latimes--2020-03-17--To combat coronavirus, L.A. could let homeless people's tents stay up all day

Three members of the Los Angeles City Council called Tuesday for the city to temporarily stop enforcing a law requiring tents to come down during daytime hours , saying the change is needed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus .
Councilmen Mike Bonin , Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Gil Cedillo said the city must “ urgently reevaluate ” its policies for dealing with homeless encampments — and temporarily stop confiscating the possessions of homeless Angelenos unless those items are deemed to be hazardous .
The proposal also calls for city agencies to install portable toilets , hand-washing stations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless encampments .
Those areas would also receive weekly shower service .
Homelessness is a “ public health crisis that is ongoing , continuing and worsening , ” the three council members wrote .
“ That crisis is made exponentially worse by the spread of COVID-19.
” Councilmen Jose Huizar and Paul Koretz also signed the motion , which could come up for a vote as soon as Tuesday .
Homeless advocates described the proposal as a much-needed health and safety measure .
“ The worst thing we can do is push people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mel Tillekeratne , main organizer for the # SheDoes movement , which advocates for shelter for homeless women .
“ This is giving them a space to stay , rather than moving around in the community.
” Under the proposal , city workers would still have the authority to require homeless residents to move their tents so that sanitation crews can clean sidewalks and remove hazardous materials , said Bonin spokesman David Graham-Caso .
Still , one business leader voiced alarm at the proposal , saying she fears it will cause the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more , increasing the spread of rats and disease .
“ We can not make this health emergency any worse by allowing this accumulation to grow even larger , ” said Estela Lopez , executive director of the Central City East Assn.
, a downtown business group .
“ On what planet is that a good idea ?
” The proposal is one of several emergency measures proposed at Tuesday ’ s council meeting , the first since City Hall was closed as a measure to limit the spread of the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moratorium on evictions and impose new sick leave requirements for workers .
In addition , elected officials are weighing efforts to provide more free meals for seniors and relief for businesses suffering from a lack of customers .
Under the city ’ s current laws , tents on sidewalks and in other public areas must come down between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m .
The proposal from Bonin and his colleagues would still require removal of tents that are within 10 feet of an operable driveway or if they block access for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruct officials to provide 24-hour access to restrooms at city libraries , parks , recreation centers and other public facilities .
Theo Henderson , who lives in a park in Chinatown , said the move to allow tents to stay up during the day should continue even after the threat from COVID-19 has subsided .
Allowing unhoused residents to maintain their tents , he said , would protect them against other health threats .
Homeless people “ are not just 18-to-24-year-olds with perfect health , ” said Henderson , who hosts the podcast @ @ @ @ @ @

The Los Angeles City Council voted Tuesday to temporarily stop enforcing a law requiring tents to come down during daytime hours, saying the change is needed to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Councilmen Mike Bonin, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Gil Cedillo said the city must “urgently reevaluate” its policies for dealing with homeless encampments, given the virus threat.
By ensuring homeless Angelenos can remain in their tents, the city will reduce their chances of being around others and contracting the virus, said Bonin, who represents coastal neighborhoods.
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“The only thing that is worse than having lots of people living in encampments is throwing them out of encampments and making them more vulnerable,” he said.
Council members also voted to instruct city agencies to begin providing hand-washing stations, portable toilets, dumpsters, vermin-proof trash cans and weekly shower service at “major” homeless encampments. But they rejected a plan to stop confiscating the belongings of homeless Angelenos that exceed 60 gallons.
Bonin, Cedillo, Harris-Dawson and Councilman Herb Wesson favored such a move. The council’s other 11 members, led by Councilman Joe Buscaino, voted to continue confiscating such items.
“There are tons of trash in and around different parts of the city of Los Angeles that I am very concerned about,” said Buscaino, who represents a Watts-to-San Pedro district. “That is adding to filth and disease.”
One business leader expressed relief that the council rejected the plan to stop confiscating belongings, saying such a move would have increased the spread of rats and disease in homeless encampments.
“We cannot make this health emergency any worse by allowing this accumulation to grow even larger,” said Estela Lopez, executive director of the Central City East Assn., a downtown business group.
Los Angeles has about 36,000 homeless people, more than 27,000 of them unsheltered, according to the the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Under the city’s current laws, tents on sidewalks and in other public areas must come down between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. In many parts of the city, the rule is not vigorously enforced.
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Homeless advocates described the council’s decision to keep tents and encampments in place throughout the day as a much-needed health and safety measure.
“The worst thing we can do is push people outside” of their tents, said Mel Tillekeratne, main organizer for the #SheDoes movement, which advocates for shelter for homeless women. “This is giving them a space to stay, rather than moving around in the community.”
Tuesday’s action still preserves the city’s authority to require homeless residents to move their tents so that sanitation crews can clean sidewalks and remove hazardous materials, said Bonin spokesman David Graham-Caso.
The tent proposal was one of several emergency measures discussed at Tuesday’s council meeting, the first since City Hall was closed to the public in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Council members also voted to impose new measures to shield tenants from evictions and seek new protections for workers at Los Angeles International Airport and elsewhere.
County officials have not identified any cases of COVID-19 among the homeless population so far, said Heidi Marston, interim executive director of the homeless services authority. When that happens, emergency management officials plan to have motels, hotels and other sites where they can be placed in isolation, she said.
Public health officials have also advised that homeless residents who are living in tents should be allowed to “shelter in place” in the coming weeks, Marston said.
“Obviously, if they want to go to a shelter we will facilitate that too,” she said. “But they should not, in those circumstances, be told to take their tent down, especially if they’re wanting to stay there, or exhibiting symptoms [where] they would need to have that tent remain up.”
Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who represents the west San Fernando Valley, told Marston he is “extremely nervous” about that approach.
“Someone sheltering in place in an encampment is a recipe for the entire encampment to come down with the virus,” he said.
The proposal backed by the council would still require removal of tents that are within 10 feet of an operable driveway or if they block access for wheelchair users. It would also instruct city agencies to begin providing 24-hour access to restrooms at city libraries, parks, recreation centers and other public facilities.
The city will receive a report on the costs of providing those bathrooms — and adding more services at encampments — later this month, Graham-Caso said.
Theo Henderson, who lives in a park in Chinatown, said the move to allow tents to stay up during the day should continue even after the threat from COVID-19 has subsided.
Allowing unhoused residents to maintain their tents, he said, would protect them against other health threats.
Homeless people “are not just 18-to-24-year-olds with perfect health,” said Henderson, who hosts the podcast “We The Unhoused.”


latimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus threatens to thin the ranks of police and firefighters on the front lines

