to show scientific evidence justifying the ban , but stopped short of halting the ban .
A decision on the case could come Tuesday afternoon , though it ’ s unclear if the outcome will have an impact now that the state order is in effect .
Meanwhile , more than 600 restaurants in Pasadena are adjusting to the new reality , Derderian said .
The news of the temporary dine-in ban arrives several weeks after Pasadena city officials opted to wind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Plates Delivered , given strained local financial resources .
It is set to run until early February .

Pasadena halted outdoor dining on Sunday night amid state health orders, making it the last city in the county to do so. Above, outdoor dining on Colorado Boulevard in late November.
Pasadena became the last city in Los Angeles County to close outdoor dining on Sunday night, as most of California fell under the state’s sweeping regional stay-at-home order that temporarily bans the practice.
Lisa Derderian, a spokeswoman for the city, said restaurants served their last in-person meals until 10 p.m. They will be allowed to offer takeout and delivery, mirroring regulations that have been in place elsewhere in the county for nearly two weeks.
The city grabbed headlines in late November when it bucked a county health order temporarily suspending in-person dining at restaurants — along with bars, wineries, breweries — for at least three weeks.
Advertisement
Pasadena has its own Department of Public Health that can issue independent orders, but had generally followed the lead of the county — until city officials decided to break with the outdoor dining ban that took place elsewhere in the county on Nov. 25. Long Beach, which also has its own health department, issued an order restricting outdoor dining to match that of the county.
The state order, which was announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week and is tied to a region’s hospitalization capacity, supersedes Pasadena’s decision to keep outdoor dining in place.
“With Pasadena being the only city open for outdoor dining, [local restaurants] have had record-grossing weekends. That’s the good news,” Derderian said.
“The bad news,” she added, “is unfortunately now, during the holidays, to have employees that are going to be furloughed or laid off.”
County officials made the call to suspend outdoor dining as cases began to skyrocket. When the five-day average of new coronavirus cases hit 4,000, it triggered the ban. Since then, cases have continued to climb at unprecedented rates, with new cases in the county soaring past 10,500 on Sunday.
Advertisement
Swift backlash followed the ban, which opponents say could spell the end for restaurants and bars already struggling during the pandemic. Outdoor dining had offered a lifeline for some.
The California Restaurant Assn. sued to stop the ban, with a downtown L.A. restaurant, Engine Co. No. 28, filing a similar suit. Responding to the suit, a judge Wednesday ordered Los Angeles County public health officials to show scientific evidence justifying the ban, but stopped short of halting the ban. A decision on the case could come Tuesday afternoon, though it’s unclear if the outcome will have an impact now that the state order is in effect.
Meanwhile, more than 600 restaurants in Pasadena are adjusting to the new reality, Derderian said.
The news of the temporary dine-in ban arrives several weeks after Pasadena city officials opted to wind down a restaurant assistance program, called Great Plates Delivered, given strained local financial resources. It is set to run until early February.


latimes--2020-12-07--Brush fire ignites amid high winds in Ventura County, spurring evacuation warnings

Ventura County firefighters were battling a brush fire that broke out Monday afternoon in Santa Paula .
The fire ignited shortly before noon in a river bottom behind Santa Paula Airport , according to Capt .
Brian McGrath of the Ventura County Fire Department .
By 5 p.m. , it was holding at just over 170 acres and was still contained to the river bottom .
“ The wind gusts are significant out there , and there ’ s some pretty decent-size mulch , ” McGrath said .
Approximately 150 firefighters were attacking the blaze , which has been dubbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An evacuation warning was issued for the area surrounding Todd and Shell roads , according to the county ’ s emergency information site .
Residents can check the to see whether their area has been affected .
Access to Highway 126 is closed in both directions at Briggs Road .
South Mountain Road is also closed .
The fire ignited when a large tree fell onto a power line , according to the Ventura County Fire Department .
The blaze comes amid extreme fire weather conditions and red flag warnings from the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottom was experiencing gusts as high as 35 mph .
Portions of the county , including several areas near the fire , are also facing an imminent public safety power shutoff , according to the county ’ s map .
More than 6,000 Southern California Edison customers in Ventura County are already without power , and an additional 30,700 are under consideration for a shutoff , Edison said .

