latimes--2020-06-12--Los Angeles County officials acknowledge delays in testing at nursing homes

Los Angeles County officials have acknowledged that their testing of residents and staff at nursing homes is taking too long , following a Times investigation that found it took the county health department more than a week to provide tests for employees at Norwalk Skilled Nursing & Wellness Center after a resident tested positive .
Since that resident became ill in mid-May , the home has suffered a serious outbreak of COVID-19 , with at least 43 residents and 34 employees infected , Los Angeles County data show .
At least six have died .
The situation underscores how quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and how essential early , is .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s good when there ’ s delays at all , ” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a Friday briefing .
“ I know that our team is working really hard , almost around the clock to make sure that we don ’ t continue to see delays , especially unnecessary delays , in testing at the skilled nursing facilities.
” County health officials , recognizing the threat posed by healthcare workers — who frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be infected but asymptomatic — pledged in late April to test residents and staff at all of the county ’ s nearly 400 skilled nursing facilities .
A month later , The Times found , they had managed to finish the job at only about a third of them .
As of Friday , 306 skilled nursing facilities had tested their residents and staff through their own labs , L.A. City ’ s testing program or with Public Health support , according to Dr. Prabhu Gounder , who works in the communicable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Testing at the remaining nine facilities is expected to be completed by the end of next week .
That will complete initial testing at all 315 skilled nursing facilities in the county , not including Long Beach and Pasadena — which have their own public health departments — and facilities that are licensed as part of a hospital , Gounder said .
In an interview , County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas , who last month pushed for an inspector general to oversee skilled nursing facilities , stressed the need for “ extensive and deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More must be done and it must be done with immediacy .
And frankly it has to be made the priority that it deserves to be , ” he said .
Of 15 new deaths reported Friday , Ferrer said 10 were among people residing in skilled nursing facilities .
Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis , elderly nursing home residents , who are by far the most at risk , have suffered a devastating toll .
As , COVID-19 had killed more than 2,000 residents and 64 employees of skilled nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uptick in cases as the state economy begins to reopen , the virus appears to be under control in hospitals and other healthcare settings .
But nursing homes such as the one in Norwalk , which managed to keep the bug at bay for months , are still suffering outbreaks .
Dr. David Silver , CEO of Healthcare Services , the company that oversees Norwalk Skilled Nursing and more than 70 other homes in California , acknowledged that it took “ a little more than a week ” to test staff after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if testing sooner would have limited the outbreak , he said , “ I won ’ t dispute that.
” At the end of May , Norwalk Skilled Nursing , a single-story building occupying about a city block on Imperial Highway , was among the homes county health officials had not gotten around to testing .
More than half a dozen employees , who spoke with The Times on the condition their names not be used for fear of retaliation , said the facility has suffered from a severe shortage of personal protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and forth between the “ dirty ” isolation unit meant to contain infected residents and the “ clean ” unit meant for those who weren ’ t sick yet .
The home also faced the threat of a mass walkout by a scared , exhausted staff unless they start getting hazard pay , the employees said .
As the number of infected residents climbed last month , several nursing assistants said they pleaded with the administration to start testing staff but that their bosses instead waited for the health department to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 150 each .
One employee who had been working with COVID-19 positive residents at the facility said she sought out her own test , even though she was asymptomatic .
She tested positive .
Silver said his company had been in regular contact with both state and county health officials .
When the first positive patient turned up at the Norwalk facility in mid-May , county officials informed him that “ they were the ones who take care of testing , ” Silver said .
“ They couldn ’ t do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day , ” Silver said county officials told him .
In the end , it took more than a week for the county to provide the test swabs , Silver said .
According to Public Health , department staff reached out to the Norwalk facility on May 5 , requesting information on all employees and residents so that they could be registered with the lab for testing .
An incomplete list was provided on May 13 , according to Public Health , something that can delay the process .
An updated list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was completed eight days later .
When asked about the delay , the department said that it had offered to support facilities that were not able to do testing on their own and that at that time there were more than 200 facilities with an outbreak that needed assistance .
Scheduling facilities for testing was done in the order that facilities submitted lists , according to the department .
Teams were able to do about seven facilities a day .

Norwalk Skilled Nursing had a resident with COVID-19 in mid-May. The workers weren’t tested for more than a week, according to interviews with more than half a dozen employees.
Los Angeles County officials have acknowledged that their testing of residents and staff at nursing homes is taking too long, following a Times investigation that found it took the county health department more than a week to provide tests for employees at Norwalk Skilled Nursing & Wellness Center after a resident tested positive.
Since that resident became ill in mid-May, the home has suffered a serious outbreak of COVID-19, with at least 43 residents and 34 employees infected, Los Angeles County data show. At least six have died.
The situation underscores how quickly the coronavirus can spread in skilled nursing homes and how essential early, widespread testing is.
“I don’t think it’s good when there’s delays at all,” county Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said during a Friday briefing. “I know that our team is working really hard, almost around the clock to make sure that we don’t continue to see delays, especially unnecessary delays, in testing at the skilled nursing facilities.”
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County health officials, recognizing the threat posed by healthcare workers — who frequently work at more than one home and may be infected but asymptomatic — pledged in late April to test residents and staff at all of the county’s nearly 400 skilled nursing facilities. A month later, The Times found, they had managed to finish the job at only about a third of them.
As of Friday, 306 skilled nursing facilities had tested their residents and staff through their own labs, L.A. City’s testing program or with Public Health support, according to Dr. Prabhu Gounder, who works in the communicable disease section of the county health department
Testing at the remaining nine facilities is expected to be completed by the end of next week. That will complete initial testing at all 315 skilled nursing facilities in the county, not including Long Beach and Pasadena — which have their own public health departments — and facilities that are licensed as part of a hospital, Gounder said.
In an interview, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who last month pushed for an inspector general to oversee skilled nursing facilities, stressed the need for “extensive and deep routine testing in those environments.”
“More must be done and it must be done with immediacy. And frankly it has to be made the priority that it deserves to be,” he said.
Of 15 new deaths reported Friday, Ferrer said 10 were among people residing in skilled nursing facilities.
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Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, elderly nursing home residents, who are by far the most at risk, have suffered a devastating toll. As of Friday , COVID-19 had killed more than 2,000 residents and 64 employees of skilled nursing facilities in California.
Despite a recent uptick in cases as the state economy begins to reopen, the virus appears to be under control in hospitals and other healthcare settings. But nursing homes such as the one in Norwalk, which managed to keep the bug at bay for months, are still suffering outbreaks.
Dr. David Silver, CEO of Rockport Healthcare Services, the company that oversees Norwalk Skilled Nursing and more than 70 other homes in California, acknowledged that it took “a little more than a week” to test staff after the first resident turned up positive. Asked if testing sooner would have limited the outbreak, he said, “I won’t dispute that.”
At the end of May, Norwalk Skilled Nursing, a single-story building occupying about a city block on Imperial Highway, was among the homes county health officials had not gotten around to testing.
More than half a dozen employees, who spoke with The Times on the condition their names not be used for fear of retaliation, said the facility has suffered from a severe shortage of personal protective equipment and allowed nurse aides to move back and forth between the “dirty” isolation unit meant to contain infected residents and the “clean” unit meant for those who weren’t sick yet.
The home also faced the threat of a mass walkout by a scared, exhausted staff unless they start getting hazard pay, the employees said.
As the number of infected residents climbed last month, several nursing assistants said they pleaded with the administration to start testing staff but that their bosses instead waited for the health department to provide test kits, which cost an estimated $150 each.
One employee who had been working with COVID-19 positive residents at the facility said she sought out her own test, even though she was asymptomatic. She tested positive.
Silver said his company had been in regular contact with both state and county health officials. When the first positive patient turned up at the Norwalk facility in mid-May, county officials informed him that “they were the ones who take care of testing,” Silver said.
“They couldn’t do it that day, but they would find a day,” Silver said county officials told him. In the end, it took more than a week for the county to provide the test swabs, Silver said.
According to Public Health, department staff reached out to the Norwalk facility on May 5, requesting information on all employees and residents so that they could be registered with the lab for testing.
An incomplete list was provided on May 13, according to Public Health, something that can delay the process. An updated list was provided on May 18 and testing was completed eight days later.
When asked about the delay, the department said that it had offered to support facilities that were not able to do testing on their own and that at that time there were more than 200 facilities with an outbreak that needed assistance.
Scheduling facilities for testing was done in the order that facilities submitted lists, according to the department. Teams were able to do about seven facilities a day.


