latimes--2020-04-26--Despite coronavirus, many flock to Southern California beaches to beat the heat

On the first warm weekend of spring , the beach in Santa Monica was deserted — an apocalyptic emptiness unimaginable just a few months ago .
Down the coast in Huntington Beach , the novel coronavirus pandemic seemed far away .
Colorful umbrellas and bikini-clad sunbathers dotted the sand .
As temperatures soared into the upper 80s in some parts of the region on Saturday , crossing county lines was like entering different worlds .
Some beaches in Orange and Ventura counties were open even as the coronavirus crisis continued , with scores of new cases and fatalities daily .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay home except for necessary errands and to exercise in one ’ s own neighborhood , people flocked to the beaches .
For many , the confluence of a heat wave and more than a month sheltering at home made a visit to the sand irresistible , prompting beach tableaux that looked more like a peak summer day in normal times than an April Saturday with a respiratory disease circulating among the population .
“ After being cooped up , we understand people want to enjoy the outside , ” said Ventura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described Saturday ’ s beach crowds as unseasonably large .
For the most part , beachgoers kept at least six feet apart from one another , officials said .
Heather Rangel , press information officer for the Newport Beach Police Department , said Saturday there had been no arrests or citations related to the stay-at-home orders .
“ The beaches are crowded and look like a summer day in Newport Beach , ” she said in an email .
Huntington Beach elected to keep its coastline open , though the pier , beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed .
Angie Bennett , spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department , said Saturday the beaches appeared somewhat busy , but there were no significant incidents , and no one was cited for violating social distancing guidelines .
“ What the patrol officers are seeing is that people are staying within their own groups and appropriate distances apart , ” she said .
“ It ’ s been a nice , warm day , and it sounds like people are complying and doing what we are asking of them.
” Enthusiasm for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ universal .
Some Orange County cities , including Laguna Beach and Seal Beach , have closed their beaches .
The Wedge , a popular Newport Beach surfing destination , is closed .
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett noted that the region had been inundated with people from L.A. and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire .
“ When you take a look at the folks that are coming down , they ’ re not only not adhering to safer-at-home policies in their own communities — they ’ re not even staying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week .
On Saturday , Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted photos of unbroken expanses of sand , shot from a helicopter .
“ My compliments to our community for staying away from the beaches in LA , ” he wrote .
“ From Malibu , Santa Monica , Venice , to Dockweiler - All Clear !
!
” Barbara Ferrer , director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , has said repeatedly that beaches should remain closed to prevent an overflow of visitors who might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ L.A. residents not to crowd the coast in neighboring counties .
On Saturday , as L.A. County reported 48 new deaths and 607 additional cases of COVID-19 , Ferrer renewed her call for people to stay home .
Of the new deaths , 37 victims were older than 65 , and nine were ages 41 to 65 .
Thirty-eight had underlying health conditions .
Long Beach , which has its own health department , reported 26 new cases , bringing the county total to 896 deaths and more than 19,100 cases .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last week , and more than 7,000 new cases were diagnosed .
The total number of cases stands at more than 19,000 .
Ferrer urged people craving fresh air to limit themselves to walking in their neighborhoods .
“ Public pools and all beaches remain closed for your well-being and the health of those most vulnerable for serious illness and death from COVID-19 , ” Ferrer said in a statement .
“ Continue to do your part and save lives .
This is how we get to the other side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Orange County health officials on Saturday announced 124 new COVID-19 cases , the highest one-day increase since the start of the pandemic .
Health officials also reported two additional deaths , bringing county totals to 1,969 cases and 38 deaths .
Ventura County has reported a total of 476 cases and 16 deaths .
Last week , the city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches .
Beaches , the promenade and parks are open to visitors , who must keep their distance from one another and remain on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area if visitors ignore the rules .
On the beach in Ventura on Saturday , families played in the sand , and surfers plied the waves .
Dogs wandered freely as a solitary lifeguard stood outside her tower scanning the turquoise water with binoculars .
Few people wore masks , but most observed social distancing rules .
Ventura Police Sgt .
Mike Anselmo could not bring himself to enforce the rules against lingering on the beach .
Umbrellas , however , had to come down ; perhaps the lack of shade would encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re not supposed to sit down .
But they ’ re with kids , ” Anselmo said .
“ I ’ m not going to ask some 50-year-old parents to run around with kids all day.
” Temperatures are expected to cool slightly but to stay on the warm side next week .
One sunbather from the San Fernando Valley , who declined to give her name , said she had driven north to do what Southern Californians often do when the mercury rises .
“ It ’ s hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s the go-to thing to do if you live in California .
”

Kevin Baxter, Alex Wigglesworth, Cindy Chang

The words “love” and “be kind” are woven into a fence with yellow police tape at a closed beach in Venice. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Brian Chapman, of Santa Monica, plays Frisbee with friend Kris Sims, of Santa Clarita, at the beach in Ventura. “We came up because all of the beaches in Los Angeles are closed,” Chapman said. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Adam Choi, at center with mask, and Grace Kim walk along a trail at the beach in Ventura. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A pedestrian pauses to video chat on the empty beach in Manhattan Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Tyler MacFarland reads a book under the pier at the beach in Ventura. “I am still working and for the last month and a half it has been just work, home, work, home,” MacFarland said. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
The bike path on Ocean Front Walk in Venice was open, but police officers were out in force to keep people off the beach. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A group of young people make a political statement as they pedal a surrey bike down a crowded bike path in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A man pleads his case with a Santa Monica police officer on the closed oceanfront bike path. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Beachgoers, ignoring social distancing rules and beach closures, walk in groups to the stairs leading to Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Parking was restricted severely along Pacific Coast Highway over the weekend, with Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies trying to keep people off closed beaches. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Elizabeth Robles of Laguna Beach got a $30 ticket after parking in a no-parking zone to visit Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point to surf. “The ticket is worth it to me. I broke my arm recently and haven’t surfed in eight months,” she says. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Neighbors practice social distancing while enjoying the weather near the Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
A surfer catches a wave in Newport Beach, where the sand drew a crowd weary of isolation. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Bowie Davis, 3, plays in her kiddie pool with her father, Ed Davis, by her side at their home near the Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Kennedy, 2, and her 6-year-old brother Jackson play in the sand near the Strand in Manhattan Beach. The Bobo family drove in from Perris. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
Trying to beat the heat in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
The beach near Veterans Park in Redondo Beach remains closed Saturday because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times)
People crowd the bike path around the pier in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
In Santa Monica police keep watch over the empty beach and closed bike path. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A man plays fetch with his dog on Rocky Beach in Topanga despite law enforcement efforts to keep people away. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
A woman walks on deserted Venice Beach, which is among closed beaches in L.A. County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Thousands of beachgoers enjoy a warm, sunny day on the sand in Huntington Beach amid state-mandated stay-at-home restrictions. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
On the first warm weekend of spring, the beach in Santa Monica was deserted — an apocalyptic emptiness unimaginable just a few months ago.
Down the coast in Huntington Beach, the novel coronavirus pandemic seemed far away. Colorful umbrellas and bikini-clad sunbathers dotted the sand.
As temperatures soared into the upper 80s in some parts of the region on Saturday, crossing county lines was like entering different worlds. Some beaches in Orange and Ventura counties were open even as the coronavirus crisis continued, with scores of new cases and fatalities daily.
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Despite orders from state and local officials to stay home except for necessary errands and to exercise in one’s own neighborhood, people flocked to the beaches.
For many, the confluence of a heat wave and more than a month sheltering at home made a visit to the sand irresistible, prompting beach tableaux that looked more like a peak summer day in normal times than an April Saturday with a respiratory disease circulating among the population.
“After being cooped up, we understand people want to enjoy the outside,” said Ventura Police Cmdr. Tom Higgins, who described Saturday’s beach crowds as unseasonably large.
For the most part, beachgoers kept at least six feet apart from one another, officials said.
Heather Rangel, press information officer for the Newport Beach Police Department, said Saturday there had been no arrests or citations related to the stay-at-home orders.
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“The beaches are crowded and look like a summer day in Newport Beach,” she said in an email.
Huntington Beach elected to keep its coastline open, though the pier, beach parking lots and some metered parking remained closed.
Angie Bennett, spokeswoman for the Huntington Beach Police Department, said Saturday the beaches appeared somewhat busy, but there were no significant incidents, and no one was cited for violating social distancing guidelines.
“What the patrol officers are seeing is that people are staying within their own groups and appropriate distances apart,” she said. “It’s been a nice, warm day, and it sounds like people are complying and doing what we are asking of them.”
Enthusiasm for beachgoing during the pandemic is far from universal. Some Orange County cities, including Laguna Beach and Seal Beach, have closed their beaches. The Wedge, a popular Newport Beach surfing destination, is closed.
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett noted that the region had been inundated with people from L.A. and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire.
“When you take a look at the folks that are coming down, they’re not only not adhering to safer-at-home policies in their own communities — they’re not even staying in their own counties,” she said earlier this week.
On Saturday, Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore tweeted photos of unbroken expanses of sand, shot from a helicopter.
“My compliments to our community for staying away from the beaches in LA,” he wrote. “From Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, to Dockweiler - All Clear!!”
My compliments to our community for staying away from the beaches in LA. From Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice, to Dockweiler - All Clear!! Safer at Home will get us there sooner. pic.twitter.com/wZeJ8G8pDR — Chief Michel Moore (@LAPDChiefMoore) April 25, 2020
Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has said repeatedly that beaches should remain closed to prevent an overflow of visitors who might be carrying the coronavirus. She has asked L.A. residents not to crowd the coast in neighboring counties.
On Saturday, as L.A. County reported 48 new deaths and 607 additional cases of COVID-19, Ferrer renewed her call for people to stay home.
Of the new deaths, 37 victims were older than 65, and nine were ages 41 to 65. Thirty-eight had underlying health conditions.
Long Beach, which has its own health department, reported 26 new cases, bringing the county total to 896 deaths and more than 19,100 cases.
The number of deaths in L.A. County doubled in the last week, and more than 7,000 new cases were diagnosed. The total number of cases stands at more than 19,000.
Ferrer urged people craving fresh air to limit themselves to walking in their neighborhoods.
“Public pools and all beaches remain closed for your well-being and the health of those most vulnerable for serious illness and death from COVID-19,” Ferrer said in a statement. “Continue to do your part and save lives. This is how we get to the other side of the outbreak and begin our recovery.”
Orange County health officials on Saturday announced 124 new COVID-19 cases, the highest one-day increase since the start of the pandemic. Health officials also reported two additional deaths, bringing county totals to 1,969 cases and 38 deaths.
Ventura County has reported a total of 476 cases and 16 deaths.
Last week, the city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches. Beaches, the promenade and parks are open to visitors, who must keep their distance from one another and remain on the move. Police can indefinitely close an area if visitors ignore the rules.
On the beach in Ventura on Saturday, families played in the sand, and surfers plied the waves. Dogs wandered freely as a solitary lifeguard stood outside her tower scanning the turquoise water with binoculars. Few people wore masks, but most observed social distancing rules.
Ventura Police Sgt. Mike Anselmo could not bring himself to enforce the rules against lingering on the beach. Umbrellas, however, had to come down; perhaps the lack of shade would encourage people to move on.
“Technically, you’re not supposed to sit down. But they’re with kids,” Anselmo said. “I’m not going to ask some 50-year-old parents to run around with kids all day.”
Temperatures are expected to cool slightly but to stay on the warm side next week.
One sunbather from the San Fernando Valley, who declined to give her name, said she had driven north to do what Southern Californians often do when the mercury rises.
“It’s hot,” the Canoga Park resident said. “It’s the go-to thing to do if you live in California.”


