latimes--2020-04-20--15 deaths in the airline industry in 9 days linked to coronavirus. Why are planes still flying?

Somehow , word got around among retired New York City firefighters about a perfect second-career job : a local company , with lots of travel perks .
One by one , they became flight attendants at JetBlue .
Ralph Gismondi was among the first of an estimated 30 or so former firefighters who joined the airline .
He retired as a fire captain after several decades that included a stint at ground zero on 9/11 .
He began working as a flight attendant for JetBlue in 2003 and saw each trip as a chance to fine-tune his comedy routine over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he would play the piano in hotel lobbies and rally other flight attendants for nights out on the town , coworkers said .
On April 5 , Gismondi became the first JetBlue employee to die of COVID-19 .
Within days , two more JetBlue deaths linked to the coronavirus followed : Pilot Kevin McAdoo , a U.S. Air Force veteran , died April 7 .
Then , 27-year-old Jared Lovos , a fitness enthusiast who had been a JetBlue flight attendant and recently transferred to human resources , died April 10 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of at least 15 workers who have died from COVID-19 from April 5-13 , according to the airlines , unions and interviews with family members and friends .
Yet without any central tracking , the true number of deaths in the airline industry is likely to be significantly higher .
An American Airlines gate agent at Los Angeles International Airport , an aircraft mechanic at a Tulsa , Okla. , airport , a baggage handler at Dallas-Fort Worth and a food services manager at JFK airport in New York are all counted among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll of air travel is mounting .
Many pilots and flight attendants see these as preventable deaths .
Passenger numbers are compared with the same week last year .
Airlines have made drastic cuts to service .
At the same time , they are still offering specials like $ 35 round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago .
Major airlines are set to receive $ 25 billion in coronavirus relief funding from the federal government ; the bailout requires that carriers maintain baseline service levels .
“ We are doing nothing but spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines flight attendant , who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media .
Delta emailed flight attendants April 9 telling those with the coronavirus to “ refrain from notifying other crew members ” or posting on social media , according to an email obtained by The Times .
In a statement , a spokesperson for Delta said that the email used “ incorrect language ” and that the airline ’ s notification process “ protects confidentiality of employees ” and “ follows — and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control and Prevention ] guidance.
” While policies are inconsistent among airlines , crew members across the industry report that they either haven ’ t been told when they ’ ve been exposed to coworkers with the coronavirus , or notification comes too late .
Until recently , airlines banned flight attendants from even wearing masks .
The airlines are breaking no Federal Aviation Administration rules regarding the pandemic .
In fact , the FAA has none ; it recommends — but does not mandate — that airlines follow the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendant unions have blasted airlines for failing to properly notify crew members of exposure , demanding that the FAA mandate CDC recommendations .
The FAA did not respond to detailed questions but referred a Times reporter to a letter from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson .
“ We are not a public health agency , ” Dickson wrote .
All the way through mid-April , the FAA was that crew members may continue working “ as long as they remain asymptomatic.
” But symptoms may take 14 days to appear , and the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people with the infection may be asymptomatic .
The Assn .
of Flight Attendants has called for the grounding of all leisure travel , with air travel limited to essential services like cargo and medical flights .
JetBlue said the airline follows CDC guidelines and provides 14 days of paid leave to anyone instructed by a doctor or health official to quarantine , even if a test is unavailable .
“ There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our crewmembers and customers , ” a spokesperson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the part that gets me , ” said a JetBlue flight attendant , who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media , and who was a friend of former firefighter Gismondi .
“ He was saving lives , and then he retired and went to passing out potato chips and pretzels .
And this is what this man is going to die from ?
” For 11 hours , flight attendant Jorge Merelles heard the sound of coughing throughout the plane from Rio de @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One woman , in particular , was gasping for air and very pale , with a deep cough like a smoker .
“ There were a lot of elderly customers onboard who came from the canceled cruise ships .
A lot of them were sick .
None of them were wearing masks , ” Merelles said .
Merelles and the other flight attendants were not allowed to wear masks at the time .
Merelles got home to Miami and then flew six more legs over the course of the next week , traveling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Los Angeles and St. Louis .
On March 23 , he started to feel tired .
Then came a headache , a slight fever and shortness of breath .
The following day , he lost his sense of taste , his fever spiked and his body ached .
That night , unable to stand , he went to the hospital suspecting he had COVID-19 .
“ I was thinking of the Rio flight , ” he said .
He spent the next eight days in the hospital , treated as a presumptive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the third day in the hospital , Merelles received a FaceTime call from a flight attendant friend , who said he was in the hospital with COVID-19 and his wife was in the ICU on a ventilator with the virus too .
Before long , the two men realized they were in the same hospital , FaceTiming one another from three rooms apart .
It was a sobering sign of how widespread infection had become among flight attendants .
On April 1 , the day Merelles was discharged from the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merelles said it was only then that his airline started notifying crew members with whom he had flown .
But the notification the notification went to coworkers with whom he had worked in the 48 hours prior to the onset of his symptoms .
By and large , airlines aren ’ t consistently telling pilots and flight attendants when they ’ ve been exposed , according to pilot and flight attendant unions and interviews with crew members .
Or , as Merelles experienced , airlines are waiting too long .
He said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full month after his Brazil flight , that his airline called to say there had been confirmed positive cases onboard .
Merelles firmly believes that all aircraft should be grounded , with flights solely for medical purposes , cargo and mail .
“ If they have crews , have those crews tested .
Check them out .
Have a very tight control over this .
That ’ s the only way to get out of this , ” he said .
“ I think we are still spreading it from city to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove past Gismondi ’ s house on Long Island on April 11 , some with JetBlue scarves flying from the mirror .
One by one , Gismondi ’ s fellow flight attendants slowed down to wave at his wife and family wearing masks and standing in the driveway .
Not far away , a baggage handler from JFK airport was in the hospital with only a few days left to live .
Leland Jordan , an architectural drafter , had moved in 2009 from Guyana to New York City .
Working as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could get as an immigrant .
From 9:30 p.m. till 5:30 a.m. , Jordan routed bags from international flights in JFK ’ s Terminal 4 .
Lacking health insurance , the 73-year-old worked as much overtime as he could get to pay for his diabetes medication and medical expenses , according to his wife , Juliet .
On March 17 , Jordan fell ill at work and had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance .
He was later discharged to his home in Far Rockaway , Queens , near the airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work .
Jordan and his coworkers spent their shifts stationed in a confined indoor space , handling all of the international bags .
Jordan went to his supervisor to say it wasn ’ t right that they were not practicing social distancing and had no protective gear , his wife said .
The contractor laid off Jordan and other workers March 24 .
About a week later , Jordan started coughing .
“ He said he was just getting a little cold .
But we didn ’ t know , ” his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a headache and grew worse .
She called an ambulance April 7 .
“ He walked down the steps very strong and went and sat on the stretcher .
I never thought I wouldn ’ t see him back.
” But Jordan declined quickly .
He died April 13 .
One of his coworkers , a fellow baggage handler at JFK , also died after becoming infected with the virus , according to his union , 32BJ SEIU .
“ Everybody was worried about the dangers of COVID , ” said Jordan ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got to work , you ’ ve got to work .
You need money .
When that ’ s the only income you have , you have to work .
”

