latimes--2020-04-13--Fake cures, scams, phony medications and price gouging: Predators pounce during coronavirus

Three weeks ago , Lorina ’ s cellphone rang .
Seeing it was a local call , the 61-year-old Riverside resident picked up .
A woman ’ s voice said she was working with Medicare , the national health insurance program , to distribute tests for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
All she needed , the woman said , was Lorina ’ s name , address and Social Security and Medicare information .
“ And stupid me , I gave it to her , ” Lorina , who asked that her last name not be used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview .
So goes one of the many frauds local and federal authorities say have emerged amid the COVID-19 pandemic , feeding off the fear and confusion bred by the virus and its lack of a cure or vaccine .
They range in perniciousness , from purveyors of unorthodox medical treatments who pivoted to hawking remedies for COVID-19 , to sophisticated Medicare scammers , identity thieves and fraudsters who are soliciting investment in coronavirus treatments that don ’ t exist or aren ’ t recognized by government scientists .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on this crisis , unfortunately , ” Nick Hanna , the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles , said in an interview .
Hanna has assigned a prosecutor in his office to coordinate COVID fraud cases , reviewing tips from a hotline to potential scams within the sprawling Central California district and coordinating with the FBI and the array of other federal agencies investigating these types of cases .
A second prosecutor is overseeing investigations into price gouging and hoarding of medical supplies and other products in high demand during the crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would have the largest impact and deterrent effect , focusing on those that affect public health and safety .
He declined to specify the number of investigations underway in the district .
“ We ’ ve got a bunch of stuff in the works , ” he said , including probes into fake test kits , hoarding and price gouging — “ the full gamut.
” In one widespread scheme , said Timothy DeFrancesca , a special agent who leads the Los Angeles office of the Department of Health and Human Services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beneficiaries at home , knock on their doors or approach them in the parking lots of grocery stores and pharmacies , then offer them home-test kits for COVID-19 or packages of hand sanitizer , masks and other protective equipment .
What they ’ re after , DeFrancesca said , is personal information such as Medicare numbers , which they can use to bill the federal government for procedures that aren ’ t performed and costly equipment that isn ’ t needed .
They aren ’ t constrained by ripping off only Medicare , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ they could use it for any sort of financial fraud scheme.
” Any unsolicited phone call or visit from someone claiming to work for or with Medicare should be “ an immediate alarm bell , ” DeFrancesca said .
Lorina , the 61-year-old who was talked into parting with her Medicare information , said she didn ’ t suspect anything was amiss .
The woman on the phone “ was pleasant , ” she recalled .
“ She wasn ’ t in a hurry .
But after I gave her my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her a couple questions and she just hung up.
” Two weeks later , she was thumbing through the newsletter distributed by her senior-living apartment complex when , between the recipes and the word searches , she spotted a warning from a group called the Senior Medicare Patrol .
The scam it described , she thought , sounded an awful lot like her promised COVID-19 test kit .
She reported the exchange to a hotline listed in the newsletter , and worried .
She ’ s received no kit ; nor has she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical equipment that fraudsters commonly charge to the federal government , she said .
“ It worries me that people would do such a thing , but I guess they ’ re finding suckers like me , ” she said .
“ I trust people — I ’ m too trusting , that ’ s the thing.
” As of Monday , the Federal Trade Commission , the agency tasked with protecting American consumers , has fielded about 16,800 complaints of coronavirus-related fraud , with a total reported loss of $ 12.78 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is $ 570 .
Monica Vaca , the FTC ’ s associate director for consumer response and operations , pointed to two reasons why the pandemic has served as a springboard for fraud .
“ First , it ’ s in the news , ” Vaca said in an interview .
“ Scammers follow the headlines .
And second , it ’ s triggered a highly emotional reaction .
They feed off of that.
” California leads the nation with about 2,000 reports to the FTC of fraud , identity theft and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 800 more than Florida , the state with the second-most complaints .
The FTC has sent letters to 25 companies and individuals , warning they ’ ve run afoul of consumer-protection laws in selling purported remedies for COVID-19 , which include Chinese herbal solutions sold by a pharmacy in Kansas City ; essential oils marketed by a Buena Park yogi who calls himself “ Dr .
Fresh ” ; and , more than any other substance , colloidal silver .
Despite federal health officials ’ insistence that colloidal silver cures nothing and can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of businesses have hawked it as an antidote for COVID-19 .
John Baxter , whose Orlando-based sleep technology company received a warning letter from the FTC , said he had trouble finding a silver supplier because many had sold out .
He bought about $ 1,000 worth of silver and advertised a “ Colloidal Silver CoronaVirus Convenience Package , ” which he intended to sell as a loss leader , he said in an interview .
After getting pushback from the FTC , the FDA , Amazon and Facebook — which refused to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I was like , ‘ Look , I ’ ll just pull it down.
’ ” “ It ’ s good for the public to do their research , ” Baxter said , “ but I ’ ve had good success with the product .
I haven ’ t been sick in seven years.
” The FTC is also warning of robocall and imposter scams , which con artists have injected with references to the coronavirus “ to make things a little more scary , ” Vaca , of the FTC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fraudsters offer to help businesses and individuals apply for government assistance payments , Vaca said , either to obtain their personal information or extract a bogus fee for “ help ” filing for the relief .
Confused and fearful as the country is , this scam is finding victims in every age group , she said .
“ You might think , ‘ I ’ ve warned grandma ; we ’ re good.
’ This fraud , these scams , it ’ s like bird shot .
It ’ s targeting everyone.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Los Angeles , said he expected the scope and breadth of such scams to grow as the government distributes payments to millions of people affected by the crisis , offering a fresh pool of money for scammers to exploit .
“ These are not stupid people , ” he said .
“ People work hard for their money , and these people work hard to steal your money.
” To date , Hanna ’ s office has charged two people with peddling phony cures for COVID-19 .
Keith Lawrence Middlebrook , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 2.4 million Instagram followers both a pill that inoculated people from the virus and a cure for the disease it causes .
His Instagram videos were viewed hundreds of thousands of times .
Middlebrook was charged with wire fraud , arrested at what he believed would be a rendezvous with an investor from whom he ’ d solicited a $ 300,000 investment , according to an FBI agent ’ s affidavit filed in court .
The “ investor ” was an undercover agent .
Middlebrook , whose attorney didn ’ t respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released after his mother put up his bond .
Among the conditions of his release : He can not “ promote , market , advertise and/or solicit investments ” for any “ purported cure or preventative treatment for COVID-19 , ” his bond sheet says .
Frank Richard Ludlow , a resident of the United Kingdom , was charged last month in Los Angeles with introducing misbranded drugs in interstate commerce with an intent to defraud or mislead .
He was arrested by British authorities in southern England ; it wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d retained a lawyer .
Ludlow , who has for years peddled a “ miracle cure ” called the “ Trinity Remedy , ” repackaged the product as a treatment for COVID-19 and shipped dozens of the purported antidotes to Los Angeles and Utah , Virginia Keys , a special agent with the FDA ’ s Office of Criminal Investigations , wrote in an affidavit .
The Trinity Remedy , according to a Utah woman interviewed by investigators , was a mixture of vitamin C , potassium salts , enzyme mix and hydrogen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from “ severe ” health problems , started taking this cocktail in 2017 .
“ A consumer was supposed to add 18 ounces of water , say a prayer , drink half of the solution , take a probiotic along with bee pollen , and then ingest the remainder of the solution , ” Keys wrote .

