latimes--2020-02-01--In L.A.'s San Gabriel Valley, fear of the coronavirus has changed habits in ways big and small

It was the accessory of the moment for many of the people driving into the massive San Gabriel Square mega-mall .
Customers fidgeted with the filters of the masks covering their mouths as they streamed around the warren of Chinese restaurants , tea houses , jewelry stores and other shops .
They wanted to make sure they were well protected from what Sarah Chong , 37 , an accountant from Shanghai visiting friends , called “ flying germs.
” Fear of the coronavirus was in the air .
In the San Gabriel Valley , the mecca of Asian culture in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their habits in ways big and small to stave off infection : what they eat and buy ; not to mention when and where and how they interact with others .
In Alhambra , officials postponed the city ’ s Lunar New Year festival , scheduled for Saturday , after vendors shared concerns about low turnout .
Helen Truong , 57 , said she is taking breaks from weekend gatherings with her Chinese Vietnamese family out of worry about the virus .
“ I ’ ve been coming to the shops and dim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times and days it ’ s most crowded and it ’ s hardest to find parking .
Now I avoid going in major traffic , ” said Truong .
“ I prefer weekday mornings when there ’ s less people and less exposure.
” Protective masks are nothing new in neighborhoods where people already used them to reduce the risk of catching the flu or even to avoid smoke from wildfires .
But the coronavirus has ratcheted up the precautions , partly as a result of the spread of another infection : hoaxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been found .
Many such reports popped up via Facebook posts , Snapchat messages and tweets .
Nearby , as he wrapped up lunch at Five Star Seafood Restaurant with his wife , Alhambra investor Leonard Chen , 48 , checked his phone for the latest news .
“ I have to be careful , ” he declared .
“ Southern California is an international destination.
” Emily Yuxue , a skincare technician from Monterey Park , said that instead of reusing masks for weeks , she stocked up , buying two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , industrial-grade box from Home Depot .
She runs errands early , staying inside when there are more shoppers out during the afternoon .
“ What we can do to be safer , we try it , ” Yuxue , 35 , said .
To get updates , she keeps in touch with a younger sister living in Singapore , who has extended family from Wuhan , China — where doctors diagnosed the first cases of the disease .
There ’ s no need to go outside “ unless it ’ s very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people say they are avoiding processed food with certain ingredients stamped “ made in China.
” Many believe the theory that the virus originated in a “ wet ” market where wild animals were sold .
“ I think it sounds logical , ” said Chen , the businessman .
“ I have seen dozens of stories about how this is being transmitted from animals to humans , and sure , that makes sense .
I ’ m eating everything that is super well-cooked , no sushi , not anything raw .
Burnt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chen said he and his parents are not taking any supplements bought from the herbal medicine shops .
He has found some Facebook posts alarming .
“ OK , maybe they ’ re rumors .
Who really knows ?
” Chen said .
“ But this is a serious situation and I just don ’ t want to take chances.
” Foods that she would consider a rare delicacy are things that Truong will not put in her grocery cart .
“ My kids are warning me : ‘ Mom , people ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eat soup .
When it ’ s cooked with super-high heat , it could be safer , ’ ” she said .
“ We have a simpler diet for the time being.
” Harry Lee has decided to forego something else : vacations .
Not just to Asia ; anywhere , period .
He has even avoided Lunar New Year celebrations and holiday banquets that might be packed with hundreds of people .
“ I am not targeting any countries .
It ’ s not fair to target any culture .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an airport — basically I see it as a dangerous environment because you don ’ t know who ’ s coming and going , ” said the 74-year-old grandfather from El Monte .
When he hears a person coughing or experiencing shortness of breath — which have been described as symptoms of the virus — he politely moves away .
“ I ... try to be respectful , but when you ’ re in your 70s like me , you must be vigilant , ” Lee said .
He stresses about something else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus .
Lee said he was at a Costco recently with his son to pick up medicine when he noticed non-Asians leaving the line until the Asian customers had finished their purchases .
“ I ’ m concerned about people associating illness only with a specific type of person and thinking all those people are not worthy , ” Lee said .
Early Friday , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised people not to panic about the coronavirus and warned against stereotyping people .
“ Do not assume that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have coronavirus , ” said Dr. Nancy Messonier , director of the CDC ’ s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases .
Nolan Wang , a Chinese Korean high school senior heading to brunch at the popular square , said he viewed the widespread fear as “ misleading.
” “ A mask is a preventive measure , yes .
But what makes more sense is a flu shot , ” the 18-year-old said .
“ Honestly , I worry more about getting into college than getting the virus .
We can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s behind this virus , but we ’ re never going to know the whole truth .
”

Sarah Chong, center, and her family wear masks to shop at San Gabriel Square. They are visiting the U.S. from Shanghai for a month.
It was the accessory of the moment for many of the people driving into the massive San Gabriel Square mega-mall.
Customers fidgeted with the filters of the masks covering their mouths as they streamed around the warren of Chinese restaurants, tea houses, jewelry stores and other shops. They wanted to make sure they were well protected from what Sarah Chong, 37, an accountant from Shanghai visiting friends, called “flying germs.”
Fear of the coronavirus was in the air.
In the San Gabriel Valley, the mecca of Asian culture in Los Angeles County, people have changed their habits in ways big and small to stave off infection: what they eat and buy; not to mention when and where and how they interact with others. In Alhambra, officials postponed the city’s Lunar New Year festival, scheduled for Saturday, after vendors shared concerns about low turnout.
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Helen Truong, 57, said she is taking breaks from weekend gatherings with her Chinese Vietnamese family out of worry about the virus.
“I’ve been coming to the shops and dim sum for years. I know the times and days it’s most crowded and it’s hardest to find parking. Now I avoid going in major traffic,” said Truong, of Arcadia. “I prefer weekday mornings when there’s less people and less exposure.”
Protective masks are nothing new in neighborhoods where people already used them to reduce the risk of catching the flu or even to avoid smoke from wildfires. But the coronavirus has ratcheted up the precautions, partly as a result of the spread of another infection: hoaxes and false rumors about where the disease has been found. Many such reports popped up via Facebook posts, Snapchat messages and tweets.
Nearby, as he wrapped up lunch at Five Star Seafood Restaurant with his wife, Alhambra investor Leonard Chen, 48, checked his phone for the latest news.
“I have to be careful,” he declared. “Southern California is an international destination.”
Emily Yuxue of Monterey Park wears a mask while shopping at Ranch Market in San Gabriel. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Emily Yuxue, a skincare technician from Monterey Park, said that instead of reusing masks for weeks, she stocked up, buying two boxes from a friend and a third, industrial-grade box from Home Depot. She runs errands early, staying inside when there are more shoppers out during the afternoon.
“What we can do to be safer, we try it,” Yuxue, 35, said.
To get updates, she keeps in touch with a younger sister living in Singapore, who has extended family from Wuhan, China — where doctors diagnosed the first cases of the disease.
There’s no need to go outside “unless it’s very necessary,” Yuxue said.
Some people say they are avoiding processed food with certain ingredients stamped “made in China.” Many believe the theory that the virus originated in a “wet” market where wild animals were sold.
“I think it sounds logical,” said Chen, the businessman. “I have seen dozens of stories about how this is being transmitted from animals to humans, and sure, that makes sense. I’m eating everything that is super well-cooked, no sushi, not anything raw. Burnt meat or well-done food is better.”
Chen said he and his parents are not taking any supplements bought from the herbal medicine shops. He has found some Facebook posts alarming.
“OK, maybe they’re rumors. Who really knows?” Chen said. “But this is a serious situation and I just don’t want to take chances.”
Foods that she would consider a rare delicacy are things that Truong will not put in her grocery cart.
“My kids are warning me: ‘Mom, people ages 55 and older may be at risk. Eat soup. When it’s cooked with super-high heat, it could be safer,’ ” she said. “We have a simpler diet for the time being.”
Harry Lee has decided to forego something else: vacations. Not just to Asia; anywhere, period. He has even avoided Lunar New Year celebrations and holiday banquets that might be packed with hundreds of people.
Shoppers in San Gabriel wear masks, amid worry about the coronavirus. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
“I am not targeting any countries. It’s not fair to target any culture. I don’t want to be in an airport — basically I see it as a dangerous environment because you don’t know who’s coming and going,” said the 74-year-old grandfather from El Monte.
When he hears a person coughing or experiencing shortness of breath — which have been described as symptoms of the virus — he politely moves away.
“I ... try to be respectful, but when you’re in your 70s like me, you must be vigilant,” Lee said.
He stresses about something else: assumptions about Chinese people as carriers of the coronavirus. Lee said he was at a Costco recently with his son to pick up medicine when he noticed non-Asians leaving the line until the Asian customers had finished their purchases.
“I’m concerned about people associating illness only with a specific type of person and thinking all those people are not worthy,” Lee said.
Early Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised people not to panic about the coronavirus and warned against stereotyping people.
“Do not assume that if someone is of Asian descent, they have coronavirus,” said Dr. Nancy Messonier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Nolan Wang, a Chinese Korean high school senior heading to brunch at the popular square, said he viewed the widespread fear as “misleading.”
“A mask is a preventive measure, yes. But what makes more sense is a flu shot,” the 18-year-old said. “Honestly, I worry more about getting into college than getting the virus. We can guess all we want about what’s behind this virus, but we’re never going to know the whole truth.”


