latimes--2020-03-23--First inmate in California's prison system tests positive for coronavirus

The first inmate within California ’ s prison system has tested positive for COVID-19 .
The prisoner is at California State Prison , Los Angeles County , state corrections officials announced on Sunday night .
The officials also said that five prison workers have COVID-19 , the disease caused by the novel coronavirus .
Two are at California State Prison , Sacramento , outside of Folsom ; one is at Folsom State Prison ; and two are at the California Institution for Men in Chino .
The prisoner in L.A. County was in stable condition and being treated on site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation .
The department said the prisoner reported feeling unwell and was put into isolation Thursday , was tested Friday , and the results came back Sunday .
The agency would not provide information on the health of the infected workers .
The prisoner ’ s movements will be restricted while an investigation into who might have had contact with him is underway .
Those deemed at-risk will be quarantined for observation , the department said .
In a joint statement , the department and the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ remain agile in response to any potential case of COVID-19 ... with the top priority being the safety and protection of staff , the population , volunteers , visitors and surrounding communities.
” California already has halted visitation , prison volunteer programs and educational activities , and has started screening staff .
However , anxiety has continued to grow for both prisoners and those working in the state ’ s prisons .
“ We all hope and pray they do something , ” one inmate wrote anonymously to the Los Angeles Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... We ’ re all sitting waiting for this silent killer to come and [ the Department of Corrections ] to lock us away in cells and pass the buck .
It ’ s a weird feeling around these walls right now.
” A prison nurse working in a housing unit where a number of patients are under “ COVID surveillance rounds ” voiced similar concerns .
“ It is very unnerving , ” she told The Times , insisting on anonymity .
“ There is so much close interaction with staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department released treatment and testing guidelines for COVID-19 .
They call for all prisoners with influenza-like symptoms to be tested ; during flu season , prison doctors have the option of testing prisoners for flu first and then for the novel coronavirus if the initial test comes back negative .
Priority for testing for the coronavirus is given to prisoners who are 60 or older , have chronic health conditions or have compromised immune systems .
The department would not provide the number of prisoners who have been tested for the virus so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with locked-down units because of possible cases .
In general , there has been a shortage of tests , both across California and nationwide , making it difficult to know precisely how many people have contracted the virus .
The corrections department ’ s guidelines describe steps to avoid spreading the coronavirus through the close confines of prison : “ Close as many affected buildings/units as needed to confine the outbreak .
Remind patients not to share eating utensils , food or drinks .
Stop large group meetings such as religious meetings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge ordered the creation of a task force to report within a week on plans to combat COVID-19 within the prison system .
A lawyer on the task force who represents mentally ill inmates said the judge required that population reduction be among the issues discussed .
California ’ s prisons are currently at 134 % of their capacity .
The prison in Los Angeles County is at nearly 140 % capacity , with some 3,200 prisoners , though it was designed for 2,300 .
Medical services in most California prisons are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of decades of overcrowding and substandard care .
However , improvements have allowed the state to regain control of health care in a number of prisons .

The first inmate within California’s prison system has tested positive for COVID-19.
The prisoner is at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, state corrections officials announced on Sunday night.
The officials also said that five prison workers have COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Two are at California State Prison, Sacramento, outside of Folsom; one is at Folsom State Prison; and two are at the California Institution for Men in Chino.
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The prisoner in L.A. County was in stable condition and being treated on site, according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The department said the prisoner reported feeling unwell and was put into isolation Thursday, was tested Friday, and the results came back Sunday. The agency would not provide information on the health of the infected workers.
The prisoner’s movements will be restricted while an investigation into who might have had contact with him is underway. Those deemed at-risk will be quarantined for observation, the department said.
In a joint statement, the department and the state’s prison health care agency said they “remain agile in response to any potential case of COVID-19 ... with the top priority being the safety and protection of staff, the population, volunteers, visitors and surrounding communities.”
California already has halted visitation, prison volunteer programs and educational activities, and has started screening staff. However, anxiety has continued to grow for both prisoners and those working in the state’s prisons.
“We all hope and pray they do something,” one inmate wrote anonymously to the Los Angeles Times. “We’re all scared ... We’re all sitting waiting for this silent killer to come and [the Department of Corrections] to lock us away in cells and pass the buck. It’s a weird feeling around these walls right now.”
A prison nurse working in a housing unit where a number of patients are under “COVID surveillance rounds” voiced similar concerns.
Advertisement
“It is very unnerving,” she told The Times, insisting on anonymity. “There is so much close interaction with staff and inmates.”
Also on Sunday, the department released treatment and testing guidelines for COVID-19. They call for all prisoners with influenza-like symptoms to be tested; during flu season, prison doctors have the option of testing prisoners for flu first and then for the novel coronavirus if the initial test comes back negative.
Priority for testing for the coronavirus is given to prisoners who are 60 or older, have chronic health conditions or have compromised immune systems. The department would not provide the number of prisoners who have been tested for the virus so far, or the number of prisons with locked-down units because of possible cases.
In general, there has been a shortage of tests, both across California and nationwide, making it difficult to know precisely how many people have contracted the virus.
The corrections department’s guidelines describe steps to avoid spreading the coronavirus through the close confines of prison: “Close as many affected buildings/units as needed to confine the outbreak. Remind patients not to share eating utensils, food or drinks. Stop large group meetings such as religious meetings and social events.”
Last week, a federal judge ordered the creation of a task force to report within a week on plans to combat COVID-19 within the prison system. A lawyer on the task force who represents mentally ill inmates said the judge required that population reduction be among the issues discussed.
The task force began meeting Saturday.
California’s prisons are currently at 134% of their capacity. The prison in Los Angeles County is at nearly 140% capacity, with some 3,200 prisoners, though it was designed for 2,300.
Medical services in most California prisons are overseen by a court-appointed special master because of decades of overcrowding and substandard care. However, improvements have allowed the state to regain control of health care in a number of prisons.


latimes--2020-03-22--'It's like losing a family': An L.A. nightclub and its workers fight for survival during the coronav

'It's like losing a family': An L.A. nightclub and its workers fight for survival during the coronavirus outbreak

On March 12 , Johnny Luna showed up for work at Lodge Room in Highland Park .
The 33-year-old father of two is the lighting director for the club , a 500-capacity independent music venue right off a popular stretch of Figueroa Street .