Scene at a nearly empty terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, where the number of people traveling by plane has plummeted amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Somehow, word got around among retired New York City firefighters about a perfect second-career job: a local company, with lots of travel perks. One by one, they became flight attendants at JetBlue.
Ralph Gismondi was among the first of an estimated 30 or so former firefighters who joined the airline. He retired as a fire captain after several decades that included a stint at ground zero on 9/11. He began working as a flight attendant for JetBlue in 2003 and saw each trip as a chance to fine-tune his comedy routine over the public address system. On layovers, he would play the piano in hotel lobbies and rally other flight attendants for nights out on the town, coworkers said.
On April 5, Gismondi became the first JetBlue employee to die of COVID-19.
Advertisement
Within days, two more JetBlue deaths linked to the coronavirus followed: Pilot Kevin McAdoo, a U.S. Air Force veteran, died April 7. Then, 27-year-old Jared Lovos, a fitness enthusiast who had been a JetBlue flight attendant and transferred last summer to human resources, died April 10.
New York City Fire Department Capt. Ralph Gismondi, left, retired and became a JetBlue flight attendant. (Transport Workers Union)
Across the industry, The Times learned of at least 15 workers who have died from COVID-19 from April 5-13, according to the airlines, unions and interviews with family members and friends. Yet without any central tracking, the true number of deaths in the airline industry is likely to be significantly higher.
Jared Lovos before his death from COVID-19. He had been a JetBlue flight attendant and transferred last summer to human resources. (Abnner Pereira)
An American Airlines gate agent at Los Angeles International Airport, an aircraft mechanic at a Tulsa, Okla., airport, a baggage handler at Dallas-Fort Worth and a food services manager at JFK airport in New York are all counted among the recent dead. And the human toll of air travel is mounting.
Many pilots and flight attendants see these as preventable deaths.
Passenger numbers are down 95% compared with the same week last year. Airlines have made drastic cuts to service. At the same time, they are still offering specials like $35 round-trip tickets from Los Angeles to Chicago. Major airlines are set to receive $25 billion in coronavirus relief funding from the federal government; the bailout requires that carriers maintain baseline service levels.
“We are doing nothing but spreading the disease,” said one American Airlines flight attendant, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Delta emailed flight attendants April 9 telling those with the coronavirus to “refrain from notifying other crew members” or posting on social media, according to an email obtained by The Times. In a statement, a spokesperson for Delta said that the email used “incorrect language” and that the airline’s notification process “protects confidentiality of employees” and “follows — and in some cases exceeds — CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidance.”
While policies are inconsistent among airlines, crew members across the industry report that they either haven’t been told when they’ve been exposed to coworkers with the coronavirus, or notification comes too late. Until recently, airlines banned flight attendants from even wearing masks.
The airlines are breaking no Federal Aviation Administration rules regarding the pandemic. In fact, the FAA has none; it recommends — but does not mandate — that airlines follow the CDC’s guidelines. Pilot and flight attendant unions have blasted airlines for failing to properly notify crew members of exposure, demanding that the FAA mandate CDC recommendations.
The FAA did not respond to detailed questions but referred a Times reporter to a letter from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “We are not a public health agency,” Dickson wrote.
Advertisement
All the way through mid-April, the FAA was telling airlines that crew members may continue working “as long as they remain asymptomatic.” But symptoms may take 14 days to appear, and the CDC now says that upward of 50% of people with the infection may be asymptomatic.
The Assn. of Flight Attendants has called for the grounding of all leisure travel, with air travel limited to essential services like cargo and medical flights.
JetBlue said the airline follows CDC guidelines and provides 14 days of paid leave to anyone instructed by a doctor or health official to quarantine, even if a test is unavailable.
“There is nothing more important to us than the health and safety of our crewmembers and customers,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement.
JetBlue flight attendant Ralph Gismondi died April 5 from COVID-19. (Transport Workers Union)
“This is the part that gets me,” said a JetBlue flight attendant, who asked not to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the media, and who was a friend of former firefighter Gismondi. “He was saving lives, and then he retired and went to passing out potato chips and pretzels. And this is what this man is going to die from?”
For 11 hours, flight attendant Jorge Merelles heard the sound of coughing throughout the plane from Rio de Janeiro to Miami on March 15. One woman, in particular, was gasping for air and very pale, with a deep cough like a smoker.
“There were a lot of elderly customers onboard who came from the canceled cruise ships. A lot of them were sick. None of them were wearing masks,” Merelles said.
Merelles and the other flight attendants were not allowed to wear masks at the time.
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Merelles got home to Miami and then flew six more legs over the course of the next week, traveling back to Brazil, to Mexico, to Los Angeles and St. Louis. On March 23, he started to feel tired. Then came a headache, a slight fever and shortness of breath. The following day, he lost his sense of taste, his fever spiked and his body ached. That night, unable to stand, he went to the hospital suspecting he had COVID-19.
“I was thinking of the Rio flight,” he said.
He spent the next eight days in the hospital, treated as a presumptive COVID-19 patient while awaiting test results.
On the third day in the hospital, Merelles received a FaceTime call from a flight attendant friend, who said he was in the hospital with COVID-19 and his wife was in the ICU on a ventilator with the virus too. Before long, the two men realized they were in the same hospital, FaceTiming one another from three rooms apart.
× Flight attendant Jorge Merelles was hospitalized with COVID-19.
It was a sobering sign of how widespread infection had become among flight attendants.
On April 1, the day Merelles was discharged from the hospital, his COVID-19 test came back positive. Merelles said it was only then that his airline started notifying crew members with whom he had flown. But the notification went to coworkers with whom he had worked in the 48 hours prior to the onset of his symptoms.
By and large, airlines aren’t consistently telling pilots and flight attendants when they’ve been exposed, according to pilot and flight attendant unions and interviews with crew members. Or, as Merelles experienced, airlines are waiting too long.
He said it wasn’t until April 15, a full month after his Brazil flight, that his airline called to say there had been confirmed positive cases onboard.
Merelles firmly believes that all aircraft should be grounded, with flights solely for medical purposes, cargo and mail.
“If they have crews, have those crews tested. Check them out. Have a very tight control over this. That’s the only way to get out of this,” he said. “I think we are still spreading it from city to city.”
Flight attendant Jorge Merelles was exposed to the coronavirus on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Miami on March 15. He later was hospitalized and tested positive for the infection. (Jorge Merelles)
A long line of cars drove past Gismondi’s house on Long Island on April 11, some with JetBlue scarves flying from the mirror. One by one, Gismondi’s fellow flight attendants slowed down to wave at his wife and family wearing masks and standing in the driveway.
Not far away, a baggage handler from JFK airport was in the hospital with only a few days left to live.
Leland Jordan, an architectural drafter, had moved in 2009 from Guyana to New York City. Working as a baggage handler was the only job he could get as an immigrant.
From 9:30 p.m. till 5:30 a.m., Jordan routed bags from international flights in JFK’s Terminal 4. Lacking health insurance, the 73-year-old worked as much overtime as he could get to pay for his diabetes medication and medical expenses, according to his wife, Juliet.
On March 17, Jordan fell ill at work and had to be transported to the hospital by ambulance. He was later discharged to his home in Far Rockaway, Queens, near the airport. Feeling better, he went back to work.
Jordan and his coworkers spent their shifts stationed in a confined indoor space, handling all of the international bags. Jordan went to his supervisor to say it wasn’t right that they were not practicing social distancing and had no protective gear, his wife said.
Leland Jordan was a baggage handler at JFK airport. He died from COVID-19. (Juliet Jordan)
The contractor laid off Jordan and other workers March 24. About a week later, Jordan started coughing. “He said he was just getting a little cold. But we didn’t know,” his wife said.
Then he started getting a headache and grew worse. She called an ambulance April 7. “He walked down the steps very strong and went and sat on the stretcher. I never thought I wouldn’t see him back.”
But Jordan declined quickly. He died April 13. One of his coworkers, a fellow baggage handler at JFK, also died after becoming infected with the virus, according to his union, 32BJ SEIU.
“Everybody was worried about the dangers of COVID,” said Jordan’s wife. “But when you’ve got to work, you’ve got to work. You need money. When that’s the only income you have, you have to work.”


latimes--2020-04-20--Protesters demand California stay-at-home rules end. Here is how that could happen

Over the last three days , protesters have converged in Huntington Beach , San Diego , San Clemente and Encinitas , calling for the end to California ’ s stay-at-home orders , which have helped slow the spread of the coronavirus .
They cite the devastating toll the shutdown has had on the economy .
Some claim that coronavirus fears have been overblown and that social distancing is not needed , which goes against what public health officials and experts have said .
“ I think at [ this ] point , people have had enough , and they want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said retired Point Loma resident Darla Clark at a San Diego protest , noting that many of her friends have lost their jobs .
“ This is definitely where the cure is going to be worse than the disease.
” “ It ’ s time that California opens back up , ” Orange County resident Lisa Collins said at the Huntington Beach protest .
“ We can ’ t [ complain ] about our freedoms and liberties being taken away if we aren ’ t willing to do something.
” Will these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ease the rules ?
Here is what we know : Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Saturday he would not be swayed by public protests in deciding when to reopen the state .
“ We are going to do the right thing , not judge by politics , not judge by protests , but by science , ” Newsom said .
“ I just want to encourage people that when you practice your free speech — which I don ’ t [ just ] embrace , I celebrate — just do so safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It doesn ’ t know if you are Republican or Democrat , supporting the president , opposing the president , so practice physical distancing.
” California has seen far fewer deaths than have other hot spots , including New York , and officials believe early social distancing is one reason why .
What the governor says must happen Earlier this month , Newsom outlined a framework for lifting some restrictions .
The administration for altering his stay-at-home mandate and said the state must develop guidelines for when to ask Californians to stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order and the virus were to surge .
Newsom did not offer any firm timetable for when stay-at-home orders could be modified but provided some general goals that must be met to move forward .
Experts have said that lifting social distancing rules will be a long and deliberate process , with some businesses coming back before others .
For example , restaurants might be able to reopen with strict social distancing , but big events would be harder to restart anytime soon .
Here are the six factors outlined by Newsom : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect communities through testing , tracing of contacts , and isolating and supporting those who are positive or exposed to the virus .
— How prepared is our state to test everyone who is symptomatic ?
— Do we have the ability to identify contacts of those who are positive to reduce further transmission ?
We need to have the ability to prevent infection in people who are at higher risk .
— Are older Californians and the medically vulnerable living in their own homes supported so they can continue appropriate physical distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to quickly identify and contain outbreaks in facilities housing older Californians ; those living with disabilities ; those currently incarcerated ; and those with co-morbidities , or multiple , chronic conditions ?
Hospital and health systems must be able to handle surges of COVID-19 patients .
— Do we have adequate bed capacity , staff and supplies such as ventilators and masks ?
— Can our healthcare system adequately address COVID-19 and other critical healthcare needs ?
We must be able to develop therapeutics to meet demand .
— Have we built a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners to accelerate the development of therapeutics ?
— Have we identified potential therapeutics that have shown promise ?
Businesses , schools and child-care facilities need to be able to support physical distancing .
— Have we worked with businesses to support physical distancing practices and introduced guidelines to provide health checks when employees or the general public enter the premises ?
— Do we have supplies and equipment to keep the workforce and customers safe ?
We have to be able to determine when to re-institute certain measures , such as stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we tracking the right data to provide us an early warning system ?
— Do we have the ability to quickly communicate the need to reinstate these measures ?
Ninety-five percent of respondents say they support Los Angeles elected officials ’ decision to implement a stay-at-home order for all but essential personnel , a Loyola Marymount University poll released last week found .
A released last week also showed wide support for stay-at-home orders on a national level .
“ While most states have issued their own stay-at-home orders , 81 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order on a national level , ” the pollsters said .
A Politico/Morning Consult that the vast majority of Americans would prefer to keep stay-at-home rules if the alternative meant more spread of the coronavirus .
California ’ s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has tamped down the coronavirus outbreak and left many hospitals largely empty , waiting for a surge that has yet to come .
The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools , businesses and other institutions has pleased experts and public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restrictions in place at least into May to help cement the progress .
Social distancing will be a critical factor .
Lifting restrictions too early would likely lead to dangerous new jumps in cases .
During the 1918 flu pandemic , more than 20 U.S. cities that relaxed physical distancing orders too quickly — even as the flu virus was still circulating — soon saw a new rise in cases .
There will continue to be a threat of the coronavirus being reintroduced in areas where the outbreak has eased .
Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles and McGreevy from Sacramento .
Figueroa writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune .

Andrew J. Campa, Patrick McGreevy, Alex Wigglesworth, Teri Figueroa

A driver takes a picture of the rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A big number of Trump supporters rally on Main Street against business closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Huntington Beach. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Conservative activist rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
A big number of Trump supporters rally on Main Street against business closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Huntington Beach. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Conservative activist rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Police keep an eye on Trump supporters at a rally on Main Street against business closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. Huntington Beach, CA. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Kira Beattie, center, joins rally in Huntington Beach against the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Conservative activist rally on Main Street in Huntington Beach against business closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Sarah Mason, of Covina, rallied in Huntington Beach against the stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Over the last three days, protesters have converged in Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Clemente and Encinitas, calling for the end to California’s stay-at-home orders, which have helped slow the spread of the coronavirus.
They cite the devastating toll the shutdown has had on the economy. Some claim that coronavirus fears have been overblown and that social distancing is not needed, which goes against what public health officials and experts have said.
“I think at [this] point, people have had enough, and they want to get back to work again,” said retired Point Loma resident Darla Clark at a San Diego protest, noting that many of her friends have lost their jobs. “This is definitely where the cure is going to be worse than the disease.”
Advertisement
“It’s time that California opens back up,” Orange County resident Lisa Collins said at the Huntington Beach protest. “We can’t [complain] about our freedoms and liberties being taken away if we aren’t willing to do something.”
Will these protests influence lawmakers’ decisions about when to ease the rules? Here is what we know:
Newsom urges patience
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Saturday he would not be swayed by public protests in deciding when to reopen the state.
“We are going to do the right thing, not judge by politics, not judge by protests, but by science,” Newsom said. “I just want to encourage people that when you practice your free speech — which I don’t [just] embrace, I celebrate — just do so safely. This virus knows no political ideology. It doesn’t know if you are Republican or Democrat, supporting the president, opposing the president, so practice physical distancing.”
Advertisement
California has seen far fewer deaths than have other hot spots, including New York, and officials believe early social distancing is one reason why.
What the governor says must happen
Earlier this month, Newsom outlined a framework for lifting some restrictions.
The administration highlighted six key indicators for altering his stay-at-home mandate and said the state must develop guidelines for when to ask Californians to stay home again if the governor modified the order and the virus were to surge.
Newsom did not offer any firm timetable for when stay-at-home orders could be modified but provided some general goals that must be met to move forward.
Experts have said that lifting social distancing rules will be a long and deliberate process, with some businesses coming back before others. For example, restaurants might be able to reopen with strict social distancing, but big events would be harder to restart anytime soon.
Here are the six factors outlined by Newsom:
We must be able to monitor and protect communities through testing, tracing of contacts, and isolating and supporting those who are positive or exposed to the virus.
— How prepared is our state to test everyone who is symptomatic?
— Do we have the ability to identify contacts of those who are positive to reduce further transmission?
We need to have the ability to prevent infection in people who are at higher risk.
— Are older Californians and the medically vulnerable living in their own homes supported so they can continue appropriate physical distancing?
— Have we developed a plan to quickly identify and contain outbreaks in facilities housing older Californians; those living with disabilities; those currently incarcerated; and those with co-morbidities, or multiple, chronic conditions?
Hospital and health systems must be able to handle surges of COVID-19 patients.
— Do we have adequate bed capacity, staff and supplies such as ventilators and masks?
— Can our healthcare system adequately address COVID-19 and other critical healthcare needs?
We must be able to develop therapeutics to meet demand.
— Have we built a coalition of private, public and academic partners to accelerate the development of therapeutics?
— Have we identified potential therapeutics that have shown promise?
Businesses, schools and child-care facilities need to be able to support physical distancing.
— Have we worked with businesses to support physical distancing practices and introduced guidelines to provide health checks when employees or the general public enter the premises?
— Do we have supplies and equipment to keep the workforce and customers safe?
We have to be able to determine when to re-institute certain measures, such as stay-at-home orders, if necessary.
— Are we tracking the right data to provide us an early warning system?
— Do we have the ability to quickly communicate the need to reinstate these measures?
Polls show support for restrictions
Ninety-five percent of respondents say they support Los Angeles elected officials’ decision to implement a stay-at-home order for all but essential personnel, a Loyola Marymount University poll released last week found.
A Quinnipiac University poll released last week also showed wide support for stay-at-home orders on a national level. “While most states have issued their own stay-at-home orders, 81% of voters say they would support a stay-at-home order on a national level,” the pollsters said.
A Politico/Morning Consult poll found that the vast majority of Americans would prefer to keep stay-at-home rules if the alternative meant more spread of the coronavirus.
Experts say social distancing is working
California’s relatively quick action to close businesses and order residents to stay home has tamped down the coronavirus outbreak and left many hospitals largely empty, waiting for a surge that has yet to come.
The initial success of the unprecedented shutdown of schools, businesses and other institutions has pleased experts and public health officials, prompting calls to keep the restrictions in place at least into May to help cement the progress.
Social distancing will be a critical factor. Lifting restrictions too early would likely lead to dangerous new jumps in cases.
During the 1918 flu pandemic, more than 20 U.S. cities that relaxed physical distancing orders too quickly — even as the flu virus was still circulating — soon saw a new rise in cases. There will continue to be a threat of the coronavirus being reintroduced in areas where the outbreak has eased.
Times staff writers Campa and Wigglesworth wrote from Los Angeles and McGreevy from Sacramento. Figueroa writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.


latimes--2020-04-20--Here is the latest tally of coronavirus cases in each L.A. County community

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County topped 12,000 this weekend .
Officials reported 24 deaths related @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus Sunday , marking its lowest single-day increase in fatalities in over a @ @ @ @ @ who died , 16 were over the age of 65 , four were 41-65 and @ @ @ @ @ had underlying health conditions , officials said .
A total of 3,196 people were hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care units , as of Saturday , officials said Sunday .
Both of @ @ @ @ @ the day before , when 3,221 people were hospitalized and 1,173 were in ICUs .
@ @ @ @ @ in L.A. County communities :