latimes--2020-02-01--19-year-old man dies after fire at Westside high-rise

A 19-year-old man injured in a Westside apartment blaze earlier this week has died , the Los Angeles Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ declined to identify the victim because of patient confidentiality rules and an ongoing fire investigation @ @ @ @ @ office did not immediately respond to a call from The Times .
The fire , @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday and spread quickly across two floors of a 270-unit building at the Barrington Plaza @ @ @ @ @ .
About 300 firefighters responded to assist with firefighting and evacuations .
At least seven @ @ @ @ @ hospital , including a 3-month-old baby .
Two firefighters suffered minor burns .
Earlier Friday @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles City Council called for mandating sprinkler systems in all residential towers across the @ @ @ @ @ , whose district includes Barrington Plaza , said that requiring sprinklers in all residential high-rises @ @ @ @ @ common-sense public safety measure.
” Times staff writers Emily Alpert Reyes and Hannah Fry contributed @ @ @ @

A resident tries to escape the flames as Los Angeles firefighters battle a large blaze at the Barrington Plaza apartments. A 19-year-old man died from injuries suffered in the fire.
A 19-year-old man injured in a Westside apartment blaze earlier this week has died, the Los Angeles Fire Department said Friday evening.
Officials declined to identify the victim because of patient confidentiality rules and an ongoing fire investigation. The coroner’s office did not immediately respond to a call from The Times.
The fire, which began around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday and spread quickly across two floors of a 270-unit building at the Barrington Plaza apartments, injured 13 people.
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About 300 firefighters responded to assist with firefighting and evacuations. At least seven people were sent to a hospital, including a 3-month-old baby. Two firefighters suffered minor burns.
Earlier Friday, several members of the Los Angeles City Council called for mandating sprinkler systems in all residential towers across the city.
Councilman Mike Bonin, whose district includes Barrington Plaza, said that requiring sprinklers in all residential high-rises was a “basic, common-sense public safety measure.”
Times staff writers Emily Alpert Reyes and Hannah Fry contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-31--Man sentenced to life without parole in triple murder case

A Culver City man was sentenced Friday to three life prison terms without the possibility of parole for killing his 67-year-old father and two other men the same day .
Juan Roberto Saucedo , 39 , pleaded no contest to murdering his father , Robert , and trying to kill his father ’ s girlfriend in Culver City on Sept. 3 , 2017 .
He pleaded guilty to the subsequent killings of Jesus Estevez Martinez , 27 , and Arturo Canela Pulido , 47 , in Lennox , and the attempted murder of another man , said Greg Risling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office .
Saucedo also admitted the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders involving the three killings and murder during the commission of a carjacking and kidnapping involving Martinez .
Prosecutors had not decided whether to seek the death penalty against Saucedo before he entered his plea Friday .
Saucedo fatally shot his father and wounded his father ’ s girlfriend after exchanging words with his father , according to the district attorney ’ s office .
Saucedo fled from the home in Culver City , carjacked Martinez , forced him to drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then went into another residence and fatally shot Pulido , prosecutors said .
After that shooting , prosecutors said that Saucedo shot a man driving by .
Saucedo was arrested that day by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies and has remained jailed without bail since then .
Along with the three life-without-parole sentences , Saucedo was also sentenced to 175 years to life in prison .

A Culver City man was sentenced Friday to three life prison terms without the possibility of parole for killing his 67-year-old father and two other men the same day.
Juan Roberto Saucedo, 39, pleaded no contest to murdering his father, Robert, and trying to kill his father’s girlfriend in Culver City on Sept. 3, 2017. He pleaded guilty to the subsequent killings of Jesus Estevez Martinez, 27, and Arturo Canela Pulido, 47, in Lennox, and the attempted murder of another man, said Greg Risling of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
Saucedo also admitted the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders involving the three killings and murder during the commission of a carjacking and kidnapping involving Martinez.
Prosecutors had not decided whether to seek the death penalty against Saucedo before he entered his plea Friday.
Saucedo fatally shot his father and wounded his father’s girlfriend after exchanging words with his father, according to the district attorney’s office.
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Saucedo fled from the home in Culver City, carjacked Martinez, forced him to drive to Lennox, fatally shot him, then went into another residence and fatally shot Pulido, prosecutors said.
After that shooting, prosecutors said that Saucedo shot a man driving by.
Saucedo was arrested that day by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and has remained jailed without bail since then.
Along with the three life-without-parole sentences, Saucedo was also sentenced to 175 years to life in prison.


latimes--2020-01-31--As February begins, California remains dry with little relief in sight

The latest Drought Monitor , released on Thursday , shows that the portion of California classified as abnormally dry increased from 3.6 % last week to 34.3 % , according to the latest data .
For the moment , February looks like it will be a continuation of the dry pattern established in January .
Northern California has been unusually dry since early fall , while Southern California started the season a little early with above-normal precipitation in November and December .
Now , some parts of Southern California are falling behind normal too .
Reservoir levels are good , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many areas .
A dry January has affected the state ’ s snowpack .
Surveyors for the California Department of Water Resources , taking their second seasonal measurement at Phillips station above Lake Tahoe on Thursday , found the snow to be 40.5 inches deep , or 79 % of average for the date .
The snowpack provides about 30 % of the state ’ s water supply .
February is normally the state ’ s wettest month , but long-range forecasts aren ’ t encouraging .
According to some predictions , high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ocean west of California and block incoming storms , keeping the state dry .
A map produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ’ s California-Nevada River Forecast Center shows a below-normal precipitation probability for much of California from Feb. 8 through Feb. 14 .
In fact , most of the California Coast from San Francisco north almost to the Oregon border is predicted to have significantly below-normal precipitation .

More of California is classified as abnormally dry in the latest Drought Monitor data.
The latest Drought Monitor, released on Thursday, shows that the portion of California classified as abnormally dry increased from 3.6% last week to 34.3%, according to the latest data.
For the moment, February looks like it will be a continuation of the dry pattern established in January.
Northern California has been unusually dry since early fall, while Southern California started the season a little early with above-normal precipitation in November and December. Now, some parts of Southern California are falling behind normal too.
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Reservoir levels are good, but groundwater levels are dangerously low in many areas.
A dry January has affected the state’s snowpack. Surveyors for the California Department of Water Resources, taking their second seasonal measurement at Phillips station above Lake Tahoe on Thursday, found the snow to be 40.5 inches deep, or 79% of average for the date. The snowpack provides about 30% of the state’s water supply.
February is normally the state’s wettest month, but long-range forecasts aren’t encouraging. According to some predictions, high pressure could set up in the Pacific Ocean west of California and block incoming storms, keeping the state dry.
The forecast through mid-February for much of California is for below-normal precipitation. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
A map produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s California-Nevada River Forecast Center shows a below-normal precipitation probability for much of California from Feb. 8 through Feb. 14. In fact, most of the California Coast from San Francisco north almost to the Oregon border is predicted to have significantly below-normal precipitation.


latimes--2020-01-31--Earthquake: 3.3 quake strikes near Clovis, Calif.

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake was reported Friday evening at 6:13 p.m. Pacific time 68 miles from Clovis , Calif. , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred 71 miles from Reedley , Calif. , 72 miles from Fresno , and 74 miles from Dinuba .
In the last 10 days , there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred at a depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning more about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked questions .

A magnitude 3.3 earthquake was reported Friday evening at 6:13 p.m. Pacific time 68 miles from Clovis, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 71 miles from Reedley, Calif., 72 miles from Fresno, and 74 miles from Dinuba.
In the last 10 days, there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
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The earthquake occurred at a depth of 8.5 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-01-31--At Kobe Bryant crash site, authorities struggle with public demands for a memorial

Crowds of people want to pay respects to Kobe Bryant and eight others who died in Sunday ’ s helicopter crash , and that outpouring poses daunting challenges for local authorities in and near Calabasas , where federal investigators continued to pick through the wreckage on Friday .
Officials said the site ’ s isolation combined with hazards posed by a nearby private reservoir , steep terrain and crash-contaminated soil make it difficult to accommodate people who want to visit and pay tribute .
There was a sense of urgency , however , in determining a location suitable for creation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sort out their emotions with collective hugs , tears , prayers , teddy bears , candles and cards .
The crush of grieving pilgrims to the crash site , just a quarter-mile behind the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District headquarters and near its restricted reservoir in the northwest Santa Monica Mountains , has prompted the agency to hire additional security guards .
“ It is entirely appropriate for people to want to get to the site and pay their respects , ” Michael McNutt , a spokesman for the water agency , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have people coming through our property while the federal investigation is still going on in very rugged terrain.
” As 101 Freeway traffic streaked past on Friday , prospective pilgrims continued to turn off on the Las Virgenes Road exit , only to be turned away by half a dozen Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department deputies .
It may be several weeks before the overlapping property of the crash site , managed by the water district and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority , is reopened to the public .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s investigation is expected to continue at least through the weekend , ” Dash Stolarz , spokeswoman for the conservation authority , said .
“ Then California Department of Toxic Substances remediation crews will need time to remove contaminated soil and restore the area to the shape it was in before the crash.
” Even after all that work is completed , she added , people need to know the crash site is more than a mile from the road , with no water or restroom facilities .
The site “ is only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trail , ” Stolarz said .
“ There is no flat spot or promontory from which people can view the site even from a distance.
” Representatives of the conservation authority , the water district and the city of Calabasas are expected to meet early next week to identify a memorial site that is safe , easily accessible and not fraught with liability issues .
That won ’ t be easy .
Potential sites under review , officials said , include a dog park and a middle school parking lot near the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virgenes Road exit .
“ We understand that people need a place to memorialize everyone who lost their lives , ” Michael Russo , spokesman for the city of Calabasas , said .
“ And we ’ re going to come up with a plan for that.
” In the meantime , he said , people have been leaving flowers and cards on a lawn by the basketball courts at nearby Juan Bautista de Anza Park .

