latimes--2020-04-22--Orange County reports its highest coronavirus hospitalization count

Orange County heath officials on Wednesday confirmed 67 new coronavirus cases , bringing the total to 1,753 , and one additional COVID-19 death .
The county also reported its highest number of hospitalizations , with 162 patients being treated for the virus , including 70 who are in intensive care .
Roughly 20,145 of the county ’ s 3.2 million residents have been tested for COVID-19 .
Most who have tested positive are between the ages of 45 and 64 .
Of the 34 people who have died , 32 % were in the 45-64 age group and 59 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been reported in at least 38 Orange County communities , with the largest number in Anaheim , the county ’ s most populous city .
A total of 230 cases have been reported there .
Although coronavirus cases have risen past 37,000 statewide , Orange and other Southern California counties have begun to ease stay-at-home restrictions .
On Tuesday , Orange County leaders agreed to allow public and private golf courses to reopen .
Still , officials have debated whether to close beaches and trailheads ahead of a coming heat wave in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom said several counties have asked his office about modifying restrictions after imposing stricter rules beyond California ’ s guidelines .
Newsom said such changes are allowed at the county level as long as they don ’ t circumvent the state ’ s orders .
Newsom has outlined a six-point framework for reopening when the time is right .
On Wednesday , he stressed the need for increased testing but did not offer an exact timetable for when stay-at-home orders may be fully lifted .
“ There is no date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve , ” he said .
The county ’ s “ other ” category includes unincorporated areas that have a population of less than 25,000 and less than five cases .

UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers return their gratitude as about 25 Orange County first responders’ vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of thanks.
Orange County heath officials on Wednesday confirmed 67 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 1,753, and one additional COVID-19 death.
The county also reported its highest number of hospitalizations, with 162 patients being treated for the virus, including 70 who are in intensive care.
Roughly 20,145 of the county’s 3.2 million residents have been tested for COVID-19. Most who have tested positive are between the ages of 45 and 64. Of the 34 people who have died, 32% were in the 45-64 age group and 59% were 65 or older.
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1 / 37 Customers defy social distancing and the wearing of masks to stand in line at the recently opened Nomads Canteen in San Clemente. The restaurant opened its doors to dine-in services over the weekend in defiance of the California’s stay-at-home order. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 2 / 37 Christina Dagle and her daughter, Eleanor Eades, 4, of Seal Beach, wait in line to buy flowers for a friend from Devynn’s Garden in Seal Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 3 / 37 Station 17 owner Cynthia Freund says that roller skates, shown at left, has been her most popular on-line sale item as she reopens for curb-side shopping in Seal Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 4 / 37 Armando Mendoza, of Anaheim, celebrates with all his health-care professionals and his family and supporters as he is released after spending 45 days at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 5 / 37 Health care workers dance and take images while a mariachi band plays as Armando Mendoza, of Anaheim, gets released from St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. Mendoza was the hospital’s second-ever COVID-19 patient and spent 45 days at St. Joseph Hospital before being released. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 6 / 37 People stroll along Main Beach in Laguna Beach as city ,with State’s blessings, reopened its beaches for active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 7 / 37 Ian Hanna skimboards along the shoreline on Main Beach in Laguna Beach, after it reopened to active use only. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times) 8 / 37 A sailboat cruises by as a lone beach-goer in Newport Beach, despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure of the beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 9 / 37 An aerial view of a few surfers and beach-goers in Newport Beach despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hard closure. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 10 / 37 Beach goers ignore social distancing and beach closures as they walk in groups to the beach access stairs to Salt Creek Beach. ( Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 11 / 37 Elizabeth Robles of Laguna decides to park in a “No Parking” zone and get the $30 ticket so she could walk to Salt Creek Beach to surf. “The ticket is worth it to me. I broke my arm recently and haven’t surfed in 8 months,” she said. ( Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times) 12 / 37 With parking lots closed, a man heads to the beach on the bike path with kids, beach chairs and paddle board loaded on his electric bike in Capistrano Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 13 / 37 John and Jamie Garcia, of La Habra, celebrate Jamie’s birthday by relaxing in loungers at the Beachcomber Inn with a view of an empty, closed beach and pier due to the coronavirus restrictions amid a heat wave in San Clemente. The council voted to reopen the beach for recreational activity such as walking, running, swimming and surfing, but have also said residents should not bring a blanket and hang out. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 14 / 37 Cal State Fullerton student Linh Trinh, 21, right, and her boyfriend Tan Nguyen, 21, walk around a deserted CSUF campus. The school is planning to begin fall semester with online classes, one of the first universities in the nation to make that move as campuses throughout the country grapple with how long to stay closed to most students amid the coronavirus outbreak. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 15 / 37 Russel and Kathleen Sion, of Torrance, celebrate tying the knot in a parking lot at the Honda Center in Anaheim, where the County of Orange Clerk Recorder is performing wedding ceremonies. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 16 / 37 Irvine couple Xiakuan Qian, left, and Qingyun Zhu, get married in a parking lot at the Honda Center in Anaheim. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 17 / 37 UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers wave as about 25 Orange County first-responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as healthcare staff battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 18 / 37 UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers bang on the windows as they watch about 25 Orange County first-responder vehicles participate in a drive-by parade of gratitude as they battle COVID-19 at the hospital, which currently has eight patients with the virus. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 19 / 37 Healthcare workers tend to a driver in line at a drive-through coronavirus testing site at the Westminster Mall in Westminster. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 20 / 37 MaryAnn Lawson collects prayer requests from people gathering in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship in an Easter service by Rev. Robert A. Schuller. Schuller is reviving a practice that launched his father to worldwide acclaim -- the drive-in ministry. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 21 / 37 Security guard Carlos Reyes wears a protective mask and gloves while patrolling the nearly empty Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center amid coronavirus physical distancing restrictions in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 22 / 37 Charlton Paul, 31, and his soon-to-be wife, Heather Paul, 32, arrive at the Honda Center where the County of Orange Clerk-Recorder set up three booths for marriage licenses and weddings in Anaheim. (Raul Roa/Times Community News) 23 / 37 Paul Jones, left, wears a custom-made face mask as does his bride, Annamarie Sucher-Jones, during their wedding in a parking lot at the Honda Center where the County of Orange Clerk-Recorder set up three booths for marriage licenses and weddings in Anaheim. (Raul Roa/Times Community News) 24 / 37 Kayakers, boaters and a paddle boarder observe coronavirus social distancing rules while exercising and gliding through Huntington Harbor on the first warm day in weeks with a view of recently snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 25 / 37 UC Irvine Medical Center healthcare workers react as an Anaheim police officer joins about 25 Orange County first-responder vehicles participating in a drive-by parade of gratitude as healthcare staff battle COVID-19 at the hospital. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 26 / 37 Ashley Amon, and her daughters, Alysha, 2, and Alexandria, 4, who are currently homeless, attend a gathering with fellow worshipers in their cars in a parking lot in Santa Ana to worship in an Easter service by Rev. Robert A. Schuller. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 27 / 37 An aerial view of the closed San Clemente pier and beach. Officials said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Marine Safety, Code Enforcement and Park Rangers will increase monitoring and people who do not comply could be cited. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 28 / 37 A couple takes in a sunset together near the San Clemente pier after San Clemente closed its beaches to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 29 / 37 Kristen Edgerle of Victorville collects information from a blood donor before drawing blood at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library blood drive during the coronavirus pandemic in Yorba Linda. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times) 30 / 37 Protest organizer Elizabeth Coe, waves the American flag out of her sun roof and Laguna Woods resident Debbie Bloom, 67, left, parades her sign while joining mostly Laguna Woods seniors protesting after learning nearby Ayres Hotel will be used to treat homeless COVID-19 patients in Laguna Woods. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 31 / 37 Kylie Wortham, who was laid off when her entire company was closed due to coronavirus restrictions, relaxes with a book in a hammock overlooking the beach in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 32 / 37 A social distancing sign alerts visitors to keep their distance from other people on the mostly empty board walk in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 33 / 37 Jose Secundino, center, joins fellow recently hired Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County temporary employees, who have been laid off from restaurant jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, as they pack boxes of food for the needy. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 34 / 37 Daniel Guzman, right, an unemployed pool supervisor from Garden Grove, sits alone in the mostly closed and normally crowded Pacific City shopping mall in Huntington Beach. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 35 / 37 Jessica Estebane, a temporarily unemployed restaurant worker from Huntington Beach, rests from her jog in front of closed Huntington Surf & Sport. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times) 36 / 37 Laguna Beach closes all city beaches and their adjacent parks. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times) 37 / 37 Laguna Beach has closed all city beaches and their adjacent parks (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Cases have been reported in at least 38 Orange County communities, with the largest number in Anaheim, the county’s most populous city. A total of 230 cases have been reported there.
Although coronavirus cases have risen past 37,000 statewide, Orange and other Southern California counties have begun to ease stay-at-home restrictions. On Tuesday, Orange County leaders agreed to allow public and private golf courses to reopen. Still, officials have debated whether to close beaches and trailheads ahead of a coming heat wave in order to avoid an influx of visitors.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said several counties have asked his office about modifying restrictions after imposing stricter rules beyond California’s guidelines. Newsom said such changes are allowed at the county level as long as they don’t circumvent the state’s orders.
Newsom has outlined a six-point framework for reopening when the time is right. On Wednesday, he stressed the need for increased testing but did not offer an exact timetable for when stay-at-home orders may be fully lifted.
“There is no date, in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve,” he said.
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Orange County’s case count by city
Aliso Viejo – 17 Anaheim – 230 Brea – 18 Buena Park – 64 Costa Mesa – 33 Coto de Caza – 5 Cypress – 38 Dana Point – 18 Fountain Valley – 25 Fullerton – 59 Garden Grove – 69 Huntington Beach – 153 Irvine – 119 La Habra – 37 La Palma – 12 Ladera Ranch – 10 Laguna Beach – 36 Laguna Hills – 17 Laguna Niguel – 32 Laguna Woods – 8 Lake Forest – 26 Los Alamitos – 9 Mission Viejo – 39 Newport Beach – 89 Orange – 65 Placentia – 38 Rancho Mission Viejo – 5 Rancho Santa Margarita – 14 San Clemente – 43 San Juan Capistrano – 22 Santa Ana – 184 Seal Beach – 10 Stanton – 15 Trabuco Canyon – 10 Tustin – 33 Villa Park – 6 Westminster – 26 Yorba Linda – 43 Other – 5 Unknown – 71
The county’s “other” category includes unincorporated areas that have a population of less than 25,000 and less than five cases.


