latimes--2020-03-16--L.A. County says assume coronavirus is now in your community. Here is what you need to know

Coronavirus continued its spread across L.A. County on Monday .
The number of coronavirus cases in the county increased considerably Monday to 94 , with 41 new cases in the last 48 hours .
Los Angeles County Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer said everyone should assume there are coronavirus patients in their neighborhood , some of whom might not know they ’ re sick .
“ Residents at this point must assume that there may be people who are infected everywhere in the county , ” she said .
Officials attributed the increase in cases to more testing but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rising .
Here is the latest : NEW CLOSURES : L.A. County officials announced the closure of all bars , fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only .
The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county , including Los Angeles , which issued a similar directive Sunday .
Officials are also banning gatherings of more than 50 people , following a recommendation made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday .
25 NEW CASES : Ferrer also announced 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 of the cases are probably due to community transmission .
A breakdown : SCHOOLS : Los Angeles Unified , which serves about 670,000 children and adults , shut down its 900 campuses beginning Monday morning .
Many other county schools are also closed .
In Los Angeles , family resource centers are not scheduled to open until Wednesday , which leaves families to improvise coping strategies .
By early Monday morning , the district had posted a call for paid volunteers from among the school system ’ s nearly 78,000 workers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not serve food • In addition , all restaurants and retail food facilities will be prohibited from serving food to dine-in customers .
• Restaurants , as well as bars and nightclubs that serve food , may continue to prepare and offer food to customers via delivery service or takeout .
• Houses of worship are urged to limit large gatherings on their premises and to explore and implement ways to practice their respective faiths while observing “ social distancing ” practices .
• Cafeterias in hospitals , nursing homes or similar facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Grocery stores , pharmacies and food banks will also be allowed to continue operations .
ON THE STREET : With sweeping closures of entertainment complexes , dine-in restaurants and bars , retail life in L.A. changed rapidly on Monday .
Most of the food vendors inside the Grand Central Market were closed or had a few customers standing line ordering food to go .
Stools and metal chairs sat atop tables as staff walked around sanitizing them .
Minerva Torres , 47 , who runs a produce market , said she understands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think businesses should be forced to close .
“ We lose money and we have bills to pay , ” she said .
“ I have kids in universities that I need to help.
” Torres said that when she heard about the mayor ’ s emergency orders she didn ’ t know how it would affect her given that most vendors inside the market sell food .
“ I don ’ t own a restaurant , ” she said .
“ I have a produce market that people will depend @ @ @

Colleen Shalby, Ruben Vives, Howard Blume, Richard Winton

Juanita Aviles, 98, on her way to home on Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered the closure of bars and nightclubs and ordered restaurants to halt dine-in service until March 31.
Coronavirus continued its spread across L.A. County on Monday.
The number of coronavirus cases in the county increased considerably Monday to 94, with 41 new cases in the last 48 hours.
Los Angeles County Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer said everyone should assume there are coronavirus patients in their neighborhood, some of whom might not know they’re sick.
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“Residents at this point must assume that there may be people who are infected everywhere in the county,” she said.
Officials attributed the increase in cases to more testing but believe the number of cases will keep rising.
Here is the latest:
NEW CLOSURES: L.A. County officials announced the closure of all bars, fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only. The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county, including Los Angeles, which issued a similar directive Sunday. Officials are also banning gatherings of more than 50 people, following a recommendation made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday.
25 NEW CASES: Ferrer also announced 25 new confirmed cases today. At least 15 of the cases are probably due to community transmission. A breakdown:
— 5 unknown source
— 1 recent travel
— 1 close personal contact
— 17 require more investigation
— 1 reported from Pasadena Public Health Department
SCHOOLS: Los Angeles Unified, which serves about 670,000 children and adults, shut down its 900 campuses beginning Monday morning. Many other county schools are also closed. In Los Angeles, family resource centers are not scheduled to open until Wednesday, which leaves families to improvise coping strategies. By early Monday morning, the district had posted a call for paid volunteers from among the school system’s nearly 78,000 workers.
L..A. CITY RESTRICTIONS:
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Closed
All movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys and arcades
All gyms and fitness centers
All bars and nightclubs that do not serve food
All private social clubs
In addition, all restaurants and retail food facilities will be prohibited from serving food to dine-in customers.
Exceptions
Restaurants, as well as bars and nightclubs that serve food, may continue to prepare and offer food to customers via delivery service or takeout.
Houses of worship are urged to limit large gatherings on their premises and to explore and implement ways to practice their respective faiths while observing “social distancing” practices.
Cafeterias in hospitals, nursing homes or similar facilities will be allowed to continue operations.
Grocery stores, pharmacies and food banks will also be allowed to continue operations.
ON THE STREET: With sweeping closures of entertainment complexes, dine-in restaurants and bars, retail life in L.A. changed rapidly on Monday. Most of the food vendors inside the Grand Central Market were closed or had a few customers standing line ordering food to go.
Stools and metal chairs sat atop tables as staff walked around sanitizing them. Minerva Torres, 47, who runs a produce market, said she understands the concerns about the coronavirus but doesn’t think businesses should be forced to close. “We lose money and we have bills to pay,” she said. “I have kids in universities that I need to help.”
Torres said that when she heard about the mayor’s emergency orders she didn’t know how it would affect her given that most vendors inside the market sell food. “I don’t own a restaurant,” she said. “I have a produce market that people will depend on.”


latimes--2020-03-16--How the San Francisco Bay Area coronavirus 'shelter in place' order works

Six of the most populous San Francisco Bay Area counties have issued a shelter-in-place order to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Here ’ s how it works .
Why it ’ s being done The San Francisco Bay Area is the hardest hit region in California with regards to coronavirus cases .
More than 280 cases have been reported in the six Bay Area counties of Alameda , Contra Costa , Marin , San Francisco , San Mateo and Santa Clara .
In Santa Clara County alone , more than 130 cases were confirmed and more than 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officials expect the number of cases to worsen .
Officials say slowing the spread of the virus is urgent to prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed .
Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk for critical illness , with their bodies unable to fight off a viral infection of the lungs that can result in a failure to breathe on their own , septic shock and multiple organ failure .
“ Some individuals who contract the COVID-19 virus have no symptoms or have mild symptoms , which means they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , ” the order said .
“ Because even people without symptoms can transmit the disease , and because evidence shows the disease is easily spread , gatherings can result in preventable transmission of the virus.
” What does the order say ?
Officials are directing the public to stay at home as much as possible , with certain exceptions , like to go out and get food at supermarkets , pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy , buy gas , go to the bank and check up on relatives .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your dog and go on a hike with people in your household , and even with someone else , if you stay six feet away from that person , Dr. Grant Colfax , the San Francisco director of health , said at a press conference .
Other certain essential activities are exempt , like essential government and business services or essential public infrastructure construction , like housing .
Essential activities are defined below .
The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday .
It ’ ll continue until 11:59 p.m. on April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What kinds of businesses are now ordered closed ?
Essential businesses are urged to remain open .
A list of them are below .
Restaurants and cafes can remain open for takeout and delivery .
How big can gatherings be now ?
All public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a single household or living unit are now banned , with certain exceptions listed below .
What kind of travel is banned ?
All travel , including by car and public transit , is banned except for essential travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Public transit riders should try to stay six feet away from others .
Homeless people are not subject to this order but are urged to find shelter .
What are essential activities that are still allowed to occur ?
• To do things essential to health and safety of the household , including pets , like getting medical supplies , visiting a clinic or hospital , or obtaining supplies to work from home .
• To obtain needed services or supplies , like buying groceries .
• To engage in outdoor activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while keeping six feet away from others .
• To do work defined as essential business , defined below .
• To care for a family member or pet in another household .
• To continue working for a healthcare operations , like a hospital , clinic , dentist ’ s office , pharmacy , pharmaceutical and biotech company , a healthcare facility , healthcare supplier , home healthcare service , mental health providers , veterinary office or other related services .
• To continue working for construction projects needed for essential infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations , and work on water , sewer , gas , electrical , oil refining , roads and highways , public transportation , solid waste collection , internet , and telecom systems .
• To continue working as first responders , emergency management personnel , emergency dispatchers , court personnel , and law enforcement .
Anyone needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for health , safety and welfare of the public are exempt .
People at high-risk for severe illness , like the elderly and those with underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk are urged to remain at home except as needed to seek medical care .
If you go out , what are you supposed to do ?
• Stay six feet away from other people — the distance at which virus-infected saliva can travel in someone ’ s cough or sneeze ; wash hands for with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often or use hand sanitizer ; cover coughs and sneezes ; stop shaking hands ; • Other than health care workers and other essential workers , if you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk for serious complications for the coronavirus , stay at home ; • For employers , take all steps needed to allow workers to work from home to the extent possible .
What are essential businesses under this order ?
• Grocery stores , certified farmers ’ markets , farm and produce stands , supermarkets , food banks , convenience stores , and other establishments that sell canned food , dry goods , fresh fruits and vegetables , pet supply , fresh meats , fish and poultry , and household products like cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that provide food , shelter and social services and other necessities of life for the needy • Plumbers , electricians , exterminators , and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining safety and sanitation • Educational institutions — including public and private K-12 schools , colleges , and universities — for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions • Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food , but only for delivery or carry out .
Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may continue to do so under this order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only .
Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided , or at any other gathering site • Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home • Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate • Businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , goods or services directly to residences • Airlines , taxis and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for essential activities • Residential facilities and shelters for seniors , adults and children • Professional services , such as legal or accounting services , when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities • Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this order to work as permitted .
To the extent possible , childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions : • Childcare must be carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( “ stable ” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day ) .
• Children shall not change from one group to another .
• If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility , each group shall be in a separate room .
Groups shall not mix with each other .
• Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children .

