latimes--2020-11-17--Column: Amid COVID-19 shutdowns, we here in La La Land aren't the ones fighting pandemic reality

I just read an article in the Washington Post about how , in many parts of the country , attempts to return to normal have caused increased COVID-19 infections .
It contained the following quote : “ If your son or daughter is playing on a town soccer team and a travel soccer team , plus lacrosse , and is also on an ice hockey team , they ’ re exposed and in close proximity to dozens of other kids.
” My response , as a citizen of Los Angeles County — and , I must add , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual hell ?
” First of all , no kid who is on a travel soccer team of any note is going to have time to play lacrosse and ice hockey .
Second , who on this pandemic-infected earth is allowing their kids to play team sports ?
The same people , I guess , who are going to indoor bars or hosting indoor dinner parties for 20 or having weddings with more than a dozen guests .
The same people who are wondering why COVID-19 cases , and the inevitable trail of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and wondering if this means that , boohoo , they are going to be forced to cancel their multifamily ‘ n ’ friends interstate Thanksgiving dinner and give up their inside-seating visits to restaurants again .
Yes .
Yes , they are .
As the experts have been warning for months , the United States did not decrease infection rates enough over the summer and now , as the weather turns cold in much of the land , we ’ re all going to have to go back to square one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ California , Tier One — the purple place where much , including public schools and places of worship , remains closed , and there is always , always a line outside Trader Joe ’ s .
For the record , L.A. County residents have never left Tier One .
No movie theaters , museums or indoor dining or drinking ( other than a stab at opening bars in June that lasted fewer than 10 days ) since March , thank you very much .
Grocery stores are limited to 50 % capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
Yes , indoor malls are open , but masks are required , and if you need another scented candle from , say , Bath & Body Works , you are looking at a socially-distanced , masked , half-hour wait — minimum .
As many states begin to order more severe shutdowns ( Oregon , New Mexico ) or call for mandatory masks , we Angelenos are having mixed emotions .
We too are horrified by the catastrophic rise in cases around the country , and to a lesser but still alarming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty darn shocked by what many of our far-flung but still fellow citizens have been up to in the middle of a pandemic .
Turns out that while we have been limiting our social gatherings to fewer than 10 , holding them outside with masks and insisting that no one , for God ’ s sake , do any singing , many states in this great nation have given a hard pass on any restrictions whatsoever .
Some because they did not experience an early wave of coronavirus cases and some because their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent on politicizing a deadly pandemic , chose to ignore all advice from public health experts .
To be sure , in California , the messages have been mixed — shut her down !
Open her up !
No , wait , not all the way open !
— until the development of a state-wide color-coded system of tiers .
Purple is the most restrictive , yellow the least , with red and orange in between .
Many California counties made it into the red and orange tiers , but this week nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One .
Which honestly and truly is not the end of the world .
The reason for the restrictions is definitely awful and scary , and life in the purple is not what anyone would characterize as a blast , especially for those who have lost their jobs or businesses , but it certainly beats getting or spreading a deadly virus that has killed more than 240,000 Americans and counting .
You could argue that L.A. County ’ s failure to progress from the purple proves the limited efficacy of its prohibitive measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home to 10 million people ( more than most states ) and many of those people are frontline workers .
It is also the largest county in the nation ’ s most populous — and in many people ’ s eyes , wackiest — state , which ranks 40th in terms of the cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents .
There ’ s a reason for this : Since the American COVID-19 crisis began , much of California has never returned to “ normal ” or even close to “ normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there is no getting back to “ normal ” during a pandemic .
There is only survival , achieved by following expert-advised guidelines designed to limit shared air and , thereby , rates of infection .
This requires sacrifice and self-control , two virtues that — and who saw this one coming ?
— we here in La La land have been demonstrating with better success , and less whining , than all those spaces so so vocally proud of their “ family values ” and boot-strap stoicism .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in general , and Los Angeles in particular , has more self-discipline , not to mention a firmer grip on reality than , say , Iowa or Ohio or South Dakota .
And yet , here we are : Movie theaters have not been open in actual Hollywood since March , and no one is here is threatening to kidnap the governor .
Does everyone in Los Angeles mask up and practice social distancing every time they should ?
No , they do not .
Some people here also reject the reality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their adherence to the rules .
Many joined Black Lives Matter protests in which masks were not always the rule and social distancing was impossible .
Others gathered , in public and private , to celebrate the Lakers winning the NBA championship and/or the Dodgers winning the World Series .
Having been living with harsher restrictions for longer than most Americans , we too have grown weary of not gathering with friends , family and even strangers ; many of us don ’ t understand why Florida ’ s Disney World is open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Gavin Newsom apologized for visiting a Napa Valley restaurant with non-family members for an event that , while not violating the letter of the restrictions he has imposed , certainly violated the spirit .
Still , it is difficult for many of us to understand why some parts of the country , in which people are continuing to sicken and die at alarming rates , are screaming about not being able to go clubbing after 10 p.m. — because we have not been able to go clubbing , even before 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has not been a problem for those of us too old , or too sober , to go clubbing , but I for one am definitely getting tired of reminding myself to use the bathroom before I go anywhere , as if I were a child , because so many public restrooms remain closed . )
I desperately hope Californians , particularly those who live in L.A. County , will not choke in the seventh inning and throw away the slim gains we have made by letting our guard down for Thanksgiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Memorial Day , I am afraid we will .
No doubt it would be easier for Americans to behave responsibly if we were besieged by a foreign nation rather than a virus .
If there were reason to suspect that gathering in large groups made us a prime target for death by bullet or bomb , we might see more physical distancing .
We would certainly adhere to masking and social distancing recommendations if we were guaranteed some sort of tax break .
Which , in case you have not been paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic goes on , the more federal and state money will be required to repair the damage .
And where do you think that money is going to come from ?
Benevolent billionaires ?
I do not know what to say to all those generally taxation-averse folks who refuse to admit that COVID-19 is real or serious or within our ability to control if not cure .
I do not know what to say to folks in states like , say , Texas , who complain about quarantine fatigue because they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals and morgues overflow .
Or to people who live in a state so steeped in pandemic denial that COVID-19 patients reject their diagnosis literally with their dying breath .
I certainly don ’ t know what to say to people who argue that gathering with multiple households to celebrate a wedding , birthday or Thanksgiving is more important than the safety and , in some cases , survival of the invitees — those people they claim to love so much .
Actually , I do know what to say : Please just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And don ’ t even think of coming to L.A. County .
We have rules here , and they are not blue or red , they ’ re purple .

