latimes--2020-05-22--Los Angeles faces federal concern over coronavirus' spread, criticism for restrictions

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sought to fend off criticism from federal officials Friday over his handling of coronavirus stay-at-home orders , even as he announced the lifting of various restrictions over this Memorial Day weekend .
Earlier in the day , the White House ’ s coronavirus response coordinator singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern as the holiday weekend posed another test of whether coronavirus can be slowed even with loosened stay-at-home rules .
Then , the U.S. Department of Justice sent a warning letter to the mayor saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach ” to stay-at-home orders .
Eric S. Dreiband , assistant attorney general for the department ’ s Civil Rights Division , pointed to what he said were public comments by Garcetti and Barbara Ferrer , Los Angeles County ’ s director of public health , suggesting that stay-at-home orders could be extended several months .
“ Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the city and county of Los Angeles , regardless of the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
“ Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful.
” Garcetti responded at an evening press conference , saying , “ Look , we ’ re not guided by politics in this , we are guided by science .
We are guided by collaboration .
So talking to industry and talking to business owners and talking to employees and labor groups together with science , the numbers will always guide us forward , there is nothing else.
” Garcetti said there were “ no games ” being played with health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this and save lives .
Now its time for us to test things moving forward and I think the proof ’ s in the pudding .
We ’ ve been doing that , we ’ ve been doing it safely and we will monitor those numbers because people ’ s lives are at stake.
” Los Angeles-area health restrictions were also mentioned by White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx Friday .
After giving a mostly upbeat assessment of the nation ’ s progress , Birx said the Los Angeles metropolitan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is continuing to see a high number of new cases reported each day .
Washington , D.C. , and Chicago also remain hot spots of the virus , she said .
“ Even though Washington has remained closed , L.A. has remained closed , Chicago has remained closed , we still see these ongoing cases , ” she said .
Birx asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with those areas “ to really understand where are these new cases coming from , and what do we need to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti responded by saying the city had shown “ very steady progress ” against the disease .
“ We ’ ve got the capacity , the ventilators , the beds available , ” Garcetti said .
“ We ’ ve seen a plateau and we share that data publicly with everybody about the seven-day average .
It ’ s holding where it is , which is dramatically different than where it was a month and a half , let alone two months ago.
” Los Angeles County is the epicenter of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 % of the state ’ s total deaths and almost half of more than 90,000 confirmed infections .
Public health officials on Friday announced 1,072 new cases of the coronavirus and 35 related deaths , bringing the county ’ s total to 43,070 cases and 2,051 deaths .
But Los Angeles County officials said on Friday also pointed to positive signs that the region was making progress and stressed they were already working with CDC officials on ways to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Ferrer said that though deaths remain a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points are looking pretty good in terms of being on the recovery journey.
” Those figures include a 12 % decrease in the county ’ s latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 15 % decrease in its most recent three-day average for hospitalizations per day , she said .
in the nation ’ s most populous county is now in its best position since the magnitude of the outbreak became clear in March , officials announced earlier this week .
“ We are moving in the right direction , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a strong source of support for L.A. County since the beginning of the pandemic , ” she said .
A total of 1,506 coronavirus patients are currently in county hospitals , with 26 % in intensive care and 19 % on ventilators .
Outbreaks at institutional facilities remain a particular source of concern .
About a quarter of the county ’ s total cases — 10,885 — were associated with such facilities , including nursing and assisted-living homes , shelters , treatment centers , correctional facilities and workplaces .
They included 7,046 residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been hit far less severely than coronavirus hot spots such as New York City , where more than 16,000 have died .
But as other regions , including the Bay Area , have seen the coronavirus curve flatten , progress has been much slower in L.A. Officials remain concerned that warm temperatures and quarantine fatigue could drive people from their homes over the Memorial Day weekend , resulting in crowding at parks and beaches that could threaten to undo some of the progress the state has made .
As part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city will open two designated recreation zones on Monday and two more slow street areas in Eagle Rock and Mid-City , where traffic is limited to local residents , freeing up space for pedestrians and bicyclists , the mayor announced .
The city also announced the immediate reopening of parking lots at Cabrillo and Venice beaches as well as their bike paths .
Officials said those actions were being done in coordination with the county ’ s partial opening of parking lots and paths at Dockweiler State Beach , Will Rogers State Beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It feels like sacrifice is in all our minds these days , ” Garcetti said , referencing the upcoming Memorial Day holiday .
“ But each day , each one of us in this city , the largest city and the largest state in this great union , we continue to do the work .
To protect ourselves , to protect our families and protect our nation.
” Ahead of the weekend , L.A. County announced it was reopening beach bike paths and some parking lots , and said indoor malls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The county also lifted a ban on car parades to celebrate events such as graduations .
“ I know we are lifting restrictions in certain areas , ” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said .
“ Please be responsible because this is the only way we are going to move toward the next phase of opening .
...
The only way we ’ re going to get there is if we continue to keep this flat.
” Officials urged residents to continue to stay home when possible , stay six feet apart from others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverings when others are around .
“ As a reminder , the job we do protecting each other affects how many new cases , how many new hospitalizations and how many new deaths we see several weeks from now , ” Ferrer said .
“ So over the weekend , let ’ s continue to use all the tools that we have available to slow the spread of COVID-19.
” In Orange County , several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and planned to open more parking lots connected to the shoreline ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus-related death toll there continues to rise .
The county reported 108 additional cases and six deaths Friday , bringing its total to 4,941 cases and 118 deaths .
Of the fatalities , more than a quarter have been recorded in the last three days .
Orange County reported 14 deaths Thursday and 10 Wednesday .
Before Wednesday , the county hadn ’ t reported more than five deaths in a single day .
Elsewhere in the state , cities were continuing to urge social distancing , even as stay-at-home restrictions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parks department painted 10-foot circles on the grass of four city parks ahead of the holiday weekend to remind visitors to keep their distance from one another .
It ’ s part of a pilot program based on a similar effort at Domino Park in Brooklyn , said Tamara Barak Aparton , a spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks .
“ It ’ s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out , so we thought it would be a good time to get feedback on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If successful , the circles could be expanded to more locations , she said .
In the Santa Monica Mountains , park rangers are encouraging visitors to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on newly reopened trails .
But in the San Bernardino National Forest , officials will in the Lake Arrowhead area for a year to deal with chronic overcrowding .
The creek ’ s swimming holes , especially at Aztec Falls , have drawn crowds in past years that have created growing traffic and parking issues on the narrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a point where officials feel it ’ s safe to lift more of the state ’ s stay-at-home order and allow more businesses to reopen .
The number of new coronavirus cases across the state declined from the previous week , and hospitalizations have dropped more than 15 % from a peak six weeks ago , according to a Times analysis .
Most counties have received approval to progress more quickly through Phase 2 of the state ’ s reopening road map — meaning they can open restaurant dining rooms and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of counties that can ramp up their reopening efforts now includes San Diego — the state ’ s second-most populous — Kern , San Luis Obispo , Santa Barbara and Ventura .
Orange County is still awaiting approval for its reopening plan .
Still , some local officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now .
Multiple counties have expressed concern about people visiting and possibly bringing with them the coronavirus , especially during this holiday weekend .
Dr. Penny Borenstein , San Luis Obispo County ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week .
While officials have performed “ spot checks ” with hotels to deter tourism , Borenstein said the county would cite visitors only in the case of “ egregious violations.
” Communities in the Lake Tahoe region , which heavily depend on tourism as well , have issued reminders before the holiday weekend warning that leisure travel is not permitted .
On its website , the city of South Lake Tahoe said that although owners of second homes are now welcome , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be available to short-term renters .
“ We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now , but that ’ s not the safest way to bring people back to South Lake , ” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement .
“ We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe while adhering to the governor ’ s stay-at-home orders.
” Times staff writers Hannah Fry , Maura Dolan and Margot Roosevelt contributed @ @ @ @

