latimes--2020-04-23--Suppliers cash in as California taxpayers hit with wildly inflated prices for masks

State agencies — and ultimately California taxpayers — are paying steep prices for coveted masks that protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus as suppliers and middlemen cash in on the global shortage of medical equipment , according to a Times review of hundreds of state contracting records .
State officials are paying more than 300 % above list prices as they navigate a marketplace rife with fraud and price gouging in search of millions of masks for healthcare workers , inmates and government employees deemed essential .
Last week , state transportation officials bought more than 1,400 masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as an emergency purchase to ensure that road and maintenance workers were protected against the virus .
The masks are N95 respirators made by the giant U.S. manufacturer 3M , according to the seller and purchase orders reviewed by The Times .
3M said it has not changed its prices , and the company ’ s for common N95 models tops out at $ 3.40 .
The state has little legal protection from price gouging even as authorities decry the practice .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s executive order this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempts vendors willing to sell to the state or local governments .
A state spokeswoman said the exemption was necessary so California could buy medical supplies “ regardless of price to protect public health , ” but the loophole also means there is no limit on what vendors can charge the state .
Officials defend paying the steep prices , saying there is intense competition for masks and the top priority must be protecting state workers .
California Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Rocco said in a statement that the agency ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 each was “ based on immediate need for the health and safety of its employees .
Considering the unprecedented demand and fluctuating circumstances , we are reviewing our processes to determine ways the department can streamline purchasing and obtain a reliable supply at a better cost.
” Government agencies are not alone .
Companies and individuals are also paying inflated prices for various types of masks both at stores and street-corner vendors who have popped up in recent weeks .
Most state purchasing records reviewed by The Times made it difficult to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 10 cases , The Times found extraordinary markups on respirators , including on large bulk purchases .
Earlier this month , the healthcare provider at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ordered 1 million KN95 respirators at $ 4.78 a mask , a price another supplier said was high .
The California Department of Public Health ordered 100,000 masks at $ 4.60 each last week for a model that 3M says should not cost more than $ 1.88 .
“ Holy moly !
” said John Thomas , co-founder of recently formed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective equipment .
“ These agencies have a duty to obviously procure PPE , but also to get it at a fair market price.
” Where the markups are happening is difficult to pinpoint .
Thomas said it ’ s possible that sellers are pocketing only a slight markup but that with multiple middlemen involved in a single deal , the price ends up being astronomical .
Some sellers say the bulk of price hikes happens in China , where companies want a full payment before shipment .
That leaves some middlemen assuming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the products .
Another supplier said he was competing against rival companies — and even countries — that send envoys with bags of cash to bid for supplies .
Brian Ferguson , spokesman for the Office of Emergency Services , said state officials have been compelled to make some high-priced purchases because there is no “ reliable source of personal protective equipment.
” “ Some of these prices the state is paying are not ideal , they are not what we would pay under typical circumstances , ” Ferguson said .
Ferguson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offers to sell them masks , including a demand to pay up front in Bitcoin .
More than 6,000 offers to sell equipment have poured in since the state launched a website , covid19supplies.ca.gov , on April 4 to help centralize the process , he said .
Before buying , he said , state officials must determine if the equipment meets government standards and whether the seller is reputable .
“ Many offers are not legitimate or don ’ t meet the threshold for purchasing by the state , ” Ferguson said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported at least one case of suspected fraud to the FBI .
Federal and local law enforcement officials have made a series of arrests related to fraud or price gouging mask deals .
The Baldwin Park Police Department announced April 7 that they during an emergency , saying he was advertising to the public that he had 3M N95 masks for $ 15 each .
While there is no specific federal law against price gouging , a U.S. Department of Justice task force is using anti-hoarding laws to target suppliers suspected of demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment .
State officials say that California ’ s new partnership with a Chinese electric car manufacturer will ensure the state has a steady supply of masks .
How much the state will pay for each mask , however , is unknown .
The $ 1-billion deal Newsom announced with BYD has been and is not expected to get masks to California until next month .
That leaves the state continuing to scramble in the near term for what masks it can find .
Last month , the Department of General Services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business manager , ordered 4,800 masks for $ 8.25 each .
3M ’ s highest suggested list price for those masks is $ 1.88 .
State procurement data identifies the seller as SecondLifePhones , a company that public records say is run by Saqib Waqar of Los Angeles .
Waqar declined to comment .
The department made a second purchase for 4,460 N95 masks from SecondLifePhones earlier this month for $ 8.25 per mask , but the state ’ s procurement data do not indicate the model .
A department spokeswoman declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either sale .
The procurement data reviewed by The Times show the prison system has ordered millions of masks in recent weeks for its 46,000 staff , including healthcare workers , and 118,000 inmates .
As of Wednesday , 95 prison staffers and 135 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19 .
On Sunday , an inmate at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County became the first in the state to die from complications related to the virus .
Dana Simas , a corrections department spokeswoman , said the prison system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff have the equipment necessary to protect the health and safety of all those who live and work in our state prisons.
” “ We are exploring vendors at all levels — local , state , national and international — to help meet our supply needs at the best possible price available in line with local and global market pricing , ” Simas said .
Simas said one company offered to sell KN95 masks for $ 13 each on a large order , which the department declined .
The KN95 , a Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gold standard of the N95 ’ s filtration rate , is new to American healthcare supply chains , said Ryan Curtis , vice president at Boss Safety Products .
Curtis said his company hasn ’ t significantly changed prices on N95 masks since before the pandemic , saying it was a matter of business ethics .
But traditional sellers such as his company are sold out .
Timothy Devine , a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who owns Aviate Enterprises , the company that sold the state 1 million KN95 masks for prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his profit margin was between only 2 % and 4 % .
Chinese manufacturers have been able to hike prices because of the global demand , he said .
While searching for masks to complete the order , one of his employees visited a manufacturer in Shanghai , China , where representatives of European countries were bidding for the same masks with duffel bags and suitcases full of euros , he said .
Ultimately , the Aviate employee went to another supplier , he said .
Chinese manufacturers are able to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coals right now , ” said Diane Devine , the owner ’ s spouse , who also provides legal services to the Sacramento-area company .
Her husband said that while masks are usually transported by sea , the urgent need for the supplies in California required the company to airlift them , and the cost of air transport , already many times more expensive than sea transport , has nearly quadrupled since before the crisis .
Raw materials have also gone up , he said .
And he said he has had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trucks filled with masks being robbed on U.S. highways .
He said he had another car he called a “ chase vehicle ” secretly tail the trucks carrying the masks to thwart any theft .
Any seller claiming it can provide the same masks at a much lower price is spouting “ baloney , ” Timothy Devine said .
On March 23 , the corrections department bought 1,200 N95 masks at $ 9 each from AAA Wholesale Co. Inc. , the procurement data show .
David Chang , AAA Wholesale ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the South San Francisco-based company is charged $ 4 to $ 7 for each mask and must pay up front , then carry the shipping costs and wait 30 to 45 days before the state pays for an order .
“ During the time they asked us for a bid , there was absolutely nothing on the marketplace , and I didn ’ t even know we ’ ll even get it , so we just threw in a price , ” Chang said .
“ That one particular time we got lucky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money.
” His company ’ s website currently lists the price of the same masks as $ 49 for a box of 10 — roughly half the price paid by the state .
He said wholesalers are frequently changing the amounts they charge .
Brennen Davis , whose companies Environmental Concepts and Pavement Preservation Specialties in Tehachapi sold 1,436 masks last week at $ 12.74 each to Caltrans , said he purchased them from an American 3M distributor chain located in the South .
Davis said he warned Caltrans that the asking price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total was $ 18,300 , according to state purchasing records .
Davis said the per-mask charge included expedited shipping costs .
Davis declined to say how much he paid for the masks or the name of the supplier .
He said his company , which has a long history of selling asphalt , protective gear and other supplies to Caltrans , made less than 20 % as the middleman .
When pressed during an interview , he said the “ true profit margins were around 15 % .
” In a follow-up email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details of the deal and the “ profit margin is at 10 % , excluding credit card fees and expedited shipping.
” “ Our profit margins are our profit margins , ” Davis said .
“ We weren ’ t price gouging at all .
”

