latimes--2020-03-18--3 confirmed coronavirus cases at Redondo Beach assisted living facility

One resident and two staff members at a South Bay assisted living facility , Kensington Redondo Beach , have tested positive for the novel coronavirus , administrators said Wednesday .
The assisted living facility said two other residents and five staff members were awaiting results of tests for COVID-19 , which were being performed “ in-house ” with the help of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
Of the affected residents , two have been hospitalized , a spokeswoman for Kensington Redondo Beach confirmed .
The cluster of cases in the high-end assisted living home comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is considered particularly threatening to those 60 and over , and it can spread quickly in close living quarters , rendering elder care communities especially vulnerable .
Senior facilities across the U.S. have restricted visitors and imposed other precautions .
At the Kensington Redondo Beach , the current cases appear to have originated with a staff member who reported “ flu-like symptoms ” on March 6 and was sent home .
The employee has since been hospitalized and placed on paid leave , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility .
The staff member ’ s supervisor was also put on a self-quarantine on March 6 , and that supervisor was awaiting test results , according to the statement .
Administrators at the assisted living facility said all staff were being tested for fevers upon arrival each day .
Robert May , the executive director of Kensington Redondo Beach , said in the statement that the facility had received protective masks , gowns and gloves for residents and staff to use .
May thanked family members of residents .
“ They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep them up-to-date through our communications .
They are keeping their connections with their loved ones through video chats and Facetime , ” said Robert May , Executive Director .
The Kensington Redondo Beach opened in 2019 at Knob Hill Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway , part of a small chain of senior living communities in Sierra Madre , Redwood City as well as Maryland , New York and Virginia .
The Redondo Beach site provides assisted living for seniors and memory care to those with Alzheimer ’ s disease and other forms @ @ @

The Kensington Redondo Beach, an assisted living community where at least three people have tested positive for coronavirus.
One resident and two staff members at a South Bay assisted living facility, Kensington Redondo Beach, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, administrators said Wednesday.
The assisted living facility said two other residents and five staff members were awaiting results of tests for COVID-19, which were being performed “in-house” with the help of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Of the affected residents, two have been hospitalized, a spokeswoman for Kensington Redondo Beach confirmed.
The cluster of cases in the high-end assisted living home comes as elder care facilities grapple with the widening pandemic. The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is considered particularly threatening to those 60 and over, and it can spread quickly in close living quarters, rendering elder care communities especially vulnerable. Senior facilities across the U.S. have restricted visitors and imposed other precautions.
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1 / 44 The City of Santa Monica closed the Santa Monica Pier in an attempt to prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus. Very few people were on the beach in Santa Monica as the epidemic continues. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 44 Volunteer Nagma Shakur, 16, left, hugs her “Grannie” as she helps senior shoppers with their carts at the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Altadena. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 44 People walk up the ramp, exiting the secure area at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 44 David Barker, 56, is visiting with his friend living in a tent on skidrow in Los Angeles. Barker, who is not homeless, works in the area. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 44 Dr. Dallas Weaver, 79, and his wife, Janet Weaver, 75, of Huntington Beach, walk on the Huntington pier. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 44 Seniors, including Eileen Oda Leaf, 67, left, and her husband Dave Leaf, 67, right, both wearing protective masks, line up outside Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach early on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 44 Roberta Tabor, 66, of Hermosa Beach, has her ID checked by store director Dennis Sullivan at Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour” where seniors 65+ can go grocery shopping before anybody else. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 44 Seniors shop at Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour” where seniors can go grocery shopping before the store opens to the general public. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 44 Dr. Mark V. Morocco oversees testing at UCLA Medical Center where people can drive up and get tested if they have the symptoms. Morocco listens to a female patient’s lungs through the car window. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 44 HOPICS outreach worker Ralph Gomez tosses a clipboard for a signature to homeless client Davis Soto, right, taking care to stay at least six feet away during outreach in Los Angeles. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 44 Medical personnel screen patients outside the emergency room at Loma Linda University Health during the coronavirus pandemic. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 44 A nurse takes the vital signs of a woman in a medical tent outside the hospital on Catalina. (Francine Orr/Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 44 An employee of the Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia tells customers waiting in line that it would open doors to everyone at 9 a.m., not just seniors, who arrived believing doors would open earlier to older residents, as some of the people were told by employees and it was reported. Some grocery outlets were offering special morning hours of shopping to accommodate older residents. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 44 Kevin Ezeh, protected with face mask and gloves, addresses the Los Angeles City Council meeting standing under a tent erected outside City Hall. A television livestreamed video of the meeting and the public offered comments remotely. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 44 Orange County Undersheriff Bob Peterson listens during a board of supervisors discussion on combating the coronavirus in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 44 Dr. Mark V. Morocco oversees the testing at UCLA Medical Center. Testing for Covid-19 is going on at UCLA Medical Center, where people can drive up and get tested if they have the symptoms. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 44 A large tent is installed for public attendance at Tuesday’s Los Angeles City Council meeting. The public was not allowed in the council chamber. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 44 Shoppers queue up ahead of the Los Feliz Costco opening for business on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 44 Muhammad Faruq, an Uber driver, picks his ride Sotero Reyes, left, and Cristian Eguia, visitors from Houston, all in protective masks, from downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 44 Volunteer Rachel Figueroa, serves a free lunch to go to Destiny Mendez, with her mother, Estefany, at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. LAUSD students can get free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Dream Center, Monday through Friday. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 44 Emma Bradley, left, and her husband, Samuel Bradley, of Palmdale are walking up the ramp to catch the Metrolink in Union Sation in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 44 Medical personnel surround a car that is going through a coronavirus drive-thru test clinic at the San Mateo County Event Center. Drive-thru test clinics for COVID-19 are popping up across the country as more tests become available. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 23 / 44 From left, Josh Akamine, of Oahu, Hawaii; Madison Shine of Oahu; Matthew Valencia of Los Altos and Dani Ikeda visit L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 44 Normally bustling Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. is open only for take out. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 44 L.A. has banned restaurants from offering seating at places such as Grand Central Market. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 44 Carlos Perez, a worker at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles sits in the empty restaurant. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 44 A line at the Martin B. Retting gun store in Culver City on Sunday extends out the door and around the corner. (Francine Orr / The Times) 28 / 44 A guest wears a mask in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on Thursday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 44 Students hug as they are let out of school at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 13, 2020. The school has 2,623 students who live in 94 different zip codes, some of whom travel upwards of 30 miles to school on 24 different school bus routes. 221 school staff live in 88 zip codes. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner announced that schools will be closed due to the coronavirus. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 44 Blake Anderson, left, a freshman, walks with his father Oree Anderson, as school is let out at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles. LAUSD announced that schools will be closed due to the Coronavirus. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 44 Students leave John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles at the end of the school day on Friday, Mar. 13, 2020. LAUSD announced it will shut down beginning Monday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times ) 32 / 44 Alexandria Casserly crosses the street while looking for toilet paper in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 44 A crew member stands on the stern of a cruise ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 44 Two children look at movie posters in the lobby of the Arclight theater Thursday in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 44 Disneyland guests wearing ponchos pass the Marketplace inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Thursday. Disneyland and California Adventure will temporarily close in response to the coronavirus pandemic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 44 People shop at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 44 Disneyland guests take photos in front of the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 44 Airline workers take precautions at Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles on Thursday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 44 An airport worker cleans a railing at Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 44 Two people arrive at Knott’s Berry Farm on Thursday in Buena Park. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 44 Cab drivers wait for riders at the Long Beach Airport. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 42 / 44 The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 43 / 44 A woman claims her luggage at he Long Beach Airport. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 44 / 44 The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
At the Kensington Redondo Beach, the current cases appear to have originated with a staff member who reported “flu-like symptoms” on March 6 and was sent home. The employee has since been hospitalized and placed on paid leave, according to a statement released by a spokesperson for the facility.
The staff member’s supervisor was also put on a self-quarantine on March 6, and that supervisor was awaiting test results, according to the statement. Administrators at the assisted living facility said all staff were being tested for fevers upon arrival each day.
Robert May, the executive director of Kensington Redondo Beach, said in the statement that the facility had received protective masks, gowns and gloves for residents and staff to use. May thanked family members of residents.
“They have been tremendously supportive of our efforts to keep them up-to-date through our communications. They are keeping their connections with their loved ones through video chats and Facetime,” said Robert May, Executive Director.
The Kensington Redondo Beach opened in 2019 at Knob Hill Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, part of a small chain of senior living communities in Sierra Madre, Redwood City as well as Maryland, New York and Virginia.
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The Redondo Beach site provides assisted living for seniors and memory care to those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.


