latimes--2020-03-17--For some students, college is their only safe haven. Now they have just days to leave

Marie Tano , 21 , found a sanctuary when she arrived to study at Pomona College from a small town in Georgia .
For the first time , she didn ’ t have to worry about money , her food was taken care of , and she had access to healthcare , therapy and the support she needed to do well in school .
“ Pomona is really a safe haven for me , ” she said .
Now , her security has been taken away .
In response to the new coronavirus , the college , like others throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave campus and not expect to return for the remainder of the semester as the school shifts to online classes .
It has made an exception for some , but not all .
Students who petitioned to stay , but were rejected , said they are feeling anxiety and fear about the future as the Wednesday deadline to leave campus approaches .
Colleges and universities across the country are grappling with the difficult question of whether to let students stay in campus housing or send them home .
Campus officials want to downsize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect against the risk of spreading the infectious disease .
But they also must balance those concerns against the fact that some students may not have access to shelter , food or Wi-Fi and see their campus as a safer space to stay .
The University of California ’ s nine undergraduate campuses plan to keep both dorms and dining facilities open to students who need them — although they are urging those who can , to safely go home .
UC Merced , where two-thirds of its 8,800 students are low-income , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay that they are welcome to do so —and plans to continue its basic needs services , such as food and rent assistance .
The campus also has emergency funds available for needy students — those who lose jobs , for instance .
For students who are returning home and lack technology for online learning , Merced has supplied loaner laptops and “ hot spots ” for remote connection to Wi-Fi .
“ We have made these decisions to ensure that our students have access to the resources they need to continue their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online , ” said Charles Nies , vice chancellor for student affairs .
UCLA also will continue to serve its students on campus as needed .
But all dining halls and quick-service restaurants have become “ to-go ” operations with meals served in take-out containers .
“ We recognize that university housing could be a student ’ s permanent home , and not all students can leave , ” campus spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said .
“ Housing , Dining and Residential Life are here for any student who needs to stay in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many smaller institutions such as Pomona have responded somewhat differently , requiring students to leave campus unless approved to stay via a petition process .
While student protests over the issue have roiled Pomona , the process has unfolded more smoothly at neighboring Claremont McKenna College , a fellow member of the five-campus Claremont Colleges .
Among 1,184 Claremont McKenna students living in campus housing , about 200 petitioned to stay and about 85 received approval to do so .
That included all international student applicants , who face potential health risks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Dianna Graves , assistant vice president and dean of students .
Some domestic students , such as those who are homeless or in fragile health , also were approved to stay , she said .
The college is closing dining facilities but will provide food service for students who remain on campus .
Graves said the top concern of those who petitioned to stay involved technology – access to the internet or securing sufficient data on their phone plans .
The college was able to meet those needs by providing enhanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and iPads , VPN connections and other services , Graves said .
College officials made a point to check in with every single student with a personal phone call , Graves said .
Still , many students have been emotionally devastated by the abrupt end to their school year .
One student came to her office sobbing about leaving , Graves said .
But the college needed to be mindful of government health guidelines recommending social distancing , a practice that is counter to the school ’ s intimate classes , crowded dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ Our goal throughout this response has been to acknowledge the significant personal losses while offering support to get through this , ” she said .
At Pepperdine University in Malibu , about 1,000 students requested permission to continue living on campus .
About 200 will do so , more than half of them international students .
University officials were able to help the other students get home safely by providing financial support from donor gifts for flights and gas — or a safe place to live temporarily , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affairs .
At Pomona , school officials said in a statement that they are “ working with students around the clock to help find housing and travel options for the move off-campus ” officials said in a statement .
The school says it will continue to pay student employees , help cover travel costs , provide Wi-Fi hot spots and laptops , and provide room and board refunds for students , moves that other private colleges have made nationwide .
But some say those efforts fall short of addressing the most significant effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from poverty , abuse and other situations that make them vulnerable at home .
And they say school officials have not offered them clear communication and guidance about the process .
Student advocates with the group FLI Scholars , the acronym for first-generation and low-income students at Pomona College , surveyed 135 students who petitioned to stay on campus .
The self-reported data indicate that 70 % were denied , they said .
School officials did not respond to questions about how many students had applied to stay and how many were accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , officials said that they would “ not be able to accommodate every student who requests to stay on campus while also doing our part to limit the spread of the virus.
” Those who remain on campus will move to designated residence halls in order to consolidate limited services and to “ maintain reasonable workloads for employees in housekeeping and elsewhere , ” officials said .
Petitions to stay were reviewed on a case-by-case basis , taking into consideration family structures , immigration issues , financial issues , geography and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they are trying to appeal the decisions , though there ’ s been little guidance on how to do so .
Tano said she is still hopeful the school will reconsider its rejection of her petition .
For now , she ’ s making plans to stay with alumni in Los Angeles .
But , she said , “ I feel really desperate to remain on campus.
” Going home to Georgia , is not an option , she said .
Her father is older , and she worries about making him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the resources she needs to finish her classwork .
She also has a history of health problems and her doctors and therapists are near campus .
She said she is struggling to understand how a school with significant resources can not accommodate more students .
“ The school has made me feel like a burden , ” she said .
“ This is a school with a $ 2-billion endowment.
” On Monday , as calls to limit public gatherings grew around the country , Pomona officials said there was even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Good public health practice dictates that we quickly reduce the number of people on Pomona ’ s campus as much as possible , ” officials said in a statement .
“ We strongly urge students who can leave before Wednesday to do so .
”

A view of the interior of a campus building at Pomoma College, where students are being asked to vacate their dorms in response to the coronavirus.
Marie Tano, 21, found a sanctuary when she arrived to study at Pomona College from a small town in Georgia. For the first time, she didn’t have to worry about money, her food was taken care of, and she had access to healthcare, therapy and the support she needed to do well in school.
“Pomona is really a safe haven for me,” she said.
Now, her security has been taken away. In response to the new coronavirus, the college, like others throughout the country, has asked students to leave campus and not expect to return for the remainder of the semester as the school shifts to online classes.
It has made an exception for some, but not all. Students who petitioned to stay, but were rejected, said they are feeling anxiety and fear about the future as the Wednesday deadline to leave campus approaches.
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Colleges and universities across the country are grappling with the difficult question of whether to let students stay in campus housing or send them home. Campus officials want to downsize their densely populated dorms and classrooms to protect against the risk of spreading the infectious disease. But they also must balance those concerns against the fact that some students may not have access to shelter, food or Wi-Fi and see their campus as a safer space to stay.
The University of California’s nine undergraduate campuses plan to keep both dorms and dining facilities open to students who need them — although they are urging those who can, to safely go home.
UC Merced, where two-thirds of its 8,800 students are low-income, has told all students who need to stay that they are welcome to do so —and plans to continue its basic needs services, such as food and rent assistance. The campus also has emergency funds available for needy students — those who lose jobs, for instance. For students who are returning home and lack technology for online learning, Merced has supplied loaner laptops and “hot spots” for remote connection to Wi-Fi.
“We have made these decisions to ensure that our students have access to the resources they need to continue their education as we move our instructional delivery online,” said Charles Nies, vice chancellor for student affairs.
UCLA also will continue to serve its students on campus as needed. But all dining halls and quick-service restaurants have become “to-go” operations with meals served in take-out containers.
“We recognize that university housing could be a student’s permanent home, and not all students can leave,” campus spokesman Ricardo Vazquez said. “Housing, Dining and Residential Life are here for any student who needs to stay in their unit to complete their spring quarter.”
Many smaller institutions such as Pomona have responded somewhat differently, requiring students to leave campus unless approved to stay via a petition process. While student protests over the issue have roiled Pomona, the process has unfolded more smoothly at neighboring Claremont McKenna College, a fellow member of the five-campus Claremont Colleges.
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Among 1,184 Claremont McKenna students living in campus housing, about 200 petitioned to stay and about 85 received approval to do so. That included all international student applicants, who face potential health risks and visa problems if they leave the country, said Dianna Graves, assistant vice president and dean of students. Some domestic students, such as those who are homeless or in fragile health, also were approved to stay, she said. The college is closing dining facilities but will provide food service for students who remain on campus.
Graves said the top concern of those who petitioned to stay involved technology – access to the internet or securing sufficient data on their phone plans. The college was able to meet those needs by providing enhanced internet and data plans, loaner laptops and iPads, VPN connections and other services, Graves said.
College officials made a point to check in with every single student with a personal phone call, Graves said.
Still, many students have been emotionally devastated by the abrupt end to their school year. One student came to her office sobbing about leaving, Graves said. But the college needed to be mindful of government health guidelines recommending social distancing, a practice that is counter to the school’s intimate classes, crowded dining facilities and shared dorms and bathrooms, she said.
“Our goal throughout this response has been to acknowledge the significant personal losses while offering support to get through this,” she said.
At Pepperdine University in Malibu, about 1,000 students requested permission to continue living on campus. About 200 will do so, more than half of them international students. University officials were able to help the other students get home safely by providing financial support from donor gifts for flights and gas — or a safe place to live temporarily, said Connie Horton, vice president for student affairs.
At Pomona, school officials said in a statement that they are “working with students around the clock to help find housing and travel options for the move off-campus” officials said in a statement.
The school says it will continue to pay student employees, help cover travel costs, provide Wi-Fi hot spots and laptops, and provide room and board refunds for students, moves that other private colleges have made nationwide.
But some say those efforts fall short of addressing the most significant effects of returning home for students who come from poverty, abuse and other situations that make them vulnerable at home. And they say school officials have not offered them clear communication and guidance about the process.
Student advocates with the group FLI Scholars, the acronym for first-generation and low-income students at Pomona College, surveyed 135 students who petitioned to stay on campus. The self-reported data indicate that 70% were denied, they said. School officials did not respond to questions about how many students had applied to stay and how many were accepted or rejected.
In their letter to students, officials said that they would “not be able to accommodate every student who requests to stay on campus while also doing our part to limit the spread of the virus.”
Those who remain on campus will move to designated residence halls in order to consolidate limited services and to “maintain reasonable workloads for employees in housekeeping and elsewhere,” officials said.
Petitions to stay were reviewed on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration family structures, immigration issues, financial issues, geography and health concerns, officials said. Some students said they are trying to appeal the decisions, though there’s been little guidance on how to do so.
Tano said she is still hopeful the school will reconsider its rejection of her petition. For now, she’s making plans to stay with alumni in Los Angeles. But, she said, “I feel really desperate to remain on campus.”
Going home to Georgia, is not an option, she said. Her father is older, and she worries about making him sick. And she wouldn’t have the resources she needs to finish her classwork. She also has a history of health problems and her doctors and therapists are near campus. She said she is struggling to understand how a school with significant resources cannot accommodate more students.
“The school has made me feel like a burden,” she said. “This is a school with a $2-billion endowment.”
On Monday, as calls to limit public gatherings grew around the country, Pomona officials said there was even more urgency to get people off the campus.
“Good public health practice dictates that we quickly reduce the number of people on Pomona’s campus as much as possible,” officials said in a statement. “We strongly urge students who can leave before Wednesday to do so.”


