latimes--2020-11-17--California man arrested after using 'sea scooter' in Lake Shasta to evade FBI, authorities say

A Shasta County man wanted in connection with a $ 35-million investment fraud scheme was arrested Monday after using an underwater “ sea scooter ” to evade federal agents , authorities said .
According to federal court documents , Matthew Piercey , 44 , of Palo Cedro used a Yamaha 350LI underwater submersible device to hide in the waters of Lake Shasta for nearly 30 minutes Monday morning .
The $ 1,200 motorized device lets users cruise underwater at up to 3.7 mph , according to the company ’ s website .
The aquatic events unfolded after Piercey allegedly led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhoods and onto the 5 Freeway near Redding , as first reported in the .
The chase ended at the lakeshore , where Piercey “ abandoned his truck near the edge of Lake Shasta , pulled something out of it and swam into Lake Shasta , ” federal prosecutors said .
“ Piercey spent some time out of sight underwater where law enforcement could only see bubbles , ” they said .
After nearly 30 minutes in the Northern California lake ’ s frigid waters , Piercey emerged and was arrested , authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fine , and agents provided him with dry clothes from his wife before taking him to Sacramento .
Piercey has been charged with 31 felony counts , including wire fraud , mail fraud , witness tampering and money laundering .
He and his business partner , Kenneth Winton , were indicted last week .
According to court documents , the pair solicited $ 35 million from investors over the course of five years for an “ upvesting fund ” that Piercey later told an associate did not exist .
In total , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used investors ’ funds to pay off credit cards , purchase and renovate two properties and buy a houseboat , among other items .
If convicted , both men face up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines .
It was not immediately apparent whether Piercey has an attorney , but Winton ’ s attorney , Adam G. Gasner , told the Bee his client “ looks forward to the judicial process shedding light on what actually occurred here.
” Prosecutors said Monday ’ s underwater maneuver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
“ Although Piercey did stay in the Eastern District of California since learning about this investigation … circumstances have changed , as demonstrated by his behavior when law enforcement attempted to arrest him this morning , ” they said .
His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday .

Mt. Shasta is seen above Upper Lake Shasta in February 2018. A Shasta County man briefly evaded federal agents Monday by hiding in the frigid waters of the Northern California lake.
A Shasta County man wanted in connection with a $35-million investment fraud scheme was arrested Monday after using an underwater “sea scooter” to evade federal agents, authorities said.
According to federal court documents, Matthew Piercey, 44, of Palo Cedro used a Yamaha 350LI underwater submersible device to hide in the waters of Lake Shasta for nearly 30 minutes Monday morning. The $1,200 motorized device lets users cruise underwater at up to 3.7 mph, according to the company’s website.
The aquatic events unfolded after Piercey allegedly led agents on a car chase through residential neighborhoods and onto the 5 Freeway near Redding, as first reported in the Sacramento Bee . The chase ended at the lakeshore, where Piercey “abandoned his truck near the edge of Lake Shasta, pulled something out of it and swam into Lake Shasta,” federal prosecutors said.
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“Piercey spent some time out of sight underwater where law enforcement could only see bubbles,” they said.
After nearly 30 minutes in the Northern California lake’s frigid waters, Piercey emerged and was arrested, authorities said. Medical personnel confirmed his condition was fine, and agents provided him with dry clothes from his wife before taking him to Sacramento.
Piercey has been charged with 31 felony counts, including wire fraud, mail fraud, witness tampering and money laundering. He and his business partner, Kenneth Winton, were indicted last week.
According to court documents, the pair solicited $35 million from investors over the course of five years for an “upvesting fund” that Piercey later told an associate did not exist. In total, they paid back $8.8 million and used investors’ funds to pay off credit cards, purchase and renovate two properties and buy a houseboat, among other items.
If convicted, both men face up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. It was not immediately apparent whether Piercey has an attorney, but Winton’s attorney, Adam G. Gasner, told the Bee his client “looks forward to the judicial process shedding light on what actually occurred here.”
Prosecutors said Monday’s underwater maneuver is evidence of Piercey’s flight risk.
“Although Piercey did stay in the Eastern District of California since learning about this investigation … circumstances have changed, as demonstrated by his behavior when law enforcement attempted to arrest him this morning,” they said.
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His arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.


latimes--2020-11-17--3.5-magnitude earthquake reported near Barstow

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported at 9:32 a.m. Tuesday 32 miles from Barstow , according to the U.S. Geological Survey .
The earthquake occurred 44 miles from Twentynine Palms , 46 miles from Yucca Valley , 46 miles from Big Bear City and 49 miles from Apple Valley .
In the past 10 days , there have been two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby .
An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.0 occur each year in California and Nevada , according to a recent three-year data sample .
The earthquake occurred at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you feel this earthquake ?
Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS .
Even if you didn ’ t feel this small earthquake , you never know when the Big One is going to strike .
Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit .
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot , a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS .
A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published .
If you ’ re interested in learning more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of frequently asked questions .

A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported at 9:32 a.m. Tuesday 32 miles from Barstow, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred 44 miles from Twentynine Palms, 46 miles from Yucca Valley, 46 miles from Big Bear City and 49 miles from Apple Valley.
In the past 10 days, there have been two earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.
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An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 to 4.0 occur each year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 3.3 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.
Even if you didn’t feel this small earthquake, you never know when the Big One is going to strike. Ready yourself by following our five-step earthquake preparedness guide and building your own emergency kit.
This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.


latimes--2020-11-17--Young people are spreading coronavirus in L.A., but older and sicker suffer the most

