latimes--2020-04-13--L.A. County's coronavirus deaths reach new high on Easter

Los Angeles County officials reported 31 new coronavirus deaths on Easter Sunday , the largest single-day total since the outbreak began .
Twenty-five of those fatalities were people over the age of 65 , and the other six were between the ages of 41 and 65 , health officials said .
In all , 296 L.A. County residents have died of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The number of confirmed infections in the county rose to 9,192 — an increase of 323 since Saturday .
That ’ s the lowest number of new cases on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , the highest one-day death toll in L.A. County was 29 , on April 8 .
Across California , meanwhile , communities ushered in the Easter holiday with new restrictions to keep people indoors and away from public gatherings where the coronavirus might spread .
To deter crowds from assembling for traditional outdoor observances , all L.A. County parks , lakes and botanical gardens were closed to the public .
Officials warned that authorities would be out in force to make sure people didn ’ t congregate .
“ Your heart breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week when he announced the order .
“ But we can ’ t afford to have one cluster of even just a few people together spread this disease to more people and kill them.
” The popular walking path around the Silver Lake Reservoir remained open but was converted to a one-way trail Saturday .
Pedestrians were required to stay six feet apart and wear masks .
“ If we can all walk in the same direction , practice social distancing and wear face masks , everyone will remain healthy and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Councilman Mitch O ’ Farrell said in a video posted to social media .
The cities of Burbank , Beverly Hills , Culver City , Hermosa Beach , Long Beach , Santa Monica and West Hollywood also announced that their parks would be closed and that violating the orders could result in a misdemeanor charge .
Shoppers are now required to wear face coverings when visiting grocery stores and other essential businesses in the city of Los Angeles , as well as in many other nearby cities .
Workers at some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be heeding the new mandate .
Aki Hirata , a floor manager at Nijiya Market in Torrance , said there was confusion among customers on Friday when the order took effect .
But overall , he said , “ customers have been pretty good ” about wearing their masks .
And that makes Hirata , an essential service employee , feel a lot safer , he said .
Health officials insist that stringent social distancing measures are essential to fighting the spread of the coronavirus and minimizing the number of deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have died of COVID-19 In adherence with the ban on group gatherings , many churches in the Southland held Easter services online .
“ Nothing can separate us from the love of God , not persecution , famine , pestilence , or plague , ” Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said in a statement .
“ And not this pandemic .
”

Laura Newberry, Alex Wigglesworth, Dorany Pineda

Guitarist Javon Jones of Antioch Church sings gospel hymns during a livestreamed Easter service on Mt. Rubidoux in Riverside. The event usually draws hundreds of people, but only clergy were allowed on the mountain this year.
Los Angeles County officials reported 31 new coronavirus deaths on Easter Sunday, the largest single-day total since the outbreak began.
Twenty-five of those fatalities were people over the age of 65, and the other six were between the ages of 41 and 65, health officials said.
In all, 296 L.A. County residents have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The number of confirmed infections in the county rose to 9,192 — an increase of 323 since Saturday. That’s the lowest number of new cases on a single day since March 27.
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Until Sunday, the highest one-day death toll in L.A. County was 29, on April 8.
Across California, meanwhile, communities ushered in the Easter holiday with new restrictions to keep people indoors and away from public gatherings where the coronavirus might spread.
To deter crowds from assembling for traditional outdoor observances, all L.A. County parks, lakes and botanical gardens were closed to the public . Officials warned that authorities would be out in force to make sure people didn’t congregate.
“Your heart breaks,” L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti said last week when he announced the order. “But we can’t afford to have one cluster of even just a few people together spread this disease to more people and kill them.”
A photo of Henry and Gloria Lucio. The Rev. Ricardo Viveros asked parishioners to send photos of themselves to place in the pews at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Atwater Village in Los Angeles. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
The popular walking path around the Silver Lake Reservoir remained open but was converted to a one-way trail Saturday. Pedestrians were required to stay six feet apart and wear masks.
“If we can all walk in the same direction, practice social distancing and wear face masks, everyone will remain healthy and have these options to exercise during the pandemic,” Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said in a video posted to social media.
The cities of Burbank, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Hermosa Beach, Long Beach, Santa Monica and West Hollywood also announced that their parks would be closed and that violating the orders could result in a misdemeanor charge.
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Shoppers are now required to wear face coverings when visiting grocery stores and other essential businesses in the city of Los Angeles, as well as in many other nearby cities. Workers at some of those businesses reported Sunday that customers appeared to be heeding the new mandate.
Aki Hirata, a floor manager at Nijiya Market in Torrance, said there was confusion among customers on Friday when the order took effect. But overall, he said, “customers have been pretty good” about wearing their masks. And that makes Hirata, an essential service employee, feel a lot safer, he said.
Health officials insist that stringent social distancing measures are essential to fighting the spread of the coronavirus and minimizing the number of deaths. Statewide, more than 630 people have died of COVID-19 .
In adherence with the ban on group gatherings, many churches in the Southland held Easter services online.
“Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not persecution, famine, pestilence, or plague,” Archbishop José H. Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles said in a statement. “And not this pandemic.”


latimes--2020-04-13--Amid a crisis, Mayor Garcetti talks to L.A. each night about distancing, masks and love

It was the first day of April and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was on live television once again , standing before a single camera in a nearly empty City Hall .
Over the previous 2½ weeks , the 49-year-old mayor had cheered viewers on for staying home , scolded them for crowding beaches and trails , and admonished them to stop hoarding food and other supplies .
On this particular evening , he was trying to accomplish a more complicated task : Get Angelenos comfortable with the idea of wearing cloth face masks .
“ We ’ re gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know , seeing each other like this , ” said the mayor , fumbling to get the mask to go where it was supposed to .
Then , mask fully on , he declared : “ This will be the look !
” At least five nights a week , Garcetti has appealed directly to Angelenos on live television — or Facebook , for those with smaller screens — to get them to comply with public health orders and keep up with the region ’ s rapidly changing response to the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings , he has struck a tone that is one part stern dad , one part life coach , with a hint of Marianne Williamson , the self-help guru .
He has told viewers he believes in them .
He has counseled them to reconnect with old friends .
At one point last month , he advised them to call their mothers .
The nightly briefings are part of a nationwide phenomenon of elected officials who , because of their need to get information out quickly , are connecting with their constituents in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some sections of the country , the televised coronavirus sessions have made viewers see their politicians in a new light .
In others , they have served as therapeutic happy hours for an anxious public .
In the Midwest , Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s afternoon TV briefings have come to be known as “ Wine with DeWine.
” In Kentucky , updates from Gov .
Andy Beshear have been coined “ Beers with Beshear.
” In New York , locked in a grim fight against the virus , viewers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Gov .
Andrew Cuomo .
On the West Coast , Garcetti has been communicating in ways that “ come from a place of love , ” said Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson , an observer of local and national politics .
Those messages are in keeping with the mayor ’ s public persona , she said .
“ He ’ s tried to come from a place of kindness .
He ’ s trying to build consensus , ” she said .
Love does indeed come up a lot .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision to stay indoors as an act of # LALove .
He has urged viewers to reach out to their neighbors and “ lead with love.
” He ends his addresses with the phrase “ Strength and love , Los Angeles ” — “ Fuerza y amor ” for Spanish-language viewers .
Garcetti has advised viewers to put down their cellphones and take a break from news alerts .
And he has discussed the emotional toll that can come from isolating at home , particularly for those who live alone .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down , determine what can you do tonight to feel strong again , ” he said on Day 4 .
The briefings have provided comfort to Pauline Mauro , a 49-year-old financial research coordinator holed up with her family in their Eagle Rock home .
Mauro , who has been watching the briefings on her laptop , praised the mayor for delivering an inclusive message — he highlights the needs of immigrants and gives extended remarks in Spanish — and for showing the city he cares about its residents .
“ He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calm , ” she said .
In an interview , Garcetti acknowledged that his briefings have hit on more personal themes , particularly love and looking out for one ’ s neighbor .
Those types of conversations will be essential , he said , for the city to weather the crisis .
“ There ’ s a lot of pain out there , ” he said .
“ There ’ s a lot of pre-mourning and , already for some families , mourning of loss .
And I think if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re not going to get through this.
” So far , the mayor ’ s evening briefings have had an extraordinarily broad reach .
On Tuesday , when he ordered shoppers to begin wearing face coverings at supermarkets and elsewhere , his remarks were aired live on at least eight television stations .
Garcetti said he sees the addresses as part of his job as “ storyteller in chief , ” encouraging people to do more , make more sacrifices , than they might have otherwise .
“ I really think that narratives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ When we understand why we ’ re doing things and what ’ s happening , you can have people stretch much further than they ever think they can.
” In Northridge , plant supervisor Favio Reveles said he ’ s come to appreciate the mayor ’ s appearances , which he watches on his cellphone while sitting in his backyard .
“ He makes it seem like everyone is in it together , ” the 33-year-old said .
Tali Sigalus , who manages an apartment building in Palms , had a much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had hoped Garcetti would tell viewers he ’ s working to ensure rents and mortgages are completely forgiven in L.A. during the shutdown .
“ He ’ s coming off as compassionate and sympathetic , ” she said .
“ But real compassion would be understanding the economic ramifications of this crisis.
” Asked about such criticism , Garcetti said he well understands “ how deeply Angelenos are hurting right now ” — and is talking to lawmakers in Washington , D.C. , about sweeping federal relief for tenants , landlords and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A , he also said the city would quickly go bankrupt if it had to cover everyone ’ s rent .
Garcetti ’ s first live TV address on the coronavirus took place on March 15 and was , in many ways , a bombshell .
In an emergency order , he called for the shutdown of businesses close to the hearts of Angelenos .
In an industry town , movie theaters would be shut down .
For a food-obsessed populace , restaurants would serve takeout or delivery — or nothing at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following days , closing shopping malls , hiking trails , beach parking lots , even a grassy expanse in Silver Lake popular with families .
On Day 11 , he warned viewers to expect at least two months indoors .
And on Day 20 , Garcetti acknowledged his own fears about the coming days .
“ In my experience in government , this is by far the most intense thing that I have ever gone through , ” he told viewers .
Garcetti has also used his TV briefings to tell viewers about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ spread among the city ’ s neediest .
But in some cases , those efforts have fallen far short of what he announced .
In mid-March , he said the city would set up 6,000 beds for homeless residents in closed recreation centers , reducing the threat of the virus to those on the streets .
That effort has had a very slow start , and last week , a high-level Garcetti aide confirmed the goal is now closer to 2,000 beds .
The mayor also told viewers that outdoor hand-washing stations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population .
A federal judge recently visited some of those stations and found that many don ’ t have water .
“ The things that he says , and what ’ s actually happening on the ground , is always night and day , ” said Pete White , who heads the Los Angeles Community Action Network , a downtown-based antipoverty group .
Garcetti told viewers last week that L.A. is ramping up maintenance of hand-washing stations .
He also said the city had to lower its goals for the homeless shelters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing .
By the end of their fourth week , Garcetti ’ s briefings had fallen into a familiar rhythm .
He gave the newest number of cases and the latest number of deaths .
He continued urging the city to stay inside .
“ Now is the time not to let up , ” he said .