latimes--2020-03-17--Youth in detention should be released to reduce coronavirus risk, advocates say

Her 16-year-old son was crying , his mother said , when he called Saturday morning from a Los Angeles County juvenile hall .
Family visits were being suspended due to the coronavirus , he told her in a 10-minute conversation .
For more than nine months , Lina , who would only provide her middle name to protect the privacy of her child , had visited her son practically every weekend .
He struggled with depression and their meetings were a bright spot during an otherwise difficult time .
“ He ’ s probably not going to be happy the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in there , ” she said .
“ That hurts me as a parent .
That hurts my heart.
” As coronavirus cases continue to rise and government-ordered restrictions paralyze daily life across the state , juvenile justice advocates are urging officials to protect the mental and physical safety of California ’ s thousands of detained youth .
In recent days , defense attorneys have combed through their caseloads seeking to expedite the release of juveniles in custody .
They point to the virus ’ ability to spread quickly in congested areas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could dangerously isolate children even further .
“ Being in these facilities for these kids is really , really stressfu , l and the only time they have felt any type of letting down of their guard was when they were visiting with their friends and families , ” said Ji Seon Song , president of the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center , an organization that provides guidance to juvenile defense attorneys in California .
“ It seems like a very harsh , counterproductive measure and just a really sad thing for our clients.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local officials , Song ’ s group called for the immediate release of all youth held in county facilities who have not been convicted of their charge and all youth who have been convicted and are being held on technical probation violations .
It also called for the state ’ s Division of Juvenile Justice facilities to release youth who would not pose a serious physical safety risk to the community .
Among a series of recommendations , the letter said that all arresting agencies should move to cite and release certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introducing to the virus to juvenile detention facilities .
The demands come as criminal justice officials struggle to balance public safety with health concerns .
On Monday , the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department announced it was releasing inmates from its jails and cutting down on how many people it books into custody to protect those housed in close quarters .
Detention operations like the L.A. County Probation Department and the state Division of Juvenile Justice have suspended family visits , and , as of yet , neither has announced confirmed cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gavin Newsom ’ s office did not return requests for comment about calls to release juveniles .
In a statement on Tuesday , the L.A. County Probation Department said that it was currently screening all youth admitted to facilities for risk of infection at the time of admission and would be collaborating with attorneys so that children are not sent back to juvenile hall for first-time probation violations -- a decision that ’ s ultimately at the discretion of the court .
“ The Department is working with the courts and legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ juvenile population housed at Probation facilities through strategies such as holding first time violations in abeyance , ” the statement said .
County officials have said that the prohibition on visits applied to weekend , special and after-court visits from family or community groups , but that it would not stop court-ordered or required legal visits from taking place .
“ The department values visitation as an essential part of family reunification , ” officials wrote in a news release .
“ Youth in juvenile facilities will have extended phone privileges to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all internal programming within the facilities will continue .
In addition , the department will explore the feasibility of other options for families to communicate with their youth , such as video conferencing from various community locations.
” The department also said it was taking steps to minimize the risk of the coronavirus by posting additional signs , ensuring restrooms and staff quarters are clean and well stocked and bringing in more staff to regularly clean and disinfect common areas .
But advocates and health experts say that doesn ’ t go far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , has many opportunities to enter detention facilities as staff come and go every day .
“ There ’ s nothing to make us think that a COVID-19 can not spread through a crowded juvenile facility as quickly as it could spread through a cruise ship , ” said Anne Spaulding , a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Emory University .
“ Individuals are very close to each other .
Social distancing is more difficult in a crowded facility.
” The letter by the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center asked that youth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a family member , residential group home or other noncustodial setting .
For youth that remain in detention , the center urged that county and state facilities develop a thorough and public preparation plan that addresses hygiene and safety concerns as well as the emotional needs of youth who are separated from their families .
The issue has become an urgent matter for public defenders in various counties .
Jane Newman , an assistant L.A. County public defender who oversees juvenile operations , said that attorneys have been reviewing their caseloads first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have nonviolent offenses , or have been detained on technical violations and may be eligible for release .
She said that her team is continuing to identify cases while court proceedings are suspended for several days due to the virus and hopes that there will be avenues for emergency hearings for youth .
Some attorneys are submitting motions that cite the epidemic as grounds for release .
Last Friday , Samantha Buckingham , the director of Loyola Law School ’ s Juvenile Justice Clinic , filed a motion that referenced the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Los Angeles and argued that her 15-year-old client would be at greater risk of contracting the virus and exposing others if he were kept inside a detention facility .
“ The concern is that they ’ re going to lock kids in their cells in order to quarantine them and that ’ s going to be traumatizing , ” said Buckingham , whose client was released that day .
The worries are the same across the state .
In a letter dated March 13 , San Francisco public defender Mano Raju asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief juvenile probation officer assess all detained youth for release , clear warrants and place a moratorium on nonviolent violations .
He said he was focusing on seeking the release of youth who are particularly young , suffer from maladies like asthma or are immunocompromised .
In Santa Clara County , Nisreen Younis , a juvenile supervising attorney in the public defender ’ s office , said that her colleagues had been working successfully with the probation department and the district attorney ’ s office to release in-custody youth who do not pose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the schools have shut down and many families are now home , the public defenders are arguing that many of our youth now have constant supervision at home/community , ” she wrote in a statement .
If juveniles are to remain incarcerated , they will need more access to the outside world , advocates say .
Kim McGill , an organizer with the Youth Justice Coalition , said county officials should provide youth with access to unlimited , free phone calls , Akype , FaceTime and teleconferencing so they can remain in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , parents can only wait .
Kimberly , who declined to disclose her last name to protect the privacy of her 15-year-old son , said officials at the L.A. County detention facility where he resides gave him just a couple of minutes to call her over the weekend to tell her they were halting family visits .
The weekly visits , she said , have allowed her to update her son on his case and let him know he ’ s not alone .
She said she has gotten little information directly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health .
“ I know they ’ re not doing the visiting , but I don ’ t know what else they ’ re doing , ” she said .
“ Are they making sure everyone is washing their hands frequently ?
Are they correctly screening them on their symptoms ?
I have no idea .
”