Coronavirus is again surging in Los Angeles County , and that has prompted calls for people to stay home as much as possible and led to discussions about a possible curfew or additional restrictions on businesses .
The disease is spiking across the county , affecting all age groups , but some remain most vulnerable .
While the age of COVID-19 patients has declined , older people are still dying at very high rates from the illness .
Communities of color also remain hard hit , as do people with underlying health problems .
And young people gathering with those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials say .
The spread of the virus by young adults is resulting in the deaths of L.A. County ’ s elderly , according to Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s public health director .
People 80 and older are seeing significant increases in serious illness .
“ This is most unfortunate , and it serves as a stark reminder that young people are spreading the virus with disastrous results for our elderly , ” Ferrer said .
“ To say many lives are at stake is not an exaggeration.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate has nearly doubled , from 7.6 new cases per 100,000 residents last week to 13.7 new cases per 100,000 residents this week .
And the rate at which coronavirus tests is increasing is substantially up , now at 5.3 % compared to 3.8 % last week .
“ Given our recent huge increases in daily cases , and now in hospitalizations , it is clear that L.A. County is at a very dangerous point in the pandemic , ” Ferrer said .
Officials said groups of young adults going to get tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative results by Saturday morning and then having a dinner party Saturday night are irresponsible .
Such tests provide a false sense of security — and engaging in this practice can still result in the gathering becoming a super-spreading event that can transmit the highly contagious virus widely .
“ It ’ s a false narrative , ” Ferrer said .
“ Your test result that you got Saturday morning was from Thursday when you got tested , and it said , ‘ On Thursday , you were negative.
’ It says nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
“ I do want people to understand that testing on Thursday so you can party on Saturday : That doesn ’ t work .
It ’ s not a good idea .
It ’ s not effective , and you really are in some ways wasting a valuable resource , ” Ferrer said .
Tests can provide misleading results , officials warn .
If a person is tested shortly after becoming infected but before the virus has reproduced enough copies of itself , a test could fail to detect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In addition , a large percentage of people can get infected with the virus and be highly contagious but never show symptoms of illness .
As the latest wave of the virus spreads across California , which on Monday recorded a single-day record for new cases , the number of patients in hospitals statewide is also increasing .
For the seven-day period that ended Sunday , hospitalizations had increased 51 % .
And a sample of patients shows how common underlying health conditions can contribute to greater risk of hospitalizations from COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who die from the disease have underlying health conditions .
Among 198 people hospitalized between April and October , 54 % had high blood pressure ; 47 % had diabetes ; 35 % were obese ; 34 % had high cholesterol ; 15 % had kidney disease ; and 14 % had chronic lung disease .
Many people have multiple underlying health conditions .
Some of these underlying health conditions are quite common in L.A. County , health officials said .
Of the area ’ s 10.1 million residents , about 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 2 million have high cholesterol ; and more than 2 million are obese , Ferrer said .
And as the virus spreads , Pacific Islander , Latino and Black residents in Los Angeles County still face far higher rates of hospitalizations compared with white residents .
“ And while we ’ ve made significant progress narrowing the gaps over the past few months , as cases surge , we may again see higher rates of disproportionality , ” Ferrer said .
Here are some tips for how to handle the surge : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest risk — should avoid going out whenever possible Officials have been sounding the alarm in recent days about the rapid spread of the virus in the region and have warned that more restrictions could be coming .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti went a step further Monday by saying remaining at home when possible is essential in slowing the outbreak .
“ We must stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks , except for accessing essential services , food and outdoor exercise , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for groceries and medicine and said , “ If this isn ’ t possible , assign one person from your household to take care of errands and shopping to limit exposure.
” 2 ) If you live with older people or those with serious health conditions , wear masks and keep your distance “ Higher-risk household members should try when possible to eat by themselves , and particularly avoid being in close contact with other people who are having possible exposures at their jobs or in the community , ” Ferrer said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you test positive .
During that time , stay inside as much as possible , avoid contact with people outside your home and order food and groceries by no-contact delivery .
People who have engaged in risky activities , such as being in a crowd where people aren ’ t wearing masks or keeping their distance from one another , should quarantine for 14 days , Ferrer said .
The same protocols should be followed as during isolation .
4 ) Businesses should make sure people are wearing masks and distancing from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are no crowded places or spaces at your site , and limit occupancy to make sure that everyone can always be distant by at least six feet , ” Ferrer said .
“ Allow as many employees as possible to work from home as much as possible.
” The public health department should be notified if there have been three or more coronavirus cases within 14 days at the work site .
L.A. County ’ s public health department can be contacted at ( 888 ) 700-9995 during regular business hours .

People enter a train at the 7th Street Metro Center in Los Angeles. Los Angeles County residents are urged to stay at home as much as possible as the coronavirus surges.
Coronavirus is again surging in Los Angeles County, and that has prompted calls for people to stay home as much as possible and led to discussions about a possible curfew or additional restrictions on businesses.
The disease is spiking across the county, affecting all age groups, but some remain most vulnerable. While the age of COVID-19 patients has declined, older people are still dying at very high rates from the illness.
Communities of color also remain hard hit, as do people with underlying health problems.
And young people gathering with those outside their households remains a major problem, officials say. The spread of the virus by young adults is resulting in the deaths of L.A. County’s elderly, according to Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director. People 80 and older are seeing significant increases in serious illness.
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“This is most unfortunate, and it serves as a stark reminder that young people are spreading the virus with disastrous results for our elderly,” Ferrer said.
“To say many lives are at stake is not an exaggeration.”
L.A. County’s adjusted coronavirus case rate has nearly doubled, from 7.6 new cases per 100,000 residents last week to 13.7 new cases per 100,000 residents this week.
And the rate at which coronavirus tests is increasing is substantially up, now at 5.3% compared to 3.8% last week.
“Given our recent huge increases in daily cases, and now in hospitalizations, it is clear that L.A. County is at a very dangerous point in the pandemic,” Ferrer said.
Officials said groups of young adults going to get tested on a Thursday in hopes of getting negative results by Saturday morning and then having a dinner party Saturday night are irresponsible.
Advertisement
Such tests provide a false sense of security — and engaging in this practice can still result in the gathering becoming a super-spreading event that can transmit the highly contagious virus widely.
“It’s a false narrative,” Ferrer said. “Your test result that you got Saturday morning was from Thursday when you got tested, and it said, ‘On Thursday, you were negative.’ It says nothing about whether you’re still negative on Saturday.
“I do want people to understand that testing on Thursday so you can party on Saturday: That doesn’t work. It’s not a good idea. It’s not effective, and you really are in some ways wasting a valuable resource,” Ferrer said.
Tests can provide misleading results, officials warn. If a person is tested shortly after becoming infected but before the virus has reproduced enough copies of itself, a test could fail to detect the virus and produce a false negative. In addition, a large percentage of people can get infected with the virus and be highly contagious but never show symptoms of illness.
As the latest wave of the virus spreads across California, which on Monday recorded a single-day record for new cases, the number of patients in hospitals statewide is also increasing. For the seven-day period that ended Sunday, hospitalizations had increased 51%. And a sample of patients shows how common underlying health conditions can contribute to greater risk of hospitalizations from COVID-19.
In L.A. County, 93% of those who die from the disease have underlying health conditions. Among 198 people hospitalized between April and October, 54% had high blood pressure; 47% had diabetes; 35% were obese; 34% had high cholesterol; 15% had kidney disease; and 14% had chronic lung disease. Many people have multiple underlying health conditions.
Some of these underlying health conditions are quite common in L.A. County, health officials said. Of the area’s 10.1 million residents, about 2 million have high blood pressure; more than 2 million have high cholesterol; and more than 2 million are obese, Ferrer said.
And as the virus spreads, Pacific Islander, Latino and Black residents in Los Angeles County still face far higher rates of hospitalizations compared with white residents.
“And while we’ve made significant progress narrowing the gaps over the past few months, as cases surge, we may again see higher rates of disproportionality,” Ferrer said.
California If you must travel over Thanksgiving, here is how to minimize your COVID-19 risk Airports, train stations and rest stops are places where people are at risk of being exposed to the virus, and it can be difficult to stay six feet away from others, as health experts strongly recommend.
Here are some tips for how to handle the surge:
1) Everyone — especially those at highest risk — should avoid going out whenever possible
Officials have been sounding the alarm in recent days about the rapid spread of the virus in the region and have warned that more restrictions could be coming. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti went a step further Monday by saying remaining at home when possible is essential in slowing the outbreak.
“We must stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks, except for accessing essential services, food and outdoor exercise,” he said.
Ferrer suggested using delivery services for groceries and medicine and said, “If this isn’t possible, assign one person from your household to take care of errands and shopping to limit exposure.”
2) If you live with older people or those with serious health conditions, wear masks and keep your distance
“Higher-risk household members should try when possible to eat by themselves, and particularly avoid being in close contact with other people who are having possible exposures at their jobs or in the community,” Ferrer said.
Health experts recommend isolating for 10 days if you test positive. During that time, stay inside as much as possible, avoid contact with people outside your home and order food and groceries by no-contact delivery.
People who have engaged in risky activities, such as being in a crowd where people aren’t wearing masks or keeping their distance from one another, should quarantine for 14 days, Ferrer said. The same protocols should be followed as during isolation.
4) Businesses should make sure people are wearing masks and distancing from one another at work
“Make sure there are no crowded places or spaces at your site, and limit occupancy to make sure that everyone can always be distant by at least six feet,” Ferrer said. “Allow as many employees as possible to work from home as much as possible.”
The public health department should be notified if there have been three or more coronavirus cases within 14 days at the work site. L.A. County’s public health department can be contacted at (888) 700-9995 during regular business hours.


