latimes--2020-05-11--Newsom has gotten top marks during the coronavirus crisis. Battling California's deficit could chang

Newsom has gotten top marks during the coronavirus crisis. Battling California's deficit could change that

The job is about to get a lot tougher for Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
He faces the certainty of whacking government services while raising taxes .
Newsom hasn ’ t uttered the feared “ T ” word publicly that I know of .
But jacking state taxes even higher in infamously tax-burdened California is inevitable .
Every governor who has faced a significant budget deficit for the last 60 years has reluctantly hiked taxes .
The COVID-19 pandemic — and the collapsed economy it created when many businesses were ordered closed and people told to stay home — will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut services .
It ’ s at the very time that increasing numbers of afflicted or laid-off Californians need assistance most .
Until now , Newsom has flourished politically in the crisis .
His performances in daily online briefings have portrayed him as a leader in the public ’ s eyes .
In a recent poll of California voters , his job approval rating had climbed to an astonishing 70 % .
Now comes the hard part .
He ’ s facing a budget deficit that his Finance Department estimates at $ 54.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hole of red ink .
In January he proposed a $ 222-billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 .
That initial budget “ is no longer operational , ” Newsom says .
Like , no kidding .
He ’ ll offer a revised one on Thursday .
Steep taxes and deep cuts are the two main tools available to repair a bleeding state budget .
There also are other tools , none of which can do the job by themselves .
Fortunately there ’ s roughly $ 22 billion stashed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t last long .
Newsom and other governors are pleading for more federal help .
President Trump doesn ’ t sound enthusiastic .
But Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco has been pressing for $ 1 trillion to send states and local governments .
The governor could cut the pay of top state administrators .
That wouldn ’ t save a ton , but it would show that the Newsom administration is willing to share in the financial sacrifice .
“ There ’ s always a line of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says David Doerr , chief tax consultant for the California Taxpayers Assn .
For decades , he was chief consultant for the state Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee and is generally considered Sacramento ’ s top tax guru .
In a budget balancing brawl , Doerr says , “ the first thing you look for is accounting ‘ reform , ’ which is a nice way to say ‘ gimmicks.
’ [ Gov . ]
Jerry Brown reversed most of them .
So use them again.
” Money can be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — such as truck weight fee and fishing license stashes — to help bolster the general fund , the state ’ s main checking account .
“ It ’ s not a good policy move , ” Doerr concedes .
“ But what are you going to do in this kind of situation ?
You can ’ t let the state go under.
” Doerr says he would offer a tax amnesty program .
There ’ s bound to be lots of people who owe the state back taxes with mounting stiff penalties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Forgive the penalties for a short period and entice them to pay merely the delinquent taxes .
“ Use the slogan , ‘ Get to us before we get to you , ’ ” the Cal Tax consultant says .
“ There also are probably some programs around that were good once upon a time , but things have changed in the last 50 years , ” Doerr says .
Bury them .
That ’ s no doubt correct .
But everybody who opposes tax hikes — and that ’ s practically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the levies themselves — bellows about fabled “ waste , fraud and abuse.
” In 2004 , new Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would “ blow up the boxes ” of bureaucracy .
But his fuse fizzled .
He appointed a task force that recommended eliminating more than 100 boards and commissions and abolishing 12,000 state jobs .
Little came of it .
Doerr ’ s formula for digging out of a deficit hole : “ One-third revenue , one-third cuts , one-third accounting reform/gimmicks… .
“ You have to have taxes… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merksamer , who runs a successful law and lobbying firm in Sacramento and was Gov .
George Deukmejian ’ s chief of staff , says : “ Every governor who had a fiscal crisis has raised taxes .
That ’ s what we did , but we got lucky.
” In 1983 , Republican Deukmejian agreed to a “ trigger tax.
” If the economy continued to slump , that would trigger a sales tax hike .
But it rebounded and the tax wasn ’ t needed .
Brown ’ s father , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deficit in 1959 and raised taxes a record amount his first year as governor .
Pat Brown gimmicked the accounting system to escape raising taxes again before Republican Ronald Reagan ousted him in 1966 .
But Reagan then was drenched in red ink and had to raise taxes steeply .
Freshman Republican Gov .
Pete Wilson faced a monstrous black hole one-third the size of his general fund in 1991 .
He filled the gap half with spending cuts , half with tax hikes and lectured Republican lawmakers that they were bleeping “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote for the taxes .
Schwarzenegger finally agreed to a huge tax increase in 2009 as the Great Recession shredded the budget .
But voters repealed half of it .
Then Brown , facing a $ 27-billion deficit , went to the ballot with an initiative to tax mainly rich people .
That sounded good to the middle class .
Newsom and legislators must choose their poison by June 15 , the constitutional deadline for budget passage .
Get ready for howls of public protest , political demagoguery and falling Newsom job ratings @

The job is about to get a lot tougher for Gov. Gavin Newsom. He faces the certainty of whacking government services while raising taxes.
Newsom hasn’t uttered the feared “T” word publicly that I know of. But jacking state taxes even higher in infamously tax-burdened California is inevitable.
Every governor who has faced a significant budget deficit for the last 60 years has reluctantly hiked taxes.
Advertisement
The COVID-19 pandemic — and the collapsed economy it created when many businesses were ordered closed and people told to stay home — will also force the governor and Legislature to cut services. It’s at the very time that increasing numbers of afflicted or laid-off Californians need assistance most.
Until now, Newsom has flourished politically in the crisis. His performances in daily online briefings have portrayed him as a leader in the public’s eyes. In a recent poll of California voters, his job approval rating had climbed to an astonishing 70%.
Now comes the hard part. He’s facing a budget deficit that his Finance Department estimates at $54.3 billion. That’s a colossal hole of red ink. In January he proposed a $222-billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
That initial budget “is no longer operational,” Newsom says. Like, no kidding. He’ll offer a revised one on Thursday.
Steep taxes and deep cuts are the two main tools available to repair a bleeding state budget. There also are other tools, none of which can do the job by themselves.
Fortunately there’s roughly $22 billion stashed as a reserve and surplus, but it won’t last long.
Advertisement
Newsom and other governors are pleading for more federal help. President Trump doesn’t sound enthusiastic. But Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco has been pressing for $1 trillion to send states and local governments.
The governor could cut the pay of top state administrators. That wouldn’t save a ton, but it would show that the Newsom administration is willing to share in the financial sacrifice.
“There’s always a line of people standing up to be a department director,” says David Doerr, chief tax consultant for the California Taxpayers Assn. For decades, he was chief consultant for the state Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee and is generally considered Sacramento’s top tax guru.
In a budget balancing brawl, Doerr says, “the first thing you look for is accounting ‘reform,’ which is a nice way to say ‘gimmicks.’ [Gov.] Jerry Brown reversed most of them. So use them again.”
Money can be “borrowed” or pilfered from special funds — such as truck weight fee and fishing license stashes — to help bolster the general fund, the state’s main checking account.
“It’s not a good policy move,” Doerr concedes. “But what are you going to do in this kind of situation? You can’t let the state go under.”
Doerr says he would offer a tax amnesty program. There’s bound to be lots of people who owe the state back taxes with mounting stiff penalties they can’t afford to pay. Forgive the penalties for a short period and entice them to pay merely the delinquent taxes.
“Use the slogan, ‘Get to us before we get to you,’” the Cal Tax consultant says.
“There also are probably some programs around that were good once upon a time, but things have changed in the last 50 years,” Doerr says. Bury them.
That’s no doubt correct. But everybody who opposes tax hikes — and that’s practically anyone who’d have to pay the levies themselves — bellows about fabled “waste, fraud and abuse.”
In 2004, new Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would “blow up the boxes” of bureaucracy. But his fuse fizzled. He appointed a task force that recommended eliminating more than 100 boards and commissions and abolishing 12,000 state jobs. Little came of it.
Doerr’s formula for digging out of a deficit hole: “One-third revenue, one-third cuts, one-third accounting reform/gimmicks….
“You have to have taxes…. It takes leadership.”
Attorney Steve Merksamer, who runs a successful law and lobbying firm in Sacramento and was Gov. George Deukmejian’s chief of staff, says: “Every governor who had a fiscal crisis has raised taxes. That’s what we did, but we got lucky.”
In 1983, Republican Deukmejian agreed to a “trigger tax.” If the economy continued to slump, that would trigger a sales tax hike. But it rebounded and the tax wasn’t needed.
Brown’s father, Democrat Pat Brown, also faced a deficit in 1959 and raised taxes a record amount his first year as governor.
Pat Brown gimmicked the accounting system to escape raising taxes again before Republican Ronald Reagan ousted him in 1966. But Reagan then was drenched in red ink and had to raise taxes steeply.
Freshman Republican Gov. Pete Wilson faced a monstrous black hole one-third the size of his general fund in 1991. He filled the gap half with spending cuts, half with tax hikes and lectured Republican lawmakers that they were bleeping “irrelevant” if they didn’t vote for the taxes.
Schwarzenegger finally agreed to a huge tax increase in 2009 as the Great Recession shredded the budget. But voters repealed half of it.
Then Brown, facing a $27-billion deficit, went to the ballot with an initiative to tax mainly rich people. That sounded good to the middle class.
Newsom and legislators must choose their poison by June 15, the constitutional deadline for budget passage.
Get ready for howls of public protest, political demagoguery and falling Newsom job ratings.


