latimes--2020-06-30--Times sues L.A. County sheriff over withholding records on deputy misconduct

The Los Angeles Times has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County , alleging that the Sheriff ’ s Department has repeatedly refused to turn over public records , including those about deputies involved in misconduct or shootings .
The landmark Senate Bill 1421 undid decades of secrecy 18 months ago by opening up previously confidential records about law enforcement officers involved in shootings or other serious uses of force , as well as those who committed sexual assaults or acts of dishonesty .
And yet , the lawsuit says , L.A. County “ continues to withhold records ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Sheriff ’ s Department are just continually refusing to provide access to these important records , ” said Kelly Aviles , an attorney representing The Times .
“ We ’ ve gotten almost nothing in the 18 months since we ’ ve filed those requests.
” The Sheriff ’ s Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
A county spokeswoman , however , said in a statement that L.A. County is “ committed to fulfilling its responsibilities ” under the California Public Records Act .
“ Every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department — is expected to live up to the transparency that the law requires and the public has a right to expect , ” the statement said .
“ Beyond that , the county does not comment on pending litigation and will not address the specific allegations in this lawsuit.
” The day that SB 1421 went into effect , The Times submitted various requests for information to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
According to the lawsuit , the Sheriff ’ s Department improperly denied most of them , saying they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to produce SB 1421 records only for deputies The Times could identify by name .
But even for the 325 deputies that The Times did identify by name , the county has produced “ almost no records , ” the lawsuit says .
The department has produced files “ for just two deputies and responded that approximately 17 other deputies had no disclosable letters of discipline , ” the lawsuit says .
“ Information about the other more than 300 officers specifically identified by The Times remains undisclosed.
” A number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the reporter of this story , have been ignored or improperly denied , according to the lawsuit .
In October , The Times requested information about promotions within the department , in-custody jail deaths and Sheriff Alex Villanueva ’ s daily schedule .
No records have been produced , the lawsuit says .
Several months later , the paper requested the daily time sheets of every Sheriff ’ s Department employee who worked at the department ’ s Lost Hills station on Jan. 26 , the day Kobe Bryant , his daughter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crash .
That request was denied .
The Times also requested communications that reference the taking or sharing of photos from the crash site by Sheriff ’ s Department employees , as it was reporting that the agency tried to keep a lid on allegations that deputies shared graphic photos from the scene .
No records have been produced .
L.A. County ’ s chief law enforcement watchdog , the Office of Inspector General , also sought documents — through a subpoena — related to allegations that Villanueva directed the coverup .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s not the first time The Times has accused the Sheriff ’ s Department of Public Records Act violations .
In 2016 , The Times contested exorbitant fees the department tried to charge the paper for emails containing certain racist terms sent , received or forwarded by members of the agency ’ s command staff .
Two years later , the paper accused officials of about the status of homicide investigations , mundane information such as email addresses for Sheriff ’ s Department employees and records involving prosecutors and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have been disciplined for sexual harassment or misconduct .
Just before he took office , Villanueva was quoted in L.A. Taco as saying he would settle one of the cases .
“ I think the press has a right to know , and acting on behalf of the public and disseminating information to the public .
That ’ s part of transparency .
We have nothing to hide .
It ’ s the public ’ s information .
It doesn ’ t belong to the department .
It belongs to the taxpayers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Times also in cases brought by the Los Angeles Police Protective League and the Assn .
for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs , which sought unsuccessfully to keep records related to discipline and serious uses of force before 2019 confidential .

The Los Angeles Times has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, alleging that the Sheriff’s Department has repeatedly refused to turn over public records about deputies involved in misconduct or shootings.
The Los Angeles Times has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, alleging that the Sheriff’s Department has repeatedly refused to turn over public records, including those about deputies involved in misconduct or shootings.
The landmark Senate Bill 1421 undid decades of secrecy 18 months ago by opening up previously confidential records about law enforcement officers involved in shootings or other serious uses of force, as well as those who committed sexual assaults or acts of dishonesty. And yet, the lawsuit says, L.A. County “continues to withhold records” on hundreds of deputies.
“The county and the Sheriff’s Department are just continually refusing to provide access to these important records,” said Kelly Aviles, an attorney representing The Times. “We’ve gotten almost nothing in the 18 months since we’ve filed those requests.”
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The Sheriff’s Department did not respond on Tuesday to a request for comment.
A county spokeswoman, however, said in a statement that L.A. County is “committed to fulfilling its responsibilities” under the California Public Records Act.
“Every department — including the Sheriff’s Department — is expected to live up to the transparency that the law requires and the public has a right to expect,” the statement said. “Beyond that, the county does not comment on pending litigation and will not address the specific allegations in this lawsuit.”
On Wednesday, Sheriff Alex Villanueva tweeted a statement he first published last month, saying that the agency is “more transparent than ever before” under his leadership. He blamed delays in SB 1421 compliance on staffing and funding shortages.
“Due to our limited staffing and our lack of SB 1421 specified funding, the fulfillment of SB 1421 compliance has been difficult. We will continue to do the best we can with what we have in place,” he said in the statement.
The day that SB 1421 went into effect, The Times submitted various requests for information to the Sheriff’s Department.
According to the lawsuit, the Sheriff’s Department improperly denied most of them, saying they were too broad or otherwise exempt. It agreed to produce SB 1421 records only for deputies The Times could identify by name.
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But even for the 325 deputies that The Times did identify by name, the county has produced “almost no records,” the lawsuit says.
The department has produced files “for just two deputies and responded that approximately 17 other deputies had no disclosable letters of discipline,” the lawsuit says. “Information about the other more than 300 officers specifically identified by The Times remains undisclosed.”
A number of other requests, including some filed by the reporter of this story, have been ignored or improperly denied, according to the lawsuit.
In October, The Times requested information about promotions within the department, in-custody jail deaths and Villanueva’s daily schedule. No records have been produced, the lawsuit says.
Several months later, the paper requested the daily time sheets of every Sheriff’s Department employee who worked at the department’s Lost Hills station on Jan. 26, the day Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash. That request was denied.
The Times also requested communications that reference the taking or sharing of photos from the crash site by Sheriff’s Department employees, as it was reporting that the agency tried to keep a lid on allegations that deputies shared graphic photos from the scene. No records have been produced.
L.A. County’s chief law enforcement watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, also sought documents — through a subpoena — related to allegations that Villanueva directed the coverup. The Sheriff’s Department did not comply.
It’s not the first time The Times has accused the Sheriff’s Department of Public Records Act violations.
In 2016, The Times contested exorbitant fees the department tried to charge the paper for emails containing certain racist terms sent, received or forwarded by members of the agency’s command staff.
Two years later, the paper accused officials of refusing to release information about the status of homicide investigations, mundane information such as email addresses for Sheriff’s Department employees and records involving prosecutors and others in the district attorney’s office who have been disciplined for sexual harassment or misconduct.
Just before he took office, Villanueva was quoted in L.A. Taco as saying he would settle one of the cases.
“I think the press has a right to know, and acting on behalf of the public and disseminating information to the public. That’s part of transparency. We have nothing to hide. It’s the public’s information. It doesn’t belong to the department. It belongs to the taxpayers,” he was quoted as saying.
Both lawsuits remain pending.


latimes--2020-06-30--Citing coronavirus concerns, Ventura County closes beaches for 4th of July weekend

Ventura County beaches will be closed for the 4th of July weekend in response to surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations , county health officials said Tuesday .
Beaches , their parking lots and restrooms will close from Friday through Monday to discourage gatherings that could lead to spread on the novel coronavirus , public health officials said in a news release .
“ Visiting family and friends still presents a risk of spreading COVID-19 , ” said Public Health Director Rigo Vargas .
“ We know people are eager to go out , but we need to remind you on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yourself and others .
Please only gather with the people that you live with .
Your actions can help save lives.
” The announcement comes a day after the county said it would allow certain brewpubs , breweries , bars , wineries and distilleries to remain open if they complied with state safety guidelines .
According to a Monday news release , businesses that would have been subject to Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s order to close bars and nightclubs — those that serve alcoholic drinks without serving food at the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Please use extreme caution as COVID-19 is still prevalent in our county , ” public health officer Robert Levin said .
“ You are much more likely to run into someone who has no symptoms but is positive if you gather with others .
”

Ventura County says it will close its beaches for the July 4th holiday weekend.
Ventura County beaches will be closed for the 4th of July weekend in response to surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, county health officials said Tuesday.
Beaches, their parking lots and restrooms will close from Friday through Monday to discourage gatherings that could lead to spread on the novel coronavirus, public health officials said in a news release.
“Visiting family and friends still presents a risk of spreading COVID-19,” said Public Health Director Rigo Vargas. “We know people are eager to go out, but we need to remind you on the importance of being safe and protecting yourself and others. Please only gather with the people that you live with. Your actions can help save lives.”
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California Photos: Californians get out before Newsom announces new restrictions Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered tougher restrictions on indoor activities for most of the state, marking a major step backward in the reopening and an attempt to slow an alarming rise of the coronavirus in 19 counties.
The announcement comes a day after the county said it would allow certain brewpubs, breweries, bars, wineries and distilleries to remain open if they complied with state safety guidelines.
According to a Monday news release, businesses that would have been subject to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to close bars and nightclubs — those that serve alcoholic drinks without serving food at the same time — never reopened in the county.
“Please use extreme caution as COVID-19 is still prevalent in our county,” public health officer Robert Levin said. “You are much more likely to run into someone who has no symptoms but is positive if you gather with others.”