Passersby stop to enjoy classical music played by Beong-Soo Kim and his wife, Bonnie Wongtrakool, at their Pasadena home Sunday. The couple began playing on their front porch when Los Angeles issued its safer-at-home order.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County topped 12,000 this weekend.
Officials reported 24 deaths related to COVID-19 and 334 cases of the coronavirus Sunday, marking its lowest single-day increase in fatalities in over a week.
Of the people who died, 16 were over the age of 65, four were 41-65 and three were 18-40. Twenty-three had underlying health conditions, officials said.
Advertisement
A total of 3,196 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 and 1,163 were in intensive care units, as of Saturday, officials said Sunday. Both of those numbers declined slightly from the day before, when 3,221 people were hospitalized and 1,173 were in ICUs.
Here are coronavirus cases confirmed in L.A. County communities:
Long Beach 457
Glendale 332
Melrose 239
Pasadena 215
Santa Clarita 201
Torrance 194
North Hollywood 164
Inglewood 157
Carson 151
Palmdale 149
Sylmar 147
South Gate 136
Burbank 134
East Los Angeles 132
Hollywood 131
Downey 126
Van Nuys 124
Lancaster 120
Santa Monica 115
Westlake 114
West Hollywood 110
Canoga Park 108
Norwalk 105
Gardena 102
Lynwood 101
Reseda 99
West Vernon 97
Hawthorne 94
Panorama City 94
Pico-Union 91
Compton 91
Silver Lake 89
Sherman Oaks 89
Redondo Beach 85
Unincorporated - Florence-Firestone 85
Woodland Hills 84
Pico Rivera 81
Beverly Hills 80
Pacoima 80
Bell 80
Northridge 79
San Pedro 76
Boyle Heights 73
Palms 73
Montebello 73
Glassell Park 72
Pomona 72
Koreatown 71
East Hollywood 69
Exposition Park 69
Winnetka 67
Temple-Beaudry 67
Whittier 66
Paramount 66
Bellflower 66
Little Armenia 63
Wilshire Center 63
North Hills 62
Granada Hills 61
Encino 60
West Adams 60
Central 59
West Covina 59
Vernon Central 59
Manhattan Beach 58
Covina 58
Brentwood 58
Huntington Park 58
Florence-Firestone 56
Sun Valley 55
Bell Gardens 54
Hancock Park 54
South Park 53
Eagle Rock 52
El Monte 52
El Sereno 51
Tarzana 51
Hollywood Hills 50
Athens-Westmont 49
Wilmington 49
Lakewood 48
Carthay 48
Crestview 47
Highland Park 47
Rancho Palos Verdes 47
Valley Village 46
Lake Balboa 45
Chatsworth 44
Altadena 44
Alhambra 44
Westchester 44
Valley Glen 44
Little Bangladesh 42
Arleta 42
Harvard Park 42
Baldwin Park 41
West Los Angeles 40
Baldwin Hills 40
Sunland 40
Watts 40
Monterey Park 39
Mar Vista 39
Harbor Gateway 39
Del Rey 38
Cerritos 38
Westwood 38
Culver City 38
Mission Hills 37
South Whittier 37
Venice 37
Palos Verdes Estates 36
Maywood 36
Porter Ranch 36
Century Palms/Cove 36
Lawndale 36
Hacienda Heights 35
University Park 35
Vermont Vista 35
San Fernando 34
Wholesale District 34
Pacific Palisades 33
West Carson 32
La Mirada 32
Country Club Park 32
Downtown 31
Hyde Park 31
Glendora 31
Duarte 30
Harvard Heights 29
West Hills 29
Arcadia 28
Crenshaw District 28
Beverly Crest 28
Historic Filipinotown 28
South Pasadena 28
Century City 27
Lomita 27
Walnut Park 27
Lincoln Heights 27
Mid-City 27
Cudahy 27
Rowland Heights 26
La Canada Flintridge 26
Harbor City 26
Leimert Park 25
Calabasas 25
Willowbrook 25
Miracle Mile 24
Studio City 24
Tujunga 24
Agoura Hills 24
Temple City 24
Diamond Bar 23
Beverlywood 23
Malibu 23
Bel-Air 23
Green Meadows 23
Vermont Knolls 23
Los Feliz 22
La Puente 22
Azusa 22
South Carthay 21
Vermont Square 21
Lennox 21
Lakeview Terrace 21
Victoria Park 20
San Dimas 20
Monrovia 20
Hermosa Beach 19
West Whittier/Los Nietos 19
View Park/Windsor Hills 18
Mt. Washington 17
San Gabriel 16
Rosemead 16
Adams-Normandie 16
Gramercy Place 15
Quartz Hill 15
Ladera Heights 15
Canyon Country 15
Walnut 15
Valinda 15
Claremont 15
El Segundo 14
Bassett 14
Unincorporated - Covina 14
Cloverdale/Cochran 13
Santa Fe Springs 13
Figueroa Park Square 13
La Crescenta-Montrose 13
Stevenson Ranch 13
Cheviot Hills 12
Rolling Hills Estates 12
East Rancho Dominguez 12
Playa Vista 12
Echo Park 11
Park La Brea 11
Thai Town 11
La Verne 11
Atwater Village 11
Alsace 11
Athens Village 10
Elysian Valley 10
Artesia 10
Castaic 10
Covina (Charter Oak) 9
Cadillac-Corning 9
Reseda Ranch 9
Rancho Park 8
Rancho Dominguez 8
Marina Peninsula 8
Lafayette Square 8
San Marino 8
San Jose Hills 8
Lake Los Angeles 8
Unincorporated - Azusa 7
Shadow Hills 7
Santa Monica Mountains 7
South San Gabriel 7
Northeast San Gabriel 7
Toluca Lake 7
Marina del Rey 7
East La Mirada 6
Westlake Village 6
Hawaiian Gardens 6
West Puente Valley 6
Reynier Village 6
Elysian Park 6
Wellington Square 6
Commerce 6
Del Aire 6
Jefferson Park 5
Unincorporated - Monrovia 5
View Heights 5
La Rambla 5
Longwood 5
Signal Hill 5
Avocado Heights 5
Acton 5
Sierra Madre 1-4
San Clemente Island 1-4
Harbor Pines 1-4
South Antelope Valley 1-4
Roosevelt 1-4
South Edwards 1-4
South El Monte 1-4
Franklin Canyon 1-4
Rolling Hills 1-4
Faircrest Heights 1-4
Kagel/Lopez Canyons 1-4
Exposition 1-4
Southeast Antelope Valley 1-4
St. Elmo Village 1-4
Regent Square 1-4
La Habra Heights 1-4
San Pasqual 1-4
Sun Village 1-4
Elizabeth Lake 1-4
Sunrise Village 1-4
Sycamore Square 1-4
Industry 1-4
El Camino Village 1-4
Playa del Rey 1-4
East Whittier 1-4
Placerita Canyon 1-4
Lake Hughes 1-4
Toluca Terrace 1-4
Toluca Woods 1-4
Pellissier Village 1-4
East Pasadena 1-4
Twin Lakes/Oat Mountain 1-4
Unincorporated - Angeles National Forest 1-4
Unincorporated - Arcadia 1-4
Pearblossom/Llano 1-4
Unincorporated - Bradbury 1-4
Unincorporated - Cerritos 1-4
Unincorporated - Claremont 1-4
Lake Manor 1-4
Unincorporated - Del Rey 1-4
Unincorporated - Duarte 1-4
Unincorporated - El Monte 1-4
East Lancaster 1-4
Unincorporated - Glendora 1-4
Unincorporated - Harbor Gateway 1-4
San Francisquito Canyon/Bouquet Canyon 1-4
Unincorporated - La Habra Heights 1-4
Unincorporated - La Verne 1-4
Unincorporated - Lakewood 1-4
Unincorporated - Lynwood 1-4
Unincorporated - Miracle Mile 1-4
Sand Canyon 1-4
Unincorporated - Palmdale 1-4
Unincorporated - Pomona 1-4
Unincorporated - South El Monte 1-4
Unincorporated - Walnut 1-4
Unincorporated - West LA 1-4
Unincorporated - Whittier 1-4
Universal City 1-4
University Hills 1-4
Santa Catalina Island 1-4
Val Verde 1-4
Valencia 1-4
Leona Valley 1-4
East Covina 1-4
Desert View Highlands 1-4
Del Sur 1-4
Hidden Hills 1-4
Palos Verdes Peninsula 1-4
Rosewood/West Rancho Dominguez 1-4
Little Tokyo 1-4
Vernon 1-4
Littlerock 1-4
Chinatown 1-4
Hi Vista 1-4
Littlerock/Juniper Hills 1-4
Palisades Highlands 1-4
Charter Oak 1-4
Littlerock/Pearblossom 1-4
Rosewood/East Gardena 1-4
Llano 1-4
West Antelope Valley 1-4
Saugus 1-4
West Chatsworth 1-4
Brookside 1-4
Bradbury 1-4
Bouquet Canyon 1-4
Manchester Square 1-4
Saugus/Canyon Country 1-4
West Rancho Dominguez 1-4
Bandini Islands 1-4
Rosewood 1-4
Avalon 1-4
Westfield/Academy Hills 1-4
Westhills 1-4
North Whittier 1-4
Irwindale 1-4
North Lancaster 1-4
White Fence Farms 1-4
Mandeville Canyon 1-4
Whittier Narrows 1-4
Angelino Heights 1-4
Angeles National Forest 1-4
Anaverde 1-4
Newhall 1-4
Agua Dulce 1-4
Wiseburn 1-4
Unincorporated - Hawthorne 1-4


latimes--2020-04-20--Column: It's natural to long for an end to the coronavirus quarantine. But we should remember what i

Column: It's natural to long for an end to the coronavirus quarantine. But we should remember what it has shown us

Last week , I caught up with one of the workers I met last year as I was reporting a column about labor violations at a Koreatown barbecue restaurant .
Anderson Casteñon was the cook who prepared meats , side dishes , sauces and salads at Genwa Korean Barbecue .
The high-end restaurant , which is popular among celebrities , has locations in Beverly Hills , downtown Los Angeles and Hancock Park .
Casteñon ’ s boss cut his hours but required him to do the same amount of work , all without bathroom or meal breaks .
I didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name of the restaurant then because I wanted to protect him from retaliation , but now there ’ s nothing to protect .
He was laid off at the end of February , along with most of the restaurant ’ s staff , because of a downturn in business related to coronavirus fears .
The California labor commissioner ’ s office cited Genwa in January for wage theft and other violations , ordering the restaurant to pay more than $ 2 million .
The penalties are under appeal , so the stolen wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belong to .
Jay Kwon , the owner of Genwa Korean Barbecue , did not respond to a request for comment .
The Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance , a nonprofit that helped Casteñon and his fellow workers bring their case to state labor authorities , gave him some money as part of a wage worker support program ; but a few days ago , the money ran out .
He spent his last dollar on a pack of vitamins to send home to his family in Guatemala .
He ’ s applying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but he hasn ’ t heard back .
He had to ask his mother to help with this month ’ s rent on the studio he shares with three others .
“ My biggest concern is that I can not send money home , ” Casteñon said .
Perhaps you think one story of hardship is insignificant because more than half of L.A. is out of work , and that restaurants need our support , not our criticism now .
Why talk about labor violations amid a global crisis ?
Our current crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a human-made disaster of all the things we ’ ve grown accustomed to overlooking .
Even an unknown virus doesn ’ t pose an existential threat to any country with a modern healthcare system that has the full cooperation of a government that trusts science and cares about the lives of its people .
The last two months have been a painful reminder that we don ’ t live in a country like that .
The way America has responded to the coronavirus is a disaster of its own kind .
Food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggle to meet demand .
An emergency aid program meant for small businesses was monopolized by wealthier chains that had better relationships with banks .
Grocery stores and delivery services , seeing record profits , pay their workers pennies without providing enough sick leave or protective equipment .
Asian Americans are being blamed for the virus and targeted for hate crimes .
Black and Latino people are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates .
And all around the country , our poorest workers must choose between letting their families go hungry or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t blame a virus for these consequences any more than you can blame the bullets in the gun for a shooter ’ s actions .
A society that can ’ t protect its most vulnerable citizens can not effectively fight an outbreak .
Poverty — and the crowded housing conditions , poor health and lack of access to healthcare that come along with it — makes us far more vulnerable to disease .
Exploited , underpaid wage workers without access to proper healthcare can not continue to perform the essential functions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially now .
This pandemic hasn ’ t just revealed these cracks in our social contract — it has turned them to vast chasms that threaten to swallow entire industries , communities and neighborhoods .
There has never been a starker dividing line than the one between those who are forced to risk infection to survive and those who can afford to avoid it .
Never has there been a more powerful illustration of class inequity than our new work-from-home society , where we sit in our homes shaming people for leaving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave their homes via smartphone apps so they can bring us food and Amazon packages .
At my local grocery store , we wear masks to browse produce picked by workers who can ’ t afford or find protection of their own .
A lot of us seem eager to move on from this pandemic , and that ’ s a natural feeling .
But I hope that we never forget what it has shown us .