latimes--2020-04-22--Ventura eases hard closure of city parks, beaches and pier ahead of warm weekend

The city of Ventura eased its hard closure on parks and beaches this week in effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Under an amended ordinance , residents can now access the city ’ s beaches , pier , promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active .
People can walk back and forth on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit down , or stand against the railing to fish , for example .
The city ’ s two golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday , with changes that promote physical distancing and limited contact with employees with personal protective equipment , according to city spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay .
Playgrounds , picnic areas , parking lots , pools and recreational courts and fields will remain closed .
“ The city has some of the lowest COVID-19 rates in Ventura County because of the hard work and sacrifices made by our residents , ” Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere said in a statement .
“ We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the spread of COVID-19.
” With a heat wave expected to arrive in Southern California this week , the ordinance includes a three-tiered approach that gives police authority to indefinitely close off an area if visitors ignore rules three times .
For example , if the promenade becomes overcrowded and residents ignore physical distancing guidelines , police can shut down the area for 24 hours .
That would be the first strike .
A second strike would close the area for 48 hours ; a third strike would close it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ventura County officials also recently amended their Stay Well At Home order , allowing businesses to reopen physical locations with up to 10 workers as long as they did not serve the public .
Golf courses and bicycle shops also have been allowed to reopen , along with in-person sales of vehicles .
Dr. Robert Levin , the county ’ s public health officer , stressed that residents are still required to stay home as much as possible and must practice social distancing when visiting essential businesses .
As of Tuesday , Ventura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 13 deaths .

People walk along the ocean front at Surfers Point at Seaside Park in Ventura on April 15.
The city of Ventura eased its hard closure on parks and beaches this week in effort to help residents stay mentally and physically healthy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Under an amended ordinance, residents can now access the city’s beaches, pier, promenade and parks as long as they keep their distance from one another and remain active. People can walk back and forth on the pier or the sand but are not allowed to sit down, or stand against the railing to fish, for example.
The city’s two golf courses also are slated to open by Friday, with changes that promote physical distancing and limited contact with employees with personal protective equipment, according to city spokeswoman Heather Sumagaysay.
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Playgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, pools and recreational courts and fields will remain closed.
“The city has some of the lowest COVID-19 rates in Ventura County because of the hard work and sacrifices made by our residents,” Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere said in a statement. “We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a socially-responsible manner while we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
With a heat wave expected to arrive in Southern California this week, the ordinance includes a three-tiered approach that gives police authority to indefinitely close off an area if visitors ignore rules three times.
For example, if the promenade becomes overcrowded and residents ignore physical distancing guidelines, police can shut down the area for 24 hours. That would be the first strike. A second strike would close the area for 48 hours; a third strike would close it for the remainder of the local emergency.
Ventura County officials also recently amended their Stay Well At Home order, allowing businesses to reopen physical locations with up to 10 workers as long as they did not serve the public. Golf courses and bicycle shops also have been allowed to reopen, along with in-person sales of vehicles.
Dr. Robert Levin, the county’s public health officer, stressed that residents are still required to stay home as much as possible and must practice social distancing when visiting essential businesses.
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As of Tuesday, Ventura County had reported 443 total coronavirus cases and 13 deaths.


latimes--2020-04-22--66 more coronavirus deaths reported in L.A. County as case count climbs past 16,000

Los Angeles County health officials announced an additional 66 coronavirus-linked deaths Wednesday , bringing the total number to 729 since the outbreak began .
Barbara Ferrer , the county ’ s public health director , also confirmed 1,318 new COVID-19 cases — pushing the cumulative total to 16,435 .
The latest victims include 48 people who were over the age of 65 , 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were anywhere from 18 to 40 .
Ages were not available for the other three .
Of all those who have died from coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had some kind of underlying health condition , according to Ferrer .
“ This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe , ” she said .
As of Wednesday , there were 1,791 COVID-19 patients hospitalized countywide — with 30 % of them in intensive care and 19 % on ventilators , according to Ferrer .
Models unveiled Wednesday project that , should residents continue to abide by stay-at-home orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venture outside , the county should have enough hospital and ICU beds , as well as respirators , to accommodate the expected number of coronavirus patients , according to Dr. Christina Ghaly , director of the county Department of Health Services .
“ We continue to make progress , and the spread of COVID-19 has leveled out , ” she said , “ but relaxing physical distancing measures very suddenly would negate and reverse all of that progress we ’ ve made to date.
” If physical distancing practices were completely relaxed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate for L.A. County residents would be 96 % by Aug. 1 .
Maintaining current levels , she said , reduces that projected overall infection rate to about 11 % .
“ I know it ’ s hard , ” she said .
“ I know a lot of us are feeling the weight of these restrictions.… But please know that your actions have saved lives and are protecting the lives and health of those around you and those you love .
This will end.
” While neighboring counties have started to pull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — reopening golf courses , parks and other outdoor areas — health officials continue to urge L.A. County residents to abstain from traveling .
Travelers risk carrying the coronavirus across county boundaries , Ferrer added .
“ They want to try and reopen just for their own residents , ” she said .
“ Nobody benefits from people doing a lot of travel now and going and congregating in any spaces or places.
” California has recorded more than 37,000 cases , according to the Los Angeles Times ’ daily tracker .
Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week is the result of a lag in labs reporting test results and releasing bulk numbers .
More than 1,400 people have died across the state .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom and others have said that California and the nation have not necessarily seen the worst of coronavirus and that lifting stay-at-home rules could be disastrous .
“ We remain committed with our health partners to safely ease restrictions so people can return to work and reunite with loved ones , ” said Kathryn Barger , chairwoman of the L.A. County Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and data will guide our decision.
” Newsom on Wednesday reemphasized that there were six key indicators for potentially modifying the stay-at-home order .
Among those is increasing testing capacity , which he said “ may be among the most important.
” Currently , the state can provide about 16,000 tests a day , he said , and the goal is to boost that to 25,000 a day by the end of the month .
To that end , he announced that the state was bringing 86 new testing sites online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaches of the state and areas where they can serve “ black and brown ” communities .
“ These sites will provide the kind of continuity that we need to ultimately advance our collective goals in this state to reach these testing goals , ” he said , adding that their strategic deployment will “ make sure we are truly culturally competent in our testing.
” Newsom also announced that California hospitals could resume providing scheduled surgeries — which reflects current confidence in the capacity of the statewide system .
He emphasized , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very thoughtful and judicious about how we do that .
We will not overload the system.
” “ We recognize that anytime we begin to toggle back and start opening things back up we have to look every day at the data ... to make sure that we are adjusting to these new decisions and maintaining an understanding that we need to be vigilant about the intended consequences of these decisions and the unintended consequences of these decisions , ” he said .

