latimes--2020-03-15--LAPD confirms its first coronavirus case, a supervisor in Pacific Division

The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday confirmed its first coronavirus case .
The supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home Monday , officials said .
“ The supervisor ’ s condition is already improving and he is expected to make a full recovery .
Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the involved employee ’ s work area at the Pacific Division should be completed by the end of the day , ” the LAPD said in a statement .
“ At this point no other personnel from Pacific Division have experienced symptoms or been isolated.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the spread of the coronavirus .
All patrol officers and officers likely to come into contact with infected people have been issued a kit consisting of multiple sets of gloves , a bacteria protection mask and goggles .
Officers are directed to use all three items when responding to a call or having contact with a possible virus patient .
The department has already ordered 100,000 extra masks , but officers will not wear masks as a routine matter .
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect workstations , vehicles , and surroundings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest , maintain a moderate exercise program , eat healthfully , avoid tobacco use , etc .
• Stay home when sick , and respectfully request that others do the same .
• When interacting with a member of the public exhibiting upper respiratory symptoms such as sneezing or coughing , provide them a surgical mask if one is available , or stand six feet away .
• Wear proper personal protective equipment .
In the case of interacting with members of the public suspected of having the coronavirus , that equipment could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shields and nitrile gloves .

The Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus within its ranks.
The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday confirmed its first coronavirus case.
The supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home Monday, officials said.
“The supervisor’s condition is already improving and he is expected to make a full recovery. Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the involved employee’s work area at the Pacific Division should be completed by the end of the day,” the LAPD said in a statement. “At this point no other personnel from Pacific Division have experienced symptoms or been isolated.”
The LAPD has been taking precautions to deal with the spread of the coronavirus.
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All patrol officers and officers likely to come into contact with infected people have been issued a kit consisting of multiple sets of gloves, a bacteria protection mask and goggles.
Officers are directed to use all three items when responding to a call or having contact with a possible virus patient.
The department has already ordered 100,000 extra masks, but officers will not wear masks as a routine matter.
Among the LAPD guidelines:


latimes--2020-03-16--L.A. Unified scrambles to get help centers ready amid coronavirus school closures

Los Angeles school officials were racing Sunday to organize the complex logistics of opening 20 meal pickup sites and 40 family resource centers to serve students who will be displaced from campuses beginning on Monday in an unprecedented shutdown to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
The food distribution sites and resource centers are widely seen as vital in a school system where 80 % of students are from low-income households and 18,000 are homeless .
The centers , scheduled to open on Wednesday , are intended as a stopgap to offer food , childcare , counseling , health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of nearly 900 campuses .
District officials said Friday that they planned to release a list before the end of the weekend , but it wasn ’ t clear Sunday night whether they would hit that deadline .
An update from the teachers union said the list might not be available until Monday morning .
L.A. Unified is not alone in having to prepare quickly — and is likely ahead of the curve compared to some other districts .
For that reason , Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Sunday declined to follow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all public schools in the state .
Closing would be a local decision , he said .
So far , 24 of the state ’ s 25 largest school systems , including Los Angeles Unified , have shut down , Newsom said .
About 51 % of all the state ’ s school districts will be closed as of Monday , accounting for about 85 % of the state ’ s students .
That number increased by at least one on Sunday , when West Covina Unified announced that its schools would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at West Covina High School testing positive ” for COVID-19 .
The notification letter , sent to parents and posted on the district website , did not indicate whether the individual was a student or staff member , but it may be the first positive case recorded at a school in L.A. County .
“ The individual is resting well at home under quarantine and is awaiting direction from the Dept .
of Public Health regarding the notification procedures to others who may have been exposed , ” the district wrote in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandmother of a student at Larchmont Charter School has tested positive for the virus .
School officials learned about the grandparent ’ s positive test early Friday and sent a message to parents letting them know that its campuses would be closed , said Executive Director Amy Held .
Test results are pending for at least one other member of that family , she said in a Friday interview .
In Los Angeles , the nation ’ s second-largest school district will be closed for at least two weeks with the centers intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families with no other means to provide for their children .
Most of the centers are likely to be at closed schools and will be open between about 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. As a precaution , all center visitors will have their temperatures taken with forehead thermometers upon arrival , and all students will be directed to wash their hands .
District employees who voluntarily sign up to work at these centers will receive a $ 100 stipend for each 6-hour shift in addition to their regular pay , which will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : counseling and health services for students and families ; “ grab-n-go ” meals for families and community members ; access to books , computers and instructional materials ; and options for some students to check out electronic devices and books .
Administrators , nurses , classroom teachers , security aides , school police , health and human services providers , counselors and custodians will be among those working at the centers .
“ The district will try to assign our members a task consistent with their job , but it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the needs at each resource center , ” the teachers union said in a Sunday update to members .
The union also stressed that the shutdown is not a work stoppage ; teachers would have the task of making sure that students continue to learn through online and other resources .
These resources include special programming on the three major local public television channels in a partnership with PBS SoCal/KCET .
Newsom on Sunday declined to second-guess districts that choose to remain open for now .
“ Many smaller districts remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Newsom said in a news conference in Sacramento .
Newsom noted that in some school systems , 80 % or more of students receive a free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch .
Another concern , he said , is what would happen to students with moderate to severe disabilities , who face a shortage of appropriate care .
Moreover , many medical workers and other emergency personnel — who are needed to manage the health crisis — could confront a lack of childcare when schools close .
Many small and rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a safety net than in coastal areas , Newsom added .
The governor emphasized that the state is continuing to refine appropriate procedures for all school systems — whether open or closed .
“ On Tuesday , we will be putting out very detailed guidelines for those schools that remained open and continue to remain or are likely to remain open — and those that have closed , ” Newsom said .
“ We are vetting and curating and validating all kinds of private- and public-sector solutions to address the ... obvious real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school districts simply have carried out more disaster planning than others .
The governor ’ s message was not entirely embraced by those who favor closing all the schools without further delay , including Alex Caputo-Pearl , president of the L.A. teachers union , which had called on Thursday night for shutting down L.A. Unified schools .
“ It was the right thing to do , ” he said Sunday .
“ Now we ’ re part of the coalition pushing for all schools to close.
” Sonali Kohli and Paloma Esquivel contributed @ @ @ @

Los Angeles school officials have halted a plan to open 40 family resource centers due to increasing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
The 40 planned centers were intended as a service point and refuge for students and families in need of food, childcare, counseling and educational materials. Instead, 60 grab-and-go food centers will be available for school families.
“At this time, state and local health and public safety officials cannot assure us it will be safe for the children and adults at the family centers for us to provide care for children at these sites,” said Supt. Austin Beutner in a letter posted on social media Monday afternoon. “We are deeply disappointed.”
The decision was made amid rapidly changing guidance and restrictions from health agencies and other levels of government. For example, over the course of several hours on Sunday, restaurateurs went from no restrictions, to reduced capacity statewide, to an L.A. ban on dining in.
As Beutner weighed the decision earlier Monday he cautioned that the “more fundamental issue is making sure we can do it safely.”
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Los Angeles Unified, which serves about 670,000 children and adults, shut down its 900 campuses beginning Monday morning, joining closures at 24 of the state’s 25 largest school systems. More than half of California’s school districts have shut down, accounting for about 85% of students.
The centers seemed like an ambitious but sensible solution for parents desperate for childcare and other resources. These parents include first responders, such as ambulance drivers and healthcare workers. In this health siege, key personnel also include pharmacists and supermarket checkers.
At the centers, visitors would have had their temperature taken on the way in and would immediately wash their hands. A district operations planner said that lines for food or other services would be set up so people were standing six feet apart. The centers were to be open from about 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
But ultimately, if schools are closed because of concerns over transmission of the coronavirus, should a resource center be treated any differently?
“We’re trying to make sure we’re doing the right thing,” Beutner said earlier Monday.
Even in the best scenario, families were on their own until Wednesday.
Monday morning, Julia Andres sat quietly on a green metal bench with her two school-aged sons as they waited for a city shuttle in MacArthur Park. The trio were heading to Andres’ job at a garment warehouse in downtown Los Angeles because she can’t afford daycare.
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“I have to bring them to work,” she said. “I have to try and work whatever hours I can get.”
Tugging on his older brother’s hand, 10-year-old Miguel Petz, a fourth-grader at Vermont Elementary School, said he was worried about his parents being infected by the virus.
“I’m scared about it,” he said.
Miguel said he had a packet for homework that he would be working on, and that he would do other courses online using his older brother’s Chromebook.
Emmanuel Garcia, 13, a 7th-grader at Foshay Learning Center, said he was going to do most of his courses online, some through Schoology, an LAUSD online learning system.
His feelings are mixed about schools being closed.
“We’re out of school,” he said. “But then we have homework.”
Even for families with greater flexibility, the options are limited with libraries, museums, recreation centers and other gathering places closed.
The district faced an additional challenge late Sunday when a false fire alarm in a key data center triggered the release of retardant that shut down the critical system for about 12 hours, just as thousands of students and teachers were supposed to login for instruction, according to school district officials.
The system that powers the online platform was reportedly back up by about 8:30 a.m. During the outage, students and teachers were not able to communicate.
Beutner said he got an urgent text about a problem between 10 and 11 p.m. Sunday night. He could not respond instantly because he was on an unrelated urgent call.
He ended up being awake most of the night “but not just because of that,” he said.
“Late last night we called in another 30 people who worked through the night,” he said. “We’re appreciative of their efforts to get the system going.”
Beutner said he did not yet have a cost estimate for the damage.
During the shutdown, teachers are expected to do what they can to keep learning going via online and electronic coursework and even old-fashioned paper homework packets. Other staff are tasked with keeping schools secure and sanitized. And principals stood by Monday morning to alert parents who didn’t get the message that campuses are closed. Also, students who were absent Friday could stop by in the morning to pick up assignments, instructional materials and possibly computers.
School board president Richard Vladovic said that he drove by 10 schools Monday morning and saw only four students total entering a campus.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday reiterated his position that he would not — for now — mandate the shuttering of all schools in the state.
West Covina Unified wasn’t ready to close Friday but announced an immediate shutdown Sunday after an “individual,” as the district put it, at West Covina High School tested positive for COVID-19. It was not immediately clear whether the affected person was a staff member, student, family member or volunteer.
The immediate plight for families did not get easier Sunday night after L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti took additional precautionary measures. The city’s public libraries and indoor recreation centers are closed — cutting off more activities and child-supervision options. Major museums are shut, including the L.A. County Natural History Museum, the La Brea Tar Pits Museum and the L.A. County Museum of Art.
While Newsom ordered the closing of nightclubs, bars and brew pubs, Garcetti went further, banning all dining in. Restaurants still can offer take-out service. That ban further narrows student and family options — including the use of restaurant WiFi for families without broadband at home. A library, coffee house or McDonald’s often become a place where low-income students and families have WiFi access.
Beutner has estimated that about a quarter of students lack the broadband needed for effective online study.
Many also lack for nutritious, abundant food — about 80% of L.A. students qualify for a free or reduced price lunch. And many rely on the district for breakfast. Some take advantage of free dinners as well. About 18,000 district students are homeless.
“Los Angeles Unified serves a high-needs population, and our schools provide a social safety net for children,” Beutner said Friday. “The closing of any school has real consequences beyond the loss of instructional time.”
Times staff writers Sonali Kohli and Ruben Vives contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-15--Robert Durst murder trial postponed because of coronavirus as court announces new safety measures