latimes--2020-03-18--Dozens of California agencies consider sending workers home to combat coronavirus

At Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s urging , businesses around the state have closed their doors and sent employees home to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus .
But one of the largest employers was slow to offer its workforce clear guidance on who should be working remotely : the state of California .
That could soon change .
State officials told employees Wednesday that departments are “ looking at all opportunities to provide telework.
” But it remains unclear how aggressive state departments will be in keeping workers home or how many jobs will be considered eligible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 230,000 employees , officials said , the state ’ s wide-ranging workforce makes it difficult to roll out sweeping telecommute options for government workers .
For example , healthcare workers , police officers and firefighters can ’ t work from home .
Other jobs need access to confidential information , and some departments have limits on how many people can access servers remotely .
However , the state ’ s rollout of telecommute options for those who can work remotely has been slow , with a week of confusing guidelines for who should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Managers were told to review individual requests to telecommute , but it was unclear what paperwork or criteria they were supposed to use .
“ We are clearly looking to push more of our nonessential workforce to be at home to do work electronically , ” Newsom said Tuesday .
“ It ’ s already happening across agencies .
We ’ re just trying to really hone in a little bit more.
” The Newsom administration ’ s move to increase telecommuting comes after the Sacramento County Public Health Department directed local workplaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teleconferencing for employees and allow only workers performing essential duties to go into an office .
Most state agencies are in Sacramento , creating confusion among workers about whether they were supposed to go into work Wednesday .
Dr. Peter Beilenson , director of the Sacramento County Department of Health Services , said asking many state workers to telecommute would have a major effect on limiting the community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Beilenson said the county ’ s directive is not legally enforceable and does not apply to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s hopeful that as many government workers as possible will be permitted to telecommute .
“ This is important to reducing the spread of the disease , ” Beilenson said .
“ We are strongly urging people to stay at home in general .
Some agencies have already carried out changes that will reduce workloads and interactions with the public .
The state Franchise Tax Board announced last week that California tax returns could be sent in as late as July 15 for any taxpayer who stated a coronavirus-related reason for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked police officers to not enforce recently overdue car registrations or expired driver ’ s licenses over the next two months to reduce the number of people going to field offices .
California ’ s number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise daily , largely because of the increased availability to diagnose for the virus .
Across the state , more than 800 people have tested positive for the coronavirus , although officials have noted that is just a fraction of the actual number of people infected .
Newsom ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all California restaurants should close their doors to dine-in customers and that gyms , health clubs and movie theaters should also suspend operations .
Newsom ’ s decision to call for further limitations on public life followed piecemeal decisions in cities and counties to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Los Angeles was one of the first cities to close bars , nightclubs , movie theaters and gyms , and limited restaurants to takeout or delivery only until March 31 , following an order from Mayor Eric Garcetti .
Still , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50,000 city workers in Los Angeles were still asked to go to work , with telecommuting options available to only some employees , according to emergency guidelines issued by the city ’ s Personnel Department .
Garcetti said he expected the city ’ s telecommuting guidelines to change .
All Los Angeles County government buildings closed Monday , while other counties announced curtailed operations in order to ensure workers can be home .

At Gov. Gavin Newsom’s urging, businesses around the state have closed their doors and sent employees home to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus. But one of the largest employers was slow to offer its workforce clear guidance on who should be working remotely: the state of California.
That could soon change. State officials told employees Wednesday that departments are “looking at all opportunities to provide telework.” But it remains unclear how aggressive state departments will be in keeping workers home or how many jobs will be considered eligible for such work. With more than 230,000 employees, officials said, the state’s wide-ranging workforce makes it difficult to roll out sweeping telecommute options for government workers.
For example, healthcare workers, police officers and firefighters can’t work from home. Other jobs need access to confidential information, and some departments have limits on how many people can access servers remotely.
However, the state’s rollout of telecommute options for those who can work remotely has been slow, with a week of confusing guidelines for who should be allowed to work from home. Managers were told to review individual requests to telecommute, but it was unclear what paperwork or criteria they were supposed to use.
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“We are clearly looking to push more of our nonessential workforce to be at home to do work electronically,” Newsom said Tuesday. “It’s already happening across agencies. We’re just trying to really hone in a little bit more.”
The Newsom administration’s move to increase telecommuting comes after the Sacramento County Public Health Department directed local workplaces and businesses Tuesday to use telecommuting and teleconferencing for employees and allow only workers performing essential duties to go into an office. Most state agencies are in Sacramento, creating confusion among workers about whether they were supposed to go into work Wednesday.
Dr. Peter Beilenson, director of the Sacramento County Department of Health Services, said asking many state workers to telecommute would have a major effect on limiting the community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Beilenson said the county’s directive is not legally enforceable and does not apply to the state’s workforce, although he’s hopeful that as many government workers as possible will be permitted to telecommute.
“This is important to reducing the spread of the disease,” Beilenson said. “We are strongly urging people to stay at home in general.
Some agencies have already carried out changes that will reduce workloads and interactions with the public. The state Franchise Tax Board announced last week that California tax returns could be sent in as late as July 15 for any taxpayer who stated a coronavirus-related reason for the delay. The Department of Motor Vehicles asked police officers to not enforce recently overdue car registrations or expired driver’s licenses over the next two months to reduce the number of people going to field offices.
California’s number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise daily, largely because of the increased availability to diagnose for the virus. Across the state, more than 800 people have tested positive for the coronavirus, although officials have noted that is just a fraction of the actual number of people infected.
Newsom’s latest directive comes after the governor said that all California restaurants should close their doors to dine-in customers and that gyms, health clubs and movie theaters should also suspend operations. Newsom’s decision to call for further limitations on public life followed piecemeal decisions in cities and counties to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Los Angeles was one of the first cities to close bars, nightclubs, movie theaters and gyms, and limited restaurants to takeout or delivery only until March 31, following an order from Mayor Eric Garcetti.
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Still, as with state employees, the more than 50,000 city workers in Los Angeles were still asked to go to work, with telecommuting options available to only some employees, according to emergency guidelines issued by the city’s Personnel Department.
Garcetti said he expected the city’s telecommuting guidelines to change.
All Los Angeles County government buildings closed Monday, while other counties announced curtailed operations in order to ensure workers can be home.


latimes--2020-03-18--Spring starts Thursday with the vernal equinox. What does that mean?