I just read an article in the Washington Post about how, in many parts of the country, attempts to return to normal have caused increased COVID-19 infections. It contained the following quote: “If your son or daughter is playing on a town soccer team and a travel soccer team, plus lacrosse, and is also on an ice hockey team, they’re exposed and in close proximity to dozens of other kids.”
My response, as a citizen of Los Angeles County — and, I must add, as a semi-sane adult — was “What the actual hell?”
First of all, no kid who is on a travel soccer team of any note is going to have time to play lacrosse and ice hockey.
Second, who on this pandemic-infected earth is allowing their kids to play team sports?
The same people, I guess, who are going to indoor bars or hosting indoor dinner parties for 20 or having weddings with more than a dozen guests. The same people who are wondering why COVID-19 cases, and the inevitable trail of deaths, are skyrocketing around the country — and wondering if this means that, boohoo, they are going to be forced to cancel their multifamily ‘n’ friends interstate Thanksgiving dinner and give up their inside-seating visits to restaurants again.
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Yes. Yes, they are. As the experts have been warning for months, the United States did not decrease infection rates enough over the summer and now, as the weather turns cold in much of the land, we’re all going to have to go back to square one.
Or, as it is known in California, Tier One — the purple place where much, including public schools and places of worship, remains closed, and there is always, always a line outside Trader Joe’s.
For the record, L.A. County residents have never left Tier One. No movie theaters, museums or indoor dining or drinking (other than a stab at opening bars in June that lasted fewer than 10 days) since March, thank you very much. Grocery stores are limited to 50% capacity, most other retail stores are at 25%. Yes, indoor malls are open, but masks are required, and if you need another scented candle from, say, Bath & Body Works, you are looking at a socially-distanced, masked, half-hour wait — minimum.
As many states begin to order more severe shutdowns (Oregon, New Mexico) or call for mandatory masks, we Angelenos are having mixed emotions. We too are horrified by the catastrophic rise in cases around the country, and to a lesser but still alarming extent in California, but we are pretty darn shocked by what many of our far-flung but still fellow citizens have been up to in the middle of a pandemic.
Turns out that while we have been limiting our social gatherings to fewer than 10, holding them outside with masks and insisting that no one, for God’s sake, do any singing, many states in this great nation have given a hard pass on any restrictions whatsoever. Some because they did not experience an early wave of coronavirus cases and some because their elected officials, led by a president intent on politicizing a deadly pandemic, chose to ignore all advice from public health experts.
To be sure, in California, the messages have been mixed — shut her down! Open her up! No, wait, not all the way open! — until the development of a state-wide color-coded system of tiers. Purple is the most restrictive, yellow the least, with red and orange in between. Many California counties made it into the red and orange tiers, but this week nearly 30 were rolled back to purple Tier One.
Which honestly and truly is not the end of the world. The reason for the restrictions is definitely awful and scary, and life in the purple is not what anyone would characterize as a blast, especially for those who have lost their jobs or businesses, but it certainly beats getting or spreading a deadly virus that has killed more than 240,000 Americans and counting.
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You could argue that L.A. County’s failure to progress from the purple proves the limited efficacy of its prohibitive measures. Perhaps. But L.A. County is home to 10 million people (more than most states) and many of those people are frontline workers. It is also the largest county in the nation’s most populous — and in many people’s eyes, wackiest — state, which ranks 40th in terms of the cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents.
There’s a reason for this: Since the American COVID-19 crisis began, much of California has never returned to “normal” or even close to “normal” because, like it or not, there is no getting back to “normal” during a pandemic. There is only survival, achieved by following expert-advised guidelines designed to limit shared air and, thereby, rates of infection.
This requires sacrifice and self-control, two virtues that — and who saw this one coming? — we here in La La land have been demonstrating with better success, and less whining, than all those spaces so so vocally proud of their “family values” and boot-strap stoicism.
It’s pretty dang eye-opening to realize that California in general, and Los Angeles in particular, has more self-discipline, not to mention a firmer grip on reality than, say, Iowa or Ohio or South Dakota. And yet, here we are: Movie theaters have not been open in actual Hollywood since March, and no one is here is threatening to kidnap the governor.
Does everyone in Los Angeles mask up and practice social distancing every time they should? No, they do not. Some people here also reject the reality of the virus and others are selective about their adherence to the rules. Many joined Black Lives Matter protests in which masks were not always the rule and social distancing was impossible. Others gathered, in public and private, to celebrate the Lakers winning the NBA championship and/or the Dodgers winning the World Series.
Having been living with harsher restrictions for longer than most Americans, we too have grown weary of not gathering with friends, family and even strangers; many of us don’t understand why Florida’s Disney World is open but our Disneyland isn’t. Gov. Gavin Newsom apologized for visiting a Napa Valley restaurant with non-family members for an event that, while not violating the letter of the restrictions he has imposed, certainly violated the spirit.
Still, it is difficult for many of us to understand why some parts of the country, in which people are continuing to sicken and die at alarming rates, are screaming about not being able to go clubbing after 10 p.m. — because we have not been able to go clubbing, even before 10 p.m. for eight solid months! (This has not been a problem for those of us too old, or too sober, to go clubbing, but I for one am definitely getting tired of reminding myself to use the bathroom before I go anywhere, as if I were a child, because so many public restrooms remain closed.)
I desperately hope Californians, particularly those who live in L.A. County, will not choke in the seventh inning and throw away the slim gains we have made by letting our guard down for Thanksgiving, although given the surge we saw after Memorial Day, I am afraid we will.
California If you must travel over Thanksgiving, here is how to minimize your COVID-19 risk Airports, train stations and rest stops are places where people are at risk of being exposed to the virus, and it can be difficult to stay six feet away from others, as health experts strongly recommend.
No doubt it would be easier for Americans to behave responsibly if we were besieged by a foreign nation rather than a virus. If there were reason to suspect that gathering in large groups made us a prime target for death by bullet or bomb, we might see more physical distancing. We would certainly adhere to masking and social distancing recommendations if we were guaranteed some sort of tax break.
Which, in case you have not been paying attention, we are. The longer the pandemic goes on, the more federal and state money will be required to repair the damage. And where do you think that money is going to come from? Benevolent billionaires?
I do not know what to say to all those generally taxation-averse folks who refuse to admit that COVID-19 is real or serious or within our ability to control if not cure. I do not know what to say to folks in states like, say, Texas, who complain about quarantine fatigue because they can’t dine indoors even as their hospitals and morgues overflow. Or to people who live in a state so steeped in pandemic denial that COVID-19 patients reject their diagnosis literally with their dying breath.
I certainly don’t know what to say to people who argue that gathering with multiple households to celebrate a wedding, birthday or Thanksgiving is more important than the safety and, in some cases, survival of the invitees — those people they claim to love so much.
Actually, I do know what to say: Please just stay the hell away from California.
And don’t even think of coming to L.A. County. We have rules here, and they are not blue or red, they’re purple.


latimes--2020-11-20--Parents of Saugus High School shooting victims file wrongful-death lawsuits

The parents of the two Saugus High School students who were killed during a shooting by a classmate last year have filed wrongful-death lawsuits against the school district .
In separate lawsuits filed Monday , days after the one-year anniversary of the teens ’ deaths , the parents of Dominic Blackwell , 14 , and Gracie Anne Muehlberger , 15 , allege that the William S. Hart Union High School District failed to take actions that could have prevented the tragedy .
The families are seeking an unspecified amount in compensation and asking the district to make safety changes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ safer for the children , because at the end of the day this is what it ’ s about , ” Dominic ’ s father , Frank Blackwell , told KNBC-TV news .
“ It isn ’ t the 8 seconds , ” Gracie ’ s father , Bryan Muehlberger , said .
“ It ’ s the 43 minutes prior to that that something could have been done .
And that ’ s what angers me.
” In the lawsuits , the parents allege that school officials failed to supervise the quad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 minutes before opening fire on his classmates .
The parents claim that school administrators didn ’ t confront the student when he skipped class .
Both lawsuits allege that he stood by himself in a “ trance-like state ” in the quad area without supervision .
Although he was supposed to be in class , the student “ was allowed to hang out in the quad area by the school ’ s ‘ Legacy Wall ’ for approximately 40 minutes by himself , without any interruption or questioning from school supervisors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackwells ’ lawsuit states .
“ After standing unchecked in the outdoor quad for approximately forty minutes , ” the suit continues , the student “ walked to another spot in the same quad , and stood still in a ‘ trance-like-state ’ for several more minutes until he ultimately put on a pair of sunglasses and pulled a .45-caliber handgun from his backpack.
” The Muehlbergers ’ lawsuit alleges that the school district ’ s Text-a-Tip line assigned to Saugus High School was not operable during or before the shooting , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obscured by overgrown trees and not actively monitored .
Gracie Muehlberger ’ s parents also claimed that the Los Angeles County coroner ’ s office failed to protect their daughter ’ s identity after the crisis .
In the lawsuit , they said that several family members learned of her death through the news media though the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department placed a security hold on her file .
A spokesperson for the coroner ’ s office said the agency does not comment on pending litigation .
In an emailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district said officials are not commenting on the lawsuits .
“ The William S. Hart Union High School District and Santa Clarita Valley continue to grieve with the Muehlberger and Blackwell families one year after the tragic incident on November 14 , 2019 , ” the district said .
“ We were honored to coordinate with the Muehlberger & Blackwell families and the City of Santa Clarita in the recent Unity of Community remembrance event to honor Gracie and Dominic .
”

Thousands gather at Central Park in Santa Clarita to remember Gracie Muehlberger and Dominic Blackwell, who were killed in the Saugus High School shooting last year.
The parents of the two Saugus High School students who were killed during a shooting by a classmate last year have filed wrongful-death lawsuits against the school district.
In separate lawsuits filed Monday, days after the one-year anniversary of the teens’ deaths, the parents of Dominic Blackwell, 14, and Gracie Anne Muehlberger, 15, allege that the William S. Hart Union High School District failed to take actions that could have prevented the tragedy.
The families are seeking an unspecified amount in compensation and asking the district to make safety changes.
“We just want it to be safer for the children, because at the end of the day this is what it’s about,” Dominic’s father, Frank Blackwell, told KNBC-TV news.
“It isn’t the 8 seconds,” Gracie’s father, Bryan Muehlberger, said. “It’s the 43 minutes prior to that that something could have been done. And that’s what angers me.”
In the lawsuits, the parents allege that school officials failed to supervise the quad area where a 16-year-old stood for about 40 minutes before opening fire on his classmates.
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The parents claim that school administrators didn’t confront the student when he skipped class. Both lawsuits allege that he stood by himself in a “trance-like state” in the quad area without supervision.
Although he was supposed to be in class, the student “was allowed to hang out in the quad area by the school’s ‘Legacy Wall’ for approximately 40 minutes by himself, without any interruption or questioning from school supervisors, staff, and/or teachers,” the Blackwells’ lawsuit states.
“After standing unchecked in the outdoor quad for approximately forty minutes,” the suit continues, the student “walked to another spot in the same quad, and stood still in a ‘trance-like-state’ for several more minutes until he ultimately put on a pair of sunglasses and pulled a .45-caliber handgun from his backpack.”
The Muehlbergers’ lawsuit alleges that the school district’s Text-a-Tip line assigned to Saugus High School was not operable during or before the shooting, and that security cameras monitoring the campus were obscured by overgrown trees and not actively monitored.
Gracie Muehlberger’s parents also claimed that the Los Angeles County coroner’s office failed to protect their daughter’s identity after the crisis.
In the lawsuit, they said that several family members learned of her death through the news media though the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department placed a security hold on her file.
A spokesperson for the coroner’s office said the agency does not comment on pending litigation.
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In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for the school district said officials are not commenting on the lawsuits.
“The William S. Hart Union High School District and Santa Clarita Valley continue to grieve with the Muehlberger and Blackwell families one year after the tragic incident on November 14, 2019,” the district said. “We were honored to coordinate with the Muehlberger & Blackwell families and the City of Santa Clarita in the recent Unity of Community remembrance event to honor Gracie and Dominic.”


latimes--2020-11-20--California employers bring back workers, but recovery worries linger

