latimes--2020-04-03--CDC recommends wearing coronavirus masks during the pandemic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising Americans to voluntarily wear a basic cloth or fabric face mask to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus .
These non-medical masks can be either purchased online or simply made at home , the CDC says .
After insisting for weeks that healthy people did not need to wear masks in most circumstances , federal health officials decided to change their guidance in response to a growing body of evidence that people who do not appear to be sick are playing an outsized role in the COVID-19 pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symptoms is playing a more significant role in the spread of the virus than previously understood , ” President Trump said Friday when announcing the new advice at a White House briefing .
“ So you don ’ t seem to have symptoms and it still gets transferred.
” He emphasized that rules on social distancing remain in place , and he asked members of the public not to wear medical-grade masks because those should be reserved for healthcare workers .
Trump also described the guidelines as voluntary .
“ I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be doing it , ” he said .
“ I ’ m feeling good , ” he added when pressed about his response .
“ Sitting in the Oval Office , behind that beautiful Resolute desk , the great Resolute desk , as I greet presidents , prime ministers , dictators , kings , queens — I don ’ t know , somehow I don ’ t see it for myself .
Maybe I ’ ll change my mind.
” Surgeon Gen. Jerome Adams acknowledged that government advice about masks has been “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , the CDC has said that healthy people do not need a mask unless they are working in a healthcare setting or caring for an infected person .
“ The best available evidence ” did not suggest that wearing a mask would do much to protect a healthy person from contracting COVID-19 , Adams said .
But now that it ’ s clear asymptomatic people are spreading the virus , federal health officials decided everyone should wear cloth face coverings in places such as grocery stores and pharmacies , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do have the virus and do not know it ” by limiting their ability to transmit it to others , he said .
Adams also advised people to make sure their hands were clean before donning a mask : “ If you choose to wear a face covering , wash your hands first.
” The move comes as a growing number of local and state agencies are offering similar guidance .
California officials said Wednesday that covering your face could prevent you from becoming infected with the new coronavirus or from spreading it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing , hand washing and other safety measures .
“ Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19 , but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , California ’ s health and human services secretary , said in a statement .
“ Make sure you ’ re also staying six feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said people should not use medical or surgical masks , which are desperately needed by medical personnel .
Riverside County health officials released new mask guidance Tuesday , covering such essential situations as grocery shopping and medical visits .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that everyone performing essential tasks , such as food shopping , should wear homemade , non-medical face coverings , or even bandannas , as people in other countries have done .
“ To be clear , you should still stay at home .
This isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Garcetti said .

Chris Megerian, Luke Money, Kailyn Brown

Bibi Sheonarine of Upland models a face mask that she sewed. She is donating her homemade masks to local doctors and hospitals, and has recruited others to do the same.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now advising Americans to voluntarily wear a basic cloth or fabric face mask when they go out to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
These non-medical masks can be either purchased online or simply made at home, the CDC says.
After insisting for weeks that healthy people did not need to wear masks in most circumstances, federal health officials decided to change their guidance in response to a growing body of evidence that people who do not appear to be sick are playing an outsized role in the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The transmission from individuals without symptoms is playing a more significant role in the spread of the virus than previously understood,” President Trump said Friday when announcing the new advice at a White House briefing. “So you don’t seem to have symptoms and it still gets transferred.”
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He emphasized that rules on social distancing remain in place, and he asked members of the public not to wear medical-grade masks because those should be reserved for healthcare workers.
Trump also described the guidelines as voluntary.
“I don’t think I’m going to be doing it,” he said.
“I’m feeling good,” he added when pressed about his response. “Sitting in the Oval Office, behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, as I greet presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings, queens — I don’t know, somehow I don’t see it for myself. Maybe I’ll change my mind.”
Surgeon General Jerome Adams acknowledged that government advice about masks has been “confusing to the American people.”
Until now, the CDC has said that healthy people do not need a mask unless they are working in a healthcare setting or caring for an infected person. “The best available evidence” did not suggest that wearing a mask would do much to protect a healthy person from contracting COVID-19, Adams said.
What changed that thinking was a recognition that people were spreading the virus even when they seemed healthy.
For instance, a study published Wednesday in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report documented seven clusters of COVID-19 cases in Singapore that were fueled by infected people who showed no signs of illness.
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One of those clusters began with two tourists from Wuhan, China, who visited a church when they arrived in Singapore on Jan. 19 and fell ill several days later. Three other people who attended the same church that day became sick over the next four to 15 days. One of those patients sat in the same seat as one of the tourists, according to closed-circuit camera footage of the church.
Now that it’s clear asymptomatic people are spreading the virus, U.S. health officials decided everyone should wear cloth face coverings in places such as grocery stores and pharmacies, Adams said.
The masks will “help people who do have the virus and do not know it” by limiting their ability to transmit it to others, he said.
Adams also advised people to make sure their hands were clean before donning a mask: “If you choose to wear a face covering, wash your hands first.”
The move comes as a growing number of local and state agencies are offering similar guidance.
California officials said Wednesday that covering your face could prevent you from becoming infected with the new coronavirus or from spreading it to others. But they stressed that masks should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing, hand washing and other safety measures.
“Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19, but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s health and human services secretary, said in a statement. “Make sure you’re also staying six feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions.”
Like the CDC, state officials have said people should not use medical or surgical masks, which are desperately needed by medical personnel.
Riverside County health officials released new mask guidance Tuesday, covering such essential situations as grocery shopping and medical visits.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday that everyone performing essential tasks, such as food shopping, should wear homemade, non-medical face coverings, or even bandannas, as people in other countries have done.
“To be clear, you should still stay at home. This isn’t an excuse to suddenly all go out,” Garcetti said.
Experts say face masks alone are not particularly effective in preventing infection. They don’t cover the eyes, for instance, and a bit of coughed saliva that sprays into the eye can cause an infection.
Wearing a mask but still touching your face with unwashed, virus-contaminated hands can also lead to infection. People often find masks uncomfortable and touch them to make adjustments.
But even if they don’t provide full protection to the wearer, they can protect others nearby.
Dr. Otto Yang, an infectious diseases expert at UCLA, said he thinks universal mask-wearing has helped keep the virus under control in places like Singapore and Taiwan.
“My personal opinion is that that’s probably been an important thing in other countries flattening their curve,” he said. “If you go to Taiwan or Singapore, everyone’s got a mask on all the time. Healthy or not. Sick or not.”
The California Department of Public Health has these guidelines for cloth masks:
Face coverings can be made out of cloth, be factory-made or hand-sewn, or improvised using bandannas, scarves, T-shirts, sweatshirts or towels.
The material should cover both the nose and mouth.
Ideally, face coverings should be washed after each use. Dirty masks should be placed in a dedicated laundry bag or bin.
Use detergent and hot water when washing cloth masks, and dry them on a hot cycle.
Be sure your mask is comfortable; you don’t want to have to keep adjusting the mask because that means touching your face.
Wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer, before and after touching your face or face coverings.
If you must re-wear your cloth face covering before washing it, wash your hands immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face.
Megerian reported from Washington, Lin from Millbrae, Calif., and Money and Brown from Los Angeles.


latimes--2020-04-03--Orange County coronavirus infections more than double in a week, now top 700

Orange County reported 57 new coronavirus infections Friday , hiking its total number of cases to 711 — more than double what it was a week ago .
The county ’ s death toll remained unchanged at 13 — the first time in four days that more COVID-19-related fatalities haven ’ t been reported in the region .
Countywide , 103 people are currently hospitalized , 44 of them in intensive care , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
To date , 8,727 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in the county .
As the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local health officials are now saying residents should consider wearing face coverings when they go outside .
“ Wearing a cloth face covering when leaving the house for essential activities may help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by residents who are positive but don ’ t have any symptoms , ” county Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick said in a statement .
“ However , it ’ s important for community members to remember that face coverings are not a replacement for prevention measures like social distancing and frequent hand washing , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect yourself.
” County officials also announced this week that they have entered into an agreement to convert two Ayres Hotels , located in Orange and Laguna Woods , into temporary housing and medical facilities for the homeless .
The hotels will be leased on a month-to-month basis to shelter and provide medical care for homeless individuals who are over age 65 , have underlying health conditions , are showing symptoms of the coronavirus or who have tested positive , county officials said .
“ Speed is of the greatest importance , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a news conference Thursday .
“ Our ability as a community to share in this incredibly difficult burden , as well as respond as quick as possible to isolate these highest-risk individuals and provide the necessary medical and provision of services within this motel environment , is something we were directed to do .
”