With personal protective equipment in short supply, California agencies are paying steep prices for coveted masks to protect state workers against the spread of the coronavirus.
State agencies — and ultimately California taxpayers — are paying steep prices for coveted masks that protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus as suppliers and middlemen cash in on the global shortage of medical equipment, according to a Times review of hundreds of state contracting records.
State officials are paying more than 300% above list prices as they navigate a marketplace rife with fraud and price gouging in search of millions of masks for healthcare workers, inmates and government employees deemed essential.
Last week, state transportation officials bought more than 1,400 masks at $12.74 each in what was described as an emergency purchase to ensure that road and maintenance workers were protected against the virus. The masks are N95 respirators made by the giant U.S. manufacturer 3M, according to the seller and purchase orders reviewed by The Times.
3M said it has not changed its prices, and the company’s highest suggested list price for common N95 models tops out at $3.40.
The state has little legal protection from price gouging even as authorities decry the practice. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order this month banning large price hikes on medical gear exempts vendors willing to sell to the state or local governments.
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A state spokeswoman said the exemption was necessary so California could buy medical supplies “regardless of price to protect public health,” but the loophole also means there is no limit on what vendors can charge the state.
Officials defend paying the steep prices, saying there is intense competition for masks and the top priority must be protecting state workers.
California Department of Transportation spokesman Matt Rocco said in a statement that the agency’s purchase of masks at more than $12 each was “based on immediate need for the health and safety of its employees. Considering the unprecedented demand and fluctuating circumstances, we are reviewing our processes to determine ways the department can streamline purchasing and obtain a reliable supply at a better cost.”
Government agencies are not alone. Companies and individuals are also paying inflated prices for various types of masks both at stores and street-corner vendors who have popped up in recent weeks.
Most state purchasing records reviewed by The Times made it difficult to determine exact pricing per mask, but in 10 cases, The Times found extraordinary markups on respirators, including on large bulk purchases.
Earlier this month, the healthcare provider at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation ordered 1 million KN95 respirators at $4.78 a mask, a price another supplier said was high. The California Department of Public Health ordered 100,000 masks at $4.60 each last week for a model that 3M says should not cost more than $1.88.
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“Holy moly!” said John Thomas, co-founder of recently formed Blue Flame Medical, which sells personal protective equipment. “These agencies have a duty to obviously procure PPE, but also to get it at a fair market price.”
Where the markups are happening is difficult to pinpoint.
Thomas said it’s possible that sellers are pocketing only a slight markup but that with multiple middlemen involved in a single deal, the price ends up being astronomical.
Some sellers say the bulk of price hikes happens in China, where companies want a full payment before shipment. That leaves some middlemen assuming the risk of sending cash before inspecting the products. Another supplier said he was competing against rival companies — and even countries — that send envoys with bags of cash to bid for supplies.
Brian Ferguson, spokesman for the Office of Emergency Services, said state officials have been compelled to make some high-priced purchases because there is no “reliable source of personal protective equipment.”
“Some of these prices the state is paying are not ideal, they are not what we would pay under typical circumstances,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson said state officials have been inundated with questionable offers to sell them masks, including a demand to pay up front in Bitcoin. More than 6,000 offers to sell equipment have poured in since the state launched a website, covid19supplies.ca.gov, on April 4 to help centralize the process, he said.
Before buying, he said, state officials must determine if the equipment meets government standards and whether the seller is reputable.
“Many offers are not legitimate or don’t meet the threshold for purchasing by the state,” Ferguson said.
State officials, he said, have reported at least one case of suspected fraud to the FBI.
Federal and local law enforcement officials have made a series of arrests related to fraud or price gouging mask deals. The Baldwin Park Police Department announced April 7 that it arrested a Covina man suspected of price gouging during an emergency, saying he was advertising to the public that he had 3M N95 masks for $15 each.
While there is no specific federal law against price gouging, a U.S. Department of Justice task force is using anti-hoarding laws to target suppliers suspected of demanding high prices for stashes of scarce protective equipment.
State officials say that California’s new partnership with a Chinese electric car manufacturer will ensure the state has a steady supply of masks. How much the state will pay for each mask, however, is unknown. The $1-billion deal Newsom announced with BYD has been shrouded in secrecy and is not expected to get masks to California until next month. That leaves the state continuing to scramble in the near term for what masks it can find.
Last month, the Department of General Services, which acts as the state’s business manager, ordered 4,800 masks for $8.25 each. 3M’s highest suggested list price for those masks is $1.88. State procurement data identifies the seller as SecondLifePhones, a company that public records say is run by Saqib Waqar of Los Angeles. Waqar declined to comment.
The department made a second purchase for 4,460 N95 masks from SecondLifePhones earlier this month for $8.25 per mask, but the state’s procurement data do not indicate the model. A department spokeswoman declined to comment or provide a purchase order for either sale.
The procurement data reviewed by The Times show the prison system has ordered millions of masks in recent weeks for its 46,000 staff, including healthcare workers, and 118,000 inmates.
As of Wednesday, 95 prison staffers and 135 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19. On Sunday, an inmate at the California Institution for Men in San Bernardino County became the first in the state to die from complications related to the virus.
Dana Simas, a corrections department spokeswoman, said the prison system is working “diligently to ensure our staff have the equipment necessary to protect the health and safety of all those who live and work in our state prisons.”
“We are exploring vendors at all levels — local, state, national and international — to help meet our supply needs at the best possible price available in line with local and global market pricing,” Simas said.
Simas said one company offered to sell KN95 masks for $13 each on a large order, which the department declined.
The KN95, a Chinese alternative that is supposed to match the gold standard of the N95’s filtration rate, is new to American healthcare supply chains, said Ryan Curtis, vice president at Boss Safety Products. Curtis said his company hasn’t significantly changed prices on N95 masks since before the pandemic, saying it was a matter of business ethics. But traditional sellers such as his company are sold out.
Timothy Devine, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who owns Aviate Enterprises, the company that sold the state 1 million KN95 masks for prison healthcare workers at $4.78 each, said his profit margin was between only 2% and 4%.
Chinese manufacturers have been able to hike prices because of the global demand, he said. While searching for masks to complete the order, one of his employees visited a manufacturer in Shanghai, where representatives of European countries were bidding for the same masks with duffel bags and suitcases full of euros, he said. Ultimately, the Aviate employee went to another supplier, he said.
Chinese manufacturers are able to “rake [American customers] over the coals right now,” said Diane Devine, the owner’s spouse, who also provides legal services to the Sacramento-area company.
Her husband said that while masks are usually transported by sea, the urgent need for the supplies in California required the company to airlift them, and the cost of air transport, already many times more expensive than sea transport, has nearly quadrupled since before the crisis. Raw materials have also gone up, he said.
And he said he has had to take additional security measures after hearing stories of trucks filled with masks being robbed on U.S. highways. He said he had another car he called a “chase vehicle” secretly tail the trucks carrying the masks to thwart any theft.
Any seller claiming it can provide the same masks at a much lower price is spouting “baloney,” Timothy Devine said.
On March 23, the corrections department bought 1,200 N95 masks at $9 each from AAA Wholesale Co. Inc., the procurement data show.
David Chang, AAA Wholesale’s president, said in an email that the South San Francisco-based company is charged $4 to $7 for each mask and must pay up front, then carry the shipping costs and wait 30 to 45 days before the state pays for an order.
“During the time they asked us for a bid, there was absolutely nothing on the marketplace, and I didn’t even know we’ll even get it, so we just threw in a price,” Chang said. “That one particular time we got lucky, and we did make a little money.”
His company’s website currently lists the price of the same masks as $49 for a box of 10 — roughly half the price paid by the state. He said wholesalers are frequently changing the amounts they charge.
Brennen Davis, whose companies Environmental Concepts and Pavement Preservation Specialties in Tehachapi sold 1,436 masks last week at $12.74 each to Caltrans, said he purchased them from an American 3M distributor chain located in the South.
Davis said he warned Caltrans that the asking price from his supplier was steep. The total was $18,300, according to state purchasing records. Davis said the per-mask charge included expedited shipping costs.
Davis declined to say how much he paid for the masks or the name of the supplier.
He said his company, which has a long history of selling asphalt, protective gear and other supplies to Caltrans, made less than 20% as the middleman. When pressed during an interview, he said the “true profit margins were around 15%.”
In a follow-up email, Davis said he looked into the details of the deal and the “profit margin is at 10%, excluding credit card fees and expedited shipping.”
“Our profit margins are our profit margins,” Davis said. “We weren’t price gouging at all.”