When Punxsutawney Phil didn ’ t see his shadow on Groundhog Day this year , it meant we could expect an early spring .
Maybe Phil checked the calendar before he emerged from his burrow in Punxsutawney , Pa. , and he knew that the vernal or spring equinox would fall on March 19 this year because of leap day .
Spring hasn ’ t arrived this early in the U.S. since 1896 .
Spring starts with the equinox .
What ’ s the equinox ?
Thursday is the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern Hemisphere .
So sometimes the day is referred to as the March equinox to avoid confusion .
On the equinox , the Earth ’ s axis will be tilted neither toward nor away from the sun , a neutral point that will result in nearly equal hours of sunlight and darkness at all latitudes .
Thereafter , as the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun , the sun ’ s arc across the sky will continue to climb higher , with longer days and more direct light , until it peaks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the same time , the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun , creating winter there .
This cycle of seasons occurs as the Earth makes its complete revolution of the sun approximately every 365 days .
It ’ s not precisely 365 days .
That ’ s because the Earth ’ s 574,395,530-mile annual orbit of the sun really takes 365.2422 days .
So every year that is exactly divisible by 4 is a leap year , in which a 29th day is added to February .
The exception is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But there ’ s an exception to that : The centurial years that are exactly divisible by 400 are leap years .
Back to the seasons .
They ’ re caused by the Earth ’ s 23.5-degree tilt on its axis as it makes its way around the sun .
The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in June and away from the sun in December .
Naturally , when a hemisphere is tilted toward the sun , it ’ s warmer — creating summer .
When a hemisphere is tilted away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colder , causing winter .
At the equinox , the noonday sun is directly overhead at the equator .
The word equinox is derived from the Latin words aequus ( equal ) and nox ( night ) .
Although day and night aren ’ t exactly equal .
At the equator on the equinox and for the next several days , the length of daylight hours will be about 12 hours and 6.5 minutes .
At about 30 degrees north , the latitude of New Orleans , for example , daylight will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 degrees north latitude , just south of Anchorage , Alaska , daylight will be 12 hours and 16 minutes .
At the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere , the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer , at 23.5 degrees north latitude .
This is the longest day of the year for all locations north of the Tropic of Cancer , which runs through Mexico , the Bahamas , Egypt and India .
The solstice also is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere .
The shortest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hemisphere occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn , at 23.5 degrees south of the equator .
The Tropic of Capricorn runs through places such as Australia , Chile , Brazil and South Africa .
In times of upheaval such as these , it may be comforting to know that the cycle of seasons can be counted on to continue to like clockwork .

When Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow on Groundhog Day this year, it meant we could expect an early spring.
Maybe Phil checked the calendar before he emerged from his burrow in Punxsutawney, Pa., and he knew that the vernal or spring equinox would fall on March 19 this year because of leap day. Spring hasn’t arrived this early in the U.S. since 1896.
(Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
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Spring starts with the equinox. What’s the equinox?
Thursday is the vernal or spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s also the autumnal equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. So sometimes the day is referred to as the March equinox to avoid confusion.
On the equinox, the Earth’s axis will be tilted neither toward nor away from the sun, a neutral point that will result in nearly equal hours of sunlight and darkness at all latitudes. Thereafter, as the Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun, the sun’s arc across the sky will continue to climb higher, with longer days and more direct light, until it peaks with the summer solstice on June 20.
The Earth is tilted on its axis. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
At the same time, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, creating winter there. This cycle of seasons occurs as the Earth makes its complete revolution of the sun approximately every 365 days.
It’s not precisely 365 days. That’s because the Earth’s 574,395,530-mile annual orbit of the sun really takes 365.2422 days. So every year that is exactly divisible by 4 is a leap year, in which a 29th day is added to February. The exception is for years exactly divisible by 100. But there’s an exception to that: The centurial years that are exactly divisible by 400 are leap years.
Back to the seasons. They’re caused by the Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt on its axis as it makes its way around the sun. The Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun in June and away from the sun in December. Naturally, when a hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, it’s warmer — creating summer. When a hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it’s colder, causing winter.
The apparent path of the sun as observed from the Earth’s surface in the Northern Hemisphere. (Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
At the equinox, the noonday sun is directly overhead at the equator.
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The word equinox is derived from the Latin words aequus (equal) and nox (night). Although day and night aren’t exactly equal.
At the equator on the equinox and for the next several days, the length of daylight hours will be about 12 hours and 6.5 minutes. At about 30 degrees north, the latitude of New Orleans, for example, daylight will be 12 hours and 8 minutes. At 60 degrees north latitude, just south of Anchorage, Alaska, daylight will be 12 hours and 16 minutes.
(Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)
At the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, at 23.5 degrees north latitude. This is the longest day of the year for all locations north of the Tropic of Cancer, which runs through Mexico, the Bahamas, Egypt and India.
The solstice also is the shortest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere.
The shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, at 23.5 degrees south of the equator. The Tropic of Capricorn runs through places such as Australia, Chile, Brazil and South Africa.
In times of upheaval such as these, it may be comforting to know that the cycle of seasons can be counted on to continue to like clockwork.


latimes--2020-03-19--Coronavirus hitting California's homeless population could be what finally breaks hospitals

The catastrophic potential is painful to consider : State models show that 60,000 homeless people could be hit by the novel coronavirus , with up to 20 % of them needing hospitalization .
That would mean California would need 12,000 hospital beds just for those living on the streets — a formidable task for a state that is already struggling to find extra capacity to manage the pandemic before it ’ s too late and hospitals become overwhelmed by too many patients .
“ That creates a deep point of anxiety for the existing population , but moreover for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom said Wednesday evening .
With 108,000 people living outdoors in California , many older , with weakened immune systems and preexisting conditions , Newsom and state health officials are dramatically stepping up efforts to curtail what was the state ’ s biggest crisis before the novel coronavirus hit : tens of thousands of people living in street encampments .
Now , two catastrophes are colliding with appalling speed and consequence .
“ People experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19 , ” Newsom said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health , flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19.
” To help accomplish that , Newsom on Wednesday announced $ 150 million in emergency funding to quickly move homeless people indoors — an action meant to protect both a vulnerable population and a medical system at risk of being overwhelmed .
The governor said $ 100 million in funding will go directly to local jurisdictions — including Los Angeles — to boost shelter capacity and increase emergency housing .
An additional $ 50 million will be aimed at buying travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other facilities in an effort to provide space for those without homes to practice social distancing or be quarantined if they test positive for the virus or have symptoms of COVID-19 .
With social distancing now the focus of the state ’ s coronavirus strategy and about 108,000 Californians living on the street , homeless encampments present a significant problem for containing the spread of the disease .
Homeless people are at especially high risk for serious cases because they often have underlying health conditions and live in settings where proper sanitation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have released guidelines for handling the coronavirus in encampments and shelters , but cities and counties have largely been slow to act .
Health experts are worried about what effect the pandemic would have on healthcare systems if it expands into the homeless population .
Some fear that if the coronavirus hits encampments or shelters , it could travel quickly and fiercely — as has been seen in other vulnerable populations , such as seniors living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for overflow numbers of COVID-19 patients , an outbreak in an encampment could be devastating .
Newsom said the state has identified more than 950 lodging facilities across California that are appropriate for homeless housing and added that the list is being distributed to counties .
The state also is attempting to gain access to some of those properties on its own : On Tuesday , Newsom announced that two hotels near Oakland International Airport had been leased , providing a total of 393 rooms that would be under the control of Alameda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action today provides a big boost to our urgent efforts to stop coronavirus from spreading among vulnerable members of our homeless population , ” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg , co-chair of Newsom ’ s statewide task force on homelessness .
“ We ’ ll use it to quickly expand our sheltering capacity , provide emergency services and isolate the sick.
” Newsom also announced that the state had purchased more than 1,300 trailers from the federal government and private vendors to provide quarantine sites .
Those trailers will be deployed to California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at capacity and have people who are sick or positive for the coronavirus .
“ California is deploying massive resources to get these vulnerable residents safely into shelter , removing regulatory barriers and securing trailers and hotels to provide immediate housing options for those most at risk , ” Newsom said in a statement .
The governor also signed an executive order Wednesday that streamlines how counties and cities can spend homeless dollars during the pandemic and suspends some regulations for building shelters and homeless facilities with the emergency funds .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners , slow foreclosures and protect against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by the outbreak and its economic effects .
On Wednesday , L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a new plan to provide shelters for older homeless people , who are most at risk of dying of COVID-19 .
In addition , L.A. has already moved to increase access to sanitation stations and supplies .
San Francisco has taken similar action .
But , in planning for what an outbreak would mean , many service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say it ’ s not enough .
The number of homeless people 62 and older in Los Angeles County has grown by 8 % in recent years , according to the latest point-in-time count .