Ventura County firefighters are battling the Cornell fire, which broke out Monday in Santa Paula.
Ventura County firefighters were battling a brush fire Monday afternoon in Santa Paula.
The fire ignited shortly before noon on Monday in a river bottom behind Santa Paula Airport, according to Capt. Brian McGrath of the Ventura County Fire Department. By 9 p.m., it was holding at just over 170 acres and was mostly contained to the river bottom.
“The wind gusts are significant out there, and there’s some pretty decent-size mulch,” McGrath said.
Advertisement
Approximately 100 firefighters were attacking the blaze, which has been dubbed the Cornell fire, McGrath said.
An evacuation warning was issued for the area surrounding Todd and Shell roads, according to the county’s emergency information site. Residents can check the live map to see whether their area has been affected.
Highway 126, which had been closed in both directions at Briggs Road, was open by about 9 p.m. South Mountain Road was also reopened to residents.
The fire ignited when a large tree fell onto a power line, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. The blaze comes amid extreme fire weather conditions and red flag warnings from the National Weather Service, which said the river bottom was experiencing gusts as high as 35 mph.
#CornellFire; air attack updates fire acreage to be 173 acres. Fire is staying within the river bottom, there are some evacuation warnings in place. Follow https://t.co/lZ7sT3kXmB for updated road closures and warnings. @vcfd @vcso @santapaulacity #vcfd pic.twitter.com/m7lOS9KRYp — VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) December 7, 2020
Portions of the county, including several areas near the fire, are also facing an imminent public safety power shutoff, according to the county’s map.
More than 20,000 Southern California Edison customers in Ventura County are already without power, and about 21,000 more are under consideration for a shutoff, Edison said.


latimes--2020-12-07--Mysterious monoliths on the move: New one appears in San Luis Obispo

The curious case of the moving monolith has a new wrinkle as yet another mysterious silver structure has appeared in Southern California , this time in the Los Padres National Forest .
The latest installation is the second shiny statue to pop up in San Luis Obispo County after one appeared — and quickly vanished — from the top of a hiking trail in Atascadero last week .
San Luis Obispo resident Matt Carver was among a group who made the most recent discovery Saturday morning .
He and several friends were camping at a site near Arroyo Grande when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while shooting drone footage .
“ When we realized it was a monolith , we started freaking out and flew the drone back , jumped in the truck , drove ASAP to the spot , ” Carver said Monday , “ and then danced around it like idiots for a few minutes.
” The three-sided structure appears to be made of stainless steel and is about 2 feet wide and 10 feet tall , Carver said , noting that it would have taken “ a bit of work ” to get it up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a silly thing , but it really made our day , ” he said .
Unlike the Atascadero monolith , this one features an added symbol at the top that is ( almost certainly ) human-made : a red UFO beaming up a person over the word “ caution.
” With monoliths also reported in Utah , Romania , England and Pittsburgh , the latest discovery brings the total across the globe to at least half a dozen .
Another statue was spotted along Highway 14 in Santa Clarita on Sunday evening , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although it appeared to be more flimsy and flawed than some of the others .
“ It doesn ’ t look like the exquisite ones we ’ ve seen all over the internet , ” Canyon Country resident Stephanie Wittenbach told OnScene .
“ This is a little bit cheaper , I would say .
You can kind of lean it over , but I think it ’ s super cool.
” At least some of the recent creations are admitted fabrications .
San Luis Obispo artists and metalworkers Wade McKenzie , Jared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ fessed up to creating the Atascadero monolith that appeared Dec. 2 .
Travis Kenney said they decided to create it after the first two monoliths were spotted in Utah and Romania .
“ You knew there was going to be a third , ” he said .
“ Somebody was going to do it , so why not us ?
” The group took inspiration from the 1968 Stanley Kubrick film “ 2001 : A Space Odyssey , ” which features similar mysterious structures .
McKenzie said he was happy to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People were loving it , ” he said .
“ They weren ’ t talking about COVID .
They weren ’ t talking about politics .
They were just walking up our mountain all happy.
” By Dec. 3 , the excitement turned sour when a group of young men reportedly traveled from Orange County to topple the structure under the cover of night .
Video posted online showed the young men chanting , “ America first , ” while pulling the statue down , and one could be heard saying , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Mexico or outer space.
” McKenzie and his friends were disappointed by the apparent politicization of the monoliths and decided to build a new one to replace it .
“ We weren ’ t going to let the big-city folk push us country folks around , ” said Randall Kenney , the project ’ s welder .
The new monolith was created using stainless steel and a structural steel frame , Randall Kenney said , along with stitch-welding on the edges and rivets at the top , middle and bottom .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground with hundreds of pounds of concrete , he added .
The group shared a on YouTube , and said they had the support of Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno .
But they did not take credit for the most recent structure in the Los Padres forest , nor for the Utah monolith that started it all .
Although the Utah monolith has been removed , there remains much speculation — and zero confirmation — about its origin or creator .
Some , like Carver , prefer the mystery .
“ I love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and places 20 miles from home that can surprise us and make us feel a few moments of pure joy , ” Carver said .
“ Thank you to whoever put that out there .
”