The Robert Durst murder trial has been postponed to April 6 amid concerns across the court system about coronavirus .
In the face of the growing outbreak , courts have taken a patchwork of measures : months-long delays in trials , excusing jurors over the age of 60 , and temporarily closing courthouses altogether .
On Sunday , the Los Angeles County Superior Court announced that new criminal and civil trials would be put off for at least 30 days .
Judges in the nation ’ s largest trial court were also encouraged to shift toward telephonic proceedings to lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile said that for trials already underway , it would be up to individual judges to decide whether to postpone proceedings or declare a mistrial .
Brazile said self-help centers at courthouses would also be closed .
“ We will continue to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities and remain open to handle criminal matters subject to statutory deadlines , ” Brazile said in a statement .
On Friday , Brazile recommended that new civil trials and some criminal trials be pushed back 30 days as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
More information about the fate of court operations could come Monday .
Several attorneys said they were frustrated by what they saw as lackadaisical practices in courthouses last week : Scant hand sanitizer was available to the general public .
Security screenings at courthouse entrances had no wipes to clean surfaces as more people came through .
And elevators were crammed as ever — filled with people coming for jury duty .
The Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office has alleged that Durst , heir to a Manhattan real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December 2000 .
Prosecutors contend that Durst killed Berman to prevent her from spilling incriminating information about the 1982 disappearance of his first wife , Kathleen , whose body was never found .
He has pleaded not guilty .
Durst ’ s younger brother , Thomas Durst , 70 , said he invoked coronavirus concerns in an effort to get out of traveling to L.A. on a subpoena to testify against his sibling .
In an email , Thomas Durst , who has a residence in the Bay Area , said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March 6 to the district attorney ’ s office in which his personal doctor strongly advised “ against any travel , particularly airplane travel , ” citing unspecified medical issues .
He said he was “ amazed at the cavalier attitude ” toward coronavirus by the judge and district attorney ’ s office , and said his request to testify remotely via video was refused .
The younger Durst ultimately complied with the subpoena .
Last week , Thomas Durst reportedly wore latex gloves when he showed up to testify at the Airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the witness stand , he was asked by a prosecutor how he felt about being there .
“ I hate it , ” he said .
Asked if he had done everything in his power to avoid testifying , he agreed .
“ This is a horrible experience , and I ’ m fearful of my brother.
” On Friday , Superior Court Judge Mark Windham said jurors would sit with one seat between them in the courtroom , and said at least one person could testify remotely .
It was unclear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial resumes April 6 .

Robert Durst is accused of killing his friend Susan Berman in 2000. Prosecutors say she knew incriminating information about the 1982 disappearance of Durst’s first wife, Kathleen, whose body was never found.
The Robert Durst murder trial has been postponed to April 6 amid concerns across the court system about coronavirus.
In the face of the growing outbreak, courts have taken a patchwork of measures: months-long delays in trials, excusing jurors over the age of 60, and temporarily closing courthouses altogether.
On Sunday, the Los Angeles County Superior Court announced that new criminal and civil trials would be put off for at least 30 days. Judges in the nation’s largest trial court were also encouraged to shift toward telephonic proceedings to lower traffic in the region’s courthouses.
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Presiding Judge Kevin Brazile said that for trials already underway, it would be up to individual judges to decide whether to postpone proceedings or declare a mistrial. Brazile said self-help centers at courthouses would also be closed.
“We will continue to provide services to the most vulnerable in our communities and remain open to handle criminal matters subject to statutory deadlines,” Brazile said in a statement.
On Friday, Brazile recommended that new civil trials and some criminal trials be pushed back 30 days as some were calling for much more aggressive action.
More information about the fate of court operations could come Monday.
Several attorneys said they were frustrated by what they saw as lackadaisical practices in courthouses last week: Scant hand sanitizer was available to the general public. Security screenings at courthouse entrances had no wipes to clean surfaces as more people came through. And elevators were crammed as ever — filled with people coming for jury duty.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office has alleged that Durst, heir to a Manhattan real estate fortune, killed writer Susan Berman in December 2000. Prosecutors contend that Durst killed Berman to prevent her from spilling incriminating information about the 1982 disappearance of his first wife, Kathleen, whose body was never found. He has pleaded not guilty.
Durst’s younger brother, Thomas Durst, 70, said he invoked coronavirus concerns in an effort to get out of traveling to L.A. on a subpoena to testify against his sibling.
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In an email, Thomas Durst, who has a residence in the Bay Area, said he presented a doctor’s note on March 6 to the district attorney’s office in which his personal doctor strongly advised “against any travel, particularly airplane travel,” citing unspecified medical issues.
He said he was “amazed at the cavalier attitude” toward coronavirus by the judge and district attorney’s office, and said his request to testify remotely via video was refused. The younger Durst ultimately complied with the subpoena. Last week, Thomas Durst reportedly wore latex gloves when he showed up to testify at the Airport Courthouse near Los Angeles International Airport. On the witness stand, he was asked by a prosecutor how he felt about being there.
“I hate it,” he said. Asked if he had done everything in his power to avoid testifying, he agreed. “This is a horrible experience, and I’m fearful of my brother.”
On Friday, Superior Court Judge Mark Windham said jurors would sit with one seat between them in the courtroom, and said at least one person could testify remotely. It was unclear if that arrangement would continue when the trial resumes April 6.


latimes--2020-03-15--California calls on millions of senior citizens to stay home because of coronavirus. What you need t

California calls on millions of senior citizens to stay home because of coronavirus. What you need to know

Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Sunday called for 5.3 million senior citizens and others at risk to stay home in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus .
The call for home isolation also extended to people with chronic conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus .
The announcement raises many questions for senior citizens .
For those who live alone , they will have to grapple with getting shopping done .
For others , it will be a radical change of life with no firm idea of when the restrictions will end .
“ We recognize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety inducing but we recognize what all the science bears out and ... we need to meet this moment head-on and lean in , ” Newsom said Sunday .
He said plans are being made to help carry out the sweeping directive .
“ We are prioritizing their safety , ” Newsom said .
He also urged family members to take care around the elderly and frail : '' People should conduct themselves around their grandparents as if they have it.
” Newsom said .
Officials have long said senior citizens and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in California have already banned those groups from attending many types of public gatherings .
Those at higher risk include those over the age of 70 and with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes , obesity , asthma , disease of the heart , lung or kidney and those with weakened immune systems .
If someone who falls into one of those categories does get sick , early diagnosis is important to allow more time to treat the patient , which may include putting the patient on oxygen or , when necessary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their lungs begin to fail .
Experts have been urging protections against high-risk groups .
The key is “ keeping this virus away from nursing homes , long-term-care facilities and elderly people whose lungs can ’ t recover from this , ” Dr. Jeremy Faust , an emergency physician at Brigham and Women ’ s Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School , said last week .
As of Saturday , here is a breakdown of the age of California coronavirus patients : The Centers for Disease Control urged seniors in areas where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ stay home as much as possible and consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family , social , or commercial networks.
” • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds , especially after blowing your nose , coughing , or sneezing , or having been in a public place .
• If soap and water are not available , use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 % alcohol .
• To the extent possible , avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door handles , handrails , handshakes .
Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something .
• Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places .
• Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs : Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces , such as tables , doorknobs , light switches , handles , desks , toilets , faucets , sinks and cellphones .
• Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period .
• If you can not get extra medications , consider using mail-order for medications .
• Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies ( tissues , etc . )
to treat fever and other symptoms .
Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home .
• Have enough household items and groceries on hand to be prepared to stay at home for a period of time .