Jose Secundino, center, joins other recently hired temporary employees to pack food boxes for the needy Wednesday at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
Orange County reported 57 new coronavirus infections Friday, hiking its total number of cases to 711 — more than double what it was a week ago.
The county’s death toll remained unchanged at 13 — the first time in four days that more COVID-19-related fatalities haven’t been reported in the region.
Countywide, 103 people are currently hospitalized, 44 of them in intensive care, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
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To date, 8,727 people have been tested for coronavirus infection in the county.
As the number of cases continues to surge countywide, local health officials are now saying residents should consider wearing face coverings when they go outside.
“Wearing a cloth face covering when leaving the house for essential activities may help reduce the spread of COVID-19 by residents who are positive but don’t have any symptoms,” county Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick said in a statement. “However, it’s important for community members to remember that face coverings are not a replacement for prevention measures like social distancing and frequent hand washing, which continue to be the best way to protect yourself.”
County officials also announced this week that they have entered into an agreement to convert two Ayres Hotels, located in Orange and Laguna Woods, into temporary housing and medical facilities for the homeless.
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The hotels will be leased on a month-to-month basis to shelter and provide medical care for homeless individuals who are over age 65, have underlying health conditions, are showing symptoms of the coronavirus or who have tested positive, county officials said.
“Speed is of the greatest importance,” county Executive Officer Frank Kim said during a news conference Thursday. “Our ability as a community to share in this incredibly difficult burden, as well as respond as quick as possible to isolate these highest-risk individuals and provide the necessary medical and provision of services within this motel environment, is something we were directed to do.”


latimes--2020-04-03--Ventura County reports additional coronavirus death, adds new cases

Ventura County reported its sixth coronavirus-related death this week , less than two weeks after the county reported the first fatality .
The person , like most of the others who have died from COVID-19 in the county , was in his or her 70s and suffered from preexisting health conditions , county spokeswoman Ashley Bautista said .
The first death was reported on March 22 .
The county also reported 17 new cases in a day , bringing the total to 177 .
Of those , it includes 36 cases where someone recovered , and 135 people under active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how people were infected .
Most are still under investigation , but 38 people became sick after being near someone who tested positive , and 37 people contracted the virus somewhere in the community .
Nine cases were travel-related , the county said .
So far , 3,367 people in the county have been tested for COVID-19 .
Local health officials have put out constant messages to the community , reminding them to self-quarantine , limit travel , and if they have to go out , to stay 6 feet away from each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a stay-at-home order in March , placed further restrictions this week on essential businesses that included limits on what they can sell and how food is packaged .
County officials are also scrambling to adapt to ever-shifting circumstances created by the pandemic .
On Thursday , Dr. Robert Levin , the county public health officer , reversed a previous position on residents wearing face masks in public .
In a statement , he said there is building evidence that wearing a mask may decrease the chances of a person who is asymptomatic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , from spreading the virus .
He now supports those who choose to wear one in public .
“ I don ’ t think everyone must do so , but I look upon those who do as making a responsible decision .
I never thought I ’ d say that , ” he said in a statement .
Members of the public should use homemade masks to avoid exacerbating the shortage of personal protective equipment , he said .
The statement came out on the same day that the White House announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would amend its no-mask stance .
At least one county resident has expressed issue with the county ’ s stay-at-home directive .
Camarillo resident Donald McDougall didn ’ t agree with the county ’ s order that labeled gun stores as nonessential and forced them to close .
In March , the gun instructor filed a temporary restraining order against the county , stating that the closure violated his 2nd Amendment right by depriving him of picking up a gun he had already purchased .
The county argued that the burden placed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimal and outweighed by the public interest to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
On Wednesday , a federal judge agreed with the county and denied McDougall ’ s request .
The order “ does not specifically target handgun ownership , does not prohibit the ownership of a handgun outright , and is temporary , ” federal Judge Consuelo B. Marshall wrote .
The decision was first reported by the Ventura County Star .
McDougall ’ s attorney said on Friday that they plan to appeal the decision .
“ They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores , ” said Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy , who is representing him .
“ I think once this gets to a higher court , the court ’ s going to agree this is too stringent on Ventura County residents.
” County counsel Leroy Smith said the county ’ s directive doesn ’ t restrict a person ’ s right to own a gun , the same way a shuttered bookstore doesn ’ t violate a person ’ s 1st Amendment right .
There is no constitutional right to have a gun shop , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singling out gun shops , we ’ re just enforcing the order , ” he said .
“ And we don ’ t think there ’ s any 2nd Amendment right that would trump the health order .
”

In downtown Ventura, most of the businesses are closed down as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Ventura County reported its sixth coronavirus-related death this week, less than two weeks after the county reported the first fatality.
The person, like most of the others who have died from COVID-19 in the county, was in his or her 70s and suffered from preexisting health conditions, county spokeswoman Ashley Bautista said. The first death was reported on March 22.
For the record: A previous version of this story quoted McDougall’s attorney as saying they plan to appeal the decision. They plan to go forward with the case.
The county also reported 17 new cases in a day, bringing the total to 177. Of those, it includes 36 cases where someone recovered, and 135 people under active quarantine.
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The county is also tracking how people were infected. Most are still under investigation, but 38 people became sick after being near someone who tested positive, and 37 people contracted the virus somewhere in the community. Nine cases were travel-related, the county said. So far, 3,367 people in the county have been tested for COVID-19.
Local health officials have put out constant messages to the community, reminding them to self-quarantine, limit travel, and if they have to go out, to stay 6 feet away from each other. The county, which issued a stay-at-home order in March, placed further restrictions this week on essential businesses that included limits on what they can sell and how food is packaged.
County officials are also scrambling to adapt to ever-shifting circumstances created by the pandemic. On Thursday, Dr. Robert Levin, the county public health officer, reversed a previous position on residents wearing face masks in public.
In a statement, he said there is building evidence that wearing a mask may decrease the chances of a person who is asymptomatic, or not showing signs of the illness, from spreading the virus. He now supports those who choose to wear one in public.
“I don’t think everyone must do so, but I look upon those who do as making a responsible decision. I never thought I’d say that,” he said in a statement.
Members of the public should use homemade masks to avoid exacerbating the shortage of personal protective equipment, he said. The statement came out on the same day that the White House announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would amend its no-mask stance.
Advertisement
At least one county resident has expressed issue with the county’s stay-at-home directive.
Camarillo resident Donald McDougall didn’t agree with the county’s order that labeled gun stores as nonessential and forced them to close. In March, the gun instructor filed a temporary restraining order against the county, stating that the closure violated his 2nd Amendment right by depriving him of picking up a gun he had already purchased.
The county argued that the burden placed on residents wishing to buy a gun was minimal and outweighed by the public interest to stop the spread of COVID-19. On Wednesday, a federal judge agreed with the county and denied McDougall’s request.
The order “does not specifically target handgun ownership, does not prohibit the ownership of a handgun outright, and is temporary,” federal Judge Consuelo B. Marshall wrote. The decision was first reported by the Ventura County Star.
McDougall’s attorney said on Friday that they plan to appeal the decision.
“They’re just making an excuse to close gun stores,” said Ronda Baldwin-Kennedy, who is representing him. “I think once this gets to a higher court, the court’s going to agree this is too stringent on Ventura County residents.”
County counsel Leroy Smith said the county’s directive doesn’t restrict a person’s right to own a gun, the same way a shuttered bookstore doesn’t violate a person’s 1st Amendment right.
There is no constitutional right to have a gun shop, he said.
“We’re not singling out gun shops, we’re just enforcing the order,” he said. “And we don’t think there’s any 2nd Amendment right that would trump the health order.”


latimes--2020-04-03--How 'Pinkalicious & Peterrific' can be a social studies class during coronavirus school closures