California ’ s pandemic-plagued economy perked up in October , as employers brought back tens of thousands of furloughed workers .
But the state has regained less than half the jobs it lost in the spring ’ s catastrophic downturn , and economists predict the recovery may have already stalled .
October ’ s unemployment rate dipped to 9.3 % last month , down from 11 % in September , as the state added 145,500 payroll jobs , for a total of 16.13 million , state officials reported .
Many were in the most severely affected leisure and hospitality sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stood at 3.9 % .
It rose to an unprecedented 16.4 % in April and May .
Attesting to the roller-coaster nature of the virus ’ labor impact , California jobs last month grew at twice the rate of the nation ’ s .
It was the state ’ s third-highest single-month gain in at least three decades .
“ We must be California dreaming , ” said Loyola Marymount University economist Sung Won Sohn , of the larger-than-expected drop in joblessness .
But he added , “ The dream won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unprecedented heights across the state and new restrictions on businesses take effect .
“ The recovery is fragile at best , ” he said .
“ Unlike the first wave in March and April , there is no massive government stimulus on the horizon to cushion the economy.
” Congress ’ $ 2.2-trillion CARES Act , passed in March , sent billions of dollars of aid to laid-off workers in the form of a $ 1,200 stimulus check and a weekly unemployment supplement of $ 600 .
Jobless aid was reduced over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now expired .
Multibillion-dollar loan programs for businesses have also lapsed .
A study this week by UCLA ’ s California Policy Lab predicts nearly 750,000 Californians will stop receiving unemployment insurance benefits by the end of next month when two other CARES Act programs expire , including one that extends state benefits and another that targets self-employed workers and independent contractors .
“ The indifference of the federal government and the U.S. Senate to approve a new rescue package will slow down the recovery , ” predicted Pomona College economist Fernando Lozano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labor force of more than 600,000 , which includes both employees and job seekers , may reflect the fact that workers have run out of insurance benefits , suggested Lynn Reaser , an economist at San Diego ’ s Point Loma Nazarene University .
Some may have found work , she said , but “ it could be temporary as businesses are now being forced to close down with the surge in infections and new state restrictions.
” Nonetheless , the labor force was more than 200,000 workers smaller than a year earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California ’ s October jobless rate is the fifth highest after Hawaii , Nevada , New York and Louisiana .
.
U.S. unemployment last month was 6.9 % .
And California has lost more jobs during the pandemic than any other state at 1,369,400 .
The October data also reflected the recovery ’ s uneven nature .
Los Angeles County ’ s joblessness stood at 12.1 % , down from 15.3 % in September and well above other urban areas .
Technology companies , with many employees operating from home , continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unemployment rate was 6.9 % and joblessness in Santa Clara County , encompassing San Jose , was 5.9 % .
Los Angeles County added 79,100 payroll jobs last month , for a total of 4.23 million , a 1.9 % increase .
The county ’ s labor force grew by 127,000 .
In Orange County , unemployment was 7.5 % in October , down from 8.9 % a month earlier .
The county added 34,100 payroll positions last month for a total of 1.54 million , a 2.3 % jump .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and San Bernardino County , the October jobless rate was 9 % , down from 10.2 % a month earlier .
The region gained 27,800 payroll jobs for a total of 1.45 million , a 2 % rise .
Nine of California ’ s 11 major industry sectors gained jobs last month .
Leisure and hospitality had the largest gain with an increase of 66,000 positions .
Some hotels have benefited from local travel and many restaurants have ramped up outdoor seating , takeout and delivery .
Professional and business services jobs rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees who can work from home , such as accountants , lawyers and computer technicians .
Government posted the largest job loss with a decline of 41,100 as census takers completed their work .
If October ’ s labor market showed marked improvement , November ‘ s indicators are already worrisome , as more Californians apply for unemployment benefits .
Initial claims were up slightly this week , to 134,270 from 132,350 , according to an Employment Development Department tracker .
Disney , one of the state ’ s largest employers , began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its theme parks and products and experience divisions , with about 10,000 of those layoffs hitting the Disneyland Resort parks , hotels and stores in Anaheim .
Universal Studios Hollywood has already cut its workforce by as many as 7,000 employees through furloughs , layoffs and cuts to work shifts .
The two giant theme parks have been closed since March .
California ’ s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act ( WARN ) requires employers to file a 60-day advance notice of mass layoffs with the state .
Among the latest notices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ del Coronado said it would furlough 563 workers .
Princess Cruises in Santa Clarita announced 114 permanent layoffs .
Weber Metals , a Paramount manufacturer , said it would permanently lay off 99 employees .
“ Gov .
Newsom ’ s recent orders for late-night curfews and closure of indoor dining for restaurants and bars , and other nonessential businesses , will lead to another spike in joblessness in the weeks ahead , ” predicted Scott Anderson , chief economist of the Bank of the West in San Francisco .
“ Daily mobility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkpoint visits are already showing negative trends , ” he added .
“ Those are bound to only get worse with the coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge and Congress dithers on another coronavirus relief bill .
“ While recent vaccine news is welcome and will eventually liberate the California economy , we still have a long winter ahead to get there.
” The jobs report is based on two federal surveys , one of 5,100 California households and one of 80,000 businesses in the state , conducted the week of Oct. 12 .

California’s pandemic-plagued economy perked up in October, as employers brought back tens of thousands of furloughed workers. But the state has regained less than half the jobs it lost in the spring’s catastrophic downturn, and economists predict the recovery may have already stalled.
October’s unemployment rate dipped to 9.3% last month, down from 11% in September, as the state added 145,500 payroll jobs, for a total of 16.13 million, state officials reported. Many were in the most severely affected leisure and hospitality sector.
A year earlier, California unemployment stood at 3.9%. It rose to an unprecedented 16.4% in April and May.
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Attesting to the roller-coaster nature of the virus’ labor impact, California jobs last month grew at twice the rate of the nation’s. It was the state’s third-highest single-month gain in at least three decades.
“We must be California dreaming,” said Loyola Marymount University economist Sung Won Sohn, of the larger-than-expected drop in joblessness. But he added, “The dream won’t last,” as the virus surges to unprecedented heights across the state and new restrictions on businesses take effect.
“The recovery is fragile at best,” he said. “Unlike the first wave in March and April, there is no massive government stimulus on the horizon to cushion the economy.”
Congress’ $2.2-trillion CARES Act, passed in March, sent billions of dollars of aid to laid-off workers in the form of a $1,200 stimulus check and a weekly unemployment supplement of $600. Jobless aid was reduced over the summer to $300 and has now expired. Multibillion-dollar loan programs for businesses have also lapsed.
A study this week by UCLA’s California Policy Lab predicts nearly 750,000 Californians will stop receiving unemployment insurance benefits by the end of next month when two other CARES Act programs expire, including one that extends state benefits and another that targets self-employed workers and independent contractors.
“The indifference of the federal government and the U.S. Senate to approve a new rescue package will slow down the recovery,” predicted Pomona College economist Fernando Lozano.
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By now, many laid-off workers have run out of insurance benefits. Some may have found work, said Lynn Reaser, an economist at San Diego’s Point Loma Nazarene University, but “it could be temporary as businesses are now being forced to close down with the surge in infections and new state restrictions.”
The labor force, which includes both employees and job seekers, grew by more than 600,000 in October but nonetheless was more than 200,000 workers smaller than a year earlier.
Even with the latest improvement, California’s October jobless rate is the fifth highest, after Hawaii, Nevada, New York and Louisiana. U.S. unemployment last month was 6.9%.
And California has lost more jobs during the pandemic than any other state at 1,369,400.
The October data also reflected the recovery’s uneven nature. Los Angeles County’s joblessness stood at 12.1%, down from 15.3% in September and well above rates in other urban areas. Technology companies, with many employees operating from home, continued to buoy Northern California, where San Francisco’s unemployment rate was 6.9% and joblessness in Santa Clara County, encompassing San Jose, was 5.9%.
Business Grocery store rationing is back, but relax: The supply chain is doing fine Stores are once again limiting how much toilet paper and cleaning supplies customers can buy, as the third wave of COVID-19 infections ramps up and lockdown orders return. But the companies have had all summer to prepare.
Los Angeles County added 79,100 payroll jobs last month, for a total of 4.23 million, a 1.9% increase. The county’s labor force grew by 127,000.
In Orange County, unemployment was 7.5% in October, down from 8.9% a month earlier. The county added 34,100 payroll positions last month for a total of 1.54 million, a 2.3% jump.
In the Inland Empire, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the October jobless rate was 9%, down from 10.2% a month earlier. The region gained 27,800 payroll jobs for a total of 1.45 million, a 2% rise.
Nine of California’s 11 major industry sectors gained jobs last month. Leisure and hospitality had the largest gain with an increase of 66,000 positions. Some hotels have benefited from local travel and many restaurants have ramped up outdoor seating, takeout and delivery.
Professional and business services jobs rose by 35,800. The sector includes many employees who can work from home, such as accountants, lawyers and computer technicians.
Government posted the largest job loss with a decline of 41,100 as census takers completed their work.
If October’s labor market showed marked improvement, November‘s indicators are already worrisome, as more Californians apply for unemployment benefits. Initial claims were up slightly this week, to 134,270 from 132,350, according to an Employment Development Department tracker.
Disney, one of the state’s largest employers, began laying off 28,000 workers this month across its theme parks and products and experience divisions, with about 10,000 of those layoffs hitting the Disneyland Resort parks, hotels and stores in Anaheim.
Universal Studios Hollywood has already cut its workforce by as many as 7,000 employees through furloughs, layoffs and cuts to work shifts.
The two giant theme parks have been closed since March.
California’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) requires employers to file a 60-day advance notice of mass layoffs with the state. Among the latest notices: San Diego’s historic Hotel del Coronado said it would furlough 563 workers. Princess Cruises in Santa Clarita announced 114 permanent layoffs. Weber Metals, a Paramount manufacturer, said it would permanently lay off 99 employees.
“Gov. Newsom’s recent orders for late-night curfews and closure of indoor dining for restaurants and bars, and other nonessential businesses, will lead to another spike in joblessness in the weeks ahead,” predicted Scott Anderson, chief economist of the Bank of the West in San Francisco.
“Daily mobility data, restaurant reservation data and TSA checkpoint visits are already showing negative trends,” he added. “Those are bound to only get worse while the coronavirus cases and hospitalizations surge and Congress dithers on another coronavirus relief bill.
“While recent vaccine news is welcome and will eventually liberate the California economy, we still have a long winter ahead to get there.”
The jobs report is based on two federal surveys, one of 5,100 California households and one of 80,000 businesses in the state, conducted the week of Oct. 12.