latimes--2020-06-12--Torrance police identify woman who went on anti-Asian racist tirades

Torrance police identified the woman at the center of a social media storm over racist , anti-Asian tirades caught on video as Long Beach resident Lena Hernandez , 56 .
On Wednesday , Hernandez berated two people in separate incidents at Charles H. Wilson Park in Torrance , police said , with Twitter video clips going viral Wednesday and Thursday .
Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey described the scenes on social media as “ nauseating to absolutely anybody in our community , ” in a city that he said is between 30 % to 40 % Asian or Pacific Islander and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first incident to reach social media involved the woman now identified as Hernandez harassing a younger woman exercising at a set of stairs at Wilson Park .
In the second racist outburst , she berated an Asian man in his car with two of his children present .
Torrance police also indicated that they are investigating Hernandez in connection with another incident in October at the Del Amo Fashion Center .
Torrance Police Chief Eve Berg said her department became aware of the racist incidents through social media Wednesday and worked first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who identified herself to The Times as Sherry , was working out when she nearly bumped into the woman , who launched into a tirade .
The woman threatened violence before telling Sherry to “ get … out of this world , get … out of this state and go back to whatever … Asian country you belong.
” “ Once we were able to identify the victim , a crime report was taken , ” Berg said .
“ While our detectives were working on this incident we became aware of another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter and , in fact , that same day while he was out with his family at Wilson Park .
“ A crime report was taken in that incident shortly after it occurred.
” Later in the day , the same woman was recorded on video verbally assaulting an Asian man who had parked near her at Wilson Park .
Sgt .
Ron Salary of the Torrance Police Department said the amount of time between the incidents was unknown .
In the video , the woman says , “ You know what , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while glancing at the man ’ s vehicle , where his two children are sitting .
The unidentified man responds , “ I am home , ” before the woman tells him to stop playing games .
The woman is then heard using a profanity and threatening to kill the man , who turns his camera to record the woman ’ s license plate before she refers to him as a “ Chinaman , ” speaking to him in gibberish and complaining that his vehicle was parked too close to her Honda .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman calmly , “ Get educated ” and “ Respect.
” Berg added that she believes Hernandez was part of an earlier altercation in October in which a custodian at the Del Amo Fashion Center was verbally assaulted and that Hernandez was also responsible for “ physically assaulting another individual who was acting as a good Samaritan when they attempted to intervene.
” “ We believe that that suspect is responsible for all three of these incidents , ” Berg said .
“ That victim too has been contacted by detectives in regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been searching for the Long Beach resident but have not found her .
Berg is asking the community to call Torrance police at ( 310 ) 328-3456 with information on Hernandez ’ s location or any other people who may have been attacked .
As for the charges , Berg said , she ’ s waiting to hear from City Hall .
“ So that ’ s what we ’ re leaving up to our city attorney ’ s office , ” she said .
“ The case is being presented to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we speak.
” Over the last two days , the Police Department has faced criticism from residents and outsiders alike for its perceived lack of movement in this case , something Berg pushed back at .
“ The reason why we haven ’ t held a press conference or put out any information on this matter is because we didn ’ t want to compromise the integrity of this investigation , ” she said .
“ We wanted to make sure we had positive identification from all the victims with this suspect.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear whether Hernandez has a mental illness but that “ we are looking into that aspect.
” Berg could not confirm whether Hernandez was the same individual who had a restraining order filed against her in 2018 by her mother .

Sherry, 38, of Torrance, center, acknowledges supporters at the conclusion of a rally and workout called “We Sweat With You” at Charles H. Wilson Park in Torrance, where a woman made racist, anti-Asian comments to her as she was exercising in the park.
Torrance police identified the woman at the center of a social media storm over racist, anti-Asian tirades caught on video as Long Beach resident Lena Hernandez, 56.
On Wednesday, Hernandez berated two people in separate incidents at Charles H. Wilson Park in Torrance, police said, with Twitter video clips going viral Wednesday and Thursday.
Torrance Mayor Patrick Furey described the scenes on social media as “nauseating to absolutely anybody in our community,” in a city that he said is between 30% to 40% Asian or Pacific Islander and where 80 languages are spoken.
The first incident to reach social media involved the woman now identified as Hernandez harassing a younger woman exercising at a set of stairs at Wilson Park. In the second racist outburst, she berated an Asian man in his car with two of his children present.
Torrance police also indicated that they are investigating Hernandez in connection with another incident in October at the Del Amo Fashion Center.
Torrance Police Chief Eve Berg said her department became aware of the racist incidents through social media Wednesday and worked first to identify the victims.
The first, who identified herself to The Times as Sherry, was working out when she nearly bumped into the woman, who launched into a tirade.
The woman threatened violence before telling Sherry to “get … out of this world, get … out of this state and go back to whatever … Asian country you belong.”
“Once we were able to identify the victim, a crime report was taken,” Berg said. “While our detectives were working on this incident we became aware of another person who was victimized in the same matter and, in fact, that same day while he was out with his family at Wilson Park.
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“A crime report was taken in that incident shortly after it occurred.”
Later in the day, the same woman was recorded on video verbally assaulting an Asian man who had parked near her at Wilson Park. Sgt. Ron Salary of the Torrance Police Department said the amount of time between the incidents was unknown.
In the video, the woman says, “You know what, you need to go home,” while glancing at the man’s vehicle, where his two children are sitting.
The unidentified man responds, “I am home,” before the woman tells him to stop playing games.
The woman is then heard using a profanity and threatening to kill the man, who turns his camera to record the woman’s license plate before she refers to him as a “Chinaman,” speaking to him in gibberish and complaining that his vehicle was parked too close to her Honda.
The man continues to repeat to the woman calmly, “Get educated” and “Respect.”
Our friend and attorney just sent us this video of a very racist and extremely disturbed old lady going off on him while his kids are in the car.... pic.twitter.com/DvkE7oKL5s — brendon mcnerney (@brendonmcnerney) June 11, 2020
Berg added that she believes Hernandez was part of an earlier altercation in October in which a custodian at the Del Amo Fashion Center was verbally assaulted and that Hernandez was also responsible for “physically assaulting another individual who was acting as a good Samaritan when they attempted to intervene.”
“We believe that that suspect is responsible for all three of these incidents,” Berg said. “That victim too has been contacted by detectives in regard to this matter.”
Berg said detectives have been searching for the Long Beach resident but have not found her. Berg is asking the community to call Torrance police at (310) 328-3456 with information on Hernandez’s location or any other people who may have been attacked.
As for the charges, Berg said, she’s waiting to hear from City Hall.
“So that’s what we’re leaving up to our city attorney’s office,” she said. “The case is being presented to our city attorney’s office actually as we speak.”
Over the last two days, the Police Department has faced criticism from residents and outsiders alike for its perceived lack of movement in this case, something Berg pushed back at.
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“The reason why we haven’t held a press conference or put out any information on this matter is because we didn’t want to compromise the integrity of this investigation,” she said. “We wanted to make sure we had positive identification from all the victims with this suspect.”
Berg also said that it was unclear whether Hernandez has a mental illness but that “we are looking into that aspect.”
Berg could not confirm whether Hernandez was the same individual who had a restraining order filed against her in 2018 by her mother.


latimes--2020-06-12--Nail salons, tattoo shops and massage therapists can reopen next week in some California counties

