latimes--2020-03-24--4 hospital workers among 39 coronavirus infections confirmed in Ventura County

A total of 39 coronavirus cases , including four hospital employees , have been confirmed in Ventura County as of Tuesday morning , according to the county ’ s public health department .
Three physicians and one administrator at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura tested positive for the virus , according to a hospital representative .
An earlier version of this article and the headline noted there were 41 cases of COVID-19 in Ventura County .
There are 39 cases .
Health officials initially tallied 41 cases on Tuesday , but two of those who tested positive live in Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Ventura County .
Each of the employees is “ doing fine ” and being quarantined at home , representative Michael Ellingson said Tuesday .
No other details regarding the employees were made public .
The transmission method in the infections is unknown .
There is currently only one patient with COVID-19 being treated at the hospital , Ellingson said .
That patient ’ s condition is unknown at this time .
In response to the recent discovery of the cases , Ellingson said that the hospital is investigatng to make sure that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus as well .
“ Our infection control team always conducts a thorough investigation to identify who may have had contact and we go through the [ patient ] history , ” he said .
So far , the county has reported one death of a person their 70s who had underlying health conditions , according to the county ’ s .
No other details were made public .
COVID-19 has in L.A. County thus far .
As of Tuesday , a total of 680 tests have been conducted in Ventura County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bautista .
By Sunday , the state of California had conducted 26,400 tests .
Health officials initially tallied 41 confirmed cases in the county Tuesday , but two of those who tested positive live in Santa Barbara County while their tests were processed in Ventura County .
The was reported March 6 , that of a person who had sailed on the Grand Princess cruise ship , which returned to San Francisco on Feb. 21 , according to state officials .
Due to the rise in cases , the county ’ s public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order through April 20 , much like the orders imposed throughout the state .
The department has been posting video messages from local doctors on their Facebook page to encourage people to stay at home .
The Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Office also sent out an emergency alert Monday afternoon to cellphones in the area to remind people to self-isolate and practice social distancing when outside their homes for essential services only , public information officer Eric Buschow said Tuesday .
The Sheriff ’ s Office responded to sporadic complaints over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were still operating despite the emergency order , Bushow said .
However , the department didn ’ t issue any citations , which they consider to be a last resort , he added .
“ It ’ s just taking the time to educate [ local businesses ] and making sure they understand ” the orders , Bushow said .
“ Everybody seems to be handling this really well , better than someone would anticipate .
”

A freeway sign urging people to wash their hands to avoid the coronavirus is seen along the 101 Freeway in Ventura County.
A total of 39 coronavirus cases, including four hospital employees, have been confirmed in Ventura County as of Tuesday morning, according to the county’s public health department.
Three physicians and one administrator at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura tested positive for the virus, according to a hospital representative.
For the record: An earlier version of this article and the headline noted there were 41 cases of COVID-19 in Ventura County. There are 39 cases. Health officials initially tallied 41 cases on Tuesday, but two of those who tested positive live in Santa Barbara County while their tests were processed in Ventura County.
Each of the employees is “doing fine” and being quarantined at home, representative Michael Ellingson said Tuesday. No other details regarding the employees were made public. The transmission method in the infections is unknown.
There is currently only one patient with COVID-19 being treated at the hospital, Ellingson said. That patient’s condition is unknown at this time.
In response to the recent discovery of the cases, Ellingson said that the hospital is investigatng to make sure that no other employees or patients contracted the virus as well.
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“Our infection control team always conducts a thorough investigation to identify who may have had contact and we go through the [patient] history,” he said.
So far, the county has reported one death of a person their 70s who had underlying health conditions, according to the county’s incident information website . No other details were made public. COVID-19 has killed seven people in L.A. County thus far.
As of Tuesday, a total of 680 tests have been conducted in Ventura County, according to county public information officer Ashley Bautista. By Sunday, the state of California had conducted 26,400 tests.
Health officials initially tallied 41 confirmed cases in the county Tuesday, but two of those who tested positive live in Santa Barbara County while their tests were processed in Ventura County.
The first Ventura County case was reported March 6, that of a person who had sailed on the Grand Princess cruise ship, which returned to San Francisco on Feb. 21, according to state officials.
Due to the rise in cases, the county’s public health department issued a “ Stay Well at Home ” emergency order through April 20, much like the orders imposed throughout the state. The department has been posting video messages from local doctors on their Facebook page to encourage people to stay at home.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office also sent out an emergency alert Monday afternoon to cellphones in the area to remind people to self-isolate and practice social distancing when outside their homes for essential services only, public information officer Eric Buschow said Tuesday.
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The Sheriff’s Office responded to sporadic complaints over the weekend that local businesses not considered essential were still operating despite the emergency order, Bushow said. However, the department didn’t issue any citations, which they consider to be a last resort, he added.
“It’s just taking the time to educate [local businesses] and making sure they understand” the orders, Bushow said. “Everybody seems to be handling this really well, better than someone would anticipate.”


latimes--2020-03-24--How are you adapting to being housebound?

Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s order for Californians to stay home to slow the rate of coronavirus transmissions has @ @ @ @ @ most people .
What have you done to adapt to work and life at home @ @ @ @ @ and in one minute or less , show us how you ’ ve adapted to @ @ @ @ @ taking workout classes on Zoom ?
Videoconferencing happy hours ? )
.
Tell us how @ @ @ @ @ either working from home or with the loss of work , and what keeps you @ @ @ @ @ .
*Note : Please film horizontally ( landscape ) with your cellphone .

Working from home is the new normal while we try to avoid getting and spreading the coronavirus. What’s your new normal look like?
Send us a video showing us what you’re wearing to work, what you’re cooking, how you’re working out and what you’re doing to stay sane as you stay home. Submit your video via our form below or upload via social media with the hashtag: #howiWFH
We’ll be creating a video of your submissions to share with all of you, so any tips or advice you have is welcome!
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*Note: Please film horizontally (landscape) with your cellphone.


latimes--2020-03-26--Banks offer mortgage relief as 1 million Californians file for unemployment

With coronavirus cases continuing to rise across much of California and many workers unemployed indefinitely , several major banks and other lenders have agreed to provide mortgage relief to homeowners struggling to make their monthly payments .
The assistance arrives as more than 1 million Californians applied for unemployment benefits over the course of just 12 days through Wednesday because of layoffs or reduced hours amid the pandemic , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Wednesday .
Eligible homeowners would be able to defer mortgage payments for at least three months and perhaps longer if they suffer hardship due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported to credit agencies .
Along with the mortgage assistance , Newsom is urging the lenders to extend financial relief to small businesses and student loan recipients “ in the days and weeks to follow , ” according to an email sent recently to financial institutions by state Department of Business Oversight Commissioner Manuel P. Alvarez .
The moves came as public health officials reported a continued increase in COVID-19 cases , including in Los Angeles County , where the county health officer on Wednesday ordered that all those who test positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in close contact with the infected .
Officials confirmed 138 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday in the state ’ s most populous county , for a total of more than 800 .
Three additional deaths brought the total in Los Angeles County to 13 .
Statewide , more than 3,100 of those tested have been confirmed to have infections , while 67 have died .
Public health officials emphasized that the actual number of people infected is almost certainly higher , but an accurate count is impossible because so few tests have been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described at an afternoon news conference will come from four of the nation ’ s largest banks — Wells Fargo , U.S. Bank , Citibank and JPMorgan Chase — as well as 200 state-chartered banks and credit unions .
“ We still have people that are struggling to get back to where they were before the Great Recession , ” Newsom said of the financial struggles Californians have experienced , now exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak .
Newsom noted that another huge lender , Bank of America , agreed only to allow customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but said he is hopeful the institution “ will do the right thing ” in the near future .
Bank of America disputed Newsom ’ s assertion that it resisted providing more generous mortgage relief to homeowners .
“ Bank of America is deferring mortgage payments on a monthly basis until the crisis is over , ” spokesman Bill Halldin said .
The continued spread of the coronavirus and the resulting wreckage of the economy suggest the need for even greater financial relief for consumers , Alvarez said in his email .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public health front , we must also brace ourselves for a financial crisis that is only beginning , ” Alvarez wrote .
“ Now is the time for all institutions , public and private , to do our part in staving off a tsunami of financial harm barreling toward California consumers.
” The governor ’ s announcement came a week after he ordered all California residents to stay home to help stem the spread of the virus , with limited exceptions for essential workers , including doctors , nurses , grocery store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their jobs or have seen their working hours dramatically reduced , particularly in the hospitality and service industries .
And the hardships fall on millions in the state who already struggle to make mortgage and rent payments , given skyrocketing housing costs .
The federal government this month announced that Americans with loans backed by the government-sponsored agencies Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac would be eligible to defer mortgage payments and be shielded from foreclosure if they could not afford to make payments because of the outbreak .
More than 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Newsom asking for a statewide eviction moratorium .
They say fewer than 50 local governments — out of the 539 cities and counties statewide — have passed moratoriums , as the governor urged last week .
Housing advocates called for an eviction ban statewide , particularly for those who aren ’ t working as a result of the coronavirus .
Newsom has said he will take additional steps if he believes local jurisdictions are failing to protect their residents .
Officials warned that the worst days of the pandemic in California are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Garcetti said the city could be six to 12 days from seeing a spike in infections and hospitalizations like the one now afflicting New York City , where the death toll has dramatically increased in recent days .
“ It ’ s coming , ” Garcetti said .
“ The peak is not here yet .
The peak will be bad .
People will lose their lives.
” San Francisco leaders issued a similar warning , saying it was “ plausible ” the city could face a crisis similar to the one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 5,000 hospital beds short of the numbers needed .
“ It is not even a question as to whether we will need more , ” Mayor London Breed said during an hourlong news conference .
“ Sadly , things are going to get worse.
” Anticipating a surge of patients in the coming days , government officials were working to find additional hospital beds .
More than 1,000 beds will be provided by the Navy ship Mercy , which will arrive in Los Angeles on Friday , earlier than expected , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials in Los Angeles and San Francisco rejected suggestions from President Trump that there could be a quick easing of restrictions .
Garcetti said Angelenos should be “ prepared for a couple months like this.
” “ I know that everybody is hopeful , and some are putting out that hope of us being back in churches by Easter or synagogues by Passover or restarting the economy in a couple weeks , ” Garcetti said .
“ I think we owe it to everybody to be straightforward and honest .
We will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal in that short period of time.
” “ I know there are people out there who will lead you to believe our efforts are too aggressive , ” Colfax said , “ but I can not stress enough just how vital they are.
” Los Angeles County Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer also said residents should not expect an immediate return to normality .
“ We would be foolish to not prepare for a similar scenario in L.A. County , ” she said .
“ We talk about numbers , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are people ’ s lives.
” Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II , Maura Dolan , Taryn Luna and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report .