Medical staff test a person for the novel coronavirus in a drive-through setting at the Kaiser Permanente Geary campus in San Francisco on Wednesday. Drive-through testing at the campus is available by appointment only.
At least 17 counties in California, centered on the San Francisco Bay Area, have issued shelter-in-place or shelter-at-home orders to slow the spread of coronavirus. Here’s how it works.
Why it’s being done
The San Francisco Bay Area is the hardest-hit region in California with regards to coronavirus cases. More than 450 have been reported in the nine Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, Napa and Solano), which issued the orders this week.
In Santa Clara County alone, 189 cases were confirmed and more than 60 have been hospitalized. Officials expect the number of cases to worsen. Other counties around the state issued similar orders this week — Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo in the Central Coast area; Sacaramento and Yolo in the Sacramento Valley, which includes Davis and West Sacramento; Mendocino and Lake in the North Coast area.
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Officials say slowing the spread of the virus is urgent to prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed. Older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk for critical illness, with their bodies unable to fight off a viral infection of the lungs that can result in a failure to breathe on their own, septic shock and multiple organ failure.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
“Some individuals who contract the COVID-19 virus have no symptoms or have mild symptoms, which means they may not be aware they carry the virus,” the order said. “Because even people without symptoms can transmit the disease, and because evidence shows the disease is easily spread, gatherings can result in preventable transmission of the virus.”
What does the order say?
Officials are directing the public to stay at home as much as possible, with certain exceptions, such as to go out and get food at supermarkets, pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, buy gas, go to the bank and check up on relatives.
San Francisco coronavirus shelter-in-place order - March 16, 2020 More than half a dozen San Francisco Bay Area counties issued similar orders asking almost all people to stay home as much as possible to help reduce the spread of the new coronavirus.
“You will still be able to walk your dog, or go on a hike alone or someone you live with, or even with another person, as long as you keep 6 feet between you,” Dr. Grant Colfax, the San Francisco director of health, said at a press conference.
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Certain essential activities are exempt, such as essential government and business services or essential public infrastructure construction, like housing. Essential activities are defined below.
Alameda County coronavirus ‘shelter-in-place’ order - March 16, 2020 Counties in the greater San Francisco Bay Area region issued a coronavirus ‘shelter-in-place’ order. Here’s the text of the order, issued by Alameda County; similar orders have been issued in San Francisco and the counties of Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Santa Cruz.
The order goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. It’ll continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, unless rescinded earlier or extended.
What kinds of businesses are now ordered closed?
All bars and nightclubs
Gyms and recreation facilities
Essential businesses are urged to remain open. A list of them is below.
Are restaurants and cafes ordered closed?
Restaurants and cafes can remain open for takeout and delivery.
How big can gatherings be now?
All public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a single household or living unit are now banned, with certain exceptions listed below.
What kind of travel is banned?
All travel, including by car and public transit, is banned except for essential travel or essential activities, as defined below. Public transit riders should try to stay 6 feet away from others.
What about homeless people?
Homeless people are not subject to this order but are urged to find shelter.
How will it be enforced?
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said police are asking the public to voluntarily comply. While violation of the health order could be enforceable as a misdemeanor, “that is an absolute last resort,” Scott said. “This is not about a criminal justice approach to a public health issue.”
What are essential activities that are still allowed to occur?
To do things essential to health and safety of the household, including pets, like getting medical supplies, visiting a clinic or hospital, or obtaining supplies to work from home.
To obtain needed services or supplies, like buying groceries.
To engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking or running, while keeping 6 feet away from others.
To do work defined as essential business, defined below.
To care for a family member or pet in another household.
To continue working for a healthcare operation, like a hospital, clinic, dentist’s office, pharmacy, pharmaceutical and biotech company, a healthcare facility, healthcare supplier, home healthcare service, mental health provider, veterinary office or other related services.
To continue working for construction projects needed for essential infrastructure, such as building housing, airport operations, and work on water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection, internet, and telecom systems.
To continue working as first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement. Anyone needed to ensure the continuing operation of government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public is exempt.
People at high risk for severe illness, such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, are urged to remain at home except as needed to seek medical care.
If you go out, what are you supposed to do?
Stay 6 feet away from other people — the distance at which virus-infected saliva can travel in someone’s cough or sneeze; wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds often or use hand sanitizer; cover coughs and sneezes; stop shaking hands; Other than healthcare workers and other essential workers, if you have a medical condition that puts you at risk for serious complications for the coronavirus, stay at home; For employers, take all steps needed to allow workers to work from home to the extent possible.
What are essential businesses under this order?
Healthcare operations
Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments that sell canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish and poultry, and household products such as cleaning and personal care products.
Food cultivation, like farming, livestock and fishing
Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services and other necessities of life for the needy
Newspapers, TV, radio and other media services
Gas stations, auto supply, auto repair and related facilities
Banks and related financial institutions
Hardware stores
Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining safety and sanitation
Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
Educational institutions — including public and private K-12 schools, colleges and universities — for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions
Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers
Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pickup and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site
Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home
Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate
Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences
Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for essential activities
Home-based care for seniors, adults and children
Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults and children
Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities
Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions: Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day). Children shall not change from one group to another. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.
Can I still get an eye exam or teeth cleaning?
A separate upcoming order will require routine medical appointments and elective surgery be canceled or rescheduled.
What if my business is not an “Essential Business”?
Owners and employees are allowed to perform minimum basic operations, like activities to maintain the value of the business’ inventory and ensure security, and to ensure other workers being able to work remotely from home.
Will the local government close?
“Essential services” by city and county government will remain operational, such as police, fire, hospitals, clinics, jails, courts, garbage, public transportation, water, power and gas, office uses like payroll, security and administration, public works construction including construction of housing and airport operations.
Can I still get deliveries?
Yes.
Can I use a rideshare or taxi?
Yes, for essential activities.
Can I go to the laundromat or dry cleaner?
Yes.
Can nannies still work?
Yes, in some instances, like if the nanny provides health care for the child, or if the child lives with you. Nannies are also permitted to work if parents are required to work away from home for essential services.


latimes--2020-03-16--Palos Verdes High School student tests positive for the coronavirus, district says

A Palos Verdes High School student has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 , district officials said Monday .
The student ’ s parent notified the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District of the result , Supt .
Alex Cherniss said in a statement .
“ We believe this report to be credible , ” he said .
“ The district has notified the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and we are awaiting further guidance .
The district will take direction related to this situation and individuals from DPH .
Please continue to follow state and federal guidance related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student ’ s condition was not immediately available .
The reported new case comes days after district officials said they were notified that a parent of students at Silver Spur Elementary School and Valmonte Early Learning Academy also had tested positive for COVID-19 .
“ This parent has shared that they were notified by the hospital of a positive test , ” Cherniss wrote in a message to families in the district on Friday , adding that the individual “ did not enter either school campus the family attends.
” Cherniss emphasized that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students on the Palos Verdes Peninsula — was “ informed that there were no identified exposures to illness at the school in relation to this incident.
” All the district ’ s schools are closed until at least April 6 .

A student at Palos Verdes High School has reportedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
A Palos Verdes High School student has reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, district officials said Monday.
The student’s parent notified the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District of the result, Supt. Alex Cherniss said in a statement.
“We believe this report to be credible,” he said. “The district has notified the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and we are awaiting further guidance. The district will take direction related to this situation and individuals from DPH. Please continue to follow state and federal guidance related to coronavirus.”
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Additional information about the student’s condition was not immediately available.
The reported new case comes days after district officials said they were notified that a parent of students at Silver Spur Elementary School and Valmonte Early Learning Academy also had tested positive for COVID-19.
“This parent has shared that they were notified by the hospital of a positive test,” Cherniss wrote in a message to families in the district on Friday, adding that the individual “did not enter either school campus the family attends.”
Cherniss emphasized that the district — which serves approximately 11,400 students on the Palos Verdes Peninsula — was “informed that there were no identified exposures to illness at the school in relation to this incident.”
All the district’s schools are closed until at least April 6.


latimes--2020-03-16--Coronavirus: L.A. City Hall is closed. What city services are still running?