latimes--2020-06-30--L.A. calls restraining order on LAPD use of batons and projectiles 'unwarranted'

Attorneys for Los Angeles on Tuesday argued against a temporary restraining order to block city police officers from using batons and tactical bullets to control crowds , saying the request was “ unwarranted and overbroad ” and that police “ must be able to respond ” to unlawful crowds .
The Los Angeles Police Department used such weapons on protesters at the end of May and in early June , injuring many , and are now being sued for it in federal court by Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles , the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild and the Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested the restraining order last week , arguing that a court injunction against the use of such weapons was necessary for their clients and other protesters to feel safe exercising their 1st Amendment rights in the city while their lawsuit is pending .
Asst .
City Atty .
Gabriel Dermer , in response , said that was not the case , arguing that the LAPD has “ facilitated numerous peaceful protests ” without using such weapons since the incidents in question occurred and represents “ no ongoing or actual threats of any kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the LAPD believe in the need for “ transformative social change with respect to policing and institutional racism ” and “ support the constitutional right of every American to engage in peaceful demonstrations and protests , ” Dermer wrote .
At the same time , there were “ criminal acts of arson and looting ” around the protests that “ threatened public safety and are , of course , not protected First Amendment activities , ” Dermer wrote , and the LAPD “ must be able to respond to such situations.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the protests and their use of the weapons in question , Dermer wrote , but its policies surrounding those weapons should not be thrown aside in the meantime .
“ The immediate wholesale elimination of several LAPD policies , without a more searching examination , is simply not warranted at this time , ” he wrote .
The restraining order request is now before U.S. District Judge Conseulo Bland Marshall .
Tens of thousands of protesters have filled city streets in recent months to protest police killings of Black people , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days at the end of May and early this month , Los Angeles was placed under a nightly curfew and police made thousands of arrests for curfew violations and for protesters failing to disperse from gatherings that the police had deemed unlawful .
Some areas of the city suffered significant property damage .
A Times review found that officers injured many protesters with batons , sponge and foam projectiles and beanbags as they attempted to clear the streets .
Some protesters suffered severe injuries to their heads and genitals .
The class-action lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moore chronicles similar injuries in arguing that officers misused batons and projectiles .
Carol Sobel , an attorney for the plaintiffs , said the city ’ s response to their request for a restraining order relies on an assumption that crowds won ’ t gather again , even though the city has no control over that occurring and has seen large crowds gather time and again over many years .
The city also makes no promise that police won ’ t use the same tactics that injured protesters again and doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used similar tactics repeatedly in the past , even after being admonished against doing so by previous courts .
“ They ’ re not saying they wouldn ’ t do it again , and they ’ ve done it over and over , ” Sobel said .
“ They still don ’ t have a plan — that ’ s really the problem here .
And they have absolutely no way of predicting what is going to happen that might cause people to come back into the streets.
” Along with Dermer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from several police officials , including Cmdr .
Michael Rimkunas , who served at points during the protests as incident commander .
Rimkunas said the emergency injunction being sought is “ completely unnecessary because the police conduct described ” in the request “ is not occurring today , has not occurred in the past three weeks and , based on crime trends , is not likely to recur.
” Cmdr .
Ernest Eskridge , in his own statement , wrote that the department has 93 open investigations , including 74 that involve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and serious .
Of those , 29 involve projectiles fired on May 29 and May 30 , he wrote .
Ten officers have been removed from the field pending investigations .

Attorneys for Los Angeles on Tuesday argued against a temporary restraining order to block city police officers from using batons and tactical bullets to control crowds, saying the request was “unwarranted and overbroad” and that police “must be able to respond” to unlawful crowds.
The Los Angeles Police Department used such weapons on protesters at the end of May and in early June, injuring many, and are now being sued for it in federal court by Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles, the local chapter of the National Lawyers Guild and the Los Angeles Community Action Network. The groups requested the restraining order last week, arguing that a court injunction against the use of such weapons was necessary for their clients and other protesters to feel safe exercising their 1st Amendment rights in the city while their lawsuit is pending.
Asst. City Atty. Gabriel Dermer, in response, said that was not the case, arguing that the LAPD has “facilitated numerous peaceful protests” without using such weapons since the incidents in question occurred and represents “no ongoing or actual threats of any kind” to protesters.
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The city and the LAPD believe in the need for “transformative social change with respect to policing and institutional racism” and “support the constitutional right of every American to engage in peaceful demonstrations and protests,” Dermer wrote.
At the same time, there were “criminal acts of arson and looting” around the protests that “threatened public safety and are, of course, not protected First Amendment activities,” Dermer wrote, and the LAPD “must be able to respond to such situations.”
The LAPD is reviewing its officers’ response to the protests and their use of the weapons in question, Dermer wrote, but its policies surrounding those weapons should not be thrown aside in the meantime.
“The immediate wholesale elimination of several LAPD policies, without a more searching examination, is simply not warranted at this time,” he wrote.
The restraining order request is now before U.S. District Judge Conseulo Bland Marshall.
Tens of thousands of protesters have filled city streets in recent months to protest police killings of Black people, including George Floyd in Minneapolis. For several days at the end of May and early this month, Los Angeles was placed under a nightly curfew and police made thousands of arrests for curfew violations and for protesters failing to disperse from gatherings that the police had deemed unlawful. Some areas of the city suffered significant property damage.
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A Times review found that officers injured many protesters with batons, sponge and foam projectiles and beanbags as they attempted to clear the streets. Some protesters suffered severe injuries to their heads and genitals. The class-action lawsuit against the city and LAPD Chief Michel Moore chronicles similar injuries in arguing that officers misused batons and projectiles.
Carol Sobel, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said the city’s response to their request for a restraining order relies on an assumption that crowds won’t gather again, even though the city has no control over that occurring and has seen large crowds gather time and again over many years.
The city also makes no promise that police won’t use the same tactics that injured protesters again and doesn’t address the fact that the department has used similar tactics repeatedly in the past, even after being admonished against doing so by previous courts.
“They’re not saying they wouldn’t do it again, and they’ve done it over and over,” Sobel said. “They still don’t have a plan — that’s really the problem here. And they have absolutely no way of predicting what is going to happen that might cause people to come back into the streets.”
Along with Dermer’s response, the city filed statements from several police officials, including Cmdr. Michael Rimkunas, who served at points during the protests as incident commander.
Rimkunas said the emergency injunction being sought is “completely unnecessary because the police conduct described” in the request “is not occurring today, has not occurred in the past three weeks and, based on crime trends, is not likely to recur.”
Cmdr. Ernest Eskridge, in his own statement, wrote that the department has 93 open investigations, including 74 that involve the use of force or are otherwise complicated and serious. Of those, 29 involve projectiles fired on May 29 and May 30, he wrote. Ten officers have been removed from the field pending investigations.


latimes--2020-06-30--Citing 'existential threat,' House climate action plan has a big focus on California

