latimes--2020-03-25--Banks: How coronavirus turned supermarket workers into heroes

Raymond Lopez doesn ’ t carry a stethoscope or wear a gun .
He ’ s more at home on a loading dock than in a fire station .
But as a grocery store worker , Lopez is on the front lines of our daily battle against a new enemy : coronavirus pandemic panic .
He ’ s been working at Vons since he snagged a summer job as a bagger in Camarillo , 33 years ago .
“ Back then , everybody aspired to be a grocery worker , ” Lopez told me .
“ It put food on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a family.
” Today supermarkets are playing a ground-zero role in our struggle to adapt to restrictions imposed by COVID-19 .
And grocery workers are bearing much of the the brunt of our anxiety and frustration , as we descend on depleted stores .
Without masks or barriers , employees are working long hours , risking infection and battling exhaustion to do their jobs .
They connect us to material essentials , like bread and toilet paper .
But they ’ re also part of the social fabric that holds us together in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the guy restocking the egg case this morning might be my only social interaction on this shelter-at-home day .
And I feel better whenever I see my favorite cashier at her register .
There ’ s something reassuring about the familiar in a world where everything has changed .
Markets are about the only place we ’ re still allowed to gather en masse .
And their employees — pressed into service in ways they never expected — are our new first responders .
They ’ re apt to see us at our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our strain .
We ought to thank them for their service , not blame them because market lines are long or inventory is low .
“ We ’ re being asked to do a lot more than we naturally would be , ” said Lopez , who lives in Pasadena and works in Glendale .
Beyond the deep cleaning , shelf replenishing and crowd-control tasks , “ there are all these new things , like figuring out the protective gear and learning how to interact with someone in the checkout line who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ It ’ s definitely an atmosphere where everybody ’ s nerves are heightened , but we don ’ t have time to sit and panic .
We have a job to do.
” Lopez manages the order and delivery process at his Vons .
He ’ s the person we expect to keep the shelves stocked , and Lopez and his team are working on overdrive .
“ We ’ re all very grateful that customers are patronizing our stores , ” he said .
“ But things snowballed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whirlwind right now , and I think people are getting really tired .
“ We ’ re working six and seven days in row , staying late and coming in early .
Because a lot of people are still out there , panic shopping for something.
” Stores are limited now in how much they can order from main warehouses , “ so we more or less put our puzzle pieces together and try to figure out what we ’ re going to get , ” he said .
They ’ ve taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we don ’ t fault them , ” he said .
“ We have some snappy customers , some unhappy people , but we understand their frustration .
They ’ re just trying to manage , like all of us.
” Still , I ’ ve witnessed scenes that make me marvel at their patience and understand why nerves are fraying .
On my Tuesday-morning foray to a local market for “ senior shopping hour , ” an angry woman delayed our entrance while she loudly berated the employee at the door because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be admitted .
We waited anxiously in line , in rubber gloves and paper masks , until he calmed her down and ushered us into the store .
That ’ s a common scenario , according to John Grant , a former meatpacker who is president of the union that represents grocery employees in Southern California .
“ We ’ ve heard from 2,400 members raising concerns about safety protocols , crowd control and access for seniors , ” he said .
“ They ’ re dealing with a public that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it gets hostile , ” Grant said .
“ This wasn ’ t what they signed up for , but they realize it ’ s their responsibility .
They ’ ve cursed how vulnerable they are , and yet they keep going out of their profound dedication to their communities.
” I hadn ’ t thought about it much until now , but the supermarket has always been a place that bonded communities together .
It ’ s the sort of impromptu gathering spot where I was apt to run into that old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line behind the principal I locked horns with when my kid was in middle school .
I was in the grocery store when I found out Kobe Bryant died ; the cashier and I were both crying as she checked me out .
And all around us , people from every walk of life were grieving in clumps or wandering around shell-shocked until they found someone to hug .
My chat with Lopez , who still loves his job , made me think about how I felt the last time I was stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impatient and desperate to gather what I needed and leave , because everyone seemed to be sneezing or standing too close to me .
I remember rolling my eyes when the cashier stalled our checkout process so she could teach the elderly man in front of me how to use the Apple Pay app .
“ My son put this on for me , ” he announced , as he fumbled with his phone .
It took forever to settle up for the $ 14 of dried lentils and canned tuna he bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the line behind me then : The cashier was inefficient ; the old man was wasting our time .
But now I think about that scene differently .
I imagine that man wandering aisles alone , confused and searching bare shelves .
And I realize that cashier was not blind to the impatience of our line .
She was truly a first responder , attending to a more important but less visible need .

Grocery store employee Raymond Lopez is on the front lines of our daily battle against a new enemy: coronavirus pandemic panic. He has worked for Vons for 33 years.
Raymond Lopez doesn’t carry a stethoscope or wear a gun. He’s more at home on a loading dock than in a fire station.
But as a grocery store worker, Lopez is on the front lines of our daily battle against a new enemy: coronavirus pandemic panic.
He’s been working at Vons since he snagged a summer job as a bagger in Camarillo, 33 years ago.
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“Back then, everybody aspired to be a grocery worker,” Lopez told me. “It put food on the table, and you could support a family.”
Today supermarkets are playing a ground-zero role in our struggle to adapt to restrictions imposed by COVID-19. And grocery workers are bearing much of the the brunt of our anxiety and frustration, as we descend on depleted stores.
Without masks or barriers, employees are working long hours, risking infection and battling exhaustion to do their jobs. They connect us to material essentials, like bread and toilet paper. But they’re also part of the social fabric that holds us together in unsettling times.
Michell Guajardo, left, owner and operator of the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Altadena, offers single rolls of toilet paper donated by another shopper to 85-year-old Sister Dorothea Snaer from Scared Heart Catholic Church. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
That friendly chat with the guy restocking the egg case this morning might be my only social interaction on this shelter-at-home day. And I feel better whenever I see my favorite cashier at her register. There’s something reassuring about the familiar in a world where everything has changed.
Markets are about the only place we’re still allowed to gather en masse. And their employees — pressed into service in ways they never expected — are our new first responders. They’re apt to see us at our worst, and they aim to ease our strain.
Advertisement
We ought to thank them for their service, not blame them because market lines are long or inventory is low.
“We’re being asked to do a lot more than we naturally would be,” said Lopez, who lives in Pasadena and works in Glendale.
Beyond the deep cleaning, shelf replenishing and crowd-control tasks, “there are all these new things, like figuring out the protective gear and learning how to interact with someone in the checkout line who is coughing or might be sick,” he said.
“It’s definitely an atmosphere where everybody’s nerves are heightened, but we don’t have time to sit and panic. We have a job to do.”
Workers at the Ralphs grocery store in Westchester is implementing social distancing guidelines for its customers. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Lopez manages the order and delivery process at his Vons. He’s the person we expect to keep the shelves stocked, and Lopez and his team are working on overdrive.
“We’re all very grateful that customers are patronizing our stores,” he said. “But things snowballed incredibly fast … It’s a whirlwind right now, and I think people are getting really tired.
“We’re working six and seven days in row, staying late and coming in early. Because a lot of people are still out there, panic shopping for something.”
Stores are limited now in how much they can order from main warehouses, “so we more or less put our puzzle pieces together and try to figure out what we’re going to get,” he said.
They’ve taken guff from rude customers, “but we don’t fault them,” he said. “We have some snappy customers, some unhappy people, but we understand their frustration. They’re just trying to manage, like all of us.”
Still, I’ve witnessed scenes that make me marvel at their patience and understand why nerves are fraying.
On my Tuesday-morning foray to a local market for “senior shopping hour,” an angry woman delayed our entrance while she loudly berated the employee at the door because she wasn’t old enough to be admitted. We waited anxiously in line, in rubber gloves and paper masks, until he calmed her down and ushered us into the store.
That’s a common scenario, according to John Grant, a former meatpacker who is president of the union that represents grocery employees in Southern California. “We’ve heard from 2,400 members raising concerns about safety protocols, crowd control and access for seniors,” he said.
“They’re dealing with a public that’s fearful, apprehensive and frustrated, and it gets hostile,” Grant said. “This wasn’t what they signed up for, but they realize it’s their responsibility. They’ve cursed how vulnerable they are, and yet they keep going out of their profound dedication to their communities.”
I hadn’t thought about it much until now, but the supermarket has always been a place that bonded communities together. It’s the sort of impromptu gathering spot where I was apt to run into that old soccer-mom buddy, or find myself in line behind the principal I locked horns with when my kid was in middle school.
I was in the grocery store when I found out Kobe Bryant died; the cashier and I were both crying as she checked me out. And all around us, people from every walk of life were grieving in clumps or wandering around shell-shocked until they found someone to hug.
My chat with Lopez, who still loves his job, made me think about how I felt the last time I was stuck in a crowd of fearful shoppers: impatient and desperate to gather what I needed and leave, because everyone seemed to be sneezing or standing too close to me.
I remember rolling my eyes when the cashier stalled our checkout process so she could teach the elderly man in front of me how to use the Apple Pay app.
“My son put this on for me,” he announced, as he fumbled with his phone. It took forever to settle up for the $14 of dried lentils and canned tuna he bought.
I could hear the grumbling in the line behind me then: The cashier was inefficient; the old man was wasting our time. But now I think about that scene differently.
I imagine that man wandering aisles alone, confused and searching bare shelves. And I realize that cashier was not blind to the impatience of our line.
She was truly a first responder, attending to a more important but less visible need.


