latimes--2020-04-29--L.A. County district attorney's husband under review by attorney general after pointing gun at prote

L.A. County district attorney's husband under review by attorney general after pointing gun at protesters

The California attorney general ’ s office is reviewing whether Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey ’ s husband committed a crime and should face prosecution for pointing a gun at protesters outside their home a day before her crucial primary election , officials said .
The Los Angeles Police Department presented its case to Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra ’ s office this month , said Josh Rubenstein , the department ’ s chief spokesman .
David Lacey has been under investigation since March 2 , when about 30 protesters arrived at the family ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstration was in response to claims that Lacey had failed to deliver on a promise to meet with black activists and discuss a wide variety of issues , including her decision-making in cases in which law enforcement used deadly force .
Melina Abdullah , a Black Lives Matter organizer and Cal State L.A. professor who has long sparred with Lacey and the LAPD , said she and two others approached Lacey ’ s door .
Seconds later , Abdullah said , she believed she heard a gun cock .
Video of the incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a firearm in one hand demanding the protesters leave .
“ Are you going to shoot me ?
” Abdullah asks .
“ I will shoot you .
Get off of my porch , ” David Lacey responds .
The incident took place just 24 hours before voters went to the polls in a contentious primary race among Lacey , former San Francisco Dist .
Atty .
George Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi .
Lacey outpaced her rivals and earned 49 % of all ballots cast , but that wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gascón in November .
The case is being reviewed by the attorney general to avoid any conflict of interest that would ensue from Lacey ’ s office having to potentially prosecute her husband .
In an email , a spokesperson for the attorney general ’ s office said the agency will “ review any material regarding the incident that is presented to us by LAPD ” but declined to offer specifics , citing the ongoing investigation .
David Lacey , a former investigative auditor for the district attorney ’ s office , declined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s reelection campaign .
He has not been arrested .
Just hours after the incident , Lacey told reporters she had received death threats during the campaign and claimed the hard-fought primary — which featured a January debate that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters , including one who tried to rush the stage — had left her and her husband fearful of who might have been at their door that morning .
“ His response was in fear , and now that he realizes what happened he wanted me to say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed the gun to , that he was sorry , that he ’ s profoundly sorry , that he meant no one any harm , ” she said last month .
Civil rights attorney Carl Douglas , who is representing Abdullah and two other demonstrators involved in the incident , described David Lacey ’ s actions as “ negligent use of force.
” He pushed back on comments made by LAPD Chief Michel Moore last month that his clients were hamstringing the investigation by initially declining to speak with detectives .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Department to make sure that justice is served , ” he said .
“ We do not want there to be any suggestion that Dr. Melina ’ s failure to cooperate in anyway hampers a fair investigation into what happened that day .
Dr. Melina has sat down with an investigating officer and answered every single question she was asked .
”

The California attorney general’s office is reviewing whether Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s husband committed a crime when he pointed a gun at protesters in March
The California attorney general’s office is reviewing whether Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s husband committed a crime and should face prosecution for pointing a gun at protesters outside their home a day before her crucial primary election, officials said.
The Los Angeles Police Department presented its case to Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra’s office this month, said Josh Rubenstein, the department’s chief spokesman.
David Lacey has been under investigation since March 2, when about 30 protesters arrived at the family’s Granada Hills home before dawn. The demonstration was in response to claims that Lacey had failed to deliver on a promise to meet with black activists and discuss a wide variety of issues, including her decision-making in cases in which law enforcement used deadly force.
Melina Abdullah, a Black Lives Matter organizer and Cal State L.A. professor who has long sparred with Lacey and the LAPD, said she and two others approached Lacey’s door. Seconds later, Abdullah said, she believed she heard a gun cock.
Video of the incident shows David Lacey answering the door with a firearm in one hand demanding the protesters leave.
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“Are you going to shoot me?” Abdullah asks.
“I will shoot you. Get off of my porch,” David Lacey responds.
The incident took place just 24 hours before voters went to the polls in a contentious primary race among Lacey, former San Francisco Dist. Atty. George Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi. Lacey outpaced her rivals and earned 49% of all ballots cast, but that wasn’t enough to avoid a runoff against Gascón in November.
#BREAKING This morning Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s husband pulled a gun out on Black Lives Matter activists who protested his wife in front of their house. @BLMLA pic.twitter.com/wnCFMMvaWV — Jasmyne Cannick (@Jasmyne) March 2, 2020
The case is being reviewed by the attorney general to avoid any conflict of interest that would ensue from Lacey’s office having to potentially prosecute her husband.
In an email, a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office said the agency will “review any material regarding the incident that is presented to us by LAPD” but declined to offer specifics, citing the ongoing investigation.
David Lacey, a former investigative auditor for the district attorney’s office, declined to comment through a spokesman for Lacey’s reelection campaign. He has not been arrested.
Just hours after the incident, Lacey told reporters she had received death threats during the campaign and claimed the hard-fought primary — which featured a January debate that was repeatedly interrupted by protesters, including one who tried to rush the stage — had left her and her husband fearful of who might have been at their door that morning.
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“His response was in fear, and now that he realizes what happened he wanted me to say to the protesters, the person that he showed the gun to, that he was sorry, that he’s profoundly sorry, that he meant no one any harm,” she said last month.
Civil rights attorney Carl Douglas, who is representing Abdullah and two other demonstrators involved in the incident, described David Lacey’s actions as “negligent use of force.” He pushed back on comments made by LAPD Chief Michel Moore last month that his clients were hamstringing the investigation by initially declining to speak with detectives.
“We are actively cooperating with the Los Angeles Police Department to make sure that justice is served,” he said. “We do not want there to be any suggestion that Dr. Melina’s failure to cooperate in anyway hampers a fair investigation into what happened that day. Dr. Melina has sat down with an investigating officer and answered every single question she was asked.”


latimes--2020-04-29--Much warmer weather is likely in the Los Angeles region next week

In a pattern similar to last week ’ s heatwave , a ridge developing over the region could bring near triple-digit temperatures to the warmest Southern California valleys again next Wednesday and Thursday , the National Weather Service said .
Outlook maps produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show a strong likelihood of above-normal temperatures for Southern California and most of the Southwest in the six- to 10-day forecast .
Models show a ridge of high pressure expanding across Southern California from the south , commencing a warming trend about midweek , the weather service said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-pressure ridge , however .
A weak north to northeast flow at lower levels could bring additional heating west of the mountains .
The warm-up follows a slight cooling trend expected to continue through this weekend as increased onshore flow lowers temperatures to about seasonal averages by Sunday , with night and morning low clouds and fog expected through the weekend .
Temperatures for the middle of next week are forecast to be in the low to mid-90s for downtown Los Angeles , with 80s at the coast .
Locally gusty winds are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County and through the Interstate 5 corridor .
Fire weather concerns are thought to be minimal in Southern California because of moisture from late-season storms , but drought conditions continue in Northern California .
Air quality is likely to suffer and officials continue to urge caution about the risk to kids or pets in hot cars — dangers that exist even when the ambient temperature is relatively low .

In a pattern similar to last week’s heatwave, a ridge developing over the region could bring near triple-digit temperatures to the warmest Southern California valleys again next Wednesday and Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
Outlook maps produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show a strong likelihood of above-normal temperatures for Southern California and most of the Southwest in the six- to 10-day forecast.
Models show a ridge of high pressure expanding across Southern California from the south, commencing a warming trend about midweek, the weather service said. The models disagree about the strength of the high-pressure ridge, however. A weak north to northeast flow at lower levels could bring additional heating west of the mountains.
The warm-up follows a slight cooling trend expected to continue through this weekend as increased onshore flow lowers temperatures to about seasonal averages by Sunday, with night and morning low clouds and fog expected through the weekend.
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Temperatures for the middle of next week are forecast to be in the low to mid-90s for downtown Los Angeles, with 80s at the coast. Locally gusty winds are likely to continue for southern Santa Barbara County and through the Interstate 5 corridor.
Fire weather concerns are thought to be minimal in Southern California because of moisture from late-season storms, but drought conditions continue in Northern California. Air quality is likely to suffer and officials continue to urge caution about the risk to kids or pets in hot cars — dangers that exist even when the ambient temperature is relatively low.


latimes--2020-04-29--All L.A. County residents, even those without symptoms, can now get tested for COVID-19