Another unusual monolith has popped up in San Luis Obispo County after one appeared — and quickly vanished — from the top of a Pine Mountain trail in Atascadero last week. The three-sided structure appears to be made of stainless steel and is about 2 feet wide and 10 feet tall.
The curious case of the moving monolith has a new wrinkle as yet another mysterious silver structure has appeared in Southern California, this time in the Los Padres National Forest.
The latest installation is the second shiny statue to pop up in San Luis Obispo County after one appeared — and quickly vanished — from the top of a hiking trail in Atascadero last week.
San Luis Obispo resident Matt Carver was among a group who made the most recent discovery Saturday morning. He and several friends were camping at a site near Arroyo Grande when they came across the gleaming gargantuan structure while shooting drone footage.
Advertisement
“When we realized it was a monolith, we started freaking out and flew the drone back, jumped in the truck, drove ASAP to the spot,” Carver said Monday, “and then danced around it like idiots for a few minutes.”
The three-sided structure appears to be made of stainless steel and is about 2 feet wide and 10 feet tall, Carver said, noting that it would have taken “a bit of work” to get it up there.
“It’s such a silly thing, but it really made our day,” he said.
Unlike the Atascadero monolith, this one features an added symbol at the top that is (almost certainly) human-made: a red UFO beaming up a person over the word “caution.”
With monoliths also reported in Utah, Romania, England and Pittsburgh, the latest discovery brings the total across the globe to at least half a dozen.
Advertisement
Another statue was spotted along Highway 14 in Santa Clarita on Sunday evening, according to footage obtained by OnScene.TV, although it appeared to be more flimsy and flawed than some of the others.
“It doesn’t look like the exquisite ones we’ve seen all over the internet,” Canyon Country resident Stephanie Wittenbach told OnScene. “This is a little bit cheaper, I would say. You can kind of lean it over, but I think it’s super cool.”
At least some of the recent creations are admitted fabrications.
San Luis Obispo artists and metalworkers Wade McKenzie, Jared Riddle, Travis Kenney and Randall Kenney ’fessed up to creating the Atascadero monolith that appeared Dec. 2.
Travis Kenney said they decided to create it after the first two monoliths were spotted in Utah and Romania.
“You knew there was going to be a third,” he said. “Somebody was going to do it, so why not us?”
The group took inspiration from the 1968 Stanley Kubrick film “2001: A Space Odyssey,” which features similar mysterious structures. McKenzie said he was happy to see their creation making people smile.
“People were loving it,” he said. “They weren’t talking about COVID. They weren’t talking about politics. They were just walking up our mountain all happy.”
By Dec. 3, the excitement turned sour when a group of young men reportedly traveled from Orange County to topple the structure under the cover of night. Video posted online showed the young men chanting, “America first,” while pulling the statue down, and one could be heard saying, “We don’t want illegal aliens from Mexico or outer space.”
McKenzie and his friends were disappointed by the apparent politicization of the monoliths and decided to build a new one to replace it.
“We weren’t going to let the big-city folk push us country folks around,” said Randall Kenney, the project’s welder.
The new monolith was created using stainless steel and a structural steel frame, Randall Kenney said, along with stitch-welding on the edges and rivets at the top, middle and bottom.
This time, it’s held in the ground with hundreds of pounds of concrete, he added.
The group shared a video of its reinstallation on YouTube, and said they had the support of Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno.
But they did not take credit for the most recent structure in the Los Padres forest, nor for the Utah monolith that started it all.
Although the Utah monolith has been removed, there remains much speculation — and zero confirmation — about its origin or creator.
Some, like Carver, prefer the mystery.
“I love the idea that there are still things and places 20 miles from home that can surprise us and make us feel a few moments of pure joy,” Carver said. “Thank you to whoever put that out there.”


