latimes--2020-04-02--Newsom and Cuomo have been top leaders in the coronavirus crisis. Don't count on them to challenge B

Newsom and Cuomo have been top leaders in the coronavirus crisis. Don't count on them to challenge Biden

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo has been drawing lots of speculation about maybe becoming an upgraded Democratic presidential nominee , pushing aside bland Joe Biden .
But there hasn ’ t been a peep about California Gov .
Gavin Newsom .
Why ’ s that ?
Both governors are doing a statesman-like job leading their states through the surging coronavirus pandemic .
So why all the national political focus just on Cuomo ?
Cuomo , 62 , seems president-ready because of his long , impressive resume .
He ’ s a gifted orator and that makes him more exciting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epicenter of the national news media .
But let ’ s be honest : Neither governor would have any chance of shoving aside the former vice president even if one of them wanted to .
And neither apparently does .
Cuomo ’ s younger brother , CNN anchor Chris Cuomo , asked his sibling on TV Tuesday whether he was thinking of running for president .
“ No , no , ” Andrew Cuomo replied .
Was he open to thinking about it ?
“ No.
” Might he be at some point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know now what he might think about later ?
“ I know what I might think about and what I won ’ t think about.
” As for Newsom , 52 , he knows this isn ’ t his time to bid for the White House .
He has only been governor for 15 months .
It might be his time in 2024 if President Trump is reelected in November and there ’ s no Democratic incumbent .
But no sitting California governor has ever run successfully for president .
Ronald Reagan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s too demanding to spend months in Iowa and New Hampshire charming voters in coffee shops while governing the nation ’ s most populous , most diverse state several time zones away .
Newsom ’ s time will come in 2028 if there ’ s not a Democrat seeking a second term .
Biden hasn ’ t officially clinched this year ’ s nomination , but he has a practically insurmountable lead in delegates over his lone remaining opponent , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
“ This happens every four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” veteran Democratic consultant Bill Carrick says with a tone of frustration .
“ Somebody decides the presumed nominee isn ’ t interesting enough .
People start speculating .
‘ What if ?
’ What if nothing !
“ Biden ran .
Biden won lots of states and delegates .
Biden is going to be the nominee .
It is mathematically impossible — and politically worse — for someone to now get in and become the nominee .
Guess how many delegates Cuomo has ?
Zero .
Can you imagine someone who hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the race at this point ?
It ’ s ridiculous.
” Carrick adds : “ This is the result of extreme time zone prejudice .
Newsom ’ s in California and the East Coast [ news media ] dominates political reporting in the country .
And New York is where a bunch of [ reporters ] live so they talk about people from the East Coast.
” There ’ s truth in that .
But there ’ s also a legitimate basis for the “ draft Cuomo ” speculation .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — at several candidate options during this nominating process : Kamala Harris , Elizabeth Warren , Pete Buttigieg , even a glance at Michael Bloomberg , plus Sanders .
And Democrats returned to Biden , the original front-runner , because they judged him the best bet to beat Trump .
But for weeks , Biden has been confined to his house , just like most of the rest of us , trying to escape the rampaging virus .
With no official role to play in the pandemic fight — unlike Cuomo , Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bench , mostly out of action except for occasional TV interviews .
Cuomo and Newsom have been holding daily , televised virus briefings .
The New Yorker is a talented speaker who gets right to the point .
“ Kick coronavirus ’ ass , ” he told National Guard officers , according to the New York Times .
Cuomo is in the spotlight — performing and entertaining .
It ’ s natural to dream of him as Trump ’ s opponent , energizing Democratic voters and drawing them to the polls .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : a three-term governor , state attorney general , U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton .
And there ’ s the family pedigree : His father , Mario Cuomo , was also a three-term New York governor .
Newsom was mayor of San Francisco , but he needs to put in more years as governor before asking Americans to elect him president .
He understands that .
Cuomo is sounding like a leader — and Newsom is acting like one , not that Cuomo isn ’ t .
Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to confine people to their homes — fortunately without turning California into a total police state by asking cops to arrest violators .
“ Social pressure … is the most powerful enforcement tool we have , ” the governor says .
In a refreshing sign of once-unimaginable bipartisanship , Newsom and Trump have been cooperating and formed — if only briefly — a mini-mutual admiration society .
Trump has repeatedly praised Newsom for “ doing a terrific job.
” “ This is not a time to bicker , ” Newsom told host Jake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lead ” on Wednesday .
“ I don ’ t care who is up and down … or who wants to run for president or who doesn ’ t .
When it comes to times of crisis … I have extended always an open hand , not a closed fist… .
“ I ’ d be lying to you to say that [ Trump ] hasn ’ t been responsive to our needs .
He has.
” Who wants to run for president ?
Biden .
Not Newsom , not Cuomo — not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll be rivals for the Oval Office .

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been drawing lots of speculation about maybe becoming an upgraded Democratic presidential nominee, pushing aside bland Joe Biden.
But there hasn’t been a peep about California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Why’s that?
Both governors are doing a statesman-like job leading their states through the surging coronavirus pandemic. So why all the national political focus just on Cuomo?
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Well, it makes sense.
Cuomo, 62, seems president-ready because of his long, impressive resume. He’s a gifted orator and that makes him more exciting. He’s also near the epicenter of the national news media.
But let’s be honest: Neither governor would have any chance of shoving aside the former vice president even if one of them wanted to. And neither apparently does.
Cuomo’s younger brother, CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, asked his sibling on TV Tuesday whether he was thinking of running for president. “No, no,” Andrew Cuomo replied.
Was he open to thinking about it? “No.” Might he be at some point? “No.” How can he know now what he might think about later? “I know what I might think about and what I won’t think about.”
No ambiguity there.
As for Newsom, 52, he knows this isn’t his time to bid for the White House. He has only been governor for 15 months. It might be his time in 2024 if President Trump is reelected in November and there’s no Democratic incumbent.
But no sitting California governor has ever run successfully for president. Ronald Reagan, Jerry Brown and Pete Wilson all tried. It’s too demanding to spend months in Iowa and New Hampshire charming voters in coffee shops while governing the nation’s most populous, most diverse state several time zones away.
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Newsom’s time will come in 2028 if there’s not a Democrat seeking a second term.
Biden hasn’t officially clinched this year’s nomination, but he has a practically insurmountable lead in delegates over his lone remaining opponent, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
“This happens every four years when there are contested primaries,” veteran Democratic consultant Bill Carrick says with a tone of frustration. “Somebody decides the presumed nominee isn’t interesting enough. People start speculating. ‘What if?’ What if nothing!
“Biden ran. Biden won lots of states and delegates. Biden is going to be the nominee. It is mathematically impossible — and politically worse — for someone to now get in and become the nominee. Guess how many delegates Cuomo has? Zero. Can you imagine someone who hasn’t competed for one vote getting in the race at this point? It’s ridiculous.”
Carrick adds: “This is the result of extreme time zone prejudice. Newsom’s in California and the East Coast [news media] dominates political reporting in the country. And New York is where a bunch of [reporters] live so they talk about people from the East Coast.”
There’s truth in that. But there’s also a legitimate basis for the “draft Cuomo” speculation.
Face it, Democratic voters aren’t real excited about Biden, 77.
They’ve looked seriously — if sometimes briefly — at several candidate options during this nominating process: Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, even a glance at Michael Bloomberg, plus Sanders. And Democrats returned to Biden, the original front-runner, because they judged him the best bet to beat Trump.
But for weeks, Biden has been confined to his house, just like most of the rest of us, trying to escape the rampaging virus. With no official role to play in the pandemic fight — unlike Cuomo, Newsom and Trump — Biden is stuck on the bench, mostly out of action except for occasional TV interviews.
Cuomo and Newsom have been holding daily, televised virus briefings. The New Yorker is a talented speaker who gets right to the point.
“Kick coronavirus’ ass,” he told National Guard officers, according to the New York Times.
Cuomo is in the spotlight — performing and entertaining. It’s natural to dream of him as Trump’s opponent, energizing Democratic voters and drawing them to the polls.
His qualifications aren’t in question: a three-term governor, state attorney general, U.S. secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Clinton. And there’s the family pedigree: His father, Mario Cuomo, was also a three-term New York governor.
Newsom was mayor of San Francisco, but he needs to put in more years as governor before asking Americans to elect him president. He understands that.
Cuomo is sounding like a leader — and Newsom is acting like one, not that Cuomo isn’t.
Newsom was the nation’s first governor to confine people to their homes — fortunately without turning California into a total police state by asking cops to arrest violators.
“Social pressure … is the most powerful enforcement tool we have,” the governor says.
In a refreshing sign of once-unimaginable bipartisanship, Newsom and Trump have been cooperating and formed — if only briefly — a mini-mutual admiration society. Trump has repeatedly praised Newsom for “doing a terrific job.”
“This is not a time to bicker,” Newsom told host Jake Tapper of CNN’s “The Lead” on Wednesday. “I don’t care who is up and down … or who wants to run for president or who doesn’t. When it comes to times of crisis … I have extended always an open hand, not a closed fist….
“I’d be lying to you to say that [Trump] hasn’t been responsive to our needs. He has.”
Who wants to run for president? Biden. Not Newsom, not Cuomo — not this year. Maybe in the future they’ll be rivals for the Oval Office.