On March 12, Border Patrol officials discovered fake coronavirus test kits at the Los Angeles International Airport that were shipped from the United Kingdom. Officials are on the lookout for more bogus kits.
Three weeks ago, Lorina’s cellphone rang. Seeing it was a local call, the 61-year-old Riverside resident picked up.
A woman’s voice said she was working with Medicare, the national health insurance program, to distribute tests for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. All she needed, the woman said, was Lorina’s name, address and Social Security and Medicare information.
“And stupid me, I gave it to her,” Lorina, who asked that her last name not be used to protect her privacy, said in an interview.
So goes one of the many frauds local and federal authorities say have emerged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, feeding off the fear and confusion bred by the virus and its lack of a cure or vaccine.
Advertisement
They range in perniciousness, from purveyors of unorthodox medical treatments who pivoted to hawking remedies for COVID-19, to sophisticated Medicare scammers, identity thieves and fraudsters who are soliciting investment in coronavirus treatments that don’t exist or aren’t recognized by government scientists.
“There is no shortage of people trying to cash in on this crisis, unfortunately,” Nick Hanna, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, said in an interview.
Hanna has assigned a prosecutor in his office to coordinate COVID fraud cases, reviewing tips from a hotline to potential scams within the sprawling Central California district and coordinating with the FBI and the array of other federal agencies investigating these types of cases. A second prosecutor is overseeing investigations into price gouging and hoarding of medical supplies and other products in high demand during the crisis.
Hanna said his office is prioritizing cases that would have the largest impact and deterrent effect, focusing on those that affect public health and safety. He declined to specify the number of investigations underway in the district.
“We’ve got a bunch of stuff in the works,” he said, including probes into fake test kits, hoarding and price gouging — “the full gamut.”
In one widespread scheme, said Timothy DeFrancesca, a special agent who leads the Los Angeles office of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Inspector General, fraudsters call Medicare beneficiaries at home, knock on their doors or approach them in the parking lots of grocery stores and pharmacies, then offer them home-test kits for COVID-19 or packages of hand sanitizer, masks and other protective equipment.
What they’re after, DeFrancesca said, is personal information such as Medicare numbers, which they can use to bill the federal government for procedures that aren’t performed and costly equipment that isn’t needed. They aren’t constrained by ripping off only Medicare, he said; armed with this information, “they could use it for any sort of financial fraud scheme.”
Any unsolicited phone call or visit from someone claiming to work for or with Medicare should be “an immediate alarm bell,” DeFrancesca said.
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Lorina, the 61-year-old who was talked into parting with her Medicare information, said she didn’t suspect anything was amiss. The woman on the phone “was pleasant,” she recalled. “She wasn’t in a hurry. But after I gave her my information, I was going to ask her a couple questions and she just hung up.”
Two weeks later, she was thumbing through the newsletter distributed by her senior-living apartment complex when, between the recipes and the word searches, she spotted a warning from a group called the Senior Medicare Patrol. The scam it described, she thought, sounded an awful lot like her promised COVID-19 test kit.
She reported the exchange to a hotline listed in the newsletter, and worried. She’s received no kit; nor has she gotten any of the expensive and unneeded medical equipment that fraudsters commonly charge to the federal government, she said.
“It worries me that people would do such a thing, but I guess they’re finding suckers like me,” she said. “I trust people — I’m too trusting, that’s the thing.”
As of Monday, the Federal Trade Commission, the agency tasked with protecting American consumers, has fielded about 16,800 complaints of coronavirus-related fraud, with a total reported loss of $12.78 million. The median loss for a complainant is $570.
Monica Vaca, the FTC’s associate director for consumer response and operations, pointed to two reasons why the pandemic has served as a springboard for fraud.
“First, it’s in the news,” Vaca said in an interview. “Scammers follow the headlines. And second, it’s triggered a highly emotional reaction. They feed off of that.”
California leads the nation with about 2,000 reports to the FTC of fraud, identity theft and other scams related to the coronavirus outbreak, 800 more than Florida, the state with the second-most complaints.
The FTC has sent letters to 25 companies and individuals, warning they’ve run afoul of consumer-protection laws in selling purported remedies for COVID-19, which include Chinese herbal solutions sold by a pharmacy in Kansas City; essential oils marketed by a Buena Park yogi who calls himself “Dr. Fresh”; and, more than any other substance, colloidal silver. Despite federal health officials’ insistence that colloidal silver cures nothing and can even harm your health, a number of businesses have hawked it as an antidote for COVID-19.
John Baxter, whose Orlando-based sleep technology company received a warning letter from the FTC, said he had trouble finding a silver supplier because many had sold out. He bought about $1,000 worth of silver and advertised a“Colloidal Silver CoronaVirus Convenience Package,” which he intended to sell as a loss leader, he said in an interview.
After getting pushback from the FTC, the FDA, Amazon and Facebook — which refused to run his ads, he said — “I was like, ‘Look, I’ll just pull it down.’”
“It’s good for the public to do their research,” Baxter said, “but I’ve had good success with the product. I haven’t been sick in seven years.”
The FTC is also warning of robocall and imposter scams, which con artists have injected with references to the coronavirus “to make things a little more scary,” Vaca, of the FTC, said.
In some of these scams, fraudsters offer to help businesses and individuals apply for government assistance payments, Vaca said, either to obtain their personal information or extract a bogus fee for “help” filing for the relief.
Confused and fearful as the country is, this scam is finding victims in every age group, she said. “You might think, ‘I’ve warned grandma; we’re good.’ This fraud, these scams, it’s like bird shot. It’s targeting everyone.”
Hanna, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, said he expected the scope and breadth of such scams to grow as the government distributes payments to millions of people affected by the crisis, offering a fresh pool of money for scammers to exploit.
“These are not stupid people,” he said. “People work hard for their money, and these people work hard to steal your money.”
To date, Hanna’s office has charged two people with peddling phony cures for COVID-19.
Keith Lawrence Middlebrook, a small-time actor and bodybuilder, advertised to his 2.4 million Instagram followers both a pill that inoculated people from the virus and a cure for the disease it causes. His Instagram videos were viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
Middlebrook was charged with wire fraud, arrested at what he believed would be a rendezvous with an investor from whom he’d solicited a $300,000 investment, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit filed in court. The “investor” was an undercover agent.
Middlebrook, whose attorney didn’t respond to a request for comment, was released after his mother put up his bond. Among the conditions of his release: He cannot “promote, market, advertise and/or solicit investments” for any “purported cure or preventative treatment for COVID-19,” his bond sheet says.
Frank Richard Ludlow, a resident of the United Kingdom, was charged last month in Los Angeles with introducing misbranded drugs in interstate commerce with an intent to defraud or mislead. He was arrested by British authorities in southern England; it wasn’t clear from court records if he’d retained a lawyer.
Ludlow, who has for years peddled a “miracle cure” called the “Trinity Remedy,” repackaged the product as a treatment for COVID-19 and shipped dozens of the purported antidotes to Los Angeles and Utah, Virginia Keys, a special agent with the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations, wrote in an affidavit.
The Trinity Remedy, according to a Utah woman interviewed by investigators, was a mixture of vitamin C, potassium salts, enzyme mix and hydrogen peroxide. The woman, who suffered from “severe” health problems, started taking this cocktail in 2017.
“A consumer was supposed to add 18 ounces of water, say a prayer, drink half of the solution, take a probiotic along with bee pollen, and then ingest the remainder of the solution,” Keys wrote.


latimes--2020-04-13--Custody assistant on life support, 11 inmates test positive at L.A. County jails

A custody assistant at Men ’ s Central Jail is on life support and is one of 33 Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department employees infected by the coronavirus , officials said .
“ We ’ re just praying and rooting for him that he can pull through , ” Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters at a news conference Monday .
Slightly more than half of the infected employees are sworn deputies , and 429 more employees are under quarantine , he said .
Eleven inmates in L.A. County jails have tested positive for the virus , including two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates are quarantined .
A member of the jail ’ s nursing staff who was infected has died , but Villanueva did not have further details .
A spokesperson for the county ’ s Correctional Health Services unit did not respond to multiple requests for information .
Villanueva said testing protocols in the jails have gotten stricter — inmates in isolation , he said , must now test negative for the virus twice before they are returned to general population housing .
To battle the spread of the virus in its custody facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduced the jail population by about 25 % to roughly 12,800 inmates , he said .
“ We created defensible space now .
Now we have the ability to isolate and quarantine hundreds of inmates at a time and move them within the system without exposing them to the virus , ” Villauneva said .
More than 1,200 of those who remain behind bars are facing a murder charge , Villanueva said .
“ That should give you an idea of the nature of the inmate population that is left behind , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority are violent offenses and they do present a real and present danger to the community .
They will remain behind bars.
” Villanueva said that year to date , violent crime is down about 9 % , including a 31 % drop in homicides .
Property crime is also down roughly 15 % and calls for service have dropped by about 12 % .
Sheriff ’ s officials have issued 19 coronavirus-related citations , including to owners of nonessential businesses who have stayed open in violation of the county ’ s stay-at-home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gamut but the one I think we ’ ve seen more than once are typically bars , ” Villanueva said .
One person — a paddle boarder who ignored lifeguards ’ orders to get out of the ocean near the Malibu pier — was arrested .
“ We just want to reiterate to the public that the health orders are put in place for your own benefit .
Please adhere to them .
We ’ re looking for voluntary compliance , ” Villanueva said .
“ We just have to be patient @ @