Nail salons , tattoo shops and massage therapists in California will be permitted to reopen in a week as the state continues to ease stay-at-home restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus , state officials announced Friday .
Each county will have to greenlight the businesses to open within its jurisdiction , and the establishments will be required to follow detailed guidelines issued by the state .
The guidelines , issued Friday , dictate details including the flow of people in and out of the establishments and the way in which pedicure bowls are disinfected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guidelines and the date that salons and parlors can start to reopen is intended to give businesses time to prepare and local officials an opportunity “ to look at their data and determine if in the global move to reopen , whether it ’ s the right timing to have an additional sector come back into their communities , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s secretary of Health and Human Services , said Friday .
The move came as the state reported two consecutive single-day increases in coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,644 Friday .
Los Angeles County , which remains California ’ s leading virus hot spot , recorded 1,848 new cases Thursday , which was also a single-day high , and 1,575 cases Friday .
But experts say overall case counts are not necessarily a measure of how the state is faring in its fight against the coronavirus .
Increased testing can drive up the number of cases as more infections are identified among those who are not seriously ill. “ We ’ ve ramped up testing in an extraordinary way , nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August — not June , not July , but August — of getting to 60,000 to 80,000 tests a day , ” Ghaly said .
“ We ’ re already knocking on that door , averaging in the mid- to high 50s over the past few days across the state.
” Instead , officials are closely monitoring two metrics : the positivity rate , which is the proportion of people who have tested positive out of all those who have been tested , and the daily number of hospitalizations .
A rise in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community transmission that ’ s taking place separately from increased testing .
A rise in the latter could mean that more people are becoming seriously ill , possibly jeopardizing the ability of the healthcare system to deal with the influx in patients .
So far , California ’ s positivity rate has continued to trend downward , and hospitalizations have remained within the range of stability , Ghaly said Friday .
L.A. County has seen similar trends , with slight declines in both the positivity rate and number of hospitalizations , Barbara Ferrer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
“ Certainly as we test more , we see more cases , ” Ghaly said .
“ That does not necessarily mean that they turn into more hospitalizations.
” He said that the stepped-up testing , combined with enhanced contact tracing efforts , is enabling the state and counties “ to contain and suppress disease transmission like we couldn ’ t before the stay-at-home order and even during the stay-at-home order.
” “ Together , all these things really point to the fact that although we ’ re identifying more cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we thought we would be with COVID-19 in California , ” Ghaly said .
“ We closed down to prepare , we created the awareness among those in our communities , and we ’ re starting to begin the reopening — bringing back the economy , bringing back that vital social and economic presence in our communities — while we still stay vigilant and watchful over the movement of COVID-19 so we can stay in front of it as much as we can.
” Though many nail salon employees say they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one huge hurdle remains for many of them : face masks .
In some counties in California , officials are not requiring people to cover their faces when out in public .
“ Nail salon owners in a county that does not require face coverings for clients are now put in a predicament to ask customers to wear those coverings when they come in for services .
It ’ s a way to protect both the customer and the worker .
That ’ s one of the safety measures we need in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nguyen , president of Advance Beauty College , which has locations in Laguna Hills and Garden Grove .
“ We are not in a position to enforce .
That ’ s unfair to the small business owners .
“ The million-dollar question becomes : Do you lose your business walking out the door to a competitor down the street — or do you welcome the client and risk your health , along with your staff ?
” Nguyen and supporters launched Nailing It for America , an all-volunteer initiative that in recent months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of personal protective equipment and 52,000 restaurant meals to healthcare workers and others fighting COVID-19 .
He says safety remains the top priority , “ no matter where you ’ re operating .
For counties with mask regulations , more power to them .
Their salons should be able to reopen with less of a burden.
” But in Orange County , where his network is based , officials on Thursday announced a sudden change in health orders after weeks of arguments over the use of face coverings .
Masks , previously required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings , said Dr. Clayton Chau , the county ’ s Health Care Agency director .
“ This does not diminish the importance of face coverings , ” Chau said .
“ I stand with public health experts and believe wearing cloth face coverings helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and save lives .
“ By being consistent with the state , this will give our business community and individuals the ability to make the most appropriate decision for them and their situation .
”

Nail salons, tattoo shops and massage therapists in California will be permitted to reopen in a week as the state continues to ease stay-at-home restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus, state officials announced Friday.
Each county will have to greenlight the businesses to open within its jurisdiction, and the establishments will be required to follow detailed guidelines issued by the state. The guidelines, issued Friday, dictate details including the flow of people in and out of the establishments and the way in which pedicure bowls are disinfected.
The weeklong delay between the issuance of the guidelines and the date that salons and parlors can start to reopen is intended to give businesses time to prepare and local officials an opportunity “to look at their data and determine if in the global move to reopen, whether it’s the right timing to have an additional sector come back into their communities,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Services, said Friday.
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The move came as the state reported two consecutive single-day increases in coronavirus cases, logging 3,620 new cases Thursday and 3,644 Friday. Los Angeles County, which remains California’s leading virus hot spot, recorded 1,848 new cases Thursday, which was also a single-day high, and 1,575 cases Friday.
But experts say overall case counts are not necessarily a measure of how the state is faring in its fight against the coronavirus. Increased testing can drive up the number of cases as more infections are identified among those who are not seriously ill.
“We’ve ramped up testing in an extraordinary way, nearly hitting our goal that was set for August — not June, not July, but August — of getting to 60,000 to 80,000 tests a day,” Ghaly said. “We’re already knocking on that door, averaging in the mid- to high 50s over the past few days across the state.”
Instead, officials are closely monitoring two metrics: the positivity rate, which is the proportion of people who have tested positive out of all those who have been tested, and the daily number of hospitalizations. A rise in the former could indicate an uptick in community transmission that’s taking place separately from increased testing. A rise in the latter could mean that more people are becoming seriously ill, possibly jeopardizing the ability of the healthcare system to deal with the influx in patients.
So far, California’s positivity rate has continued to trend downward, and hospitalizations have remained within the range of stability, Ghaly said Friday.
L.A. County has seen similar trends, with slight declines in both the positivity rate and number of hospitalizations, Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, said Friday.
“Certainly as we test more, we see more cases,” Ghaly said. “That does not necessarily mean that they turn into more hospitalizations.”
Advertisement
He said that the stepped-up testing, combined with enhanced contact tracing efforts, is enabling the state and counties “to contain and suppress disease transmission like we couldn’t before the stay-at-home order and even during the stay-at-home order.”
“Together, all these things really point to the fact that although we’re identifying more cases, we’re very much where we thought we would be with COVID-19 in California,” Ghaly said.
“We closed down to prepare, we created the awareness among those in our communities, and we’re starting to begin the reopening — bringing back the economy, bringing back that vital social and economic presence in our communities — while we still stay vigilant and watchful over the movement of COVID-19 so we can stay in front of it as much as we can.”
Though many nail salon employees say they will be thrilled to get back to work, one huge hurdle remains for many of them: face masks. In some counties in California, officials are not requiring people to cover their faces when out in public.
“Nail salon owners in a county that does not require face coverings for clients are now put in a predicament to ask customers to wear those coverings when they come in for services. It’s a way to protect both the customer and the worker. That’s one of the safety measures we need in place when we reopen,” said Tam Nguyen, president of Advance Beauty College, which has locations in Laguna Hills and Garden Grove. “We are not in a position to enforce. That’s unfair to the small business owners.
“The million-dollar question becomes: Do you lose your business walking out the door to a competitor down the street — or do you welcome the client and risk your health, along with your staff?”
Nguyen and supporters launched Nailing It for America, an all-volunteer initiative that in recent months has delivered more than 1.2 million pieces of personal protective equipment and 52,000 restaurant meals to healthcare workers and others fighting COVID-19. He says safety remains the top priority, “no matter where you’re operating. For counties with mask regulations, more power to them. Their salons should be able to reopen with less of a burden.”
But in Orange County, where his network is based, officials on Thursday announced a sudden change in health orders after weeks of arguments over the use of face coverings. Masks, previously required, are now strongly recommended in public settings, said Dr. Clayton Chau, the county’s Health Care Agency director.
“This does not diminish the importance of face coverings,” Chau said. “I stand with public health experts and believe wearing cloth face coverings helps to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and save lives.
“By being consistent with the state, this will give our business community and individuals the ability to make the most appropriate decision for them and their situation.”
In Los Angeles County, Ada Trinh, who recently sold her nail salon to continue serving private clients in their homes across L.A., said she has covered her face since starting her career about 17 years ago. She now gives manicures and pedicures to celebrities and all manner of clients in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and beyond, along with working on set for movies, television shows and commercials.
During the statewide lockdown, Trinh said her phone beeped with text messages from customers trying to convince her to come back earlier. “They’re saying: ‘I’ll pay you extra if you can visit and do my nails.’
“I tell them straight: I don’t think right now is a good time. Let’s wait until the situation is better,” she said. “We really need to protect everyone,” adding that she plans to wear a face shield and a mask when returning to work later this month. Just to play it safe, she will wait an extra week after the expected nail salon reopening date of June 19 to restart her services.
“I’m always worried about fungus or pink eye so I’m very careful. This is a word-of-mouth business,” Trinh said. “I try to stay on top of it to get hired again.”