Phil Willon, Liam Dillon, Sarah Parvini, James Rainey

Unionized hospitality workers, including Luis Estrada, wait in line in a basement garage to apply for unemployment benefits at the Hospitality Training Academy on March 13, 2020, in Los Angeles.
With coronavirus cases continuing to rise across much of California and many workers unemployed indefinitely, several major banks and other lenders have agreed to provide mortgage relief to homeowners struggling to make their monthly payments.
The assistance arrives as more than 1 million Californians applied for unemployment benefits over the course of just 12 days through Wednesday because of layoffs or reduced hours amid the pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday.
Eligible homeowners would be able to defer mortgage payments for at least three months and perhaps longer if they suffer hardship due to the pandemic. Late payments would not be reported to credit agencies.
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Along with the mortgage assistance, Newsom is urging the lenders to extend financial relief to small businesses and student loan recipients “in the days and weeks to follow,” according to an email sent recently to financial institutions by state Department of Business Oversight Commissioner Manuel P. Alvarez.
The moves came as public health officials reported a continued increase in COVID-19 cases, including in Los Angeles County, where the county health officer on Wednesday ordered that all those who test positive for the coronavirus self-isolate, along with those in close contact with the infected.
Officials confirmed 138 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday in the state’s most populous county, for a total of more than 800. Three additional deaths brought the total in Los Angeles County to 13. Statewide, more than 3,100 of those tested have been confirmed to have infections, while 67 have died.
Public health officials emphasized that the actual number of people infected is almost certainly higher, but an accurate count is impossible because so few tests have been given.
The mortgage relief package that Newsom described at an afternoon news conference will come from four of the nation’s largest banks — Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Citibank and JPMorgan Chase — as well as 200 state-chartered banks and credit unions.
“We still have people that are struggling to get back to where they were before the Great Recession,” Newsom said of the financial struggles Californians have experienced, now exacerbated by the coronavirus outbreak.
Newsom noted that another huge lender, Bank of America, agreed only to allow customers to defer mortgage payments for one month, but said he is hopeful the institution “will do the right thing” in the near future.
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Bank of America disputed Newsom’s assertion that it resisted providing more generous mortgage relief to homeowners. “Bank of America is deferring mortgage payments on a monthly basis until the crisis is over,” spokesman Bill Halldin said.
The continued spread of the coronavirus and the resulting wreckage of the economy suggest the need for even greater financial relief for consumers, Alvarez said in his email.
“As we continue the battle on the public health front, we must also brace ourselves for a financial crisis that is only beginning,” Alvarez wrote. “Now is the time for all institutions, public and private, to do our part in staving off a tsunami of financial harm barreling toward California consumers.”
The governor’s announcement came a week after he ordered all California residents to stay home to help stem the spread of the virus, with limited exceptions for essential workers, including doctors, nurses, grocery store employees and truckers.
Thousands of Californians have lost their jobs or have seen their working hours dramatically reduced, particularly in the hospitality and service industries. And the hardships fall on millions in the state who already struggle to make mortgage and rent payments, given skyrocketing housing costs.
The federal government this month announced that Americans with loans backed by the government-sponsored agencies Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac would be eligible to defer mortgage payments and be shielded from foreclosure if they could not afford to make payments because of the outbreak.
More than 30 state lawmakers on Wednesday sent a letter to Newsom asking for a statewide eviction moratorium. They say fewer than 50 local governments — out of the 539 cities and counties statewide — have passed moratoriums, as the governor urged last week.
Housing advocates called for an eviction ban statewide, particularly for those who aren’t working as a result of the coronavirus. Newsom has said he will take additional steps if he believes local jurisdictions are failing to protect their residents.
Officials warned that the worst days of the pandemic in California are yet to come.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said the city could be six to 12 days from seeing a spike in infections and hospitalizations like the one now afflicting New York City, where the death toll has dramatically increased in recent days.
“It’s coming,” Garcetti said. “The peak is not here yet. The peak will be bad. People will lose their lives.”
San Francisco leaders issued a similar warning, saying it was “plausible” the city could face a crisis similar to the one in New York and fall 1,500 ventilators and 5,000 hospital beds short of the numbers needed.
“It is not even a question as to whether we will need more,” Mayor London Breed said during an hourlong news conference. “Sadly, things are going to get worse.”
Anticipating a surge of patients in the coming days, government officials were working to find additional hospital beds. More than 1,000 beds will be provided by the Navy ship Mercy, which will arrive in Los Angeles on Friday, earlier than expected, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Alyssa Farah.
Officials in Los Angeles and San Francisco rejected suggestions from President Trump that there could be a quick easing of restrictions.
Garcetti said Angelenos should be “prepared for a couple months like this.”
“I know that everybody is hopeful, and some are putting out that hope of us being back in churches by Easter or synagogues by Passover or restarting the economy in a couple weeks,” Garcetti said. “I think we owe it to everybody to be straightforward and honest. We will not be back to … that level of normal in that short period of time.”
Dr. Grant Colfax, director of health for San Francisco, concurred.
“I know there are people out there who will lead you to believe our efforts are too aggressive,” Colfax said, “but I cannot stress enough just how vital they are.”
Los Angeles County Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer also said residents should not expect an immediate return to normality.
“We would be foolish to not prepare for a similar scenario in L.A. County,” she said. “We talk about numbers, but these aren’t numbers — these are people’s lives.”
Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II, Maura Dolan, Taryn Luna and Colleen Shalby contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-26--My coronavirus confines are virtually crowded, which helps me stand social distancing