Almost a dozen inmates in L.A. County jails have tested positive for the coronavirus while nearly 700 more are being quarantined.
A custody assistant at Men’s Central Jail is on life support and is one of 33 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department employees infected by the coronavirus, officials said.
“We’re just praying and rooting for him that he can pull through,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva told reporters at a news conference Monday.
Slightly more than half of the infected employees are sworn deputies, and 429 more employees are under quarantine, he said.
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Eleven inmates in L.A. County jails have tested positive for the virus, including two who have fully recovered. Nearly 700 inmates are quarantined.
A member of the jail’s nursing staff who was infected has died, but Villanueva did not have further details. A spokesperson for the county’s Correctional Health Services unit did not respond to multiple requests for information.
Villanueva said testing protocols in the jails have gotten stricter — inmates in isolation, he said, must now test negative for the virus twice before they are returned to general population housing.
To battle the spread of the virus in its custody facilities, the Sheriff’s Department has reduced the jail population by about 25% to roughly 12,800 inmates, he said.
“We created defensible space now. Now we have the ability to isolate and quarantine hundreds of inmates at a time and move them within the system without exposing them to the virus,” Villauneva said.
More than 1,200 of those who remain behind bars are facing a murder charge, Villanueva said.
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“That should give you an idea of the nature of the inmate population that is left behind,” Villanueva said. “Almost the overwhelming majority are violent offenses and they do present a real and present danger to the community. They will remain behind bars.”
Villanueva said that year to date, violent crime is down about 9%, including a 31% drop in homicides. Property crime is also down roughly 15% and calls for service have dropped by about 12%.
Sheriff’s officials have issued 19 coronavirus-related citations, including to owners of nonessential businesses who have stayed open in violation of the county’s stay-at-home order.
“They tend to run a gamut but the one I think we’ve seen more than once are typically bars,” Villanueva said.
One person — a paddle boarder who ignored lifeguards’ orders to get out of the ocean near the Malibu pier — was arrested.
“We just want to reiterate to the public that the health orders are put in place for your own benefit. Please adhere to them. We’re looking for voluntary compliance,” Villanueva said. “We just have to be patient.”


latimes--2020-04-13--L.A. voters lack confidence in Trump's coronavirus performance, give Newsom, Garcetti high marks, po

L.A. voters lack confidence in Trump's coronavirus performance, give Newsom, Garcetti high marks, poll finds

Los Angeles County residents have far more confidence in state and local officials to lead them through the coronavirus outbreak than they do President Trump , a new poll has found .
The poll , by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University , reported that 85 % or more of respondents had confidence in California Gov .
Gavin Newsom , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles County Health Department , while only 38 % had confidence in President Trump .
Those who identified as politically conservative tended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay-at-home orders and of the level of threat posed by the virus .
Only 76 % of them viewed the virus as a real threat compared with 91 % among liberals .
Conservatives also saw themselves as less vulnerable , with 74 % saying they worried they would catch the virus , compared with 85 % of liberals .
Despite suffering economically from the extensive shutdown of businesses , residents overwhelmingly supported the stay-at-home orders issued by Newsom and Garcetti with 77 % saying they strongly support the orders and 18 % supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they wanted local authorities to take over hotels and motels if it became necessary to quarantine people most at risk for coronavirus and COVID-19 patients .
Nearly half of households in Los Angeles County have lost a job or had their work hours cut because of the coronavirus outbreak , and another 10 % have lost other sources of income , the poll found .
The economic hit was harder among the young and those who already had a lower household income .

Los Angeles County residents have far more confidence in state and local officials to lead them through the coronavirus outbreak than they do President Trump, a new poll has found.
The poll, by the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, reported that 85% or more of respondents had confidence in California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and the Los Angeles County Health Department, while only 38% had confidence in President Trump.
Those who identified as politically conservative tended to be more skeptical both of the stay-at-home orders and of the level of threat posed by the virus. Only 76% of them viewed the virus as a real threat compared with 91% among liberals.
Conservatives also saw themselves as less vulnerable, with 74% saying they worried they would catch the virus, compared with 85% of liberals.
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Despite suffering economically from the extensive shutdown of businesses, residents overwhelmingly supported the stay-at-home orders issued by Newsom and Garcetti with 77% saying they strongly support the orders and 18% supporting them somewhat.
And 86% said they wanted local authorities to take over hotels and motels if it became necessary to quarantine people most at risk for coronavirus and COVID-19 patients.
Nearly half of households in Los Angeles County have lost a job or had their work hours cut because of the coronavirus outbreak, and another 10% have lost other sources of income, the poll found.
The economic hit was harder among the young and those who already had a lower household income.


latimes--2020-04-13--California, Oregon and Washington to work together on plan to lift coronavirus restrictions

Gov .
Gavin Newsom and his counterparts in Washington and Oregon announced “ a regional pact to recovery ” from the coronavirus crisis on Monday and agreed to work together to develop a plan to lift restrictions on daily life and reopen economies along the West Coast .
The announcement comes as six states in the Northeast — New York , New Jersey , Connecticut , Delaware , Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — also agreed to coordinate regional efforts to gradually ease restrictions adopted to prevent the spread of the virus .
“ COVID-19 doesn ’ t follow state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Kate Brown and Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee said in a statement .
“ It will take every level of government , working together , and a full picture of what ’ s happening on the ground.
” Newsom said he intends to provide details Tuesday on California ’ s strategy to begin to walk back his stay-at-home order and allow businesses to resume functions .
The statement from Newsom and the other governors lacked specific details but said they plan to collectively identify clear “ indicators for communities to restart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadly described a few basic principles they agreed to follow as they develop strategies to return some level of normalcy to their states .
The governors said they will be guided by data , prioritize health over politics and work together and with local communities .
“ We need to see a decline in the rate of spread of the virus before large-scale reopening , and we will be working in coordination to identify the best metrics to guide this , ” the governors said .
The statement also laid out four shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable populations , ensuring the states have enough equipment and hospital workers to provide adequate care , lessening health effects as a result of state orders and developing a strategy to test , track and isolate cases .
The governors made the announcement hours after President Donald Trump tweeted that he , and not governors , will decide when to open up states again .
Newsom , who has often commended the Trump administration ’ s efforts to work with California during the pandemic , said he expects to continue that collaboration and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have all the confidence in the world moving forward that we will maintain that collaborative spirit in terms of the decision-making that we make here within the state of California as it relates to a road map for recovery and road map to get back to some semblance of normalcy , ” Newsom said .
A shared regional strategy is more difficult for Trump to override than individual state plans , said Dana Williamson , a Democratic political strategist and former cabinet secretary to Gov .
Jerry Brown .
“ It makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that is already in place when several states are in agreement with it , ” Williamson said .
Trump ’ s suggestion that he will reopen states runs counter to his messaging throughout the pandemic , in which he has resisted taking national action and repeated that state and local authorities should take the lead in their communities , Williamson said .
Newsom discussed transitioning back to regular life days after Mark Ghaly , secretary of the California Health and Human Services agency , said the stay-at-home order and social distancing have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulting in fewer hospitalizations than estimates predicted .
Under a worst-case scenario and without any mitigation efforts , state models predicted a peak of nearly 700,000 hospitalizations from COVID-19 , Ghaly said Friday .
But he noted that adherence to the stay-at-home order , which Newsom announced nearly a month ago , now suggests that “ the difference between what we ’ re seeing today in our hospitals may not be that much different than where we are going to peak in the many weeks to come.
” As of Monday , 22,234 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and 687 have died , Newsom said .
The governor said 3,015 people have been hospitalized , including 1,178 who are receiving intensive care .