He runs the lighting boards at the Wiltern , the El Rey and other venues too , but that evening , he was booked to DJ in Lodge Room ’ s adjacent restaurant , Checker Hall .
Luna walked up the stairs at Lodge Room with his heavy crates of vinyl in tow .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a mural of an ancient temple behind the stage and a five-pointed wooden lattice star and wrought-iron candelabras mounted above the dance floor .
The venue is a favorite of goth-friendly acts like Billy Corgan , Death Valley Girls and Deerhunter .
Phoebe Bridgers and Lawrence Rothman have played breakthrough sets there , and Dave Chappelle once dropped in for a surprise stand-up gig .
But fears of the coronavirus had been circulating all week , and the club ’ s usual crowds had thinned out .
Only two people were in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general manager gave Luna a free dinner and sent him home .
When Luna got back to his place in Boyle Heights , he saw a deluge of panicked emails .
“ That ’ s when I started to get the mass cancellations , ” Luna said .
“ I was starting to sweat a bit when I realized that all of March was canceled , and then by Saturday , we realized the whole industry would be shut down for the time being.
” The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has changed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All of California is under a safer-at-home order ) .
Whole sectors of the local economy — entertainment , film , hospitality , nightlife — are locked down for an indeterminate amount of time .
An economic recession is all but certain .
After the South by Southwest conference in Austin , Texas , was canceled and then Indio ’ s Coachella festival was postponed , it was obvious that the live music business would be deeply affected by COVID-19 .
This month , mega-promoters Live Nation and AEG hit pause on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with deep coffers and expensive insurance policies , they will likely weather the storm .
But for the small-capacity , independent nightclubs that form the backbone of L.A. ’ s local music scene , the coronavirus is an unprecedented nightmare .
“ The venues controlled by AEG and Live Nation will be fine .
But smaller independent venues are going to be under strain , ” said Patrick Adler , a researcher at the University of Toronto and a PhD candidate at UCLA who studies music festivals and the live-music economy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one month of rent on hand , so two months will destroy them.
” His data , compiled with University of Toronto colleague Richard Florida , suggest that L.A. concert promoters and artists will be more affected by the shutdown than any other city in the country .
Southern California is the nation ’ s preeminent destination for major music festivals , with one in 10 in hosted here .
Adler estimates that only 5 % of promoters and 30 % of artists can continue their careers in this environment , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with .
“ The promotional workforce is on average very poorly remunerated , even in the best of times , with annual wages of $ 38,000 , ” he said .
“ So they are not only very exposed to this crisis , but they will probably feel it more .
“ In short , they ’ re screwed , ” he added , using a stronger adjective to describe the likely future for many small venues .
To get a sense of what they ’ re up against , The Times interviewed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lodge Room , from the owners to the part-time bartenders .
The club is emblematic of the kind of venue most at risk .
Last year , the venue produced 178 shows and 42 private events , grossing $ 2.6 million , according to its owners .
Lodge Room has three full-time staffers but can ’ t yet provide health insurance for employees .
During the shutdown , as long as resources last , the venue ’ s talent buyer and general manager will draw a salary , but part-time employees have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To varying degrees , staffers are frightened for their business and their livelihoods .
Many other club owners , sound engineers , talent buyers and barbacks around town are likely looking at the next few months without work , and they share those fears .
“ This feels pretty catastrophic , ” said Khalilah Pianta , 30 , who works in a photo studio by day and tends bar at Lodge Room at night .
She moved to L.A. a year and a half ago from Melbourne , Australia , like so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightlife and creative industries .
She ’ d been doing well so far this year , but now , she says , “ I ’ ve got like two months , max , of savings for basic survival stuff.
” Pianta just moved into a new apartment in nearby Lincoln Heights .
She hasn ’ t bought furniture yet , and her living room will stay empty for now .
“ It ’ s going to be pretty barren here for a while , ” she joked .
“ For me , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while I pursued a creative career .
But all my jobs have been canceled at the studio , and now my safety job has disappeared too.
” She ’ d been frantically applying for unemployment and jobs in whatever industries are still hiring — grocery store clerk , delivery driving , any freelance photo gigs that can be done from home .
But the sudden shock to the economy has underlined just how precarious lives in creative industries are , even when times are good .
“ I hope this shines light on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pianta said .
“ So many people in this industry have no money and no backup .
When this is over , people are going to want to go out and eat and see music .
But if no one can pay rent and survive , those places may not be there later.
” In the meantime , live music professionals are trying to ride this out and stay sane .
Luna said Lodge Room ’ s owner let him take the club ’ s lighting console home so he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made for some fun house parties with his kids , ages 14 and 9 , who are home from school for potentially the rest of the term .
Having their grandparents nearby for childcare has been essential .
“ I ’ ve been getting in a lot of podcasts and piano practice , ” Luna laughed .
But the 20 or so gigs he usually books per month won ’ t be returning any time soon .
“ Everything I do professionally is at a standstill , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money , so I ’ d be lying if said I wasn ’ t worried .
Other venues I frequently work at are owned by corporate conglomerates .
But Lodge Room is completely indie , so I ’ m more worried about that place .
We ’ re all family there.
” The team behind Lodge Room is just as concerned , if still hopeful for the long term .
Dalton Gerlach opened Lodge Room in 2017 , just as Highland Park was becoming the heart of the city ’ s live indie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ( along with three investors ) co-owns the stately Masonic building that houses it , which helps for staying in business if there is a long closure .
But there is a mortgage to pay , and while “ lenders aren ’ t too friendly in such situations , this is unprecedented , and I hope we can defer things , ” he said .
Gerlach said he feels the deep disappointment of sending his staff home until this blows over .
“ We put some reserves aside , but we never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them for this , ” he said , adding that he estimated the club could hang on for four to five months in standby mode .
“ We ’ re optimistic we can stay around , but we had to do hard things like cut all hourly staff .
Everyone ’ s kicking in to take reduced pay .
Survival in this business is week to week and month to month even in good times .
This is obviously much more dramatic.
” Gerlach has been working from home in Franklin Village with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left while the club goes dark — giving out all the unsold food to employees and dealing with vendor contracts for the rest of the year .
He fears what the social isolation will do for the morale of his employees .
“ It ’ s strange , people don ’ t realize how much this means to us .
Sometimes it feels like work is work , but when you don ’ t have it , it ’ s like losing a family.
” Raghav Desai , Lodge Room ’ s talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his dog in his Glendale apartment .
