latimes--2020-04-23--Still no timetable for reopening California as coronavirus deaths rise

Despite more positive developments in the fight against the coronavirus in California , state and local officials said Wednesday that there is still no firm timetable for easing stay-at-home restrictions that have helped slow the spread of COVID-19 .
California reported more than 100 new deaths linked to COVID-19 on Wednesday , including 66 in Los Angeles County , which has seen a surge in fatalities in recent weeks .
Though hospitals are not being overwhelmed , they continue to see a steady flow of patients .
“ I wish I could prescribe a specific date to say , well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ switch and go back to normalcy , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Wednesday .
“ We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch .
And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve.
” Despite the rising death toll , Los Angeles County health officials projections Wednesday about the trajectory of the virus while cautioning that the improved outlook was dependent on residents continuing to Dr. Christina Ghaly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that although COVID-19 cases are not yet decreasing here , the rate “ is leveling out , which is a good thing.
” “ Ten days ago , our best prediction was that we were going to see a continued increase in the daily number of new patients , but we weren ’ t sure how rapid that rise would be and how steep that slope would be , ” she said .
“ Instead , as a result of physical distancing , our current projection is that the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the new predictions — which Ghaly cautioned are inherently uncertain — officials continue to expect to meet demand for hospital beds and ventilators .
Notably , the county ’ s ability to meet demand for intensive care beds has improved ; initial modeling said there was a 50 % chance there would not be enough ICU beds , but the model now indicates the number of currently available beds will be sufficient .
Officials now predict about 2 in 20 Angelenos , or 11 % of the county , could contract the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of physical distancing .
That ’ s a substantial reduction from the model ’ s original estimate that 30 % of county residents could be infected .
Dr. Roger Lewis , a biostatistician and chairman of the emergency medicine department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center , said the original 30 % prediction reflected the average of numerous possibilities , including a potential surge in cases or a slower spread .
“ Luckily — and this is good news — the number of cases has been in the lower range of the uncertainty we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Lewis , who directs the county model .
Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout California , saying the findings will be critical to deciding when to ease the state ’ s strict stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work .
The governor ’ s announcement came as more cities and counties have urged him to modify the restrictions , which they say have put local economies on the brink of ruin .
Newsom has resisted , saying that COVID-19 remains a serious and growing health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prematurely could lead to a second wave of infections and fatalities .
But , he said , the prospect of lifting the restrictions becomes more feasible with widespread testing .
The data will increase the ability of public health officials to closely track potential cases , an essential requirement for California to ease into the next phase of the pandemic while still stemming the spread of the virus .
The governor announced several new efforts to increase testing , noting that President Trump committed in a phone call Wednesday to providing California with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in short supply .
Newsom said 100,000 swabs are expected to arrive this week and 250,000 next week .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said all critical workers in Los Angeles , including those without symptoms , can get tested for the virus at county sites .
Healthcare professionals , grocery store employees , first responders and critical government employees can get swabbed at any of the testing sites throughout the county .
The expanded testing criteria , which the mayor said he hopes provide some peace of mind to workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road to reopening.
” But officials emphasized that Los Angeles is not there yet .
In addition to the 66 COVID-19 deaths announced Wednesday , bringing the number to 729 began , 1,318 new COVID-19 cases brought the cumulative total to 16,435 , said Barbara Ferrer , L.A. County ’ s public health director .
As of Wednesday , 1,791 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide — with 30 % of them in intensive care and 19 % on ventilators , Ferrer said .
The latest victims include 48 people who were older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 41 to 65 years old and two people who were 18 to 40 years old .
Age ranges were not available for the other three .
Of all those who have died of COVID-19-related causes in the county , 88 % had some kind of underlying health condition , Ferrer said .
“ This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe , ” she said .
Willon and Mason reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Southern California .

Phil Willon, Melanie Mason, Marisa Gerber, Luke Money

Despite more positive developments in the fight against the coronavirus in California, state and local officials said Wednesday that there is still no firm timetable for easing stay-at-home restrictions that have helped slow the spread of COVID-19.
California reported more than 100 new deaths linked to COVID-19 on Wednesday, including 66 in Los Angeles County, which has seen a surge in fatalities in recent weeks. Though hospitals are not being overwhelmed, they continue to see a steady flow of patients.
“I wish I could prescribe a specific date to say, well, we can turn up the light switch and go back to normalcy,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. “We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch. And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve.”
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Despite the rising death toll, Los Angeles County health officials offered slightly rosier projections Wednesday about the trajectory of the virus while cautioning that the improved outlook was dependent on residents continuing to practice physical distancing.
Dr. Christina Ghaly, the county’s health services director, said that although COVID-19 cases are not yet decreasing here, the rate “is leveling out, which is a good thing.”
“Ten days ago, our best prediction was that we were going to see a continued increase in the daily number of new patients, but we weren’t sure how rapid that rise would be and how steep that slope would be,” she said. “Instead, as a result of physical distancing, our current projection is that the number of new cases will remain steady.”
Based on the new predictions — which Ghaly cautioned are inherently uncertain — officials continue to expect to meet demand for hospital beds and ventilators. Notably, the county’s ability to meet demand for intensive care beds has improved; initial modeling said there was a 50% chance there would not be enough ICU beds, but the model now indicates the number of currently available beds will be sufficient.
Officials now predict about 2 in 20 Angelenos, or 11% of the county, could contract the virus by Aug. 1 under the current level of physical distancing. That’s a substantial reduction from the model’s original estimate that 30% of county residents could be infected.
Dr. Roger Lewis, a biostatistician and chairman of the emergency medicine department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, said the original 30% prediction reflected the average of numerous possibilities, including a potential surge in cases or a slower spread.
“Luckily — and this is good news — the number of cases has been in the lower range of the uncertainty we had with the prior model,” said Lewis, who directs the county model.
Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout California, saying the findings will be critical to deciding when to ease the state’s strict stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work.
The governor’s announcement came as more cities and counties have urged him to modify the restrictions, which they say have put local economies on the brink of ruin. Newsom has resisted, saying that COVID-19 remains a serious and growing health threat and that loosening his statewide order prematurely could lead to a second wave of infections and fatalities.
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But, he said, the prospect of lifting the restrictions becomes more feasible with widespread testing. The data will increase the ability of public health officials to closely track potential cases, an essential requirement for California to ease into the next phase of the pandemic while still stemming the spread of the virus.
The governor announced several new efforts to increase testing, noting that President Trump committed in a phone call Wednesday to providing California with critically needed specimen swabs, which have been in short supply. Newsom said 100,000 swabs are expected to arrive this week and 250,000 next week.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said all critical workers in Los Angeles, including those without symptoms, can get tested for the virus at county sites.
Healthcare professionals, grocery store employees, first responders and critical government employees can get swabbed at any of the testing sites throughout the county.
The expanded testing criteria, which the mayor said he hopes provide some peace of mind to workers, are also a critical milestone “on the road to reopening.”
But officials emphasized that Los Angeles is not there yet.
In addition to the 66 COVID-19 deaths announced Wednesday, bringing the number to 729 since the outbreak began, 1,318 new COVID-19 cases brought the cumulative total to 16,435, said Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County’s public health director.
As of Wednesday, 1,791 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide — with 30% of them in intensive care and 19% on ventilators, Ferrer said.
The latest victims include 48 people who were older than 65, 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were 18 to 40 years old. Age ranges were not available for the other three.
Of all those who have died of COVID-19-related causes in the county, 88% had some kind of underlying health condition, Ferrer said.
“This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe,” she said.
Willon and Mason reported from Northern California, Gerber and Money from Southern California.


latimes--2020-04-23--Give Newsom credit. He's trying it all to fight coronavirus and California's economic collapse