Fans gather in Calabasas near the site of the helicopter crash where Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, were among the dead.
Crowds of people want to pay respects to Kobe Bryant and eight others who died in Sunday’s helicopter crash, and that outpouring poses daunting challenges for local authorities in and near Calabasas, where federal investigators continued to pick through the wreckage on Friday.
Officials said the site’s isolation combined with hazards posed by a nearby private reservoir, steep terrain and crash-contaminated soil make it difficult to accommodate people who want to visit and pay tribute.
There was a sense of urgency, however, in determining a location suitable for creation of a makeshift memorial where people can sort out their emotions with collective hugs, tears, prayers, teddy bears, candles and cards.
The crush of grieving pilgrims to the crash site, just a quarter-mile behind the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District headquarters and near its restricted reservoir in the northwest Santa Monica Mountains, has prompted the agency to hire additional security guards.
“It is entirely appropriate for people to want to get to the site and pay their respects,” Michael McNutt, a spokesman for the water agency, said. “But we can’t have people coming through our property while the federal investigation is still going on in very rugged terrain.”
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As 101 Freeway traffic streaked past on Friday, prospective pilgrims continued to turn off on the Las Virgenes Road exit, only to be turned away by half a dozen Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
It may be several weeks before the overlapping property of the crash site, managed by the water district and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, is reopened to the public.
“The National Transportation and Safety Board’s investigation is expected to continue at least through the weekend,” Dash Stolarz, spokeswoman for the conservation authority, said. “Then California Department of Toxic Substances remediation crews will need time to remove contaminated soil and restore the area to the shape it was in before the crash.”
Even after all that work is completed, she added, people need to know the crash site is more than a mile from the road, with no water or restroom facilities.
The site “is only accessible via a mile-long stretch of no-nonsense trail,” Stolarz said. “There is no flat spot or promontory from which people can view the site even from a distance.”
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Representatives of the conservation authority, the water district and the city of Calabasas are expected to meet early next week to identify a memorial site that is safe, easily accessible and not fraught with liability issues.
That won’t be easy. Potential sites under review, officials said, include a dog park and a middle school parking lot near the New Millennium Loop trailhead just off the Las Virgenes Road exit.
“We understand that people need a place to memorialize everyone who lost their lives,” Michael Russo, spokesman for the city of Calabasas, said. “And we’re going to come up with a plan for that.”
In the meantime, he said, people have been leaving flowers and cards on a lawn by the basketball courts at nearby Juan Bautista de Anza Park.


latimes--2020-01-31--Kobe Bryant's pilot didn't rely solely on helicopter guidance tools despite heavy fog. Was he allowe

Kobe Bryant's pilot didn't rely solely on helicopter guidance tools despite heavy fog. Was he allowed to?

Why did the pilot of the helicopter ferrying Kobe Bryant and seven others Sunday morning fly under visual flight rules rather than relying on only his instruments designed to help him navigate through foggy conditions ?
That is a key question both investigators and aviation experts are asking in the wake of the crash , which occurred when the chopper slammed into a hill in Calabasas amid low visibility .
This story and headline were changed to clarify the way investigators say the pilot was flying the helicopter before the crash .
The pilot used some of the helicopter ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was under visual flight rules , not instrument flight rules .
Under IFR , he would have been relying fully on the instruments for navigation .
The pilot , Ara Zobayan , was personally certified to fly in bad weather using only his instruments .
But Island Express Helicopters , which operated the Sikorsky S-76B chopper , has a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration that limits the company ’ s pilots to flying only under visual flight rules , according to Eric Weiss , a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilots were not authorized to fly using only instruments in the cockpit but had to navigate by sight , which requires good visibility .
Visual flight rules are based on the principle of see and avoid .
A journey under VFR requires at least three miles of visibility and a cloud ceiling at least 1,000 feet above the ground .
When operation of an aircraft under VFR isn ’ t safe , often because of inclement weather , FAA regulations sometimes allow a pilot to fly under instrument rules , meaning the pilot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Experts say Zobayan could have broken those rules by declaring that the aircraft was in distress , but likely would have faced intense scrutiny from federal regulators .
Island Express Helicopters also would have been opened up to questioning and possible punishment from the FAA , said Michael Lenz , a retired safety program analyst with the Federal Aviation Administration .
“ If a pilot declares an aircraft in distress , that takes priority .
It ’ s a big deal , ” Lenz said .
“ But he would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did it .
He might even be fired by the operator for doing something so blatant.
” The helicopter circled for roughly 13 minutes over Glendale awaiting clearance from air traffic controllers to continue its trip under special visual flight rules that would grant clearance to fly in weather conditions with less than the minimum visibility for regular visual flying .
As Zobayan approached the hills of Calabasas at 150 mph , air traffic control radioed him , telling him he was too low to be seen on radar .
Minutes later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid a cloud layer .
He rose roughly 875 feet in less than a minute and then began a descending turn before slamming into the hillside , according to a Times analysis of flight data .
Randy Waldman , a helicopter flight instructor in Los Angeles , told The Times this week that based on the information provided by authorities , and the pilot ’ s rapid incline and descent , the pilot could have become disoriented in the dense , patchy fog that had obscured some of the area and gone into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very possible that it went from bad visibility to no visibility in a second , ” he said .
“ The top of the hillside that morning was completely obscured.
” The FAA ’ s helicopter flying handbook states that losing all visual references during a flight “ can cause sensory overload ” for a pilot , who can then lose the ability to think rationally .
Investigators combing the crash site this week are focusing on weather as one of the factors that may have contributed to the crash .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight , including Zobayan ’ s background , the airworthiness of the helicopter and whether a mechanical failure played a role .
On Tuesday , the National Transportation Safety Board announced that the helicopter was not equipped with a terrain alarm system that could have warned the pilot he was approaching a hillside .
Investigator Jennifer Homendy said her agency had recommended 16 years ago that the FAA require all choppers carrying six or more passengers be equipped with a terrain awareness and warning system .
Homendy said the FAA “ failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tur , an L.A. television helicopter pilot and journalist , said Zobayan probably did not want to break federal aviation regulations and face penalties from the FAA by switching to instruments , or face losing a high-profile client by landing the helicopter early .
Zobayan was the chief pilot at Island Express Helicopters and had more than 8,000 hours of flight experience , Teri Neville , an attorney representing the company , said .
“ He was calm , controlled and methodical , ” Neville said .
“ He was not a showboat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was the guy you ’ d want in any kind of emergency situation.
” It is not clear how much experience Zobayan had using instruments .
Switching midflight to instrument flying is not a simple task and takes practice , Tur said .
“ Flying on instruments requires you to do it often , to get that recurrent training , and recurrent training is expensive — like going to flight safety or Eurocopter or Sikorsky and using their simulators , ” Tur said .