Gov. Gavin Newsom and his counterparts in Washington and Oregon announced “a regional pact to recovery” from the coronavirus crisis on Monday and agreed to work together to develop a plan to lift restrictions on daily life and reopen economies along the West Coast.
The announcement comes as six states in the Northeast — New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island — also agreed to coordinate regional efforts to gradually ease restrictions adopted to prevent the spread of the virus.
“COVID-19 doesn’t follow state or national boundaries,” Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said in a statement. “It will take every level of government, working together, and a full picture of what’s happening on the ground.”
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Newsom said he intends to provide details Tuesday on California’s strategy to begin to walk back his stay-at-home order and allow businesses to resume functions.
The statement from Newsom and the other governors lacked specific details but said they plan to collectively identify clear “indicators for communities to restart public life and business.” The governors broadly described a few basic principles they agreed to follow as they develop strategies to return some level of normalcy to their states. The governors said they will be guided by data, prioritize health over politics and work together and with local communities.
“We need to see a decline in the rate of spread of the virus before large-scale reopening, and we will be working in coordination to identify the best metrics to guide this,” the governors said.
The statement also laid out four shared goals to control the virus: protecting vulnerable populations, ensuring the states have enough equipment and hospital workers to provide adequate care, lessening health effects as a result of state orders and developing a strategy to test, track and isolate cases.
The governors made the announcement hours after President Donald Trump tweeted that he, and not governors, will decide when to open up states again.
Newsom, who has often commended the Trump administration’s efforts to work with California during the pandemic, said he expects to continue that collaboration and cooperation with the federal government.
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“I have all the confidence in the world moving forward that we will maintain that collaborative spirit in terms of the decision-making that we make here within the state of California as it relates to a road map for recovery and road map to get back to some semblance of normalcy,” Newsom said.
A shared regional strategy is more difficult for Trump to override than individual state plans, said Dana Williamson, a Democratic political strategist and former cabinet secretary to Gov. Jerry Brown.
“It makes it harder for the president to upend something that is already in place when several states are in agreement with it,” Williamson said.
Trump’s suggestion that he will reopen states runs counter to his messaging throughout the pandemic, in which he has resisted taking national action and repeated that state and local authorities should take the lead in their communities, Williamson said.
World & Nation Governors band together to decide when to ease coronavirus restrictions President Trump claims he ‘calls the shots’ on coronavirus re-openings, but governors on both coasts are banding together to decide when to ease stay-at-home orders.
Newsom discussed transitioning back to regular life days after Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services agency, said the stay-at-home order and social distancing have slowed the spread of the virus, resulting in fewer hospitalizations than estimates predicted.
Under a worst-case scenario and without any mitigation efforts, state models predicted a peak of nearly 700,000 hospitalizations from COVID-19, Ghaly said Friday. But he noted that adherence to the stay-at-home order, which Newsom announced nearly a month ago, now suggests that “the difference between what we’re seeing today in our hospitals may not be that much different than where we are going to peak in the many weeks to come.”
As of Monday, 22,234 Californians have tested positive for the virus, and 687 have died, Newsom said. The governor said 3,015 people have been hospitalized, including 1,178 who are receiving intensive care.


latimes--2020-04-13--Coronavirus crackdown: San Francisco authorities shut down underground nightclub

More than 150 people packed into an illegal nightclub in San Francisco during two days of secret partying before authorities shut it down .
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott and City Atty .
Dennis Herrera announced Monday that they shut down an underground nightclub for violating the city ’ s public health order in the first such move to enforce the measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The operators of this illegal club senselessly put lives at risk in a time when our city is doing everything within our means to slow the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and well-being of the public , ” Scott said .
San Francisco , which was among the first cities in California to implement a stay-at-home public health order , has seen 15 deaths and 957 residents who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday morning .
A time-lapse security video of the club parking lot released by authorities revealed more than 150 people entering and exiting the nightclub during the early morning hours on April 5 and 6 .
The people captured on the video did not practice six feet of social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed 20 to 30 cars per hour park or leave from outside the building .
The underground club operated out of an industrial building at 2266 Shafter Ave. in San Francisco ’ s Bayview district .
Armed with the evidence , Herrera secured a civil inspection and abatement warrant from a judge on Friday .
That night , San Francisco police officers stationed patrol cars in front of the building .
Officers from the tactical unit and Bayview Station executed the warrant , entered the building and seized DJ equipment , two fog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 670 in cash inside , two pool tables , bins of liquor , cases of beer , bar furniture , and other nightclub-related items .
“ Cramming dozens of people into an illegal club during this outbreak is like dropping a lit match in the woods during fire season .
Who knows how far the damage will spread ?
It ’ s the epitome of irresponsibility , ” Herrera said “ This pandemic is deadly serious .
People need to treat it that way , ” Herrera added .
“ Education is always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health orders is not acceptable .
We are going to use every tool at our disposal , including these types of warrants , to protect public health during this pandemic.
” Investigators saw multiple cars coming and going from the property , and groups of people not practicing social distancing while entering .
Loud music could be heard emanating from inside , and on at least two different nights more than 100 people a night entered and exited the building as strobe lights glared out of the building and security guards frisked each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerns about the coronavirus spreading among patrons , the warehouse was not permitted for entertainment uses .
It lacked proper sprinklers , fire alarms and exits for a building open to the public .
According to court documents , the tenant operating the club had told the property owner he was using the building to store materials for his janitorial company .
Chief Scott said any illegal partying during the stay-at-home order will be quashed swiftly .
“ Let this case be a reminder that we will take action against those who knowingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health and safety of our residents , ” he said .

A time-lapse security video of the club parking lot released by authorities revealed more than 150 people entering and exiting the nightclub during the early-morning hours on April 5 and 6.
More than 150 people packed into an illegal nightclub in San Francisco during two days of secret partying before authorities shut it down.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott and City Atty. Dennis Herrera announced Monday that they shut down an underground nightclub for violating the city’s public health order in the first such move to enforce the measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The operators of this illegal club senselessly put lives at risk in a time when our city is doing everything within our means to slow the spread of this pandemic and safeguard the health and well-being of the public,” Scott said.
San Francisco, which was among the first cities in California to implement a stay-at-home public health order, has seen 15 deaths and 957 residents who tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday morning.
A time-lapse security video of the club parking lot released by authorities revealed more than 150 people entering and exiting the nightclub during the early morning hours on April 5 and 6. The people captured on the video did not practice six feet of social distancing. During certain times, the video showed 20 to 30 cars per hour park or leave from outside the building.
The underground club operated out of an industrial building at 2266 Shafter Ave. in San Francisco’s Bayview district.
Armed with the evidence, Herrera secured a civil inspection and abatement warrant from a judge on Friday. That night, San Francisco police officers stationed patrol cars in front of the building. Officers from the tactical unit and Bayview Station executed the warrant, entered the building and seized DJ equipment, two fog machines, nine gambling machines with $670 in cash inside, two pool tables, bins of liquor, cases of beer, bar furniture, and other nightclub-related items.
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“Cramming dozens of people into an illegal club during this outbreak is like dropping a lit match in the woods during fire season. Who knows how far the damage will spread? It’s the epitome of irresponsibility,” Herrera said
“This pandemic is deadly serious. People need to treat it that way,” Herrera added. “Education is always the first step, but willfully ignoring health orders is not acceptable. We are going to use every tool at our disposal, including these types of warrants, to protect public health during this pandemic.”
Investigators saw multiple cars coming and going from the property, and groups of people not practicing social distancing while entering. Loud music could be heard emanating from inside, and on at least two different nights more than 100 people a night entered and exited the building as strobe lights glared out of the building and security guards frisked each visitor, according to investigators.
Beyond concerns about the coronavirus spreading among patrons, the warehouse was not permitted for entertainment uses. It lacked proper sprinklers, fire alarms and exits for a building open to the public.
According to court documents, the tenant operating the club had told the property owner he was using the building to store materials for his janitorial company.
Chief Scott said any illegal partying during the stay-at-home order will be quashed swiftly.
“Let this case be a reminder that we will take action against those who knowingly violate the public health order and endanger the health and safety of our residents,” he said.