latimes--2020-06-12--Protesters demand investigation after young Black man is found hanging from tree in Palmdale

The discovery of a 24-year-old Black man hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall this week has sparked alarm in the Antelope Valley as investigators try to determine whether his death was caused by suicide or if foul play was involved .
A passerby spotted the man ’ s body at 3:39 a.m. Wednesday in the 38300 block of 9th Street East , according to authorities .
Emergency personnel responded and determined that the man — identified as Robert Fuller — was dead , authorities said .
Lt. Kelly Yagerlener of the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an apparent suicide , but a decision on the cause of death is deferred pending an investigation .
A full autopsy is planned .
“ Investigators have been in contact with Mr. Fuller ’ s family and are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Fuller ’ s death , ” Palmdale officials wrote in a statement .
Fuller ’ s death has generated intense attention , especially after weeks of protests over the police killing of George Floyd .
Kim Kardashian West tweeted about the case , urging people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Community members confronted city officials at a news briefing Friday , questioning why they were quick to label Fuller ’ s death a suicide and asking whether he might have been the victim of homicide .
The residents asked whether there were cameras around the park .
The city said there were no outdoor cameras , and video recorders on a nearby traffic signal could not have captured what happened .
Some of the community members detailed examples of racism in the high desert city , including confederate flags , and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it as playing a role in Fuller ’ s death .
“ We have a history with nooses .
We don ’ t like ropes around our necks , ” said one man .
“ It was a message for the protest we had in Palmdale and Lancaster.
” City Manager J.J. Murphy acknowledged , “ Maybe we should have said it was ‘ an alleged suicide.
’ ” Then he added : “ Can I also ask that we stop talking about lynchings ?
” The audience erupted with cries of “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaffer of the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Palmdale station said homicide detectives are investigating and urged members of the public to contact the homicide bureau with any information .
“ I have doubts about what happened , ” said Marisela Barajas , who lives in Palmdale .
After the press conference , Barajas walked over and joined a crowd gathering at the tree where Fuller died .
An American flag flew nearby .
“ All alone , in front of the City Hall — it ’ s more like a statement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was a suicide , that in itself is kind of a statement.
” “ Words can ’ t describe how my family is feeling .
We grew up there in the Antelope Valley , we have so many friends , families that loved Robert , ” one wrote .
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Sheriff ’ s Department at ( 323 ) 890-5500 .

Luke Money, Matt Hamilton, Kiera Feldman

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after the body of 24-year-old Robert Fuller was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale.
The discovery of a 24-year-old Black man hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall this week has sparked alarm in the Antelope Valley as investigators try to determine whether his death was caused by suicide or if foul play was involved.
A passerby spotted the man’s body at 3:39 a.m. Wednesday in the 38300 block of 9th Street East, according to authorities. Emergency personnel responded and determined that the man — identified as Robert Fuller — was dead, authorities said.
Lt. Kelly Yagerlener of the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner’s office said the death was initially reported as an apparent suicide, but a decision on the cause of death is deferred pending an investigation. A full autopsy is planned.
“Investigators have been in contact with Mr. Fuller’s family and are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Fuller’s death,” Palmdale officials wrote in a statement.
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Fuller’s death has generated intense attention, especially after weeks of protests over the police killing of George Floyd. Kim Kardashian West tweeted about the case, urging people to sign a petition demanding a full investigation.
Community members confronted city officials at a news briefing Friday, questioning why they were quick to label Fuller’s death a suicide and asking whether he might have been the victim of homicide.
The residents asked whether there were cameras around the park. The city said there were no outdoor cameras, and video recorders on a nearby traffic signal could not have captured what happened.
Some of the community members detailed examples of racism in the high desert city, including confederate flags, and said officials should not be quick to dismiss it as playing a role in Fuller’s death.
“We have a history with nooses. We don’t like ropes around our necks,” said one man. “It was a message for the protest we had in Palmdale and Lancaster.”
City Manager J.J. Murphy acknowledged, “Maybe we should have said it was ‘an alleged suicide.’” Then he added: “Can I also ask that we stop talking about lynchings?”
The audience erupted with cries of “Hell no!”
Capt. Ron Shaffer of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Palmdale station said homicide detectives are investigating and urged members of the public to contact the homicide bureau with any information.
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“I have doubts about what happened,” said Marisela Barajas, who lives in Palmdale. After the press conference, Barajas walked over and joined a crowd gathering at the tree where Fuller died. An American flag flew nearby.
“All alone, in front of the City Hall — it’s more like a statement,” she said. “Even if it was a suicide, that in itself is kind of a statement.”
Fuller’s family has launched a GoFundMe page seeking help covering funeral expenses.
“Words can’t describe how my family is feeling. We grew up there in the Antelope Valley, we have so many friends, families that loved Robert,” one wrote.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at (323) 890-5500.
Related: Suicide prevention and crisis counseling resources


latimes--2020-06-12--Family questions fatal shooting of Lancaster man by sheriff's deputy

A man was fatally shot by a deputy who arrived at his home in Lancaster early Thursday in response to a report of domestic violence , and his family is questioning whether the killing was justified .
Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies responded to the man ’ s home in the 600 block of West Avenue H12 shortly before 5:30 a.m .
Authorities say the man ’ s fiancee made a call to 911 and later told deputies she was assaulted by the man .
“ During the call to 911 , she never speaks to the operator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , ” Deputy James Nagao wrote in a statement .
“ For several minutes , arguing and fighting between the caller and the suspect can be heard in the background.
” Deputies attempted to detain the man , but he refused to comply with their orders and an altercation ensued .
During the scuffle , the man reached down and attempted to grab a deputy ’ s firearm , prompting another deputy to open fire , Nagao said .
The man , who was not identified by authorities , was taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead .
However , the man ’ s fiancee said her partner never tried to grab one of the deputy ’ s guns .
She told KCBS-TV Channel 2 that her fiance , whom she identified as 62-year-old Michael Thomas , told police from the front door that he had a right to refuse their entry and was attempting to turn away from them when he was shot .
“ I heard Michael say , ‘ I have a right to not let you in my house , ’ ” the fiancee told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as protests across the United States continue over police brutality and officers ’ excessive use of force , especially against Black people .
Bradley Gage , an attorney for one of Thomas ’ family members , said he has “ good evidence that the claim that Mr. Thomas was going for a gun is completely false , ” though he declined to elaborate specifically .
“ If he wasn ’ t going for a gun , and the officers are lying about that , why would they be lying ?
” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s only one logical explanation : They ’ re trying to cover it up.
” Gage said he believes Thomas ’ death “ was preventable ” and alleged it is another example of unwarranted law enforcement violence against a Black man .
“ They broke into a man ’ s home , early morning , without a warrant , without any evidence of any injuries or harm to the fiancee , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t think a white person would ’ ve had their home broken into.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Department ’ s Homicide Bureau will investigate the shooting .

