latimes--2020-07-09--College 2020: A day in the life of a socially distancing student

Ravi and Priya Riley , twins from Los Angeles , have long imagined living in dormitories and attending freshman classes at UC Berkeley in the fall : roommates , packed lectures , all-night study sessions with friends .
But not all of their first-year expectations will materialize .
Though Berkeley expects to hold some in-person classes this fall contingent upon low coronavirus case numbers , it will adopt physical distancing and cleaning precautions similar to schools around the country .
That , says Ravi , is preferable to distance learning .
“ Staying online and staying home — I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you ’ re not going to have any semblance of whatever a freshman experience would be .
Whereas with a hybrid system , maybe there ’ s a chance , ” he said .
Administrators at Southern California schools say the details of student life on their campuses are still being finalized .
“ We have 10,000 scenarios ; we ’ re just not sure which one of the 10,000 is the one that ’ s going to be implemented , ” said Michael Feltner , dean of Pepperdine ’ s Seaver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on their own schools ’ plans and on plans formulated by larger groups of schools , here ’ s what a day in campus life might look like come fall .
Some students may not wake up in a typical residence hall .
On-campus housing slots will run out as some dorms are converted to quarantine residences .
To fill the gap , Pomona College , for example , is renting units at local apartment complexes .
The school will determine by late July whether they will be able to move forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University in La Mirada will house no more than two students per room — no more triples .
President Barry Corey doesn ’ t think Biola will have to deny housing to any undergraduates , but he anticipates more seniors will opt to live off campus .
Housing restrictions may also prohibit visits by students to other dorms .
No sleepovers .
At many schools , an early morning trip to a hall bathroom will now require a face covering and cleaning wipes .
And students may have to wait to enter the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others will assign residents to a personal stall , keeping contamination to a minimum .
Once you ’ re in , you ’ ll use the wipes to clean the toilet seat , said Pomona College President Gabrielle Starr , who chaired for the 85-college Assn .
of Independent California Colleges and Universities .
Some schools may install automatic flushers , sinks and towel dispensers .
And remember , “ Wear a mask , even in the restroom .
Not in the shower , obviously , ” Starr said .
But for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penciled in .
“ It could be that we take the floor as something like a family unit .
And then on the floor , masking would be not as tightly controlled .
But if you left your floor , then you would definitely need to have a face covering , ” Starr added .
Registered for a 10 a.m. class ?
You may need to leave extra time to walk an alternative route .
Many schools are creating one-way paths to keep students from breathing on each other .
Once you get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet a nursing student , said Biola ’ s Corey , who leads a team advising Los Angeles County on how to reopen campuses .
The student would scan your forehead with a noncontact infrared thermometer .
If you ’ re within a normal range , they ’ ll transmit your results to an app on your phone so you don ’ t have to get tested again for a day or so .
As you head into your classroom building , you ’ ll catch a squirt of hand sanitizer ( Biola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only some students will head into a building .
Others may be meeting in a theater , garden or tent .
“ A large class for us would be 50 .
That ’ s going to have to be split into two sections of 25 , ” Pepperdine ’ s Feltner said .
“ So we are seeking spaces .
We are creating spaces .
We will be taking spaces that haven ’ t been classrooms and making them classroom spaces.
” With classes in unconventional locations , students may have a longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the need for less congestion , means colleges will increase break time between classes .
Some schools may greatly expand the course schedule .
This may lead to scattered class times .
At Biola , the earliest classes will start at 7:20 a.m. and the latest will end at 10:30 p.m. “ Our campus has a wider band each day , and Saturdays as well , for courses .
[ Saturday courses ] also limit the number of students that are going to want to go home or take off the weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game this fall will be “ hy/flex courses , ” Corey said .
That means classes that are adaptable for in-person and online learning .
Some students will need to study solely online .
International students and students vulnerable to the coronavirus should not be at a disadvantage in their coursework .
Two-week quarantines may keep other students from the classroom .
At some universities , professors may choose to flip their classes entirely online or hold only small discussion groups in person .
A particular challenge for the Claremont Colleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students in the seven-college consortium can take classes at other campuses in typical semesters , that may not be feasible this year .
“ This is a subject of discussion among all of the presidents right now , ” Starr said .
“ And we also have one unusual part , which is we have some departments that are shared , for example , Africana Studies .
There ’ s only one Africana Studies Department that ’ s shared by all the five undergraduate colleges.
” Most schools will offer grab-and-go meals or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ ll try to eliminate long lines and cafeteria crowding , so you will probably eat outside .
Connie Horton , Pepperdine vice president for student affairs , sees fall 2020 as a time to revamp dining options by adding food trucks around the Malibu campus .
Self-serve dining would create opportunities for virus transmission .
“ We don ’ t want people holding the same handle of the ladle , ” she said .
But “ we want to think about the student experience too .
We don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t do ’ or ‘ all the things you can ’ t have.
’ Let ’ s make it fun .
Let ’ s make it convenient .
Let ’ s make it so there are variations.
” Many schools anticipate that student kitchens will remain available , as long as users keep countertops clean and refrain from sticking their hands in shared popcorn .
Just like class time , you will be expected to follow physical distancing measures during extracurricular activities .
After 112 coronavirus cases were linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has become clear that indoor exercise classes and dance rehearsals will entail strict measures .
They ’ ll require masks , while prohibiting partner dancing and contact improv .
Starr finds that unfortunate .
She started dancing because it allowed for human-contact .
“ After I finished rugby with concussions , I was like , ‘ What else can I do where I run into people , but more gently ?
’ And it was modern dance !
” she said .
As schools adapt extracurriculars to health regulations , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the activities .
“ What do we always want from the student life experience ?
We want a sense of community .
We want a sense of fun , tradition , connection and student leadership opportunities , ” Horton said .
“ We want to not lose sight of what we are trying to accomplish.
” A boon for California schools , she said , is the gorgeous weather .
Some activities will move outdoors ; in her opinion , it should have already been that way .
And already-outdoor activities may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is probably good !
Because it ’ s pretty independent , and it ’ s outside , and it ’ s in the water , ” she said .
Another popular Pepperdine activity will thrive this fall .
“ We also have a big esports program , which is thriving as we speak .
They say introverts have been training for this moment .
So have esports people , ” she said .
Large religious events may not be possible .
Pepperdine usually holds a weekly chapel service in the gym and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believes faith plays a vital role in education , so leaders are exploring new ways students can worship and grow .
They plan to offer more faculty-led small-group discussions about books or Scripture .
Biblical figures who are models of resilience seem particularly appropriate during a pandemic .
Corey said that Biola ’ s over-1,000-person , student-led worship will not be possible this fall .
Instead , he ’ s considering smaller services throughout the week .
“ Maybe that ’ s what students need right now .
Rather than a big , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think and ponder more about life in the midst of a major disruption , ” he said .
Of all college activities , large events , parties and nightlife may take the biggest hit .
But that doesn ’ t mean it ’ s all gone .
Some large events will be split into several smaller activities .
Other events will be held remotely or half online and half in-person .
“ We ’ re imagining a coffee house , for example , where maybe the first 25 people who register get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a socially distanced theater setup , but then other people can watch it livestreamed , ” Horton said .
Student leadership — especially sorority and fraternity presidents — will have a big role in adapting nightlife to the coronavirus .
Starr said that social distancing may not be the only constraint .
“ Alcohol and drugs make your judgment not so hot .
You are much more likely to lower your inhibitions , to misunderstand the risk , and to overestimate your own abilities .
I imagine that there will be some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of places , ” Starr said .
“ If you want to have a glass of wine in your room , you ’ re over 21 , you are talking to a friend in your room , and you ’ re socially distanced , that ’ s probably OK .
But a kegger is not.
” However schools and students adapt , administrators are enthusiastic for students to return to campus .
Students look forward to seeing their friends and escaping their parents ’ households .
“ When I talk to students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the excitement that they have to be back , it ’ s hard for that not to be infectious , ” Feltner said .
“ That ’ s probably a bad word to use at this time .
”