Los Angeles County health officials announced an additional 66 coronavirus-linked deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number to 729 since the outbreak began.
Barbara Ferrer, the county’s public health director, also confirmed 1,318 new COVID-19 cases — pushing the cumulative total to 16,435.
The latest victims include 48 people who were over the age of 65, 13 people who were 41 to 65 years old and two people who were anywhere from 18 to 40. Ages were not available for the other three.
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Of all those who have died from coronavirus infection in the county, 88% had some kind of underlying health condition, according to Ferrer.
“This underscores the need for all of us to do the best job possible to make sure people who have serious health conditions are able to stay home and stay safe,” she said.
As of Wednesday, there were 1,791 COVID-19 patients hospitalized countywide — with 30% of them in intensive care and 19% on ventilators, according to Ferrer.
Models unveiled Wednesday project that, should residents continue to abide by stay-at-home orders and maintain social distancing when they do venture outside, the county should have enough hospital and ICU beds, as well as respirators, to accommodate the expected number of coronavirus patients, according to Dr. Christina Ghaly, director of the county Department of Health Services.
“We continue to make progress, and the spread of COVID-19 has leveled out,” she said, “but relaxing physical distancing measures very suddenly would negate and reverse all of that progress we’ve made to date.”
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If physical distancing practices were completely relaxed, Ghaly said projections indicated the coronavirus infection rate for L.A. County residents would be 96% by Aug. 1. Maintaining current levels, she said, reduces that projected overall infection rate to about 11%.
“I know it’s hard,” she said. “I know a lot of us are feeling the weight of these restrictions.… But please know that your actions have saved lives and are protecting the lives and health of those around you and those you love. This will end.”
While neighboring counties have started to pull back on some of their coronavirus-related restrictions — reopening golf courses, parks and other outdoor areas — health officials continue to urge L.A. County residents to abstain from traveling.
Travelers risk carrying the coronavirus across county boundaries, Ferrer added.
“They want to try and reopen just for their own residents,” she said. “Nobody benefits from people doing a lot of travel now and going and congregating in any spaces or places.”
California has recorded more than 37,000 cases, according to the Los Angeles Times’ daily tracker. Part of the uptick in new cases this week is the result of a lag in labs reporting test results and releasing bulk numbers.
More than 1,400 people have died across the state.
California Do you know someone who has lost the battle with COVID-19? In our effort to cover this pandemic as thoroughly as possible, we’d like to hear from the loved ones of people who have died from the coronavirus.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and others have said that California and the nation have not necessarily seen the worst of coronavirus and that lifting stay-at-home rules could be disastrous.
“We remain committed with our health partners to safely ease restrictions so people can return to work and reunite with loved ones,” said Kathryn Barger, chairwoman of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. “Keep in mind, science and data will guide our decision.”
Newsom on Wednesday reemphasized that there were six key indicators for potentially modifying the stay-at-home order. Among those is increasing testing capacity, which he said “may be among the most important.”
Currently, the state can provide about 16,000 tests a day, he said, and the goal is to boost that to 25,000 a day by the end of the month.
To that end, he announced that the state was bringing 86 new testing sites online, which will be placed in more rural reaches of the state and areas where they can serve “black and brown” communities.
“These sites will provide the kind of continuity that we need to ultimately advance our collective goals in this state to reach these testing goals,” he said, adding that their strategic deployment will “make sure we are truly culturally competent in our testing.”
Newsom also announced that California hospitals could resume providing scheduled surgeries — which reflects current confidence in the capacity of the statewide system. He emphasized, however, that “we will be very thoughtful and judicious about how we do that. We will not overload the system.”
“We recognize that anytime we begin to toggle back and start opening things back up we have to look every day at the data ... to make sure that we are adjusting to these new decisions and maintaining an understanding that we need to be vigilant about the intended consequences of these decisions and the unintended consequences of these decisions,” he said.


latimes--2020-04-22--California poppy bloom tempts visitors to break coronavirus stay-at-home order

The coronavirus pandemic hasn ’ t thwarted Mother Nature ’ s springtime show in the Antelope Valley , where rolling hillsides are blanketed in a fiery orange hue from a recent poppy bloom .
But like everything else deemed nonessential during the pandemic , the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster — where crowds have flocked in years past to witness the breathtaking bloom — is closed to visitors .
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has set up a live cam of the bloom in the hopes that people will enjoy the spectacular sight from home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ roadblocks to allow only local traffic into the area and to reduce fence-jumping from those hoping to snap a photo among the flowers .
But even that hasn ’ t kept everyone away , officials say .
On Tuesday , a handful of people were spotted dancing , running and posing for photos among a sea of flowers .
“ There are a lot of people not obeying the stay-at-home order , but visitation to the valley is only a fraction of what it would normally be at this time , ” California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order , which has been in effect for more than a month , requires Californians to not leave their residences except for essential errands such as grocery shopping and doctor visits .
Outdoor exercise is permitted , but state officials have asked people to walk , run and hike in their own neighborhoods rather than visiting destination parks that have the potential to draw crowds .
The nature reserve , which frequently draws swarms of people from across California , landed on the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over fears that people would be unable to social distance on the tight trails .
Officials in Riverside County have voiced similar concerns , especially in the wake of last year ’ s massive crowds .
A wet winter in 2019 resulted in an epic super-bloom that attracted thousands to Lake Elsinore ’ s hillsides of golden poppies .
The interest was so significant that Lake Elsinore temporary closed access to the popular poppy fields in Walker Canyon after flower fanatics invaded the region , causing gridlock and traffic jams that overwhelmed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this winter , it didn ’ t appear the poppies would bloom at all in 2020 .
However , significant rain that fell across Southern California last month , which pulled the region out of drought conditions , also yielded a mini-bloom .
“ I ’ m not sure anyone would call it a super-bloom , ” said Betsy Dionne , ecological resource specialist for the Regional County Authority in Riverside County .
“ It ’ s definitely not as showy this year because we got the rain so late.
” Jonathan Reinig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parks , said despite the lackluster bloom , officials were seeing 20 to 50 people each day in Walker Canyon , even after the stay-at-home order was put in place last month .
When Lake Elsinore blocked access to Walker Canyon Road and began threatening to hand out parking tickets , that number dropped significantly , he said .
While Riverside County this week reopened parks and trails with certain social distancing measures , Lake Elsinore intends to continue blocking access to Walker Canyon .
“ We don ’ t feel we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to manage an influx of visitors , ” said Nicole Dailey , assistant to the city manager in Lake Elsinore .
“ Last year was beautiful and the display of flowers was amazing , but the crowds were far beyond what we have the resources to handle.
” The city is working to place a camera in the fields where flowers are blooming to give enthusiasts a chance to check them out from home .
She also warned the display isn ’ t nearly as impressive as it was last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything to see , ” she said .
“ I think if people come out , they ’ ll be disappointed .
”

The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t thwarted Mother Nature’s springtime show in the Antelope Valley, where rolling hillsides are blanketed in a fiery orange hue from a recent poppy bloom.
But like everything else deemed nonessential during the pandemic, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve near Lancaster — where crowds have flocked in years past to witness the breathtaking bloom — is closed to visitors. The California Department of Parks and Recreation has set up a live cam of the bloom in the hopes that people will enjoy the spectacular sight from home.
State parks officials have also set up roadblocks to allow only local traffic into the area and to reduce fence-jumping from those hoping to snap a photo among the flowers. But even that hasn’t kept everyone away, officials say.
Isabella Cardenas, 7, runs through blooming California poppies in a field in Lancaster. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
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On Tuesday, a handful of people were spotted dancing, running and posing for photos among a sea of flowers.
“There are a lot of people not obeying the stay-at-home order, but visitation to the valley is only a fraction of what it would normally be at this time,” California State Parks Interpreter Jean Rhyne told SFGate.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order, which has been in effect for more than a month, requires Californians to not leave their residences except for essential errands such as grocery shopping and doctor visits. Outdoor exercise is permitted, but state officials have asked people to walk, run and hike in their own neighborhoods rather than visiting destination parks that have the potential to draw crowds.
The nature reserve, which frequently draws swarms of people from across California, landed on the state’s list of closures amid the pandemic over fears that people would be unable to social distance on the tight trails.
A couple take a selfie among blooming California poppies in Lancaster outside of the perimeter of the California Poppy State Natural Reserve. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Officials in Riverside County have voiced similar concerns, especially in the wake of last year’s massive crowds.
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A wet winter in 2019 resulted in an epic super-bloom that attracted thousands to Lake Elsinore’s hillsides of golden poppies. The interest was so significant that Lake Elsinore temporary closed access to the popular poppy fields in Walker Canyon after flower fanatics invaded the region, causing gridlock and traffic jams that overwhelmed the city.
After months of no rain this winter, it didn’t appear the poppies would bloom at all in 2020. However, significant rain that fell across Southern California last month, which pulled the region out of drought conditions, also yielded a mini-bloom.
“I’m not sure anyone would call it a superbloom,” said Betsy Dionne, ecological resource specialist for the Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority. “It’s definitely not as showy this year because we got the rain so late.”
Vehicles crowd Lancaster Boulevard where scores of people were enjoying the blooming poppies in Lancaster. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)
Jonathan Reinig, natural resource manager for Riverside County parks, said despite the lackluster bloom, officials were seeing 20 to 50 people each day in Walker Canyon, even after the stay-at-home order was put in place last month. When Lake Elsinore blocked access to Walker Canyon Road and began threatening to hand out parking tickets, that number dropped significantly, he said.
While Riverside County this week reopened parks and trails with certain social distancing measures, Lake Elsinore intends to continue blocking access to Walker Canyon.
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“We don’t feel we have the resources during this COVID-19 pandemic to be able to manage an influx of visitors,” said Nicole Dailey, assistant to the city manager in Lake Elsinore. “Last year was beautiful and the display of flowers was amazing, but the crowds were far beyond what we have the resources to handle.”
The city is working to place a camera in the fields where flowers are blooming to give enthusiasts a chance to check them out from home. She also warned the display isn’t nearly as impressive as it was last year.
“There isn’t really anything to see,” she said. “I think if people come out, they’ll be disappointed.”