latimes--2020-04-23--Newsom sued over coronavirus aid plan for California immigrants who lack legal status

A conservative group has sued California Gov .
Gavin Newsom to block his allocation of $ 75 million to provide financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic to immigrants in the country illegally who don ’ t qualify for unemployment insurance .
The nonprofit Center for American Liberty filed an emergency petition with the California Supreme Court requesting a stay on the governor ’ s action , arguing state and federal laws bar unemployment benefits to those without legal status and that providing the money to nonprofit groups represents an improper gift of taxpayer funds .
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ricardo Benitez , an immigrant from El Salvador who is now a U.S. citizen .
Both plaintiffs are Republican candidates for the state Assembly .
Benitez is running to represent the 39th Assembly District in the San Fernando Valley and Martinez is vying to represent the 57th Assembly District in the southern San Gabriel Valley .
“ This is taxpayer money that may only be appropriated by the legislative branch .
This is not a slush fund for the governor to spend as he sees fit , ” Harmeet K. Dhillon , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Center for American Liberty , said in a written statement Thursday .
“ At a time when law-abiding Californians are crushed by unemployment , housing issues , business closures and massive limitations on our normal lives , Governor Newsom is doing an end-run around the legal guardrails in place.
” A representative for the governor disputed the lawsuit , which was filed Wednesday , and said the state would fight the challenge in court .
“ California is taking legally justified and morally necessary action to assist all Californians impacted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a spokesman for Newsom .
“ These actions benefit public health and the economic well-being of families and communities hit hardest by this pandemic .
We look forward to defending what we know to be right in court.
” Newsom announced on April 16 that the state was providing the $ 75 million , to be supplemented with $ 50 million from nonprofit groups , to provide $ 500 to each immigrant without legal status and up to $ 1,000 per household .
“ We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still addressing the essential needs of tens of millions of Californians ” in food gathering and other tasks , Newsom said at the time .
Under the program , applications for assistance would be accepted starting next month and the money will be distributed by regional nonprofit groups so that the personal information of those receiving the money would not be kept by the government .
The governor did not identify all of the nonprofits , but said they include those founded by Laurene Powell Jobs , the widow of Apple co-founder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mark Zuckerberg and his wife , Dr. Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg .
“ There is no accountability over the distribution of these funds to individuals legally not entitled to cash benefits , ” Dhillon said .
In addition to that suit , Dhillon ’ s group sued the state last week to challenge restrictions on religious services under the governor ’ s stay-at-home order .

California Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a legal challenge to his plan to provide $500 each to immigrants in the country illegally to assist them during the state shutdown over the coronavirus pandemic.
A conservative group has sued California Gov. Gavin Newsom to block his allocation of $75 million to provide financial help during the COVID-19 pandemic to immigrants in the country illegally who don’t qualify for unemployment insurance.
The nonprofit Center for American Liberty filed an emergency petition with the California Supreme Court requesting a stay on the governor’s action, arguing state and federal laws bar unemployment benefits to those without legal status and that providing the money to nonprofit groups represents an improper gift of taxpayer funds.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Whittier City Councilwoman Jessica Martinez and Ricardo Benitez, an immigrant from El Salvador who is now a U.S. citizen. Both plaintiffs are Republican candidates for the state Assembly. Benitez is running to represent the 39th Assembly District in the San Fernando Valley and Martinez is vying to represent the 57th Assembly District in the southern San Gabriel Valley.
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“This is taxpayer money that may only be appropriated by the legislative branch. This is not a slush fund for the governor to spend as he sees fit,” Harmeet K. Dhillon, a San Francisco attorney and chief executive officer for the Center for American Liberty, said in a written statement Thursday. “At a time when law-abiding Californians are crushed by unemployment, housing issues, business closures and massive limitations on our normal lives, Governor Newsom is doing an end-run around the legal guardrails in place.”
A representative for the governor disputed the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday, and said the state would fight the challenge in court.
“California is taking legally justified and morally necessary action to assist all Californians impacted by COVID-19,” said Jesse Melgar, a spokesman for Newsom. “These actions benefit public health and the economic well-being of families and communities hit hardest by this pandemic. We look forward to defending what we know to be right in court.”
Newsom announced on April 16 that the state was providing the $75 million, to be supplemented with $50 million from nonprofit groups, to provide $500 to each immigrant without legal status and up to $1,000 per household.
California Coronavirus prompts Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend California’s plastic bag ban Newsom announced Thursday that he signed an executive order to suspend the 2016 plastic bag ban for 60 days after hearing concerns from the California Grocers Assn. about shoppers bringing reusable bags from home.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportation but are still addressing the essential needs of tens of millions of Californians” in food gathering and other tasks, Newsom said at the time.
Under the program, applications for assistance would be accepted starting next month and the money will be distributed by regional nonprofit groups so that the personal information of those receiving the money would not be kept by the government.
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The governor did not identify all of the nonprofits, but said they include those founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, and by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Dr. Priscilla Chan Zuckerberg.
“There is no accountability over the distribution of these funds to individuals legally not entitled to cash benefits,” Dhillon said.
In addition to that suit, Dhillon’s group sued the state last week to challenge restrictions on religious services under the governor’s stay-at-home order.


latimes--2020-04-23--As heat wave sizzles in Southern California, out-of-towners urged to avoid beaches

Southern California ’ s first heat wave of the year is poised to bring scorching temperatures that could break records in Los Angeles County by the weekend .
Temperatures are expected to peak Friday and Saturday , when it could reach 95 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and 102 in the Coachella Valley .
Inland cities across L.A. and Orange counties can expect to bake , with temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal through Saturday , according to the National Weather Service .
“ These are very warm conditions for this time of year , ” said Rich Thompson , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oxnard .
“ We have some high pressure off the California coast that ’ s keeping things clear and a northerly offshore wind that ’ s allowing things to warm up significantly over the next few days.
” The unseasonably warm weather prompted forecasters to issue a heat advisory , warning of high temperatures that could cause illness .
The advisory , to be in place from 11 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday , includes much of Los Angeles County , Orange County and the Inland Empire .
Temperatures are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — through the middle of next week , Thompson said .
Forecasters suggest people drink plenty of fluids , stay in an air-conditioned space , stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors when it ’ s safe .
When possible , strenuous outdoor activities should be done in the early morning or evening when temperatures are the lowest , Thompson said .
The springtime heat wave could rewrite the record books .
Los Angeles International Airport , downtown L.A. and Pasadena are all poised to break decades-old records over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 comes amid the coronavirus pandemic and public health orders that have closed many outdoor recreation areas , including parks , pools and beaches where people typically flock to cool off during warm weather .
Beaches and trails across L.A. County remain closed , but some nearby counties still have stretches of sand open .
However , public health officials are warning people not to travel to the coast this weekend and maintain social distancing in an effort to stem the spread of the virus .
Orange County officials debated this week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coastal residents raised concerns about out-of-towners descending on their communities in droves .
Since surrounding counties have completely shuttered their beaches , Orange County has been inundated with people from L.A. and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire , Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said this week .
“ When you take a look at the folks that are coming down , they ’ re not only not adhering to Safer-at-Home policies in their own communities , they ’ re not even staying in their own counties .
Especially with the warm weather , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be problematic , ” she said .
Orange County officials ultimately decided to keep beaches open but left in place parking restrictions that will reduce access .
The city of Ventura eased its hard closure on parks and beaches this week .
Under the , residents can access the city ’ s beaches , pier , promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and keep moving .
People can walk on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit or to stand against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a socially responsible manner while we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19 , ” Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere said .