latimes--2020-04-13--Riverside County reports largest single-day jump in COVID-19 cases on Easter Sunday

With 188 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday , Riverside County health officials reported its largest single-day spike since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak .
There were no virus-related deaths over the holiday weekend , records show .
As of Sunday evening , the county had 1,619 cases and 41 deaths .
A total of 194 residents have recovered from the novel virus , according to officials .
Over the holiday weekend , county officials permitted residents to partake in drive-in religious services as long as they practiced “ proper social distancing ” this weekend only .
Brooke Federico , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said a couple of churches participated in drive-in services , but many religious leaders encouraged their members to stay home .
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was more than double the number from the previous Sunday , records show .
On Friday , Chuck Washington , a member of the county ’ s Board of Supervisors , pleaded for people to stay away from Idyllwild , which received about 5 to 6 inches of snow over the last week , according to the National Weather Service .
Nearby Pine-Cove , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 to 18 inches of snowfall , an unusually large amount for the month of April , forecaster Matt Moreland said Monday .
But Washington , who represents Idyllwild on the board , posted a video on Twitter asking for tourists to “ save the snow visits for next year.
” “ I understand that families who have been isolated for weeks want to entertain their kids , but we are in the middle of a public health crisis , ” he said .
“ We can ’ t risk families exposing themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just for a snow trip.
” Washington said his office had received several complaints from concerned residents in recent weeks about tourists visiting the area despite the county ’ s strict stay-at-home order .
Idyllwild , a community of about 2,500 people , does not have enough resources or medical services to provide for both residents and travelers , he said .
Those who violate the county ’ s ban on public and private gatherings of any size could be fined up to $ 1,000 or face imprisonment , a statement from Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said he didn ’ t plan to ticket residents , rather he said the department would focus on educating the public on the county ’ s public safety order .
All short-term-lodging facilities , including hotels , short-term rentals and vacation rentals , have been instructed to restrict business until June 19 , operating only if needed to support the coronavirus response , health officials announced last week .
Grace Han , a manager at an Idyllwild restaurant , said she had noticed an increase in foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington “ made that announcement , we have seen an influx of people that walk in and order to go , and they ’ re usually not locals , ” Han , manager at Mile High Cafe , said .
The restaurant has been accepting take-out orders and providing delivery within three miles of its location since the stay-at-home order was put in place .
“ This weekend there was a lot of snow and people want to visit , ” she said .
But residents have complained that visitors have been trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trespassing to shovel snow into their pickups .
Complaints have been rife on Facebook , she said .
Han said she and husband Jason , managers for three years of the restaurant , which is owned by his mother , had been struggling to figure out how to remain open and keep their employees working .
Still — although she empathizes with tourists who may have cabin fever — she said it was unsafe to visit Idyllwild at this time .
“ Idllywild is largely a retirement community , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ And ] what we have for medical staff is so limited , so it ’ s so dangerous .
”

With 188 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, Riverside County health officials reported its largest single-day spike since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak. There were no virus-related deaths over the holiday weekend, records show.
As of Sunday evening, the county had 1,619 cases and 41 deaths. A total of 194 residents have recovered from the novel virus, according to officials.
Over the holiday weekend, county officials permitted residents to partake in drive-in religious services as long as they practiced “proper social distancing” this weekend only. Brooke Federico, the county’s public information officer, said a couple of churches participated in drive-in services, but many religious leaders encouraged their members to stay home.
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1 / 23 Riverside County medical personnel help each other with their protective gear at a drive-though coronavirus testing facility for Coachella Valley residents in Indian Wells on March 24. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 23 Medical staff carry patients’ belongings during evacuation at the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where 39 people tested positive for the coronavirus, on April 7. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 23 Gurpreet Singh, left, and Balwinder Sidhu deliver meal boxes at a food distribution organized by United Sikh Mission and the Sikh Community of Riverside at Sikh Gurdwara. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 23 Patients are removed from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside on April 7 after five employees and 34 patients tested positive for the coronavirus and staff failed to show up to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 23 Erick Borjas uses an electrostatic disinfectant to clean the surgical ward of a medical facility in Riverside County on April 15. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 23 Protesters who want the public health orders rescinded, rally at the County Administrative Center where the Riverside County Board of Supervisors were meeting in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 23 Residents who want public health orders rescinded attend an emergency meeting of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors at the County Administrative Center in Riverside. Type written notes are placed on chairs to keep people from sitting near each other. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 23 Traveling nurse Gail Cunningham waves thanks as residents pay tribute to her and her medical personnel during a drive-by rally honoring frontline heroes at the Emergency Room entrance to Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 23 Jesus Duenas practices his slack lining while his brother Alfred Duenas, left, does strength exercises at Fairmount Park in Riverside. They live together and said the trees help keep them 6-feet apart from anyone walking by. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 23 Javon Jones of the Antioch Church sings gospel hymns during a livestreamed Easter worship on Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside. For only the third time in 111 years, Easter service atop Mt. Rubidoux was canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 23 RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27, 2020: Norm and Tracy Kahn enjoy eating dinner outside on a small cafe table sitting in blue chairs on their side yard during the coronavirus pandemic on April 27, 2020 in Riverside, California. ‘During this pandemic, eating outside offers us an opportunity to change surrounding and appreciate the calmness of being outdoors among trees, scents from nature and the sounds of birds, “ she said. Also adding, “Mixing up where we eat puts variety into our days and takes away the sameness of feeling trapped at home.” (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) (Gina Ferazzi/Gina Ferazzi/Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 23 Small business owner Ana Lee of Riverside created “Community Over Covid” posters for neighbors to place of their front lawns during the coronavirus pandemic. “I thought it would be uplifting,” she said on April 10. “With so many people home and taking walks in their own neighborhoods but not being able to be physically proximate to other families, the signs are a visual reminder, that neighborly wave, that we are a strong community.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 23 Neighbors gather to sing “Amazing Grace” on Easter Sunday on Emerson Street, a quiet cul-de-sac in Riverside, whose mayor, Rusty Bailey, had asked residents to come out of their homes to sing at noon. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 23 The Stowe family in Riverside held a role-reversal prom after a nephew’s prom was canceled because of the coronavirus. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 23 After celebrating their nephew’s canceled prom via a video feed, the Stowe family greets neighbors in Riverside while practicing social distancing. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 23 At least 30 patients and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Extended Care Hospital of Riverside, a skilled nursing facility. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 23 A Palm Springs resident finds the serenity of a closed golf course the perfect place for afternoon reading during the coronavirus pandemic at Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort in Palm Springs. All the golf courses are closed in the desert communities. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 23 Shopping carts block off the parking area in front of a Best Buy store in Rancho Mirage that was open for curbside pickup only during the coronavirus pandemic on April 2. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 23 Restaurant owner Lisa Weaver takes a to-go order from a resident at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit during the coronavirus pandemic on April 3 in Rancho Mirage. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 23 Adeline Hernandez, 2, of Riverside seems perplexed by the yellow caution tape as she approaches the closed-off swing sets at Ryan Bonaminio Park in Riverside on April 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 23 Wearing a cat mask, Chani Beeman of Riverside shows off a roll of toilet paper she got as a bonus with her takeout order from Mario’s Place in downtown Riverside on April 3. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 23 Freddy Torres of Buena Park gets some target practice in at Riverside Indoor Shooting Range on March 31. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 23 Customers wait in line to buy guns at Warrior One Guns and Ammo during the coronavirus pandemic in Riverside on March 31. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was more than double the number from the previous Sunday, records show.
On Friday, Chuck Washington, a member of the county’s Board of Supervisors, pleaded for people to stay away from Idyllwild, which received about 5 to 6 inches of snow over the last week, according to the National Weather Service.
Nearby Pine-Cove, which is higher in elevation, had about 12 to 18 inches of snowfall, an unusually large amount for the month of April, forecaster Matt Moreland said Monday.
But Washington, who represents Idyllwild on the board, posted a video on Twitter asking for tourists to “save the snow visits for next year.”
Remember, stay home means STAY HOME! Now is not the time for a vacation or trip. Please, for your own sake and for the sake of the residents of Idyllwild, do not travel to Idyllwild for snow play.#StaySafe #StayHome #ShelterinPlace #Idyllwild #RiversideCounty pic.twitter.com/3uDZhVbcm5 — Sup. Chuck Washington (@SupWashington) April 8, 2020
“I understand that families who have been isolated for weeks want to entertain their kids, but we are in the middle of a public health crisis,” he said. “We can’t risk families exposing themselves and the residents of Idyllwild to COVID-19 just for a snow trip.”
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Washington said his office had received several complaints from concerned residents in recent weeks about tourists visiting the area despite the county’s strict stay-at-home order. Idyllwild, a community of about 2,500 people, does not have enough resources or medical services to provide for both residents and travelers, he said.
Those who violate the county’s ban on public and private gatherings of any size could be fined up to $1,000 or face imprisonment, a statement from Washington’s office said. Last week, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said he didn’t plan to ticket residents, rather he said the department would focus on educating the public on the county’s public safety order.
All short-term-lodging facilities, including hotels, short-term rentals and vacation rentals, have been instructed to restrict business until June 19, operating only if needed to support the coronavirus response, health officials announced last week.
Grace Han, a manager at an Idyllwild restaurant, said she had noticed an increase in foot traffic over the holiday weekend.
After Washington “made that announcement, we have seen an influx of people that walk in and order to go, and they’re usually not locals,” Han, manager at Mile High Cafe, said. The restaurant has been accepting take-out orders and providing delivery within three miles of its location since the stay-at-home order was put in place.
“This weekend there was a lot of snow and people want to visit,” she said. But residents have complained that visitors have been trying to ride sleds on their property or trespassing to shovel snow into their pickups. Complaints have been rife on Facebook, she said.
Han said she and husband Jason, managers for three years of the restaurant, which is owned by his mother, had been struggling to figure out how to remain open and keep their employees working.
Still — although she empathizes with tourists who may have cabin fever — she said it was unsafe to visit Idyllwild at this time.
“Idllywild is largely a retirement community,” she said. “There is no hospital here. [And] what we have for medical staff is so limited, so it’s so dangerous.”