latimes--2020-12-07--California unemployment fraud amid COVID-19 pandemic may total $2 billion, Bank of America says

Bank of America estimated Monday that fraud in California ’ s unemployment benefits system could total $ 2 billion , and said it has identified 640,000 accounts with suspicious activity that should be investigated to determine whether they are bogus and should be shut down .
The bank , which has contracted with the state Employment Development Department to issue debit cards containing unemployment benefits , issued the warning in a letter to state legislators .
It represents the highest estimate of fraud yet in a system that has paid $ 110 billion since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a wave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A bank official said red flags have been issued on claims filed in the names of infants , children and centenarians , as well as people living in states not contiguous to California .
“ It is outrageous , ” said Jon Coupal , president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn .
“ We understand that there was an effort to push as much money into the economy as possible but there has got to be some controls .
Here it is like they have opened up a bag of cash in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ends up someplace where it is supposed to be.
” The bank has worked with EDD to establish fraud prevention measures including a series of filters and flags that indicate suspected fraudulent activity , wrote Brian Putler , the bank ’ s director of California government relations .
“ As a result of these efforts , we have identified more than 640,000 accounts for EDD to evaluate as to whether they are fraudulent and the associated card should be frozen or account closed , ” Putler said .
The accounts identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people in states that do not border California , which are deemed more likely to involve fraud than adjacent states that might temporarily host out-of-work Californians .
The bank said there were also “ numerous cases ” in which multiple cards , including hundreds in some instances , have been sent to a single mailing address .
Other issues identified include multiple cards using a common contact phone number or address , and benefits issued to infants or children as well as centenarians or other elderly people not likely to be working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope of potential fraud is coming into better focus from an examination of 345,000 debit cards already frozen because of suspicious activity .
“ Our assessment is that there is activity consistent with fraud in those accounts on the order of approximately $ 2 billion , ” the bank official wrote to legislators .
A representative of the Newsom administration confirmed in a written statement that EDD is coordinating with Bank of America to review debit card accounts that the bank has frozen based on fraud flags .
“ At this time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that [ Bank of America ] provides because EDD is verifying identities on claims the department has separately identified as non-fraudulent , ” said Crystal Page , a deputy secretary for the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency .
“ The Governor has made it clear we must weed out all abuse of our unemployment system.
” Page said that if the bank does not unfreeze an account , the EDD continues to send checks on subsequent payments , adding : “ We know how critically important these unemployment benefits are during this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimate was in response to a recent letter from 59 state legislators to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan demanding answers to festering problems in the benefits system run by the EDD .
After EDD announced that nearly 350,000 of its debit cards had been frozen to investigate suspicious activity , the lawmakers wrote to Moynihan and said that their offices have been flooded with calls from panicked constituents unable to access benefits on legitimate claims .
“ Constituents report they are unable to get through to your call centers , or when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolved , ” the lawmakers wrote to the bank executive on Nov. 24 .
In response , Putler wrote to legislators Monday , saying that while other states also experience unemployment fraud , “ The scale of program fraud in California is unique.
” The bank ’ s estimate was issued just days after state officials confirmed that $ 400 million in unemployment benefits was paid on claims improperly filed in the names of inmates in state prisons .
A group of nine district attorneys warned Gov .
Gavin Newsom last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 billion in benefits has been paid on claims filed by people outside the state , including claimants outside the country .
Putler warned lawmakers on Monday that the fraud problem has implications far beyond the loss of taxpayer funds .
He cited conclusions by third-party security experts in the U.S. that organized crime rings may be using unemployment funds to support other criminal enterprises , including illicit arms purchases and terrorist activities .
However , to make sure Californians with legitimate claims are paid quickly , the bank has increased its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed to EDD that the contract be changed to provide a dedicated call center to help authenticate blocked and frozen accounts , Putler said .
“ We share with you and with EDD the objective of ensuring that legitimate claimants get the benefits they deserve while mitigating the impact of the unprecedented fraud being experienced , ” he wrote .
Assemblyman Jim Patterson ( R-Fresno ) responded to the bank ’ s letter Monday by saying too many Californians with desperate need for unemployment benefits are caught in limbo by the freezing of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a priority , but Californians with no income can not be sacrificed on the altar of incompetence , ” Patterson said .