Erica Montelongo, 26, a member of the Youth Justice Coalition, calls for the release of youths from juvenile detention because of the COVID-19 crisis during a news conference outside the Eastlake Juvenile Court in Los Angeles.
Her 16-year-old son was crying, his mother said, when he called Saturday morning from a Los Angeles County juvenile hall. Family visits were being suspended due to the coronavirus, he told her in a 10-minute conversation.
For more than nine months, Lina, who would only provide her middle name to protect the privacy of her child, had visited her son practically every weekend. He struggled with depression and their meetings were a bright spot during an otherwise difficult time.
“He’s probably not going to be happy the rest of the time he’s in there,” she said. “That hurts me as a parent. That hurts my heart.”
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As coronavirus cases continue to rise and government-ordered restrictions paralyze daily life across the state, juvenile justice advocates are urging officials to protect the mental and physical safety of California’s thousands of detained youth.
In recent days, defense attorneys have combed through their caseloads seeking to expedite the release of juveniles in custody. They point to the virus’ ability to spread quickly in congested areas and the risk that suspension of family visits could dangerously isolate children even further.
“Being in these facilities for these kids is really, really stressfu,l and the only time they have felt any type of letting down of their guard was when they were visiting with their friends and families,” said Ji Seon Song, president of the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center, an organization that provides guidance to juvenile defense attorneys in California. “It seems like a very harsh, counterproductive measure and just a really sad thing for our clients.”
In a letter Monday to state and local officials, Song’s group called for the immediate release of all youth held in county facilities who have not been convicted of their charge and all youth who have been convicted and are being held on technical probation violations. It also called for the state’s Division of Juvenile Justice facilities to release youth who would not pose a serious physical safety risk to the community.
Youth advocate Eduardo Chavez, 24, and Estrella TV reporter Alberto Godinez, holding microphone, wear gloves as a precaution against the coronavirus during the news conference. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Among a series of recommendations, the letter said that all arresting agencies should move to cite and release certain youth instead of booking them and potentially introducing the virus to juvenile detention facilities.
The demands come as criminal justice officials struggle to balance public safety with health concerns. On Monday, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department announced it was releasing inmates from its jails and cutting down on how many people it books into custody to protect those housed in close quarters.
Detention operations like the L.A. County Probation Department and the state Division of Juvenile Justice have suspended family visits, and, as of yet, neither has announced confirmed cases of coronavirus at their facilities.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office did not return requests for comment about calls to release juveniles. In a statement on Tuesday, the L.A. County Probation Department said that it was currently screening all youth admitted to facilities for risk of infection at the time of admission and would be collaborating with attorneys so that children are not sent back to juvenile hall for first-time probation violations -- a decision that’s ultimately at the discretion of the court.
“The Department is working with the courts and legal partners on methods to safely reduce the juvenile population housed at Probation facilities through strategies such as holding first time violations in abeyance,” the statement said.
County officials have said that the prohibition on visits applied to weekend, special and after-court visits from family or community groups, but that it would not stop court-ordered or required legal visits from taking place.
“The department values visitation as an essential part of family reunification,” officials wrote in a news release. “Youth in juvenile facilities will have extended phone privileges to maintain contact with family and loved ones and all internal programming within the facilities will continue. In addition, the department will explore the feasibility of other options for families to communicate with their youth, such as video conferencing from various community locations.”
The department also said it was taking steps to minimize the risk of the coronavirus by posting additional signs, ensuring restrooms and staff quarters are clean and well stocked and bringing in more staff to regularly clean and disinfect common areas.
But advocates and health experts say that doesn’t go far enough. The virus, they argue, has many opportunities to enter detention facilities as staff come and go every day.
“There’s nothing to make us think that a COVID-19 cannot spread through a crowded juvenile facility as quickly as it could spread through a cruise ship,” said Anne Spaulding, a professor of epidemiology and medicine at Emory University. “Individuals are very close to each other. Social distancing is more difficult in a crowded facility.”
Youths march at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar as they are moved between locations. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
The letter by the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center asked that youth in custody awaiting residential placement be immediately released to a family member, residential group home or other noncustodial setting. For youth that remain in detention, the center urged that county and state facilities develop a thorough and public preparation plan that addresses hygiene and safety concerns as well as the emotional needs of youth who are separated from their families.
The issue has become an urgent matter for public defenders in various counties. Jane Newman, an assistant L.A. County public defender who oversees juvenile operations, said that attorneys have been reviewing their caseloads first for clients who are medically fragile, have nonviolent offenses, or have been detained on technical violations and may be eligible for release. She said that her team is continuing to identify cases while court proceedings are suspended for several days due to the virus. Juvenile delinquency detention hearings will be among a limited number of proceedings continued in courthouses when they re-open on Friday.
Some attorneys are submitting motions that cite the epidemic as grounds for release. Last Friday, Samantha Buckingham, the director of Loyola Law School’s Juvenile Justice Clinic, filed a motion that referenced the number of known cases of the virus in California and Los Angeles and argued that her 15-year-old client would be at greater risk of contracting the virus and exposing others if he were kept inside a detention facility.
“The concern is that they’re going to lock kids in their cells in order to quarantine them and that’s going to be traumatizing,” said Buckingham, whose client was released that day.
The worries are the same across the state. In a letter dated March 13, San Francisco public defender Mano Raju asked that the city and county’s chief juvenile probation officer assess all detained youth for release, clear warrants and place a moratorium on nonviolent violations. He said he was focusing on seeking the release of youth who are particularly young, suffer from maladies like asthma or are immunocompromised.
In Santa Clara County, Nisreen Younis, a juvenile supervising attorney in the public defender’s office, said that her colleagues had been working successfully with the probation department and the district attorney’s office to release in-custody youth who do not pose a public safety risk.
“Given that the schools have shut down and many families are now home, the public defenders are arguing that many of our youth now have constant supervision at home/community,” she wrote in a statement.
If juveniles are to remain incarcerated, they will need more access to the outside world, advocates say. Kim McGill, an organizer with the Youth Justice Coalition, said county officials should provide youth with access to unlimited, free phone calls, Skype, FaceTime and teleconferencing so they can remain in touch with their families.
For now, parents can only wait. Kimberly, who declined to disclose her last name to protect the privacy of her 15-year-old son, said officials at the L.A. County detention facility where he resides gave him just a couple of minutes to call her over the weekend to tell her they were halting family visits.
The weekly visits, she said, have allowed her to update her son on his case and let him know he’s not alone. She said she has gotten little information directly from the county and is worried about his health.
“I know they’re not doing the visiting, but I don’t know what else they’re doing,” she said. “Are they making sure everyone is washing their hands frequently? Are they correctly screening them on their symptoms? I have no idea.”


latimes--2020-03-17--How is social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak affecting you? Share your stories

Coronavirus is here and it ’ s not going away soon .
We want to hear your stories about how the outbreak has affected you .
on gatherings of 250 or more people , travel from Europe has been and the World Health Organization has called the disease caused by the coronavirus a .
Events around L.A. and the nation have been , including conferences , concerts and sporting events .
Companies are encouraging workers to stay home in hopes of protecting workers from the spreading coronavirus as doctors and health officials .
Social distancing and in some cases , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want to hear from you on the unique ways that you are experiencing isolation .
We want to hear your stories .
Send us a moment — no longer than 500 words — that captures the good , the bad and especially the surprising about self-isolation and social distancing .
If you want , include a photo or an illustration that supplements your story .
We will publish some of our favorites on our website .
Write your story in the form below and keep up with the latest developments with @ @

Coronavirus is here and it’s not going away soon. We want to hear your stories about how the outbreak has affected you. California has called for a ban on gatherings of 250 or more people, travel from Europe has been suspended by President Trump and the World Health Organization has called the disease caused by the coronavirus a pandemic .
Events around L.A. and the nation have been canceled or postponed , including conferences, concerts and sporting events. Companies are encouraging workers to stay home in hopes of protecting workers from the spreading coronavirus as doctors and health officials work to create a vaccine .
Social distancing and in some cases, extended quarantines, have upended daily routines. We want to hear from you on the unique ways that you are experiencing isolation.
We want to hear your stories. Send us a moment — no longer than 500 words — that captures the good, the bad and especially the surprising about self-isolation and social distancing. If you want, include a photo or an illustration that supplements your story. We will publish some of our favorites on our website.
Write your story in the form below and keep up with the latest developments with our live updates :


latimes--2020-03-17--In Beverly Hills, Rodeo Drive retailers, plastic surgery offices closed amid coronavirus

Beverly Hills is ordering Rodeo Drive retailers and most plastic surgeons shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The City Council , joining many California cities , approved a measure Tuesday declaring a local emergency that closes down commerce in the short term .
All non-essential retail businesses , including those on Rodeo Drive , shall be closed except for pickup , delivery and certain transactions by appointment , the city said .
All bars and nightclubs in the city that do not serve food shall also be closed to the public .
Eateries that stay open can only offer food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service is prohibited .
Forget about the movies and gym , too ; they are shuttered along with nail salons , hair salons and massage parlors .
Beverly Hills ’ array of plastic surgeons will also see their doors shut for “ all elective medical and surgical procedures , including all elective dental procedures.
” Los Angeles County announced 50 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus , bringing the county ’ s total to more than 140 .
County officials previously ordered the closure of all bars , fitness centers and movie theaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only in all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county , including Los Angeles , which issued a similar directive Sunday .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom Monday evening , asking all California restaurants to close to dine-in customers and that gyms , health clubs and theaters should also shut down .