latimes--2020-04-13--L.A. County coronavirus deaths reach 320 on a day when lowest number of new cases is reported

Los Angeles County health officials on Monday confirmed 25 new coronavirus-linked deaths , bringing the county ’ s total number of fatalities to 320 and marking an increase in the mortality rate in Southern California as city and county leaders continued to warn against prematurely ending shelter-in-place orders .
Despite the rise in deaths , the county reported only 239 new cases of the virus , the lowest number since March 26 .
But the county ’ s mortality rate also jumped over the weekend , rising from 2.8 % on Friday to 3.4 % on Monday .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long period of time before death , ” said Barbara Ferrer , director of the county ’ s public health department .
She noted that New York ’ s mortality rate — like L.A. ’ s — has increased while the state ’ s case count has decreased , probably for that same reason .
Roughly 1,059 people in L.A. County are hospitalized for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
Of those , 18 % are in intensive care and 15 % of those patients are on ventilators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been tested for the virus , Ferrer said , adding that roughly 5,000 to 6,000 are tested daily .
“ We don ’ t know exactly who ’ s positive at any given moment in time , ” she said .
The county continues to detail the race and ethnicity of those who have died .
Although Ferrer did not say how many of the 320 victims have been cataloged , of those who have , 14 % were black , 18 % were Asian , 33 % were Latin , 33 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as another race or ethnicity .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Monday that he will soon provide a framework for reopening California , after the state ’ s stay-at-home orders have been lifted .
Newsom said he is working with the governors of Washington and Oregon to develop a plan to lift restrictions on daily life and reopen West Coast states .
“ We will be driven by facts , driven by evidence , driven by science , driven by public health advisors and driven by the collaborative spirit that defines the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strategy , which he plans to unveil Tuesday .
The governor announced a modest increase in hospitalizations related to the coronavirus : Roughly 3,015 people are hospitalized statewide and 1,178 are in intensive care .
The total number of confirmed cases in California continues to grow , but Newsom said “ the curve is being bent because of you and your willingness to stay home.
” The number of confirmed cases in California rose above 24,000 on Monday , while deaths statewide increased to 723 .
The growth in cases has slowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however .
In Los Angeles , Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed that 25 more people had died in the state ’ s largest city and an additional 113 people had tested positive for the virus .
While he noted the rate of infection in L.A. seemed to be slowing , Garcetti repeatedly warned that a quick return to normalcy could have fatal consequences .
“ Lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence , ” he said .
After coughing several times during the briefing , Garcetti confirmed he had been tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were negative .
Garcetti also announced an initiative to provide an influx of cash to city residents who have been hurt by the nationwide economic downturn brought on by the virus .
The “ Angeleno Card Initiative ” will aim to place debit cards worth up to $ 1,500 in the hands of city residents whose household income is below the federal poverty line or those whose family has fallen into “ deeper economic hardship ” because of the pandemic .
The effort is funded by an outside nonprofit setup by Garcetti , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applicants would not be subject to federal “ public charge ” rules that might discourage immigrants here illegally from seeking aid .
“ We ’ re all in this together , ” the mayor said .
“ We are all Angelenos , and I hope our federal government will listen to that too ... it doesn ’ t matter what their legal status is today.
” Even as California has made guarded progress against the spread of the illness , Los Angeles County continues to see a rising death count .
Public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Easter Sunday , the largest single-day total since the outbreak began , surpassing a one-day high of 29 set Wednesday .
Officials have credited sweeping stay-at-home orders for the progress California has made .
Ferrer stressed the ongoing need for the public to practice social distancing and remain at home if COVID-19 symptoms have been suspected or confirmed .
“ The heart and soul of us being able to maintain the virus is in the ability to self-isolate and quarantine , ” she said .
Los Angeles County health officials on Friday warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social-distancing practices to slow the spread of the coronavirus and said stay-at-home restrictions could remain in effect into the summer .
Even with the dramatic social distancing that county residents are already practicing , local officials forecast that up to 30 % of the population could be infected by midsummer without more behavioral changes , such as reducing shopping trips .
On Monday , officials also described how the illness was continuing to spread in close-quarters facilities such as nursing homes and jails , highlighting the importance of distancing .
Ferrer said 92 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at assisted living facilities had died of COVID-19 , accounting for roughly 29 % of the county ’ s death toll .
A custody assistant at Men ’ s Central Jail in downtown L.A. has also been placed on life support , L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Monday .
In total , 33 Sheriff ’ s Department employees have contracted the virus and an additional 429 employees are under quarantine , he said .
The number of L.A. County Probation Department employees sickened by the virus also jumped to 16 on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where youths are housed , according to Interim Probation Chief Ray Leyva .
Eight juveniles have been tested for the virus , but none have contracted the illness , health officials previously told The Times .
While the strict physical distancing measures in L.A. County , which have been in effect for three weeks , have had an effect in saving many lives , models presented by the county Friday show troubling forecasts if officials lift the stay-at-home order now .
There are still too many people becoming infected with the coronavirus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And there is more than a 50 % chance that the current capacity of intensive care unit beds in Los Angeles County , roughly 750 beds now , could be exhausted by late April .
Officials outlined the stark paths ahead for L.A. County .
If the stay-at-home order were quickly rescinded and people resumed their normal habits , 95.6 % of L.A. County residents would be infected with the coronavirus by Aug. 1 , according to projections released by the county .
Ninety-five percent of respondents L.A. elected officials ’ decision to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a new Those who identified as politically conservative tended to be more skeptical of both the stay-at-home orders and the level of threat posed by the virus .
Only 76 % of them viewed the virus as a real threat , compared with 91 % among liberals .
Conservatives also saw themselves as less vulnerable , with 74 % saying they worried they would catch the virus , compared with 85 % of liberals .
Times staff writers Doug Smith , Dorany Pineda and Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report .