latimes--2020-04-24--This year's Ramadan bears an extra test for Muslim healthcare workers on the coronavirus front lines

When Dr. Imran Siddiqui went to bed Thursday night , he set the alarm for 4:30 a.m. As the director for both the Desert Valley Medical Group in Victorville and a nearby nursing home , Siddiqui ’ s days have been long and stressful since the COVID-19 pandemic began its deadly assault on California more than six weeks ago .
But it ’ s faith as much as duty that will require him to rise early each morning for the next month .
Because in addition to being a doctor , Siddiqui is a devout Muslim , and like thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be waking before dawn for a large breakfast , then going without food and water throughout the daylight hours of Ramadan , the Islamic month of fasting that ends May 23 .
“ My weakness in Ramadan is not food , it ’ s not water , ” Siddiqui said .
“ It ’ s coffee .
I need to have a cup of coffee in the morning .
Or two cups.
” The fast is obligatory , one of the five pillars of Islam .
Yet for frontline healthcare workers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
The novel coronavirus has overwhelmed emergency rooms and intensive care units , infecting more than 9,000 U.S. healthcare providers and killing more than two dozen , according to a study released earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Uneven reporting across the country , the CDC added , means the real numbers are almost certainly much higher .
And that has some doctors and Islamic scholars questioning whether working long hours in a challenging environment without food and water is wise .
“ This has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Qazi , a neurologist and an assistant professor at Western University and UC Riverside .
“ In Ramadan fasting , you ’ re not hydrated , so it ’ s different than other forms of intermittent fasting.
” The use of personal protective equipment , including masks , could increase the chances of dehydration .
Religious officials in the United Arab Emirates have said that those treating COVID-19 patients there are exempt from fasting , but most Islamic leaders in the United States insist healthy caregivers here should have little problem fasting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really change that normality , ” said Dr. Aasim I. Padela , an emergency medicine physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center and director of the Initiative on Islam and Medicine .
“ Now what has been a concern is that frontline workers like me who are fasting and making very critical decisions or surgeons who are making critical decisions … people are saying it might be more difficult , I might become more dehydrated because I have to wear all these extra layers of protection .
“ That ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data that I know of to show that.
” In any case , Islamic law allows followers to opt out of a fast under certain circumstances , such as illness or other hardship , and make it up later in the year .
The strain of working in a COVID-19 ward would certainly qualify for an exemption .
“ Fasting is hard , ” said Muzammil Siddiqi , religious director for the Islamic Society of Orange County .
“ But some things are much harder .
If it is for their work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an acceptable excuse.
” Dr. Muna Beg won ’ t be looking for an out .
An ICU doctor who treats COVID-19 patients at two hospitals in Alameda County , Beg has been observing the Ramadan fast since she was 7 .
And while the first few days are always tough , after that “ for Muslims in Ramadan , it ’ s Zen-like , ” she said .
“ It ’ s a very personal experience.
” “ I don ’ t have a clinical study to support this , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you ’ re in a place where I ’ ve eliminated food or whatever my crutch might be , I find that hypersense of awareness does make me more present.
” “ You are more and more focused .
You don ’ t waste time , ” he said .
“ I feel like our religion is a boost .
I don ’ t know if it ’ s a spiritual thing or if it ’ s something in the air , but it ’ s a little bit energizing.
” Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lines of the fight against COVID-19 all over the world .
The first four doctors to die from the virus in England were Muslim immigrants , and in New York City , a hotbed of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States , more than 10 % of the pharmacists , clinical laboratory technicians and doctors are Muslim , according to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding .
The percentage is even greater in Michigan where healthcare workers have paid a high price with more than a thousand employees of the Henry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first two weeks in April were as challenging as it ’ s been , ” said Dr. Mohammed Rehman , a neurologist who has seen his time in the ICU nearly double this month .
“ But I also saw a lot of people come together during this.
” Rehman also sees the Ramadan fast as something that will strengthen , not weaken , him .
“ It was meant to reconnect you back with your faith , it ’ s not meant to put a burden on that you can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The greater challenge could center on the five prayers — at dawn , midday , afternoon , sunset and night — that Muslims are called to make each day .
Since it ’ s inconvenient to bring a prayer rug into a hospital now and inappropriate for a doctor to strip out of their PPE , Padela will substitute a towel or clean sheet for a rug and pray in his protective clothing and mask .
Beg , the Alameda County ICU doctor , will sometimes use a chair rather than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
“ The whole world is stretching their PPE further than I wish it was , ” she said .
And if she can ’ t leave a patient to pray at the right time , she ’ ll combine two prayers when she can get away .
“ The way my mom always taught me about Islam is God is not cruel , ” she said .
“ So whatever situation you ’ re in , you should be able to be adaptable.
” COVID-19 has put limits on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Muslims would gather with family or in mosques for the evening prayer , but social distancing regulations have forced mosques to close , leaving the faithful to pray at home .
“ I can ’ t even visit my parents now , ” Rehman said .
“ I can ’ t go anywhere .
So the community events , I would say , I will miss this year quite a bit.
” The coronavirus is not just punishing those who are infected and those who are treating them .
Siddiqui said it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night he has to strip in the garage and put his medical clothes in the washer , then take a shower before he can greet his wife .
And whatever plans they have for the evening are often interrupted by calls from the hospital or nursing home .
“ ‘ Doctor , this patient ’ s coughing , he ’ s feverish .
Should we test for COVID ?
What do you want us to do ?
’ ” Siddiqui said , imitating the kinds of calls that have become a nightly routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to work .
The mental toll that this has taken on me and my colleagues is unprecedented .
I feel like just , you know , crying almost.
” For the next 30 days , he ’ ll be handling that stress with both a renewed faith and an empty stomach .