Last week, I caught up with one of the workers I met last year as I was reporting a column about labor violations at a Koreatown barbecue restaurant.
Anderson Casteñon was the cook who prepared meats, side dishes, sauces and salads at Genwa Korean Barbecue. The high-end restaurant, which is popular among celebrities, has locations in Beverly Hills, downtown Los Angeles and Hancock Park. Casteñon’s boss cut his hours but required him to do the same amount of work, all without bathroom or meal breaks.
I didn’t use his name or the name of the restaurant then because I wanted to protect him from retaliation, but now there’s nothing to protect. He was laid off at the end of February, along with most of the restaurant’s staff, because of a downturn in business related to coronavirus fears.
Advertisement
The California labor commissioner’s office cited Genwa in January for wage theft and other violations, ordering the restaurant to pay more than $2 million. The penalties are under appeal, so the stolen wages haven’t reached the workers they belong to. Jay Kwon, the owner of Genwa Korean Barbecue, did not respond to a request for comment.
The Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, a nonprofit that helped Casteñon and his fellow workers bring their case to state labor authorities, gave him some money as part of a wage worker support program; but a few days ago, the money ran out.
He spent his last dollar on a pack of vitamins to send home to his family in Guatemala. He’s applying for a job at Numero Uno Market, but he hasn’t heard back. He had to ask his mother to help with this month’s rent on the studio he shares with three others.
“My biggest concern is that I cannot send money home,” Casteñon said.
Perhaps you think one story of hardship is insignificant because more than half of L.A. is out of work, and that restaurants need our support, not our criticism now. Why talk about labor violations amid a global crisis?
Our current crisis is not just a pandemic, but also a human-made disaster of all the things we’ve grown accustomed to overlooking. Even an unknown virus doesn’t pose an existential threat to any country with a modern healthcare system that has the full cooperation of a government that trusts science and cares about the lives of its people.
The last two months have been a painful reminder that we don’t live in a country like that. The way America has responded to the coronavirus is a disaster of its own kind.
Advertisement
Food rots in the field as food banks struggle to meet demand. An emergency aid program meant for small businesses was monopolized by wealthier chains that had better relationships with banks. Grocery stores and delivery services, seeing record profits, pay their workers pennies without providing enough sick leave or protective equipment.
Asian Americans are being blamed for the virus and targeted for hate crimes. Black and Latino people are dying from COVID-19 at disproportionately high rates. And all around the country, our poorest workers must choose between letting their families go hungry or putting their lives at risk.
You can’t blame a virus for these consequences any more than you can blame the bullets in the gun for a shooter’s actions. A society that can’t protect its most vulnerable citizens cannot effectively fight an outbreak.
Poverty — and the crowded housing conditions, poor health and lack of access to healthcare that come along with it — makes us far more vulnerable to disease. Exploited, underpaid wage workers without access to proper healthcare cannot continue to perform the essential functions we need. Inequality endangers us, especially now.
This pandemic hasn’t just revealed these cracks in our social contract — it has turned them to vast chasms that threaten to swallow entire industries, communities and neighborhoods.
There has never been a starker dividing line than the one between those who are forced to risk infection to survive and those who can afford to avoid it. Never has there been a more powerful illustration of class inequity than our new work-from-home society, where we sit in our homes shaming people for leaving the house, all while summoning poorer people to leave their homes via smartphone apps so they can bring us food and Amazon packages. At my local grocery store, we wear masks to browse produce picked by workers who can’t afford or find protection of their own.
A lot of us seem eager to move on from this pandemic, and that’s a natural feeling. But I hope that we never forget what it has shown us.


latimes--2020-04-20--Despite probation's support, L.A. County blocks at-risk offender's releases amid coronavirus

Dorian Martinez was sure her son was coming home .
The 17-year-old had been held in a La Verne juvenile camp for three months for a probation violation , the latest in a string of them stemming from a years-old drug possession charge , she said .
But with county and state officials trying to lower jail populations to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak , her son seemed like the perfect candidate to be let out early .
Martinez ’ s son suffers from asthma severe enough to require nebulizer treatments , and his probation officer submitted a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teen early , according to Martinez and her son ’ s attorney .
And Martinez had what she thought to be a trump card — a picture of her son posing next to Los Angeles County Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey , who presented the boy with an award in 2018 after his quick thinking helped police capture a sexual assault suspect .
But last week , a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge blocked his release .
The matter didn ’ t even see the inside of a courtroom , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said the judge denied the petition without argument .
Despite concerns about how rapidly the coronavirus could spread in jails , attorneys and parents said juvenile judges have rejected numerous pleas for the early release of youths during the pandemic , even in cases supported by the L.A. County Probation Department .
In some cases , the pleas came from juveniles who had an elevated risk of contracting the virus or little time left on their sentence , yet judges declined to even hold a hearing .
“ They didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my concerns .
They didn ’ t give an opportunity to his probation officer or the camp to say why they want to send my son home now , ” Martinez said .
“ They just ... threw it out .
It ’ s kind of hard to understand right now , and I just don ’ t know what else to do.
” Concern about the spread of the virus in juvenile facilities has increased in recent days .
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases among Probation Department employees jumped to 16 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those employees were assigned to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar , where 37 youths remain under quarantine because of potential exposure to the virus , officials said .
The juveniles “ are doing well and not showing any symptoms , ” the Probation Department said in a statement .
Across California , elected officials have moved swiftly to lower jail and prison populations , hoping to reduce the risk of a rapid surge in coronavirus behind bars .
In late March , Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of non-violent offenses and had less than 60 days left on their sentences .
Hundreds of adults have been released from L.A. County jails under similar circumstances .
Nationally , advocates , attorneys and relatives of youths in custody have expressed frustration that similar efforts have not gained traction in the juvenile justice system , even as reports of outbreaks begin to pop up in youth facilities .
On Friday , health officials confirmed that 25 juveniles had tested positive for the coronavirus at a facility outside Richmond , Va .
Juveniles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the illness in Maryland and Louisiana , according to published reports .
In recent weeks , L.A. County probation officials say they ’ ve made an effort to shrink the population of juvenile halls and camps , submitting to the courts a list of 59 young detainees to be considered for early release .
The court released 39 of the youths and set an additional 27 free last week without the Probation Department ’ s recommendation , Adam Wolfson , communications director for the agency , said .
Ann Donlan , a spokeswoman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said more stringent conditions must be met under California law to secure the release of young offenders .
“ Unlike adult inmate release , the court can not just release an underage person on their own recognizance , ” she said .
“ The court and Probation Department are responsible to ensure that minors who have committed serious criminal acts have participated in rehabilitative treatment programs , are no longer a danger to themselves and others and will return to a safe home with a responsible parent or guardian.
” Last week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a bulletin noting that probation officials can release juveniles from custody during “ an emergency endangering the lives of inmates , ” seemingly offering a way around a judge ’ s refusal .
Donlan referred questions about the bulletin to the Probation Department , which declined to comment .
Donlan also discounted concerns about petitions for release being dismissed without a hearing .
“ Any motion without merit is denied , ” she said , adding that judges who have made rulings from chambers were doing so to expedite the process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ no rehabilitative value in continuing to detain youths , as most educational and counseling programs have been stalled because of the coronavirus .
Advocates also contend that bench rulings , especially those involving cases of juveniles with health issues , amount to due process violations .
“ The judge isn ’ t being forced to put their justification on the record , and that ’ s a problem , ” said Tim Curry , legal director of the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington D.C. “ ‘ Because I said so ’ shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national crisis.
” Defense attorney Rachel Steinback expressed similar frustrations when one of her clients was denied early release on April 10 .
The client , an asthmatic 17-year-old with less than five weeks left in custody for a non-violent property crime , had the support of his probation officer when Steinback petitioned for his release .
Steinback said the teen became concerned earlier this month when another juvenile at Camp Afflerbaugh got sick and was removed from the facility .
Her client has been puffing on his inhaler frequently as a precaution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lone paper surgical mask he was provided by probation officers , before throwing it out after it became “ disgusting.
” “ Unless there ’ s a danger to society , they should absolutely let him go home , ” she said .
“ But the fact that the camp probation officer is supporting his release , and the fact that the judge is still refusing to release , is an outrage.
” The teen ’ s probation officer has filed a separate motion seeking his release , Steinback said .
Defense attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ client would be heading home from Camp Kilpatrick in early April .
The teen had served about five months in a juvenile camp after being sentenced to up to seven months in custody for a non-violent property crime , Geil said .
Probation officials supported his release and even said they had received a court order allowing him to leave the camp on April 3 , according to an email reviewed by The Times .
Instead of walking free , the youth was ordered by a judge in Inglewood Juvenile Court to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geil said .
The teen had received some negative reports inside the juvenile camp in recent weeks , but Geil said the camp director still supported his release .
“ What the heck is going on here ?
Why are they treating these kids worse than adults ?
” Geil asked .
“ The director of the camp told me in the emails that we were sending back and forth that she was very surprised that this was going on.
” The population of L.A. County ’ s juvenile halls and camps has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of youths in custody fell from 819 on March 1 to 590 on April 17 , a drop of 26 % .
It was not immediately clear how many of those releases were scheduled and unrelated to the coronavirus .
According to the Probation Department , 605 juveniles remain in custody .
About 246 of them are awaiting trial .
Some attorneys said juvenile judges aren ’ t taking the threat of the virus seriously .
“ I have heard a juvenile judge say , on the record , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk from COVID-19 by virtue of being in the juvenile halls and camps is just speculative , and in the same breath say that we ’ re all at some level of risk anyway , ” said Andy Bouvier-Brown , a criminal defense attorney who often represents juveniles .
“ Judges have pointed to the fact that there aren ’ t any confirmed positive tests of kids in the hall as evidence that they are not currently at risk.
” Last week , the Loyola Law School Center For Juvenile Law and Policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Supreme Court to release a wide category of youths being held in L.A. County .
The list includes any juveniles with a health condition that places them “ at higher risk of ” contracting the coronavirus , as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ; any juvenile exhibiting symptoms associated with the virus ; and any youths being held on either a probation violation or failure to appear in court .
The petition also highlighted a courtroom logjam in L.A. County that may be slowing hearings for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county ’ s 18 juvenile judges are currently hearing cases , the court filing said .
The petition also suggested that youths and their attorneys were being given little chance to plead for early release , even with the support of the Probation Department .
Both the Probation Department and a court spokeswoman declined to comment on the petition .
Jim Gregory , the attorney representing Martinez ’ s son , said probation officers also seem to be growing frustrated with some juvenile judges ’ actions during the pandemic .
After learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be going home , Gregory immediately called the teen ’ s probation officer .
“ He was livid , ” Gregory said .
“ He said people are dying ; he ’ s got to get out of here .
”