latimes--2020-04-22--Newsom says California shutdown must continue, but surge in testing will help

Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout California , saying the findings will be critical to deciding when to ease the state ’ s strict stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work .
Newsom ’ s announcement comes as more and more cities and counties have urged him to modify the restrictions , which they say have put local economies on the brink of ruin .
The governor has thus far resisted , saying that COVID-19 remains a serious and growing health threat and that loosening his statewide order prematurely could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fatalities .
But Newsom said the prospect of lifting the restrictions becomes more feasible with widespread testing .
The data will increase the ability of public health officials to closely track potential cases , one of the most essential requirements for California to ease into the next phase of the pandemic while still stemming the spread of the virus .
The governor announced several new efforts to increase testing in California , noting that President Trump committed in a phone call Wednesday to providing California with critically needed specimen swabs for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply .
Newsom said 100,000 swabs are expected to arrive in California this week and 250,000 next week .
The governor said six new testing sites will become operational soon , prioritizing “ black and brown communities and focusing on rural communities.
” Newsom announced that Abbott Laboratories will provide California with 1.5 million serology tests , which detect antibodies .
One of his top health advisors warned that the science is evolving and that serology tests can not yet confirm immunity .
“ We plan to use those , first and foremost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the state , ” said Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s secretary of Health and Human Services .
“ We know that any accurate movement forward with modification of the stay-at-home order requires us to understand who might have been infected in the past.
” The new initiatives would substantially increase California ’ s coronavirus testing capabilities , which currently average 14,500 tests a day among all public and private labs .
The Newsom administration ’ s target is 25,000 tests a day by the end of April and up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future .
This week , California became the first state to recommend tests for asymptomatic people living or working in high-risk settings such as nursing homes and prisons , a significant first step toward establishing widespread testing to identify and isolate every coronavirus case .
The Newsom administration last week highlighted six key indicators for altering the governor ’ s stay-at-home order .
In addition to increased testing , they include acquiring the ability to prevent infection of high-risk people ; preparing hospitals to handle surges ; developing therapies to meet demand ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can support social distancing ; and developing guidelines for when to ask Californians to stay home again if necessary .
The governor has declined to say when he might begin to modify his order and ease restrictions .
“ I deeply recognize , deeply understand the desire for people to hear directly from the administration , from the state and its leadership , about the answer to when , when can we go back to some semblance of normalcy , ” Newsom said during a COVID-19 briefing Wednesday .
“ I wish I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , well , we can turn up the light switch and go back to normalcy .
We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch .
And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve.
” Newsom laid out a goal of training 10,000 people , including some existing state workers , to support counties to track COVID-19 patients and anyone who may have come in contact with those people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have the capacity to build an army of tracers , beginning with a goal of 10,000 , ” Newsom said .
Newsom also announced that the California hospital system is in good enough shape for the state to begin lifting restrictions on other procedures at medical facilities .
“ We are in a position today to begin to pull back and lean in by beginning to schedule surgeries , once again , throughout not only our hospital system but our broader healthcare delivery system , ” Newsom said .
But Newsom ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other states , including Colorado , Texas and Georgia , already have announced plans to ease their stay-at-home restrictions .
Colorado Gov .
Jared Polis on Monday said his state would transition to a “ Safer at Home ” phase at the end of the month , which will urge people to stay home and continue to practice social distancing , and will allow small businesses including hair salons and barbershops to eventually reopen if they adhere to certain health guidelines .
Polis said he hopes bars and restaurants could reopen in mid-May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what happens after the stay-at-home directive is lifted .
Trump has openly encouraged protesters defying state stay-at-home orders throughout the country and often expresses an eagerness to reopen the American economy that has plummeted into recession because of the virus outbreak .
Still , after several Southern states took action this week to lift their stay-at-home orders , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , warned Americans that returning too quickly to life as it was before the pandemic would “ backfire ” and lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his daily briefings , Newsom also has warned about the consequences of easing restrictions too soon .
Newsom said Californians have been successful in slowing the spread of the virus by adhering to orders to stay at home and maintain social distancing — but infections continue to rise .
On Wednesday , Newsom cited administration statistics from the previous 24-hour period showing a 0.2 % decrease in hospitalizations and a 1.8 % decline in patients being treated in intensive care wards .
“ We have flattened the curve , we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Continue to practice physical distancing and we will be making more announcements sooner than we otherwise would .
If we pull back too soon , those announcements will not be forthcoming.
” Newsom said that if restrictions are eased in a few counties or cities that have been less affected by the pandemic , cases could quickly surge if infected people from other parts of the state pass through those areas .
He said that it ’ s critical to the well-being of all Californians to have a statewide , health-based strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officials in San Luis Obispo County asked the governor to allow them to ease their stay-at-home rules because they were in a much better position than coronavirus hot spots such as Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties .
In a letter to Newsom , local officials said that the county ’ s infection rate had been on the decline for three weeks and that COVID-19-related hospitalizations had dropped dramatically .
At the beginning of this week , the county reported 130 positive cases , with 111 fully recovered , three people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised to ease the restrictions in a measured way that ensured that public health would not be endangered , but Newsom has not been swayed thus far .
Newsom appeared more deferential to local officials at the outset of the pandemic .
That included allowing cities and counties to decide how to enforce the stay-at-home order and whether to require residents to wear face coverings when leaving home to shop for groceries or for other essential needs .
After Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti this month required residents to wear face coverings when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he declined to issue an executive order requiring similar precautions statewide .
“ Localism is determinative , ” Newsom said during an April 7 briefing .
“ We really look for leadership at the local level , and Mayor Garcetti has been providing that … and you ’ re seeing that kind of leadership manifest all across the state where people are taking our baseline recommendations and guidance and they are conditioning , based on local realities , them even further .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced an expansion of coronavirus testing capability throughout California, saying the findings will be critical to deciding when to ease the state’s strict stay-at-home order and allow people to return to work.
Newsom’s announcement comes as more and more cities and counties have urged him to modify the restrictions, which they say have put local economies on the brink of ruin. The governor has thus far resisted, saying that COVID-19 remains a serious and growing health threat and that loosening his statewide order prematurely could lead to a second wave of infections and fatalities.
But Newsom said the prospect of lifting the restrictions becomes more feasible with widespread testing. The data will increase the ability of public health officials to closely track potential cases, one of the most essential requirements for California to ease into the next phase of the pandemic while still stemming the spread of the virus.
The governor announced several new efforts to increase testing in California, noting that President Trump committed in a phone call Wednesday to providing California with critically needed specimen swabs for coronavirus testing, which have been in short supply. Newsom said 100,000 swabs are expected to arrive in California this week and 250,000 next week.
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The governor said six new testing sites will become operational soon, prioritizing “black and brown communities and focusing on rural communities.”
Newsom announced that Abbott Laboratories will provide California with 1.5 million serology tests, which detect antibodies. One of his top health advisors warned that the science is evolving and that serology tests cannot yet confirm immunity.
“We plan to use those, first and foremost, to understand the prevalence of disease across the state,” said Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s secretary of Health and Human Services. “We know that any accurate movement forward with modification of the stay-at-home order requires us to understand who might have been infected in the past.”
The new initiatives would substantially increase California’s coronavirus testing capabilities, which currently average 14,500 tests a day among all public and private labs. The Newsom administration’s target is 25,000 tests a day by the end of April and up to 80,000 daily tests in the near future.
This week, California became the first state to recommend tests for asymptomatic people living or working in high-risk settings such as nursing homes and prisons, a significant first step toward establishing widespread testing to identify and isolate every coronavirus case.
The Newsom administration last week highlighted six key indicators for altering the governor’s stay-at-home order. In addition to increased testing, they include acquiring the ability to prevent infection of high-risk people; preparing hospitals to handle surges; developing therapies to meet demand; ensuring schools, businesses and child-care facilities can support social distancing; and developing guidelines for when to ask Californians to stay home again if necessary. The governor has declined to say when he might begin to modify his order and ease restrictions.
“I deeply recognize, deeply understand the desire for people to hear directly from the administration, from the state and its leadership, about the answer to when, when can we go back to some semblance of normalcy,” Newsom said during a COVID-19 briefing Wednesday. “I wish I could prescribe a specific date to say, well, we can turn up the light switch and go back to normalcy. We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch. And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve.”
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Newsom laid out a goal of training 10,000 people, including some existing state workers, to support counties to track COVID-19 patients and anyone who may have come in contact with those people.
“The good news is we believe we have the capacity to build an army of tracers, beginning with a goal of 10,000,” Newsom said.
Newsom also announced that the California hospital system is in good enough shape for the state to begin lifting restrictions on other procedures at medical facilities.
“We are in a position today to begin to pull back and lean in by beginning to schedule surgeries, once again, throughout not only our hospital system but our broader healthcare delivery system,” Newsom said.
“I wish I could prescribe a specific date to say, well, we can turn up the light switch and go back to normalcy. We have tried to make it crystal clear that there is no light switch. And there is no date in terms of our capacity to provide the kind of clarity that I know so many of you demand and deserve.” — Gov. Gavin Newsom
But Newsom’s methodical approach comes as governors in other states, including Colorado, Texas and Georgia, already have announced plans to ease their stay-at-home restrictions.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Monday said his state would transition to a “Safer at Home” phase at the end of the month, which will urge people to stay home and continue to practice social distancing, and will allow small businesses including hair salons and barbershops to eventually reopen if they adhere to certain health guidelines.
Polis said he hopes bars and restaurants could reopen in mid-May, but that would be contingent on what happens after the stay-at-home directive is lifted.
Trump has openly encouraged protesters defying state stay-at-home orders throughout the country and often expresses an eagerness to reopen the American economy that has plummeted into recession because of the virus outbreak.
Still, after several Southern states took action this week to lift their stay-at-home orders, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned Americans that returning too quickly to life as it was before the pandemic would “backfire” and lead to a resurgence of the virus.
In his daily briefings, Newsom also has warned about the consequences of easing restrictions too soon. Newsom said Californians have been successful in slowing the spread of the virus by adhering to orders to stay at home and maintain social distancing — but infections continue to rise.
California Newsom resists pressure to ease California’s coronavirus stay-at-home order Newsom said that while areas across the state have been affected differently by the pandemic, the “virus knows no jurisdiction, knows no boundaries” and could easily spread into neighboring counties if they ease restrictions prematurely.
On Wednesday, Newsom cited administration statistics from the previous 24-hour period showing a 0.2% decrease in hospitalizations and a 1.8% decline in patients being treated in intensive care wards.
“We have flattened the curve, we’ve created stability,” Newsom said. “Continue to practice physical distancing and we will be making more announcements sooner than we otherwise would. If we pull back too soon, those announcements will not be forthcoming.”
Newsom said that if restrictions are eased in a few counties or cities that have been less affected by the pandemic, cases could quickly surge if infected people from other parts of the state pass through those areas. He said that it’s critical to the well-being of all Californians to have a statewide, health-based strategy to return to some sense of normalcy.
Officials in San Luis Obispo County asked the governor to allow them to ease their stay-at-home rules because they were in a much better position than coronavirus hot spots such as Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties. In a letter to Newsom, local officials said that the county’s infection rate had been on the decline for three weeks and that COVID-19-related hospitalizations had dropped dramatically. At the beginning of this week, the county reported 130 positive cases, with 111 fully recovered, three people in the hospital and one death.
They promised to ease the restrictions in a measured way that ensured that public health would not be endangered, but Newsom has not been swayed thus far.
Newsom appeared more deferential to local officials at the outset of the pandemic. That included allowing cities and counties to decide how to enforce the stay-at-home order and whether to require residents to wear face coverings when leaving home to shop for groceries or for other essential needs.
After Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti this month required residents to wear face coverings when shopping, Newsom praised the decision, though he declined to issue an executive order requiring similar precautions statewide.
“Localism is determinative,” Newsom said during an April 7 briefing. “We really look for leadership at the local level, and Mayor Garcetti has been providing that … and you’re seeing that kind of leadership manifest all across the state where people are taking our baseline recommendations and guidance and they are conditioning, based on local realities, them even further.”
Times staff writer John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-22--California's largest workers' comp insurer just made it easier to file COVID-19 claims