Alex Wigglesworth, Luke Money, Noah Bierman

Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator, speaks with reporters Friday. She said she asked the Centers for Disease Control to investigate why the Los Angeles area, Chicago and Washington, D.C., remain COVID-19 hot spots.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti sought to fend off criticism from federal officials Friday over his handling of coronavirus stay-at-home orders, even as he announced the lifting of various restrictions over this Memorial Day weekend.
Earlier in the day, the White House’s coronavirus response coordinator singled out Los Angeles as one of three regions where persistent spread remains a significant concern as the holiday weekend posed another test of whether coronavirus can be slowed even with loosened stay-at-home rules.
Then, the U.S. Department of Justice sent a warning letter to the mayor saying it was concerned the city was pursuing “an arbitrary and heavy-handed approach” to stay-at-home orders.
Advertisement
Eric S. Dreiband, assistant attorney general for the department’s Civil Rights Division, pointed to what he said were public comments by Garcetti and Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County’s director of public health, suggesting that stay-at-home orders could be extended several months.
“Reports of your recent public statements indicate that you suggested the possibility of long-term lockdown of the residents in the city and county of Los Angeles, regardless of the legal justification for such restrictions,” Dreiband wrote. “Any such approach may be both arbitrary and unlawful.”
Garcetti responded at an evening press conference, saying, “Look, we’re not guided by politics in this, we are guided by science. We are guided by collaboration. So talking to industry and talking to business owners and talking to employees and labor groups together with science, the numbers will always guide us forward, there is nothing else.”
Garcetti said there were “no games” being played with health restrictions. “We were able to do this and save lives. Now its time for us to test things moving forward and I think the proof’s in the pudding. We’ve been doing that, we’ve been doing it safely and we will monitor those numbers because people’s lives are at stake.”
Los Angeles-area health restrictions were also mentioned by White House coronavirus response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx Friday. After giving a mostly upbeat assessment of the nation’s progress, Birx said the Los Angeles metropolitan area, which includes Orange County, is continuing to see a high number of new cases reported each day. Washington, D.C., and Chicago also remain hot spots of the virus, she said.
“Even though Washington has remained closed, L.A. has remained closed, Chicago has remained closed, we still see these ongoing cases,” she said.
Advertisement
Birx asked the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to work with those areas “to really understand where are these new cases coming from, and what do we need to do to prevent them in the future.”
Garcetti responded by saying the city had shown “very steady progress” against the disease.
“We’ve got the capacity, the ventilators, the beds available,” Garcetti said. “We’ve seen a plateau and we share that data publicly with everybody about the seven-day average. It’s holding where it is, which is dramatically different than where it was a month and a half, let alone two months ago.”
Los Angeles County is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in California, accounting for about 56% of the state’s total deaths and almost half of more than 90,000 confirmed infections. Public health officials on Friday announced 1,072 new cases of the coronavirus and 35 related deaths, bringing the county’s total to 43,070 cases and 2,051 deaths.
But Los Angeles County officials said on Friday also pointed to positive signs that the region was making progress and stressed they were already working with CDC officials on ways to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Ferrer said that though deaths remain a grave concern, “our overall data points are looking pretty good in terms of being on the recovery journey.”
Those figures include a 12% decrease in the county’s latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 15% decrease in its most recent three-day average for hospitalizations per day, she said.
The coronavirus transmission rate in the nation’s most populous county is now in its best position since the magnitude of the outbreak became clear in March, officials announced earlier this week.
“We are moving in the right direction, and I want to acknowledge CDC has been a strong source of support for L.A. County since the beginning of the pandemic,” she said.
A total of 1,506 coronavirus patients are currently in county hospitals, with 26% in intensive care and 19% on ventilators.
Outbreaks at institutional facilities remain a particular source of concern. About a quarter of the county’s total cases — 10,885 — were associated with such facilities, including nursing and assisted-living homes, shelters, treatment centers, correctional facilities and workplaces. They included 7,046 residents and 3,840 staff.
Los Angeles County has been hit far less severely than coronavirus hot spots such as New York City, where more than 16,000 have died. But as other regions, including the Bay Area, have seen the coronavirus curve flatten, progress has been much slower in L.A.
Officials remain concerned that warm temperatures and quarantine fatigue could drive people from their homes over the Memorial Day weekend, resulting in crowding at parks and beaches that could threaten to undo some of the progress the state has made.
As part of the city’s slow reopening, the city will open two designated recreation zones on Monday and two more slow street areas in Eagle Rock and Mid-City, where traffic is limited to local residents, freeing up space for pedestrians and bicyclists, the mayor announced.
The city also announced the immediate reopening of parking lots at Cabrillo and Venice beaches as well as their bike paths. Officials said those actions were being done in coordination with the county’s partial opening of parking lots and paths at Dockweiler State Beach, Will Rogers State Beach, Zuma Beach, and Surfrider Beach.
“It feels like sacrifice is in all our minds these days,” Garcetti said, referencing the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. “But each day, each one of us in this city, the largest city and the largest state in this great union, we continue to do the work. To protect ourselves, to protect our families and protect our nation.”
Ahead of the weekend, L.A. County announced it was reopening beach bike paths and some parking lots, and said indoor malls could resume operations for curbside pickup services. The county also lifted a ban on car parades to celebrate events such as graduations.
“I know we are lifting restrictions in certain areas,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said. “Please be responsible because this is the only way we are going to move toward the next phase of opening. ... The only way we’re going to get there is if we continue to keep this flat.”
Officials urged residents to continue to stay home when possible, stay six feet apart from others when in public and wear cloth face coverings when others are around.
“As a reminder, the job we do protecting each other affects how many new cases, how many new hospitalizations and how many new deaths we see several weeks from now,” Ferrer said. “So over the weekend, let’s continue to use all the tools that we have available to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
In Orange County, several coastal cities expanded their beach hours and planned to open more parking lots connected to the shoreline ahead of the holiday.
That comes as the coronavirus-related death toll there continues to rise. The county reported 108 additional cases and six deaths Friday, bringing its total to 4,941 cases and 118 deaths. Of the fatalities, more than a quarter have been recorded in the last three days.
Orange County reported 14 deaths Thursday and 10 Wednesday. Before Wednesday, the county hadn’t reported more than five deaths in a single day.
Elsewhere in the state, cities were continuing to urge social distancing, even as stay-at-home restrictions are further relaxed. In San Francisco, the parks department painted 10-foot circles on the grass of four city parks ahead of the holiday weekend to remind visitors to keep their distance from one another.
It’s part of a pilot program based on a similar effort at Domino Park in Brooklyn, said Tamara Barak Aparton, a spokeswoman for San Francisco Recreation and Parks.
“It’s going to be warm this weekend and we knew people would be out, so we thought it would be a good time to get feedback on whether this helps,” Aparton said. If successful, the circles could be expanded to more locations, she said.
In the Santa Monica Mountains, park rangers are encouraging visitors to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing on newly reopened trails.
But in the San Bernardino National Forest, officials will close a 2.5-mile stretch in Deep Creek in the Lake Arrowhead area for a year to deal with chronic overcrowding. The creek’s swimming holes, especially at Aztec Falls, have drawn crowds in past years that have created growing traffic and parking issues on the narrow roads.
California Ventura County reopens dine-in restaurants and in-store shopping Ventura County has received state permission to reopen restaurants for dining in and to allow shopping inside many retail stores.
Much of California has progressed to a point where officials feel it’s safe to lift more of the state’s stay-at-home order and allow more businesses to reopen.
The number of new coronavirus cases across the state declined from the previous week, and hospitalizations have dropped more than 15% from a peak six weeks ago, according to a Times analysis.
Most counties have received approval to progress more quickly through Phase 2 of the state’s reopening road map — meaning they can open restaurant dining rooms and more retail businesses for in-store shopping.
The list of counties that can ramp up their reopening efforts now includes San Diego — the state’s second-most populous — Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Orange County is still awaiting approval for its reopening plan.
Still, some local officials are urging tourists to stay away — at least for now. Multiple counties have expressed concern about people visiting and possibly bringing with them the coronavirus, especially during this holiday weekend.
Dr. Penny Borenstein, San Luis Obispo County’s health officer, asked tourists to not visit as the county reopened many shops and restaurants this week. While officials have performed “spot checks” with hotels to deter tourism, Borenstein said the county would cite visitors only in the case of “egregious violations.”
Communities in the Lake Tahoe region, which heavily depend on tourism as well, have issued reminders before the holiday weekend warning that leisure travel is not permitted.
On its website, the city of South Lake Tahoe said that although owners of second homes are now welcome, other visitors are still not. Lodging will not be available to short-term renters.
“We would love nothing more than to welcome everyone to Tahoe right now, but that’s not the safest way to bring people back to South Lake,” City Manager Joe Irvin said in a statement. “We need to be responsible and make sure we are doing our part to keep our neighbors safe and Tahoe safe while adhering to the governor’s stay-at-home orders.”
Times staff writers Hannah Fry, Maura Dolan and Margot Roosevelt contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-23--Farmer John plant in Vernon faces coronavirus outbreak