Los Angeles City Hall is largely closed to the public to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Libraries and the zoo are shuttered too .
But some other municipal services are still running with restrictions on crowd size at public counters .
Here ’ s a rundown of what the city is — and isn ’ t — providing to the public : Recreation and parks This agency , among the hardest hit , has closed 147 recreation centers , 28 senior centers and dozens of swimming pools .
Griffith Observatory , Travel Town in Griffith Park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Sherman Oaks Castle also have been shut down .
Golfers may continue playing at the city ’ s 12 municipal golf courses , where workers are installing six-foot barriers to minimize contact .
`` Golfers are now allowed to ride alone in carts without a penalty , ” said agency spokeswoman Ashley Rodriguez .
Park bathrooms are open during regular operating hours , which vary from park to park .
Most parks are open from dawn to dusk , Rodriguez said .
Many senior centers will offer take-out meal service , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The agency will work with the Department of Aging to distribute meals to older adults between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day this week .
Older adults may pick up their meal or assign someone to pick it up on their behalf , Rodriguez said .
Water and power The Department of Water and Power has suspended utility shut-offs for nonpayment , said DWP spokesman Joe Ramallo .
“ We also continue to offer generous repayment plans that can be setup online , ” Ramallo said .
Housing Authority The Housing Authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which runs public housing and issues housing vouchers , has closed its public lobby but is continuing to accept documents through a drop box , its President and Chief Executive Doug Guthrie said .
Guthrie said the agency will continue to fulfill its responsibilities to people who “ have vouchers issued and are trying to lease up a unit.
” The agency is also limiting its inspections to “ emergency matters , ” limiting its work orders at public housing sites to urgent issues , and closing the doors of its property management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 911 operators continue to respond to emergencies .
Although the department ’ s City Hall offices are closed to the public , the agency is providing some over-the-counter services -- such as reviews of sprinkler systems for new buildings -- in its offices on Figueroa Street .
“ We are using social distancing to reduce the number of individuals our inspectors come into contact with at inspection locations and at our public counter , ” said LAFD spokesman Peter Sanders .
Inspections of high-risk buildings are continuing as scheduled .
But routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In addition , fire stations have been closed to the public , so no school tours , youth programs or meetings in the station ’ s community rooms .
Housing department The Housing and Community Investment Department has closed its public counters , but people can still call 866-557- RENT or 866-557-7368 or submit questions to hcidla.lacity.org/ask-hcidla .
The department has also suspended its Systematic Code Enforcement Program inspections at apartment buildings -- routine inspections that are not triggered by a complaint .
It will continue to send out inspectors for safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be closed through the end of March .
Readers can still access digital services such as e-books and digital subscriptions at lapl.org .
Librarians are also providing assistance by phone or through Ask A Librarian and Book A Librarian .
No late fines are being charged and due dates are being automatically extended .
Sanitation Sanitation crews equipped with face masks , gloves and protective suits are still doing cleanups of homeless encampments .
( In rainy weather , however , such cleanings are more limited than usual . )
The department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations with sinks , showers and toilets across the city , according to spokeswoman Elena Stern .
The department has suspended a number of workshops and events , including composting and home gardening workshops and tours of its water reclamation plants .
Special events StreetsLA is reviewing permits and applications for special events to decide if they should continue or be approved .
People can still apply for permits , but the department is controlling the number of people at its public counters to maintain social distancing .
Street lighting The Bureau of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is issuing permits online .
Street lights are still being repaired as usual .
Building and Safety The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is still operating and providing permits , checking plans and inspecting buildings , but it is limiting how many members of the public can be on each floor of its offices at a time .
That will likely cause delays for customers , its spokesman Jeff Napier said .
It has also canceled meetings of the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners .
Finance Public counters for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Nuys and West Los Angeles , but not at City Hall , according to city Treasurer Claire Bartels .
People can also access online services or call by phone .
Cannabis regulation The Department of Cannabis Regulation has closed its public counter where people can walk in to ask questions , but employees are still available to answer questions by phone .
The cannabis department has also postponed a planned workshop on public health inspections and canceled a Cannabis Regulation Commission meeting .

Emily Alpert Reyes, David Zahniser, Dakota Smith

L.A. City Hall is largely closed to the public to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, but some municipal services are still running. Above, Los Angeles Civic Center.
Los Angeles City Hall is largely closed to the public to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. Libraries and the zoo are shuttered too.
But some other municipal services are still running with restrictions on crowd size at public counters. City officials said plans could quickly change, but here’s a rundown of what the city was providing to the public on Monday:
Recreation and parks
This agency, among the hardest hit, has closed 147 recreation centers, 28 senior centers and dozens of swimming pools. Griffith Observatory, Travel Town in Griffith Park, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro and the Sherman Oaks Castle also have been shut down.
Golfers may continue playing at the city’s 12 municipal golf courses, where workers are installing 6-foot barriers to minimize contact. “Golfers are now allowed to ride alone in carts without a penalty,” said agency spokeswoman Ashley Rodriguez.
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Park bathrooms are open during regular operating hours, which vary from park to park. Most parks are open from dawn to dusk, Rodriguez said.
Many senior centers will offer take-out meal service, but locations are still being finalized. The agency will work with the Department of Aging to distribute meals to older adults between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day this week. Older adults may pick up their meal or assign someone to pick it up on their behalf, Rodriguez said.
Water and power
The Department of Water and Power has suspended utility shut-offs for nonpayment, said DWP spokesman Joe Ramallo. “We also continue to offer generous repayment plans that can be setup online,” Ramallo said.
Animal shelters
The city’s animal shelters are closed to the public, along with the administrative office for the department. City staffers will continue to feed and care for shelter animals and respond to emergency calls for issues such as animal cruelty and dangerous dogs. Pet licenses can be bought or renewed online or by mail.
Animal Services is urging anyone who is considering surrendering a pet to hold off, but said that if that isn’t possible to call the nearest animal service center.
Housing Authority
The Housing Authority of the city of Los Angeles, which runs public housing and issues housing vouchers, has closed its public lobby but is continuing to accept documents through a drop box, its President and Chief Executive Doug Guthrie said.
The agency is also limiting its inspections to “emergency matters,” limiting its work orders at public housing sites to urgent issues, and closing the doors of its property management offices.
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Fire Department
Firefighters, paramedics and 911 operators continue to respond to emergencies. Although the department’s City Hall offices are closed to the public, the agency is providing some over-the-counter services — such as reviews of sprinkler systems for new buildings — in its offices on Figueroa Street.
“We are using social distancing to reduce the number of individuals our inspectors come into contact with at inspection locations and at our public counter,” said L.A. Fire Department spokesman Peter Sanders.
Inspections of high-risk buildings are continuing as scheduled. But routine nonessential inspections have been postponed a week. In addition, fire stations have been closed to the public, so no school tours, youth programs or meetings in the station’s community rooms.
Housing department
The Housing and Community Investment Department has closed its public counters, but people can still call 866-557-RENT or 866-557-7368 or submit questions to hcidla.lacity.org/ask-hcidla.
The department has also suspended its Systematic Code Enforcement Program inspections at apartment buildings — routine inspections that are not triggered by a complaint. It will continue to send out inspectors for safety violations.
Libraries
Los Angeles’ 73 public libraries will be closed through the end of March. Readers can still access digital services such as e-books and digital subscriptions at lapl.org. Librarians are also assisting by phone or through Ask A Librarian and Book A Librarian. No late fines are being charged and due dates are being automatically extended.
Sanitation
Trash pickup is still happening. Sanitation crews equipped with face masks, gloves and protective suits are still doing cleanups of homeless encampments. (In rainy weather, however, such cleanings are more limited than usual.) The department is also working to distribute additional sanitation stations with sinks, showers and toilets across the city, according to spokeswoman Elena Stern.
The department has suspended several workshops and events, including composting and home gardening workshops and tours of its water reclamation plants.
Special events
StreetsLA is reviewing permits and applications for special events to decide if they should continue or be approved. People can still apply for permits, but the department is controlling the number of people at its public counters to maintain social distancing.
Building and Safety
The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety is still issuing permits, checking plans and inspecting buildings, but it is limiting how many members of the public can be on each floor of its offices at a time. That will likely cause delays for customers, its spokesman Jeff Napier said.
Economic development
L.A.’s BusinessSource, WorkSource and YouthSource Centers that help provide business, employment and support services were still mostly open as of Monday afternoon, some with modified hours, according to the Economic and Workforce Development Department. Job fairs, workshops and orientations have been postponed.
Finance
Public counters for the Office of Finance are open in Van Nuys and West Los Angeles, but not at City Hall, according to city Treasurer Claire Bartels. People can also access online services or call by phone.
City attorney
A diversion program that serves nonviolent, first-time offenders will have all in-person meetings canceled in March, said spokesman Rob Wilcox. Dispute resolution meetings will still be held, via phone conference instead of in-person meetings. Two other programs, which assist homeless Angelenos and those at risk of homelessness, are currently on hold.
Cannabis regulation
The Department of Cannabis Regulation has closed its public counter where people can walk in to ask questions, but employees are still available to answer questions by phone. The cannabis department has also postponed a planned workshop on public health inspections and canceled a Cannabis Regulation Commission meeting.


latimes--2020-03-16--Now missing at L.A. swap meets: live music and cheap toilet paper