latimes--2020-05-11--Los Angeles County beaches may reopen Wednesday. Here are the new rules

Los Angeles County beaches , which have been closed for more than six weeks , should reopen Wednesday with some restrictions on activities and other rules in place , officials said Monday .
Manhattan , Redondo and other county beaches will reopen on May 13 for active recreation only , the Department of Beaches and Harbors said on Twitter .
Permitted activities will include running , walking , swimming and surfing .
Group sports like volleyball are prohibited .
More languid activities , including picnicking and sunbathing , and their accessories — canopies , coolers and the like — will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be mandatory for anyone on the sand , but not for people in the water .
People will be required to practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other groups , the department said .
The county ’ s beaches have been closed since late March .
The planned reopening comes days after California began allowing some portions of the economy to reopen , including allowing curbside pickup at bookstores , clothiers , flower shops and other retailers .
A county spokesman said an official reopening date and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
The first stage of reopening the beaches should happen “ later this week , if all goes well , ” Barbara Ferrer , the department ’ s director , said on Monday .
“ But it will be with a lot of restrictions in place so that there won ’ t be overcrowding.
” County health officials will be evaluating how well the reopening goes , she said , including whether people are able to keep moving and not gather in one place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday that he supports reopening the city ’ s beaches for active recreation , with some restrictions .
Sitting or tanning in the “ dry areas of sand ” would not be a good idea right now , Garcetti said .
“ But the wet sand area — if you need to get in there to swim , to surf… that is something I hope we can earn again.
” Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said Monday in a statement that if beachgoers don ’ t follow the new rules , the beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local officials .
Violators could also face fines and criminal prosecution , the city said .
The restrictions closely match new policies at Orange County beaches .
Some shorelines , including Seal Beach and Dana Point , received permission to reopen after Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered a temporary “ hard closure ” on April 30 , citing concerns with crowds .
If Newsom or Los Angeles County health officials see evidence of beachgoers not practicing social distancing , “ they can and will close us down , as they did in Orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Brand on his Facebook page .
He added : “ So please , hit the beach , do your thing , and leave .
No hanging out for this first phase.
” Hermosa Beach owns its shoreline , but will follow the county ’ s orders and reopen , the city said Monday .
The Strand and the pier will remain closed , but the city ’ s parking lots will reopen — with time limits — to allow people to access the sand .

Surfers take advantage of the swell at Surfrider Beach next to the Malibu Pier on Tuesday morning. L.A. County beaches reopened Wednesday for active use only. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Eric Bautista rides with his surfboard past no parking signs along Pacific Coast Highway to paddle out at Surfrider Beach on Tuesday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Ocean Front Walk in Santa Monica, though officially closed, was in use Tuesday morning. Los Angeles County beaches reopened Wednesday for active use only. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Kim Abt, left, and Rachel Portugal walk past a sign with advisories for visitors on Tuesday morning in Santa Monica. Los Angeles County beaches reopened Wednesday for active use only. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Sam Samarah works out with the Santa Monica Pier in the background on Wednesday. Samarah, who is from Hawaii, came to the L.A. area to help his family through the coronavirus pandemic. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
South of the Manhattan Beach Pier, walkers, runners, surfers and swimmers take advantage of relaxed beach restrictions in Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
A sign lets visitors know that the Strand walking path is closed, but walkers, runners, surfers and swimmers can access the beach in Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
A masked runner gives a thumbs up while she takes advantage of reopened Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Three surfers prepare to enter the water in Hermosa Beach on Wednesday as Los Angeles County beaches reopened for active use. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Jamie Kadish, 6, left and brother Ryan, 7, play in the water in Manhattan Beach as Los Angeles County beaches reopened for active use. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Walkers, runners, surfers and swimmers came out to Manhattan Beach as Los Angeles County beaches reopened for active use. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A surfer cuts across a wave off Manhattan Beach as Los Angeles County beaches reopened for active use. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
An early arrival has Surfrider Beach in Malibu almost all to himself Wednesday morning. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
L.A. County lifeguard Cole McClung, left, provides first aid for surfer Daniel Parseghian, a senior at UCLA, who had cut his foot on the rocks at Surfrider Beach next to the Malibu Pier. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Signs let beachgoers know what is permitted where at Surfrider Beach in Malibu, which was opened to active use (no sunbathing) along with other L.A. County beaches on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Social distancing doesn’t appear to be a priority for surfers off Surfrider Beach in Malibu on Wednesday morning as Los Angeles County beaches reopened for active use. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Jessica Kelly practices early morning yoga while her boyfriend surfs at Surfrider Beach in Malibu. “Its a great way to energize yourself first thing in the morning,” Kelly said. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A surfer heads to the water at Surfrider Beach next to the Malibu Pier on Wednesday morning as Los Angeles County beaches reopened for active use. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County beaches, which have been closed for more than six weeks, should reopen Wednesday with some restrictions on activities and other rules in place, officials said Monday.
Manhattan, Redondo and other county beaches will reopen on May 13 for active recreation only, the Department of Beaches and Harbors said on Twitter. Permitted activities will include running, walking, swimming and surfing. Group sports like volleyball are prohibited.
More languid activities, including picnicking and sunbathing, and their accessories — canopies, coolers and the like — will continue to be prohibited.
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Face coverings will be mandatory for anyone on the sand, but not for people in the water. People will be required to practice social distancing by staying at least six feet away from other groups, the department said.
Beach parking lots, bike paths, piers and boardwalks will stay closed.
The county’s beaches have been closed since late March. The planned reopening comes days after California began allowing some portions of the economy to reopen, including allowing curbside pickup at bookstores, clothiers, flower shops and other retailers.
A county spokesman said an official reopening date and time will require a public health order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The first stage of reopening the beaches should happen “later this week, if all goes well,” Barbara Ferrer, the department’s director, said on Monday. “But it will be with a lot of restrictions in place so that there won’t be overcrowding.”
County health officials will be evaluating how well the reopening goes, she said, including whether people are able to keep moving and not gather in one place.
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday that he supports reopening the city’s beaches for active recreation, with some restrictions. Sitting or tanning in the “dry areas of sand” would not be a good idea right now, Garcetti said.
“But the wet sand area — if you need to get in there to swim, to surf… that is something I hope we can earn again.”
Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said Monday in a statement that if beachgoers don’t follow the new rules, the beaches could be closed again by state and local officials. Violators could also face fines and criminal prosecution, the city said.
The restrictions closely match new policies at Orange County beaches. Some shorelines, including Seal Beach and Dana Point, received permission to reopen after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a temporary “hard closure” on April 30, citing concerns with crowds.
If Newsom or Los Angeles County health officials see evidence of beachgoers not practicing social distancing, “they can and will close us down, as they did in Orange County,” said Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand on his Facebook page.
He added: “So please, hit the beach, do your thing, and leave. No hanging out for this first phase.”
Hermosa Beach owns its shoreline, but will follow the county’s orders and reopen, the city said Monday. The Strand and the pier will remain closed, but the city’s parking lots will reopen — with time limits — to allow people to access the sand.


latimes--2020-05-11--Coronavirus cases continue to climb in Orange County — but don't blame the beaches, officials say

