latimes--2020-03-29--'Grim Sleeper' serial killer Lonnie Franklin dies on death row at San Quentin

Lonnie David Franklin Jr. , the so-called Grim Sleeper serial killer who preyed on Los Angeles women for more than two decades , died Saturday while on death row at San Quentin prison , officials said .
“ Franklin was found unresponsive in his single cell on March 28 at about 7:20 p.m. Medical assistance was rendered and an ambulance was summoned .
Franklin was pronounced deceased at 7:43 p.m. His cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy ; however , there were no signs of trauma , ” prison officials said in a statement .
Franklin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of killing nine women and a teenage girl from 1985 to 2007 .
During the penalty phase of his trial , prosecutors connected him to several additional slayings .
Detectives believe he may have killed at least 25 women .
The killer , one of California ’ s most prolific , targeted victims who were generally young , vulnerable and , at times , ignored .
The attacks failed to raise alarms the way other famous serial slayings by killers such as the Hillside Strangler or the Night Stalker did .
The deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coincided with a surge in slayings linked to the crack cocaine epidemic .
In addition , several other serial killers were operating in the same area in those years .
Michael Hughes was convicted of killing seven women ; Chester Turner of 14 women and a fetus .
Both are on California ’ s death row .
But the Grim Sleeper proved to be the most persistent .
He targeted women who were drug addicts or prostitutes and often dumped their naked bodies alongside roads or in the trash .
Many of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The deaths drew little , if any , media attention .
Police kept the slayings quiet despite suspicions that a serial killer was stalking black women — a decision that led to outrage and condemnation from many who attribute Franklin ’ s longevity as a killer to police indifference .
Authorities were able to link the slayings through ballistic and genetic evidence at the crime scenes that pointed to a single killer .
But identifying the DNA proved difficult .
A break finally came in the case in 2010 , when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a partial match .
The person wasn ’ t the suspected serial killer , but a close relative was .
Before long , investigators focused on the convict ’ s father , Franklin .
After tailing him to a pizza joint in Buena Park during the summer of 2010 , police collected a slice of partially eaten pizza .
They tested it for DNA and , finally , had a match .
Franklin ’ s defense attorney during his trial , Seymour Amster , released a statement Sunday regarding the killer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to seek the death penalty against his late client and suggested those resources would have been better “ utilized to uplift young girls of color like Franklin ’ s victims.
” But , he said , “ As Lonnie Franklin ’ s attorney , I completely respect the jury ’ s determination that he was guilty of the most heinous crimes .
And to the victims ’ families , I sincerely hope that the end of Franklin ’ s life brings some peace into theirs.
” Franklin ’ s death while awaiting execution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemned inmates .
Only 13 inmates have been executed in the state since capital punishment was reinstituted in 1978 , with dozens of others dying of natural causes or suicide ; in some cases , including Franklin ’ s , the cause of death remains under investigation .
There are 727 inmates currently on death row .

Lonnie David Franklin Jr., the so-called Grim Sleeper serial killer who preyed on Los Angeles women for more than two decades, died Saturday while on death row at San Quentin prison, officials said.
“Franklin was found unresponsive in his single cell on March 28 at about 7:20 p.m. Medical assistance was rendered and an ambulance was summoned. Franklin was pronounced deceased at 7:43 p.m. His cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy; however, there were no signs of trauma,” prison officials said in a statement.
Franklin, 67, was convicted in 2016 of killing nine women and a teenage girl from 1985 to 2007. During the penalty phase of his trial, prosecutors connected him to several additional slayings. Detectives believe he may have killed at least 25 women.
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The killer, one of California’s most prolific, targeted victims who were generally young, vulnerable and, at times, ignored . The attacks failed to raise alarms the way other famous serial slayings by killers such as the Hillside Strangler or the Night Stalker did.
The deaths in the mid- to late ’80s coincided with a surge in slayings linked to the crack cocaine epidemic. In addition, several other serial killers were operating in the same area in those years. Michael Hughes was convicted of killing seven women; Chester Turner of 14 women and a fetus. Both are on California’s death row.
But the Grim Sleeper proved to be the most persistent. He targeted women who were drug addicts or prostitutes and often dumped their naked bodies alongside roads or in the trash. Many of the women were initially listed as Jane Does. The deaths drew little, if any, media attention.
Police kept the slayings quiet despite suspicions that a serial killer was stalking black women — a decision that led to outrage and condemnation from many who attribute Franklin’s longevity as a killer to police indifference.
Authorities were able to link the slayings through ballistic and genetic evidence at the crime scenes that pointed to a single killer. But identifying the DNA proved difficult.
A break finally came in the case in 2010, when a search of state offender records turned up a partial match. The person wasn’t the suspected serial killer, but a close relative was.
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Before long, investigators focused on the convict’s father, Franklin. After tailing him to a pizza joint in Buena Park during the summer of 2010, police collected a slice of partially eaten pizza. They tested it for DNA and, finally, had a match.
Franklin’s defense attorney during his trial, Seymour Amster, released a statement Sunday regarding the killer’s death. He criticized prosecutors’ choice to seek the death penalty against his late client and suggested those resources would have been better “utilized to uplift young girls of color like Franklin’s victims.”
But, he said, “As Lonnie Franklin’s attorney, I completely respect the jury’s determination that he was guilty of the most heinous crimes. And to the victims’ families, I sincerely hope that the end of Franklin’s life brings some peace into theirs.”
Franklin’s death while awaiting execution is not unusual for California’s condemned inmates. Only 13 inmates have been executed in the state since capital punishment was reinstituted in 1978, with dozens of others dying of natural causes or suicide; in some cases, including Franklin’s, the cause of death remains under investigation.
There are 727 inmates currently on death row.


latimes--2020-03-29--Surfer fined $1,000 for ignoring coronavirus closure in Manhattan Beach

A man received a $ 1,000 citation for surfing in Manhatthan Beach on Saturday after he ignored numerous warnings by police and lifeguards cautioning him not to go in the water because of the coronavirus beach closures .
Manhattan Beach Police Sgt .
Mike Sistoni said it was the only citation for failing to follow the stay-at-home orders the department had issued .
“ Everybody else was in compliance , ” Sistoni said .
“ People have been pretty good about it.
” Authorities were out in force over the weekend to make sure people were staying away from beaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unprecedented restrictions on public movements to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Most beaches , as well as nonessential businesses were closed because of the state and local orders , and many people obeyed .
A Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Department cruiser could be seen guarding the entrance to a popular trail in Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks , upon which hundreds of hikers and families descended on Saturday .
In Venice , a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter was seen circling a skate park , announcing that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ arrested for trespassing.
” Still , some crowds continued to flock to some outdoor areas , officials said .
Many state parks already were closed to vehicle traffic , but those that remained open Saturday “ once again experienced visitation surges that made it impossible for the public to implement appropriate social/physical distancing practices , ” California State Parks said in a statement .
As a result , the state parks system announced Sunday that it was temporarily cutting off vehicle access to all 280 state parks .