It was the first day of April and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was on live television once again, standing before a single camera in a nearly empty City Hall.
Over the previous 2½ weeks, the 49-year-old mayor had cheered viewers on for staying home, scolded them for crowding beaches and trails, and admonished them to stop hoarding food and other supplies.
On this particular evening, he was trying to accomplish a more complicated task: Get Angelenos comfortable with the idea of wearing cloth face masks.
“We’re gonna have to get used to, you know, seeing each other like this,” said the mayor, fumbling to get the mask to go where it was supposed to.
Advertisement
Then, mask fully on, he declared: “This will be the look!”
At least five nights a week, Garcetti has appealed directly to Angelenos on live television — or Facebook, for those with smaller screens — to get them to comply with public health orders and keep up with the region’s rapidly changing response to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In his briefings, he has struck a tone that is one part stern dad, one part life coach, with a hint of Marianne Williamson, the self-help guru. He has told viewers he believes in them. He has counseled them to reconnect with old friends. At one point last month, he advised them to call their mothers.
The nightly briefings are part of a nationwide phenomenon of elected officials who, because of their need to get information out quickly, are connecting with their constituents in new and more immediate ways.
In some sections of the country, the televised coronavirus sessions have made viewers see their politicians in a new light. In others, they have served as therapeutic happy hours for an anxious public.
In the Midwest, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s afternoon TV briefings have come to be known as “Wine with DeWine.” In Kentucky, updates from Gov. Andy Beshear have been coined “Beers with Beshear.” In New York, locked in a grim fight against the virus, viewers have voiced new appreciation for the blunt stylings of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Advertisement
On the West Coast, Garcetti has been communicating in ways that “come from a place of love,” said Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson, an observer of local and national politics. Those messages are in keeping with the mayor’s public persona, she said.
“He’s tried to come from a place of kindness. He’s trying to build consensus,” she said.
***
Love does indeed come up a lot.
During his evening briefings, Garcetti has described the decision to stay indoors as an act of #LALove. He has urged viewers to reach out to their neighbors and “lead with love.” He ends his addresses with the phrase “Strength and love, Los Angeles” — “Fuerza y amor” for Spanish-language viewers.
Garcetti has advised viewers to put down their cellphones and take a break from news alerts. And he has discussed the emotional toll that can come from isolating at home, particularly for those who live alone.
“If you’re depressed or feeling down, determine what can you do tonight to feel strong again,” he said on Day 4.
The briefings have provided comfort to Pauline Mauro, a 49-year-old financial research coordinator holed up with her family in their Eagle Rock home.
Eagle Rock resident Pauline Mauro watches one of Mayor Eric Garcetti’s coronavirus news briefings on April 6 with daughters Zelia and Sofia and their dog Satsuki. “He’s calm, and that makes me calm,” Mauro says. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Mauro, who has been watching the briefings on her laptop, praised the mayor for delivering an inclusive message — he highlights the needs of immigrants and gives extended remarks in Spanish — and for showing the city he cares about its residents.
“He’s calm, and that makes me calm,” she said.
In an interview, Garcetti acknowledged that his briefings have hit on more personal themes, particularly love and looking out for one’s neighbor. Those types of conversations will be essential, he said, for the city to weather the crisis.
“There’s a lot of pain out there,” he said. “There’s a lot of pre-mourning and, already for some families, mourning of loss. And I think if you’re not honest about that, you’re not going to get through this.”
***
So far, the mayor’s evening briefings have had an extraordinarily broad reach. On Tuesday, when he ordered shoppers to begin wearing face coverings at supermarkets and elsewhere, his remarks were aired live on at least eight television stations.
Garcetti said he sees the addresses as part of his job as “storyteller in chief,” encouraging people to do more, make more sacrifices, than they might have otherwise.
“I really think that narratives move numbers,” he said. “When we understand why we’re doing things and what’s happening, you can have people stretch much further than they ever think they can.”
In Northridge, plant supervisor Favio Reveles said he’s come to appreciate the mayor’s appearances, which he watches on his cellphone while sitting in his backyard.
“He makes it seem like everyone is in it together,” the 33-year-old said.
Tali Sigalus, who manages an apartment building in Palms, had a much more negative reaction. Sigalus said she had hoped Garcetti would tell viewers he’s working to ensure rents and mortgages are completely forgiven in L.A. during the shutdown.
“He’s coming off as compassionate and sympathetic,” she said. “But real compassion would be understanding the economic ramifications of this crisis.”
Asked about such criticism, Garcetti said he well understands “how deeply Angelenos are hurting right now” — and is talking to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., about sweeping federal relief for tenants, landlords and others. On a recent Reddit Q&A, he also said the city would quickly go bankrupt if it had to cover everyone’s rent.
***
Garcetti’s first live TV address on the coronavirus took place on March 15 and was, in many ways, a bombshell. In an emergency order, he called for the shutdown of businesses close to the hearts of Angelenos.
In an industry town, movie theaters would be shut down. For a food-obsessed populace, restaurants would serve takeout or delivery — or nothing at all. Garcetti tightened the screws over the following days, closing shopping malls, hiking trails, beach parking lots, even a grassy expanse in Silver Lake popular with families.
On Day 11, he warned viewers to expect at least two months indoors. And on Day 20, Garcetti acknowledged his own fears about the coming days.
“In my experience in government, this is by far the most intense thing that I have ever gone through,” he told viewers.
***
Garcetti has also used his TV briefings to tell viewers about city programs aimed at slowing the virus’ spread among the city’s neediest. But in some cases, those efforts have fallen far short of what he announced.
In mid-March, he said the city would set up 6,000 beds for homeless residents in closed recreation centers, reducing the threat of the virus to those on the streets. That effort has had a very slow start, and last week, a high-level Garcetti aide confirmed the goal is now closer to 2,000 beds.
The mayor also told viewers that outdoor hand-washing stations would ensure improved hygiene among the homeless population. A federal judge recently visited some of those stations and found that many don’t have water.
U.S. District Judge David O. Carter inspects an empty handwashing station while touring skid row on April 3. Garcetti has said the stations would help ensure hygiene practices among homeless Angelenos. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)
“The things that he says, and what’s actually happening on the ground, is always night and day,” said Pete White, who heads the Los Angeles Community Action Network, a downtown-based antipoverty group.
Garcetti told viewers last week that L.A. is ramping up maintenance of hand-washing stations. He also said the city had to lower its goals for the homeless shelters to comply with public health requirements for social distancing.
***
By the end of their fourth week, Garcetti’s briefings had fallen into a familiar rhythm. He gave the newest number of cases and the latest number of deaths. He continued urging the city to stay inside.
“Now is the time not to let up,” he said.
Times staff writer Benjamin Oreskes contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-13--Would you commit to a college you can't visit? Coronavirus upends college decisions