The catastrophic potential is painful to consider: State models show that 60,000 homeless people could be hit by the novel coronavirus, with up to 20% of them needing hospitalization.
That would mean California would need 12,000 hospital beds just for those living on the streets — a formidable task for a state that is already struggling to find extra capacity to manage the pandemic before it’s too late and hospitals become overwhelmed by too many patients.
“That creates a deep point of anxiety for the existing population, but moreover for our healthcare delivery system,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday evening.
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With 108,000 people living outdoors in California, many older, with weakened immune systems and preexisting conditions, Newsom and state health officials are dramatically stepping up efforts to curtail what was the state’s biggest crisis before the novel coronavirus hit: tens of thousands of people living in street encampments.
Now, two catastrophes are colliding with appalling speed and consequence.
A homeless man sleeps on the Main Street bridge in downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times )
“People experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19,” Newsom said. “Helping these residents is critical to protecting public health, flattening the curve and slowing the spread of COVID-19.”
To help accomplish that, Newsom on Wednesday announced $150 million in emergency funding to quickly move homeless people indoors — an action meant to protect both a vulnerable population and a medical system at risk of being overwhelmed.
The governor said $100 million in funding will go directly to local jurisdictions — including Los Angeles — to boost shelter capacity and increase emergency housing.
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An additional $50 million will be aimed at buying travel trailers and leasing hotels, motels and other facilities in an effort to provide space for those without homes to practice social distancing or be quarantined if they test positive for the virus or have symptoms of COVID-19.
With social distancing now the focus of the state’s coronavirus strategy and about 108,000 Californians living on the street, homeless encampments present a significant problem for containing the spread of the disease. Homeless people are at especially high risk for serious cases because they often have underlying health conditions and live in settings where proper sanitation, including hand washing, is difficult.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have released guidelines for handling the coronavirus in encampments and shelters, but cities and counties have largely been slow to act.
Health experts are worried about what effect the pandemic would have on healthcare systems if it expands into the homeless population. Some fear that if the coronavirus hits encampments or shelters, it could travel quickly and fiercely — as has been seen in other vulnerable populations, such as seniors living in nursing homes. With hospitals already bracing for overflow numbers of COVID-19 patients, an outbreak in an encampment could be devastating.
1 / 44 The City of Santa Monica closed the Santa Monica Pier in an attempt to prevent the further spread of the Coronavirus. Very few people were on the beach in Santa Monica as the epidemic continues. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 44 Volunteer Nagma Shakur, 16, left, hugs her “Grannie” as she helps senior shoppers with their carts at the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Altadena. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 44 People walk up the ramp, exiting the secure area at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 44 David Barker, 56, is visiting with his friend living in a tent on skidrow in Los Angeles. Barker, who is not homeless, works in the area. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 44 Dr. Dallas Weaver, 79, and his wife, Janet Weaver, 75, of Huntington Beach, walk on the Huntington pier. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 44 Seniors, including Eileen Oda Leaf, 67, left, and her husband Dave Leaf, 67, right, both wearing protective masks, line up outside Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach early on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 44 Roberta Tabor, 66, of Hermosa Beach, has her ID checked by store director Dennis Sullivan at Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour” where seniors 65+ can go grocery shopping before anybody else. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 44 Seniors shop at Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach on Wednesday. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour” where seniors can go grocery shopping before the store opens to the general public. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 44 Dr. Mark V. Morocco oversees testing at UCLA Medical Center where people can drive up and get tested if they have the symptoms. Morocco listens to a female patient’s lungs through the car window. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 44 HOPICS outreach worker Ralph Gomez tosses a clipboard for a signature to homeless client Davis Soto, right, taking care to stay at least six feet away during outreach in Los Angeles. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 44 Medical personnel screen patients outside the emergency room at Loma Linda University Health during the coronavirus pandemic. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 44 A nurse takes the vital signs of a woman in a medical tent outside the hospital on Catalina. (Francine Orr/Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 44 An employee of the Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia tells customers waiting in line that it would open doors to everyone at 9 a.m., not just seniors, who arrived believing doors would open earlier to older residents, as some of the people were told by employees and it was reported. Some grocery outlets were offering special morning hours of shopping to accommodate older residents. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 44 Kevin Ezeh, protected with face mask and gloves, addresses the Los Angeles City Council meeting standing under a tent erected outside City Hall. A television livestreamed video of the meeting and the public offered comments remotely. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 44 Orange County Undersheriff Bob Peterson listens during a board of supervisors discussion on combating the coronavirus in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 44 Dr. Mark V. Morocco oversees the testing at UCLA Medical Center. Testing for Covid-19 is going on at UCLA Medical Center, where people can drive up and get tested if they have the symptoms. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 44 A large tent is installed for public attendance at Tuesday’s Los Angeles City Council meeting. The public was not allowed in the council chamber. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 44 Shoppers queue up ahead of the Los Feliz Costco opening for business on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 44 Muhammad Faruq, an Uber driver, picks his ride Sotero Reyes, left, and Cristian Eguia, visitors from Houston, all in protective masks, from downtown Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 44 Volunteer Rachel Figueroa, serves a free lunch to go to Destiny Mendez, with her mother, Estefany, at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. LAUSD students can get free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Dream Center, Monday through Friday. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 44 Emma Bradley, left, and her husband, Samuel Bradley, of Palmdale are walking up the ramp to catch the Metrolink in Union Sation in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 44 Medical personnel surround a car that is going through a coronavirus drive-thru test clinic at the San Mateo County Event Center. Drive-thru test clinics for COVID-19 are popping up across the country as more tests become available. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) 23 / 44 From left, Josh Akamine, of Oahu, Hawaii; Madison Shine of Oahu; Matthew Valencia of Los Altos and Dani Ikeda visit L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 44 Normally bustling Grand Central Market in downtown L.A. is open only for take out. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 44 L.A. has banned restaurants from offering seating at places such as Grand Central Market. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 44 Carlos Perez, a worker at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles sits in the empty restaurant. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 44 A line at the Martin B. Retting gun store in Culver City on Sunday extends out the door and around the corner. (Francine Orr / The Times) 28 / 44 A guest wears a mask in front of the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland on Thursday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 44 Students hug as they are let out of school at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 13, 2020. The school has 2,623 students who live in 94 different zip codes, some of whom travel upwards of 30 miles to school on 24 different school bus routes. 221 school staff live in 88 zip codes. Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner announced that schools will be closed due to the coronavirus. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 44 Blake Anderson, left, a freshman, walks with his father Oree Anderson, as school is let out at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles. LAUSD announced that schools will be closed due to the Coronavirus. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 44 Students leave John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles at the end of the school day on Friday, Mar. 13, 2020. LAUSD announced it will shut down beginning Monday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times ) 32 / 44 Alexandria Casserly crosses the street while looking for toilet paper in downtown Los Angeles. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 44 A crew member stands on the stern of a cruise ship docked at the Port of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 44 Two children look at movie posters in the lobby of the Arclight theater Thursday in Manhattan Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 44 Disneyland guests wearing ponchos pass the Marketplace inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge on Thursday. Disneyland and California Adventure will temporarily close in response to the coronavirus pandemic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 44 People shop at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 44 Disneyland guests take photos in front of the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 44 Airline workers take precautions at Tom Bradley International Terminal in Los Angeles on Thursday. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 44 An airport worker cleans a railing at Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 44 Two people arrive at Knott’s Berry Farm on Thursday in Buena Park. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 44 Cab drivers wait for riders at the Long Beach Airport. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 42 / 44 The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 43 / 44 A woman claims her luggage at he Long Beach Airport. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 44 / 44 The Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Newsom said the state has identified more than 950 lodging facilities across California that are appropriate for homeless housing and added that the list is being distributed to counties.
The state also is attempting to gain access to some of those properties on its own: On Tuesday, Newsom announced that two hotels near Oakland International Airport had been leased, providing a total of 393 rooms that would be under the control of Alameda County.
“The governor’s action today provides a big boost to our urgent efforts to stop coronavirus from spreading among vulnerable members of our homeless population,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, co-chair of Newsom’s statewide task force on homelessness. “We’ll use it to quickly expand our sheltering capacity, provide emergency services and isolate the sick.”
Newsom also announced that the state had purchased more than 1,300 trailers from the federal government and private vendors to provide quarantine sites. Those trailers will be deployed to California’s largest urban centers if shelters are at capacity and have people who are sick or positive for the coronavirus.
“California is deploying massive resources to get these vulnerable residents safely into shelter, removing regulatory barriers and securing trailers and hotels to provide immediate housing options for those most at risk,” Newsom said in a statement.
California California asks Navy for coronavirus support The latest updates from our reporters in California and around the world
The governor also signed an executive order Wednesday that streamlines how counties and cities can spend homeless dollars during the pandemic and suspends some regulations for building shelters and homeless facilities with the emergency funds.
In a separate action Monday, he authorized local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slow foreclosures and protect against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by the outbreak and its economic effects.
On Wednesday, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a new plan to provide shelters for older homeless people, who are most at risk of dying of COVID-19. In addition, L.A. has already moved to increase access to sanitation stations and supplies. San Francisco has taken similar action.
But, in planning for what an outbreak would mean, many service providers and people living on the streets say it’s not enough. The number of homeless people 62 and older in Los Angeles County has grown by 8% in recent years, according to the latest point-in-time count.