Point Mugu – Closed: A surfer flies off his board to end a ride at Point Mugu State Park in Ventura County. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Point Mugu – Closed: California State Parks Ranger David Gunn warns visitors at Point Mugu that parking is not allowed due to coronavirus and social distancing restrictions. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Point Mugu – Closed: Visitors don’t seem to be observing social distancing restrictions on April 11 at Point Mugu. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Hueneme Beach – Open: Brian Ledis of Westlake Village gives surfing lessons to his 8-year-old son Rowan at Hueneme Beach. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Hueneme Beach – Open: Sisters Emily, 7, and Hazel Enholm, 4, spent the day at Hueneme Beach, which had a soft opening with restrictions as Ventura County modified its stay-at-home order. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Hermosa Beach – Closed: Holly Martin, right, who works at Snapchat, brought her laptop to Noble Park in Hermosa Beach to get some work done in the sun. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Hermosa Beach – Closed: Daryl Presley and his son, Indy, 3, of Torrance play in the sand of Noble Park in Hermosa Beach. (Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times)
Malibu – Closed: A jogger and her dog run on a closed Westward Beach Road at Westward Beach in Malibu. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
San Clemente – Open: Aerial view of the previously closed San Clemente pier and beach on April 8. The city is reopening the beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach – Open: Unable to go to the gym, Jeff Spirk, 31, of Huntington Beach does pull-ups on a lifeguard tower. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach – Open: Cailin Healy, right, of Calabasas and a friend take a selfie together in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Huntington Beach – Open: Beachgoers enjoying warm summer-like weather appear to be keeping their distance in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Hermosa Beach – Closed: The only one surfing was a statue of surfer Dewey Weber as a visitor walks near The Strand which has been closed to stop people from gathering to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Hermosa Beach. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Manhattan Beach – Closed: Waves are minus surfers next to a closed bike path in Manhattan Beach. Even with the warm weather, the majority of beachgoers and surfers stayed away from beaches that have been closed to stop crowds from gathering to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
Venice Beach – Closed: Beachgoers never run out of ways to have fun. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Venice Beach – Closed: The setting sun casts a dark golden hue over everything. Southern California beaches are expected to draw crowds this weekend as an early heat wave hits its peak on Saturday and Sunday, even though much of the shoreline remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Venice Beach – Closed: Beachgoers enjoy the sun and sand along the boardwalk in Venice Beach. Southern California beaches are expected to draw crowds this weekend as an early heat wave hits its peak on Saturday and Sunday, even though much of the shoreline remains closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
Broad Beach – Closed: Beachgoers walk on Broad Beach in Malibu. To fend off coronavirus contagion, Los Angeles County has kept beaches closed. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Southern California’s first heat wave of the year is poised to bring scorching temperatures that could break records in Los Angeles County by the weekend.
Temperatures are expected to peak Friday and Saturday, when it could reach 95 degrees in downtown Los Angeles and 102 in the Coachella Valley. Inland cities across L.A. and Orange counties can expect to bake, with temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal through Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
“These are very warm conditions for this time of year,” said Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “We have some high pressure off the California coast that’s keeping things clear and a northerly offshore wind that’s allowing things to warm up significantly over the next few days.”
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The unseasonably warm weather prompted forecasters to issue a heat advisory, warning of high temperatures that could cause illness. The advisory, to be in place from 11 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday, includes much of Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Temperatures are expected to remain above normal — into the mid-80s — through the middle of next week, Thompson said.
Forecasters suggest people drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned space, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors when it’s safe. When possible, strenuous outdoor activities should be done in the early morning or evening when temperatures are the lowest, Thompson said.
The springtime heat wave could rewrite the record books. Los Angeles International Airport, downtown L.A. and Pasadena are all poised to break decades-old records over the weekend.
The first scorcher of 2020 comes amid the coronavirus pandemic and public health orders that have closed many outdoor recreation areas, including parks, pools and beaches where people typically flock to cool off during warm weather.
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Beaches and trails across L.A. County remain closed, but some nearby counties still have stretches of sand open. However, public health officials are warning people not to travel to the coast this weekend and maintain social distancing in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Orange County officials debated this week whether to close beaches and trails during the upcoming heat wave after coastal residents raised concerns about out-of-towners descending on their communities in droves. Since surrounding counties have completely shuttered their beaches, Orange County has been inundated with people from L.A. and San Diego counties and the Inland Empire, Supervisor Lisa Bartlett said this week.
“When you take a look at the folks that are coming down, they’re not only not adhering to Safer-at-Home policies in their own communities, they’re not even staying in their own counties. Especially with the warm weather, I think it’s going to be problematic,” she said.
Orange County officials ultimately decided to keep beaches open but left in place parking restrictions that will reduce access.
The city of Ventura eased its hard closure on parks and beaches this week.
Under the amended rules , residents can access the city’s beaches, pier, promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and keep moving. People can walk on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit or to stand against the railing to fish, for example.
“We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a socially responsible manner while we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere said.


latimes--2020-04-23--Column: Coronavirus disposable gloves are trashing us. Don't make us all pick up after you