Mayor Eric Garcetti has long characterized expanding COVID-19 testing to all Angelenos , including those without symptoms , as a critical milestone that needed to be met before leaders could consider lifting some restrictions .
And now , he says , that milestone is a reality .
During a news conference Wednesday evening , Garcetti announced that all city residents are now eligible for free COVID-19 testing — a first-of-its-kind step for any major city in the U.S .
He urged all residents to consider getting swabbed , noting that some people who feel fine can still be asymptomatic carriers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a price on the peace of mind of knowing that you can ’ t infect somebody around you , ” he said .
The mayor also said that L.A. County residents could be tested at sites run by the city of Los Angeles .
Garcetti ’ s announcement came hours after a grim update from health officials : L.A. County saw its largest increase in new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began .
Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer announced 1,541 new confirmed COVID-19 cases , nearly 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The large increase , which pushed the county ’ s total number of infections past 22,400 , is mostly the result of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting , Ferrer said .
County health officials also reported 56 additional fatalities linked to the virus , bringing the county ’ s death toll to 1,056 .
Of those who most recently died , 41 were older than 65 , nine were 41 to 65 and two were 18 to 40 .
Information about the other cases wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settings , including assisted living facilities and nursing homes , account for 47 % of all county deaths , Ferrer said .
Despite the increase in confirmed cases and new deaths , Ferrer said , the county ’ s rate of hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for the virus have remained fairly stable .
As of Wednesday , 4,715 people who have tested positive for the virus countywide have been hospitalized at some point during their illness .
This represents about 22 % of positive cases in Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of all the work you ’ re doing to slow the spread , ” she said .
“ As we prepare for recovery , tracking the information on the number of new hospitalizations every day will be critically important to assessing how well we ’ re continuing our work to slow the spread.
” Health officials also noted that there has been increased testing at prisons throughout the county , which has also led to an increase in the number of confirmed cases .
The news comes after nearly half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Island in San Pedro tested positive for COVID-19 in what has become the nation ’ s worst outbreak in a federal penitentiary .
As of Tuesday , 443 of the prison ’ s 1,055 inmates had the virus , along with 10 staff members .
Two inmates have already died of complications related to the virus , according to the Bureau of Prisons .
Ferrer said the “ large increase ” in those testing positive at the Terminal Island prison is a reflection of a boost in testing within the federal penitentiary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began there last week , she said .
“ The vast majority of them are asymptomatic , ” she said .
She did not say how many of those testing positive have been hospitalized .
Los Angeles County continues to be the coronavirus hotbed of California , accounting for an outsize number of deaths and total cases .
The number of coronavirus infections statewide surpassed 48,000 on Wednesday , while the number of deaths passed 1,900 .
Officials have said in light of those figures that restrictions on movements must continue for now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plan to ease the Safer at Home order , which is set to expire May 15 .
Ferrer said this week that there were no plans to extend the current order but that , as the deadline approaches , officials would reevaluate what was best for the county .
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to establish a plan to work with businesses , labor partners and community leaders to lift restrictions .
Officials have emphasized that lifting restrictions will happen gradually rather than all at once .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees and employers throughout the region is at the forefront of all of our conversations , ” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Wednesday .
“ I ’ m proud that we ’ re taking concrete actions and moving forward with plans in place .
In addition to prioritizing economic recovery we remain deeply focused on the safety and well-being of all of our residents.
” The push to ease stay-at-home restrictions and open public amenities is also being widely felt in Orange County .
Laguna Beach city officials voted Tuesday to reopen the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekday mornings after a six-week closure .
A few miles north in Newport Beach , city leaders voted to keep their beaches open despite a stern rebuke from Gov .
Gavin Newsom after crowds swarmed the beaches over the weekend .
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a set of business guidelines for reopening the region , seeking to “ strike a balance between the need for continued protection from the disease and the need for the economy to function again , ” Supervisor Don Wagner said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the workplace , also note that employers should require customer-facing workers to wear disposable gloves or wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every 30 minutes .
Face coverings should be provided to all employees and workers should also have their temperatures taken before starting a shift , per the guidelines .
Regardless of what guidelines counties adopt , the ultimate say on when and how businesses can get back up and running is up to Newsom , who imposed the nation ’ s first statewide stay-at-home order last month .
Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said could have some businesses running in weeks and some schools reopened by the summer .
But the outline , officials acknowledge , still has many uncertainties .
It is contingent on improvement in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak and on increased testing to assess how the illness is spreading .
Under Newsom ’ s plan , some retail businesses , manufacturing , schools and open spaces could reopen first , with strict social distancing rules .
Down the line , some entertainment venues and religious institutions could reopen .
Live sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be the last to resume .
Though the state has recently begun to see the number of hospitalized patients flatten and become relatively stable , California saw a modest increase in those numbers Tuesday and again Wednesday , Newsom said .
During the question-and-answer portion of Newsom ’ s daily briefing Wednesday , Wagner got on a reporter ’ s phone and mentioned Orange County ’ s vote on business guidelines from the previous day .
Supervisors had directed county staff to send their guidelines to Sacramento in an effort to show that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical professionals and the business community to be effective in a crisis , ” according to a news release .
Newsom responded by noting that Orange County has the fourth-highest number of people hospitalized statewide amid the pandemic .
The county had 175 patients in the hospital as of Wednesday .
“ I ’ m concerned about that , ” Newsom said .
“ We have a lot of work to do to keep people healthy and keep people safe .
”

Hannah Fry, Richard Winton, Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II, Marisa Gerber