latimes--2020-03-18--L.A. to add 6,000 shelter beds for homeless Angelenos in hopes of slowing virus' spread

Los Angeles will convert 42 of its recreation centers into temporary shelters for homeless residents , providing 6,000 new beds in an effort aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus , Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday .
The city is looking in the initiative ’ s first phase to open 1,600 shelter beds at 13 recreation centers by Monday , with beds provided by the American Red Cross , Garcetti said .
The initiative comes as an array of city buildings — libraries , aquatic centers , cultural facilities and even City Hall — remain closed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s effort to reduce the number of new infections .
It would more than double the number of shelter beds available in Los Angeles , said Alex Comisar , a Garcetti spokesman .
Garcetti said the move to repurpose dozens of recreation centers is needed because homeless residents are at greater risk during the pandemic .
“ This isn ’ t about forcing people onto a bus , ” the mayor said during a live Facebook briefing on the city ’ s response to the virus .
“ This is about letting people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are at great risk of potentially dying.
” Garcetti made his announcement just one day before lawyers for Los Angeles city and county are slated to appear at an emergency court hearing on efforts to keep the virus from proliferating throughout the region ’ s homeless encampments .
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter scheduled the status conference in a federal case filed by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights , a group that alleges the city and county have failed in their duty to protect public health and safety and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets .
Don Steier , chairman of the alliance , called the recreation centers proposal a “ stopgap measure ” and said it would not keep his group from pressing ahead with its lawsuit .
“ We ’ ve been saying for a long time that what has been lacking is political courage to deal with the problems on the street , ” Steier said .
“ And maybe now the mayor has found some.
” Garcetti said work on opening a significant number of shelter beds has been under discussions for 2½ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday ’ s hearing .
Several council members have already voiced support for the mayor ’ s plan , which is expected to cost $ 6 million over eight weeks , not including salaries and other employee costs .
“ Using city facilities like recreation centers to get our most vulnerable neighbors off the streets rapidly will help slow the spread of the virus , reducing strain on our healthcare system and protecting the health and safety of the housed and unhoused alike , ” said Councilman Mike Bonin .
Still , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward homelessness questioned the wisdom of the proposal .
Mark Ryavec , president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn.
, said he believes homeless Angelenos would be safer if they were placed in separate quarters , in such buildings as motels , hotels and dormitories .
Elected officials have been scrambling in recent weeks to craft a response to the threat posed by the virus among unhoused residents .
The City Council voted Tuesday to suspend enforcement of a law requiring that tents erected on sidewalks come down during daytime hours , saying such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
During that meeting , the head of the Homeless Services Authority said public health officials have recommended homeless Angelenos be able to shelter in place in their tents during a pandemic .
On Wednesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced $ 150 million in emergency funding to move homeless people indoors quickly , an action meant to protect a vulnerable population and a medical system at risk of being overwhelmed .
Garcetti said he expects state and federal funds will ultimately cover much of the cost of the recreation center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city would assign 28 workers to each 100-person shelter , including staffers from such agencies as the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health .
County homelessness officials are already identifying 4,000 unhoused people considered the most vulnerable to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 because of their age and preexisting medical conditions , Garcetti said .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the majority of COVID-19 deaths have occurred among people who are 60 or older and have underlying health conditions .
Outreach workers will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay outside to ensure they are practicing social distancing , Garcetti said .
The city will also advise homeless residents that they need to space their tents at least six feet apart , he added .

David Zahniser, Laura J. Nelson, Dakota Smith

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Wednesday on a Facebook Live video that 42 recreation centers will be converted into shelters for homeless residents, aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Los Angeles will convert 42 of its recreation centers into temporary shelters for homeless residents, providing 6,000 new beds in an effort aimed at slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday.
The city is looking in the initiative’s first phase to open 1,600 shelter beds at 13 recreation centers by Monday, with beds provided by the American Red Cross, Garcetti said.
The initiative comes as an array of city buildings — libraries, aquatic centers, cultural facilities and even City Hall — remain closed to the public, part of the city’s effort to reduce the number of new infections. It would more than double the number of shelter beds available in Los Angeles, said Alex Comisar, a Garcetti spokesman.
Garcetti said the move to repurpose dozens of recreation centers is needed because homeless residents are at greater risk during the pandemic.
“This isn’t about forcing people onto a bus,” the mayor said during a live Facebook briefing on the city’s response to the virus. “This is about letting people know if you stay out here, you are at great risk of potentially dying.”
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Garcetti made his announcement just one day before lawyers for Los Angeles city and county are slated to appear at an emergency court hearing on efforts to keep the virus from proliferating throughout the region’s homeless encampments.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter scheduled the status conference in a federal case filed by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights, a group that alleges the city and county have failed in their duty to protect public health and safety and to provide shelter to people living on the streets.
Don Steier, chairman of the alliance, called the recreation centers proposal a “stopgap measure” and said it would not keep his group from pressing ahead with its lawsuit.
“We’ve been saying for a long time that what has been lacking is political courage to deal with the problems on the street,” Steier said. “And maybe now the mayor has found some.”
Garcetti said work on opening a significant number of shelter beds has been under discussions for 2½ weeks — well before the judge scheduled Thursday’s hearing. Several council members have already voiced support for the mayor’s plan, which is expected to cost $6 million over eight weeks, not including salaries and other employee costs.
“Using city facilities like recreation centers to get our most vulnerable neighbors off the streets rapidly will help slow the spread of the virus, reducing strain on our healthcare system and protecting the health and safety of the housed and unhoused alike,” said Councilman Mike Bonin.
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Still, one critic of the city’s approach toward homelessness questioned the wisdom of the proposal. Mark Ryavec, president of the Venice Stakeholders Assn., said he believes homeless Angelenos would be safer if they were placed in separate quarters, in such buildings as motels, hotels and dormitories.
Elected officials have been scrambling in recent weeks to craft a response to the threat posed by the virus among unhoused residents.
The City Council voted Tuesday to suspend enforcement of a law requiring that tents erected on sidewalks come down during daytime hours, saying such a move would slow the advance of the virus. During that meeting, the head of the Homeless Services Authority said public health officials have recommended homeless Angelenos be able to shelter in place in their tents during a pandemic.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $150 million in emergency funding to move homeless people indoors quickly, an action meant to protect a vulnerable population and a medical system at risk of being overwhelmed.
Garcetti said he expects state and federal funds will ultimately cover much of the cost of the recreation center initiative. Under the proposal, the city would assign 28 workers to each 100-person shelter, including staffers from such agencies as the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health.
County homelessness officials are already identifying 4,000 unhoused people considered the most vulnerable to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 because of their age and preexisting medical conditions, Garcetti said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said that the majority of COVID-19 deaths have occurred among people who are 60 or older and have underlying health conditions.
Outreach workers will be checking on homeless people who decide to stay outside to ensure they are practicing social distancing, Garcetti said. The city will also advise homeless residents that they need to space their tents at least six feet apart, he added.
Times staff writer Anita Chabria contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-18--Facing criticism, ICE will reduce enforcement actions amid coronavirus pandemic