Even the swap meets are running out of toilet paper to sell .
On Sunday , vendors at two Los Angeles-area swap meets said they were clean out of T.P.
, the maddening symbol of coronavirus panic shopping .
The hoarding is leaving empty shelves at supermarket stores across Los Angeles — and in the case of a typical Southern California swap meet , empty sections of asphalt where stacks of paper goods used to be abundant .
“ There is no more , ” said Maria Osorio , a 74-year-old immigrant from Jalisco , Mexico , who runs a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cleaning supplies at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet .
Osorio , a vendor there for 25 years , seemed upbeat about her sales .
“ My $ 5 , $ 15 and $ 18 packs are all gone , ” she said .
A few stalls down , a vendor at a similar stall of cleaning supplies said he had no more tissue rolls for sale , either .
Yet a pile of packages poked out from behind some boxes , and he was asked about their availability .
“ Oh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vendor said .
“ They ’ re getting them later.
” In Los Angeles , immigrant and immigrant-oriented shoppers know that swap meets and street-vendor rows , from Central Avenue in South L.A. to Alvarado Street in MacArthur Park , can be the last option for classic household cleaning and hygiene items at basement-level prices — or the first option , if you ’ re savvier than most .
But as fears and panicky impulses spread statewide leading up to the March 16 closures of restaurants , bars and many other public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the coronavirus , the bath tissue market is being thrown into disarray at every level .
It ’ s happening at 98-cent stores and at cheap-for-all SoCal swap meets , where options range from name-brand resale items to off-brand products of uncertain provenance .
Amid sales of oldies CDs , used clothes and leather goods , a typical swap meet contains a healthy amount of stalls that feel like corner stores without walls .
They sell shampoos , diapers , soaps , bleach products , paper towels , feminine hygiene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yes , stacks of toilet paper , all below cost compared to chains or even small retail stores .
Many vendors move with their goods in trucks and vans from swap meet to swap meet , across the region , throughout the week .
It ’ s a semi-underground industry in which vendors buy products from wholesalers , usually near downtown , and take them directly to their customers on the street .
Or at a drive-in theater parking lot , where many Southern California swap meets still operate .
At outdoor swap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , the vibe also replicates a typical Mexico tianguis market , with food and snack stalls , and a central stage where on weekends live bands play metal , mariachi and banda shows .
The Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet is known for booking tribute bands to Metallica , Rage Against the Machine , Social Distortion , Red Hot Chili Peppers and more .
Concession buildings are permitted to sell beer and micheladas .
On Sunday , the live music that usually draws throngs of people together was canceled at Paramount and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread .
Refunds were being given for next week ’ s planned concert by the popular La Septima Banda at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet .
But the beers were still flowing as late afternoon shoppers lingered .
At their stalls , vendors and shoppers shared alarm over reports of price-gouging of bath tissue .
Where 12-pack packages two weeks ago sold at an everyday bargain of $ 5 , on Sunday , in the early-morning rush , 12-packs were going for $ 12 , or a dollar a roll .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet environment , where cheap prices reign .
By comparison , at some chain retail locations , 12-packs of toilet paper can go for $ 15 and even $ 38 and $ 55 on some online sites .
Osorio balked at the idea of raising her own prices .
“ It ’ s blackmail , pure robbery , ” she said with a huff .
Meanwhile , as The Times reported on Saturday , remains steady , and that means that supply ignores demand .
Because the industry is not in any actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question of who gets to buy toilet paper first .
At one swap meet stall , that was no later than 7 a.m .
The Paramount Swap Meet in nearby Paramount saw thinner crowds than usual , but cleaning supply sellers were cashing in .
Gina Navarro , at a corner stall lined with mops and brooms , said most of her toilet paper ran out as soon as the swap meet opened , at 6:30 a.m. “ Paper , paper , all paper , ” Navarro said .
“ They don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then , a customer walked up , requesting the hot item .
“ Tuesday , ” Navarro responded , a bit unconvincingly .
Paramount is closed on Mondays , but maybe the forecast of rain and COVID-19 jitters might keep her home , she said .
Elsewhere , vendor Michel Zamora , an immigrant from Mexico City , said his usual stall with cleaning supplies and hygiene products has been without toilet paper since the end of February .
He simply ran out , and said he stopped restocking , at least until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It started dropping about two weeks ago , ” Zamora said .
He said he ’ s got toilet paper and money saved up .
He ’ s ready .
He ’ s got other jobs , and the swap meets so far are staying open .
“ Take care of your paper !
” he added .
A woman then walked up , pleading for a roll of the product that really just about everyone uses .
“ Please don ’ t tell me you don ’ t have toilet paper !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores.
” “ I just don ’ t have any , ” Zamora replied .
“ We ’ re going to start folding over the one-ply , into triangles , to make it last .
”

Shoppers gather at a swap meet in Santa Fe Springs despite the hazards of the coronavirus.
Even the swap meets are running out of toilet paper to sell.
On Sunday, vendors at two Los Angeles-area swap meets said they were clean out of T.P., the maddening symbol of coronavirus panic shopping. The hoarding is leaving empty shelves at supermarket stores across Los Angeles — and in the case of a typical Southern California swap meet, empty sections of asphalt where stacks of paper goods used to be abundant.
“There is no more,” said Maria Osorio, a 74-year-old immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico, who runs a stall of paper products, disposable plates and cleaning supplies at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet.
Osorio, a vendor there for 25 years, seemed upbeat about her sales. “My $5, $15 and $18 packs are all gone,” she said.
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A few stalls down, a vendor at a similar stall of cleaning supplies said he had no more tissue rolls for sale, either. Yet a pile of packages poked out from behind some boxes, and he was asked about their availability. “Oh, someone already bought those,” the vendor said. “They’re getting them later.”
In Los Angeles, immigrant and immigrant-oriented shoppers know that swap meets and street-vendor rows, from Central Avenue in South L.A. to Alvarado Street in MacArthur Park, can be the last option for classic household cleaning and hygiene items at basement-level prices — or the first option, if you’re savvier than most.
But as fears and panicky impulses spread statewide leading up to the March 16 closures of restaurants, bars and many other public places in a drastic bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus, the bath tissue market is being thrown into disarray at every level. It’s happening at 98-cent stores and at cheap-for-all SoCal swap meets, where options range from name-brand resale items to off-brand products of uncertain provenance.
Like a tianguis
Amid sales of oldies CDs, used clothes and leather goods, a typical swap meet contains a healthy amount of stalls that feel like corner stores without walls. They sell shampoos, diapers, soaps, bleach products, paper towels, feminine hygiene pads, disinfectants, gloves and, yes, stacks of toilet paper, all below cost compared to chains or even small retail stores.
Many vendors move with their goods in trucks and vans from swap meet to swap meet, across the region, throughout the week. It’s a semi-underground industry in which vendors buy products from wholesalers, usually near downtown, and take them directly to their customers on the street. Or at a drive-in theater parking lot, where many Southern California swap meets still operate.
Advertisement
At outdoor swap meets in south and southeast Los Angeles County, the vibe also replicates a typical Mexico tianguis market, with food and snack stalls, and a central stage where on weekends live bands play metal, mariachi and banda shows. The Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet is known for booking tribute bands to Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Social Distortion, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more. Concession buildings are permitted to sell beer and micheladas.
On Sunday, the live music that usually draws throngs of people together was canceled at Paramount and Santa Fe Springs to help prevent virus spread. Refunds were being given for next week’s planned concert by the popular La Septima Banda at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet. But the beers were still flowing as late afternoon shoppers lingered.
At their stalls, vendors and shoppers shared alarm over reports of price-gouging of bath tissue. Where 12-pack packages two weeks ago sold at an everyday bargain of $5, on Sunday, in the early-morning rush, 12-packs were going for $12, or a dollar a roll.
That’s unheard of in the swap meet environment, where cheap prices reign. By comparison, at some chain retail locations, 12-packs of toilet paper can go for $15 and even $38 and $55 on some online sites. Osorio balked at the idea of raising her own prices. “It’s blackmail, pure robbery,” she said with a huff.
Meanwhile, as The Times reported on Saturday, toilet paper production remains steady, and that means that supply ignores demand. Because the industry is not in any actual disruption, it’s only a question of who gets to buy toilet paper first.
At one swap meet stall, that was no later than 7 a.m.
The Paramount Swap Meet in nearby Paramount saw thinner crowds than usual, but cleaning supply sellers were cashing in. Gina Navarro, at a corner stall lined with mops and brooms, said most of her toilet paper ran out as soon as the swap meet opened, at 6:30 a.m.
“Paper, paper, all paper,” Navarro said. “They don’t stop asking for it.”
Just then, a customer walked up, requesting the hot item. “Tuesday,” Navarro responded, a bit unconvincingly. Paramount is closed on Mondays, but maybe the forecast of rain and COVID-19 jitters might keep her home, she said.
Elsewhere, vendor Michel Zamora, an immigrant from Mexico City, said his usual stall with cleaning supplies and hygiene products has been without toilet paper since the end of February. He simply ran out, and said he stopped restocking, at least until the coronavirus panic-shopping blows over.
“It started dropping about two weeks ago,” Zamora said. He said he’s got toilet paper and money saved up. He’s ready. He’s got other jobs, and the swap meets so far are staying open. “Take care of your paper!” he added.
A woman then walked up, pleading for a roll of the product that really just about everyone uses. “Please don’t tell me you don’t have toilet paper! I’ve gone to all the stores.”
“I just don’t have any,” Zamora replied. “We’re going to start folding over the one-ply, into triangles, to make it last.”