A man relaxes next to caution tape at Griffith Observatory on Tuesday as Los Angeles remains locked down because of the coronavirus.
Mayor Eric Garcetti has long said that expanding COVID-19 testing to all Angelenos, including those without symptoms, is a critical milestone that must be met before leaders can consider lifting some restrictions.
And now, he says, that milestone is a reality.
During a news conference Wednesday evening, Garcetti announced that all city residents were now eligible for free COVID-19 testing — a first-of-its-kind step for any major city in the U.S., he said. The mayor urged all residents to consider getting swabbed, noting that some people who feel fine can still be asymptomatic carriers.
1 / 37 Drive-through COVID-19 testing in Boyle Heights. Experts say widespread testing is crucial for states to be able to safely reopen their economies. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 37 Testing in Boyle Heights. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 37 A testing sample is sealed. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 37 Putting on personal protective equipment before testing. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 37 Testing in Boyle Heights. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 37 A patient is screened before testing. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 37 Information is collected from a patient. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 37 Boyle Heights COVID-19 testing. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 37 Juan Infante, a certified medical assistant, takes the temperature of a patient before she gets tested. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 37 Carson City Mayor Albert Robles does self-testing at a new drive-up testing site for COVID-19 outside of a community center in Carson. Free COVID-19 testing is available to all city residents. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 37 Carson residents Kaeli Burks, 3, left, and her cousin Bailey Watson, 5, look out the window of their car after their mothers helped them with self-testing at a drive-up testing site for COVID-19 in Carson. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 37 A Carson resident passes a sealed self-test to a health official at a drive-up testing site. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 37 Carson resident Melvin Smith, 64, does self-testing. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 37 A person drops a specimen at a COVID-19 mobile testing site in Bell. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 37 A person swabs their mouth at a COVID-19 mobile testing site in Bell. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 37 A man talks with a healthcare worker outside Kedren Community Health Center in South LA, where they are offering walk-up coronavirus testing along with other medical services. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 37 A specimen is turned in at the new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 37 A portrait and quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. overlooks a new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 37 Julie Montez, right, sits in her car as a nurse administers a coronavirus test at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 37 Nurses pose for a fun photo between breaks at a drive-through public testing for coronavirus at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 37 Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 37 Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through Coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 23 / 37 Gessie Lurlay is working as a coronavirus screener at the Camarena Health Center in Madera. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 37 Francis Gon-Gibbs, of LA County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, stands at the entrance of a new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 37 A man drops off his self-administered COVID-19 test in a blue bin at a drive-up test site at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 37 Workers direct drivers at a drive-up test site for COVID-19 at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 37 A man misses the blue bin while dropping off his self-administered COVID-19 test at a drive-up test site at the Veterans Administration Parking Lot 15 outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium in Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 28 / 37 Workers help conduct drive-thru coronavirus testing at Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 29 / 37 A sign directs people to drive-thru coronavirus testing at Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 37 Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, “We’re All In This Together,” while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location, at the South Bay Galleria, in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 37 A woman shows her notice from her doctor that allows her to obtain a test for COVID-19 at a new drive-up testing site in a parking lot at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 32 / 37 Coronavirus CO drive-thru sample collection takes place at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan/Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 33 / 37 San Bernardino County health care worker takes a sample at a coronavirus drive-thru sample collection that took place at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 37 Motorists, line up on Stadium Way, near Dodger Stadium, waiting to enter a parking lot and be tested for the coronavirus. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 35 / 37 Members of the Los Angeles Fire Dept. wear protective gear while handing out kits to people to swab the inside of their mouths to test for the coronavirus, inside a parking lot on Stadium Way, near Dodger Stadium. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 36 / 37 Riverside County medical personnel screen a car of load of four people at a coronavirus drive-though testing facility for Coachella Valley residents in the parking lot of the Southwest in Indian Wells. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 37 Aerial views cars lined up for drive-through coronavirus testing inside a parking lot on Stadium Way near Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
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“You can’t put a price on the peace of mind of knowing that you can’t infect somebody around you,” he said.
The mayor also said that L.A. County residents could be tested at sites run by the city of Los Angeles.
Garcetti’s announcement came hours after a grim update from health officials: L.A. County saw its largest increase in new coronavirus cases reported in a single day since the pandemic began.
Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer announced 1,541 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, nearly 1,000 more than reported the previous day. The large increase, which pushed the county’s total number of infections past 22,400, is mostly the result of a boost in testing as well as a lag in weekend reporting, Ferrer said.
County health officials also reported 56 additional fatalities linked to the virus, bringing the county’s death toll to 1,056.
Of those who most recently died, 41 were older than 65, nine were 41 to 65 and two were 18 to 40. Information about the other cases wasn’t immediately available. Residents in institutional settings, including assisted living facilities and nursing homes, account for 47% of all county deaths, Ferrer said.
Tracking the coronavirus in L.A. County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
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Despite the increase in confirmed cases and new deaths, Ferrer said, the county’s rate of hospitalizations and the percentage of people testing positive for the virus have remained fairly stable. As of Wednesday, 4,715 people who have tested positive for the virus countywide have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. This represents about 22% of positive cases in Los Angeles County, Ferrer said.
“This is because of all the work you’re doing to slow the spread,” she said. “As we prepare for recovery, tracking the information on the number of new hospitalizations every day will be critically important to assessing how well we’re continuing our work to slow the spread.”
Health officials also noted that there has been increased testing at prisons throughout the county, which has also led to an increase in the number of confirmed cases.
The news comes after nearly half of the inmates at the federal prison at Terminal Island in San Pedro tested positive for COVID-19 in what has become the nation’s worst outbreak in a federal penitentiary.
As of Tuesday, 443 of the prison’s 1,055 inmates had the virus, along with 10 staff members. Two inmates have already died of complications related to the virus, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
Ferrer said the “large increase” in those testing positive at the Terminal Island prison is a reflection of a boost in testing within the federal penitentiary for those without visible symptoms. That testing began there last week, she said.
“The vast majority of them are asymptomatic,” she said. She did not say how many of those testing positive have been hospitalized.
Los Angeles County continues to be the coronavirus hotbed of California, accounting for an outsize number of deaths and total cases. The number of coronavirus infections statewide surpassed 48,000 on Wednesday, while the number of deaths passed 1,900.
Officials have said in light of those figures that restrictions on movements must continue for now.
Still, county officials are developing a plan to ease the Safer at Home order, which is set to expire May 15. Ferrer said this week that there were no plans to extend the current order but that, as the deadline approaches, officials would reevaluate what was best for the county.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted this week to establish a plan to work with businesses, labor partners and community leaders to lift restrictions. Officials have emphasized that lifting restrictions will happen gradually rather than all at once.
“Restoring the local economy and uplifting employees and employers throughout the region is at the forefront of all of our conversations,” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said Wednesday. “I’m proud that we’re taking concrete actions and moving forward with plans in place. In addition to prioritizing economic recovery we remain deeply focused on the safety and well-being of all of our residents.”
The push to ease stay-at-home restrictions and open public amenities is also being widely felt in Orange County.
Laguna Beach city officials voted Tuesday to reopen the city’s beaches for several hours on weekday mornings after a six-week closure. A few miles north in Newport Beach, city leaders voted to keep their beaches open despite a stern rebuke from Gov. Gavin Newsom after crowds swarmed the beaches over the weekend.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a set of business guidelines for reopening the region, seeking to “strike a balance between the need for continued protection from the disease and the need for the economy to function again,” Supervisor Don Wagner said.
The guidelines, which outline physical distancing requirements in the workplace, also note that employers should require customer-facing workers to wear disposable gloves or wash their hands or use hand sanitizer every 30 minutes. Face coverings should be provided to all employees and workers should also have their temperatures taken before starting a shift, per the guidelines.
Regardless of what guidelines counties adopt, the ultimate say on when and how businesses can get back up and running is up to Newsom, who imposed the nation’s first statewide stay-at-home order last month.
Newsom has released a four-part plan that he said could have some businesses running in weeks and some schools reopened by the summer.
But the outline, officials acknowledge, still has many uncertainties. It is contingent on improvement in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak and on increased testing to assess how the illness is spreading.
Under Newsom’s plan, some retail businesses, manufacturing, schools and open spaces could reopen first, with strict social distancing rules. Down the line, some entertainment venues and religious institutions could reopen. Live sports, concerts and other crowded events would be the last to resume.
Though the state has recently begun to see the number of hospitalized patients flatten and become relatively stable, California saw a modest increase in those numbers Tuesday and again Wednesday, Newsom said.
During the question-and-answer portion of Newsom’s daily briefing Wednesday, Wagner got on a reporter’s phone and mentioned Orange County’s vote on business guidelines from the previous day. Supervisors had directed county staff to send their guidelines to Sacramento in an effort to show that “it is possible for policymakers, medical professionals and the business community to be effective in a crisis,” according to a news release.
Newsom responded by noting that Orange County has the fourth-highest number of people hospitalized statewide amid the pandemic. The county had 175 patients in the hospital as of Wednesday.
“I’m concerned about that,” Newsom said. “We have a lot of work to do to keep people healthy and keep people safe.”


latimes--2020-04-30--Coronavirus outbreak at Terminal Island prison worsens: 4 dead, 600 infected

With the number of Terminal Island prison inmates testing positive for the coronavirus climbing to 600 — nearly 60 % of the San Pedro penitentiary population — federal prison officials said Thursday that another two inmates had died of COVID-19 issues , bringing the facility ’ s death toll to four .
The prison ’ s surging number of coronavirus cases follows mass testing of more than 1,000 inmates by Los Angeles County Public Health officials , according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons .
The facility now accounts for more than a third of documented federal prison inmates with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Federal officials said Thursday that public health officials had tested even those without symptoms and that only 1 in 10 of those checked had signs of illness .
The number of positive inmates jumped late Wednesday from 443 to 600 in the San Pedro prison , which houses 1,053 on L.A. ’ s waterfront .
Prison officials said Thursday that two inmates died Wednesday after being on ventilators at hospitals .
Steve Cino , 54 , was taken to hospital on April 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later .
Before his death Wednesday , he tested positive for COVID-19 .
Federal prison officials said Cino had long-term , preexisting medical conditions .
He was serving a sentence of 24 years and three months for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and methamphetamine and money laundering conspiracy .
He had been at Terminal Island since January .
Rex Damon Begay Sr. , 80 , tested positive April 19 and was taken to the hospital the next day , where he was placed on a ventilator .
He died Wednesday .
Begay was sentenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for abusive sexual contact with a minor younge rthan 12 years .
He had been at Terminal Island since April 2016 .
Inmates Michael Fleming , 59 , and Bradley James Ghilarducci , 73 , died last week .
Both had preexisting medical conditions , officials said .
Fleming was serving a 20-year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine .
Ghilarducci was serving an eight-year sentence for receiving and distributing child sexual abuse imagery .
Times staff writer Sarah Wire and the Associated Press contributed to this story .

Nearly 60% of inmates at the federal prison at Terminal Island in San Pedro have tested positive for the coronavirus.
With the number of Terminal Island prison inmates testing positive for the coronavirus climbing to 600 — nearly 60% of the San Pedro penitentiary population — federal prison officials said Thursday that another three inmates had died of COVID-19 issues, bringing the facility’s death toll to five.
The prison’s surging number of coronavirus cases follows mass testing of more than 1,000 inmates by Los Angeles County Public Health officials, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The facility now accounts for more than a third of documented federal prison inmates with the coronavirus. Ten staff members also have COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Federal officials said Thursday that public health officials had tested even those without symptoms and that only 1 in 10 of those checked had signs of illness.
The number of positive inmates jumped late Wednesday from 443 to 600 in the San Pedro prison, which houses 1,053 on L.A.’s waterfront.
Prison officials said Thursday that three inmates died Wednesday after being on ventilators at hospitals.
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Steve Cino, 54, was taken to hospital on April 15 and placed on a ventilator five days later. Before his death Wednesday, he tested positive for COVID-19. Federal prison officials said Cino had long-term, preexisting medical conditions. He was serving a sentence of 24 years and three months for conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and methamphetamine and money laundering conspiracy. He had been at Terminal Island since January.
Rex Damon Begay Sr., 80 , tested positive April 19 and was taken to the hospital the next day, where he was placed on a ventilator. He died Wednesday. Begay was sentenced in Arizona to 10 years in prison for abusive sexual contact with a minor younge rthan 12 years. He had been at Terminal Island since April 2016.
Inmates Michael Fleming, 59, and Bradley James Ghilarducci, 73, died last week. Both had preexisting medical conditions, officials said. Fleming was serving a 20-year sentence for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ghilarducci was serving an eight-year sentence for receiving and distributing child sexual abuse imagery.
A fifth inmate from Terminal Island died Thursday of COVID-19 related issues.
Leonard Auerbach, 73, was a former Orinda mortgage finance expert sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to producing child pornography, charges stemming from him taking explicit photos and videos of a girl that he had sex with in Costa Rica. Auerbach was extradited from Cuba after he fled there in 2008 after he was charged.
Times staff writers Sarah Wire and Jaclyn Cosgrove and the Associated Press contributed to this story.


latimes--2020-04-30--California lists dozens of outdoor activities permitted under stay-at-home rules

Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Thursday urged residents to avoid the beach — and even ordered the shores of Orange County closed .
But state officials emphasized there are many outdoor activities that Californians can do while adhering to the stay-at-home order , which has helped slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Like what ?
Well , tree climbing , crabbing , meditation , trampolining , outdoor photography and washing the car to name a few .
There has been a growing push in some communities to ease the restrictions .
Newsom announced a plan to reopen the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also urged caution , saying lifting the rules too early could lead to more outbreaks and hurt the economy more in the long run .
“ Why put ourselves in that position when we are just a week or two away from significant modifications of our stay-at-home [ order ] , where we can begin ... to reopen sectors of our economy that are low-risk ?
” Newsom asked Wednesday .
The governor ordered Orange County beaches closed on Thursday despite opposition from local leaders .
“ Specific issues on some of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom said .
“ People that are congregating there , that weren ’ t practicing physical distancing , that may go back to their community outside of Orange County and may not even know that they contracted the disease and now they put other people at risk , put our hospital system at risk.
” Newsom said Orange County beaches would be reopened soon if the situation improved .
The state on Thursday released a “ non-exhaustive ” list of “ health activities ” permitted under stay-at-home rules .
“ It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a walk , to exercise , and participate in healthy activities as long as you maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and gather only with members of your household , ” the state said .
Here are the activities listed : • Picnics ( with your stay-home household members only ) • Throw and catch an American mini-football , frisbee or frisbee golf ( not in groups ) Newsom unveiled a to lift his stay-at-home order and slowly ease the restrictions on Californians in four stages in the weeks and months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in July or August , catching educators who were learning about it for the first time off guard .

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday urged residents to avoid the beach — and even ordered the shores of Orange County closed.
But state officials emphasized there are many outdoor activities that Californians can do while adhering to the stay-at-home order, which has helped slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Like what? Well, tree climbing, crabbing, meditation, trampolining, outdoor photography and washing the car to name a few.
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There has been a growing push in some communities to ease the restrictions. Newsom announced a plan to reopen the economy over the coming months, but has also urged caution, saying lifting the rules too early could lead to more outbreaks and hurt the economy more in the long run.
“Why put ourselves in that position when we are just a week or two away from significant modifications of our stay-at-home [order], where we can begin ... to reopen sectors of our economy that are low-risk?” Newsom asked Wednesday.
The governor ordered Orange County beaches closed on Thursday despite opposition from local leaders.
“Specific issues on some of those beaches have raised alarm bells,” Newsom said. “People that are congregating there, that weren’t practicing physical distancing, that may go back to their community outside of Orange County and may not even know that they contracted the disease and now they put other people at risk, put our hospital system at risk.”
Newsom said Orange County beaches would be reopened soon if the situation improved.
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The state on Thursday released a “non-exhaustive” list of “health activities” permitted under stay-at-home rules.
“It’s OK to go outside to go for a walk, to exercise, and participate in healthy activities as long as you maintain a safe physical distance of six feet and gather only with members of your household,” the state said.
Here are the activities listed:
Athletics
Badminton (singles)
Throwing a baseball/softball
BMX biking
Canoeing (singles)
Crabbing
Cycling
Exploring rock pools
Gardening (not in groups)
Golf (singles, walking – no cart)
Hiking (trails/paths allowing distancing)
Horse riding (singles)
Jogging and running
Kite boarding and kite surfing
Meditation
Outdoor photography
Picnics (with your stay-home household members only)
Quad biking
Rock climbing
Roller skating and roller blading
Rowing (singles)
Scootering (not in groups)
Skateboarding (not in groups)
Soft martial arts: tai chi, chi kung (not in groups)
Table tennis (singles)
Throw and catch an American mini-football, frisbee or frisbee golf (not in groups)
Trail running
Trampolining
Tree climbing
Volleyball (singles)
Walk the dog
Wash the car
Watch the sunrise or sunset
Yoga


latimes--2020-04-30--South L.A. pastor arrested outside Mayor Garcetti's house on suspicion of stalking

A South Los Angeles pastor was arrested Tuesday outside the home of Mayor Eric Garcetti on suspicion of felony stalking after several days of demonstrating on the Windsor Square block .
Bail was set for Sherman Manning , who leads the Yes We Can !
Worship Center , at $ 150,000 , according to Los Angeles Police Department arrest records .
As of Thursday afternoon , he had not been charged , according to the district attorney ’ s office .
Manning said that for several days he had been walking up and down the block outside the Windsor Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house homeless people on skid row during the COVID-19 pandemic .
In one video broadcast on Facebook , Manning said , “ The homeless have no place in which to shelter — and they have been left for dead.
” He said he wants the mayor to commandeer hotels and the convention center to house people .
At one point , Manning said that three homeless people from skid row had joined him and slept outside on the Windsor Square block .
Manning said he was “ absolutely not ” doing anything to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded before he was arrested Tuesday shows a woman accompanied by police officers outside the Garcetti residence , complaining that Manning was terrorizing her daughter and mentioning that he was convicted of rape .
The pastor replied that he had been convicted and spent decades in prison , but said that regardless , “ You don ’ t think I have a right to peaceably assemble right here ?
” In a later interview , Manning said he had been wrongfully convicted .
Attorney John Isen , who sits on the advisory board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center and bailed Manning out of jail , argued that Garcetti was “ finding ways to suppress the 1st Amendment rights to free speech.
” A Garcetti spokesman referred The Times to the LAPD for comment .
LAPD public information officer Joshua Rubenstein said that because of the nature of the alleged crime , the department could not provide further information on the circumstances leading up to the Tuesday arrest .

The Getty House in the Windsor Square neighborhood, shown in 2011, is the official residence of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.
A South Los Angeles pastor was arrested Tuesday outside the home of Mayor Eric Garcetti on suspicion of felony stalking after appearing several days on the Windsor Square block, where he said he was calling on Garcetti to help homeless people.
Bail was set for Sherman Manning, who leads the Yes We Can! Worship Center, at $150,000, according to Los Angeles Police Department arrest records. As of Friday afternoon, he had not been charged, according to the district attorney’s office.
Garcetti, his wife Amy Wakeland and their daughter also obtained a temporary restraining order Friday against Manning requiring him to stay at least 100 yards away from them and their home.
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In a legal declaration, Wakeland said that Manning had shouted “incoherent messages” at them, taken video footage of her and her minor daughter, seemed to be fixated on her because of chants such as “Amy for President,” and “attempted to engage with my daughter by smiling at her.”
Her daughter had been awakened at night and prevented from doing schoolwork because of the noise Manning was making outside, she stated. Wakeland said that because of his behavior and his criminal history, she could no longer allow her daughter and babysitter to leave the house when Manning was nearby “because I am fearful for their safety.”
Manning denied doing anything to harass the family before his arrest and called her account “fictitious allegations,” saying he was unaware that the mayor had a daughter.
“My fixation is on the homeless,” he said.
The pastor said that for several days he had been walking up and down the block outside the Windsor Square residence, calling for urgent action to house homeless people on skid row during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In one video broadcast on Facebook, Manning said, “The homeless have no place in which to shelter — and they have been left for dead.” He said he wants the mayor to commandeer hotels and the convention center to house people. At one point, Manning said that three homeless people from skid row had joined him and slept outside on the Windsor Square block.
One video viewed by The Times, recorded before he was arrested Tuesday, shows a woman accompanied by police officers outside the Garcetti residence, complaining that Manning was terrorizing her daughter and mentioning that he was convicted of rape.
“Leave my house!” she shouted.
The pastor, whose convictions include forcible sodomy and oral copulation, replied that he had indeed been convicted and spent decades in prison, but said that regardless, “You don’t think I have a right to peaceably assemble right here?” In a later interview, Manning said he had been wrongfully convicted.
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John Isen, who sits on the advisory board of the Yes We Can! Worship Center and bailed Manning out of jail, argued that Garcetti was “finding ways to suppress the 1st Amendment rights to free speech.” Isen said it was “laughable” that Wakeland would be fearful of Manning in light of the police presence at the home.
A hearing was set in May for a permanent restraining order.


latimes--2020-04-30--California enters summer with below average snowpack; storms weren't enough to offset dry winter

Despite a series of recent storms , California ’ s snowpack measures well below average for this time of year , the state Department of Water Resources announced Thursday .
The fifth and final snow survey of the water year was at Phillips Station , near Lake Tahoe , and broadcast live on Facebook .
The snowpack measured 1.5 inches deep and had a snow water equivalent of 0.5 inches , or just 3 % of the May average for that location .
Measurements taken from 130 electronic snow sensors throughout the state suggest that the snowpack ’ s water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or 37 % of the May average .
“ March and April storms brought needed snow to the Sierras , with the snowpack reaching its peak on April 9 .
However , those gains were not nearly enough to offset a very dry January and February , ” said Sean de Guzman , chief of the DWR ’ s snow survey and water supply forecast section .
“ The last two weeks have seen increased temperatures leading to a rapid reduction of the snowpack .
Snowmelt runoff into the reservoirs is forecasted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snowpack supplies roughly 30 % of California ’ s freshwater needs as it melts during early summer .
A higher measurement increases the chances that California ’ s rivers and reservoirs will receive considerable runoff through the summer and fall .
The supply provides clean drinking water and renewable energy , while feeding ecosystems throughout the state .
Last year , California had the fifth-deepest snowpack ever recorded .
Even though California failed to see a “ March miracle ” in terms of snowpack , things are looking better for some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six largest in the state currently hold between 83 % and 126 % of their historical averages for this time of year .
Lake Shasta , California ’ s largest surface reservoir , sits at 81 % of capacity , according to the DWR .
The state receives 90 % of its rain and snowfall between early October and late April .
This year , California ’ s precipitation varied widely from month to month .
October and November began with dry conditions , while December precipitation measured at 120 % of average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February , while storms arrived in March and April .
That late rainfall wasn ’ t enough to substantially increase the snowpack , however , and increased temperatures over the last two weeks further melted the pack .