On any given day now in my coronavirus cloister , I might gaze at waves on a beach , trek up trails in a park , bake bread in a friend ’ s kitchen , laugh while watching another friend costume her cats to pass the time .
I might listen to the sound of rain hitting a grapefruit tree in one friend ’ s backyard , and then go with another friend for a drive down a dreamscape-deserted 405 .
All these activities ease my stress .
And I do them without risk to anyone .
I rarely leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual , vicarious existence .
It ’ s what I need to do right now , both for myself and for you .
For all I know , I could be a coronavirus carrier .
For all I know , you could be one too .
If we met and mingled in person , I could infect you or vice versa .
I take pains to avoid such a risk and to do my part to help us try to control this health crisis .
I limit my physical travel to solitary walks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for essential supplies .
Still , beyond those I live with — my husband , my cat , my dog — I really have no shortage of comforting company .
Day and night , thoughtful and creative visitors push open my front door and crowd into my home .
Honestly , I don ’ t know what I ’ d do without them , given how grim the news has been getting .
In ordinary circumstances , I worry about people who live in virtual cocoons , always staring at screens , devoid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But right now I am grateful that technology allows us to so easily huddle together while also safely staying apart .
I am grateful that it allows me a steady social life , even if it ’ s now centered , other than phone calls , almost solely online .
Because I am a social person and sometimes I need more in my confinement than a book to curl up with or a new recipe to try .
Years ago on Twitter I started building a Los Angeles community around the hashtag # @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my thinking went , that most of us see only our little corners of it .
What if every day we shared our own parts of L.A. with each other ?
Could we make a big city feel more like a small town ?
The idea caught on .
And over time , a lot of us who participated became friends even though we ’ d never met in person .
Our own busyness and the traffic might curb our urban wanderings , but through the photos , videos and experiences we passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experience Venice and Hollywood , downtown , Tarzana , Boyle Heights , the whole region — because # mydayinla has never recognized borders .
I couldn ’ t love # mydayinla more than I do right now , in the midst of this isolating and potentially terribly lonely coronavirus crisis .
It makes my small sequestered world feel airier and roomier and easier to tolerate .
Others tell me that it does the same for them .
I am the type of person who is prone to overdoing things — to reading too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much cable doomsday prognosticating , sometimes to sinking into the dread .
It is easy in such a frightening time to start summoning up imagined symptoms .
Sometimes suddenly my heart starts to race .
My throat gets scratchy .
My breaths grow shallow .
I feel flushed .
I am sure my temperature is rising .
Then someone shares a video of a toddler bouncing up and down in a crib .
A song joyfully performed on a rooftop .
A simple idea for how to help some of the particularly vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stroll around San Pedro or putters in an inviting backyard — and invites me to tag along , too .
I am not really there but I am there .
I step outside my fears and am elsewhere .
I can ’ t tell you how much relief such moments have brought me in our recent dark days .
People across the city offer up reminders of the the good in the world , the neighbors who put out a box of fresh lemons or a reminder of why we need to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They tell me of the many people they are seeing on their forays out working so hard to take our collective risk seriously .
None of this makes the anxiety and the fear disappear .
These are anxious , scary times .
We all know that .
But it helps to get together and talk about it .
It helps to try to find amusement .
Early on in our collective home stay , I held a # mydayinla talent show .
I begged people to come up with entries .
A painter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottle of bleach , a roll of toilet paper , hand sanitizer .
A young musician played Bach on his cello .
Someone spelled out My Day in LA in popcorn kernels from an all-but-emptied-out Trader Joe ’ s .
It wasn ’ t anything professional or fancy .
But it took our minds off our worries for a while , which in my mind made everyone who participated a winner .

In a city of millions like Los Angeles, it’s surprising how lonely one can feel in the time of coronavirus. Some in Play Del Rey discovered this in a near empty beach after the L.A. County announced the closures of all beaches and trails in an effort to reduce crowds
On any given day now in my coronavirus cloister, I might gaze at waves on a beach, trek up trails in a park, bake bread in a friend’s kitchen, laugh while watching another friend costume her cats to pass the time.
I might listen to the sound of rain hitting a grapefruit tree in one friend’s backyard, and then go with another friend for a drive down a dreamscape-deserted 405.
All these activities ease my stress. And I do them without risk to anyone. I rarely leave my house. I am living a virtual, vicarious existence.
Advertisement
It’s what I need to do right now, both for myself and for you.
For all I know, I could be a coronavirus carrier. For all I know, you could be one too. If we met and mingled in person, I could infect you or vice versa. I take pains to avoid such a risk and to do my part to help us try to control this health crisis.
I limit my physical travel to solitary walks near my home and infrequent shopping runs for essential supplies.
Still, beyond those I live with — my husband, my cat, my dog — I really have no shortage of comforting company.
Day and night, thoughtful and creative visitors push open my front door and crowd into my home. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without them, given how grim the news has been getting.
In ordinary circumstances, I worry about people who live in virtual cocoons, always staring at screens, devoid of regular, real human contact. But right now I am grateful that technology allows us to so easily huddle together while also safely staying apart.
Advertisement
I am grateful that it allows me a steady social life, even if that life is now centered, other than phone calls, almost solely online.
Because I am a social person and sometimes I need more in my confinement than a book to curl up with or a new recipe to try.
Years ago on Twitter I started building a Los Angeles community around the hashtag #mydayinla. L.A. is so large, my thinking went, that most of us see only our little corners of it. What if every day we shared our own parts of L.A. with each other? Could we make a big city feel more like a small town?
The idea caught on. And over time, a lot of us who participated became friends even though we’d never met in person. Our own busyness and the traffic might curb our urban wanderings, but through the photos, videos and experiences we passed back and forth, we could simultaneously experience Venice and Hollywood, downtown, Tarzana, Boyle Heights, the whole region — because #mydayinla has never recognized borders.
I couldn’t love #mydayinla more than I do right now, in the midst of this isolating and potentially terribly lonely coronavirus crisis. It makes my small sequestered world feel airier and roomier and easier to tolerate. Others tell me that it does the same for them.
I am the type of person who is prone to overdoing things — to reading too many scary reports, to watching too much cable doomsday prognosticating, sometimes to sinking into the dread.
It is easy in such a frightening time to start summoning up imagined symptoms.
Sometimes suddenly my heart starts to race. My throat gets scratchy. My breaths grow shallow. I feel flushed. I am sure my temperature is rising.
Then someone shares a video of a toddler bouncing up and down in a crib. A song joyfully performed on a rooftop. A simple idea for how to help some of the particularly vulnerable among us. Someone goes for a stroll around San Pedro or putters in an inviting backyard — and invites me to tag along, too.
I am not really there but I am there. I step outside my fears and am elsewhere. I can’t tell you how much relief such moments have brought me in our recent dark days.
People across the city offer up evidence of the good in the world, the neighbors who put out a box of fresh lemons or a child’s reminder of why we need to stay safe. They tell me of the many people they are seeing on their forays out who are working so hard to take our collective risk seriously.
None of this makes the anxiety and the fear disappear. These are anxious, scary times. We all know that. But it helps to get together and talk about it. It helps to try to find amusement.
Early on in our collective home stay, I held a #mydayinla talent show. I begged people to come up with entries.
A painter offered up her still life of a bottle of bleach, a roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer. A young musician played Bach on his cello. Someone spelled out My Day in LA in popcorn kernels from an all-but-emptied-out Trader Joe’s.
It wasn’t anything professional or fancy. But it let us pause our worries for a while, which in my mind made everyone who participated a winner.


latimes--2020-03-26--Column: Newsom is doing what he should with the coronavirus crisis. But he needs to explain it bette

Column: Newsom is doing what he should with the coronavirus crisis. But he needs to explain it better