A jogger in face mask crosses a street at Pomona College on March 27. Due to coronavirus, colleges are making adjustments to things like housing, class sizes and on-campus dining.
Ravi and Priya Riley, twins from Los Angeles, have long imagined living in dormitories and attending freshman classes at UC Berkeley in the fall: roommates, packed lectures, all-night study sessions with friends.
But not all of their first-year expectations will materialize. Though Berkeley expects to hold some in-person classes this fall contingent upon low coronavirus case numbers, it will adopt physical distancing and cleaning precautions similar to schools around the country.
That, says Ravi, is preferable to distance learning.
“Staying online and staying home — I mean, you’re pretty much guaranteeing that you’re not going to have any semblance of whatever a freshman experience would be. Whereas with a hybrid system, maybe there’s a chance,” he said.
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Administrators at Southern California schools say the details of student life on their campuses are still being finalized.
“We have 10,000 scenarios; we’re just not sure which one of the 10,000 is the one that’s going to be implemented,” said Michael Feltner, dean of Pepperdine’s Seaver College.
Based on interviews with administrators working on their own schools’ plans and on plans formulated by larger groups of schools, here’s what a day in campus life might look like come fall.
UCLA student Kiera Laney attends a class online in her dorm room on campus in March. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
9 a.m.: Dorm room, hit snooze
Some students may not wake up in a typical residence hall. On-campus housing slots will run out as some dorms are converted to quarantine residences. To fill the gap, Pomona College, for example, is renting units at local apartment complexes. The school will determine by late July whether they will be able to move forward with housing students.
Dorms at Biola University in La Mirada will house no more than two students per room — no more triples. President Barry Corey doesn’t think Biola will have to deny housing to any undergraduates, but he anticipates more seniors will opt to live off campus.
Housing restrictions may also prohibit visits by students to other dorms. No sleepovers.
9:15 a.m.: Bathrooms
At many schools, an early morning trip to a hall bathroom will now require a face covering and cleaning wipes.
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And students may have to wait to enter the facilities because their schools limit bathroom occupancy. Others will assign residents to a personal stall, keeping contamination to a minimum.
Once you’re in, you’ll use the wipes to clean the toilet seat, said Pomona College President Gabrielle Starr, who chaired a reopening task force for the 85-college Assn. of Independent California Colleges and Universities. Some schools may install automatic flushers, sinks and towel dispensers. And remember, “Wear a mask, even in the restroom. Not in the shower, obviously,” Starr said.
But for now, all dorm guidelines are only penciled in.
“It could be that we take the floor as something like a family unit. And then on the floor, masking would be not as tightly controlled. But if you left your floor, then you would definitely need to have a face covering,” Starr added.
9:35 a.m.: Walk to class
Registered for a 10 a.m. class? You may need to leave extra time to walk an alternative route. Many schools are creating one-way paths to keep students from breathing on each other.
Biola University in La Mirada plans to hold classes on campus in the fall. (Austin Bland)
Once you get to a building entrance, you might meet a nursing student, said Biola’s Corey, who leads a team advising Los Angeles County on how to reopen campuses. The student would scan your forehead with a noncontact infrared thermometer. If you’re within a normal range, they’ll transmit your results to an app on your phone so you don’t have to get tested again for a day or so.
As you head into your classroom building, you’ll catch a squirt of hand sanitizer (Biola has ordered 144 gallons).
But only some students will head into a building. Others may be meeting in a theater, garden or tent.
“A large class for us would be 50. That’s going to have to be split into two sections of 25,” Pepperdine’s Feltner said. “So we are seeking spaces. We are creating spaces. We will be taking spaces that haven’t been classrooms and making them classroom spaces.”
With classes in unconventional locations, students may have a longer distance to walk. This, paired with the need for less congestion, means colleges will increase break time between classes.
Some schools may greatly expand the course schedule. This may lead to scattered class times.
At Biola, the earliest classes will start at 7:20 a.m. and the latest will end at 10:30 p.m.
“Our campus has a wider band each day, and Saturdays as well, for courses. [Saturday courses] also limit the number of students that are going to want to go home or take off the weekend,” Corey said.
10 a.m.: Class time
The name of the game this fall will be “hy/flex courses,” Corey said. That means classes that are adaptable for in-person and online learning.
Some students will need to study solely online. International students and students vulnerable to the coronavirus should not be at a disadvantage in their coursework. Two-week quarantines may keep other students from the classroom.
At some universities, professors may choose to flip their classes entirely online or hold only small discussion groups in person.
A particular challenge for the Claremont Colleges is the inter-institutional offerings. While some students in the seven-college consortium can take classes at other campuses in typical semesters, that may not be feasible this year.
“This is a subject of discussion among all of the presidents right now,” Starr said. “And we also have one unusual part, which is we have some departments that are shared, for example, Africana Studies. There’s only one Africana Studies Department that’s shared by all the five undergraduate colleges.”
× The 1918 flu was one the worst pandemics in history, infecting one-third of the world’s population. How cities responded to the crisis in 1918 provides lessons on handling COVID-19 today.
Noon: Grab a bite
Most schools will offer grab-and-go meals or food dished out by cafeteria staff. They’ll try to eliminate long lines and cafeteria crowding, so you will probably eat outside.
Connie Horton, Pepperdine vice president for student affairs, sees fall 2020 as a time to revamp dining options by adding food trucks around the Malibu campus. Self-serve dining would create opportunities for virus transmission.
“We don’t want people holding the same handle of the ladle,” she said. But “we want to think about the student experience too. We don’t want it to be ‘all the things you can’t do’ or ‘all the things you can’t have.’ Let’s make it fun. Let’s make it convenient. Let’s make it so there are variations.”
Many schools anticipate that student kitchens will remain available, as long as users keep countertops clean and refrain from sticking their hands in shared popcorn.
4 p.m. Activities and sports
Just like class time, you will be expected to follow physical distancing measures during extracurricular activities.
After 112 coronavirus cases were linked to one dance class in South Korea, it has become clear that indoor exercise classes and dance rehearsals will entail strict measures. They’ll require masks, while prohibiting partner dancing and contact improv.
Starr finds that unfortunate. She started dancing because it allowed for human-contact.
Lifestyle 10 ways to work out at home while you’re stuck inside You can’t go to the gym, but you need to break a sweat and burn off the anxiety we’re all feeling. Here’s a variety of workouts that will do the trick.
“After I finished rugby with concussions, I was like, ‘What else can I do where I run into people, but more gently?’ And it was modern dance!” she said.
As schools adapt extracurriculars to health regulations, they’ll strategize to maintain the community-building benefits of the activities.
“What do we always want from the student life experience? We want a sense of community. We want a sense of fun, tradition, connection and student leadership opportunities,” Horton said. “We want to not lose sight of what we are trying to accomplish.”
A boon for California schools, she said, is the gorgeous weather. Some activities will move outdoors; in her opinion, it should have already been that way. And already-outdoor activities may be easy to accommodate.
If you go to Pepperdine, you have no excuse to be indoors. (Pepperdine University)
“Surfing is probably good! Because it’s pretty independent, and it’s outside, and it’s in the water,” she said.
Another popular Pepperdine activity will thrive this fall.
“We also have a big esports program, which is thriving as we speak. They say introverts have been training for this moment. So have esports people,” she said.
6 p.m. Spirituality
Large religious events may not be possible. Pepperdine usually holds a weekly chapel service in the gym and other services in an amphitheater.
The university believes faith plays a vital role in education, so leaders are exploring new ways students can worship and grow. They plan to offer more faculty-led small-group discussions about books or Scripture. Biblical figures who are models of resilience seem particularly appropriate during a pandemic.
California Religion copes with fear of coronavirus spread From Catholic churches to Jewish synagogues, Islamic mosques and other religious institutions, many of the faithful are being asked to adapt to changes to practices and rituals in the face of coronavirus.
Corey said that Biola’s over-1,000-person, student-led worship will not be possible this fall. Instead, he’s considering smaller services throughout the week.
“Maybe that’s what students need right now. Rather than a big, high-energy gathering, something that causes them to think and ponder more about life in the midst of a major disruption,” he said.
10 p.m.: Events? Parties? Nightlife?
Of all college activities, large events, parties and nightlife may take the biggest hit. But that doesn’t mean it’s all gone. Some large events will be split into several smaller activities. Other events will be held remotely or half online and half in-person.
“We’re imagining a coffee house, for example, where maybe the first 25 people who register get to see [the entertainment] live in a socially distanced theater setup, but then other people can watch it livestreamed,” Horton said.
Student leadership — especially sorority and fraternity presidents — will have a big role in adapting nightlife to the coronavirus.
The need for social distancing due to the coronavirus will pose a challenge for in-person events, such as this BTS concert at the Rose Bowl last year. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)
Starr said that social distancing may not be the only constraint.
“Alcohol and drugs make your judgment not so hot. You are much more likely to lower your inhibitions, to misunderstand the risk, and to overestimate your own abilities. I imagine that there will be some very tight zero-tolerance policies at a lot of places,” Starr said. “If you want to have a glass of wine in your room, you’re over 21, you are talking to a friend in your room, and you’re socially distanced, that’s probably OK. But a kegger is not.”
However schools and students adapt, administrators are enthusiastic for students to return to campus. Students look forward to seeing their friends and escaping their parents’ households.
“When I talk to students and I see the energy that they have and the excitement that they have to be back, it’s hard for that not to be infectious,” Feltner said. “That’s probably a bad word to use at this time.”


latimes--2020-07-09--San Bernardino County cancels hundreds of coronavirus test appointments, citing shortage

San Bernardino County health officials have had to cancel hundreds of appointments for people who signed up to get coronavirus tests , citing a shortage in materials .
“ The county ’ s daily testing capacity has shrunk from about 4,500 to about 1,800 , ” public information officer David Wert said , adding that the county ’ s test vendors “ are unable to procure supply.
” “ What the county is experiencing is part of the nationwide supply chain crisis.
” The county of 2.18 million residents , where more than 167,000 have been tested for the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hopes to resume expanded testing next week after obtaining enough supplies .
“ We are continuously trying to obtain the necessary resources to ensure that we can provide testing in our county at peak capacity , ” said Corwin Porter , interim county public health director .
“ Without a sufficient supply of tests , this will bring challenges in identifying cases and treating those who are diagnosed positive for COVID-19.
” Testing has remained one of the only available weapons to fight against the virus in the ongoing absence of a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state and country have encouraged widespread and regular testing .
But as case counts and hospitalizations continue to surge , demand for testing has continued to spike beyond capacity .
On Saturday , California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced that laboratories should prioritize testing turnaround for individuals who are symptomatic , hospitalized or living in congregate settings , such as nursing homes , or institutional settings , including jail facilities .
“ As more states begin to scale their testing capabilities , new constrains are materializing within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmed with high numbers of specimens , slowing down processing timelines .
These delays will present significant challenges in ( 1 ) our ability to care for people in the hospital where testing helps us make appropriate treatment decisions and ( 2 ) our ability to appropriately isolate those who are sick in order to box in the virus and cut transmission rates , ” Ghaly wrote in a statement .
In Los Angeles County , where more than 1 million tests have been distributed , officials said that the demand for testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply .
On Wednesday , county officials shifted priority on guidance for who should get tested for the virus .
After weeks of stressing that all individuals — including potential asymptomatic spreaders — should be tested , public health officials placed priority on those who are showing symptoms , work in a high-risk environment or have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus .
“ The mismatch of demand has become more apparent , ” L.A. County Health Services Director Dr. Christina Ghaly said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti echoed the sentiment during a briefing Wednesday night .
Garcetti said that there was more testing capacity than demand in the city two weeks ago , but that capacity was stretched last week .
Both asymptomatic and symptomatic residents have reported difficulty in finding appointments for testing for the past three weeks .
Availability was further limited last week leading up to Fourth of July holiday weekend and on Monday , when Dodger Stadium — the largest testing site in the county — was closed for testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the supply chain — everything from reagents to some of the swabs , and the surge in states like Texas , Florida and Georgia , have caused labs to be past their capacity across the county , ” Garcetti said , noting that has not been the case at the six city test sites run by Curative labs and nonprofit group Community Organized Relief Effort , or CORE .
The mayor said that the city is working to expand testing capacity , but he stressed that people should not get tested in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A test is not a passport to party , ” he said .