A man was fatally shot by a deputy who arrived at his home in Lancaster early Thursday in response to a report of domestic violence, and his family is questioning whether the killing was justified.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies responded to the man’s home in the 600 block of West Avenue H12 shortly before 5:30 a.m. Authorities say the man’s fiancee made a call to 911 and later told deputies she was assaulted by the man.
“During the call to 911, she never speaks to the operator but rather the phone line is left open,” Deputy James Nagao wrote in a statement. “For several minutes, arguing and fighting between the caller and the suspect can be heard in the background.”
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Deputies attempted to detain the man, but he refused to comply with their orders and an altercation ensued. During the scuffle, the man reached down and attempted to grab a deputy’s firearm, prompting another deputy to open fire, Nagao said.
The man, who was not identified by authorities, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
However, the man’s fiancee said her partner never tried to grab one of the deputy’s guns. She told KCBS-TV Channel 2 that her fiance, whom she identified as 62-year-old Michael Thomas, told police from the front door that he had a right to refuse their entry and was attempting to turn away from them when he was shot.
“I heard Michael say, ‘I have a right to not let you in my house,’ ” the fiancee told the station.
The fatal shooting comes as protests across the United States continue over police brutality and officers’ excessive use of force, especially against Black people.
Bradley Gage, an attorney for one of Thomas’ family members, said he has “good evidence that the claim that Mr. Thomas was going for a gun is completely false,” though he declined to elaborate specifically.
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“If he wasn’t going for a gun, and the officers are lying about that, why would they be lying?” he said in an interview Friday. “There’s only one logical explanation: They’re trying to cover it up.”
Gage said he believes Thomas’ death “was preventable” and alleged it is another example of unwarranted law enforcement violence against a Black man.
“They broke into a man’s home, early morning, without a warrant, without any evidence of any injuries or harm to the fiancee,” he said. “I don’t think a white person would’ve had their home broken into.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau will investigate the shooting.


latimes--2020-06-13--L.A. County reports 1,568 new coronavirus cases, 58 deaths

Los Angeles County public health officials on Saturday reported 1,568 new COVID-19 cases and 58 related deaths , marking the fifth day in a row the county reported more than 1,200 new cases .
New cases have also been on the rise statewide , with California recording its highest one-day total on Thursday and then again on Friday .
L.A. County remains the site of more than half of the 5,000-plus deaths recorded by the state and nearly half of its 149,000 cases .
Some officials attribute the increase to stepped-up testing , which may have enabled healthcare providers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t seriously ill. “ The state did ask us to take a hard look at the fact that our case counts are high , ” Barbara Ferrer , the L.A. County health director , said Friday .
“ But we ’ ve been working with them , and we ’ ve shown them our data that indicates that ’ s really , at this point , a result of a lot of testing.
” Other metrics offer a clearer picture of how L.A. County and the rest of the state are faring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials say .
Those indicators include the overall percentage of people who have tested positive and the daily number of hospitalizations and intensive care cases .
“ I think it ’ s natural , that it ’ s easy to just focus on the number of new cases , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s secretary of Health and Human Services , said Friday .
“ But I think that ’ s really anchored — if you ’ re not seeing a tremendous uptick in the number of hospitalizations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s really connected , at least in California ’ s case , to an increase in testing.
” L.A. County on Saturday reported a slight increase in the rate of people testing positive for COVID-19 , which rose to 9 % after holding at 8 % since late May .
Still , the positivity rate remained lower than it was in late April , when fewer tests were being performed , and 14 % of people tested positive .
Ferrer said Friday that such an increase shouldn ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to be relaxed and more businesses reopen .
“ Should we see an increase in positivity rates , which we ’ re likely to do — that ’ s entirely possible given all of the reopenings that are happening and the ability for people to actually mingle more with each other in workplaces and in other places — if we see that increase , we ’ re going to be needing to watch that very carefully , and particularly to watch how it affects what ’ s going on in our hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coronavirus-related hospitalizations have continued to decline slightly in L.A. , but the pace has slowed since last month .
As of Saturday , there were 1,397 confirmed COVID-19 patients in county hospitals , with 30 % of them in intensive care and 21 % on ventilators .
The most recent three-day average of the daily number of hospitalized patients represented a decrease of about 3 % , according to the Public Health Department ’ s dashboard of reopening metrics .
In late May , the decrease was hovering at 15 % to 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the decline could be that most hospitals are now testing all patients who are admitted , even for elective surgery , Ferrer said Friday .
That is true throughout the state , Ghaly said .
“ Because we know there [ are ] ... people without any symptoms who can test positive , we would imagine that as the hospitals continue with this more routine testing of everybody that ’ s going to be residing in their hospital , that they too will pick up more cases of COVID-19 , ” Ferrer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ventilator supplies remain relatively stable , officials said .
Outbreaks in institutional settings continue to be a driver of L.A. County ’ s high numbers and are responsible for about 23 % of the county ’ s COVID-19 cases and more than half of the county ’ s deaths , officials said Friday .
A total of 1,502 people living in such settings have died , about 89 % of them residents of skilled nursing facilities , Ferrer said .
Deaths also took place among residents of assisted living and correctional facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in new cases came a day after more businesses were permitted to reopen in L.A. County , including gyms , day camps , museums , zoos , campgrounds and hotels for leisure travel .
Music , film and television production also was permitted to resume .
The businesses are required to follow protocols , and employees and visitors must wear face coverings .
The state also announced Friday that counties would be permitted to allow more businesses to reopen in a week .
Those include nail salons , massage studios and tattoo parlors @

The New West Charter School class of 2020 prepare to move their tassels after graduating Wednesday at Stoner Park in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County public health officials on Saturday reported 1,568 new COVID-19 cases and 58 related deaths, marking the fifth day in a row the county reported more than 1,200 new cases.
New cases have also been on the rise statewide, with California recording its highest one-day total on Thursday and then again on Friday. L.A. County remains the site of more than half of the 5,000-plus deaths recorded by the state and nearly half of its 149,000 cases.
Some officials attribute the increase to stepped-up testing, which may have enabled healthcare providers to identify infections in people who aren’t seriously ill.
“The state did ask us to take a hard look at the fact that our case counts are high,” Barbara Ferrer, the L.A. County health director, said Friday. “But we’ve been working with them, and we’ve shown them our data that indicates that’s really, at this point, a result of a lot of testing.”
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Other metrics offer a clearer picture of how L.A. County and the rest of the state are faring in the fight against the coronavirus, some officials say. Those indicators include the overall percentage of people who have tested positive and the daily number of hospitalizations and intensive care cases.
“I think it’s natural, that it’s easy to just focus on the number of new cases,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Services, said Friday. “But I think that’s really anchored — if you’re not seeing a tremendous uptick in the number of hospitalizations in the right timeline or … ICU cases, that’s really connected, at least in California’s case, to an increase in testing.”
L.A. County on Saturday reported a slight increase in the rate of people testing positive for COVID-19, which rose to 9% after holding at 8% since late May. Still, the positivity rate remained lower than it was in late April, when fewer tests were being performed, and 14% of people tested positive.
Ferrer said Friday that such an increase shouldn’t come as a surprise, as stay-at-home orders continue to be relaxed and more businesses reopen.
“Should we see an increase in positivity rates, which we’re likely to do — that’s entirely possible given all of the reopenings that are happening and the ability for people to actually mingle more with each other in workplaces and in other places — if we see that increase, we’re going to be needing to watch that very carefully, and particularly to watch how it affects what’s going on in our hospital care system,” she said.
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Coronavirus-related hospitalizations have continued to decline slightly in L.A., but the pace has slowed since last month. As of Saturday, there were 1,397 confirmed COVID-19 patients in county hospitals, with 30% of them in intensive care and 21% on ventilators.
The most recent three-day average of the daily number of hospitalized patients represented a decrease of about 3%, according to the Public Health Department’s dashboard of reopening metrics. In late May, the decrease was hovering at 15% to 16%.
One reason for the slowing of the decline could be that most hospitals are now testing all patients who are admitted, even for elective surgery, Ferrer said Friday. That is true throughout the state, Ghaly said.
“Because we know there [are] ... people without any symptoms who can test positive, we would imagine that as the hospitals continue with this more routine testing of everybody that’s going to be residing in their hospital, that they too will pick up more cases of COVID-19,” Ferrer said.
Capacity in intensive care units and ventilator supplies remain relatively stable, officials said.
Outbreaks in institutional settings continue to be a driver of L.A. County’s high numbers and are responsible for about 23% of the county’s COVID-19 cases and more than half of the county’s deaths, officials said Friday. A total of 1,502 people living in such settings have died, about 89% of them residents of skilled nursing facilities, Ferrer said. Deaths also took place among residents of assisted living and correctional facilities, she said.
That continued increase in new cases came a day after more businesses were permitted to reopen in L.A. County, including gyms, day camps, museums, zoos, campgrounds and hotels for leisure travel. Music, film and television production also was permitted to resume. The businesses are required to follow protocols, and employees and visitors must wear face coverings.
The state also announced Friday that counties would be permitted to allow more businesses to reopen in a week. Those include nail salons, massage studios and tattoo parlors.