National Transportation Safety Board investigators comb through the Calabasas hillside where a helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven other people crashed Jan. 26.
Why did the pilot of the helicopter ferrying Kobe Bryant and seven others Sunday morning fly under visual flight rules rather than relying on only his instruments designed to help him navigate through foggy conditions?
That is a key question both investigators and aviation experts are asking in the wake of the crash, which occurred when the chopper slammed into a hill in Calabasas amid low visibility.
For the record: This story and headline were changed to clarify the way investigators say the pilot was flying the helicopter before the crash. The pilot used some of the helicopter’s instruments while flying. But officials said he was under visual flight rules, not instrument flight rules. Under IFR, he would have been relying fully on the instruments for navigation.
The pilot, Ara Zobayan, was personally certified to fly in bad weather using only his instruments. But Island Express Helicopters, which operated the Sikorsky S-76B chopper, has a certification from the Federal Aviation Administration that limits the company’s pilots to flying only under visual flight rules, according to Eric Weiss, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman. That means the company’s pilots were not authorized to fly using only instruments in the cockpit but had to navigate by sight, which requires good visibility.
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Visual flight rules are based on the principle of see and avoid.
A journey under VFR requires at least three miles of visibility and a cloud ceiling at least 1,000 feet above the ground.
When operation of an aircraft under VFR isn’t safe, often because of inclement weather, FAA regulations sometimes allow a pilot to fly under instrument rules, meaning the pilot navigates only by instruments in the cockpit.
Experts say Zobayan could have broken those rules by declaring that the aircraft was in distress, but likely would have faced intense scrutiny from federal regulators. Island Express Helicopters also would have been opened up to questioning and possible punishment from the FAA, said Michael Lenz, a retired safety program analyst with the Federal Aviation Administration.
“If a pilot declares an aircraft in distress, that takes priority. It’s a big deal,” Lenz said. “But he would have to explain what he did and why he did it. He might even be fired by the operator for doing something so blatant.”
The helicopter circled for roughly 13 minutes over Glendale awaiting clearance from air traffic controllers to continue its trip under special visual flight rules that would grant clearance to fly in weather conditions with less than the minimum visibility for regular visual flying.
As Zobayan approached the hills of Calabasas at 150 mph, air traffic control radioed him, telling him he was too low to be seen on radar. Minutes later, the pilot advised he was climbing to avoid a cloud layer. He rose roughly 875 feet in less than a minute and then began a descending turn before slamming into the hillside, according to a Times analysis of flight data.
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Randy Waldman, a helicopter flight instructor in Los Angeles, told The Times this week that based on the information provided by authorities, and the pilot’s rapid incline and descent, the pilot could have become disoriented in the dense, patchy fog that had obscured some of the area and gone into a fatal dive.
“It’s very possible that it went from bad visibility to no visibility in a second,” he said. “The top of the hillside that morning was completely obscured.”
The FAA’s helicopter flying handbook states that losing all visual references during a flight “can cause sensory overload” for a pilot, who can then lose the ability to think rationally.
Investigators combing the crash site this week are focusing on weather as one of the factors that may have contributed to the crash. Investigators also are probing other aspects of the flight, including Zobayan’s background, the airworthiness of the helicopter and whether a mechanical failure played a role.
On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board announced that the helicopter was not equipped with a terrain alarm system that could have warned the pilot he was approaching a hillside. Investigator Jennifer Homendy said her agency had recommended 16 years ago that the FAA require all choppers carrying six or more passengers be equipped with a terrain awareness and warning system. Homendy said the FAA “failed to act” on the proposal.
Zoey Tur, an L.A. television helicopter pilot and journalist, said Zobayan probably did not want to break federal aviation regulations and face penalties from the FAA by switching to instruments, or face losing a high-profile client by landing the helicopter early.
Zobayan was the chief pilot at Island Express Helicopters and had more than 8,000 hours of flight experience, Teri Neville, an attorney representing the company, said.
“He was calm, controlled and methodical,” Neville said. “He was not a showboat. He was not a grandstander. He was the guy you’d want in any kind of emergency situation.”
It is not clear how much experience Zobayan had using instruments. Switching midflight to instrument flying is not a simple task and takes practice, Tur said.
“Flying on instruments requires you to do it often, to get that recurrent training, and recurrent training is expensive — like going to flight safety or Eurocopter or Sikorsky and using their simulators,” Tur said.
Times staff writer Jaclyn Cosgrove contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-01-31--A GOAT in the grass: Bay Area couple crafts turf tribute to Kobe Bryant

As memorials to Kobe Bryant continue to spread across the country and around the globe , an ephemeral tribute cropped up Wednesday in an unlikely place .
A Bay Area couple took to the turf to memorialize the basketball star , who was killed Sunday along with eight others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas .
The 115-foot-tall , 92-foot-wide turf tribute — showing a smiling , jersey-clad Bryant holding a basketball — was created at a park in Pleasanton , near where creators Pete Davis and Kelli Pearson live .
Despite appearances , the image wasn ’ t cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday with a machine from the couple ’ s company , New Ground Technology , that uses streams of air to bend the grass and create dark and light contrasts .
The resulting imprints are visible from above and can last a few days .
Davis seemed taken aback by how much attention the Bryant mural has attracted .
“ It was a genuine effort that ’ s really being recognized in the right light , ” he said Friday .
While the company has done a number of such imprints — its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team logos to an emblem for the Lagunitas Brewing Co. — this one was personal .
Pearson , a Bryant fan , got to work designing the image shortly after learning of the crash , which also killed Bryant ’ s 13-year-old daughter Gianna , baseball coach John Altobelli and his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa , Christina Mauser , Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton , and pilot Ara Zobayan .
“ This is going to be something I can give back , ” Pearson said she recalled thinking .
“ Certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the personality he was , but it ’ s as big as we could do on that field.
” She stitched the mural ’ s image together from four pictures .
She said she wanted to craft something that highlighted not only details of Bryant ’ s physical appearance , but his character , as well .
“ There were pictures of him laughing .
There were pictures of him with more of a serious face , like the strong player , but I wanted something that really captured his personality , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of subtle smile was awesome.
” New Ground Technology ’ s machine , called the TurfPrinter , then translated the image onto the field .
“ The machine uses , in a layman ’ s sense , GPS — telling the machine exactly where it ’ s at so it knows where to print , ” Davis said .
He said he felt a kind of obligation to bring the mural to life .
“ I ’ m the caretaker of this technology , this machine that creates incredibly large graphics , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tribute , ” he said .
“ Really , it ’ s my responsibility to do this.
” Though the imprint is gone , wiped away by routine maintenance at the park , it appears to have made a lasting impact .
“ There are people reaching out from all over the world to us … thanking us for doing such an amazing tribute , ” Pearson said .
“ That ’ s overwhelming .
I can ’ t ever explain how that makes me feel .
”

As memorials to Kobe Bryant continue to spread across the country and around the globe, an ephemeral tribute cropped up Wednesday in an unlikely place.
A Bay Area couple took to the turf to memorialize the basketball star, who was killed Sunday along with eight others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas.
The 115-foot-tall, 92-foot-wide turf tribute — showing a smiling, jersey-clad Bryant holding a basketball — was created at a park in Pleasanton, near where creators Pete Davis and Kelli Pearson live.
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Despite appearances, the image wasn’t cut into the field. It was imprinted Wednesday with a machine from the couple’s company, New Ground Technology, that uses streams of air to bend the grass and create dark and light contrasts.
The resulting imprints are visible from above and can last a few days.
Davis seemed taken aback by how much attention the Bryant mural has attracted.
“It was a genuine effort that’s really being recognized in the right light,” he said Friday.
While the company has done a number of such imprints — its online project gallery shows everything from MLB team logos to an emblem for the Lagunitas Brewing Co. — this one was personal.
Pearson, a Bryant fan, got to work designing the image shortly after learning of the crash, which also killed Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter Gianna, baseball coach John Altobelli and his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa, Christina Mauser, Sarah Chester and her daughter Payton, and pilot Ara Zobayan.
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“This is going to be something I can give back,” Pearson said she recalled thinking. “Certainly it’s not as big as the personality he was, but it’s as big as we could do on that field.”
She stitched the mural’s image together from four pictures. She said she wanted to craft something that highlighted not only details of Bryant’s physical appearance, but his character, as well.
“There were pictures of him laughing. There were pictures of him with more of a serious face, like the strong player, but I wanted something that really captured his personality,” she said. “And the kind of subtle smile was awesome.”
New Ground Technology’s machine, called the TurfPrinter, then translated the image onto the field.
“The machine uses, in a layman’s sense, GPS — telling the machine exactly where it’s at so it knows where to print,” Davis said.
He said he felt a kind of obligation to bring the mural to life.
“I’m the caretaker of this technology, this machine that creates incredibly large graphics, and it’s a perfect platform for the tribute,” he said. “Really, it’s my responsibility to do this.”
Though the imprint is gone, wiped away by routine maintenance at the park, it appears to have made a lasting impact.
“There are people reaching out from all over the world to us … thanking us for doing such an amazing tribute,” Pearson said. “That’s overwhelming. I can’t ever explain how that makes me feel.”


latimes--2020-01-31--Anaheim pastor arrested on suspicion of sexual assault; two victims were minors at the time, authori

Anaheim pastor arrested on suspicion of sexual assault; two victims were minors at the time, authorities say

An Anaheim pastor has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against three people , including two who were minors @ @ @ @ @ said .
Rolando Fuentes , 53 , is facing a variety of charges , including @ @ @ @ @ a minor , Sgt .
Shane Carringer of the Anaheim Police Department said during a @ @ @ @ @ of the alleged victims are female , he said .
Fuentes was arrested Thursday night @ @ @ @ @ is in custody , Carringer said .
He is being held in lieu of $ @ @ @ @ @ Centro Familiar Cristiano Pnl Church about two years ago .
The church , attended by @ @ @ @ @ is on State College Boulevard .
Anyone with information about the case is asked to @ @ @ @ @ ) 765-1697 .