More than 100 workers at the Farmer John plant in Vernon have contracted the coronavirus in an outbreak plaguing the facility that produces the Dodger Dog .
Thus far , 116 workers at the Smithfield-owned meat-processing plant have tested positive , according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
Smithfield , which bought Farmer John in 2017 , could not be reached Saturday for comment .
According to the company ’ s website , “ every employee involved in handling , preparing and processing food wears personal protective equipment covering their heads , faces ( including masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bodies .
Additionally , employees undergo temperature checks and are screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
” “ During this pandemic , our entire industry is faced with an impossible choice : continue to operate to sustain our nation ’ s food supply or shutter in an attempt to entirely insulate our employees from risk , ” the company said in a statement issued in early May .
“ It ’ s an awful choice ; it ’ s not one we wish on anyone .
It is impossible to keep protein on tables across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants are not running.
” The outbreak at Smithfield ’ s Vernon plant is the largest listed by the county ’ s public health department at a nonresidential setting .

More than 100 workers at the Farmer John plant in Vernon have contracted the coronavirus in an outbreak plaguing the facility that produces the Dodger Dog.
Thus far, 116 workers at the Smithfield-owned meat-processing plant have tested positive, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
“Our Smithfield Family members are crucial to our nation’s response to COVID-19,” Smithfield Foods said in a statement. “We thank them for keeping food on America’s tables, and have implemented aggressive measures to protect their health and safety during this pandemic.”
These include a series of strict guidelines and protocols that follow or exceed guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the company said. The company said it has boosted its supply of masks and face shields, installed plexiglass barriers on the production floor and in break areas, and implemented mass temperature scanning systems to screen workers.
Advertisement
Employees are offered free coronavirus testing and paid quarantine time and are told not to report to work if they are sick, the company said. The company has also relaxed its attendance policies, eliminated co-pays for coronavirus-related treatment and extended a paid leave benefit to employees deemed medically at risk, it said.
“During this pandemic, our entire industry is faced with an impossible choice: continue to operate to sustain our nation’s food supply or shutter in an attempt to entirely insulate our employees from risk,” the company said in a statement issued in early May. “It’s an awful choice; it’s not one we wish on anyone. It is impossible to keep protein on tables across America if our nation’s meat plants are not running.”
The outbreak at Smithfield’s Vernon plant is the largest listed by the county’s Public Health Department at a nonresidential setting.


latimes--2020-05-23--Catholic Church in Orange County plans to reopen in 'small steps' beginning June 14

The announced plans for public Masses to resume in phases in Orange County starting June 14 .
The first phase includes allowing small groups of healthy people to gather for limited Mass , church officials said Friday in a news release .
The second phase will allow for larger groups ; the third will permit choirs and social gatherings .
All phases will require participants to follow strict guidelines for social distancing and disinfection , officials said .
“ The pandemic is far from over , so we will begin with small steps , ” said Diocese of Orange Bishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Realizing that reinfection is a concern , as we saw occurred in Texas and elsewhere , I am asking our pastors to prepare their churches to ensure that these guidelines are followed without exception.
” On Saturday , officials announced that Orange County has been approved by the state to mount a more aggressive reopening of local businesses .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has vowed to Monday , after previously saying such reopenings were just “ a few weeks away.
” In Orange County , the bishop ’ s advisors have been working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultation with county officials and medical experts , the release said .
Those over 65 or who have an underlying health condition will be encouraged not to return when churches initially reopen , as will anyone who is sick or lives with someone who is sick .
Holy water fonts will remain empty , hymnals will be removed , and people will be instructed not to touch one another , including during greetings .
Church rituals that require touching , like the sign of peace , will be suspended .
In most cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their capacity to one-third of normal attendance , officials said .
More Masses will be offered than usual , and people will be encouraged to come throughout the week to avoid crowding on Sundays .
Vann extended a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday to permit the shift .
The bishop also granted a temporary dispensation allowing priests to celebrate Mass outside of church buildings , including in gyms , parish halls and outdoor spaces .
Officials said Catholics should check parish websites for specific instructions on how Masses will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed .
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gómez said church service for now remains only via the internet .
“ I think it ’ s clear to all of us that it might be possible in the coming future to be able to open physically the churches and receive parishioners to come .
It ’ s not going to be the same in the beginning , because there is the reality of the social distance and also making sure that the churches are sanitized and people are protected when they come to church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday .
“ And I insist that that ’ s the most important thing — that we protect one another .
We know that God is with us , but at the same time we have to be careful and make sure that we protect each other in this challenging time , ” he added .
“ So , let us keep praying .
Let us keep working together .
”

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange announced plans for public Masses to resume in phases in Orange County starting June 14.
The first phase includes allowing small groups of healthy people to gather for limited Mass, church officials said Friday in a news release. The second phase will allow for larger groups; the third will permit choirs and social gatherings. All phases will require participants to follow strict guidelines for social distancing and disinfection, officials said.
“The pandemic is far from over, so we will begin with small steps,” said Diocese of Orange Bishop Kevin Vann in a statement. “Realizing that reinfection is a concern, as we saw occurred in Texas and elsewhere, I am asking our pastors to prepare their churches to ensure that these guidelines are followed without exception.”
Advertisement
On Saturday, officials announced that Orange County has been approved by the state to mount a more aggressive reopening of local businesses.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to provide plans on reopening churches Monday, after previously saying such reopenings were just “a few weeks away.”
In Orange County, the bishop’s advisors have been working on reopening guidelines for weeks, in consultation with county officials and medical experts, the release said.
Those over 65 or who have an underlying health condition will be encouraged not to return when churches initially reopen, as will anyone who is sick or lives with someone who is sick.
Holy water fonts will remain empty, hymnals will be removed, and people will be instructed not to touch one another, including during greetings. Church rituals that require touching, like the sign of peace, will be suspended.
In most cases, churches will be required to limit their capacity to one-third of normal attendance, officials said. More Masses will be offered than usual, and people will be encouraged to come throughout the week to avoid crowding on Sundays. Vann extended a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday to permit the shift.
Advertisement
The bishop also granted a temporary dispensation allowing priests to celebrate Mass outside of church buildings, including in gyms, parish halls and outdoor spaces.
Officials said Catholics should check parish websites for specific instructions on how Masses will be held and when attendance will be allowed.
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gómez said church service for now remains only via the internet.
“I think it’s clear to all of us that it might be possible in the coming future to be able to open physically the churches and receive parishioners to come. It’s not going to be the same in the beginning, because there is the reality of the social distance and also making sure that the churches are sanitized and people are protected when they come to church,” Gomez said in a statement Saturday.
“And I insist that that’s the most important thing — that we protect one another. We know that God is with us, but at the same time we have to be careful and make sure that we protect each other in this challenging time,” he added. “So, let us keep praying. Let us keep working together.”


latimes--2020-05-23--Pancakes, face masks, temperature checks: Ventura County restaurants reopen to customers, concerns