latimes--2020-03-16--L.A. County releasing some inmates from jail to combat coronavirus

L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Monday his agency had reduced the number of inmates in its jails by more than 600 amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic .
Although there are no confirmed cases of the virus in the jails , 21 inmates are quarantined at Men ’ s Central Jail , five are quarantined at Twin Towers Correctional Facility , and nine inmates are in isolation at the Correctional Treatment Center , Villanueva said at a news conference Monday .
“ All of them are receiving the necessary level of care , ” Villanueva said .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jail population to 16,459 inmates since Feb. 28 , including through the early release of inmates who had less than 30 days of jail time left to serve .
“ I ’ ve used my authority that I have to reduce that population , ” Villanueva said .
He said deputies had been directed to cite and release people when they could and would need to obtain medical clearance before booking anyone who showed symptoms .
Villanueva noted that arrests across the county had gone down from a daily average of 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week called for the Sheriff ’ s Department to speed up the release of inmates with 30 days or less left of their sentences and to assess vulnerable inmates , including those who are elderly or have an underlying health condition , for immediate release .
“ People in jails are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of contagious illnesses .
They are housed in close quarters and are often in poor health , ” the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California said last week in a letter to Villanueva .
The organization said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sheriff ’ s Department on Friday .
“ Restrictive responses , such as lock-downs , would worsen the conditions for those inside , putting their health and safety at risk , ” the ACLU wrote .
“ The only meaningful way to keep people inside and outside of the jails safe from COVID-19 is to decrease the total number of people who are incarcerated.
” Deputies began screening new inmates at its two intake centers — the Inmate Reception Center and the Century Regional Detention Facility — nearly two weeks ago .
Before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked if they ’ ve left the country recently or contacted anyone who has , and whether they have a fever or any other symptoms , Capt .
Tania Plunkett said last week .
A yes answer to any of those questions triggered another set of questions , and a medical professional would respond to the parking lot to evaluate the inmate .
Depending on the outcome , the inmate would either be processed into the jail or sent to a medical center .

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has reduced the number of inmates in its jails by more than 600.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is releasing inmates from its jails and cutting down on how many people it books into custody to protect those housed in close quarters from the growing coronavirus pandemic.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva said deputies and police officers across the county have been directed to cite and release people whenever possible, instead of arresting them, and to seek medical clearance before booking anyone who shows symptoms. Countywide, he said, arrests have dropped from a daily average of 300 to 60, while the jail population was reduced by more than 600 inmates.
“Our population within our jail is a vulnerable population just by virtue of who they are and where they’re located,” Villanueva said Monday at a news conference in downtown L.A. “So we’re protecting that population from potential exposure.”
The move came amid mounting calls by civil rights advocates and health professionals to reduce the number of people held in local, state and federal lock-ups. They raised concerns about the mayhem a COVID-19 outbreak could create within the prison and immigration detention system, which has been criticized for lacking sufficient capacity to meet inmates’ medical needs even before the pandemic.
“It’s too easy to forget about those who are in conditions that will be a powder keg when COVID-19 hits,” said Miriam Krinsky, executive director of the reform group Fair and Just Prosecution who previously headed the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence. “What the sheriff identified is a good first step but it can’t be the only thing that we do.”
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Chris Beyrer, a Johns Hopkins University epidemiology professor, recalled the case of a 16-year-old Guatemalan in immigration detention who was treated with over-the-counter flu medications, and died the next morning of acute respiratory distress — the same syndrome that makes COVID-19 cases so lethal.
“Nobody should be being detained for not paying a parking fee or because they are poor and can’t make bail,” Beyrer said. “We need to be releasing those people yesterday.”
California suspended visitation in state prisons Wednesday, and over the weekend broadened that to include overnight family visits. Sheriff’s officials in Los Angeles and Orange counties followed suit.
San Quentin State Prison has put some 1,800 inmates in quarantine after reports of flu-like illnesses within two cell blocks. One of those is the reception unit where new prisoners arrive from jail.
Prison officials said no inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, but also confirmed that for most inmates, the department’s new protocol requires the results of a flu test to be obtained first, and if that is negative, there is a potential four-day wait for coronavirus results. However, the policy directs that prisoners 65 or older or those with chronic medical conditions should be considered for immediate COVID-19 testing.
The Alameda County public defender last week formally asked local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to shield some 300 medically at-risk jail inmates from virus exposure with a combination of early releases and pre-trial diversion programs. He also asked judges to suspend the practice of issuing bench warrants for the arrest of clients who don’t make their court dates.
“We are in unprecedented territory and in order to protect our community, we are asking for the appropriate authorities to take unusual actions,” Public Defender Brendon Woods wrote.
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In Los Angeles County, deputies began screening new inmates at its two intake centers — the Inmate Reception Center and the Century Regional Detention Facility — nearly two weeks ago.
Before entering the building, inmates were asked if they’ve left the country recently or contacted anyone who has, and whether they have a fever or any other symptoms, Capt. Tania Plunkett said last week.
A yes answer to any of those questions triggered another set of questions, and a medical professional would respond to the parking lot to evaluate the inmate. Depending on the outcome, the inmate would either be processed into the jail or sent to a medical center.
Although there are no confirmed cases of the virus in the jails, Villanueva said 21 inmates are quarantined at Men’s Central Jail, five are quarantined at Twin Towers Correctional Facility, and nine inmates are in isolation at the Correctional Treatment Center. It was unclear how many of them, if any, have been tested for the coronavirus.
“All of them are receiving the necessary level of care,” Villanueva said.
He said that since Feb. 28, the Sheriff’s Department had reduced the jail population to 16,459 inmates, including through the early release of inmates who had less than 30 days of jail time left to serve.
Deputies may now cite and release anyone whose total bail would amount to less than $50,000. “We’ve raised it from $25,000 to $50,000,” Villanueva said. “Another way we’re reducing the population.”
Civil rights advocates last week called for the Sheriff’s Department to speed up the release of inmates with 30 days or less left of their sentences and to assess vulnerable inmates, including those who are elderly or have an underlying health condition, for immediate release.
“People in jails are highly vulnerable to outbreaks of contagious illnesses,” the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California said last week in a letter to Villanueva. The organization said it had scheduled a meeting with the Sheriff’s Department on Friday.
“Restrictive responses, such as lock-downs, would worsen the conditions for those inside, putting their health and safety at risk,” the ACLU wrote. “The only meaningful way to keep people inside and outside of the jails safe from COVID-19 is to decrease the total number of people who are incarcerated.”
Ricardo Garcia, the public defender of Los Angeles County, said in an interview Monday that among his top priorities was to keep people out of custody. He said he asked for a review of people who are particularly vulnerable to determine those who can be released under safe circumstances.
“We don’t want individuals who are particularly vulnerable who are homeless to be let out of jail onto the streets again,” he said.
He noted that the governor has called on those 65 and older to exercise caution and consider separating themselves.
“People over 65 in jail aren’t able to do that,” Garcia said.
Times staff writer Noah Bierman contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-16--California healthcare workers, first responders test positive for coronavirus

The new coronavirus is beginning to take a toll on medical workers and other first responders at a time when they are needed to help treat patients .
Two healthcare workers at UC San Diego Health have confirmed COVID-19 infections and are now on home quarantine , officials said Saturday .
The university ’ s statement did not specify which facilities the employees worked at or their positions .
It was also unclear whether either employee was wearing personal protective equipment while on duty .
Both employees are said to be in good health , and the university has “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients or health system colleagues who may have been in recent contact with either of the two health workers.
” UCSD Health did confirm that both employees who tested positive picked up their infections in the community , rather than from a patient already known to have the disease .
In San Franscisco , two UCSF health workers tested positive and had self-quarantined .
“ Based on our investigation thus far , there is reason to believe that their exposure to the virus was from sources outside of our clinical facilities , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , “ but we are still working to make a final assessment.
” In San Jose , 10 firefighters have tested positive for coronavirus .
The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday confirmed its .
The supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home Monday , officials said .
Some Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel and being monitored after they treated a coronavirus patient who died .
Officials said the medical call came March 9 , when personnel dealt with a person in cardiac arrest .
Later , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
Fire personnel exposed to the patient “ have been isolated from work and are now undergoing active monitoring at home .
Our personnel are currently symptom free and are being reviewed regularly for any developing symptoms , ” the department said in a statement .