Most Rodeo Drive stores and plastic surgery offices in Beverly Hills were ordered closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Beverly Hills is ordering Rodeo Drive retailers and most plastic surgeons shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The City Council, joining many California cities, approved a measure Tuesday declaring a local emergency that closes down commerce in the short term. All non-essential retail businesses, including those on Rodeo Drive, shall be closed except for pickup, delivery and certain transactions by appointment, the city said.
All bars and nightclubs in the city that do not serve food shall also be closed to the public. Eateries that stay open can only offer food via pickup or delivery.
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Dine-in food service is prohibited. Forget about the movies and gym, too; they are shuttered along with nail salons, hair salons and massage parlors.
Beverly Hills’ array of plastic surgeons will also see their doors shut for “all elective medical and surgical procedures, including all elective dental procedures.”
Los Angeles County announced 50 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, bringing the county’s total to more than 140.
County officials previously ordered the closure of all bars, fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only in all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county, including Los Angeles, which issued a similar directive Sunday.


latimes--2020-03-17--In San Francisco Bay Area, compliance with 'shelter in place' order is uneven

Emergency orders further upended normal life across the greater San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday , as businesses , schools and other institutions closed and the number of coronavirus cases continued to creep up .
Seven Bay Area counties on Monday ordered residents to “ shelter in place ” until at least April 7 , going out only for essential needs , such as visiting grocery stores , pharmacies , doctors and relatives .
Officials say the order seeks to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming the healthcare system of a region where 7 million people live .
San Francisco opened at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care centers , as did other cities wanting to serve families needing to work while their children are out of school .
The Bay Area Rapid Transit system continued to operate , while ferry operators reduced services .
Shelters remained open for the homeless , who , having no roofs over their heads , are exempt from the order to stay home .
While it was initially unclear how aggressively authorities would enforce the orders , the San Franciso Police Department tweeted overnight that it would visit bars and nightclubs to ensure they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the region , stores remained open , even those that health authorities intended to be closed .
John Christensen , of Abbey Flooring , told a reporter Monday that he was going to remain open .
A sign on the door declaring “ open ” and a call to the shop indicated he kept true to his word , albeit with reduced hours .
Bow Wow Meow , a high-end pet product and grooming shop , also had its doors open .
Amy Bearg , an executive assistant at the shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the store was “ essential.
” “ We provide pet products and services that people need , ” she said , describing services such as anal gland extraction and hot spot shaving .
“ For some animals , these services are essential , ” she said .
No region statewide has been hit harder by the coronavirus than the San Francisco Bay Area .
As of Tuesday afternoon , authorities had reported 320 cases and five deaths in the counties where shelter-in-places orders were issued Monday — Alameda , Contra Costa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mateo and Santa Clara , as well as the neighboring county of Santa Cruz .
Overnight , the number of cases in San Mateo County rose to 64 from 42 and in San Francisco , rose to 43 from 40 .
Four of the deaths were in Santa Clara County , all people who were in their 50s or older .
One death was in San Mateo County .
According to the San Francisco Chronicle , city health authorities ordered cannabis dispensaries closed on Tuesday morning .
One of them , the Apothecarium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three San Francisco dispensaries were closed until April 7 , “ or until further notice.
” In Palo Alto , University Avenue was , like elsewhere , a ghost town .
All nonessential shops were closed , and restaurants were empty .
On a bright , sunny day , the only visible lunch eaters were two sitting outside a Pizza My Heart .
The otherwise busy lunch scene of the town was absent .
On Tuesday , there were signs that Monday ’ s orders were pushed out with little notification to affected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adrian Fine , Palo Alto ’ s mayor , said he wasn ’ t informed about the shelter-in-place order until just hours before the announcement was made .
“ This is a fast , moving target , ” he said .
“ I think the county health officers are doing an admirable , good job.
” He said he had no intention of using the police force to enforce the shelter-in-place order , hoping that residents would follow it without issues .
“ They ’ re not going to be knocking on doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna , Contra Costa County deputy health officer , said an association of Bay Area health officers held telephone conferences throughout the weekend to draft the order .
He said each county communicated with its city leaders .
In Contra Costa County , some of the mayors were concerned about the order ’ s impact on the economy , but eventually agreed it was appropriate .
“ We felt strongly that viruses cross borders , people cross borders and public health mitigation measures must also cross borders to be effective , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he predicted that other counties will follow suit as more cases develop .
Solano and Napa are two that have declined to issue orders , although there were reports that Sonoma County health authorities were considering something similar .
“ It is hard to convince your political leaders to really shut things down if you don ’ t have any cases yet , ” Radhakrishna said .
“ We wanted to start with counties that were ready to come on board with this level of shelter in place .
Early action is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the counties decided that BART trains should continue to run because they carry many essential workers .

Susanne Rust, Maura Dolan, Rong-Gong Lin II

A dog runs down the middle of an empty Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, California. Seven San Francisco Bay Area counties have ordered residents to shelter in place in an effort to reduce social interaction and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Hair stylists canceled clients. Gardeners and construction crews showed up to work. A dog grooming business deemed itself essential and kept its door open. Some liquor stores closed. Others didn’t.
All the time, cases of the coronavirus kept creeping upward.
During the first day of a “shelter-in-place” order in seven Bay Area counties Tuesday, compliance was generally strong but uneven in places, with some businesses uncertain whether they required to close.
The order issued Monday requires residents to stay home until at least April 7. They may leave their homes only for essential needs, such as visiting grocery stores, pharmacies, doctors and relatives. Officials say the order seeks to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming the healthcare system of a region where 7 million people live.
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All nonessential businesses were ordered to close.
San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine said the order will likely be modified to clarify whether some businesses, such as lawn care, home construction and autism support, are affected.
“My gardener called this morning and asked if he could work,” said Pine.
Because gardeners and small construction crews generally work outside, they are unlikely going to pose a health risk, he said.
San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed announced a declaration that would waive some civil service and charter rules for hiring health workers, including nurses.
Typically, the city’s hiring process for nurses takes six months or more, she said. The change will allow the city to hire them “on the spot.”
Breed told a news conference that San Francisco’s streets were “fairly empty” Tuesday with fewer bikes and cars, but more people out walking “enjoying the outdoors.”
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“So far its been OK,” she said, ````but this is day one, and we have three weeks to go and maybe even longer. And it is important that people understand we probably need to be prepared for the long run.”
Freeways throughout the Bay Area bore only light traffic. Parking spaces were abundant at commercial centers.
At Crissy Field in San Francisco, only a few joggers, dog walkers and families took advantage of the clear sunny day to go to the beach. A lonely heron stood in a field with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background.
A lone heron enjoys the view at Chrissy Field in San Francisco on Tuesday. (Susanne Rust / Los Angeles Times)
Diyar Borak, a rug store owner from Mill Valley, was standing on the pier, fishing rod bent in a tight, almost half circle. “It could be a halibut,” he said to a curious onlooker. “I got one here a few days ago.” He counted only six other fishermen, a fraction of those who normally show up.
As he talked, the line broke on his rod. “Oh, well. maybe it was the big one,” he said with a shrug. “I just hope whatever it was, the lure isn’t stuck in its mouth. We don’t need anyone or anything else getting sick right now.”
In the East Bay city of Walnut Creek, the normally bustling downtown was mostly deserted Tuesday as were shopping districts in Oakland and the South Bay.
Palo Alto’s University Avenue was a ghost town. All nonessential shops were closed, and restaurants were empty. The only visible lunch eaters were two sitting outside a Pizza My Heart.
Businesses and residents are subject to citation for violating the order, but elected officials said law enforcement was much more likely to issue warnings than citations.
Still, the threat of a sanction proved effective in some cases.
Janine Hedlund, 37, a hair stylist who works on one client at a time at her shop in Lafayette, texted clients Tuesday that she was canceling their appointments.
“What if somebody sees me doing hair and then call the police on me?” she said. “I want to abide by the rules.”
If Palo Alto police see a group of 20 construction workers huddled together, they plan to issue a gentle reminder, not a citation, said Mayor Adrian Fine. The San Francisco Police Department tweeted overnight that it would visit bars and nightclubs to ensure they were shut down.
Businesses that deemed themselves essential included Menlo Park’s Abbey Flooring, which reduced hours. Bow Wow Meow, a high-end pet product and grooming shop also had its doors open.
“We provide pet products and services that people need,” said Amy Bearg, an executive assistant at the shop’s anchor store in San Francisco, describing services such as anal gland expression and hot spot shaving. “For some animals, these services are essential,” she said.
California How the San Francisco Bay Area coronavirus ‘shelter in place’ order works Stay at home as much as possible, officials say, but there are exceptions, like to go out and get food, pick up medicine, buy gas, go to the bank and check up on relatives.
No region statewide has been hit harder by the coronavirus than the San Francisco Bay Area. As of Tuesday evening , authorities had reported 356 cases and six deaths in the counties where shelter-in-places orders were issued Monday — Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara, as well as the neighboring county of Santa Cruz.
Overnight, the number of cases in Santa Clara County rose to 155 from 138, San Mateo County rose to 64 from 42 and in San Francisco, rose to 43 from 40. Five of the deaths were in Santa Clara County, all people who were in their 50s or older. One death was in San Mateo County.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, city health authorities ordered cannabis dispensaries closed on Tuesday morning. One of them, the Apothecarium, announced on its website that its three San Francisco dispensaries were closed until April 7, “or until further notice.”
Later, the city reversed itself, stating in a tweet that cannabis “is an essential medicine for many San Francisco residents.”
Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna, Contra Costa County deputy health officer, said an association of Bay Area health officers held telephone conferences throughout the weekend to draft the order.
He said each county communicated with its city leaders. In Contra Costa County, some of the mayors were concerned about the order’s impact on the economy, but eventually agreed it was appropriate.
“We felt strongly that viruses cross borders, people cross borders and public health mitigation measures must also cross borders to be effective,” Radhakrishna said.
Without mentioning names, he predicted that other counties will follow suit as more cases develop.
Solano and Napa have both issued advisories, but not orders as aggressive as the other Bay Area counties. Sonoma, Monterey and San Benito counties, as well as the city of Palm Springs in Riverside County, issued their own shelter-in-place orders modeled on the Bay Area order Tuesday.
“It is hard to convince your political leaders to really shut things down if you don’t have any cases yet,” Radhakrishna said. “We wanted to start with counties that were ready to come on board with this level of shelter in place. Early action is essential to flatten the curve.”
He said the counties decided that BART trains should continue to run because they carry many essential workers.
San Mateo Supervisor Pine confessed he was “scared as to whether we can prevent an Italy-like situation despite our best efforts.”
“Ideally, we should have done this two weeks ago,” he said, but he was not sure anybody was ready for it then.