After catching COVID-19 and enduring weeks of an illness he thought might kill him , a 34-year-old medical technician at a Westside hospital said he needed more time to recover — physically and mentally .
He plans to file a workers ’ compensation claim but worries about how his employer will respond .
He has been able to take a few days off , but with stress issues , a nagging cough and unexplained bruises on his ankles that he attributes to the coronavirus , he thinks he needs more .
“ I am very good at attendance , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fearing retaliation at work .
“ In this matter , I do want to take time to recover and heal and , you know , just get back to my daily routine .
I need time off.
” Depending on which workers ’ comp insurer his hospital does business with , he might be able to rest , recuperate and receive benefits that include replacing his lost wages .
But approval of his claim is hardly a sure thing .
Late last week , California ’ s largest workers ’ compensation insurer lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 prove they contracted the virus on the job .
For many on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus , it means one less thing to worry about , particularly if they lack adequate sick leave or robust healthcare coverage .
The move by the State Compensation Insurance Fund , known as State Fund , will streamline the COVID-19 claims process for healthcare workers , grocery store checkers , public safety employees and others employed by the businesses and governmental entities it insures .
State Fund officials said the insurer had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 1,500 claims have been filed statewide , according to the California Department of Industrial Relations , which oversees the workers ’ comp system .
Experts say those numbers could multiply and eventually cost insurers billions of dollars .
Such claims have historically been hard to prove and are often contested by insurers .
Typically the burden falls on the worker making the claim to prove that the injury or illness is directly related to the job .
Even front-line healthcare workers might be denied , for example , in cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could have been the source of transmission for the coronavirus , which is primarily spread from person to person .
Debbie Hammer , a senior claims consultant at Woodruff Sawyer , a large insurance brokerage and consulting firm based in San Francisco , said that without “ presumed compensability , ” illness claims can be problematic because of the inherent difficulty in pinpointing where and how a worker was exposed to an illness .
One notable exception involved a measles outbreak at Disneyland about five years ago .
Workers at the Anaheim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were covered by workers ’ compensation , she said .
“ In the case of Disneyland , the employees were inherently exposed in a much greater way to the general public , ” Hammer said .
“ Their jobs were right in front of the general public all day long , constantly , including to foreign visitors who were unvaccinated.
” State Fund ’ s revised eligibility will apply to workers who fit Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s definition of “ essential employees , ” including those in food and agriculture , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency services .
Although they are presumed to be eligible for workers ’ compensation , they must show proof of testing positive for COVID-19 between the time Newsom issued his stay-at-home order in March and when that order is lifted .
State Fund , a quasi-public entity staffed mostly by state employees and supported by insurance policy premiums and investment income , has allocated $ 115 million to cover essential workers ’ COVID-19 claims .
It will also continue to provide temporary disability benefits to any covered essential worker who must self-quarantine if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are doing everything we can to provide our customers and injured workers with the support they need to make it through the COVID-19 crisis , ” said Vern Steiner , State Fund ’ s president and CEO .
“ We have worked hard to be in a position where we can help , and we ’ re proud to stand with the essential workers who are risking their lives every day to hold our communities together.
” State Fund insures some 110,000 California businesses , or about 11 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is not clear which , if any , other workers ’ compensation insurers will follow State Fund ’ s lead and accept essential workers ’ COVID-19 claims without question .
The Department of Industrial Relations said that 1,527 COVID-19 claims had been filed by April 16 .
But the agency did not address the L.A. Times ’ questions about how many claims were approved , denied or pending .
Nor did it respond to a request for information on other insurers that had eased eligibility requirements for essential workers .
Several states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded workers ’ compensation access to essential workers in public-facing jobs , including in grocery stores , pharmacies and daycare centers .
Other states , including California , are considering similar measures .
The costs of covering all essential workers in the state could be in the billions of dollars , according to a recent research brief by the Workers ’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California , which bills itself as “ an objective provider of actuarially-based information and research.
” “ The WCIRB estimates that the annual cost of COVID-19 claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclusive presumption ranges from $ 2.2 billion to $ 33.6 billion with an approximate mid-range estimate of $ 11.2 billion , or 61 % of the annual estimated cost of the total workers ’ compensation system prior to the impact of the pandemic , ” according to the brief .
The range in estimates is attributed to a variety of factors , including the unpredictability of how many Californians will contract the disease , and how many will have serious symptoms .
Hammer , the insurance claims consultant , said the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and likely to grow .
“ I do think a lot of claims out there will be coming down the pike , ” Hammer said .
“ We haven ’ t seen them yet , but I think they ’ re coming , and we all need to buckle our seat belts .
It ’ s going to be a bumpy ride .
”