One form of distance learning can be as easy as turning on a low-tech tool — the television .
In a partnership designed to provide students and parents — especially low-income households without Wi-Fi access — an alternative to online classes , the Los Angeles school district teamed up with PBS SoCal/KCET and San Francisco ’ s KQED to offer a slate of educational programming .
It ’ s popular .
Two weeks into the partnership , the three stations involved were viewed by an average of 140,000 homes — and nearly 200,000 people — a day , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the country have picked up the LAUSD/PBS schedule , including all PBS stations in California .
With schools closed , the partnership also offers games , activities , videos and supplemental reading material for families with online access .
For pre-K to third-grade viewers , “ Pinkalicious & Peterrific , ” about the adventures of a pair of siblings , serves as a social studies lesson , while “ Peg + Cat , ” about a girl who solves word problems , reinforces math knowledge .
Episodes of “ NOVA , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science for grades 4-8 .
For older students , Henry Louis Gates Jr. ’ s four-part series “ Black America Since MLK : And Still I Rise ” acts as a social studies class .
Before each show aimed at grades 4-8 or 9-12 , PBS airs one-minute videos with prompts for each episode that are answered after the show .
“ We ’ ve never been through anything like this before , and the goal here is just to continue learning at home , ” said Andrew Russell , president and chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re trying to build a service so we can continue that during who knows how long this is.
” The programming is spread across three local PBS channels grouped by age range .
Each week ’ s schedule is published ahead of time .
The schedules for the week of April 6 are linked below : • PBS SoCal airs programming for pre-K to third grade from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. • KLCS divides programming between pre-K to third grade from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. , grades 4-8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and grades 9-12 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. • KCET airs programming for grades 9-12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m .
The shows are also available for streaming on the PBS Video and PBS Kids apps .
What should I expect from the programs ?
For families without other options , the TV programming is meant to stand on its own .
L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said he conceived of the PBS partnership as a “ low-tech ” solution for LAUSD families who might lack access to more “ high-tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It had to be the ability to make sure , from an equity and access standpoint , we provided for all we serve , including those most in need , ” Beutner said .
But families may benefit most from combining television viewing with PBS ’ online resources .
Children in grades 4-8 watching “ Africa ’ s Great Civilizations ” also have access to of the areas being discussed or an excerpt from .
Students in grades 9-12 can as they watch “ The Great War : American Experience Part 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To receive the daily activities and links to online tools , parents and teachers can check the At-Home Learning homepage here , sign up for the At-Home Learning newsletter or follow @ KCET on Twitter .
What do teachers think ?
Teachers and education advocates have praised the district for attempting to meet the needs of low-income families as but say TV learning works best as a supplement to educator-led programs .
“ I was in the middle of an earth science unit , in the middle of a chapter book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Misti Kemmer , a fourth-grade teacher at Russell Elementary School in South Los Angeles .
“ They can watch TV all day long , it ’ s not going to catch them up on the fourth-grade-level standards that I was in the middle of teaching them.
” The program caters to broad age groups across multiple schools across the country , which makes it impossible to replicate the specific lessons students were doing before schools closed , teachers said .
“ Everybody ’ s doing the best they can , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want to criticize them for making an effort , it ’ s great , but it ’ s no substitute for the kids being in school.
” Rochelle Srigley , a single mother and freelance public relations consultant , dove headfirst into homeschooling when her daughters ’ elementary school in Burbank closed last week .
Srigley is using the PBS At-Home Learning program as a supplement to the homework and teacher-assigned activities her daughters received from school .
They watch “ Pinkalicious ” and other shows , then her daughters use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For pre-K to third grades , activities could be asking them to write a story , an art lesson , or an interactive game .
“ The kids really like it and it ’ s teaching them something , but it ’ s fun , ” said Srigley , who wrote about the partnership on her blog Rockin Mommies , aimed at single moms in Los Angeles .
“ It ’ s just another tool , basically , because you ’ re trying to come up with a million things to do .
@

A still from PBS’ “Peg + Cat,” one of the shows featured in the station’s At-Home Learning program.
One form of distance learning can be as easy as turning on a low-tech tool — the television.
In a partnership designed to provide students and parents — especially low-income households without Wi-Fi access — an alternative to online classes, the Los Angeles school district teamed up with PBS SoCal/KCET and San Francisco’s KQED to offer a slate of educational programming.
For the record: This story has been corrected to say that “Pinkalicious & Peterrific,” about the adventures of a pair of siblings, serves as a social learning lesson.
It’s popular. Two weeks into the partnership, the three stations involved were viewed by an average of 140,000 homes — and nearly 200,000 people — a day, according to PBS. More than 70 television stations across the country have picked up the LAUSD/PBS schedule, including all PBS stations in California.
With schools closed, the partnership also offers games, activities, videos and supplemental reading material for families with online access.
Advertisement
For pre-K to third-grade viewers, “Pinkalicious & Peterrific,” about the adventures of a pair of siblings, serves as a social learning lesson, while “Peg + Cat,” about a girl who solves word problems, reinforces math knowledge. Episodes of “NOVA,” the long-running PBS documentary series, emphasize science for grades 4-8.
For older students, Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s four-part series “Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise” acts as a social studies class.
Before each show aimed at grades 4-8 or 9-12, PBS airs one-minute videos with prompts for each episode that are answered after the show.
“We’ve never been through anything like this before, and the goal here is just to continue learning at home,” said Andrew Russell, president and chief executive of PBS SoCal and KCET. “We’re trying to build a service so we can continue that during who knows how long this is.”
How do I watch?
The programming is spread across three local PBS channels grouped by age range. Each week’s schedule is published ahead of time here . The schedules for the week of April 6 are linked below:
PBS SoCal airs programming for pre-K to third grade from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
KLCS divides programming between pre-K to third grade from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., grades 4-8 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., and grades 9-12 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
KCET airs programming for grades 9-12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The shows are also available for streaming on the PBS Video and PBS Kids apps.
What should I expect from the programs?
For families without other options, the TV programming is meant to stand on its own.
Advertisement
L.A. Unified Superintendent Austin Beutner said he conceived of the PBS partnership as a “low-tech” solution for LAUSD families who might lack access to more “high-tech” distance learning tools online. “It had to be the ability to make sure, from an equity and access standpoint, we provided for all we serve, including those most in need,” Beutner said.
But families may benefit most from combining television viewing with PBS’ online resources. Children in grades 4-8 watching “Africa’s Great Civilizations” also have access to a map of the areas being discussed or an excerpt from Gates’ travel journal in Timbuktu . Students in grades 9-12 can read President Woodrow Wilson’s Declaration of Neutrality as they watch “The Great War: American Experience Part 1,” a documentary on World War I.
To receive the daily activities and links to online tools, parents and teachers can check the At-Home Learning homepage here, sign up for the At-Home Learning newsletter here or follow @KCET on Twitter.
What do teachers think?
Teachers and education advocates have praised the district for attempting to meet the needs of low-income families as schools transition to distance learning but say TV learning works best as a supplement to educator-led programs.
“I was in the middle of an earth science unit, in the middle of a chapter book, in the middle of a math unit,” said Misti Kemmer, a fourth-grade teacher at Russell Elementary School in South Los Angeles. “They can watch TV all day long, it’s not going to catch them up on the fourth-grade-level standards that I was in the middle of teaching them.”
The program caters to broad age groups across multiple schools across the country, which makes it impossible to replicate the specific lessons students were doing before schools closed, teachers said.
“Everybody’s doing the best they can,” Kemmer said. “I don’t want to criticize them for making an effort, it’s great, but it’s no substitute for the kids being in school.”
A mom’s point of view
Rochelle Srigley, a single mother and freelance public relations consultant, dove headfirst into homeschooling when her daughters’ elementary school in Burbank closed last week.
Srigley is using the PBS At-Home Learning program as a supplement to the homework and teacher-assigned activities her daughters received from school. They watch “Pinkalicious” and other shows, then her daughters use her laptop to complete online activities. For pre-K to third grades, activities could be a PDF worksheet asking them to write a story, an art lesson, or an interactive game.
“The kids really like it and it’s teaching them something, but it’s fun,” said Srigley, who wrote about the partnership on her blog Rockin Mommies, aimed at single moms in Los Angeles. “It’s just another tool, basically, because you’re trying to come up with a million things to do.”


latimes--2020-04-03--Coronavirus complicates California wildfire preparation; raises worry over evacuation shelters

With the traditional start of California ’ s dreaded wildfire season rapidly approaching , the spread of the coronavirus has threatened to complicate state firefighting efforts .
Although top emergency officials say they are hopeful that the spread of COVID-19 will taper off by the time serious fire weather arrives in the fall , the outbreak has already forced departments to put a hold on large training exercises , cancel controlled burns and delay inspections of fire-prone properties in Los Angeles .
Of greatest concern to Red Cross officials is preventing the spread of illness at evacuation centers , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all ages .
Another question is how battalions of firefighters might guard against the pathogen while battling flames in close formations , or while eating and sleeping in fire base camps that were notorious for outbreaks of “ camp crud ” even before the pandemic .
“ If it were to happen this minute , we ’ re really going to have to step it up to have more facilities so we don ’ t have more folks crammed in there at the end of the day , ” said Kim Zagaris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , Zagaris , who was pulled out of retirement to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak , said he hoped that statewide social distancing orders would limit the impact of coronavirus months from now .
“ We ’ re all in the same boat and hoping that at least here in California that we got folks working from home , staying at home , that we ’ ll get out of this a little sooner than the other folks have , ” he said .
California has experienced some of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few short years , and officials say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such devastating blazes in the future .
These larger fires have required ever larger numbers of firefighters who travel throughout California or come from other states to assist .
Under such circumstances , illnesses can be spread from fire incident to fire incident as personnel are reassigned , according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group .
“ Wildland fire incident management activities create an ideal environment for the transmission of infectious diseases : high-density living and working conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of soap and sanitizers , and a transient workforce.
” Similar concerns are shared by the Red Cross .
“ We will only open a shelter if health officials think it ’ s safe to do so and we ’ re taking every precaution , ” said Trevor Riggen , senior vice president of disaster cycle services for the American Red Cross .
Those precautions would start the moment evacuees arrive at the shelter , where they ’ d find workers wearing protective gear .
Every arriving evacuee would have their temperature taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running a fever , they ’ d be taken to a different area for isolation away from the rest of the evacuated community , Riggen said .
Those who are allowed in would still have their temperature taken three times a day , just like the workers at the shelter .
Inside , there will be extra handwashing stations , while sleeping cots will be six feet apart .
Meal times for evacuees will be staggered to avoid crowding .
“ As COVID-19 became more prevalent , we have been planning for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so we ’ ve been working the last couple of weeks as it ’ s taken hold , ” Riggen said .
If an evacuee does begin to show symptoms of an infection , they ’ d be isolated and public health workers from whatever county they ’ re in would take it from there .
The outbreak has caused other changes as well .
Recently , the U.S. Forest Service announced that all prescribed burns in California were canceled to minimize smoke exposure to those already vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Prescribed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burning wildland to reduce the amount of plant matter that can fuel larger fires that can spread .
The technique is most often used in the northern part of the state than it is in Southern California .
Also , a refresher training session on how to manage a large incident for the state ’ s fire commanders has been delayed and may end up being a video conference , officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said .
In Southern California , Los Angeles city firefighters have delayed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foothills at least two weeks , while other agencies in the region have canceled public outreach and education events .
Amid the silent march of coronavirus however , there has been some good news for firefighters .
Late-season rains in March helped reduce some of the spring fire risks Californians were facing after one of its driest Februaries on record .
“ This much rain is definitely going to help with alleviating the chances of wildfires in the spring , but probably not going to help out with our normal wildfire season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gershonov , a research meteorologist at UC San Diego ’ s Scripps Institution of Oceanography .
“ It ’ s actually going to grow the fuels a little more .
”