latimes--2020-03-17--School closures: L.A. Unified mobilizes to feed hungry kids despite coronavirus

The Los Angeles school district on Tuesday was ramping up “ grab and go ” food services to help feed more than half a million children displaced by the closing of schools due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Starting on Wednesday , parents and students can pick up food at 60 sites scattered throughout the nation ’ s second-largest school district .
A complete list and map of locations in Los Angeles and information about other resources have been published on the district website .
School districts serving about 85 % of the students in California have closed in response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the top 25 largest districts , displacing millions of students .
Teachers in most closed schools are trying to continue instruction through online coursework and extended homework assignments .
L.A. Unified also has partnered with PBS SoCal to provide expanded educational programming .
Districts have continued classes with online learning and sent home worksheets .
But meeting a critical basic need — feeding hungry children — has been a priority in these first days of closures .
How will the distribution work ?
Volunteers will provide up to two packaged meals per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting on Wednesday .
Most , if not all , of the locations are expected to be drive-throughs , where passengers will remain in their cars .
Volunteer workers will slide food packages across a table into an open car window , said teachers union president Alex Caputo-Pearl , who has briefed his members on the process .
The table between the car and worker is intended to provide “ distancing ” between people to limit the possibility of coronavirus transmission from one person to another .
One training site for workers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School near downtown , where L.A. schools Supt .
Austin Beutner had scheduled a Tuesday afternoon visit to see preparations in progress .
What are the challenges ?
The district said it does not know how many people will show up for meals .
The school district typically serves a million meals a day .
On a normal school day , students can eat breakfast and lunch on campus and , through special programs , some receive take-home dinners .
About 18,000 district students are classified as homeless .
The district serves more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grade , as well as children in independently operated charter schools .
About four in five students qualify for a free or reduced-price lunch because they are part of a low-income household .
Other school systems , including Pomona Unified , also have set up operations to feed students .

California public schools are likely to be closed for the remainder of the school year in response to the spread of coronavirus, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday afternoon.
“Don’t anticipate schools are going to open up in a week. Please don’t anticipate in a few weeks,” Newsom said during a Sacramento news conference on the state’s coronavirus efforts. “I would plan, and assume, that it’s unlikely that many of these schools — few, if any — will open before the summer break.”
Nearly all school districts in the state, 98.8%, are closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Newsom said. The state education department is assembling detailed guidelines on how schools can attempt to continue teaching 6.1 million students out of their classrooms in the weeks and months ahead.
The governor later said his comments reflect what he believes will be the challenges across California in the weeks to come, as the coronavirus pandemic changes the daily course of life.
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“I don’t want to mislead you,” he said to parents and educators, who must prepare and plan for their children’s care and learning.
Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the state board of education, put the disruption in perspective.
“We haven’t had this kind of shutdown of civil society or schools since the Spanish influenza in 1918,” she said. “It’s been a century since we saw anything like this. And in that case as well, whole cities had to close down. So the magnitude is enormous.”
She said this moment calls families and communities to reflect on what they need and care about most.
“School is one thing, but there are going to be people losing their jobs,” she said. “People who need to be able to pay rent, people that need to be able to eat, and we have to be able to take care of that as well.”
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All hands in state government, she said, “are stepping up to assist or provide guidance” to school districts, she said.
State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said Tuesday night that Newsom’s comment offers an assessment of the remaining school year with shuttered campuses, but as of now “there is no declaration that school is over for the year.” He said school districts need to be fully prepared to shift their method of instruction.
He added that officials have not yet discussed extending the school year into the summer.
“We’re not going to know exactly what we need to do until we have a sense of how this is all going to go,” Thurmond said.
Newsom, who had sounded a note of criticism toward some school districts on Sunday for closing before they knew how to provide meals and other services, said his administration has now offered those schools additional help in planning for the needs of students.
”We wanted to make sure that learning is still occurring. Distance learning. Online learning,” Newsom said.
He said the closure issue came up on Monday night with one of his daughters, whom he had to console when arriving at home because she missed her friends at school.
“And I told her, ‘Honey, I don’t think the schools are going to open again.’ And if I could tell my daughter that, and not tell your daughter that, or the people, then I’m not being honest or true to the people of the state of California. Boy, I hope I’m wrong.”
He also indicated that standardized testing will not take place this spring. “We think it is totally inappropriate for kids to worry” about being tested, he said. Teachers and students “already have enough anxiety,” he said.
The announcement comes as the Los Angeles school district on Tuesday was ramping up “grab and go” food services to help feed more than half a million children displaced by the closing of schools due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Starting on Wednesday, parents and students can pick up food at 60 sites scattered throughout the nation’s second-largest school district. A complete list and map of locations in Los Angeles and information about other resources have been published on the district website.
“These are not ordinary days, and we know many of our students still need help,” said L.A. schools Supt. Austin Beutner. “So our goal is to help as many as we can.”
Teachers in most closed schools are trying to continue instruction through online coursework and extended homework assignments. L.A. Unified also has partnered with PBS SoCal to provide expanded educational programming.
Districts have continued classes with online learning and homework packets. But meeting a critical basic need — feeding hungry children — also has been a priority in these first days of closures.
Volunteers will provide up to two packaged meals per person between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. starting on Wednesday.
Beutner said no one would be turned away, whether or not they have a connection to the school system.
“Our intent is to serve children, but if adults ask, we will offer and we’re going to serve those in need,” Beutner.
All the locations are set up with for both drive-thru and walk-up distribution.
In both lines, the volunteer staff will slide the food across a table toward the person or the open car window, as a method to provide separation or “distancing” between people, thus reducing the chance for spreading the virus. The tables will be covered each day with disposable liners.
A trial run for workers on Tuesday took place at Liechty Middle School near downtown, where L.A. schools Beutner reviewed the preparations in progress.
A typical breakfast will consist of individual portion-sized box of cereal, unsweetened apple sauce, milk and a piece of fruit, such as an apple, orange or banana. Lunch might have a turkey and cheese sandwich on a roll, sunflower butter, mango juice, carrots, raisins, milk and a piece of fruit.
“Sunflower butter, that’s a new one for me,” Beutner said, during his tour of the distribution station. “Healthy breakfast, healthy lunch. It’s making me kinda hungry actually.”
Organizers don’t want the distribution centers themselves to be a vector for transmitting the coronavirus, which is why they are concerned about how people line up to receive food. Each family will be asked to stand about six feet apart as they await their turn.
In the walk-up line, “we have staff that will be queuing about every 15 to 20 feet that will be giving them the verbal guidance, reminding them about the different social distancing practices that we’re putting in place,” said Dennis Stecchi, a senior district manager who specializes in logistics and event planning.
“Vehicles already have a natural buffer so we really don’t have to worry about any social distancing,” he added.
Every distribution center will have a hand-wash station and supplies to check the temperature of workers. Because workers are separated from those receiving food, it won’t be necessary to conduct health screenings for those receiving food, Stecchi said.
No advance sign-up is required, so the district does not know how many people will show up for meals. The school district typically serves more than a million meals a day, Beutner said.
For now, the district will have 400,000 meals available per day, said Dawn Soto, a senior training specialist in the Food Services Division.
Officials have no idea which locations will draw more traffic and they’re prepared to shift the supply as necessary.


latimes--2020-03-17--From hope to heartache at Trader Joe's for seniors looking for a break amid coronavirus panic buying