As the coronavirus outbreak ravaged a nursing home in Kirkland , Wash , it also hit the local fire department hard .
No firefighters tested positive for the virus .
But nearly a third of the 95-member department had to go into quarantine after coming to the aid of coronavirus patients .
Faced with an escalating number of infected people , police and fire departments can quickly become overwhelmed as more first responders are taken out of commission , creating staffing nightmares .
Masks and other protective equipment are in short supply worldwide and could potentially run out as first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new set .
The toll is starting to be felt in Los Angeles County , with more than 140 confirmed coronavirus cases and more announced each day .
Six L.A. firefighters , three L.A. County sheriff ’ s deputies and several L.A. County firefighters were quarantining themselves at home after assisting coronavirus patients .
An LAPD supervisor in the Pacific Division tested positive for the virus but is expected to fully recover .
While other Americans work from home , police officers , firefighters and paramedics must continue to respond to 911 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients .
Lifesaving measures like CPR require direct contact with patients and their bodily fluids .
For police , arresting suspects , patting them down , giving them a ride to jail and providing emergency medical treatment all involve hands-on contact and possible exposure to blood and saliva .
To protect their officers , some police agencies are trying to reduce contact with the public .
The LAPD has closed the front desks at its 21 stations , asking residents to email instead .
Both the LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , letting nonviolent offenders off with a citation to free up officers for other tasks and to reduce the number of people in county jails , where the virus could spread quickly .
At the same time , with normal routines upended and people jostling for food at supermarkets , both agencies have assigned more officers to street patrol , including hundreds of LAPD detectives who normally investigate crimes .
Orange County sheriff ’ s deputies are taking reports over the phone when possible and will not respond to most non-injury traffic collisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protective gear for first responders .
Dispatchers are asking 911 callers about symptoms and travel history so firefighters know whether to don protective masks and gowns .
Sometimes , one firefighter approaches while others hang back .
L.A. County sheriff ’ s deputies are using Clorox wipes to give their patrol cars an extra cleansing .
In San Jose , where 10 firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus and 77 were quarantined , every patient is assumed to be coronavirus-positive .
The lead firefighter approaches wearing full protective equipment , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goggles and gloves .
Daniel Linskey , who was chief of the Boston Police Department during the 2013 marathon bombing , said police and fire agencies need to plan for worst-case scenarios -- for example , by finding hotels to host first responders under quarantine .
“ We have to have a plan for the police station or jail being compromised , ” said Linskey , now the managing director and head of security risk management at Kroll and a fellow at the Duff & Phelps Institute .
“ What happens if 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus ?
Where do we quarantine 300 prisoners , or do we do it on site ?
” Despite the dangers , many cops and firefighters say they are not overly concerned about the virus .
This is the job they signed up for , they say .
“ I don ’ t think most officers are very worried about it , ” said Lt. Jay Hom , who oversees the LAPD ’ s emergency management section .
“ It ’ s just like any other virus — swine flu , SARS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typhoid , tuberculosis out there.
” Last Wednesday , Hom led a team of officers stuffing plastic bags with goggles , N-95 masks and gloves to protect themselves against the coronavirus .
About 7,000 patrol officers and others who work in the field would be receiving a kit .
The department already had 8,000 N-95 masks in stock for the upcoming fire season .
But the masks can only be used once .
Amid a global shortage , an order for more masks is unlikely to be fulfilled until at least July , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and quarantines of officers come to pass , the crisis will have entered a new realm , said LAPD Asst .
Chief Horace Frank , who is overseeing the department ’ s coronavirus measures .
“ Is it a concern ?
Yes , ” Frank said .
“ What we can ’ t do is allow fear to paralyze us.
” Linskey , the former Boston police chief , said that if enough officers are out of commission , many incidents , other than the most urgent , would need be handled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up driving a patrol car .
Some precautions to limit contact with the public could start now , Linskey said , such as pulling over drivers only for egregious violations and letting others off with a warning delivered through a patrol car window .
Above all , Linskey said , cops need proper equipment so they feel protected from the virus — something that the shortage of protective masks has thrown into doubt .
If they don ’ t feel safe , they may pull back on making arrests or getting physically close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If they don ’ t have a mask , they ’ re not going to rush in there , and that could be life or death for someone , ” Linskey said .
At L.A. Fire Department headquarters last Thursday , officials exchanged elbow bumps and opened doors with their forearms to avoid touching the handles .
A spokesman , Capt .
Erik Scott , demonstrated the equipment that the department ’ s 3,400 firefighters and paramedics in the field already have on hand for fires and biohazards , including P-100 masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LAFD firefighters have taken coronavirus patients to the hospital but did not have to be quarantined because they were wearing masks and gowns .
But a woman with respiratory issues at Union Station on March 2 was not flagged by a dispatcher as a possible coronavirus case because she had not traveled to hotspots for the disease .
Six firefighters who assisted her were not wearing the full set of protective gear and were put into home quarantine on March 13 , after she tested positive .
At a department gym , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garments to minimize sweat droplets and to wipe down equipment after using it , much of the talk was about the virus , Scott said .
But there was no panic .
“ They see some of the worst things possible , so they tend to take it in stride more than most , ” Scott said .
Last Wednesday , Lt. Geoffrey Deedrick briefed L.A. County sheriff ’ s deputies on hygiene as they prepared to educate homeless people about the virus .
They should keep their distance , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slapping with people they had come to know well .
But heeding his own advice wasn ’ t easy .
Along the San Gabriel River in El Monte , he ran into a homeless woman named Rebecca whom he hadn ’ t seen in years .
“ You taught me a lot .
I think about you often , ” Deedrick said .
They hugged .
Deputy Michael Tadrous wore an N-95 mask while driving his all terrain vehicle — but to keep out the dirt , not the virus .
He advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share cigarettes or cups , handing her three bottles of water .
Other outreach workers gave Romero some toiletries and told her to stay six feet away from people .
Tadrous is not scared of the virus .
Nor , he said , are many homeless people .
“ They ’ re just like , ‘ We ’ ve been through worse , ’ ” he said .
Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin , Leila Miller , Soumya Karlamangla , Melody Gutierrez , Alex Wigglesworth and Ben Poston contributed to this report .

Cindy Chang, Alene Tchekmedyian, Richard Winton

L.A. County sheriff’s deputy Michael Tadrous educates homeless people about the coronavirus near the San Gabriel River in El Monte.
As the coronavirus outbreak ravaged a nursing home in Kirkland, Wash., it also hit the local fire department hard.
No firefighters tested positive for the virus. But nearly a third of the 95-member department had to go into quarantine after coming to the aid of coronavirus patients.
Faced with an escalating number of infected people, police and fire departments can quickly become overwhelmed as more first responders are taken out of commission, creating staffing nightmares. Masks and other protective equipment are in short supply worldwide and could potentially run out as first responders care for patients and then need a new set.
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The toll is starting to be felt in Los Angeles County, with more than 140 confirmed coronavirus cases and more announced each day.
Six L.A. firefighters, three L.A. County sheriff’s deputies and several L.A. County firefighters were quarantining themselves at home after assisting coronavirus patients. A supervisor in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Pacific Division tested positive for the virus but is expected to fully recover.
While other Americans work from home, police, firefighters and paramedics must continue to respond to 911 calls, including those involving suspected coronavirus patients. Lifesaving measures like CPR require direct contact with patients and their bodily fluids.
Kelly Doyle, from an L.A. County homeless engagement team, helps Belinda Romero out of her tent under the Valley Boulevard overpass near the San Gabriel River in El Monte. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
For police, arresting suspects, patting them down, giving them a ride to jail and providing emergency medical treatment all involve hands-on contact and possible exposure to blood and saliva.
To protect their officers, some police agencies are trying to reduce contact with the public. The LAPD has closed the front desks at its 21 stations, asking residents to email instead.
Advertisement
Both the LAPD and the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department are cutting back on arrests, letting nonviolent offenders off with a citation to free up officers for other tasks and to reduce the number of people in county jails, where the virus could spread quickly.
At the same time, with normal routines upended and people jostling for food at supermarkets, both agencies have assigned more officers to street patrol, including hundreds of LAPD detectives who normally investigate crimes.
Orange County sheriff’s deputies are taking reports over the phone when possible and will not respond to most noninjury traffic collisions.
Agencies are also ramping up their protective gear for first responders. Dispatchers are asking 911 callers about symptoms and travel history so firefighters know whether to don protective masks and gowns. Sometimes, one firefighter approaches while others hang back. L.A. County sheriff’s deputies are using sanitizing wipes to give their patrol cars an extra cleansing.
In San Jose, where 10 firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus and 77 have been quarantined, every patient is assumed to be coronavirus-positive. The lead firefighter approaches wearing full protective equipment, including a gown, P-100 respirator, goggles and gloves.
Daniel Linskey, who was chief of the Boston Police Department during the 2013 marathon bombing, said police and fire agencies need to plan for worst-case scenarios — for example, by finding hotels to host first responders under quarantine.
“We have to have a plan for the police station or jail being compromised,” said Linskey, now the managing director and head of security risk management at Kroll and a fellow at the Duff & Phelps Institute. “What happens if 14 people in the jail come down with the virus? Where do we quarantine 300 prisoners, or do we do it on site?”
Despite the dangers, many police officers and firefighters say they are not overly concerned about the virus. This is the job they signed up for, they say.
“I don’t think most officers are very worried about it,” said Lt. Jay Hom, who oversees the LAPD’s emergency management section. “It’s just like any other virus — swine flu, SARS. We’ve got typhus, typhoid, tuberculosis out there.”
LAPD Lt. Jay Hom assembles coronavirus kits consisting of an N95 mask, goggles, leather gloves and rubber gloves. The kits are going out to about 7,000 officers who work in the field. (Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times)
A week ago, Hom led a team of officers stuffing plastic bags with goggles, N-95 masks and gloves to protect themselves against the coronavirus.
About 7,000 patrol officers and others who work in the field were to receive a kit. The department already had 8,000 N-95 masks in stock for the upcoming fire season. But the masks are intended to be used only once. Amid a global shortage, an order for more masks is unlikely to be fulfilled until at least July, Hom said.
If extreme equipment shortages and quarantines of officers come to pass, the crisis will have entered a new realm, said LAPD Assistant Chief Horace Frank, who is overseeing the department’s coronavirus measures.
“Is it a concern? Yes,” Frank said. “What we can’t do is allow fear to paralyze us.”
Linskey, the former Boston police chief, said that if enough officers are out of commission, many incidents, other than the most urgent, would need to be handled by phone. A police chief could end up driving a patrol car.
Some precautions to limit contact with the public could start now, Linskey said, such as pulling over drivers only for egregious violations and letting others off with a warning delivered through a car window.
Above all, Linskey said, police need proper equipment so they feel protected from the virus — something that the shortage of protective masks has thrown into doubt. If they don’t feel safe, they might pull back on making arrests or getting physically close to people who need help.
“If they don’t have a mask, they’re not going to rush in there, and that could be life or death for someone,” Linskey said.
Dispatcher Jennifer Middleton handles 911 calls in downtown Los Angeles, asking questions about travel and symptoms to identify possible coronavirus cases. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
At L.A. Fire Department headquarters last week, officials exchanged elbow bumps and opened doors with their forearms to avoid touching the handles.
A spokesman, Capt. Erik Scott, demonstrated the equipment the department’s 3,400 firefighters and paramedics in the field already have on hand for fires and biohazards, including P-100 masks and surgical gowns.
On three occasions, LAFD firefighters have taken coronavirus patients to the hospital but did not have to be quarantined because they were wearing masks and gowns.
But a woman with respiratory issues at Union Station on March 2 was not flagged by a dispatcher as a possible coronavirus case because she had not traveled to hotspots for the disease. Six firefighters who assisted her were not wearing the full set of protective gear and were put into home quarantine on March 13, after she tested positive.
At a department gym, where employees have been instructed to wear long-sleeved garments to minimize sweat droplets and wipe down equipment after using it, much of the talk was about the virus, Scott said. But there was no panic.
L.A. Fire Capt. Erik Scott demonstrates how fire trucks are deployed throughout the city. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times)
“They see some of the worst things possible, so they tend to take it in stride more than most,” Scott said.
Last Wednesday, Lt. Geoffrey Deedrick briefed L.A. County sheriff’s deputies on hygiene as they prepared to educate homeless people about the virus.
They should keep their distance, he said, refraining from their customary embraces and backslapping with people they had come to know well.
But heeding his own advice wasn’t easy. Along the San Gabriel River in El Monte, he ran into a homeless woman named Rebecca whom he hadn’t seen in years.
“You taught me a lot. I think about you often,” Deedrick said. They hugged.
Deputy Michael Tadrous wore an N-95 mask while driving his all-terrain vehicle — but to keep out dirt, not the virus.
He advised Belinda Romero, 57, not to share cigarettes or cups, handing her three bottles of water. Other outreach workers gave Romero some toiletries and told her to stay six feet away from people.
Tadrous is not scared of the virus. Nor, he said, are many homeless people.
“They’re just like, ‘We’ve been through worse,’” he said.
Times staff writers Rong-Gong Lin, Leila Miller, Soumya Karlamangla, Melody Gutierrez, Alex Wigglesworth and Ben Poston contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-17--He gave his wife CPR as she died after contracting coronavirus. Officials won't test him

