latimes--2020-07-14--Latino activists push for solidarity with Black community as they confront racism

For 28-year-old pastor Rene Molina , the 20-foot-long Black Lives Matter banners outside Iglesia Restauración in West Adams send an undeniable statement .
“ It ’ s all in , ” he said .
When the George Floyd protests began in late May , Molina read Black philosophers and theologians like Cornel West and James Cone .
He gave sermons about how the Bible supports the oppressed .
That didn ’ t feel like enough , so he and others decided that their 2,500-member Latino church would display the two banners .
When they disappeared , the church replaced them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of the Hispanic activists , we view the Black community … as trailblazers , ” Molina said .
“ We see them when they speak out .
We find ourselves in their voice .
When they express their anger , we can relate to that .
When they express the pain , we can relate to that.
” The protests and calls for police reform have drawn widespread multicultural backing , including from Los Angeles ’ Latino community .
Many Latino activists have sought to create understanding for Black Lives Matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequalities both groups face and how their prosperity is tied .
They also have strove to address anti-Black attitudes within Latino culture , but say that bridging a gap that often reflects generational divides can be complicated .
Molina has faced a disconnect with his parents , his church ’ s senior pastors and immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala .
He said that they , like many other first-generation immigrants , struggle to view police brutality against Black people as a systemic issue .
But they haven ’ t stopped his activism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zion Church Family , a Black church in Compton , where pastors and elected officials spoke about Black Lives Matter .
“ They ’ ve taken the back seat of support and they ’ ve allowed the millennials to take the driver ’ s seat , ” he said of his parents .
Gaspar Rivera-Salgado , a labor studies professor at UCLA , also noted that Latino support for the movement often reflects a generational divide .
Many first-generation adult immigrants , he said , bring with them racist attitudes from the legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less embedded among U.S.-born Latinos .
“ The Latino community is very big , but there is a sizable sector , especially U.S.-born Latinos , squarely supporting this moment , and they are talking to the older generations about the importance of having racial consciousness , ” he said .
Fernando Guerra , director of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University , said that L.A. 's Latino and Black communities may be viewed as natural allies because they suffer deep economic and health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hit harder by the coronavirus , facing about double the mortality rate in L.A. County than that of white residents .
They also have been heavily affected by police violence .
In L.A. County , nearly 80 % of people who have been killed by local police since 2000 have been Black or Latino .
( Black people make up 8 % of the county ’ s population , yet they represent a quarter of law enforcement killings .
Latino people make up 49 % of the population and represent 53 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of neighborhoods , Guerra said , has also tied the future of both groups together .
“ When you say , let ’ s invest in black neighborhoods , there is no such thing anymore , ” he said .
“ Yes , segregation exists , but if you invest in Compton , that ’ s a Latino city .
A great infusion in economic development in what are traditional Black neighborhoods will benefit Latinos as well.
” Saul Sarabia , a consultant on racial justice who previously directed the Critical Race Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that the Latino community ’ s participation in L.A. 's George Floyd protests partly reflects years of coalition building between Black and Latino people .
Los Angeles now has a rich landscape of community-based Black and Latino coalitions working together on criminal justice issues , like jail reform and reentry services .
“ The support of brown folks could be plugged into something very concrete , ” he said .
“ These are not new demands and they ’ re not just Black demands.
” Carlos Montes , a co-founder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged during the Chicano movement , said that as an activist in Los Angeles he had always advocated partnering with Black organizations , which showed support for Chicano activists during the 1968 East L.A. student walkouts .
In June , Montes participated in a youth-led series of actions to support Black Lives Matter in the predominantly Latino Boyle Heights neighborhood .
They included a vigil at Mariachi Plaza , and that same night Montes attended a protest outside the LAPD Newton station to demand justice for the families of Latino men killed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for Black and brown unity , ” Montes said .
“ We always bring that theme up .
Support Black Lives Matter and denounce the killings of Black and brown [ people ] .
” Some Latino activists who supported Black Lives Matter say they ’ re motivated by the racism in their own culture .
They recall relatives who praised light-skinned babies over darker-skinned ones and phrases like “ mejorar la raza , ” a popular saying that implies one should “ improve the race ” by having lighter-skinned children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ CARECEN , a local Central American immigrant rights organization , has seen her privilege as a light-skinned Latina “ play time after time in my own life.
” An early childhood memory shaped this awareness .
Security guards in an L.A. County shopping mall once surrounded her dark-skinned Mexican grandfather when they heard Navarro crying in his arms .
They accused him of kidnapping Navarro , who calls herself “ white passing.
” Later on , her grandfather would tell her , “ Mamacita , try not to date someone who looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me a lot.
’ ” “ My skin color , my eye color , my hair color is highly favored , and for that reason alone , I ’ ve been given so many advantages , ” Navarro said .
“ Understanding my own privilege has really helped me understand how my privilege is based on the oppression of others.
” Navarro has sought to explain to Latino acquaintances that the Latino community also faces police brutality , so that they can see that “ this is our struggle too.
” She ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an Afro-Latina citizenship instructor at CARECEN on a project to distribute educational material to help address anti-Black attitudes among Latinos .
Moody , 25 , said the movement has pushed forward conversations that “ should have been happening a long time ago , especially with the Latino community.
” She recalled a moment in a citizenship class when a lighter-skinned Mexican student said that in his 30 years in the U.S. he had never had trouble with the police , claiming that those who do “ are doing something bad and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honduras disagreed , recounting how a police officer had once pulled him over for a traffic infraction , forced him out of the car and twisted his shoulder while he screamed in pain .
Biracial Black Lives Matter members also have used their identity to help their cause resonate with Latinos .
La Mikia Castillo , an activist who does antibias consulting , has grandparents who immigrated from Panama ; she identifies as Afro-Latina .
During a virtual forum with a South Bay Latino church a few weeks ago , a person asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s slogan doesn ’ t instead emphasize how all lives matter .
She responded by drawing a parallel to immigrant rights issues .
“ If your family is being separated at the border and someone comes and says something like , ‘ All families matter'… they ’ re diverting attention from the issue at the border or from issues that your community is facing , ” she said .
Carlos Rincon , a pastor at Centro de Vida Victoriosa , said that the recent protests don ’ t resonate with many in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ We pay a high price — some of us even die to cross [ the border ] just to work — and they [ Black people ] live here , they have an opportunity , they speak the language , I don ’ t know why they ’ re complaining , ’ ” he said some have remarked .
He has tried to broach the topic by giving sermons that have incorporated the history of slavery , Jim Crow laws and redlining , explaining that although discrimination is illegal , systemic racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biblical stories , because if he deviates too much from religious topics , congregants may accuse him of getting political .
Everyone is created in God ’ s image and no one knows what skin color Jesus had , he has told them .
“ What I ’ ve tried to say from the stand is this is a moment of pain for the African community , and as followers of Christ we should be good Samaritans right now , ” Rincon said .
“ Making them understand this is a time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in support .
”