Julie Carol was in good spirits Tuesday morning as she approached the front of Trader Joe ’ s in Monrovia .
The 71-year-old would finally get that elusive carton of eggs .
As fear of the coronavirus continues to change people ’ s everyday lives , some grocery stores recently announced they ’ d host special shopping hours for senior citizens .
Word had gotten out that those 65 and older would have a special 30-minute time slot to purchase groceries at Trader Joe ’ s in Monrovia before it opened to the general public at 9:30 AM .
Very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confusion and heartache .
And anger .
A Trader Joe ’ s employee on site told those gathered that to his knowledge no such special shopping hours had been planned .
“ We ’ re open to everybody , ” he told the folks in the queue that had already made its way past six adjacent businesses to Party City .
In the early morning , the atmosphere among people in line had been calm and friendly .
Suddenly , it turned uncharitable .
A woman among the first five people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near the front of the store , “ The line ’ s back there !
” Some seniors obliged and trudged despondently to the end of the line .
Others didn ’ t budge .
One man with a cane and a shopping cart made a phone call .
“ I don ’ t think I ’ m going to make it into the Trader Joe ’ s , ” he said , speaking in Spanish .
“ I ’ m going to stay in the car .
Let ’ s see if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon.
” As people were slowly let in at 8:54 a.m. , some seniors who had congregated near the front managed to squeeze in .
“ Excuse me , sir !
There ’ s a line !
Come on !
” yelled the same woman near the front .
She looked to the employee overseeing the line , who shrugged .
“ It ’ s a disappointment , ” Carol said as she sat on a planter in front of the store as other people trickled past her .
“ They should ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who just had knee surgery , watched as her husband headed to the end of the line .
Too late , she figured .
On Sunday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom urged people 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to isolate themselves from others and stay home .
The move reflected intensifying efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus and the toll it could take , especially on a demographic that is especially vulnerable .
At the Northgate González Market in Long Beach , shoppers also waited in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their grocery list .
The Latino market is one grocery store chain that implemented a new policy where senior citizens , including people with disabilities and pregnant woman , can shop from 7 to 8 a.m. before it opens to the general public .
“ This is very important for seniors who can ’ t move around easily , ” Alex Rojas , 45 , said in Spanish as he waited in line .
The Huntington Beach resident was on the hunt for powdered milk and eggs .
He said stores should also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because they ’ re feeding their baby .
Silvia Quintero Artellano , 62 , had just left El Super on Long Beach Boulevard because the line was too long and estimated it ’ d take her two hours just to get inside .
The Long Beach grandmother said she was looking for masa or crema — anything she could get her hands on to cook for her family .
Grocery Outlet in Altadena will also have special hours every Thursday for seniors from 7 to 8 a.m. Store owner Michell Guajardo said employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make grocery runs for immunocompromised shoppers while they wait in their vehicle .
At the Trader Joe ’ s , customers were given a limit when purchasing some items : two dozen eggs , a gallon of milk and two proteins from the meat department , an employee announced .
“ I feel for others .
Everyone is making a sacrifice , ” said Marissa Flores , 28 , of Monrovia , who was the first in line .
She lived nearby and was able to make it to the front of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was on hand Tuesday morning at the store told the Los Angeles Times that , earlier that morning , two employees had told her they would be holding special shopping hours for senior citizens .
A Trader Joe ’ s employee later told The Times that that was not the case .
Trader Joe ’ s spokeswoman Kenya Friend-Daniel said in an email Tuesday afternoon that the grocery store chain , which is headquartered in Monrovia , hadn ’ t implemented company-wide special shopping hours but each store is doing what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our focus continues to be on best serving all of our customers , from providing a safe and clean shopping environment , to doing everything we can to help ensure customers need special assistance , ” she said .
“ Or other accommodations , and in those cases we will do what we always do , with care and integrity.
” Carol said she ’ d been told by an employee the previous day to come by in the morning bright and early for the special time slot .
Seniors waiting in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special hours and they ’ d read about it online , too .
Fred Nava , 67 , of San Gabriel and his neighbor Don Busapathamrong , 54 , were among the first shoppers to get in and out of the store Tuesday morning .
The two arrived at 8:55 a.m. and , managing to blend in , headed straight inside .
“ I just walked right up and got sucked right in , ” Nava said .
Nava said he invited Busapathamrong to join him the day before .
Busapathamrong , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep an eye on websites offering special shopping hours .
Nava said older people needed the extra help .
“ Seniors can ’ t move fast enough and there ’ s limited handicap parking , ” the retired auto insurance employee said .

A Trader Joe’s employee breaks the news to customers that there are no early hours for senior shoppers at the Monrovia store.
Julie Carol was in good spirits Tuesday morning as she approached the front of Trader Joe’s in Monrovia. The 71-year-old would finally get that elusive carton of eggs.
As fear of the coronavirus continues to change people’s everyday lives, some grocery stores recently announced they’d host special shopping hours for senior citizens.
Word had gotten out that those 65 and older would have a special 30-minute time slot to purchase groceries at Trader Joe’s in Monrovia before it opened to the general public at 9:30 AM.
Very quickly, the mood went from hope to confusion and heartache. And anger.
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A Trader Joe’s employee on site told those gathered that to his knowledge no such special shopping hours had been planned.
Anna Romo, center, waits with daughter Viola Chatman outside the Trader Joe’s in Monrovia. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“We’re open to everybody,” he told the folks in the queue that had already made its way past six adjacent businesses to Party City.
In the early morning, the atmosphere among people in line had been calm and friendly. Suddenly, it turned uncharitable.
A woman among the first five people in line yelled at seniors who had congregated near the front of the store, “The line’s back there!”
Some seniors obliged and trudged despondently to the end of the line. Others didn’t budge.
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One man with a cane and a shopping cart made a phone call. “I don’t think I’m going to make it into the Trader Joe’s,” he said, speaking in Spanish. “I’m going to stay in the car. Let’s see if there’s a chance in the afternoon.”
As people were slowly let in at 8:54 a.m., some seniors who had congregated near the front managed to squeeze in. “Excuse me, sir! There’s a line! Come on!” yelled the same woman near the front. She looked to the employee overseeing the line, who shrugged.
Senior citizens arrived early to the Trader Joe’s in Monrovia believing doors would open earlier to older residents. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“It’s a disappointment,” Carol said as she sat on a planter in front of the store as other people trickled past her. “They should’ve stuck to the agreement.”
Carol, who just had knee surgery, watched as her husband headed to the end of the line. Too late, she figured.
On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom urged people 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to isolate themselves from others and stay home. The move reflected intensifying efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus and the toll it could take, especially on a demographic that is especially vulnerable.
At the Northgate González Market in Long Beach, shoppers also waited in line in hopes of grabbing items on their grocery list. The Latino market is one grocery store chain that implemented a new policy where senior citizens, including people with disabilities and pregnant women, can shop from 7 to 8 a.m. before it opens to the general public.
“This is very important for seniors who can’t move around easily,” Alex Rojas, 45, said in Spanish as he waited in line. The Huntington Beach resident was on the hunt for powdered milk and eggs. He said stores should also include pregnant mothers within these special hours because they’re feeding their baby.
Silvia Quintero Artellano, 62, had just left El Super on Long Beach Boulevard because the line was too long and estimated it’d take her two hours just to get inside. The Long Beach grandmother said she was looking for masa or crema — anything she could get her hands on to cook for her family.
Grocery Outlet in Altadena will also have special hours every Thursday for seniors from 7 to 8 a.m. Store owner Michell Guajardo said employees will also be on site to help make grocery runs for immunocompromised shoppers while they wait in their vehicle.
At the Trader Joe’s, customers were given a limit when purchasing some items: two dozen eggs, a gallon of milk and two proteins from the meat department, an employee announced.
“I feel for others. Everyone is making a sacrifice,” said Marissa Flores, 28, of Monrovia, who was the first in line. She lived nearby and was able to make it to the front of the line by 7 a.m.
A TV reporter who was on hand Tuesday morning at the store told the Los Angeles Times that, earlier that morning, two employees had told her they would be holding special shopping hours for senior citizens. A Trader Joe’s employee later told The Times that that was not the case.
Trader Joe’s spokeswoman Kenya Friend-Daniel said in an email Tuesday afternoon that the grocery store chain, which is headquartered in Monrovia, hadn’t implemented company-wide special shopping hours but each store is doing what they feel is best for shoppers.
“Our focus continues to be on best serving all of our customers, from providing a safe and clean shopping environment, to doing everything we can to help ensure customers need special assistance,” she said. “Or other accommodations, and in those cases we will do what we always do, with care and integrity.”
Carol said she’d been told by an employee the previous day to come by in the morning bright and early for the special time slot.
Seniors waiting in line said their children told them about the special hours and they’d read about it online, too.
The Monrovia Trader Joe’s opened to shoppers of all ages at 9 a.m. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Fred Nava, 67, of San Gabriel and his neighbor Don Busapathamrong, 54, were among the first shoppers to get in and out of the store Tuesday morning.
The two arrived at 8:55 a.m. and, managing to blend in, headed straight inside.
“I just walked right up and got sucked right in,” Nava said.
Nava said he invited Busapathamrong to join him the day before. Busapathamrong, an ER nurse, said they tried to keep an eye on websites offering special shopping hours.
Nava said older people needed the extra help.
“Seniors can’t move fast enough and there’s limited handicap parking,” the retired auto insurance employee said.