Vince Cuseo , admissions dean for Occidental College , is racked with unknowns .
The college relies on students from other states and countries for more than half its enrollment .
It tries to seal the deal with admitted students during tours to the lush campus in eclectic Eagle Rock each April .
But with the campus closed to the public because of the coronavirus crisis and mounting financial pressures on families , will students blindly commit to a private college with a $ 72,600 annual price tag ?
Dasani Anderson , a senior at George Washington Preparatory High School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was admitted to Spelman College , the nation ’ s top-ranked historically black college .
But the pandemic forced her to cancel plans to visit the Atlanta campus and she is still uncertain if Spelman ’ s financial aid will cover her needs .
Now she wonders : Should she stay local at UCLA ?
On both sides of the admission process , college decisions in a year like no other are playing out in new , unpredictable and often frustrating ways .
For college-bound high school seniors , what is likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives is riddled with uncertainties over affordability , safety , family obligations and “ choosing blind ” without campus visits , as one student put it .
Their quandaries , in turn , are ramping up pressure on colleges and universities to nail down commitments so they can keep enrollments steady , budgets stable and operations secured .
And they must do so in uncharted territory , where previous prediction models and admission practices may not apply .
To secure students , campuses are increasing their number of admission offers and spots on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus experiences to replace traditional welcome events that often clinch commitments from admitted students .
And they are starting to analyze how they can accommodate greater demands for financial aid .
“ In this year of years , we ’ ve got to use common sense and intuition because there ’ s no algorithm that can predict college decisions in a global pandemic , ” Cuseo said .
Financial pressures on families loom large as the contagion has shut down businesses and forced 17 million people to apply for unemployment benefits .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and parents by Niche , an educational research group , found that the pandemic had caused 88 % of high school seniors polled to worry more about their family ’ s ability to pay college costs .
Occidental and Claremont McKenna College say they are hearing from more families apprehensive about college costs and remain committed to fully covering a student ’ s demonstrated financial need .
UCLA , which recently concluded a $ 5.49-billion fundraising campaign , is awarding more scholarships and extending staff hours to handle the growing calls that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our message to students is that if your family ’ s situation has changed because of this virus , get in touch with us , ” said Youlonda Copeland-Morgan , UCLA vice provost of enrollment management .
“ We see what ’ s happening to some of these families and we ’ re going to continue to do everything we can to make sure UCLA is affordable.
” Metzli Cruz , 17 , is a valedictorian with a perfect grade-point average at Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School in Boyle Heights .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cover the deposit for USC because money is tight now that both her parents have lost work at a beauty salon and cosmetics factory .
Cruz , who attends the public school campus operated by the nonprofit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools , also was accepted into top University of California schools — Los Angeles , Berkeley , San Diego , Davis and Santa Barbara — and wait-listed at Stanford , Brown and New York University .
Sebastian Cazares , a 19-year-old student at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita , planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term so he could focus on his passion of student activism when he transfers this fall to a four-year university — UCLA , he hopes .
But the pandemic has dried up job opportunities .
If things don ’ t change , he ’ s resigned to commuting from home by bus and putting work over activism , internships and student leadership .
“ At that point , all that ’ s a luxury , ” he said .
Indeed , many students are bracing for a less ideal college experience .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some students say they may change their college plans altogether if they aren ’ t able to enjoy the traditional freshman experience of dorm life , campus clubs and new friends .
Crystal Salinas , a 17-year-old senior at William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita , has committed to California Baptist University in Riverside .
But if online instruction continues through the fall , she may take a gap year .
“ I wouldn ’ t be receiving the best education that I can , ” she said .
Sonali @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hart student who was deciding between Arizona State University and California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks .
But now she ’ s pondering community college to reduce costs , since her mother ’ s hours as a restaurant manager have been cut .
That option would also allow Jacinto to stay near her family , another big concern for many students .
The Niche survey found that more than one-third of high school seniors were planning to stay closer to home than previously intended .
One of them is Keenia Mata , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GPA who plans to major in neuroscience .
She has longed to “ venture off ” to college outside California — maybe Bucknell University in Pennsylvania .
But after her father ’ s friend contracted COVID-19 , the disease hit home and she decided she wanted to stay closer to family .
She will probably choose UC Berkeley as a happy medium .
“ I really care about family , ” she said .
“ Without them , I wouldn ’ t be where I am now.
” A major lament for others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lester Cedeño , a student at Middle College High School in San Bernardino , said it ’ s “ extremely terrifying ” to commit to UC Berkeley before visiting .
Arcadia High School senior Jeffrey Lee wanted to feel the overall campus vibe as he compares it to his other top choices , USC and New York University .
Amid the pandemic , campuses are adapting as best they can .
The UC and California State University systems recently announced more flexible rules for admission , including later deadlines for official transcripts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for UC campuses , optional submission of SAT and ACT scores for fall 2021 applicants .
But uncertainty reigns .
Cal State Northridge , which enrolls one of the nation ’ s highest number of students on federal Pell grants , expects greater demands for financial aid .
College decisions could cut both ways , with some students dropping out of school to work and others choosing Northridge over out-of-state choices to stay local .
Campus officials are planning for about 38,400 students for fall 2020 but have no idea how close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everyone ’ s trying to read the tea leaves , ” said William Watkins , CSUN ’ s vice president of student affairs .
To hedge against drops in yield — the percentage of students who accept admission offers — some universities are increasing offers for fall 2020 over last year .
USC , for instance , extended about 2,000 more freshman offers .
UCLA extended more wait-list offers , as did other UC campuses in case fewer admitted students than anticipated commit to enroll .
The impulse to stay closer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campuses .
A few years ago , UC Santa Barbara launched a campaign , “ We ’ re Closer Than You Think , ” to correct misperceptions that Santa Barbara is “ really far away ” from the rest of Southern California , said Lisa Przekop , admissions director .
The campaign may be paying off : Very early signs indicate that more local students are accepting UC Santa Barbara offers compared with last year , a trend also surfacing at Cal State Long Beach .
In addition , all campuses are scrambling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual experiences .
For Olufemi Ogundele , UC Berkeley undergraduate admissions director , having to do so is “ jarring and sad ” because the in-person events mark his favorite time of year , when he can finally meet the bright young adults known until then only through application materials .
But Ogundele said Berkeley will make the most of it by extending Cal Day to Cal Week with more opportunities to experience student panels , lectures and networking events online .
UCLA and UC Riverside also are extending welcome events , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a single day .
Smaller campuses , such as Occidental , are facing greater challenges .
Their smaller size allows them to customize outreach with individual phone calls and emails .
But it also leaves less room for error , as a shift of even a few dozen students could disrupt the delicate balance of needed housing and courses .
“ It ’ s like running a lunar module on the dark side of the moon on a dime , ” Cuseo said .

Amora Haynes, center, commits to UCLA at Bruins Day for admitted students in 2016. This year, the coronavirus pandemic has upended college decisions for some high school seniors.
Vince Cuseo, admissions dean for Occidental College, is racked with unknowns. The college relies on students from other states and countries for more than half its enrollment. It tries to seal the deal with admitted students during tours to the lush campus in eclectic Eagle Rock each April.
But with the campus closed to the public because of the coronavirus crisis and mounting financial pressures on families, will students blindly commit to a private college with a $72,600 annual price tag?
Dasani Anderson, a senior at George Washington Preparatory High School, has dreamed of venturing beyond California and was admitted to Spelman College, the nation’s top-ranked historically black college. But the pandemic forced her to cancel plans to visit the Atlanta campus and she is still uncertain if Spelman’s financial aid will cover her needs.
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Now she wonders: Should she stay local at UCLA?
On both sides of the admission process, college decisions in a year like no other are playing out in new, unpredictable and often frustrating ways.
For college-bound high school seniors, what is likely the most consequential decision of their young lives is riddled with uncertainties over affordability, safety, family obligations and “choosing blind” without campus visits, as one student put it.
Their quandaries, in turn, are ramping up pressure on colleges and universities to nail down commitments so they can keep enrollments steady, budgets stable and operations secured. And they must do so in uncharted territory, where previous prediction models and admission practices may not apply.
To secure students, campuses are increasing their number of admission offers and spots on wait lists. They are enhancing virtual campus experiences to replace traditional welcome events that often clinch commitments from admitted students. And they are starting to analyze how they can accommodate greater demands for financial aid.
“In this year of years, we’ve got to use common sense and intuition because there’s no algorithm that can predict college decisions in a global pandemic,” Cuseo said.
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Financial pressures on families loom large as the contagion has shut down businesses and forced 17 million people to apply for unemployment benefits. A recent survey of more than 45,000 students and parents by Niche, an educational research group, found that the pandemic had caused 88% of high school seniors polled to worry more about their family’s ability to pay college costs.
Occidental and Claremont McKenna College say they are hearing from more families apprehensive about college costs and remain committed to fully covering a student’s demonstrated financial need. UCLA, which recently concluded a $5.49-billion fundraising campaign, is awarding more scholarships and extending staff hours to handle the growing calls that it, too, is receiving.
“Our message to students is that if your family’s situation has changed because of this virus, get in touch with us,” said Youlonda Copeland-Morgan, UCLA vice provost of enrollment management. “We see what’s happening to some of these families and we’re going to continue to do everything we can to make sure UCLA is affordable.”
Metzli Cruz, 17, is a valedictorian with a perfect grade-point average at Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School in Boyle Heights. She is scrambling to find $300 to cover the deposit for USC because money is tight now that both her parents have lost work at a beauty salon and cosmetics factory. Cruz, who attends the public school campus operated by the nonprofit Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, also was accepted into top University of California schools — Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Diego, Davis and Santa Barbara — and wait-listed at Stanford, Brown and New York University.
Sebastian Cazares, a 19-year-old student at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, planned to work 30 hours a week this term so he could focus on his passion of student activism when he transfers this fall to a four-year university — UCLA, he hopes. But the pandemic has dried up job opportunities. If things don’t change, he’s resigned to commuting from home by bus and putting work over activism, internships and student leadership.
“At that point, all that’s a luxury,” he said.
Indeed, many students are bracing for a less ideal college experience. As most campuses have shifted to online learning, some students say they may change their college plans altogether if they aren’t able to enjoy the traditional freshman experience of dorm life, campus clubs and new friends.
Crystal Salinas, a 17-year-old senior at William S. Hart High School in Santa Clarita, has committed to California Baptist University in Riverside. But if online instruction continues through the fall, she may take a gap year.
“I wouldn’t be receiving the best education that I can,” she said.
Sonali Jacinto, 18, is also a Hart student who was deciding between Arizona State University and California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. But now she’s pondering community college to reduce costs, since her mother’s hours as a restaurant manager have been cut.
That option would also allow Jacinto to stay near her family, another big concern for many students. The Niche survey found that more than one-third of high school seniors were planning to stay closer to home than previously intended.
One of them is Keenia Mata, a Mendez High School senior with a 4.27 GPA who plans to major in neuroscience. She has longed to “venture off” to college outside California — maybe Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
But after her father’s friend contracted COVID-19, the disease hit home and she decided she wanted to stay closer to family. She will probably choose UC Berkeley as a happy medium.
“I really care about family,” she said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am now.”
A major lament for others is the inability to visit campuses. Lester Cedeño, a student at Middle College High School in San Bernardino, said it’s “extremely terrifying” to commit to UC Berkeley before visiting. Arcadia High School senior Jeffrey Lee wanted to feel the overall campus vibe as he compares it to his other top choices, USC and New York University.
Amid the pandemic, campuses are adapting as best they can. The UC and California State University systems recently announced more flexible rules for admission, including later deadlines for official transcripts, acceptance of pass/fail grades, and, for UC campuses, optional submission of SAT and ACT scores for fall 2021 applicants.
But uncertainty reigns. Cal State Northridge, which enrolls one of the nation’s highest number of students on federal Pell grants, expects greater demands for financial aid. College decisions could cut both ways, with some students dropping out of school to work and others choosing Northridge over out-of-state choices to stay local. Campus officials are planning for about 38,400 students for fall 2020 but have no idea how close to the mark they’ll get.
“Everyone’s trying to read the tea leaves,” said William Watkins, CSUN’s vice president of student affairs.
To hedge against drops in yield — the percentage of students who accept admission offers — some universities are increasing offers for fall 2020 over last year. USC, for instance, extended about 2,000 more freshman offers.
UCLA extended more wait-list offers, as did other UC campuses in case fewer admitted students than anticipated commit to enroll.
The impulse to stay closer to home, however, may help California campuses. A few years ago, UC Santa Barbara launched a campaign, “We’re Closer Than You Think,” to correct misperceptions that Santa Barbara is “really far away” from the rest of Southern California, said Lisa Przekop, admissions director.
The campaign may be paying off: Very early signs indicate that more local students are accepting UC Santa Barbara offers compared with last year, a trend also surfacing at Cal State Long Beach.
In addition, all campuses are scrambling to replace celebrations for admitted students with virtual experiences. For Olufemi Ogundele, UC Berkeley undergraduate admissions director, having to do so is “jarring and sad” because the in-person events mark his favorite time of year, when he can finally meet the bright young adults known until then only through application materials.
But Ogundele said Berkeley will make the most of it by extending Cal Day to Cal Week with more opportunities to experience student panels, lectures and networking events online. UCLA and UC Riverside also are extending welcome events, which usually attract more than 10,000 visitors on a single day.
Smaller campuses, such as Occidental, are facing greater challenges. Their smaller size allows them to customize outreach with individual phone calls and emails. But it also leaves less room for error, as a shift of even a few dozen students could disrupt the delicate balance of needed housing and courses.
“It’s like running a lunar module on the dark side of the moon on a dime,” Cuseo said.