latimes--2020-11-20--Super King Markets drops coconut milk over claims of forced monkey labor

Super King Markets has become the latest retailer to drop Chaokoh coconut milk over an animal rights group ’ s claims that the product ’ s Thai manufacturer uses monkey labor .
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals , or PETA , alleges that Theppadungporn Coconut forces monkeys to pick its fruit , citing evidence from an undercover investigation in Thailand last year , according to Kent Stein , PETA ’ s corporate responsibility officer .
Theppadungporn representatives did not respond to requests for comment but denied using monkeys in a news release in July .
For more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retailers that sell Chaokoh , demanding they pull the milk from shelves .
In October , Costco dropped Chaokoh , following the lead of other chains , including Walgreens , Wegmans , Food Lion , Giant Food and Stop & Shop .
Super King , known for its international fare and loyal customer base , made the call to stop selling the coconut milk at its eight Los Angeles-area stores about a month ago after receiving barrages from PETA of “ like 5,000 emails ” a day , as well as social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The company lacked the resources to independently verify PETA ’ s claims but made the call based on what seemed right , Fermanian said .
“ We try to do the best we can for our customer base and the community , and we try to go after sustainable products , ” he said .
The milk generated only about $ 500 in revenue per week , Fermanian added .
According to Stein , the investigation revealed that Theppadungporn plucks pig-tailed macaque monkeys from the wild and conscripts them into a lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At so-called training schools , the monkeys “ are kept chained and viewed only as coconut picking machines to the point where their canines may be removed to stop them from defending themselves , ” Stein said .
In the July news release , Theppadungporn officials said it uses third-party inspections to ensure ethical practices .
“ It is not only our duty but our integrity to take care of nature , human and wildlife , as a whole , ” managing director Aphisak Theppadungporn said in the release .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure that our business will not tolerate any sign of animal and wildlife labor or abuse.
” PETA officials are not convinced , Stein said , adding that the group is now focusing its campaign on U.S. chains Walmart and Kroger , which still carry Chaokoh .

Super King last month stopped stocking Chaokoh coconut milk over allegations that the fruit was picked by monkeys.
Super King Markets has become the latest retailer to drop Chaokoh coconut milk over an animal rights group’s claims that the product’s Thai manufacturer uses monkey labor.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, alleges that Theppadungporn Coconut forces monkeys to pick its fruit, citing evidence from an undercover investigation in Thailand last year, according to Kent Stein, PETA’s corporate responsibility officer.
Theppadungporn representatives did not respond to requests for comment but denied using monkeys in a news release in July.
For more than a year, PETA has targeted U.S. retailers that sell Chaokoh, demanding they pull the milk from shelves. In October, Costco dropped Chaokoh, following the lead of other chains, including Walgreens, Wegmans, Food Lion, Giant Food and Stop & Shop.
Super King, known for its international fare and loyal customer base, made the call to stop selling the coconut milk at its eight Los Angeles-area stores about a month ago after receiving barrages from PETA of “like 5,000 emails” a day, as well as social media blasts, said Vice President Jake Fermanian.
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The company lacked the resources to independently verify PETA’s claims but made the call based on what seemed right, Fermanian said.
“We try to do the best we can for our customer base and the community, and we try to go after sustainable products,” he said.
The milk generated only about $500 in revenue per week, Fermanian added.
According to Stein, the investigation revealed that Theppadungporn plucks pig-tailed macaque monkeys from the wild and conscripts them into a lifetime of hard labor and abusive living conditions.
At so-called training schools, the monkeys “are kept chained and viewed only as coconut picking machines to the point where their canines may be removed to stop them from defending themselves,” Stein said.
In the July news release, Theppadungporn officials said it uses third-party inspections to ensure ethical practices.
“It is not only our duty but our integrity to take care of nature, human and wildlife, as a whole,” managing director Aphisak Theppadungporn said in the release. “We have a clear-cut policy on this issue to ensure that our business will not tolerate any sign of animal and wildlife labor or abuse.”
PETA officials are not convinced, Stein said, adding that the group is now focusing its campaign on U.S. chains Walmart and Kroger, which still carry Chaokoh.


latimes--2020-11-20--Even San Francisco looks purple: COVID-19 surge may put city in most restrictive tier

San Francisco ’ s coronavirus surge is now on pace to put the city into the most restrictive purple zone as early as Sunday and force more closures , the city ’ s public health chief said Friday .
By entering the purple tier , the city would be subject to the state ’ s curfew announced Thursday , which prohibits most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will especially hit restaurants that stay open late .
Dr. Grant Colfax , director of public health , suggested during an online news conference that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the virus might have helped trigger the current surge .
San Francisco became the only urban county in the state last month to be placed in the least restrictive yellow tier , indicative of minimal risk from the virus .
Infectious disease experts at the time lauded the city ’ s management of the pandemic .
“ I know San Franciscans are watching our numbers very carefully , ” Colfax said .
“ When things are not as serious , significant numbers of people may back down on precautions.
” As of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Marin were the only Bay Area counties not in the purple zone , which indicates widespread transmission of the virus .
On Monday , San Francisco jumped two tiers into the red zone , the second most restrictive tier , and the virus has continued to spread rapidly .
Colfax noted that the previous low numbers also triggered more reopening , another reason why cases climbed .
The current surge , he said , has “ the potential to overwhelm local healthcare.
” New cases , he said , have nearly quadrupled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our numbers continue to go up at this rate , we could conceivably have hundreds of people in the hospital by late December or early January , according to our models , ” he said .
Colfax said residents would be alerted about the curfew once the city enters the purple tier .
Some restaurant owners have challenged the science behind curfew orders , arguing that it penalizes businesses and not people staying home , having big gatherings .
Moving into the most restricted zone also would force San Francisco to end indoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theaters and places of worship , and further limit the number of people allowed in stores , Colfax said .
San Francisco has reported an average of 104.7 new cases per day , an 88.4 % increase from two weeks ago , according to The Times ’ coronavirus tracker .
Colfax implored residents not to travel for the holiday seasons and to celebrate only with people in one ’ s household .
He suggested that residents could text photos of food and family members to other households to connect during the holidays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as permission to socialize with others .
People who test negative early on in the infection actually can be positive or may contract the virus after the test , he said .
“ A negative test should not be an excuse to put yourself or others at risk , ” Colfax said .
At the very least , he said , Thanksgiving gatherings should be kept to no more than six people and held outdoors with masks .
“ The best gift we can give this season is the gift of good health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine , ” Colfax said .

San Francisco’s coronavirus surge is now on pace to put the city into the most restrictive purple zone as early as Sunday and force more closures, the city’s public health chief said Friday.
By entering the purple tier, the city would be subject to the state’s curfew announced Thursday, which prohibits most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will especially hit restaurants that stay open late.
For the record: An earlier version of this story did not note that Marin County, as of Friday, also was not in the purple tier.
Dr. Grant Colfax, director of public health, suggested during an online news conference that the city’s previous success at tamping down the virus might have helped trigger the current surge. San Francisco became the only urban county in the state last month to be placed in the least restrictive yellow tier, indicative of minimal risk from the virus. Infectious disease experts at the time lauded the city’s management of the pandemic.
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“I know San Franciscans are watching our numbers very carefully,” Colfax said. “When things are not as serious, significant numbers of people may back down on precautions.”
As of Friday, San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin were the only Bay Area counties not in the purple zone, which indicates widespread transmission of the virus.
On Monday, San Francisco jumped two tiers into the red zone, the second most restrictive tier, and the virus has continued to spread rapidly. Colfax noted that the previous low numbers also triggered more reopening, another reason why cases climbed.
The current surge, he said, has “the potential to overwhelm local healthcare.”
New cases, he said, have nearly quadrupled in about a month.
“If our numbers continue to go up at this rate, we could conceivably have hundreds of people in the hospital by late December or early January, according to our models,” he said.
Colfax said residents would be alerted about the curfew once the city enters the purple tier. Some restaurant owners have challenged the science behind curfew orders, arguing that it penalizes businesses and not people staying home, having big gatherings.
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Moving into the most restricted zone also would force San Francisco to end indoor attendance at gyms, museums, movie theaters and places of worship, and further limit the number of people allowed in stores, Colfax said.
San Francisco has reported an average of 104.7 new cases per day, an 88.4% increase from two weeks ago, according to The Times’ coronavirus tracker.
Colfax implored residents not to travel for the holiday seasons and to celebrate only with people in one’s household. He suggested that residents could text photos of food and family members to other households to connect during the holidays.
He also admonished residents against using tests as permission to socialize with others. People who test negative early on in the infection actually can be positive or may contract the virus after the test, he said.
“A negative test should not be an excuse to put yourself or others at risk,” Colfax said.
At the very least, he said, Thanksgiving gatherings should be kept to no more than six people and held outdoors with masks.
“The best gift we can give this season is the gift of good health so we can all be here for the vaccine,” Colfax said.


latimes--2020-11-20--L.A. County sheriff's deputy charged with rape

A Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputy has been charged with rape and sexual assault during an off-duty encounter @ @ @ @ @ ago , prosecutors said Friday .
The charges against Jason Ghassan Kailany , 26 , @ @ @ @ @ at this home on Oct. 24 , 2018 .
Kailany made a brief court appearance @ @ @ @ @ the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office requested bail be set at $ @ @ @ @ @ expected to rule on the bail amount later Friday .
Kailany could not be reached @ @ @ @ @ been placed on leave and could face up to 16 years in state prison if @ @ @ @ @