We need to talk about those blue , black and white disposable gloves now littering our streets , our sidewalks , our green spaces and our supermarket parking lots .
Gloves in critically short supply that people desperate to stave off the coronavirus took the trouble to hunt down and purchase and awkwardly wriggle their fingers into — but then tossed out , not caring who might have to come behind and pick them up and potentially put themselves at risk by doing so .
Every time I go on a walk , I now have to step over gloves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in abandoned carts outside my supermarket .
I ’ ve seen them thrown on people ’ s lawns .
They can look oddly alive .
Their fingers sometimes seem to point this way and that .
A British photographer already has begun to document them as an art project to convey the time we are living in .
But sidestepping them in real life has an ick factor akin to encountering a used condom or hypodermic needle .
The tossed gloves are all over L.A. , I ’ m told .
But not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country , all over the world .
Just search social media and news reports .
And it isn ’ t just gloves .
It ’ s also masks .
Though more gloves than masks .
So many gloves .
So many gloves have been tossed out on residential streets that I can ’ t help but wonder how many ordinary people stockpiled them — even while hearing reports that doctors and nurses needed them , needed them not to go to the supermarket or to accept a takeout delivery without squirming but to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus .
( It ’ s worth noting , by the way , that experts keep warning us ordinary Joes that wearing the gloves may do us more harm than good . )
In earlier eras , a dropped glove might mean time to duel ( as in throw down the gauntlet ) or flirt ( when delicately slipping through the fingers of an Elizabethan lady ) .
A colleague of mine , when I brought up the gloves , mentioned a social media account that predates the pandemic called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracks dropped winter gloves , with the idea that “ where you see a lost glove , you find a cold hand.
” I keep thinking about what today ’ s dropped gloves , which I often see fewer than 10 steps from trash bins , signal about us right now .
To me , they are emblematic of a certain still not uncommon self-centeredness .
I ’ ll take care of me .
I ’ ll try to keep myself safe .
But that ’ s it .
I won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not my problem .
It ’ s the same attitude I ’ ve seen and noted from some about social distancing and wearing masks .
I ’ ll block the center of the supermarket aisle .
I ’ ll stake out the middle of the sidewalk .
I ’ ll run right past you without warning .
I won ’ t wear a mask .
I won ’ t move out of your way .
I won ’ t protect you from me .
That ’ s entirely up to you .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other people — the house cleaner , the staff , janitorial crews — doing for them .
Perhaps they ’ re struggling to adjust to this new reality when we all should be doing for ourselves and each other .
It ’ s an attitude that says screw you — as those people do who walk their dogs off leash and refuse to pick up after them .
It ’ s an attitude that screams : The rules that apply to the rest of society don ’ t apply to me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ just about every day when I watch the president give his briefings .
No , the president won ’ t wear a mask : “ You can do it .
You don ’ t have to do it .
I ’ m choosing not to do it.
” No , the president ’ s not going to stand six feet away .
Just watch his hulking presence right next to the person speaking at the podium , he ’ s not .
Attitude , though , is one thing .
I have other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When it comes to pollution , right now I fear we ’ re going two ways at once .
We ’ re mostly staying home , not driving our cars .
And we ’ re celebrating our empty streets , our cleaner air , the wondrous reemergence of wild animals who usually hide from our hordes .
But we ’ re also making use of so many non-biodegradable items , like these nitrile and latex gloves and disposal masks , which often contain plastics and metal .
Citing safety , our grocery stores @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bags — which only recently we were required to do unless we wanted to pay for theirs .
Now we ’ re toting home paper and plastic bags that many of us probably are throwing straight out — rather than reusing or recycling — afraid of who touched them before us .
And ditto for takeout containers .
When I see gloves dropped in our streets , as I do every day now , I think of them making their way into our storm drains and then possibly into the ocean .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there in trash vortexes along with our once-again profligate plastic bags , long after this pandemic has come and gone .
If you feel the need to wear the gloves , I understand .
We all are trying to stay safe .
But if you ’ re wearing them , do us all a favor .
Take them off and dispose of them safely .
Do it to show that you care about more than just yourself .
Do it to protect others .
Do it to help make these days fade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Clockwise from upper left: A discarded mask rests among flowers outside of a grocery store in Gardena; a protective glove worn floats in Newport Harbor; a discarded glove sits along a road in La Crescenta; and a discarded glove on the ground on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles.
Gloves.
We need to talk about those blue, black and white disposable gloves now littering our streets, our sidewalks, our green spaces and our supermarket parking lots.
Used gloves. Soiled gloves. Potentially infected gloves.
Gloves in critically short supply that people desperate to stave off the coronavirus took the trouble to hunt down and purchase and awkwardly wriggle their fingers into — but then tossed out, not caring who might have to come behind and pick them up and potentially put themselves at risk by doing so.
Every time I go on a walk, I now have to step over gloves. I’ve seen them sitting in abandoned carts outside my supermarket. I’ve seen them thrown on people’s lawns. They can look oddly alive. Their fingers sometimes seem to point this way and that.
Advertisement
A British photographer already has begun to document them as an art project to convey the time we are living in. But sidestepping them in real life has an ick factor akin to encountering a used condom or hypodermic needle.
A discarded nitrile glove mimicking the Hawaiian “shaka” is seen left on the street in Hollywood. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
The tossed gloves are all over L.A., I’m told. But not just all over L.A. All over the country, all over the world. Just search social media and news reports. And it isn’t just gloves. It’s also masks. Though more gloves than masks. So many gloves.
So many gloves have been tossed out on residential streets that I can’t help but wonder how many ordinary people stockpiled them — even while hearing reports that doctors and nurses needed them, needed them not to go to the supermarket or to accept a takeout delivery without squirming but to stay safe and protected while treating patients with the virus. (It’s worth noting, by the way, that experts keep warning us ordinary Joes that wearing the gloves may do us more harm than good.)
If you are wearing disposable gloves while out for essentials, please throw them *in the trash* not on the ground. pic.twitter.com/ZQ7Wz72vVY — Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) April 21, 2020
In earlier eras, a dropped glove might mean time to duel (as in throw down the gauntlet) or flirt (when delicately slipping through the fingers of an Elizabethan lady).
A colleague of mine, when I brought up the gloves, mentioned a social media account that predates the pandemic called “Lost Gloves for Lost People” that tracks dropped winter gloves, with the idea that “where you see a lost glove, you find a cold hand.”
Advertisement
I keep thinking about what today’s dropped gloves, which I often see fewer than 10 steps from trash bins, signal about us right now.
To me, they are emblematic of a certain still not uncommon self-centeredness. I’ll take care of me. I’ll try to keep myself safe. But that’s it. I won’t worry about you. You’re not my problem.
It’s the same attitude I’ve seen and noted from some about social distancing and wearing masks. I’ll block the center of the supermarket aisle. I’ll stake out the middle of the sidewalk. I’ll run right past you without warning. I won’t wear a mask. I won’t move out of your way. I won’t protect you from me. That’s entirely up to you.
It’s an attitude of people accustomed to other people — the house cleaner, the staff, janitorial crews — doing for them. Perhaps they’re struggling to adjust to this new reality when we all should be doing for ourselves and each other.
It’s an attitude that says screw you — as those people do who walk their dogs off leash and refuse to pick up after them.
It’s an attitude that screams: The rules that apply to the rest of society don’t apply to me.
It’s an attitude I see just about every day when I watch the president give his briefings.
No, the president won’t wear a mask: “You can do it. You don’t have to do it. I’m choosing not to do it.” No, the president’s not going to stand six feet away. Just watch his hulking presence right next to the person speaking at the podium, he’s not.
.@BostonPWD is working hard every day to keep our City clean during the #COVID19 pandemic. Help them out by properly disposing of surgical masks, gloves and other trash and do NOT litter. https://t.co/LB945PsNv7 — Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) April 13, 2020
Attitude, though, is one thing. I have other, perhaps more lasting, worries.
When it comes to pollution, right now I fear we’re going two ways at once. We’re mostly staying home, not driving our cars. And we’re celebrating our empty streets, our cleaner air, the wondrous reemergence of wild animals who usually hide from our hordes.
But we’re also making use of so many non-biodegradable items, like these nitrile and latex gloves and disposal masks, which often contain plastics and metal.
Citing safety, our grocery stores have stopped letting us bring our own bags — which only recently we were required to do unless we wanted to pay for theirs. Now we’re toting home paper and plastic bags that many of us probably are throwing straight out — rather than reusing or recycling — afraid of who touched them before us. And ditto for takeout containers.
When I see gloves dropped in our streets, as I do every day now, I think of them making their way into our storm drains and then possibly into the ocean. I think of them swirling by the thousands out there in trash vortexes along with our once-again profligate plastic bags, long after this pandemic has come and gone.
If you feel the need to wear the gloves, I understand. We all are trying to stay safe.
But if you’re wearing them, do us all a favor. Take them off and dispose of them safely. Do it to show that you care about more than just yourself. Do it to protect others.
Do it to help make these days fade into memory, not haunt us permanently.


latimes--2020-04-23--Some cities want to reopen restaurants, churches as first step in easing stay-at-home orders

More California communities are asking Gov .
Gavin Newsom to ease stay-at-home restrictions even as state officials say there still is no firm timetable to safely do so .
A group of cities in Stanislaus County sent Newsom a letter proposing some steps to loosen restrictions , saying “ a reopening process that may fit , and make sense , for Los Angeles and our neighboring Bay Area regions does not work for our county .
Stanislaus County is nothing like the regions of San Francisco or Los Angeles.
” The cities suggested a first phase of reopening parks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants , car washes and some other businesses , all following strict social distancing rules .
“ Restaurants would have seating limitations and operate on a reservation only basis ; and automatic car washers would be reopened with similar precautions currently in place for drive through restaurant service and drive through COVID19 testing facilities , ” they said in the letter .
As for houses of worship , the cities said they would require “ social distancing , prohibition of Communion , passing the collection plate , hand shaking including the peace greeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congregates and the worship leader.
” Newsom and other health officials have resisted the calls to reopen , saying the decision needs to be guided by science .
“ I wish I could prescribe a specific date to say , well , we can turn up the light switch and go back to normalcy , ” Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Wednesday .
“ We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch .
And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you demand and deserve.
” California was the first state to issue stay-at-home orders , and experts have said it has helped the state bend the coronavirus curve .
California has seen far fewer coronavirus deaths than hot spots like New York and New Jersey , and hospitals have not been overwhelmed by patients .
Experts have said reopening too soon could cause more illnesses and ultimately hurt the economy more in the long run .
Newsom on Wednesday of coronavirus testing capability throughout California , saying the findings will be critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s strict stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work .
But , he said , the prospect of lifting the restrictions becomes more feasible with widespread testing .
The data will increase the ability of public health officials to closely track potential cases , an essential requirement for California to ease into the next phase of the pandemic while still stemming the spread of the virus .
The Newsom administration last week highlighted the governor ’ s stay-at-home order .
In addition to increased testing , they include acquiring the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; preparing hospitals to handle surges ; developing therapies to meet demand ; ensuring schools , businesses and child-care facilities can support social distancing ; and developing guidelines for when to ask Californians to stay home again if necessary .
“ I deeply recognize , deeply understand the desire for people to hear directly from the administration , from the state and its leadership , about the answer to when , when can we go back to some semblance of normalcy , ” Newsom said Wednesday .
Earlier this week , officials in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin a slow and gradual reopening process , one they say is guided by science but also recognition that the region might be in better shape to ease stay-at-home rules faster than more populous hot spots like Los Angeles County and Silicon Valley .
Sutter County officials sent a similar request to the governor .
Some top local officials , including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti , have urged patience , expressing concern that lifting the order too soon could cause more outbreaks and hurt the economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know many of you are feeling frustrated or wondering when we ’ ll be able to lift the safer at home order .
But lifting the restrictions too soon could risk lives , ” .
Some experts have said allowing parts of California to reopen before others raises challenges .
“ The problem with counties coming up piecemeal is about whether they create magnets , ” said Dr. George Rutherford , a UC San Francisco epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert .
There are situations in which a tailored , nuanced approach may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Kim-Farley , medical epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health .
First , counties would need to show there ’ s adequate testing available , and there ’ s plenty of hospital capacity .
And cases , hospitalizations and deaths would need to be declining consistently before loosening the rules can begin .
“ So if they start to take away some of these physical distancing measures , they have some room , if you will , to start a little bit of [ coronavirus ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Kim-Farley said .
Kim-Farley said he could envision ways of keeping physical distancing in place while allowing more businesses to open , like requiring sporting goods stores to follow the same rules essential businesses now follow in some counties — require people to wear face coverings and limit the number of people inside .
The same concept might apply to beaches and parks — allowing people to go for a walk or a swim , but barring gatherings of large groups , Kim-Farley said .
The city of Ventura eased a hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
But the city has not asked Newsom to lift any of the more stringent statewide stay-at-home orders , which remain in effect across Ventura County .
Under an , residents can now access the city ’ s beaches , pier , promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active .
People can walk back and forth on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish , for example .
The city ’ s two golf courses also are slated to open by Friday , with changes that promote physical distancing and limited contact with employees with personal protective equipment , according to city spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay .
Playgrounds , picnic areas , parking lots , pools and recreational courts and fields will remain closed .
Orange and Riverside counties also reopened golf courses , but with restrictions .