latimes--2020-11-17--Signs of life: Animals return to parks burned by Glass fire

When the Glass fire seared through portions of Sonoma County ’ s Hood Mountain Regional Park in September , it left little in its wake : Once-stately pines and oaks stood starkly amid seared chaparral , and the ever-present chatter of chirping birds was replaced by an eerie silence .
The fire burned more than 80 % of the 2,000-acre park , according to Sonoma County Regional Parks spokeswoman Meda Freeman , and countless animals either died or fled .
“ They don ’ t always make it out , ” Freeman said .
“ Some go underground , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there were sightings of deer that died in the fire.
” Now , two months after the devastating blaze chewed through the region , life is beginning to reemerge .
“ Our staff are happy to report they ’ ve seen signs of wildlife returning to many areas , ” Sonoma County Regional Park said in an update on its Facebook page , along with a video showing a jackrabbit hopping along a fire-ravaged Hood Mountain trail .
The park ’ s wildlife cameras also recorded deer , bobcats and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( With the volume turned up , birds can be heard chirping too . )
“ It ’ s always good for the public to see those images , ” Freeman said , “ and get some reassurance that the wildlife are moving about in the park after the fire.
” Similar sightings have occurred in nearby Sugarloaf Ridge State Park , which also burned in the Glass fire .
Trail cameras focused on a creek in the park captured birds , deer and mountain lions emerging for a drink of water in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cornwall , senior project manager at the Sonoma Ecology Center , said animals were often clever when it came to wildfire defense .
Some run far from the flames , while others take shelter in hollow stumps , build dens out of downed trees or burrow underground .
“ An amazing thing after a wildfire is to see how many holes in the ground there are , ” Cornwall said , adding that rabbits , foxes , raccoons , small rodents , spiders and lizards are known to go underground to avoid flames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all these different creatures crowding into someone ’ s den.
” Although there are often deaths during a fire , one of the hardest times for wildlife is the period between the flames and the first rain , Cornwall said , when there is very little food on the ground .
But nature is resilient .
According to Cornwall , perennial grasses start to regrow within two weeks of a fire , chaparral in four .
Often , trees grow new sprouts quickly — not on higher branches but lower down , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A lot of the regrowth is lush and fast and easy to get to if you ’ re an herbivore , ” she said , noting that almost all of California ’ s plant and animal communities have evolved with fire .
Still , the flames take their toll .
California ’ s wildfires have burned through a record 4.2 million acres in 2020 , and rescue teams have reported a variety of animals injured , including a burned in the El Dorado fire and a that lost most of its feathers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Complex fire in Butte County , one bear ’ s paw pads were burned so severely they had to be .
Like much of Sonoma County , the parks have been hit hard by wildfires in recent years : About half of Hood Mountain burned in the 2017 Nuns fire , Freeman said , as did 80 % of Sugarloaf .
And although it ’ s not entirely unexpected for wildlife to return after a blaze , park officials said their presence was a welcome sight .
“ We are all undoubtedly feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sonoma County Regional Parks director Bert Whitaker wrote in a .
“ Our natural landscapes will restore themselves in time , ” he said .
“ Seeds will sprout , wildlife will return .
”

A deer grazes inside Hood Mountain Regional Park two months after the Glass fire devastated 80% of the 2,000-acre wilderness.
When the Glass fire seared through portions of Sonoma County’s Hood Mountain Regional Park in September, it left little in its wake: Once-stately pines and oaks stood starkly amid seared chaparral, and the ever-present chatter of chirping birds was replaced by an eerie silence.
The fire burned more than 80% of the 2,000-acre park, according to Sonoma County Regional Parks spokeswoman Meda Freeman, and countless animals either died or fled.
“They don’t always make it out,” Freeman said. “Some go underground, and some can run out ahead of it, but there were sightings of deer that died in the fire.”
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Now, two months after the devastating blaze chewed through the region, life is beginning to reemerge.
“Our staff are happy to report they’ve seen signs of wildlife returning to many areas,” Sonoma County Regional Park said in an update on its Facebook page, along with a video showing a jackrabbit hopping along a fire-ravaged Hood Mountain trail.
The park’s wildlife cameras also recorded deer, bobcats and a skunk returning to the charred trail. (With the volume turned up, birds can be heard chirping too.)
“It’s always good for the public to see those images,” Freeman said, “and get some reassurance that the wildlife are moving about in the park after the fire.”
Similar sightings have occurred in nearby Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, which also burned in the Glass fire. Trail cameras focused on a creek in the park captured birds, deer and mountain lions emerging for a drink of water in the weeks following the blaze.
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Caitlin Cornwall, senior project manager at the Sonoma Ecology Center, said animals were often clever when it came to wildfire defense. Some run far from the flames, while others take shelter in hollow stumps, build dens out of downed trees or burrow underground.
“An amazing thing after a wildfire is to see how many holes in the ground there are,” Cornwall said, adding that rabbits, foxes, raccoons, small rodents, spiders and lizards are known to go underground to avoid flames. “I have this mental picture of all these different creatures crowding into someone’s den.”
Although there are often deaths during a fire, one of the hardest times for wildlife is the period between the flames and the first rain, Cornwall said, when there is very little food on the ground.
But nature is resilient. According to Cornwall, perennial grasses start to regrow within two weeks of a fire, chaparral in four. Often, trees grow new sprouts quickly — not on higher branches but lower down, where animals can reach them.
“A lot of the regrowth is lush and fast and easy to get to if you’re an herbivore,” she said, noting that almost all of California’s plant and animal communities have evolved with fire.
Still, the flames take their toll. California’s wildfires have burned through a record 4.2 million acres in 2020, and rescue teams have reported a variety of animals injured, including a young bobcat burned in the El Dorado fire and a barn owl that lost most of its feathers in the Silverado fire.
In the North Complex fire in Butte County, one bear’s paw pads were burned so severely they had to be sutured with tilapia skin .
Like much of Sonoma County, the parks have been hit hard by wildfires in recent years: About half of Hood Mountain burned in the 2017 Nuns fire, Freeman said, as did 80% of Sugarloaf.
And although it’s not entirely unexpected for wildlife to return after a blaze, park officials said their presence was a welcome sight.
“We are all undoubtedly feeling disaster fatigue in some way,” Sonoma County Regional Parks director Bert Whitaker wrote in a Glass fire update .
“Our natural landscapes will restore themselves in time,” he said. “Seeds will sprout, wildlife will return.”


latimes--2020-11-17--L.A. told to stay at home as much as possible as COVID-19 brings 'new level of danger'