San Bernardino County health officials have had to cancel hundreds of appointments for people who signed up to get coronavirus tests, citing a shortage in materials.
“The county’s daily testing capacity has shrunk from about 4,500 to about 1,800,” public information officer David Wert said, adding that the county’s test vendors “are unable to procure supply.”
“What the county is experiencing is part of the nationwide supply chain crisis.”
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The county of 2.18 million residents, where more than 167,000 have been tested for the virus and over 16,500 have tested positive, hopes to resume expanded testing next week after obtaining enough supplies.
“We are continuously trying to obtain the necessary resources to ensure that we can provide testing in our county at peak capacity,” said Corwin Porter, interim county public health director. “Without a sufficient supply of tests, this will bring challenges in identifying cases and treating those who are diagnosed positive for COVID-19.”
California With demand soaring, L.A. County narrows priority for who should get coronavirus tests Priority will now be given to those showing symptoms, who work in a high-risk environment or who have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus.
Testing has remained one of the only available weapons to fight against the virus in the ongoing absence of a vaccine or medical therapies, and officials throughout the state and country have encouraged widespread and regular testing. But as case counts and hospitalizations continue to surge, demand for testing has continued to spike beyond capacity.
On Saturday, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced that laboratories should prioritize testing turnaround for individuals who are symptomatic, hospitalized or living in congregate settings, such as nursing homes, or institutional settings, including jail facilities.
“As more states begin to scale their testing capabilities, new constrains are materializing within the supply chain. Simultaneously laboratories are becoming overwhelmed with high numbers of specimens, slowing down processing timelines. These delays will present significant challenges in (1) our ability to care for people in the hospital where testing helps us make appropriate treatment decisions and (2) our ability to appropriately isolate those who are sick in order to box in the virus and cut transmission rates,” Ghaly wrote in a statement.
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In Los Angeles County, where more than 1 million tests have been distributed, officials said that the demand for testing has outpaced the county’s current supply.
On Wednesday, county officials shifted priority on guidance for who should get tested for the virus. After weeks of stressing that all individuals — including potential asymptomatic spreaders — should be tested, public health officials placed priority on those who are showing symptoms, work in a high-risk environment or have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus.
“The mismatch of demand has become more apparent,” L.A. County Health Services Director Dr. Christina Ghaly said. “We have to watch the supply chain.”
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti echoed the sentiment during a briefing Wednesday night. Garcetti said that there was more testing capacity than demand in the city two weeks ago, but that capacity was stretched last week.
Both asymptomatic and symptomatic residents have reported difficulty in finding appointments for testing for the past three weeks. Availability was further limited last week leading up to Fourth of July holiday weekend and on Monday, when Dodger Stadium — the largest testing site in the county — was closed for testing.
“We see choke points nationally in the supply chain — everything from reagents to some of the swabs, and the surge in states like Texas, Florida and Georgia, have caused labs to be past their capacity across the county,” Garcetti said, noting that has not been the case at the six city test sites run by Curative labs and nonprofit group Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE.
The mayor said that the city is working to expand testing capacity, but he stressed that people should not get tested in order to socialize outside of their households.
“A test is not a passport to party,” he said.


latimes--2020-07-09--How to get out of your student housing lease

California colleges are by and large still working out the details of what campus life will like look in the fall , even as they announce whether they ’ ll be open , closed or — most likely — somewhere in between .
That means some students are making housing decisions based on limited information , including the number of in-person classes they ’ ll have and how communal bathrooms will work .
If you ’ re having second thoughts about an apartment or dorm room you signed up for , you may have options .
Students who aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal of dorms — such as deserted common areas and assigned bathroom stalls — can most likely still back out .
The key is to check your school ’ s housing cancellation policy for details .
Different campuses within a single university system may handle onsite housing differently .
That ’ s the case for both University of California and California State University .
Several colleges are allowing students to cancel on-campus housing contracts — but they differ on deadlines , refund policies and penalty fees .
Cal State Northridge and Cal State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the fall semester .
UCLA ’ s cutoff for refunds is when the contract ’ s term begins .
USC students must cancel before July 15 .
UC Irvine recently modified its policy to allow students to cancel before Sept. 1 for a full refund .
Cal State Long Beach imposes a fee on cancellations less than 30 days before the contract begins , as well as a service fee of $ 275 no matter when the contract is canceled .
Many students , however , will face the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure desired housing on campus as universities move to decrease density to promote safety during the pandemic .
Several campuses said they are working to offer alternative housing solutions , including consulting with local hotels and private housing owners .
“ We want our students back , our students want to come back , but we have to be smart about it , ” said Sheri Ledbetter , a spokeswoman for UC Irvine , who described the housing situation as a “ tug of war.
” UC Irvine is no longer offering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Privately owned off-campus housing is a different animal .
These are often regular apartments that involve leases governed by landlord-tenant law , not campus policy .
American Campus Communities ( ACC ) , a large national student housing owner and operator , falls under this category , as do housing companies that just happen to lease to a large number of students .
“ Unlike universities where housing is provided in connection with academic services and is contingent on a student ’ s enrollment status and subject to campus restrictions , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down a housing community , ” said Jason Wills , senior vice president of development for ACC .
“ The lease agreement requires that our communities remain operational , provide essential services to tenants and pay utilities and real estate taxes.
” Students living in an off-campus apartment not affiliated with a university will need to take the same approach as anyone who wants to get out of a residential lease .
Before attempting to break or renegotiate a lease , do these four things : • Check your lease for an attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in residential leases , and they mean that the tenant is on the hook for the other side ’ s attorney fees if the matter goes to court and the tenant is ordered by a judge to pay up .
Those fees can dwarf the cost of back rent , according to Joseph Tobener , a Bay Area attorney specializing in tenant law .
That makes them a major risk factor for tenants and potentially parent co-signers .
• Check if your lease includes a force majeur clause , also known as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Such clauses nullify contracts when circumstances beyond a party ’ s control — such as natural disaster , war or a global pandemic — arise that make the obligation impossible and impractical to fulfill .
This provision is uncommon in residential leases .
• Determine if an amendment or change to the lease must be signed by all parties .
Most require it .
“ So it ’ s not enough to get an email ; you really need to get this amendment in writing , ” including rent reduction or deferral agreements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and any roommates — need to decide whether you want to try to get a rent reduction or other arrangement to keep the unit , or whether you want to cancel the lease entirely .
Those intent on moving out should give a standard 30-day notice to vacate .
The notice “ would cut off your damages and trigger the landlord ’ s duty to mitigate ” damages , Tobener said .
A duty to mitigate means the landlord is required to re-rent the unit as soon as possible .
Tenants can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the unit could have been re-rented and the money reasonably recouped .
Once notice is given , Tobener recommends posting an ad for the room or apartment on Craigslist or a similar platform to find applicants for the landlord .
The string of applicants are evidence that the landlord could re-rent the property and mitigate damages , he said .
Another option is using your entire security deposit toward your last month ’ s rent .
Tenants can then give a 60-day notice to vacate and use the unit during that time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t recommend this move because it would have likely been met with a three-day notice to vacate the dwelling or face eviction .
Now , under a temporary statewide eviction moratorium , tenants in California can ’ t be evicted .
“ It ’ s an aggressive move , ” he said , “ but it ’ s the right move so that the landlord can ’ t steal more than your security deposit.
” If you want to try to keep the unit , it ’ s time to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reach out to your landlord and initiate a conversation .
According to Tobener , “ Your leverage is that the landlord isn ’ t going to be able to [ easily ] re-rent and probably doesn ’ t want to deal with the collections action.
” Consider subleasing , sometimes called subletting .
Some jurisdictions , like San Francisco , give tenants the right to make what ’ s called one-to-one replacements .
In an apartment with four roommates where just one wants to move out , for example , the provision allows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to replace the one who ’ s leaving .
Matt Briton , a tenant ’ s attorney in Los Angeles , said Angelenos don ’ t have the same right .
But even if it ’ s not written into your local law , you can always talk to your landlord about the possibility of subleasing , Tobener said .
Tenants can also ask landlords for a rent reduction , deferral or waiver .
Residents in certain places , like Los Angeles and several Bay Area cities , are eligible for a deferral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ the rent reduction would be temporary , until the college is back open , ” Tobener said .
Some large student housing owners , like American Campus Communities , allow students affected by COVID-19 to apply for relief .
After having difficulty finding someone to sublet her UC Berkeley-adjacent apartment , student Saya Linney worked out a rent reduction agreement with her landlord for the summer months while she and her roommates are away .
Something to keep in mind : If no one pays the rent for the apartment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person for payment under a legal principle called joint and several liability .
“ So they can go after the most creditworthy person , the person that has the deepest pockets , ” Tobener said .
That tenant would then need to seek reimbursement from co-tenants .