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday called for 5.3 million senior citizens and others at risk to stay home in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The call for home isolation also extended to people with chronic conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus.
Big change
The announcement raises many questions for senior citizens. For those who live alone, they will have to grapple with getting shopping done. For others, it will be a radical change of life with no firm idea of when the restrictions will end.
“We recognize that social isolation for millions of Californians is anxiety inducing but we recognize what all the science bears out and ... we need to meet this moment head-on and lean in,” Newsom said Sunday.
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He said plans are being made to help carry out the sweeping directive.
“We are prioritizing their safety,” Newsom said.
He also urged family members to take care around the elderly and frail:”People should conduct themselves around their grandparents as if they have it.” Newsom said.
Highest risk
Officials have long said senior citizens and the frail are at highest risk. Counties in California have already banned those groups from attending many types of public gatherings.
Those at higher risk include those over the age of 70 and with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, asthma, disease of the heart, lung or kidney and those with weakened immune systems. If someone who falls into one of those categories does get sick, early diagnosis is important to allow more time to treat the patient, which may include putting the patient on oxygen or, when necessary, a ventilator to help them breathe if their lungs begin to fail.
Experts have been urging protections against high-risk groups. The key is “keeping this virus away from nursing homes, long-term-care facilities and elderly people whose lungs can’t recover from this,” Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and instructor at Harvard Medical School, said last week.
As of Saturday, here is a breakdown of the age of California coronavirus patients:
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0-17: 4
18-64: 143
Age 65-plus: 98
Unknown: 2
Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control urged seniors in areas where there is community spread of coronavirus to “stay home as much as possible and consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks.”
Among other tips:


latimes--2020-03-15--To help fight coronavirus, California seniors should isolate and bars should close, Gov. Gavin Newso

To help fight coronavirus, California seniors should isolate and bars should close, Gov. Gavin Newsom says

Gov .
Gavin Newsom asked Californians over the age of 65 on Sunday to isolate themselves from others and said that neighborhood bars and pubs should close their doors as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state continued to rise .
But Newsom again stopped short of using the full force of his authority to mandate response measures to protect Californians from the virus that causes COVID-19 , a global pandemic that has resulted in six deaths and 335 confirmed cases in the state .
Instead , the governor said his request of bars and pubs is akin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for the cancellation of gatherings of 250 people or more .
The governor is allowing restaurants to remain open and advised customers to practice “ deep social distancing ” when dining out — in effect , a recommendation to reduce occupancy by half .
The governor ’ s office said his request for the elderly to remain at home also extended to residents with underlying health issues , such as blood disorders , chronic kidney disease , asthma , chronic liver disease , compromised immune systems , pregnancies in the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness from the coronavirus .
In all , Newsom ’ s list of new efforts and recommendations reflected the fast-moving nature of the public health crisis and the complexity of how to respond in protecting some 40 million Californians .
In addition to the requests for older residents to remain isolated and bars to close , the governor announced additional testing options for two Bay Area counties hit hard by the virus .
He also called for a tighter limit on visitors to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those patients in end-of-life situations .
He promised more action to help public school students out of school as well as homeless people .
And he pledged additional tax dollars to be spent through the state budget process as needed .
“ We need to anticipate spread , but we also need to prioritize our focus , ” Newsom said .
Newsom defended his lack of action to close restaurants , saying he ’ s removing the most vulnerable people from those environments and allowing eateries to continue to provide meals .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs of our population .
And let me say this , frankly , we need a productive society , ” Newsom said in response to questions about why he wasn ’ t taking more dramatic measures .
“ I ’ m not willing to submit that in this moment we can ’ t have cohorts of society being productive , just in a radically different way.
” Newsom ’ s new directive came shortly after Govs .
Mike DeWine of Ohio , J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across their states to close .
Restaurants may continue to offer carryout and delivery service in Ohio , which has approximately 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19 .
Newsom insisted that the difference in what he has recommended and what ’ s happening in other states and localities is a “ nuance ” that will not affect the effectiveness of protecting public health .
He expressed confidence that Californians would follow his directives voluntarily .
When asked whether he had been tested himself , the governor said he had not , noting that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those who need them most .
The governor said the request of older Californians was made in hopes of limiting their exposure to the virus , given that health officials have pointed out higher dangers for those who are older .
He said plans are being made to help carry out the sweeping directive .
“ We are prioritizing their safety , ” Newsom said .
The new guidelines come following other broad efforts announced in recent days to combat the virus in California .
Most of those have been taken on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by dozens of school districts to shut down operations for the next two weeks or longer .
On Friday , Newsom issued an executive order assuring those schools of continued funding during closures .
The governor said he would issue additional directives Tuesday to schools that remain open and said he was especially focused on providing support to low-income families .
He suggested some local school officials had not fully thought through the consequences when closing their campuses , including how to continue providing meals to students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special needs receive adequate care and supervision .
“ It ’ s one thing to say you have a plan and it ’ s another to actually deliver that plan , ” Newsom said .
“ Superintendents say , ‘ Don ’ t shut me down .
Help me with these kids because right now I don ’ t know how to help that child .
I don ’ t know how to feed that child , ’ ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ re going to do this very thoughtfully , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the reality , not the perception.
” Newsom noted that roughly 85 % of California K-12 students are in school districts that have already announced closures .
The governor estimated that the directive to seniors would affect 5.3 million Californians .
That number includes those most at risk simply due to their age , but he said it does not include the millions more who have underlying health conditions that would make them vulnerable .
Newsom also announced that the state ’ s 108,000 unsheltered homeless people would be prioritized for mitigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move them indoors .
Though details remained unclear , he said the state had hotels and motels that could be used to provide shelter , along with an additional 450 state-owned trailers sent to “ critical points ” to supplement those that were deployed in Los Angeles , Stockton , Sonoma and other places before the outbreak .
Last week , Newsom issued an executive order allowing the state to commandeer some private properties to provide beds for isolation .
Newsom said the goal of the newly announced measures aimed at the unsheltered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environments where we can address their growing anxiety and our growing concerns.
” But he did not say that the attempt to bring people indoors would be mandated or require law enforcement intervention .
In recent days , the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also detailed guidelines for homeless shelters and encampments , many of which include increasing sanitation and providing detailed suggestions for handling ill people in shelter settings .
“ I am not ratcheting up a mindset of enforcement , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acknowledged that the outbreak of the virus was a fluid situation that state and local officials would need to continue to monitor as events merit .
But he bristled at questions asking whether his administration ’ s efforts could be taken as too timid .
“ We are guided in a very thoughtful way , not by hysteria , ” Newsom said .