California and other U.S. states face “ an existential threat ” from climate change that requires a robust government response , a House select committee stated in a 538-page action plan Tuesday .
The ambitious plan , authored by Congress ’ first-ever committee dedicated exclusively to climate change , could be a framework for addressing the planet ’ s warming , depending on the outcomes of the November election .
“ Individuals and the private sector can not achieve unprecedented pollution reductions on their own , ” the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis said in its report .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can the United States deliver the urgent and systemic changes needed to avert the worst consequences of climate change.
” The report calls for 12 pillars of action , including reducing carbon pollution , making communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change and building a more equitable energy economy .
Specific targets include bringing the U.S. to net zero emissions by 2050 and delivering $ 8 trillion in health and climate benefits .
May 2020 tied for the highest global May temperature since record-keeping began 141 years ago , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highest monthly average for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations .
The plan ’ s emphasis on establishing pollution reduction targets — including substantial reductions in net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions — aims to reverse or at least mitigate these trends , but it is unlikely to have any immediate impact since it would need to be embraced by the Republican-led Senate and President Trump , who has called climate change and appointed skeptics to top environment and energy posts .
In the past , Republicans have been critical of Democratic action plans such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts , arguing such blueprints will hurt the U.S. economy and sectors dependent on inexpensive energy sources .
In a joint statement issued Tuesday , Republicans on the committee said they were disappointed the plan ’ s rollout did not include an “ amendment process where all committee members could vote on recommendations to report to Congress , ” and argued that the country should look toward renewable energy as a supplement to , not a replacement for , oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek ways to address emissions , while protecting the economic and geopolitical value of our natural resources , ” they wrote .
But Democrats see the action plan as a way to elevate environmental issues as they try to hold the House and take back in the Senate and White House in the coming election .
“ Against this backdrop , one may wonder why Select Committee Democrats would choose to release this report with recommendations to solve the climate crisis , ” the preface reads .
“ We can not wait.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : it calls for the creation of “ clean energy ” jobs , a field in which more than 100,000 workers in California have been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic .
It recommends timely action on several California-introduced climate bills , including the , which empowers local communities to implement wildfire prevention and mitigation methods , and the West Coast Ocean Protection Act , which prohibits the Interior Department from issuing oil and gas leases off the coast of California , Oregon or Washington .
Three of the committee ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Our report will build on the progress in California with bold action and legislation , ” said committee member Rep. Mike Levin ( D-San Juan Capistrano ) , “ while also putting Congress on a path to ensure our state has a federal partner that truly wants to address the climate crisis.
” In several instances , the climate action plan points to California as a model for other states to follow : it lauds Gov .
Jerry Brown ’ s 2018 legislation requiring by 2045 , and identifies California as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for public participation in natural gas proceedings .
It also touts the state ’ s stance on vehicle emissions and recommends that Congress “ allow all states to adopt and enforce California ’ s motor vehicle emission standards.
” But the report also points to California as a case study for the negative impacts of climate change .
The state ’ s — whose equipment malfunctions constitute the third leading cause of wildfires — is vulnerable to outages caused by hotter , drier conditions .
The plan calls for a comprehensive federal strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as PG & E plan for and prevent power interruptions in the face of increasing extreme weather events .
Noting that California and other western states will become increasingly vulnerable to wildfires , floods , droughts and other disasters caused by more extreme conditions , it also reflected on the current moment — the COVID-19 pandemic , rampant unemployment and racial justice demonstrations — to argue that climate change is sure to spread its impacts unevenly , and is already doing so .
“ Populations that are already vulnerable , including lower-income communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the elderly , are more at risk to the health impacts of climate change , ” the report said .
Like the Green New Deal before it , the new climate action plan seeks to counteract environmental injustices .
It calls for the creation of a private right of action under the Civil Rights Act for disparate pollution impacts , as well as investments into housing and solar projects and the reduction of contamination within impacted communities .
“ Engaging leaders from these communities early in the policymaking process and soliciting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies will work in their communities and benefit those most in need , ” the report reads .

Morning traffic crawls across the many lanes of the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley in this 2015 photo.
California and other U.S. states face “an existential threat” from climate change that requires a robust government response, a House select committee stated in a 538-page action plan Tuesday.
The ambitious plan, authored by Congress’ first-ever committee dedicated exclusively to climate change, could be a framework for addressing the planet’s warming, depending on the outcomes of the November election.
“Individuals and the private sector cannot achieve unprecedented pollution reductions on their own,” the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis said in its report. “Only through a coordinated national response can the United States deliver the urgent and systemic changes needed to avert the worst consequences of climate change.”
The report calls for 12 pillars of action, including reducing carbon pollution, making communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change and building a more equitable energy economy. Specific targets include bringing the U.S. to net zero emissions by 2050 and delivering $8 trillion in health and climate benefits.
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May 2020 tied for the highest global May temperature since record-keeping began 141 years ago, according to the NOAA. It also exceeded the highest monthly average for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.
The plan’s emphasis on establishing pollution reduction targets — including substantial reductions in net U.S. greenhouse gas emissions — aims to reverse or at least mitigate these trends, but it is unlikely to have any immediate impact since it would need to be embraced by the Republican-led Senate and President Trump, who has called climate change a hoax and appointed skeptics to top environment and energy posts.
In the past, Republicans have been critical of Democratic action plans such as the New Green Deal, introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Sen. Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, arguing such blueprints will hurt the U.S. economy and sectors dependent on inexpensive energy sources.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, Republicans on the committee said they were disappointed the plan’s rollout did not include an “amendment process where all committee members could vote on recommendations to report to Congress,” and argued that the country should look toward renewable energy as a supplement to, not a replacement for, oil and gas.
“Smart climate policy must seek ways to address emissions, while protecting the economic and geopolitical value of our natural resources,” they wrote.
But Democrats see the action plan as a way to elevate environmental issues as they try to hold the House and take back in the Senate and White House in the coming election.
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“Against this backdrop, one may wonder why Select Committee Democrats would choose to release this report with recommendations to solve the climate crisis,” the preface reads. “We cannot wait.”
The report also hits close to home: it calls for the creation of “clean energy” jobs, a field in which more than 100,000 workers in California have been laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Politics Coronavirus could worsen death toll of summer heat waves, health officials warn Long and intense heat waves are nothing new in Southern California and the Southwest, but amid COVID-19, public health experts are warning they could become deadlier for people self-isolating in homes they can’t keep cool.
It recommends timely action on several California-introduced climate bills, including the Wildfire Defense Act , which empowers local communities to implement wildfire prevention and mitigation methods, and the West Coast Ocean Protection Act, which prohibits the Interior Department from issuing oil and gas leases off the coast of California, Oregon or Washington. Three of the committee’s nine Democratic members hail from California.
“Our report will build on the progress in California with bold action and legislation,” said committee member Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano), “while also putting Congress on a path to ensure our state has a federal partner that truly wants to address the climate crisis.”
In several instances, the climate action plan points to California as a model for other states to follow: it lauds Gov. Jerry Brown’s 2018 legislation requiring 100% zero-carbon electric generation by 2045, and identifies California as the “strongest example” of state-authorized funding for public participation in natural gas proceedings. It also touts the state’s stance on vehicle emissions and recommends that Congress “allow all states to adopt and enforce California’s motor vehicle emission standards.”
But the report also points to California as a case study for the negative impacts of climate change. The state’s aging electric sector — whose equipment malfunctions constitute the third leading cause of wildfires — is vulnerable to outages caused by hotter, drier conditions. The plan calls for a comprehensive federal strategy to help grid operators and utilities such as PG&E plan for and prevent power interruptions in the face of increasing extreme weather events.
Noting that California and other western states will become increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, floods, droughts and other disasters caused by more extreme conditions, it also reflected on the current moment — the COVID-19 pandemic, rampant unemployment and racial justice demonstrations — to argue that climate change is sure to spread its impacts unevenly, and is already doing so.
“Populations that are already vulnerable, including lower-income communities, communities of color, children, and the elderly, are more at risk to the health impacts of climate change,” the report said.
Like the Green New Deal before it, the new climate action plan seeks to counteract environmental injustices. It calls for the creation of a private right of action under the Civil Rights Act for disparate pollution impacts, as well as investments into housing and solar projects and the reduction of contamination within impacted communities.
“Engaging leaders from these communities early in the policymaking process and soliciting their expertise throughout is essential for ensuring the policies will work in their communities and benefit those most in need,” the report reads.


latimes--2020-06-30--Woman admits to killing man and setting home on fire in West Hills, police say

A woman admitted to killing a man and setting a home on fire in West Hills after firefighters found the @ @ @ @ @ flames , the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday .
Firefighters responded to the small @ @ @ @ @ the 23200 block of West Victory Boulevard on Monday and called police and arson investigators @ @ @ @ @ .
The man appeared to be in his late 50s , said Los Angeles Fire @ @ @ @ @ When police arrived , they saw the man had a severe throat injury .
According @ @ @ @ @ “ A woman approached them and stated she had set the residence ablaze and had @ @ @ @ @ Officer Mike Lopez , an LAPD spokesman , said officials are not yet identifying the @ @ @ @

A woman was arrested after admitting to killing a man and setting a home on fire in West Hills on Monday, police said.
A woman admitted to killing a man and setting a home on fire in West Hills after firefighters found the dead man untouched by the flames, the Los Angeles Police Department said Tuesday.
Firefighters responded to the small fire in a home in the 23200 block of West Victory Boulevard on Monday and called police and arson investigators after they discovered the body. The man appeared to be in his late 50s, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange.
When police arrived, they saw the man had a severe throat injury. According to a police statement, “A woman approached them and stated she had set the residence ablaze and had also murdered the victim.”
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Police found a knife at the scene.
Officer Mike Lopez, an LAPD spokesman, said officials are not yet identifying the man or woman.