Facing criticism from across the country for continued enforcement actions amid the coronavirus pandemic , ICE said Wednesday that it would shift its focus to “ public safety risks.
” The agency will also focus on those subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds .
For those who don ’ t fall into those categories , Immigration and Customs Enforcement “ will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention , as appropriate.
” “ To ensure the welfare and safety of the general public as well as officers and agents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... [ ICE ] will temporarily adjust its enforcement posture , ” the agency said in a statement .
“ ICE ’ s highest priorities are to promote life-saving and public safety activities.
” Mandatory detention is required for those with certain criminal convictions , according to ICE .
They are not entitled to bond hearings and must remain in detention while removal proceedings are pending .
With safety measures taken across the state to protect against coronavirus , immigrant advocates have criticized ICE for its continued enforcement operations .
More than 45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Department of Homeland Security to suspend such actions .
The Times reported on ICE arrests in the Los Angeles area on Monday .
In response , Mayor Eric Garcetti said those operations created “ unnecessary fear and panic in those very same families we are trying to protect.
” “ Additional fear at a moment of extreme fear is the last thing that families need to face , ” he said during a media briefing Tuesday .

Facing criticism from across the country for continued enforcement actions amid the coronavirus pandemic, ICE said Wednesday that it would shift its focus to “public safety risks.”
The agency will also focus on those subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds. For those who don’t fall into those categories, Immigration and Customs Enforcement “will exercise discretion to delay enforcement actions until after the crisis or utilize alternatives to detention, as appropriate.”
“To ensure the welfare and safety of the general public as well as officers and agents in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic response ... [ICE] will temporarily adjust its enforcement posture,” the agency said in a statement. “ICE’s highest priorities are to promote life-saving and public safety activities.”
Mandatory detention is required for those with certain criminal convictions, according to ICE. They are not entitled to bond hearings and must remain in detention while removal proceedings are pending.
With safety measures taken across the state to protect against coronavirus, immigrant advocates have criticized ICE for its continued enforcement operations. More than 45 organizations signed a letter this week calling on the Department of Homeland Security to suspend such actions.
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The Times reported on ICE arrests in the Los Angeles area on Monday. In response, Mayor Eric Garcetti said those operations created “unnecessary fear and panic in those very same families we are trying to protect.”
“Additional fear at a moment of extreme fear is the last thing that families need to face,” he said during a media briefing Tuesday.
Staff writer Laura J. Nelson contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-18--Here are the communities in L.A. County with coronavirus cases

There was another spike in coronavirus cases in Los Angeles on Wednesday , and officials had a warning to go @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re going to see an increase in positive cases today , tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ , ” L.A. County Public Health Department Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 .
All of our strategies are aimed at slowing the spread.
” Los @ @ @ @ @ 46 new cases of the novel coronavirus , including eight in Long Beach and two @ @ @ @ @ cases bring the county ’ s total to 190 .
All new patients have been @ @ @ @ @ contacts are being quarantined .
Officials are hoping the extraordinary regulations that closed dine-in restaurants @ @ @ @ @ shuttered schools and bars will slow the spread .
Here is the latest list of @ @ @ @ @ L.A. County :

At the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday, patrons were asked to abide by social distancing measures.
There was another spike in coronavirus cases in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and officials had a warning to go along with the numbers.
“We’re going to see an increase in positive cases today, tomorrow and for the foreseeable future,” L.A. County Public Health Department Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer said. “We cannot stop the spread of COVID-19. All of our strategies are aimed at slowing the spread.”
Los Angeles County on Wednesday confirmed 46 new cases of the novel coronavirus, including eight in Long Beach and two in Pasadena. The new cases bring the county’s total to 190. All new patients have been isolated, and their close contacts are being quarantined. Officials are hoping the extraordinary regulations that closed dine-in restaurants, curtailed public gatherings and shuttered schools and bars will slow the spread.
Here is the latest list of coronavirus cases by community in L.A. County:
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latimes--2020-03-18--'We are being punished': Some Californians from Grand Princess question quarantine

With much of the state being asked to stay at home , questions are being raised about the forced quarantine imposed on hundreds of Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship who continue to be held at military bases , even as passengers from other states are released .
“ My feeling is a lot of it has to do with optics , ” said Kate Gilbert , whose 82-year-old grandmother Hinda Gilbert is at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom has the ability to take over monitoring of Californians on the base , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , but his office hasn ’ t responded when asked .
“ None of what ’ s happening really makes a lot of sense , ” Kate Gilbert said .
Since last week , about 900 California residents who were on the Grand Princess when an outbreak of the coronavirus was discovered have been held at Travis and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on a 14-day quarantine .
Former passengers say they have been told they could face a year in jail for breaking the quarantine , and guards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But with much of the state being asked to minimize social contact — and some Grand Princess passengers from outside California allowed to return to their homes already — some California passengers and their families said the rigid confinement no longer makes sense .
They also say testing was slow to start and is not mandatory , adding uncertainty and potentially more time to their detention .
Others are concerned they have been kept on the base under conditions some described as unsafe for their own health and say they could better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they were subjected only to the stringent social distancing recommendations currently in effect for other residents of the state .
Many California counties , including those in and around San Francisco , have ordered residents to shelter in place , “ so we won ’ t go anywhere anyway , ” said a Bay Area mother who is quarantined with her two young daughters .
She asked her name not be used for privacy reasons .
“ Why keep us here ?
” she wondered .
“ It ’ s ridiculous.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the quarantines , states are able to assume responsibility for health monitoring of their residents , allowing those people to return to their homes if the state allows it .
Some states have assumed that responsibility and allowed residents to return to their homes for self-quarantine .
Others are allowing residents to return as soon as they receive negative test results .
Georgia has allowed 31 residents who were on the ship to return to their homes , where the state department of health is monitoring them , a spokesman for the governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Gov .
Tony Evers used the Wisconsin National Guard to transport 29 state residents from military bases to their homes this week .
“ These individuals have gone through a harrowing experience full of uncertainty and fear over the past several weeks , ” Evers said in a statement .
“ But as I ’ ve said repeatedly , here in Wisconsin , we take care of one another.
” Most of the ship ’ s 1,100 crew members were also transferred to their home counties .
About 350 remain on board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will quarantine on the Grand Princess , which is moored near San Francisco .
So far , California residents at Travis said they have been offered no option other than the military quarantine .
Newsom ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for information about the state ’ s handling of the Grand Princess passengers .
Some of those at Travis have complained that the quarantine itself has been risky because social distancing and protective measures taken by the general public in recent days haven ’ t been adhered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ putting them in danger of exposure .
Two coronavirus cases have been confirmed among passengers at Travis .
Two other cases not related to the quarantine have been associated with the base , according to Rep. John Garamendi , whose district surrounds the base .
“ My view is they never should have come to Travis in the first place , ” said Garamendi ( D-Walnut Grove ) .
He believes those under quarantine should be allowed to leave .
“ They should have been tested when they came off the ship in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were asymptotic , quarantined at home , ” Garamendi said .
Garamendi sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services last week with concerns over conditions at Travis , detailing problems with how food and beverages were being handled , a lack of supplies and questionable sanitary conditions .
Garamendi said that in the early days of the quarantine , no social distancing was practiced .
Multiple quarantined people interviewed by The Times said those at Travis and Miramar have mingled without protections .
“ The first several days we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not everyone was masking and following the guidelines , and they were cohorting downstairs with their masks off eating and talking , ” said Beverly Paderes , a Modesto resident who is being held at Travis with her husband , Ricardo .
“ So that kind of negated anything.
” Hinda Gilbert said that was her experience as well , leaving her more afraid of contracting the coronavirus in quarantine than if she were at home in her San Francisco apartment .
Former passengers are also troubled that testing has been slow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal authorities told those in quarantine that about 30 % of former passengers had been tested .
But testing is not mandatory , and results are trickling in .
Those at Travis and Miramar said they have been told they will be required to remain on the base until they receive negative results , or for an indefinite amount of time if they are found positive .
That has discouraged many from taking the test , fearful that they will be held longer than two weeks if the government doesn ’ t speed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger who declined testing .
“ I felt that was risky because then we had no control , ” said Gilbert , who was in quarantine for five days on the Grand Princess and at Travis for a week .
The time spent in her cabin doesn ’ t count towards the 14-day quarantine , so Gilbert points out that the passengers will have gone through 19 days of isolation before they could be released .
Donna Kaletta , a San Jose resident who is at Travis with her sister and elderly father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband has underlying health conditions , and she does not want to carry the virus back to him .
He is in Santa Clara County , where serious social restrictions are in place .
“ We are being punished , ” Kaletta said .
“ To say its beyond frustrating is an understatement .
”