“ He ’ s a companion I never thought I ’ d need until now , ” the 27-year-old joked .
“ He keeps me sane and allows me to escape the reality of the situation.
” That reality is an empty calendar and no prospect of booking shows until summer at the earliest .
“ South by Southwest canceling was a huge reality check , ” he said .
“ A week later , it was Coachella , and that was like ‘ Oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us.
’ Then the government made their recommendations and it all unraveled .
It ’ s been really weird .
How does a venue exist when people aren ’ t allowed to go to concerts ?
” Desai has been emailing artists and agents to try and hold dates for later in the year and figuring out how to refund fans who bought tickets in advance ( he hopes that most will hang onto tickets for reschedulings ) .
But as the point of contact for the artists who pass through Lodge Room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how they ’ ll hold on .
“ I ’ m worried about the bands , ” he said .
“ So many livelihoods are affected by this : tour managers , audio engineers , bartenders .
What ’ s going to happen to them ?
” For now , Lodge Room staffers agreed that an immediate economic stimulus — preferably a check , right now — would be the most useful way to sustain livelihoods .
“ A rent freeze would also be so important , ” Pianta said .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shut down .
Big industries are losing money , but they can still afford to pay people .
We need money for small businesses and the freelancers who can ’ t get by .
Where do you go find work when there isn ’ t any ?
” Luna , like everyone interviewed , didn ’ t expect much help from the Trump administration but held out for L.A. or California to recognize how important nightlife and entertainment are for the state ’ s economy .
He was clear on what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rent moratorium , mortgage moratorium and utility bills on hold , ” Luna said .
“ We ’ re a resourceful bunch , but keeping our residence is the thing that worries me most.
” In wake of the closures , the Recording Academy ’ s MusiCares foundation announced a $ 2-million relief fund to help artists and music industry professionals affected by the pandemic , as have Sweet Relief , Music Fund of L.A. and the American Federation of Musicians .
A number of other organizations are also features on this resource @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of surviving in nightlife these days are frightening enough .
But the loss of identity that comes from being shut in will take its toll too .
A life without live music , without hugging friends and sharing drinks while a favorite new band performs has costs you just can ’ t quantify .
“ You build a world around this thing you do , ” Desai said .
“ It ’ s not just work .
Being out with people you know , the idea of a community — I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
When that shatters , now what ?
”

Khalilah Pianta, a bartender at Lodge Room and a freelance photographer: “All my jobs have been canceled at the photo studio, and now my safety job has disappeared too.”
On March 12, Johnny Luna showed up for work at Lodge Room in Highland Park. The 33-year-old father of two is the lighting director for the club, a 500-capacity independent music venue right off a popular stretch of Figueroa Street. He runs the lighting boards at the Wiltern, the El Rey and other venues too, but that evening, he was booked to DJ in Lodge Room’s adjacent restaurant, Checker Hall.
Luna walked up the stairs at Lodge Room with his heavy crates of vinyl in tow. The former Masonic venue has an occult-ish vibe, with a mural of an ancient temple behind the stage and a five-pointed wooden lattice star and wrought-iron candelabras mounted above the dance floor. The venue is a favorite of goth-friendly acts like Billy Corgan, Death Valley Girls and Deerhunter. Phoebe Bridgers and Lawrence Rothman have played breakthrough sets there, and Dave Chappelle once dropped in for a surprise stand-up gig.
But fears of the coronavirus had been circulating all week, and the club’s usual crowds had thinned out. Only two people were in the restaurant. The venue’s general manager gave Luna a free dinner and sent him home.
When Luna got back to his place in Boyle Heights, he saw a deluge of panicked emails.
“That’s when I started to get the mass cancellations,” Luna said. “I was starting to sweat a bit when I realized that all of March was canceled, and then by Saturday, we realized the whole industry would be shut down for the time being.”
Johnny Luna, lighting director at Lodge Room: “We’re a resourceful bunch, but keeping our residences is the thing that worries me most.” (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has changed the world in unfathomable ways since last week. All of California is under a safer-at-home order). Whole sectors of the local economy — entertainment, film, hospitality, nightlife — are locked down for an indeterminate amount of time. An economic recession is all but certain.
Advertisement
After the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, was canceled and then Indio’s Coachella festival was postponed, it was obvious that the live music business would be deeply affected by COVID-19. This month, mega-promoters Live Nation and AEG hit pause on all its tours and festivals, but with deep coffers and expensive insurance policies, they will likely weather the storm.
But for the small-capacity, independent nightclubs that form the backbone of L.A.’s local music scene, the coronavirus is an unprecedented nightmare.
“The venues controlled by AEG and Live Nation will be fine. But smaller independent venues are going to be under strain,” said Patrick Adler, a researcher at the University of Toronto and a PhD candidate at UCLA who studies music festivals and the live-music economy. “Most smaller places don’t have one month of rent on hand, so two months will destroy them.”
His data, compiled with University of Toronto colleague Richard Florida, suggest that L.A. concert promoters and artists will be more affected by the shutdown than any other city in the country. Southern California is the nation’s preeminent destination for major music festivals, with one in 10 in hosted here. Adler estimates that only 5% of promoters and 30% of artists can continue their careers in this environment, and they weren’t well off to begin with.
“The promotional workforce is on average very poorly remunerated, even in the best of times, with annual wages of $38,000,” he said. “So they are not only very exposed to this crisis, but they will probably feel it more.
“In short, they’re screwed,” he added, using a stronger adjective to describe the likely future for many small venues.
Drugdealer featuring Weyes Blood at Lodge Room in 2018. (The Lodge Room)
To get a sense of what they’re up against, The Times interviewed several of the 75-member staff at the Lodge Room, from the owners to the part-time bartenders. The club is emblematic of the kind of venue most at risk. Last year, the venue produced 178 shows and 42 private events, grossing $2.6 million, according to its owners. Lodge Room has three full-time staffers but can’t yet provide health insurance for employees. During the shutdown, as long as resources last, the venue’s talent buyer and general manager will draw a salary, but part-time employees have to wait until reopening for new paychecks.
To varying degrees, staffers are frightened for their business and their livelihoods. Many other club owners, sound engineers, talent buyers and barbacks around town are likely looking at the next few months without work, and they share those fears.