After more than 30 years in advertising , Loretta and Roddy celebrated their retirement with a trip .
They left their home in Orlando , Fla. , for the Philippines on Feb. 4 .
At one point , they traveled to Thailand .
They had layovers in Seoul on the way to the Philippines and the way back to the U.S. On March 8 , they flew into Los Angeles International Airport .
They planned to stay at Roddy ’ s sister ’ s house in Walnut for two nights and then fly back to Florida on March 10 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately tragic tale of missed signals and bureaucratic stumbling blocks that have shattered the couple ’ s lives and family .
Loretta , 68 , a breast cancer survivor and diabetic , was exhausted after the trip , and the couple wanted to rest and readjust to the U.S. time zone .
But on March 9 , their children couldn ’ t get ahold of them until late in the afternoon .
“ My dad texted me and my brother and said that he couldn ’ t wake up mom , ” their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing I remember from the text was him saying my mother didn ’ t have a pulse , ” said Rem , their son , at whose home they lived in Florida .
Roddy tried to revive his wife of 45 years by performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions .
Then he called 911 , and an ambulance rushed her to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center .
When she arrived , Loretta was unresponsive but had a weak pulse .
Hospital workers intubated her and gave her drugs to keep her heart beating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , her family said .
She was placed in isolation , and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health greenlighted testing for the coronavirus .
Loretta died at 2:57 a.m. March 10 .
The next day , officials told her family that her test results were positive .
Her death was the first to be reported connected to the virus in L.A. County .
But to the family ’ s shock , the county Department of Public Health did not recommend that 72-year-old Roddy be tested .
When he arrived at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated and questioned but then discharged .
Even after Loretta ’ s test results came back positive , a doctor from the department told the family that it wasn ’ t enough for him to have had close contact with a confirmed case of the virus — he must also show symptoms himself , the family said .
“ What ’ s really frustrating is the fact that this is a man who was as close as you can get to the virus and we ’ re struggling with trying to get him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , Roddy has been ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days at his sister ’ s house , while his family was told to wait and see if he becomes ill. “ I can ’ t wait , ” Rowena said .
“ I can ’ t lose both parents in one week.
” The family asked that their last names not be used for fear of being shunned or targeted .
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said patient privacy laws prevent it from discussing specific cases .
But Bernard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email that “ all close contacts of confirmed cases are tested if they have any symptoms of respiratory illness.
” The ordeal shows how constraints on testing have caused officials to perform painful and exacting triage , while patients and their loved ones must navigate a maze of bureaucracy to make informed decisions about their care .
In L.A. County and elsewhere in the U.S. , testing has been limited by a shortage of test kits and some chemicals used to process the tests , as well as limited laboratory capacity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health to approve sending a specimen to the county Public Health Laboratory for testing , a person must either have a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness and close contact with a confirmed case or work in healthcare ; have symptoms requiring hospitalization and a history of travel or certain imaging results ; or be part of a cluster of acute respiratory illness within a group living setting like a nursing home or homeless shelter , according to guidelines published by the county Department of Public Health .
If patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s criteria for testing , a provider can work directly with a commercial lab to have a test processed there , which gives physicians more leeway to use their clinical judgment in making the decision .
But the Department of Public Health still recommends they do so only when a patient has a fever and respiratory symptoms , as well as a risk of exposure .
“ I think what it basically comes down to is that the people who really need things aren ’ t getting them , ” said Cathrina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who need the tests aren ’ t getting them .
There ’ s no proper triage in action.
” Roddy , who is a non-insulin-dependent diabetic and takes medication for a cardiovascular condition , is now running a low-grade fever , but his temperature is still not high enough for it to be considered a symptom , his family said .
“ Just the other night , I talked to him .
...
It ’ s probably the first time he opened up to me about how he was feeling , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him say he was confused , he feels so alone and he just wants to come home , it hit really hard.
” “ You ’ re talking about a man that just lost his wife .
... We ’ ve never experienced anything like this .
This is a pandemic that can do this to anybody.
” In another wrinkle , Roddy ’ s primary care physician is in Orlando .
When his family called her and asked her to order testing , she said that she would be required to administer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one to the L.A. area .
The family also contacted the hospital where Loretta died and asked officials there to have Roddy tested .
Hospital staffers said that test kits were scarce there , too , and they could do so only if Roddy were hospitalized in critical condition , the family said .
“ The hospital told me and his primary care physician told me , you have to come to terms with the fact that your dad probably has the virus but we can not do anything about it because there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give him supportive care , ” Rowena said .
However , the family was told that he could receive supportive care only if he tested positive — a frustrating hurdle since he isn ’ t eligible for testing .
The situation became even more urgent Friday .
Roddy ’ s sister and her husband , who had traveled with Roddy and Loretta for part of their trip , were scheduled to return from the Philippines on a flight to LAX .
Fearing the couple also could be sick , Roddy ’ s children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health 24 hours in advance with the couple ’ s names and birthdates , their airline and when they ’ d arrive .
Public health officials told them the couple would be flagged at the airport and that federal workers would screen them for symptoms of the virus , Roddy ’ s children said .
No such screening took place .
The couple instead got into a taxi and returned to their home , joining Roddy in quarantine , the family said .
All three of them are now self-isolating in Walnut under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health , which sends a nurse to take their temperature each day .
For the family , the mountain of red tape has piled onto a heap of troubles .
After officials announced L.A. County ’ s first coronavirus death at a press conference Wednesday , someone posted to social media Loretta ’ s full name and the address in Walnut where she had been staying , and where Roddy was in quarantine .
The Sheriff ’ s Department had to assign deputies to monitor the house to ensure it was not targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also had trouble getting much-needed supplies , like Lysol , delivered because websites were sold out and online delivery services were overwhelmed .
Then a crematorium refused to pick up Loretta ’ s body , saying it hadn ’ t received clearance from the Department of Public Health .
Several phone calls revealed that to be a miscommunication , the family said .
Her body has since been released , but the family is waiting until Roddy is released from quarantine to plan a funeral .
The family emphasized that medical personnel at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as have the nurses and epidemiologists from the Department of Public Health .
“ The people who are the boots on the ground are caring and supportive and want to help in every way they can , but they don ’ t have the resources to help everyone they come in contact with , ” Cathrina said .
“ The big issue is whoever is managing however these tests are distributed ... is not aligned with those who truly need the help.
” By Sunday , Roddy ’ s brother-in-law was running a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health had recommended that he be tested , the family said .
But Roddy ’ s temperature was 99 , still not enough to trigger the recommendation , they said .
Their vacation had been a homecoming of sorts for Roddy and Loretta .
The two had met in art school in the Philippines , where they were both born , and moved together to the U.S. to escape martial law imposed on the country in the 1970s .
In retirement , they had planned to become “ snowbirds , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s home in Orlando , Rowena ’ s home in South Carolina , and trips both domestic and overseas .
Now , as their loved ones await the daily updates from Roddy ’ s nurse , the thought of their father in isolation as he grieves the loss of his wife is almost too much to bear .
“ He loved her so much and I can ’ t even imagine those days where he has to mourn by himself without any of us in quarantine , ” Rowena said , her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been such a nightmare and to add all these other things on top of it , it ’ s just absolute insanity .
We just want him to come home .
”