Sean de Guzman, chief of the California Department of Water Resources’ snow survey and water supply forecast section, plunges a survey tube into the spring Sierra Nevada snowpack.
Despite a series of recent storms, California’s snowpack measures well below average for this time of year, the state Department of Water Resources announced Thursday.
The fifth and final snow survey of the water year was at Phillips Station, near Lake Tahoe, and broadcast live on Facebook. The snowpack measured 1.5 inches deep and had a snow water equivalent of 0.5 inches, or just 3% of the May average for that location.
Measurements taken from 130 electronic snow sensors throughout the state suggest that the snowpack’s water equivalent throughout California is 8.4 inches, or 37% of the May average.
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“March and April storms brought needed snow to the Sierras, with the snowpack reaching its peak on April 9. However, those gains were not nearly enough to offset a very dry January and February,” said Sean de Guzman, chief of the DWR’s snow survey and water supply forecast section. “The last two weeks have seen increased temperatures leading to a rapid reduction of the snowpack. Snowmelt runoff into the reservoirs is forecasted to be below average.”
Typically, the snowpack supplies roughly 30% of California’s freshwater needs as it melts during early summer. A higher measurement increases the chances that California’s rivers and reservoirs will receive considerable runoff through the summer and fall. The supply provides clean drinking water and renewable energy, while feeding ecosystems throughout the state.
Last year, California had the fifth-deepest snowpack ever recorded.
Even though California failed to see a “March miracle” in terms of snowpack, things are looking better for some of the state’s major reservoirs. The six largest in the state currently hold between 83% and 126% of their historical averages for this time of year. Lake Shasta, California’s largest surface reservoir, sits at 81% of capacity, according to the DWR.
The state receives 90% of its rain and snowfall between early October and late April. This year, California’s precipitation varied widely from month to month.
October and November began with dry conditions, while December precipitation measured at 120% of average. Dry conditions persisted in January and February, while storms arrived in March and April. That late rainfall wasn’t enough to substantially increase the snowpack, however, and increased temperatures over the last two weeks further melted the pack.
California’s snow survey began in 1929.


latimes--2020-04-30--Orange County's coronavirus cases reach new daily high as officials continue to boost testing

Orange County public health officials reported 145 new coronavirus cases Thursday — the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began — bringing the county ’ s total case count to 2,393 .
This marks the fourth time in the past six days that Orange County has confirmed at least 100 new COVID-19 cases .
The increases coincide with a dramatic rise in testing .
So far , 31,534 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in Orange County , including 1,594 on Thursday alone .
The county has tested roughly 1,530 people per day on average this week , up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted daily a week ago , said County CEO Frank Kim .
The boost in testing is “ so important within Orange County to understand how the disease is spreading throughout our community and to provide us good information in terms of addressing the consequences of those infections , ” Kim said .
County health officials on Thursday also reported another coronavirus-related fatality , bringing the countywide death toll to 45 .
The county reported two fatalities the previous day .
But the observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 — the disease caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just below 2 % , significantly lower than the levels seen in neighboring Los Angeles County and statewide .
Officials also attribute the rise in cases and deaths , in part , to outbreaks in nursing homes , which have been hotbeds for the virus across the state .
There have been positive cases of the virus among staff or residents in at least eight skilled nursing facilities in the county , according to the latest information from the California Department of Public Health .
The county has response teams that it deploys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living homes that help prioritize testing and ensure there are adequate infection control measures in place , said County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick .
“ We ’ re working on securing more resources to increase the number of teams we have to respond to any outbreak we have in skilled nursing facilities as we expect to continue to see these , ” she said .
“ Absolutely we are concerned about it and absolutely this is a priority area going forward .
”

Orange County sheriff’s deputies applaud as nurses from the cardiac rehab unit walk to their cars after a shift at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo this month.
Orange County public health officials reported 145 new coronavirus cases Thursday — the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began — bringing the county’s total case count to 2,393.
This marks the fourth time in the past six days that Orange County has confirmed at least 100 new COVID-19 cases. The increases coincide with a dramatic rise in testing.
So far, 31,534 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in Orange County, including 1,594 on Thursday alone. The county has tested roughly 1,530 people per day on average this week, up from an average of 696 tests being conducted daily a week ago, said County CEO Frank Kim.
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The boost in testing is “so important within Orange County to understand how the disease is spreading throughout our community and to provide us good information in terms of addressing the consequences of those infections,” Kim said.
County health officials on Thursday also reported another coronavirus-related fatality, bringing the countywide death toll to 45. The county reported two fatalities the previous day.
But the observed mortality rate associated with COVID-19 — the disease caused by the coronavirus — continues to be just below 2%, significantly lower than the levels seen in neighboring Los Angeles County and statewide.
Officials also attribute the rise in cases and deaths, in part, to outbreaks in nursing homes, which have been hotbeds for the virus across the state.
There have been positive cases of the virus among staff or residents in at least eight skilled nursing facilities in the county, according to the latest information from the California Department of Public Health.
The county has response teams that it deploys to skilled nursing facilities and other assisted living homes that help prioritize testing and ensure there are adequate infection control measures in place, said County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick.
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“We’re working on securing more resources to increase the number of teams we have to respond to any outbreak we have in skilled nursing facilities as we expect to continue to see these,” she said. “Absolutely we are concerned about it and absolutely this is a priority area going forward.”


latimes--2020-04-30--Coronavirus tests for all? L.A. County clarifies how residents can get tested

Los Angeles County health officials said Thursday that low-risk , asymptomatic residents will not be able to get coronavirus tests at county-operated testing sites , breaking from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti ’ s announcement that the city would offer tests for all who want one .
Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of the county Department of Health Services , said the county would prioritize testing for people with symptoms of COVID-19 , including newly recognized symptoms such as sore throat and sudden loss of taste or smell .
The county also will emphasize testing for people working in essential services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in food service and utilities ; and residents of institutional living facilities , such as nursing homes .
Meanwhile , city-operated test sites will allow anyone to get a test — even those without symptoms and not in those targeted groups .
Ghaly said individuals can sign up at the newly launched testing portal and will be routed to the appropriate test sites .
Asked if the county and city were offering mixed messages on testing , Ghaly said the two entities were working closely together on a “ rapidly evolving topic.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best approach moving forward , ” Ghaly said .
“ We also believe that this is what is most supported in terms of the clinical evidence about who would benefit from a test .
”

Los Angeles County health officials said Thursday that low-risk, asymptomatic residents will not be able to get coronavirus tests at county-operated testing sites, breaking from L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s announcement that the city would offer tests for all who want one.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of the county Department of Health Services, said the county would prioritize testing for people with symptoms of COVID-19, including newly recognized symptoms such as sore throat and sudden loss of taste or smell.
The county also will emphasize testing for people working in essential services, including healthcare workers; those who work in food service and utilities; and residents of institutional living facilities, such as nursing homes.
Meanwhile, city-operated test sites will allow anyone to get a test — even those without symptoms and not in those targeted groups. Ghaly said individuals can sign up at the newly launched testing portal and will be routed to the appropriate test sites.
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Asked if the county and city were offering mixed messages on testing, Ghaly said the two entities were working closely together on a “rapidly evolving topic.”
“We think that this is the best approach moving forward,” Ghaly said. “We also believe that this is what is most supported in terms of the clinical evidence about who would benefit from a test.”
Ghaly noted that “testing supply chain and capacity is still limited across the country.” Eventually, when the supply is no longer constrained and the stay-at-home orders begin to be relaxed, the county could move to expand its criteria for those who should be tested, she said.
On Thursday evening, during his nightly news conference, Garcetti was asked if he was worried that differing test policies between the city and county might cause confusion. He said he was not, and he called the two policies “absolutely complementary.”
“Testing more people gives us more ability to open sooner,” Garcetti said, referring to the eventual lifting of coronavirus health restrictions.
During the first day of the city’s new testing policy, Garcetti said traffic at city testing sites had “tripled.” He also said he was not worried about how the new policy might be affected by the supply of testing equipment.
“There are hundreds of thousands of tests we have access to, so I’m not concerned about that supply,” Garcetti said.
Times staff writer Monte Morin contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-30--Here are the Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

Orange County public health officials reported 145 new coronavirus cases Thursday — the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began @ @ @ @ @ s total case count to 2,393 .
This marks the fourth time in the past @ @ @ @ @ has confirmed at least 100 additional COVID-19 cases .
The increases coincide with a dramatic @ @ @ @ @ far , 31,534 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in Orange County , including @ @ @ @ @ county also reported another coronavirus-related fatality , bringing the countywide death toll to 45 .
@ @ @ @ @ ” category includes unincorporated areas .
Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as @ @ @ @ @ .