Anaheim police Sgt. Shane Carringer announces the arrest of Pastor Rolando Fuentes, 53, on sexual assault charges on Friday.
An Anaheim pastor has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault against three people, including two who were minors at the time, authorities said.
Rolando Fuentes, 53, is facing a variety of charges, including rape and lewd acts with a minor, Sgt. Shane Carringer of the Anaheim Police Department said during a news conference Friday. All of the alleged victims are female, he said.
Fuentes was arrested Thursday night at his Anaheim home and is in custody, Carringer said. He is being held in lieu of $1-million bail.
Fuentes founded Centro Familiar Cristiano Pnl Church about two years ago. The church, attended by a large Guatemalan population, is on State College Boulevard.
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Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at (714) 765-1697.


latimes--2020-01-31--San Diegan's wife and children trapped in China amid coronavirus outbreak

San Diego resident Yanjun Wei traveled with her two small children to the city of Wuhan to celebrate the Chinese New Year with her parents .
Now the family is holed up in a high-rise apartment building in the megalopolis , ground zero of the deadly coronavirus outbreak that ’ s killed more than 200 people and sickened thousands .
Over the last week , the Chinese government has put the urban area ’ s 11 million people under an unprecedented quarantine .
Commercial flights , public transportation and even major roads have been shut down , leaving the usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numerous accounts .
“ I ’ m trying not to be emotional here , ” said the 37-year-old Wei , tearing up during a video interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune using the social media app WeChat .
“ I don ’ t even have words to describe it , ” she added , saying she fears deeply for the health of her 3-year-old son , Rowan , and 1-year-old daughter , Mia .
She said she has been reluctant to even take her children to the park or for a short walk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son has become increasingly rambunctious .
Wei said that most of the neighbors in the building where her parents live are also staying cooped up in their apartments , relying on WeChat to socialize and share information .
However , as food for the children has run low , her 64-year-old mother has ventured outside to shop for groceries — a process they ’ ve learned can be challenging .
Wei said people have started queuing up at markets long before they open , as entire stores can be quickly cleaned out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple hours ahead , and once they open the doors imagine a group like an army running in there and grabbing stuff , ” she said .
The only immediate way out for Wei and her children would be to secure a spot on a private plane chartered by the U.S. State Department .
The federal government evacuated about 200 American citizens on a flight that landed in Southern California on Wednesday , including diplomats who had been working at the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan and their families .
Passengers are now being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County .
There were reportedly about 1,000 American citizens living in the metropolitan region of Wuhan before the outbreak .
Other nations have organized similar evacuation flights , quarantining people to various degrees upon arrival in their home countries .
The World Health Organization announced Thursday that the coronavirus outbreak was a “ public health emergency of international concern.
” Officials have specifically expressed worry about the potential for the illness to spread to developing nations that have limited access to healthcare .
The illness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to public health officials .
Those infected may first exhibit a number of flu-like symptoms , including runny nose , fever and cough .
At home in San Diego , Wei ’ s husband Kenneth Burnett said he ’ s been calling and emailing the U.S. State Department nonstop .
He had been planning on joining his family in China for the new year celebration , with the family all returning together next week , when the outbreak hit .
“ I don ’ t sleep , ” he said at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Car seats , diapers and other baby supplies lay scattered across the living room , ready to be loaded up at a moment ’ s notice .
“ I was trying to get some things ready if there was a chance because they evacuated some people , ” said the 45-year-old , looking deeply rattled .
“ You ’ re thinking , there ’ s got to be a way , ” he added .
So far , the family hasn ’ t heard anything from the federal government about their chances of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Complicating the matter , Wei said that while both her children are U.S. citizens , she is a legal resident of the U.S. She said she was scheduled to take her citizenship test in February .
In response to questions from the Union-Tribune about how evacuees are being selected , the State Department released this statement : “ Priority was given to vulnerable individuals at higher risk from coronavirus : small children , older adults and persons with other health conditions that put them at greater risk.
” That response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they have yet to receive any contact from the federal government outside of mass emails .
“ When they ’ re saying priority will be given to higher-risk groups , anyone normal would think our kids would be given this priority — a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old , ” Wei said .
“ I don ’ t know if they were ignoring us or they saw our request , ” she added .
Wei said a friend recently shared an official-looking notice through WeChat that said the highways around Wuhan would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Burnett says he ’ s trying accept that his family could be stuck in Wuhan for several months , but the idea is deeply disturbing .
“ You do think what would happen if her parents got sick , she got sick , ” he said .
“ Who ’ s going to take care of them ?
The hospitals have , like , dead bodies laying in the hallways .
You go there , you ’ re going to get infected.
” The Chinese government is now building two new hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Both medical facilities are expected to be open by the end of next week .

Ken Burnett sits in the living room of his San Diego apartment full of toys belonging to his son, Rowan Burnett, 3, and daughter, Mia Burnett, 1. His wife, Yanjun Wei, and their children are stuck in Wuhan, China, because of the coronavirus outbreak.
San Diego resident Yanjun Wei traveled with her two small children to the city of Wuhan to celebrate the Chinese New Year with her parents.
Now the family is holed up in a high-rise apartment building in the megalopolis, ground zero of the deadly coronavirus outbreak that’s killed more than 200 people and sickened thousands.
Over the last week, the Chinese government has put the urban area’s 11 million people under an unprecedented quarantine. Commercial flights, public transportation and even major roads have been shut down, leaving the usually bustling city eerily quiet, according to numerous accounts.
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“I’m trying not to be emotional here,” said the 37-year-old Wei, tearing up during a video interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune using the social media app WeChat.
“I don’t even have words to describe it,” she added, saying she fears deeply for the health of her 3-year-old son, Rowan, and 1-year-old daughter, Mia.
She said she has been reluctant to even take her children to the park or for a short walk, which has proved challenging as her son has become increasingly rambunctious.
Wei said that most of the neighbors in the building where her parents live are also staying cooped up in their apartments, relying on WeChat to socialize and share information.
However, as food for the children has run low, her 64-year-old mother has ventured outside to shop for groceries — a process they’ve learned can be challenging.
Wei said people have started queuing up at markets long before they open, as entire stores can be quickly cleaned out.
Advertisement
“You have to be there a couple hours ahead, and once they open the doors imagine a group like an army running in there and grabbing stuff,” she said.
The only immediate way out for Wei and her children would be to secure a spot on a private plane chartered by the U.S. State Department.
The federal government evacuated about 200 American citizens on a flight that landed in Southern California on Wednesday, including diplomats who had been working at the U.S. Consulate in Wuhan and their families. Passengers are now being voluntarily held and monitored for three days at the March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County.
There were reportedly about 1,000 American citizens living in the metropolitan region of Wuhan before the outbreak.
Other nations have organized similar evacuation flights, quarantining people to various degrees upon arrival in their home countries.
The World Health Organization announced Thursday that the coronavirus outbreak was a “public health emergency of international concern.” Officials have specifically expressed worry about the potential for the illness to spread to developing nations that have limited access to healthcare.
The illness can cause pneumonia and respiratory failure, according to public health officials. Those infected may first exhibit a number of flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, fever and cough.
At home in San Diego, Wei’s husband Kenneth Burnett said he’s been calling and emailing the U.S. State Department nonstop.
He had been planning on joining his family in China for the new year celebration, with the family all returning together next week, when the outbreak hit.
“I don’t sleep,” he said at their home in the Serra Mesa neighborhood. Car seats, diapers and other baby supplies lay scattered across the living room, ready to be loaded up at a moment’s notice.
“I was trying to get some things ready if there was a chance because they evacuated some people,” said the 45-year-old, looking deeply rattled.
“You’re thinking, there’s got to be a way,” he added.
So far, the family hasn’t heard anything from the federal government about their chances of securing seats on a flight back to the U.S. Complicating the matter, Wei said that while both her children are U.S. citizens, she is a legal resident of the U.S. She said she was scheduled to take her citizenship test in February.
In response to questions from the Union-Tribune about how evacuees are being selected, the State Department released this statement: “Priority was given to vulnerable individuals at higher risk from coronavirus: small children, older adults and persons with other health conditions that put them at greater risk.”
That response has frustrated Burnett and Wei, who said they have yet to receive any contact from the federal government outside of mass emails.
“When they’re saying priority will be given to higher-risk groups, anyone normal would think our kids would be given this priority — a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old,” Wei said.
“I don’t know if they were ignoring us or they saw our request,” she added.
Wei said a friend recently shared an official-looking notice through WeChat that said the highways around Wuhan would be closed from Jan. 24 to April 23.
Burnett says he’s trying accept that his family could be stuck in Wuhan for several months, but the idea is deeply disturbing.
“You do think what would happen if her parents got sick, she got sick,” he said. “Who’s going to take care of them? The hospitals have, like, dead bodies laying in the hallways. You go there, you’re going to get infected.”
The Chinese government is now building two new hospitals in Wuhan to serve those suffering from the virus. Both medical facilities are expected to be open by the end of next week.
Smith writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune


latimes--2020-01-31--For Americans, flu remains a bigger threat than coronavirus

While a new virus that originated in China has prompted Americans to wear masks on the subway and cancel international trips for fear of falling ill , a much deadlier killer already stalking the United States has been largely overshadowed : the flu .
Like the new coronavirus , influenza can spread from person to person through the air and cause a fever and cough .
But unlike the coronavirus , which so far hasn ’ t led to any deaths in the U.S. , influenza has killed approximately 10,000 Americans since October , according to federal data released Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is what is killing us , ” said UC Riverside epidemiologist Brandon Brown .
“ Why should we be afraid of something that has not killed people here in this country ?
” To be sure , the coronavirus , known as 2019-nCoV , has alarmed public health officials as they try to avert a worldwide health crisis .
China has quarantined more than 50 million people to contain the outbreak .
This week , the World Health Organization deemed the coronavirus a “ global health emergency , ” and U.S. officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , prompting airlines to cancel flights .
And on Friday , health officials ordered a two-week quarantine for 195 Americans who were flown from Wuhan , China , to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside .
But so far , just six people in the United States have been diagnosed with the coronavirus , all cases that were associated with travel to China .
By contrast , in California alone , 211 people have died of influenza , including seven children , since the season began in October , according to state data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from death certificates , is widely considered to underestimate since the flu can prompt fatal conditions like heart failure or pneumonia , which are then instead listed as the final cause of death .
But the flu doesn ’ t captivate the public ’ s attention in the way a new , emerging virus does .
Unknowns generate news , anxiety and sometimes panic .
Waiting in a downtown Los Angeles subway station Thursday , Josh Aguilera wore a white mask strapped over his nose and mouth .
He had begun using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subway journeys between work and home to protect himself from the coronavirus , he said .
“ I ride the subway every day so I feel like I ’ m at risk , ” said Aguilera , 31 .
But a bigger worry for people taking public transportation or in other crowded spaces is the flu , experts say .
Nationwide , 19 million people in the United States have had the flu this season , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ This is something I guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t really pay attention to it much , ” Brown said .
“ I think we need to shift our attention back to the flu.
” The CDC is not recommending that people wear face masks to protect against the coronavirus , or any other respiratory illness .
Federal officials continue to recommend , however , that people get immunized against the flu .
The flu shot can make people half as likely to get sick as someone who didn ’ t get the vaccine and the flu season runs through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Get your flu shot — take measures to prevent getting sick with the many things in this country we have to get sick from , ” said Tufts Medical Center infectious disease specialist Dr. Shira Doron .
“ The likelihood of an American being killed by the flu compared to being killed by the coronavirus is probably approaching infinity.
” So far , 213 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus .
Public health officials are still learning who is most likely to die from the coronavirus .
Experts know that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elderly .
However , the strains of flu circulating this year have been hitting young people especially hard .
In California , 37 people under the age of 50 have died from influenza this season , according to state data .
“ We have to get people vaccinated , ” said New York University bioethicist Arthur Caplan .
One upside of the anxiety over coronavirus , experts say , is that it may inadvertently prevent flu cases , since the diseases are transmitted in similar ways .
To protect against the flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s your concern — people should wash their hands frequently , sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow and avoid contact with ill people , said Dartmouth College professor Dr. Elizabeth Talbot .
“ There are a lot of things we can do in a very routine way to stay healthier , ” Talbot said .

Some commuters inside Union Station in downtown Los Angeles have opted to wear protective masks. But so far, just six people in the United States have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, all cases that were associated with travel to China.
While a new virus that originated in China has prompted Americans to wear masks on the subway and cancel international trips for fear of falling ill, a much deadlier killer already stalking the United States has been largely overshadowed: the flu.
Like the new coronavirus, influenza can spread from person to person through the air and cause a fever and cough. But unlike the coronavirus, which so far hasn’t led to any deaths in the U.S., influenza has killed approximately 10,000 Americans since October, according to federal data released Friday.
“Here in the U.S., this is what is killing us,” said UC Riverside epidemiologist Brandon Brown. “Why should we be afraid of something that has not killed people here in this country?”
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To be sure, the coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV, has alarmed public health officials as they try to avert a worldwide health crisis.
China has quarantined more than 50 million people to contain the outbreak. This week, the World Health Organization deemed the coronavirus a “global health emergency,” and U.S. officials advised Americans not to travel to China, prompting airlines to cancel flights.
And on Friday, health officials ordered a two-week quarantine for 195 Americans who were flown from Wuhan, China, to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.
But so far, just six people in the United States have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, all cases that were associated with travel to China.
By contrast, in California alone, 211 people have died of influenza, including seven children, since the season began in October, according to state data released Friday. That figure, gathered from death certificates, is widely considered to underestimate since the flu can prompt fatal conditions like heart failure or pneumonia, which are then instead listed as the final cause of death.
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But the flu doesn’t captivate the public’s attention in the way a new, emerging virus does. Unknowns generate news, anxiety and sometimes panic.
Waiting in a downtown Los Angeles subway station Thursday, Josh Aguilera wore a white mask strapped over his nose and mouth. He had begun using the mask a few days earlier during his subway journeys between work and home to protect himself from the coronavirus, he said.
“I ride the subway every day so I feel like I’m at risk,” said Aguilera, 31.
But a bigger worry for people taking public transportation or in other crowded spaces is the flu, experts say. Nationwide, 19 million people in the United States have had the flu this season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This is something I guess we’re used to so we don’t really pay attention to it much,” Brown said. “I think we need to shift our attention back to the flu.”
The CDC is not recommending that people wear face masks to protect against the coronavirus, or any other respiratory illness.
Federal officials continue to recommend, however, that people get immunized against the flu. The flu shot can make people half as likely to get sick as someone who didn’t get the vaccine and the flu season runs through May, according to the CDC.
“Get your flu shot — take measures to prevent getting sick with the many things in this country we have to get sick from,” said Tufts Medical Center infectious disease specialist Dr. Shira Doron. “The likelihood of an American being killed by the flu compared to being killed by the coronavirus is probably approaching infinity.”
So far, 213 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus. Public health officials are still learning who is most likely to die from the coronavirus.
Experts know that the flu tends to be most dangerous for the elderly. However, the strains of flu circulating this year have been hitting young people especially hard. In California, 37 people under the age of 50 have died from influenza this season, according to state data.
“We have to get people vaccinated,” said New York University bioethicist Arthur Caplan.
One upside of the anxiety over coronavirus, experts say, is that it may inadvertently prevent flu cases, since the diseases are transmitted in similar ways.
To protect against the flu — or coronavirus, if that’s your concern — people should wash their hands frequently, sneeze or cough into the crook of their elbow and avoid contact with ill people, said Dartmouth College professor Dr. Elizabeth Talbot.
“There are a lot of things we can do in a very routine way to stay healthier,” Talbot said.


latimes--2020-01-31--Larry Field, developer and Frank Gehry associate who changed the L.A. skyline, dies at 89

Larry Field , a prominent Los Angeles developer who led the way on converting aging industrial warehouses into creative work spaces , worked repeatedly with architect Frank Gehry and poured his resources into L.A ’ s cultural institutions , has died at his home in Beverly Hills .
Forever tinkering with the city ’ s skyline , Field was still hard at work when he died Tuesday at age 89 .
The son of immigrants who grew up stocking shelves in his parent ’ s tiny grocery store in the Bronx , N.Y. , Field arrived in L.A. in 1965 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new arrivals and homes couldn ’ t be built fast enough .
One of his first projects was a two-block stretch of beaten down storefronts along the Venice boardwalk — 7 1/2 acres in all for $ 1 million .
His first tenant was Gehry .
The two became lifelong friends and work associates .
“ He didn ’ t know real estate , and I didn ’ t know architecture , ” Field told The Times .
“ It was perfect.
” Years later , Field found a former BMW facility in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the two converted it into Gehry ’ s new , expanded work space .
It became a model for converting abandoned , often cavernous warehouses and research facilities into airy work environments .
In 2017 , the two teamed up again on repurposing a tired-out Xerox warehouse in El Segundo , turning it into a free-flowing , wide-open business campus called Ascend .
Gehry , who was responsible for the sprawling , open-floor Facebook campus in Menlo Park , designed the building .
Lawrence N. Field was born Oct. 21 , 1930 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His parents had both fled Hungary during a time of upheaval after World War I .
In his autobiography , Field said they arrived penniless , unable to speak but a word or two of English and without any natural job skills .
His father worked as a waiter until he saved enough money to buy a small grocery store , arriving at work each day in a coat and tie .
Through life , Field noted in his autobiography , he remained deeply touched by the story of immigrants seeking a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then City College of New York , later enlisted in the U.S. Army , and got a job selling Dove soap for Lever Brothers , which he hated so profusely he tried to get fired so he could collect unemployment .
When that didn ’ t work , he quit and got into real estate .
In Southern California , he built and financed hundreds of homes , mostly through his firm NSB Associates , named for his typical response when asked how thing were going : “ Not so bad.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autobiography , “ Not So Bad — From the Bronx to Beverly Hills.
” Field and his wife , Eris , became generous philanthropists .
When she was diagnosed with diabetes in the mid-1980s , they provided a $ 2.5 million endowment for the Eris M. Field Chair in Diabetes Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center .
They founded fellowships at his alma mater and in Israel and gave money to the Music Center in Los Angeles , the Los Angeles Philharmonic , the Hammer Museum , Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Jewish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife died in 2009 .
Field is survived by two daughters , Lisa and Robyn ; two granddaughters and his companion of 10 years , Rivka Seiden .