Brenda Navarro, a 30-year-old attorney at the Central American Resource Center, a local nonprofit known as CARECEN, has seen her privilege as a light-skinned Latina “play time after time in my own life.”
For 28-year-old pastor Rene Molina, the 20-foot-long Black Lives Matter banners outside Iglesia Restauración in West Adams send an undeniable statement.
“It’s all in,” he said.
When the George Floyd protests began in late May, Molina read Black philosophers and theologians like Cornel West and James Cone. He gave sermons about how the Bible supports the oppressed.
That didn’t feel like enough, so he and others decided that their 2,500-member Latino church would display the two banners. When they disappeared, the church replaced them with larger ones.
“I think a lot of the Hispanic activists, we view the Black community … as trailblazers,” Molina said. “We see them when they speak out. We find ourselves in their voice. When they express their anger, we can relate to that. When they express the pain, we can relate to that.”
The protests and calls for police reform have drawn widespread multicultural backing, including from Los Angeles’ Latino community. Many Latino activists have sought to create understanding for Black Lives Matter within their community by emphasizing the societal inequalities both groups face and how their prosperity is tied.
They also have strove to address anti-Black attitudes within Latino culture, but say that bridging a gap that often reflects generational divides can be complicated.
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Molina has faced a disconnect with his parents, his church’s senior pastors and immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala. He said that they, like many other first-generation immigrants, struggle to view police brutality against Black people as a systemic issue.
But they haven’t stopped his activism. Molina has organized events with Greater Zion Church Family, a Black church in Compton, where pastors and elected officials spoke about Black Lives Matter.
Pastor Rene Molina speaks at an event with Iglesia Restauracion and Greater Zion Church Family, a Black church in Compton, in June, about the George Floyd protests. (Iglesia Restauracion)
“They’ve taken the back seat of support and they’ve allowed the millennials to take the driver’s seat,” he said of his parents.
Gaspar Rivera-Salgado, a labor studies professor at UCLA, also noted that Latino support for the movement often reflects a generational divide. Many first-generation adult immigrants, he said, bring with them racist attitudes from the legacy of colonialism in Latin America that are less embedded among U.S.-born Latinos.
“The Latino community is very big, but there is a sizable sector, especially U.S.-born Latinos, squarely supporting this moment, and they are talking to the older generations about the importance of having racial consciousness,” he said.
Fernando Guerra, director of the Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles at Loyola Marymount University, said that L.A.’s Latino and Black communities may be viewed as natural allies because they suffer deep economic and health inequities.
Latino and Black people have been hit harder by the coronavirus, facing about double the mortality rate in L.A. County than that of white residents. They also have been heavily affected by police violence. In L.A. County, nearly 80% of people who have been killed by local police since 2000 have been Black or Latino. (Black people make up 8% of the county’s population, yet they represent a quarter of law enforcement killings. Latino people make up 49% of the population and represent 53% of the killings.)
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The desegregation of neighborhoods, Guerra said, has also tied the future of both groups together.
“When you say, let’s invest in black neighborhoods, there is no such thing anymore,” he said. “Yes, segregation exists, but if you invest in Compton, that’s a Latino city. A great infusion in economic development in what are traditional Black neighborhoods will benefit Latinos as well.”
Iglesia Restauración, a Latino church in West Adams, hung two Black Lives Matter banners. (Iglesia Restauración)
Saul Sarabia, a consultant on racial justice who previously directed the Critical Race Studies program at UCLA’s law school, said that the Latino community’s participation in L.A.’s George Floyd protests partly reflects years of coalition building between Black and Latino people. Los Angeles now has a rich landscape of community-based Black and Latino coalitions working together on criminal justice issues, like jail reform and reentry services.
“The support of brown folks could be plugged into something very concrete,” he said. “These are not new demands and they’re not just Black demands.”
Carlos Montes, a co-founder of the Brown Berets, a group that emerged during the Chicano movement, said that as an activist in Los Angeles he had always advocated partnering with Black organizations, which showed support for Chicano activists during the 1968 East L.A. student walkouts.
In June, Montes participated in a youth-led series of actions to support Black Lives Matter in the predominantly Latino Boyle Heights neighborhood. They included a vigil at Mariachi Plaza, and that same night Montes attended a protest outside the LAPD Newton station to demand justice for the families of Latino men killed by police.
“We spoke about the need for Black and brown unity,” Montes said. “We always bring that theme up. Support Black Lives Matter and denounce the killings of Black and brown [people].”
Some Latino activists who supported Black Lives Matter say they’re motivated by the racism in their own culture. They recall relatives who praised light-skinned babies over darker-skinned ones and phrases like “mejorar la raza,” a popular saying that implies one should “improve the race” by having lighter-skinned children.
Brenda Navarro, a 30-year-old attorney at CARECEN, a local Central American immigrant rights organization, has seen her privilege as a light-skinned Latina “play time after time in my own life.”
Brenda Navarro, an attorney with a local Central American immigrant rights organization, is shown at her home in Gardena. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
An early childhood memory shaped this awareness. Security guards in an L.A. County shopping mall once surrounded her dark-skinned Mexican grandfather when they heard Navarro crying in his arms. They accused him of kidnapping Navarro, who calls herself “white passing.”
Later on, her grandfather would tell her, “Mamacita, try not to date someone who looks like me because they discriminate against people like me a lot.’”
“My skin color, my eye color, my hair color is highly favored, and for that reason alone, I’ve been given so many advantages,” Navarro said. “Understanding my own privilege has really helped me understand how my privilege is based on the oppression of others.”
Navarro has sought to explain to Latino acquaintances that the Latino community also faces police brutality, so that they can see that “this is our struggle too.”
She’s working with others including Keana Moody, an Afro-Latina citizenship instructor at CARECEN on a project to distribute educational material to help address anti-Black attitudes among Latinos.
Moody, 25, said the movement has pushed forward conversations that “should have been happening a long time ago, especially with the Latino community.” She recalled a moment in a citizenship class when a lighter-skinned Mexican student said that in his 30 years in the U.S. he had never had trouble with the police, claiming that those who do “are doing something bad and they deserve it.”
A dark-skinned student from Honduras disagreed, recounting how a police officer had once pulled him over for a traffic infraction, forced him out of the car and twisted his shoulder while he screamed in pain.
Biracial Black Lives Matter members also have used their identity to help their cause resonate with Latinos. La Mikia Castillo, an activist who does antibias consulting, has grandparents who immigrated from Panama; she identifies as Afro-Latina.
During a virtual forum with a South Bay Latino church a few weeks ago, a person asked her why the Black Lives Matter movement’s slogan doesn’t instead emphasize how all lives matter. She responded by drawing a parallel to immigrant rights issues.
“If your family is being separated at the border and someone comes and says something like, ‘All families matter’… they’re diverting attention from the issue at the border or from issues that your community is facing,” she said.
Carlos Rincon, a pastor at Centro de Vida Victoriosa, said that the recent protests don’t resonate with many in his evangelical East L.A. church.
“’We pay a high price — some of us even die to cross [the border] just to work — and they [Black people] live here, they have an opportunity, they speak the language, I don’t know why they’re complaining,’” he said some have remarked.
He has tried to broach the topic by giving sermons that have incorporated the history of slavery, Jim Crow laws and redlining, explaining that although discrimination is illegal, systemic racism still exists. He also turns to biblical stories, because if he deviates too much from religious topics, congregants may accuse him of getting political. Everyone is created in God’s image and no one knows what skin color Jesus had, he has told them.
“What I’ve tried to say from the stand is this is a moment of pain for the African community, and as followers of Christ we should be good Samaritans right now,” Rincon said. “Making them understand this is a time for us — Hispanics or immigrants — to be in support.”


latimes--2020-07-14--'It's really devastating': Students feel rites of passage denied as schools stay closed into the fal

'It's really devastating': Students feel rites of passage denied as schools stay closed into the fall

The first day of school loomed larger than ever this year .
Inflated with both anticipation and fear amid a great pandemic , it was to be the release from five months of confinement , the end of what largely amounted to the longest , hardest and most boring of summer breaks in generations .
So for many students , the momentous decision on Monday to postpone the opening of schools in Los Angeles landed with a dull thud of disappointment .
No catching up with old friends or finding new ones , no sports , no dances , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no messing around in the halls , no vigorous classroom discussions — no end in sight .
Worst of all , for teenagers in particular : no escape from home .
The coronavirus surge convinced Los Angeles Unified School District leaders that even with precautions and social distancing , the risk was too high to open up campuses on Aug. 18 .
Josh Coleman had transferred to Dorsey High School as a sophomore in February when schools closed a month later .
A star quarterback with a 4.0 GPA , he couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to start making new friends .
He was hoping the district would go through with plans to have students rotate through school , attending two or three days a week , filling the gaps with online learning .
“ I think that should still be an option , ” he said .
“ It ’ s really devastating we can ’ t go back.
” He worries about friends who have “ tough things going on at home.
” “ Being at school is the only positive thing going on in their day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few students logged into the online classes the school offered in spring .
“ That was a big drop-off .
There were eight or nine students in classes of 30 or 40.
” Ella Dennis , a rising senior at Cleveland Charter High School , said her humanities classes suffered in the online environment .
She had two periods in spring on the role of race in society .
“ My teachers would give us a lecture , one or two students would ask a question , ” Ella said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re listening to lectures or [ looking at ] a PowerPoint .
You just see words on the screen .
It ’ s not enough .
It ’ s definitely difficult to get things done in this kind of environment.
” She realized how much support she got from personal contact with friends and teachers .
“ After class , I would go over to them .
They would cheer me up , and then I ’ d go to the next class , ” she said .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misses — seeing his friends , saying hi in the hallway , asking his teachers about their families , decompressing from one class to the next .
Isaias , an incoming senior at Belmont High School , planned to do drum line in fall , wrestle in winter and run track in spring .
But now he ’ s not expecting to do most of that — even though the district says it will open schools as soon as it is safe .
“ I ’ m just kind of bummed , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join the drum line when I go to college , ” he said .
“ So I ’ m kind of thinking about that .
And the same thing with sports too.
” Isabelle Marroquin was having mental health challenges last year in eighth grade and decided in January to switch to an online school program .
When she started studying at home , she didn ’ t know the practice would soon become the norm .
“ Eventually , I started getting tired of it .
I started missing physically being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with people , ” said Isabelle , who is gender fluid .
Isabelle was eager to get a new start next month as a freshman at Panorama High School , where she ’ d try out for the basketball team and join an LGBTQ+ club .
Now , Isabelle isn ’ t sure how she will meet her classmates .
She doesn ’ t know if extracurriculars will continue online and is dubious basketball will have a season .
And she finds it difficult to focus on class while she ’ s at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have online school this year was really disappointing , ” she said .
But for many students , that disappointment doesn ’ t mean they disagree with the superintendent ’ s decision .
Instead , they are frustrated that the country hadn ’ t made more progress in keeping the virus at bay .
No one in Kahlila Williams ’ group text was surprised by the news .
“ At least we know for sure — instead of that suspense of waiting until August , ” said Kahlila , a rising senior at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike in coronavirus cases , the uncertainty of the superintendent lately in his weekly announcements and the school board at meetings , Kahlila said they all saw this coming .
When they left school in March , there was an unspoken understanding that students and teachers wouldn ’ t see each other for a long time .
“ How it was handled in the first place was really ... unprepared for , ” she said .
“ I kind of felt like they should have never told us two weeks ” would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is disappointed she won ’ t be able to plan her last homecoming , or hold Black Student Union meetings in person .
But now with time to plan , she can organize virtual BSU meetings and still plan a robust Black History Month , she said .
These events are weeks or months away — but Kahlila doesn ’ t envision being back in class anytime soon .
“ We ’ re most likely not going to be back to school by November with all the precautions and able to have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolanos , a rising senior at UCLA Community School in Koreatown , said she is relieved that her classes will remain online this fall .
She said the county ’ s decision indicates that school administrators care about student health .
She just hopes the COVID-19 outbreak eases up enough that she can do her last semester in class .
“ A lot of us are still hopeful that it will open for spring semester when prom happens , ” she said .
But she , too , is already looking beyond that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some experiences away , I know that I will have years of college experiences coming up , ” Nyslai said Ella , at the Cleveland Charter High School , says last year as a junior she felt sorry for all the seniors losing their big rites of passage : spring sports championships , prom and graduation .
On Monday she was feeling a bit of dejá vu .
“ Now that I think about it , my senior year might not even be anything , ” she said .