As hundreds of thousands of Californians await approval of unemployment benefits, the bank that issues the debit cards warned Monday that fraud may total $2 billion.
Bank of America estimated Monday that fraud in California’s unemployment benefits system could total $2 billion, and said it has identified 640,000 accounts with suspicious activity that should be investigated to determine whether they are bogus and should be shut down.
The bank, which has contracted with the state Employment Development Department to issue debit cards containing unemployment benefits, issued the warning in a letter to state legislators. It represents the highest estimate of fraud yet in a system that has paid $110 billion since the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a wave of joblessness in California beginning in March.
A bank official said red flags have been issued on claims filed in the names of infants, children and centenarians, as well as people living in states not contiguous to California.
“It is outrageous,” said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn. “We understand that there was an effort to push as much money into the economy as possible but there has got to be some controls. Here it is like they have opened up a bag of cash in the middle of a tornado and hoped that it ends up someplace where it is supposed to be.”
Advertisement
The bank has worked with EDD to establish fraud prevention measures including a series of filters and flags that indicate suspected fraudulent activity, wrote Brian Putler, the bank’s director of California government relations.
“As a result of these efforts, we have identified more than 640,000 accounts for EDD to evaluate as to whether they are fraudulent and the associated card should be frozen or account closed,” Putler said.
The accounts identified as suspicious include 76,000 benefits cards sent to people in states that do not border California, which are deemed more likely to involve fraud than adjacent states that might temporarily host out-of-work Californians.
The bank said there were also “numerous cases” in which multiple cards, including hundreds in some instances, have been sent to a single mailing address.
Other issues identified include multiple cards using a common contact phone number or address, and benefits issued to infants or children as well as centenarians or other elderly people not likely to be working, Putler wrote.
He said the scope of potential fraud is coming into better focus from an examination of 345,000 debit cards already frozen because of suspicious activity.
Advertisement
“Our assessment is that there is activity consistent with fraud in those accounts on the order of approximately $2 billion,” the bank official wrote to legislators.
A representative of the Newsom administration confirmed in a written statement that EDD is coordinating with Bank of America to review debit card accounts that the bank has frozen based on fraud flags.
“At this time, we are unable to confirm the estimate that [Bank of America] provides because EDD is verifying identities on claims the department has separately identified as non-fraudulent,” said Crystal Page, a deputy secretary for the state Labor and Workforce Development Agency. “The Governor has made it clear we must weed out all abuse of our unemployment system.”
Page said that if the bank does not unfreeze an account, the EDD continues to send checks on subsequent payments, adding: “We know how critically important these unemployment benefits are during this challenging time.”
The bank’s estimate was in response to a recent letter from 59 state legislators to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan demanding answers to festering problems in the benefits system run by the EDD.
After EDD announced that nearly 350,000 of its debit cards had been frozen to investigate suspicious activity, the lawmakers wrote to Moynihan and said that their offices have been flooded with calls from panicked constituents unable to access benefits on legitimate claims.
“Constituents report they are unable to get through to your call centers, or when they do, the issue is not resolved,” the lawmakers wrote to the bank executive on Nov. 24.
In response, Putler wrote to legislators Monday, saying that although other states also experience unemployment fraud, “The scale of program fraud in California is unique.”
The bank’s estimate was issued just days after state officials confirmed that $400 million in unemployment benefits was paid on claims improperly filed in the names of inmates in state prisons.
A group of nine district attorneys warned Gov. Gavin Newsom last week that they have received unverified information that some $1 billion in benefits has been paid on claims filed by people outside the state, including claimants outside the country.
Putler warned lawmakers on Monday that the fraud problem has implications far beyond the loss of taxpayer funds.
He cited conclusions by third-party security experts in the U.S. that organized crime rings may be using unemployment funds to support other criminal enterprises, including illicit arms purchases and terrorist activities.
However, to make sure Californians with legitimate claims are paid quickly, the bank has increased its staffing to handle problem claims and has proposed to EDD that the contract be changed to provide a dedicated call center to help authenticate blocked and frozen accounts, Putler said.
“We share with you and with EDD the objective of ensuring that legitimate claimants get the benefits they deserve while mitigating the impact of the unprecedented fraud being experienced,” he wrote.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) responded to the bank’s letter Monday by saying too many Californians with desperate need for unemployment benefits are caught in limbo by the freezing of debit cards.
“Identifying fraud must be a priority, but Californians with no income cannot be sacrificed on the altar of incompetence,” Patterson said.