After more than 30 years in advertising, Loretta and Roddy celebrated their retirement with a trip.
They left their home in Orlando, Fla., for the Philippines on Feb. 4. At one point, they traveled to Thailand. They had layovers in Seoul on the way to the Philippines and the way back to the U.S.
On March 8, they flew into Los Angeles International Airport. They planned to stay at Roddy’s sister’s house in Walnut for two nights and then fly back to Florida on March 10.
What happened next is a nightmarish and ultimately tragic tale of missed signals and bureaucratic stumbling blocks that have shattered the couple’s lives and family.
Loretta, 68, a breast cancer survivor and diabetic, was exhausted after the trip, and the couple wanted to rest and readjust to the U.S. time zone.
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But on March 9, their children couldn’t get ahold of them until late in the afternoon.
“My dad texted me and my brother and said that he couldn’t wake up mom,” their daughter Rowena said.
“The only thing I remember from the text was him saying my mother didn’t have a pulse,” said Rem, their son, at whose home they lived in Florida.
Roddy tried to revive his wife of 45 years by performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions. Then he called 911, and an ambulance rushed her to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
When she arrived, Loretta was unresponsive but had a weak pulse. Hospital workers intubated her and gave her drugs to keep her heart beating. She went into cardiac arrest four times, her family said.
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She was placed in isolation, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health greenlighted testing for the coronavirus.
Loretta died at 2:57 a.m. March 10. The next day, officials told her family that her test results were positive. Her death was the first to be reported connected to the virus in L.A. County.
But to the family’s shock, the county Department of Public Health did not recommend that 72-year-old Roddy be tested. When he arrived at the hospital March 9, he was isolated and questioned but then discharged.
California California asks Navy for coronavirus support The latest updates from our reporters in California and around the world
Even after Loretta’s test results came back positive, a doctor from the department told the family that it wasn’t enough for him to have had close contact with a confirmed case of the virus — he must also show symptoms himself, the family said.
“What’s really frustrating is the fact that this is a man who was as close as you can get to the virus and we’re struggling with trying to get him properly tested,” Rem said.
Instead, Roddy has been ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days at his sister’s house, while his family was told to wait and see if he becomes ill.
“I can’t wait,” Rowena said. “I can’t lose both parents in one week.”
The family asked that their last names not be used for fear of being shunned or targeted.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said patient privacy laws prevent it from discussing specific cases. But Bernard Tolliver, a spokesman, said in an email that “all close contacts of confirmed cases are tested if they have any symptoms of respiratory illness.”
The ordeal shows how constraints on testing have caused officials to perform painful and exacting triage, while patients and their loved ones must navigate a maze of bureaucracy to make informed decisions about their care.
In L.A. County and elsewhere in the U.S., testing has been limited by a shortage of test kits and some chemicals used to process the tests, as well as limited laboratory capacity to process them.
In order for the Department of Public Health to approve sending a specimen to the county Public Health Laboratory for testing, a person must either have a fever or symptoms of respiratory illness and close contact with a confirmed case or work in healthcare; have symptoms requiring hospitalization and a history of travel or certain imaging results; or be part of a cluster of acute respiratory illness within a group living setting like a nursing home or homeless shelter, according to guidelines published by the county Department of Public Health.
If patients don’t fit the county’s criteria for testing, a provider can work directly with a commercial lab to have a test processed there, which gives physicians more leeway to use their clinical judgment in making the decision. But the Department of Public Health still recommends they do so only when a patient has a fever and respiratory symptoms, as well as a risk of exposure.
“I think what it basically comes down to is that the people who really need things aren’t getting them,” said Cathrina, Rem’s wife. “The people who need the tests aren’t getting them. There’s no proper triage in action.”
Roddy, who is a non-insulin-dependent diabetic and takes medication for a cardiovascular condition, is now running a low-grade fever, but his temperature is still not high enough for it to be considered a symptom, his family said.
“Just the other night, I talked to him. ... It’s probably the first time he opened up to me about how he was feeling,” Rem said. “And to hear him say he was confused, he feels so alone and he just wants to come home, it hit really hard.”
“You’re talking about a man that just lost his wife. ... We’ve never experienced anything like this. This is a pandemic that can do this to anybody.”
In another wrinkle, Roddy’s primary care physician is in Orlando. When his family called her and asked her to order testing, she said that she would be required to administer the test herself and could not send one to the L.A. area.
The family also contacted the hospital where Loretta died and asked officials there to have Roddy tested. Hospital staffers said that test kits were scarce there, too, and they could do so only if Roddy were hospitalized in critical condition, the family said.
“The hospital told me and his primary care physician told me, you have to come to terms with the fact that your dad probably has the virus but we cannot do anything about it because there is no cure and we can only give him supportive care,” Rowena said.
However, the family was told that he could receive supportive care only if he tested positive — a frustrating hurdle since he isn’t eligible for testing.
The situation became even more urgent Friday. Roddy’s sister and her husband, who had traveled with Roddy and Loretta for part of their trip, were scheduled to return from the Philippines on a flight to LAX.
Fearing the couple also could be sick, Roddy’s children said they notified the Department of Public Health 24 hours in advance with the couple’s names and birthdates, their airline and when they’d arrive. Public health officials told them the couple would be flagged at the airport and that federal workers would screen them for symptoms of the virus, Roddy’s children said.
No such screening took place. The couple instead got into a taxi and returned to their home, joining Roddy in quarantine, the family said.
All three of them are now self-isolating in Walnut under the supervision of the Department of Public Health, which sends a nurse to take their temperature each day.
For the family, the mountain of red tape has piled onto a heap of troubles.
After officials announced L.A. County’s first coronavirus death at a press conference Wednesday, someone posted to social media Loretta’s full name and the address in Walnut where she had been staying, and where Roddy was in quarantine. The Sheriff’s Department had to assign deputies to monitor the house to ensure it was not targeted, the family said.
The children also had trouble getting much-needed supplies, like Lysol, delivered because websites were sold out and online delivery services were overwhelmed.
Then a crematorium refused to pick up Loretta’s body, saying it hadn’t received clearance from the Department of Public Health. Several phone calls revealed that to be a miscommunication, the family said.
Her body has since been released, but the family is waiting until Roddy is released from quarantine to plan a funeral.
The family emphasized that medical personnel at the hospital have been extremely helpful, as have the nurses and epidemiologists from the Department of Public Health.
“The people who are the boots on the ground are caring and supportive and want to help in every way they can, but they don’t have the resources to help everyone they come in contact with,” Cathrina said. “The big issue is whoever is managing however these tests are distributed ... is not aligned with those who truly need the help.”
By Sunday, Roddy’s brother-in-law was running a fever of 99.8, and the Department of Public Health had recommended that he be tested, the family said. But Roddy’s temperature was 99, still not enough to trigger the recommendation, they said.
Their vacation had been a homecoming of sorts for Roddy and Loretta. The two had met in art school in the Philippines, where they were both born, and moved together to the U.S. to escape martial law imposed on the country in the 1970s. In retirement, they had planned to become “snowbirds,” splitting their time between Cathrina and Rem’s home in Orlando, Rowena’s home in South Carolina, and trips both domestic and overseas.
Now, as their loved ones await the daily updates from Roddy’s nurse, the thought of their father in isolation as he grieves the loss of his wife is almost too much to bear.
“He loved her so much and I can’t even imagine those days where he has to mourn by himself without any of us in quarantine,” Rowena said, her voice catching. “This has all been such a nightmare and to add all these other things on top of it, it’s just absolute insanity. We just want him to come home.”


latimes--2020-03-17--2 plead guilty in 2015 shooting death of Downey police officer

Two men accused of fatally shooting a Downey police officer in a botched robbery attempt pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and several other felonies related to a series of crimes committed over three months in 2015 , Los Angeles County prosecutors said .
Steven Knott , 22 , of Montebello pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and attempted robbery for opening fire on Officer Ricardo “ Ricky ” Galvez as he sat in his personal car in the police station parking lot on Nov. 18 , 2015 .
Jeremy Anthony Alvarez , 25 , pleaded guilty to a count of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the slaying , prosecutors said .
The duo , who are half-brothers , also pleaded guilty to charges arising from an attempted murder in Montebello on Oct. 18 , 2015 , and shooting at an inhabited dwelling in South Gate on Sept. 17 , 2015 , as well as a takeover robbery of two victims at a Bellflower cellphone store and a street robbery in Paramount shortly before Galvez was killed , prosecutors said .
The pair admitted to making multiple firearms enhancements and to allegations that the crimes were committed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gang .
Knott and Alvarez face 50 years to life and 30 years to life in state prison , respectively .
They are expected to be sentenced on April 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court .
Galvez , a former Marine and five-year veteran of the Downey Police Department , was sitting in his personal car dressed in plainclothes after working with the department ’ s K-9 team when he was fatally shot .
Alvarez , the getaway driver , was arrested after a wild pursuit involving a Downey police officer who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parking lot and began chasing the Nissan Altima .
Knott and a 16-year-old boy were arrested the next morning .
The teenager subsequently admitted a Juvenile Court petition charging him with Galvez ’ s murder , a robbery and an attempted robbery .
He faces confinement in a state juvenile facility until he is 25 .
Downey police Lt. Brian Baker testified during a hearing in 2017 that he walked out to the parking lot to investigate what happened after speaking on the phone with another officer , who had chased the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lieutenant said he did not initially recognize Galvez or his car , and only realized that the victim was his colleague after looking through the vehicle ’ s windshield .
“ That ’ s when I recognized it was Ricky .
When I recognized him , I couldn ’ t believe what I was seeing , ” Baker said .
Baker said he saw the BMW running and noticed a bullet hole in the driver ’ s side window , then directed a sergeant to break the passenger window of the locked car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dead .
When he was shown a photograph from surveillance camera footage in the parking lot , the teenager admitted that he and Knott had approached the BMW — one from each side — while Alvarez remained inside the Nissan Altima , Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Richard Biddle testified in 2017 .
The teenager subsequently was tape-recorded in jailhouse conversations in which he admitted to being involved in the crime and saying that the three formulated a plan to rob Galvez , but that the gun had gone @ @ @ @ @ @