Mong Noiboonsok, left, and Rena Chastan, after a morning run have lunch on a sunny Saturday at Crystal Springs Picnic area in Griffith Park (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Hikers walk on a paved road in Griffith Park near the Hollywood sign. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
A runner crosses Pier Plaza early Saturday morning, as The Strand and beach of Hermosa Beach, CA, are closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Marcos Ayala with Absolute Intl. Security, provides security for the Hermosa Beach Police Department in closing off The Strand. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
An unidentified worker with Absolute Intl. Security, walks The Strand, while providing security for the Hermosa Beach Police Department in closing off The Strand. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A young man heads to the water in Venice Beach, despite all beaches and beach paths of Los Angeles county are closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A couple find plenty of social distancing for a walk in the surf at Ratner Beach in Pacific Palisades Saturday. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Westchester resident Eddie Fonseca walks dogs on the center median along San Vicente Blvd. in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Santa Monica. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Shauna Jin, of Los Angeles, with dog Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss, of Los Angeles, at the front entrance of Runyun Canyon Park Saturday. They were turned away beause the park was closed. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Dozens of people were out on the center median along San Vicente Blvd. in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Santa Monica. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
More than 100 recreational vehicles are parked in a lot at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, and are being used to house people who have tested positive or have symptions of the coronavirus. Many of the camp’s patients are homeless. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Mark Gregorio finds plenty of social distancing at a sunny spot on Ratner Beach in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
A drone’s view of surfers off Venice during the first morning of closures of all beaches of Los Angeles county. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A man works out in Santa Monica even as all beaches and beach paths of Los Angeles county are closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A drone’s view of Hermosa Beach as the Strand walking path and all beaches of Los Angeles county are closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
An unidentified worker with Absolute Intl. Security, lets people know that the Strand in Hermosa Beach is closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
A man received a $1,000 citation for surfing in Manhatthan Beach on Saturday after he ignored numerous warnings by police and lifeguards cautioning him not to go in the water because of the coronavirus beach closures.
Manhattan Beach Police Sgt. Mike Sistoni said it was the only citation for failing to follow the stay-at-home orders the department had issued.
“Everybody else was in compliance,” Sistoni said. “People have been pretty good about it.”
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Authorities were out in force over the weekend to make sure people were staying away from beaches, parks and hiking trails as part of unprecedented restrictions on public movements to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Most beaches, trails, recreation facilities as well as nonessential businesses were closed because of the state and local orders, and many people obeyed.
A Ventura County Sheriff’s Department cruiser could be seen guarding the entrance to a popular trail in Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, upon which hundreds of hikers and families descended on Saturday. In Venice, a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter was seen circling a skate park, announcing that people who did not leave the area would be “arrested for trespassing.”
Still, some crowds continued to flock to some outdoor areas, officials said.
Many state parks already were closed to vehicle traffic, but those that remained open Saturday “once again experienced visitation surges that made it impossible for the public to implement appropriate social/physical distancing practices,” California State Parks said in a statement.
As a result, the state parks system announced Sunday that it was temporarily cutting off vehicle access to all 280 state parks.


latimes--2020-03-29--Here is the latest list of Orange County communities with coronavirus cases

Coronavirus cases in Orange County jumped past 400 this week , county health officials said .
Four people have died .
As of Sunday , the county had performed more than 5,100 tests .
Officials on Friday began releasing city-by-city coronavirus cases , with Huntington Beach , Newport Beach , Irvine and Anaheim having among the highest totals .
“ While no one wants to see cases , Anaheim ’ s count isn ’ t surprising or alarming , ” city spokesman Mike Lyster said Sunday .
“ We guided our city to expect about 10 % of Orange County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anaheim ’ s share of the county ’ s population.
” “ Like all of Orange County , we will see growth in cases as more people are tested.
” he added .
“ The upside of that is those are likely to be cases that already exist in our city , and those patients will be treated and isolated until they recover.
” County officials also have urged residents to avoid drawing broad conclusions from the city-by city figures .
“ COVID-19 now has reached community transmission status , which means people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county .
This may not necessarily be in the city where they live , ” the county said in a statement .
“ These data should not be interpreted as an indication of activity in any specific location .
Under a community transmission status , the true prevalence of this disease may not be known , as most cases are likely not diagnosed or reported .
”

The Newport Pier and its companion Balboa Pier two miles down the shore, closed Wednesday.
Coronavirus cases in Orange County jumped past 400 this week, county health officials said. Four people have died.
As of Sunday, the county had performed more than 5,100 tests.
Age breakdown of cases:
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0-17 — 2
18-44 — 188
45-64 — 162
65+ — 77
Unknown — 2
Officials on Friday began releasing city-by-city coronavirus cases, with Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Irvine and Anaheim having among the highest totals.
“While no one wants to see cases, Anaheim’s count isn’t surprising or alarming,” city spokesman Mike Lyster said Sunday. “We guided our city to expect about 10% of Orange County’s cases, in line with Anaheim’s share of the county’s population.”
“Like all of Orange County, we will see growth in cases as more people are tested.” he added. “The upside of that is those are likely to be cases that already exist in our city, and those patients will be treated and isolated until they recover.”
County officials also have urged residents to avoid drawing broad conclusions from the city-by city figures.
“COVID-19 now has reached community transmission status, which means people may have contracted the illness elsewhere in the county. This may not necessarily be in the city where they live,” the county said in a statement. “These data should not be interpreted as an indication of activity in any specific location. Under a community transmission status, the true prevalence of this disease may not be known, as most cases are likely not diagnosed or reported.”
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Cases by community:
Aliso Viejo 3
Anaheim 41
Brea 3
Buena Park 14
Costa Mesa 11
Cypress 9
Dana Point 6
Fountain Valley 7
Fullerton 9
Garden Grove 8
Huntington Beach 33
Irvine 38
La Habra 2
Laguna Hills 0
Laguna Niguel 13
Lake Forest 7
Mission Viejo 7
Newport Beach 37
Orange 13
Placentia 6
Rancho Santa Margarita 4
San Clemente 12
San Juan Capistrano 9
Santa Ana 22
Seal Beach 1
Stanton 1
Tustin 7
Westminster 6
Yorba Linda 12
Other 40
Unknown 50


latimes--2020-03-29--Here is the latest list of L.A. County communities with coronavirus cases

More than 100 recreational vehicles are parked in a lot at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles , and are @ @ @ @ @ who have tested positive or have symptions of the coronavirus .
Many of the camp @ @ @ @ @ .

6 / 21
More than 100 recreational vehicles are parked in a lot at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, and are being used to house people who have tested positive or have symptions of the coronavirus. Many of the camp’s patients are homeless. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-03-29--L.A. County got 170 broken ventilators from feds; Silicon Valley is fixing them, Newsom says

Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Saturday said the federal government sent Los Angeles County 170 ventilators that arrived “ not working , ” and now a Silicon Valley company is fixing the equipment amid the coronavirus outbreak .
California and other states have been stocking up on ventilators in anticipation of a shortage at hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Newsom said he learned about the problem with the federal government ’ s ventilators when he visited Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Friday .
“ Rather than lamenting about it , rather than complaining about it , rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to generate more stress and anxiety , we got a car and a truck , ” Newsom said .
“ And we had those 170 brought here to this facility at 8 a.m. this morning , and they are quite literally working on those ventilators right now , ” Newsom said .
Newsom spoke about the ventilators at a press conference at a Bloom Energy refurbishing site in Sunnyvale on Saturday with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo .
Bloom ’ s core business is in repairing and refurbishing fuel-cell power generators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In response to the COVID-19 pandemic , Newsom said the company is refurbishing more than 500 older ventilators owned by the state .
The governor said the company will also fix and return the 170 ventilators the federal government sent to Los Angeles County by Monday .
“ That ’ s the spirit of California , ” Newsom said .
“ That ’ s the spirit of this moment.
” In total , the state has procured and identified 4,252 ventilators toward a goal of securing an extra 10,000 in response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Trump administration has not yet fulfilled the state ’ s request for ventilators and separately sent the 170 ventilators to L.A. County .
The governor said the ventilators came from the national stockpile , a supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services .
Mechanical ventilators are essential to treating patients critically ill with COVID-19 .
The virus officially called SARS-CoV-2 can infect the lungs and cause people to be unable to breathe properly ; it can also cause inflammation in the lungs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can drown some of the lung ’ s tiny air sacs , preventing them from delivering oxygen to the blood .
Those who are critically ill from the coronavirus infection can suffer from respiratory failure , sepsis and multiple organ failure .
The Times reported last week that federal officials have known for years there was a shortage of ventilators nationally to deal with such an pandemic .
As early as 2003 , that many urban hospitals lacked enough ventilators to treat a large number of patients suffering from respiratory problems that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ botulism outbreak .
“ Ventilators have long been recognized as a weak link , ” said Marcia Crosse , former head of the healthcare section of the Government Accountability Office , who spent 35 years at GAO before retiring in 2018 .
Today , a is emerging as a potentially critical shortfall because patients hit hardest by COVID-19 , the illness caused by the coronavirus , often suffer severe respiratory problems .
Across the U.S. , there could be as many as 31 patients requiring ventilation for every machine available , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New England Journal of Medicine .
The shortage could be just as severe in California .
Statewide , there are about 9,500 ventilators , a total that includes recent additions made by state leaders and others in anticipation of increased numbers of COVID-19 patients .
The federal government ’ s national stockpile , which states can tap when their local supplies run low , has an additional 16,000 .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, second from right, tours the Bloom Energy Sunnyvale, Calif., campus Saturday. Bloom Energy is a fuel cell generator company that has switched to refurbishing ventilators.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday said the federal government sent Los Angeles County 170 ventilators that arrived “not working,” and now a Silicon Valley company is fixing the equipment amid the coronavirus outbreak.
California and other states have been stocking up on ventilators in anticipation of a shortage at hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsom said he learned about the problem with the federal government’s ventilators when he visited Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Friday.
“Rather than lamenting about it, rather than complaining about it, rather than pointing fingers, rather than generating headlines in order to generate more stress and anxiety, we got a car and a truck,” Newsom said.
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“And we had those 170 brought here to this facility at 8 a.m. this morning, and they are quite literally working on those ventilators right now,” Newsom said.
Newsom spoke about the ventilators at a press conference at a Bloom Energy refurbishing site in Sunnyvale on Saturday with San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.
Bloom’s core business is in repairing and refurbishing fuel-cell power generators sold to large companies and nonprofits. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom said the company is refurbishing more than 500 older ventilators owned by the state.
The governor said the company will also fix and return the 170 ventilators the federal government sent to Los Angeles County by Monday. “That’s the spirit of California,” Newsom said. “That’s the spirit of this moment.”
In total, the state has procured and identified 4,252 ventilators toward a goal of securing an extra 10,000 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom said.
Newsom said the Trump administration has not yet fulfilled the state’s request for ventilators and separately sent the 170 ventilators to L.A. County.
The governor said the ventilators came from the national stockpile, a supply of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies maintained by the Department of Health and Human Services.
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Mechanical ventilators are essential to treating patients critically ill with COVID-19. The virus officially called SARS-CoV-2 can infect the lungs and cause people to be unable to breathe properly; it can also cause inflammation in the lungs. Fluid can leak into lung tissues and can drown some of the lung’s tiny air sacs, preventing them from delivering oxygen to the blood.
Those who are critically ill from the coronavirus infection can suffer from respiratory failure, sepsis and multiple organ failure.
The Times reported last week that federal officials have known for years there was a shortage of ventilators nationally to deal with such an pandemic.
As early as 2003, the GAO cautioned that many urban hospitals lacked enough ventilators to treat a large number of patients suffering from respiratory problems that would be expected in an anthrax or botulism outbreak.
“Ventilators have long been recognized as a weak link,” said Marcia Crosse, former head of the healthcare section of the Government Accountability Office, who spent 35 years at GAO before retiring in 2018.
Today, a lack of ventilators is emerging as a potentially critical shortfall because patients hit hardest by COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus, often suffer severe respiratory problems.
Across the U.S., there could be as many as 31 patients requiring ventilation for every machine available, according to an article published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. The shortage could be just as severe in California.
Statewide, there are about 9,500 ventilators, a total that includes recent additions made by state leaders and others in anticipation of increased numbers of COVID-19 patients. The federal government’s national stockpile, which states can tap when their local supplies run low, has an additional 16,000.


latimes--2020-03-29--5 more coronavirus deaths in L.A. County; total cases top 2,100