Colleen Shalby, Alex Wigglesworth, Laura Newberry, James Queally

Isabella Leader, 15, counts how many flags have been left for World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs who was celebrating his 105th birthday at the Mom & Dad’s House, an assisted living facility, in Lakewood. Lt. Col. Sachs appealed to the public for birthday cards after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of a big celebration and wound up receiving thousands, including a letter and photo from President Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Denise Young looks on as her daughter, Allison, 9, a fourth-grader at EARThS (Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Sciences) Magnet School in Newbury Park, receives a Chromebook. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
With all Los Angeles schools closed until further notice, LAUSD buses sit idle in Gardena. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Medical assistant Zoila Villalta works with Rosie Boston, 32, of Glendale, who is donating blood for her first time at L.A. Care Health Plan downtown. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Artist Corie Mattie paints a mural on the side of a pop-up store as a man takes a picture in West Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Hayley, CEO and founder of Love My Neighbor Foundation, right, dances with Crystal Armster, 51, while she and her colleagues continue to feed the homeless on skid row amid the pandemic. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Juan Diaz Jr., a lifelong Dodgers fan, prays that the season will start by May in front of Dodger Stadium on what would have been opening day. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
The JW Marriott at L.A. Live is sharing a message of hope with red lights in 34 windows, creating a 19-story display on the hotel’s north side. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Venice residents Emily Berry and Gavin Kelley take a break at Venice Beach. Berry, a cocktail waitress at Enterprise Fish Co., lost her job due to the coronavirus outbreak. Kelley, a manager at a performing arts school with a focus on music, said that he still has a job and that classes at the school will resume online this coming Monday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters drive by the Getty House, the home of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, in Hancock Park. Tenant advocates are demanding a total moratorium on evictions during the coronavirus crisis. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
A lending library had some additional useful items, including a roll of toilet paper and cans of beans and corn, in a Hermosa Beach neighborhood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Shauna Jin, of Los Angeles, with her dog, Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss, of Los Angeles, at the entrance of Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Kristen Edgerle, of Victorville, collects information from a blood donor before drawing blood at The Richard Nixon Presidential Library blood drive during the coronavirus pandemic in Yorba Linda. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Healthcare workers gather outside UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center to call for further action from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Iron City Tavern in San Pedro tries an incentive to lure takeout customers. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Raquel Lezama and daughter Monica Ramos collect meals for their family at Manual Arts High School. Lezama was laid off from her $17.76-an-hour job at a Beverly Hills hotel. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A runner jogs past the Pottery Barn in Pasadena. Some businesses in the area have boarded up their stores. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Grace Carter, 15, of Riverside, practices a dance routine at home after dance classes and school were canceled. She has to use the Zoom app on her iPhone to practice with her dance group. “It’s hard,” she said. “My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Juliann Hartman, center, and her husband, Butch, wave signs they created to cheer up people on Calabasas Road in Calabasas during the pandemic. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, “We’re All in This Together,” while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
A person who wishes to remain anonymous strikes from her car to support McDonald’s employees who are demanding the company cover healthcare costs of any worker or immediate family member who gets sick from COVID-19 in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
A woman shows a notice from her doctor that allows her to obtain a test for coronavirus at a new drive-up testing site in a parking lot at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Nurses pose for a fun photo during a break in drive-through public testing for the coronavirus at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Hippie Kitchen in Los Angeles hands out food, water and toiletries to homeless people and residents of skid row. Additionally, masks were offered to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
A specimen is turned in at the new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Patients are removed from Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after 39 tested positive for the coronavirus and nursing staff was not showing up to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Women wear masks as they stroll along Highland Avenue in Hollywood. Wearing masks while outdoors is mandatory in the city of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
The Wilshire Grand Center display blue lights and a heart to show support for healthcare workers and first responders. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
People are silhouetted in a window of an apartment building in Hollywood, where a stay-at-home order remains in effect to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
As a late season storm continues to make its way across the Southland, a young basketball player dribbles along an alley through an Elysian Park neighborhood in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
After being indoors for several days because of rainy weather and coronavirus stay-at-home orders, Olivia Jacobs, 4, and her mom, Cia Jacobs, enjoy a warm and sunny afternoon making chalk drawings on the sidewalk in front of their home in West Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Alex Herron and nurse Mercy Pineda at a blood drive sponsored by USC athletics and the American Red Cross at USC’s Galen Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
A jogger runs on a closed trail past dozens of pieces of caution tape, torn off by hikers and mountain bikers at El Escorpion Canyon Park in West Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Stuart Reyes and his sister, Stephanie, sell masks for $5 each on the 3000 block of West Century Boulevard in Inglewood. Stuart Reyes said he is selling masks to support his mother. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Billy Budd, 55, of Hollywood, walks along Hollywood Boulevard with a protective face covering. Budd is a scenic artist for movies and television who is currently out of work due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
UC Irvine Medical Center health care workers return their gratitude as about 25 Orange County first responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as they battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Life around Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Soto Street has slowed down as California officials extended stay-at-home orders into May and residents entered Easter weekend with unprecedented limits on their movements. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
A face mask seller in colorful dress appears to be part of a mural behind a bus stop on Soto Street in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Daniel Rogerson wears a vintage military gas mask while riding a bike along the beach path in Santa Monica, which is closed to enforce social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Businesses are shuttered and pedestrians are few and far between on Hollywood Boulevard. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The Tyrannosaurus rex overlooking the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue wears a protective mask while practicing social distancing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Jonte Florence, a freestyle dancer, does a handstand on a mostly empty Hollywood Walk of Fame. Florence said he normally performs for hundreds of tourists along the busy street. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes a mural on a store on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation staff member Navi Cavaltera waters a flower pot put up by the community to show their support for the nursing staff of the facility in Yucaipa. Eighteen of 20 coronavirus-related deaths in Yucaipa were residents of the skilled nursing facility. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
A group of protesters cheer on cars during a vehicle caravan protest to call on state and local officials to reopen the economy in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Counter-protesters attend a protest to call on state and local officials to reopen the economy in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Neighbors practice social distancing while enjoying the nice weather near The Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Medical staff, wearing protective gear, work inside a COVID-19 isolation area inside the emergency department at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, where patients with the virus are being treated. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Protesters stand along Mission Blvd. in Pacific Beach during A Day of Liberty rally on April 26. The protesters were against the government shutdown due to the coronavirus. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tom Sean Foley pauses on a walk with his kids, Cathelen Claire, “C.C.,” 3, and Timothy Joseph, 4, to take a photo in front of the “Love Wall,” mural by artist Curtis Kulig, outside of Smashbox Studios in Culver City. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Norm and Tracy Kahn enjoy eating dinner outside on a small cafe table sitting in blue chairs on their side yard during the coronavirus pandemic on April 27 in Riverside. “During this pandemic, eating outside offers us an opportunity to change surrounding and appreciate the calmness of being outdoors among trees, scents from nature and the sounds of birds,” she said. Also adding, “Mixing up where we eat puts variety into our days and takes away the sameness of feeling trapped at home.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Carson residents Kaeli Burks, 3, left, and her cousin Bailey Watson, 5, look out the window of their car after their mothers helped them with self-testing at a new drive-up testing site for COVID-19 in Carson. Free COVID-19 testing is available to all city residents thanks to a partnership between the city and US Health Fairs. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Healthcare workers celebrate as Claudia Martinez is discharged from the ICU after she recovered from COVID-19 at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)