Deputy Jason Ghassan Kailany, 26, could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted.
A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with rape and sexual assault during an off-duty encounter with a woman two years ago, prosecutors said Friday.
The charges against Jason Ghassan Kailany, 26, stem from an alleged attack at this home on Oct. 24, 2018.
Kailany made a brief court appearance Friday, where prosecutors from the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office requested bail be set at $200,000. A judge is expected to rule on the bail amount later Friday.
Kailany could not be reached for comment. He has been placed on leave and could face up to 16 years in state prison if convicted of the charges.


latimes--2020-11-20--California NAACP leader to step down amid conflict-of-interest criticism

The longtime leader of California ’ s NAACP will step down next month , a move that comes amid conflict-of-interest allegations after her public affairs company earned $ 1.7 million endorsing ballot measures this year .
Alice Huffman , 84 , cited health issues in her resignation letter to the executive board of the California Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP .
She has held the post since 1999 and will step down Dec. 1 .
“ It was a demanding and rewarding position , ” Huffman said in an interview Friday .
“ But it ’ s time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Huffman ’ s departure comes as she ’ s facing scrutiny for her work on various ballot measure campaigns in the November 2020 election .
Huffman leads AC Public Affairs , a Sacramento political consulting firm , which this past election worked with opposition campaigns on five ballot measures , according to state campaign finance records .
AC Public Affairs took in $ 740,000 from the campaign opposed to Proposition 15 , which was funded by business groups .
The measure , which was rejected by voters , would have raised business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and local services .
Landlord groups and other opponents of Proposition 21 paid Huffman ’ s company $ 620,000 this year to help fight a rent control measure , which also fell short .
The bail bond industry ’ s campaign against Proposition 25 paid Huffman ’ s company $ 200,000 to oppose a plan to abolish California ’ s cash bail system .
The measure failed .
Huffman also sided with ride-sharing companies that backed Proposition 22 , which was approved by voters and will allow the companies ’ drivers to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consulting services .
Her opposition to Proposition 23 , an effort to impose new rules on kidney dialysis companies that was rejected by voters , netted her company $ 85,000 .
Huffman said that she only works with campaigns that the state ’ s NAACP has endorsed and that her critics are often Democrats who feel she has stepped out of line .
She ’ s said the state NAACP requires a majority vote of its board to take a position on any ballot measure .
Huffman said her departure has nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously made up her mind to resign , but was trying to get through the election cycle .
But critics said the state NAACP ’ s process lacks transparency .
Darrell Goode , president of the NAACP ’ s Santa Monica-Venice Branch , said he ’ s been unable to obtain meeting minutes indicating how the state ’ s executive board has voted on ballot measures .
Goode said he sent a letter last month to the national NAACP requesting an investigation into Huffman and other members of the state NAACP board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an apparent conflict of interest.
” Goode said in the letter that the investigation is needed to “ restore our tarnished image.
” Huffman is on the board of the national NAACP .
“ We have brought up these issues before , ” Goode said in an interview .
“ We have been telling people not to be silent , and we aren ’ t being silent either .
It ’ s more egregious this time because there were so many propositions key to communities .
We need to stand for what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s political watchdog agency , the Fair Political Practices Commission , received an anonymous complaint questioning whether there was a conflict of interest in Huffman ’ s appearance in ads for ballot propositions .
“ I am quite concerned that , in trading on her NAACP leadership , these ads are misleading minority voters to support positions that may not be aligned with their political interests , ” the complaint read .
FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga said Huffman is not the respondent in the complaint , which remains under review @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Huffman denied all allegations of conflicts of interest , saying “ everything I did was legal.
” In 2016 , the FPPC fined the state NAACP for failing to disclose $ 67,000 spent on lobbying efforts .
Under Huffman ’ s recent leadership , the group has also struggled to maintain its state-mandated responsibilities .
The office of California Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra lists the state NAACP ’ s tax-exempt nonprofit status as “ delinquent , ” saying the organization has failed to file required documents to operate as a charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email to The Times that the civil rights organization is “ working to get up to date ” on filing the necessary documents .
The California chapter of the NAACP has not filed a state tax return since 2015 , according to the Franchise Tax Board .
The agency said the group has been suspended since 2018 as a result , noting an outstanding tax liability of $ 50 .
But it was Huffman ’ s political activity that has drawn the most fierce criticism .
Taisha Brown , the chair of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Huffman ’ s alliances this year were a tipping point for people who have raised questions about conflicts for years .
“ Everything that could potentially help Black people as residents in the state , the state NAACP went against it , ” Brown said .
“ People have talked about this for years .
I won ’ t let anyone get away with building wealth on the back of poor and disadvantaged people.
” Huffman said she will be replaced by Rick Callender , the state NAACP vice president and CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She will continue to lead AC Public Affairs and remain on the national NAACP board .
“ I took some positions that they considered to be on the Republican side , ” Huffman said .
“ It doesn ’ t matter to me .
I took positions I thought were right for the community .
”

Alice Huffman, president of the California NAACP, speaks at a San Francisco news conference in support of a ballot measure to legalize marijuana in 2016.
The longtime leader of California’s NAACP will step down next month, a move that comes amid conflict-of-interest allegations after her public affairs company earned $1.7 million endorsing ballot measures this year.
Alice Huffman, 84, cited health issues in her resignation letter to the executive board of the California Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP. She has held the post since 1999 and will step down Dec. 1.
“It was a demanding and rewarding position,” Huffman said in an interview Friday. “But it’s time to turn over the leadership to someone else.”
Huffman’s departure comes as she’s facing scrutiny for her work on various ballot measure campaigns in the November 2020 election. Huffman leads AC Public Affairs, a Sacramento political consulting firm, which this past election worked with opposition campaigns on five ballot measures, according to state campaign finance records.
AC Public Affairs took in $740,000 from the campaign opposed to Proposition 15. The measure, which was rejected by voters, would have raised business property taxes to increase funding for schools and local services. Landlord groups and other opponents of Proposition 21 paid Huffman’s company $620,000 this year to help fight a rent control measure, which also fell short.
The bail bond industry’s campaign against Proposition 25 paid Huffman’s company $200,000 to oppose a plan to abolish California’s cash bail system. The measure failed. Huffman also sided with ride-sharing companies that backed Proposition 22, which was approved by voters and will allow the companies’ drivers to remain independent contractors, receiving $95,000 for consulting services. Her opposition to Proposition 23, an effort to impose new rules on kidney dialysis companies that was rejected by voters, netted her company $85,000.
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Huffman said that she only works with campaigns that the state’s NAACP has endorsed and that her critics are often Democrats who feel she has stepped out of line. She’s said the state NAACP requires a majority vote of its board to take a position on any ballot measure. Huffman said her departure has nothing to do with the criticism and that she had previously made up her mind to resign, but was trying to get through the election cycle.
But critics said the state NAACP’s process lacks transparency.
Darrell Goode, president of the NAACP’s Santa Monica-Venice Branch, said he’s been unable to obtain meeting minutes indicating how the state’s executive board has voted on ballot measures. Goode said he sent a letter last month to the national NAACP requesting an investigation into Huffman and other members of the state NAACP board, alleging a “lack of transparency and an apparent conflict of interest.”
Goode said in the letter that the investigation is needed to “restore our tarnished image.” Huffman is on the board of the national NAACP.
“We have brought up these issues before,” Goode said in an interview. “We have been telling people not to be silent, and we aren’t being silent either. It’s more egregious this time because there were so many propositions key to communities. We need to stand for what’s right.”
Last month, the state’s political watchdog agency, the Fair Political Practices Commission, received an anonymous complaint questioning whether there was a conflict of interest in Huffman’s appearance in ads for ballot propositions.
“I am quite concerned that, in trading on her NAACP leadership, these ads are misleading minority voters to support positions that may not be aligned with their political interests,” the complaint read.
FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga said Huffman is not the respondent in the complaint, which remains under review to determine if an investigation is warranted.
Huffman denied all allegations of conflicts of interest, saying “everything I did was legal.”
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In 2016, the FPPC fined the state NAACP for failing to disclose $67,000 spent on lobbying efforts.
Under Huffman’s recent leadership, the group has also struggled to maintain its state-mandated responsibilities. The office of California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra lists the state NAACP’s tax-exempt nonprofit status as “delinquent,” saying the organization has failed to file required documents to operate as a charity.
Becerra’s office said in an email to The Times that the civil rights organization is “working to get up to date” on filing the necessary documents.
The California chapter of the NAACP has not filed a state tax return since 2015, according to the Franchise Tax Board. The agency said the group has been suspended since 2018 as a result, noting an outstanding tax liability of $50.
But it was Huffman’s political activity that has drawn the most fierce criticism. Taisha Brown, the chair of the California Democratic Party black caucus, said Huffman’s alliances this year were a tipping point for people who have raised questions about conflicts for years.
“Everything that could potentially help Black people as residents in the state, the state NAACP went against it,” Brown said. “People have talked about this for years. I won’t let anyone get away with building wealth on the back of poor and disadvantaged people.”
Huffman said she will be replaced by Rick Callender, the state NAACP vice president and CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Water District. She will continue to lead AC Public Affairs and remain on the national NAACP board.
“I took some positions that they considered to be on the Republican side,” Huffman said. “It doesn’t matter to me. I took positions I thought were right for the community.”


latimes--2020-11-20--Deadly fire ravages Eastern Sierra town, then rains douse it, sheriff says