Los Angeles County recorded five more coronavirus deaths on Sunday , bringing the total to 37 as the virus continued to spread .
The county now has 2,100 total confirmed cases , including more than 300 reported on Sunday .
More cases and deaths were reported across California , with officials warning the numbers will spike in the coming weeks .
Meanwhile , hospital ICU beds began filling up with patients , and officials tried to enforce unprecedented social distancing measures , which they believe are the state ’ s best chance to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your part to not infect others or become infected yourself by adhering to the public health directives and practicing social distancing , ” Barbara Ferrer , L.A ’ s public health director , said Sunday .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Sunday that the city — with the help of the National Guard — is turning its convention center in downtown Los Angeles into a field hospital in an effort to relieve pressure on local hospitals .
The federal medical station will be run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet clear how many beds the convention center ’ s field hospital will provide or when it will begin accepting patients .
The city has also opened five new emergency shelters to move homeless people indoors .
In all , there are now 13 emergency shelters with 561 beds , with most at or near 100 % capacity , according to city officials .
The Los Angeles Fire Department administered 6,741 COVID-19 tests over the past week , Garcetti said , and the city is rapidly ramping up its testing efforts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ double that pace this week and have triple the number by next week — 13,000 tests completed — with a quick turnaround time of one or two days , ” the mayor said .
Garcetti commended the federal government for extending its social distancing guidelines , which had been set to expire or be renewed on Monday , to April 30 .
“ I hope that the Trump administration will take the further step of requiring all states to adopt the same safer-at-home measures that we ’ ve adopted here , ” Garcetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend , beaches , hiking trials , recreation areas and many streets were empty amid calls for people to stay home except for essential trips and exercise in their neighborhoods .
Police were out in force , turning away people trying to use closed facilities .
Most beaches , and nonessential businesses were closed because of the state and local orders , and many obeyed .
Santa Monica Beach would normally be packed on a cloudless weekend with surfers , swimmers and sun lovers .
But it was mostly deserted Sunday because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck patrolled the area to ensure people stayed off the beach .
Not everyone heeded the warnings .
In a nearby parking lot , two surfers consulted with another wave rider who had just come ashore about their chances of getting into the water .
“ I went for a paddle to the pier and back , ” he told them .
“ They weren ’ t citing anyone.
” In Manhattan Beach the day before , a man received a $ 1,000 citation for surfing in a restricted area after he ignored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him not to go in the water , Manhattan Beach police Sgt .
Mike Sistoni said .
It was the only citation for failing to follow the stay-at-home orders the department had issued , he said .
“ Everybody else was in compliance , ” Sistoni said Saturday .
“ People have been pretty good about it.
” In Santa Monica on Sunday , runners and bikers — some in gloves and masks — traversed a bike path that runs along the beach but kept their distance from one another .
Later , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck reminded everyone that the usually bustling pathway was closed .
But it didn ’ t deter many from using it .
The entrance to Santa Monica Pier was blocked off by tape and temporary fencing .
Sean Golden , 54 , stared at his 18-year-old dog , Woody , as the pooch rolled in the grass .
Normally they would amble across the pier and then back down to Sea Mist Rentals , where Golden works .
Not today , though .
Golden , who has lived in Santa Monica since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop for about 20 years .
He said he hadn ’ t seen the beach this desolate since 1983 , when heavy storms destroyed the pier .
Even after 9/11 , people were out and about enjoying the beach , he said .
“ We need to get it up and running soon , ” he said .
Some state parks were up and running Saturday .
Many had closed to vehicle traffic , but those that remained open “ once again experienced visitation surges that made it impossible for the public to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California State Parks said in a statement .
As a result , the state parks system on Sunday announced it was temporarily cutting off vehicle access to all 280 parks .
The increasing restrictions on public spaces are intended to slow the spread of the virus so California ’ s healthcare system isn ’ t overwhelmed by a sudden surge in hospitalizations .
There were signs Saturday that hospitals were beginning to feel the coronavirus strain .
The number of COVID-19 patients in California ’ s intensive care unit beds doubled overnight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said .
And the number of hospitalized patients testing positive for the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus rose by 38.6 % — from 746 on Friday to 1,034 on Saturday , Newsom said .
“ We ’ re blessed that we ’ re just at 410 , devastating for the individuals there and their family members and loved ones , ” Newsom said at a news conference in Sunnyvale on Saturday .
“ But by comparison and contrast to other parts of this country , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles Times found that California has 7,200 intensive-care beds across more than 365 hospitals .
In total , the state has more than 70,000 beds .
The Times data analysis shows roughly one intensive-care bed for every 5,500 people in California .
About half of California ’ s total intensive-care beds — 3,700 — are in the five-county area around Los Angeles , according to data from 2018 , the most recent available .
In the nine-county Bay Area , there are roughly 1,400 ICU beds for a population of 7.6 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher level of treatment than regular beds , a level of care some COVID-19 patients require .
Those unable to breathe properly may need a breathing tube inserted into their throat and to be hooked up to a ventilator , which physically pushes oxygen into the lungs .
The Navy hospital ship Mercy , which docked at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday , began receiving patients Sunday .
The boat is operated by Naval medical and support staff from 22 commands , along with 70 civil mariners , who will treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to help reduce strain on the hospital system .
There were three patients aboard the ship as of Sunday afternoon .
“ The men and women embarked on board Mercy are energized , eager and ready to provide relief to those in need , ” said Capt .
John Rotruck , Mercy ’ s Military Treatment Facility commanding officer , in a press release .
In San Bernardino County , 12 people at a Yucaipa nursing facility tested positive for the virus Saturday after a resident of the facility died of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health officials said .
At least one of the people who tested positive worked at the facility , which officials did not immediately name .
The 89-year-old woman had underlying health conditions and died Thursday , officials said .
In addition , a resident of a second Yucaipa nursing facility has symptoms of the illness , officials said .
County public health staffers are working with both facilities to expedite testing of all residents and employees , they said .
“ This is the first instance we have had in our county of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erin Gustafson , acting county health officer , in a statement .
“ The county will do everything within its ability and authority to minimize the tragedy this pandemic has the potential to create in our communities.
” The L.A. County Department of Public Health is monitoring 14 institutional facilities that have reported one or more confirmed cases of the virus among residents and staff , including three extended-care homes that have reported three or more cases , officials said Friday .
Another point of concern is that the virus could spread through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many cities and counties have taken steps to identify places where homeless people can safely shelter during the outbreak .
In Long Beach , city officials hope to eventually have up to 1,000 beds available .
Although the process to locate enough shelters and beds is still in its early stages , the county has extended by six months its support for a winter shelter that ’ s been open since December .
The facility will now remain open through the end of September , said Teresa Chandler , Long Beach ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s original location had 125 beds , but physical distancing requirements for the virus have forced the city to close the site and redirect 80 of the occupants to its new location at a library in north Long Beach and the remaining 45 to a shelter in Silverado Park .
The park location has 70 beds available , with 20 of those in a separate area that could be turned into an isolation space if occupants show COVID-19 symptoms , Chandler said .
“ We ’ re doing one or two locations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Chandler said .
“ We have to figure out staffing and transportation.
” Another Long Beach shelter is expected to open this week , but details on how many beds it would hold were not immediately available .
Meanwhile , a growing number of coronavirus cases have been reported among first responders and inmates in Southern California .
A total of 24 Los Angeles police employees have tested positive , along with six Los Angeles firefighters .
“ All of these individuals are self-isolating at home and recovering , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach police officer and 13 Long Beach firefighters also had tested positive as of Friday .
The Riverside County Sheriff ’ s Department said Saturday that two more of its deputies had tested positive , bringing the total to three .
The department also was notified that the first Riverside County Jail inmate had tested positive for the virus , Sheriff Chad Bianco said in a video statement .
The inmate became symptomatic “ several days ago ” and was isolated and treated , Bianco said .
He had little contact with other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; none are symptomatic , Bianco said .
Bianco said the county ’ s jail system had a strategic plan in place to contain and limit the virus ’ spread .
“ Unlike some jurisdictions , I have no intention of preemptively releasing inmates out of fear something may or may not happen , ” Bianco said .
“ I feel very strongly that the inmates we have remaining in custody pose a much greater risk to public safety than the risk this virus poses to them while they are in custody.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barnes announced that he would soon begin releasing inmates who had 60 or fewer days left on their sentences in an effort to reduce the population of the Men ’ s Central Jail in Santa Ana , according to City News Service .
Earlier in the week , an inmate in his 40s was placed in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus , the Sheriff ’ s Department said .

Alex Wigglesworth, Benjamin Oreskes, Joseph Serna, Rong-Gong Lin II, Taryn Luna, Laura Newberry