latimes--2020-03-25--Lopez: This JPL scientist was scheduled for breast cancer surgery. Then coronavirus hit

As the Mars rover Curiosity explores the red planet , 141 million miles away , Nancy Vandermey is one of the team members at the controls .
But the Jet Propulsion Laboratory rocket scientist — who also worked on NASA ’ s Cassini and Galileo projects — has had very little control over an earthly challenge she ’ s facing .
She got the diagnosis Feb. 4 , and surgery was supposed to be March 19 .
But then coronavirus torpedoed normal routines at hospitals and medical clinics .
As they prepare for a possible onslaught of patients sick with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or eliminated so-called non-urgent procedures to conserve beds and medical equipment .
Vandermey followed these developments closely , hoping she wouldn ’ t get bumped off the surgery schedule at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center .
Having cancer was unnerving enough , but delaying treatment would be doubly scary .
A few days out , Vandermey got the news she had feared .
Surgery was being postponed , and one medical staffer told her the schedule change was due to “ lack of supplies.
” A couple of days later , Vandermey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her he thought the surgery would happen in the next couple of weeks .
But a day later , another medical staffer had a more worrisome prediction .
“ I got an email saying it was more likely to be a couple of months rather than two to three weeks , ” said Vandermey .
Vandermey , a wildlife lover and photographer who has traveled the world taking pictures than can be found at wildcatzoo.com , lives in Tujunga , where she has captured images of the big cats who live in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street and through her yard .
She ’ s working from home these days , because the virus has altered routines at JPL , and said that “ operating a Mars rover from home is new and different , and that ’ s interesting.
” But trying to determine whether Mars has ever sustained life hasn ’ t entirely gotten her mind off the pandemic that ’ s sweeping this planet or the medical condition that has disrupted her life .
“ It ’ s been very scary , ” Vandermey told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to spread during the delay .
“ I figure the longer surgery doesn ’ t happen , the more likely it is to be months and months , because hospitals are going to be overwhelmed with virus patients .
They currently aren ’ t , and I was trying to get in there before it happens.
” Vandermey didn ’ t want her surgery to delay medical treatment for anyone else , and she noted that it was to be an outpatient procedure , which would tie up resources for only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an underlying health issue , she might be considered in a high-risk population for severe complications if she gets coronavirus , but Vandermey told me she fears the cancer more than the virus .
After the postponement , she filed an appeal with the Medical Board of California and posted about her predicament on Twitter .
Among those who responded : a woman who said her pacemaker implant is on hold and a man who said his mother ’ s checkup following cancer surgery has been delayed two months .
And there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the offing .
Antelope Valley resident Joyce Macconnell has two knee replacements scheduled , the first in May , but told me she wonders if it will be pushed back .
“ Hospitals are being urged to postpone as many elective procedures as they can without causing harm to any individual , ” said Jan Emerson-Shea of the California Hospital Association .
“ California has no hard and fast rules , but basically [ the question is ] , can an individual go two to three months , perhaps , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any harm ?
” Emerson-Shea said she understands these are tough choices for hospitals and doctors , but she added that the term “ elective ” needs to be clarified .
“ It does not mean not medically necessary ; it just means it ’ s not an emergency , ” she said .
Emerson-Shea didn ’ t want to speculate on the best protocol for Vandermey or any other patient .
Hospitals are making case-by-case decisions and doing their best , she said , to make tough judgments about which treatments can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ this unprecedented crisis.
” Dr. Robert Cherry , chief medical and quality officer at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center , said each surgical unit is constantly reviewing which operations should go ahead as scheduled and which can be delayed so that beds and medical gear are conserved .
That can involve tough calls , because one thing we do know about coronavirus is that it has the potential to spread rapidly .
“ We are now [ at ] anywhere from 35 % to 40 % of our normal surgical volume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designed in case of a need to accommodate a crush of very sick patients .
But among the procedures going forward as planned , Cherry said , are surgeries for cancer and cardiovascular disease .
When I called Vandermey ’ s doctor , he said he wasn ’ t at liberty to speak about her case .
A Kaiser Permanente spokesperson sent me a response stating that Kaiser doctors “ are clinically evaluating all elective procedures scheduled for the next few weeks to determine those that can be safely postponed .
These may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on to say that “ national societies are recommending delaying many types of cancer surgery , in part because of evidence of serious complications from COVID-19 after surgery.
” I can understand the hospital ’ s point of view .
Kaiser , like other hospitals and like the general public , is trying to navigate these scary , uncertain times .
But I also can ’ t imagine what it would be like to be in Vandermey ’ s position , worried about the spread of cancer at a time when so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When I drove out to see Vandermey Tuesday afternoon , the rocket scientist was on a break and walked down to the bottom of her driveway to meet with me .
We spoke from a virus-safe distance of 15 feet or so .
And she had great news .
A bit earlier , she had gotten a call from her Kaiser doctor .
Her surgery is now scheduled for Thursday .
She expects to be back at work in a couple of weeks , and that ’ s a good thing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ universe left to explore .

Nancy Vandermey, an engineer working on the Mars rover Curiosity, appealed a hospital’s decision to delay her breast cancer surgery because of coronavirus.
As the Mars rover Curiosity explores the red planet, 141 million miles away, Nancy Vandermey is one of the team members at the controls.
But the Jet Propulsion Laboratory rocket scientist — who also worked on NASA’s Cassini and Galileo projects — has had very little control over an earthly challenge she’s facing.
Vandermey has breast cancer. Stage two.
She got the diagnosis Feb. 4, and surgery was supposed to be March 19.
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But then coronavirus torpedoed normal routines at hospitals and medical clinics. As they prepare for a possible onslaught of patients sick with the virus, some hospitals have curtailed or eliminated so-called non-urgent procedures to conserve beds and medical equipment.
Vandermey followed these developments closely, hoping she wouldn’t get bumped off the surgery schedule at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Having cancer was unnerving enough, but delaying treatment would be doubly scary.
A few days out, Vandermey got the news she had feared. Surgery was being postponed, and one medical staffer told her the schedule change was due to “lack of supplies.”
A couple of days later, Vandermey said, her doctor apologized and told her he thought the surgery would happen in the next couple of weeks. But a day later, another medical staffer had a more worrisome prediction.
“I got an email saying it was more likely to be a couple of months rather than two to three weeks,” said Vandermey.
Vandermey, a wildlife lover and photographer who has traveled the world taking pictures than can be found at wildcatzoo.com, lives in Tujunga, where she has captured images of the big cats who live in the surrounding hills and have wandered up her street and through her yard.
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She’s working from home these days, because the virus has altered routines at JPL, and said that “operating a Mars rover from home is new and different, and that’s interesting.” But trying to determine whether Mars has ever sustained life hasn’t entirely gotten her mind off the pandemic that’s sweeping this planet or the medical condition that has disrupted her life.
“It’s been very scary,” Vandermey told me, worrying that the cancer would have a chance to spread during the delay. “I figure the longer surgery doesn’t happen, the more likely it is to be months and months, because hospitals are going to be overwhelmed with virus patients. They currently aren’t, and I was trying to get in there before it happens.”
Vandermey didn’t want her surgery to delay medical treatment for anyone else, and she noted that it was to be an outpatient procedure, which would tie up resources for only a short time. As someone with an underlying health issue, she might be considered in a high-risk population for severe complications if she gets coronavirus, but Vandermey told me she fears the cancer more than the virus.
After the postponement, she filed an appeal with the Medical Board of California and posted about her predicament on Twitter.
Among those who responded: a woman who said her pacemaker implant is on hold and a man who said his mother’s checkup following cancer surgery has been delayed two months.
And there’s no telling how many more postponements are in the offing. Antelope Valley resident Joyce Macconnell has two knee replacements scheduled, the first in May, but told me she wonders if it will be pushed back.
“Hospitals are being urged to postpone as many elective procedures as they can without causing harm to any individual,” said Jan Emerson-Shea of the California Hospital Association. “California has no hard and fast rules, but basically [the question is], can an individual go two to three months, perhaps, without a procedure, or will that cause any harm?”
Emerson-Shea said she understands these are tough choices for hospitals and doctors, but she added that the term “elective” needs to be clarified.
“It does not mean not medically necessary; it just means it’s not an emergency,” she said.
Emerson-Shea didn’t want to speculate on the best protocol for Vandermey or any other patient. Hospitals are making case-by-case decisions and doing their best, she said, to make tough judgments about which treatments can safely be delayed in order to prepare for “this unprecedented crisis.”
Dr. Robert Cherry, chief medical and quality officer at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, said each surgical unit is constantly reviewing which operations should go ahead as scheduled and which can be delayed so that beds and medical gear are conserved. That can involve tough calls, because one thing we do know about coronavirus is that it has the potential to spread rapidly.
“We are now [at] anywhere from 35% to 40% of our normal surgical volume,” Cherry said, a slowdown designed in case of a need to accommodate a crush of very sick patients. But among the procedures going forward as planned, Cherry said, are surgeries for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
When I called Vandermey’s doctor, he said he wasn’t at liberty to speak about her case. A Kaiser Permanente spokesperson sent me a response stating that Kaiser doctors “are clinically evaluating all elective procedures scheduled for the next few weeks to determine those that can be safely postponed. These may include select cancer surgeries.”
The statement went on to say that “national societies are recommending delaying many types of cancer surgery, in part because of evidence of serious complications from COVID-19 after surgery.”
I can understand the hospital’s point of view. Kaiser, like other hospitals and like the general public, is trying to navigate these scary, uncertain times. But I also can’t imagine what it would be like to be in Vandermey’s position, worried about the spread of cancer at a time when so much else is unsettling in the world.
When I drove out to see Vandermey Tuesday afternoon, the rocket scientist was on a break and walked down to the bottom of her driveway to meet with me. We spoke from a virus-safe distance of 15 feet or so.
And she had great news.
A bit earlier, she had gotten a call from her Kaiser doctor.
Her surgery is now scheduled for Thursday. She expects to be back at work in a couple of weeks, and that’s a good thing. There’s a lot of the universe left to explore.