Luke Money, Rong-Gong Lin II, Priscella Vega, Phil Willon

A group of protesters, including Alma Villanueva, left, and Gigi Wilcox, right, stage a vehicle caravan protest April 22 in downtown Los Angeles calling on state and local officials to reopen the economy.
More California communities are asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to ease stay-at-home restrictions even as state officials say there still is no firm timetable to safely do so.
A group of cities in Stanislaus County sent Newsom a letter proposing some steps to loosen restrictions, saying “a reopening process that may fit, and make sense, for Los Angeles and our neighboring Bay Area regions does not work for our county. Stanislaus County is nothing like the regions of San Francisco or Los Angeles.”
The cities suggested a first phase of reopening parks, churches and other houses of worship, restaurants, car washes and some other businesses, all following strict social distancing rules.
Advertisement
“Restaurants would have seating limitations and operate on a reservation only basis; and automatic car washers would be reopened with similar precautions currently in place for drive through restaurant service and drive through COVID19 testing facilities,” they said in the letter.
As for houses of worship, the cities said they would require “social distancing, prohibition of Communion, passing the collection plate, hand shaking including the peace greeting, and any hugging or contact between congregates and the worship leader.”
Newsom and other health officials have resisted the calls to reopen, saying the decision needs to be guided by science.
“I wish I could prescribe a specific date to say, well, we can turn up the light switch and go back to normalcy,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. “We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch. And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve.”
California was the first state to issue stay-at-home orders, and experts have said it has helped the state bend the coronavirus curve. California has seen far fewer coronavirus deaths than hot spots like New York and New Jersey, and hospitals have not been overwhelmed by patients. Experts have said reopening too soon could cause more illnesses and ultimately hurt the economy more in the long run.
Advertisement
Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout California, saying the findings will be critical to deciding when to ease the state’s strict stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work.
But, he said, the prospect of lifting the restrictions becomes more feasible with widespread testing. The data will increase the ability of public health officials to closely track potential cases, an essential requirement for California to ease into the next phase of the pandemic while still stemming the spread of the virus.
The Newsom administration last week highlighted six key indicators for altering the governor’s stay-at-home order. In addition to increased testing, they include acquiring the ability to prevent infection of high-risk people; preparing hospitals to handle surges; developing therapies to meet demand; ensuring schools, businesses and child-care facilities can support social distancing; and developing guidelines for when to ask Californians to stay home again if necessary.
“I deeply recognize, deeply understand the desire for people to hear directly from the administration, from the state and its leadership, about the answer to when, when can we go back to some semblance of normalcy,” Newsom said Wednesday.
Earlier this week, officials in San Luis Obispo County asked Newsom to begin a slow and gradual reopening process, one they say is guided by science but also recognition that the region might be in better shape to ease stay-at-home rules faster than more populous hot spots like Los Angeles County and Silicon Valley.
Sutter County officials sent a similar request to the governor.
Some top local officials, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, have urged patience, expressing concern that lifting the order too soon could cause more outbreaks and hurt the economy more in the long run.
“I know many of you are feeling frustrated or wondering when we’ll be able to lift the safer at home order. But lifting the restrictions too soon could risk lives,” Garcetti said Monday .
Some experts have said allowing parts of California to reopen before others raises challenges.
“The problem with counties coming up piecemeal is about whether they create magnets,” said Dr. George Rutherford, a UC San Francisco epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert.
There are situations in which a tailored, nuanced approach may be appropriate by region, said Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, medical epidemiologist and infectious diseases expert at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
First, counties would need to show there’s adequate testing available, and there’s plenty of hospital capacity. And cases, hospitalizations and deaths would need to be declining consistently before loosening the rules can begin.
“So if they start to take away some of these physical distancing measures, they have some room, if you will, to start a little bit of [coronavirus] growth upwards without overloading their system,” Kim-Farley said.
Kim-Farley said he could envision ways of keeping physical distancing in place while allowing more businesses to open, like requiring sporting goods stores to follow the same rules essential businesses now follow in some counties — require people to wear face coverings and limit the number of people inside.
The same concept might apply to beaches and parks — allowing people to go for a walk or a swim, but barring gatherings of large groups, Kim-Farley said.
The city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches this week in an effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic. But the city has not asked Newsom to lift any of the more stringent statewide stay-at-home orders, which remain in effect across Ventura County.
Under an amended ordinance , residents can now access the city’s beaches, pier, promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active. People can walk back and forth on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit down, or stand against the railing to fish, for example.
The city’s two golf courses also are slated to open by Friday, with changes that promote physical distancing and limited contact with employees with personal protective equipment, according to city spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay.
Playgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, pools and recreational courts and fields will remain closed.
Orange and Riverside counties also reopened golf courses, but with restrictions.


latimes--2020-04-23--Newsom says California shutdown to continue, but Ventura County eases stay-at-home order

The city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches this week in effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Under an , residents can now access the city ’ s beaches , pier , promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active .
People can walk back and forth on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit down , or stand against the railing to fish , for example .
The city ’ s two golf courses also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with changes that promote physical distancing and limited contact with employees with personal protective equipment , according to city spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay .
Playgrounds , picnic areas , parking lots , pools and recreational courts and fields will remain closed .
“ The city has some of the lowest COVID-19 rates in Ventura County because of the hard work and sacrifices made by our residents , ” Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere said in a statement .
“ We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of COVID-19.
” With a in Southern California this week , the ordinance includes a three-tiered approach that gives police authority to indefinitely close off an area if visitors ignore rules three times .
For example , if the promenade becomes overcrowded and residents ignore physical distancing guidelines , police can shut down the area for 24 hours .
That would be the first strike .
A second strike would close the area for 48 hours ; a third strike would close it for the remainder of the local emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Well At Home order , allowing businesses to reopen physical locations with up to 10 workers as long as they did not serve the public .
Golf courses and bicycle shops also have been allowed to reopen , along with in-person sales of vehicles .
Dr. Robert Levin , the county ’ s public health officer , stressed that residents are still required to stay home as much as possible and must practice social distancing when visiting essential businesses .
As of Thursday , Ventura County had reported 451 total coronavirus cases and @ @ @