Dr. Imran Siddiqui, a Muslim, is director of the Desert Valley Medical Group in Victorville. His days have been long and stressful since the COVID-19 pandemic began. With the start of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, on Friday, he will have to deal with an additional layer of difficulty.
When Dr. Imran Siddiqui went to bed Thursday night, he set the alarm for 4:30 a.m.
As the director for both the Desert Valley Medical Group in Victorville and a nearby nursing home, Siddiqui’s days have been long and stressful since the COVID-19 pandemic began its deadly assault on California more than six weeks ago. But it’s faith as much as duty that will require him to rise early each morning for the next month.
Because in addition to being a doctor, Siddiqui is a devout Muslim, and like thousands of other faithful first responders, he will be waking before dawn for a large breakfast, then going without food and water throughout the daylight hours of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting that ends May 23.
“My weakness in Ramadan is not food, it’s not water,” Siddiqui said. “It’s coffee. I need to have a cup of coffee in the morning. Or two cups.”
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The fast is obligatory, one of the five pillars of Islam. Yet for frontline healthcare workers, observing it could be extra difficult this year. The novel coronavirus has overwhelmed emergency rooms and intensive care units, infecting more than 9,000 U.S. healthcare providers and killing more than two dozen, according to a study released earlier this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Uneven reporting across the country, the CDC added, means the real numbers are almost certainly much higher.
Dr. Imran Siddiqui attends to a COVID-19 patient. His Islamic faith as much as duty will require him to rise early each morning during Ramadan. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
And that has some doctors and Islamic scholars questioning whether working long hours in a challenging environment without food and water is wise.
“This has been a discussion,” said Dr. Faisal Qazi, a neurologist and an assistant professor at Western University and UC Riverside. “In Ramadan fasting, you’re not hydrated, so it’s different than other forms of intermittent fasting.”
The use of personal protective equipment, including masks, could increase the chances of dehydration. Religious officials in the United Arab Emirates have said that those treating COVID-19 patients there are exempt from fasting, but most Islamic leaders in the United States insist healthy caregivers here should have little problem fasting.
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“This COVID-19 situation doesn’t really change that normality,” said Dr. Aasim I. Padela, an emergency medicine physician at the University of Chicago Medical Center and director of the Initiative on Islam and Medicine. “Now what has been a concern is that frontline workers like me who are fasting and making very critical decisions or surgeons who are making critical decisions … people are saying it might be more difficult, I might become more dehydrated because I have to wear all these extra layers of protection.
“That’s a credible concern although there’s no data that I know of to show that.”
Dr. Imran Siddiqui puts on his personal protective equipment at Desert Valley Medical Group in Victorville. The use of PPE, including masks, could increase the chances of dehydration during Ramadan. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
In any case, Islamic law allows followers to opt out of a fast under certain circumstances, such as illness or other hardship, and make it up later in the year. The strain of working in a COVID-19 ward would certainly qualify for an exemption.
“Fasting is hard,” said Muzammil Siddiqi, religious director for the Islamic Society of Orange County. “But some things are much harder. If it is for their work, for their health, that will be an acceptable excuse.”
Dr. Muna Beg won’t be looking for an out. An ICU doctor who treats COVID-19 patients at two hospitals in Alameda County, Beg has been observing the Ramadan fast since she was 7. And while the first few days are always tough, after that “for Muslims in Ramadan, it’s Zen-like,” she said. “It’s a very personal experience.”
“I don’t have a clinical study to support this, but I can definitely attest to the fact that if you’re in a place where I’ve eliminated food or whatever my crutch might be, I find that hypersense of awareness does make me more present.”
Siddiqui agrees.
“You are more and more focused. You don’t waste time,” he said. “I feel like our religion is a boost. I don’t know if it’s a spiritual thing or if it’s something in the air, but it’s a little bit energizing.”
Muslim medical personnel have been on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19 all over the world. The first four doctors to die from the virus in England were Muslim immigrants, and in New York City, a hotbed of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, more than 10% of the pharmacists, clinical laboratory technicians and doctors are Muslim, according to the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding.
The percentage is even greater in Michigan where healthcare workers have paid a high price with more than a thousand employees of the Henry Ford Health System testing positive.
“The first two weeks in April were as challenging as it’s been,” said Dr. Mohammed Rehman, a neurologist who has seen his time in the ICU nearly double this month. “But I also saw a lot of people come together during this.”
Rehman also sees the Ramadan fast as something that will strengthen, not weaken, him.
“It was meant to reconnect you back with your faith, it’s not meant to put a burden on that you can’t even function anymore,” he said.
Dr. Imran Siddiqui plans to fast during Ramadan this year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
The greater challenge could center on the five prayers — at dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset and night — that Muslims are called to make each day. Since it’s inconvenient to bring a prayer rug into a hospital now and inappropriate for a doctor to strip out of their PPE, Padela will substitute a towel or clean sheet for a rug and pray in his protective clothing and mask.
Beg, the Alameda County ICU doctor, will sometimes use a chair rather than risk contaminating her PPE by praying on the ground.
“The whole world is stretching their PPE further than I wish it was,” she said. And if she can’t leave a patient to pray at the right time, she’ll combine two prayers when she can get away.
“The way my mom always taught me about Islam is God is not cruel,” she said. “So whatever situation you’re in, you should be able to be adaptable.”
COVID-19 has put limits on that though. In normal times, many Muslims would gather with family or in mosques for the evening prayer, but social distancing regulations have forced mosques to close, leaving the faithful to pray at home.
“I can’t even visit my parents now,” Rehman said. “I can’t go anywhere. So the community events, I would say, I will miss this year quite a bit.”
The coronavirus is not just punishing those who are infected and those who are treating them. Siddiqui said it’s also punishing the families. Each night he has to strip in the garage and put his medical clothes in the washer, then take a shower before he can greet his wife. And whatever plans they have for the evening are often interrupted by calls from the hospital or nursing home.
“‘Doctor, this patient’s coughing, he’s feverish. Should we test for COVID? What do you want us to do?’” Siddiqui said, imitating the kinds of calls that have become a nightly routine.
“It’s not just coming to work. The mental toll that this has taken on me and my colleagues is unprecedented. I feel like just, you know, crying almost.”
For the next 30 days, he’ll be handling that stress with both a renewed faith and an empty stomach.


latimes--2020-04-28--Two years ago, she competed on 'The Voice.' Now she's the star of a coronavirus block party