latimes--2020-03-25--Coronavirus link suspected in death of Lancaster teen as L.A. County cases top 660

As California ’ s death toll from COVID-19 reached 55 , health officials in Los Angeles County said Tuesday that the disease caused by the novel coronavirus may have taken the life of a Lancaster teenager , possibly the nation ’ s first death of a person under 18 related to the virus .
L.A. County Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer called it “ a devastating reminder that COVID-19 affects people of all ages.
” But in a statement late Tuesday , public health officials noted that although “ early tests indicated a positive result for COVID-19 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alternate explanation ” besides COVID-19 for the death .
Word of the teen ’ s death came as officials warned Tuesday that the situation was about to get much worse in California , with infections surging and elected leaders and public health agencies scrambling to free up hospital bed space .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , in a video address , emphasized the need for virtually everyone to stay home , declaring that L.A. could be six to 12 days from seeing numbers like those in New York City , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
“ It ’ s coming , ” Garcetti said .
“ The peak is not here yet .
The peak will be bad .
People will lose their lives .
Many of us will know those people.
” Garcetti said Angelenos should prepare to live “ for a couple months like this , ” a rebuff to President Trump ’ s remarks Tuesday that the country could be “ raring to go by Easter.
” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Trump ’ s remarks did not reflect reality in California , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,500 .
“ April for California would be sooner than any of the experts that I talked to believe is possible , ” Newsom said .
Newsom now expects California will need 50,000 hospital beds to deal with COVID-19 patients , more than double what his administration forecast last week .
He said the state ’ s 416 hospitals will execute “ surge plans ” to create 30,000 new beds .
Newsom also ordered a halt to the intake and transfer of inmates at the state ’ s 35 prisons and four youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard Branson will donate medical gear to help healthcare workers , joining efforts by Tesla and Apple executives .
In an interview Tuesday , Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said the teenage boy died of septic shock and that the youth ’ s father is infected with the coronavirus .
As officials try to determine the exact cause of death for the youth , it ’ s possible that the coronavirus and bacterial infection are correlated , one expert said .
“ We do know that respiratory viruses in general can exacerbate secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maldonado , a Stanford University professor of pediatrics infectious diseases and the chair of the American Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases .
It ’ s possible that a viral infection could worsen a bacterial super-infection and lead to a secondary bacterial infection , including pneumonia or sepsis , Maldonado said , adding , “ I see no reason why this virus would be any different.
” Meanwhile , the toll of infections continued to mount up and down California .
In L.A. County , officials confirmed three more deaths linked to the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 .
The county confirmed an additional 128 cases of coronavirus infection , pushing the county ’ s total to 662 .
The Los Angeles Police Department said 11 officers have tested positive , two of them members of its senior command staff .
In Orange County , health officials confirmed the county ’ s first virus-related death , a man in his 70s with underlying health issues who was getting treatment at a hospital .
The number of infected people reached 152 in Orange County , with 27 new reported cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 new cases and a second reported fatality — a resident of the Atria Senior Living facility in Burlingame .
San Francisco reported its first COVID-19 fatality , a man in his 40s with “ multiple , significant underlying health conditions , ” the city announced .
The city now has 152 confirmed cases , and officials warned of a surge in cases within a week or two , with the public health director saying “ the worst is yet to come.
” In Long Beach , Mayor Robert Garcia tweeted Tuesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases .
“ If you have the ability to stay home , please do so , ” Garcia wrote .
“ Wash your hands and social distance .
We all need to work to flatten the curve.
” The city ’ s 28 cases include one of two Cal State Long Beach students who tested positive for the virus and were in self-isolation off campus .
Elsewhere in the higher education sphere , officials at Stanford said Tuesday that 24 people connected to the institution — either as students , faculty , staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for COVID-19 .
Among those is one student who is self-isolating on campus , university officials said .
Across the state , officials continued to call for an increase in testing capacity and reporting .
Frustrated public health directors in Contra Costa and five other Bay Area counties have ordered testing sites to begin reporting not just the positive cases , but also the negative results , which experts say is critical to tracking the spread of the virus .
In Santa Clara County , there were 16 reported deaths as of Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There , the sheriff ’ s office confirmed four cases of infection among its staff , including a deputy who is self-isolating at home .
The state ’ s chief justice has issued an order to delay criminal and civil trials for 60 days in courtrooms across California ’ s 58 counties , because court facilities are “ ill-equipped to effectively allow the social distancing ” needed to thwart the virus .
The presiding judge of Los Angeles County Superior Court , Kevin C. Brazile , blocked public access to county courthouses except @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ authorized persons , ” though the clerk ’ s office will still be available to accept filings and assist people remotely .
The California National Guard is being deployed for humanitarian purposes , such as helping at food banks and handing out food and medical supplies .
Late Tuesday , the Los Angeles Archdiocese said it was closing all its churches and offices until further notice , citing the danger of the coronavirus outbreak .
Meanwhile , California remained largely shut down under state and local orders .
L.A. County Sheriff Alex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of “ nonessential ” businesses Tuesday , saying gun sellers will be cited — and may lose their business licenses — if they don ’ t close their doors .
Early Wednesday morning , however , the sheriff said that the department ’ s “ enforcement efforts to close nonessential businesses have been suspended ” and that Newsom would “ determine what qualifies as a nonessential business.
” Garcetti , meanwhile , said he continues to receive reports of various “ irresponsible and selfish ” nonessential businesses that remain open as usual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from local prosecutors , and could result in the city shutting off their water and power .
At recreational areas , local leaders tightened restrictions amid worries that people are still not staying at least six feet apart in public , as reflected , for example , by last weekend ’ s crowds at popular beaches .
In Laguna Beach , the beaches have closed .
In Los Angeles , Councilman David Ryu asked the parks department to close Runyon Canyon Park and Lake Hollywood Park on weekends .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing Runyon Canyon Park on weekends , when we have seen the highest volume of visitors , should follow to keep everyone safe , ” Ryu said .
In Sonoma County , parks and open spaces are closed indefinitely , including city , county , state and federal parklands and recreational lands operated by private groups and nonprofits .
“ Closing parks is a difficult decision , but it is the right decision at this time , ” Sundari Mase , the county ’ s interim health officer , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take is to stay close to home and limit our outdoor time to our yards and neighborhoods.
” In Orange County , officials have shuttered county-owned parking lots at all trails and parks under OC Parks jurisdiction , including Irvine Regional Park , Talbert Regional Park in Costa Mesa and Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley .
While the sites themselves remain open , officials hope that curtailing parking will prevent crowds .
“ I would not want to discourage residents from getting out and getting fresh air , ” said Supervisor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend , despite calls for people to keep a six-foot buffer around themselves when they venture outside .
Prior to Orange County ’ s action , individual cities in the county had taken it upon themselves to implement such restrictions .
Huntington Beach ’ s pier and all city beach parking lots closed Tuesday , while in Newport Beach , the piers and beachfront parking lots will close beginning Wednesday .
Beach parking lots are also closed in Venice Beach , Santa Monica and Malibu .
Times staff writers Phil Willon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luke Money , Rong-Gong Lin II and Christopher Goffard contributed to this report .