latimes--2020-04-02--Three wounded in South L.A. shooting

Three wounded in South L.A. shooting

Three people were wounded Wednesday evening in a shooting in South Los Angeles , according to the Los Angeles Police @ @ @ @ @ , a caller reported gunshots and a car speeding off near the 800 block of @ @ @ @ @ L.A. , LAPD Officer Luis Garcia said .
Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ scene who were suffering from gunshot wounds .
Garcia had no information on the severity @ @ @ @ @ short time later , two additional victims called the police from the 11700 block of @ @ @ @ @ , about a five-minute drive from where shots were reportedly fired .
One was wounded @ @ @ @ @ .
The two victims described the suspect , who remains at large , as a @ @ @ @ @ build , about 6 feet tall , wearing a red , white and blue shirt @ @ @ @

Three people were wounded Wednesday evening in a shooting in South Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
About 8 p.m., a caller reported gunshots and a car speeding off near the 800 block of East 109th Place in South L.A., LAPD Officer Luis Garcia said.
Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department treated two victims at the scene who were suffering from gunshot wounds. Garcia had no information on the severity of their injuries.
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A short time later, two additional victims called the police from the 11700 block of Athens Way, Garcia said, about a five-minute drive from where shots were reportedly fired.
One was wounded; the other was unharmed.
The two victims described the suspect, who remains at large, as a black man with a thin build, about 6 feet tall, wearing a red, white and blue shirt, Garcia said.


latimes--2020-04-02--California Supreme Court won't hear immigration case from O.C.

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear a challenge to a state law that limits police collaboration with federal immigration agents .
The court denied a request by the city of Huntington Beach to review an appellate court opinion in January that found that the issue was a matter of statewide concern and that gave the law precedence over the police authority of charter cities .
That reversed a 2018 ruling .
“ This is tragic for the rule of law and for local control efforts , ” Huntington Beach City Atty .
Michael E. Gates said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court ruling stands , which opens the floodgates for the state to legislate and control every aspect of local governance.
” The Orange County city of 200,000 people sued claiming that California ’ s so-called immigrant sanctuary law , the 2017 California Values Act , interfered with its authority to enforce local laws and regulations .
The law prohibits state and local police from asking arrestees — except for those charged with serious crimes — about their immigration status or notifying federal agents when an immigrant is being released from jail .
California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crackdown on illegal immigration .
It was hailed as a victory by immigrant advocates seeking to encourage immigrants to trust in police officers and report crime .
But critics decried the law , saying it makes it harder to deport immigrants who commit crimes and leads law enforcement to release them back into communities .
In California , 121 cities have their own charters and others follow the state ’ s general law .
Huntington Beach argued that cities that create their own charters to have a greater say over local affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law since it relates to local policing .

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to hear a challenge to a state law that limits police collaboration with federal immigration agents.
The court denied a request by the city of Huntington Beach to review an appellate court opinion in January that found that the issue was a matter of statewide concern and that gave the law precedence over the police authority of charter cities. That reversed a 2018 ruling.
“This is tragic for the rule of law and for local control efforts,” Huntington Beach City Atty. Michael E. Gates said in an email. “Now the lower court ruling stands, which opens the floodgates for the state to legislate and control every aspect of local governance.”
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The Orange County city of 200,000 people sued claiming that California’s so-called immigrant sanctuary law, the 2017 California Values Act, interfered with its authority to enforce local laws and regulations.
The law prohibits state and local police from asking arrestees — except for those charged with serious crimes — about their immigration status or notifying federal agents when an immigrant is being released from jail.
California enacted the law following President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. It was hailed as a victory by immigrant advocates seeking to encourage immigrants to trust in police officers and report crime.
But critics decried the law, saying it makes it harder to deport immigrants who commit crimes and leads law enforcement to release them back into communities.
In California, 121 cities have their own charters and others follow the state’s general law. Huntington Beach argued that cities that create their own charters to have a greater say over local affairs shouldn’t be subject to the law since it relates to local policing.


latimes--2020-04-01--Garcetti urges L.A. to wear face coverings when  doing essential tasks in public

Mayor Eric Garcetti joined a growing push for residents to wear face coverings when out in public .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has argued that healthy people do not need a mask if they are not working in healthcare or caring for an infected person .
But in recent days , the CDC has been weighing whether to and endorse the use of homemade masks .
“ I can tell you that the data and this issue of whether it ’ s going to contribute [ to prevention ] is being aggressively reviewed as we speak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director , Riverside County released the Tuesday , covering such essential and medical visits .
“ The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth .
For example , bandannas , fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable .
Fabric covers and bandannas can be washed and used again , ” the county said .
Officials said the recommendation is based on new knowledge about the coronavirus .
“ When the situation changes , the rulebook changes , ” Dr. Cameron Kaiser , Riverside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ We ’ re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted and that means our strategy must change too.
” At a Wednesday afternoon news briefing , Garcetti said he had been awaiting advice on masks from the CDC but with the COVID-19 rate surging had decided to wait no longer .
The mayor said everyone performing essential tasks such as as food shopping should wear homemade , nonmedical face coverings , or even bandannas , as people in other countries have done .
“ To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home .
This isn ’ t an excuse to suddenly all go out , ” Garcetti said .
He added that people shouldn ’ t use medical-grade masks , which are in short supply and are needed by healthcare workers and first responders .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Wearing a mask in downtown L.A. near the corner of 7th and Figueroa.
Mayor Eric Garcetti joined a growing push for residents to wear face coverings when out in public.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has argued that healthy people do not need a mask if they are not working in healthcare or caring for an infected person.
But in recent days, the CDC has been weighing whether to modify its recommendations and endorse the use of homemade masks.
“I can tell you that the data and this issue of whether it’s going to contribute [to prevention] is being aggressively reviewed as we speak,” Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC director, told NPR.
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Riverside County released the new mask guidance Tuesday, covering such essential tasks as grocery shopping and medical visits.
“The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandannas, fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandannas can be washed and used again,” the county said.
Officials said the recommendation is based on new knowledge about the coronavirus.
“When the situation changes, the rulebook changes,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer, said in a statement. “We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted and that means our strategy must change too.”
At a Wednesday afternoon news briefing, Garcetti said he had been awaiting advice on masks from the CDC but with the COVID-19 rate surging had decided to wait no longer.
The mayor said everyone performing essential tasks such as as food shopping should wear homemade, nonmedical face coverings, or even bandannas, as people in other countries have done.
“To be clear, you should still stay at home. This isn’t an excuse to suddenly all go out,” Garcetti said.
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He added that people shouldn’t use medical-grade masks, which are in short supply and are needed by healthcare workers and first responders.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-01--Garcetti authorizes shutting off utilities to nonessential businesses violating Safer at Home