An honor guard carries the coffin of slain Downey Police Officer Ricardo Galvez at his funeral service at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Los Angeles on Nov. 30, 2015.
Two men accused of fatally shooting a Downey police officer in a botched robbery attempt pleaded guilty on Monday to murder and several other felonies related to a series of crimes committed over three months in 2015, Los Angeles County prosecutors said.
Steven Knott, 22, of Montebello pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and attempted robbery for opening fire on Officer Ricardo “Ricky” Galvez as he sat in his personal car in the police station parking lot on Nov. 18, 2015. Jeremy Anthony Alvarez, 25, pleaded guilty to a count of second-degree murder and attempted robbery in connection with the slaying, prosecutors said.
The duo, who are half-brothers, also pleaded guilty to charges arising from an attempted murder in Montebello on Oct. 18, 2015, and shooting at an inhabited dwelling in South Gate on Sept. 17, 2015, as well as a takeover robbery of two victims at a Bellflower cellphone store and a street robbery in Paramount shortly before Galvez was killed, prosecutors said.
The pair admitted to making multiple firearms enhancements and to allegations that the crimes were committed in association with members of a criminal street gang.
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Knott and Alvarez face 50 years to life and 30 years to life in state prison, respectively. They are expected to be sentenced on April 17 in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Galvez, a former Marine and five-year veteran of the Downey Police Department, was sitting in his personal car dressed in plainclothes after working with the department’s K-9 team when he was fatally shot.
Alvarez, the getaway driver, was arrested after a wild pursuit involving a Downey police officer who heard the gunshot in the area of the parking lot and began chasing the Nissan Altima. Knott and a 16-year-old boy were arrested the next morning.
The teenager subsequently admitted a Juvenile Court petition charging him with Galvez’s murder, a robbery and an attempted robbery. He faces confinement in a state juvenile facility until he is 25.
Downey police Lt. Brian Baker testified during a hearing in 2017 that he walked out to the parking lot to investigate what happened after speaking on the phone with another officer, who had chased the light-colored Altima to Montebello.
The police lieutenant said he did not initially recognize Galvez or his car, and only realized that the victim was his colleague after looking through the vehicle’s windshield.
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“That’s when I recognized it was Ricky. When I recognized him, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” Baker said.
Baker said he saw the BMW running and noticed a bullet hole in the driver’s side window, then directed a sergeant to break the passenger window of the locked car. The sergeant determined that the officer was dead.
When he was shown a photograph from surveillance camera footage in the parking lot, the teenager admitted that he and Knott had approached the BMW — one from each side — while Alvarez remained inside the Nissan Altima, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Richard Biddle testified in 2017.
The teenager subsequently was tape-recorded in jailhouse conversations in which he admitted to being involved in the crime and saying that the three formulated a plan to rob Galvez, but that the gun had gone off accidentally, Biddle said.
City News Service contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-03-17--Worker at Redondo Beach assisted-living facility has coronavirus; two residents are sick

A staff member who had “ flu-like symptoms ” at a Redondo Beach assisted-living community has been diagnosed with the coronavirus , and two residents were hospitalized “ with fever and respiratory symptoms , ” the company that runs the facility confirmed Tuesday .
A statement from the Kensington Redondo Beach assisted-living community said the staff member reported symptoms on March 6 and was sent home .
The employee has since been hospitalized , placed on paid medical leave “ and will not return to the community until after they have been cleared by a doctor , ” the facility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalized have not been confirmed with a diagnosis , and the statement said no other residents were showing any symptoms .
The supervisor of the employee diagnosed with coronavirus was also displaying “ flu-like ” symptoms and has been instructed to self-quarantine and refrain from returning to work for at least 14 days , the statement said .
Administrators are developing a list of all residents and employees who were in contact with the diagnosed employee .
Meanwhile , all staff are being tested for fevers upon arrival each day , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deep cleaning , the statement said .
“ We have asked families not to visit or take residents out into the community , ” said Robert May , executive director of the Kensington Redondo Beach .
“ We have canceled off-campus doctor ’ s appointments for residents unless they are urgent .
Our teams are getting creative and setting up virtual ways for residents and family members to connect in lieu of in-person visits .
They can arrange for these virtual visits through Facetime or video chats.
” Last week , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility died of the coronavirus , sparking fears of an outbreak among other residents of the facility and renewing concerns about statewide availability of testing kits to detect the virus .

A staff member who had “flu-like symptoms” at a Redondo Beach assisted-living community has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, and two residents were hospitalized “with fever and respiratory symptoms,” the company that runs the facility confirmed Tuesday.
A statement from the Kensington Redondo Beach assisted-living community said the staff member reported symptoms on March 6 and was sent home. The employee has since been hospitalized, placed on paid medical leave “and will not return to the community until after they have been cleared by a doctor,” the facility said.
The two residents who were hospitalized have not been confirmed with a diagnosis, and the statement said no other residents were showing any symptoms. The supervisor of the employee diagnosed with coronavirus was also displaying “flu-like” symptoms and has been instructed to self-quarantine and refrain from returning to work for at least 14 days, the statement said.
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Administrators are developing a list of all residents and employees who were in contact with the diagnosed employee. Meanwhile, all staff are being tested for fevers upon arrival each day, and the sites where the employee worked are undergoing a deep cleaning, the statement said.
“We have asked families not to visit or take residents out into the community,” said Robert May, executive director of the Kensington Redondo Beach. “We have canceled off-campus doctor’s appointments for residents unless they are urgent. Our teams are getting creative and setting up virtual ways for residents and family members to connect in lieu of in-person visits. They can arrange for these virtual visits through Facetime or video chats.”
Last week, an elderly patient in a northern California assisted-living facility died of the coronavirus, sparking fears of an outbreak among other residents of the facility and renewing concerns about statewide availability of testing kits to detect the virus.


latimes--2020-03-17--As the coronavirus grabbed hold, we all got sick at home. It could have been much worse.

Kids , as we know , are notorious for bringing home bugs .
Colds , coughs , stomach viruses , contagious skin infections that flourish like red sores around tiny noses and mouths .
With two children under 6 , we ’ ve weathered it all .
Still , I dreaded the thought that one day a bug so mighty would come along and conquer one or both parents .
This month , of all months , we lived out that fear — just as the global coronavirus pandemic grabbed hold worldwide .
A day after the first U.S. death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3-year-old son began to struggle with a dry cough , runny nose and congestion .
Then , just as a virus-struck cruise ship was held out at sea , my husband got hit with body aches , fatigue , headaches and a painful sore throat .
And finally , as officials began to cancel big gatherings like music festivals and sports games , my 6-year-old daughter , who had been battling an itchy throat , came down with a nasty cough and light fevers .
Each day and night , I moved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fluids , Tylenol and cough medicine .
I checked temperatures , cleared nasal passages , lathered chests and noses with Vick ’ s VapoRub .
All the while , I kept thinking , as I drank my daily dose of Vitamin C : Don ’ t get sick .
Please .
Don ’ t .
Get .
Sick .
My colleagues at the L.A. Times were working around the clock to cover the big story .
Their reports made it abundantly clear that this virus was only going to get worse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ older folks .
In other words , our parents and grandparents .
We made a decision early on to not risk it and to distance ourselves from them .
That meant our village , the loved ones we rely on when we need them most , was instantly out of reach .
I kept myself informed and did what I could to prepare us .
I wiped down surfaces with a mix of water and bleach .
I made stockpile runs to Target , grocery stores and drugstores .
I searched in vain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I had a good laugh , amid all the stress , when I found a guy on Craigslist eager to unload two masks , two hand sanitizers and a huge 50 oz .
bottle of antibacterial hand soap .
“ Not looking for cash just hoping to trade for a good bottle of whiskey…or tequila ( Don Julio 1942 ) , ” he wrote in his post just below his loot .
“ I can meet you at the liquor store if you want.
” I appreciated his offer , but there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him up on it .
By late last week , as Los Angeles schools announced they would shut down , my husband began to recover , along with our kids .
By then , we had been battling the bug as a family for two weeks .
Just then , as nature would have it , it was clear my turn had come .
I spent several days fighting a stubborn cough that left me out of breath and at times wheezing .
It was difficult to speak , uncomfortable to even sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my chest and throat .
Quietly , I worried .
I knew COVID-19 was largely a respiratory issue causing shortness of breath , cough and fever .
I thought of the hundreds of people I ’ d floated side by side with in the stores , of someone I recently interviewed who had traveled , of every surface I ’ d touched and then come home and perhaps not washed my hands well enough .
I called Kaiser and waited on hold for an advice nurse for nearly two hours .
“ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon as possible , ” the man on the phone told me after asking a series of questions .
I felt myself wince as he made the suggestion .
“ What are we going to do if I have this thing ?
” I told my husband .
“ What if you don ’ t and you get it from someone there ?
” he said .
We knew there was no way around it .
As I drove to urgent care , gloves on , mask on , I braced myself for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d be in a room full of sick people , not knowing how many might be infected .
Don ’ t stand next to anyone .
Don ’ t touch anything .
Get out of there as fast you can .
When I pulled into the parking structure of Kaiser ’ s Pasadena location , I was relieved to find myself escorted by a security guard into a scene similar to those up north , in hard-hit places like Washington and Northern California .
Patients with cold symptoms , it turns out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doctors and nurses had transformed the structure ’ s first floor into a drive-through triage set-up — with orange traffic cones , bright lights , folding tables and medical supplies .
Wearing hazmat suits , surgery gear , protective eye gear and masks , they ushered in patients along two lanes of traffic .
About half a dozen people waited in their cars .
Many had sore throats , fevers , coughs .
Those potentially carrying the virus were referred to Kaiser ’ s Sunset location for testing .
( Officials said those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the virus need to call the appointment center before coming in to any Kaiser location . )
A nurse took my vitals , then a doctor with a thick mustache waved me through and had me step out of the car .
He was warm and reassuring as he moved quickly to check my throat , ears and lungs .
Because I had not had any fever and my oxygen levels were good , he ruled out COVID-19 as a possibility .
“ You have bronchitis , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so glad , ” I said , relieved .
A nurse hooked me up to a nebulizer to breathe medicine into my lungs .
Moments later , a pharmacist walked up to my car with an inhaler and all my medications .
I drove home feeling grateful for every one of those health workers .
More than ever , my family is committed to staying put at home , for as long we need to .
As I settled on the couch , under the warm blankets , my kids cuddled up beside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take care of Mama , ” my husband told them .