St. Jude Medical Center staffers gather on the sidewalk as firefighters show support for healthcare workers this month in Fullerton.
Orange County public health officials reported 145 new coronavirus cases Thursday — the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began — bringing the county’s total case count to 2,393.
This marks the fourth time in the past six days that Orange County has confirmed at least 100 additional COVID-19 cases. The increases coincide with a dramatic rise in testing. So far, 31,534 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in Orange County, including 1,594 on Thursday.
The county also reported another coronavirus-related fatality, bringing the countywide death toll to 45.
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Tracking coronavirus in Orange County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
Age breakdown of cases:
0-17 — 45
18-24 — 204
25-34 — 403
35-44 — 362
45-54 — 454
55-64 — 415
65-74 — 253
75-84 — 157
85+ — 100
Age breakdown of deaths:
25-34 — 2
35-44 — 3
45-54 — 5
55-64 — 7
65-74 — 5
75-84 — 15
85+ — 8
Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo — 18
Anaheim — 346
Brea — 20
Buena Park — 81
Costa Mesa — 40
Coto de Caza — 5
Cypress — 42
Dana Point — 23
Fountain Valley — 32
Fullerton — 79
Garden Grove — 109
Huntington Beach — 223
Irvine — 130
La Habra — 51
La Palma — 14
Ladera Ranch — 12
Laguna Beach — 37
Laguna Hills — 22
Laguna Niguel — 32
Laguna Woods — 8
Lake Forest — 29
Los Alamitos — 23
Midway City — 6
Mission Viejo — 44
Newport Beach — 97
Orange — 92
Placentia — 56
Rancho Mission Viejo — 6
Rancho Santa Margarita — 14
San Clemente — 47
San Juan Capistrano — 27
Santa Ana — 366
Seal Beach — 11
Stanton — 27
Trabuco Canyon — 10
Tustin — 42
Villa Park — 5
Westminster — 43
Yorba Linda — 49
Other — 2
Unknown — 73
Note: The “other” category includes unincorporated areas. Daily updates are preliminary and subject to change as the county receives new information.


latimes--2020-04-30--All state and local beaches in Orange County must temporarily close, Gov. Gavin Newsom says

Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Thursday directed the temporary “ hard close ” of state and local beaches in Orange County after thousands of Californians flocked to the shoreline there over the weekend in defiance of a statewide stay-at-home order enacted to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
The news comes after a memo sent Wednesday evening to California police chiefs said the governor would go further , closing all state and local beaches and parks , a plan Newsom appeared to abandon .
The action marks Newsom ’ s most symbolic response to the pandemic so far as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen the state and allow Californians to return to their normal , everyday lives .
After photos of crowded Orange County beaches went viral last weekend , Newsom chastised beachgoers who ignored the state ’ s restrictions , saying they could prolong the spread of the coronavirus in California and put the health and safety of others at risk .
“ Specific issues on some of those beaches have raised alarm bells , ” Newsom said .
“ People that are congregating there , that weren ’ t practicing physical distancing , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Orange County and may not even know that they contracted the disease and now they put other people at risk , put our hospital system at risk.
” Newsom said Orange County beaches would be reopened soon if the situation improves .
“ We want to work very closely with local elected officials , and we ’ re committed to doing that if we can get some framework and guidelines to get this right .
We can reopen very , very quickly but ... we ’ ve got to make sure we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Newsom on Wednesday hinted that he was mulling a crackdown on California ’ s beaches , saying he was consulting with the California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission , both of which have jurisdiction over the state shoreline .
“ What this shows is that the threat of coronavirus spreading remains very real and that Gov .
Newsom is as serious as ever about keeping Californians safe , ” Steve Padilla , chairman of the California Coastal Commission , said in a statement .
“ I had COVID-19 , was hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ventilator for 11 days fighting for my life , so take it from me — we need to listen to the governor and stay home until it ’ s safe.
” Newsom ’ s announcement Thursday followed reports that he would take broader action .
On Wednesday evening , a California Police Chiefs Assn .
memo sent to local police chiefs said the governor intended to make an announcement on Thursday about closures of all state and local beaches .
A law enforcement source confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were told might also include the closure of some parks .
On Thursday , Newsom said the memo to the police chiefs “ never got to me , ” and he denied rescinding plans for an order to close beaches statewide .
“ So , we ’ ve been consistent , ” Newsom said .
“ I can ’ t square what others may have said , but this is what we ’ ve said.
” After Newsom ’ s news conference , Aimee Faucett , chief of staff for San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor ’ s statement .
“ For the record , last night Mayor Faulconer ’ s administration was notified by Gov .
Newsom ’ s administration that he would be announcing the closure of ALL CA beaches .
Minutes before today ’ s press announcement Mayor ’ s office was notified this would only apply to Orange County , ” Faucett said in a tweet Thursday afternoon .
Faulconer was also relieved to hear that San Diego beaches will remain open .
The mayor joined with other San Diego County leaders and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for beach access countywide .
Currently , beachgoers are allowed to surf and swim in the water , as well as jog or stroll on the beach .
But they have to keep moving : Sitting down or sunbathing is not permitted .
“ I ’ m glad they reversed course .
We put together a plan that is working , ” Faulconer told The Times in a telephone interview .
“ This is consistent .
It ’ s countywide .
And , most important , people bought into it .
People are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom administration official involved in talks with local leaders about the status of California beaches said that some of the governor ’ s top advisors were recommending a statewide closure .
But after hearing the concerns raised by city and county leaders , Newsom decided instead to focus solely on the Orange County beaches that had attracted such large crowds this past weekend .
“ Our public health officials were really waving the red flag , ” said the administration official , who agreed to talk with The Times on the condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles , have ordered all beaches closed , an expansion of Newsom ’ s sweeping stay-at-home rules .
But others , such as and Orange , have allowed them to remain open .
Social distancing has been required , and some parking lots have been closed in an effort to keep out-of-town visitors out .
In advance of last weekend , Orange County officials urged outsiders to stay away .
It is not clear when the closures will go into effect or how long they will last .
County officials say they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the closures .
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said he intends to direct his deputies , which have jurisdiction over county beaches and certain cities , to seek voluntary compliance from residents .
“ We have been able to accomplish that and educate the public where necessary , ” he said .
“ To date , we have not had to take any enforcement action on any components of the governor ’ s orders.
” Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta said the city invested considerable effort and expense to discourage overcrowding at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public had safe access to the beach for exercise and their mental well-being .
“ Our experience here locally has been that most people are being responsible and complying with social distancing , and given that Orange County has among the lowest per capita COVID-19 death rates in California , the state ’ s action today seems to prioritize politics over data , ” Semeta said in a written statement .
Some Orange County officials , though , said the images of crowded beaches painted a distorted picture of what conditions were actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he wasn ’ t surprised by the closure , but said the beach crowds he saw last weekend really tried to keep physical distance from others .
“ I went out there with my girlfriend and her neighbors , and we found our own pocket in the sand just to enjoy being in the beauty near the water , ” said Carvalho , 23 , who surfed three times this past Saturday and Sunday .
“ I ’ m definitely sad when things shut down , but whatever happens , I will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to stay healthy.
” San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Laura Ferguson said she reached out to the city manager and city attorney Wednesday night after she heard about the proposed order , suggesting that they review what legal authority the governor had to close city beaches .
“ I ’ m hoping the governor can cite some valid reason under case law to be doing this to cities because , in my opinion , it appears to be government overreach .
Local beaches are under the control of the cities , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closure imposed at San Clemente beaches , the city reopened its sandy stretches last weekend with the caveat that visitors would only be permitted to run , walk , swim , surf or partake in other activities while along the coast .
Sunbathing or sitting on the sand was not permitted .
In nearby Laguna Beach , officials on Tuesday also moved to reopen their coastline for limited hours during weekdays , beginning Monday .
Laguna Beach Councilman Peter Blake said that while he understands Newsom ’ s action given the photographs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , the move “ comes at a point when it seemed like we were on a trajectory to move forward , and this now moves us back.
” He opposes the latest effort by the governor , saying that it appears to be more of a power move than a reasonable step toward reopening the state and restarting the economy .
“ There are people that rightfully so feel Newsom has gone beyond the scope of his authority and has taken on power that is not outlined in the [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In neighboring Newport Beach , Police Chief Jon Lewis and Fire Chief Jeff Boyles said in a joint statement Thursday that there were some clusters of people who were crowded too closely together on the beach last weekend , but that “ it was our personal observation , and that of our officers , that the overwhelming majority of Newport Beach residents and visitors were families or practicing social distancing.
” The departments also shared afternoon that showed sparse crowds on the city ’ s beaches .
Health officials in Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , say staying at home now is essential to slowing the spread of the illness .
Los Angeles has recorded and an outsize share of cases and hospitalizations .
Others counties , especially those in rural areas , have been much less affected .
Times staff writers Taryn Luna and Anh Do contributed to this report .