Governors are tested by crises .
And Gov .
Gavin Newsom is performing well handling one that is unlike any faced by a California chief executive in more than 100 years .
In 1918 during the Spanish flu pandemic , which killed roughly 700,000 Americans and up to 50 million people worldwide , Gov .
William Stephens declared it everyone ’ s “ patriotic duty ” to wear a mask .
San Francisco made it a law .
Anyone caught in public not wearing a gauze mask — or wearing it improperly — was charged with “ disturbing the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our political leaders haven ’ t gone that far in trying to protect everyone from the coronavirus .
Cities and counties — not Stephens — called most of the shots in battling the Spanish flu .
Back then , governors didn ’ t have the instant communications Newsom has today through daily TV broadcasts and his Facebook page .
Stephens had the telegraph and crank phones .
It was the locals who ordered school closings and forbade public gatherings .
Gov .
Pete Wilson was hit by a tsunami of disasters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , earthquake , riot and an economic slump that necessitated the Republican ironically fighting for the largest state tax increase in history .
He earned kudos .
His successor , Gov .
Gray Davis , looked weak during an energy crisis in 2000 .
He was rolled by power pirates such as Enron and further beaten down by state budget deficits .
The crises led to his recall by voters in 2003 .
In 2011 during the Great Recession , Gov .
Jerry Brown inherited a $ 28-billion budget deficit .
He raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending and left office praised for his fiscal prudence .
Newsom now has a cash reserve that had been projected to total $ 21 billion by summer .
That ’ s likely to be spent down in the coming months as the governor and Legislature pull out money to fight the coronavirus and beef up safety net programs to help victims of the slumping economy .
Tax revenues will be significantly reduced because of shuttered restaurants , bars , tourist attractions , sports events .
Name it .
So although Newsom is looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , earnest and energetic , and being productive — there will be plenty of precarious opportunities to screw up .
For starters , how long will people willingly tolerate house arrest ?
And what will he do if they start to rebel ?
“ All this has to end to maintain civilization as we know it , ” emailed Joyce , a former college classmate and a fellow member of the most vulnerable generation .
“ At what point will people accept a risk factor in order to maintain the life we depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , a budding national debate over that question .
President Trump wants restrictions to be eased by Easter .
Newsom is thinking two to three months — as apparently are many public health experts .
“ This could create a much bigger problem than the problem we started out with , ” Trump asserted at a White House news briefing Monday , referring to the restrictions .
“ You ’ re talking about people suffering massive depression , thinking suicide.
” I called psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Sazima , a Stanford faculty member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accept being locked down in their houses .
“ It absolutely depends on the trajectory of the next two weeks , ” Sazima said .
“ If there are huge spikes in cases , it will be shocking enough to people that they ’ re going to want to stay home .
But if nothing really happens , they ’ ll think they ’ ve been foolish .
People might want to start kicking back again .
They ’ ll say it ’ s not that big a deal .
‘ We got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom has done is not asking cops to enforce his stay-at-home edict .
It ’ s strictly voluntary , enforced by social pressure .
This is a war against a virus , but we don ’ t need to feel like we ’ re living in an occupied country .
“ Not at the moment , but you never know , ” says Newsom spokesman Nathan Click of police citing people .
“ He ’ s leaving all actions on the table .
But across the state , the vast majority of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusively out of the state emergency services command center a few miles east of the state Capitol .
“ He ’ s very interested in being where the action is , seeing what ’ s happening and thinking about what ’ s coming around the corner , ” Click says .
“ He ’ s seeing what levers the state can pull to get the private sector to do what ’ s needed.
” Newsom has persuaded Apple and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to each donate 1 million masks , Click says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The governor helped persuade Trump to route the 1,000-bed Navy hospital ship Mercy to Los Angeles during the coronavirus outbreak .
He has issued roughly a dozen coronavirus-related executive orders — decrees that delay foreclosures , allow local governments to halt evictions and have more flexibility in sheltering homeless people , make it easier to obtain unemployment benefits , fund schools even though they ’ re closed , expand bed capacity in hospitals… .
One place Newsom could step up his game is in verbal communication .
In his televised briefings , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleep , which he probably does .
His speech is staccato with frequent pauses midsentence .
And he ’ s too deep in the weeds .
Newsom rapidly throws out numbers that are hard for the listener to digest .
And his words sound like a bureaucrat ’ s : “ protocol , ” “ real time , ” “ procurement.
” “ His words are not empathetic , they ’ re legalistic , ” says Barbara O ’ Connor , a retired communications professor who headed a politics and media institute at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shut-ins all need some cheer .

Governors are tested by crises. And Gov. Gavin Newsom is performing well handling one that is unlike any faced by a California chief executive in more than 100 years.
In 1918 during the Spanish flu pandemic, which killed roughly 700,000 Americans and up to 50 million people worldwide, Gov. William Stephens declared it everyone’s “patriotic duty” to wear a mask.
San Francisco made it a law. Anyone caught in public not wearing a gauze mask — or wearing it improperly — was charged with “disturbing the peace” and fined $5. Thankfully our political leaders haven’t gone that far in trying to protect everyone from the coronavirus.
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Cities and counties — not Stephens — called most of the shots in battling the Spanish flu. Back then, governors didn’t have the instant communications Newsom has today through daily TV broadcasts and his Facebook page. Stephens had the telegraph and crank phones. It was the locals who ordered school closings and forbade public gatherings.
Gov. Pete Wilson was hit by a tsunami of disasters in the 1990s: drought, flood, wildfires, earthquake, riot and an economic slump that necessitated the Republican ironically fighting for the largest state tax increase in history. He earned kudos.
His successor, Gov. Gray Davis, looked weak during an energy crisis in 2000. He was rolled by power pirates such as Enron and further beaten down by state budget deficits. The crises led to his recall by voters in 2003.
In 2011 during the Great Recession, Gov. Jerry Brown inherited a $28-billion budget deficit. He raised taxes on the rich, slowed Democratic spending and left office praised for his fiscal prudence.
Newsom now has a cash reserve that had been projected to total $21 billion by summer. That’s likely to be spent down in the coming months as the governor and Legislature pull out money to fight the coronavirus and beef up safety net programs to help victims of the slumping economy. Tax revenues will be significantly reduced because of shuttered restaurants, bars, tourist attractions, sports events. Name it.
So although Newsom is looking good now — appearing to be sincere, earnest and energetic, and being productive — there will be plenty of precarious opportunities to screw up.
For starters, how long will people willingly tolerate house arrest? And what will he do if they start to rebel?
“All this has to end to maintain civilization as we know it,” emailed Joyce, a former college classmate and a fellow member of the most vulnerable generation. “At what point will people accept a risk factor in order to maintain the life we depend on?”
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There is, of course, a budding national debate over that question. President Trump wants restrictions to be eased by Easter. Newsom is thinking two to three months — as apparently are many public health experts.
“This could create a much bigger problem than the problem we started out with,” Trump asserted at a White House news briefing Monday, referring to the restrictions. “You’re talking about people suffering massive depression, thinking suicide.”
I called psychiatrist Dr. Gregory Sazima, a Stanford faculty member, and asked how long people would accept being locked down in their houses.
“It absolutely depends on the trajectory of the next two weeks,” Sazima said. “If there are huge spikes in cases, it will be shocking enough to people that they’re going to want to stay home. But if nothing really happens, they’ll think they’ve been foolish. People might want to start kicking back again. They’ll say it’s not that big a deal. ‘We got fooled.’”
One laudable thing that Newsom has done is not asking cops to enforce his stay-at-home edict. It’s strictly voluntary, enforced by social pressure. This is a war against a virus, but we don’t need to feel like we’re living in an occupied country.
“Not at the moment, but you never know,” says Newsom spokesman Nathan Click of police citing people. “He’s leaving all actions on the table. But across the state, the vast majority of people are complying.”
Newsom has been working exclusively out of the state emergency services command center a few miles east of the state Capitol.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: Workers man the Medical Health and Coordination Center at the California Department of Public Health on February 27, 2020 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“He’s very interested in being where the action is, seeing what’s happening and thinking about what’s coming around the corner,” Click says. “He’s seeing what levers the state can pull to get the private sector to do what’s needed.”
Newsom has persuaded Apple and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. to each donate 1 million masks, Click says. Tesla has donated 1,000 ventilators.
The governor helped persuade Trump to route the 1,000-bed Navy hospital ship Mercy to Los Angeles during the coronavirus outbreak.
He has issued roughly a dozen coronavirus-related executive orders — decrees that delay foreclosures, allow local governments to halt evictions and have more flexibility in sheltering homeless people, make it easier to obtain unemployment benefits, fund schools even though they’re closed, expand bed capacity in hospitals….
One place Newsom could step up his game is in verbal communication.
In his televised briefings, the governor often seems like he needs more sleep, which he probably does. His speech is staccato with frequent pauses midsentence. And he’s too deep in the weeds.
Newsom rapidly throws out numbers that are hard for the listener to digest. And his words sound like a bureaucrat’s: “protocol,” “real time,” “procurement.”
“His words are not empathetic, they’re legalistic,” says Barbara O’Connor, a retired communications professor who headed a politics and media institute at Cal State Sacramento.
“The governor needs to give a cheerleader speech.”
Yes, we shut-ins all need some cheer.


latimes--2020-03-26--Southern California man drummed up investments for phony coronavirus cure, FBI says