The city of Ventura eased a hard closure on parks and beaches this week in effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Under an amended ordinance , residents can now access the city’s beaches, pier, promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active. People can walk back and forth on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit down, or stand against the railing to fish, for example.
The city’s two golf courses also are slated to open by Friday, with changes that promote physical distancing and limited contact with employees with personal protective equipment, according to city spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay.
Playgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, pools and recreational courts and fields will remain closed.
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Brian Ledis of Westlake Village gives surfing lessons to his 8-year-old son, Rowan, at Port Hueneme on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
“The city has some of the lowest COVID-19 rates in Ventura County because of the hard work and sacrifices made by our residents,” Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere said in a statement. “We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a socially-responsible manner while we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
With a heat wave expected to arrive in Southern California this week, the ordinance includes a three-tiered approach that gives police authority to indefinitely close off an area if visitors ignore rules three times.
For example, if the promenade becomes overcrowded and residents ignore physical distancing guidelines, police can shut down the area for 24 hours. That would be the first strike. A second strike would close the area for 48 hours; a third strike would close it for the remainder of the local emergency.
Sisters Emily Enholm, 7, and Hazel, 4, at the beach in Port Hueneme on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Ventura County officials also recently amended their Stay Well At Home order, allowing businesses to reopen physical locations with up to 10 workers as long as they did not serve the public. Golf courses and bicycle shops also have been allowed to reopen, along with in-person sales of vehicles.
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Dr. Robert Levin, the county’s public health officer, stressed that residents are still required to stay home as much as possible and must practice social distancing when visiting essential businesses.
As of Thursday, Ventura County had reported 451 total coronavirus cases and 14 deaths.
The driving range at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Jessica Hemmy has her son Carter, 3, hit the “walk” button alongside brother Logan, 5, in downtown Ventura on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
At the beach in Port Hueneme on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Shoppers in downtown Ventura on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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Sun and sand in Port Hueneme. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Main Street in Ventura on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A sign of the times in Ventura. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Greg Thomas picks up lunch from Samantha Madec at Lure Fish House in downtown Ventura on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Gustavo Gutierrez mops the showroom floor with disinfectant at reopened Ventura Toyota. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Yoeli Barag buys breakfast from Nora Nancy at Busy Bee Diner in Ventura on Wednesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
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Brian Ledis of Westlake Village with son Rowan on the beach in Port Hueneme. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)


latimes--2020-04-23--Nursing homes want to be held harmless for death toll. Here's why Newsom may help them

For weeks , nursing homes have been the epicenter of coronavirus outbreaks and deaths in California , making them prime targets for civil lawsuits and even criminal prosecutions .
But the nursing home industry has some leverage to fend off legal action : California needs these nursing homes to relieve pressure on hospitals statewide .
Well aware of that reality , the healthcare industry has been lobbying Gov .
Gavin Newsom to sign a it has drafted that would shield nursing homes and senior care facilities , as well as doctors and hospitals , from lawsuits and prosecutions .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other governors nationwide .
The push for broad immunity is coming from “ the entire healthcare provider industry , which is a powerful lobby in Sacramento , ” said Michael Dark , a staff lawyer with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform .
Newsom ’ s office did not reply to requests for comment , but lawyers anticipate he will eventually approve some version of the order .
That would bring relief not just to the nursing home industry but also to hospitals that depend upon them as transfer points for recently released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
But Newsom is also under pressure from senior-care watchdogs and families who have lost loved ones to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes .
They are now livid that an industry they see as reckless and profit-driven could be bailed out at this moment .
“ It is shameful , ” said John Burris , a civil rights lawyer representing a family who lost a loved one in an Alameda County nursing home .
“ It incentivizes bad conduct.
” The state ’ s health department last week and reported they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who have died in Los Angeles County were residents of long-term care facilities ; more than 70 % of the deaths in Long Beach have been of nursing home residents .
Examples abound of nursing homes making decisions that , in the eyes of families and advocates , effectively threw open doors and allowed the coronavirus to infect and kill vulnerable people .
In Los Angeles in mid-March , Silverado Beverly Place allowed an elderly man from New York to move into the 125-bed dementia care center near the Fairfax District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from LAX , he was showing symptoms of COVID-19 .
Within a month , at least 49 other residents and staff had tested positive .
Some died .
Family members contacted lawyers , insisting the care home be held liable .
But under the order pushed by the healthcare industry , the vast majority of such suits would be barred .
Across the nation , some states hit hard by the pandemic have already issued immunity orders for healthcare workers , but advocates say the proposed industry order for California is broader .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ care facilities , senior living providers and health service plans , and all their employees .
They could not be sanctioned or found criminally or civilly liable unless there was clear and convincing evidence of willful misconduct — a higher standard of proof than typically required to win a lawsuit .
That misconduct would be judged by a standard of care that reflects the current crisis .
The order would waive laws and regulations during the state of emergency .
Toby Edelman , senior policy attorney for the Center for Medicare Advocacy based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing facilities are crucial to the healthcare system .
But Edelman said the industry members seem to be taking advantage of the crisis to protect themselves from a problem of their own making .
Edelman has long tracked nursing homes , which she said tend to have past patterns of poor infection control and other violations .
She points out that inspectors regularly cite facilities for a common violation — a failure of staff to wash their hands .
David S. Schless , president of the American Seniors Housing Assn.
, said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care facilities continue .
His group is concerned that “ those who are working on the front lines of this pandemic , including senior living , will be targeted by those seeking to profit from this national emergency through threats of litigation , ” he said in an email .
Yet industry watchdogs say litigation is an important tool for holding nursing homes accountable and preventing lapses in the future .
They also note that no one is keeping an eye on what goes on inside these places .
Visitors have generally been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no longer entering because of the contagion , advocates said .
One of those who died at Silverado was 94-year-old Albert Sarnoff , former treasurer of Time Warner .
His family has been interviewing lawyers about bringing a wrongful-death suit .
“ They weren ’ t letting outside visitors in , why were they letting an outsider move in ?
” said grandson Zach Sarnoff , a Los Angeles management consultant .
Silverado , the Irvine parent company of Silverado Beverly Place , declined to comment .
One of its executives chairs an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push for legal immunity .
In the past , the company has defended the decision to admit the new resident to its Beverly Place facility , saying the man had no symptoms when he arrived and was largely quarantined in his brief time there .
In Alameda County , prosecutors have opened an investigation into Gateway Rehabilitation and Care Center , where at least 13 people have died of COVID-19 .
Dozens of staff members and residents have been infected .
The facility , one of a chain , has been cited in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the civil rights lawyer , is representing the family of one of those who died , gathering evidence for a lawsuit .
He called the health industry ’ s attempt to obtain a broad order immunizing it from criminal and civil liability “ outrageous.
” At the same time , he said , he expects some sort of order will be issued , “ only because it seems to be the wave sweeping the country.
” Costell Akrie , 87 , moved to Gateway on March 5 to rehabilitate after leaving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems .
He and his wife of more than 60 years lived in an apartment in an assisted living center in Hayward .
On March 28 , he had a low-grade fever and underwent a test for the coronavirus .
He died April 4 .
His family suspects that he contracted the virus from staff , because he was in a private room .
Burris said his investigation has shown that staff did not take precautions — no face coverings or gloves — and were told to report to work even if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for comment .
California ’ s trial lawyers anticipated that industry lobbyists would seek an immunity order and tried to head it off .
On April 6 , the Consumer Attorneys of California sent Newsom a letter outlining state and federal laws that already give medical workers legal protection during states of emergency .
During emergencies , “ there is always a push from business and the medical industrial complex and big pharma for immunities , ” said Micha Liberty , president of the trial lawyers group .
Frontline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the proposed order is “ just not the way.
” Stay-at-home orders have spared California the kind of crisis experienced in some other states , she said .
“ This is not New York or the tri-state area .
We don ’ t have the same urgency , ” she said .
Jamie Court , president of Consumer Watchdog , said the states that adopted immunity orders do not have medical malpractice caps on monetary damages , which California has had for 45 years and which limit the number of lawyers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California has a lid of $ 250,000 on damages for pain and suffering in malpractice cases , and lawyers take about 40 % of the compensation .
Because most of those who died in nursing homes were not working , the economic damages likely would be minimal .
During an online news conference Monday , Patricia McGinnis of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform said more than 80 % of nursing homes in California are owned by for-profit , corporate chains .
The spread of infection in these places , she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have staffing shortages .
She said the companies pay the workers too little , so many have to work more than one job .
The homes also get higher government reimbursement for accepting COVID-19 patients from hospitals .
The healthcare industry told Newsom in its April 9 letter that medical workers and support staff face “ wrenching , life threatening decisions in managing scarce resources amid arduous conditions.
” The prospect of being sued would slow decision-making , “ threatening the greater loss of life throughout California , ” the letter said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the California Medical Assn.
, the California Hospital Assn.
, the California Assn .
of Health Facilities , the California Assn .
of Health Plans , the California Assisted Living Assn .
and LeadingAge California .
Helena Apothaker said she will sue Silverado over the death of her 89-year-old mother , Catherine , on Sunday night .
“ What that tells me is the senior home industry made a lot of mistakes across the board , ” Apothaker said .