Kristi Sturgill, Joe Mozingo, Jake Sheridan

The first day of school loomed larger than ever this year. Inflated with both anticipation and fear amid a great pandemic, it was to be the release from five months of confinement, the end of what largely amounted to the longest, hardest and most boring of summer breaks in generations.
So for many students, the momentous decision on Monday to postpone the opening of schools in Los Angeles landed with a dull thud of disappointment. No catching up with old friends or finding new ones, no sports, no dances, no plays, no Friday night lights, no messing around in the halls, no vigorous classroom discussions — no end in sight.
Worst of all, for teenagers in particular: no escape from home.
Advertisement
The coronavirus surge convinced Los Angeles Unified School District leaders that even with precautions and social distancing, the risk was too high to open up campuses on Aug. 18.
Josh Coleman had transferred to Dorsey High School as a sophomore in February when schools closed a month later. A star quarterback with a 4.0 GPA, he couldn’t wait to get back in class to start making new friends. He was hoping the district would go through with plans to have students rotate through school, attending two or three days a week, filling the gaps with online learning.
“I think that should still be an option,” he said. “It’s really devastating we can’t go back.”
He worries about friends who have “tough things going on at home.”
“Being at school is the only positive thing going on in their day,” he said.
Josh said few students logged into the online classes the school offered in spring. “That was a big drop-off. There were eight or nine students in classes of 30 or 40.”
Ella Dennis, a rising senior at Cleveland Charter High School, said her humanities classes suffered in the online environment. She had two periods in spring on the role of race in society.
“My teachers would give us a lecture, one or two students would ask a question,” Ella said. “It’s hard to learn when you’re listening to lectures or [looking at] a PowerPoint. You just see words on the screen. It’s not enough. It’s definitely difficult to get things done in this kind of environment.”
Advertisement
She realized how much support she got from personal contact with friends and teachers.
“After class, I would go over to them. They would cheer me up, and then I’d go to the next class,” she said.
It’s the moments in between classes that Isaias Vaquerano misses — seeing his friends, saying hi in the hallway, asking his teachers about their families, decompressing from one class to the next.
Isaias, an incoming senior at Belmont High School, planned to do drum line in fall, wrestle in winter and run track in spring.
But now he’s not expecting to do most of that — even though the district says it will open schools as soon as it is safe.
“I’m just kind of bummed, but I think I might be able to join the drum line when I go to college,” he said. “So I’m kind of thinking about that. And the same thing with sports too.”
Isabelle Marroquin was having mental health challenges last year in eighth grade and decided in January to switch to an online school program. When she started studying at home, she didn’t know the practice would soon become the norm.
“Eventually, I started getting tired of it. I started missing physically being in a classroom, seeing everyone, socializing with people,” said Isabelle, who is gender fluid.
Isabelle was eager to get a new start next month as a freshman at Panorama High School, where she’d try out for the basketball team and join an LGBTQ+ club.
Now, Isabelle isn’t sure how she will meet her classmates. She doesn’t know if extracurriculars will continue online and is dubious basketball will have a season. And she finds it difficult to focus on class while she’s at home.
“Obviously the decision to have online school this year was really disappointing,” she said.
But for many students, that disappointment doesn’t mean they disagree with the superintendent’s decision. Instead, they are frustrated that the country hadn’t made more progress in keeping the virus at bay.
No one in Kahlila Williams’ group text was surprised by the news.
“At least we know for sure — instead of that suspense of waiting until August,” said Kahlila, a rising senior at Girls Academic Leadership Academy.
Between the spike in coronavirus cases, the uncertainty of the superintendent lately in his weekly announcements and the school board at meetings, Kahlila said they all saw this coming.
When they left school in March, there was an unspoken understanding that students and teachers wouldn’t see each other for a long time.
“How it was handled in the first place was really ... unprepared for,” she said. “I kind of felt like they should have never told us two weeks” would be the length of the shutdown.
Kahlila is disappointed she won’t be able to plan her last homecoming, or hold Black Student Union meetings in person. But now with time to plan, she can organize virtual BSU meetings and still plan a robust Black History Month, she said.
These events are weeks or months away — but Kahlila doesn’t envision being back in class anytime soon.
“We’re most likely not going to be back to school by November with all the precautions and able to have a homecoming,” she said.
Nyslai Bolanos, a rising senior at UCLA Community School in Koreatown, said she is relieved that her classes will remain online this fall. She said the county’s decision indicates that school administrators care about student health. She just hopes the COVID-19 outbreak eases up enough that she can do her last semester in class.
“A lot of us are still hopeful that it will open for spring semester when prom happens,” she said.
But she, too, is already looking beyond that.
“Even though the pandemic took some experiences away, I know that I will have years of college experiences coming up,” Nyslai said
Ella, at the Cleveland Charter High School, says last year as a junior she felt sorry for all the seniors losing their big rites of passage: spring sports championships, prom and graduation.
On Monday she was feeling a bit of dejá vu.
“Now that I think about it, my senior year might not even be anything,” she said.
Times staff writer Sonali Kohli contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-14--Masks offer much more protection against coronavirus than many think