Dorian Martinez was sure her son was coming home.
The 17-year-old had been held in a La Verne juvenile camp for three months for a probation violation, the latest in a string of them stemming from a years-old drug possession charge, she said. But with county and state officials trying to lower jail populations to reduce the risk of a coronavirus outbreak, her son seemed like the perfect candidate to be let out early.
Martinez’s son suffers from asthma severe enough to require nebulizer treatments, and his probation officer submitted a petition asking the court to release the teen early, according to Martinez and her son’s attorney. And Martinez had what she thought to be a trump card — a picture of her son posing next to Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, who presented the boy with an award in 2018 after his quick thinking helped police capture a sexual assault suspect.
But last week, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge blocked his release. The matter didn’t even see the inside of a courtroom, according to the boy’s attorney, who said the judge denied the petition without argument.
Despite concerns about how rapidly the coronavirus could spread in jails, attorneys and parents said juvenile judges have rejected numerous pleas for the early release of youths during the pandemic, even in cases supported by the L.A. County Probation Department. In some cases, the pleas came from juveniles who had an elevated risk of contracting the virus or little time left on their sentence, yet judges declined to even hold a hearing.
Advertisement
“They didn’t give me the opportunity to talk about my concerns. They didn’t give an opportunity to his probation officer or the camp to say why they want to send my son home now,” Martinez said. “They just ... threw it out. It’s kind of hard to understand right now, and I just don’t know what else to do.”
Concern about the spread of the virus in juvenile facilities has increased in recent days. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases among Probation Department employees jumped to 16 last week, officials said.
Five employees of the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall have tested positive for the coronavirus. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Five of those employees were assigned to the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, where 37 youths remain under quarantine because of potential exposure to the virus, officials said. The juveniles “are doing well and not showing any symptoms,” the Probation Department said in a statement.
Across California, elected officials have moved swiftly to lower jail and prison populations, hoping to reduce the risk of a rapid surge in coronavirus behind bars. In late March, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the early release of 3,500 inmates who had been convicted of nonviolent offenses and had less than 60 days left on their sentences. Hundreds of adults have been released from L.A. County jails under similar circumstances.
Nationally, advocates, attorneys and relatives of youths in custody have expressed frustration that similar efforts have not gained traction in the juvenile justice system, even as reports of outbreaks begin to pop up in youth facilities. On Friday, health officials confirmed that 25 juveniles had tested positive for the coronavirus at a facility outside Richmond, Va. Juveniles in custody have also tested positive for the illness in Maryland and Louisiana, according to published reports.
Advertisement
In recent weeks, L.A. County probation officials say they’ve made an effort to shrink the population of juvenile halls and camps, submitting to the courts a list of 59 young detainees to be considered for early release. The court released 39 of the youths and set an additional 27 free last week without the Probation Department’s recommendation, Adam Wolfson, communications director for the agency, said.
Ann Donlan, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County Superior Court, said more stringent conditions must be met under California law to secure the release of young offenders.
“Unlike adult inmate release, the court cannot just release an underage person on their own recognizance,” she said. “The court and Probation Department are responsible to ensure that minors who have committed serious criminal acts have participated in rehabilitative treatment programs, are no longer a danger to themselves and others and will return to a safe home with a responsible parent or guardian.”
Last week, however, the California Department of Justice issued a bulletin noting that probation officials can release juveniles from custody during “an emergency endangering the lives of inmates,” seemingly offering a way around a judge’s refusal. Donlan referred questions about the bulletin to the Probation Department, which declined to comment.
Donlan also discounted concerns about petitions for release being dismissed without a hearing.
“Any motion without merit is denied,” she said, adding that judges who have made rulings from chambers were doing so to expedite the process.
Advocates and attorneys argue that there is no rehabilitative value in continuing to detain youths, as most educational and counseling programs have been stalled because of the coronavirus. Advocates also contend that bench rulings, especially those involving cases of juveniles with health issues, amount to due process violations.
“The judge isn’t being forced to put their justification on the record, and that’s a problem,” said Tim Curry, legal director of the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington D.C. “‘Because I said so’ shouldn’t be the standard during a national crisis.”
Defense attorney Rachel Steinback expressed similar frustrations when one of her clients was denied early release on April 10. The client, an asthmatic 17-year-old with less than five weeks left in custody for a nonviolent property crime, had the support of his probation officer when Steinback petitioned for his release.
Steinback said the teen became concerned earlier this month when another juvenile at Camp Afflerbaugh got sick and was removed from the facility. Her client has been puffing on his inhaler frequently as a precaution and clung for a week to the lone paper surgical mask he was provided by probation officers, before throwing it out after it became “disgusting.”
“Unless there’s a danger to society, they should absolutely let him go home,” she said. “But the fact that the camp probation officer is supporting his release, and the fact that the judge is still refusing to release, is an outrage.”
The teen’s probation officer has filed a separate motion seeking his release, Steinback said.
Defense attorney Ed Geil said he expected his 15-year-old client would be heading home from Camp Kilpatrick in early April. The teen had served about five months in a juvenile camp after being sentenced to up to seven months in custody for a nonviolent property crime, Geil said. Probation officials supported his release and even said they had received a court order allowing him to leave the camp on April 3, according to an email reviewed by The Times.
Instead of walking free, the youth was ordered by a judge in Inglewood Juvenile Court to be detained until a May 1 hearing, Geil said. The teen had received some negative reports inside the juvenile camp in recent weeks, but Geil said the camp director still supported his release.
“What the heck is going on here? Why are they treating these kids worse than adults?” Geil asked. “The director of the camp told me in the emails that we were sending back and forth that she was very surprised that this was going on.”
The population of L.A. County’s juvenile halls and camps has dipped sharply in the past six weeks. The number of youths in custody fell from 819 on March 1 to 590 on April 17, a drop of 26%.
It was not immediately clear how many of those releases were scheduled and unrelated to the coronavirus. According to the Probation Department, 605 juveniles remain in custody. About 246 of them are awaiting trial.
Some attorneys said juvenile judges aren’t taking the threat of the virus seriously.
“I have heard a juvenile judge say, on the record, that the evidence a juvenile is at increased risk from COVID-19 by virtue of being in the juvenile halls and camps is just speculative, and in the same breath say that we’re all at some level of risk anyway,” said Andy Bouvier-Brown, a criminal defense attorney who often represents juveniles. “Judges have pointed to the fact that there aren’t any confirmed positive tests of kids in the hall as evidence that they are not currently at risk.”
Last week, the Loyola Law School Center For Juvenile Law and Policy and the Independent Juvenile Defender Program petitioned the California Supreme Court to release a wide category of youths being held in L.A. County. The list includes any juveniles with a health condition that places them “at higher risk of” contracting the coronavirus, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; any juvenile exhibiting symptoms associated with the virus; and any youths being held on either a probation violation or failure to appear in court.
The petition also highlighted a courtroom logjam in L.A. County that may be slowing hearings for juvenile releases. Fewer than half of the county’s 18 juvenile judges are currently hearing cases, the court filing said. The petition also suggested that youths and their attorneys were being given little chance to plead for early release, even with the support of the Probation Department.
Both the Probation Department and a court spokeswoman declined to comment on the petition.
Jim Gregory, the attorney representing Martinez’s son, said probation officers also seem to be growing frustrated with some juvenile judges’ actions during the pandemic. After learning that Martinez’s son would not be going home, Gregory immediately called the teen’s probation officer.
“He was livid,” Gregory said. “He said people are dying; he’s got to get out of here.”


