latimes--2020-05-04--Gov. Gavin Newsom says reopening California will begin this week amid coronavirus crisis

Gov .
Gavin Newsom announced that some retail stores across the state can reopen with modifications as early as Friday amid growing pressure to ease the stay-at-home order that has cratered the California economy .
The new changes are part of a four-stage plan the governor laid out last week to gradually transition back to normal in a state of nearly 40 million people whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ We are entering into the next phase this week , ” Newsom said at his Monday news conference to provide an update on the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very positive sign and it ’ s happened only for one reason : The data says it can happen.
” Under the new statewide COVID-19 guidelines , the governor said bookstores , music stores , toy stores , florists , sporting goods retailers and others can reopen for pickup , and manufacturing and logistics can resume in the retail supply chain .
Newsom said more detailed guidelines on the businesses that can resume limited operations would be released later this week .
The governor ’ s plan also expands decision-making at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move further ahead into the second phase of the reopening process at their own pace and open more businesses — such as restaurant dining rooms — beyond those outlined in the statewide policy .
But if communities want to take that next step , counties must first submit “ containment plans ” that meet certain requirements for hospital beds , testing kits and the ability to track infected people and trace their contacts , Newsom said .
Other local orders that are more restrictive than statewide reopening plans would supersede any changes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic governor ’ s move to give more discretion to counties follows large protests against Newsom ’ s restrictions at the state Capitol and in Orange County , and as a handful of small rural counties moved to open their communities in defiance of his authority .
Despite the vocal opposition in some parts of the state , recent polls show that the vast majority of Californians approve of how the governor is handling the coronavirus crisis and are more concerned about reopening too early than too late .
Though health experts have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide stay-at-home order in the nation and successfully beating back the virus in California , his efforts to protect public health by shuttering businesses and restricting movement have also caused economic peril .
The state processed more than 3.5 million claims for unemployment benefits from March 14 through the third week in April .
The move to Stage 2 of the state ’ s reopening plan , which is set to begin Friday , will ultimately allow more businesses deemed to be at lower risk of spreading the virus to open in communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buildings , shopping malls and restaurant dining rooms , will not be reopened Friday , but later on in Stage 2 .
Restrictions will be continually assessed and could be modified based on regional health conditions , including testing capabilities , officials said .
The Newsom administration has said Stage 3 would begin in “ months ” and include the opening of hair salons , gyms , sports competitions in empty stadiums and religious services .
The final stage would mark the end of the stay-at-home order and all restrictions , allowing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which the governor has noted is unlikely to occur until a vaccine becomes widely available .
State Public Health Officer Sonia Angell said that as California eases stay-at-home rules and business closures , new safeguards will be put in place , with details expected to be announced Thursday .
“ We want to make sure that both the workers and the customers are safe in these settings , which means that there will be modifications to ensure physical distancing and [ to make ] sure that the unique circumstances of those workplaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One of the key tenets of Newsom ’ s plan to prepare the state to reopen is expanding government ’ s capacity to quickly identify infections and trace and quarantine the contacts of those who are infected to prevent rapid spread and additional outbreaks .
The task proved to be daunting during the first identified wave of coronavirus cases in February and March , with small and understaffed county health departments struggling to identify hundreds of potential contacts of infected people at a time when Californians still moved about freely .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with University of California campuses in San Francisco and Los Angeles to launch an online academy on Wednesday to recruit and train new tracers , potentially readying as many as 3,000 people per week for the job .
He said the state has an initial goal of training 10,000 people , growing to 20,000 in the weeks ahead .
Current state workers would be redeployed to work as tracers when the program launches , he said .
Twenty-three counties in California are actively tracing COVID-19 cases , Newsom said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can more quickly move to modify our stay-at-home order , ” he said .
Angell said California is able to begin easing restrictions because residents have been diligent in adhering to the governor ’ s stay-at-home order and maintaining a safe distance from others when shopping or venturing outside .
The statewide number of hospitalizations and ICU visits has stabilized over the last two weeks , she said .
“ All of those people who ’ ve stayed home , all of those people who have worked in our essential workforce to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s why we are where we are today , ” Angell said .
“ As we begin to move forward to move out of our homes , we increase the risk of people getting sick and when people get sick , we want to make sure we ’ re there to protect them.
” Angell said the state currently has 18.2 million surgical masks and 5.8 million face shields on hand , which are in the process of being distributed to medical facilities across California , and the state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks .
California has set up 14 medical facilities outside the state ’ s hospital system ready to treat more than 2,000 patients in case there is a surge in the spread of the coronavirus .
Statewide , there are also more than 10,000 ventilators — breathing machines that provide critical care for hospitalized COVID-19 patients — that are currently not in use and available .
The state also hit its goal in conducting 25,000 coronavirus tests per day , critical to identifying people stricken with the virus , isolating them and tracking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with .
All of those capabilities will be essential in the weeks and months ahead as restrictions are eased .
The announcement on Monday came as Yuba and Sutter Counties began to ease restrictions and days after Modoc County , where there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases , allowed all businesses , schools and churches to reopen on Friday if people can stay six feet apart .
Newsom cautioned that recent history has shown that countries that have eased up on restrictions prematurely have been hit with a second wave of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put the stay-at-home order in the first place , ” Newsom said .
“ This virus has not gone away .
Let ’ s not develop amnesia .
Let ’ s not forget why we ’ re in this position in the first place .
Let ’ s not be naive about the virulence of this disease.
” Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said that counties throughout California are so different — whether urban , rural , coastal , inland , large or small —that it ’ s essential for each to tailor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their unique circumstances .
That ’ s especially true in counties with few or no COVID-19 cases , she said .
Bartlett said Newsom provided a “ reasonable ” plan to give county public health officers , along with county supervisors , more authority to develop such plans .
The governor signed an executive order Monday that requires the state public health officer to develop criteria for the counties .
“ It ’ s an appropriate position for California because Gov .
Newsom knows we have 58 counties and they are vastly different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairwoman of the California State Assn .
of Counties .
“ Leaving it to local elected officials to working with their public health officers , I think is a great idea .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that some retail stores across the state can reopen with modifications as early as Friday amid growing pressure to ease the stay-at-home order that has cratered the California economy.
The new changes are part of a four-stage plan the governor laid out last week to gradually transition back to normal in a state of nearly 40 million people whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are entering into the next phase this week,” Newsom said at his Monday news conference to provide an update on the state’s response. “This is a very positive sign and it’s happened only for one reason: The data says it can happen.”
Under the new statewide COVID-19 guidelines, the governor said bookstores, music stores, toy stores, florists, sporting goods retailers and others can reopen for pickup, and manufacturing and logistics can resume in the retail supply chain. Newsom said more detailed guidelines on the businesses that can resume limited operations would be released later this week.
1 / 46 People stroll along Laguna’s Main Beach after it reopened its beaches for active use only.
(Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 46 Mathew Hanna jumps on a skim board at Laguna’s Main Beach on Tuesday morning as city reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 46 Cathie Lawler with her dogs, Milo and Charlie, said “Absolutely fabulous. So good to see the beach” as she walked along Laguna Beach after it reopened for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 46 Goff Stepian rides a wave on his paddle board at Laguna’s Main Beach. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 46 People stroll along Laguna’s Main Beach after it reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 46 An aerial view of beach-goers playing volleyball on a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 46 An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers enjoying a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 46 An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers enjoying a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach on Monday. (Allen J. Schaben/Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 46 Bicyclists and pass the closed Boardwalk Sports store on the boardwalk in Newport Beach, on Monday. The business is only renting bicycles but is hoping to fully open after Gov. Newsom’s announcement that some businesses will be able to reopen. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 46 An aerial view of the Newport Beach pier, where a few surfers and beach-goers enjoy a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 46 Bill Beukers and his wife, Teresa, claim their constitutional rights as they speak to Newport Beach police officers. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 46 A surfer climbs over a barrier meant to keep visitors off the beach in Newport Beach on Saturday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 46 Police and protesters find a shady spot along Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 46 Newport Beach lifeguards and police clear the beach during a closure that went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 46 Protesters stage a protest in Laguna Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 46 A motorcycle officer patrols the bike path near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 46 Huntington Beach resident Kyle Richardson, 35, holds a sign telling California Gov. Gavin Newson to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen beaches, parks and the California economy, during a protest near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 46 A Newport Beach lifeguard evacuates the beach as a closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 46 Protesters against beach closures walk in Newport Beach even though a beach closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 46 A police cruiser patrols near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 46 Protesters gather near the Huntington Beach Pier, demanding that California Gov. Gavin Newson lift stay-at-home orders. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 46 People walk on the sand in Newport Beach despite the beach closure that went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 23 / 46 People enjoy the sun near the pier in Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 24 / 46 Under the watchful eyes of police officers, protesters against beach closures walk along Newport Beach even though a beach closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 46 A couple walks along the sand while others venture into the surf in Newport Beach even though Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Orange County beaches closed. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 46 People enjoy the sun in downtown Huntington Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 46 A motorcycle officer watches the bike path near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. California Gov. Gavin Newson ordered a hard closure of Orange County beaches this weekend. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 28 / 46 Surfers and others ventured to the beach in Newport Beach on Saturday despite the governor’s closure order. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 29 / 46 Saturday’s beach closure did not keep surfers out of the water in Newport Beach. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 46 Protesters wave a variety of flags, including a Confederate one, along Pacific Coast Highway in Laguna Beach on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 46 An aerial view of a mostly empty Huntington Beach following Gov. Newsom’s “hard close” of Orange County beaches. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 32 / 46 Huntington Beach lifeguards patrol with a boat to try to get surfers to stop defying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “hard close” order. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 33 / 46 Steve Christopher, right, reads a book in the shade of the pier as a beach-goer does flips across the beach on the last day of open beaches in Huntington Beach. “I think it’s what needs to be done,” Christopher said. “I saw it last week and it was packed.” (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 46 Surfers ride the waves on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier Friday, May 1, 2020. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Orange County beaches closed on Thursday despite opposition from local leaders. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 35 / 46 Emergency room nurse Rebecca McFarlane, of Covina, relaxes on her one day off from treating COVID-19 patients, on an open stretch of sand far away from other beach-goers on the last day of open beaches in Huntington Beach. “As a nurse, I have to wear all the PPE and on my one day off, I just want to relax on the beach,” McFarlane said. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 36 / 46 An aerial view of Huntington Beach after Gov. Newsom announced the “hard close” of all Orange County state and local beaches. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 46 An aerial view shows visitors enjoying the sun and sand near the pier in Newport Beach on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 46 A surfer catches a wave while joining some of the thousands of beachgoers over the weekend in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 46 Newport Beach officials said beach visitors followed distancing guidelines over the weekend. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 46 On Tuesday, beachgoers pass a statue of Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson, who died while conducting a rescue. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 46 A man in a protective mask walks his dog past a closed park near the pier in Newport Beach on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 46 A motorist makes a statement via a back window as pedestrians walk past a store display in Newport Beach that features a mannequin in a mask. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 46 Beachgoers dot the sand in an aerial view of Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 46 Weekend beach crowds, such as those in Huntington Beach, spurred alarm among some officials. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 46 People crowd the bike path near Huntington Beach pier on Saturday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 46 An aerial view shows surfers waiting for a wave Saturday off Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
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The governor’s plan also expands decision-making at the local level, allowing some communities to move further ahead into the second phase of the reopening process at their own pace and open more businesses — such as restaurant dining rooms — beyond those outlined in the statewide policy.
But if communities want to take that next step, counties must first submit “containment plans” that meet certain requirements for hospital beds, testing kits and the ability to track infected people and trace their contacts, Newsom said. Other local orders that are more restrictive than statewide reopening plans would supersede any changes the governor makes, Newsom said.
The Democratic governor’s move to give more discretion to counties follows large protests against Newsom’s restrictions at the state Capitol and in Orange County, and as a handful of small rural counties moved to open their communities in defiance of his authority.
Despite the vocal opposition in some parts of the state, recent polls show that the vast majority of Californians approve of how the governor is handling the coronavirus crisis and are more concerned about reopening too early than too late.
Though health experts have given Newsom credit for implementing the first statewide stay-at-home order in the nation and successfully beating back the virus in California, his efforts to protect public health by shuttering businesses and restricting movement have also caused economic peril. The state processed more than 3.5 million claims for unemployment benefits from March 14 through the third week in April.
The move to Stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan, which is set to begin Friday, will ultimately allow more businesses deemed to be at lower risk of spreading the virus to open in communities across California.
State officials cautioned office buildings, shopping malls and restaurant dining rooms will not be reopened Friday, but later on in Stage 2. Restrictions will be continually assessed and could be modified based on regional health conditions, including testing capabilities, officials said.
The Newsom administration has said Stage 3 would begin in “months” and include the opening of hair salons, gyms, sports competitions in empty stadiums and religious services. The final stage would mark the end of the stay-at-home order and all restrictions, allowing people to return to concerts and sporting events, which the governor has noted is unlikely to occur until a vaccine becomes widely available.
State Public Health Officer Sonia Angell said that as California eases stay-at-home rules and business closures, new safeguards will be put in place, with details expected to be announced Thursday.
“We want to make sure that both the workers and the customers are safe in these settings, which means that there will be modifications to ensure physical distancing and [to make] sure that the unique circumstances of those workplaces will be addressed,” she said.
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One of the key tenets of Newsom’s plan to prepare the state to reopen is expanding government’s capacity to quickly identify infections and trace and quarantine the contacts of those who are infected to prevent rapid spread and additional outbreaks.
California L.A. schools will start Aug. 18, whether campuses are open or not L.A school officials say the school year will start Aug. 18, but they plan to take a cautious path forward to reopening campuses as worries persist over health and safety concerns amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The task proved to be daunting during the first identified wave of coronavirus cases in February and March, with small and understaffed county health departments struggling to identify hundreds of potential contacts of infected people at a time when Californians still moved about freely.
The governor said Monday that the state is working with University of California campuses in San Francisco and Los Angeles to launch an online academy on Wednesday to recruit and train new tracers, potentially readying as many as 3,000 people per week for the job. He said the state has an initial goal of training 10,000 people, growing to 20,000 in the weeks ahead. Current state workers would be redeployed to work as tracers when the program launches, he said.
Twenty-three counties in California are actively tracing COVID-19 cases, Newsom said.
“This is all foundational, so that we can more quickly move to modify our stay-at-home order,” he said.
Angell said California is able to begin easing restrictions because residents have been diligent in adhering to the governor’s stay-at-home order and maintaining a safe distance from others when shopping or venturing outside. The statewide number of hospitalizations and ICU visits has stabilized over the last two weeks, she said.
“All of those people who’ve stayed home, all of those people who have worked in our essential workforce to make sure that we can stay home safely, that’s why we are where we are today,” Angell said. “As we begin to move forward to move out of our homes, we increase the risk of people getting sick and when people get sick, we want to make sure we’re there to protect them.”
Angell said the state currently has 18.2 million surgical masks and 5.8 million face shields on hand, which are in the process of being distributed to medical facilities across California, and the state has already ordered hundreds of millions of additional masks.
California has set up 14 medical facilities outside the state’s hospital system ready to treat more than 2,000 patients in case there is a surge in the spread of the coronavirus. Statewide, there are also more than 10,000 ventilators — breathing machines that provide critical care for hospitalized COVID-19 patients — that are currently not in use and available.
The state also hit its goal in conducting 25,000 coronavirus tests per day, critical to identifying people stricken with the virus, isolating them and tracking down who they have been in contact with. All of those capabilities will be essential in the weeks and months ahead as restrictions are eased.
The announcement on Monday came as Yuba and Sutter Counties began to ease restrictions and days after Modoc County, where there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases, allowed all businesses, schools and churches to reopen on Friday if people can stay six feet apart.
Newsom cautioned that recent history has shown that countries that have eased up on restrictions prematurely have been hit with a second wave of the virus.
“There was a reason we put the stay-at-home order in the first place,” Newsom said. “This virus has not gone away. Let’s not develop amnesia. Let’s not forget why we’re in this position in the first place. Let’s not be naive about the virulence of this disease.”
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said that counties throughout California are so different — whether urban, rural, coastal, inland, large or small —that it’s essential for each to tailor a plan for easing restrictions based on their unique circumstances. That’s especially true in counties with few or no COVID-19 cases, she said.
Bartlett said Newsom provided a “reasonable” plan to give county public health officers, along with county supervisors, more authority to develop such plans. The governor signed an executive order Monday that requires the state public health officer to develop criteria for the counties.
“It’s an appropriate position for California because Gov. Newsom knows we have 58 counties and they are vastly different,” said Bartlett, who is president of the California State Assn. of Counties. “Leaving it to local elected officials to working with their public health officers, I think is a great idea.”