Colleen Shalby, Hannah Fry, Jaclyn Cosgrove, Richard Winton, Luke Money

Some beaches and parks have closed across Southern California after crowds turned up over the weekend.
As California’s death toll from COVID-19 reached 55, health officials in Los Angeles County said Tuesday that the disease caused by the novel coronavirus may have taken the life of a Lancaster teenager, possibly the nation’s first death of a person under 18 related to the virus.
L.A. County Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer called it “a devastating reminder that COVID-19 affects people of all ages.” But in a statement late Tuesday, public health officials noted that although “early tests indicated a positive result for COVID-19, the case is complex and there may be an alternate explanation” besides COVID-19 for the death.
Word of the teen’s death came as officials warned Tuesday that the situation was about to get much worse in California, with infections surging and elected leaders and public health agencies scrambling to free up hospital bed space.
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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, in a video address, emphasized the need for virtually everyone to stay home, declaring that L.A. could be six to 12 days from seeing numbers like those in New York City, where the death toll has exploded in recent days.
“It’s coming,” Garcetti said. “The peak is not here yet. The peak will be bad. People will lose their lives. Many of us will know those people.”
Garcetti said Angelenos should prepare to live “for a couple months like this,” a rebuff to President Trump’s remarks Tuesday that the country could be “raring to go by Easter.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Trump’s remarks did not reflect reality in California, where statewide infections have surged to nearly 2,500. “April for California would be sooner than any of the experts that I talked to believe is possible,” Newsom said.
Newsom now expects California will need 50,000 hospital beds to deal with COVID-19 patients, more than double what his administration forecast last week. He said the state’s 416 hospitals will execute “surge plans” to create 30,000 new beds.
Newsom also ordered a halt to the intake and transfer of inmates at the state’s 35 prisons and four youth correctional facilities. He said British billionaire Richard Branson will donate medical gear to help healthcare workers, joining efforts by Tesla and Apple executives.
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In an interview Tuesday, Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris said the teenage boy died of septic shock and that the youth’s father is infected with the coronavirus.
As officials try to determine the exact cause of death for the youth, it’s possible that the coronavirus and bacterial infection are correlated, one expert said.
“We do know that respiratory viruses in general can exacerbate secondary bacterial infections,” said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a Stanford University professor of pediatrics infectious diseases and the chair of the American Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases.
It’s possible that a viral infection could worsen a bacterial super-infection and lead to a secondary bacterial infection, including pneumonia or sepsis, Maldonado said, adding, “I see no reason why this virus would be any different.”
Meanwhile, the toll of infections continued to mount up and down California.
In L.A. County, officials confirmed three more deaths linked to the virus, bringing the countywide death toll to 11. The county confirmed an additional 128 cases of coronavirus infection, pushing the county’s total to 662.
The Los Angeles Police Department said 11 officers have tested positive, two of them members of its senior command staff. In Orange County, health officials confirmed the county’s first virus-related death, a man in his 70s with underlying health issues who was getting treatment at a hospital. The number of infected people reached 152 in Orange County, with 27 new reported cases.
In San Mateo County, there were 19 new cases and a second reported fatality — a resident of the Atria Senior Living facility in Burlingame.
San Francisco reported its first COVID-19 fatality, a man in his 40s with “multiple, significant underlying health conditions,” the city announced. The city now has 152 confirmed cases, and officials warned of a surge in cases within a week or two, with the public health director saying “the worst is yet to come.”
In Long Beach, Mayor Robert Garcia tweeted Tuesday that the city now has 28 confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“If you have the ability to stay home, please do so,” Garcia wrote. “Wash your hands and social distance. We all need to work to flatten the curve.”
The city’s 28 cases include one of two Cal State Long Beach students who tested positive for the virus and were in self-isolation off campus.
Elsewhere in the higher education sphere, officials at Stanford said Tuesday that 24 people connected to the institution — either as students, faculty, staff or post-doctoral students — have tested positive for COVID-19.
Among those is one student who is self-isolating on campus, university officials said.
Across the state, officials continued to call for an increase in testing capacity and reporting. Frustrated public health directors in Contra Costa and five other Bay Area counties have ordered testing sites to begin reporting not just the positive cases, but also the negative results, which experts say is critical to tracking the spread of the virus.
In Santa Clara County, there were 16 reported deaths as of Tuesday, the most in the state. There, the sheriff’s office confirmed four cases of infection among its staff, including a deputy who is self-isolating at home.
The state’s chief justice has issued an order to delay criminal and civil trials for 60 days in courtrooms across California’s 58 counties, because court facilities are “ill-equipped to effectively allow the social distancing” needed to thwart the virus.
The presiding judge of Los Angeles County Superior Court, Kevin C. Brazile, blocked public access to county courthouses except for attorneys, staff, defendants and “authorized persons,” though the clerk’s office will still be available to accept filings and assist people remotely.
The California National Guard is being deployed for humanitarian purposes, such as helping at food banks and handing out food and medical supplies.
Late Tuesday, the Los Angeles Archdiocese said it was closing all its churches and offices until further notice, citing the danger of the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, California remained largely shut down under state and local orders.
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva added gun stores to the list of “nonessential” businesses Tuesday, saying gun sellers will be cited — and may lose their business licenses — if they don’t close their doors.
Early Wednesday morning, however, the sheriff said that the department’s “enforcement efforts to close nonessential businesses have been suspended” and that Newsom would “determine what qualifies as a nonessential business.”
Garcetti, meanwhile, said he continues to receive reports of various “irresponsible and selfish” nonessential businesses that remain open as usual, which he said may prompt a call from local prosecutors, and could result in the city shutting off their water and power.
At recreational areas, local leaders tightened restrictions amid worries that people are still not staying at least six feet apart in public, as reflected, for example, by last weekend’s crowds at popular beaches. In Laguna Beach, the beaches have closed. In Los Angeles, Councilman David Ryu asked the parks department to close Runyon Canyon Park and Lake Hollywood Park on weekends.
“I don’t make this recommendation easily, but closing Runyon Canyon Park on weekends, when we have seen the highest volume of visitors, should follow to keep everyone safe,” Ryu said.
In Sonoma County, parks and open spaces are closed indefinitely, including city, county, state and federal parklands and recreational lands operated by private groups and nonprofits.
“Closing parks is a difficult decision, but it is the right decision at this time,” Sundari Mase, the county’s interim health officer, said in a statement. “The best action we can take is to stay close to home and limit our outdoor time to our yards and neighborhoods.”
In Orange County, officials have shuttered county-owned parking lots at all trails and parks under OC Parks jurisdiction, including Irvine Regional Park, Talbert Regional Park in Costa Mesa and Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley. While the sites themselves remain open, officials hope that curtailing parking will prevent crowds.
“I would not want to discourage residents from getting out and getting fresh air,” said Supervisor Doug Chaffee.
Popular beaches were crowded over the weekend, despite calls for people to keep a six-foot buffer around themselves when they venture outside.
Prior to Orange County’s action, individual cities in the county had taken it upon themselves to implement such restrictions.
Huntington Beach’s pier and all city beach parking lots closed Tuesday, while in Newport Beach, the piers and beachfront parking lots will close beginning Wednesday. Beach parking lots are also closed in Venice Beach, Santa Monica and Malibu.
Times staff writers Phil Willon, Sarah Parvini, Taryn Luna, Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II and Christopher Goffard contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-25--Coronavirus threatens to wipe out California's $21-billion surplus. And it could get worse