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that he ’ s authorized the Department of Water and Power to shut off service to nonessential businesses that continue to operate despite the strict Safer at Home restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
It ’ s the latest move in an effort to impose social distancing as coronavirus cases and deaths surge across Los Angeles County and California .
Coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County rose dramatically Wednesday as officials reported more than 500 new cases , bringing the total number of people infected by the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily briefing , county officials also reported 11 new deaths , bringing the toll to 65 .
Nine of the 11 people who most recently died were over the age of 65 , and seven had underlying health conditions .
One person was between 18 and 40 years old , and another was between 41 and 65 , said Barbara Ferrer , director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health .
Over the last week , officials have repeatedly threatened to crack down on nonessential businesses that violate the order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he has assigned prosecutors to the task .
“ In the strongest possible terms , I urge that Angelenos adhere to the Safer at Home order , and nonessential businesses shut their doors , ” Feuer said in a statement last week .
“ Those crucial steps protect all of us.
” Most beaches , trails , recreation areas and other points of interest are closed , including trails in Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles .
Under the Safer at Home order , all nonessential businesses are supposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local government functions including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that he’s authorized the Department of Water and Power to shut off service to nonessential businesses that continue to operate despite the strict Safer at Home restrictions designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
It’s the latest move in an effort to impose social distancing as coronavirus cases and deaths surge across Los Angeles County and California.
Coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County rose dramatically Wednesday as officials reported more than 500 new cases, bringing the total number of people infected by the virus in the region to 3,518.
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In their daily briefing, county officials also reported 11 new deaths, bringing the toll to 65. Nine of the 11 people who most recently died were over the age of 65, and seven had underlying health conditions. One person was between 18 and 40 years old, and another was between 41 and 65, said Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Over the last week, officials have repeatedly threatened to crack down on nonessential businesses that violate the order to close. City Atty. Mike Feuer said he has assigned prosecutors to the task.
“In the strongest possible terms, I urge that Angelenos adhere to the Safer at Home order, and nonessential businesses shut their doors,” Feuer said in a statement last week. “Those crucial steps protect all of us.”
Most beaches, trails, recreation areas and other points of interest are closed, including trails in Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles.
Under the Safer at Home order, all nonessential businesses are supposed to close.
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What stays open:
Pharmacies
Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, takeout and delivery restaurants
Banks
Gas stations
Laundromats/laundry services
Essential state and local government functions including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services
What is closed:


latimes--2020-04-01--More than 200 L.A. County sheriff's employees quarantined since coronavirus outbreak

Since last month , the L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department has sent 209 employees home to quarantine because of exposure to the coronavirus , and issues over their pay have caused another squabble between Sheriff Alex Villanueva and county leaders .
In a letter Wednesday , Villanueva requested that the county secure retroactive pay for quarantined employees who he said have had to dip into their personal sick leave prior to Wednesday , when federal benefits for workers impacted by the virus took effect .
Villanueva said there was at least one employee exposed to the virus on patrol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay compensated through the quarantine period .
It ’ s unclear if that person lost out on any pay , and if so , how much .
“ The first responders from the Sheriff ’ s Department sacrifice their lives for the residents of Los Angeles County every day , ” he wrote in the letter to Supervisor Kathryn Barger , chair of the board .
“ The least we can do is fully compensate these men and women for their daily sacrifices by covering their COVID-19 related absence from work.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sachi Hamai , fired back , saying that Villanueva continues to bring issues to the media “ with the sole purpose of picking a political fight.
” She suggested that the authority to put employees on paid administrative leave lies with the sheriff .
“ The Sheriff is responsible for his own decisions if he ordered employees to be placed on home leave , ” Hamai said in the statement .
“ As a department head , he should be well aware that employees he orders to stay at home should be placed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes a day after the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to put Hamai in charge of disaster preparedness and response .
In doing so , the board removed Villanueva as head of the emergency operations center .
That action led Villanueva to cancel the regular press briefings he had been hosting at the center multiple times a week .
And it has once again highlighted the long-running power struggle between board members and the sheriff , who have clashed over a variety of issues , including hiring and spending , since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As of Monday , four Sheriff ’ s Department employees — two in the custody division , one in court services and one in patrol — had tested positive for COVID-19 .

Since last month, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department has sent 209 employees home to quarantine because of exposure to the coronavirus, and issues over their pay have caused another squabble between Sheriff Alex Villanueva and county leaders.
In a letter Wednesday, Villanueva requested that Supervisor Kathryn Barger secure retroactive pay for quarantined employees who he said have had to dip into their personal sick leave prior to Wednesday, when federal benefits for workers impacted by the virus took effect.
Villanueva said there was at least one employee exposed to the virus on patrol who had not accrued enough sick time to stay compensated through the quarantine period. It’s unclear if that person lost out on any pay, and if so, how much.
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“The first responders from the Sheriff’s Department sacrifice their lives for the residents of Los Angeles County every day,” he wrote in the letter to Barger, chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors. “The least we can do is fully compensate these men and women for their daily sacrifices by covering their COVID-19 related absence from work.”
The county’s chief executive, Sachi Hamai, fired back, saying that Villanueva continues to bring issues to the media “with the sole purpose of picking a political fight.” She suggested that the authority to put employees on paid administrative leave lies with the sheriff.
“The Sheriff is responsible for his own decisions if he ordered employees to be placed on home leave,” Hamai said in the statement.
In a written response Thursday, Barger said the federal benefits for workers exposed to COVID-19 are not retroactive and neither the board nor Hamai has the power to bend the rules. She said Villanueva did not need approval to compensate the employees he ordered to stay home before the federal benefits kicked in.
“You have the authority to approve appropriate compensation for these employees,” she wrote.
The Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs sent an email to its membership this week, saying the Sheriff’s Department should use its own funds to compensate deputies retroactively and calling the adoption of federal benefits the “bare minimum” that is “a slap in the face to deputies who are risking their lives.”
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Ron Hernandez, president of the union, said Villanueva is working to resolve the matter but has not provided details.
The union also said that the department has not provided sufficient masks or sanitizer to its members.
The conflict comes after the board this week voted unanimously to put Hamai in charge of disaster preparedness and response. In doing so, the board removed Villanueva as head of the emergency operations center.
That action led Villanueva to cancel the regular news briefings he had been hosting at the center multiple times a week. And it has once again highlighted the long-running power struggle between board members and the sheriff, who have clashed over a variety of issues, including hiring and spending, since Villanueva took office in December 2018.
As of Thursday, 10 Sheriff’s Department employees had tested positive for COVID-19.


latimes--2020-04-01--Q&A: Behind the scenes of The Times' coronavirus tracking effort