latimes--2020-03-17--The L.A. City Council met inside City Hall. The public had to watch remotely outside, under a tent

Los Angeles City Council meetings typically draw a feisty crowd ready to sound off about planned housing developments , lawsuit settlements and city contracts .
Tuesday ’ s meeting was held with new measures meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 : Amid the unprecedented shutdown of Los Angeles businesses and schools amid the coronavirus crisis , city officials erected a tent outside City Hall so the public could watch the meeting on a video screen and comment remotely to the city ’ s 15 council members .
Several speakers complained about the setup , arguing it was unfair and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a public meeting in 52-degree weather with no heaters and no bathrooms is not a pandemic response , it ’ s oppression !
” said Sabrina Johnson , a member of the homeless advocacy group KTown for All .
Rob Quan of the Unrig L.A. coalition also complained that there were no restrooms and questioned whether the site was accessible to people with disabilities .
Shortly after he spoke , a city attorney said there was a wheelchair lift by the outdoor steps .
Doug Haines , who sits on two neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half hour before the 10 a.m. meeting began , taking a seat in one of dozens of plastic white chairs placed on the red brick forecourt .
Chairs were roughly six feet apart under the 40-by-70-foot tent .
A nearby kiosk allowed members of the public to sign up to speak during the meeting , which was expected to last through the day .
Haines told The Times he ’ d come to give public comment about development .
He wants the City Council and mayor to suspend the approval of all discretionary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city hearing until all neighborhood councils are permitted to meet again and review them .
He was told last week by the city that neighborhood council meetings have been suspended .
“ I ’ m afraid we are going to get a wave of approvals without public comment , ” he said .
Stella Mutrux also sat in the back of the tent , waiting to speak .
A volunteer in North Hollywood , Mutrux is worried about the cancellation of events to help the homeless .
She ’ d traveled to downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” As the meeting kicked off , Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez appeared on the video screen and called for public comment .
Two tourists from the Netherlands , Angelique Meulenkamp and Nico Kalk , wandered into the tent and watched the proceedings for a bit .
The pair were vacationing in the U.S. and had driven an RV around the Grand Canyon .
City Hall officials told them the government building was closed , Kalk said , and that they should head to the beach instead .
Meanwhile , posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But inside the City Council chamber , staff and city officials could be seen mingling in close proximity at some points .
A handful of television cameras were cordoned off behind a red rope in the back of the council chamber .
Seats normally packed with union members , lobbyists and neighborhood leaders were empty .

A large tent being installed for public attendance at Tuesday’s Los Angeles City Council meeting. The public was not allowed in the council chamber.
Los Angeles City Council meetings typically draw a feisty crowd ready to sound off about planned housing developments, lawsuit settlements and city contracts.
Tuesday’s meeting was held with new measures meant to curb the spread of COVID-19: Amid the unprecedented shutdown of Los Angeles businesses and schools amid the coronavirus crisis, city officials erected a tent outside City Hall so the public could watch the meeting on a video screen and comment remotely to the city’s 15 council members.
Several speakers complained about the setup, arguing it was unfair and disenfranchising. “Keeping the public outside of a public meeting in 52-degree weather with no heaters and no bathrooms is not a pandemic response, it’s oppression!” said Sabrina Johnson, a member of the homeless advocacy group KTown for All.
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Rob Quan of the Unrig L.A. coalition also complained that there were no restrooms and questioned whether the site was accessible to people with disabilities. Shortly after he spoke, a city attorney said there was a wheelchair lift by the outdoor steps.
Doug Haines, who sits on two neighborhood councils in Hollywood, arrived about a half hour before the 10 a.m. meeting began, taking a seat in one of dozens of plastic white chairs placed on the red brick forecourt.
Chairs were roughly six feet apart under the 40-by-70-foot tent. A nearby kiosk allowed members of the public to sign up to speak during the meeting, which was expected to last through the day.
Haines told The Times he’d come to give public comment about development.
He wants the City Council and mayor to suspend the approval of all discretionary projects that do not otherwise require a city hearing until all neighborhood councils are permitted to meet again and review them. He was told last week by the city that neighborhood council meetings have been suspended.
“I’m afraid we are going to get a wave of approvals without public comment,” he said.
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Stella Mutrux also sat in the back of the tent, waiting to speak. A volunteer in North Hollywood, Mutrux is worried about the cancellation of events to help the homeless. She’d traveled to downtown “so the city can hear us.”
As the meeting kicked off, Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez appeared on the video screen and called for public comment.
Two tourists from the Netherlands, Angelique Meulenkamp and Nico Kalk, wandered into the tent and watched the proceedings for a bit.
The pair were vacationing in the U.S. and had driven an RV around the Grand Canyon. City Hall officials told them the government building was closed, Kalk said, and that they should head to the beach instead.
“Is the beach closed?” Kalk asked a reporter.
Meanwhile, posted signs inside City Hall encouraged social distancing. But inside the City Council chamber, staff and city officials could be seen mingling in close proximity at some points.
A handful of television cameras were cordoned off behind a red rope in the back of the council chamber.
Seats normally packed with union members, lobbyists and neighborhood leaders were empty.


latimes--2020-03-17--Column: The `Big One' finally slammed California. It's coronavirus

This is not a test .
This is not a drill .
This is the real thing .
If only it weren ’ t .
We are learning so much so fast about what we need to have in place when a pandemic happens , only it has happened and a lot of us weren ’ t prepared — or were prepared but for very different disasters , for the grab-your-most-important-papers fires and keep-your-shoes-by-your-bed earthquakes .
The coronavirus is requiring us to be ready in new ways — and we are trying , we ’ re adapting fast , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are things we were supposed to have taken care of earlier for that long-expected guest that we ’ ve always called the Big One : stocking up on the basics — the water , the toilet paper , the batteries , the canned goods .
But even those of us who took the time out to put together great earthquake kits probably didn ’ t include disinfectant spray .
Even those of us who love disaster movies in which our world hurtles toward apocalypse probably didn ’ t think in real life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready in an instant with bleach wipes and gloves .
We also maybe didn ’ t quite imagine a new kind of crisis that might turn a lot of people who need us invisible .
We ’ re used to people running out of burning and buckled houses .
We ’ re used to firefighters and police going door to door and finding them .
We ’ re not used to people in need — older people , the sick , the frail — being commanded to stay in place behind closed doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are or how to find them and help .
Some blocks and communities no doubt have done all the right things in advance : mapping out their neighbors ’ homes , putting phone numbers and email addresses next to names .
But all over the city now there are blocks and communities that haven ’ t done that prep work and , no matter how much they want to , don ’ t know how to check in on or offer aid to people they ’ ve seen around but for whom they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t a test .
This is the real thing .
And some of the things we are learning so fast feel too late .
I had the good luck the other day to see one of the elderly people I ’ ve been worried about as she paced down my block for her exercise .
But when I tried to ask her if she was OK and if I could get her anything , I faced two problems : She told me she spoke only Armenian , and I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ari !
” that another neighbor uses to make her dog come to her .
Also , the woman , who I would guess is in her 80s , was terrified to come any closer to me than about 10 feet .
Another thing we ’ re struggling to process now is that the way we behave as individuals can have profound consequences for our collective whole .
In this new crisis we find ourselves in , the actions of one person just moving around the city touching things or getting too close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of events that costs numerous complete strangers their health or even their lives .
This is true , too , of our hunting and gathering to make sure that we and our loved ones have what we need .
Because we didn ’ t all have disaster kits in place , because even if we did we didn ’ t have some of the specific things we now need , because no one is sure how long this will last and whether supplies will dry up , everyone is out hunting now for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we ’ re still struggling to absorb how much all that moving around might have the power to harm others .
The last time I went to the supermarket , a few days ago , I watched a man get around a two-case limit on water by having his children line up , each with two cases of 24 bottles in a cart .
Set aside the questionable belief that we might have a water shortage , the “ us ” clearly wasn ’ t thinking about the “ them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was bringing three children into a crowded place that thus grew more crowded — children who could be carrying the virus and thus exposing others to it or could get exposed in the course of their shopping and bring it home with them .
Each day , in this coronavirus crisis , we learn new things : how to manage when forced behind closed doors , how to harness our inner resources , how to slow down , how to conserve what we have , how to alleviate stress through creativity .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others when we can ’ t hug them or sit by their sides or even walk into their homes .
We deserve to be proud .
We have learned so much so fast that we can apply to the next time .
But we don ’ t have the luxury of a learning curve .
The more we stumble , the more we resist our new reality , the more lives we lose , the more time we spend on lockdown , the more businesses go under , the more people lose jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bills or their rent .
If only this were a drill , but it ’ s not .