Larry Field, a prominent Los Angeles developer who led the way on converting aging industrial warehouses into creative work spaces, worked repeatedly with architect Frank Gehry and poured his resources into L.A’s cultural institutions, has died at his home in Beverly Hills.
Forever tinkering with the city’s skyline, Field was still hard at work when he died Tuesday at age 89.
The son of immigrants who grew up stocking shelves in his parent’s tiny grocery store in the Bronx, N.Y., Field arrived in L.A. in 1965 when the city was filling up with new arrivals and homes couldn’t be built fast enough.
One of his first projects was a two-block stretch of beaten down storefronts along the Venice boardwalk — 7 1/2 acres in all for $1 million. His first tenant was Gehry. The two became lifelong friends and work associates.
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“He didn’t know real estate, and I didn’t know architecture,” Field told The Times. “It was perfect.”
Years later, Field found a former BMW facility in Playa Vista that had seen better days and the two converted it into Gehry’s new, expanded work space. It became a model for converting abandoned, often cavernous warehouses and research facilities into airy work environments.
In 2017, the two teamed up again on repurposing a tired-out Xerox warehouse in El Segundo, turning it into a free-flowing, wide-open business campus called Ascend. Gehry, who was responsible for the sprawling, open-floor Facebook campus in Menlo Park, designed the building.
Lawrence N. Field was born Oct. 21, 1930, and raised in the Bronx. His parents had both fled Hungary during a time of upheaval after World War I.
In his autobiography, Field said they arrived penniless, unable to speak but a word or two of English and without any natural job skills. His father worked as a waiter until he saved enough money to buy a small grocery store, arriving at work each day in a coat and tie. Through life, Field noted in his autobiography, he remained deeply touched by the story of immigrants seeking a better life in America
He attended what was then City College of New York, later enlisted in the U.S. Army, and got a job selling Dove soap for Lever Brothers, which he hated so profusely he tried to get fired so he could collect unemployment. When that didn’t work, he quit and got into real estate.
In Southern California, he built and financed hundreds of homes, mostly through his firm NSB Associates, named for his typical response when asked how thing were going: “Not so bad.” He also used the phrase on his 2019 autobiography, “Not So Bad — From the Bronx to Beverly Hills.”
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Field and his wife, Eris, became generous philanthropists. When she was diagnosed with diabetes in the mid-1980s, they provided a $2.5 million endowment for the Eris M. Field Chair in Diabetes Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. They founded fellowships at his alma mater and in Israel and gave money to the Music Center in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hammer Museum, Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
His wife died in 2009. Field is survived by two daughters, Lisa and Robyn; two granddaughters and his companion of 10 years, Rivka Seiden.


latimes--2020-01-31--Citing coronavirus concerns, Alhambra postpones Lunar New Year festival

The city of Alhambra has postponed its Lunar New Year Festival after multiple vendors asked to withdraw from the event , citing fears over the growing coronavirus outbreak .
The festival was scheduled to begin Saturday , one week after the start of the Chinese New Year .
On Tuesday , city officials said that vendors believed turnout would be low “ due to the risk of the coronavirus.
” According to organizers , an average of 55,000 people typically turn out for the annual event in the middle of San Gabriel Valley ’ s commercial district .
`` [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we sadly decided to postpone , ” the event organizer ’ s website states .
The epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak is in Wuhan , China .
Although officials have said the risk of local transmission is low , concern has continued to increase amid confirmation of a growing number of cases , including one each in the counties of Los Angeles and Orange , as well in Chicago , Arizona and Washington state .
In Alhambra , where those of Asian descent comprise the majority of the population , some residents expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s decision .
“ Good call for now , ” one person wrote on social media .
“ That ’ s a safe decision , ” another said .
The city plans to reschedule the festival for later , although it was not known when .
Officials weren ’ t immediately available to comment further .
At least 213 people have died from the virus and more than 9,770 people have been infected .
On Thursday , the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more broadly available to health officials .

A woman stands near decorations marking the Lunar New Year holiday in Beijing on Monday. California cities are wary of hosting New Year celebrations amid coronavirus fears.
The city of Alhambra has postponed its Lunar New Year Festival after multiple vendors asked to withdraw from the event, citing fears over the growing coronavirus outbreak.
The festival was scheduled to begin Saturday, one week after the start of the Chinese New Year. On Tuesday, city officials said that vendors believed turnout would be low “due to the risk of the coronavirus.”
According to organizers, an average of 55,000 people typically turn out for the annual event in the middle of San Gabriel Valley’s commercial district.
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“[Considering] the community health situation, we sadly decided to postpone,” the event organizer’s website states.
The epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak is in Wuhan, China. Although officials have said the risk of local transmission is low, concern has continued to increase amid confirmation of a growing number of cases, including one each in the counties of Los Angeles and Orange, as well in Chicago, Arizona and Washington state.
In Alhambra, where those of Asian descent comprise the majority of the population, some residents expressed disappointment, while others voiced relief over the city’s decision.
“Good call for now,” one person wrote on social media. “That’s a safe decision,” another said.
The city plans to reschedule the festival for later, although it was not known when. Officials weren’t immediately available to comment further.
At least 213 people have died from the virus and more than 9,770 people have been infected. On Thursday, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency, a decision that will likely make resources more broadly available to health officials.


latimes--2020-01-31--Preliminary findings in Kobe Bryant helicopter crash could come next week

The next crucial step in the investigation of the the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant , his daughter Gianna and seven other people should occur next week , when the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release some preliminary findings .
NTSB investigators have spent days at the scene , collecting the remains of the chopper and other evidence , and have said they will share what they have learned in the coming days .
But that will not be the final report on the cause , which is expected to come months later .
What has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : From the beginning , officials have said foggy weather will be part of the investigation .
NTSB investigator Jennifer Homendy said at Tuesday ’ s news conference that the helicopter was at 2,300 feet when it lost communication with air traffic controllers .
The helicopter was descending at more than 2,000 feet per minute at the time of impact .
“ So we know that this was a high-energy impact crash , and the helicopter was in a descending left bank , ” Homendy said .
The chopper hit the hillside at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 to 30 feet below an outcropping of the hill .
But even if the pilot had been able to fly above the hilltop , he would have faced new hazards ahead .
“ There are actually other higher hills surrounding it , ” said Bill English , a lead investigator .
Just before crashing into the hillside , the pilot rapidly ascended to avoid a cloud layer , according to the NTSB .
TERRAIN SYSTEM : The NTSB has said the chopper was not equipped with a terrain alarm system that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hillside .
Homendy said her agency had recommended 16 years ago that the Federal Aviation Administration require all choppers carrying six or more passengers be equipped with a terrain awareness and warning system , adding that the FAA has “ failed to act ” on the proposal .
Because the FAA didn ’ t follow the recommendation , the chopper that crashed Sunday was not legally required to have the system .
Shortly after her Tuesday news conference , an FAA spokesman disputed that assessment , noting that the FAA requires the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations .
What is the narrative we know so far about the flight ?
The helicopter — a Sikorsky S-76 chopper built in 1991 — departed John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9:06 a.m. Sunday , according to publicly available flight records .
The aircraft passed over Boyle Heights , near Dodger Stadium and circled over Glendale during the flight .
The NTSB database shows no prior incidents or accidents for the midsize helicopter .
Homendy said the pilot , Ara Zobayan , requested special visual flight rules , or VFR , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled airspace when ceilings are less than 1,000 feet or when visibility is less than 3 miles , during the trip to Ventura County because weather conditions had deteriorated .
At some point during the flight , the pilot requested “ flight following , ” a process in which controllers are in regular contact with an aircraft and can help them navigate , according to recordings of radio communications between the air tower and the aircraft .
Before the conversation ends , the tower is heard telling the pilot the helicopter is too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate Zobayan , who had been a licensed commercial helicopter pilot for 19 years , guided the copter to 2,300 feet and then began a left turn .
The helicopter then began rapidly descending .
Where is the investigation heading next ?
The NTSB team is getting help from the FBI , but officials stress this is not a criminal investigation .
The probe is looking at weather and the helicopter ’ s mechanics as well as the record of the pilot and the company that owns the aircraft , all of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation pending ?
A Los Angeles congressman is calling on the FAA to beef up chopper safety regulations by requiring terrain alarm systems in all helicopters .
Rep. Brad Sherman ( D-Northridge ) on Thursday introduced the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act .
In a statement , Sherman said such equipment would prevent tragedies such as the one that killed Bryant and the others and would cost between $ 25,000 to $ 40,000 .
His bill calls for helicopters to be “ equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commission on helicopter safety and require a report to Congress on best practices for helicopters in cases of low visibility , ” according to a statement .