latimes--2020-06-30--How to keep your pets safe during Fourth of July fireworks

A firework pops outside .
The family dog becomes terrified , barking and running back and forth .
The cat slinks off to a hiding place .
For our pets , the Fourth of July holiday can be stressful and traumatic .
Shelters each year see a rise in lost pets around the holiday .
Veterinarians field calls from worried pet owners .
And yes , there do seem to be more fireworks this year .
So experts say that preparation for the holiday is key for a smooth weekend .
Here are some tips to minimize stress on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Make sure your pet has current identification Loud noises such as thunderstorms and fireworks might cause your dog to break out through a screen window , hop a fence or otherwise run away .
Usually , city shelters see 1,000 animals over the holiday weekend , said Brenda Barnette , the general manager for L.A .
Animal Services .
Make sure your pet is licensed and wearing identification .
If your pet is microchipped , make sure your information such as address and phone number are current with the microchip company .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have them on hand , said Kitty Block , the CEO and president of the Humane Society of the United States .
In addition to animal control officers , volunteers in the community sometimes walk through neighborhoods with scanners , looking to return lost pets , Barnette said .
If you encounter a lost dog or cat in your neighborhood , chances are the pet is still close to its home .
Barnette recommends taking the pet ( if it ’ s not injured or aggressive ) to a safe space like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on apps such as NextDoor .
“ If you can put a leash on the dog , walk it around , ” she said .
If you need to take the pet to a shelter , there is enough space , Barnette said .
In March , L.A .
Animal Services reduced its shelter population by fostering animals .
“ We have plenty of room right now , ” Barnette said .
In the days leading up to the holiday , make sure you give your dogs and cats plenty of exercise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American Veterinary Medical Assn .
Figure out your dog ’ s individual signs of stress , such as panting , the position of the ears , or “ whale eye , ” when the whites of the eyes are showing , said Matt Beisner , the co-owner of The Zen Dog near Chinatown .
Then figure out what your dog is like when it ’ s calm and what activities make your dog happy , such as play time , toys or training exercises .
Introduce more calming activities in the days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that dogs will stack stressors , so even if fireworks are on a Saturday , you might not see the resulting behavior until 48 hours later .
“ This is not the time to teach the dog how to be OK with fireworks , ” he said .
Howe suggested another method , called behavior modification therapy .
Reward your pet for their normal behavior and try to ignore the behavior that is not desired .
Resist the urge to coddle your pet .
“ If they see you overreacting to the noises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overreact also , ” Howe said .
Don ’ t be afraid to reach out to trainers and behavioral therapists who focus on relationship-based training with dogs .
Contact a veterinarian for help if you think your pet might need a medication for anxiety .
Figure out a safe space for your pet where there ’ s less of a chance of escape .
Maybe there ’ s a room in the house where you can close the curtains or blinds ( to avoid seeing the flashes in the sky ) and play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TV show .
Make a plan to put your dog or cat there during a fireworks display or when you hear fireworks going off in your neighborhood .
If your dog is used to being crated , have them go in their crate , Howe said .
“ They need a place where they can be safe , ” Howe said .
If you are going out of town , try to visit the dog sitter or relative ahead of time , so it ’ s not a brand new environment for your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency contact for your pet who is available if you aren ’ t .
“ We want to take as much mystery out as possible , ” Beisner said .
“ Those things can go a long way to helping the dog feel less stressed and more comfortable.
” Keep your dogs at home It might be tempting to take your dog to the picnic or fireworks show , but that environment might be more stressful for them .
Dogs are also highly sensitive to the concussive force of fireworks , Howe said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sky , that dog can feel that pressure change , ” he said .
Some dogs might break away from their leash , terrified by the lights and smells .
“ The best thing to do is probably leave your dog at home , ” Block said .
“ They ’ re perfectly happy to stay at home and wait for you.
” At a picnic or barbecue , there ’ s the added hazard of your pet getting into food it shouldn ’ t eat , resulting in gastrointestinal problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only remedy for an ingested corn cob , for example .
If you are out and about , don ’ t put glow necklaces on your pets or spray them with bug spray , Block said .
The dog might try to bite the necklace off and the filling could be hazardous .
Bug spray can be hazardous too .

Ray Grey, 28, takes his dog, Poet, out on the Venice boardwalk in May. Make sure your pets get plenty of exercise ahead of Fourth of July fireworks.
A firework pops outside. The family dog becomes terrified, barking and running back and forth. The cat slinks off to a hiding place.
For our pets, the Fourth of July holiday can be stressful and traumatic. Shelters each year see a rise in lost pets around the holiday. Veterinarians field calls from worried pet owners.
And yes, there do seem to be more fireworks this year. So experts say that preparation for the holiday is key for a smooth weekend. Here are some tips to minimize stress on your animal during the Fourth of July weekend.
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Make sure your pet has current identification
Loud noises such as thunderstorms and fireworks might cause your dog to break out through a screen window, hop a fence or otherwise run away.
Usually, city shelters see 1,000 animals over the holiday weekend, said Brenda Barnette, the general manager for L.A. Animal Services.
Make sure your pet is licensed and wearing identification. If your pet is microchipped, make sure your information such as address and phone number are current with the microchip company.
Take recent photos of your pet so you have them on hand, said Kitty Block, the CEO and president of the Humane Society of the United States.
In addition to animal control officers, volunteers in the community sometimes walk through neighborhoods with scanners, looking to return lost pets, Barnette said.
If you encounter a lost dog or cat in your neighborhood, chances are the pet is still close to its home. Barnette recommends taking the pet (if it’s not injured or aggressive) to a safe space like a backyard or a garage and posting on apps such as NextDoor.
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“If you can put a leash on the dog, walk it around,” she said.
If you need to take the pet to a shelter, there is enough space, Barnette said. In March, L.A. Animal Services reduced its shelter population by fostering animals.
“We have plenty of room right now,” Barnette said.
Exercise your pet
In the days leading up to the holiday, make sure you give your dogs and cats plenty of exercise, said John Howe, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Assn.
“Exercise really helps reduce anxiety,” Howe said.
Figure out your dog’s individual signs of stress, such as panting, the position of the ears, or “whale eye,” when the whites of the eyes are showing, said Matt Beisner, the co-owner of The Zen Dog near Chinatown. Then figure out what your dog is like when it’s calm and what activities make your dog happy, such as play time, toys or training exercises. Introduce more calming activities in the days leading up to fireworks.
Beisner said that dogs will stack stressors, so even if fireworks are on a Saturday, you might not see the resulting behavior until 48 hours later.
“This is not the time to teach the dog how to be OK with fireworks,” he said.
Howe suggested another method, called behavior modification therapy. Reward your pet for their normal behavior and try to ignore the behavior that is not desired. Resist the urge to coddle your pet.
“If they see you overreacting to the noises, then they’re going to overreact also,” Howe said.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to trainers and behavioral therapists who focus on relationship-based training with dogs. Contact a veterinarian for help if you think your pet might need a medication for anxiety.
Create a safe space
Figure out a safe space for your pet where there’s less of a chance of escape. Maybe there’s a room in the house where you can close the curtains or blinds (to avoid seeing the flashes in the sky) and play white noise, soft music or a TV show.
Make a plan to put your dog or cat there during a fireworks display or when you hear fireworks going off in your neighborhood.
If your dog is used to being crated, have them go in their crate, Howe said.
“They need a place where they can be safe,” Howe said.
If you are going out of town, try to visit the dog sitter or relative ahead of time, so it’s not a brand new environment for your pet. Make sure to designate an emergency contact for your pet who is available if you aren’t.
“We want to take as much mystery out as possible,” Beisner said. “Those things can go a long way to helping the dog feel less stressed and more comfortable.”
Keep your dogs at home
It might be tempting to take your dog to the picnic or fireworks show, but that environment might be more stressful for them. Dogs are also highly sensitive to the concussive force of fireworks, Howe said.
“When the fireworks go off in the sky, that dog can feel that pressure change,” he said.
Some dogs might break away from their leash, terrified by the lights and smells.
“The best thing to do is probably leave your dog at home,” Block said. “They’re perfectly happy to stay at home and wait for you.”
At a picnic or barbecue, there’s the added hazard of your pet getting into food it shouldn’t eat, resulting in gastrointestinal problems or worse. Surgery can be the only remedy for an ingested corn cob, for example.
If you are out and about, don’t put glow necklaces on your pets or spray them with bug spray, Block said. The dog might try to bite the necklace off and the filling could be hazardous. Bug spray can be hazardous too.


latimes--2020-06-30--Encounter with mother otter at California national park sends visitor to the hospital

After an encounter with a river otter sent a man to a hospital , officials at Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California are warning people to stay out of the water at a popular lake .
The man was swimming in Manzanita Lake on June 25 when he was bitten by a female river otter , park spokesman Kevin Sweeney told The Times on Tuesday .
The man was hospitalized with “ significant injuries , ” including scratches and puncture wounds that caused bleeding , but they did not appear to be life threatening , Sweeney said .
Sweeney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenth of a mile from a ranger station , so rangers were able to respond quickly .
No further details on the man ’ s injuries or condition were available .
It is unclear what prompted the incident , but officials believe that the man may have gotten too close to the female otter ’ s kittens , prompting her to aggressively react .
Despite their “ cute and cuddly ” exterior , river otters have sharp teeth and claws and are dangerous when they have their babies around , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three kittens .
Since the incident , park officials have increased patrols in the area and placed public safety signs around the park to warn people about the potential danger of otters .
A roughly 5-acre portion of the lake where the attack occurred has been blocked off , and park officials said visitors should avoid swimming in the area and not use soft-sided flotation devices .
“ We ’ re still watching her and we have wildlife biologist out there in the field making sure that she ’ s still in that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So for now , we ’ re giving her space .
We ’ re keeping visitors out of her home .
It ’ s a good reminder for us in national parks that we are visitors and that our wildlife has their right to raise their babies in these places .
And so , from time to time , we need to take a couple steps back and let them do that.
” Sweeney said the incident is only the second involving a river otter that he ’ s aware of in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely seen and mostly keep to themselves , he added .
This incident is “ very surprising , and animal attacks at Lassen are extremely rare , ” Sweeney said .
“ I think you have a better chance of getting bitten by a squirrel that ’ s been fed human food than anything else.
” The national park is also home to bobcats , mountain lions and bears .
Officials asked visitors to report any river otter incidents , especially those involving aggressive behavior , to a park employee or at the @ @ @