The muscled , spray-tanned and self-described “ Genius Entrepreneur ” cupped a white pill in his palm , then told his 2.4 million followers on Instagram : “ If I walk in the Staples Center and everyone is testing coronavirus-positive , OK , I can ’ t contract it.
” Keith Lawrence Middlebrook didn ’ t just tell his Instagram followers he ’ d invented both a pill that inoculated him from the coronavirus and a serum to cure those who ’ d contracted it .
He pitched the bogus medicine to a man he believed to be an investor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the promise of a $ 30-million return , a federal agent wrote in an affidavit .
Middlebrook , 53 , was arrested Wednesday night and charged with attempted wire fraud .
“ There ’ s a particular opportunistic cruelty in seeking to profit based on the fear and helplessness of others , ” Paul Delacourt , assistant director in charge of the FBI ’ s Los Angeles office , said in a statement .
Earlier this month , an informant who had furnished the FBI with information in an earlier case against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Middlebrook was soliciting funding for a coronavirus vaccine , he told the agent , and he was promising the informant finder ’ s fees for investor referrals .
Madison MacDonald , an FBI agent in Los Angeles , reviewed texts Middlebrook sent the informant .
“ Investors who come in at ground level say $ 1m will parachute with $ 200m to $ 300m , ” one message said , MacDonald wrote in an affidavit .
Another was a picture of Earvin “ Magic ” Johnson , MacDonald wrote , accompanied with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JOHNSON coming aboard !
!
!
!
Call me !
!
” The FBI contacted Christina Francis , president of Magic Johnson Enterprises .
Francis spoke with the former Lakers star and reported back , the affidavit said : Johnson has no involvement with Middlebrook or his businesses and had “ never met , spoken to or seen this individual.
” Last week , Middlebrook had taken to his public Instagram account to declare that “ after studying cell tissue and chemical biology for many years , ” he had created a cure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cure right here , going into mass production , ” he said , displaying a syringe .
“ This is going to save and change the world .
Yes , I have a meeting set up with President Donald Trump.
” The video has been viewed 633,000 times .
No cure or vaccine exists for the novel coronavirus .
The next day , an FBI agent posing as an investor spoke with Middlebrook on a recorded line .
For a $ 300,000 investment , Middlebrook guaranteed him a $ 30-million return , secured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from an unnamed buyer in Dubai , ” according to MacDonald ’ s affidavit .
The day after their call , the purported investor followed up .
Middlebrook said he ’ d secured seven more investors since they last talked , each of whom had pledged an average of $ 750,000 to $ 1 million , the affidavit said .
The investor and his mother could get the “ prevention pills ” once he ’ d wired a $ 9,999 deposit , Middlebrook said , according to the affidavit .
In a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pills had so thoroughly inoculated him from the coronavirus that “ if someone tests coronavirus-positive , I ’ ll give them a hug , sit down and have a conversation with them , and take them to dinner.
” The video has been viewed more than 1 million times .
When Middlebrook went to El Segundo on Wednesday night to meet the purported investor and deliver the pills , he was arrested .
He is expected to appear in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday .
It couldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney .
“ During these difficult days , scams like this are using blatant lies to prey upon our fears and weaknesses , ” Nicola Hanna , the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles , said in a statement .
“ While this may be the first federal criminal case in the nation stemming from the pandemic , it certainly will not be the last .
”

The coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, is isolated from a patient in the U.S.
The muscled, spray-tanned and self-described “Genius Entrepreneur” cupped a white pill in his palm, then told his 2.4 million followers on Instagram: “If I walk in the Staples Center and everyone is testing coronavirus-positive, OK, I can’t contract it.”
Keith Lawrence Middlebrook didn’t just tell his Instagram followers he’d invented both a pill that inoculated him from the coronavirus and a serum to cure those who’d contracted it. He pitched the bogus medicine to a man he believed to be an investor, trying to drum up $300,000 with the promise of a $30-million return, a federal agent wrote in an affidavit.
Middlebrook, 53, was arrested Wednesday night and charged with attempted wire fraud.
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“There’s a particular opportunistic cruelty in seeking to profit based on the fear and helplessness of others,” Paul Delacourt, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, said in a statement.
In a May 9 interview, a few days after he was released on bond, Middlebrook insisted he was innocent, framed by vindictive investigators frustrated that an earlier case, implicating him in an alleged mail fraud scheme, was dismissed in 2016.
Middlebrook, who described himself as a bodybuilder, credit score consultant and self-taught expert in anti-aging technology, maintained that his product — a compound of 12 “antivirals” — inoculates people from COVID-19 and any funding he solicited would have paid for patents, testing and legal costs.
“I don’t want one dollar I didn’t earn,” Middlebrook said.
In March, an informant who had furnished the FBI with information in the earlier mail fraud case contacted an agent in San Diego: Middlebrook was soliciting funding for a coronavirus vaccine, he told the agent, and he was promising the informant finder’s fees for investor referrals.
Madison MacDonald, an FBI agent in Los Angeles, reviewed texts Middlebrook sent the informant. “Investors who come in at ground level say $1m will parachute with $200m to $300m,” one message said, MacDonald wrote in an affidavit.
Another was a picture of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, MacDonald wrote, accompanied with the words, “We got MAGIC JOHNSON coming aboard!!!! Call me!!”
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The FBI contacted Christina Francis, president of Magic Johnson Enterprises. Francis spoke with the former Lakers star and reported back, the affidavit said: Johnson has no involvement with Middlebrook or his businesses and had “never met, spoken to or seen this individual.”
Middlebrook took to his public Instagram account to declare that “after studying cell tissue and chemical biology for many years,” he had created a cure for COVID-19. “This is the cure right here, going into mass production,” he said, displaying a syringe. “This is going to save and change the world. Yes, I have a meeting set up with President Donald Trump.”
The video has been viewed 633,000 times. No cure or vaccine exists for the novel coronavirus.
The next day, an FBI agent posing as an investor spoke with Middlebrook on a recorded line. For a $300,000 investment, Middlebrook guaranteed him a $30-million return, secured by “a $10 billion offer from an unnamed buyer in Dubai,” according to MacDonald’s affidavit.
The day after their call, the purported investor followed up. Middlebrook said he’d secured seven more investors since they last talked, each of whom had pledged an average of $750,000 to $1 million, the affidavit said. The investor and his mother could get the “prevention pills” once he’d wired a $9,999 deposit, Middlebrook said, according to the affidavit.
In a video posted to Instagram, Middlebrook said the pills had so thoroughly inoculated him from the coronavirus that “if someone tests coronavirus-positive, I’ll give them a hug, sit down and have a conversation with them, and take them to dinner.” The video has been viewed more than 1 million times.
The evening of March 25, Middlebrook told The Times, he met the purported investor in the parking lot of a Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop in Santa Monica. Middlebrook said he reached out for a handshake and the man looked at him, surprised. “I said, ‘I’ll shake your hand, I’ll give you a hug. I’m taking it myself — I can’t contract the virus.’ He said, ‘Wow, so it’s real?’ And I said, ‘What’d you think?’”
Then, Middlebrook said, federal agents swarmed the parking lot with their guns drawn. “I’m going, ‘This is unbelievable,’” he recalled. “What? What did I do?” Middlebrook was arrested and booked in the federal lockup in downtown Los Angeles, where he remained until posting bond last week. Charged with attempted wire fraud, he has yet to enter a plea.
“During these difficult days, scams like this are using blatant lies to prey upon our fears and weaknesses,” Nicola Hanna, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said in a statement. “While this may be the first federal criminal case in the nation stemming from the pandemic, it certainly will not be the last.”


latimes--2020-03-26--L.A. County supervisors seek to remove Sheriff Villanueva as head of emergency operations during pan

L.A. County supervisors seek to remove Sheriff Villanueva as head of emergency operations during pandemic

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to remove Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the head of the county ’ s emergency operations center during the coronavirus outbreak , a move he called a “ pure power grab at the worst time possible.
” Three supervisors reached late Wednesday said the proposed change is months in the making and stems from the need to centralize disaster operations after a fragmented response during the deadly Woolsey fire , which killed three people and burned nearly 97,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in 2018 .
But Villanueva said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close gun shops during the pandemic , viewing them as nonessential businesses .
“ This is pretty much a silent coup , what they ’ re trying to orchestrate , ” Villanueva said .
“ We should be worried about masks , about test kits , and I have [ Supervisor ] Kathryn Barger worried about guns and ammunition.
” In a statement late Wednesday , Barger said she has not commented on Villanueva ’ s decision to close gun stores .
She also said the Woolsey fire illustrated a need to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with best practices in other jurisdictions.
” A spokeswoman for Barger noted that a motion to place the county ’ s chief executive in charge of coordinating disaster preparedness as well as the activation and operation of the emergency center was brought to the board in November .
Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Mark Ridley-Thomas echoed that in interviews Wednesday night .
“ I think the sheriff erroneously believes that centering the response to this crisis to the Office of Emergency Management is somehow a dis to him , ” Kuehl said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that anyone would say that the sheriff should be coordinating all the health departments and the homelessness outreach and placement in housing — these are all different areas of the county that have grown up since we first had that old ordinance.
” Ridley-Thomas said the board is focused on managing the most serious threat to public health in county history instead of engaging in “ petty conflicts ” with the sheriff .
The conflict highlights the ongoing power struggle between the sheriff and the board that began soon after he took office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a variety of issues , including hiring decisions and spending .
Ron Hernandez , president of the Assn .
for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs , said the public and deputies are “ sick and tired ” of the political tussles between the sheriff and the board .
“ I believe the community is focused on keeping their families safe during this pandemic , and our deputies share that sentiment .
These petty squabbles over power during a crisis are exactly what we don ’ t need , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supervisors , we say : Try acting like adults and focus on the emergency.
” After Villanueva announced this week that gun shops needed to close their doors , he said he learned that the county ’ s legal counsel had issued an opinion that such stores were essential businesses .
Early Wednesday , Villanueva tweeted that the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s “ efforts to close nonessential businesses have been suspended ” and that Gov .
Gavin Newsom would “ determine what qualifies ” as one .
When asked about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Newsom said he would defer to the sheriff on the issue .
Villanueva said he had sought to minimize the threat posed by first-time gun buyers panic-purchasing weapons at a time when homes are crowded , raising the possibility of suicides and domestic violence .
“ We ’ ll have to mop up the mess left behind , ” he said .
Earlier in the week , Villanueva had criticized the county ’ s virtual news briefings on the health crisis and noted that the Sheriff ’ s Department was kept out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue a stay-at-home order .
“ This is about taking care of people , not taking care of elected officials or politicians , ” he told KTTV-TV Channel 11 in a segment he posted to his social media accounts .
“ When I see the same faces , and they ’ re saying a lot but there ’ s no substance , you eventually become background noise.
” Villanueva has been hosting his own news conferences , separate from the ones hosted by Barger at the Hall of Administration , and said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings .
“ I ’ ve been working hard to bring everyone together , ” he said .
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the proposal next week .