For more than six years , through two governors and hundreds of lawmakers ’ votes , California ’ s state government slowly built the largest cash reserve in its history — projected to total $ 21 billion by next summer .
But there are growing fears that the fast-moving crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic could force it to be spent in a matter of months .
A number of the state ’ s most experienced budget watchers now expect that California might need to use the entire cash surplus , and possibly much more money , to prop up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underfunded by a quickly collapsing economy .
“ This is a sudden downturn unlike anything we ’ ve seen , ” said Gabriel Petek , the state ’ s legislative analyst .
“ We ’ re kind of flying blind at this point.
” Few states bear more scars from crushing budget deficits of the past than California .
Three significant economic downturns over the past quarter-century triggered sharp drops in tax revenue , two of which occurred in a single decade .
The resulting events were historic : state government paymasters issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were slashed and angry voters removed Gov .
Gray Davis from office in a 2003 special election .
But each prior collapse in government funding was a relatively slow-moving disaster .
Even the global recession that began in 2008 , generally seen as the most quickly unfolding crisis , gave lawmakers time to take corrective measures .
Early indications are they will have to act much more quickly to address the COVID-19 emergency — assuming that health concerns eventually lessen and allow legislators to return to Sacramento .
And as financial markets shrink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s budget situation could deteriorate much faster .
“ I don ’ t think people in California or the country have fully come to grips with the situation that we ’ re in , ” said Assemblyman Phil Ting ( D-San Francisco ) , chairman of the lower house ’ s budget committee .
On Tuesday , advisors to Gov .
Gavin Newsom took the first steps toward creating a triage plan .
State agencies were told to assume no funding will exist for proposals they already had in the works , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were told the administration will be unable to submit its expected April 1 updates on government revenue and expenses .
“ Despite the sustained efforts , the virus continues to spread and is impacting nearly all sectors of California ’ s economy , ” Keely Martin Bosler , the governor ’ s finance director , wrote to legislative leaders .
“ Among these impacts is a potentially severe drop in economic activity , with corresponding negative effects on anticipated revenues for the upcoming 2020-21 fiscal year and beyond.
” For much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s budget to a roller coaster ride of sky-high revenue collections followed by harrowing shortfalls and then back again .
Many of those dollars came from the investment profits earned by the state ’ s wealthiest taxpayers .
The volatile nature of tax collections meant little certainty for healthcare , education and social services .
But aside from a meager “ rainy day ” fund established in 2004 , there were few mandates to prioritize savings .
That changed in 2014 , when voters approved a constitutional amendment that substantially increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created new rules on how the excess cash could be used .
That fund should total $ 16 billion by this summer .
In addition , as much as $ 3 billion is expected in a less restrictive reserve account that can be used much more quickly and almost $ 1 billion more in a special fund to support social “ safety net ” programs .
In all , the surplus cash would equal about one-tenth of the total budget proposed by Newsom in January .
Now , a little more than 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all three of the state ’ s biggest sources of tax revenue : personal income taxes , corporate taxes and sales taxes .
Sales taxes , in particular , could be hard hit by the sustained shutdown of the state ’ s service sector — likely leaving hundreds of thousands of Californians seeking unemployment assistance .
“ We haven ’ t seen anything like this , ” said Chris Hoene , executive director of the California Budget and Policy Center .
“ It ’ s likely we are going to need every penny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for lawmakers will be working with a lack of solid information .
The state Franchise Tax Board has given Californians until July 15 to file their tax returns and pay anything that ’ s owed .
That three-month delay will wipe out a major data point used every year by the governor and the Legislature in writing a new state budget by the constitutional deadline of July 1 .
Instead , budget analysts expect that a series of fiscal actions will be needed throughout the spring and summer .
Lawmakers could be asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of legislative action in August , taking budget actions related to the coronavirus response into the fall — even as many of them are up for reelection in November .
Few budget needs will be more closely watched than healthcare .
Local governments are likely to ask state officials for substantial increases in public health funding , beyond the $ 1 billion in spending approved by the Legislature last week .
Huge new costs , too , are probable for Medi-Cal , the state ’ s free healthcare for its poorest residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians enrolled in the program .
The economic challenges ahead could add as many as 1 million people to the program , said Anthony Wright , executive director of Health Access , a healthcare advocacy group .
“ Because this is a public health emergency , I think it would be ill-advised to have the same proposals we had a decade ago to cut people off from coverage , ” Wright said .
One notable change from the past recessions is the existence of the federal Affordable Care Act , which eliminated some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medi-Cal and also created health insurance exchanges such as Covered California , which offer subsidies to low- and middle-income citizens .
“ That ’ s a safety next that didn ’ t exist before , ” Wright said .
But those costs , while likely to be underwritten by the federal government , will also require more state tax revenue spending .
In past budget deficit debates in Sacramento , lawmakers grappled with determining which of the many vital needs would have to go unmet .
Economic slowdowns mean less money for health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services that see higher demand when millions find themselves with less work or no work at all .
“ Every one of these programs is going to have a legitimate need , and they ’ re all going to have the word ‘ billion ’ by them , ” said Hoene , whose organization advocates for programs aimed at helping low-income Californians .
No part of the state budget is bigger or more subject to strict rules about spending than K-12 schools .
It has taken most of the last decade for debts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be repaid .
A number of school districts are still struggling with a variety of costs , including sizable pension obligations to teachers and other employees .
“ This could have just devastating impacts on education , ” said Kevin Gordon , a longtime schools lobbyist in Sacramento .
While public schools and community colleges are guaranteed a share of state tax dollars , the formulas that govern that spending also mean the minimum level of funding will go down as revenues disappear .
Gordon said that , under current law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total statewide revenue loss of around $ 5 billion .
But more than that and schools will face significant problems , he said .
“ We ’ re hoping that the administration and the Legislature try to protect schools from the hit that the minimum [ funding ] guarantee would otherwise allow them to do , ” Gordon said .
Schools closed in response to coronavirus fears are already feeling serious fiscal pressures .
The Los Angeles Unified School District said it ’ s spending $ 100 million in cash reserves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by students from low-income families .
And the district ’ s leaders , along with school officials in San Diego , have said their long-term budgets are no longer in balance .
A collapse in state tax revenue projections would trickle down to local governments too .
The sweeping realignment of many public safety programs to county government control in 2011 has been paid for by steady growth in state dollars .
Some counties could have to offer the same or more services with less in the event of a state budget shortfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s rainy-day fund state that only half of the money , perhaps around $ 8 billion , could be used in any single fiscal year .
But lawmakers could easily use the first half to prop up program costs in the current fiscal year that ends June 30 , which ends on June 30 —and then quickly enact a plan for the rest of the money in the budget year that begins on July 1 .
Legislative leaders realize they will have unprecedented challenges ahead , but appear to be heartened by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surplus even exists .
While much of it would have been set aside by legal mandate , lawmakers have occasionally added extra payments into the rainy-day fund .
“ The good news is , thanks to 10 years of responsible budgeting , we have never been more prepared than we are today to face tough budget times , ” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins ( D-San Diego ) said .

Gov. Gavin Newsom with a chart showing the growth of the state’s rainy-day fund as he discusses his proposed 2020-21 budget in Sacramento on Jan. 10.
For more than six years, through two governors and hundreds of lawmakers’ votes, California’s state government slowly built the largest cash reserve in its history — projected to total $21 billion by next summer.
But there are growing fears that the fast-moving crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic could force it to be spent in a matter of months.
A number of the state’s most experienced budget watchers now expect that California might need to use the entire cash surplus, and possibly much more money, to prop up vital government services that could be severely underfunded by a quickly collapsing economy.
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“This is a sudden downturn unlike anything we’ve seen,” said Gabriel Petek, the state’s legislative analyst. “We’re kind of flying blind at this point.”
Few states bear more scars from crushing budget deficits of the past than California. Three significant economic downturns over the past quarter-century triggered sharp drops in tax revenue, two of which occurred in a single decade. The resulting events were historic: state government paymasters issued IOUs, vital services and school functions were slashed and angry voters removed Gov. Gray Davis from office in a 2003 special election.
But each prior collapse in government funding was a relatively slow-moving disaster. Even the global recession that began in 2008, generally seen as the most quickly unfolding crisis, gave lawmakers time to take corrective measures.
Early indications are they will have to act much more quickly to address the COVID-19 emergency — assuming that health concerns eventually lessen and allow legislators to return to Sacramento. And as financial markets shrink and jobless claims grow, the state’s budget situation could deteriorate much faster.
“I don’t think people in California or the country have fully come to grips with the situation that we’re in,” said Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), chairman of the lower house’s budget committee.
On Tuesday, advisors to Gov. Gavin Newsom took the first steps toward creating a triage plan. State agencies were told to assume no funding will exist for proposals they already had in the works, let alone new ideas. And legislators were told the administration will be unable to submit its expected April 1 updates on government revenue and expenses.
“Despite the sustained efforts, the virus continues to spread and is impacting nearly all sectors of California’s economy,” Keely Martin Bosler, the governor’s finance director, wrote to legislative leaders. “Among these impacts is a potentially severe drop in economic activity, with corresponding negative effects on anticipated revenues for the upcoming 2020-21 fiscal year and beyond.”
For much of the 1990s and 2000s, analysts often compared California’s budget to a roller coaster ride of sky-high revenue collections followed by harrowing shortfalls and then back again. Many of those dollars came from the investment profits earned by the state’s wealthiest taxpayers. The volatile nature of tax collections meant little certainty for healthcare, education and social services.
But aside from a meager “rainy day” fund established in 2004, there were few mandates to prioritize savings. That changed in 2014, when voters approved a constitutional amendment that substantially increased the size of the reserve fund and created new rules on how the excess cash could be used.
That fund should total $16 billion by this summer. In addition, as much as $3 billion is expected in a less restrictive reserve account that can be used much more quickly and almost $1 billion more in a special fund to support social “safety net” programs. In all, the surplus cash would equal about one-tenth of the total budget proposed by Newsom in January.
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Now, a little more than 10 weeks later, there are threats to all three of the state’s biggest sources of tax revenue: personal income taxes, corporate taxes and sales taxes. Sales taxes, in particular, could be hard hit by the sustained shutdown of the state’s service sector — likely leaving hundreds of thousands of Californians seeking unemployment assistance.
“We haven’t seen anything like this,” said Chris Hoene, executive director of the California Budget and Policy Center. “It’s likely we are going to need every penny of the reserves.”
One major challenge for lawmakers will be working with a lack of solid information. The state Franchise Tax Board has given Californians until July 15 to file their tax returns and pay anything that’s owed. That three-month delay will wipe out a major data point used every year by the governor and the Legislature in writing a new state budget by the constitutional deadline of July 1.
Instead, budget analysts expect that a series of fiscal actions will be needed throughout the spring and summer. Lawmakers could be asked to extend their work beyond the traditional end of legislative action in August, taking budget actions related to the coronavirus response into the fall — even as many of them are up for reelection in November.
Few budget needs will be more closely watched than healthcare. Local governments are likely to ask state officials for substantial increases in public health funding, beyond the $1 billion in spending approved by the Legislature last week.
Huge new costs, too, are probable for Medi-Cal, the state’s free healthcare for its poorest residents. There are already some 13 million Californians enrolled in the program. The economic challenges ahead could add as many as 1 million people to the program, said Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access, a healthcare advocacy group.
“Because this is a public health emergency, I think it would be ill-advised to have the same proposals we had a decade ago to cut people off from coverage,” Wright said.
One notable change from the past recessions is the existence of the federal Affordable Care Act, which eliminated some of the more stringent eligibility rules for Medi-Cal and also created health insurance exchanges such as Covered California,which offer subsidies to low- and middle-income citizens.
“That’s a safety next that didn’t exist before,” Wright said.
But those costs, while likely to be underwritten by the federal government, will also require more state tax revenue spending. In past budget deficit debates in Sacramento, lawmakers grappled with determining which of the many vital needs would have to go unmet. Economic slowdowns mean less money for health and human services programs — the same services that see higher demand when millions find themselves with less work or no work at all.
“Every one of these programs is going to have a legitimate need, and they’re all going to have the word ‘billion’ by them,” said Hoene, whose organization advocates for programs aimed at helping low-income Californians.
No part of the state budget is bigger or more subject to strict rules about spending than K-12 schools. It has taken most of the last decade for debts incurred to schools during the last recession to be repaid. A number of school districts are still struggling with a variety of costs, including sizable pension obligations to teachers and other employees.
“This could have just devastating impacts on education,” said Kevin Gordon, a longtime schools lobbyist in Sacramento.
While public schools and community colleges are guaranteed a share of state tax dollars, the formulas that govern that spending also mean the minimum level of funding will go down as revenues disappear. Gordon said that, under current law, it is likely that schools could withstand a total statewide revenue loss of around $5 billion. But more than that and schools will face significant problems, he said.
“We’re hoping that the administration and the Legislature try to protect schools from the hit that the minimum [funding] guarantee would otherwise allow them to do,” Gordon said.
Schools closed in response to coronavirus fears are already feeling serious fiscal pressures. The Los Angeles Unified School District said it’s spending $100 million in cash reserves to provide the technology needed for remote learning by students from low-income families. And the district’s leaders, along with school officials in San Diego, have said their long-term budgets are no longer in balance.
A collapse in state tax revenue projections would trickle down to local governments too. The sweeping realignment of many public safety programs to county government control in 2011 has been paid for by steady growth in state dollars. Some counties could have to offer the same or more services with less in the event of a state budget shortfall.
The rules for using the state’s rainy-day fund state that only half of the money, perhaps around $8 billion, could be used in any single fiscal year. But lawmakers could easily use the first half to prop up program costs in the current fiscal year that ends June 30, which ends on June 30 —and then quickly enact a plan for the rest of the money in the budget year that begins on July 1.
Legislative leaders realize they will have unprecedented challenges ahead, but appear to be heartened by the fact that the $21-billion cash surplus even exists. While much of it would have been set aside by legal mandate, lawmakers have occasionally added extra payments into the rainy-day fund.
“The good news is, thanks to 10 years of responsible budgeting, we have never been more prepared than we are today to face tough budget times,” Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) said.
Times staff writer Howard Blume contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-25--Las Vegas high-speed train project, once stuck in low gear, is now moving forward