latimes--2020-04-13--Animals are taking over. These stunning photos show Yosemite without tourists

The powerful energy of a waterfall teeming with spring runoff , Half Dome dusted in snow and the lines of @ @ @ @ @ see it .
On any other April inside Yosemite National Park , that would be @ @ @ @ @ April .
Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic , the park is closed , campgrounds are @ @ @ @ @ are void of people .
The local residents aren ’ t complaining .
The deer @ @ @ @ @ bears no longer have to deal with the hordes of camera-toting tourists vying to capture @ @ @ @ @ unfettered .
Los Angeles Times photographer Carolyn Cole gives us an inside look at the @ @ @ @ @ the wild .

The powerful energy of a waterfall teeming with spring runoff, Half Dome dusted in snow and the lines of cars filled with tourists to see it. On any other April inside Yosemite National Park, that would be the case. Not this April.
Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the park is closed, campgrounds are empty, and the trails are void of people.
The local residents aren’t complaining. The deer, bobcats, coyotes and bears no longer have to deal with the hordes of camera-toting tourists vying to capture nature. They now roam unfettered.
Los Angeles Times photographer Carolyn Cole gives us an inside look at the park and its return to the wild.
Open meadows
Deer feed in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park is closed to visitors due to the coronavirus, allowing the animals to roam without having to worry about crowds of people.
(Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Merced River
The Merced River flows through the Yosemite Valley, with Bridalveil Fall in the background. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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Residents
Dane Peterson, left, Warren McClain and Billy Sanchez take a break along Northside Drive, just east of Horsetail Fall, soaking in the bright, warm sun. The three work at the Ahwahnee Hotel (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
× Thanks to the coronavirus, Yosemite National Park is closed, the campgrounds are empty and the trails are void of people.
Tunnel view
Yosemite Valley seen from the Tunnel View overlook on April 11. The popular lookout, normally filled with tour buses and visitors, sits empty. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Wildlife in abundance
A coyote wanders around Curry Village, looking for a meal in Yosemite Valley. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
A bobcat, left, hunts for a meal, while a squirrel roams Yosemite Valley. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Half Dome
Half Dome is dusted with snow and clouds inside a closed Yosemite National Park. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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Curry Village
A coyote wanders through the tent camps at Curry Village inside Yosemite National Park. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Sunrise in Yosemite Valley
El Capitan is bathed in light at sunrise inside Yosemite National Park. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls seen from across the Yosemite Valley. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
Early warning
A freeway sign alerts travelers that Yosemite National Park remains closed to visitors due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
World & Nation Ground Zero: 10 on-the-ground photos in the fight against coronavirus in New York Getty Images’ John Moore documented emergency medical workers on the ground in New York in the first week of April as the coronavirus ravaged the state.


latimes--2020-04-13--Skelton: How Ron Reagan, son of a true believer, became an atheist unafraid of 'burning in hell'

I ’ ll miss the Democratic presidential debates — especially watching Ron Reagan tell us he ’ s a “ lifelong atheist , not afraid of burning in hell.
” It may be my all-time favorite TV ad , delivered with a slight grin and perfect timing — very Reagan-like — by the son of the 40th U.S. president .
He ’ s touting the Freedom From Religion Foundation , a 32,000-member organization of nonbelievers that fights for the separation of church and state .
The 30-second spot was squirted into commercial breaks during three of the 11 Democratic debates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ad , but CNN was fine with it — and the more than $ 200,000 the foundation said it paid for the TV time .
I didn ’ t notice the ad until the final debate March 15 between former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
Sanders dropped out of the race last week , leaving Biden as the last man standing with no more Democratic opponents to debate .
In the final exchange , Biden provided the big news by promising to select a woman as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dark T-shirt and slight smile , supplied the entertainment with this : “ Hi , I ’ m Ron Reagan , an unabashed atheist , and I ’ m alarmed by the intrusion of religion into our secular government .
That ’ s why I ’ m asking you to support the Freedom From Religion Foundation , the nation ’ s largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics , working to keep state and church separate , just like our Founding Fathers intended… .
“ Ron Reagan , lifelong atheist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” I did a double take and laughed .
I covered Ronald Reagan up close for 20 years — as president , as California governor and in five political campaigns .
The conservative icon was a true believer .
How did a son of Republicans Ronald and Nancy Reagan become an “ unabashed atheist ” ?
And how did the parents take that ?
As Easter approached , I thought more about this and called Ron Reagan , 61 , at his home in Seattle .
My first recollection of Ron was as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed a reasonably obedient kid .
But later he displayed a consistent independent streak — dropping out of Yale University after one semester , for example , to become a dancer with the Joffrey Ballet .
After watching a performance , President Reagan wrote in his diary that Ron reminded him of Fred Astaire .
Later , Ron Reagan became a liberal radio talk show host and TV commentator .
He never joined a political party but votes Democrat .
“ I was 10 years old or so when I concluded that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had little more validity than stories about Santa Claus , another white guy who knows what you ’ re thinking and can punish you , ” Ron Reagan told me .
“ If he ’ s sufficiently displeased with what you ’ re doing , he will send you to a dark corner for eternity while your family goes to a nice place .
It doesn ’ t take a budding Einstein to realize there are some problems with this.
” Young Reagan was especially troubled by the Old Testament story of Abraham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is that for a little kid to hear ?
” he asked .
“ God wants Abraham to prove his faith by slaughtering his son Isaac like a spring lamb ?
Are you kidding ?
Kill your child ?
Abraham went along with this .
The proper reply would have been , ‘ Go to hell.
’ ” “ I know , ” Reagan continued , “ the angel intervened so it didn ’ t really happen .
But think of the psychological damage ” to a freethinking child .
Ronald Reagan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually spent weekends at their home in Pacific Palisades .
On Sunday mornings , a highway patrolman would drive them in a limousine to the Bel Air Presbyterian Church , where the pastor was Donn Moomaw , a former UCLA All-American football lineman and Reagan family friend .
The round-trip drive to church and back took an hour and the service lasted two hours .
“ I was 12 when I told my father I wasn ’ t going anymore , ” Reagan recalled .
“ I said I didn ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
It was a waste of a perfectly good Sunday morning .
“ My father was smart enough to know he couldn ’ t strong-arm me .
And he never marshaled a compelling argument .
He got Donn Moomaw to come to the house to convince me .
But after 10 minutes , we were talking about UCLA football .
“ Mom mostly stayed in the background on this .
I don ’ t think she had any powerful religious feelings herself .
She went along with the program.
” Later in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take a run at it and circle back , ” Reagan said .
“ ‘ Are you still … ?
’ “ ’ I just think you ’ d be happier … ’ “ ’ I ’ m just happy I don ’ t need to be a part of it.
’ ” Ron continued : “ Dad was happy in life to believe in what he called ‘ the man upstairs.
’ He was unapologetic about his beliefs , but not showy about it like some politicians , constantly crowing about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his faith on his sleeve.
” Reagan blames Christian conservatives for slowing progress on stem cell research and holding back the fight against climate change .
“ Stem cell research got me into being vocal , ” Ron said .
“ My mom agreed .
My father would have too.
” The Freedom From Religion Foundation asked Reagan to cut a TV ad and he agreed .
That was six years ago .
But “ networks wouldn ’ t touch it , ” Reagan said .
“ It rarely ran before the debates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Ron ’ s ad has had a huge impact .
It really gets us new members , ” said foundation co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor of Madison , Wis. “ I never get tired of it .
I just smile or laugh.
” The “ burning in hell ” grabber was Reagan ’ s spontaneous idea .
“ We needed 30 seconds and were running short , ” he recalled .
“ We kept getting 27 .
I was going slower , slower .
It was beginning to sound weird .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ add something at the end.
’ ” It was the best line of the debates .