Randy Taplitz, clinical director of infection prevention at UC San Diego Health, in early February updates the media on patients being treated for the coronavirus at UCSD facilities.
The new coronavirus is beginning to take a toll on medical workers and other first responders at a time when they are needed to help treat patients.
Two healthcare workers at UC San Diego Health have confirmed COVID-19 infections and are now on home quarantine, officials said Saturday.
The university’s statement did not specify which facilities the employees worked at or their positions. It was also unclear whether either employee was wearing personal protective equipment while on duty.
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Both employees are said to be in good health, and the university has “launched an extensive effort to identify any patients or health system colleagues who may have been in recent contact with either of the two health workers.”
UCSD Health did confirm that both employees who tested positive picked up their infections in the community, rather than from a patient already known to have the disease.
In San Franscisco, two UCSF health workers tested positive and had self-quarantined.
“Based on our investigation thus far, there is reason to believe that their exposure to the virus was from sources outside of our clinical facilities,” officials said in a statement to local media, “but we are still working to make a final assessment.”
In San Jose, 10 firefighters have tested positive for coronavirus.
The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday confirmed its first coronavirus case . The supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home Monday, officials said.
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latimes--2020-03-16--As coronavirus spreads, 6 Bay Area counties ordered to shelter in place

Six counties in the San Francisco Bay Area will be placed under a shelter-in-place directive by public health officials in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus , a move that will close virtually all businesses and direct residents to remain at home for the next three weeks .
San Mateo Mayor Joe Goethals said he believed that the order , announced in a pair of news conferences Monday afternoon , put the six counties — San Francisco , Santa Clara , San Mateo , Marin , Contra Costa and Alameda — on perhaps the most restrictive public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of the potentially deadly coronavirus .
San Francisco Mayor London Breed said that , effective at midnight , city residents would be required to stay at home “ except for essential needs ” and that all but essential businesses and public services would be asked to closed , starting at midnight Monday .
The order will remain in place through April 7 .
“ Many people are calling this the new normal , ” Breed said .
“ It ’ s the new normal , temporarily , in an effort to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be disruptive to day to day life , ” she added .
“ But there is no need to panic.
” Only police and fire departments , hospitals , grocery stores , gas stations , banks and pharmacies and restaurants serving take-out and delivery customers will be allowed to remain open under the shelter-in-place order , officials said .
Residents will be able to go to grocery stores and other essential services , but Goethals urged residents not to rush , adding that stores will remain fully stocked .
The order further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this time hitting the nation ’ s tech capital and a region that is home to nearly 7 million people .
But many health expects say extreme measures are needed to prevent the virus from spreading further and overwhelming hospitals and the healthcare system .
The San Francisco Bay Area is the region hit hardest by coronavirus in the state .
As of Monday afternoon , more than 280 cases had been reported in the six Bay Area counties of Alameda , Contra Costa , Marin , San Francisco , San Mateo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 130 in Santa Clara County .
Of the seven deaths reported in California , three have been in the Bay Area — two in Santa Clara and one in San Mateo .
Monday ’ s order came from public health officials in the six counties and from the city of Berkeley .
“ Staying home is the best thing that we can do right now , ” said Goethals .
He said the communities are trying to “ flatten the curve ” — reduce the speed of the contagion so that there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelms hospitals .
Dr. Grant Colfax , San Francisco ’ s health officer , emphasized that there would be some give in the stay-at-home directive .
“ You will still be able to walk your dog , or go on a hike alone or someone you live with ” or with another person , as long as you keep six feet away from one another , Colfax said .
He also said that restaurants will remain open for takeout and delivery .
And residents will be allowed out to get food and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Together we will get through this , ” Colfax said .
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said police are asking the public to voluntarily comply .
While violation of the health order could be enforceable as a misdemeanor , “ that is an absolute last resort , ” Scott said .
“ This is not about a criminal justice approach to a public health issue.
” “ We are asking for voluntarily compliance.
” Dr. Sara Cody , Santa Clara County ’ s public health officer , said that customers will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” — even in lines at markets .
Some Bay Area residents were taken aback by the news Monday .
“ I am surprised because I feel like I am staying six feet away from people and hand sanitizing , and it just seems a little extreme at this point , ” said Dr. Nicola Longmuir , 66 , a largely retired addiction physician who lives in Contra Costa County and works part time .
“ But it definitely makes my life easier because I was going to draft an email to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming in.
’ Now I can honestly say I can ’ t come in.
” Edward Collins , 71 , a retired police officer who lives in Pacheco , had a different reaction .
He called the coming order “ a tempest in a teapot.
” “ I don ’ t know how we can stop the virus anyway , how we can slow it down , ” he said .
“ To me this is just a big inconvenience over something that is not much more than a cold.
” In Menlo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Safeway , seemed both calm and frustrated by the pending announcement .
He said the store , which is open 24 hours a day , was closed Sunday at 10 p.m. and reopened at 6 a.m. That was a first .
“ Things have been crazy .
They decided they had to close the doors .
There ’ s nothing on the shelves and people were getting angry , ” he said .
He wasn ’ t wearing gloves or a mask .
He said management hadn ’ t supplied workers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small bottle of hand sanitizer from a customer .
“ We ’ ll have food here .
I ’ m not worried about that , ” he said .
“ The problem is how people are reacting .
They ’ re taking everything.
” Katherine Trent , 28 , a Lafayette resident who does public relations for a dentist , welcomed the action .
“ Personally I think I would have been more comfortable if it had happened sooner , ” she said .
“ I think we are a little bit behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be tough for everyone to stay at home , but it is necessary.
” Scott Santos , 56 , an insurance broker in the upscale East Bay community of Walnut Creek , praised the shelter-in-place advisory as a wise preventive measure that might have collateral benefits .
“ I see a lot of panic in people ’ s eyes , but I also see lot of cooperation , ” Santos said , “ and people willing to help each other .
On Nextdoor ” — the social networking service — “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offering to do store runs for elderly people and people looking out for each other.
” “ So I think it ’ s just what our country needs , ” he went on .
“ I don ’ t mean that we need to be sick .
But our country needs something like this to come together and heal .
It will help us heal.
” Times staff writers Maura Dolan and Mark Z. Barabak contributed to this report .