Evacuees from the Camp fire arrive at a shelter in Butte County in 2018. The American Red Cross has designed new shelter protocols in the face of the coronavirus.
With the traditional start of California’s dreaded wildfire season approaching, the spread of the coronavirus has threatened to complicate state firefighting efforts.
Although top emergency officials say they are hopeful that the spread of COVID-19 will taper off by the time serious fire weather arrives in the fall, the outbreak has already forced departments to put large training exercises on hold, cancel controlled burns and delay inspections of fire-prone properties in Los Angeles.
Of greatest concern to American Red Cross officials is preventing the spread of illness at evacuation centers, which can quickly grow crowded with evacuees of all ages.
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Another question is how battalions of firefighters might guard against the pathogen while battling flames in close formations, or while eating and sleeping in fire base camps that were notorious for outbreaks of “camp crud” even before the pandemic.
“If it were to happen this minute, we’re really going to have to step it up to have more facilities so we don’t have more folks crammed in there at the end of the day,” said Kim Zagaris of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
However, Zagaris, who was pulled out of retirement to help deal with the coronavirus outbreak, said he hoped that statewide social distancing orders would limit the effects of the coronavirus months from now. “We’re all in the same boat and hoping that — at least here in California — that we got folks working from home, staying at home, that we’ll get out of this a little sooner than the other folks have,” he said.
In just the last few years, California has experienced some of its deadliest and most destructive wildfires on record, and officials say climate change is increasing the likelihood of such devastating blazes in the future. These larger fires have required ever larger numbers of firefighters who travel throughout California or come from other states to assist.
Under such circumstances, illnesses can be spread from fire incident to fire incident as personnel are reassigned, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. “Wildland fire incident management activities create an ideal environment for the transmission of infectious diseases: high-density living and working conditions, lack of access to and use of soap and sanitizers, and a transient workforce,” according to a guidance published by the group’s Emergency Medical Committee.
Similar concerns are shared by the Red Cross.
“We will only open a shelter if health officials think it’s safe to do so and we’re taking every precaution,” said Trevor Riggen, senior vice president of disaster cycle services for the American Red Cross.
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Those precautions would start the moment evacuees arrive at the shelter, where they’d find workers wearing protective gear.
All arriving evacuees would have their temperature taken before entering — if they’re running a fever, they’d be taken to a different area for isolation away from the rest of the evacuated community, Riggen said. Those who are allowed in would still have their temperature taken three times a day, like the shelter workers.
Inside, there will be extra hand-washing stations, while sleeping cots will be six feet apart. Meal times for evacuees will be staggered to avoid crowding.
“As COVID-19 became more prevalent, we have been planning for some level of spread in the U.S. and so we’ve been working the last couple of weeks as it’s taken hold,” Riggen said.
If an evacuee does show symptoms of an infection, the person would be isolated and county public health workers would take it from there.
The outbreak has caused other changes as well.
Recently, the U.S. Forest Service announced that all prescribed burns in California were canceled to minimize smoke exposure for those already vulnerable to COVID-19.
Prescribed, or controlled, burns involve the deliberate burning of wildland to reduce the amount of plant matter that can fuel larger fires’ spread. The technique is most often used in the northern part of the state.
Also, a refresher training session on how to manage a large incident for the state’s fire commanders has been delayed and may end up being a videoconference, officials with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
In Southern California, Los Angeles city firefighters have delayed their annual defensible space inspections for homes in the foothills by at least two weeks, while other agencies in the region have canceled public outreach and education events.
Amid the silent march of the coronavirus, however, there has been some good news for firefighters.
Late-season rains in March helped reduce some of the spring fire risks Californians were facing after one of the state’s driest Februaries on record.
“This much rain is definitely going to help with alleviating the chances of wildfires in the spring, but probably not going to help out with our normal wildfire season in the fall,” said Alexander Gershunov, a research meteorologist at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “It’s actually going to grow the fuels a little more.”


latimes--2020-04-03--L.A. County records 11 new deaths: next few weeks will be 'critically important'

Los Angeles County is seeing a rapid increase in coronavirus cases , with hundreds of new cases reported over a two-day period , as testing ramps up and more infections are identified .
The county confirmed 11 new coronavirus-related deaths Friday , bringing the toll to 91 , and 521 new cases overall , bringing that total to more than 4,500 .
The number of new cases increased by more than 1,000 in 48 hours .
About 541 residents are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19 , officials said .
Statewide , the number of coronavirus cases swelled to more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll topping 260 .
About 2 , ` 188 people are hospitalized , Gov .
Gavin Newsom said , with 901 of them in intensive care units , a 10.4 % increase in ICU hospitalizations from the day before .
Barbara Ferrer , director of the county Department of Public Health , said Friday that L.A. County should expect to see 1,000 new coronavirus cases per day in the coming weeks and that the key to keeping the rate of spread manageable is social distancing .
“ The next few weeks are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are going to see more cases of people who are positive with COVID-19 , but it ’ s our hope that the rate increase continues to be manageable and that we don ’ t overwhelm our healthcare system , ” she said .
Whether the increase remains manageable , she said , depends on how closely residents adhere to guidelines that they wash their hands frequently , stay home as much as possible , remain six feet away from others when leaving the house and avoid going out entirely if they are over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or have underlying health conditions .
Ferrer said that when L.A. County initially increased lab testing a couple of weeks ago , its coronavirus case count was tripling every three to four days .
For the past two weeks , that rate has slowed to a doubling of cases every six days , which she called “ good news.
” But as lab testing continues to increase , she said , people need to be prepared to see an even bigger uptick in cases .
“ If we assume that we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be , which is that we ’ re able to test 10,000 people a day , and about 10 % of the people we test continue to be positive , you can see why we need to prepare ourselves for having 1,000 new cases of people with COVID-19 every day , ” she said .
Almost 26,000 people had been tested in L.A. County as of Friday , well over double the number reported a week before , when just 11,000 people had been tested .
The testing numbers still lag behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 49,000 positive cases had been identified as of Friday morning .
On Friday , three new drive-up coronavirus testing locations opened in L.A. County , at the Pomona Fairplex , the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach and the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale .
Testing also is available at High Desert Medical Group in Lancaster and Glendale Memorial Hospital , the county said .
Testing is by appointment only and limited to residents who are showing symptoms and are at least 65 years old or have underlying health conditions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be due to a spike in cases reported in institutional settings , including nursing homes , assisted living facilities , shelters , treatment centers , jails and prisons .
These facilities tend to house a large number of vulnerable people who are older or have underlying health conditions , and residents often live in close quarters , making it difficult to curb the virus ’ spread .
The Department of Public Health was investigating 321 cases among staff , residents and guests of 67 institutions as of Friday .
Of those , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among staff members , Ferrer said .
On Monday , cases were being investigated at just 18 facilities .
Of those who have died from COVID-19 , 11 have lived in either a skilled nursing or assisted-living facility , Ferrer said .
A total of 25 cases have been reported across L.A. County ’ s correctional system — 18 staffers and seven detainees .
In addition , there were seven cases reported among L.A. 's homeless community ; down two from the day before because those cases were determined to be among people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There have been 14 cases of COVID-19 in the homeless population across the state , Newsom said Friday .
The cases came from Los Angeles , San Francisco , Contra Costa , Ventura and Fresno counties .
The count includes one homeless man who died last month in Santa Clara County .
Newsom made clear that there are likely more cases .
“ By the way , that ’ s an undercount , ” Newsom said during his press conference outside a motel in Sacramento that would be housing vulnerable homeless individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just what ’ s been reported to us , but there ’ s heightened concern around the need to do more in our congregate facilities to isolate people into shelters like this and provide those basic essential services as we work through this crisis.
” The state hopes to lease up 15,000 rooms for homeless people , and so far counties have gotten 869 homeless individuals who are vulnerable to the virus into shelters .
So far , 6,867 hotel and motel rooms have been committed to this effort .