Gov .
Gavin Newsom has been throwing lots of stuff on the wall and hoping it sticks — sort of like FDR during the Great Depression .
No , I ’ m not really equating Newsom with Franklin D. Roosevelt , the greatest president of the 20th century .
For one thing , Roosevelt was one of history ’ s most inspiring and comforting orators .
Newsom tries , but he ’ s long-winded , repetitive and jargon-prone : “ Meet this moment.
” “ In real time.
” But California ’ s governor deserves lots of credit for — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state staggers through a health pandemic and economic collapse .
Newsom is announcing a new project virtually every day .
Some of the Democratic governor ’ s ventures may not work .
Others will and they ’ ll help get us through this awful time .
“ I don ’ t think anyone could do any better , ” says Allan Zaremberg , president of the California Chamber of Commerce and a former top advisor to the late Republican Gov .
George Deukmejian .
The most high-profile and potentially productive thing Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Force on Business and Jobs Recovery.
” Its task , the governor ’ s announcement read , is “ to develop recommendations for a plan that works for all Californians , with a focus on the regions and communities hardest hit by the pandemic… .
“ The task force will craft ideas for short , medium and long-term solutions that … emphasize a fair and equitable recovery.
” OK , that ’ s typical eye-glazing government-speak , but this “ blue ribbon ” commission is truly top of the line , loaded with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ successes .
Many could be successful governors , if they ever had the desire to become politicians .
In fact , four “ honorary ” members were governors : Democrats Jerry Brown and Gray Davis , and Republicans Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pete Wilson .
It ’ ll be interesting to learn what they contribute , if anything .
Brown and Schwarzenegger , in particular , are used to running the show and aren ’ t really committee types .
One huge hurdle is that the task force is gigantic .
I count 93 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , representing a wide swath of business and labor , ever reach a consensus on anything meaningful ?
Maybe they won ’ t .
Maybe they ’ ll merely reach consensus by subcommittees .
It reminds me of the old line about what a camel is : It ’ s a horse designed by a committee .
But this committee is truly promising .
It ’ s co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer , a billionaire who made his fortune by managing a hedge fund .
The other co-chair is Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Leary , who once worked for Steyer at his Center for the Next Generation , a nonprofit that focused on economic issues .
There are 14 union leaders , including Art Pulaski , executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation .
Newsom also wisely placed on the commission the four legislative leaders — two Democrats , two Republicans — and Lt. Gov .
Eleni Kounalakis , whose family made a fortune in housing development and knows much about the business .
My cynical nature tells me one reason Newsom created this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insulate himself from their possible criticisms of his performance .
These are people a governor needs on his side .
It was a smart move .
Practically the only people left off the task force are large growers and owners of major sports teams .
Too bad .
What ’ s another dozen members ?
The committee ’ s usefulness in helping Newsom chart a path out of the economic disaster will depend on the practicality of their solutions — no pie-in-the-sky fantasies — and whether the governor listens .
Newsom showed his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the co-chair and placing seven other high administration officials on the committee .
They include his Cabinet secretary Ana Matosantos , a former state finance director and another ex-Steyer aide .
An unknown : Will these VIPs actually participate in the deliberations or shuck off their duties to underlings ?
For enlightenment , I called Steyer , a climate change and “ impeach Trump ” activist .
But he didn ’ t want to speak on the record , fearful of upstaging the governor .
I emailed the governor ’ s office twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We need to find a way to get out of this shutdown , ” he said .
“ We ’ re not going to get out of this until we allow public contact .
Not just in restaurants , but airport concessions , dentists , tourism .
… We have to mitigate the risks by other ways than staying apart .
The only solution can not be keeping our distance .
“ Science is going to have to lead us out of this.
” Zaremberg says the state must put heavy emphasis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom says he ’ s trying .
I also called the other end of the economic spectrum : Robbie Hunter , president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California .
He ’ s a powerful labor lobbyist .
Hunter offered some hope .
He talked about compromising on a longtime developer bugaboo : the California Environmental Quality Act , which often slows down projects because of long , drawn-out lawsuits .
He suggested streamlining the CEQA appeals process for major projects — just as the Legislature has previously done for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hope this task force lives up to its promise — and its report isn ’ t merely tossed on a shelf to collect dust , as has happened to so many previous “ blue ribbon ” commissions .

Gov. Gavin Newsom has been throwing lots of stuff on the wall and hoping it sticks — sort of like FDR during the Great Depression.
No, I’m not really equating Newsom with Franklin D. Roosevelt, the greatest president of the 20th century.
For one thing, Roosevelt was one of history’s most inspiring and comforting orators. Newsom tries, but he’s long-winded, repetitive and jargon-prone: “Meet this moment.” “In real time.”
But California’s governor deserves lots of credit for — like Roosevelt — trying many things as the state staggers through a health pandemic and economic collapse.
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Newsom is announcing a new project virtually every day. Some of the Democratic governor’s ventures may not work. Others will and they’ll help get us through this awful time.
“I don’t think anyone could do any better,” says Allan Zaremberg, president of the California Chamber of Commerce and a former top advisor to the late Republican Gov. George Deukmejian.
The most high-profile and potentially productive thing Newsom has done is create a “Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery.” Its task, the governor’s announcement read, is “to develop recommendations for a plan that works for all Californians, with a focus on the regions and communities hardest hit by the pandemic….
“The task force will craft ideas for short, medium and long-term solutions that … emphasize a fair and equitable recovery.”
OK, that’s typical eye-glazing government-speak, but this “blue ribbon” commission is truly top of the line, loaded with brainy, practical Californians with extraordinary career successes. Many could be successful governors, if they ever had the desire to become politicians.
In fact, four “honorary” members were governors: Democrats Jerry Brown and Gray Davis, and Republicans Arnold Schwarzenegger and Pete Wilson. It’ll be interesting to learn what they contribute, if anything. Brown and Schwarzenegger, in particular, are used to running the show and aren’t really committee types.
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One huge hurdle is that the task force is gigantic. I count 93 members. How can that many people, representing a wide swath of business and labor, ever reach a consensus on anything meaningful? Maybe they won’t. Maybe they’ll merely reach consensus by subcommittees.
It reminds me of the old line about what a camel is: It’s a horse designed by a committee.
But this committee is truly promising. It’s co-chaired by former Democratic presidential candidate Tom Steyer, a billionaire who made his fortune by managing a hedge fund. The other co-chair is Newsom’s chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, who once worked for Steyer at his Center for the Next Generation, a nonprofit that focused on economic issues.
Other members include Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, Disney Executive Chairman Bob Iger, Bloom Energy founder Dr. K.R. Sridhar, Times owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Zaremberg.
There are 14 union leaders, including Art Pulaski, executive secretary-treasurer of the California Labor Federation.
Newsom also wisely placed on the commission the four legislative leaders — two Democrats, two Republicans — and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, whose family made a fortune in housing development and knows much about the business.
My cynical nature tells me one reason Newsom created this colossal committee of California VIPs was to insulate himself from their possible criticisms of his performance. These are people a governor needs on his side. It was a smart move.
Practically the only people left off the task force are large growers and owners of major sports teams. Too bad. What’s another dozen members?
The committee’s usefulness in helping Newsom chart a path out of the economic disaster will depend on the practicality of their solutions — no pie-in-the-sky fantasies — and whether the governor listens.
Newsom showed his sincerity by naming his top advisor as the co-chair and placing seven other high administration officials on the committee. They include his Cabinet secretary Ana Matosantos, a former state finance director and another ex-Steyer aide.
An unknown: Will these VIPs actually participate in the deliberations or shuck off their duties to underlings?
For enlightenment, I called Steyer, a climate change and “impeach Trump” activist. But he didn’t want to speak on the record, fearful of upstaging the governor.
I emailed the governor’s office twice for details and got no response.
So I called Zaremberg, a longtime major player in Sacramento politics.
“We need to find a way to get out of this shutdown,” he said. “We’re not going to get out of this until we allow public contact. Not just in restaurants, but airport concessions, dentists, tourism. … We have to mitigate the risks by other ways than staying apart. The only solution cannot be keeping our distance.
“Science is going to have to lead us out of this.”
Zaremberg says the state must put heavy emphasis on increasing testing and treating the ill. Newsom says he’s trying.
I also called the other end of the economic spectrum: Robbie Hunter, president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. He’s a powerful labor lobbyist.
Hunter offered some hope. He talked about compromising on a longtime developer bugaboo: the California Environmental Quality Act, which often slows down projects because of long, drawn-out lawsuits.
He suggested streamlining the CEQA appeals process for major projects — just as the Legislature has previously done for sports stadiums and arenas.
“I think that’s doable,” Hunter said.
Let’s hope this task force lives up to its promise — and its report isn’t merely tossed on a shelf to collect dust, as has happened to so many previous “blue ribbon” commissions.


latimes--2020-04-23--LAPD officers responding to car accident fatally shoot man with 'edged weapon'

Los Angeles Police Department officers responding to a car accident late Wednesday afternoon shot and killed a man on the @ @ @ @ @ weapon , ” according to the agency .
About 5:30 p.m. , officers from the @ @ @ @ @ accident scene near 32nd and San Pedro streets and soon encountered the man holding the @ @ @ @ @ LAPD .
The man was hit by gunfire , fell to the ground and died @ @ @ @ @ LAPD said .
The edged weapon was recovered at the scene , according to the @ @ @ @ @ only minimal information Wednesday evening about the shooting and will provide a more detailed report @ @ @ @ @ , an agency spokesman said .
Two people involved in the traffic accident were taken @ @ @ @ @ in stable condition .
The shooting occurred about half a mile from where Alex Flores @ @ @ @ @ shot and killed by police in November .