California colleges are by and large still working out the details of what campus life will like look in the fall, even as they announce whether they’ll be open, closed or — most likely — somewhere in between.
That means some students are making housing decisions based on limited information, including the number of in-person classes they’ll have and how communal bathrooms will work.
If you’re having second thoughts about an apartment or dorm room you signed up for, you may have options.
On campus
Students who aren’t ready to face the potential new normal of dorms — such as deserted common areas and assigned bathroom stalls — can most likely still back out. The key is to check your school’s housing cancellation policy for details. Different campuses within a single university system may handle onsite housing differently. That’s the case for both University of California and California State University.
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Several colleges are allowing students to cancel on-campus housing contracts — but they differ on deadlines, refund policies and penalty fees. Cal State Northridge and Cal State Los Angeles offer refunds up to to the start of the fall semester. UCLA’s cutoff for refunds is when the contract’s term begins. USC students must cancel before July 15. UC Irvine recently modified its policy to allow students to cancel before Sept. 1 for a full refund. Cal State Long Beach imposes a fee on cancellations less than 30 days before the contract begins, as well as a service fee of $275 no matter when the contract is canceled.
Many students, however, will face the opposite problem: They will not be able to secure desired housing on campus as universities move to decrease density to promote safety during the pandemic. Several campuses said they are working to offer alternative housing solutions, including consulting with local hotels and private housing owners.
“We want our students back, our students want to come back, but we have to be smart about it,” said Sheri Ledbetter, a spokeswoman for UC Irvine, who described the housing situation as a “tug of war.” UC Irvine is no longer offering incoming freshmen its two-year on-campus housing guarantee.
Off campus
Privately owned off-campus housing is a different animal. These are often regular apartments that involve leases governed by landlord-tenant law, not campus policy. American Campus Communities (ACC), a large national student housing owner and operator, falls under this category, as do housing companies that just happen to lease to a large number of students.
“Unlike universities where housing is provided in connection with academic services and is contingent on a student’s enrollment status and subject to campus restrictions, we cannot simply evict everyone and shut down a housing community,” said Jason Wills, senior vice president of development for ACC. “The lease agreement requires that our communities remain operational, provide essential services to tenants and pay utilities and real estate taxes.”
Students living in an off-campus apartment not affiliated with a university will need to take the same approach as anyone who wants to get out of a residential lease.
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Before attempting to break or renegotiate a lease, do these four things:
Check your lease for an attorney fee provision. They’re common in residential leases, and they mean that the tenant is on the hook for the other side’s attorney fees if the matter goes to court and the tenant is ordered by a judge to pay up. Those fees can dwarf the cost of back rent, according to Joseph Tobener, a Bay Area attorney specializing in tenant law. That makes them a major risk factor for tenants and potentially parent co-signers. Check if your lease includes a force majeur clause, also known as an “acts of God” clause. Such clauses nullify contracts when circumstances beyond a party’s control — such as natural disaster, war or a global pandemic — arise that make the obligation impossible and impractical to fulfill. This provision is uncommon in residential leases. Determine if an amendment or change to the lease must be signed by all parties. Most require it. “So it’s not enough to get an email; you really need to get this amendment in writing,” including rent reduction or deferral agreements, Tobener said. Then you — and any roommates — need to decide whether you want to try to get a rent reduction or other arrangement to keep the unit, or whether you want to cancel the lease entirely.
Canceling a lease
Those intent on moving out should give a standard 30-day notice to vacate. The notice “would cut off your damages and trigger the landlord’s duty to mitigate” damages, Tobener said. A duty to mitigate means the landlord is required to re-rent the unit as soon as possible. Tenants can’t be charged for unpaid rent if the unit could have been re-rented and the money reasonably recouped.
Once notice is given, Tobener recommends posting an ad for the room or apartment on Craigslist or a similar platform to find applicants for the landlord. The string of applicants are evidence that the landlord could re-rent the property and mitigate damages, he said.
Another option is using your entire security deposit toward your last month’s rent. Tenants can then give a 60-day notice to vacate and use the unit during that time, Tobener said. Previously, Tobener didn’t recommend this move because it would have likely been met with a three-day notice to vacate the dwelling or face eviction. Now, under a temporary statewide eviction moratorium, tenants in California can’t be evicted. “It’s an aggressive move,” he said, “but it’s the right move so that the landlord can’t steal more than your security deposit.”
Staying put and negotiating
If you want to try to keep the unit, it’s time to put your negotiator’s hat on. Reach out to your landlord and initiate a conversation. According to Tobener, “Your leverage is that the landlord isn’t going to be able to [easily] re-rent and probably doesn’t want to deal with the collections action.”
Consider subleasing, sometimes called subletting. Some jurisdictions, like San Francisco, give tenants the right to make what’s called one-to-one replacements. In an apartment with four roommates where just one wants to move out, for example, the provision allows the remaining roommates to find another tenant to replace the one who’s leaving. Matt Brinton, a tenant’s attorney in Los Angeles, said Angelenos don’t have the same right. But even if it’s not written into your local law, you can always talk to your landlord about the possibility of subleasing, Tobener said.
Tenants can also ask landlords for a rent reduction, deferral or waiver. Residents in certain places, like Los Angeles and several Bay Area cities, are eligible for a deferral during the coronavirus emergency.
For students, “the rent reduction would be temporary, until the college is back open,” Tobener said.
Some large student housing owners, like American Campus Communities, allow students affected by COVID-19 to apply for relief.
After having difficulty finding someone to sublet her UC Berkeley-adjacent apartment, student Saya Linney worked out a rent reduction agreement with her landlord for the summer months while she and her roommates are away.
Avoid this
Something to keep in mind: If no one pays the rent for the apartment, the landlord can go after just one person for payment under a legal principle called joint and several liability. “So they can go after the most creditworthy person, the person that has the deepest pockets,” Tobener said. That tenant would then need to seek reimbursement from co-tenants.


latimes--2020-07-09--5 arrested in shooting death of rapper Pop Smoke in Hollywood Hills

Los Angeles police on Thursday arrested five people in connection with the February slaying of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke , who was gunned down in a rented Hollywood Hills home .
Detectives say the crime started out as home invasion robbery , but during a confrontation inside the house , it turned deadly .
The suspects — three adults and two juveniles — were taken into custody during early morning searches after a lengthy investigation by the LAPD ’ s Robbery-Homicide Division .
On Feb. 19 , Los Angeles police responded after someone calling from the East Coast reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s home shortly before 5 a.m .
When officers arrived at the $ 2.5-million luxury home in the 2000 block of Hercules Drive , they found the 20-year-old rapper born Bashar Barakah Jackson with gunshot wounds .
He was taken to a hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
Officers detained several people inside the house , but they were later released .
At least four suspects fled the scene , authorities said at the time .
Investigators suspected the house where the rapper was staying was targeted by assailants .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rented by musicians have been the targets of several home invasions , according to law enforcement sources .
Investigators say the rapper may have inadvertently posted an image with the home ’ s address on social media before he was killed .
Photos and videos on Pop Smoke ’ s Instagram story showed him in L.A. getting a haircut the day before he was killed and posing by the infinity pool in the backyard of the Hollywood Hills home where he was staying .
Later that evening , he posted a photo of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be the home ’ s backyard .
The home is owned by Teddi Mellencamp of “ The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ” and her husband , Edwin Arroyave , according to property records .
“ We are confident we have the five individuals responsible for the killing of Bashar Jackson — Pop Smoke , ” LAPD Capt .
Jon Tippet said Thursday .
Although authorities said the assailants did not know the rapper personally , “ we believe that Pop Smoke posted his location on social media and that is how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pop Smoke had previously been tied to the Crips street gang , and detectives suspected his killers were probably gang members .
Tippet said the people in custody are associated with a Los Angeles gang .
The rapper ’ s death came days after his second mixtape , “ Meet the Woo 2 , ” debuted at No .
7 on the Billboard Top 200 list .
His breakthrough mixtape , “ Meet the Woo , ” released last year , has 280 million streams globally .
Pop Smoke was signed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the label .
His posthumous LP , “ Shoot for the Stars , Aim for the Moon , ” was released over the July 4 weekend .
Times staff writers Hannah Fry and August Brown contributed to this report .