There are growing calls for Los Angeles County residents to stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks as the coronavirus surges and the Thanksgiving holiday season brings new dangers .
Officials have been sounding the alarm in recent days about the rapid spread of the virus in the region and have warned that more restrictions could be coming , including a possible curfew .
Mayor Eric Garcetti went a step further Monday by saying remaining at home when possible is essential in slowing the outbreak .
The call falls far short of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But it illustrates the dire situation L.A. and the rest of California face in the coming weeks if the surging numbers in cases don ’ t start decreasing .
“ This is a different kind of moment , a new level of danger , ” Garcetti said .
“ If we don ’ t make these decisions now , there really is only one outcome : We will almost certainly have to shut things down again .
And more people will get sick and die .
“ We must stay at home as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to three weeks , except for accessing essential services , food and outdoor exercise , ” he added .
California on Monday recorded 13,412 cases , a single-day record , according to the Los Angeles Times ’ coronavirus tracker , an independent county-by-county tally .
Across California , coronavirus cases are surging at an unprecedented pace , even worse than the second surge of the year , in the summer .
Weekly coronavirus infections across California are now nearly 150 % worse than a month ago , according to a Times analysis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 56,000 for the seven-day period that ended Sunday .
Hospitalizations statewide are up 51 % over the same period .
And the rate at which coronavirus tests are coming back positive over the past week is now 5 % , nearly double that of a month ago , when it was 2.6 % .
Deaths are expected to climb .
“ I ’ m here with the strongest message of warning : The risk of this disease has never been higher .
And the accelerating pace of infections has never been swifter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles is in a very dangerous situation .
The alarm bells are ringing.
” Garcetti said he suspected that the biggest reason why L.A. is in such danger is because residents have relaxed their vigilance .
“ It ’ s really the gatherings that are happening on a social basis , casually , ” Garcetti said .
“ We need to stop that gathering for a few weeks to try to get this under control.
” The mayor announced an expansion of government testing programs Monday .
The city will expand its mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles International Airport and establish a “ super walk-up ” site in the northeast San Fernando Valley , where infection rates are high .
Garcetti also said city officials will step up enforcement of COVID-19 pandemic rules for businesses and could revoke permits for facilities such as indoor gyms and bars operating in violation of public health orders .
To be sure , California still remains in a better position relative to other states , ranking 40th out of the 50 states , the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100,000 residents .
California ’ s relatively quick action at issuing the nation ’ s first statewide stay-at-home order on March 19 is credited with saving many lives , averting a widespread overwhelming of hospitals .
“ Back in July , we did not go back to a safer-at-home order .
And we got our house in order , ” said Barbara Ferrer , the L.A. County director of public health .
“ I don ’ t see any scenario in which we would have to go back to safer-at-home unless we feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the healthcare system.
” Nonetheless , the pandemic remains one of the deadliest disasters in California ’ s modern era , with more than 18,300 dead — six times worse that the estimated death toll from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and 10 times worse than the COVID-19 death toll reported in Japan .
California ’ s death toll was dramatically worsened by disastrous reopening efforts in May and June , which officials later acknowledged was done too quickly .
Both Garcetti and Ferrer point out the seriousness of the latest turn of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to stem the tide of the pandemic , especially as Thanksgiving approaches .
“ If you have plans to celebrate Thanksgiving with others who are not in your household , please make sure that you celebrate outdoors with only two other households , ” Ferrer said .
The outdoor celebrations should last no more than two hours ; everyone should be wearing a mask when not eating or drinking ; and people should stay at least six feet from others who don ’ t live in their household .
But it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the members of your household .
People should be traveling only if it ’ s essential or an emergency , Garcetti said .
Garcetti warned that Canada ’ s Thanksgiving , which was held Oct. 12 , resulted in huge spikes in infections in some cities there .
“ Take the precautions to ensure the people we love are still here to gather next Thanksgiving , ” Garcetti said .
Officials are hoping to avoid a stay-at-home order , like the one issued in the spring .
“ We have to get back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferrer said .
“ I ’ d like to say I have a lot of confidence that we actually get back to doing what we did successfully after our last surge.
” But if people decide to flout recommendations and gather for Thanksgiving in big celebrations , the resulting increase in disease could give authorities no choice but to consider more severe restrictions than those in place today in order to avoid overwhelming hospitals .
Such rules could include stricter occupancy limits at stores and restricting hours of operations at businesses .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know what to do .
This is about getting back to doing what works , ” Ferrer said .

Customers wearing masks shop at the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Angelenos are being urged to stay at home as much as possible.
There are growing calls for Los Angeles County residents to stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks as the coronavirus surges and the Thanksgiving holiday season brings new dangers.
Officials have been sounding the alarm in recent days about the rapid spread of the virus in the region and have warned that more restrictions could be coming, including a possible curfew. Mayor Eric Garcetti went a step further Monday by saying remaining at home when possible is essential in slowing the outbreak.
The call falls far short of the strict safer-at-home order issued in March. But it illustrates the dire situation L.A. and the rest of California face in the coming weeks if the surging numbers in cases don’t start decreasing.
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“This is a different kind of moment, a new level of danger,” Garcetti said. “If we don’t make these decisions now, there really is only one outcome: We will almost certainly have to shut things down again. And more people will get sick and die.
“We must stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks, except for accessing essential services, food and outdoor exercise,” he added.
California on Monday recorded 13,412 cases, a single-day record, according to the Los Angeles Times’ coronavirus tracker, an independent county-by-county tally.
Across California, coronavirus cases are surging at an unprecedented pace, even worse than the second surge of the year, in the summer. Weekly coronavirus infections across California are now nearly 150% worse than a month ago, according to a Times analysis, rising from about 22,600 in a week to 56,000 for the seven-day period that ended Sunday.
Hospitalizations statewide are up 51% over the same period. And the rate at which coronavirus tests are coming back positive over the past week is now 5%, nearly double that of a month ago, when it was 2.6%. Deaths are expected to climb.
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“I’m here with the strongest message of warning: The risk of this disease has never been higher. And the accelerating pace of infections has never been swifter,” Garcetti said. “Los Angeles is in a very dangerous situation. The alarm bells are ringing.”
Garcetti said he suspected that the biggest reason why L.A. is in such danger is because residents have relaxed their vigilance.
“It’s really the gatherings that are happening on a social basis, casually,” Garcetti said. “We need to stop that gathering for a few weeks to try to get this under control.”
The mayor announced an expansion of government testing programs Monday. The city will expand its mobile testing programs, launch testing at Los Angeles International Airport and establish a “super walk-up” site in the northeast San Fernando Valley, where infection rates are high.
Garcetti also said city officials will step up enforcement of COVID-19 pandemic rules for businesses and could revoke permits for facilities such as indoor gyms and bars operating in violation of public health orders.
To be sure, California still remains in a better position relative to other states, ranking 40th out of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in terms of the cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents. California’s relatively quick action at issuing the nation’s first statewide stay-at-home order on March 19 is credited with saving many lives, averting a widespread overwhelming of hospitals.
“Back in July, we did not go back to a safer-at-home order. And we got our house in order,” said Barbara Ferrer, the L.A. County director of public health. “I don’t see any scenario in which we would have to go back to safer-at-home unless we feel like we have a real threat to the healthcare system.”
Nonetheless, the pandemic remains one of the deadliest disasters in California’s modern era, with more than 18,300 dead — six times worse that the estimated death toll from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and 10 times worse than the COVID-19 death toll reported in Japan.
California’s death toll was dramatically worsened by disastrous reopening efforts in May and June, which officials later acknowledged was done too quickly.
Both Garcetti and Ferrer point out the seriousness of the latest turn of the pandemic in announcing new efforts to try to stem the tide of the pandemic, especially as Thanksgiving approaches.
“If you have plans to celebrate Thanksgiving with others who are not in your household, please make sure that you celebrate outdoors with only two other households,” Ferrer said.
The outdoor celebrations should last no more than two hours; everyone should be wearing a mask when not eating or drinking; and people should stay at least six feet from others who don’t live in their household.
But it’s much safer to celebrate with only the members of your household. People should be traveling only if it’s essential or an emergency, Garcetti said.
Garcetti warned that Canada’s Thanksgiving, which was held Oct. 12, resulted in huge spikes in infections in some cities there.
“Take the precautions to ensure the people we love are still here to gather next Thanksgiving,” Garcetti said.
Officials are hoping to avoid a stay-at-home order, like the one issued in the spring.
“We have to get back to playing by the rules,” Ferrer said. “I’d like to say I have a lot of confidence that we actually get back to doing what we did successfully after our last surge.”
But if people decide to flout recommendations and gather for Thanksgiving in big celebrations, the resulting increase in disease could give authorities no choice but to consider more severe restrictions than those in place today in order to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
Such rules could include stricter occupancy limits at stores and restricting hours of operations at businesses.
“This isn’t like we don’t know what to do. This is about getting back to doing what works,” Ferrer said.


latimes--2020-11-16--Amid COVID-19 travel warnings, California lawmakers fly to Hawaii