Sheriff Alex Villanueva called the proposal to remove him as the head of the county’s emergency operations center during the COVID-19 pandemic a “pure power grab at the worst time possible.”
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is taking steps to remove Sheriff Alex Villanueva as the head of the county’s emergency operations center during the coronavirus outbreak, a move he called a “pure power grab at the worst time possible.”
Three supervisors reached late Wednesday said the proposed change is months in the making and stems from the need to centralize disaster operations after a fragmented response during the deadly Woolsey fire, which killed three people and burned nearly 97,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties in 2018.
But Villanueva said the timing suggests retaliation for his decision to close gun shops during the pandemic, viewing them as nonessential businesses.
“This is pretty much a silent coup, what they’re trying to orchestrate,” Villanueva said. “We should be worried about masks, about test kits, and I have [Supervisor] Kathryn Barger worried about guns and ammunition.”
In a statement late Wednesday, Barger said she has not commented on Villanueva’s decision to close gun stores. She also said the Woolsey fire illustrated a need to “modernize our emergency operations efforts and align with best practices in other jurisdictions.”
A spokeswoman for Barger noted that a motion to place the county’s chief executive in charge of coordinating disaster preparedness as well as the activation and operation of the emergency center was brought to the board in November.
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Supervisors Sheila Kuehl and Mark Ridley-Thomas echoed that in interviews Wednesday night.
“I think the sheriff erroneously believes that centering the response to this crisis to the Office of Emergency Management is somehow a dis to him,” Kuehl said. “And yet I can’t imagine that anyone would say that the sheriff should be coordinating all the health departments and the homelessness outreach and placement in housing — these are all different areas of the county that have grown up since we first had that old ordinance.”
Ridley-Thomas said the board is focused on managing the most serious threat to public health in county history instead of engaging in “petty conflicts” with the sheriff.
The conflict highlights the ongoing power struggle between the sheriff and the board that began soon after he took office in December 2018. They have clashed over a variety of issues, including hiring decisions and spending.
Ron Hernandez, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, said the public and deputies are “sick and tired” of the political tussles between the sheriff and the board.
“I believe the community is focused on keeping their families safe during this pandemic, and our deputies share that sentiment. These petty squabbles over power during a crisis are exactly what we don’t need,” he said. “To the sheriff and the Board of Supervisors, we say: Try acting like adults and focus on the emergency.”
After Villanueva announced this week that gun shops needed to close their doors, he said he learned that the county’s legal counsel had issued an opinion that such stores were essential businesses.
Early Wednesday, Villanueva tweeted that the Sheriff’s Department’s “efforts to close nonessential businesses have been suspended” and that Gov. Gavin Newsom would “determine what qualifies” as one.
When asked about the back-and-forth during a news conference later Wednesday, Newsom said he would defer to the sheriff on the issue.
Villanueva said he had sought to minimize the threat posed by first-time gun buyers panic-purchasing weapons at a time when homes are crowded, raising the possibility of suicides and domestic violence. “We’ll have to mop up the mess left behind,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Villanueva had criticized the county’s virtual news briefings on the health crisis and noted that the Sheriff’s Department was kept out of the county’s decision to issue a stay-at-home order.
“This is about taking care of people, not taking care of elected officials or politicians,” he told KTTV-TV Channel 11 in a segment he posted to his social media accounts. “When I see the same faces, and they’re saying a lot but there’s no substance, you eventually become background noise.”
Villanueva has been hosting his own news conferences, separate from the ones hosted by Barger at the Hall of Administration, and said he has invited other county officials to the briefings.
“I’ve been working hard to bring everyone together,” he said.
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The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the proposal next week.


latimes--2020-03-25--Prison lawyers seek emergency order on coronavirus, including release of inmates

Lawyers for California prison inmates say the state has failed to take urgently needed steps against COVID-19 outbreaks and asked federal courts on Wednesday for an emergency order for prison releases .
They said federal intervention is needed to prevent illness and death “ certain to occur if the COVID-19 virus is allowed to take its natural course in the still-overcrowded California prisons.
” The motion asks for “ targeted releases ” of low-risk inmates who have less than a year left to serve as well as the release or relocation of inmates who are 65 or older and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical conditions that put them at severe risk from COVID-19 .
The lawyers also seek steps to protect about 50,000 prisoners double-bunked in open dorms where social distancing is impossible .
The filing does not ask for a specific number of releases but enough so the prisons comply with social distancing orders Gov .
Gavin Newsom has issued for all of California .
Without immediate action , the lawyers told the judicial panel overseeing California prison conditions , “ COVID-19 will spread like wildfire in [ the state ’ s ] crowded prisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands.
” Newsom on Tuesday ordered prison admissions be halted , but said he had “ no interest in ... releasing violent criminals from our system.
” There was no immediate response by lawyers for the state .
The prison system ’ s most recent population study , released in January but containing 2018 demographics , shows more than 10,500 inmates age 60 or older .
The court motion says 17,000 prisoners are designated medically high risk .
“ We ’ re doing this so they have the same opportunity to survive the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Michael Bien , a Bay Area attorney whose firm represents mentally ill inmates in long-running prison civil rights litigation .
One inmate and nine prison employees have tested positive for COVID-19 across six prisons .
The inmate was reported in stable condition at the California State Prison in Lancaster .
The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Wednesday posted data showing 159 inmates to date tested for the virus , with results for 94 of those tests still pending .
The biggest cluster , 32 tests , is at the state-leased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The prison system two weeks ago curtailed outside visitors and has reduced transfer of inmates from one prison to another .
The department has said it is bolstering its defenses with gateway screening , additional cleaning and distributing extra soap to inmates who ask for it .
“ We have long-standing outbreak management plans in place to address communicable disease outbreaks such as influenza , measles , mumps , norovirus and varicella , as well as preparedness procedures to address a variety of medical emergencies and natural disasters , ” the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ records obtained by The Times show numerous cell blocks put on quarantine , and then restrictions lifted , on a daily basis .
One directive tells prison medical workers there are “ severe shortages ” of masks , respirators and other protective gear .
They are told to consider practicing “ extended use ” of protective gear as they move from patient to patient .
Staff and inmate families told The Times of instances in which prison kitchens and dorms have run out of disinfectant .
California has stared down federal court orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 when judges deemed the state had not done enough to reduce overcrowding so severe it threatened inmates ’ lives and welfare .
The state ’ s prisons are currently operating at 134 % capacity .
There are about 121,400 inmates among 35 state-run prisons , as well as firefighting camps and in-state private lockups .
About 65,000 workers enter and leave prisons daily , with no more than verbal screening on whether they feel ill , have recently traveled or had contact with someone infected with COVID-19 .
An early order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to monitor for those with fever , as was done at overseas airports early in the COVID-19 pandemic .
But some staff told The Times that doesn ’ t happen and that workers who are sick have lied and gone into prisons .
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller last week created a task force to report back on prison efforts to deal with COVID-19 .
Bien said the group has met almost daily , but while discussions on mental health care during the crisis are progressing , movement on a plan to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons has been slow and limited .
Over the last decade , California shifted lower-level offenders to county jails and made many drug and theft offenses misdemeanors in part to reduce overcrowding .
The state prison system therefore now has a distilled population of serious offenders , as well as elderly inmates serving extended or life sentences .
Bien called the state ’ s response “ the best they can do ” under current policies .
“ At the same time , we have increased fear , anxiety , and we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to do much , much more .
”