There are a number of reasons why Orange County continues to see new coronavirus infections , but there ’ s no evidence that the throngs of people who flocked to the region ’ s famed shoreline weeks ago have contributed to the caseload , officials said Monday .
“ As of now , that is not something we are pointing to as a cause of cases , ” said County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick .
The crowds over the weekend of April 25 and 26 — either a prime example of what not to do or a blip that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on who you ask — prompted Gov .
Gavin Newsom to temporarily close the county ’ s beaches , a decision state officials said was meant to stave off potentially unsafe conditions that could worsen the spread of COVID-19 .
Quick , though , said “ correlation to the beach , that is not something that we have evidence of at this point.
” Regardless , Orange County has continued to see its weekly case count rise .
Between April 20 and 26 , the county confirmed 441 new COVID-19 cases .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 787 the week after that .
Though its overall number of cases also continues to rise , neighboring Los Angeles County has seen a dip in how many new cases it ’ s confirmed week-to-week over the same time period .
Dr. George Rutherford , an epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco , said he noticed a steep rise in Orange County ’ s cases in the days following the weekend of April 25 and 26 .
Further investigation is necessary to determine whether the beaches — most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity — contributed to the spread of the coronavirus , however .
“ But you know , just us looking at it , there was a big jump in Orange County that was temporally consistent with possible transmission from that crowd event , ” Rutherford said .
Another factor is likely increased testing , though , as the county began notably ramping up its daily screening activity starting around April 28 .
“ As we test more , we ’ re likely to pick up more cases , ” Quick said .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are tested and come back positive “ has remained relatively stable and , overall , has been decreasing , which is good.
” “ As we loosen up any amount of the stay-at-home order or put more people to work , we do expect to see an increase in cases , ” she said .
“ So that would be something that would be expected.
” The Orange County Health Care Agency confirmed 55 new coronavirus infections Monday , boosting the region ’ s cumulative total to 3,557 .
The increase is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single day since April 28 .
But the county also reported only 196 additional COVID-19 tests — the fewest in any one day for which data are available .
As of the latest update , 196 people were hospitalized countywide and 77 of them were in intensive care .
Though health officials say maintaining physical distancing and avoiding gatherings are key to fighting COVID-19 , Orange County hasn ’ t been immune from crowds .
About 1,500 demonstrators flocked to the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday to call for an end to coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sizable protest in the city in as many weeks .
Some businesses also have reopened their doors in defiance of state health orders .
One , Nomads Canteen in San Clemente , has recently offered dine-in service despite the state ’ s prohibition .
When it comes to compliance , Orange County Executive Officer Frank Kim said the approach has been education , rather than bringing down the hammer .
“ We ’ re not out here really trying to work with a heavy hand , ” he said Monday .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on with each of these entities and working with them to see voluntary compliance.
” Other factors also can fuel increases in COVID-19 activity .
The city of Newport Beach said its local case count recently spiked “ due to , in large part , outbreaks inside a small number of local care facilities where patients and staff have tested positive.
” “ County public health officers and Newport Beach Fire Department officials have met with the CEOs , head nurses and other top staff at the facilities to ensure that best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus , ” city officials said in a statement .
Newport Beach spokesman John Pope declined to identify where the outbreaks have occurred or say how many cases have been reported in those facilities .
But between Friday and Sunday , the city ’ s COVID-19 case count jumped from 105 to 130 — an increase he said is “ largely attributable ” to the local care facilities .
“ Our residents would be understandably curious as to why there was such a big spike , and we didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why it might have occurred , ” he said .

Some beach-goers actively use the beach while others relax on the beach, despite Gov. Newsom’s active-use-only order, in Huntington Beach.
There are a number of reasons why Orange County continues to see new coronavirus infections, but there’s no evidence that the throngs of people who flocked to the region’s famed shoreline weeks ago have contributed to the caseload, officials said Monday.
“As of now, that is not something we are pointing to as a cause of cases,” said County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick.
The crowds over the weekend of April 25 and 26 — either a prime example of what not to do or a blip that was blown out of proportion, depending on who you ask — prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to temporarily close the county’s beaches, a decision state officials said was meant to stave off potentially unsafe conditions that could worsen the spread of COVID-19.
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Quick, though, said “correlation to the beach, that is not something that we have evidence of at this point.”
Regardless, Orange County has continued to see its weekly case count rise.
Between April 20 and 26, the county confirmed 441 new COVID-19 cases. That figure jumped to 664 the following week and 787 the week after that.
Though its overall number of cases also continues to rise, neighboring Los Angeles County has seen a dip in how many new cases it’s confirmed week-to-week over the same time period.
Dr. George Rutherford, an epidemiologist and infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco, said he noticed a steep rise in Orange County’s cases in the days following the weekend of April 25 and 26.
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Further investigation is necessary to determine whether the beaches — most of which have since reopened in a limited capacity — contributed to the spread of the coronavirus, however.
“But you know, just us looking at it, there was a big jump in Orange County that was temporally consistent with possible transmission from that crowd event,” Rutherford said.
Another factor is likely increased testing, though, as the county began notably ramping up its daily screening activity starting around April 28.
“As we test more, we’re likely to pick up more cases,” Quick said.
She added that the percentage of people who are tested and come back positive “has remained relatively stable and, overall, has been decreasing, which is good.”
“As we loosen up any amount of the stay-at-home order or put more people to work, we do expect to see an increase in cases,” she said. “So that would be something that would be expected.”
The Orange County Health Care Agency confirmed 55 new coronavirus infections Monday, boosting the region’s cumulative total to 3,557.
The increase is the smallest number of new cases in a single day since April 28. But the county also reported only 196 additional COVID-19 tests — the fewest in any one day for which data are available.
The county’s death toll remained unchanged at 76.
As of the latest update, 196 people were hospitalized countywide and 77 of them were in intensive care.
Though health officials say maintaining physical distancing and avoiding gatherings are key to fighting COVID-19, Orange County hasn’t been immune from crowds.
About 1,500 demonstrators flocked to the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday to call for an end to coronavirus-related economic and social restrictions — the second sizable protest in the city in as many weeks.
Some businesses also have reopened their doors in defiance of state health orders. One, Nomads Canteen in San Clemente, has recently offered dine-in service despite the state’s prohibition.
When it comes to compliance, Orange County Executive Officer Frank Kim said the approach has been education, rather than bringing down the hammer.
“We’re not out here really trying to work with a heavy hand,” he said Monday. “We’re trying to understand what is going on with each of these entities and working with them to see voluntary compliance.”
Other factors also can fuel increases in COVID-19 activity. The city of Newport Beach said its local case count recently spiked “due to, in large part, outbreaks inside a small number of local care facilities where patients and staff have tested positive.”
“County public health officers and Newport Beach Fire Department officials have met with the CEOs, head nurses and other top staff at the facilities to ensure that best practices are in place to mitigate further spread of the virus,” city officials said in a statement.
Newport Beach spokesman John Pope declined to identify where the outbreaks have occurred or say how many cases have been reported in those facilities. But between Friday and Sunday, the city’s COVID-19 case count jumped from 105 to 130 — an increase he said is “largely attributable” to the local care facilities.
“Our residents would be understandably curious as to why there was such a big spike, and we didn’t want people to speculate as to why it might have occurred,” he said.


latimes--2020-05-11--Civil rights leaders want charges against LAPD officer in beating video; Lacey asks for patience

Civil rights leaders on Monday called for criminal charges to be filed against a Los Angeles police officer shown beating a man in the head in a recent viral video , even as the county ’ s top prosecutor asked for patience during a review .
The activists argued the footage was indisputable proof of a felony assault , and that Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey should respond immediately .
“ I ’ m getting social media messages from all across the country wondering why she hasn ’ t filed charges yet based on the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Najee Ali said outside Lacey ’ s office Monday afternoon .
Lacey said she is waiting for the Los Angeles Police Department to complete its investigation into the April 27 arrest in Boyle Heights and deliver the findings to her office .
Only then will she be able to pass judgment on the officer ’ s actions , she said .
“ Anytime you see someone with their hands behind their back and getting hit in the head like that multiple times , that is disturbing .
As a human being , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ How did this happen ?
What led up to this ?
’ ” Lacey said .
“ But as the lead prosecutor in the D.A.
’ s office , I know that I need to exercise judgment in what I say publicly , because I don ’ t want this office disqualified or recused for prejudging the evidence .
So I ’ m waiting to see all of what ’ s out there.
” Earl Ofari Hutchinson , another civil rights leader , said Lacey already has the evidence she needs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angelenos are to believe that cops in the city are held to the same legal standards as everyone else .
“ Jackie Lacey can send a message , ” Hutchinson said .
“ The message is this : When you violate the law , it doesn ’ t make any difference whether you have a badge , a gun and wear a uniform .
You ’ re gon na be arrested , you ’ re gon na be prosecuted , you ’ re gon na be convicted , you ’ re gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above the law.
” The video circulating on the internet , recorded by a bystander , shows two officers arresting a man who others have described as homeless and who had been reported as trespassing in the area .
At one point , as the man stood with his arms behind his back , one of the officers begins lobbing punches at the man ’ s head .
As the man bends down and away to avoid the blows , the officer keeps at it .
The officer has been assigned to home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force Investigation divisions , the LAPD said .
Two law enforcement sources , both of whom requested anonymity because they weren ’ t authorized to discuss the case , identified him as Officer Frank Hernandez , a veteran with more than 20 years on the force who has come into controversy before .
After one of three on-duty shootings in Hernandez ’ s career , there were violent protests in Westlake .
David Winslow , an attorney for the officer in the video , would not confirm or deny the officer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threatened by the man , who was struggling just before the first punch .
“ The use of force is justified because the officer believed he was under attack from the suspect , ” Winslow said Monday .
Ali and Hutchinson challenged Winslow ’ s account , saying it is clear from the video that the man , who was released after the incident without charge , was not resisting arrest when Hernandez started throwing punches .
“ I was horrified that another human being could actually viciously beat someone in that manner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s inexcusable , and there was no justification or reason that anyone can see for that man to be beaten and assaulted that way by a police officer.
” Hutchinson said the officer ’ s actions can not be justified .
“ I saw an officer look like Mike Tyson , wailing away on him , ” he said .
“ If you look very carefully at the video , you saw the suspect with his back moving away , walking away , and the officer is still totally out of control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hutchinson said the second officer ’ s failure to intervene was “ almost as disturbing.
” “ What she was doing and what I saw was a code of silence : one officer protecting another officer .
That in many ways is just as horrifying , ” he said .
Police officials have said the second officer is on administrative duty pending the investigation into the incident .
They ’ ve said footage from the officer ’ s body-worn camera will be released publicly soon .
Ali and Hutchinson said they were concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of her past decisions not to file charges in the fatal shooting of Brendon Glenn by LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor near the Venice boardwalk or the beating of Marlene Pinnock by a California Highway Patrol Officer Daniel Andrew along the 10 Freeway .
Lacey said that while her office determined charges were not supported in those cases , her office has prosecuted cops when they have broken the law in other cases .
“ We ’ re not reluctant to try officers for use of force , but we ’ ve learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait and look at all the evidence to see what we have , ” she said .
In the Boyle Heights case , her office will review not just the viral video , but any other video from the scene and any available statements made by the officer , the man who was punched , the second officer and the bystander who shot the video , among others .
Ali said she should make a decision before November , when she is up for reelection , so that this case can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lacey ’ s runoff challenger , former San Francisco Dist .
Atty .
George Gascón , has said the officer should be charged with assault .
Lacey would not say when the evidence review might be completed .
Based on the law and the U.S. criminal justice system , many excessive force cases “ boil down ” to what was going on in the mind of the officer involved as the events were unfolding , she said .
Determining that is “ difficult , ” she said , and takes time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winton contributed to this article .

Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey is working with a group of leaders from different agencies to expand diversion programs for mentally ill criminal defendants.
Civil rights leaders on Monday called for criminal charges to be filed against a Los Angeles police officer shown beating a man in the head in a recent viral video, even as the county’s top prosecutor asked for patience during a review.
The activists argued the footage was indisputable proof of a felony assault, and that Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey should respond immediately.
“I’m getting social media messages from all across the country wondering why she hasn’t filed charges yet based on the video footage itself,” South Los Angeles leader Najee Ali said outside Lacey’s office Monday afternoon.
Lacey said she is waiting for the Los Angeles Police Department to complete its investigation into the April 27 arrest in Boyle Heights and deliver the findings to her office. Only then will she be able to pass judgment on the officer’s actions, she said.
“Anytime you see someone with their hands behind their back and getting hit in the head like that multiple times, that is disturbing. As a human being, I look at that and say: ‘How did this happen? What led up to this?’” Lacey said. “But as the lead prosecutor in the D.A.’s office, I know that I need to exercise judgment in what I say publicly, because I don’t want this office disqualified or recused for prejudging the evidence. So I’m waiting to see all of what’s out there.”
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Earl Ofari Hutchinson, another civil rights leader, said Lacey already has the evidence she needs, and must hold the officer accountable if Angelenos are to believe that cops in the city are held to the same legal standards as everyone else.
“Jackie Lacey can send a message,” Hutchinson said. “The message is this: When you violate the law, it doesn’t make any difference whether you have a badge, a gun and wear a uniform. You’re gonna be arrested, you’re gonna be prosecuted, you’re gonna be convicted, you’re gonna be held accountable. You are not above the law.”
The video circulating on the internet, recorded by a bystander, shows two officers arresting a man who others have described as homeless and who had been reported as trespassing in the area. At one point, as the man stood with his arms behind his back, one of the officers begins lobbing punches at the man’s head. As the man bends down and away to avoid the blows, the officer keeps at it.
The officer has been assigned to home pending investigations by the Internal Affairs and Force Investigation divisions, the LAPD said. Two law enforcement sources, both of whom requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the case, identified him as Officer Frank Hernandez, a veteran with more than 20 years on the force who has come into controversy before.
After one of three on-duty shootings in Hernandez’s career, there were violent protests in Westlake.
David Winslow, an attorney for the officer in the video, would not confirm or deny the officer’s identity; he said his client was threatened by the man, who was struggling just before the first punch.
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“The use of force is justified because the officer believed he was under attack from the suspect,” Winslow said Monday.
Ali and Hutchinson challenged Winslow’s account, saying it is clear from the video that the man, who was released after the incident without charge, was not resisting arrest when Hernandez started throwing punches.
“I was horrified that another human being could actually viciously beat someone in that manner,” Ali said. “It’s inexcusable, and there was no justification or reason that anyone can see for that man to be beaten and assaulted that way by a police officer.”
Hutchinson said the officer’s actions cannot be justified.
“I saw an officer look like Mike Tyson, wailing away on him,” he said. “If you look very carefully at the video, you saw the suspect with his back moving away, walking away, and the officer is still totally out of control, continuing to beat and beat.”
Hutchinson said the second officer’s failure to intervene was “almost as disturbing.”
“What she was doing and what I saw was a code of silence: one officer protecting another officer. That in many ways is just as horrifying,” he said.
Police officials have said the second officer is on administrative duty pending the investigation into the incident. They’ve said footage from the officer’s body-worn camera will be released publicly soon.
Ali and Hutchinson said they were concerned Lacey would not charge Hernandez in part because of her past decisions not to file charges in the fatal shooting of Brendon Glenn by LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor near the Venice boardwalk or the beating of Marlene Pinnock by a California Highway Patrol Officer Daniel Andrew along the 10 Freeway.
Lacey said that while her office determined charges were not supported in those cases, her office has prosecuted cops when they have broken the law in other cases.
“We’re not reluctant to try officers for use of force, but we’ve learned by experience as prosecutors that we have to wait and look at all the evidence to see what we have,” she said.
In the Boyle Heights case, her office will review not just the viral video, but any other video from the scene and any available statements made by the officer, the man who was punched, the second officer and the bystander who shot the video, among others.
Ali said she should make a decision before November, when she is up for reelection, so that this case can be a “litmus test” for voters. Lacey’s runoff challenger, former San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascón, has said the officer should be charged with assault.
Lacey would not say when the evidence review might be completed.
Based on the law and the U.S. criminal justice system, many excessive force cases “boil down” to what was going on in the mind of the officer involved as the events were unfolding, she said.
Determining that is “difficult,” she said, and takes time.
Times staff writers James Queally and Richard Winton contributed to this article.


latimes--2020-05-11--134 pregnant women in L.A. tested positive for coronavirus, but none of their babies

COVID-19 has hit all walks of life in Los Angeles County , from wealthy enclaves to working-class neighborhoods , as well as prisons and nursing homes .
Officials have warned that the most vulnerable individuals to developing serious effects from the novel coronavirus include women who are pregnant .
But little is known about how pregnant women have fared since the pandemic began , as their numbers are not typically broken out in overall case counts .
On Monday , L.A. County officials addressed this little-discussed segment of the population .
In the county that has recorded more than 32,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,500 deaths , roughly 134 pregnant women have tested positive , Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said .
There have been 29 live births among those women , and one stillbirth .
Twenty-four infants were tested at birth , including one set of twins , and none tested positive for the virus .
More than 82 % of the 134 women who tested positive were symptomatic .
“ To all our brand-new residents of L.A. County , we ’ re so happy to welcome you to our community , ” Ferrer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a pregnant mother to pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy , a belief that has been expressed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
A newborn , however , may be susceptible to person-to-person spread .
A low number of babies have tested positive for the virus shortly after birth , the CDC has said .
It ’ s unknown if these infants contracted the virus before or after birth .
The virus has not been detected in amniotic fluid , breast milk or other “ maternal samples @ @

COVID-19 has hit all walks of life in Los Angeles County, from wealthy enclaves to working-class neighborhoods, as well as prisons and nursing homes.
Officials have warned that the most vulnerable individuals to developing serious effects from the novel coronavirus include women who are pregnant. But little is known about how pregnant women have fared since the pandemic began, as their numbers are not typically broken out in overall case counts.
On Monday, L.A. County officials addressed this little-discussed segment of the population. In the county that has recorded more than 32,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 1,500 deaths, roughly 134 pregnant women have tested positive, Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
There have been 29 live births among those women, and one stillbirth. Twenty-four infants were tested at birth, including one set of twins, and none tested positive for the virus.
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More than 82% of the 134 women who tested positive were symptomatic.
“To all our brand-new residents of L.A. County, we’re so happy to welcome you to our community,” Ferrer said.
The results indicate that it is unlikely for a pregnant mother to pass the virus to her baby during pregnancy, a belief that has been expressed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A newborn, however, may be susceptible to person-to-person spread.
A low number of babies have tested positive for the virus shortly after birth, the CDC has said. It’s unknown if these infants contracted the virus before or after birth.
The virus has not been detected in amniotic fluid, breast milk or other “maternal samples.”