Los Angeles police on Thursday arrested five people in connection with the February slaying of Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke, who was gunned down in a rented Hollywood Hills home.
Detectives say the crime started out as home invasion robbery, but during a confrontation inside the house, it turned deadly.
The suspects — three adults and two juveniles — were taken into custody during early morning searches after a lengthy investigation by the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
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On Feb. 19, Los Angeles police responded after someone calling from the East Coast reported that several people had entered their friend’s home shortly before 5 a.m. When officers arrived at the $2.5-million luxury home in the 2000 block of Hercules Drive, they found the 20-year-old rapper born Bashar Barakah Jackson with gunshot wounds.
He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Officers detained several people inside the house, but they were later released. At least four suspects fled the scene, authorities said at the time.
Investigators suspected the house where the rapper was staying was targeted by assailants. In recent years, Los Angeles homes being rented by musicians have been the targets of several home invasions, according to law enforcement sources.
Investigators say the rapper may have inadvertently posted an image with the home’s address on social media before he was killed.
Photos and videos on Pop Smoke’s Instagram story showed him in L.A. getting a haircut the day before he was killed and posing by the infinity pool in the backyard of the Hollywood Hills home where he was staying. Later that evening, he posted a photo of the Los Angeles skyline from what appeared to be the home’s backyard.
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The home is owned by Teddi Mellencamp of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and her husband, Edwin Arroyave, according to property records.
“We are confident we have the five individuals responsible for the killing of Bashar Jackson — Pop Smoke,” LAPD Capt. Jon Tippet said Thursday.
Although authorities said the assailants did not know the rapper personally, “we believe that Pop Smoke posted his location on social media and that is how they found him,” Tippet said.
Pop Smoke had previously been tied to the Crips street gang, and detectives suspected his killers were probably gang members. Tippet said the people in custody are associated with a Los Angeles gang.
The rapper’s death came days after his second mixtape, “Meet the Woo 2,” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200 list. His breakthrough mixtape, “Meet the Woo,” released last year, has 280 million streams globally.
Pop Smoke was signed to Republic Records through Victor Victor Worldwide, according to the label. His posthumous LP, “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon,” was released over the July 4 weekend.
Times staff writers Hannah Fry and August Brown contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-09--Five ways to stay connected with your college classmates in the era of social distancing

Universities ’ strategies to help new students form connections usually consist of packed in-person events and fairs where representatives from student groups stand at tables , talking to hundreds of prospective members in a matter of hours .
It doesn ’ t take long to realize how impossible that is now , as coronavirus cases continue to rise in many states .
Whether you ’ re starting your last semester or about to begin your college career , the old playbook for staying involved on campus has been thrown out the window .
Here are some tips for connecting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Returning students , remember the summer before your freshman year when you scoured the # ( school name ) ( graduating year ) hashtag , looking for new friends and roommates ?
Rediscover that energy , because you won ’ t have the opportunity to meet as many people in person as you previously would have .
Even if you ’ re not looking to find a new friend group , following and interacting with more people from your school could help fill the void left by the absence of constant on-campus events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school meme accounts you can — you could even start your own .
Everyone can use a laugh , and inside jokes are a great way to bond .
Very few people are more tuned in to what ’ s happening at your school than the student journalists whose job it is to cover the campus .
Liz Ketcham , digital managing editor at UCLA ’ s student newspaper , the Daily Bruin , said the publication has seen increased website traffic since the start of the pandemic .
It has been , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resource for students to stay connected , she said .
The paper plans to print three days a week in the fall , down from its usual five , and the staff is looking at how to make sure its coverage is beneficial to students when many are spread out across the globe .
“ Even if your school newspaper feels to you like it isn ’ t a big deal or you can get better news from elsewhere , there isn ’ t going to be a paper that is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as your fellow peers themselves , ” Ketcham said .
“ These are the people who care about what is happening to you .
You aren ’ t going to find better information about that than your student newspaper.
” If you haven ’ t been an avid reader , listener or viewer , now is a great time to look for your school ’ s newspaper , radio station or TV broadcast .
Depending on where you study , there are probably literary and art publications too .
If you aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are online-only , you can still follow them on social media and make a habit of checking their websites .
It might get harder to stay in touch with some of your friend groups when you don ’ t see each other every day .
Not only will joining a student group keep you involved and in-the-know , it ’ ll give you a reason to talk with your peers regularly .
Tamia Grady , vice president of the Black Student Union at Sacramento State , said it took a little while for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ format .
But the group is focused on hosting discussions and providing resources based on what the community asks for , which she says is a good way for student organizations to stay in touch with their peers next semester .
“ It ’ s a good outlet to still be able to connect with other people and still have community resources , ” Grady said .
“ We like to provide things that the people want , our community .
We ask them what they want and we provide them with it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved to stay organized and practice time management .
Online classes , homework and the stress of living in a pandemic will take its toll , but finding an outlet outside of schoolwork is worth the scheduling it ’ ll necessitate .
“ Engaging with your community is going to motivate you to want to engage with everything , even schoolwork , ” Grady said .
As you get more involved , it ’ s likely you ’ ll discover some issues you ’ re passionate about .
Take this time to put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d like to see .
Having a group chat with people in your classes to coordinate study groups and ask questions is pretty common , but this is a great strategy to employ on a socially distanced campus .
If your classes are online , it ’ ll be harder to have that grade-saving conversation with a classmate about the requirements for an essay .
Creating a group chat will make it easier for that to happen in a digital space .
Plus , it ’ s a lot more comfortable and casual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reducing class sizes , this fall will be a great time to foster some community with a group text , since it ’ s easier to bond with a smaller group of people .
If you ’ re part of a student group that usually communicates over email or reserves conversations for meetings , you might want to consider using a messaging app instead .
Depending on the restrictions on in-person meetings at your school , it might be a lot more difficult — or plain unsafe if it ’ s a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room together .
GroupMe should work fine if it ’ s a smaller organization .
If you ’ re a large group , try Slack .
The free plan has some limitations but it ’ s perfect for most larger student groups .
Most of you have probably had a taste of Zoom learning — and Zoom bingo , and Zoom happy hours and Zoom PowerPoint parties by now .
And it gets old quick .
Constant Zoom classes and meetings are draining but , when reserved for once or twice a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If you ’ re unable to see your friends because of social distancing or because you ’ re not on campus , set up a weekly video call to catch up .
It can be helpful to save topics or tidbits from your week for those calls instead of narrating your life to your friends via text or Snapchat all day .
That way , you ’ ll have more to talk about , which is ideal for video calls because you can ’ t exactly zone out and check Instagram .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ device allows it , the customizable background feature can be quite the conversation starter .
Just don ’ t forget to remove anything that would be hard to explain to your professor during class the next day .

As schools such as UCLA move many classes online, staying engaged with your college community will be harder than usual next semester.
Universities’ strategies to help new students form connections usually consist of packed in-person events and fairs where representatives from student groups stand at tables, talking to hundreds of prospective members in a matter of hours.
It doesn’t take long to realize how impossible that is now, as coronavirus cases continue to rise in many states.
Whether you’re starting your last semester or about to begin your college career, the old playbook for staying involved on campus has been thrown out the window. Here are some tips for connecting with your school community while social distancing.
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Start on social media
Returning students, remember the summer before your freshman year when you scoured the #(school name)(graduating year) hashtag, looking for new friends and roommates?
Rediscover that energy, because you won’t have the opportunity to meet as many people in person as you previously would have. Even if you’re not looking to find a new friend group, following and interacting with more people from your school could help fill the void left by the absence of constant on-campus events.
Make sure to follow all the school meme accounts you can — you could even start your own. Everyone can use a laugh, and inside jokes are a great way to bond.
Follow your school’s student media outlets
Very few people are more tuned in to what’s happening at your school than the student journalists whose job it is to cover the campus.
Liz Ketcham, digital managing editor at UCLA’s student newspaper, the Daily Bruin, said the publication has seen increased website traffic since the start of the pandemic. It has been, and will continue to be, a resource for students to stay connected, she said. The paper plans to print three days a week in the fall, down from its usual five, and the staff is looking at how to make sure its coverage is beneficial to students when many are spread out across the globe.
Advertisement
Get updates on new cases and the latest stories on #COVID19. Use the interactive dashboard to keep track of Daily Bruin's coverage on the new coronavirus.https://t.co/5pxUGidiFQ pic.twitter.com/rvdqE57ELK — Daily Bruin (@dailybruin) March 26, 2020
“Even if your school newspaper feels to you like it isn’t a big deal or you can get better news from elsewhere, there isn’t going to be a paper that is going to care as much about students like you as your fellow peers themselves,” Ketcham said. “These are the people who care about what is happening to you. You aren’t going to find better information about that than your student newspaper.”
If you haven’t been an avid reader, listener or viewer, now is a great time to look for your school’s newspaper, radio station or TV broadcast. Depending on where you study, there are probably literary and art publications too. If you aren’t on campus, or the publications are online-only, you can still follow them on social media and make a habit of checking their websites.
Join a new student group
It might get harder to stay in touch with some of your friend groups when you don’t see each other every day. Not only will joining a student group keep you involved and in-the-know, it’ll give you a reason to talk with your peers regularly.
Tamia Grady, vice president of the Black Student Union at Sacramento State, said it took a little while for the organization to adjust to a remote format. But the group is focused on hosting discussions and providing resources based on what the community asks for, which she says is a good way for student organizations to stay in touch with their peers next semester.
“It’s a good outlet to still be able to connect with other people and still have community resources,” Grady said. “We like to provide things that the people want, our community. We ask them what they want and we provide them with it.”
Grady advises students looking to get involved to stay organized and practice time management. Online classes, homework and the stress of living in a pandemic will take its toll, but finding an outlet outside of schoolwork is worth the scheduling it’ll necessitate.
“Engaging with your community is going to motivate you to want to engage with everything, even schoolwork,” Grady said.
As you get more involved, it’s likely you’ll discover some issues you’re passionate about. Take this time to put energy into advocating for changes you’d like to see.
Start group chats with classmates
Having a group chat with people in your classes to coordinate study groups and ask questions is pretty common, but this is a great strategy to employ on a socially distanced campus. If your classes are online, it’ll be harder to have that grade-saving conversation with a classmate about the requirements for an essay. Creating a group chat will make it easier for that to happen in a digital space. Plus, it’s a lot more comfortable and casual than email.
If your university is reducing class sizes, this fall will be a great time to foster some community with a group text, since it’s easier to bond with a smaller group of people.
If you’re part of a student group that usually communicates over email or reserves conversations for meetings, you might want to consider using a messaging app instead. Depending on the restrictions on in-person meetings at your school, it might be a lot more difficult — or plain unsafe if it’s a big group — to get everyone in a room together.
GroupMe should work fine if it’s a smaller organization. If you’re a large group, try Slack. The free plan has some limitations but it’s perfect for most larger student groups.
Zoom — in moderation
Most of you have probably had a taste of Zoom learning — and Zoom bingo, and Zoom happy hours and Zoom PowerPoint parties by now. And it gets old quick. Constant Zoom classes and meetings are draining but, when reserved for once or twice a week, it can be a welcome change.
Lifestyle How to have Zoom parties that are actually fun The age of social distancing is surprisingly social. Party ideas, pointers and more to make your next Zoom your best yet.
If you’re unable to see your friends because of social distancing or because you’re not on campus, set up a weekly video call to catch up. It can be helpful to save topics or tidbits from your week for those calls instead of narrating your life to your friends via text or Snapchat all day. That way, you’ll have more to talk about, which is ideal for video calls because you can’t exactly zone out and check Instagram.
For those using Zoom, if your device allows it, the customizable background feature can be quite the conversation starter. Just don’t forget to remove anything that would be hard to explain to your professor during class the next day.