latimes--2020-06-13--Residents evacuated from Pasadena skilled nursing facility after state suspends license

More than 60 residents were evacuated from a skilled nursing facility in Pasadena late Thursday after the state suspended the facility ’ s license because of “ ongoing and serious quality of care concerns , ” including some related to the coronavirus outbreak , officials said .
But other issues at the Golden Cross Health Care facility concerned routine patient care , said city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian .
“ They had several COVID-positive patients but they were stable , ” Derderian said “ But other concerns included elder abuse allegations that our police department is investigating , and neglect.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72 coronavirus cases among residents , and eight have died , according to the most recent data from the Pasadena Public Health Department .
In addition , 32 staffers have also contracted the virus .
Derderian said the city had identified at least 10 possible violations of state or federal laws at Golden Cross , including allegations the facility was failing to provide adequate nutrition and basic medical care to residents .
The state is expected to play a major role in investigating and possibly prosecuting the facility , she said .
Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about vulnerable patients from city officials , Derderian said .
In emails provided by the city , a fire battalion chief wrote Wednesday that he ’ d visited Golden Cross the day before and asked whether there were any patients in “ immediate jeopardy , ” and whether any had unstable vitals .
Staff told him no , the chief wrote .
On Wednesday morning , an official with the city ’ s Public Health Department visited the facility and learned that there were more than six “ immediate jeopardy ” patients , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fire official wrote that there were nine such patients .
“ We found the facility outright lied to us about the condition of some of the patients there , ” Derderian said .
A message left for an administrator of Golden Cross was not immediately returned Saturday .
The city became aware of the situation several weeks ago , when inspections indicated that Golden Cross was not abiding by coronavirus-related health officer orders issued for senior care facilities , Derderian said .
City officials immediately started working with licensing agencies and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Golden Cross failed to take corrective action , she said .
“ They had numerous opportunities to correct several issues , and these issues included the most fundamental functions of caring for these patients : sufficient nutrition and water , and basic medical needs , ” she said .
About two weeks ago , a medical assistance team with the state Emergency Medical Services Authority was sent in to help run the facility , followed by a National Guard medical team , Derderian said .
Both teams “ reported concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of improvement when the state issued multiple plans of correction , ” she said .
The situation came to a head Sunday , when Pasadena ’ s fire chief and health officer visited Golden Cross to assess the residents and “ personally saw that if we didn ’ t take action swiftly , some of these patients could decline quickly , ” Derderian said .
“ So that ’ s when we were more aggressive with our reaction with the regulatory agencies to say , ‘ We need to move these patients out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California Department of Public Health issued a temporary suspension order for Golden Cross on Wednesday , the department confirmed .
It was the first time a skilled nursing facility in the state had its license suspended since the coronavirus outbreak began , a representative said .
The department declined to provide additional information about the specific allegations that prompted the suspension .
The state also served the facility with an accusation to revoke its license to operate , Derderian said .
Golden Cross can appeal the suspension order , but it gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the meantime , she said .
The state Attorney General ’ s Office ordered that residents be evacuated Thursday , she said .
It took 12 hours to find new facilities for all 63 residents and prepare them for transfer , and more than 30 private ambulances to transport them , Derderian said .
The effort was coordinated by the city fire department , and a representative for the Department of Justice was also onsite , she said .
Though a large percentage of patients at Golden Cross had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Derderian said .
All residents have now been removed from the nursing facility , though some staff may have remained , she said .
The facility has a history of complaints stretching back over a decade .
A health inspection report from April noted more than a dozen deficiencies , including failing to obtain informed consent from residents before giving out medication , to provide appropriate ulcer care , to implement plans to prevent falls , and to properly label and store medicine .
In one instance cited in the report , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility failed to follow up with the urologist to have it removed , risking a decline in or loss of the patient ’ s bladder function , inspectors wrote .
Similar deficiencies were noted during inspections conducted in 2018 and 2017 , according to reports released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
In March 2018 , the facility was cited after a caregiver , who appeared to be drunk , threw juice at a resident ’ s face , according to an inspection report .
Authorities also cited Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators found the facility failed to treat and prevent wounds , offered poor psychotic drug practices and failed to note cases of dehydration .
An open wound on one resident was found to contain maggots , according to a report issued at the time .
In 2008 and 2010 , state officials substantiated complaints regarding issues including patient care and treatment of sores .
“ It ’ s a shame when the owners look at it as a business and have no care or compassion for these residents , ” Derderian said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ came to these residents that are under their care .
”

More than 60 residents were evacuated from a skilled nursing facility in Pasadena late Thursday after the state suspended the facility’s license because of “ongoing and serious quality of care concerns,” including some related to the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.
But other issues at the Golden Cross Health Care facility concerned routine patient care, said city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.
“They had several COVID-positive patients, but they were stable,” Derderian said. “But other concerns included elder abuse allegations that our police department is investigating and neglect.”
Golden Cross has reported a total of 72 coronavirus cases among residents, and eight have died, according to the most recent data from the Pasadena Public Health Department. In addition, 32 staffers have contracted the virus.
Derderian said the city had identified at least 10 possible violations of state or federal laws at Golden Cross, including allegations the facility was failing to provide adequate nutrition and basic medical care to residents. The state is expected to play a major role in investigating and possibly prosecuting the facility, she said.
Golden Cross administrators also attempted to conceal information about vulnerable patients from city officials, Derderian said.
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In emails provided by the city, a fire battalion chief wrote Wednesday that he’d visited Golden Cross the day before and asked whether there were any patients in “immediate jeopardy,” and whether any had unstable vitals. Staff told him no, the chief wrote.
On Wednesday morning, an official with the city’s Public Health Department visited the facility and learned that there were more than six “immediate jeopardy” patients, the emails state. Later Wednesday, a fire official wrote that there were nine such patients.
“We found the facility outright lied to us about the condition of some of the patients there,” Derderian said.
A message left for an administrator of Golden Cross was not immediately returned Saturday.
The city became aware of the situation several weeks ago, when inspections indicated that Golden Cross was not abiding by coronavirus-related health officer orders issued for senior care facilities, Derderian said.
City officials immediately started working with licensing agencies and the state to try to rectify the concerns, but Golden Cross failed to take corrective action, she said.
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“They had numerous opportunities to correct several issues, and these issues included the most fundamental functions of caring for these patients: sufficient nutrition and water, and basic medical needs,” she said.
About two weeks ago, a medical assistance team with the state Emergency Medical Services Authority was sent in to help run the facility, followed by a National Guard medical team, Derderian said. Both teams “reported concerns about the poor quality of care and lack of improvement when the state issued multiple plans of correction,” she said.
The situation came to a head on May 7, when Pasadena’s fire chief and health officer visited Golden Cross to assess the residents and “personally saw that if we didn’t take action swiftly, some of these patients could decline quickly,” Derderian said.
“So that’s when we were more aggressive with our reaction with the regulatory agencies to say, ‘We need to move these patients out,’” she said.
The California Department of Public Health issued a temporary suspension order for Golden Cross on Wednesday, the department confirmed. It was the first time a skilled nursing facility in the state had its license suspended since the coronavirus outbreak began, a representative said.
The department declined to provide additional information about the specific allegations that prompted the suspension.
The state also served the facility with an accusation to revoke its license to operate, Derderian said. Golden Cross can appeal the suspension order, but it gave the state the authority to depopulate the facility in the meantime, she said.
The state attorney general’s office ordered that residents be evacuated Thursday, she said.
It took 12 hours to find new facilities for all 63 residents and prepare them for transfer, and more than 30 private ambulances to transport them, Derderian said. The effort was coordinated by the city fire department, and a representative for the Department of Justice was also onsite, she said.
Though a large percentage of patients at Golden Cross had tested positive for the coronavirus, none required hospitalization, Derderian said.
All residents have now been removed from the nursing facility, though some staff may have remained, she said.
The facility has a history of complaints stretching back over a decade.
A health inspection report from April noted more than a dozen deficiencies, including failing to obtain informed consent from residents before giving out medication, to provide appropriate ulcer care, to implement plans to prevent falls, and to properly label and store medicine.
In one instance cited in the report, a resident had a catheter inserted, and the facility failed to follow up with the urologist to have it removed, risking a decline in or loss of the patient’s bladder function, inspectors wrote.
Similar deficiencies were noted during inspections conducted in 2018 and 2017, according to reports released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In March 2018, the facility was cited after a caregiver, who appeared to be drunk, threw juice at a resident’s face, according to an inspection report.
Authorities also cited Golden Cross Health Care in 2012 after state investigators found the facility failed to treat and prevent wounds, offered poor psychotic drug practices and failed to note cases of dehydration. An open wound on one resident was found to contain maggots, according to a report issued at the time.
In 2008 and 2010, state officials substantiated complaints regarding issues including patient care and treatment of sores.
“It’s a shame when the owners look at it as a business and have no care or compassion for these residents,” Derderian said. “They were basically heartless when it came to these residents that are under their care.”