Alexa Cappelli doesn ’ t usually perform in the middle of the street .
But drastic times call for drastic measures .
So there she was on a recent afternoon , perched on a chair , guitar in hand , outside the Upland home where she was raised .
A handful of people formed a wide semicircle around her .
The 20-year-old leaned into the microphone .
Her waist-length blond hair tumbled forward .
“ Hi neighbors , ” she said .
And the COVID-19 cul-de-sac concert began .
Three little birds sat on my window And they told me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two years ago , Cappelli was a contestant in the 14th season of NBC ’ s Emmy-winning singing competition show , “ The Voice.
” She spent hours on a TV stage before she was eliminated .
It was an inspiring experience , she said , where she was able to spend time with Kelly Clarkson off-camera .
On this afternoon , Cappelli performed on a circle of asphalt so she could comfort her neighbors .
The al fresco audience included a nurse and other healthcare professionals , teachers and an engineer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” coaches Adam Levine and Clarkson as “ soulful ” — carried on the breeze ; her lyrics were reassuring .
The gathering was an unusual departure for this planned community , where neighbors tend to know each other by face , not by name , and communicate primarily through waves and smiles .
Southern California is a place where stereotype and reality frequently merge , where people are more likely to join together on a traffic-choked freeway than in their neighborhoods .
Driving from place to place to hang with a select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal .
Chilling with the neighbors , let alone the whole pack of them ?
Not so much .
“ I guarantee you , as much as I like everybody here , if we didn ’ t have the COVID thing going — this would not have happened , ” Tony Cappelli , Alexa ’ s father , said , gesturing around the circle .
“ I think it gives us a little bit of time to not get so caught up in our busy California lives.
” Boulevards lined with soulless apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the backyard don ’ t help the situation .
But during this pandemic , some people have discovered that communing with folks who live across the street or across the hall — from a safe distance — is a source of comfort , that what was once unconventional might be a lifeline .
Cappelli ’ s neighbors knew the drill .
They ’ d positioned a carton of Clorox wipes on a nearby brick ledge and bottles of wine near their camping chairs .
One of them had used a tape measure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of distance between them .
They didn ’ t share snacks and at times rearranged chairs to separate themselves even farther .
Some of them pulled masks under their chins so they could sip from wine glasses and bottles of Shock Top in beer koozies while listening to Cappelli belt out Clarkson ’ s “ People Like Us . ''
And hey , yeah I know what you ’ re going through Don ’ t let it get the best of you , you ’ ll make it out alive It was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Orange County School of the Arts about six years ago , a bit of history she shared with Clarkson during her audition for “ The Voice.
” The superstar then asked the novice to perform it , and as Cappelli sang , Clarkson joined in , harmonizing with her .
“ You know you just sang with Kelly Clarkson , ” her dad told her afterward .
Cappelli grinned as she recounted the story to her neighbors , many of whom had watched her grow up — from a distance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , which she recounted during the concert .
The singer was as bubbly and conversational off-screen as she was onscreen .
When Cappelli ’ s audition aired , her parents invited about a hundred people to watch her on TV .
On this afternoon , as if in tribute to the show , Cappelli sang some of the songs made famous by its coaches : Levine , Clarkson and Alicia Keys .
She covered hits by One Republic , Bonnie Raitt and Bruno Mars , reading the lyrics off the iPad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of her own creations , including one she wrote with a friend after a breakup .
“ It ’ s called ‘ Better Off Alone , ’ so you can kind of assume how things ended , ” she said , prompting laughter from her neighbors .
The cul-de-sac gatherings started last month , with a text .
Angie Atkins asked a couple of neighbors to meet her outside for some fresh air and conversation , craving the social interaction .
When other residents saw them , Atkins — who has lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to join .
“ I feel like we all understand how important social contact is , ” the 55-year-old said .
“ Especially during this uncertain time.
” Many of the neighbors are essential workers , continuing to leave the neighborhood throughout the week .
Atkins works as a pediatric therapist .
Her husband is in law enforcement .
For the first few get-togethers , the neighbors listened to 1970s music on a boombox and caught up on life from six feet apart .
They ordered takeout .
“ People you didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before , you ’ re now knowing more about them , ” Atkins said .
“ We ’ ve grown closer as a neighborhood because of being able to share our fears , our concerns and do some normal stuff in an abnormal time.
” After a couple of evenings , Cappelli ’ s mom suggested that her daughter perform .
She loved the idea .
She ’ d been recording songs for her church and trying to focus on her songwriting .
She was teaching beginner vocal lessons before the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be another way to connect .
“ More recently , definitely been thinking about and praying about how can I get to know my neighbors more , love my neighbors more , ” said Cappelli , who wore two crosses around her neck .
“ Especially in a season like this.
” Oh , people like us we ’ ve got ta stick together Keep your head up , nothing lasts forever The sun beamed down on Cappelli , as she rested her black and white Adidas sneakers on her chair .
Occasionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jar beside her .
“ How are you guys doing ?
” Cappelli asked , smiling at her fans .
“ Highlight of the week , Alexa , ” Jennifer Turner shouted , chardonnay in hand .
Turner , who manages a general and vascular surgery group , said her hours had been cut .
Her husband , Kendall , who worked as an X-ray technician , had been laid off and applied for unemployment for the first time .
Their 23-year-old daughter , a teacher in Boston , got a stimulus check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theirs .
Despite living on the cul-de-sac for 23 years , the couple had never really spoken to the Cappelli family .
They normally just waved and smiled .
“ That was the extent of it until this , ” Turner said .
“ This was the most amazing thing to come out of this.
” Said Kendall : “ You get to meet people you always kind of knew , but you didn ’ t. ” That afternoon , the Turners shared their anxieties with Cappelli ’ s parents , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Cappellis are concerned about their own employment , unsure if they ’ ll be able to keep their nonprofits , Steven ’ s Hope for Children Inc. and A Lot of Good , afloat .
Steven ’ s Hope for Children was inspired by the couple ’ s son , who died from heart complications only 32 hours after birth .
The organization provides financial support to families with seriously ill or injured children .
Sandy Cappelli temporarily closed the A Lot of Good thrift store because of the lockdown .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to work , ” she said .
“ Maybe next week .
Hopefully .
We ’ re praying about it.
” Around the semicircle , there were other stories of hardship .
Peter Kwon , an independent contractor , hadn ’ t worked in three weeks .
He applied for pandemic unemployment assistance , but hasn ’ t heard back .
His wife , a Kaiser Permanente nurse , was asked to help in the intensive care unit and told she would be trained in COVID-19 protocols .
Anna Flores , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months , worried about the risk if she or her husband , both 66 , contracted the virus .
The couple sat several feet back from their neighbors , in what her husband jokingly dubbed “ the cheap seats.
” It isn ’ t the first time a disaster has pulled a neighborhood together .
In 1993 , after fires and mudslides in Laguna Beach , neighbors learned one another ’ s first names and designated one home as their command post .
The following year , after the Northridge earthquake , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hello for the first time as the gates that separated them literally came down .
Amid the pandemic , something similar is happening across Southern California .
Neighbors have launched networks to help with grocery runs , meals , pharmacy pickups , check-in calls and other errands .
They ’ re offering up surplus supplies .
Will these newfound friendships last when life begins to get back to normal ?
No one knows .
But for now , it ’ s working .
During the cul-de-sac concert , neighbors got up from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Houston ’ s “ I Wan na Dance With Somebody ( Who Loves Me ) .
” Analise Kusleika , 17 , span around with her sister , kicking up her cowboy boot-clad feet .
“ How ’ s everyone doing on their toilet paper ?
” Atkins called out .
Their children roller-skated , rode their bikes and squirted one another with water guns .
When a woman stopped to take in the concert , the neighbors invited her to join .
She had to finish sewing masks , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liani Bawitlung , her mouth covered by a cheetah print mask , rose from her red Tommy Bahama beach chair to record the performance .
She and her husband , who wore a gray bandana , snacked on trail mix and Lay ’ s chips .
“ It ’ s kind of hard to reach out to your neighbors , but this is the time , ” Bawitlung said .
In an hour , she would start a 12-hour night shift at L.A. County-USC Medical Center — where she ’ s worked as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she was scheduled to do it again the next night .
But at this moment , Cappelli ’ s sweet voice rose above the neighborhood with an original song that resonated in these troubled times .
So why don ’ t we stop worrying about wanting to make change and just be changed in the light of love Enough to smile over your shoulder to someone at the gas station Or say a thank you to those fighting with their lives for ours Give and give and give until it ’ s @ @ @ @ @