As the novel coronavirus began hitting the United States — and with it , Southern California — the L.A. Times data and graphics team knew it needed to figure out how to visually represent the spread and scope of the outbreak .
The team of about 20 reporters , computer programmers and designers wanted to make sure that readers could contextualize the flood of information coming at them .
And for several weeks now they have been building and maintaining a page that collects data from more than 60 public health department websites and produces a comprehensive count of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tallies .
Readers have responded with an outpouring of interest .
Even Barbara Ferrer , director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , called the tracker impressive .
We asked four journalists — Ben Welsh , Sean Greene , Swetha Kannan and Casey Miller — behind the team effort about the challenges they faced and how their project works .
What makes this project stand out ?
The tracker has a detailed map of Southern California in addition to county-by-county details on the virus ’ spread , the latest testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s counties .
The state reports and updates the number of confirmed cases most days , but the information can be days behind .
Instead , journalists are following cases in each of California ’ s counties and assembling a data set that can ’ t be found anywhere else .
“ Our tracker has been responding to what readers want to know , ” Greene said .
“ We ’ ve gotten a lot of good feedback , and we try to add features and make this a page that responds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I like to think that we ’ re listening , and we want to hear what people have to say about it.
” Five times a day , journalists comb through websites to pull the latest numbers for updates .
The team is also tracking demographic information about the victims of COVID-19 when available .
“ Rightfully so , ours is much more focused on California , ” said Casey Miller , referring to other organizations ’ more national and global trackers .
“ That ’ s who our readers are.
” What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
In a time when information on the novel coronavirus is everywhere , Greene said that the data and graphics team is trying to give readers important context .
“ There ’ s numbers flying at people all over the place , ” Greene said .
“ What we ’ ve tried to do is take a careful look at them and organize them in a way they can find the right answers for themselves.
” Greene likes to think readers are finding comfort in the page .
Coronavirus is “ all they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they come here and they find a kind of odd peace with the data , and I find that kind of interesting , ” he said .
“ There ’ s sort of comfort in knowledge.
” Welsh said he is inspired and heartened by the dozens and dozens of emails he receives about the project daily .
“ There ’ s no one I ’ d rather work for than our subscribers , ” he said .
What challenges did you face ?
When the project launched , the daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sourced from the California Department of Public Health website .
The team quickly found that the state ’ s daily totals lagged behind reality .
Instead , the team began collecting the data themselves by keeping a tab on each county ’ s public health website and compiling a spreadsheet with the numbers .
“ Those agencies are routinely publishing totals on their websites that are days ahead of what the state puts out , ” Welsh said .
Since each of California ’ s counties collect data differently , it was time-consuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some jurisdictions counted nonresidents , such as people on cruise ships , in their tallies .
Eventually , the decision was made to focus on residents of California .
Kannan said she didn ’ t realize how scattered the data really could be .
“ It ’ s a huge challenge to keep collecting this data , ” Kannan said .
How was the page put together ?
“ Like any good data journalism project , this one started with a spreadsheet , ” Welsh said .
The team made a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check for the latest numbers and bookmarked each website .
Five times a day , a journalist will go through each website and log the new totals into a spreadsheet .
There ’ s also a separate sheet where deaths are counted .
“ That spreadsheet is essentially a database we ’ re building ourselves row by row and bookmark by bookmark , ” Welsh said .
Once the data collection is complete , a Python computer programming script in a Jupyter Notebook downloads the information .
The code transforms and prepares the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is then laid out using Node.js and D3 , which are written in JavaScript , and with HTML .
“ It ’ s using all the fundamentals that we bring to every project , ” Welsh said .
How can other newsrooms learn from what The Times did ?
“ This is just a really good example of how coders , reporters and designers can come together and create something that is really useful and powerful for the public , ” Greene said .
“ I think anyone could have gotten this data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicating the time and staff power to do it and to keep up with it.
” Miller said the project has truly been a team effort .
“ The whole team has really pitched in on this , and it ’ s all the better for it , ” she said .
“ It ’ s not just three people who are stuck doing this .
It ’ s kind of everybody doing this together .
”

As the novel coronavirus began hitting the United States — and with it, Southern California — the L.A. Times data and graphics team knew it needed to figure out how to visually represent the spread and scope of the outbreak.
The team of about 20 reporters, computer programmers and designers wanted to make sure that readers could contextualize the flood of information coming at them.
And for several weeks now they have been building and maintaining a page that collects data from more than 60 public health department websites and produces a comprehensive count of cases and deaths that is ahead of state tallies.
Readers have responded with an outpouring of interest. Even Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, called the tracker impressive.
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We asked four journalists — Ben Welsh, Sean Greene, Swetha Kannan and Casey Miller — behind the team effort about the challenges they faced and how their project works.
Interviewed the doctor who heads of @lapublichealth moments ago.
I mentioned that I work with the @datagraphics team behind our California coronavirus tracker.
"Impressive," she said. "You guys know more than I do.”https://t.co/wReBwLoeN7 — Ben Welsh (@palewire) March 27, 2020
What makes this project stand out?
The tracker has a detailed map of Southern California in addition to county-by-county details on the virus’ spread, the latest testing efforts and closures for all of California’s counties.
The state reports and updates the number of confirmed cases most days, but the information can be days behind. Instead, journalists are following cases in each of California’s counties and assembling a data set that can’t be found anywhere else.
“Our tracker has been responding to what readers want to know,” Greene said. “We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback, and we try to add features and make this a page that responds to what people want to know. I like to think that we’re listening, and we want to hear what people have to say about it.”
Five times a day, journalists comb through websites to pull the latest numbers for updates. The team is also tracking demographic information about the victims of COVID-19 when available.
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“Rightfully so, ours is much more focused on California,” said Casey Miller, referring to other organizations’ more national and global trackers. “That’s who our readers are.”
What problems is this tracker trying to solve?
In a time when information on the novel coronavirus is everywhere, Greene said that the data and graphics team is trying to give readers important context.
“There’s numbers flying at people all over the place,” Greene said. “What we’ve tried to do is take a careful look at them and organize them in a way they can find the right answers for themselves.”
Greene likes to think readers are finding comfort in the page.
Coronavirus is “all they hear about, all they read about, but they come here and they find a kind of odd peace with the data, and I find that kind of interesting,” he said. “There’s sort of comfort in knowledge.”
Welsh said he is inspired and heartened by the dozens and dozens of emails he receives about the project daily.
“There’s no one I’d rather work for than our subscribers,” he said.
What challenges did you face?
When the project launched, the daily tally of positive cases and victims was sourced from the California Department of Public Health website. The team quickly found that the state’s daily totals lagged behind reality. Instead, the team began collecting the data themselves by keeping a tab on each county’s public health website and compiling a spreadsheet with the numbers.
“Those agencies are routinely publishing totals on their websites that are days ahead of what the state puts out,” Welsh said.
Since each of California’s counties collect data differently, it was time-consuming figuring out how to count cases. Some jurisdictions counted nonresidents, such as people on cruise ships, in their tallies. Eventually, the decision was made to focus on residents of California.
Kannan said she didn’t realize how scattered the data really could be.
“It’s a huge challenge to keep collecting this data,” Kannan said.
How was the page put together?
“Like any good data journalism project, this one started with a spreadsheet,” Welsh said.
The team made a list of all the local agencies it needed to check for the latest numbers and bookmarked each website. Five times a day, a journalist will go through each website and log the new totals into a spreadsheet. There’s also a separate sheet where deaths are counted.
“That spreadsheet is essentially a database we’re building ourselves row by row and bookmark by bookmark,” Welsh said.
Once the data collection is complete, a Python computer programming script in a Jupyter Notebook downloads the information. The code transforms and prepares the data to be published.
The page is then laid out using Node.js and D3, which are written in JavaScript, and with HTML.
“It’s using all the fundamentals that we bring to every project,” Welsh said.
How can other newsrooms learn from what The Times did?
“This is just a really good example of how coders, reporters and designers can come together and create something that is really useful and powerful for the public,” Greene said. “I think anyone could have gotten this data. It’s a matter of dedicating the time and staff power to do it and to keep up with it.”
Miller said the project has truly been a team effort.
“The whole team has really pitched in on this, and it’s all the better for it,” she said. “It’s not just three people who are stuck doing this. It’s kind of everybody doing this together.”


latimes--2020-04-01--Farmworkers face coronavirus risk, keep us fed

Shelter-in-place orders in California exempt farmworkers as essential employees .
But many are undocumented , lack health insurance and don @ @ @ @ @ insurance or federal COVID-19 relief , placing the state ’ s estimated workforce of 420,000 @ @ @ @ @ Read more about this story here .