latimes--2020-04-20--This Marin County town offering coronavirus testing to every resident

The remote Bay Area town of Bolinas is among the first communities in the world to attempt to test all of its residents for the novel coronavirus .
Bolinas , population 1,600 , will offer free tests Monday through Thursday to residents 4 years and older , according to a statement from UC San Francisco , whose staffers will administer the tests .
The community-wide testing effort was spearheaded by two locals , venture capitalist Jyri Engestrom and pharmaceutical company executive Cyrus Harmon .
Nearly the entire town was registered for testing as of Friday , according to the Mercury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mouth and throat swab to check for active infection and a finger prick to detect antibodies , a crucial step in determining who has already had the virus .
A second round of testing will follow two weeks later if enough money is raised .
The project is expensive , costing upward of $ 400,000 and entirely funded by private donations , the Mercury News reported .
Few communities globally have attempted to implement comprehensive testing .
And those that have tend to be small , tight-knit and progressive-leaning , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were inspired by the Italian town of Vo ’ , outside Venice , which was able to gain control of the virus ’ spread through two rounds of community-wide testing .
A team of infectious disease doctors at UC San Francisco will analyze the collected samples to gauge the prevalence of infection in Bolinas .
The study will also help researchers trace the spread of the virus in California , the university said .
Effective testing is considered essential before state and local governments can lift stay-at-home orders , reopen schools and businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faltering economy to recover .
Diane Havlir , head of UC San Francisco ’ s HIV/AIDS division , said in a statement that testing sets the foundation for every other component of the pandemic response .
“ In order for us to respond effectively , ” she said , “ we need more local community epidemiology like this study to get a sense of where we stand , and where active infection may still be occurring , so as public health officials begin to release constraints on movements we can avoid resurgence of @ @ @ @

The remote Bay Area town of Bolinas is among the first communities in the world to attempt to test all of its residents for the novel coronavirus.
Bolinas, population 1,600, will offer free tests Monday through Thursday to residents 4 years and older, according to a statement from UC San Francisco, whose staffers will administer the tests.
The community-wide testing effort was spearheaded by two locals, venture capitalist Jyri Engestrom and pharmaceutical company executive Cyrus Harmon. Nearly the entire town was registered for testing as of Friday, according to the Mercury News.
The drive-through test will entail a mouth and throat swab to check for active infection and a finger prick to detect antibodies, a crucial step in determining who has already had the virus. A second round of testing will follow two weeks later if enough money is raised.
Advertisement
The project is expensive, costing upward of $400,000 and entirely funded by private donations, the Mercury News reported.
Few communities globally have attempted to implement comprehensive testing. And those that have tend to be small, tight-knit and progressive-leaning, such as Bolinas and Telluride, Colo.
Bolinas organizers were inspired by the Italian town of Vo’, outside Venice, which was able to gain control of the virus’ spread through two rounds of community-wide testing.
A team of infectious disease doctors at UC San Francisco will analyze the collected samples to gauge the prevalence of infection in Bolinas. The study will also help researchers trace the spread of the virus in California, the university said.
Effective testing is considered essential before state and local governments can lift stay-at-home orders, reopen schools and businesses, and allow the nation’s faltering economy to recover.
Diane Havlir, head of UC San Francisco’s HIV/AIDS division, said in a statement that testing sets the foundation for every other component of the pandemic response.
Advertisement
“In order for us to respond effectively,” she said, “we need more local community epidemiology like this study to get a sense of where we stand, and where active infection may still be occurring, so as public health officials begin to release constraints on movements we can avoid resurgence of the disease.”


latimes--2020-04-19--Gang intervention workers helping keep residents indoors, safe during coronavirus crisis

Gernay Quinnie Jr. slipped on a mask and gloves on a recent morning and set out to quell tensions in his West Athens neighborhood .
He talked a young man through a conflict with his mom .
He helped a group of young people make food boxes for neighbors .
He then drove to a nearby homeless encampment to pass out food and toiletries and explain how to properly use a mask and gloves .
The tasks all carry an added threat of contracting the coronavirus , and Quinnie , who has an immune disorder , is especially at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shuttered because of the pandemic , Quinnie is one of many gang intervention workers still on the streets , tending to the neighborhoods where they grew up , places where historical disparities in access to healthcare , jobs and adequate housing make residents especially vulnerable to infection and death .
“ If I don ’ t go out , who else is going to do it , ” said , Quinnie , 38 , who has worked with Reclaiming America ’ s Communities Through Empowerment , an intervention and prevention group , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — some themselves former gang members — help reduce violence and retaliation and broker peace between rival street gangs .
Los Angeles County is one of a handful of places that has designated such work as essential during the coronavirus pandemic .
These days , the workers also are using their street credibility to dispel misinformation and educate people about the coronavirus .
They ’ re trying to adapt to the needs of their communities , whether it ’ s walking door-to-door to feed the newly unemployed and the homeless or setting up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the virus .
And they ’ re trying to defuse tensions that arise among cooped-up family members and stir-crazy youths .
“ These are not just those guys who know how to negotiate peace treaties ; they are a community asset , ” said Jorja Leap , a gang expert at UCLA ’ s Luskin School of Public Affairs .
“ Historically and presently , where authorities are not trusted , these men and women ... are the go-between , the objects of trust.
” Their roles as sounding boards have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of news alarms or traumatizes some , said Ben “ Taco ” Owens , who supervises a team of 11 intervention workers .
“ You don ’ t know if it ’ s the end of the world or what ’ s going on , ” he said .
Since the outbreak , Kevin “ Twin ” Orange has been unofficially patrolling a 7-Eleven near West Century Boulevard and South Vermont Avenue down the street from his home .
He also drives by the marijuana dispensaries in his neighborhood to break up parking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t understand the concept of social distancing , so he tries to educate them about maintaining space and taking other precautions .
Recently , an episode in South Los Angeles where police broke up a backyard birthday party of about 40 to 50 people turned volatile , with angry residents yelling profanities .
The party , for a 1-year-old , violated the city ’ s safer-at-home order , which now bans public and private gatherings .
The next day , Orange met with other intervention workers from across the city to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why gathering in groups could be dangerous .
He ’ s told more than one teenager that this virus isn ’ t just about them .
“ Let ’ s think about who is in your household , ” he will say .
Orange is also thinking about his own home , where he lives with a relative who has an underlying health condition .
He bathes and changes his clothes as soon as he arrives .
“ I ’ m mindful of that threat that ’ s always out there , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marqueece Harris-Dawson , whose district encompasses a chunk of South L.A. , said the area had seen a spate of shootings in recent weeks .
Although violent crime is down in the city , intervention workers are still on the streets , talking to young men to prevent retaliatory shootings .
In addition , workers in his district have volunteered to deliver meals to seniors , which helps them keep tabs on the community .
“ These men and women did not miss a beat , ” he said .
“ They didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tell them what they ought to be doing or should be doing .
“ Skipp Townsend , executive director of the gang intervention nonprofit Second Call , said social media taunts played a role in at least one of the recent shootings .
Some people still gather at events that can turn volatile , he said , adding that two people were shot at a party a few weekends ago .
“ The younger people are still consistently antagonizing each other on social media , ” he said .
Other gang intervention organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Padilla , a program manager at Breaking Through Barriers to Success in northeast Los Angeles , held a Zoom call recently for young clients seeking guidance about the novel coronavirus .
Some in the community still want to hug or shake hands .
Others think the government is using COVID-19 to control Americans .
Some believe the coronavirus can be cured with a shot of tequila .
“ COVID-19 is something they can ’ t see , ” Padilla said .
“ They ’ re already living a risky lifestyle , so how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to get them ?
” After shootings , intervention workers typically go to hospitals to connect families with services .
Now , with hospital visits discouraged , Padilla said there ’ s a lag in providing resources .
Instead , case workers are assigning young people writing projects , playing online trivia and giving out board and card games to “ try to keep their minds busy.
” “ I do know they ’ re getting stir-crazy , ” she said .
Gerald “ Pee ” Cavitt , executive director of Chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people were coming by his office off East Florence Avenue to ask questions about the coronavirus .
He ’ s also organized several food giveaways in the neighborhoods he works in .
“ People are fearful , ” Cavitt said .
“ We thought they didn ’ t have money then ; they don ’ t have money now.
” He ’ s educated a number of gang members about the virus and safety measures so they can take the information back to family and friends .
“ These are the people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
On a recent rainy afternoon , Claudia Bracho , program director for the HELPER Foundation , donned a mask and gloves and stood in a Venice apartment courtyard .
Since the crisis began , Bracho and a team of intervention workers — Clinton Noble , Ebay Williams , Melvyn Hayward III and Ansar Muhammad — have been distributing donated groceries to low-income families and senior citizens in the Venice and Mar Vista area .
“ We got bread and produce !
We got bread and produce !
” Bracho shouted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for hours , slipping bags with fresh asparagus and broccoli through iron gates .
In recent weeks , they ’ ve picked up prescriptions for people and run errands .
They ’ ve found ways to connect young people to one another , such as by eating breakfast as a group on Instagram Live .
Bracho ’ s organization serves mostly Latino and black families , some of whom are distrustful of authorities .
They ’ ve provided Spanish translations of physical distancing guidelines .
“ Since we ’ ve helped them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carries weight , ” she said .
For Cassandra Bibbs , a lifelong Venice resident with a heart condition , the gestures are a lifeline .
Bibbs says her 12-year-old grandson , whom she is raising , has asthma .
“ He has to stay in the house , ” she said .
“ That ’ s the choice I made to keep us safe.
” Since the stay-at-home mandates were issued , people from Bracho ’ s organization have come by several times each week to deliver sack lunches and groceries .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandson with his homework on FaceTime .
Around the corner , Geo Martinez shares an apartment with his mother and brother .
He was recently furloughed from his job at a local restaurant and said that as the days went by he worried more and more about money .
On a recent afternoon , Martinez was sitting in his apartment , looking out the window , when he heard Bracho ’ s voice .
She had bags of groceries .
“ I was thinking , for real ?
” he said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then , two days later , the group was back with more .