The door was open although the restaurant was technically closed late Saturday morning when the first group of curious customers filed into Nature ’ s Grill , Thomas Larsen ’ s storefront cafe .
“ We open at 11 , ” Larsen whispered with a shrug , a cloth face covering hiding a smile as he glanced at his watch .
It read 10:55 .
No one , least of all Larsen , wanted to wait another five minutes for the restaurant to open , not when they ’ ve already waited more than two months .
On Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permission to allow seated dining , part of an accelerated Stage 2 path to reopening in more than 30 counties shut down by Gov .
Gavin Newsom on March 17 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Business isn ’ t going to come rushing back , ” said Larsen , whose Main Street storefront sits along a trendy five-block stretch of bars , boutiques and restaurants in downtown Ventura , a half-mile from the beach .
“ It ’ s been a struggle .
But I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can.
” Larsen said the shutdown crushed his business , forcing him to lay off all but a handful of his 16 employees and dip into his personal savings to avoid closing completely .
To reopen , restaurants must agree to county rules requiring face coverings and temperature screening for all employees , ample social distancing for customers and the thorough cleaning of menus , tabletops and other frequently touched objects .
And while Larsen may fudge the rules when it comes to opening time , he ’ s sticking to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That means closing every other booth in his restaurant , moving some of the maple chairs and tables outside and serving food in disposable containers .
“ I ’ m going to overdo it , ” he said .
“ I ’ d rather be overcautious right now .
The whole pandemic is something you need to worry about .
Just packing people into restaurants at this point isn ’ t smart.
” For Larsen , the fear of the novel coronavirus isn ’ t theoretical .
His sister , a nurse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago after coming into contact with a COVID-19 patient ; the hours waiting for the results were long .
“ It ’ s absolutely a real thing , ” Larsen said .
“ It ’ s something that everyone needs to take seriously .
People are going to have to decide for themselves when it ’ s safe to come out and dine .
Some are going to take their time.
” Halfway up the street , Linda Sims of Granada Hills tucked into a booth across from her husband , Anson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bee Cafe .
She had already made her decision — she was going with the pancakes .
“ We come here every Fourth of July .
And this is where we always have breakfast , ” she said of the 1950s-style diner , which reopened Thursday .
“ When we read that the Bee was open , the first thing we said was ‘ we ’ re coming.
’ ” The Sims , who wore face masks while waiting on the sidewalk for a table , said they know there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has to happen some time .
“ We ’ re at the vulnerable age , ” Linda Sims said .
“ But you know what ?
You ’ ve got to dip your toe [ in ] .
And then you ’ ve got to dip your foot .
And then you ’ ve got to go into the water with your leg .
“ If they ’ re willing to open up knowing that it ’ s safe — they ’ re not going to kill us — we need to patronize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by being in the house.
” Two doors down Greg Finefrock , the owner of Finney ’ s Crafthouse , was welcoming back 50 former employees at a staff meeting before the restaurant ’ s reopening next Thursday .
The meeting felt more like the first day of school , with old friends all in facial coverings , greeting one another with elbow taps or fist bumps .
Finefrock said he wanted a week to familiarize himself and his staff with the health department guidelines — as well as with some additional guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will require both patrons and workers to submit to temperature checks .
“ We don ’ t want to open while we ’ re unprepared , ” he said .
“ So we felt it was in our best interest to wait the extra seven days.
” Sixty-two seats have already been removed to provide for social distancing at the restaurant , but Finefrock hopes to make up some of that lost capacity when parts of Main Street close to traffic next month , allowing businesses to expand onto the sidewalk as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and restaurants hurt by COVID-19 restrictions .
“ There ’ s so much pent-up demand for people to get out of the house , ” he said .
“ What I believe they want is some semblance of normalcy .
They don ’ t want to come into a restaurant and feel like they ’ re in a hospital .
“ So it ’ s a balancing act on how we can make them feel safe but also feel normal while they ’ re dining .
That ’ s our goal .
”

An employee at Finney’s Crafthouse prepares the bar to open in Ventura. The county lifted a lockdown for sit down dining at all restaurants.
The door was open although the restaurant was technically closed late Saturday morning when the first group of curious customers filed into Nature’s Grill, Thomas Larsen’s storefront cafe.
“We open at 11,” Larsen whispered with a shrug, a cloth face covering hiding a smile as he glanced at his watch. It read 10:55.
No one, least of all Larsen, wanted to wait another five minutes for the restaurant to open, not when they’ve already waited more than two months.
On Thursday, state health officials gave Ventura County restaurants permission to allow seated dining, part of an accelerated Stage 2 path to reopening in more than 30 counties shut down by Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 17 in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Business isn’t going to come rushing back,” said Larsen, whose Main Street storefront sits along a trendy five-block stretch of bars, boutiques and restaurants in downtown Ventura, a half-mile from the beach. “It’s been a struggle. But I think everyone’s navigating it the best they can.”
Larsen said the shutdown crushed his business, forcing him to lay off all but a handful of his 16 employees and dip into his personal savings to avoid closing completely. To reopen, restaurants must agree to county rules requiring face coverings and temperature screening for all employees, ample social distancing for customers and the thorough cleaning of menus, tabletops and other frequently touched objects.
Advertisement
And while Larsen may fudge the rules when it comes to opening time, he’s sticking to the ones that will keep those doors open. That means closing every other booth in his restaurant, moving some of the maple chairs and tables outside and serving food in disposable containers.
“I’m going to overdo it,” he said. “I’d rather be overcautious right now. The whole pandemic is something you need to worry about. Just packing people into restaurants at this point isn’t smart.”
For Larsen, the fear of the novel coronavirus isn’t theoretical. His sister, a nurse in Santa Barbara, was tested three weeks ago after coming into contact with a COVID-19 patient; the hours waiting for the results were long.
“It’s absolutely a real thing,” Larsen said. “It’s something that everyone needs to take seriously. People are going to have to decide for themselves when it’s safe to come out and dine. Some are going to take their time.”
Halfway up the street, Linda Sims of Granada Hills tucked into a booth across from her husband, Anson, in the back of the Busy Bee Cafe. She had already made her decision — she was going with the pancakes.
“We come here every Fourth of July. And this is where we always have breakfast,” she said of the 1950s-style diner, which reopened Thursday. “When we read that the Bee was open, the first thing we said was ‘we’re coming.’”
Advertisement
The Sims, who wore face masks while waiting on the sidewalk for a table, said they know there’s a risk in reopening now, but it has to happen some time.
“We’re at the vulnerable age,” Linda Sims said. “But you know what? You’ve got to dip your toe [in]. And then you’ve got to dip your foot. And then you’ve got to go into the water with your leg.
“If they’re willing to open up knowing that it’s safe — they’re not going to kill us — we need to patronize them. I’m going batty by being in the house.”
Two doors down Greg Finefrock, the owner of Finney’s Crafthouse, was welcoming back 50 former employees at a staff meeting before the restaurant’s reopening next Thursday. The meeting felt more like the first day of school, with old friends all in facial coverings, greeting one another with elbow taps or fist bumps.
Finefrock said he wanted a week to familiarize himself and his staff with the health department guidelines — as well as with some additional guidelines of his own, including one that will require both patrons and workers to submit to temperature checks.
“We don’t want to open while we’re unprepared,” he said. “So we felt it was in our best interest to wait the extra seven days.”
Sixty-two seats have already been removed to provide for social distancing at the restaurant, but Finefrock hopes to make up some of that lost capacity when parts of Main Street close to traffic next month, allowing businesses to expand onto the sidewalk as part of a city effort to help shops and restaurants hurt by COVID-19 restrictions.
“There’s so much pent-up demand for people to get out of the house,” he said. “What I believe they want is some semblance of normalcy. They don’t want to come into a restaurant and feel like they’re in a hospital.
“So it’s a balancing act on how we can make them feel safe but also feel normal while they’re dining. That’s our goal.”


latimes--2020-05-23--L.A. County reports progress in coronavirus fight as hospitalizations drop, fewer people test positi

L.A. County reports progress in coronavirus fight as hospitalizations drop, fewer people test positive

Los Angeles County public health officials Saturday announced 1,032 new cases of the coronavirus and 41 related deaths but also revealed encouraging signs of progress in slowing the virus ’ s spread .
“ Thanks to everyone ’ s efforts , our data points to steady declines in hospitalizations , deaths and the percent of people testing positive , ” Barbara Ferrer , the county health director , said Saturday in a statement .
The county has seen a 13 % decrease in its latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 16 % decrease in its most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to that tracks metrics related to recovery .
In addition , the percentage of people who have tested positive in L.A. County has reached an all-time low of 8.5 % , compared with 28 % in New York City , Ferrer said .
Her comments came the day after the White House coronavirus response coordinator , Dr. Deborah Birx , singled out Los Angeles as one of three metropolitan areas that has seen a persistently high number of new daily cases , which she said was a cause for concern .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts to ramped up testing .
“ The increase we see in our number of cases is because we have increased the number of people we are testing , and this is a good thing , ” she said .
The county was meeting its goal of testing 15,000 residents each day , with a seven-day average of 17,901 daily tests performed , the dashboard states .
As of Saturday , more than 436,000 people had been tested and received their results .
“ We are testing more people per capita in L.A. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state of Washington , the state of Georgia , the United States , and Seattle King-County , ” Ferrer said .
That comes as a number of new testing sites have been established by both L.A. city and county authorities .
The latest is scheduled to open Tuesday at Dodger Stadium , L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday .
“ This site isn ’ t special just because of where it is and all those amazing memories we have of going to Chavez Ravine to see the boys in blue play , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s remarkable because we ’ ll be able to test up to 6,000 people a day .
”