latimes--2020-05-04--L.A. County sheriff to close 2 patrol stations, cut homeless outreach to reduce deficit

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva Monday announced plans to close two patrol stations , the parks bureau and reduce homeless outreach services to help shrink his department ’ s budget deficit .
The Marina del Rey and Altadena stations will be closed and consolidated into the South L.A. and Crescenta Valley stations , respectively .
Deputies will be reassigned , but a couple dozen administrative positions , including captain and field training officer positions , will be eliminated and those staff members assigned to fill vacancies elsewhere .
“ Of course , the only issue is then from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those , is it a reduction in service ?
Well the deputies in patrol will remain the same , they ’ ll still be out there .
However , it ’ s the administrative staff that will be encumbered to basically tighten the belts on this , ” Villanueva said during a news briefing .
Villanueva told reporters that the station closures , which will take effect July 1 , will save more than $ 12 million annually .
Meanwhile , losing the county parks and community partnership bureaus will save more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
County parks will now be patrolled by the nearest sheriff ’ s station .
The two unions that represent sworn Sheriff ’ s Department personnel were not immediately available for comment .
Villanueva has said the Board of Supervisors has long underfunded the Sheriff ’ s Department .
He said the board approved a $ 3.5-billion budget even though it costs $ 3.9 billion to operate the department .
“ When you underfund the Sheriff ’ s Department budget , it does a lot of things — none of them good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sheriff ’ s Department will reduce the number of academy classes from 12 to eight , which he said would result in a cost savings of nearly $ 22 million .
The board had proposed reducing the number of classes to four , which Villanueva said would have shrunk the number of sworn personnel by 160 a year at a time when the department is trying to fill 712 vacancies .
“ By reducing that even further , all that does is aggravate the overtime , which spirals out of control , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positions are being cut from the Homeless Outreach Services Team , which helps connect people experiencing homelessness with shelters and other services .
The team will be reduced to six people for a cost savings of $ 1.4 million , he said .
Sachi Hamai , the county ’ s chief executive officer , said in a statement that every county department is submitting “ plans for painful cuts ” because of economic challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ I ’ d like to encourage the sheriff to continue working on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public safety for all residents , including those in the unincorporated communities , ” she said .
“ We expect to have a clearer picture of our budget and the steps we will need to balance it by the time we return to the Board of Supervisors at the end of June .
”

L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Tadrous of the Homeless Outreach Services Team talks with Shawn Troncozo, 24, about how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The team is being reduced amid budget cuts.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Monday announced plans to close two patrol stations and the parks bureau and to reduce homeless outreach services to help shrink his department’s budget deficit.
At a morning news briefing, Villanueva indicated that command functions at the Marina del Rey and Altadena stations will be consolidated into the South L.A. and Crescenta Valley stations, respectively. Deputies will continue to patrol those areas, he said, but a couple of dozen administrative positions, including captain and field training officer, will be eliminated, and those staff members will be assigned to fill vacancies elsewhere.
Later Monday, however, Villanueva left open the possibility that the stations could remain open in some capacity.
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“Line staff only will remain if feasible,” he said in a text message. It was unclear under that scenario the number of personnel who would remain and the level of community services possible.
Villanueva said the station closures would take effect July 1 and save more than $12 million annually. Meanwhile, losing the county parks and community partnership bureaus will save more than $62 million a year, he said. County parks will be patrolled by the nearest sheriff’s station.
“Of course, the only issue is then from the local communities; if you live in those, is it a reduction in service?” Villanueva said at the news briefing. “Well, the deputies in patrol will remain the same; they’ll still be out there. However, it’s the administrative staff that will be encumbered to basically tighten the belts on this.”
Villanueva sent a memo to the staff explaining the proposed cuts.
“Due to the fact the Board of Supervisors and chief executive officer have intentionally failed to provide a budget which meets the true needs of the department, we are forced to make deep cuts in order to continue providing the basic functions of public safety to our communities,” he said in the memo, obtained by The Times.
The two unions that represent Sheriff’s Department personnel said they learned of the proposed cuts during Monday’s briefing.
Tab Rhodes, president of the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Assn., which represents sergeants, lieutenants and others in the Sheriff’s Department, said the closures could “significantly impact” his membership and that he plans further discussions with the agency.
Ron Hernandez, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, said the “massive cuts to specialized units and patrol stations came without warning. This is being done with no input from ALADS or the communities we serve.”
“The shuttering of specialized units and the two sheriffs’ stations will result in the displacement of scores of ALADS members,” he added. “Many of the displaced will be ordered from these critical units, leaving behind investment in specialized training and years of experience. Some may choose to retire, worsening the shortage.”
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Villanueva complained that the Board of Supervisors has long underfunded the Sheriff’s Department. He said the board recommended a $3.5-billion budget as he sought $3.9 billion to operate the department.
“When you underfund the Sheriff’s Department budget, it does a lot of things — none of them good,” he said.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement that the county’s Chief Executive Office had offered suggestions on cuts that would not affect public safety or community service, such as limiting overtime or scaling back academy classes from 12 to four.
“I am disappointed that instead of more sensible adjustments, he is responding by eliminating sheriff’s stations, including in Altadena, an unincorporated area that I represent,” she said. Barger encouraged Villanueva to work with the office to identify alternative cuts.
Villanueva said the Sheriff’s Department will reduce the number of academy classes from 12 to eight, which he said would result in a cost savings of nearly $22 million. He argued that offering just four academy classes would have shrunk the number of sworn personnel by 160 deputies a year at a time when the department is trying to fill 712 deputy, sergeant and lieutenant vacancies.
“By reducing that even further, all that does is aggravate the overtime, which spirals out of control,” he said.
Villanueva said 10 positions are being cut from the Homeless Outreach Services Team, which helps connect people experiencing homelessness with shelters and other services. The team will be reduced to six people, for a cost savings of $1.4 million, he said.
In March, a week before stay-at-home orders were announced in L.A. County, the outreach team spent time handing out toiletries and educating people living along the San Gabriel River Trail about how to protect themselves from COVID-19. They advised people not to share cigarettes or utensils, to sleep head-to-toe if sharing a tent and to stay six feet apart from one another.
Sachi Hamai, the county’s chief executive officer, said in a statement that every county department is submitting “plans for painful cuts” because of economic challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’d like to encourage the sheriff to continue working on his plans in a way that emphasizes public safety for all residents, including those in the unincorporated communities,” she said. “We expect to have a clearer picture of our budget and the steps we will need to balance it by the time we return to the Board of Supervisors at the end of June.”


latimes--2020-05-04--2 California counties let some businesses reopen: 'You don't know if you're an outlaw or a pioneer'