Shuttered storefront businesses in the garment district of Los Angeles. California’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed since the statewide coronavirus shutdown took effect. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Senior Mason Wise, left, helps his sister, Mackenzie, a sophomore, clean out her PE locker at El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills. School officials were allowing no more than five students at a time on campus to take home their belongings. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Aerial view of over 100 vehicles lined up at the West Valley COVID-19 testing center at Warner Center in Woodland Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Tenants and their supporters from across Los Angeles gather at city hall to call on L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, the L.A. City Council and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to cancel rent and mortgage payments during the COVID-19 crisis. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Gregory Kuhl, 69, heads home after a shopping trip in Hollywood on April 28. Big cracks in the street, cars parked in driveways blocking sidewalks and uneven pavement levels make navigating his route difficult. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Mostly masked commuters keep their distance from one another on a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles on April 29. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Grocery store workers, joined by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 770 representatives and community members, hold a rally in support of strict social distancing on May 1 at a Ralphs store in Hollywood where 19 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Tango instructor Yelizaveta Nersesova leads a Zoom tango event from her Los Angeles home April 27 that brought together hundreds of dancers from around the world. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)
Beaches including Harbor Cove Beach were open but beachgoers were not supposed to be sitting on the sand. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
The majority of golfers are wearing masks while hitting balls on the driving range at Van Buren Executive Golf Course in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Cody Purcell of Redondo Beach rides a wave, glowing from the bioluminescence, in Hermosa Beach, CA, after midnight Friday morning, May 8. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Dominique Barrett, center, known as “King Vader” to his 2.4 million TikTok followers, prepares to shoot a video on April 30 in Glendora. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)
Socially distanced bikers and walkers, against a backdrop of the Queen Mary, make their way along pedestrian and beach bike path on the first day that Long Beach reopened the path on Monday May 11, 2020. The city of Long Beach eased a few of its public health restrictions, allowing under certain guidelines the reopening of pedestrian and beach bike paths, tennis centers and courts. Beach bathrooms are also reopening, but the parking lots and beaches still remain closed. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County health officials on Monday confirmed 25 new coronavirus-linked deaths, bringing the county’s total number of fatalities to 320 and marking an increase in the mortality rate in Southern California as city and county leaders continued to warn against prematurely ending shelter-in-place orders.
Despite the rise in deaths, the county reported only 239 new cases of the virus, the lowest number since March 26. But the county’s mortality rate also jumped over the weekend, rising from 2.8% on Friday to 3.4% on Monday.
“The number jumps because people are sick for a long period of time before death,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the county’s public health department.
She noted that New York’s mortality rate — like L.A.’s — has increased while the state’s case count has decreased, probably for that same reason.
Roughly 1,059 people in L.A. County are hospitalized for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Of those, 18% are in intensive care and 15% of those patients are on ventilators.
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Nearly 52,000 people in the county have been tested for the virus, Ferrer said, adding that roughly 5,000 to 6,000 are tested daily.
“We don’t know exactly who’s positive at any given moment in time,” she said.
The county continues to detail the race and ethnicity of those who have died. Although Ferrer did not say how many of the 320 victims have been cataloged, of those who have, 14% were black, 18% were Asian, 33% were Latin, 33% were white and 2% were identified as another race or ethnicity.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday that he will soon provide a framework for reopening California, after the state’s stay-at-home orders have been lifted. Newsom said he is working with the governors of Washington and Oregon to develop a plan to lift restrictions on daily life and reopen West Coast states.
“We will be driven by facts, driven by evidence, driven by science, driven by public health advisors and driven by the collaborative spirit that defines the best of us,” Newsom said about the strategy, which he plans to unveil Tuesday.
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The governor announced a modest increase in hospitalizations related to the coronavirus: Roughly 3,015 people are hospitalized statewide and 1,178 are in intensive care.
The total number of confirmed cases in California continues to grow, but Newsom said “the curve is being bent because of you and your willingness to stay home.”
The number of confirmed cases in California rose above 24,000 on Monday, while deaths statewide increased to 723. The growth in cases has slowed in some parts of the state, however.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed that 25 more people had died in the state’s largest city and an additional 113 people had tested positive for the virus. While he noted the rate of infection in L.A. seemed to be slowing, Garcetti repeatedly warned that a quick return to normalcy could have fatal consequences.
“Lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence,” he said.
After coughing several times during the briefing, Garcetti confirmed he had been tested for the virus, but the results were negative.
Garcetti also announced an initiative to provide an influx of cash to city residents who have been hurt by the nationwide economic downturn brought on by the virus. The “Angeleno Card Initiative” will aim to place debit cards worth up to $1,500 in the hands of city residents whose household income is below the federal poverty line or those whose family has fallen into “deeper economic hardship” because of the pandemic.
The effort is funded by an outside nonprofit setup by Garcetti, rather than the city itself, meaning applicants would not be subject to federal “public charge” rules that might discourage immigrants here illegally from seeking aid.
“We’re all in this together,” the mayor said. “We are all Angelenos, and I hope our federal government will listen to that too ... it doesn’t matter what their legal status is today.”
Even as California has made guarded progress against the spread of the illness, Los Angeles County continues to see a rising death count.
Public health officials reported 31 new coronavirus deaths on Easter Sunday, the largest single-day total since the outbreak began, surpassing a one-day high of 29 set Wednesday.
Officials have credited sweeping stay-at-home orders for the progress California has made. Ferrer stressed the ongoing need for the public to practice social distancing and remain at home if COVID-19 symptoms have been suspected or confirmed.
“The heart and soul of us being able to maintain the virus is in the ability to self-isolate and quarantine,” she said.
Los Angeles County health officials on Friday warned that residents must adopt even more stringent social-distancing practices to slow the spread of the coronavirus and said stay-at-home restrictions could remain in effect into the summer.
Even with the dramatic social distancing that county residents are already practicing, local officials forecast that up to 30% of the population could be infected by midsummer without more behavioral changes, such as reducing shopping trips.
On Monday, officials also described how the illness was continuing to spread in close-quarters facilities such as nursing homes and jails, highlighting the importance of distancing. Ferrer said 92 people who either lived in or worked at assisted living facilities had died of COVID-19, accounting for roughly 29% of the county’s death toll.
A custody assistant at Men’s Central Jail in downtown L.A. has also been placed on life support, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said Monday. In total, 33 Sheriff’s Department employees have contracted the virus and an additional 429 employees are under quarantine, he said.
The number of L.A. County Probation Department employees sickened by the virus also jumped to 16 on Monday, including six people assigned to facilities where youths are housed, according to Interim Probation Chief Ray Leyva.
Eight juveniles have been tested for the virus, but none have contracted the illness, health officials previously told The Times.
While the strict physical distancing measures in L.A. County, which have been in effect for three weeks, have had an effect in saving many lives, models presented by the county Friday show troubling forecasts if officials lift the stay-at-home order now.
There are still too many people becoming infected with the coronavirus in Los Angeles County, officials said. And there is more than a 50% chance that the current capacity of intensive care unit beds in Los Angeles County, roughly 750 beds now, could be exhausted by late April.
Officials outlined the stark paths ahead for L.A. County. If the stay-at-home order were quickly rescinded and people resumed their normal habits, 95.6% of L.A. County residents would be infected with the coronavirus by Aug. 1, according to projections released by the county.
Ninety-five percent of respondents say they supported L.A. elected officials’ decision to implement a stay-at-home order for all but essential personnel, a new Loyola Marymount University poll found.
Those who identified as politically conservative tended to be more skeptical of both the stay-at-home orders and the level of threat posed by the virus.
Only 76% of them viewed the virus as a real threat, compared with 91% among liberals. Conservatives also saw themselves as less vulnerable, with 74% saying they worried they would catch the virus, compared with 85% of liberals.
Times staff writers Doug Smith, Dorany Pineda and Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report.