Testing for the coronavirus is being conducted at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center in South Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County public health officials Saturday announced 1,032 new cases of the coronavirus and 41 related deaths but also revealed encouraging signs of progress in slowing the virus’s spread.
“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, our data points to steady declines in hospitalizations, deaths and the percent of people testing positive,” Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, said Saturday in a statement.
The county has seen a 13% decrease in its latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 16% decrease in its most recent three-day average of hospitalizations per day, according to a Department of Health dashboard that tracks metrics related to recovery.
In addition, the percentage of people who have tested positive in L.A. County has reached an all-time low of 8.5%, compared with 28% in New York City, Ferrer said.
Advertisement
Her comments came the day after the White House coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, singled out Los Angeles as one of three metropolitan areas that has seen a persistently high number of new daily cases , which she said was a cause for concern.
On Saturday, Ferrer attributed the high case counts to ramped up testing.
“The increase we see in our number of cases is because we have increased the number of people we are testing, and this is a good thing,” she said.
The county was meeting its goal of testing 15,000 residents each day, with a seven-day average of 17,901 daily tests performed, the dashboard states. As of Saturday, more than 436,000 people had been tested and received their results.
“We are testing more people per capita in L.A. County than the state of California, the state of Washington, the state of Georgia, the United States, and Seattle King-County,” Ferrer said.
That comes as a number of new testing sites have been established by both L.A. city and county authorities.
Advertisement
The latest is scheduled to open Tuesday at Dodger Stadium , L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday.
“This site isn’t special just because of where it is and all those amazing memories we have of going to Chavez Ravine to see the boys in blue play,” Garcetti said. “It’s remarkable because we’ll be able to test up to 6,000 people a day.”


latimes--2020-05-23--William Lyon, Orange County real estate magnate who foresaw region's growth, dies at 97

Orange County real estate magnate William Lyon , who built more than 100,000 homes nationwide and helped shape suburban America over the past half-century , has died .
He was 97 .
Lyon , a former Air Force general , was among the pioneers of Southern California ’ s post-World War II economic boom , a prescient businessman who foresaw the region ’ s stratospheric growth and the unquenchable need for housing .
“ It is with deep sadness we announce our founder , General William Lyon , passed away peacefully at his home earlier this afternoon , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His son told the Orange County Register that the death was not related to COVID-19 .
Lyon began his construction career in 1954 with a 66-home project in Anaheim .
Within a decade he was among the nation ’ s largest homebuilders and would ride the wave of suburban sprawl for decades to come .
“ Lyon has grown large by selling a mass-produced , relatively inexpensive product , ” Forbes magazine wrote of him in 1990 .
“ A Lyon community is a latter-day Levittown marketed with a Sam Walton flair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ competitors ’ prices and dresses his customer service people in distinctive blue uniforms.
” Lyon was a decorated Air Force pilot who served in World War II and the Korean War , attaining the rank of major general .
In the mid-1970s , he took a four-year sabbatical from business when he was appointed chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserves by President Ford .
“ The General , ” as friends knew him , was a big-game hunter who owned one of the world ’ s most valuable rare car collections — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 15,000-square-foot “ garage ” on his sprawling Coto de Caza estate .
Among them were vintage Duesenbergs , a Mercedes used as a staff car by Adolf Hitler and a 1931 Bugatti Royale Coupe de Ville , one of only six made .
Unlike some collectors , Lyon regularly took his irreplaceable automobiles out for a spin .
“ These cars originally were made to be driven , so I put them to their intended purpose , ” he told a Times reporter in 1987 .
“ If I couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want it.
” Lyon was a major philanthropist , donating millions to organizations including the Orangewood Children ’ s Foundation for abused and neglected children , and to the Orange County Performing Arts Center .
He was also a leading Republican fundraiser .
He once hosted a $ 100,000-per-couple lunch at his home to raise money to build Ronald Reagan ’ s presidential library .
Lyon ’ s business career mirrored California ’ s rollercoaster real estate market .
He became one of the nation ’ s wealthiest men during the boom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but was nearly ruined by the 1990s housing crash .
In 1999 , he was able to rebound when the market did — unlike many of his competitors .
“ In business , as in religion , you have to believe in something , ” he once told a meeting of developers .
“ If you are a California builder , you must believe that people will continue to come to California , or you will not get to heaven.
” Lyon was born in Los Angeles on March 9 , 1923 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyon fell in love with aviation at age 16 after paying $ 1 to fly in an airplane .
Seven years later , he dropped out of USC to be a commercial pilot .
While in the Air Force , he flew 75 combat missions in Korea , dropping U.S. agents behind enemy lines .
Flying remained in Lyon ’ s blood throughout his life .
He owned several aviation companies through the years and remained an active pilot , piloting his own corporate jet as well as a stable of World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at age 85 , Lyon flew a vintage B-17 Flying Fortress across the country to participate in a memorial ceremony in Washington , D.C .
The trip in the World War II-era bomber took two days .
“ It has four engines , so if one shuts down , it ’ s not a big problem , ” Lyon told the Register .
“ I ’ m taking my chief mechanic and a lot of spare parts.
” Anton is a former Times staff writer .
Staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to @ @ @

Orange County real estate magnate William Lyon, who built more than 100,000 homes nationwide and helped shape suburban America over the past half-century, has died. He was 97.
Lyon, a former Air Force general, was among the pioneers of Southern California’s post-World War II economic boom, a prescient businessman who foresaw the region’s stratospheric growth and the unquenchable need for housing.
“It is with deep sadness we announce our founder, General William Lyon, passed away peacefully at his home earlier this afternoon,” the Lyon Air Museum announced on Twitter Friday. His son told the Orange County Register that the death was not related to COVID-19.
Lyon began his construction career in 1954 with a 66-home project in Anaheim. Within a decade he was among the nation’s largest homebuilders and would ride the wave of suburban sprawl for decades to come.
Advertisement
“Lyon has grown large by selling a mass-produced, relatively inexpensive product,” Forbes magazine wrote of him in 1990. “A Lyon community is a latter-day Levittown marketed with a Sam Walton flair. ... Like Walton, he undercuts competitors’ prices and dresses his customer service people in distinctive blue uniforms.”
Lyon was a decorated Air Force pilot who served in World War II and the Korean War, attaining the rank of major general. In the mid-1970s, he took a four-year sabbatical from business when he was appointed chief of the U.S. Air Force Reserves by President Ford.
“The General,” as friends knew him, was a big-game hunter who owned one of the world’s most valuable rare car collections — some 100 vehicles that he housed in a 15,000-square-foot “garage” on his sprawling Coto de Caza estate. Among them were vintage Duesenbergs, a Mercedes used as a staff car by Adolf Hitler and a 1931 Bugatti Royale Coupe de Ville, one of only six made.
Unlike some collectors, Lyon regularly took his irreplaceable automobiles out for a spin.
“These cars originally were made to be driven, so I put them to their intended purpose,” he told a Times reporter in 1987. “If I couldn’t drive a car, I wouldn’t want it.”
Lyon was a major philanthropist, donating millions to organizations including the Orangewood Children’s Foundation for abused and neglected children, and to the Orange County Performing Arts Center. He was also a leading Republican fundraiser. He once hosted a $100,000-per-couple lunch at his home to raise money to build Ronald Reagan’s presidential library.
Lyon’s business career mirrored California’s rollercoaster real estate market. He became one of the nation’s wealthiest men during the boom years of the 1960s and ’70s but was nearly ruined by the 1990s housing crash. In 1999, he was able to rebound when the market did — unlike many of his competitors.
“In business, as in religion, you have to believe in something,” he once told a meeting of developers. “If you are a California builder, you must believe that people will continue to come to California, or you will not get to heaven.”
Advertisement
Lyon was born in Los Angeles on March 9, 1923. The son of a beverage wholesaler, Lyon fell in love with aviation at age 16 after paying $1 to fly in an airplane. Seven years later, he dropped out of USC to be a commercial pilot. While in the Air Force, he flew 75 combat missions in Korea, dropping U.S. agents behind enemy lines.
Flying remained in Lyon’s blood throughout his life. He owned several aviation companies through the years and remained an active pilot, piloting his own corporate jet as well as a stable of World War II-era planes he collected.
In 2008, at age 85, Lyon flew a vintage B-17 Flying Fortress across the country to participate in a memorial ceremony in Washington, D.C. The trip in the World War II-era bomber took two days.
“It has four engines, so if one shuts down, it’s not a big problem,” Lyon told the Register. “I’m taking my chief mechanic and a lot of spare parts.”
Anton is a former Times staff writer. Staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-23--Court upholds Newsom's coronavirus ban on in-person church services in California