For Natalie Lambert , welcoming diners back into her Yuba City restaurant was an exciting but somewhat conflicting experience .
“ You don ’ t know if you ’ re an outlaw or a pioneer at this point , ” the Lambert House Cafe owner said in a phone interview .
She , like other residents of Northern California ’ s Yuba and Sutter counties , woke up to a host of new possibilities Monday after the local health officer relaxed some regulations that were imposed in response to the coronavirus outbreak — allowing some businesses to reopen .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s 6-week-old stay-at-home order and further exemplifies a growing conflict between local officials who are clamoring to lift restrictions that have hammered their economies and Gov .
Gavin Newsom , who continues to preach patience amid the unfolding pandemic .
Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu acknowledged the contention in announcing her revised order Friday , saying businesses that plan to reopen “ need to consult their private legal counsel in regards [ to ] if there ’ s any differences between ” the new local guidelines and the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lambert , 34 , the relaxation of the guidelines was welcome news .
With dine-in service off the table since the state handed down its stay-at-home order in March , she had to revise her hours , lay off staff and press her husband into service as a delivery driver .
But the cafe has remained open , and she feels fortunate that clientele support has kept her ledgers largely in the black .
“ We just kind of lived on hope and prayer every day with our fingers crossed that we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the lights and the gas for the oven , and we did , ” she said .
The revised Yuba-Sutter counties ’ order allows restaurants , retailers , shopping malls , gyms , salons , spas and tattoo parlors to operate once more “ as long as appropriate business modifications are made to adhere to social distancing and other tenets of combating COVID-19 , ” according to a statement .
Those include regularly washing your hands , staying home when you ’ re sick and wearing a facial covering when social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Luu .
Many other businesses remain ordered shut even under the revised order , though , including bars and nightclubs that don ’ t serve food , museums , movie theaters , bowling alleys , arcades , live performance venues , places of worship and other mass gathering spaces , schools , community centers , beaches and piers , and summer camps and residence halls .
Marni Sanders , chief executive of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce , said the local business community “ is thrilled that we are open.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of businesses open that weren ’ t open yesterday , so it ’ s a really good sign , ” she said Monday .
Over the past few weeks , Sanders said there “ was a lot of frustration and anxiety ” but that the community “ is very optimistic and has remained hopeful throughout this whole pandemic situation.
” “ We want to encourage people to shop and to dine and to get out there into our businesses and get money pumping into our economy , but we also are reminding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ And our businesses are being safe as well during this phased reopening.
” Among the establishments that took advantage of the revised health order was the Lumberjacks Restaurant in Yuba City , which announced it would welcome diners back with restrictions including “ constant sanitation , significantly reduced capacity , limited contact with customers , and more , ” according to a Facebook post .
“ We understand some of you do not feel comfortable returning to dining rooms just yet , ” the post continued , “ which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delivery options the same as we have been for the last few weeks.
” A woman who answered the phone at the restaurant Monday declined to comment further .
Pete ’ s Restaurant & Brewhouse , also in Yuba City , planned to reopen its dining area and patio Monday morning .
“ We can ’ t wait to have you join us , ” the restaurant wrote on Facebook .
“ We have missed you.
” In recent weeks , some officials have grown increasingly vocal in lobbying Newsom to relax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly been the case in California ’ s more rural reaches , where coronavirus activity has been scant or nonexistent .
Modoc County , one of four California counties that have not reported a single case of coronavirus infection , allowed businesses , schools and churches to reopen starting Friday , so long as .
The remote Northern California county is home to fewer than 10,000 residents .
While comparatively crowded with their roughly 180,000 combined citizens , neither Yuba County nor Sutter County could be mistaken for the heavily urbanized areas where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all , 50 coronavirus infections have been confirmed in the Yuba-Sutter region and three people have died .
Statewide , there have been more than 54,000 cases and 2,200 deaths .
Newsom , for his part , has acknowledged the perspective of less-populous areas — “ We hear you ; we ’ re paying attention to you ; we are engaging many , many of you very directly , ” he said Friday — and has hinted that significant modifications to the stay-at-home order could be right around the corner .
Luu said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ evidence-based , grounded-in-science approach.
” She also issued another order Friday requiring the Yuba-Sutter counties ’ residents to wear face coverings in public when they aren ’ t able to stay six feet away from people from other households .
“ The evidence has shown us that nearly 20 % of persons who are infectious with COVID-19 remain asymptomatic — meaning they don ’ t even know that they have the infection and they could unwittingly give it to another person , ” she said .
“ So , my facial covering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me.
” She also said vulnerable residents , such as seniors or those with underlying medical conditions , “ should continue to stay at home as much as possible.
” Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II , Anita Chabria , John Myers , Phil Willon and David Lauter contributed to this report .

For Natalie Lambert, welcoming diners back into her Yuba City restaurant was an exciting but somewhat conflicting experience.
“You don’t know if you’re an outlaw or a pioneer at this point,” the Lambert House Cafe owner said in a phone interview.
She, like other residents of Northern California’s Yuba and Sutter counties, woke up to a host of new possibilities Monday after the local health officer relaxed some regulations that were imposed in response to the coronavirus outbreak — allowing some businesses to reopen.
The move puts the region at odds with California’s 6-week-old stay-at-home order and further exemplifies a growing conflict between local officials who are clamoring to lift restrictions that have hammered their economies and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who continues to preach patience amid the unfolding pandemic.
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Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu acknowledged the contention in announcing her revised order Friday, saying businesses that plan to reopen “need to consult their private legal counsel in regards [to] if there’s any differences between” the new local guidelines and the state’s, which take precedence.
For Lambert, 34, the relaxation of the guidelines was welcome news. With dine-in service off the table since the state handed down its stay-at-home order in March, she had to revise her hours, lay off staff and press her husband into service as a delivery driver. But the cafe has remained open, and she feels fortunate that clientele support has kept her ledgers largely in the black.
“We just kind of lived on hope and prayer every day with our fingers crossed that we were going to get enough business to power on the lights and the gas for the oven, and we did,” she said.
The revised Yuba-Sutter counties’ order allows restaurants, retailers, shopping malls, gyms, salons, spas and tattoo parlors to operate once more “as long as appropriate business modifications are made to adhere to social distancing and other tenets of combating COVID-19,” according to a statement.
Those include regularly washing your hands, staying home when you’re sick and wearing a facial covering when social distancing isn’t possible, according to Luu.
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Many other businesses remain ordered shut even under the revised order, though, including bars and nightclubs that don’t serve food, museums, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, live performance venues, places of worship and other mass gathering spaces, schools, community centers, beaches and piers, and summer camps and residence halls.
Marni Sanders, chief executive of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce, said the local business community “is thrilled that we are open.”
“I can tell you driving around there are lots of businesses open that weren’t open yesterday, so it’s a really good sign,” she said Monday.
Over the past few weeks, Sanders said there “was a lot of frustration and anxiety” but that the community “is very optimistic and has remained hopeful throughout this whole pandemic situation.”
“We want to encourage people to shop and to dine and to get out there into our businesses and get money pumping into our economy, but we also are reminding people to be safe,” she said. “And our businesses are being safe as well during this phased reopening.”
Among the establishments that took advantage of the revised health order was the Lumberjacks Restaurant in Yuba City, which announced it would welcome diners back with restrictions including “constant sanitation, significantly reduced capacity, limited contact with customers, and more,” according to a Facebook post.
“We understand some of you do not feel comfortable returning to dining rooms just yet,” the post continued, “which is why we will be continuing our takeout and delivery options the same as we have been for the last few weeks.”
A woman who answered the phone at the restaurant Monday declined to comment further.
Pete’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, also in Yuba City, planned to reopen its dining area and patio Monday morning.
“We can’t wait to have you join us,” the restaurant wrote on Facebook. “We have missed you.”
In recent weeks, some officials have grown increasingly vocal in lobbying Newsom to relax the stay-at-home order.
That’s particularly been the case in California’s more rural reaches, where coronavirus activity has been scant or nonexistent.
Modoc County, one of four California counties that have not reported a single case of coronavirus infection, allowed businesses, schools and churches to reopen starting Friday, so long as people stay six feet apart .
The remote Northern California county is home to fewer than 10,000 residents.
While comparatively crowded with their roughly 180,000 combined citizens, neither Yuba County nor Sutter County could be mistaken for the heavily urbanized areas where the coronavirus has hit hard.
In all, 50 coronavirus infections have been confirmed in the Yuba-Sutter region and three people have died. Statewide, there have been more than 54,000 cases and 2,200 deaths.
Newsom, for his part, has acknowledged the perspective of less-populous areas — “We hear you; we’re paying attention to you; we are engaging many, many of you very directly,” he said Friday — and has hinted that significant modifications to the stay-at-home order could be right around the corner.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Luu said the revised order was based on an “evidence-based, grounded-in-science approach.” She also issued another order Friday requiring the Yuba-Sutter counties’ residents to wear face coverings in public when they aren’t able to stay six feet away from people from other households.
“The evidence has shown us that nearly 20% of persons who are infectious with COVID-19 remain asymptomatic — meaning they don’t even know that they have the infection and they could unwittingly give it to another person,” she said. “So, my facial covering protects you, your facial covering protects me.”
She also said vulnerable residents, such as seniors or those with underlying medical conditions, “should continue to stay at home as much as possible.”
Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin II, Anita Chabria, John Myers, Phil Willon and David Lauter contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-05-04--L.A. Times wins Pulitzer Prizes for art criticism, immigration reporting