There ’ s a common refrain that masks don ’ t protect you ; they protect other people from your own germs , which is especially important to keep unknowingly infected people from spreading the coronavirus .
But now , there ’ s mounting evidence that masks also protect you .
If you ’ re unlucky enough to encounter an infectious person , wearing any kind of face covering will reduce the amount of virus that your body will take in .
As it turns out , that ’ s pretty important .
Breathing in a small amount of virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more mild infection .
But inhaling a huge volume of virus particles can result in serious disease or death .
That ’ s the argument Dr. Monica Gandhi , UC San Francisco professor of medicine and medical director of the HIV Clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital , is making about why — if you are unlucky to get infected with the virus — masking can still protect you from more severe disease .
“ There is this theory that facial masking reduces the [ amount of virus you get exposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gandhi , who is also director for the Center for AIDS Research at UC San Francisco .
The idea of requiring mask-wearing in public has become an increasingly pressing and politicized issue as California and the rest of the nation see a surge in new cases as the economy reopens .
California this week ordered a reclosure of many businesses , include a statewide halting of all indoor dining and a closure of bars .
The state also ordered a closing down — in dozens of hard-hit counties , including L.A. County — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hair salons , nail salons and offices for nonessential industries .
But experts say masks are essential for people to wear when they still go out in public , such as to shop or go to medical appointments , and to get exercise like heading to the beach or park .
California has mandated face coverings in public settings since June 18 , and a growing number of communities said they will ticket people who disobey the rules .
But there remains some resistance to the government mandating wearing masks in some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County .
Some leaders in Orange County have pushed back against requiring students to wear masks should they return to classrooms in the fall .
In policy recommendations approved by the Orange County Board of Education on Monday , a document stated that “ requiring children to wear masks during school is not only difficult — if not impossible to implement — but [ is ] not based on science .
It may even be harmful.
” Individual districts will have the final say on how schools open .
Some health experts were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-mask rhetoric is mind-blowing , dangerous , deadly and polarizing , ” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong , professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco .
“ There is no evidence that it is dangerous.
” In fact , wearing masks can help prevent children from being infected and suffering serious consequences of infection , such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome , a rare condition that has been seen in children who have been infected with the coronavirus .
“ Kids not only transmit , but they can get sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While children are less likely to develop severe illness from the coronavirus than adults , they can still be infected , be contagious and transmit the virus to other people , Gandhi said .
Wearing a mask at school would not only reduce their ability to transmit the virus to other classmates , teachers and administrators , but also protect the students from getting infected with a large dose of virus from infected people .
Transmission rates for coronavirus have been rising across the state .
Nearly 1,000 of San Francisco ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the last two weeks , said Dr. Grant Colfax , the city ’ s director of public health .
In San Francisco , nearly half of all those who have tested positive in the city are Latinos , he said , even though Latino residents make up just 15 % of the city ’ s population .
Overall , the city has seen 7.8 new infections per 100,000 residents over the last seven days , far above its goal of no more than 1.8 new infections per 100,000 people .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is spreading throughout the city , particularly ... in the southeast part of the city , ” Colfax said .
For every one person who contracts the virus , another 1.25 people on average are now infected , he said .
“ We really need to drive that down to 1 or below as quickly and as soon as possible.
” The transmission rate also rose above 1 in L.A. County in June , but has fallen back to 1 .
“ The virus currently rages on in our community , ” Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason why masks are so important in controlling the spread of the coronavirus is that it can be widely spread by people who are not visibly sick — either because they haven ’ t yet shown signs of illness , or they will spend the entire course of their infections with little or no symptoms at all .
A key piece of evidence for this emerged earlier this year , on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that carried infected crew and passengers in Asia .
A study published by the U.S. Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 712 people testing positive for the virus , nearly half were asymptomatic at the time of testing .
“ We also know that viral load is highest early during disease , ” said Dr. Chaz Langelier , an assistant professor at UC San Francisco , during the panel discussion .
In fact , 44 % of transmissions are believed to occur when the infected person has no symptoms , according to a study published in Nature Medicine .
That ’ s different from the seasonal flu , where peak infectiousness occurs about one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Langelier said .
Masks don ’ t filter out all viral particles , Gandhi said .
But even cloth face masks filter out a majority of viral particles .
And even if a person wearing a mask gets infected , the mask — by filtering out most of the viral particles exhaled by the infected person — probably leads to less severe disease , Gandhi said .
The idea that a lower dose of virus when being infected brings less illness is a well-worn idea in medicine .
Even going back to 1938 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by giving mice a higher dose of a deadly virus , the mice are more likely to get severe disease and die , Gandhi said .
The same principle applies to humans .
A study published in 2015 gave healthy volunteers varying doses of a flu virus ; those who got higher doses got sicker , with more coughing and shortness of breath , Gandhi said .
And another study suggested that the reason why the second wave of the 1918-19 flu pandemic was the deadliest in the U.S. was because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War I wound down .
Finally , a study published in May found that surgical mask partitions significantly reduced the transmission of the coronavirus among hamsters .
And even if the hamsters protected by the mask partitions acquired the coronavirus , “ they were more likely to get very mild disease , ” Gandhi said .
So what happens if a city dramatically masks up while in public ?
If Gandhi is right , it may mean that even if there ’ s a rise in coronavirus infections in a city , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are getting of the virus and result in them more likely to show less severe symptoms of illness .
That ’ s what Gandhi said she suspects is happening in San Francisco , where mask wearing is relatively robust .
Further observations are needed , Gandhi said .
There ’ s more evidence that masks can be protective — even when wearers do become infected .
She cited an outbreak at a seafood plant in Oregon where employees were given masks , and 95 % of those who were infected were asymptomatic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cruise ship that was traveling from Argentina to Antartica in March when the coronavirus infected people on board , as documented in a recent study .
Passengers got surgical masks ; the crew got N95 masks .
But instead of about 40 % of those infected being asymptomatic — which is what would normally be expected — 81 % of those testing positive were asymptomatic , and the masking may have helped reduce the severity of disease in people on board , Gandhi said .
The protective effects are also seen in countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as Taiwan , Thailand , South Korea and Singapore .
“ They have all seen cases as they opened ... but not deaths , ” Gandhi said .
The Czech Republic moved early to require masks , issuing an order in mid-March , Gandhi said ; that ’ s about three months before Gov .
Gavin Newsom did so statewide in California .
But in the Czech Republic , “ every time their cases would go up ... their death rate was totally flat .
So they didn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on.
” By May , the Czech Republic lifted its face mask rule .
“ And they ’ re doing great , ” Gandhi said .

There’s a common refrain that masks don’t protect you; they protect other people from your own germs, which is especially important to keep unknowingly infected people from spreading the coronavirus.
But now, there’s mounting evidence that masks also protect you.
If you’re unlucky enough to encounter an infectious person, wearing any kind of face covering will reduce the amount of virus that your body will take in.
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As it turns out, that’s pretty important. Breathing in a small amount of virus may lead to no disease or far more mild infection. But inhaling a huge volume of virus particles can result in serious disease or death.
That’s the argument Dr. Monica Gandhi, UC San Francisco professor of medicine and medical director of the HIV Clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, is making about why — if you do become infected with the virus — masking can still protect you from more severe disease.
“There is this theory that facial masking reduces the [amount of virus you get exposed to] and disease severity,” said Gandhi, who is also director for the Center for AIDS Research at UC San Francisco.
The idea of requiring mask-wearing in public has become an increasingly pressing and politicized issue as California and the rest of the nation see a surge in new cases as the economy reopens.
California this week ordered a reclosure of many businesses, include a statewide halt to all indoor dining and the closure of bars. The state also ordered the closure — in dozens of hard-hit counties, including L.A. County — of indoor gyms, houses of worship, hair salons, nail salons and offices for nonessential industries.
But experts say masks are essential for people to wear when they go out in public, such as to shop or go to medical appointments, and when close to other people at the beach or park.
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California has mandated face coverings in public settings since June 18, and a growing number of communities say they will ticket people who disobey the rules. But there remains resistance to the government mandating wearing masks in some corners of the state, including Orange County.
Some leaders in Orange County have pushed back against requiring students to wear masks should they return to classrooms in the fall.
In policy recommendations approved by the Orange County Board of Education on Monday, a document stated that “requiring children to wear masks during school is not only difficult — if not impossible to implement — but [is] not based on science. It may even be harmful.” Individual districts will have the final say on how schools open.
Some health experts were appalled by that language.
“This anti-mask rhetoric is mind-blowing, dangerous, deadly and polarizing,” said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, professor of medicine and an infectious diseases specialist at UC San Francisco. “There is no evidence that it is dangerous.”
California Some shun wearing masks even though they’re essential coronavirus protection In California, mandatory face coverings that experts say reduce the spread of the coronavirus are at the center of an intense political fight.
In fact, wearing masks can help prevent children from being infected and suffering serious consequences of infection, such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a rare condition that has been seen in children who have been infected with the coronavirus. “Kids not only transmit, but they can get sick as well,” Chin-Hong said.
While children are less likely to develop severe illness from the coronavirus than adults, they can still be infected, be contagious and transmit the virus to other people, Gandhi said.
Wearing a mask at school would not only reduce their ability to transmit the virus to other classmates, teachers and administrators, but also protect the students from getting infected with a large dose of virus from infected people.
Transmission rates for coronavirus have been rising across the state. Nearly 1,000 of San Francisco’s nearly 4,600 cases have been diagnosed in just the last two weeks, said Dr. Grant Colfax, the city’s director of public health.
In San Francisco, nearly half of all those who have tested positive in the city are Latinos, he said, even though Latino residents make up just 15% of the city’s population. Overall, the city has seen 7.8 new infections per 100,000 residents over the last seven days, far above its goal of no more than 1.8 new infections per 100,000 people.
“This, again, indicates that the virus is spreading throughout the city, particularly ... in the southeast part of the city,” Colfax said.
For every one person who contracts the virus, another 1.25 people on average are now infected, he said. “We really need to drive that down to 1 or below as quickly and as soon as possible.”
The transmission rate also rose above 1 in L.A. County in June, but has fallen back to 1. “The virus currently rages on in our community,” Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said.
The reason why masks are so important in controlling the spread of the coronavirus is that it can be widely spread by people who are not visibly sick — either because they haven’t yet shown signs of illness, or they will spend the entire course of their infections with little or no symptoms at all.
A key piece of evidence for this emerged earlier this year, on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that carried infected crew and passengers in Asia. A study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that of 712 people testing positive for the virus, nearly half were asymptomatic at the time of testing.
“We also know that viral load is highest early during disease,” said Dr. Chaz Langelier, an assistant professor at UC San Francisco, during the panel discussion. In fact, 44% of transmissions are believed to occur when the infected person has no symptoms, according to a study published in Nature Medicine.
That’s different from the seasonal flu, where peak infectiousness occurs about one day after the onset of symptoms, Langelier said.
Masks don’t filter out all viral particles, Gandhi said. But even cloth face masks filter out a majority of viral particles.
And even if a person wearing a mask gets infected, the mask — by filtering out most of the viral particles exhaled by the infected person — probably leads to less severe disease, Gandhi said.
The idea that a lower dose of virus when being infected brings less illness is a well-worn idea in medicine.
Even going back to 1938, there was a study showing that by giving mice a higher dose of a deadly virus, the mice were more likely to get severe disease and die, Gandhi said.
The same principle applies to humans. A study published in 2015 gave healthy volunteers varying doses of a flu virus; those who got higher doses got sicker, with more coughing and shortness of breath, Gandhi said.
And another study suggested that the reason the second wave of the 1918-19 flu pandemic was the deadliest in the U.S. was because of the overcrowded conditions faced in Army camps as World War I wound down. “In 1918, the Army camps [were] characterized by a high number of contacts between people and by a high case-fatality rate, sometimes 5 to 8 times higher than the case-fatality rate among civilian communities,” the study said.
Finally, a study published in May found that surgical mask partitions significantly reduced the transmission of the coronavirus among hamsters. And even if the hamsters protected by the mask partitions acquired the coronavirus, “they were more likely to get very mild disease,” Gandhi said.
Politics The presidential cover-up, or how Trump went from shunning to wearing a mask When President Trump wore a mask in public for the first time during this pandemic, his allies treated it as a political win. It marked a big shift from his previous stance.
So what happens if a city dramatically masks up while in public?
If Gandhi is right, it may mean that even if there’s a rise in coronavirus infections in a city, the masks may limit the dose of virus people are getting and result in less severe symptoms of illness.
That’s what Gandhi said she suspects is happening in San Francisco, where mask wearing is relatively robust. Further observations are needed, Gandhi said.
There’s more evidence that masks can be protective — even when wearers do become infected. She cited an outbreak at a seafood plant in Oregon where employees were given masks, and 95% of those who were infected were asymptomatic.
Gandhi also cited the experience of a cruise ship that was traveling from Argentina to Antartica in March when the coronavirus infected people on board, as documented in a recent study. Passengers got surgical masks; the crew got N95 masks.
But instead of about 40% of those infected being asymptomatic — which is what would normally be expected — 81% of those testing positive were asymptomatic, and the masking may have helped reduce the severity of disease in people on board, Gandhi said.
The protective effects are also seen in countries where masks are universally accepted for years, such as Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore. “They have all seen cases as they opened ... but not deaths,” Gandhi said.
The Czech Republic moved early to require masks, issuing an order in mid-March, Gandhi said; that’s about three months before Gov. Gavin Newsom did so statewide in California. But in the Czech Republic, “every time their cases would go up ...their death rate was totally flat. So they didn’t get the severe illness with these cases going on.”
By May, the Czech Republic lifted its face mask rule. “And they’re doing great,” Gandhi said.