After catching COVID-19 and enduring weeks of an illness he thought might kill him, a 34-year-old medical technician at a Westside hospital said he needed more time to recover — physically and mentally.
He plans to file a workers’ compensation claim but worries about how his employer will respond. He has been able to take a few days off, but with stress issues, a nagging cough and unexplained bruises on his ankles that he attributes to the coronavirus, he thinks he needs more.
“I am very good at attendance,” said the technician, who requested anonymity fearing retaliation at work. “In this matter, I do want to take time to recover and heal and, you know, just get back to my daily routine. I need time off.”
Depending on which workers’ comp insurer his hospital does business with, he might be able to rest, recuperate and receive benefits that include replacing his lost wages. But approval of his claim is hardly a sure thing.
Late last week, California’s largest workers’ compensation insurer lifted a requirement that essential workers afflicted by COVID-19 prove they contracted the virus on the job. For many on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus, it means one less thing to worry about, particularly if they lack adequate sick leave or robust healthcare coverage.
The move by the State Compensation Insurance Fund, known as State Fund, will streamline the COVID-19 claims process for healthcare workers, grocery store checkers, public safety employees and others employed by the businesses and governmental entities it insures.
State Fund officials said the insurer had fielded about 20 COVID-19 claims thus far. About 1,500 claims have been filed statewide, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations, which oversees the workers’ comp system. Experts say those numbers could multiply and eventually cost insurers billions of dollars.
Such claims have historically been hard to prove and are often contested by insurers. Typically the burden falls on the worker making the claim to prove that the injury or illness is directly related to the job.
Even front-line healthcare workers might be denied, for example, in cases in which their spouses test positive for COVID-19 and could have been the source of transmission for the coronavirus, which is primarily spread from person to person.
Debbie Hammer, a senior claims consultant at Woodruff Sawyer, a large insurance brokerage and consulting firm based in San Francisco, said that without “presumed compensability,” illness claims can be problematic because of the inherent difficulty in pinpointing where and how a worker was exposed to an illness.
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One notable exception involved a measles outbreak at Disneyland about five years ago. Workers at the Anaheim theme park who came down with measles were covered by workers’ compensation, she said.
“In the case of Disneyland, the employees were inherently exposed in a much greater way to the general public,” Hammer said. “Their jobs were right in front of the general public all day long, constantly, including to foreign visitors who were unvaccinated.”
State Fund’s revised eligibility will apply to workers who fit Gov. Gavin Newsom’s definition of “essential employees,” including those in food and agriculture, healthcare and energy sectors, and in emergency services. Although they are presumed to be eligible for workers’ compensation, they must show proof of testing positive for COVID-19 between the time Newsom issued his stay-at-home order in March and when that order is lifted.
State Fund, a quasi-public entity staffed mostly by state employees and supported by insurance policy premiums and investment income, has allocated $115 million to cover essential workers’ COVID-19 claims.
California Still no timetable for reopening California as coronavirus deaths rise Though the coronavirus outlook has improved slightly, Gov. Gavin Newsom said there was no timetable for reopening California. “There is no light switch,” the governor said.
It will also continue to provide temporary disability benefits to any covered essential worker who must self-quarantine if they are not covered by another source.
“We are doing everything we can to provide our customers and injured workers with the support they need to make it through the COVID-19 crisis,” said Vern Steiner, State Fund’s president and CEO. “We have worked hard to be in a position where we can help, and we’re proud to stand with the essential workers who are risking their lives every day to hold our communities together.”
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State Fund insures some 110,000 California businesses, or about 11% of the workers’ compensation insurance market.
It is not clear which, if any, other workers’ compensation insurers will follow State Fund’s lead and accept essential workers’ COVID-19 claims without question.
The Department of Industrial Relations said that 1,527 COVID-19 claims had been filed by April 16. But the agency did not address the L.A. Times’ questions about how many claims were approved, denied or pending. Nor did it respond to a request for information on other insurers that had eased eligibility requirements for essential workers.
Several states, including Kentucky and Illinois, have expanded workers’ compensation access to essential workers in public-facing jobs, including in grocery stores, pharmacies and daycare centers. Other states, including California, are considering similar measures.
The costs of covering all essential workers in the state could be in the billions of dollars, according to a recent research brief by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California, which bills itself as “an objective provider of actuarially-based information and research.”
“The WCIRB estimates that the annual cost of COVID-19 claims on (essential) workers under a conclusive presumption ranges from $2.2 billion to $33.6 billion with an approximate mid-range estimate of $11.2 billion, or 61% of the annual estimated cost of the total workers’ compensation system prior to the impact of the pandemic,” according to the brief.
California California to borrow federal money to cover soaring jobless claims California has been approved to borrow billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment benefits to those left jobless by the coronavirus pandemic.
The range in estimates is attributed to a variety of factors, including the unpredictability of how many Californians will contract the disease, and how many will have serious symptoms.
Hammer, the insurance claims consultant, said the number of workers’ comp claims was similarly unpredictable — and likely to grow.
“I do think a lot of claims out there will be coming down the pike,” Hammer said. “We haven’t seen them yet, but I think they’re coming, and we all need to buckle our seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.”


latimes--2020-04-22--Tickets for speeding in excess of 100 mph surge 87% amid coronavirus shutdown, CHP says

With freeway traffic down significantly because of the statewide stay-at-home order , the California Highway Patrol said Wednesday there has been an alarming 87 % increase in citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph .
The CHP ’ s message to motorists : Slow down .
In the month after the start of the stay-at-home order March 19 , the CHP issued 2,493 tickets throughout California for speeding more than 100 mph .
Officers wrote 1,335 tickets for that offense during the same period last year .
One motorist was arrested and charged with speeding , reckless driving and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him going 165 mph in a Cheverolet Camaro on Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano , an official said .
Caltrans officials believe the increase in speeding is connected to a reduction in traffic volume on state roads , which has declined by about 35 % compared with this time last year .
“ It is alarming to see the number of citations officers are writing for excessive speeds on California roadways , ” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said .
“ Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur.
” To get the message out , California ’ s 700 electronic highway signs are being programmed to display safety-related messages , including , “ If you must travel do not speed.
” The reductions in traffic has also allowed Caltrans contractors to expedite improvement projects , and speeding motorists put road construction workers at risk , Stanley noted .
“ Viewing less congested roads as an invitation to drive dangerously jeopardizes the safety of construction and maintenance crews who are working to maintain reliable access to our highways when people need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Toks Omishakin .

Traffic is light on California’s highways, and lead-footed drivers are taking advantage, the CHP says.
With freeway traffic down significantly because of the statewide stay-at-home order, the California Highway Patrol said Wednesday there has been an alarming 87% increase in citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph.
The CHP’s message to motorists: Slow down.
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In the month after the start of the stay-at-home order March 19, the CHP issued 2,493 tickets throughout California for speeding more than 100 mph. Officers wrote 1,335 tickets for that offense during the same period last year.
One motorist was arrested and charged with speeding, reckless driving and driving without a license after officers clocked him going 165 mph in a Cheverolet Camaro on Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano, an official said.
Caltrans officials believe the increase in speeding is connected to a reduction in traffic volume on state roads, which has declined by about 35% compared with this time last year.
“It is alarming to see the number of citations officers are writing for excessive speeds on California roadways,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Higher speeds can lead to much more serious injuries and significantly increase the chance of death should a crash occur.”
To get the message out, California’s 700 electronic highway signs are being programmed to display safety-related messages, including, “If you must travel do not speed.”
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The reductions in traffic has also allowed Caltrans contractors to expedite improvement projects, and speeding motorists put road construction workers at risk, Stanley noted.
“Viewing less congested roads as an invitation to drive dangerously jeopardizes the safety of construction and maintenance crews who are working to maintain reliable access to our highways when people need it most,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin.