The last time a California railroad conductor hailed “ all aboard for Las Vegas ” was more than 20 years ago , after lines such as the Desert Wind , the Crapshooters Express and the Fun Train failed to attract riders .
Amtrak had tried to jazz up its service , enlisting comedian Milton Berle and basketball great Wilt Chamberlain .
New proposals for train service since have come and gone , including one by a Spanish firm that saw a “ renaissance in train travel on the horizon.
” But in recent weeks , a more concrete proposal by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has quietly advanced .
The privately-held firm has taken key steps to secure private debt funding under bond programs operated by California , Nevada and the federal government .
If the chips fall the right way , the $ 4.8-billion project should have full funding for a 170-mile line along Interstate 15 and start construction later this year with trains running by 2023 , the company told The Times .
“ We have a lot of momentum , ” said Husein Cumber , XpressWest ’ s chief strategy officer based in Las Vegas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fall in place for the financing.
” Although credit markets are in turmoil around the world , California officials remain confident that the economic slowdown won ’ t affect the long-term viability of the project .
The plan calls for a high-speed electric train system from Apple Valley in the California high desert to Las Vegas , almost entirely with private funding .
On March 9 , the U.S. Department of Transportation gave its approval for the project to issue $ 1 billion in tax-free private bonds , according to a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The bonds are technically known as “ private activity bonds ” that work like tax-free municipal bonds for infrastructure but are not issued or guaranteed by the government .
The XpressWest bonds would have to be issued by September 30 , the letter said .
The federal approval led California officials to take the next step , scheduling a state committee meeting for April 14 to approve XpressWest ’ s issuing another $ 2.4 billion in bonds under California ’ s share of the federal program , Treasurer Fiona Ma said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third leg that would add debt financing for about $ 800 million for the Nevada section of the track .
It adds up to $ 4.2 billion with XpressWest ’ s parent covering the balance with about $ 600 million of private equity , company officials said .
“ We are excited because we haven ’ t had a passenger train project in I don ’ t know how long , ” said Ma , whose office is taking a key role in moving the project ahead .
“ I am fairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1-billion allocation from the Transportation Department was the affirmation I was looking for.
” Ma said she believes the market for tax-free bonds is functioning , noting that California successfully sold issues in recent weeks .
Officials are also taking the company ’ s plan seriously because it has contracted with a construction team led by Skanska of Stockholm , Sweden , and has purchased land for stations , a maintenance yard and related residential and commercial development .
To be sure , many critical regulatory steps lie ahead .
The FRA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not anticipate the need for a supplemental environmental study , but that will have to be finalized .
Caltrans provided The Times with a memorandum of understanding that would grant use of the I-15 median for the rail project , but a lease agreement will be needed , along with Federal Highway Administration concurrence .
And the company must find a ready market among investors who believe in the viability of the project for its tax-free bonds .
XpressWest is a unit of Florida East Coast Industries , which operates the Brightline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palm Beach .
FECI is owned by private investment funds managed by New York City-based Fortress Investment Group .
The Las Vegas line would be marketed as Virgin Trains , a brand of airline and space tourist entrepreneur Richard Branson , though he has no investment in the train .
The project is getting deep support in the economically depressed San Bernardino County high desert , including Apple Valley , Victorville , Adelanto and Hesperia .
“ This is going to be the biggest shot in the arm that we have ever seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple Valley councilman and former mayor .
He expects the train to spur 600 permanent jobs and thousands of new homes in the region .
“ We have all heard about the governor ’ s train to nowhere , ” Bishop said about the California bullet train , “ but that isn ’ t this project.
” Proponents hope that the Las Vegas line would eventualy be extended from Apple Valley to Palmdale , where it could link up to the existing Metrolink line or even the California bullet train if that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority is taking 15 years to build a 171-mile partial operating system from Bakersfield to Merced by 2028 for $ 20.4 billion .
The XpressWest line — if everything goes as planned — would be the same distance and completed in three years at one-fourth the cost .
Still , the state bullet train authority is hoping the Las Vegas train will increase political support for its San Francisco to Los Angeles system .
Even without the extension to Palmdale , the XpressWest line would be financially successful , the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year , drawn off Interstate 15 , where , before the economic calamity triggered by the coronavirus , gamblers and partyers jammed the roadway .
That traffic is expected to eventually return , and when it does , XpressWest hopes to lure a chunk of those drivers —estimated at 18 % — to its trains .
Not everybody is convinced the Vegas-bound crowd will become train aficionados .
Paul Dyson , a past president and Southern California chapter leader of the Rail Passenger Assn .
of California , doesn ’ t believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense .
The Apple Valley station would be a difficult one hour or longer drive through heavy congestion for most Los Angelenos and the Vegas station would be five miles south of The Strip .
“ You can drive in off-peak times and get there quite easily , ” Dyson said .
But proponents think the train could compete successfully on price and convenience .
The average fare , they say , would be $ 60 , and travel time about 80 minutes to 90 minutes .
The train could hit top speeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average about 120 mph .
It would beat the best possible drive time by about an hour and possibly two to three hours when the highway is packed .
Passengers could check into their hotels at the Apple Valley train station and their bags would be waiting in their room when they arrived .
There wouldn ’ t be any gambling on the train , but drinks would be available .
Cocktailhour would begin as soon as the wheels started moving .
“ It comes down to the customer experience , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brightline .
“ When you go to Las Vegas your vacation doesn ’ t really start until you get to your hotel room .
But with our service your vacation starts when you board the train .
You can have a glass of champagne or wine .
”