James Rainey, Susanne Rust, Rong-Gong Lin II

Seven counties in the greater San Francisco Bay Area issued sweeping orders Monday that will force most businesses to close and residents to “shelter-in-place” inside their homes — the nation’s most stringent public health measures yet as state and local governments strain to rein in the coronavirus.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed called Monday’s order a necessity, suggesting that the federal response to the COVID-19 virus had been too slow and that local governments needed to take bold action to slow the sometimes deadly virus.
While it is possible Southern California authorities will issue similar orders, for now, the focus is on the Bay Area, home to the greatest number of cases with counties reporting three deaths in just the last two days.
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“Many are calling this the new normal,” Breed said at an afternoon news conference, referring to the restrictions. “Well, it’s the new normal, temporarily, in an effort to protect public health.”
“These measures will be disruptive to day-to-day life,” she added. “But there is no need to panic.”
The order was issued by public health officials in San Francisco and six other counties — Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda and Santa Cruz, and also from the city of Berkeley. The actions affect nearly 7 million residents and thousands of businesses. It was scheduled to take effect at midnight Monday and to remain in force for three weeks, until April 7.
California How the San Francisco Bay Area coronavirus ‘shelter in place’ order works Stay at home as much as possible, officials say, but there are exceptions, like to go out and get food, pick up medicine, buy gas, go to the bank and check up on relatives.
Public health experts praised the region’s action, while residents, business owners and workers were divided. Some welcomed the restrictions as necessary for the common good, while others feared they could threaten jobs and livelihoods, doing more harm than the virus itself.
The measures are designed to prevent COVID-19 from spreading so quickly that hospitals get overrun with a surge of patients. Dr. George Rutherford, a public health epidemiologist at UCSF, said the rules should significantly slow the spread of the virus in the coming weeks.
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“It’s going to change it,” Rutherford said, “and it’s going to change it for the better.”
The social-distancing directives stemmed from a part of California facing possibly the worst risk of having its health systems overwhelmed by the coronavirus, which as of Monday afternoon, had killed more than 7,000 people worldwide. In the greater Bay Area, more than 290 cases have been reported in the seven counties, with more than 130 alone in Santa Clara County, home to Stanford University and Silicon Valley. Of the 11 deaths reported in California, five have been in the Bay Area.
Orders in each of the seven counties were similarly worded — requiring all but essential businesses to shut down, but offering a fairly broad definition of what is “essential.” Police and fire departments, hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, banks and pharmacies all will be allowed to remain in operation.
Restaurants were ordered closed to eat-in customers, but will be allowed to remain open for take-out and delivery orders. Also deemed essential and exempt from closure: the media and workers who maintain water, sewer, gas, transportation, electrical and other public systems, including the internet.
Other exemptions were allowed for laundromats, dry cleaners, hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and others deemed to “provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation” of homes and businesses.
Officials emphasized that, while residents should take the orders seriously, they would not be inflexible.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said police are asking the public to voluntarily comply. While violation of the health order could be enforceable as a misdemeanor, “that is an absolute last resort,” Scott said. “This is not about a criminal justice approach to a public health issue.”
The orders recognized that homeless people would not be able to shelter-in-place and instead urged them “to find shelter” adding that “government agencies are urged to take steps needed to provide shelter for those individuals.”
Health officials assured residents they also would be free to go out to buy food and medicine and other essentials. The orders also allowed for outdoor activities such as “walking, hiking or running,” while reminding residents to comply with “social-distancing” requirements set forth by health officials — to remain six feet away from others.
“You will still be able to walk your dog, or go on a hike alone or someone you live with, or even with another person, as long as you keep six feet between you,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, San Francisco director of health. He also emphasized that restaurants would be open for to-go business and that residents would be allowed to care for relatives.
“Together we will get through this,” Colfax said.
The action came after health officers from six of the seven counties conferred over the weekend and “agreed that this step is needed immediately, “ Colfax said. “Now is the time to do everything we can to prevent the situation from getting much worse in a matter of days or weeks.... Every hour counts.”
Other California counties gave no indication they would follow the Bay Area’s lead. Barbara Ferrer, Los Angeles County director of public health, said earlier on Monday that the state’s most populous county did not have the same infection rate as the Bay Area and she had no plans for a shelter-in-place order.
But she cautioned: “Nothing’s off the table for anyone, anywhere in the United States.”
For businesses and workers in Northern California, there was no question that the new order would further escalate the economic distress caused by COVID-19, this time hitting the nation’s tech capital and a region that is home to both immense wealth and stubborn poverty.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Jordan Kutzer, a consultant who advises Silicon Valley startups, said he had received numerous contacts from businesses looking for funding to weather the next six to 12 months. He described a feeling of helplessness among people used to solving problems.
“There are lots of questions about what life is going to be like going forward,” said Kutzer. “And this is an area built by problem solvers. ... The people who look at big solutions all the time are looking around and saying, ‘What are we going to do?’ ”
At the lower-end of the economic ladder, workers expressed fear. Ducky’s Car Wash in Menlo Park was preparing to close Monday, putting 50 employees out of work.
“The rent still needs to get paid. But I won’t have it,” said Daniel Flores, one of the workers. He’s thinking about looking for other work, but knows that’s not going to be easy — as everything is going to shut down. He said everyone at the car wash is worried.
“A lot of these guys work two jobs. They have to to make ends meet,” Flores said. “They’re going from barely making it to nothing. It’s really scary.”
Along Menlo Park’s main shopping drag, Santa Cruz Avenue, not all businesses were ready to concede they were nonessential.
Jenny Smetana, a manager at Cheeky Monkey toy store, said she had no plans to close the following day.
“We’re going to do what we do,” she said. “Until we hear otherwise, or get an official statement, we’ll keep doing what we do.”
At the flooring store up the street, John Christiansen, manager of Abbey Carpet, said doors would be open the following morning. He said: “There are only three people working here.”
Across the Bay Area, the public health orders provoked spirited debate.
“I am surprised because I feel like I am staying six feet away from people and hand sanitizing, and it just seems a little extreme at this point,” said Dr. Nicola Longmuir, 66, a largely retired addiction physician who lives in Contra Costa County and works part time.
“But it definitely makes my life easier because I was going to draft an email to my work saying, ‘I am not coming in.’ Now I can honestly say I can’t come in.”
Edward Collins, 71, a retired police officer who lives in Pacheco, called the orders “a tempest in a teapot.”
“I don’t know how we can stop the virus anyway, how we can slow it down,” he said. “To me this is just a big inconvenience over something that is not much more than a cold.”
Katherine Trent, 28, a Lafayette resident who does public relations for a dentist, welcomed the action.
“Personally I think I would have been more comfortable if it had happened sooner,” she said. “I think we are a little bit behind. I know it’s going to be tough for everyone to stay at home, but it is necessary.”
Scott Santos, 56, an insurance broker in the upscale East Bay community of Walnut Creek, praised the shelter-in-place advisory as a wise preventive measure that might have collateral benefits.
“I see a lot of panic in people’s eyes, but I also see lot of cooperation,” Santos said, “and people willing to help each other. On Nextdoor, the social networking service, “I saw a lot of people stepping up and offering to do store runs for elderly people and people looking out for each other.”
“So I think it’s just what our country needs,” he added. “I don’t mean that we need to be sick. But our country needs something like this to come together and heal. It will help us heal.”
Times staff writers Anita Chabria, Maura Dolan and Mark Z. Barabak contributed to this report. Lin reported from Millbrae, Rust from Menlo Park and Rainey from Pasadena.


latimes--2020-03-16--Stop panic buying and hoarding food because of coronavirus, Mayor Garcetti tells L.A.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti visited a Ralphs food distribution center in Paramount on Monday morning with several grocery store chain executives in an effort to calm Angelenos worried about the region ’ s grocery supplies .
Garcetti implored Angelenos not to “ panic buy ” at supermarkets , and live-streamed his visit on Facebook .
“ It ’ s appropriate to buy food for a week , as we do , ” Garcetti said .
“ But to buy so much food for a month , or even for months , has a consequence not just for you but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , and of course for those who are most vulnerable and who need food right now.
” The grocery store executives said stores are being restocked and cleaned .
“ Although we are a little bit behind on stocking some shelves , it ’ s not a supply problem , ” said Rob McDougall , president of Gelson ’ s .
“ It ’ s just really a people problem in [ getting ] that product to the shelves.
” Bryan Kaltenbach , president of Food 4 Less , said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of products that you are buying in one setting.
” Garcetti said the best estimates for the delivery of hand sanitizers being delivered to stores “ is a matter of weeks.
” He also said that tap water is safe to drink .

Shelves with toilet paper are half-empty at a Pavilions supermarket in South Pasadena on Wednesday.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti visited a Ralphs food distribution center in Paramount on Monday morning with several grocery store chain executives in an effort to calm Angelenos worried about the region’s grocery supplies.
Garcetti implored Angelenos not to “panic buy” at supermarkets, and live-streamed his visit on Facebook. “It’s appropriate to buy food for a week, as we do,” Garcetti said. “But to buy so much food for a month, or even for months, has a consequence not just for you but for your loved ones, for grocery workers, and of course for those who are most vulnerable and who need food right now.”
The grocery store executives said stores are being restocked and cleaned.
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“Although we are a little bit behind on stocking some shelves, it’s not a supply problem,” said Rob McDougall, president of Gelson’s. “It’s just really a people problem in [getting] that product to the shelves.”
Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Food 4 Less, said: “Try to be prudent in the amount of products that you are buying in one setting.”
Garcetti said the best estimates for the delivery of hand sanitizers being delivered to stores “is a matter of weeks.” He also said that tap water is safe to drink.


latimes--2020-03-16--This isn't the first time a virus caused social panic. The Spanish flu did too

There were warnings by politicians and doctors that the pandemic was coming .
Mandatory quarantines followed , along with skepticism by a public that felt the threat was all hype .
This scenario is unfolding across Southern California , as the region bunkers down against coronavirus and reported cases continue to rise .
But the same sequence played out more than 100 years ago .
Archives at UCLA , the Huntington Library and the City of Los Angeles capture the little-remembered history of how Los Angeles and other cities across the Southland weathered the deadly 1918 Spanish flu , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and over 700,000 in the United States .
Through letters , newspaper clippings , city council minutes , diaries , and photos , these collections offer lessons from the past that historians say can teach people today about how to confront coronavirus .
“ Until recently , a pandemic had been kind of abstract , ” said Carla Bittel , a Loyola Marymount University history professor who has had her students use archival material to write projects about the Spanish flu .
Some of the topics they chose — the efficiency of wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffer silently , the toll that caring for the sick took on healthcare workers — seem pulled from the debates over coronavirus today .
“ Holding stationery in their hand , it was very poignant for them , in a way that just reading a book wouldn ’ t be , ” she continued .
These archives aren ’ t readily accessible to nonacademics , and copyright restrictions limit their use .
But their caretakers pop up every couple of years in the public sphere to calm collective nerves , much like Lucy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixture on Southern California television and radio any time there ’ s an earthquake .
Interest “ is in spurts ” tied to whenever pandemics make global headlines , says Russell Johnson , curator for UCLA ’ s special collections for the sciences .
“ It ’ s understandable.
” Over the past eight years , he has compiled one of the few archives in the United States devoted to the Spanish flu , with special attention paid to correspondence between military members and their families .
That focus is crucial to understanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
The first quarantines in the region were enacted in September 1918 at the Naval Reserve Station at Los Angeles Harbor and the U.S. Army Balloon School in Arcadia .
The disease had struck the United States earlier in the spring , but a second , more-lethal strain swept across the country that fall , brought back home by soldiers who had fought abroad during World War I .
By Oct. 11 , Los Angeles City Health Commissioner Luther M. Powers ordered the shutdown of schools and all public gatherings , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ensuing chaos is documented in the telegrams and handwritten letters that Johnson has amassed .
They ’ re held in three boxes and can only be viewed in the reading room near his offices at UCLA ’ s Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library .
He did show off parts of the collection for a UCLA exhibit in 2014 , a time when swine flu was the contagion du jour .
Most of it centered on a large scrapbook that tells the tale of Army cadet Alton Miller of Kingston , New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it showed the arc of Miller ’ s military life : family pictures , a driver ’ s license , a draft notice .
A succession of letters to his sister and father from training camp reveal the young man ’ s changing fate : Miller tells them that other soldiers have influenza , Miller admits he contracted it but is confident that doctors will cure it fast , a friend writes to tell Miller ’ s family that Alton is ill .
The exhibit ended with an Army telegram informing Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You could see a couple of people clutching themselves when they got to that part , ” Johnson said .
Another item that Johnson says gets reactions : a telegram that Edward Rainey , secretary to San Francisco ’ s mayor , sent to Santa Barbara Mayor Harvey Neilson .
Rainey pleads with Neilson to enact a mandatory mask ordinance “ because I have seen the whole terrible effect of epidemic here … because masks have saved untold suffering and many deaths.
” “ These archives show how almost commonplace [ influenza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Life had been disrupted , but life is going on.
” A similar assortment of Spanish flu ephemera is at the Huntington Library in San Marino and is spread out across multiple collections .
There are pictures of swamped hospitals and tired nurses taken by Pasadena photographer Harold A. Parker , diaries by Red Cross volunteers , and the papers of the Los Angeles County Medical Assn.
, which feature internal reports and recollections .
“ The lessons we learn about COVID-19 from looking at historical pandemics : Trust the medical professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help you to avoid misinformation , ” said Joel Klein , head of the Huntington ’ s science collections , one of the largest in North America .
He also noted that the Huntington ’ s records show how “ fearful people responded in unhelpful ways that were rooted in racism and xenophobia.
” One example : At the height of L.A. 's fight against the Spanish flu , over 100 white student nurses at Los Angeles County Hospital resigned because the Board of Supervisors had allowed African American women to work alongside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people can take from then for now is “ we will get through this best if we all work together.
” At the C. Erwin Piper Technical Center near downtown , Los Angeles city archivist Michael Holland tells L.A. ’ s 1918 flu story through stats and ordinances .
One report titled “ Classifications of Death ” showed that between 1918 and 1919 , 2,713 Angelenos died due to influenza — 26 % of total deaths for those two years , with more than half of the deceased between 20 and 45 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with limiting the Spanish flu ’ s impact on Los Angeles compared with other cities — while L.A. ’ s death rate was 494 deaths per 100,000 people , San Francisco ’ s was 673 per 100,000 .
He urged the city ’ s daily newspapers to print bulletins that instructed those infected “ to stay in bed … keep your rooms well-ventilated , eat enough plain food , but not too much ” and “ keep your bowels open.
” The commissioner ’ s stringent actions and words didn ’ t win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sued for the right to hold meetings ; movie theater owners complained their industry was unfairly targeted and urged the city council to close all businesses .
In a foreshadowing of today ’ s battles against homeless shelters in neighborhoods , Holland mentioned a petition that residents of Elysian Park submitted to the City Council asking that an emergency hospital not be built there .
“ Powers basically said , ‘ The hell with you , we ’ re doing it for the greater good , ’ and got it built ” Holland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials reacted to the Spanish flu , he also noted that their modern-day peers “ are much more coordinated than we were a century ago .
This is one of those instances that they really have learned from the past .
“ It really is that old saying that we historians dearly love because it justifies our existence , ” he said .
“ Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it .
”