Phil Willon, Hannah Fry, John Myers, Rosanna Xia, Richard Winton

The words “love” and “be kind” are woven into a fence with yellow police tape at a closed beach in Venice. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Brian Chapman, of Santa Monica, plays Frisbee with friend Kris Sims, of Santa Clarita, at the beach in Ventura. “We came up because all of the beaches in Los Angeles are closed,” Chapman said. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Adam Choi, at center with mask, and Grace Kim walk along a trail at the beach in Ventura. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Tyler MacFarland reads a book under the pier at the beach in Ventura. “I am still working and for the last month and a half it has been just work, home, work, home,” MacFarland said. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
The bike path on Ocean Front Walk in Venice was open, but police officers were out in force to keep people off the beach. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Beachgoers, ignoring social distancing rules and beach closures, walk in groups to the stairs leading to Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Parking was restricted severely along Pacific Coast Highway over the weekend, with Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies trying to keep people off closed beaches. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Elizabeth Robles of Laguna Beach got a $30 ticket after parking in a no-parking zone to visit Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point to surf. “The ticket is worth it to me. I broke my arm recently and haven’t surfed in eight months,” she says. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Bowie Davis, 3, plays in her kiddie pool with her father, Ed Davis, by her side at their home near the Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Kennedy, 2, and her 6-year-old brother Jackson play in the sand near the Strand in Manhattan Beach. The Bobo family drove in from Perris. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
The beach near Veterans Park in Redondo Beach remains closed Saturday because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
A man plays fetch with his dog on Rocky Beach in Topanga despite law enforcement efforts to keep people away. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday directed the temporary “hard close” of state and local beaches in Orange County after thousands of Californians flocked to the shoreline there over the weekend in defiance of a statewide stay-at-home order enacted to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The news comes after a memo sent Wednesday evening to California police chiefs said the governor would go further, closing all state and local beaches and parks, a plan Newsom appeared to abandon.
The action marks Newsom’s most symbolic response to the pandemic so far as tensions rise over when and how to reopen the state and allow Californians to return to their normal, everyday lives.
After photos of crowded Orange County beaches went viral last weekend, Newsom chastised beachgoers who ignored the state’s restrictions, saying they could prolong the spread of the coronavirus in California and put the health and safety of others at risk.
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“Specific issues on some of those beaches have raised alarm bells,” Newsom said. “People that are congregating there, that weren’t practicing physical distancing, that may go back to their community outside of Orange County and may not even know that they contracted the disease and now they put other people at risk, put our hospital system at risk.”
Newsom said Orange County beaches would be reopened soon if the situation improves.
“We want to work very closely with local elected officials, and we’re committed to doing that if we can get some framework and guidelines to get this right. We can reopen very, very quickly but ... we’ve got to make sure we get this right,” Newsom said.
Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, on Thursday sent a letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors directing local authorities to close all access to beaches in the county on Friday, including all parking lots and restrooms. Surfing, beach walking and sunbathing also are prohibited.
“Last weekend, state and local beaches in Orange County experienced exceptionally heavy visitation that generated a high concentration of beach visitors in close physical proximity,” the letter stated. “State public health leadership reviewed conditions on these beaches and determined that this beach visitation created unsafe conditions. These conditions threaten the health of both beach visitors and community members who did not visit the beach but are threatened by worsening spread of the virus, including first responders and healthcare providers.”
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California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services letter to Orange County officials on beach closures Mark Ghiliarducci, the director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency, sent a letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors on Thursday notifying them of the closure of all state and local beaches in the county.
Newsom on Wednesday hinted that he was mulling a crackdown on California’s beaches, saying he was consulting with the California Coastal Commission and State Lands Commission, both of which have jurisdiction over the state shoreline.
“What this shows is that the threat of coronavirus spreading remains very real and that Gov. Newsom is as serious as ever about keeping Californians safe,” Steve Padilla, chairman of the California Coastal Commission, said in a statement. “I had COVID-19, was hospitalized for three weeks and in ICU on a ventilator for 11 days fighting for my life, so take it from me — we need to listen to the governor and stay home until it’s safe.”
Newsom’s announcement Thursday followed reports that he would take broader action. On Wednesday evening, a California Police Chiefs Assn. memo sent to local police chiefs said the governor intended to make an announcement on Thursday about closures of all state and local beaches. A law enforcement source confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that authorities were briefed on the plans, which they were told might also include the closure of some parks.
On Thursday, Newsom said the memo to the police chiefs “never got to me,” and he denied rescinding plans for an order to close beaches statewide.
“So, we’ve been consistent,” Newsom said. “I can’t square what others may have said, but this is what we’ve said.”
After Newsom’s news conference, Aimee Faucett, chief of staff for San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, appeared to contradict the governor’s statement.
“For the record, last night Mayor Faulconer’s administration was notified by Gov. Newsom’s administration that he would be announcing the closure of ALL CA beaches. Minutes before today’s press announcement Mayor’s office was notified this would only apply to Orange County,” Faucett said in a tweet Thursday afternoon.
Faulconer was also relieved to hear that San Diego beaches will remain open.
The mayor joined with other San Diego County leaders and health officials to enact a multiphased plan for beach access countywide. Currently, beachgoers are allowed to surf and swim in the water, as well as jog or stroll on the beach. But they have to keep moving: Sitting down or sunbathing is not permitted.
“I’m glad they reversed course. We put together a plan that is working,” Faulconer told The Times in a telephone interview. “This is consistent. It’s countywide. And, most important, people bought into it. People are doing the right thing.”
A top Newsom administration official involved in talks with local leaders about the status of California beaches said that some of the governor’s top advisors were recommending a statewide closure. But after hearing the concerns raised by city and county leaders, Newsom decided instead to focus solely on the Orange County beaches that had attracted such large crowds this past weekend.
“Our public health officials were really waving the red flag,” said the administration official, who agreed to talk with The Times on the condition of anonymity.
Some counties, including Los Angeles, have ordered all beaches closed, an expansion of Newsom’s sweeping stay-at-home rules.
But others, such as Ventura and Orange, have allowed them to remain open. Social distancing has been required, and some parking lots have been closed in an effort to keep out-of-town visitors out. In advance of last weekend, Orange County officials urged outsiders to stay away.
It is not clear when the closures will go into effect or how long they will last. County officials say they have not received specific details from Sacramento about the closures.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said he intends to direct his deputies, who have jurisdiction over county beaches and certain cities, to seek voluntary compliance from residents.
“We have been able to accomplish that and educate the public where necessary,” he said. “To date, we have not had to take any enforcement action on any components of the governor’s orders.”
Huntington Beach Mayor Lyn Semeta said the city invested considerable effort and expense to discourage overcrowding at the beaches and worked hard to ensure the public had safe access to the beach for exercise and their mental well-being.
“Our experience here locally has been that most people are being responsible and complying with social distancing, and given that Orange County has among the lowest per capita COVID-19 death rates in California, the state’s action today seems to prioritize politics over data,” Semeta said in a written statement.
Some Orange County officials, though, said the images of crowded beaches painted a distorted picture of what conditions were actually like.
Huntington Beach surfer Alex Carvalho said he wasn’t surprised by the closure, but said the beach crowds he saw last weekend really tried to keep physical distance from others.
“I went out there with my girlfriend and her neighbors, and we found our own pocket in the sand just to enjoy being in the beauty near the water,” said Carvalho, 23, who surfed three times this past Saturday and Sunday. “I’m definitely sad when things shut down, but whatever happens, I will respect and follow the rules. People need to stay healthy.”
San Clemente Mayor Pro Tem Laura Ferguson said she reached out to the city manager and city attorney Wednesday night after she heard about the proposed order, suggesting that they review what legal authority the governor had to close city beaches.
“I’m hoping the governor can cite some valid reason under case law to be doing this to cities because, in my opinion, it appears to be government overreach. Local beaches are under the control of the cities, not the state.”
After a roughly two-week closure imposed at San Clemente beaches, the city reopened its sandy stretches last weekend with the caveat that visitors would only be permitted to run, walk, swim, surf or partake in other activities while along the coast. Sunbathing or sitting on the sand was not permitted.
In nearby Laguna Beach, officials on Tuesday also moved to reopen their coastline for limited hours during weekdays, beginning Monday.
Laguna Beach Councilman Peter Blake said that while he understands Newsom’s action given the photographs of the crowds descending on other city beaches over the weekend, the move “comes at a point when it seemed like we were on a trajectory to move forward, and this now moves us back.”
He opposes the latest effort by the governor, saying that it appears to be more of a power move than a reasonable step toward reopening the state and restarting the economy.
“There are people that rightfully so feel Newsom has gone beyond the scope of his authority and has taken on power that is not outlined in the [California] Constitution,” he said.
In neighboring Newport Beach, Police Chief Jon Lewis and Fire Chief Jeff Boyles said in a joint statement Thursday that there were some clusters of people who were crowded too closely together on the beach last weekend, but that “it was our personal observation, and that of our officers, that the overwhelming majority of Newport Beach residents and visitors were families or practicing social distancing.”
The departments also shared aerial photos captured Saturday afternoon that showed sparse crowds on the city’s beaches.
Health officials in Los Angeles County, which has been the hotbed of the pandemic in California, say staying at home now is essential to slowing the spread of the illness.
Los Angeles has recorded more than 1,000 deaths and an outsize share of cases and hospitalizations.
Others counties, especially those in rural areas, have been much less affected.
Times staff writers Taryn Luna and Anh Do contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-30--Backlash over closing California beaches grows in some coastal communities