The next crucial step in the investigation of the the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people should occur next week, when the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to release some preliminary findings.
NTSB investigators have spent days at the scene, collecting the remains of the chopper and other evidence, and have said they will share what they have learned in the coming days. But that will not be the final report on the cause, which is expected to come months later.
What has the NTSB said so far?
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FINAL MOMENTS: From the beginning, officials have said foggy weather will be part of the investigation.
NTSB investigator Jennifer Homendy said at Tuesday’s news conference that the helicopter was at 2,300 feet when it lost communication with air traffic controllers. The helicopter was descending at more than 2,000 feet per minute at the time of impact.
“So we know that this was a high-energy impact crash, and the helicopter was in a descending left bank,” Homendy said.
The chopper hit the hillside at an elevation of 1,085 feet, about 20 to 30 feet below an outcropping of the hill. But even if the pilot had been able to fly above the hilltop, he would have faced new hazards ahead.
“There are actually other higher hills surrounding it,” said Bill English, a lead investigator.
Just before crashing into the hillside, the pilot rapidly ascended to avoid a cloud layer, according to the NTSB.
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TERRAIN SYSTEM: The NTSB has said the chopper was not equipped with a terrain alarm system that could have warned the pilot he was approaching a hillside.
Homendy said her agency had recommended 16 years ago that the Federal Aviation Administration require all choppers carrying six or more passengers be equipped with a terrain awareness and warning system, adding that the FAA has “failed to act” on the proposal. Because the FAA didn’t follow the recommendation, the chopper that crashed Sunday was not legally required to have the system.
Shortly after her Tuesday news conference, an FAA spokesman disputed that assessment, noting that the FAA requires the terrain alarm systems for helicopter air ambulance operations.
What is the narrative we know so far about the flight?
The helicopter — a Sikorsky S-76 chopper built in 1991 — departed John Wayne Airport in Orange County at 9:06 a.m. Sunday, according to publicly available flight records. The aircraft passed over Boyle Heights, near Dodger Stadium and circled over Glendale during the flight. The NTSB database shows no prior incidents or accidents for the midsize helicopter.
Homendy said the pilot, Ara Zobayan, requested special visual flight rules, or VFR, which allow pilots to fly visually in controlled airspace when ceilings are less than 1,000 feet or when visibility is less than 3 miles, during the trip to Ventura County because weather conditions had deteriorated.
At some point during the flight, the pilot requested “flight following,” a process in which controllers are in regular contact with an aircraft and can help them navigate, according to recordings of radio communications between the air tower and the aircraft.
Before the conversation ends, the tower is heard telling the pilot the helicopter is too low for flight following. Radar data indicate Zobayan, who had been a licensed commercial helicopter pilot for 19 years, guided the copter to 2,300 feet and then began a left turn. The helicopter then began rapidly descending.
Where is the investigation heading next?
The NTSB team is getting help from the FBI, but officials stress this is not a criminal investigation. The probe is looking at weather and the helicopter’s mechanics as well as the record of the pilot and the company that owns the aircraft, all of which are standard.
Is there any federal legislation pending?
Yes.
A Los Angeles congressman is calling on the FAA to beef up chopper safety regulations by requiring terrain alarm systems in all helicopters.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Northridge) on Thursday introduced the Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant Helicopter Safety Act. In a statement, Sherman said such equipment would prevent tragedies such as the one that killed Bryant and the others and would cost between $25,000 to $40,000.
His bill calls for helicopters to be “equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System. The legislation will also establish a commission on helicopter safety and require a report to Congress on best practices for helicopters in cases of low visibility,” according to a statement.


latimes--2020-01-31--Coronavirus case is confirmed in Santa Clara County; Americans quarantined at California base

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ordered a quarantine of all 195 people from Wuhan , China , who were evacuated to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County this week after fleeing the coronavirus outbreak .
The CDC also confirmed Friday that a Santa Clara County man had tested positive for the virus , becoming the seventh case in the country and the third in the state .
The quarantine will last 14 days — the incubation period for the virus — from when the plane left China , CDC officials said .
The mandatory quarantine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 50 years .
While isolation orders , or the restriction of movement for those already sick , are not uncommon , the CDC ’ s last quarantine order was issued in the 1960s in connection with the smallpox virus .
“ While we recognize this is an unprecedented action , we are facing an unprecedented public health threat , and this is one of the tools in our toolbox to mitigate the potential impact of this novel virus on the United States , ” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier , director of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Respiratory Diseases .
“ We would rather be remembered for overreacting than underreacting.
” In Santa Clara County , a man fell ill following his Jan. 24 return from Wuhan and Shanghai , director of Santa Clara County ’ s Public Health Department Dr. Sarah Cody said Friday .
The man has self-isolated at his residence , leaving home twice to seek medical care .
Officials are contacting individuals who may have come into contact with him .
Cody stressed the fact that the new case does not increase the public ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We do not have evidence to suggest that the novel virus is circulating in the Bay Area , Santa Clara County or Northern California , ” she said .
Cody also said that despite concerns over the coronavirus , people are more likely to become ill from the flu .
According to federal data released Friday , influenza has killed approximately 10,000 Americans since October .
The decision to quarantine the individuals was made in response to reports of new confirmed cases of coronavirus and under the statutory authority of the Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Friday .
Riverside County health officials said they “ fully support the quarantine order.
” CDC officials said tests of people who have been recently infected but have not yet begun experiencing symptoms may falsely indicate they do not have the virus .
Therefore , the longer quarantine period is needed to be sure none of the recent arrivals falls ill. “ We do not believe that a negative result on this test means someone is out of danger for developing the disease , ” Messonnier said .
The State Department has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ return to the U.S. , although the CDC did not provide specific details on what screenings those individuals might face when they arrive .
No legal enforcement has been required to keep the Americans in Riverside County under quarantine , officials said .
The stationed at the Wuhan consulate , along with their families and others .
On Wednesday , the planeload of Americans , including a month-old baby and several teenagers , arrived in California after fleeing the outbreak in China .
There have been only a handful of coronavirus cases diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Orange and now Santa Clara counties , as well as in Chicago , Arizona and Washington state .
But on Thursday , the World Health Organization declared a over the outbreak , a decision that likely will give health officials a greater supply of resources to combat the infection .
Following a U.S. State Department advisory about the health risks of travel to China , two of the world ’ s largest airlines have announced a temporary halt on flights to the country .
American Airlines announced an immediate suspension of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27 .
Delta Air Lines said it would suspend all flights to China through April 30 , beginning Feb. 6 .

Workers in hazmat suits remove luggage and other cargo from the chartered jet that brought American evacuees from Wuhan, China, to March Air Reserve Base on Jan. 29.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ordered a quarantine of all 195 people from Wuhan, China, who were evacuated to March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County this week after fleeing the coronavirus outbreak.
The CDC also confirmed Friday that a Santa Clara County man had tested positive for the virus, becoming the seventh case in the country and the third in the state.
The quarantine will last 14 days — the incubation period for the virus — from when the plane left China, CDC officials said. The mandatory quarantine is the CDC’s first in more than 50 years.
While isolation orders, or the restriction of movement for those already sick, are not uncommon, the CDC’s last quarantine order was issued in the 1960s in connection with the smallpox virus.
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“While we recognize this is an unprecedented action, we are facing an unprecedented public health threat, and this is one of the tools in our toolbox to mitigate the potential impact of this novel virus on the United States,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “We would rather be remembered for overreacting than underreacting.”
In Santa Clara County, a man fell ill following his Jan. 24 return from Wuhan and Shanghai, director of Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department Dr. Sarah Cody said Friday. The man has self-isolated at his residence, leaving home twice to seek medical care. Officials are contacting individuals who may have come into contact with him.
Cody stressed the fact that the new case does not increase the public’s risk of contracting the virus.
“We do not have evidence to suggest that the novel virus is circulating in the Bay Area, Santa Clara County or Northern California,” she said.
Cody also said that despite concerns over the coronavirus, people are more likely to become ill from the flu. According to federal data released Friday, influenza has killed approximately 10,000 Americans since October.
The decision to quarantine the individuals was made in response to reports of new confirmed cases of coronavirus and under the statutory authority of the Health and Human Services secretary, the CDC said Friday. Riverside County health officials said they “fully support the quarantine order.”
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CDC officials said tests of people who have been recently infected but have not yet begun experiencing symptoms may falsely indicate they do not have the virus. Therefore, the longer quarantine period is needed to be sure none of the recent arrivals falls ill.
“We do not believe that a negative result on this test means someone is out of danger for developing the disease,” Messonnier said.
The State Department has announced that future travelers from Wuhan can return to the U.S., although the CDC did not provide specific details on what screenings those individuals might face when they arrive.
No legal enforcement has been required to keep the Americans in Riverside County under quarantine, officials said.
The State Department chartered a private plane to evacuate diplomats stationed at the Wuhan consulate, along with their families and others. On Wednesday, the planeload of Americans, including a month-old baby and several teenagers, arrived in California after fleeing the outbreak in China.
There have been only a handful of coronavirus cases diagnosed in the U.S., in Los Angeles, Orange and now Santa Clara counties , as well as in Chicago, Arizona and Washington state. But on Thursday, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency over the outbreak, a decision that likely will give health officials a greater supply of resources to combat the infection.
Following a U.S. State Department advisory about the health risks of travel to China, two of the world’s largest airlines have announced a temporary halt on flights to the country. American Airlines announced an immediate suspension of all flights to and from China through March 27. Delta Air Lines said it would suspend all flights to China through April 30, beginning Feb. 6.