latimes--2020-05-11--SAT should be suspended for UC admissions, Napolitano says

In a major decision that could lead to a shake-up of the nation ’ s standardized testing landscape , University of California President Janet Napolitano is recommending the suspension of the SAT and ACT tests as an admissions requirement until 2024 and possible elimination after that .
In a proposal posted Monday , Napolitano is recommending a complex and unusual five-year plan that would make the tests optional for two years and eliminate testing requirements for California students in years three and four .
Then , in year five , UC would move toward a standardized assessment developed specifically for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce rich data on which students get admitted under each strategy and how they perform in college .
It could also widen access to a UC education for more disadvantaged students .
But the recommendation raises concerns about how campuses would implement different entry standards for different classes .
Napolitano ’ s decision could tip the scales against the tests among Board of Regents members , who are scheduled to vote on the controversial issue next week .
Her plan is not completely in line with the Academic Senate , which recently voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years while alternatives are researched .
But Senate Chair Kum-Kum Bhavnani expressed appreciation that Napolitano adopted many key recommendations in a faculty task force report on testing , including development of a new assessment for the UC system .
“ The Senate is pleased that the president ’ s recommendations are in line with the spirit of our recommendations , ” Bhavnani said .
“ We look forward to working with the university to develop a new content-based test.
” Most campus admission officers , however , regard SAT and ACT scores as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be left with the task of figuring out how to evaluate tens of thousands of applications without them .
The UC system has temporarily suspended the testing requirement for fall 2021 applicants due to test cancellations triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic .
But campuses were expected to reinstate the requirement for subsequent admission cycles after ACT and the College Board , which owns the SAT , announced plans to restart testing later this year .
A UC decision to permanently drop the testing requirements would have an enormous impact on the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prestige of the public research university .
Four-fifths of UC applicants take the SAT , making the system the largest single university source of customers for the College Board .
The six universities that receive the most applications in the nation are UC campuses in Los Angeles , San Diego , Irvine , Berkeley , Santa Barbara and Davis .
Last year , the UC system received 215,000 undergraduate applications .
Napolitano has identified standardized testing as a top issue facing the UC system and said regents needed to “ get it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their action .
UC ’ s decision a half-century ago to require the SAT propelled the test to a place of national prominence , and a move to eliminate the requirement in the early 1990s prompted the College Board to revise the exam to satisfy UC objections about its bias and relevance for admission reviews .
Now , however , the momentum against the tests seems inexorable , with Napolitano joining other prominent UC critics , including board Chair John A. Pérez , Vice Chair Cecilia Estolano , Regent Eloy Ortiz Oakley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chancellor Carol Christ .
Critics argue that the SAT and ACT are heavily influenced by race , income and education levels of parents ; question their value in predicting college success ; and express concern about inequitable access to test prep .
Those concerns have prompted more than 1,000 colleges and universities to drop the testing requirement .
A lawsuit against the UC system also calls for the requirement to be dropped .
But the College Board and ACT have strongly pushed back , saying the tests are not biased and reflect existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They also say that standardized tests offer a uniform and useful yardstick for use , in tandem with grades , in assessing students in high schools across the country .
Napolitano sought to craft a compromise between test supporters and opponents by eliminating the SAT and ACT requirements immediately but returning the UC system to a standardized assessment in five years .
A key constituency is the Academic Senate , which sets admissions standards .
Earlier this year , a Senate task force recommended that the university system keep the SAT and ACT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going test-optional and ultimately developing UC ’ s own assessment .
That report was unanimously backed by the Senate assembly , made up of faculty leaders and campus representatives , 51 to 0 with one abstention .
Faculty were concerned that UC leaders would reject their report and usurp their authority in the fierce politics of the testing debate .
But Napolitano appears to have successfully allayed many of their concerns .
Napolitano is proposing that UC experts launch a feasibility study this summer to identify a new test that assesses what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ readiness for college .
She said UC would consult with K-12 educators , test experts , UC faculty and California State University , which might also use the new assessment .
If no test can be created in time for fall 2025 applicants , use of the SAT and ACT would be eliminated completely for California students .
That ’ s the one recommendation that gives Senate members pause , Bhavnani said .
Under Napolitano ’ s recommendation , students may choose to take the SAT and ACT until 2025 in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ placement or secure eligibility for admissions in one distinct category .
Applicants from other states and countries could continue to use those tests , or possibly a new UC assessment .
In its own recommendation for a UC assessment , the faculty task force estimated it could take nine years to develop and some experts have put the potential cost at $ 100 million .
However , Li Cai , a UCLA statistician , psychologist and testing expert , has said that UC could move more quickly — and share the cost — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state-of-the art assessment within five years .
A new assessment could potentially begin with ninth-graders , he said , analyzing their growth throughout high school , and use newer testing technologies to measure not only academic knowledge , but other valued qualities such as curiosity , resilience and collaborative problem-solving skills .
Others , however , favor a single exam to minimize testing .
Napolitano ’ s recommendation to go test-optional for two years also is likely to gain faculty endorsement .
Although the task force explicitly rejected a test-optional policy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had since forced UC to adopt one for fall 2021 applicants .
The Senate was probably going to recommend extending that policy for fall 2022 applicants as well , Bhavnani said , which would dovetail with Napolitano ’ s recommendation .
And while the Senate did not endorse test-blind admissions — meaning that UC would not use standardized test scores at all in admissions decisions even if submitted — faculty members seemed open to Napolitano ’ s recommendation to try that strategy for two years .
Bhavani said it was an “ intriguing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would want to discuss further .
Several campus admissions officers , for their part , have said they would prefer no test to an optional testing policy because they were concerned about administering different standards for different applicants and fairly evaluating students who don ’ t submit scores compared to those who do .
Napolitano also asked faculty leaders for additional analysis about the reasons why UC students do not fully reflect the state ’ s diversity .
In its February review , the task force found that the biggest reasons for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that smaller proportions of disadvantaged students took the full suite of required college preparatory courses and applied to UC .
In what it called surprising findings , the Academic Senate ’ s review found that the SAT test actually helps disadvantaged students gain entry to the selective UC system .
That ’ s because the way UC uses standardized test scores substantially corrects for bias by weighting them less heavily than grades and considering them as only one of 14 factors in a comprehensive review process , the report found .
Campuses adjust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with lower test scores compared to more advantaged peers .
Other researchers , however , have criticized the task force ’ s findings as erroneous .
Some faculty members are pushing to replace the SAT and ACT with the state test used to assess K-12 students , known as Smarter Balanced , because they say research shows it predicts college performance equally well , with less bias against disadvantaged students .
The task force rejected proposals to use Smarter Balanced , citing concerns over the exam ’ s suitability for UC , test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states and countries .
In addition , Cai said , state data show wide racial disparities on Smarter Balanced test performance .
Napolitano , however , left the door open for Smarter Balanced to be retooled for UC admissions , calling for experts to consider that test in efforts to “ modify or create ” a new assessment .
The UC president also asked the Senate to work with administrators to determine appropriate admissions requirements for out-of-state and international students if the SAT and ACT are eliminated for Californians .
To win admission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorably ” to California students , which typically has been evaluated in part with standardized test scores .