Manzanita lake and Lassen peak inside Lassen Volcanic National Park. Officials have closed five acres of Manzanita Lake at the park after a man was bitten by a female river otter.
After an encounter with a river otter sent a man to a hospital, officials at Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California are warning people to stay out of the water at a popular lake.
The man was swimming in Manzanita Lake on June 25 when he was bitten by a female river otter, park spokesman Kevin Sweeney told The Times on Tuesday. The man was hospitalized with “significant injuries,” including scratches and puncture wounds that caused bleeding, but they did not appear to be life threatening, Sweeney said.
Sweeney said that the incident occurred about a tenth of a mile from a ranger station, so rangers were able to respond quickly. No further details on the man’s injuries or condition were available.
It is unclear what prompted the incident, but officials believe that the man may have gotten too close to the female otter’s kittens, prompting her to aggressively react.
Despite their “cute and cuddly” exterior, river otters have sharp teeth and claws and are dangerous when they have their babies around, he said. The otter that bit the man has three kittens.
Since the incident, park officials have increased patrols in the area and placed public safety signs around the park to warn people about the potential danger of otters. A roughly 5-acre portion of the lake where the attack occurred has been blocked off, and park officials said visitors should avoid swimming in the area and not use soft-sided flotation devices.
NPS map of Mazanita Lake. (National Park Service)
“We’re still watching her and we have wildlife biologist out there in the field making sure that she’s still in that area,” Sweeney said. “So for now, we’re giving her space. We’re keeping visitors out of her home. It’s a good reminder for us in national parks that we are visitors and that our wildlife has their right to raise their babies in these places. And so, from time to time, we need to take a couple steps back and let them do that.”
Sweeney said the incident is only the second involving a river otter that he’s aware of in the last 20 years. The otters are rarely seen and mostly keep to themselves, he added.
This incident is “very surprising, and animal attacks at Lassen are extremely rare,” Sweeney said. “I think you have a better chance of getting bitten by a squirrel that’s been fed human food than anything else.”
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The national park is also home to bobcats, mountain lions and bears.
Officials asked visitors to report any river otter incidents, especially those involving aggressive behavior, to a park employee or at the visitor center.


latimes--2020-06-30--Can Congress reform the police?

Can Congress reform the police?

Nationwide , people are calling for police reform and changes in use-of-force policies in the wake of George Floyd ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Congress can ’ t seem to decide how to get it done .
@ @ @ @ @ able to work together to enact effective change ?

Nationwide, people are calling for police reform and changes in use-of-force policies in the wake of George Floyd’s death in police custody. But Congress can’t seem to decide how to get it done. Will Democrats and Republicans be able to work together to enact effective change?


latimes--2020-06-30--Newsom warns of more coronavirus restrictions, enforcement ahead of July 4 holiday weekend

Gov .
Gavin Newsom said he planned to announce new restrictions on Wednesday ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend , continuing to reverse course on reopening California as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rise .
“ Tomorrow we ’ ll be making some additional announcements on efforts to use that dimmer switch that we ’ ve referred to and begin to toggle back on our stay-at-home order and tighten things up , ” Newsom said .
“ The framework for us is this : If you ’ re not going to stay home and you ’ re not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to enforce , and we will.
” The governor , who often foreshadows his actions before he unveils them , warned that changes would also include restrictions on indoor gatherings but did not provide details .
Newsom said family gatherings had been one of the “ areas of biggest concern ” as immediate and extended family members mixed together .
The average rate of positive cases in the state has grown to 5.6 % in the last two weeks , with a sharper jump of 5.9 % over seven days , Newsom said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have fallen short of meeting guidelines for at least three days due to an increase in the spread of the virus , growing hospitalizations or a lack of hospital capacity .
Newsom said he expected four additional counties to be added to the list on Wednesday .
California has 226,850 confirmed cases and more than 6,000 deaths from COVID-19 , according to the Los Angeles Times tracker of the outbreak .
“ We bent the curve in the state of California once .
We will bend the curve again , mark my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We will crush this pandemic .
We will annihilate it .
We ’ ll get past this , but we ’ re going to have to be tougher , and we ’ re going to have to be smarter in terms of our approaches.
” The governor provided an update on the virus Tuesday at a news conference outside a Motel 6 in the Bay Area city of Pittsburg , where he called attention to efforts to house the state ’ s homeless population .
The state launched an effort called Project Roomkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ securing 15,000 hotel and motel rooms to provide short-term shelter for vulnerable homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic .
More than a month into the program , a review of state records found that only about half of the rooms were occupied .
The Newsom administration claims the state has worked to house an estimated 13,000 people in 10,600 rooms .
Newsom said on Tuesday that , to date , 14,200 people had been sheltered , and he touted an 85 % occupancy rate for rooms under the program .
The Newsom administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately reimburse state and local governments for up 75 % of the cost of rooms , meals , security and custodial services .
The 2020-2021 state budget Newsom signed on Monday included $ 300 million for local governments to help protect Californians experiencing homelessness and $ 50 million to the Department of Social Services to secure hotel and motel rooms and trailers to shelter the homeless .
Now the state is attempting to transition the temporary program into more permanent housing under a new effort Newsom has dubbed Project Homekey , with $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fund to acquire rooms for longterm shelter .
The funding , which will be provided to local governments through the Department of Housing and Community Development , must be spent by Dec. 30 .
The budget also includes another $ 50 million in state money to help locals operate the program .
“ We ’ re providing unprecedented support for cities and counties to support a program for our most vulnerable residents , ” Newsom said .
“ We ’ re making a real impact.
” Officials in Los Angeles separately had set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who were either medically vulnerable or older than 65 in motels and hotels that they had leased .
City and county officials prioritized the part of the population they thought was most likely to die on the streets — with or without the pandemic .
After scrutinizing their own data , the Los Angeles Homeless Services Agency estimated that about 15,000 homeless people met the criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being the most susceptible to the virus .
They are 65 or older and have multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetes .
As of Monday , 3,781 people had been housed and the pace of hotel and motel rooms being added to the county program had come to a standstill .
Homeless people and outreach workers have complained about long waits as demand for the rooms has far outpaced the supply .

Jaden Veal, 7, left, and his father James Veal, right, purchase fireworks in Hawthorne. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he planned to announce new restrictions leading up the the July 4 holiday weekend.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said he planned to announce new restrictions on Wednesday ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend, continuing to reverse course on reopening California as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations rise.
“Tomorrow we’ll be making some additional announcements on efforts to use that dimmer switch that we’ve referred to and begin to toggle back on our stay-at-home order and tighten things up,” Newsom said. “The framework for us is this: If you’re not going to stay home and you’re not going to wear masks in public, we have to enforce, and we will.”
The governor, who often foreshadows his actions before he unveils them, warned that changes would also include restrictions on indoor gatherings but did not provide details. Newsom said family gatherings had been one of the “areas of biggest concern” as immediate and extended family members mixed together.
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The average rate of positive cases in the state has grown to 5.6% in the last two weeks, with a sharper jump of 5.9% over seven days, Newsom said. The state is monitoring 19 counties that have fallen short of meeting guidelines for at least three days due to an increase in the spread of the virus, growing hospitalizations or a lack of hospital capacity. Newsom said he expected four additional counties to be added to the list on Wednesday.
California has 226,850 confirmed cases and more than 6,000 deaths from COVID-19, according to the Los Angeles Times tracker of the outbreak.
“We bent the curve in the state of California once. We will bend the curve again, mark my word,” Newsom said. “We will crush this pandemic. We will annihilate it. We’ll get past this, but we’re going to have to be tougher, and we’re going to have to be smarter in terms of our approaches.”
California Californians get out before Newsom announces new restrictions Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered tougher restrictions on indoor activities for most of the state, marking a major step backward in the reopening and an attempt to slow an alarming rise of the coronavirus in 19 counties.
The governor provided an update on the virus Tuesday at a news conference outside a Motel 6 in the Bay Area city of Pittsburg, where he called attention to efforts to house the state’s homeless population.
The state launched an effort called Project Roomkey in April, with the goal of securing 15,000 hotel and motel rooms to provide short-term shelter for vulnerable homeless people during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a month into the program, a review of state records found that only about half of the rooms were occupied. The Newsom administration claims the state has worked to house an estimated 13,000 people in 10,600 rooms. Newsom said on Tuesday that, to date, 14,200 people had been sheltered, and he touted an 85% occupancy rate for rooms under the program.
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The Newsom administration expects the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ultimately reimburse state and local governments for up 75% of the cost of rooms, meals, security and custodial services.
The 2020-2021 state budget Newsom signed on Monday included $300 million for local governments to help protect Californians experiencing homelessness and $50 million to the Department of Social Services to secure hotel and motel rooms and trailers to shelter the homeless.
Now the state is attempting to transition the temporary program into more permanent housing under a new effort Newsom has dubbed Project Homekey, with $550 million from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund to acquire rooms for longterm shelter. The funding, which will be provided to local governments through the Department of Housing and Community Development, must be spent by Dec. 30. The budget also includes another $50 million in state money to help locals operate the program.
“We’re providing unprecedented support for cities and counties to support a program for our most vulnerable residents,” Newsom said. “We’re making a real impact.”
Officials in Los Angeles separately had set their own goal of placing 15,000 homeless people who were either medically vulnerable or older than 65 in motels and hotels that they had leased. City and county officials prioritized the part of the population they thought was most likely to die on the streets — with or without the pandemic.
After scrutinizing their own data, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Agency estimated that about 15,000 homeless people met the criteria set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being the most susceptible to the virus. They are 65 or older and have multiple health conditions, including respiratory problems or diabetes.
As of Monday, 3,781 people had been housed and the pace of hotel and motel rooms being added to the county program had come to a standstill. Homeless people and outreach workers have complained about long waits as demand for the rooms has far outpaced the supply.
Sacramento bureau chief John Myers contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-06-30--This essential worker wanted a coronavirus test. She ended up with a $1,840 bill