latimes--2020-06-13--State Attorney General asked to investigate death of a Black man found hanging from a tree in Palmda

State Attorney General asked to investigate death of a Black man found hanging from a tree in Palmdale

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger on Saturday formally requested that State Attorney General Xavier Becerra conduct an independent investigation into the death of a young Black man who was found earlier this week hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall .
The attorney general “ will lend additional expertise and oversight into this important investigation and provide the community with the answers they deserve , ” Barger said in a statement .
“ It is my hope that our collective efforts will help to support those struggling and grieving surrounding the circumstances of this tragedy.
” Thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mourn the death of 24-year-old Robert Fuller , whose death has sparked alarm in the Antelope Valley as investigators try to determine whether it was a suicide or if foul play was involved .
Authorities initially said they suspected it was a suicide , but then backed off that statement and ordered an autopsy .
His body was found hanging from a tree near City Hall early Wednesday .
Many of the people at Saturday ’ s memorial expressed anger and frustration at Fuller ’ s death and what they see as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suicide .
On Friday , Lt. Kelly Yagerlener of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ s office said a decision on the cause of Fuller ’ s death has been deferred pending an investigation .
A full autopsy is planned .
“ They suspect suicide ?
” one woman in the crowd said Saturday .
“ How can they say that ?
I can say I suspect a lynching.
” “ I believe the family deserves the benefit of the doubt .
Not the coroner ’ s office , ” said one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask the district attorney to investigate the death .
Diamond Alexander , Fuller ’ s sister , addressed the growing multiethnic crowd in the courtyard behind Palmdale ’ s City Hall .
“ We want to find out the truth on what really happened , ” an emotional Alexander said .
“ Everything they told us is not right .
We just want the truth .
My brother was not suicidal .
He was a survivor .
He was street smart.
” Another speaker , Pharoah Mitchell , called on the small green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park .
Activist Najee Ali then led the crowd , which by noon had swelled to about 2,000 , on a half-mile march down the center of Sierra Highway to the Palmdale Sheriff ’ s Station , where he first took a knee for a moment of silence before pounding on the glass doors of the building demanding to speak with an officer .
A dozen deputies in riot helmets stood tightly bunched on the other side of the tinted glass as a sheriff ’ s department helicopter circled overhead .
After a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the watch commander , came out a side door to address the crowd and take questions .
Fuller ’ s death is still being investigated by homicide detectives , Ballentine said , though he had no updates .
The lieutenant said he , personally , would have no problem with an independent probe , which Ali intends to call for on Monday .
But Ballentine said that was not his call .
After he spoke , the marchers returned to City Hall in a peaceful march .
Fuller ’ s death has generated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Kim Kardashian West tweeted about the case , urging people to sign a petition demanding a full investigation .
Community members confronted city officials at a news briefing Friday , questioning why they were quick to label Fuller ’ s death a suicide and asking whether he might have been a homicide victim .
The residents asked whether there were cameras around the park .
The city said there were no outdoor cameras , and video recorders on a nearby traffic signal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some of the community members detailed examples of racism in the high desert city , including Confederate flags , and said officials should not be quick to dismiss it as playing a role in Fuller ’ s death .
“ We have a history with nooses .
We don ’ t like ropes around our necks , ” said one man .
“ It was a message for the protest we had in Palmdale and Lancaster.
” City Manager J.J. Murphy acknowledged , “ Maybe we should have said it was ‘ an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Can I also ask that we stop talking about lynchings ?
” The audience erupted with cries of “ Hell no !
” “ I have doubts about what happened , ” said Marisela Barajas , who lives in Palmdale .
After the news conference , Barajas walked over and joined a crowd gathering at the tree where Fuller ‘ s body was found .
An American flag flew nearby .
“ All alone , in front of the City Hall — it ’ s more like a statement , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a suicide , that in itself is kind of a statement.
” Palmdale officials said they support an independent investigation of the case .
`` `` The city of Palmdale is joining the family [ of Robert Fuller ] and the community ’ s call for justice , and we do support a full investigation into his death , ” Palmdale Public Information Officer John Mlynar said .
`` We will settle for nothing less than a thorough accounting of this matter.
” On Saturday , several marches were scheduled throughout Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of Floyd ’ s death .
More than a hundred congregants and friends of the Cochran Avenue Baptist Church marched through Mid-Wilshire protesting the treatment of Black people across the country .
At one point Pastor Charles Johnson asked the marchers to take a knee .
He then lead them in prayer .
“ We pray for a public witness to all the injustice that ’ s in our community , ” he proclaimed .
The marchers headed along San Vicente Boulevard winding through residential streets with a stop in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were heading to the La Brea Tar Pits .
Antoinette Jordan , 50 , marched alongside her boyfriend , Quinn .
Jordan attends the church and said it was her third protest march .
Throughout these protests she ’ s been thinking of her adult sons who are medical caregivers .
The last few months have been hard for them .
“ You got COVID you got ta worry about and then you got ta worry about being a Black man , ” she said .
These demonstrations “ help give people a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I learned : The louder you sing , the more audible you are , the better your message comes across.
” Outside the largest jail in Los Angeles County , doctors and medical workers donned their white jackets and took to the streets in downtown on Saturday to protest the treatment of black people across America .
They drew a direct connection between the racial inequities in healthcare with the danger Black people face in jails and on the street .
Chants of “ care not cages ” and “ defund the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozen sheriff ’ s deputies looked on .
“ We coming for your budget !
” one speaker yelled .
“ We coming for your pensions !
” In the crowd , medical workers spoke about how they have been held up as heroes during the coronavirus pandemic .
It lead many of them to believe that they should use their platform to speak up about how deadly mass incarceration has been to communities of color .
Sapan Thakur , a physical therapist in Pomona , wore a shirt with former NFL quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his white jacket .
He said the last several weeks have been an awakening for him about the importance of speaking up .
“ I was on the sidelines .
I was paying attention but being silent makes you complicit , ” he said .
“ If I can come out on a day off it ’ s something.
” Some protesters spoke about how challenging it was for their patients to get satisfactory healthcare and felt that more money should be devoted to programs that house people , educated them and keeps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just here to do no harm , but to stop harm where it ’ s happening , ” said demonstrator Mark-Anthony Clayton-Johnson .