The rate of increase of new coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County has slowed compared to last week, signaling that stay at home orders have been working, although new cases and deaths are still increasing overall, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Friday.
“A week ago the rate of increase was about 50% more than it is right now,” Garcetti said.
In the last two days, more than 1,000 new cases have been reported in Los Angeles County. The county announced that 521 of those came Friday, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases to more than 4,600. With 11 new coronavirus-related deaths Friday, the death toll in the county is now 91.
Long Beach, which has its own health department, announced an additional two deaths and 18 more cases.
Garcetti warned that deaths and new cases are still doubling every few days.
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“It is not time to relax, because the more we can push that curve down, the more chance we have seeing those numbers not increase by as much. That means dozens of people who will not die.”
Statewide, the number of coronavirus cases swelled to more than 11,900 on Friday — with the death toll topping 260. About 2,188 people are hospitalized, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, with 901 of them in intensive care units, a 10.4% increase in ICU hospitalizations from the day before.
Barbara Ferrer, director of the county Department of Public Health, said Friday that L.A. County should expect to see 1,000 new coronavirus cases per day in the coming weeks and that the key to keeping the rate of spread manageable is social distancing.
“The next few weeks are going to be critically important, because we are going to see more cases of people who are positive with COVID-19, but it’s our hope that the rate of increase continues to be manageable and that we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system,” she said.
Whether the increase remains manageable, she said, depends on how closely residents adhere to guidelines that they wash their hands frequently, stay home as much as possible, remain six feet away from others when leaving the house and avoid going out entirely if they are over the age of 65, feel sick or have underlying health conditions.
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Ferrer said that when L.A. County initially increased lab testing a couple of weeks ago, its coronavirus case count was tripling every three to four days. For the past two weeks, that rate has slowed to a doubling of cases every six days, which she called “good news.”
But as lab testing continues to increase, she said, people need to be prepared to see an even bigger uptick in cases.
“If we assume that we’re getting to where we’re striving to be, which is that we’re able to test 10,000 people a day, and about 10% of the people we test continue to be positive, you can see why we need to prepare ourselves for having 1,000 new cases of people with COVID-19 every day,” she said.
Almost 26,000 people had been tested in L.A. County as of Friday, well over double the number reported a week before.
Garcetti said seven additional testing sites have opened in Los Angeles, adding the capacity to conduct 3,500 tests daily in the coming week. With the increased testing capacity, Garcetti said “we’re going to open the aperture a little bit...so more people can get tested.”
Testing is still by appointment only and limited to residents who are showing symptoms and are at least 65 years old or have underlying health conditions.
The testing numbers still lag behind those of New York City, where more than 49,000 positive cases had been identified as of Friday morning.
The increase in L.A. County cases may also be due to a spike in cases reported in institutional settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, shelters, treatment centers, jails and prisons. These facilities tend to house a large number of vulnerable people who are older or have underlying health conditions, and residents often live in close quarters, making it difficult to curb the virus’ spread.
The Department of Public Health was investigating 321 cases among staff, residents and guests of 67 institutions as of Friday. Of those, 166 were among residents, and 155 among staff members, Ferrer said. On Monday, cases were being investigated at just 18 facilities. Of those who have died from COVID-19, 11 have lived in either a skilled nursing or assisted-living facility, Ferrer said.
A total of 25 cases have been reported across L.A. County’s correctional system — 18 staffers and seven detainees.
In addition, there were seven cases reported among L.A.’s homeless community; down two from the day before because those cases were determined to be among people who were not homeless, Ferrer said.
There have been 14 cases of COVID-19 in the homeless population across the state, Newsom said Friday.
The cases came from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Ventura and Fresno counties. The count includes one homeless man who died last month in Santa Clara County. Newsom made clear that there are likely more cases.
“By the way, that’s an undercount,” Newsom said during his press conference outside a motel in Sacramento that would be housing vulnerable homeless individuals. “We know that’s just what’s been reported to us, but there’s heightened concern around the need to do more in our congregate facilities to isolate people into shelters like this and provide those basic essential services as we work through this crisis.”
The state hopes to lease up 15,000 rooms for homeless people, and so far counties have gotten 869 homeless individuals who are vulnerable to the virus into shelters. So far, 6,867 hotel and motel rooms have been committed to this effort.
Garcetti announced that 780 hotel and motel rooms became available Friday for vulnerable homeless individuals, including seniors and those with underlying health conditions.
In addition, three new recreation centers opened as homeless shelters, adding 140 beds for a total of 700 across the city.
The YMCA has also made nine of its facilities available for homeless people to be able to use shower stalls and bathrooms, and dozens of portable bathrooms have been placed throughout the city and skid row, Garcetti said.
“We’ve seen good progress, we’ve seen people staying home, but don’t let up,” Garcetti said. “This will be the week we’ll continue to see hundreds of people each day become positive.”
Counties across the state saw increases in the number of coronavirus cases as well, though not as steep as Los Angeles County’s. Contra Costa County had 31 new cases and two more deaths Friday. Santa Clara County had 75 more cases and two more deaths.
In Riverside County, there were 145 new cases and one death Friday. In the last two days, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has announced two deputies have died from the virus: deputy Terrell Young and Deputy David Werksman. Sheriff Chad Bianco said 25 employees and 11 inmates have tested positive in all, and more tests of employees and inmates are pending.


latimes--2020-04-03--Homeless man found stabbed to death in Van Nuys

A homeless man was found stabbed to death on a Van Nuys street late Thursday night , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ as a 35-year-old transient , was found in the 15200 block of Burbank Boulevard , @ @ @ @ @ the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area , according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release @ @ @ @ @ lying on a sidewalk with multiple stab wounds , and paramedics pronounced him dead at @ @ @ @ @ the LAPD .
His identity is being withheld pending notification of his family .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ in the slaying .
In September , the burned body of a homeless man was @ @ @ @ @ , around the area of Victory and Balboa boulevards .
Autopsy results showed that victim @ @ @ @ @ perforating wound to the chest .
”

A homeless man was found stabbed to death on a Van Nuys street late Thursday night, police said.
The victim, described only as a 35-year-old transient, was found in the 15200 block of Burbank Boulevard, just outside the entrance to the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release.
Officers found the victim lying on a sidewalk with multiple stab wounds, and paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene, according to the LAPD. His identity is being withheld pending notification of his family.
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Investigators did not describe a motive in the slaying.
In September, the burned body of a homeless man was also found near the park, around the area of Victory and Balboa boulevards. Autopsy results showed that victim had died of a “perforating wound to the chest.”


latimes--2020-04-03--A list of Ventura County communities with coronavirus cases

The number of coronavirus cases and related deaths in Ventura County continue to steadily rise .
The county reported one additional death on Thursday , bringing its total to six .
The county only reports age ranges .
So far all of the victims were in their 70s and 80s , all with preexisting health conditions , said Ashley Bautista , a county spokeswoman .
The county has not reported where the victims lived .
The first death was reported on March 22 .
The county also reported 17 new cases of people testing positive for COVID-19 this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes 36 cases of people who have recovered and 135 instances of active quarantine .
Earlier this week , health officials offered a grim prediction : If residents did not take proper steps to socially distance and quarantine themselves , the county could see as many as 1,000 people die from the illness .
Simi Valley leads with the most number of confirmed COVID-19 cases with 30 .
Oxnard and Thousand Oaks each have 29 .
Here is a breakdown of where in Ventura County coronavirus cases have been reported , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracker shows where in California cases have been reported .

People run up the steps while working out at Larrabee Stadium on the Ventura High School campus. The stadium is closed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak but people are climbing over the fence to get inside.
The number of coronavirus cases in Ventura County continues to rise.
The county added 18 new cases of people testing positive for the coronavirus in its latest update, bringing the total to 221. The total includes 62 instances where someone recovered, 45 cases where an individual was hospitalized and 153 cases under active quarantine.
The county reported one additional death Thursday, bringing its total to six. The county reports only age ranges. So far all of the victims were in their 70s and 80s, all with preexisting health conditions, said Ashley Bautista, a county spokeswoman. The county has not reported where the victims lived. The first death was reported March 22.
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Last week, health officials offered a grim prediction: If residents did not take proper steps to socially distance and quarantine themselves, the county could see as many as 1,000 people die from the illness.
Simi Valley leads with the most number of confirmed coronavirus infection cases with 46. Oxnard has 40 cases, and Thousand Oaks has 33.
Here is a breakdown of where in Ventura County coronavirus cases have been reported, and the list will be updated. The Times tracker shows where in California cases have been reported.
Camarillo 30
Lake Sherwood 2
Moorpark 14
Newbury Park 5
Oak Park 9
Oak View 1
Ojai 4
Oxnard 40
Piru 1
Port Hueneme 2
Santa Paula 3
Santa Rosa Valley 1
Simi Valley 46
Somis 1
Thousand Oaks 33
Ventura 21
Westlake 8


latimes--2020-04-03--Second Riverside County sheriff's deputy dies from COVID-19 complications