Legislators from California and other states are gathering for an annual conference in Maui this week despite a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Golden State that resulted in travel warnings by health officials .
More than half a dozen California lawmakers are among the 50 people attending a policy conference sponsored by the Independent Voter Project , a nonprofit group , at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea , with some legislators ’ travel expenses picked up by the hosts .
The four-day conference , at which panel participants discuss various issues including how to reopen states safely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual gathering , which has seen up to 25 California lawmakers in attendance in past years , has faced criticism because it is partly financed and attended by special interests , including businesses and labor groups , that lobby legislators .
This year , lawmakers are drawing criticism for their decision to attend the event during the COVID-19 pandemic and as coronavirus cases surge nationwide .
The conference began on the same day that California public officials moved many counties back to the purple reopening tier , reimplementing the state ’ s toughest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stem the transmission of the virus .
“ We are seeing community spread broadly now throughout the state of California , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday .
On Friday , Newsom urged Californians not to travel out of state and to quarantine if they did so .
Dan Howle , the chairman and executive director of the Independent Voter Project , said Tuesday that Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio ( D-Baldwin Park ) was the only California legislator in attendance to give him permission to confirm her presence at the conference .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conference in the past , did not return calls for comment Tuesday .
Former Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley , who changed his party affiliation last year and now is listed as an independent , also is attending the Maui conference , a spokesman confirmed late Tuesday while declining further comment .
In addition , Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo ( D-Los Angeles ) sent a tweet on Sunday that was tagged as coming from Kihei , Hawaii , although her office did not respond to a request to confirm she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first reported by Politico .
And Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham ( R-Templeton ) reported in a recent campaign finance report that he bought tickets for a flight to Hawaii on Monday to attend a conference , but his representatives have not returned calls to comment on the trip .
“ IVP decided to move forward based on the Hawaii Safe Travel program and agreement from the hotel to provide adequate social distancing spacing for seating at all meetings , ” Howle said in an email .
“ Based on that [ program ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety we decided we could have a safe and secure event.
” Under Hawaii ’ s Safe Travels program , established Oct. 15 , those attending the conference must provide Hawaii government health officials and the hotel proof of a negative coronavirus test taken less than 72 hours from arrival in Hawaii , Howle said .
He said masks and social distancing were required at all meetings and events , and the conference received the approval from Maui County required for meetings larger than 12 people .
The identity of the attendees at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject , with lawmakers often refusing to confirm their attendance until they must report the travel expenses months later .
The lawmakers ’ decision to fly out of state for the conference drew criticism from Jon Coupal , president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn .
“ This is ‘ do as I say , not as I do , ’ ” Coupal said .
“ This is one of the reasons there is a complete disconnect between ordinary citizens in California and the political leadership.
” Representatives for some legislators confirmed Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not attending , but others did not respond to a request for comment from The Times .
The annual conference has in the past included panel discussions on issues including prisons , biofuel , pollution and transportation , and this year attendees are brainstorming about ways to safely reopen state economies amid the pandemic .
Last year , lawmakers reported receiving about $ 3,500 each from the event organizers for expenses to attend .
State ethics laws allow legislators to have travel expenses provided by groups if they are speakers at events away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 has been an issue for the California Legislature , where outbreaks among members forced cancellation of a portion of this year ’ s session , and led to measures including casting votes remotely from district offices .
At least three California state lawmakers have tested positive in recent months , while others have had to go into quarantine after coming into contact with people who have the virus .
Newsom is also facing criticism for recently attending a birthday party at a Napa Valley restaurant with people from other households .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior contradicted the spirit of the state safety guidelines .
He said he was weighing whether to issue some kind of statewide curfew as public health experts urged a reduction in travel .

Some state lawmakers are attending a conference in Maui despite California issuing travel warnings because of a spike in COVID-19 cases. Above, the state Assembly last year.
Legislators from California and other states are gathering for an annual conference in Maui this week despite a spike in COVID-19 cases in the Golden State that resulted in travel warnings by health officials.
More than half a dozen California lawmakers are among the 50 people attending a policy conference sponsored by the Independent Voter Project, a nonprofit group, at the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel in Wailea, with some legislators’ travel expenses picked up by the hosts. The four-day conference, at which panel participants discuss various issues including how to reopen states safely amid COVID-19, began Monday.
The annual gathering, which has seen up to 25 California lawmakers in attendance in past years, has faced criticism because it is partly financed and attended by special interests, including businesses and labor groups, that lobby legislators.
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This year, lawmakers are drawing criticism for their decision to attend the event during the COVID-19 pandemic and as coronavirus cases surge nationwide.
The conference began on the same day that California public officials moved many counties back to the purple reopening tier, reimplementing the state’s toughest restrictions for public gatherings and business operations to stem the transmission of the virus.
“We are seeing community spread broadly now throughout the state of California,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.
On Friday, Newsom urged Californians not to travel out of state and to quarantine if they did so.
Dan Howle, the chairman and executive director of the Independent Voter Project, said Tuesday that Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) was the only California legislator in attendance to give him permission to confirm her presence at the conference. Representatives for Rubio, who has attended the conference in the past, did not return calls for comment Tuesday.
Former Assembly Republican Leader Chad Mayes of Yucca Valley, who changed his party affiliation last year and now is listed as an independent, also is attending the Maui conference, a spokesman confirmed late Tuesday while declining further comment.
In addition, Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) sent a tweet on Sunday that was tagged as coming from Kihei, Hawaii, although her office did not respond to a request to confirm she is attending the conference. The tweet was first reported by Politico.
And Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (R-Templeton) reported in a recent campaign finance report that he bought tickets for a flight to Hawaii on Monday to attend a conference, but his representatives have not returned calls to comment on the trip.
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“IVP decided to move forward based on the Hawaii Safe Travel program and agreement from the hotel to provide adequate social distancing spacing for seating at all meetings,” Howle said in an email. “Based on that [program] and conversations with the hotel regarding guest safety we decided we could have a safe and secure event.”
Under Hawaii’s Safe Travels program, established Oct. 15, those attending the conference must provide Hawaii government health officials and the hotel proof of a negative coronavirus test taken less than 72 hours from arrival in Hawaii, Howle said.
He said masks and social distancing were required at all meetings and events, and the conference received the approval from Maui County required for meetings larger than 12 people.
The identity of the attendees at the annual conference is always a touchy subject, with lawmakers often refusing to confirm their attendance until they must report the travel expenses months later.
The lawmakers’ decision to fly out of state for the conference drew criticism from Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.
“This is ‘do as I say, not as I do,’” Coupal said. “This is one of the reasons there is a complete disconnect between ordinary citizens in California and the political leadership.”
Representatives for some legislators confirmed Monday that the lawmakers they worked for were not attending, but others did not respond to a request for comment from The Times. On Monday, a Times reporter called a cellphone number believed to belong to one Democrat who has attended the event in the past. As the reporter tried to identify himself, the person who answered quickly hung up.
The annual conference has in the past included panel discussions on issues including prisons, biofuel, pollution and transportation, and this year attendees are brainstorming about ways to safely reopen state economies amid the pandemic.
Last year, lawmakers reported receiving about $3,500 each from the event organizers for expenses to attend.
State ethics laws allow legislators to have travel expenses provided by groups if they are speakers at events away from the state.
The ongoing threat of COVID-19 has been an issue for the California Legislature, where outbreaks among members forced cancellation of a portion of this year’s session, and led to measures including casting votes remotely from district offices.
At least three California state lawmakers have tested positive in recent months, while others have had to go into quarantine after coming into contact with people who have the virus.
Newsom is also facing criticism for recently attending a birthday party at a Napa Valley restaurant with people from other households. The governor apologized Monday, saying his behavior contradicted the spirit of the state safety guidelines.
He said he was weighing whether to issue some kind of statewide curfew as public health experts urged a reduction in travel.


latimes--2020-11-18--Newsom, legislators face angry backlash over French Laundry party, Hawaii trip during COVID-19 surge