Carmen Quintero works an early shift as a supervisor at a 3M distribution warehouse that ships N95 masks to a nation under siege from the coronavirus .
On March 23 , she had developed a severe cough , and her voice , usually quick and enthusiastic , was barely a whisper .
A human resources staff member told Quintero she needed to go home .
“ They told me I couldn ’ t come back until I was tested , ” said Quintero , who was also told that she would need to document that she didn ’ t have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed her to the nearest emergency room for testing because the practice had no coronavirus tests .
The Corona Regional Medical Center is just around the corner from her house in Corona , Calif. , and there a nurse tested her breathing and gave her a chest X-ray .
But the hospital didn ’ t have any tests either , and the nurse told her to go to Riverside County ’ s Public Health Department .
There , a public health worker gave her an 800 number to call to schedule a test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her was April 7 , more than two weeks later .
At the hospital , Quintero got a doctor ’ s note saying she should stay home from work for a week , and she was told to behave as if she had COVID-19 , isolating herself from vulnerable household members .
That was difficult — Quintero lives with her grandmother and her girlfriend ’ s parents — but she managed .
No one else in her home got sick , and by the time April 7 came , she felt better and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then the bill came .
The patient : Carmen Quintero , 35 , a supervisor at a 3M distribution warehouse who lives in Corona , Calif. She has an Anthem Blue Cross health insurance plan through her job with a $ 3,500 annual deductible .
Total bill : Corona Regional Medical Center billed Quintero $ 1,010 , and Corona Regional Emergency Medical Associates billed an additional $ 830 for physician services .
She also paid $ 50 at Walgreens to fill a prescription for an inhaler .
Service provider : Corona Regional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Universal Health Services , a company based in King of Prussia , Penn.
, which is one of the largest healthcare management companies in the nation .
The hospital contracts with Corona Regional Emergency Medical Associates , part of .
Medical service : Quintero was evaluated in the emergency room for symptoms consistent with COVID-19 : a wracking cough and difficulty breathing .
She had a chest X-ray and a breathing treatment and was prescribed an inhaler .
What gives : On that day in late March when her body shook from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was infecting her family , especially her girlfriend ’ s parents , both over 65 , and her 84-year-old grandmother .
“ If something was to happen to them , I don ’ t know if I would have been able to live with it , ” said Quintero .
Quintero wanted to isolate in a hotel , but she could hardly afford to for the week that she stayed home .
She had only three paid sick days and was forced to take vacation time until her symptoms subsided and she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , few places provided publicly funded hotel rooms for sick people to isolate , and Quintero was not offered any help .
For her medical care , Quintero knew she had a high-deductible plan yet felt she had no choice but to follow her doctor ’ s advice and go to the nearest emergency room to get tested .
She assumed she would get the test and not have to pay .
Congress had passed the CARES Act just the week before , with headlines saying coronavirus .
That legislation turned out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people like Quintero who needed and wanted a coronavirus test but couldn ’ t get one early in the pandemic .
“ I just didn ’ t think it was fair because I went in there to get tested , ” she said .
Some for COVID-19-related emergency room visits .
Quintero said her insurer , Anthem Blue Cross , would not reduce her bill .
Anthem would not discuss the case until Quintero signed its own privacy waiver ; it would not accept a signed standard waiver Kaiser Health News uses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill with a reporter unless Quintero could also be on the phone , something that has yet to be arranged around Quintero ’ s workday , which begins at 4 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. have gone further than Congress to waive cost sharing for testing and diagnosis of pneumonia and influenza , given these illnesses are often mistaken for COVID-19 .
California is not one of them , and because Quintero ’ s employer is self-insured — the company pays for health services directly from its own funds — it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Department of Labor regulates all self-funded insurance plans .
In 2019 , were in these types of plans .
Resolution : As lockdown restrictions ease and coronavirus cases rise around the country , public health officials say quickly isolating sick people before the virus spreads through families is essential .
But isolation efforts have gotten little attention in the U.S. Nearly all local health departments , including Riverside County , where Quintero lives , now have these programs , according to the National Assn .
of County and City Health Officials .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ homelessness but can be used to isolate others .
Raymond Niaura , interim chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at New York University , said these programs are used inconsistently and have been poorly promoted to the public .
“ No one has done this before and a lot of what ’ s happening is that people are making it up as they go along , ” said Niaura .
“ We ’ ve just never been in a circumstance like this.
” Quintero still worries about bringing the virus home to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room with her grandmother .
Quintero returns from work every day now , puts her clothes in a separate hamper and diligently washes her hands before she interacts with anyone .
The bills have been another constant worry .
Quintero called the hospital and her insurance company and complained that she should not have to pay since she was seeking a test on her doctor ’ s orders .
Neither budged , and the bills labeled “ payment reminders ” soon became “ final notices.
” She reluctantly agreed to pay $ 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 to the hospital and $ 50 to the doctors .
“ None of them wanted to work with me , ” Quintero said .
“ I just have to give the first payment on each bill so they wouldn ’ t send me to collections.
” The takeaway : If you suspect you have COVID-19 and need to isolate to protect vulnerable members of your household , call your local public health department .
Most counties have isolation and quarantine programs , but these resources are not well known .
You may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle or other type of housing while you wait out the infection period .
You do not need to have a positive COVID-19 test to qualify for these programs and can use these programs while you await your test result .
But this is an area in which public health officials repeatedly offer clear guidance — 14 days of isolation — which most people find impossible to follow .
At this point in the pandemic , tests are more widely available and federal law is very clearly on your side : You should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus test .
Be wary , though , if your doctor directs you to the emergency room for a test , because any additional care you get there could come at a high price .
Ask if there are any other testing sites available .
If you do find yourself with a big bill related to suspected COVID-19 , push beyond a telephone call with your insurance company and file a formal appeal .
If you feel comfortable , ask your employer ’ s human resources staff to argue on your behalf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your state insurance commissioner and file a separate appeal .
Press insurers — and big companies that offer self-insured plans — to follow the spirit of the law , even if the letter of the law seems to let them off the hook .
Bill of the Month is a crowdsourced investigation by and that dissects and explains medical bills .
Do you have an interesting medical bill you want to share with us ?
Tell us about it !