The Los Angeles Times has won two Pulitzer Prizes , for art critic Christopher Knight ’ s watchdog coverage on plans for the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art , and reporter Molly O ’ Toole ’ s audio story about U.S. asylum officers ’ discontent with President Trump ’ s “ Remain in Mexico ” policy .
The prizes were awarded Monday in the criticism and audio reporting categories .
O ’ Toole and The Times shared the audio prize with journalists from “ This American Life ” and Vice .
The Times was also a finalist in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news reporting for the staff ’ s coverage of the Conception boat fire that killed 34 people off Santa Barbara in September .
• In commentary , Steve Lopez was recognized for columns on Los Angeles County ’ s inability to deal with its ever-growing homelessness crisis .
This marks the fourth time Lopez has been a finalist for his columns .
• In explanatory reporting for an in-depth story and interactive game showing the threat of rising seas to California ’ s coast and the hard choices coastal leaders will have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental reporter Rosanna Xia , graphics and data journalist Swetha Kannan , and news application developer Terry Castleman .
The Times has won 47 Pulitzer Prizes , the first coming in 1942 .
The Pulitzer judges cited O ’ Toole and Vice freelancer Emily Green for “ The Out Crowd , ” broadcast on NPR ’ s “ This American Life , ” for “ revelatory , intimate journalism that illuminates the personal impact of the Trump Administration ’ s ‘ Remain in Mexico ’ policy.
” For Knight ’ s columns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for demonstrating extraordinary service by a critic , applying his expertise and enterprise to critique a proposed overhaul of the L.A. County Museum of Art and its effect on the institution ’ s mission.
” Knight noted a dramatic loss of exhibition space , practical problems with the architect ’ s concrete wall design , and that the new layout would have curators working in a building across the street from the museum , physically and psychologically separated from the art .
His examination of the physical , financial and architectural questions facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had waned and fundraising had stalled .
Times Executive Editor Norman Pearlstine congratulated Knight and O ’ Toole for the prizes not with a Champagne celebration in the newsroom , as is traditional , but in a Zoom meeting because of restrictions brought on by the coronavirus outbreak .
“ I also want to note that we were finalists in five different categories , ” Pearlstine said , “ which to my mind was an extraordinary reflection on all of the good work that was done last year under what — until this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult circumstances .
But really , through all of the year , the one thing that was constant was the commitment to great quality journalism and I think everyone in the organization did extraordinary work on extraordinary stories.
” The prestigious public service prize was awarded to the Anchorage Daily News “ for a riveting series that revealed a third of Alaska ’ s villages had no police protection , took authorities to task for decades of neglect , and spurred an influx of money and legislative changes.
” The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one for investigative reporting , for an “ exposé of New York City ’ s taxi industry that showed how lenders profited from predatory loans that shattered the lives of vulnerable drivers , reporting that ultimately led to state and federal investigations and sweeping reforms.
” In the arts , “ The Central Park Five , ” by Anthony Davis , which premiered at the Long Beach Opera , won for music .
Author Colson Whitehead won the fiction category for “ Nickel Boys , ” a “ spare and devastating exploration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crow-era Florida that is ultimately a powerful tale of human perseverance , dignity and redemption.
” Dana Canedy , administrator of the Pulitzers , noted the logistical difficulties in getting top journalists and critics together to make this year ’ s selections .
“ In the past , we have announced the prizes from Columbia University ’ s journalism school , ” she said .
“ This year , of course , is different .
I ’ m speaking to you today from my living room.
” “ It goes without saying that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply trying times , ” Canedy said .

The Los Angeles Times has won two Pulitzer Prizes, for art critic Christopher Knight’s watchdog coverage of plans for the new Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and reporter Molly O’Toole’s audio story about U.S. asylum officers’ discontent with President Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy.
The prizes were awarded Monday in the criticism and audio reporting categories. O’Toole and The Times shared the audio prize with journalists from “This American Life” and Vice.
The Times was also a finalist in three other categories:
• In breaking news reporting, for the staff’s coverage of the Conception boat fire, which killed 34 people off Santa Barbara in September. The Pulitzer board cited “dynamic coverage that expertly blended multimedia components, frequent updates and rich narrative.”
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• In commentary, for Steve Lopez’s “purposeful columns about rising homelessness in Los Angeles, which amplified calls for government action to deal with a long-visible public crisis.” It marked the fourth time since 2012 that Lopez has been a finalist for his columns.
• In explanatory reporting, for “a deeply researched examination of the difficult choices Californians must make as climate change erodes precious coastline.” The project, which included an interactive game showing the threat posed by rising seas, was produced by environmental reporter Rosanna Xia, graphics and data journalist Swetha Kannan, and news application developer Terry Castleman.
The Times has won 47 Pulitzer Prizes, the first coming in 1942.
The Pulitzer judges cited O’Toole and Vice freelancer Emily Green for “The Out Crowd,” broadcast on NPR’s “This American Life,” for “revelatory, intimate journalism that illuminates the personal impact of the Trump administration’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy.”
O’Toole, 33, had covered immigration and border security for a decade and decided to look closely at a new policy targeting asylum seekers, not just people who had illegally crossed the border.
She found veteran asylum officers deeply troubled by directives that effectively forced them to push many Mexican and Central American immigrants back to deadly violence in their home countries.
“The officers felt very strongly about refugee asylum and the idea of the U.S. as a safe haven,” she said. “Now they were taking part in a policy that they felt was wrong, morally and legally. But they had few choices, either continue being part of this administration or quit and lose their career.”
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Audio reporting is a new Pulitzer category in 2020.
In honoring Knight, the board cited his work “for demonstrating extraordinary service by a critic, applying his expertise and enterprise to critique a proposed overhaul of the L.A. County Museum of Art and its effect on the institution’s mission.”
Knight, who had been a Pulitzer finalist three times since he joined The Times in 1989, first noticed that most of the coverage of the project focused on the museum’s architecture and aesthetics with no regard for the purpose it was supposed to serve.
“The building design was going to have a profound effect on how the campus was going to operate in the future,” Knight said. “No one was discussing that.”
Knight, 69, noted a dramatic loss of exhibition space, and that the new layout would have curators working in a building across the street from the museum, separated from the art. Then there were the gallery walls.
He wrote a May column that began:
How do you hang paintings on concrete walls?
“With great difficulty” is the joke answer.
“With great difficulty” is the serious answer too. Hanging paintings on cast concrete isn’t easy.
But that’s apparently what the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has in mind, beginning in four or five years, when a controversial $650-million structure opens on the Wilshire Boulevard campus. ... The gallery walls will be made of the stuff.
Times Executive Editor Norman Pearlstine congratulated Knight and O’Toole for their prizes during a video staff meeting, rather than the traditional champagne celebration in the newsroom — an accommodation for coronavirus restrictions.
“I also want to note that we were finalists in five different categories,” Pearlstine said, “which to my mind was an extraordinary reflection on all of the good work that was done last year under what — until this year — I would have called extraordinarily difficult circumstances. But really, through all of the year, the one thing that was constant was the commitment to great quality journalism and I think everyone in the organization did extraordinary work on extraordinary stories.”
In other categories, the prestigious public service prize was awarded to the Anchorage Daily News, with contributions from ProPublica, for a series revealing that a third of Alaska’s villages had no police protection.
The New York Times took home three prizes, including one for investigative reporting, for an exposé of New York City’s taxi industry showing “how lenders profited from predatory loans that shattered the lives of vulnerable drivers.”
Lalo Alcaraz, a Los Angeles resident and creator of the daily comic strip “La Cucaracha,” which appears in The Times, was a finalist for editorial cartooning “for his irreverent and poignant cartoon commentary for local and national issues from a distinctly Latinx perspective.”
“Ear Hustle,” a podcast about life behind bars produced by inmates of San Quentin State Prison, was a finalist in audio reporting. It was created by Nigel Poor, an artist who volunteered at the prison, and inmates Earlonne Woods and Rahsann Thomas.
In the arts, “The Central Park Five,” by Anthony Davis, which premiered at the Long Beach Opera, won for music.
Author Colson Whitehead won the fiction category for “Nickel Boys,” a “spare and devastating exploration of abuse at a reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida that is ultimately a powerful tale of human perseverance, dignity and redemption.”
A special citation was given to Ida B. Wells, the freed-slave turned investigative journalist and civil rights activist who helped found the NAACP, “for her outstanding and courageous reporting on the horrific and vicious violence against African Americans during the era of lynching.” Wells died in 1931.
The citation comes with a bequest by the Pulitzer Prize board of at least $50,000 in support of her mission, the board announced.
Dana Canedy, administrator of the Pulitzers, noted the logistical difficulties in getting top journalists and critics together to make this year’s selections.
“In the past, we have announced the prizes from Columbia University’s journalism school,” she said. “This year, of course, is different. I’m speaking to you today from my living room.”


latimes--2020-05-04--Beaches in two Orange County cities cleared to reopen after standoff with Newsom