Los Angeles Police Department officers responding to a car accident late Wednesday afternoon shot and killed a man on the street with an “edged weapon,” according to the agency.
About 5:30 p.m., officers from the Newton station arrived at the accident scene near 32nd and San Pedro streets and soon encountered the man holding the weapon, according to the LAPD.
The man was hit by gunfire, fell to the ground and died at the scene, the LAPD said. The edged weapon was recovered at the scene, according to the agency.
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The LAPD released only minimal information Wednesday evening about the shooting and will provide a more detailed report, probably in four days, an agency spokesman said.
Two people involved in the traffic accident were taken to a hospital and were in stable condition.
The shooting occurred about half a mile from where Alex Flores, 34, , was shot and killed by police in November.


latimes--2020-04-23--L.A. council members balk at broader ban on evictions amid coronavirus, citing legal worries

The Los Angeles City Council balked Wednesday at imposing a ban on evictions that goes farther than the restrictions it has already passed , voting 7 to 6 against a stricter moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The broader ban proposed by Councilmen Mike Bonin and David Ryu would have prohibited landlords from evicting tenants “ except to protect the health and safety of other occupants of the property ” during the coronavirus crisis .
The proposal spurred a lengthy and impassioned debate about the legal limits of what the city could do to protect tenants , with some council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city attorney ’ s office .
Council members have already barred landlords from evicting people who have been affected by the novel coronavirus , but critics complain that the rules don ’ t go far enough to help renters , especially those who have little paperwork to later prove that their financial woes are related to the pandemic .
Eviction notices have continued to be issued to some tenants , troubling tenant advocates who argue that an across-the-board ban is needed to prevent disruption for renters .
“ It is a common-sense step @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — without misleading contradictions from their landlord — that they can not be put out of their home during this pandemic , ” West L.A. renter Peter Horton wrote .
The proposal from Bonin and Ryu was similar to an earlier push for a blanket ban on evictions , which fell one vote short of council approval last month .
The city attorney ’ s office warned , in a confidential memo to the council obtained by The Times , that such a sweeping ban would interfere with private contractual rights and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any eviction protections “ must be reasonably tied to the pandemic , ” the report from Chief Asst .
City Atty .
David Michaelson stated , and “ a broad eviction prohibition that bears no relationship with the emergency would likely not withstand legal challenge.
” The report also said that the eviction ban was preempted by state law .
Michaelson said their office had great sympathy for tenants , “ but we ’ re just calling balls and strikes.
” Bonin instead touted advice from attorneys with the Eviction Defense Network , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who countered those arguments and said the existing law fails to “ discourage the initiation of the eviction process , which sows doubt and confusion leading to renters being harassed and intimidated into leaving their homes.
” The groups contended that L.A. has the legal basis to pursue the broader ban and was not preempted by the state .
Bonin said “ it is absolutely something , despite the guidance of our city attorney , that we are empowered to do and should do.
” Michaelson argued that the analysis from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Councilman Mitch O ’ Farrell said that Public Counsel had committed “ sins of omission ” in its legal analysis and “ should be ashamed of themselves.
” ( A Public Counsel attorney said “ some confusion ” had been caused by the fact that only a small part of its letter was read into the record and reiterated its position that “ the city can still go further to protect tenants.
” ) “ Let ’ s all get real here and talk about what we can and should do in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Farrell said , calling that proposal and others touted by Bonin and Ryu “ pretend measures that we could not ever enforce.
” Many council members , including O ’ Farrell and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez , said they were concerned that Angelenos were being offered “ false hope ” about what the city could legally do to help tenants .
Bonin countered that “ I don ’ t think that it ’ s false hope to try to go big and use our emergency powers.
” “ I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an eviction moratorium that really isn ’ t one , ” Bonin said .
Seven council members voted against drafting the proposal : Bob Blumenfield , Joe Buscaino , Gil Cedillo , John Lee , Nury Martinez , Monica Rodriguez and O ’ Farrell .
The plan was backed by Bonin and Ryu , Marqueece Harris-Dawson , Jose Huizar , Paul Koretz , and Herb Wesson .
Council members Paul Krekorian and Curren Price recused themselves from the vote .
Landlords had voiced alarm about the idea : One landlord who phoned into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only as Miss Foster , said she is not eligible for any mortgage relief that now exists .
“ You are asking us to house people for free , without a safety net for ourselves , ” she said .
Some protesters , in turn , want the council to go much farther .
Tenant activists who have staged drive-by protests outside the homes of Council President Nury Martinez , Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilmen Bob Blumenfield , John Lee , Mitch O ’ Farrell and Paul Krekorian are pressing not only for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total suspension of rents .
The city attorney ’ s office wrote in its memo that eliminating all rents would violate the law and require the city to compensate landlords , which “ could exceed one billion dollars.
” The council voted Wednesday to back a resolution urging the state and federal government to take action to relieve people from having to pay rent or mortgages during the coronavirus emergency , including a recent bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar ( D-Minn. ) .
Councilman Paul Krekorian said , “ there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of meaningful relief that will make a difference ... without robust , significant investment by the federal government.
” Bonin and Ryu also pushed Wednesday to halt rent increases in all apartments and other residential rentals in the city .
Mayor Eric Garcetti already moved last month to freeze rent hikes for apartments that fall under L.A. 's Rent Stabilization Ordinance — a law that limits annual increases and generally covers buildings built on or before October 1978 — but the move did not affect newer apartments or single-family homes that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys warned that unless a California law known as Costa-Hawkins was suspended , the city couldn ’ t stop rent increases in apartments that aren ’ t covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance .
If the city pushed forward anyway , Michaelson wrote that the move would “ likely be enjoined by a court through a temporary restraining order.
” The council rejected that move in a 7-to-6 vote , but council members did vote in favor of extending the freeze on rent hikes in rent stabilized units , ensuring that it lasted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency order was lifted .
The council also turned down a move to prevent landlords from evicting tenants in the future if they fail to eventually pay back rent that goes unpaid during the COVID-19 emergency — something they have a year to do under the current rules .
Landlords would instead have to turn to other means to recoup the money they are owed , such as small claims court .
One member of the Los Angeles Tenants Union who phoned in to the Wednesday meeting argued that many people would struggle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis ends .
“ How are people supposed to go back to work making the same money that they were before — if they ’ re lucky — and be paying that back ?
” Kevin Varzandeh asked .
In its report to the council , the city attorney ’ s office said that the city was legally preempted from trying to alter the eviction process .
Landlords also pushed against the move : Joel Levine argued in a letter to the council that “ we provided our tenants with a service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to in a lease .
It is only fair that we be paid for our work.
” Council members did vote Wednesday to press forward with an emergency rent relief program to assist tenants and to use more than $ 1 million from discretionary funds controlled by Council President Nury Martinez and Councilman Herb Wesson to start funding the program .
Many landlords who opposed the measures proposed by Bonin and Ryu had argued that such a program was a better way to assist struggling renters .
Times staff writers Liam Dillon and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin, seen here in May 2015, argued in favor of a broader ban on evictions.
The Los Angeles City Council balked Wednesday at imposing a ban on evictions that goes farther than the restrictions it has already passed, voting 7 to 6 against a stricter moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The broader ban proposed by Councilmen Mike Bonin and David Ryu would have prohibited landlords from evicting tenants “except to protect the health and safety of other occupants of the property” during the coronavirus crisis.
The proposal spurred a lengthy and impassioned debate about the legal limits of what the city could do to protect tenants, with some council members publicly disputing concerns raised by the city attorney’s office.
Council members have already barred landlords from evicting people who have been affected by the novel coronavirus, but critics complain that the rules don’t go far enough to help renters, especially those who have little paperwork to later prove that their financial woes are related to the pandemic.
Eviction notices have continued to be issued to some tenants, troubling tenant advocates who argue that an across-the-board ban is needed to prevent disruption for renters.
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“It is a common-sense step which will simply help Angelenos understand clearly — without misleading contradictions from their landlord — that they cannot be put out of their home during this pandemic,” West L.A. renter Peter Horton wrote.
The proposal from Bonin and Ryu was similar to an earlier push for a blanket ban on evictions, which fell one vote short of council approval last month. The city attorney’s office warned, in a confidential memo to the council obtained by The Times, that such a sweeping ban would interfere with private contractual rights and was not likely to survive in court.
Any eviction protections “must be reasonably tied to the pandemic,” the report from Chief Asst. City Atty. David Michaelson stated, and “a broad eviction prohibition that bears no relationship with the emergency would likely not withstand legal challenge.” The report also said that the eviction ban was preempted by state law.
Michaelson said their office had great sympathy for tenants, “but we’re just calling balls and strikes.”
City Attorney Memo about Eviction Protections A report from the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office analyzing proposals to protect tenants.
Bonin instead touted advice from attorneys with the Eviction Defense Network, Public Counsel and other legal advocacy groups, who countered those arguments and said the existing law fails to “discourage the initiation of the eviction process, which sows doubt and confusion leading to renters being harassed and intimidated into leaving their homes.”
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The groups contended that L.A. has the legal basis to pursue the broader ban and was not preempted by the state.
Bonin said “it is absolutely something, despite the guidance of our city attorney, that we are empowered to do and should do.”
Michaelson argued that the analysis from the outside groups had left out important details. Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said that Public Counsel had committed “sins of omission” in its legal analysis and “should be ashamed of themselves.” (A Public Counsel attorney said “some confusion” had been caused by the fact that only a small part of its letter was read into the record and reiterated its position that “the city can still go further to protect tenants.”)
“Let’s all get real here and talk about what we can and should do in terms of real policy,” O’Farrell said, calling that proposal and others touted by Bonin and Ryu “pretend measures that we could not ever enforce.”
Many council members, including O’Farrell and Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, said they were concerned that Angelenos were being offered “false hope” about what the city could legally do to help tenants. Bonin countered that “I don’t think that it’s false hope to try to go big and use our emergency powers.”
“I think it’s false hope to say that we have an eviction moratorium that really isn’t one,” Bonin said.
Seven council members voted against drafting the proposal: Bob Blumenfield, Joe Buscaino, Gil Cedillo, John Lee, Nury Martinez, Monica Rodriguez and O’Farrell. The plan was backed by Bonin and Ryu, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Jose Huizar, Paul Koretz, and Herb Wesson. Council members Paul Krekorian and Curren Price recused themselves from the vote.
Landlords had voiced alarm about the idea: One landlord who phoned into the Wednesday meeting, who identified herself only as Miss Foster, said she is not eligible for any mortgage relief that now exists.
“You are asking us to house people for free, without a safety net for ourselves,” she said.
Some protesters, in turn, want the council to go much farther. Tenant activists who have staged drive-by protests outside the homes of Council President Nury Martinez, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilmen Bob Blumenfield, John Lee, Mitch O’Farrell and Paul Krekorian are pressing not only for a blanket ban on evictions, but total suspension of rents.
The city attorney’s office wrote in its memo that eliminating all rents would violate the law and require the city to compensate landlords, which “could exceed one billion dollars.”
The council voted Wednesday to back a resolution urging the state and federal government to take action to relieve people from having to pay rent or mortgages during the coronavirus emergency, including a recent bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).
Councilman Paul Krekorian said, “there is simply no way that we can provide the kind of meaningful relief that will make a difference ... without robust, significant investment by the federal government.”
Bonin and Ryu also pushed Wednesday to halt rent increases in all apartments and other residential rentals in the city. Mayor Eric Garcetti already moved last month to freeze rent hikes for apartments that fall under L.A.’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance — a law that limits annual increases and generally covers buildings built on or before October 1978 — but the move did not affect newer apartments or single-family homes that are rented out to tenants.
City attorneys warned that unless a California law known as Costa-Hawkins was suspended, the city couldn’t stop rent increases in apartments that aren’t covered by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. If the city pushed forward anyway, Michaelson’s memo said the move would “likely be enjoined by a court through a temporary restraining order.”
The council rejected that move in a 7-to-6 vote, but council members did vote in favor of extending the freeze on rent hikes in rent stabilized units, ensuring that it lasted for nearly a year after L.A.’s emergency order was lifted.
The council also turned down a move to prevent landlords from evicting tenants in the future if they fail to eventually pay back rent that goes unpaid during the COVID-19 emergency — something they have a year to do under the current rules. Landlords would instead have to turn to other means to recoup the money they are owed, such as small claims court.
One member of the Los Angeles Tenants Union who phoned in to the Wednesday meeting argued that many people would struggle to catch up on unpaid rent after the crisis ends.
“How are people supposed to go back to work making the same money that they were before — if they’re lucky — and be paying that back?” Kevin Varzandeh asked.
In its report to the council, the city attorney’s office said that the city was legally preempted from trying to alter the eviction process.
Landlords also pushed against the move: Joel Levine argued in a letter to the council that “we provided our tenants with a service at a price that the tenants agreed to in a lease. It is only fair that we be paid for our work.”
Council members did vote Wednesday to press forward with an emergency rent relief program to assist tenants and to use more than $1 million from discretionary funds controlled by Council President Nury Martinez and Councilman Herb Wesson to start funding the program. Many landlords who opposed the measures proposed by Bonin and Ryu had argued that such a program was a better way to assist struggling renters.
Times staff writers Liam Dillon and Dakota Smith contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-22--2 men freed from jail by California coronavirus order rearrested