UC President Janet Napolitano recommends suspending the SAT and ACT as admissions requirements, proposing instead a plan to make them optional for two years.
In a decision that could lead to a shake-up of the nation’s standardized testing landscape, University of California President Janet Napolitano is recommending the suspension of the SAT and ACT tests as an admissions requirement until 2024 and possible elimination after that.
In a proposal posted Monday, Napolitano is recommending a complex and unusual five-year plan that would make the tests optional for two years and eliminate testing requirements for California students in Years 3 and 4. Then, in Year 5, UC would move toward a standardized assessment developed specifically for the 10-campus system.
The plan would produce rich data on which students get admitted under each strategy and how they perform in college. It could also widen access to a UC education for more disadvantaged students. But the recommendation raises concerns about how campuses would implement different entry standards for different classes.
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Napolitano’s decision could tip the scales against the tests among Board of Regents members, who are scheduled to vote on the controversial issue next week.
Her plan is not completely in line with the Academic Senate, which recently voted unanimously to keep the tests for five years while alternatives are researched. But Senate Chair Kum-Kum Bhavnani expressed appreciation that Napolitano adopted many key recommendations in a faculty task force report on testing, including development of a new assessment for the UC system.
“The Senate is pleased that the president’s recommendations are in line with the spirit of our recommendations,” Bhavnani said. “We look forward to working with the university to develop a new content-based test.”
Most campus admission officers, however, regard SAT and ACT scores as useful tools to help assess applicants and will be left with the task of figuring out how to evaluate tens of thousands of applications without them.
The UC system has temporarily suspended the testing requirement for fall 2021 applicants due to test cancellations triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. But campuses were expected to reinstate the requirement for subsequent admission cycles after ACT and the College Board, which owns the SAT, announced plans to restart testing later this year.
A UC decision to permanently drop the testing requirements would have an enormous impact on the future of standardized testing because of the size and prestige of the public research university. Four-fifths of UC applicants take the SAT, making the system the largest single university source of customers for the College Board.
Advertisement
The six universities that receive the most applications in the nation are UC campuses in Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Berkeley, Santa Barbara and Davis. Last year, the UC system received 215,000 undergraduate applications.
Napolitano has identified standardized testing as a top issue facing the UC system and said regents needed to “get it right” because of the national implications of their action. UC’s decision a half-century ago to require the SAT propelled the test to a place of national prominence, and a move to eliminate the requirement in the early 1990s prompted the College Board to revise the exam to satisfy UC objections about its bias and relevance for admission reviews.
Now, however, the momentum against the tests seems inexorable, with Napolitano joining other prominent UC critics, including board Chair John A. Pérez, Vice Chair Cecilia Estolano, Regent Eloy Ortiz Oakley, Provost Michael Brown and UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ.
Critics argue that the SAT and ACT are heavily influenced by race, income and education levels of parents; question their value in predicting college success and express concern about inequitable access to test prep. Those concerns have prompted more than 1,000 colleges and universities to drop the testing requirement. A lawsuit against the UC system also calls for the requirement to be dropped.
But the College Board and ACT have strongly pushed back, saying the tests are not biased and reflect existing inequities in access to quality education. They also say that standardized tests offer a uniform and useful yardstick for use, in tandem with grades, in assessing students in high schools across the country.
Napolitano sought to craft a compromise between test supporters and opponents by eliminating the SAT and ACT requirements immediately but returning the UC system to a standardized assessment in five years.
A key constituency is the Academic Senate, which sets admissions requirements. Earlier this year, a Senate task force recommended that the university system keep the SAT and ACT for now while researching alternatives, including going test-optional and ultimately developing UC’s own assessment. That report was unanimously backed by the Senate assembly, made up of faculty leaders and campus representatives, 51-0 with one abstention.
Faculty were concerned that UC leaders would reject their report and usurp their authority in the fierce politics of the testing debate. But Napolitano appears to have successfully allayed many of their concerns.
Napolitano is proposing that UC experts launch a feasibility study this summer to identify a new test that assesses what the university expects students to master to demonstrate readiness for college. She said UC would consult with K-12 educators, test experts, UC faculty and California State University, which might also use the new assessment.
If no test can be created in time for fall 2025 applicants, use of the SAT and ACT would be eliminated completely for California students. That’s the one recommendation that gives Senate members pause, Bhavnani said.
Under Napolitano’s recommendation, students may choose to take the SAT and ACT until 2025 in order to qualify for scholarships, determine UC course placement or secure eligibility for admissions in one distinct category. Applicants from other states and countries could continue to use those tests, or possibly a new UC assessment.
In its own recommendation for a UC assessment, the faculty task force estimated it could take nine years to develop and some experts have put the potential cost at $100 million.
However, Li Cai, a UCLA statistician, psychologist and testing expert, has said that UC could move more quickly — and share the cost — by marshaling a national coalition to develop a state-of-the art assessment within five years. A new assessment could potentially begin with ninth-graders, he said, analyzing their growth throughout high school, and use newer testing technologies to measure not only academic knowledge, but other valued qualities such as curiosity, resilience and collaborative problem-solving skills. Others, however, favor a single exam to minimize testing.
Napolitano’s recommendation to go test-optional for two years also is likely to gain faculty endorsement. Although the task force explicitly rejected a test-optional policy for now, Bhavnani said the COVID-19 crisis had since forced UC to adopt one for fall 2021 applicants. The Senate was probably going to recommend extending that policy for fall 2022 applicants as well, Bhavnani said, which would dovetail with Napolitano’s recommendation.
And while the Senate did not endorse test-blind admissions — meaning that UC would not use standardized test scores at all in admissions decisions even if submitted — faculty members seemed open to Napolitano’s recommendation to try that strategy for two years. Bhavani said it was an “intriguing” idea that she expected the Senate would want to discuss further.
Several campus admissions officers, for their part, have said they would prefer no test to an optional testing policy because they were concerned about administering different standards for different applicants and fairly evaluating students who don’t submit scores compared to those who do.
Napolitano also asked faculty leaders for additional analysis about the reasons why UC students do not fully reflect the state’s diversity. In its February review, the task force found that the biggest reasons for the mismatch was not the SAT, but that smaller proportions of disadvantaged students took the full suite of required college preparatory courses and applied to UC.
In what it called surprising findings, the Academic Senate’s review found that the SAT test actually helps disadvantaged students gain entry to the selective UC system. That’s because the way UC uses standardized test scores substantially corrects for bias by weighting them less heavily than grades and considering them as only one of 14 factors in a comprehensive review process, the report found. Campuses adjust for socioeconomic differences and admit disadvantaged students with lower test scores compared to more advantaged peers.
Other researchers, however, have criticized the task force’s findings as erroneous. Some faculty members are pushing to replace the SAT and ACT with the state test used to assess K-12 students, known as Smarter Balanced, because they say research shows it predicts college performance equally well, with less bias against disadvantaged students.
The task force rejected proposals to use Smarter Balanced, citing concerns over the exam’s suitability for UC, test security and viability for applicants from other states and countries. In addition, Cai said, state data show wide racial disparities on Smarter Balanced test performance.
Napolitano, however, left the door open for Smarter Balanced to be retooled for UC admissions, calling for experts to consider that test in efforts to “modify or create” a new assessment.
The UC president also asked the Senate to work with administrators to determine appropriate admissions requirements for out-of-state and international students beginning in 2025, when the SAT and ACT could be eliminated for Californians. To win admission to UC, nonresidents must “compare favorably” to California students, which typically has been evaluated in part with standardized test scores.


latimes--2020-05-11--Newsom joins 4 governors in seeking $1 trillion in federal relief for all states