Alexa Cappelli doesn’t usually perform in the middle of the street. But drastic times call for drastic measures.
So there she was on a recent afternoon, perched on a chair, guitar in hand, outside the Upland home where she was raised. A handful of people formed a wide semicircle around her.
The 20-year-old leaned into the microphone. Her waist-length blond hair tumbled forward.
“Hi neighbors,” she said. And the COVID-19 cul-de-sac concert began.
Three little birds sat on my window
And they told me I don’t need to worry
Upland families keep a safe distance from one another during Alexa Cappelli’s performance. They have disinfectant wipes nearby and bring their own wine, beer and snacks. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Two years ago, Cappelli was a contestant in the 14th season of NBC’s Emmy-winning singing competition show, “The Voice.” She spent hours on a TV stage before she was eliminated. It was an inspiring experience, she said, where she was able to spend time with Kelly Clarkson off-camera.
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On this afternoon, Cappelli performed on a circle of asphalt so she could comfort her neighbors. The al fresco audience included a nurse and other healthcare professionals, teachers and an engineer.
Her voice — described by “Voice” coaches Adam Levine and Clarkson as “soulful” — carried on the breeze; her lyrics were reassuring.
The gathering was an unusual departure for this planned community, where neighbors tend to know each other by face, not by name, and communicate primarily through waves and smiles.
Southern California is a place where stereotype and reality frequently merge, where people are more likely to join together on a traffic-choked freeway than in their neighborhoods. Driving from place to place to hang with a select group of friends, that’s normal. Chilling with the neighbors, let alone the whole pack of them? Not so much.
“I guarantee you, as much as I like everybody here, if we didn’t have the COVID thing going — this would not have happened,” Tony Cappelli, Alexa’s father, said, gesturing around the circle. “I think it gives us a little bit of time to not get so caught up in our busy California lives.”
“You get to meet people you always kind of knew, but you didn’t,” says Kendall Turner, left, with his wife, Jennifer. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
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Boulevards lined with soulless apartment buildings and suburban homes designed to celebrate the backyard don’t help the situation. But during this pandemic, some people have discovered that communing with folks who live across the street or across the hall — from a safe distance — is a source of comfort, that what was once unconventional might be a lifeline.
Cappelli’s neighbors knew the drill. They’d positioned a carton of Clorox wipes on a nearby brick ledge and bottles of wine near their camping chairs. One of them had used a tape measure to ensure there was at least six feet of distance between them. They didn’t share snacks and at times rearranged chairs to separate themselves even farther.
Some of them pulled masks under their chins so they could sip from wine glasses and bottles of Shock Top in beer koozies while listening to Cappelli belt out Clarkson’s “People Like Us.”
And hey, yeah I know what you’re going through
Don’t let it get the best of you, you’ll make it out alive
It was the song she’d used to audition for the Orange County School of the Arts about six years ago, a bit of history she shared with Clarkson during her audition for “The Voice.” The superstar then asked the novice to perform it, and as Cappelli sang, Clarkson joined in, harmonizing with her.
“You know you just sang with Kelly Clarkson,” her dad told her afterward.
Cappelli grinned as she recounted the story to her neighbors, many of whom had watched her grow up — from a distance. She had been on Clarkson’s team, which she recounted during the concert. The singer was as bubbly and conversational off-screen as she was onscreen.
When Cappelli’s audition aired, her parents invited about a hundred people to watch her on TV.
On this afternoon, as if in tribute to the show, Cappelli sang some of the songs made famous by its coaches: Levine, Clarkson and Alicia Keys. She covered hits by One Republic, Bonnie Raitt and Bruno Mars, reading the lyrics off the iPad in front of her. And she sang some of her own creations, including one she wrote with a friend after a breakup.
“It’s called ‘Better Off Alone,’ so you can kind of assume how things ended,” she said, prompting laughter from her neighbors.
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Alexa Cappelli, who sings pop tunes as well as original songs, says the weekly gatherings allow her to connect and “get to know my neighbors more.” (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
The cul-de-sac gatherings started in March, with a text. Angie Atkins asked a couple of neighbors to meet her outside for some fresh air and conversation, craving the social interaction.
When other residents saw them, Atkins — who has lived on the cul-de-sac since 1989 — invited them to join.
“I feel like we all understand how important social contact is,” the 55-year-old said. “Especially during this uncertain time.”
Many of the neighbors are essential workers, continuing to leave the neighborhood throughout the week. Atkins works as a pediatric therapist. Her husband is in law enforcement.
For the first few get-togethers, the neighbors listened to 1970s music on a boombox and caught up on life from six feet apart. They ordered takeout.
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“People you didn’t really sit and talk to before, you’re now knowing more about them,” Atkins said. “We’ve grown closer as a neighborhood because of being able to share our fears, our concerns and do some normal stuff in an abnormal time.”
After a couple of evenings, Cappelli’s mom suggested that her daughter perform. She loved the idea. She’d been recording songs for her church and trying to focus on her songwriting. She was teaching beginner vocal lessons before the coronavirus outbreak.
This, Cappelli thought, might be another way to connect.
Before the performance begins, John Kusleika uses a tape measure to mark at least six feet of separation between his family and his neighbors. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
“More recently, definitely been thinking about and praying about how can I get to know my neighbors more, love my neighbors more,” said Cappelli, who wore two crosses around her neck. “Especially in a season like this.”
Oh, people like us we’ve gotta stick together
Keep your head up, nothing lasts forever
The sun beamed down on Cappelli, as she rested her black and white Adidas sneakers on her chair. Occasionally, she sipped water from a Mason jar beside her.
“How are you guys doing?” Cappelli asked, smiling at her fans.
“Highlight of the week, Alexa,” Jennifer Turner shouted, chardonnay in hand.
Turner, who manages a general and vascular surgery group, said her hours had been cut. Her husband, Kendall, who worked as an X-ray technician, had been laid off and applied for unemployment for the first time.
Their 23-year-old daughter, a teacher in Boston, got a stimulus check, but they are still waiting for theirs.
Despite living on the cul-de-sac for 23 years, the couple had never really spoken to the Cappelli family. They normally just waved and smiled.
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“That was the extent of it until this,” Turner said. “This was the most amazing thing to come out of this.”
Said Kendall: “You get to meet people you always kind of knew, but you didn’t.”
That afternoon, the Turners shared their anxieties with Cappelli’s parents, who have lived on the cul-de-sac since 1998. The Cappellis are concerned about their own employment, unsure if they’ll be able to keep their nonprofits, Steven’s Hope for Children Inc. and A Lot of Good, afloat.
Column One A showcase for compelling storytelling from the Los Angeles Times. More Stories
Steven’s Hope for Children was inspired by the couple’s son, who died from heart complications only 32 hours after birth. The organization provides financial support to families with seriously ill or injured children.
Sandy Cappelli temporarily closed the A Lot of Good thrift store because of the lockdown.
“I’ve just got to get back to work,” she said.
Jennifer Turner announced that Kendall “has a job interview next week.”
“Maybe next week. Hopefully. We’re praying about it.”
Around the semicircle, there were other stories of hardship.
Peter Kwon, an independent contractor, hadn’t worked in three weeks. He applied for pandemic unemployment assistance, but hasn’t heard back. His wife, a Kaiser Permanente nurse, was asked to help in the intensive care unit and told she would be trained in COVID-19 protocols.
Anna Flores, who has lived on the street for just six months, worried about the risk if she or her husband, both 66, contracted the virus.
The couple sat several feet back from their neighbors, in what her husband jokingly dubbed “the cheap seats.”
It isn’t the first time a disaster has pulled a neighborhood together.
In 1993, after fires and mudslides in Laguna Beach, neighbors learned one another’s first names and designated one home as their command post. The following year, after the Northridge earthquake, residents across the San Fernando Valley said hello for the first time as the gates that separated them literally came down.
Advertisement
Amid the pandemic, something similar is happening across Southern California. Neighbors have launched networks to help with grocery runs, meals, pharmacy pickups, check-in calls and other errands. They’re offering up surplus supplies.
The music moves Bianca Ramirez, from left, Angie Atkins, Theresa Kinley and Jennifer Turner to dance. “We’ve grown closer as a neighborhood because of being able to share our fears, our concerns and do some normal stuff in an abnormal time,” says Atkins, the organizer. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)
Will these newfound friendships last when life begins to get back to normal? No one knows.
But for now, it’s working. During the cul-de-sac concert, neighbors got up from their seats and danced as Cappelli sang Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Analise Kusleika, 17, span around with her sister, kicking up her cowboy boot-clad feet.
“How’s everyone doing on their toilet paper?” Atkins called out.
“One ply, baby,” Jennifer Turner joked. “I will pay premium for Bounty.”
Their children roller-skated, rode their bikes and squirted one another with water guns.
When a woman stopped to take in the concert, the neighbors invited her to join. She had to finish sewing masks, she said, but “this is so beautiful.”
Liani Bawitlung, her mouth covered by a cheetah print mask, rose from her red Tommy Bahama beach chair to record the performance. She and her husband, who wore a gray bandana, snacked on trail mix and Lay’s chips.
“It’s kind of hard to reach out to your neighbors, but this is the time,” Bawitlung said.
Advertisement
In an hour, she would start a 12-hour night shift at L.A. County-USC Medical Center — where she’s worked as a nurse for over 10 years — and she was scheduled to do it again the next night.
But at this moment, Cappelli’s sweet voice rose above the neighborhood with an original song that resonated in these troubled times.
So why don’t we stop worrying about wanting to make change and just be changed in the light of love
Enough to smile over your shoulder to someone at the gas station
Or say a thank you to those fighting with their lives for ours
Give and give and give until it’s all we want to do
That is change
::
Times staff photographer Irfan Khan contributed to this story.


latimes--2020-04-27--Garcetti says some L.A. stay-at-home rules could be eased in weeks

Mayor Eric Garcetti seemed optimistic that social distancing measures were proving effective and said he believed “ the curve really is beginning to flatten , ” even suggesting that easing restrictions under the city ’ s safer-at-home order could be weeks away .
Testing capabilities were continuing to increase , according to Garcetti , who said asymptomatic essential workers including delivery , ride-hail and taxi drivers , as well as journalists , will now be able to be tested for the virus .
“ These are folks that are on the front line , helping us get where we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartments , ” he said .
Garcetti also announced the city ’ s implementation of a program announced by Gov .
Gavin Newsom last week that would pay out-of-work restaurant employees to cook meals for seniors .
The mayor said the program would put 150 people back to work immediately .
Depending on their income level , people who are either older than 65 or ages 60 to 64 with a preexisting medical condition may be eligible to receive meals from the program .
The city will pay for the meals , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state government , Newsom said last week .
Los Angeles County wrapped up a week in which the number of .
That number continued to rise Monday , as county health officials confirmed an additional 29 deaths and 942 new coronavirus cases .
Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer said 11 of those deaths were among healthcare workers , and 92 % of the nearly 950 individuals who have died in the county had underlying health issues .
Officials said that of those who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the is 13.2 per 100,000 people .
“ This is significantly higher than the mortality rate of all other ethnicities and races , ” Ferrer said .

Mayor Eric Garcetti seemed optimistic that social distancing measures were proving effective and said he believed “the curve really is beginning to flatten,” even suggesting that easing restrictions under the city’s safer-at-home order could be weeks away.
Testing capabilities were continuing to increase, according to Garcetti, who said asymptomatic essential workers including delivery, ride-hail and taxi drivers, as well as journalists, will now be able to be tested for the virus.
“These are folks that are on the front line, helping us get where we need to go, delivering food to our apartments,” he said.
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Garcetti also announced the city’s implementation of a program announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week that would pay out-of-work restaurant employees to cook meals for seniors. The mayor said the program would put 150 people back to work immediately. Depending on their income level, people who are either older than 65 or ages 60 to 64 with a preexisting medical condition may be eligible to receive meals from the program.
The city will pay for the meals, but those costs will later be partly reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state government, Newsom said last week.
Los Angeles County wrapped up a week in which the number of deaths linked to the coronavirus doubled .
That number continued to rise Monday, as county health officials confirmed an additional 29 deaths and 942 new coronavirus cases. Public Health Department Director Barbara Ferrer said 11 of those deaths were among healthcare workers, and 92% of the nearly 950 individuals who have died in the county had underlying health issues.
Officials said that of those who died whose race and ethnicity has been identified, the death rate for African Americans is 13.2 per 100,000 people.
“This is significantly higher than the mortality rate of all other ethnicities and races,” Ferrer said.


latimes--2020-04-27--'You stayed classy, San Diego,' mayor says of residents at beaches

Most San Diego residents who took advantage of the newly reopened beaches on Monday were careful to follow the rules , prompting a “ thank you ” from Mayor Kevin Faulconer .
“ I ’ m happy to report you stayed classy , San Diego , ” Faulconer said at his afternoon briefing .
The mayor said lifeguards and police officers were out in force , prepared to educate residents about what is and isn ’ t allowed — but it was largely unnecessary .
Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said that while the water was crowded during the early morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressed .
Although most people followed the rules , he added that there were some “ trouble spots ” on boardwalks and at pocket beaches .
“ The stay-at-home order is still in place , ” Gartland said .
“ The [ beach ] access is for you to come down , walk , run , surf , swim — get your exercise — and then head back home.
” The weekend will be the real test , Faulconer said .
“ We do not want to give back the gains we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We do not want to see beaches crowded .
That ’ s what led to their closure in the first place.
” Faulconer announced the region ’ s plan to reopen beaches last week .
The blueprint was devised by county lifeguards , and all coastal cities agreed to it .
Faulconer stressed that coastal cities would implement the plan simultaneously after the county lifted ocean restrictions .
But when county officials lifted those restrictions , some cities in the county chose to keep their beaches closed .
Faulconer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents back to the beach on Monday , and he stressed how important it was to have a single set of regulations to guide those reopenings .
“ I think it served us well , ” he said of the plan .