Sailors assigned to the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) treat the first patient from Los Angeles medical facilities March 29. Mercy deployed in support of the nation’s COVID-19 response efforts, and will serve as a referral hospital for non-COVID-19 patients currently admitted to shore-based hospitals.
Los Angeles County recorded five more coronavirus deaths on Sunday, bringing the total to 37 as the virus continued to spread.
The county now has 2,100 total confirmed cases, including more than 300 reported on Sunday. More cases and deaths were reported across California, with officials warning the numbers will spike in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, hospital ICU beds began filling up with patients, and officials tried to enforce unprecedented social distancing measures, which they believe are the state’s best chance to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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“I ask that everyone please do your part to not infect others or become infected yourself by adhering to the public health directives and practicing social distancing,” Barbara Ferrer, L.A’s public health director, said Sunday.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Sunday that the city — with the help of the National Guard — is turning its convention center in downtown Los Angeles into a field hospital in an effort to relieve pressure on local hospitals. The federal medical station will be run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Garcetti said.
It is not yet clear how many beds the convention center’s field hospital will provide or when it will begin accepting patients.
The city has also opened five new emergency shelters to move homeless people indoors. In all, there are now 13 emergency shelters with 561 beds, with most at or near 100% capacity, according to city officials.
The Los Angeles Fire Department administered 6,741 COVID-19 tests over the past week, Garcetti said, and the city is rapidly ramping up its testing efforts.
“We feel confident that we will double that pace this week and have triple the number by next week — 13,000 tests completed — with a quick turnaround time of one or two days,” the mayor said.
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Garcetti commended the federal government for extending its social distancing guidelines, which had been set to expire or be renewed on Monday, to April 30.
“I hope that the Trump administration will take the further step of requiring all states to adopt the same safer-at-home measures that we’ve adopted here,” Garcetti said.
On a sunny Southern California weekend, beaches, hiking trials, recreation areas and many streets were empty amid calls for people to stay home except for essential trips and exercise in their neighborhoods. Police were out in force, turning away people trying to use closed facilities.
1 / 21 An unidentified worker with Absolute Intl. Security, lets people know that the Strand in Hermosa Beach is closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 21 A drone’s view of Hermosa Beach as the Strand walking path and all beaches of Los Angeles county are closed in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 21 A man works out in Santa Monica even as all beaches and beach paths of Los Angeles county are closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 21 A drone’s view of surfers off Venice during the first morning of closures of all beaches of Los Angeles county. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 21 Mark Gregorio finds plenty of social distancing at a sunny spot on Ratner Beach in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Pacific Palisades, Calif. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 21 More than 100 recreational vehicles are parked in a lot at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, and are being used to house people who have tested positive or have symptions of the coronavirus. Many of the camp’s patients are homeless. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 21 Dozens of people were out on the center median along San Vicente Blvd. in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Santa Monica. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 21 Shauna Jin, of Los Angeles, with dog Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss, of Los Angeles, at the front entrance of Runyun Canyon Park Saturday. They were turned away beause the park was closed. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 21 Westchester resident Eddie Fonseca walks dogs on the center median along San Vicente Blvd. in the midst of coronavirus-related closures in Santa Monica. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 21 A woman wearing a face mask walks along the bike path in Santa Monica. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 21 Surfers head to the water in Venice Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 21 A couple find plenty of social distancing for a walk in the surf at Ratner Beach in Pacific Palisades Saturday. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 21 A young man heads to the water in Venice Beach, despite all beaches and beach paths of Los Angeles county are closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 21 An unidentified worker with Absolute Intl. Security, walks The Strand, while providing security for the Hermosa Beach Police Department in closing off The Strand. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 21 Marcos Ayala with Absolute Intl. Security, provides security for the Hermosa Beach Police Department in closing off The Strand. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 21 A runner crosses Pier Plaza early Saturday morning, as The Strand and beach of Hermosa Beach, CA, are closed. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 21 Hikers walk on a paved road in Griffith Park near the Hollywood sign. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 21 Mong Noiboonsok, left, and Rena Chastan, after a morning run have lunch on a sunny Saturday at Crystal Springs Picnic area in Griffith Park (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 21 Ola, left, and Vlad Ponomarenko play at Crystal Springs Picnic area in Griffith Park Saturday. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 21 Shops are closed along the Venice Beach boardwalk. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 21 Los Angeles resident Fanny Vences, 31, takes a selfie in Griffith Park overlooking the Hollywood sign. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Most beaches, trails, recreation facilities and nonessential businesses were closed because of the state and local orders, and many obeyed.
Santa Monica Beach would normally be packed on a cloudless weekend with surfers, swimmers and sun lovers. But it was mostly deserted Sunday because of the stay-at-home orders.
A lone lifeguard truck patrolled the area to ensure people stayed off the beach.
Not everyone heeded the warnings.
In a nearby parking lot, two surfers consulted with another wave rider who had just come ashore about their chances of getting into the water.
“I went for a paddle to the pier and back,” he told them. “They weren’t citing anyone.”
In Manhattan Beach the day before, a man received a $1,000 citation for surfing in a restricted area after he ignored numerous warnings by police and lifeguards cautioning him not to go in the water, Manhattan Beach police Sgt. Mike Sistoni said. It was the only citation for failing to follow the stay-at-home orders the department had issued, he said.
“Everybody else was in compliance,” Sistoni said Saturday. “People have been pretty good about it.”
In Santa Monica on Sunday, runners and bikers — some in gloves and masks — traversed a bike path that runs along the beach but kept their distance from one another.
Later, a city police officer in a pickup truck reminded everyone that the usually bustling pathway was closed. But it didn’t deter many from using it.
The entrance to Santa Monica Pier was blocked off by tape and temporary fencing. Sean Golden, 54, stared at his 18-year-old dog, Woody, as the pooch rolled in the grass.
Normally they would amble across the pier and then back down to Sea Mist Rentals, where Golden works. Not today, though.
Golden, who has lived in Santa Monica since the early 1980s, has worked at the shop for about 20 years. He said he hadn’t seen the beach this desolate since 1983, when heavy storms destroyed the pier.
Even after 9/11, people were out and about enjoying the beach, he said.
“We need to get it up and running soon,” he said.
Some state parks were up and running Saturday. Many had closed to vehicle traffic, but those that remained open “once again experienced visitation surges that made it impossible for the public to implement appropriate social/physical distancing practices,” California State Parks said in a statement.
As a result, the state parks system on Sunday announced it was temporarily cutting off vehicle access to all 280 parks.
The increasing restrictions on public spaces are intended to slow the spread of the virus so California’s healthcare system isn’t overwhelmed by a sudden surge in hospitalizations.
There were signs Saturday that hospitals were beginning to feel the coronavirus strain.
The number of COVID-19 patients in California’s intensive care unit beds doubled overnight, rising from 200 on Friday to 410 on Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said. And the number of hospitalized patients testing positive for the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus rose by 38.6% — from 746 on Friday to 1,034 on Saturday, Newsom said.
“We’re blessed that we’re just at 410, devastating for the individuals there and their family members and loved ones,” Newsom said at a news conference in Sunnyvale on Saturday. “But by comparison and contrast to other parts of this country, that number seems relatively modest.”
A Los Angeles Times data analysis found that California has 7,200 intensive-care beds across more than 365 hospitals. In total, the state has more than 70,000 beds. The Times data analysis shows roughly one intensive-care bed for every 5,500 people in California.
About half of California’s total intensive-care beds — 3,700 — are in the five-county area around Los Angeles, according to data from 2018, the most recent available. In the nine-county Bay Area, there are roughly 1,400 ICU beds for a population of 7.6 million people.
Intensive-care beds allow for a higher level of treatment than regular beds, a level of care some COVID-19 patients require. Those unable to breathe properly may need a breathing tube inserted into their throat and to be hooked up to a ventilator, which physically pushes oxygen into the lungs.
The Navy hospital ship Mercy, which docked at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday, began receiving patients Sunday. The boat is operated by Naval medical and support staff from 22 commands, along with 70 civil mariners, who will treat patients who don’t have COVID-19 in order to help reduce strain on the hospital system.
There were three patients aboard the ship as of Sunday afternoon.
“The men and women embarked on board Mercy are energized, eager and ready to provide relief to those in need,” said Capt. John Rotruck, Mercy’s Military Treatment Facility commanding officer, in a press release.
In San Bernardino County, 12 people at a Yucaipa nursing facility tested positive for the virus Saturday after a resident of the facility died of COVID-19 earlier in the week, county health officials said. At least one of the people who tested positive worked at the facility, which officials did not immediately name.
The 89-year-old woman had underlying health conditions and died Thursday, officials said.
In addition, a resident of a second Yucaipa nursing facility has symptoms of the illness, officials said. County public health staffers are working with both facilities to expedite testing of all residents and employees, they said.
“This is the first instance we have had in our county of a concentrated COVID-19 outbreak,” said Erin Gustafson, acting county health officer, in a statement. “The county will do everything within its ability and authority to minimize the tragedy this pandemic has the potential to create in our communities.”
The L.A. County Department of Public Health is monitoring 14 institutional facilities that have reported one or more confirmed cases of the virus among residents and staff, including three extended-care homes that have reported three or more cases, officials said Friday.
Another point of concern is that the virus could spread through the state’s homeless population. Many cities and counties have taken steps to identify places where homeless people can safely shelter during the outbreak.
In Long Beach, city officials hope to eventually have up to 1,000 beds available.
Although the process to locate enough shelters and beds is still in its early stages, the county has extended by six months its support for a winter shelter that’s been open since December. The facility will now remain open through the end of September, said Teresa Chandler, Long Beach’s interim deputy city manager.
The shelter’s original location had 125 beds, but physical distancing requirements for the virus have forced the city to close the site and redirect 80 of the occupants to its new location at a library in north Long Beach and the remaining 45 to a shelter in Silverado Park.
The park location has 70 beds available, with 20 of those in a separate area that could be turned into an isolation space if occupants show COVID-19 symptoms, Chandler said.
“We’re doing one or two locations at a time because of our logistics,” Chandler said. “We have to figure out staffing and transportation.”
Another Long Beach shelter is expected to open this week, but details on how many beds it would hold were not immediately available.
Meanwhile, a growing number of coronavirus cases have been reported among first responders and inmates in Southern California.
A total of 24 Los Angeles police employees have tested positive, along with six Los Angeles firefighters. “All of these individuals are self-isolating at home and recovering,” according to a city statement.
One Long Beach police officer and 13 Long Beach firefighters also had tested positive as of Friday.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department said Saturday that two more of its deputies had tested positive, bringing the total to three.
The department also was notified that the first Riverside County Jail inmate had tested positive for the virus, Sheriff Chad Bianco said in a video statement. The inmate became symptomatic “several days ago” and was isolated and treated, Bianco said. He had little contact with other inmates, but some others are isolated; none are symptomatic, Bianco said.
Bianco said the county’s jail system had a strategic plan in place to contain and limit the virus’ spread.
“Unlike some jurisdictions, I have no intention of preemptively releasing inmates out of fear something may or may not happen,” Bianco said. “I feel very strongly that the inmates we have remaining in custody pose a much greater risk to public safety than the risk this virus poses to them while they are in custody.”
Earlier Saturday, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes announced that he would soon begin releasing inmates who had 60 or fewer days left on their sentences in an effort to reduce the population of the Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana, according to City News Service. Earlier in the week, an inmate in his 40s was placed in isolation after testing positive for the coronavirus, the Sheriff’s Department said.
Times staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-29--Sick and angry: Some public health officers are showing stress of coronavirus