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s ban on in-person church services , in a split ruling that landed Friday night and is likely to further anger pastors who claim that California is trampling on religious freedoms .
The South Bay United Pentecostal Church in San Diego can not reopen immediately , the two judges in the majority wrote in their order , because in this case “ constitutional standards that would normally govern our review of a Free Exercise claim should not be applied.
” “ We ’ re dealing here with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which there presently is no known cure .
In the words of Justice Robert Jackson , if a “ [ c ] ourt does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom , it will convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact , ’ ” they wrote .
The decision came the same week more than 1,200 pastors vowed to hold in-person services May 31 , , defying a state moratorium on religious gatherings that Newsom imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
In a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attorney representing a Lodi church that has in court , said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “ Declaration of Essentiality , ” asserting their churches are as essential as any grocery or hardware store and should be allowed to reopen .
By Wednesday , many counties in California had received approval to reopen establishments — retail business , office buildings , restaurants , shopping centers — as permitted in the second phase of Newsom ’ s plan to restart the state economy .
Churches are not allowed to reopen until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump-appointed Judge Daniel Collins dissented , writing “ the State ’ s position on this score illogically assumes that the very same people who can not be trusted to follow the rules at their place of worship can be trusted to do so at their workplace.
” Newsom has vowed to provide plans on reopening churches Monday , after previously saying that such reopenings were just “ a few weeks away.
” Some churches that have opened without authorization have been sources for spreading the coronavirus , including in Butte , Mendocino and @ @ @

Wally Thomas of Lake Forest and Denean MacAndrew of Mission Viejo take part in a protest in Huntington Beach on May 9.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Gov. Gavin Newsom’s ban on in-person church services, in a split ruling that landed Friday night and is likely to further anger pastors who claim that California is trampling on religious freedoms.
The South Bay United Pentecostal Church in San Diego cannot reopen immediately, the two judges in the majority wrote in their order, because in this case “constitutional standards that would normally govern our review of a Free Exercise claim should not be applied.”
For the record: This article incorrectly attributes a portion of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. The article says the two judges in the majority wrote that the South Bay United Pentecostal Church in San Diego could not reopen immediately because in this case “constitutional standards that would normally govern our review of a Free Exercise claim should not be applied.” In fact, the passage was from a dissent by Judge Daniel Collins in which he quoted the state’s argument, then went on to say he disagreed with it.
“We’re dealing here with a highly contagious and often fatal disease for which there presently is no known cure. In the words of Justice Robert Jackson, if a “[c]ourt does not temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom, it will convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact,’” they wrote.
Advertisement
The decision came the same week more than 1,200 pastors vowed to hold in-person services May 31, Pentecost Sunday , defying a state moratorium on religious gatherings that Newsom imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
In a letter to Newsom, Robert H. Tyler, an attorney representing a Lodi church that has challenged the governor’s order in court, said more than 1,200 pastors have signed a “Declaration of Essentiality,” asserting their churches are as essential as any grocery or hardware store and should be allowed to reopen.
By Wednesday, many counties in California had received approval to reopen establishments — retail business, office buildings, restaurants, shopping centers — as permitted in the second phase of Newsom’s plan to restart the state economy. Churches are not allowed to reopen until the plan’s third phase.
Trump-appointed Judge Daniel Collins dissented, writing “the State’s position on this score illogically assumes that the very same people who cannot be trusted to follow the rules at their place of worship can be trusted to do so at their workplace.”
Newsom has vowed to provide plans on reopening churches Monday, after previously saying that such reopenings were just “a few weeks away.” Some churches that have opened without authorization have been sources for spreading the coronavirus, including in Butte, Mendocino and Lake counties.


latimes--2020-05-23--A new coronavirus testing site is opening at Dodger Stadium: What you need to know

Dodger Stadium might finally host big crowds , but not yet for ballgames .
On Tuesday the city is planning to open a new drive-through coronavirus testing site at the stadium , Los Angeles .
Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday .
“ This site isn ’ t special just because of where it is and all those amazing memories we have of going to Chavez Ravine to see the boys in blue play .
It ’ s remarkable because we ’ ll be able to test up to 6,000 people a day , ” Garcetti said .
“ That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site that we have .
And we ’ ve designed the site to move as many people as quickly through that site as possible , alleviating long wait times and long lines.
” The city will partner with the Los Angeles Fire Department and the nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort to operate the site in the stadium parking lot , Garcetti said .
Donated big screens will show videos of “ how to complete a test , so when drivers get to the front of the line , they ’ ll know exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it quickly.
” The new testing site will open after what ’ s expected to be a hot Memorial Day weekend , one that officials worry will bring L.A. residents in contact with one another as some beach parking lots and recreation areas open .
Garcetti has been encouraging residents to get tested , with or without symptoms .
“ If you have a cough and you don ’ t know if it ’ s just allergies or if you ’ ve been around somebody that ’ s been exhibiting symptoms , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing site or sign up for a test by calling ( 213 ) 978-1028 or visiting the city ’ s coronavirus website .

Dodger Stadium was closed on March 26, what would have been opening day if not for the coronavirus outbreak.
Dodger Stadium might finally host big crowds, but not yet for ballgames. On Tuesday the city is planning to open a new drive-through coronavirus testing site at the stadium, Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday.
“This site isn’t special just because of where it is and all those amazing memories we have of going to Chavez Ravine to see the boys in blue play. It’s remarkable because we’ll be able to test up to 6,000 people a day,” Garcetti said.
“That’s three times larger than any testing site that we have. And we’ve designed the site to move as many people as quickly through that site as possible, alleviating long wait times and long lines.”
Advertisement
The city will partner with the Los Angeles Fire Department and the nonprofit Community Organized Relief Effort to operate the site in the stadium parking lot, Garcetti said. Donated big screens will show videos of “how to complete a test, so when drivers get to the front of the line, they’ll know exactly what to do and how to do it quickly.”
The new testing site will open after what’s expected to be a hot Memorial Day weekend, one that officials worry will bring L.A. residents in contact with one another as some beach parking lots and recreation areas open.
Garcetti has been encouraging residents to get tested, with or without symptoms.
“If you have a cough and you don’t know if it’s just allergies or if you’ve been around somebody that’s been exhibiting symptoms,” Garcetti said, residents can find a testing site or sign up for a test by calling (213) 978-1028 or visiting the city’s coronavirus website.


latimes--2020-05-23--Orange County cleared to reopen more businesses amid coronavirus restrictions