A second Riverside County sheriff ’ s deputy has died due to the coronavirus , officials reported Friday morning .
Deputy David Werksman , 51 , who served in the department for 22 years , died Thursday , officials said .
He began his career with the department in April 1998 and worked on assignments at the Robert Presley Detention Center , Jurupa Valley Station and Lake Elsinore Station .
He was most recently assigned to the sheriff ’ s administration , according to officials .
Werksman was a “ very accomplished deputy ” and an FBI-certified public safety bomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Assn .
Werksman is survived by his wife and three children .
He is the second member of the department to die this week due to the COVID-19 outbreak .
On Thursday morning , Terrell Young , a father of four and a 15-year veteran of the department , also died due to complications from COVID-19 .
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco believes that Young may have contracted the virus from an inmate whom he had escorted to the Riverside University Health System during the week of March 16 .
The inmate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bianco said .
The inmate has tested positive for the virus , although it ’ s unclear whether he tested positive before or after contact with Young .
All employees and inmates who have exhibited symptoms have been quarantined and tested , Bianco said .
So far , 25 employees and 11 inmates have tested positive for the virus , some of whom did not show any symptoms .
As of Thursday , Bianco said 60 inmates are in quarantine and 51 inmate tests are pending .
In addition , 16 employees are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sheriff Department ’ s employees have been or are currently hospitalized , Bianco said .
One is in critical condition .
Bianco said that the department is not “ considering this any type of jail emergency.
” “ We believe we have this contained at the moment .
It should be an eye-opener for the general public .
We are seeing the drastic and the viral aspects of this , and it ’ s not pretty , ” he said .
The deaths of Young and Werksman are reminders of the risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve the public during this pandemic , said Bill Young , Riverside Sheriffs ’ Assn .
president .
“ As first responders , Deputy Werksman and Deputy Young served on the front lines of an invisible beast , ” Youngsaid .
“ Yet , they both demonstrated in this crisis and every day their dedication and sacrifice .
Their tragic deaths are a stark reminder of why we need the public to stay at home and to take this deadly virus seriously .
We need everyone to take the public health warnings as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it is .
Please , help us help you and stay inside unless absolutely necessary.
” As of Thursday afternoon , there were 493 virus-related cases and 14 fatalities in the county , records show .

Deputy David Werksman, 51, who served in the department for 22 years, died Thursday. He is the second Riverside County sheriff’s deputy to die from coronavirus complications.
A second Riverside County sheriff’s deputy has died due to the coronavirus, officials reported Friday morning.
Deputy David Werksman, 51, who served in the department for 22 years, died Thursday, officials said. He began his career with the department in April 1998 and worked on assignments at the Robert Presley Detention Center, Jurupa Valley Station and Lake Elsinore Station. He was most recently assigned to the sheriff’s administration, according to officials.
Werksman was a “very accomplished deputy” and an FBI-certified public safety bomb technician, according to the Riverside Sheriffs’ Assn.
We are saddened to announce the death of Deputy David Werksman, most recently assigned to Sheriff’s Admin. Deputy Werksman passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2020, due to complications from COVID-19. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/cDshazQpeQ — Riverside County Sheriff's Dept (@RSO) April 3, 2020
Werksman is survived by his wife and three children.
He is the second member of the department to die this week due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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On Thursday morning, Terrell Young, a father of four and a 15-year veteran of the department, also died due to complications from COVID-19. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco believes that Young may have contracted the virus from an inmate whom he had escorted to the Riverside University Health System during the week of March 16.
The inmate was also experiencing symptoms that day, Bianco said. The inmate has tested positive for the virus, although it’s unclear whether he tested positive before or after contact with Young.
All employees and inmates who have exhibited symptoms have been quarantined and tested, Bianco said.
So far, 25 employees and 11 inmates have tested positive for the virus, some of whom did not show any symptoms.
As of Thursday, Bianco said 60 inmates are in quarantine and 51 inmate tests are pending. In addition, 16 employees are awaiting their test results. Several of the Sheriff Department’s employees have been or are currently hospitalized, Bianco said. One is in critical condition.
Bianco said that the department is not “considering this any type of jail emergency.”
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“We believe we have this contained at the moment. It should be an eye-opener for the general public. We are seeing the drastic and the viral aspects of this, and it’s not pretty,” he said.
The deaths of Young and Werksman are reminders of the risks that employees face each day as they serve the public during this pandemic, said Bill Young, Riverside Sheriffs’ Assn. president.
“As first responders, Deputy Werksman and Deputy Young served on the front lines of an invisible beast,” Youngsaid. “Yet, they both demonstrated in this crisis and every day their dedication and sacrifice. Their tragic deaths are a stark reminder of why we need the public to stay at home and to take this deadly virus seriously. We need everyone to take the public health warnings as if it’s life or death because it is. Please, help us help you and stay inside unless absolutely necessary.”
As of Thursday afternoon, there were 493 virus-related cases and 14 fatalities in the county, records show.


latimes--2020-04-03--Workers at grocery stores, others must wear face coverings, San Diego County orders

San Diego County is requiring employees who regularly interact with the public to wear face coverings , the latest push across California to have people cover their faces as another measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
Los Angeles , Riverside County and the Bay Area have urged residents to wear some type of face covering when doing essential business , but San Diego County is going further .
Under the San Diego County order , effective midnight Saturday , all employees who may have contact with the public in any grocery store , pharmacy or drug store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear a cloth face covering as described in the California Department of Public Health guidance for face coverings .
California officials said face coverings can prevent people from becoming infected with the new coronavirus or spreading it to others , but they stressed it should not be a substitute for physical distancing , hand washing and other measures .
“ Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19 , but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them .
Make sure you ’ re also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions , ” Dr. Mark Ghaly , secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency , said in a statement .
State officials have said people should not use medical and surgical masks , which are desperately needed by medical personnel .
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said healthy people do not need a mask if they are not working in healthcare or caring for an infected person .
But in recent days , the CDC has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and endorse the use of homemade masks .
At a Wednesday afternoon news briefing , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said everyone performing essential tasks such as shopping for food should wear homemade , nonmedical face coverings , or even bandannas , as people in other countries have done .
Riverside County health officials urged residents Tuesday to cover their noses and mouths when out in public .
Officials made the recommendation Tuesday , covering such essential and medical visits .
Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said the city hasn ’ t issued similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal protective equipment for hospital workers .
“ If the supplies become more readily available , or if there is more of a state [ or ] L.A. County directive , we will definitely evaluate at a local level , ” she said .
Barbara Ferrer , director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , cautioned the public against using N95 or surgical masks already in short supply for healthcare providers .
But she said people can use a bandanna or piece of fabric to cover their nose and mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise out in public .
“ Wearing a mask is not a shield , ” she said , adding that it does not replace frequent hand washing and physical distancing efforts .

Shoppers line up Thursday outside a Costco in Victorville, waiting to go inside amid social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Diego County is requiring employees who regularly interact with the public to wear face coverings, the latest push across California to have people cover their faces as another measure to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Los Angeles, Riverside County and the Bay Area have urged residents to wear some type of face covering when doing essential business, but San Diego County is going further.
Under the San Diego County order, effective midnight Saturday, all employees who may have contact with the public in any grocery store, pharmacy or drug store, convenience store or gas station shall wear a cloth face covering as described in the California Department of Public Health guidance for face coverings.
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California officials said face coverings can prevent people from becoming infected with the new coronavirus or spreading it to others, but they stressed it should not be a substitute for physical distancing, hand washing and other measures.
“Face coverings could provide some additional protection against COVID-19, but Californians should not have a false sense of security if they choose to wear them. Make sure you’re also staying six feet away from other people if you have to leave your home to get groceries or prescriptions,” Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, said in a statement.
State officials have said people should not use medical and surgical masks, which are desperately needed by medical personnel.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said healthy people do not need a mask if they are not working in healthcare or caring for an infected person. But in recent days, the CDC has been weighing whether to modify its recommendations and endorse the use of homemade masks.
At a Wednesday afternoon news briefing, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said everyone performing essential tasks such as shopping for food should wear homemade, nonmedical face coverings, or even bandannas, as people in other countries have done.
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Riverside County health officials urged residents Tuesday to cover their noses and mouths when out in public.
Officials made the recommendation Tuesday, covering such essential tasks as grocery shopping and medical visits.
Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said the city hasn’t issued similar guidance because it needs to reserve essential personal protective equipment for hospital workers.
“If the supplies become more readily available, or if there is more of a state [or] L.A. County directive, we will definitely evaluate at a local level,” she said.
Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, cautioned the public against using N95 or surgical masks already in short supply for healthcare providers. But she said people can use a bandanna or piece of fabric to cover their nose and mouth when going to the grocery store or otherwise out in public.
“Wearing a mask is not a shield,” she said, adding that it does not replace frequent hand washing and physical distancing efforts.


latimes--2020-04-03--Coronavirus changes the AP test big time. Here's what it will look like