Two men who were released from jails in California because of the coronavirus outbreak were rearrested and accused of committing crimes shortly after being freed , authorities said .
Rocky Lee Music , 32 , was charged Wednesday with carjacking a motorist Sunday night , about 40 minutes after he was released from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in the Bay Area , Alameda County authorities said .
That jail has seen 16 inmates test positive for COVID-19 , the Sheriff ’ s office said .
Also Wednesday , Owen Aguilar , 27 , of Selma in Central California was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week after his release from the Fresno County Jail .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear whether Music or Aguilar had attorneys .
Thousands of inmates have been released from county jails throughout California under an April 13 emergency order by the state Judicial Council cutting bail to zero for those charged with low-level offenses .
The order aimed to combat the potential spread of the coronavirus within packed lockups .
Other inmates have had weeks or months shaved off their release dates to reduce jail populations .
In general , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being charged and held at jails .
The judicial order is expected to continue for 90 days after Gov .
Gavin Newsom lifts a statewide stay-at-home order .
While some prosecutors and sheriffs say the order is a limited and proper approach to dealing with COVID-19 , others have expressed concerns that potentially dangerous people are being allowed back on the streets .
Music is accused of stealing a Toyota Prius on Sunday night from a man in Dublin , a short distance from the Santa Rita Jail near a BART station @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abandoning it and trying to carjack another victim .
He ran and was arrested with help from a police dog , authorities said .
Music had first been arrested a dozen hours earlier in Oakland on suspicion of car theft , but after being taken to the jail for processing he was cited and released on zero bail .
Aguilar was charged with starting nine fires on April 16 , including torching a tent occupied by a homeless man , several commercial dumpsters and a shopping cart , which caused a fire that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
Aguilar had been facing a charge of felony animal cruelty when he was released from jail on April 10 , the Fresno County district attorney ’ s office said .
If convicted on felony arson charges , he could face nearly 46 years in state prison .
Earlier this month , a man charged with a series of school burglaries in Fremont was released without bail , then rearrested and accused of another spate of crimes in Santa Clara County that included stealing 23 cars from a San Jose car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people , police said .
All four were arrested on April 16 , booked and then released on zero bail , authorities said .
Others have been rearrested on accusations ranging from indecent exposure to burglary .

Two men who were released from jails in California because of the coronavirus outbreak were rearrested and accused of committing crimes shortly after being freed, authorities said.
Rocky Lee Music, 32, was charged Wednesday with carjacking a motorist Sunday night, about 40 minutes after he was released from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin in the Bay Area, Alameda County authorities said.
That jail has seen 16 inmates test positive for COVID-19, the Sheriff’s office said.
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Also Wednesday, Owen Aguilar, 27, of Selma in Central California was charged with setting nine fires less than a week after his release from the Fresno County Jail.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Music or Aguilar had attorneys.
Thousands of inmates have been released from county jails throughout California under an April 13 emergency order by the state Judicial Council cutting bail to zero for those charged with low-level offenses. The order aimed to combat the potential spread of the coronavirus within packed lockups.
Other inmates have had weeks or months shaved off their release dates to reduce jail populations.
In general, only those suspected of serious or violent crimes are being charged and held at jails.
The judicial order is expected to continue for 90 days after Gov. Gavin Newsom lifts a statewide stay-at-home order.
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While some prosecutors and sheriffs say the order is a limited and proper approach to dealing with COVID-19, others have expressed concerns that potentially dangerous people are being allowed back on the streets.
Music is accused of stealing a Toyota Prius on Sunday night from a man in Dublin, a short distance from the Santa Rita Jail near a BART station, driving it to San Ramon, abandoning it and trying to carjack another victim. He ran and was arrested with help from a police dog, authorities said.
Music had first been arrested a dozen hours earlier in Oakland on suspicion of car theft, but after being taken to the jail for processing he was cited and released on zero bail.
Aguilar was charged with starting nine fires on April 16, including torching a tent occupied by a homeless man, several commercial dumpsters and a shopping cart, which caused a fire that spread to some brush and debris, authorities said.
No injuries were reported.
Aguilar had been facing a charge of felony animal cruelty when he was released from jail on April 10, the Fresno County district attorney’s office said.
If convicted on felony arson charges, he could face nearly 46 years in state prison.
Earlier this month, a man charged with a series of school burglaries in Fremont was released without bail, then rearrested and accused of another spate of crimes in Santa Clara County that included stealing 23 cars from a San Jose car rental agency with the help of three other people, police said. All four were arrested on April 16, booked and then released on zero bail, authorities said.
Others have been rearrested on accusations ranging from indecent exposure to burglary.


latimes--2020-04-22--California pastors' request to allow in-person worship is denied by federal judge