Days after Gov .
Gavin Newsom ordered all Orange County beaches to close to stem the spread of the coronavirus , state officials announced Monday that two beach cities will be permitted to reopen their stretches of coastline this week — with certain limitations .
Laguna Beach and San Clemente last week submitted plans to Sacramento that would allow the public to immediately access the coastline for active recreation such as swimming , surfing and running on the sand .
The plans , approved Monday , include a range of measures to avoid overcrowding and to allow safe physical distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s willingness to work with us to provide a responsible , gradual approach to reopening all beaches in Laguna Beach for active recreation , ” Mayor Bob Whalen said in a prepared statement .
“ This will allow people the opportunity to walk , jog , swim and surf and get some fresh air and exercise on a limited basis , but not congregate or gather in large groups.
” News of the reopening comes less than a week after Newsom ordered a “ hard closure ” of all Orange County beaches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wave sent thousands to the sand in some beach communities .
Newsom called the images circulating of people congregating on Orange County ’ s shores “ disturbing.
” “ My job as governor is to keep you safe , ” he said Thursday .
“ And when our health folks tell me they can ’ t promise that if we promote another weekend like what we had , then I have to make this adjustment .
I hope it ’ s only a very short-term adjustment.
” The move prompted a legal showdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as outrage from the public .
Some have argued that the governor was targeting Orange County based on photographs that they say did not show the full scope of what was happening on the beach .
That led Laguna Beach city officials to submit a four-phase plan to the state to eventually reopen their beaches entirely .
Under Phase 1 , which begins Tuesday , the public will be permitted to use the beach for active purposes on weekdays only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m .
Under San Clemente ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ active usage of the beach and keep restrooms and parking lots closed .
Prior to the governor ’ s mandatory closure , San Clemente had reopened its beaches for active use only — a situation that officials say was working well .
State officials said they also are working with other Orange County cities that are developing plans to restore beach access .
It is not clear what other cities have submitted plans .
On Tuesday , Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett plans to put forth a proposal to reopen all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for active recreational use .
Last month , ahead of a heat wave that drew crowds to some city beaches , Bartlett had proposed temporarily closing county operated stretches of sand to stave off a flood of outsiders from Los Angeles and San Diego counties where beaches had been closed for weeks .
However , the proposal did not gain traction from the rest of the board .
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris ( D-Laguna Beach ) said the reopening of beaches in Laguna Beach was being done in a responsible way that will ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whalen and the City Council for their thoughtful , judicious and strategic response , now and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , ” she said in a prepared statement .
“ As we navigate this unprecedented crisis , we will continue to be led by science and facts — not by politics and not by fear .
”

Weekend beach crowds, such as those in Huntington Beach, spurred alarm among some officials. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A man in a protective mask walks his dog past a closed park near the pier in Newport Beach on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
A surfer catches a wave while joining some of the thousands of beachgoers over the weekend in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view shows visitors enjoying the sun and sand near the pier in Newport Beach on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of Huntington Beach after Gov. Newsom announced the “hard close” of all Orange County state and local beaches. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Emergency room nurse Rebecca McFarlane, of Covina, relaxes on her one day off from treating COVID-19 patients, on an open stretch of sand far away from other beach-goers on the last day of open beaches in Huntington Beach. “As a nurse, I have to wear all the PPE and on my one day off, I just want to relax on the beach,” McFarlane said. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Surfers ride the waves on the north side of the Huntington Beach Pier Friday, May 1, 2020. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Orange County beaches closed on Thursday despite opposition from local leaders. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Steve Christopher, right, reads a book in the shade of the pier as a beach-goer does flips across the beach on the last day of open beaches in Huntington Beach. “I think it’s what needs to be done,” Christopher said. “I saw it last week and it was packed.” (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach lifeguards patrol with a boat to try to get surfers to stop defying Gov. Gavin Newsom’s “hard close” order. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Saturday’s beach closure did not keep surfers out of the water in Newport Beach. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Surfers and others ventured to the beach in Newport Beach on Saturday despite the governor’s closure order. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
A motorcycle officer watches the bike path near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. California Gov. Gavin Newson ordered a hard closure of Orange County beaches this weekend. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
A couple walks along the sand while others venture into the surf in Newport Beach even though Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered Orange County beaches closed. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Under the watchful eyes of police officers, protesters against beach closures walk along Newport Beach even though a beach closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
People walk on the sand in Newport Beach despite the beach closure that went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Protesters against beach closures walk in Newport Beach even though a beach closure went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach resident Kyle Richardson, 35, holds a sign telling California Gov. Gavin Newson to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen beaches, parks and the California economy, during a protest near the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times)
Newport Beach lifeguards and police clear the beach during a closure that went into effect Saturday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
A surfer climbs over a barrier meant to keep visitors off the beach in Newport Beach on Saturday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
Bill Beukers and his wife, Teresa, claim their constitutional rights as they speak to Newport Beach police officers. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of the Newport Beach pier, where a few surfers and beach-goers enjoy a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Bicyclists and pass the closed Boardwalk Sports store on the boardwalk in Newport Beach, on Monday. The business is only renting bicycles but is hoping to fully open after Gov. Newsom’s announcement that some businesses will be able to reopen. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers enjoying a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach on Monday. (Allen J. Schaben/Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers enjoying a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
An aerial view of beach-goers playing volleyball on a nice day at the beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure, which is still in place in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
People stroll along Laguna’s Main Beach after it reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Cathie Lawler with her dogs, Milo and Charlie, said “Absolutely fabulous. So good to see the beach” as she walked along Laguna Beach after it reopened for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Mathew Hanna jumps on a skim board at Laguna’s Main Beach on Tuesday morning as city reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
People stroll along Laguna’s Main Beach after it reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times)
Days after Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all Orange County beaches to close to stem the spread of the coronavirus, state officials announced Monday that two beach cities will be permitted to reopen their stretches of coastline this week — with certain limitations.
Laguna Beach and San Clemente last week submitted plans to Sacramento that would allow the public to immediately access the coastline for active recreation such as swimming, surfing and running on the sand. The plans, approved Monday, include a range of measures to avoid overcrowding and to allow safe physical distancing.
“We appreciate the governor’s willingness to work with us to provide a responsible, gradual approach to reopening all beaches in Laguna Beach for active recreation,” Mayor Bob Whalen said in a prepared statement. “This will allow people the opportunity to walk, jog, swim and surf and get some fresh air and exercise on a limited basis, but not congregate or gather in large groups.”
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News of the reopening comes less than a week after Newsom ordered a “hard closure” of all Orange County beaches. The order came after an April heat wave sent thousands to the sand in some beach communities. Newsom called the images circulating of people congregating on Orange County’s shores “disturbing.”
“My job as governor is to keep you safe,” he said Thursday. “And when our health folks tell me they can’t promise that if we promote another weekend like what we had, then I have to make this adjustment. I hope it’s only a very short-term adjustment.”
The move prompted a legal showdown between cities and the state, as well as outrage from the public. Some have argued that the governor was targeting Orange County based on photographs that they say did not show the full scope of what was happening on the beach.
That led Laguna Beach city officials to submit a four-phase plan to the state to eventually reopen their beaches entirely. Under Phase 1, which begins Tuesday, the public will be permitted to use the beach for active purposes on weekdays only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Under San Clemente’s plan, the city will allow only active usage of the beach and keep restrooms and parking lots closed. Prior to the governor’s mandatory closure, San Clemente had reopened its beaches for active use only — a situation that officials say was working well.
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State officials said they also are working with other Orange County cities that are developing plans to restore beach access. It is not clear what other cities have submitted plans.
On Tuesday, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett plans to put forth a proposal to reopen all of the county’s 42 miles of coastline for active recreational use.
Last month, ahead of a heat wave that drew crowds to some city beaches, Bartlett had proposed temporarily closing county operated stretches of sand to stave off a flood of outsiders from Los Angeles and San Diego counties where beaches had been closed for weeks. However, the proposal did not gain traction from the rest of the board.
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) said the reopening of beaches in Laguna Beach was being done in a responsible way that will ensure public safety.
“I commend Mayor Whalen and the City Council for their thoughtful, judicious and strategic response, now and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said in a prepared statement. “As we navigate this unprecedented crisis, we will continue to be led by science and facts — not by politics and not by fear.”


latimes--2020-05-04--California attorney general sues gas trading companies, alleging price manipulation