A crowded prison dorm at California Institution for Men in Chino, where three staff members have tested positive for coronavirus.
Lawyers for California prison inmates say the state has failed to take urgently needed steps against COVID-19 outbreaks and asked federal courts on Wednesday for an emergency order for prison releases.
They said federal intervention is needed to prevent illness and death “certain to occur if the COVID-19 virus is allowed to take its natural course in the still-overcrowded California prisons.”
The motion asks for “targeted releases” of low-risk inmates who have less than a year left to serve as well as the release or relocation of inmates who are 65 or older and those who have chronic lung disease or other medical conditions that put them at severe risk from COVID-19. The lawyers also seek steps to protect about 50,000 prisoners double-bunked in open dorms where social distancing is impossible.
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The filing does not ask for a specific number of releases but enough so the prisons comply with social distancing orders Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued for all of California.
Without immediate action, the lawyers told the judicial panel overseeing California prison conditions, “COVID-19 will spread like wildfire in [the state’s] crowded prisons ... overwhelming hospital capacity and needlessly infecting thousands.”
Newsom on Tuesday ordered prison admissions be halted, but said he had “no interest in ... releasing violent criminals from our system.”
There was no immediate response by lawyers for the state.
The prison system’s most recent population study, released in January but containing 2018 demographics, shows more than 10,500 inmates age 60 or older. The court motion says 17,000 prisoners are designated medically high risk.
“We’re doing this so they have the same opportunity to survive the virus as the rest of us,” said Michael Bien, a Bay Area attorney whose firm represents mentally ill inmates in long-running prison civil rights litigation.
One inmate and nine prison employees have tested positive for COVID-19 across six prisons. The inmate was reported in stable condition at the California State Prison in Lancaster.
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The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Wednesday posted data showing 159 inmates to date tested for the virus, with results for 94 of those tests still pending. The biggest cluster, 32 tests, is at the state-leased California City Correctional Center in Kern County.
The prison system two weeks ago curtailed outside visitors and has reduced transfer of inmates from one prison to another.
The department has said it is bolstering its defenses with gateway screening, additional cleaning and distributing extra soap to inmates who ask for it.
“We have long-standing outbreak management plans in place to address communicable disease outbreaks such as influenza, measles, mumps, norovirus and varicella, as well as preparedness procedures to address a variety of medical emergencies and natural disasters,” the department said in a statement Tuesday.
Internal records obtained by The Times show numerous cell blocks put on quarantine, and then restrictions lifted, on a daily basis. One directive tells prison medical workers there are “severe shortages” of masks, respirators and other protective gear. They are told to consider practicing “extended use” of protective gear as they move from patient to patient.
Staff and inmate families told The Times of instances in which prison kitchens and dorms have run out of disinfectant.
California has stared down federal court orders to release inmates before, most recently in 2014 when judges deemed the state had not done enough to reduce overcrowding so severe it threatened inmates’ lives and welfare. The state’s prisons are currently operating at 134% capacity. There are about 121,400 inmates among 35 state-run prisons, as well as firefighting camps and in-state private lockups.
About 65,000 workers enter and leave prisons daily, with no more than verbal screening on whether they feel ill, have recently traveled or had contact with someone infected with COVID-19.
An early order advised wardens to prepare for temperature screening to monitor for those with fever, as was done at overseas airports early in the COVID-19 pandemic. But some staff told The Times that doesn’t happen and that workers who are sick have lied and gone into prisons.
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller last week created a task force to report back on prison efforts to deal with COVID-19. Bien said the group has met almost daily, but while discussions on mental health care during the crisis are progressing, movement on a plan to reduce the risk of viral spread through the prisons has been slow and limited.
Over the last decade, California shifted lower-level offenders to county jails and made many drug and theft offenses misdemeanors in part to reduce overcrowding. The state prison system therefore now has a distilled population of serious offenders, as well as elderly inmates serving extended or life sentences.
Bien called the state’s response “the best they can do” under current policies. “At the same time, we have increased fear, anxiety, and we’re limiting mental health treatment. The state needs to do much, much more.”


latimes--2020-03-25--Early April precipitation is expected to be below normal where it is most needed in Northern Califor

Early April precipitation is expected to be below normal where it is most needed in Northern California

April showers may be more scarce than normal north of Point Conception in California , according to an outlook produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration .
This area where the probability of precipitation is below normal includes virtually all of Northern California and the crucial northern Sierra Nevada , where the state ’ s largest reservoirs are located .
While snow cover has increased thanks to a series of March storms , the Northern Sierra 8-Station Index stands at 56 % of normal for the season .
As of March 24 , another 29.25 inches would be needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inches .
But the area normally gets just 9.42 inches from March 24 through June 30 .
So a daunting 310 % of normal precipitation would be required to make up the deficit , according to Jan Null of Golden Gate Weather Services .
The March storms that plowed through the state have provided some good news .
Satellite photos released by the National Weather Service office in Sacramento compare the snow cover in the northern Sierra Nevada on March 3 and on March 21 .
In the March 21 photo , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover than they were about three weeks earlier .
The state ’ s major reservoirs are near or above historical averages for this time of year , and the added moisture from the storms may have helped to postpone an extra early start of the fire season .
But Northern California got a late start on its precipitation this year , and despite the recent rains , the picture remains bleak .
Deficits — the amount needed to reach seasonal norms — start small in Southern California and increase as you go north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of rain , is at 107 % of normal for its July 1 through June 30 rainfall year , so it ’ s ahead of the game .
But Los Angeles , for example , with 11.69 inches , has only 88 % of normal rainfall , and would need 3.24 inches to reach its seasonal norm of 14.93 inches .
However , from March 24 through June 30 , L.A. normally gets only 1.64 inches .
So it would need to get 198 % of normal to make up the deficit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state .
San Francisco , which has received just 50 % of normal rainfall for the season , has a deficit of 13.30 inches .
But until the end of the season on June 30 the City by the Bay normally gets an additional 2.89 inches .
So it would need a whopping 460 % of normal rain between March 24 and June 30 to come up to par .
San Jose is in worse shape .
It would need 481 % of normal rain before the season ends .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely that Northern California will be able to catch up to where it should be .

April showers may be more scarce than normal north of Point Conception in California, according to an outlook produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This area where the probability of precipitation is below normal includes virtually all of Northern California and the crucial northern Sierra Nevada, where the state’s largest reservoirs are located.
While snow cover has increased thanks to a series of March storms, the Northern Sierra 8-Station Index stands at 56% of normal for the season. As of March 24, another 29.25 inches would be needed to reach the season normal of 54.52 inches. But the area normally gets just 9.42 inches from March 24 through June 30. So a daunting 310% of normal precipitation would be required to make up the deficit, according to Jan Null of Golden Gate Weather Services.
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Satellite photos from the National Weather Service office in Sacramento show increased snow cover in the northern Sierra Nevada since the beginning of March. Clouds obscure part of the photo on the right. (National Weather Service & Los Angeles Times)
The March storms that plowed through the state have provided some good news. Satellite photos released by the National Weather Service office in Sacramento compare the snow cover in the northern Sierra Nevada on March 3 and on March 21. In the March 21 photo, the mountains are draped in more robust snow cover than they were about three weeks earlier.
The state’s major reservoirs are near or above historical averages for this time of year, and the added moisture from the storms may have helped to postpone an extra early start of the fire season.
But Northern California got a late start on its precipitation this year, and despite the recent rains, the picture remains bleak. Deficits — the amount needed to reach seasonal norms — start small in Southern California and increase as you go north.
Precipitation deficits generally increase as you go north in the state. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
San Diego, with 9.67 inches of rain, is at 107% of normal for its July 1 through June 30 rainfall year, so it’s ahead of the game. But Los Angeles, for example, with 11.69 inches, has only 88% of normal rainfall, and would need 3.24 inches to reach its seasonal norm of 14.93 inches. However, from March 24 through June 30, L.A. normally gets only 1.64 inches. So it would need to get 198% of normal to make up the deficit.
The deficits grow as you move north in the state. San Francisco, which has received just 50% of normal rainfall for the season, has a deficit of 13.30 inches. But until the end of the season on June 30 the City by the Bay normally gets an additional 2.89 inches. So it would need a whopping 460% of normal rain between March 24 and June 30 to come up to par. San Jose is in worse shape. It would need 481% of normal rain before the season ends.
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The April outlook is making it look increasingly unlikely that Northern California will be able to catch up to where it should be.


latimes--2020-03-25--Orange County sheriff says there is no immediate plan to release inmates early over coronavirus

A day after the first Orange County inmate tested positive for the coronavirus , the Sheriff ’ s Department said it does not plan to release prisoners early amid the growing pandemic until all other options are exhausted .
Even as other counties release some inmates and limit the number of people booked into custody , Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes told reporters Wednesday that his jail facilities could accommodate about 100 inmates in isolation if necessary .
“ My goal is never to release people early , ” Barnes said .
Although he said he has no immediate plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petitioned the Orange County Superior Court for permission to release sentenced inmates up to 60 days early .
“ We need to put everything on the table for forward thinking , getting out ahead of this and , if necessary , release individuals early from our custody , ” he said .
Barnes ’ announcement comes a day after a 40-year-old inmate in Men ’ s Central Jail in Santa Ana tested positive for the coronavirus .
That inmate , who has been in custody on felony charges since June 2018 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing unit are now quarantined and under observation , Barnes said .
If they exhibit symptoms , he said , they will also be isolated and treated according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Six inmates are in quarantine and awaiting test results .
In an effort to stop the spread of illness within county jails , Barnes said , deputies were taking “ extreme measures.
” They included pre-custody screenings of inmates , checks of employees and cancellations of visits and certain jail programs .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this as a precaution measure , implementing strategies as early as late January , ” Barnes said .
“ We have protocols in place and always have for contagious disease and control.
” This week , health officials confirmed Orange County ’ s first fatality as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to climb .
As of Wednesday , the overall case count was 187 .