After Bay Area county leaders ordered residents to stay home to stem the spread of the coronavirus on March 16 , residents packed into parks , supermarket aisles and beaches the next weekend .
That pushed one public health officer seemingly near to the edge .
“ If you decide you want to do your own thing and follow your own rules , you disrespect us all , ” wrote Dr. Scott Morrow , public health officer for San Mateo County in a letter posted Monday to the county website .
“ You spit in our face , and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will follow.
” Morrow ’ s missive astonished some of his peers and constituents , but it also reflected the pressure health officials face in the Bay Area and elsewhere as the pandemic takes a rising toll .
As of Saturday evening , there were 1,700 cases and 38 deaths in the Bay Area , the early epicenter of the virus .
Health officials are racing to protect diverse communities from a virus overwhelming much of the world .
As they do , they are paying a steep price .
On Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. Matt Willis , announced in a video that he had contracted the virus .
“ Stay at home .
Shelter in place .
And limit anything outside the home to only essential trips , because we ’ re seeing signs of our responders being exposed and being pulled away from duty , ” he said from his home , accompanied only by a potted plant .
Willis has quarantined himself away from his wife and children , and according to a county spokeswoman , still had symptoms , as of Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with each other .
On Wednesday , San Jose officials announced projections of more than 2,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the next 12 weeks .
That prompted Santa Clara County officials to shoot back — declaring that “ the model shared by the city of San Jose … was not produced , reviewed , or vetted by the county of Santa Clara.
” Under California law , public health officers hold extraordinary powers to affect everyday life .
Violations of the Bay Area ’ s shelter-in-place orders , for instance , could result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensity of this disease is leaving officials without an established road map to follow , according to former public health officers and experts .
“ This is becoming an unremitting , 24-7 incredibly stressful job , ” said Robert Benjamin , 77 , who once served as interim health officer for the city of Berkeley , worked 27 years for the Alameda County health department , and is now semiretired , working part time for the Sonoma County health department .
“ Anyone who says this is not a big deal and asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing ) needs new glasses , ” said Dr. Benjamin , who has been on regular conference calls with the Bay Area ’ s health officers during the outbreak .
Federal , state and local authorities are issuing a patchwork of public orders to their communities , and health officers are being overwhelmed , several experts said .
It doesn ’ t help that these officers lack adequate testing , data and protective equipment .
“ There are both programmatic as well as personal stressors involved , ” Benjamin said .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press representing the greater Bay Area counties are doing just a Herculean job.
” “ Remember , for these men and women , the population is their patient , ” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding , professor emeritus for UCLA ’ s Fielding School of Public Health , which was named for him .
“ They are there to prevent , respond , evaluate and monitor the health of a whole community , in much the same way a doctor will for a single patient.
” Although health officials prepare for pandemic events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accredited state and national health officer networks , and receiving training from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , reality almost never exactly mirrors a simulation , the experts said .
“ You have to learn that every decision you make , when it comes to an emergency public health decision , is going to be made with inadequate information , ” said Dr. Richard Jackson , who served as California ’ s state health officer , under Gov .
Arnold Schwarzenegger , and who served for nine years as the director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Environmental Health .
Over the years , officers in the Bay Area have established a strong network .
They talk on a daily basis , filling one another in , assessing the situation and presenting ideas , decisions and concerns .
“ I hate to make it sound all ‘ Kumbaya , ’ ” said Dr. Lisa Santora , Marin County ’ s deputy health officer , who has stepped in for the infected Willis .
“ But we really do work well together , collaboratively , and most often with consensus.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s public health offices are unique , with stronger authority than one sees in states such as New Jersey .
There , health officials are appointed by a mayor , and are replaced with each iteration of new local government , Jackson said .
On Friday , Rush Limbaugh , a conservative syndicated radio host , suggested to listeners that government health officials were “ deep state ” agents , who are driving around local communities ratting on people who are socializing .
“ They ’ re just assumed to be the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Limbaugh , who is undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer .
Such sentiments anger many frontline health officials , given the long hours and risks they face .
In Willis ’ case , he said he started feeling feverish on Friday with a worsening cough .
After he had a swab taken at a drive-through coronavirus testing facility , the test came back positive last Sunday .
As for San Mateo ’ s Morrow , he declined to speak with The Times .
Dr. John Swartzberg , a UC Berkeley infectious diseases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s outburst reflects the general frustrations of a profession “ under enormous stress and without adequate resources.
” Jackson , the former state health official , agreed , although he added that Morrow could have toned it down a bit .
“ It ’ s an asset to be a strong leader , ” he said .
“ I kind of don ’ t agree with beating people up .
”