“This feels pretty catastrophic,” said Khalilah Pianta, 30, who works in a photo studio by day and tends bar at Lodge Room at night. She moved to L.A. a year and a half ago from Melbourne, Australia, like so many who flock here for L.A.’s nightlife and creative industries. She’d been doing well so far this year, but now, she says, “I’ve got like two months, max, of savings for basic survival stuff.”
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Pianta just moved into a new apartment in nearby Lincoln Heights. She hasn’t bought furniture yet, and her living room will stay empty for now. “It’s going to be pretty barren here for a while,” she joked. “For me, the bar was a way to sustain myself while I pursued a creative career. But all my jobs have been canceled at the studio, and now my safety job has disappeared too.”
She’d been frantically applying for unemployment and jobs in whatever industries are still hiring — grocery store clerk, delivery driving, any freelance photo gigs that can be done from home. But the sudden shock to the economy has underlined just how precarious lives in creative industries are, even when times are good.
“I hope this shines light on how much these industries contribute to society,” Pianta said. “So many people in this industry have no money and no backup. When this is over, people are going to want to go out and eat and see music. But if no one can pay rent and survive, those places may not be there later.”
In the meantime, live music professionals are trying to ride this out and stay sane. Luna said Lodge Room’s owner let him take the club’s lighting console home so he can practice new setups. The lights have made for some fun house parties with his kids, ages 14 and 9, who are home from school for potentially the rest of the term. Having their grandparents nearby for childcare has been essential.
“I’ve been getting in a lot of podcasts and piano practice,” Luna laughed. But the 20 or so gigs he usually books per month won’t be returning any time soon. “Everything I do professionally is at a standstill,” he said. “I’m not the best at saving money, so I’d be lying if said I wasn’t worried. Other venues I frequently work at are owned by corporate conglomerates. But Lodge Room is completely indie, so I’m more worried about that place. We’re all family there.”
The team behind Lodge Room is just as concerned, if still hopeful for the long term.
Dalton Gerlach, left, owner of Lodge Room, and Raghav Desai, talent buyer: “Survival in this business is week to week even in good times,” said Gerlach. “This is obviously much more dramatic.” (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Dalton Gerlach opened Lodge Room in 2017, just as Highland Park was becoming the heart of the city’s live indie music scene. The 30-year-old’s family (along with three investors) co-owns the stately Masonic building that houses it, which helps for staying in business if there is a long closure. But there is a mortgage to pay, and while “lenders aren’t too friendly in such situations, this is unprecedented, and I hope we can defer things,” he said.
Gerlach said he feels the deep disappointment of sending his staff home until this blows over.
“We put some reserves aside, but we never thought we’d have to use them for this,” he said, adding that he estimated the club could hang on for four to five months in standby mode. “We’re optimistic we can stay around, but we had to do hard things like cut all hourly staff. Everyone’s kicking in to take reduced pay. Survival in this business is week to week and month to month even in good times. This is obviously much more dramatic.”
Gerlach has been working from home in Franklin Village with his girlfriend and managing the few things left while the club goes dark — giving out all the unsold food to employees and dealing with vendor contracts for the rest of the year. He fears what the social isolation will do for the morale of his employees.
“It’s strange, people don’t realize how much this means to us. Sometimes it feels like work is work, but when you don’t have it, it’s like losing a family.”
Raghav Desai, Lodge Room’s talent buyer, has been holed up with his dog in his Glendale apartment. “He’s a companion I never thought I’d need until now,” the 27-year-old joked. “He keeps me sane and allows me to escape the reality of the situation.”
That reality is an empty calendar and no prospect of booking shows until summer at the earliest. “South by Southwest canceling was a huge reality check,” he said. “A week later, it was Coachella, and that was like ‘Oh, OK. This is going to affect us.’ Then the government made their recommendations and it all unraveled. It’s been really weird. How does a venue exist when people aren’t allowed to go to concerts?”
Desai has been emailing artists and agents to try and hold dates for later in the year and figuring out how to refund fans who bought tickets in advance (he hopes that most will hang onto tickets for reschedulings). But as the point of contact for the artists who pass through Lodge Room, he’s more nervous about how they’ll hold on.
“I’m worried about the bands,” he said. “So many livelihoods are affected by this: tour managers, audio engineers, bartenders. What’s going to happen to them?”
For now, Lodge Room staffers agreed that an immediate economic stimulus — preferably a check, right now — would be the most useful way to sustain livelihoods.
“A rent freeze would also be so important,” Pianta said. “That’s the biggest overhead while everything’s shut down. Big industries are losing money, but they can still afford to pay people. We need money for small businesses and the freelancers who can’t get by. Where do you go find work when there isn’t any?”
Luna, like everyone interviewed, didn’t expect much help from the Trump administration but held out for L.A. or California to recognize how important nightlife and entertainment are for the state’s economy. He was clear on what he needed to survive. “A rent moratorium, mortgage moratorium and utility bills on hold,” Luna said. “We’re a resourceful bunch, but keeping our residence is the thing that worries me most.”
In wake of the closures, the Recording Academy’s MusiCares foundation announced a $2-million relief fund to help artists and music industry professionals affected by the pandemic, as have Sweet Relief, Music Fund of L.A. and the American Federation of Musicians. A number of other organizations are also features on this resource list for freelance artists.
The practicalities of surviving in nightlife these days are frightening enough. But the loss of identity that comes from being shut in will take its toll too.
A life without live music, without hugging friends and sharing drinks while a favorite new band performs has costs you just can’t quantify.
“You build a world around this thing you do,” Desai said. “It’s not just work. Being out with people you know, the idea of a community — I’ve built my life around that for six years. When that shatters, now what?”


latimes--2020-03-22--Trump approves declaration of major disaster in California over coronavirus

President Trump approved a request Sunday from Gov .
Gavin Newsom to declare a major disaster in California to help the state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with “ mass care , ” emergency aid , unemployment assistance and disaster legal services , among others .
“ Unfortunately , California has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 , ” Newsom wrote to Trump .
“ Besides California being home to nearly 40 million people , which itself poses significant logistical issues few other states face , California partnered with the federal government in several extremely complex and challenging repatriation missions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impacted California ’ s healthcare delivery system.
” Newsom noted in the letter that he has issued 10 executive orders in the last week to facilitate a quick response to the outbreak .
“ Thank you for recognizing that without the additional resources requested , impacts will be felt throughout the nation , as well as around the world , and thank you for your concern and leadership during this difficult time in our state , ” Newsom ’ s letter concluded .