Kids, as we know, are notorious for bringing home bugs.
Colds, coughs, stomach viruses, contagious skin infections that flourish like red sores around tiny noses and mouths. With two children under 6, we’ve weathered it all.
Still, I dreaded the thought that one day a bug so mighty would come along and conquer one or both parents.
This month, of all months, we lived out that fear — just as the global coronavirus pandemic grabbed hold worldwide.
A day after the first U.S. death was announced in Washington state, my 3-year-old son began to struggle with a dry cough, runny nose and congestion. Then, just as a virus-struck cruise ship was held out at sea, my husband got hit with body aches, fatigue, headaches and a painful sore throat.
Advertisement
And finally, as officials began to cancel big gatherings like music festivals and sports games, my 6-year-old daughter, who had been battling an itchy throat, came down with a nasty cough and light fevers.
Each day and night, I moved in an exhausted fog from bed to bed with fluids, Tylenol and cough medicine. I checked temperatures, cleared nasal passages, lathered chests and noses with Vick’s VapoRub.
All the while, I kept thinking, as I drank my daily dose of Vitamin C: Don’t get sick. Please. Don’t. Get. Sick.
My colleagues at the L.A. Times were working around the clock to cover the big story. Their reports made it abundantly clear that this virus was only going to get worse. And the most vulnerable among us were older folks. In other words, our parents and grandparents.
We made a decision early on to not risk it and to distance ourselves from them. That meant our village, the loved ones we rely on when we need them most, was instantly out of reach.
I kept myself informed and did what I could to prepare us. I wiped down surfaces with a mix of water and bleach. I made stockpile runs to Target, grocery stores and drugstores. I searched in vain for disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer. I had a good laugh, amid all the stress, when I found a guy on Craigslist eager to unload two masks, two hand sanitizers and a huge 50 oz. bottle of antibacterial hand soap.
Advertisement
“Not looking for cash just hoping to trade for a good bottle of whiskey…or tequila (Don Julio 1942),” he wrote in his post just below his loot. “I can meet you at the liquor store if you want.”
I appreciated his offer, but there was no chance I was going to take him up on it.
By late last week, as Los Angeles schools announced they would shut down, my husband began to recover, along with our kids. By then, we had been battling the bug as a family for two weeks.
Just then, as nature would have it, it was clear my turn had come.
I spent several days fighting a stubborn cough that left me out of breath and at times wheezing. It was difficult to speak, uncomfortable to even sit still, as pressure pushed down on my chest and throat.
Quietly, I worried. I knew COVID-19 was largely a respiratory issue causing shortness of breath, cough and fever.
I thought of the hundreds of people I’d floated side by side with in the stores, of someone I recently interviewed who had traveled, of every surface I’d touched and then come home and perhaps not washed my hands well enough.
I called Kaiser and waited on hold for an advice nurse for nearly two hours.
“You need to go to urgent care as soon as possible,” the man on the phone told me after asking a series of questions.
I felt myself wince as he made the suggestion.
“What are we going to do if I have this thing?” I told my husband.
“What if you don’t and you get it from someone there?” he said.
We knew there was no way around it. As I drove to urgent care, gloves on, mask on, I braced myself for a likely possibility: that I’d be in a room full of sick people, not knowing how many might be infected. Don’t stand next to anyone. Don’t touch anything. Get out of there as fast you can.
When I pulled into the parking structure of Kaiser’s Pasadena location, I was relieved to find myself escorted by a security guard into a scene similar to those up north, in hard-hit places like Washington and Northern California.
Patients with cold symptoms, it turns out, were being treated in their cars.
Doctors and nurses had transformed the structure’s first floor into a drive-through triage set-up — with orange traffic cones, bright lights, folding tables and medical supplies. Wearing hazmat suits, surgery gear, protective eye gear and masks, they ushered in patients along two lanes of traffic.
About half a dozen people waited in their cars. Many had sore throats, fevers, coughs. Those potentially carrying the virus were referred to Kaiser’s Sunset location for testing. (Officials said those who suspect they’ve been exposed to the virus need to call the appointment center before coming in to any Kaiser location.)
A nurse took my vitals, then a doctor with a thick mustache waved me through and had me step out of the car. He was warm and reassuring as he moved quickly to check my throat, ears and lungs. Because I had not had any fever and my oxygen levels were good, he ruled out COVID-19 as a possibility.
“You have bronchitis,” he said.
“Bronchitis?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Oh my God. I’m so glad,” I said, relieved.
A nurse hooked me up to a nebulizer to breathe medicine into my lungs. Moments later, a pharmacist walked up to my car with an inhaler and all my medications. I drove home feeling grateful for every one of those health workers.
More than ever, my family is committed to staying put at home, for as long we need to. As I settled on the couch, under the warm blankets, my kids cuddled up beside me.
“Now we need all to take care of Mama,” my husband told them.


latimes--2020-03-17--O.C. sheriff closes station lobbies, reduces deputies' public contact due to coronavirus

In response to the coronavirus outbreak , Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes on Tuesday moved to decrease deputies ’ contact with the public , closing front lobbies of stations and reducing the circumstances of taking in-person police reports and suspending visits to the jails .
“ Our foremost responsibility is to keep the community safe , while implementing precautionary measures to safeguard the health of the public who rely on our service and the members of the department who respond to their call , ” Barnes said .
In addition to closing front lobbies and substations , all volunteer programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contract cities and those provided by jail volunteers .
Barnes is directing patrol deputies to use discretion in responding to calls for services that require social contact .
Where possible , deputies will call reporting parties and take necessary reports over the phone .
Community service officers and motor deputies will not respond to non-injury traffic collisions unless vehicles are disabled in the roadway or creating a hazard .
Public jail visiting is suspended , and inmates are provided two free five-minute phone calls per week .
Inmates are also being screened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Care Agency ’ s Correctional Health Services .
All training at the Sheriff ’ s Regional Training Academy is suspended .
“ We are being proactive in limiting our actions to mission-critical activities at this unprecedented time , ” Barnes said .
“ We will constantly reevaluate these measures and intend to return to full service as soon as it is reasonably safe .
“ These temporary changes are necessary , enabling us to provide those services that are critical to keep the community safe .
We are here , and will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move comes as the Los Angeles Police Department will shift half the detectives working in its community stations to daily patrol in order Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement Monday evening , saying that the city ’ s detectives will start working on the streets to “ help supplement our patrol officers.
” Some detectives already are out there , the mayor said , to “ make sure that any challenges that arise in our neighborhoods and grocery stores ” are dealt with and to help people “ feel secure in the city @ @

“Our foremost responsibility is to keep the community safe, while implementing precautionary measures to safeguard the health of the public who rely on our service and the members of the department who respond to their call,” Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said.
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes on Tuesday moved to decrease deputies’ contact with the public, closing front lobbies of stations and reducing the circumstances of taking in-person police reports and suspending visits to the jails.
“Our foremost responsibility is to keep the community safe, while implementing precautionary measures to safeguard the health of the public who rely on our service and the members of the department who respond to their call,” Barnes said.
In addition to closing front lobbies and substations, all volunteer programs are suspended; this includes senior programs in contract cities and those provided by jail volunteers.
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Barnes is directing patrol deputies to use discretion in responding to calls for services that require social contact. Where possible, deputies will call reporting parties and take necessary reports over the phone.
Community service officers and motor deputies will not respond to non-injury traffic collisions unless vehicles are disabled in the roadway or creating a hazard.
Public jail visiting is suspended, and inmates are provided two free five-minute phone calls per week.
Inmates are also being screened for jail intake with the County Health Care Agency’s Correctional Health Services.
All training at the Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy is suspended.
“We are being proactive in limiting our actions to mission-critical activities at this unprecedented time,” Barnes said. “We will constantly reevaluate these measures and intend to return to full service as soon as it is reasonably safe.
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“These temporary changes are necessary, enabling us to provide those services that are critical to keep the community safe. We are here, and will continue to be here for you.”
The move comes as the Los Angeles Police Department will shift half the detectives working in its community stations to daily patrol in order to ensure public peace.
Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement Monday evening, saying that the city’s detectives will start working on the streets to “help supplement our patrol officers.” Some detectives already are out there, the mayor said, to “make sure that any challenges that arise in our neighborhoods and grocery stores” are dealt with and to help people “feel secure in the city.”


latimes--2020-03-17--Drizzle continues across Southern California as coronavirus keeps more people indoors