The wind-blown blaze that destroyed much of an Eastern Sierra town and killed an elderly woman Tuesday jumped from home to home so fast that people were unable to save possessions before frantically evacuating , residents and authorities said Friday .
Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Braun said the fire started with a spark of unknown origin behind Mountain View BBQ in Walker , a town of about 1,000 people on the California-Nevada border .
What has been dubbed the Mountain View fire “ just whipped through ” the community , she said , burning about 90 homes , many ranch-style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burn a house , skip a house , burn a house , skip a house , ” she said .
By Thursday , it had consumed more than 28,000 acres .
Extreme high winds in the area had caused Southern California Edison to cut off power to some nearby areas , but Braun said Walker receives power from Nevada-based Liberty Utilities and had not been cut off — though there is no current evidence that the blaze was caused by a failure of that system .
Authorities have so far reported one fatality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The details of Joseph ’ s death are not confirmed , but Braun said the woman was found in her home , which was destroyed by the conflagration .
A local television station , News4 , interviewed neighbors of Joseph who said they tried to warn her but were turned back when flames raced toward her home .
“ I pounded on the windows , and I knew she might be there because the vehicles were , and I went inside the house and I screamed again , ” said Charles Padilla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lost his own home in the blaze .
Braun said authorities went door-to-door to evacuate residents and send alerts to cellphones .
At one point , the fire burned so hot it created a giant pyrocumulus cloud that could be seen for miles .
But the blaze no longer threatens Walker .
“ Rain and snow came in and put it out , ” said Braun .
It continues to burn on the Nevada side , where the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is in charge of suppressing it .
The combination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week was not unprecedented in the Eastern Sierra , but it made it made for a strange mashup of meteorological events .
About 88 miles north of Walker , the Pinehaven fire also started Tuesday afternoon in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno , according to authorities .
It destroyed five homes and damaged 15 others but caused no fatalities .
That same night , chains were required for motorists crossing over the Sierra on Interstate 80 because of snow and slippery conditions .
Braun said firefighters from other agencies and the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fierce there was fear fire trucks would topple going into the mountainous region .
Now , she said , the community is focused on recovery .
“ That is the beautiful thing about Mono County .
We are resilient and we take care of each other , ” she said .

Firefighters sift through debris after the Mountain View fire tore through the town of Walker in Mono County.
The wind-blown blaze that destroyed much of an Eastern Sierra town and killed an elderly woman Tuesday jumped from home to home so fast that people were unable to save possessions before frantically evacuating, residents and authorities said Friday.
Mono County Sheriff Ingrid Braun said the fire started with a spark of unknown origin behind Mountain View BBQ in Walker, a town of about 1,000 people on the California-Nevada border.
What has been dubbed the Mountain View fire “just whipped through” the community, she said, burning about 90 homes, many ranch-style properties spread apart. “It would burn a house, skip a house, burn a house, skip a house,” she said.
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By Thursday, it had consumed more than 28,000 acres.
Extreme high winds in the area had caused Southern California Edison to cut off power to some nearby areas, but Braun said Walker receives power from Nevada-based Liberty Utilities and had not been cut off — though there is no current evidence that the blaze was caused by a failure of that system.
Authorities have so far reported one fatality, that of Sallie Joseph, 69. The details of Joseph’s death are not confirmed, but Braun said the woman was found in her home, which was destroyed by the conflagration.
An aerial view of homes destroyed by the Mountain View fire in the town of Walker in Mono County. (Noah Berger / Associated Press)
A local television station, News4, interviewed neighbors of Joseph who said they tried to warn her but were turned back when flames raced toward her home.
“I pounded on the windows, and I knew she might be there because the vehicles were, and I went inside the house and I screamed again,” said Charles Padilla, who was unable to make contact and lost his own home in the blaze.
Braun said authorities went door-to-door to evacuate residents and send alerts to cellphones.
At one point, the fire burned so hot it created a giant pyrocumulus cloud that could be seen for miles.
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But the blaze no longer threatens Walker. “Rain and snow came in and put it out,” said Braun. It continues to burn on the Nevada side, where the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is in charge of suppressing it.
The combination of fire, rain and snow this week was not unprecedented in the Eastern Sierra, but it made it made for a strange mashup of meteorological events. About 88 miles north of Walker, the Pinehaven fire also started Tuesday afternoon in the Caughlin Ranch area of Reno, according to authorities. It destroyed five homes and damaged 15 others but caused no fatalities.
That same night, chains were required for motorists crossing over the Sierra on Interstate 80 because of snow and slippery conditions.
Braun said firefighters from other agencies and the state had responded, but winds were so fierce there was fear fire trucks would topple going into the mountainous region. Now, she said, the community is focused on recovery.
“That is the beautiful thing about Mono County. We are resilient and we take care of each other,” she said.


latimes--2020-11-20--L.A. County sheriff cannot ignore watchdog's subpoena, judge rules

A California judge Friday put Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on his heels in his running power struggle with county officials , upholding the authority of an oversight commission to compel the sheriff to answer questions about how he runs the department .
In a hearing in her downtown courtroom , Superior Court Judge Holly J. Fujie ruled that the Civilian Oversight Commission , a watchdog group appointed by the county ’ s Board of Supervisors , was well within its power when it directed the county ’ s inspector general to subpoena the sheriff in May to testify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus inside the nation ’ s largest jail system .
Villanueva refused to appear , triggering the legal fight before Fujie .
The judge ’ s ruling delivered a potent victory to county officials who have accused the sheriff of rebuffing calls for transparency and efforts to hold him accountable .
Fujie set a hearing for January , when lawyers for Villanueva will have to explain why the sheriff should not be held in contempt of court for his refusal to appear before the commission .
The legal battle became a litmus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minted power to issue subpoenas as a tool to keep the sheriff in check .
The Board of Supervisors granted the commission the authority in January ; voters in March Measure R , which reaffirmed the commission ’ s right to do so .
In September , Gov .
Gavin Newsom gave the right to subpoena to oversight bodies statewide when he signed Assembly Bill 1185 into law .
Nonetheless , Villanueva has challenged the legality of the subpoena ordering him to testify before the commission , describing it at a news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His attorney argued during Friday ’ s hearing and in written filings that the subpoena was an abuse of power and that Villanueva met his obligation to the commission by sending to the meeting an assistant sheriff who was knowledgeable about the department ’ s pandemic response in the jails .
In a statement after Friday ’ s hearing , a Sheriff ’ s Department spokesman criticized the inspector general ’ s “ heavy-handed ” approach of issuing a subpoena .
“ As has been the case all along , this expense to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Inspector General would come to the table and negotiate a meaningful way to exchange information , ” Lt. John Satterfield said .
The inspector general , Max Huntsman , reports to the Board of Supervisors and the oversight commission .
Fujie knocked down the sheriff ’ s legal claims , saying that state law and county codes are clear the commission can compel the sheriff to answer its questions and that the subpoena did not cross the line into interfering with Villanueva ’ s operation of the jails .
The subpoena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Villanueva , not someone else , to appear , and “ the Commission did not exceed its authority by directing the issuance of the Subpoena.
” The judge said the commission is authorized to issue subpoenas as a way to compel testimony and to force the department to hand over internal records when it deems the move necessary .
The county office of the inspector general , which reports to the commission , has said it ’ s been when seeking information about the agency ’ s internal discipline system and hiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deputy shootings and that have been accused of misconduct .
After Villanueva chose not to appear voluntarily at a May 7 meeting , the in the first use of their new power .
He again did not show up , sending Asst .
Sheriff Bruce Chase to answer questions instead .
County lawyers then asked a judge to order Villanueva to attend , saying the panel is “ entitled to hear directly from the boss of the department to address the public ’ s concerns regarding the effects of COVID-19 on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers representing Villanueva argued that the sheriff is not accountable to the commission .
“ The duties of the COC are to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff , not to cross examine him , compel him , harass or bully him , or question him in a public forum on matters in which he is named as an individual defendant , ” Villanueva ’ s filing said , pointing to litigation in which civil rights advocates accuse him of “ deliberate indifference ” toward inmate health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates in the county ’ s network of jails have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began .
A majority have recovered , according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
Eight inmates who tested positive have died .
The fight over the subpoena is the latest turn in the sheriff ’ s ongoing feud with supervisors and other county officials .
Last week , a divided Board of Supervisors voted to explore ways Villanueva could be in light of what some see as his unwillingness to submit to oversight , controversial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rankled critics .