No politician escapes the heightened scrutiny that comes with running for office .
And most , if not all , have been criticized for not doing enough to align their actions with their words .
But few see their missteps lead so quickly to white-hot anger as did Gov .
Gavin Newsom , after admitting that he joined several other couples at a birthday dinner less than two weeks ago , or members of the California Legislature currently enjoying a trip to Hawaii while schmoozing with interest groups that may have underwritten the cost of the event .
In both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elected officials involved gave the impression that their privilege led them to believe they are immune to the pandemic , ignoring the safety precautions they have asked Californians to take .
COVID-19 “ magnifies the bad optics of this , ” said Kevin Eckery , a public affairs strategist who served as press secretary to then-Gov .
Pete Wilson .
“ It ’ s worse when people are sacrificing a lot.
” The timing of both gatherings — Newsom attended the party at an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant on Nov. 6 , legislators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have been worse in terms of political symbolism .
Over the last seven days , California has seen a 102 % increase in COVID-19 cases from two weeks earlier , according to The Times ’ tracker of public health data , with a single-day record Monday of 13,412 new cases .
“ It ’ s so important to lead by example right now , ” said Cassandra Pye , who served as deputy chief of staff to then-Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger .
Newsom ’ s attendance at the outdoor dinner with as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as he and others have noted , violate any state or local public health rules at the time .
Napa County has since been placed in the state ’ s most restrictive “ purple ” tier of coronavirus reopening controls .
News of the gathering broke on the same day — coincidentally and , for the governor , unfortunately — that Newsom ’ s health and human services secretary , Dr. Mark Ghaly , outlined new state guidelines on private gatherings .
Those guidelines run counter to the event at the French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the birthday of his longtime advisor , lobbyist Jason Kinney .
“ We have the guidance and the tips for a reason : We believe they are the strategies to keep ourselves in our communities safe , ” Ghaly said last Friday .
“ And we hope and expect people to take them seriously.
” Within a day of its revelation by the San Francisco Chronicle , the private dinner became a national headline .
Data compiled by Google Trends showed there was strong interest by online audiences far away from California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tale of the governor indulging at one of the nation ’ s most exclusive and expensive restaurants ( average meal $ 325 ) — while millions of Californians are scuffling amid the pandemic ’ s economic fallout — truly represents a real bad look , ” wrote Jerry Roberts , the Chronicle ’ s former managing editor and longtime Newsom observer , in an article for his political news website .
On Monday , Newsom offered a mea culpa at the end of his prepared remarks during a COVID-19 briefing in which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” with other families .
Along with his apology , the governor called his decision to celebrate with Kinney a “ bad mistake.
” “ Instead of sitting down , I should have stood up and walked back , gotten in my car and drove back to my house , ” he said .
“ Instead , I chose to sit there with my wife and a number of other couples that were outside [ of my ] household.
” Predictably , it did little to quell the anger of his fiercest critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who showed up at the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting to protest COVID-19 restrictions lashed out at what they called the hypocrisy of “ King Gavin.
” One resident , who identified himself only as Brian , ridiculed the Newsom administration for its tiered COVID-19 reopening system , which he said Newsom “ expects everybody to follow except for himself.
” Another resident , who identified herself as Mary L. , sarcastically said she was glad the governor “ was able to party ” before ordering Orange County to return to the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , Eckery said , the public is likely to accept Newsom ’ s apology and move on .
“ We like it when people in authority admit they made mistakes , ” he said .
No such contrition has come from the group of legislators who are 2,400 miles away from Sacramento this week , having decamped to a Maui resort to attend an annual conference with a history of raising eyebrows for the message it sends about money and influence .
A complete tally of California lawmakers who are attending remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four members of the state Assembly had either confirmed their attendance or been identified through other means : Democrats Blanca Rubio of Baldwin Park and Wendy Carrillo of Los Angeles ; Paso Robles Republican Jordan Cunningham ; and Chad Mayes of Rancho Mirage , who won reelection this month as unaffiliated with any political party .
Other lawmakers attending the Maui event remain unwilling to come forward .
On Monday , a Times reporter called a cell phone number believed to belong to one Democrat who has attended the event in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself , the person who answered quickly hung up .
The conference ’ s organizer , the San Diego-based Independent Voter Project , boasts on its website that the event brings elected officials and business leaders together to “ give them an opportunity to discuss issues directly , and come up with practical and positive resolutions.
” And why Maui ?
It ’ s “ a desirable location for legislators and policymakers to bring their families , ” according to the IVP website .
No lawmakers , though , have said whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope all of us would take every opportunity to set a good example , ” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins ( D-San Diego ) said in a written statement .
“ In cases where there are essential exceptions , I would expect senators to follow the guidelines as closely as possible.
” Hawaii government officials require anyone visiting the state to take a COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before travel , so presumably all of California ’ s lawmakers and their families did so .
Maui urges guests to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s unlikely any of the legislators will face reproach from those who elected them .
Still , he noted , the idea of a swanky getaway , far from the prying eyes of their constituents , “ plays into an institutional cynicism ” about the Legislature .
And the conference — much like the governor privately celebrating an influential power broker ’ s birthday — might suggest to some that there ’ s an off-ramp for some when it comes to sacrifice during the pandemic , even as health professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Leadership , ” Pye said , “ calls for all of us to be selfless.
” Times staff writers Patrick McGreevy and Taryn Luna contributed to this story .