Carmen Quintero works as a supervisor at a distribution center for N95 masks. She came down with COVID-19-like symptoms March 23 but couldn’t get a test. She owes $1,840 for other care she received when she had “suspected COVID.”
Carmen Quintero works an early shift as a supervisor at a distribution warehouse that ships N95 masks and other products to a nation under siege from the coronavirus. On March 23, she had developed a severe cough, and her voice, usually quick and enthusiastic, was barely a whisper.
A human resources staff member told Quintero she needed to go home.
For the record: This story has been updated to clarify Carmen Quintero’s employment. She works for a distribution warehouse that handles 3M products and other products.
“They told me I couldn’t come back until I was tested,” said Quintero, who was also told that she would need to document that she didn’t have the virus.
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Her primary care doctor directed her to the nearest emergency room for testing because the practice had no coronavirus tests.
The Corona Regional Medical Center is just around the corner from her house in Corona, Calif., and there a nurse tested her breathing and gave her a chest X-ray. But the hospital didn’t have any tests either, and the nurse told her to go to Riverside County’s Public Health Department. There, a public health worker gave her an 800 number to call to schedule a test. The earliest the county could test her was April 7, more than two weeks later.
At the hospital, Quintero got a doctor’s note saying she should stay home from work for a week, and she was told to behave as if she had COVID-19, isolating herself from vulnerable household members. That was difficult — Quintero lives with her grandmother and her girlfriend’s parents — but she managed. No one else in her home got sick, and by the time April 7 came, she felt better and decided not to get the coronavirus test.
Then the bill came.
The patient: Carmen Quintero, 35, of Corona, Calif., who works at a distribution warehouse. She has an Anthem Blue Cross health insurance plan through her job with a $3,500 annual deductible.
Total bill: Corona Regional Medical Center billed Quintero $1,010, and Corona Regional Emergency Medical Associates billed an additional $830 for physician services. She also paid $50 at Walgreens to fill a prescription for an inhaler.
Service provider: Corona Regional Medical Center, a for-profit hospital owned by Universal Health Services, a company based in King of Prussia, Penn., which is one of the largest healthcare management companies in the nation. The hospital contracts with Corona Regional Emergency Medical Associates, part of Emergent Medical Associates .
Medical service: Quintero was evaluated in the emergency room for symptoms consistent with COVID-19: a wracking cough and difficulty breathing. She had a chest X-ray and a breathing treatment and was prescribed an inhaler.
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What gives: On that day in late March when her body shook from coughing, Quintero’s immediate worry was infecting her family, especially her girlfriend’s parents, both over 65, and her 84-year-old grandmother.
“If something was to happen to them, I don’t know if I would have been able to live with it,” said Quintero.
Quintero wanted to isolate in a hotel, but she could hardly afford to for the week that she stayed home. She had only three paid sick days and was forced to take vacation time until her symptoms subsided and she was allowed back at work. At the time, few places provided publicly funded hotel rooms for sick people to isolate, and Quintero was not offered any help.
Carmen Quintero, right, still tries to keep a safe distance from her grandmother, Teresa Carapia, and two other family members over 65. Quintero says she worried about them as she tried to self-isolate with COVID-19-like symptoms. (Heidi de Marco/KHN)
For her medical care, Quintero knew she had a high-deductible plan yet felt she had no choice but to follow her doctor’s advice and go to the nearest emergency room to get tested. She assumed she would get the test and not have to pay. Congress had passed the CARES Act just the week before , with headlines saying coronavirus testing would be free .
That legislation turned out to be riddled with loopholes, especially for people like Quintero who needed and wanted a coronavirus test but couldn’t get one early in the pandemic.
“I just didn’t think it was fair because I went in there to get tested,” she said.
Some insurance companies are voluntarily reducing copayments for COVID-19-related emergency room visits. Quintero said her insurer, Anthem Blue Cross, would not reduce her bill. Anthem would not discuss the case until Quintero signed its own privacy waiver; it would not accept a signed standard waiver Kaiser Health News uses. The hospital would not discuss the bill with a reporter unless Quintero could also be on the phone, something that has yet to be arranged around Quintero’s workday, which begins at 4 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m.
Three states have gone further than Congress to waive cost sharing for testing and diagnosis of pneumonia and influenza, given these illnesses are often mistaken for COVID-19. California is not one of them, and because Quintero’s employer is self-insured — the company pays for health services directly from its own funds — it is exempt from state directives anyway. The U.S. Department of Labor regulates all self-funded insurance plans. In 2019, nearly 2 in 3 covered workers were in these types of plans.
Resolution: As lockdown restrictions ease and coronavirus cases rise around the country, public health officials say quickly isolating sick people before the virus spreads through families is essential.
But isolation efforts have gotten little attention in the U.S. Nearly all local health departments, including Riverside County, where Quintero lives, now have these programs, according to the National Assn. of County and City Health Officials. Many were designed to shelter people experiencing homelessness but can be used to isolate others.
Raymond Niaura, interim chairman of the Department of Epidemiology at New York University, said these programs are used inconsistently and have been poorly promoted to the public.
“No one has done this before and a lot of what’s happening is that people are making it up as they go along,” said Niaura. “We’ve just never been in a circumstance like this.”
Quintero still worries about bringing the virus home to her family and fears being in the same room with her grandmother. Quintero works at a warehouse that distributes 3M products, including personal protective equipment and other companies’ products. She returns from work every day now, puts her clothes in a separate hamper and diligently washes her hands before she interacts with anyone.
The bills have been another constant worry. Quintero called the hospital and her insurance company and complained that she should not have to pay since she was seeking a test on her doctor’s orders. Neither budged, and the bills labeled “payment reminders” soon became “final notices.” She reluctantly agreed to pay $100 a month toward her balance — $50 to the hospital and $50 to the doctors.
“None of them wanted to work with me,” Quintero said. “I just have to give the first payment on each bill so they wouldn’t send me to collections.”
The takeaway: If you suspect you have COVID-19 and need to isolate to protect vulnerable members of your household, call your local public health department. Most counties have isolation and quarantine programs, but these resources are not well known.
You may be placed in a hotel, recreational vehicle or other type of housing while you wait out the infection period. You do not need to have a positive COVID-19 test to qualify for these programs and can use these programs while you await your test result. But this is an area in which public health officials repeatedly offer clear guidance — 14 days of isolation — which most people find impossible to follow.
At this point in the pandemic, tests are more widely available and federal law is very clearly on your side: You should not be charged any cost sharing for a coronavirus test.
Be wary, though, if your doctor directs you to the emergency room for a test, because any additional care you get there could come at a high price. Ask if there are any other testing sites available.
If you do find yourself with a big bill related to suspected COVID-19, push beyond a telephone call with your insurance company and file a formal appeal. If you feel comfortable, ask your employer’s human resources staff to argue on your behalf. Then, call the help line for your state insurance commissioner and file a separate appeal. Press insurers — and big companies that offer self-insured plans — to follow the spirit of the law, even if the letter of the law seems to let them off the hook.


latimes--2020-06-30--See how your favorite beach ranks in the latest pollution report card

As coronavirus beach restrictions continue to complicate summer plans , Californians have at least one thing to look forward to : Most of the coast is much cleaner than in years past .
In an annual survey of more than 500 beaches , Heal the Bay reported Tuesday that 92 % of the state ’ s beaches had logged good water-quality marks between April and October of 2019 — a notable improvement from prior years , when heavy winter rains washed trash , pesticides , dog poop , bacteria and automotive fluids , as well as microplastics , into storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A relatively dry year has meant less polluted beaches — particularly in Southern California , where Orange County had 20 of the state ’ s cleanest beaches .
Still , the environmental group noted some stubborn ( and surprising ) pockets of pollution along the coast .
Six of the state ’ s 10 dirtiest beaches this year are in San Mateo County — an unusually high number for this part of the Bay Area .
The four others on the Beach Bummer list are well-known trouble spots in Southern California : Poche @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clemente Pier , in Orange County ; Topanga Beach , in Los Angeles County ; and Vacation Isle North Cove , in San Diego ’ s Mission Bay .
The annual “ report card , ” now in its 30th year , assigns letter grades , A+ through F , based on routine beach water-quality sampling conducted by county health officials , sanitation departments , and state and tribal agencies .
Water samples are analyzed for three fecal-indicator bacteria that show pollution from numerous sources , including human and animal waste .
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to county , Heal the Bay began compiling and translating the information each year into a simple letter grade .
The State Water Resources Control Board endorses this report , which has influenced significant research over the years and pushed California to become a leader in clean-water monitoring .
Broken down simply , the higher the grade , the better the water quality .
The lower the grade , the greater the health risks .
Swimming at a beach with a grade of C or lower greatly increases the risk of skin rashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other illnesses such as the stomach flu .
California ’ s dirtiest beach this year came as a surprise : Fitzgerald Marine Reserve , by the San Vicente Creek outlet in San Mateo County .
The reserve generally has good summer water quality and has never appeared on the bummer list before .
Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek , in Pacifica , made the top 10 for a third year in a row ; Erckenbrack Park , in Foster City , came in at No .
4 ; and three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pillar Point Harbor were considered among the state ’ s dirtiest beaches this year .
Luke Ginger , a water quality scientist at Heal the Bay , said there didn ’ t appear to be a single sewage spill or event that could explain why so many beaches in San Mateo County were more polluted than normal this year .
Officials in the area could look for leaky pipes , he said , and conduct some sort of source investigation — going up the watershed and through storm drains , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be coming from .
These scarlet-letter grades have inspired a number of projects over the years .
Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz , a chronic top 10 bummer , dropped off the list this year after city officials and environmental groups teamed up to repair sewer lines and divert polluted water before it reached the ocean .
They also found ways to deter birds from nesting and pooping at the pier .
In Long Beach , officials improved water circulation at Colorado Lagoon and removed contaminated sediment .
Similar improvements were made at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the state ’ s most polluted beaches .
Across Southern California , grades this year were good overall .
Orange County had 20 beaches that received an A+ grade every week , during all seasons and weather conditions , and San Diego County had 10 , including five in Carlsbad , for a second year in a row .
Three beaches in Los Angeles County also made Heal the Bay ’ s “ Honor Roll ” : Palos Verdes Cove and Palos Verdes Long Point , and Redondo State Beach at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 % of its beaches received A grades for a second summer in a row .
Beach data weren ’ t always this clean or transparent .
Thirty years ago , swimmers would get sick , especially after it rained , but few people knew when or where to avoid the beach .
Mark Gold , Heal the Bay ’ s first staff scientist , still remembers a freak thunderstorm in the summer of 1989 that knocked out a Venice sewage pumping station .
The public swam in that dirty water all weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t hear about it until many days later .
“ That , to me , ” he said , “ was the last straw.
” He drafted the beach report card and , with a team of scientists , conducted an epidemiology study that connected for the first time just how sick people could get from swimming in water polluted with urban runoff .
The constant drumbeat of poor beach grades pushed the state to require standardized monitoring and public notification of sewage spills .
The state has since funded significant research and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative grants — many prioritized based on the beach report card rankings .
Officials also now use the data to help determine Clean Water Act violations , and real estate advertisers have even used A grades to promote beachfront homes .
Monitoring methods and real-time reports have also improved , and the survey has expanded to beaches in Oregon and the state of Washington .
Next year , the report will include three popular beaches in Tijuana that are regularly affected by raw sewage : El Faro , El Vigia and Playa Blanca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we never expected , ” said Gold , who is now Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s deputy secretary for coast and ocean policy .
“ An entire generation of people who are going into the water right now , they have no idea how horrible the water quality was at the beach during the 1980s.
” Today , storm drain runoff remains the largest source of pollution for California ’ s beaches .
Unlike our sewage , which is usually filtered through treatment facilities before it ’ s discharged , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ocean through a network of storm drains and concrete-lined rivers .
A good rule of thumb is to wait 72 hours after it rains before going into the ocean , and to stay at least 100 yards away from storm drains , piers or enclosed beaches with poor water circulation .
Shelley Luce , president of Heal the Bay , says the growing public awareness has been remarkable , but the work is never over .
She points to the recent enforcement rollbacks by the Environmental Protection Agency , which threaten to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal administration used the COVID pandemic as an excuse to roll back environmental protections in a major , major way , ” she said .
California even loosened some of its own monitoring requirements , citing the limitations posed by stay-at-home orders .
“ People need to stay vigilant and understand that we need to protect our planet and our environment and our clean water , ” she said , “ regardless of what else is going on .
”