latimes--2020-07-09--L.A. could reimpose stay-at-home order if coronavirus spike continues, mayor warns

Los Angeles residents could again be ordered to stay home to stem the spread of the coronavirus should infections and hospitalizations continue to climb , Mayor Eric Garcetti warned Wednesday .
The potential return of the kind of strict restrictions that kept Angelenos indoors and effectively shuttered wide swaths of the region ’ s economy is yet another indicator of what elected and health officials have maintained for weeks : that the threat of COVID-19 remains real , and trend lines are heading in the wrong direction .
As Garcetti put it : “ COVID-19 hasn ’ t gone away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gotten worse.
” “ We know so much more about this disease today than we did in March when it first hit us , and that means we can make targeted interventions to stop the spread of this novel coronavirus , ” he said during an evening briefing .
“ But making sure we don ’ t have to go farther and close more businesses requires an individual commitment of each and every one of us.
” According to a color-coded system L.A. unveiled last week to assess and report the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remains orange — meaning that the risk remains very high and residents should assume everyone around them is infectious and minimize all contact .
“ If things get worse , that dial could move to red in this coming week or two , ” Garcetti said .
“ That would place us at the highest risk of infection , and we ’ d likely return to a mandated safer-at-home order .
But , if things get better , we ’ ll see that dial back down to yellow , indicating we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s warning comes as coronavirus conditions continue to deteriorate across California .
The state recorded its highest single-day coronavirus death toll Wednesday , with 149 fatalities reported , according to a Los Angeles Times county-by-county tally .
That surpassed the previous highest daily death toll of 132 that was recorded May 19 .
In Los Angeles County , the single-day death toll of 61 Wednesday was the highest since June 2 .
The county announced 50 new fatalities Thursday , boosting the death toll to nearly 3,700 , according to Public Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections also continues to rise — with 1,777 new cases announced Thursday , pushing the total past 124,000 — as do the positivity rate and the number of hospitalizations , she said .
As of Thursday , Ferrer said , 2,037 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide .
Four weeks ago , the number of daily hospitalizations ranged from 1,350 to 1,450 .
However , “ deaths are down , conclusively , ” Ferrer said .
“ We think , obviously , that they ’ re likely to go back up.
” The vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the county , about 93 % , had some kind of underlying health condition , she said .
Officials also continue to note worrying disparities in how the coronavirus affects residents of color .
Compared to white people , “ Latino/Latinx people are more than twice as likely to contract the virus and are also twice as likely to die , ” while Black Angelenos “ are 27 % more likely to contract the virus and almost twice as likely to die , ” according to county statistics .
“ These , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I report to you , are disheartening and distressing , ” Ferrer said .
“ And they actually emphasize the need for us to do more so we can address the inequities across our communities.
” Regarding the possibility of reimposing a countywide stay-at-home order , Ferrer said that “ nothing can be off the table in the pandemic , ” but that she personally hopes “ we don ’ t have to go back there .
I hope that we figure out a way to take care of each other , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing.
” “ Even if you don ’ t want them to … your actions can have an impact on somebody like me , so we ’ re just tied together here as a community and we have to work together to get to the other side , ” she said .
Statewide , 9,500 infections were recorded Tuesday — the most new cases reported in a single day .
More than 6,700 Californians have died from COVID-19 , and the state is approaching 300,000 total confirmed infections .
Health officials have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent surge were probably planted around Memorial Day , when additional businesses began to reopen and people started going out and gathering together more .
Crowds also took to the streets in California and around the nation to protest police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd .
However , the impact of those demonstrations on coronavirus spread remains a matter of debate .
A significant driver of new infections has been younger Californians .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said this week that younger people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” are falling ill nevertheless .
Garcetti said Wednesday that “ more than 50 % of the people who are testing positive in Los Angeles County are between 18 and 40 years of age.
” While “ most young people are doing the right thing , ” he said , “ it ’ s clear that a lot of them are not.
” “ This isn ’ t complicated : Do not get together with someone who ’ s not in your household , ” he said .
“ These weeks are absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether our economy and our economic recovery path continues .
These weeks are critical for saving lives.
” Along with physical distancing and not gathering with people outside your household , officials continue to emphasize the importance of wearing face coverings while in public or high-risk settings , and regularly washing your hands .
Other key components of California ’ s coronavirus response include testing and contact tracing of those who are found to be infected .
However , there have been issues in those areas amid the recent spikes .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ availability , officials in L.A. County are now prioritizing testing for those who are either showing symptoms , work in a high-risk environment or have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus .
San Bernardino County also has had to limit COVID-19 testing in the face of supply shortages .
“ We are continuously trying to obtain the necessary resources to ensure that we can provide testing in our county at peak capacity , ” interim county Public Health Director Corwin Porter said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urging residents to cooperate with contact tracers who are trying to investigate potential COVID-19 exposures .
“ Unfortunately , in many cases , the person who is contacted is not providing the information that is being sought , ” county Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari said in a statement .
“ This information is critical as we work to slow and eventually stop the spread of coronavirus .
It is understandable that patients may be reluctant to discuss sensitive issues , but it is very important that this information is provided.
” Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rong-Gong Lin II and Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report .