Churches in Riverside and San Bernardino counties must continue to follow government orders banning in-person religious services to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus , a federal judge ruled Wednesday .
At a hearing conducted by telephone Wednesday , U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal refused to grant a temporary restraining order that would have prevented state and county officials from enforcing the ban , which was included in broader stay-at-home orders prohibiting gatherings and closing down many businesses .
Three pastors and one parishioner filed a lawsuit this month alleging that the stay-at-home orders violated their 1st Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harmeet Dhillon , an attorney for the plaintiffs , argued that the judge should apply the constitutional standard of “ strict scrutiny ” to assess the legality of limiting worshipers to online services .
She noted that some Californians , particularly in rural areas , do not have internet access .
Attorneys for the government countered that the COVID-19 pandemic , which has killed more more than 1,400 in California and more than 180,000 worldwide , justifies the use of emergency powers that restrict people ’ s movements and right to gather in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plaintiff suffers is significantly outweighed by the harm to the public health that this disease provides , that harm being a significant risk of severe sickness and death on a massive scale , ” Deputy Atty .
Gen. Todd Grabarsky said at the hearing .
Dhillon questioned why in-person religious services can not be held if worshipers stay at least six feet apart , when laundromats and supermarkets remain open .
She warned that if the restrictions continue , churches and other religious institutions will be driven underground , posing a greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are allowed to legally gather .
“ Religion is as central to people of faith as eating , ” she said .
“ It is not optional .
It is not weekend.
” Deborah Fox , an attorney for San Bernardino County acting Public Health Officer Erin Gustafson , said a church gathering is different from picking up a prescription or milk and eggs because it is a communal experience , not a quick stop to grab a few items .
“ You can ’ t sit in a McDonald ’ s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ You can ’ t sit in Starbucks with a coffee and read the New York Times.
” Some of the plaintiffs in the case have shown their determination to share the same physical space as their parishioners .
James Moffatt of Church Unlimited in Indio was fined $ 1,000 for conducting a service on Palm Sunday .
On Easter Sunday , the church held a drive-in service , which was permitted by Riverside County only for that weekend .
show a full parking lot , with some worshipers standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Another plaintiff , Patrick Scales of the Shield of Faith Family Church in Fontana , held an in-person Easter service in defiance of the stay-at-home orders .
A video on the church ’ s Facebook page shows people in the pews cheering and applauding , many wearing masks and gloves but appearing to be closer to each other than six feet .
Bernal agreed with the defendants , who include Gov .
Gavin Newsom and other state officials , as well as Riverside and San Bernardino county officials , that the pandemic justifies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers , even at some cost to religious freedom .
“ I do think the state has put forth some authority that during a state of emergency , the executive powers are in effect and that they are empowered to provide for emergency remedies which may infringe on fundamental constitutional rights , ” Bernal said .
Dhillon requested a hearing for a preliminary injunction to stop the ban , which would cover similar legal ground as the arguments over the temporary restraining order .
In an interview , Dhillon said that even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have won a victory in getting state officials to clarify that churches can hold drive-in services if people stay in their cars .
“ It ’ s better than nothing .
It gives heart to people that they can see one another , ” she said .
Dhillon said she is monitoring restrictions on religious gatherings in other parts of California and may file more lawsuits soon .

Ashley Amon and her daughters, Alysha, 2, and Alexandria, 4, attend a drive-in Easter service with fellow worshipers in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana.
Churches in Riverside and San Bernardino counties must continue to follow government orders banning in-person religious services to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
At a hearing conducted by telephone Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Jesus G. Bernal refused to grant a temporary restraining order that would have prevented state and county officials from enforcing the ban, which was included in broader stay-at-home orders prohibiting gatherings and closing down many businesses.
Three pastors and one parishioner filed a lawsuit this month alleging that the stay-at-home orders violated their 1st Amendment religious freedoms and other constitutional rights.
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Harmeet Dhillon, an attorney for the plaintiffs, argued that the judge should apply the constitutional standard of “strict scrutiny” to assess the legality of limiting worshipers to online services. She noted that some Californians, particularly in rural areas, do not have internet access.
Attorneys for the government countered that the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more more than 1,400 in California and more than 180,000 worldwide, justifies the use of emergency powers that restrict people’s movements and right to gather in houses of worship.
“Any harm the plaintiff suffers is significantly outweighed by the harm to the public health that this disease provides, that harm being a significant risk of severe sickness and death on a massive scale,” Deputy Atty. Gen. Todd Grabarsky said at the hearing.
Dhillon questioned why in-person religious services cannot be held if worshipers stay at least six feet apart, when laundromats and supermarkets remain open. She warned that if the restrictions continue, churches and other religious institutions will be driven underground, posing a greater risk to public safety than if they are allowed to legally gather.
“Religion is as central to people of faith as eating,” she said. “It is not optional. It is not weekend.”
Deborah Fox, an attorney for San Bernardino County acting Public Health Officer Erin Gustafson, said a church gathering is different from picking up a prescription or milk and eggs because it is a communal experience, not a quick stop to grab a few items.
“You can’t sit in a McDonald’s and have a burger and fries,” she said. “You can’t sit in Starbucks with a coffee and read the New York Times.”
Some of the plaintiffs in the case have shown their determination to share the same physical space as their parishioners.
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James Moffatt of Church Unlimited in Indio was fined $1,000 for conducting a service on Palm Sunday.
On Easter Sunday, the church held a drive-in service, which was permitted by Riverside County only for that weekend. Photos on the church’s Facebook page show a full parking lot, with some worshipers standing on curbs or in between cars.
Another plaintiff, Patrick Scales of the Shield of Faith Family Church in Fontana, held an in-person Easter service in defiance of the stay-at-home orders. A video on the church’s Facebook page shows people in the pews cheering and applauding, many wearing masks and gloves but appearing to be closer to each other than six feet.
Bernal agreed with the defendants, who include Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state officials, as well as Riverside and San Bernardino county officials, that the pandemic justifies the government’s use of emergency powers, even at some cost to religious freedom.
“I do think the state has put forth some authority that during a state of emergency, the executive powers are in effect and that they are empowered to provide for emergency remedies which may infringe on fundamental constitutional rights,” Bernal said.
Dhillon requested a hearing for a preliminary injunction to stop the ban, which would cover similar legal ground as the arguments over the temporary restraining order.
In an interview, Dhillon said that even if she loses the case, she will have won a victory in getting state officials to clarify that churches can hold drive-in services if people stay in their cars.
“It’s better than nothing. It gives heart to people that they can see one another,” she said.
Dhillon said she is monitoring restrictions on religious gatherings in other parts of California and may file more lawsuits soon.


latimes--2020-04-22--A healthy woman suddenly died. She was the first known coronavirus fatality in the U.S.

A mystery clouded the death of Patricia Dowd in early February .
The San Jose woman was a seemingly healthy 57-year-old who exercised routinely , watched her diet and took no medication .
She had flu-like symptoms for a few days , then appeared to recover , a family member said .
Then she was found dead Feb. 6 , and the initial culprit appeared to be a heart attack .
This week , authorities confirmed to Dowd ’ s family that she tested positive for the novel coronavirus , making her the first such documented fatality in the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not identify Dowd by name , describing the decedent as a 57-year-old woman who died at home .
The Times independently confirmed her death from family members .
Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the deaths of three people in the county — one Feb. 6 , another Feb. 17 , and a third March 6 — were evidence that the novel coronavirus arrived in the Bay Area far earlier than expected and spread .
Previously , the first documented fatality was outside Seattle on Feb. 29 .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel history , ” Cody said Wednesday of the three deaths .
“ We presume that each of them represent community transmission and that there was some significant level of virus circulating in our community in early February ... and who knows how much earlier.
” Cody referred to the cases as “ iceberg tips , ” an omen of a vast and unseen propagation .
The person who died on Feb. 17 was a 69-year-old man .
The March 6 victim was a 70-year-old man .
Cody said the robust influenza season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a nascent understanding of the coronavirus , led to this late detection .
“ It would be difficult to pick out what was influenza and what was COVID-19 , ” Cody said .
She credited the county ’ s medical examiner and health officials for taking the time to understand the virus and help detect these three deaths .
Family members said Dowd , who worked as manager for semiconductor company , became unusually sick in late January and was forced to cancel plans to go to a weekend funeral .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she had improved and was working from home , corresponding with a colleague at about 8 a.m. the day of her death .
About two hours later , her daughter found her dead .
As family members learned more about the symptoms of the coronavirus , suspicions grew .
Dowd had a history of foreign travel , as did her co-workers at Lam Research in the Bay Area .
Her brother-in-law , Jeff Macias , said Dowd had planned to travel to China later this year and went abroad “ multiple times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Where did this come from if it wasn ’ t her traveling ?
” Macias said .
“ Patricia may not be the first .
It ’ s just the earliest we have found so far.
” He added : “ Let ’ s keep looking so we know the extent of it -- that ’ s the greater good , for everyone else and my family included.
” Her elder brother , Rick Cabello , agreed that his sister ’ s death was a shock .
Cabello said his sister was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only daughter had just graduated college .
Dowd had a network of friends that dated to her childhood and her time at St. Francis High School in Mountain View , where the siblings grew up .
“ She was living the life she deserved , ” Cabello said .