Shelter-in-place orders in California exempt farmworkers as essential employees. But many are undocumented, lack health insurance and don’t qualify for unemployment insurance, placing them in a vulnerable position.
Shelter-in-place orders in California exempt farmworkers as essential employees. But many are undocumented, lack health insurance and don’t qualify for unemployment insurance or federal COVID-19 relief, placing the state’s estimated workforce of 420,000 in a vulnerable position.
Read more about this story here.


latimes--2020-04-01--California orders skilled nursing facilities to accept coronavirus patients

As fears escalate about the toll the coronavirus will take on the sick and elderly in nursing homes — who are among the most vulnerable to the deadly virus — California regulators have told skilled nursing facility operators that they must accept patients even if they have the disease .
The order comes amid a fierce debate between healthcare providers .
Hospitals are desperate to clear space for an expected wave of COVID-19 patients , so they are discharging as many patients as possible , including nursing home residents .
Many nursing home administrators are equally desperate to keep those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fearing a catastrophic result if the deadly pathogen gains a foothold in their institutions .
The directive , in a letter to facilities on Monday from California Department of Public Health Deputy Director Heidi Steinecker , appears to side squarely with the hospitals .
It says skilled nursing facilities “ shall not refuse to admit or readmit a resident based on their status as a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case.
” California nursing home administrators and advocates for the elderly view the order as an alarming move by Gov .
Gavin Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives of beloved nursing home residents is beyond unconscionable , ” said Patricia McGinnis , executive director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform .
“ California ’ s directive is nothing less than a death sentence for countless residents .
The state should instead look to alternative locations such as hotels and conference centers as much safer places to send COVID-19 patients for care , ” McGinnis said .
Reached by phone by a Times reporter on Wednesday afternoon , Steinecker , who signed the letter , said “ more nuanced ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ today.
” She declined to say what the guidance would be .
The order applies to the more than 1,000 skilled nursing facilities licensed by the California Department of Public Health .
Assisted living and other long-term elder care homes , which do not provide the same level of medical care , are regulated by the state ’ s Department of Social Services and are not subject to Steinecker ’ s directive .
Dr. Michael Wasserman , a geriatrician for more than 30 years and president of the California Assn .
of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbying California regulators not to force homes to take in people unless they are proven virus-free .
Doing otherwise , he said , is “ akin to premeditated murder.
” So when he and his colleagues first saw the new order Monday night , they were “ inconsolable , ” he said .
“ I didn ’ t sleep , I was in tears ... .
the problem is our government isn ’ t listening to the experts.
” The toll coronavirus can take on a confined , sick and elderly population became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing home in Kirkland , Wash. , one of the first hot spots in the U.S .
Two-thirds of the residents and 47 workers fell ill , and 37 people died .
Since then , outbreaks have been occurring in nursing homes across the country at terrifying speed — forcing operators to ban visitors , confine patients to their rooms and scramble to create sterile wings to treat residents who come down with the disease .
Hundreds of long-term care facilities in the U.S. now have residents who are infected with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington state reported 108 outbreaks at long-term care facilities .
And at a single nursing home in Tennessee , more than 100 residents have tested positive .
In Connecticut , state officials are reopening previously closed facilities to create separate nursing homes only for residents who are positive for COVID-19 — like modern-day leper colonies .
The “ extreme precaution ” is warranted , according to Connecticut officials , because the results can be catastrophic when the virus gets loose among such a vulnerable population .

California has ordered all homes licensed as skilled nursing facilities to accept residents with COVID-19. Above, workers at at Reseda nursing home.
As fears escalate about the toll the coronavirus will take on the sick and elderly in nursing homes — who are among the most vulnerable to the deadly virus — California regulators have told skilled nursing facility operators that they must accept patients even if they have the disease.
The order comes amid a fierce debate between healthcare providers. Hospitals are desperate to clear space for an expected wave of COVID-19 patients, so they are discharging as many patients as possible, including nursing home residents.
Many nursing home administrators are equally desperate to keep those residents out until they are proven virus-free, fearing a catastrophic result if the deadly pathogen gains a foothold in their institutions.
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The directive, in a letter to facilities on Monday from California Department of Public Health Deputy Director Heidi Steinecker, appears to side squarely with the hospitals. It says skilled nursing facilities “shall not refuse to admit or readmit a resident based on their status as a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case.”
California nursing home administrators and advocates for the elderly view the order as an alarming move by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration.
“Sacrificing the lives of beloved nursing home residents is beyond unconscionable,” said Patricia McGinnis, executive director of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.
“California’s directive is nothing less than a death sentence for countless residents. The state should instead look to alternative locations such as hotels and conference centers as much safer places to send COVID-19 patients for care,” McGinnis said.
Reached by phone by a Times reporter on Wednesday afternoon, Steinecker, who signed the letter, said “more nuanced” guidance would be sent to home operators “today.” She declined to say what the guidance would be.
The order applies to the more than 1,000 skilled nursing facilities licensed by the California Department of Public Health. Assisted living and other long-term elder care homes, which do not provide the same level of medical care, are regulated by the state’s Department of Social Services and are not subject to Steinecker’s directive.
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Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician for more than 30 years and president of the California Assn. of Long Term Care Medicine, has been lobbying California regulators not to force homes to take in people unless they are proven virus-free. Doing otherwise, he said, is “akin to premeditated murder.”
So when he and his colleagues first saw the new order Monday night, they were “inconsolable,” he said.
“I didn’t sleep, I was in tears.... the problem is our government isn’t listening to the experts.”
The toll coronavirus can take on a confined, sick and elderly population became starkly clear at the Life Care Center nursing home in Kirkland, Wash., one of the first hot spots in the U.S. Two-thirds of the residents and 47 workers fell ill, and 37 people died.
Since then, outbreaks have been occurring in nursing homes across the country at terrifying speed — forcing operators to ban visitors, confine patients to their rooms and scramble to create sterile wings to treat residents who come down with the disease.
Hundreds of long-term care facilities in the U.S. now have residents who are infected with the virus. On Tuesday, health officials in Washington state reported 108 outbreaks at long-term care facilities. And at a single nursing home in Tennessee, more than 100 residents have tested positive.
In Connecticut, state officials are reopening previously closed facilities to create separate nursing homes only for residents who are positive for COVID-19 — like modern-day leper colonies. The “extreme precaution” is warranted, according to Connecticut officials, because the results can be catastrophic when the virus gets loose among such a vulnerable population.


latimes--2020-04-01--California coronavirus death toll passes 200 as L.A. threatens to cut utilities for nonessential bus

California coronavirus death toll passes 200 as L.A. threatens to cut utilities for nonessential businesses