Passengers are let off the Grand Princess cruise ship at the Port of Oakland on March 9.
With much of the state being asked to stay at home, questions are being raised about the forced quarantine imposed on hundreds of Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship who continue to be held at military bases, even as passengers from other states are released.
“My feeling is a lot of it has to do with optics,” said Kate Gilbert, whose 82-year-old grandmother Hinda Gilbert is at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has the ability to take over monitoring of Californians on the base, potentially allowing them to quarantine themselves at home, but his office hasn’t responded when asked.
“None of what’s happening really makes a lot of sense,” Kate Gilbert said.
Hinda Gilbert has been quarantined at Travis Air Force Base since being let off the Grand Princess cruise ship amid a coronavirus outbreak. (Kate Gilbert)
Since last week, about 900 California residents who were on the Grand Princess when an outbreak of the coronavirus was discovered have been held at Travis and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego on a 14-day quarantine.
Former passengers say they have been told they could face a year in jail for breaking the quarantine, and guards patrol hastily constructed fences to ensure compliance.
But with much of the state being asked to minimize social contact — and some Grand Princess passengers from outside California allowed to return to their homes already — some California passengers and their families said the rigid confinement no longer makes sense.
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They also say testing was slow to start and is not mandatory, adding uncertainty and potentially more time to their detention. Others are concerned they have been kept on the base under conditions some described as unsafe for their own health and say they could better protect themselves and others from potential exposure if they were subjected only to the stringent social distancing recommendations currently in effect for other residents of the state.
Many California counties, including those in and around San Francisco, have ordered residents to shelter in place, “so we won’t go anywhere anyway,” said a Bay Area mother who is quarantined with her two young daughters. She asked her name not be used for privacy reasons.
“Why keep us here?” she wondered. “It’s ridiculous.”
Though federal authorities are in charge of the quarantines, states are able to assume responsibility for health monitoring of their residents, allowing those people to return to their homes if the state allows it.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Some states have assumed that responsibility and allowed residents to return to their homes for self-quarantine. Others are allowing residents to return as soon as they receive negative test results.
Georgia has allowed 31 residents who were on the ship to return to their homes, where the state department of health is monitoring them, a spokesman for the governor’s office said. In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers used the Wisconsin National Guard to transport 29 state residents from military bases to their homes this week.
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“These individuals have gone through a harrowing experience full of uncertainty and fear over the past several weeks,” Evers said in a statement. “But as I’ve said repeatedly, here in Wisconsin, we take care of one another.”
Most of the ship’s 1,100 crew members were also transferred to their home counties. About 350 remain on board, according to the cruise line, and will quarantine on the Grand Princess, which is moored near San Francisco.
So far, California residents at Travis said they have been offered no option other than the military quarantine.
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a request for information about the state’s handling of the Grand Princess passengers.
Some of those at Travis have complained that the quarantine itself has been risky because social distancing and protective measures taken by the general public in recent days haven’t been adhered to for the cruise ship passengers, putting them in danger of exposure.
Two coronavirus cases have been confirmed among passengers at Travis. Two other cases not related to the quarantine have been associated with the base, according to Rep. John Garamendi, whose district surrounds the base.
“My view is they never should have come to Travis in the first place,” said Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove). He believes those under quarantine should be allowed to leave.
“They should have been tested when they came off the ship in the first place and, if they were asymptomatic, quarantined at home,” Garamendi said.
Garamendi sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services last week with concerns over conditions at Travis, detailing problems with how food and beverages were being handled, a lack of supplies and questionable sanitary conditions.
Garamendi said that in the early days of the quarantine, no social distancing was practiced. Multiple quarantined people interviewed by The Times said those at Travis and Miramar have mingled without protections.
Beverly Paderes and her husband, Ricardo, have been quarantined at Travis Air Force Base in Solano County since leaving the Grand Princess. (Beverly Paderes)
“The first several days we were put here, it was chaotic and not everyone was masking and following the guidelines, and they were cohorting downstairs with their masks off eating and talking,” said Beverly Paderes, a Modesto resident who is being held at Travis with her husband, Ricardo. “So that kind of negated anything.”
Hinda Gilbert said that was her experience as well, leaving her more afraid of contracting the coronavirus in quarantine than if she were at home in her San Francisco apartment.
Former passengers are also troubled that testing has been slow.
As of Tuesday, Gilbert said federal authorities told those in quarantine that about 30% of former passengers had been tested. But testing is not mandatory, and results are trickling in. Those at Travis and Miramar said they have been told they will be required to remain on the base until they receive negative results, or for an indefinite amount of time if they are found positive.
That has discouraged many from taking the test, fearful that they will be held longer than two weeks if the government doesn’t speed its pace.
Gilbert is one former passenger who declined testing.
“I felt that was risky because then we had no control,” said Gilbert, who was in quarantine for five days on the Grand Princess and at Travis for a week. The time spent in her cabin doesn’t count towards the 14-day quarantine, so Gilbert points out that the passengers will have gone through 19 days of isolation before they could be released.
Donna Kaletta, a San Jose resident who is at Travis with her sister and elderly father, said she wants the test because her husband has underlying health conditions, and she does not want to carry the virus back to him. He is in Santa Clara County, where serious social restrictions are in place.
She feels it’s a no-win situation.
“We are being punished,” Kaletta said. “To say it’s beyond frustrating is an understatement.”
Times staff writer Suhauna Hussain contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-18--The coronavirus is changing life in California. These 20 photos show how

The Southland has taken extraordinary measures this week to stop dine-in restaurant eating , close gyms and movie theaters , @ @ @ @ @ to fight the spread of the coronavirus .
Most Southern California measures were not as @ @ @ @ @ 10 counties in the and Central California , which asked residents to and stay home @ @ @ @ @ the coming weeks .
The coronavirus outbreak has killed 17 people across California , including @ @ @ @ @ Valley in Riverside County — all over the age of 70 , with two of @ @ @ @ @ — and one person in Los Angeles County , a non-California resident in her 60s @ @ @ @ @ Here ’ s a visual look at how life has changed in the Southland .