Phil Willon, John Myers, Taryn Luna, Anita Chabria

Gov. Gavin Newsom asked Californians over the age of 65 on Sunday to isolate themselves from others and said that neighborhood bars and pubs should close their doors as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state continued to rise.
But Newsom again stopped short of using the full force of his authority to mandate response measures to protect Californians from the virus that causes COVID-19, a global pandemic that has resulted in six deaths and 335 confirmed cases in the state.
Instead, the governor said his request of bars and pubs is akin to an announcement he made last week asking for the cancellation of gatherings of 250 people or more. The governor is allowing restaurants to remain open and advised customers to practice “deep social distancing” when dining out — in effect, a recommendation to reduce occupancy by half.
The governor’s office said his request for the elderly to remain at home also extended to residents with underlying health issues, such as blood disorders, chronic kidney disease, asthma, chronic liver disease, compromised immune systems, pregnancies in the last two weeks, metabolic disorders, heart disease and other conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness from the coronavirus.
In all, Newsom’s list of new efforts and recommendations reflected the fast-moving nature of the public health crisis and the complexity of how to respond in protecting some 40 million Californians.
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Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
In addition to the requests for older residents to remain isolated and bars to close, the governor announced additional testing options for two Bay Area counties hit hard by the virus. He also called for a tighter limit on visitors to hospitals and assisted living facilities to only those patients in end-of-life situations. He promised more action to help public school students out of school as well as homeless people. And he pledged additional tax dollars to be spent through the state budget process as needed.
“We need to anticipate spread, but we also need to prioritize our focus,” Newsom said.
Newsom defended his lack of action to close restaurants, saying he’s removing the most vulnerable people from those environments and allowing eateries to continue to provide meals.
“We need the capacity to meet the needs of our population. And let me say this, frankly, we need a productive society,” Newsom said in response to questions about why he wasn’t taking more dramatic measures. “I’m not willing to submit that in this moment we can’t have cohorts of society being productive, just in a radically different way.”
Newsom’s new directive came shortly after Govs. Mike DeWine of Ohio, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Charlie Baker of Massachusetts on Sunday issued orders requiring all bars and restaurants across their states to close. Restaurants may continue to offer carryout and delivery service in Ohio, which has approximately 36 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
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Newsom insisted that the difference in what he has recommended and what’s happening in other states and localities is a “nuance” that will not affect the effectiveness of protecting public health. He expressed confidence that Californians would follow his directives voluntarily.
When asked whether he had been tested himself, the governor said he had not, noting that he believed available test kits should be prioritized for those who need them most.
The governor said the request of older Californians was made in hopes of limiting their exposure to the virus, given that health officials have pointed out higher dangers for those who are older. He said plans are being made to help carry out the sweeping directive.
“We are prioritizing their safety,” Newsom said.
The new guidelines come following other broad efforts announced in recent days to combat the virus in California. Most of those have been taken on the local level, including the decision by dozens of school districts to shut down operations for the next two weeks or longer. On Friday, Newsom issued an executive order assuring those schools of continued funding during closures.
The governor said he would issue additional directives Tuesday to schools that remain open and said he was especially focused on providing support to low-income families. He suggested some local school officials had not fully thought through the consequences when closing their campuses, including how to continue providing meals to students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches and how to ensure that students with special needs receive adequate care and supervision.
“It’s one thing to say you have a plan and it’s another to actually deliver that plan,” Newsom said.
“Superintendents say, ‘Don’t shut me down. Help me with these kids because right now I don’t know how to help that child. I don’t know how to feed that child,’” Newsom said. “We’re going to do this very thoughtfully, deliberately. I prefer to be responsible to the reality, not the perception.”
Newsom noted that roughly 85% of California K-12 students are in school districts that have already announced closures.
The governor estimated that the directive to seniors would affect 5.3 million Californians. That number includes those most at risk simply due to their age, but he said it does not include the millions more who have underlying health conditions that would make them vulnerable.
Newsom also announced that the state’s 108,000 unsheltered homeless people would be prioritized for mitigation policies, with a significant push to move them indoors. Though details remained unclear, he said the state had hotels and motels that could be used to provide shelter, along with an additional 450 state-owned trailers sent to “critical points” to supplement those that were deployed in Los Angeles, Stockton, Sonoma and other places before the outbreak.
Last week, Newsom issued an executive order allowing the state to commandeer some private properties to provide beds for isolation. Newsom said the goal of the newly announced measures aimed at the unsheltered population was to “get people into environments where we can address their growing anxiety and our growing concerns.”
But he did not say that the attempt to bring people indoors would be mandated or require law enforcement intervention. In recent days, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also detailed guidelines for homeless shelters and encampments, many of which include increasing sanitation and providing detailed suggestions for handling ill people in shelter settings.
“I am not ratcheting up a mindset of enforcement,” Newsom said.
Still, the governor acknowledged that the outbreak of the virus was a fluid situation that state and local officials would need to continue to monitor as events merit. But he bristled at questions asking whether his administration’s efforts could be taken as too timid.
“We are guided in a very thoughtful way, not by hysteria,” Newsom said.


latimes--2020-03-16--L.A. limits restaurants to takeout and delivery, closes gyms, entertainment sites over coronavirus

Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday night announced an emergency action to close bars , nightclubs , restaurants — with the exception of takeout and delivery — entertainment venues and gyms in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Garcetti also announced a moratorium on evictions for renters , telling Angelenos that they won ’ t lose their housing during the crisis “ because you can ’ t make the rent , ” and has asked the city attorney to look into whether the city can stop commercial evictions .
He also announced that the city is putting together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer loans .
“ Our decisions will determine the fate of our loved ones , the length of this crisis , ” Garcetti said .
“ We need to take these steps to protect our city right now…The work we do now will have an impact on the city ’ s history .
We need to do everything now to stop the spread of this virus.
” The order takes effect midnight Monday , he said .
He also called on houses of worship to close .
“ We have an incredible Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can ’ t mandate that churches , mosques or synagogues close , please , we are asking you to close them.
” The moves came hours after Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Sunday significantly ramped up California ’ s response to the coronavirus , calling for the closure of all bars , nightclubs , wineries and brewpubs , and urging people 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to stay indoors in an effort to slow the virus ’ spread .
Newsom stopped short of requiring restaurants to close completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing measures for restaurants .
Statewide they will be directed to reduce their occupancy by roughly half and ensure that tables are at least 6 feet apart , he said .
“ We recognize that social isolation for millions of Californians is anxiety-inducing , but we recognize what all the science bears out and ... we need to meet this moment head-on and lean in , ” Newsom said .
The governor said the request of older Californians was made in hopes of limiting their exposure to the virus , given that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for those who are older .
“ We are prioritizing their safety , ” he said .
Where are the latest local cases ?
Amid the stepped-up measures , California had recorded 335 cases of the virus as of Sunday , a 14 % increase from the day before , Newsom said .
The state also reported six deaths , with the sixth taking place in San Mateo County , where 32 cases have been recorded .
Of the statewide COVID-19 cases , 116 patients are 65 or older .
Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , bringing the county total to 69 .
Five of the cases confirmed Sunday required hospitalization .
Also of the 16 , one person has an unknown source of exposure , and three others are under investigation , the county Department of Public Health said in a news release .
Three other cases are believed to be travel-related , four had close contact with another confirmed case , and two were healthcare workers exposed to the virus in a healthcare setting , officials said .
A Los Angeles police supervisor in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 patient , the LAPD ’ s first confirmed case , according to a news statement about 5 p.m .
It was not clear if the officer is included in the county report of 16 new cases .
The uniformed supervisor “ exhibited flu-like symptoms around March 5th .
He went home and sought medical treatment including being tested ” for COVID-19 , according to the statement .
The test came back positive Sunday , the supervisor is improving and he is expected to make a full recovery , the statement said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved employee ’ s work area at the Pacific Division should be completed by the end of the day ” Sunday , the statement said .
A police officer at Los Angeles International Airport has tested positive , said county health officials , who added they are “ working to identify any other officers or employees who may have had prolonged or close contact with this individual.
” “ County Health is conducting thorough interviews to determine who else may be at risk , ” LAX said in a statement .
A USC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , the school announced Sunday .
The student recently returned from international travel , arrived directly in Orange County and has not been on or near the USC campus , the school said in an email to students and faculty .
The person is in good condition and in isolation at home , officials said .
In Long Beach , a woman in her 60s who was diagnosed with the virus was hospitalized in stable condition , the city said in a statement .
She did not have contact with another known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area where the virus was widespread , meaning her diagnosis might be the first instance of community spread in Long Beach , officials said .
“ This case highlights the need for continued vigilance and preparation , especially for those at higher risk of severe illness and those with underlying health conditions , ” Dr. Anissa Davis , the city ’ s health officer , said in a statement .
As testing ramps up and the number of confirmed cases continues to grow , Dockweiler Beach will be one of the sites @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been ordered to isolate or quarantine because of the coronavirus , officials said .
Garcetti also said the city is looking into building capacity at motels and other shelters .
Before Garcetti ’ s announcement , California ’ s new restrictions left local bar owners and patrons with a mix of emotions .
“ What can I really say but it ’ s unfortunate , however , safety is the utmost importance , ” said Robert Kim , owner of the Koreatown bar and lounge Mama Lion .
“ My biggest concern is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , separately , protecting the business from possible theft or looting in these dire times.
” Jimmy Han , who owns Frank ‘ n Hank bar in Koreatown , said he decided to close his bar down Saturday after seeing customers not follow the 6-foot social distancing rule he tried to implement .
“ I ’ ll be losing a lot of money and so will my employees , but honestly that ’ s the least of our concern right now , ” he said .
“ We ’ re more worried about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to impact the economy long term.
” Midday on Sunday , bars along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood were mostly empty or quiet .
But at a few , where drag performances were going on , social distancing did not seem to be on the minds of cheerful crowds .
At Rocco ’ s WeHo and Flaming Saddles , drag queens danced to deafening music as they were cheered on by crowds handing them dollar bills on the stage .
However , not everyone was proceeding with business as usual .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most popular gay bar , the gates were closed .
On each door , a sign read : “ As we continue to navigate the rapidly changing conditions with COVID-19 , the Abbey is closing temporarily .
We plan to open as soon as our public health officials tell us it is safe.
” Some proprietors and performers said they were concerned for their livelihoods .
“ If they can ’ t [ work ] , how are they going to survive ?
” said Adolfo Espinoza , an owner of Rocco ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ management is taking precautions , such as deep cleanings every night , limiting the bar to a 300-person capacity versus 600 to 900 on its most crowded nights , and using throwaway cups only .
Before hearing about Newsom ’ s directive , Espinoza said he had no plans to close , despite bad reviews and social media posts from people who shamed Rocco ’ s for not shutting down for people ’ s safety .
“ We live in a sick world , ” he said .
“ Sex and alcohol is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced new efforts to limit the number of people gathering there .
All of its stores in the U.S. and Canada will move to a “ to go ” model for at least two weeks , removing all seating in cafe and patio areas , the company announced Sunday .
Some stores in high-traffic locations such as malls and college campuses will be temporarily closed , and others in communities with high concentrations of the virus will either be closed or have their operating hours reduced .
As the coronavirus continued its spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , officials urged residents to dramatically restrict their interaction in hopes of slowing the virus ’ march through communities .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Sunday that in-person events planned with more than 50 people over the next eight weeks should be postponed across the country .
The government ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci , said that Americans needed to step up individual and community efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus — including being much more diligent about social distancing .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , ” Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” Fauci applauded measures taken so far to limit the spread of the virus but said even everyday steps that many people considered drastic were insufficient .
“ If you are in an area where there is clearer community spread , you have to be much , much more intense about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ When you think you are doing too much , you are probably doing enough , or not enough.
” Despite the warnings from government officials to limit gatherings , crowds amassed at several major airports due to confusion over new travel restrictions and as screenings for the virus caused bottlenecks of people returning from abroad .
The governor of Illinois , J.B. Pritzker , described a sense of alarm upon seeing images of travelers returning from Europe and elsewhere tightly packed together for hours Saturday evening at Chicago ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenes played out at major airports across the country .
“ As people were flooding into O ’ Hare airport , they were stuck in a small area , hundreds and hundreds of people , and that ’ s exactly what you don ’ t want in this pandemic , ” the governor said on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press.
” Pritzker predicted the chaotic conditions would persist throughout the weekend at least .
“ There are a larger number of flights with more people coming , and they seem completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NBC interview .
Many travelers had rushed to return to the United States in the mistaken belief that American citizens risked being shut out by a ban on arrivals from much of Europe , effective Friday at midnight , announced last week by President Trump .
The White House later clarified that the prohibition did not apply to U.S. citizens , permanent residents and others exempted .
“ They should have increased the customs and border patrol numbers , and they should have increased the number of CDC personnel on the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They did neither of those.
” Mark Morgan , acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection , said in a statement that the wait times “ at some locations were unacceptable ” and that “ some of the resources of our partners are stretched thin.
” “ With this national emergency , there will unfortunately be times of disruption and increased processing times for travelers , ” he said .
“ CBP is working around the clock to minimize these inconveniences.
” Trump weighed in on Twitter , writing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Screenings at our airports .
Pardon the interruptions and delays , we are moving as quickly as possible , but it is very important that we be vigilant and careful.
” Fauci , a member of the administration ’ s coronavirus task force , described the size and concentration of airport crowds as worrisome .
“ We ’ d like to not see crowds like that , ” Fauci said on “ Fox News Sunday.
” Similar backups were reported at grocery stores across the country and in the Los Angeles area , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores to open on Sunday morning .
The scenes prompted Garcetti and the L.A. Police Department to caution against panic-shopping and hoarding food and other supplies .
“ This is about preparation and prevention , not panic , ” Garcetti said in a tweet .
“ No need to hoard excess items.
” The LAPD said on Twitter that there is no food shortage and stores will restock .
“ The water supply is clean & safe to drink , so there ’ s no need to buy water in bulk , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as grocery stores announced changes to deal with the throngs of shoppers that descended on retail outlets in recent days .
Ralphs said it is stepping up cleanings and working with suppliers to replenish high-demand products .
Its store hours have been curtailed to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. so employees have more time to restock .
Albertsons , which operates the grocery chains Vons , Pavilions and Safeway , said it is taking similar steps .
Whole Foods said it is suspending food sampling and demonstrations , and modifying store operations to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of services in the region extends to the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks , which announced it would close all recreation and senior centers and cancel all activities through at least April 4 .
All events that involve 50 people or more scheduled at Recreation and Parks locations were canceled , and new reservations for facilities or permits were suspended .
Santa Clara County , which has seen the most cases in the state , announced 23 more cases for a total of 114 .
Forty-eight people there have been hospitalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be related to travel , and 52 are believed to be instances of community transmission .
San Luis Obispo County announced its first two cases of the virus Saturday and Sunday , and both are believed to be evidence of community transmission , officials said .
The county has declared public health and local emergencies because of the virus .
The first person who tested positive is a north county resident older than 65 with underlying health conditions who had a fever , cough and shortness of breath , officials said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person and their physician for taking steps to limit transmission of the virus .
The person called their doctor ’ s office in advance and their doctor met them in their car to collect a swab specimen for testing , the department said .
The second person diagnosed is a south county resident younger than 60 with underlying health conditions , officials said .
That person contacted their healthcare provider when they developed a fever and cough , and a private laboratory performed testing and notified the county public health department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at our public lab and at private-sector labs last week , we will likely see more confirmed cases in the coming days , ” said Dr. Penny Borenstein , the county health officer , in a statement .
Both people were recovering in isolation at home , and the county department of public health was reaching out to those who had close contact with them in recent days to determine whether testing or quarantine was needed .
Santa Barbara County also confirmed its first case of the coronavirus , a person in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The person remains in isolation at home .
The person has no history of travel in the last six weeks , and officials said it appears to be a case of community transmission .
And San Bernardino County recorded its first case of coronavirus , a patient of the Kaiser hospital in Fontana who returned from London last week .
The patient , a 53-year-old woman , went to the emergency room on Thursday with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 , San Bernardino County said in a statement .
San Francisco reported 37 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , and Sacramento reported three additional cases for a total of 32 .
Life in the Bay Area , which has seen more than 200 cases , was rapidly changing .
Counties across the region have issued public orders banning gatherings — including at restaurants , bars and theaters — of as few as 10 people unless all attendees can be 6 feet away from each other and prospective attendees are warned they face a higher risk of coronavirus infection .
Each county issued various rules .
San Mateo County placed limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officially banned those of 50 or more ; Santa Clara County on Friday restricted gatherings of 35 or more and banned those of 100 or more .
San Francisco and Contra Costa County banned all nonessential events of 100 or more people .
Alameda County suggested all gatherings of 250 or more be canceled .
San Francisco also banned visitors and nonessential personnel from hospitals and psychiatric hospitals .
Officials called the rules radical but said they were needed to battle the virus .
“ These measures are designed to slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity and other essential services , ” said Santa Clara County health officer Dr. Sara Cody .
A Stanford University undergraduate student tested positive for the coronavirus , prompting more actions on campus , such as students being told to leave the dining hall once they ’ re given pre-filled to-go containers and eat outdoors or in their dorm rooms .
A UC Berkeley graduate student also tested positive for the coronavirus .
The student was in good condition and had no serious symptoms and was under self-isolation in the individual ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berkeley , the university said .
Two healthcare workers at UC San Diego Health had confirmed coronavirus infections and were on home quarantine , according to a statement released by the university Saturday afternoon .
The university ’ s statement did not specify where they worked or their positions .
It was also unclear whether either employee was wearing protective equipment while on duty .
Both employees were said to be in good health , and the university had “ launched an extensive effort to identify any patients or health system colleagues who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either of the two health workers.
” Officials announced that a former patient at the Coachella Valley nursing home had the coronavirus , prompting them to test workers and patients at the facility .
The county public health department said the patient spent time at Rancho Mirage Health and Rehabilitation Center before being transferred to a hospital .
Orange County now has reported its first case of coronavirus that appears to have spread through the community as the total number of presumed cases has risen to 13 .
The Orange County Health Care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locally and was hospitalized in stable condition .
Times staff writers Sonali Kohli , Garrett Snyder , Cindy Chang , Emily Alpert-Reyes and Jenn Harris contributed to this report .