If social distancing from the coronavirus hasn ’ t forced Angelenos indoors this week , the persistent soggy weather that ’ s expected to continue in the coming days may keep them bundled up at home .
A chilly storm that at times dumped rain and dusted snow across Southern California over the past few days will provide a bit more drizzle on Tuesday on its way out of the region .
On and off showers that are expected to bring less than a quarter inch of rain are predicted to continue throughout the day with temperatures hovering in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kurt Kaplan , a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard .
While the sun is expected to break through the clouds on Wednesday , forecasters say it ’ ll still be chilly with temperatures lingering in the low 60s .
The drizzle will return briefly on Thursday and again by Sunday .
While forecast models aren ’ t certain about the strength of the weekend storm , there ’ s one thing that has become clear in the past week : “ The March miracle is well underway , ” Kaplan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rainy weather that helps bolster precipitation totals for the state after persistent dry conditions .
This storm and the one last week have combined to give Southern California a much-needed soaking after a bone-dry start to the year .
However , the region is still short of the normal level of rainfall .
By this time of year , downtown Los Angeles would typically have received about 12.5 inches of rain .
So far , about 10.12 inches has fallen .
At this time last year , downtown had received nearly 18 inches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re still a little bit behind , but we were well behind before , ” he said .
“ This is an improvement.
” The chilly storm is expected to keep snow levels down to the 3,000 to 4,000 feet range on Tuesday , which could provide some flurries over the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine area .
Snow that began falling in that area Monday night forced the Grapevine to close for about two hours .
While the snow isn ’ t expected to be as severe as Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell gets over that area , ” Kaplan said .
The series of chilly storms has also slightly boosted the Sierra snowpack which has dwindled in the past few months amid an underperforming rain season statewide .
However , the snowpack is still 44 % of its average for this time of year as of Monday .
While the rain and chilly weather may be a boost for the state ’ s water supply , individuals without access to reliable heat , such as Los Angeles ’ homeless population , may be struggling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread closures due to the coronavirus .
Public buildings like senior centers and libraries across Los Angeles County have closed , and restaurants are halting dine-in service .
However , the Los Angeles County Homeless Services Authority has a winter shelter program for single individuals .
The shelter hotline is ( 800 ) 548-6047 .
Newsom also announced over the weekend that the state ’ s 108,000 homeless people would be the top priority for mitigation policies , with a significant push to move them indoors .
Though details remained unclear , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could be used to provide shelter , along with an additional 450 state-owned trailers .

A jogger runs along the path at Will Rogers State Beach as storm clouds move onshore in Pacific Palisades earlier this month.
If social distancing from the coronavirus hasn’t forced Angelenos indoors this week, the persistent soggy weather that’s expected to continue in the coming days may keep them bundled up at home.
A chilly storm that at times dumped rain and dusted snow across Southern California over the past few days will provide a bit more drizzle on Tuesday on its way out of the region. On and off showers that are expected to bring less than a quarter inch of rain are predicted to continue throughout the day with temperatures hovering in the upper 50s and low 60s, said Kurt Kaplan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
While the sun is expected to break through the clouds on Wednesday, forecasters say it’ll still be chilly with temperatures lingering in the low 60s. The drizzle will return briefly on Thursday and again by Sunday.
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While forecast models aren’t certain about the strength of the weekend storm, there’s one thing that has become clear in the past week:
“The March miracle is well underway,” Kaplan said, referring to a month of rainy weather that helps bolster precipitation totals for the state after persistent dry conditions.
This storm and the one last week have combined to give Southern California a much-needed soaking after a bone-dry start to the year. However, the region is still short of the normal level of rainfall.
By this time of year, downtown Los Angeles would typically have received about 12.5 inches of rain. So far, about 10.12 inches has fallen. At this time last year, downtown had received nearly 18 inches of rain, Kaplan said.
“We’re still a little bit behind, but we were well behind before,” he said. “This is an improvement.”
The chilly storm is expected to keep snow levels down to the 3,000 to 4,000 feet range on Tuesday, which could provide some flurries over the 5 Freeway in the Grapevine area. Snow that began falling in that area Monday night forced the Grapevine to close for about two hours.
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While the snow isn’t expected to be as severe as Monday, “it could affect traffic if a cell gets over that area,” Kaplan said.
The series of chilly storms has also slightly boosted the Sierra snowpack which has dwindled in the past few months amid an underperforming rain season statewide. However, the snowpack is still 44% of its average for this time of year as of Monday.
While the rain and chilly weather may be a boost for the state’s water supply, individuals without access to reliable heat, such as Los Angeles’ homeless population, may be struggling to find warm places to congregate amid widespread closures due to the coronavirus. Public buildings like senior centers and libraries across Los Angeles County have closed, and restaurants are halting dine-in service.
However, the Los Angeles County Homeless Services Authority has a winter shelter program for single individuals. The shelter hotline is (800) 548-6047. Newsom also announced over the weekend that the state’s 108,000 homeless people would be the top priority for mitigation policies, with a significant push to move them indoors.
Though details remained unclear, he said the state had hotels and motels that could be used to provide shelter, along with an additional 450 state-owned trailers.


latimes--2020-03-17--Orange County businesses struggle as South Coast Plaza shuts down; coronavirus cases hit 22

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Orange County has risen to 22 as ongoing fears over the disease ’ s spread shuttered one of the nation ’ s busiest malls and continued to hammer local businesses .
The county ’ s total as of Monday— up five from the day before — includes four cases believed to have been spread through the community , according to the Orange County Health Care Agency .
Eight of the county ’ s COVID-19 patients are women , and the rest are men , health officials say .
Eleven are between the ages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 50 to 64 years old and four are at least 65 .
So far , 300 people have been tested in the county , officials said .
No deaths have been reported .
Fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak have hit the local business community hard in recent days , particularly as Gov .
Gavin Newsom and other elected and health officials have called for stringent social distancing , for restaurants to no longer allow dine-in customers and for the closure of communal venues like gyms , health clubs and movie theaters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plaza .
The renowned Costa Mesa shopping center closed Monday night and will remain so for two weeks after a store employee tested positive for the virus on Sunday night .
“ Our understanding that closures of public gathering places in Orange County are important for a chance to meaningfully stem this pandemic is the reason we took this action , ” mall spokeswoman Debra Gunn Downing said in a statement .
“ Although [ the employee testing positive ] is not the reason for the center ’ s closure , it reinforced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Other local businesses have started to feel the sting , too .
Jim Walker , who owns the Bungalow restaurant in Corona del Mar , said business was fine until last Monday .
Then it tanked by more than half , and he ’ s now operating at a loss amid a coronavirus-driven bust .
His lunch customers are working from home .
His dinner crowd trends older , and while his Long Beach establishment , Domenico ’ s Pizza , is able to offer takeout , the Bungalow ’ s upscale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that .
“ People typically don ’ t order a filet mignon to go , ” he said .
To cover his losses , he will need to make an additional $ 200,000 in revenue after business returns to normal , he said Monday .
He ’ s not sure that will be possible .
Or when things will return to normal .
Mario Marovic — who owns 11 restaurants around Orange County , including six in Newport Beach — said he ’ s consulted with county health officials , city officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with reduced capacity .
“ We ’ re on the front lines , ” he said Monday .
Tanya Low , who owns CJ Rose Fashion Boutique in Laguna Beach , said Monday afternoon that she had no customers since opening earlier in the day .
“ My husband and I were talking yesterday .
We ’ re not sure we ’ ll make it through this , ” Low said .
“ Coming into March , where we ’ re supposed to be able to cover the bills that we saved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not going to happen , ” Low added .
“ I think there ’ s so many small businesses that don ’ t make it .
I hope we ’ re not one of them .
”

Luke Money, Faith E. Pinho, Hillary Davis, Lilly Nguyen, Andrew Turner, Matt Szabo

Shoppers wear masks as they walk through South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Monday.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Orange County has risen to 22 as ongoing fears over the disease’s spread shuttered one of the nation’s busiest malls and continued to hammer local businesses.
The county’s total as of Monday— up five from the day before — includes four cases believed to have been spread through the community, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Eight of the county’s COVID-19 patients are women, and the rest are men, health officials say. Eleven are between the ages of 18 and 49; seven are from 50 to 64 years old and four are at least 65.
So far, 300 people have been tested in the county, officials said. No deaths have been reported.
Fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak have hit the local business community hard in recent days, particularly as Gov. Gavin Newsom and other elected and health officials have called for stringent social distancing, for restaurants to no longer allow dine-in customers and for the closure of communal venues like gyms, health clubs and movie theaters.
Among those now-shuttered spaces is South Coast Plaza. The renowned Costa Mesa shopping center closed Monday night and will remain so for two weeks after a store employee tested positive for the virus on Sunday night.
“Our understanding that closures of public gathering places in Orange County are important for a chance to meaningfully stem this pandemic is the reason we took this action,” mall spokeswoman Debra Gunn Downing said in a statement. “Although [the employee testing positive] is not the reason for the center’s closure, it reinforced the need for us to take action.”
Other local businesses have started to feel the sting, too.
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Jim Walker, who owns the Bungalow restaurant in Corona del Mar, said business was fine until last Monday. Then it tanked by more than half, and he’s now operating at a loss amid a coronavirus-driven bust.
His lunch customers are working from home. His dinner crowd trends older, and while his Long Beach establishment, Domenico’s Pizza, is able to offer takeout, the Bungalow’s upscale American fare doesn’t lend itself to that.
“People typically don’t order a filet mignon to go,” he said.
To cover his losses, he will need to make an additional $200,000 in revenue after business returns to normal, he said Monday. He’s not sure that will be possible. Or when things will return to normal.
Mario Marovic — who owns 11 restaurants around Orange County, including six in Newport Beach — said he’s consulted with county health officials, city officials and his attorneys and is staying open, with reduced capacity.
“We’re on the front lines,” he said Monday.
Tanya Low, who owns CJ Rose Fashion Boutique in Laguna Beach, said Monday afternoon that she had no customers since opening earlier in the day.
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“My husband and I were talking yesterday. We’re not sure we’ll make it through this,” Low said.
“Coming into March, where we’re supposed to be able to cover the bills that we saved up for, that’s just not going to happen,” Low added. “I think there’s so many small businesses that don’t make it. I hope we’re not one of them.”