Ron Reagan, the son of President Reagan, who helped inspire the religious right, stars in a 30-second TV spot for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group of atheists, agnostics and other freethinkers.
I’ll miss the Democratic presidential debates — especially watching Ron Reagan tell us he’s a “lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.”
It may be my all-time favorite TV ad, delivered with a slight grin and perfect timing — very Reagan-like — by the son of the 40th U.S. president.
He’s touting the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a 32,000-member organization of nonbelievers that fights for the separation of church and state.
Advertisement
The 30-second spot was squirted into commercial breaks during three of the 11 Democratic debates. The major networks refused to run the ad, but CNN was fine with it — and the more than $200,000 the foundation said it paid for the TV time.
I didn’t notice the ad until the final debate March 15 between former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Sanders dropped out of the race last week, leaving Biden as the last man standing with no more Democratic opponents to debate.
In the final exchange, Biden provided the big news by promising to select a woman as his running mate. But Reagan, wearing a dark T-shirt and slight smile, supplied the entertainment with this:
“Hi, I’m Ron Reagan, an unabashed atheist, and I’m alarmed by the intrusion of religion into our secular government. That’s why I’m asking you to support the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the nation’s largest and most effective association of atheists and agnostics, working to keep state and church separate, just like our Founding Fathers intended….
“Ron Reagan, lifelong atheist, not afraid of burning in hell.”
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I did a double take and laughed. I covered Ronald Reagan up close for 20 years — as president, as California governor and in five political campaigns. The conservative icon was a true believer.
Congregants rise for a moment of silence during a church service at Bel Air Presbyterian Church, to honor former President Reagan after his death in 2004. He attended the church for many years. (Associated Press)
How did a son of Republicans Ronald and Nancy Reagan become an “unabashed atheist”? And how did the parents take that?
As Easter approached, I thought more about this and called Ron Reagan, 61, at his home in Seattle.
My first recollection of Ron was as an 8-year-old called “Skipper.” He seemed a reasonably obedient kid. But later he displayed a consistent independent streak — dropping out of Yale University after one semester, for example, to become a dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. After watching a performance, President Reagan wrote in his diary that Ron reminded him of Fred Astaire.
Later, Ron Reagan became a liberal radio talk show host and TV commentator. He never joined a political party but votes Democrat.
“I was 10 years old or so when I concluded that the [Bible] story told to children had little more validity than stories about Santa Claus, another white guy who knows what you’re thinking and can punish you,” Ron Reagan told me.
“If he’s sufficiently displeased with what you’re doing, he will send you to a dark corner for eternity while your family goes to a nice place. It doesn’t take a budding Einstein to realize there are some problems with this.”
Young Reagan was especially troubled by the Old Testament story of Abraham and Isaac.
“What kind of thing is that for a little kid to hear?” he asked. “God wants Abraham to prove his faith by slaughtering his son Isaac like a spring lamb? Are you kidding? Kill your child? Abraham went along with this. The proper reply would have been, ‘Go to hell.’”
“I know,” Reagan continued, “the angel intervened so it didn’t really happen. But think of the psychological damage” to a freethinking child.
Ronald Reagan was governor then, but the family usually spent weekends at their home in Pacific Palisades. On Sunday mornings, a highway patrolman would drive them in a limousine to the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, where the pastor was Donn Moomaw, a former UCLA All-American football lineman and Reagan family friend.
The round-trip drive to church and back took an hour and the service lasted two hours.
“I was 12 when I told my father I wasn’t going anymore,” Reagan recalled. “I said I didn’t want to be hypocritical, disrespectful and fake it. It was a waste of a perfectly good Sunday morning.
“My father was smart enough to know he couldn’t strong-arm me. And he never marshaled a compelling argument. He got Donn Moomaw to come to the house to convince me. But after 10 minutes, we were talking about UCLA football.
“Mom mostly stayed in the background on this. I don’t think she had any powerful religious feelings herself. She went along with the program.”
Later in life, his dad “occasionally would take a run at it and circle back,” Reagan said. “‘Are you still …?’
“‘Yes.’
“’I just think you’d be happier …’
“’I’m just happy I don’t need to be a part of it.’”
Ron continued: “Dad was happy in life to believe in what he called ‘the man upstairs.’ He was unapologetic about his beliefs, but not showy about it like some politicians, constantly crowing about how faithful they are. He never wore his faith on his sleeve.”
Reagan blames Christian conservatives for slowing progress on stem cell research and holding back the fight against climate change.
“Stem cell research got me into being vocal,” Ron said. “My mom agreed. My father would have too.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation asked Reagan to cut a TV ad and he agreed. That was six years ago. But “networks wouldn’t touch it,” Reagan said. “It rarely ran before the debates. Then it had a great run.”
“Ron’s ad has had a huge impact. It really gets us new members,” said foundation co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor of Madison, Wis. “I never get tired of it. I just smile or laugh.”
The “burning in hell” grabber was Reagan’s spontaneous idea.
“We needed 30 seconds and were running short,” he recalled. “We kept getting 27. I was going slower, slower. It was beginning to sound weird. I said, ‘I’ll just add something at the end.’”
It was the best line of the debates.


latimes--2020-04-12--Faithful find creative ways to celebrate Easter together, separately

When Archbishop José H. Gomez stepped to the lectern Easter Sunday , his view from the pulpit differed from years past .
The pews inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels , where generations of faithful once sat awaiting his holiday message , were now barren .
“ It is a different celebration this year because almost everyone all over the world has been forced to celebrate this Easter Sunday in their homes , ” Los Angeles ’ archbishop said .
“ Because , as we know , our world is shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their homes as the archdiocese streamed the service online at a time when people across Southern California were forced to alter their Easter plans amid orders to self-quarantine .
As state and local officials ramp up restrictions on Californians ’ movements , most houses of worship have moved their services , classes and prayer groups online .
Los Angeles County officials requested last week that any planned in-person or car gatherings for or Passover be canceled .
L.A. County botanical gardens , lakes and parks were also closed to the public Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officials warned that authorities would be out in force to make sure people didn ’ t use the facilities .
that all religious services be held electronically but later loosened restrictions , saying that organizations that had already planned and paid for drive-ins for the weekend should “ proceed with those services if they choose to do so and make every effort to prevent contact between congregants.
” In Orange County , the Rev .
Robert A. Schuller revived the drive-in ministry — a practice that helped his father , the pastor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from humble beginnings to become one of the late 20th century ’ s most recognized religious figures .
Parishioners pulled into a Santa Ana parking lot and tuned in to Schuller ’ s service from their car radios as he preached from a second-floor balcony .
Los Angeles officials reported an additional 25 deaths related to the virus around midday Saturday , and 456 new cases .
Long Beach , which has its own public health department , also reported a death .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom asked the faithful that “ as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least six feet apart from someone else.
” “ Practice your faith , ” he said , “ but do so in a way that allows you to keep yourself healthy , keep others healthy and does justice to the teaching of Christ , God and others.
” The Rev .
Kyle Joachim of Silverlake Community Church streamed services from his backyard , dressed in a button-down shirt , tie and puffy blue jacket .
“ Happy Easter !
” he said with a smile .
“ We ’ ve been looking forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We knew when the quarantine happened that this day was going to come where we were going to have our biggest Sunday of the year be happening from our living room couches.
” His flock watched the YouTube service remotely , chiming in via real-time comments that displayed on the right side of the screen .
The online worshipers came from different corners of the world , from Southern California to Texas to Berlin .
 '' I ’ ve got my bread and a ( small ) bottle of champagne ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RESURRECTION PARTY STARTED !
” one wrote .
The interactive service was tailored to the unique circumstances of the moment , and the pastor asked that those watching participate at different moments by using their phones .
Shortly into the stream , Joachim instructed his digital audience to pull out their phones , take a photo and share a message wishing other congregants a happy Easter .
As he spoke , parishioners texted him well wishes .
The pastor joked that he had kept telling himself he would reach out to people more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get caught up in a Netflix binge .
He suggested that those watching not allow quarantining to make their lives feel small .
“ Let ’ s talk to other people , text each other , ” he said .
“ Life is bigger than the space we ’ re confined to .
”