1 / 44 The City of Santa Monica closed the Santa Monica Pier in an attempt to prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus. Very few people were on the beach in Santa Monica as the epidemic continues. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 44 Volunteer Nagma Shakur, 16, left, hugs her “Grannie” as she helps senior shoppers with their carts at the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Altadena. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 44 People walk up the ramp, exiting the secure area at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 44 David Barker, 56, is visiting with his friend living in a tent on skidrow in Los Angeles. Barker, who is not homeless, works in the area. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 44 Dr. Dallas Weaver, 79, and his wife, Janet Weaver, 75, of Huntington Beach, walk on the Huntington pier. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 44 Seniors, including Eileen Oda Leaf, 67, left, and her husband Dave Leaf, 67, right, both wearing protective masks, line up outside Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach early on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 44 Roberta Tabor, 66, of Hermosa Beach, has her ID checked by store director Dennis Sullivan at Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour” where seniors 65+ can go grocery shopping before anybody else. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 44 Seniors shop at Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour” where seniors can go grocery shopping before the store opens to the general public. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 44 Dr. Mark V. Morocco oversees testing at UCLA Medical Center where people can drive up and get tested if they have the symptoms. Morocco listens to a female patient’s lungs through the car window. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 44 HOPICS outreach worker Ralph Gomez tosses a clipboard for a signature to homeless client Davis Soto, right, taking care to stay at least six feet away during outreach in Los Angeles. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 44 Medical personnel screen patients outside the emergency room at Loma Linda University Health during the coronavirus pandemic. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 44 A nurse takes the vital signs of a woman in a medical tent outside the hospital on Catalina. (Francine Orr/Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 44 An employee of the Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia tells customers waiting in line that it would open doors to everyone at 9 a.m., not just seniors, who arrived believing doors would open earlier to older residents, as some of the people were told by employees and it was reported. Some grocery outlets were offering special morning hours of shopping to accommodate older residents. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 44 Kevin Ezeh, protected with face mask and gloves, addresses the Los Angeles City Council meeting standing under a tent erected outside City Hall. A television livestreamed video of the meeting and the public offered comments remotely. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 44 Orange County Undersheriff Bob Peterson listens during a board of supervisors discussion on combating the coronavirus in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 44 Dr. Mark V. Morocco oversees the testing at UCLA Medical Center. Testing for Covid-19 is going on at UCLA Medical Center, where people can drive up and get tested if they have the symptoms. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 44 A large tent is installed for public attendance at Tuesday’s Los Angeles City Council meeting. The public was not allowed in the council chamber. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 44 Shoppers queue up ahead of the Los Feliz Costco opening for business on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 44 Muhammad Faruq, an Uber driver, picks his ride Sotero Reyes, left, and Cristian Eguia, visitors from Houston, all in protective masks, from downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 44 Volunteer Rachel Figueroa, serves a free lunch to go to Destiny Mendez, with her mother, Estefany, at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. LAUSD students can get free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Dream Center, Monday through Friday. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 44 Emma Bradley, left, and her husband, Samuel Bradley, of Palmdale are walking up the ramp to catch the Metrolink in Union Sation in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 44 Medical personnel surround a car that is going through a coronavirus drive-thru test clinic at the San Mateo County Event Center. Drive-thru test clinics for COVID-19 are popping up across the country as more tests become available. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 23 / 44 From left, Josh Akamine, of Oahu, Hawaii; Madison Shine of Oahu; Matthew Valencia of Los Altos and Dani Ikeda visit L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 44 Normally bustling Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. is open only for take out. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 44 L.A. has banned restaurants from offering seating at places such as Grand Central Market. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 44 Carlos Perez, a worker at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles sits in the empty restaurant. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 44 A line at the Martin B. Retting gun store in Culver City on Sunday extends out the door and around the corner. (Francine Orr / The Times) 28 / 44 A guest wears a mask in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on Thursday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 44 Students hug as they are let out of school at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 13, 2020. The school has 2,623 students who live in 94 different zip codes, some of whom travel upwards of 30 miles to school on 24 different school bus routes. 221 school staff live in 88 zip codes. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner announced that schools will be closed due to the coronavirus. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 44 Blake Anderson, left, a freshman, walks with his father Oree Anderson, as school is let out at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles. LAUSD announced that schools will be closed due to the Coronavirus. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 44 Students leave John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles at the end of the school day on Friday, Mar. 13, 2020. LAUSD announced it will shut down beginning Monday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times ) 32 / 44 Alexandria Casserly crosses the street while looking for toilet paper in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 44 A crew member stands on the stern of a cruise ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 44 Two children look at movie posters in the lobby of the Arclight theater Thursday in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 44 Disneyland guests wearing ponchos pass the Marketplace inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Thursday. Disneyland and California Adventure will temporarily close in response to the coronavirus pandemic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 44 People shop at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 44 Disneyland guests take photos in front of the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 44 Airline workers take precautions at Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles on Thursday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 44 An airport worker cleans a railing at Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 44 Two people arrive at Knott’s Berry Farm on Thursday in Buena Park. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 44 Cab drivers wait for riders at the Long Beach Airport. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 42 / 44 The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 43 / 44 A woman claims her luggage at he Long Beach Airport. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 44 / 44 The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
This is not a test. This is not a drill. This is the real thing. If only it weren’t.
We are learning so much so fast about what we need to have in place when a pandemic happens, only it has happened and a lot of us weren’t prepared — or were prepared but for very different disasters, for the grab-your-most-important-papers fires and keep-your-shoes-by-your-bed earthquakes.
Advertisement
The coronavirus is requiring us to be ready in new ways — and we are trying, we’re adapting fast, but the pandemic may be spreading faster.
There are things we were supposed to have taken care of earlier for that long-expected guest that we’ve always called the Big One: stocking up on the basics — the water, the toilet paper, the batteries, the canned goods.
But even those of us who took the time out to put together great earthquake kits probably didn’t include disinfectant spray. Even those of us who love disaster movies in which our world hurtles toward apocalypse probably didn’t think in real life we’d ever need to be ready in an instant with bleach wipes and gloves.
We also maybe didn’t quite imagine a new kind of crisis that might turn a lot of people who need us invisible.
We’re used to people running out of burning and buckled houses. We’re used to firefighters and police going door to door and finding them. We’re not used to people in need — older people, the sick, those with compromised immune systems — being commanded to stay in place behind closed doors and leaving us not knowing where they are or how to find them and help.
Some confusion ensued as people arrived to wait in line to enter the Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia as employees tell customers waiting in line that it would open doors to everyone at 9:00am, not only senior citizens. Senior citizens arrived believing doors would open earlier to older residents as some of the people were told by employees and it was reported. Some grocery outlets were offering special morning hours of shopping to accommodate older residents. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
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Some blocks and communities no doubt have done all the right things in advance: mapping out their neighbors’ homes, putting phone numbers and email addresses next to names. But all over the city now there are blocks and communities that haven’t done that prep work and, no matter how much they want to, don’t know how to check in on or offer aid to people they’ve seen around but for whom they have neither addresses nor names.
This isn’t a test. This is the real thing. And some of the things we are learning so fast feel too late.
I had the good luck the other day to see one of the elderly people I’ve been worried about as she paced down my block for her exercise. But when I tried to ask her if she was OK and if I could get her anything, I faced two problems: She told me she spoke only Armenian, and I don’t know much more than the “Ari!” that another neighbor uses to make her dog come to her. Also, the woman, who I would guess is in her 80s, was terrified to come any closer to me than about 10 feet.
Another thing we’re struggling to process now is that the way we behave as individuals can have profound consequences for our collective whole. In this new crisis we find ourselves in, the actions of one person just moving around the city touching things or getting too close to others could potentially start a chain of events that costs numerous complete strangers their health or even their lives.
This is true, too, of our hunting and gathering to make sure that we and our loved ones have what we need.
Because we didn’t all have disaster kits in place, because even if we did we didn’t have some of the specific things we now need, because no one is sure how long this will last and whether supplies will dry up, everyone is out hunting now for the same things at the same moment.
Emma Bradley, 82, left, and her husband Samuel Bradley, 86, right, both of Palmdale are walking up the ramp to catch the Metrolink in Union Sation in Los Angeles. Fewer passangers are arriving at Union Station today because of the coronavirus. Emma said the couple had been to church and they did not fear the virus. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times)
But we’re still struggling to absorb how much all that moving around might have the power to harm others.
The last time I went to the supermarket, a few days ago, I watched a man get around a two-case limit on water by having his children line up, each with two cases of 24 bottles in a cart. Set aside the questionable belief that we might have a water shortage, the “us” clearly wasn’t thinking about the “them.”
But perhaps more seriously, this man was bringing three children into a crowded place that thus grew more crowded — children who could be carrying the virus and thus exposing others to it or could get exposed in the course of their shopping and bring it home with them.
Each day, in this coronavirus crisis, we learn new things: how to manage when forced behind closed doors, how to harness our inner resources, how to slow down, how to conserve what we have, how to alleviate stress through creativity.
How to find ways to be compassionate toward others when we can’t hug them or sit by their sides or even walk into their homes.
We deserve to be proud. We have learned so much so fast that we can apply to the next time.
But we don’t have the luxury of a learning curve. The more we stumble, the more we resist our new reality, the more lives we lose, the more time we spend sequestered, the more businesses go under, the more people lose jobs and can’t afford to pay their bills or their rent.
If only this were a drill, but it’s not.