There is growing backlash from some coastal communities to the idea that Gov .
Gavin Newsom in a continuing effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Newsom who hit the sand last weekend in Orange County , which has left its shores open while Los Angeles County has kept its beaches off-limits .
Newsom urged Californians on Wednesday to stay home and practice physical distancing to avoid spoiling the progress the state has made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as he prepares to allow some businesses to gradually reopen .
“ Why put ourselves in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or two away from significant modifications of our stay-at-home [ order ] , where we can begin ... to reopen sectors of our economy that are low risk ?
” Newsom asked .
Newsom unveiled a to lift his stay-at-home order and slowly ease the restrictions on Californians in four stages in the weeks and months ahead .
The governor also announced that in July or August , catching educators who were learning about it for the first time off guard .
But the idea of forcing beaches to close was opposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County and San Diego .
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer , who had praised residents early this week for their responsible behavior at the county ’ s recently reopened beaches , said the decision would send the wrong message .
County Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox sent letters to Newsom urging him to reconsider , saying the region had successfully implemented a safe plan and deserved the right to make the decision .
“ We remain steadfastly committed to following your Executive Orders , but actions that appear punitive when our residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this challenging , ” Jacob said that instead of closing beaches , Newsom should be offering regions greater flexibility as they continue to tackle the challenges presented by the pandemic .
The Humboldt County sheriff said he opposed Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s expected decision Thursday to close all beaches in California .
“ As sheriff , I am the protector of constitutional rights in Humboldt County , and if an order is issued that I believe violates our constitutional rights , I will not enforce it , ” the sheriff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published Thursday morning .
Honsal said it was unfair for Northern California to be punished for Southern Californians heading to beaches in Orange County last weekend .
He referred to Newsom at Monday ’ s press conference saying “ you didn ’ t see those images ... around San Mateo County , up further north towards Eureka , because we had strong guidelines that were not only adopted , but were abided by.
” “ The governor is a smart man , ” Honsal said in his Thursday morning statement .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not OK to punish Northern California for Southern California ’ s mistake , and I hope he hears that loud and clear.
” Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner released a statement saying the idea of closing the beaches was unwise .
“ Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases , including mental health benefits , ” he said .
“ Orange County citizens have been cooperative with California state and county restrictions thus far .
I fear that this overreaction from the state will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to fight the disease , based on the best available medical information .
”

Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II, Lindsay Winkley

Weekend beach crowds, such as those in Huntington Beach, spurred alarm among some officials. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A motorist makes a statement via a back window as pedestrians walk past a store display in Newport Beach that features a mannequin in a mask. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A man in a protective mask walks his dog past a closed park near the pier in Newport Beach on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A surfer catches a wave while joining some of the thousands of beachgoers over the weekend in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view shows visitors enjoying the sun and sand near the pier in Newport Beach on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of Huntington Beach after Gov. Newsom announced the “hard close” of all Orange County state and local beaches. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Emergency room nurse Rebecca McFarlane, of Covina, relaxes on her one day off from treating COVID-19 patients, on an open stretch of sand far away from other beach-goers on the last day of open beaches in Huntington Beach. “As a nurse, I have to wear all the PPE and on my one day off, I just want to relax on the beach,” McFarlane said. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Surfers ride the waves on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier Friday, May 1, 2020. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Orange County beaches closed on Thursday despite opposition from local leaders. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Steve Christopher, right, reads a book in the shade of the pier as a beach-goer does flips across the beach on the last day of open beaches in Huntington Beach. “I think it’s what needs to be done,” Christopher said. “I saw it last week and it was packed.” (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach lifeguards patrol with a boat to try to get surfers to stop defying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “hard close” order. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of a mostly empty Huntington Beach following Gov. Newsom’s “hard close” of Orange County beaches. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters wave a variety of flags, including a Confederate one, along Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Saturday’s beach closure did not keep surfers out of the water in Newport Beach. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Surfers and others ventured to the beach in Newport Beach on Saturday despite the governor’s closure order. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
A motorcycle officer watches the bike path near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. California Gov. Gavin Newson ordered a hard closure of Orange County beaches this weekend. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
A couple walks along the sand while others venture into the surf in Newport Beach even though Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Orange County beaches closed. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Under the watchful eyes of police officers, protesters against beach closures walk along Newport Beach even though a beach closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
People enjoy the sun near the pier in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
People walk on the sand in Newport Beach despite the beach closure that went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters against beach closures walk in Newport Beach even though a beach closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach resident Kyle Richardson, 35, holds a sign telling California Gov. Gavin Newson to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen beaches, parks and the California economy, during a protest near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Newport Beach lifeguards and police clear the beach during a closure that went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
A surfer climbs over a barrier meant to keep visitors off the beach in Newport Beach on Saturday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Bill Beukers and his wife, Teresa, claim their constitutional rights as they speak to Newport Beach police officers. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of the Newport Beach pier, where a few surfers and beach-goers enjoy a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Bicyclists and pass the closed Boardwalk Sports store on the boardwalk in Newport Beach, on Monday. The business is only renting bicycles but is hoping to fully open after Gov. Newsom’s announcement that some businesses will be able to reopen. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers enjoying a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach on Monday. (Allen J. Schaben/Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers enjoying a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of beach-goers playing volleyball on a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
People stroll along Laguna’s Main Beach after it reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Cathie Lawler with her dogs, Milo and Charlie, said “Absolutely fabulous. So good to see the beach” as she walked along Laguna Beach after it reopened for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Mathew Hanna jumps on a skim board at Laguna’s Main Beach on Tuesday morning as city reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
People stroll along Laguna’s Main Beach after it reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
There is growing backlash from some coastal communities to the idea that Gov. Gavin Newsom might close beaches in a continuing effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Newsom criticized beachgoers who hit the sand last weekend in Orange County, which has left its shores open while Los Angeles County has kept its beaches off-limits.
Newsom urged Californians on Wednesday to stay home and practice physical distancing to avoid spoiling the progress the state has made to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as he prepares to allow some businesses to gradually reopen.
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“Why put ourselves in that position when we are just a week or two away from significant modifications of our stay-at-home [order], where we can begin ... to reopen sectors of our economy that are low risk?” Newsom asked.
Newsom unveiled a broad outline of a plan to lift his stay-at-home order and slowly ease the restrictions on Californians in four stages in the weeks and months ahead. The governor also announced that schools could potentially reopen in July or August, catching educators who were learning about it for the first time off guard.
But the idea of forcing beaches to close was opposed by officials from Eureka as well as Orange County and San Diego.
San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who had praised residents early this week for their responsible behavior at the county’s recently reopened beaches, said the decision would send the wrong message.
County Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox sent letters to Newsom urging him to reconsider, saying the region had successfully implemented a safe plan and deserved the right to make the decision.
“We remain steadfastly committed to following your Executive Orders, but actions that appear punitive when our residents have been faithful and fully compliant make this challenging,” Cox wrote.
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Jacob said that instead of closing beaches, Newsom should be offering regions greater flexibility as they continue to tackle the challenges presented by the pandemic.
The Humboldt County sheriff said he opposed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s expected decision Thursday to close all beaches in California.
“As sheriff, I am the protector of constitutional rights in Humboldt County, and if an order is issued that I believe violates our constitutional rights, I will not enforce it,” the sheriff, William Honsal, said in a statement published Thursday morning.
Honsal said it was unfair for Northern California to be punished for Southern Californians heading to beaches in Orange County last weekend. He referred to Newsom at Monday’s press conference saying “you didn’t see those images ... around San Mateo County, up further north towards Eureka, because we had strong guidelines that were not only adopted, but were abided by.”
“The governor is a smart man,” Honsal said in his Thursday morning statement. “I hope he follows sound advice. It is not OK to punish Northern California for Southern California’s mistake, and I hope he hears that loud and clear.”
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner released a statement saying the idea of closing the beaches was unwise.
“Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases, including mental health benefits,” he said. “Orange County citizens have been cooperative with California state and county restrictions thus far. I fear that this overreaction from the state will undermine that cooperative attitude and our collective efforts to fight the disease, based on the best available medical information.”