The president said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the next 48 hours .
California is in line to get eight of them for a total of 2,000 beds .
New York and Washington states will get 1,000 beds each , he said .
And the Navy hospital ship Mercy , which is based in San Diego , will be deployed to Los Angeles , he said .
The ship can be stationed in L.A. in “ a week or less , ” FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor said .
It would not be used to treat COVID-19 patients but will accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the burden on hospitals , Gaynor said .
Trump also announced that he has signed paperwork to have the federal government pay for National Guard deployments in California , New York and Washington .
The National Guard will remain under the control of state governments , but the federal government will cover the cost , as is typical in disaster scenarios .
Newsom on Friday deployed the California National Guard to assist food banks statewide that are serving residents whose needs have left unmet because of supply chain problems and temporary shortages during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Los Angeles County on Sunday reported an additional death related to the virus that causes COVID-19 , the county ’ s fifth .
The Culver City resident was older than 65 and had underlying health conditions , the county Department of Public Health said .
The county recorded 71 new coronavirus cases , bringing the total to 409 ; 132 of those were announced in the last 48 hours .
Eighty-four people have been hospitalized , public health officials said .
“ Please know that the actions you take today to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all non-essential activities outside your home are the best way for us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives , ” Barbara Ferrer , the county public health director , said in a statement .
Riverside County on Sunday also reported another death related to the virus , the sixth there .
Information about the person who died was not immediately available .

Gov. Gavin Newsom, in requesting a declaration of a major emergency, said the COVID-19 pandemic has “strained California’s resources and impacted California’s healthcare delivery system.”
President Trump approved a request Sunday from Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a major disaster in California to help the state respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with “mass care,” emergency aid, unemployment assistance and disaster legal services, among others.
“Unfortunately, California has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19,” Newsom wrote to Trump. “Besides California being home to nearly 40 million people, which itself poses significant logistical issues few other states face, California partnered with the federal government in several extremely complex and challenging repatriation missions, which strained California’s resources and impacted California’s healthcare delivery system.”
Newsom noted in the letter that he has issued 10 executive orders in the last week to facilitate a quick response to the outbreak.
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“Thank you for recognizing that without the additional resources requested, impacts will be felt throughout the nation, as well as around the world, and thank you for your concern and leadership during this difficult time in our state,” Newsom’s letter concluded.
The president said the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be shipping mobile hospital units to the state within the next 48 hours. California is in line to get eight of them for a total of 2,000 beds. New York and Washington states will get 1,000 beds each, he said.
And the Navy hospital ship Mercy, which is based in San Diego, will be deployed to Los Angeles, he said. The ship can be stationed in L.A. in “a week or less,” FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor said. It would not be used to treat COVID-19 patients but will accept other patients in an attempt to relieve the burden on hospitals, Gaynor said.
Trump also announced that he has signed paperwork to have the federal government pay for National Guard deployments in California, New York and Washington.
#USNavy continues preparations to deploy #USNSMercy in support of the nation’s #COVID19 response efforts and will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients. This will allow shore-based hospitals to use their ICU and ventilators for COVID-19 patients ashore. @CDCGov pic.twitter.com/2DTvX8hJP8 — U.S. Navy (@USNavy) March 23, 2020
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The National Guard will remain under the control of state governments, but the federal government will cover the cost, as is typical in disaster scenarios.
Newsom on Friday deployed the California National Guard to assist food banks statewide that are serving residents whose needs have left unmet because of supply chain problems and temporary shortages during the pandemic.
The rapid-fire announcements came as Los Angeles County on Sunday reported an additional death related to the virus that causes COVID-19, the county’s fifth. The Culver City resident was older than 65 and had underlying health conditions, the county Department of Public Health said.
The county recorded 71 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 409; 132 of those were announced in the last 48 hours. Eighty-four people have been hospitalized, public health officials said.
“Please know that the actions you take today to stay 6 feet away from others and limit all non-essential activities outside your home are the best way for us to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” Barbara Ferrer, the county public health director, said in a statement.
Riverside County on Sunday also reported another death related to the virus, the sixth there. Information about the person who died was not immediately available.


latimes--2020-03-22--As crowds gather despite coronavirus rules, some parks, trails and beach parking lots are closed

California ’ s sweeping stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus resulted in a weekend like no other , with people staying indoors and , when outside , keeping at least six feet apart .
But there were exceptions — including at the state ’ s beloved beaches .
Santa Monica closed its beach parking lots because of the crowds .
“ Today is not the day to go to the beach , ” City Manager Rick Cole said in a statement .
“ We know that it ’ s difficult to stay at home when the weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the beach is one of the primary reasons why we love to call Santa Monica home .
Yet this is a time when we must take the guidelines from our health officials to heart.
” The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority also said Sunday that it was closing all of its parks and trails , which include the parkland owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy .
Parking lots and access roads also will be closed .
The Cleveland National Forest said that it was shutting down the Three Sisters Falls and Cedar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after this weekend marked the highest usage numbers ever recorded at both .
“ Illegal parking was rampant and several people had to be airlifted out , ” the national forest said on Twitter .
Complaints of noncompliance have popped up on social media and apps such as the neighborhood forum Nextdoor.com .
The Marin County Sheriff ’ s Office on Saturday tweeted out a photo of people who had congregated along the coastline and implored residents to stay home .
“ We understand the communities ’ frustrations with the LARGE amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOT practicing social distancing .
We are working with the Public Health Officers to address the issue .
Please stay at home !
” the Sheriff ’ s Office said .
Malibu city officials also have received reports of people flocking to beaches and hiking trails , the city said in an update posted to its website .
The city pointed out that it did not own or operate county beaches , state parks or National Park Service areas such as Solstice Canyon but said it was working with state and county officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of people not abiding by social distancing guidelines while using outdoor spaces and stay at home orders.
” And the city of Calabasas announced Sunday that it was closing city parks , playgrounds and all gathering spaces as a result of the stay-at-home order .
At Torrance Beach on Sunday , people were well spread out on the sand , but a narrow walking path alongside the beach was jammed by 10 a.m. At Long Beach ’ s Junipero Beach , besides the occasional person in mask or gloves , all seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sun shone on beachgoers , young and old .
Groups of basketball players used all three hoops .
There were bikers , joggers and roller skaters , men doing pull-ups on the outdoor exercise machines and women exercising on the grass .