Nicole Santa Cruz, Photography by Genaro Molina

Gernay Quinnie Jr. slipped on a mask and gloves on a recent morning and set out to quell tensions in his West Athens neighborhood.
He talked a young man through a conflict with his mom. He helped a group of young people make food boxes for neighbors. He then drove to a nearby homeless encampment to pass out food and toiletries and explain how to properly use a mask and gloves.
The tasks all carry an added threat of contracting the coronavirus, and Quinnie, who has an immune disorder, is especially at risk.
With much of Los Angeles County shuttered because of the pandemic, Quinnie is one of many gang intervention workers still on the streets, tending to the neighborhoods where they grew up, places where historical disparities in access to healthcare, jobs and adequate housing make residents especially vulnerable to infection and death.
Advertisement
“If I don’t go out, who else is going to do it,” said, Quinnie, 38, who has worked with Reclaiming America’s Communities Through Empowerment, an intervention and prevention group, for about a year.
The intervention workers — some themselves former gang members — help reduce violence and retaliation and broker peace between rival street gangs. Los Angeles County is one of a handful of places that has designated such work as essential during the coronavirus pandemic.
These days, the workers also are using their street credibility to dispel misinformation and educate people about the coronavirus. They’re trying to adapt to the needs of their communities, whether it’s walking door-to-door to feed the newly unemployed and the homeless or setting up Zoom meetings for young people to ask questions about the virus.
Gernay Quinnie Jr., left, tells Irma Peralta that his crew will be feeding the homeless people who live in a vacant parking lot in the area. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
And they’re trying to defuse tensions that arise among cooped-up family members and stir-crazy youths.
“These are not just those guys who know how to negotiate peace treaties; they are a community asset,” said Jorja Leap, a gang expert at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs. “Historically and presently, where authorities are not trusted, these men and women ... are the go-between, the objects of trust.”
A fatigued homeless woman carries a bag lunch provided by Gernay Quinnie Jr. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Their roles as sounding boards have become more vital as the daily onslaught of news alarms or traumatizes some, said Ben “Taco” Owens, who supervises a team of 11 intervention workers.
“You don’t know if it’s the end of the world or what’s going on,” he said.
Since the outbreak, Kevin “Twin” Orange has been unofficially patrolling a 7-Eleven near West Century Boulevard and South Vermont Avenue down the street from his home. He also drives by the marijuana dispensaries in his neighborhood to break up parking lot fights. He encounters people who don’t understand the concept of social distancing, so he tries to educate them about maintaining space and taking other precautions.
Nonprofit worker Jesse Maroney gives Irma Peralta gloves and a protective mask in a South L.A. parking lot. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Recently, an episode in South Los Angeles where police broke up a backyard birthday party of about 40 to 50 people turned volatile, with angry residents yelling profanities.
The party, for a 1-year-old, violated the city’s safer-at-home order, which now bans public and private gatherings.
Advertisement
The next day, Orange met with other intervention workers from across the city to try to get the word out about why gathering in groups could be dangerous.
Neise Kennedy waits to pick up food in South L.A. At right, a worker places gloves and masks inside food bags. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
He’s told more than one teenager that this virus isn’t just about them. “Let’s think about who is in your household,” he will say.
Orange is also thinking about his own home, where he lives with a relative who has an underlying health condition. He bathes and changes his clothes as soon as he arrives.
“I’m mindful of that threat that’s always out there,” he said.
Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, whose district encompasses a chunk of South L.A., said the area had seen a spate of shootings in recent weeks. Although violent crime is down in the city, intervention workers are still on the streets, talking to young men to prevent retaliatory shootings.
In addition, workers in his district have volunteered to deliver meals to seniors, which helps them keep tabs on the community.
Advertisement
Ansar “Stan” Muhammad, center, co-director at the HELPER Foundation, delivers food through a fence. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“These men and women did not miss a beat,” he said. “They didn’t wait around for anybody to tell them what they ought to be doing or should be doing. “
Skipp Townsend, executive director of the gang intervention nonprofit Second Call, said social media taunts played a role in at least one of the recent shootings. Some people still gather at events that can turn volatile, he said, adding that two people were shot at a party a few weekends ago.
“The younger people are still consistently antagonizing each other on social media,” he said.
Other gang intervention organizations have stepped up education efforts. Tina Padilla, a program manager at Breaking Through Barriers to Success in northeast Los Angeles, held a Zoom call recently for young clients seeking guidance about the novel coronavirus.
Claudia Bracho, left, and other intervention workers deliver groceries. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Some in the community still want to hug or shake hands. Others think the government is using COVID-19 to control Americans. Some believe the coronavirus can be cured with a shot of tequila.
Advertisement
“COVID-19 is something they can’t see,” Padilla said. “They’re already living a risky lifestyle, so how is something they can’t see going to get them?”
After shootings, intervention workers typically go to hospitals to connect families with services. Now, with hospital visits discouraged, Padilla said there’s a lag in providing resources.
Ebay Williams and Claudia Bracho of the HELPER Foundation distribute groceries in Venice. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Instead, case workers are assigning young people writing projects, playing online trivia and giving out board and card games to “try to keep their minds busy.”
“I do know they’re getting stir-crazy,” she said.
Gerald “Pee” Cavitt, executive director of Chapter Two in South Los Angeles, said people were coming by his office off East Florence Avenue to ask questions about the coronavirus. He’s also organized several food giveaways in the neighborhoods he works in.
“People are fearful,” Cavitt said. “We thought they didn’t have money then; they don’t have money now.”
He’s educated a number of gang members about the virus and safety measures so they can take the information back to family and friends.
Advertisement
Workers with the HELPER Foundation provide bags of food in the Oakwood neighborhood in Venice. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“These are the people who can really make a difference,” he said.
On a recent rainy afternoon, Claudia Bracho, program director for the HELPER Foundation, donned a mask and gloves and stood in a Venice apartment courtyard. Since the crisis began, Bracho and a team of intervention workers — Clinton Noble, Ebay Williams, Melvyn Hayward III and Ansar Muhammad — have been distributing donated groceries to low-income families and senior citizens in the Venice and Mar Vista area.
“We got bread and produce! We got bread and produce!” Bracho shouted. The group trudged through the rain for hours, slipping bags with fresh asparagus and broccoli through iron gates.
In recent weeks, they’ve picked up prescriptions for people and run errands. They’ve found ways to connect young people to one another, such as by eating breakfast as a group on Instagram Live.
Ebay Williams of the HELPER Foundation gives a youngster and her family groceries in the Oakwood neighborhood in Venice. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Advertisement
Bracho’s organization serves mostly Latino and black families, some of whom are distrustful of authorities. They’ve provided Spanish translations of physical distancing guidelines.
“Since we’ve helped them with a lot of things, our word carries weight,” she said.
For Cassandra Bibbs, a lifelong Venice resident with a heart condition, the gestures are a lifeline. Bibbs says her 12-year-old grandson, whom she is raising, has asthma.
“He has to stay in the house,” she said. “That’s the choice I made to keep us safe.”
Since the stay-at-home mandates were issued, people from Bracho’s organization have come by several times each week to deliver sack lunches and groceries. Some of the intervention workers helped her grandson with his homework on FaceTime.
“It’s a big help,” Bibbs said.
Claudia Bracho, program manager with the HELPER Foundation, raises victorious arms under the watchful eye of longtime Venice community activist Pamela Anderson after delivering groceries to the needy. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Around the corner, Geo Martinez shares an apartment with his mother and brother. He was recently furloughed from his job at a local restaurant and said that as the days went by he worried more and more about money.
Advertisement
On a recent afternoon, Martinez was sitting in his apartment, looking out the window, when he heard Bracho’s voice. She had bags of groceries.
“I was thinking, for real?” he said. The food brought Martinez a brief respite. Then, two days later, the group was back with more.