Los Angeles residents could again be ordered to stay home to stem the spread of the coronavirus should infections and hospitalizations continue to climb, Mayor Eric Garcetti warned Wednesday.
The potential return of the kind of strict restrictions that kept Angelenos indoors and effectively shuttered wide swaths of the region’s economy is yet another indicator of what elected and health officials have maintained for weeks: that the threat of COVID-19 remains real, and trend lines are heading in the wrong direction.
As Garcetti put it: “COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s gotten worse.”
“We know so much more about this disease today than we did in March when it first hit us, and that means we can make targeted interventions to stop the spread of this novel coronavirus,” he said during an evening briefing. “But making sure we don’t have to go farther and close more businesses requires an individual commitment of each and every one of us.”
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According to a color-coded system L.A. unveiled last week to assess and report the risk of coronavirus infection, the local threat level remains orange — meaning that the risk remains very high and residents should assume everyone around them is infectious and minimize all contact.
“If things get worse, that dial could move to red in this coming week or two,” Garcetti said. “That would place us at the highest risk of infection, and we’d likely return to a mandated safer-at-home order. But, if things get better, we’ll see that dial back down to yellow, indicating we’re successfully flattening the curve again.”
Garcetti’s warning comes as coronavirus conditions continue to deteriorate across California.
The state recorded its highest single-day coronavirus death toll Wednesday, with 149 fatalities reported, according to a Los Angeles Times county-by-county tally. That surpassed the previous highest daily death toll of 132 that was recorded May 19.
In Los Angeles County, the single-day death toll of 61 Wednesday was the highest since June 2. The county announced 50 new fatalities Thursday, boosting the death toll to nearly 3,700, according to Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.
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The number of infections also continues to rise — with 1,777 new cases announced Thursday, pushing the total past 124,000 — as do the positivity rate and the number of hospitalizations, she said.
As of Thursday, Ferrer said, 2,037 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized countywide. Four weeks ago, the number of daily hospitalizations ranged from 1,350 to 1,450.
However, “deaths are down, conclusively,” Ferrer said. “We think, obviously, that they’re likely to go back up.”
The vast majority of those who have died in the county, about 93%, had some kind of underlying health condition, she said.
Officials also continue to note worrying disparities in how the coronavirus affects residents of color. Compared to white people, “Latino/Latinx people are more than twice as likely to contract the virus and are also twice as likely to die,” while Black Angelenos “are 27% more likely to contract the virus and almost twice as likely to die,” according to county statistics.
“These, like so many of the data points that I report to you, are disheartening and distressing,” Ferrer said. “And they actually emphasize the need for us to do more so we can address the inequities across our communities.”
Regarding the possibility of reimposing a countywide stay-at-home order, Ferrer said that “nothing can be off the table in the pandemic,” but that she personally hopes “we don’t have to go back there. I hope that we figure out a way to take care of each other, to be sensible about what we’re doing.”
“Even if you don’t want them to … your actions can have an impact on somebody like me, so we’re just tied together here as a community and we have to work together to get to the other side,” she said.
Statewide, 9,500 infections were recorded Tuesday — the most new cases reported in a single day.
More than 6,700 Californians have died from COVID-19, and the state is approaching 300,000 total confirmed infections.
Health officials have said the seeds of the state’s recent surge were probably planted around Memorial Day, when additional businesses began to reopen and people started going out and gathering together more.
Crowds also took to the streets in California and around the nation to protest police brutality and racial injustice in the wake of the May 25 death of George Floyd. However, the impact of those demonstrations on coronavirus spread remains a matter of debate.
A significant driver of new infections has been younger Californians. Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week that younger people who might believe “they are invincible” are falling ill nevertheless.
Garcetti said Wednesday that “more than 50% of the people who are testing positive in Los Angeles County are between 18 and 40 years of age.”
While “most young people are doing the right thing,” he said, “it’s clear that a lot of them are not.”
“This isn’t complicated: Do not get together with someone who’s not in your household,” he said. “These weeks are absolutely critical: Critical to whether schools open, whether our economy and our economic recovery path continues. These weeks are critical for saving lives.”
Along with physical distancing and not gathering with people outside your household, officials continue to emphasize the importance of wearing face coverings while in public or high-risk settings, and regularly washing your hands.
Other key components of California’s coronavirus response include testing and contact tracing of those who are found to be infected.
A test is not a passport to party.
Just because you test negative for COVID-19 doesn't mean you should get together with people outside your household. We all need to continue to avoid gatherings. This virus is deadly and we must stop the spread. — MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) July 9, 2020
However, there have been issues in those areas amid the recent spikes. As demand for testing has begun to outpace availability, officials in L.A. County are now prioritizing testing for those who are either showing symptoms, work in a high-risk environment or have come in contact with a person known to have been exposed to the virus.
San Bernardino County also has had to limit COVID-19 testing in the face of supply shortages.
“We are continuously trying to obtain the necessary resources to ensure that we can provide testing in our county at peak capacity,” interim county Public Health Director Corwin Porter said in a statement.
Officials in neighboring Riverside County are urging residents to cooperate with contact tracers who are trying to investigate potential COVID-19 exposures.
“Unfortunately, in many cases, the person who is contacted is not providing the information that is being sought,” county Public Health Director Kim Saruwatari said in a statement. “This information is critical as we work to slow and eventually stop the spread of coronavirus. It is understandable that patients may be reluctant to discuss sensitive issues, but it is very important that this information is provided.”
Times staff writers Hannah Fry, Colleen Shalby, Rong-Gong Lin II and Patrick McGreevy contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-09--Coronavirus outbreak tied to fraternity parties imperils fall semester at UC Berkeley

An outbreak of coronavirus infections tied to parties connected to fraternities at UC Berkeley is imperiling the prospect of in-person fall semester classes , university officials warned .
In just one week , there have been 47 COVID-19 cases confirmed by the University Health Services system , the school said in a letter to the campus community .
Most of the 47 new cases “ stem from a series of recent parties connected to the CalGreek system , which included students both within the CalGreek community and others , and led to some secondary spread within households and within other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written by Anna Harte , medical director of the campus ’ health clinic , and Guy Nicolette , an assistant vice chancellor .
“ Generally , these infections are directly related to social events where students have not followed basic safety measures such as physical distancing , wearing face coverings , limiting event size , and gathering outside , ” the letter said .
The outbreak underscores how California ’ s new coronavirus surge is being fueled by much younger people who are getting back to summer social events and contracting COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that younger people who think “ they are invincible ” are falling ill nevertheless .
Adults between 18 and 49 have made up 6.4 % of California ’ s coronavirus-related deaths .
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti underscored that point Wednesday , saying “ more than 50 % of the people who are testing positive in Los Angeles County are between 18 and 40 years of age.
” Adults 18 to 40 make up 35 % of L.A. County ’ s population .
While “ most young people are doing the right thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s clear that a lot of them are not.
” “ This isn ’ t complicated : Do not get together with someone who ’ s not in your household , ” he said .
“ These weeks are absolutely critical : Critical to whether schools open , whether our economy and our economic recovery path continues .
These weeks are critical for saving lives.
” More than 100 residents of Los Angeles County between the ages of 18 and 40 have died from the coronavirus .
“ While the rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unfortunately , younger people die pretty much almost every day , ” Barbara Ferrer , the director of public health for L.A. County , said Thursday .
“ And some of the people who are dying don ’ t have any underlying health conditions , either.
” About 7 % of the people who have died in L.A. County with a coronavirus infection had no underlying health conditions .
Younger adults can also be a significant spread of the coronavirus to more vulnerable people .
A study published by the U.S. Centers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Japan , it was most often adults in their 20s or 30s — infected but not showing signs of illness — who were responsible for spreading the coronavirus among 61 clusters of illness .
“ As a young person , you inadvertently unknowingly could be infecting people , even in your age cohort , who then go on and infect somebody else who ’ s at risk and has a terrible outcome and actually may even die , ” Ferrer said .
Even those who do survive COVID-19 can suffer from months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growing number of campuses are rethinking fall on-campus plans as the coronavirus has surged again .
Last week , USC announced it will no longer bring all undergraduates back to campus for the fall semester and will move to mainly online classes , reversing to welcome students back for a hybrid model .
Only 10 % to 20 % of courses during the fall semester will be conducted in person and on campus .
These courses include certain labs , studios and performance classes , and research studies that require hands-on work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s largest four-year college system , plans to cancel most in-person classes in the fall and instead offer instruction primarily online , its chancellor said in May .
The vast majority of classes across the 23-campus Cal State system will be taught online , with some limited exceptions that allow for in-person activity .
UC Berkeley officials said that with the rate of increase in disease , “ it ’ s becoming harder to imagine bringing our campus community back in the way we are envisioning.
” Before the 47 new cases were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus since the start of the pandemic .
The officials said UC Berkeley can move forward with a fall semester on campus only if COVID-19 case numbers remain low .
The fall term would be dramatically different , with students living on campus possibly being restricted to small “ bubbles ” of 10 to 12 — allowing them to have social interaction while limiting the ability of the coronavirus to rapidly infect many more students .
Everyone would need to wear a mask unless completely alone in their room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be in place “ in every conceivable area across campus , ” the letter said .
Times staff writers Nina Agrawal , Tomas Mier and Luke Money contributed to this report .

An outbreak of coronavirus infections tied to parties connected to fraternities at UC Berkeley is imperiling the prospect of in-person fall semester classes, university officials warned.
In just one week, there have been 47 COVID-19 cases confirmed by the University Health Services system, the school said in a letter to the campus community.
Most of the 47 new cases “stem from a series of recent parties connected to the CalGreek system, which included students both within the CalGreek community and others, and led to some secondary spread within households and within other smaller gatherings,” said the letter written by Anna Harte, medical director of the campus’ health clinic, and Guy Nicolette, an assistant vice chancellor.
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“Generally, these infections are directly related to social events where students have not followed basic safety measures such as physical distancing, wearing face coverings, limiting event size, and gathering outside,” the letter said.
The outbreak underscores how California’s new coronavirus surge is being fueled by much younger people who are getting back to summer social events and contracting COVID-19.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week that younger people who think “they are invincible” are falling ill nevertheless. Adults between 18 and 49 have made up 6.4% of California’s coronavirus-related deaths.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti underscored that point Wednesday, saying “more than 50% of the people who are testing positive in Los Angeles County are between 18 and 40 years of age.” Adults 18 to 40 make up 35% of L.A. County’s population.
While “most young people are doing the right thing,” he said, “it’s clear that a lot of them are not.”
“This isn’t complicated: Do not get together with someone who’s not in your household,” he said. “These weeks are absolutely critical: Critical to whether schools open, whether our economy and our economic recovery path continues. These weeks are critical for saving lives.”
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More than 100 residents of Los Angeles County between the ages of 18 and 40 have died from the coronavirus.
“While the rate of death is significantly less for younger people, unfortunately, younger people die pretty much almost every day,” Barbara Ferrer, the director of public health for L.A. County, said Thursday. “And some of the people who are dying don’t have any underlying health conditions, either.”
About 7% of the people who have died in L.A. County with a coronavirus infection had no underlying health conditions.
Younger adults can also be a significant spread of the coronavirus to more vulnerable people. A study published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that in Japan, it was most often adults in their 20s or 30s — infected but not showing signs of illness — who were responsible for spreading the coronavirus among 61 clusters of illness.
“As a young person, you inadvertently unknowingly could be infecting people, even in your age cohort, who then go on and infect somebody else who’s at risk and has a terrible outcome and actually may even die,” Ferrer said.
Even those who do survive COVID-19 can suffer from months of complications, Ferrer added.
A growing number of campuses are rethinking fall on-campus plans as the coronavirus has surged again.
Last week, USC announced it will no longer bring all undergraduates back to campus for the fall semester and will move to mainly online classes, reversing an earlier decision to welcome students back for a hybrid model.
Only 10% to 20% of courses during the fall semester will be conducted in person and on campus. These courses include certain labs, studios and performance classes, and research studies that require hands-on work.
California State University, the nation’s largest four-year college system, plans to cancel most in-person classes in the fall and instead offer instruction primarily online, its chancellor said in May.
The vast majority of classes across the 23-campus Cal State system will be taught online, with some limited exceptions that allow for in-person activity.
UC Berkeley officials said that with the rate of increase in disease, “it’s becoming harder to imagine bringing our campus community back in the way we are envisioning.”
Before the 47 new cases were reported, there had been just 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases on campus since the start of the pandemic.
The officials said UC Berkeley can move forward with a fall semester on campus only if COVID-19 case numbers remain low.
The fall term would be dramatically different, with students living on campus possibly being restricted to small “bubbles” of 10 to 12 — allowing them to have social interaction while limiting the ability of the coronavirus to rapidly infect many more students.
Everyone would need to wear a mask unless completely alone in their room or office, and social distancing would need to be in place “in every conceivable area across campus,” the letter said.
Times staff writers Nina Agrawal, Tomas Mier and Luke Money contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-09--911 call reporting 'Glee' actress Naya Rivera missing in Lake Piru released by officials