A California judge Friday put Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva on his heels in his running power struggle with county officials, upholding the authority of an oversight commission to compel the sheriff to answer questions about how he runs the department.
In a hearing in her downtown courtroom, Superior Court Judge Holly J. Fujie ruled that the Civilian Oversight Commission, a watchdog group appointed by the county’s Board of Supervisors, was well within its power when it directed the county’s inspector general to subpoena the sheriff in May to testify about how the department was responding to the coronavirus inside the nation’s largest jail system.
Villanueva refused to appear, triggering the legal fight before Fujie. The judge’s ruling delivered a potent victory to county officials who have accused the sheriff of rebuffing calls for transparency and efforts to hold him accountable.
Fujie set a hearing for January, when lawyers for Villanueva will have to explain why the sheriff should not be held in contempt of court for his refusal to appear before the commission.
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The legal battle became a litmus test of the commission’s newly minted power to issue subpoenas as a tool to keep the sheriff in check. The Board of Supervisors granted the commission the authority in January; voters in March overwhelmingly approved Measure R, which reaffirmed the commission’s right to do so. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom gave the right to subpoena to oversight bodies statewide when he signed Assembly Bill 1185 into law.
Nonetheless, Villanueva has challenged the legality of the subpoena ordering him to testify before the commission, describing it at a news conference as a “public shaming endeavor.” His attorney argued during Friday’s hearing and in written filings that the subpoena was an abuse of power and that Villanueva met his obligation to the commission by sending to the meeting an assistant sheriff who was knowledgeable about the department’s pandemic response in the jails.
In a statement after Friday’s hearing, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman criticized the inspector general’s “heavy-handed” approach of issuing a subpoena.
“As has been the case all along, this expense to taxpayers could be avoided if the Office of the Inspector General would come to the table and negotiate a meaningful way to exchange information,” Lt. John Satterfield said.
The inspector general, Max Huntsman, reports to the Board of Supervisors and the oversight commission.
Fujie knocked down the sheriff’s legal claims, saying that state law and county codes are clear the commission can compel the sheriff to answer its questions and that the subpoena did not cross the line into interfering with Villanueva’s operation of the jails. The subpoena, she pointed out, clearly called for Villanueva, not someone else, to appear, and “the Commission did not exceed its authority by directing the issuance of the Subpoena.”
The judge said the commission is authorized to issue subpoenas as a way to compel testimony and to force the department to hand over internal records when it deems the move necessary. The county office of the inspector general, which reports to the commission, has said it’s been stonewalled when seeking information about the agency’s internal discipline system and hiring process, as well as documents related to deputy shootings and secret deputy cliques with matching tattoos that have been accused of misconduct.
After Villanueva chose not to appear voluntarily at a May 7 meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to subpoena him, in the first use of their new power. He again did not show up, sending Asst. Sheriff Bruce Chase to answer questions instead.
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County lawyers then asked a judge to order Villanueva to attend, saying the panel is “entitled to hear directly from the boss of the department to address the public’s concerns regarding the effects of COVID-19 on the jails.”
In a court filing, lawyers representing Villanueva argued that the sheriff is not accountable to the commission.
“The duties of the COC are to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff, not to cross examine him, compel him, harass or bully him, or question him in a public forum on matters in which he is named as an individual defendant,” Villanueva’s filing said, pointing to litigation in which civil rights advocates accuse him of “deliberate indifference” toward inmate health during the pandemic.
More than 3,500 inmates in the county’s network of jails have tested positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic began. A majority have recovered, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Eight inmates who tested positive have died.


latimes--2020-11-20--Driver 'intentionally' rams into Anaheim hotel, injuring 3, authorities say

Anaheim police are searching for the driver of an SUV who backed into three people at the Anaheim Lodge on Thursday afternoon .
The man purposely drove a white Lexus SUV into the hotel on South Beach Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. , targeting one of three people injured in the collision , Anaheim Police Sgt .
Shane Carringer said .
In addition to two people outside , the impact also struck the hotel clerk , who was in the office on the other side of the wall .
The clerk ’ s wife , Dipa Ahir , who works in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she heard the commotion .
She saw her husband lying the ground and a woman pinned against the wall .
“ [ It was ] really scary , ” Ahir said .
“ I can ’ t explain .
I can ’ t imagine this kind of [ thing ] happened.
” Her husband was taken to the hospital with a broken leg , chest injuries and some scratches on his hand , Ahir said .
Carringer confirmed that all three victims were taken to the hospital .
He called the incident an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A hit-and-run would be an accident .
The action of the crash would be not intentional , ” Carringer said .
“ This was intentional.
” The relationship between the driver and those who were struck was not immediately clear , nor was a motive in the attack , authorities said .
Ahir said neither she nor her husband had seen the driver or his vehicle .
Workers temporarily patched up the hotel ’ s stucco wall Thursday afternoon , Ahir said , and will finish repairing it soon .
Carringer said the @ @ @ @ @ @

An investigation is underway after a man backed an SUV into the Anaheim Lodge motel, injuring three people.
Anaheim police are searching for the driver of an SUV who backed into three people at the Anaheim Lodge on Thursday afternoon.
The man purposely drove a white Lexus SUV into the hotel on South Beach Boulevard around 4:30 p.m., targeting one of three people injured in the collision, Anaheim Police Sgt. Shane Carringer said.
In addition to two people outside, the impact also struck the hotel clerk, who was in the office on the other side of the wall.
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The clerk’s wife, Dipa Ahir, who works in the hotel kitchen, came running when she heard the commotion. She saw her husband lying the ground and a woman pinned against the wall.
“[It was] really scary,” Ahir said. “I can’t explain. I can’t imagine this kind of [thing] happened.”
Her husband was taken to the hospital with a broken leg, chest injuries and some scratches on his hand, Ahir said. Carringer confirmed that all three victims were taken to the hospital.
He called the incident an assault with a deadly weapon.
“A hit-and-run would be an accident. The action of the crash would be not intentional,” Carringer said. “This was intentional.”
The relationship between the driver and those who were struck was not immediately clear, nor was a motive in the attack, authorities said. Ahir said neither she nor her husband had seen the driver or his vehicle.
Workers temporarily patched up the hotel’s stucco wall Thursday afternoon, Ahir said, and will finish repairing it soon. Carringer said the building was not structurally damaged.


latimes--2020-11-20--California coronavirus cases hit record for 2nd time this week amid new restrictions

The coronavirus continues to rampage through California at a record rate , prompting the state to reimpose restrictions not seen since the early days of the pandemic in a bid to beat back the accelerating surge .
Statewide , 13,422 new coronavirus cases were reported Thursday — breaking the single-day record for the second time this week .
The previous high-water mark — 13,412 — was set Monday , according to an independent county-by-county tally conducted by The Times .
California has now recorded four consecutive days with at least 10,600 newly confirmed coronavirus cases , a stretch unlike any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , the state has averaged 10,529 new cases per day , a 117 % increase from two weeks ago .
And those skyrocketing case counts aren ’ t mere numbers on a spreadsheet .
Authorities anticipate that roughly 12 % of those who test positive will end up in hospitals two to three weeks later .
COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen by 63.6 % over the last 14 days , hitting 4,523 , according to Dr. Mark Ghaly , the state ’ s health and human services secretary .
The number of patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40.5 % higher than two weeks ago .
Given the current number of daily cases , “ that means in 2½ weeks , 1,200 individuals could be hospitalized with COVID , ” Ghaly said during a briefing Thursday , and “ you can see how that number adds up.
” “ It could mean a serious challenge on our entire healthcare delivery system , and not just the beds and the buildings , but the staff , ” he said .
As cases and hospitalizations rise , officials have said they expect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California reported 108 COVID-19 deaths Wednesday — the first triple-digit figure since Oct. 21 — and 93 more on Thursday , according to data compiled by The Times .
California has averaged 60 daily deaths over the last week , pushing the state ’ s overall toll above 18,500 .
With the virus becoming more widespread statewide , “ activities that you normally do are higher risk today than they were a month ago , ” Ghaly said .
“ We ’ ve seen reports of people saying , ‘ Well , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was doing the same thing a month ago , ’ ” he said .
“ Well , today , because the background transmission rate , the level of COVID in our communities , is higher , even our everyday activities become higher risk .
And we must be resolved to put up our protective guards even more than we usually do.
” In the face of mushrooming case counts and steadily swelling hospitalizations , officials and experts emphasize that residents should double down on measures that can help keep them from getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , practicing good hand hygiene , staying home when sick and keeping physical distance from , as well as avoiding gatherings with , those they don ’ t live with .
Though officials have repeatedly preached that personal responsibility is vital in the battle against COVID-19 , the state this week also unveiled a host of new restrictions aimed at turning back the tide of new infections .
California announced Thursday it will impose a mandatory overnight stay-at-home order that will prohibit most nonessential activity outside the home from 10 p.m. to 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most restrictive category of the state ’ s reopening plan , the purple tier .
Roughly 94 % of Californians , 37 million people , live in the 41 counties that are currently in that tier .
The order goes into effect Saturday and lasts through Dec. 21 , though it could be extended .
“ We hope today ’ s actions , our collective coming together , our resolve to keep our protective behaviors up , will help us stem the tide and bring these surging numbers down very , very soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope is to avoid even more dramatic action in the future , Ghaly acknowledged that “ all tools are on the table.
” “ COVID can go from 0 to 60 very quickly , ” he said .
“ And it has.
” Ahead of the state ’ s move , officials in Los Angeles County announced additional local efforts aimed at curbing the coronavirus .
Starting Friday , the county will order restaurants and nonessential stores to close to the public from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. — though they can continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those hours — and cap the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings at 15 , from no more than three households .
The new restrictions took effect the day after L.A. County recorded 4,943 new cases , the most it has seen in any one day since the pandemic began , according to The Times ’ coronavirus tracker .
“ At this point , no one should still be underestimating the spread of this virus , nor should anyone be questioning the actions we still need to slow the spread and lessen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our local economy , ” the county health officer , Dr. Muntu Davis , said during a briefing .
Should the county ’ s case counts or hospitalization numbers climb too high , officials have warned they may impose additional business restrictions — or even issue a new local stay-at-home order .
Davis acknowledged that “ it ’ s difficult to go through these things , ” but said the coronavirus conditions should be a clarion call for residents and businesses to redouble their infection prevention efforts .
“ If people were really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done , we may not be in this place ; we probably wouldn ’ t be in this place where we have this number of cases or have to take these actions , ” he said Thursday .
“ So , really , everybody has to do their part and forget the idea that this is a hoax .
It ’ s not.
” Warning bells are also going off in Santa Clara County , where officials said they are on pace to potentially exceed their hospital capacity in three weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there urged residents to abstain from traveling for the holiday — and not to view testing as a means to gather with those outside their household or engage in other unsafe activities .
“ A negative result does not mean someone has a pass to put themselves and others at risk , ” Dr. Marty Fenstersheib , the county ’ s COVID-19 testing officer , said in a statement .
“ People who test negative can still be carriers of the virus but be in an early stage of infection .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during this time of heightened COVID-19 risk.
” Times staff writers Phil Willon and Taryn Luna contributed to this report .