latimes--2020-07-14--Winds fuel Fresno County fire to 1,000 acres; homes evacuated

A handful of homes were evacuated west of Coalinga in Fresno County on Monday evening after a fire spread rapidly @ @ @ @ @ Mineral fire broke out about 5 p.m. in steep , rocky and inaccessible terrain in @ @ @ @ @ Mineral Springs Road and Highway 198 .
By about 9 p.m. , it had grown @ @ @ @ @ by nighttime winds and 100-degree weather , said Dustin Hail , California Department of Forestry @ @ @ @ @ .
Hail said there ’ s high potential for the fire to explode in acreage @ @ @ @ @ He estimated it could take a week to contain .
“ We ’ re doing @ @ @ @ @ he said .
There are “ dozer lines around the homes and engines at the @ @ @ @ @ That is one of our priorities.
” Crews will work through the night and additional @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .

The Mineral fire grew from 400 to 1,000 acres in just two hours Monday and prompted officials to evacuate residents.
A handful of homes were evacuated west of Coalinga in Fresno County on Monday evening after a fire spread rapidly and threatened structures.
The Mineral fire broke out about 5 p.m. in steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain in the area of South Coalinga Mineral Springs Road and Highway 198. By about 9 p.m., it had grown to 1,000 acres, fueled by nighttime winds and 100-degree weather, said Dustin Hail, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection assistant chief.
Hail said there’s high potential for the fire to explode in acreage given the windy conditions. He estimated it could take a week to contain.
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“We’re doing significant structure protection,” he said. There are “dozer lines around the homes and engines at the houses doing structure defense. That is one of our priorities.”
Crews will work through the night and additional resources have been requested for Tuesday.


latimes--2020-07-13--Orange County votes to reopen schools without masks or increased social distancing

Orange County education leaders voted 4 to 1 Monday evening to approve recommendations for reopening schools in the fall that do not include the mandatory use of masks for students or increased social distancing in classrooms amid a surge in coronavirus cases .
The Board of Education did , however , leave reopening plans up to individual school districts .
Among the recommendations are daily temperature checks , frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer , in addition to the nightly disinfection of classrooms , offices and transportation vehicles .
The recommendations , contained in a white paper , widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The document states that remote learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been an “ utter failure ” and suggests allowing parents to send their children to another district or charter school to receive instruction if their home district does not reopen .
“ Among the many compelling expert arguments for reopening our schools , a number of us were also struck by something different , something we might call advice for adults , ” the paper states .
“ Among our greatest responsibilities as adults is our responsibility to model courage and persistence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is what many families are feeling with the mixed messages and confusion surrounding reopening of schools in the COVID-19 era.
” The discussion comes as the state ’ s two largest school districts , Los Angeles and San Diego , announced that campuses will not reopen next month amid the ongoing coronavirus surge and students will continue with online learning .
Orange County has emerged as a hotbed of opposition to mandatory mask rules in public places , and its health director recently resigned after facing intense public criticism and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks are critical in slowing the spread of the virus .
The Orange County guidance was compiled from an 11-member panel appointed by the Board of Education last month that includes Orange County Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau , County Supervisor Don Wagner , a psychiatrist , an urban studies professor , a public policy professor , a former superintendent and physicians .
“ Our constituents expect leadership from us , and so we wanted to present information to you , ” Board Vice President Mari Barke said .
“ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to follow according to what ’ s best for your family — take it for what it is and do what you ’ re most comfortable with.
” Board member Beckie Gomez cast the lone dissenting vote , saying the white paper failed to cite several references .
“ There are some flaws in this report , ” she said .
“ If you say something , you should be able to back it up.
” Last month , the Orange County Department of Education published its own list of guidelines for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The document , which stresses the importance of social distancing and face coverings , is based on guidance from the state Department of Public Health , said Orange County Supt .
Al Mijares .
“ The board majority ’ s recommendations are not binding .
Locally elected school boards and superintendents will approve and implement plans specific to their districts based on the needs of their schools and communities , ” Mijares said in a statement .
“ OCDE is working to support districts in that effort , and we remain 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidance of the California Department of Public Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency.
” Still , the panel ’ s recommendations have stirred controversy among parents and teachers in Orange County .
As of Monday morning , more than 26,000 people had signed an online petition decrying the recommendations and calling on elected officials to adhere to the state ’ s guidance for reopening schools .
“ These recommendations are not just for the safety of our teachers , staff , and students but for every single person they come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The panel ’ s recommendations touch on several topics that have been widely debated among Orange County residents in the past several months , including social distancing and the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the virus .
The document states that since children represent the “ lowest risk cohort for COVID-19 ... social distancing of children and reduced census classrooms is not necessary and therefore not recommended.
” Ryan Schachter , a special-education specialist at Corona del Mar Middle School and Corona del Mar High School in Newport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Board of Education ’ s recommendations .
He also said he didn ’ t plan to watch Monday night ’ s special meeting on Zoom .
“ I really don ’ t know what to think about all this , ” said Schachter , who has been teaching for 18 years , 17 of those with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District .
“ As a special educator , I know that without a doubt , our population is impacted the most by distance learning .
As an educator , I want my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can directly impact their education .
I can talk to them , work with them and relate with them .
We just can ’ t do that with the same intensity and effectiveness online , ” he said .
“ However , as a parent , and husband to a wife with an autoimmune disorder , I am not sure that being in the classroom without proper safety measures is best for my family or the community in which we live and serve .
I am really conflicted on what needs to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea that politics is trying to govern the pandemic as well ; that is frightful to me.
” Experts have said that while infection rates among children have been lower than in adults , young people can easily transmit the virus to other relatives , including their parents and grandparents , who may be at a higher risk of severe complications .
“ The evidence is showing children so far have been less likely to be infected , although that comes from a background of our children not being in school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of microbiology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC .
“ It would be difficult to say that this means children are somehow more resistant to the virus.
” The document also states that requiring children to wear masks was not recommended given that it “ is not only difficult — if not impossible to implement — but [ is ] not based on science ” and “ may even be very harmful.
” Cannon said she was astonished the panelists would claim that the use of masks was not necessary and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strongly ” with the recommendation .
Face coverings , frequent hand washing and physical distancing have been widely cited among medical experts as among the public ’ s key weapons to combat the virus .
While persuading children to wear masks — and keep them on — can be challenging , it ’ s important for adults to model the behavior appropriately to make it more comfortable for students , Cannon said .
“ There is growing evidence all in favor of the effectiveness of wearing masks , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is not a set of recommendations grounded in science or best practices.
” “ I ’ m appalled that the leadership who is responsible for the safety of our children and their families would stoop to using such language , ” she added .
“ It ’ s based on nothing.
” Cardine writes for Times Community News .
TCN staff writer David Carrillo Peñaloza contributed to this report .