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday advised the Department of Water and Power to shut off utilities to nonessential businesses violating the city ’ s order to close , he said at an evening news conference .
The mayor ’ s order follows a crackdown from city prosecutors targeting businesses that have been deemed nonessential and yet have remained open for business and given more opportunities for the coronavirus to spread in Southern California .
“ Slowing the spread of this virus and flattening the curve on new infections demands that we all do our part , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Garcetti said .
“ Yet still some nonessential businesses continue to operate , putting everybody at risk.
” Failure to comply with the city ’ s order — and ignoring warnings to do so — will result in a misdemeanor charge against the business and its utilities being shut off , the mayor warned .
“ No one wants to take this step , and we won ’ t have to as long as you follow the rules and protect yourself and protect all of us , ” he said .
The number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rose dramatically Wednesday as officials reported more than 500 new cases , bringing the total number of people infected by the virus in the region to 3,518 .
In their daily briefing , county officials also reported 11 new deaths , bringing the toll to 65 .
Nine of the 11 people who most recently died were over the age of 65 , and seven had underlying health conditions .
One person was between 18 and 40 years old , and another was between 41 and 65 , said Barbara Ferrer , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public Health .
The coronavirus has also spread to the most vulnerable populations in the county , with five homeless people testing positive for COVID-19 , Ferrer said .
“ Every day reporting these numbers is devastating , ” she said .
“ I know it ’ s more devastating for the family and friends who have experienced this tremendous loss.
” Coronavirus cases statewide barreled past 9,500 — with nearly 1,000 new cases in 24 hours — and the death toll passed 200 .
Officials across California continue grappling with a shortage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for what is expected to be a deluge of patients in the coming weeks .
After some local health officials recommended wearing face coverings when going out in public , Ferrer cautioned against using N95 and surgical masks , which are already in short supply for healthcare providers .
She said people could use a bandanna or piece of fabric to cover their nose and mouth while out in public doing essential errands , but she warned : “ Wearing a mask is not a shield.
” It does not replace frequent hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to urge residents to stay at home whenever possible and respect social distancing mandates when they must be in public .
These efforts more than anything will help ensure there isn ’ t excessive strain on the county ’ s healthcare system , officials said .
Dr. Richard Benjamin , a semi-retired Bay Area health officer , said staying indoors and wearing masks when on essential travel should be mandated as a “ social contract ” to protect the vulnerable and uninfected .
“ I am increasingly convinced that the key to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and containment , ” Benjamin said .
“ While this is a relatively draconian measure , I think that we need to consider this as local , state and national health policy ... that all people be required to mask ... even if only using available bandannas.
” Orange County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections to date Wednesday , as officials announced 107 new cases and three additional deaths .
In all , 606 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths have been confirmed countywide .
Amid the news , state officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Developmental Center — a state-owned property in Costa Mesa — as an alternative care site to relieve stress on other regional hospitals .
Repurposing the center , which long housed adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities , is part of an overall effort to boost the number of hospital beds available statewide .
State medical personnel will staff the site , and admissions “ will be determined by local medical providers with an emphasis on moving patients who require monitoring and low to medium levels of care , ” according to statement from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Opening Fairview , officials said , will free up space at traditional hospitals for patients in more serious condition .
“ As our nation and country face this public health crisis together , Costa Mesa leaders have undertaken a coordinated and collaborative effort with all levels of government and we remain in constant communication , ” Costa Mesa City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison said in a statement .
“ With the rise in COVID-19 cases in Orange County to 606 and 10 deaths , it is imperative that we have the resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care.
” The facility will provide up to 1,100 new hospital beds that should be available this month , according to Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris ( D-Laguna Beach ) .
“ Around the world and in other states , we have seen the horrific images and heard the heartbreaking stories of COVID-19 patients dying in hospital corridors because there are not enough beds , ” she said in a statement .
“ We are aggressively preparing for California ’ s surge to try to avoid that nightmare.
” Cases of the virus in nearby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 371 , prompting county health officials to recommend that residents cover their noses and mouths when out in public .
Thirteen people have died countywide after being infected by the virus , according to health officials .
“ When the situation changes , the rule book changes , ” Dr. Cameron Kaiser , Riverside County ’ s public health officer , said in a statement .
“ We ’ re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted , and that means our strategy must change too .
Covering your face doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing , but it ’ s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.
” In Northern California , the number of confirmed cases of the virus also continued to surge .
Sacramento County had 314 confirmed cases and nine deaths as of Wednesday , according to health officials .
In the surrounding counties of Placer , Yolo and El Dorado , there have been more than 100 confirmed cases .
Two people have died in Placer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Yolo County .
Amid the pandemic , state officials are working on adding more hospital and intensive care unit beds to handle an expected surge in coronavirus patients in the coming weeks .
There is concern that without action , the state could be short tens of thousands of hospital beds needed on the epidemic ’ s worst day .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said 774 patients with COVID-19 are in intensive care and 1,855 have been hospitalized across the state as of Tuesday .
A Los Angeles Times found that California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 365 hospitals .
In total , the state has more than 70,000 beds , with roughly one ICU bed for every 5,500 people in California .
The governor has said the state expects to need 50,000 new hospital beds to meet a surge in patients around mid-May .
In Los Angeles County , 733 people who have tested positive for the virus have been hospitalized at some point during their illness .
While there are still hospital beds available for sick patients , county health officials are anticipating additional coronavirus cases over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system .
“ I want to reassure the public that the L.A. County hospital system , both public and private , is doing everything it can to be able to scale up and meet the projected demand , but I would reiterate the crucial importance of respecting those social and physical distancing guidelines so that we can flatten the curve and make sure there ’ s not excessive strain on the hospital system in the days and weeks to come , ” said Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of the Los Angeles Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of infections , community clinics and health centers on the front lines continue to face a shortage of test kits and medical equipment they need to protect staff against the virus .
Since the outbreak , community clinics and health centers in Los Angeles County have helped mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and prevented sick patients from overwhelming hospitals .
At St. John ’ s Well Child and Family Center , a nonprofit that operates 18 health centers and school-based clinics in Los Angeles and Compton , the situation has become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sew surgical masks for the staff .
In a news teleconference Tuesday , St. John ’ s Chief Executive Jim Mangia said it wouldn ’ t be enough and called on the federal government to mandate the production of protective gear and masks for healthcare workers .
Community clinics that typically handle primary care , including checkups and prescribing patients insulin for diabetes or medicine for their high blood pressure , have been canceling their regular appointments and seeing more patients with symptoms that match those of COVID-19 .
Mangia said last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were required to be placed in triage tents to isolate them from other patients .
He said 39 tests were performed and seven were positive for COVID-19 .
He said at least three patients have been hospitalized .
“ By the end of this week , we will have run out of protective gear , ” Mangia said .
“ We still don ’ t have the tests that we need in order to contain the spread and isolate our patients .
But where they can , people are getting creative to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Los Angeles Public Library on Wednesday announced that its librarians working in its Octavia Lab have begun using 3-D printers to manufacture portions of the face shields workers in L.A. County and UCLA hospitals need on the job .
“ In order to maintain a sterile and clean environment , a limited number of trained staff will be in the Octavia Lab assembling the shields , ” library officials said in a statement .
“ Due to the high heat used during printing , the face shields will be sterile upon printing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts say the struggle for resources is the beginning of what could become a worsening crisis .
Counties across the state have strengthened their stay-at-home and social distancing policies amid concern about the virus ’ rapid spread .
State officials announced Wednesday that California ’ s public K-12 campuses are expected to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year in response to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic .
Families and educators , who have taken on the massive challenge of distance learning for about 6.1 million students , should operate “ with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen , but classes are in ” for the rest of the school year , Newsom said .
“ To all of the moms , all the teachers , all the caregivers , I know how stressful this is , trust me , ” Newsom said .
“ I know what we ’ re asking of you over the course of the next few months.
” California faces a peak of 5,000 coronavirus deaths a week if the state ’ s stay-at-home policies are relaxed too early , Dr. Chris Farnitano , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told his Board of Supervisors this week .
“ We are still hopeful we can avoid [ this scenario ] if we don ’ t relax our efforts to flatten the curve , ” he said .
With California DMV field offices remaining closed to the public , the agency said Wednesday that residents 70 and older who have expiring driver licenses will receive a 120-day extension in the mail in response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Department of Motor Vehicles also said motorists with clean driving records whose last visit to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be required to renew in person for the next 60 days and will be able to renew online or by mail .
“ Today ’ s actions ensure hundreds of thousands of Californians can keep their driver license current while following the state ’ s stay-at-home request , ” DMV Director Steve Gordon said .
“ The health and safety of our employees and customers is the DMV ’ s top priority.
” Starting Thursday , the DMV ’ s virtual field office at virtual.dmv.ca.gov will be available to process complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise have to be accomplished in an office , the agency added .
Times staff writers Luke Money , Sonali Kohli , Howard Blume , Patrick McGreevy and Kailyn Brown contributed to this report .