The coronavirus continues to spread through California at a record rate, prompting the state to reimpose restrictions not seen since the early days of the pandemic in a bid to beat back the accelerating surge.
The virus is spreading faster than ever in California, and officials are already warning about the risk of running out of hospital beds in a matter of weeks.
There are now so many people infected with the coronavirus that, in a number of ways, the past week has been the worst of any during the pandemic. It potentially foreshadows a heartbreaking death toll as Christmas approaches, with a certain percentage of people infected today dying about a month later.
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Statewide, for the first time, California has reported more than 13,000 cases a day three times this week — on Monday, Thursday and Friday, according to The Times’ independent tally.
California broke its latest single-day record on Monday, when 13,412 cases were reported; on Thursday, 13,377 cases were tallied, and 13,113 on Friday. (An earlier version of this story reported a higher tally on Thursday, which was since adjusted downward.)
California is now recording its worst numbers of daily coronavirus infections. For the seven-day period that ended Friday, an average of 10,981 people were reported to become infected daily — a number that has more than doubled in just the last two weeks and is even worse than the peak in the summer, which had been California’s deadliest COVID-19 season. COVID-19 hospitalizations are up more than 60% statewide over the last two weeks.
Los Angeles County has also recorded the highest average daily number of cases so far in the pandemic, with an average of 3,613 people reporting new infections daily over the five-day period that ended Friday. That number has nearly doubled in just two weeks — a sign of how the virus is spreading faster than ever before.
The county recorded 4,158 cases Friday, according to an independent tally by The Times, a pace that places the region of risk at needing to order further restrictions on business operations.
On Thursday, the county reported its largest number of cases in a single day in the history of the pandemic: 4,943.
Hospitalizations continue to climb in the county, rising 65% in the last two weeks. The coronavirus test positivity rate has jumped considerably, from 3.9% at the start of November to 7.1% on Wednesday.
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“There’s just a lot more people that are infected,” said Barbara Ferrer, the L.A. County director of public health. “The data looks really bad right now. We’ve had three terrible days in terms of case rates and increases in hospitalizations. And if this does continue, we will in fact be” potentially approaching a point where either outdoor restaurant dining areas are ordered shut or a new stay-at-home order is issued.
Ferrer said she expected to give three days’ notice before a new health order would go into effect.
Daily COVID-19 deaths have also increased in the county. For the seven-day period ended Thursday, an average of 21 people died every day from COVID-19, the worst such tally since Oct. 1, and a 50% increase compared with the number earlier in the week.
“This is a serious concern for all of us,” Ferrer said. “This level of acceleration threatens our healthcare system [and] that threatens care for every single person in this county — for people who have a heart attack, for people who need emergency surgery.”
It’s hard to know whether the county has seen a peak in terms of daily cases or is still on its way to even higher numbers.
But should daily coronavirus case rates worsen and pass a red line established by the county, officials could implement a new stay-at-home order that would generally require people to stay at home as much as possible.
“If we can’t get this back under control, that is, unfortunately, where we’re headed: Trying to limit as much as possible interactions with people not in our households,” Ferrer said.
“I still hope that we don’t have to go to ‘Safer-at-Home’ and that we are able to in the next few days start turning this around,” Ferrer said.
The pandemic conditions are especially worrying now because once coronavirus case rates go up, “it can kind of feed upon itself,” Ferrer said. “Once there are more people that are infected in your community, if everyone doesn’t buckle down and take extra precautions, you now have more people that are capable of spreading [the virus].”
Ferrer again urged the public not to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, echoing recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued Thursday — whether it be a cross-country flight or a drive to the other side of town.
If people decide to travel anyway — such as college students returning home for the next month or two — Ferrer said they should quarantine in a room alone for 14 days; as much as possible not share a bathroom, or clean it every time if they do share one; and have people in the home wear masks at all times when indoors.
If students aren’t able to quarantine for 14 days at their destination, Ferrer suggested they not take part in the Thanksgiving festivities, to reduce the chance of infecting the rest of the household.
“We still urge college students to please not return just for the Thanksgiving holiday,” Ferrer said. “There may be some people that are returning and planning to stay here — they’re not going back to their schools — in which case they have plenty of time to do that 14-day self-quarantine.”
The quarantine is particularly important if people in the home are elderly or have underlying medical conditions that put them at risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and kidney or lung disease.
A combination of factors are believed to be fueling the rise in disease, including that people are increasingly gathering, and visiting other people’s homes, while failing to wear face masks and that there has been a greater number of outbreaks at worksites in the last couple of weeks.
Because there are now so many more people contagious with the virus in the community — reflected in the rising test positivity rate, “it’s a lot easier for people to infect other people,” Ferrer said. “Given how high our case rate is ... you have a much greater chance of running into a person who’s infected.”
San Francisco is poised to enter the most restrictive, purple, tier on Sunday, forcing indoor restaurant dining rooms and gyms to close, as is already the case in 93% of California.
California has now recorded five consecutive days with at least 10,000 newly confirmed coronavirus cases a day, a stretch unlike any in the pandemic.
And those skyrocketing case counts aren’t mere numbers on a spreadsheet. Authorities anticipate that roughly 12% of those who test positive will end up in hospitals two to three weeks later. COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen by 63.6% over the last 14 days, hitting 4,523, according to Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state’s health and human services secretary. The number of patients in intensive care — 1,155 — is 40.5% higher than two weeks ago.
Given the current number of daily cases, “that means in two and a half weeks, 1,200 individuals could be hospitalized with COVID,” Ghaly said during a briefing Thursday, and “you can see how that number adds up.”
“It could mean a serious challenge [for] our entire healthcare delivery system, and not just the beds and the buildings, but the staff,” he said.
As cases and hospitalizations rise, officials have said they expect the number of fatalities to climb also. California reported 108 COVID-19 deaths Wednesday — the first triple-digit figure since Oct. 21 — 93 on Thursday, and an additional 90 on Friday, according to data compiled by The Times.
California has averaged 62 daily deaths over the last week, pushing the state’s overall toll above 18,600.
With the virus becoming more widespread statewide, “activities that you normally do are higher-risk today than they were a month ago,” Ghaly said.
“We’ve seen reports of people saying, ‘Well, I haven’t changed my behavior. I was doing the same thing a month ago,’” he said. “Well, today, because [of] the background transmission rate, the level of COVID in our communities is higher [and] even our everyday activities become higher-risk. And we must be resolved to put up our protective guards even more than we usually do.”
In the face of mushrooming case counts and steadily swelling hospitalizations, officials and experts emphasize that residents should double down on measures that can protect them from infection — including wearing masks in public, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when sick and keeping physical distance from, as well as avoiding gatherings with, those they don’t live with.
Though officials have repeatedly preached that personal responsibility is vital in the battle against COVID-19, the state this week also unveiled a host of new restrictions aimed at turning back the tide of new infections.
California announced Thursday it would impose a mandatory overnight stay-at-home order that will prohibit all gatherings with members of other households and all nonessential activities conducted outside of the home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in counties that are in the most restrictive category of the state’s reopening plan.
The limited stay-at-home order still permits people to leave home in the late-night hours to go for a walk with members of their own household, walk the dog, pick up takeout food, or go grocery shopping.
“Oftentimes when people are gathering outside after 10 o’clock, it’s because they’re in a situation where they’re socializing with others, probably not with people in their household,” Ferrer said. “What we’re trying to really reduce right now is the socializing and the gathering with people not in your household.”
The order goes into effect Saturday and lasts through Dec. 21, though it could be extended.
“We hope today’s actions, our collective coming together, our resolve to keep our protective behaviors up, will help us stem the tide and bring these surging numbers down very, very soon,” Ghaly said.
Though the hope is to avoid even more dramatic action in the future, Ghaly acknowledged that “all tools are on the table.”
“COVID can go from 0 to 60 very quickly,” he said. “And it has.”
Ahead of the state’s move, officials in Los Angeles County announced additional local efforts aimed at curbing the coronavirus.
On Friday, the county began ordering restaurants and nonessential stores to close to the public from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. — though they can continue to offer takeout and delivery service during those hours — and capped the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings at 15, from no more than three households.
The number of patrons at outdoor restaurants, breweries and wineries is capped at 50% of maximum outdoor capacity.
“At this point, no one should still be underestimating the spread of this virus, nor should anyone be questioning the actions we still need to slow the spread and lessen its impact on our collective health and our local economy,” the county health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, said during a briefing.
Davis said the coronavirus conditions should be a clarion call for residents and businesses to redouble their infection prevention efforts.
“If people were really all following the things that needed to be done, we ... probably wouldn’t be in this place where we have this number of cases or have to take these actions,” he said Thursday. “So, really, everybody has to do their part and forget the idea that this is a hoax. It’s not.”
Warning bells are also going off in Santa Clara County, where officials said they are on pace to potentially exceed their hospital capacity in three weeks.
Officials there urged residents not to view testing as a means to gather with those outside their household or engage in other unsafe activities.
“A negative result does not mean someone has a pass to put themselves and others at risk,” Dr. Marty Fenstersheib, the county’s COVID-19 testing officer, said in a statement. “People who test negative can still be carriers of the virus but be in an early stage of infection. It’s critically important that you not travel during this time of heightened COVID-19 risk.”
Times staff writers Phil Willon and Taryn Luna contributed to this report.