And many were ignoring calls for social distancing , which recommend that people stay at least six feet apart .
Along the shore , a family of three , wearing masks , took a walk .
A lone fishermen waded knee deep in the water , with his family nearby .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ called two children nearby to help pull the line .
Strangers , including the family , gathered to see the spectacle up close .
On Friday , Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia expressed frustration at his fellow residents for not following guidance from city and state officials .
“ Seriously people , you need to practice social distancing .
I am seeing tons of people out there acting like there ’ s no crisis , ” he wrote on his personal Twitter page .
It could be that the stay-at-home order led people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time outdoors in one of the few remaining places available .
At least for Jaushay Rockett , 36 , that was the case .
“ This may have sparked something , ” he said .
“ This may have sparked people to be creative and go outside .
It could be a good thing , or it could be a bad thing.
” Rockett was playing basketball outside because “ everything ’ s been closed , ” including his usual indoor gyms and courts in Signal Hill and Compton , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay indoors would be more strict , but he saw plenty of people outdoors , seemingly living their lives as usual .
“ I ’ m thinking it was gon na be like martial law , ” he said .
“ Everybody is out … until they make it mandatory .
They ’ re going to have to really lock down the city ” for people to stay indoors .
Rockett is taking precautions to stay safe .
He said he made sure to keep his distance from people , other than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball .
After each game , he wipes his hands and the ball with Lysol and goes straight to the shower .
Clifford Aquino and Ryan Castro , both 28 , were also displaced from their typical gyms in Cerritos .
They decided that Long Beach , where there are plenty of outdoor gyms and paths to run , would be a good replacement to get their workout in .
“ This is only Day 2 , ” Castro said .
“ It sucks.
” “ It does suck , ” Aquino said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different ways to stay active.
” Aquino said he felt safe using the workout machines because he could keep his distance from people .
If one area was too busy , he found another , he said , or chose another activity to do .
He wipes each bar with Lysol wipes before using them .
Castro said he had been a consistent runner but stopped a while back .
Now , because he has so few options , he ’ s getting back into it .
Both have gone hiking and tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maybe Californians just can ’ t help seeking out a little sunshine , Castro said .
“ A little bit of sun while we have it , it ’ s like their last chance before the rain comes down , ” he said .
“ Huntington Beach was worse than this.
” Rhonda Summerlin , 70 , said she feared that the coronavirus situation would get worse , making a mandatory lockdown possible .
As much as she would like to stay home to protect herself , she had to go out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they don ’ t offer delivery .
“ I need a pharmacy that delivers , ” she said .
“ I can ’ t be coming out in this.
” The Carson resident relies on a wheelchair to get around .
She has numerous ailments , including severe arthritis and a weak immune system , and it is difficult for her to move her hands and legs .
Sunday morning , she picked up her prescription and two boxes of Raisin Bran cereal .
Summerlin said she ’ s also worried about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible surge of coronavirus patients .
She is sick often , needs blood transfusions and has made a handful of hospital stays in a span of months .
She worries whether she ’ ll get the care she needs if she gets sick again .
“ I worry that the hospitals , there ’ s not gon na be enough room , ” she said .
Others don ’ t feel the same urgency .
Alexandra Doody , 27 , visited Pedal Movement in Long Beach to get her bicycle tires inflated Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed indoors and watched Netflix , completed puzzles or done other activities with her friends indoors , but she still goes on her bike rides .
Now more than ever , she said .
“ Definitely more , ” she said , “ Because when you have nothing to do in your whole day , you have to figure out what to do with a few hours.
” She takes an eight-mile ride along the beach , coming back home via the streets in an attempt to avoid the crowds .
But still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors only a couple hours each day .
“ The only place I feel most uncomfortable is the grocery store , really , ” Doody said .
“ You don ’ t know who ’ s wiping down what.
” Farther south , outside the Long Beach Sagely Monastery at Ocean Boulevard and Redondo Avenue , worshipers gathered by a white statue of the Virgin Mary .
The building was once a Catholic convent .
For years , people from all over the region have traveled to pray to the Virgin Mary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armstrong , 72 , who wore a surgical mask .
“ I don ’ t get close to the crowd anymore because of what ’ s been going on , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t touch the statue or stand near it.
” Armstrong was aware of the state and local orders to remain indoors and only go out for groceries and other essential needs , but he wanted to visit the statue as he always had with his late mother .
But he didn ’ t understand some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing gloves and a mask , then they remove the mask to kiss the statue .
That doesn ’ t doesn ’ t make sense to me .
People have sneezed on that that.
” He says some people touch and kiss the statue because they believe that it protects them .
“ It ’ s great to have a strong faith like that , ” Armstrong said .
“ But I still believe God has given people common sense.
” Nearby , a woman dropped off a bouquet of flowers .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Six other people stood more than six feet apart , praying .
Not far away , along the bluffs , people lay on blankets getting a tan .
They exercised .
Traffic was starting to build .
At the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier , fishermen sat with their fishing poles leaning on the railing .
One man , who declined to give his name , was fishing with his son and said he was surprised to see so many people outdoors .
“ It ’ s OK to be by themselves , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when you start seeing groups of people , then it becomes a problem.
” As he fished , a small child ran over and picked up his net .
The man became nervous and in broken Spanish told the mother of the child that he wanted some distance .
“ See , he touched that and his family may have [ the coronavirus ] , and now I can ’ t touch it , ” he said , grabbing a pair of gloves .
Although traffic was free-flowing in much of Southern California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Pacific Coast Highway in the Santa Monica area .
The sense of fear seemed distant as the shadows lengthened over Santa Monica State Beach on Saturday afternoon .
Alan Cohn , 90 , and his partner , Elaine Cohen , 80 , looked out over a scene of people tanning and working out .
One man did yoga .
A group of four played volleyball .
“ Would you believe we ’ re in the middle of a pandemic right now ?
” Cohen asked .
The couple bemoaned the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesdays .
Or feeding homeless residents Wednesdays .
And no dancing at the Marina City Club on Fridays .
But they were cheered by the people offering to run errands for one another and the vegan restaurant owner who was waiving his delivery fees .
They didn ’ t see themselves getting sick , either .
“ Naw , ” Cohn said .
“ I was in the Marines , fighting in North Korea.
” Minutes later , a man sat down next to the couple , asking , “ You mind if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoes ?