Orange County has been approved by the state to mount a more aggressive reopening of local businesses , officials announced Saturday .
The county joins 45 others that have been cleared to resume in-restaurant dining and in-store shopping .
“ With this attestation , it is our goal to ensure all Orange County businesses have the confidence to open as safely and as soon as possible without concerns about the state order , ” said county Supervisor Michelle Steel in a statement .
Orange County leaders were hopeful early in the week that more retailers would be able to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses first had to put certain plans and precautions in place .
Before reopening , businesses must review state guidance relevant to their industry , prepare and implement a safety plan and post an industry-specific checklist in their workplaces , county officials said Saturday in a news release .
The posting must include an attestation by the business owner that they ’ ve performed a risk assessment , put in place a protection plan , trained employees on how to limit the virus ’ s spread , and implemented screenings , disinfecting protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new order issued by the county health officer Friday .
“ We understand that many businesses are hurting at this time and greatly want to reopen with as little issues as possible , ” county Supervisor Don Wagner said in a statement .
“ However , the state is requiring training and assessments to be done prior to opening .
We ask that businesses work as best as they can to meet these guidelines.
” Newport Beach ’ s City Council planned to meet Tuesday to consider an emergency ordinance to expand outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would help businesses to reopen , the city said in a news release .
The proposal was developed to help businesses quickly obtain temporary-use permits for things like takeout windows , curbside pickup zones and expanded outdoor operations , the city said .
The health order issued Friday also requires Orange County residents to wear cloth face coverings when they ’ re in a public place , at work or visiting a place of business and they ’ re unable to stay at least six feet apart from others who are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it mandates that those who have or are likely to have the coronavirus self-isolate until at least three days after they recover and 10 days after their symptoms first appeared or they submitted a specimen for a test that returned a positive result .
Those who have been in close contact with a person who has or is likely to have the coronavirus must quarantine themselves until 14 days from the last date they were in contact .
“ The order includes necessary preventative measures to control and reduce the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity in our local healthcare system , which was one of the metrics the California Department of Public Health took into account before approving our plan to move deeper into Stage 2 of reopening Orange County , ” said Dr. Nichole Quick , the county health officer , in a statement .
Orange County submitted its final documentation Thursday night outlining hospitalization rates , testing capacity and other benchmarks that state officials say need to be met in order to move into an accelerated Phase 2 of relaxing stay-at-home orders .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Monday adjusted the requirements counties must meet to accelerate their reopening schedules .
Most notably , Newsom announced that counties would no longer be kept from loosening stay-at-home rules if they have recorded COVID-19 deaths in the previous two weeks .
Local leaders can now move toward a more expansive reopening if they can show fewer than 25 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days , or show that fewer than 8 % of residents tested for the virus over a seven-day period were positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week show that 7.95 % of residents tested for the virus between May 13 and Tuesday were positive , coming in just under the state ’ s maximum .
Hospitalizations are another factor the state considers .
Counties have to show either that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals hasn ’ t increased by more than 5 % over a seven-day period or that they haven ’ t had more than 20 hospitalizations on any single day over a 14-day period .
Based on Orange County ’ s calculation , hospitalizations increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven-day stretch that ended Tuesday .
Under the prior state restrictions , Orange County — and several other counties statewide — would not have been eligible for faster reopening since people are still dying from the virus in many communities .
Orange County public health officials Saturday reported 12 new coronavirus-related deaths , bringing the county ’ s overall death toll to 130 .
Nearly a third of the fatalities were recorded in the past four days , with 10 deaths recorded Wednesday , 14 Thursday and six Friday .
Before Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than five deaths in a single day .
Officials said that many of the new deaths are due to outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities .
In total , 52 residents of skilled nursing facilities had died as of Saturday .
The county also reported an additional 216 cases of the virus Saturday , bringing the total number of infections countywide to 5,157 .
Meanwhile , the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange announced plans for public Masses to resume in phases in Orange County starting June 14 .
The first phase includes allowing smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited Mass with social distancing rules , church officials said Friday in a news release .
The second phase will allow for larger groups and the third will permit choirs and social gatherings .
All of the phases will require participants to follow strict guidelines for social distancing and disinfection , officials said .
“ The pandemic is far from over , so we will begin with small steps , ” said Diocese of Orange Bishop Kevin Vann in a statement .
“ Realizing that reinfection is a concern , as we saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am asking our pastors to prepare their churches to ensure that these guidelines are followed without exception.
” Last week , a Catholic church in Houston had to cancel Masses indefinitely after five of its leaders tested positive for the coronavirus and a priest died .
The church had resumed services on May 2 under the state ’ s reopening plan .
In Orange County , the bishop ’ s advisors have been working on reopening guidelines for weeks , in consultation with county officials and medical experts , the release said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health condition will be encouraged not to return when churches initially reopen , as will anyone who is sick or lives with someone who is sick .
Holy water fonts will remain empty , hymnals will be removed and people will be instructed not to touch one another , including during greetings .
Church rituals that require touching , like the sign of peace , will be suspended .
In most cases , churches will be required to limit their capacity to one-third of normal attendance , officials said .
More Masses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will be encouraged to come during the week to avoid crowding on Sundays .
Vann extended a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday to permit the shift .
The bishop also granted a temporary dispensation allowing priests to celebrate Mass outside church buildings , including in gyms , parish halls and outdoor spaces .
Officials said that Catholics should check their parish ’ s website for specific instructions on how Masses will be held and attendance will be allowed .
Other Southern California counties that have been cleared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening include Riverside , Santa Barbara , San Diego and Ventura counties .
Officials have said that Los Angeles County , which is home to nearly half the state ’ s coronavirus cases and about 56 % of its deaths , is unlikely to accelerate its reopening any time soon .
County public health officials Saturday announced 1,032 new cases of the coronavirus and 41 related deaths .
Long Beach , which has its own public health department , reported an additional 40 cases and one death , bringing the county ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Still , even in the nation ’ s most populous county , there were encouraging signs of progress in slowing the virus ’ spread .
“ Thanks to everyone ’ s efforts , our data points to steady declines in hospitalizations , deaths , and the percent of people testing positive , ” Barbara Ferrer , the county health director , said Saturday in a statement .
The county has seen a 13 % decrease in its latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 16 % decrease in its most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a Department of Health dashboard that tracks metrics related to recovery .
In addition , the percentage of people who have tested positive in L.A. County has reached an all-time low of 8.5 % , compared with 28 % in New York City , Ferrer said .
Her comments came the day after the White House coronavirus response coordinator , Dr. Deborah Birx , singled out Los Angeles as one of three metropolitan areas that has seen a persistently high number of new daily cases , which she said was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ferrer attributed the high case counts to ramped up testing .
“ The increase we see in our number of cases is because we have increased the number of people we are testing , and this is a good thing , ” she said .
The county was meeting its goal of testing 15,000 residents each day , with a seven-day average of 17,901 daily tests performed , the dashboard states .
As of Saturday , more than 436,000 people had been tested and received their results .
“ We are testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the state of California , the state of Washington , the state of Georgia , the United States , and Seattle King-County , ” Ferrer said .
That comes as a number of new testing sites have been established by both L.A. city and county authorities .
The latest is scheduled to open Tuesday at Dodger Stadium , L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday .
“ This site isn ’ t special just because of where it is and all those amazing memories we have of going to Chavez Ravine to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti said .
“ It ’ s remarkable because we ’ ll be able to test up to 6,000 people a day .
”