Alex Wigglesworth, Laura King, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, Rong-Gong Lin II, Phil Willon, Dakota Smith

Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday night announced an emergency action to close bars, nightclubs, restaurants — with the exception of takeout and delivery — entertainment venues and gyms in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Garcetti also announced a moratorium on evictions for renters, telling Angelenos that they won’t lose their housing during the crisis “because you can’t make the rent,” and has asked the city attorney to look into whether the city can stop commercial evictions. He also announced that the city is putting together a fund for small businesses that will offer loans.
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“Our decisions will determine the fate of our loved ones, the length of this crisis,” Garcetti said. “We need to take these steps to protect our city right now…The work we do now will have an impact on the city’s history. We need to do everything now to stop the spread of this virus.”
The order takes effect midnight Monday, he said. He also called on houses of worship to close. “We have an incredible Constitution and a First Amendment, so while we can’t mandate that churches, mosques or synagogues close, please, we are asking you to close them.”
The moves came hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday significantly ramped up California’s response to the coronavirus, calling for the closure of all bars, nightclubs, wineries and brewpubs, and urging people 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to stay indoors in an effort to slow the virus’ spread.
Newsom stopped short of requiring restaurants to close completely, but also called on much greater social distancing measures for restaurants. Statewide they will be directed to reduce their occupancy by roughly half and ensure that tables are at least 6 feet apart, he said.
“We recognize that social isolation for millions of Californians is anxiety-inducing, but we recognize what all the science bears out and ... we need to meet this moment head-on and lean in,” Newsom said.
The governor said the request of older Californians was made in hopes of limiting their exposure to the virus, given that health officials have pointed out higher dangers for those who are older. “We are prioritizing their safety,” he said.
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Where are the latest local cases?
Amid the stepped-up measures, California had recorded 335 cases of the virus as of Sunday, a 14% increase from the day before, Newsom said. The state also reported six deaths, with the sixth taking place in San Mateo County, where 32 cases have been recorded. Of the statewide COVID-19 cases, 116 patients are 65 or older.
Los Angeles County reported 16 new coronavirus cases by midday Sunday, bringing the county total to 69. Five of the cases confirmed Sunday required hospitalization. Also of the 16, one person has an unknown source of exposure, and three others are under investigation, the county Department of Public Health said in a news release. Three other cases are believed to be travel-related, four had close contact with another confirmed case, and two were healthcare workers exposed to the virus in a healthcare setting, officials said.
A Los Angeles police supervisor in the Pacific Division was also identified as a COVID-19 patient, the LAPD’s first confirmed case, according to a news statement about 5 p.m. It was not clear if the officer is included in the county report of 16 new cases.
The uniformed supervisor “exhibited flu-like symptoms around March 5th. He went home and sought medical treatment including being tested” for COVID-19, according to the statement. The test came back positive Sunday, the supervisor is improving and he is expected to make a full recovery, the statement said. “Thorough cleaning and disinfecting of the involved employee’s work area at the Pacific Division should be completed by the end of the day” Sunday, the statement said.
A police officer at Los Angeles International Airport has tested positive, said county health officials, who added they are “working to identify any other officers or employees who may have had prolonged or close contact with this individual.” “County Health is conducting thorough interviews to determine who else may be at risk,” LAX said in a statement.
A USC undergraduate student also tested positive for the virus, the school announced Sunday. The student recently returned from international travel, arrived directly in Orange County and has not been on or near the USC campus, the school said in an email to students and faculty. The person is in good condition and in isolation at home, officials said.
In Long Beach, a woman in her 60s who was diagnosed with the virus was hospitalized in stable condition, the city said in a statement. She did not have contact with another known COVID-19 case and did not travel to an area where the virus was widespread, meaning her diagnosis might be the first instance of community spread in Long Beach, officials said.
“This case highlights the need for continued vigilance and preparation, especially for those at higher risk of severe illness and those with underlying health conditions,” Dr. Anissa Davis, the city’s health officer, said in a statement.
As testing ramps up and the number of confirmed cases continues to grow, Dockweiler Beach will be one of the sites used to temporarily house people who have been ordered to isolate or quarantine because of the coronavirus, officials said. Garcetti also said the city is looking into building capacity at motels and other shelters.
Concerned for their livelihoods
Before Garcetti’s announcement, California’s new restrictions left local bar owners and patrons with a mix of emotions.
“What can I really say but it’s unfortunate, however, safety is the utmost importance,” said Robert Kim, owner of the Koreatown bar and lounge Mama Lion. “My biggest concern is for my staff and their livelihood and, separately, protecting the business from possible theft or looting in these dire times.”
Jimmy Han, who owns Frank ‘n Hank bar in Koreatown, said he decided to close his bar down Saturday after seeing customers not follow the 6-foot social distancing rule he tried to implement.
“I’ll be losing a lot of money and so will my employees, but honestly that’s the least of our concern right now,” he said. “We’re more worried about public health and how this is going to impact the economy long term.”
Midday on Sunday, bars along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood were mostly empty or quiet. But at a few, where drag performances were going on, social distancing did not seem to be on the minds of cheerful crowds. At Rocco’s WeHo and Flaming Saddles, drag queens danced to deafening music as they were cheered on by crowds handing them dollar bills on the stage.
However, not everyone was proceeding with business as usual. At the Abbey, West Hollywood’s most popular gay bar, the gates were closed. On each door, a sign read: “As we continue to navigate the rapidly changing conditions with COVID-19, the Abbey is closing temporarily. We plan to open as soon as our public health officials tell us it is safe.”
Some proprietors and performers said they were concerned for their livelihoods.
“If they can’t [work], how are they going to survive?” said Adolfo Espinoza, an owner of Rocco’s WeHo.
He said that bar management is taking precautions, such as deep cleanings every night, limiting the bar to a 300-person capacity versus 600 to 900 on its most crowded nights, and using throwaway cups only.
Before hearing about Newsom’s directive, Espinoza said he had no plans to close, despite bad reviews and social media posts from people who shamed Rocco’s for not shutting down for people’s safety.
“We live in a sick world,” he said. “Sex and alcohol is always going to sell.”
Starbucks also announced new efforts to limit the number of people gathering there. All of its stores in the U.S. and Canada will move to a “to go” model for at least two weeks, removing all seating in cafe and patio areas, the company announced Sunday. Some stores in high-traffic locations such as malls and college campuses will be temporarily closed, and others in communities with high concentrations of the virus will either be closed or have their operating hours reduced.
Flattening the curve
As the coronavirus continued its spread in both California and throughout the nation, officials urged residents to dramatically restrict their interaction in hopes of slowing the virus’ march through communities.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Sunday that in-person events planned with more than 50 people over the next eight weeks should be postponed across the country.
The government’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said that Americans needed to step up individual and community efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus — including being much more diligent about social distancing.
“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Fauci applauded measures taken so far to limit the spread of the virus but said even everyday steps that many people considered drastic were insufficient.
“If you are in an area where there is clearer community spread, you have to be much, much more intense about how you do that,” he said. “When you think you are doing too much, you are probably doing enough, or not enough.”
Despite the warnings from government officials to limit gatherings, crowds amassed at several major airports due to confusion over new travel restrictions and as screenings for the virus caused bottlenecks of people returning from abroad.
The governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker, described a sense of alarm upon seeing images of travelers returning from Europe and elsewhere tightly packed together for hours Saturday evening at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Similar scenes played out at major airports across the country.
“As people were flooding into O’Hare airport, they were stuck in a small area, hundreds and hundreds of people, and that’s exactly what you don’t want in this pandemic,” the governor said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Pritzker predicted the chaotic conditions would persist throughout the weekend at least. “There are a larger number of flights with more people coming, and they seem completely unprepared,” the governor said in the NBC interview.
Many travelers had rushed to return to the United States in the mistaken belief that American citizens risked being shut out by a ban on arrivals from much of Europe, effective Friday at midnight, announced last week by President Trump. The White House later clarified that the prohibition did not apply to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and others exempted.
“They should have increased the customs and border patrol numbers, and they should have increased the number of CDC personnel on the ground doing those checks,” Pritzker said. “They did neither of those.”
Mark Morgan, acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement that the wait times “at some locations were unacceptable” and that “some of the resources of our partners are stretched thin.”
“With this national emergency, there will unfortunately be times of disruption and increased processing times for travelers,” he said. “CBP is working around the clock to minimize these inconveniences.”
Trump weighed in on Twitter, writing, “We are doing very precise Medical Screenings at our airports. Pardon the interruptions and delays, we are moving as quickly as possible, but it is very important that we be vigilant and careful.”
Fauci, a member of the administration’s coronavirus task force, described the size and concentration of airport crowds as worrisome.
“We’d like to not see crowds like that,” Fauci said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Similar backups were reported at grocery stores across the country and in the Los Angeles area, with lines of people outside waiting for stores to open on Sunday morning.
The scenes prompted Garcetti and the L.A. Police Department to caution against panic-shopping and hoarding food and other supplies.
“This is about preparation and prevention, not panic,” Garcetti said in a tweet. “No need to hoard excess items.”
The LAPD said on Twitter that there is no food shortage and stores will restock.
“The water supply is clean & safe to drink, so there’s no need to buy water in bulk,” the department said.
The warnings came as grocery stores announced changes to deal with the throngs of shoppers that descended on retail outlets in recent days.
Ralphs said it is stepping up cleanings and working with suppliers to replenish high-demand products. Its store hours have been curtailed to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. so employees have more time to restock.
Albertsons, which operates the grocery chains Vons, Pavilions and Safeway, said it is taking similar steps. Whole Foods said it is suspending food sampling and demonstrations, and modifying store operations to accommodate additional deep cleanings.
The host of services in the region extends to the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, which announced it would close all recreation and senior centers and cancel all activities through at least April 4. All events that involve 50 people or more scheduled at Recreation and Parks locations were canceled, and new reservations for facilities or permits were suspended.
Northern California continues to be hard hit
Santa Clara County, which has seen the most cases in the state, announced 23 more cases for a total of 114. Forty-eight people there have been hospitalized. Fifteen of the cases are believed to be related to travel, and 52 are believed to be instances of community transmission.
San Luis Obispo County announced its first two cases of the virus Saturday and Sunday, and both are believed to be evidence of community transmission, officials said. The county has declared public health and local emergencies because of the virus.
The first person who tested positive is a north county resident older than 65 with underlying health conditions who had a fever, cough and shortness of breath, officials said. In a statement, the department commended the person and their physician for taking steps to limit transmission of the virus. The person called their doctor’s office in advance and their doctor met them in their car to collect a swab specimen for testing, the department said.
The second person diagnosed is a south county resident younger than 60 with underlying health conditions, officials said. That person contacted their healthcare provider when they developed a fever and cough, and a private laboratory performed testing and notified the county public health department.
“Because local testing capacity increased both at our public lab and at private-sector labs last week, we will likely see more confirmed cases in the coming days,” said Dr. Penny Borenstein, the county health officer, in a statement.
Both people were recovering in isolation at home, and the county department of public health was reaching out to those who had close contact with them in recent days to determine whether testing or quarantine was needed.
Santa Barbara County also confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, a person in their 60s with no underlying health conditions. The person remains in isolation at home. The person has no history of travel in the last six weeks, and officials said it appears to be a case of community transmission.
And San Bernardino County recorded its first case of coronavirus, a patient of the Kaiser hospital in Fontana who returned from London last week. The patient, a 53-year-old woman, went to the emergency room on Thursday with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, San Bernardino County said in a statement.
San Francisco reported 37 cases Saturday, up from 28 the day before, and Sacramento reported three additional cases for a total of 32.
Life in the Bay Area, which has seen more than 200 cases, was rapidly changing.
Counties across the region have issued public orders banning gatherings — including at restaurants, bars and theaters — of as few as 10 people unless all attendees can be 6 feet away from each other and prospective attendees are warned they face a higher risk of coronavirus infection.
Each county issued various rules. San Mateo County placed limits on gatherings of 10 or more people and officially banned those of 50 or more; Santa Clara County on Friday restricted gatherings of 35 or more and banned those of 100 or more.
San Francisco and Contra Costa County banned all nonessential events of 100 or more people. Alameda County suggested all gatherings of 250 or more be canceled. San Francisco also banned visitors and nonessential personnel from hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.
Officials called the rules radical but said they were needed to battle the virus.
“These measures are designed to slow the spread of disease and preserve critical healthcare capacity and other essential services,” said Santa Clara County health officer Dr. Sara Cody.
A Stanford University undergraduate student tested positive for the coronavirus, prompting more actions on campus, such as students being told to leave the dining hall once they’re given pre-filled to-go containers and eat outdoors or in their dorm rooms.
A UC Berkeley graduate student also tested positive for the coronavirus. The student was in good condition and had no serious symptoms and was under self-isolation in the individual’s city of residence, which is not Berkeley, the university said.
Farther south
Two healthcare workers at UC San Diego Health had confirmed coronavirus infections and were on home quarantine, according to a statement released by the university Saturday afternoon.
The university’s statement did not specify where they worked or their positions. It was also unclear whether either employee was wearing protective equipment while on duty.
Both employees were said to be in good health, and the university had “launched an extensive effort to identify any patients or health system colleagues who may have been in recent contact with either of the two health workers.”
Officials announced that a former patient at the Coachella Valley nursing home had the coronavirus, prompting them to test workers and patients at the facility. The county public health department said the patient spent time at Rancho Mirage Health and Rehabilitation Center before being transferred to a hospital.
Orange County now has reported its first case of coronavirus that appears to have spread through the community as the total number of presumed cases has risen to 13. The Orange County Health Care Agency said a woman acquired the virus locally and was hospitalized in stable condition.
Times staff writers Sonali Kohli, Garrett Snyder, Cindy Chang, Emily Alpert-Reyes and Jenn Harris contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-16--Here is a list of L.A. County communities with coronavirus cases