For 65 years , the Advanced Placement test has been a hallmark of a rigorous high school education , allowing bright students to demonstrate mastery of a subject through a passing score that can lead to college credits .
Students typically gird for the grueling exam in long study sessions with friends or outside class hours with teachers .
It ’ s not unusual for parents to hire specialized tutors .
For some students , it becomes a point of pride to report how many AP courses they are taking .
But amid the COVID-19 pandemic , this year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to new details released Friday by the College Board , the New York-based nonprofit that owns the test .
Normally , there are dozens of multiple-choice questions .
Those will be gone .
The free-response questions will be winnowed down from a typical four or so to one or two , which will be timed separately and submitted .
Students taking world language and culture exams will no longer need to submit written responses but will instead complete two spoken tasks .
The exams will be taken at home with open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes , significantly shorter than the normal two- to three-hour duration .
They can be taken on any device available — a computer , tablet or smartphone .
Or students can write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cellphones .
To make sure that all students have access to the test , the College Board said it is working with partners to provide devices and broadband internet access to all who need it .
The College Board also announced heightened measures to ensure fairness and security , a key concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a take-home test .
The tests will be given at the same time around the world from May 11 to 22 .
Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1 to 5 .
Points will not be earned from content that can be found in textbooks or online .
However , students taking the exams may not consult with any other individuals during the testing period , the board said .
“ We ’ re confident that the vast majority of AP students will follow the rules for taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ For the small number of students who may try to gain an unfair advantage , we have a comprehensive and strict set of protocols in place to prevent and detect cheating.
” If students get caught cheating , they will be blocked from testing or their AP scores will be canceled .
Their high school will be notified , as will colleges or other organizations to which the student has already sent College Board scores , including the SAT .
And they may be prohibited from taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the SAT , SAT subject tests or other assessments , the College Board said .
Despite the truncated format , the University of California announced this week it would accept the results of this year ’ s exam .
Many other institutions have given similar assurances , the College Board said .
The new format drew relief from some students .
“ I feel like this is a great option for AP exams pertaining to how it would eliminate the need to cheat since that was a main concern with taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an Upland High School student who is taking AP courses in literature , art history and studio art .
“ An open-book exam would be the best option to give all students a chance to score well in order to receive college credit due to the pandemic that is preventing us from taking it the standard way , ” said Jade , who is bound for UCLA .

Students enrolled in a Zoom AP Calculus class taught by Melissa Tighe (top left) at Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena expressed a range of reactions to the unprecedented changes to the test triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For 65 years, the Advanced Placement test has been a hallmark of a rigorous high school education, allowing bright students to demonstrate mastery of a subject through a passing score that can lead to college credits.
Students typically gird for the grueling exam in long study sessions with friends or outside class hours with teachers. It’s not unusual for parents to hire specialized tutors. For some students, it becomes a point of pride to report how many AP courses they are taking.
But amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s test will be like no other, according to new details released Friday by the College Board, the New York-based nonprofit that owns the test.
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Normally, there are dozens of multiple-choice questions. Those will be gone. The free-response questions will be winnowed down from a typical four or so to one or two, which will be timed separately and submitted.
The exams will be taken at home with open books and notes and will last only about 45 minutes, significantly shorter than the standard three- to four-hour duration. The exams can be taken on any device available — a computer, tablet or smartphone. Or students can write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cellphones.
To make sure that all students have access to the test, the College Board said it is working with partners to provide thousands of Chromebooks and tablets, along with broadband internet access, to all who need them.
The revised format brought varied reactions. At Mayfield Senior School, an all-girls Catholic school in Pasadena, students enrolled in an AP Calculus BC (second and third stage) class expressed a range of reactions: relief, disappointment and excitement by the challenge of taking the test in an entirely new way.
Megan Moffat, who says she’s “kind of a thrill seeker,” was eager to test herself on racing through a shorter exam on which every question will carry higher stakes.
Isabel Valenzuela said it will be easier to keep up stamina with a shorter test; when she took the full-length practice exam — more than three hours long — she found herself getting antsy. “I can just use all of my energy and power for a shorter sprint than for, like, the marathon,” she said.
Halle Villalobos and Agnese Sanavio, however, said they were disappointed that they won’t get to showcase all of the skills they’ve learned in the last year or delve into calculus concepts as deeply as they might have. Other students said they missed the personal connections of prepping for the exam at school, able to turn to a classmate for help or visit teachers during office hours.
But Paloma Torres said the at-home study has helped her gain independence and self-motivation, while Lauren Clawson said the changes offered a “good life lesson.”
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“It’s helping us adapt to unexpected and unforeseeable situations, which is kind of life,” Clawson said.
Trevor Packer, a College Board senior vice president who heads the AP program, said such student dedication is why the nonprofit decided to dismiss early thoughts about potentially canceling the exam when the coronavirus outbreak prompted schools to send students home and shift to online learning.
In a survey of 18,000 AP students, 91% said they wanted to take the test and filled 900 pages with comments about why. Many said studying was their “last vestige of academic normalcy,” having lost their sports seasons, proms, graduation ceremonies and senior-year trips, Packer said.
But testing officials had to satisfy themselves that they could create a fair and secure online exam before committing to one, he said. Key areas of concern included equitable access for students with disabilities and those without adequate devices or broadband access. Colleges and universities would need to agree to award college credit for passing scores.
And strict measures had to be taken to prevent and detect cheating, another pressing issue.
To avoid leaks, the same tests will be given at the same time throughout the nation, from May 11 to May 22. Makeup test dates will be available for each subject from June 1 to June 5. For California students, the tests will be administered at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., depending on the subject.
Points will not be earned from content that can be found in textbooks or online. Rather than multiple-choice questions, there will be short-response and document-based questions that require synthesis of material, application of concepts and critical thinking. Software will be used to detect a student’s unique identity and style of online interactions, Packer said, along with plagiarism or similar answers among groups of students.
In addition, the College Board will release the completed exams to AP teachers so they “can see if a student who has been mediocre all year is suddenly perfect,” Packer said.
If students get caught cheating, the penalties will be severe. They will be blocked from testing or their AP scores will be canceled. Their high school will be notified, as will colleges or other organizations to which the student has already sent College Board scores, including the SAT. And they may be prohibited from taking a future AP exam, as well as the SAT, SAT subject tests or other assessments, the nonprofit said.
Those strict security measures drew praise from some students. “I feel like this is a great option for AP exams pertaining to how it would eliminate the need to cheat, since that was a main concern with taking the exams online,” said Jade Hollingsworth, an Upland High School student bound for UCLA who is taking AP courses in literature, art history and studio art.
Despite the truncated format, the University of California announced this week that it would accept the results of this year’s exam. Hundreds of other institutions have given similar assurances, Packer said.
AP teachers praised the College Board for not canceling the tests and for addressing their myriad concerns.
Monty Armstrong, an AP World History teacher at Cerritos High School who initially thought an online test could be a “disaster” with the potential for widespread cheating, said the College Board had assuaged all of his concerns.
By giving the test at the same time everywhere and sticking to document-based questions, which require skills and training to answer, not merely internet searches, “the College Board has made really good choices,” he said.
At Mayfield, AP teacher Melissa Tighe said she was gratified that the testing nonproft gave students the chance to weigh in and listened closely to what they had to say. She also said the College Board’s handling of the issue showed students a real-life example of collaborative problem-solving.
“I love the way they’re going about this, and I think they’re really role-modeling consensus-building thinking for my students, who are the future decision-makers,” she said.


latimes--2020-04-03--California lags in reducing number of felons with firearms as gun sales pick up amid coronavirus

California has made little progress in reducing the number of felons and mentally ill people who improperly own firearms even as state agents have confiscated thousands of weapons from prohibited owners , according to a new report from the state Department of Justice .
The new report was released at a time when Los Angeles County and other local jurisdictions have ordered gun stores closed over concerns about crowds of gun buyers gathering to stock up on firearms and ammunition during the shutdown over COVID-19 .
The FBI this week separately reported a 41 % jump last month in background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.S. , compared with March 2019 .
The number of people in the state ’ s database who have guns though they are barred from owning them totaled 22,424 as of Jan. 1 , down just 798 from 23,222 a year earlier because nearly as many people were added to the list as were removed by state DOJ agents The large number of people in the state ’ s Armed and Prohibited Persons System , or APPS , database has been a concern of lawmakers for more than six years as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mass shootings and despite additional funding aimed at addressing staffing shortages in the program .
In an annual report required by the Legislature , the agency said its agents last year recovered 2,130 firearms but says it was hampered by inadequate staffing and other issues .
Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido called the number of people on the list “ unacceptable.
” “ This is a persistent and maddening problem that I don ’ t think our Attorney General or his predecessor have made into the priority it should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , noting that she hoped to work with state Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra on doubling the number of firearms recovered next year .
To improve results , the state DOJ report recommended requiring all courts to confiscate weapons at the time of conviction , better coordination with county law enforcement and modernization of the database to reduce manual processes .
“ Even during these challenging times , we remain committed to maintaining critical operations and keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous and violent individuals , ” Becerra said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the governor and lawmakers “ to ensure we have the tools and resources necessary to tackle dynamic firearms challenges head on.
” In 2006 , California became the first state to create a database that matches the names of people who buy firearms with those who are later convicted of a felony , determined to have serious mental illness or otherwise are disqualified from possessing guns .
The state stepped up efforts to reduce a backlog on the list after the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 20 children and six adults .
At that time , the Legislature approved $ 24 million over three years to reduce the backlog of prohibited persons that had topped 20,000 people .
But the state has been unable to significantly cut the number of prohibited persons , according to the annual report sent to the Legislature late Wednesday .
Last year , the DOJ removed 9,755 prohibited persons from the APPS database by seizing their firearms or determining they no longer own guns or have been cleared of disqualifications .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ database last year , when the DOJ had 45 Special Agents and Special Agent Supervisors working on the issue , fewer than the 50 agents assigned to the task in 2018 .
“ Despite a recent salary increase , efforts to hire new sworn personnel continue to be thwarted by the difficult working conditions and lack of competitive compensation for agents as compared to other state and local law enforcement agencies , ” the DOJ report said .
At the start of this year , 54 % of prohibited individuals in the APPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a felony conviction , 24 % due to federal law involving gun violations , 19 % percent were prohibited because they were subject to a restraining order and 18 % were banned from having a gun because of mental health problems .
Others were on the list because of serious misdemeanor convictions or as a condition of probation .
Advocates for gun owners have sued the state in recent years to remove non-violent felons and misdemeanants from the list of prohibited persons , and three of the cases are pending in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Firearms Policy Coalition , which is supporting the litigation .
“ Our position is that nonviolent felons should not be prohibited from possessing or acquiring arms , and that California ’ s APPS program is a dismal failure that does little but give politicians a topic for press releases , ” the group said in a statement Wednesday .