California Gov .
Gavin Newsom and his counterparts in four Western states on Monday asked Congress for $ 1 trillion in COVID-19 pandemic relief for all states and local governments .
Newsom joined with the governors of Oregon , Washington , Nevada and Colorado , as well as legislative leaders from the five states , in asking the House and Senate for the aid .
The governors said the funds would be critical for public health programs , law enforcement and schools .
“ Without federal support , states and cities will be forced to make impossible decisions — like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help us recover , or prevent layoffs of teachers , police officers , firefighters and other first responders , ” the letter stated .
“ And , without additional assistance , the very programs that will help people get back to work — like job training and help for small business owners — will be forced up on the chopping block.
” This request would be on top of the $ 2-trillion economic relief package approved by Congress and President Trump in March .
That package provided money to many Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state and local governments struggling with the pandemic .
Last week , the Newsom administration announced that California ’ s government faces a $ 54.3-billion budget deficit through next summer due to a drop in tax revenue related to the coronavirus and the statewide stay-at-home order that shut down all but essential businesses .
Newsom ’ s budget team forecasts a $ 41.2-billion drop in tax revenue compared with their estimates from just four months ago , with state revenue from personal income taxes , sales taxes and corporate taxes — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — plummeting by roughly 25 % .
Newsom on Monday said that the state has processed approximately 4.5 million unemployment claims since mid-March , when businesses began closing their doors and laying off employees .
Newsom said the state unemployment rate eventually could approach 25 % .
In April , Newsom and the governors of Washington and Oregon announced “ a regional pact to recovery ” from the coronavirus crisis and agreed to work together to develop a plan to lift restrictions on daily life and reopen economies along the West Coast .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The governors said they planned to collectively identify clear “ indicators for communities to restart public life and business.
” Under the regional pact , the states laid out shared goals to control the virus , including protecting vulnerable populations , ensuring the states have enough equipment and hospital workers to provide adequate care , and developing a strategy to test , track and isolate cases .
Newsom last week announced California ’ s updated plans for easing the stay-at-home order and reopening businesses and workplaces in the state .
Under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shopping malls and some office buildings could also be allowed to reopen in coming weeks if public health officials in a county are able to demonstrate that the spread of the coronavirus has stabilized there .
County officials must prove to the state that they have adequate testing and hospital capacity and the ability to isolate people with the virus , and trace who they have contacted .
Bookstores , music stores , toy stores , florists , sporting goods retailers and clothing stores were allowed to reopen for curbside service on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppliers and logistics services that help provide goods for those businesses .
Before reopening , all retail business are required to create a plan to protect employees and customers , train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19 , have measures in place to screen for employees who may be ill and implement disinfecting and social distancing policies .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and his counterparts in four Western states on Monday asked Congress for $1 trillion in COVID-19 pandemic relief for all states and local governments.
Newsom joined with the governors of Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado, as well as legislative leaders from the five states, in asking the House and Senate for the aid. The governors said the funds would be critical for public health programs, law enforcement and schools.
“Without federal support, states and cities will be forced to make impossible decisions — like whether to fund critical public healthcare that will help us recover, or prevent layoffs of teachers, police officers, firefighters and other first responders,” the letter stated. “And, without additional assistance, the very programs that will help people get back to work — like job training and help for small business owners — will be forced up on the chopping block.”
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This request would be on top of the $2-trillion economic relief package approved by Congress and President Trump in March. That package provided money to many Americans, as well as hospitals, businesses, and state and local governments struggling with the pandemic.
Last week, the Newsom administration announced that California’s government faces a $54.3-billion budget deficit through next summer due to a drop in tax revenue related to the coronavirus and the statewide stay-at-home order that shut down all but essential businesses.
Newsom’s budget team forecasts a $41.2-billion drop in tax revenue compared with their estimates from just four months ago, with state revenue from personal income taxes, sales taxes and corporate taxes — the state’s main sources of revenue — plummeting by roughly 25%.
Newsom on Monday said that the state has processed approximately 4.5 million unemployment claims since mid-March, when businesses began closing their doors and laying off employees. Newsom said the state unemployment rate eventually could approach 25%.
In April, Newsom and the governors of Washington and Oregon announced “a regional pact to recovery” from the coronavirus crisis and agreed to work together to develop a plan to lift restrictions on daily life and reopen economies along the West Coast. Nevada and Colorado later joined the pact.
The governors said they planned to collectively identify clear “indicators for communities to restart public life and business.” Under the regional pact, the states laid out shared goals to control the virus, including protecting vulnerable populations, ensuring the states have enough equipment and hospital workers to provide adequate care, and developing a strategy to test, track and isolate cases.
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Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Newsom last week announced California’s updated plans for easing the stay-at-home order and reopening businesses and workplaces in the state. Under the plan, in-restaurant dining, car washes, shopping malls and some office buildings could also be allowed to reopen in coming weeks if public health officials in a county are able to demonstrate that the spread of the coronavirus has stabilized there. County officials must prove to the state that they have adequate testing and hospital capacity and the ability to isolate people with the virus, and trace who they have contacted.
Bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists, sporting goods retailers and clothing stores were allowed to reopen for curbside service on Friday, as were the manufacturers, suppliers and logistics services that help provide goods for those businesses.
Before reopening, all retail business are required to create a plan to protect employees and customers, train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, have measures in place to screen for employees who may be ill and implement disinfecting and social distancing policies.


latimes--2020-05-11--Here are the Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

Orange County health officials confirmed 55 new coronavirus infections Monday , boosting the region ’ s cumulative total to 3,557 @ @ @ @ @ smallest number of new cases in a single day since April 28 , according to @ @ @ @ @ Agency .
The county , however , also reported only 196 additional COVID-19 tests — @ @ @ @ @ day for which data are available .
The county ’ s online portal shows results @ @ @ @ @ .
As of the latest update , 196 people were hospitalized countywide — 77 of @ @ @ @ @ Note : The “ other ” category includes unincorporated areas , as well as cases @ @ @ @ @ jails .
Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new @ @

Seal Beach lifeguard Nathan Thompson keeps an eye on the surf in Seal Beach, as the city reopened its’ beach to active use during daylight hours Monday through Thursday.
Orange County health officials confirmed 55 new coronavirus infections Monday, boosting the region’s cumulative total to 3,557.
The increase is the smallest number of new cases in a single day since April 28, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
The county, however, also reported only 196 additional COVID-19 tests — the fewest in any one day for which data are available. The county’s online portal shows results dating back to March 18.
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The county’s death toll remained unchanged at 76.
As of the latest update, 196 people were hospitalized countywide — 77 of them in intensive care.
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 91
18-24 — 343
25-34 — 640
35-44 — 536
45-54 — 633
55-64 — 580
65-74 — 349
75-84 — 231
85+ — 151
Unknown — 3
Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 4
45-54 — 8
55-64 — 10
65-74 — 12
75-84 — 22
85+ — 18
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 21
Anaheim — 540
Brea — 28
Buena Park — 109
Costa Mesa — 50
Coto de Caza — 5
Cypress — 49
Dana Point — 22
Fountain Valley — 41
Fullerton — 128
Garden Grove — 181
Huntington Beach — 269
Irvine — 142
La Habra — 63
La Palma — 15
Ladera Ranch — 12
Laguna Beach — 40
Laguna Hills — 27
Laguna Niguel — 33
Laguna Woods — 8
Lake Forest — 35
Los Alamitos — 41
Midway City — 8
Mission Viejo — 56
Newport Beach — 130
Orange — 173
Placentia — 70
Rancho Mission Viejo — 6
Rancho Santa Margarita — 17
San Clemente — 53
San Juan Capistrano — 34
Santa Ana — 546
Seal Beach — 12
Stanton — 38
Trabuco Canyon — 12
Tustin — 57
Villa Park — 5
Westminster — 60
Yorba Linda — 58
Other — 263
Unknown — 100
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas, as well as cases in the county’s jails. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-05-11--L.A. County sees more deaths as stay-at-home becomes 'our new normal' for now

Trails , parks and golf courses reopened throughout the county Saturday , just in time for socially distant Mother ’ s Day celebrations .
Beaches will reopen this week .
And in-person purchases , albeit curbside , were once again available at boutiques , bookstores , flower shops and other businesses previously deemed nonessential .
The reopening of the economy might indicate progress in the fight against the coronavirus , were it not for the fact that the COVID-19 death toll and confirmed number of cases continue to rise .
L.A. County accounts for more than half of all deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California .
More than 2,700 people have died statewide , and nearly 68,000 individuals have been confirmed to be infected .
Health officials said Monday that another 39 people have died of the virus , and 591 more people have tested positive .
Roughly 240,000 of 10 million residents have been tested for COVID-19 , with 32,258 known infections , officials said .
“ It ’ s safer to stay at home .
COVID-19 has not changed , ” Barbara Ferrer , the head of the Department of Public Health , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transmissible , she said .
Residents should maintain social distancing practices , wear face coverings while in public spaces and regularly wash their hands , she said , adding : “ This is our new normal .
It will go on for a while.
” The growing number of confirmed cases includes 134 pregnant women .
There have been 29 live births among women who tested positive , Ferrer said .
Twenty-four infants were tested at birth , including one set of twins , and none tested positive for infection .
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responders who have contracted the illness , Ferrer said .
Twenty healthcare workers have died , including 14 who worked in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities .
Los Angeles County beaches , which have been closed since late March , will reopen Wednesday with some new rules .
Surfing , swimming , running and walking will be allowed .
Biking , playing volleyball , sitting , sunbathing and picnicking will be banned .
Coolers and canopies are not allowed .
Parking lots , bike paths , piers and boardwalks will remain closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and stay at least six feet away from others , officials said .
Crowds did not storm newly reopened businesses , trailheads and parks , Ferrer said .
Of 410 reopened businesses surveyed , 162 were found to be in violation , and some were instructed to close .
More than 70 % of the state ’ s economy has reopened with modifications , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday .
While there are signs of progress , such as a modest decrease in patients in intensive care , the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We ’ re still seeing lives lost from this pandemic , ” he said .
“ It is absolutely incumbent on all of us to be thoughtful and judicious as we move into this next phase.
” Researchers now predict that California could see more than 6,000 coronavirus-related deaths by the end of August , up about 1,420 from projections released last week .
As officials continue to instruct the public to wear face masks and to keep six feet away from others , protests against restrictions continue in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach , where beaches have been reopened with modifications , roughly 1,500 people gathered Saturday and held signs reading , “ Reopen , ” the second such demonstration there in a little over a week .
In Riverside County , officials voted Friday to rescind the county ’ s stay-at-home orders that went beyond Newson ’ s mandates , which are now entering their eighth week .
Among the county ’ s decisions was to eliminate a requirement to wear face coverings , one of the first implemented in California .