When Archbishop José H. Gomez stepped to the lectern Easter Sunday, his view from the pulpit differed from years past. The pews inside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, where generations of faithful once sat awaiting his holiday message, were now barren.
“It is a different celebration this year because almost everyone all over the world has been forced to celebrate this Easter Sunday in their homes,” Los Angeles’ archbishop said. “Because, as we know, our world is shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.”
This year, his audience watched from their homes as the archdiocese streamed the service online at a time when people across Southern California were forced to alter their Easter plans amid orders to self-quarantine.
A man follows along with his bible as fellow worshippers gathering in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship in an Easter service by Rev. Robert A. Schuller on Easter Sunday. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
As state and local officials ramp up restrictions on Californians’ movements, most houses of worship have moved their services, classes and prayer groups online.
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Los Angeles County officials requested last week that any planned in-person or car gatherings for Holy Week or Passover be canceled. L.A. County botanical gardens, lakes and parks were also closed to the public Sunday. Many other cities are following suit, and officials warned that authorities would be out in force to make sure people didn’t use the facilities.
San Bernardino County had initially ordered that all religious services be held electronically but later loosened restrictions, saying that organizations that had already planned and paid for drive-ins for the weekend should “proceed with those services if they choose to do so and make every effort to prevent contact between congregants.”
Greg and Jaylene Valentine of Huntington Beach gather with other worshipers inside their cars to hear the Rev. Robert A. Schuller. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
In Orange County, the Rev. Robert A. Schuller revived the drive-in ministry — a practice that helped his father, the pastor who built the Crystal Cathedral, rise from humble beginnings to become one of the late 20th century’s most recognized religious figures. Parishioners pulled into a Santa Ana parking lot and tuned in to Schuller’s service from their car radios as he preached from a second-floor balcony.
Los Angeles officials reported an additional 25 deaths related to the virus around midday Saturday, and 456 new cases. Long Beach, which has its own public health department, also reported a death.
Advertisement
Gov. Gavin Newsom asked the faithful that “as you pray, move your feet at least six feet apart from someone else.”
“Practice your faith,” he said, “but do so in a way that allows you to keep yourself healthy, keep others healthy and does justice to the teaching of Christ, God and others.”
The Rev. Kyle Joachim of Silverlake Community Church streamed services from his backyard, dressed in a button-down shirt, tie and puffy blue jacket.
“Happy Easter!” he said with a smile. “We’ve been looking forward to this day for a while. We knew when the quarantine happened that this day was going to come where we were going to have our biggest Sunday of the year be happening from our living room couches.”
His flock watched the YouTube service remotely, chiming in via real-time comments that displayed on the right side of the screen. The online worshipers came from different corners of the world, from Southern California to Texas to Berlin.
“I’ve got my bread and a (small) bottle of champagne ready to pop! LET’S GET THIS RESURRECTION PARTY STARTED!” one wrote.
Advertisement
Kurner of Corona with her 9-year-old dog Stella Mae along with other worshippers gather in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship in an Easter service by Rev. Robert A. Schuller on Sunday. “People need a place to go to worship on Easter, “ he said. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
The interactive service was tailored to the unique circumstances of the moment, and the pastor asked that those watching participate at different moments by using their phones.
Shortly into the stream, Joachim instructed his digital audience to pull out their phones, take a photo and share a message wishing other congregants a happy Easter. As he spoke, parishioners texted him well wishes.
The pastor joked that he had kept telling himself he would reach out to people more over the phone during self-quarantine only to get caught up in a Netflix binge. He suggested that those watching not allow quarantining to make their lives feel small.
“Let’s talk to other people, text each other,” he said. “Life is bigger than the space we’re confined to.”


latimes--2020-04-12--Silver Lake reservoir path made one-way over worries about crowding during coronavirus

The popular walking path around the Silver Lake Reservoir remained open but was converted to a one-way-only trail Saturday in an effort to improve social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Pedestrians were required to walk counterclockwise , stay six feet apart and wear masks .
“ If we can all walk in the same direction , practice social distancing and wear face masks , everyone will remain healthy and have these options to exercise during the pandemic , ” Councilman Mitch O ’ Farrell said in a video posted to social media Saturday .
“ I want to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but unless personal distancing is being adhered to and users wear face coverings , we could see the path closed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city , ” he added on Twitter .
Los Angeles has already closed many beaches , recreation areas and trails to encourage social distancing .
Los Angeles County health officials warned Friday that residents of the region must adopt even to slow the and that stay-at-home restrictions could remain into the summer .
Even with the dramatic social distancing county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that up to 30 % of residents could be infected by midsummer without more behavioral changes , As a result , Los Angeles County is extending through at least May 15 .

The Silver Lake Reservoir path has been made one-way over worries about crowding during the coronavirus pandemic.
The popular walking path around the Silver Lake Reservoir remained open but was converted to a one-way-only trail Saturday in an effort to improve social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Pedestrians were required to walk counterclockwise, stay six feet apart and wear masks.
“If we can all walk in the same direction, practice social distancing and wear face masks, everyone will remain healthy and have these options to exercise during the pandemic,” Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said in a video posted to social media Saturday.
“I want to see the path remain open during the pandemic, but unless personal distancing is being adhered to and users wear face coverings, we could see the path closed as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the city,” he added on Twitter.
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Los Angeles has already closed many beaches, recreation areas and trails to encourage social distancing.
Los Angeles County health officials warned Friday that residents of the region must adopt even more stringent social distancing practices to slow the spread of the coronavirus and that stay-at-home restrictions could remain into the summer.
Even with the dramatic social distancing county residents are already practicing, officials forecast that up to 30% of residents could be infected by midsummer without more behavioral changes, such as reducing shopping trips.


latimes--2020-04-12--Government complacency is 'a giant sin': Imperial Beach was ready to act

The Sun and Sea Manor , an assisted living facility for people with dementia and Alzheimer ’ s , hit a roadblock when ordering medical equipment earlier this month .
Their vendor was out of supplies .
The COVID-19 pandemic had created a surge in demand , so the assisted living facility in the San Diego County city of Imperial Beach was essentially told to take a number and hope for the best .
“ They ’ re getting so many orders that they ’ ve set up a lottery system right now with everything , including toilet paper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s executive director .
Then , Sun and Sea got an unexpected call from Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina .
Agustin described it as a “ wellness check ” from the city ’ s top elected official .
She told him about their lack of gloves , masks and medical gowns .
He told her that IB had their back .
Within a week , the supplies came .
“ We ’ ve been doing the happy dance over here , ” said Anne Owens-Stone , Sun and Sea Manor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer , which nobody can get their hands on these days.
” That wasn ’ t an isolated act of kindness .
Three weeks ago , Imperial Beach set up a special task force to proactively deal with coronavirus-related issues facing the city ’ s residents .
The task force is broken down into five subcommittees that each address particular issues : public health ; business ; high-risk populations ; preparation and recovery ; and public safety .
Each committee includes one member of the City Council and local residents who are experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the public health subcommittee includes Mayor Dedina and three doctors who live in Imperial Beach .
All of the work is done on a volunteer basis .
Those experts tap into their networks to provide Imperial Beach residents with the best available resources .
Dedina got the idea to form a task force from the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative .
It ’ s a program that connects mayors from across the country to experts via weekly conference calls .
Those experts include former Presidents Barack Obama , George W. Bush and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads of the CDC and crisis management experts at Harvard University .
They stressed the importance of having a unified and proactive response , Dedina said .
“ It was the first thing they suggested , ” he said .
Apart from getting Sun and Sea Manor medical equipment , the task force has helped connect local businesses with federal loan programs , gotten 40 masks to workers at the local Grocery Outlet store , removed gang-related graffiti that popped up after the stay-in-shelter orders , and educated tenants about eviction protections available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first city in San Diego County to pass an eviction moratorium .
Under the city ’ s moratorium , tenants who provide written notice to their landlord that they are unable to pay rent because of the pandemic and show documented proof to back up their claim can not be evicted during the state of emergency .
In a way , Imperial Beach was ready for a crisis because the city had already been facing one for years — cross-border sewage spills that routinely shut down the city ’ s beaches .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to understand why complacency is a giant sin for government , ” Dedina said .
“ That ’ s why we were so proactive on this issues .
Because we can ’ t afford to have it devastate our community.
” Dr. Ramon Hernandez , who is a member of the public health subcommittee , is also the sector chief of community health at UC San Diego School of Medicine ’ s pediatricts department .
He has been hosting weekly video blogs on Facebook to keep the community updated on the latest developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun and Sea Manor with the county health department for supplies .
Hernandez says the task force has had practical benefits in helping combat the pandemic but also has worked to keep people connected even while isolated at home — an important factor right now for overall well-being .
Being able to solve some issues through the task force is a mental health boost , he said .
“ To be honest , the community piece is what inspires me , ” he said .
“ I see our community do all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beautiful .
It shows that in the midst of a crisis we are coming together and it shows the strength of our city.
” It ’ s been particularly helpful in giving people a sense of agency , he said , that they have some sort of control over this situation .
At Sun and Sea Manor , staff have been controlling what they can control , showing a little creativity while doing some troubleshooting .
With current restrictions , residents ’ family and friends haven ’ t been able to visit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos that residents can send to their children , grandkids and great-grandchildren .
“ To feel so embraced by the community has just been so uplifting , ” Owens-Stone said .