A mystery clouded the death of Patricia Dowd in early February.
The San Jose woman was a seemingly healthy 57-year-old who exercised routinely, watched her diet and took no medication. She had flu-like symptoms for a few days, then appeared to recover, a family member said. Then she was found dead Feb. 6, and the initial culprit appeared to be a heart attack.
This week, authorities confirmed to Dowd’s family that she tested positive for the novel coronavirus, making her the first such documented fatality in the nation.
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Health authorities in Santa Clara County did not identify Dowd by name, describing the decedent as a 57-year-old woman who died at home. The Times independently confirmed her death from family members.
Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said the deaths of three people in the county — one Feb. 6, another Feb. 17, and a third March 6 — were evidence that the novel coronavirus arrived in the Bay Area far earlier than expected and spread. Previously, the first documented fatality was outside Seattle on Feb. 29.
“None of these cases had a significant travel history,” Cody said Wednesday of the three deaths. “We presume that each of them represent community transmission and that there was some significant level of virus circulating in our community in early February ... and who knows how much earlier.”
Cody referred to the cases as “iceberg tips,” an omen of a vast and unseen propagation. The person who died on Feb. 17 was a 69-year-old man. The March 6 victim was a 70-year-old man.
Cody said the robust influenza season this winter, coupled with limited testing and a nascent understanding of the coronavirus, led to this late detection.
“It would be difficult to pick out what was influenza and what was COVID-19,” Cody said. She credited the county’s medical examiner and health officials for taking the time to understand the virus and help detect these three deaths.
Family members said Dowd, who worked as manager for semiconductor company, became unusually sick in late January and was forced to cancel plans to go to a weekend funeral.
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After a bout with flu-like symptoms, however, she had improved and was working from home, corresponding with a colleague at about 8 a.m. the day of her death.
About two hours later, her daughter found her dead. As family members learned more about the symptoms of the coronavirus, suspicions grew.
Dowd had a history of foreign travel, as did her co-workers at Lam Research in the Bay Area.
Her brother-in-law, Jeff Macias, said Dowd had planned to travel to China later this year and went abroad “multiple times a year to different global locations.”
“Where did this come from if it wasn’t her traveling?” Macias said. “Patricia may not be the first. It’s just the earliest we have found so far.”
He added: “Let’s keep looking so we know the extent of it -- that’s the greater good, for everyone else and my family included.”
Her elder brother, Rick Cabello, agreed that his sister’s death was a shock.
Cabello said his sister was hardworking, loyal and caring. Her only daughter had just graduated college. Dowd had a network of friends that dated to her childhood and her time at St. Francis High School in Mountain View, where the siblings grew up.
“She was living the life she deserved,” Cabello said.


latimes--2020-04-22--As temperatures heat up in the Inland Empire and farther east, pools remain closed due to coronaviru

As temperatures heat up in the Inland Empire and farther east, pools remain closed due to coronavirus

Inland Empire residents won ’ t be able to cool down at public swimming pools or other water facilities this weekend as temperatures creep into the triple digits in some areas , according to officials .
The Inland Empire is expected to hit the mid to upper 90s for most of the weekend , while Palms Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley are expected to reach 100 degrees by Saturday , National Weather Service spokesman Philip Gonsalves said .
For many residents , this would ’ ve been perfect weather to go to community pools or rivers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus outbreak have caused limitations across the region .
Community pools are closed throughout Riverside County because of public health orders that encourage social distancing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus .
As of Wednesday afternoon , 3,084 people in the county have been infected by the virus and 99 have died , records show .
A total of 789 people have recovered from the virus .
Riverside County has the second-highest number of cases in the state , following Los Angeles County , according to The Times ’ daily tracker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control and Prevention , there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through the use of pools , hot tubs or water playgrounds if they are properly disinfected with chlorine and bromine .
Brooke Federico , the county ’ s public information officer , said that there are no restrictions on residents using their own backyard pools as long as they don ’ t host any gatherings .
On Monday , officials announced that ( including parking lots ) will be reopened in Riverside County , according to Dr. Cameron Kaiser , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Residents are still required to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings at all times .
Hiking trails at the in the Coachella Valley are open , but the river will remain closed until further notice , Federico said .
No parking signs were posted in the area this week to discourage visitors .
When the temperature heats up , a few hundred people visit at the river a day , according to Jack Thompson , manager of the preserve .
Thompson said that even if the county were to allow the river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the fence .
“ I think we ’ d have to make our own judgment call because we know that we ’ d be the ones managing it , ” he said .
“ We have a small staff and I don ’ t know how exactly we ’ d be able to enforce social distancing.
” Similar to Riverside County , San Bernardino County officials announced Wednesday that they would reopen their trails , county parks and golf courses on a limited scale , according to county Supervisor Curt Hagman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county had reported 1,489 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 67 deaths .
Public swim areas won ’ t be available this weekend in San Bernardino County either , but that ’ s because they don ’ t usually open until Memorial Day weekend , said David Wert , the county ’ s public information officer .
But those who manage swimming areas operated by the city have the authority to determine whether they want to open as long as they enforce social distancing and face-covering orders , he said .

Inland Empire residents won’t be able to cool down at public swimming pools or other water facilities this weekend as temperatures creep into the triple digits in some areas, according to officials.
The Inland Empire is expected to hit the mid to upper 90s for most of the weekend, while Palms Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley are expected to reach 100 degrees by Saturday, National Weather Service spokesman Philip Gonsalves said.
For many residents, this would’ve been perfect weather to go to community pools or rivers, but public safety restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak have caused limitations across the region.
Community pools are closed throughout Riverside County because of public health orders that encourage social distancing to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. As of Wednesday afternoon, 3,084 people in the county have been infected by the virus and 99 have died, records show. A total of 789 people have recovered from the virus.
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Riverside County has the second-highest number of cases in the state, following Los Angeles County, according to The Times’ daily tracker.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through the use of pools, hot tubs or water playgrounds if they are properly disinfected with chlorine and bromine.
Brooke Federico, the county’s public information officer, said that there are no restrictions on residents using their own backyard pools as long as they don’t host any gatherings.
On Monday, officials announced that golf courses, parks and trails (including parking lots) will be reopened in Riverside County, according to Dr. Cameron Kaiser, the county’s public health officer. Residents are still required to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings at all times.
Hiking trails at the Whitewater Preserve in the Coachella Valley are open, but the river will remain closed until further notice, Federico said. No parking signs were posted in the area this week to discourage visitors.
When the temperature heats up, a few hundred people visit at the river a day, according to Jack Thompson, manager of the preserve. Thompson said that even if the county were to allow the river to reopen, he’d still be on the fence.
“I think we’d have to make our own judgment call because we know that we’d be the ones managing it,” he said. “We have a small staff and I don’t know how exactly we’d be able to enforce social distancing.”
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Similar to Riverside County, San Bernardino County officials announced Wednesday that they would reopen their trails, county parks and golf courses on a limited scale, according to county Supervisor Curt Hagman. As of Tuesday evening, the county had reported 1,489 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 67 deaths.
Public swim areas won’t be available this weekend in San Bernardino County either, but that’s because they don’t usually open until Memorial Day weekend, said David Wert, the county’s public information officer.
But those who manage swimming areas operated by the city have the authority to determine whether they want to open as long as they enforce social distancing and face-covering orders, he said.


latimes--2020-04-23--It's becoming easier to get a coronavirus test in California

Slowly , it ’ s getting easier to obtain a coronavirus test in California .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout the state .
He said that President Trump confirmed in a phone call Wednesday that the federal government would provide the state with critically needed specimen swabs , which have been in short supply .
Newsom said 100,000 swabs are expected to arrive in California this week and 250,000 next week .
The governor said six new testing sites will become operational soon , prioritizing “ black and brown communities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philip , director of disease prevention and control for San Francisco , announced Thursday that the city is easing requirements for getting a coronavirus test .
The city and its healthcare partners now have the capacity to test 4,300 a samples a day , an increase from 500 daily tests , she said in a webinar .
She said a lack of supplies for the tests had inhibited the city ’ s testing ability , but as of now , the city has the supplies it needs to expand .
The city has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements will allow anyone with certain symptoms to be tested as well as anyone who has had contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus .
People will not be required to get an order from a physician , and the tests will be free .
The expanded list of symptom include diarrhea , fatigue and chills , she said .
Between March 2 and April 22 , 12,598 city residents were tested , and 12 % were found to be positive , she said .
She said the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in group settings , essential workers and those in neighborhoods that have been disparately affected by the virus , including the heavily Latino Mission District .
But she also warned that the tests can produce false negatives , particularly if the infection is very new .
She said the city is developing protocols to determine when healthcare and other front-line workers who tested negative should be retested .
Beginning Thursday , all critical workers in Los Angeles , including those without symptoms , can get tested for the virus , Mayor Eric Garcetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Healthcare professionals , grocery store employees , first responders and critical government employees can get the swab test at any of the testing sites throughout the county , Garcetti said .
The expanded testing criteria , which the mayor said he hopes will provide some peace of mind to the workers , is also a critical step “ on the road to reopening.
” “ It ’ s a very important milestone , ” he said .
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore thanked Garcetti , saying that he knew that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be happy to learn of the update .
“ It ’ s great for us , ” he said .
“ It ’ s great as a leader for me to know that.
” On Wednesday , Los Angeles County health director Dr. Barbara Ferrer , in a major policy shift , announced that nursing homes are now being advised to test all residents and staff , not just those who show symptoms .
The previous guidance to test only those who were symptomatic was a mistake , she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a news conference before announcing the new recommendations , which follow a similar shift in state policy .
Testing only people with symptoms has probably resulted in a significant undercount of cases at nursing homes , experts say , where the ever-climbing number of people falling ill and dying is already a national tragedy .
Any Los Angeles County resident with symptoms of COVID-19 can now make a same- or next-day appointment for testing , the county announced Friday .
Symptoms include fever , cough and difficulty breathing .
Here is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County : • VA Parking Lot 15 ( 100 Constitution Ave. , Los Angeles ; at the corner of Constitution and Davis )