Plans are picking up to build a high-speed train that could whisk Southern California passengers to and from Las Vegas.
The last time a California railroad conductor hailed “all aboard for Las Vegas” was more than 20 years ago, after lines such as the Desert Wind, the Crapshooters Express and the Fun Train failed to attract riders.
Amtrak had tried to jazz up its service, enlisting comedian Milton Berle and basketball great Wilt Chamberlain. New proposals for train service since have come and gone, including one by a Spanish firm that saw a “renaissance in train travel on the horizon.”
But in recent weeks, a more concrete proposal by Florida-based XpressWest for Las Vegas train service has quietly advanced. The privately-held firm has taken key steps to secure private debt funding under bond programs operated by California, Nevada and the federal government.
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If the chips fall the right way, the $4.8-billion project should have full funding for a 170-mile line along Interstate 15 and start construction later this year with trains running by 2023, the company told The Times.
“We have a lot of momentum,” said Husein Cumber, XpressWest’s chief strategy officer based in Las Vegas. “The first dominoes are starting to fall in place for the financing.”
Although credit markets are in turmoil around the world, California officials remain confident that the economic slowdown won’t affect the long-term viability of the project.
The plan calls for a high-speed electric train system from Apple Valley in the California high desert to Las Vegas, almost entirely with private funding.
On March 9, the U.S. Department of Transportation gave its approval for the project to issue $1 billion in tax-free private bonds, according to a letter federal officials sent to the company.
The bonds are technically known as “private activity bonds” that work like tax-free municipal bonds for infrastructure but are not issued or guaranteed by the government. The XpressWest bonds would have to be issued by September 30, the letter said.
The federal approval led California officials to take the next step, scheduling a state committee meeting for April 14 to approve XpressWest’s issuing another $2.4 billion in bonds under California’s share of the federal program, Treasurer Fiona Ma said in an interview.
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Nevada officials are working on the third leg that would add debt financing for about $800 million for the Nevada section of the track.
It adds up to $4.2 billion with XpressWest’s parent covering the balance with about $600 million of private equity, company officials said.
“We are excited because we haven’t had a passenger train project in I don’t know how long,” said Ma, whose office is taking a key role in moving the project ahead. “I am fairly confident now. The letter approving the $1-billion allocation from the Transportation Department was the affirmation I was looking for.”
Ma said she believes the market for tax-free bonds is functioning, noting that California successfully sold issues in recent weeks.
Officials are also taking the company’s plan seriously because it has contracted with a construction team led by Skanska of Stockholm, Sweden, and has purchased land for stations, a maintenance yard and related residential and commercial development.
To be sure, many critical regulatory steps lie ahead. The FRA issued a letter in January saying it did not anticipate the need for a supplemental environmental study, but that will have to be finalized.
Caltrans provided The Times with a memorandum of understanding that would grant use of the I-15 median for the rail project, but a lease agreement will be needed, along with Federal Highway Administration concurrence.
And the company must find a ready market among investors who believe in the viability of the project for its tax-free bonds.
XpressWest is a unit of Florida East Coast Industries, which operates the Brightline passenger rail system from Miami to West Palm Beach. FECI is owned by private investment funds managed by New York City-based Fortress Investment Group. The Las Vegas line would be marketed as Virgin Trains, a brand of airline and space tourist entrepreneur Richard Branson, though he has no investment in the train.
The project is getting deep support in the economically depressed San Bernardino County high desert, including Apple Valley, Victorville, Adelanto and Hesperia.
“This is going to be the biggest shot in the arm that we have ever seen,” said Art Bishop, an Apple Valley councilman and former mayor. He expects the train to spur 600 permanent jobs and thousands of new homes in the region.
“We have all heard about the governor’s train to nowhere,” Bishop said about the California bullet train, “but that isn’t this project.”
Proponents hope that the Las Vegas line would eventualy be extended from Apple Valley to Palmdale, where it could link up to the existing Metrolink line or even the California bullet train if that is ever built.
The state bullet train authority is taking 15 years to build a 171-mile partial operating system from Bakersfield to Merced by 2028 for $20.4 billion. The XpressWest line — if everything goes as planned — would be the same distance and completed in three years at one-fourth the cost.
Still, the state bullet train authority is hoping the Las Vegas train will increase political support for its San Francisco to Los Angeles system.
Even without the extension to Palmdale, the XpressWest line would be financially successful, the company said. It would carry about 10 million passengers a year, drawn off Interstate 15, where, before the economic calamity triggered by the coronavirus, gamblers and partyers jammed the roadway.
That traffic is expected to eventually return, and when it does, XpressWest hopes to lure a chunk of those drivers —estimated at 18% — to its trains.
Not everybody is convinced the Vegas-bound crowd will become train aficionados. Paul Dyson, a past president and Southern California chapter leader of the Rail Passenger Assn. of California, doesn’t believe the end points of the route make sense.
The Apple Valley station would be a difficult one hour or longer drive through heavy congestion for most Los Angelenos and the Vegas station would be five miles south of The Strip.
“You can drive in off-peak times and get there quite easily,” Dyson said.
But proponents think the train could compete successfully on price and convenience.
The average fare, they say, would be $60, and travel time about 80 minutes to 90 minutes. The train could hit top speeds of 180 mph, though it would average about 120 mph. It would beat the best possible drive time by about an hour and possibly two to three hours when the highway is packed.
Passengers could check into their hotels at the Apple Valley train station and their bags would be waiting in their room when they arrived. There wouldn’t be any gambling on the train, but drinks would be available. Cocktailhour would begin as soon as the wheels started moving.
“It comes down to the customer experience,” said Ben Porritt, senior vice president of Brightline. “When you go to Las Vegas your vacation doesn’t really start until you get to your hotel room. But with our service your vacation starts when you board the train. You can have a glass of champagne or wine.”


latimes--2020-03-25--How Silicon Valley became California's epicenter of the coronavirus

The Silicon Valley has long driven California ’ s economic engine .
When the coronavirus hit U.S. shores , the region also become California ’ s epicenter of contagion .
Authorities in Santa Clara County , where more than 2 million people live , were well aware the virus would arrive .
They tried to prepare .
But without much federal help , they were unable to stop it .
In rapid fire , Santa Clara became home to the second COVID-19 case in California and the seventh in the United States , on Jan. 31 .
Two days later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prevention confirmed that a Santa Clara woman had become the nation ’ s ninth case , and like the first , she had recently traveled from Wuhan , the epicenter of China .
But Asian travel alone can ’ t be blamed for the regional outbreak .
The Silicon Valley is packed with travelers , a byproduct of becoming the world ’ s high-tech capital , home to Apple , Google , Facebook and other companies .
Authorities here say the infections probably had multiple origins , and by late February , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now is the time to prepare for the possibility of widespread community transmission , ” the county department of public health announced after a third county resident was infected on Feb. 28 The tipping point came on March 6 , when county public health authorities recommended all large gatherings be postponed .
The San Jose Sharks professional hockey team went ahead with a home game that evening anyway , playing before an announced attendance of more than 14,500 fans .
COVID-19 “ clearly is a virus that likes high-density populations , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clara ’ s executive officer , who is a physician and a lawyer .
`` `` That is why social distancing is so very , very , very important.
” A few days later , the county turned its recommendation into an order .
Large gatherings were banned , making the county a trailblazer for the social distancing requirements later adopted statewide .
As of Tuesday , the virus had killed 16 people in Santa Clara , more than any other California county .
While Los Angeles now has more cases than Santa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a smaller population , has a higher infection rate .
Why did Silicon Valley become the California COVID-19 breeding ground ?
It may take years for analysts to provide full answers .
But Smith , Santa Clara ’ s executive officer , said the virus exploded in part because the county , in real time , was unable to track and trace its early spread .
“ Because we don ’ t have surveillance testing on a local level , we are in some sense flying blind , ” Smith said .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such surveillance ?
According to Smith , the Trump administration had effectively put pandemic planning on hold , and his county and others were not getting the testing and training they wanted .
“ In a very real way , it shows how our federal government has turned us into a Third World country , ” said Smith , 66 .
Despite being at high risk of infection , he has continued reporting to the county ’ s emergency operations center , seven days a week .
The novel coronavirus broke out in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it likely jumped across the Pacific Ocean to the Silicon Valley that same month , Smith said .
At the time , the region was booming .
According to the 2020 Silicon Valley Index , published in February , the various tech hubs in Santa Clara , San Mateo , Alameda and Santa Cruz counties accounted for 12 % of the state ’ s GDP , supporting 1.7 million jobs .
“ Silicon Valley continues its upward spiral , with high employment growth , record numbers of patents , eye-popping land transactions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers of megadeals , ” gushed the index report , produced by the Silicon Valley Joint Venture group .
But as the report noted , the boom seemed “ tenuous.
” The region was vulnerable to skyrocketing housing prices and income inequality .
At the time , few observers would forecast that the trickle of COVID 19 cases could turn into a torrent .
Moody ’ s Analytics has since ranked 403 U.S. metropolitan sites most likely to expect economic woes because of the pandemic .
Santa Clara County was number 15 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech capital , the campuses of Apple , Google and other companies looked nearly empty .
At Apple ’ s main headquarters in Cupertino on Monday , a few cars could be seen driving into the high-security entrance , with unmasked security guards checking driver ’ s IDs .
Silicon Valley ’ s tech workers may be weeping over their stock portfolios , but they can easily work from home , unlike some in the region .
In San Jose , the “ Shops of Vietnam Town ” shopping complex was nearly shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops and other businesses .
The city is home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam , families who , along with others from around the world , help sustain Silicon Valley ’ s service economy .
Local officials suspect that both tech workers and service workers traveling abroad helped fuel the spread of COVID-19 .
In late February , authorities confirmed the nation ’ s first confirmed case of an infected agent with the Transportation Security Administration — at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport .
Joe Simitian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former state lawmaker , estimated that nearly 70 % of county households have at least one foreign-born member .
“ It is not all that surprising that if there was to be a first epicenter in California , we would be it , ” he said .
As of Tuesday afternoon , the county had reported 375 cases , 30 linked to international travel , 82 to close contacts with the infected and 82 from community transmission .
The number of new cases rises each day by double-digit figures .
One day saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers appear alarming , outside specialists say the toll would be far worse if Santa Clara and other nearby counties hadn ’ t quickly worked to keep people at safe distances .
Dr. John Swartzberg , a UC Berkeley expert in infectious disease , said he was “ really angry ” the Sharks game wasn ’ t canceled but said county officials quickly moved to take more aggressive measures .
“ Given our lack of science and all the emotion , I think all the Bay Area counties have handled it well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officers , in spite of the fact that they are horrifically underfunded , have done a very good job.
” The continued lack of testing capacity is the immediate hurdle .
That shortfall has “ significantly hampered the county ’ s ability to monitor the epidemic , to focus mitigation measures and to inform people of their infection status , ” officials said this week .
James Williams , the Santa Clara County counsel who is helping to run the emergency operations center , said the virus is now “ widely circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking is everyone in the county is at risk , ” Williams said Tuesday .
Because of the limited number of test kits and lab capacity , Santa Clara County has set guidelines for prioritizing who gets tested .
The critically ill or other high-risk individuals have highest priority , followed by healthcare workers who have symptoms and known exposure , hospital patients who are likely to have the disease and residents or employees of long-term care or assisted-living facilities who have symptoms .
Trying to get a better understanding of the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five other Bay Area counties issued orders Tuesday to require private and academic testing laboratories to report not only positive results but also negative and inconclusive findings .
Santa Clara led the region in issuing a stay-at-home order .
It is only a week old , and county officials do not know yet know how effective it will be .
An infected person can take up to 14 days to suffer symptoms .
“ Did we put in place enough community mitigation measures ?
” Williams asked .
“ Maybe .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know yet.
” Williams expects he is likely to personally know someone who dies of the disease before the epidemic ends .
“ I worry about my family , ” he said , “ my mother , my grandmother ... Everything we are trying to do is to keep people we collectively love , safe.
” Beyond the economy , the stay-at-home order has unraveled the social fabric of the region , he said .
Weddings have had to be postponed , funeral services delayed .
With more data , the county could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ We are just desperately trying to avoid being Italy , ” he said .