The Southland has taken extraordinary measures this week to stop dine-in restaurant eating, close gyms and movie theaters, and ban or limit gatherings to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Most Southern California measures were not as stringent as those imposed in 10 counties in the Bay Area and Central California, which asked residents to shelter in place and stay home as much as possible in the coming weeks.
The coronavirus outbreak has killed 17 people across California, including three people in the Coachella Valley in Riverside County — all over the age of 70, with two of them having underlying health conditions — and one person in Los Angeles County, a non-California resident in her 60s with underlying health issues.
Here’s a visual look at how life has changed in the Southland.
Dallas Weaver, 79, and his wife, Janet Weaver, 75, of Huntington Beach, wear face masks as they finish a walk on the Huntington Beach pier during the coronavirus pandemic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A man pulls his luggage bag through an empty Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
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Salvador Lareas, left, and Raul Arias clean chairs with disinfectant inside Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Foot traffic is way down at Union Station due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
A traveler doesn’t have to fight the crowds at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
A musician walks across an empty parking lot in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Dr. Mark V. Morocco listens to a patient’s breathing through a car window at UCLA Medical Center, where people can drive up and get tested for the coronavirus. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Alake Ilegbameh says “May God continue to bless you” over and over again as he picks up food for his children from an L.A. Unified worker at Dorsey High in South Los Angeles. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Michael Ray, 11, plays with a ball before a movie at the Paramount Drive-In. Many theaters have closed amid coronavirus concerns. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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An employee of the Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia tells customers waiting in line that it will open doors to everyone at 9 a.m., not just senior citizens. Some grocery outlets were offering special morning shopping hours to accommodate older residents. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Ralph Gomez, who does outreach work with the homeless, tosses a clipboard for a signature to Davis Soto, taking care to stay at least 6 feet away in keeping with guidelines to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Don Whitaker, who runs Island Renters on Catalina, has been struggling for customers. He said on a typical day, all of his carts would be rented. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Emma Bradley, left, and her husband, Samuel Bradley, of Palmdale walk up a ramp to catch a Metrolink train at deserted Union Station in Los Angeles. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Seniors line up outside Gelson’s Market in Manhattan Beach. The store is doing a “seniors shopping hour,” during which older residents can purchase groceries before anybody else. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Surrounded by social distancing signs on seats, Orange County Undersheriff Bob Peterson listens to an official from the Orange County Health Care Agency describe to county supervisors the latest efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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Dustin Chupurdy brought a chair to sit in as he waited in the early morning for the Costco in Hawthorne to open. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Signs on L.A. freeways encourage motorists to practice social distancing. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Lydia Alvisures keeps 6 feet away from others waiting in line at the Unite Here Local 11 food bank Tuesday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Kevin Ezeh, wearing a face mask and gloves, speaks at a Los Angeles City council meeting that was held inside a tent erected outside City Hall amid the threats of the novel coronavirus. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-03-18--Arrests by LAPD and Sheriff's Department drop amid coronavirus outbreak

Los Angeles County ’ s two largest law enforcement agencies made significantly fewer arrests in recent weeks , reflecting the changing realities of policing amid the coronavirus outbreak .
The Los Angeles Police Department made 14 % fewer arrests during the first 15 days of March compared with the same period last year , according to the department .
The LAPD recorded 2,944 arrests during that time , compared with 3,406 the previous year .
The decline mirrors what has been happening at the the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department .
Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced earlier this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a daily average of 300 to 60 .
Arrest figures may continue to decline as the agencies adapt .
As the response to the coronavirus outbreak intensified this week , both departments ordered officers to cite and release people as much as possible while still arresting violent offenders .
“ We don ’ t want to tie up resources and impact the population in our court system or jails , ” LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein said .
The Sheriff ’ s Department is releasing inmates from its jails and cutting down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect those housed in close quarters .
Additionally , the L.A. County court system has suspended all proceedings for several days .
In L.A. , overall crime is down 5.8 % so far this year through March 15 compared with the same time last year , according to LAPD figures .
Crime will probably decline as people change their routines , said UC Irvine criminology professor George Tita , who is part of an interdisciplinary working group studying the effect of the coronavirus on crime trends in L.A. With residents working from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gyms , there is less potential for street crime .
With so many people staying in their homes , burglaries and property crime could decline while spousal abuse incidents may increase , Tita said .
LAPD officers receive training at the police academy on how to deal with people who have communicable diseases and are taking the necessary precautions , said Rubenstein , the department ’ s spokesman .
“ Right now there is no indication whatsoever that officers are backing off in any way or not responding to calls or not dealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ We ask our officers to go into dangerous situations , and often they have to put their safety aside for the greater good of the public ’ s safety .
That ’ s the challenge of being a police officer.
” On Sunday , LAPD officials confirmed the department ’ s first coronavirus case after a supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home last week .
He is expected to make a full recovery .
The LAPD has been taking precautions to deal with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the department closed the front desks at its 21 stations , asking residents to email instead .
All patrol officers and officers likely to come into contact with infected people have been issued a kit consisting of multiple sets of gloves , a bacteria protection mask and goggles .
Officers are directed to use the items when responding to a call or making contact with a possible virus patient .
The department has already ordered 100,000 extra masks , but officers will not wear masks as a routine matter .
Eugene O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York , praised those measures , saying police officers are “ very crucial if this thing ratchets up.
” “ Who enforces the curfews if things go into mandatory shutdown ?
” he said .
“ Police are overstretched to begin with , and now you are entering this uncharted territory.
” A former New York police officer and prosecutor , O ’ Donnell said officers have the same anxieties as the general public , but they are much more in harm ’ s way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is inherently close-contact work with strangers and some of the most marginalized people , including many people with no access to healthcare , ” O ’ Donnell said .

Los Angeles County’s two largest law enforcement agencies made significantly fewer arrests in recent weeks, reflecting the changing realities of policing amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The Los Angeles Police Department made 14% fewer arrests during the first 15 days of March compared with the same period last year, according to the department. The LAPD recorded 2,944 arrests during that time, compared with 3,406 the previous year.
The decline mirrors what has been happening at the the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced earlier this week that arrests by his deputies have plummeted from a daily average of 300 to 60.
Arrest figures may continue to decline as the agencies adapt. As the response to the coronavirus outbreak intensified this week, both departments ordered officers to cite and release people as much as possible while still arresting violent offenders.
“We don’t want to tie up resources and impact the population in our court system or jails,” LAPD spokesman Josh Rubenstein said.
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The 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. Additionally, the L.A. County court system has suspended all proceedings for several days.
In L.A., overall crime is down 5.8% so far this year through March 15 compared with the same time last year, according to LAPD figures.
Crime will probably decline as people change their routines, said UC Irvine criminology professor George Tita, who is part of an interdisciplinary working group studying the effect of the coronavirus on crime trends in L.A.
With residents working from home and avoiding restaurants, bars and gyms, there is less potential for street crime. With so many people staying in their homes, burglaries and property crime could decline while spousal abuse incidents may increase, Tita said.
LAPD officers receive training at the police academy on how to deal with people who have communicable diseases and are taking the necessary precautions, said Rubenstein, the department’s spokesman.
“Right now there is no indication whatsoever that officers are backing off in any way or not responding to calls or not dealing with people because of this issue,” he said. “We ask our officers to go into dangerous situations, and often they have to put their safety aside for the greater good of the public’s safety. That’s the challenge of being a police officer.”
On Sunday, LAPD officials confirmed the department’s first coronavirus case after a supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home last week. He is expected to make a full recovery.
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The LAPD has been taking precautions to deal with the spread of the coronavirus. Starting Wednesday, the department closed the front desks at its 21 stations, asking residents to email instead.
All patrol officers and officers likely to come into contact with infected people have been issued a kit consisting of multiple sets of gloves, a bacteria protection mask and goggles.
Officers are directed to use the items when responding to a call or making contact with a possible virus patient. The department has already ordered 100,000 extra masks, but officers will not wear masks as a routine matter.
Eugene O’Donnell, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, praised those measures, saying police officers are “very crucial if this thing ratchets up.”
“Who enforces the curfews if things go into mandatory shutdown?” he said. “Police are overstretched to begin with, and now you are entering this uncharted territory.”
A former New York police officer and prosecutor, O’Donnell said officers have the same anxieties as the general public, but they are much more in harm’s way.
“The job of a police officer is inherently close-contact work with strangers and some of the most marginalized people, including many people with no access to healthcare,” O’Donnell said.