No politician escapes the heightened scrutiny that comes with running for office. And most, if not all, have been criticized for not doing enough to align their actions with their words.
But few see their missteps lead so quickly to white-hot anger as did Gov. Gavin Newsom after admitting that he joined several other couples at a birthday dinner less than two weeks ago, or members of the California Legislature currently enjoying a trip to Hawaii while schmoozing with interest groups that may have underwritten the cost of the event.
For Newsom, the problems seemed to grow on Tuesday after photos of the dinner surfaced that appeared to contradict the governor’s insistence that it was an “outdoor” event.
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In both cases, the personal decisions of the elected officials involved gave the impression that their privilege led them to believe they were immune to the pandemic, ignoring the safety precautions they have asked Californians to take.
COVID-19 “magnifies the bad optics of this,” said Kevin Eckery, a public affairs strategist who served as press secretary to then-Gov. Pete Wilson. “It’s worse when people are sacrificing a lot.”
The timing of both gatherings — Newsom attended the party at an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant on Nov. 6, legislators are in Maui this week — could not have been worse in terms of political symbolism. Over the last seven days, California has seen a 102% increase in coronavirus cases from two weeks earlier, according to The Times’ tracker of public health data, with a single-day record Monday of 13,412 new cases.
“It’s so important to lead by example right now,” said Cassandra Pye, who served as deputy chief of staff to then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Newsom’s attendance at the dinner with as many as a dozen people may not have violated any state or local public health rules at the time. Napa County has since been placed in the state’s most restrictive, or “purple,” tier of coronavirus reopening controls.
But the photos obtained by Fox 11 Los Angeles from a restaurant customer shattered the image some might have had of a setting akin to an outdoor garden party. Instead, the governor and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom are seen inside a private dining room that appears to open up to an outdoor area, sitting almost shoulder to shoulder with other guests around a single table. No one can be seen wearing a mask.
News of the gathering first broke on Friday, the same day — coincidentally and, for the governor, unfortunately — that Newsom’s Health and Human Services secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly, outlined new state guidelines on private gatherings. Those guidelines run counter to the event at the French Laundry in Yountville, where Newsom celebrated the birthday of his longtime advisor, lobbyist Jason Kinney.
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“We have the guidance and the tips for a reason: We believe they are the strategies to keep ourselves in our communities safe,” Ghaly said last Friday. “And we hope and expect people to take them seriously.”
Within a day of its revelation by the San Francisco Chronicle, the private dinner became a national headline. Data compiled by Google Trends showed there was strong interest by online audiences far away from California, growing stronger by Monday.
“The tale of the governor indulging at one of the nation’s most exclusive and expensive restaurants (average meal $325) — while millions of Californians are scuffling amid the pandemic’s economic fallout — truly represents a real bad look,” wrote Jerry Roberts, the Chronicle’s former managing editor and longtime Newsom observer, in an article for his political news website.
Newsom — who said he and his wife paid for their meals — offered a mea culpa Monday at the end of his prepared remarks during a coronavirus briefing in which he again asked Californians to “minimize mixing” with other families. Along with his apology, the governor called his decision to celebrate with Kinney a “bad mistake.”
“Instead of sitting down, I should have stood up and walked back, gotten in my car and drove back to my house,” he said. “Instead, I chose to sit there with my wife and a number of other couples that were outside [of my] household.”
Predictably, it did little to quell the anger of his fiercest critics.
On Tuesday, Orange County residents who showed up at the weekly Board of Supervisors meeting to protest COVID-19 restrictions lashed out at what they called the hypocrisy of “King Gavin.” One resident, who identified himself only as Brian, ridiculed the Newsom administration for its tiered COVID-19 reopening system, which he said Newsom “expects everybody to follow except for himself.”
Another resident, who identified herself as Mary L., sarcastically said she was glad the governor “was able to party” before ordering Orange County to return to the most restrictive coronavirus tier.
But across the state, Eckery said, the public is likely to accept Newsom’s apology and move on.
“We like it when people in authority admit they made mistakes,” he said.
No such contrition has come from the group of legislators who are 2,400 miles away from Sacramento this week, having decamped to a Maui resort to attend an annual conference with a history of raising eyebrows for the message it sends about money and influence.
A complete tally of California lawmakers who are attending remains unclear. By late Tuesday, only four members of the state Assembly had either confirmed their attendance or been identified through other means: Democrats Blanca Rubio of Baldwin Park and Wendy Carrillo of Los Angeles; Paso Robles Republican Jordan Cunningham; and Chad Mayes of Rancho Mirage, who won reelection this month as unaffiliated with any political party.
Other lawmakers attending the Maui event remain unwilling to come forward. On Monday, a Times reporter called a cellphone number believed to belong to one Democrat who had attended the event in the past. As the reporter tried to identify himself, the person who answered quickly hung up.
The conference’s organizer, the San Diego-based Independent Voter Project, boasts on its website that the event brings elected officials and business leaders together to “give them an opportunity to discuss issues directly, and come up with practical and positive resolutions.”
And why Maui? It’s “a desirable location for legislators and policymakers to bring their families,” according to the IVP website.
No lawmakers, though, have said whether the Hawaii trip is necessary.
“I hope all of us would take every opportunity to set a good example,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) said in a written statement. “In cases where there are essential exceptions, I would expect senators to follow the guidelines as closely as possible.”
Hawaii government officials require anyone visiting the state to take a coronavirus test no more than 72 hours before travel, so presumably all of California’s lawmakers and their families did so. Maui urges guests to be tested upon arrival too.
Eckery said that it was unlikely any of the legislators would face reproach from those who elected them. Still, he noted, the idea of a swanky getaway, far from the prying eyes of their constituents, “plays into an institutional cynicism” about the Legislature.
And the conference — much like the governor privately celebrating an influential power broker’s birthday — may suggest to some that there’s an offramp for some when it comes to sacrifice during the pandemic, even as health professionals warn tougher times are on the horizon.
“Leadership,” Pye said, “calls for all of us to be selfless.”
Times staff writers Patrick McGreevy and Taryn Luna contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-11-18--New stay-at-home order for L.A. County coming within weeks if COVID-19 continues to surge

In an ominous sign of how rapidly COVID-19 is spreading across Los Angeles County , officials on Tuesday warned that a new stay-at-home order would be imposed if coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to spike over the next few weeks .
County leaders said they are desperately trying to avoid another shutdown , announcing that , starting Friday , they will begin ordering restaurants and nonessential stores to close at 10 p.m. and place a cap on the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings — a maximum of 15 people from no more than three households — in hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angeles County has been particularly hard hit by the latest wave of the coronavirus .
The average number of daily cases has tripled in the last month , from more than 900 cases a day to more than 2,800 for the five-day period that ended Tuesday , according to a Times analysis .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has also surged in L.A. County by nearly 60 % in the past month , from 752 infected people in hospitals on Oct. 16 to 1,188 on Monday .
And the rate at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive is substantially up , now at 5.3 % over the past week , up from 3.8 % the previous week .
Officials have warned that if they can not slow the spike in the next few weeks , more onerous measures will be necessary , the type seen during the sweeping lockdown that occurred when the pandemic first hit in March .
“ This is a different kind of moment , a new level of danger , ” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said .
“ If we don ’ t make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one outcome : We will almost certainly have to shut things down again .
And more people will get sick and die.
“ Los Angeles County has been one of the hardest hit counties in this pandemic , recording a cumulative 7,300 COVID-19 deaths , 40 % of the state ’ s fatalities , despite making up just one-quarter of California ’ s population .
And while L.A. County saw an improvement in daily cases , hospitalizations and deaths in the late summer and early fall , it has struggled to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California counties had made until the recent surge .
Since late August , L.A. County has remained in the worst ranking of the state ’ s four-color tiered ranking system , with disease transmission considered widespread .
With nowhere stricter to go under the state ’ s framework , L.A. County officials this week decided they need to make their own plans for quashing the alarming accelerating spread of the highly contagious virus .
On Tuesday , the L.A. County Department of Public Health established a new threshold that could stop outdoor dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only delivery and takeout service for the first time since May .
( Indoor restaurant dining has not been permitted since late June . )
To get there , new daily coronavirus cases would have to increase by 41 % from today , or reach 4,000 average cases daily over a five-day period , a number not seen in L.A. County so far in this pandemic .
( At its worst , in mid-July , L.A. County saw 3,464 cases a day over a five-day average . )
L.A. County could also reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1,750 .
Authorities also established the threshold for when a new stay-at-home order would go into effect , which would only allow essential workers and people securing essential services to leave their homes , and implement a 10 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew that only exempts essential workers .
That order would be implemented when the five-day average of new daily coronavirus cases increases by 58 % of what it was on Tuesday , reaching 4,500 cases a day .
That threshold could also be met if daily hospitalizations hit 2,000 .
“ Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said public health director Barbara Ferrer .
The disease is spiking across the county , , but it ’ s young adults that are spreading the virus most widely , and the oldest that are dying in the greatest numbers .
The daily coronavirus case rate of L.A. County residents ages 18 to 29 has more than doubled in the last month , from 11.5 cases per 100,000 residents to 25 cases per 100,000 .
The second-highest group are adults ages 30 to 45 , which has seen its rate nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents to 18 cases per 100,000 people .
And it ’ s the oldest residents — those aged 80 and older — who are seeing the most significant increase in serious illness , Ferrer said .
“ It serves as a stark reminder that young people are spreading the virus with disastrous results for our elderly , ” Ferrer said .
Communities of color also remain hard hit .
Rates of hospitalization among Pacific Islanders , Latino and Black residents are many times worse than for white residents in Los Angeles County .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeing extraordinarily high case rates compared to other areas , particularly in the San Fernando Valley , East Los Angeles , the Antelope Valley , the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys , Santa Clarita and southeast Los Angeles County .
More than 90 % of those who die from the disease have underlying health conditions .
Among 198 people hospitalized between April and October , 54 % had high blood pressure ; 47 % had diabetes ; 35 % were obese ; 34 % had high cholesterol ; 15 % had kidney disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease .
Many people have multiple underlying health conditions .
Some of these underlying health conditions are quite common in L.A. County , health officials said .
Of the area ’ s 10.1 million residents , about 2 million have high blood pressure ; more than 2 million have high cholesterol ; and more than 2 million are obese , Ferrer said .
Officials said groups of young adults going to get tested on a Thursday in hopes of getting negative results by Saturday morning and then having a dinner party Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false sense of security — and engaging in this practice can still result in the gathering becoming a super-spreading event that can transmit the virus widely .
Starting Friday , restaurants , breweries , wineries and nonessential retail establishments will be ordered shut between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m .
Businesses currently allowed to operate indoors — including retail , offices and personal-care establishments — will be limited to 25 % capacity , L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said .
Restaurants , breweries and wineries operating outdoors will be limited to 50 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of customers at outdoor cardrooms , mini-golf , go-karts and batting cages will be capped at 50 % of outdoor capacity , according to the county .
Personal-care establishments will also be required to provide services by appointment only , and everyone will be required to wear a mask , meaning “ no more facials , ” she said .
At the state level , California is also cracking down .
The state recorded 13,412 new cases Monday — a single-day record , according to .
The state issued a new mandate this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whenever they ’ re outside their homes , with few exceptions .
The announced Monday means Californians must mask up unless they are alone in a car or only with those in their household ; working alone in an office or room ; outdoors and staying at least six feet away from others not in their household ; are obtaining a service involving their nose or face ; or are actively eating or drinking , so long as they maintain physical distance .
Officials this week announced a dramatic rollback of reopening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of the changes , 94 % of Californians now live in counties that are in the strictest tier of the , and many businesses in those counties will have to suspend or severely limit their indoor operation .
California still remains in a better position relative to other states , ranking 40th out of the 50 states , the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in terms of the cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents .

Rong-Gong Lin II, Luke Money, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

In an ominous sign of how rapidly COVID-19 is spreading across Los Angeles County, officials on Tuesday warned that a new stay-at-home order would be imposed if coronavirus cases and hospitalizations continue to spike over the next few weeks.
County leaders said they are desperately trying to avoid another shutdown, announcing that, starting Friday, they will begin ordering restaurants and nonessential stores to close at 10 p.m. and place a cap on the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings — a maximum of 15 people from no more than three households — in hopes of slowing the infection rate.
Los Angeles County has been particularly hard hit by the latest wave of the coronavirus. The average number of daily cases has tripled in the last month, from more than 900 cases a day to more than 2,800 for the five-day period that ended Tuesday, according to a Times analysis.
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The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has also surged in L.A. County by nearly 60% in the past month, from 752 infected people in hospitals on Oct. 16 to 1,188 on Monday. And the rate at which coronavirus tests results are coming back positive is substantially up, now at 5.3% over the past week, up from 3.8% the previous week.
Officials have warned that if they cannot slow the spike in the next few weeks, more onerous measures will be necessary, the type seen during the sweeping lockdown that occurred when the pandemic first hit in March.
“This is a different kind of moment, a new level of danger,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. “If we don’t make these decisions now, there really is only one outcome: We will almost certainly have to shut things down again. And more people will get sick and die.“
Los Angeles County has been one of the hardest hit counties in this pandemic, recording a cumulative 7,300 COVID-19 deaths, 40% of the state’s fatalities, despite making up just one-quarter of California’s population.
Tracking the coronavirus in L.A. County The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, including cases, deaths, closures and restrictions.
And while L.A. County saw an improvement in daily cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the late summer and early fall, it has struggled to make the more obvious improvements that other Southern California counties had made until the recent surge.
Since late August, L.A. County has remained in the worst ranking of the state’s four-color tiered ranking system, with disease transmission considered widespread.
With nowhere stricter to go under the state’s framework, L.A. County officials this week decided they need to make their own plans for quashing the alarming accelerating spread of the highly contagious virus.
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Daily coronavirus cases in L.A. County are rising. (Los Angeles Times)
On Tuesday, the L.A. County Department of Public Health established a new threshold that could stop outdoor dining at restaurants, returning eateries to offering only delivery and takeout service for the first time since May. (Indoor restaurant dining has not been permitted since late June.)
To get there, new daily coronavirus cases would have to increase by 41% from today, or reach 4,000 average cases daily over a five-day period, a number not seen in L.A. County so far in this pandemic. (At its worst, in mid-July, L.A. County saw 3,464 cases a day over a five-day average.)
L.A. County could also reach this threshold if daily hospitalizations reach more than 1,750.
Authorities also established the threshold for when a new stay-at-home order would go into effect, which would only allow essential workers and people securing essential services to leave their homes, and implement a 10 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew that only exempts essential workers.
That order would be implemented when the five-day average of new daily coronavirus cases increases by 58% of what it was on Tuesday, reaching 4,500 cases a day. That threshold could also be met if daily hospitalizations hit 2,000.
“Los Angeles County is at a critical moment,” said public health director Barbara Ferrer.
The number of people hospitalized in L.A. County with coronavirus infections is rising. (Los Angeles Times)
The disease is spiking across the county, affecting all age groups , but it’s young adults that are spreading the virus most widely, and the oldest that are dying in the greatest numbers.
The daily coronavirus case rate of L.A. County residents ages 18 to 29 has more than doubled in the last month, from 11.5 cases per 100,000 residents to 25 cases per 100,000. The second-highest group are adults ages 30 to 45, which has seen its rate nearly double, from 9.4 cases per 100,000 residents to 18 cases per 100,000 people.
And it’s the oldest residents — those aged 80 and older — who are seeing the most significant increase in serious illness, Ferrer said.
“It serves as a stark reminder that young people are spreading the virus with disastrous results for our elderly,” Ferrer said.
Communities of color also remain hard hit. Rates of hospitalization among Pacific Islanders, Latino and Black residents are many times worse than for white residents in Los Angeles County.
Certain neighborhoods in L.A. County are also seeing extraordinarily high case rates compared to other areas, particularly in the San Fernando Valley, East Los Angeles, the Antelope Valley, the San Gabriel and Pomona valleys, Santa Clarita and southeast Los Angeles County.
More than 90% of those who die from the disease have underlying health conditions. Among 198 people hospitalized between April and October, 54% had high blood pressure; 47% had diabetes; 35% were obese; 34% had high cholesterol; 15% had kidney disease; and 14% had chronic lung disease. Many people have multiple underlying health conditions.
Some of these underlying health conditions are quite common in L.A. County, health officials said. Of the area’s 10.1 million residents, about 2 million have high blood pressure; more than 2 million have high cholesterol; and more than 2 million are obese, Ferrer said.
Officials said groups of young adults going to get tested on a Thursday in hopes of getting negative results by Saturday morning and then having a dinner party Saturday night are irresponsible.
Such tests provide a false sense of security — and engaging in this practice can still result in the gathering becoming a super-spreading event that can transmit the virus widely.
Starting Friday, restaurants, breweries, wineries and nonessential retail establishments will be ordered shut between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Businesses currently allowed to operate indoors — including retail, offices and personal-care establishments — will be limited to 25% capacity, L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl said.
Restaurants, breweries and wineries operating outdoors will be limited to 50% capacity, Kuehl said. The number of customers at outdoor cardrooms, mini-golf, go-karts and batting cages will be capped at 50% of outdoor capacity, according to the county.
Personal-care establishments will also be required to provide services by appointment only, and everyone will be required to wear a mask, meaning “no more facials,” she said.
At the state level, California is also cracking down. The state recorded 13,412 new cases Monday — a single-day record, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker .
The state issued a new mandate this week requiring residents to wear face coverings whenever they’re outside their homes, with few exceptions.
The expanded order announced Monday means Californians must mask up unless they are alone in a car or only with those in their household; working alone in an office or room; outdoors and staying at least six feet away from others not in their household; are obtaining a service involving their nose or face; or are actively eating or drinking, so long as they maintain physical distance.
Officials this week announced a dramatic rollback of reopening in much of the state. As a result of the changes, 94% of Californians now live in counties that are in the strictest tier of the state’s reopening roadmap , and many businesses in those counties will have to suspend or severely limit their indoor operation.