Dorothy Agustin, Sun and Sea Manor executive director, holds a “thank you” sign after the assited living facility received medical supplies from San Diego County. Behind her are the facility’s staff and, at left, owner Anne Owens-Stone.
The Sun and Sea Manor, an assisted living facility for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, hit a roadblock when ordering medical equipment earlier this month.
Their vendor was out of supplies. The COVID-19 pandemic had created a surge in demand, so the assisted living facility in the San Diego County city of Imperial Beach was essentially told to take a number and hope for the best.
“They’re getting so many orders that they’ve set up a lottery system right now with everything, including toilet paper,” said Dorothy Agustin, the home’s executive director.
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Then, Sun and Sea got an unexpected call from Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina. Agustin described it as a “wellness check” from the city’s top elected official.
She told him about their lack of gloves, masks and medical gowns. He told her that IB had their back.
Within a week, the supplies came.
“We’ve been doing the happy dance over here,” said Anne Owens-Stone, Sun and Sea Manor’s owner. “We also received hand sanitizer, which nobody can get their hands on these days.”
That wasn’t an isolated act of kindness. Three weeks ago, Imperial Beach set up a special task force to proactively deal with coronavirus-related issues facing the city’s residents.
The task force is broken down into five subcommittees that each address particular issues: public health; business; high-risk populations; preparation and recovery; and public safety.
Each committee includes one member of the City Council and local residents who are experts in their respected field. For example, the public health subcommittee includes Mayor Dedina and three doctors who live in Imperial Beach. All of the work is done on a volunteer basis.
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Those experts tap into their networks to provide Imperial Beach residents with the best available resources.
Dedina got the idea to form a task force from the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. It’s a program that connects mayors from across the country to experts via weekly conference calls.
Those experts include former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as former heads of the CDC and crisis management experts at Harvard University. They stressed the importance of having a unified and proactive response, Dedina said.
“It was the first thing they suggested,” he said.
Apart from getting Sun and Sea Manor medical equipment, the task force has helped connect local businesses with federal loan programs, gotten 40 masks to workers at the local Grocery Outlet store, removed gang-related graffiti that popped up after the stay-in-shelter orders, and educated tenants about eviction protections available to them.
Imperial Beach was the first city in San Diego County to pass an eviction moratorium. Under the city’s moratorium, tenants who provide written notice to their landlord that they are unable to pay rent because of the pandemic and show documented proof to back up their claim cannot be evicted during the state of emergency.
In a way, Imperial Beach was ready for a crisis because the city had already been facing one for years — cross-border sewage spills that routinely shut down the city’s beaches.
“I think it gave us the resources to understand why complacency is a giant sin for government,” Dedina said. “That’s why we were so proactive on this issues. Because we can’t afford to have it devastate our community.”
Dr. Ramon Hernandez, who is a member of the public health subcommittee, is also the sector chief of community health at UC San Diego School of Medicine’s pediatricts department. He has been hosting weekly video blogs on Facebook to keep the community updated on the latest developments.
Hernandez is the one who connected Sun and Sea Manor with the county health department for supplies.
Hernandez says the task force has had practical benefits in helping combat the pandemic but also has worked to keep people connected even while isolated at home — an important factor right now for overall well-being. Being able to solve some issues through the task force is a mental health boost, he said.
“To be honest, the community piece is what inspires me,” he said. “I see our community do all of this work and it’s really beautiful. It shows that in the midst of a crisis we are coming together and it shows the strength of our city.”
It’s been particularly helpful in giving people a sense of agency, he said, that they have some sort of control over this situation.
At Sun and Sea Manor, staff have been controlling what they can control, showing a little creativity while doing some troubleshooting.
With current restrictions, residents’ family and friends haven’t been able to visit. So staff members have started shooting short videos that residents can send to their children, grandkids and great-grandchildren.
“To feel so embraced by the community has just been so uplifting,” Owens-Stone said.
Solis writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune


latimes--2020-04-12--Six people shot at a large party in Bakersfield, where there's a ban on all gatherings

Six people were shot shortly after midnight Saturday at a party attended by dozens of people at a Bakersfield apartment @ @ @ @ @ Deputies found six victims including a girl at the scene of the large private gathering @ @ @ @ @ Pioneer Drive , according to the Kern County Sheriff ’ s Office .
Adult victims @ @ @ @ @ women and a man .
Paramedics took the victims to a local hospital , where @ @ @ @ @ that were not life-threatening , authorities said .
The suspects remain at large .
They @ @ @ @ @ men driving a white sedan .
The party occurred despite the county ’ s April @ @ @ @ @ and private gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Kern County health officials said 377 people @ @ @ @ @ , with three virus-related deaths .

Six people were shot shortly after midnight Saturday at a party attended by dozens of people at a Bakersfield apartment complex, authorities said.
Deputies found six victims including a girl at the scene of the large private gathering in the 3500 block of Pioneer Drive, according to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office. Adult victims of the shooting included four women and a man.
Paramedics took the victims to a local hospital, where they were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, authorities said. The suspects remain at large. They’re described as four men driving a white sedan.
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The party occurred despite the county’s April 2 ban on all public and private gatherings amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Kern County health officials said 377 people had tested positive for COVID-19, with three virus-related deaths.


latimes--2020-04-12--Gloomy weather will last all day, forecasters say

Light rain and drizzle are on tap for most of Southern California on this Easter Sunday .
The wet weather @ @ @ @ @ the day and into Monday afternoon , said Kathy Hoxsie , meteorologist with the National @ @ @ @ @ “ We still have a lot of residual deep moisture , ” she said , @ @ @ @ @ got some rain clouds.
” Most of the region will see a tenth of an @ @ @ @ @ , with a little more possible in the foothills , she said .
The deep @ @ @ @ @ will stay slightly cooler than normal , with temperatures in the 60s in most areas @ @ @ @ @ up Tuesday , when most coastal and valley locations will reach the 70s .
“ @ @ @ @ @ have many areas pushing 80 degrees , especially in the San Fernando and San Gabriel @ @ @ @ @ .
Temperatures are expected to cool off into the 60s again on Friday and Saturday @ @ @ @ @ of rain on Friday , she said .

A surfer is silhouetted Friday on an empty bike path amid steady rainfall in Huntington Beach.
Light rain and drizzle are on tap for most of Southern California on this Easter Sunday.
The wet weather is expected to last through the day and into Monday afternoon, said Kathy Hoxsie, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
“We still have a lot of residual deep moisture,” she said, “so we’ve got some rain clouds.”
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Most of the region will see a tenth of an inch or less of precipitation, with a little more possible in the foothills, she said.
The deep marine layer also means it will stay slightly cooler than normal, with temperatures in the 60s in most areas Sunday.
Things will warm up Tuesday, when most coastal and valley locations will reach the 70s.
“Then by Wednesday, we have many areas pushing 80 degrees, especially in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys,” Hoxsie said.
Temperatures are expected to cool off into the 60s again on Friday and Saturday, with a slight chance of rain on Friday, she said.


latimes--2020-04-16--Another 'new normal' in California after coronavirus? All vote-by-mail elections

California is headed toward its first all-mail statewide election in November to protect voters and precinct workers from the pugnacious coronavirus .
Get used to it .
All-mail elections — with every registered voter mailed a ballot — are very likely to become the “ new normal ” for California even after the virus is subdued .
It ’ s ironic : Old-fashioned “ snail mail ” is being chosen as the easiest , safest , most efficient and fraud-free way of conducting elections in this era of rapid technological evolution .
Silicon Valley techies will be posting their ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figured out how to make online voting secure from hackers .
With mailed ballots , there ’ s a conspicuous paper trail .
“ [ President ] Trump keeps feeding lies about voter fraud in vote-by-mail and he has zero evidence , ” says California Secretary of State Alex Padilla , a Democrat .
After Trump got fewer popular votes than Hillary Clinton in 2016 , but won the presidency in the Electoral College , he claimed that millions of people voted illegally .
He created a commission to prove his fantasy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when no evidence was found .
Lately , Trump has been urging Republicans to fight a nationwide drive toward voting by mail that is motivated by the virus pandemic .
“ There ’ s a lot of dishonesty going on with mail-in voting , ” the president claims .
“ Mail ballots are a very dangerous thing for the country.
” And here ’ s the real reason Trump thinks they ’ re dangerous : “ You ’ d never have a Republican elected in this country again , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican governors and secretaries of state are even urging mail voting in the November presidential election .
Maryland ’ s Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan has ordered the state ’ s June 2 primary to be conducted by mail .
“ It ’ s the safest way to vote from a health perspective , ” Padilla says .
“ And it ’ s the easiest .
A ballot comes to your home and you return it .
You don ’ t even need a stamp anymore .
It ’ s prepaid .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gavin Newsom hasn ’ t announced that California will hold an all-mail election in November , but insiders expect him to soon .
Padilla is pushing for it .
There ’ d still be a few local voting centers where people could register on election day or replace a spoiled ballot .
The centers would also be open for early voting a few days before the election .
Newsom ordered two special elections on May 12 to be be all-mail events .
One is for a congressional seat in northern Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Senate seat .
“ Actually , it makes sense for the whole state to do that , ” Padilla says .
“ There will be an election in November .
The question is how do we vote so that it ’ s accessible , secure and safe for everybody .
I believe the best way to do it is to send every voter a ballot in the mail.… We have to start planning now for the worst-case scenario.
” The worst case would be if the virus went on another rampage before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back into their homes .
Polling places would be virtually inoperable .
California has been gradually moving toward all-mail voting anyway .
It ’ s a lot more convenient — although not as heartwarming an exercise in American democracy as a poll visit on election day .
In the 1962 gubernatorial election , only 2.6 % of voters cast absentee ballots .
In those days , a voter had to have an excuse .
“ Going to be out of town ” was the common claim .
In 2002 , Democratic Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” bill that allowed everyone to vote by mail .
That fall , 27 % of the gubernatorial election ballots were cast by mail .
By 2018 , mail ballots totaled 65 % of those cast .
There ’ s perpetual speculation about which party or ideology benefits most from mailed ballots .
The prevailing theory is that since mailed voting increases turnout — and there ’ s no question about that — it helps Democrats and liberal causes .
That ’ s because Republicans tend to be “ high propensity ” voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many Democrats seem to cast ballots only when the spirit moves them .
There ’ s some truth in that , but it ’ s mostly urban legend .
“ California ’ s experience has been that improved turnout doesn ’ t inherently advantage one party over the other , ” says Paul Mitchell , vice president of Political Data Inc. , which generates voter statistics .
“ It benefits both sides.
” Mitchell dug into the 2018 general election and found that both parties had the same percentage of increased turnout among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race and by age — had higher turnouts when they voted by mail than if they went to a polling place .
Overall , among those who received mail ballots , 71 % wound up casting them .
But only 53 % of non-mail voters went to the polls .
The turnout of registered Republicans was three percentage points higher than that of Democrats — regardless of how they voted — but the GOP is an endangered species in California .
Because of the virus scare , Bob Shrum , a longtime Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Political Future at USC , believes that mail voting “ will sustain or increase voter turnout of people who otherwise might be afraid to go to the polls .
Marginally , it will help Democrats in congressional races.
” Padilla won ’ t venture into political speculation .
He focuses on the virus .
“ Risking your health and your life should not be required to participate in democracy , ” he says .
You ’ d think there ’ d be nonpartisan , unanimous agreement on that logic .