Most San Diego residents who took advantage of the newly reopened beaches on Monday were careful to follow the rules, prompting a “thank you” from Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
“I’m happy to report you stayed classy, San Diego,” Faulconer said at his afternoon briefing.
The mayor said lifeguards and police officers were out in force, prepared to educate residents about what is and isn’t allowed — but it was largely unnecessary.
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Lifeguard Chief James Gartland said that while the water was crowded during the early morning, it thinned out as the day progressed. Although most people followed the rules, he added that there were some “trouble spots” on boardwalks and at pocket beaches.
Lifeguards made seven water rescues.
“The stay-at-home order is still in place,” Gartland said. “The [beach] access is for you to come down, walk, run, surf, swim — get your exercise — and then head back home.”
The weekend will be the real test, Faulconer said.
“We do not want to give back the gains we have sacrificed so much for,” he said. “We do not want to see beaches crowded. That’s what led to their closure in the first place.”
Faulconer announced the region’s plan to reopen beaches last week. The blueprint was devised by county lifeguards, and all coastal cities agreed to it. Faulconer stressed that coastal cities would implement the plan simultaneously after the county lifted ocean restrictions.
But when county officials lifted those restrictions, some cities in the county chose to keep their beaches closed.
Faulconer said many cities were ready to invite their residents back to the beach on Monday, and he stressed how important it was to have a single set of regulations to guide those reopenings.
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“I think it served us well,” he said of the plan.
Winkley writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.


latimes--2020-04-27--Lawyers sue to stop Newsom from transferring inmates to ICE centers

Two lawyer groups have asked the California Supreme Court for an order barring Gov .
Gavin Newsom from continuing to transfer inmates to crowded Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers during the coronavirus pandemic .
In a lawsuit filed directly with the state ’ s highest court , associations of criminal defense and immigration lawyers said California was sending inmates to five ICE detention centers , calling them “ virulent incubators of the virus.
” “ ICE ’ s abject failure to protect the lives of people in its custody from the deadly COVID-19 is inviting a calamity — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the detainees , but the surrounding communities and California as a whole , ” the lawsuit said .
The suit said inmates at the detention facilities can not remain six feet apart and lack access to adequate health care .
Some are on a hunger strike .
“ California ’ s jails and prisons are continuing to voluntarily transfer individuals to ICE custody in the midst of the pandemic , even though they are not legally required to do so , ” the suit said .
In addition to Newsom , Atty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a defendant .
The California Supreme Court set up an expedited schedule for written arguments .
California-based foundations for the ACLU are representing the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and the Southern California chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Assn .
in the case .
The transfers from California prisons and jails account for most of ICE ’ s bookings at the detention centers during the pandemic , the suit said .
Some of those sent to detention centers , the suit said , had been released early from criminal custody as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowding at jails and prisons during the health crisis .
“ Time is of the essence , ” the suit said .
“ Piecemeal litigation in the lower courts is not an option given the dramatic pace at which the crisis is unfolding.
” California is a sanctuary state that generally prohibits city and county law enforcement from transferring inmates to ICE without a warrant or notifying ICE of release dates .
County jails can transfer immigrants to ICE only after they are eligible for release .
Under rules set by the California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates can be transferred to ICE five days before their scheduled release dates .
There are 4,000 immigrants in California ’ s ICE centers , which lack personal protective equipment and proper sanitation , the suit said , adding that “ fundamental constitutional rights to life are at stake.
” Detainees spoke of fear and neglect in sworn declarations presented to the court .
Kelvin Hernandez Roman , who was detained in the Adelanto immigration detention facility in San Bernardino County , said he was crammed into a dorm with 70 to 80 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ago .
A few weeks ago , he became sick with a fever , cough and body aches but could not get medical help , he said .
ICE refused his request for a coronavirus test and medication for his asthma , he said .
“ The state of California ’ s continued transfers to ICE at this moment in time is cruel and inhumane , ” the suit said , “ and it defies every effort this state has already made to ebb the spread of the lethal COVID-19.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the state and federal constitutions , asked the Supreme Court to issue an order no later than May 4 .
Spokespersons for Newsom and Becerra were not immediately available for comment .

Two lawyer groups have asked the California Supreme Court for an order barring Gov. Gavin Newsom from continuing to transfer inmates to crowded Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers during the coronavirus pandemic.
In a lawsuit filed directly with the state’s highest court, associations of criminal defense and immigration lawyers said California was sending inmates to five ICE detention centers, calling them “virulent incubators of the virus.”
“ICE’s abject failure to protect the lives of people in its custody from the deadly COVID-19 is inviting a calamity — a public health crisis that will affect not just the detainees, but the surrounding communities and California as a whole,” the lawsuit said.
The suit said inmates at the detention facilities cannot remain six feet apart and lack access to adequate health care. Some are on a hunger strike.
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“California’s jails and prisons are continuing to voluntarily transfer individuals to ICE custody in the midst of the pandemic, even though they are not legally required to do so,” the suit said.
In addition to Newsom, Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra was named as a defendant. The California Supreme Court set up an expedited schedule for written arguments.
California-based foundations for the ACLU are representing the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and the Southern California chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Assn. in the case.
The transfers from California prisons and jails account for most of ICE’s bookings at the detention centers during the pandemic, the suit said. Some of those sent to detention centers, the suit said, had been released early from criminal custody as part of California’s efforts to reduce crowding at jails and prisons during the health crisis.
“Time is of the essence,” the suit said. “Piecemeal litigation in the lower courts is not an option given the dramatic pace at which the crisis is unfolding.”
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California is a sanctuary state that generally prohibits city and county law enforcement from transferring inmates to ICE without a warrant or notifying ICE of release dates. County jails can transfer immigrants to ICE only after they are eligible for release.
Under rules set by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, prison inmates can be transferred to ICE five days before their scheduled release dates.
There are 4,000 immigrants in California’s ICE centers, which lack personal protective equipment and proper sanitation, the suit said, adding that “fundamental constitutional rights to life are at stake.”
Detainees spoke of fear and neglect in sworn declarations presented to the court.
Kelvin Hernandez Roman, who was detained in the Adelanto immigration detention facility in San Bernardino County, said he was crammed into a dorm with 70 to 80 people until a court ordered his release days ago.
A few weeks ago, he became sick with a fever, cough and body aches but could not get medical help, he said. ICE refused his request for a coronavirus test and medication for his asthma, he said.
“The state of California’s continued transfers to ICE at this moment in time is cruel and inhumane,” the suit said, “and it defies every effort this state has already made to ebb the spread of the lethal COVID-19.”
The suit, citing due process rights under both the state and federal constitutions, asked the Supreme Court to issue an order no later than May 4.
Spokespersons for Newsom and Becerra were not immediately available for comment.


latimes--2020-04-28--California independent contractors struggle for unemployment help amid coronavirus