The 1918 flu was one the worst pandemics in history, infecting one-third of the world’s population. How cities responded to the crisis in 1918 provides lessons on handling COVID-19 today.
There were warnings by politicians and doctors that the pandemic was coming. Mandatory quarantines followed, along with skepticism by a public that felt the threat was all hype.
Then, the deaths started.
This scenario is unfolding across Southern California, as the region bunkers down against coronavirus and reported cases continue to rise.
But the same sequence played out more than 100 years ago.
Archives at UCLA, the Huntington Library and the City of Los Angeles capture the little-remembered history of how Los Angeles and other cities across the Southland weathered the deadly 1918 Spanish flu, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide and over 700,000 in the United States.
Advertisement
Through letters, newspaper clippings, city council minutes, diaries, and photos, these collections offer lessons from the past that historians say can teach people today about how to confront coronavirus.
“Until recently, a pandemic had been kind of abstract,” said Carla Bittel, a Loyola Marymount University history professor who has had her students use archival material to write projects about the Spanish flu. Some of the topics they chose — the efficiency of wearing masks, the pressure on men to suffer silently, the toll that caring for the sick took on healthcare workers — seem pulled from the debates over coronavirus today.
“Holding stationery in their hand, it was very poignant for them, in a way that just reading a book wouldn’t be,” she continued.
These archives aren’t readily accessible to nonacademics, and copyright restrictions limit their use. But their caretakers pop up every couple of years in the public sphere to calm collective nerves, much like Lucy Jones, the Caltech seismologist and longtime fixture on Southern California television and radio any time there’s an earthquake.
Interest “is in spurts” tied to whenever pandemics make global headlines, says Russell Johnson, curator for UCLA’s special collections for the sciences. “It’s understandable.”
Advertisement
Over the past eight years, he has compiled one of the few archives in the United States devoted to the Spanish flu, with special attention paid to correspondence between military members and their families. That focus is crucial to understanding how the Spanish flu spread across Southern California.
The first quarantines in the region were enacted in September 1918 at the Naval Reserve Station at Los Angeles Harbor and the U.S. Army Balloon School in Arcadia. The disease had struck the United States earlier in the spring, but a second, more-lethal strain swept across the country that fall, brought back home by soldiers who had fought abroad during World War I.
By Oct. 11, Los Angeles City Health Commissioner Luther M. Powers ordered the shutdown of schools and all public gatherings, including funerals, movie theaters and church services.
Spanish flu advisory co-written by Los Angeles Health Commissioner Luther Powers that appeared in Los Angeles Times and other local newspapers throughout October 1918 (Los Angeles Times archives)
The ensuing chaos is documented in the telegrams and handwritten letters that Johnson has amassed. They’re held in three boxes and can only be viewed in the reading room near his offices at UCLA’s Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library.
He did show off parts of the collection for a UCLA exhibit in 2014, a time when swine flu was the contagion du jour. Most of it centered on a large scrapbook that tells the tale of Army cadet Alton Miller of Kingston, New York.
Bought from a private collector, it showed the arc of Miller’s military life: family pictures, a driver’s license, a draft notice. A succession of letters to his sister and father from training camp reveal the young man’s changing fate: Miller tells them that other soldiers have influenza, Miller admits he contracted it but is confident that doctors will cure it fast, a friend writes to tell Miller’s family that Alton is ill.
The exhibit ended with an Army telegram informing Miller’s family that he died.
“You could see a couple of people clutching themselves when they got to that part,” Johnson said.
Another item that Johnson says gets reactions: a telegram that Edward Rainey, secretary to San Francisco’s mayor, sent to Santa Barbara Mayor Harvey Neilson. Rainey pleads with Neilson to enact a mandatory mask ordinance “because I have seen the whole terrible effect of epidemic here … because masks have saved untold suffering and many deaths.”
“These archives show how almost commonplace [influenza ] became,” Johnson said. “Life had been disrupted, but life is going on.”
A similar assortment of Spanish flu ephemera is at the Huntington Library in San Marino and is spread out across multiple collections. There are pictures of swamped hospitals and tired nurses taken by Pasadena photographer Harold A. Parker, diaries by Red Cross volunteers, and the papers of the Los Angeles County Medical Assn., which feature internal reports and recollections.
“The lessons we learn about COVID-19 from looking at historical pandemics: Trust the medical professionals and public health experts, who will help you to avoid misinformation,” said Joel Klein, head of the Huntington’s science collections, one of the largest in North America. He also noted that the Huntington’s records show how “fearful people responded in unhelpful ways that were rooted in racism and xenophobia.”
One example: At the height of L.A.’s fight against the Spanish flu, over 100 white student nurses at Los Angeles County Hospital resigned because the Board of Supervisors had allowed African American women to work alongside them.
The biggest lesson Klein said people can take from then for now is “we will get through this best if we all work together.”
A cartoon published in the Oct. 12, 1918, edition of the L.A. Times mocks the decision by Los Angeles City Health Commissioner Luther M. Powers to shut down public spaces to limit spread of Spanish flu. (Los Angeles Times archives)
At the C. Erwin Piper Technical Center near downtown, Los Angeles city archivist Michael Holland tells L.A.’s 1918 flu story through stats and ordinances. One report titled “Classifications of Death” showed that between 1918 and 1919, 2,713 Angelenos died due to influenza — 26% of total deaths for those two years, with more than half of the deceased between 20 and 45.
Holland credits Commissioner Powers’ quick quarantine with limiting the Spanish flu’s impact on Los Angeles compared with other cities — while L.A.’s death rate was 494 deaths per 100,000 people, San Francisco’s was 673 per 100,000. He urged the city’s daily newspapers to print bulletins that instructed those infected “to stay in bed … keep your rooms well-ventilated, eat enough plain food, but not too much” and “keep your bowels open.”
The commissioner’s stringent actions and words didn’t win him many fans.
Christian Scientists successfully sued for the right to hold meetings; movie theater owners complained their industry was unfairly targeted and urged the city council to close all businesses. In a foreshadowing of today’s battles against homeless shelters in neighborhoods, Holland mentioned a petition that residents of Elysian Park submitted to the City Council asking that an emergency hospital not be built there.
“Powers basically said, ‘The hell with you, we’re doing it for the greater good,’ and got it built” Holland said.
Los Angeles City Health Commissioner Luther M. Powers was instrumental in lessening the effects of Spanish flu on the city. (Los Angeles City Archives)
While praising how Los Angeles officials reacted to the Spanish flu, he also noted that their modern-day peers “are much more coordinated than we were a century ago. This is one of those instances that they really have learned from the past.
“It really is that old saying that we historians dearly love because it justifies our existence,” he said. “Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.”