California is headed toward its first all-mail statewide election in November to protect voters and precinct workers from the pugnacious coronavirus. Get used to it.
All-mail elections — with every registered voter mailed a ballot — are very likely to become the “new normal” for California even after the virus is subdued.
It’s ironic: Old-fashioned “snail mail” is being chosen as the easiest, safest, most efficient and fraud-free way of conducting elections in this era of rapid technological evolution. Silicon Valley techies will be posting their ballots into snailboxes.
Advertisement
No one apparently has figured out how to make online voting secure from hackers. With mailed ballots, there’s a conspicuous paper trail.
“[President] Trump keeps feeding lies about voter fraud in vote-by-mail and he has zero evidence,” says California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, a Democrat.
After Trump got fewer popular votes than Hillary Clinton in 2016, but won the presidency in the Electoral College, he claimed that millions of people voted illegally. He created a commission to prove his fantasy. But he had to shut it down when no evidence was found.
Lately, Trump has been urging Republicans to fight a nationwide drive toward voting by mail that is motivated by the virus pandemic.
“There’s a lot of dishonesty going on with mail-in voting,” the president claims. “Mail ballots are a very dangerous thing for the country.”
And here’s the real reason Trump thinks they’re dangerous: “You’d never have a Republican elected in this country again,” he says.
Advertisement
Which of course is ludicrous. Some Republican governors and secretaries of state are even urging mail voting in the November presidential election. Maryland’s Republican Gov. Larry Hogan has ordered the state’s June 2 primary to be conducted by mail.
“It’s the safest way to vote from a health perspective,” Padilla says. “And it’s the easiest. A ballot comes to your home and you return it. You don’t even need a stamp anymore. It’s prepaid. We’re covering postage.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom hasn’t announced that California will hold an all-mail election in November, but insiders expect him to soon. Padilla is pushing for it.
There’d still be a few local voting centers where people could register on election day or replace a spoiled ballot. The centers would also be open for early voting a few days before the election.
Newsom ordered two special elections on May 12 to be be all-mail events. One is for a congressional seat in northern Los Angeles County and the other for a Riverside County state Senate seat.
“Actually, it makes sense for the whole state to do that,” Padilla says.
“There will be an election in November. The question is how do we vote so that it’s accessible, secure and safe for everybody. I believe the best way to do it is to send every voter a ballot in the mail.… We have to start planning now for the worst-case scenario.”
The worst case would be if the virus went on another rampage before the election and governments herded most voters back into their homes. Polling places would be virtually inoperable.
California has been gradually moving toward all-mail voting anyway. It’s a lot more convenient — although not as heartwarming an exercise in American democracy as a poll visit on election day.
In the 1962 gubernatorial election, only 2.6% of voters cast absentee ballots. In those days, a voter had to have an excuse. “Going to be out of town” was the common claim.
In 2002, Democratic Gov. Gray Davis signed a “no excuse” bill that allowed everyone to vote by mail. That fall, 27% of the gubernatorial election ballots were cast by mail. By 2018, mail ballots totaled 65% of those cast.
There’s perpetual speculation about which party or ideology benefits most from mailed ballots. The prevailing theory is that since mailed voting increases turnout — and there’s no question about that — it helps Democrats and liberal causes.
That’s because Republicans tend to be “high propensity” voters who never miss an election. But many Democrats seem to cast ballots only when the spirit moves them. There’s some truth in that, but it’s mostly urban legend.
“California’s experience has been that improved turnout doesn’t inherently advantage one party over the other,” says Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data Inc., which generates voter statistics. “It benefits both sides.”
Mitchell dug into the 2018 general election and found that both parties had the same percentage of increased turnout among mail voters. All groups — by race and by age — had higher turnouts when they voted by mail than if they went to a polling place.
Overall, among those who received mail ballots, 71% wound up casting them. But only 53% of non-mail voters went to the polls. The turnout of registered Republicans was three percentage points higher than that of Democrats — regardless of how they voted — but the GOP is an endangered species in California.
Because of the virus scare, Bob Shrum, a longtime Democratic strategist who is director of the Center for the Political Future at USC, believes that mail voting “will sustain or increase voter turnout of people who otherwise might be afraid to go to the polls. Marginally, it will help Democrats in congressional races.”
Padilla won’t venture into political speculation. He focuses on the virus.
“Risking your health and your life should not be required to participate in democracy,” he says.
You’d think there’d be nonpartisan, unanimous agreement on that logic.


latimes--2020-04-15--California allows some freshwater fishing bans over coronavirus fears

California regulators voted Wednesday to allow temporary limits on freshwater fishing in some rural communities where local officials are concerned out-of-towners could spread the novel coronavirus to residents .
The unanimous vote by the Fish and Game Commission grants emergency authority to the director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to postpone the spring trout season at the request of a few counties .
Opening day is celebrated among anglers as “ fishmas ” and draws thousands of people to the eastern Sierra .
This year it ’ s set for April 25 .
But fears over COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Mono to urge fisheries regulators to postpone the unofficial holiday for their rivers , streams and lakes .
The online public meeting was rescheduled from an April 9 teleconference that was canceled when it became overwhelmed by hundreds of callers , some of whom branded officials as “ fascists ” and shouted obscenities .
Rumors had circulated on social media that the commission was considering shutting down all freshwater fishing in California .
Commission President Eric Sklar and Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham kicked off Wednesday ’ s meeting by reiterating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Neither the Department of Fish and Wildlife nor the Fish and Game Commission has proposed a statewide closure of statewide fishing .
Neither intends to do so , ” Bonham said .
After he was granted the emergency authority , Bonham said any limits he imposes would be in response “ to local needs in this public health emergency “ and would expire May 31 .
The meeting was briefly delayed by technical problems before proceeding as planned with comments from residents , health officials , tribal representatives and law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state .
Some opponents of the limited bans questioned why more regulations were needed when the whole state was under a stay-at-home order .
Others said the bans are unnecessary because social distancing rules are easily followed while fishing .
Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Braun pleaded with visitors to “ give us time to get through this crisis.
” She said there ’ s no place for guests to stay because many hotels are closed and short-term rental properties are being used by essential workers .
A sign outside the Kern River @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go home : “ Please , out of respect for the locals and everyone ’ s health !
” Owner Guy Jeans said any other year he ’ d welcome a crush of eager anglers .
“ But now I ’ m saying , ‘ Guys , you can ’ t be here right now .
We ’ re trying to keep this town safe , ’ ” Jeans said .
About 1 million licensed anglers regularly fish California ’ s waterways through the year , making it one of the most active @ @ @ @

People fish in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta’s Elk Slough near Courtland, Calif., this year.
California regulators voted Wednesday to allow temporary limits on freshwater fishing in some rural communities where local officials are concerned out-of-towners could spread the novel coronavirus to residents.
The unanimous vote by the Fish and Game Commission grants emergency authority to the director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to postpone the spring trout season at the request of a few counties.
Opening day is celebrated among anglers as “fishmas” and draws thousands of people to the eastern Sierra. This year it’s set for April 25.
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But fears over COVID-19 led the counties of Alpine, Inyo and Mono to urge fisheries regulators to postpone the unofficial holiday for their rivers, streams and lakes.
The online public meeting was rescheduled from an April 9 teleconference that was canceled when it became overwhelmed by hundreds of callers, some of whom branded officials as “fascists” and shouted obscenities. Rumors had circulated on social media that the commission was considering shutting down all freshwater fishing in California.
Commission President Eric Sklar and Fish and Wildlife Director Charlton Bonham kicked off Wednesday’s meeting by reiterating that officials were not contemplating total bans.
“Neither the Department of Fish and Wildlife nor the Fish and Game Commission has proposed a statewide closure of statewide fishing. Neither intends to do so,” Bonham said.
After he was granted the emergency authority, Bonham said any limits he imposes would be in response “to local needs in this public health emergency“ and would expire May 31.
Sklar called it a “narrow, surgical and tailored” approach.
The meeting was briefly delayed by technical problems before proceeding as planned with comments from residents, health officials, tribal representatives and law enforcement members from the eastern Sierra and across the state.
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Some opponents of the limited bans questioned why more regulations were needed when the whole state was under a stay-at-home order. Others said the bans are unnecessary because social distancing rules are easily followed while fishing.
Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Braun pleaded with visitors to “give us time to get through this crisis.” She said there’s no place for guests to stay because many hotels are closed and short-term rental properties are being used by essential workers.
A sign outside the Kern River Fly Shop in Kernville urged out-of-towners to go home: “Please, out of respect for the locals and everyone’s health!”
Owner Guy Jeans said any other year he’d welcome a crush of eager anglers.
“But now I’m saying, ‘Guys, you can’t be here right now. We’re trying to keep this town safe,’ ” Jeans said.
About 1 million licensed anglers regularly fish California’s waterways through the year, making it one of the most active U.S. fishing states.