Two weeks after other states started sending checks , California on Tuesday began accepting unemployment benefit claims from millions of independent contractors , gig workers and the self-employed , but many said ongoing glitches on the state ’ s overtaxed website prevented them from filing applications .
The reports of technical issues follow weeks of similar complaints from other Californians left jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic , who said they were stymied by error messages and clogged phone lines that kept them from completing applications .
While some people said they were able to file a claim Tuesday , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online portal malfunctioned as a flood of people tried to log on , preventing them from signing up for financial help .
“ It ’ s a complete mess , ” said Tim Curtis , who is self-employed and provides technical services to recording studios .
He was able to file an application after several attempts but is not sure it will be accepted .
“ The website keeps crashing , forcing you to start filling out the entire form all over again , usually all the way from logging in , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone support available.
” Many callers to a new phone line operated by the state Employment Development Department , which processes unemployment insurance applications , were greeted with a recorded message that said the agency was receiving more calls than it could handle and urging people to use its UI Online portal .
For more than a week , callers have heard the message , which also warns that the call will be disconnected .
On Tuesday , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said officials are making it a top priority to resolve problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he expects the claims system to stabilize in the next few days .
“ We ’ ve got to figure this out , ” Newsom said during his daily briefing on coronavirus issues , noting that the agency was “ dealing with an unprecedented amount of call volume.
” We will continue to do everything in our power to improve on that experience in these historic and unprecedented times , ” Newsom said .
To help jobless people apply on the first day , the EDD created a digital guide to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about the process and provides customers with a way to sign on to UI Online .
“ New questions have been programmed into the system to collect the necessary details for processing [ Pandemic Unemployment Assistance ] claims , ” said Loree Levy , a spokeswoman for EDD .
Levy declined to respond to questions about those who said they were blocked from filing claims because of malfunctions on the website .
Documentary filmmaker Alana Maiello said she made several attempts Tuesday to file a claim , but the program repeatedly froze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Families who are already vulnerable to the coronavirus crisis are less likely to get the government aid they need when the government websites don ’ t even work , ” Maiello said .
Several others vented their frustration on social media , posting screen shots showing error messages .
At least 2.8 million Californians were freelancers and gig economy workers as of 2016 , according to a study conducted through the Internal Revenue Service .
EDD officials said they expect new applications from independent contractors and the self-employed to “ rival ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last month .
California was late to begin accepting applications from independent contractors .
More than a dozen other states started making payments to independent contractors and the unemployed in recent weeks .
Texas , Louisiana and Rhode Island all sent the first payments more than two weeks ago , on April 13 , according to the U.S. Department of Labor .
For workers including Lyft driver Edan Alva of Alameda , the state has taken too long to provide the financial assistance approved by Congress last month , leaving them struggling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food and medical care .
“ This whole situation is ridiculous and should have been dealt with a long time ago , ” said Alva , 49 , who says he lost all income from his Lyft gig .
“ It would have been devastating if not for the fact that family and friends provided me essentially a handout that has allowed me to survive.
” Alva is getting partial benefits , for two months he worked away from Lyft , but is still trying to get additional unemployment based on income lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company .
California officials said last week that they needed more time to develop “ system programming , forms , processes and procedures , ” including a revamp of the state ’ s antiquated computer systems to handle the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that was part of the Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security , or CARES , Act , signed March 27 by President Trump .
Newsom said the new automated system will allow PUA claims to be processed much faster than the 21 days taken for normal unemployment insurance claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to turn around those checks within 24 to 48 hours , ” Newsom said .
The EDD did not provide unemployment benefits to independent contractors , gig workers and the self-employed before the pandemic , but a new assistance program was implemented when Congress approved the CARES Act .
The new program , which also is available to Californians who have limited work history , will provide up to 39 weeks of benefits , starting at $ 167 per week , retroactive to unemployment that began Feb. 2 .
On top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may receive an additional $ 600 per week going back to March 29 and until July 25 as part of the CARES Act .
Eligibility for the program includes those diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms ; primary caregivers for children unable to attend school ; people who quit a job as a direct result of COVID-19 ; and those whose place of employment is closed because of the pandemic .
Curtis , a Los Angeles resident , said his independent contract work with music recording studios has dried up .
“ At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work with is currently closed , ” he said .
Curtis said he applied for unemployment assistance three weeks ago and was denied , and had a difficult time getting timely information from the EDD on how he can get help under the new program for independent contractors .
“ The worst part is the complete lack of communication , ” Curtis said .
“ It feels dehumanizing .
To be treated like you don ’ t even deserve to be informed as to what ’ s happening is a real insult , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Two weeks after other states started sending checks, California on Tuesday began accepting unemployment benefit claims from millions of independent contractors, gig workers and the self-employed, but many said ongoing glitches on the state’s overtaxed website prevented them from filing applications.
The reports of technical issues follow weeks of similar complaints from other Californians left jobless by the COVID-19 pandemic. They said they were stymied by error messages and clogged phone lines that kept them from completing applications.
Although some people said they were able to file a claim Tuesday, many others said they were frustrated that the online portal malfunctioned as a flood of people tried to log on, preventing them from signing up for financial help.
“It’s a complete mess,” said Tim Curtis, who is self-employed and provides technical services to recording studios.
He was able to file an application after several attempts but is not sure it will be accepted.
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1 / 83 Socially distanced bikers and walkers, against a backdrop of the Queen Mary, make their way along pedestrian and beach bike path on the first day that Long Beach reopened the path on Monday May 11, 2020. The city of Long Beach eased a few of its public health restrictions, allowing under certain guidelines the reopening of pedestrian and beach bike paths, tennis centers and courts. Beach bathrooms are also reopening, but the parking lots and beaches still remain closed. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 83 Traffic remains light on the southbound 110 Freeway headed toward downtown Los Angeles on April 28. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 83 Dominique Barrett, center, known as “King Vader” to his 2.4 million TikTok followers, prepares to shoot a video on April 30 in Glendora. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 83 Cody Purcell of Redondo Beach rides a wave, glowing from the bioluminescence, in Hermosa Beach, CA, after midnight Friday morning, May 8. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 83 Friends play spikeball, a game perfect for social distancing on an open but restricted San Buenaventura State Beach. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 83 The majority of golfers are wearing masks while hitting balls on the driving range at Van Buren Executive Golf Course in Riverside. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 83 Beaches including Harbor Cove Beach were open but beachgoers were not supposed to be sitting on the sand. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 83 Tango instructor Yelizaveta Nersesova leads a Zoom tango event from her Los Angeles home April 27 that brought together hundreds of dancers from around the world. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 83 Grocery store workers, joined by United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 770 representatives and community members, hold a rally in support of strict social distancing on May 1 at a Ralphs store in Hollywood where 19 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 83 Mostly masked commuters keep their distance from one another on a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles on April 29. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 83 Gregory Kuhl, 69, heads home after a shopping trip in Hollywood on April 28. Big cracks in the street, cars parked in driveways blocking sidewalks and uneven pavement levels make navigating his route difficult. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 83 Tenants and their supporters from across Los Angeles gather at city hall to call on L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, the L.A. City Council and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to cancel rent and mortgage payments during the COVID-19 crisis. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 83 Aerial view of over 100 vehicles lined up at the West Valley COVID-19 testing center at Warner Center in Woodland Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 83 Senior Mason Wise, left, helps his sister, Mackenzie, a sophomore, clean out her PE locker at El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills. School officials were allowing no more than five students at a time on campus to take home their belongings. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 83 Shuttered storefront businesses in the garment district of Los Angeles. California’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed since the statewide coronavirus shutdown took effect. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 83 Healthcare workers celebrate as Claudia Martinez is discharged from the ICU after she recovered from COVID-19 at Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 83 Carson residents Kaeli Burks, 3, left, and her cousin Bailey Watson, 5, look out the window of their car after their mothers helped them with self-testing at a new drive-up testing site for COVID-19 in Carson. Free COVID-19 testing is available to all city residents thanks to a partnership between the city and US Health Fairs. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 83 Norm and Tracy Kahn enjoy eating dinner outside on a small cafe table sitting in blue chairs on their side yard during the coronavirus pandemic on April 27 in Riverside. “During this pandemic, eating outside offers us an opportunity to change surrounding and appreciate the calmness of being outdoors among trees, scents from nature and the sounds of birds,” she said. Also adding, “Mixing up where we eat puts variety into our days and takes away the sameness of feeling trapped at home.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 83 Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center nurses carry supplies outside the hospital. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 83 Tom Sean Foley pauses on a walk with his kids, Cathelen Claire, “C.C.,” 3, and Timothy Joseph, 4, to take a photo in front of the “Love Wall,” mural by artist Curtis Kulig, outside of Smashbox Studios in Culver City. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 83 Protesters stand along Mission Blvd. in Pacific Beach during A Day of Liberty rally on April 26. The protesters were against the government shutdown due to the coronavirus. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) 22 / 83 People make orders at a food truck along Shoreline Avenue in Long Beach. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 83 Medical staff, wearing protective gear, work inside a COVID-19 isolation area inside the emergency department at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, where patients with the virus are being treated. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 83 Neighbors practice social distancing while enjoying the nice weather near The Strand in Hermosa Beach. (Gabriella Angotti-Jones / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 83 Counter-protesters attend a protest to call on state and local officials to reopen the economy in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 83 A group of protesters cheer on cars during a vehicle caravan protest to call on state and local officials to reopen the economy in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 83 Cedar Mountain Post Acute Rehabilitation staff member Navi Cavaltera waters a flower pot put up by the community to show their support for the nursing staff of the facility in Yucaipa. Eighteen of 20 coronavirus-related deaths in Yucaipa were residents of the skilled nursing facility. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 83 A pedestrian wearing a protective mask passes a mural on a store on Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 83 Jonte Florence, a freestyle dancer, does a handstand on a mostly empty Hollywood Walk of Fame. Florence said he normally performs for hundreds of tourists along the busy street. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 83 The Tyrannosaurus rex overlooking the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue wears a protective mask while practicing social distancing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 83 Businesses are shuttered and pedestrians are few and far between on Hollywood Boulevard. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 83 Daniel Rogerson wears a vintage military gas mask while riding a bike along the beach path in Santa Monica, which is closed to enforce social distancing because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 83 A face mask seller in colorful dress appears to be part of a mural behind a bus stop on Soto Street in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 83 Life around Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Soto Street has slowed down as California officials extended stay-at-home orders into May and residents entered Easter weekend with unprecedented limits on their movements. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 83 UC Irvine Medical Center health care workers return their gratitude as about 25 Orange County first responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as they battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 83 Billy Budd, 55, of Hollywood, walks along Hollywood Boulevard with a protective face covering. Budd is a scenic artist for movies and television who is currently out of work due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 83 Stuart Reyes and his sister, Stephanie, sell masks for $5 each on the 3000 block of West Century Boulevard in Inglewood. Stuart Reyes said he is selling masks to support his mother. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 83 A jogger runs on a closed trail past dozens of pieces of caution tape, torn off by hikers and mountain bikers at El Escorpion Canyon Park in West Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 83 Alex Herron and nurse Mercy Pineda at a blood drive sponsored by USC athletics and the American Red Cross at USC’s Galen Center. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 83 Los Angeles City Hall displays blue lights to show support for healthcare workers and first responders. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 83 After being indoors for several days because of rainy weather and coronavirus stay-at-home orders, Olivia Jacobs, 4, and her mom, Cia Jacobs, enjoy a warm and sunny afternoon making chalk drawings on the sidewalk in front of their home in West Hills. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 83 An Oceanview Plaza security guard sports a whimsical mask while on patrol. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 83 Jacob De Wilde, left, and Lesli Lytle load a car with food during a food distribution organized to mark Good Friday. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 83 As a late season storm continues to make its way across the Southland, a young basketball player dribbles along an alley through an Elysian Park neighborhood in Los Angeles. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 83 People are silhouetted in a window of an apartment building in Hollywood, where a stay-at-home order remains in effect to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 83 The Wilshire Grand Center display blue lights and a heart to show support for healthcare workers and first responders. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 83 Women wear masks as they stroll along Highland Avenue in Hollywood. Wearing masks while outdoors is mandatory in the city of Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 83 Patients are removed from Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center after 39 tested positive for the coronavirus and nursing staff was not showing up to work. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 83 A specimen is turned in at the new mobile testing site for people with symptoms of the coronavirus at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 83 Hippie Kitchen in Los Angeles hands out food, water and toiletries to homeless people and residents of skid row. Additionally, masks were offered to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 83 Nurses pose for a fun photo during a break in drive-through public testing for the coronavirus at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 83 A woman shows a notice from her doctor that allows her to obtain a test for coronavirus at a new drive-up testing site in a parking lot at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 83 A person who wishes to remain anonymous strikes from her car to support McDonald’s employees who are demanding the company cover healthcare costs of any worker or immediate family member who gets sick from COVID-19 in Los Angeles. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 83 Cassidy Roosen, with Beach Cities Health District, holds up a sign that says, “We’re All in This Together,” while waiting to direct cars at a drive-through, appointment-only coronavirus testing location at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 83 Juliann Hartman, center, and her husband, Butch, wave signs they created to cheer up people on Calabasas Road in Calabasas during the pandemic. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 83 Grace Carter, 15, of Riverside, practices a dance routine at home after dance classes and school were canceled. She has to use the Zoom app on her iPhone to practice with her dance group. “It’s hard,” she said. “My bedroom is a smaller space. I miss all my friends at the studio.” (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 83 A man works from his home in Long Beach. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 83 A San Bernardino County healthcare worker takes a sample at a coronavirus drive-through testing site at the county fairgrounds in Victorville. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 83 A Metro general service employee disinfects a bench in Boyle Heights. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 83 A runner jogs past the Pottery Barn in Pasadena. Some businesses in the area have boarded up their stores. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 83 Raquel Lezama and daughter Monica Ramos collect meals for their family at Manual Arts High School. Lezama was laid off from her $17.76-an-hour job at a Beverly Hills hotel. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 83 The Iron City Tavern in San Pedro tries an incentive to lure takeout customers. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 83 Healthcare workers gather outside UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center to call for further action from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 83 Kristen Edgerle, of Victorville, collects information from a blood donor before drawing blood at The Richard Nixon Presidential Library blood drive during the coronavirus pandemic in Yorba Linda. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 83 Shauna Jin, of Los Angeles, with her dog, Bodhi, practices social distancing with John Kiss, of Los Angeles, at the entrance of Runyon Canyon Park in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 66 / 83 A lending library had some additional useful items, including a roll of toilet paper and cans of beans and corn, in a Hermosa Beach neighborhood. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 83 Protesters drive by the Getty House, the home of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, in Hancock Park. Tenant advocates are demanding a total moratorium on evictions during the coronavirus crisis. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 83 Venice residents Emily Berry and Gavin Kelley take a break at Venice Beach. Berry, a cocktail waitress at Enterprise Fish Co., lost her job due to the coronavirus outbreak. Kelley, a manager at a performing arts school with a focus on music, said that he still has a job and that classes at the school will resume online this coming Monday. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 83 The JW Marriott at L.A. Live is sharing a message of hope with red lights in 34 windows, creating a 19-story display on the hotel’s north side. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 83 Juan Diaz Jr., a lifelong Dodgers fan, prays that the season will start by May in front of Dodger Stadium on what would have been opening day. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 83 Hayley, CEO and founder of Love My Neighbor Foundation, right, dances with Crystal Armster, 51, while she and her colleagues continue to feed the homeless on skid row amid the pandemic. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 83 A masked passenger on a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 73 / 83 Dede Oneal waits for a coronavirus test at the Crenshaw Christian Center in South Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 74 / 83 A man in a mask passes a closed restaurant along Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 75 / 83 Artist Corie Mattie paints a mural on the side of a pop-up store as a man takes a picture in West Hollywood. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 76 / 83 Medical assistant Zoila Villalta works with Rosie Boston, 32, of Glendale, who is donating blood for her first time at L.A. Care Health Plan downtown. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) 77 / 83 A couple wait for a bus outside the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) 78 / 83 With all Los Angeles schools closed until further notice, LAUSD buses sit idle in Gardena. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 79 / 83 A lone traveler makes his way to catch a flight in Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) 80 / 83 Denise Young looks on as her daughter, Allison, 9, a fourth-grader at EARThS (Environmental Academy of Research Technology and Earth Sciences) Magnet School in Newbury Park, receives a Chromebook. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) 81 / 83 Hollywood Boulevard is devoid of the usual crowds. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 82 / 83 Michael Ray, 11, plays before a movie at the Paramount Drive-In. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times) 83 / 83 Isabella Leader, 15, counts how many flags have been left for World War II veteran Lt. Col. Sam Sachs who was celebrating his 105th birthday at the Mom & Dad’s House, an assisted living facility, in Lakewood. Lt. Col. Sachs appealed to the public for birthday cards after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of a big celebration and wound up receiving thousands, including a letter and photo from President Trump. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
“The website keeps crashing, forcing you to start filling out the entire form all over again, usually all the way from logging in,” he said. “There is no phone support available.”
Many callers to a new phone line operated by the state Employment Development Department, which processes unemployment insurance applications, were greeted with a recorded message that said the agency was receiving more calls than it could handle and urging people to use its UI Online portal.
For more than a week, callers have heard the message, which also warns that the call will be disconnected.
On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom said officials are making it a top priority to resolve problems with the application process at the EDD, and he expects the claims system to stabilize in the next few days.
“We’ve got to figure this out,” Newsom said during his daily briefing on coronavirus issues, noting that the agency was “dealing with an unprecedented amount of call volume.”
We will continue to do everything in our power to improve on that experience in these historic and unprecedented times,” Newsom said.
To help jobless people apply on the first day, the EDD created a digital guide to applying for unemployment benefits that consolidates basic information about the process and provides customers with a way to sign on to UI Online.
“New questions have been programmed into the system to collect the necessary details for processing [Pandemic Unemployment Assistance] claims,” said Loree Levy, a spokeswoman for EDD.
Levy declined to respond to questions about those who said they were blocked from filing claims because of malfunctions on the website.
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Documentary filmmaker Alana Maiello said she made several attempts Tuesday to file a claim, but the program repeatedly froze, preventing her from filing.
“Families who are already vulnerable to the coronavirus crisis are less likely to get the government aid they need when the government websites don’t even work,” Maiello said.
Several others vented their frustration on social media, posting screen shots showing error messages.
At least 2.8 million Californians were freelancers and gig economy workers as of 2016, according to a study conducted through the Internal Revenue Service.
EDD officials said they expect new applications from independent contractors and the self-employed to “rival” the 3.2 million unemployment claims filed in the last month.
California was late to begin accepting applications from independent contractors. More than a dozen other states started making payments to independent contractors and the unemployed in recent weeks.
Texas, Louisiana and Rhode Island all sent the first payments more than two weeks ago, on April 13, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
For workers including Lyft driver Edan Alva of Alameda, the state has taken too long to provide the financial assistance approved by Congress last month, leaving them struggling to pay living expenses such as rent, food and medical care.
“This whole situation is ridiculous and should have been dealt with a long time ago,” said Alva, 49, who says he lost all income from his Lyft gig. “It would have been devastating if not for the fact that family and friends provided me essentially a handout that has allowed me to survive.”
Alva is getting partial benefits, for two months he worked away from Lyft, but is still trying to get additional unemployment based on income lost when he halted driving for the ride-sharing company.
California officials said last week that they needed more time to develop “system programming, forms, processes and procedures,” including a revamp of the state’s antiquated computer systems to handle the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, signed March 27 by President Trump.
Newsom said the new automated system will allow PUA claims to be processed much faster than the 21 days taken for normal unemployment insurance claims.
“I am confident we will be able to turn around those checks within 24 to 48 hours,” Newsom said.
The EDD did not provide unemployment benefits to independent contractors, gig workers and the self-employed before the pandemic, but a new assistance program was implemented when Congress approved the CARES Act.
The new program, which also is available to Californians who have limited work history, will provide up to 39 weeks of benefits, starting at $167 per week, retroactive to unemployment that began Feb. 2.
On top of normal unemployment benefits, jobless people may receive an additional $600 per week going back to March 29 and until July 25 as part of the CARES Act.
Eligibility for the program includes those diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms; primary caregivers for children unable to attend school; people who quit a job as a direct result of COVID-19; and those whose place of employment is closed because of the pandemic.
Curtis, a Los Angeles resident, said his independent contract work with music recording studios has dried up.
“At this point, every studio that I work with is currently closed,” he said.
Curtis said he applied for unemployment assistance three weeks ago and was denied, and had a difficult time getting timely information from the EDD on how he can get help under the new program for independent contractors.
“The worst part is the complete lack of communication,” Curtis said. “It feels dehumanizing. To be treated like you don’t even deserve to be informed as to what’s happening is a real insult, and it crushes your self-esteem and confidence.”