” Crowds were also reported at outdoor spaces farther north , in the San Francisco Bay Area .
At Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park , the parking lot was jammed Sunday .
Hundreds of people were walking , riding bikes and jogging at the city park built on top of an old landfill .
Although most park users provided wide berth to passersby , the sheer number of people in the park was atypical .
A similar situation was seen at Palo Alto ’ s Baylands park , set within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parking was difficult to find as scores of people navigated the few paths available for walking .
San Diego ’ s beaches also saw an influx of people Saturday .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Saturday urged residents to take the stay-at-home order seriously .
“ Be a good neighbor .
Be a good citizen .
Those young people that are still out there on the beaches thinking this is a party time — grow up , ” Newsom said during a news conference on Facebook and Twitter on Saturday afternoon .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , time to recognize it ’ s not just about the old folks .
It ’ s about your impact on their lives .
Don ’ t be selfish , recognize you have a responsibility to meet this moment.
” The governor ’ s stay-at-home order will remain in effect until “ further notice ” and could be changed as conditions warrant , according to a statement released by the governor ’ s office .
Issued under broad powers granted to the governor under the state ’ s Emergency Services Act , Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law .
Anyone who violates the order could be charged with a misdemeanor , but Newsom said he did not believe that would be necessary because social pressures to adhere to the directive had been largely successful .
Times staff writers Susanne Rust and Hailey Branson-Potts contributed to this report .

Nicole Santa Cruz, Phil Willon, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, Ruben Vives

A 35-year-old Mission Hills resident wears a mask as he rides his bike on Mission Beach Boardwalk in San Diego.
California’s sweeping stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus resulted in a weekend like no other, with people staying indoors and, when outside, keeping at least six feet apart.
But there were exceptions — including at the state’s beloved beaches.
For the record: An earlier version of this story said Santa Monica was closing beaches. The city closed its beach parking lots to prevent crowds at beaches.
Santa Monica closed its beach parking lots because of the crowds.
“Today is not the day to go to the beach,” City Manager Rick Cole said in a statement. “We know that it’s difficult to stay at home when the weather is so nice and being close to the beach is one of the primary reasons why we love to call Santa Monica home. Yet this is a time when we must take the guidelines from our health officials to heart.”
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The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority also said Sunday that it was closing all of its parks and trails, which include the parkland owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Parking lots and access roads also will be closed.
The Cleveland National Forest said that it was shutting down the Three Sisters Falls and Cedar Creek Falls trails in San Diego County after this weekend marked the highest usage numbers ever recorded at both. “Illegal parking was rampant and several people had to be airlifted out,” the national forest said on Twitter.
This weekend, we saw the highest usage numbers EVER at both Three Sisters and Cedar Creek Falls. Illegal parking was rampant and several people had to be airlifted out. For the sake of hiker and first responder safety, these trails will be closed until further notice pic.twitter.com/EySGSTSTwF — Cleveland NF (@ClevelandNF) March 22, 2020
Complaints of noncompliance have popped up on social media and apps such as the neighborhood forum Nextdoor.com. The Marin County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday tweeted out a photo of people who had congregated along the coastline and implored residents to stay home.
“We understand the communities’ frustrations with the LARGE amount of people traveling to the Coast today and NOT practicing social distancing. We are working with the Public Health Officers to address the issue. Please stay at home!” the Sheriff’s Office said.
**PLEASE SHARE**
We understand the communities frustrations with the LARGE amount of people traveling to the Coast today and NOT practicing social distancing. We are working with the Public Health Officers to address the issue. Please stay at home!
#stayhomeandsavealife pic.twitter.com/2Vci7PFXEe — Marin County Sheriff (@MarinSheriff) March 21, 2020
Malibu city officials also have received reports of people flocking to beaches and hiking trails, the city said in an update posted to its website.
The city pointed out that it did not own or operate county beaches, state parks or National Park Service areas such as Solstice Canyon but said it was working with state and county officials “and urging them to address the issue of people not abiding by social distancing guidelines while using outdoor spaces and stay at home orders.”
And the city of Calabasas announced Sunday that it was closing city parks, playgrounds and all gathering spaces as a result of the stay-at-home order.
At Torrance Beach on Sunday, people were well spread out on the sand, but a narrow walking path alongside the beach was jammed by 10 a.m.
At Long Beach’s Junipero Beach, besides the occasional person in mask or gloves, all seemed like a typical spring day.
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The sun shone on beachgoers, young and old. Groups of basketball players used all three hoops. There were bikers, joggers and roller skaters, men doing pull-ups on the outdoor exercise machines and women exercising on the grass. And many were ignoring calls for social distancing, which recommend that people stay at least six feet apart.
Along the shore, a family of three, wearing masks, took a walk. A lone fishermen waded knee deep in the water, with his family nearby. When he felt a tug, he called two children nearby to help pull the line. Strangers, including the family, gathered to see the spectacle up close.
On Friday, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia expressed frustration at his fellow residents for not following guidance from city and state officials.
“Seriously people, you need to practice social distancing. I am seeing tons of people out there acting like there’s no crisis,” he wrote on his personal Twitter page.
Seriously people, you need to practice social distancing. I am seeing tons of people out there acting like there’s no crisis. You could be carrying the virus, have no symptoms, and be responsible for the illness or worse of others. — Robert Garcia (@RobertGarciaLB) March 22, 2020
It could be that the stay-at-home order led people to visit the beach — to spend time outdoors in one of the few remaining places available.
At least for Jaushay Rockett, 36, that was the case.
“This may have sparked something,” he said. “This may have sparked people to be creative and go outside. It could be a good thing, or it could be a bad thing.”
Rockett was playing basketball outside because “everything’s been closed,” including his usual indoor gyms and courts in Signal Hill and Compton, he said. Initially, he believed the order to stay indoors would be more strict, but he saw plenty of people outdoors, seemingly living their lives as usual.
“I’m thinking it was gonna be like martial law,” he said. “Everybody is out … until they make it mandatory. They’re going to have to really lock down the city” for people to stay indoors.
Rockett is taking precautions to stay safe. He said he made sure to keep his distance from people, other than the family friends with whom he was playing ball. After each game, he wipes his hands and the ball with Lysol and goes straight to the shower.
Clifford Aquino and Ryan Castro, both 28, were also displaced from their typical gyms in Cerritos. They decided that Long Beach, where there are plenty of outdoor gyms and paths to run, would be a good replacement to get their workout in.