Orange County has been approved by the state to mount a more aggressive reopening of local businesses, officials announced Saturday. The county joins 45 others that have been cleared to resume in-restaurant dining and in-store shopping.
“With this attestation, it is our goal to ensure all Orange County businesses have the confidence to open as safely and as soon as possible without concerns about the state order,” said county Supervisor Michelle Steel in a statement.
Orange County leaders were hopeful early in the week that more retailers would be able to reopen before the Memorial Day holiday, but businesses first had to put certain plans and precautions in place.
Before reopening, businesses must review state guidance relevant to their industry, prepare and implement a safety plan and post an industry-specific checklist in their workplaces, county officials said Saturday in a news release.
Advertisement
The posting must include an attestation by the business owner that they’ve performed a risk assessment, put in place a protection plan, trained employees on how to limit the virus’s spread, and implemented screenings, disinfecting protocols and physical-distancing guidelines, according to a new order issued by the county health officer Friday.
“We understand that many businesses are hurting at this time and greatly want to reopen with as little issues as possible,” county Supervisor Don Wagner said in a statement.
“However, the state is requiring training and assessments to be done prior to opening. We ask that businesses work as best as they can to meet these guidelines.”
Newport Beach’s City Council planned to meet Tuesday to consider an emergency ordinance to expand outdoor dining and streamline the processes for improvements that would help businesses to reopen, the city said in a news release. The proposal was developed to help businesses quickly obtain temporary-use permits for things like takeout windows, curbside pickup zones and expanded outdoor operations, the city said.
The health order issued Friday also requires Orange County residents to wear cloth face coverings when they’re in a public place, at work or visiting a place of business and they’re unable to stay at least six feet apart from others who are not in their household.
In addition, it mandates that those who have or are likely to have the coronavirus self-isolate until at least three days after they recover and 10 days after their symptoms first appeared or they submitted a specimen for a test that returned a positive result. Those who have been in close contact with a person who has or is likely to have the coronavirus must quarantine themselves until 14 days from the last date they were in contact.
Advertisement
“The order includes necessary preventative measures to control and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community and help preserve the capacity in our local healthcare system, which was one of the metrics the California Department of Public Health took into account before approving our plan to move deeper into Stage 2 of reopening Orange County,” said Dr. Nichole Quick, the county health officer, in a statement.
Orange County submitted its final documentation Thursday night outlining hospitalization rates, testing capacity and other benchmarks that state officials say need to be met in order to move into an accelerated Phase 2 of relaxing stay-at-home orders.
The state’s approval was made possible after Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday adjusted the requirements counties must meet to accelerate their reopening schedules. Most notably, Newsom announced that counties would no longer be kept from loosening stay-at-home rules if they have recorded COVID-19 deaths in the previous two weeks.
Local leaders can now move toward a more expansive reopening if they can show fewer than 25 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents in the last 14 days, or show that fewer than 8% of residents tested for the virus over a seven-day period were positive.
Data submitted by Orange County this week show that 7.95% of residents tested for the virus between May 13 and Tuesday were positive, coming in just under the state’s maximum.
Hospitalizations are another factor the state considers. Counties have to show either that the number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals hasn’t increased by more than 5% over a seven-day period or that they haven’t had more than 20 hospitalizations on any single day over a 14-day period.
Based on Orange County’s calculation, hospitalizations increased by 0.91% on average over the seven-day stretch that ended Tuesday.
Under the prior state restrictions, Orange County — and several other counties statewide — would not have been eligible for faster reopening since people are still dying from the virus in many communities.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Orange County public health officials Saturday reported 12 new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the county’s overall death toll to 130. Nearly a third of the fatalities were recorded in the past four days, with 10 deaths recorded Wednesday, 14 Thursday and six Friday. Before Wednesday, the county hadn’t reported more than five deaths in a single day.
Officials said that many of the new deaths are due to outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities. In total, 52 residents of skilled nursing facilities had died as of Saturday.
The county also reported an additional 216 cases of the virus Saturday, bringing the total number of infections countywide to 5,157.
Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange announced plans for public Masses to resume in phases in Orange County starting June 14.
The first phase includes allowing smaller groups of healthy people to gather for limited Mass with social distancing rules, church officials said Friday in a news release. The second phase will allow for larger groups and the third will permit choirs and social gatherings. All of the phases will require participants to follow strict guidelines for social distancing and disinfection, officials said.
“The pandemic is far from over, so we will begin with small steps,” said Diocese of Orange Bishop Kevin Vann in a statement. “Realizing that reinfection is a concern, as we saw occurred in Texas and elsewhere, I am asking our pastors to prepare their churches to ensure that these guidelines are followed without exception.”
Last week, a Catholic church in Houston had to cancel Masses indefinitely after five of its leaders tested positive for the coronavirus and a priest died. The church had resumed services on May 2 under the state’s reopening plan.
In Orange County, the bishop’s advisors have been working on reopening guidelines for weeks, in consultation with county officials and medical experts, the release said.
Those over 65 or who have an underlying health condition will be encouraged not to return when churches initially reopen, as will anyone who is sick or lives with someone who is sick.
Holy water fonts will remain empty, hymnals will be removed and people will be instructed not to touch one another, including during greetings. Church rituals that require touching, like the sign of peace, will be suspended.
In most cases, churches will be required to limit their capacity to one-third of normal attendance, officials said. More Masses will be offered than usual, and people will be encouraged to come during the week to avoid crowding on Sundays. Vann extended a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday to permit the shift.
The bishop also granted a temporary dispensation allowing priests to celebrate Mass outside church buildings, including in gyms, parish halls and outdoor spaces.
Officials said that Catholics should check their parish’s website for specific instructions on how Masses will be held and attendance will be allowed.
Other Southern California counties that have been cleared to move into an accelerated Phase 2 of reopening include Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ventura counties.
Officials have said that Los Angeles County, which is home to nearly half the state’s coronavirus cases and about 56% of its deaths, is unlikely to accelerate its reopening any time soon.
County public health officials Saturday announced 1,032 new cases of the coronavirus and 41 related deaths. Long Beach, which has its own public health department, reported an additional 40 cases and one death, bringing the county’s total to 44,095 cases and 2,091 deaths.
Still, even in the nation’s most populous county, there were encouraging signs of progress in slowing the virus’ spread.
“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, our data points to steady declines in hospitalizations, deaths, and the percent of people testing positive,” Barbara Ferrer, the county health director, said Saturday in a statement.
The county has seen a 13% decrease in its latest seven-day average of deaths per day and a 16% decrease in its most recent three-day average of hospitalizations per day, according to a Department of Health dashboard that tracks metrics related to recovery.
In addition, the percentage of people who have tested positive in L.A. County has reached an all-time low of 8.5%, compared with 28% in New York City, Ferrer said.
Her comments came the day after the White House coronavirus response coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, singled out Los Angeles as one of three metropolitan areas that has seen a persistently high number of new daily cases, which she said was a cause for concern.
On Saturday, Ferrer attributed the high case counts to ramped up testing.
“The increase we see in our number of cases is because we have increased the number of people we are testing, and this is a good thing,” she said.
The county was meeting its goal of testing 15,000 residents each day, with a seven-day average of 17,901 daily tests performed, the dashboard states. As of Saturday, more than 436,000 people had been tested and received their results.
“We are testing more people per capita in L.A. County than the state of California, the state of Washington, the state of Georgia, the United States, and Seattle King-County,” Ferrer said.
That comes as a number of new testing sites have been established by both L.A. city and county authorities.
The latest is scheduled to open Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Friday.
“This site isn’t special just because of where it is and all those amazing memories we have of going to Chavez Ravine to see the boys in blue play,” Garcetti said. “It’s remarkable because we’ll be able to test up to 6,000 people a day.”
Times staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-23--California just made it easier for bars, wineries, distilleries to offer to-go drinks

More California establishments are now allowed to sell alcoholic beverages to go , a response to the state temporarily relaxing another rule in a bid to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic .
Bars , wineries , distilleries and breweries that don ’ t have their own kitchens can sell alcoholic drinks to go , as long as they partner with a meal provider to offer the drinks with food , the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced Friday night .
Drinks must also be sold in sealed containers .
“ We know businesses have suffered as they continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Jacob Appelsmith , the department ’ s director , said in a statement .
“ We have heard directly from these businesses that the notices of regulatory relief can give them a boost and help bring more people back to work.
” The move comes after the department on March 19 relaxed rules to allow businesses that operate kitchens to sell alcoholic drinks and cocktails to go in conjunction with meals .
After that , it received numerous requests to extend the relief to businesses that don ’ t have kitchens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has temporarily relaxed a variety of other rules and regulations for licensees , including authorizing takeout dining and alcoholic beverages to go for more than 45,000 restaurants , officials said in a news release .
The department also has permitted virtual wine tastings , free alcohol delivery and alcohol transactions through pass-out windows , and distilleries have been permitted to make hand sanitizers and disinfectants , provided they ’ re cleared by federal authorities , officials said .

Bartender Taylor Osorio wears a face mask as she pours drinks at Centro Cocina Mexicana restaurant in Sacramento on Friday. A state rule change will make it easier for bars and wineries to sell to-go drinks.
More California establishments are now allowed to sell alcoholic beverages to go, a response to the state temporarily relaxing another rule in a bid to help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bars, wineries, distilleries and breweries that don’t have their own kitchens can sell alcoholic drinks to go, as long as they partner with a meal provider to offer the drinks with food, the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced Friday night. Drinks must also be sold in sealed containers.
“We know businesses have suffered as they continue fighting to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Jacob Appelsmith, the department’s director, said in a statement. “We have heard directly from these businesses that the notices of regulatory relief can give them a boost and help bring more people back to work.”
Advertisement
The move comes after the department on March 19 relaxed rules to allow businesses that operate kitchens to sell alcoholic drinks and cocktails to go in conjunction with meals. After that, it received numerous requests to extend the relief to businesses that don’t have kitchens, officials said in a news release.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has temporarily relaxed a variety of other rules and regulations for licensees, including authorizing takeout dining and alcoholic beverages to go for more than 45,000 restaurants, officials said in a news release.
The department also has permitted virtual wine tastings, free alcohol delivery and alcohol transactions through pass-out windows, and distilleries have been permitted to make hand sanitizers and disinfectants, provided they’re cleared by federal authorities, officials said.