Graduate Dylan Davis is congratulated by coach John Shanahan as he exits the Laguna Beach High drive-through graduation at Guyer Field.
Orange County education leaders voted 4 to 1 Monday evening to approve recommendations for reopening schools in the fall that do not include the mandatory use of masks for students or increased social distancing in classrooms amid a surge in coronavirus cases.
The Board of Education did, however, leave reopening plans up to individual school districts.
Among the recommendations are daily temperature checks, frequent handwashing and use of hand sanitizer, in addition to the nightly disinfection of classrooms, offices and transportation vehicles.
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The recommendations, contained in a white paper, widely support schools reopening in the fall. The document states that remote learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been an “utter failure” and suggests allowing parents to send their children to another district or charter school to receive instruction if their home district does not reopen.
“Among the many compelling expert arguments for reopening our schools, a number of us were also struck by something different, something we might call advice for adults,” the paper states. “Among our greatest responsibilities as adults is our responsibility to model courage and persistence in the face of uncertainty and fear, which is what many families are feeling with the mixed messages and confusion surrounding reopening of schools in the COVID-19 era.”
The discussion comes as the state’s two largest school districts, Los Angeles and San Diego, have announced that campuses will not reopen next month amid the ongoing coronavirus surge and students will continue with online learning.
Orange County has emerged as a hotbed of opposition to mandatory mask rules in public places, and its health director recently resigned after facing intense public criticism and a death threat. Health experts widely say masks are critical in slowing the spread of the virus.
The Orange County guidance was compiled from an 11-member panel appointed by the Board of Education last month that includes Orange County Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau, County Supervisor Don Wagner, a psychiatrist, an urban studies professor, a public policy professor, a former superintendent and physicians.
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“Our constituents expect leadership from us, and so we wanted to present information to you,” Board Vice President Mari Barke said. “These are simply guidelines to be looked at and to follow according to what’s best for your family — take it for what it is and do what you’re most comfortable with.”
Board member Beckie Gomez cast the lone dissenting vote, saying the white paper failed to cite several references.
“There are some flaws in this report,” she said. “If you say something, you should be able to back it up.”
Last month, the Orange County Department of Education published its own list of guidelines for resuming classroom instruction with online learning options. The document, which stresses the importance of social distancing and face coverings, is based on guidance from the state Department of Public Health, said Orange County Supt. Al Mijares.
“The board majority’s recommendations are not binding. Locally elected school boards and superintendents will approve and implement plans specific to their districts based on the needs of their schools and communities,” Mijares said in a statement. “OCDE is working to support districts in that effort, and we remain 100% committed to following and sharing the guidance of the California Department of Public Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency.”
Still, the panel’s recommendations have stirred controversy among parents and teachers in Orange County. As of Monday morning, more than 26,000 people had signed an online petition decrying the recommendations and calling on elected officials to adhere to the state’s guidance for reopening schools.
“These recommendations are not just for the safety of our teachers, staff, and students but for every single person they come in contact with,” the petition reads.
The panel’s recommendations touch on several topics that have been widely debated among Orange County residents in the past several months, including social distancing and the use of face coverings to slow the spread of the virus.
The document states that since children represent the “lowest risk cohort for COVID-19 ... social distancing of children and reduced census classrooms is not necessary and therefore not recommended.”
Ryan Schachter, a special-education specialist at Corona del Mar Middle School and Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, said he is divided on the Board of Education’s recommendations. He also said he didn’t plan to watch Monday night’s special meeting on Zoom.
“I really don’t know what to think about all this,” said Schachter, who has been teaching for 18 years, 17 of those with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.
“As a special educator, I know that without a doubt, our population is impacted the most by distance learning. As an educator, I want my students in the classroom, where I can directly impact their education. I can talk to them, work with them and relate with them. We just can’t do that with the same intensity and effectiveness online,” he said.
“However, as a parent, and husband to a wife with an autoimmune disorder, I am not sure that being in the classroom without proper safety measures is best for my family or the community in which we live and serve. I am really conflicted on what needs to be done. I don’t like the idea that politics is trying to govern the pandemic as well; that is frightful to me.”
Experts have said that while infection rates among children have been lower than in adults, young people can easily transmit the virus to other relatives, including their parents and grandparents, who may be at a higher risk of severe complications.
“The evidence is showing children so far have been less likely to be infected, although that comes from a background of our children not being in school,” said Paula Cannon, a professor of microbiology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. “It would be difficult to say that this means children are somehow more resistant to the virus.”
The document also states that requiring children to wear masks was not recommended given that it “is not only difficult — if not impossible to implement — but [is] not based on science” and “may even be very harmful.”
Cannon said she was astonished the panelists would claim that the use of masks was not necessary and that she “could not disagree more strongly” with the recommendation.
Face coverings, frequent hand washing and physical distancing have been widely cited among medical experts as among the public’s key weapons to combat the virus. While persuading children to wear masks — and keep them on — can be challenging, it’s important for adults to model the behavior appropriately to make it more comfortable for students, Cannon said.
“There is growing evidence all in favor of the effectiveness of wearing masks,” she said. “The addition of that statement tells me this is not a set of recommendations grounded in science or best practices.”
“I’m appalled that the leadership who is responsible for the safety of our children and their families would stoop to using such language,” she added. “It’s based on nothing.”
Cardine writes for Times Community News. TCN staff writer David Carrillo Peñaloza contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-13--Newsom orders statewide reclosure of indoor dining, limits on church services, salons