latimes--2020-03-17--Sacramento substitute teacher who tested positive for coronavirus dies

A substitute teacher who worked in the Sacramento City Unified School District died Sunday of complications related to the coronavirus , the district announced Monday .
The district previously reported that the substitute , who worked at Sutterville Elementary School in February , tested positive for COVID-19 , the illness caused by the virus .
The teacher was not identified .
It is unclear how long the person worked for the district .
The teacher is the second person in Sacramento County to die from the virus .
Both were older than 70 and suffered underlying health conditions , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ join the family , friends , colleagues and students in grieving this tragic loss .
This death underscores the seriousness of this current public health emergency , ” schools Supt .
Jorge Aguilar said in a prepared statement .
“ Sac City Unified will continue to implement any and all measures recommended by public health leaders to protect the health and safety of our students , our staff , and our community.
” As of Tuesday , there have been more than 400 confirmed cases of the virus and 11 deaths statewide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of business and public life after Gov .
Gavin Newsom urged people 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to isolate themselves .
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has ordered bars , theaters and gyms to close and restaurants to halt dine-in service and limit business to takeout orders and delivery in an effort to stem the spread of the virus .
Officials in seven counties in the San Francisco Bay Area have issued even more stringent recommendations , directing people to stay home , with the exception of going to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , buying gas , going to the bank and checking on relatives .
School districts across the state , including Sacramento City Unified , have closed their doors and many businesses are urging employees to work from home for the foreseeable future .
“ While our community steps up to meet the challenge of this public health crisis , I agree with our district ’ s decision to temporarily close schools across Sacramento County to slow the spread of COVID-19 , ” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said in a statement .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health leaders are recommending , and I commend everyone in our city and county who are working together to meet this challenge with resolve .
”

A substitute teacher who worked in the Sacramento City Unified School District died Sunday of complications related to the coronavirus, the district announced Monday.
The district previously reported that the substitute, who worked at Sutterville Elementary School in February, tested positive for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. The teacher was not identified. It is unclear how long the person worked for the district.
The teacher is the second person in Sacramento County to die from the virus. Both were older than 70 and suffered underlying health conditions, according to county health officials.
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“We join the family, friends, colleagues and students in grieving this tragic loss. This death underscores the seriousness of this current public health emergency,” schools Supt. Jorge Aguilar said in a prepared statement. “Sac City Unified will continue to implement any and all measures recommended by public health leaders to protect the health and safety of our students, our staff, and our community.”
As of Tuesday, there have been more than 400 confirmed cases of the virus and 11 deaths statewide.
The news comes amid a dramatic slowdown of business and public life after Gov. Gavin Newsom urged people 65 and older and those with chronic health conditions to isolate themselves. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has ordered bars, theaters and gyms to close and restaurants to halt dine-in service and limit business to takeout orders and delivery in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
Officials in seven counties in the San Francisco Bay Area have issued even more stringent recommendations, directing people to stay home, with the exception of going to get food at supermarkets, picking up prescriptions, buying gas, going to the bank and checking on relatives.
School districts across the state, including Sacramento City Unified, have closed their doors and many businesses are urging employees to work from home for the foreseeable future.
“While our community steps up to meet the challenge of this public health crisis, I agree with our district’s decision to temporarily close schools across Sacramento County to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said in a statement. “This is one of many steps that public health leaders are recommending, and I commend everyone in our city and county who are working together to meet this challenge with resolve.”


latimes--2020-03-17--Coronavirus has authorities putting more police on streets, releasing inmates from jails

Coronavirus is bringing changes in the way Los Angeles law enforcement operates .
Local authorities stress they are not responding to more crime .
Rather , they want to get more officers in place to help during the crisis while also keeping first responders safe .
The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday confirmed its The supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home Monday , officials said .
Here is what we know : More boots on the ground The Los Angeles Police Department will shift half the detectives working in its community stations to daily patrol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcement Monday evening , saying that the city ’ s detectives will start working on the streets to “ help supplement our patrol officers.
” Some detectives already are out there , the mayor said , to “ make sure that any challenges that arise in our neighborhoods and grocery stores ” are dealt with and to help people “ feel secure in the city.
” LAPD Assistant Police Chief Robert Arcos said the move would provide at least 300 additional officers to patrol , and potentially more .
The moves comes after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in other units to beat patrols to allow the department to prevent problems at places such as Costco , where large crowds of shoppers often wait .
On Wednesday , all the LAPD ’ s community police stations will be closing their front desks and walk-up service .
“ Instead of going to your local area station , we are asking the public to use unique email addresses assigned to each of our 21 area front desks .
Those emails will be monitored 24/7 and routed to the proper channels , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department plans to continue to answer and send officers on patrol calls .
The Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department is releasing inmates from its jails and cutting down on how many people it books into custody to protect those housed in close quarters .
Villanueva said deputies and police officers across the county have been directed to cite and release people whenever possible , instead of arresting them , and to seek medical clearance before booking anyone who shows symptoms .
Countywide , he said , arrests have dropped from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while the jail population was reduced by more than 600 inmates .
“ Our population within our jail is a vulnerable population just by virtue of who they are and where they ’ re located , ” Villanueva said Monday at a news conference in downtown L.A. “ So we ’ re protecting that population from potential exposure.
” The move came amid mounting calls by civil rights advocates and health professionals to reduce the number of people held in local , state and federal lockups .
They raised concerns about the mayhem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison and immigration detention system , which had been criticized for lacking sufficient capacity to meet inmates ’ medical needs even before the pandemic .
San Quentin State Prison has put some 1,800 inmates in quarantine after reports of flu-like illnesses within two cell blocks .
One of those is the reception unit where new prisoners arrive from jail .
Prison officials said no inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 , but also confirmed that for most inmates , the department ’ s new protocol requires the results of a flu test to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is negative , there is a potential four-day wait for coronavirus results .
However , the policy directs that prisoners 65 or older or those with chronic medical conditions should be considered for immediate COVID-19 testing .
The LAPD has been taking precautions to deal with the spread of the coronavirus .
All patrol officers and officers likely to come into contact with infected people have been issued a kit consisting of multiple sets of gloves , a bacteria protection mask and goggles .
Officers are directed to use all three items when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with a possible virus patient .
The department has already ordered 100,000 extra masks , but officers will not wear masks as a routine matter .

Coronavirus is bringing changes in the way Los Angeles law enforcement operates.
Local authorities stress they are not responding to more crime. Rather, they want to get more officers in place to help during the crisis while also keeping first responders safe. The Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday confirmed its first coronavirus case. The supervisor in the Pacific Division felt ill and went home Monday, officials said.
Here is what we know:
More boots on the ground
The Los Angeles Police Department will shift half the detectives working in its community stations to daily patrol in order to ensure public peace.
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Mayor Eric Garcetti made the announcement Monday evening, saying that the city’s detectives will start working on the streets to “help supplement our patrol officers.”
Some detectives already are out there, the mayor said, to “make sure that any challenges that arise in our neighborhoods and grocery stores” are dealt with and to help people “feel secure in the city.”
LAPD Assistant Police Chief Robert Arcos said the move would provide at least 300 additional officers to patrol, and potentially more.
The moves comes after L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva shifted deputies in other units to beat patrols to allow the department to prevent problems at places such as Costco, where large crowds of shoppers often wait.
Changing operations
On Wednesday, all the LAPD’s community police stations will be closing their front desks and walk-up service.
“Instead of going to your local area station, we are asking the public to use unique email addresses assigned to each of our 21 area front desks. Those emails will be monitored 24/7 and routed to the proper channels,” said a statement from the department.
The department plans to continue to answer and send officers on patrol calls.
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Jails and prisons
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is releasing inmates from its jails and cutting down on how many people it books into custody to protect those housed in close quarters.
Villanueva said deputies and police officers across the county have been directed to cite and release people whenever possible, instead of arresting them, and to seek medical clearance before booking anyone who shows symptoms. Countywide, he said, arrests have dropped from a daily average of 300 to 60, while the jail population was reduced by more than 600 inmates.
“Our population within our jail is a vulnerable population just by virtue of who they are and where they’re located,” Villanueva said Monday at a news conference in downtown L.A. “So we’re protecting that population from potential exposure.”
The move came amid mounting calls by civil rights advocates and health professionals to reduce the number of people held in local, state and federal lockups. They raised concerns about the mayhem a COVID-19 outbreak could create within the prison and immigration detention system, which had been criticized for lacking sufficient capacity to meet inmates’ medical needs even before the pandemic.
San Quentin State Prison has put some 1,800 inmates in quarantine after reports of flu-like illnesses within two cell blocks. One of those is the reception unit where new prisoners arrive from jail.
Prison officials said no inmates have tested positive for COVID-19, but also confirmed that for most inmates, the department’s new protocol requires the results of a flu test to be obtained first, and if that is negative, there is a potential four-day wait for coronavirus results. However, the policy directs that prisoners 65 or older or those with chronic medical conditions should be considered for immediate COVID-19 testing.
Precautions
The LAPD has been taking precautions to deal with the spread of the coronavirus.
All patrol officers and officers likely to come into contact with infected people have been issued a kit consisting of multiple sets of gloves, a bacteria protection mask and goggles.
Officers are directed to use all three items when responding to a call or when making contact with a possible virus patient.
The department has already ordered 100,000 extra masks, but officers will not wear masks as a routine matter.