California sued two gasoline trading firms on Monday , alleging that they took advantage of market disruptions from a 2015 refinery explosion in Torrance by improperly driving up the price that motorists pay at the pump and gaining windfall profits .
The lawsuit was filed by state Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra , who seeks an injunction and monetary damages against Vitol Inc. and SK Energy Americas .
“ Price gouging , whether it is toilet paper or gasoline , it stinks , ” Becerra said during a press call .
“ It ’ s the kind of greed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good Samaritan , it hurts everyday Americans who have to fill up their gas tanks.
” Becerra alleged that the multinational companies named in the case “ manipulated gas prices to illegally enrich themselves at the cost of California consumers at the gas pump ” after a February 2015 explosion at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance that produced about 10 % of the state ’ s gasoline .
ExxonMobil is not named in the lawsuit and is not alleged to have done anything improper .
The attorney general alleges that Vitol Inc. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gasoline blending components , including one deal for more than 10 million gallons .
He said he believes the alleged unfair competition practices and price manipulation by the two trading firms may have resulted in a more than 1-cent increase in the price of gas , a level that could generate $ 150 million in profits for the volumes cited in the case .
“ Unfortunately for California consumers , Defendants Vitol and SK participated in a scheme to drive up and manipulate the spot market price for gasoline so that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts to deliver gasoline and gasoline blending components , ” said the lawsuit filed in San Francisco County Superior Court .
SK Energy Americas is a Houston-based American affiliate of an energy firm headquartered in Singapore , while Vitol Inc. is affiliated with a Dutch energy company .
Representatives of the firms were not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit .
The lawsuit was filed as gas prices in California have been dropping because of low demand caused largely by the stay-at-home order that has closed many parts of the economy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s average price per gallon on Monday was $ 2.74 , which is down from $ 3.48 on Feb. 24 but remains the second-highest price in the country after Hawaii , according to the American Automobile Assn .
The national average gas price on Monday was $ 1.78 and has been inching up as more states reopen their economies , AAA said .
The allegations made in the lawsuit are not related to the pandemic , during which Becerra said he has received several thousand complaints and reports of other kinds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D–San Rafael ) said there have been suspicions for years about gas-price manipulation in the industry , and noted that he is glad that an initial lawsuit has been filed regarding a practice that is “ a real threat to every Californian ’ s pocketbook.
” The investigation that led to the lawsuit started before Becerra was asked by Gov .
Gavin Newsom in October to investigate whether California ’ s leading oil and gas suppliers are involved in price-fixing or other unfair practices amid complaints from motorists that prices could be 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states .
“ There is no identifiable evidence to justify these premium prices , ” Newsom wrote in a letter to Becerra seeking the broader probe .
The governor ’ s concerns grew when the California Energy Commission issued a report in April 2019 that found drivers here collectively spent $ 1.5 billion more than those in other states , even though the panel could not determine a difference in the gasoline being sold by different retailers .
“ The name-brand stations , therefore , are charging higher prices for what appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission report said .
“ The CEC received no response from the name-brand retailers in response to a request for information to support their product claims.
” In a separate examination , the commission concluded that “ market manipulation ” may be one factor in why the state ’ s gas prices are so high .
“ Consumers may be purchasing higher-priced gasoline brands for convenience , credit card acceptance , or other reasons , ” researchers wrote .
“ However , if competitors decide collectively to fix prices , this may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that anything improper was happening , saying that causes for the state ’ s gas prices include market forces , the state ’ s environmental rules , such as a requirement for special blends of gas , as well as the state ’ s decision in 2017 to raise the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon to pay for road repairs .

California gas prices have been dropping during the coronavirus shutdown, but the state on Monday filed a lawsuit challenging past pricing practices.
California sued two gasoline trading firms on Monday, alleging that they took advantage of market disruptions from a 2015 refinery explosion in Torrance by improperly driving up the price that motorists pay at the pump and gaining windfall profits.
The lawsuit was filed by state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, who seeks an injunction and monetary damages against Vitol Inc. and SK Energy Americas.
“Price gouging, whether it is toilet paper or gasoline, it stinks,” Becerra said during a press call. “It’s the kind of greed that hurts your grandma, it hurts the good Samaritan, it hurts everyday Americans who have to fill up their gas tanks.”
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Becerra alleged that the multinational companies named in the case “manipulated gas prices to illegally enrich themselves at the cost of California consumers at the gas pump” after a February 2015 explosion at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance that produced about 10% of the state’s gasoline. ExxonMobil is not named in the lawsuit and is not alleged to have done anything improper.
The attorney general alleges that Vitol Inc. and SK negotiated large contracts to supply gasoline and gasoline blending components, including one deal for more than 10 million gallons. He said he believes the alleged unfair competition practices and price manipulation by the two trading firms may have resulted in a more than 1-cent increase in the price of gas, a level that could generate $150 million in profits for the volumes cited in the case.
“Unfortunately for California consumers, Defendants Vitol and SK participated in a scheme to drive up and manipulate the spot market price for gasoline so that they could realize windfall profits on these large contracts to deliver gasoline and gasoline blending components,” said the lawsuit filed in San Francisco County Superior Court.
California Activists marking Torrance refinery explosion anniversary call for investigation A group of activists on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of an explosion at the Exxon Mobil refinery in Torrance that injured four workers and prompted continuing concerns about the potential for an even more catastrophic incident and the release of toxic chemicals and fumes into local communities.
SK Energy Americas is a Houston-based American affiliate of an energy firm headquartered in Singapore, while Vitol Inc. is affiliated with a Dutch energy company. Representatives of the firms were not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed as gas prices in California have been dropping because of low demand caused largely by the stay-at-home order that has closed many parts of the economy in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
California’s average price per gallon on Monday was $2.74, which is down from $3.48 on Feb. 24 but remains the second-highest price in the country after Hawaii, according to the American Automobile Assn. The national average gas price on Monday was $1.78 and has been inching up as more states reopen their economies, AAA said.
The allegations made in the lawsuit are not related to the pandemic, during which Becerra said he has received several thousand complaints and reports of other kinds of price gouging.
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Assemblyman Marc Levine (D–San Rafael) said there have been suspicions for years about gas-price manipulation in the industry, and noted that he is glad that an initial lawsuit has been filed regarding a practice that is “a real threat to every Californian’s pocketbook.”
The investigation that led to the lawsuit started before Becerra was asked by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October to investigate whether California’s leading oil and gas suppliers are involved in price-fixing or other unfair practices amid complaints from motorists that prices could be 30 cents a gallon higher here than in other states.
“There is no identifiable evidence to justify these premium prices,” Newsom wrote in a letter to Becerra seeking the broader probe.
The governor’s concerns grew when the California Energy Commission issued a report in April 2019 that found drivers here collectively spent $1.5 billion more than those in other states, even though the panel could not determine a difference in the gasoline being sold by different retailers.
“The name-brand stations, therefore, are charging higher prices for what appears to be the same product,” the commission report said. “The CEC received no response from the name-brand retailers in response to a request for information to support their product claims.”
In a separate examination, the commission concluded that “market manipulation” may be one factor in why the state’s gas prices are so high.
“Consumers may be purchasing higher-priced gasoline brands for convenience, credit card acceptance, or other reasons,” researchers wrote. “However, if competitors decide collectively to fix prices, this may be unlawful.”
The oil industry disputed that anything improper was happening, saying that causes for the state’s gas prices include market forces, the state’s environmental rules, such as a requirement for special blends of gas, as well as the state’s decision in 2017 to raise the gas tax by 12 cents per gallon to pay for road repairs.


latimes--2020-05-04--L.A. schools will start Aug. 18, whether campuses are open or not