Maura Dolan, Marisa Gerber, Alex Wigglesworth

Nurses pose for a lighthearted photo during a break at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.
Slowly, it’s getting easier to obtain a coronavirus test in California.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout the state.
He said that President Trump confirmed in a phone call Wednesday that the federal government would provide the state with critically needed specimen swabs, which have been in short supply. Newsom said 100,000 swabs are expected to arrive in California this week and 250,000 next week.
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The governor said six new testing sites will become operational soon, prioritizing “black and brown communities and focusing on rural communities.”
Dr. Susan Philip, director of disease prevention and control for San Francisco, announced Thursday that the city is easing requirements for getting a coronavirus test. The city and its healthcare partners now have the capacity to test 4,300 a samples a day, an increase from 500 daily tests, she said in a webinar.
She said a lack of supplies for the tests had inhibited the city’s testing ability, but as of now, the city has the supplies it needs to expand. The city has 26 testing sites.
The relaxed testing requirements will allow anyone with certain symptoms to be tested as well as anyone who has had contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus. People will not be required to get an order from a physician, and the tests will be free.
The expanded list of symptom include diarrhea, fatigue and chills, she said.
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Between March 2 and April 22, 12,598 city residents were tested, and 12% were found to be positive, she said.
She said the city was striving to expand testing for people in group settings, essential workers and those in neighborhoods that have been disparately affected by the virus, including the heavily Latino Mission District.
But she also warned that the tests can produce false negatives, particularly if the infection is very new. She said the city is developing protocols to determine when healthcare and other front-line workers who tested negative should be retested.
Beginning Thursday, all critical workers in Los Angeles, including those without symptoms, can get tested for the virus, Mayor Eric Garcetti said during a news conference Wednesday evening.
Healthcare professionals, grocery store employees, first responders and critical government employees can get the swab test at any of the testing sites throughout the county, Garcetti said. The expanded testing criteria, which the mayor said he hopes will provide some peace of mind to the workers, is also a critical step “on the road to reopening.”
“It’s a very important milestone,” he said.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore thanked Garcetti, saying that he knew that the men and women in the Police Department would be happy to learn of the update.
“It’s great for us,” he said. “It’s great as a leader for me to know that.”
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County health director Dr. Barbara Ferrer, in a major policy shift, announced that nursing homes are now being advised to test all residents and staff, not just those who show symptoms. The previous guidance to test only those who were symptomatic was a mistake, she said.
“We were wrong,” Ferrer said at a news conference before announcing the new recommendations, which follow a similar shift in state policy.
Testing only people with symptoms has probably resulted in a significant undercount of cases at nursing homes, experts say, where the ever-climbing number of people falling ill and dying is already a national tragedy.
Any Los Angeles County resident with symptoms of COVID-19 can now make a same- or next-day appointment for testing, the county announced Friday. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Here is a full list of testing sites in L.A. County:


latimes--2020-04-23--These are the latest coronavirus case numbers by community in L.A. County

COVID-19 — the illness caused by the coronavirus — has become the leading cause of death in Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s public health director , on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ and 1,081 new COVID-19 cases .
The county has now recorded nearly 800 deaths and @ @ @ @ @ .
Of those who most recently died , 51 people were over age 65 , @ @ @ @ @ 65 and three people were 18 to 40 .
Ages were not available for the @ @ @ @ @ those who have died from coronavirus infection in the county , 89 % had some @ @ @ @ @ , Ferrer said .
Here is a rundown of cases by community :

A giant T-Rex wearing a protective mask sends a coronavirus message to a mostly empty intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue from the top of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, which is temporarily closed.
COVID-19 — the illness caused by the coronavirus — has become the leading cause of death in Los Angeles County, public health officials announced Thursday.
Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, on Thursday confirmed 68 new coronavirus-linked deaths and 1,081 new COVID-19 cases. The county has now recorded nearly 800 deaths and more than 17,500 confirmed cases.
Of those who most recently died, 51 people were over age 65, 11 people were 41 to 65 and three people were 18 to 40. Ages were not available for the other cases. Of all those who have died from coronavirus infection in the county, 89% had some kind of underlying health condition, Ferrer said.
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Here is a rundown of cases by community:
Long Beach 489
Glendale 419
Palmdale 325
Melrose 286
Santa Clarita 283
East Los Angeles 271
Pasadena 263
Inglewood 245
Sylmar 240
North Hollywood 239
Torrance 226
Lancaster 212
Van Nuys 206
Carson 199
South Gate 195
Burbank 188
Canoga Park 187
Panorama City 183
Westlake 178
Downey 170
Hollywood 169
Pacoima 166
Compton 156
Reseda 149
Pico-Union 147
Norwalk 146
Santa Monica 144
Hawthorne 144
Lynwood 141
West Vernon 138
Boyle Heights 134
Unincorporated - Florence-Firestone 134
West Hollywood 129
Gardena 128
Pico Rivera 124
Vernon Central 123
Pomona 122
San Pedro 122
Temple-Beaudry 121
Northridge 113
Bell 112
North Hills 111
Sherman Oaks 109
Koreatown 108
El Monte 107
Huntington Park 106
Silver Lake 104
Paramount 104
Winnetka 104
Beverly Hills 102
Bellflower 99
Montebello 98
East Hollywood 98
Woodland Hills 96
Exposition Park 96
Redondo Beach 95
Granada Hills 93
Glassell Park 92
Palms 90
Central 90
Florence-Firestone 89
West Covina 89
Whittier 85
South Park 85
Harvard Park 85
Sun Valley 83
West Adams 82
Wilshire Center 80
Vermont Vista 78
Covina 77
Bell Gardens 75
Little Armenia 74
El Sereno 74
Athens-Westmont 73
Encino 73
Eagle Rock 71
Lakewood 71
Arleta 70
Valley Village 67
Valley Glen 67
Tarzana 66
Wilmington 66
Watts 66
Alhambra 65
Manhattan Beach 64
Brentwood 62
Century Palms/Cove 62
Highland Park 62
Baldwin Park 62
San Fernando 61
Hancock Park 60
Chatsworth 60
Lake Balboa 59
Wholesale District 59
Crestview 58
Little Bangladesh 58
University Park 58
Monterey Park 57
Hollywood Hills 56
Carthay 56
Westchester 56
Sunland 55
Altadena 54
Cudahy 54
South Whittier 53
Harbor Gateway 52
Mission Hills 52
Country Club Park 52
South Pasadena 51
Rancho Palos Verdes 50
West Los Angeles 49
Downtown 49
Culver City 49
Maywood 48
Porter Ranch 48
West Carson 48
Tujunga 48
Baldwin Hills 47
Lawndale 47
Mar Vista 46
Lincoln Heights 46
Cerritos 45
Duarte 45
Del Rey 44
Hacienda Heights 44
Crenshaw District 44
Westwood 43
West Hills 43
Green Meadows 42
Venice 42
La Mirada 42
Lakeview Terrace 42
Historic Filipinotown 42
Harvard Heights 42
Hyde Park 41
Vermont Knolls 40
Azusa 40
Glendora 38
Temple City 38
Palos Verdes Estates 37
Walnut Park 37
La Canada Flintridge 37
Harbor City 37
Willowbrook 37
Pacific Palisades 35
Rowland Heights 35
Arcadia 34
Mid-city 34
Lennox 34
Miracle Mile 33
La Puente 33
Mt. Washington 32
Vermont Square 32
Diamond Bar 31
Beverly Crest 31
Calabasas 31
Lomita 31
Beverlywood 30
Century City 30
Los Feliz 30
Agoura Hills 29
Victoria Park 29
Studio City 28
Malibu 28
Monrovia 28
Leimert Park 27
Bel Air 27
San Gabriel 26
San Dimas 25
West Whittier/Los Nietos 25
Cloverdale/Cochran 25
El Segundo 25
Rosemead 23
Bassett 23
Valinda 23
Gramercy Place 23
Alsace 23
Hermosa Beach 22
Quartz Hill 22
South Carthay 22
View Park/Windsor Hills 21
Canyon Country 21
Claremont 21
Walnut 20
Adams-Normandie 20
Atwater Village 19
Unincorporated - Covina 19
Figueroa Park Square 17
Ladera Heights 16
Playa Vista 16
Santa Fe Springs 16
Stevenson Ranch 16
Cheviot Hills 16
Echo Park 16
Castaic 16
East Rancho Dominguez 16
Elysian Valley 16
Reseda Ranch 16
San Jose Hills 16
La Crescenta-Montrose 15
La Verne 14
Rolling Hills Estates 13
Covina (Charter Oak) 13
Lake Los Angeles 13
Athens Village 12
Thai Town 12
Artesia 12
Cadillac-Corning 12
Unincorporated - Azusa 12
Northeast San Gabriel 12
Park La Brea 11
Shadow Hills 11
Manchester Square 11
Rancho Park 11
San Marino 10
Commerce 10
Rancho Dominguez 10
Marina del Rey 10
Hawaiian Gardens 10
South El Monte 10
Lafayette Square 9
Toluca Lake 9
Marina Peninsula 9
Longwood 9
Santa Monica Mountains 8
Acton 8
West Puente Valley 8
Avocado Heights 8
South San Gabriel 7
Wellington Square 7
Elysian Park 7
Jefferson Park 7
View Heights 7
St Elmo Village 7
East La Mirada 6
Reynier Village 6
Littlerock/Pearblossom 6
North Whittier 6
Del Aire 6
Westlake Village 6
Signal Hill 6
La Rambla 6
Angelino Heights 6
El Camino Village 5
Unincorporated - Monrovia 5
Unincorporated - Duarte 5
Chinatown 5
Sierra Madre 5
Unincorporated - Palmdale 1-4
Sand Canyon 1-4
South Edwards 1-4
Harbor Pines 1-4
Faircrest Heights 1-4
Exposition 1-4
San Pasqual 1-4
San Francisquito Canyon/Bouquet Canyon 1-4
Hi Vista 1-4
Southeast Antelope Valley 1-4
Franklin Canyon 1-4
San Clemente Island 1-4
Elizabeth Lake 1-4
Hidden Hills 1-4
Sun Village 1-4
Rosewood/West Rancho Dominguez 1-4
Sunrise Village 1-4
Sycamore Square 1-4
Rosewood/East Gardena 1-4
East Whittier 1-4
Rosewood 1-4
East Pasadena 1-4
Roosevelt 1-4
Rolling Hills 1-4
Toluca Terrace 1-4
Toluca Woods 1-4
East Lancaster 1-4
Industry 1-4
Twin Lakes/Oat Mountain 1-4
Unincorporated - Angeles National Forest 1-4
Unincorporated - Arcadia 1-4
Regent Square 1-4
Unincorporated - Bradbury 1-4
Unincorporated - Cerritos 1-4
Unincorporated - Claremont 1-4
Irwindale 1-4
Unincorporated - Del Rey 1-4
Unincorporated - El Monte 1-4
East Covina 1-4
Unincorporated - Glendora 1-4
Unincorporated - Harbor Gateway 1-4
Unincorporated - Hawthorne 1-4
Unincorporated - La Habra Heights 1-4
Unincorporated - La Verne 1-4
Unincorporated - Lakewood 1-4
Unincorporated - Lynwood 1-4
Unincorporated - Miracle Mile 1-4
Saugus/Canyon Country 1-4
Unincorporated - Pomona 1-4
Unincorporated - South El Monte 1-4
Unincorporated - Walnut 1-4
Unincorporated - West LA 1-4
Unincorporated - Whittier 1-4
Universal City 1-4
University Hills 1-4
Desert View Highlands 1-4
Val Verde 1-4
Valencia 1-4
Kagel/Lopez Canyons 1-4
Del Sur 1-4
Playa Del Rey 1-4
Placerita Canyon 1-4
La Habra Heights 1-4
Saugus 1-4
Pellissier Village 1-4
Vernon 1-4
Pearblossom/Llano 1-4
Charter Oak 1-4
Palos Verdes Peninsula 1-4
Lake Hughes 1-4
Lake Manor 1-4
Palisades Highlands 1-4
Leona Valley 1-4
Little Tokyo 1-4
Littlerock 1-4
West Antelope Valley 1-4
Brookside 1-4
West Chatsworth 1-4
Bradbury 1-4
Bouquet Canyon 1-4
Littlerock/Juniper Hills 1-4
Bandini Islands 1-4
West Rancho Dominguez 1-4
Santa Catalina Island 1-4
North Lancaster 1-4
Avalon 1-4
Westfield/Academy Hills 1-4
Westhills 1-4
Llano 1-4
Newhall 1-4
White Fence Farms 1-4
South Antelope Valley 1-4
Whittier Narrows 1-4
Angeles National Forest 1-4
Anaverde 1-4
Mandeville Canyon 1-4
Agua Dulce 1-4
Wiseburn 1-4