The normally packed Googleplex in the Silicon Valley city of Mountain View is quiet as employees were asked to work from home to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The Silicon Valley has long driven California’s economic engine. When the coronavirus hit U.S. shores, the region also become California’s epicenter of contagion.
Authorities in Santa Clara County, where more than 2 million people live, were well aware the virus would arrive. They tried to prepare. But without much federal help, they were unable to stop it.
In rapid fire, Santa Clara became home to the second COVID-19 case in California and the seventh in the United States, on Jan. 31. Two days later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a Santa Clara woman had become the nation’s ninth case, and like the first, she had recently traveled from Wuhan, the epicenter of China.
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But Asian travel alone can’t be blamed for the regional outbreak. The Silicon Valley is packed with travelers, a byproduct of becoming the world’s high-tech capital, home to Apple, Google, Facebook and other companies. Authorities here say the infections probably had multiple origins, and by late February, the virus was spreading through the community.
“Now is the time to prepare for the possibility of widespread community transmission,” the county department of public health announced after a third county resident was infected on Feb. 28
The tipping point came on March 6, when county public health authorities recommended all large gatherings be postponed.
The San Jose Sharks professional hockey team went ahead with a home game that evening anyway, playing before an announced attendance of more than 14,500 fans.
Infectious disease experts and county officers were livid.
COVID-19 “clearly is a virus that likes high-density populations,” said Dr. Jeffrey V. Smith, Santa Clara’s executive officer, who is a physician and a lawyer. ``”That is why social distancing is so very, very, very important.”
A few days later, the county turned its recommendation into an order. Large gatherings were banned, making the county a trailblazer for the social distancing requirements later adopted statewide.
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As of Tuesday, the virus had killed 16 people in Santa Clara, more than any other California county. While Los Angeles now has more cases than Santa Clara, the Silicon Valley, with a smaller population, has a higher infection rate.
Why did Silicon Valley become the California COVID-19 breeding ground? It may take years for analysts to provide full answers. But Smith, Santa Clara’s executive officer, said the virus exploded in part because the county, in real time, was unable to track and trace its early spread.
“Because we don’t have surveillance testing on a local level, we are in some sense flying blind,” Smith said.
And why was the county unable to conduct such surveillance? According to Smith, the Trump administration had effectively put pandemic planning on hold, and his county and others were not getting the testing and training they wanted.
“In a very real way, it shows how our federal government has turned us into a Third World country,” said Smith, 66. Despite being at high risk of infection, he has continued reporting to the county’s emergency operations center, seven days a week.
High-tech economy, humbled
The novel coronavirus broke out in Wuhan, China, in December, and it likely jumped across the Pacific Ocean to the Silicon Valley that same month, Smith said.
At the time, the region was booming. According to the 2020 Silicon Valley Index, published in February, the various tech hubs in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and Santa Cruz counties accounted for 12% of the state’s GDP, supporting 1.7 million jobs.
“Silicon Valley continues its upward spiral, with high employment growth, record numbers of patents, eye-popping land transactions, and venture capital flowing into record numbers of megadeals,” gushed the index report, produced by the Silicon Valley Joint Venture group.
But as the report noted, the boom seemed “tenuous.” The region was vulnerable to skyrocketing housing prices and income inequality. At the time, few observers would forecast that the trickle of COVID 19 cases could turn into a torrent.
Moody’s Analytics has since ranked 403 U.S. metropolitan sites most likely to expect economic woes because of the pandemic. Santa Clara County was number 15.
This week in the nation’s tech capital, the campuses of Apple, Google and other companies looked nearly empty. At Apple’s main headquarters in Cupertino on Monday, a few cars could be seen driving into the high-security entrance, with unmasked security guards checking driver’s IDs.
Silicon Valley’s tech workers may be weeping over their stock portfolios, but they can easily work from home, unlike some in the region.
In San Jose, the “Shops of Vietnam Town” shopping complex was nearly shut down, save for a few pho shops and other businesses. The city is home to the largest concentration of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam, families who, along with others from around the world, help sustain Silicon Valley’s service economy.
Local officials suspect that both tech workers and service workers traveling abroad helped fuel the spread of COVID-19. In late February, authorities confirmed the nation’s first confirmed case of an infected agent with the Transportation Security Administration — at the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport.
Joe Simitian, a Santa Clara County supervisor and former state lawmaker, estimated that nearly 70% of county households have at least one foreign-born member.
“It is not all that surprising that if there was to be a first epicenter in California, we would be it,” he said.
‘Horrifically underfunded’ but doing a good job
As of Tuesday afternoon, the county had reported 375 cases, 30 linked to international travel, 82 to close contacts with the infected and 82 from community transmission. The number of new cases rises each day by double-digit figures. One day saw a jump of 67.
While those numbers appear alarming, outside specialists say the toll would be far worse if Santa Clara and other nearby counties hadn’t quickly worked to keep people at safe distances.
Dr. John Swartzberg, a UC Berkeley expert in infectious disease, said he was “really angry” the Sharks game wasn’t canceled but said county officials quickly moved to take more aggressive measures.
“Given our lack of science and all the emotion, I think all the Bay Area counties have handled it well,” he said. “The county health officers, in spite of the fact that they are horrifically underfunded, have done a very good job.”
The continued lack of testing capacity is the immediate hurdle. That shortfall has “significantly hampered the county’s ability to monitor the epidemic, to focus mitigation measures and to inform people of their infection status,” officials said this week.
James Williams, the Santa Clara County counsel who is helping to run the emergency operations center, said the virus is now “widely circulating in the community.”
“Our best thinking is everyone in the county is at risk,” Williams said Tuesday.
Because of the limited number of test kits and lab capacity, Santa Clara County has set guidelines for prioritizing who gets tested.
The critically ill or other high-risk individuals have highest priority, followed by healthcare workers who have symptoms and known exposure, hospital patients who are likely to have the disease and residents or employees of long-term care or assisted-living facilities who have symptoms.
Trying to get a better understanding of the disease’s spread, Santa Clara and five other Bay Area counties issued orders Tuesday to require private and academic testing laboratories to report not only positive results but also negative and inconclusive findings.
Santa Clara led the region in issuing a stay-at-home order. It is only a week old, and county officials do not know yet know how effective it will be. An infected person can take up to 14 days to suffer symptoms.
“Did we put in place enough community mitigation measures?” Williams asked. “Maybe. But the honest truth is we don’t know yet.”
Williams expects he is likely to personally know someone who dies of the disease before the epidemic ends.
“I worry about my family,” he said, “my mother, my grandmother...Everything we are trying to do is to keep people we collectively love, safe.”
Beyond the economy, the stay-at-home order has unraveled the social fabric of the region, he said. Weddings have had to be postponed, funeral services delayed.
With more data, the county could adjust its measures to minimize the disruption, he said.
“We are just desperately trying to avoid being Italy,” he said.