latimes--2020-04-22--Following coronavirus closure, Mt. Baldy ski resort reopening in limited capacity

Weeks after they closed Mt .
Baldy as part of the statewide effort to flatten the coronavirus curve , the resort ’ s operators say it ’ s time to start carving the slopes again .
The plan to reopen in a limited capacity starting Wednesday — which the San Bernardino County ski destination announced on its website — marks the latest reopening of a recreational resource that was shuttered as elected and health officials have worked to contain the coronavirus outbreak .
“ With coverage on the mountain about as good as it gets for April , and golf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have decided to follow suit and open for ‘ Ski & Ride Times ’ beginning tomorrow morning , ” Mt .
Baldy posted on its website Tuesday .
No one at the resort could be reached for comment immediately Wednesday morning , but its ticketing website showed lift times available throughout the day .
In other words , as the online post put it , “ It ’ s on.
” Not all of the resort ’ s operations are open .
Tubing and equipment rentals are still unavailable — “ You must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the facility declared on its ticketing page — and prospective patrons were warned to expect demanding conditions .
“ Experienced advanced and above skiers and riders only , ” the resort wrote on its website .
“ Now is not the time to come learn to ski or ride.
” Visitors shouldn ’ t expect business as usual .
Mt .
Baldy has implemented a COVID-19 social distancing operations plan that officials say will have the resort “ operating at less than 10 % of occupancy.
” “ Our ability to operate under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperation from everyone , ” the resort stated .
“ If you are not feeling 100 % , or have any intention of not treating this situation with the respect that it deserves , stay home.
” Only season pass holders and those who purchase a one-day lift ticket will be admitted .
Lift tickets include a reservation time , and visitors will not be checked in until their designated slot .
Mt .
Baldy will check in a maximum of four people at 10-minute intervals .
Patrons must wear masks or face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County COVID-19 health order , and vehicles must be parked at least 20 feet apart , according to the resort .
Visitors also are asked to keep a healthy buffer around themselves , particularly while standing in line .
When it comes to the ski lifts themselves , “ We suggest that you ride by yourself unless you decide to ride with someone you are in quarantine with , ” the resort noted .
“ Mt .
Baldy Resort is not the ‘ Quarantine Police ’ and does not intend to be , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you treat this matter with the respect that it deserves.
” As California moves through its fifth week under Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s stay-at-home order , some jurisdictions have started relaxing certain rules regarding recreational areas — or begun lobbying the state for greater authority to loosen other restrictions .
Leaders in Orange and Riverside counties announced this week that they will allow golf courses to reopen .
Ventura County also is reopening its county parks .
In each case , officials stressed that residents should still practice social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not yet clear whether other Southern California ski areas will follow Mt .
Baldy ’ s lead .
Mountain High Resort — also located in the San Gabriel Mountains — closed for the season last week , according to its website .
“ Since March 1st , we ’ ve seen another 5 feet of fresh snow , which would have made this the best spring in years , ” officials wrote in an April 16 blog post .
“ We hope you made the most of this exciting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to miss this last month.
” Big Bear Mountain Resort spokesman Justin Kanton said the season wrapped up there on March 15 .
“ There are no plans to reopen for winter operations at this time , ” he wrote in an email Wednesday .
Mammoth Mountain spokeswoman Lauren Burke said officials there are “ closely following the guidelines provided by our federal , state and local health authorities.
” “ At this time , we do not have an estimated reopening date for skiing and riding , ” she added in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hold at Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs , “ at least until there is more guidance from governmental authorities as far as amending the current mandates that do not permit us to operate , ” according to Vice President and General Manager Kevin Somes .
“ When that changes , if there is ample snow , we would consider reopening if it is prudent to do so , ” he said Wednesday .
“ We are keeping an optimistic outlook .
We are also considering the summer economic impact on Running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valley ’ s popular scenic view lift rides , hiking and mountain biking .
”

Mt. Baldy is opening today, but with restrictions, including a COVID-19 social distancing plan. Above: A skier rides a lift on Jan. 18, 2020.
Weeks after they closed Mt. Baldy as part of the statewide effort to flatten the coronavirus curve, the resort’s operators say it’s time to start carving the slopes again.
The plan to reopen in a limited capacity starting Wednesday — which the San Bernardino County ski destination announced on its website — marks the latest reopening of a recreational resource that was shuttered as elected and health officials have worked to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
“With coverage on the mountain about as good as it gets for April, and golf courses reopening around Southern California, we have decided to follow suit and open for ‘Ski & Ride Times’ beginning tomorrow morning,” Mt. Baldy posted on its website Tuesday.
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No one at the resort could be reached for comment immediately Wednesday morning, but its ticketing website showed lift times available throughout the day.
In other words, as the online post put it, “It’s on.”
A Jan. 2020 photo shows people enjoying the view at The Notch at Mt. Baldy ski resort in Mt. Baldy. (Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times)
Not all of the resort’s operations are open. Tubing and equipment rentals are still unavailable — “You must bring your own gear!!” the facility declared on its ticketing page — and prospective patrons were warned to expect demanding conditions.
“Experienced advanced and above skiers and riders only,” the resort wrote on its website. “Now is not the time to come learn to ski or ride.”
Visitors shouldn’t expect business as usual. Mt. Baldy has implemented a COVID-19 social distancing operations plan that officials say will have the resort “operating at less than 10% of occupancy.”
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“Our ability to operate under these circumstances [relies] heavily on cooperation from everyone,” the resort stated. “If you are not feeling 100%, or have any intention of not treating this situation with the respect that it deserves, stay home.”
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Only season pass holders and those who purchase a one-day lift ticket will be admitted. Lift tickets include a reservation time, and visitors will not be checked in until their designated slot.
Mt. Baldy will check in a maximum of four people at 10-minute intervals.
Patrons must wear masks or face coverings consistent with the latest San Bernardino County COVID-19 health order, and vehicles must be parked at least 20 feet apart, according to the resort. Visitors also are asked to keep a healthy buffer around themselves, particularly while standing in line.
When it comes to the ski lifts themselves, “We suggest that you ride by yourself unless you decide to ride with someone you are in quarantine with,” the resort noted.
“Mt. Baldy Resort is not the ‘Quarantine Police’ and does not intend to be,” officials added. “We ask that you treat this matter with the respect that it deserves.”
As California moves through its fifth week under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order, some jurisdictions have started relaxing certain rules regarding recreational areas — or begun lobbying the state for greater authority to loosen other restrictions.
Leaders in Orange and Riverside counties announced this week that they will allow golf courses to reopen. Ventura County also is reopening its county parks.
In each case, officials stressed that residents should still practice social distancing when they’re out and about.
It’s not yet clear whether other Southern California ski areas will follow Mt. Baldy’s lead. Mountain High Resort — also located in the San Gabriel Mountains — closed for the season last week, according to its website.
“Since March 1st, we’ve seen another 5 feet of fresh snow, which would have made this the best spring in years,” officials wrote in an April 16 blog post. “We hope you made the most of this exciting season but understand how frustrating it is to miss this last month.”
Big Bear Mountain Resort spokesman Justin Kanton said the season wrapped up there on March 15.
“There are no plans to reopen for winter operations at this time,” he wrote in an email Wednesday.
Mammoth Mountain spokeswoman Lauren Burke said officials there are “closely following the guidelines provided by our federal, state and local health authorities.”
“At this time, we do not have an estimated reopening date for skiing and riding,” she added in an email Wednesday.
Operations also remain on hold at Snow Valley Mountain Resort in Running Springs, “at least until there is more guidance from governmental authorities as far as amending the current mandates that do not permit us to operate,” according to Vice President and General Manager Kevin Somes.
“When that changes, if there is ample snow, we would consider reopening if it is prudent to do so,” he said Wednesday. “We are keeping an optimistic outlook. We are also considering the summer economic impact on Running Springs and neighboring mountain communities regarding Snow Valley’s popular scenic view lift rides, hiking and mountain biking.”


latimes--2020-04-22--Kristin Smart cold case: New warrant served at San Pedro home of former classmate