Hannah Fry, Ruben Vives, Taryn Luna, Rong-Gong Lin II

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
A runner jogs past the Pottery Barn in Pasadena. Some businesses in the area have boarded up their stores. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The Wilshire Grand Center display blue lights and a heart to show support for healthcare workers and first responders. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Businesses are shuttered and pedestrians are few and far between on Hollywood Boulevard. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Wednesday advised the Department of Water and Power to shut off utilities to nonessential businesses violating the city’s order to close, he said at an evening news conference.
The mayor’s order follows a crackdown from city prosecutors targeting businesses that have been deemed nonessential and yet have remained open for business and given more opportunities for the coronavirus to spread in Southern California.
“Slowing the spread of this virus and flattening the curve on new infections demands that we all do our part, and that’s the bottom line,” Garcetti said. “Yet still some nonessential businesses continue to operate, putting everybody at risk.”
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Failure to comply with the city’s order — and ignoring warnings to do so — will result in a misdemeanor charge against the business and its utilities being shut off, the mayor warned.
“No one wants to take this step, and we won’t have to as long as you follow the rules and protect yourself and protect all of us,” he said.
The number of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County rose dramatically Wednesday as officials reported more than 500 new cases, bringing the total number of people infected by the virus in the region to 3,518.
In their daily briefing, county officials also reported 11 new deaths, bringing the toll to 65. Nine of the 11 people who most recently died were over the age of 65, and seven had underlying health conditions. One person was between 18 and 40 years old, and another was between 41 and 65, said Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
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The coronavirus has also spread to the most vulnerable populations in the county, with five homeless people testing positive for COVID-19, Ferrer said.
“Every day reporting these numbers is devastating,” she said. “I know it’s more devastating for the family and friends who have experienced this tremendous loss.”
Coronavirus cases statewide barreled past 9,500 — with nearly 1,000 new cases in 24 hours — and the death toll passed 200. Officials across California continue grappling with a shortage of supplies while rushing to prepare hospitals for what is expected to be a deluge of patients in the coming weeks.
After some local health officials recommended wearing face coverings when going out in public, Ferrer cautioned against using N95 and surgical masks, which are already in short supply for healthcare providers.
She said people could use a bandanna or piece of fabric to cover their nose and mouth while out in public doing essential errands, but she warned: “Wearing a mask is not a shield.” It does not replace frequent hand washing and social distancing efforts.
Officials continued to urge residents to stay at home whenever possible and respect social distancing mandates when they must be in public. These efforts more than anything will help ensure there isn’t excessive strain on the county’s healthcare system, officials said.
Dr. Richard Benjamin, a semi-retired Bay Area health officer, said staying indoors and wearing masks when on essential travel should be mandated as a “social contract” to protect the vulnerable and uninfected.
“I am increasingly convinced that the key to controlling community spread is through source control and containment,” Benjamin said. “While this is a relatively draconian measure, I think that we need to consider this as local, state and national health policy ... that all people be required to mask ... even if only using available bandannas.”
Orange County saw its biggest single-day increase in coronavirus infections to date Wednesday, as officials announced 107 new cases and three additional deaths. In all, 606 COVID-19 cases and 10 deaths have been confirmed countywide.
Amid the news, state officials announced that they will use the Fairview Developmental Center — a state-owned property in Costa Mesa — as an alternative care site to relieve stress on other regional hospitals.
Repurposing the center, which long housed adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities, is part of an overall effort to boost the number of hospital beds available statewide.
State medical personnel will staff the site, and admissions “will be determined by local medical providers with an emphasis on moving patients who require monitoring and low to medium levels of care,” according to statement from the California Office of Emergency Services.
Opening Fairview, officials said, will free up space at traditional hospitals for patients in more serious condition.
“As our nation and country face this public health crisis together, Costa Mesa leaders have undertaken a coordinated and collaborative effort with all levels of government and we remain in constant communication,” Costa Mesa City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison said in a statement. “With the rise in COVID-19 cases in Orange County to 606 and 10 deaths, it is imperative that we have the resources needed to treat all those who need care.”
The facility will provide up to 1,100 new hospital beds that should be available this month, according to Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach).
“Around the world and in other states, we have seen the horrific images and heard the heartbreaking stories of COVID-19 patients dying in hospital corridors because there are not enough beds,” she said in a statement. “We are aggressively preparing for California’s surge to try to avoid that nightmare.”
Cases of the virus in nearby Riverside County, meanwhile, jumped to 371, prompting county health officials to recommend that residents cover their noses and mouths when out in public. Thirteen people have died countywide after being infected by the virus, according to health officials.
“When the situation changes, the rule book changes,” Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer, said in a statement. “We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted, and that means our strategy must change too. Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.”
In Northern California, the number of confirmed cases of the virus also continued to surge.
Sacramento County had 314 confirmed cases and nine deaths as of Wednesday, according to health officials. In the surrounding counties of Placer, Yolo and El Dorado, there have been more than 100 confirmed cases. Two people have died in Placer County, and one person has died in Yolo County.
Amid the pandemic, state officials are working on adding more hospital and intensive care unit beds to handle an expected surge in coronavirus patients in the coming weeks. There is concern that without action, the state could be short tens of thousands of hospital beds needed on the epidemic’s worst day.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said 774 patients with COVID-19 are in intensive care and 1,855 have been hospitalized across the state as of Tuesday.
A Los Angeles Times data analysis found that California has 7,200 ICU beds across more than 365 hospitals. In total, the state has more than 70,000 beds, with roughly one ICU bed for every 5,500 people in California. The governor has said the state expects to need 50,000 new hospital beds to meet a surge in patients around mid-May.
In Los Angeles County, 733 people who have tested positive for the virus have been hospitalized at some point during their illness. While there are still hospital beds available for sick patients, county health officials are anticipating additional coronavirus cases over the next three weeks that could strain the system.
“I want to reassure the public that the L.A. County hospital system, both public and private, is doing everything it can to be able to scale up and meet the projected demand, but I would reiterate the crucial importance of respecting those social and physical distancing guidelines so that we can flatten the curve and make sure there’s not excessive strain on the hospital system in the days and weeks to come,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of the Los Angeles Department of Health Services.
Amid a rising number of infections, community clinics and health centers on the front lines continue to face a shortage of test kits and medical equipment they need to protect staff against the virus. Since the outbreak, community clinics and health centers in Los Angeles County have helped mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and prevented sick patients from overwhelming hospitals.
At St. John’s Well Child and Family Center, a nonprofit that operates 18 health centers and school-based clinics in Los Angeles and Compton, the situation has become so dire that patients have offered to sew surgical masks for the staff.
In a news teleconference Tuesday, St. John’s Chief Executive Jim Mangia said it wouldn’t be enough and called on the federal government to mandate the production of protective gear and masks for healthcare workers.
Community clinics that typically handle primary care, including checkups and prescribing patients insulin for diabetes or medicine for their high blood pressure, have been canceling their regular appointments and seeing more patients with symptoms that match those of COVID-19.
Mangia said last week that the nonprofit saw 879 patients who were required to be placed in triage tents to isolate them from other patients. He said 39 tests were performed and seven were positive for COVID-19. He said at least three patients have been hospitalized.
“By the end of this week, we will have run out of protective gear,” Mangia said. “We still don’t have the tests that we need in order to contain the spread and isolate our patients.
“We’re essentially doing makeshift front-line work,” he added.
But where they can, people are getting creative to help those facing the virus every day.
The Los Angeles Public Library on Wednesday announced that its librarians working in its Octavia Lab have begun using 3-D printers to manufacture portions of the face shields workers in L.A. County and UCLA hospitals need on the job.
A collaborating group, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, is producing the remaining parts.
“In order to maintain a sterile and clean environment, a limited number of trained staff will be in the Octavia Lab assembling the shields,” library officials said in a statement. “Due to the high heat used during printing, the face shields will be sterile upon printing and then bagged for distribution.”
Some experts say the struggle for resources is the beginning of what could become a worsening crisis. Counties across the state have strengthened their stay-at-home and social distancing policies amid concern about the virus’ rapid spread.
State officials announced Wednesday that California’s public K-12 campuses are expected to remain closed for the remainder of the academic year in response to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic.
Families and educators, who have taken on the massive challenge of distance learning for about 6.1 million students, should operate “with the expectation now that schools will not reopen, but classes are in” for the rest of the school year, Newsom said.
“To all of the moms, all the teachers, all the caregivers, I know how stressful this is, trust me,” Newsom said. “I know what we’re asking of you over the course of the next few months.”
California faces a peak of 5,000 coronavirus deaths a week if the state’s stay-at-home policies are relaxed too early, Dr. Chris Farnitano, a health officer for Contra Costa County, told his Board of Supervisors this week.
“We are still hopeful we can avoid [this scenario] if we don’t relax our efforts to flatten the curve,” he said.
With California DMV field offices remaining closed to the public, the agency said Wednesday that residents 70 and older who have expiring driver licenses will receive a 120-day extension in the mail in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Motor Vehicles also said motorists with clean driving records whose last visit to a field office was 15 years ago will not be required to renew in person for the next 60 days and will be able to renew online or by mail.
“Today’s actions ensure hundreds of thousands of Californians can keep their driver license current while following the state’s stay-at-home request,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said. “The health and safety of our employees and customers is the DMV’s top priority.”
Starting Thursday, the DMV’s virtual field office at virtual.dmv.ca.gov will be available to process complex vehicle registrations and title transfers that would otherwise have to be accomplished in an office, the agency added.
Times staff writers Luke Money, Sonali Kohli, Howard Blume, Patrick McGreevy and Kailyn Brown contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-02--UC, the state's 3rd largest employer, will not do layoffs through June amid coronavirus crisis