In Los Angeles County, life is a contradiction.
Trails, parks and golf courses reopened throughout the county Saturday, just in time for socially distant Mother’s Day celebrations. Beaches will reopen this week. And in-person purchases, albeit curbside, were once again available at boutiques, bookstores, flower shops and other businesses previously deemed nonessential.
The reopening of the economy might indicate progress in the fight against the coronavirus, were it not for the fact that the COVID-19 death toll and confirmed number of cases continue to rise.
L.A. County accounts for more than half of all deaths and nearly half of the COVID-19 cases in California. More than 2,700 people have died statewide, and nearly 68,000 individuals have been confirmed to be infected.
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Health officials said Monday that another 39 people have died of the virus, and 591 more people have tested positive. Roughly 240,000 of 10 million residents have been tested for COVID-19, with 32,258 known infections, officials said.
“It’s safer to stay at home. COVID-19 has not changed,” Barbara Ferrer, the head of the Department of Public Health, said on Monday. The virus remains easily transmissible, she said.
Residents should maintain social distancing practices, wear face coverings while in public spaces and regularly wash their hands, she said, adding: “This is our new normal. It will go on for a while.”
The growing number of confirmed cases includes 134 pregnant women. There have been 29 live births among women who tested positive, Ferrer said. Twenty-four infants were tested at birth, including one set of twins, and none tested positive for infection.
There have also been 3,614 healthcare workers and first responders who have contracted the illness, Ferrer said. Twenty healthcare workers have died, including 14 who worked in skilled nursing or assisted living facilities.
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Los Angeles County beaches, which have been closed since late March, will reopen Wednesday with some new rules.
Surfing, swimming, running and walking will be allowed. Biking, playing volleyball, sitting, sunbathing and picnicking will be banned. Coolers and canopies are not allowed. Parking lots, bike paths, piers and boardwalks will remain closed.
Everyone will be required to wear masks and stay at least six feet away from others, officials said.
Crowds did not storm newly reopened businesses, trailheads and parks, Ferrer said. Of 410 reopened businesses surveyed, 162 were found to be in violation, and some were instructed to close.
More than 70% of the state’s economy has reopened with modifications, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. While there are signs of progress, such as a modest decrease in patients in intensive care, the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, he said.
“We’re still seeing lives lost from this pandemic,” he said. “It is absolutely incumbent on all of us to be thoughtful and judicious as we move into this next phase.”
Researchers now predict that California could see more than 6,000 coronavirus-related deaths by the end of August, up about 1,420 from projections released last week.
As officials continue to instruct the public to wear face masks and to keep six feet away from others, protests against restrictions continue in some parts of the state.
In Huntington Beach, where beaches have been reopened with modifications, roughly 1,500 people gathered Saturday and held signs reading, “Reopen,” the second such demonstration there in a little over a week.
In Riverside County, officials voted Friday to rescind the county’s stay-at-home orders that went beyond Newson’s mandates, which are now entering their eighth week. Among the county’s decisions was to eliminate a requirement to wear face coverings, one of the first implemented in California.


latimes--2020-05-11--Riverside County deaths top 200 as coronavirus cases climb to 5,000

Riverside County health officials reported an additional 47 coronavirus cases and one new death Sunday , bringing the toll to 205 residents who have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic .
The county ’ s number of confirmed cases rose to 5,039 .
It has the of cases in the state , after , where nearly 32,000 residents have been infected .
Riverside County health officials reported that 189 people — including 73 in intensive care — are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms .
A total of 2,619 people have recovered from the virus , records show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gov .
Gavin Newsom stated that for counties to move further into the second phase of reopening , they couldn ’ t have more than one case per 10,000 people , or any deaths in the most recent 14-day period .
V. Manuel Perez , the county ’ s 4th District supervisor and board chairman , called the governor ’ s guidelines “ unattainable ” and “ impossible ” during an emergency board meeting Friday that was called to determine whether to rescind the county ’ s more stringent regulations .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s emergency meeting , the county ’ s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to revoke all of the county ’ s public health orders that go beyond the governor ’ s restrictions .
Among the decisions were to lift the closure of vocational and higher education schools , end a restriction on golf courses , eliminate limitations on short-term lodging , and remove requirements to wear face coverings and engage in social distancing .
Riverside County was one of the first parts of California to mandate that residents wear masks and stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level , those health directives are recommended but not required .
Under the loosened orders , Riverside County health experts are suggesting people wear face coverings and practice social distancing “ whenever practical and within reason.
” With four drive-up testing sites and eight additional vendors from the state , officials said Riverside County was a leader in testing in the state .
Health officials are able to test more than 3,000 residents — regardless of symptoms — each day .
More than 71,000 people have been tested in the county .
Expanded @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Some observers wear masks and sit far apart on Friday as they watch a Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting on video monitors.
Riverside County health officials reported an additional 47 coronavirus cases and one new death Sunday, bringing the toll to 205 residents who have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
The county’s number of confirmed cases rose to 5,039. It has the second-highest number of cases in the state, after Los Angeles County , where nearly 32,000 residents have been infected.
Riverside County health officials reported that 189 people — including 73 in intensive care — are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms. A total of 2,619 people have recovered from the virus, records show.
During a news conference last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom stated that for counties to move further into the second phase of reopening, they couldn’t have more than one case per 10,000 people, or any deaths in the most recent 14-day period.
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V. Manuel Perez, the county’s 4th District supervisor and board chairman, called the governor’s guidelines “unattainable” and “impossible” during an emergency board meeting Friday that was called to determine whether to rescind the county’s more stringent regulations.
After a marathon meeting Tuesday resulted in Friday’s emergency meeting, the county’s Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to revoke all of the county’s public health orders that go beyond the governor’s restrictions.
Among the decisions were to lift the closure of vocational and higher education schools, end a restriction on golf courses, eliminate limitations on short-term lodging, and remove requirements to wear face coverings and engage in social distancing. Riverside County was one of the first parts of California to mandate that residents wear masks and stay six feet apart. At the state level, those health directives are recommended but not required.
Under the loosened orders, Riverside County health experts are suggesting people wear face coverings and practice social distancing “whenever practical and within reason.”


latimes--2020-05-11--Video shows brawl with Target employee over refusal to wear masks

Two men are facing felony battery charges after police said they assaulted a Target employee who confronted them about refusing to wear masks inside a Van Nuys store .
The fight took place at the store in the 5700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard about 10:20 a.m. May 1 , said Officer Drake Madison , a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department .
The men , who were not wearing face coverings , entered the store and were confronted by employees , he said .
When the customers refused to put masks on , an employee moved to escort them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they approached the exit , one of the suspects suddenly and without provocation turned and punched the store employee , causing him and the suspect to fall to the floor , ” Madison said .
While they were on the ground , a scuffle took place , and the employee ’ s left arm was broken , Madison said .
The second customer also joined in the brawl , struggling with two other Target employees as they tried to restrain him , surveillance video shows .
The worker was taken to a hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two suspects were arrested later that day on suspicion of felony battery , Madison said .
Police identified them as Phillip Hamilton , 31 , and Paul Hamilton , 29 .
Both were initially held in lieu of $ 50,000 bail but were released from custody May 5 , jail records show .
A spokesman for Target called the incident “ unfortunate ” and said in a statement that the company ’ s top priority was the safety of its customers and employees .
“ We ’ re grateful for the support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any information that can be helpful to their investigation , ” the statement said .
Customers patronizing essential businesses in the city of Los Angeles have been required to wear face coverings while inside stores since April 10 , when Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an order requiring their use in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Los Angeles County officials issued a similar order that took effect April 15 .

Two men are facing felony battery charges after police said they assaulted a Target employee who confronted them about refusing to wear masks inside a Van Nuys store.
The fight took place at the store in the 5700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard about 10:20 a.m. May 1, said Officer Drake Madison, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department.
The men, who were not wearing face coverings, entered the store and were confronted by employees, he said. When the customers refused to put masks on, an employee moved to escort them out, he said.
“As they approached the exit, one of the suspects suddenly and without provocation turned and punched the store employee, causing him and the suspect to fall to the floor,” Madison said.
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While they were on the ground, a scuffle took place, and the employee’s left arm was broken, Madison said. The second customer also joined in the brawl, struggling with two other Target employees as they tried to restrain him, surveillance video shows.
The worker was taken to a hospital and treated for his injuries.
The two suspects were arrested later that day on suspicion of felony battery, Madison said.
Police identified them as Phillip Hamilton, 31, and Paul Hamilton, 29. Both were initially held in lieu of $50,000 bail but were released from custody May 5, jail records show.
A spokesman for Target called the incident “unfortunate” and said in a statement that the company’s top priority was the safety of its customers and employees.
“We’re grateful for the support of local police and we’ll provide any information that can be helpful to their investigation,” the statement said.
Customers patronizing essential businesses in the city of Los Angeles have been required to wear face coverings while inside stores since April 10, when Mayor Eric Garcetti issued an order requiring their use in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Los Angeles County officials issued a similar order that took effect April 15.