For the second time this year , investigators have served a search warrant on the home of a former classmate of Kristin Smart , who disappeared 24 years ago while walking back to her dorm at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo .
Sheriff ’ s detectives from San Luis Obispo County , accompanied by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies , entered the San Pedro home of Paul Flores early Wednesday morning seeking evidence in the cold case .
Flores was the last person to be seen with Smart the night she vanished .
“ The Sheriff ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served another search warrant for specific items of evidence at the Los Angeles County home of Paul Flores , ” San Luis Obispo County sheriff ’ s spokesman Tony Cipolla said .
“ Flores continues to be a person of interest in the disappearance of Kristin Smart in 1996.
” In February , investigators served search warrants at Flores ’ home in the 900 block of West Upland Avenue and three other locations , in California and Washington state .
As with the earlier warrants , Wednesday ’ s search was sealed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be an active and ongoing investigation .
The Sheriff ’ s Office will not be commenting any further , and no additional information will be released at this time , ” Cipolla said .
Multiple sources told The Times the searches are part of an ongoing effort to gather physical evidence , including DNA , that may reveal what happened to the 19-year-old Smart , who disappeared on her way home from an off-campus party May 25 , 1996 .
Flores was seen walking on a path to the college dormitories with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was questioned in Smart ’ s disappearance at the time but has lived in San Pedro for more than a decade while working in Orange County , according to sources .
The February warrants came after two trucks connected to Flores ’ family at the time Smart went missing were found by investigators in another state .
Flores was questioned in Smart ’ s disappearance at the time .
Smart ’ s family has sued Flores in civil court , but he has not been criminally charged .
In response to the suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against him .
He invoked his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination before a grand jury and a civil deposition .
The latest searches mark a new twist in one of California ’ s most enduring cold case mysteries .
After Smart disappeared , law enforcement used helicopters , horses and ground-penetrating radar as they hunted for the missing student .
She was officially declared dead in 2002 , although her body was never found .
In 2016 , federal investigators dug up a hillside near the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the yard of a home .
Since San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson took office more than a decade ago , investigators have collected 140 “ new items of evidence , ” previously searched nine separate locations , served 18 search warrants , resubmitted 37 pieces of evidence from the investigation ’ s early stages for more current DNA testing and conducted more than 90 face-to-face interviews .
But in the last few months , the investigation has intensified with efforts to track vehicles owned by Flores ’ family at the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she disappeared , authorities delayed searching Smart ’ s dorm room until June 5 , 1996 , and did not search Flores ’ room until June 10 , more than two weeks after the woman was last seen .
Flores , who grew up in nearby Arroyo Grande , had moved all of his belongings out of the room by then .
A year before Smart ’ s disappearance , a female student summoned San Luis Obispo police at 1 a.m. and told dispatchers that Flores , apparently drunk , had climbed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to leave her balcony .
He was gone by the time officers arrived , police said .

Sheriff’s deputies search the home of Paul Flores in February 2020 in connection with the case of missing student Kristin Smart, who vanished from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1996.
For the second time this year, investigators have served a search warrant on the home of a former classmate of Kristin Smart, who disappeared 24 years ago while walking back to her dorm at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Sheriff’s detectives from San Luis Obispo County, accompanied by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies, entered the San Pedro home of Paul Flores early Wednesday morning seeking evidence in the cold case. Flores was the last person to be seen with Smart the night she vanished.
“The Sheriff’s Office is announcing today that it has served another search warrant for specific items of evidence at the Los Angeles County home of Paul Flores,” San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s spokesman Tony Cipolla said. “Flores continues to be a person of interest in the disappearance of Kristin Smart in 1996.”
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California From the Archives: A cold case, a haunting mystery One warm Friday night in late spring 10 years ago, Kristin Denise Smart and three other young women started walking from their dorms at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
In February, investigators served search warrants at Flores’ home in the 900 block of West Upland Avenue and three other locations, in California and Washington state.
As with the earlier warrants, Wednesday’s search was sealed by the court. “This continues to be an active and ongoing investigation. The Sheriff’s Office will not be commenting any further, and no additional information will be released at this time,” Cipolla said.
Multiple sources told The Times the searches are part of an ongoing effort to gather physical evidence, including DNA, that may reveal what happened to the 19-year-old Smart, who disappeared on her way home from an off-campus party May 25, 1996. Flores was seen walking on a path to the college dormitories with her the night she went missing.
Flores was questioned in Smart’s disappearance at the time but has lived in San Pedro for more than a decade while working in Orange County, according to sources.
The February warrants came after two trucks connected to Flores’ family at the time Smart went missing were found by investigators in another state. Flores was questioned in Smart’s disappearance at the time.
A missing-person flier is still posted on a telephone pole across the street from the home of Paul Flores in San Pedro. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
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Smart’s family has sued Flores in civil court, but he has not been criminally charged. In response to the suit, Flores has denied every allegation raised against him. He invoked his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination before a grand jury and a civil deposition.
The latest searches mark a new twist in one of California’s most enduring cold case mysteries.
After Smart disappeared, law enforcement used helicopters, horses and ground-penetrating radar as they hunted for the missing student. She was officially declared dead in 2002, although her body was never found.
In 2016, federal investigators dug up a hillside near the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo campus, looking for remains. They also searched the yard of a home.
Since San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson took office more than a decade ago, investigators have collected 140 “new items of evidence,” previously searched nine separate locations, served 18 search warrants, resubmitted 37 pieces of evidence from the investigation’s early stages for more current DNA testing and conducted more than 90 face-to-face interviews.
But in the last few months, the investigation has intensified with efforts to track vehicles owned by Flores’ family at the time of Smart’s disappearance.
California Search for Kristin Smart’s remains on Cal Poly hillside yields items of interest in 1996 disappearance FBI agents digging into a hillside half a mile from where Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student Kristin Denise Smart was last seen alive 20 years ago have found “items of interest” in the cold case mystery, authorities said Thursday.
When she disappeared, authorities delayed searching Smart’s dorm room until June 5, 1996, and did not search Flores’ room until June 10, more than two weeks after the woman was last seen.
Flores, who grew up in nearby Arroyo Grande, had moved all of his belongings out of the room by then.
A year before Smart’s disappearance, a female student summoned San Luis Obispo police at 1 a.m. and told dispatchers that Flores, apparently drunk, had climbed a trellis outside her apartment and was refusing to leave her balcony. He was gone by the time officers arrived, police said.
Times staff writer Priscella Vega contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-04-22--These eerie photos show LAX as a ghost town. Passenger air travel is down more than 90%

The number of Americans getting on airplanes has sunk to a level not seen in more than 60 years as people shelter in their homes to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus .
The Transportation Security Administration screened 94,931 people on Wednesday , a drop of 96 % from a year ago and the second straight day under 100,000 .
The official tally of people who passed through TSA checkpoints exaggerates the number of travelers — if that is possible — because it includes some airline crew members and people still working at shops inside airport security .
Historical daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the nation last averaged fewer than 100,000 passengers a day in 1954 , according to figures from trade group Airlines for America .
It was the dawn of the jet age .
The de Havilland Comet , the first commercial jetliner , was just a few years old , and Boeing was running test flights with the jet that would become the iconic 707 .
As air travel became safer and more affordable , the passenger numbers grew nearly every year until 2001 .
There was no commercial air travel in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks on Sept. 11 , 2001 , and people were slow to get back on planes — U.S. passenger traffic didn ’ t grow again until 2003 .
It could be longer this time .
Polling firm Public Opinion Strategies said that fewer than half the Americans it surveyed about 10 days ago say they will get on a plane within six months of the spread of the virus flattening .
A Stifel Nicolaus analyst estimated that air travel demand won ’ t return to pre-outbreak levels until the middle of next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s likely to be later .

The number of Americans getting on airplanes has sunk to a level not seen in more than 60 years as people shelter in their homes to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus.
The Transportation Security Administration screened 94,931 people on Wednesday, a drop of 96% from a year ago and the second straight day under 100,000.
The official tally of people who passed through TSA checkpoints exaggerates the number of travelers — if that is possible — because it includes some airline crew members and people still working at shops inside airport security.
Isaac Stevens of Myrtle Beach, S.C., makes his way to his connecting flight at LAX. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Historical daily numbers only go back so far, but the nation last averaged fewer than 100,000 passengers a day in 1954, according to figures from trade group Airlines for America. It was the dawn of the jet age. The de Havilland Comet, the first commercial jetliner, was just a few years old, and Boeing was running test flights with the jet that would become the iconic 707.
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As air travel became safer and more affordable, the passenger numbers grew nearly every year until 2001. There was no commercial air travel in the U.S. for several days after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and people were slow to get back on planes — U.S. passenger traffic didn’t grow again until 2003.
It could be longer this time. Polling firm Public Opinion Strategies said that fewer than half the Americans it surveyed about 10 days ago say they will get on a plane within six months of the spread of the virus flattening. A Stifel Nicolaus analyst estimated that air travel demand won’t return to pre-outbreak levels until the middle of next year under the best outcome, and it’s likely to be later.
Korean Air agents sanitize the check-in counters at an empty Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A passenger checks in for a flight at the empty Tom Bradley International Terminal. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Tom Bradley International Terminal is empty as the coronavirus outbreak has brought passenger traffic at LAX to a near halt. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
A few passengers wait at a Southwest Airlines baggage pickup carousel inside Terminal One at LAX. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
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