Kevin Baxter, Benjamin Oreskes, Luke Money, Matt Hamilton, Kiera Feldman

Demonstrators gather at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station on Saturday to demand justice for the death of Robert Fuller. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators gather at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station on Saturday to demand justice for the death of Robert Fuller. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Diamond Alexander, center, sister of Robert Fuller, pleads for justice for her brother as hundreds of gathered in Palmdale on Saturday to mourn his death. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Demonstrators gather at the L.A. County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station on Saturday to demand justice for the death of Robert Fuller. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters gather in a park at Palmdale City Hall on Saturday to mourn the death of a young Black man, Robert Fuller. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Paris Draper, left, leads chants for justice at a protest in Palmdale on Saturday over the death of a young Black man, Robert Fuller. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger on Saturday formally requested that California’s attorney general conduct an independent investigation into the death of a young Black man who was found this week hanging from a tree near Palmdale City Hall.
Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra “will lend additional expertise and oversight into this important investigation and provide the community with the answers they deserve,” Barger said in a statement. “It is my hope that our collective efforts will help to support those struggling and grieving surrounding the circumstances of this tragedy.”
Thousands of protesters gathered in Palmdale on Saturday to mourn 24-year-old Robert Fuller, whose death has sparked alarm in the Antelope Valley as investigators try to determine whether it was a suicide or if foul play was involved.
Authorities initially said they suspected it was a suicide, but then backed off that statement and ordered an autopsy. His body was found hanging from a tree near City Hall early Wednesday.
Many of the people at Saturday’s memorial expressed anger and frustration at Fuller’s death and what they see as a rush by authorities to label it a suicide. On Friday, Lt. Kelly Yagerlener of the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner’s office said a decision on the cause of Fuller’s death has been deferred pending an investigation. A full autopsy is planned.
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“They suspect suicide?” one woman in the crowd said Saturday. “How can they say that? I can say I suspect a lynching.”
“I believe the family deserves the benefit of the doubt. Not the coroner’s office,” said one man, who said he planned to ask the district attorney to investigate the death.
Diamond Alexander, Fuller’s sister, addressed the growing multiethnic crowd in the courtyard behind Palmdale’s City Hall.
Robert Fuller was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale this week. (Courtesy Tommie Anderson)
“We want to find out the truth on what really happened,” Alexander said. “Everything they told us is not right. We just want the truth. My brother was not suicidal. He was a survivor. He was street smart.”
Another speaker, Pharaoh Mitchell, called on the small green space to be renamed Robert Fuller Memorial Park.
Activist Najee Ali then led the crowd, which by noon had swelled to about 2,000, on a half-mile march down the center of Sierra Highway to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, where he first took a knee for a moment of silence before pounding on the glass doors of the building, demanding to speak with an officer.
A dozen deputies in riot helmets stood tightly bunched on the other side of the tinted glass as a Sheriff’s Department helicopter circled overhead. After half an hour, Lt. Derrick Ballentine, the watch commander, came out a side door to address the crowd and take questions.
Fuller’s death is still being investigated by homicide detectives, Ballentine said, adding that he had no updates. The lieutenant said he, personally, would have no problem with an independent probe, which Ali intends to call for on Monday.
But Ballentine said that was not his call. After he spoke, the marchers returned to City Hall in a peaceful march.
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California California’s black lawmakers urge support for bills to address systemic inequality The California Legislative Black Caucus reflected on the death of George Floyd and urged the passage of several bills intended to address inequality in the state.
Fuller’s death has generated intense attention, especially after weeks of protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Kim Kardashian West tweeted about the case, urging people to sign a petition demanding a full investigation.
Community members confronted city officials at a news briefing Friday, questioning why they were quick to label Fuller’s death a suicide and asking whether he might have been a homicide victim.
The residents asked whether there were cameras around the park. The city said there were no outdoor cameras, and video recorders on a nearby traffic signal could not have captured what happened.
Some community members detailed examples of racism in the high desert city, including Confederate flags, and said officials should not be quick to dismiss it as playing a role in Fuller’s death.
“We have a history with nooses. We don’t like ropes around our necks,” said one man. “It was a message for the protest we had in Palmdale and Lancaster.”
City Manager J.J. Murphy acknowledged, “Maybe we should have said it was ‘an alleged suicide.’” Then he added: “Can I also ask that we stop talking about lynchings?”
World & Nation Atlanta police chief resigns, officer fired after fatal shooting of Black man A Black man was shot and killed by police Friday outside a fast-food restaurant in Atlanta. Authorities say he resisted being taken into custody. The officer who shot him is fired and another officer is placed on administrative leave.
The audience erupted with cries of “Hell no!”
“I have doubts about what happened,” said Marisela Barajas, who lives in Palmdale. After the news conference, Barajas walked over and joined a crowd gathering at the tree where Fuller‘s body was found. An American flag flew nearby.
“All alone, in front of the City Hall — it’s more like a statement,” she said. “Even if it was a suicide, that in itself is kind of a statement.”
Palmdale officials said they support an independent investigation of the case.
“The city of Palmdale is joining the family [of Robert Fuller] and the community’s call for justice, and we do support a full investigation into his death,” Palmdale Public Information Officer John Mlynar said. We will settle for nothing less than a thorough accounting of this matter.”
The Antelope Valley has a substantial Black population. There have been repeated allegations of racist policies, including a U.S. Justice Department finding that officials worked to drive Black people out of public housing.
Five years ago, the Los Angeles County Housing Authority agreed to pay $2 million to victims of alleged discrimination, and some families who lost their housing assistance will have the chance to get it back.
At the same time, the Sheriff’s Department agreed to pay $700,000 and implement policies aimed at preventing racial bias. The Justice Department launched an investigation in 2011 into allegations that people of color — particularly Black people — living in federally subsidized housing in Lancaster and Palmdale were being harassed and discriminated against by sheriff’s deputies and county housing agency officials.
More recently, allegation of racism roiled a local school district.
On Saturday, several marches were scheduled throughout Los Angeles County to decry police brutality in the wake of Floyd’s death.
More than a hundred congregants and friends of the Cochran Avenue Baptist Church marched through Mid-Wilshire protesting the treatment of Black people across the country.
At one point, Pastor Charles Johnson asked the marchers to take a knee. He then led them in prayer.
“We pray for a public witness to all the injustice that’s in our community,” he said.
The marchers headed along San Vicente Boulevard winding through residential streets with a stop in a neighborhood known as Little Ethiopia. They were heading to the La Brea Tar Pits.
Antoinette Jordan, 50, marched alongside her boyfriend, Quinn. Jordan attends the church and said it was her third protest march.
Throughout these protests she’s been thinking of her adult sons who are medical caregivers. The last few months have been hard for them.
California Torrance police identify woman who went on anti-Asian racist tirades Torrance police identified the woman at the center of a social media storm over racist, anti-Asian tirades caught on video as Long Beach resident Lena Hernandez, 56.
“You got COVID you gotta worry about, and then you gotta worry about being a Black man,” she said.
These demonstrations “help give people a voice,” she said, “I learned: The louder you sing, the more audible you are, the better your message comes across.”
Outside the largest jail in Los Angeles County, doctors and medical workers donned their white jackets and took to the streets in downtown on Saturday to protest the treatment of black people across America. They drew a direct connection between the racial inequities in healthcare with the danger Black people face in jails and on the street.
Chants of “care, not cages” and “defund the sheriff” rang through the air as two dozen sheriff’s deputies looked on.
“We coming for your budget!” one speaker yelled. “We coming for your pensions!”
In the crowd, medical workers spoke about how they have been held up as heroes during the coronavirus pandemic. It lead many of them to believe that they should use their platform to speak up about how deadly mass incarceration has been to communities of color.
Sapan Thakur, a physical therapist in Pomona, wore a shirt with former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick emblazoned on the front under his white jacket. He said the last several weeks have been an awakening for him about the importance of speaking up.
“I was on the sidelines. I was paying attention, but being silent makes you complicit,” he said. “If I can come out on a day off, it’s something.”
Some protesters spoke about how challenging it was for their patients to get satisfactory healthcare and felt that more money should be devoted to programs that house people, educated them and keeps them healthy.
“We’re not just here to do no harm, but to stop harm where it’s happening,” said demonstrator Mark-Anthony Clayton-Johnson.
City News Service contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-13--Magnitude 3.1 earthquake strikes near Ridgecrest

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake was reported at 11:45 p.m. Friday 15 miles from Ridgecrest , Calif. , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred 43 miles from California City , 65 miles from Tehachapi , 68 miles from Bakersfield and 71 miles from Porterville .
In the past 10 days , there have been 15 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred at a depth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning more about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked questions .

A magnitude 3.1 earthquake was reported at 11:45 p.m. Friday 15 miles from Ridgecrest, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 43 miles from California City, 65 miles from Tehachapi, 68 miles from Bakersfield and 71 miles from Porterville.
In the past 10 days, there have been 15 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
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An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 1.8 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.