California is largely closing again amid a spike in COVID-19 cases across the state , as Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced statewide restrictions Monday to again halt all indoor dining and close bars , zoos and museums .
At the same time , most counties , including Los Angeles , San Bernardino , Orange and Riverside , will be forced to shutter gyms , houses of worship , hair salons , malls and other businesses under the new order , which is effective immediately and remains in effect indefinitely .
In addition , offices with nonessential workers in those counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Californians back into their homes during a time when they are typically enjoying summer vacations .
The stricter measures to close gyms , churches and other services affect 29 counties that are among the most populous in the state , where 80 % of California residents live .
“ This virus is not going away anytime soon , ” Newsom said Monday .
“ I hope all of us recognize that if we were still connected to some notion that , somehow , when it gets warm , it ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s going to take summer months or weekends off — this virus has done neither.
” Cases of coronavirus in California and rates of hospitalizations have risen sharply in the last month as stores reopened and residents ventured back outside , albeit with restrictions to wear masks in public places .
The setback comes after the state said June 12 that dine-in restaurants , retail stores , bars , religious services and gyms could reopen with modifications in counties that met the state ’ s guidelines .
Newsom said the move Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state .
“ We ’ re seeing an increase in the spread of the virus , so that ’ s why it ’ s incumbent upon all of us to recognize soberly that COVID-19 is not going away any time soon until there is a vaccine or an effective therapy , ” Newsom said Monday .
As of Monday , California had seen more than 333,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 7,000 deaths , according to the Los Angeles Times ’ tracker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 during the past week .
The previous week , the average was 7,876 .
Newsom has routinely highlighted the growing number of infections , even as the state was moving forward with reopening the economy , including giving the green light to nail salons , tattoo parlors and massage therapy facilities , which are some of the highest-risk sectors for transmissions .
Last month , Newsom issued orders requiring all Californians to wear masks or other face coverings while in public or in high-risk settings .
Then , ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on indoor activities for counties hit by a spike in infections .
Counties are placed on a watch list after three days of rising hospitalization rates , increasing community transmission or declining hospital capacity .
There are now 29 counties on that watch list , which , with Monday ’ s announcement , will have to close gyms , houses of worship , offices with nonessential workers , malls , nail salons and hair salons .
Kern County fell off the watch list Monday , while Placer , Sonoma , Yuba and Sutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is creating a patchwork of closings and reopenings statewide , spreading confusion in some quarters .
In the Bay Area , Santa Clara started reopening gyms and other services Monday but will have to close them Wednesday .
The governor said Monday that the orders are likely to soon apply to Alameda County , given current trends .
Newsom said counties are likely to come on and off the watchlist , which he said allows the state to operate with a “ dimmer switch ” to modify restrictions as needed .
But for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new orders are economically devastating and emotionally jarring , said Fiona Hutton , president of an eponymous statewide public affairs firm based in Los Angeles .
Hutton said businesses can ’ t simply open and close with the switch of a button .
“ Everyone is frustrated with the on/off switch in their personal and professional lives , ” Hutton said .
Under the statewide order , all dine-in restaurants must close unless they seat patrons outdoors or offer takeout .
In addition , wineries and tasting rooms , movie theaters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowling alleys , miniature golf centers and other family entertainment sites will be closed across California .
Bars and breweries can continue to serve beverages outdoors , only if accompanied by food .
Indoor protests are barred , but not outdoor ones .
Hours after Newsom ’ s announcement , one group of anti-mask advocates posted plans to protest the restrictions this weekend outside the Capitol .
The state ’ s public health department said the types of businesses targeted in Monday ’ s order have a higher risk of spreading the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside of one ’ s household.
” Other sectors are included because they are not able to adhere to the state ’ s mask order ; for example , while eating or drinking inside a restaurant or bar .
The order says the new restrictions will remain in effect until the state ’ s public health officer , Dr. Sonia Angell , determines that it is appropriate to reverse course .
The order , signed by Angell , also says “ Californians should not travel significant distances and should stay close to home.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not in place .
“ The decisions we make today will determine how COVID-19 impacts our communities and families tomorrow , ” Angell said in a statement .
School districts will continue to determine whether to return to classrooms following summer break , a decision that has varied widely across California .
On Monday , the Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified school districts announced that they would not reopen classrooms and will continue with online learning until further notice .
Even while overriding county public health orders across the state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best positioned to determine whether to reopen classrooms .
However , he cautioned that the state is monitoring schools and will continue to provide guidance on best practices .
“ The dynamic nature of the spread of this virus means you ’ ll be hearing a lot more in the next few days , and presumably weeks , as we get closer to the opening of the school year , ” Newsom said .

California is largely closing again amid a spike in COVID-19 cases across the state, as Gov. Gavin Newsom announced statewide restrictions Monday to again halt all indoor dining and close bars, zoos and museums.
At the same time, most counties, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange and Riverside, will be forced to shutter gyms, houses of worship, hair salons, malls and other businesses under the new order, which is effective immediately and remains in effect indefinitely. In addition, offices with nonessential workers in those counties must close.
The move further pushes Californians back into their homes during a time when they are typically enjoying summer vacations. The stricter measures to close gyms, churches and other services affect 29 counties that are among the most populous in the state, where 80% of California residents live.
“This virus is not going away anytime soon,” Newsom said Monday. “I hope all of us recognize that if we were still connected to some notion that, somehow, when it gets warm, it’s going to go away or, somehow, it’s going to take summer months or weekends off — this virus has done neither.”
Cases of coronavirus in California and rates of hospitalizations have risen sharply in the last month as stores reopened and residents ventured back outside, albeit with restrictions to wear masks in public places.
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The setback comes after the state said June 12 that dine-in restaurants, retail stores, bars, religious services and gyms could reopen with modifications in counties that met the state’s guidelines. Newsom said the move Monday to resurrect tough restrictions was a response to a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state.
“We’re seeing an increase in the spread of the virus, so that’s why it’s incumbent upon all of us to recognize soberly that COVID-19 is not going away any time soon until there is a vaccine or an effective therapy,” Newsom said Monday.
As of Monday, California had seen more than 333,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 7,000 deaths, according to the Los Angeles Times’ tracker.
California averaged 8,211 new cases a day of COVID-19 during the past week. The previous week, the average was 7,876.
Newsom has routinely highlighted the growing number of infections, even as the state was moving forward with reopening the economy, including giving the green light to nail salons, tattoo parlors and massage therapy facilities, which are some of the highest-risk sectors for transmissions. Last month, Newsom issued orders requiring all Californians to wear masks or other face coverings while in public or in high-risk settings.
Then, ahead of the July 4 holiday, Newsom set limits on indoor activities for counties hit by a spike in infections. Counties are placed on a watch list after three days of rising hospitalization rates, increasing community transmission or declining hospital capacity.
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There are now 29 counties on that watch list, which, with Monday’s announcement, will have to close gyms, houses of worship, offices with nonessential workers, malls, nail salons and hair salons. Kern County fell off the watch list Monday, while Placer, Sonoma, Yuba and Sutter counties were added.
The latest order is creating a patchwork of closings and reopenings statewide, spreading confusion in some quarters. In the Bay Area, Santa Clara started reopening gyms and other services Monday but will have to close them Wednesday. The governor said Monday that the orders are likely to soon apply to Alameda County, given current trends.
Newsom said counties are likely to come on and off the watchlist, which he said allows the state to operate with a “dimmer switch” to modify restrictions as needed. But for businesses affected by the closures again, the new orders are economically devastating and emotionally jarring, said Fiona Hutton, president of an eponymous statewide public affairs firm based in Los Angeles. Hutton said businesses can’t simply open and close with the switch of a button.
“Everyone is frustrated with the on/off switch in their personal and professional lives,” Hutton said.
Under the statewide order, all dine-in restaurants must close unless they seat patrons outdoors or offer takeout. In addition, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, card rooms, zoos, museums, bowling alleys, miniature golf centers and other family entertainment sites will be closed across California. Bars and breweries can continue to serve beverages outdoors, only if accompanied by food.
Indoor protests are barred, but not outdoor ones. Hours after Newsom’s announcement, one group of anti-mask advocates posted plans to protest the restrictions this weekend outside the Capitol.
The state’s public health department said the types of businesses targeted in Monday’s order have a higher risk of spreading the coronavirus “because they promote mixing with others outside of one’s household.” Other sectors are included because they are not able to adhere to the state’s mask order; for example, while eating or drinking inside a restaurant or bar.
The order says the new restrictions will remain in effect until the state’s public health officer, Dr. Sonia Angell, determines that it is appropriate to reverse course. The order, signed by Angell, also says “Californians should not travel significant distances and should stay close to home.” However, new travel restrictions are not in place.
“The decisions we make today will determine how COVID-19 impacts our communities and families tomorrow,” Angell said in a statement.
School districts will continue to determine whether to return to classrooms following summer break, a decision that has varied widely across California. On Monday, the Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified school districts announced that they would not reopen classrooms and will continue with online learning until further notice.
Even while overriding county public health orders across the state, Newsom said Monday that school districts are best positioned to determine whether to reopen classrooms. However, he cautioned that the state is monitoring schools and will continue to provide guidance on best practices.
“The dynamic nature of the spread of this virus means you’ll be hearing a lot more in the next few days, and presumably weeks, as we get closer to the opening of the school year,” Newsom said.


latimes--2020-07-12--Union vote highlights coronavirus crisis for California's home day-care providers