latimes--2020-04-23--Newsom urges caution in California this warm weekend, citing new coronavirus death record

With weather forecasts showing a summer-like weekend on the horizon , Gov .
Gavin Newsom urged Californians on Thursday to heed physical distancing orders — citing what he said was the deadliest day so far in the state ’ s efforts to combat the novel coronavirus .
“ Look , we ’ re walking into a very warm weekend , ” Newsom said in a midday news briefing .
“ That means people are prone to want to go to the beaches , parks , playgrounds and go on a hike .
“ The governor said those who do choose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locations and ensure they remain physically separated from others as has been done over the past five weeks since he imposed a statewide stay-at-home order .
If Californians don ’ t do that , Newsom said , he fears he ’ ll soon be reporting a sizable increase in the number of confirmed cases and possibly hospitalizations .
“ I don ’ t think anybody wants to hear that .
I don ’ t want to share that information .
But that ’ s really less up to me , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
Newsom said Thursday that the previous 24 hours had seen 115 deaths from COVID-19 across California , the most in any single day .
He said there had been a slight decline in two other key indicators : the number of people hospitalized and those being treated in intensive care units .
The Times ’ own data , gathered from public health officials in communities across the state , counted 118 deaths over the previous day and at least 74 as of midday Thursday .
More than 1,500 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak of the pandemic in February and March .
With temperatures in Southern California expected to rise into the low 90s over the weekend , Newsom urged the state ’ s residents to be cautious in their outdoor activities , even offering talking points for those with teenagers or other young family members .
“ Just say , ‘ Hey , I know you are likely to want to get to that beach .
But just be careful if you do .
And make sure it ’ s open .
And if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , abide by the rules .
If it is open , just abide by social distancing , practice physical distancing.
’ ” A handful of county and city governments have started to examine ways to loosen some restrictions , though state officials have made clear that those local efforts can not be more permissive than statewide rules .
The Newsom administration has sought to work through those various requests , privately cajoling some local leaders to make sure their efforts don ’ t contradict the broader statewide message of patience with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said most of the six key milestones he set to consider loosening the stay-home order he issued last month have not yet been met .
The only change the governor has made is to allow some elective surgeries to again be scheduled in hospitals , citing sufficient capacity .
“ It will be those indicators that drive our decision-making , ” he said Thursday .
“ And not dates .
We don ’ t debate dates .
We look at the facts objectively .
”

With weather forecasts showing a summer-like weekend on the horizon, Gov. Gavin Newsom urged Californians on Thursday to heed physical distancing orders — citing what he said was the deadliest day so far in the state’s efforts to combat the novel coronavirus.
“Look, we’re walking into a very warm weekend,” Newsom said in a midday news briefing. “That means people are prone to want to go to the beaches, parks, playgrounds and go on a hike. “
The governor said those who do choose to be outdoors should visit only open locations and ensure they remain physically separated from others as has been done over the past five weeks since he imposed a statewide stay-at-home order. If Californians don’t do that, Newsom said, he fears he’ll soon be reporting a sizable increase in the number of confirmed cases and possibly hospitalizations.
“I don’t think anybody wants to hear that. I don’t want to share that information. But that’s really less up to me, it’s more up to all of you,” he said.
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Newsom said Thursday that the previous 24 hours had seen 115 deaths from COVID-19 across California, the most in any single day. He said there had been a slight decline in two other key indicators: the number of people hospitalized and those being treated in intensive care units. The Times’ own data, gathered from public health officials in communities across the state, counted 118 deaths over the previous day and at least 74 as of midday Thursday. More than 1,500 people have died due to the coronavirus since the outbreak of the pandemic in February and March.
With temperatures in Southern California expected to rise into the low 90s over the weekend, Newsom urged the state’s residents to be cautious in their outdoor activities, even offering talking points for those with teenagers or other young family members.
“Just say, ‘Hey, I know you are likely to want to get to that beach. But just be careful if you do. And make sure it’s open. And if it’s not open, you know, abide by the rules. If it is open, just abide by social distancing, practice physical distancing.’”
A handful of county and city governments have started to examine ways to loosen some restrictions, though state officials have made clear that those local efforts cannot be more permissive than statewide rules. The Newsom administration has sought to work through those various requests, privately cajoling some local leaders to make sure their efforts don’t contradict the broader statewide message of patience with the stay-at-home order.
On Wednesday, Newsom said most of the six key milestones he set to consider loosening the stay-home order he issued last month have not yet been met. The only change the governor has made is to allow some elective surgeries to again be scheduled in hospitals, citing sufficient capacity.
“It will be those indicators that drive our decision-making,” he said Thursday. “And not dates. We don’t debate dates. We look at the facts objectively.”