Maura Dolan, Harriet Ryan, Anita Chabria

Patients are moved from the Magnolia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Riverside this month after staffers did not show up for shifts amid an outbreak there.
For weeks, nursing homes have been the epicenter of coronavirus outbreaks and deaths in California, making them prime targets for civil lawsuits and even criminal prosecutions.
But the nursing home industry has some leverage to fend off legal action: California needs these nursing homes to relieve pressure on hospitals statewide.
Well aware of that reality, the healthcare industry has been lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a sweeping order it has drafted that would shield nursing homes and senior care facilities, as well as doctors and hospitals, from lawsuits and prosecutions. The order is similar to directives issued by other governors nationwide.
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The push for broad immunity is coming from “the entire healthcare provider industry, which is a powerful lobby in Sacramento,” said Michael Dark, a staff lawyer with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.
Newsom’s office did not reply to requests for comment, but lawyers anticipate he will eventually approve some version of the order. That would bring relief not just to the nursing home industry but also to hospitals that depend upon them as transfer points for recently released patients, many of them still with COVID-19.
But Newsom is also under pressure from senior-care watchdogs and families who have lost loved ones to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes. They are now livid that an industry they see as reckless and profit-driven could be bailed out at this moment.
“It is shameful,” said John Burris, a civil rights lawyer representing a family who lost a loved one in an Alameda County nursing home. “It incentivizes bad conduct.”
The state’s health department last week issued a partial list of outbreaks at skilled nursing homes and reported they had 3,000 infections. More than 30% of those who have died in Los Angeles County were residents of long-term care facilities; more than 70% of the deaths in Long Beach have been of nursing home residents.
Tracking the coronavirus in California The latest maps and charts on the spread of COVID-19 in California.
Examples abound of nursing homes making decisions that, in the eyes of families and advocates, effectively threw open doors and allowed the coronavirus to infect and kill vulnerable people.
In Los Angeles in mid-March, Silverado Beverly Place allowed an elderly man from New York to move into the 125-bed dementia care center near the Fairfax District.
Within a day of his arrival from LAX, he was showing symptoms of COVID-19. Within a month, at least 49 other residents and staff had tested positive. Some died.
Family members contacted lawyers, insisting the care home be held liable. But under the order pushed by the healthcare industry, the vast majority of such suits would be barred.
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Across the nation, some states hit hard by the pandemic have already issued immunity orders for healthcare workers, but advocates say the proposed industry order for California is broader.
It would cover healthcare facilities, residential care facilities, senior living providers and health service plans, and all their employees. They could not be sanctioned or found criminally or civilly liable unless there was clear and convincing evidence of willful misconduct — a higher standard of proof than typically required to win a lawsuit.
That misconduct would be judged by a standard of care that reflects the current crisis. The order would waive laws and regulations during the state of emergency.
Toby Edelman, senior policy attorney for the Center for Medicare Advocacy based in Washington, D.C., said skilled nursing facilities are crucial to the healthcare system. But Edelman said the industry members seem to be taking advantage of the crisis to protect themselves from a problem of their own making.
Edelman has long tracked nursing homes, which she said tend to have past patterns of poor infection control and other violations. She points out that inspectors regularly cite facilities for a common violation — a failure of staff to wash their hands.
David S. Schless, president of the American Seniors Housing Assn., said he supports limiting liability to ensure that senior care facilities continue. His group is concerned that “those who are working on the front lines of this pandemic, including senior living, will be targeted by those seeking to profit from this national emergency through threats of litigation,” he said in an email.
Yet industry watchdogs say litigation is an important tool for holding nursing homes accountable and preventing lapses in the future. They also note that no one is keeping an eye on what goes on inside these places. Visitors have generally been barred, and ombudsmen and regulators are no longer entering because of the contagion, advocates said.
One of those who died at Silverado was 94-year-old Albert Sarnoff, former treasurer of Time Warner. His family has been interviewing lawyers about bringing a wrongful-death suit.
“They weren’t letting outside visitors in, why were they letting an outsider move in?” said grandson Zach Sarnoff, a Los Angeles management consultant.
Silverado, the Irvine parent company of Silverado Beverly Place, declined to comment. One of its executives chairs an industry group that has joined in the push for legal immunity. In the past, the company has defended the decision to admit the new resident to its Beverly Place facility, saying the man had no symptoms when he arrived and was largely quarantined in his brief time there.
In Alameda County, prosecutors have opened an investigation into Gateway Rehabilitation and Care Center, where at least 13 people have died of COVID-19. Dozens of staff members and residents have been infected. The facility, one of a chain, has been cited in the past for safety violations.
Burris, the civil rights lawyer, is representing the family of one of those who died, gathering evidence for a lawsuit. He called the health industry’s attempt to obtain a broad order immunizing it from criminal and civil liability “outrageous.”
At the same time, he said, he expects some sort of order will be issued, “only because it seems to be the wave sweeping the country.”
Costell Akrie, 87, moved to Gateway on March 5 to rehabilitate after leaving a hospital where he was treated for diabetes-related problems. He and his wife of more than 60 years lived in an apartment in an assisted living center in Hayward. On March 28, he had a low-grade fever and underwent a test for the coronavirus. He died April 4.
His family suspects that he contracted the virus from staff, because he was in a private room. Burris said his investigation has shown that staff did not take precautions — no face coverings or gloves — and were told to report to work even if they had symptoms. The facility did not respond to a request for comment.
California’s trial lawyers anticipated that industry lobbyists would seek an immunity order and tried to head it off. On April 6, the Consumer Attorneys of California sent Newsom a letter outlining state and federal laws that already give medical workers legal protection during states of emergency.
During emergencies, “there is always a push from business and the medical industrial complex and big pharma for immunities,” said Micha Liberty, president of the trial lawyers group.
Frontline medical workers need protection, she said, but the proposed order is “just not the way.”
Stay-at-home orders have spared California the kind of crisis experienced in some other states, she said.
“This is not New York or the tri-state area. We don’t have the same urgency,” she said.
Jamie Court, president of Consumer Watchdog, said the states that adopted immunity orders do not have medical malpractice caps on monetary damages, which California has had for 45 years and which limit the number of lawyers willing to take on such suits.
California has a lid of $250,000 on damages for pain and suffering in malpractice cases, and lawyers take about 40% of the compensation. Because most of those who died in nursing homes were not working, the economic damages likely would be minimal.
During an online news conference Monday, Patricia McGinnis of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform said more than 80% of nursing homes in California are owned by for-profit, corporate chains. The spread of infection in these places, she said, has long been a problem, as have staffing shortages.
She said the companies pay the workers too little, so many have to work more than one job. The homes also get higher government reimbursement for accepting COVID-19 patients from hospitals.
Catherine Apothaker, 89, died Sunday night at the Silverado Beverly Place in Los Angeles after being infected with the coronavirus. Her daughter wants to sue the facility. (Apothaker family/Special to The Times)
The healthcare industry told Newsom in its April 9 letter that medical workers and support staff face “wrenching, life threatening decisions in managing scarce resources amid arduous conditions.” The prospect of being sued would slow decision-making, “threatening the greater loss of life throughout California,” the letter said.
It was signed by the presidents of the California Medical Assn., the California Hospital Assn., the California Assn. of Health Facilities, the California Assn. of Health Plans, the California Assisted Living Assn. and LeadingAge California.
Helena Apothaker said she will sue Silverado over the death of her 89-year-old mother, Catherine, on Sunday night.
She called industry attempts to indemnify care homes a “joke.”
“What that tells me is the senior home industry made a lot of mistakes across the board,” Apothaker said.