Ventura County Sheriff ’ s officials released a short recording of the 911 call made by marina personnel , who reported actress Naya Rivera missing in Lake Piru after going swimming with her 4-year-old son .
The actress is presumed to have drowned and the search became a recovery effort Thursday , officials said .
It could be up to a week before search efforts in the lake are exhausted .
“ Our hearts and our prayers and thoughts go out to the Rivera family , ” said Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Department Sgt .
Kevin Donoghue at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a terrible tragedy ... We ’ re going to do everything we can to find her.
” In the 911 call made at 4:37 p.m. Wednesday , a woman explained to dispatchers that her husband was one of the first on the scene and had asked her to call police .
“ We have a missing person , ” the unidentified woman can be heard saying .
“ We found a little girl in one of the boats by herself and her mom is nowhere to be found.
” Officials were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her wallet .
Deputies said Rivera had rented the boat at about 1 p.m. and did not return it at the scheduled time , prompting staff from the boat rental company to look for her .
Deputies said Rivera ’ s son was the last to see her .
He was able to get back on the boat after swimming , but his mother did not .
The boy was found sleeping in the boat by himself .
After speaking with the boy , deputies couldn ’ t determine whether he saw his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area show that Rivera and the boy were the only two people on the boat .
“ He ’ s in good health , ” said Cpt .
Eric Bushow of Rivera ’ s son Wednesday evening.
“ The family is going through a very traumatic time right now.
” Search teams raced to scour the lake Thursday before nightfall .
The search effort includes 100 personnel , including 25 divers , two helicopters and six pontoon boats , said Ventura County Deputy Chris Dyer .
At a Thursday afternoon briefing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more dangerous than other lakes , but can be deep in some areas and has tall underwater vegetation that could entangle swimmers .
“ If the body is tangled in something beneath the water it may never come back up , ” Donoghue said .
The “ underwater trees ” combined with cold weather and poor visibility could lead to danger .
“ There ’ s really no strong undercurrents like you would have in the ocean , but sometimes the water can be very cold and the hypothermic elements of being in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donoghue said .
Lake Piru will remain closed while authorities search for Rivera .
The search has so far been focused on the north side of the lake , where the boy was found , Dyer said .
The parking lot of the Juan Fernandez boat ramp , close to Lake Piru ’ s north end , sat empty at 12:45 p.m. Half a dozen boats and Jet Skis could be seen from the spot hours earlier , but only one remained visible .
The facility ’ s dock stretched into murky , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from San Luis Obispo County prepared to head out midday , and another from Tulare County was on the way , Dyer said .
Until Rivera ’ s body is recovered , search efforts are scheduled until sunset , authorities said .
“ When the sun goes down , there ’ s zero visibility in the water , and it ’ s extremely dangerous for our searchers to be in the area , ” Dyer said .
“ We ’ re tentatively scheduled to be here for several days.
” As waves lapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dyer said the lake ’ s conditions typically get worse as the wind picks up during the day .
The gusts don ’ t affect divers underwater , he said , but they could make recovery operations more difficult for dive team boats .
“ You can tell the water ’ s getting choppier , ” Dyer said , describing the lake as unpredictable .
“ She could be anywhere.
” Earlier in the week , Rivera had posted a photo with her son with the caption : “ Just the two of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreation area in the Los Padres National Forest near Fillmore .
There have been drownings at the lake in the past .
A Times article in 2000 chronicled a string of drownings at the reservoir , saying most victims were inexperienced swimmers who were not wearing life jackets and overestimated their own abilities or swam in prohibited areas .
At the time , officials said the drowning numbers were no higher than at other lakes in the region .
Ventura County sheriff ’ s officials said no one has drowned in the lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press contributed to this report .

Jake Sheridan, Luke Money, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

Actress Naya Rivera is presumed to have drowned as authorities continue to look for her body in the waters of Lake Piru after she went missing Wednesday afternoon.
The 33-year-old was reported missing after her 4-year-old son was found in a rental boat by himself. While authorities focused Wednesday’s search efforts along the shoreline, hopeful she had made it out of the lake, Thursday became a recovery effort in the dark, murky waters of Lake Piru. Officials said the search of the lake could take up to a week.
“Our hearts and our prayers and thoughts go out to the Rivera family,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Kevin Donoghue at a Thursday news conference. “This is a terrible tragedy.... We’re going to do everything we can to find her.”
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Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officials released video footage Thursday afternoon showing Rivera and her son boarding the rental boat alone, as well as a recording of the 911 call made by marine personnel reporting the “Glee” actress missing.
Rivera parked near Condor Point and exited the vehicle, the video shows, walking around to the passenger side to lift her son out of the car. Wearing shorts and a baseball cap, she opened her trunk, swung a bag over her shoulder and walked toward the boat ramp. Rivera looked over her shoulder, watching her little boy as he trailed steps behind her, his own bag in tow.
The mother and son were guided by staff to their rental boat, and at about 1 p.m. they departed onto the lake. The boat soon became a spot on the lake’s horizon.
Hours later, the staff noticed she didn’t return her boat on time and went out to search for her. At 4:47 p.m., a woman told 911 dispatchers, “We have a missing person. We found a little girl in one of the boats by herself and her mom is nowhere to be found.”
Sheriff’s officials later learned that Rivera and her son were swimming together in the lake. The boy was able to get back on the boat, but his mother did not. He was found sleeping on the boat by himself, wearing his life vest. After speaking with the boy, deputies determined he was the last to see his mother, but couldn’t determine whether he saw her go underwater.
“He’s in good health,” Capt. Eric Bushow said of Rivera’s son Wednesday evening.“The family is going through a very traumatic time right now.”
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Search teams raced to scour the lake Thursday before nightfall, when winds and lack of light would complicate their undertaking. The search effort includes 100 personnel, including 25 divers, two helicopters and six pontoon boats, said Ventura County Deputy Chris Dyer.
At a Thursday afternoon briefing, Dyer said Lake Piru isn’t more dangerous than other lakes, but can be deep in some areas and has tall underwater vegetation that could entangle swimmers.
“If the body is tangled in something beneath the water it may never come back up,” Donoghue said. The “underwater trees” combined with cold weather and poor visibility could lead to danger.
“There’s really no strong undercurrents like you would have in the ocean, but sometimes the water can be very cold and the hypothermic elements of being in cold water could effect something,” Donoghue said.
Lake Piru will remain closed while authorities search for Rivera. The search has so far been focused on the north side of the lake, where the boy was found, Dyer said.
After a long day of beaming onto search personnel, the sun began to lose strength around 5 p.m. The search would continue, however, for a few more hours, said Ventura County Senior Sheriff’s Deputy Miguel Gonzalez.
“As soon as darkness hits, we’re going to have to halt the physical search,” he said.
Overnight, recovery teams were planning to reassess their resources and where Friday’s search will be focused.
“Right now, it’s been 24 hours, so we’re not thinking she made it to shore,” Gonzalez said. “We’re concentrating underwater.”
Waves lapped the marina’s cement shores Thursday evening. Dyer said the lake’s conditions typically get worse as the wind picks up. The gusts don’t affect divers underwater, he said, but they could make recovery operations more difficult for dive team boats.
“You can tell the water’s getting choppier,” Dyer said, describing the lake as unpredictable. “She could be anywhere.”
Searchers on Thursday look for “Glee” actress Naya Rivera, who is believed to have drowned in Lake Piru. (KTLA-TV Channel 5)
Lake Piru is a popular recreation area in the Los Padres National Forest near Fillmore. There have been drownings at the lake in the past.
A Times article in 2000 chronicled a string of drownings at the reservoir, saying most victims were inexperienced swimmers who were not wearing life jackets and overestimated their own abilities or swam in prohibited areas.
At the time, officials said the drowning numbers were no higher than at other lakes in the region. Ventura County sheriff’s officials said no one has drowned in the lake in the past year.
Rivera is best known for her role as Santana in Fox’s “Glee.” The Santa Clarita native gained praise for her performance as a gay cheerleader in the high school musical drama.
“I didn’t think it was going to go this far,” Rivera said in 2011 of her role as a lesbian character on TV. “But I’m glad that it did, because there have been a lot of fans who have expressed that they’ve been going through similar situations in their lives. I’ve heard from girls that are in high school, they’re 16, 17, and they’re like, ‘I came out to my mom,’ or ‘I came out to my friends, and thank you for helping me do that.’”
She had been acting since she was 4 years old, appearing in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Family Matters” and “The Bernie Mac Show.” She married her ex-husband, actor Ryan Dorsey, in 2014 and they had their son a year later.
Earlier in the week, Rivera had posted a photo with her son with the caption: “Just the two of us.”