Dr. Tomás Aragón, health officer for the city and county of San Francisco, speaks at a news conference with Bay Area public health officers on March 16 in San Jose. Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County’s health officer, back center, disclosed last week that he had contracted the coronavirus. Dr. Scott Morrow of San Mateo County, back left, later issued an emotional plea to the public to heed California’s stay-at-home order.
After Bay Area county leaders ordered residents to stay home to stem the spread of the coronavirus on March 16, residents packed into parks, supermarket aisles and beaches the next weekend. That pushed one public health officer seemingly near to the edge.
“If you decide you want to do your own thing and follow your own rules, you disrespect us all,” wrote Dr. Scott Morrow, public health officer for San Mateo County in a letter posted Monday to the county website. “You spit in our face, and you will contribute to the death toll that will follow.”
Morrow’s missive astonished some of his peers and constituents, but it also reflected the pressure health officials face in the Bay Area and elsewhere as the pandemic takes a rising toll. As of Saturday evening, there were 1,700 cases and 38 deaths in the Bay Area, the early epicenter of the virus.
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1 / 83 Socially distanced bikers and walkers, against a backdrop of the Queen Mary, make their way along pedestrian and beach bike path on the first day that Long Beach reopened the path on Monday May 11, 2020. The city of Long Beach eased a few of its public health restrictions, allowing under certain guidelines the reopening of pedestrian and beach bike paths, tennis centers and courts. Beach bathrooms are also reopening, but the parking lots and beaches still remain closed. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 83 Traffic remains light on the southbound 110 Freeway headed toward downtown Los Angeles on April 28. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 83 Dominique Barrett, center, known as “King Vader” to his 2.4 million TikTok followers, prepares to shoot a video on April 30 in Glendora. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 83 Cody Purcell of Redondo Beach rides a wave, glowing from the bioluminescence, in Hermosa Beach, CA, after midnight Friday morning, May 8. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 83 Friends play spikeball, a game perfect for social distancing on an open but restricted San Buenaventura State Beach. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 83 The majority of golfers are wearing masks while hitting balls on the driving range at Van Buren Executive Golf Course in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 83 Beaches including Harbor Cove Beach were open but beachgoers were not supposed to be sitting on the sand. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 83 Tango instructor Yelizaveta Nersesova leads a Zoom tango event from her Los Angeles home April 27 that brought together hundreds of dancers from around the world. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 83 Grocery store workers, joined by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 770 representatives and community members, hold a rally in support of strict social distancing on May 1 at a Ralphs store in Hollywood where 19 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 83 Mostly masked commuters keep their distance from one another on a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles on April 29. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 83 Gregory Kuhl, 69, heads home after a shopping trip in Hollywood on April 28. Big cracks in the street, cars parked in driveways blocking sidewalks and uneven pavement levels make navigating his route difficult. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 83 Tenants and their supporters from across Los Angeles gather at city hall to call on L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, the L.A. City Council and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to cancel rent and mortgage payments during the COVID-19 crisis. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 83 Aerial view of over 100 vehicles lined up at the West Valley COVID-19 testing center at Warner Center in Woodland Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 83 Senior Mason Wise, left, helps his sister, Mackenzie, a sophomore, clean out her PE locker at El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills. School officials were allowing no more than five students at a time on campus to take home their belongings. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 83 Shuttered storefront businesses in the garment district of Los Angeles. California’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed since the statewide coronavirus shutdown took effect. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 83 Healthcare workers celebrate as Claudia Martinez is discharged from the ICU after she recovered from COVID-19 at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 83 Carson residents Kaeli Burks, 3, left, and her cousin Bailey Watson, 5, look out the window of their car after their mothers helped them with self-testing at a new drive-up testing site for COVID-19 in Carson. Free COVID-19 testing is available to all city residents thanks to a partnership between the city and US Health Fairs. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 83 Norm and Tracy Kahn enjoy eating dinner outside on a small cafe table sitting in blue chairs on their side yard during the coronavirus pandemic on April 27 in Riverside. “During this pandemic, eating outside offers us an opportunity to change surrounding and appreciate the calmness of being outdoors among trees, scents from nature and the sounds of birds,” she said. Also adding, “Mixing up where we eat puts variety into our days and takes away the sameness of feeling trapped at home.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 83 Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center nurses carry supplies outside the hospital. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 83 Tom Sean Foley pauses on a walk with his kids, Cathelen Claire, “C.C.,” 3, and Timothy Joseph, 4, to take a photo in front of the “Love Wall,” mural by artist Curtis Kulig, outside of Smashbox Studios in Culver City. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 83 Protesters stand along Mission Blvd. in Pacific Beach during A Day of Liberty rally on April 26. The protesters were against the government shutdown due to the coronavirus. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 83 People make orders at a food truck along Shoreline Avenue in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 83 Medical staff, wearing protective gear, work inside a COVID-19 isolation area inside the emergency department at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, where patients with the virus are being treated. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 83 Neighbors practice social distancing while enjoying the nice weather near The Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 83 Counter-protesters attend a protest to call on state and local officials to reopen the economy in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 83 A group of protesters cheer on cars during a vehicle caravan protest to call on state and local officials to reopen the economy in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 83 Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation staff member Navi Cavaltera waters a flower pot put up by the community to show their support for the nursing staff of the facility in Yucaipa. Eighteen of 20 coronavirus-related deaths in Yucaipa were residents of the skilled nursing facility. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 83 A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes a mural on a store on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 83 Jonte Florence, a freestyle dancer, does a handstand on a mostly empty Hollywood Walk of Fame. Florence said he normally performs for hundreds of tourists along the busy street. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 83 The Tyrannosaurus rex overlooking the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue wears a protective mask while practicing social distancing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 83 Businesses are shuttered and pedestrians are few and far between on Hollywood Boulevard. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 83 Daniel Rogerson wears a vintage military gas mask while riding a bike along the beach path in Santa Monica, which is closed to enforce social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 83 A face mask seller in colorful dress appears to be part of a mural behind a bus stop on Soto Street in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 83 Life around Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Soto Street has slowed down as California officials extended stay-at-home orders into May and residents entered Easter weekend with unprecedented limits on their movements. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 83 UC Irvine Medical Center health care workers return their gratitude as about 25 Orange County first responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as they battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 83 Billy Budd, 55, of Hollywood, walks along Hollywood Boulevard with a protective face covering. Budd is a scenic artist for movies and television who is currently out of work due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 83 Stuart Reyes and his sister, Stephanie, sell masks for $5 each on the 3000 block of West Century Boulevard in Inglewood. Stuart Reyes said he is selling masks to support his mother. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 83 A jogger runs on a closed trail past dozens of pieces of caution tape, torn off by hikers and mountain bikers at El Escorpion Canyon Park in West Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 83 Alex Herron and nurse Mercy Pineda at a blood drive sponsored by USC athletics and the American Red Cross at USC’s Galen Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 83 Los Angeles City Hall displays blue lights to show support for healthcare workers and first responders. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 83 After being indoors for several days because of rainy weather and coronavirus stay-at-home orders, Olivia Jacobs, 4, and her mom, Cia Jacobs, enjoy a warm and sunny afternoon making chalk drawings on the sidewalk in front of their home in West Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 83 An Oceanview Plaza security guard sports a whimsical mask while on patrol. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 83 Jacob De Wilde, left, and Lesli Lytle load a car with food during a food distribution organized to mark Good Friday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 83 As a late season storm continues to make its way across the Southland, a young basketball player dribbles along an alley through an Elysian Park neighborhood in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 83 People are silhouetted in a window of an apartment building in Hollywood, where a stay-at-home order remains in effect to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 83 The Wilshire Grand Center display blue lights and a heart to show support for healthcare workers and first responders. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 83 Women wear masks as they stroll along Highland Avenue in Hollywood. Wearing masks while outdoors is mandatory in the city of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 83 Patients are removed from Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after 39 tested positive for the coronavirus and nursing staff was not showing up to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 83 A specimen is turned in at the new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 83 Hippie Kitchen in Los Angeles hands out food, water and toiletries to homeless people and residents of skid row. Additionally, masks were offered to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 83 Nurses pose for a fun photo during a break in drive-through public testing for the coronavirus at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 83 A woman shows a notice from her doctor that allows her to obtain a test for coronavirus at a new drive-up testing site in a parking lot at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 83 A person who wishes to remain anonymous strikes from her car to support McDonald’s employees who are demanding the company cover healthcare costs of any worker or immediate family member who gets sick from COVID-19 in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 83 Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, “We’re All in This Together,” while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 83 Juliann Hartman, center, and her husband, Butch, wave signs they created to cheer up people on Calabasas Road in Calabasas during the pandemic. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 83 Grace Carter, 15, of Riverside, practices a dance routine at home after dance classes and school were canceled. She has to use the Zoom app on her iPhone to practice with her dance group. “It’s hard,” she said. “My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 83 A man works from his home in Long Beach. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 83 A San Bernardino County healthcare worker takes a sample at a coronavirus drive-through testing site at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 83 A Metro general service employee disinfects a bench in Boyle Heights. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 83 A runner jogs past the Pottery Barn in Pasadena. Some businesses in the area have boarded up their stores. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 83 Raquel Lezama and daughter Monica Ramos collect meals for their family at Manual Arts High School. Lezama was laid off from her $17.76-an-hour job at a Beverly Hills hotel. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 83 The Iron City Tavern in San Pedro tries an incentive to lure takeout customers. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 83 Healthcare workers gather outside UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center to call for further action from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 83 Kristen Edgerle, of Victorville, collects information from a blood donor before drawing blood at The Richard Nixon Presidential Library blood drive during the coronavirus pandemic in Yorba Linda. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 83 Shauna Jin, of Los Angeles, with her dog, Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss, of Los Angeles, at the entrance of Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 83 A lending library had some additional useful items, including a roll of toilet paper and cans of beans and corn, in a Hermosa Beach neighborhood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 83 Protesters drive by the Getty House, the home of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, in Hancock Park. Tenant advocates are demanding a total moratorium on evictions during the coronavirus crisis. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 83 Venice residents Emily Berry and Gavin Kelley take a break at Venice Beach. Berry, a cocktail waitress at Enterprise Fish Co., lost her job due to the coronavirus outbreak. Kelley, a manager at a performing arts school with a focus on music, said that he still has a job and that classes at the school will resume online this coming Monday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 83 The JW Marriott at L.A. Live is sharing a message of hope with red lights in 34 windows, creating a 19-story display on the hotel’s north side. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 83 Juan Diaz Jr., a lifelong Dodgers fan, prays that the season will start by May in front of Dodger Stadium on what would have been opening day. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 83 Hayley, CEO and founder of Love My Neighbor Foundation, right, dances with Crystal Armster, 51, while she and her colleagues continue to feed the homeless on skid row amid the pandemic. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 83 A masked passenger on a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 83 Dede Oneal waits for a coronavirus test at the Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 83 A man in a mask passes a closed restaurant along Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 83 Artist Corie Mattie paints a mural on the side of a pop-up store as a man takes a picture in West Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 76 / 83 Medical assistant Zoila Villalta works with Rosie Boston, 32, of Glendale, who is donating blood for her first time at L.A. Care Health Plan downtown. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 77 / 83 A couple wait for a bus outside the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 78 / 83 With all Los Angeles schools closed until further notice, LAUSD buses sit idle in Gardena. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 79 / 83 A lone traveler makes his way to catch a flight in Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 80 / 83 Denise Young looks on as her daughter, Allison, 9, a fourth-grader at EARThS (Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Sciences) Magnet School in Newbury Park, receives a Chromebook. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 81 / 83 Hollywood Boulevard is devoid of the usual crowds. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 82 / 83 Michael Ray, 11, plays before a movie at the Paramount Drive-In. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 83 / 83 Isabella Leader, 15, counts how many flags have been left for World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs who was celebrating his 105th birthday at the Mom & Dad’s House, an assisted living facility, in Lakewood. Lt. Col. Sachs appealed to the public for birthday cards after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of a big celebration and wound up receiving thousands, including a letter and photo from President Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Health officials are racing to protect diverse communities from a virus overwhelming much of the world. As they do, they are paying a steep price.
On Monday, Marin County’s public health officer, Dr. Matt Willis, announced in a video that he had contracted the virus.
“Stay at home. Shelter in place. And limit anything outside the home to only essential trips, because we’re seeing signs of our responders being exposed and being pulled away from duty,” he said from his home, accompanied only by a potted plant.
Willis has quarantined himself away from his wife and children, and according to a county spokeswoman, still had symptoms, as of Saturday.
Meanwhile, some officials are feuding with each other. On Wednesday, San Jose officials announced projections of more than 2,000 coronavirus-related deaths in the next 12 weeks. That prompted Santa Clara County officials to shoot back — declaring that “the model shared by the city of San Jose … was not produced, reviewed, or vetted by the county of Santa Clara.”
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Under California law, public health officers hold extraordinary powers to affect everyday life. Violations of the Bay Area’s shelter-in-place orders, for instance, could result in criminal charges.
Yet the scope and intensity of this disease is leaving officials without an established road map to follow, according to former public health officers and experts.
“This is becoming an unremitting, 24-7 incredibly stressful job,” said Robert Benjamin, 77, who once served as interim health officer for the city of Berkeley, worked 27 years for the Alameda County health department, and is now semiretired, working part time for the Sonoma County health department.
“Anyone who says this is not a big deal and asks why are we doing this (social distancing) needs new glasses,” said Dr. Benjamin, who has been on regular conference calls with the Bay Area’s health officers during the outbreak.
Federal, state and local authorities are issuing a patchwork of public orders to their communities, and health officers are being overwhelmed, several experts said. It doesn’t help that these officers lack adequate testing, data and protective equipment.
“There are both programmatic as well as personal stressors involved,” Benjamin said. “The folks we are seeing on television and the press representing the greater Bay Area counties are doing just a Herculean job.”
Others agreed.
“Remember, for these men and women, the population is their patient,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, professor emeritus for UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health, which was named for him. “They are there to prevent, respond, evaluate and monitor the health of a whole community, in much the same way a doctor will for a single patient.”
Although health officials prepare for pandemic events, doing simulations, taking classes with accredited state and national health officer networks, and receiving training from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reality almost never exactly mirrors a simulation, the experts said.
“You have to learn that every decision you make, when it comes to an emergency public health decision, is going to be made with inadequate information,” said Dr. Richard Jackson, who served as California’s state health officer, under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who served for nine years as the director of the CDC‘s National Center for Environmental Health.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Over the years, officers in the Bay Area have established a strong network. They talk on a daily basis, filling one another in, assessing the situation and presenting ideas, decisions and concerns.
“I hate to make it sound all ‘Kumbaya,’” said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin County’s deputy health officer, who has stepped in for the infected Willis. “But we really do work well together, collaboratively, and most often with consensus.”
Officials and experts say California’s public health offices are unique, with stronger authority than one sees in states such as New Jersey. There, health officials are appointed by a mayor, and are replaced with each iteration of new local government, Jackson said.
On Friday, Rush Limbaugh, a conservative syndicated radio host, suggested to listeners that government health officials were “deep state” agents, who are driving around local communities ratting on people who are socializing.
“They’re just assumed to be the best because they are in government,” said Limbaugh, who is undergoing treatment for advanced lung cancer.
Such sentiments anger many frontline health officials, given the long hours and risks they face.
In Willis’ case, he said he started feeling feverish on Friday with a worsening cough. After he had a swab taken at a drive-through coronavirus testing facility, the test came back positive last Sunday .
As for San Mateo’s Morrow, he declined to speak with The Times.
Dr. John Swartzberg, a UC Berkeley infectious diseases expert, said the health officer’s outburst reflects the general frustrations of a profession “under enormous stress and without adequate resources.”
Jackson, the former state health official, agreed, although he added that Morrow could have toned it down a bit.
“It’s an asset to be a strong leader,” he said. “I kind of don’t agree with beating people up.”