The University of California , whose 227,000-member workforce is the third largest in the state , will not lay off any career employee through June 30 because of the coronavirus emergency , despite mounting financial uncertainty facing campuses , UC President Janet Napolitano announced Thursday .
Napolitano also had a message for the state ’ s employers : Avoid layoffs , and keep your workers paid for as long as possible .
“ We are keenly aware of the health concerns and economic uncertainty weighing on the entire University community , ” Napolitano and the system ’ s 10 campus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community .
“ As we face the personal and professional challenges of the day , we are committed to doing all we can to alleviate concerns about income or job stability during this time.
” In an interview , Napolitano said she hoped other California employers would follow suit as families are facing tremendous stress .
The no-layoff pledge will apply to all career employees at the 10 campuses , five medical centers and Office of the President .
They include gardeners and dining hall workers , doctors and nurses , faculty members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such uncertainty into our state , our country and the world and to try to maintain operations and the workforce as we go through this will help mitigate the overall damage that the virus is causing to the economy and to families throughout the state and particularly at UC , ” Napolitano said .
She said UC campuses are scrambling to redeploy employees who may no longer be needed in their regular jobs because the pandemic has prompted them to send most students home and shift to online learning .
At UC Irvine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now helping prepare box lunches for the broader community .
Napolitano added that it was unclear what would happen with jobs after June 30 but that UC officials would work with employee groups on that question .
While staffing is often reduced during the summer in normal times , she said , it is unclear what the employment picture will look like when the school year picks up again .
She said it also remains unclear how the coronavirus crisis will affect UC ’ s budget picture .
In January , Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding boost for UC , amounting to $ 217.7 million , but Napolitano said she was recently told that he will remove the increase in his May revision .
However , the state will revisit its funding to UC in August or September after July tax returns are in , she said .
At the same time , UC regents withdrew a proposal to raise tuition for each incoming class for the next five years , beginning this fall .
Napolitano said Thursday that regents would not bring back that proposal at their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the chancellors said , the university would work to protect its employees with continued pay and health and welfare benefits .
“ Let us assure you , ” they told the campus community , “ we are in this together .
”

The University of California, whose 227,000-member workforce is the third largest in the state, will not lay off any career employee through June 30 because of the coronavirus emergency, despite mounting financial uncertainty facing campuses, UC President Janet Napolitano announced Thursday.
Napolitano also had a message for the state’s employers: Avoid layoffs, and keep your workers paid for as long as possible.
“We are keenly aware of the health concerns and economic uncertainty weighing on the entire University community,” Napolitano and the system’s 10 campus chancellors said in letter to the UC community. “As we face the personal and professional challenges of the day, we are committed to doing all we can to alleviate concerns about income or job stability during this time.”
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In an interview, Napolitano said she hoped other California employers would follow suit as families are facing tremendous stress. The no-layoff pledge will apply to all career employees at the 10 campuses, five medical centers and Office of the President. They include gardeners and dining hall workers, doctors and nurses, faculty members and administrators.
“COVID-19 has injected such uncertainty into our state, our country and the world and to try to maintain operations and the workforce as we go through this will help mitigate the overall damage that the virus is causing to the economy and to families throughout the state and particularly at UC,” Napolitano said.
She said UC campuses are scrambling to redeploy employees who may no longer be needed in their regular jobs because the pandemic has prompted them to send most students home and shift to online learning. At UC Irvine, for instance, dining hall workers are now helping prepare box lunches for the broader community.
UC employees have been hoping for such assurances, including opportunities to retrain for different jobs as needed, said Todd Stenhouse, spokesman for AFSCME Local 3299, the university’s largest employee union, which represents more than 25,000 service and patient care technical workers.
Stenhouse said many union members have been on the frontlines of the battle against the virus, including custodians cleaning hospital rooms, respiratory therapists and patient assistants. He said they want economic protections but also continued opportunities to serve.
“This is the culture of service and culture of courage that is the spirit of our union,” he said.
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Napolitano added that it was unclear what would happen with jobs after June 30 but that UC officials would work with employee groups on that question. While staffing is often reduced during the summer in normal times, she said, it was uncertain what the employment picture will look like when the school year picks up again.
She said it also remains unclear how the coronavirus crisis will affect UC’s budget picture. In January, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a 5% funding boost for UC, amounting to $217.7 million, but Napolitano said she was recently told that he will remove the increase in his May revision. However, the state will revisit its funding to UC in August or September after July tax returns are in, she said.
At the same time, UC regents withdrew a proposal to raise tuition for each incoming class for the next five years, beginning this fall. Napolitano said Thursday that regents would not bring back that proposal at their May meeting.
For now, Napolitano and the chancellors said, the university would work to protect its employees with continued pay and health and welfare benefits.
“Let us assure you,” they told the campus community, “we are in this together.”