Dozens of guns confiscated by the Anaheim Police Department from a home where two men were arrested.
California has made little progress in reducing the number of felons and mentally ill people who improperly own firearms even as state agents have confiscated thousands of weapons from prohibited owners, according to a new report from the state Department of Justice.
The report was released at a time when Los Angeles County and other local jurisdictions have ordered gun stores closed over concerns about crowds of gun buyers gathering to stock up on firearms and ammunition during the shutdown over COVID-19.
The FBI this week separately reported a 41% jump last month in background checks for people seeking to buy guns in the U.S., compared with March 2019.
The number of people in the state’s database who have guns though they are barred from owning them totaled 22,424 as of Jan. 1, down just 798 from 23,222 a year earlier because nearly as many people were added to the list as were removed by state Justice Department agents
The large number of people in the state’s Armed and Prohibited Persons System, or APPS, database has been a concern of lawmakers for more than six years as the state has struggled with a series of mass shootings and despite additional funding aimed at addressing staffing shortages in the program.
In an annual report required by the Legislature, the agency said its agents last year recovered 2,130 firearms but said it was hampered by inadequate staffing and other issues.
Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron of Escondido called the number of people on the list “unacceptable.”
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“This is a persistent and maddening problem that I don’t think our attorney general or his predecessor have made into the priority it should be,” she said in a statement, noting that she hoped to work with state Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra on doubling the number of firearms recovered next year.
To improve results, the state Justice Department report recommended requiring all courts to confiscate weapons at the time of conviction, better coordination with county law enforcement and modernization of the database to reduce manual processes.
“Even during these challenging times, we remain committed to maintaining critical operations and keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous and violent individuals,” Becerra said in a statement, adding that he will work with the governor and lawmakers “to ensure we have the tools and resources necessary to tackle dynamic firearms challenges head on.”
In 2006, California became the first state to create a database that matches the names of people who buy firearms with those who are later convicted of a felony, determined to have serious mental illness or otherwise are disqualified from possessing guns.
The state stepped up efforts to reduce a backlog on the list after the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., which resulted in the death of 20 children and six adults.
At that time, the Legislature approved $24 million over three years to reduce the backlog of prohibited persons that had topped 20,000 people.
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But the state has been unable to significantly cut the number of prohibited persons, according to the annual report sent to the Legislature late Wednesday.
Last year, the DOJ removed 9,755 people from the APPS database by seizing their firearms or determining they no longer own guns or have been cleared of disqualifications.
However, 8,957 were added to the database last year, when the Justice Department had 45 special agents and special agent supervisors working on the issue, fewer than the 50 agents assigned to the task in 2018.
“Despite a recent salary increase, efforts to hire new sworn personnel continue to be thwarted by the difficult working conditions and lack of competitive compensation for agents as compared to other state and local law enforcement agencies,” the Justice Department report said.
At the start of this year, 54% of people in the APPS database were barred from owning firearms because of a felony conviction, 24% because of federal law involving gun violations, 19% because they were subject to a restraining order, and 18% were banned from having a gun because of mental health problems.
Others were on the list because of serious misdemeanor convictions or as a condition of probation.
Advocates for gun owners have sued the state in recent years to remove nonviolent felons and misdemeanants from the list of prohibited persons, and three of the cases are pending in the court of appeals, according to the Firearms Policy Coalition, which is supporting the litigation.
“Our position is that nonviolent felons should not be prohibited from possessing or acquiring arms, and that California’s APPS program is a dismal failure that does little but give politicians a topic for press releases,” the group said in a statement Wednesday.


latimes--2020-04-03--San Bernardino County confirms 8th COVID-19 death as case count climbs past 300

San Bernardino County reported its eighth coronavirus-related death Thursday as its overall case count climbed past 300 .
The county , like many in California , has seen a sharp uptick in people testing positive for COVID-19 over the last week and a half .
There were about 50 confirmed cases of the viral disease countywide as of March 25 , but that number has since risen to 304 .
Amid the widening pandemic , the county on Thursday ordered motels , hotels , residential rentals and other short-term lodging facilities to close unless they are being used as part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rental activity continues to be an issue in our county ’ s mountain and desert communities , which is understandably causing distress to local residents who are acting responsibly and are concerned about the spread of virus by tourists , ” Dr. Erin Gustafson , the county ’ s acting health officer , said in a statement .
“ We advised short-term rental owners on March 22 to comply with the state health order , which clearly prohibits their operation .
It is clear that a specific local order will assist with additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in enforcement.
” San Bernardino also has joined a growing chorus of counties in recommending residents cover their faces when they leave their homes .
However , officials stressed that doing so should complement — not replace — other efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus , and that residents should still stay home as much as possible , keep their distance from others when they do have to go outside and wash their hands thoroughly and often .
Officials also said residents shouldn ’ t pursue surgical or N95 masks so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare workers and emergency responders .
Other options — like homemade cloth coverings , handkerchiefs and bandannas — could be effective alternatives if used correctly .
“ Covering your face may help reduce the chance that asymptomatic people spread COVID-19 .
This is not as effective as staying home and practicing social distancing , ” county Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman said in a statement .
“ We all need to do our part to flatten the curve and residents should use this as one more tool to stop the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bernardino County communities where residents have tested positive :

San Bernardino County reported its eighth coronavirus-related death Thursday as its overall case count climbed past 300.
The county, like many in California, has seen a sharp uptick in people testing positive for COVID-19 over the last week and a half. There were about 50 confirmed cases of the viral disease countywide as of March 25, but that number has since risen to 304.
California Coronavirus updates: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson hospitalized The latest updates from our reporters in California and around the world
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Amid the widening pandemic, the county on Thursday ordered motels, hotels, residential rentals and other short-term lodging facilities to close unless they are being used as part of a COVID-19 response.
“Short-term rental activity continues to be an issue in our county’s mountain and desert communities, which is understandably causing distress to local residents who are acting responsibly and are concerned about the spread of virus by tourists,” Dr. Erin Gustafson, the county’s acting health officer, said in a statement.
“We advised short-term rental owners on March 22 to comply with the state health order, which clearly prohibits their operation. It is clear that a specific local order will assist with additional efforts to bring about compliance and assist in enforcement.”
San Bernardino also has joined a growing chorus of counties in recommending residents cover their faces when they leave their homes.
However, officials stressed that doing so should complement — not replace — other efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus, and that residents should still stay home as much as possible, keep their distance from others when they do have to go outside and wash their hands thoroughly and often.
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Officials also said residents shouldn’t pursue surgical or N95 masks so those can get into the hands of healthcare workers and emergency responders. Other options — like homemade cloth coverings, handkerchiefs and bandannas — could be effective alternatives if used correctly.
“Covering your face may help reduce the chance that asymptomatic people spread COVID-19. This is not as effective as staying home and practicing social distancing,” county Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman said in a statement. “We all need to do our part to flatten the curve and residents should use this as one more tool to stop the spread of this disease.”
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Here are the San Bernardino County communities where residents have tested positive:
Adelanto: 3
Alta Loma: 2
Apple Valley: 3
Barstow: 6
Big Bear City: 1
Big Bear Lake: 3
Bloomington: 3
Blue Jay: 2
Chino: 11
Chino Hills: 10
Colton: 4
Crestline: 1
Fontana: 25
Grand Terrace: 1
Hesperia: 4
Highland: 11
Loma Linda: 7
Mentone: 2
Montclair: 4
Oak Hills: 1
Ontario: 14
Phelan: 1
Rancho Cucamonga: 25
Redlands: 19
Rialto: 12
Rimforest: 1
Running Springs: 2
San Bernardino: 15
Upland: 14
Victorville: 9
Wrightwood: 1
Yucaipa: 68
Yucca Valley: 2
Undetermined: 17