An inmate at Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana tested positive for the coronavirus Tuesday.
A day after the first Orange County inmate tested positive for the coronavirus, the Sheriff’s Department said it does not plan to release prisoners early amid the growing pandemic until all other options are exhausted.
Even as other counties release some inmates and limit the number of people booked into custody, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes told reporters Wednesday that his jail facilities could accommodate about 100 inmates in isolation if necessary.
“My goal is never to release people early,” Barnes said.
Although he said he has no immediate plans to release inmates, Barnes has successfully petitioned the Orange County Superior Court for permission to release sentenced inmates up to 60 days early. “We need to put everything on the table for forward thinking, getting out ahead of this and, if necessary, release individuals early from our custody,” he said.
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Barnes’ announcement comes a day after a 40-year-old inmate in Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana tested positive for the coronavirus. That inmate, who has been in custody on felony charges since June 2018, was in dormitory-type housing. Inmates in that housing unit are now quarantined and under observation, Barnes said. If they exhibit symptoms, he said, they will also be isolated and treated according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Six inmates are in quarantine and awaiting test results.
In an effort to stop the spread of illness within county jails, Barnes said, deputies were taking “extreme measures.” They included pre-custody screenings of inmates, checks of employees and cancellations of visits and certain jail programs.
“We’ve been out in front of this as a precaution measure, implementing strategies as early as late January,” Barnes said. “We have protocols in place and always have for contagious disease and control.”
This week, health officials confirmed Orange County’s first fatality as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to climb. As of Wednesday, the overall case count was 187.


latimes--2020-03-25--Increased anxiety and depression top college students' concerns in coronavirus survey

Before the coronavirus outbreak shuttered colleges , Crystal Hammond worked three paid internships and did her homework on campus or at local coffee shops .
School offered her the security and opportunity to focus on her future , she said .
Now , the second-year political science student at Los Angeles City College is worried about whether her internships will continue .
She uses her mobile hot spot as a Wi-Fi source .
She is overhearing more disturbing domestic disputes and arguments in her apartment building in the Westlake district west of downtown .
All of the abrupt changes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mental health .
“ I am very stressed out , I ’ m very anxious , and I want to get rid of it , ” she said .
Hammond is one of more than 500 students who filled out a survey from Rise , a college affordability advocacy group , on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak .
The survey found that 75 % of college students who responded are dealing with higher levels of anxiety , depression and stress , and 52 % have been laid off or had their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct a scientific survey but sent the survey to its email list , posted it on social media and distributed it to the group ’ s campus organizers .
From March 18 to March 24 , 521 students attending 102 colleges responded , according to the group .
“ It ’ s more personal for me , ” Hammond said , referring to the cause of her stress .
“ Who ’ s gon na get sick first ?
Or who ’ s going to be affected first ?
My grandpa ?
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a snapshot of the rising anxieties among college students as schools close across the country .
In a UCLA Undergraduate Students Assn .
Council survey filled out by more than 6,000 students , several said they ’ d been forced to move out of the dorms on short notice , were sad to be missing the last quarter of school and felt too stressed and concerned about world events to take finals , which would have happened last week .
Among those Rise surveyed , 6 % said they have been forced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacked safe and reliable housing , 20 % said they lacked access to a mobile device or Wi-Fi , and 28 % said they lacked access to healthy meals .
Only 21 % said that their lives remained unchanged , other than classes being shifted online .
Max Lubin , the chief executive of Rise , said that while much of the focus has been on the health implications of the coronavirus , particularly for high-risk groups , college students are also in a moment of crisis .
The organization said 25,000 students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College student hunger and homelessness , and the evictions and dropouts that will result from these closures , can have just as devastating of an impact , ” Lubin said .
“ It ’ s on all of us , and especially lawmakers and campus leaders , to make sure that the needs of their students are being met right now.
” Michelle Maghami , a Rise member and freshman at Pasadena City College who completed the survey , said that before the coronavirus outbreak she relied on the structure in her schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maghami , a human biology major who wants to be a dentist , said all of her internships have been put on hold .
Her main source of income , running online shops , has also stalled .
“ It ’ s easy to get depressed or feel like you ’ re not being productive , ” she said .
“ You ’ re kind of shut down in a way .
That ’ s the part I ’ ve been struggling the most with.
” For Hammond , the biggest relief from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some clarity about how all of this will end .
“ You ’ re calm when you know a level of certainty , ” Hammond said .
But “ there ’ s nothing that ’ s guaranteed right now .
”

Before the coronavirus outbreak shuttered colleges, Crystal Hammond worked three paid internships and did her homework on campus or at local coffee shops. School offered her the security and opportunity to focus on her future, she said.
Now, the second-year political science student at Los Angeles City College is worried about whether her internships will continue. She uses her mobile hot spot as a Wi-Fi source. She is overhearing more disturbing domestic disputes and arguments in her apartment building in the Westlake district west of downtown. All of the abrupt changes in her life and her community have hurt her mental health.
For the record: And earlier version of this story incorrectly said that students from 102 colleges responded to the survey. Students from 129 responded.
“I am very stressed out, I’m very anxious, and I want to get rid of it,” she said.
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Hammond is one of more than 500 students who filled out a survey from Rise, a college affordability advocacy group, on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. The survey found that 75% of college students who responded are dealing with higher levels of anxiety, depression and stress, and 52% have been laid off or had their work hours cut.
Rise did not conduct a scientific survey but sent the survey to its email list, posted it on social media and distributed it to the group’s campus organizers. From March 18 to March 24, 521 students attending 129 colleges responded, according to the group.
“It’s more personal for me,” Hammond said, referring to the cause of her stress. “Who’s gonna get sick first? Or who’s going to be affected first? My grandpa? My grandma?”
The Rise survey offers a snapshot of the rising anxieties among college students as schools close across the country.
In a UCLA Undergraduate Students Assn. Council survey filled out by more than 6,000 students, several said they’d been forced to move out of the dorms on short notice, were sad to be missing the last quarter of school and felt too stressed and concerned about world events to take finals, which would have happened last week.
Among those Rise surveyed, 6% said they have been forced to drop classes, 17% said they lacked safe and reliable housing, 20% said they lacked access to a mobile device or Wi-Fi, and 28% said they lacked access to healthy meals.
Only 21% said that their lives remained unchanged, other than classes being shifted online.
Max Lubin, the chief executive of Rise, said that while much of the focus has been on the health implications of the coronavirus, particularly for high-risk groups, college students are also in a moment of crisis. The organization said 25,000 students across the country are members.
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“College student hunger and homelessness, and the evictions and dropouts that will result from these closures, can have just as devastating of an impact,” Lubin said. “It’s on all of us, and especially lawmakers and campus leaders, to make sure that the needs of their students are being met right now.”
Michelle Maghami, a Rise member and freshman at Pasadena City College who completed the survey, said that before the coronavirus outbreak she relied on the structure in her schedule to help keep her on track. Maghami, a human biology major who wants to be a dentist, said all of her internships have been put on hold. Her main source of income, running online shops, has also stalled.
“It’s easy to get depressed or feel like you’re not being productive,” she said. “You’re kind of shut down in a way. That’s the part I’ve been struggling the most with.”
For Hammond, the biggest relief from her increased anxiety and stress would be some clarity about how all of this will end.
“You’re calm when you know a level of certainty,” Hammond said. But “there’s nothing that’s guaranteed right now.”