Los Angeles County for the first time released the communities where patients have tested positive for coronavirus .
Some cities have been asking for this information , notably Manhattan Beach , which learned last week it had cases after one of the patients called City Hall .
The list does not indicate whether cases were due to community spread , travel , or other contacts .
“ Residents at this point must assume that there may be people who are infected everywhere in the county , ” said L.A. County Department of Public Health director Barbara Ferrer .
There have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last 48 hours , she said .
At least 15 of the cases are likely due to community transmission .
Here are the numbers : L.A. County officials have announced the closure of all bars , fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only .
The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county , including Los Angeles , which issued a similar directive Sunday .
Officials are also banning gatherings of over 50 people following a recommendation made by the Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

People wear protective masks near the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street on March 16.
Los Angeles County for the first time released the communities where patients have tested positive for coronavirus.
Some cities have been asking for this information, notably Manhattan Beach, which learned last week it had cases after one of the patients called City Hall.
The list does not indicate whether cases were due to community spread, travel, or other contacts.
“Residents at this point must assume that there may be people who are infected everywhere in the county,” said L.A. County Department of Public Health director Barbara Ferrer.
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There have been 41 new cases in the county over the last 48 hours, she said. At least 15 of the cases are likely due to community transmission.
Here are the numbers:
Alhambra 2
Arcadia 1
Beverly Hills 1
Boyle Heights 5
Carson 1
Culver City 2
Diamond Bar 2
Encino 3
Gardena 1
Glendale 2
Glendora 1
Granada Hills 3
Inglewood 2
Koreatown 1
La Mirada 2
Lancaster 1
Long Beach 5
Manhattan Beach 3
Melrose 2
Northridge 1
Pasadena 2
San Dimas 1
San Pedro 1
Santa Clarita and Stevenson Ranch 3
Santa Monica 1
Sherman Oaks 2
Silver Lake 1
South Pasadena 1
Tarzana 5
Torrance 2
Venice 1
West Adams 1
West Hills 3
West Hollywood 5
West Vernon 1
Westchester 1
Los Angeles city (Neighborhood <25,000) 11
Still Investigating 11
L.A. County officials have announced the closure of all bars, fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only. The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county, including Los Angeles, which issued a similar directive Sunday.
Officials are also banning gatherings of over 50 people following a recommendation made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday.


latimes--2020-03-16--California Legislature to consider spending $1 billion for coronavirus response

Gov .
Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers unveiled a plan Monday to spend as much as $ 1 billion on the state ’ s emergency medical response as it readies hospitals to combat an expected onslaught of patients due to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
The proposals , drafted quickly in response to the rapid rise in confirmed cases of the virus , would provide needed funding to open two additional hospitals in California amid concern that the state does not have the capacity to care for a surge in patients .
The bill appropriates $ 500 million for emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund with an additional $ 500 million available if needed .
Newsom wrote to lawmakers on Monday that elected officials “ must rise to the challenge facing our state with every tool at our disposal and without a second of delay.
” Newsom said on Sunday that the state is working to open new hospitals to meet the needs of a state grappling with how to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
“ We have already identified some very large hospitals that we can bring online that currently are not operational , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state has an inadequate supply of medical equipment , the money will be used to purchase additional ventilators , masks and protective gear , according to multiple sources in the Legislature .
In addition , the state will use the money to help nursing homes , childcare facilities needing deep cleaning and to aid seniors who have been asked to practice home isolation .
The new spending expected to be approved by the Legislature would also be used to provide hotel beds to those experiencing homelessness in order to reduce the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to ramp up response to the fast-moving disease comes as coronavirus cases in California are rising daily , with six deaths and 335 confirmed cases in the state as of the end of the weekend .
Public health officials in six San Francisco Bay Area counties , a hotspot for confirmed coronavirus cases , announced a shelter-in-place order on Monday that will close businesses and keep residents indoors .
In Los Angeles , bars , nightclubs , movie theaters and gyms have closed and restaurants have limited their business to takeout orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Mayor Eric Garcetti .
State and federal officials have said preparing the healthcare system is vital , particularly given the public breakdown in Italy , where hospitals do not have the beds , equipment or workers to care for so many sick people .
The legislative package also seeks to provide assurances to schools that funding will continue despite coronavirus-related closures .
State officials estimate schools serving as many as 85 % of California ’ s public education students have been closed over the last week .
Newsom ’ s executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools are not penalized under the “ average daily attendance ” formula that links funding to how many students are on campus on any given day .
Most legislation can not be introduced and given final passage in a single day under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2016 that requires a 72-hour public review of all bills .
But that law offers an exemption in times of public emergency and the two coronavirus-related bills mark the first time that provision has been invoked .