Kids ride a wave together as they learn to surf on a warm Summer day at the San Clemente Pier Tuesday. San Clemente Pier made Heal the Bay’s Beach Bummer list.
As coronavirus beach restrictions continue to complicate summer plans, Californians have at least one thing to look forward to: Most of the coast is much cleaner than in years past.
In an annual survey of more than 500 beaches, Heal the Bay reported Tuesday that 92% of the state’s beaches had logged good water-quality marks between April and October of 2019 — a notable improvement from prior years, when heavy winter rains washed trash, pesticides, dog poop, bacteria and automotive fluids, as well as microplastics, into storm drains and out to the ocean.
A relatively dry year has meant less polluted beaches — particularly in Southern California, where Orange County had 20 of the state’s cleanest beaches.
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Still, the environmental group noted some stubborn (and surprising) pockets of pollution along the coast. Six of the state’s 10 dirtiest beaches this year are in San Mateo County — an unusually high number for this part of the Bay Area.
The four others on the Beach Bummer list are well-known trouble spots in Southern California: Poche Beach at the creek outlet and San Clemente Pier, in Orange County; Topanga Beach, in Los Angeles County; and Vacation Isle North Cove, in San Diego’s Mission Bay.
The annual “report card,” now in its 30th year, assigns letter grades, A+ through F, based on routine beach water-quality sampling conducted by county health officials, sanitation departments, and state and tribal agencies. Water samples are analyzed for three fecal-indicator bacteria that show pollution from numerous sources, including human and animal waste.
Because the raw data and formatting vary county to county, Heal the Bay began compiling and translating the information each year into a simple letter grade. The State Water Resources Control Board endorses this report, which has influenced significant research over the years and pushed California to become a leader in clean-water monitoring.
Broken down simply, the higher the grade, the better the water quality. The lower the grade, the greater the health risks. Swimming at a beach with a grade of C or lower greatly increases the risk of skin rashes, ear and upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses such as the stomach flu.
Beach-goers take to the water on a warm summer day at the San Clemente Pier Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Heal the Bay released its annual Beach Report Card and the San Clemente Pier made the top 10 list of beach bummers. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
California’s dirtiest beach this year came as a surprise: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, by the San Vicente Creek outlet in San Mateo County. The reserve generally has good summer water quality and has never appeared on the bummer list before.
Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek, in Pacifica, made the top 10 for a third year in a row; Erckenbrack Park, in Foster City, came in at No. 4; and three locations in Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor were considered among the state’s dirtiest beaches this year.
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Luke Ginger, a water quality scientist at Heal the Bay, said there didn’t appear to be a single sewage spill or event that could explain why so many beaches in San Mateo County were more polluted than normal this year.
Officials in the area could look for leaky pipes, he said, and conduct some sort of source investigation — going up the watershed and through storm drains, for example, to find out where the pollution might be coming from.
California It just rained (again). Is it safe to swim in the ocean? After another back-to-back cold front that pelted rain, heavy snow and even a tornado warning down onto Southern California, here are some precautions and commonly asked questions about whether it’s safe to go to the beach.
These scarlet-letter grades have inspired a number of projects over the years. Cowell Beach in Santa Cruz, a chronic top 10 bummer, dropped off the list this year after city officials and environmental groups teamed up to repair sewer lines and divert polluted water before it reached the ocean. They also found ways to deter birds from nesting and pooping at the pier.
In Long Beach, officials improved water circulation at Colorado Lagoon and removed contaminated sediment. Similar improvements were made at Avalon Harbor, which used to be one of the state’s most polluted beaches.
Across Southern California, grades this year were good overall. Orange County had 20 beaches that received an A+ grade every week, during all seasons and weather conditions, and San Diego County had 10, including five in Carlsbad, for a second year in a row.
Three beaches in Los Angeles County also made Heal the Bay’s “Honor Roll”: Palos Verdes Cove and Palos Verdes Long Point, and Redondo State Beach at Topaz Street. In Ventura County, 100% of its beaches received A grades for a second summer in a row.
A woman walks along the rocky stretch of beach heading to the tidepools at Abalone Cove. (For The Times)
Beach data weren’t always this clean or transparent. Thirty years ago, swimmers would get sick, especially after it rained, but few people knew when or where to avoid the beach.
Mark Gold, Heal the Bay’s first staff scientist, still remembers a freak thunderstorm in the summer of 1989 that knocked out a Venice sewage pumping station. The public swam in that dirty water all weekend, he said, and didn’t hear about it until many days later.
“That, to me,” he said, “was the last straw.”
He drafted the beach report card and, with a team of scientists, conducted an epidemiology study that connected for the first time just how sick people could get from swimming in water polluted with urban runoff. The constant drumbeat of poor beach grades pushed the state to require standardized monitoring and public notification of sewage spills.
The state has since funded significant research and invested $100 million in Clean Beach Initiative grants — many prioritized based on the beach report card rankings. Officials also now use the data to help determine Clean Water Act violations, and real estate advertisers have even used A grades to promote beachfront homes.
Monitoring methods and real-time reports have also improved, and the survey has expanded to beaches in Oregon and the state of Washington. Next year, the report will include three popular beaches in Tijuana that are regularly affected by raw sewage: El Faro, El Vigia and Playa Blanca.
“It really grew into something that we never expected,” said Gold, who is now Gov. Gavin Newsom’s deputy secretary for coast and ocean policy. “An entire generation of people who are going into the water right now, they have no idea how horrible the water quality was at the beach during the 1980s.”
Today, storm drain runoff remains the largest source of pollution for California’s beaches. Unlike our sewage, which is usually filtered through treatment facilities before it’s discharged, most of this dirty water flushes straight into the ocean through a network of storm drains and concrete-lined rivers.
A good rule of thumb is to wait 72 hours after it rains before going into the ocean, and to stay at least 100 yards away from storm drains, piers or enclosed beaches with poor water circulation.
Shelley Luce, president of Heal the Bay, says the growing public awareness has been remarkable, but the work is never over. She points to the recent enforcement rollbacks by the Environmental Protection Agency, which threaten to undo decades of progress.
“The federal administration used the COVID pandemic as an excuse to roll back environmental protections in a major, major way,” she said. California even loosened some of its own monitoring requirements, citing the limitations posed by stay-at-home orders.
“People need to stay vigilant and understand that we need to protect our planet and our environment and our clean water,” she said, “regardless of what else is going on.”