“This is only Day 2,” Castro said. “It sucks.”
“It does suck,” Aquino said, “but you have to find different ways to stay active.”
Aquino said he felt safe using the workout machines because he could keep his distance from people. If one area was too busy, he found another, he said, or chose another activity to do. He wipes each bar with Lysol wipes before using them.
Castro said he had been a consistent runner but stopped a while back. Now, because he has so few options, he’s getting back into it.
Both have gone hiking and tried different, also busy, beaches.
Maybe Californians just can’t help seeking out a little sunshine, Castro said.
“A little bit of sun while we have it, it’s like their last chance before the rain comes down,” he said. “Huntington Beach was worse than this.”
Rhonda Summerlin, 70, said she feared that the coronavirus situation would get worse, making a mandatory lockdown possible.
As much as she would like to stay home to protect herself, she had to go out to pick up a prescription from her pharmacy because they don’t offer delivery. “I need a pharmacy that delivers,” she said. “I can’t be coming out in this.”
The Carson resident relies on a wheelchair to get around. She has numerous ailments, including severe arthritis and a weak immune system, and it is difficult for her to move her hands and legs. Sunday morning, she picked up her prescription and two boxes of Raisin Bran cereal.
Summerlin said she’s also worried about how hospitals could be affected by a possible surge of coronavirus patients. She is sick often, needs blood transfusions and has made a handful of hospital stays in a span of months. She worries whether she’ll get the care she needs if she gets sick again.
“I worry that the hospitals, there’s not gonna be enough room,” she said.
Others don’t feel the same urgency.
Alexandra Doody, 27, visited Pedal Movement in Long Beach to get her bicycle tires inflated Sunday morning. Doody said she has mostly stayed indoors and watched Netflix, completed puzzles or done other activities with her friends indoors, but she still goes on her bike rides. Now more than ever, she said.
“Definitely more,” she said, “Because when you have nothing to do in your whole day, you have to figure out what to do with a few hours.”
She takes an eight-mile ride along the beach, coming back home via the streets in an attempt to avoid the crowds. But still, she feels safe because she is outdoors only a couple hours each day.
“The only place I feel most uncomfortable is the grocery store, really,” Doody said. “You don’t know who’s wiping down what.”
Farther south, outside the Long Beach Sagely Monastery at Ocean Boulevard and Redondo Avenue, worshipers gathered by a white statue of the Virgin Mary. The building was once a Catholic convent. For years, people from all over the region have traveled to pray to the Virgin Mary.
Sitting on a folding chair was Donald Armstrong, 72, who wore a surgical mask.
“I don’t get close to the crowd anymore because of what’s been going on,” he said. “I don’t touch the statue or stand near it.”
Armstrong was aware of the state and local orders to remain indoors and only go out for groceries and other essential needs, but he wanted to visit the statue as he always had with his late mother.
But he didn’t understand some fellow worshipers: “I see people wearing gloves and a mask, then they remove the mask to kiss the statue. That doesn’t doesn’t make sense to me. People have sneezed on that that.”
He says some people touch and kiss the statue because they believe that it protects them.
“It’s great to have a strong faith like that,” Armstrong said. “But I still believe God has given people common sense.”
Nearby, a woman dropped off a bouquet of flowers. She took hand sanitizer out of her purse. Six other people stood more than six feet apart, praying.
Not far away, along the bluffs, people lay on blankets getting a tan. They exercised. Traffic was starting to build.
At the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, fishermen sat with their fishing poles leaning on the railing. One man, who declined to give his name, was fishing with his son and said he was surprised to see so many people outdoors.
“It’s OK to be by themselves,” the man said, “but when you start seeing groups of people, then it becomes a problem.”
As he fished, a small child ran over and picked up his net. The man became nervous and in broken Spanish told the mother of the child that he wanted some distance.
“See, he touched that and his family may have [the coronavirus], and now I can’t touch it,” he said, grabbing a pair of gloves.
Although traffic was free-flowing in much of Southern California, there were still some backups Saturday on Pacific Coast Highway in the Santa Monica area.
The sense of fear seemed distant as the shadows lengthened over Santa Monica State Beach on Saturday afternoon. Alan Cohn, 90, and his partner, Elaine Cohen, 80, looked out over a scene of people tanning and working out. One man did yoga. A group of four played volleyball.
“Would you believe we’re in the middle of a pandemic right now?” Cohen asked.
The couple bemoaned the loss of their routine. No more improv comedy Tuesdays. Or feeding homeless residents Wednesdays. And no dancing at the Marina City Club on Fridays.
But they were cheered by the people offering to run errands for one another and the vegan restaurant owner who was waiving his delivery fees. They didn’t see themselves getting sick, either.
“Naw,” Cohn said. “I was in the Marines, fighting in North Korea.”
Minutes later, a man sat down next to the couple, asking, “You mind if I sit here and take off my shoes?”
Cohen scooted over. “Just don’t breathe on me.”
Crowds were also reported at outdoor spaces farther north, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
At Bedwell Bayfront Park in Menlo Park, the parking lot was jammed Sunday. Hundreds of people were walking, riding bikes and jogging at the city park built on top of an old landfill. Although most park users provided wide berth to passersby, the sheer number of people in the park was atypical.
A similar situation was seen at Palo Alto’s Baylands park, set within the marsh along San Francisco Bay. Parking was difficult to find as scores of people navigated the few paths available for walking.
San Diego’s beaches also saw an influx of people Saturday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday urged residents to take the stay-at-home order seriously.
“Be a good neighbor. Be a good citizen. Those young people that are still out there on the beaches thinking this is a party time — grow up,” Newsom said during a news conference on Facebook and Twitter on Saturday afternoon. “It’s time to wake up, time to recognize it’s not just about the old folks. It’s about your impact on their lives. Don’t be selfish, recognize you have a responsibility to meet this moment.”
The governor’s stay-at-home order will remain in effect until “further notice” and could be changed as conditions warrant, according to a statement released by the governor’s office. Issued under broad powers granted to the governor under the state’s Emergency Services Act, Newsom’s executive order is enforceable by law.
Anyone who violates the order could be charged with a misdemeanor, but Newsom said he did not believe that would be necessary because social pressures to adhere to the directive had been largely successful.
Times staff writers Susanne Rust and Hailey Branson-Potts contributed to this report.