Mina Montano, an environmental aide at St. Paul’s Plaza independent and assisted living facility in Chula Vista, uses disinfectant wipes to clean high-touch areas of a resident’s room in the memory care unit on March 10.
California lawmakers approved a plan Monday to spend as much as $1 billion on the state’s emergency medical response as it readies hospitals to combat an expected onslaught of patients due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The proposals, drafted quickly in response to the rapid rise in confirmed cases of the virus, will provide needed funding to open two additional hospitals in California amid concern that the state does not have the capacity to care for a surge in patients. The bill appropriates $500 million for emergency response from the state’s general fund with an additional $500 million available if needed.
Newsom wrote to lawmakers on Monday that elected officials “must rise to the challenge facing our state with every tool at our disposal and without a second of delay.”
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The governor was expected to quickly sign the coronavirus proposals into law. The bills, which passed the state Senate and Assembly on a bipartisan vote, were the only actions taken before the two houses announced a suspension of legislative business until April 13, unless lawmakers decide public health conditions allow them to return to Sacramento earlier.
With legislative approval of the spending plan, the Newsom administration has the power to quickly ramp up the state’s efforts. The governor said on Sunday that the state is working to open new hospitals to meet the needs of a state grappling with how to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“We have already identified some very large hospitals that we can bring online that currently are not operational,” he told reporters.
Following fears the state has an inadequate supply of medical equipment, the money will be used to purchase additional ventilators, masks and protective gear. In addition, the state will use the money to help nursing homes, childcare facilities needing deep cleaning and to aid seniors who have been asked to practice home isolation.
The new spending approved unanimously in the Assembly and Senate on Monday will also be used to provide hotel beds to those experiencing homelessness in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among the unsheltered.
The continued efforts to ramp up response to the fast-moving disease comes as coronavirus cases in California are rising daily, with 11 deaths and 392 confirmed cases in the state as of Monday night. Public health officials in six San Francisco Bay Area counties, a hotspot for confirmed coronavirus cases, announced a shelter-in-place order on Monday that will close businesses and keep residents indoors.
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In Los Angeles, bars, nightclubs, movie theaters and gyms have closed and restaurants have limited their business to takeout orders until March 31, following an order from Mayor Eric Garcetti.
State and federal officials have said preparing the healthcare system is vital, particularly given the public breakdown in Italy, where hospitals do not have the beds, equipment or workers to care for so many sick people.
“Right now is the time when we need to step up,” said state Sen. Brian Dahle (R-Bieber). “We really don’t know the impact of what the future will hold, but we do know maybe we can flatten that curve out and stop what we are seeing in Italy and other countries.”
The spending plan also seeks to provide assurances to schools that funding will continue despite coronavirus-related closures. State officials estimate schools serving as many as 85% of California’s public education students have been closed over the last week.
Newsom’s executive order on Friday paved the way for ensuring schools are not penalized under the “average daily attendance” formula that links funding to how many students are on campus on any given day.
Most legislation cannot be introduced and given final passage in a single day under a constitutional amendment that voters approved in 2016 that requires a 72-hour public review of all bills. But that law offers an exemption in times of public emergency and the two coronavirus-related bills mark the first time that provision has been invoked.


latimes--2020-03-16--Coronavirus turns Grand Central Market into a ghost town: 'It's scary, sad and ugly'

Most of the food vendors inside L.A. 's Grand Central Market were closed or had a few customers standing in line ordering food to go .
Rows and groups of stools and metal chairs sat on top of tables as staff walked around sanitizing them .
Minerva Torres , 47 , who runs a produce market , said she understands the concerns about the coronavirus but doesn ’ t think businesses should be forced to close .
“ We lose money and we have bills to pay , ” she said .
“ I have kids in universities that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she heard about Mayor Eric Garcetti ’ s emergency order , she didn ’ t know how it would affect her , given that most vendors inside the market sell food .
“ I don ’ t own a restaurant , ” she said .
“ I have a produce market that people will depend on.
” In the end she was allowed to open her market .
Customers grabbed onions , tomatoes and other vegetables .
But business is slow .
She fears she won ’ t make enough after she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Torres hopes the city will allow businesses to operate as normal .
She doesn ’ t think two weeks will be enough to prevent the spread of the virus .
“ I think all this just adds to the hysteria , ” she said .
Grand Central Market is one of America ’ s most hip food hubs , a magnet for tourists and locals alike .
But amid the coronavirus lockdown , traffic slowed to a trinkle .
In Los Angeles , bars amid the coronavirus lockdown and nightclubs have closed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their business to takeout orders until March 31 , following an order from Garcetti .
Movie theaters , gyms and fitness centers also will be closed , Garcetti said in a video news conference Sunday .
Grocery stores , pharmacies and food banks will remain open .
And Garcetti announced a moratorium on evictions for renters .
L.A. County officials announced the closure of all bars , fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only .
The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued a similar directive Sunday .
Officials are also banning gatherings of more than 50 people after a recommendation made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday .
Torres glanced around the market .
“ This is very strange , ” she said .
Outside , taking a bite of his carnitas taco , Reyes Quintanar , 38 and his wife , Olga Martinez , 40 , said they decided to drive from Anaheim to downtown Los Angeles to purchase jewelry for family back in Mexico .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Central Market was .
“ It ’ s scary , sad and ugly , ” he said .
“ We shouldn ’ t be living like this .
It ’ s good to wash your hands and be cautious , but we should be able to go about and live our lives like we normally do.
” He said they came to downtown because they thought more businesses would be open and have more options , but they found that most are closed .
As they ate , security told them they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and needed to go elsewhere .
“ Now they ’ re even rushing us out of here , ” Quintanar said .

Grand Central Market, a popular dining place in downtown Los Angeles, is now open only for takeout.
Most of the food vendors inside L.A.’s Grand Central Market were closed or had a few customers standing in line ordering food to go.
Rows and groups of stools and metal chairs sat on top of tables as staff walked around sanitizing them. Minerva Torres, 47, who runs a produce market, said she understands the concerns about the coronavirus but doesn’t think businesses should be forced to close.
“We lose money and we have bills to pay,” she said. “I have kids in universities that I need to help.”
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Torres said that when she heard about Mayor Eric Garcetti’s emergency order, she didn’t know how it would affect her, given that most vendors inside the market sell food.
“I don’t own a restaurant,” she said. “I have a produce market that people will depend on.”
In the end she was allowed to open her market. Customers grabbed onions, tomatoes and other vegetables. But business is slow. She fears she won’t make enough after she pays her monthly $5,000 rent. Torres hopes the city will allow businesses to operate as normal. She doesn’t think two weeks will be enough to prevent the spread of the virus.
Mayor Eric Garcetti have ordered bars and nightclubs to close and restaurants to halt dine-in service and limit their business to takeout orders until March 31 or further notice. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
“I think all this just adds to the hysteria,” she said.
Grand Central Market is one of America’s most hip food hubs, a magnet for tourists and locals alike. But amid the coronavirus lockdown, traffic slowed to a trinkle.
In Los Angeles, bars amid the coronavirus lockdown and nightclubs have closed and restaurants have halted dine-in service and limited their business to takeout orders until March 31, following an order from Garcetti.
Advertisement
Movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers also will be closed, Garcetti said in a video news conference Sunday. Grocery stores, pharmacies and food banks will remain open. And Garcetti announced a moratorium on evictions for renters.
L.A. County officials announced the closure of all bars, fitness centers and movie theaters and directed restaurants to move to takeout only. The directive applies to all 88 cities and unincorporated regions of the county, including Los Angeles, which issued a similar directive Sunday. Officials are also banning gatherings of more than 50 people after a recommendation made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday.
Torres glanced around the market. “This is very strange,” she said. Outside, taking a bite of his carnitas taco, Reyes Quintanar, 38 and his wife, Olga Martinez, 40, said they decided to drive from Anaheim to downtown Los Angeles to purchase jewelry for family back in Mexico.
He said he was surprise to see how empty the Central Market was.
“It’s scary, sad and ugly,” he said. “We shouldn’t be living like this. It’s good to wash your hands and be cautious, but we should be able to go about and live our lives like we normally do.”
He said they came to downtown because they thought more businesses would be open and have more options, but they found that most are closed.
As they ate, security told them they couldn’t eat outside the market and needed to go elsewhere.
“Now they’re even rushing us out of here,” Quintanar said.