Los Angeles schools will start fall classes on Aug. 18 , but no decision has been made on whether campuses will reopen by that date amid ongoing concerns over the coronavirus crisis , Supt .
Austin Beutner said Monday .
Education officials in L.A. and across California are wrestling with how and when to bring the state ’ s 6.1 million students back to campuses that have been shuttered since mid-March — as they continue to adjust to the difficulties of distance learning and move to strengthen online summer school offerings .
How many students can be in one classroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What happens when a student or family member shows signs of illness ?
What will be required to keep campuses sanitized ?
Will students and teaches have to wear masks ?
These are among key questions confronting school leaders .
In his remarks Monday , Beutner noted that it ’ s difficult to set a timetable for reopening campuses .
“ The timing remains uncertain because the science is still uncertain , ” Beutner said .
“ At a minimum , a comprehensive system of testing and contact tracing will need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing widely understood before schools can reopen.
” The district is in discussions with state and local health authorities and working with a team of UCLA experts in infectious diseases , virology , epidemiology and testing to guide them on reopening scenarios .
Such guidance is “ critical , ” he said , “ because it will be the science , and only the science , which can provide a foundation for the safe return of our school community.
” The L.A. County Office of Education has convened a special task force of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campuses .
The group met for the first time last week .
Local public health officials have discussed with district officials the possibility of students and staff wearing masks when schools reopen — raising as many questions as it answered for Alexander Cherniss , superintendent of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District .
“ We are a 10,000 student district , ” he wrote in a letter to L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer .
“ Your recommendation that everyone must wear masks would make us burn through 50,000 masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks a week in L.A. County schools .
We have no resources to make this kind of purchase , not to mention all your other supply recommendations.
” He also questioned the practicality of seating students significantly farther apart .
“ The 6-foot distance ( radius of 6 feet ) provides for 8 people in a class , ” Cherniss said .
“ And little kids can ’ t do that .
Nor can special-ed kids with aides.
” He noted , too , that secondary students change classrooms throughout the day : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” The speculation about reopening increased when California Gov .
Gavin Newsom suggested schools may need to begin early — as soon as late July — to address learning gaps caused by the closing of campuses across the state in March .
His suggestion received a mixed reaction — with some educators worried that getting ready for an early start could impede summer-school efforts .
Union leaders expressed concern about putting their members in harm ’ s way .
“ We are eager for students to get back to campus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe to do so and that all the precautions and plans to protect students and staff are in place , ” said Max Arias , executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 99 , which represents about 30,000 nonteaching employees in L.A. Unified .
“ California has led the way on flattening the curve of this deadly pandemic by prioritizing people ’ s health and safety , ” said Alex Caputo-Pearl , president of United Teachers Los Angeles .
“ We urge our leaders to stay the course.
” For the remainder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials have ordered school systems to provide distance learning — and the state ’ s Department of Education has offered examples of “ good practice ” but did not set statewide standards .
And while the state and federal governments have provided emergency aid , school district leaders say it ’ s not enough to fund either the ongoing pandemic response or the challenge of paying for a fall reopening .
L.A. Unified is confronting an estimated $ 200 million in emergency coronavirus costs alone .
Some school district officials have expressed frustration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far about reopening .
“ Without question , we have a desire for students to occupy our classrooms and schoolyards once again , but only when it is safe and instruction , resource allocation , school funding , required negotiable agreements with our bargaining units , and regulatory relief are all considered as part of a comprehensive ‘ back-to school ’ plan , ” said South Pasadena Unified Supt .
Geoff Yantz in a letter to parents last week .
Yantz characterized the current recommendations from the state as “ not sensible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts within California.
” “ California ’ s public school system does not have the infrastructure or appropriate regulations to support a comprehensive , all-in , distance learning program for all students , ” he said .
State officials have acknowledged that many school districts and many families are poorly situated to carry out effective learning at home .
To that end , state Supt .
of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Monday called on leaders of major internet providers to provide free guest access to all California students .
While these companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , advocates have complained that these offers entail unnecessary hurdles and potential hidden costs .
Schools also are coping with the community disappointment over canceled graduation ceremonies .
Beutner met recently with a panel of students to discuss ways to commemorate the graduation milestone without gathering in groups — at least not until it is safe to do so .
Beutner also said an expanded summer school would help students make up for disruption caused by the March 16 closure of the nation ’ s second-largest school system .
The summer-school session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Our plan remains to finish the school year with online instruction and offer summer school to every student , ” Beutner said .
“ We ’ ve made no decisions about the opening of school facilities by [ Aug. 18 ] and will not until the science and health authorities tell us it is safe and appropriate to do so.
” The current school year will end June 12 for L.A. Unified .
The summer session will begin shortly thereafter , although Beutner did not specify the date .
Summer school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years due to budget cuts , but Beutner said it would again be available to every student .
He said the summer session would have various offerings .
One will be “ a very focused , intensive set of classes for a small number of students who are having the greatest challenge in their studies.
” There also will be foundational literacy and math lessons available at all grade levels , with a particular emphasis on students who are learning English .
In addition , the district intends to offer enrichment classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an example , he cited a collaboration between district teachers and the guitar company Fender to create guitar and ukulele lessons .
“ Woven into the lessons will be math , literacy and project-based work , ” Beutner said .

LAUSD volunteer Courtney Johnson delivers food to motorists in March at Dorsey High School, which is among the campuses closed due to the pandemic.
Los Angeles schools will start fall classes on Aug. 18, but no decision has been made on whether campuses will reopen by that date amid ongoing concerns over the coronavirus crisis, Supt. Austin Beutner said Monday.
Education officials in L.A. and across California are wrestling with how and when to bring the state’s 6.1 million students back to campuses that have been shuttered since mid-March — as they continue to adjust to the difficulties of distance learning and move to strengthen online summer school offerings.
How many students can be in one classroom? Will staggered schedules be necessary? What happens when a student or family member shows signs of illness? What will be required to keep campuses sanitized? Will students and teaches have to wear masks? These are among key questions confronting school leaders.
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In his remarks Monday, Beutner noted that it’s difficult to set a timetable for reopening campuses.
“The timing remains uncertain because the science is still uncertain,” Beutner said. “At a minimum, a comprehensive system of testing and contact tracing will need to be in place and the implications of the testing widely understood before schools can reopen.”
The district is in discussions with state and local health authorities and working with a team of UCLA experts in infectious diseases, virology, epidemiology and testing to guide them on reopening scenarios.
Such guidance is “critical,” he said, “because it will be the science, and only the science, which can provide a foundation for the safe return of our school community.”
The L.A. County Office of Education has convened a special task force of superintendents to build a framework for reopening campuses. The group met for the first time last week.
Local public health officials have discussed with district officials the possibility of students and staff wearing masks when schools reopen — raising as many questions as it answered for Alexander Cherniss, superintendent of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.
“We are a 10,000 student district,” he wrote in a letter to L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “Your recommendation that everyone must wear masks would make us burn through 50,000 masks a week. That’s 5M masks a week in L.A. County schools. We have no resources to make this kind of purchase, not to mention all your other supply recommendations.”
He also questioned the practicality of seating students significantly farther apart.
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“The 6-foot distance (radius of 6 feet) provides for 8 people in a class,” Cherniss said. “And little kids can’t do that. Nor can special-ed kids with aides.”
He noted, too, that secondary students change classrooms throughout the day: “Must we disinfect between every class?”
The speculation about reopening increased when California Gov. Gavin Newsom suggested schools may need to begin early — as soon as late July — to address learning gaps caused by the closing of campuses across the state in March. His suggestion received a mixed reaction — with some educators worried that getting ready for an early start could impede summer-school efforts.
Union leaders expressed concern about putting their members in harm’s way.
“We are eager for students to get back to campus, but we need to ensure that it is safe to do so and that all the precautions and plans to protect students and staff are in place,” said Max Arias, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 99, which represents about 30,000 nonteaching employees in L.A. Unified.
“California has led the way on flattening the curve of this deadly pandemic by prioritizing people’s health and safety,” said Alex Caputo-Pearl, president of United Teachers Los Angeles. “We urge our leaders to stay the course.”
For the remainder of the current school year, state officials have ordered school systems to provide distance learning — and the state’s Department of Education has offered examples of “good practice” but did not set statewide standards.
And while the state and federal governments have provided emergency aid, school district leaders say it’s not enough to fund either the ongoing pandemic response or the challenge of paying for a fall reopening. L.A. Unified is confronting an estimated $200 million in emergency coronavirus costs alone.
Some school district officials have expressed frustration about the lack of state guidance thus far about reopening.
“Without question, we have a desire for students to occupy our classrooms and schoolyards once again, but only when it is safe and instruction, resource allocation, school funding, required negotiable agreements with our bargaining units, and regulatory relief are all considered as part of a comprehensive ‘back-to school’ plan,” said South Pasadena Unified Supt. Geoff Yantz in a letter to parents last week.
Yantz characterized the current recommendations from the state as “not sensible, practical, or sustainable solutions for school districts within California.”
“California’s public school system does not have the infrastructure or appropriate regulations to support a comprehensive, all-in, distance learning program for all students,” he said.
State officials have acknowledged that many school districts and many families are poorly situated to carry out effective learning at home. To that end, state Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond on Monday called on leaders of major internet providers to provide free guest access to all California students.
While these companies have offered temporary free access to help students, advocates have complained that these offers entail unnecessary hurdles and potential hidden costs.
Schools also are coping with the community disappointment over canceled graduation ceremonies. Beutner met recently with a panel of students to discuss ways to commemorate the graduation milestone without gathering in groups — at least not until it is safe to do so.
Beutner also said an expanded summer school would help students make up for disruption caused by the March 16 closure of the nation’s second-largest school system. The summer-school session will not be taking place on campus.
“Our plan remains to finish the school year with online instruction and offer summer school to every student,” Beutner said. “We’ve made no decisions about the opening of school facilities by [Aug. 18] and will not until the science and health authorities tell us it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
The current school year will end June 12 for L.A. Unified. The summer session will begin shortly thereafter, although Beutner did not specify the date.
Summer school has been gradually and substantially diminished over recent years due to budget cuts, but Beutner said it would again be available to every student.
He said the summer session would have various offerings. One will be “a very focused, intensive set of classes for a small number of students who are having the greatest challenge in their studies.”
There also will be foundational literacy and math lessons available at all grade levels, with a particular emphasis on students who are learning English.
In addition, the district intends to offer enrichment classes with an underlying academic focus. As an example, he cited a collaboration between district teachers and the guitar company Fender to create guitar and ukulele lessons.
“Woven into the lessons will be math, literacy and project-based work,” Beutner said.