After close to two decades of organizing and legislative struggle , tens of thousands of babysitters , early childhood educators and home day-care proprietors will vote this month on whether to unionize , a move many hope will reinvigorate California ’ s ailing child-care system in a moment of unprecedented crisis for millions of working families .
“ People need to understand , we ’ re not any regular union , ” said Zoila Carolina Toma , a longtime organizer with Child Care Providers United , which could soon represent home-based child-care workers in negotiations with the state .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us as workers ; we ’ re also fighting for our children ’ s future.
” As organized labor goes , the guild ’ s structure is unusual , though hardly unique in California , which boasts one of the highest rates of union membership in the country .
Child Care Providers United is run jointly by the state ’ s two largest unions , SEIU and AFSCME-UDW , but operates more like SAG-AFTRA , which represents independent workers and is an open shop , where membership is voluntary .
Unlike actors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directly with the state .
California pays , regulates and , in most cases , licenses home-based providers .
Union organizers say they want more money , a greater hand in shaping rules and a radical expansion of the state ’ s alternative payment voucher program for low-income children .
“ We want to not just get benefits for ourselves , but also for these families and children , ” Toma said .
“ This will benefit the families we work with.
” The plight of working families has never been more public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents are being called back to work and thousands more struggle to balance child care with essential jobs .
There were about 1 million California children in day care , more than a third of them in subsidized spots , when home-based providers won the right to unionize last fall .
The parents who rely on those subsidies are disproportionately working-class Latina and Black women , among those hardest hit by pandemic layoffs .
Unless that care is replaced , experts warn , economic recovery will be impossible .
Yet those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and their experiences often outright ignored .
“ The default perspective has been , we need to get this child care so that people can go to work , without enough attention to what is actually happening to the workers in those child-care programs , ” said Lea J.E .
Austin , director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment .
“ We use it , it helps our economy function , but it has largely been invisible to many people.
” In fact , home day-care centers have played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s pandemic response , licensing data show .
The overwhelming majority stayed open when schools closed in March .
They remained open through the spring , as 40 % of stand-alone day-care centers shut down , and hundreds of summer camps were forced to cancel .
Even emergency child-care programs set up for essential workers have largely become clearinghouses for local home providers .
“ We , the day-care workers , we ’ re supporting those who are on the front line , ” said Sylvia Jordan , a provider from Eagle Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , firefighters and security guards .
“ Not the schools , not the child-care centers — we are the ones who take care of the essential workers.
” That role is born of a brutal financial calculus , Austin said .
In L.A. County , most home day-care centers make about $ 50 per child per day — far less than in other major metro areas .
Toma in Signal Hill makes closer to what ’ s paid in Sacramento than in neighboring Seal Beach , and almost $ 30 less than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in L.A. are licensed for up to 10 children , so even at full capacity , employing a single assistant at minimum wage could take a third of their income .
Providers say mortgages , maintenance , license requirements and materials quickly eat up the rest .
In a recent survey of 2,000 California child-care providers , nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would fold if they had to close for more than a month , and 23 % said they could not weather a closure of any length .
“ Their place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they have a loss of income , they are at risk of losing their home and struggling to support their own family , ” Austin said .
“ The heart of it is really women having to make choices about their economics over their own health and well-being.
” Like the union effort , those exigencies largely predate the pandemic .
But coronavirus has magnified them , providers say .
Though lawmakers recently extended a subsidy reimbursements plan based on pre-pandemic attendance , expenses have soared .
There is little extra money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing or food for school-age children , many of whom now fill spots at day care that were previously occupied by infants .
“ I ’ m working more hours with no salary , ” said Doris Ruiz , a provider in Long Beach .
“ It ’ s hours and hours more that we spend cleaning.
” The squeeze is particularly acute for union hopefuls , as only those who accept state-subsidized children are eligible to vote in the election this month .
CalWORKs vouchers , which fund roughly a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pay the vast majority of home-based workers , narrowly escaped a 10 % cut in the state ’ s June budget deal .
“ I ’ ve had the opportunity to talk to people who actually make decisions for us , and they are very unaware of what we do , ” said Sue Carrera , a union captain in Inglewood who cares for the children of a cargo worker , a grocery clerk and an industrial baker , among others .
“ For the governor to say he ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidy program ] — that ’ s not possible .
I won ’ t be able to take subsidized children .
If it comes down to my survival , my hands are tied.
” The voucher program lies at the heart of the organizing effort : Without it , a loose network of small businesses would have little standing to bargain collectively with the state .
At the same time , many say its reimbursement rates leave them struggling to provide high-quality care .
“ The subsidy rates have been incredibly low , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s repressed as it is , ” Austin said .
“ Providers really have been at a loss to respond to that .
Their only option is , don ’ t serve those children .
And they don ’ t want to be in a position to not serve those children.
” Even if voucher rates remain stagnant , providers say they hope the union will force lawmakers to recognize their value — particularly now , with the future of public schools uncertain and millions of working parents stranded without child care .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who we are and how we contribute to the lives of their children , ” Carrera said .
“ We really are essential workers , we ’ re really important , and we need help .
”

After close to two decades of organizing and legislative struggle, tens of thousands of babysitters, early childhood educators and home day-care proprietors will vote this month on whether to unionize, a move many hope will reinvigorate California’s ailing child-care system in a moment of unprecedented crisis for millions of working families.
“People need to understand, we’re not any regular union,” said Zoila Carolina Toma, a longtime organizer with Child Care Providers United, which could soon represent home-based child-care workers in negotiations with the state. “We’re not just fighting for us as workers; we’re also fighting for our children’s future.”
For the record: An earlier version of this article referred to the Screen Actors Guild, which is now part of SAG-AFTRA.
As organized labor goes, the guild’s structure is unusual, though hardly unique in California, which boasts one of the highest rates of union membership in the country. Child Care Providers United is run jointly by the state’s two largest unions, SEIU and AFSCME-UDW, but operates more like SAG-AFTRA, which represents independent workers and is an open shop, where membership is voluntary.
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Unlike actors, though, day-care workers hope to negotiate directly with the state. California pays, regulates and, in most cases, licenses home-based providers. Union organizers say they want more money, a greater hand in shaping rules and a radical expansion of the state’s alternative payment voucher program for low-income children.
“We want to not just get benefits for ourselves, but also for these families and children,” Toma said. “This will benefit the families we work with.”
The plight of working families has never been more public than it is now, as thousands of parents are being called back to work and thousands more struggle to balance child care with essential jobs. There were about 1 million California children in day care, more than a third of them in subsidized spots, when home-based providers won the right to unionize last fall. The parents who rely on those subsidies are disproportionately working-class Latina and Black women, among those hardest hit by pandemic layoffs.
Unless that care is replaced, experts warn, economic recovery will be impossible. Yet those who provide it say their labor is undervalued and their experiences often outright ignored.
“The default perspective has been, we need to get this child care so that people can go to work, without enough attention to what is actually happening to the workers in those child-care programs,” said Lea J.E. Austin, director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. “We use it, it helps our economy function, but it has largely been invisible to many people.”
In fact, home day-care centers have played an outsize role in the state’s pandemic response, licensing data show. The overwhelming majority stayed open when schools closed in March. They remained open through the spring, as 40% of stand-alone day-care centers shut down, and hundreds of summer camps were forced to cancel. Even emergency child-care programs set up for essential workers have largely become clearinghouses for local home providers.
Advertisement
“We, the day-care workers, we’re supporting those who are on the front line,” said Sylvia Jordan, a provider from Eagle Rock whose charges are the children of nurses, firefighters and security guards. “Not the schools, not the child-care centers — we are the ones who take care of the essential workers.”
That role is born of a brutal financial calculus, Austin said. In L.A. County, most home day-care centers make about $50 per child per day — far less than in other major metro areas. Toma in Signal Hill makes closer to what’s paid in Sacramento than in neighboring Seal Beach, and almost $30 less than in San Francisco.
Most home day-care centers in L.A. are licensed for up to 10 children, so even at full capacity, employing a single assistant at minimum wage could take a third of their income. Providers say mortgages, maintenance, license requirements and materials quickly eat up the rest. In a recent survey of 2,000 California child-care providers, nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would fold if they had to close for more than a month, and 23% said they could not weather a closure of any length.
“Their place of business is also their home — if they have a loss of income, they are at risk of losing their home and struggling to support their own family,” Austin said. “The heart of it is really women having to make choices about their economics over their own health and well-being.”
Home-based child-care providers will vote this month on whether to unionize. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Like the union effort, those exigencies largely predate the pandemic. But coronavirus has magnified them, providers say. Though lawmakers recently extended a subsidy reimbursements plan based on pre-pandemic attendance, expenses have soared. There is little extra money for sanitizing supplies, materials to support social distancing or food for school-age children, many of whom now fill spots at day care that were previously occupied by infants.
“I’m working more hours with no salary,” said Doris Ruiz, a provider in Long Beach. “It’s hours and hours more that we spend cleaning.”
The squeeze is particularly acute for union hopefuls, as only those who accept state-subsidized children are eligible to vote in the election this month. CalWORKs vouchers, which fund roughly a third of California’s subsidized child care and pay the vast majority of home-based workers, narrowly escaped a 10% cut in the state’s June budget deal.
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people who actually make decisions for us, and they are very unaware of what we do,” said Sue Carrera, a union captain in Inglewood who cares for the children of a cargo worker, a grocery clerk and an industrial baker, among others. “For the governor to say he’s going to take 10% [from the subsidy program] — that’s not possible. I won’t be able to take subsidized children. If it comes down to my survival, my hands are tied.”
The voucher program lies at the heart of the organizing effort: Without it, a loose network of small businesses would have little standing to bargain collectively with the state. At the same time, many say its reimbursement rates leave them struggling to provide high-quality care.
“The subsidy rates have been incredibly low, below market in a market that’s repressed as it is,” Austin said. “Providers really have been at a loss to respond to that. Their only option is, don’t serve those children. And they don’t want to be in a position to not serve those children.”
Even if voucher rates remain stagnant, providers say they hope the union will force lawmakers to recognize their value — particularly now, with the future of public schools uncertain and millions of working parents stranded without child care.
“We just want people to understand who we are and how we contribute to the lives of their children,” Carrera said. “We really are essential workers, we’re really important, and we need help.”